RPM 2- “Rain”

“I don’t like this at all.” I said.

“I don’t either but what do you want me to do? Not much we can do about it.” Flynn said.

I sighed, “What if this guy is working for Venjix.”

“Then we’re screwed.”

“Flynn, I can’t lose you.”

“You won’t.”

“You said it yourself…this…Dillon...scored off the charts on every test Doctor K threw at him. What if he turns on you? There’s no way you cans stop him.” I said as I scooted closer to Flynn. We were sitting on the floor at the foot of my bed.

“Mandy, I have way too much to live for. You won’t lose me.” He said as he put his arm around me.

I leaned on him, “I really wish you would have let me test for Ranger Black…I could still test for Ranger Green, Pink, or Purple.”

“First of all the Ranger Purple technology doesn’t seem to work…second, you’re not testing for Ranger Green or Pink because I don’t want you to be a Ranger and Mikki agrees with me.” Flynn said.

“I’m really sick of you and Mikki trying to protect me. I can take care of myself. In case no one has noticed I’m the most powerful solo of the Power of Three.”

“Which is why you can’t be a Ranger. You’re overconfident. You’d get yourself killed like…oh…uh…”

“Like what Flynn? Like my mother? Come on, say it.”

“Mand…I…”

“I’m not my mother. I’m more powerful. She could heal. I can freeze things and frickin blow them up!”

“You sister just doesn’t want to lose another family member…and I don’t want to lose you.”

I sighed, “If you weren’t so hot and incredibly sweet I’d be so annoyed with you.”

“You know you love me.”

“Yes, I do. So much.” I said as I kissed him. The kissing got intense and he started to slide his hand up my shirt. We laid back on the floor as we continued to kiss. I took my shirt off and started to reach my hands up his shirt when…

“Hey Mandy, I…oh geez…” Mikki said as she opened my door.

Flynn jumped away from me and I grabbed my shirt to cover up.

“You ever hear of knocking?!” I cried.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that Flynn was here.” Mikki said.

“Hey, I heard Mandy scream is…ohhhh…hot.” Myli said as she came up next to Mikki, “Go Mands.”

I sighed, “For the love of…”

“I should probably go. I’ll see you tomorrow Mandy.” Flynn said as he kissed my head and took off.

“Thanks guys…thanks a lot.” I told my sisters after he was gone.

“Sorry Mandy, I really didn’t realize Flynn was here.” Mikki said.

“Obviously. What did you need?” I said standing up.

“Oh, it’s really not important.”

“Ugh.” I groaned as I fell back on my bed.

“Sorry.”

“Since you’re here…I have a question for you.”

“What’s up?” Mikki asked as she sat on my bed.

“You work with Coronal Truman and sometimes with the Rangers…”

“Yes, not often but sometimes.”

“Ok, do you know anything about this new Ranger? Dillon?”

“I haven’t met him, no. I’ve heard about him. Evidently he’s pretty amazing.”

“Do you think he’s dangerous?”

“What? No, I don’t. According to Summer he’s just misunderstood.”

“According to Flynn he could be working for Venjix.”

“Yeah, Scott doesn’t trust him either.”

“Do you think there’s reason to not trust him?”

“I’m honestly not sure.”

“Can I try out for Ranger Green or Pink?”

Mikki sighed, “We’re been over this before Mandy. No.”

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“No, I’m with Mandy on this one. I want to try out to be a Ranger too. Why can’t we?” Myli asked.

“It’s too dangerous and I will not let my sisters risk their lives. Losing Mom was quite enough.”

“Mom isn’t dead. She’s missing.”

“Myli, don’t start this again. Mom is dead and it’s time you accepted that.” Mikki said.

“How can you say that?! No body was ever found! She just disappeared.”

“And lost contact? The only way mom would lose contact is if she was dead.”

“You don’t know that Mikayla.”

I sighed. Full first names were being used. This was always the first sign of a major fight.

“You’re so stubborn Mylina.” Mikki said.

I sighed again, “If you’re gonna have this fight can you take it to the living room or…anywhere but my room?”

“You never say anything about Mom Mandalin. What do you think?” Myli asked.

“I don’t know what to think honestly. In the end Mom is gone either way. That’s what I know.” I said.

“She’s right.” Mikki said.

“Whatever.” Myli sighed.

“I also know I’m ready for bed so…out.” I said.

“Yes ma’am.” Mikki said as she guided Myli out.

The next day Mikki had the day off so we decided to go to the park.

“Come on Myli, stop complaining.” I said as we walked.

“It’s supposed to rain today, why are we going out?” Myli asked.

“Supposed to nothing. It IS going to rain today. That’s the benefit of computer controlled weather. We always know what the weather is programmed to do.” Mikki said.

“Which makes the question all the more relevant, why are we going out?”

“Because it isn’t raining yet and the sunshine might actually do you good.”

“Nothing will improve her mood.” I said as we saw the Rangers with a guy that I assumed was Dillon, “Hey guys!” I waved.

“Hey Mandy!” Summer said waving back, “Myli, Mikki, hey!”

“Hey girls.” Flynn said as he kissed me.

“Girlfriend?” the guy I didn’t know asked.

“Yeah, this is my girlfriend Mandalin Harkness and her sisters Mikayla and Mylina.” Flynn said, “Girls, this is Dillon.”

“Nice to meet you Dillon. You can call me Mandy. I’ve heard a lot about you.” I said.

Dillon just nodded.

“He’s the silent brooding type.” Summer said.

“Um…sexy.” Myli said as she smiled at him, “So you’re the half man, half bot huh? I’d love to see which half is man.”

“MYLINA JAQUELINE HARKNESS!!!” Mikki cried.

“Oh dear, here comes the full name.” I sighed as I grabbed Flynn’s hand.

“What?!” Myli yelled.

“You’re 17.” Mikki said.

“And? Now leave me alone. You’re messing up my mojo. So, Dillon, you busy tonight?”

“Actually, yes.” Dillon said as he pulled his arm away from her.

“We should go.” Mikki said.

“Yeah, Myli is obviously in heat.” I teased.

“I’ll see you later Mandy?” Flynn asked.

“Of course. Call me later.”

“Yeah, you two can pick up where you left off last night.” Myli teased.

“You brat!”

Mikki laughed, “Come on girls.”

“Bye Flynn.” I said as I kissed him goodbye.

“Nice meeting you Dillon.” Myli said as we headed off.

“You are so boy-crazy.” I said.

“Boys are so hot.” Myli countered.

“She’s been boy-crazy since that weasel left town.” Mikki said.

I nodded, “True.”

“His name isn’t weasel.” Myli said.

“Should be. Myli, you’ve been going from guy to guy since he left…and he’s not worth it. He left you and left a huge mess for us to clean up.”

“The guy is a con-artist. You’re better off.” Mikki agreed.

“You guys didn’t even know him. I loved him so much…he was smart and funny and…” Myli started.

“And exciting? Yeah, I’m sure he was. He was a criminal!” I cried.

“That’s enough. Just because I don’t have a picture perfect boyfriend like you doesn’t mean he wasn’t perfect for me.”

“Flynn is not picture perfect…and you can do better than a weaselly con-artist.”

“Mandy is right. You can do so much better hun.” Mikki said.

“Oh lay off. You refuse to even have a boyfriend.”

“Myli…”

“Just stop.” She said as the rain started.

“Let’s go home.” I said.

Myli

~~~~

“MYLI!”

I looked around. I was outside the city. It was a barren wasteland all round me. I heard a female screaming for me. I ran in the direction of the scream.

“MYLI!”

“I’m coming!” I cried. I finally found the source of the scream. It was my mom. She was fighting Grinders but there were too many. “MOM!”

“MYLI, HELP!”

“I’m coming Mommy…” I said as I tried to get to her. I wasn’t fast enough though. The Grinders were holding me back as one stabbed through her mid-section with it’s weapon. “NO!” I screamed. It was too late. Mom was dead.

“NO!” I cried as I was startled awake.

It was the same dream I’d had over and over. Mom was still out there, I knew it. Mikki believed she was dead and Mandy tried not to think about it…but I knew she was alive. She was out there somewhere. She was captured or hurt or…I don’t know…but she was out there. I was tired of staying in the city while my mom was out there. I had to get out of here and find her.

I snuck out my window and went to the area where they burned and released the gas every morning. There was 2 seconds before each flame. I had two seconds to get through and avoid being burned to a crisp. It wouldn’t be easy and I would need to get really close to the flame, possibly getting minor burns, to avoid getting killed. I had one chance to get it right so I figured I should practice. I decided I could use my astral projection power…make it useful for once. I sat back to the side of the wall and closed my eyes. I focused on leaving my body.

Here’s the thing about astral projection for those who don’t get it…when I project I literally create a ‘hologram’ or projection of myself. You can see it, hear it, and in some cases (with extreme concentration) touch it. The trick is this…it takes such intense concentration to project I have to be in a meditative state, that is I can’t be moving or talking in my true body. Basically I sit there and project. My projection becomes my conscious mind and I see, hear, and experience through that.

So, as my projection, I stood to the side of the flame. I moved so I was close to it and directly in front of it. I watched the flame burn a few times then I went for it. I tried to take a quick leap across where the fire released. Didn’t work. I lost the projection when she was hit with the flame.

“Damn.” I mumbled to myself the same time I heard someone call my name. I looked over and saw Dillon. He was in Scott’s car…or rather getting out of Scott’s car and running toward the flame. He must have thought I actually died in that blast. “Hey, chill.” I said as I came up behind him.

“Mylina? How? I saw you…” he started.

“It’s called astral projection. I was testing it. I wanted out of the city and I was trying to see if I could run through the flames quick enough to not die. Obviously I can’t.” I explained.

“Whoa…ok, that’s pretty cool.” Dillon said.

“Thanks.”

“Why do you want out of the city?”

“My mom is out there somewhere. I have to find her. What are you doing out here?”

“I have someone to save too.”

I nodded.

“Listen, rather than getting fried to a crisp for real, would you like a ride?”

“Um, duh! That would rock. Thanks.”

“Get in.”

I got in.

“Hey, what’s that?” I asked as I noticed a Morpher.

“Morpher.”

“Why do you have a Morpher?”

“I’m supposed to be Ranger Black.”

“You what? And you’re leaving? Are you nuts?”

“I’m not cut out to be a Power Ranger.”

“I’d kill to be a Ranger. You’re so lucky.”

“I guess that’s a matter of opinion.”

“Eh. Whatever.”

“Besides, you have power without a Morpher.”

“Oh whoopee. I’m psychic and I can project myself.”

“I take it you don’t like your power.”

“It’s lame compared to what my sisters can do.”

“It’s not so bad. That projection thing is a neat trick.”

“I guess.”

“How come your sisters aren’t helping you find your mom?”

“Mikki and Mandy think she’s dead.”

“You don’t believe that?”

“No. I don’t. She’s out there and she needs help. What about you? Who are you trying to save?”

“I don’t know exactly.”

“Right. No memory.”

“But she’s out there.”

“She? Girlfriend maybe?”

“I don’t know.”

“Hmm…a guy that cares. That’s nice. I had a boyfriend once.” I paused.

“I guess this is supposed to be where I ask you what happened?”

“Customarily. And to answer that question…I don’t know. He literally disappeared one day. I don’t know where he went or why he left. I loved him so much and he just left.”

“Sounds like a jerk.”

“He was somewhat of a con-artist…got into trouble with some people. Everyone he owed came after me when he disappeared. I guess they thought I knew where he was.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It sucked…but a couple of run ins with my sisters set them straight and they left me alone…and if that guy is smart he’ll never come back to Corinth.”

“The people after him?”

“No…I’d kill him first for breaking my heart.”

“Right.”

“Are you ready yet?” I asked.

“Sure, just gotta time this right.”

I nodded as a broadcast of a Ranger battle came on the radio. The Rangers needed back up.

Mandy

~~~~~

I woke up and made some breakfast. Mikki walked in and got her coffee.

“Mik, can you get Myli? Breakfast is ready.” I said.

Mikki nodded and went to Myli’s room. She ran back in, “We have a problem.”

“What problem?”

“Myli is gone.”

“What?”

“Her curtains are open. She snuck out again.”

I sighed, “Not again.”

“Get dressed Mandy, we have to go find her.”

I nodded.

We got dressed and headed out. We looked everywhere we could think of but Myli was nowhere to be found. Along the way we came across a battle. The Rangers were fighting Grinders and were out numbered.

“Flynn!” I cried.

“Mandy, get out of here!” he called back.

“Mikki, we have to help them.” I said.

“You know the rules. No powers.” She said.

“You know what? Screw the rules, my boy needs me.” I said as I joined the battle. I used my freeze, combustion, and lightning in every which way.

“Fine, fine…I’ll help.” Mikki said as she joined the battle as well. Our assistance helped, but we were still greatly outnumbered.

Myli

~~~~

Dillon looked like he wanted to go back.

“Dillon, NO, we can’t go back.” I said.

“We have to. Sorry Mylina.” He said as he turned the car around.

We got to the battle and I saw my sisters.

“Mandy, Mikki!” I cried.

Dillon got out of the car and Morphed. I joined my sisters.

“Where the hell were you?” Mikki asked.

“Fight now, fuss later?” I asked.

“Fine.”

We helped Dillon finish the grinders.

“OK, fight over. What the hell?” Mikki asked.

I rolled my eyes, “Just chill.”

“Dillon, where was my sister?” Mandy asked.

“Found her trying to get out of the city.” Dillon said.

“Say what? Are you crazy?!” Mandy cried.

“Thanks Dillon.” I mumbled.

“Why were you trying to leave the city?” Mikki asked.

“Mom is out there and she might need our help!”

“Mom is dead!”

“We don’t know that!”

“Mylina Jacqueline Harkness never ever do that again. You have to face the fact Mom is not coming back. I will not lose you too.” Mikki said.

“Mikki is right. We can’t lose you.” Mandy said.

I sighed, “Fine. I don’t do that again.”

“Thank you.” Mikki said.

Mandy

~~~~~~

After the battle Flynn and I went for a walk.

“That was intense.” I said.

“No kidding.” Flynn replied.

“Dillon did well.”

“Yeah…except for sneaking out, stealing Scott’s car, and almost leaving the city with Myli.”

“Yeah, well there is that. But it all worked out.”

“This time.”

“Venjix isn’t giving up is he?”

“Nope.”

“I’m glad Mikki let me help you guys finally.”

“You could have been killed.”

“But I wasn’t…and neither were you.”

“This time.”

I sighed, “Flynn, all we can do is take it day to day. Since the virus that’s all any of us can do.”

“That’s true.”

“So today it worked. We’ll worry about tomorrow tomorrow and just be glad we have right now.”

“You’re so smart.”

“I love you Flynn.”

“I love you too Mandy.”

I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder.