A/N: Hey ya'll glad you all seemed to enjoyed the first chapter. Here's where the difference between my redux and the original start to become a little more apparent. Hopefully my spelling is a bit better, all in all enjoy.
The two squads of five dashed at one another at blinding speeds. When at arm's reach, Kairi and Keiichiro swung in unison causing their fist to collide creating a loud cracking sound in the process. Not allowing even a second of relief, Keiichiro fired another punch with his free arm. Instinctively, Kairi dashed under the second swing allowing him to position himself behind Keiichiro. Seeing an opening, Kairi jumped high and kicked the stern red officer directly in the back of his head. Hardly fazed by the direct hit, Keiichiro dashed backward elbow first striking Kairi in the stomach.
"Not bad officer." Kairi snickered as he began firing shots with his V Changer.
Keiichiro rolled across the ground and jumped sporadically to avoid the rain of fire before finally taking cover behind a nearby mailbox. Now shielded, he too began fire back with his S Changer. Amused by this attempt, Kairi began performing the signature evasive dance of the Lupinrangers while continuing his own gunplay.
"I really hope you have a better plan than that if you really intend on "taking me down with force". Kairi mocked.
In response to his insult Keiichiro effortlessly lifted up the mailbox and chucked it at Kairi, actually managing to hit his abdomen once more and finally knocking the thief off his feet.
"How's that?" Keiichiro harshly replied as he cocked his gun.
Touma and Sakuya were squaring off not too far off. Running side by side, divided by a small group of trees and bushes. The two wildly fired at one another slowly chipping away at the fauna as they continued their gunfire. Touma had the advantage of superior mobility allowing him to easily avoid everyone of Sakuya's attempts. In contrast, Sakuya was taking several of Touma's shots slowing him down more and more.
"Gahh." Sakuya groaned in pain.
"Can't take the heat rookie?" Touma said as he continued firing beams at the weakening Sakuya.
"Damn't." Sakuya muttered as his knees hit the ground. However, as he reached over to his firing arm with his free hand he accidentally pulled the trigger at the back of his vehicle. As he did that, he noticed a bright green light emerging from within his S Changer. Curious, he lifted up his gun and fired. Out came a much larger spiraling green shot knocking Touma to the ground a full meter backwards.
"Amazing!" Sakuya exclaimed as he rose from his knees. "With this power, we'll definitely be able to protect the city!" he cheered as he affectionately pet his S Changer.
"Can we do that?" Touma said to himself as his stood back up.
Itoumi and Satsuki were dueling with their team's respective sidearms, the Lupin's claw blades and the Pat's megaphone baton. The two were evenly matched with each of their slashes or swings being swiftly blocked only to be quickly followed by another attempt by the other creating a constant pattern. Finally tired by this repetition, Itoumi loosened her blade into a whip and waved the free blade about slashing Satsuki several times. Now panicked, Satsuki lifted her megaphone baton and screamed into it releasing a loud sound wave stunning Itoumi.
"Aghhhh!" Itoumi screamed as she held her palms against the sides of her helmet.
"I did it." Satsuki said melancholily.
Tsukasa held off Umika rather well using a combination of kicks and gunshots. Umika kept a good distance between the two only stepping n to throw a punch or launch a kick. Still, Tsukasa kept a precise eye on the yellow thief's movements. Finally an opening appeared, Umika kicked upward at Tsukasa's head. Swiftly, the pink clad officer dropped to the floor and locked Umika's single grounded leg with her own pair. With a harsh twist, Tsukasa spun Umika to the ground. Using this opportunity the best she could, Tsukasa jumped upon Umika, pinned her down, and then pointed her S Changer at the shocked phantom's head.
"Stand down already!" Tsukasa ordered.
"Uh! This is what it's like to have the playing field evened out." Umika whined as she struggled to knock Tsukasa off.
Engaged in an unarmed brawl, Keita held a boxer's pose as he rapidly threw punches at the smooth moving Kane. Keita kept up his assault slowly pushing Kane further and further back. Finally pinning him against a wall, Keita confidently let out a heavy right hook. With a ballerina inspired spin, Kane evaded the attack causing Keita to strike the wall. The immense power of his punch was revealed when a large chunk of the wall was torn off from the collision.
"Nice moves princess." Keita mocked as he limbered up his right hand.
"I like to think of myself as a knight more than anything." Kane replied confidently as he revealed a handful of card daggers.
"So you wanna play card games now huh?" Keita said with a pride filled huff.
"Not much of a player, I prefer to deal." Kane countered as he threw the daggers at Keita.
The fighting continued, with the two teams going back and forth continually trying to keep the upper hand over the other. Somewhere in the massive struggle, the teams managed to recuperate beside their own allies.
"Don't let up! Keep up the pressure!" Keiichiro commanded the other Patrangers, as all five continued firing.
"The hell's their problem!" Itoumi complained, as her and other Lupin's took cover behind a fountain in order to break for a moment.
"This is karma for always messing with them. Fate can be a cruel mistress." Umika sighed.
"Why are we even still here?" Kane yawningly questioned Kairi.
"They have treasure." Kairi justified as he peeked over the fountain.
"He's right, we need their Collection pieces." Touma agreed as he felt his V Changer. "Damn't, doesn't look like we can charge shots like they can." Touma groaned.
In that moment, as if to emphasize Touma's discovery, the Pats fired five charged shots in unison blowing away the fountain exposing the Lupins once more.
"Lupinrangers! You're under arrest!" Keiichiro screamed.
"You just destroyed public property!" Kairi harshly shouted back.
"The insurance will cover it." Satsuki dimly justified.
"Quiet!" Kairi yelled, now clearly frustrated.
"Yeek!" Satsuki panicked as she moved behind Keita.
Kairi let out a deep sigh as he calmed his nerves and loosened his posture. Now in a place of peace once more, he looked back at the Pats with a cocky stance.
"I meant what I said officer, we're taking your treasure no matter what. No more playing around." Kairi boasted as tightened his hold on his V Changer.
"Red…" Umika muttered as she touched his shoulder.
He looked back at her as she pointed her hand toward their other three allies. Touma was slouched over slightly and holding onto his stomach, Kane's legs were wavering as he took in a constant stream of deep breaths, while Itoumi struggled to stand and hold her weapons at the same time.
"If we get caught now, then everything would have been for nothing." Umika said sternly.
Staring once more at his faltering allies, Kairi let out a deep sigh.
"I hate it when you're right. Good thing it doesn't happen too often!" Kairi snarked.
"Damn you." Umika whimpered as she slapped the back of his head.
"Enough talking! Drop your Collection pieces!" Keiichiro ordered loudly.
"Sorry officer, gonna have to give you a rain check for now." Kairi responded with a light shrug.
"Their pieces." Touma questioned.
"There will be another day Blue, let's take off for now." Kairi answered.
"Phantom thieves! I said drop everything!" Keiichiro ordered once more.
"No dice officer." Kairi said cockily. "Consider this a test run, we know what you're capable of for next time now. We'll be back for our treasure later."
With those boastful words, Kairi ordered his team with a sharp snap with his right hand. The five phantoms moved in precise unison as they turned over their V Changers and spun the dials of their individual Dial Fighters.
R-r-r-red! 0 - 1 - 0
B-b-b-blue! 2 - 6 -0
Y-y-y-yellow! 1 - 1 - 6
P-p-p-pink! 8 - 1 - 9
G-g-g-green! 5 - 0 - 2
The V Changer announced as the Lupin's Dial Fighters expanded into full size aerial vehicles.
"Ehhh!" Sakuya shouted as the expanding aircrafts nearly crashed into him.
"Down!" Tsukasa ordered as she dragged herself and Sakuya to the ground for cover. Keita followed suit doing the same for Satsuki. Meanwhile, Keiichiro on the other hand stood stunned for brief moment only to attempt firing at spontaneous escape planes.
"Adieu!" The Lupinrangers announced together as they jumped into their individual vehicles. As soon as they each reached their cockpits, they soared off.
"What a drag." Keita whined as he stood back on his feet. "Probably should have guessed that they could fly. You ok Satsuki?" he asked as he rubbed the side of his helmet.
"The R..Red one is..very loud." Satsuki muttered with a shiver.
"Sir, Mam, what do we do now?" Sakuya questioned Keiichiro and Tsukasa.
"It would be best to just head back and-" Tsukasa let out but was cut off by the sound of Keiichiro spinning his S Changer.
"If they fly. We chase." he said as he pulled the trigger on the vehicle once more.
Ichigou! Hear! The! Engine! Roar!
The gun announced as the small red car multiplied in size.
"I see, so our Trigger Machines really do work just like their Dial Fighters." Keita noted.
"Keiichiro, I don't think we should-" Tsukasa attempted to reason only to be cut off once again.
"We chase!" Keiichiro shouted as he jumped into his Trigger Machine and raced off in the direction of the Lupinrangers.
"Keiichiro!" Tsukasa screamed at his direction.
"Mam, what do we do?" Sakuya asked nervously.
"Ugh...Keiichiro is squad leader." Tsukasa reluctantly answered she spun her her S Changer. The other three soon parroted the actions of their vice leader and the four then yanked the trigger as Keiichiro had done before.
Nigou! They'll! Get! Their! Man!
Sangou! Wild! Attacks! Wild! Impacts!
Yongou! Stronger! Than! The! Rest!
Gogou! Ride! Fast! Ride! Free!
As with the their leader before, the four hopped into their vehicles and raced behind Keiichiro.
Seated comfortably in his Dial Fighter, Kairi sank deep into his seat.
"How are my fellow phantoms?" he said into the built in communicator.
"We should have taken their treasure." Touma coldly stated.
"Damn't Blue, I already said we'd get those next time." Kairi said while rolling his eyes.
"I can feel your eyes roll through your visor." Touma responded.
"Cause you're the smartest man in the world!" Kairi mocked.
"Enough!" Kane interrupted. "Kids, everywhere I go." he groaned.
"If we stayed longer, things could have gotten worse." Umika added.
"We would have won, and gotten their treasure. They lack the experience that we have." Touma continued arguing.
"They have other experience. GSP officers are combat trained, it's just that we always had the upper hand thanks to our V Changers and Dial Fighters. Now they have their own pieces." Kane retorted.
"What, are you saying we're screwed if they come for us again." Itoumi broke in.
"I'm saying we can't afford to be reckless anymore!" Kane said with a raised voice.
The rare appearance of a genuinely upset Kane silenced his fellow thieves. After a couple eternal seconds of nothing he continued on.
"Don't take it the wrong way. I remember our promise, I know what's at stake." he softly said. "It's just from now on, those "Patrangers" or whatever they called themselves are gonna be another obstacle. We would be foolish to not remain aware of that fact."
Another stream of silence followed until this time Touma broke it.
"I'm sorry Red. Yellow, Pink, Green, I'm sorry too. At times I forget my own limits." Touma apologized.
"You're good Blue. Let's just be glad we got away ok." Umika said trying to further brighten the down atmosphere.
"Yeah, right. Our limits..." Green muttered quietly.
"Green…" Kairi called out calmly. "You're quiet for once." he said bringing back his cheerful sass.
"I'm just thinking." she growled in response.
"The police are using collection pieces, Pink is shouting, Blue's sorry, and now you're thinking? Man, everyone has been trying new things lately." Kairi joked.
"Asshole! When we get back-" Itoumi shouted.
"Guys! Look at your scanners!" Umika interrupted.
"You gotta be kidding me." Kairi said as he looked at the speeding Trigger Machines from close behind.
From inside the Trigger Machines, the five officers were discussing their next plan of action.
"The thieves are in sight. Now what?" Keita asked.
"Take them down!" Keiichiro ordered.
"How do you intend we do that?" Tsukasa questioned.
Back at the Dial Fighters, the Lupins were a state of annoyance due to the relentlessness of their pursuers.
"Blue, Pink, activate your attack modes. Knock them off our tracks." Kairi ordered.
"Right." Touma and Kane said in unison as they flipped a nearby switch opening up an array of offensive measures on their Dial Fighters. For Touma's blue biplane, a gatling gun opened from below. For Kane's pink airline plane, a pointed nozzle opened at the front. Touma's Fighter began raining bullets down the Pats as Kane's drew out a raybeam that created indents into the earth in front of the Trigger Machine's path.
"Bu..bumpy road." Satsuki lightly pouted as she struggled to stay in pursuit.
"Don't let up!" Keiichiro ordered his team. "Haruko, Hikawa, do either of you have anything to fire back?"
"Huh! I..I'll check." Sakuya replied as he searched about the cockpit eventually laying eyes on the mode switch. "Keita, on the right!"
"I see it." Keita groaned back.
They too flipped their switches unveiling their own vehicles weapons. The top of Sakuya's green race car flipped open revealing a cannon. The back of Keita's yellow pickup truck opened revealing an array of missiles. Now in retort to the Lupin's assault, they fired cannon shots and explosive missiles.
"Agh!" Touma shouted after taking a missle directly.
"Blue!" Umika shouted in concern.
"We gotta stop showing them new tricks." Touma uttured harshly.
"We'll fly over those trees there, they won't be able to follow then." Kairi ordered as he flipped his own switch, which rapidly increased the speed of both his red fighter jet and the rest of the Lupins' Dial Fighters. Back down at the the Trigger Machine cockpits, the Pats continued to their discussion as well.
"They're going through the forest." Tsukasa noted to Keiichiro.
"We'll break through the forest then." Keiichiro firmly stated as he too flipped his vehicle's switch. His attack mode increased the strength of his red police car and the rest of the Pats' Trigger Machines.
"Alright then." Tsukasa responded gritting her teeth. She too switched her vehicle into attack mode, elongating a baton at the front of her pink ambulance. The stretched out rod mixed with the passive boost of Keiichiro's Trigger Machine easily cleared up a path for the Pats to cross.
"Any other ideas?" Itoumi growled as she looked at the Pats' clearing their own path.
"You could help." Kairi snarked.
"Alright alright." Itoumi said as she flipped her switch. Her green helicopter then dropped a giant cloud of smog over the police, obscuring their view.
"Things are dark now Sir!" Sakuya panicked.
"We gotta stop the green one or we're gonna crash!" Tsukasa shouted. "My baton can't reach the sky."
"Sakuya and I can't aim if we can't see." Keita complained.
"My turn then." Satsuki broke in. She flipped her switch which revealed that her blue motorcycle's ability was to launch a large net. By sheer luck her first net entangled Itoumi's spinning blade, grounding her and her Fighter ahead.
"Green!" Kairi shouted after her.
"I'm ok, but I can't fly!" she replied.
"Yellow, quickly free her!" Kairi further ordered.
"I got it!" Umika reassured as she activated her yellow gyrocopter's ability, a saw blade. Swiftly she zoomed by Itoumi's grounded Fighter and tore at the net freeing her.
"Thanks Yellow." Itoumi sighed in relief as she returned to the sky.
"No problem, I got you." Umika happily returned.
"Ok, keep going forward! We'll leave them behind in no time." Kairi cheered with a snap as he tugged at his switch once more increasing the speed of their Dial Fighters even more. The Patranger's tried their hardest to keep pursuing but soon enough the Lupinrangers were out of sight.
In a nearby alley way, the forgotten toad Gangler was pitifully hiding behind a dumpster along with the meer three Ponderman left by his side.
"Damn phantom thieves. Damn police officers. Damn them all." he thought to himself. "My treasures, they took my treasures."
From the corner of his eyes, a violet portal opened from the brick wall to his left. A gigantic cycloptic Gangler jumped from it directly in front of the toad. The sheer force of the cyclop's power and weight visibly cracked the ground below the beast.
"Ruretta Gerou! What are you doing!" the cyclops scolded.
"Destra!" Gerou cowardly shrieked as he backed off.
"I trained you better than this! You're supposed to be a proud Gangler, how dare you coware among trash, from what? Fear of a bunch of damn humans, humans you let disarm and humiliate you." Destra mocked as he marched at Gerou.
"Destra, those aren't normal humans! The..they have Collection pieces!"
"So did you! And you're a Gangler! You're trying to be boss? What kind of boss hides and runs from their inferiors!" Destra yelled as he jabbed Gerou in the face knocking him down on the ground. "I don't get the point of Boss' contest, but I refuse to let his replacement be worthless scum like you."
"Destra..." Gerou whimpered from the ground.
"You want to replace Boss?" Destra mocked. "You aren't even fit shine his boots." Destra looked at the trio of fearful Ponders who ran off as Destra's eye laid on them. "Can't even get your own Ponderman to stay beside you."
"Forgive me...Destra I'm sorry. I won't lose again, I promise." Gerou begged at the terrifying Gangler's feet.
"Pick yourself up. Stop your babbling. Lucky for you, trash can be recycled." Destra coldly said as he kicked away Gerou's shaking hands.
"Re..recycled?" Gerou asked, now choking on his own breaths.
Now back at Jurer, the Lupinrangers return to normal attire as they all lounge around in their common room. Touma and Kane brought ice packs and bottles of water to nurse the team's bruises and quench their fatigue.
"Thanks." Umika said as she placed a pack on her hip. "That pink officer is relentless." she sighed.
"They're all pretty relentless." Itoumi added after taking a big gulp of water.
"The point is we all lived, and we still got treasure." Kairi reassured as he displayed the rainbow rod. "This is a pretty freaky one too." he said as he playfully swung it around like a child would do with a stick found off the ground.
"Seriously, stop playing with Collection pieces." Touma coldly commanded.
"C'mon Touma, still mad about the rodent days?" Kairi teased.
"I ate so much cheese…" Touma thought back while looking down.
"Regardless, Kairi just put it down until Kogure gets back." Kane ordered softly.
"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear." Kogure said calmly while stepping out from the shadows once more.
"Kogure." Kairi said coarsely.
"The Collection piece please?" Kogure asked politely.
Kairi gently placed the rod in Kogure's palm. As with before, Kogure spent a minute studying the piece while smiling to himself. Content with his time with the piece, he pulled out the Novella Lupin and forced it into a blank page.
"Tous sur le pont, a wonderful piece that multiplies the user's limbs. Master Lupin would spawn up to four extra arms to help carry off whatever he desired." Kogure happily exposited. "Good work once again my phantoms, I'll see you next time." he said serenely as he once more started his exit.
"Kogure." Kairi called after. "I have something to ask you."
"Kairi." Kane said as he grabbed Kairi's shoulder.
"Not this time." Kairi said as he pulled Kane's arm off. "Kogure, we need to talk this time."
"We've been over talking Lupin Red. I'm very busy at House Lupin, I don't have time to answer all your questions." the old servant responded still on his way out.
"Did you give the police their powers too?" Kairi asked bluntly.
The weight of this question stopped Kogure in his tracks.
"Hey now Kairi, why would he do that?" Umika questioned worriedly. "He wants us to gather the Collection, giving those pieces to the police just make things harder. Why would he do that?"
Ignoring Umika's point, Kairi pulled out his V Changer and gripped it tightly. He looked down at the black pistol, then back at Kogure whom was now looking back at him.
"You gave us this power. You said the V Changers are a thieves tool meant to help us gather the Collection. A custom a treasure of House Lupin you called it, well explain why the police have gear just like it now?" Kairi harshly questioned.
The other four phantom thieves looked toward one another. The thought had obviously crept into their minds the second the Patrangers appeared, but none were quite as bold as Kairi to actually question the situation.
"Tell us Kogure. Tell us about the Patrangers." Kairi continued demanding answers.
Slowly Kogure moved up his gloved hand to adjust his glasses. As he moved his arm back to his side, he straightened his tie and patted down the sides of his suit.
"The Patrangers are not as large of a concern as you would like to believe my phantoms." Kogure finally responded. "No, I am not responsible for giving them those pieces." Kogure said in a uncharacteristically aggressive manner. "However, what is a concern of yours is your obligation to House Lupin. I'm not fond of constantly having to remind you Lupin Red."
"I know my obligations Kogure! I know what I promised!" Kairi shouted.
"Kairi, enough!" Kane yelled back stepping in front of Kairi.
"If you know so much, stop asking so many questions." Kogure replied smugly. "May I remind you, your position as Lupin Red is not permanent. Plenty of others would be happy to have your chance, to have the power to take back what was once theirs. So I suggest you remember your place, and do your job." Kogure coldly retorted.
Kairi looked down. He took a series of heavy breathes until he stopped visibly shaking. Still, his fist remained clenched, his teeth stayed grit, his eyes kept to the floor.
"Is that all... Lupin Red?" Kogure asked, now returning to his normal jovial tone.
Kairi, now frozen in place, half heartedly nodded his head.
"Alright, let's make sure this is the last time we have talk about this ok? Until next time my phantoms." Kogure softly said as he disappeared from sight.
"Kairi…" Umika said calmly as she stood up and stepped toward him.
"I need a moment." he simply responded as he exited the room and headed to his bedroom.
Now alone Kairi kicked off his sneakers and hopped on top of his bed. He peered over to his left at his dresser and gazed at his phantom mask placed on top. He turned to his right and looked at the photo placed framed on his nightstand.
"Our promise." he thought to himself. "Shori."
At age ten, Kairi was walking home with a small group of friends. It was a typical walk, a free moment for Kairi and his friends to discuss and chatter about superheroes and games. When they reached Kairi's front porch, he waved bye as he ran inside.
Normally, he would greet his mother with a cheerful hello. His mother would have prepared a snack for him by now. He would devour whatever treat she had prepared for him, then go to the living room to rush through his homework. Following that, he'd make his mom watch cartoons with him. Soon, his father would get home and make him look over his homework and fix the plentiful of mistakes in it after zooming through the work initially. Dinner would be next; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, his mother would cook while Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday his brother Shori would cook, Saturday was usually take out. After eating, he and Shori would go in the backyard and play basketball. After tiring, he would take a bath and head to bed ready to awake and redo the cycle once more. That didn't happen today.
Inside his home, a teary eyed Shori was talking with a couple of police officers. Shori stopped the conversation when he noticed Kairi. He walked past the officers and looked down at his younger brother.
"Shori? Why are you crying?" the young Kairi asked quietly.
"Kairi…" Shori murmured. "I'm so sorry." he exclaimed as he got down and held Kairi close.
"Shori?" the ignorant youth asked once again.
"It's going to be ok. We'll be ok." Shori reassured.
"Shori? What's happening?"
Now without their parents, Shori and Kairi moved in with their uncle. Their uncle was a kind man, but he was also a busy man. Still, Shori was determined to do all he can to ensure his younger brother's happiness. He carried on the duties of their mother and father. He made Kairi after school snacks, watched tv with him, cooked dinner for him, helped him with his homework, and then ended off the day playing basketball with him.
Still, despite all the positive things Shori did for Kairi, a lingering bundle of discontent remained in Kairi. His life felt happy, but empty. He loved his brother, but resented his positivity. He was safe, but he felt troubled.
Over a year in the past, now a third year high school student Kairi is spending time with friends at an arcade. He's dressed in a red t-shirt was pop art words and tight jeans. His hair has lost its natural straight jet black look, now curled and dyed in a blondish brown. Him and his group of friends were playing hooky to goof off, as they had done many times before.
This time however, an interruption to their fun appeared.
"Kairi!" a familiar voice called.
"Oh God." Kairi uttered as has abruptly dropped his smile.
"Kairi! Kairi Yano!" Shori continued as he ran toward his brother. "What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be in school."
"I was feeling sick." Kairi snarked.
"So you went to play games and joke around?"
"Laughter is the best medicine."
"This isn't funny Kairi. I called your school, you have nine unexcused absences!"
"That isn't true at a;;, one of those I was actually sick for."
"Damn you Kairi." Shori sighed. "This is serious."
"Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I had to leave to hunt down my kid brother."
"Well, you found me? Now what are you going to do?"
"I'm taking you to school to apologize to your teachers."
"Um, you can't make me do anything bro."
"I can and will, come with me right now."
"I'd really rather not."
"Now Kairi!"
"Raising your voice? So not lik-"
"Now Kairi! Stop goofing off for once! When the hell are you going to grow up?"
At this point, Kairi's friends had abandoned his side. Kairi stood in shock at Shori's intense question. Angry and embarrassed, he clenched his fist and began walking off.
"Kairi, stop!" Shori called after. "Kairi! Kairi!" he continued. He finally reached close enough to touch Kairi's shoulder. In response, Kairi turned over and shoved his brother away.
"Stop! Stop acting like what I do matters to you! You aren't mom and dad so stop acting like it!" Kairi retorted.
Both Kairi and Shori stopped in their place. Shori's look of anger transformed into one of sadness. Kairi dropped his own hateful gaze, as regret immediately formed in its place.
"Shori…" Kairi whispered.
A cloud of silence and fatigue clouded the two brothers.
"Look Kairi, I'm doing my best here. We're all doing our best here. I'm not perfect, I wish I was for you, I really do, but I'm not. I'm sorry I'm not perfect for you. I'm sorry...I'm not mom and dad. I can tell you that I love you, and I'd do anything for you. Yeah, everything's difficult sometimes, but just know no matter what it is I'm here for you." Shori softly replied.
Kairi stood their statuesque. A million possible responses flew through his mind but his pride refused to allow him to form anything. Instead he stood there, blank faced and hurt. Not by his brother, rather by himself.
"Kairi." Shori said once more. However now there was a sudden terror in his eyes. "Kairi!" Shori shouted as he pulled his younger brother to the ground. In a flash, as quickly as he lost his parents, Shori was encased in ice.
Dazed, Kairi inched over to the frozen form of his older brother. He looked within, Shori still with his arms swinging from throwing him out of the way was stuck in place.
"Shori." Kairi finally called out. "Shori." he repeated.
From behind the frozen Shori, a strange white and spiked Gangler walked up. This creature clutched a pair of icey pistols in both of his hands. With his appearance, Shori shattered into nothing.
"Shori?" Kairi called out once more.
"Did you know him?" the icey Gangler asked. After that short question the monster began frantically coughing and raithing about. "I..need...more...time." the icey Gangler said in between coughs as he ran off and disappeared.
"Shori?" the now alone Kairi called out again. "Hey bro, this isn't ok. This is too fast. This is too much." Kairi barely let out as his tears began flowing. "Shori. Shori. Shori!" Kairi erratically shouted out.
"Poor thing." an older voice spoke out.
Kairi turned around to see a stout old man in a tux standing behind him.
"He was important to you, wasn't he?" the old man asked politely.
Kairi just stared at the old man curiously.
"I am Kogure of House Lupin." he introduced himself with a bow. "What if I told you, you could have him back? What if I warned you of the cost? Would you still do it? Would you do anything for him?" Kogure asked calmly as he showed Kairi the Red Dial Fighter.
Kairi just continued blankly staring and sitting there. He was off put by the oddness of this mysterious man. Still, Shori was far more important than his comfort. With a determined look, Kairi accepted the Dial Fighter.
Later that night, Kairi arrived at a homely little building. An strange location, but it was the address Kogure gave him. When he entered, he saw four other individuals inside.
"Another one?" the older handsome man asked.
"Looks like it." the short hair girl added.
"Are you all here for the same reason?" Kairi questioned.
"Yeah, seems so." the older man answered. "It appears we all lost something dear."
Kairi looked over at the young girl, secluding herself in the corner of the room. Then he turned at the lanky man hidden in the opposite corner.
"Where's Kogure? Or is there more of us?" Kairi asked.
"Just you five." Kogure suddenly said, as he appeared from the shadows of the room.
In one hand he clenched a black suitcase, in the other he held a contract. He placed the case on the center table of the room. He politely signaled the five to gather by, which they did soon after. From there, he opened the case unveiling five black pistols,
"You've all heard of the Lupin Collection yes?" he asked softly.
The five looked at one another for a brief second and nodded yes as a group. With that, Kogure, placed the contract in front of the case next to a feather and ink pen.
"So you know about their mysterious powers. However, you may not know the power they truly possess when fully gathered. Arsene Lupin once noted that if the collection was to be brought together, they can grant any wish one could ever desire. That includes bringing back those lost too soon."
"Shori." Kairi thought to himself.
Kogure waved his hand over the guns. "These are your V Changers, very special set of Collection pieces meant to assist you in gathering the rest of Collection. Consider these things, a custom treasure of House Lupin. I would be happy to lend you their power in exchange for your services."
"Services? So you want us to gather some dead thief's crap." the lanky man broke in.
"In exchange for its power. Signing this contract will let you borrow the V Changers and Dial Fighters in order gather the Collection. Your payment, one wish each." Kogure explained.
"How do we know it's real." the young girl questioned.
"She's right, this seems like a scam." the older man added.
"I assure you, the power is very real. Obviously I can't physically prove it, but for the sake of your loved ones aren't you willing to take the risk?" Kogure responded, still keeping an eerily calm tone. "Just sign that paper, and you could have your loved ones back."
The five were obviously wary. However, nothing could over power their desire to reclaim their loved ones. Confidently, Kairi took the pen and jotted down his name on the contract. After that, he reached into the box and grabbed a V Changer.
"I'm willing to gamble. I'm willing to do anything." Kairi proclaimed.
The lanky man followed suit, along with the short haired girl and the the older man. They all looked at the younger girl, whom still remained distant from the others.
"Not much of a gambler?" Kairi asked.
"No, but everyone makes exceptions once in a while." she answered as she too wrote down her name and picked up the last V Changer.
"The contract is set, you are now phantom thieves of House Lupin." Kogure announced.
"Is that what we're supposed to call ourselves?" the older man asked sharply.
"What would you prefer?" Kogure asked softly.
"Call us, well." the older man thought aloud.
"Kaito. Kaito Sentai Lupinranger." Kairi said.
"Yeah, that isn't bad at all." the older man agreed.
"Ok then, enjoy your night my phantoms. Your training starts tomorrow." Kogure replied as he walked into the shadows. Now the five strangers left alone were at a lost for words.
"Do we go now?" the short haired girl asked.
"I don't have anywhere to go." the younger girl quietly replied.
"Neither do I." Kairi sighed.
"Guess we all got that in common too." the short haired girl said with a nervous smile.
"Maybe we're to stay here?" the older man added. "Unless you have somewhere you'd like to go back to?" he asked the lanky man.
"I have nowhere to go, not until I get her back." the lanky man coldly answered.
"Easy there, we all have someone we want back. Don't need to be so cold with me." the older man softly replied. Holding a slight smirk, he turned to Kairi. "I think we all agree with what you said kid, we're all willing to do anything to get our loved ones back."
Kairi looked at his fellow phantoms, he gave the older man a nod. He held up his V Changer and hovered it in the center of the five. Understanding, the older man lifted up his V Changer next to Kairi's, followed by the short haired girl doing the same. The trio looked at the lanky man and the younger girl, somewhat reluctantly the quiet duo also raised their guns to the center as well.
"Then it's settled, it's a promise now. We will get our loved ones back." Kairi announced, now revealing a genuine smile.
Jumping back to the present, Kairi still laying in bed gazed at the ceiling of his room. Holding on to the faith they all put into everyone that day, he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning at the GSP base, the Patrangers were also recuperating.
"Forgive my mistakes Commander, I'm squad leader so I take full responsibility for letting that Gangler escape and the large amount of property damage that occurred." Keiichiro said with his head down.
"Think about what you're doing next time, the Lupinrangers are to be arrested but the Gangler's still remain the Tactical Unit's primary target." Hilltop scolded.
"I know sir, it was my mistake. I was overwhelmed by our new power and I let that cloud my judgement. I won't let it happen again." Keiichiro continued.
"Keiichiro shouldn't take full blame Commander, as vice leader I should have overruled some of his orders and I too am responsible for neglecting the primary target." Tsukasa interrupted.
"Tsukasa, it's fine." Keiichiro gently said to her. "I didn't give you the chance to speak, it was my fault."
"We're a team, blame doesn't pile onto one person." Tsukasa retorted.
"Yeah, Commander I made many mistakes out there. I freaked out a lot too." Sakuya added. "I'm to blame as well."
"I let L..Lupin R..Red scare me." Satsuki also added.
"Well you all ought to be ashamed." Keita lazily scolded as he burrowed into the seat at his desk.
"Look, I don't care who's fault it is. All that matters is that it doesn't happen next time. Your job is to eliminate high level threats, not tear through the forest in pursuit of costume cladded thieves. Understood?" Hilltop asked.
"Understood." the five answered in unison.
"Good, now I expect the next appearance of the Patrangers to go much more smoothly." Hilltop said sternly.
"Yes sir." Keiichiro said with a salute.
After their meeting with Hilltop, the police officers returned to their desk to file reports regarding yesterday's mission. Sakuya, being the new recruit, was struggling to get through the process.
"Satsuki." he whispered at her.
"Kuyaya?" she replied softly.
"Do you remember the time we encountered the Gangler?"
"It was about three jumps before sunset."
"Huh? Like numbers Satsuki."
"Three?" she said with a dumbfounded expression.
"Sakuya, it was six fifteen." Tsukasa answered without bothering to turn her head.
"Ah, thanks mam." Sakuya shyly said.
"It takes a while before you can familiarize yourself with Satsuki's speech pattern, don't be scared to asked questions to anyone else." Tsukasa further added.
"Right, thanks again mam." Sakuya said.
"Why didn't you ask me?" Jim Carter broke in.
"Oh, well I didn't think you'd know Jim. You weren't there after all." Sakuya justified.
"So you say…" Jim murmured unconvinced. From the other side of the room, an empty can struck Jim in the head. "Keita!" Jim angrily shrieked.
"Jim, throw that away for me." Keita lazily demanded.
"You piece of-" Jim growled.
"Stop!" Keiichiro interrupted. "Haruko, may I remind you we're trying to look better for the Commander. Now's not the time for your lazy habits!"
"Aye aye sir." Keita sneered as he slowly sat up in his chair. "I swear, I'm almost down with me report."
"Aren't you gonna make him apologize?" Jim whined.
"It'd be a waste to say sorry, he's just gonna do it again later." Satsuki said while sharply raising her hand.
"Tragic, but true." Keita replied with amusement.
"Keita, enough already." Tsukasa scolded. "Keiichiro, calm down. Do you I need to get you some Infernos?"
"No candy, we got work to do." Keiichiro said as he turned back to his desktop. At the same time, Jim's lights began flashing as the sound of a siren rang through the room.
"Everyone! Gangler!" Jim exposited.
"Gangler! Everyone move out!" Keiichiro shouted as he shot out of his seat and ran out the room, with the other four following soon after.
A mammoth like Gangler and his crew of Ponderman were running down the market street, breaking stands and looting the various foods that spilled onto the ground. The mammoth himself wielded a large hammer and through the power of his Collection piece could create energy orbs that he launched with the swing of his mighty mallet. Amused by the terror he was creating, he roared with laughter as he reigned destruction.
"So many delicious treats from the human world. Bwhahaha, look at them run!" he exclaimed with joy.
"Gangler!" Keiichiro shouted as he and the others arrived. Upon reaching the scene, they fired several rounds at the Ponders.
"Aww, the mans here." the mammoth groaned. "Look, we just needed some food no big deal."
"The big deal is that you're attacking innocent people!" Tsukasa reprimanded.
"Yeah tubby, there's less sloppy ways to grab a bite to eat." Keita groaned.
"I'm just having fun!" he justified as he charged an orb and launched at the police. On reflex, they rolled out of the direction of the blast.
"Keisatsu Change!" the five officers announced in unison.
Ichigou!
Nigou!
Sangou!
Yongou!
Gogou!
Patrise!
"Patren Ichigou!" Keiichiro shouted.
"Patren Nigou!" followed Sakuya.
"Patren Sangou!" followed Tsukasa.
"Patren Yongou!" followed Keita.
"Patren Gogou!" followed Satsuki.
"Keisatsu Sentai-" Keiichiro announced.
"Patranger!" the five shouted in unison.
"Now, here's your first and final warning. By the power invested in us by the Global Special Police, we're taking you down by force!" Keiichiro warned.
"You don't scare me." the mammoth mocked as he charged another sphere. Unimpressed, Tsukasa fired a shot at the forming orb causing it to exploud in the Gangler's face.
"Agh!" he shrieked in agony.
The Keiichiro, Keita, and Satsuki ran into the hoard of Ponders while Sakuya and Tsukasa remained in the backline continuing the gunfire. Keiichiro picked up the closest Ponder and chunked it at a bundle of others. As more approached him, he ran down the line knocking each individuality with sharp jabs to their faces. Keita hopped around avoiding their baton swings and blaster shots. As he moved about, he continually picked up shards from market stands and weaponized them against the Ponder hoard. Satsuki clashed with the Ponder batons with her megaphone baton. As several crowded in front of her, she screamed into the megaphone knocking the entire crowd back.
"How annoying." the Gangler groaned as he realized all his Ponders were gone. Fearlessly, the Pats ran at him shooting and swing at him from all directions. The mammoth could only helplessly swing at the ground, breaking the street below but failing to hit any of the officers. Each attempt to charge an energy sphere simply ended in it blowing up in his face once again.
"Damn you all." the mammoth huffed in pain.
"He's finished." Keiichiro announced as he began charging a shot. His four comrades copied this action, as the team prepared to fire the shots at the same time. Suddenly however, an obscuring smog rained down causing them miss all the shots.
"What the hell?" Keiichiro shouted.
6 - 7 - 2
"Your treasure is ours." a familiar voice called out as the smog cleared. Revealed at the center of the smoke screen was the Lupinrangers holding a mermaid statue in front of the mammoth Gangler.
"You guys again." Keita harshly stated.
"Lupinrangers! You got in our way again." Keiichiro yelled.
"Relax sir, we're just getting what's ours." Kairi snarked.
In response to Kairi's sass, the Pats began frantically firing rounds at the Lupins all the while the mammoth angrily swung his hammer at them. As with previous times however, the Lupins evaded all these attacks rather easily.
"That treasure is mine!" the mammoth screamed.
"Don't you guys get it, you're wasting your energy?" Kairi mocked as he and the other Lupins jumped from the ground to the top of a nearby building.
"You police can still clean up the Gangler, we really have no interest in doing that. Good luck!" Kairi announced with a snap.
"Wait!" Tsukasa demanded.
"Adieu!" the Lupins replied as they jumped into the horizon.
"Gah." Keiichiro groaned.
"Whatever, our mission is to take down this Gangler." Tsukasa continued.
The five began to charge shots once more, only to cease due to an alarming anomaly. The mammoth was suddenly completely encased in ice.
"Eh? What happened?" Sakuya asked taking a step back.
"Co..could the Lu..Lupins have done this?" Satsuki nervously questioned.
"Maybe it's one of his abilities?" Keita theorized.
As the officers stared at this sudden sight, the frozen Gangler shattered into nothing.
"The hell?" Tsukasa questioned.
"Be on your guard. We don't know what this means." Keiichiro ordered as he gripped his S Changer tightly. As the Pats scouted around, a different familiar figure crept from behind them.
"The toad Gangler!" Keiichiro shouted with shock.
Sure enough, the pesky amphibious Gangler was making another appearance. This time however, his skin was eerily pale and tinted with ice. His eyes were hauntingly blank. The way he walked was slow and robotic. The most damning difference, his stark white safe.
"Raghh." Gerou growled.
Swiftly, the Patrangers fired several rounds at the encreeping beast. All of their efforts were clearly to no avail however, as not even a charged shot could faze the monster this time. Once in range, he swung out his tongue though he moved too slowly for his offensive attempts to even matter as the Pats quickly predicted his attack and rolled out of the way.
"What the hell happened to you?" Keita asked still with shock running in his voice.
"Ch..Chiroro what?" Satsuki asked fearfully.
"Don't let up!" Keiichiro ordered as he continued shooting.
"Time to try something else." Tsukasa announced as she screamed into her megaphone baton, still the frozen Gangler showed no sign of budging.
"What the hell do we do?!" Sakuya shouted as he joined in Keiichiro's fruitless efforts to shoot down the Gangler.
Nearby, the Lupinragers continued to make their escape. Carefully jumping from building to building keeping out of sight.
"Hey Red." Umika broke in. "Are you ok now?" she asked softly.
With that question put out, the Lupins stopped their dramatic parkouring escapades.
"Don't bring that stuff up now Yellow. We're in the midst of a getaway." Touma scolded.
"I was just worried, it's been on my mind since this morning." Umika justified.
"It's fine." Kairi responded quietly. He turned toward his team and lifted up his V Changer, as he did the day they all met. "Kogure will always be a sketchy bastard. Tell you the truth, I don't trust him still. But the five of us, we got something to depend on. All of you remember the promise right?" Kairi asked cheerfully.
In response, the others lifted their own changers and lifted them along with Kairi's.
"How could I forget, a snotty kid with a big mouth started it." Kane snarked. "You were pretty reluctant back then Green."
"Well I'm here now." Itoumi uttered, slightly embarrassed.
"So it's decided. We keep fighting and collecting for our promise. And Kogure can keep being shady, I got my team here so I have nothing to worry about." Kairi said proudly.
"How sappy of you. You tearing up under that cap of yours?" Itoumi snarked.
"Oh Green, you shriveling little lizard." Kairi responded with a snicker as he flicked her visor.
"It's him!" Touma burst in all of a sudden. The others looked to where he was pointing to discover GoodStriker zooming by them in the distance.
"GoodStriker!" Umika shouted.
"Well what are we standing here for? He's treasure so let's grab him." Kane said excitedly.
"Of course! Let's go!" Kairi commanded as he and his fellow Lupins jumped back in pursuit of the sentient treasure.
The Pats continued their assault on the frozen toad, still nothing. Every shot fired, every shout directed, every swing hit; all did little to nothing on the icy Gangler.
"Damn't!" Keiichiro screamed as he tackled the toad attempting to bring it down. Gerou simply slung him back with a swipe of his tongue.
"Keiichiro!" Tsukasa shouted as she ran to his side. "Did you really think that was going to work?"
"Had to try something, we have to take that thing down." Keiichiro announced as he shot up.
"You're getting frustrated again, you need to calm down." Tsukasa said as he held his shoulder. "We need to think of something, if we keep attacking like this we're just gonna tire out and get ourselves killed."
"We need more firepower. Every once in awhile one of our shots or a punches get him to slightly stutter. I think there's a chance that if we apply enough pressure on him we can take him out." Keita added.
"How do we get more power?" Sakuya asked worriedly.
"We could always asks our masked buddies from before to stop by again and lend us some shots." Keita joked.
"Dear world spirits lend us a hand please." Satsuki murmured to herself.
"Hello!" GoodStriker shouted as he flew in. "You coppers could you use a boost I heard!"
"Bless the world spirits." Satsuki celebrated quietly as she half heartedly lifted her arms in rejoice.
"It talks!" Sakuya shouted as he pointed his gun at GoodStriker.
"A talking Trigger Machine?" Keita questioned as he felt GoodStriker's trigger.
"No, it's a Dial Fighter?" Tsukasa added as she directed at GoodStriker's dial.
"I am neither yet I am both. I'm GoodStriker and I'm here to help you out! Plus I just want to get my revenge on that thing for storing me in his safe!" GoodStriker explained intensely.
"What is it that you do then?" Keiichiro chimed in harshly.
"My ability is the greatest of all the Collection! I enhance the power of any of the other Collection pieces!" GoodStriker announced proudly.
"Enhance." Keiichiro thought a loud.
"Could be what we need Sir." Sakuya supported.
Keiichiro looked at the deadeyed ice coated monster before them. He took a deep a snatched GoodStriker from midair.
"Show us what you got." Keiichiro aggressively said as he placed GoodStriker on his S Changer.
"With pleasure Mr. Police Man!" GoodStriker shouted happily.
From the roof behind, the Lupinrangers returned to the scene.
"The cops have GoodStriker now?" Umika panicked.
"It's fine." Kairi said calmly. "We can see what the guy can do now."
GoodStriker!
Keisatsu Boost!
A bright white light consumed Keiichiro and dragged his fellow Patrangers to him. In a bright flash, a much taller armoured figured appeared. The figure was clad in a red suit with a five colored helmet and armor colored to reflect the other four Pats. The right top was pink, the left top was green, the right leg was yellow, the left leg was blue, and the tie evenly split between these four shades.
"What did you GoodStriker?" the figure asked curiously. "Eh? What? Eh?!" the figure panicked as they began feeling themself. "What are I? Hey no touching there! There's nothing anywhere! Me..meanie! Calm down, we...I got to stay calm. GoodStriker!"
Laughing could heard from behind. The figure looked over and saw the Lupins taking in the situation for all its worth.
"Oh my, they looks like a damn beachball!" Kairi snarked.
"Lupinranger!" the figure shouted angrily as he shot at the five. The power of their blast managed to total the roof of the building the Lupins were standing on.
"My power." the figure muttered to himself.
"That's a little scary." Kairi muttered as he rose from the rubble.
"I told you, I enhanced you're Collection's power." GoodStriker said happily. "I brought you all to together in one form to focus the energy of all your Triggers into one titan!"
"A titan." the figure said looking at their reflection. " Call us...Patren Ugou!" they announced loudly as they began charging a shot at the icy Gangler. "Now let's dissect this frog!" Ugou screamed as they unleashed the complete power of their charged shot. The gigantic colorful blast zoomed at Gerou and instantly blew him into nothing leaving only a cracked safe on the ground.
"Alright! I did it!" Ugou cheered as the split apart once more.
"I'm back!" Keita cheered.
"Good work team." Keiichiro said calmly.
"Thank you too Goodie!" Satsuki said happily.
"Goodie?" GoodStriker said confusedly. "I kind of dig it!"
The happiness was soon cut short, an eyeless bluish violet Gangler emerged from a Backdoor next to the broken safe.
"Another Gangler!" Sakuya exclaimed.
"Zamigo, what have you done?" she asked as she looked down at the broken safe. "Now my precious little Collection piece, make Ruretta Gerou feel all better." she said softly as she shot a small green orb from a gun attachment on her arm at the the broken safe. The safe glowed a green tint and recovered back to how it was before. It shot up into the air, with Gerou appearing around it once more. From there, the toad grew and grew until he towered over the surrounding buildings.
"Aghhh." Gerou mindless groaned as he begun swinging his tongue at the surrounding buildings.
"What the hell?!" Keiichiro shouted as he took a step back. Instinctively, he began firing at the giant to obviously no effect.
"He's huge." Tsukasa said dumbfounded.
"Hey Goodie, do you want to help us form Ugou again?" Keita asked still keeping his eyes on the giant frog. "Goodie?"
The Patrangers looked around for the living piece, only to discover him flying by the Lupins now.
"I didn't forget you phantom thieves either! I owe ya letting me out of the safe. So what do you say, want to try out my power?" Goodie happily offered.
"Killing Ganglers is more of a cop thing." Kairi replied. "But, it looked like fun to test you out."
"Um, the an obvious size difference is the real problem here. What kind of power can you give us to match that?" Itoumi asked worriedly.
"Summon your Fighters and then shoot me out after. I'll take care of the rest!" Goodie mischievously replied.
"Fair enough!" Kairi said as he prepared his Red Dial Fighter.
"What are you doing?" Keiichiro questioned as he ran over.
The five phantoms moved in precise unison as they turned over their V Changers and spun the dials of their individual Dial Fighters.
R-r-r-red! 0 - 1 - 0
B-b-b-blue! 2 - 6 -0
Y-y-y-yellow! 1 - 1 - 6
P-p-p-pink! 6 - 4 - 2
G-g-g-green! 5 - 5 - 3
As with before, the Dial Fighters grew to full size and the Lupins flew into the air.
"You too right GoodStriker?" Kairi asked once more.
"It's Goodie now, and yes!" the piece replied.
"Ok then." Kairi said as he placed Goodie on the V Changer, turned it over, and spun the dial.
G-g-g-goodStriker! 3 - 2 - 1
As with the Fighters, GoodStriker grew to an enormous size. He however was significantly larger in comparison to both the phantoms and police vehicles.
"Alright! Are you ready?! Kaito Combination Time!" Goodie announced.
Goodie opened up into a robotic abdomen and two hollow legs. The Green Dial Fighter filled in the right leg while the Pink filled in the left. The Blue Dial Fighter attached the right side becoming an arm, while the Yellow repeated the action the left side. Finally, the Red Dial Fighter attached to the chest and snapped over revealing a head. From inside, the Lupinrangers were seated in a v shaped formation with Kair and Goodie in the front center.
"Rise." Kairi said with a snap. "Kaito Robo-"
"LupinKaiser!" the five said in unison.
"You like him phantoms?" Goodie now taking the form of an orange demonic hand puppet boastfully asked.
"This is..acceptable." Touma calmly said.
"Let's wreck stuff with him!" Itoumi cheered.
"Ready, go!" Kairi lead.
Dashing back, LupinKaiser kept steady fire with the gatling gun. The blank faced Gerou responded by swinging his tongue at the mecha, LupinKaiser managed to evade this attack by flying upward out of the way.
"We're fast still." Kane said impressed.
"And dangerous." Umika added.
With that, they powered the saw blade and cut off Gerou's tongue.
"Gaughh!" Gerou shrieked in pain.
LupinKaiser now dashed closure and began slashing away at the main body with the saw. Continually, LupinKaiser repeated the motion of flying up and down slashing away at the toad.
"Let's finish him!" Kairi shouted.
"Ok! Here we go!" Goodie cheered as the five phantoms lifted their V Changers.
"All together!" Kairi lead. "LupinKaiser:-"
"Rapid-Fire Down You-Go Shot!" the six announced in unison.
With that, the gatling gun rained a colorful array of beams at Gerou eliminating him once and for all.
"Forevermore-" Kairi said calmly.
"Adieu!" the phantoms declared together.
"That was fun phantoms." Goodie celebrated. "See ya next time!"
"What?" Kairi asked confusedly. And with that, GoodStriker broke apart LupinKaiser and flew off into the distance. Knocking the Lupins away from the premises.
"They did it." Tsukasa said from the ground.
"How peculiar, LupinKaiser. What do you think about that Keiichiro?" Keita asked while scratching his helmet.
Keiichiro stood stunned and silence.
"Keiichiro." Tsukasa called out.
"We have look into the database when we get back. I've never seen a Gangler with a white safe." Keiichiro simply replied.
The next day, the Lupins were working at Jurer once more. The first day they were given the chance to in about three days.
"Glad, we're back. If we kept having to close for random "issues" we'd start losing regulars." Umika said as she set the last table for lunch.
"I prefer that work over this schlock anyday." Kairi groaned.
"This schlock pays, now please try to get through a whole shift without any breaks for once." Touma scolded.
"You're a valuable source for our business Kairi, you bring a certain charisma." Kane added while polishing a glass.
"I have charisma." Umika whined.
"But you're scary face only drives customers away, not reels them in." Kairi mocked.
"Damn't Kairi." Umika groaned.
"Stop it already Kairi." Itoumi snarked. "No need to for that mess today, just be glad we have a day without the cops or Ganglers for once."
"Excuse me." an familiar voice broke in.
"Oh why." Itoumi muttured to herself. Turning around, sure enough it was the Patrangers lined up as customers.
"What a surprise, the Patrangers are our customers today." Kairi said with a fake smile.
"Yeah, Sakuya wanted to have lunch here today. You don't mind right? I know a table of five is a lot to start the shift with." Keiichiro said stoically.
"Not at all, have a seat here." Kairi said directing them to a circular table.
"Hey Umika." Sakuya said to her shyly.
"Oh, right...Sakuya from the market." Umika replied nervously.
"You two are acquainted?" Kairi asked mischievously.
"I uh..ran into her at the market a the other day. She told me about this place, thought I'd stop by." Sakuya said with a light laugh.
"He was really adimit about coming here." Keita teased as he quickly made himself comfortable.
"Kind of creepy." Satsuki added.
"Can it you two." Tsukasa reprimanded. "Sorry about them."
"N..no problem." Umika said still shaky.
"Can't believe this happening." Kane said to Touma. "Umika's lover boy dragged the cops right to our literal doorsteps."
"Let's take their pieces." Touma said harshly.
"Not here Touma, that'd be a little too obvious wouldn't it be?" Kane explained.
"Then what do we do?" Touma asked coldly.
"You stay back and cook them a delicious, try not to poison them. Umika will serve them, Kairi will keep Itoumi from clawing at em, and I'm going try to go have a little fun with little Miss Sangou over there." Kane happily said as he pat Touma on the shoulder and walked away.
With a light sigh, Touma continued his prep work in the kitchen.
In the dead woods of the the Gangler world, Destra approached a figure from the Lupin's past. An icy Gangler with a stark white safe was sitting in a pile own snow.
"Destra. What can I do for you this time old friend?" the icy Gangler asked gently.
"...Zamigo." Destra growled angrily.
Next Time!
The thieves and police get to know each other. Whether they know they are or not!
The Patrangers look into these mysterious new white safe Ganglers!
The Lupinrangers encounter the mammoth Gangler once more!
Keiichiro makes a stand!
Next Time: Number 3 - Cops and Robbers
