Chapter 10 – Bat Out Of Hell
June 14 1995 – Angel Grove Youth Center
A few weeks had passed since Jason and Billy's return from the future and things had quietened down. There had been a few monster attacks but nothing too serious. Most importantly school had finished for the summer and the teens were taking full advantage. Jason, Tommy, Rocky and Adam all had early morning classes which were due to start any minute.
They were completing their warm ups when a voice called over to them, "Hey guys knew you'd be here".
They turned around and Aimi was walking towards them, judging by her attire of a strappy top and cut off denim shorts she wasn't due at work today.
"Hey Aimi", Rocky began, "is it casual Friday or something".
"Very funny, it's Cassie's birthday tomorrow and as a pre birthday treat I'm taking her to the beach down in Blue Bay Harbor". She began fishing around in her handbag trying desperately to find something, "come on I know they're in here somewhere".
"I don't want to rush you but some of our students are beginning to arrive", Jason said as he saw a couple of youngsters coming through the doors of the Youth Center.
"Ah ha, got you", she said triumphantly as she pulled a set of keys out her bag. "I need your help decorating my apartment for Cassie's surprise party tomorrow and the girls said you'd be more than willing to help". She threw her keys at Rocky who wasn't prepared to receive them, they hit his chest and fell to the floor.
Tommy bent down to pick them up, "Is their some kind of reward for sacrificing a day of our summer break to spend it inside".
Aimi shook her head, "Other than my eternal gratitude, only this". She pulled a piece of paper out of her bag and handed it to Tommy, "I don't think you want to know how many laws I broke to get this".
The boys huddled around Tommy to read the paper but they all looked confused, "What is this?" Adam asked.
"We did a background check on your teacher, Marcus Bentley, this is what came back", Aimi replied.
"But it just says no results"
"That's because Marcus Bentley didn't exist until last September", Aimi said as she poked the piece of paper with her finger. "We're doing some more checks but it looks like a false identity".
The teen looked amongst themselves, not really sure what to think. One of the teachers in their school was an imposter, they needed to tell the others as soon as possible.
At that moment Cassie stuck her head around the door of the Youth Center, "Come on Aunt Aimi or we'll get stuck in traffic", she called out.
"Coming Cass", she responded to her niece before turning back to the others, "don't forget about my apartment", she said to the teens as she crossed the floor of the youth Center. "And don't touch my food Rocky", she added before walking out.
Rocky looked a little sheepish as the others laughed at him, "What, I don't eat that much".
Road to Blue Bay Harbor
Cassie and Aimi had been travelling for about an hour and were probably about half way to the seaside town of Blue Bay Harbor. It was popular amongst the locals for its sandy beaches and excellent surfing conditions. Aimi had cranked the stereo up in her convertible and Cassie was singing along to one of the songs on the radio.
"I think your voice is getting better Cass", Aimi commented.
"Thanks", she responded, "it would help if you picked a different station".
"And what's wrong with this one?"
"It's all full of cheesy power ballards", Cassie responded, "I mean who listens to Foreigner or Journey anymore".
"Oi", Aimi exclaimed, "they were popular when I was your age".
Cassie snorted, "Yeah so was hunting woolly mammoths".
"I'm not that much older than you", Aimi said with mock hurt in her voice, "I can turn this car around you know".
Cassie laughed, "I was only joking Aunt Aimi", she responded. She gazed out at the passing scenery for a few minutes deep in thought, "I wish Mom could be here".
Aimi sighed, she had been looking after Cassie as her nominated guardian for the last few months. Just after Christmas her older sister Mai-Lynn, Cassie's mom, said that she had to temporarily relocate to China for the foreseeable future. Part of her company's business wasn't doing so well and they had sent her out to try and problem solve. Not wanting to move Cassie away during the school year, she asked Aimi to look after her.
"I know Cass and I'm sure she wants to be here too", Aimi replied, "but you have me and Gran and you're friends as well".
"Yeah I know, but it's not the same", Cassie replied downheartedly.
Before Aimi could comfort her further, laser fire exploded around the car. She managed to keep control and looked in the rear view mirror. They were being chased by a motorbike but it wasn't being ridden by anything human. The bike was mainly white with red and blue stripes. The body of the rider seemed to be fused to the bike and he laughed manically as he fired off another round of lasers.
"What the hell is that", Cassie exclaimed as she caught sight of the bike chasing them. Aimi said nothing as she swerved to try and keep out of its sights.
Deciding the lasers weren't working, the monster started ramming the car from behind. Aimi gritted her teeth as she struggled to keep the car pointed in a straight line. The monster lined up for one more charge and caught the car on the bumper directly behind one of the rear wheels. It spun across the road and into the dirt at the just off to the side. It rotated twice, scrubbing off a lot of speed but it couldn't avoid a post that was at the side of the road. The car hit the post and spun once more, coming to rest in the wasteland beside the road.
The monster pulled off the road and stopped alongside the wreck. The car was bent in at the front and the passengers were both unconscious. A flash of light appeared in the sky as Goldar and a fleet of Doros appeared next to the car.
"You have done well Kenevil", Goldar said, "Lord Zedd will be pleased". He turned to the Doros, "take these two somewhere safe", Goldar added. The Doros lifted Aimi and Cassie out of the car and they disappeared in a flash of light.
Command Center
The rangers had been alerted by Zordon to the latest monster attack and they had assembled in the Command Center. They were observing Aimi and Cassie, who were imprisoned in a cave, on the viewing globe. They were surrounded by Doros Soldiers and Kenevil was patrolling outside the cave.
"I don't understand why they would kidnap Aimi and Cassie", Kim commented.
"They're vulnerable target", Billy replied, "Aimi has the connection to us and sadly so does Cassie by extension".
Tommy turned to face Zordon, "Any idea what this monster was created from?"
"It appears to be a motorcycle with special abilities", Zordon began, "it has high speed, mobility and agility. I believe our friend Xander may have some more answers".
Xander's face appeared in the viewing globe, "Nope that about covered it Zordon. The bike once belonged to Evel Knievel, hence the stars and stripes design".
"So it's another artefact?" Adam asked.
Xander nodded, "Sadly yes, some of the stuntman's mojo must've rubbed off on his bike".
"Rangers I think you will need help with this one", Zordon began. "Firstly your new Shark Cycles are ready to be used. They will help you keep up with the Knievil monster".
With a flash six motorcycles in the rangers colours appeared in the Command Center. All of them had a tall spoiler at the back in the shape of shark's fin. "Morph now and teleport to the meet the monster, Alpha and I will co-ordinate the rescue of your friends", Zordon added.
Tommy nodded and everyone shuffled into position, "It's morphin' time"
"White ranger power"
"Black ranger power"
"Pink ranger power"
"Blue ranger power"
"Yellow ranger power"
"Red ranger power"
As the rangers teleported away, Zordon turned his gaze to Xander in the viewing globe. "I will instruct Alpha to contact Jason and Trini, they teleport to the cave and rescue the others".
"But what about Cassie?" Xander asked.
"They will know to hide their identities", Zordon replied. He paused before continuing, "Alexander whilst I can't stop you and Kristopher from helping, I would caution you against it. This is a potentially dangerous situation".
"Hasn't stopped us so far", Xander deadpanned, "Our friend and colleague is a prisoner, we can't just leave her there".
Zordon nodded, "Very well, may the power protect you all".
Unknown cave
Aimi rubbed her head as she sat up slowly, her eyes stung as they adjusted to the light. She looked around to get her bearings and found she was in a cave with a high ceiling. There was an exit in both directions but she couldn't see any daylight. The only light was coming from a hole in the cave a hundred feet above her.
"Great stuck in another cave, yay me", she commented as she stretched her limbs to see if anything was broken. She had a throbbing head and pain in the side of her rib cage, possibly from a broken rib.
Looking behind her she noticed a figure with long black hair behind her, "Cassie", she shrieked and she dashed to her niece's side. Aimi checked her pulse and was relieved to find one. She quickly checked Cassie over for obvious injuries, apart from some scrapes and bruises she seemed to be ok.
Aimi went for her cell phone and then the communicator that Billy had made for her. She then remembered she had left them both in the car. She didn't want to go off searching as it would mean leaving Cassie behind. Without any means to contact the outside world she could only hope that someone knew where to find her.
Outside the cave her rescue party, which consisted of Jason, Trini, Kris and Xander, were looking at the cave entrance from behind some shrub land. To hide their identities, Jason had lent the others some of his red karate uniforms to act like ninja robes. They had hidden their identity behind some ski masks that Trini had lying around.
"Ok it looks like there's about 10 Doros protecting the cave", Jason commented.
"How are we gonna get past them", Xander added, "neither of us are as skilled in martial arts as you", he continued as he pointed to himself and Kris.
"That's why we're going to us a technique called the magnet", Kris replied. "Xander your job once we're in position is to whistle very loudly".
Xander looked surprised, "That's it?"
Kris nodded and he led Trini and Jason to another area about 50 feet away. When they were set Kris nodded and Xander whistled very loudly. This got the Doros' attention and they headed over to Xander's position. Catching sight of him, they picked up speed and ran over to Xander. After seeing the blue suited villains charging at him, Xander starting running in the opposite direction.
"And that ladies and gentlemen is the magnet", Kris commented. The two teens laughed and walked inside the cave.
After a few minutes walking they came to the well lit section where the two girls were. As they stepped into the light they saw Aimi still kneeling over Cassie.
"Aimi thank god we found you", Jason called out.
She turned about and saw three figures dressed in red clothes, some of which clearly didn't fit the wearer, "Jason?" she asked hesitantly, vaguely recognising the voice.
"Yeah and Trini and Kris too", he replied.
"You're making a habit of getting imprisoned in a cave Miyamoto", Kris commented.
"Bite me Kris and help me move Cassie"
"Is she ok?" Trini asked.
"I think so", Aimi responded, "just knocked out". Jason bent down and lifted Cassie off the ground bridal style. The group carefully made their way back out of the cave and into the daylight. Sadly the Doros and caught onto Xander's diversion and were immediately outside the cave entrance. The Knievil monster and also moved closer, dragging the rangers with him.
"Good plan Kris", Xander called out sarcastically, "next time you can be the bad guy magnet".
The Doros started moving toward the group who had emerged from the cave. "You good to fight?" Kris asked Aimi.
"Yeah I can still point and shoot", she replied. Kris gave her one of the agencies sonic pistols and she started firing. Jason carefully put Cassie down safely in the entrance of the cave and he and Trini starting firing their ninja lasers.
The rangers meanwhile had gotten off their Shark Cycles and were trying to pin Knievil down. Aisha was able to use her ninja streak to keep up with the monster but he was too fast for them. The rangers were knocked down again with another shot from Knievil's laser.
"He's too strong", Rocky commented.
Just then Billy came up with an idea, "Tommy how are you coming along with your elemental powers?"
"Not bad, why?"
"I have an idea", Billy began, "Aisha I'll need you as well". The yellow ranger moved a bit closer to Billy, "Can you use your ninja streak to get the monster to chase you?"
"Should be able to", Aisha replied.
"Good, I'll make a patch of ground really wet-"
"And I can freeze it", Tommy interrupted.
"Precisely", Billy replied, "The bikes wheels should lose traction making it temporarily vulnerable".
The other two rangers nodded, Aisha did her part and got the monster to chase after her. Billy summoned his control over water and made a large puddle. Tommy froze the puddle using his ice powers and the others stepped back.
"Look out here they come", Adam called out. Aisha led the monster towards the puddle and was able to jump over it. Knievil couldn't avoid the puddle, it slipped on the ice and crashed onto its side.
"Quickly elemental strike", Tommy called out. Each of the rangers charged their ninja swords with their respective element and sent a multi-coloured blast at the monster. It struck dead on and the monster exploded into a ball of fire.
Back with the others, they had gotten rid of most of the Doros. Jason and Trini found them to be more resilient than the putties but fortunately, they were just as stupid. The agents were picking them off one at a time until the last one fell. The rangers caught up with the group but just as they did, Tommy noticed that they had missed one. It was sneaking up behind Aimi with it sword drawn ready to strike, "Aimi look out", he called.
Aimi turned around just as the Doros was about to bring its sword done when it was struck from behind with a kick to the head. The Doros fell to the ground and the group saw Cassie standing where the monster had been. She looked at the group in front of her, the Power Rangers, four figures dressed in badly fitting ninja style robes and her aunt. "I hope this is some concussion induced illusion, if not you've got some serious explaining to do Aunt Aimi", Cassie said.
Before Aimi could respond, the Knievil monster grew giant sized. Aimi decide to use this to her advantage, "Come on let's get out of here first", she grabbed Cassie's hand and then Trini's and the group teleported away.
The next day – Aimi's Apartment
Cassie hadn't said a word to her aunt since she had been teleported away from the scene and straight to Angel Grove hospital. Even on the ride back home she said nothing and went straight to bed. She hadn't even commented that the front room was half decorated for her birthday.
Aimi decided to have the celebration anyway and soon her friends began to arrive. She had decided to invite the rangers teen as well, manly as a thank you for their hard work. Aimi laughed as Rocky gave her a thumbs up for the choice of food on offer. She was then approached by two teenage girls with long brown hair, one was wearing a yellow summer dress, the other baggy black jeans and blue t-shirt. They were Cassie's best friends, Ashley Hammond and Charlie Stewart.
"Hey Aimi we heard about the accident, are you both ok?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah other than a few bruises we're ok", Aimi responded, "I think Cassie's still shaken up, she hasn't come out of her room all day".
"Don't worry we'll talk to her", Charlie replied and the two girls headed off to Cassie's room. Aimi sighed she didn't know what to tell her niece, she didn't even know how much she knew.
"Have you told her anything yet?" Aimi heard Tommy ask her, she turned around to face the white ranger.
"Not yet, I think she's still in shock", Aimi commented.
"Don't worry things will work out", he replied. Tommy then nodded his head in the direction of Cassie room, she had emerged with Ashley and Charlie in tow. Aimi made her way over to her niece and gave her a hug.
"Happy birthday Cass", Aimi said.
Cassie smiled in thanks, "Can we talk?" she asked.
Aimi nodded and the two headed into Cassie's room. The two sat on Cassie bed, each waiting for the other to speak. Finally Cassie spoke, "I know that your job isn't what you say it is". Aimi began to respond but Cassie held up her hand to stop her, "I'm not going to say anything about this".
Aimi breathed a sigh of relief, "Look Cass I hate keeping secrets from you but I can't tell you what I do".
"Whatever you do means you can hit a moving target with a gun and have the Power Rangers on speed dial, it must be pretty cool", Cassie responded.
"Yeah it has its moments", Aimi said with a smile. "Thank you for being so understanding".
Cassie nodded and hugged her aunt again. When she had finished, she pulled Aimi up by the hand, "Now let's celebrate, I've got presents to open", she said and dragged Aimi out of her room.
A/N – Little bit of a transistional chapter because something big is coming. In response to a guest reviewer Megajet, yes there will be more elements from Kakuranger. In fact the next chapter will introduce something from that series.
Also in response to Son of Whitebeard's review to the last chapter, you're not a million miles away, but I'm not saying any more than that.