Chapter 14 – White Lightning
May 13 2003, Blue Bay Harbor
A few weeks had passed since the incident with the Gem of Souls and things had finally settled down for the Power Rangers. True to his word, Blake had talked to his older brother and the two thunder ninjas had a rudimentary alliance with the wind ninjas. For the first week Shane, Dustin and Tori had insisted on meeting the Thunder Rangers away from Ninja Ops. This soon became impractical and Sensei Watanabe had officially invited the Bradley brothers to the remains of the Wind Ninja academy.
There were still difficulties with their alliance, mostly centred around the Crimson Ranger. Although Hunter had given up on his self destructive revenge mission, he still wasn't the easiest person to get along with. During those early meetings he spent the majority of the time brooding, usually away from the other four rangers. Eventually Sensei Watanabe had enough of the attitude and forced Shane and Hunter to work together for an important mission. After seeing the benefits of working alongside the wind rangers, Hunter had much more respect for the rival school. He still preferred the silent approach to team meetings but at least he was opening up more.
Blake on the other had had no such problems integrating with the wind rangers. He would often go down to the local track with Dustin and offer him tips on improving his lap times. Not only that, he had also gotten a job at Storm Chargers, helping out whenever he could. Even the untrusting Shane hadn't found anything to complain about in regards to the Navy Ranger for a while. The one thing that was getting on all of their nerves was the flirtatious relationship that Blake and Tori had established. On more than one occasion, Cam had kicked the pair of them out of Ninja Ops. He was simply unable to stomach the flirty remarks or their gooey eyed expressions any longer.
Speaking of Cam, he was now an official part of the team as the Green Samuari Ranger. The origins of his powers were complex and involved a trip into his personal past but he was a welcome addition to the team. Cam's extra responsibility meant that he couldn't dedicate as much time to Ninja Ops as he used to. To cover this, Rocky had taken over some of his duties, including monitoring the battles and dispatching the zords when required. Unfortunately the Red Ninja Ranger couldn't spend as much time at Storm Chargers, which was hitting Kelly especially hard.
Like Blake and Tori, Rocky and Kelly had spent the last few weeks dancing around their feelings for each other. By Kelly's own admission, relationships weren't really her thing. She spent so much of her time either at the store or at the motocross track that she didn't have time for a long term relationship. Rocky on the other hand still had a hangover from his relationship with Yuri. The Forest Ninja still hadn't contacted him and he had finally accepted that their relationship was over. He wasn't too keen on jumping into another long term relationship himself.
The subject of women was on the Bradley's mind as the pair walked through the streets of Blue Bay Harbor that morning. They were due to meet the Wind Rangers at Storm Chargers for some kind of cooking demonstration. "Blake if you don't wipe that smug look off your face, I'm going to slap it off for you", Hunter groaned as the brothers waiting at a traffic crossing.
"Quit ruining my good mood", Blake smiled back, "you're just upset that you're not enjoying the company of a beautiful woman at the moment".
"I've got more important things to worry about", Hunter grumbled.
"Like working on your mean and moody look", the Crimson Ranger shot his brother a withering glare, "see that's brooding look number 23, frustrated with a hint of jealousy". The lights changed on the crossing and the pair walked across the street, "I know some girls like the brooding look but there's a fine line between mysterious and depressing", Blake added.
"Hey I'm the older brother, shouldn't I be giving you dating tips", Hunter sighed.
Blake stopped in his tracks and spied a woman a little bit further down the street. She was wearing a white blouse, a loose fitting black knee length skirt and a pair of flat black shoes. She had a glowing caramel coloured skin complexion and her dark brown hair skimmed the top of her shoulders. In one hand was a small book and in the other was a black and gold cell phone, "Alright, time to earn your stripes big bro", Blake tapped his brother on the shoulder, "try and get a date with the cute looking girl straight ahead".
Hunter noticed that the book in her hand was a guide book to the city, "Hmm a lost tourist", Hunter cracked his knuckles, "piece of cake". Hunter strode forward with purpose until they reached the woman, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help but notice that you look lost".
"That obvious", the woman sighed, "I'm trying to find somewhere decent to have brunch but this guide book I have is a little old".
"Well do you like smoothies?" Hunter asked and the woman nodded, "there's a store a block away that's selling smoothies today", he paused for a moment and flashed her his best smile, "fancy accompanying me?"
The woman frowned, "Look I think before we go any further, I should mention that I'm not really dating at the moment".
"Oh", Hunter fumbled over his words for moments, "I didn't mean as a date, I'm helping my brother drum up some business", he pulled Blake a little closer, "he works at the store you see".
"Yeah, it's called Storm Chargers", Blake added and glared at this brother, "I'm good friends with the boss, I'm sure I can arrange some kind of discount".
The woman looked at the Bradley's and thought about the offer for a few moments, "Tell you what, I'll keep looking and if I can't find anything better, I'll come and check you out".
"Great", Blake smiled, "I'm Blake by the way", he offered his hand, "Blake Bradley and this is my brother Hunter".
"Good you meet you", she returned the smile, "my name's Alyssa, Alyssa Enrile. Maybe we'll see each other again soon", with that, she turned on her heel and continued walking down the street.
Once she was out of earshot, Blake slapped his brother in the chest, "Smooth moves Casanova", he stated and continued walking towards Storm Chargers.
"I had her right where I wanted her", Hunter grumbled.
"Bro, I got further with her without even trying", Blake sighed. The rest of the journey continued silently until they reached the door of Storm Chargers. When they looked inside, there was a scene of total devastation, "What the hell?" Blake whispered.
There was a large crowd inside the store but for some reason, they were all engaged in a food fight. The Bradley's watched as Dustin and Tori repeatedly dodged some flying oranges. Behind the counter where the demonstration was taking place, Kelly was covered in what they assumed was the remains of a smoothie. They weren't surprised to see Shane and Rocky fully engaged with the ongoing food war. At one point Shane hurled a peeled banana that exploded on the face of kid a few years younger than him.
"Is that Cam?" Hunter pointed over an older guy in a green top, "I didn't know he was allowed out". It was indeed the latest addition to their team and he had joined Dustin and Tori in taking shelter behind a clothes rack.
"I think we'd better put a stop to this", Blake shook his head.
"Why it looks like fun?" Hunter smiled as a stray piece of fruit exploded with a splat against the glass.
"Yeah but you don't have to clean the mess up", the Navy Ranger pulled the door open, dragging his brother in the process, "get their attention".
"Why me?" Hunter asked.
"You're bigger, people will pay more attention to you", Blake added.
"God bless genetics", Hunter made himself as big as possible and shouted as loud as he could, "everybody freeze!" To his surprise the combatants stopped what they were doing and stared at the crimson ranger, "Unless you want to deal with me, I suggest you leave as quickly as possible", he added, flashing them his angriest glare.
Seconds later the store began to empty as everyone followed Hunter's instructions. Soon the only people left were the Ranger's and Kelly, "Finally you've come in useful", Shane said jokingly to the crimson ranger. Hunter although turned his glare on the Red Ranger, forcing Shane to visibly retreat.
"Do I want to know", Blake pointed at the floor which was covered in various pieces of smashed fruit and puddles of juice.
"It was all Rocky's fault", Shame pointed at their teacher.
"Thanks for throwing me under the bus", Rocky replied, "plus that kid in the front row started it".
"And this is why I prefer to stay inside", Cam shook his head. He grabbed a jug of smoothie off the counter and placed it on the demonstration table, "At we get to sample some of this". The Green Ranger poured some into a glass and took a big gulp. Moments later he recoiled in disgust, "That's absolutely vile", he spat some of the smoothie back into his glass.
Blake took the jug from Cam and gave it a sniff, "Man that reeks", he handed the jug over to Tori.
"So you give it to me", the blue ranger placed the jug on the table, "how thoughtful of you".
"He doesn't deserve you", Cam said, gazing in awe at the blonde.
"Okay Cam", Dustin stepped between the Green and Blue Ranger's, "I think someone's been exposed to too much fresh air". Despite the psychical barrier between himself and Tori, Cam still continued to stare.
"Wow, this is awkward", Kelly moved away from the group, "I'm going to grab a broom and start clearing this place up".
"You are the reflection of perfection", Cam practically drooled over Tori.
"Dude, standing right here", Blake pushed the green ranger in the shoulder.
To the navy ranger's surprise, Cam pushed him right back, "Back off sparky, she's mine".
"Hey, I'm no one's object to fight over", Tori protested and stood between the pair.
Unnoticed by the group, the front door opened and someone stepped inside, "Oh, am I interrupting something". The Rangers turned to the door and Hunter noticed Alyssa standing there with a look of confusion on her face.
"Hey Alyssa you came", Hunter began, "yeah as you can see, we've had a bit of an incident".
"I can see that", she replied. She looked past Hunter and saw Blake and Cam about to come to blows, "The in store entertainment is very different that I'm used to in Turtle Cove".
Whilst Hunter had been talking to Alyssa, Cam and Blake had continued to argue over Tori, "There's only one way to settle this", Cam began, "I challenge you to a duel".
"A duel", Blake scoffed, "this isn't the eighteenth century dude". Cam then shocked everyone but slapping Blake across the face. Blake recoiled slightly and glared at the Green Ranger, "Alright, if that's what you want, meet me down at the beach in an hour". Cam nodded and stomped out of the store, closely followed by Blake.
"The chauvinistic pigs", Tori growled, "we've only just stopped fighting amongst ourselves". The blue ranger began to run out of the store as well, "Nice to meet you Alyssa", she added before leaving completely.
"Is it always like this?" Alyssa frowned.
"No, usually we wait until high noon to duel", Shane chuckled. A swift slap around the head from Rocky informed him that this wasn't the time for joking. Things then got even stranger as Kelly began walking towards the door. Like Cam, she had a glassy look in her eyes, "Err Kelly, where are you going?"
"I don't know", she said with a dreamy voice, "I've suddenly got this warm feeling in my heart", she giggled to herself, "I'm in love with Lothor". She opened the door and stepped outside, leaving a group of very confused people.
"Fantastic, that's all we need", Rocky groaned, "I'll go after her, you three report this to Kanoi", he added in the direction of Shane, Dustin and Hunter, making sure not to mention Ninja Ops. As he passed the woman, Rocky gave her a second glance almost like her recognised her. He didn't stop though and he quickly exited the store.
"Thanks for stopping by Alyssa", Hunter said as he stepped outside, "we should do this again sometime".
"Oh and could you lock the door behind us", Dustin added. The door slammed shut, leaving Alyssa alone in Storm Chargers.
"Wow that was random, even by Ranger standards", Alyssa opened up her phone and dialled a number, "hello Princess, I think you were right to send me to Blue Bay".
Alyssa Enrile, the White Wild Force Ranger, had been sent to Blue Bay Harbor by Princess Shayla after she picked up a possible Org signal in the area, "Have you found something Alyssa?" the Princess asked.
"Nothing Org related but I think I've found the current ranger team", Alyssa replied, "but I think some of them might be under a spell".
"Did you want some assistance?" Princess Shayla asked, "I could get send Cole-"
"No don't send Cole", Alyssa snapped, "anyone but him".
There was a tense silence before the Princess responded, "he's the only one available, Max and Danny haven't returned from their trip and Taylor's training with the Air Force today".
Alyssa sighed, "What about Merrick, I'm sure if you asked him he would come".
"Fine I'll ask", Princess Shayla said, "but you need to talk with Cole eventually".
"Yeah, sure", Alyssa stated and snapped her Growl Phone closed without saying goodbye. She opened the door and closed it carefully behind her. If she was quick she might be able to catch up with one of the groups. She could just about make out the red checked shirt of the oldest man that was inside the store heading down the street so she sprinted to catch up with him.
A/N - The appearance of another Ranger away from their home city usually means one thing...
I've skipped over a few episodes, mostly because I wasn't going to make any significant changes so I've given a recap of events that have happened since The Gem of Souls incident.