A/N: Sorry for the late update got a new laptop and had to get everything transferred and set up, thank you to everyone who is still with me, it's so nice to see people, following, favouriting and commenting :)

Chapter 44

Jayden's sword clashed with Evie's as the two trained.
Mia and Emily were engaged in their own duel a little way off.
And Mike was attacking Kevin, though he was getting the distinct impression Kevin wasn't actually paying any attention to him.
As he swung again, Kevin moved easily and Mike almost over rotated turning he huffed as he looked at Kevin.
"Why would Master Xandred attack Serrator?" asks Kevin.
Mike renews his attack but Kevin blocks him easily and his eyes light up, "Serrator must be going rogue, attacking at odd places like the island. But why?" he muses suddenly bending down.
Meaning Mike who had launched another attack flips right over Kevin crashing onto the ground hard.
"Ow," he groans.
The noise grabs the others attention, and they hurry over, Emily reaching down to help her boyfriend to his feet.
"What's up Kev?" asks Mike as he turns and like the others sees Kevin playing with rocks.

"So far Serrator has made a series of attacks on us. If he's fighting us and Master Xandred he must be up to something big," assumes Kevin.
Jayden crouches down next to him along with Mia, but they're still confused when Kevin suddenly jumps up and dashes inside.
Sharing confused looks they drop their training swords and head inside, finding Kevin pulling up the map.
"Look at this," he explains, "if we put a dot for each recent Nighlok attack like I did with the rocks, this is what we get."
"Oh, I see it," nods Mike before leaning over to Emily. "What am I supposed to see?" he whispers.
Emily shrugs and shakes her head she wasn't sure what Kevin was on about either.
"Let him finish Mike," orders Jayden, Evie leaning her arm on his shoulder as they looked at the map.

"Well, Serrator doesn't seem like the type of Nighlok to just attack randomly. I'm thinking there must be a pattern" clarifies Kevin. "I mean why else would Master Xandred and Dayu attack Serrator? He really got out of there fast" reminds Kevin.
"Look if we mark a place where Serrator has attacked or sent a Nighlok himself…" he trails off as the pattern becomes clear.
"They form a line," realises Mia.
Emily nods in understanding.
"This can't be a coincidence," points out Kevin.
"He's up to something," finishes Evie.
"And knowing him, it's something really bad," says Emily.
"Don't worry. Whatever he's up to, we'll stop it" assures Jayden.

They head off to shower and change, now it just felt like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Evie sat on her bed spinning her shuriken idly, Emily was playing with Mia's hair while she read a pregnancy book she'd ordered online.
Kevin was flipping through the archives looking for anything that might hint at Serrator's plan having filled Ji in.
Mike fixed himself a sandwich while Jayden tried to sketch.
It wasn't long before the sound of the gap sensor blared through the house.

They ran to the map and their eyes widened when they saw where the attack was.
"He's hit another spot on the line," realises Emily.
"The longer it gets, it's like he's cutting the earth in two," agrees Evie.
"Wait, can he actually do that, split the earth like that?" demands Mike.
"Maybe that's his plan," says Kevin.
"The only thing that is going to be cut, is his plan," assures Jayden. "Let's roll" he adds glancing at Ji.
"I'll call Antonio and have him meet you there," nods Ji flicking open his communicator and the rest of them race out of the house.

They arrive at the water's edge to see Antonio already dealing with the Nighlok, but as he sends another attack Jayden leaps forwards, summoning his fire smasher to block it.
Kevin and Mike leaping over the Nighlok, kicking him in his as unusually ugly and oversized head.
"Careful he can summon up swarms of these weird bug things," warns Antonio.
"Ugh, yuck," shudders Emily.
"They're not the only things I can summon," cackles the Nighlok as moogers appear behind them.
They turn sharply, surging forwards to attack the moogers.
As the Nighlok sends another swarm at them Mike blocks it with his spear.
"Canon blast mode!" yells Jayden as he sends the blast towards the Nighlok.
But Serrator appears in front of him, "return to sender," he orders and the blast is suddenly heading back for Jayden, Antonio and Mike.
Lifting the fire smasher Jayden slices through the attack leaving them unharmed, and launching at Serrator as he activates the Super Samurai mode.
Serrator catches his sword, "rangers, stop your meddling."
"Never, we've seen the patterns to your attacks, and we're here to tell you it's the end of the line," retorts Jayden, preparing to shift his grip on his sword for a new attack.
"So you really think you've figured out what I'm up to do you?" taunts Serrator before releasing the sword suddenly.

Jayden braces for it rolling back from Serrator's hits as the others close around him.
"Very soon the final wedge will be in place, and there's no way you can stop it," warns Serrator.
"Wedge?" asks Jayden in confusion.
The others sharing it, would does a wedge have to do with anything.
"Ha, yes a wedge of human sadness put in just the right place to split the Earth in two," smirks Serrator.
Jayden narrows his eyes beneath his helmet, no way he was letting that happen.
"Go Pestilox, squeeze even more misery from these pathetic humans," orders Serrator.
"Suffering humans, coming up," nods Pestilox as he turns to leave.
"No!" yells Jayden as they try to race after him only for Serrator to appear in front of them.
"Oh you're so annoying" he huffs as he sends a blast at them.
It catches Kevin and Mike but Antonio vaults over them, "we're happy to bug you any time of day!" he yells grabbing hold of Serrator. "Jayden go and get the cockroach."
"We'll help Antonio" assures Mike and Kevin nods.
"Ladies let's go," says Jayden as the four of them race after Pestilox.

They find him backing a group of people into a corner only for Jayden to pull the Bullzooka knocking the Nighlok back.
"You again," he growls.
"You looked like you could use a little more colour in your life," retorts Evie.
"Emily, Mia got check on those people," orders Jayden.
"Let's have some fun," smirks Evie as the other two dash off.
"The real shows about to start," warns the Nighlok as he sends two tentacles at Jayden and Evie.

But before they can react Emily and Mia reappear taking the hits instead.
"This might sting a bit" laughs Pestilox as he sends a swarm at them.
"Blazing strike" counters Jayden, the flames consuming the bugs.
Using the cover the three girls launch themselves into the air, launching their own attacks. Evie's whip adding an extra sting to the sky fan and earth slicer as Pestilox is blasted back.
Jayden activates the super Bullzooka, the blast disintegrating Pestilox completely.
A moment later however he grows into his second life. Jayden activates the zords and the four of them reappear in the cockpit.
"Time to take this bug down once and for all" smirks Evie.

They beat him back, about to finish him off when the whole megazord rocks and they cling to their consoles to stay upright.
"What the hell was that?" asks Mia.
"Giant moogers," answers Jayden as he realises four have appeared and grabbed hold of the megazord.
"Where did they come from?" demands Evie.
"Nowhere good," answers Emily as a blast from the Nighlok hits them.
"Use the other zords," orders Evie.
Mia and Emily pull out the beetle and swordfish zord disks, activating them to take out the moogers.
It takes every combination they have but eventually they destroy Pestilox.
"We have to get back to the others" says Jayden.

They shrink the zords racing back to plaza only to see Serrator holding a fully forged Urumasa out for Deker. "With it you will shatter the world" he offers.
"Shit what the fuck did we miss?" mutters Evie eyeing Urumasa warily.
Deker looks at them then, though Evie thinks he's more looking at Jayden.
"No, all I want is my sword Urumasa," he answers reaching for only for Serrator to move back.
"Of course you do. I planned for this and made sure your centuries of misery and rage were locked up inside of Urumasa," explains Serrator.
"What?" asks Deker in confusion.
"Serrator is the Nighlok king," confirms Mia.
"The one who cursed Deker and made Dayu," nods Evie.
"Yes. The only way to release yourself from all that pain, is for you to take your sword and strike before this wedge explodes," continues Serrator.
"Trust me," he urges holding Urumasa out. "With one quick slash your curse will be broken, and you will finally be free," promises Serrator walking past him.
"Free, free at last," murmurs Deker.

Suddenly a bright explosion hits them.
"The power is surging, its weakening along the line" realises Kevin.
"Get down!" yells Jayden pulling Evie into his arms and shielding her from the blast as it hits them, sending everyone in different directions.
And as this one explodes, the other areas begin to explode as well. The rangers land in a crumpled heap, Jayden rolling at the last second so he absorbs the hit for Evie. Before they de-morph from the strength of it.
"This is just a taste of the awesome power to be unleashed," gloats Serrator, revelling in his success. "See the Earth cries out, ready to be carved in two. And you Deker are the only one who can make it happen. I shall locate the weakest spot between our two worlds, for you to make your final strike. I know that in the end you will do my bidding," assures Serrator.
Deker pulls himself from where he'd been thrown by the blast but falls to the floor again. His human half having taken the brunt of the hit.
"Rangers, your world is crumbling before your eyes. There's nothing you can do to stop me now," gloats Serrator.

Evie lets out a muted groan as she rolls off of Jayden.
Jayden tries to push himself but groans and drops back down, his hand coming to rest on Evie's stomach, "are you okay?" he asks.
Evie does a quick mental check, she'd be sore, but nothing felt wrong, "I think I'm okay, I think we're both okay," she replies. "You on the other hand are an idiot," she mutters.
"Love you too Evie," answers Jayden.

Mike pushes himself up, "Emily are you okay?" he asks frantically half crawling down the steps so he was next to his girlfriend.
"I think so, are you?" ask Emily.
"Been better," answers Mike.
Kevin sits up slowly, the urge to vomit rising in his throat as he looks at Mia, who was slowly pushing herself up.
"We didn't de-morph until we hit the ground, I think our suits took the brunt of the damage," admits Jayden.

"Evie, are you okay?" calls Mike.
"We're fine, Jayden broke our fall" she answers.
"Wait, where's Antonio?" asks Mia looking around in concern.
"We'll find him" assures Kevin.
"Anyone or anything broken?" asks Evie.
"No, I think Jayden was right," replies Kevin.
"And a minor miracle for me," adds Emily.
They let out short laughs at that before pulling themselves up.
They find Antonio a little while later and head back to the house, no one having any energy for transport symbols.

Once they'd cleaned up and checked for injuries they stood around the map with Ji. Save Antonio who was still thinking over his decision not to take out Deker when he had the chance. Had he made the right choice?
The others remained oblivious to his internal dilemma.
"So how bad is it?" asks Emily.
"The Sanzu River is erupting from all six locations," replies Kevin.
"And it gets worse," says Ji as he pulls up the line again. "All along the line the barrier between our world and the Netherworld is growing weaker."
"Isn't there anything we can do about this?" asks Mia.
"The only thing we can do is stop Deker," replies Jayden.
"Which you will not be doing by yourself," stipulates Evie quickly fixing him with a pointed look.
It was the final straw for Antonio who stands up suddenly. "I'm sorry guys."
"What for?" asks Mike.
"Earlier today I had a chance to take out Deker, but I uh, let him go" confesses Antonio.
Everyone's eyes widen.
"After the blast, he was laying there. He was defenceless. And I couldn't bring myself to attack him," explains Antonio.
"Wow," murmurs Evie.
"I know I blew it."
"No, samurai never attack defenceless opponents," smiles Jayden.
"But still-" starts Antonio.
"Dude no, you made the right choice. Even I know that" assures Mike.
"Your decision is what separates us from the Nighlok," says Jayden.
"But I still should've done something" protests Antonio as he runs out of the room.

They disperse after that, but Evie didn't trust Antonio not to do something incredibly dumb, so she stations herself out of sight near the front door, and sure enough it doesn't take Antonio long to appear and slip out of the door.
"Predictable dumbass," she mutters rolling her eyes as she shrugs on her jacket and follows after him. Technically she wasn't breaking her agreement with Jayden because she was with Antonio, ergo not alone.
"He can yell at me later," she decides as she follows Antonio.
It wasn't difficult and she made a mental note to take him out for some training when this was done, because his lack of awareness was alarming. Though she'd always had the uncanny ability of moving quietly when it suited her. Given Ji and Jayden a number of scares over the years.

As the gap sensor sounds through the house everyone gathers around the table.
"From this reading, I think its Serrator," warns Ji.
"Let's go, this might be our last chance to stop this," replies Jayden.
"Wait, we think Antonio went after Deker alone," interrupts Kevin.
"Oh no," sighs Mia.
"Wait guys, where's Evie?" asks Emily suddenly.
Ji pulls her samuraiser up on the map and sees its moving through the forest, Antonio's just ahead of it.
"She followed Antonio," realises Jayden, "fuck."
"At least we know she's with Antonio, if need be" assures Mia.
Jayden nods taking a deep breath, "Mike take Kevin, and go and find them. Mia, Emily you're with me. We'll deal with Serrator."
They take off, Kevin and Mike separating from the others as he follows the signal for Evie and Antonio's samuraisers.

Evie hides in the treeline, watching as Antonio confronts Deker.
"Jesus Christ Antonio, have you got a death wish of some kind," mutters Evie as she draws her sword but doesn't morph. Just in case.
"Well if it isn't the fisherman," greets Deker as he looks at Antonio.
"So, are you on your way to help Serrator rip open the world?" asks Antonio.
"If you're worried about that, why didn't you stop me when you had the chance?" questions Deker.
"What?" asks Antonio his eyes widening.
Deker just smirks.
Antonio narrows his eyes pulling his sword, "it doesn't matter, I'm here to stop you now."
Evie tenses, her hand tightening on her sword. She was ready to move if she needed too. Waiting with bated breath only for Antonio to return his sword to its scabbard and she looks at him in confusion.
"What the fuck are you playing at Antonio?" she questions quietly.

Antonio groans and drops to his knees.
"I didn't think so," snorts Deker as he walks past Antonio.
"I'm begging you," pleads Antonio.
Deker stops at that.
"Please just forget about your sword and walk away. I know you want to break your curse. But if you do what Serrator asks, millions of people will suffer a horrible fate," pleads Antonio.
Evie moves forwards then, Antonio's pleas weren't going to work. But she sees Mike and Kevin racing out of the trees.
Deker scoffs, "I knew it. You're no samurai. You don't have the guts to stop me," he snarls turning about to strike Antonio with his sword.
But Mike and Kevin's swords cross above him, stopping Deker's blow.
Evie moves closer, waiting to strike if needed, but Deker wasn't interested in fighting them.

"This is a waste of time, you're not worthy opponents," scoffs Deker as he flips over them and continues walking.
"You're wrong Deker, honour and compassion aren't Antonio's weaknesses. His heart is his greatest strength!" yells Mike angrily.
Evie however doesn't stick around, an idea forming in her mind. Compassion and pleas for mercy weren't going to work on him. She needed to appeal to his darker nature, she needed to convince the Nighlok in him.
"Sorry boys, but you'll thank me later," she murmurs looking at Mike and Kevin comforting Antonio, while she took off through the trees. She needed to get ahead of Deker.

Mike and Kevin crouch down next to Antonio.
"I was a fool to think Deker could be reasoned with. I'm sorry," sighs Antonio.
"No you were really brave. We need a samurai like you on our team, to remind us of what we stand for," assures Kevin.
"Let's go stop him once and for all," smiles Antonio picking up his barracuda blade.

"Wait, where's Evie?" asks Mike looking around.
"Evie?" asks Antonio.
"She followed you out here. But where the hell is she?" questions Mike.
"Wait, she was going to let me get sliced?" gasps Antonio.
"No, she'd have intervened if she'd been here," argues Kevin.
"Not if she saw us. Oh, shit she's going after Deker herself," realises Mike.
"She wouldn't risk the baby," protests Antonio.
"She might not be planning on a straight fight, if I know Evie, she's thinking like a fox. Cunning and tricky. We have to believe she's got something up her sleeve," says Mike.
At that moment their samuraisers beep and Mike flicks it open, "yep, the fox is in play."
"What's it say?" asks Kevin.
Mike hands over his samuraiser and Kevin reads the message.

"I have a plan, go and help Jayden. I'll be fine, don't worry I won't be fighting Deker. If need be, I'll get myself home. And tell Antonio to stop turning his back on his opponents. And to look over his shoulder once in a while," reads Kevin.
"I had no idea she was even there," admits Antonio.
"She's got a point though dude," agrees Mike.
"Yeah," nods Kevin.
"So do we respect her wishes?" asks Antonio.
"Evie won't put the baby in unnecessary danger, I say we trust her. She wouldn't be going into this half assed. And Jayden is going to need help" replies Mike.
"Fine but if Jayden decides to beat someone up, I'm telling him it was your idea" replies Antonio.
"Let's do this," nods Kevin as they take off heading for the quarry where Serrator was waiting and Deker was headed.

A/N: So yeah Evie's off to make a deal with Deker, next chapter will be up on Monday as usual :)