A/N: This is yet another missing scene; don't you just love them?

A/N.2: …Yeah, sorry about the five-month hiatus. I honestly thought I'd updated before today, but apparently I didn't. I am such an idiot… Add to this that the rest of the themes are done and just need added and I am an idiot to the extreme. So, yeah. Sorry about taking so long. Again. Enjoy!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place during "Return")

Theme 57: Change

Mystical Forest, April 30, 2007, 5:30 PM – Briarwood, CA, USA

Daggeron's POV

I watched as Vida's actions slowly sank into the rest of the team's heads, resulting in mass chaos.

"She's a fool!" Nick declared flinging his arms into the air. By now, we'd retreated to the glen where Udonna and I trained the teens. "She trusted that, that thing and now she's stolen your Solar Streak Megazord Train and gone who in Infershia knows where!" Accusing eyes were set on me, almost as if I was to blame. Hmm. I must keep my temper. No need for the Snow Prince to make another appearance; once was enough.

"Nick, Vida did that for some reason only she knows!" Madison pressed moving next to the Phoenix showing absolute trust in her sister's actions. Placing a hand on his shoulder I wasn't surprised when it was shrugged off. When Bow – excuse me, Nick, became upset and angry he was very hard to calm down.

'Very much like his father.'

"What? She's been brainwashed or something?" Nick shot back embers beginning to spark at his fingertips. Madison's eyes hardened and I could already see the outcome of the standoff: Madison would win and eventually calm Nick down enough for him to see reason.

That would, unfortunately, take a few minutes to do, and time was of the essence in catching up to the rogue Pink Mystic.

I looked over to the other two members of the team who would be affected the most. Chip appeared thoughtful, obviously wanting to believe the very best of his friend. Unfortunately, I had a hunch that my apprentice hadn't a clue as to why the Sprite had run off.

Xander, on the other hand...

The Green Minotaur was leaning against an oak tree, eyebrows furrowed. My suspicions began to take shape. He'd been with Vida for some time before we'd all confronted Matoombo, and therefore, was my number one suspect for explaining what had exactly happened. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to be very talkative at the moment.

Then, I had an idea.

"Xander, come with me for a few moments," I said softly as I walked by the teen. Startled, he glanced up at me then at the others, all three of whom were now arguing over Vida's intentions. Random snippets of the three teens' elements began to pierce the air, water seemingly overpowering fire and lightning.

Catching his silent question I answered, "Just you and me." The Minotaur took one last look at his friends before following me deeper into the forest.

After a few moments I struck.

"Xander, what did you and Vida discuss?" I asked after I had subtly cast a Silence Charm to ensure that no one else heard our conversation. Xander seemed too shocked to even notice my move; bad form on his part.

"Nothing, Daggeron."

"Xander, I can sense when you're lying to me," I replied mildly turning to face him. Chocolate eyes darted around nervously, and I could instantly sense what was different, what had changed about the young man.

"Xander, why are you protecting her?" I asked hands at my side to show that I wasn't going to physically force an answer out of him. Past interactions had proved Xander skittish around raised hands during conversation with males in positions of authority; I did not understand why but had elected to trust that the answer would come in time.

"Uh, well," Xander began rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Looking at him, I could see how determined he was to ensure that Vida wasn't going to get in trouble. It was a drastic change, considering that a scant few months previous he would have tattled on the Pink Sprite, hoping to get the honor that came with staying out of trouble.

Now, however, he was risking my wrath to ensure that Vida remained free of blame.

It was an interesting change in personality to be sure, and one that I whole-heartedly approved of; now, however, was not the time for it to be surfacing.

"Xander, she's not in trouble, contrary to Nick's words," I soothed trying to get him to open up to me. Granted, we weren't as close as Chip and myself were, but there was still the bond of trust that existed between mentor and student. It was what held us together.

Hopefully, I would be able to lean on that to get my answers.

"We are all just worried about her, worried about why in the world she took one of the Ten Terrors with her on the Solar Streak Megazord, not to mention that she dragged Jenji along for the ride."

Xander sighed and, glancing up at me stated, "If I tell you, promise you won't freak out?"

I nodded. "Promise."

Of course, I regretted the word as soon as it left my mouth, but it was too late. I could do nothing but stare at Xander as he told me of what Matoombo and Vida wished to do. The concern in his voice, the worry in his eyes showed me just how much he had come to care for the energetic, strong-willed Sprite. How could I have missed it before? It was plain as day on his face. A drastic change had taken place beneath my eyes; how could I have let this shift slip past me? Jenji was sure to tease me when he found out...

"Now what?" Xander asked worry for Vida in every syllable.

I didn't reply too busy attempting to concoct a functioning plan. However, before I could say anything in reply I saw Chip running towards us. Canceling the Silence Charm I listened, awestruck, at the concept of yet another of the Ten Terrors wishing to speak to us, not to do harm. Xander's harsh questions gave way to grudging acceptance as Chip's demands as to the nature of Xander's plan were met with no response.

As Xander and I ran back towards the glen I was one hundred percent positive that this whole situation would be resolved and Vida would return to us unharmed. Glancing over at Xander I had an inkling that the Minotaur would come to terms with his feelings for Vida, in the process solidifying the change that he'd been undergoing for months and earning me victory in the bet between Udonna and myself.

That victory was much desired.