The atmosphere in Mr. Landers' AP Government class was tense the moment the topic of discussion was introduced.

"Given the recent incidents involving Tengas and homeowners in Angel Grove," Mr. Landers began, glancing over his students, "we're going to have an open debate today. The question is simple: Should civilians use deadly force in self-defense against non-human threats?"

There was a moment of silence. Then, from the corner of her eye, Kat saw Billy's face shift into the unmistakable "Oh, shit, here we go again" look.

She followed his gaze.

Trini had raised her hand.

Mr. Landers nodded. "Trini, go ahead."

Trini took a breath, her voice calm but steely. "I understand that people are scared. That these incidents are traumatic. But that doesn't justify civilians taking the law into their own hands."

She sat forward, eyes flicking around the classroom. "We have first responders. We have a police force. And we have the Power Rangers. There's a system in place for dealing with threats like this and encouraging people to start shooting at anything that looks like a monster is a dangerous precedent."

Before Mr. Landers could respond, another hand shot up.

Kat knew who it was before she even turned her head.

Hal.

He didn't wait for permission.

"With all due respect," Hal said, his voice level but firm, "we can talk all we want about 'systems' and 'first responders,' but let's be realistic. These Tengas have demonstrated that they aren't going to stop their attacks out of the goodness of their hearts."

Trini's eyes narrowed.

Hal continued, gesturing lightly with his hand. "We're not dealing with rational people here. We're dealing with hostile, non-human creatures that to date haven't shown that they'll stop attacking people just because we ask them nicely. The only thing that might work is making them realize that breaking into houses could end with them getting sucking chest wounds—or worse."

A few murmurs rippled through the class. Some students nodded in agreement. Others, like Trini, bristled.

Kat sucked her breath in and noticed Tommy shifting in his seat, glancing toward Rocky like he was mentally preparing to intervene.

Trini took a slow breath, then leaned forward, her voice cutting like a knife. "So what, Hal? You want lawless vigilantism? Just let people go full wild west on anything that moves?"

Hal tilted his head. "You mean like when the Power Rangers fight monsters?"

Trini stiffened. "That is not the same thing."

"You're right," Hal said. "The Rangers actually have powers. Civilians don't. But you expect them to just wait for someone else to come save them?"

Trini opened her mouth, but Hal pressed on.

"As much as I respect the courage and dedication of the police and the Power Rangers, who risk their lives on every incident," Hal said, "the hard truth is that they can't be everywhere at once. When seconds count, help is often minutes away, even with the advanced technology the Power Rangers have."

His voice was still calm, still measured—but there was an undercurrent to it.

Experience?

Kat recognized it instantly. He's speaking from experience.

Hal leaned back slightly. "I get that decent people might be upset by this, and decent people should be – it's what separates us from a Tenga, a Putty, a Cog, and other monsters. But what's the alternative? Letting innocent people get hurt?"

Trini glared. "That's not what I'm saying."

Hal met her stare without flinching. "I know. But it's what happened when Tengas attacked that party in Amber Beach. What would you have told the people there? 'Sorry, you just have to wait for the Power Rangers?' Would you tell a mother to just hope that someone else will save her kid? Some dead Tengas are tragic, but it's much less tragic than other possible outcomes."

Trini's lips pressed together into a thin, tight line.

She had no counter.

Kat could see it—the way Trini's hands curled into fists in frustration. She was stewing, and she hated that Hal had her cornered.

Rocky, sensing imminent disaster, finally stepped in.

"Okay, okay," Rocky said, raising his hands. "Maybe there's a middle ground here."

Tommy nodded, clearly eager to provide a buffer. "Yeah, like… maybe there's a way to make sure people can defend themselves without turning Angel Grove into an action movie."

Hal exhaled, sitting back, but Kat could tell—he knew he had won that round.

Trini, meanwhile, was still fuming and glaring at Hal.

Kat swallowed hard, glancing between them.

This wasn't just a debate.

This was personal.

And for the first time, Kat saw exactly why Trini had never gotten along with Hal.

Kat sat at a shaded picnic table, absentmindedly pushing a grape around in her fruit cup with her fork. Across from her, Tanya sipped on a smoothie, watching Kat with an expectant look.

"You're really deep in thought," Tanya said finally.

Kat sighed. "Just thinking about AP Government today."

Tanya smirked. "Ohhh. You mean the Hal vs. Trini Show?"

Kat groaned. "It was brutal."

Tanya chuckled. "I don't know why you're surprised. You saw Billy's face before Trini even opened her mouth. That should've been your warning sign."

Kat shook her head. "I knew they butted heads before, but this was the first time I saw it happen in real time."

Tanya raised an eyebrow. "So… how do you feel about it?"

Kat bit her lip. "Conflicted."

Tanya hummed. "I figured."

Kat sighed, stirring her yogurt absentmindedly. "On one hand, I get where Trini is coming from. We do have a system in place to handle this stuff. But…" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

Tanya nodded. "But Hal wasn't exactly wrong."

Kat exhaled. "Yeah. He wasn't. You know how fast we got to those incidents with the homeowners."

Before they could continue, a tray clattered onto the table next to them.

Trini sat down, crossing her arms. "Please tell me I wasn't the only one who nearly threw my textbook at Hal today."

Tanya chuckled. "Nope. You definitely weren't alone."

Kat hesitated. "He got a little… blunter than he needed to be."

Trini scoffed. "'A little'? He was out there talking about sucking chest wounds like he was narrating a war documentary!"

Kat winced. "Yeah… that was a bit much."

Tanya shook her head. "He's got a way with words, that's for sure."

Trini exhaled, rubbing her temples. "I hate to say this, but… as much as Hal makes my blood pressure spike, I can't ignore the point he made."

Kat tilted her head. "Which one?"

Trini's voice softened. "That the Power Rangers can't be everywhere at once."

Kat swallowed. "Yeah."

Kat hesitated before continuing, checking to see if the coast was clear, "Honestly, what got to me wasn't Hal—it was what some of the police said at one of the incidents."

Trini gave her a sharp look. "What do you mean?"

Kat glanced around before lowering her voice. "The second homeowner incident. The Tenga survived—but it's crippled for life."

Trini tensed. "And?"

Kat exhaled. "The officers… they weren't exactly sympathetic. One of them even joked about it. Another one basically regretted that the homeowner didn't kill it outright."

Trini muttered something under her breath. "That's disturbing."

Kat nodded. "It is. And it made me wonder—are we getting desensitized to this?"

Tanya frowned. "Maybe we already are."

Trini rubbed her forehead. "As much as I hate to concede a point to Hal, maybe he's right. If Tengas keep attacking people, people are going to fight back. And not all of them are going to feel bad about it."

Tanya sighed. "It reminds me of what happened in Amber Beach."

Kat nodded. "Yeah. That attack was brutal. Since then, gun sales went up, and people don't just wait for the Power Rangers. They fight back however they can."

Trini drummed her fingers on the table. "So, what do we do about it?"

Kat hesitated. "I… don't know."

A silence stretched between them, the weight of the conversation settling over them.

Then, after a pause, Trini spoke, "So… what do you see in Hal?"

Kat blinked. "Wait—what?"

Trini smirked. "I know he's not a bad guy, at least in terms of being evil. But sometimes, I can't wrap my head around how he thinks or if he's even a . So… I'm just curious. What do you see in him?"

Kat opened her mouth, then hesitated. What did she see in Hal?

She thought back to their study sessions, their easy banter, the way he had explained his reasoning for signing the barbecue pit petition. The way he thought through problems like a chess player—always planning ahead, always looking for the smartest angle.

And, beneath that, there was something else.

Something he wasn't saying.

Something she hadn't figured out yet.

Kat swallowed. "He's… honest. Maybe a little too honest sometimes, but he doesn't play games with people. What you see is what you get."

Trini tilted her head, listening.

"And he's smart," Kat continued. "Not just book-smart, but strategic. He thinks about everything five steps ahead."

Trini raised an eyebrow. "And that's what attracts you?"

Kat flushed slightly. "It's one of the things."

Trini smirked. "Uh-huh."

Kat sighed. "I know he's blunt. And I know he sometimes comes across as… unfeeling. But I don't think that's true."

Trini frowned slightly. "Then what do you think?"

Kat hesitated, choosing her words carefully.

"I think he's been through something."

Trini's expression softened.

Kat exhaled. "I don't know what, but… the way he talks about things, the way he argues… He's not detached. He's experienced. Like he's seen things the rest of us haven't."

Trini was quiet for a moment. Then she nodded. "That… actually makes a lot of sense. I heard his parents died shortly after he moved to Pensacola – car accident."

Tanya leaned back. "So, basically… you like that he's a brilliant, blunt mystery?"

Kat groaned. "Why do I even talk to you?"

Tanya and Trini laughed.

Kat shook her head, but she was smiling.

Because even if she didn't have all the answers, she was starting to understand Hal.

And, maybe, she wanted to.