Episode 1: Ninjas Rising Part 1

"I hope you all know that this is the first step to recovery, and the fact you're here is progress already."

The words were as heartfelt as could be, but all Dr. May received were looks mixed with incredulity and disdain. Dr. May had her work cut out for her, but still, they were here and that was the important thing. "So, how about we go around and introduce ourselves? I'll start. My name is Dr. Megan May and I majored in psychology at Cadence University-" from the corner of her eye, the only male of the group stiffened. There was a note of speculation, but kept on talking- "I like helping people, and going bike riding."

There was a lengthy silence after she was finished, but as tense as it was, Dr. May kept her expression serene. It was only the first group session, and opening up to strangers wasn't easy. Dr. May though couldn't help glancing at her wristwatch. Only fifteen minutes left.

Eventually, a young girl who couldn't be more than seventeen shifted in her seat, eyes also shifting around as she twiddled her thumbs, her shoulders hunched. "U-um," she mumbled, "my name's Kit Sakura. I like watching web shows." Her lips tightened and she tucked in even closer to herself.

Beside her, a dull-eyed woman of twenty blinked slowly. She shrugged one shoulder as the sleeve of her oversized sweater covered her hand. "Not like this matters or anyone cares," she muttered, "but I'm Ann Taylor. Don't like much of anything."

To Dr. May's immediate left and sitting beside Kit, a stern-looking nineteen-year-old that had pushed her seat back when everyone assembled for the group glared at Ann. "That's gonna be real helpful here." She sneered, but Ann just blinked again.

Dr. May though did intervene. There could be no antagonism. "Now, it's not healthy to put down others. Please, try to be constructive."

The stern woman stared back at her. Her eyes narrowed, and she scowled. "I'm Lila, and I constructively think she's being stupid."

Dr. May kept back a sigh. The fact Ann didn't get mad or even irritated was troubling, and spoke to a certain level that she even seem to care for much. That wouldn't be good. "Moving on," she said briskly and smoothed down her clipboard, "who'd like to go next?"

A girl that took center seat beamed as she waved her hand, her eighteen-year-old features young and fresh-faced. May nodded, immensely relieved that someone was at least acting happy to be here. The young woman immediately began in a chipper tone, "I'm Zara Kim, I like make-up, shopping, and super cute animals!" she clasped her hands and swayed her in her seat with a dreamy look in her eyes. "They're like, sooo adorable and stuff."

Kit stared at her, but it was Lila's scowl that made had May interfering again. "Okay, thank you for that Ms. Kim." she said calmly. She looked to their last group member, the young man who on second glance was quite scruffy-looking.

He glared back defiantly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his black bomber jacket. He was the epitome of rebellion at the age of nineteen-a very peculiar age to try out being a rebel. "Name's Joe." He didn't offer anything else, and he glared even harder at everyone like he was challenging them. The only one who glared back was Lila.

May smiled, even if on the inside she was beginning to get worried. Could these five learn to trust each other to get along for this? They would likely benefit more from one-on-one therapy, but that they all came here of their own free will. 'That counts for something.' She glanced at her watch. Ten minutes left. "Today's session was supposed to be a meet-and-greet, but I can understand if all you want anyone to know is your name for the remainder of the time we have.

"Though remember, our next meeting is on Monday at 3pm and I hope to see you all back once more." Dr. May smiled. "And remember, it's a good thing that you're here."

In an underground room, clean steel walls and high tech equipment with many blinking lights lit up the area, while a large screen was held above a console covered in many keypads that functioned as buttons. On the screen was a live feed of a park-people milled about in the sunny day; dog walkers, parents with their children, couples enjoying the nice weather.

All of them looked so happy and content.

And Foxglove held no remorse for taking that joy away.

He was tall and humanoid, but that was as far as he went to being remotely human-he was white and yellow-furred, two long ears atop his head, and a white fox-like mask which covered the top half of his face. Perhaps it had been simply a joke to give him such a name, but it was certainly on the nose.

As he looked at the screen, Foxglove saw nothing but the perfect mixture of terror and panic that he would reap. Loathing and disgust coursed through him as he couldn't look at it any longer, and set about with putting his plan into motion.

This dimension was plagued with so many invasions that one more wouldn't be anything new. He studied what he could from earth's so easily available records and knew he needed to give his plan some scale. One city concentrated with creatures wouldn't work, not for the requirement of energy he needed to collect.

Foxglove walked up to a case filled with several dozen crystalline stars. He picked up one and after a brief moment of examination, he nodded to himself in satisfaction. The stars were finely crafted and he could feel the dark energy coursing through them. These would not be at fault, should things in some way go astray. With that in mind, he reluctantly called in the Ninja 4 (of 5). His falcon, rhino, badger, and ant themed generals would not have been his first choice, but he wouldn't let that deter him.

They had better not screw this up though; he wouldn't be a laughingstock again.

Rhinex crossed his arms. "You called, boss?"

Foxglove narrowed his eyes, but he gave no outward reaction beside an icy, "I am not your boss."

Badgerill grinned mockingly at him. "Would you prefer your highness?"

Though 'boss' irked him, Foxglove detested the faux respect even more. He'd gone so long without a derisive moniker, and hearing it again reminded him unpleasantly of the scathing comments said behind his back at the royal court until Celandine got his father to send him to earth years ago. It was a fool's errand to be here, not helped when these four screw ups had been sent to be his 'disciples.'

It could be worse; Foxglove could have been called back. There was still work to be done here, and being recalled wasn't an option.

"Sir," Fallon pulled Foxglove's attention from Badgerill to him, "what did you need us for?"

Foxglove breathed in deeply. He'd dealt with others much more infuriating than these four, and he they were barely worth a disdainful glare. "I have found ideal locations to gather fear and panic for Convallaria's energy crisis, so listen carefully for I will only explain this to you once." He noted that they showed no reaction to their home dimension's poor state, and grudging approved for them keeping composed.

Foxglove held up the star already in his hand. "Trigger this with your soul core and not only will it release the Hoaxer within, but the creature will spread panic and chaos to these humans." He gave all four of his generals a hard stare, hammering it in that this was not going to be negotiable. "Who wants to go first?"

Rhinex, Badgerill and Antioc glanced at each other. While their opinions of humans was the same derogatory view Foxglove had, they also knew that this dimension had a habit of 'Power Rangers' showing up and mucking up all previous attempts to invade this Earth.

Fallon was the only one who remained, well, unruffled for lack of a better but no less groan inducing word. "And if there are any uninvited guests?"

"I have taken that into account." Foxglove said. "Even if you are intercepted, no Ranger will be able to stop this plan."

"You sound pretty confident." Antioc muttered. "I bet that's what all the others thought too."

Foxglove gave him a cold stare. "I have watched and learned in my exile to this realm. I know what I'm doing; do not test me." His tone then turned sickeningly sweet, allowing himself to grin severely at the ant. "Unless you'd prefer me to show you how sharp my claws have remained."

Antioc backed down as Fallon stepped forward. "I'll do it, sir."

Foxglove handed him the star and stepped to the side of the console. He put his hand under a crevice and the wall slid open to reveal dozens of long tubes all interconnected with wires and a translucent cable. The cable slid further back into the wall, while at the front it was coiled like a fire hose with a clamp in the shape of an armband. "Don't let go of the Star Crystal; you'll cut the feedback connection which will send the energy the monster collects to the tubes."

He hooked the clamp around Fallon's forearm and glared at the screen. "The creature will appear there; inform me should something go wrong. I must check with Waspina about her progress."

"Why did she get the solo job?" Antioc questioned.

"Perhaps it's because she showed the deftest hand for this…delicate task." Foxglove said meaningfully, but none of his generals could be quite sure what he meant. "And she has the patience needed to deal with the long term end game." He added, and took his leave through a different exit that resembled a mundane human door.

It was one of the details that made Badgerill and Antioc so derisive towards Foxglove; he'd grown accustomed to living in this squalor. At least he didn't make them get used to it; well, most of them. Antioc gripped, but he certainly wouldn't want to have whatever job made it necessary for Waspina to spend her days endlessly above ground.

Fallon had no time for petty thoughts. He had a task to complete, and he would do it well enough that it got them back into King Manchineel's good graces. The crystal had the king's energy signature, dark and heavy, and Fallon concentrated on his own core. His power seeped into the crystal, casting an eerie white glow.

He felt a tug on his core that had him tensing up, but when he saw the screen, he allowed himself to smile.

It was the beginning of the end for this dimension.

When Dr. May said time was up, Kit was immensely relieved even if she hadn't been the first one out of the building. That had been Zara, who was still smiling despite trying to get Ann to speak up and failing as the other woman gave her a bored stare.

While Kit didn't learn much about her group, the fact she managed to get through it without bolting was a win in her book. And boy had she wanted to run; being in public was so much harder than it used to be. She hoped her dad thought this was progress too when she told him tonight. He wasn't around much, but he'd been a great support ever since the accident.

While Zara was trying to talk to Ann, who only looked around like she couldn't hear her, Kit gazed at the park across the street and the shortcut she could use to get home, but when she looked back at the others, she squeaked as Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He glanced at her, but Kit looked down at her shoes. Kit didn't want to say anything, but her nose wrinkled as a breeze blew smoke in her face and it really irritated her.

"Hey!" Lila's sharp voice cut through the air like a knife. It appeared she wasn't the only one annoyed. Kit saw Lila glaring at Joe, her expression agitated and angry. "You might be able to stand that disgusting smell, but some of us don't want your second hand smoke."

Joe didn't even glance at her. "Then turn the other way."

Lila scowled at him, but before she could say anything more-screams erupted in the air. Zara jumped while Ann tilted her head. Kit whirled around and ran to the corner of the platform. She gasped as in the park she saw dozens of strange…creatures were chasing after people who tried to get away. The Nightlings were wearing all-black outfits and fox-like masks but they moved with an eerie speed which couldn't be human. The screams from the people were a shot to the heart, and Kit found the other four were staring at her, most likely for information on what the heck the noise was.

She knew her voice was shaky, but putting up a front wasn't the first thing on her mind. "There are monsters attacking people."

Zara furrowed her brow. "What?"

"We have to do something!" Kit said.

Lila crossed her arms. "We're not Power Rangers; it'd be stupid to get involved."

"At best we'd end up hurt, at worst we'd be killed." Ann muttered.

Joe blew out a puff of smoke and crushed his cigarette under his shoe. "Are you always such a ray of sunshine?"

Kit cringed as she could hear the screams continue to echo in her head. "I don't care!" she blurted, and the force of the outburst caused the others to stare at her in surprise; it was the most passionate they'd heard her get, especially since she'd been nothing but a timid child before. Kit tensed up, but couldn't let it keep her back. "People are going to get hurt, and whether I do doesn't matter. The point is I tried, and that'll be good enough for me. You can go home and ignore it, but I can't!"

With that, Kit bolted for the park. Zara blinked, but her expression hardened and she sprinted after the other girl. Ann jerked her head away, lip curling back.

Joe pocketed his pack with a scoff. "Like I'm gonna let these creeps off the hook for interrupting my smoke break."

He jogged down the steps and Lila scowled after him. "Yeah, you and your mucked up lungs will do soo much better!" she shouted and sprinted to the park as well.

Ann stayed put, but even she couldn't keep her gaze from turning to the park forever.

Arriving on the scene first, Kit gazed around for a moment before immediately knocking into one of the creatures terrorizing a family. "Go, run!" she shouted and the family of four ran for the cars parked along the curb of the park fence. An elbow struck her in the ribs and she was thrown back. Kit gritted her teeth, but fear shot through her as she realized the blade the creature held was real.

Kit rolled out of the way, narrowing escaping the blade being lodged where she'd been lying moments before. The black-clothed creature tugged the ninjato, and Kit quickly tucked her legs back and struck out. She caught the foot soldier in the side, knocking it down and somersaulted back onto her feet.

There were joints in her legs that ached from disuse, but Kit was just happy she could still do that at all anymore.

She turned, only to freeze as another creature had snuck up on her. Before Kit got skewered, the Nightling convulsed and dropped to the ground, revealing Lila with a Taser in her hand.

Kit blinked. "You carry that around with you?"

"And go around unarmed? Please." Lila snorted. She shifted her gaze for a moment. "And I guess your silly speech got to me. It got to most of us really."

Kit's eyes widened and she took another look around the park, a better look this time. One of the creatures got slammed into a tree by Zara kicking it in the back, while another was struck over the head by Joe with a loose picnic table plank.

Ann wasn't anywhere to be found, but Kit chose to overlook that.

"What's going on? Can't you deal with a few wretched humans?!" Kit jerked back as a different monster stalked into sight. It was bulky and had an almost weasel-like quality to it, with two saws protruding from its wrists. It scowled and levelled one of the saws at them. "Perhaps you all need lesson about minding your own business!"

Joe spat at the ground. "Show us what you got, you walking cheese grater."

"So tough," it said mockingly, "but I can see what you're scared of-what you're all scared of."

Joe froze, his brow furrowing as a sheen of sweat appeared. He could hear the jeers, the terror shooting through him as he could feel the stinging from the scar on his cheek with such intensity it felt as though it could re-open.

Kit felt dread welling up inside her heart, constricting her breathing as she heard the sound of glass breaking and screeching tires in her ears.

Lila was ashen, her hands shaking as bile rose in her throat and her legs wobbled. Disgust and loathing coursed through her.

Zara had a blank look on her face while standing utterly still. Inside she felt a hollowness in her stomach and a sudden pain deep inside that had her screaming out loud as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Kit gritted her teeth as Zara collapsed to her knees. "C-cut it out!"

The monster narrowed its eyes. "How not-cute, you still think you're being brave. Perhaps a more direct approach will get your fear flowing." It raised one of its saws further, and Kit felt panic set in as it stormed towards them.

She hated how she couldn't move, that she felt so useless-

A horn honk blared out, and the monster whirled around just as a red blur shot into view and a slash of yellow came down onto the front of it, causing sparks to fly as the monster went sailing back. Kit felt the fear gripping her heart loosen, and stared in awe at the person who'd saved them.

It was a Red Ranger, wearing a distinctive gold sash with a star design on the shoulder of it. Kit looked behind the Ranger, and was amazed to see Ann sitting behind the wheel of a jeep.

"You're here!"

Ann grimaced. "I guess you're speech got to me."

Lila rolled her eyes, though she wouldn't dare admit that she was still shaken. "You too, huh?"

"How is this possible?!" The monster snarled as it got back to its feet. "There aren't supposed to be any Rangers here!" The Ranger didn't reply as in a flash a star based in gold and multiple colored tips appeared in his hand. It caused the monster to freeze up this time, stepping back almost fearfully. "W-where-how did you get that?" The Ranger attached the star to his ninjato and spun it until the star turned red. "Answer me, thief!"

"How's this for an answer?" The Ranger retorted and brought the sword down into an arc, creating a fire stream that sliced through the air until it collided with the monster. It was bowled over and the Ranger shot forward, sword raised to finish it-when one of the saws cut across the chest and the monster ducked back as the Ranger staggered.

"I don't know how you got such a crystal, but you'll pay for this!" It snarled before it disappeared in a flash of light.

Kit felt a different sort of dread form in her stomach as the Ranger nearly collapsed into a kneel, ninjato sinking into the ground for balance. The suspicion that formed when the Ranger had spoken only grew as the suit wavered and in a flash there was a dark-haired man in place of the Ranger.

"Hey, mister, I think you need to see a doctor!" Zara said worriedly.

"It's okay." The man said as he got to his feet. He smiled weakly at them, but it looked more like a grimace. "I am a doctor."

Joe stared. "Wakahisa?" he asked incredulously. "How the hell did you become cool?" University professors were supposed to be stuffy and uptight in his mind, not awesome Rangers.

Lila crossed her arms. His reveal instantly put her on guard. "I wouldn't call that the right question to ask." She said snidely and Joe glared at her.

Kit cut in quickly, trying to keep her heart from racing frantically. "I-I think the better thing to ask is what's going on?" She tried not to sound hurt, but it still showed on her face and it caused Wakahisa to glance away for a moment.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, there was a hard glint in them. "I need to know something right now. What I'm going to say isn't going to be farfetched given how Earth seems so danger prone, but this is important. I can't do this by myself, as you've seen," he said self-deprecatingly, "so, I'm going to need a team. Any volunteers?"

Kit's eyes widened. "Become…a Power Ranger?"

Zara was practically vibrating with excitement. It was a good distraction from the fear the monster caused her. "I'm in! This is going to be awesome!" she pumped a fist into the air.

Lila huffed. "I didn't follow just to be a quitter. Count me in." She'd be keeping a suspicion eye on the man though.

"And I really just like pissing you off." Joe said snarkily, and Lila glared at him this time.

Ann narrowed her eyes for a moment. "We're all going to die," she stated bluntly, "but I knew that even as I drove Wakahisa here." She shrugged. "I'm in too."

Wakahisa glanced down at Kit, who squared her shoulders. "I…I guess we're all in, Dad."