Fighting to Love (Power Rangers Samurai)

Shell Game

I'd tagged along with Jayden and Mia when they went to get groceries. Jayden and I stayed outside while Mia did her thing. It was better if we didn't see the ingredients of her newest recipe.

Jayden fumbled with one of the candy machines, shaking it. I laughed and shook my head at his failed attempts. He looked at me and sighed. "I thought a girlfriend was supposed to help you, not laugh at you."

I shrugged. "True." I replied, not denying the fact at all. "But you know I'm different than the rest."

"Ash as much as I like you, and I do, you're not helping with my situation here."

"And Jayden, as much as I like you, and I do, you're pretty cute when you're frustrated." I giggled and kissed his cheek. "So in other words, it's rather funny seeing you struggle with a machine made by your own kind."

He groaned and I giggled again. Mia walked out of the grocery store, beaming. Uh-oh. This new recipe was going to be one of the worst.

"Oh, hey. Can I take that for you?" Jayden asked as he abandoned the machine and started walking alongside Mia. I giggled and followed suit.

He looked at Mia, then looked inside the bag. He hissed slightly and said, "Oysters, chocolate sauce and Brussel Sprouts. Are you sure you got everything you need for this recipe?"

"Sure am." Mia said, smiling.

"That sounds, um, interesting." Jayden said, trying to give Mia an encouraging smile. I laughed.

"The secret is to mix the ingredients in just the right way." Mia told him, and I had to stifle another laugh.

"We'll explain that to the paramedics..." Jayden muttered, and I giggled, leaning a head on his shoulder.

"What?" Mia asked, confused.

"Nothing." I giggled, flashing a smile in Jayden's direction. "I'm sure he can't wait to try the recipe." Jayden sent me a death stare, and I giggled again. So much giggling. What the heck was happening to me?

I checked my watch. "It's almost noon. I'm sure trouble's going to stir up again."

"It always does." Jayden said, entangling his fingers with mine. "You fighting with us today?"

"If I can control the Phoenix Flame." I muttered. "Probably."

"Did you take it today?"

"How do you think I've been able to stay a cuddly girlfriend all morning?"

He smiled down at me. "By taking the potion."

Hank had given me some potions to drink in order to contain her, but it was starting to get out of my control. Jayden had found out, but had started reminding me to take them each morning. It was kind of annoying, yet sweet to know that he cared for me. Jayden flipped open his samuraizer.

"Got it. Let's go." Jayden said, dropping the groceries and running off. Mia followed him. I headed straight home. On the way, my phone rang.

"Ash, I found out where the Brotherhood are." Evelyn said. "Logan's already here, so get to the Shiba house ASAP. Wallflower, out."

I raced home, throwing open the gate and rushing in to see Logan and Evelyn standing in the training area, waiting for me.

"They've been moving a lot. More than we think. Last the cameras saw them, they were in one of the parks." Logan said gruffly.

"So we ambush them. Simple." I shrugged.

"It's not as easy as that. Juggernaut is with them." Evelyn peeped. "And you do remember the last time we fought him, and we need a high leveled telepath. The professor's bound to get injured in that wheelchair of his, so we can't just ambush him at this second."

"They got new mutants to join." Logan mentioned. "They're training for battle. Are the rangers aware?"

"They're aware something is stirring up, but they're not aware of the fact that they can't help me." I informed them. "The less they know, the easier it will be."

"What about the new ranger, Antonio?" Logan asked.

"He's my brother, he knows, but he's best friend's with Jayden, who's now Ash's boyfriend, so Jayden and the team are going to find out at some point soon." Evelyn replied.

The rangers walked in. "We'll talk about this later." I whispered to the two, and Logan left.

"What was that? Why was he here?" Jayden muttered into my ear.

"It's nothing." I said, picking at my fingers, which were on the verge of bleeding. "Nothing at all."

I hated that he didn't know, but he would kill me for this later. If we were still alive after this stupid war.

************************************

"Who's the dickhead of the day?" I asked, entering their meeting.

"He has a shell." Kevin said simply.

"Like lobster or armadillo?"

"Armadillo... I GOT IT!" Kevin exclaimed. "We just need the right people, with the right attack, in the right order!"

"Brilliant." I grinned. "Usually we just ambush and hope nothing goes wrong."

"Yeah. We don't get second chances." Evelyn said, walking in and placing a hand on my right shoulder.

"So are you joining us for battle?" Jayden asked.

"No. We have our own battle to fight." I shook my head. "We're supposed to protect, not fight."

"What?"

"You saw Toad." Evelyn said gravely. "They're trying to weaken you. Our job is to stop that from happening."

"You said you guys don't get second chances." Emily pipped up.

"Yeah, well, its best to say your goodbyes now." I replied. "Because right now, this is turning into war."

************************************

When the gap sensor rang again, Evelyn and I ran with them to the location.

No one was there.

"No one." Evelyn whispered. "No one at all."

I cocked an eyebrow, staring at the sight Evelyn wasn't looking at. "That may be true for us, but not for Logan." 

Behind her, Logan was fighting Sabretooth and Mystique simultaneously. She turned around, and we got up to the roof of the building. 

"You shouldn't be here." Logan said with clenched teeth. "This is my battle." 

"Your battle just became ours, whether you like it or not." I said, starting to do hand to hand combat with Mystique while Evelyn snuck up from behind and ties Mystique up. 

"Leave Sabretooth with me." Logan said. "Go... They're going to start blowing up buildings any minute." 

I looked in the direction of the rangers. Sure enough, they were in megaforce mode, about to crush that nighlock. 

"But what about you?" 

"I'm invincible, keep your head together, will you Ash? JUST GO!" Logan shouted. 

I nodded, and with Evelyn, I flew away. 

At least we wouldn't have to eat oyster and Brussel sprouts with chocolate sauce for dinner tonight.