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Taylor knew she had anger problems. Sometimes, the little things piled up, getting to her. Other times, it was a single moment that set her off. She couldn’t help, no matter how many nights she wished. This wasn’t a small thing though, this was a massive thing, and she was being thrown aside. Like she was trash and hadn’t given everything for this curse. Her eagle screeched from above, the cry echoing in her ears as she sidestepped a rock. Every morning, the blonde jogged around the Animarium. It kept her in shape, and more importantly, gave her a way to work off steam and clear her head. Today, her anger was running too deep. Taylor could hear the Red Lion roaring, and her hatred ran deeper, for she knew Cole was with him.
Cole Evans, some weakling from the jungle, had stolen from her. He knew nothing of leadership, of battle, of being a Power Ranger, yet had the red crystal in his hands. This somehow deemed him worthy of being leader, and Taylor couldn’t forgive him or the team for believing that. Princess Shayla named his leader without discussing it with the team, Alyssa chose to stay with him in their last fight, and despite Max and Danny choosing her, they still saw him as their leader. The yellow ranger scoffed as she swerved around a boulder, she found herself in an open field. Cole was no leader, he was a soft-hearted fool who knew nothing of the city, of fighting evil. Taylor could lead anyone to battle, she had been raised here, and she knew of evil. Most days, she wished she didn’t. Yet, it was Cole who was the leader now! Why didn’t anyone else see that was a mistake?
Her eagle called again, the blonde realized she’d been going too fast and slowed her pace again. No use in wearing herself out. She had to be ready to fix Cole’s mistakes, to save everyone, and to prove herself the rightful leader. The blonde had given over a year to being a Power Ranger, half of which she did alone, and wasn’t she good? Wasn’t the team better because of her?
Taylor gave up her dreams to be a damn Power Ranger, and the moment some man shows up with some stupid red crystal, she’s forgotten! Cole hasn’t sacrificed anything for them, for the team, for the good of others. Not like she had. The anger was boiling inside of her, her hatred an accelerant, as Taylor tried to get her breathing under control. Despite keeping her pace, she was struggling to breath and could hardly see the forest around her. How could they do that to her! She had led them through countless victories, helped Alyssa with her college schedule. Helped Danny with his plants, and watched over them when he couldn’t. She trained Max, finding him a routine that worked for him. Didn’t it mean anything! All her work in destroying orgs, in building the team, in caring for the zords. All her work when she spent months being the only Power Ranger. Why didn’t it mean anything!
Taylor stumbled, crashing into a tree as her breath was stolen by shock.
“Damnit!” She shouted, her eagle cried with her as she tried to catch her breath. Her ankle burned, twinging everytime she moved it, and her shoulder was throbbing harshly. So, the young woman sat on a nearby log as her thoughts collapsed like an avalanche.
Was she being punished? Why? She gave up her life, her dream, to be a Power Ranger, she’d been a good leader, and the Princess pushed her aside to make some idiot leader! What had Taylor done to deserve this? The blonde hunched over, covering her red face with her hands, nails sinking into her scalp, because Taylor Earhardt didn’t cry!
For a while she stayed like that, her eagle watching over her, as she tried to regulate her breathing. It was often interrupted with hiccups and silent sobs. During this time, a treacherous thought struck her, cutting deep and taking root. Why should Taylor stay? They obviously didn’t respect her or her sacrifices, nor did they want her. It was a small voice who said that, one she hadn’t heard since elementary. If they wanted her, they wouldn’t have betrayed her like that. She wasn’t just being pushed aside, she was being replaced. For a few moments, Taylor choked as emotions rolled over, emotions that she had buried too deep for her to feel.
She looked up when she could breathe again, she locked eyes with her eagle, feeling like she had disappointed her in some way. Taylor pushed herself up when she felt ever familiar resolve wash over her, numbing her pain and drying her eyes. If the team didn’t want her, that was fine. She had spent six months without them, she could survive alone.