Passing the Torch

Maya never knew how much she hated hospitals. She remembered going to the doctor on the recommended occasions, like routine check-ups, which were fine. She enjoyed the colorful, patterned band-aids she received after a slightly pained shot from a friendly, happy-go-lucky family doctor.

But this was the real deal. She was hurt, and not physically, but emotionally. Her father was nothing more but a cheater, who had left most of his seed to take care of Maya and Pablo.

Maya realized it wasn't based on pure luck that she grew up the way that she did: the perfect house, tight-knit family, loyal friends...all of that came with the price tag, and Marco was forced to pick up the tab for what Diego Garcia had done. it wasn't a tragic accident that claimed his life. Karma in the form of the brother Maya never knew killed Sergeant Garcia.

For years, all Maya wanted to do was become successful. To give back to her community, and the world that offered her so many opportunities to thrive, but it did not matter. Who was she going to dedicate her success to when she would finally become the business reporter she dreamt of? Her cheating father?

Her heart broke for Marco. She hated what he had become, she hated what he did. He killed her father, but underneath all that anger and hatred, she still felt pity for him, realizing what could have been if her father had owned up to his infidelity and allowed Marco into their lives.

Her emotions—betrayal, sadness, guilt—all surged together, colliding with the one feeling that had gripped her relentlessly for so long: stress. She couldn't take it anymore. She desperately needed a break. It wasn't selfish to feel this way; anyone would be in her position. Her entire world had been turned upside down by someone she had longed to know—a person whose life was consumed by so much hatred and anger that he was willing to go to any lengths for revenge, even striking bargains with the darkest, most malevolent forces across all dimensions.

Doctor Westview walked into the room, smiling at the young girl. "How are you feeling today, Maya?"

Maya looked up at the doctors. "I feel...fine," she was kidding herself. She was far from fine.

"I would like to inform you that the police wish to ask you a few questions regarding what happened earlier. Before you go into a frenzy, they understand the supernatural forces that had been plaguing our world, and they have come to a conclusion that they have done something to you that the Power Rangers have resolved. However, they still need your answers, if that is okay?"

Maya nodded. "But can I see my friends? I want my friends."

"Your friends as in the three that came in," the doctor asked.

Maya nodded.

"Well...one of the boys had his father take him home, but the red-haired boy remained here with your mother. There was a boy upstairs who was held up due to a head injury he sustained during the Power Rangers' battle, and his sister claimed she the two of them were friends of yours. If you would like to see them, I can send them in, but we do not have much time before the police come here."

Maya gave Doctor Westview a weak smile. "Thank you."

"No problem. I wish you the best, Maya," Doctor Westview said, caressing the young girl's hair before turning around and walking off, leaving Maya with her thoughts.

Maya looked out through the sun that bean through the blinds, illuminating the room with its brightness and warmth. The warmth was something she sought after. She needed it. With all the emotions she was experiencing, she definitely needed warmth to keep her mind and heart from freezing over.

Just then, Max, DJ, Ellie, and Bonnie, burst into the room, all of them overcome with emotion. Maya looked up and felt tears fill her eyes. She was so relieved to see the people she held dear to her heart were all here.

Max rushed over and pulled Maya into a tight embrace. Maya returned the bone-crushing hug with the same force, gripping Max's back with all her might.

It wasn't until DJ pulled the boy off of her that the two separated. DJ wrapped his arms around Maya's head, hugging her to his chest until she couldn't breathe and patting his back to get him to release.

"Sorry," DJ apologized, chuckling. He wiped the tear from his eye. "I'm so happy you're in one piece. You have no idea how happy I am..."

"Me too," Bonnie added, hugging Maya next. Once the two girls separated, Maya held onto the white ranger's arms and gave the girl a warm smile.

"Is your brother okay?" She asked.

"Yeah...he suffered a bad concussion from the impact to his skull, but he managed to pull through. And just to be clear, that freak is gone, right?"

Max, DJ, and Ellie all nodded and breathed out in pure satisfaction and relief. They were too busy drowning in their emotions after experiencing near-death that they hadn't realized until that very moment that the Twisted Ninjas, some of their greatest enemies, were finally gone.

"One thing is for sure, I will NOT miss those ninjas a bit," DJ said, shivering at the brief memory of Dejahnay.

"Ditto," Max replied, rolling his eyes. "Maxine was by far the worst in my opinion.

"Are you kidding?" DJ exclaimed. "After what we just went through, Marco indeed took the title of 'worst ninja on the face of the earth'! I am SO happy Maya finished him off before Ellie took over."

"Wait, wait, wait," Bonnie sputtered, her face a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. She turned to Max, her voice rising in pitch. "Did you say Ellie? Ellie took over! As in, our Ellie?"

Max grinned, slinging an arm around Ellie's shoulders. "That's right. This girl used Maya's gem like a pro."

Bonnie's eyes widened in pure shock and astonishment. "You mean...she-" her finger shook as she pointed at Ellie, trying to muster up her words. "Our geeky teammate was a power ranger."

"And a proper one at that!" DJ chimed in, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I mean, she was a ho-" He caught himself, fumbling for words. "She was hell of a performer, let's just leave it at that."

"Yeah, that was fun while it lasted, but now we have to transfer my powers back over to its original owner," Ellie said, her smile diminishing. "Well, at least now-"

"No."

Ellie blinked a bit, looking at Maya. "I'm sorry?"

Maya looked up at her and shook her head. "You can keep the gem. I don't want to be in the front lines anymore."

The other rangers were shocked to hear what Maya was saying. "B-but Maya-" Max stuttered. He couldn't believe what the girl was saying.

"I don't want to do this anymore," Maya said plainly. "I'm done being a ranger."

DJ's eyebrows began to furrow as he spoke. "You can't be serious. You're just going to butt out...after EVERYTHING we went through. The battles, the laughing, the crying..."

Max knelt down to Maya's level. His eyes became serious. "Maya, you've always been the one who kept us together. You've always had your—"

Maya cut him off, her voice rising with raw emotion. "I will not leave all of that behind completely but look at me! I am hooked up to this hospital bed after becoming a total freak of a monster, I killed the brother I just found out I had because my father, whom I thought was a thoughtful and dedicated man, was nothing more but a CHEATER!"

The room fell into a stunned silence that felt like it would never break.

"What are you talking about?" Bonnie asked, breaking the silence.

"Marco was your brother?!" Max asked, his face horrified by the reality.

Maya nodded, her gaze dropping to her lap. "Yeah. And those bodies—those people strung up like broken marionettes? They were my siblings. My father… he wasn't the man I thought he was. He had a dozen lives, a dozen lies. And me, Pablo, and my mother were just… pieces on his board."

Ellie, shocked by the revelation, came over and hugged the former yellow ranger. "I am so sorry, Maya. I can't believe you had to be subjected to that in a single day."

"And that's not all," Maya said as the two girls pulled away from one another. "I realized that I could be a danger to the team if I were on the front lines, as I am not completely sure if I am completely emancipated from my monstrous form."

"Really?"

"I can feel it in me."

"Well, in that case, we would like to do some tests, and we will have to inform my father about the permanent transfer of power.

Before Ellie could finish her sentence, the room lit up with a soft, golden glow. A swirling portal shimmered into existence behind her, rippling like water under moonlight. Out stepped Sensei Uni, Ellie's father, his tall frame exuding a calm yet commanding presence. His robes, embroidered with intricate patterns resembling flowing energy, glimmered faintly as he surveyed the group.

"Dad," Ellie gasped, her voice laced with surprised and delight.

The others stepped aside instinctively, sensing the gravity of the moment. Uni's gaze settled on Maya, who was still seated on the hospital bed. He approached her and began his voice smooth yet resonating with wisdom. "I have been made aware of the trials you have faced and the decision you have made, Maya. Such choices are never easy, but they are the mark of someone who truly understands the responsibility that comes with power."

Maya swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

Sensei Uni turned to Ellie, extending his hand. In it, a small, ceremonial dagger gleamed, its blade etched with symbols of unity and renewal. "Ellie," he said, "the powers you borrowed must be made yours, permanently. This is not just a matter of practicality but one of balance. Are you ready to accept this responsibility?"

Ellie hesitated, glancing nervously at her friends. Max gave her an encouraging nod and a sad smile, Bonnie nodded with approval, and DJ grinned from ear to ear. Maya simply smiled faintly.

"I'm ready," Ellie said, her voice steady despite her nervousness.

Sensei Uni raised the dagger and then drew a glowing symbol in the air. It hung there momentarily before descending to Ellie's outstretched hand, merging with her palm. The gem on her morpher glowed brightly, its energy settling into her. The room pulsed with power, and Ellie gasped as she felt the strength of the Yellow Ranger flow into her completely.

The ceremony was brief but profound. When it was done, Sensei Uni stepped back, his eyes meeting Maya's. "You've chosen a different path, one that is no less honorable. You have faced much, and it would be unfair to expect you to shoulder more."

He reached into his robes and produced a scroll, handing it to her. "This is an offer to join the Karate Operations as an intern. Your skills and insight would be invaluable, even off the battlefield. Take time to heal, both body and spirit, and know that you still have a place where you can make a difference."

Maya accepted the scroll, her hands trembling slightly. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a flicker of hope. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

Sensei Uni bowed his head slightly. "May you find peace on your journey, Maya."

He turned to the others. "Take care of each other. The battles ahead will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. But as long as you remain united, you will prevail."

With that, he stepped back into the portal, which closed behind him with a soft hum.

Ellie looked down at her gem, then up at Maya. "Thank you," she said, her voice full of emotion. "I promise I won't let you down."

"You never could," Maya replied, her voice tinged with a bittersweet smile. "Just promise me one thing: don't lose yourself in all of this. Being a Ranger is part of who you are, but it's not all of who you are."

Ellie nodded, tears in her eyes. "I won't."

Maya looked up at Max and noticed his eyes were glistening. "Oh, Max," she cooed.

The boy pulled her in for another hug. "I will miss fighting alongside you...and fighting with you."

Maya chuckled as they pulled apart. DJ was next. As the two embraced, DJ whispered. "Just letting you know, Ellie looked hotter in that suit than you."

Maya promptly reacted by grabbing hold of DJ's boxers and giving him a rough wedgie.

"OW!" DJ squealed as he pulled apart, rubbing his butt. The others laughed.

After Bonnie and Maya hugged, the rangers heard footsteps coming from outside the hospital room.

Ellie panicked. "Dad, get out of here," she hissed.

Uni reacted by jumping back into the portal before it closed abruptly, merely a second before Doctor Westview walked in.

"Hey guys," she said with a smile. "visiting hours are almost up, and Maya's mother is getting antsy and would like to speak with her daughter at once."

Max nodded. "Yes, Doctor."

"And Max, you were never signed off, so we would like to run a few tests on you before we discharge you."

Max nodded before following Doctor Westview out of the room, but not before whispering in Ellie's ear. "I am so glad you are on our team."

Ellie smiled gratefully. "Thank you, and I am honored to fight alongside you."

Max grinned as he exited the room. He was relieved. So relieved for the very first time. The Twisted Ninjas were gone. Maya was okay, her gem was safe, and Ellie, the superb genius she was, was going to be a ranger.

However, he knew he shouldn't jinx it. The battle was far from over, and Max knew Po would never stop and would try other measures to take him and the other rangers down.

But for now, he was at peace.

For now...

There...wasn't that nice. Well, not for long before shit hits the fan...again. Buck may be gone, and so are the Twisted Ninjas, but there are still more to come before the finale. I will focus more on Sensei Uni's past with Po, as well as some character development with Ellie, DJ, and the twins.

But for now, I'll see you guys next time.