A/N: Hello readers! A huge thank you to all who have read, reviewed, favorited, and put this story on their alerts! It makes me so happy to know that people are enjoying what I am writing. I have lots of new ideas now so updates will be more frequent- I promise! Please enjoy this next chapter- it is an 'episode'.
Disclaimer: Saben owns Power Rangers.
Ch. 4: All Split Up
Part One
To say Mia was annoyed would have been an understatement.
She was sick of the way she was being treated lately. Actually it was happening to Emily and Eve too. The boys were in this weird "overprotective" mode. And since they were samurai rangers, it was ten times worse.
"Eve, stay back, we can handle this nighlock."
"Emily, that's a really complicated move. Are you sure you want to try it?"
"Mia, are you okay? It looked like you were hit pretty hard during that battle."
And on and on.
Mia appreciated their concern, she really did. But it was getting to be a bit much.
She was chopping a tomato for Antonio's latest cookout when Kevin came in and said, "Be careful with that knife, Mia. It's pretty sharp." Mia had to take a few deep breaths to keep from exploding. That was when she decided she needed a break.
And so she found herself with Eve and Emily, who wholeheartedly agreed that some time away from the boys was absolutely necessary if their sanity was to remain intact. They had decided to go downtown and shop- one of the best ways to relieve stress.
"Where are you guys going?" Antonio asked. "Jayden said it was time to train."
"Ji gave us the afternoon off." Mia replied, grabbing her purse and heading outside. The other boys were in their training uniforms, getting ready to spar. They looked surprised to see the girls in their civvies, not ready for three hours of sword slashing and fist dodging.
"Ji gave us the afternoon off" Emily answered the unspoken question.
The other boys looked confused. "Why?" Jack asked.
"Because" Eve replied shortly. "We promise not to put ourselves in any unnecessary danger" she finished sarcastically, slamming the car door shut to end the conversation. The car roared away in a huff.
"Anyone care to explain that?" Jayden asked.
Mike had a ready answer. "Hormones."
"Thank. Goodness. I don't think I could have stood another second of that" Emily slumped against the seat.
Mia nodded sympathetically. "I know, right?"
"I appreciate their overwhelming concern" Eve said. "But we, of all girls, can take care of ourselves."
"I, for one, plan to forget about the whole thing and enjoy my afternoon off" Mia declared.
A few hours and many shopping bags later, the girls were ready to go back to the dojo. As they were heading back Mia said, "I still am a bit annoyed with them."
"It's hard to live with the boys sometimes," Eve agreed, "But hopefully this little phase will wear off soon.
Unbeknownst to the girls, someone had overheard their conversation and was very interested. "Thank you girls" a voice laughed evilly. "You've just gave me a great idea."
Eve got out of the car and frowned. Something wasn't right… all of a sudden a huge burst of energy surged through the air, almost knocking her off her feet.
"What was that?" Exclaimed Mia.
The girls stood still for a few minutes, trying to gauge what was wrong. When nothing happened Emily shrugged. "I guess it was nothing" she replied and headed into the dojo. "Guys, we're back."
When no one replied Mia frowned. "Hello? Anyone home?"
Silence.
"This isn't funny guys!"
Nothing.
Eve went to the kitchen. "They're not in here," she shouted.
Emily came in. "They're not in the living room or outside either."
"Ji probably gave them the afternoon off too," Mia said.
"Where is Ji then?" Emily asked.
"He probably decided to take the afternoon off as well." Mia decided. "We're not the only ones who needed a break."
"They've been gone an awfully long time," Antonio said.
Mike shrugged. "Who knows? Don't girls take forever to shop?"
Jack and Jayden came into the living room. "They're still not back yet?" Jack asked.
"Nope." Kevin replied, looking up from the book he was reading.
"This isn't like Eve, or Emily, or Mia," Jayden frowned. "They wouldn't abuse an 'afternoon' off, and they would call if there was a problem."
"Well, all I know is that I'm ready to start dinner" Antonio grumbled. He headed off to the kitchen.
Jack studied the map of the city on the table. "Any unusual activity since that power surge?" He asked Kevin.
"No," Kevin replied. "What do you think that could have been? It was pretty weird."
"Maybe an electric company had some problems or something," Mike suggested offhandedly.
Jack frowned at the table. "Maybe…"
"That's it. I don't know where they are, but I'm starting dinner." Mia walked into the kitchen. Emily sighed. It had been an hour since they got home and there was no sign of the boys.
"Where could they be?" Eve fiddled with her necklace. "This isn't like Jayden, or Jack, or Kevin." She got up and looked at the map. "I really would like to know what caused that disturbance."
"Why don't I try calling them on their samuraizers?" Emily suggested. Eve nodded absentmindedly as she continued to fiddle with her necklace. Emily pulled out her samuraizer and dialed up Jayden's. She put her samuraizer to her ear. Nothing. Just static. She frowned and closed it. "There was just-"
Crash! Boom! Bang! The sounds of pots and pans falling came from the kitchen. "Mia, are you okay?" Eve called.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Mia responded.
"What were you going to say Emily?" Eve turned to her.
"There was just static when I dialed up Jayden's samuraizer." Emily frowned. "That's never happened before."
"Let me try," Eve pulled out her samuraizer. "Yep. Just static."
"Maybe Jayden's samuraizer isn't working?" Emily suggested.
"I'll try Jack's" Eve nodded. She dialed his samuraizer. "Nothing." She pulled the samuraizer away from her ear.
The girls tried and got the same results with Kevin, Antonio, and Mike's samuraizers. "Emily, this is creepy." Eve said. "One's odd, two's a coincidence, but five? Something's wrong."
Just then the gap sensor went off. "They'll probably meet us where the nighlock is." Emily said. "Let's go."
"Mwa-ha-ha!" The newest nighlock laughed evilly. "I am Tear and I am here to Tear-orrize you!"
People ran away screaming in fear as Tear blasted laser beams at them. "Yes! Run for you lives! Fill up the Sanzu River!" He chortled with glee.
"Hey nighlock! Quit it!" Mia shouted.
The nighlock turned. "Oh look! It's the three amigas! Pink, Yellow, and White! I bet you're wondering where your boyfriends are." Tear grinned. "Wait- here they come now!"
The girls turned but did not see the boys. "Stop playing games nighlock!" Eve shouted.
"Hello boys!" Tear was not paying any attention to the girls. He seemed to be talking to thin air. "Wondering where your girlfriends are? Right here!"
"What?" Kevin stopped, looking confused. He looked around. "What's your game nighlock?"
"Who are you talking to?" Emily asked.
Tear was too overwhelmed with laughter to speak.
"This isn't funny, nighlock!" Jayden shouted.
"That's Tear to you, pretty boy," Tear sneered. "And my game is just like my name. I've torn your world apart!"
"Huh?" Mike took a step back.
"That's right. Girls only, boys only." The nighlock laughed again. "If only you could see the looks on each others' faces- but you can't! You can't see or hear the other dimension. Only I can. And the best part is that one of your little citizens gave me this idea!"
"I get it!" Jack and Eve spoke at the same time. "It's similar to what happened in Corinth- only girls could breathe a toxin put in the air. The boys were put out of commission. This is like it- only worst."
"Your knowledge is infuriating," Tear growled. "It doesn't matter though- you're all split up! Your team is not complete. So- Moogers attack!"
"Oh brother," Antonio groaned as he faced off the multiple monsters. "This can't be good…"
So, what do you think? Like it? Don't like it? Any feedback is greatly appreciated- plus it motivates me to update! Reviewing is super easy now- so please leave what you think. Thank you for reading! Part two coming soon!