Pink with Envy.

Chapter 11: Shimazu's Return Part I.

"Quiet! Here it comes!" Shane yelled grinning as Totally Talented popped came on the T.V. screen at Storm Charges. The three Wind Rangers sang along with the opening tune before host came on and they sat back with big grins on their faces while Neve sat on the arm of the couch lightly and shook her head. She had never been a huge fan of these things. Reality T.V or any form of game show just wasn't something she was interested in.

"Hi there couch potatoes! Stu Starmaker here and this is the place where dreams become realities!" The host continued to explain the rules of the show, but he was cut off when Kelly turned it off and stood in front of the T.V and Neve chuckled as her friends faces turned into protest and outrage.

"Hey!" the three teens cried.

"What was that for?" Dustin asked and the other nodded wanting to know the same thing.

"This is an action sport shop, there will be no trash T.V. viewing here," she said and after giving them a small smile she returned to the shop floor, greeting customers.

As Kelly left, Blake and Hunter entered the back room and Neve smiled and jumped off the couch arm and almost ninja streaked into Hunter's side. She hadn't seen him a day or so since she'd been grounded for staying out to late. The good thing about having her parents be former Rangers they understood something duty calls but that didn't mean she didn't get punished. The punishment was just lessened, so instead of being grounded a week for being out till three in the morning, she was grounded a day. Hunter smiled at his girlfriend and placed his arm around her. He had missed her in the day he'd not been allowed to see her.

"'Sup guys?" Blake smiled, before frowning turning to point to the TV. "Where's Stu?"

Shane shook his head and sat back against the couch. "Denied!" he sighed and Neve chuckled at the hang dog looks on their faces.

"Well, I was sick of watching it anyway," Hunter said and Neve smiled up at him.

Dustin looked up "Hey, you didnt just bag on Stu? Dude, Neve you've corrupted him!" he cried out and Neveah laughed, she really doubted that.

Hunter smirked and shook his head. "I said I was sick of watching it," he responded and then smugly he continued.

"But not of being on it!" he high-fived his brother and Neve sighed. Just as she thought, a alterier motive for what he had said before.

"What's the deal?" Shane asked, confused.

"There looking for future stars," Blake grinned as he held up a flier.

"We try out next week," he finished.

"What do you guys do?" Dustin laughed.

"Hey!" Blake said defensively. "We do plenty!"

"Hunter, Blake I think they mean, are you any good at what you do? I don't think you can bike around the stage?" Neveah asked, smiling. Blake glared at her and she laughed as Hunter rolled his eyes.

"We have a secret talent," Hunter told her smiling.

"I believe you," she said, leaning up to kiss him. The others eww'd and laughed as the pair pulled back and glared at them. It was so easy to tease those two.

"Hey, Shane you have great voice," Tori said, drawing the attention back to her.

"You should try out!"the Blue Ranger urged and Shane smiled.

"And what about you?" Shane asked. "You're a fierce dancer!"

"Hey, and what about the sax master extraordinaire!" Dustin smiled.

"And Neveah, she has a killer voice and instrument skills!" Shane added smiling at his younger friend. Neve smiled back as she stood at Hunter's side.

"Hey, yo!" Blake interrupted. "You're cutting into our action here."

"Ahh, Blake you can't seriously think they'd miss a thing like this. What about me, you wouldn't ban me from competing would you?" Neve asked innocently with a big pout on her face and teary puppy dog eyes. Hunter blanched, he knew that look it was the one that ended with him going shopping with her for nearly ten hours. It was latter discovered it was his punishment for the stunt he'd pulled with that bike and Motodrone. He's never been so tired in his life – though that could have been the fifty or more bags she'd made him carry and the four floor of shopping mall she'd went through. Some of it wasn't even hers, but her baby brothers who was yet to be born.

"Dude, your screwed," Hunter whispered to his brother and Neve let out a evil cackle reminiscent of her evil laugh from her evil days yet they all could tell this one was in good humor.

"Well, we gotta go practice!" Tori said and the others nodded and Shane, Tori and Dustin dashed out.

"This is so wrong!" Hunter sighed watching them leave and Neve hit him on the arm though playfully and he simply smiled at her.

xXx

Ninja Ops was filled with music and dancing as the Wind rangers practiced their pieces for the show when Cam walked in carrying a heavy wooden box with Neve that they had been sent to retrieve from the museum by his father and was shocked though Neve simply chuckled and moved swiftly forward.

"Well, if it isn't the kids from Fame," he said sarcastically, setting the box down.

"Please tell me this isn't apart of the ninja training dad?" he asked when he noticed Sensei's ears were plugged making him oblivious to everything anyone was saying and what was going on around him.

"Looks like Sensei has the answer," Neve said laughing. Cam frowned and rolled his eyes.

"Dad? Dad!" Cam yelled, causing Sensei to jump and fall out of his chair.

"What is going on around here?" he asked turning to look at his friends and blinking.

"We're going to be on Totally Talented," Dustin said excitedly and Neve smiled at Cam.

"Your not the only one having to put up with him," she said.

Cam smirked. "Don't you have to have –" he broke off with a chuckle and waved his hand. "- forget it!"

"Aww, is someone green with envy?" Shane taunted.

"No," Cam defended. "Just green – Look, you guys aren't the only ones with hidden talent."

"Cam why didn't you tell us?" Neveah asked giving him a friendly smile and Cam shrugged.

"Cool, what do you do?" Tori asks.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be hidden." Cam smirked, before turning to his father. "Dad, we got it."

"Got what?" Shane asked and Neve shrugged.

"We dunno, some box Sensei sent us after."

"Can we open it?" Cam asked, as he surveyed the box and looked to his father.

"Only in case of an emergency," Sensei told his son. "Whatever is in that container, is far too powerful to be used otherwise."

"Of course Sensei. So, I have to go," Neve said and began to walk away. The other turned to look at the ninja clad girl.

"Where?" Tori asks. Neve turns slightly and calls over her shoulder as she exits ops.

"Sensei Hikari wants to train today!"

xXx

"And the strange wolf-like creatures have been seen outside Blue Bay Harbor," the news anchor woman was saying from over the T.V in Storm Chargers. "Until the authorities can be sure that the area is safe. Citizens are advised to stay close to the city." Dustin watched the broadcast as he cleaned his instrument and rolled his eyes before going to back to his business.

Tori walked over as he did and blinked. "Did they say anything about..."

"Big wolf looking things?" Dustin asked. "Weird huh, wonder what would of happened?"

"You think maybe the Power Rangers should check it out?" Tori asked, and she smiled amused at how Dustin was so slow to understand the hint.

"Oh yeah, right." Dustin finally got it and put aside his sax as he and Tori made short time of getting back to base.

xXx

"Any sign of them from the surveillance strobe, Cam?" Neve asked as she came to stand behind him in the mobile command center. Tori, Shane and Dustin were coming up behind her.

"Well I don't see anything," Cam said as he continued the search. "But that doesn't mean there is nothing out there."

"Well, I vote we do a little patrolling," Shane said.

"Where are the Thunders?" Cam asked as he looked at them, mostly Neve though. She raised an eyebrow.

"What, they don't tell me everything!" she said, and Tori smiled.

"Totally secret talent show practice," Tori said, and the others nodded.

"Oh, not them too," Cam sighed and Neve shrugged. She wasn't going to stop Hunter from doing something he wanted to just because she didn't like the show or the exposure of it.

"Wait!" Cam said as the search identified three bleeps on the monitors. "I'm picking something up – there!" A brown wolf appeared on the screen and the Command center came to a stop in the woods and the rangers took off on foot.

"They can't be too far away," Shane said telepathically to the others as they walked through the forest and the others looked at him.

"They're right behind us," Neve said as well and Dustin looked at the Red and Pink Rangers.

"You sure about that?" Dustin asked

The wolves growled and Shane re-joined the others "Looks like its time for some obedience training!" Shane yelled.

"Lead the way." Tori smirked and they all fell into stance.

"Ready?" Shane asked and they nodded.

"Ninja Storm!"

"Samurai Storm!"

"Spirit Storm!"

"Ranger Form, Ha!"

They all stood morphed and the fight began. Cam was backed into a tree by one of the wolves as soon as the fight started. He tried to fight it off but the wolf was just too strong and soon he was on the defense. The other Rangers helped him out of his situation, before the wolves turned back on the Rangers and attacked at super speed. Each of their suits sparked and they groaned in pain though Neve was fairing a bit better thanks to her shield, though her lower torso and body was sore and aching.

"Alright," Shane said after he hit the ground of the fourth time. "I'm taking suggestions"

"Rolled up newspaper?" Dustin laughed as they each back into a circle.

"I say we put them to sleep!" Neve spat and glared at the wolves, bringing out her Phoenix Dagger which the other knew meant she was either pissed or tired of getting beaten on, or both.

"How about one of those electric collars?" Tori suggested and Neve smirked before there was a beam of energy as Blake and Hunter joined the fight.

"Down boy!" Hunter yelled and looked over at his girlfriend. He was happy to see she was pretty much fine except for the hostility she was putting off though he also knew she hated dogs. She's told him a long time ago she was more of a cat person. The Wolves turned to the three other Rangers, quickly calculating the odds before turning and fleeing.

"Stupid mutts," Neve muttered before placing one hand on her hip and leveling her Phoenix Dagger at Hunter who back away with his hands up. He wasn't the only one to back away though, all the Rangers practically ninja streaked as far away from her and Hunter as possible. No one wanted on the wrong side of her Dagger again. They knew just how painful that thing was.

"What took you so long!" she practically yelled pocking him in the chest with the dagger and they each saw a tiny spark each time she did letting them know she was using a bit of force each time.

"Ouch," Dustin moaned as he watched the couple and rubbed his shoulder as if remembering a painful encounter with the Dagger.

"Poor Hunter," Tori said, though inside she was laughing and cackling madly. Sometimes the Crimson clad boy was just so annoying. Blake noticing the hint of mischievous humor in his girlfriends voice smirked and placed a arm around her waist. He should feel bad for his brother but...karma is a bitch.

xXx

"Take a look at this," Cam said, dropping a book onto the table in front of them."I saw him...at the museum, but he was just a statue."

"Oh him, I remember. Motodrone almost knocked me into it and it freaked me out. Ugly thing ain't he?" Neve asked and the other nodded. Hunter stood beside her and rubbed his chest, tiny scratch mark could be seen on it if he took his shirt off – they would heal within the day – though he got no sympathy from Neve who simply turned her nose up and walked off when he'd mention healing him. He guessed he deserved it, he knew she hated dogs, though a part of him thought she might be afraid of them more then anything. He smirked, dogs and the dark, she had some interesting fears.

"Who is this dude, anyway?" Dustin asked.

"Shimazu, an ancient warlord. What you saw, Cam and Neve was his spirit preserved for centuries in an ancient mask carved in his likeness," Sensei explained.

"So what's this guy got to do with those rabid rejects?" Blake asked, referring to the wolves.

"It says that Shimazu was known for terrorizing the people of local villages with creatures called Wolf blades." Neve looked up from the page in front of her.

"Sounds a like a real charmer. I'd hate to meet him in a dark ally," Tori said and Neve Pfft'd.

"I'd hate to meet him in a brightly lit candy store," she said and the others chuckled.

"So this guy and his pet wolves are roaming around Blue Bay Harbor, right now?" Hunter asked. Cam nodded. "How is that possible?"

"I bet whatever energy source that was used to bring back Motodrone must have rubbed off on Shimazu," Cam said and the others nodded.

Shane groaned. "Great, so now we have a three thousand year old masked man and his pet wolves loose in the city!"

"And don't forget Lothor," Dustin added, a odd grin on his face.

Tori sighed. "Way to look on the bright side Dustin," she said looking at the earth ninja.

"Dustin brings up a good point," the Guinea pig interrupted. "If Shimazu has been brought to life by Motodrone there is a good chance he has already aligned himself with Lothor."

Neve sighed and leaned into Hunter's side. "Well, the good news just keeps a coming," she said sarcastically. Suddenly the mainframe beeped and the Rangers gathered around.

"What's going on Cam?" Shane asked.

"No sign of Shimazu," Cam answered and nodded at the screen. "but I've got Motodrone on the scanner."

"He's mine" Hunter said, his eyes determined and Neve looked at him with wide eyes. "You guys look for the three wolf blades."

"You can't be serious? Hunter you can't go alone!" Neve said and Hunter looked at her and pushed some of her hair back. She had curled it today and it fell down around her face in springy curls which he found he liked though he liked her hair no matter what it looked like.

"I'll be fine," he said and she shook her head.

"I'm going with him, can you guys handle the wolves?" Neve asked and Shane nodded.

"Alright, we'll take the forest," he said. Hunter sighed, he knew he couldn't talk her out of it and he didn't need her to be anymore angry with him then she already was.

"And I'll track what's going on from the Samurai star chopper," Cam said, tapping the keypad and the Rangers nodded before standing in a line, ready to morph.

"Ninja Storm! Ranger Form!" the Wind Rangers yelled. "Power of Air! Earth! Water!"

"Spirit Storm! Ranger Form!" Neveah yelled. "Power of Spirit!"

"Thunder Storm! Ranger Form!" the Thunders shouted. "Power of Thunder!"

"Samurai Storm! Ranger Form!" Cam commanded.

xXx

"Tori, Dustin," Cam said over the morphers "I got you on the tracking system. You've got three boogies approaching."

"Whoa!" Dustin yelped as he and Tori were thrown through the air as the wolves attacked. "Yeah, we found them Cam," he answered as they got up.

"Nice puppy," Dustin said holding his arm to his side. "You wanna play fetch?"

"Easy big fella," Tori said, as she, and Dustin started to back up, their Ninja Swords drawn. "Easy."

The overly large black wolf jumped into the air; but before it could attack it was shot down by red lasers. Shane and Blake had arrived to help and the two cornered Rangers turned and smiled, cheering at the back up.

"What up, dog?" Shane asked as he rode in.

"Hey," Tori and Dustin laughed.

"Time for you to be house broken," Blake said as he jumped off his bike and slashed down with his Thunder staff. Smirking as the wolf blade stumbled back and Shane hopped off his bike as he slashed down with his Ninja Sword and attacked the wolf that was left and sparks flew as his sword came in contact with it.

"Careful Shane," Tori urged and Shane nodded.

"Their bark is worse than their bite!" Shane responded, as the wolf grabbed him around the shoulders and threw him onto his back. Tori, and the others ran to his side and helped him up.

"Anyone got a silver bullet?" Dustin asked.

Shimazu appeared on a near-by bench in a sparkle of dust, the Rangers turned to the monster.

"Hey look!" Tori said pointing at the newest general of Lothor's army.

"Come, come, Power Rangers," Shimazu said standing up. "Don't you know wolves can smell fear? You obviously must have sent them into a feeding frenzy."

Dustin clenched his hands into fists. "The only one who should be afraid is you!" he yelled.

"And whoever designed that ridiculous outfit!" Tori added her ninja sword at the ready.

Shimazu laughed. "Why would I be afraid of children?" he asked.

"Please, tell me he did not just call us children?" Shane asked, looking at the Navy Ranger beside him.

"Let's work this loser," Blake said, and the four of them run into battle.

It was halfway through the fight that Shimazu managed to floor Shane as the others fought the dogs. The monsters foot was mere inches away from Shane's face. "Hey, nice sandals," the red ranger commented "they make those for guys?" as he struggled to get the foot away.

"We could really use Neve and Hunter right about now," Tori muttered as they fought the wolf blades. It was then they noticed Shane's problem and the remaining rangers rushed forward to help Shane.

"Shane!" Dustin yelled.

Shimazu looked up at the Ranger and sighed before he fired lasers at them sending them crashing to the ground.

"You have a lot to learn warrior," he said, turning back to Shane as they continued fighting. "You can start by respecting your elders. That goes for your little playmates too," he said as he held off Shane's sword. Shane strained against Shimazu's hold and pushed away from him, but the ancient warrior grabbed him by the wrist and twisted it into an awkward angle so he couldn't move. He growled as Shimazu grabbed his sword and threw it away from them.

"Let him go!" Tori demanded.

"As you wish," Shimazu said and spinning Shane around to face him he punching him in the stomach. The red ranger hit the ground and rolled to a stop at his friends feet.

"This guy is brutal, I haven't been this worked since Neve was evil," Shane said as he slowly got up holding his stomach.

"Shane!" Tori said, as she and the others stepped in front of him. "Are you alright?"

"Allow me to help," Shimazu said, shooting more lasers at them and they ninja streaked away leaving replica of their Ranger suits in their wake.

"A childish ploy," Shimazu said, once he saw the rangers had gone. "unfit for a warrior. No matter, I will find you, and once I do..." he trailed off as the wolves howled to the sky.

In the meantime the Rangers had taken refuge under a flight of stairs as the wolves searched high and low for them as they hid. It was then Shane's morpher beeped. "Shane, I've got Motodrone at the beach," The Samurai Ranger said.

"What about Hunter and Neveah?" Dustin asked.

"He's been hit and Neve is following Motodrone now," Cam answered. "I'm bringing him back to Ops for examination."

"Right, can you guys handle this alone?" Shane asked turning to his teammates.

"We'll take care of the flea bags," Blake said, turning to Shane as howling was heard.

Shane nodded "Okay," he said before turning back to his morpher. "I'm on my way Cam." and he ninja streaked away to help Neveah.

xXx

The Rangers were all assembled in Ops after their battle. Though Hunter was fine Neveah was laying on a exam table which Cam had pulled out and was getting a cut on her side stitched up. Motodrone had done a number on her and the knew golden weapon he used had been able to get under her shield pretty easily. She couldn't say he wasn't skilled, though she had given him a few good blows with her Phoenix Dagger. Hunter was at her side holding her hand was Cam stitched her up.

"Ow...I wish I could heal myself," she said, pouting as Cam gave her a apologetic smile. She had to wounder why she was the one always getting injured the worse. Some kind of Karma from her evil days? Or did she just attract danger like that to herself.

"Why can't you?" Hunter asked as he stared down at her. She was topless but Hunter was true gentlemen about it and his eyes never seemed to stray. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her in a bikini though and it showed just as much then as it did now.

"Something about personal gain. I can't use it to heal myself because the power is meant to be used to help others. I don't really understand myself, I just accept it," she said shrugging.

"You've have all done well," Sensei said, turning everyone's attention to him, though Cam only for a second before he went back to stitching. "But I'm afraid Shimazu has proved himself a worthy opponent."

"No kidding," Dustin said "those wolves were dogging us big time."

Blake and Tori nodded in agreement, they had the bruises to prove it. Cam finished with Neve he smiled at her and she put her pink and white shirt back on before letting Hunter help her off. She winced as the wound pulled and she leaned against Hunter.

"Unfortunately," Cam said. "Their not done."

The computer beeped and everyone gathered around. On the screen a giant, three headed dog appeared towering over the city.

"No way!" Tori cried.

"Do those dogs ever stay down!" Neve exclaimed as she clinched her fist.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Shane said in disbelief, but there was no denying what was in front of them. Each head of the dog snarled as the rangers stared at the mainframe in disbelief, though they could all sigh a breath of relief that there was not three separate wolf blades made giant.

Still Neve couldn't believe this was happening. This was probably the hardest battle yet, and it could only get better or worse from here.

To Be Continued


A/N: I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and everyone who supported me in this story. The review that killed my bunnies and muse has been pushed away sand I am now back and it's all thanks to those who reviewed and encouraged me to continue this series. Because of this I have a special surprise after I finish next chapter which is Shizamu's Return Part II. A special Ranger Team up and anyone who can guess gets a chocolate chip cookie and kiss from Hunter.

A hint, it could be any team from MMPR-WILD FORCE.