Standard disclaimer.
A/N: Again, non-slash, it was also written in my pre-slash days. I've got most of it written, except for the middle (which is kinda important). The title comes from the song "Safe and Sound" by Sheryl Crow, yet something else that doesn't belong to me.
A/N2: I'm horrible with coming up with names, so I made the name for the alien (you knew there had to be an alien) quite obvious. It's actually kinda stupid, but I figured it wasn't the most essential detail. Also, I tried to avoid the Rocky and Bullwinkle puns, so if any did slip in, I didn't mean to. Not like there aren't a dozen puns (mostly bad) per episode of Ninja Storm. If you don't believe me, watch Pork Chopped.
This is set sometime between Scent of a Ranger and Brothers In Arms.
Chapter 1: The Enemy: Round One
"This is going to be sweet!" Dustin yelled back, since he had run ahead of the group.
"Dustin, will you please watch where you're going?" Tori called in response.
It was a bright, warm Saturday in Blue Bay Harbor, and this group of six was determined to enjoy the weather and each other's company. The picnic was Sensei's idea, but it was organized by Cam. And they had finally reached the point in the park that would make the best picnic spot. There were trees to lean against, but also a space for grilling and a field for a Frisbee game. Since they were in a city park, there was already a grill and picnic table set up. Shane and Hunter dropped the cooler that they were carrying on the ground next to the table, then sat on it. Tori dropped her backpack on the table, going over to see what Dustin was doing a few yards away. Blake and Cam put the smaller cooler down near the grill, then Blake sat on the bench by his brother and Shane.
"At least the weather's cooperating," Cam sighed as he dug through his own backpack to find the matches so he could start the grill.
No one wanted to mention their desire that Lothor cooperate as well, since that would jinx them. While they cooked, talked, drank, ate, joked, laughed and played Frisbee, no one worried about Lothor or anything else Ranger-related. It wasn't until toward the end of their picnic that all six morphers beeped, alerting their wearers that something was up.
"Go for Shane," he said, with everyone else hovering around him.
"There's an ugly alien not too far from where you guys are," CyberCam said.
"Lothor's aliens are always ugly, dude," Dustin commented as Shane signaled out.
"Ready?" Shane asked.
"Ready," the other five chorused.
Once they were all in Ranger form, they quickly found the alien. They attacked, but were immediately sent flying back.
"Dude, a giant squirrel?" Dustin asked, getting to his feet.
"Lothor sure knows how to pick 'em," Shane replied as he surveyed the condition of the Rangers. Each were standing, all in a line. Except he noticed that Blake was standing a bit back, with Hunter positioned in front of him. He was about to question if Blake was alright when the alien pointed his sword at the two Thunder Rangers, beams coming from the sword's tip.
"Thunder shield!" each Thunder called, both just in time to reflect the beams back to where they came from.
"No fair!" the alien cried as he was hit with his own beams. The alien flew backwards several feet, onto his back.
But the alien quickly regained his original position.
"Let's put 'em together!" Shane called, with the Winds combining their weapons and the Thunders combining theirs.
When the Storm Striker and the Thunder Blaster were ready, Hunter and Shane called "Fire!" together. The pair of blasts swirled in the air, hitting the alien. The six Rangers stood, watch the fire die down with their visors open.
"Well, there's the obligatory scroll," Cam said, then called for the Samurai Star Chopper.
"It's Zord time," Shane called.
The Zords overpowered the Squirrel easily enough. The six victorious Rangers regrouped back at Ninja Ops.
"I trust everyone is well," Sensei said when the six appeared.
"Oh peachy," Blake said, sitting down by the table.
"You alright, lil' bro?" Hunter asked as he sat next to his brother.
"Feel a bit worked. Nothing to worry about," Blake answered.
"If you don't mind, I'll worry anyway. It's my job as big bro," Hunter said, then began checking Blake for injuries.
Blake rolled his eyes, but didn't argue. When Hunter was satisfied, he turned his attention back to the group.