A/N: Really sorry about the tardiness. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers Samurai or Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. I just own most of the plot and the characters and things you don't recognize from the original versions.
~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~
"They would do anything for Emily, anything to ensure her safety, anything to ensure her happiness. Especially since it was her birthday."
Better Together
Power Rangers: Samurai REDO
Season 1, Episode 16: Team Spirit
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
July 5, 2014
Where was everybody?
Seriously, she just heard Mike laughing not two minutes ago. But she couldn't find anyone.
Emily woke up this morning to Ji declaring this was a free day, so she took the time to get caught up with her mom, her friend Riley, and her cousin Dustin (by writing them emails). By the time she was done, it was almost dinner time, but the house was oddly quiet.
Mike would be in the meeting room playing his handheld game console, Antonio would be studying the ancient texts, Mia would be in the kitchen cooking dinner, and Kevin and Jayden would be training. At least, they would be if they were here.
But they were not (she knew because she had searched everywhere).
Emily sighed before writing a note, explaining where she was going and why (she was going to the Cool Bean Cafe to visit Angela), and once she placed the note on the meeting room table, she left the house.
Kevin quietly closed the sliding door after the front door shut behind Emily, and turning back to the other Rangers (sans Jayden, who was keeping watch outside while they made preparations for Emily's birthday party tomorrow), said, "This is gonna be tough to pull off."
"Would you relax, Kevin?" Mia cut in gently, carrying a basket of streamers. "We're almost done preparing the decorations, so all we really have to do is hide them until tomorrow."
Mike capped the black marker and picked up the yellow one, before turning to the 'Happy Birthday, Emily'sign he was working on, "You know, Emily doesn't really like celebrating her birthday because she never had friends to celebrate it with. But that could change this time."
Antonio spoke up from the table where he was frosting Emily's cake (vanilla cake with lemon frosting), "It is cool we're doing something special for her, isn't it?"
A knock came at the door, and everyone immediately froze up in fear (what if that was Emily at the door?). The door openly slowly and those in the room held their breath, afraid of the person opening the door being Emily.
But they all saw that it was just Jayden, their lookout, and all breath was released in relief.
Mike started chuckling, before pointing the marker in his face at the others, "You guys should have seen your faces. It was like Master Xandred had just walked through the door."
Kevin let out a weak laugh, "Ha ha, we just didn't want Emily to find us."
Antonio turned to Jayden, "What's the update, Jay?"
Jayden held up Emily's note (the one she left on the meeting room table), "The coast is clear. Emily went into the city. She left a note."
Kevin took the note from Jayden's hand and read it to himself, "'Hey, guys. I'm going into the city to spend some time with Angela. I'll be back in time for dinner.' Okay. That gives us," he checked his watch, "five to six hours to finish up here."
"Oh, yeah, that's plenty of time," Antonio added, before going back to frosting the cake.
"True," Mike turned back to the sign he was working on.
"What's the update for you guys?" Jayden asked.
"We're almost done," Kevin replied. "We just need fifteen more minutes to finish preparing, and then five more to hide it."
"Okay," Jayden said. It seemed like they were in the clear ('seemed' because they had to keep it all a secret from Emily until tomorrow).
There was a moment of silence before Mia went off on a tangent, "Hey, Kevin, you're a Virgo, right?"
Kevin sent her a weird look after tying together another balloon, "If you mean my birthday, technically it's September 17th."
"So, yes," Mia said, before turning to Mike. "What's your birthday, Mike?"
"May 30th," he replied.
"A Gemini." She turned to Antonio. "What about you, Antonio?"
"December 8th," he answered. "That's Sagittarius. What's yours, Mia?"
"I'm February 11th, Aquarius," Mia said before turning to Jayden. "What about you, Jayden?"
"November 5th," Jayden replied slowly, not sure where Mia was going with all of this.
"Scorpio," Mia said. "You know Emily's a Cancer. Scorpio and Cancer have high compatibility."
Oh.
Jayden felt his face heat up. "Mia, you don't really believe in that stuff, do you?"
The Pink Samurai shrugged, "Not really. I just find it fascinating."
"Yes, you do believe in that stuff, Mia," Kevin gently shot back.
"So what if I do?" Mia retorted.
Kevin chuckled as the other three shook their heads. "Don't worry, Mia. We still like you. "
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld
Dayu and Octoroo were looking out of the windows of the Junk Ship, watching as the rocks on the shoreline burned red and morphed into Marauders, both large and small.
"I always wonder why Master Xandred isn't happy," Octoroo said to Dayu. "After all, the Nighlock get stronger with every inch that the River rises."
"Probably because of the Seal," Dayu reminded her fellow General. "It gives him those irritating headaches."
"True," Octoroo replied, just as a voice that didn't belong to either of them rang out.
"General Dayu, you called for me?" a Nighlock asked as he climbed aboard.
"You did?" Octoroo asked.
"I did," Dayu confirmed, before turning to the Nighlock. "Splitface, I called you for a reason. That matter we discussed?"
"That girl?" Splitface asked, remembering the 'girl' Dayu told him about.
"Your mission is to capture her spirit," Dayu said. "And make sure she doesn't get it back."
"And if all else fails," Octoroo added, "make sure you at least raise the River."
"Oh, I have no doubt I will cause tons of misery," Splitface said.
"I know I'm miserable every time I see you," Dayu muttered.
Splitface merely laughed.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
As soon as she left Angela's cafe, Emily immediately froze upon seeing lots of people lying down on the ground, not moving with no indication that they were still alive (but her instincts told her that they were still alive). She glanced up to see people running away and a Nighlock chasing them.
"Woohoo~! Talk about fast food!" the Nighlock gleefully taunted.
Emily immediately ducked behind a wall (out of sight), flipped out her Samuraizer, and called the first person that came to mind.
"What's up, Em?" Jayden answered right away.
"There's a Nighlock in the city," she explained. "I don't know what his powers are, but there are people passed out over here."
"The Gap Sensor just went off. We're on our way," Jayden replied before hanging up.
Once he did, Emily drew her symbol and morphed before running back into the open. She knelt next to a business man and studying him (seriously, what did the Nighlock do to these people?).
The weird thing was that, at a first glance, nothing seemed to be wrong with them. They were just sleeping.
But knowing a Nighlock was behind this, it was never that simple.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Splitface enjoyed the screams of people running away from him, but his favorite thing in the world was the spirits that were warm and bright. They were the most delicious.
"I just love spirited snacks!" He exclaimed, walking towards a cowering group that was cornered.
All of a sudden, an arrow hit him in the back and sent him tumbling to the side. When he glanced behind him, he quickly took notice of all six Samurai Rangers standing in usual formation, fully morphed, weapons pointed right at him (and the Hydro Bow told him that the Blue Ranger was the one who had shot him).
"Samurai Rangers!" He exclaimed, partly out of fear, the other part out of glee (because she was here, the 'girl' Dayu told him to wait for).
"Snack time is over for you, Nighlock!" the Red Ranger announced.
"Hey! Snack time is over when I say it's over!" Splitface shot back.
Mike and Antonio raced forward, their weapons drawn. "Body Swarm!" Splitface called out, spliting his body into a dozen pieces the moment before Mike and Antonio's weapons would've hit him.
"Ow!" Mike cried out as Splitface's many parts hit him and Antonio. "It's like dodgeball with teeth!"
Splitface reformed a split second to get another hit on Mike and Antonio before splitting up again and flying at the other four.
After blocking Emily's attack and sending her to the ground, Splitface focused on the others (splitting to dodge attacks and reforming to go on the offense). Jayden and Mia's combo attack failed to connect and Splitface easily took them out, before he focused on Kevin. He easily avoided the blue energy arrows before striking him down.
Splitface turned back to Emily, who was getting back on her feet. She raised her Sword to attack, but was hit hard herself and knocked to the pavement.
Emily quickly looked back up in time to see Splitface aiming his mouth-hand at her. "Mm-mm, you'll make a fine desert!"
"Wait, no!" she cried out just as she felt her soul being ripped from her body.
Jayden watched as Emily de-morphed in a flash of yellow and then, in a flash of gold, her spirit exited through her mouth and went into Splitface's mouth-hand. Emily then fell onto her back, passed out, just like the other people (so that's what this Nighlock did to them).
"Emily!" Jayden and Mia both called out, before getting up and racing over.
"What did you do to her?!" Jayden angrily yelled out, before swiping his Sword at Splitface, who of course split himself to avoid it before using his pieces to attack the Red Ranger instead.
Meanwhile, Mia had raced over to Emily's still form, dropping her Sword at her side, and cradled the younger in her arms. "Emily! Emily! Wake up!"
But Emily made no move or sound.
Mike and Antonio (on one side) and Jayden and Kevin (on the other) had Splitface surrounded. Mike and Jayden's Swords were pointed directly at Splitface while Kevin glanced back at Mia and Emily before turning back to Splitface.
"Yum!" Splitface exclaimed, completely unfazed by the Rangers' anger. "I have to admit that her spirit was indeed delicious. And in twenty-four hours, I get to keep it forever."
The five Rangers immediately processed that last part in disbelief.
"Of course, if you defeat me, you can have all their spirits back," Splitface continued, before tearing that hope down. "But good luck with that, because I'm heading back to the Netherworld, where you guys can't follow me."
"What?" The Rangers remembered Ji telling them that mortals couldn't go into Netherworld, because that air was poisonous to them, hence why the Rangers could never launch a surprise attack on Xandred.
"So Rangers, try to enjoy your last day with your friend," Splitface continued, "because this is the last time you'll ever see me."
"You're kidding yourself if you think we'll just stand by and let that happen!" Jayden called out, standing up on his feet.
"Well, try it if you're so confident," Splitface taunted them.
"Stop him!" Mia ordered the four guys, before glancing briefly down at Emily in her arms. "No matter what it takes!"
Splitface shrugged before turning to the Gap.
Kevin and Mike immediately got to their feet and rushed over to the retreating Nighlock, who saw their attack coming and split himself up. Splitfaces' pieces hit them several times and the two fell to the ground. Splitface reassembled to land another strike, but this strike was block by Antonio's Barracuda Blade.
Antonio reached for his belt buckle and pulled out the Claw Disk and hooked it up to the hilt of his Blade, "Time to take you out, Nighlock!"
Antonio unsheathed his Blade just as Jayden leapt in with his Spin Sword to help.
"Body Swarm!" Splitface called out, breaking apart and struck the two several times, during which time Antonio was able to land a hit on one of the Nighlock's pieces.
After knocking the Red and Gold Rangers to the ground as well, Splitface reassembled right at the Gap, quite a distance away from them. "Have a nice day!" He called out, before walking right into the Gap, disappearing in a flash of red.
"No!" Jayden called out.
"Now what?!" Kevin asked.
"Emily..." Mia softly muttered. "Why'd it have to be you?"
The sun was already settling. By this time tomorrow, she would never wake up again.
Antonio glanced over at the Gap that Splitface left through. He hit him. He did it.
It had to work.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
The sky was dark and filled with stars by the time the Rangers brought an unconscious Emily back to the House. She was placed in her room (in her pajamas) and the others (sans Antonio) were surrounding her, calculating their next move.
Ji entered the room and gave them the news about the other victims, "Fifty-four victims, including Emily, have all had their spirits stolen. The hospital reports that they are sleeping comfortably. Their pulses are a little weak and they all have slight fevers, but other than that, nothing appears to be wrong with them. But we know better." He held up a book and read an excerpt. "Splitface has attacked our world before. Once every century, in fact. He gathers up spirits that he quotes are 'delicious' to feast on until he attacks next. The previous Samurai teams have never been able to defeat him due to his splitting ability, and each of them has lost a fellow Ranger because of him."
Those were not good odds, they all thought to themselves. The silence that followed Ji's exposition was tense enough to cut in half with a knife.
"What are we going to do?" Mia finally asked.
"He said he wasn't going to come back until it was too late," Mike reminded.
"We need to focus on helping Emily," Jayden calmly said. "Worrying is just going to leave us with less time to think of ideas, and that's the last thing Emily needs."
There was more silence, before Kevin said, "I feel awful about this."
"We know," Mike replied. "We do too."
"It had to be her," Kevin said. "And on her birthday, too."
"We'll find a way to save her in time," Jayden said. He wasn't particularly confident, but he needed to be strong for his team.
"I hope so," Kevin quietly added as they all looked after Emily.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
It was still night time. He had time, but he couldn't risk it. He had to do this now.
Antonio flipped open his Morpher and typed up the 'Live' kanji before throwing it at the broken Clawzord. If he could fix the Clawzord, everything would be okay again. The fifty-four victims would have their spirits back, and Emily would be with them again (like it was meant to be).
The golden kanji dissipated the moment it hit the Clawzord. Again.
"Dammit!" Antonio cursed as he punched the nearby wall. "This has to work!"
"Maybe you need to rethink your strategy." Antonio glanced down.
Did Claw just speak to him? Octo wasn't here (he was back at the House with the others), so it had to be Claw.
"'Rethink my strategy'?" Antonio asked for an explanation.
"Talking like this is hurting me, so I'll talk fast," Claw continued. "One of my powers is enhancing the powers of the other Zords, which I will be showing you how to use later."
Antonio took a moment to process those words. "I can't do this alone. Can I?"
Claw shakingly shook its head.
He couldn't do this by himself.
Of course! He wasn't the only one who wanted to save Emily, save the other victims, the only Ranger on the team.
One Ranger was strong, yes, but a team was unbeatable, invincible.
It all made sense now.
"Thanks, Claw. I know what to do now," he smiled at his Zord, and, however broken he may have been, Claw smiled back.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld
Splitface laughed as he sat on the ledge of the Junk Ship, enjoying the rocky River.
"I've completed my mission, and I've filled the River with more tears," he said, before pondering, "I wonder who will suffer more: those who sleep forever or those who watch over them?"
Splitface laughed again gleefully.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
July 6, 2014
Emily felt tired, exhausted, weary, like the heaviest person in the world was laying down on her. She didn't know how to stop it.
But the weirdest part was that she didn't want to stop it.
Some part of her told her to let herself be crushed. She was useless anyways. She was never going to find Serena. What was the point of waking up?
'You have friends who care about you.'
Emily paused. That voice sounded familiar. That was the voice of the spirit who took refuge with her all those years ago.
"W-What?"
'Your friends. They've been really worried about you,' the voice continued. 'You need to wake up. For them if not yourself.'
Emily's heart tightly clenched at the thought of Jayden, Kevin, Mia, Mike, and Antonio being depressed because she wasn't there. Of Ji having to call her mother and tell her that her youngest daughter was dead too. Of all of the people who wouldn't survive because she wasn't there to protect them.
"Okay," Emily replied. "But I don't know how to wake up."
'Just leave that to me.'
And Emily felt a hand press on her back and push her up, towards the light. Her five senses started coming back as she groaned.
Her sense of taste alerted her to the dryness of her mouth (How long was she out?). Her sense of smell alerted her to the familiarity of her bedroom at the Shiba House (okay, she wasn't in a weird place). Her sense of touch alerted her to someone wiping her forehead with a damp washcloth (she could feel the fever she had, and she knew that someone was Mia). Her sense of hearing alerted her to someone (Mike) call out that she was awake (probably the others). Finally, her sense of sight alerted her to Ji and the other Rangers (sans Antonio for some reason) gathering around her bed (Mike and Mia were already sitting on either side of her bed).
"How do you feel, Em?" Mia asked as she and Mike propped her up with pillows.
"Empty," she said. "I let him get to me. I'm sorry."
"Don't be silly," Mike replied. "We're just glad you're okay."
"Thanks for putting on the brave face for me," she said quietly, "but I know I'm not okay. I don't feel like myself."
She was normally cheerful and optimistic. Without it, she felt empty and useless. Weak.
"Don't worry," Kevin cut in. "We'll figure out a way to help you."
She tried to smile, but it just didn't happen. She didn't have the energy. "You don't have to do that," she said. "I don't add anything to the team, anyways."
"You're wrong, Em," Mike cut her off. "You're the best of us."
Jayden knelt beside her bed, and, his voice soft and gentle, "We're not going to let you down, Em. We'll save you. Just hold on until then."
"I'm fine, Jay," she got out, her voice shaking, small tears filling her eyes. "I'm fine..." she trailed off as she noticed her energy ebbing away.
The others noticed this too, right away.
"No!" Mia cried out. "Don't go back to sleep!"
"Stay awake, Emily," she heard Jayden order her.
"I'm fine..." were her last words before she was once again out like a light.
"Thank you, whoever you are."
'Just call me, Lee. It's the only name I remember having,' Lee replied. 'And you're welcome. Once I get my own energy back up, I'll wake you back up, but right now, I need to rest.'
"Okay. Thank you."
The room was intensely quiet the moment after Emily went back to sleep, a sleep she may never wake up from again.
"Emily!" Mike shouted, gently shaking Emily's sleeping form. "Emily!"
His fists clenched in anger when he got no response, before he raced out of the room.
"Mike!" Mia called out, before racing after him, Kevin hot on her heels.
Jayden also stood to his feet, but hung back right at the doorframe, glancing at Emily's still form.
Could he really leave Emily behind like this? He needed to find that Nighlock, but he couldn't just leave anyone in charge of taking care of Emily.
So, he turned to Ji, the only person in the room, someone he deeply trusted, "Look after her." His great-uncle nodded, giving Jayden the freedom to release that particular burden as he followed his friends.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
Mike raced to the Gap Splitface had left through, his Spin Sword in hand (but un-morphed). "Nighlock!" He shouted at the Gap, knowing that Splitface was watching and listening. "Come out, you coward!" Nothing happened, so Mike stepped closer to the Gap. "You can't do this to Emily! DO YOU HEAR ME?!"
He struck the Gap several times with his Swrd, before Kevin and Mia ran up to him. Kevin grabbed hold of his arms and yanked him away from the Gap, as Mia was trying to comfort him.
"Mike, calm down. That won't do anything," she told him.
Feeling defeated, Mike quietly asked them, "Then what should we do? Tell me what to do."
Mia and Kevin were quiet, unable to produce an answer for them.
"Mike!" The three turned to see Jayden running over to them, but then stopping because someone else was in his way.
Deker.
Mike raised his Sword as Jayden's expression lowered into a glare.
"Hmm," Deker said. "It seems I have bad timing. I thought we could finally duel," he told Jayden, "but you are obviously preoccupied."
"If you know that, then go away," Jayden coldly replied, walking over to join his friends. "I don't have time for you games, stranger."
"Splitface is a tricky opponent," Deker said, catching the four Rangers' attention.
"What do you know about him?" Kevin immediately asked.
"Only what you already know," Deker replied. "But it seems he has been given a mission this time. He was ordered to target a specific person."
"What are you talking about?" Mia asked.
"Your Yellow Ranger is a clairvoyant, and she appears to have been born that way," Deker revealed. Mike lowered his Sword in shock, the silence that followed allowing the Ex-General to continue. "But because of these abilities, she is a threat to the Nighlock. They want to silence her before she fully reveals the book of secrets that the Keller House holds, the story being told by her sister's flute which she herself holds."
And suddenly, everything made sense. Serena's flute was a medium, hence why so many of Emily's nightmares lately were of the Keller Forest House and the secrets it held. Emily really was their key to finding out what happened to Lauren and her team, and the Nighlock were now certainly involved. Why else would they want Emily gone? Without her, those secrets would remain as secrets.
But then Deker said something that shook them all to their core, "But that's not why she's so special to you."
Because he was right. They weren't friends with Emily because her abilities. They were friends with her because she was their light, their center, their heart. Without her, things would never be the same again.
"There is a way humans like you can enter the Netherworld."
This quickly caught their attention. "Really?" Mike asked.
"Simply trade your human existence to become a Nighlock," Deker replied. "Willingly give yourself over to them and pass through the Gap."
Jayden slowly shook his disbelief. "Wait, are you saying you made that choice?"
"I don't remember how it happened to me," Deker confessed. "But I'm living proof it can be done." He transformed into his Nighlock form. "I welcome you to do it. You can then fight in ways no human being can. It will make our impending duel even more glorious."
Deker then leapt up and away from them.
The four were quiet as they glanced at the Gap, Deker's words flowing through their mind.
"Become a Nighlock?" Mia asked with uncertainty.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
Ji glanced up from Emily to see Antonio standing in the doorway.
"Ji, where are the others?" Antonio asked.
"They went to the scene of the battle earlier," Ji replied. "I assume they're trying to find a way to pull the Nighlock out of the Gap."
"Okay," Antonio made a move to leave, but paused. "How's Emily?"
Ji placed a hand on her forehead, which was hot to the touch. "Not good. Her fever has worsened since the last time she woke up."
"Emily woke up?" Antonio asked, not believing his ears.
"Yes," Ji replied. "I do not know how she did so, and I do not know how to replicate it."
Antonio paused again, before kneeling next to Emily's bed. "Hang in there, Em," he encouraged her. "I have a plan. I know exactly what to do. I just need more power."
Antonio lingered before racing out of the House, his destination being where the others were. The sun was getting closer to setting. He needed to hurry.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
The four Rangers continued to stare at the Gap. "Become a Nighlock?" Mia asked.
"Emily's the best of us. She has the sweetest, most caring spirit, and I won't let that Nighlock keep it. I'll go," Mike volunteered, taking a step forward.
But Jayden held out his arm, stopping Mike. "No! I'm the leader. You all are my responsibility, including Emily, and Deker only wants me. I'll go alone."
"We know you care about Emily, Jayden. We all do," Kevin protested. "But remember, it's our duty to protect and save the many."
"He's right," Mia agreed. "It's not just Emily we need to save. All of those people in the hospital. Their lives are at risk, too. I'll go."
"We all will," Kevin corrected. Mike and Mia nodded.
"No!" Jayden retorted, stopping them. "Worst case scenario: this doesn't work, and we become Nighlocks and Emily dies. That only leaves Antonio to protect the city. And even if this does work, Antonio and Emily won't destroy all of us, even if it means that the world is destroyed because of it. They don't have the heart to fight us."
"Jayden," Mike placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "we're a team. Either we all go, or none of us will. Someone needs to stop Splitface, and maybe we can wreck havoc inside the Sanzu River."
"We can't base our decision on 'maybe's'," Jayden quietly reminded them.
"We know," Mia replied. "But we need to save fifty-four people, Emily included. Without us, they don't stand a chance."
Jayden was quiet, before revealing his choice, "Fine. We all go. But stick together."
"Right!"
The four then faced the Gap and walked towards it.
"Wait! Stop!"
The four turned to Antonio, who was running towards them with a water-filled basket in hand, when he called out to them.
"Antonio!" Jayden exclaimed, before asking, "What are you doing here?"
"I have a plan," Antonio said, lifting up the lid of the basket he was carrying. "But I need you guys to help me." Clawzord peaked his head out. "We can save Emily and the other victims by reviving the Clawzord."
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld
Splitface laughed as the Sanzu River continued to rock the Junk Ship violently. He was enjoying this.
"Just a little longer," he commented. "A little longer and the humans' grief and suffering will reach their peak."
But just then something felt wrong. He glanced down at his side, which was glowing a bright gold.
"What is this?" He recognized the mark that was glowing. "What the–? Is that a Power Symbol?"
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
Antonio programmed the 'Live' kanji into his morpher.
"Symbol Power: Live!" The other four spun the special Disks hooked up to their Spin Swords.
All kanjis hit Clawzord and grew a little bigger.
"Again!" Antonio ordered.
They repeated the process and Clawzord got even bigger.
"More!" Antonio told his friends. "We need more Symbol Power for it to fully activate!"
Once more, the five repeated the process, Clawzord getting bigger with each time.
"One more time should do it!" Antonio said.
This time, all five put their all into the Power Symbols they were casting.
This was for Emily, for all the people sleeping just like Emily, for all the people waiting who couldn't do anything, for the previous Samurai Rangers they had lost. They had to break the cycle.
"Live!"
Antonio's Morpher beeped, giving him the power over natural Symbols instead of electronic ones, just as Clawzord grew to his rightful size, his eyes glowing green.
"YES!" Antonio cried out with joy.
"Thank you for waiting!" Clawzord announced.
A moment later, the Symbol Power yanked Splitface off of the Junk Ship and out of the Netherworld. He flew through the Gap and towards Clawzord. The revived Zord simply struck the Nighlock, who hit a wall and landed on the ground.
"What's going on?" The Nighlock asked, looking at his surroundings. He took quick notice of the giant Clawzord. "What is that?"
"That's my buddy, Clawzord," Antonio replied, "and he's new in town."
Confused, Splitface asked, "But I was in the Netherworld! How'd you get me here?!"
Antonio shrugged. "Simple really? When we came in contact yesterday, I managed to mark you with a kanji, the same one I've been working with to repair Clawzord."
"What?!" Splitface stared in disbelief. "You marked me?"
Antonio motioned to the Nighlock's side, where the mentioned kanji continued to glow, "Yep. Once the other Rangers helped me activate him, I knew you'd be drawn out of the Netherworld just like a magnet. And hey, it worked like a charm."
Splitface was outraged, "No way! I refuse to believe you can beat me like this! No! No! No!"
"Shut your mouths!" Mike shot back, quieting the Nighlock. "You're gonna pay for what you did to Emily!"
"It's time to end this," Mia added.
"We're going to take back every spirit you've stolen!" Kevin told him.
Jayden pulled out his Samuraizer, "Enough talk."
Antonio pulled out his Morpher as well, "It's time to light you up!"
Splitface threw a blast at them, but the five merely morphed to block it easily.
"Go, Go, Samurai!"
Antonio leapt through the resulting, small explosion and struck Splitface with his Barracuda Blade three times.
Splitface called out, "Body Swarm!" but nothing happened, and Antonio was able to land all three hits.
As he hit the ground, he wondering, "Why can't I do the Body Swarm?"
"Get with the program," Antonio told him, as the other four re-grouped with him. "You've been marked."
"Well, I'm marking all of you for demolition!" Splitface shot back.
"It's time to pay," Mike said, lowering into a fighting position.
"No, it's not!" Splitface said, before turning around and leaping away. "Later!"
Kevin and Mia immediately stepped up. "You're not getting away this time! Hydro Bow!"
"Sky Fan!"
Both blasts (one blue, one pink) hit Splitface dead on and knocked him back to the ground.
"Forest Spear!" Mike ran him through with his weapon, before lifting the Nighlock over his head, "Ally-Oop!"
"Ally-who?!" Splitface cried, before noticing Jayden running towards him.
"Fire Smasher!" Jayden ran him through with his weapon easily, and Splitface's first life ended right behind him.
"Whoo!" Mike exclaimed as he and Jayden regrouped. "Burst his bubbles!"
"Nice! We got him!" Antonio said, wringing his hands together.
But the good feeling didn't last long. "Look out below, Rangers!" Splitface was back with his Mega Monster form.
"Without Emily, we can't combine into a Megazord," Mia sadly noted.
"Don't worry," Antonio reassured them. "Clawzord has a bone to pick with this guy, too." Antonio then leapt into Clawzord's cockpit, morphing into Havoc Mode on the way. "Alright, Claw. Time to go to work!"
"Leave it to me!" Claw replied.
Clawzord charged towards Splitface, who used his eyes to try and blast the Zord, but Clawzord charged right on through and kept coming.
"Use your pincer claws," Antonio said.
With his pincer claws, Claw struck Splitface several times before grabbing a hold of the Nighlock and holding him up in the air and finally tossing him.
Splitface crashed to the ground but quickly got back up. "Enough fooling around! Giant Marauders!"
Antonio merely shrugged. "Time for some target practice! Claw Spinners!"
Claw used the mentioned attack to take out some of the Marauders that had just shown up.
"Clawzord Transformation! Claw Battlezord: East! Ready!"
The Giant Marauders charged towards the Megazord and struck it with their spears. Claw grabbed hold of two Marauders and yanked them away, and the two hit the ground. Four Marauders aimed their arrows at it.
Antonio spun the disk in the station next to him. "Claw Battlezord: West! Ready!"
The four Marauders fired their arrows, but the Clawzord used his fan to bat the arrows away. However, soon the four Marauders had the Clawzord trapped within their spears.
From the ground, the other four Rangers took notice of this as the sun was getting closer to setting. "Antonio needs help," Jayden said. "Kevin, Mia, come on. I have an idea."
"Summon Tiger Zord!"
"Summon Swordfish Zord!"
"Summon Beetle Zord!"
"Zords Combine! Samurai Battlewing! We Are United!"
Antonio and Claw found themselves free when the Battlewing suddenly fired at the Marauders, who fell after being hit.
"Thanks, amigos!"
"No problem," Jayden replied as he, Kevin, and Mia motioned the Battlewing to fly away. "Now take this battle in a new direction."
"Right!" Antonio spun the disk again. "Claw Battlezord: South! Ready!"
"Oh, come on!" Splitface demanded angrily. "What's with all the costume changed?! Pick one!"
After defeating all of the Marauders with his swords, Claw charged to Splitface and battled him. After knocking Splitface away, Antonio called, "Double Katana Strike!"
But the two powerful slashes would not make Splitface give up so easily. "Oh, you crabby crustacean! Cut it out!"
"Not cuts, just slashes!" Antonio said, before spinning the disk again. "Claw Battlezord: East! Ready!"
"Time to pay!" Claw said.
"Clawzord Pincer Slash!"
With this, Splitface was unable to hold on this time and was finally destroyed, the resulting explosion releasing the spirits, all of which flew in a different direction.
"Yes!" Antonio celebrated. "Just in the nick of time!"
Claw clapped as the Battlewing flew over next to him, both standing in front of the setting sun.
"Samurai Rangers, Victory is Ours!" Jayden said.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
The guys were setting up the decorations for Emily's party when they heard two female voices getting closer.
"Mia, what's up?" They heard Emily ask. "I'm fine now."
"I know," Mia said, obviously unable to contain her smile, "but you're about to get even better."
The two emerged from the shadow of the doorway, Mia leading Emily by the hand. That was their cue.
"SURPRISE!" The four guys shouted as the lights turned on.
There was that smile, the smile that Emily always had on, everyday except today. It was her birthday. She deserved to have that smile on.
"Are you surprised?" Kevin asked Emily, who wordlessly nodded, that huge, bubbly smile never wavering.
Mike stepped forward, handing a yellow envelope to Emily, "It's from your mom."
"Thank you," Emily replied. "I'll read it later." After the day she had, she felt it right to give herself some alone time with her mom later.
Antonio then covered the girl's eyes, before leading her to a table. "And what's a birthday party without a cake?"
Antonio uncovered her eyes and let her sit down in the chair he had guided her to. On top of the lemon-flavored frosting was written...
"'Happy birthday, Emily'," Kevin read, "'and Clawzord'?" Emily laughed as the others look at their Gold Ranger, confused.
"What? It's his birthday, too," Antonio defended.
Emily laughed again as she glanced over the miniature Clawzord, who was moving around and celebrating, before looking over at the others with tears of happiness, "You guys are the best!"
"No, Em," Jayden gently cut in. "Mike's right. You're the best. We're just glad you're okay." Emily send a sweet, bashful smile in his direction. "Today, victory really is ours."
"Now, who wants cake?" Mia asked, holding up a knife.
"Hey, she's gotta blow out her candles first!" Kevin protested.
"Make a wish first," Antonio cut in. "Then blow out the candles."
Jayden rolled his eyes and lightly shook his head, but still smiling, as Emily closed her eyes.
"I wish that everyone has a nice day, including Lee," Emily thought before blowing out her candles.
'Thank you,' Lee replied. 'Even if I can't remember my birthday.'
"That's okay," Emily responded. "Until you do, you can share mine."
Emily felt Lee's heart heat up with affection and gratitude as Mia began cutting the cake, giving the first and biggest slice to Emily.
As for the other Rangers?
Well, you know the saying 'home is where the heart is'? Emily was their heart, and wherever she was, it was always home to them.
~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~
Original Shinkenger Episode: Act 20
Original PRS Episode: Team Spirit
Note: The birthdates and horoscopes of the Rangers are completely headcanon, by the way. Next chapter will focus on Mike and his family life.
A/N: Do review, please. If you guys have any ideas you want me to consider adding, please PM me. A preview for the next chapter:
Season 1, Episode 17: "Parental Guidance"
"It was supposed to be a simple day off. The last thing Mike wanted to do was see was his face again."