The Hub was bustling the next day, jam-packed from the moment the doors opened, and it was all Erika could do just to keep up. The tables were so crammed and the drinks firing from the kitchen so quickly, that she swore it would have been easier to weave between a writhing horde of hostile Cyberdrones. Not that it would have been the first time either.

It seemed she was making a habit of preferring the feeling of her fists on steel to the problems in front of her.

No.

Enough of that.

Erika got enough of the shrink treatment in her appointments with Ray, she didn't need to start doing it to herself. Hell, his stupid questions were the whole reason she got into this spiral in the first place.

He just had to put that idea in her head. She'd have just walked past the flyer, let the opportunity go past, and then be all the better for it. But no; he just had to let her hope, let her consider it.

Let her feel guilty when she walked away.

When she ran.

Thankfully, the hectic pace of the day was a welcome distraction, far too much to do to let her wallow. Erika and Abbey had been side by side almost the entire morning, and yet they'd barely shared a word that wasn't the passing of an order. It was good; it kept things simple.

It wasn't until near midday that things finally slowed down enough for the girls to catch their breath. Enough to get tables clear and ready for the next rush at lunchtime. Erika had barely started clearing her table when she heard a shuffle of footsteps behind her, a sound she'd been all but willing to ignore until it was paired with an awkward request, "Erika?"

Erika's back snapped straight, spinning around as her heart thumped faster and she saw the last people she'd ever hoped to face. Jasmine and Melody were standing right behind her.

"Sorry," Jasmine said nervously. "Are we interrupting?"

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!

She'd been hoping to avoid them; just duck around the corners at school when she saw them coming. After the humiliation of her last-second back down, there was no way Erika wanted to talk to them face to face.

And yet here they were.

Over their shoulder, she could see Whitney sitting there, absorbed what appeared to be her thirteenth selfie of the day, showing it to Deryck for hapless feedback before rolling her eyes and deleting it to start the process anew. But as the two girls of Electro-Head approached, the vapid blonde girl stopped, watching the interaction like it was her favorite daytime soap.

Great. No backing away now, even if Erika could find a good reason. There was no way she was giving Whitney the satisfaction. Not again.

"It's fine," Erika instead decided awkwardly. "What can I get for you?"

Melody and Jasmine shared a look, as if neither of them was entirely comfortable nor knew where to start.

"We were hoping that maybe you'd still like to audition?" said Melody awkwardly.

No matter what Erika thought she'd been expecting, it hadn't been that. "Wha… what?"

"We're still looking for someone," Jasmine admitted. "We haven't really found who we were looking for to take the spot. We know something came up yesterday but, we hoped that maybe you wanted to give it another shot?"

And just like that, Erika was hoping for the Cyberdrones to drop down all over again. It was one thing when she was sitting on the sidelines, psyching herself up. But now that they were actively requesting it? Knowing they'd be watching her play with all their hopes pinned on her performance?

"I don't know…" she admitted.

"Please," Melody begged. "We really need someone! The people who tried out yesterday were terrible. And besides, we heard you're really good, so…"

"Hang on," Erika cut in. "Who told you that?"

Melody awkwardly, Jasmine thumping her arm to scold and confirm the slip of the tongue. To confirm that she'd said something she shouldn't.

But Erika could make a pretty good guess.

Eyes narrowing, Erika's eyes scanned toward the counter, seeing Abbey deep in conversation with the likely culprit. Sure enough, there was Ray with a pair of coffees in hand, slowly exiting a conversation with Abbey only to turn and lock eyes with Erika. Guilty, the counselor snapped up straight, eyes popping as he turned and made for the door.

Oh no you don't!

With an almost predatory smile, Erika turned to two members of Electro-Head. "If you'll excuse me."

She strode off before they could reply, leaving behind the tray of dirty glasses and untying her apron while calling to Dirk that she was taking her break. Ray had barely made it out the doors when Erika caught him.

"Mr. Granger," she grinned with intent. "So good to see you. I was hoping I could have a bit of a chat."

Caught out, Ray's eyes nervously shot between the Hub and the museum within sprinting distance. "Actually," he replied. "It's outside of school hours so…"

"That's fine," Erika insisted. "We can organize an appointment while we walk."

Ray's shoulders sunk in resignation, realizing the conversation's inevitability and nodding to concede as he turned to continue his journey to the lab.

"You talked to Jasmine and Melody," Erika stated flatly.

"They happened to be at the counter when I was ordering," Ray insisted.

"Uh-huh, and I'm sure you just happened to so casually mention that I play guitar."

"I simply heard them bemoaning the lack of good auditions yesterday and suggested that not letting you try again would be a mistake. Really, I was doing them a favor."

Erika didn't buy the excuse for a second, a sentiment she expressed with a simple raise of her eyebrow.

"All right, fine," Ray said. "I decided that you could do with a push. And you're right, that was probably overstepping. But that better question is, was I wrong? Would you have tried again if I hadn't put the option in front of you?"

Erika was about to answer, give some smart reply, only to realize what he'd done. He'd put her in a no-win scenario. Either she'd insist it wasn't necessary, locking her in to audition again, or admitting it was and prove him right.

Stupid shrink.

"What makes you think I even want to?"

"You're right, I don't," Ray admitted. "And maybe I am projecting. But even if this isn't the way to go about it, we can both agree that I'm right about what something like this would give you. An outlet, somewhere to direct your rage. A chance to stand up to the world and tell them that you don't care what they think, and doing it in a way that's productive for you and everyone around you. A way to tell the world to shove it without burning it all to the ground."

But even as he said it, Erika could tell Ray was holding something back. Something about his tone and the hesitance carried on his breath warned there was more than he was letting on. And there was just no way Erika was letting Ray meddle, no matter how much she valued his opinion, if he wasn't even letting her in on what he was thinking.

"I've got a handle on my anger," she said. "From where I'm standing, I'm doing just fine."

And at that, Ray stopped dead in his tracks, breathing a heavy sigh and slowly turning back to her.

"It's not about whether or not you're doing fine, Erika," Ray replied. "Doing fine is just settling. And sometimes that's where you need to be for a while, but it shouldn't be where you stay. Settling for fine means that you're cruising along, but it's just one big setback to pull you back down to where you were. Working on yourself isn't about settling for what you have, it's about always looking for ways for things to be better. To thrive."

"Is that your expert shrink opinion?"

"That's an "I've been there" opinion."

"Wow," Erika scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "The 'You'll understand when you're older' advice? Real original."

Ray's eyes narrowed, seeing the bait she was put before him and the fight she was trying to start. She'd played with this fire once, the first time he'd sent her sprawling into the mat. That day, he'd been taunting her, goading to the fight.

But today Ray wasn't taking it.

"Look," he said. "We both know that I could do this all day, but there'll be hell to pay if get these coffees back to Hilary cold. You don't want to audition? Fine. That's your choice, and you've got your reasons. But if you don't do it, it'll be because you didn't want to, not because you missed your chance. Only you can decide if it's right or not."

And then Ray turned and walked away, not even giving the chance to rebut as Erika seethed at the entrance of Hub.

She had a good comeback, it was devastating. She should have yelled at him as he walked away just to show him.

No, she shouldn't. That would be petty, it would be letting him win.

It definitely wasn't because she didn't have one.

Erika's mood did not improve as her shift continued, and was still grumbling her perfect comeback more than an hour later as she churned through the mountain of dirty glasses. She was so wound up that her hands were no longer grabbing carefully, snatching the dishes thrust them in the soapy water, until at last, one of them took her exasperated handiwork as a sign it could make for freedom. As Erika's soapy hand slapped around it, she pulled too hard, and the glass flew free from her grip.

Erika's eyes widened, arms flailing in a desperate bid to stop the crash, the glass bouncing against her swipes and almost juggling back to safety. She saved it, but only just. With a finally, panicked movement, the glass splashed safely into the water as Erika let out a roar in frustration.

"Did you win?" asked a voice from the kitchen entrance, and hissing out a sigh, Erika looked up to see Abbey leaning at the threshold.

"It gave me some trouble, but I got there," Erika said dryly.

A long awkward pause followed, Erika refusing to meet Abbey's uncertainty before at last the redhead offered, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Erika said flatly. "I'm just… I can't believe Ray went and did that."

"Convincing Jasmine and Melody to give you another audition?" Abbey asked. "But I thought that was really nice of him. I mean, it was kind of my fault you missed out the first time."

"Well maybe I didn't want another shot," Erika grumbled. "Couldn't he have thought of that?"

Abbey's face scrunched, confusion plain as day as she tried to keep up. "But… if you didn't want to do it, why did you go line up in the first place?"

"Because I just…gah!"

Nope, there was no reasoning out of this one. There was no way Abbey was going to understand.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to," Abbey tried again nervously. "But I totally get it if you're nervous or it's just all too much."

"I'm not-," Erika began to reply but stopped herself. If even she didn't buy the answer, then there was no way Abbey would. Hands on the sink, Erika's head dropped in shame, a final admittance of surrender "You must think that's pretty lame, huh? Happy to throw a punch but can't get up on stage?"

She expected Abbey, sweet comforting Abbey, to offer words of encouragement. To tell her "No Erika, you're so strong. I'm sure there's another reason. There's no way you're scared."

But instead, as she inhaled a nervous breath, Abbey averted her eyes and slowly nodded. "No," she reasoned. "No, that makes sense."

Erika's head whipped up, eyes narrowing as Abbey shrunk back. "Excuse me?"

"It's just," Abbey clarified. "I get it. Actually, I think it makes a lot of sense."

"Really," Erika snarled. "Why's that?"

Abbey looked from side to side, avoiding all eye contact as her head darted in a frightened look for an exit. "I should probably go get those napkins folded."

"No," Erika said flatly. "Come on. You've obviously got some amazing insight into me. Say it."

"Erika, I'm not so sure that-."

"Say it."

At first, Abbey looked like she was going to run, like her best option was to walk away before saying something she'd regret. Just like Erika wanted her to. But breathing in, with her back slowly straightening, Abbey's eyes blinked twice in to find her resolve and give the reply Erika was goading for, whether she'd want to hear it or not.

"All right, then," said Abbey. "I don't think you're mad at Ray at all. I think you're mad at yourself because you no longer have an excuse to run away."

"I don't run," Erika scoffed. "Pretty sure diving headfirst at the problem is the opposite of that."

"Are you sure?" Abbey replied, voice echoing the hints of condescension that came with an already-known answer. "Because I think running is all you do."

The cold air hissed in, sticking to the walls of her chest as embers began to crackle within her. "You're one to talk," Erika said snidely. "Or you all about picking fights now?"

To Abbey's credit, she didn't so much as flinch, her expression barely flickered as she gulped down and stood her ground.

"I've definitely run from problems I shouldn't have," she admitted, voice shaking. "And I've caused plenty of problems trying to mend gaps without addressing the issue. But do you know what all my conflict avoidance makes me? An expert. Which means I know that someone's running when I see it. That's why you pick fights, that's why you're so eager to throw yourself into a mass of Cyberdrones at every chance you get. God, it's why you were so eager to chase down Ray or chew me out when you got the chance. You're not solving your problems, you're not even beating them down. You're avoiding them. So, this isn't about Ray, or me, or anyone else; this is about you finding one more excuse to run away and pretend you aren't."

Erika couldn't help it, the competitive contrarian boiling up within her, wanting to deny everything he was saying. "Then what's my big problem then?" she demanded. "What am I so scared of?"

"People," Abbey said flatly. "You're scared of letting people into your life. You do everything you can to push them away and make them think you don't care. And even when you do let them in, it's begrudging, because you're waiting for them to let you down. The only terms of engagement you're willing to accept are your own, because that's what keeps you safe, so you hold everyone who could care about you at arm's length and try to scare the rest away."

Holding back a seething hiss, Erika readied for another pounce.

How dare she.

How dare she!

How dare she… state…

…exactly what Erika had asked for.

Because Abbey was right. She fought because it was easier; easier to hide behind the rage, the fury, the mask of cold indifference that let her choose who was worthy of letting. Letting see her.

Abbey & Zeke.

Ray & Hilary.

Miguel.

Val…

People she'd let in gradually, but only on her allowance. But Jasmine and Melody? She didn't know them, and that reason alone was enough to make Erika run a mile. Because to stand up on that stage for them to decide her worth, on their terms, was far more terrifying than any monster Xaviax could possibly throw at her.

Not because of the judgment, Erika was used to that. No, it was because of what that judgment would come with.

Rejection.

Slowly, Erika's breathing calmed, the hot air whistling out as her breath turned heavy and slumped down. Still, she could feel Abbey holding back, only this time Erika was thankful for it. She'd explained her observation, but she'd left out her suspected reason. The reason Erika was so terrified, so certain, that people would reject her.

That they would leave.

Abbey didn't have to exactly be a shrink to figure one out.

Stupid Freud.

Seeing Erika's change in demeanor, Abbey's shoulders softened, relaxing as her calmer, friendlier self returned. "You're an amazing leader," she confided. "And a good friend. But we both know that any connection you and I built came begrudgingly. If being Rangers hadn't forced us into each other's orbit, then we'd never have interacted."

"I know," Erika nodded sadly. "I guess I'm just… I know I'm not the easiest to get along with. And I know most people would see that and think it's not worth the effort, you know?"

Abbey slowly nodded. "And when that's all you know," she finished, "it's easier to just make the call for them and save yourself the effort."

Erika didn't say anything else, simply shrugging in shameful admittance as the eyes surrendered to the growing weight and dropped toward the sudsy water. For a long time, a silence hung between them, a nervous uncertainty that neither was sure how to break.

"Erika," Abbey decided. "I know it feels easier to only ever know people on your terms, but the truth is that as long as you try to do everything on your own, that's all it'll end up being. I'm not saying you have to audition, but I know nothing's going to change until you take that chance. Just… think about it, okay?"

With nothing left to say, Abbey turned and went back out to quiet Hub, leaving Erika with her hands sinking deeper into the cooling water, wondering where she would even begin. For the rest of her shift, Erika remained in the back of the kitchen, palms plunged in the soapy water and her mind sharply focused on the dishes, the only task that could distract her from everything else. As time passed, Abbey ducked in briefly, bidding farewell and offering to hang afterward, but Erika merely grunted and shrugged. Eventually, Dirk gave her the warning that he was heading out, asking Erika to lock up.

Alone at last, Erika emerged from the kitchen, staring out at the space that had all too recently been bustling with people. Now it was a cold and lifeless cavern, ready to be left alone. Just like her.

All the tables had been cleared, and all that was left was a final check before closing the locked door behind her. And yet, as Erika did her sweep, something on the stage caught her eye.

A guitar.

There it stood, abandoned on the stage, frozen in time as it rested on its stand upon the stage. Calling to her.

She shouldn't, she knew she shouldn't. It wasn't hers, and she was meant to be locking up. But… she did have time to kill, and it wasn't like anyone was waiting on her…

Breathing bravely, Erika shot a look over her shoulder to see if anyone was watching before mounting the step to cautiously approach the guitar. Carefully, she pulled the acoustic from the stand and set it on her lap as she sat along the stage's edge.

A few plucks on strings told her it was freshly tuned, although the dullness of the twang warned that strings were waning. At first, Erika's fingers merely brushed against the bottom string, a lazy strum as her left hand mindlessly explored the frets and settled into a shape on the steel. Eventually, they curled their way around the neck and pressed down into a C chord as the strumming grew louder and more rhythmic.

Before Erika knew it, the mindless movements grew more confident, muscle memory meditatively shifting from chord to chord as the rhythm began to carry a tune, resonating within the walls of the music room to reverberate back and elate her further. And then at last, as the final chord sounded and echoed out around her, Erika's lips parted, and without thought she softly began to sing…

"A heart of gold, but mine is poison;
The nicest of people are always broken.
It feels just like you
and I; they're lying.
They're lying.

Put your faith in me, but I want you to be honest.
I'm losing my patience and I'm
losing myself.
Someone rescue me, I need help,

'cause,

Maybe,
I'm not
fit to be a hero,
But I'll try…
But I'll try…

Maybe,
I'm not
fit to be a hero,
But I'll try…
Somewhere deep inside
is mine…"

Then a floorboard creaked at the edge of the room.

Erika's heart seized, string twanging to a sharpened silence as she whipped her hand off the guitar and spun back to the source. There they were, Jasmine and Melody, huddled tight together and staring at her in awe. Erika snapped to her feet with bulging eyes, stumbling back to the stand to hurriedly replace the instrument.

… Oh god.

Oh god!

Nope!

Not like this!

But for all of Erika's horror, staring in a heartbeat moment that seemed to stretch to eternity, the girl's faces lit up, and grinned back in beaming excitement as they raced to join her on the stage.

"That was amazing!" Melody squealed.

"Wow, Mr. Granger wasn't kidding," Jasmine agreed. "You are good!"

"That?" Erika stammered, cheeks suddenly flushing to the color of her Ranger suit. "No that was… nothing. Really."

"Nothing?" Jasmine scoffed. "You've got to give yourself some credit."

"You've been holding out on us, Nishimura," Melody agreed. "You're exactly what we need! I mean… if that's what you want… obviously."

Heart still pounding and struggling for breath, Erika slowly raised her gaze to meet the eyes of the two beaming girls. Two girls who had been enraptured in her performance.

Her? Impress them?

But even if they were being real with her, that Erika was better than she gave herself credit for, that still meant playing in front of others. In front of a crowd of gathered people. People who would judge her.

But these guys did it all the time, and they were great at it. Would they really give her that hope? Put her on stage under their banner if they didn't think she could cut it?

"You guys really mean it?" Erika asked them in continued sheepish disbelief.

"Are you kidding?" Jasmine scoffed. "I love Blossom!"

"Just give it a thought, okay?" Melody requested. "We've got a show coming up in a couple of days, or at least… we did. Why don't come around to where we practice and just jam a few songs with us? See how you feel afterward?"

Erika's chest pranged at the request, a suddenly frightened instinct to decline the offer out of fear for what it could lead to. Just one song, leading to another, and then another. And then suddenly she'd be on stage, for everyone to see. For everyone to judge and mock. But as Erika inhaled to breathe out her rebuke, another part of herself stopped, like a careful arm pausing on the other winding back.

A voice inside her head that sounded annoyingly like Abbey.

She was right, and Erika knew it. It was the only way to stop fighting off all those who tried to get close. To stop running.

"Okay," Erika relented, at last giving the reply and relieving the two girls from their tender hooks. "I'll give it a shot."

The two girls cheered, a high-pitched squeal of excitement that drowned out any other words as they grabbed Erika and pulled her into a bouncing hug. Then they pulled away, grins still beaming on their faces.

"You're the best!" Jasmine insisted.

"You won't regret this!" Melody.

Oh boy, did she hope so.

"No problem, guys," Erika decided nervously. "We can sort a time later. Right now, I've still got to lock up."

And she was going to start with the back door.

"Right," Jasmine realized, almost comically regaining her composure as she and Melody began to make their way off the stage. "We'll be in touch."

"Our people will call your people," Melody added with a smile, miming a phone at her ear.

"Can't wait," Erika replied. "Take care guys."

The two girls were gone a moment later, and Erika unleashed her enormous, held breath as the anxious relief flushed from her body.

Oh boy.

Ooooooh boy.

She needed to sit down.

That… that just happened.

And now she was playing with them.

But as the shock faded, and the tightening panic in Erika's chest slowly released, a new sensation began to slowly creep in. The nervous shaking turned to laughter, a broad grin stretching from cheek to cheek as she fell flat on the stage and the sweet emotion overcame her.

Pride.

She did just do that.

Not quite as planned and not entirely on the terms she'd envisaged, but she'd done it.

Ray would be proud of her.

And it was worth an "I told you so" from Abbey.

And she knew Valerie would love to see her up on stage…

Good job, Erika.

But whatever elation she was feeling was suddenly dashed as a feminine scream shrilled from outside. Erika leaped to her feet, all nerves dashed as she lunged from the stage and made for the door. She didn't have to go far, both girls were still in the back alley, huddling tight as a strange figure bore down on them. So Xaviax had sent a monster, great.

She should have known the Saturday was too quiet.

"Now, now ladies," it chuckled sinisterly. "Can't you give a little sympathy for the devil?"

Its body was tall and bulky, a bright red carapace garbed in torn jeans and leather. Its arms extended into a pair of wide claws, crustacean-like to match the mandibles and beady eyes on its face. Strapped across its body, hanging in wait to be swung, was a large axe, strings running along the haft like a guitar's.

"Come on, now," he chuckled as he lifted the weapon to hold it above the terrified Jasmine and Melody. "Haven't you just been dying to see the Rock-Lobster?"

Great.

And no one was around to help them.

Erika's hand moved to her pocket, only to stop as she realized there was no time to morph. Jasmine and Melody needed help now! With a mighty battle cry, Erika lunged forward, launching into the alley and crashing into Rock-Lobster with a powerful kick. The monster stumbled, axe swinging wide as Erika spun and raised her guard to stand between Rock-Lobster and her new bandmates.

"If you're here for the audition," she snarled. "The spot's been filled."

"Erika?" Jasmine asked warily. "What are you doing?"

"Help's on the way," Erika replied without even looking back. "I'll be fine, just get out of here!"

"You'll be fine?" Melody gasped, pointing at the monster. "But what about that thing?"

"It's okay," Erika assured them. "I know kung-fu."

Then she lunged at the monster without a second thought. As the lobster came at her, she ducked and weaved, gliding beneath the massive axe as it crashed into the cement behind her.

"Go! Now!"

As Melody and Jasmine wasted no time obeying, Erika snapped up her leg, heel cracking into the monster's face as it spun around to try and face her. But two lucky hits were not going to be enough, and she just had to hope she could hold out long enough for help. With the alley clear, Erika used her opening to activate the coms, praying that someone was listening.

"Hilary?" she pleaded. "Please tell me you've got nothing better to do on a Saturday night."

"I'm going to ignore that," came the reply. "I'll have you know that I'm on the couch and actually have you on my phone."

"Well, I hope you can run mission control from there because I've got a whole lot of trouble down at the Hub."

"Think you can clobber me?" Rock-Lobster snarled at her. "I'm the leading show here! And if you can't take it then you're on a one-way ride on the Highway to Hell!"

Erika never heard Hilary's reply, diving as hard as her legs would lunge and furiously fumbling for her key-card as the giant axe crashed into the cement behind her. But Rock-Lobster wasn't giving her the chance to get lucky again. Having cracked the cement, he swung the weapon around.

"Whirly-Bird!" The axe skidded across the concrete, slamming down hard and releasing a heavy shockwave that caught Erika while she recovered. The blast sent her flying, soaring across the alley and tumbling along the ground as the Rock-Lobster cackled and waddled to follow her.

"First I thought you had the makings of greatness," he taunted her. "Turns out you were just a one-hit wonder."

"If you want to see a hit," Erika snarled back. "Then how about you ride the lightning?"

The bolt unleashed from her hand, a crimson fork of energy lancing across the alley and blasting into Rock-Lobster's chest. He stumbled back, snarling as it bounced off his shoulder in a spray of sparks, only to look back at her angrily.

So much for that.

Her lightning was great for Cyberdrones. But monsters? Not so much.

"Looks like you're the one who's been thunderstruck!" he laughed.

And boy was that where Erika wished it ended. Reeling quickly, the monster spun around the axe, pointing the pommel right at her and holding it like a guitar before unleashing a torrent of energy from its ends. Erika had nowhere to go.

Thinking quickly, Erika dived, lunging as far as she could as the shots seared passed and shattered on the ground. The rounds burst into fiery blasts, unleashing shockwaves that caught her midair and sent her flying. Helpless and mid-flight, the blast tossed Erika across the alley, landing with a painful thud as she rolled the remaining distance across the ground.

"Poor little Ranger," Rock-Lobster chuckled. "Just can't keep up with the jam!"

With a groan, Erika slowly rose, feeling the throbbing at her ribs as she gradually returned to her feet.

"I'm just getting started," she snarled as the Morpher flashed to her wrist, spare hand snapping to her pocket to produce the keycard.

Not fast enough. As Erika wound back, the monster unleashed another torrent of energy, surging beams blasting at her feet to send her soaring once again. She hit the back wall, bruises welling up her spine as she slumped to the ground and the key card was forcefully flung from her hand, clattering along the concrete to be well out of her reach.

Sinking to her knees, Erika hissed in a furious breath as exhaustion took hold, groggily looking up toward the looming figure.

All she could do was stare, watching as the giant crustacean sauntered forward, cursing herself for her haste. All she had to do was morph, and she'd been able to hold out longer. Call for backup earlier, and maybe she could've taken him. But in rushing to her bandmate's aid, Erika had missed the chance to raise her guard.

And now she was all exposed.

And alone.

"You came in here thinking you were the main event, but turns out you were just the warmup act," Rock-Lobster chuckled, as he readied his axe for the blow. "Sorry kid, but it really is a long way to the top."

The monster raised his weapon, and Erika squeezed her eyes as she readied for the blow.

But the blow never came.

A series of shots whistled through the air, booming in front of her as the warm glow of energy basked her face at point-blank range. Rock Lobster howled as Erika's eyes snapped open, watching as the monster stumbled backward with four blackened patches of smoke dancing off his chest. Then, with a mighty cheer, the cavalry arrived.

All four of them somersaulted into view, landing in the alley to stand defiantly between the monster and the fallen leader. All four Rangers, fully morphed.

Her friends; they'd come for her even though she hadn't asked. They'd come all the same. To make sure she didn't have to face this creep alone.

"You're just a washed-up solo act," Miguel warned as Rock-Lobster regained his footing. "We've got the whole band."

"Erika?" Abbey asked, blue helmet turning to check on her. "How are you hanging in there?"

"Better now," Erika admitted. Looking back at her comrade, Erika couldn't but smile with a knowing grin. Figured Abbey would be the one to show Erika the backup she really had.

From her spot on the ground, Erika's eyes scanned the floor, looking for the dropped keycard. A moment later, it appeared in front of her, held in a white glove before a separate, offering hand.

Lena's.

"Here," the White Ranger offered. "You might need this."

For a moment, Erika stared at the open palm, the olive branch that would reel her back into the fight. At her old enemy, now standing to fight by her side. Erika's terms or not, Lena was there to help. And it was about damn time Erika stopped turning it down.

"Thanks," she nodded emphatically, taking Lena's grip and heaving to her feet before turning to the snarling monster. Then, with all four of her teammates standing in support, Erika whipped around the keycard in hand and rammed it through the reader. "Hey big guy, you want a show? Then watch and learn! Server Force! Login Access!"

The crimson light flared from the device, roaring like a hurricane as it consumed her form completely. The energy surged through her veins, tired desperation vanishing in an instant as it was replaced with renewed and bolstered vitality, the muscles in her limbs tense with growing strength as the suit wrapped around her body. As the helmet materialized around her head, Erika's eyes narrowed, glaring at the enemy as at last visor flashed before her vision.

"All right guys," Erika decided as the light faded to reveal her Red Ranger uniform. "Let's show this guy the real meaning of "show-stopper"!"

"Right!"

They lunged into action, all five Rangers converging as Rock-Lobster stumbled back in startled fright.

"Talk about a tough crowd! With all these numbers, we're going to need a bigger venue!" he bemoaned. The emerald light flashed around him, dropping a fresh horde of Cyberdrones to support him. "Bigger gig? I'm going to need my roadies."

"Bring as many as you want," Erika taunted back. "All flash is nothing if you can't play."

"Oh, I'll show that I play with a whole lotta' love!"

The Rangers moved together, weapons flashing to their hands as they met force head-on. Feet skipping as she spun, Erika wove between the henchmen, the Power Axe flashing at it swung into the masses like a crashing wave. One of them came from the side, its fist hitting empty air as Erika dodged past and smashed against the chest as a counter, only for another movement to catch her eye. A Cyberdrone had taken flight, launching itself high for a downward strike while Erika's back was turned.

And now she didn't have time to dodge.

Turning the best she could, Erika readied to meet it, just as a blue streak ripped through the air and lanced through the robot's chest, snapping it back as it clattered to the ground. Whipping to the source, Erika saw Abbey standing on the dumpster, using the high ground to keep the Cyberdrones contained. A single nod of understanding was shared between them, all that was needed to acknowledge the save.

And then Erika lunged for the monstrous musician.

As the Primary trio had culled the horde, Miguel and Lena had closed in, the Dark Saber and Power Spear swinging wide as Rock-Lobster struggled to keep up.

"Here for a duet?" he snarled at them. "Then how about a solo?"

With a swing of his axe, he battered Miguel away, ducking beneath Lena's spear before shifting the weapon to hold it like a guitar. The air was filled with shrill, piercing notes, the pommel of the axe erupting into a surging rain of laser fire that arced back and down upon the Black and White Rangers. The searing rain exploded as the bolts hit the ground, sending the duo soaring as the flames surged from beneath them. But too focused on his ripping solo, Rock-Lobster had closed himself off from everything else.

And it made him the perfect target.

With a roaring cry, Erika closed the distance and brought her axe down, carving across the crustacean's chest with a searing swipe. As the monster gasped and stumbled back, Erika flipped away, landing at the side of her fallen teammates and helping them to their feet.

"You guys okay?" she asked them.

"Yeah," Miguel confirmed. "That guy can really shred."

"I've heard better, being honest," Lena sneered as the three of them spun back to the monster.

"Everyone's a critic!" Rock-Lobster bemoaned. "Guess I'll just have to bust out my closer number! And when I'm done, you guys are gonna be nothing but smoke on the water!"

With all his might, the monster roared and lifted the axe above his head, the sharp head glowing as he brought it down o with a mighty scream. The weapon boomed as it shattered against the earth, unleashing a massive wave of energy that consumed the entire alley. Even with time to jump, there was no way the three Rangers were going to get away in time.

But they didn't need to.

Quick as lightning, Zeke flashed before them, bringing up his shield and slamming it into the ground. Bracing as hard as he could, the Yellow Ranger took the blast head-on, the other three huddling around as the wave of energy hit them and slammed against the barrier. Caught in the open, the trio would have been blown apart, but to Zeke's shield, it was nothing but water on rock.

"Too much treble," he laughed as the energy dissipated and Rock-Lobster gasped in horror. "Needs more bass."

The three Rangers lunged before the monster could utter another terrible pun, leaping above the teammate with weapons glowing as the weakened monster was helpless beneath their strikes. The Spear lanced in first, bursting against the chest as Miguel closed in, crossing the distance and swiping the Dark Saber to sheer a flash of sparks from the armor. Then, with Rock-Lobster stumbling and daze, Erika finished up, axe-head glowing at full force as she brought the full might into the monster's chest. The weapon boomed, a shockwave unleashing as it dead-on and the lobster's beady eyes bulged as he was sent thundering across the alley.

He hit the far end, groaning with steam rising from his body as the Ranger regrouped and the Cyberdrones lay shattered at his feet.

"What do you say guys," Erika asked them. "Want to show him the power of an ensemble act?"

The response was a resounding cheer, "Yeah!"

"Then let's put it together!"

They moved with ease and synchronicity, all weapons locking in place as they formed the mighty cannon. The Dark Saber clicked on top, and the Power Spear folded into thirds for the sharpened edge to reinforce the bottom while holding the rest in place. Fully constructed, the five Rangers took their places, Lena and Miguel crouching at the sides as Erika took the center and aimed the mighty weapon at their foe.

"Defrag Blaster!" they called together. "Hardwired!"

From his place in the alley, Rock-Lobster suddenly realized the full desperation of his position, unable to do anything but stare down the barrel. "Aw, Hells Bells."

"FIRE!"

The cannon boomed, the full power of five weapons combined into an erupting blast that surged across the alley to its target. Rock-Lobster could only scream as the radiant ball of energy rocketed into him, booming like deafening thunder on the impact that blasted the monster into pieces. With a resounding cheer, the Rangers parted, collapsing the cannon into their individual weapons as the steaming remains of Rock-Lobster rained down across the alley.

"Way to go guys," Ray congratulated in their ear. "Great teamwork."

With the brief moment of respite, Erika turned to her teammates, all four of them standing together in solidarity. Solidarity for her.

"Thanks for coming to get me guys," she said gratefully.

"Don't mention it," Zeke replied. "We've always got your back."

"He's right," Abbey nodded. "Whether you want it or not."

And for that, Erika would be forever grateful.

"Don't count your chickens too early," Hilary warned them. "Because we all know the final song isn't really the last."

Right on cue, the emerald beam split through the sky, illuminating the scattered pieces of the monster and drawing them back together. Moments later, Rock-Lobster had returned, now eighty feet tall and towering above the city.

"Looks like it's time for my encore!" he laughed as his clawed foot stamped down on asphalt with a terrifying quake.

As if that wasn't enough, the Rangers spun to see another green glow beside them. More Cyberdrones were flooding into the alley, rushing toward the Rangers with the clear intent of keeping them occupied.

"Looks like a headliner's not the only one back for more," Erika noted.

Without another word, Miguel stepped forward, Lena following beside him as they turned to Primary colored Rangers.

"We'll bounce the show crashers," he decided.

"Yeah," Lena agreed. "You guys close out the show."

With an affirming nod, the trio retreated running out into the mean street as the Black and White Rangers surged forward to engage the crowd.

"Hilary?" Erika called into the coms. "You get all that?"

"Loud and clear," came the gleeful reply. "Deploying Zords!"

The air filled the screeching tires and roaring jets as the three mighty vehicles burst into view. The three Rangers launched themselves into the cockpits and didn't waste a second to bring the machines together. Yanking the controls, Erika's streetcar spun around, locking into Zeke's truck as the brakes slammed and the combined machine shot up to vertical. As Erika's chair shot back into the elevator, Abbey's jet repositioned, splitting in two to form the breastplate and the helm, all three Zords combined as the Rangers met in the newly formed cockpit.

"Cyber Security Megazord!" they declared together. "Online!"

The mighty mechanical warrior took a step, a thunderous footprint echoing out across the streets as Rock-Lobster paused his gleeful rampage and turned to face them.

"Would you look at that!" he laughed, "Back for more. Seems I'll just have to rock you like a hurricane!"

"You couldn't even rock a gentle breeze," Erika snorted before turning to her teammate. "Zeke, could you-?"

"Shield's primed and ready," the Yellow Ranger confirmed with a gleeful nod. Like Erika didn't even need to ask.

Without another word, the three Rangers braced themselves, sitting in anticipant silence as they waited for Rock-Lobster to make a move. They didn't need to wait long; a heartbeat later, Rock-Lobster lunged at them.

"Let's see how you like my power slide!" he roared as he took off down the road toward them. Closing the distance, he dropped his knees, enormous limbs skidding along the asphalt as he raised the axe to strike.

"NOW!"

With a fluid motion, all three Rangers snapped to their controls, moving with wordless precision to counter the monster's attack. The dump tray shifted from the back, snapping the giant wrist as a shield before slamming into the skidding monsters. As the shield collided, the Megazord moved, sidestepping around and kicking out to send Rock-Lobster reeling down the street.

"Argh!" the monster wailed. "That might work once! But I won't get fooled again!"

But from where he stood, he was too exposed, no time to lift the axe as the Megazord raised its hand and summoned the mighty sword.

"What do you say, guys?" Erika asked. "Ready to send him knocking on heaven's door?"

"I think his show's definitely over," Abbey agreed.

The Megazord thundered forward, giant feet booming against the ground as they closed in on the weakened Rock-Lobster. Still rising from his power slide, the monster wasn't ready, and the blade sliced clean through without mercy.

"Cyber Power…" the Rangers called. "STRIKE!"

With a blazing flash, the sword cleaved through the monster's form, a swift strike that sundered top to bottom as the Cyber Security Megazord continued its traction the rumbled past. As it skidded to a stop, Rock-Lobster spun in a vain attempt to rise, only for his legs to give and send him toppling to the ground.

"I guess another one bites the dust!"

And then he exploded.

The flames surged out in all directions, flaring from the disintegrating form as the performing crustacean blew apart. The whole blaze lit up the sky, surging heat roaring into a twisting column as every atom of the monster's existence vaporized into the smoke. And as the fury died down, the blackened haze of the monster's remains dissipating into the air, the Megazord continued to stand there, tall and proud, its three pilots satisfied that the city was safe for another day.

That they'd done their duty to protect the city.

Together.


All Erika could do was pace, her heart racing a million miles a minute, every breath a tightened seize of panic as her eyes dart to the nearest exit.

She could do this.

She could do this.

She could do this.

Already she could hear the crowd growing on the other side of the curtain, murmuring to each other with growing anticipation. Waiting for the show to start.

Waiting for her.

She couldn't do this!

Erika spun on heels, almost hyperventilating and ready to bolt as she suddenly saw Melody and Jasmine in front of her.

"You doing okay?" Jasmine asked with an amused grin.

"I… I'm not sure…" was all Erika could stammer.

"Hey," Melody replied softly, holding a guitar in one hand with her drumsticks in the other. "Just last week we watched throw down some kung-fu at a weird crab monster. You've got this."

Erika was starting to think she'd rather have another round with the lobster.

"You blew us away every time you played with us," Jasmine insisted. "And you nailed every note at soundcheck. That's not going to change just because an audience is there. Melody's right, you're going to kill it out there."

Slowly, Erika's breathing gradually evened, and her gaze looked up at the encouraging smiles of her new bandmates as her nerves began to ease. But they didn't vanish.

Stop running…

Barely a week ago, Abbey had warned her of her tendency, a truth Erika had known all along but was hell-bent on denying. Ray had known it too, and had hoped at last she'd realize it on her own. But both had been right; it was time to stop running, and it was time to fight.

To fight the nerves, to fight her fear.

To fight any and all expectations and step out into the world as she wanted to. To take all her rage and channel it inward, burning the fuel at full throttle to get her where she wanted to.

And this was where it started.

With a determined nod, Erika took the neck of the guitar from Melody's grasp and slung the strap onto her shoulder. A sunburst, classic cut; her old faithful. An old friend by her side to step her through what came next.

"Now come on," Jasmine grinned. "Let's rock the house down."

And then, with a final, shuddering breath, Erika stepped out from behind the curtain and out onto the stage.

The room fell silent, not so much as a pin drop as Erika stared past the blinding light and out toward the shadowed crowd. All of a sudden, she could hear her very heartbeat, thumping hard against the walls of her chest as her inhales returned to tightened breathing.

Her eyes flicked across the room. There were so many people!

Right up front, Whitney sat with Deryck, looking right at her with smirking satisfaction, readying a snide remark for immediate review. Everyone else staring and waiting.

Judging.

She couldn't do this!

"GO ERIKA! WOOO!"

Her eyes snapped to the back of the room, her heart leaping to the sound of a familiar, encouraging voice.

Valerie.

There she sat, beaming with pride cheering her on beside Abbey, Zeke, Miguel, and Lena.

"YOU GOT THIS!" Abbey cheered as well, the rest of her team whistling and calling more encouragement. Behind them, Erika made out Ray and Hilary, leaning by the counter and eager expectation. All of them had come; come to see her.

To support her.

"You good?" Jasmine asked her quietly, placing an assuring hand on the shoulder.

They'd come to see her, all of them; they believed in her. Now she needed to pay them back.

"Yeah," Erika smiled. "I'm good."

And then, with the band all set, Melody launched right into the count before Erika could second guess again.

"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!"

Her hand moved on its own, slamming down the strings to burst into opening chords, the distorted sounds taking a life of their own in perfect melody with the others. It was an explosion of sound, an aggressive burst of tempo that surged with enlivening energy that overtook her burned and her nerves to ash. By the time they'd reached to opening, Erika was no longer frightened. She was daring, bold as a wicked smile spread across her lips, and in reaching the mic Erika looked Whitney dead in the eyes as she began to sing.

"Here we go again,
It's like you're
calling all the shots before I shoot them.

And I hate that.

Every time I
turn my back I wonder what you'll
Say to make me sound like someone different."

"It's not worth it anymore!" Jasmine sung.

"We've been picking up the pieces
Leaving all the dust behind.
Sick of all the pressure,
You're just wasting time!

And I don't ever wanna know what it feels like
To be a shadow of myself.
And I don't ever wanna come back down from this feeling!

What makes
you think that
you know what's
better for me?
And I don't think you wanna see what's underneath
Your made-up version of me!"

The band hit the bridge, shifting key and building to a climax Erika dared a look at the crowd. The people were bopping to the tunes with smiles wide on their faces, dancing between the tables or bounding upfront in a mosh pit. More and more were moving closer, abandoning their seats to revel in the music as Erika spied her friends rushing to join them. Abbey and Lena were cheering, wildly moving the rhythm with Valerie while Miguel and Zeke were enthusiastically bopping along. Still in her seat, glaring daggers at Deryck to do the same, Whitney was pouting, furious as the success of the show with clearly no snide remarks to make beneath her begrudging enjoyment. But what swelled Erika's heart was Ray, standing at the back, beaming with pride. Killing it more than even he had imagined.

"I lost the strength to keep my
grip on the reality that
Everything from day to day is
Fading from my memory,
but I'll
Never let this grow
Out of my control and watch your steps
So you don't fall into this hole you've dug alone…"

They built to quiet, Jasmine's backing humming in harmony as the light notes trilled. And then, as Erika inhaled in readiness for the climax to come, she once again locked eyes with Whitney in a daring glaring of defiance. With a message for her, and her alone as Erika belted the note with everything she had.

"This hole you've. Dug. A-LONE!

"And I don't ever wanna know what it feels like
To be a shadow of myself,
And I don't ever wanna come back down from this feeling!

What makes
you think that
you know what's
better for me?

And I don't think you wanna see what's underneath

Your made-up version of me…"

Beside her, Jasmine's bass boomed, humming beneath Erika's notes as Melody's beat held them all together. Both girls were ecstatic, feeding the electric crowd as their playing energy grew and fed into Erika's own. Jasmine shot her a look, a silent "told you so" that made Erika only grin wider.

Grinning at what was what she was doing; at how far she'd come. She had plenty more to go, but she was making the steps,

Each and every day.

"Your made-up version of me!"


NEXT TIME:

Little Miss Perfect, there's nothing that Abbey won't seem to do. Perfect grades, selfless volunteering, protecting the city from evil, all of it would appear to be too much for anyone less committed. But as the threat of Xaviax grows, Abbey begins to realize that there's no way to keep up with all her commitments and responsibilities without letting someone down. Or is there…?
Will Abbey find a way to balance herself? How is she able to do everything, everywhere, all at once? And what has Hilary uncovered about the mystery of the old, abandoned Power Plant?

Find out next time on

POWER RANGERS

SERVER FORCE

Seeing Double


Power Rangers: Server Force is a fan-made team of Rangers, and not explicitly based on any other existing Rangers or Sentai property, with artwork character models created through Hero Forge.

Power Rangers- Sever Force updates on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you like what you read, you can always drop a comment to let me know, and don't forget to subscribe/ follow to find out the second I update.

Hero (2016)

Written by- Sarah Buckley, Kerrod Williams, John Buckley, Nick Laurie, & Keanu McCormick.

Performed by- Blossoms

Courtesy of- We Are Triumphant Records.

Rumor Mill (2011)

Written by- Taylor Jardine, Jordan Eckes, Mike Ferri, Cameron Hurley, & Rob Chianelli

Performed by- We Are The In Crowd

Courtesy of: Hopeless Records.