Episode 35
Battle of the Bands
"This is Cassidy Cornell of Channel 3, reporting live from Downtown Lakeview for the 31st annual Battle of the Bands, and I have to tell you, Chuck, this has got to be the liveliest crowd I've seen yet. There were reports of people lining up over an hour before doors opened, eager for a spot on the floor as this year's acts prepare to take the stage!"
The concert hall was packed, with not an empty seat in the house, the lights primed, and speakers all checked as the floor brimmed with the standing audience. Ray could only marvel at the sheer scale of the event. He had no idea that any event in their city could draw such a crowd, let alone a teenage talent show. But here everyone was, eagerly moving to their seats like it was the event of the season, which only furthered Ray's racing nerves as he realized the crowd's growing size. Never, at any show played with his high school band, had he ever even dreamed of performing before a crowd that big. And Erika was about to do exactly that with a lot more on the line.
"The annual music event has always drawn big crowds, but this year has gained particularly high interest with its new panel of celebrity judges," Cornell said excitedly. "For the first time ever, big-time music artists will be joining local talent agent Eddie Starz and Former Screaming Zombies frontman, Blair Bartlett, to give new professional insight into this year's contestants. With a full-ride music scholarship on the line, this year's contestants will be battling it out against the toughest competition that Lakeview has ever seen, and we'll be going backstage with these mysterious new judges right after the break. Cassidy Cornell, Channel 3 News."
"This is a lot bigger than I expected," Ray admitted. "It's crazy to think that Erika will be playing in front of all of this."
"Look at you,' Hilary teased sweetly. "Getting all proudly paternal at your little chickadee growing up."
"She's your chickadee, too," Ray replied.
"Sure, but my milestones are less "coming of age" and more "beat the big bad terrorizing the city"," said Hilary. "So, I get to live in denial for just that little bit longer."
Until now, Ray had never realized how tempting a mindset it was. When Erika had first walked into his office, in what now felt like a lifetime ago, she'd just been a troubled kid needing someone to trust. But now, it was amazing to see the young woman that Erika had become. Ray had to admit that, had he not seen the change in her with his very eyes, he may have struggled to believe it himself.
And now here she was, from near expulsion and no friends to performing with a band before the whole city for a chance at a full-ride scholarship. Hilary was right; it did make him proud, prouder than Ray had ever thought possible. But it also made him realize that their time with the Rangers was almost up, one way or another. That while he knew that every second counted, a selfish part of him secretly wished that time could freeze, let him have just that little more time with the kids who had immeasurably changed his life.
"Not joining us in General Admission?" Lena asked cheekily as the four Rangers wandered over.
"I think I've done my time in a teenage mosh pit," Ray replied.
"Some of us aren't cursed with a second adolescence," Hilary said. "And at some point, you just have to accept when you're just that little bit too old to party like you're seventeen."
"It's a big crowd," Abbey noted nervously. "I can't imagine how Erika's feeling about all of this."
"Hey, if anyone's got nerves of steel, it's Erika," said Zeke. "She eats up monsters for breakfast. She's got this."
"Hey, don't leave us out either!"
The jesting call sounded above the crowd, and the team turned around to see Jas and Melody walking toward them.
"What you guys doing out here?" Miguel asked. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"Just wanted to scope out the crowd, figure out what we were working with," Jas shrugged. "No use having a killer song if the crowd's dead before they hear it."
"I guess that's a good idea," said Abbey. "I just hope that the competition isn't too steep."
"Nothing that we can't handle," Melody shrugged.
"It's not too often that you get the chance to compete with the best of the best," Ray agreed. "But I know that as long as you girls give it their all, then they're going to knock it out of the park."
"Ray?"
All heads turned to the questioning voice, uncertain of the source but all elated to learn it. Standing by the entrance, looking lost and overwhelmed, was Ken Nishimura. Ray's face lit up immediately, elated to see that the person Erika would have wanted most had been able to make it to the audience. The person who drove her, who she'd worked hard to make proud when she couldn't do it for herself.
"You made it!" Ray exclaimed as he hurried to shake the man's hand.
"Are you kidding? No way I'd miss this." But as Ken looked past the school guidance counselor toward his daughter's bandmates and friends, his face fell from excitement to concern. "Is Erika around?"
"She and Val are having a last-minute "good luck" date," Jasmine explained. "We thought we'd give them a moment alone. But she'll probably be backstage when we head there; we'll let her know you're here."
"We're about to take our seats," Ray advised. "Come on, we'll sit with you."
Grateful, Ken nodded as Ray and Hilary took to the stairs, chatting away and catching up as they found a good spot. As the adults walked off, the other teens remained, turning back to the two-thirds of Electrohead with curious attention.
"Good luck date?" Abbey asked. "I'm all for fortune, but isn't Erika cutting it a bit fine?"
But Jasmine and Melody didn't seem even the least bit perturbed.
"She's three blocks away," Jasmine shrugged. "Everything was all geared up at Soundcheck last night, and our gear's all here. We're not even on until midway through the competition; what could possibly go wrong?"
Erika had to admit, this was nice.
Just a quiet moment with her girlfriend, enjoying the crisp morning air as they strode in each other's arms toward the venue. It was the times like these that she appreciated the most, when it was just the two of them with nothing around to get in the way and no distractions. No robots, no monsters. No math.
And no hungry crowd for Erika to make a potential fool of herself in front of. Or a panel of judges holding the potential of her future in their hands.
Just her and Val, like there was no one else in the world.
"You're going to knock them dead today," Val said confidently, "I can feel it."
Erika just nodded but remained silent, drawing in another nervous inhale as she tried to embrace her girlfriend's enthusiasm. They were ready, as much as they ever could be, and Erika knew that in her head. It was their best song, and they'd rehearsed it so much that she could play it in her sleep. She'd been playing regular sets at the Hub for half a year, she and the girls could work a crowd like it was second nature. Hell, with all the lights blaring in her eyes, she probably wouldn't even be able to make out the massive crowd that awaited her.
But that wasn't what was bothering her. Not compared to the other daunting fear that loomed above her like a menacing cloud.
"Hey," Val realized softly. "What's going on?"
For the briefest of heartbeats, Erika considered pushing the concern aside, insisting that it was nothing, that she was fine. The old Erika would have done exactly that. But she and Val had been through too much for Erika to do that now, and Val knew her far too well to buy it.
"Just nervous," she said. "I guess with everything riding on this, it's a lot, you know?"
"Yeah, I get it," said Val. "I know how big a deal college is, and getting a scholarship is such a weight off your shoulders that the idea of not getting it has got to be daunting."
But Erika shook her head. "It's not that. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a full scholarship. But I guess that I always assumed that college was out of reach for me anyway, so I'd just go back to plan A: not going."
She could tell that Val was disappointed in that attitude, too, but she wisely chose to leave it aside for later. "So, what is it then?"
From where they sat on the bench, Erika looked up to the city skyline, the central building of the museum just poking above the buildings in front. The place that had started it all, that had changed their life.
"I never thought I'd be here," she admitted. "And I wouldn't be if people hadn't put their faith in me, even when I didn't deserve it. Dad, Ray, Abbey, not to mention everything you do to support me. And that's not even considering the rest of the team. I've got that spot today because of all of them, and I want them to see that it was worth it."
"Hey," Valerie's interjection was soft, firm, a warm but sharp dismissal of affirmation. "Look at where you are, what you're doing today. That's amazing, and I'm proud of you for it. Nothing can take away how far you've already come. You won't lose what you've gained if you can't go further. No matter what happens today, you've already paid everyone back just by being you."
It didn't make the nervous churning go away, but the light flutter in Erika's heart did help it subside. "Thank you."
"Hey, you keep the city safe from monsters," Val giggled as she tugged Erika's hand in the direction of the convention center. "Making you feel better is the least I can do. Now come one, let's go bring down the house."
And that's when they heard the scream. The high-pitched fright shrieked across the air, whipping Erika around as instincts kicked in. If she was wondering about the source, the explosion that boomed soon after signaled its direction.
No!
Not now! Not today!
Erika shot forward, Valerie following close behind as she ran to the street corner and peered around. Sure enough, Cyberdrones were running rampant in all directions as civilians fled in a frightened panic. The people were all on their own, with no sign of help nearby.
Erika's communication was already raised before the thought had even hit her. "Jess, you seeing this?"
"Trouble downtown," came the reply. "I see it. Silver Guardians are already en route."
That news should have been a relief, but as Erika watched the civilian scramble, it was far from the reassurance she needed. The Silver Guardians were on their way, but these people needed help now.
"Get to safety," she said to Val.
"Me?" Val gasped, "What about you?"
It was a stupid question, but it was sweet that she was asking, and Val's face dropped as she realized the same thing.
"Those people need help," Erika insisted. "And they need it now. Go to others; go get them!"
She could tell in Val's eyes that she didn't want to go, but also that she knew there wasn't a choice. As much as she wanted Erika to put herself first, to flee along with her and make it to the venue, she also knew why she wouldn't.
Instead, Val grabbed Erika's collar and yanked her in, kissing her deeply before stepping back. "Stay safe."
And then she turned and ran as Erika launched out into the street to assault the rampaging Cyberdrones. The bolt of lightning unleashed before she'd even reached her peak, striking down with a flashing thunderclap to blow the Cyberdrones to their feet. As the henchmen scattered, Erika bounded off the hood of a parked car and kicked back another minion, landing to interpose between them and the civilians.
"Still going with the failing street thug plan?" she scolded. "You guys really need to face the music."
Their response was far from enthusiastic. Upon hearing Erika's snide remark, the Cyberdrones leaped at her again, lunging from all sides to grab her while she was cornered. But Erika was more than ready and far too quick. As the drones closed in, the girl leaped back, falling onto the ruined bonnet as the Cyberdrones stumbled from the missed opportunity. They were quick to follow up, rushing forward with weapons raised while Erika lay on the car. Smirking, she rolled to the side, letting the weapon dent the silver metal as she tucked her legs and leaped into a higher position.
Still stumbling from the second failed blow, the Cyberdrones were too exposed and vulnerable to pose any defense, and Erika's boot snapped out to crash into the exposed chest plate. The Cyberdrone went flying, flailing back into its huddled comrades as Erika took the chance and pounced to her feet.
Not a moment too soon. While the closet group was writhing in a collapsed and tangled mess, another group was charging in, leaping high in hopes of striking while her back was turned.
"Sorry," Erika warned as her feet skipped back. In one swift move, she shifted her weight and spun, heel lashing out to whip the flying Cyberdrone and send them reeling. "Not big fan of stage dives."
A moment later, she leaped back again, handspringing onto the roof as the Cyberdrones gave chase. Having missed the chance, the next attacker continued flying, crashing through the car window as the remainder clambered over in pursuit. The first, she blocked, heaving it aside to send it sprawling into the asphalt below as the second made in it. This one copped a heel to the faceplate, falling back as Erika returned into a ready stance, wound like a preparing spring.
As much as she was holding, the Cyberdrones weren't relenting, and if backup didn't arrive soon, then no swift kicks and tricks were going to stop her from drowning in a metallic sea. Erika needed to shift the tempo, and she needed to do it soon.
They were coming from all sides now, but the high ground gave Erika the perfect chance. Waiting slightly longer than comfortable, the teen vaulted from the roof, flipping in midair as the Cyberdrones rushed to converge. Soaring away, her hand flashed out, unleashing a torrent of crimson that surged through the clustered androids. Their bodies convulsed as the power flushed through them, sizzling around their armor as the robots dropped and Erika landed with a satisfied grin.
Okay, maybe she could do this. The Silver Guardians had to be around the corner by now, and they could easily take over so long as Xaviax didn't send any…
She just had to think it.
As the Cyberdrones rolled in pathetic ineptness, a burst of green flashed at the end of the ruined street. As it vanished, a fresh horde of Cyberdrones appeared from within, flanking the latest of Ender's horrifying creations.
Either Ender was running out of ideas, or his imagination was more twisted than Erika thought. In place of the monster's face was a large cube, spotted like a die, with two of equal size in both its hands. Its wardrobe, however, made it look more like some kind of 1970s stunt jumper. And it had a top hat, because of course it did. Why wouldn't Ender add one?
"Thought you were all done?" it laughed, somehow chuckling maliciously despite its lack of mouth. "No Dice for you!"
Oh great, the puns were starting early.
"So, what's your deal?" Erika sneered. "And are you really telling me that Ender passed on the name "Evil Knievel"? Honestly, I'm embarrassed for you."
"I'm here to have some fun and take out a Ranger!" No-Dice said. "And it looks like you're all out of luck."
"We'll just see about that," Erika growled as she held up her wrist and summoned the Morpher. Cyberdrones were one thing, but if a monster was coming down, then she could be in for a full-out fight. All she could hope was that she could hold out on her own and that the others were going to get to her in time. "Sever Force! Login Access!"
"And as we wait for the first act to take the stage, I'm here live with Lakeview's own enigmatic billionaire, Davian Scolex. Mr. Scolex, this year seems bigger than ever before, are we to understand that your involvement has something to do with that?"
"What can I say, Cassidy? I've always been a big proponent of the arts. While the prize is the same as it has always been, my company's hope has always been that further investment would attract more prominent judges and raise the profile of the event. As you can see from the crowd, I think it worked. Just more people to see the fine talent the youth of Lakeview has to offer."
"Some people are concerned that such a large investment is in actually a quiet way of buying the competition, that your long-term goal would be to replace the scholarship with one of your own. Care to comment on those concerns?"
"I think that's rather cynical, Cassidy, and I would question whether those people really have the best interest of today's youth in mind. After all, don't we want them to have the best we can provide? I can assure you, there's nothing that I wouldn't do to help the youth of today thrive. And make sure that it's a fair competition for the best to win."
"First call for Sunrise Skater Kids," the MC called from the stage entrance. He was well dressed; some would have even said overdressed for a teen talent competition. But his pompous air and upper-crust accent seemed to give an extra sense of importance to the whole ordeal. From where Abbey sat in the green room, it only added to her worries.
Despite Jasmine and Melody's previous calm, even they were starting to get worried, which was only sending her nerves into overdrive. As their acting "manager," she'd offered to go backstage and wait with them to help calm any waiting anxiety as they readied to go on. But that was back when they assumed that Erika was only a block away and would appear at any minute. Now they stood in anxious anticipation, on tenterhooks for whether the final member could make it to the venue in time.
It didn't help that their company in the green room was nauseating.
"Girls," said Brad Brockman, striding towards them with a swagger of undeserved confidence. "So lovely to see you again. I see you made it after all. Good for you."
"Mr. Brockman,' Abbey acknowledged coldly as she stepped between him and her "clients". "I'm surprised to see you here. Isn't there some rule about you and a hundred feet that you should be abiding?"
"See, that's why I've always liked you, Carmichael," Brockman chuckled. "You always know how to have a good laugh. I got to admit, brave of you girls showing up today, given how stiff the competition is and all."
With that, he snicked and nodded to the group down the end of the green room, a collection of surly-looking individuals dressed in sparkly fluro.
"Yup, got the best in biz competing here," Brockman said proudly.
Raising an eyebrow, Abbey inspected the group more carefully, spotting a familiar face that ran contrary to Brockman's assertion. There Whitney was, dressed up to high heaven like she'd walked out of an eighties music video.
"Best in the biz, huh?" she scoffed. "Well, I guess you can't get it everywhere."
"Hey, if you want to win big, you gotta go big," Brockamn replied. "It's all an act, and whoever's got the best one is gonna walk away with the prize. Besides, how are the judges going to know if a backup singer's mic is off? That's not what she's there for anyway."
Abbey stifled the urge to vomit as a fresh twist of revulsion grabbed her throat, recoiling disgust as Brockman took her reaction as a win and chuckled.
"Of course, it'll be hard for your band to take the stage without a singer," Brockman noted slyly. "Sure hope you can find her before the first call. Anyway, I'd best be going. I'd say 'may the best band win,' but we already know mine will."
And with that, he sauntered off, emanating infuriating self-assurance as Jasmine and Melody turned white with worry.
"She's going to be here, right?" Melody pleaded.
"Maybe she's stuck in traffic?" Abbey suggested nervously.
"She's walking," Jasmine replied. "They'd have had to block eight whole blocks to stop her getting here by now. Honestly, it shouldn't have been a problem at all, nothing short of an apocalypse should have-."
But the comment was cut by the beeping at Abbey's wrist, sinking their hearts as they realized what that meant. With the rest of the Rangers all eagerly waiting either backstage or in the audience, that could only mean one thing. And as Abbey lifted the communicator to answer Jess' alert, her worst fear was confirmed as suddenly Valerie bounded into the green room.
"Val?" Melody realized. "How did you even get back here!"
"Cyberdrones!" Valerie gasped, buckled over and panting with eyes that were brimming with terror. "Downtown. Civilians in danger. Erika's down there!"
By now, Abbey had opened the line, and Jess was about to explain when Abbey cut her off.
"Already on it. Downtown," she said swiftly before turning to Valerie and the awaiting band members. "I'll help her out, don't worry."
And then she spun on her heel and raced as fast as she could outside. As Abbey burst out from the greenroom doors, she saw the others do the same from the audience, Miguel, Lena, and Zeke all rushing toward with equal looks of concern.
"We need to get her out of there," Lena agreed. "She can't miss this shot, not now!"
"Don't worry," Abbey agreed as all four summoned their Morphers. "She won't. You guys ready?"
"Ready!"
"Server Force! Login Access!"
Like a falling curtain, the four teens vanished beneath the blazing light; blue, yellow, white, and black columns bursting from their Morphers and basking them in the glow. The power surged through their bodies, imbuing them with superhuman strength as they embraced the power of the grid and it them in turn. As the suits wrapped around their bodies, the four teens were spirited into the light, transporting them to the scene of battle in the blink of an eye. By the time visors had flashed across their vision, the four of them were leaping into action, somersaulting in perfect unison as they rushed to Erika's aid.
And boy, did she need it.
Surrounded, the Red Rangers Security Saber flashed as it carved through the menacing Cyberdrones. Sparks burst as the blade cleaved through the armor, sending each back as Erika twirled to immediately strike another. But just as quickly, they saw that it was the least of her problems, and no sooner had Erika cleared the Cyberdrones than the strange dice-headed monster lunged to take the strike.
"Not today!"
With a triumphant cry, Abbey and the others soared overhead, striking down with synchronous slashes at the charging monster. No-Dice howled as the sabers cleaved against his clothing, sending him staggering as the four landed at Erika's side.
"Hey, block-head," Miguel warned.
"You want to mess with our friend, then you're out of luck," Lena agreed.
"Thanks for the assist," Erika panted, but Abbey was already straight to business.
"We can take the casino reject, you need to get out of here," she insisted.
"Are you sure?" Erika asked nervously. "I mean, he packs a bigger punch than he looks."
"We'll be fine," Zeke insisted. "You've got other places to be. Now go!"
For a moment, the Red Ranger hesitated, torn between her loyalties to the team and the band. But then Erika nodded, uncertain but firm, spinning on her heel to take off down the street. A heartbeat later, a crimson flash burst from her wrist as she summoned the bright red Server Cycle. With Erika's engine roaring in departure, Abbey's eyes narrowed on the monster.
"Lena, Miguel," she advised. "You guys still have the Darklight Blaster, if you see a shot, take it. Zeke, we're crowd control, we can't let the Cyberdrones overwhelm them and miss their chance."
All three heads nodded in complete understanding. "ON IT!"
They had to hold here, not just for the city, but for their friend.
"So, you want to take your chance for a roll of the dice, huh?" No-Dice laughed as he bashed its two blocky fists together in eager anticipation. "All right then, Rangers, let's see how your luck plays out!"
Almost there!
The engine roared with furious intent, burning at maximum intensity as Erika raced toward the convention hall. She didn't have to be out forever, just long enough for her band to play their set. Then she could get back to it, back into the fight where her friends needed her. But right now, her other friends needed her, too. There was still time, just a few more blocks to go, and then she'd be…
And then, a dark shape appeared in front of Erika's path.
He moved faster than Erika could react, and yet, in the split second within which he appeared and time seemed to stop, it was like he was merely sauntering. But it was far too late to do anything as ArcKnight appeared in Erika's trajectory, holding his sword at the ready.
Really? Now?
It was too late to move, to shift, or react. All Erika could do was commit, ramming the throttle as far as she could in fierce determination to ram him. With a mighty roar, the Server Cycle rocketed toward her obstacle, and ArcKnight refused to move.
Until he did.
It was at the last possible second, a hard shift to the side as Erika's Cycle moved past. But this was not a submission or surrender. No, Erika was right where ArcKnight wanted. As he let her pass, his sword cleaved across her path, sheering against the Server Cycle's side with inhuman force. And as spark shrieked and sprayed off the surface, the balance of the Cycle surrendered. With nowhere to go, Erika's bike twisted in its path, throwing her from the saddle as it bounced along the ground. Thinking fast, the Red Ranger leaped for dear life, landing in a crouch as the ruined cycle tumbled across the asphalt.
"You appear to be in a hurry, Red Ranger," ArcKnight snarled. "By all means, allow me to delay you further."
"Any other day, ArcKnight," Erika panted, "and I'd be more than happy to hash this out. But believe me when I say I have somewhere better to be."
"All the more reason to choose now for your destruction!"
Before Erika could so much as think of a snide retort, ArcKnight lunged, his massive sword poised for a plunging strike. Her footing was swift, shifting into a defensive backing as the Security Saber flashed to hands and battered the blow away. But ArcKnight was undeterred, pressing on with his assault with righteous pursuit. Caught off guard and too distracted, it was all Erika could do to keep up.
"I've gotta say, ArcKnight," said Erika between the blows. "I don't remember you ever swinging this hard. Have you been working out?"
"My recent liberation has cleared my mind and empowered my conviction," ArcKnight snarled. "My only goal is the destruction of my enemies, with nothing to get in my way!"
"And here I thought you'd found a hobby."
But all Erika's humor was doing nothing to get her enemy off-kilter; ArcKnight was coming at her with the force of a hurricane, empowered by his resolute conviction toward his singular goal. There was just no room to move, every blow swiftly followed by another. Erika's dodges and parries could barely keep up to keep her standing, let alone help her escape.
She didn't have time for this. She needed to make a getaway, and she needed to do it fast.
Her band needed her!
The wall was behind her, rising high as Erika backed against the surface. But every disadvantage was a new opportunity, and Erika was determined to make it. As she swiftly pirouetted from the harm of ArcKnight's blade, Erika shifted direction and bolted, heading toward the looming brick wall with her enemy in pursuit. When they'd first met, ArcKnight had successfully stoked her rage and lured her into a position of his advantage. Now, all these months later, Erika was banking on the same thing.
"You cannot escape!"
With a furious roar, ArcKnight lunged in pursuit, plunging his sword toward Erika as she continued racing to the wall. As she reached it, she leaped, bounding up and off the surface to fly up and overhead. ArcKnight's blade crashed into the brickwork as Erika soared over with a graceful backflip. As she did, she folded the saber into the pistol before opening fire on her enemy below.
ArcKnight screamed in fury as red beams rained down upon him, glancing off his armor in splashes of sparks as the shots staggered him back. Armor steaming, his back pressed against the wall as the Red Ranger landed before the open street.
"What can I say, ArcKnight?" Erika taunted. "Worst meet cute ever. Let's do this again… never."
"You cannot run from me, Red Ranger!" ArcKnight warned. "Your precious friends are occupied by Ender's pathetic forces. You have nothing left to help you."
"You want to bet on that?' Erika replied as she held up her wrist and summoned the battle morpher. "Then it's time to-!"
But ArcKnight was already moving. In the time it had taken to ready the download, the armored warrior had lunged again, striking for her chest while distracted. Erika had no choice, canceling the command as she dived back in a desperate attempt to avoid the blow.
ArcKnight, it seemed, was a fast learner. Just one encounter with the battlizer, and he'd already surmised its weakness. While the armor was powerful, it needed time to load. When with her team, it was no problem at all, but when exposed on her own, it was Erika's fatal flaw.
Twisting aside, Erika snapped out a kick, colliding with ArcKnight's vambrace as he pushed her back and pressed his assault. Just like that, Erika was on the backfoot again, saber swinging like wild as she desperately tried to block. She didn't have time for this, not the monster before or ArcKnight now. She needed an out, a chance to get away. Or else ArcKnight's furious attempt to end Erika for good would become a death knell for her future.
"Electrohead, first call."
Valerie's eyes bulged with terror as she realized their time was up. The first lot of bands had already completed their acts, and now Erika's band was next while still down a crucial third.
"Uuhhh, we've got a problem,' Jasmine nervously explained. "We don't have our singer."
The MC looked unamused, raising a suspicious eyebrow as the two teens scrambled for an answer.
"It… uh… it was the Chinese food!" Melody said quickly.
"Yeah!" Jasmine agreed. "We got takeout after soundcheck yesterday; we found out this morning the place was condemned. It's really done a number on her."
"I see, such a shame," the MC was already looking at his clipboard. "Well, if you cannot perform, then you cannot compete, and that will mean you're disqualified."
"Wait!" Melody pleaded. "She'd going to be okay; she just needs to pull through. We can't quite go on yet, but she'll definitely be ready before the end of the set."
"Hmmmmm…." The man seemed far from agreeable, and Valerie could see the cogs turning in his mind as he weighed the rules against his personal annoyance. "Fine, you have until the final act for her to recover. After that, you're spot in the program is revoked."
"Thank you!" Jasmine cried.
"Excuse me, sir," said an oozing voice nearby. All heads turned to see Brad Brockman standing with his troupe ready and waiting. "If Electrohead aren't able to go on, you'll find that "Amidst the Grave Demons" is all prepared and ready to go.'
"Very well," the MC replied. "Follow me."
With an infuriating smirk, Brockman followed his collection of musicians as Melody, Jas, and Val watched them file toward the stage. As she passed, Whitney stopped as if to give some snide comment to her fellow competitors. But as she saw the look on their faces, she paused instead. And then, for the briefest flicker of a moment, her usual self-assured smugness fell away into a pained look of realization. Then, with the blink of her overly made-up eyes, Whitney recomposed herself and hurried to join her group.
The others had been far too worried and distracted to even notice.
"What are we going to do?" Jasmine panicked. "I thought Abbey went off to get her here."
"Whatever the others are going to do, they've got to do it fast," Melody realized. "If Erika's not back before the final act, then it's all over."
Valerie gulped in realization as she turned to the greenroom screen and watched Amidst the Grave Demons take the stage. The clock was already on overtime, and if Erika didn't find a way to get to them, then it would be curtains for her dream.
"Something's wrong," Ken realized as the band took the stage and prepared to begin their set. "I thought Erika was up next?"
Ray's only reply was a nervous look, shrugging in feigned ignorance as he desperately turned his head to the door. Hilary had stepped out barely five minutes beforehand, having first seen the alert on their communicators but received no update since. She'd excused herself under the pretense of a work call and was monitoring the situation to see if the team needed reinforcements.
And based on how long she'd been gone, Ray was suspecting that it was more than likely.
"Maybe it's a technical problem?" Ray suggested as he rose from his seat. "You know what? I think I know one of the judges. Why don't I go ask and find out what's going on?"
"Are you sure?" Ken asked. His words were considerately confirming, but in his tone, Ray could hear the pleading gratitude. He didn't blame him; Ken wasn't the only person who'd invested in Erika's journey to this point. And while Ken was no doubt the most anxious to see Erika succeed, Ray had to admit that he wasn't too far behind. If anything else had stopped Erika from reaching the venue, on today of all days, then no power on this earth would make it safe from what Ray would bring down upon them.
He'd barely risen his seat to leave a nervous Ken behind when Hilary appeared at the venue's door, catching his eye and motioning him to follow. The final confirmation stoked Ray's anxious anger, and his pace picked up with steely resolve as he reached her.
"Trouble?"
"The team's downtown, dealing with Ender's latest pride and joy," Hilary explained. "Erika managed to get away, but then ArcKnight decided to rear his ugly head."
ArcKnight. Even when he was no longer Xaviax's stooge, he still found a way to make their lives more complicated. Because it was too easy to hope that their enemy having fewer underlings would mean simpler problems.
"We need to get down there," said Ray as he hurried out the door, making the venue's exit as Hilary followed in complete agreement. Outside, the couple found a quiet corner, obscured from wandering eyes.
"How're we looking, Jess?" Ray inquired as their Morphers flashed to their wrists.
"The team's holding out for now, but without Erika, they're definitely lacking in firepower," came the reply. "Erika's holding out against ArcKnight, but he's doing all he can to stop her using the Battlizer."
Then, they needed to move. Fast.
"You ready?" Ray asked as Hilary stepped forward in an agreeing pose.
"Ready!"
"Server Force! Login Access!"
The bright light flared around them, columns of gold and silver burning with flickering tongues as the power flushed into their bodies. The grid embraced them, spiriting them across the city as the suits melded their forms, the armored plating locking in place as the helms emerged and concealed them behind their visors. As the twin beams slammed down at the site, the two Rangers launched out and opened fire with extreme prejudice.
ArcKnight was midflight, lunging with full fury as the Red Ranger desperately backstepped on the defense. The blasts caught the dead on, slamming into his breastplate and booming as they sent him soaring back while Gold and Silver Rangers landed at Erika's side.
"Sorry, ArcKnight," Ray warned. "This girl's got somewhere to be."
"If you're so desperate for an autograph, you're gonna have to go through us." Hilary agreed.
Staggering upright, Erika clutched a sore arm as she stared at the two arriving Rangers.
"Ray," she stammered in grateful disbelief. "Hilary."
"It's okay, we've got this," said Ray. "Go on, get out of here. Blow the house down."
For a moment, the Red Ranger paused before nodding in reluctant acceptance. "Thank you."
With the two other Rangers standing between her and ArcKnight like a guarding wall, Erika turned on her heel and ran, bounding as fast as her suit would carry her. Ray and Hilary both readied their weapons as ArcKnight strode forward. For a man who had just had his prize snatched from his fingers, he was unnervingly calm.
"I had hoped to cut off the head of the snake," ArcKnight noted. Then his body glowed, flashing as a duplicate figure appeared beside him and said, "But I will easily settle for yours instead."
And then their pair of armored knights lunged as the Gold and Silver Rangers leaped to meet him.
"Want to take a roll of the dice?" No-Dice laughed as Miguel charged in. The Dark Saber swung down, mightily cleaving the air as the monster twirled from harm. "Whoops, Snake-Eyes!"
"How about a reroll?"
The monster had been so focused on Miguel that he'd ignored the other Rangers, giving Zeke the perfect angle to strike. The Security Saber sliced up the monster's back, bursting sparks from the rupture as No-Dice howled in pain.
"Guess it was just my lucky day," Zeke quipped. But the blow had been far from enough to knock it down, and now the die-headed creature was turning to loom over the Yellow Ranger.
"You forgot about mine!" he sneered. With a mighty roar, the dice on his hands thrust forward, slamming into Zeke's chest with a powerful paired uppercut. The Yellow Ranger went soaring, crashing into a parked car that buckled from the force of the impact. "Looks like a pair of box cars for me!"
Eager to take the easy opening, the monster lunged again, leaping high with the die raised for a devastating strike. But this time, Zeke was ready. Leaping from the wreckage, the shield flashed to his hand as the Yellow Ranger braced and thrust the barrier into the path of the blow. The collision sounded with a thunderous boom, a shockwave erupting from the slamming surfaces as No-Dice staggered back.
"You got a lucky roll!" the monster cursed.
"Maybe," Zeke smirked, "But yours just ran out."
Gasping in sudden realization, the monster whipped around, staring in horror at the three Rangers gathered together. Lena and Miguel had regrouped, connecting their weapons while Abbey had summoned her bow. Now, all sights were on the staggering monster with nowhere to go.
"Dark-Light Blaster!" Miguel and Lena announced.
"Power Bow!"
"FIRE!"
The barrel erupted as Abbey released the bowstring, streams of energy searing forward in a spiraling path. Out in the open, No-Dice was out of chances, an easy target as the energy collided and blossomed into a dazzling blast. Trapped at the epicenter of the fiery display, the monster shattered apart, bursting into steaming chunks that rained down upon the ruined street.
With a triumphant cheer, the Rangers pulled their weapons apart, regrouping as they readied for the monster's return. The green light descended, gathering the scattered pieces and rejuvenating No-Dice to colossal size.
"I say we give this another roll!" he declared triumphantly.
But as the Ranger readied to summon their Zords, another flash of green burst across their vision, and a fresh horde of Cyberdrones appeared in the street. And this time, they weren't alone.
"Well, what do you know?" Ender chuckled darkly. "Fancy running into all of you in a place like this?"
The Rangers gathered tight, standing in a defensive formation as they readied for the onslaught charge. Being down a Zord to fight the giant monster was bad enough, but Ender's Cyberdrones would force them to split up further. Their enemy was pulling them in all directions, and the team was running out of options to put out all the fires.
But they needed to manage it; the city was counting on them to work with what they had to save the day.
And so was Erika.
"Lena, Miguel," Abbey decided. "Go take the Twilight Sever and deal with the gambling problem. Zeke and I have got this."
"Right!"
With no time to argue, Lena and Miguel launched into the air, soaring high as the roaring engines announced their Zord's arrival. As the mighty machines converged with their pilots and began to combine Abbey and Zeke readied their Server Sabers and braced for the coming onslaught.
"Well, look at that, just the two of you fighting all on your own," Ender chuckled. "This reminds me of the good old days."
"You want reminders?" Abbey replied. "Well, we've got plenty for you."
The two lunged forward before Ender gave the command, opening fire with their pistols as they soared overhead and descended open the horde. But as Abbey carved through the sea of chrome, bracing for the moment that Ender chose to strike, she had to wonder if she and Zeke would be enough.
Or if they could hold out long enough for help to arrive in time.
Erika ran. As fast as she could, empowered by the grid across the final blocks at top speed.
Was this for personal gain? At that moment, Erika didn't care; all she could think about was getting the venue to be with her band. To be there in their moment of need.
To show her dad how far she'd come.
There wasn't a second a waste, every bound too short in her desperate plight toward the building.
To make it as fast as she could.
For everyone's sake.