Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, characters, events etc. Anything not covered by the above rights should be assumed to be purely the creation of the author.
Rating: T – may be some adult themes.
Serena and Peter made their way through the airport, looking for the baggage carousel. It had been a long trip from Japan, so Serena was grateful to finally get out of the hellish torture device known as a coach class seat. She was still a little stiff from the flight and also slightly cranky given her travelling companion. Peter had spent a large part of the flight complaining and whining.
She still had no idea why Daisuke had sent him with her; he had even said himself that he would only slow her down. Up until now, she had always gone on her missions alone, with Hayley in contact through her Earwig in case she needed information or help with technical systems that she didn't understand. Taking Peter with her just gave her something else to worry about. The guy had been a white belt for over a year, and having seen him train once, she could understand why. He was uncoordinated in a way that made Emily at her worst look like a world-class ballerina. She doubted he could fight off an opponent more intimidating than a newborn kitten. He was bound to be a liability.
"Hey, hey be careful with that!" He called out, running as he saw the baggage handlers throwing one of his many cases onto the carousel. He picked it up, cradling it like a newborn baby. "Do you have any idea what the stuff in here is worth? Can you not read the label? It says fragile!"
The baggage handler just shrugged and turned away, muttering something in French, continuing with his work, unrepentant. Peter struggled to move the first of his many cases onto a trolley.
"Can you believe that guy?" Peter grumbled, loading case after case onto the trolley.
"I'm sure your stuff will be fine." Serena replied as she got her backpack off the carousel and picked up her small case.
"Could you give me a hand?" Peter asked her. Serena just rolled her eyes and started to help him with the cases, loading them onto the trolley.
"Hey, come on that stuff..."
"Peter, if you bitch once more about those cases I swear I'll take a sledgehammer to the whole damn lot!" She snapped, slamming the last case onto the top. "Do you really need all this stuff anyway?"
"Well..."
"Forget it; just...forget it I'm sorry I asked." She groaned, cutting him off before he could begin once more regaling her with the long, boring, and often baffling rambles about his computers and programmes that at times made her wonder if he was even speaking English. She placed her case on top and gestured for him to follow her. "Come on, we need to get a cab..."
"Or we could just go with that guy." He suggested, pointing to a man wearing a black suit, with a flat, black hat and leather gloves. He seemed to be waving them over, trying to attract their attention. Peter made his way towards him, at which the stranger took the trolley and started pushing it towards the car park. Serena just shook her head in disbelief, following them closely. As they got to a black limousine, the driver started to load cases into the back.
Serena swiftly came up behind the man, slipping a forearm around his throat, and snatched him into a tight choke hold. She held him tightly as he struggled.
"What the hell...?"
"We didn't order a driver!" Serena interrupted Peter. "Who are you?"
"He can't exactly answer if you're choking him can he?" Peter asked her. The driver handed her a business card as she loosened her grip a little.
"I'm with the hotel." He croaked out. "Airport pickup is part of the hotel package."
Peter grabbed Serena away from the man as she let him go and put an arm around her.
"Sorry, it's been a trying flight." Peter said apologetically, reaching into his wallet and handing him a generous tip. "She's a little on edge."
"No problem Mr Lancer." The driver said, giving her a little look, before turning and heading into the drivers' seat. Serena looked to Peter questioningly.
"We're in a five-star hotel." He told her. "Daisuke sent our pictures so they'd know who we are."
"Sorry, I've had a bad experience with a driver." She told him.
"Just...uh...try to relax a little." Peter told her. "We'll be there soon. Then you can relax, maybe get some sleep..."
"I'm sold." She muttered, getting into the back of the car. "Get us there and don't spare the horses."
As Peter got in, Serena rested against the door frame and started to drift off.
Back at the Shiba House, Mike was in the sitting room, playing with his breakfast as the others started to get their stuff together. It was the time after morning training when they all had a few hours to themselves. Antonio had already gone out to catch some stock for the midday rush at the shopping district. Jayden had gone grocery shopping, while Mia and Kevin had gone for a walk in the park, leaving Emily and Mike in the house by themselves. Emily watched Mike continue to play with his food for a little while longer before finally snatching the spoon off him.
"If you're not going to eat it..."
"What do you think Mentor would say if we asked to move rooms?" Mike asked her. Emily just looked a little confused.
"Not sure really." She replied. "Why, do you think our room's bigger or something?"
"No, that's not what I mean." Mike continued. "I mean, you know, mix it up a little. Not just have the boys in one room and the girls in another anymore."
"Wait, do you mean like, Kevin and Mia get a room?" She asked him. Mike just nodded.
"And we get a room." He carried on. Emily just sighed and shook her head.
"You saw how freaked out he got when he found that...you know." She replied, still cringing to think about the regrettable incident. "I doubt he'd be up for us sharing a room."
She suddenly started to withdraw a little as she got a thought.
"Unless, that's not what you were meaning." She asked nervously.
"No, it's nothing like that really." Mike assured her, reaching over to her and holding her. "I told you, I'm not ready for that yet. But if we had a room together, we could get a little privacy."
"I guess that is kind of hard to come by." Emily said, sliding over and pulling Mike's arms around her. "We could spend a little more time together."
"It'd be great." Mike told her with a little smile. "And hey, I'm sure Kevin and Mia would love to have their own room."
"Yeah, that does sound good." Emily sighed. "But do you really see Mentor Ji going for it?"
"Well maybe if he gets distracted by that health inspector girl..."
"I'm serious Mike; you know what he can be like." She told him seriously. "We've already been allowed a lot more leeway than he's comfortable with..."
"Yeah, cause that just wouldn't be a double standard at all." Mike said a little frustration obvious in his voice. Emily just looked a little awkward.
"I mean, the golden boy and the human matchstick get their own room?" He asked her. "We've done nothing but accommodate Mentor Ji. He asked us to keep things cool and be sensible and we have, and yet Jayden and Antonio don't get the lecture? What the hell?"
"Mike, maybe Mentor Ji doesn't know." Emily suggested. "Hell, it's possible we don't know. We don't really know what we saw."
"They kissed Emily." He reminded her. "We both saw it!"
"Jayden kissed Antonio on the cheek." She answered. "I used to kiss my grandmother like that! It might not mean anything."
"It's not like you ever hear Jayden getting a hard time from Mentor Ji." He replied, crossing his arms defensively as he looked somewhat like a child at the end of a temper tantrum. Emily just sighed and knelt in front of him, looking into his eyes.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask." She suggested. Mike forced a little smile.
"Are you sure?" He asked her. She just nodded.
"The worst he can say is no right?" Emily asked him. "I'm sure Mia and Kevin will get back soon. Maybe if we all ask together..."
Mike silenced her, by pressing his lips to hers softly, smiling as they parted. He was about to answer when the Gap Sensor sounded. He just groaned as they turned their attention to the coffee table computer, and checked out the map.
"Moogers at the mall." Mike announced. "Antonio should be able to hold the others up until we get there."
"Let's go." Emily called out as they rushed to the door.
Back in Monte Carlo, the limo pulled up outside the hotel, at which Serena and Peter disembarked. Serena's mouth hung open as she looked to the building. While she had seen places like this before, it was light years beyond what she'd ever have expected to be staying in.
The hotel was on the harbour front, overlooking the clear, crystal blue waters and immaculately clean streets of the principality of Monaco. The hotel itself was a huge, white stone building, which was just gleaming, and she imagined would be visible many miles out into the ocean. There were dozens of porters bustling around the entrance way with carts, taking the luggage from cars as they pulled up, while valets took them away to be parked. A porter came over quickly, wearing a bright red jacket with gold piping. He greeted them with a bright smile.
"Hi, my name's Federico, welcome to the El Dorado hotel and casino." He began, gesturing to the cart. "Can I take your bags?"
"Only if you're more careful than the guys at the airport." Peter grumbled. Serena just rolled her eyes and gestured to the porter to continue.
"He's just a little touchy about the bags." She assured him. Federico started to load the cases as gently as he could. They followed him as he took them to the reception desk through the lobby. This was no less grand than the exterior, looking large enough to fit the entirety of the temple at the Tengen Gate inside. Balconies circling the lobby went up all thirty floors of the building. It was well-lit, with a black marble floor and crimson walls, with reproductions of various famous paintings all around. There was a large shop to their right, while on the left; a sign marking the stairs down into the casino were positioned.
Federico took them up to the reception desk, where a young woman was standing.
"Welcome to the El Dorado hotel and Casino. Can I take the name?"
"Lancer." Peter told her. Serena was thankful for that; she had neglected to look at their reservation to find out the assumed name they were using.
"Oh, yes, Mr and Mrs. Lancer, I have your reservation right here." She announced. Serena's brows furrowed as she heard this part. "Yes, you're in one of our finest honeymoon suites; you should get an excellent view of the harbour."
Serena turned to look at Peter, but he grabbed her before she could say anything and pulled her close, smiling to the receptionist.
"That sounds just perfect." He told them. The receptionist handed the key to Federico.
"The honeymoon suite on the twenty ninth floor." She told him, before turning to Peter. "There's a bottle of champagne waiting for you. Would you like me to make a reservation for dinner?"
"Thank you but no." Peter told her. "We have a function to attend."
"Oh right, you must be attending the Silvers function on the second floor tonight." The receptionist surmised. "Well, I caught a look at the menu, and I can assure you that it all looks amazing."
"That's good to know." Peter replied, before looking to Federico. "Show us the way."
As Federico started to take them towards the elevators, Serena pulled him closer to whisper to him.
"We're married?" She asked him pointedly, somewhat less than amused by this surprising turn of events.
"I'll explain everything when we get upstairs." He whispered back. "Until then, try to act like you actually want to be with me."
"Fine." She whispered back. "Just keep your hand round the waist. Anywhere else, and you will lose it." Peter just nodded in understanding as they got the elevator.
In the states, Mentor Ji was walking with Brenda through the mall, having picked her up during her lunch break. They had stopped for some frozen yoghurt at her request. She took the spoon and offered some to Ji, but he politely refused.
"I am afraid I cannot." He told her with a little smile. "I try to be careful about what I eat."
"Oh come on, you're in great shape." She said a little disappointed. Only she had gotten anything, while he had just refused, saying he had already eaten. "I doubt a little yoghurt's going to hurt."
Just then, there was screaming from up ahead. Mentor Ji shielded Brenda as he saw people running their way, pulling her aside before they could be trampled. He saw some Moogers, and knew what was causing the panic. He knew that the Rangers would be coming soon. Just then, he saw a woman screaming, something about a baby. Seeing a pram a little way off, cut off from her by Moogers. He looked to Brenda, catching her eyes.
"I need to help." He told her. She just looked to him in horror.
"Ji, what can you do?" She asked him. "You're not a Power..."
As a couple of Moogers came across, he leapt up, spinning around, taking out both of them with hard kicks before he landed. Brenda just looked to him, her mouth hanging open in shock.
"I guess all that Martial Arts stuff in your yard isn't just for show." She surmised.
"Run back to your office and seal yourself in." He told her.
"But..."
"I swear I'll call you later." Ji told her. "Go!"
With that, Brenda kicked off her heels and ran as fast as she could. Mentor Ji made his way towards the baby, taking down Moogers with the techniques he had spent a lifetime mastering, arriving by the pram. The baby was screaming in terror as he reached in, picking it up and running away, kicking another Mooger through a shop window as he did. The baby's mother ran over once the coast was clear, taking the baby from him.
"He is frightened, but he appears to be unharmed." He told her. She just looked to her baby and smiled, before turning back to him.
"Thank you!" She yelled, before running off. Mentor Ji smiled, thankful that he had been able to help, before turning around, seeing a new Nighlock appearing in the middle of the chaos. It was taller than him, and very skinny, but wiry with it. It had pure white hair over most of his body, with cloven hooves and the horned head of a goat. It was carrying a staff, with a large blue glowing crystal set into the end of it.
"I'm disappointed." The Nighlock stated. "I was hoping for the Rangers."
"I guess they were delayed." Mentor Ji said as he drew into a guard. "Until then, I think you'll find me enough of a challenge to be getting on with."
"Sorry we're late Mentor!" Antonio stated as he arrived, his Baracuda Blade at the ready. "There was a heavy infestation by the emergency exit."
"We needed to make sure the civilians got away safely." Jayden chipped in as he also came onto the scene. The others weren't far behind, assembling behind Mentor Ji. He just smiled.
"I that means I'm not needed." He stated as he gestured to the side. "I suppose now I'll just leave you to them."
"All of you all in one place." The Nighlock stated as the crystal in his staff started to glow more brightly. "This is too perfect!"
As he fired off the blast, Mentor Ji wasn't quick enough to get out of the way, and the blast struck him first, sending him flying backwards. The beam washed over the other Rangers too, but with the exception of causing a few sparks from their suits, it seemed to do nothing of any real note. They didn't even move. Jayden rushed to Mentor Ji's side, checking on him, before looking to the others.
"Is everyone alright?" He asked.
"I barely felt anything." Kevin replied.
"Our suits must have saved us." Mike commented, before looking to the goat Nighlock. "Master X must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel with you."
"The goat Nighlock looked to the unconscious Mentor Ji, and seemed to be disappointed. Given the impotence of his attack, they could understand. It had done nothing more than knock out a human, and with their suits, the Rangers appeared to have suffered no ill effects whatsoever. In panic, it ran away, disappearing into a gap. As soon as the Moogers realised that they had been left to fend for themselves, they too disappeared.
The Rangers all came to Mentor Ji's side, just as he started to come to. He was rubbing the back of his head as Jayden helped him sit up.
"Ji, are you alright?" He asked. Mentor Ji just looked around them as they did so.
"I've been hit harder." Ji assured them as Jayden offered him a hand to help him up. He got back to his feet.
"Well, that was kind of anticlimactic." Mike said as he put his Spin Sword away. "If all of Master X's attacks are like that, then we're likely to die of boredom."
"Well, in my book, good luck should be celebrated." Mentor Ji told them, pulling out his wallet. "Who wants frozen yoghurt? It's my treat."
As he walked off in the direction of the store, they all looked among each other, before shrugging and de morphing. Right now, yoghurt sounded pretty good.