Chapter Six, White. Pleased to meet you, won't you guess my name? But what's puzzling you? The nature of my game?
Tloj: And I'm back! Apologies for the wait, but here's your reward: my longest chapter... again? Huh, deja vu. Anywho, this is unbeta'd, as I can't find Half-Angel Writer. Hey, Half-Angel! Getting kinda concerned about you being alive right now...
I took something from Autoknight01, that being showing you what the songs are. So enjoy this chapter that seems to be multiple chapters put together!
Disclaimer! I only own what is mine! So there!
Disclaimer! If you feel you need a break, treat each act like a chapter, and do whatever you need to between chapters.
Disclaimer! I like disclaimers!
Act I: The road trip
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
The next morning, the two walked into the kitchen
where the rest of the band sat.
Ash flashed a smile and said, "Hey guys! Did you have fun?"
Shadow went right up to Fist and pointed his finger threateningly at him, snarling, "Eat a f*cking bar of soap."
Fist held his hands in front of his head just in case Shadow tried to punch him and said, "I forfeit, you win!"
Shadow sniffed, walked up to the fridge, and yanked out a package of bacon and some eggs. He said without turning around, "Ash."
Ash froze before turning slowly to Shadow and responding, "Yes?"
Shadow held an egg out at arm's length so that everyone could see, and crushed it with a satisfying crunch. The egg insides slid out of the ebony hedgehog's hand into the pan waiting underneath it.
Ash gulped.
Shadow said calmly, "I know you also had something to do with it. You two and I are going to have a long talk during the trip."
Both Ash and Fist looked worriedly at each other while Zach and Joe snickered.
After breakfast was served, Shadow packed his backpack (He doesn't carry much; his other pair of shoes, some extra gloves and inhibitor rings, a comb, and his toothbrush), packed Mina's suitcase (She actually had more… Shadow went through everything with her to make sure that everything was required. Most of it wasn't.), loaded everyone's luggage into the van (Though he had half a mind to leave Ash's), and got his money from Zach and Joe (who both thought he had forgotten and split it between them).
Once everyone was ready, Shadow drove them all to Angel Grove. Fist rode shotgun while Zach and Ash rode behind them and Joe and Mina sat behind them. It took most of the day, and Shadow spent the first few hours explaining to Ash and Fist certain things to never do to him, and the many ways that he could kill someone and get away with it if he wanted to. Shadow also stopped at a store and got some beef jerky for the trip.
Just after lunch, Shadow was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel a bit boredly. They still weren't anywhere near Angel Grove. He secretly wished he could just ask Zordon to warp them there, since he would need another Chaos Emerald or two to move everything they had packed, but that would blow his cover. But he was still bored.
He sighed and said aloud, "Do we have anything we could be doing right now? I'm getting bored."
Zach said, "Oh! We could play Punch Buggy! Or License Plate Bingo! Or Truth or-"
Shadow growled before he finished that last one, and Zach cut himself off right there.
Mina reached behind the seat and pulled out a children's keyboard. The only difference between it and something from Wal-Mart was that it had a full eighty-eight keys instead of whatever a child's piano carries.
Joe smirked and yanked a Guitar Hero controller from the back seat as Zack pulled drumsticks from his pocket.
Ash sighed and reached under his chair, pulling out mikes and some cables and handing them to Fist, who plugged them into the headset port on the car radio.
Shadow smirked and said, "Time to make some music!"
Mina started with her keyboard.
After a few seconds, Shadow started.
(Captain Jack, by Billy Joel)
Shadow: Saturday night. And you're still hangin' around.
Joe: Tired of livin' in your one horse town.
Ash: You'd like to find a little hole in the ground. For a while. Mmm…
Mina: So you go to the village in your tie-died jeans,
Fist: And you stare at the junkies and the closet queens,
Zach: It's like some pornographic magazine,
Joe: And you smile. Mmm…
The band started up as Shadow thought for a split second and sang, "Captain Jack will get you high tonight! And take you to your special island! Captain Jack will get you by tonight! Just a little push, and you'll be smilin'! Oh, yeah…"
Fist: Your sister's gone out; she's on a date.
Ash: You just sit at home and masturbate.
Zach: Your phone is gonna ring soon, but you just can't wait for that call. Mmm…
Mina: So you stand on the corner in your New English clothes.
Shadow: And you look so polished from your head down to your toes.
Joe: Ah, but still your fingers gonna pick your nose, after all…
Mina: Captain Jack will get you high tonight, and take you to your special island! Captain Jack will get you by tonight! Just a little push, and you'll be smilin'! Oh… Oh yeah…
Ash: So you decide to take a holiday.
Shadow: You got your tape deck and your brand new Chevrolet.
Zach: Ah, there ain't no place to go anyway .
Joe: What for? Mmm…
Mina: So you got everything, ah, but nothing's cool.
Zach: They just found your father in the swimming pool.
Fist: And you guess you won't be going back to school anymore.
Ash: But Captain Jack will get you high tonight! And take you to your special island! Oh, Captain Jack will get you by tonight! Just a little push, and you'll be smilin'! La Lala! Oh yeah…
Zach: So you play your albums, and you smoke your pot.
Shadow: And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot.
Mina: Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got.
Joe: What went wrong? Mmm…
Fist: And if you can't understand why your world is so dead, why you've got to keep in style and feed your head.
Shadow: Well you're 21 and still your mother makes your bed, and that's too long! Oh, Oh Yeah!
All: Well Captain Jack will get you high tonight! And take you to your special island! Hell, now Captain Jack will get you by tonight! Just a little push, and you'll be smilin'! Oh, Captain Jack will get you high tonight! And take you to your special island! Hey now Captain Jack would make you die tonight! Just a little push, and you'll be smilin'!
They sang that song for a few more miles before Mina and Joe faded out their instruments, and Zach announced that he needed to use the restroom. Fortunately, the rest area was just ahead, and they switched seats. Ash now drove as Fist rode shotgun, Shadow and Mina sat next to each other, and Zach and Joe sat behind them. Shadow pulled out his acoustic guitar and tuned it before they sang another song.
(American Pie, by Don McLean)
Shadow: A long, long time ago,
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.
Mina: And, I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance, and...
Maybe they'd be happy for a while.
Zach: But, February made me shiver, with every paper I'd deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep - I couldn't take one more step.
Mina: I can't remember if I cried, when I read about his widowed bride;
Something touched me deep inside; the day the music died…
Shadow: So, bye bye, Miss American Pie,
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die!
This'll be the day that I die!
(Shadow picked up his strumming as Zach picked up the pace.)
Mina: Did you write the Book of Love and do you have faith in God, above?
If the Bible tells you so.
Shadow: Now, do you believe in Rock and Roll? Can music save your mortal soul? And...
Can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Ash: Well, I know that you're in love with him, 'cause I saw you dancing in the gym;
You both kicked off your shoes - man, I dig those rhythm and blues, Oh!
Zach: I was a lonely, teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck, but...
All: I knew I was out of luck the day the music died.
Mina: I started singing, bye bye, Miss American Pie!
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die.
This'll be the day that I die.
Fist: Now, for ten years we've been on our own, and moss grows fat on a Rolling Stone, but...
That's not how it used to be.
Shadow: When the Jester sang for the king and queen, in a coat he borrowed from James Dean-
Mina: In a voice that came from you and me!
Shadow: Oh, and while the King was looking down, the Jester stole His thorny crown!
The courtroom was adjourned - no verdict was returned!
Ash: And, while Lenin read a book on Marx the quartet practiced in the park, and...
We sang dirges in the dark the day the music died.
Fist and Ash: We were singing, bye bye, Miss American Pie,
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry!
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die!
This'll be the day that I die!
Shadow: Helter Skelter in the summer swelter - the Birds flew off with a fallout shelter;
Eight Miles High and falling fast!
It landed foul on the grass;
The players tried for a forward pass (with the Jester on the sidelines in a cast!)
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume, while the Sergeants played a marching tune;
We all got up to dance, oh, but we never got the chance!
'Cause the players tried to take the field - the marching band refused to yield;
Do you recall what was revealed, the day the music died?
Joe and Zach: We started singing, bye bye Miss American Pie,
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die.
This'll be the day that I die.
Fist: And, there we were, all in one place - a generation Lost in Space,
With no time left to start again.
Shadow: So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick - Jack Flash sat on a Candlestick, 'cause...
Fire is the Devil's only friend.
Ash: And, as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage!
No angel born in Hell could break that Satan's spell!
And, as the flames climbed high into the night to light the sacrificial rite, I saw...
Satan laughing with delight the day the music died.
All: He was singing, bye bye Miss American Pie.
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die!
This'll be the day that I die!
Shadow: I met a girl who sang the Blues, and I asked her for some happy news;
She just smiled and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store, where I'd heard the music years before, but...
The man there said the music wouldn't play…
And, in the streets the children screamed, the lover's cried, and the poets dreamed, but...
Not a word was spoken - the church bells all were broken.
And, the three men I admire most: the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, they...
Ash: Caught the last train for the coast the day the music died…
Shadow: And, they were singing… bye bye Miss American Pie,
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die…
This'll be the day that I die…
All: They were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie,
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry;
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die!
They finally arrived in Angel Grove that evening. Shadow had called his friends ahead of time to let them know to prepare their place for guests, and they were ready when the band arrived. Shadow introduced his team, Mario, Luigi, Tikal, Amy, and Tails.
Tails greeted them and said, "We've heard that you guys are the ones to keep Shadow out of trouble, so we thought we'd spruce up the concert stage downtown and let you use it as a house while you're here. Consider it a prize for living with Shadow."
Shadow was pleasantly surprised at that fact, and thanked Tails for taking time to fix up an entire house for them.
Luigi stepped forward and stated, "Yeah, well, we're living there too. It's cheaper and the last gimongous monster wiped out our apartment."
Tails sweated and admitted, "That too."
Shadow pulled Tails aside and they had a private conversation, complete with various gestures and exclamatory profanities.
They returned with Shadow saying, "Okay, everything's prepared. Let's put our stuff away, and get dinner."
Mario said, "Oh, yes, I-a forgot-a! We are-a planning to go-a join a skydiving charity thing tomorrow; would-a you guys-a like to come with us?"
Shadow smirked a touch evilly and answered before anyone else could say no, "Yes. We shall be there."
Act II: The Movie
Prepare for badassery!
The next day, Shadow, his band, and his team were saddling up to swim through the skies. He wore his hovershoes, blue jeans, a white jacket, and some wicked green pair of shades. Everyone else was in proper skydiving suits.
The pilot signaled that they could go, and Shadow ran and took a flying lunge out the door. Everyone but Ash and Fist jumped out.
Shadow performed many graceful tricks through "zero gravity" while everyone whooped and hollered. When it was time to pull their chutes, everyone opened their parachutes. Except Shadow.
Mina screamed, "Shadow! Open your chute!"
Shadow smirked and angled himself to be more streamlined, making himself fall faster. Soon, air pushed on him like a wall; then it broke.
FWABOOM! Shadow broke through the sound barrier and created a sonic boom.
Then he did a front flip and kicked on his hoverskates. He hit the ground in an Iron Man fashion, and stood as if nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Ash and Fist finally gained enough courage to jump out of the plane. (Actually, the pilot told them that he was running out of fuel, and if they didn't jump soon, then they would be forced out.) Of course, since they had jumped way off course, they landed in a construction site. They booked before they got caught.
The Power Rangers team pulled off their chute-packs, reached inside, and pulled out some Extreme Gear (Skate Type), handing the Forget-Me-Knots a pair each.
All of them raced down the streets, pulling tricks at every opportunity, until they found Ash and Fist and gave them a pair.
Just as the two were putting on their Gear, Shadow's communicator beeped. Shadow growled and said, "Excuse me for a moment."
He walked a few feet away, and said, "Go for Shadow."
Zordon said, "Shadow, you and the Rangers need to go to the construction site; there's a disturbance."
Shadow said, "Roger."
He walked back and announced, "Tails' mother called and said that one of his experiments blew up."
Mina blinked and asked, "So what now?"
Shadow replied, "Take the band back and start practicing. The rest of us'll help Tails clean up his mess."
In a murmur, he added, "Keep them busy, and do not follow. This is a check, not a battle. We'll be back as soon as we can."
Mina nodded and said, "Good luck."
Shadow turned to the other Rangers and said, "Let's get moving."
They nodded, and the six tore down the trail.
Ash stated, "You know, why do six people need to help clean up a mess?"
Mina easily answered, "Because when one of Tails' things explode, it's not a small explosion; it can take out a city if it's a major project."
Fist muttered, "I knew I should've learned how to skate…"
The band skated back to their vacation house as nightfall hit.
Fist went to grab some pizza for everyone while everyone else played Truth or Dare (mostly to keep everyone busy.)
Zach grabbed the last slice and said just before he chomped it, "Shadow's sure taking a while."
Mina said worriedly, "I wonder what's taking him so long."
As an afterthought, she added, "I mean, he's just cleaning; he should've finished by now."
Fist stood and said decisively, "I'll go and find him."
Mina looked at him with an "Orly?" face and asked, "Do you even know your way around the city?"
Fist shrugged and said, "I'm sure if I ask around I can find him."
"No need."
Everyone turned to the doorway and gasped.
There Shadow stood, supporting Knuckles, with the rest of the team behind him in the same shape as him: beaten, bruised, and some severely discolored.
Sonic was now green, and his chest was bleeding. His shoes were torn, and he walked with a limp.
Knuckles was white, and his clothes were in tatters. As soon as Shadow let go, he fell to the floor unconscious.
Tails was now a sun yellow, and his three loose hairs were grey.
Amy's hair was a mess, and her clothes were torn. She was supporting Sonic.
Blaze was a sun yellow, and her gloves were charred beyond recognition.
Finally, Shadow was a blackish grey, and his hair was an odd combination of blue, purple, grey, and green. But the one thing that Mina noticed was his normally crimson eyes were now a jaded green, and stared like a dragon.
Mina and the band ran to support them, Mina shouting frantically, "What happened? And where are the others?"
Shadow coughed before replying, "They… didn't make it. We tried giving back the powers… but this still happened."
Ash shouted, "Will someone please explain what's going on here?!"
Mina looked at Shadow.
He winced before nodding. There was no use hiding anymore.
Mina slowly sat Shadow on the couch before turning to her bandmates and saying seriously, "Whatever I tell you does not go public ever, nor should it leave this room, get me?"
Ash scoffed and said, "Oh please! What are they, the Power Rangers?!"
The silence that reigned was enough to confirm his sarcastic statement.
"Oh. Well… We're all in deep shit now, aren't we?" Ash asked nervously.
Shadow let loose a hoarse chuckle before saying, "Deep shit all right. I'm sure everyone here knows the Sonic Team? Well, Sonic over there is Red, Tails is Blue, Knux is Black, Blaze is Yellow, and Amy is Pink."
Fist blinked before asking, "Wait. Doesn't that make you…?"
"It does." Shadow confirmed. "I was the Dragon Ranger, now the White Ranger."
Mina continued, "But they changed out some members. Mario replaced Sonic, Luigi replaced Knuckles, and Tikal replaced Blaze."
Shadow nodded and said hoarsely, "Right. But now, our latest enemy is tougher than anything we've ever seen… He drained us. Some so much that our civilian colors are messed up."
"Who? Who could do something like this?" Fist asked.
Sonic coughed before growling, "He calls himself Ivan Ooze. He's a tough cookie, I'll give him that. But when we get our strength returns, then his ass is as good as whooped."
Shadow growled, "Could I get some water now? My throat's freaking killing me."
Fist ran to get everyone some water.
Shadow sighed before murmuring, "We shouldn't have come here."
Zach agreed, saying, "Yeah, you should've went to the hospital."
Shadow coughed again before growling, "I meant that we were probably followed."
Ash paled as he stuttered, "W-wait, that means-"
The door was blown down as floods of birdlike creatures attacked, pausing when they saw the Rangers.
The lead one blinked and asked surprisedly, "What're you doing here?! Whatever, attack!"
The Rangers stood as Shadow said, voice cracking, "Rangers… L-et's get g-oing! R-ready?"
The Rangers slowly got next to Shadow, protecting the civilians behind them, groaning, "Ready!"
"Mastodon!"
"Pterodactyl!"
"Triceratops!"
"Saber-toothed Tiger!"
"Tyrannosaurus!"
"Tigerzord!"
The six flashed and morphed, but their suits were severely drained of color. Sonic's suit was a grey-red, Tails was a grey blue, Knuckles was white with grey, Blaze was a dull yellow, and Amy was such a light pink that it looked grey.
Shadow's suit was base grey, and instead of gold, those spots were silver. Where he was silver, it was simply rusted.
"Ranger!" He panted. "Do not let them win!"
The six Rangers, despite not their best anymore, gave it all they had.
Sonic and Amy blocked and swung the same hammer, coordinating their attacks well.
Knuckles and Tails shot things using their guns, not letting anything near.
Shadow and Blaze rushed with their swords, Shadow's lanced with Chaos energy and Blaze's daggers seemingly made of lava.
Mina and the band watched paralyzed where they stood.
Fist walked in with a pitcher of water and some cups, saying, "Here we go! Some… Wha?" He also froze.
Shadow growled, "Get back!"
Fist dropped everything and ran, stopping next to everyone else and screaming, "Who are they?! How'd they get here?!"
Mina's face hardened before answering, "It doesn't matter!"
The band looked at her. She had gone into Freedom Fighter mode. "Ash, Fist! Find something, anything we can use to help! Joe, get an extra bass and start swinging! Zach, let's see how good you are with a pair of sticks! Forget-Me-Knots, storm the stage!"
Ash and Fist ran, but Ash paused and grabbed a microphone, throwing it back and saying, "Catch!"
Mina caught it and yanked it, pulling a decent amount of cable with it. "Thanks! J, Z, Let's go!"
Zach reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of steel drumsticks, exclaiming excitedly, "I've been itching to try these out!"
Joe pulled a bass from a stand and agreed, "I've always wanted to smash a guitar or two!"
Mina started swinging her mic like a ball on a chain, and the three jumped in to help.
Joe helped clear some around Sonic and Amy as Zach whacked monsters with his sticks, strong enough to stun and allow Knuckles and Tails to decimate them.
Blaze broke off as Ash and Fist returned with a firewood axe and jumper-cables, and Mina and Shadow tag-teamed.
Despite turning the tide for a bit, the extra help didn't work long.
Tails panted, "Our bodies can't use the powers much longer! We need to de-morph!"
Shadow growled, "We can't de-morph; we'd be defenseless."
Sonic commented, "Why not change hands?"
Blaze stated, "No way. That won't be acceptable."
Knuckles groaned, "I think I'm gonna puke. Or pass out. Not necessarily in that order. Maybe I'll pass out and my body will just let it flow out of my mouth."
Amy screeched, "OMG Knuckles, TMI!"
Shadow panted, "Is everyone in agreement?"
Blaze growled, "Fine."
Shadow shouted, "Everyone, regroup! Behind me!"
Everyone did as he said, and as all of the Rangers de-morphed, Shadow threw a Chaos force-field around them.
"I can't hold that long; Let's get changing." Shadow said before gulping and muttering, "Damn, I still want that glass of water…"
The six Rangers removed their Power Coins from their morphers; Blaze handed hers to Ash, Amy handed hers to Mina, Tails gave his to Fist, Sonic gave his to Joe, Knuckles gave his to Zach, and Shadow put his coin in his pocket.
The band members felt the power surge through them, but Ash complained, "Why do I have to be Yellow?!"
Shadow growled, "Shut your mouth and stop complaining."
It was then he pulled out his Dragon coin.
Mina looked at him worriedly and asked, "Shadow?"
Shadow smirked and said, "I'll be fine. If anything, at how weak I am, it'll just give me a much needed charge."
Joe gulped and murmured, "I get to be Red…!"
He looked at his allies and asked, "Uh, are we ready to go?"
Sonic scoffed and said, "C'mon, you're Red! You can do better than that!"
Joe stepped forward and growled, "You guys ready?!"
The rest stepped in formation and shouted back, "Ready!"
They all shouted, "It's Morphin' Time!"
Zach shouted, "Mastodon!" A drumset encircled him, and he did a drum solo as his costume slowly formed. He then twirled his drumsticks in front of his face, and his helmet appeared. Finally, his drumsticks shifted and became his blaster and Power Axe, sheathing the blaster and getting in a fighting stance.
Mina shouted, "Pteradactyl!" She swung her microphone like a mace, but a ribbon of energy trailed it, staying where she swung. She stopped in a neutral stance as the energy formed her costume, her helmet appeared, and her mic changed into the Power Bow.
Fist yelled, "Triceratops!" He punched the ground and transformed almost exactly like Knuckles did; the exception being electricity struck his head to make his helmet. Electricity lanced between his outstretched arms, and the Power Lance formed.
Ash yelled, "Saber-Toothed Tiger!" Not really sure what to do, he managed a few punches and kicks as his costume appeared. His glasses shone and expanded, becoming his helmet. His axe changed into two Power Daggers.
Joe shouted, "Tyrannosaurus!" He rocked out on his bass, the music notes flying onto him and becoming his costume. He then smashed it, energy flowing from it onto his head, making his helmet. He still held the neck of his bass, and it shifted into the Power Sword.
Shadow roared, "Dragonzord!" Nothing happened for ten seconds. Mina, despite being morphed, still looked at her boyfriend concernedly and questioned, "Shadow?"
Shadow blinked and shrugged before gasping and doubling over in pain. He fell to his knees as electricity raked his body, making him spasm and shake uncontrollably; the energy came from his morpher, which he couldn't let go. He roared in pain before steam began streaming from his inhibitor rings, and they pinged off in random directions one at a time, the steam pressure decreasing. Mina rushed to his side, but Chaos energy careened off of him in waves, blasting her into the other Rangers. He shakily stood, before the energy consumed him.
"Shadow!" Mina screamed.
Shadow alternated between growling and yelping as green overtook his skin, his shoes becoming full-on boots, a belt growing around his waist, his morpher shifting into the Dragon Dagger, his gloves lengthening. His eyes opened wide, pupils dilated, his yelling ceasing. He let loose one final scream as his helmet appeared and his shoulder armor appeared with a golden light. He fell to his knees, his energy spent, then to his arms. There he sat, doing nothing but panting.
Silence reigned.
The leader of the minions blinked before shouting, "Now, while they're distracted!"
The monsters rushed at the Rangers as they took fighting stances.
Suddenly, Shadow's head whirled to look at the oncoming enemies threateningly, causing the rush to stop in their tracks.
He slowly rose to his feet, any traces of fatigue or energy loss gone.
Mina quickly ran to him, asking while panicking, "Are you okay?! Please tell me you're okay!"
Shadow slowly looked at her before chuckling and saying, "I am now. Rangers, let's go!"
All six got into fighting stances before both sides, good and evil, rushed at each other again.
Shadow was a destructive machine all on his own; but he still fought with Mina simply because she was alone.
Ash and Fist slashed with their weapons, Fist exclaiming, "THIS IS SO AWESOME!" and Ash screaming, "OGODOGODOGODOGOD!"
Zach and Joe made a good team, both bringing massive destruction with their new weapons.
Shadow soon shouted, "Guys, put your weapons together!"
"Power Axe!"
"Power Bow!"
"Power Daggers!"
"Power Lance!"
Joe caught it, exclaiming, "Power Sword!" He turned it on the baddies, and pulled the trigger.
Silence reigned, the only sound being the panting of everyone in the room.
The band demorphed except for Shadow and Mina.
Joe jumped in the air and whooped, "That was awesome!"
Sonic stepped forward, saying, "I know. But unfortunately, you guys cannot keep the Ranger powers. It is a great responsibility, and I'm sure that you all would make great Rangers-"
Shadow finished for him, "But we all have a day job."
Sonic nodded and said, "Exactly."
The band reluctantly gave back the Power Coins and Mina demorphed, handing hers back too.
Shadow waved his hand to demorph, but nothing happened.
Shadow tilted his head confusedly, but pulled out his Dragon Coin and inserted his White Power Coin. Nothing happened for a few seconds, but finally, green electricity discharged from the suit and he changed back into normal form.
He put away the Dragon Coin and said, "Well… that was… uh… I can't come up with a word right now… I need a drink. And a shower. And-"
He fell on his face, passed out.
Mina quickly rolled him into a sitting position, dragging him onto the couch.
Sonic yawned and said, "Us too. Hopefully, this color change isn't permanent. Good night, all."
Everyone turned in early for the night; unfortunately for the band, things were going to get a lot worse.
Act III: The Good, The Bad, and The In Between
PhD Flopper!
The next morning, Zach walked into the kitchen and paused. Knuckles was still white, and he was messing with the toaster.
"Uh, hey. Whatcha doing with the toaster?" Zach asked.
Knuckles turned around and stated, "This bread-crisping device is too unreliable in its settings. I am adjusting the wattage to allow the settings to be more efficient in its toasting capabilities."
Zach blinked, not understanding half of what was said, but said anyways, "Um, thanks. I think. Where's Shadow? He usually has breakfast ready."
Knuckles scratched his head with a screwdriver and muttered, "He's still passed out on the couch. If you're getting food, grab some for the other Rangers too."
Zach went to get food (and Shadow's newspaper), coming back with enough for everyone.
Soon, almost everyone was up and about, the exceptions being Tails, Amy, and Shadow.
Mina sighed and said, "Shadow doesn't look like he's gonna wake up any time soon… but we need a guitarist!"
Sonic drained his cup and replied, "I can do it. Something tells me Ivan Ooze is gonna lay low after last night's stunt failed."
Mina perked and said, "Thanks Sonic! So guys, what are we going to sing?"
Sonic stood and answered, "I dunno about you guys, but I'm going out back with a guitar and ad lib for a bit. Let me know if ya need me!"
And just like that, Sonic disappeared in a green blur.
Knuckles cleaned his glasses and sighed, "Give him a taste of stardom, and it all goes to his head."
Ash blinked and asked, "Uh, when did you get those?"
(Warning: Fourth wall breakage!) Knuckles paused and looked at the glasses he held before shrugging and replying, "I dunno. Probably same place as in Chapter 2."
Ash scratched his head, but did not press the issue.
Sonic was back an hour before the concert, and he taught the band his song just in time.
Mina ran on stage and yelled, "Hello, Angel Grove!"
The audience cheered as the band and Sonic ran on stage.
"Unfortunately, Shadow will not be appearing until later due to unforeseen issues. But, in his place, we have the… Green Blur himself-"
Sonic stepped close and murmured, "Scourge the Hedgehog."
Mina blinked, but said anyways, "Uh, Scourge the Hedgehog!"
The audience cheered again.
"And now, we'll open with a new song! Zach, count it down!"
Zach tapped his sticks before So-Scourge started strumming his guitar.
(The Lazy Song, by Bruno Mars)
He sang, "Today I don't feel like doing anything! I just wanna lay in my bed.
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone,
'Cuz today I swear I'm not doing anything!"
The rhythm picked up as Scourge continued.
"I'm gonna kick my feet up then stare at the fan,
Turn the TV on, throw my hand in my pants;
Nobody's gonna tell me I can't!
"I'll be lounging on the couch just chilling in my Snuggie,
Click to MTV so they can teach me how to dougie;
'Cause in my castle I'm the freaking man.
"Oh yes, I said it! I said it,
I said it 'cause I can…"
Mina was slightly confused by his choice of words, but she did nothing to stop the song.
"Today I don't feel like doing anything,
I just wanna lay in my bed.
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone;
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything.
Nothing at all!
Nothing at all!
"Tomorrow I'll wake up, do some P90X;
Find a really nice girl, have some really nice sex,
And she's gonna scream out "This is great!"
"Yeah, I might mess around
And get my college degree;
I bet my old man will be so proud of me!
But sorry Pops, you'll just have to wait.
"Oh yes, I said it!
I said it,
I said it 'cause I can…
"Today I don't feel like doing anything!
I just wanna lay in my bed.
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone;
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything.
"No, I ain't gonna comb my hair,
'Cause I ain't going anywhere!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…
"I'll just strut in my birthday suit,
And let everything hang loose!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
"Oh! Today I don't feel like doing anything.
I just wanna lay in my bed!
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone,
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything!
"Nothing at all.
Nothing at all.
Nothing at all!"
The audience cheered as Scourge bowed, Mina exclaiming, "Scourge the Hedgehog, ladies and gentlemen! And now, moving on to one of my older songs on my second album, Tracks of My Tears!"
Scourge played a short solo before Zach joined and became a fast paced and upbeat song.
(Tracks of My Tears (Studio Version), as sung by Adam Lambert. Used a 3DS to change the pitch and speed—Tloj)
"Oh yeah! Oh, Oh yeah!"
Scourge and Zach hummed before Mina began singing while snapping her finger to the beat.
"People say I'm the life of the party,
'Cuz I make a joke or two.
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty,
Deep inside, I am blue…"
Tails and Knuckles ran in with trumpets and rainbow stage-lights kicked in as Mina skipped on the stage, singing the chorus.
"So take a good look at my face!
You'll see my smile, looks out of place!
If you look closer, it's easy to trace…
The Tracks of My Tears!"
Mina held the microphone in both hands as Scourge and Zach sang background with her.
"I need you! (Need you!) Need you! (Need you!)"
She continued pacing as Scourge and Zach played background.
"Since you left me, if you see me with somebody else;
Seems like I'm having fun, yeah!
Although they might be cute,
It's just no substitute;
'Cuz, You're the only one I want, yeah! (Do do do do!)
"So take a good look at my face!
You'll see my smile looks out of place!
If you look closer, it's easy to trace…
The Tracks of My Tears! (Do do do do!)
"I need you! (Need you!) Need you! (Need you!)"
Scourge, Zach, Tail, and Knuckles stopped playing as Mina sang a long high note before starting up again.
"(Outside!) Outside, I'm masquerading!
(Inside!) Inside, my hope is fading!
(Just a clown!) Just a clown since you put me down…
My smile is my makeup, I wear since my breakup with you!
"So take a good look at my face!
You'll see my smile;
It looks out of place!
If you look closer, it's easy to trace:
The Tracks of My Tears! Oh! (Do do do do!)
"So take a good look at my face!
You'll see my smile looks out of place!
If you look closer, it's easy to trace…
The Tracks of My Tears!"
The music faded, but didn't fade out completely. Mina waited for it to do so, but it never did. Instead, Amy walked onstage with a maraca, and so did Blaze with a triangle.
(Ring of Fire, as sung by Adam Lambert)
Mina opened her mouth to say something, but was silenced when Shadow walked onstage, singing, "Love… is a burning thing."
The audience cheered as Shadow continued, "…And it makes… a fiery ring."
Shadow walked to center stage as the audience silenced, smirking and singing, "Bound… by wild desire…"
He looked at Mina with a toying smirk as he finished, "…I fell into a Ring of Fire."
He faced the audience as the song picked up an unnoticeable bit of speed.
"I fell in to a burning Ring of Fire.
I went down, down, down,
And the flames got higher.
And it burns, burns, burns… the Ring of Fire…
The Ring of Fire…"
He raised an outstretched palm, and a flicker of Chaos energy came out, growing into a Chaos energy fireball the size of a baseball, flickering like a lit candle.
"The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet.
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the fire went wild.
"I fell into a burning Ring of Fire.
I went down, down, down,
And the flames got higher.
And it burns, burns, burns, the Ring of Fire;
The Ring of Fire…"
He went into a surprisingly high and long note as the audience cheered and Mina stood to the side, watching him in confusion and amazement.
Shadow then shocked everyone by doing an even higher and longer note.
"Love…is a burning thing.
And it makes… a fiery ring.
Bound… by wild desire…
I fell in to a Ring of Fire!
"I fell in to a burning Ring of Fire!
I went down, down, down,
And the flames went higher!
I fell in to a burning Ring of Fire!
I went down, down, down, and the flames… are getting higher!
And it burns! Oh, it burns!"
He did one final high note before the song ended, and he received a standing ovation.
"Hello everybody! I'm back!" Shadow shouted as the audience roared.
Mina scooted next to him and whispered, "What are you doing up?"
Shadow responded dryly, "It's hard to sleep during a concert."
Scourge walked up to them and asked, "What's next?"
Shadow turned to him and asked, "Are you up for some ad libbing?"
Scourge stated, "I just did. But, if ya want to, it's your show, not mine."
Shadow said, "Fine. But you're helping too."
Scourge shrugged and said, "Fair enough. I'll give you a beat."
He strummed his guitar and started whistling as the audience silenced.
Shadow tapped his foot before singing and thinking up lyrics on the spot.
(Moves Like Jagger, by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera)
"Just shoot for the stars! If it feels right, then aim for my heart! If you feel like, and take me away, and make it okay; I swear I'll behave!"
Scourge slid in front of him and stole the next verse.
"You wanted control! So we waited,
I put on a show! Now I make it;
You say I'm a kid! My ego is big! I don't give a shit!
And it goes like this…"
"Take me by the tongue and I'll know you;
Kiss me 'til you're drunk, and I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger!"
At this point, Shadow stepped in.
"I don't need to try to control you;
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With the moves like Jagger,
I've got the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger!"
"Maybe it's hard!" Shadow continued.
"When you feel like you're broken and scarred.
Nothing feels right;
But when you're with me,
I'll make you believe,
That I've got the key."
Scourge stepped next to the ebony hedgehog, and they both sang, Shadow taking lead.
"(Oh!) So get in the car!
We can ride it, wherever you want!
(Get inside it!) And you want to steer,
But I'm shifting gears;
I'll take it from here!
And it goes like this…
Take me by the tongue, and I'll know you,
Kiss me 'til you're drunk and I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger,
I've got the moves like Jagger!
I don't need to try to control you;
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger,
I've got the moves like Jagger."
Scourge and Shadow looked at Mina expectantly. She sighed and ad libbed as well.
"You wanna know how to make me smile,
Take control, own me just for the night;
And if I share my secret,
You're gonna have to keep it;
Nobody else can see this,
So watch and learn!
I won't show you twice!
Head to toe, oooh baby rub me right;
But if I share my secret,
You're gonna have to keep it!
Nobody else can see this!
Hey! Hey! Hey, yeah!"
Shadow sang before all three joined for the chorus, "And it goes like this…"
"Take me by the tongue (Take me by the tongue)
And I'll know you!
Kiss me 'til you're drunk,
And I'll show you (Yeah yeah yeah!)
All the moves like Jagger,
I've got the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger!
(Oh, yeah)
I don't need to try to control you!
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With the moves like Jagger,
I've got the moves like Jagger;
I've got the moves like Jagger!"
Scourge then whistled before the song ended.
They received a standing ovation as they bowed and left the stage.
Shadow grabbed Scourge as soon as they were offstage and stated, "You're coming with me."
Mina asked, "Where are you going?"
Shadow answered, "The Rangers and I are going to practice a new song for this evening. I would suggest you and the band do the same. And maybe get Ash to get lunch."
Ash stood from his spot on the couch and said, "Fine. I'll be back soon."
Shadow and the Rangers walked out the door, with Ash close behind.
Mina turned to the band and said, "You heard him guys, let's get practicing!"
The band practiced previous songs, including Grenade, Set Fire to the Rain, and Rolling in the Deep, and sang some new ones that she and Shadow had written/ written down, including one of the songs that they all had sang in the car, which she named Captain Jack.
When Ash got back, they paused and ate lunch. Shadow and the Rangers came back half an hour after Ash did.
"So, how's your song going?" Mina questioned.
"Meh. It'll be good tonight." Shadow said.
"Psh. You mean it's okay now, and a showstopper later. Don't try to deny it; you made the song about yourself, you pompous prick." Scourge stated.
Shadow countered, "No, half of it is about me; the other half you sing. Oh, we borrowed one of your songs, I hope you don't mind."
Mina shook her head and answered, "Go ahead. Which song would that be?"
Scourge muttered, "Born This Way."
Mina laughed and said, "I will count the hours until I can see you sing that song."
Scourge growled, "Then start counting."
Just then, Shadow's communicator beeped. A millisecond later, the rest of the Ranger's com's beeped as well.
Shadow cursed and growled, "Ivan's back. And so soon too!"
Mina stood and said sternly, "You guys are not going to fight him. You still haven't recovered from the beating from yesterday!"
Shadow stated, "Sorry Mina, but the world is more important than a couple bruises."
Mina countered, "A couple bruises?! Look at yourselves! You can't possibly expect me to believe that severe discoloration is the same as bruising."
At that moment, Tails piped up, "Bruises are discolorations of the skin-"
He cut himself off as Mina glared daggers at him.
"Shutting up now." He gulped weakly.
Mina sighed while rubbing her temples, saying, "Whatever, kick his ass and don't die, sound good?"
Shadow nodded and said, "Got it. You guys ready?"
The rest of the Rangers nodded and said, "Ready!"
They got in line, and Scourge shouted, "It's Morphin' Time!"
They morphed before putting their hands on their buckles and shouting, "Back to Action!" They teleported away in a brilliant light.
Fist blinked before commenting, "I still can't believe Shadow's a Power Ranger. And he never told us."
Mina said softly, "He told me."
Ash nearly fell, exclaiming, "YOU KNEW?!"
Mina nodded, explaining, "When I first ran into him, I offered him the job after listening to him play and sing; before he said yes, his communicator beeped. He told me to go back to the stage, but I followed him instead."
Ash face-desked, muttering, "That explains… so much… How come we never knew?"
Fist responded, "How could we know? Shadow's always here. Whenever he's not, we're usually busy. Except for that one time where his communicator beeped onstage, he disguised the noise as a Bluetooth device. We never suspected, because our lives are so crazy as it is!"
Ash demanded, "Why would you keep something like this away from us, Mina?!"
Mina countered, "You know the phrase ignorance is bliss? If you don't know anything, then you can't reveal anything. I may have known Shadow was a Ranger, but he only tells me what's going on after the danger has past! Well, usually, at least."
Fist asked, "So how do we know he's lying to us? How do we know that the danger has passed? The epicenter, if you will, is past and this Ivan Ooze is just biding his time? I don't think so!"
Mina sighed and said, "Guys, we have a concert to prepare for tonight. Finish eating, and let's get back to practicing."
Ash protested, "But Mina, what about-"
Mina stressed, "Drop it. All of you. If he wants to tell us, he will. He always does."
They finished eating and went back to practicing, this time a new song.
Their practice was interrupted when the back door was thrown open and Scourge stalked inside.
He growled at everybody and stomped into the kitchen as Shadow walked in, Amy slung unconscious over one shoulder, with the rest of the team behind him.
The band ran over as Ash exclaimed, "What happened?!"
Shadow set Amy on the couch and responded, "Ivan got the drop on Sonic and Amy. We drove him off, but it made Sonic angry and we don't know the damage done to Amy."
Mina said, "I'll go check on him."
Shadow said, "No. Watch Amy. I think Sonic's unstable right now."
Sonic shouted from the kitchen, "My name is Scourge!"
"Does it look like I give an apeshit?! Get calm so we can finish practicing."
"Why don't you shove it?!"
"Sure! Is your mouth a good place to park?"
"Oh, you did not just say that."
"Trust me, if you don't get happy in two minutes, you won't be concerning yourself with what I just said."
"Is this really happening right now?!"
"Oh, you do not want any of what I am right now, trust me."
Fist blinked and asked, "Do they always act like this?"
Tails shook his head and answered, "You have no idea. I'm surprised the place is still standing."
Mina said aloud, "Okay, you two cool it. I am trusting you guys to make a good performance for tonight."
Scourge growled, "Says Shadow's bitch."
Shadow froze and his knuckles tightened to the point of possibly breaking a few blood vessels. Mina herself was speechless.
"Not even his first bitch. Rouge has, Amy has… I have no doubts that girl Mary has as well."
Shadow was shaking with rage, ready to strangle anything that dared to wander into his grasp. He slowly reached behind him and grabbed his morpher, dropping it on the ground and growling, "I don't need to be a Ranger to kick your can, Scourge Mark."
"Was that a pun? I can make a better one, Slender Melt."
"That made… zero sense. Why don't you come here and make a better one?"
Scourge stalked into the room and in Shadow's face, growling, "I don't need to make a better one, other than bitch magnet."
The two were on the ground in an instant, many curses and insults flying, many aimed at Scourge's lineage and Shadow's questionable relationships.
Finally, Ash shouted, "Enough!"
Scourge and Shadow paused, Shadow gripping Scourge's foot and Scourge gnawing on one of Shadow's head quills.
Ash shouted, "Mina is barely containing herself, and I'm sure Amy is going to wake up any minute now! Take care of your respective girlfriends, or I will have Knuckles cart both your asses outside and turn them purple! Get me?"
Like civilized men, the two rose and quietly stepped away from each other.
Shadow gripped Mina's arm softly but firmly, making sure she saw him motion to his room before letting go and walking there.
After a minute, Mina slowly followed. She closed the door behind them before she heard Shadow state, "Start with whatever you feel like."
She glared at him, sniffing back tears, and growled, "What does that mean?"
Shadow's gaze pierced her own as he said, "Screaming, crying, questioning, demanding, fighting, ignoring, or flat out uncomfortable silence. Take your pick; I have until tonight's show."
Just as he suspected, flat out silence came first. Then, she broke into tears, screaming unintelligible babble and pointing at him accusingly before running at him and throwing a punch at his face.
Shadow allowed the punch to connect with his chest, and sat as still and emotionless as a statue as she let her emotions run wild as physical blows to his body. He did nothing to stop her.
She finally slowed, her crying slowing and her screaming turning into whimpering.
Shadow gently grabbed her hand and made her sit next to him, making her rest her head on his shoulder, still completely silent.
He stroked her arm gently as she put her thoughts back together. She finally rubbed the tears from her eyes with a sniff and said, "Okay, I'm good now."
Shadow let a small smile escape before he said, "And now, the questions."
Mina nodded and said, "Explain to me. Is Scourge telling the truth?"
Shadow's eyes near completely closed as he said, "Scourge told the truth. About Rouge and Amy, anyway."
Mina stuttered, "Why did you?"
Shadow looked at her and said, "Please understand. This was years before we met. Just after the Faker and I saved the world and I fell to my alleged death, I actually didn't. Rouge found me not long after, and took me to her home. Do you remember the old bar Baton Rouge?"
Mina snorted and said, "Smack dab in downtown Station Square next to the mall."
Shadow nodded and said, "She took care of me since I had nowhere else to go. I worked as a bouncer and bartender. But of course, she didn't trust me alone when she had to go on GUN missions. So, she took me with her. We kept my identity secret and I joined. After one certain tasking mission, she took me back, gave me a drink, and I still don't remember the particular details of that one. After that, it was a more friends with benefits deal."
"And… she just took advantage of you?" Mina asked, her temper flaring at the bat that she had only met once.
"Basically. Not that I really cared. Carnal desire, I suppose." Shadow said, sighing.
"When I find her…" Mina seethed.
Shadow stated, "You will do nothing to her. She is a classified GUN agent. It is a criminal offense to assault a member of the military."
Mina growled, "I can still think about what I'd do to her."
Shadow said, "Go right ahead."
Mina took a deep breath before asking, "So what about Amy?"
Shadow cleared his throat before saying, "I met her when I was forced to go to high school to work undercover work for GUN. I had no formal education per say, I could only learn so much until Gerald decided that I should focus on controlling my power instead of making a good grade. Therefore, they used that against me to keep an eye on rumors of some rogues bringing down monsters before GUN could."
Mina said, "And that's when you met Amy?"
Shadow shrugged and said, "It was the first time I saw her, yes. She introduced herself, I introduced myself, I didn't really think much of it… Until I was called upon by that damn space witch."
Mina blinked. She thought she knew all about Shadow turning into Green Ranger; this was new to her.
Shadow continued, "She cast a spell on me and remolded my will to match hers: to destroy the Power Rangers. Of course, she must have programmed that information into me, since I didn't know about the Rangers. I can recall some parts… Flirting with Amy, telling GUN I wasn't getting any closer to finding the vigilantes, fighting… but most of it is surrounded by fog."
Mina commented, "So you were basically there for the ride."
Shadow nodded and said, "But I'm getting off topic. After the Rangers met me and I joined them, that's when I started paying attention. Amy was a nice girl… And I wanted to fit in… And something just clicked. She didn't really care about who I was in the past; she cared about what I became. I fell head over heels in love with her. But, I know now that it was a just high school crush. We dated for a bit… and one night she asked if I wanted to. I couldn't resist… we didn't think, we just went for it."
Mina stated, "So if I asked, you would have…?"
Shadow sighed and ran his hands through his head spines, saying, "I… honestly don't know the answer to that one. It would depend on when you asked."
Mina mulled this over before asking, "So then… how did you break up?"
Shadow smiled and reminisced, saying, "We both knew our relationship's days were numbered; no matter how hard she can try, there was always that side that wanted Sonic more than I. So, we agreed to simply back down and just be friends. No terms or conditions, no strings attached. Not long after that, I wanted to just… live. Like a normal person as opposed to someone special. I quit GUN, asked Zordon if I could leave, and moved to New Mobotropolis. I built myself that cabin and lived peacefully for a solid week before you found me."
Shadow sighed and said, "And that's the end of it. Well, we'd better get back to work, anything else before I go?"
Mina stood and said, "I guess not. And thanks for telling me the truth."
Shadow nodded before mutter-singing, "Floating, disembodied head of Bowser…"
Mina blinked before shrugging and followed the off-colored ebony hedgehog out the door.
The two walked into the living room and Shadow announced, "Okay, back to work! Even though my project won't be sung tonight, that doesn't mean we can't practice!"
The band stood, and Zach asked, "What about Scourge?"
Shadow stated, "What about him?"
Zach answered, "Unless you two get straightened out, you can't go into any battles without getting at each other's livers."
Shadow rubbed his chin and said, "Fine. I'll talk to him." He looked at the wall clock and growled, "Shoot! No more practicing, you guys need to get onstage in ten minutes!"
Mina looked at the clocked and yelped, "He's right! Ash, Fist, get our stuff set up! Zach, Joe, get properly dressed!"
"You heard Mina, go!" Shadow ordered.
Everyone scurried away except for Shadow, who instead cracked his knuckles and said grimly, "Time for a talk."
Two minutes later, Mina and the band rushed onstage, Mina shouting, "HELLO, ANGEL GROVE!"
Tons of cheering ensued.
"Let's kick it off with a new song! Fist, hit it!" Mina exclaimed.
Up in his control booth, Fist pressed a button, a premixed intro starting before Zach kicked up the beat.
(Thriller, by Michael Jackson)
Mina gripped the mic and sang, "It's close to midnight, and something evil's lurking in the dark! Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart!"
"You try to scream;
But terror takes the sound before you make it!
You start to freeze!
As horror looks you right between the eyes!
You're paralyzed!"
Mina hit the chorus, and the audience cheered.
"'Cause this is Thriller!
Thriller night!
And no one's gonna save you
From the beast about to strike;
You know it's Thriller!
Thriller night!
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer,
Thriller, tonight, yeah!"
Fog started rolling in from backstage as Mina continued.
"You hear the door slam,
And realize there's nowhere left to run!
You feel a cold hand,
And wonder if you'll ever see the sun.
You close your eyes!
And hope that this is just imagination!
But all the while,
You hear a creature creepin' up behind!
You're outta time…
'Cause this is Thriller!
Thriller night!
There ain't no second chance
Against the thing with the forty eyes, girl!
Thriller!
Thriller night!
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer,
Thriller, tonight!"
Mina pretended to limp like a zombie as she sang, "Night creatures callin', the dead start to walk in their masquerade~"
She held up an arm and appeared to claw air before singing, "There's no escaping the jaws of the alien this time!"
Zach and Joe shouted, "They're open wide!"
Mina sang, "This is the end of your life! Whoo!"
"They're out to get you!
There's demons closing in on every side!
They will possess you,
Unless you change that number on your dial!
Now is the time!
For you and I to cuddle close together, yeah!
All through the night,
I'll save you from the terror on the screen;
I'll make you see…
That this is Thriller!
Thriller night!
'Cause I can thrill you more
Than any ghoul would ever dare try!
(Thriller!)
(Thriller night!)
So let me hold you tight
And share a,
(Killer, diller, chiller,)
(Thriller here tonight!)
'Cause this is Thriller!
Thriller night
Boy, I can thrill you more
Than any ghoul would ever dare try!
(Thriller!)
(Thriller night!)
So let me hold you tight,
And share a…
(Killer, Thriller!)
I'm gonna thrill you tonight…"
"Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand;"
Mina jumped and looked around. This wasn't part of the song!
"Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize y'alls neighborhood."
Mina searched the stage before seeing Shadow walk onstage with a mic. He was wearing a black and red cape, and his face was a sickly paler shade than it was yesterday.
He growled darkly, "And whosoever shall be found, without the soul for getting down;
Must stand and face the hounds of hell, and rot inside a corpse's shell!"
Mina got her voice back and she sang nervously, "I'm gonna thrill you tonight…"
Shadow walked towards her, his words becoming darker and more horrifying every second, "The foulest stench is in the air! The funk of forty thousand years, and grizzly ghouls from every tomb, are closing in to seal your doom!"
Mina backed away a few steps as she sang a bit more freaked out, "I'm gonna thrill you tonight!"
Shadow stepped closer again, but this time he bared his fangs and snarled, "And though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver!"
He reached and held Mina's chin up with his free hand, their faces inches apart. Mina was scared now, her body shaking, but she was frozen in place. His face became eerily seductive as he hissed, "For no mere mortal can resist… The evil of… The Thriller!"
He let go the exact second the band stopped playing, and howled with malicious laughter.
A second later, it changed into regular laughter, and Shadow pointed at Mina, shouting, "You should see the look on your face!" He turned to the audience and exclaimed, "You should see all of your faces!" He laughed again before pulling off the cape, the sheet fluttering to the ground.
Mina finally recovered and she scolded, "That was mean, Shadow the Hedgehog!"
The audience laughed and cheered.
Shadow did an overdramatic bow and said, "My apologies, Songstress! But we have an audience to entertain!"
"Very well, but what will we sing next?" Mina asked.
(Stereo Hearts, by Gym Class Heroes with Adam Levine)
"Let's try this." Shadow sang, "My Heart's a stereo! It beats for you so listen close! Hear my thoughts in every note, Oh, Oh!"
Mina smiled and sang, "Make me your radio! And turn me up when you feel low; This melody was meant for you! Just sing along to my stereo."
Scourge pranced onstage with a microphone and started rapping, "If i was just another dusty record on the shelf, would you blow me off and play me like everybody else?
If I asked you to scratch my back, could you manage that?
Like if read well, check it Shadsie, I can handle that!"
He turned to Mina and continued, "Further-more I apologize for any skipping tracks;
Just the last girl that played me left a couple cracks!
I used to, used to, used to now I'm over that!
Cause holding grudges over love is ancient artifacts;
If I could only find a note to make you understand!
I sing a song for me and you would grab me by the hands!
Keep me stuck inside your head like your favorite tune;
And know my hearts a stereo that only plays for you!"
Shadow gave Scourge a warning glare before singing, "My hearts a stereo!
It beats for you so listen close; hear my thoughts in every note, Oh, Oh!"
Mina sang, "Make me your radio! And turn me up when you feel low, this melody was meant for you!"
Shadow sang a verse before both sang. "Just sing along to my stereo!
Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh
To my stereo
Oh, Oh, Oh
So sing along to my stereo!"
Scourge shouted, "Let's go!" Everything paused before he kicked off another verse.
"If I was an old school, fifty-pound boom box,
Would you hold me on your shoulder wherever you walk?
Would you turn my volume up in front of the cops,
And crank it higher every time they told you to stop?
And all I ask is that you don't get mad at me
When you have to purchase mad D batteries!
Appreciate every mixtape your friends make,
You never know, we come and go like on the interstate;
I think I finally found a note to make you understand,
If you could hear it sing along and take me by the hands!
Keep myself inside your head like your favorite tune,
And know my heart is a stereo that only plays for you! Heh heh heh!"
"My hearts a stereo!
It beats for you so listen close;
Hear my thoughts in every note, Oh, Oh!
(Make me your radio!
And turn me up when you feel low;
This melody was meant for you!)
Just sing along to my stereo
Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh
To my stereo
Oh, Oh, Oh
So sing along to my stereo!"
Shadow sang solo.
"I only pray you never leave me behind!
Because good music can be so hard to find!
I take your hand and pull it closer to mine!
Thought love was dead, but now you're changing my mind!"
Shadow and Mina then sang to finish.
"My hearts a stereo!
(It beats for you so listen close!)
Hear my thoughts in every note, Oh, Oh!
(Make me your radio!)
And turn me up when you feel low;
This melody was meant for you!
Just sing along to my stereo!
Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh
To my stereo!
Oh, Oh, Oh!
So sing along to my stereo."
They sang a few more songs before ending the show.
Backstage, Knuckles and Tails were setting up the kitchen table in the living room and placing at least five boxes of pizza.
"Dinner's ready!" Tails called.
Shadow and Mina each grabbed a slice and brought their food to the couch, sitting as Shadow flipped on the TV.
Scourge walked over while rubbing the back of his neck and said, "Hey Mina, sorry about what I said before. I guess I'm stressed over what's been happening lately."
Mina nodded and said with a smile, "Apology accepted."
Scourge gave a thumbs up and went to grab himself some grub.
"You had a talk with him, didn't you." It was a statement, not a question.
Shadow glanced at the female mongoose. Mina stared back at him.
"Indeed. You are… my girlfriend, after all. I have to protect you." Shadow responded.
"You're reminding me of Ash."
Shadow almost fell out of his seat, recovering and responding, "Not cool comparing me to him. Scares me just thinking about it!"
Mina giggled and said, "Well, thank you for knocking some sense into Sonic."
"Scourge!"
Shadow chuckled.
"I think you deserve a little something for that…"
Shadow's eyes dilated, but showed no other emotion. He stated without betraying any emotions, "Are you sure? It will be our first time… and so close to my admittance. You don't care?"
Mina frowned, saying, "It's our second time. Remember? We did it when Ash dared you?"
Shadow froze for a second before relaxing and responding, "Yes, but it will be our first with no outside influence."
Mina nodded and said, "Yes, it is."
Shadow slowly smiled and whispered, "Past the point of no return, no backward glances; the games we played 'til now are at an end."
Mina's eyes widened.
Shadow smirked and murmured, "I know you know this song. Past all thought of 'If' or 'When', no use resisting; abandon thought and let the dream descend."
Mina moved so they were touching, her head resting on his shoulder, as Shadow continued his silent love song.
(The Point of No Return, by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tempo quickened by Tloj)
"What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us?"
Mina whispered back, "Past the point of no return, the final threshold, what warm unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return, you have brought me to that moment where words run dry.
To that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence… I have come here hardly knowing the reason why. In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining…
Defenseless and silent and now I am here with you; No second thoughts, I've decided, decided…"
Shadow stood and picked Mina up bridal style, and walked to his room silently. Nobody noticed them leaving.
He set Mina down, and closed and locked the door behind them, Mina leading him to the bed before pushing the ebony hedgehog onto it with her on top. They stared in each other's eyes as they began.
"Past the point of no return, no going back now
Our passion play has now at last begun
Past all thought of right or wrong, one final question
How long should we two wait before we're one?"
Mina nipped Shadow's ear gently, her moaning enchanting him… He ran his lips down her neck, kissing it before slowly piercing her skin with his sharp fangs. Her gasp was the only indication of pain before he licked the spot tenderly…
"When will the blood begin to race,
The sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames at last consume us?
Past the point of no return, the final threshold,
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn;
We've passed the point of no return…"
They stared in each other's eyes, panting in each other's warm embrace. Finally, Shadow murmured, "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime… Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you'll want me with you here beside you… Anywhere you go let me go too, Mina that's all I ask of you." That was the last thing they remembered that night…
Act IV: Shortest. Act. Ever. Of All Time.
Not my fault! Someone put a wall in my way!
Scourge walked over to Tails and murmured, "Where is he?"
Tails muttered back, "Keeping her busy. We going now?"
Scourge growled, "The musicians will notice. If we give them the putty, they might suspect something."
Tails argued, "He'll be back any hour now! If we don't complete our objective before he comes back-"
"Do not finish that thought, Miles Prower." Scourge hissed.
"Fine. But if we don't mobilize soon, Master will have us."
"…Here's what we'll do. When the musicians turn in, we'll head into town and complete our objective. Make sure the others are prepared."
"Yes sir."
The next day, Shadow woke with a jolt. His ear twitched and flickered here and there.
"Morning, Shadow." Mina murmured.
Shadow nodded, but still concentrated on listening.
"What is it?" Mina asked curiously.
Shadow raised his hand in a keep quiet motion. He slowly reached under his pillow while staring at the window.
He quickly whipped a pistol from under his pillow and with a roar, charged at the glass while unloading his pistol.
Mina shrieked and covered her ears.
Shadow dropped the clip on the ground as he jammed another one and straddled over the window, firing until his pistol was empty.
Silence reigned until Shadow growled, "Bullets are ineffective my highlights!"
His door knob shook violently and he could hear the wood splintering. He quickly teleported in front of his door as he shouted, "Get dressed and get going!"
Mina grabbed her clothes and threw them on before shouting, "Be careful!" and escaping through the window.
The door flew off its hinges as the monster birds charged in. Shadow threw himself at the first one he saw and pistol-whipped it across the face, knocking it unconscious. He did a backflip and teleported to his bed, flipping it up as the birds retaliated with laser blasts of their own.
The birds charged another round of lasers, but before they fired, the bed fell over with Shadow armed to the teeth with guns and ammunitions.
Shadow growled, "You interrupted my night. Have eternity off, compliments of G.U.N.'s weapons!" He whipped a gatling gun from his back and jammed a magazine into the side, and the lead monster shouted, "Retreat!"
Shadow roared, "You're going straight to hell!" and gave chase while spraying away.
Mina ran to the front stage and paused when she saw the Sonic Team and her band, bound, gagged, and guarded by more monsters.
She jumped behind a tree just in time to not be spotted. She growled, "They got everyone!"
Shadow teleported next to her and murmured, "Those are the only ones left. We got this."
Mina nodded and reached into her pocket, pulling out the ring that Shadow had given her and slipping it on her right wrist as Shadow dropped his chaingun and unholstered two mini-Uzi's, growling, "I'm not taking any prisoners."
The two stormed the stage, Shadow clearing most of them while Mina picked off the survivors. Mina untied their friends as Shadow aimed his guns at one final monster.
"Now, you go to Ivan Ooze and tell him he just crossed a line." Shadow hissed.
"But-" the bird started.
Shadow let loose a volley of bullets into the air, and the monster squawked and hightailed it.
He turned to Scourge and said, "There, now you have to sing with me tonight."
Scourge shakily answered, "Okay."
Act V: Keeping up so far? Good.
The Final Act!
That night, Scourge looked at the audience and asked, "You're absolutely sure you want to do this?"
Shadow walked next to him and answered, "Yes."
"Your girl will hear. She won't suspect a thing?"
Shadow glanced at the green hedgehog and stated, "Are you questioning me? You can't back out. You're in too deep, Sonic."
"It's Scourge."
"Whatever. Even if she does suspect, she won't do anything; just like you, she's too deep. She's mine now."
"As long as you're certain."
"I am."
Scourge muttered, "I'll notify the others."
Shadow tuned his guitar as the green hedgehog left.
Shadow walked onstage and called, "Good evening, Angel Grove!"
The crowd cheered.
"Are you ready for this?!"
More cheering.
Mina ran onstage as Zach tapped his drumsticks.
Shadow shouted, "Bring the action!"
Shadow and Mina proceeded to rock out.
(Scream and Shout, by will. and Britney Spears, edited for content by Tloj)
"(When you hear this in the club
You gotta turn, turn it up,
You gotta turn, turn it up,
You gotta turn, turn it up.
When we up in the club
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us.
See the boys in the club,
They watching us,
They watching us,
They watching us.
Everybody in the club,
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us.)
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out,
And scream and shout, and let it out.
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out,
And scream and shout, and let it out.
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
You are now rocking with Shadow and Mina!"
Shadow did a solo as Mina motioned for the audience to clap.
"Oh yeah!
Oh yeah!
Oh yeah!
Bring the action!"
Shadow and Mina continued singing.
"Rock and roll, everybody let's lose control,
All the bottom, we let it go,
Going fast, we ain't going slow, no, no.
Hear the beat, now let's hit the floor,
Drink it up, and then drink some more,
Light it up, and let's let it blow, blow, blow.
Hey yo! Rock it out, rock it now,
If you know what we talking 'bout,
Turn it up, and burn down the house, house.
Hey yo! Turn it up, and don't turn it down,
Here we go, we gonna shake the ground
'Cause everywhere that we go we
Bring the action!
(When you hear this in the club
You gotta turn, turn it up,
You gotta turn, turn it up,
You gotta turn, turn it up.
When we up in the club
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us.)
You see them girls in the club
They looking at us,
They looking at us,
They looking at us.
(Everybody in the club
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us,
All eyes on us.)
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out,
And scream and shout, and let it out.
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out,
And scream and shout, and let it out.
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
You are now rocking with Shadow and Mina!
Oh yeah!
Oh yeah!
Oh yeah!
It goes on and on, and on, and on,
When me and you party together,
I wish this night would last forever
'Cause I was feeling down, now I'm feeling better.
And maybe it goes on and on, and on, and on,
When me and you party together,
I wish this night would last forever, ever, ever, ever...
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out,
And scream and shout, and let it out.
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out,
And scream and shout, and let it out.
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
We saying, "Oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh!"
You are now rocking with Shadow and Mina!"
Shadow and Mina bowed as the Sonic Team ran onstage. Knuckles ran to Zach and whispered something in his ear, Zach getting up and walking offstage with a confused look on his face. Scourge did the same with Joe.
Shadow announced, "And now, for our last song of the evening, I treat you with a Sonic Team only performance!"
Mina blinked and looked at Shadow questioningly.
Shadow smiled and said, "It will explain a lot about what's been happening lately."
Mina slowly nodded and said, "Okay…" She then walked offstage.
Shadow and Scourge stood side by side before Knuckles, Blaze, Amy, and Tails proceeded to do acapella.
Scourge announced, "Just put you paws up!"
Shadow scoffed, "Ha!"
Scourge continued, "'Cuz you were Born This Way, baby!"
The audience cheered.
(Sympathy For the Devil/Born This Way, as sung by Dartmouth Aires. Extended and customized by Tloj)
Shadow announced, "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste. I've been around for a long, long time, stole many a man's soul and faith."
Scourge and the rest of the team continued their acapella.
He looked up at the sky with a smirk and continued, "I was round when the Black Doom, had his moment, of triumph, then pain, oh! Make damn sure that Eggman washed his hands, sealed his fate…"
The team oohed and ahhed as Shadow looked back at the audience and, nodding, greeted, "Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name!"
Scourge walked next to him, and Shadow offered a handshake as he finished, "But what's puzzling you is the… nature of my game!"
Scourge looked at the pre-offered hand before slapping it away as the beat changed, turning to face the crowd as he sang, "My Mama told me when I was young, "We were all born superstars!""
The audience cheered as they heard the familiar lyrics.
Shadow did acapella in Scourge's place with the team.
"She rolled her hair and put her lipstick on, In the glass of her boudoir…" Scourge continued with an award winning smile. ""There's nothing wrong with loving who you are!" she said, "'Cuz He made you perfect, babe. So hold your head up boy, and you'll go far; listen to me when I say…""
Shadow moved forward and Scourge glared at him, the team changing tempos again.
Shadow nodded and said with a smirk, "Ooh, pleased to meet you!"
Scourge looked away, announcing, "I'm on the right track, Baby I was Born This Way!"
The team except Scourge and Shadow sang, "Ooh, Ah!"
Shadow sang, "What's the nature of my game?" as Scourge sang at the same time, "Right track, Baby I was Born This Way!"
The two looked away from each other as the team paused, before the two began a full-on song battle!
"I stuck around Mobotropolis…
Give yourself prudence, and love your friends…
When I saw it was a time for a change!
Subway kid, rejoice the truth!
Killed the King and his ministers…
In the religion of the insecure…
As the princess screamed in vain.
I must be myself, respect my youth!
I rode an armored tank, Held a traitor's rank…
A different lover is not a sin…
When the Egg-Assault raged, and the bodies stank.
Believe in capital H-I-M!
Ooh!
Pleased to meet you,
I'm on the right track, Baby I was Born This Way! Won't you guess my name?
Ah, what's puzzling you is the… nature of my game! Right track, Baby I was Born This Way!
(Ooh, Ah!) Oh yes…"
Shadow and Scourge paused again, the two daring the other to make a move. Finally, Shadow did.
"I watched with glee and ecstasy,
While your de facto queen…
Fought with friends for twenty long years,
But it was all in vain.
When it was silent, I cried out,
"Who wiped out the city scene?!"
We blamed Robotnik
When after all,
It was you and me!
Please let me introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I laid traps for those so naïve,
Who serve my will as I end their games!
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name!
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game!"
All this time, Mina and the band were becoming slightly more pale with each verse Shadow sang, the words becoming noticeably darker with each breath he took.
Scourge quickly retaliated, the rhythm changing again.
"My Mama told me when I was backstage,
"Don't be nervous, be a star!"
She gave me a hug, then a little shove,
Just before I came to start...
"It doesn't matter if things go wrong,"
She said,
"Just pretend there's no mistake;
Keep your head up boy, and you'll be fine;
Listen to me when I say…""
The two went back and forth again.
"Pleased to meet you!
I'm on the right track, Baby I was Born This Way!
(Ooh…)
Pleased to meet you,
I'm on the right track, Baby I was Born This Way! Won't you guess my name?
Ah, what's puzzling you is the… nature of my game! Right track, Baby I was Born This Way!
(Ooh, Ah!)"
Another pause…
"Just as every cop is a criminal…
Don't be a drag, just be a King…
And all the sinners saints…
Whether you're drab, or dazzling…
As head's is tail's, just call me Mephistopheles…
Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased…
'Cuz I'm in need of some restraint!
Rejoice and love yourself today, 'cause maybe you were born this way!
So if you meet me…
So no matter what your life, maybe working through strife…
Have some courtesy; Have some sympathy, and some taste…
I'm on the right track, Baby I was born to survive!
Use all your well-learned politesse…
No matter what your age…
Or I'll lay your… soul to waste.
Or life throws your way…
Pleased to meet you…
I'm on the right track…
Bet you guessed my name!
Baby, I was born to be brave!
But what's puzzling you…
Ooh there ain't no other way;
Is the nature of my game!
Baby I was Born This Way,
Right Track, Baby I was Born This Way! Oh yeah, get down!"
Pause…
"Pleased to meet you…
I'm on the right track, Baby I was Born This Way!
(Ooh, Ah!)
What's the nature of my game? Right track, Baby I was Born This Way!"
Shadow let loose a bone-jarring laugh before continuing.
"Please allow me to introduce myself;
I'm a man of wealth and taste;
I've been around for a long, long year,
Stole many a man's soul and faith."
Mina's jaw dropped and her face drained of all color as Shadow sang his next verse.
"I was there when Jesus Christ,
Had his moment, of doubt and pain, oh!
Made damn sure that Pilate…
Washed his hands, sealed his fate…"
He laughed evilly again before saying, "Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name! But what's puzzling you is the… nature of my game!"
The music once again changed tempo as Scourge again stole the spotlight.
"My mama told me when I was young,
"We were all born superstars."
She rolled her hair and put her lipstick on,
In the glass of her boudoir…
"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are,"
She said, "'Cuz He made you perfect, babe.
So hold your head up boy and you'll go far;
Listen to me when I say…""
The two once again battled for the greater voice between them.
"Ooh, pleased to meet you!
I'm on the right track, Baby I was Born This Way!
(Ooh, Ah!)
What's the nature of my game? Right track, Baby I was Born This Way!"
One final pause…
"Ooh, there ain't no other way!
So if you see me…
Baby I was Born This Way!
Baby, I was Born This Way! Have some sympathy, and some taste!
Born This Way!
Ooh, there ain't no other way! Just call me Mephiles!
Baby I was Born This Way! Right track, Baby I was Born This Way! 'Cuz I'm in need of some restraint!
I was Born This Way, hey! Woohoo!
I was Born This Way, hey! Woohoo!
I'm on the right track, Woohoo!
Baby I was Born This Way! Woohoo!
I was Born This Way, hey!
I was Born This Way, hey!
I'm on the right track;
Baby I was Born This Way hey!"
They all stopped as Shadow finished, "Just call me Shadow, girl. It's all part of my game."
The audience cheered as the team bowed and exited the stage.
Mina stepped back as Shadow walked towards her.
"Who… are you?" Mina breathed.
"Mephiles the Dark."
Everyone turned to see a familiar black hedgehog with red highlights wearing a white robe. Underneath the robe was a white ninja outfit with a white belt tied. The White Ranger morpher hung off the side of the belt. Tied around his head was a white strand of cloth with a yellow diamond square in the center.
"Sh-Shadow?!" Shadow sputtered.
The other Shadow dropped into a fighting stance and growled, "Or as I know you, Ivan Ooze."
Tloj: Oh Snap! Read and Review if you like!
