Episode: I've Got a Spell on Blue

Xxxxx

Chapter 12- The Evil

A Few Days Later
I've Got a Spell on Blue
Panorama City Forest
Outskirts of Panorama City

The rangers were called into their next battle. Madimot, a mind controlling Nighlock, was in the forest wreaking havoc, and they were going to put a stake in his ways. However, especially for Jayden, they weren't braced for what this Nighlock had in stored.

"Here, kitty, kitty..." Madimot flung his whip down to the ground.

The ground began to rumble to the point the rangers almost lost their footing.

"What the-" Kevin began, as he was about to witness a blast from the past.

A white zord with golden stripes broke through the hardened soil, roaring it had arrived.

"The Tigerzord," Jayden finished for his fellow ranger. He broke away from the uniform line and stared at the white zord with awe. "That-that was my dad's," he murmured under his breath. His heart clenched.

"Surprised," he taunted, "When the Earth cracked open,and you sealed Master Xandred in the Netherworld, your Tigerzord fell in the crevice too. I saved it and made him my pet kitty. Or should I say pet Tiggy!" Madimot's words caused the nostalgia in Jayden to become a nightmare. The Nighlock ignored the exclamations of the rangers. "My spell on him is too powerful! He's mine."

The Nighlock gathered evil essence from the Sanzu River, which consumed his face. The royal blue energy kept accumulating. The rangers began to shield their bodies. They didn't know what was to come if the monster's power hit them. The Green ranger was clueless. He stood there, only his head going around in spurts of erratic movement. His teammates were already low on the ground, shouting for him to duck, take cover. Jayden sprung into action, pushing the Green ranger out the way.

The beam of power was catapulted.

The Red ranger was unprotected.

"Ahhhh," Jayden screamed at the impact. He scrunched his eyes at the pain that washed over him. It was an enterprising combination of being burned and electrocuted. "Uhhhh!" The hold was amassing even further. Inside his helmet, his eyes reopened so quickly. Gone was the hard, yet caring sapphires, and in came this menacing tint of green circa 1993. After he was consumed with evil, he collapsed to the ground. The dirt flew away from under him. He still held his head, trying to stop the unyielding throbs of physical and mental suffering. He roared again; birds flew away at the deafening echoes.

This felt unnatural, yet natural like it was in his lineage.

"Jayden," the others shouted frantically.

Kevin army crawled to Jayden. He grabbed his leader by the shoulders. "Jayden," he called, wanting to make sure he was okay.

"Get off of me," the Red ranger menacingly barked. He angrily shrugged the Blue ranger's hands off of him as if they were acid. He sucker punched him.

Kevin's vision blurred, head titled back pretty far, but that still didn't stop him from trying to help in some way.

Red was a lost cause. He made that clear by the misery he was about to inflict. He grabbed the weakened ranger by the neck and was able to stand strongly on two feet. He, then, faced his team, or so they were supposed to be called that. He inaudibly commanded they watched this. A smirk was on his face, and he flung the Blue ranger's body so easily like it was a rag doll.

The Blue ranger's body flew back ten feet. Jayden proudly watched the horrific effect. The Blue ranger's stomach collided with the ground, and the wind was ultimately knocked out of him. "Ehhh," he exhaled at the point of impact. Green, Yellow, and Pink ran to his side, and they began to protect him against what Jayden had become.

The Red ranger almost wanted to exclaim 'touchdown'! But looking at the petty rangers was enough consolation.

With fear in their normal colored eyes, they looked at him helplessly, in confusion, in sadness.

The, now, evil Red ranger cracked his neck hauntingly. He stared at the people that were dressed like him once again. He was disgusted beyond reasonable belief. His eyes flashed green twice within his helmet. He was fighting on the right side. And that's when it happened, he cackled so deeply and wickedly.

"What. Was. That," Emily questioned, slithers of fear bubbled in her frame. Her leader wasn't her leader anymore.

Despair filed in. All unsure of what to do. A spell was obviously causing this, but how to break the spell? They weren't sure. Emily, Mike, and Mia didn't have time to come up with a plan or wrap their heads around what they were witnessing.

Then, she stood up.

"Jayden, stop," Mia demanded with all of her might. She bravely faced Jayden. At least, that's what she wanted the conscious Yellow and Green rangers to think. She withdrew her sword, unsure if she could really fight her leader. Yet, she had to protect everyone and pray he wouldn't hurt her.

In the days leading up to this fight, her and Jayden had spent an incessant amounts of time with each other. They always practiced their Symbol Powers, they sparred often, and she even enjoyed when he cooked meals for her. Though, he never did let her cook one for him. She liked that he was warming up to everyone, especially her. She actually kept the receipt from when he paid for the cupcakes. She tucked the item deep in one of her drawers. He really didn't have to do that. And Emily even took a picture of their time posed as soon to be husband and wife. She was falling for Jayden, and she knew that was against the rules, but she couldn't help it.

Right now, she wanted to fight for what was right. She stood straighter.

"Mia, don't," Mike didn't want her to be in the line of fire.

"I'm fine," she struggled to be believable though. "We are your friends."

"Friends," Jayden cynically repeated. His menacing cackle returned. "I don't have friends." Emily, Mike, and Mia glanced looks at each other with worry.

Kevin was just beginning to come to."Jayden!" He cried once more.

Sick 'em, rang in the Red ranger's ear. He ran to Mia first. He scissor kicked her, which she blocked. He punched her helmet, disabling her, then he was able to spin kick her. She fell to the ground. He powerfully kicked her stomach in one second.

Mia's body unnaturally flew upwards at the contact. As she crashed to the ground, she knew one, maybe two of her ribs came out of place. "Ahhhh," she yelped in agony. Her sword detached from her hands suddenly, and she tried to use the ground as a way to help her stand. All she was doing was grabbing balls of dirt. Even if she put all of her Symbol Power into it, she still wouldn't be able to.

"Mia!" Emily screamed.

Jayden embraced the side of evil like it was second nature. The Red ranger extended his sword as high as he could. He hovered over the weakened Pink ranger. When this pummeled down on her, she would be no more. He could taste victory; it was a mere second away.

Mike took this opportunity. It was desperately needed. He rushed towards Jayden, eliciting a battle cry, front flipped like an acrobat over his leader's head, and with his weapon drew an 'X' and stabbed his back. He swiftly trounced to the side, hoping to gain some kind of opening. The body of the Red ranger bent back then dropped forward. The Green ranger recovered Mia and took her a few feet away. Emily followed, trying to drag Kevin's bigger body along with her.

As a team, they were able to navigate away from Jayden.

"You pathetic rangers," Jayden curtly hissed. "About time you took a shot, Green." He kicked up to his feet. Again, he stared them down, ready to attack. "You're all weak!"

"Jayden, no," Kevin passionately called for the third time, trying to make his leader abandon this way. It was up to him now. He had to get them out of here. Mia was hurt very badly. "This isn't you!"

"Of course it's me. This runs in my blood."

"Your blood," the statement caught Mike off guard, while holding his sword up at Jayden. "What do you mean your blood?"

Madimot watched in glee. His plan was working out better than he could ever imagined. The Red ranger was going to battle on the side of evil. He had to pat himself on the back at this development. "Red, attack!"

The fighting commenced once more. Jayden hauled ass towards them.

"Watch, Mia," Kevin directed Emily, and he went to fight. He hated to go against his leader, his friend, but what else was there to do. He stopped Jayden with his own sword. Kevin broke free, shuffled his feet,and slashed Jayden's chest. Jayden swooped backwards, only to land on his feet successfully. "Oh, no, Jayden," he murmured a discreet apology. This felt wrong. He was caught off guard. Jayden's sword ripped through him, and he painfully traveled back.

"Get up, Blue!"

Kevin rose, ebbing paroxysms recurring, but that wasn't going to stop him. He gave Mike an affirming nod. The two charged towards Jayden, maneuvering in and out of their leader's attacks. They took turns wielding their swords towards him. In, out, in, out, side to side, and side once more. They circled around, trying to avoid Jayden's abrupt skill. The Red was not deterred. The container for the Red Lion effortlessly battled them. He blocked the advances. Sparks flew everywhere. Now the Red ranger made contact almost every chance he got. He slashed Kevin, struck Mike, and the the Green and Blue rangers were whirled to side of the female rangers. Smoke coming from their power suits.

"Mwahah," Jayden reveled in this. He summoned his disc and secured the circle underneath his sword. He smirked. He lifted his weapon. "Blazing strike," he spun, so more power could come. The fire hurled forward.

Mike immediately pushed Mia away. She was unconscious; she didn't know what was going on. "Ahhh!" The suits of the rangers were literally melting from the fire. They were rolling on the ground trying to distinguish whatever was left of the Red ranger's shot.

Pretty soon, they were motionless like the Pink ranger.

Again, the Red ranger was ready to pounce on them. He growled.

"No, I'm drying out," Madimot informed the Red ranger. "We must go. We'll dance with them another time."

"I will finish this," Jayden decreed, not listening to the demands of his creator. "If you must go, then go!"

Madimot wasn't taking no for answer. "We will leave," he slung his bull whip down. Jayden suddenly obeyed and bowed in front of him. "You wait with Tiggy, and I'll replenish in the river." Once more, he whirled the dominant item down. They were soon gone.

Kevin watched them leave. He was grateful. He struggled to draw the symbol, but he made it happen. "Symbol... power," he slightly coughed. "Teleport."

In a blink, all that was left were the outline of their bodies and burnt grass.

Xxxxx

Later that Night
Shiba House- Medical Room

Mentor had gasped at the injuries the rangers had sustained. All had one degree burns, cuts on various parts of their face and body, and then, there was Mia. She needed the most recovery time because of the bandages around her midsection. Ji had to read about this Nighlock and a way to break this hold on Jayden, his student, his own informal adopted son. This was crazy and shocking. It was uncharacteristic of the boy he's dedicated his life to.

And then, there was the Tigerzord. He needed to find a way to bring that back to this side too. He shook his head. Today's events were bogging him down. He was brought of his thoughts when he heard Mia coughing. He went to her side at once.

"Mia, are you alright," he was concerned for her well-being. To be viciously attacked like she was, she just needed rest. "No, no," he gently spoke to her. "Don't get out of the bed."

"I-I," she winced at the stinging coming from the side of her stomach. She babied her left side. "I can't just stay in bed," she murmured lowly, feeling down on herself. She wasn't able to breakthrough to Jayden. She thought she could because of how close they had gotten recently.

"But you have to," he ordered, as he examined her body. Her Samurai powers would help heal her quicker than the average person. With her power suit added, she'd be battle ready. "Your muscles are weak and a couple of ribs are broken."

"How's everyone else?"

"They're asleep. I gave them some remedy, so they could rest without interruption. They are concerned about you, but they know you're strong as well."

"I'm sorry, Mentor," she abruptly apologized. Mentor's eyebrow cocked like a famous wrestler's. "I thought I could get through to him, make him see that wasn't him, but I-I failed," she described sadly. "I really did try."

"Mia," Ji firmly, yet soothingly reprimanded. "Stop. You did what you thought was best. I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen next, but I have confidence all of you will help Jayden come back to the side of good."

She began to sniffle, and she ignored the biting feeling of her ribs detaching from their rightful place.

"Do you need some time alone?"

"Yes, please," she answered in a soft voice with watered eyes. She tried her best to be optimistic, but she remained realistic. She laid back down on her back. Her eyes concentrated on the ceiling. Eventually, she was able to sleep.

Mentor made sure she had her privacy. As he walked down the corridor, he stopped at one of the sliding doors that led to the outside. He looked up to the night sky, littered with stars and a crescent moon. He wondered if this was a characteristic of Jayden's birth parents. He couldn't help but think they could be here to maybe talk to him, guide him, and help him break this spell. Then, he thought the truth of his origins would probably amplify the already temperamental emotions running rampant in his body.

The Blue ranger shuffled out of the room he shared with Mike. He yawned and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Mentor," he groaned, as he tried to shake the tiredness off. "What are you doing awake?"

"I should ask you the same thing," Mentor walked over to Kevin. He slung one of Kevin's arms over his shoulder, and they crept towards the kitchen. He helped Kevin sit on one of the bar stools. "Tea," he asked, since he knew the Blue ranger wasn't ready to go back to bed. He hoped this second batch of tea would help him rest.

"Shouldn't you tell me to go to bed or something," the younger man nodded nonetheless.

"I'm tired of fighting," Ji turned the kettle on, and after a few minutes he faced Kevin. "Mia woke up. She apologized for not making Jayden see the good."

"Did she?"

"Yeah, she's really down. I haven't seen her like that before."

"Mike and Emilly told me what she did. She faced Jayden on her own, and well, she suffered the consequences."

If Mentor had his stick, he would've whipped Kevin right then and there. "Excuse me."

Kevin sighed. "Mentor, we are a team. We face the Nighlocks together," he explained as he intercepted a cup of piping hot tea from Mentor.

They sat across from each other.

"Jayden isn't a Nighlock," reminded Ji.

"He isn't? What he did to all of us would be something a Nighlock would do. You saw how hurt Mia was and look at the rest of us," anger boiled inside of Kevin.

"What would do if you were in his position? What if you were turned evil? Would you feel the same way," the older man fired questions.

"I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't attack my friends," the Blue ranger insisted, while breaking eye contact with Mentor. His body wasn't in correlation with his words of denial. "Alright, I wouldn't know."

"So, you know you're friends," Mentor replayed the words. He agreed they were Jayden's friends. That little boy from the farmer's market all those years ago wasn't a friend, at least, in his opinion. He was glad that Jayden was surrounded by people with ambition, drive, and focus. So, this was refreshing and something that would fill a void in Jayden's heart.

"Yeah, of course," Kevin eagerly nodded, though he didn't understand Ji's inquiry. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that about Mia. She probably had our interests in our mind."

"I'm worried she's going to keep beating herself up over this."

"Me too," Kevin sipped the last drop of his green tea. "I'm also concerned about Jayden, and how he would feel about this. Do you have any way to break this?"

"I do, and you''re going to be the person to do it," Mentor informed. "Are you up to the challenge?"

Kevin's eyes grew wide. "Are you sure," he asked, wary if he could even do something of this caliber.

"Positive. Can you bring him back, even though it means you possibly have to fight him? Your leader, your friend."

"I know fighting will be involved," Kevin relayed with a sad tone. He rubbed his head, hoping to get some kind of release from this dire situation. "But this if for Jayden and will benefit the team. What do I have to do, Mentor," he questioned with determination.

Xxxxx

The Next Day
PC Building Yard

As much as Master Xandred wanted the Red ranger all to himself, everyone knew that would be impossible. A human couldn't survive in the Netherworld, and a Nighlock, especially one of Master Xandred's rank, would easily dry out in the human world. But that was the point, in Master Xandered's opinion. He wished to use his massive hands to squeeze the puny neck of his arch-nemesis, torture him, and make the curtains close on the Red ranger's life.

Deker's demands could burn in hell!

Again, Madimot denied the Master his command. He wanted to make the rangers fight their leader once more, since it was fun. He arrived back to the goodness of Earth with foot soldiers, Tiggy, and of course Jayden. They were wreaking havoc at the PC Building Yard. Workers were tossed against equipment two at a time it looked like. The corrupting factors from the red water took over, and this was now their post. They triggered a gap sensor.

As soon as he heard the buzzard, Kevin ran out, forgoing arriving with his team. After Mentor's talk, he knew what he had to do. He met with Jayden.

Madimot sat on top of a wide blue container. If he actually ate food, he would've had a tub of popcorn with him. He instigated this fight, threatening to cause the Red ranger to turn the sword on himself. His excitement just couldn't be contained, at this point. He was flamboyantly moving around, whip in hand flinging it around wildly.

"Nice of you to show up, Blue ranger," Jayden sarcastically said his hello, while facing away from his opponent. He had that menacing smirk plastered on his lips. He couldn't wait for this battle. He hungered for it.

"I don't want to fight you," Kevin stressed as he hoped that would get through Jayden's head. Alas, that wasn't possible. He had to fight. He was positive his leader, if he could be called that right now, would hound him and the rest of the rangers if this didn't happen. He gripped his Samuraizer until his knuckles turned white. He was torn.

Jayden turned diabolically.

Kevin gasped at the eyes. They were green and full of so much hate. He had never seen a sight like this before. He closed his eyes, reclaiming any fortitude he had left.

"See something you like," Jayden cheekily asked with a grin. "You're staring kind of hard there. So, you swing that way, huh?"

"I don't swing that way," the Blue muttered with gritted teeth. He hated this Jayden with such passion.

"Go, go, Samurai!"

Both were morphed into their respective colored suits. Already, their swords were drawn. Left over right foot, they carefully circled. Tensely, the Blue ranger held his sword. He swallowed the fear that kept creeping, while Jayden nonchalantly yawn.

"I don't have all day, Blue."

"Why don't you strike first?"

"Gladly," Jayden roared, as he took the first few blows. He penetrated the Blue ranger's suit, almost drawing crimson ooze. "Come on," he beckoned, "Fight me!"

Kevin finally accepted and battled.

As their fight raged on, Emily and Mike were on each of Mia's sides. They aided her in coming here, so they could stop this, maybe even help. They weren't sure they could stomach the sight though. Their leader and their secondary leader were at the brink. They watched with troubled faces. This really was too much for them to bear. Screaming entreaties from the sidelines got them into a lot of trouble.

Madimot noticed them. He blasted the rangers.

Their bodies were easily tossed in the air, and their bodies bounced until they couldn't no more.

"Mia," Mike and Emily chorused through the pangs of thorniness. They checked on her.

"I'm-I'm fine," she declared, as she caught her breath. "Just help me up," which they did. She stood with their aid, and she watched, as the fight raged on. They were all over the place: on the ground, on a beam in the air, and on crates. Kevin avoided sword swipes; Jayden administered several strikes of his object. Desperately, she wanted this to end.

"Looks like we have a winner," the Pink, Yellow, and Green ranger heard someone say from behind.

The rangers quizzically stared at this guy, who came from nowhere. He was lean but muscular, dressed in a white, tattered robe, heavy black shirt and pants, combat boots, and he had something rather large in his hand. Ornate jewelry surrounded his neck. His black hair laid on his shoulder with waves forming at the bottom. He appeared dirty, but there wasn't a pungent scent being emitted.

"Who are you," Mike found his voice to speak.

"Doesn't matter who I am," the newest arrival answered, his eyes glued to the fight that was happening about twenty yards from them. "What matters is who's winning. It's not the man in Blue."

"What, how can you tell," Mia attempted to the conceal sadness within her. That's the last thing she needed to hear.

Breaking his eyes away from the duel, the sudden arrival turned to Mia. His breath was caught in his throat, as he took an actual look at the Pink ranger out of uniform. He was about to say something out of character, but he abstained, though it pained him to do so. He returned to face the fight. He shook his head, alleviating building pressure. He enlightened the rest of the rangers: The Art of a Duel. "The Red ranger has a good stance. It reduces arm fatigue. He'll stay strong," he examined closely. "And when the Blue goes for the point, the Red will see his opening, and he'll strike. He's looking for a decisive blow. That's the difference between these two."

Upon hearing those words, the rangers knew Kevin was done for. There was no other choice. They had to enter the fight now.

"Mia, you're too hurt, here," Mike gently laid Mia against a rock. He and Emily morphed, and they intervened.

Mia watched helplessly, as Green, Blue, and Yellow were whirling around from lethal strikes. All of them stood. Blue and Yellow swerved, Green hopped, Red slit them so easily. The rangers thumped around from successful bangs of Jayden's weapon, which Jayden loved.

She had to do something.

"Where do you think you're going," that deep voice stopped her.

"To help."

"You're hurt," he pointed out, as he looked at her intensely.

"And I'm sure he's hurting too. This isn't him. He's not meant be like this," she struggled to stand. Vehement pain pulled her back down, but she attributed that to the fatigue of her muscles. If she morphed, she would be fine. She yearningly wished to be with her teammates. They were being tortured. Suddenly, she looked at a rugged and hairy hand. She stared, and then she looked at him. His eyes were overcame with this calming aura. They flashed between calm and trouble. With hesitancy, she took the help. While heading towards her friends, she sparingly looked over her shoulder.

The man watched in interest. He didn't know what washed over him. He supposed that's why he helped the monster from last week. He turned his head away, not watching her anymore or the fight. His mission was plain and clear. Helping others only obstructed his Urumasa's thirst.

"You weren't supposed to do that!"

"I had to!"

The man in beaten clothes grasped his head. The splitting headache was returning. He needed to retreat to his cave.

Madimot witnessed Mia enter the battle grounds. "No," he said under his breath.

Mia took staggered steps. She favored one side as she walked forward. Every inch she got closer, she knew what she had to do. She remained in her civilian clothes. She girded herself for what was to come.

Jayden watched in pure joy, as he saw the rangers cower in fear and defeat. "You can't beat me," he repeated over and over again. "What's this," he questioned, looking at the lone female, dressed in a long pink and white cardigan, white spaghetti strap, dark denim, and black flats. "A mere human," he noted, as if he was truly a Nighlock from the Sanzu River. He questioned what was the purpose of her being there. He kept his new green eyes on her.

"Mia, what the hell are you doing," Mike questioned, veins almost popping out of his neck.

"Oh, no," Kevin muttered in complete surprise.

"No, Mia, stop," Emily hissed. "She's not even in her power suit."

"That's the point," Mia warily said, and she shuddered with fear. "Jayden," she called for him, and she moved a centimeter. He immediately stepped back. His sword closed the distance between them. She inhaled at the pierce. One wrong move, she'd be gashed. "Don't, please."

Kevin stood. Breaths exited two a second. "Mia," he called, hoping she would stop this.

"No," she ignored Kevin, her eyes still on Jayden. "Jayden," she repeated again. "Listen, this isn't you."

"You don't know anything about me," Jayden denied.

"Jay," she was the only one that chose to call him that. "Your dad passed away when you were young, and you want to know who killed him? They did. Almost a decade later, your mom passed," she opened old wounds for him. The rangers were surprised about his mom. "You've been learning the way of the Samurai for quite awhile, and you probably didn't have much friends. But," she signaled the people closest to him, "we are your friends."

"You don't know me," he extended his sword behind and up in the air, a little apprehensive to even make it come down on her. The struggle was real. As much as he wanted to gut her like a fish, her serene features, her vulnerability, and the way she spoke to him was obstructing the effect of the spell. He went back and forth. His insides growling at the clear division.

"Mia," they shouted again.

Madimot would be damned if this earthling would dare interrupt the victory. He jumped to the ground. "Red, get her," he was behind the Red ranger. "She's trying to test you."

"I answer to no one," Jayden angrily muttered in defiance.

"You will," Madimot was ready to crack his whip once more, but he was halted.

Jayden quickly turned and slashed the whip in half, and he took this opportunity to have his sword at the gut of this monster. "I answer to no one," he repeated. "Are you deaf?"

"Kevin, now," Mia shouted her order in panic.

Immediately, Kevin took a cautious step forward. He grabbed his Samuraizer and drew the symbol, 'free'. He launched it towards Jayden. He hoped this would work.

"Ahhhh," the Red ranger screamed at the top of his lungs. He held his head, as he felt the evil purge from his system. Again, his core temperature shot up another ten degrees. Sweat encompassed hair, and then a cooling sensation brought his body close to normal. He started to breathe heavily and finally demorphed. He laid restless in his street clothes.

"Jayden!" The rest of the rangers demorphed also. They ran to check on him. He appeared to be alright.

Mia was practically showering in happiness. She fell to the ground. The emotions were just too much for her.

"What hap-pend," the leader questioned. He held onto his head until he finally came to his sense. He sat up with the help of his team. He looked around the place, unsure of how he even got here. He glanced at his team. Kevin had bandages on his face, Emily's wrist had a minor splint, and Mike, he appeared heavily soiled. Mia—he didn't see her. "Where's Mia?"

"Oh, no, Mia," Emily rushed back to the fallen Pink ranger. She placed her hand under her neck. "Mia, are you okay?!"

"I'm fine," Mia nodded. "Is he okay?"

Jayden panicked. He had to check on her. She was flat on her back, holding one side, and she looked like she was bandaged too. "Mia," he asked smoothly. He really got a look and saw how beaten she was. "What happened to you?!" He took over for Emily.

She watched his eyes flash from green to blue. The hold the Nighlock had was wearing off; it barely existed, but his eyes were still encased with deathly magic. She was afraid, but he wasn't laying a harmful finger on her, so she remained in his hold. "I'm fine. Right now, we have some work to do," she felt his arms wrap around her, and he helped her to rise.

The rest of the rangers listened. They would talk about what's happened later. All took up a fighting stance. Jayden covered Mia with his own body, as they all stood against the Nighlock.

"NOOOO!" Madimot screamed in defeat. He struggled to wrap his head around this. He almost had the win. It was in his fingertips. "Red, my puppet!" He began to growl now that the rangers had their Red ranger back. He overheard the rangers morph. "Tigerzord, crush them!" Ordered Madimot, as he flung his arm in the air.

Rising through the ground, the Tigerzord roared.

Kevin handed Jayden a disc. "Here, it's from Mentor."

The Red ranger nodded. "You guys take care of the Nighlock. I'll take care of the Tigerzord," Jayden resumed his commanding position. He took a good look at every single one of his teammates. They really had to fill in the missing pieces for him. He just pushed those thoughts away, as there was just no time. He had to bring back this zord. "Lionzord, Megamode power!" He entered the Red Lion.

His Lionzord faced the Tigerzord. Each in a battle position, ready to pounce on each other. Just like in the jungle, these two were set to battle for supremacy. Jayden maneuvered his zord forward, so he could get closer to the captured zord. He tried to disable the Tigerzord, but the zord was resisting the strikes. He wasn't going to give up, so he pushed his Red Lion forward once again, the Red Lion sunk its teeth into the Tigerzord, and for a slim moment, the White Tiger was down and unable to move.

At that moment, he thought his dad was helping him. He was just doing what felt right.

"HA," Jayden transferred himself into the Tiger. He knew he didn't have much longer, he kept calm under pressure, and he took out the rightful items. He placed his Megablade and blank disc into the driving compartment of this zord. "Tigerzord, resist power," he yelled in an instinctive way, and he pushed his blade in, hoping to break the spell once and for all. Once the disc had tigers spread around, he knew he had done his job. He longingly stared at the disc. "This is for you dad," he dedicated under his breath.

"Look, the Tigerzord is back on our side," Emily noticed, all the while, she was engaged in the fight against Madimot.

The rangers cheered, but their fight was still not over. In the heat of the demon's weakness, they summoned their power. Air Wave, Forest Vortex, Seismic Swing, and Dragon Splash seamlessly passed through the Nighlock's body and caused serious damage.

"Now, you got a big problem," Madimot was destroyed to its second form. "Bad Kitty," the monster admonished the White Tiger.

It was now Jayden's turn to face the Nighlock alone. He was ready to power this up. He heard the bumbling talk of the monster, and he was rather sick of it. "Oh, yeah, this cat has claws," he threatened. He commenced forward and encountered a little problem on the way.

"Did Jayden just flip his zord," Mike asked with his head cocked to the right.

"It's a tactic," Kevin defended, at least he hoped so.

"Right," Emily contradicted in such a nice way.

"Oh, shit," Mia muttered lowly, as she watched the debacle. She placed her hand on her hips.

Even Madimot was laughing at his the little blunder. "Oh jeez, Red. You can't control that zord, can you?"

Powerfully, sliding his Megablade to the right, he managed to get the zord back on its wheel. "Don't do that to me ever again," Jayden spoke to the zord as if it was a real person. He refocused on his task and forced his way towards the evil being. He deflected the fire balls, plowing straight through the supernatural force. The zord swerved around, only to come back and attack the Nighlock once more.

"Jayden needs our help," Kevin voiced, and he glanced at the rangers. Their nods gave away what they were to do next. He summoned his Dragonzord, ready to combat and defeat this Nighlock once and for all, and hopefully, the memories of today's fight with it.

The rangers formed the Samurai Megazord, and then Jayden combined the Tigerzord with the ultimate fighting machine. The Tigerzord broke down into the armor, and with ease, they were able to defeat the monster that had the mind control with a bullwhip. Once the rangers secured their victory, they powered down.

Dejectedly, Jayden walked home by himself. There was quite a lot on his mind.

Xxxxx

Later that Night
Shiba House- Living Room

Adding another zord should've been cause for a celebration, but there wasn't any balloons, no cake, not even a toast of juice. They had all this extra power: the Beetle, the Swordfish, and now, this White Tiger. With the Samurai Megazord, they felt on top of the world, but with these, they should've felt like they were on top of the universe.

Sadly, Jayden's mood proved otherwise. The events of today were weighing down on him like a ton of bricks. He couldn't even look at his team the same way. In his power suit, it was slightly easier. The truth of him fighting his team, hurting Mia, and being so damn callous, he wished he could rewind time and prevent himself from being hit.

But honestly, he was glad it was him and not one of them.

The Red ranger faced the indoor training room, away from his team. They were engaged in a game with their folding zords acting as pieces. He heard the gallant cheers, the camaraderie, and the fun. He was about to go to his room, but Mentor stopped him.

"We need to talk," Mentor relayed strongly. He felt the distance, and he slightly pushed Jayden back. " Now," he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Fine," Mathew's son muttered with reluctance and a defying eye roll. He followed Mentor outside to the outdoor training yard. "What do we need to talk about?"

"The fight," Ji simply replied. "I want to get something straight."

"There's nothing to get straight. I was evil, I raised my sword against my team, they got hurt!"

"They're alive, aren't they?!"

"They almost weren't because of my actions," Jayden's voice was an octave louder, and he was looking at Ji with so much anger.

The mentor to the team was a little taken aback with his sudden abrasiveness. He whacked Jayden with the stick at the insubordination.

"OW!" his pupil yelped in pain. "What was that for?!"

"This isn't how you talk to me," Mentor pointed out, and he looked at Jayden with some ease. "What the Nighlock put you through wasn't you, and it was out of your control," he hoped that would make Jayden open his eyes rather than dwelling on what's happened."What's done is done. You're back to normal, your team still wants to fight on your side, and you have another ally, the Tigerzord."

"But-"

"No buts. Once you were returned to normal, you took up your leader position once more. You brought the Tigerzord back to your family without instruction. You led your team to defeat Maditmot. You didn't need coaxing; you just did it. You are a true leader!"

"But Ji-"

Ji interrupted the commander to the team. "You're being a big baby!"

"Ji," Jayden looked at him, offended by the comment. "I'm not a baby," he tucked his bottom lip into his upper lip.

"Oh really?! Then why are you over here, whining to yourself, while everyone is having fun," he asked.

For a moment, Jayden was silenced. They were having fun without him. The first time, they went to the amusement park was without his company, and while he worked perilously with the Beetle disc. And now, here he was, outside engaging in a verbal fight with his teacher, his stand in dad, the only person to be by his side through the deaths of his parents.

He enjoyed going to the amusement park with them actually. He remembered that day vividly. They must've rode all the rides three times. They ate cotton candy, large turkey legs, funnel cakes, and drank large slushies. They were there until the park closed. He had never laughed so much in his life, and he attributed that to them.

Mentor watched the guilt. Jayden just needed a break, a time to relax, and to forget about what happened earlier. The Nighlock was using him as a pawn. Kevin, Mike, Emily, and especially Mia, understood that. Then, the truth came to light. He was beginning to see this team, which was really Lauren's team, as a group of friends. He began to grin.

"I see now," Ji stated knowingly. "You raised your Spinsword against your friends."

"They're not—" The Red ranger contemplated his words. He really didn't have a set of friends before. There was Antonio, but that was for two weeks. "They're-they're my friends." The realization appeared on his face, which seemed to illuminate a bit.

"Is that a question or a statement?"

"A statement," Jayden said, though his execution was rather weak. Mentor peered at Jayden with a watchful eye. "I don't know what it's like to have friends," he admitted.

"Then interact with them! They aren't angry for what happened. If they were, they'd be running back to their homes, giving up their duty, and leaving you alone. But look, they're here," Mentor could talk to Jayden until he was blue in the face, but he had faith in Jayden. "Don't be so dense," he patted him on the shoulder with some encouragement laced in. "The spell's gone, don't go with it." He returned to the inside.

Jayden simply nodded and trailed Ji. He walked to the living room, where the others were playing the game. "Can I join," he questioned hopefully.

Mike nodded enthusiastically. "Of course," he held up the dice for Jayden.

Mia, Emily, and Kevin were beaming over his presence.

Jayden happily took the dice, he grabbed his folding zord. Red Lion unfolded and slid onto the board, slightly crashing in between the Pink Turtle and Blue Dragon. He blew on the dice for some luck, shuffled them in his right hand, and released to the board. He rolled snake eyes, and he allowed his zord to move the board freely. Kevin went next, followed by Mia, then Mike, and Emily. They continued this game until the Green Bear won. All laughed, and they decided it was time to clean up. They were all drained from the day.

As they were about to go to their rooms, the leader wished to speak to Mia.

"Hey, Mia," he called, and she stopped to look at him. He watched as she deeply searched his eyes for something. "Are you okay?"

"Sorry," she hung her head in shame. She was caught.

He placed his right index finger under her chin, and he made her make eye contact with him. Being with her felt like second nature too, and everything about her made him a happy guy. It was refreshing. He hoped none of that had changed. "Were you looking for anything in particular," he asked her.

She nodded. "Your eyes, they're still Blue," she whispered. Jayden's eyebrows almost came together at what she said. He questioned what she was talking about. "When you were evil," she explained, "your eyes were green."

"Green," he echoed in surprise. "Not red?"

"No, green. Darker than the color of Mike's suit, rather frightening too. I don't think I've ever been that scared before," she elaborated further. "What caused that?"

"I-I don't know," he honestly said, and he shook his head softly. "I'm sorry if I scared, hurt, or did anything that was out of the ordinary. I know it was the Nighlock's spell, but I can't help, but feel guilty for being responsible."

Mia took his hands into hers. She rubbed gently, and she shook her head this time. "There's no need for you to apologize. Don't feel sorry for yourself and understand we get it," she comforted with a hint of a smile. She was afraid of this. She was worried he was going to mentally berate himself, but she just knew they would all get passed this. He would get passed this. "I'll be fine. In a couple of days, I should be fully healed," she released his hands and began to walk.

"Hey, Mia," he called once again. She looked at him once more. He walked up to her. "While I was evil, and with the green eyes, why did you face me without your suit," he needed to know.

She elevated her shoulders up and down, and she looked around avoiding his eyes. She wanted to know how to word this without making her feelings super obvious. "Jay," she said his name in the way that would make him become putty, "because deep down, inside of you, I just knew you wouldn't hurt me. Good night," she departed for her room.

As Jayden walked to his, he thought some more. Of course he wouldn't hurt her, he liked her too much to do so.

A/N: Special Thanks to UltimateGundamFighter.

A/N: So, this was a special twist of 'I've Got a Spell on Blue'. Like father, like son. ;)