[Sentai]

Alastair nearly fell to one knee from the blow. The blow given from his sister in the form of an excellent right cross. Never let it be said that Melissa wasn't afraid of a good fight. "How could you never tell me? I'm your Sister!" She stood over him. Hands clenched, and the angriest look he could ever remember having. Slowly though he stood, his right hand rubbing his now sore jaw slowly. "And how exactly was I going to tell you that? 'Hi Sis, I know I've been gone a while. But I had to magically bond myself to a corrupted Zord'! Dragon needed me as much as I needed him. And I'd do it again if given the chance.. But you're right. I should've told you. I'm sorry."
Turning away, Melissa slowly counted to ten. Closing her eyes, took several deep breaths, and then turned back around towards her brother. "I forgive you. I love you, Alastair. I truly do.. But don't keep anything else from me. You aren't Prince anymore, and I'm not Princess. We're on the same team and need to start acting like it." Giving a nod, Alastair joined his sister and both rejoined the others sitting around the small campfire.
Earlier that day they had laid Jennifer to rest. Giving her a proper Pyre while telling tales about their fallen friend. Malory only lasted one story in before falling to her knees in tears, but Malcolm helped her right back up again. That was how he was. Everyone's Rock. The young boy they rescued, Tommy, was returned home to his parents. Malory let him keep Jennifer's helmet. And he promised her that he'd become a Power Ranger one day, and save Jennifer's life. That almost broke Malory down again but she just smiled, gave a short ruffle of his hair, and turned to walk away silently.
"This sitting around is pissing me off. We know where Death is, we should be beating his ass through the other side of his skull.. not making smores.” Malcolm scowled at Dwayne and gave him a nice smack upside his head, which nearly sent him rolling off into the fire! “That is for tomorrow. Tonight isn’t for that.” Dwayne just rubbed his head. “Could’ve just said that!” “Then you wouldn’t have learned anything.”
"How exactly are we going to defeat him?" Malory finally spoke. She was sitting behind Malcolm. His back making an excellent place to rest as she wrapped her arms about her legs and held them close to her chest. "We have our new Knight forms but.. Exactly how do we beat him?"
Melissa laid a hand upon Alastair's shoulder as they sat together across the fire from the others, and answered for her brother. "With you, Malory. We each represent a different Force. Malcolm represents Strength. Dwayne represents Cunning." Even Malcolm fought back a snort at that. "And I represent Wisdom. .. You, as the Great Manta Ray Guardian Beast you command, represent Life. Water is what makes life possible, after all. Only you can get close enough to defeat Death. His power to Rot and Decay can't touch you in Knight form. We can help.. but only you can finish this." Malory gave a single slow and careful nod. Good.. She was hoping she would be the one to make him pay for taking Jennifer from her.
Dwayne raised his hand like they were back in class. Makes sense, he was paying just about as much attention as he did in school. "You never mentioned what Al represents." Sitting himself upright, leaning back on his hands, Dwayne canted his head a bit. "And how are you our Leader? I mean.. isn't he Prince?" Malcolm gave him another swift smack upside the head. "Thank you." "You're welcome." Melissa tried giving her Knight a chastising look, but he just grinned and all she could do was roll her eyes a bit.
".. I can't lead you. The way I bonded with Dragon prevents me from achieving a Knight form, or leading the team like it deserves. Melissa is your leader." Dwayne accepted that.. Because he didn't need slapped again, thank you. Damn.
"What happened to Hawk after.. I mean, don't we still need Hawk to form the Megazord?"
"Hawk returned to the Ether. The great river of Life which flows beneath our Kingdom and gave birth to our Guardian Beasts. We can still form the Megazord.. Just not the same Megazord. Though your Knight forms retain the abilities and powers of your original Guardian Beasts, they can't stand against this new enemy. So we've been given new Guardian Beasts. The Four Kings. The Guardian Lion, The Guardian Rhino, The Guardian Dolphin, and the Guardian Stag. Your original Beast will always be part of you.. But we need the Kings to beat back the Old Ones. And Each Knight Zord can in itself become a warrior."
Malory gave a slow and steady nod. And for the rest of the night they shared stories, enjoyed some roasted marshmallows, and took one night just for themselves.