Chapter 11 – In Bloom

July 1 1995 – Moon Palace

Lord Zedd sat on his throne gazing down at the Earth many miles away. Ever since he had taken over from Rita Repulsa, he had suffered nothing but a string of failures. He had lost one of his best and most feared warriors and he had been physically disfigured by the rangers. To add to his frustration Rita's father, Master Vile, was on his way to oust him from the leadership position. It was giving him a headache to rival one of Rita Repulsa's. He needed to take drastic action if he was to reclaim his title of the Emperor of Evil and he had just the weapons he needed.

"Goldar", he bellowed, "bring me the Crystals of the Nusiachi".

He didn't receive a response but he knew that his most trusted servant was carrying out his orders. After a few minutes, Goldar strode into the throne room and knelt before his master. In his hands was a large wooden box with Japanese symbols carved onto the lid.

"Here are the crystals my Lord", Goldar said.

"Excellent", Lord Zedd responded as he caressed the top of the box, "this is just what I need".

"If I may speak freely my Lord", Goldar began, keeping his head bowed, "I have heard the legends about the powers these crystals contain. How can we be sure they will follow our orders".

"You dare question me you rattling rust bucket", Lord Zedd bellowed, "I will infuse them with my power, they will show loyalty only to me".

Lord Zedd opened the box to reveal a velvet lined interior. Sitting on the velvet were five crystal flowers in different colours, pink, blue, dark green, orange and purple. He picked up the pink one and inspected it, "Yes, such power". He placed the flower on the floor and did the same with the other four flowers. He charged up his staff and fired energy into the flowers. They glowed with their respective colours and exploded in a flash of flower petals and cherry bloom.

Lord Zedd laughed manically to himself, "The rangers won't know what hit them, soon the universe will tremble at the very mention of the name Lord Zedd again. Then I will be rid of the plague of Master Vile and his rotten offspring".

Goldar said nothing and just stared at the five shadowy figures. If they were as powerful as the legends stated, he would soon have his chance to take his vengeance on the Power Rangers.

Angel Grove Youth Center

It was early in the morning down in Angel Grove and the Youth Center wasn't technically open yet. However inside, the gymnastic high beam had been pulled out into the middle of the work out area. Kim was dressed in her gymnastic leotard and she was going through her latest routine. Observing from the bar area were Trini, Aisha and Ernie. The owner of the Youth Center finished mixing three shakes and placed two of them in front of Trini and Aisha.

"Thanks again for opening up early for us Ernie", Trini said.

"Think nothing of it girls", Ernie began, "anything to help a promising young athlete".

"And your best customers", Aisha joked, the others laughed at this and continued to watch Kim. She moved with speed and grace on the beam, completing a forward somersault before turned around at the end of the beam. She let out a deep breath and began the dismount part of her routine. Building up speed down the beam, she performed another front somersault before twisting in the air and landing on the mats perfectly. With her arms stretched skywards she let out a small cheer to herself.

"Woo go Kim", Trini called out as she led the others in a round of applause. Kim smiled as she picked up her towel and wiped the sweat off her face. She pulled on a sweatshirt and sneakers and made her way over to the others.

"That looked fantastic Kim", Ernie commented.

"Thanks but I messed up during the middle part of the routine", Kim sighed.

"Don't be so hard on yourself girl", Aisha added.

"I need to be Aisha", Kim began, "the regional trials are less than two weeks away, it's an important step for me to reach my goal".

The other three looked at each others, Kim had never mentioned a gymnastics related target before, "What goal?" Trini asked.

Kim sighed, "I haven't told anyone this, not even Tommy. Promise me you won't say anything to the others yet". Trini, Aisha and Ernie nodded, so she continued, "I want to compete at the Olympics in Atlanta next year. It's going to be hard for me as I haven't had a proper coach in years. I figured that if I can win the regionals and make to the state championships that the US team will take notice".

"I think that's great", Trini started, "you're the best gymnast I've seen", The other two nodded in agreement.

Kim blushed, "Thanks guys", she turned her head to address Ernie, "thanks again for letting me use the gym before you opened".

"Think nothing of it Kim", Ernie replied, "anything to help a potential member of Team USA".

"Well I'm not there yet Ernie, let me help you pack the equipment up".

"Don't worry about it Kim, you three go and enjoy the rest of the day. And here", he slid a drink across to Kim, "on the house".

"Thanks Ernie", Kim called out and she led the other girls out of the Youth Center. They walked across the car park and towards the park.

"So what are we going to do with the rest of the day?" Aisha asked.

"Well firstly I need a shower because I reek", Kim commented, "how about the going to the lake as it's a nice day".

"Sounds good, I'm heading over to Billy's first", Trini began, "he's got some figures he wants me to look at for a project of his".

"Hmm sure he had", Kim replied with a smile, "I think there's only one figure he wants to check out".

Trini slapped Kim on the arm, "Don't be crude Kim", she and Aisha broke out into a fit of giggles.

As they were laughing, Kim suddenly stopped walking and looked around. The others stopped as well and looked back at the pink ranger, "Is everything all right?" Aisha asked.

"I dunno", Kim responded pensively, "I thought I heard something". The sound of high pitched laughed echoed across the park and the three girls looked around for the source of the sound. "You heard that too didn't you?" Kim asked the others, they nodded back in agreement.

"Yeah but where did it come from", Aisha added as her eyes scanned the park.

The sound of laugher rang out again, much louder this time. Flower petals began falling on to the girls, only a few to begin with but gradually more began to rain down on them.

"This is too creepy", Trini commented as the trio huddled closer together. A loud explosion knocked the girls off their feet and they fell into a heap on the floor. As they struggled to sit up they saw five shadows in the smoke cloud in front of them.

As he smoke cleared, they saw five feminine figures in grey mini dresses. They were wearing black calf length boots and a grey helmet. Their faces were obscured by a coloured scarf, each one had a different colour. The one in the front had a pink scarf and the ones flanking her had a blue, green, orange and purple scarf. Even though you could only see their eyes, they could see that these strangers were oriental. Perhaps the most worrying aspect for their appearance was the swords strapped to their back.

Kim, Aisha and Trini slowly stood up and stared at the new comers, "What no hello?" Kim called out sarcastically.

The one with the pink scarf snorted with laugher, "So you share my colour, what a disappointment", she called out.

The girls stiffened at this comment, somehow these strangers knew that Kim was the pink ranger. Deciding to feint ignorance, Kim called out, "I think you've gotten the wrong people".

"We'll see", the one in front said. She indicated to the one's wearing the orange and green scarf, "Yuri, Jun you take the yellows, I've got miss pink here". Without warning and with great speed they attacked the trio.

It was clear the mysterious warriors were highly skilled in martial arts. Yuri unleashed a barrage of kicked on Aisha that knocked the yellow ranger on her back in a matter of seconds. Jun easily dodged an attempt roundhouse kick from Trini and landed one of her own. Trini staggered backwards but didn't fall. She lined up a spin kick but Jun easily avoided this and almost in one fluid motion she hit Trini in the back, sending her falling to the ground.

Kim tried using her unorthodox gymnastics based offence on the pink warrior but it didn't faze her at all. She grabbed Kim by the throat and lifted her off the ground. Kim struggled to break free but the grip her captor had was too tight. With a dismissive laugh, Kim was thrown across the park and she landed on top of her friends.

"These are the famous Power Rangers, what a joke", Jun taunted.

"Yeah I didn't even break a sweat, did you Sakura", Yuri addressed the one in pink.

"Not even warmed up yet", Sakura added as the three fell back in line with the others.

Kim rubbed the back of her head as she untangled herself from her friends, "Are you ok?"

"Other than wounded pride yeah", Trini replied.

"Trini go back to the Command Center, alert Zordon and the others. Kim and I will try and hold them off", Aisha added.

Trini nodded and hit the teleport button on her communicator and she disappeared in a column of grey light. The two rangers slowly stood up and faced off against their opponents. "Shall we take this up a level Aisha", Kim called over to her friend. Aisha nodded and they both swung their right arm behind their backs, "It's morphin time", Kim called.

"Pink ranger power"

"Yellow ranger power"

The two girls morphed and drew their ninja swords. Sakura just shook her head and laughed, "Neat trick, you're not the only ones who can do that".

The five rival ninjas thrust their arms out straight to their sides and then brought their hand together in front of their chests. "Nusiachi power", they all called and in a burst of flower petals they transformed into power suits of their own. The arms, legs and helmets were the same colour as their scarves. They now wearing knee high black boots and elbow length black gloves. The body of the suits were a black leotard with a white V shape starting from their shoulders and stopping mid chest. The helmets were now full face covering, complete with black visors.

"Feared across the ancient world, imprisoned for centuries. The Flowery Nusiachi Squadron stands before you". Sakura called out.

"Nice suits", Aisha called out sarcastically.

"Shame they make your butts look big", Kim added.

"Childish taunts", Sakura replied simply. She made a gesture with her arms and shot a blast of petals at the rangers. They struck their suits and exploded on contact knocking the rangers over.

"Ok now I'm pissed", Aisha called as she got up off the floor. She used her ninja streak to attack Sakura but to her surprise the pink Nusiachi did the same, turning into a pink streak. The two streaks of colour clashed with each other a few times before Aisha was thrown across the park by Sakura.

"Fireball strike", Kim called and summoned a ball of fire in her hands. She threw the ball at the blue Nusiachi, but she just pulled out her sword and sliced the fireball in half. The blue warrior charged and Kim and slashed her multiples times with her sword. Kim's suit took the brunt of the impacts but each blow still stung. She too was thrown across the park and landed next to Aisha.

"You dishonour ninja's everywhere with your skills", the blue Nusiachi taunted.

"Easy Remi", Sakura called across, "save your fire for more worthy opponents".

Just then five flashes of light appeared beside Kim and Aisha. It was the others rangers and surprisingly they had bought Ninjor with them.

"Are you both ok", Tommy asked.

"I'll be sore tomorrow", Kim replied, "what's Ninjor doing here".

"He was at the Command Center when we arrived, said he knew who these newcomers were", Tommy responded.

"That's right Tommy and I thought I had seen the last of them", Ninjor called out. His gaze hadn't left the Nusiachi, "It's been a while Sakura", he addressed the leader, "Remi, Jun, Yuri, Mika" he said to the other Nusiachi in turn.

"Well, well Ninjor. Still fat and blue I see", Sakura replied.

Ninjor chose not to reply directly to the taunt, "Last time I saw you five was Japan seven hundred years ago".

"Yes we really need to catch up, that's pocket dimension you trapped us in wasn't very comfortable. It didn't even have complimentary towels".

"I'll raise it with management", Ninjor responded sarcastically.

"I see you're still training teenagers", Mika called out, "didn't work out well last time".

Ninjor stiffened at this comment, it bought up bad memories of his last encounter with the Nusiachi. "What do they mean Ninjor", Adam asked.

"Seven hundred years ago the Nusiachi were brining death and destruction to Japan, just to prove they were the greatest warriors in the world". Ninjor replied.

"Which we are", Jun called out.

"You're definitely the rudest", Ninjor shouted back, "to defeat them I called upon five of my best students. I succeeded in imprisoning the Nusiachi for all eternity but at the cost of my students lives. For my failure to keep them safe I retreated to the Desert of Despair".

"Boring", Yuri interrupted, "I've waited seven hundred years for my revenge".

"We all have", Sakura added, "what do you say Ninjor, for old times sake".

Ninjor nodded and began to advance on the Nusiachi, "We'll help you", Tommy called out.

"No", Ninjor commanded, "I must finish what I started alone".

For a warrior of his size, Ninjor moved extremely quickly and knocked down Jun and Mika with his sword. Remi and Yuri charged at Ninjor with a furious battle cry and tried to strike him at the same time. Ninjor parried both attacks and sliced each of the Nusiachi in quick succession and they fell to the ground.

"Just you and me Sakura", Ninjor said.

Sakura didn't say anything and starting attacking Ninjor with vicious blows from her sword. Ninjor was being pushed back by the assault but his guard remained strong. He was so focused on the pink Nusiachi's attack that he failed to notice that Jun and Mika had gotten up and were creeping up behind him. They slashed him across his back and sent the ninja master to the ground.

"Ninjor, no", Tommy shouted, he powered up his ninja sword, "snow strike". He sent his elemental attack at the Nusiachi but Sakura easily parried it away.

"Stay out of this", she screeched and blasted the rangers with more of her explosive petal attack. The ranger fell to the floor, their suits smoking from the assault.

The Nusiachi closed in menacingly around Ninjor and Remi kicked his sword away, "Finally revenge it ours".

"Now no one will doubt that we are the greatest ninja's who ever lived", Mika added.

Sakura knelt down and stared at Ninjor through the visor of her helmet, "Time for you to suffer the same fate you inflicted on us". She stood up and moved her name rapidly, "Nippo, power of imprisonment". A blue jar appeared in her hands and began sucking Ninjor inside. He tried to fight against the pull by tearing at the grass but it was no use. Ninjor disappeared inside the jar and the lid was secured in place.

The Nusiachi powered down from their battle forms and turned to face the rangers. They were slowly rising to their feet but the beating their opponents had inflicted was clearly taking its toll. "You're brave Power Rangers I'll give you that but you're not at our level. I suggest you stay out of our way", Sakura taunted. With a giggle from her fellow ninja's, they disappeared in a flash of smoke.

The rangers fell to their knees and their morphs gave out on them, returning them to their civilian forms. They were bruised and beaten from the defeat the Nusiachi had inflicted on them.

"I can't believe we lost Ninjor", Tommy choked out.

"They were too strong", Rocky added, "I've never felt anything like that".

"We'd better get back to the Command Center, Zordon needs to know about this". Billy said to the group. They nodded but stayed on their knees, they didn't have the energy to stand. Their spirit were severely damaged, not only had they lost the battle, Ninjor had been taken prisoner. Things look bleak and they needed to regroup and recharge. They pushed a button on their communicator and disappeared in a flash of coloured light.

When they had left, a figure jumped out of a nearby tree. He was wearing a black leather suit that was trimmed with the colour amber. He was wearing a ninja style mask over his face and he had a red and amber colour staff strapped to his back. "The Nusiachi are real", he commented to himself, "looks like I'll need to accelerate mine and Omega's plan". He looked across the park and ninja streaked across the ground in a flash of amber.

A/N – For those of you who follow Super Sentai, you will recognise the Flowery Kunoichi Team from Kakuranger. Having read a number of fanfictions over the years, I can't recall any who included the Kunoichi. I've changed their backstory (which you'll see in the next chapter), so they're not originally cats nor are they part of a harem for Master Vile. I see them more as independent agents, a little bit like Deker in Samurai, they're not interested in taking over the world they just want a fight.

Thank you for the reviews of the last chapter, please keep them coming.