SPD: In The Shadows

Chapter 4: What Soda can do

All alone in his dark room, he pondered for the longest time, over the mysterious woman. "No! I cannot let some lowly human distract me. If she gets in my way, I'll cru-... I will cruu... Ah! Why can't I say it?!" Furious Gruumm was, unbeknownst to him his voice cracked when he stomped his foot. "Ah... I'm tired, that's it," His head shook irritably as he sat in his chair.

Power, no connections, as distant from others as she can get, several grumbles escaped him at the thought. "How do the Power Rangers not know of this woman? A weapon sitting right in front of them and they don't even realize it. Such potential, such a creature could send cities into chaos! I am curious what else she can do!" Quickly he stood with a tight fist, however, his movements knocked over something near his feet with a faint thud and caused his head to look down. "Huh?" There on the floor lay a bottle of soda, which he received from the mysterious woman.

Picking it up, the plastic container was barely visible in the surrounding darkness but gave it a long and silent stare. "Never in my life- have I met anyone... Apologize for almost killing me. Her power though, she could be of use to me!" After pondering the idea and humming soon after, a slight tilt of his expressionless skull was proof of his curiosity.

Even though he was careful when he twisted off the cap, fizz overflowed on the sides and almost soaked his pants. "What trickery is this?! Did she do this on purpose?!" Roaring angrily, he shook his free hand and his feet to remove most of the liquid that nearly drenched him. One more look at the bottle gave him a conclusion that it wasn't and he sure felt stupid, which only enticed more anger.

"The way humans preserve such things is annoying and inconveniencing!" His voice echoed through the room and welcomed the quietness of the dark once more.

After two or three minutes, he stood there weighing his options of either throwing it away or drinking it, thus he did a quick swig and froze. Another sip, then one more, maybe a couple extra, the next thing he knew he found himself drinking the entire bottle with little to no stops in between. "What is this beverage?! I need more!" Delicious was an understatement to him, for his hand crushed it easily with a harsh crinkle of the plastic and whipped his head toward the exit of his room. "I'd have to go to her for more, won't I?" Long strides soon led him to the door and left without another thought.

~~~~

The afternoon sun hung high as Feige explored the streets. With a hood past her eyes and her head low, her faded purple sneakers trekked through shortcuts to further herself from the citizens.

I can't believe it. Of all days why do the clouds have to loom over my head? Oh, wait... That would be nice since it's so hot but soaking my jacket isn't. Sighing, leaning her head back, no longer was she around people. It gave her a sense of relaxation and her gaze remained on the clouds that shielded the fiery ball of death.

A faint flush dusted her cheeks upon last night's event. How the shady man leaped over the rotted wood fence, his deep voice, and the way he tried to take back his card, which she found funny, had lingered. It was hard not to giggle at his behavior and the awkward air he expressed when he was caught red-handed. Her small smile was soon slapped off when she brought her hands to her cheeks and shut her eyes. No! I can't think about stuff like that! Just because he looked hot under the moonlight doesn't mean I should feel anything for it! Come on, I'm better than that! As I said, he could be a bad person for all I know, and getting mixed up with that wouldn't be right... Would it? With a deep breath, she did her best to calm down and continued to focus on the nice seclusion.

'I get it'... He said. What does he get? What does he understand? I lose control of my power, then I end up killing people! So what is it that he understands?! Has he been in a similar situation? Has he killed people before? Does he... Have a power that's killed others by accident, too? This time pain made her heart clench, to know if he possibly had something similar happen to him or currently is, had saddened her. "I... I hope he's okay, then," A deep frown and half-lidded eyes proved her sympathy.

Soon a gentle breeze that cooled her warm face helped soothe her mind, however, cries that were carried by it wiped the sensation she felt away and left her with questions. What the... Who's screaming? Curious and concerned she sprinted around a corner and peeked past a wall, to see the Power Rangers.

There she saw the team, fighting an alien who she couldn't describe in detail. Left and right, the team fought on and overwhelmed the strange creature. Their teamwork amazed Feige, for she knew that most fights involving the Power Rangers were hardly ever seen in person.

Finally, after they defeated the creature and locked him down into a strange card, the green ranger pointed in her direction. Most likely to inform them that someone had watched their short fight. Quickly her back turned to them and began to walk away as fast as her feet could carry.

"Hey! Hey, why were you standing there? You could've gotten hurt," It was the same woman from before, clad in her yellow suit and helmet.

The footsteps Feige heard turned into a short jog to catch up to her and it was enough to make the woman stiffen upon her approach. "I- I'm sorry. I heard screaming and... Well, I..." Nervous, the very thought of looking at the ranger made words stumble as she tried to speak. Her heart rate, her faintly quivering hands inside her pockets, and the skips in her breath when she was answering said just how uneasy she felt.

"You thought you could come help, huh? It's a good thing you didn't come barging into the fight, otherwise, that baddie would've taken you as a hostage," The yellow ranger's words reached the woman's ears despite their gazes not being connected. "You're that woman, aren't you? The one I gave the jacket to?"

Silence, Feige remained as still as a statue in a frozen winter. Devastation filled her mind as a tornado siren would among a storm, the very thought frightened her and didn't know how to truly answer.

"Come on, you have to be. I remember how much that jacket was worth and Jack said it was tossed out by some citizen; Power down," Upon her words, the suit she wore cast a light behind the hooded woman.

"P- Please... Just stay away from m- me. Yes, I am... I never g- got to thank you before so- thank you. I kept this jacket for a long time since then. So, please... Since you know. Leave me alone," Feige whipped around and did her best to keep her head low with no eye contact, for her gaze stayed glued to the ground to not stir any more conversation.

"You don't have to be scared of us. You do know we're the good guys, right?" A cautious step forward, subtle, the woman in yellow did her best to be careful and not give her any reason to run away.

"Yesterday... I saw you up on a rooftop. You looked like you were going to jump and when I climbed to the top you weren't there... Miss- are you alright?" Pure concern laced her voice just as anyone with a badge would, but hers sounded more sincere than most officers she ran into. The movement of her feet showed when she leaned over and tried to peek under that large hood, until, the mysterious woman turned away.

She knew the other rangers stood idly behind her a good distance away and watched, but she hardly cared. Her faded sneakers crumbled the pebbles beneath as she stepped back, more and more, until she ran away from them. Ignoring the call of the yellow ranger, around corners and through thin paths in alleyways Feige was trying to do zigzags in hopes of losing them; if they chose to give chase.

To the side, she saw a small hole, a drain pipe that appeared to be as untouched as most slums she visited. Quickly inside she crawled and hid just to watch the other woman sprint past. Stay away from me, stay away! I don't want anyone to get killed! Fear spiked as she scooted further into the hole and jumped at the sight of the red ranger.

"Z- why are you chasing after her? I know you told me at the base, that she tried to suicide yesterday and you wanted to stop her, but I don't think chasing her down like this will help either," A moment, quiet, Feige could tell by the sound of his voice that he was pondering the issue. "Come on, we need to report back to the Commander," The red ranger continued and as he spoke, his voice began to grow more distant, which meant to Feige that they were further away.

"Think about it, brother, she could be in danger! For all we know, she could be tangled up in something and can't ask for help," Quiet and quieter their conversation became.

"Then let's tell him about her, he might have us investigate later- who knows," Slowly, past the side of the pipe Feige peeked her eyes at their backsides and saw them turn a corner.

They're heading back, good. What's not good is that they're going to involve me now. Talk to their Commander? Dear lord, I really need to find another place to live. I don't want anything to do with anyone, not even the Rangers. Why is it so hard to avoid them? Clearly, upset, her feet were careful not to scrape the back of her calves on the rough cement pipe when she crawled back out.

It wasn't long until thunder rolled through the sky, her quiet steps through the alleyways eventually led her to a clearing. Sidewalks filled with citizens and hover transports in the sky; across the street from her was a much smaller park than the last one she sat at. Left and right, both ways were checked before her feet attempted to cross.

Past others who paid her no mind, onto a path that led further into the park, the soft grass soon brushed against her tattered sneakers when she neared a community bench and ignored some kids who played on swing sets.

It was raining just like this on that day. Half-lidded eyes showed swirls of pain, thoughts about her past resurfaced after she sat down and pulled her knees close. The hood she had gave her some protection from the rain that poured, however, it did her legs no justice and drenched her shorts. Arms around the top of her shins, her mouth was buried into the fabric of her sleeves when she started to drift into depression.

Images of blood in a building kept flashing through her eyes like a living nightmare she couldn't avoid. Heads, arms, severed bodies, crimson which tainted the walls and floor all made her curl into herself and sink further into her arms.

However, a sudden vibration on the bench made her head lift to see who it was. From the crevice of her elbow, her violet eyes peeked out and saw the same shady man from the past couple of days. Leaning over with his elbows on his knees and staring at her quietly under the rain.

To say she was shocked would be an understatement. For sure she thought he wouldn't show up again but there he was, expecting some sort of conversation. "If you run away again, I'll send some of my min... A- A robot after you," The man clad in black hesitated for a moment and pondered his words carefully. Anything that could give away who he is wouldn't be a good idea, since the Power Rangers were always on high alert.

"I-... I won't," Timid, afraid, Feige didn't know what to say or do. The silent patter of the rain supported the silence that hovered between them, it was like quiet company she never thought she'd enjoy. Despite her anxiety, despite the fear of possibly overreacting and causing her power to act, it felt as though he was trying to be cautious not to frighten her again.

Several minutes passed before the man's lips opened to speak. "I want more of that drink you gave me, now," He demanded with a harsh tone and moved his hand to her in hopes of her doing as he ordered. Seeing her flinch and look at his hand then back to his face, made him push further. "Woman- I said I want more! Now give me another one!" Angry, this time his eyes cast a crimson hue that pierced through the shade over his face. He watched her reach into her oversized jacket and pull out some sort of green material, money that she earned.

Into his hand, Feige placed a couple of dollars and shyly smiled at his confused expression. His knitted brows and the way he stared at the money almost made her giggle. "G- Go buy it yourself. They're in almost every convenience store," Her shy smile tried to hide from him when her head tilted to let her hood cover her more but alas, he saw.

Slowly her eyes peeked back up at him again to watch him stuff the money into his long coat and couldn't help but overhear the grumble when his head turned away.

"Where are these so-called Convenient Stores? I'm not familiar with this filthy planet and its culture," Disgust laced his words as he looked around to observe the citizens who wandered about. The frown on his lips proved his annoyance for the world.

"It... Is a filthy place, isn't it? B- Behind us, there's... a store," Up ahead she saw the kids as before, run to their parents who scolded them for being in the rain. "F- Feige... I'm Feige. You?" Curious now, once more she looked at him and stared for the longest time. It felt like an entire minute or two when she caught herself staring at his strong jaw and sharp eyes, which she had to avert her attention. Feige, stop it! Why am I trying to introduce myself?! He could be a bad guy! Panicked thoughts filled her mind when she quickly shook her head and buried her face.

It was as though the mysterious man hesitated to so much as speak, for he grumbled and pondered names for a minute, one that he could quickly throw together. "Grim," With that, he stood and turned to face the distant street.

"Wow... Cool name," Her faint giggle and shy smile made itself known when her head lifted again to watch him. Did he smile for a second? Blinking, curious, she perked up and could've sworn a smirk showed. Watching him adjust his coat and roll his neck around, some veins showed before he was done. Whoa... He's even got muscle in his neck.~ Wait, oh come on! Can't I for a moment, NOT check him out? Several bats of her eyes made her focus on him falter, nonetheless watched him make his way to the store behind them with flushed cheeks.

Into the store he went, for Feige followed after to watch through the windows and saw him pull out a bottle of Grape Soda from the mini fridge next to the register. Onto the counter the drink was placed, to which the cashier scanned, and the money Feige gave him was slapped onto the surface. Anger issues? With a tilt of her head, her violet eyes remained glued to him. Some leftover change was given and a receipt, when the soda was put into a bag.

After she watched him take the bag, long strides toward the exit made her back away and avoid the bulldozer of a man, who nearly toppled a customer over. "Y- You're welcome?" Whispering, she thought he didn't hear but his sudden halt said otherwise.

Grumbling and turning his head to her, his eyes were following her as she strode along the sidewalk ignoring him. To say he wasn't annoyed by the silent treatment would be a lie, for he decided to stay behind her and watch closely.

Thoughts stirred in his dark human eyes. The weapon was right in front of him, he knew if he grabbed her she would most likely do the same to him as she had in the large park a couple of days ago. From the plastic bag, out came the bottle of soda, and not once did his gaze on her falter.

Feige had no idea he was following her, for a nice little tune came out as a soft hum after turning into a dark alley. Head bobbing and swaying to the theme she sang, with a cute little twirl amid her walk.

"Hold it!" A voice, sharp and deep, made her pause and see an alien male come around with a group of others who donned some sort of weapon. His orange head and strange pointed teeth made it difficult to even make out an expression, but she didn't need to see it to know they were going to gang up. "Nice... This human's got pretty eyes. What do you think, boys? Do you think she's got anything worth it? She'd sell pretty good in my opinion," From a tilt of his head, the blunt weapon was propped up onto his shoulder, and glanced over at the others who began to surround her.

"I don't think this is wise, boss. Those eyes... I saw them before from somewhere. This isn't a good idea, my gut's telling me not-" One of the henchmen who stood to the woman's far side, was soon overrun by their leader's harsh words.

"Your gut's wrong, too! Whatever, let's grab quick before anyone sees," The orange-headed figure popped his neck and pulled down his weapon, with careful steps closer.

"D- Don't! Please don't! I don't want to kill you! I don't want to k- kill you by accident!" Feige felt fear up her spine, for her anxiety filled her mind and shook her limbs like a rattlesnake's tail.

"Haha, kill us? The roles are reversed here, cutie," The leader spoke only to hear the bending of metal above their heads and the cracking of glass from the nearby windows. The whole group looked around to see and returned their attention to her. They hardly noticed Gruumm in his human form, who hid behind the corner to watch the show. He too saw the cracks and bent metals around them.

"I'm s- serious! Don't come any closer! Y- You'll die!" Tears began to trickle down her face the closer they came and it made her own feet back away.

"Enough of your stupidity, lady!" One of the others raced after with a wrench and was about to swing when the woman crouched down.

"Stay away!" Tight into herself, crouching close to her knees and her arms hugging her chest, she screamed.

Not just hers but their screams also followed suit; Gruumm saw it all. Bent metal sheets flew and cut someone in half, pipes flung like boomerangs and caught a guy's neck pinning him to a wall, and glass shards fell like hail from above. Larger pieces of glass pierced skulls and other limbs, which left only a few of the henchmen to bleed to death.

Shaking, crying, devastation riddled her face after she fell onto her knees. "I said not to! I said not to! Why didn't you guys listen!?" Heavier tears stained her jacket in the heavy rain and was difficult to even bring herself back to her senses. However, a rough hand pulled her to her feet and forced her to walk out of the alley, and back to the main part of the street.

The rain had already started to wash the blood away, save for the fresh corpses that lingered in the shadows. She was dumbfounded and slowly looked up to see who dragged her along, it was none other than Grim whom she just received the name of. Not once did he look down at her, his focus was on the crowd of people who ignored her disheveled state and kept on the path that led to her hidden home.

He... Did he drag me away? W- Why? Did he see it? Did he... Confused, even in her mind she tumbled over her words and was too much in shock. So much carnage in seconds, a revisit of her past before her, just to get dragged away by a man who didn't at all seem bothered by it.

After several minutes of walking through the downpour and reaching the makeshift home behind the fence, Feige was watching the tall guy parkour over it as he did last night.

An awkward silence filled the air between them when they lingered there for a moment. A little bit of time passed and snapped out of her stupor enough to make her way inside. When she turned around to face the shady man and pulled her hood down, she noticed how he simply stood there with his attention on the stormy clouds.

Drenched from head to toe, worry laced her voice after her hand shyly grasped the fabric of his coat's arm. "You'll get sick," Quietly she spoke with a tug on his arm and tried to gesture for him to step inside. Eyes low and head down, shame and embarrassment would've been noticeable if she continued to look at him. Further in and to the side she stepped, the slit of her tent was soon pulled away for him to enter.

"Don't pity me! I'm not so weak as to get sick. I've fought armies before, this wouldn't hurt me at all!" Grim spat with disgust, the audacity, to think she'd say that only irked him and made him feel as though she looked down on him. However, when he yelled, he hadn't noticed his voice crack from a faint fluster that threatened to show on his cheeks.

"I- I'm not pitying you... Am I not allowed to worry?" Taken aback, eyes wide with concern, she watched him facepalm and grumble. This was the first time Feige had ever tried to talk this much to someone, especially someone she just met, and it made her anxiety begin to faintly rise.

"No- you're not," Close to her face he leaned down and stared into her violet eyes, to make sure she knew her place.

Too close, too close! Red tainted her cheeks at the mere inches between their faces when he did that, it was hard not to see his sharp eyes examine the rest of her; however, it was short-lived. To the side, she watched him step and was about to take his leave, when her hand gently grasped the back of his coat. "Thank you... For p- pulling me out of there," As if on cue, the rain stopped and the hot sun peeked through the clouds. When the distant thunder rumbled, she thought it was him since he does the same.

Quiet, he stood still for a minute or so before he continued his way and left her in the hidden alley with her makeshift home.

~~~~

In the same ship deep into space, stood Gruumm; leaning over next to the fully grown child. "I have found someone capable of defeating the power rangers," low and triumphant he gloated to the dark-haired woman who held her doll.

The grand display he saw from Feige still floated in his mind, the gruesome images he didn't want to forget. With some training, she could truly be a devastating weapon! I didn't want anyone else to see what she could do, no one else needed to know about my future trump card. His thoughts echoed excitedly for a moment before he continued with the current topic. However, before he returned to his ship moments ago, he couldn't stop thinking of the words she said to him; Thank you, which echoed in his mind like a broken record.

"I could've found someone!" In a chair, annoyed with a small pout, if anyone had said she was happy it would've been a lie.

"But you didn't... I did! The Legendary Protector of Kyoto, the Samurai Katana," As if the name would cast fear into anyone when he'd speak it, he emphasized with a small bit of fascination.

"Samurai?" Confused, with knitted brows the woman looked at Gruumm and couldn't for the life of her figure out what a Samurai was.

"Yes. Katana was not always a Samurai. He is an alien, his spacecraft crash-landed on Earth where he was found by a human Samurai in Kyoto Japan. He was nursed back to health and once healthy- he took up their ways and became the first alien Samurai," His explanation was quickly interrupted by the overgrown child's question, of how he managed to get there and he continued.

"Two words... Time Portal. I brought Katana from 160 years ago to the present day. He is the perfect weapon to defeat the Power Rangers! Maybe," Hilariously he paused upon the short and mumbled word 'maybe', for he already had a weapon in mind that he believed could help him. "With a little help, from Broodwing," Over to a tall bat-like creature whose head stayed inside a glass container, his hand directed and heard a silent whine of defeat from the woman from his side.

"At your service, Emperor," Glinting in the darkness were three piercing eyes through the glass container.

Off of the floor, Gruumm leaned over to pick up the very plastic bag from before. "Ah... Yes," The bottle of Grape Soda he bought with Feige's couple of dollars had its cap twisted open, with a hiss that seemed to satisfy him. Once the cap was off, both the woman and Broodwing looked over at him, confused, to see the Emperor down a few gulps.