Principal Hastings arrived at the High School, parking up in her reserved space near the door, before heading to the back and struggling to get some boxes out of the trunk. She was trying hard to get them out, when she dropped her car keys on the ground. She muttered under her breath, trying to balance the boxes on the edge of the trunk, while stooping down to try and pick up her keys with her fingertips. Mick arrived on the scene and noticed her plight, helping her to pick them up.
"Hi there." He greeted her. "It...kind of looks like you could use a hand."
"I could use at least half a dozen hands." She grumbled. "I'm now four teachers short, meaning that this afternoon I'm going to be taking geography AND Home Economics. I've got the Education Department and what feels like the entire student and staff body breathing down my neck over the Victor thing, and then at some point I actually have to find time to do my OWN job."
"That...definitely sounds like a lot." Mick said, taking a couple of the boxes from her. "So, I don't claim to know anything about geography. You know, at least on this planet, but I do know how to cook."
"So you know how to bake?" She asked him.
"If I can make an edible birthday cake for Brody each year out of the leftovers on the Warrior Dome, then I'd say so yes." He told her. She just smiled as she closed up the trunk of her car.
"You know the sad fact is I can never tell if you're joking or not." She answered. He just shrugged.
"Everyone deserves a birthday cake right?" He asked. "Even if it's best not to over think where the ingredients came from."
"So, what's going on there?" Mick asked as he saw Monty standing on the edge of the pavement outside the school, talking to students as they went by and handing out fliers. Some of the students, as well as taking fliers from him also handed him some money.
"That would be Monty putting civics into action." She answered, closing her trunk and beginning to make her way towards her office. "He's not allowed to campaign on school grounds, but over there, outside the school, he can hand out all the fliers and crowd-fund Victor's defence fund all he wants."
"Defence fund?" Mick asked her. She just nodded.
"He's got a website and everything." She replied, opening the doors and letting them inside As they started heading towards the office, she stopped briefly by the desk to drop off a schedule for the receptionist. "I should know, my Social Media was blowing up with people posting links while telling me how they feel about the fact I've suspended Victor. He's trying to afford a lawyer and everything! Can you believe that? He wants to bring an actual lawyer into a school disciplinary hearing!"
"I...guess it makes sense given how serious all this is." Mick replied. "Are you sure you're not maybe jumping the gun on all of this? I mean...I've dealt with Victor a few times, I've even sent him to your office a few times, but this really doesn't seem like his kind of thing at all."
"Yes, and Ted Bundy was in his local newspaper being heralded a hero about a fortnight before he was arrested." She told him. Mick just blinked.
"I have no idea who that is." He said matter-of-factly. Principal Hastings was about to say something, before reminding herself that Mick wasn't from Earth and likely wasn't making that up. It's not like he had any real reason to have heard of one of the country's most prolific serial killers.
"All I'm saying is just because he's never been caught before doesn't mean he hasn't been doing this all along." She told him. "You and I both know how desperate he is to win trophies. More than a few of his wins were a little...questionable."
"I know, but there's a huge difference between skirting a few rules and outright cheating." Mick told her. Jennifer stopped in her tracks.
"Mick, am I going to have to have the same conversation with you that I did with Levi?" She asked him.
"Well, no of course not. I'd never question you in front of students." Mick told her as they entered her office. "But in case you hadn't noticed, there's no one else around, and when a kid's future, even a kid as grating as Victor, is in question I just want to make sure we're considering all the options."
"My hands are tied Mick, we found drugs in his possession, we have to suspend him." Jennifer replied, putting the boxes on the table. "He can end all this if he just tells us who his supplier is..."
"And in doing so admit to taking the drugs, losing all his athletics trophies..."
"ALL his trophies." She corrected him. Mick furrowed his brows.
"Wait, all of them?" He asked. "I can understand the sports ones, but what difference would taking HGH make to his pie-making trophy? Or his yodelling trophy?"
"What are you trying to say Mick?" She asked him.
"I'm just trying to say that even in the Warrior Dome; they presumed people were innocent until they were proven guilty." Mick told her. "Have you even considered the possibility he's telling the truth? All of this is starting to feel a little personal."
"I really don't need this right now!" She told him flatly, coming over and putting her arms around him. "I could use a little support." Mick gently removed her arms, surprising her.
"Jennifer, you know how I feel about you, and I'll back you whatever happens." Mick told her. "But I can't support this if Victor isn't going to get a fair hearing."
"You're...you're seriously pulling away from me right now?" She asked him. He just nodded.
"I'm just making sure you remember that the person I fell for is fair and just and always tries to see the best in people." Mick reminded her. "You forgave the kid that stabbed you, but you can't even consider the possibility Victor's on the level about this?"
Before anything else could be said, Mick left the room. Principal Hastings wanted to stop him, but there was one thing stopping her, something gnawing at the back of her mind, and that was the fact he was right. Victor had only been caught on circumstantial evidence. There was still every possibility the evidence would support his claims the drugs weren't his. She went around the opposite side of her desk, sat down and took a deep breath as her intercom sounded.
"What is it?" She asked.
"There's a member of the PTA here to see you." The receptionist told her. "It's about the...uh...disciplinary hearing."
"Oh joy." She said sarcastically. "Send him in."
Out in the parking lot, Calvin pulled up in Nitro with Hayley, Viera and Kody, while Brody arrived with Preston and Sarah. Levi was making his own way in, and would be arriving shortly behind them. Not only did he have a bit of coursework to prepare for his class, they also figured it was for the best that he wasn't seen arriving with them. He already spent a fair bit of time with them at the school, even outside of class, and while they didn't advertise the fact that they had spent the night at Levi's place, even for a place as liberal and broad-minded as California, a teacher having a bunch of students staying at his place might just raise a few more eyebrows than was necessary.
As they got out, Hayley put a hand on Calvin's shoulder to make sure he knew where she was.
"I'm going to the base." She told them. "Come on Kody, it looks like we have another thrilling day ahead of us."
The others stopped s they saw Monty running his campaign for Monty. The whole school was pretty heavily divided over the whole issue, but all of them were vocal. The hashtags #FreeTheSummerCoveOne and #VictorOut had been hotly contested on Social Media the whole night.
"You've got to hand it to him, that is a real friend right there." Calvin commented, seeing Monty's #FreeTheSummerCoveOne t-shirt and seeing him rallying supporters.
"Yeah, I just hope it's not misplaced." Brody answered. Sarah just stared at him.
"Brody, you don't actually think Victor did this do you?" She asked him. He just shrugged.
"Victor's the kind of guy that would do anything to win." Brody said in an off-hand way. "I can believe he might take a short-cut..."
"But not cut out the race altogether!" Sarah protested. She had learned a lot about Victor since she had started at the school. There were some things she still hadn't even told her friends. One thing she knew that even Monty didn't was that although Monty did his homework out of some kind of sense of duty given Victor's protection of him since Grade School, Victor didn't in fact hand any of it in! He handed in his own work! She didn't claim to love the guy at times, he was still a complete arrogant jackass, but she doubted a guy that could be handing in straight-A homework if he wanted would be settling for a B+ average would then go and take that kind of short-cut. As impressive as Victor's body was, and it WAS pretty damn impressive she had to admit, she had seen him in the school gym and it was pretty clear he put in a lot of work.
"Guys, can we not do this?" Preston asked in a weary way. He had been up most of the night until he finally fell asleep out of pure exhaustion trying to memories the chapter on the undo magic spell. "I'd really prefer we didn't fight today."
"I guess that's probably for the best." Calvin said with a shrug as Levi finally arrived and started to head over. "Hey Mr Weston."
"Mr Weston." Brody chuckled, shaking his head. "That still cracks me up."
"Well, strictly speaking I am a teacher." Levi reminded him. "So, Hayley, how are..."
"She's already gone to the base." Calvin told him. Levi just smiled.
"OK, that's going to take some getting used to." He said, before being hit in the chest by Sarah, who glared at him, before flashing a glance Preston's way. The Blue Ranger felt badly enough about how long it was taking him to find out how to turn her back without Levi making it seem like something they were going to have to get used to because it was going to take a long time to correct. "Um...I mean..."
"It's OK, I know what you mean." Preston muttered. "I'll keep reading the chapter when I get in..."
"Preston, maybe the answer isn't in that chapter." Viera suggested. "You were meant to..."
"I should probably get inside now anyway." He answered. "I've got a LONG day ahead of me."
"Yeah, you really need to get working on that spell." Levi agreed as they walked off. Viera just sighed as she watched them walk away. That was when she saw someone walking past in one of Monty's t-shirts. She headed over to him and smiled seeing the crowd surrounding him.
"Wow, it looks like you're working really hard!" She said, looking at all of his material. Monty stood, staring at her and started stammering.
"I...um...well...I...I just want to make sure Victor isn't punished for something he didn't do." Monty told her.
"You've never even considered the fact that he might have done it have you?" She asked him. Monty just shook his head, suddenly seeming a lot more certain than he had in front of her.
"Victor would probably kill me for telling anyone this but...he hates needles." Monty told her. "I mean like...REALLY hates needles! He actually fainted getting his polio shot! The only way he could get his TB shot was the fact I was there to support him!"
"Monty..."
"It's not just needles; he doesn't like taking any medicines." Monty assured her. "He doesn't even like taking aspirin!"
"Monty, I believe you!" She said, putting a hand on his face, raising a huge, goofy grin from him. "I'm just thinking how amazing a friend you are that you're standing up for him this vigorously. It reminds me of...of friends I had...that I wish I still did."
She looked around his materials some more.
"You know, I have acted as an advocate before." She told him.
"You have?" Monty asked her.
"Yes, well at my uh...last school...I did act as an advocate in some kids' disciplinary cases." She said semi-truthfully. In fact, she had actually been taught law back home as part of her education for eventually taking over as monarch, and while she was sure this was going to be a little different, she thought maybe some of her skills might be transferrable. "I know you're trying to get a lawyer, but if you don't manage it, I guess I could help with the case."
"Really? You'd help?" He asked her.
"Yes, but...I guess I should look the part, right?" She asked, picking up a t-shirt. "You don't mind right?"
"Well, I um...oh...OK!" Monty said, before turning away quickly and turning bright pink as Viera whipped off her T-shirt right in front of him! She had spent her life getting dressed and prepared in front of servants, and so she didn't really have the same hang-ups on dressing in front of others that most people did. There were some wolf-whistles as well, since not many kids were used to seeing one of their peers pulling off their clothes in a public place! Viera though was largely oblivious as she pulled on the #FreeTheSummerCoveOne t-shirt.
"There!" She replied. "Well, how does it look?"
"It...it looks great." Monty stammered as he looked to her. Viera smiled as she took up a position next to him, picking up some fliers.
"Free the Summer Cove One!" She called out as she started handing them out.
Elsewhere on the school grounds, the Rangers were heading towards the school building when Brody held up a hand. They all paused.
"Wait, does anyone else hear that?" He asked them. They all started to listen intently, noticing a distinct buzzing sound. On the surface it sounded almost like an insect but it was a little higher-pitched, and sounded almost mechanical. Levi pointed to a tree.
"Up there." He said, drawing their attention. "Buzz-Cam!"
"There's another over there!" Calvin said as he pointed one out landing on a nearby wall.
"I think we all know what this means." Brody said as suddenly a column of smoke appeared. Moments later, Abrakadanger stepped out, standing before the Rangers. His cloak billowed out from him as he stood before them, preparing to make his grand entrance.
"This is it? This is the mighty Power Rangers I've heard so much about?" Abrakadanger scoffed, staring at them. "If you're the kids that have given Galvanax so many problems, taking his title once I'm finished with you will be easier than I thought!"
"You know, we've heard a lot of monsters say the same thing. Funny thing is we're still standing and they're not!" Sarah replied. "What makes you think it'll end any differently with you?"
"I'm Abrakadanger, the most powerful master of mystical might in the universe!" He proclaimed, standing before them. "Perhaps if you all give up now, I'll only turn you into pets instead of obliterating you completely!"
"You talk a big game." Levi stated. "Let's see you back it up!"
"You asked for it! Let's see how you do with a simple trick! ONREFNI!" He yelled as he pointed his wand their way. The Rangers were all forced to dive out of the way as a massive column of flame came their way, rushing into cover. Abrakadanger just started laughing. "Are you SERIOUS? That's the kind of thing they teach kids in kindergarten where I come from! So, which one of you is the so-called wizard? Which one of you is the Blue Ranger?"
"He's...not that observant is he?" Calvin asked as Preston gulped.
"If he wants to trade tricks, let's show him one of ours!" Brody yelled as he broke cover. The others formed up behind him, running for the wizard. "NINJA SPIN!"
Meanwhile, in another area of town, a few streets away from the school, Trevor was on his knees, his arm reaching down a storm drain. He smiled as he finally grabbed what he was looking for, and making sure he got a good grip, he pulled it out. A sad-looking, soggy and filthy ball of fur that just mewed pathetically as he brought it out, and holding it at arms' length because of the inevitable smell, placed it carefully into the waiting towel in the arms of his elderly owner.
"There you go Mrs Lebowski, one slightly soggy Murgatroyd, safe and sound." He told her with a smile. "I'd say one nice, warm bath is definitely in order!"
"Thank you so much Trevor, I don't know what this stupid kitten's fascination with that drain is." She said, wrapping the kitten up warmly in the blanket. "I keep trying to train her, but she's just as stubborn as my dear departed husband."
"It's definitely different; normally I'd expect to rescue cats from a tree!" He responded.
"Well, I simply MUST repay you!" She told him. "I've got some lovely Ceylon in the house, and I just have to make you a cup!"
"Now that sounds like..."
"Calling all units, this is dispatch." A call came across the radio. "There are reports of a monster sighting at Summer Cove High School."
"Dispatch, this is car 17, show me responding." Trevor said over the radio.
"Marx! You're on community duty today!" The responder answered. "You don't have a partner, you're not meant to..."
"I'm only two blocks away; I'll be there before any of the other units!" Trevor snapped. "Show me responding!"
He looked to Mrs Lebowski.
"I'm really sorry; I'm going to have to take a rain check." He told her. She just smiled and nodded.
"I understand, you go help those Rangers!" She stated, holding up Murgatroyd. "Go on sweetie, say goodbye to the nice officer!"
Trevor threw himself into the car and gunned the engine, turning on his siren to try and clear the way as he sped towards the school.