CHAPTER THREE

Noelle burst into Ninja Ops to find herself face to face with Shane, Tori, Dustin, and Cam. They turned around to look at her, and saw the flush on her cheeks, that hadn't disappeared since her interaction with the Crimson Thunder Ranger.

"Hey, Noelle, come over here. Tori, tell her what Blake told you." Cam said while Noelle walked over. Tori turned to her.

"Blake told me that he can get us access-" She started, but Noelle interrupted.

"To Lothor's ship. I know." Noelle stated simply, sitting down on top of the table in the middle of the room. The rangers stared at her, speechless. Dustin tried to put two and two together, but he failed to find an answer.

"But how..." He trailed off. Tori looked at the girl in white's flushed cheeks and was able to put the pieces together.

"Where did you meet him?" She smirked, turning to the other boys and mouthing Hunter. Noelle laughed.

"In the forest by the beach. I was walking back to Ninja Ops. He told me about his encounter with Choobo, but I don't think he's trustworthy. Why would one of Lothor's goons try to make amends?" She replied. Shane nodded.

"I agree with Noelle. How do we know if we can trust him?" The red ranger asked Tori. The blonde struggled to find an answer, and then caved.

"I guess."

"I third the motion. Choobo simply can't be trusted. Meeting adjourned." Cam stated, returning to his computer. Dustin and Shane started to talk, and Tori stood looking defeated. She walked closer to Noelle.

"So..." She asked with a laugh. Noelle gave her a look. Then she started to laugh too, causing the two girls to laugh in sync. The boys looked at them like they were crazy, but shrugged it off, returning to their work.

Hunter and Blake boarded Lothor's ship. Cautiously, they walked around, trying to find the way to the main room. Before they could go any further, a beam shot at them, freezing them mid-motion. Choobo and Lothor emerged from the shadows, grinning menacingly.

"Excellent work, Choobo." Lothor cackled. "What's the next step?"

"Wipe their minds clean, and make them go against their Wind Ranger friends once more." Choobo giggled maniacally.

"Brilliant General Choobo. Now quickly, let's get started."

It had been a couple of days since Noelle arrived in Blue Bay Harbor. Between training, shopping, and hanging out with her new friends, time had passed rather quickly. She was in Ninja Ops, taking a nap, when she heard Dustin come in, talking extremely loudly to Cam about something. Grumbling as his piercing voice woke her from her slumber, she climbed off of her bed, changed into a white top and shorts, and walked into the main room, pulling her hair into a ponytail in the process.

"What are you screeching about Dusty?" Noelle asked, yawning.

"It's Hunter and Blake. They came into Storm Chargers and acted like I didn't exist. And they were all menacing and- Did I wake you?" He started, but then asked guiltily when he saw her tired eyes.

"Yeah, but it's fine." She replied, standing upright when he mentioned they boys' strange behavior. The last time she saw Hunter was the first time she saw him, so she had no idea why they'd be ignoring them. Tori and Shane walked into Ops. Dustin began telling them what was going on when Cam interrupted them.

"Guys, there's a situation down by the old warehouse. One of Lothor's monsters." He explained. The four teens nodded, racing out of Ninja Ops and towards the scene.

One they got there, they were face to face with an ugly looking monster.

"Rangers! I am Toxipod. Come face your worst enemy yet!" The monster laughed.

"Does something stink, or is that just me." Noelle asked. Tori groaned.

"Let's get him."

"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form, HA!" Tori, Shane, and Dustin cried, morphing into their ranger uniforms: blue, red, and yellow respectively.

"Ice Storm, Ranger Form, HA!" Noelle called, morphing into her sleek white ranger suit. It was similar to Tori's except the symbol on her chest was a snowflake, and her suit was white as snow.

Toxipod cackled as he had a trick up his sleeve. "Rangers, you won't be fighting me. I think you need to meet your match." He said as he motioned behind them. The rangers turned to face Crimson and Navy Thunder Rangers.

"Wind Rangers. Ice Ranger. Prepare to be destroyed." Blake said robotically, laughing. They charged.

"Blake you can't do this! We're your friends!" Tori screamed as she fought her friend beside Dustin. Blake pushed her down.

"Friend's? More like enemies." He cackled. On the other side of the lot, Noelle and Shane were battling against Hunter. He was beating them easily, his powers stronger due to Lothor's power. After Shane had been pushed to the side, Hunter charged at Noelle, flinging her into wall of the warehouse.

"Hunter, please. You've got to remember!" She cried as he towered over her. He pounced, but she quickly ran around him, causing for him to spin and fall, and give her a chance to run. He quickly rebounded, walking towards her.

"Miss Ice, there's nothing to remember." He evilly stated. She paused.

"What did you just call me?" She asked, backing up as he started to corner her. Her memory went to their first meeting.

"Anytime, Miss Ice." He said with a flirty edge, and then flipped down his visor. In one swift movement, he rode off towards the beach.

This angered her. His memories were there, but he wasn't listening to them. Suddenly, Blake cried out in pain, clutching his head. Hunter ran off from Noelle and towards his brother. Together, they Ninja Streaked away. The rangers were left to fight Toxipod.

Towards the end of the battle, they called for their Zords. Noelle discovered that her's was a Snow Leopard, and together, all of the Zords formed the Mega Zord. As they destroyed Toxipod, the Thunder Rangers reappeared in their Mega Zord, and they fought on a larger scale. Suddenly a bright light froze the two teams, and they disappeared, the teens going unconscious in the process.

Shane opened his eyes to find himself on an island. Standing up and looking around, he called for help. No one responded.