Title: Punk Protectors

Part Three: Cranky

Author: Kryptonite

Disclaimer: The idea of Power Rangers itself belongs to Sabaan Entertainment and I'm using the *idea* for the basis of this. The characters are my own.

Spoilers: Not many since it's my own team

Summary: Follows Adam.

A/N: Yay. I have so much inspiration today. Probably because I'm sick and hungry. I really should go eat breakfast……… anyway. Sorry about the name change, I'm hoping it's the last one. Please R/R, I really need the encouragement. If no one reviews, I'll probably continue to update but……… I don't know. So, enjoy.

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~ After The Midnight Stroll ~

" Hey Adam."

" What Jacob?"

" Dad's on."

" I don't want to talk to him."

" Come on Adam. Stop acting like a baby. He didn't have a choice."

" You always have a choice."

" Not when you're dying. Just come say hello."

" No."

~~~~~

~ Next Day ~

" Adam?" Max caught up with the troubled youth after school.

" Yeah?" He didn't mean to snap. Max's face closed off and she pulled away from him.

" Never mind." Adam grabbed her arm.

" No, no. I'm sorry. It's just……… I'm not having a good couple of days."

" Did it start before or after our little walk?" Max just wanted to leave.

" After. My……… dad called."

" Oh. It's okay Adam. I understand." She walked off after jerking her arm out of Adam's grasp. " See ya later." She called without turning around.

Groaning Adam walked off in the other direction.

~~~~~

~ Command Center ~

" What are you doing?" Jacob asked, entering Adam's room without permission.

" Nothing." Adam said, standing up and blocked the object that showed him what Max was doing.

" Doesn't look like nothing. Move."

" No."

" Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

" Blame mom."

" Not even mom was this stubborn. She left when the pressure got to be too much."

Jacob never saw the punch coming, but after it did, he managed to beat Adam and ended up sitting on his chest. Staring at the image the crystal was producing.

" You're watching her? Jesus." Adam took advantage of Jacob's momentary lapse of attention and shoved him off.

" She shoulda been a ranger."

" We didn't have enough. Anyway, when the next……… it doesn't matter. We didn't have enough power coins. Someone was going to have to go." Adam walked towards the door.

" What about you? Ever think that the morpher doesn't work for you because you aren't the one for it?"

Jacob stared in shock as his little brother disappeared.