Hey Aqua here ;) So after having to make you wait nearly a month, I proudly present to you all; Ch 9! Yay XD! Hold the applauds please ;) hehehehe (I'm such a dork, aren't I?)
Well, let's get on with the show already ^_^
Chapter 9: Birthday Surprises (Part 1)
The late Saturday morning sun hung high in the clear sky, out on the empty highway road that led into Reefside, a black motorcycle roared loudly as it rode through the highway until stopping alongside it to take a rest. The rider pulled off his helmet, revealing a young boy, 18, light tan, short dark hair, and bright hazel eyes.
The boy grabbed the water bottle he had packed and took a couple swallows before putting it back into his backpack. He glanced over at the huge Welcome to Reefside sign and grinned brightly. Not that much left to go.
Quickly putting his helmet back on, the boy started up the bike's engine again and rode past the sign.
Kaitlyn smiled brightly as she and Demi gracefully glided through the ocean floor, taking in sights of the vibrant ocean life. This is what they seriously needed.
For the past 2 weeks, Tommy had Kaitlyn and Demi, along with the other Rangers spending their weekends training, despite the fact that Mesogog had been pretty quietly lately.
"Guys, I know it looks like Mesogog's given up but trust me, they never do, not until the final battle," those were the exact words the veteran Ranger had chosen after the second weekend of training when everyone, expect for Demi, had started to announce their complaints about it. But luckily today, the science teacher had decided to give them the weekend off so he and Hayley could focus on locating another Dino Zord egg.
It was about 2 hours later that the mermaid pair decided they had had enough for the day and torpedoed back to the secluded part of the beach they had chosen, and once their tails were dried off, went over laid on their beach towels to do a little sun tanning.
"God, I seriously needed that!" Kaitlyn stated with a happy sigh, lying on her stomach like a perfectly content cat who was ready for a mid-afternoon nap.
"I couldn't agree with you more," Demi grinned, leaning against her hands. "I just can't believe how fast you were out there!" She stated, clearly still amazed by the speed that the Silver Ranger had shown out in the water. Kaitlyn grinned with a shrug.
"Meh, I was alright," she said, then smiled. "but if you want to see fast, you really should see Emma and Rikki, they practically blew me and Cleo clear out of the water," Kaitlyn laughed, remembering all the times that she and the other girls had race to see who was the fastest, which always became a tie between both Emma and Rikki, who were both always hell bent determined to show that they were faster than each other.
"It must've been really nice to have friends to do that with," Demi muttered sadly, and Kaitlyn looked up at her with sympathetic eyes. Before she had moved here to Reefside from Ireland, Demi, whom had only been a mermaid for a short while was forced to learn the ropes all by herself.
"Hey cheer up, you're not alone anymore," Kaitlyn smiled, giving the Purple Ranger's shoulder a light tap and shot her a wink, Demi smiled weakly back. "and hey, I know Emma and the others will absolutely love you once you get to meet them."
"You really think so?" Demi asked, though she had to admit it herself, she was pretty eager and anxious to meet the trio that was supposed to be exactly like her.
"I know so," Kaitlyn nodded, then smiled sheepishly. "though I really should warn you, both Emma and Rikki can get pretty hotheaded at times, especially when it comes to dealing with each other."
"They're really that bad?" Demi raised an eyebrow.
"Only when they're arguing," Kaitlyn shrugged, then grinned mischievously. "Cleo and I think they mostly argue with each other because they personally represent their powers really well."
"They're the ones that can control Ice and Fire, right?" Demi asked curiously, Kaitlyn nodded. "hmm, I could see why they would argue a lot, they're pretty much polar opposites"
"That's pretty much the gist of their relationship," Kaitlyn giggled.
"So, speaking of friends... when exactly are we going to tell the others?" Kaitlyn's smile instantly dropped as she rolled over on her back and sat up with a sad sigh. During the very night that she joined the team, Kaitlyn had told Demi that the other Rangers didn't know about her being a mermaid.
"Honestly, I don't know," she replied softly, hugging her knees tightly against her chest. "I mean I know I should've told them the day we became Rangers, but I was too busy trying to process and get used to the whole idea of being a superhero that I guess it was just easier not to tell them..." It was pretty clear in the Silver Ranger bright hazel eyes that lying to the other Rangers whom all had proven to be completely trust worthy to the fullest was eating her up inside.
"Hey, I know they'll be upset at first, but they'll understand," Demi assured. "I mean it's not like they can't disagree they're not in the same sort of situation as us."
"I sure hope so," Kaitlyn sighed, pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Cause, I'm pretty sure the others are starting to catch on that we're keeping something from them..." She muttered. Ever since Demi had joined the team the others were getting even more suspicious of her.
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something?" Demi asked, deciding to change the subject.
"Sure, go ahead" Kaitlyn nodded.
"Are you and Conner dating?" Demi asked simply, if she had been drinking something at that very moment, the taller mermaid would've nearly choked on it. Though the same stunned bright red faced expression was on her face as she whirled her head to face the Purple Ranger.
"W-what what would make you think something like that?" she stammered out, her face still bright red.
"Well, the way Conner practically glued himself to you after you got knocked out that I just thought" Demi trailed, and the heat Kaitlyn felt in her face grew even hotter. It was true, during the first few days after the battle with Frogador, the Red Ranger had pretty much been at her side nearly 24/7, from taking her to and from school to hanging out until she practically had to force him to go home. Although there was some strange part of her that actually enjoyed all the attention she was getting from him, the Silver Ranger was already sick of it. She already had enough people in her life that were overprotective, she so didn't need another one.
"No way," Kaitlyn shook her head, waving her hands frantically. "Conner and I are just really good friends, that's all!" she insisted, though she was still blushing. Why the heck was she still blushing?
"You sure?" Demi asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow. "don't you like him?"
"Of course I like him" Kaitlyn shot back, the satisfied smirk she saw on Demi's face made her realize how it sounded. "as a friend…" she muttered, blushing brightly even more. As the Purple Ranger went to say something, the pair heard Kaitlyn's phone go off.
"Literally saved by the bell," Kaitlyn thought, internally sighing with relief. She quickly dug through her beach bag until she found her phone. "hello?" she answered, and nodded as she listened to the caller. "uh okay, I'm on my way now. See you soon" Kaitlyn said, hanging up.
"Who was that?" Demi asked.
"My aunt Delia," Kaitlyn answered, getting up. "sorry but she wants me home now for some reason" she told her, gathering her stuff and packing it up.
"Nah, it's okay," Demi waved her off before glancing at her watch. "besides I've got to get going too. I'm meeting Kira over at Hayley's" she said, getting up and packing up her stuff as well.
"Oh?" Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow. "what for?"
"Just to hang out," Demi told her quickly, and Kaitlyn could've sworn she looked nervous.
"Uh okay," Kaitlyn frowned, again raising an eyebrow at the shorter girl. "Do you mind dropping me off at my house?" she asked.
"Nah, I don't mind," Demi smiled, slipping her beach bag on.
"Thanks," Kaitlyn grinned, and the pair headed for Demi's car.
Walking up the walkway to the house, Kaitlyn tried push out the wondering thoughts from her earlier conversation with Demi about what she thought was going on between her and Conner. Although she did have to admit, there was a small fragment of her that had really thought about where her feelings for Conner were going, especially during the past couple of weeks. But she always pushed them away, now just wasn't the time to think or worry about her love life. First, she had to figure out how to tell the other Rangers that she was a mermaid, then after somehow managing to do that and if there was still somewhat resemblance of trust between them, that Kaitlyn would start thinking about where both her feelings and Conner really stood.
"Ugh, when did my life get this kind of complicated," she grumbled under her breath, walking up and opening the door. "Aunt Delia" Kaitlyn called, after shutting the front door. "I'm home!"
"In the kitchen!" Her aunt called. Kaitlyn headed for the kitchen, ready to find out what was the big reason for her to come home so early in the day. But when she entered the kitchen, the Silver Ranger's eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she saw a tall dark haired boy, 18, standing in the middle of the room smiling brightly at her.
"Nick!" Kaitlyn squealed, running over and wrapping herself around the boy who gladly accepted the hug as he lifted her up. "What are you doing here?" she asked, once he put her down.
"What? A guy can't come and visit his favorite sister?" Nick grinned, and Kaitlyn smiled brightly at him.
"You know Jessica would totally kick your ass if she heard you say that," she teased, and her brother laughed.
"Well, it's a good thing she isn't here then," Nick winked, making both his sister and aunt laugh.
"Now Nick, you know that isn't a very nice thing to say about your older sister," Delia mused, Kaitlyn giggled while her brother blushed lightly.
"Anyway, I was thinking of going out and grabbing a bite to eat," Nick said. "wanna come along?"
"Sure, I'd love to," Kaitlyn smiled. "In fact I know the perfect place. Just let me go get changed first and we'll go" quickly rushing upstairs and into her bedroom, Kaitlyn emerged 5 minutes later, wearing black jeans, a silver tank top under a jean vest.
"Ready to go?" Nick asked, as Kaitlyn walked down the stairs. his sister nodded, and after telling Delia that they would be back before dark, the two sibling's headed out.
Demi sat at the bar in Hayley's café along with Kira, the two clearly working on something secret.
"So, I've got the music pretty much covered," Kira said, writing something down in her notebook. "what about the decorations and food?" the Yellow Ranger asked.
"I've got the decorations handled and I talked to Hayley earlier, and she said that she had the food covered," Demi told her, making the singer grin.
"Great," Kira said, then turned serious. "and you're absolutely sure that she has no clue on what we're doing?"
"Absolutely," the Purple Ranger assured her. "She's got no idea what we've got planned for tomorrow," she winked, and Kira only managed to grin softly, still not 100% sure that they could pull this off without getting caught. Suddenly a motorcycle carrying two people could be seen/heard from outside of the café. "hey, wonder who those two could be?" Demi questioned, watching the two passengers get off the bike. However, when she saw who one of the passengers was, the mermaid gasped in alarm.
"Oh Crap!" Demi muttered, then quickly spotted Trent and gestured for his attention. "you've got to hide these!" she told him, handing the two notebooks to Trent, who hid them underneath the counter bar right as Kaitlyn walked into the café followed by the motorcycle driver whom looked strangely familiar to the two girls.
"Uh Kira, do you know who that guy she's talking to?" Demi asked with a whisper, watching the pair talk.
"Not a clue?" the Yellow Ranger shrugged, clearly just as clueless as she was and maybe slightly intrigued by the mysterious guy.
"it's probably a good thing that Conner's not here to see this," Demi thought, sensing that if the Red Ranger, who was currently at soccer practice saw the way Kaitlyn was laughing and smiling at the guy, it wouldn't have been pleasant.
"Quick turnaround! They're coming over here!" Kira hissed, turning her head back to the counter.
"Hey guys," the two girl's quickly turned around to see Kaitlyn and the motorcycle driver standing together. "I'd like you guys to meet my brother Nick" she introduced, and Demi and Kira stared at her in shock. "Nick, this is Kira, Demi, and Trent" Nick shook hands with the three as he smiled brightly at them.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Hey," Kira, Demi and Trent grinned brightly at the tall 18 year old.
"So, you're Kaitlyn's brother, I thought there was something familiar about you" Kira said, still grinning brightly at Nick, which didn't go unnoticed by Kaitlyn or Trent who both raised their eyebrows and frowned slightly at the Yellow Ranger. Clearly for the same reason.
"Yeah," Nick nodded, clearly oblivious to the singer's slightly affectionate stare. "I just came to visit this kid for a few days," he grinned, draping an arm over his sister, Kaitlyn rolled her eyes.
"Kid my ass" she scoffed, though she was blushing. "we're barely a year apart!"Kaitlyn pointed out, glaring at her older brother whose smirk didn't falter as he shrugged.
"That doesn't stop you from acting like one," he pointed out, and Kaitlyn stuck her tongue out childishly at him. "See what I've had to put up with for the last 18 and half years?" Nick chuckled, making the others laugh.
"Oh, we sorta have," Kira giggled, and the Silver Ranger shot her a quick glare.
"Hey, I thought we were here to get something to eat?" she frowned, folding her arms. Her brother answered with a simple nod. "Then go talk to Hayley," Kaitlyn said, gesturing toward Hayley, who was the counter. Nick nodded again before walking over to and started talking to the redheaded café owner.
"Why didn't you tell us you had a brother?" Demi asked, as Trent went off to take care of a customer.
"I really don't know," Kaitlyn shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "I guess I've just been so busy that it must have slipped my mind" she sighed quietly, and Demi and Kira nodded in silent agreement and understanding. "Besides, Nick isn't exactly the type of guy who likes to stay in one place for very long..." Kaitlyn said, her eyes on Kira as she said this, the Yellow Ranger raised an eyebrow at her. Suddenly the three girls heard their morpher's, making them freeze and hurry over to a quiet spot.
"Yeah Dr. O?" Demi answered.
"it looks like Mesogog's had enough R&R, we've got a monster at the docks. I've already sent Conner and Ethan over"
"Well, there goes our R&R…" Kira groaned.
"Guys, I can't just leave, Nick will know something's up" Kaitlyn bit her lip nervously, glancing at her brother, whom was still talking with Hayley. "just call me if you guys really need me, okay?" the pair nodded and headed out of the café right as Nick started to head towards her.
"Hey, where are those two off in such a rush?" he asked.
"They just remembered they had something really important to care of," Kaitlyn mumbled quickly, her brother raised an eyebrow at her but chose not to say anything as they took their seats at a table. As the pair talked while they waited for their order, Kaitlyn couldn't help but steal a few guilty glances at the doorway, worried about her friends.
Demi and Kira arrived at the docks and found Conner and Ethan morphed and busy fighting what looked to be an octopus like creature.
"Hey, where's Kaitlyn?" Conner called, blocking a hit with his Tyranno-Staff.
"She couldn't get away," Kira replied. "but she told us to call her as soon as we need her"
"Well hurry up and morph," Ethan called, reeling from a kick to the chest. "cause this guy isn't exactly being a walk in the park right now!" he told them and the two girls nodded as they called on their morpher's.
"Dino Thunder Power Up, ha!"
"Ptera!"
"Hypa!" morphed into their Ranger suits, Kira and Demi summoned their weapons and ran at Octoricon, but the monster quickly fired off an energy blast at the two, sending both Ranger girls flying to the ground with a cry.
"Okay, that was a seriously bad idea," Demi moaned, gripping her shoulder as it raged with pain. The boys quickly rushed over and helped them up. "Come on guys, we need to take this freak down!" she told them, and the three nodded before they all ran for the monster together, completely unaware of a plan that involved one of their own was about to be set into motion.
Kaitlyn and Nick walked together through Reefside Park, having due to Kaitlyn's insistent that it was the perfect day for it.
"So, have you talked to mom and dad at all lately?" Nick asked.
"Yeah, I got to talk to them last week," Kaitlyn nodded, remembering the phone conversation she had with their parents, who were both archeologist and currently out on several archeological digs through Europe. "They said they're about to head over to a dig site in Athens in a couple days"
"That's really cool," her brother grinned. "hope they have a great time."
"Yeah, I do too…" Kaitlyn nodded, smiling softly. Though she loved living with Delia, there wasn't a moment that went by that she didn't miss her parent's. Suddenly a familiar beep went off, making the Silver Ranger eyes widen and cover bracelet with her hand as Nick looked around, frowning.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Um…that was my alarm" Kaitlyn replied, biting the inside of her cheek. Her brother raised an eyebrow at her.
"Your alarm?"
"Oh yeah, I use it for school," Kaitlyn lied, and Nick eyed her suspiciously. "in fact, I've got this huge project that I really should be working on right now, it's due like next week"
"But—"
"Look, I'll see ya back at the house later, okay?" she promised quickly, giving her extremely confused brother a quick peck on the cheek before rushing off to help the others.
Fully morphed and weapon ready, Kaitlyn arrived at the docks in time to see the other four Rangers get sent to the ground.
"Hey ugly, take this!" Kaitlyn called, pointing and shooting an arrow at Octoricon, sending the monster flying through the air with a surprised cry.
"About time you got here," Ethan said, as he and the other three reached her.
"Sorry I took so long guys," Kaitlyn apologized, smiling weakly underneath her helmet.
"Ah, just the Ranger I've been waiting for," the five quickly turned their heads to see that Octoricon was back up again and smirking at Kaitlyn, making the Rangers frown in confusion. What was this guy up to?
Pushing the confusion aside, Kaitlyn quickly jumped high into the air, as she went to fire off another arrow, one of Octoricon's black tentacles shot out and wrapped itself tightly around her waist, making the mermaid cry out painfully as the air was slowly being squeezed out of her lungs.
"No, please not again…" she panicked, her vision began to become blurry.
"Let her go now!" Conner snarled, underneath his helmet, his eyes blazed with a protective rage. The monster just laughed as he brought the struggling Silver Ranger closer to him.
"Sorry, but the big boss has plans for this one" Octoricon laughed, jumping into an Invisiportal with Kaitlyn as the five Rangers screamed out their horrors.
Dun Dun Dunnn! What an absolute shocking turn of events! I for one didn't expect this! (well…not until the idea popped into my head anyway)
Well my lovelies I must be off, remember to review or PM me your opinion's.
Aquaprincess3 signing out ;)
