Power Rangers Flight Squad Volume 1: Dawn of Heroes

Episode 5: Petitions and Villains

Another boring day in homeroom. Over the intercom, Mr. Murdock informed them of the school of the successes of Alisha leading the swim team to another victory against an opposing school. Lucian and Stacy had taken more blue ribbons in track. Even Collin was improving on his javelin and hammer throwing.

Rachel sighed sadly. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of her friends. She was happy they were doing well in the activities they put their time and energy into. She just felt a little. . .jealous. Yet it wasn't a spiteful jealousy. She just wish she got to share in their experiences.

Rachel had two talents, and they were archery and fencing. They were her favorite pass times, and she was adept with using both a rapier and a bow. Unfortunately, they weren't school sports. She had tried petitioning for them to become sports, but hardly anyone had signed it.

On the way to history class with Bruce, he seemed to notice she was distracted. "Hey Rachel, is anything bothering you? You seemed kind of lost in thought in Hutch's room earlier this morning. What's eating you?"

Rachel normally would've been happy to talk to someone about her problems, and Bruce, like the rest of their friends, which included Collin, was a good listener. But this wasn't something that could be resolved in a day. No, she had been living with this fact for a little over a year now.

The only problem was this: Rachel couldn't see any way she could lie to Bruce. Being an actor, Bruce was very good at hiding his emotions when he felt like it. He was also very good at telling when people were lying. Normally, this didn't bother Rachel. Now, it kind of unnerved her.

Before she could think of anything to say beyond, "Oh, it's just. . ." when the last person she had wanted to see walk past them. It was Max Henderson and two of his stupid friends. Max had been a bad mood, worse than normal. This had been because Rachel had gotten him in trouble a week ago for messing with janitor's supplies.

"Yeah, I'm really glad our school has maintained a great reputation as far as sports are concerned," Max was saying. "With how well our teams are doing, I don't see much point in there being other sports in our school. Who needs sports like archery or fencing? Really pointless if you ask me."

As Max and his friends walked away, Bruce shook his head scathingly. "What a jerk." He stared at away from Max to Rachel, who had started slowing down. "Oh, come on, Rachel. I know you. You're not someone to let anything Max says get to you. I know you're not."

Rachel didn't speak. Bruce didn't seem sure what to make of this. "He's been in a bad mood, ever since he got landed in his last detention. You're not letting what Max said get to you, are you?" He sounded uncertain now.

It was then that Rachel came out of her reverie. She seemed to have just taken in what Bruce was saying. "What? No, of course not. I just. . .I have to admit Max has a bit of a point about one thing." Bruce looked incredulous a little, but Rachel added, "He's right about our school's reputation with our success in sports and stuff like that."

Bruce gave her a conceded nod. "Yes, it's true. But he was only saying that to wind you up. He wasn't complimenting anyone."

Rachel nodded her agreement, but she had more to say. "There's something he's wrong about, though. Just because we're doing so well, doesn't mean there's not room to add to them."

"Where are you going with this?" asked Bruce. He had a feeling Rachel would've told him where exactly she was going with this, if the bell hadn't rung, anyway. Instead, she just sighed, though her expression looked as determined as ever.

"Bruce, can you do me favor?"

"Yeah?"

"When you go to science with the others," said Rachel, because she didn't have that class with them, can you tell them I won't be able to meet you all at Alisha's after school today?"