JAYDEN

JAYDEN

Page Seventeen

Suddenly Jayden is trying to catch is breath as he finds himself under water. He breaks through the surface sputtering and holding his ribs. He sees Deker standing there. Deker: "Stay under. The water will purge the poison from your system." Jayden glared at him. Deker: "Just do as I say. Trust me, there's nothing I want more than you in top form. The sooner you recover, the sooner I'll be able to duel you and finally bring you down." Realizing he has no choice, Jayden dunks himself beneath the water. Eventually they end up inside a cave. There is a campfire and Deker sits across from him. Jayden still doesn't feel quite himself. Deker: "The purity of the lake has healed you. But you'll still be weak for awhile." Jayden disregards what Deker has said and tries to get up. It's a struggle and eventually his hand slips on the rocks and he falls back down. Giving up for the moment, Jayden props himself up. Jayden: "Why are you doing all this?" Deker: "I'm searching for the ultimate duel. The duel that you and I will have." Jayden: "I don't fight just to fight. I fight to protect people." Deker: "Well, we'll see. We're patient, my sword, Uramasa and I. But eventually, we will battle. I have quite the incentive to convince you. After all, I was once fully human. All I know now is the constant craving for battle. The Nighlok in me gives me no choice about it." Jayden: "You always have a choice. You don't have to give in to the Nighlok's cravings." Deker: "It's easy for you to say." Jayden: "doing the right thing, is always worth the effort, no matter how hard it is. That's why I won't fight just to fight." Deker becomes very angry and leans towards Jayden. Deker: "You will give me the ultimate battle! Whether you like it or not! It's the only way I'll ever be free from this terrible curse." Deker settles back against the wall. So surprise by this outburst, Jayden could only stare at Deker. After awhile, Deker picks up Uramasa and stands up. Deker believes Jayden is fully recovered. Jayden gets up and faces Deker. Jayden asks Deker, why do you want to fight me? There are plenty of good warriors in the world. Deker tells him, yes, but like me, you have a secret festering inside you. Jayden is surprised by this answer. Deker continues, we're both warped, twisted. Jayden gets angry and steps closer to Deker. What do you mean? Deker walks towards Jayden and then past him. He tells him, you would have sacrificed everything before giving Octoroo the sealing power. There's a spirit inside you I've never come across before in any other samurai. A warrior spirit. And that's why you're the perfect opponent. Deker pulls out Uramasa and transforms into Nighlok form. Jayden quickly has his Spin Sword at the ready. The two face each other with their weapons at the ready. After a few moments, Deker tells him, go ahead, the first move is yours. Suddenly Gold Ranger leaps and tells Deker to hold on! This isn't going to happen on my watch! Gold Ranger stands protectively in front of Jayden. He tells Jayden that he is in no shape to fight. Deker growls, get out of my way fisherman! Gold Ranger asks, how can you want to duel him when he's like this Nighlok?! Deker turns his head away and considers what Gold Ranger has said. Gold Ranger continues, me and my friend are walking out of here and you're going to let us! Deker disdainfully tells them to go. But know this Red Ranger, the next time we meet, we will battle. Gold Ranger excitedly tells Jayden, the nice creepy guy is letting us go! Gold Ranger throws down a smoke screen and the two vanish. Red Ranger and Gold Ranger arrive just as Arachnitor knocks Pink Ranger, Yellow Ranger, Green Ranger, and Blue Ranger down. Arachnitor is struck with several strikes. It is Gold Ranger. Red Ranger and Gold Ranger race over to the four fallen Rangers. The four Rangers are happy to see that Red Ranger is okay. Arachnitor is surrounded by Moogers. Arachnitor sends the Moogers to attack the Rangers. Gold Ranger races through the Moogers and strikes each one with his Barracuda Blade. Gold Ranger destroys several Moogers. Gold Ranger informs the rest of the Rangers that he didn't have time to finish the Black Box, but I promise to try again. Gold Ranger passes back the power discs to the four Rangers. Yellow Ranger notes, we can sure use them. Green Ranger is ready - let's show these Moogers how we really roll. More Moogers charge towards the Rangers. Pink Ranger, Green Ranger, Blue Ranger, and Yellow Ranger use the Quadruple Slash against several Moogers, which destroys them. Arachnitor charges towards the Rangers. Red Ranger transforms his Spin Sword into his Fire Smasher. Red Ranger battles Arachnitor with his Fire Smasher. Arachnitor strikes the Fire Smasher, having it transform back into a Spin Sword. Red Ranger notes, things just got a little tougher. Red Ranger kicks Arachnitor and then flies backwards. Arachnitor tries to blast him several times, but misses. Arachnitor leaps into the air and battles Red Ranger, knocking him down. Pink Ranger notes that they are all too tired to put up much of a fight. Blue Ranger suggests they combine all their strength. Green Ranger notes, we don't have much of it. We need something that doesn't require much symbol power. Red Ranger suggests Quintuple Slash. The five Rangers use the Quintuple Slash against Arachnitor and knock him off his feet. Arachnitor gets back on his feet. Yellow Ranger tells the rest of the Rangers, it's still not enough. Gold Ranger runs up to them and tells them to do it again. This time I will help it on it's way. Gold Ranger races towards Arachnitor and then stops several feet in front of it. Pink Ranger is concern they will hit Gold Ranger. Gold Ranger reassures them that he's got a golden move that will keep me safe and power up our attack. Red Ranger hopes Gold Ranger knows what he is doing. Once more the five Rangers use Quintuple Slash. Gold Ranger uses the power of the Quintuple Slash and puts a spin on it. Gold Ranger then hits Arachnitor with the more powerful Quintuple Slash. Arachnitor goes flying, hits broken concrete and lands on the ground. Arachnitor still gets back up, but this time he takes off. Gold Ranger points out that Arachnitor is getting away. The Rangers are about to chase after him when several giant Moogers emerged from a gap. Yellow Ranger comments, this isn't good. Red Ranger, Pink Ranger, Green Ranger, Yellow Ranger, and Blue Ranger summon their zords. When they arrive, Samurai Megazord is formed. Gold Ranger summons Clawzord. Once it arrives, Gold Ranger leaps inside and transforms Clawzord into Claw Battlezord East. Several of the giant Moogers shoot arrows at Samurai Megazord and Claw Battlezord East. Both are hit. Gold Ranger tells the rest of the Rangers to take care of Arachnitor, he will take care of the Moogers. Red Ranger agrees. Green Ranger spots more Moogers seeping out of a gap. This group of Moogers fly towards them. Green Ranger notes, they are not kidding around today. The flying Moogers fire at Samurai Megazord and Claw Battlezord East. Blue Ranger can't believe there are more Moogers. Samurai Megazord is hit several times and Yellow Ranger notes they are sitting ducks. Gold Ranger tells the rest of the Rangers, they got to take action now! Red Ranger agrees, we must control the sky. Swordfish Zord, Tiger Zord, and Beetle Zord are summon and Samurai Battlewing is formed. Samurai Battlewing takes to the sky. Claw Battlezord East battles the giant Moogers on the ground and knocks a couple to the ground. The flying Moogers fire at Samurai Battlewing. Samurai Battlewing strikes several of the flying Moogers with it's sword, knocking them out of the sky and the flying Moogers retreat. The giant Moogers on the ground continue their attack on Claw Battlezord East. Gold Ranger notes, they want some more. Remember these claws can handle you! Gold Ranger activates the mega blade. Claw Battlezord East strikes the Moogers several times with it's claws. The Moogers are destroyed. Gold Ranger wants to get spider breath next. Green Ranger tells them, that mutant must given us the slip. Red Ranger tells Gold Ranger, that Arachnitor is long gone by now. After the battle, they all return to Shiba House. Sitting alone in the courtyard, Jayden remembers what Deker told him. That he had a secret festering inside him. We're both warped, twisted. The memory upsets Jayden. From behind him, comes Emily's voice. Jayden turns around and Emily asks if this is a bad time? Jayden replies, no, what's up? Mia tells him, first they wanted to make sure you're okay after all that you have been through. Mike adds that they are going to chow down on some pizza and figure out a strategy for the new, more powerful Nighlok. Emily asks if Jayden wants to join them. Jayden thanks them. I'm doing fine. But why don't you go ahead without me. Mia asks if he is sure. Jayden replies, yeah, thanks. Emily tells him, okay, no problem. It's your choice. Disappointed Mia, Emily, Mike, and Antonio head towards Shiba House. Kevin hangs back a little, concerned for his friend, but eventually joins the rest. Emily's words about my choice, triggers another memory for Jayden. Deker telling him, all I know now is the constant craving for battle. The Nighlok in me gives me no choice about it. Jayden realizes Deker was wrong. We are all free to choose who we want to be. Jayden quickly stands up and calls out to his friends, you guys! Jayden walks over to his friends and tells them, I changed my mind, I will join you. Mia, Mike, Emily, Kevin, and Antonio are happy to have Jayden join them. They all head inside. Jayden and Antonio walk side by side. Antonio tells him, it's good to have you back. Jayden thanks him. I might not have been back at all if it weren't for you. Antonio replies, well, I do have my golden moments. Jokingly, Jayden pushes Antonio through the doorway.

The Tengen Gate