KUNG FU FIGHTING

AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER

Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. This is one of the story ideas I had for an early Season 2 ep. This takes place right before "Goldar's Vice Versa". I only own the plot and the monster. This plot came about because both Thuy and Johnny were trained in Kung Fu and I know Trini was learning the Preying Mantis Style in "Plague Of The Mantis", though I'm not sure which style Johnny uses, and I am taking liberties in that. I never gave Richie a last name in my other fics, so I'm giving him one here. And this was partly inspired by a request from Boris Yeltsin.

It was typical day in Ernie's Gym And Juice Bar with chattering, Bulk and Skull doing fake karate moves at one end of the juice bar, and other noise, but Trini barely heard it. Instead, she was completely focused on the moves she was performing. What she didn't know was that she had earned the attention of one the newest members of the team. Adam was sitting at a table and staring at Trini in fascination as she went through her routine. When she finally paused, he stood up and walked over to her.

"Was that Mantis Kung Fu?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. "You recognized it?"

"My sensei taught me using concepts from all of the main animals, but I'm kinda partial to the Tiger and Snake styles," he replied with a nod.

"Wow. That's really cool," she said. "Would you mind showing me some moves?" she asked.

"Not at all," he answered. He bowed to her and then started a kata as she watched. Wow. This is really cool. I thought I was the only one of us who was into Kung Fu, she thought to herself.

"You try it," he said after a while and Trini began to mimic what she had seen, with Adam once in a while correcting her stance or re-showing her a move. Richie Lopez walked into the youth center and up to the counter.

"Hey, Ernie," he greeted.

"Hey, Richie. What can I get you?" the man asked.

"Diet coke," came the answer. Then, "You need any help today?"

"Nah. Enjoy your day off." Richie nodded as he received his drink, gave Ernie some money, and then turned around. Seeing Bulk and Skull doing their version of karate, he shook his head. Then, exhausted, they walked up.

"What were you guys doing?" Richie asked.

"We gotta keep up with the Rangers, man. By working on different moves, we'll learn then and then be able to recognize who the Rangers are the next time they fight," Bulk answered.

"Yeah," Skull added. Man, don't those guys ever give up trying to figure out who the Power Rangers are? he wondered, shaking his head. Then, to his surprise, he realized that Trini was doing some sort of kata with the new boy, Adam Park.

"How long have they been doing that?" he asked.

"They just started," the older man replied. Richie nodded and stared at them. As he watched them, a strange feeling came over him. He couldn't believe that she was with him again. Ever since the boy had transferred in from Stone Canyon a few weeks ago, he and Trini had been inseparable. Adam said something to Trini who laughed. Richie's eyes flashed. Man, I don't believe this. Who does he think he is? he thought to himself. He had been starting something with Trini and then this guy came in and suddenly, she had no time for him. It wasn't fair! He began to approach them.

"Hey, Trini," he greeted as he got closer. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her and risk her getting injured. Adam and Trini stopped what they were doing and Trini embraced Richie happily.

"Hey, did you just get here?" she asked.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Adam knows Kung Fu as well and he was showing me a few of his moves," she said to him.

"Yeah, I saw," came the curt reply. "You were really good," he continued and Trini giggled.

"Thanks. You're sweet. I'll admit, Adam had some pretty good moves," she told him.

"As long as the only moves he uses on you are martial arts," he stated. Trini pulled away slightly and looked at him in confusion.

"What?" she asked, stepping out of the embrace.

"Come on, Trini. He was all over you," came the response.

"Whoa. I think we got some wires crossed here, man," Adam interjected, stepping closer to the two. Richie stared at him through narrowed eyes. What? He doesn't think I can tell when someone's making eyes at my girl? What does he take me for, an idiot? he thought.

"Richie, there's nothing going on between me and Adam. We're just friends," Trini added.

"Good. Keep it that way, Park," Richie said. Then, he walked to the other side of the juice bar.

"Someone sounds jealous," Bulk muttered.

"Uh-huh," Skull agreed. Trini and Adam looked at each other.

"What was that all about?" Trini wondered in confusion.

"I think he thought that I liked you as more than a friend," Adam replied.

"But…you don't…do you?" Trini queried.

"No," Adam answered, shaking his head.

"Wow. Maybe I should talk to him," Trini suggested.

"Why don't you let him cool down, first? With the way he's feeling, you guys might start fighting and then say something you'd both regret," Adam suggested.

"Good idea," Trini agreed. Then, "Come on. I wanna spar some more." With that, they started again. On the moon, Zedd had seen the whole thing.

"Awwww...so, Trini's human friend is jealous of her friendship with the Silver Ranger, is he? Well, I can use that to my advantage," he stated.

"How Master? Are you going to place him under a spell?" Goldar asked. Whatever he does, I'm sure it'll be brilliant, he thought to himself.

"No. There's no need." Zedd answered. "The boy doesn't realize it, but his jealousy will bring dissension to the Power Rangers leaving me free to destroy them," he added and then broke into maniacal laughter.