Chapter 18
"Why now? He's too exhausted!" told Antonio, he and Nariko quickly held Jayden up just as he began to stagger a bit due to his exhaustion. Suddenly Moogers appeared from out of nowhere and had gathered right behind Deker who kept his eyes trained on the three but mostly Jayden "Master Xandred and his noodle face crony Octoroo have seen to it that we are interrupted yet again…" some Mooger soon charged at Jayden, Nariko and Antonio only to be stopped by Deker who transformed into his nighlok form "No one touch the red ranger he's mine!" the three watched as the nighlok take down all the Moogers with no difficulty at all. "He's relentless!" said Nariko "Jayden you're not even a challenge for him!" said Antonio, Jayden said nothing but continued to stare down Deker who now returned to his human form "All right red ranger…Our time to duel has come." both Nariko and Antonio immediately stood in front of Jayden, determine to protect him. "No not now! We just finished a battle, besides we rangers don't fight for the sake of fighting!" told Antonio, Deker sheathed his sword "Red ranger…I'll give you 24 hours but there will be no further delay…Tomorrow metal will meet metal." "Didn't you hear Antonio? I won't fight for fighting sake…I only fight to protect the innocent." "Well then if you won't show…" suddenly in the blink of an eye Deker stood right before the three and knocked the two rangers away then turning to Nariko. She quickly got into a fighting stance and began fighting Deker who easily blocked her attacks. He then grabbed the princess by the throat and punched her in the gut hard. Nariko cried out in pain before blacking out from the impact. Once seeing that she was unconscious Deker threw the princess over his shoulder. Ultimately Jayden witness this and got back on his feet "Nariko!" but as he took a step forward the red ranger's legs gave out only to be caught by Antonio "Jayden!" "Listen to me very carefully red ranger…Disappoint me tomorrow and I may not be able to hold my nighlok side back much longer…I could possibly attack the nearest person…" "Don't you dare lay a hand her! You're not half human, you're a true nighlok!" growled Jayden "Call me what you want but no one will be safe and the princess' pain will be your fault not mine." "Then you leave me no choice, I will fight and I will defeat you!" "Noon…Tomorrow by the sea…" and with that said Deker took his leave along with taking Nariko's unconscious form.
Later that day back at the Shiba household, Mia and Emily returned with Kevin and Mike after both Dayu and Rhinosnorus made their escape in the forest. Currently Mia was in the kitchen fixing some hot tea for Emily, still feeling guilty for getting the yellow ranger hurt by Dayu. While the pink ranger poured some tea in a cup, Emily appeared at the doorway and greeted "Hey Mia…" "I was just going to bring some tea for you." "Thank you but you need to stop fussing over me I'm almost as good as new." "It's just that…When it was time to fight Dayu…I hesitated…And then you got hurt…" "I understand…Seeing Dayu's past in that dream world…It must have been hard on you." "That's the problem…I can't afford to let my feelings get in the way of our mission anymore." "You're really being too hard on yourself." soon Mike entered the kitchen looking very serious "Guys…We're all meeting in the living room…It's important." and with that the girls and Mike made their way to the living room where Jayden informed his team on what happened earlier today.
"Jayden…It's crazy to do this! Take on Deker and do it alone?" questioned Kevin "Deker insists that's how it has to be." told Antonio "You can't do this! A samurai only fights battles when it's necessary!" "This is necessary, if I don't go Deker threatened to hurt Nariko!" said Jayden "Ok fine! We'll handle him just like any other nighlok, as a team!" told Kevin, the red ranger stood up from his seat "Kevin you don't get it! If I'm not alone it won't satisfy him!" "Since when do we let a nighlok dictate how we battle?" everyone remained silent at this until Mia broke it "I know now that Deker won't stop until Jayden duels him…We have to let him go." "Mia…How could you say that? Jayden isn't just our leader, he's also the only one who has the sealing power…" told Kevin who focused his attention back on his leader "Jayden you're the key to stopping the nighlok." Mike nodded in agreement "Kev is right…We shouldn't risk it…" not wanting to hear anymore of this Jayden stormed off "This discussion is over!"
That night in the household Jayden was in the practice dojo training for the upcoming battle with Deker. As he ceased his practice with the wooden sword for a bit, Kevin decided to show up at this time "Jayden…How can I talk you out of this?" "You can't…But…You can help me get ready I've got some special moves I want to practice…" the red ranger then turned to his fellow blue ranger "Kevin…You know how much Nariko means to me…I just can't take the risk of her getting hurt or worst…Losing her because of Deker…I can't stand the thought of that…" "And I understand that…Which is why I will help you practice your special moves." "Thank you so much Kevin…" the blue ranger smiled a bit "Hey…Anything for you…" he then went over and grabbed another wooden sword from the weapons rack and began helping Jayden in his practice. While the two practiced meanwhile in the kitchen the other rangers were sitting at the table while Ji was serving them tea to calm their nerves. "Why are we so worried? Jayden can beat anyone…He'll be fine…" said Antonio "Yeah…I'm sure he will." said Emily, Mike nodded "Yeah…" "All I know is that Deker needs to be dealt with…And hesitating will be a mistake." said Mia "I'm afraid Mia is right…There is no other choice but to fight Deker…We just have to have faith that Jayden is prepared for this battle." told Ji and all the rangers could do was nod in agreement.
The next day it was slowly getting close to noon and Jayden made his way out of the household. There in the front were the other rangers, they all looked at their leader as he emerged from the household. "Good luck Jayden." said Emily "You can do this bro." told Mike as the red ranger made his way over to his team, Antonio placed his hand on Jayden's shoulder "You're the best…I've known that since we were kids and it's no different from today." "Do what needs to be done." told Mia, Jayden just gave a simple nod before standing in front of Kevin. Before either of the two could say anything the gap sensor went off. Everyone looked at the blinking sensor "Nighlok attack! Jayden what do we do?" said Kevin, Ji came running out of the household "Rhinosnorus is back!" not wasting anytime at all Jayden pulled out his power disk along with the beetle power disk handing it to Kevin "Here…" "I don't understand…" "With these disks you can form the megazord without me…I need you to lead the team until I get back…I know you can do this…" Kevin hesitated for what seemed like a long time but he soon took the disks from Jayden "It'll be an honor…I won't let you down Jayden!" the blue ranger then looked at the others "Come on rangers! Let's go stop that nighlok!" and with that said the group of rangers left the household. Jayden looked back at Ji who nodded, thus the red ranger took his leave to meet up with Deker for their duel.
15 minutes passed and soon Jayden reached the coast where upon his approach spotted Deker with a tied up Nariko sitting by his side. The red ranger stopped a few feet away from the two while Deker scoffed a bit "Took you long enough…Still I knew you would come…Just like me, you need this battle." "No…I'm nothing like you…The only thing I need is to stop you from hurting Nariko or anyone else!" "All that matters is that you're here." Deker then grabbed Nariko by the elbow and pulled her up to stand, he then cut the ropes that bind her and pushed her towards the red ranger "Here…Since you're already here, you can have your precious princess back." Jayden immediately went to his fiancé and pulled her in to an embrace, holding her tightly "Nariko." "Jayden." "I'm so glad that you're ok." she broke the embrace and looked at her red ranger "Jayden…Please don't go through with this…" "I have to love…If I don't Deker will end up hurting you in order to get me to fight him and I really don't want that to happen." "But Jayden…" "Do you trust me?" "Wha-" "Do you trust me?" "I do…With all my heart…" "Then let me battle Deker." "All right…But please…Be careful and be safe for me." Jayden then pulled her into a passionate kiss, one that Nariko immediately returned. Wanting it to last longer to her dismay, the red ranger pulled away and put her behind him. Jayden then morphed into his ranger form and took out his spin sword. Nariko soon took a few steps back and watched as the battle between Deker and Jayden had finally begun.
As the two swordsmen took their fighting stance Jayden said "It's not too late Deker…We don't have to do this!" "You still don't understand…I have to fight until the glorious end." "Then you leave me no choice!" and with that the two began attacking each other. Each blocking the other's blow, Nariko watched on in worry and thought "Not once has Jayden land a blow on Deker…They're both equally matched in skill…But I know Jayden will find out a way to defeat Deker…I just hope he'll be able to do it without getting hurt…" she continued to watch the duel that soon led into the sea water, the princess gasp as she witness Deker trip Jayden who fell into the water. The red ranger quickly rolled out of the way just as the nighlok warrior stab the spot where he once laid. Jayden quickly got back on his feet and blocked more of Deker's attack but soon got a light hit. "Excellent your instincts are superb…You are indeed proven to be my equal, I was right to chose you red ranger." told Deker who then charged at Jayden who did the same. He dodged more of Deker's attacks but the nighlok's sword grazed the red ranger's helmet.
Nariko took a step forward, about to go over to her fiancé who stopped her "Don't Nariko!" "But Jayden!" "I'm fine! Just stay where you are!" reluctantly Nariko did what she was told and continued watching the duel between Jayden and Deker. The fight then led to a cliff and ultimately the Yamada princess followed the two swordsmen. Her heart clenched painfully as she witness Jayden receiving two more blows from Deker. "I've waited for this ultimate duel for so long and you have not disappointed me!" told the nighlok warrior, Jayden who was now panting looked at the warrior "Haven't you had enough?" the red ranger then headed towards the edge of the cliff with Deker following. Nariko watch in wonder and in fear, thinking "Just what is Jayden trying to do? Corner himself and have Deker take him down?" her heart raced quickly as she watched Jayden take another blow from Deker leading him to be at the very edge of the cliff. "You are truly a worthy opponent but now I shall defeat you and bring this to the very end!" said Deker "You're right about one thing…It's time for this to end!" said Jayden who raised his spin sword to strike. Though it was Deker who landed a serious blow to the red ranger "No Jayden!" exclaimed Nariko, the red ranger dropped his sword only to grab it with his other hand and strike Deker. The attack caught Deker completely off guard "W-What?" Jayden went in for another strike and the nighlok warrior tried to block it. To Deker's surprise his sword broke in two and he took the full hit of Jayden's attack. Soon the nighlok warrior began staggering towards the edge of the cliff "A master move…You let me wound you…So you can get close enough to finish me…Well fought red ranger…You have honored me…You have freed me from my torment…Thank you…" and with that Deker fell off the cliff, disappearing in a cloud of black smoke.
Once Deker was finally gone, Jayden fell to his knees in exhaustion and powered down. Nariko quickly ran over to her fiancé's side "Jayden!" once reaching him, she dropped to her knees and pulled his tired body to hers. Jayden tiredly laid his head on Nariko's chest who cupped his cheek and began stroking it. "Oh thank god you're all right! Do you know how scared I was just watching you fight with Deker and those blows you end up receiving? For a moment there I thought I was going to lose you!" cried Nariko "I know…And I'm sorry for making you feel that way…Forgive me?" Jayden tiredly said, tears appeared in Nariko's eyes and she began to stroke his cheek more "Of course I forgive you, idiot…I will always forgive you…" Jayden smiled a bit and closed his eyes while Nariko kissed his forehead and held him tightly, sobbing a bit in relief. "Jayden, Nariko!" the princess looked along with the red ranger who had slowly opened his eyes to see the Kevin, Mia, Emily, Mike and Antonio running towards them. Once reaching the couple Kevin quickly asked "Jayden…Are you all right?" "Yeah…" seeing that the nighlok warrior was nowhere in sight Mia asked "And Deker? Is he?" "Gone…" answered Nariko as she said that the others relaxed and sighed in relief. "Come on…Let get you home Jayden." said Kevin, the red ranger simply nodded and began to get up with the help of Nariko and the others who then lead the injured red ranger away.
Later back at the Shiba household, outside in the courtyard Jayden was having a meeting with Kevin and Mike. "Kevin…Thank you for leading the team when I couldn't." said the red ranger "It was an honor…But…It's not my job…" "There could only be one red ranger." said Mike, Jayden smiled a bit and chuckled though he smiled even more as he saw Nariko making her way over. The red ranger then looked at his friends "Uh…Could you guys give us a few minutes?" Kevin patted his leader's back "Of course, come on Mike." and the two rangers went inside the household leaving the couple alone. Jayden held his hand out to his fiancé "There's my girl." Nariko smiled a bit and grabbed his hand, letting the red ranger pull her closer to him "How are you feeling Jay?" "Better…Gonna be sore for the next few days though and Ji wants my arm in this sling too." "That's good to hear…" Jayden then noticed a tear running down Nariko's face and gently cupped her cheek with his good hand "Hey now…What's with the tears?" "I-I'm sorry…I guess I'm still shaken up from your duel with Deker…" "Nariko…There's no need to cry…" "I-I know…" "And know that I'll never leave you…I love you so much Nariko…" "I love you too Jayden." the red ranger lean down and captured his fiancé's lips in a sweet, passionate kiss. The two slowly pulled away and stared in each other's eyes, Nariko smiled and wrapped her arms around Jayden gently hugging him who returned the embrace. "So sorry to interrupt your lovebird moment but…" the couple looked to find Antonio standing there with a tray in hand. He pulled off the lid to reveal a well cooked fish "Dinner is served!" "That fish looks wonderful Antonio!" said Nariko "Hey when I serve a fish to my friends it's gotta be the best! That's gold standard!" soon everyone had gathered outside and around the table to eat the meal Antonio prepared for them. Before they could dig into their meal Jayden said to them "Everyone…I just wanted to say that I'm sorry…I know I had to duel Deker to stop him from hurting Nariko or anyone else but…I also think something in me wanted to fight him…To prove that I was worthy to be the red ranger." Nariko grabbed the red ranger's hand squeezing it "No Jayden…He forced your hand, you did what you had to do…" "Maybe…But there's still much to do but I promise to not jeopardize our mission again." "Deker is gone but Master Xandred is still out there…And until he is defeated…No one is safe." told Kevin "As rangers it's our responsibility to save the world from the nighlok I'm just grateful we don't have to do it alone." admitted Jayden, everyone smiled at this and cheered "Rangers together, samurai forever!"