Logan was baffled as to how none of his other friends had picked up on the fact that Roman and Remus were the newest Power Rangers. The two were constantly leaving their friends the second aliens appeared, only for the Green and Red Rangers to appear in battle. Both seemed constantly distracted by news about the Dragon Witch. Whenever a battle was over, Remus and Roman reappeared, most of the time with messy hair and some bruising, one time Remus actually had to limp back to their friends. All of this is without even mentioning how the two react when the topic of the Green and Red Rangers comes up.

Logan took a mental note of the twins' bizzarre behavior when the Rangers were brought up in conversation.

A few days after the new Rangers first appeared Logan, Roman, and a few other friends had decided to meet up at the local grocery store to buy and eat snacks. It didn't take long for the group to bring up the Green and Red Rangers and took even less time for Roman to start completely shutting down. While their friends theorized as to who the Rangers might be, Logan observed Roman as he shut his mouth, blushed a deep red, and left. Only to return twenty minutes later.

Next, Logan noticed that whenever the Green Ranger specifically was brought up, Remus had to interject every few minutes with some form of crude compliment. This behavior wouldn't be too outlandish for Remus, but the compliments began to overlap with compliments that Remus only gave himself.

Lastly, Logan realized that whenever Roman was asked about the Green Ranger he scoffed, much like he does when someone compares him to Remus.

While Remus, whenever the subject of the Red Ranger is brought up, crosses his arms, huffs, and falls quiet. Much like he does when someone compliments Roman and not him.

The two were so overwhelmingly obvious about their identities as the Red and Green Rangers that Logan had to wonder if he was the only slightly intelligent person in their town.

When Logan came to the conclusion about his friend, Roman, and friend-by-association, Remus, he accepted it, and decided not to ask. Considering neither of them could keep thier mouths shut-one of the few things the twins had in common-their reasons for not telling the whole world must be important.

. . .

Since school had closed Logan was several times dragged from his home by overly eager friends. This day, Roman had grabbed Logan from his content atmosphere and pulled him into hanging out downtown. Logan and Roman were walking around for a few minutes while Roman chatted about The Prom yet again.

"You wanna get some ice cream from Twisters?" Roman asked.

"At eleven in the morning?" Logan asked.

"C'mon it's like nintey degrees!" Roman groaned.

"Roman it's barely 70 degrees right now and-"

"Too late! I'm already buying!" Roman took a turn into the Twisters parking lot and walked up to the shop.

"If you were going to buy one no matter what I said, why even ask?" Logan asked.

"It's courteous to at least ask." Roman explained, opening the door for Logan to walk into the ice cream shop. 

"Not if you completely disregard what the person's answer is going to be. At that point it's more courteous to not ask." Logan argued.

"Shush-shut up." Roman shushed him by shoving a hand at Logan's face.

"How many times do I have to remind you about personal space Roman?"

"Logan shut it!" Roman whisper-yelled.

"Why?" Logan asked.

"Patton!" Roman whispered a half explination. He quickly went to stand in the small line, clearly trying to hide himself.

"What?" Logan attempted to peer around his friend for a look, but was halted by Roman. "Is Patton here?"

"Definitely." Roman nodded curtly. "Don't look!"

Logan rolled his eyes and looked anyway. Roman was right. Patton Valentine sat in a small booth, typing on a laptop, and occasionally taking a spoonful of ice cream. Logan felt his face heat up drastically and he moved to hide himself in the line like Roman.

Patton Valentine. There was something about this boy that made Logan so confused. Upon first meeting him, Logan got the impression that he was just another bright and ditzy person who would eventually escape Logan's memories as high school finished.

Within a week that prediction was thrown out of the metaphorical window.
In sixth grade Logan had deemed Patton to be his most threatening rival. A rival in what, Logan didn't know, but he was a threat nonethless and Logan had to learn everything about Patton to prepare himself for the moment he turned on Logan.

After spending months, as Roman would call it, 'obsessing' over Patton, he realized the strong feeling he was acting on was not a competitive passion. Instead, it was a deeply developed feeling of adoration and affection.
Feelings are so overrated. Logan found himself thinking as he put his hands to his face to try and stop the rush of blood that turned his skin pink.

It was their turn to order and Roman asked the girl at the counter for a chocolate brownie double. Logan asked for a vanilla scoop with jelly on top and the two stood, waiting for their ice cream.

"You're face is so red." Roman snorted a little and laughed.

"Shut it." Logan mumbled, continuing to hide his face farther into his hands. "It was your idea for us to get ice cream."

"Well, I didn't know that the most popular person in the school was gonna be here." Roman seethed. "Do you really think I would have brought us here if I knew 'Patton-I-have-5-million-subscribers-on-YouTube-Valentine' was gonna be here!"

"Roman! Logan!"

Logan lifted his head to see who had called their names, though he knew who it was.

Patton was giddily waving at the two, smiling bright. Oh god that smile, Logan's brain betrayed him and quickly tried to clear his head.

"H-hey Patton." Roman squeaked, returning the wave. 

"You two wanna sit with me?" Patton asked.

Logan and Roman turned to each other, both exchanging a silent conversation before Roman answered.

"Yeah sure!"

Patton gave the two an even brighter smile and Logan felt the world sway a little.
Logan and Roman were given their ice cream and went over to sit with Patton. Logan took careful glances at Patton and noticed a few things. His hair wasn't typically so curly and his shoes weren't the regular red Vans. They were a neon light blue and reminiscent of Converse high-tops, but had a different logo. Why Patton Valentine was wearing off-brand Converse, Logan had no idea.

"So, what were you working on?" Roman asked. At least Roman can talk.

"Oh! Well my sister Megan works here so I get discounts on ice cream and there's free Wi-Fi. So, I figured I would get some editing done on my next video." Patton explained.

It was quiet for a beat before Logan figured he should say something to make himself less awkward.

"Um, your shoes look new." Logan started quietly.

"Oh yeah!" Patton brightened up and showed them off to the two. "They're my new favorite shoes! My mom got 'em for me. She's so sweet."

"They look nice on you." Logan sputtered out.

"Aww, thanks Lo! I think they look pretty snazzy." Patton giggled. "Look, this is the best part."

Patton stood up and walked down the isle of the shop, Then turned and briskly walked back the way he came. Suddenly he popped back on his heels and rolled by the table with a smile. 

Heelys. He's wearing heelys. Logan thought, confounded by his own mind. Why is him wearing heelys so cute?

"You've got heelys!" Roman cheered.

"Sure do!" Patton giggled, rolling back to their table and and sitting down. 

This doesn't make sense. They're probably the most inconvienent, childish form of footwear. Yet when he wears them, I can't think of a single reason as to why he shouldn't. Logan felt his face flush yet again as a small smile betrayed his otherwise stoic face.

"I think I used to have a pair of-"

BOOM

Screaming and sounds of destruction sounded from across the street and everyone turned to see a breach open on the other side of the road. Minions from the Dragon Witch came flooding from the breach and began attacking everything in sight. 

"Oh gosh." Logan heard Patton whisper. "Oh no, no, no." The boy continued to trail off.

"I-I-" Roman started. He looked at his friends helplessly before shouting out.

"Everyone run!"

The shocked crowd followed Roman's call and proceeded to race out the back of the shop and run away. Logan looked to Patton, who seemed frozen to his seat, and sent him a pleading look. Patton looked from Logan to the monsters, then back to Logan before shakily standing up and reaching for Logan's hand. At any other time Logan would have been startled by the physical contact and, because it was Patton, could have melted into a mess of blushing and stuttering.

However, given the situation, he instead pulled Patton along with the crowd and brought them out of the shop.

"Are you okay?" Logan asked as they continued to run.

"Yeah, I think I'm okay, just um, just shock." Patton offered.

Logan could tell there was something more, but decided not to press. Instead he focused on running for his life. They continued the run before Logan abruptly stopped. Causing Patton to quickly stop as well so he wouldn't run into him.

"Roman!" Logan realized. "Roman, we're not with Roman."

"Where'd he go? I thought he was running with us!" Patton looked around, panicked.

"I-I have to go find him." Logan told Patton.

"Okay let's go-"

"No, Patton, you should keep going. I can find him on my own." Logan stated, already turning to leave.

"Logan I'm-"

"Get to safety please!" Logan dropped Patton's hand and started running.

Patton stood staring at Logan, mystified, but did as Logan told him and ran with the crowd to a safe place.

Logan raced back to the shop in search of Roman. When he didn't find him he ran back out of the shop and around the back, only to find Roman standing there, clearly annoyed, looking around nervously. Logan was about to call out to him, but was cut off when Remus ran into the alleyway looking more deshelved than usual.

"Where have you been!?" Roman asked.

"You're not the only one with friends Roman!" Remus retorted.

"You took forever." Roman scoffed.

"You don't have to wait for me!" Remus sneered.

"And go in alone! I don't wanna get killed."

"Oh get over it!" Remus rolled his eyes dramatically and turned to the green band on his wrist. "Green Ranger, activate!!"

Roman waved his arms exasperatedly before turning to his own bracelet. "Red Ranger, activate!!"

Logan watched as the two became shrowded in bright light before revealing themselves to be their respective Rangers. The two hopped into battle and Logan watched, bewildered, yet satisfied. His theory was correct and he just watched his proof run off to fight monsters.

Logan watched the fight unfold. The Black Ranger cut down minion after minion with ease, instructing the other two occasionally. Roman used his sword to bring his enemies to dust and yell at Remus to follow some 'plan'. Remus apparently wasn't following any plan, but still got the job done by smacking monsters with his spiked mace. The minions' numbers seemed to be dwindling, until the breach closed completely and all minions were destroyed. Logan thought the three would fall back and change back out of their Ranger armor, but instead they stood there. Waiting. Then Logan saw it, a clouded black figure appeared on top of the building.

"Prince Virgilius!" Roman addressed the figure.

"Sup Red!" This 'Prince Virgilius' nodded.

Remus snickered, but stopped abruptly when Roman gave him a look.

"You can't keep doing this!" Roman told him.

"You're so formal Red. Maybe you should lighten up a bit. Don't be such a copy-paste protagonist! " Virgilius groaned, leaning back.

"You are really formal." Remus agreed.

"Remus-I-just-ah," Roman stuttered a response. "Shut up!"

Eloquient as ever. Logan thought.

Suddenly Virgilius disappeared and reappeared next to Roman, making him scream and jump back.

"Is that like your one trick. Popping up like a creepy villain?!"

"It still gets you so, yeah." Virgilius shurgged and disappeared yet again.

"Can't you take any of this seriously?!" Roman yelled to nothing.

"I mean I could." Virgilius yelled back from a top the ice cream shop. The three Rangers turned. "But you just look so cute when you're mad."

"You can't see my face." Roman pointed out.

"Can we just get on with it please?" The Black Ranger shouted tearing away their attention.

"Yeah seriously, the flirting never gets us anywhere." Remus stated, annoyance dripping from his voice.

He chucked the mace at Virgilius who disappeared before it could hit him.

"Ugh." Remus growled at the area his mace had missed.

Logan watched as the weapon disappated into green light, only to reappear back in Remus's hand. The three closed together and began looking around for the prince, but no one was found.

"Fan out a little." Roman told the other two.

The Black and Green Rangers nodded and the three split off. Each taking wary steps in different directions, guards up. Logan looked around as well, the hairs on his arms standing up.

A bright flash caught his attention and Logan saw a purple fireball headed straight for Roman. Logan ran from his hiding place and called for Roman to run. The Red Ranger looked his way and Logan tackled his friend to the ground, both of them barely missing the fire ball.

"Logan what are you doing!" Roman shoved Logan away. "You're going to get yourself killed!"

"I just saved your life you ungrateful-" Logan suddenly felt something clasp around his wrist. He looked down.

A bracelet. A simple, fine chain that was glowing brighter by the second.

"Logan!" Roman gasped. "I need you to yell 'Blue Ranger, activate!'. Now! Do it now!

"I-uh-okay. Um, Blue Ranger, activate!!" Logan let out the words and looked at Roman pleadingly.

Logan was then enveloped by the light and left in a blank world. Armor began covering his body and a blue lance shimmered into existence in front of him. Logan felt his body react before his mind, and he grabbed the lance.

The world came back into view. Logan was standing tall as Roman looked at him excitedly. Logan turned around to see the Green and Black Rangers also staring at him.

He didn't know what it was, but Logan felt a sense of completeness rush through him. He looked around, a little unsure of what to do, but the other Rangers joined him, standing by his side, ready to defeat the prince.

"Oh come on!! Seriously?!" Prince Virgilius exclaimed in frustration. "Gods help me. How many more of you are there?!"

Logan looked at the other Rangers, waiting a response.

"Our numbers are growing Virgilius! Yours will only dwindle from here! Give up now!" Roman pointed his sword at the enemy.

"Wow." Virgilius sighed. "I don't like you."

"The feeling is mutual." Roman nodded. "Remus, now!"

Remus chucked his mace at the Prince yet again, only for him to disappear. The Rangers closed ranks yet again, standing back to back, at the ready. Suddenly Virgilius appeared a while away and shot a fireball right at the Black Ranger. Logan swung his lance, stopping the fireball before it could hit the other Ranger.

"Welcome to the team." The Black Ranger told him.

---

Logan was on his way home, and reviewing the information he had been told earlier.

Mr. Sanders-or Thomas as Logan was told to call him-was the Black Ranger. He had been Logan's guidance counsellor all through high school. Thomas had told Logan about Prince Virgilius and how had been the general of the Dragon Witch's army for the past few years and proved himself to be as dangerous as the Dragon Witch herself.

Logan was supposed to go back to Thomas's house tomorrow with Roman and learn more about the morphers and their power. Thomas didn't want to overwhelm Logan with all of Ranger history, so he sent Logan home.

Logan examined the bracelet that was now wrapped around his wrist. The material it was made of swirled randomly like a kaleidoscope. Logan could stare at it all day, trying to find a pattern.

As he approached his house Logan took a deep breath, ready for what was about to come.

"Maddie!" The voice of his little sister called out from the door. "Maddie come on! Lauren's trying to make dinner and Mama's on FaceTime!"

"I'm coming Nora." Logan replied.

He walked up to the house and into the kitchen where it looked like his sister was preparing food.

"Maddie, I swear Lauren's gonna poison us again if you don't get over there."

"Hey!" Lauren protested. "I'm a good cook."

"Not as good as Maddie though." Nora said as she passed by.

"Is that Maddie?" The voice is Logan's mother came from an iPad that was set up in FaceTime. "How's my favorite daughter?"

"I'm good Mama." Logan told her.

She couldn't see it, but Logan's expression immediately fell as he turned away. With his mom's job constantly moving her from hotel to hotel, it became easier to avoid coming out to her.

"You know, we're right here." Lauren pointed out to her mom.

"Well you're also the biggest thorns in my side at the moment." Mama sighed. "Now do what your sister says so she can make dinner."

Lauren groaned but turned to Logan expectantly.

"Can you just dry off that pan? I'll make chicken soup and bread." Logan sighed.

"Sounds great Madds." Nora called from the couch

"Oh I wish I was there." Mama sighed.

"We know Mama." Lauren told her.

"I'm gonna have to turn this thing off and head to bed, but you kids stay safe okay. I heard there was an attack earlier today. I'm just happy none of you got hurt." Logan's mom began shuffling papers near her.

"Mama, you don't have to worry." Nora yelled from the couch. "The Rangers are here to protect us you know!"

"Well thanks for that." Mama rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'm about three hours ahead of you so I've really gotta go. Get home earlier Maddie, maybe I'll actually be able to talk to you!"

"You got it Mama." Logan smiled at her, and waved goodbye.

She cut the call and Logan turned to his sisters.

"You're never gonna tell Mama are you Lo?" Lauren asked sadly, not facing him. "You know she'd be okay with it."

"Lauren I haven't had the proper chance. I also must point out we don't actually know if she will be okay with me being transgender."

"If she doesn't accept you then we're running away from here. You're getting into a fancy college and becoming some sort of millionaire." Lauren finally faced him. "Logan, we've got you."

"I know Laurie. It's just not the right time." Logan sighed.

"Alright. That's okay, I don't wanna pressure you. I mean it I really don't. It's just, she's gonna start asking questions when she gets home. I don't want you to go through another panic attack because you aren't wearing a binder in front of Mama."

"Lauren." Nora chastised from the couch. "Would you lay off him."

"I-I'm sorry Logan. I just-well you-oh-you know what I'm trying to say! I don't want you to go through that again. I mean you've been doing so well this year and it's the year Mama's been around the least."

"Lauren, I know what you're trying to say." Logan sighed. "I'll be okay. I know I can go to you if I get overwhelmed when she gets home."

Lauren nodded and went back to drying off the recently washed pan.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound insensitive Lo. I really didn't." Lauren started again. "But you know you can't keep this up much longer. She's gonna find out and it's better that it came from you."

"I'm aware."

"Lauren would you just drop it!" Nora called from the couch.

"Okay. I-I," Lauren sighed. "okay. I'm sorry."

"It's natural for you to be worried Lauren, don't feel bad." Logan tried to reassure her.

"Just know when to stop." Nora chided.

It fell quiet after that.