HE BLASTED ME WITH DEFIANCE PART 2
Gia walked along the vacant suburban streets, the town center was quiet which was unusual for this time of day. Often times she'd see couples trouncing around, all googly-eyed at one another. She leaned on the bar of a bridge overlooking a large fountain and outdoor restaurants, her mind rehashed the trumped-up emotions bubbling within her.
Troy's harsh words were a never-ending record in Gia's mind. For a guy whom she saw such promise and potential kinship with, his harsh words were as ferocious as the beast associated with his powers. Gia greatly resented the mishap of her attack, if Gosei hadn't intervened Emma wouldn't be alive.
Troy, Noah, and Emma enter the command center and present themselves before Gosei, Jake however halted at the door. The turbulent training session followed by the explosive bout soured Jake's overall jolly.
"Rangers, your progress is marked by the exponential mastery of your abilities, however, the cohesion of this team is faltering." The mentor announced. "Your maximum strength lies in the unity of your members, by ostracizing one, the whole team suffers as a result. There's a reason why you each claim mastery over the specific elements that you do. The skies represent the limitless possibilities that are just within your reach, the seas represent an openness to change and the freedom of adaptation. Lastly, the earth marks stability and a willingness to protect what's important. These three realms signify the trinity which governs the laws of mortality. Keeping these three spheres balanced is how we aim to accomplish the mission of the M.E.G.A-Force."
"So are we supposed to just forget what happened earlier?" Troy challenged.
Jake wasn't happy about Troy's comment, "You Know," Jake scoffed, "I don't know why bringing up with happened during training is really helping."
Troy stood anchored in place, his wall of defense initiated the instance he sensed his teammate's unrest. Like the greek forces in the old story, Jake laid siege around Troy all to no avail. "Not sure if you noticed but uh... news flash, Gia isn't here. You really have some nerve to talk about her mistakes, because I'm pretty sure we all know about the incident you're infamous for!"
"That is enough!" Gosei abrupted. His commanding voice brought an utter silence to the room. "It is true that Gia's performance proved destructive, however, she is still a valued member of the Megaforce team. As team leader Troy, the responsibility is reflected heavily on you to oversee and manage solidarity, that cannot be done if you are the one perpetuating the partition."
Tensou then noted, "Gosei is right and since both Noah and Emma had their communicating pins, we were able to accurately pinpoint your exact location a lot easier than before."
Troy's gaze shifted downward under the realization that his mentor's assessment was correct. His action to seemingly distance Gia only served to cripple the overall strength of the team. Emma's lips puckered shyly, her fists clenched tighter the more she tried to place herself in Gia's shoes. She realized that all she needed to do was confront her friend and make things right.
"Yeah I see what you mean, I'm going to find Gia. She feels really bad about what happened." Emma said.
Gosei interjected, "Hmm, I think its best to let Gia cool down for a moment. Much like the source of her powers she can sometimes be hostile to the things she loves. With time she may prove to be habitable and approachable again."
"Then let me look for her, Gosei. Since we're both on team earth I should be able to put up with her right?" Jake offered.
"That might be true Jake, but exposing you to that environment may add further stress to your fledgling relationship."
"But if it works, then the two of us would be stronger right?"
"Your intrinsic wisdom is astounding Jake. If you are confident in your ability to pacify Gia's barbarous nature then there's nothing I can do to dissuade you from that quest. During the remainder of the time, I want you all to practice the triune triad attack. In order to complete this task, the land, sea, and sky powers must have an equal output of strength. No one force could outclass the others."
"Did you get that Troy? He said equal," Jake emphasized
"I heard," Troy answered.
"If you are going to look for Gia, Jake, I found her location near hardwood county plaza," Tensou informed.
At the mention of the triad attacks, Noah's mind kicked into high gear. So many different combinations that offer a variety of different outcomes. The one thing that perplexed him was the absence of a second water ranger. This required further study maybe he could somehow create a copy of his own ranger powers. "So Gosei in order for this Triad Truine attack to work we all need to input the same level of power right? Since the land, sea, and sky are all connected, theoretically between the four of us we should be able to pull it off?"
"That is correct, Noah."
Although Jake wanted to stay and practice more with the others his main priority was to see to his partner. He would come back with Gia, and then all 5 of them will master this new power together. Emma seemed to share Jake's passion, it makes sense since they both have been friends for so long. He steadily made his way to the door dead set on proving Troy wrong.
"But what about Gia? How can we keep everything balanced if she's not here?" Emma asked Gosei.
"We'll just need to make due, her leaving was her choice," Troy said.
Troy's snide remark was the spark that lit the match. Jake whirled on the red ranger, the rawness of his fury no longer hidden with pleasantries. Noah rose immediately to intercept Jake aiming to prevent him from doing something he'd later forget.
"You know what?! Gia had high hopes for you. While everyone saw you as a monster she actually wanted to talk to you!"
"Jake.." Noah tried to calm the black ranger down but to no avail.
"She had a reason for leaving. How could you turn your back on someone like that? Gia is the most down to earth person and if you can't see that then you must really have your head in the clouds."
"Okay Jake alright that's enough," Noah chimed in.
"No bro, I'm tired of how this guy thinking he's better than everybody," Jake's tone shifted to a mocking rendition of Troy's. "Oooooh look at me I'm Troy Burrows, I'm sooooo cool. I've been kicked out of school, I beat people up. I don't need friends because I'm the best guy ever."
The air around the rangers seemed highly charged. In terms of an electrical circuit, the positive energy emitted by Troy clashed vehemently against Jake's negative energy. At one point sparks were expected to be produced if there was no solution soon. Noah was concerned, as noble and valiant Jake was at defending the little guy, when it came to fighting the big guy thing didn't always play out like he expected. From the moment Troy arrived at their school he instantly rose to the top of the food chain. Jake had some serious guts to challenge the best fighter they have. Looking at Troy he too was showing a lot of restraint like he was trying to hold himself back.
Jake then walked to where his bag was stashed. "I had enough for today, I'm going home after I find Gia."
"But Jake what about the triune triad attacks?!" Tensou begged.
"Sorry Tensou, maybe another time...When someone else is in red." With a huff, Jake walked out of the base.
"I'm sorry about that, Jake tends to say stuff he doesn't mean when he's passionate about things," Noah explained to Troy.
Emma gawked silently at the explosive confrontation between Troy and Jake. She was so perplexed as to which side she should stand on. Troy was right about Gia's attack earlier, it was extremely dangerous. On the other hand Troy was very wrong to verbally berate her like she was a child. Especially since Gia probably understood him the best. She desperately wanted to approach Troy and scold him for all the trouble he's caused but based on the expression he had, Emma decided that wouldn't be best. Troy seemed to be fighting his own demons, her talking to him may only excite them more.
"You know Troy, you and Gia are a lot alike. There are still things in her past that she's trying to get away from." Emma then walked away.
Troy inhaled and exhaled deeply, he could feel himself getting warmer to the point that he was almost ready to explode. Learning the hard way of the consequences that come from when his emotions have gotten the better of him. Troy didn't seem to understand why these people wanted to be so close to him. He told Gosei once before that he didn't want to be apart of his team, yet the wise old tiki head forced his hand. He's erected barriers to keep people back yet his teammates keep trying to force their way in.
What game were these people playing? They were just going to leave Troy once they found out who he really is. That's the narrative he's seen written so many times before. At this point, it might as well be the story of his life.
The burden that weighed the heaviest was the dispute with her father. For years Gia's been his little princess. Each and every time she succeeded in placing first, he'd be there to lift her up and congratulate her on a job well done. It was only within the last two years did his more tyrannical nature surface. The moment Gia's wishes and desires didn't align with his.
While she pondered this, listening to the gurgling of the grand fountain she noticed a steady drop in temperature. It started as a cool breeze but gradually drew colder to the point she could see her breath. Soon snow began to flutter from the sky and quickly blanket the ground. The winds pick up behind Gia and a monster appeared. Gia sensed the creature behind her and turns around.
"What is that!?" Gia quickly performed a double-take to see that ice had completely covered the few civilians that were enjoying their normal day. The gurgling fountain was now frozen solid. Ice sculptures that were once people, dotted the area all perfectly reserved in whatever pose they were in when the creature arrived. Gia's jaw now clattered from the cold, if it hadn't been for her ranger powers she might've frozen solid still holding on to her negative emotions
"Infected human, you are plagued with negativity. I was sent to purge this planet of the volatile toxins. You shall be expunged. " Beams fire from the creature's eyes sending a frigid chill toward Gia. She vaulted to the left than to the right, tufts of snow cascaded into the air from the blasts she dodged. The pin on her lapel glimmered as she summoned her morpher to her hand.
"Go go Megaforce!"
The newly morphed yellow ranger surged forward, her feet kicking up snow with each step. She opened with a right jab aimed at her target's face to which the creature weaved and sent a kick towards Gia's midsection. The battle waged teetering back and forth, Gia's blows often coming short of significant damage whereas the invader, several times, landed successful strikes. Another powerful kick sends Gia stumbling back. The snowflake wings on the back of the creature swelled with energy. He was prepared to freeze Gia with the force of a blizzard. Her weakened stance left her vulnerable and open for attack this time it may actually stick.
Jake passed through the plaza, completely fed up with the way Troy was acting. What was wrong with that guy? He must not have a heart because no one could be that cavalier. Jake decided that next time he won't be so nice, he'll really make Troy pay. The thought of the red ranger begging for mercy brought a chuckle to Jake's face. As he crossed into the town center he was immediately met with the sudden tundra and what sounded like a fight.
A look of panic crossed Jake's face as he threw his school bag aside. The further he ventured into the town center the colder it got. What was really startling were the frozen sculptures of people dotting the area. On the bridge overlooking the grand fountain, Gia held her ground against the source of the arctic wasteland.
"Gia.."
Jake pulls out his morpher, "Guys there's trouble downtown! It's some sort of Ice monster."
On the bridge Gia panted heavily, this frozen freak was extremely tough and no matter what she did nothing seemed to hurt him. There was still one trick up her sleeve.
"Who are you?! What do you want with these people?!" She yelled
"I am a soldier sent by Admiral Malkor, your planet is overrun with vile toxins which makes you inept to serve in his army. I will cleanse you and we will fight on our master's behalf!" The tundra burst flew forward. Gia pulled a card from her belt and inserted it into her Morpher.
"Defense Stone!" She shouted hoping for once her invocation would work. Yet again to her dismay, nothing happened. Sparks danced of the fabrics of her suit. She could feel the cold starting to bite into her flesh.
"I have heard that you power rangers were supposed to be tough. Admiral Malkor will be pleased to know that I managed to defeat one," The monster said.
"Gia!" Jake yelled readying his morpher. "Go go Megaforce!"
With the chime of music and the silhouette of a purple snake which passed over his body, Jake bounded up the bridge, the bottom of his boot pressing into the chest of the creature. He landed heroically in front of Gia, his arms stretched defensively.
"Gia, are you okay?" Jake says looking to his partner.
"Ugh, what are you doing here? Leave me alone," She snaps rising briskly to her feet as she charged the monster again.
"Gia wait!" Jake yells as he rushes after her.
The yellow ranger snatched her personal weapon from the air which responded to her summons. At least that never failed her.
Below the bridge, Troy, Noah, and Emma arrived on the scene.
"Gia!" Emma shouted looking up at her friend.
"The rest of you can butt out, I-," Gia glanced back at Jake who stood ready to back her up. She exhaled and rolled her eyes behind her visor, "We could handle this."
Around Troy, Noah, and Emma, puddles of slime coagulate into the lime skinned henchmen known as loogies. They disperse across the area, some taking a special interest in the frozen statues and beginning to haul them away. Muffled screams can be heard as the statues are carried off. Troy's eyes widened, it was strange that he didn't see many people only ice made effigies. Without thinking his mega blaster was in hand and he shot down a loogie whose hands had just wrapped around a statue.
"Defend the statues, take down those loogies!" Troy ordered. His dragon sword materialized into his free hand as the red ranger fiercely attacked the remaining henchmen. With no further need for discussion, Emma and Noah as well summoned their weapons.
"You shall feel my frozen bite," The monster bellowed, his snowflake wings fueling with power.
"Gia look out!" Jake yells as he tackles the monster. He clasped his arms and held firm to prevent any further movement. With Jake holding the monster steady an idea sparked in Gia's mind. She drew the rock crush card from her belt and readies her morpher.
She'll prove to Troy that she knows what she's doing.
"Gia stop, it's too dangerous to use that here!" Jake warned before he is knocked out of the way.
Blinded by her own defiance, Gia launches the attack. She sends the boulder hurdling toward her enemy and gives it an extra kick for maximum damage. The monster scoffs shattering the stone with ease and sends the fragments ricocheting back toward's Gia. The yellow ranger is blown off the bridge, many of her stones whizzing past her and some actually making contact.
Troy slashed with his sword, the loogie he fought again becoming sludge. The loud boom from the canceled attack sent stones in the direction of vulnerable statues. He raised his blaster and discharged several rounds. Pebbles rained on the trapped civilians as they have been saved from the impending doom.
"Gia!" Emma yells to her friend who's collapsed on the ground near her. The unit of loogies were unrelenting, they halted Emma from seeing to her friend who was in dire need of assistance.
The warstar invader lept down off the bridge and stood several feet from Gia.
"My ice shall eliminate the vile toxins that have infected your body. I hope that what is left will be acceptable to my masters."
"Hey Brain Freeze, over here!" Jake yelled leaping down from the bridge, "Snake Axe!"
With a downward stroke, a portion of the snowflake wings lay shattered. Jake stands defensively in front of Gia with his weapon in hand. Emma runs to her friend's side along with Noah and Troy.
"Gia, Gia are you hurt?!" Emma pled.
The monster cursed from his surprise injury. He was in no shape to challenge the full team even if one of them was down, he had no choice but to retreat.
"I may have underestimated you humans, this will not be the last you see of me!" The winds swirled around him as the monster vanished leaving behind no trace but the damaged fragment of his wing. Upon his disappearance, the frosty spell which was over the area dispersed as warm weather was on the rise.
Noah approached broken pieces fascinated by the fact they were so cold. His mind worked to meticulously analyze the substance.
"There's no way I'm letting that guy escape not after what he did to Gia. C'mon Noah we're going after him!" Jake yelled storming in the direction of the monster.
"Maybe you should go too, Troy,. I'll stay with Gia and make sure she's alright." Emma says.
Troy said nothing as he followed after Jake and Noah. Full of frustration Gia pounded her fist into the ground.