The Dark Side of the Moon

Broken Dreams

Rune jolted up right as Antonio poked her with his baton. "I'm awake!" she announced, her body sagging against the wall.

Antonio chuckled. "What happened? Stay up all night playing video games?" he asked.

"No," Rune sulked.

Antonio scoffed and shook his head. "I thought you were a master of staying awake all night and still turning up for training in the mornings?" he teased.

"I used to be," said Rune. "Being a Ranger has thrown my rhythm off."

"Huh-uh, and you're sure it's nothing to do with -"

The Gap Sensor sounded, cutting Antonio off, and causing Rune to bury her head in her arms with a groan. The last thing she needed right now was a Nighlok attack.

"Come on, sleepyhead," said Jayden, appearing before Rune. He held out his hand, pulled her upright, and tugged her along behind him as he raced back inside.

The Shiba house was eerily quiet.

Mia had left to go into town. Apparently she was cooking dinner tonight, much to the others displeasure. Her excuse was that Antonio had been working so hard on the Black Box that she wanted to do someone special for him.

In the dojo was the Black Box, in all its glory. Along with a laptop that was continuously running troubleshooting diagnosis whenever Antonio it a misstep. He had been trying his utmost hardest to install everyone's symbol powers, and had failed numerous times, but he was still determined to finish it.

While Ji was stationed in the living room, hunkered down near the coffee table, and staring at the map. He looked up as the Rangers entered and relayed the co-ordinates and location of the Nighlok attack.

The Plaza.

"That's where Mia is," said Emily.

"Then let's go," ushered Kevin, heading for the doors.

Rune yawned as Jayden turned and pulled her along behind him. She could do this; she was sure of it. It wasn't the first time she'd fought a Nighlok on little to no sleep. She'd be fine... right?

~X~

Wrong.

The minute the team arrived downtown; Jayden spilt them up. He sent Emily and Mia after Dayu, who had lumped a street musician over her shoulder and carried him off, leaving behind his sleeping companion in the middle of the street.

Meanwhile, Mike and Kevin had stuck around, blocking, and deflecting attacks from the Rhino-like Nighlok. He had tried to leave after Dayu, but the Rangers had blocked his path, engaging him in another round of tit-for-tat, much to his annoyance.

Nearby, fighting the Moogers foot soldiers, were Rune and Antonio. The pair had immediately paired off, protecting innocent civilians from the octopus-headed minions.

"Look out!" Rune said, grabbing Antonio's arm and spinning out of reach of a Mooger. He spun around and bent at the waist, allowing Rune to roll across his back and kick an encroaching Mooger in the gut.

"Nice one!" Antonio said, high-fiving Rune as she slashed up with her sword, blocking a downward strike and kicked a third Moogers legs out from under him.

Rune grinned and ducked backward, landing on her hands as a Moogers broad sword sailed through the air above her. She winced as Antonio pushed down on her hip, propelling himself over her body and kicking the Mooger in the head.

Flipping over and landing upright, Rune lifted her leg and swung it over another Moogers outstretched hand. She pivoted around, pulling her other leg up and over, catching the Mooger behind her in a scissor-chop.