"Rangers, kelzacks activity. Highway 4, off Broad Walk." Cam's voice crackled through each ranger's morpher.
"On it Cam!" Leader of the group Shane said, "Ready guys? Ninja storm, ranger form ha!" Shane said morphing into his red ranger suit. His friends Dustin and Tori said the words with him and changed into the yellow and blue rangers respectively. Then they streaked off to find the kelzacks.
"What are kelzacks doing here in the middle of nowhere?" Tori asked as she moved in for a punch.
"No idea. Maybe they got lost along the way." Dustin remarked as he flipped a kelzack.
"I'm going in guys," Shane shouted referring to the group of closely knit kelzacks who looked like they were trying to hide something away from the rangers.
"With you Shane!" Dustin and Tori yelled, aligning themselves with their leader,
"Hey count us in too!" a voice said a second after a streak of navy and crimson came whizzing in. The navy ranger took his place beside the blue ranger and the crimson ranger backed up his yellow clad friend.
"Let's go!" They all shouted in unison.
Their combined attack broke apart the kelzacks…
"Oh no, they've got captives!" Tori yelled.
"Not for long they haven't!" Shane responded executing a neat roundhouse that had two kelzacks sprawled on the road. The navy ranger took the open space opportunity , with his crimson ranger brother covering for him, to try to release the captives- a man, a woman and a little boy. He got as far as untying the little boy when a kick sent him flying back. Dustin, seeing what was happening, rushed in to help his navy friend, seeing that the crimson ranger was busy keeping kelzacks off what he called 'his space'. Just then Tori saw a beam of red light heading towards the captives and yelled it out. Shane, the closest now, acted on pure instinct and dove towards the boy taking them both away from the harm of the beam. Suddenly the kelzacks had disappeared, the man and woman with them! The boy lay crouching where he had fallen, refusing to move or be moved. The rangers looked at each other.
"What now?" The crimson ranger suit now gone, behind it was Hunter Bradley.
"I wonder what significance that man and woman, not to mention the boy, are to Lothor." Hunter's adopted younger brother Blake said. The two looked as different as night and day, Hunter being day and Blake being night. The former had dirty blonde hair, and tanned skin while Blake lay claim to dark hair and skin that showed he was more of Asian origin. Suddenly the younger Bradley looked around, "Where's Tori?"
The only female on the team, Victoria Hanson was smart as she was beautiful with long blonde tresses and blue eyes. At that moment the blonde surfer was crouched next to the boy the rangers had rescued. She wasn't doing anything, she merely seemed to be sitting with him.
"We need to take that kid to ninja ops to figure that out." Shane said answering Blake's first question.
"Er…you better ask Cam first dude. You know how he is with visitors." Dustin, usually considered the airhead of the team with blatantly good looks, said.
Shane nodded and spoke into the band he and his friends all religiously wore on their wrists, "What do you say Cam? You think it'll be okay?"
"We hardly have a choice in the matter. The boy obviously needs protection and ninja ops is the safest place for him right now. Let's only hope he doesn't remember where it is later on. Bring him in Shane." Cam's voice said.
"You heard him guys," said Shane.
"We heard him alright, but will the boy actually come with us?" Hunter asked.
"Let me see how Tori is doing with him." Said Blake making his way towards them. But even as he did so he watched Tori pick up the boy in her arms and come towards him. "He okay?" Blake asked softly.
"I think he's done himself in for the day. He's fainted." Tori said in a low voice as she carefully shifted the boy's weight.
"Good. We need to get him to ninja ops ASAP."
The boy woke up and heard muffled sounds around him. He looked around and quickly sat up, realizing he didn't know where he was. His memory helped him then allowing him a flashback or what has happened to his parents. Suddenly he looked towards the group that had tried to help them- the 4 boys and the girl, the safe one. He ran to her and clutched her around the middle. She was safe. He knew she was, and that was what he wanted right now- safety.
If Tori was surprised by the action of the boy- who's name she was still to find out- she didn't show it. She simple knelt and put her arms protectively around him and the boy buried his head on her shoulder. "It's okay. You're safe now." She whispered to him stroking the dark hair. The others watched on, Shane, Dustin and Hunter unsure of what to do and Cam and Blake with a smile on their faces, Tori's eyes looked over the boy's head, passed Blake's face and rested on Cam who nodded. They had all agreed on one thing. If they intended to help the boy they needed to know everything. Even Cam was helpless this time, they needed something to go on and it looked like the task had fallen on Tori. Tori looked Cam in the eye and made a slight nod of acknowledgement. She then refocused on the boy in her arms. She took a breath.
"Honey, we want to help you, but to do that we need to know a few things. Do you think you can tell us?" Tori spoke slowly and clearly. There was no response. "We need to help the others who were taken away by the bad guys and only you can help us do that. Were they your parents?" The small head made a nodding movement on Tori shoulder. Taking that as a good sign she gently help the boy back so she cold look into his face when she asked her next question. "Can you tell me your name?" The boy looked back at Tori for what felt like a good 20 minutes and then slowly took out a card with his name, date of birth, blood type, address and telephone number. Tori took a quick look at the card and passed it on to Cam- who made his way to the computer immediately with Shane Dustin and Hunter in tow-, and said, "Hi Max. That's a really nice name." Max almost smiled but still continued to look at Tori dead in the eye. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you my name. It's Tori." Another almost smile and his eyes shifted to the navy clad boy now standing next to Tori. "That's my friend Blake." The boy nodded and went straight back into Tori's arms. Blake decided then it was time he said something.
"You know it's been hours since any of us ate anything. Max you must be starved. Come on, let's get something for you to eat. Don't worry, Tori will be coming with you." A quick glance at Tori told him she wouldn't be leaving Max's side anytime soon, and Max's look said the same. So Blake held out his hand for Max to take. At first Max looked up at Tori and when she nodded, he cautiously help onto Blake's hand and at the same time tightened his grip on Tori's hand. The three then went into the kitchen. Max sat on Tori's lap at the table while Blake worked on some edible food for everyone.
"Anything Cam?" Shane asked the green samurai ranger though he was peering over Cam's shoulder.
Cam swiveled in his chair facing Shane, Hunter and Dustin. "Max Lagos, son of Edward and Mary Lagos, two highly trained ninja worriers of this very academy. They met while pursuing their ninja training here, but soon after graduating they went back to having normal, under-the-radar lives. They never came back."
"Dude, that sounds a bit weird." Dustin said scratching his head.
"So what's the catch?" Hunter asked.
"Just what Dustin said," Cam said shrugging as Hunter and Shane looked confused and Dustin quite delighted. "I can't find anything linking them to Lothor. It's just weird."
"I can help you there," suddenly said their sensei- also Cam's father. "I was trying to refresh my memory and found Edward and Mary in it. Their sudden departure from the Wind Ninja Academy was no mistake or accident. They did it on purpose to protect themselves. They have a very strong power source that has been past down from many generations. When it became Edwards he knew of the danger it could cause if anyone found out, so they left everything they had here and tried to live normal lives."
"But what can the powers do Sensei?" Hunter asked.
"The extent of the power I am unaware of Hunter, but it is more than enough for Lothor to wipe us all out in a flash." Sensei replied.
"Not good dudes," Dustin said, shaking his head in disbelief. "But what now?"
"Excellent question Dustin. Lothor may already have taken Edward and Mary but we have to work on the hope that the power source was not with them at the time."
"Their home sounds like a great place to start then. Let's tell the others." Shane said,
"Tell the others what?" Blake asked walking in with a tray full of sandwiches.
They filled him in as they grabbed a sandwich each. "Come on then, let's go." The others were about to agree when sensei stopped them.
"Wait. I must speak to Tori first. Blake, would you bring her in please?"
The others stopped in their tracks, unsure of what was coming, but they had an idea.
"Sensei should we go?" Shane asked.
"Not yet Shane, You will know when."
Tori walked in at that moment. Apparently Blake had managed to convince Max to stay with him and Max had agreed, so long as Tori stayed within sight. So Blake kept him at a distance where he could see the blonde surfer but not hear the conversation that ensued.
"Blake said you wanted to speak to me Sensei." Tori said stopping in front of the guinea pig.
"Yes. Cam fill her in please." Cam obeyed.
"Well we'd better get there before the kelzacks do then!" Tori said looking ready to spring into action.
"Wait Tori." Sensei's calm voice filled the room. "I cannot allow you to go this time. The others must proceed without you." The others meanwhile were looking at each other.
"But Sensei I have to, want to, go. We have got to look for it at all costs. Besides I wouldn't mind kicking some kelzack butt!" Tori pleaded.
"No Tor." Shane intervened. "You got to stay and look after Max. He needs you right now and we can't take him everywhere we go. We are still unsure of what role he plays in Lothor's plan."
Tori looked at each of her teammates, and saw they had all reached the same conclusion on this one, even Blake. Shane's logic was also clear cut,
"Tori.." Sensei began and everyone else left the room, "I know you are upset at being left behind and I know you are more upset about what happened to Max. And while I understand that I also understand that it is a dangerous position to be in, You are already emotionally involved and Lothor will find a way to use it against you. Besides Max needs you." Tori turned to look at the boy and then turned back to Sensei. "You are the heart of this team Tori. Just as Shane, Dustin, Cam, Hunter and Blake are the soul, body and spirit. Without the heart, nothing else functions, which is why you have to be more careful. I know for sure one of your teammates cares for you very deeply and the others are not far behind." Tori offered a smile. "That's it Tori, cheer up. Your duty at ops is bigger this time. You and Cam will sit this out. The others will begin the search."
"Yes Sensei." Tori said thinking Sensei's words over as she walked back to Max who launched himself at her. Tori hugged him back mouthing to Blake, 'be careful,' before the younger thunder turned and walked away relief washing over him that for once Tori would be safe and he wouldn't have to worry about losing her.
"Well, that was a total waste of time: Dustin exclaimed sitting on the yellow cushion near the low table.
"Unfortunately I'm inclined to agree with you." Shane said placing himself on the red cushion at ninja ops,
"I'm beat!" Hunter said yawning and stretching.
"Looks like there is nothing more we can do today. You guys better get some sleep and we'll meet back here tomorrow." Cam said, "Really there is nothing more to do." He added as his friends looked at him in surprise.
"Anything guys?" Tori asked walking in with Max by her side.
"Nothing. Nada. Zip. And it didn't help that we didn't exactly know what we were looking for in the first place." Said Hunter stretching again. Then he stood up, "I'm awfully tired. I think I'm gonna turn in."
"Speaking of which," Blake said, "I think it's past Max's bedtime."
"Blake is correct," said Sensei appearing. "There is a spare room here which Max can occupy. Tori, I hope you won't mind staying with him. He won't stay without you and right now ninja ops is the safest place for you."
"I'll stay sensei. I think I have everything I need right here." Tori said and felt Max's hand release the tight grip on her hand slightly.
"Right. Then Dustin and I will take off now. Night guys. Night Tor." Shane said walking away.
"Night Tor," Dustin said placing a quick kiss on his friend's forehead and then waved to the others before following Shane, "Night guys."
"Bye guys. Okay come on Max, it's bedtime for you." Tori led Max away.
"Night Sensei, Cam. Come on bro," said Hunter walking towards the room Blake and he shared.
Cam and Sensei followed suit to their own rooms.
Tori tucked Max in and then sat on the floor beside his bed.
"So," she said, "maybe I could tell you a story or something?" Max nodded, "Er…right. A story. Let me see.." A knock on the door interrupted her train of though, "Come in."
Blake appeared at the door still in his ninja uniform. "Just checking if everything was okay." He smiled, "need any help?"
"Well, I was just about to tell Max a story and I can't seem to remember any nice ones. You want to help me out there?" Tori asked grinning, but to her surprised, Blake grinned back,
"Sure, why not? Hunter used to tell me these really cool stories but that was ages ago. Let's see how good my memory is."
Apparently Blake's memory was quite good and he had Max and Tori hanging on every word. Luckily Max was tired though and feel asleep as soon as the story was over or there most certainly would have been an encore. Tori stood carefully, Blake rising with her, placed a gentle kiss on the boy's forehead and turned off the lamp by his bedside before walking out of the room with Blake.
"Where you going to sleep? I would offer you my bed, but Hunter snores like an elephant trumpeting and I don't want to put you through that."
Tori laughed, "It's fine. Thanks for the offer. I have to be with Max anyway so I'll probably take the floor in his room."
"Are you sure? I could sleep in his room and you could…err..take the couch or maybe I could drag my bed into the living room or do something." Blake said.
Tori laughed again and gently touched his arm, "No. It's fine. Really. Besides I'd hate to see the look on Hunter's face when you wake him up with all the noise you'd make from dragging your bed around." She grinned at him, touched that he was willing to go to such lengths to make sure she was okay. "I'll just set up bed in there as soon as I shower and change."
"Oh okay. I'll let you do that then. If you need me for anything..well I'm er..right here." Blake said.
"Thanks."
Tori had just walked out of the shower 20 minutes later in her PJs and into Max's room when she saw her bedding all done and ready right down to the pillows and cover sheets. 'Blake' she thought and poked head outside the door to see if he was anywhere around. H was. All nicely showered and changed too. "You!" Tori called, smiling. "Thanks. You didn't…"
"Good night Tor. Sleep tight." Blake said, smiling gently.
"Night Blake."
Ten minutes later when Blake went to check on Max (or so that's what he told himself) He found both Max and Tori fast asleep. The former with his eyes squeezed shut and the latter with her blonde hair spread out on the pillow and curled gently on her side. He sighed as he watched her. He was going to have to do something about the effect that surfer had on his mind. And that was what he was still thinking about when he said good night to Hunter, who was by that time already dead to the world, and lay down on his bed.
Blake knocked on the door before peeking in. He found Tori sitting on the floor besides Max's bed, her head lying on the bed and her eyes shut. She was still asleep. 'She's going to wake up with a really bad neck pain.' Blake thought to himself. Then his eyes focused on Max. It seemed that young man was awake. Blake held his finger to his lips to indicate Max to be silent and held out his hand for the little boy to take. Before he did so, Max threw a quick look Tori's way, but seemed to have settled down to the fact that if Tori trusted Blake, and it was obvious she did, he could expect to be reasonably safe with the Asian boy too.
Tori awoke with a stuff neck and for a moment paused to wonder where saw was. She turned when she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey sleeping beauty!" Tori mentally groaned when she saw through her sleepy haze that the teasing voice belonged to Blake. "Rise and shine!"
"My luck! He just had to see what I look like in the morning!" the thought went through her head before she knew it. 'I'm going to have to think about that one'. She moved to stand, a little too quickly and felt her numb legs give way under her. But before she hit the ground a strong pair of arms held on to her.
"Take it easy sunshine." Blake murmured and Tori felt the irresistible urge to lay her head back into him and sigh. Another thing she'd have to go some thought to.
"I'm okay. Thanks." Tori said trying to put some space between them. Blake's presence was doing all sorts of things to her mind and she wasn't even completely awake yet! "Where's Max?" she asked suddenly.
"Having breakfast with Hunter and Cam. He's more at ease with them now. Was he okay during the night?" Blake asked now noticing that Tori looked like her night had been rest than restful.
"He kept having nightmares and I was awakened by his thrashing about and whimpering. Hence the move to the bedside."
"Well, he seems okay now. He even trusted me enough to come with me when I came in here this morning."
Again Tori mentally cringed. Blake had been in here in the morning while she'd been asleep. She could just imagine what a mess she must've looked like and still looked in fact as she realized she was still in her PJs and there was Blake standing in front of her looking great as always.
Blake must've noticed her discomfort because he managed to banish the thought of how sweet she looked right then to say, "Well, you'd better shower and change, there's no saying how long Max will do without you. And Shane and Dustin should be here in a while. I'll wait for you to have breakfast with." And with that he left.
"Dude, what's going on?" Dustin asked Cam as he watched the computer screen. The 6 rangers, sensei and Max were all together at ninja ops discussing their options.
"Marah and Kapri at the Lagos residence." Cam replied matter-of-factly.
"Well the plus side of that little appearance must mean that the power source was never with Mr or Mrs Lagos…"
"Which is why Lothor sent those two looking for it." Hunter said finishing what his brother had started,
"And if they are looking through the house that could also mean that they've just started their search. The house is the most obvious place." Shane added.
"Good thinking rangers." Sensei said and they all turned to look at him. "Our next step is to now figure out where Edward and Mary would have kept such a valuable item if not at home or on their persons."
"A safe or some secret hiding place?" Tori suggested
"That may be, but it still leaves us with nothing to go on."
"But…" Shane began an idea forming in his head, "it must be some place close or connected to the house in some way so they could reach it in time if ever there was a need to."
"Are you saying we might have missed something out when we searched?" Hunter asked his voice bordering on disbelief.
"Maybe we did. Shane's got a point. We should go back." Dustin said.
"In that case we'd better get there and first kick out Marah and Kapri, not to mention all the kelzacks that are going to be swarming the place when they see who's shown up." Blake said rising from his cushion.
"Yes Rangers. Go. Cam will join you this time. Tori, Cyber Cam and I will mange ops. Cam, take this with you- it is a power detector and might help. It is an old one and was damaged during Lothor's attack on the school. I managed to fix it in the morning.
"Awesome Sensei. Let's go guys!" Hunter said.
"Bye Tor. Watch our backs for us!" Blake waved, and moved away with the others.