A/N: I have finally finished all of my re-writes! As of right now, I will try to post a new chapter once every two weeks or so. I know its not often, but its better than my previous record (once every two years).
A/N: So, I've been working on this chapter for a while now to get it just right for you guys, and I am so excited to give it to you! I hope you like it, and please tell me so in the comment section. I will take any suggestions/prompts from you guys. I hope that it was worth the wait! Thank you so much!
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything.
A blast throws Mia onto her side. A quick slash of her tensen towards the ground causes a blast of wind that gets her back onto her wheels. Mia she pushes herself forward, barreling towards her opponent. With her right hand she veers to the right and slashes at him with one of her tensen. He just barely dodges her strike and falters in step. Taking advantage of this she speeds towards him and at the last second, turns around and rams into him with the back of her chair, toppling him to the ground. She turns her chair once more and reaches out, left tensen inches above his neck.
"I surrender!" her opponent pleads. With the flick of her wrist, her tensen rests back on her wrist and an outstretched hand helps Mike up. "Man, I can't wait for Jayden to take you on!" Mike jokes, "I don't even think he could beat you now!"
Cam and Antonio jog over to their friends as Antonio exclaims, "¡Dos minutos! ¡Dos minutos! Amiga, that was brilliant! You took him down in under two minutes! You haven't lost to any of us once in three weeks and you are getting faster. I think it's about time to show the others."
She shifts in her seat, "I don't know, maybe we should train just a little bit longer."
"Mia, you're going to be fine!" Cam goads, "The nighlock don't stand a chance against you!"
She laughs, "It's not the nighlock I'm worried about."
"Then what is it, amiga?" Antonio asks.
"Well," she sighs, "I'm worried that Jayden and the others will shoot down the idea before we even get to show them all of our work."
Mike rests her head against his side and promises, "We won't let that happen, Mia." Under her helmet she smiles weakly, and pretends to not notice the shared look of foreboding between Mike and Antonio that couldn't be disguised even by their helmets. They trudge home before anyone wakes up. They hop into bed for a quick three hour nap before the day begins. As the sun rises the trio trudges out of bed. They all find themselves alone in the kitchen, a rare occasion. Mike pulls out four bowls, Antonio snags the spoons, and Mia grabs the cereal and milk.
As they prepare their meals, Mike leans down to Mia and whispers, "We are going to go to the skate park tonight. Antonio got you two permission to stay out late for some late night fishing event that he made up. Cam and I are going to hang back and wait for lights out, because Mentor needs me to do some chores and for Cam to help take care of Terry, but we'll meet you guys there, okay?"
Mia looks at him and nods, then she smiles at Antonio and asks, "So, what exactly is this fishing event and why do you need me to come?" With a wink, she lets him know that she is on board.
He puts his hands on his hips and begins, "Well, there is a rare species of trout that is nocturnal. It is in abundance this time of the month, and I haven't gotten a chance to go try to catch one. It's a tricky catch, though, and since you're not fighting, you could stay up a little later than usual to help."
"I don't know," she begins, "I don't really have the best track record with water. If you know what I mean." She gestures down to her chair.
"I'll do all of the fishing, hermanita. All I need you to do is help me with my supplies. You can even lock your wheels if you want. Trust me, you'll be perfectly fine," he answers. He squeezes her shoulder and walks away. A giant goofy grin remains plastered on her face even as she performs her chores. She sits whistling, as she polishes a bokken when Emily walks up to her.
"Hey, Mia," Emily mumbles. She shifts in place and fiddles with the hem of her training uniform. "So, I was wondering, since we haven't had much time to hang out much since...well...you know...maybe we could go on a walk...wait...I mean a stroll...or a...uh…"
Mia laughs, "Em, its fine. That would be great. Just let me finish with the swords and then we can go."
Jayden overhears this and interjects, "Just go, Mia. We'll finish the swords for you." Mia opens her mouth to retort, but Jayden interrupts, "You don't have to always clean up after us, Mia. You're not our maid. Go."
"Okay, then," Mia shrugs. Emily mumbles something about changing out of her training uniform and rushes off. Mia and Jayden share a knowing look. Mia sighs, "Even after all of this time, I don't think she's quite used to me being in a wheelchair."
Jayden smirks, "Yeah, it was an adjustment for all of us. You're basically like our big sister. I don't think you realized this, but when we gave you that title, it means that we believe you can help us get over anything. When you got hurt, like really hurt, it was daunting to all of us. I think Emily took the hit the hardest with Serina and all. It's hard seeing everything get taken away from you. It's really scary."
"I know, I wish that you guys wouldn't see what I can't do anymore, but focus more on what I can. I think it would make it easier for all of us," she replies. He nods his head. Just then Emily walks back into the room. Mia gives her an easy smile, then follows her out the door.
The girls wander through the city, stopping every once in a while to pop into a store or peek into the window of a trinket shop. They meander into designer outlets and dress up in fancy clothes they know they will never be able to afford, then pop into their favorite thrift shops where they try on the wackiest things they can get their hands on. Despite the giggles and the joking around, Emily's face remains more solemn than usual. After they leave the thrift shop they head over to the pizza shop to get some lunch. Once they order their medium cheese they settle outside at a table meant for two. Emily moves away the extra chair so Mia can roll up to the table with ease. She flicks on her breaks and then smiles up at her friend.
Mia takes Emily's hand and sighs, "Em, what's wrong?"
"What are you talking about? I'm fine," Emily defends.
"That's a lie. I can tell that something is up. You're not as happy as usual. Please tell me what's wrong," Mia pleads.
Emily looks away and then moans, "I don't know, Mia. It's just...well…"
"Come on, just tell me," Mia begs.
"I can't stop thinking of Serena," Emily whimpers, "Especially after what happened to you. You two are so alike, and I feel like you both are being taken from me."
"Em," Mia coos, "I'm here for you 100%, even though I can only feel 50% of me. You know that, right?" She wheels over to the young blond and wraps her in a warm hug. As she gently strokes the yellow ranger's golden hair in an effort to calm her, she whispers into her ear, "I am better. It has taken a while, but I think that now, I am better. Now, I just need you to be strong, okay?" Emily nods in reply and Mia continues, "Attagirl, just quiet down now. We are going to be okay." They release from the emotional embrace just in time to see their pizza coming out. As the waiter sets it down on the table they grin at each other and grab a slice. For the rest of lunch they chat about every topic under the sun and then they go back to the Shiba house.
Right after they walk up to the gate, Antonio rushes up to Mia and exclaims, "Chiquita! We need to go!"
"Do you have all of the supplies that we need?" Mia asks.
He points to his fishing cart and answers, "Everything is in my cart!" Mia says goodbye to Emily and then they head over to the skate park. Antonio helps Mia out of her chair and into the prototype chair. She cringes when she sits down. "What's wrong, hermanita?"
"This thing reeks of fish!" she whines.
He laughs, "Would you have rather me walked the thing out into the middle of the yard to show the whole house?"
"Well next time could you bring some air freshener?" she pleads as she covers her nose with her hands.
"With all of you complaining, it's a wonder that they ever believed that I would take you fishing!" he exclaims.
"Hey! I'm just joking!" she defends. He nudges her shoulder and then morphs up. She follows suit and then they head inside the park. Once they enter, Antonio starts the clock and the duel begins. Their weapons clash, sparks fly off of the metal. Mia dodges an attack and counters with a few quick slashes to Antonio's chest. He barely escapes her tensen and sprints up the stairs. With two quick slashes towards the ground. Symbol power is released and propels her up and over the stairs. She lands with grace and barrels towards towards Antonio. He tries to brace himself, but she topples him off of his feat. She lands on top of him with both of her tensen pointed at his neck. Antonio clicks the timer to stop it.
"One minute and thirty three seconds, amiga. Nice job!" Antonio exclaims. Before me I can reply, the two Rangers hear someone clapping slowly behind them. Return to find Jayden and the others all morphed up, plus Ji, Cam, and Terry with motorcycle helmets on, standing, watching up on the top of a ramp. With ease, Jayden and Kevin slide down the ramp and stand in front of the duo.
"I should have known you two weren't fishing," Jayden glibly states, "You want back on the team? Then you'll have to earn it." With that, he pulls out his katana from its sheath. Antonio climbs up the ramp to meet the others.
Mia flips open her tensen and calmly replies, "Then let me."