Episodes- Test of the Leader & Jayden's Challenge
Xxxxx
Chapter 13- The Brush
May 2011
Test of the Leader
Sanzu River
Netherworld
Master Xandred, king of Nighlocks and ruler of the Netherwold, growled in anguished anger. He couldn't even finish the rice wine that was his luxuriant remedy. The words Octoroo said played in his head. Only one part stood out the most though.
He had been foolish. Deker, like Dayu, another half Nighlock, half human, had boarded the ship over a month ago. The king must've been overly drunk, didn't recognize Deker, or he hadn't fully comprehended the sentences exiting Deker's mouth. In the midst of demand he, ruler of the Netherworld, stay out of his and the Red ranger's way, so his sword's thirst could be satisfied, he revealed the truth of who sealed him away.
Octoroo dug and dug, and he found the person.
"The power used to seal you here has always rested in the hands of the Shiba Family, headed by the Red ranger!"
Deker knew of this before him.
That caused his rage to bubble and teeter over the edge, and he almost demolished the items aboard the ship, even almost attacked Octoroo and Dayu. He abruptly stopped.
The rangers had to be destroyed.
"Moogers attack! Destroy them all!," he shouted furiously.
Xxxxx
7 Minutes Later
City Hall
Downtown Panorama City, CA
The citizens of Panorama City were running frantically throughout the streets of downtown trying to seek cover. Moogers were coming through the gap sensors in handfuls. The evil foot soldiers were hell bent on causing terror and making sure the people wept to the point their eyes could no longer bear being in its sockets. Their weapons were raised, their foot movements were quick, and death to anything with blood in their veins consumed whatever spirit they had.
Sounds erupted in the Shiba House in such a panic over the onslaught. Just seconds after exiting the Shiba Gate, they were already morphed.
Bulk and Spike, who were at the Farmer's Market picking up groceries for a week, watched the opened mouth creatures. They had been preparing, or at least they thought were, for this type of fight. They did survive their first 'battle' already. At first, they hesitated, but they gave each other assuring pep talks. Uncle and nephew ran with screeching battle cries towards the monsters, in hopes of protecting the people.
The lowest monsters on the totem pole from the Sanzu River whirled around. They looked at these civilians as if they were fresh meat. They immediately ran after them.
"Uh, ah, uh," Bulk and Spike whimpered and ran to an isolated field, cursing themselves for even trying to help and wishing Uncle Tommy, Auntie Kimberly, or any other Uncle and Auntie was there. Hell, a cousin could even help too!
The foot soldiers chased and came upon them, stalking their prey, their swords rhythmically swaying up and down like dandelions in the wind. The smell of good tickled their noses, as the female rangers landed before them. They abandoned the regular people and went to fight the Yellow and Pink ranger. Mia's sword slid against their stomachs, chests, and backs. Not too far away, Emily utilized hand to hand combat intermittently with her sword. Her sword swung around, her body hovered in and out, and she gracefully hunched over, so the oncoming attackers could eat grass.
The Pink ranger got an opening and covered Spike. Her sword was held in front of them."Are you okay," she used her free arm and had Spike against her. He tried to speak but couldn't. The way she protected him and moved around so bravely caused him to become bitten by the love bug. "You gotta get out of here." Her eyes, even covered by the Japanese symbol for 'heaven', went all over the place.
Spike just relished in her arms. He loved this feeling. "Eh, eh, eh," his murmurs didn't make any sense to anyone else. He was really mumbling, 'I'm in love with you already'.
"As of right now," she ordered, since he wasn't moving at all!
"Right know," he questioned with a love sick grin harshly applied on his features, not wanting this to end. He was going to touch her helmet, maybe even unbuckle to see who was under there.
Uncle Bulk rushed to his nephew's side. He was able to get a clear way thanks to the swift skills of the Yellow ranger. He grabbed Spike's clothes, anxiously tugging at them to get him up. Then, he saw her. She was so close; he could even smell delicate perfume coming from her. "Ah, ah, ah, you're a Samurai ranger," he crooned in happiness.
She was ready to end this meet and greet. "And you're both in danger," the Pink ranger silenced them. She couldn't help but think they were being idiots. "Please, get to safety," she practically begged and raced to help Emily.
Bulk tried to pull his nephew back, only to see Spike stand firm. The teen lovingly blew kisses to the Pink ranger, hoping one would hit her. As fireballs showered, Uncle and nephew quickly booked it.
And Moogers were truly everywhere. When a group was destroyed, another group came on to the scene. The male rangers formed the Samurai Battlewing—consisting of the Beetle, Tiger, and Swordfish Zords, and they destroyed the Moogers that were as tall as skyscrapers. The male rangers looked towards the land. They also kept watch over their female teammates.
Mia and Emily could feel their muscles growing tired, and they were hoping the guys were going to descend to the ground soon—very soon.
Almost immediately, Jayden traveled in the air, his sword extended, and he began to slice through the Moogers. Kevin and Mike arrived as well, and the colorful rangers formed a circle. They faced the army of foot soldiers and quickly thought on their feet. Power discs were summoned and used against them. Red energy, blue energy, pink energy, yellow energy, and green energy swirled against the existing Moogers. Though, they were destroyed, more came from the crevices, ready to fight. The rangers could only gasp before fighting once more. This task was turning out to be harder than they imagined. They swung, twirled, bounced precisely and made their swords dance against the piling enemies. Anything that was thrown at them, the rangers forcefully bypassed.
Until, that voice came.
"Red ranger... Red ranger... Red ranger..."
Each menacing call caused the Moogers to fall into a deep stated trance. They moved like zombies, ignoring the calls of the others rangers to fight them. They inched and inched their way closer to their target-the Red ranger.
The cracks glowed with a haunting tint of red.
"Master Xandred," Jayden exhaled under his breath. He concentrated on the cracks, and he imagined the look appearing on the king of Nighlock's face. The reddened monster with cerulean blue armor and spikes was infuriated, at his wit's end even. The master wanted to decimate the Power Rangers and everything they stood for. In the Red ranger's veins, his own angered coursed through. He doubled his power and stole Emily's Spinsword, which caused her body to quake, as enemies were dying left and right so rapidly. She just couldn't keep up.
"I've been wanting to try a new symbol combination for awhile now," Jayden spoke up. "Lightning, Blazing Strike," he boisterously summoned. Fire and lightning united and defeated the rest of the Moogers in totality, and he powered down not too long after.
The bits and pieces of the foot solders became nothing, as he walked forward, straying from his team. One foot in front of the other was the way he stepped, trying to get as close as he could to the lingering voice—his lingering voice.
"That wasn't just a normal Nighlock, was it," the Pink ranger knowingly questioned. She hadn't felt this frightened, since Jayden was evil.
"That was Master Xandred," Jayden tersely replied, his features as hard as rocks.
Kevin was shocked. "Master Xandred, you mean he's back?!"
Emily nodded adamantly. "Well, duh, Kevin, he would have to be back. These Nighlocks don't just come out of the sky," she muttered.
The Green ranger ignored the slight bickering. "Why would he be saying, 'Red ranger, Red ranger'," he imitated the voice, but he could never be that close to the tormenting pitch.
The leader to the Samurai rangers had a clue. The only logical reason was because of his sister, Lauren. "We should get back to the house," he ordered, ignoring his thoughts. She wasn't ready. If she was, she would've made her appearance, resumed her position, and taken his friends already.
He wasn't ready for her to return.
Xxxxx
Half an Hour Later
Shiba House- Jayden's Room
"She's not ready, she's not ready," he chanted with his eyes closed, as he laid on his bed. He angrily looked at the ceiling of his room. His fists clenched and unclenched violently.
Mentor unveiled the method used to defeat the master of the Nighlocks to the team. The Sealing Symbol, a symbol he knew existed, but not once has ever attempted. He wondered why he never got the opportunity. From his earliest recollection, he remembered Lauren going to the yard, their dad helping her perform the strokes, and Mentor Yaki intently watching from the side. At four years old, Jayden would watch from a sliding door, and each time he made even one step, and it could even be one of his tippy toes, outside, he was immediately sent to timeout. Over time, he seemingly forgot that wasn't his responsibility anyways.
Yet, it's his sister's.
And he wished, he could ask her how she was doing. He's missed about 12 of her birthdays, and he was sad to be without her. He remembered her smile, her strong whips of her sword, and she made drawing kanji symbols look so easy. The power was literally in her body and blood, and she hit all her marks. Again, he thought, if she was ready, she'd be here, leading Kevin, Mike, Emily, and Mia into battle. Instead, he was, and damn it, he's proudly accepted this. He was actually doing something worthwhile.
Mike's praise, Emily's defense, Kevin's questions, and Mia's spirit, about the Sealing Symbol made his chest tighten though. They really had no idea.
"Only members of the Red ranger's Shiba Family can use this symbol..."
Ji's words reverberated.
It was the only explanation of Master Xandred's return. Obviously, he's been here for longer than they knew. The symbol was definitely imperfect. He remembered it does take a lot of Symbol Power to complete. His dad was already at the step of heaven's gates, once Master Xandred swung his sword and once his dad sealed Master Xandred away, his dad completely entered heaven. He could only imagine his father's last thoughts.
Jayden's phone rang, which brought him out of his stupor.
"Hello," he answered promptly.
"I've gone to the market. The others are dressed and practicing. Cover for me," Mentor said, hoping he wasn't giving away a clue of where he had actually gone.
"Yes, Mentor."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Alright. Well, is there anything you want to eat?"
He thought about it. "Ahi tacos," he replied. "I'm unsure of the others. You think of something they'd like."
"You got it," Mentor hung the phone up.
The Red ranger stood and went to get ready for practice. Despite his personal feelings, he needed to think like a Red ranger.
Xxxxx
15 Minutes Later
Rock Quarry
Barely into their workout, the sensor buzzed urgently like it always did when a Nighlock entered this realm. Jayden ran into the house, and he touched the watered map. The red blinking dot alerted them to head to the Rock Quarry, which was a converging point for major cities in Southern California.
Hitching a ride from the Samurai Escalade, the rangers arrived in a fair amount of time. They quickly exited, and their feet was even faster once they hit solid ground. There, on the tallest point of the rocks, was the monster. This Nighlock looked to be a bird experiment gone horribly wrong. Elaborate armor, a Scottish accent, fangs, menacing grin, and he was ready to extort suffering and damage. His target was straightforward. Jayden seemed to be the target on everyone's list.
"Sorry? I'll show you who's going to be sorry," Jayden maliciously threatened. He faced the Nighlock bravely, his face contorted with ferocity, and he was ready, despite hearing the pleas of his team. He brushed them off, ignored them, and their words of earlier caused him to become vastly furious.
It wasn't their job to protect him. They needed to protect themselves. He could handle himself; he'd been handling himself. He thought back to the words he eavesdropped upon and his cold responses.
'If we work as a team, we can protect Jayden from anything.'
'Now, I see it. That's why we've been training our whole lives.'
'No, That's not necessary. You protect yourselves. It's business as usual. Stay focused on the battle at hand, as a team. Okay?'
'We must protect you. At all costs!'
'NO! That's just too much of a burden to bear.'
He was not the 18th Head of the Shiba Clan. He was an impostor, a fake, and he only did what was necessary for his family and the world. If they protected him and got hurt, it would be for a foolish reason. He cared far too much, as their friend, to let them sacrifice their lives for a lie. He wanted to protect them; it shouldn't be the other way around.
The rangers knew why they were gunning for the Red ranger. Kevin fiercely grabbed his leader's right arm, attempting to dissuade Jayden to stop the madness. Mike on Jayden's opposite arm held a firm grip, agreeing that this was stupid—he, their leader, was being stupid. They both struggled against the power he had over them. Mia and Emily watched, debating whether or not to join in. They fidgeted.
The Reed ranger felt their tugs and them blocking, but that wasn't going to stop him. Jayden's blue eyes, hard as diamonds, gorgeous as the sky, rough as sandpaper, pierced and concentrated solely on Robtish, who was actually feared by other Nighlocks. He finally broke free and charged forward.
His team watched and gasped, protecting their bodies against the fireballs shooting from Robtish's free hand. Once the smoke cleared, they made out Jayden stealth and lithe form run, as if nothing was raining down on him. There was so much determination in him, like he had something to prove.
"Go, go Samurai," Jayden shouted, and he morphed into his red suit decorated with the Shiba crest. He soared to meet with Robtish. He grabbed his Spinsword and worked it. Up, down, left, right, his weapon pierced, blocked, and made contact again. He circled around, bent unusually like a gymnast, and he tried to prevent any slash from the monster. He was huffing, panting, and getting tired, but the adrenaline made him ignore that.
In the distance, he appeared once more.
"Do your duty!"
"I know what I have to do. I see the Red ranger."
Meanwhile, Kevin, already morphed like the rest of the team, was juggling fighting Moogers and watching Jayden engaged in a sword fight. He wished to jump up there and assist, but the foot soldiers were occupying his time. He growled and faced them. His sword easily slid through their hardened skin. Mike, Emily, and Mia motioned for the Blue ranger to get back to this matter.
One powerful strike caused Jayden to turn seven hundred and twenty degrees horizontally. He landed on his knees roughly. The coarse rocks helped to break his fall. Robtish's sword was directly pointed at him, and he used this opportunity for a 'double slash'. Sensing his move, the Red ranger rolled to his back, flicked his sword around and struck the monster's chest. Robtish stumbled a bit, but he regained his stability. His sword chomped down on Jayden's, and he did his 'double slash' again.
It was successful.
Jayden's body flew on to the floor. The scorching blow was lethal and left him in a state of paralysis for a second. He was thankful for the little break, to be honest. However, the attack consequently made its round. He screamed with harmful electric shock coursing through his body. As a result, he exhaled rather deeply. His whole entire body felt baked.
Robtish hadn't dried out yet. He watched the helpless and pathetic Red ranger. "Double slash," he faced his victim, victory dancing inside, and he was ready to destroy him.
"Jayden!" Kevin and Emily raced to save Jayden.
They both jumped and took the shot that was meant for him. Their bodies were consumed with fire, lightning, and the ever surging energy caused them to shudder uncontrollably. They were praying this torture would stop, they could feel their consciousness slipping, and their protection perishing. "Ahhhh," they released in unison. Their knees dropping to the floor first, and finally, their chests said 'hello' to the ground.
"This is exactly what I didn't want to happen," Jayden gasped with regret, looking at their comatose bodies. He was panic stricken, swaying his body left, right, in taut motions unsure of who to take care of first. He didn't have time to think because the Sanzu River demon was approaching his way. He flipped over, covering his body over theirs. He was still shielded, as they were not. "Don't touch them!"
"We got to help," Mike shouted, and he utilized his Spinsword with green power. He signaled for Mia.
Mia nodded. She twirled her sword around, and she followed Mike through the brush fire. They intervened and assisted Jayden for the team's sake. She couldn't let her emotions, since she was the mother of the team, obstruct what she was sent to do, but she couldn't help but fear what's happened with Kevin and Em. Not only that, but it was clear to feel the guilt emanating from Jayden. His body movements said it all. She shook her head and kept her sword risen.
"Five for the price of one, now that's a deal," Robtish gleefully praised this. He was set to attack.
Deker ambushed the rangers and Robtish. He hacked his fellow Nighlock, slit Mike and Mia twice, and he was hungry for more. His prize, the Red ranger, was vulnerable. His team wasn't there to save him no longer. Now, he had glee jumping inside of him.
"Now, now, now!"
Deker paused a moment. His human side came forth, and the sight of the Pink ranger, in street clothes and helpless, caused him to gulp roughly. She looked really hurt. He had to save her.
"No, she's the enemy just like him. That's who I want is him."
Jayden watched Mia and Mike power down without their consent. They rolled over like pigs in a blanket. He looked at Mia in particular, and her flowing, long, ebony hair sprawled around her. He immediately grabbed for Mia or Mike's sword, he didn't care at this point, he just needed artillery, and blocked this other Nighlock's attack. He faced the white body with a reddened mask, chest, thigh muscles, the face of a devil out of a child's nightmare with flames sprouting from his head, and pointy spikes. He looked like a skeleton with his insides out. He struggled against the pin from the red and white sword. Deker, he overheard Robtish growl.
"Red ranger is our opponent, not yours," Deker claimed his possession. His eyes concentrated on the Red ranger. Urumasa sensed the strength and tenacity of the Red ranger, while the sword was literally licking against the Red ranger's weapon. This battle was about to taste sinful. "I'll ask you once, please leave."
Robtish's mission was clear. He wouldn't obey a damn half human, even if his life depended on it. He wouldn't partake in such a shameful death. He opposed Deker's wish, and he was ready to fight for the object of Master Xandred's eye. He commenced and fought both.
Jayden curved his body, enabling himself to pick up the other sword. He faced both Nighlocks on his own. He swerved out of their attacks. Blocked their onslaught of strikes, and he circled them. His body bent in and out irregularly, and he struck when he could. He was fighting for survival and to protect his team, who were his friends. God! If only they hadn't been so stupid, he thought in his head. He continued to move around, making his moves unpredictable, but predicting their next swift slashes. In the midst of it all, he was getting tired. He was heavily panting, and he could feel streams of sweat dribble down his head. That didn't matter. He summoned fire, and he waltzed towards them. Deker was hit first, then Robtish.
Eventually, the trio formed a triangle. Deker's sword against Robtish's face, Robtish's weapon in close proximity to the Red ranger's helmet, and Jayden proficiently held both Nighlocks in submission. All were glaring at each other. Robtish backed down first. He was drying out and needed to be replenished. He escaped into a crack. Now, there were two. Jayden intently looked at Deker with question and anger.
"Why did you help me." he asked the man.
"My only desire is to find someone skilled enough to be his opponent, someone worthy to clash against my Urumasa," Deker resumed a perfect fighting pose.
"Fight him, do it!"
Mike begged for Jayden to not surrender to Deker's wishes.
Red ranger ignored and tried to prove himself once more, even if it meant sending himself to the medical bay. He was weak. He had used a lot of Symbol Power already, and he wasn't sure how he was going on. Adrenaline could be the only answer at this moment. He rose his sword against Deker, and they ran in sync. He tried his best, but his best wasn't enough. "Ahhh," he screamed, he felt Urumasa slide by. He collapsed onto his knees.
"That's not the fight I want! It was far too easy."
Urumasa's sayings was clear. Deker backed down, spoke on behalf of Urumasa, and bounced high into the air. His unnatural and stealth ability caused him to land on a high point; he was in his human form now. His hair soared in the wind. Before leaving to his enclave, he relayed Urumasa's words. "Red ranger, you will give him the the battle he's wanted for centuries. So for now, we leave you, until you are at your best again, then we will duel."
"Good job, my son," Urumasa congratulated. "Instill fear and make him know we will be back."
"Hey, what are you anyway," Mike yelled his question, since he remembered him from the time Jayden was evil. "Are you a Nighlock?!"
"I am Deker, nothing more, nothing less," he cryptically replied, as his head began to shoot with agony. "Take care of your team, help them and the Pink ranger," he escaped finally.
Mia's eyes ascended to the top. She could no longer see him. Why did care about her so much, yet rescued Dayu when they were about to kill her, sent giant Moogers against them, and now, he had this vendetta against Jayden. Her heart tugged, as if she felt the sadness coming from his body. She chased forward, but he stopped her.
"No," Jayden ordered.
She was about to say something, but the groans from Emily and Kevin forced her to abandon her talk with Jayden. She came to their side, and they were severely injured. She knew they had to head back now.
For a moment, Jayden wanted to run away. With everyone after him, and the way his team was being, he wanted to abandon this life and have Lauren resume her birthright. He was even hesitant to touch his friends again because they were being reckless for him. They didn't deserve him as a leader. His friends needed him though, and that outweighed his need to leave at that moment. He helped all of them get back to the Shiba House.
He'd leave later.
Xxxxx
Later That Night
Shiba House
Jayden packed light. He grabbed his black messenger bag from the top of his closet, and he began to stuff it. Two shirts, a couple of pants, boxers, and he grabbed his wallet. He had money in there, and that would hold him over for at least a week. After that, he'll have to think of ways to survive.
He had never been outside of these compounds for more than a day. Well, for personal relief anyways. He had two homes: here and the Tengen Gate. He wasn't going to the Tengen Gate this time. He was going to drown in what the real world was. He really needed time to himself. He wanted to know what it felt like to be normal and not place his friends in danger. Maybe, he could go live with Lauren, wherever she was.
"That's wishful thinking," he chided, berating himself. He slid open his door, and he left to the front. He heard Mentor's stick scuffling the floors, opening random doors, and gaining ground. He moved quicker, yet softly. He crossed over the wooden platform, walked the cement trail, and he stopped by the gate. He longingly looked back at his home. He had some fairly good memories here, and he was sad to leave her behind. He hoped she wouldn't be mad at him, and maybe one day, they could cross paths once more. Maybe, fall in love without being involved with foot soldiers, monsters, and bullshit. Mentor's calls alerted him. "I'm also sorry, Mentor, you never deserved a student like me."
He left and didn't look back.
Xxxxx
The Next Day
Jayden's Challenge
Sanzu River
"Deker, I'm stick and tired of you meddling in my affairs," Master Xandred harshly relayed, his sword against Urumasa. He released the hold, and he gathered a ball of power in his palms. He flung it at Deker, and he watched in satisfaction.
Robtish had snitched Deker interrupted the fight. That caused Master Xandred to pounce on the half human, half Nighlock when he arrived to the demented waters.
"I'll save you," Urumasa promised, and he summoned all of the power he could to break this behemoth of a hold. Moogers attacked, and he was growing with anger. He penetrated. The clutch of skulls and swirls of conjured magic dissolved.
"HUH," Master Xandred roared in shock and even more in surprise, as he took a very good look at his human form. "You're not Deker..."
All of the eyes surrounding Dayu's body had even grown wide. They examined the man in the waters of the river, bravely speaking to the commander of the Nighlocks, and she couldn't believe this. "Damn you, Urumasa," she cursed with much hurt, sadness and rage. Gone, was her husband, and in came this creature, this human, she had never seen before. In spite of everything, he still rescued her. She needed to get to the bottom of this.
Octoroo watched as well. "Ooh, ah, ooh, it looks like Urumasa found a new container for Deker," he examined, while standing at an opening. "Oh, you want to cry," he sneered, while looking at her. "You shouldn't. He has a new body, not a new mind!" He walked away.
"New body," she repeated curiously, and she walked to sit on a crate.
"Dayu," her leader growled, almost a second after he stepped onto the tattered ship, and summoned a Mooger. "Play your harmonium," he needed to be soothed, and her sad music was the only one to do it besides his sake.
"I-I-I," she was at a loss for words.
"Do it now," he ordered, and the whole ship began to toss and turn like it was caught in a tsunami.
Her thoughts were scrambled at this point, but she knew he would be relentless if she didn't comply. She began to play. The sorrow filled music did them both good actually.
Xxxxx
An Hour Later...
Shiba House- Medical Bay
Panorama City, CA
"Hey, Mia, can you get my sketchpad from my room," Kevin asked. He couldn't sleep any longer with uneasy feelings lingering.
Mia nodded, and she left to get the black item. She quickly returned and gave it to Kevin. "I also brought your pencils too," she smiled. Lately, he's had that black book attached to his hip. She wasn't surprised he didn't want to be without it, even in his current state. "Do you need help eating? We brought you a plate."
He shook his head but glad that the food looked edible. He supposed she didn't cook this morning. "Not right now," he replied. "Thanks anyways," he looked at the sadness that drowned her face. "Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she lied, and she went to sit at the window, hoping he would return. She picked up her bowl of mixed fruit and began to eat in silence. She hardly slept herself. After Mentor returned from the outside, with a depressed look, she knew. Jayden left the grounds without telling anyone. The guilt he displayed over Kevin and Emily's injuries said so much. She wanted to help him, but he wouldn't let her or anyone else. She was glad she wasn't the Red ranger, as the responsibility was such a burden.
Mike entered the room. "You know, someone told me breakfast is the most important meal of the day," he brightly smiled as he was eating his bowl of fruit and yogurt. His mouth was so happy.
"I told you that," Kevin struggled at first to sit up, but he was able to do so. He winced at the pain but forged on. "I'll eat once I finish this," he opened the book for everyone to see. He had been working on a way to combine the Samurai Battlewing and the Samurai Megazord.
"Last time I had a sick day, I played video games, drank ginger ale, and ate lots of chicken soup," Mike sarcastically admonished. He looked at Kevin like he had two heads, but that was Kevin. Analytical and never stopping his journey as a Samurai. He turned his attention to Mia. "What's with you?"
"Jayden's still not back," she woefully replied.
"Hello, everyone," Ji elatedly greeted, as he came through the doors, tray in hand to collect plates. He made eye contact with Emily first. "Hi, Emily! Hope you're feeling better. Have you finished breakfast?" He began to survey their plates, them, and anything else to occupy and keep his mind busy. He was transparent though. Mike and Mia quickly spoke the truth. "Don't worry, he'll be back. All of us just need to focus on the mission," he calmed their fears, or at least hoped to.
He can sympathize with the rest of the rangers. Just the day before, he wasn't focused himself. He thought back.
(Flashback)
Instead of going to the market like he said, he went a farther distance. He arrived to the location he wasn't supposed to visit. He looked at the house, small, quaint, in the middle of nowhere. The training area surpassed the one at the Shiba House. It was actually twice the size of this cottage style house also. He smelled the fresh pine, and the kurokos' famous stew filtering through the chimney. He smiled softly to himself.
"Arch the stroke better," Mentor Yaki firmly commanded, as he looked at his student. She had always struggled at this part.
"I'm trying," she flinched, scrunching her face in misery. She was growing tired, and she was hungry too. She didn't mean to be a pain in the butt, but she wanted a break. She held her dad's Samuraizer up—the one with the brush tip, and she exhaled a deep breath. She concentrated deeply, and she felt the drops of sweat form. Two strokes down, three strokes in the middle, arch this one right here, bend this one right there, slash, slash, and the last draw blasted her across the floor. Her hands were covered in black soot.
"Lauren," Ji shouted, as he ran forward.
Mentor Yaki had fire in his eyes alright. Just looking at Ji being there caused his blood pressure to rise. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
Lauren began to stir. "Ji, is that you," she questioningly asked, trying to get up so she could see for herself. Yaki rushed to help her.
Mentor nodded, and he also helped to roll her over. He checked on her. "You were doing a great job," he praised her with a comforting smile.
"At least someone thinks so," she responded, while blowing a stray tendril of hair out of her face. She took Jayden's teacher's hand, along with her teacher's, and she was upright in no time. "What are you doing here?"
"Yes, what are you doing here," Yaki mirrored in an overzealous manner, his finger wagging at Mentor for being present. "You have any idea what you are doing? I swear to God, if they find out she's the real 18th Shiba Head, and Master Xandred shows up-" he kept rambling.
A kuroko of the house held up a tray for Lauren, smiling to himself.
"Yaki," Lauren took the ornately decorated plastic fan from the tray, and she smacked him on the head. She irritably rolled her eyes, and she paid more attention to Ji. She was glad to have another figure around other than her mentor and the kurokos. "Is there something wrong? Is it Jayden?"
"I knew that boy couldn't handle his duties. He's not even a Shiba," Yaki interjected suddenly much to the displeasure of Lauren and Ji. His feelings towards Jayden wasn't like before. He worried about him not being able to protect the world. He was surprised he's lasted this long.
Her eyes squinted furiously. She grabbed her fan and smacked him on the head three times. "Yaki," she admonished more fiercely this time around.
If Ji had his stick, he would've taken a whack or two himself. He never really did like Yaki. They were only cordial towards each other for the sake of the Shiba Family. "No, he's done wonderfully," he defended his prized pupil. "I'm here because I needed to talk to you in private."
Lauren's teacher stuck his nose where it didn't need to be stuck. He wanted to listen in to this conversation.
"Of course," Lauren nodded eagerly. "Yaki, get some drinks."
"Eh," he replied, annoyed with her request. "Kurokos," he summoned. "Drinks!"
Exasperated, Jayden's sister looked towards her mentor. "Please, I want privacy," she practically begged. Reluctantly, he agreed. He let the two be. He entered the cottage. She received her drink from the kuroko, the servants of the place, and she smiled gratefully. "Thank you. So, Ji, what's this about," she sipped her water with lemon.
Ji gulped his drink down. "Where to start," he began like he had the world on his shoulders. "Not too long ago, a Nighlock turned Jayden evil. He's still reeling from the effects. He found the Tigerzord though. And just today, we found out Master Xandred knows," he finished, as he looked at Lauren.
Her gentle features changed. "I shouldn't be surprised," she responded indifferently, concentrating her eyes on her drink. She was torn. "Do I need to come back?"
"Let's not jump the gun," he replied honestly. He wanted her to resume her position when she was ready, and from the looks of it, she wasn't. "You haven't fully mastered the the seal, so that's a definite no. You stay here."
"But Jayden-"
"No, he's fine, but it's just, when he was evil, his eyes turned green."
"Green," she incredulously repeated. Her mouth gaped at the thought. "What happened to Red?!" She's read a thing or two about their powers.
"I don't know, but I know he's also worried about you."
She softly laughed. "Mentor, I'm fine, and I'm here learning the symbol. What's he worried about?"
"I think he's beginning to feel this too much for him," he truthfully replied. "He does march to the beat of his own drum, and he's stubborn. I don't know where get that's from!"
"Maybe mom or dad," her smile faltered."Or, his mom, or dad... One of his birth parents must be like that. Stubborn as a mule. Have you told him?"
"Don't have the heart to. Each time I get the chance, something comes up like he's too tired, he's depressed over your parent's deaths, he misses you, Moogers pop up, Master Xandred's spiteful blitzes, training a group of rangers... He's definitely taken some definite punches in battle and personally. I can't do that to him."
She completely understood. "It wouldn't be fair to let him know he isn't a Shiba," she said. "Have you thought about searching for them?"
"I was thinking maybe after the fight was done. There's just way too much going on now," he answered, and then he thought some more. "I admitted the truth about the Sealing Symbol to his team because they were curious, as they wanted to know why their 'leader' was being targeted. I thought they had a right to know."
"True, but now that puts even more pressure on my little brother. Don't you think? Just imagine, one of them asks to help Jayden with the symbol or at least see it. What's he going to do then? Make up a fake symbol?! Come on, I'm sure there's a very analytical one on the team," she did agree they had a right to know how Master Xandred has been held at the Sanzu River for such a long time. On the opposite end of spectrum, they're going to expect this symbol to come out of his Samuraizer.
"There is. Kevin. Mike's the playful guy; you gotta be on him quite more than the rest. Then, there's Emily, she's taken over for her sick sister, Serena. She's a little mousy, but she keeps everyone cheerful. And then, there's Mia," he laughed right here, once her name came out of his mouth, "she's gentle, has a calming spirit, and well, I think Jayden likes her."
The looks between the two didn't go unnoticed.
"My little brother has a crush, and I can't be there to tease him," she giggled at the thought. She missed Jayden, and she wondered how he looked like now. She thought his eyes were a little more rounder, manlier, and he's grown to be a handsome gentleman. Not only that, but he's carried this legacy, and he wasn't even supposed to. This plan was going better than she expected. And, as of right now, she wasn't ready to come home. The Sealing Symbol wasn't coming along the way she hoped for. Therefore, her brother needed to still be an impostor. "I don't think you should tell Jayden about him being adopted."
Mentor had to take two looks.
She affirmed her nod. "He'd be crushed. He's already living a lie, telling him the truth about my parents, or our parents, would cause him to be confused and not want to the Red ranger. He would ultimately abandon this mission, and the rest of rangers would be without a leader. I can't come out of hiding; we all know that."
"But, if he finds out now, he'll know. Isn't that better?"
"No, not necessarily," she wasn't budging. "Mentor Ji, thank you for everything that you've done for Jayden. You stepped in when he needed a parent, a friend, and any type of guidance. I'm sure he's doing a great job as a Red ranger, but if you take all of that away, then he won't he know who he is. That's the thing I wouldn't want for him. Just because he's not my biological brother, doesn't mean I can't look out for him. Please, just don't tell the truth."
Mentor simply nodded. He needed reassurance.
(End Flashback)
He shook his head. He thought Daisuke was right that Jayden needed to know the truth, but after speaking to Lauren, the truth was the last thing he needed to hear.
Xxxxx
An Hour Later
City Waterfront
Walking the streets of Panorama City at night was different. He weaved in and out of the foot traffic. He ate street food for the first time, watched a movie, and he didn't have to worry about Mentor's orders. Eventually, he paid for a hotel room. That's where he slept last night, if anyone could really call it that. He tossed and turned throughout the night. The little sleep he did get was haunted with images of Master Xandred, his team getting hurt, and the Dove being his saving grace. The mixture was just overwhelming.
He checked out, and he walked to get breakfast. For a moment, he just stared at his greasy sausage, egg and cheese sandwich. It was a far cry from mentor's clean eats, but better than Mia's peanut butter and jelly omelet. He sighed; he was beginning to think this wasn't for him.
As he looked over the rail at the rippling water, gritty sand, and people enjoying their day with no worries, he decided it's still not best to go back. He turned to the playground. He watched the parents, who were checking on their kids or mingling with other parents. Children going up and down the fun based contraption. They climbed up and down the built in steps, slid down the slides, swung on the swings, hopped onto the springy animals, and they all looked like they were having a blast.
He's never been able to do that before.
Suddenly, two kids weren't having much fun.
He saw them, and they were sitting on a bench. He nicely meddled and walked up to them and bent down, since they didn't seem to have a parent. The younger boy was crying his eyes out, while the older girl, who didn't look more than 13, was cradling him back and forth, trying to shush him. He saw what was wrong.
"Shh, shh, oh boy, I shouldn't have let you come down the slide like that," she tried to calm him down. She kept rocking back and forth, while trying to search her purse for anything to calm him down. His arms flailed madly, pushing away snacks and even his favorite white stuffed animal falcon. Her brother was obviously upset.
She sighed, as she remembered her brother went the opposite way on the slide. He decided head down first, and she thought that was okay. Sadly, she was wrong. He came down the long loop. The velocity and speed caused him to literally eat sand. Once he stood up, she saw his bottom lip start to tremble, signaling an attack of tears were about to barrage down. Then he opened his mouth. No sound was coming out, at least not yet. And then, it went, the screeching cries of pain. She immediately scooped him up and checked on him.
"Is he okay," Jayden asked her, peering to look closer. He felt in his bag for a napkin. He offered it.
"He's fine," she just kept stroking her brother's cheek in hopes he would stop crying. The blood was in one spot, not enough skin had broke to allow the crimson liquid to dribble. If it did, then, at least he was wearing a red tee. She paid more attention to her brother than this random guy.
"You can take this," he held up the napkin. She quickly snatched it out of his hand. "Do you want to see something cool," he had a hand in his pocket.
She wanted this guy to buzz off. "Thanks, but look creep," she curtly hissed. "Whatever you want to 'show' me, I'm not interested in. You know you're pretty bold to want to 'show me' something when I have my baby brother in my hands! I know gymnastics, Muay Thai fighting, Karate, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, and I also know the praying mantis technique thanks to my aunt, so try me," she threatened.
The Red ranger was a little taken aback. "Whoa," he said under his breath. He wasn't sure whether to run or still try to help. He was intrigued though, and her brother was hurt. "Symbol power-" he drew the strokes for a 'band aid'.
She heard the weird low pitched noises, and she looked to the left of her. She was surprised.
"Does your brother like the color red," he politely asked, as he took off the backing. He held up the item for her. He mentally smacked himself. Of course he likes the color it was on his shirt.
"How did you," she took the band aid, and she placed it under her brother's chin. "Thank you," she acknowledged. "Now, how did you-" She looked at him dead in the eye, and his eyes pierced her. They were oddly familiar like she had seen them somewhere before, but she couldn't pinpoint where.
Jayden did look intently at the young lady in front of him because of her eyes as well. Those eyes that were decorated with voluminous eyelashes were like from his dreams. He did a once over of her, hoping he wasn't acting like a pedophile, yet he felt such a strong connection to her. She was wearing a plain white shirt, pink shorts, white tennis shoes, and her caramel colored hair laid straight down.
"Is your brother okay," he was able to find his voice. He looked at the little boy, and he smiled at him as well. The tot had chestnut colored hair with bright hazel eyes.
"Uh," she cleared her throat. "yeah, he should be."
He swung his head around looking to see where their parents were. "Are you guys here by yourself?"
"Just at the park. My brother was getting a bit jumpy in the place my mom is renovating, so she can turn it into another fashion boutique. We came here, so he can run freely," she answered truthfully, as she examined him once more. His gorgeous eyes haunted her, and she still searched for where she's seen them before. "Hey," she called for her brother, who was beginning to climb out of her arms.
The tot waddled over to Jayden and eagerly held his arms up.
Jayden was unsure what to do. His eyebrow was quirked, and he kept the little boy.
She laughed at his naiveness. "He wants you to hold him," she educated, since he didn't seem like he's ever encountered anything like this before. She nodded it was okay.
"Oh," he sheepishly replied, as he propped the kid on his lap. He looked at this kid closely, and he could've sworn they had the same features. He felt the kid's hair, made goofy faces, and he even began to tickle him.
"S-ss-stop," the little toddler squealed in excitement, while joyfully squirming around.
The red ranger, too, had to laugh. He couldn't believe he actually enjoyed this type of company. He was smiling and felt so relaxed. "I like your outfit, kid," he complimented at the red t-shirt, beige shorts, and toddler, red Chuck Taylors. "Oh, and your outfit isn't too bad either," he didn't want to leave the sister out.
"And I like yours," she took a good look. "Red, Blue, and White flannel shirt, jeans, and look," she laughed, "you and my brother have matching shoes!"
"Great minds must think alike then," he warmly smiled at her.
She felt comfortable with him too. He wasn't a creeper, peeper, or johnny todd that wanted to snatch her and her brother up. She actually felt bad for the way she snapped at him earlier. "You know, I'm surprised my little brother is acting that way towards you," she interrupted the fun.
"Why do you say that," Jayden responded, while his eyes were still on the tot. He continued minutely rough housing with him.
"He's usually very shy until he gets to know you. When he first met his other aunts, uncles and cousins, he wasn't this receptive of them," she opened her arms for her brother. He shook his head firmly and snuggled closer into Jayden's side. "See, he really likes you. Usually, he'd jump out of their arms and start crying." She got an opening and tickled her brother, which caused him to laugh more.
"Are they that ugly," he quipped, which caused him to laugh, but her to make a face. He couldn't believe he said that. He hoped to not offend her.
She took it in stride. "No," she answered with her eyes rolled. "You have bad jokes like Uncle Jason."
"Uncle Jason," he repeated like a question. He's never had an uncle or aunt, at least he's never met one. He thought they weren't supposed to be in this life. "Hey, what's your-"
Shrieks and cries filled with terror came their way. Moogers and Robtish spotted Jayden, and they were making their way over. They slashed benches, scared innocent people, and they were eager for revenge. He handed over the tot. Protectively, Jayden stood in front of his youthful acquaintances. He needed to get them out of here, but a Mooger strategically stood in front of each possible exit.
The young boy began to cry once more at the sight of these creatures. His older sister tried to soothe him over.
Jayden summoned his sword. He used his free hands to make them stay behind him. "I'm going to get you out of here," he sincerely promised.
She looked in her purse and took out a snack and his falcon. "Here," she calmed her brother, and now, he paid more attention to the fruit flavored roll than to what was happening. He sucked, tasted, and bit into the heavenly snack. She took up a fighting stance along Jayden.
"What the," he sternly looked at her. "You're a kid and your brother."
"Please, there's more to me than how I look. Plus, you're outnumbered two to one, and there's a monster right there, and he's not exactly oogling you. He looks like he wants to kill you," she described, while speaking like she was a party. "And him," she tilted her head, "he's fine."
Jayden couldn't bear to have her in danger.
"Aww, so you have a new bodyguard now," Robtish sarcastically joked, as he held his sword out. "Out goes Deker, in comes this little girl?!"
"Quiet pal," the pubescent female snapped angrily. "I'm sure those ugly things are bird brained nimrods, and you're just mad because you're not agile and graceful or 'Winged Lord of the Skies'. To be quite honest, you look like bung that exists out of these bird brained idiots!"
"Kid, I don't know who you think you are, but stop," he looked at her like she was crazy. She was definitely egging on the evil, but he couldn't help and laugh at her snippy comment. "Bung," he repeated with a laugh.
"Oh you like that," she wondered with her own laugh.
"Bung," her little brother had a knack for copying words he shouldn't necessarily repeat. He scrounged his sister's purse for more stuff.
"Silence," Robitsh was none too happy with this. "Attack!"
Sophia Anabelle Hart-Oliver was proud to do this. She immediately cartwheeled forward and did a swift roundhouse kick. When another came her way, she grabbed the arm and easily tossed it over her side. She jabbed others with her fists, did low leg sweeps, and she made sure to back flip back to her brother to check on him when she could. "How are you doing," she panted.
"Good," he smiled, as he showed off his red tongue. "More," he laughed.
"You got it, Tristan," she smiled, and she went back to fighting.
Jayden watched in awe. She was one amazing kid. Her moves, mixed with agility and graceful gymnast movements, was an undeniable asset to him. He spun his sword around in a large circle, fighting off the Moogers that were coming at him. He jumped, whirled, blocked, and he made sure to be back up for this little lady. He walked his back to hers. Her back met his. They circled around slowly. "You got some moves on you," he admitted.
"You aren't too shabby," she confessed. "If I had a large sword like yours..."
"Attack," Jayden ordered, as he was bout to grab his disc. He couldn't though, having his sword out was bad enough. He didn't want to expose the truth. "You really need to get out of here," he motioned for the free exit across the way. "I doubt your mom would want you coming back with bruises."
"Oh shi-," she didn't finish her phrase, as she did a one, two punch on a Mooger's face. This was fun, but he was right. Her mom must be worried sick about them. She grasped the handle of her purse and slung it over her shoulder. Then, she grabbed for Tristan. She made a run, holding him closely against her. She took one last look back at her fighting partner. "Good luck, ranger," she whispered, and she ran back to her mom's shop. As she ran, people dressed in Blue, Pink, Green, and Yellow rapidly scampered by. She smiled to herself.
As he watched her, with her brother cradled in her arms, run off, he hoped they were going to make it back to their mom safely. She did an amazing job as a back up, and he hoped to one day encounter her, them, once more. In a platonic way of course. They were a breath of fresh hair and their innocence made this fight worth while, giving him a sense of clarity. In a moment of weakness, a brunt blow came his way. Jayden coarsely shooed against the cement. He was about to be attacked again, but his team, better known as his friends showed up.
They continued the fight, on his behalf, giving him a chance to catch his breath. He heard his team, while they pledged their allegiance to him. Just like his dad said back in the day, he was to lead them. He nodded proudly. He stood on his two feet as the battle droned on. Whatever happened this afternoon was what he desperately needed. Kevin, Mike, Emily, and Mia wanted to fight on his side, under his guidance, and he didn't necessarily have to do this fight alone.
That was his team, not Lauren's.
Xxxxx
A Few Minutes Later
Hart the Boutique
"Oh, God," Kim anxiously bit her lip, as she stepped a few feet away from her shop's door. She looked around, and she had been calling her daughter's cell phone. This was her tenth time. "Sophia Anabelle Hart-Oliver, Tristan David Hart-Oliver I swear to God, if anything has happened to the two of you I will never forgive myself," she noticeably panicked. She felt the tears beginning to make their way, and she shut them immediately. Spontaneously walking a few feet up and down her shop helped keep her busy, but that still didn't make her feel any better as a mother.
Tristan hyperactively bounced around the store. He picked up random pieces of shelves, knocked over bottles of soda and water, and decided to play peek-a-boo in the back of the store. Kim was flustered, but with Tommy working at the hotel, covering for Bulk, and her traveling back and forth from Reefside to Panorama City, and other cities, trying to get elements of her newest fashion boutique together, she felt like she hadn't spent time with her children. She opted to take her daughter and son with her, along with help from some friends, as they were involved in this venture too.
Sophia offered to take Tristan to the park. Kim said okay, since the park wasn't too far from the shop. This would give her oldest daughter a taste of responsibility, independence, and trust. Now, she was regretting the decision and beating herself up over it. Kim watched the frantic citizens running around. Curiosity got the best of her, and in the distance, she saw the newest foot soldiers and a horrendous looking monster.
"Kim," a six month pregnant Hayley, who was here to use her computer skills to draw a floor plan for Kim's new store, shouted. She tried to calm Kim down. "They'll be here," she assured.
"What?! What do you mean 'they'll be here'," she asked in heated disbelief. She continued searching out there for her children. "The park is not even that far, and they're nowhere to be seen. What if the monster has gotten her?!"
"Sophia is with Tristan. You do know that, right?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Hayley looked at her with that 'are you stupid' look. "She can handle herself. Just because she's 12 years old, doesn't mean she can't defend herself against those idiotic, walking things."
"Those things look rather creepy," she countered as a matter of fact.
"What would they want with a 12 year old," Hayley questioned boldly, and she sighed. "You, Tommy, and the rest of the gang, plus newcomers have trained her in so many different styles of martial arts, and with her gymnast skills, she can take anyone down. We've seen her strength, we know she's a Ninjetti, and she's proven to be a force."
"Just because she's sparred with her cousins, various aunts and uncles, and simulated Putties, Z-Putties, Tengas, and Quantrons, doesn't mean she's ready for this," she pointed out with such worry. This was as real as it could get. "What if they take her because they know she's a Ninjetti?!"
"I doubt it," Hayley didn't see the logic. "Didn't Bulk tell Tommy that this is the home of the Samurai Rangers? Why would they want a Ninjetti?"
Sophia quickly ran up, still carrying Tristan firmly in her arms. She was sweaty, had dirt in random patches on her face, but her lips were curled into a definite smile. "Mom, Aunt Hayley," she shouted for their attention. She panted, as she scrolled up to them. "Shouldn't you guys be in the shop taking cover," she nonchalantly questioned.
"SOPHIA ANABELLE HART-OLIVER, TRISTAN DAVID HART-OLIVER, don't ever scare me like that," she immediately encased her daughter and son in a big embrace and protectively ushered them back to the store. Hayley followed. Kim locked the door to keep them safe. They all watched the battle. Large shadows cascaded over their bodies, as the monster, 20 times its regular size, and a Megazord fought. "Oh my God," she couldn't believe she was witnessing this. It was one thing to be behind the wheel, it was another to watch.
"Pretty cool, huh," Sophia watched in amazement. She let her little brother walk around the store, so she could give her arms a rest. "They're amazing!"
"Well, isn't that fancy," Hayley muttered cynically with arms crossed. "Still not better than what I came up with."
As Robtish was finally defeated with the Samurai Battlewing Megazord, Kim faced her daughter with pink colored eyes. She was very upset. Sophia knew her mom was serious. "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU? The reason you have a cell phone is so we can get in touch with you. What took you so long? Didn't you see the same things we saw!? You should've rushed your little behind back to the store. Not to mention, you had Tristan with you!"
"Auntie Hayley," Tristan tugged on her black dress. "What does..."
"Oh, Tristan," Hayley covered his mouth immediately. "Not right now."
Sophia's eyes altered too. They were green. "Mom," she complained. "You're overreacting! If you saw how I was out there, you would've been so proud," she promised.
"Oh boy," the soon to be mom knew what Tommy and Kim's daughter meant, and she nervously glanced between them. Not to mention, the sudden eye change signaled this was going to get ugly. She scooped up Tristan, who seemed to be entranced by his white falcon and wanting to know what 'hell' meant, and discreetly walked out of the store.
Ethan and Trent were running back to Kim's newest venture. Ethan was here to set up the advanced security system, while Trent was going to paint 3-D images on every wall. They went to get everyone something to eat for everyone-1h6y and were on their way back, but they, too, had to take cover and were captivated by the fight.
"We got... food," Ethan held up a bag with a confused look on his face at seeing the two walk out.
"Did we miss-" Trent couldn't even finish his question. His head cocked to the right and saw the glares coming from Kim and Sophia. "Oh shit!"
"Shit," Tristan repeated with an innocent smile. He quickly snuggled in Hayley's arms.
Now, Hayley had to glare. She immediately covered Tristan's eyes, like that was going to fix what was just said. "You two, over there," she hissed. "Trent, I got my eyes and ears on you!"
"What?! It's not my fault they do that freaky thing with their eyes," Trent immaturely stomped his foot and followed Hayley. "This must be pregnancy hormones or something." He was slapped upside the head. "Ow!"
"Oh, I didn't even hit you that hard," Hayley murmured with exasperation.
Ethan snickered. "Can we still eat?" He, too, got a taste of Hayley's hand smack. "Ouch! What the hell did I do?!"
"Hell," Tommy and Kim's youngest child repeated unknowingly. "Hell, hell, hell," he loved learning new words.
"ETHAN, TRENT," Hayley yelled angrily, as she ushered them to a table that wasn't destroyed.
Meanwhile, in the shop, issues between Kim and Sophia had somewhat settled. Their eyes reverted back to normal hues, as they noticed several people passed by with concerned looks. Kim was just worried, plain and simple, and she reacted like any other parent would in this situation. In Sophia's point of view, she protected her brother and herself, and she's fine.
"I'm here, aren't I? Tristan is safe, isn't he," Sophia gave her mom attitude.
"That's not the point," Kim countered. She looked at Sophia, her daughter, her babygirl, her dove, and she didn't want to fight about this. She was here, Tristan was safe, not traumatized, and that did matter. She could underestimate her daughter because her daughter would do anything in the world to make sure her family stayed safe. "Leave the fighting up to the Power Rangers. You aren't a Power Ranger. You are my daughter, who's only 12, and you have other things to concern your time with."
"I'm just two and half years shy from when you and dad became Power Rangers, and then, there's Justin. He became a ranger at 13. I thought dad was the one with memory problems, not you," Sophia earnestly looked at her mom. "Is there more to this? Are you stressed? Do you need a break," her mom had to be in her opinion. "Are you worried that we could've been taken because of the power that's been given to us? Or," she stopped right here because she knew this would bother her mom even more. "Is it Jayden?"
Kim stared at her daughter with sadness. Tommy explained to Kim he told their daughter the whole story about giving their first child up for adoption. At first, Sophia was upset to not have known this, but her dad justified the reasons. Overtime, Sophia's accepted that somewhere, out there, she did have an older brother, and just like everyone else, she wanted to meet him, ask questions, and hope he wasn't upset over the truth.
"Sweetie," Kim addressed her daughter. "I'll always worry about Jayden. I ask all your dad if that was the best decision we made, and he says 'yes'. I know better. I wish we didn't give him up. I hope he doesn't hate me, whenever we meet."
"So, you're worried about us somehow being taken or never coming back, but mom, understand you did what was best at the time. I'll never be taken and neither will Tristan. That's the last thing will happen," she went up and hugged her mom strongly. She felt her mom's tears. It's clearly obvious her mom has thought about her older brother more than necessary. "We'll find him, and he won't hate you. Your a great mom, and I'm sure you'd be worried like this about him too."
Sophia's mom simply nodded. "So, what were those bird brained nimrods like," she had to ask.
"Piece of cake; they weren't very smart to be honest, and well, someone was there to help," she revealed, as she thought back to the nice guy at the park. "I think he's a-"
"Ranger," Kim incredulously finished. Sophia eagerly nodded. "How do you know?"
"Well, he wore a lot of Red," she answered with a laugh. "And, then, there was that massive sword, and the way he made a band aid appear so suddenly... oops," she covered her move.
"Why was a band aid needed," Kim asked. Her eyes flickered. "Sophia..."
"Aw, mom," Sophia rolled her eyes.
Eventually, Kim found out the reason, and she was fine, a little upset, but fine. Tristan was sort of a daredevil. The rest of their company made their way back in the store, once they saw everything was clear. In three hours, they were back on the road. While going back to Reefside, Sophia thought about her brush encounter with the guy in Red. She couldn't wait until the Samurai Rangers retired, so another reunion could happen, and she could spar with him and see his cool 'phone' trick.