When Serpentra was destroyed, the Power Rangers returned to Ninja Ops, awaiting judgement from their Sensei. They all stared at one another, unwilling to say the first word.
"If you want to join us, you are welcome to do so," said Sensei Kanoi.
"I'm good," Jade answered, fingering her leather uniform. "I wouldn't want to like...you know, drag you into my fight."
"Your fight?" Tori repeated. She laughed, shaking her blonde bangs from her face. "You don't have to go through it alone; it's our fight as well."
"Tori's correct," agreed Sensei. "I think your Medusa and Lothor have joined forces. It would be logical that we do the same."
"Yeah," Shane said. "Your powers: they're like...off the hook!"
Jade smiled grimly. "Thanks," She clenched her fist. "I work alone. Can't have any more blood spilled because of me, you know?"
The guinea pig nodded. "If you change your mind," he said, "our school is open. You know where we are, thanks to Dustin."
The Yellow Ranger grinned at her. "Dude, you rock," was all he was able to say.
Jade skated towards the ramp, where she had another go at the 360. She nailed in this time, earning applause from a spectator. She put her hands on her hips. "We have got to stop meeting like this." she said in a parody of anger.
"You were totally sick," Dustin grinned. "Awesome."
Jade half-laughed; it was so easy with him. For some strange reason, this unfamiliar specimen had grown on her during the past few days. He had hung out with her everyday, meeting up at the park and then cracking jokes at the beach. He did most of the joking, while she was the one who listened. She had begun to look forward to their escapades. Life just seemed so...uncomplicated when she was with him.
"So have you made a decision yet?" asked Dustin. "About joining the team, I mean."
Jade sighed. "Yeah, I've thought about it," she answered. "And...maybe I'll give it a shot. I think I need friends."
The boy laughed. "I knew you liked me," he teased. She responded by punching him in the shoulder. "So...about that kiss...we can like, do some more if you enjoyed it." His eyebrows wiggled mischeviously.
Jade cringed; she didn't like the floaty feelings in her stomach. She tried to show no emotion while her cheeks burned in embarassment. "Haha, right," she scoffed. "I enjoyed it as much as one would enjoy an enema...not that I've ever experienced one."
Dustin put an arm around her shoulders as he led her away from the park. "You know," he said, "I have a feeling that this is the start of like...a beautiful friendship, you know?"
"If by beautiful, you mean utterly insane, then yeah, I guess."
"You really just can't let me have the last word, can you?"
Jade laughed and said nothing as the pair strode off in the direction of the setting sun.