A/N: Thank you for reading the story so far. In this story, I plan to go in depth with the characters. Some parts of the story will be AU considering, we don't really know what happened to some of the female rangers.
A/N: I also plan to mix in some of their Super Sentai counterpart. That should be interesting, so hopefully you will keep reading. At the end notes, I will always put who will be talked about in the next chapter.
A/N: Mia and Emily's thoughts will be from when they were younger til "Clash of the Red Rangers."
Chapter 2- Mia's Milestones
Xxxxx
"Are you sure you guys don't wanna come out?" Taylor asked Mia and Emily. All the women were dressed to impress. They were all heading to Club Rain in the casino. Tonight, Kira was performing at the club while Vida was going to be on the turn tables.
However, not all of them were interested in going. Club Rain was 18 and older, but the two newest female rangers declined to go.
Mia nodded. "We live a strict lifestyle." She explained.
"Usually, we are in bed by 9, up by 8 and we train all day or fight monsters." Emily elaborated further. She was already dressed in her yellow pajamas.
Maya frowned. "Maybe we can all do something tomorrow." She hated to leave the girls by themselves.
"That would be great!" Alyssa's optimism was always pronounced.
A majority of the women were already down at the club. The others were in the suite still getting ready.
"Where's Jen?" Aisha asked as she came from the bathroom. She looked around.
Ashley went to the fridge. She grabbed another beer. "She's downsthairs." She overlapped her words. Mia and Emily giggled. Ashley calmed down a bit. "Downstairs."
"We got you the first time." Alyssa mentioned. She grabbed a Mike's Hard Lemonade.
"Let's go!" Tanya yelled to the rest of the girls.
Karone came rushing out the room. She had one leg up trying to get her heel on, so she was really hopping. "I'm coming. I'm coming." She arrived to the front. "Are the girls already downstairs?"
"Yeah. Kira had to do a practice run. Maddie went to videotape." Taylor answered.
Maya nodded. "Kim, Trini, Dana, and Jen went with her."
"Vida left before everyone else." Mia spoke up. She already felt accepted by the other rangers. Emily felt the same way as her.
"Rose, Kat, Tori, and Syd headed down about 15 minutes ago. I think they wanted to gamble a bit." Emily commented as she looked at the rangers. They all looked great.
Ronny came from the back. "Are we ready?" She saw Gemma and Summer were coming. "Wow, you guys look nice."
"Thanks." Gemma said. She looked around. "Did Syd, Z, and Katie make sure to have their fake ids?"
Z walked to the living room. "You know I'm sick of carrying two ids around. One for the future and one for the past."
"You aren't the only one." Syd said. She took out both of her ids. "I like my past picture better than my future one."
"Let's roll out!" Katie yelled. She had been drinking a bit too much. "I'm reathy to meth new mens."
Summer rolled her eyes. "And she gets on Dana and Rose's case. Looks like we have plenty of women to watch out for tonight." She saw her fellow yellow, Ashley, stumbling a bit.
The women said bye to their successors and left. It was 9:00 pm, and Emily and Mia didn't feel like heading to bed yet.
"We should play pool." Mia offered. Emily nodded. They went to the pool table. Mia racked the balls.
Emily got the stick. "Can you believe we are here?"
Mia positioned the balls, and she put the triangle back. "No, I can't believe it." She grabbed a stick. "You can break."
Emily did. "I miss the guys though. I admit I'm homesick."
"You aren't the only one." Mia heard something. The window to the patio was open to allow the cool breeze to get in. Their folding zords flew in. Mia gasped. "Turtle!"
"Ape!" Emily exclaimed.
Both folding zords landed on the pool table. They opened up for them. The turtle had a note for Mia, while the ape had a note for Emily. Mia and Emily took the notes. They took some time to play with their zords.
"Is Gem treating you good?" Mia asked the turtle. It cooed to signal it was alright. Mia's face brightened at the note.
"Thinking of You. The bed is lonely without you."
-Jayden"
Emily read her note out loud. "Can't wait to see you back home, Mike." She caressed the ape on top of its head. Mia and Emily wrote a note, and placed it with their zord. After a little, the ape and turtle folded back up and left.
"I wish we had our samuraizers." Emily frowned. She missed her friends, but most of all she missed Mike.
"Don't worry." Mia soothed. She smiled and held the note to her heart. "We are only gone for a week. I miss them all too."
"I think you miss Jayden more." The yellow samurai teased. She knew Mia and Jayden were more than friends. Ji had gotten on their case about it.
"After you look past his cold demeanor, there is something more there." Mia thought about the stories he's told her. "We are more similar than I thought."
"Yeah, and you showed him you can battle with the best of them." Emily hit another ball in. She went again.
The ladies continued playing until they got tired. It really was past their bed time. Emily climbed into her bed. "Good night, Mia." She let out a big yawn.
"Good night." Mia smiled at her again. For an hour or so, Mia tossed and turned. She wasn't sure what was keeping her awake, but she got up. She went to the fridge, and she took out an apple juice. "This must be Kira's. I hope she doesn't mind." She walked to the balcony and sat on one of the chairs. Mia looked at the sky. Her thoughts drifted to how she became a ranger and her life at the Shiba House.
(Flashback)
When I was younger, I remember my mother and father were so secretive. They never could explain why they were or why my mother left at random times. At the age of 4, my father took me to the hospital. I saw my mom lying on a hospital bed. Tears descended on my face. My mother was always so strong, why did this happen to her?
"Daddy, what happened?" I yelled at him.
He looked down. "This is important, and I will tell you right now, you are meant to follow your mother's footsteps." He grabbed my hand and led me in the room.
My mother was resting, but she could feel us being there. Tears began to well in her eyes. My dad raised her bed, so she could look at me. "Mia, this is important."
"Mommy, why is it important? I'm six, how can I be important." I said.
Daddy handed me a silver, circular object. On the object, there was the pink kanji symbol for sky. I took it. The zord unfolded to reveal itself as a turtle.
"Mia, you're mother went through a very tough battle recently." Daddy regrettably informed. Inside his heart, he knew I was going to be hurt. He held my Mommy's hand. "She can't walk anymore."
"No, you're lying." I gave the item back to my Dad. The object flew back to me. I gave it back, but it came back to me again.
"In the future, you will have to protect yourself, your friends, and the world from evil. You will know when the time has come." Mommy foretold. I looked at her. I can barely see her though, my tears clouded my eyes. "Unfortunately, this life takes dedication. There won't be much time for activities outside of training.
"We won't be able to train you." Daddy sadly told me. "We are sending you away to live with Mama's mother. We need to go to Hawaii for Mama to get the best care."
"I want to go." I pleaded.
"We'll be back." Mama said. She looked down at me. "Don't worry, Grandma will train you. When we get back, we'll watch after you again."
"Be strong, Mia." Daddy said. He spoke to my mom in Chinese. They never did teach me the language. "Let's go pack."
After that, I didn't see my parents for 8 years. Truthfully, I disliked my parents for doing that to me. Even if my mom needed to get better, how could they just leave their child behind? During their departure I spent time with Grandma, and she helped me get stronger. My kicks were my finest skill. In school, I would fight a lot because of the jealousy towards other children. Their parents were there.
Grandma was disappointed in me. She would've never thought, I would use my skills to fight someone weaker than me. My anger got the best of me, but my Grandma taught me to channel my anger in other activities. However, my rage was so great, my Grandma got sick and tired of buying practice dummies, as I have ruined six already.
One day, she demanded I fight her then. The rage inside me was getting bigger and bigger, she insisted I take it out on her.
"You want to fight? You want beat things up!" Grandma furiously yelled at me. She walked around me. "Those girls are weaker than you. One day you will have to save the world, that includes them too." She got into a fighting stance. "Fight me then."
She pestered me, and I broke. I wanted to fight her, and I raised my hand to her. However, I couldn't do it. Again, I became weak. I sniffled because the pain of my parents going to Hawaii without me. Her daughter is my mother, and I am my mother's daughter. "Grandma, why did they leave me? Was I not good enough for them?"
Grandma shook her head. "Baby, they left because you're mother needed to get better. Doctors in Hawaii could help her there. They'll be back."
In time, I got better. After my parents came back, they explained they never meant to abandon me. As my mother's caretaker, my time was spent with her or training, going to school, or helping at the daycare near my home. Those children helped me to become who I am today. I felt bad for their parents dropping them off at a daycare, but I filled in as a temporary parent. Their parents have jobs and need to make an income for them.
At 16, I began watching over my mother more. We talked about her time in Hawaii, and what happened to me while she was gone.
"Grandma tells me you were very angry." Mom said.
I nodded. "You and Daddy left me. I was only 4, if you wanted to leave me, then you should've done it when I was a baby." I coldly said. The fury came back.
"Mia, we did it for a reason. You needed to train here." She continued. There was no hint of regret, but she wasn't upset for me getting angry either.
"It still hurt." I was still upset.
She looked at me and placed her hand on my hand. I flinched at the touch. "We love you. There wasn't a time I didn't think about you. Every day, I wished you were there in Hawaii, but you have a duty as a ranger."
"I'm not one yet!" I angrily countered.
"Not yet." She remained calm. "However, you will be. Look at you, as a child you were so happy, but now, you are very angry. Angry at me, and you were never like this."
"I got over the anger, or I thought I did. Mom, I was only 4. How was I supposed to cope without a mother and father being there?"
"Don't dwell on it, Mia. You aren't the only one who had a hard adjustment. One day when you meet the Red ranger, you'll understand."
"What's he like?"
"Probably, the opposite of his father." My mom predicted. "I love you, and as the Pink Samurai ranger, you will act as a big sister to them. Bring the optimistic child I had back; at this point you should be on the side of evil."
I sat there thinking about her words. I got up and wheeled my mom out of the house. "Should we go shopping?" I asked. She nodded and smiled.
After my mother's words, optimism became my new trait, and I'll tell you it felt a lot better than being angry. Things changed even more. It was time for me to become a Samurai Ranger. Master Xandred, Dayu, and Octoroo ascended from the Netherworld. Their main mission was to fill the Sanzu River with tears. It was my time, and while working, I was picked up by a car with the Samurai emblem. I quickly left to fulfill my destiny.
When I first met Kevin, I was scared he approached the SUV while wearing a jacket with no shirt. He's very serious too, maybe as serious as our leader. Emily's bubbly personality made itself known. We became close quickly. Mike's laidback demeanor was comforting. I noticed it was love at first sight between him and Emily. Fighting against the Nighlock and Moogers is tough, but with the help of Jayden, the Red Samurai and leader, and Master Ji, our mentor, we can do anything.
The Red Samurai ranger, he's really handsome. At first, he seemed really closed off. The first thing Jayden had mentioned to us is if we continue this battle, then we are abandoning everything before us. I agreed; I have been training since I was a little girl. Jayden's all business, but maybe I could get to know him more. He could be my prince charming.
Living in the Shiba House was a hard adjustment, at first. We had constant training, fighting, and I needed to adjust to this lifestyle. We can't even have contact with family or friends. At least, my anger has never been an issue here, and I am looked at as the big sister. Especially to country girl Emily.
"Can you believe this house?" She asked me.
I smiled. "It's very nice, huh?" I kept moving around the house.
"I'm used to living in the country. Horses, fresh air, and grass is what I'm familiar with." Emily looked at me. "I admit, I never had much friends growing up."
"We will be friends, maybe more like sisters." My new personality showed through. I couldn't believe Emily didn't have that friends, she's so sweet.
"Thanks Mia." Emily warmly smiled at me.
I admitted to Kevin I hoped to find my Prince Charming, but I think he got the wrong impression. Maybe cooking dinner for him while he was staking out the baseball kid's house wasn't the greatest idea. I think when I fell asleep on his shoulder, he thought it confirmed I really did like him. At least, he really liked that chicken; I mean he ate it so fast. People say I'm a terrible cook, but I know I can cook.
One day, we got a day off. Emily had never been to amusement park, so we all went there. At first, Jayden didn't want to go. The second time we went, our first day was interrupted by a battle. After we got back from Rainbow's End, I had a talk with Jayden. We went outside and decided to train.
"It was really cool that we have the Beetle on our side." I tell him.
Jayden advanced towards me. "Yes. I gave it 110%." He droned on.
"Why didn't you come with us at first?" I'm still locked in combat with him.
"Simple, I needed to devote my time to the Beetle Disc."
I swept him under his legs with my foot and pinned him. "Have you always been so intent on working hard?" I stayed on top of him.
He cleared his throat. "Yes."
"What's Jayden like?" I curiously asked. Yes, I referred to him in third person, sometimes I felt I couldn't speak directly to him. This was one of those times.
"One day, Mia." He informed. There was a smile curling on his face.
I nodded. "There's more that meets the eye, right?"
"Right, everything's not as simple as you, Mia."
I stared intently into his blue-green eyes. "I'm not simple." I huskily whispered. Jayden's gaze concentrated on my eyes. At that point, our relationship changed. We became more intimate, more personal with each other and it happened because I pinned him. But there was still our leader-subordinate role.
Kevin ran out the house. "Jayden? Mia?" He quieted down when he saw I was on top of Jayden. He cleared his throat. "Hmhmm."
Mike ran out the house with a bowl of rice. "Oh schnap!" He excitedly yelled. "It's about time we see some action in this house! Woo!"
I got off of Jayden and held out my hand for him. I helped him get up. "Nice match." With that, I left to go back inside. I felt Jayden's eyes pierce my back.
Secretly, Kevin and I had our difficulties. He thought we were going to start a relationship, but I admitted my feelings were for Jayden. We kept them between us, so we wouldn't affect the team's dynamic.
Jayden and I had a talk after we faked the two weddings. As we were putting away the dress I wore, he confessed his feelings for me.
I giggled. "Did you realize it when I was wearing the dress, or did you always know?"
"You're a formidable opponent you know." He put the dress back. "I thought you were always so sweet, caring, but I know you're not only that." He grinned at me.
"There's more you don't know about me." I mumbled.
"What was that?"
Honesty is always the best policy, right? "Sit." I motioned for the couch. He did. "After I turned 4, I used to be an angry child. I would fight girls at school and not care. Any training I got in life as a samurai I used it against my peers."
Jayden's jaw dropped. "Really?"
I told him my story. I talked about my parents leaving me when I was younger. The hurt turned into anger. During our talk, I poured my heart out to him. Jayden held me as we talked more. As fate would have it, Kevin, Mike, and Emily walked in on us. Kevin's eyes turned ice cold at the sight. Mike and Emily had knowing smiles
"Hey guys." I warily said. I saw Kevin's look on his face.
Kevin annoyingly smiled small. His glare was falling through his fake smile. "It's bedtime." He forcefully reminded us.
Emily and Mike couldn't believe his cold demeanor all of a sudden. He wouldn't be acting like this if I liked him. They all went back to their rooms.
"Don't worry about Kevin." Jayden encouraged. He saw the look on my face. "Neither of us expected any of this."
"I shouldn't have led him on." I admitted as I looked to the floor. "Taking chicken to him, and sleeping on his shoulder, it should've never happened."
Jayden blew a sigh of relief, for what? I'm not really sure. "Mia." He stroked my hair. "Do you need someone to sleep with tonight?"
"Huh?" He nodded. "Do you want to?"
"Only if you let me." He honestly answered. I nodded. "Go to your room, and I'll follow you there." He kissed my temple.
That was the first of many nights, Jayden would sleep in the bed with me. We haven't gone farther than kissing, but who knows what could happen in the future.
When Kevin was turned evil, the sword fight between him and Jayden was so intense. The anger Kevin had was like mine growing up. The emotion was similar, but the reasons were different. He disliked Jayden for him getting so close to me. Kevin hated the fact that I liked Jayden more. Those things were out of Jayden and mine's hands. After we defeated the Nighlock, Madimot, I had a long talk with Kevin. We were outside the Shiba House.
"Kevin." I tried to put my hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off like it was acid. "Please, don't be mad."
"Mia, I thought you liked me." He calmly stated.
"My feelings for Jayden are stronger."
"Did you even like me at all?"
"Not like that. I've always liked you as a friend, but I have a stronger connection to Jayden."
"Why Jayden? He's always so serious, and he doesn't know how to have fun."
I giggled. "You are like that too. You don't know how to play around sometimes."
"I know how to play around." He retorted. Then he looked at me. "Has it always been Jayden?"
My gaze turns to the sky, and I smile. "There's more beneath the surface. Jayden and I are more alike than you think." I heard him gasp. "The first time I ever saw him; I knew he was special, not just because he's a Red, but because he makes me feel special inside. Just because he's reclusive doesn't mean that's how he always is. Inside of him, I know he's keeping something from us, but that adds to his mysteriousness. I like not knowing what to expect when it comes to him." I turned to him. "Kevin, I'm sorry for leading you on. You will always be a good friend to me."
Kevin accepted this. "If he ever hurts you-"
I smiled. "He won't. I'm fine Kevin. I can handle myself."
A couple of weeks later, Jayden went through a crisis as a leader. He decided to venture away from us, his team, because he didn't want any of us to get hurt. However, as his teammates, and him being the only one who can master the sealing power, our duty is to protect him. His leader personality can be borderline stubborn. Wait, he is. After we worked as a team to help defeat Robtish, Jayden and I had a talk.
"You left, without even saying goodbye." I said.
He looked at me. "I did what I thought was right."
"We are in this together." I reminded him. I went to sit next to him on his bed. "You aren't the only one who was trained to be a ranger."
"Yes. That's true, but you don't have the responsibility of mastering the sealing power." I saw that this obligation weighs heavily on him.
"Let us help and support you. I want to be there for you."
He smiled. "I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye." He honestly apologized. He leaned in to kiss me.
I got up. "Nope, none of that." I shake my head.
Jayden wasn't dissuaded though. If anything, he wanted me more. "Mia." I shook my head again. He started to tickle me, and he knew my spots. He climbed on top of me. "I'm sorry for not saying goodbye." He repeated.
"I believe you." We kissed.
The morning after that, Mentor Ji had a strict talking with me and Jayden.
"I believe this will harm your Samurai training." Ji sternly explained why me and Jayden couldn't share the same bed.
To be honest, I was beginning to think the same thing. I would hate to interrupt Jayden's intense training, but Jayden stood up for the both of us.
"Ji, I understand why you are worried, but there is nothing wrong with me and Mia sleeping in one bed." Ji wanted to interrupt, but Jayden stood his ground. "You said I was lacking balance in my life, but Mia makes me balanced. It's helped me to be at my best."
Ji just looked at Jayden.
"Jay-" Jayden stopped me from continuing.
"She helps me to be focused. You've seen my training. It's gotten better since Mia and I have been sleeping together."
Ji turned pale. "Are you guys having-?" He couldn't finish it.
At that point, I wanted to crawl into a cave. I turned bright red and shrunk to the size of Mini Me.
"Ji, WHAT!" Jayden was completely mortified.
Ji exhaled a big breath. "Thank goodness, I haven't even given you the talk about the Birds and the Bees." He thanked the high heavens.
"You haven't been taught the birds and the bees?" I was surprised. Jayden is 20, who doesn't know about it?
"Thanks Ji." Jayden sarcastically muttered with a tint on his face the color of my ranger suit.
We heard the snickers. Mentor Ji went to open the door. There was Mike, Kevin, and Emily whistling away. However, Kevin can't whistle. He was blowing raspberries.
"Out of here!" Mentor Ji yelled. Emily and Kevin scurried away. They noticed Mike wasn't with them and ran back.
Mike playfully enacted the birds and the bees for Jayden. Jayden didn't know what Mike was doing. He was positive Mike was trying to do a shadow puppet, but it was bright out. Emily and Kevin hulled Mike away. "What?" He obliviously asked.
Mentor Ji, annoyed, turned his attention back to me and Jayden. He sighed. "I don't know if this is the best idea."
"Talk to Mike and Emily!" Jayden blurted out. I smacked his arm. "If we are going down, then we should take them with us."
The teacher to the Samurai rangers straightened up. "We are just making love connections all over the place, aren't we?" He rolled his eyes. "If I wanted to raise Cupid Rangers, I would've done that a long time ago."
Jayden and I just looked at each other.
I decided to speak up. "Mentor." He turned his gaze towards me. "I don't think there is anything wrong with me and Jayden sleeping in the same bed, or Mike and Emily sleeping in the same bed." Ji was about to interrupt, but I interrupted him instead. "If either me or Jayden or the rest of the members start getting distracted, then we will keep the sleeping arrangements how they were before. For now, I believe we are doing okay."
Jayden nodded. "I agree with Mia." He adamantly said.
"The moment things-" Mentor Ji began.
"We go back to our rooms." Jayden and I said.
He smiled at us and walked out.
Both of us blew out a breath. Jayden kissed me. I kissed him back.
"None of that!" Mentor barked from the door.
We quickly separated.
Things around the Shiba House got even more interesting after Antonio arrived. He is a childhood friend of Jayden, and he revealed himself as the sixth Samurai ranger. Of course Kevin read the archives and had no clue about a sixth ranger. Who cares about the archives, Antonio is a great asset. He met some challenges though. Antonio doesn't have the proper Samurai training, I mean he programs his sword and morphing by text messages. He was still able to defeat a Nighlock, Vulpes, and his Octozord helped us in battle.
Mentor Ji and Jayden dismissed Antonio being on the team. However, I knew both were making a mistake. Even though Jayden is my boyfriend, his tenacity could be annoying at times. I needed to talk to him.
I walked out to the front. I saw he was playing with Antonio's morpher. Mentor Ji took it away from Antonio. "It must've been hard on you having to send your friend away like that."
Jayden shuffled the morpher around. "I had no choice, he's not a real Samurai." He got up, and went to the holders for the kendo sticks. "Like Ji said, having him around could be dangerous. Not just for him, but for us too."
I followed him. He grabbed a kendo stick one for each of us. He handed me mine. "You've known Antonio forever. The idea of him getting hurt must bother you."
"Of course' he's my friend." He commenced attacking.
I attacked back. Our sticks hit each other. Clink clank clink clank. We locked our sticks. I had to get my point across. My brown eyes stared at his blue-green ones. "Leading us on dangerous missions is hard on you, but putting an old friend like him at risk too, that's too much pressure, huh?" I started to attack.
Clink clank clink clank. "It's getting harder putting you through battles, too." He admitted.
"Don't worry about me." I struck him on his thigh. He fell to one knee. "I hit the nail on the head, didn't I?" I referenced Antonio as I held my kendo stick to his face.
Jayden just stared at me. He pushed my stick aside. "Think what you want." He faced away from me. "I can't handle having to watch after my girlfriend and best friend." He reluctantly acknowledged.
Antonio came out from the bushes. "Jay, she's right and you know it." He walked up to him. "Not to mention, she can really kick your butt." I snickered. "Why do you have to be so stubborn Jayden?" He went to stand by me. "I know the risks, and you need my help." He said. "Not to mention, you need my help against your girlfriend." He mumbled. I snickered again, but I smiled at the two best friends.
"Antonio." My stubborn boyfriend tried to get out of it. "We've already talked about this."
Mike and Emily came out the house. "We're saving the world here." Mike reminded Jayden. "How can another ranger not help?"
Jayden was going to talk, but I interrupted him. "Babe." He looked back at me and blushed. "Antonio accepts the risks just like all of us. You're our leader, but that doesn't make you responsible for what we choose to do."
Antonio nudged me. "Well said pretty lady."
Jayden glared fire at Antonio. I sensed my boyfriend had a jealous side. He tried to talk again, but Kevin came from the house and interrupted him. "He may not have the training, but I admit we could use the help. I say we give him a chance." I smiled at Kevin for being the bigger person. Usually, Kevin is the one who played by the books. Sometimes he could be worse than Jayden.
Once the gap sensor came on, Mentor Ji rushed out. There was a decision to be made. Whether or not Jayden allowed Antonio to be a part of the team; he's still my boyfriend. I would've stuck by his side no matter what. He made the right choice though. Antonio was on the team.
The team hit a low point after Emily's spirit was stolen. Mike had never been so upset before. I had to calm him down.
Mike was pacing in front of me. "Emily is the best of us!" He angrily yelled.
"I understand, but Mike, you need to have a clear head about this." I serenely told him.
"Splitface should've stolen my spirit." He kept shaking his head.
"Do you think you're the only one hurting right now?" I lividly asked him. He looked at me. "Together we will find a way to help her."
"She's stronger than me." He confessed. "I need to fight." I watched him run out to find the Nighlock.
"Jayden!" I yelled. Jayden and Kevin came out. "Mike, he's gone to confront the Nighlock alone."
"Let's go." Jayden said in a leader tone. We all ran towards downtown.
Mike had been there slashing a pillar trying to get Splitface out. Kevin grabbed him to get him away from the spot."
"Calm down! That won't do anything." I scolded him.
Mike looked down. "What should we do? Tell me. What should we do?"
Kevin and I sighed.
"Mike!" Jayden ran towards us. However, he quickly stopped when Deker appeared. "You!"
Jayden and Deker had been feuding. Deker always demanded him and Jayden duel. "It seems I have bad timing, I thought we could have our ultimate duel, but you're obviously preoccupied."
"If you know that, then you should go away!" Jayden angrily responded. He walked to my side. "I don't have time for your games, Stranger."
"There is one way for humans like you to enter the Netherworld." The half Nighlock-half Human informed. Mike's ears perked up. I saw is expression. "Simply exchange your human existence to become a Nighlock." Redness surrounded him. "Willingly give yourself over to them to pass through the gap."
"Wait, are you saying that you made that choice?" Jayden snarled at Deker. I put my hand on his shoulder.
"I don't remember how it happened to me, but I'm living proof it can be done." He changed into his Nighlock form, and then he left.
"Become a Nighlock?" I questioned them as I watched where Deker was. The question hung in our minds.
Mike stepped up. "I'll do it." Jayden and Kevin tried to talk him out of it. "The one I want to save right now is Emily. She has the kindest, most caring spirit. She's the best of all of us."
I agree with him. "We also need to save those poor people in the hospital. I'll go with you Mike."
Jayden looked at me. "No, we're a team, we'll all go."
It didn't need to happen though. Antonio used the new Clawzord to save us and Emily's spirit. The reunion between her and Mike was really sweet. Emily's birthday was a success. However, I was curious as to why Emily freaked out when she asked if I baked the cake. I informed her the cake was store bought, and she became happy again.
That night, I confronted Jayden before we slept.
"Is there something wrong with my cooking?"
I felt Jayden stiffen. "Uh, no. Why would you ask that?" He seemed nervous.
"Seems like our teammates don't want me to cook." I sadly said.
"Mia, you're cooking is different." I looked at him. "It's, uh, um, unique."
"Unique?" He nodded and smiled.
"Great. I'll make you dinner tomorrow night." I think he wanted to thank me, I just kissed him instead.
A few days later, giant Moogers were attacking the city. Master Xandred had a very big power surge. With this power surge and Xandred summoning his foot soldiers by the dozens, Mentor Ji informed us to try the Black Box. The Black Box is able to hold all of our powers, and it was started by the first Red Samurai ranger. As a team, we decided to have Antonio program the Black Box. Mentor sent us to the Tengan Gate to retrieve it.
While there, we had our biggest battle with Arachnitor. All of us got hurt minus Jayden and Antonio. Jayden was poisoned by Octoroo. I admit, my fighting became sloppy because of my concern over him. All of us got hurt. We arrived back at the Shiba House, and even though we were hurt; we needed to keep fighting. An evolved Arachnitor was terrorizing the city. Our discs were handed over to Antonio, so he could start on the Black Box. Before we left to fight, I hoped Antonio would be able to find Jayden. He did find him. After we defeated Arachnitor, Jayden and I had a talk.
"I'm getting too close to you." I told him.
Jayden was concerned. "What?"
"We can't continue this." He tried to get close to me, but I stood farther from him. "I got sidetracked while fighting because I was so concerned about you."
"Mia, you weren't the only one who got hurt." Jayden comforted me. "I'm fine. Look at me. You're fine, and so is everyone else."
I looked. "Jayden, we need to take a break." He tried to talk me out of it, but I walked away. It hurt me to say that to him.
We didn't stay apart for long.
A Nighlock was able to eat people in their dreams. I got caught up when I found out the truth about Dayu after seeing her dream. She used to be human. Not just a human, but Deker's wife. She made a deal with a Nighlock, and both her and Dekeres were betrayed. Dayu made a deal to save him from dying, she was asked to become a Nighlock. She did to protect him, and Deker was saved, but he became a Nighlock and his memories of Dayu were erased.
Seeing the story, I wanted to help Dayu. She called me on my naivety, and she went to attack me. Instead, Emily suffered the blow. She instantly demorphed because of the force. This was one of the times, I wished I still had my anger, at least I would've kicked Dayu's ass instead of feeling sorry for her. I took Emily back to the Shiba House, and I felt defeated.
Jayden demanded we sparred, so I would get out of my funk. He brought us to the indoor training mats. "Fight me."
"I don't want to." I mumbled while I looked at the ground.
"Fight me." He said again.
"No." I repeated.
Jayden tsked. "Maybe I should've just left then." I looked at him confused. "Yes, I should've left you."
"You wouldn't have just left me, you would've left the team!" I yelled at him.
"What happened before you became a part of the team? You wish you could have been that angry girl you used to be, so Emily didn't get hurt right?" He stepped up to me.
I stayed put. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Emily got hurt. She got hurt because you felt sorry for Dayu, and you didn't want to attack her." I flinched at his words. "Before you joined the team, you were full of rage. You fought all the time, and now, you are a weak, pink ranger who felt sorry for a Nighlock." With each word, he stepped closer to me.
I felt his breath on me. I swung at him. He caught my arm. "I thought I could help Dayu. None of you saw what I saw. She's hurting." I pushed him off of me. We fought. I swung and kicked at him. He blocked those. He took a couple of jabs at me, and I blocked his. "You have no idea what that felt like." We kept fighting.
"Just because wanted to help, it doesn't mean you are a bad person for what happened to Emily." He kicked at me. "You weren't morphed, and you wouldn't have been able to morph fast enough to stop the hit."
"I was weak. I shouldn't have let my feelings get in the way."
He grabbed my arms. "I'm sorry, Mia." I got confused. He admitted the fight that was coming up. "I'm going to battle Deker tomorrow."
That came out of left field. "What?" He nodded, and I thought about it. "it's about time."
He was curious. "You support me?"
"If you don't stop Deker, who's to say he won't start hurting innocent people to get what he wants?" I questioned him. His eyes showed recognition, like someone had said this to him before. I know who did. "Did Deker threaten that?"
"You know me too well."
"No, you know me too well." I sighed. "Bring up the idea to everyone else. If they stop you, I'll help to persuade them."
Jayden kissed me. "I've missed your kisses." He whispered.
All of a sudden, I got hot. "You aren't the only one. When you battle Deker, you better come back to my bed." I winked. I walked away to make Emily some tea. Emily and I talked about happened in the forest. Mike came to the kitchen; we were needed for a meeting.
Of course, Kevin had to disagree with the possibility of Jayden fighting Deker. I intervened. This had to happen, and if it didn't, could we, as rangers, live with being responsible for a Nighlock attacking people? Jayden knows how to use a sword, he can handle Deker. After some time, Kevin accepted it, and we all supported Jayden.
The next day, I gave Jayden a kiss on the cheek for luck. We left to battle Rhinosnorus while Jayden dueled Deker. After our battle with Rhinosnorus, we rushed to the sea shore. Jayden was on his knees and holding his right forearm against him. I ran to him, and I knelt by him.
"I won." Jayden surprisingly said.
I looked at him. "And Deker?"
"Gone."
We all helped him back home. We had a celebratory dinner, and Jayden and I had time to ourselves.
I was careful not to bother his arm. It was in a sling. "I knew you were going to win."
"Thank you for standing by me."
"Does this mean we're back together?"
"I didn't know we stopped." He winked at me. He kissed me.
"Jayden, Mia!" Mentor hissed as he walked by the living room.
"Sorry Mentor." We said in unison. I comfortably slept on his shoulder. By the way, it was way more comfortable than Kevin's.
Ranger life can get weird, as showcased with the different kind of dimensions. Scott Truman of the RPM rangers came to our rescue. At first, Jayden and him had hostility. Emily and I welcomed Scott with open arms. Jayden might have a jealous side, but that day, Mike's was worse.
I cooked for them, unfortunately, Scott couldn't demorph due to our air quality. Since he lived in a dome, the air quality was better controlled. His lungs might not be able to handle ours. In a battle, we were sent into Scott's dimension. Ziggy is really weird by the way. Flynn, uh let's just say I'm thankful Jayden wasn't there. I think Flynn has a fetish for Asian women.
"So, Mia, do you like guys who can wear kilts?" Flynn eagerly asked.
I smiled small. "I don't see much of that."
"Are you Chinese or Japanese or Filipino?" He looked at me harder. "Maybe Korean? Laotian?"
"Chinese."
"Nice, Gemma is Chinese too. I used to have a crush on her, but I guess my eyes opened up to you." I got really uncomfortable. "Do you wear kimonos too? Can you cook Chinese food?"
"Yes. I can cook Chinese food."
Kevin stepped. "She can make killer dishes." Emily slapped his arm. I got confused.
"He means they are so good, it's killer." Emily enunciated the word, good.
I smiled. Thankfully, we got out of there. We teamed up with Scott, and Jayden got a new disc, Shark. Once the battle was done, we had to say goodbye to Scott. I wonder what Scott said to Mike, he got really happy all of a sudden. I'm sure Emily knows.
My life leading up to now, has been a whirlwind. At first, I was the happy go lucky little girl, but then I had to grow up quickly. My parents leaving, my anger just grew. Things were rocky for a while. After my parents returned, I quickly dealt with my anger. I like the optimistic Mia better than the vengeful Mia. Becoming a Samurai ranger, my life changed dramatically. I've gained new friends, a stubborn yet charming boyfriend, and a best friend who is like a sister to me. Wonder what's going to happen once the battle with the Netherworld is done?
(End Flashback)
Mia yawned. Thinking about her life from a little girl to now really tired her out. She was walking inside when her turtle folding zord made an appearance again. Mia smiled. The zord opened up, and there was another note.
"Just thinking about you.
-Jayden"
She smiled. Once again, she wrote a little note back. She put she was thinking about him too. The folding zord flew back to the Shiba house.
The door opened up. Maya, Kelsey, Gemma, and an intoxicated Rose came in the suite. The three ladies were holding Rose up.
"Oh my goodness, what happened?" Mia's big sister instinct kicked in. She went to help them.
Gemma answered. "!"
Mia looked at her. "I forgot she's really hyper. Let me guess, she was drinking also?" They nodded.
All the women put Rose in her bed. Rose sprawled on the comfy bed. "Thank you Mack." She slurred. "I love you…" She dozed off.
Maya tiptoed out the room. Kelsey, Gemma, and Mia followed. "Thank goodness she's sleeping." Maya whispered.
"Shall we head back downstairs?" Kelsey offered. She went to the fridge and took out a Mike's Hard Lemonade.
"Don't worry, I can watch Rose." Mia suggested.
Gemma felt bad. "." She kinda jumped and down.
"Maybe you should stay, Gemma." Maya worriedly said. "If you don't, you might blow something up."
"I'll… be… fine.." Gemma carefully and slowly said. She smiled and patted herself on the back. She got out the words correctly.
Maya and Kelsey headed towards the door. Gemma followed. "We'll see you in the morning." Maya said.
Mia nodded. "Have fun." She watched them leave. Before heading to bed, Mia took a quick look at Rose. Rose was sound asleep. Mia walked to her bed. She lightly giggled. Emily could sleep through anything. Mia closed her eyes and finally fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Rose was dreaming about her life with Mack.
A/N: Next chapter will be about Rose from Operation Overdrive.