It was the end of May, and final exams were right around the corner. The student body of Bayview High had already started to crack down on their studies and final projects. Liam sat in the school library typing away at his laptop. Specifically, he sat in a cushioned window nook. Jared walked into the library and made his way toward his friend, who was buried in his work.
"Science project?" He asked Liam, patting him on the shoulder.
"Yep," Liam nodded, "Physics and all that, you know the drill."
Jared studied his friend then asked, "Where's your partner?"
"Around." Liam shifted uncomfortably, a gesture Jared was able to notice.
Knowing exactly who Liam's partner was, Jared sighed with a frown. "Has he done anything?"
"Jared, please don't start this," Liam shook his head, "He's a busy guy."
"Busy? Have you seen how he acts around school? Liam, he's the captain of the Baseball team. You're on the Football team. AND you're a Power Ranger. "
"Not so loud!"
"I know, sorry. It's just-"
"Liam!" Came a low, gruff voice.
Looking over, Jared spotted a classmate of his walking toward them. His name was Joseph Boscarino, or just Joe. He was a taller, more built guy. He had darker skin and bright brown hair.
"Hey, Joe." Liam greeted with a smile.
Joe gave Liam a dab handshake and said, "My man, my man! How far are you with our project?"
"I'm just about done with the lab report." Liam gave a thumbs up.
"Excellent! You're a lifesaver, dude."
Jared took the opportunity to try something. He turned his eyes red and stared at Joe.
Joe turned to look for a moment, "Hey, Jared." And looked away. He turned back, because he caught a glimpse of the Slayer's eyes. When eye contact was re-established, Joe saw that Jared's eyes were brown like normal. He shrugged the red eyes off as a trick of the mind.
"Anyways, I gotta go. Catch you later!"
Liam did not miss Jared's actions. With disapproval, Liam lightly hit Jared's shoulder.
"Dude, why're you using your powers on him?"
"Okay, I admit. I poked around his mind."
"And?"
"I didn't have enough time to find anything..."
"Right..." Liam answered skeptically, turning his eyes back to his Laptop.
Jared sat down next to his friend and slowly explained, "Liam, not everyone deserves your trust."
Defensively, Liam asked, "Why are you being so hard on him?"
Before Jared could answer, Jules and Alicia walked into the library, both with expressions of focus. An attack was taking place in town.
-Cue Season 2 Theme-
Isis and Luther watched as a group of Lava soldiers attacked people.
Rejoicing, Isis laughed. "Go, my minions! Make them all suffer!" Luther however, looked rather guilty.
"Stop!" Jared shouted as the rangers lined up to confront them.
"Right on time, Rangers." Isis said.
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
- Morphing Sequence -
"Attack!" Isis commanded.
Jared jumped forward with his sword and slashed three minions. Summoning his Legend Staff, Jared channeled the energy of the Spirit of Steel. He struck the ground, causing metal spikes to surge forth, impaling his enemies.
Noah pole vaulted his way above the soldiers and fired at them with his X-Defender. When he landed, he kicked a soldier into two more. He butterfly kicked to dodge an incoming attack and then blasted that attacker.
Alicia rapidly punched two soldiers in front of her. She started to spin. Using the wind to make her go faster, she became a pink tornado and swept the soldiers into the air. She charged her X-Defender and fired.
Sonia, Jules and Asher triple teamed Isis. A kick from Sonia sent Isis skidding backwards. Jules thrust her pike forward, but the Bount blocked it. Asher immediately kicked her arm and landed two solid punches at her gut.
"Waning Crash!" His right fist glowed a bright silver and he punched Isis. She closed her arms to block the fist, but the force sent her flying.
Liam kicked the last soldier that attacked him and came face to face with Luther.
"Bount." He stated and charged. Liam sent a roundhouse kick, but Luther ducked in fear. The Green Ranger sent more close combat attacks, but Luther dodged those two.
"You're fast." Liam commented, not knowing a soldier was about to stab him with its long claws.
"Look out!" Luther warned. His hands glowed with green and black. The Bount sent vines from his palms and destroyed the soldier, saving Liam.
The surprise of the situation made Liam de-morph. "Why… did you save me?"
"I... I don't want to fight. Please help me..."
"Spirit Slash!" The Rangers shouted as they knocked Isis into a wall.
"Where is Luther?" She asked. She let loose molten lava rocks, but tree trunks sprouted from the ground and protected them.
"What?"
Luther and Liam stood side by side, the former's hands glowing with a bright green aura.
"You traitor!" Isis shouted at Luther. "Master will hear about this!" With that she disappeared.
Liam's friends were shocked to say the least.
-HQ-
While Luther sat in the control center, the Rangers stood in a separate room arguing. Luther looked around nervously at the HQ, trying to ignore the palpable tension he created in the room.
"Why is he even here?!" Percy protested. "He's a Bount!"
Liam stepped in the way and defended Luther. "Give him a chance! He saved me and the others!"
Alicia nodded in urgency. "It's true! If it weren't for Luther, we all would've gotten hit by Isis' attack."
Percy was still fuming. "This could be some sort of plan! Gain our trust then take our souls! Do you want that?"
Noah shook his head. "Percy, lay off. Come on, we should-"
"No! You're all being stupid!"
Jules reasoned, "He's different. He's not bloodthirsty like the others. He's like… well, you, Percy."
Asher added, "We'll trust Liam's judgement. If that Bount even puts a toe out of line, we'll vanquish him. Right, Jared?"
Jared thought for a moment. "I don't know. I'm kinda with Percy. We're trusting Luther too easily."
Liam walked up to Jared and put his hands together. "Please, Jared. Trust me then!"
He took a long sigh, and nodded. "Oay, Liam. I'll trust you. Just please... be careful."
"Thank you." Liam smiled as he started to leave.
"Where are you going?" Sonia asked.
"I'm gonna show him around!"
- Bayview, Park. A few hours later -
"This park is amazing!" Luther commented as he threw himself onto the grass. As he smiled, multiple colored flowers grew all around him. Liam had taken the Bount out into the city to see the sites. They saw the Bayview River, went to a museum, Liam toured Luther around the High School, and the two walked around the city streets admiring the everyday life.
"Isn't it?" Liam agreed, handing the Bount a frozen yogurt cup.
"What's this?"
"Frozen Yogurt."
The Bount took the spoon and scooped up a small amount. He sniffed it and slowly placed the spoon on his tongue. His eyes expanded and practically glowed with delight. A cooling and sweet sensation filled him.
"It's great!"
"Glad you like it!" Liam said, grinned back.
Liam then asked, "How old are you, Luther?"
"Chronologically, 83. Physically, 16."
"Wow... you've been like this a while."
"Guess so."
"Did you miss out on life?"
"Yeah, I did... That's why I wanna thank you, Liam."
"For what?"
"You trusted me. You showed me life... life I didn't get to experience."
"You're welcome..." Liam answered with a smile.
Luther then turned to Liam with very soft eyes, "Why did you do this for me? All of this?"
Liam took in the question and looked into the sky. "Well, it's kinda simple. I was always a lonely person growing up. I... never would've become the person I am today if it weren't for my friends..."
Before Luther could reply, they heard Noah's voice. "Liam!"
The two looked back to see the other Rangers walk to them.
"Can we join?" Jared asked, a bit sheepish.
"Sure, but what're you doing here?"
Alicia explained, "We talked it over, and we were wrong to doubt you. So..."
Sonia continued, "So, we want to start over with Luther."
Luther smiled with genuine delight.
"Thanks, guys." Liam said.
The Rangers went around introducing themselves. Afterwards, they proceeded to show Luther regular teenage life through a game of frisbee. The sun overhead was setting.
- Bount Hideout -
The Master Bount flew into a fury when Isis informed him of Luther's betrayal. Using one of his numerous powers, he sent objects flying across the room making his followers shudder in fear.
"My liege." Isis beckoned. "Let me bring him back so he may face justice."
"No. I have other plans for Luther. I always knew his timid nature would get the better of him, so I've had a secret technique in place."
"You do, sir?"
"Of course. Now initiate an attack immediately."
"Of course, Master."
- Bayview, That Night -
The group of eight exited the movie theater laughing with joy.
"That movie was great!" Alicia said.
Sonia agreed. "Who knew that-" The ground exploded in front of them and knocked the eight to the ground.
Isis stood on the rooftop across the street with many lava golems standing attention.
"They never give up." Jules said, dusting herself off.
Isis threatened, "Give Luther to me, and I will leave."
Jared turned his head to Liam. "Get Luther out of here."
"Okay," Liam nodded. "Let's go!" Luther nodded and followed Liam down the street.
"Let's go guys!" Jared called out.
"Right!"
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
The six Rangers engaged in battle, with their swords drawn. Meanwhile, as Liam and Luther ran down the pier, Lava Soldiers followed them. Finally surrounded, Liam morphed and summoned his axe.
As Liam struck at the Lava Golems, Luther began to feel a pulsing in his head.
"Fight... Destroy..." Master Bount's voice echoed in his head. Luther clutched his ears and fell to his knees letting out a scream.
"Luther, what's wrong?" Liam asked, grabbing his arm.
Luther looked at Liam with glowing dark green eyes. He growled like an animal and struck Liam repeatedly.
Liam went flying into a boat, de-morphing him.
- Flashback -
"Why didn't you fight?" Liam asked Luther as they walked to the park.
"I don't know... It's just, a warm green light makes me feel safe, good, and alive. It makes me feel human... does that make sense?"
- End Flashback -
"Why?" Liam asked.
In a quick streak of black and red, Percy stood in front of Liam. The Lava Soldiers were destroyed and Luther was left on the ground in pain. He got up and growled.
Before he could attack, Luther fell to his knees again. "NO! I don't want to fight! Liam help me, please!"
"Too late!" Percy yelled, pulling out a stake.
"No!" Liam shouted. He ran to Luther and pulled him up.
"Wait!" Percy shouted as the two ran away.
- With the other Rangers -
"These guys are like zombies!" Noah exasperated, blasting a golem with a stream of water.
Jules jabbed one with her pike. "Never liked those movies." She formed a ball of darkness and threw it at a group of golems. The ball exploded, and engulfed the beings to disintegrate them.
Alicia left a golem full of arrow holes. "Jared, I'm worried about Liam."
"Yeah, so am I."
"I'll go check on him!" Isis called out maliciously before she disappeared.
"Wait!" Noah and Sonia shouted, in fear.
- Pier -
Hiding behind a boathouse, Liam set Luther down.
"Are you okay?"
Luther tapped his stomach, which was leaking charcoal black blood. Liam pulled off his sweatshirt and wrapped it around Luther's abdomen.
"Thanks, Liam... ARGH!" Luther clutched his head.
"Luther, you have to fight back!"
"I'm trying!"
Percy's voice said, "Step away from him, Liam."
Turning around, he spotted Percy with a dead serious look in his eyes. "Step away."
"No!" Liam shouted.
"Liam... I'm slipping you have to move!"
"I'm not!"
"Liam..." Percy repeated sternly.
"I won't leave him!"
Suddenly, Liam felt a chill come over him. A deadly aura invaded his space. A mouth was right next to his ear and said, "Are you sure about that?"
"Isis..."
Liam felt himself be picked up off the ground and thrown at Percy, who caught him.
Isis turned to Luther. "Stop resisting the change."
"Please, no! I don't want to fight!"
"Luther!" Liam called running forward, but Lava Soldiers appeared in front of him.
Percy helped Liam fight the grunts.
"NO!" Luther shouted in pain.
"Liam!" Sonia shouted as she and the other rangers appeared behind them.
A dark green beam of light shot into the air and when it dissipated, Luther stood up with an evil grin on his face. The flowers that grew on the window pane of the boat house wilted away.
"No..." Liam whispered in horror.
"Let's go!" Jared shouted.
He, the Rangers, and Percy charged forward to take down Isis's minions. Liam only stared in shock. His body was numb and he felt as if he wasn't completely there.
Isis jumped onto the boathouse roof and laughed with joy. "Yes, Luther! Let the evil force flow through you!"
Letting out a monstrous roar, Luther made tree bark claws and struck the rangers over and over again at blinding speed.
"Guys!" Liam shouted with worry.
Luther stood over Noah and thrust his claw forward. However, a green barrier blocked the path and sent Luther flying back.
Liam stood in front of his friends. "Please, Luther. Stop!"
Another growl echoed through the night as Luther charged forward with full intention.
"Liam!" Percy shouted. "Get out of there!"
However, inches away from striking Liam's face, Luther stopped.
"L... Liam..." Walking back a few steps, he clutched his head and screamed. "LIAM! You have to slay me!"
"What?!"
"You have to! It's the only way to save you and your friends! Please!"
Isis was angry, but scared. "No... if this fails, the master will have my head... Luther! Do NOT resist!"
"Liam, PLEASE! You showed me... life. You showed me how to live! It was wonderful, really. I couldn't have asked for a better day! A better friend. Please!"
Percy watched in confusion at the scene. He didn't know such a thing could happen.
"Okay..." Liam whispered, his eyes beginning to water. "Okay..." He summoned his X-Sword and charged it with energy.
"Spirit Jab!" He struck Luther in the heart and his whole vision flashed.
Liam found himself in a familiar white space. Luther was standing in front of him while Gaius was behind him.
"Thanks, Liam. You freed me." Luther said. The former bount was dressed in white robes and had normal skin pigment. It was a small shade of peach and his eyes were hazel.
A new voice greeted him. Her voice was like silk to his ears. "A very fine job, the both of you."
A figure with a black cloak with neon green trimmings appeared.
"It's that light!" Luther said. "That's the light that made me feel human."
"Luther, thank you for housing me for all this time. But William is the human who must utilize my power."
"Yes, of course!"
"Hello, Antheia." Gaius greeted.
"It's been too long, Gaius."
Antheia stood next to Gaius as light started to envelope Luther.
"Goodbye, Liam. Thanks for everything."
In a brighter light of green, Liam was back.
While the whole vision happened, a green beam fired out of Liam and Luther into the sky.
As he brought himself back, the light faded away.
"What happened?" Jared asked.
"Luther is gone!" Isis noticed.
Liam's eyes were closed, tears streaming down his face. He was holding Luther's body, but at that point, it was just dust...
Standing up, Liam summoned his morpher.
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
- Liam Morphing Sequence -
"Isis... you'll pay. Face the power... of the Spirit of Nature!"
Liam jumped up to Isis and the two entered a high paced battle. Punches and kicks were exchanged, the two moving so fast they were blurs.
"Wood Shot Slam!" Liam forced his palms to the ground and one foot long wood pillars flew at Isis and knocked her off the roof.
Landing, Liam charged forward with his Axe and swung Isis into a boat.
Afterward, he then channeled his two spirits into his Legend Staff. "Geo-Forest Crush!" Bringing his axe down, Isis did not stand a chance when defending herself. The force sent her into the ground creating a large crater.
Isis struggled to her feet. "I must... escape..." In a flurry of lights, she was gone.
Liam de-morphed and looked into the sky, breathing heavily.
- The Next Day -
Liam sat in the school library finishing up his lab report. Joe came in and sat next to Liam carrying the diagram.
"Spent all night on it!" Joe commented.
"Wow, Joe it's great! But, we already have a diagram."
"Yeah, but this is extra credit. I felt bad about you doing most of the work." Joe noticed something peculiar. "Hey, Liam? Is something wrong?"
"What? Oh, um, no. Everything's fine."
"Okay, cool. See you in class?"
"Yeah."
Jared, Noah, Sonia and Alicia approached him as Joe left.
"Guess I was wrong." Jared looked off and let his shoulders drop. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Liam shook his head, "Honestly? My weakness? I trust too much."
"No." Noah disagreed, "It's not."
Alicia warmly smiled at Liam and said, "It's your greatest strength."
Outside the library, Jules took a sip from the water fountain. When she straightened, she had a coughing fit. On the final cough, a small bit of black sludge was in her palm. Alarmed, she wiped it away on her jeans.
Asher asked, "Is everything okay?"
Jules turned around to him with alarm. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just a little sick..."
"Ok, if you say so..." With that, Asher entered the library.
Later that day as the rain fell, the Rangers, Rachel and her team, Tobias, Lydia, Bobby, Dr. Bly, Claire and Percy, who was holding an umbrella, gathered in the park.
Liam buried a jar of Luther's dust in the ground and covered it with his powers. He placed his hands on the ground and made flowers grow all over it.
Percy walked next to Liam. "I'm sorry for not believing you. I just-"
"Don't worry. I understand, Percy. It's okay..."
As the vampire stepped back, Liam brushed his hands over the flowers. "Goodbye, Luther..."
- Bount HQ -
"Fool!" The Master Bount yelled.
Isis crumpled to the ground in pain. "Please, sir!"
"Now that I think, Isis... the only reason why you're still alive is because you can make those lava dolls... Now stand."
"Thank you... for... sparing me sir..."
"Get out of my sight. When you return, you better have a plan to take care of those rangers!"
"Yes sir." With that, Isis scurried away.
When she entered the hallway, she came face to face with a Bount who was cloaked and had a skull mask.
"I believe you may need me."
"Oh? What makes you think that?"
"Please, Isis. Walk with me..."
