Dino Thunder: Return of the Eclipse- Chapter 3: Wave Goodbye
Disclaimer: Saban owns all Power Ranger lines.
Copyright: All unrecognizable parts and characters are under December's Phoenix's copyright.
Summary: A Ranger's life is not an easy one. Lucy knows that more than anyone.
It has been a week.
A week since the Rangers stepped into their newfound roles as defenders. Since then, the two Guardians have kept their distance…more for their safety than the Rangers. But even as Lucy navigated the halls of high school, she always managed to see one of them, mostly Kira trying to talk to her. She had enough on her plate, aiming to complete her training as Master of the Lunar Eclipse and her solo Guardian training that she barely registered the idea that they still wanted to talk to her. But she would see them occasionally, mainly in the first period with Dr. Oliver.
Lucy squinted up at the building she stood before. She stared at the bright green paint job of the building and the funky logo of the cafe on the overhang in front of her. She received a message from Ethan, who miraculously got her number from someone, texting her that he wanted to meet her at this new place that opened up. "Hayley's Cyberspace." She read quietly, guessing that Ethan wanted to get to know his teammates and the ninjas that helped through a place like this.
"Conner!" A familiar voice rang out, bringing Lucy's attention to her right. "Lucy?"
Lucy spotted Kira walking toward her. "Hi. Ethan messaged me. Told me I needed to come down here." She turned the other way to see Conner walking toward them; hands shoved in his leather jacket.
"He called me too," Conner added, stopping behind Lucy to stare at the two girls.
"What was this place anyways?" Kira asked, looking at the front entrance. She shoved her hands in her pockets.
"Ethan sounded like he was going to explode on the phone, didn't he?" Lucy moved to the door with Kira and Conner following her.
"That's what it sounded like to me," Kira noted, holding the door open for Conner.
The three stepped into a completely different place. There were three sets of couches, all occupied by teenagers on one side. Tables were scattered around and also occupied. There were two alcoves with tables of computers, all full. Ethan moved from the older games in the corner, tucked next to the bar behind the foosball and pool tables. "My brother and sister in crime…or at least crime-fighting." Ethan walked over to the three. "Hi, Lucy."
Lucy tilted her head, quirking an eyebrow, and pointed to Ethan, a playful smirk on her lips. "I feel very left out of that statement." She pointed out, tucking her hand into her hoodie once more. "I can kick butt."
Kira and Conner nudged her shoulders. "We know." Kira laughed.
"Welcome to my world." Ethan introduced, showing the place off to the three. "What do you think?"
"Yeah, I guess it's kind of cool in a techno-retro-dorky way," Conner told him, following him through the building.
"You can do anything here. Game, chat online, listen to music, eat, drink." Ethan excitingly listed off, moving further into the cafe while motioning for the three to follow him.
"Who came up with the idea for this?" Kira questioned.
"That would be Hayley." Ethan pointed to a redhead at the bar. "She's a techno-legend. MIT grad. Programming genus. Got tired of working for big technology and decided to open up this place."
"Good thing for you." Kira shot back quickly.
"No lie." Ethan smiled.
Conner came up behind Ethan, wrapping an arm around him. "Anyways, what was so important?"
Ethan shrugged. "I just figured—hey, we're gonna be saving the world together—I wanted you guys to see what I'm about."
"Good for you, Ethan." Lucy leaned on his shoulder, smiling. "Getting to know teammates is important."
Conner fakely chuckled. "Okay, whatever, dude."
In that second, the redhead—Hayley—moved over to them. "Hey guys, what can I get you?"
Kira shrugged. "I'll just have an apple juice."
Hayley smiled. "Oh, that's easy." She ushered Kira to the bar. She went right to get the Yellow Ranger her order. "Kira, right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?" Kira smiled, sitting at one of the many stools under the bar.
"Oh, I'm all about information. It's my business." Hayley answered. "Now, you sing, don't ya?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Great, how about this Friday? You and your band play here. We'll call it an audition."
Kira looked like a deer in headlights, blinking rapidly for a minute. "Well, yeah. I mean, that would be great."
"All right, see you then." Hayley moved away from her, letting her squeal to Lucy for a moment.
"Okay, I love her," Kira stated after a moment to calm down.
"That's Hayley," Ethan smirked. "There's not one kid in here she hasn't helped out."
"Hasn't helped me," Conner muttered, leaning back against the bar. He barely felt the light kick Lucy gave and ignored the expression she was shooting him.
"Conner McKnight," Hayley announced, moving around to hand Kira her apple juice. "The soccer player. I'm surprised you're not at the open tryouts for the Reefside Wave."
"Open tryouts?" Conner questioned, sitting upright on the stool.
"Yeah, at their practice field right now."
"Are you kidding?"
"No."
Ethan smiled at him. "You were saying."
Conner took off running, disappearing out of the cafe. The three teenagers laughed after him. Kira handed her juice to Lucy. "I have to go. I have to make a setlist and restringing my guitar. I'll see you guys later." She followed Conner's path out of the cafe.
Ethan took a seat on the barstool next to Lucy. "Nothing like spreading the love."
Lucy laughed. "Yeah, she's good." A water cup landed in front of her. She glanced up at Hayley.
"Lucy Brewer. There's nothing about you." Hayley stated, a questioning look on her face. "Nothing that I could dig up, anyways."
"Except adoption records, probably."
Ethan turned to her. "You're adopted?"
The Lunar Guardian turned to the Blue Ranger, sipping her water. "My whole life. So was my older sister. Our parents told me when I was…." She thought for a second. "Twelve? Maybe thirteen. They adopted us when I was six months, and she was one and half."
Just then, Ethan's morpher went off. "You got Ethan and Lucy, doc."
"Ethan, Lucy, will you two meet me at Riverside Road's end in an hour?"
"Yeah, sure; what's up?" Ethan returned.
"Just be there, and I'll fill you in."
Ethan glanced at Lucy. "Field trip?"
Lucy tilted her head and slipped off the stool, sliding her hands into her jacket. "I've been on worse ones." The two trailed each other out of the cafe; earlier conversations were forgotten.
In the short ride to where they were meeting Dr. Oliver, Ethan had learned a lot about Lucy. One, she was particular about using her ninja powers and stingy about teaching Ethan without the proper approval—mainly due to him not being a current student. Nevertheless, Ethan was happy when she agreed to help him improve his fighting.
Coming up on the familiar black jeep, Lucy parked, climbing out of the driver's side with Ethan clamoring out of the passenger's side. "Tread carefully," Lucy warned, making the two turn to her with questioning looks. "We're on the edge of Academy territory. Thunder, to be specific."
"We'll be fast." Dr. Oliver promised her. "After the island exploded, some of my experiments were scatted throughout this area." He spotted a nest. "There." He knelt beside it while Ethan crouched beside him.
Three tiny eggs glowed brightly. Each glow matched the color of the Ranger uniform. Red for Conner. Blue for Ethan. Yellow for Kira. "What were they?" Ethan asked, watching Dr. Oliver pull the backpack from his shoulder and set it in front of him.
"Eggs." Dr. Oliver smiled, picking the red one up. He rotated it in his hands, brushing off the leaves and sticks falling onto the eggs. Then, he gently set it in the backpack.
"Oh, it's cool, doctor. I just had lunch a couple of hours ago," Ethan joked, but only a little.
Dr. Oliver chuckled, turning to the two teenagers. "We're not going to eat them. We're going to hatch them. Then you're going to ride them."
Ethan looked uneasy. He stood and glanced around. "Maybe you saw this quiet out here that's got me hearing things, but I thought you just said we were going to ride these."
"I did." Dr. Oliver didn't break eye contact with the eggs. "Trust me, Ethan, when these things are ready, they'll help us greatly."
The Blue Ranger turned to see the Lunar Guardian, who had moved to stand watch. Her back faced the two, eyes trained on something in the woods. She stood like a statute. Ethan guessed that after years of training, she could stand like that. He noted her slight defensive position, her feet spread enough to give her enough ground if she had to move. "You good, Lucy?" He watched Lucy tilt her head from side to side, making him unsure if it was an answer. Finally, he turned to Dr. Oliver. "All right, whatever you say." He knelt to help the doctor collect the eggs in the nest.
Something whirled right by Ethan's ear. He turned his head up, glancing around to find Lucy standing before him and Dr. Oliver, her toffee-brown eyes most likely sweeping through the forest. Dr. Oliver and Ethan quickly and carefully packed the rest of the eggs up, rising to their feet. "You saw that too?" Ethan asked no one in particular.
Dr. Oliver shouldered the backpack of eggs. "We have to protect the eggs, no matter what."
"Who would want to hurt them?" Ethan questioned, a questioning look written on his face.
Ethan caught Lucy's head snapping to the trees to her right out of the corner of his eye. "I would." The three whirled around, finding Elsa leaning against a tree, arms across her chest. She had a red katana strapped to her hip.
"And I." Zeltrax stepped out from behind the tree. Tyrannodrones surrounded them. "I'm starting to doubt your intelligence, Dr. Oliver."
"I'm sorry; how did you fit behind that tree?" Lucy demanded, motioning to the tree. "You were like…all armor, fashionable but hella bulky." She whirled faster than Ethan had time to register, kick aimed at the Tyrannodrone behind them that was reaching for the bag.
"Attack!" Zeltrax ordered.
The fight would have gone smoothly had the Tyrannodrones not wanted the backpack. Lucy and Ethan took out the two reaching for the bag. Ethan swung at another one, hitting it in the chest. He twisted around, kicking one back. He ducked under a swing and used his shoulder to shove him back. Then, using his momentum, he pushed another way with his forearms, letting them flash blue.
"Ethan! Call the others!" Dr. Oliver ordered.
The Blue Ranger threw a Tyrannodrone away from him that had aimed for his head. He lifted his morpher. "Guys!" He was kicked back. "We could use some Dino help out here!"
Conner stopped moving at the sound of Ethan's pained voice. He breathed deeply. "No, not now." He turned back to see another player kicking the ball into the goal. Then, with a sad sigh, Conner took off.
"Where was he going?" The head coach asked. "Where were you going?"
"I'm sorry!" Conner yelled back. "I'll get back as soon as I can."
Kira stopped walking when she heard her bracelet beep. She signed, glancing at the items in her handed. But, unfortunately, the setlist would have to wait.
"Dino Thunder, Power up!" Ethan called, morphing into his suit. He pulled his sword out, blocking a blade from a Tyrannodrone. They pushed against him, sending him back into a tree. He was about to hit again when two blades stopped the incoming edges.
Kira and Conner switched spots, holding their blades in front of them. "You guys couldn't have done this another day?" The Red Ranger asked, annoyance dancing in his words.
"Don't tell me." Ethan returned, pointing to the henchmen. "Tell them."
"Let's make this quick," Conner stated. "Tyranno-staff." He spun his staff in his hands.
"Ptera grips, baby," Kira called, holding her daggers out.
Ethan held up his large, blue shield. "Tricerashield."
The three took off. Conner landed in his pod of Tyrannodrones. He hit one, swinging the staff around to hit another in the stomach. He whirled it around his head, tucking the team under his arm. "I'm over you." He planted the staff on the ground, pushing himself up. He placed his foot on the back of the incoming Tyrannodrone and used the momentum to fly through the air. Landing on the ground, Conner blocked and swung with his staff. He took a Tyrannodrone out at the knees. He planted the staff on the floor again and pushed up, flipping over and shoving a Tyrannodrone to the ground.
Ethan was having the same great luck Conner was. He blocked a swing, turning around and shoving a Tyrannodrone back. He glanced around, seeing three Tyrannodrones coming at him. At once, they all swung, but Ethan blocked. Instead, he pushed up against them. "Out of my face." He called. He shoved another one and turned around, slicing a Tyrannodrone in the stomach with the horns of his shield. He pushed off the ground, using his feet to send Tyrannodrone away.
Kira flipped into her pod, landing and blocking the swords. "I'm in it to win it," Kira told herself. She turned to one side, blocking and slicing one Tyrannodrone and kicking the blade away from another. Next, she stopped an incoming swing and kicked his leg from under him. She cut two more, then kicked a third. Finally, she flipped over a kick, using her movements to knock another's feet from under him.
Lucy and Dr. Oliver were doing relatively worse than the three-suited Rangers. Lucy ducked under the katana swing from Elsa. She dodged another one and then shot her leg out, hitting Elsa in the leg. The general snarled from where she knelt on the ground, yelling out when she charged again.
Dr. Oliver dodged an ax swing, kicking his leg out to send Zeltrax back. He nearly missed Elsa's blade, sending her back. He landed near Lucy. The two switched off. Lucy now had the backpack—the two generals aimed for her. Lucy ducked under a shield punch, dodging the swing and shoving Elsa's blade into a tree. She kicked out, hitting Zeltrax, then nailed Elsa in the stomach to send her back.
"Elsa!" Zeltrax called, moving to her and ignoring the two former Rangers.
The three primary Rangers stopped behind Lucy and Dr. Oliver. "You like these odds because you look busted to me." Ethan pointed out.
Lucy glanced at the darkening sky. "I would leave if I were you."
"I would have to agree." A female voice spoke. Everyone turned to the small cliff above them, spotting two ninjas. Crystal stood above them, decked in a suit of black and gold, her stance mirroring that of Lucy's. The second ninja, taller than Crystal, stood with his arms over his chest, his black suit detailed with crimson, a crimson band around the middle of his gauntlet. The smaller golden ninja disappeared and reappeared by Lucy's side instantly, an even, dark look on her features. "You are trespassing in Ninja territory." Her voice didn't waver; level and powerful simultaneously. "Leave. Now. Before I make you."
Lucy tilted her head a fraction, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Please do something." She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her sister, her toffee eyes focused on Elsa.
Elsa glanced between the two, snarling. "We're not through with you yet, Power Rangers!"
"Nor you, Dr. Oliver," Zeltrax added. Then, the two disappeared into a green portal.
Crystal turned to Lucy. "I only know…Zeltrax?" She asked, slowly speaking his name until Lucy nodded. "Oh, thank gods. I do have to ask, who's the woman?"
"Elsa." Kira answered from under her helmet. "Thanks for coming to save us."
"No problem." Crystal shrugged. "If we're getting technical, you are protected while in ninja territory."
Lucy leaned on her sister. "Perks. Anyways, both generals are psychotic."
"She seems crazier than he does." The taller blonde mentioned, moving to sit on the cliff's edge, letting his legs dangle the short distance.
Lucy winced, tilting her head. "Yeah. Yeah, Hunter. Zeltrax has been trying to kill me since I met him a few days ago."
Hunter nodded, pointing to the Rangers. "The next generation, huh?"
"Yeah," Lucy drew out. "Winds' don't know. Cam and Sensei do, but no one else."
"Next-generation?" Conner questioned from under his helmet
"We've been through this. We knew them." Crystal clarified. A second later, Hunter appeared at her side; an arm slung around her shoulders.
Dr. Oliver reached for the bag Lucy still had on, gently tugging it from her. "We better get these back to my place." He mentioned, shouldering the load himself.
"What were they?" Kira questioned, glancing at the bag.
"We're gonna ride them," Ethan told her.
"Huh?"
Conner moved to Dr. Oliver. "Look, I have to go back to tryouts. Can you guys handle this?"
Dr. Oliver patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah, go ahead, Conner. They can fill you in later."
"Thanks." Conner breathed, taking off.
Lucy turned to her sibling. "Just like I will fill you two in later."
Crystal nodded. "Right and not a word to the others."
"Thank you." The two sisters tapped their forearms, taking off in different directions.
Later that afternoon, Lucy sat at a table with Ethan and Kira, receiving texts from Shane and Tori about training earlier, having to make up an excuse since they were in the middle of the fight. "Sorry about earlier, guys." She spoke, dropping her pencil on the table.
"About what?" Kira asked, smiling up at her friend.
Lucy lifted a brow. "My sister and her boyfriend."
Ethan waved her off. "They're wickedly cool ninjas just trying to protect their territory; bound to happen, Luce." He paused. "Can I call you Luce?"
"I don't see why not." Lucy shrugged. "Just not Lu. That's only for my mom…and sometimes Crystal."
"Got it." Ethan nodded. He paused for a second, then glanced at his computer. "Man, Dr. O was into some weird and funky stuff. I don't even want to think about what he was hatching in that cave now."
"We won't have to wait too long to find out." Kira turned her head, her eyes locking into something at the door. "Whoa, who was that?"
Lucy glanced up from the table and saw a boy in a white undershirt and a white and black plaid over-shirt walking into the cafe. She quirked a brow at her friend. "Someone is interested." She laughed with Ethan.
Ethan turned to Kira. He laughed again, running his hand in front of her frozen face. "Hello, anyone in there?"
"He's really…wow, isn't he?" Kira spoke.
Ethan chuckled. "Can I get you a glass of water?"
"Maybe an oxygen mask," Lucy said, laughing with Ethan. The two continued to laugh while Kira continued to stare.
The Yellow Ranger seemed to snap out of it because she suddenly ducked her head. "Quiet, he's coming over here." She hissed at the two, watching him walk over to the three.
The boy approached the three. "Hey, I'm looking for Hayley. I'm supposed to start work today."
"Hey, haven't I seen you at Reefside?" Ethan asked, turning around in his chair.
"Yeah," He smiled. "I moved here a week ago. My name's Trent." He stuck his hand out.
"I'm Ethan. This was Kira and Lucy." Ethan introduced, shaking his hand.
Lucy waved. "Hey."
Trent moved to see the girl in yellow. "Hey." He told her. When she didn't answer, he leaned over more. "Are you okay?"
"She doesn't speak." Ethan jokingly told him.
Lucy nodded. "'We've been trying for years and just can't get through."
"I'm fine," Kira finally spoke. She turned to smile up at Trent. "It's nice to meet you." She stared pointedly at Ethan and Lucy before returning to her work.
"Trent, good timing." Hayley smiled, walking over. "Come with me, and I can get you started."
"Cool." Trent nodded. He turned to the three. "I'll see you guys later."
Ethan turned to Kira and Lucy the moment the two left. "Isn't he just so…ow!" The boy in blue cried when Kira kicked him in the shin, glancing around. She found Conner approaching the table, still in his soccer uniform with a mini red soccer ball. "Hey, how'd it go?"
"How'd it go?" Conner echoed, grumbling a second later. "It's over. The coach said forget it, and who can blame him? I mean, I left in the middle of practice."
"Well, it's not like you didn't have a good excuse." Kira tried, rising from her chair to follow Conner with Ethan, turning to motion for Lucy to follow. The ninja rose, jogging to the three to follow Conner to the couches.
"Right, well, maybe next time, I'll bring in a note from our teacher, 'Sorry, Conner couldn't make it to practice today. He's too busy fighting freaky-looking dinosaur things in the forest'."
"Conner, shh!" Kira snapped, glancing around to make sure that no one heard them.
"Doubt he's heard that one before," Ethan muttered, pushing Conner to the couches.
"Whatever." Conner sighed, plopping down on the couch. "The point was…what was I supposed to say. Man, this whole saving the world thing was starting to bum me out." He suddenly sat up. "I need to talk to Dr. Oliver."
Lucy smiled, breathing out and sitting down across from the Rangers. "I think Dr. O's busy." She pressed her hands onto her knees. "He's got a whole new project."
"Too bad." Conner glanced at all of them. "I was busy today. That didn't stop him from messing up my life." He moved from the couch.
"Wait!" Ethan called, removing himself from the couch and Kira on his tail.
An hour later, Lucy sat at the cafe, tucking into one of the corners of the computers. A notebook and her school notes were next to her. She was writing a paper for her English class that took slightly longer than expected. After too many words began to mix, Lucy jerked back, shoving the butts of her palms into her eyes. She shifted around, her phone vibrating in her back pocket. She reached for it, hoping it wasn't one of the Winds. Instead of finding another annoying message from Shane or a concerned one from Tori, it was an unknown number. Scrunching her eyebrows together, Lucy opened the message.
Unknown: Meet me at the Reefside soccer field.
The only person would be at the soccer fields at two pm on a Saturday. Conner. She quickly typed an answer, sending it out before moving to try to get back to her paper.
Lucy: I hate to be that person, but who is this? And how did you get my number?
Conner: It's Conner. Ethan texted it to me.
L: I really should tell Ethan to stop giving out my number.
L: Anyways, you could say please when asking me—very ominous, by the way—to meet up.
C: Haha, hilarious. I need to talk to someone who isn't the two of them or Dr. O.
L: Give me 10; I have to finish this paper.
Not even twenty minutes later, Lucy pulled into the Reefside High parking lot, rounding the building to the soccer field. She spotted Conner's Mustang and parked in the spot next to him. She clamored down from the silver jeep, locking it while jogging to the field's edge. Conner stood near a goal, his head down, kicking around a soccer ball. He didn't acknowledge her, much less hear her, when she pushed open the wire gate and walked over the running track to reach the field.
Squinting against the harsh sun, she tucked her hands under her arms, considering she had left her jacket in her car. "Am I going to die out here?" She hollered, gaining Conner's attention. The older teenager whipped his head up in surprise when she shouted, his brown eyes settling on her more petite frame trekking over to him. "'Cause I think if you kill me out here, Crystal will kill you, and I will haunt your ass for eternity."
Conner laughed, placing his foot on the ball while his hands sat on his hips, heaving a few breaths. "Depends on if you're mean to me today," He echoed her from a few days ago. He brushed his hair back, out of his face. "That's not soccer attire."
Lucy glanced down at the silver t-shirt, loose jeans rolled at the ankles, and black converse she had on. She turned back to him, scrunching her nose. "Wasn't planning on playing." She motioned to him. "Besides, I'm not a soccer star. I surf…and run."
"That's lame."
Lucy rolled her eyes, motioning to the parking lot. "I can leave you to the thoughts you wanted to talk about. I have no problem letting you wallow in your issues, McKnight." She turned to head back to her car when a hand wrapped around her bicep. She turned to see Conner shaking his head. "That's what I thought."
Conner towered over her. "What was that, Brewer?" He asked, his dark brown eyes meeting her toffee-colored eyes.
The two glared at each other for a second, then Lucy reached up, flicking the tip of his nose. "Out of my bubble, stinky." Lucy swept her gaze around before settling back on Conner. "You're really going to make me play? 'Cause I don't think I know how."
"What do you mean you don't know how?"
"My ex never taught me."
Conner clicked his tongue. "Right, Brian didn't want to teach you…but I will."
"What?" Lucy asked with bewilderment all over her face. She paused, staring at the taller brunet. "Conner McKnight, are…you doing something… nice for someone?"
The Red Ranger rolled his eyes, reaching over and shoving Lucy's head away. He chuckled when she laughed, batting his hand away. "Yeah, don't make such a big deal about it."
"I can…and I will." Lucy returned, smirking. "You didn't make me drag my ass out here to teach me to play, so, what's up?"
Conner practically flopped onto the grass, his body sprawled on the ground, the soccer ball sitting by his hip. "I can't be the Red Ranger." He announced, squinting up at the sky. "I spent my whole life playing soccer. I thought I was going professional after I graduated. And I ruined my one chance became of this." He lifted his bracelet, the red gem flickering in the sun.
Lucy moved to stand over him, peering down at him from where she was at his hip. "Are these doubts, or do you just want a normal life?"
"I can't lead. And I can't be a Power Ranger." Conner immediately replied, sighing deeply and throwing his hands over his face. "Is that so bad to ask for? No monsters and morphers?"
"Easier said than done," Lucy breathed, eyes sweeping over the field. "Rangers are given a gift. One to defend the lives of those who can't fight for themselves. A reminder of everything great in this world. Most took the opportunity and turned it into something great. Some didn't want it at first, but after some realizations, they knew why they were chosen."
Conner moved to lean on his forearms. "You sound like you've been through this."
Lucy shrugged. "Nope, stories." She shot back, smiling. "Look, I know you'll make the right choice. You could have ignored the call from Ethan and left us alone to fend off Elsa and Zeltrax. But you didn't. I think it's because you can do much more than you think." She laughed when Conner stuck his hand out. Using all her weight against him, the smaller ninja managed to help him back to his feet.
Conner stared down at her. "Don't get philosophical on me, Lucy Brewer."
"Oh. My. God, Conner McKnight knows my last name." Lucy joked, feigning excitement. "Does this mean he's gonna date and dump me?"
"Haha." Conner deadpanned, then paused. "I don't date and dump."
"Oh yes, you do. I have seen it, and I have heard all about it." Lucy moved to grab the soccer ball. "You are a 'date and dump'er. You probably always will be. At least, that's what the girls and Brian called you,"
"I thought telling you my feelings would make you stop picking on me." Conner joked.
Lucy tilted her head, mouth agape. "You did not think that was going to work?" She laughed when Conner nodded. "Conner, I believe we can be friends. You'll get used to me poking fun at you."
"As long as you're okay with it getting returned."
"I think I can handle that." Lucy laughed. "Were you going to hold your word and teach me how to play? 'Cause I think I only know about getting it to the net."
Conner laughed. "A kid knows that."
"I walked into that one, huh?"
"Yes, you did."
"Well, the other thing I know was… I'm going to try to kick your butt." Lucy dropped the ball in front of her. Then, she took off with Conner chasing her. She glanced back to see Conner on her tail. "I regret my decision to try and kick your butt!" She yelled, trying to outrun him. Despite the miles and miles Lucy ran last year, nothing compared to Conner being able to catch up to her. Lucy was about to make a shot when Conner came out of nowhere and took the ball from her. "Conner!"
He turned around, laughing at the former Ranger. "You thought that was gonna work?" He dodged Lucy's attempt to regain the ball and successfully shot the ball into the net. Lucy turned a glare his way while she leaned heavily on her knees, looking like she wanted to tackle him, but before she could move, something caught her eye on the other side of the field.
Brian Albright stood there, hands in his pockets. Lucy stood straighter, breathing out while vaguely knowing that Conner was right behind her, thanks to his shadow and stink. Conner glared at Brian and then turned down to Lucy. "What the hell is he doing here?" He quietly asked.
The brunette turned around, sighing and rubbing her forehead. "I've been seeing him everywhere." She murmured. "It's like he's stalking me." Lucy turned around in time to see Brian marching over to the two of them. "Great, just what I need."
Brian smiled at her. "Never thought I'd see the day when Lucy Brewer stepped onto the soccer field."
Lucy shot him a tight-lipped smile. "Figured I'd branch out."
"I thought you ran?"
"I do," Lucy answered. "Doesn't mean I'm not open to learning something new." She tilted her head. "Is there something I can not help you with?"
Brian smirked. "I play soccer, remember, babe?"
Conner cleared his throat. "I didn't invite you."
"I don't have to be invited to play on the school field, do I, McKnight?" Brian snapped back. "Why are you two here? You've never hung out unless we were all together."
"Does it matter?" Conner asked, folding his hands under his arms. He shifted around, letting Lucy stand behind him while he stood against Brian. "If I remember, you left her, didn't you?"
"Doesn't mean you can hang out with her." Brian returned. "She's my ex-girlfriend."
Conner scoffed. "She's not property, Brian. And she isn't yours. So get lost."
Brian stepped closer to the taller soccer player. "What if I don't want to?"
"Get lost, Brian." Lucy snarked, stepping around Conner to match Brian's stance. "Nobody even wanted you here." Brian got close to Lucy, lifting his fist. At that moment, Lucy caught his fist, spun around, and flipped him over on his back. "Don't make me hand you your ass again." She walked away, moving to the other side of the field. She turned around to see Conner jogging over to her. "Don't…say anything."
Conner chuckled. "I wasn't." He stated. "I was going to ask if you're okay."
Lucy nodded. "I will be." She turned to see Brian stalking off the field, no doubt to head back to his car. She shuttered. "He's getting to be a little too much."
"Why did you date him?"
Lucy shrugged. "He was interested." She offered, then sighed, sitting on the grass. Conner sat near her. "At least, I thought he was." She sucked on a tooth for a second. "And the sad part is, I-I believed him. I believed all of it."
The ninja turned to look finally at Conner, reeling slightly when she saw the faint rage in his eyes. "Lucy." He spoke.
Lucy shook her head. "It's—it's ancient history at this point." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, and she shrugged. "Nothing I can change."
"McKnight!" The two teenagers turned around and found a man walking toward them. He wore a maroon-colored jacket with the symbol of the Reefside Wave on the front.
"Coach," Conner called out, climbing to his feet. He pulled Lucy from her spot, then jogged over to the coach. "What were you doing here?"
"Got a call from one of your teachers. He told me it was his fault you had to leave today." The coach replied.
"Does this mean I have a shot?"
"You always had a shot, son." The coach chuckled. "You sure you want this? You're willing to give up everything."
The boy in red nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"All right, I'll let you know." The coach moved past Conner, nodding to Lucy, who now had the red soccer ball in her hands.
Conner turned around, smiling and running at Lucy. The ninja ungracefully shrieked when Conner wrapped his arms around her, lifting her in the air. "Conner!" She yelled, her arms around his neck to keep herself from falling if he let go. "Put me down; you stink."
The Red Ranger laughed. "Why? I'm happy."
The Silver Guardian glanced down at Conner with a confused look. "Then why are you hugging me?"
"Because you heard him. I have a shot." Conner finally released her, setting her back on her feet.
Lucy tilted her head, frowning. "If that's what you want." She turned to see Kira and Ethan rounding the bleachers. "Oh, thank the gods." She muttered, rolling the ball around her hands.
Ethan chuckled, patting Conner on the shoulder. "Hey, bro,"
"Things okay with the coach?" Kira questioned, watching the Reefside Wave coach walk away from the field. She stopped by Lucy, taking in the red soccer ball she possessed and the slight heaving of her breath.
"Yeah, I think so." Conner nodded. "Listen, I'm sorry, you guys. You gotta understand."
Kira nodded. "Yeah, we do."
"She does more than me, but if it's what you want," Ethan added, pointing to Kira.
Conner turned to Lucy. "Nothing philosophical to add?"
"Do or Do Not. There is no try," Lucy stated. She then shrugged. "Besides, I already gave you my two cents."
Ethan turned to her. "Did you just quote Star Wars?"
Lucy blinked in fake bewilderment. "He asked for something philosophical. Yoda was pretty philosophical…I think. I missed a whole section of the movies but would recommend watching." She leaned over to Kira. "Especially if you want to fall asleep."
Kira threw an arm around Lucy, pulling her into a side hug. "Lucy Brewer, do not ever change."
"I hope not," Lucy stated, dropping the ball. "Changing personalities is weird…and terrifying."
At that moment, all three morphers beeped. "Guys, we have a situation." Dr. Oliver reported. "There was a monster attacking the city. People were in danger."
The Rangers glanced at each other. Lucy groaned. "For the love of Luna, go save the world. After this, you can do whatever you want, McKnight. I'm going to head…somewhere. Thanks for the soccer game." Lucy dropped the ball, disappearing from the view of the three Rangers.
"Soccer game?" Ethan questioned.
"Don't ask."
"No, Conner, we will." Kira returned.
Conner sighed. "Look, this was the last time." He glanced around and stepped forward. "Ready?"
"Ready?"
Dino Thunder, Power Up!
Later in the afternoon, Lucy sat at the bar with her sister and Hunter, the three chatting away. She glanced down the bar, finding Ethan and Conner leaning on the top, talking. Both waved to the ninjas, smiling. They moved to the three. "I didn't expect to see you here." The Blue Ranger commented, leaning on the bar.
"Why not?" Conner questioned, mirroring his stance. "We're partners in crime-fighting, right?"
"Are we?" Ethan returned.
"We are."
Ethan patted Conner on the shoulder and moved to sit near Crystal and Hunter, who leaned over to join the conversation. "Hey, what happened with the Wave?"
"I had to make a choice," Conner told him. "That little girl and Lucy's advice…they made me realize there's nothing more important than what we were doing."
"Hey, Conner," Hayley spoke, appearing between the two boys behind the bar. "Sorry that you didn't make the team."
Conner shrugged. "Yeah, well."
Hayley pulled two bottles from the fridge and cracked them open. "On the house." She disappeared.
Conner chuckled. "How does she do that?"
"Hayley knows everything, man." Ethan joked. "And I'm sorry too."
Lucy leaned over. "I'm convinced she's magic." She laughed, earning a bop on her side from her sister.
"Yeah, you know I'd still choose you guys, right?"
Ethan's face broke out into a smile. "Yeah, I know." He walked off.
Conner turned when he felt someone hit his shoulder lightly. "Proud of you." Lucy smiled, leaning on the bar. "It's not an easy choice a Ranger has to make. It's one of the hardest. But I promise you, I don't think you'll regret it."
"Thanks for the advice."
"Happy to be of philosophical assistance."
"I don't think quoting Yoda was the right advice."
Lucy shrugged. "Got the point across, didn't it?" She smiled at Trent, who appeared seconds after the question left Lucy's lips. "Hey."
"Thanks, guys," Hayley spoke over the microphone, turning all attention to her. "Tonight, we've got something extraordinary for you. A young woman with a lot to say. Ladies and gentlemen, Kira Ford!"
Kira moved to the microphone, her attention between the crowd and her guitar. "And it goes like this. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I can't tell you why but I can't stop thinking about you, baby. Oh yeah. Don't you think it's time I walked around every word you're saying? Trying hard to figure it out. Tell me what it's all about because I don't want to freak you out. Freak you out. Freak you out."
Ethan turned to Conner and Lucy. "Hey, wasn't Dr. O supposed to be here?"
All three Rangers and the former Rangers missed that Dr. Oliver was on his way until Zeltrax interrupted. Then, in a flash of green, Dr. Oliver disappeared from in front of the cafe.
Next Episode: Legacy of Power