Chapter 10

In the Face of Adversity

Christopher Dallas walked around the city but his mind wandered. He couldn't focus on the history of the Rangers before him he was being taught in the Sanctum nor could he concentrate on his schoolwork. Doubts crept in, making him question his worth as a Ranger. He wondered if he only joined because of Sofia, and a smile crossed his face at the thought of the Pink Ranger.

Just then, lost in thought, Chris collided with someone, causing their phone to fall. Apologetic, he looked up to see a familiar face - his mother, whom he hadn't seen in over a decade. Shock and surprise froze him in place.

"Chris?" his mother said, equally stunned. "Is that you?"

Chris nodded, still trying to process the unexpected encounter. He could swear it was impossible but his mother still looked the same way she looked ten years ago.

"What are you doing here?" Chris asked, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil inside.

His mother hesitated, then replied, "I've been looking for you, Chris. I've been trying to make amends for the past."

Chris's mind reeled as he struggled to reconcile his feelings. He had thought he was over the pain of his mother's abandonment, but the wounds still lingered.

Just then, his mother's phone beeped, breaking the awkward silence. She glanced at the screen, and her expression turned serious.

"Chris, I have to go. But we need to talk. Meet me at the old park at sunset?"

With that, she turned and left, leaving Chris with more questions than answers. His doubts as a Ranger seemed to fade into the background as he grappled with this unexpected reunion.

Chris's thoughts were interrupted by the monster alert on his Morpher. He looked up to see a warrior, Ythia, charging towards him with a massive mace. He barely dodged the attack, stumbling backward.

Ythia seemed to know Chris was a Ranger, even in his human form. He tried to morph, but Ythia's speed was incredible, and she attacked with lightning-fast strikes. Chris's Morpher wouldn't activate, forcing him to defend himself without his powers.

Ythia feinted, sending Chris sprawling backward. She taunted him, saying her master was right - the Yellow Ranger was the weakest link. As she raised her mace for the final blow, Chris's teammates arrived just in time.

"Hey, back off!" Jason shouted, sword at the ready.

Ythia sneered but retreated, vanishing into thin air. The Rangers rushed to Chris's side.

"Dude, what happened?" Matt asked, helping Chris up.

Chris shook his head, still trying to process the sudden attack. "I don't know. She knew I was a Ranger, and my Morpher wouldn't work."

Sofia frowned. "That's not possible. We need to tell Hestia about this."

As they headed back to the Sanctum, Chris couldn't shake off Ythia's words - "the weakest link." Doubts crept back in, and he wondered if he truly belonged as a Ranger.

The Rangers returned to the Sanctum, where Hestia was waiting for them. "What happened?" she asked, noticing Chris's shaken expression.

Chris explained the encounter with Ythia, including her taunts about being the weakest link. Hestia listened intently, her expression concerned.

"Ythia is a formidable warrior, and her master is likely one of Mordred's generals," Hestia said. "We need to be vigilant. Chris, your Morpher not activating is a concern. Let's work on resolving that issue."

Hestia turned to the others. "Meanwhile, we need to strategize. Mordred's forces are growing bolder. We must be prepared to face them head-on."

The Rangers nodded, determination etched on their faces. Chris, however, couldn't shake off the doubts lingering in his mind. Was he truly cut out to be a Ranger? Only time would tell. Chris then stood up, "There's someone I must meet in the park." Before anyone else could talk, he activated Janus' Door and walked out of it.

Chris walked into the park, his heart racing with mixed emotions. His mother was already there, looking nervous. "Chris, I knew you'd have questions. I'm ready to answer everything," she said, her voice soft.

Chris's anger and hurt boiled over. "Why did you leave us? Why did you abandon Dad and me when we needed you most?" he asked, his voice cracking.

His mother hesitated, looking down. "It's too complicated, Chris."

Chris's anger flared. "Make it less complicated!" he yelled, his fists clenched. "Tell me the truth! Why did you just leave us like that?"

His mother took a deep breath, tears welling up in her eyes. "I was in danger, Chris. I had to protect you and your father. I didn't have a choice."

Chris scoffed. "Protect us? By leaving us? You call that protection?"

The conversation was going nowhere, and Chris's emotions were raw. He didn't know if he could ever forgive his mother for abandoning him. The sound of his Morpher beeping broke the tense silence. A monster alert. Chris knew he had to go, but he was torn. Confronting his mother's past or fulfilling his duty as a Ranger? The choice was agonizing.

Chris's mother gestured for him to sit, and as he did, she shed her mundane form, revealing her true divine self. Her voice, now laced with a hint of divine authority, began to explain the impossible.

"I am Moira, goddess of prophecy and fate," she said, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. "I fell in love with your father, a mortal, and we defied the gods by being together. But our love was forbidden, and I was forced to choose between my immortality and my happiness."

Chris's mind reeled as he struggled to comprehend his mother's words.

"I left Olympus to be with your father, to experience life as a mortal," Moira continued. "But the gods would not let me be. They threatened to take away everything dear to me, to strip me of my immortality, if I did not return. I had no choice, Chris. I had to leave to protect you and your father."

Chris's eyes widened in stunned silence, his mind grappling with the revelation that his mother was a goddess, a deity of prophecy and fate. He felt like his whole world had been turned upside down.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Chris asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Moira's expression was filled with sorrow. "I wanted to protect you, Chris. I wanted you to have a normal life, free from the burdens of the gods."

Chris's tears flowed freely as he confessed his doubts and fears. "I don't know what I'm doing, Mother. The gods have burdened me with being a Ranger, but I'm not even sure I'm worthy. I don't even know if I am strong enough."

Moira's smile was warm and reassuring. "True courage is found in the face of adversity, my son. You have the heart of a Ranger, and that's what matters."

Chris shook his head, feeling defeated. "But my Morpher won't even work. How can I fight alongside the others?"

Moira's expression turned gentle. "Your fear is in your head, Chris. Let go of your doubts, and you will be able to morph. Trust yourself."

Chris took a deep breath, trying to absorb her words.

Moira continued, "I will be waiting for you in the Sanctum. Hermes has sent something to aid the Yellow Ranger." She reached into her robe and produced a delicate necklace adorned with a small winged pendant. "This will help you channel your wind element, Chris. Wear it, and you will find your true strength."

With that, Moira vanished, leaving Chris alone with the necklace and a newfound sense of determination. He looked down at the pendant, feeling a strange energy coursing through him. Maybe, just maybe, he could do this.

A/N

I bet nobody was expecting that plot twist and there are still many more to come. For now, I will take a pause on Galactic Defenders and focus on this for the main time. Xoxo.