Chapter 3 : When Things are as they should be (or almost)

"Leo!" Mike's loud shouts filled the forest. He had been searching for Leo for what seemed like hours and he still found no trace of him. He was growing weary and the rain hindered his path. He had nearly slipped on the muddy floor once. Guilt was quickly consuming him and he stopped to strike a tree with his fists out of frustration. "Damn it Leo! I didn't mean it!" He really didn't mean it, but he still didn't know where those words came from. Somehow he would make Leo understand how much he cared for him and that he was proud of him. If only he could find him.

Mike kept wandering without no clue of which direction he was headed for. It was still dark and the rain still poured. His eyes must have been wandering when he saw a trail of footsteps on the ground. He thought his eyes might have been deceiving him for that one moment. He moved closer to see and when he reached them he was relieved that they truly were footsteps. He followed the muddy trail, hoping that the marks belonged to Leo.

The trail led him to a thicker and more secluded area of the forest where the trees were taller and the rain poured less in this area. Though small drops penetrated through the thick roof of leaves, the area was still dry. The trail ended in the center of the area where a massive tree ruled over the other ones. Mike was glad to see Leo was there at its base.

"Hey..." Mike approached Leo and then sat beside him.

"Hey," Leo answered back. His eyes were directed to the floor and his hands were folded together.

"You know I didn't-"

"But it's al true!" Leo interrupted him. His eyes still stayed fixed on the ground. "I always ruin everything for you! I let you down! I couldn't even help you when you needed it. I even took away your right to become the red ranger! I'm a failure in every way."

"Don't ever think that!" Mike warned. He couldn't believe Leo could ever think such nonsense. He wrapped one arm around Leo's shoulder. "You were destined to be the red ranger and I the Magna Defender. You took no such thing from me. " Mike moved to face Leo. "If I ever hear you say anything like that again I'll be forced to beat you down like a big brother should," he joked.

Leo chuckled for a brief moment. "I'm sorry Mike.."

"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said as he pulled Leo into a comforting hug and held him tightly "It should be me apologizing."

Leo took in the comfort of the embrace. In an instant all the rain had ceased and light returned to the once dark forest. The light was a sign that the two brothers would be able to make it through the day and through the dangers of the mysterious forest.