This episode is dedicated in memory to our fallen Green Star Warrior. My Black Lion Knight. Rest in Power.
It had been two weeks since they first encountered General Lena and the Stingray Nezire, and the Rangers finally got their new base operational. They were still surprised that Sebastian had come up with this base himself, and that he was able to make this much room underneath his home. They were glad for the lock to their base. It can only be opened by them, and no one else. All of their hand prints were integrated into the lock before they left after Sebastian first showed it to them. The medical bay was fully stocked with first aid supplies, and the rec room was stocked with food, drinks, books, and a guitar that Dorian had purchased a few weeks prior to when the team first came together. There was also a futon in the rec room, in case anyone, mostly Sebastian, needed to crash somewhere. The Rangers were in the base, and Sebastian checked everything over, making sure it was fully operational and no bugs.
“All right,” Sebastian said. “Looks like we are in the green. All systems are a go. We can now receive alerts for any danger in the city, can send messages if one of us is here, and we can teleport here to anywhere else in the city, or on the planet, and vice versa.”
“This is pretty cool,” said Chrissy. “Still can’t believe we have a base.”
“I still can’t believe you thought all this up, Sebastian,” said Crystal. “I mean, when you first brought us here, I was completely surprised. But now that everything is up and running…I’m still blown away.”
“Why thank you…I think.”
“Seriously, this place is amazing,” said Jayden, patting Sebastian on the shoulder.
“Well, you guys did help me. It would have taken a lot longer if I had done this all by myself.”
“We’re a team,” said Erika. “We work together. We’re always there to help each other out.”
“No matter what,” Crystal stated, smiling at Sebastian.
Sebastian couldn’t help but smile at the two girls. He was glad that everyone was loving the new base they had finished putting together. He knew he wasn’t the strongest, but when it comes to technology, he is the man for the job. The mythical chi beasts were also impressed with the base. All four of them were looking around, impressed with the machines. It was still strange to see mythical animals just appear out of nowhere, but they were glad they had them to help out. Dorian was already used to Viridian appearing of nowhere, having made himself known when he first morphed. Sebastian was a bit disappointed that he couldn’t meet his chi beast until he had the other half of his Star Jewel.
Crystal was helping Erika sort the books in the rec room, and Dorian was watching her from the holo-terminal. Jayden was overlooking the terminal, checking for any signs of an attack, but he noticed Dorian watching Crystal. He knew Dorian was protective of Crystal, and Jayden was too. But, Dorian had a look that he cared about Crystal more than just a friend.
“She’s okay,” Jayden told Dorian. “She’s safe here. Crystal is also strong to look out for herself.”
“I know that,” Dorian said. “I know she’s strong, and that she can handle herself. She’s one of the strongest women I have ever met.”
“Then why do you keep looking at her as if she is going to disappear?” Jayden asked. “I’ve seen the way you look at her, and how you stand so close to her protectively.”
“She almost was taken,” Dorian responded, looking at Jayden.
Jayden stopped what he was doing, and looked at Dorian. He then leaned against the terminal, crossing his arms.
“What do you mean?”
“Last week, when she told you that the people responsible for turning her into what she was made themselves known to her…they contacted her a few hours after she had just gotten her cell phone. They texted her where she could confront them. She ran off to them without even telling me. I didn’t know until thirty minutes after she had left. Viridian had told me where she had gone. He may be invisible, but he is still around. He was there when she got the phone call. She said she knew it was him. She recognized his voice. Said that his voice haunts her every time she sleeps.”
Jayden listened to Dorian’s story. He didn’t interrupt him. He just let him continue.
“When I got there, they had her trapped. Fenced in like some animal,” Dorian said, anger evident in his voice. “They were toying with her. She tried to climb out, but they had electrified the fence. I morphed, and fought off whatever soldiers were outside the fence. When they saw what she could do, they weren’t satisfied with it. So, the soldiers were given the order to kill her. The man responsible left, and Crystal took care of the ones inside with her. But, it greatly weakened her. I was able to break the fence…by dropping my body onto it, overpowering the lock and frying it. I had then passed out from all the electricity. And next thing I knew, I woke up, and saw Crystal collapse at the corner of my eye.”
Dorian took a deep breath as the memory of that night replayed in his mind. It still hurt thinking about it. It pained him to know that he wasn’t able to protect her that night.
“When I woke, the pain was no longer there. She had healed me, even though she was weak. She didn’t heal herself first. She healed me to the point that she barely had a heartbeat. The man, unfortunately, got away. But, going after him didn’t matter. She was my priority, and I had to get her to safety. They haven’t made contact since, but we both know that they are still watching her from a distance. I wasn’t able to protect her that night. And since then, I swore I would protect her. That I won’t let any harm come her way.”
Jayden uncrossed his arms when he listened to Dorian tell him that Crystal nearly gave her life healing him. But, he wasn’t surprised. He knew that she would willingly give her life if it meant saving someone else’s. She may be been experimented on, but she was one of the kindest and most selfless person he has met. Jayden taking in what Dorian had just told him. It was a lot to take in, and he now understood why Dorian always looked at her as if she was going to disappear. She almost did disappear if it weren’t for Viridian keeping an eye on her, and telling Dorian where to go.
“I should have gotten there sooner,” Dorian said, looking down at his hands. “I should have been faster. I was just -”
“She’s here now, Dorian,” Jayden interrupted him. “She’s here because you were there. And I’m thankful that you were. I’m glad she has someone like you looking out for her. Crystal is my friend, and I care about her deeply. I would do anything to keep her safe. She is also part of this team. She’s not alone. We won’t let anything happen to her. Erika won’t let anything happen to her as well. Trust me.”
“We won’t let anyone on our team get hurt.”
Both guys turned, and saw Chrissy approaching them. She leaned on her left foot, her hand on her hip.
“We are in this together. We will protect each other, no matter what. Together, we are more.”
Jayden smiled at Chrissy’s words, and patted Dorian’s shoulder. Dorian looked over to Jayden, and smiled in return. He nodded his head, and said thanks. Erika and Crystal finished organizing the bookshelf, and walked over towards the holo-terminal.
“What are you guys talking about?” Erika asked.
“Oh, that as a team, we won’t let any harm come to any one of us,” Chrissy explained. “And that together…we are more.”
“Heck yeah we are!” Crystal cheered.
Dorian’s smile got wider as Crystal cheered happily with the rest of the group. He would still worry about her, even if she was part of the team. But, he was glad that she had people she can count on, aside from him. He remembered back when she told him that she had spent most of her travels alone, and no one really looking out for her. Now, she does. And he was glad Jayden was there too. He was unsure of Jayden when they first met, and was thrown in for surprise when Crystal mentioned that she and Jayden had met a while ago. He didn’t trust him at first, but Crystal trusted him, and he trusted Crystal’s judgement. But now that they are working together, and after listening to Jayden, he could trust him to protect Crystal when he wasn’t around.
“Speaking of together…is anyone else hungry?” asked Sebastian.
“Didn’t we just eat like…two hours ago?” asked Trevor.
“What?” Sebastian said, shrugging his shoulders. “We took a break, ate, then went back to work to finish up the base. Built up an appetite after we finished making the base completely operational.”
“Sebastian is not alone,” said Crystal, who slowly raised her hand. “I’m getting hungry too.”
“Me too,” Jayden replied, also raising his hand.
“How about pizza?” Sebastian suggested.
“Yes! Pizza!” Crystal agreed cheerfully.
“I wouldn’t mind some pepperoni,” said Chrissy.
“Mushrooms too, please,” said Erika.
“Sausages,” said Dorian.
“Peppers for me,” said Jayden.
“So…the works, then?” asked Trevor.
“Great! Two pies then?” Sebastian said.
“I think that works,” said Crystal. “I’m sure we all would want a second slice anyway, and one pizza pie is not gonna cut it for this group.”
“Fantastic! I’ll call it in then.”
“You call it in, and I’ll head on over to pick it up. I wouldn’t mind some fresh air,” said Crystal. “Just text me the name of the place. I’ll start heading over there now.”
“Thanks, Crystal!”
“I’ll go with you,” said Dorian.
“Same here,” said Erika.
Crystal nodded her head in thanks, and the three of them left their new base to get some food. Jayden watched the three of them leave, and Chrissy stood next to Jayden.
“Seems that where ever Crystal goes, Dorian follows,” Chrissy told Jayden.
“So you’ve noticed as well,” Jayden replied, smiling at her.
“I’m a lifeguard. People watching is kind of my day job,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “I saw it last week, too. When Crystal got hurt from that Stingray monster’s attack.”
“Yeah. I saw that too.”
“Speaking of Crystal…she didn’t really mention how she got her powers,” Chrissy said, looking at Jayden. “Or how she is able to turn into…whatever that thing is.”
“Pearlshell,” Jayden said. “She calls that other form Pearlshell. She will…in time. I’ve known Crystal for a while, and I trust her with my life. It isn’t something she could easily tell someone, not with her reliving the memories.”
Chrissy saw the look in Jayden’s eyes when he told her. She could tell that there was some pain in them, and that alone told her that it wasn’t something that Crystal herself wanted. She nodded her head in understanding to Jayden.
“I see,” she said. “Well, whatever happened to her…I hope she does tell us. I would like to know more about her. She seems like a nice person.”
“She is,” Jayden said. “Despite what happened to her, she is one of the kindest people I have known. She reminded me of Erika when I first met her.”
“A good singer too,” Sebastian said. “I liked her performance during the carnival. You know…before that demon hell thing showed up. But, her performance after the fight was also good.”
“I can’t remember when was the last time I heard her sing,” Jayden said, thinking back to when he and Crystal first met before they went their separate ways. “I’m glad she still is though. It was nice seeing her perform.”
“By the way, anyone else notice that Dorian follows Crystal wherever she goes?” asked Sebastian.
Jayden and Chrissy couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at Sebastian’s comment. He looked between the both of them, confused as to why they were chuckling.
“I think everyone has noticed,” said Trevor.
“Glad everyone notices then,” said Jayden. “It’s not really my place to say. Dorian told me just a while ago. But, I’m sure you three will know soon enough. He does not do a good job of hiding his feelings when it comes to her.”
“It is quite obvious,” said Chrissy as she let out a small chuckle. “But, they do look cute together.”
Dorian, Crystal and Erika walked to the pizza parlor Sebastian had ordered from. It was a ten-minute block from where Sebastian lives, which is probably why he has their number saved. The three of them used that time to know more about each other. Crystal shared more of her interests, and what got her into singing and performing. She mentioned to Erika that performing at the club where Dorian works at is how she got a job there as a bartender. Dorian explained that when he is not working security at the club, he is performing on stage as well with the band.
“What songs have you performed?” Erika asked.
“Mostly cover songs,” Dorian replied. “Breaking Benjamin, High and Mighty Color, Linkin Park. And songs this one over here likes to sing.”
“At least ones I know people may enjoy dancing to,” Crystal said, smiling softly.
“Whatever song you sing, the crowd enjoys it,” Dorian said, reassuring her.
Crystal blushed at his statement, placing a strand of hair behind her ear. Erika took notice of this, and couldn’t help but smile at the two. Even Erika could see there was something between the two, and they weren’t good at hiding it. As their neared the pizza parlor, an explosion went off nearby. All three of them turned their heads, and nodded in agreement. Erika lifted her left arm her communicator rested. She then contacted her brother and the rest of the team.
“Erika.”
“There was an explosion just nearby the pizza parlor,” Erika explained. “Dorian, Crystal and I are on our way there.”
“Yes. We just got the alert and the location. We’ll meet you there. And be careful.”
Erika hung up, and the three of them made their way to the source of the explosion. When they arrived, it was a park. In the center was another monster. It looked like a rhino. It was different from the one they fought two weeks ago, but they saw a familiar person standing next to it. It was General Lena, and she was holding her weapon, which looked like a rapier. She swung it once more, sending an energy blast at the people running away. The Mecha Bots were also there, causing damage to the surrounding area.
“Stop right there!” Crystal shouted.
General Lena stopped in her tracks, and turned around. She could only smile when she saw the three of them.
“Ah. You again,” she said to Crystal. “Thought I might see you again. My Lady is very interested in you.”
“She has to get in line,” Crystal retorted. “But, she won’t get me either.”
“Ah. So there are other people who want you as well,” Lena said, pointing her rapier at Crystal. “Guess we’ll take you today then.”
“Not a chance,” Dorian said, putting a protective arm in front of her. “She’s not going with anyone.”
“You’ll have to get through us first,” said Erika. “And we won’t let you take Crystal, or anyone else.”
“We shall see. Go, Rhino Nezire!”
“Yes, General!”
The Rhino Nezire charged at them, along with the Mecha Bots, and the three of them got into a fighting stance. Erika and Crystal kicked two of the Mecha Bots, and Dorian sent a roundhouse kick to the Rhino Nezire. Crystal didn’t use her powers fighting the Mecha Bots. It wasn’t necessary to use them, and Erika did the same. They both knew to only use their powers unless the situation really called for it. As Erika and Crystal fought the Mecha Bots, Dorian fought the Rhino Nezire. General Lena just watched from a distance, as if observing how they fight. She remembered from their last encounter, she remembered how Dorian reacted when Crystal was hit from her attack, standing in front of her protectively. And just a moment ago when he put an arm in front of her. She was his weakness, and General Lena was going to exploit it.
General Lena smirked as she watched Crystal fight off the Mecha Bots. She wanted to know more about her abilities, and fired an energy blade at her. Crystal, noticing the attack, held out her hands in front of her. Dorian and Erika turned, hearing the blast making contact. Dorian’s heart stopped when he noticed a dust cloud where Crystal was once standing. Once the dust settled, he let out a small breath of relief when he saw Crystal standing there, unharmed. Erika noticed that Crystal’s eyes were glowing red again, like when they first met. She also noticed that there was a red force field around her. General Lena only smirked, resting her rapier on her shoulder.
“You truly are an interesting creature,” Lena said. “How did you come about those powers? What else can you do?”
“Why don’t you stay and find out?” Crystal said, smirking at Lena.
Crystal then pulled her hands back, and pushed them out forward. When she did that, the force field around her had then formed completely in front of her, and was sent towards General Lena. Lena then powered up her rapier, and swung at the force field coming at her. She managed to split it in two, deflecting Crystal’s attack.
“This just keeps getting interesting!” General Lena yelled in excitement.
Lena charged at Crystal at incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, she was in front of Crystal, smirking at her. She swung her rapier up towards her, and Crystal barely dodged her attack in time. She took a step back, the tip of the rapier cutting some ends of her hair, and went to put her hands up. Lena saw an opening, and created an energy ball in her hand. She then aimed the energy ball at Crystal’s stomach. Crystal didn’t see the attack, and the energy ball left Lena’s hand and sent Crystal flying back. She was sent through a tree, and stopped when she made contact with another tree. She hit both her head and back hard, causing her to collapse. She tried to hold herself up, but the impact had greatly weakened her. General Lena let out a laugh when she saw Crystal come to a stop. She rested her rapier on her shoulder, and started to walk towards Crystal.
Dorian turned when he heard Lena laugh, and his eyes followed to where she was walking towards. When his eyes landed on Crystal, struggling to get up, he just saw red. He sent a roundhouse kick to the Rhino Nezire, making it stumble back, and started to make his way towards Crystal. Some of the Mecha Bots tried to attack him, but he just punched them aside. Erika looked towards Dorian, wondering what got him so worked up. Her question was answered when she saw who he was running towards.
“Oh no.”
Circling her hands above her, Erika then extended her hands out in front of her, creating a gust of wind at the Mecha Bots. Some of them went flying, and some stumbled down. Seeing an opening, she too made her way towards Crystal. General Lena was just mere inches in front of Crystal, her rapier still resting on her shoulder.
“Is that all you got?” Lena asked. “Come on. Show me more of what you can do.”
“You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“I know, which is why I want to see more. I won’t destroy you…yet. You may be of use to My Lady.”
“Get the hell away from her!”
General Lena turned around, and dodged a cross punch from Dorian. She jumped back, and Dorian got into a defensive stance in front of Crystal.
“She isn’t going anywhere with you!” he growled. “You’ll have to get through me first.”
General Lena only smirked, seeing the anger in his eyes. She watched as the other girl approached, helping Crystal up. She then pointed her rapier at him, still smirking.
“Gladly.”
General Lena got into a stance, her rapier above her head. She then charged at Dorian, only be stopped by a beam. She stopped, and turned her head where the beam came from. It was Jayden and the rest of the Rangers. Jayden was making his way towards them, and Trevor, Sebastian and Chrissy were handling the Mecha Bots and the Rhino Nezire. With Lena distracted, Dorian charged at her. She dodged every single one of his attacks he threw at her, from punches to roundhouse kicks, she dodged every single attack. She laughed at him at his attempt to hurt her, and Dorian just grew frustrated with every dodge. Erika watched as she helped Crystal stand up.
“Are you okay?” Jayden asked as he approached them.
“I’ll be okay,” Crystal said to him. “Got hit by a surprise attack by her. I left myself wide open to it. She’s strong though. Really strong. And fast.”
“Dorian’s going to get himself killed if he continues fighting her,” Erika told her brother. “You have to help him.”
“You going to be okay, Crystal?”
“I’ll be fine,” she said to him, nodding her head. “Go help him. Please.”
Jayden nodded his head, and went over to help Dorian. He then crossed his arms, blades forming on both of his forearms. He swung his left arm at her, but she blocked his attack.
“You and that girl are very interesting humans!” she said to Jayden, jumping away from another swing with his blade. “How did the two of you come to get the powers you have? My Lady will be very interested with the both of you! I will have to take you both!”
“You’re not taking them anywhere!” Dorian growled, throwing a hook punch at her. “Especially not Crystal! You won’t lay a hand on her!”
Lena dodged his attack, laughing at him.
“Protective, are we?” she mocked him. “Yes. I can see it in you. You care about her. Greatly. You humans are so predictable.”
Dorian was ready to throw another attack at her, but was interrupted when Jayden fired another head beam attack at her. She narrowly dodged his attack, her grin fading from her face.
“You are no fun,” Lena said to Jayden. “I’ll just let Rhino deal with you.”
With that, Lena teleported away, and Dorian growled. Jayden went over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“You need to calm down,” Jayden said to him.
Dorian just glared at Jayden, not saying anything. He then turned around, and ran back towards Crystal. He saw that she was fighting the Mecha Bots, in her civilian form and not in Pearlshell. He kicked aside one Mecha Bot that was about to attack her from behind. She looked at him, and nodded her head in thanks. He took notice of her, seeing that she was fighting at full strength.
“Erika covered me while I healed myself,” she told him. “I’m fine, Dorian. Really. Now go help the others, and stop that monster from hurting anyone else.”
Dorian hesitated for a moment, placing a hand on her cheek. She smiled softly at him, nodding her head in reassurance.
“Go.”
Dorian nodded his head, and went to help the other Rangers. He kicked the Rhino Nezire from behind, jumping out of the way when it swung its arm around. As Dorian jumped back, he shook both of his wrists, his morpher appearing. He then fell in when the other Rangers gathered around him.
“You okay, big guy?” Erika asked him.
“Yes. Thank you for covering Crystal,” Dorian said to Erika.
“Of course. She’s my friend too. We’re a team. We protect each other.”
“Let’s take care of this creep,” said Chrissy. “It’s morphin’ time!”
“Star Power! Aura change!”
The Rangers morphed, and they took out their weapons. Sebastian and Trevor fired at the Rhino Nezire with their Star Busters, distracting it enough to allow Dorian, Chrissy and Erika to attack it with their Star Swords. Seeing an opening, Jayden jumped up, and kicked the monster from up in the air. The Rhino Nezire stumbled back a few steps, and the Rangers lined up and got into their stances. Dorian charged at the Rhino, swinging his sword at it once more. The Rhino blocked his attacked, and used its drill to counter attack. He stumbled back a bit, collecting himself from the attack. The Rhino Nezire then started to charge at Dorian, only to be sent back by an energy field. Dorian looked back, and saw Crystal up in the air, her eyes glowing red. He couldn’t help but smirk underneath his helmet as he watched her fire another energy field towards the monster. It knocked the monster off balance, and she landed next to Dorian.
“Quickly! Finish it!”
“You heard the lady!” said Jayden.
“I got an idea!” said Chrissy.
Chrissy holstered her weapon, and waved her hands. They glowed, and soon the Rhino Nezire was brought down to the ground.
“I’ve pinned it down! Now’s your chance!” Chrissy told them.
Erika charged towards Chrissy, and jumped off her shoulders. She then tossed her sword at Rhino, and waved her hands as well. She sent a strong gust of wind, pushing her sword towards it. It made a direct hit at the Rhino, impaling it. She grabbed her sword out, and dodged out of the way when Trevor sent a fireball attack at the monster. Sebastian jumped up, and fired a couple of shots at it. Jayden then stood next to Crystal, and she looked at him.
“Mind giving me a boost?” he asked.
“You got it. Just like the first time,” she responded, smirking at him.
Jayden then jumped back, and Crystal created a shield around her. He then charged at her, and jumped onto her shield. Once Jayden’s foot made contact, she then pushed the shield up, sending Jayden high up in the air. He then created a red energy in his hands, and fired it at the Rhino Nezire.
“Pressure Canon!”
The attack made a direct hit, and everyone jumped back, not wanting to get sucked into it. The Rhino Nezire let out a small cry, and was soon sucked up by the compressed black hole, and phased out. The black hole then disappeared, and the monster was destroyed. Crystal’s eyes returned to their normal color, the Rangers and Jayden reverted back to their civilian form.
“Please tell me that monster attacked before you guys got the pizza?” Sebastian asked with a groan. “I’m starving.”
The team were back in the base, eating the pizza they had ordered just before General Lena and the Rhino Nezire attacked. Erika was telling Jayden, Trevor, and Sebastian what had happened before they arrived. When she told him how Dorian reacted when he saw Crystal, he got the gist of it.
“He gets reckless when it comes to Crystal,” Erika said, taking another bite into her second slice. “Like nothing else mattered but protecting her.”
“We all get reckless when it comes to someone we care about,” Jayden said, smiling softly at his sister.
“Oh shut up,” she said, not able to contain her laugh. “You’re just as bad.”
The two of them looked up, seeing Crystal eating with Dorian and Chrissy.
“Thanks for taking care of Lena, Dorian,” Crystal said to Dorian. “She caught me off guard.”
“Of course. I’ll always be there for you,” Dorian said, patting her shoulder.
“That Lena character seemed like she was toying with you, Dorian,” said Chrissy. “She has taken a great interest in both Crystal and Jayden. I wonder who is this ‘lady’ person she keeps talking about.”
“I don’t know,” said Crystal, setting down her pizza. “But, something tells me it may be the one she works for. And that we may be meeting her soon.”
“Whoever this person is, we’ll face them together.”
The three of them looked up, seeing Jayden approach them.
“We’re a team,” Jayden told them. “We protect not only the people, but also each other.”
Jayden looked at Dorian, silently letting him know that he was told what had happened. Dorian just nodded his head in acknowledgement, and Chrissy and Crystal looked between the two.
“Does someone want to say something?” asked Chrissy.
“Just that I’ll try to be less reckless,” said Dorian.
“You? Less reckless?” Crystal said, letting out a small chuckle. “You were reckless when we met. Need I remind you about the diner?”
“And need I remind you what you did the next day? Going off without me?” Dorian reminded her. “You’re just as bad as me.”
“I learned from you…Reckless Green Lion.”
“Hey!”
Everyone started to laugh at Crystal’s nickname to the Green Ranger, and he couldn’t help but laugh along. His mind thought back to the night they first met. They went to the diner after they had performed together. When they arrived, they got caught in a robbery attempt. Dorian had tried to fight off the robbers, but got hurt in the process. He was shot at, not seeing a robber behind in the kitchen. He didn’t anticipate someone already raiding the safe, and got hurt in the process. That was when Crystal stepped in, and that was also when she first revealed her powers to him. After hearing her story, he got this feeling that he needed to protect her. He knew he was being reckless that night, and knew he was being reckless earlier. But, he swore that he would protect Crystal. He knew he was a reckless lion, but he didn’t mind being her reckless lion.
Green Star Warrior