Hey guys! I'm happy to show you this chapter since I do think it's one of the best (and heaviest) I've ever written, but it's very bittersweet. I'm sure you all know why, but in case you don't, I won't spoil why until the end when I give you some of my thoughts on why I did this and what I think about it.
I could understand why I few of you might not be too pleased as to where this is going, and feel free to leave your thoughts in the reviews - even if it's criticism, because I would completely understand. Please nothing too harsh though!
One more thing - this is also the last chapter with the original opening video and cover photo, as I'll be changing them for you guys in the next chapter!
Last time on Power Rangers: Guardians of the Galaxy
Kneeling down, she looked at the pink ranger, and smirked at her. "I've been waiting to get you to myself," Phoebe said, making October reach immediately for her sword. Before she could grasp it, however, Phoebe grabbed her by the arm and threw her to the side, right into the car Bella was hiding behind.
Bella flinched at the sound of October's body hitting the car and peered under it to see if she could see what was happening. All she could see were Phoebe's feet, and the bottom half of October's body, as she was sitting against the car. Bella cursed herself for getting into this position, and got into a kneeling position once more, looking through the windows in the car and hoping not to be seen as the battle went on in front of her.
October sat against the car, still morphed, as Phoebe stood towering above her, looking down at the pink ranger. "Well, well. Looks like I can finally take you all for myself, doesn't it?"
"Never," October pulled out her blaster, pointing it direct at Phoebe. As she did so, Phoebe quickly turned and grabbed Ryder off the ground by the neck, the green ranger still morphed and struggling against her hold as he was held up and his oxygen was cut off. October immediately froze, her finger on the trigger.
Phoebe glared at her, "If you resist me, I'll kill him instantly."
Ryder kicked Phoebe in the stomach, causing her to groan and drop him. He fell on his hands and knees, gasping for air, but quickly made his way to his feet and pulled his sword out, swinging it directly at the Titan. Phoebe caught his sword in her hand unflinchingly before throwing her arm back against his throat. He made a choking sound and fell to his knees, demorphing in front of her. He glowered up at her defiantly as he coughed, just as she threw her elbow back and hit him hard in the face, making him fall to the ground, unconscious.
"Ryder?" October gasped out, shocked.
Phoebe kicked her in the chin of her helmet, knocking her against the car once more and finally demorphing her. She grabbed October roughly by the arm and lifted her to her feet, pulling her arm behind her back and making her face towards the school.
When October was turned around, she saw Bella and her eyes widened. The two made eye contact right before Phoebe forced October's head onto the car, knocking her out and letting her fall bonelessly into Phoebe's grasp. Bella tried to back away from the car, but she was stopped by a voice.
"You're really gonna try to run from me?" Phoebe shook her head. "Pathetic girl," She put her free hand out towards Bella and trapped her like she had done to Mari, quickly tightening her fist and slamming her into the ground, knocking her unconscious.
Aiden tried to get up from the ground to no avail as he had to watch Phoebe carry October and Bella away before falling unconscious.
Now
October groaned lowly as she came to, her head pounding and her body feeling so sore she could've sworn she was hit by a truck. A hand was quickly on her shoulder, shaking her and a voice was calling her to wake up.
She opened her eyes, blinking a few times to bring her vision into focus, before looking to the side and seeing Bella kneeling above her. October sat up, making Bella's hand fall off of her shoulder, looking around in confusion.
"Where are we?" She asked, forcing herself to her feet as she took in their surroundings.
A large, yellow tinted dome surrounded them and a large group of other people, some of which were awake and looking around, while others were unconscious, with some even seeming to be dead. October looked towards the side of the dome, where there was a glowing box-like device that seemed to be creating the yellow dome.
October walked over to it slowly and reached out to touch the box, when a voice stopped her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," She looked up to see Phoebe standing there, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. "You touch the box, you die."
"You're gonna kill me if I touch it?" October crossed her arms, glaring at the titan as Bella stood behind her, watching the exchange. "Why not just do it now? You've already got us in here - what do you want with us?"
Phoebe shook her head. "I don't want to kill you just yet. You're here to draw out the rest of the rangers, where I'll proceed to bring them in here, steal their powers, and destroy you all."
The pink ranger rolled her eyes. "They're not going to fall for your trap. And, anyways, how exactly do you expect to take our powers? I mean, you may be a titan or whatever, but something tells me you don't have that much power."
"Really?" Phoebe chuckled. "Because my little box right there has already taken both of yours, so if you were thinking about attacking me, it's probably not a good idea."
October frowned, glancing back at Bella, before looking at Phoebe. "Both of our powers? Bella isn't a demigod, sorry to inform you."
"I think I'd know a demigod if I saw one," Phoebe retorted. "Just because you didn't know about it, doesn't mean it's not true. Besides, that box is powered by godly energy, which means that it gets more powerful every time anyone with a godly background of any kind is placed in here. In other words, I can tell when a demigod comes through the barrier."
"You don't know anything," Bella growled out, scowling at the titan.
"I know more than you, little girl," Phoebe said, walking past October and grabbing Bella's face, getting close to her. "I know who you're meant to be, but I won't tell our friend over there. Your secret's safe with me."
October walked over and ripped Phoebe away from Bella, making her hit the ground hard. "Get away from her."
Phoebe stood up, dusting herself off. "You're lucky I'm waiting." She warned, as she turned and pushed past the various civilians until she was in a circle in the middle of the dome that seemed to be cut off from others, as some were bumping into the wall as they were walking.
"I think," October turned to Bella, looking her up and down. "That we have some things to talk about?"
Bella crossed her arms. "I guess so."
- Cue Opening -
Luca and Mari sat on the couch, the former with a nervous look on his face while the latter had a worried one on her face, as they watched Ryder and Aiden try to deal with their situation. Jackie sat beside them with a stoic look on her face, a stark contrast to all of the others. Eliza was also in the room, though she was standing off to the side and watching them with worry.
The four watched as Aiden paced worriedly and Ryder sat in a chair to the side of the couch, his head bowed and clasped in his hands.
"I can't believe this is happening." Ryder mumbled. "This can't be happening."
Mari rubbed her arm, before leaning towards him cautiously. "It'll be alright. We'll get October back."
Ryder looked up at her, his expression one of devastation. "You can't tell me that, because we have no idea where she even is."
"He's right," Aiden agreed, a hard look on his face. "She could be dead by now, for all we know."
Suddenly, Aiden was pinned against the wall by an enraged Ryder. "Don't say that! Don't you dare fucking say that to me! I'll kill you before that happens!"
"Ryder!" Mari and Luca jumped up from the couch, pulling the green ranger off of the red. "Stop!"
He pulled out of their grasps, glaring at them all. "If anyone says anything like that again, I'll kill them. I swear to god."
"Okay, just calm down." Mari put a hand on his shoulder, though it was immediately shrugged off. "I promise you, on my life, that October will be safe. I'll save her myself if I have to, alright? I swear to you."
Ryder looked her up and down. "How can you say that so surely?"
Mari sighed. "I know October. She's one of the strongest people I've ever met. There's no way she'll let Phoebe beat her. You know that, don't you?"
"I..." He trailed off. "I want to believe that."
She pulled him in for a hug, which he surprisingly accepted. While other rangers interacted, Jackie walked over to Eliza, who had paled considerably at Mari's declaration of saving October. "She's gonna do it," Eliza swallowed hard. "Isn't she?"
Jackie sighed, nodding. "It has always been her destiny."
Eliza scowled. "And I'm supposed to just stand by and let this happen?"
"That's your job, Eliza." Jackie informed her. "I do not want Mari to suffer this fate either, but it is what's going to happen. We do not have a choice in the matter."
The intern shook her head. "We always have a choice."
"Allowing her to avoid this fate could affect the whole world." Jackie responded. "As much as I appreciate what Mari has done, we cannot risk the fate of the world for her to continue on her path as a ranger."
"So, I can't do anything about it?" Eliza looked at her, a broken expression lining her features.
"You know the Gods will punish you if you do different," Jackie said. "You will have to stand trial for your sins - most likely to be sentenced to death. You have lived among the gods just as I have, and you are aware of their brutality in these circumstances."
Eliza took in a deep breath. "Yes, I am."
"Then, you should also be aware that they will punish Mari for your sins," Jackie added on. "They will not just allow this to go on, at the risk of humanity." Jackie looked at the other rangers. "Are you going to tell them?"
She looked at the white ranger as if she was crazy. "What? I can't!" She exclaimed in a hushed tone. "They'll never trust me again; they'd condemn me faster than the Gods ever could."
Jackie observed her. "No, they would try to stop Mari and thank you for letting them know. You do not want them to do so. You are afraid."
Eliza ran a hand through her hair, looking at the ground guiltily. "I can't face the Gods, Jackie. I'm so scared." She admitted. "Please don't tell them. I'll figure something out, just please don't tell them."
"I will not tell them," Jackie told her. "It's not my place. I know you will do the right thing."
"I hope so," Eliza sighed. "I really do."
- PRGG -
Bella looked October up and down, before looking at the locket around her neck, which immediately drew in her attention, specifically to the power coin next to it on the chain. "I had no idea you were one of the rangers. I only knew about Mari."
"Yeah, well, I had no idea you were a demigod," October responded. "Who's your parent? I see an aura around you, but it's not too distinctive. It's yellow and looks.. earthy somehow."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and you look like you're surrounded by a cloud of glitter." Bella muttered. "My mother is Ceres, the Goddess of agriculture."
October nodded, "That makes sense. How long have you known about this?"
"For a while," Bella shrugged. "I mean, I always knew about the powers I had, just not where they came from, until a week or so ago. I'm guessing you've known about this your whole life?"
The pink ranger shook her head. "No, I didn't know until we got our ranger powers. I believe it was on the first day of school."
Bella crossed her arms. "I see. So, who's your parent?"
"Venus," October responded. "The Goddess of love and beauty. All six of us have different parents, if you were wondering."
"Wait, so what are your powers, exactly? I mean, your mom is the Goddess of love and beauty. What can you do to fight against monsters?" Bella chuckled.
October rolled her eyes. "I can change any part of my body at will, and I can control people with my voice. What can you do? I mean, your mom is the Goddess of agriculture." She mocked.
"I can create plant life, and use it to attack others." Bella replied, scowling. "So, the others are?"
"Aiden is the son of Jupiter, the God of the Sky; Ryder is the son of Mars, the God of War; Luca is the son of Neptune, the God of the sea; Mari is the daughter of Vesta, the Goddess of Hearth and Fire; and Jackie is the daughter of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom." October rattled off. "She's new - Jackie. She joined the team yesterday."
"Yeah, I was wondering who that was," Bella nodded slowly, before looking at October with a confused expression. "Ryder's your brother, isn't he?"
October crossed her arms. "Yeah, why?"
"How come you guys have different parents?"
The pink ranger breathed out, looking off to the side. "That's really not any of your business, now is it?"
Bella shrugged. "I guess not. I was just wondering." She looked her up and down. "Why are you being so stand-offish?"
"You bullied Mari." October glared at her. "And you know that you did, and I don't think you feel any remorse for it at all. You probably thought it was funny, laughing about it with your friends, but it wasn't. I don't care what you think of her, but I know who Mari is, and she's a lot better person than you are."
Bella whistled lowly. "Wow, that's pretty harsh, October. Especially for you. Just keep something in mind: you may know Mari, but you don't know me, so you can't judge me like that."
October raised an eyebrow. "Alright then, tell me that you honestly feel bad for treating her like shit, because she told me how you were."
She scoffed. "I was a kid, and you still think I act like that?"
"Yeah, I do, actually." October nodded. "I saw you trip her in the locker room, or was that just me?"
Bella looked down. "That was a lapse in judgment. I haven't done anything to her since, if you haven't noticed. I'm better than that."
October shook her head. "Or you just think you are." She walked away, trying to look for a way to get out, with a scowling Bella on her heels.
- PRGG -
Liela approached the rangers in the living room, seeing Aiden and Ryder being a bit more calm than they were earlier, though they still seemed very on edge about October's kidnapping. She had her tablet in hand, scrolling through some heat signatures of the town.
"There's a large dome grow in the center of town." Liela announced to them. "I'm not sure if this is were Phoebe has taken October, and possible other victims, but I'm still scanning to see if I can locate her in that area."
Luca frowned. "I know this is a bit off topic, but wouldn't Mason usually be doing that?"
She nodded, a stoic look on her face. "Yes, well, unfortunately, Mason won't be joining us anymore. I didn't know to tell you guys this, but all of this has been a lot on him over the years and he needed a break, so asked me if it was possible to be able to take a break, and I couldn't say no. I assume he won't be back until all of this is over."
Aiden looked up at her gloomily. "Can't you give us any good news?"
"Eliza is officially our full-time intern." Liela offered up, giving a small smile, though none of the rangers returned it. "Anyways, it'll be a few minutes, but I'm sure I can lock onto October's location."
Ryder looked up at her, a pained look lining his features. "And if she's..." He trailed off, not being able to finish his sentence.
"Well, I guess I can give you some more good news," Liela responded. "If October was.. dead, her demigod powers would no longer give off a signature to track. Her ranger morpher might, but he abilities would not, and that's what I've been using to track her. I'm almost certain that she's alive."
"Are you serious?" Ryder stared in shock. "My sister's alive?"
Liela nodded. "Yes, I can confirm that."
Ryder breathed out a sigh of relief and rubbed a hand down his face. "Oh my God. I thought.. I thought I lost her." He looked over at Aiden. "Hey, I'm umm.. sorry. I know you weren't saying that out of spite, but because you were upset she was gone."
"Oh," Aiden looked at him, surprised. "Yeah, it's fine. You don't have to be sorry, I understand where you're coming from."
"Thanks," Ryder said awkwardly, looking back down.
Mari stood up and walked over to Eliza, who was standing in the corner of the room, watching them all interact. As she walked over, Eliza looked at her with a startled expression. "Mari, hey."
"Hey," Mari looked at her worriedly. "Are you alright, Eliza?"
Eliza stared at her for a moment, before sighing. "Come here," She pulled Mari into the nearby hallway, out of earshot of the others. "I've been keeping a secret from you guys for a while now, but I really need to tell you before its too late."
The yellow ranger frowned. "What do you mean?"
"When you get to that dome to rescue October, the only way to free her is to break the device creating the dome," Eliza told her. "And, in doing so, one would likely die from the explosion created by destroying it."
Mari took a step back, "Are you saying that October is gonna die?"
Eliza shook her head. "No, she's not. The person who destroys the dome is gonna die, and, according to legends on Mount Olympus, that person is you."
"I..." Mari breathed out in shock, staring at Eliza. "What.. that's impossible. Are you joking?"
"Why would I joke about something like this?" Eliza asked. "Look, I know this seems crazy and you probably have no idea why I'm telling you this, but it's because I'm afraid and I don't want anything to happen to you. You're my friend, and I want you to live a long life."
"So, you're warning me?" Mari ran a hand through her hair. "But, if the Gods told you this was going to happen, then you can't tell me. What's gonna happen if they find out that you told me?"
The intern looked down. "It doesn't matter - we don't have much time. Liela's going to figure out where October is in a few minutes."
"Does Liela know?" Mari said. "About me?"
"No, she doesn't. She's totally in the dark about this." Eliza assured her. "But that's not the point. Look, you four can figure something else out to free October and everyone else, but afterwards you have to leave your morpher behind and run for you life. There's no other choice."
Mari swallowed hard. "Why do I have to leave if I survive?"
Eliza sighed. "Because, you're not supposed to be the yellow ranger, Mari. There's someone else, and your death is the way she gets your morpher. I'm hoping that you leaving will prevent any harm to come to you and will appease the Gods, but I don't know, and that's why you need to leave."
"I'm not the true yellow ranger?" Mari had a devastated look on her face, putting her hand to the side of her head. "All this time - that's why every monster doesn't think I'm worth it?! Because they knew I was gonna die?!"
Looking at her guiltily, Eliza nodded. "I'm so sorry. I think you're a great ranger, and I think the Gods are wrong for doing this, but we don't have any choice in the matter."
"This isn't your fault," Mari reassured her, taking in a deep breath to contain herself. "I just had no idea how insignificant I was until now."
Eliza glared at her, "No." She growled out. "Don't you dare say that. You're worth so much more than you're getting. You deserve better! You don't have to die!"
Mari looked up with a sad expression. "I appreciate that, but I think your wrong. If I don't do this, October, my best friend, will die."
"No, there has to be another way to save her without losing you." Eliza said defiantly.
She shook her head. "But, you and I both know that there probably isn't. Look, the only things that I have in my life are all of you, and being a ranger. I have no other friends, my family left me here, and I'm about to not have my ranger powers. October does. She is so important to everybody she's around and everything that does. She has everything that I could've ever wanted, and she shared it with me. October opened up her life to me. She got me in here, tried to get me a job, and is like a big sister to be. My life means so much less when compared to hers. She has to live, no matter what the cost. I can't live in a world without her, especially not like this."
"Mari," Eliza looked at her sympathetically. "I..." She was cut off when Liela yelled over to Mari to join the others, causing Eliza to stare at Mari in shock.
"It's okay." Mari said, giving her a small smile. "I want you to know that I appreciate everything you've ever done for me, and that you're a good friend."
Before the intern could say anything else, Mari ran out of the hallway and join the others on their way to the battle.
- PRGG -
Bella followed October back to the device that seemed to be creating the whole dome, and watched as the pink ranger observed it, trying to figure out how she could possibly disable it to get free.
"Hey," Bella said, stopping her from touching it. "I know you have no reason to believe Phoebe, but I wouldn't take any chances. If she's right, you could die."
October glared at her. "Why do you care?"
"Look, I'm sorry about Mari, okay?" Bella responded, grabbing October's arm and spinning her around to face her. "I talked to her yesterday, and I know she doesn't like me, nor do you, and you apparently have no reason to. Look, I may not like Mari and may think that I'm better than her, but that doesn't excuse my actions."
The pink ranger shook her head. "That was the worst apology ever, but I guess it's a start. What I want to know is: if you don't care about Mari's opinion or anything, why do you care about mine?"
Bella frowned. "What makes you think that I do?"
October rolled her eyes. "Oh, cut the crap. Obviously you care about my opinion, or you wouldn't be apologizing and explaining yourself."
"Well, I don't know," Bella shrugged. "If you're so smart, why don't you figure it out?"
"I think I have." October replied, her arms crossed. "I think I'm the first person to ever force you to really look at yourself and avoid the bullshit vague responses. I think you've never really had a real friend before, and you're trying to figure out if you want me to be one for you. That's why you care so much."
Bella stared at her. "How am I supposed to respond to that?"
"Anyway you want to," October said. "All I want you to know is that I'll accept you if you do right by yourself and others. You've already.. tried apologizing, which means that there's some good in you." She gave her a small smile. "I believe in you, if it makes you feel any better."
"It..." She was cut off when the two saw a camera crew setting up outside of the dome, with a newscaster beginning to talk in front of them. "What the hell is going on?"
"The humans are interested in my affairs," Phoebe's voice came from behind them as she sauntered towards them at the edge of the dome, where they were all standing. She tilted her head at them, before grabbing October and slamming her against the dome's side, which felt like it was made of glass.
The sound made from October's body connecting with the dome attracted the attention of the newscaster. "You all see this girl?" Phoebe growled out. "She's the pink ranger! I've taken her hostage, and before long, I'll have all of the others as well."
October's eyes widened as Phoebe showed them her locket, proving her to be a ranger on live TV. "Stop! Don't do this!" She pushed against Phoebe, getting out of her grasp, but it was too late as many of the camera's turned on her to show her to the world.
As the press began to overlap each other with questions, a group of Titans appeared at the snap of Phoebe's fingertips to attack them. October ran up to the wall of the dome and pounded on it, gesturing for the newscasters and press to run, which they began to, just as a blaster destroyed one of the Titans.
Everyone looked over to see the remaining five rangers run up, completely morphed and with their weapons out.
October, in particular, looked at them in relief. "They're okay." She whispered to herself, and could practically feel the relief radiate from the others as they saw her.
"Like I said," Phoebe smirked evilly, "I'll have the others as well."
She moved over to the device and put her open palm just above it, before using her other hand to push out of the dome and face the rangers. They all watched as the powers were sucked from the rangers, demorphing them and leaving them only with the weapons they were holding.
The five other rangers fell to the their knees and to the ground for a moment, winded from their powers being taken, before standing back up, only to realize the cameras now on them.
October turned immediately to Phoebe, "I thought you said it only takes the powers of those who cross into it."
"I lied," Phoebe gave her a dark look, before pushing past October and Bella, making her way back up into her safe location.
The others tried not to let the cameras affect their performance, and ran forward anyways, prepared to fight the Titans, which they knew weren't hard to fight, even unmorphed.
Aiden kicked one down, before stabbing one straight through with his sword. He glared at another as it tried to attack Luca from behind, before punching it, knocking it to the ground without letting it take the chance.
He grabbed the Titan up from the ground and lifted it over his head, throwing it towards a small group that was coming at him, knocking them all down. Aiden took a deep breath. "Man, you guys are a bit heavier without our powers." He quipped, before running back in.
Luca ducked under a sword and swept the feet out from one of the Titans. He shot one with his blaster as he stood up straight, and then kicked one that came at him from the side.
"Even if it's a bit harder, you're still no match for us," He said confidently as he shot at one that was about to go for the press. "Not even without our powers."
Ryder nodded as he stabbed one completely through with his spear, so far that he ended up stabbing the one behind it. He jumped backwards to avoid a kick, before swinging his spear all around him, knocking down a group that was trying to surround him.
"He's right, you know. You guys are pathetic." The green ranger held his spear to the ground and used it to jump up and kick one in the head, before stabbing behind him as he heard one sneak up behind him.
Mari, meanwhile, made a beeline for the device that was creating the dome. She could see that half of the box was inside the dome and half was out, which meant that she had a clear shot of it.
October came up to the side of the dome. "What are you doing?" She asked, seeing Mari stare at the box while she held her sword tightly in her hand.
The yellow ranger looked up at her, a strangely peaceful look on her face. "I'm saving you."
"But that thing is dangerous." October warned her. "You could get really hurt, or die, if you mess with it."
Mari shook her head. "I'm fine. Just step back so you don't get caught in the backlash of when the dome dies down."
October stared at her. "What about you?" She asked, but she began to back up anyways, trusting Mari.
"It'll be okay," Mari assured her in a soothing tone, one October recognized, though she did so too late.
The pink ranger screamed, "No!" As Mari plunged her sword straight into the device holding the dome up, causing it to spark rapidly and instantly explode, sending a shock-wave through the entire area, knocking everyone back, including October. She tried to lift herself up and see through the dust clouding the area, but she fell back to the ground and fell unconscious.
- PRGG -
As October came to, the first thing she registered was that she knew her powers were back. It was a strange sensation, but one she now could definitely tell she was missing before. She also knew this because she felt a lot better, when she assumed her injuries would be bad.
She soon heard a male voice talking loudly - as if he was angry or wanted to be in control. "Get out!" He yelled, a voice she quickly identified to be Ryder. "No press! My sister's hurt and needs rest! Get the hell out!"
The pink ranger heard a bit of a scuffle, before a door was slammed and blinds were shut. It was at this instance that she knew she had to open her eyes to find out what was going on.
Her eyes peeled open and she squinted initially against the bright lights of where she figured out to be the hospital. As soon as her eyes adjusted, she turned to look at Ryder, who was leaning head-first against a wall, one of his fists up beside his head. He clearly looked to be in distress.
October cleared her throat softly, before speaking. "Ryder?" She asked, and he immediately turned to her, leaving her stunned. His face was one of devastation, with tear tracks and puffy eyes. Since October knew how her brother was one to usually hide his emotions, she was startled to see that. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
"October," He whispered, walking forward and quickly embracing her in a tight hug.
She returned the embrace. "Ryder, what's happening?" October asked, clasping the back of his neck as she hugged him back. "Where are the others?"
Ryder pulled away from her and sat in a chair next to her bed. "Aiden, Luca, and Jackie are in the waiting room, and Bella, who you were with, is getting checked out." He replied.
"Yeah," October nodded, gesturing for him to continue. "What about Mari?"
He scanned her face. "Do you remember what happened?"
"The press found out about us," October replied. "And..." She breathed out in shock. "Mari destroyed the dome. Where is she, Ryder?"
"After the dome exploded, you and everyone inside were either knocked out or dead. Phoebe was destroyed. We, on the outside, were winded and a bit beat up, but mostly fine, with all of the Titans gone..." He trailed off. "Except for Mari. We found her on the ground, unresponsive. We called for Liela or Eliza while the press called ambulances."
October stared at him, a stunned expression on her face. "And?"
Ryder sighed. "Eliza showed up, and told us that Mari sacrificed herself for us. That she, Eliza, had told Mari about how she was going to die if she did it, and because of Eliza's interference, Mari decided to it..." He paused, his face contorted in a pained manner. "Mari is dead." He choked out. "She sacrificed herself to save us."
The pink ranger was silent for a long few moments, before she spoke quietly. "No. Tha.. that can't be right."
"It is." Ryder said, his voice thick with emotion. "A paramedic came over and told us that she was dead. She had no heartbeat, she wasn't breathing, and they couldn't do anything about it, apparently. Oh, and here's the best part. Just as we were going to go to the hospital with you, the stretcher that she was on to be transported to the hospital with.. it was empty. She just gone, presumably by the Gods since she's a demigod and they probably have something they do with dead demigods."
October swallowed hard against the devastation that was building up. "She's gone?"
He nodded. "Yeah, she's gone. Her and her body are gone, so, because of some fucking stupid Godly business, we can't even say goodbye to one of our best friends, who died to save us. Isn't that just fantastic?"
She watched Ryder, seeing how all of his emotions were breaking loose, as were hers. October felt tears running down her face as she glared at nothing, before she turned to her brother and gestured for him to sit on the bed.
Ryder, at first, refused, not wanting to engage in anything else that had to do with the loss of one of their teammates - someone they loved like family. After a few moments, he finally got up and sat on the side of the bed, immediately going to hug his sister.
October held him tightly, looking forward in shock as she thought about the last words Mari had said to her.
"It'll be okay,"
Next time on Power Rangers Guardians of the Galaxy: A month after Mari's death, the rangers are still grieving and have no yellow ranger. While they deal with the aftermath of what happened and fight a new monster named Arachne, Bella finds herself in the possession of the yellow ranger morpher.
Next Chapter Title: Daughter Of Nature
I know some people might have somethings to say to me, and feel free to do so in the reviews below, but I want to give my thoughts on what I just did, which means this may be a longer author's note. To start, when I was creating this series, there was always a certain intention to do something like this, though it turned out a lot differently than I thought it would. I initially tried to create Mari as a character that I, personally, wouldn't like, so that I wouldn't feel as bad about doing this. She, however, evolved as the story was being written into a character that I now love.
Unfortunately, I already had the whole story planned out with this in mind. It does not make me happy to have to say goodbye to this character for now as she is definitely a great one - at least, in my opinion - but I am pleased to say that she will have a long and heavy impact on the other characters and I'm looking forward to writing a real, deep reaction to this death, which I don't think I've done in the past with my other stories (even though characters have died in those).
I really hope you guys are going to like Bella as she grows and changes with the story, and the other main characters with their changes that are going to come from these events. Keep in mind that I always have a plan in the end for my characters, including Mari. I'm looking forward to showing you guys what's up next.
Here are the upcoming chapters.
Ep 15: The Trial - Eliza focused chapter - concludes this arc.
Ep 16: Love Animals - Luca focused chapter.
Ep 17: Collision Part I - Ryder focused chapter.
Ep 18: Collision Part II - Ryder focused chapter.
Ep 19: No Place Like Home - Aiden focused chapter.
I truly hope you guys liked this chapter, and I'll see you soon with the next one.
© Copyrighted by Charlotte 'Charlie' Hartley