That afternoon, Abbey slowly ascended the steps of the museum, her mood rising only slightly as she saw there Miguel was already there, waiting.
"Hey," he smiled.
"Hey," Abbey replied, although her tone betrayed her half-heartedness. "Any idea why Erika wanted to meet?"
Miguel shook his head and shrugged; it seemed that they were all in the dark.
Abbey had to admit feeling uneasy when she'd first received Erika's message, sent by text instead of the usual call over the communicator. All it said was that she'd explain when she saw them, and more pointedly in Abbey's eyes, Erika had also asked to meet out the front. Not in the lab.
None of which implied things that Abbey was comfortable with, leaving her and the others to nervously wait for whatever it was their Red Ranger wanted to tell them. At least she had Miguel to keep her company until then.
"I feel like I barely saw you today," he admitted. "You doing okay? I know first-hand that Ender packs a harder punch than he looks."
"I'm doing okay," Abbey admitted, only for her lingering mood to reassert itself and resettle in her chest. "I guess I'm just… I'm still feeling a little down about Brandon."
"Is he that kid you were telling me about?" Miguel asked. "The one you used to do the volunteering program for?"
Abbey nodded. "I know he's just a kid, and some things are hard for him to understand but… I don't know, do you think he was right? Did I abandon him?"
Miguel looked like he wanted to reply, only to close his mouth and look away in uncertainty. So much for reassurance.
"'No Abbey, you're doing all you can,'" Abbey prompted for him. "He just doesn't realize how important what you're doing is.'"
"Sorry," Miguel admitted sheepishly. "You're right. What you're doing is important. You're trying to help so many people, and you're working hard to make your community an even better place. The fact that you care so much about that is something I really admire in you."
At first, Abbey smiled, feeling her cheeks turn pink at the compliment. But then the warmth faded, picking up the hint in his tone. "Why do I get the feeling there's a 'but' coming?"
Miguel again looked away, betraying the coming clarification with his sheepish uncertainty.
"No, I want to hear it," Abbey insisted. "What are you thinking?"
"I guess," Miguel said awkwardly. "When you're working as hard as you are to do as much good as possible, it's easy for the little things to fall through the cracks."
"What do you mean?"
"Well…" Miguel trailed off, breathing in as if he were nervously trying to find the right words. "Do you know one reason why I bounced between so many foster homes?"
Abbey shook her head. She knew the individual stories, he'd confided that to her, but she had to assume that Miguel wasn't talking about the specifics.
"I was never a tragedy case," Miguel admitted. "It wasn't a great situation, that was for sure, but as far as kids to take in were concerned, there were always others with bigger problems and higher needs. I always ended up somewhere, but always in places that hadn't been checked properly. It wasn't until I started becoming a regular runaway risk that they started paying attention to where I was going."
"Miguel," Abbey gasped. "That's awful."
"It's no one's fault," Miguel insisted. "There are so many kids needing care and only so many people to sort it all out. It makes sense that the hardest cases get the most attention, but it also means that the less serious ones don't always get the care they need. Because they're doing fine already, right?"
"Is that what you think?" Abbey realized, her voice a soft gasp as it slowly dawned on her. "That ignored him because I thought he'd be fine anyway?"
Miguel looked like he was trying to answer, to find a way to soften the blow or deliver the reality more diplomatically. Abbey beat him to it.
"I think you're right," she admitted. "When this started, I was just happy that I could be helping someone. But then I saw all the other kids that still needed someone, how many missed out because not enough "big siblings" signed up? And I guess I kind of got wrapped in all of that and forgot why I started in the first place."
She'd been so warmed by how much Brandon had lit up whenever he saw her, that she'd wanted to bring the feeling to the world. To find a way for other kids to feel supported and safe, just like him. It was what had caused Abbey's first conversation with her Mom, about how people at City Hall could build more awareness in the community.
But in helping more, she'd left Brandon behind.
"I really owe him an apology, huh?" Abbey said sheepishly, and while Miguel didn't rub it in, he didn't deny it either.
"I guess, sometimes," Miguel said. "Helping one person is just as important as helping everyone. You do amazing things, Abbey, and don't let anyone make you think otherwise. It's just that sometimes it's worth looking back, just to make sure nothing's fallen through the cracks without you realizing."
There was something about Miguel's voice, a soft frankness that seemed to resonate within her. An assurance and understanding of how she went wrong but also how hard she'd work to make it better. An open honesty that Abbey couldn't help but appreciate, knowing the pains Miguel was making to be open and sincere, to show that it was coming from the right place.
A place of wanting to help.
"Hey, Miguel," Abbey said softly, pulling a stray hair behind her ear and looking up to stare into his deep, brown eyes. "Thanks, I think it's what I needed to hear."
"You didn't need me," Miguel blushed. He really was cute when he was humble. "You'd have got there on your own."
"Doesn't mean you didn't help."
"Then I'm happy to help."
God, she loved that smile.
Abbey's heart thumped against her chest, every beat pushing her forward, closer toward him, a lightness overtaking her as it slowly lifted her to her toes. Miguel seemed to feel it too, a silent calling that reeled him closer, Abbey's head tilting ever so slightly upward in soft invitation. Miguel leaned closer, head bending down to level with gaze.
With her lips…
And then he broke away, nervously parting as, for a split-second, it left her hanging. Blinking in confused disbelief, Abbey's heels cemented themselves back down as she too looked away, and embarrassment flushed through her.
Idiot.
She had no idea if Miguel was actually interested; she just knew she wanted him to be interested. And there she was throwing herself at him with no idea of whether it was actually in line with anything he desired.
Although… Miguel didn't seem to be actually objecting…
And for a while there he seemed just as drawn and willing…
GAH!
Neither looked at the other, both pairs of eyes finding something absolutely fascinating on the concrete steps as they stood in awkward silence. The only thing that could make things more awkward was if…
"Hey, guys," Zeke grinned as he arrived at the bottom, only to pause and raise an eyebrow as he noticed the purposeful, awkward gap between the two.
"Hi, Zeke," Abbey replied. "Any word from Erika?"
"No…" he said suspiciously, eyes flicking between them. "I'm guessing I just got the same message as…"
"Hey, guys!"
All turned, Abbey and Miguel pointedly faster than Zeke, seeing Erika hurrying toward them. She reached the top of the stairs, looking puffed, eyes a mixture of confusion and fury.
"Thanks for coming," she said. "I know the message I sent must have seemed kind of weird."
"No kidding," Zeke admitted. "What up?"
And then she told them, and their jaws nearly hit the floor.
"No way…!" Miguel gasped.
"I don't believe it…" Zeke agreed.
Abbey couldn't even find the words to describe her shock, instead sitting there, mind spinning and trying to push the abject revulsion she was feeling. Lena was having appointments with Ray… and he was helping!
"There's got to be a reasonable explanation," she suggested, although even her usual optimistic demeanor was struggling to sound convincing.
"Well, he better have one," Erika growled. "Because I'm feeling far from reasonable right now. Come on."
So that was why she'd asked them to meet outside, so that Erika would have the cavalry by her side when she went in guns blazing. Abbey wanted to stop her, an instinctive drive to pause the conflict, but for the life of couldn't find a convincing argument. Not even for herself.
Ray had kept this from them, and one way or another they deserved answers. Erika was already charging ahead, storming through the museum door in readiness for confrontation. As a united front, the other three followed. They strode through the halls, otherwise quiet for Monday afternoon, winding around to the back hall to find the secret elevator.
"Can I help you?"
The voice cut through their fury, echoing off the walls as the four teens spun around at the surprise intrusion. Dressed in an aubergine, slim-fitted, knee-length dress, the dark-haired woman narrowed her eyes at them through her thick-framed glasses. Jessica Finley, Hilary's assistant.
Suddenly it was as if all anger had fled them, caught like deer in headlights as their brains scrambled for something even resembling an excuse.
"Members of the public shouldn't be back here," Jessica told them, shiny, black heels clicking on the hallway tiles as she slowly prowled toward them.
"Oh," Abbey tried. "We're looking for Dr. Hawkins. I'm on the Lakeview student council and she said we could meet to talk about some joint programs."
Jessica's glare narrowed further as she stopped and looked all of them up and down. "I didn't see anything in her schedule about it."
"Actually," Erika butted in. "We made the arrangement with her husband, Mr. Granger. He said he was going to introduce us. Could he be the one who didn't tell you?"
"It's possible…"
"Jessica?"
This time it was her turn to spin in surprise, all of the Rangers breathing a sigh of relief as Ray stepped around the corner. Jessica's posture immediately relaxed.
"Ray," she realized. "I was talking to your students here. Sorry, I didn't know they were with you."
"Yeah," Ray agreed, eyes flicking to the teens and catching their drift immediately. "It's my fault, I should have told you they'd be coming by."
"No harm," Jessica shrugged. "And if you see your wife, can you tell her that the mayor moved tomorrow's budget meeting to three?"
"I can do that."
With a smile, Ray nodded as Jessica whisked away as if she'd immediately found a new mission and was rushing to make it her life's work. Abbey had never thought she'd be so happy to see someone she was so angry with, but here they were. All five stood awkwardly in the corridor, the teens unable to muster their former fury following their mentor's quick save.
"Let's go down to the lab," Ray suggested. "I'm sure you've got a lot of questions."
In silent agreement, the four of them followed, watching as the secret wall panel hissed for all of them to pile into the before the capsule rumbled down into the museum's depths. Ray didn't even wait for the doors to open before getting right to the point.
"I think I know what you're all going to say," he admitted. "And all I ask is that you hear me out first."
All four shared an uneasy look, a silent conversing and agreement as the doors dinged behind them and they all walked into the lab.
"Okay," Erika decided, "what've you got?"
They reached the end, greeted by Hilary spinning in her chair to join the conversation as all four teens gathered around and awaited Ray's explanation with bated breath.
"Lena has been having appointments in the Guidance Counsellor's office," Ray confirmed. "She has questions, and I'm doing what I can to help her find the answers."
"What kind of things are you talking about?" asked Zeke.
But Ray just shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I can't answer that."
"Come on," Erika scoffed. "That's totally bogus."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ray retorted sharply. "Would you like me to spill everything from your sessions?"
Erika backed off, her scowl a begrudging sign that the point was taken, even if she was unhappy about it. Whether they liked it or not, Ray was right on that front. As a professional, his seal of confidence was paramount, and they could not ask him to break it for pure convenience alone.
"When did she start coming to see you?" Abbey asked instead.
"A few weeks ago," Ray replied. "Although I think she'd been wrestling with the idea for quite a while before then."
"That must have been just after she got me out of detention," Miguel realized and three turned around in surprise. He'd told them it was a fire alarm that had given him the chance to slip away, not that it had been Lena.
"What do you mean?" Abbey asked.
"I think she was the one who pulled the alarm," Miguel reasoned. "When she saw me stuck in the room, she looked… I don't know, upset? But also confused. When I ran into her, she said it was just so that their monster could destroy me along with you guys but…"
"Why go to all the effort of getting you stuck in there if she was just going to let you out?" Zeke agreed.
Erika had gone silent, herself beginning to piece together other events that she'd witnessed. "This is about that little girl, isn't it?"
Ray neither confirmed nor denied, although his silence told them all they needed.
"This is crazy," Zeke said finally. "I mean, we know we're all talking about Mileena, right? Your old enemy from your Ranger days brought back from the dead. I always thought Whitney was pure evil, but Lena takes it to a whole new level."
"I don't think she is though," Miguel replied. "Evil that is. Not purely."
At that, even Abbey couldn't see the full leap in logic, and from Miguel of all people. Lena had been instrumental in having him controlled by the Dark Ranger. Abbey could still remember the sly smirk Lena had given them as she stood before the case, daring them to approach, playing them like chess pieces while convincing Miguel to open it. The only way someone could do that was if they were cold and calculating to their core.
"Do you really believe that?" Abbey asked. "Even after all she's done?"
"When I was first captured by Xaviax," Miguel said. "When I first realized that Lena wasn't who she said, I remember telling her that I didn't want to fight you. That I didn't want to destroy my friends. She didn't seem to understand, not because she didn't care, but because I don't think she'd ever considered anything else. Fighting for Xaviax, fighting against you, it's all Lena's ever known. If she's starting to question that, it's got to be doing a number on her head."
Even after hearing that, still uncertain how what Miguel was describing could translate to any positive change, Abbey couldn't help but smile. To see the amount of empathy Miguel had to share, despite all he'd gone through; at that moment Abbey was pretty sure she'd fallen for him just that little bit more.
"Right now, Lena has a lot of questions," said Ray. "She trying to make sense of a lot about what she's been told to believe. And my job, whenever there's a kid in that position, is to help them. I know it's not ideal, and if there was any other counselor at the school, let alone one that understood the uniqueness of her situation, they would be handling it, not me. You don't have to be okay with it, and I wouldn't ask that of you. All I need is for you to all trust that I would never do anything the jeopardize this team."
All of them seemed to sink down lower, almost ashamed that they'd jumped to doubting him so quickly. But as they looked back at Ray, there was a soft understanding in his eyes, an acknowledgment of how they felt.
"You're not the only one who's uneasy about this," Hilary said from the desk. "But Ray's right. He's got a job to do, and he'd never let it compromise your safety. Trust us, we know what it's like to find out your mentor's keeping you in the dark, no matter how good the reason."
"For what it's worth," Ray told them softly. "I'm sorry you all had to find out this way."
"But sometimes it's just as important to help one person," Abbey finished, sharing a knowing look and smile with Miguel, "as it is everyone."
"Yeah," Ray agreed. "Exactly."
But before they could continue their conversation, the alarm klaxons blared. The whole team shared a look, knowing it could only mean one thing, and all of them gathered around as Hilary spun to the wall monitors to pull up the corresponding security feed.
Sure enough, there was a horde of Cyberdrones, and they'd brought a friend with them. Taller than any man, they nonetheless strode forward in a double-breasted, pinstripe suit, carrying an oversized Tommy gun in their hands. Their head appeared to be a giant clam, angrily googly eyes positioned atop the shell with a comically large cigar poking out from the mouthlike seal between the sides.
"NNNGH!" he growled. "I'ms lookin' for them Power Rangers. Moister-Oyster's gonna make 'em an offer they can't refuse!"
"It's a giant clam…" Erika realized in disbelief.
"That's also a gangster," Miguel added.
Abbey almost gagged as she shuddered in revulsion. "With moist in his name."
"I don't even know where to begin with how wrong all that is," Zeke concluded.
"I'll be honest, this a first, even for me," said Hilary, punching away at the keys to pull up the location. "Downtown, East-Seventh Street."
Downtown? That was where…
"There's a grade school program there!" Abbey realized with alarm. "They do after-school tutoring for underprivileged kids!"
"What, was the orphanage too far away?" Zeke scoffed in disgust.
"Abbey's right," Hilary confirmed for them all. "It's right on the warpath."
"Guys," Ray instructed. "The monster's a problem, but…"
"We need to get them all out of there," Erika agreed before turning to brief her team. "Zeke, your shield's the best shot at keeping them safe."
"My bow should be able to pick off problems before they get too close," Abbey added.
Erika nodded. "Good idea. You two focus on getting those kids out. Miguel, you and I are going oyster fishing."
All four nodded, Morphers flashing to their wrists as Ray settled beside Hilary at mission control.
"You guys ready?" Erika called as she whipped out the swipe card.
"Ready!" they replied as they stepped beside.
Then they moved as one, all in synchronous motion as the cards rammed through the slots and Miguel slammed on the activator.
"Server Force! Login Access!"
The power surged through them, engulfing them in technicolor light as they gave themselves to the grid. Red, Blue, Yellow, Black; the suits materializing around them and energizing their limbs with new strength, helms encasing their heads as black and crimson visors flashed around before vision. With their displays lighting up, the Digitizer spirited them away before dropping them down before Moister-Oyster and his menacing horde.
"Rangers? You're finally here!" the monster exclaimed. "Now youse can't leave!"
"We're here to make you an offer," Erika threatened. "Leave the gun, take the robots!"
"How about I offer you some clam chowder?" he roared back, swinging up the blaster and leveling it at the Rangers. "Say hello to my little friend!"
A thousand shots ripped through the air, shrieking from the barrel as the Rangers dived. Erika and Miguel vaulted, launching high as they readied their weapons, where Abbey dived to the side as Zeke skidded beside her and slammed down the shield to deflect the wayward shots.
"It's high tide for you, mister!" Erika yelled as she and Miguel descended, the Power Axe and Dark Saber flashing as they sliced across the monster's hardened, shell-like head. Moister-Oyster stumbled, smoke hissing off the surface as Erika and Miguel leaped back and readied for another bout and the Red Ranger spun to bark an order at the Blue and Yellow. "We'll close this clam, get moving!"
"Right!"
The duo lunged, racing toward the surrounding building as Erika and Miguel hurled themselves at the monster. Abbey didn't even wait to get close, launching high pulling on the bowstring to unleash a torrent of sky-blue arrows. The energy lanced to the ground, booming against the cement into mighty balls of fire that sent the Cyberdrones flying. With only the stragglers remaining, Abbey and Zeke landed in the middle, striking them down before they even knew what hit them.
"I'll hold the entrance!" Zeke insisted. "You get those kids out of there!"
"On it!"
Without a second to spare, Abbey rushed into the building to see a cluster of children backed into the corner by menacing Cyberdrones. Too close quarters to use her bow, she snapped out the Security Saber and surged into them. The blade flashed, cleaving through the robot's armor as Abbey assaulted from behind, the first lot dropping as the rest shifted their attention. Her feet danced as she twirled between them, forcing herself between them and the huddled children, spinning the blade with a flourish before glaring at the four remaining.
"Are you here for some tutoring?" Abbey snarled. "Well, here's your first lesson."
They lunged as one, but Abbey was ready, the Security Saber slicing up to carve through the first that met her. The robot dropped in a burst of sparks, stumbling back and convulsing as the severed wiring sizzled in its open chest. As the next came at her, Abbey spun to dodge, flipping the blade into a backward grip to bat away the pair of blows. As the two rebounded off her sword, Abbey continued to spin, dropping low and sweeping her blade to cleave through. The saber sheared through their metal plating, the robots flailing as Abbey turned to the final one.
It never stood a chance.
It came at her, charging hard with its weapon raised and ready. Abbey leaned back, effortlessly stepping from harm as her hand lashed out and grabbed. Yanking inward, Abbey spun it around, redirecting it from the terrified kids behind her and tossing it toward its fallen comrades. Off balance and exposed, it was helpless to the sharpness of the Blue Ranger's blade, the weapon searing as it cleaved through the final henchmen and smashed into the rest of the signed pile. With her enemies clear, for now at least, Abbey shot a look back to the frightened, huddled children and the young volunteer that was shielding them.
"It's okay, you're safe now," she assured them before turning to the young adult. "Can you get them to safety?"
The girl nodded, already motioning to the children to move before one of them piped up.
"Wait!" they realized, their squeaking voice filled with panic. "What about Brandon?"
Oh no…
Of course! That was how Abbey had known that the center was there. This was where she used to meet her "little brother" after school. He must still have been coming. Without a second's hesitation, Abbey dropped to her knees, eyes level with the small child to inquire further. "Where is he?"
"He… he ran to the back when the monsters came," the child quivered. "He's still in there!"
The volunteer in charge was about to move in that direction, but Abbey stuck out her hand and shook her head. "No," she insisted. "You stay with them. My teammate is right outside, and he'll get you to safety. I'll go after Brandon."
After a quick nod, and their eyes still flooding with fear, the young volunteer began to usher the children toward the safety of the door, while Abbey rushed deeper into the center in search of her friend.
The whole place was a mess. The Cyberdrones must have run around the whole place, corralling the children together for whatever sinister purpose they intended. Tables were overturned, and cabinets were thrown to the floor. Were it not for her Ranger-enhanced strength, Abbey doubted she'd have been able to clear the doorway and navigate the ruined building. But even clearing a path was the least of her problems, the place was a maze, and Abbey had no idea how she possibly going to find Brandon in a space like this.
And that was when she heard the scream.
Abbey whipped around, bolting in the direction of the cry and throwing herself through the door. The wooden barrier shattered as she connected, the fallen shelving on the other side scattering as she burst into the room to see a lone Cyberdrone, looming menacingly over a cluster of fallen bookcases.
Brandon's muffled voice shrieked from inside, "HELP!"
A swipe from her blade sent the Cyberdrone sprawling to the ground, twitching as the exposed wire sparked and slowly died. Then, turning her attention to the pile of bookcases, Abbey realized her new problem. The wooden structures had collapsed on top of each other, creating a maze of beams that leaned on each other for support. It didn't matter how strong Abbey was while morphed, if she moved anything then the entire pile was going to come crashing down. Right on top of Brandon.
There was only one thing for it; he was going to have to crawl out to her. Breathing deeply, Abbey knelt, peering into the wreckage to see the little boy huddling inside.
"Hey," she said softly. "It's okay, I'm here to help."
The poor boy was terrified, curled up tight and shaking as his eyes widened at the sight of the Blue Ranger. But for all the awe in seeing her, he didn't budge.
"I can help you out of there," Abbey told him calmly, "But I need you to crawl to me. I can't move these beams without bringing the whole thing down."
She reached out her hand, as far as she could into the crevice, but Brandon frantically shook his head in refusal. "I can't!" he wailed. "I'm too scared."
"Brandon," Abbey urged. "I know this is scary, but I also know that you're brave. And that if you trust me, then you can do this!"
"I can't!"
The whole structure began to groan, the cracking of wood as the crumbled pile began to struggle beneath its weight, and Abbey's heart seized as she realized another problem. The whole thing was about to come down, and there was no way she'd be able to reach Brandon before it did!
She had to find a way to convince him.
"You can," Abbey insisted. "I know you can. I know that, when you want to be, you're the bravest there is. And I need you to be that now."
"I'm not!" Brandon wailed, curling even deeper into the corner as the groaning of the shelves grew louder. "I'm too scared to be that!"
Then it hit her; she was trying to convince the boy as a Power Ranger, a faceless hero whom he didn't know. But that wasn't what he needed right now. What he needed was a friend. She just had to hope she was making the right call.
With a deep breath, Abbey reached up and placed her hands on either side of her helmet.
"I know you can be brave, Brandon," she said calmly, pulling the helm from her head to expose her face to the open air. "Because I know you."
Brandon's eyes widened, gasping as he looked at Abbey's eyes, watching as her red ponytail fell upon her shoulder.
"A… Abbey?"
"It's me, Brandon," she assured him. "I know things are scary right now. But I promise you that it's going to be okay. But if I'm going to get you out of there, I need you to trust me. Just reach for my hand, and then I can do the rest. Do you trust me?"
Whereas before he'd been too frightened to move, now the boy's rigid posture loosened as the two locked eyes. Then, gulping down in uncertainty, he nodded and slowly began to crawl.
Come on… come on… just a little closer…!
Abbey's heart was racing a million miles a minute, every creak and crackle raking at her ears as watched him crawl at what felt like a snail's pace. But crawl he did, inch by inch, and slowly Brandon reached for Abbey's outstretched hand. She grabbed him the second he was in range, squeezing tight and heaving. The boy shot from the gap, soaring in her grip as she pulled him from the wreckage. A heartbeat later, the bookshelves crumbled and fell, shattering into a pile of splinters as Abbey squeezed him tight against her chest.
"It's okay," she breathed, holding him in a tight embrace, "I've got you."
"You came back!" Brandon sobbed. "I knew you'd come find me!"
But they weren't out of the woods yet, not while her friends were still dealing with the monster outside. But Abbey's first priority still was getting Brandon to safety. Slowly pulling from her hug, Brandon bent down and picked up her discarded helmet before holding it up in an offering.
"You dropped this," he said sweetly.
"I did," Abbey smiled. "Thanks, Brandon. Now, let's get you out of here."
She put the helm back on, back to action as she swept up Brandon in her arms and leaped for the exit. Seconds later, Abbey was bursting into the open air, rushing to where the rest of the children were huddling around Zeke. His shield was still held high, bracing for another round with a pile of broken Cyberdrones scattered at his feet.
"Area's secure," he confirmed for her as she arrived.
"Okay, just give me a sec."
She placed Brandon on the ground, beside the rest of his friends, before kneeling to be level with the eleven-year-old.
"Brandon, I know things are still scary," she said quietly. "And I know you want me to stay. But my friends are in danger, and they need my help. Is that okay?"
Abbey wasn't sure what she was going to do if he refused; if Brandon begged and pleaded for her to stay. She knew she'd have to go anyway, that her team was battling the monster with low numbers and would need her. But Abbey also needed to give Brandon the chance. She needed to explain why she was leaving. She owed that much at least.
This time, the boy didn't stop her. Breathing in and blinking his tears, the child nodded. "I'll be alright. I'll be brave."
"I know you will," Abbey grinned, patting his shoulder before rising and spinning toward Zeke. "Come on, let's crack that shell."
"Right!"
The Blue and Yellow Rangers lunged into the air, vaulting high and leaving the flock of children safely behind. Leaping as hard as they could, they raced through the streets, following the trail of destruction to where Erika and Miguel were engaging the monster.
The blaster in Moister-Oyster's hands boomed, large pellets rapidly unloading as the Red and Dark Rangers split, the ground where they'd been standing exploding into a ball of searing flames.
"Careful there!" Erika warned, lunging in with her axe head glowing. "Don't want to clam up!"
"Now you're just clutching at poils!" the monster snarled.
Erika swung in hard but the strike went wide, cracking the earth as Moister-Oyster swerved to dodge. With Erika still off balance, he struck back, the butt of his weapon cracking into her chest and sending her flying.
"Don't leave me out of the fun!" Miguel growled as he too shot in with his Dark Saber poised to strike.
"What can I say? I'm shellfish!"
The blade came down and the Tommy gun went up, sparks bursting on impact as the clam-like gangster blocked the blow.
"That the best you got? Forget about it!"
He threw Miguel off him, elbow cracking into the Ranger's helmet before spinning around the weapon and opening fire. The muzzle flashed, but the rounds never connected. In the time it had taken to throw the Dark Ranger off, Zeke had made it in, shield slamming down between them. The rounds bounced off the surface, peppering back into Moister-Oyster's pinstripes and sending him stumbling back, screaming.
"Sorry," Zeke chuckled. "This shell's a little harder to crack."
"Thanks for the save," Miguel admitted.
"He ain't saved just yet!"
Suit still steaming, Moister-Oyster spun around his weapon, barrel glowing hot as he aimed it at the two Rangers. But he never got the chance to fire, as twin arrows of sky-blue light streaked across the sky and lanced into his chest. They burst on impact, booming with thunderous force to send the monster flying. Fully recovered, Zeke and Miguel turned to see Abbey somersaulting to their side, Erika hurrying to them as well.
"Kids are all safe," Abbey confirmed.
"Good," Erika agreed. "Now let's help this goodfella out of his shell."
"Right!" they all agreed. "Let's put it together!"
They moved in seamless unison; axe, shield, bow, and saber all interlocking to form the mighty cannon as the quartet of Rangers aimed it at their foe.
"Defrag Blaster! Dark Mode!" they called together.
"You brought a little friend?" Abbey smirked. "Well, we brought a bigger one."
"FIRE!"
The blaster hounded as the shot erupted, the mighty bolt of energy hurling toward the quivering mobster before shattering into a dazzling display of light. The fireball flashed on impact, blooming into a blossoming flame as the monster was blown apart. Steaming pieces scattered across the ground, the Rangers cheering as they pulled their canon apart and readied for round two.
Just as expected, the green light split the sky, illuminating the smoldering monster pieces and drawing them back together, rejuvenating Moister-Oyster at a colossal eighty stories tall.
"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!" he laughed, stamping down as Rangers dived and readied to meet him on his level.
But their problems didn't stop there. Just as they were about to call the Zords, the street was basked in emerald, transporting new waves of Cyberdrones flushing through the streets to sow fresh chaos.
"I'll handle them," Miguel decided, "You guys go pearl diving!"
"Right!"
"Get ready guys," Hilary confirmed. "Zords are on their way!"
The air was filled with screeching tires, the three mighty machines bursting into view as the three Rangers launched themselves into the cockpits and Miguel took off to handle the Cyberdrones. The Truck shot around in pursuit, all ready for connection as Erika's Street Car caught up and docked. From above, the Abbey steered the jet down to the rising machine, the entire plane splitting as it formed the armor of the chest and head. Her seat was whisked back, pulling her into the elevator chamber before shooting her out into the shared cockpit with the other rangers. The displays burst to life before her, all systems live and operations.
"Cyber Security Megazord!" they declared together. "Online!"
Clearly annoyed at the intrusion into his rampage, Moister-Oyster spun around, eyes atop his head narrowing as the mechanized warrior stomped toward him.
"Look at you there!" he yelled at them, "Bringing a sword to a gunfight!"
"We've got more than that," Abbey smirked.
With a sinister sneer, Moister-Oyster whipped the Tommy gun up to his hip and unloaded at them, the Megazord lunging as the stray round glanced off the armor. With their enemy too focused on emptying the clip, Abbey took the chance, slamming her hard on the weapons screen as the port on the leg hissed open.
The Megazord's sidearm flung into the air, snatched by its spare hand before whipping around and firing. The round seared across the sky, hitting the monster square in the chest and exploding. The clam-headed mobster stumbled back, snarling as he ceased firing and the Rangers readied for the charge.
"If you want to get us," Erika smiled beside her teammates. "Then you're going to have to come and get us!"
"You've got nothing!" Moister-Oyster yelled back. "You've got nothing but talk and sword!"
"How is he funny?" Zeke demanded.
"I say it's time we sealed that shell for good," Abbey decided.
"Yeah!"
The Megazord thundered forward, sword flashing to its hand as it closed in lightning speed.
"Here's our offer," Erika told him. "I wouldn't refuse!"
"Cyber Power… STRIKE!"
With a clean blow, the Megazord sliced through Moister-Oyster's form, the monster shrieking as the blade cleaved him through and his legs gave away beneath him.
"I thought I was gonna be somebody!" he bemoaned, toppling back as the Megazord rose to a neutral stance behind him. "But I was just a nobody!"
Then, as the body of the clam-headed monster hit the ground, he detonated, bursting into a spiraling column of fire that surged into the sky. The flames flicked outward, purging every ounce of data from existence as the burning blast deleted him from existence. Down below, Miguel had cleared the newer Cyberdrones, the streets cleared from their menacing presence once again, and the Cyber Security Megazord stood tall, the Rangers looking proudly at the streets that had been saved by them once more.
"Gah! That quickly?" Ender slammed his hand on the console, cutting the feed of the triumphant Megazord standing proudly before the flaming remnants of his latest creation. Beside him, ArcKnight stood there silently, but he didn't need to say anything to further rile the monster maker's annoyance. "New record this time. I guess I owe you a fifty."
"Performance issues, Ender?"
The two whipped around, snarling at the snide voice that echoed from the shadows and watching as Mileena stepped into the room.
"Oh, there you are…" Ender mused. "I'm surprised you were so willing to come back after the other day's… incident."
"A glitch in my programming," Lena said coldly. "One that has been thoroughly rectified. I was having a conflict within my internal systems, it was causing a short circuit and undesirable behavior. But that's been sorted now. I have returned, ready and able to fulfill my purpose."
"Really…?" Like smoke carried on a wistful wind, Xaviax's voice echoed through the room, all three turning in surprise to see their master prowl in from the doorway. The edges of his robes brushed against the reflective floor, his expressionless, chrome mask focusing on his subordinate with renewed, sinister interest.
"And how was it you were able to rectify this programming error?" he asked.
There was something in Xaviax's tone that jilted her, piercing her shield of bravado to snatch the air from her claim and stifle it. And at that moment, Lena realized the true meaning behind his query.
He knew.
He knew of her doubts, her conundrums, her moments of disloyalty born from nothing but existential questioning. Her weakness. Lena didn't need Xaviax to describe what would come next, should she fail to prove her usefulness and loyalty. If she couldn't prove her value, and demonstrate earnestness in pursuit of her purpose, then to Xaviax she would be nothing be a faulty program.
To which the only solution was complete and total deletion.
"Call it a journey of self-discovery," Lena replied, steeling herself and striding toward her master with as much conviction as she could muster. "The how doesn't matter. What matters is that I am here now, renewed in my desire to fulfill the role you created me for; the destruction of the Power Rangers."
"I'm pleased to hear it," Xaviax mused. "I was beginning to be concerned that the modifications made in the initial reboot of your programming were having… unintended side effects."
"Master, I can assure you," said Lena. "I am operating at maximum efficiency. All contradictions have been rectified and there are no longer remaining concerns."
If Granger was so insistent that her solution was a choice, then a choice she would make. She'd decide her purpose, her destiny. All other problems, feelings, and instincts could be dismissed so long as she was the one to choose the path.
"Excellent," Xaviax decided. "You were a fierce warrior, in your former life, honing your skills through hatred. It was your rivalry with the Security Ranger that particularly strengthened you, the desire to destroy your predecessor burned with such intensity that it grew stronger with every fight. This is what I had hoped when I returned you to this world."
Yes… she remembered.
The old Mileena had been created when Kyle Mason had been freed from Gideon's control; when he'd taken the power granted to him and turned to the side of the Data Squad Rangers. The old Mileena had hated him, with a fire burning ever brighter, drawing him into battle time after time. It had made her stronger.
If a rival was what she needed, then Lena knew exactly what to do.
Lena's eyes narrowed, face twisting into a scowling, baleful grin as she looked upon Ender and ArcKnight with renewed excitement.
Granger had been trying to convince Lena she was human, and maybe he was right. After all, when humans were wronged, did they not want revenge?
"In that case," Lena declared sinisterly, "I know exactly what I'm going to start…"
It was afternoon the next day when Abbey pulled her Prius up to the park. Hilary had been able to work her magic, finding out where the after-school program had relocated to after the center was evacuated. Now the children were playing on the grass, some of them shooting hoops nearby while awaiting their parents to arrive and collect them.
Off in the distance, she spotted Brandon, throwing a baseball back and forth with his friend.
"Are you ready for this?" Miguel asked her.
"I don't have a choice, right?" Abbey admitted. She'd made the call to reveal her identity to the boy, and while Abbey had no regrets about the outcome, it now fell to her to impart the responsibility of that secret. To make sure that a boy as young as Brandon understood the weight of what he knew.
"You don't have to do it alone," Miguel reasoned. "And I'll be right here if you need help."
"Thanks," Abbey smiled. "I'll let you know."
The two of them climbed out, Miguel leaning calmly and patiently against the bonnet as Abbey crossed the park and approached her "little brother".
"Abbey!" the boy cheered excitedly as he saw her, immediately dropping what he was doing and rushing to throw himself into her arms.
"Hey there, little buddy," Abbey smiled. "Glad to see you're okay."
"I sure am, all thanks to you!" he grinned. And then he leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a hushed but hopeful whisper. "Are you really a Power Ranger?"
After a quick check over her shoulder, Abbey nodded. "But it's really important that you don't tell anyone, okay? You need to promise that you'll keep my identity a secret."
His nod was filled with frantic enthusiasm, beaming from ear to ear as he agreed. "I promise!"
Even though Abbey never really had a doubt, it was as if suddenly a weight lifted from her shoulders, like a breath she hadn't realized she was holding relinquished and let out.
"Thank you," Abbey said, only for the same guilt that had been niggling at her earlier to slowly return. A wrong that she needed to right. "Listen, Brandon, I owe you an apology. You were right, I haven't been a very good big sister recently."
Slowly, the boy's elated expression softened, drooping to curious confusion as he realized what he'd said the day before and shrunk back in shame. "I didn't really mean it…"
"No, you were right," Abbey insisted. "I think I was so busy trying to help everybody that I left you behind. I didn't mean to, but I'm still sorry that I hurt you. Can you forgive me?"
For a moment, Brandon blinked back at her, like it was taking him a second to compute what was happening. Then, his smile returned, throwing his arms around her again in excited agreement. "Of course!"
"I can't promise that I'll be around as much as I used to," Abbey admitted. "But I'm going to try to be around more. And, if you want, I have someone that wants to meet you."
As the boy consented, Abbey turned around and gestured to Miguel, who rose from his leaning against the car and strode toward them.
"Brandon," Abbey introduced, "I would like you to me Miguel. He's a good friend of mine and would like to be a Big Brother. Want to show him how it all works?"
"Do I?" The boy raced to take Miguel's hand, scooping up a baseball and steering him to the grass. Miguel chuckled as he became the sole respondent to Brandon's attention, almost yanked to the hill to be shown how to play catch. As he did, Miguel looked back at Abbey, who mouthed a joking 'sorry' that only seemed to increase their laughter. For the rest of the afternoon, Abbey and Miguel played with Brandon and his friends, their numbers dwindling as their parents arrived to collect them. Finally, it was time for Brandon to go, and as he stepped to climb into his mother's SUV, he turned and waved.
"Thanks for all the fun," he called to her. "Big Sister! And you too, Big Brother!"
God, it was like her heart could have grown three sizes there and then, and Abbey already felt like hers was too big for her chest. Even Miguel seemed to get a bit teary, grinning wide as they waved goodbye and the car pulled away.
And then it was time to head home.
"Want a lift?" Abbey asked, nodding to the sky to note it was getting dark.
For a moment, it looked like Miguel's body was consenting, leaning forward only to rock back in realization. Like he wanted to but was actively keeping himself away.
"Thanks, but I should be okay," Miguel replied. "The house isn't too far, and I could do with the walk."
Abbey considered arguing, pointing out to him that it was getting late and taking a lift was much more sensible. But that wouldn't be for him, it would be for her. It would have been because Abbey wanted him to sit beside her as she drove, because she wanted to squeeze just that little bit more out of the time she spent with him. Because Abbey hoped that maybe, in dropping him off, she could lean invitingly forward and that maybe he would do the same…
She looked away, breaking the spell between them and nodding in acknowledgment. Maybe there was something between them, maybe there wasn't. But whatever it was, Miguel was clearly working through something, and Abbey needed to give him the time and space to work through it on his own. Anything else simply wouldn't be fair, and it wouldn't be for his benefit.
"No problem," Abbey smiled instead. "See you at school?"
"Can't wait."
God that smile killed her. With all the self-control that she could manage, Abbey unglued her feet from the ground and climbed into the car. She bid him goodbye, and then she drove away.
Miguel in turn, made toward the path, wandering away from the park and back into the city limits. It was a longer walk than he'd made out, but still easily manageable. However, it was well and truly dark by the time Miguel was walking past the chain-link fence of the bus yard that signaled the final stretch toward his house.
That was when a sinister wind blew about the street.
Miguel knew he should have kept moving, but there was something in the iciness that prickled at his skin to make him stop. That drew his attention and made him turn around.
To see the figure standing behind him.
Lena.
She was alone, and yet that didn't seem to matter, her demeanor was far more threatening than a hundred Cyberdrones ever could be. Her posture was rigid, her fists clenched tight, and her eyes glared with sharpened fury. And while Miguel saw past her bluster, past the anger fuming at him to see the swirling turmoil behind it, her intent was unmistakable.
She was there for a fight.
"Hello there, traitor," Lena snarled. "Out for an evening stroll?"
NEXT TIME
Torn between her awoken emotions and her loyalty to Xaviax, Lena launches herself on a dangerous mission to wipe out the Power Rangers once and for all, starting with Miguel. While Lena makes it her life's goal to end them all for good, the Rangers are forced to question how much control she really has, and if Ray was able to get through to her at all. But as Lena's actions continue to escalate the Rangers are forced to face another quandary; if they are unable to pull her away from the darkness, they may be forced to destroy her for good.
Will the Rangers be able to find another way?
Can Lena find the answers within herself that she is looking for?
Or is she doomed to walk the path of evil forever?
Find out next time on:
POWER RANGERS
SERVER FORCE
Error 404: Part I
