I wake up before everyone else. Without my longboard to speak of, it made sense that I'd need to get out of here before any of my teammates could offer me a ride- "Going somewhere?" Jesus Christ. Chad slaps a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing and disturbing the others, and I have to inhale deeply to steady myself. Since when was he one for pranks?

"Yeah," I mutter, "Home?" The stare he levels at me from his spot on the couch reminds me of the one Joel had given. When he'd asked if I was a quitter. "Chad, I'm still very much a part of this team. I just won't be one of your roommates anymore."

Other than a tilt of his head, he seems to be satisfied with my response. "Fine." Never mind. "I'm takin' you back with the Rover."

Great. So much for avoiding pep talks. Although, with the Blue Ranger, it's often much different from your cliche affirmations. "Alright. Let's go."

The sun hasn't even risen yet, leaving the air with its early morning brisk chill. Chad's unbothered as he drives, but I have to tuck my hands under my legs for some warmth. "So," he begins as he makes one of the last few turns indicated on the GPS.

"So."

"Everything seems awfully shitty, doesn't it?"

Gotta admit, I'm relieved he's not being overly peppy. "Glad you're not here to shove optimism down my throat."

The light turns red, and Chad drums his hands on the steering wheel. "I don't have siblings, so to try and imagine what you've been going through is something I can't do." This is why I'm also glad he'd been the one to offer me a ride: he understands that he can't understand. "But I do want you to know that you're the closest thing I've got to one." The light shifts to green, and we continue on our way. "And because of that, I only want what's best for you."

"Which is why you're taking me back to my apartment instead of asking for me to stay on Aqua Base."

He nods. "I don't think it's the smartest thing to leave you in such close quarters with… with Ryan." My time as a director, as someone who deals with such fickle things like emotions, reveals to me the hint of derision in Chad's voice. It stuns me into silence, so he barrels on. "I honestly don't even think he should've been brought on so soon." He shrugs. "This whole thing's just taken a toll on everyone. A little bit of time would've been nice, to adjust, y'know."

I bury my head in my hands. "If you're not about to give the biggest rebuttal to that…"

Chad snorts. "Damn right. After we move past all of the feelings and stuff… logically, it makes sense. We can't do much until we're sure Ryan and Leon are both safe."

As soon as the words leave his mouth, panic flashes through me. I sit up straight. Chad presses on the brakes a little too hard. "Do you think… do you think Diabolico already knows?"

"What makes you say that?"

Nausea rises in my stomach, but I take a deep breath and the feeling dissipates. "Ryan saved us, so the demons already know he's on our side. So really, the only thing keeping Diabolico from realizing he didn't kill Leon is… is what?"

Chad swears under his breath. "That's all well and true, but technically speaking, Ryan's the only one who knows where your brother is. So even if Diabolico wanted to finish the job…"

Relief rushes in, and we pull up in front of my apartment as the hints of sunrise peek out over the horizon. I unbuckle my seatbelt. "Thanks, Chad."

He gives me the saddest smile I've ever seen. "Of course."

Even in my dreams, I can't get a wink of rest. The ground under my head is hard, cold, and most definitely not my pillow. Instinctively, I look down at myself, surveying if… yep. Same outfit I'd fallen asleep in: an oversized t-shirt I got while thrifting with Dana, and old athletic shorts that somehow still fit me. Not the best, considering I have no idea where I am.

I know I'm dreaming, though. Which is, honestly, a very rare occurrence- Someone's scream echoes from the distance. One more glance at my wrist says I don't have my morpher with me, but again. I'm dreaming, albeit extremely lucidly. How much does it matter?

With that in mind, it's easy for me to start running. Thankfully (or not…) the person doesn't stop shouting, and I skid to a stop as soon as I get a clear vantage point of who it is.

Ryan.

His wrists and ankles are bound to a long pillar, and is that… Diabolico himself standing across from him? Jesus Christ, what kind of trauma must I have for my subconscious to be going this crazy? (Well…) "You were a fool to think you could defy me."

I can't see Ryan's face from where I stand on this ridge, but I can imagine how conflicted he must feel. "You're the fool for thinking I'd stay!" From the shadows, Vypra and a monster I haven't seen before emerge, and I crouch lower. Everything feels way too real to not exercise caution. The former tilts her head. Diabolico chuckles.

"Brash words, from one in your position." He lifts his hand, and energy builds up in it, turning his skin red-hot. "Words you'll come to regret." Why do these idiots always announce before they're going to do something? It just makes it that much easier to plan ahead, even in the middle of combat.

Just as Diabolico lifts his hand to launch his attack, I leap forward, lunging for him- Pain sears through me, and I can only vaguely register Ryan shouting. "Sire, what would you have me do with her?" Vypra asks.

"Nothing." He's going to wait to kill me, then? Wonderful. "I sense that my attack, while not directed at this one, will have… some effect." Like what? Does he even know? Is he taunting me? "And now…" Another sonic boom explodes out, and Ryan screams again as the attack lands true. I couldn't stop it. My vision blurs at the edges, but I vaguely see his back shaking, now marred with a tattoo of a snake. "You've forced my hand, Ryan."

Ryan sneers. "You don't know the half of it, Diabolico." I'm reminded so much of Captain Mitchell that for a moment, true fear strikes through me.

"I think I do. Unless you return to side with us, morphing will slowly siphon away your life force. Reap what you sow, Titanium Ranger."

In a last ditch attempt at literally anything, I heave myself to my feet… and black out.