Disclaimer: My first venture into the Power Ranger Fandom. I do not own Power Rangers other than my OC's. There will be slash in here. You get to guess whom! There is also the element of time travel and there will be flashback chapters (just as a warning if things get confusing). Obviously I have no BETA so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes in advance. WARNING: SLASH (BOYXBOY) in this fic. Griffin will be traveling back in time to when the Thunder and Wind Rangers have already become a Team and Cam has already gained his Samurai Powers.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
QUICK RECAP
The talk with Alyssa
Griffin and Ryan bicker
An analysis of Alyssa
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Hunter Bradley was never one to grovel. He was never one to look to others for help when he found himself in a time of need. However, ever since Griffin dropped his little bombshell before disappearing Hunter had been thinking a lot.
He could be cocky at times, but he tried to stay grounded. Despite everything going on in his life he knew there were two people he could turn to right now aside from his brother Blake.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
WARNING: FLASHBACK AHEAD!
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Flashback
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Hunter Bradley had seen a lot of things in his life. He had met a lot of people in his life, but there was no one else like her. She was the beacon of light in his dark and stormy life. She was the glue that kept him together when he was a child. Her words of wisdom, her heartfelt smiles, and packages of homemade chocolate cookies got him through the death of "his parents."
He had met her through pure accident. He moved around a lot as child. And it wasn't because one of parents got a new job and the family had to relocate. That scenario couldn't be any farther from the truth. He had no loving mother to kiss his boo boos. There was not father who came home and played catch with him after work. He lacked an annoying little brother that always wanted to tag along with his brother's friends as they went off somewhere. No, Hunter Bradley was trained to be a loner from the beginning. He wasn't moved from foster home to foster home because he was a troublesome child. It was quite the contrary. He was a quiet child, almost too quiet. One wouldn't even notice if was there unless one looked his general direction by sheer chance.
The home, where his life began to turn around was located in a small suburb where many should be acquainted with by now. If not then you cannot consider yourself informed of everything Ranger related.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Hunter was having a bad day. And even that was quite the understatement. Sure he wasn't popular, but at the same time he wasn't a computer geek or a bookworm. He was a bit of a loner that caused no problems and who just did not get involved with those of others.
Unfortunately today was not one of those days. Today he stood up for someone else and even defended him, but when the Principal and Teacher were brought into the room, everyone (bully, victim, and onlookers included) placed Hunter as the instigator. It didn't matter if there was a security camera that told other wise.
Little did Hunter know, but the Principal knew there was more than met the eye. Derrick Thorn-Brooks was much more benevolent and intelligent than expected. And while he couldn't outright drop the punishment as "there were witnesses" to said crime, he could do something under the guise of doing so, in hopes of opening up one of his most promising students.
There were many rumors surrounding the life of Principal Derrick Thorn-Brooks. He was well liked, respected, and popular with his students despite his strict, no nonsense manner. They (the community, students, and faculty) knew he wasn't an ex-convict, pedophile, or alcoholic, his family life was more of a mystery. Some said he was a deadbeat dad. Others said he married an older woman to gain her inheritance. And yet others said that he was a perfectly man with a beautiful wife and the normal 2.5 children, dog, and house with a white picket fence.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Hunter was dreading what was going to take place within the next few moments. Luckily for him, he had never been on his principal's bad side. And secondly it was his first time getting in trouble. He may have been a bit of a loner at times, but normally he stayed out of trouble and let his classmates handle their own situations. There was something that sparked his interest, but Hunter was unable to put his finger on it. So after taking in a deep breath and breathing it back out he knocked on the principal's door.
"Come in" said a male voice.
"You wanted to see me Sir?" asked a nervous Hunter.
"Hunter I am quite surprised to find you in my office today. I never pictured you as the type to cause any trouble."
"How many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't me that started it? Did anyone have a look at Clarke? How would he be injured if I supposedly only beat up Drake?"
Principal Thorn-Brooks was in a difficult situation. While he had no evidence to back up Hunter's logical version of the tale, there were simply too many witnesses for Clarke and Drake's version to be doubted. Sometime he hated the hypocrisy and bureaucracy of his position. He wanted to be an educator to help the next generation, not to continue their suppression by the hands of bullies. So he had a brilliant idea.
"While your tale is likely Hunter as you have never caused any trouble before, there are simply too many witnesses to say otherwise."
"This is so unfair. I'm the one getting punished. It's bad enough they make fun of me because I don't have parents. But they also use me as the scapegoat as I am the new guy."
"I understand completely Hunter" Principal Thorn-Brooks said while switching his tone from the cold, rigid, and intimidating one he normally used, to a more warm and friendly—and much less intimidating one. A tone a parent would use with one of their children to explain why they were being punished or why something happened the way it did.
"Then why am I the one getting punished?"
"That wasn't exactly why I brought you here today. You aren't exactly getting punished young man."
"I'm not?" asked a curious and bright-eyed Hunter.
"You're here to be notified of a few things. Announcements if you will. Didn't Ms. Blake tell you yesterday?"
"No. She never pays any attention to me. She always focuses on the popular kids. That is to say when she actually teaches instead of us read while she reads her tabloids."
"She is?" Principal Thorn-Brooks mumbled to himself. "Hunter there are a few things I need to discuss with you concerning your future here."
Hunter was all ears.
"Your foster parents and I have been discussing some things and thought it would be better if you took up am after school hobby and had some after school supervision. They are getting worried you aren't spending enough time with peers your own age."
"I understand Sir."
"There is also the matter of joining the advanced placement track."
"So I'm not in trouble?"
"Goodness no Hunter. It was just a coincidence that you had to come here because of the supposed fight. You've always been a good student in and out of the classroom. As it was your first offense there would be no punishment anyways."
"Phew" said Hunter. "Are you sure you have the right student? I am not exactly the best student in the class. I am sure there are better ones there."
"Your test scores and overall academic performance show that you have great promise, but that you are also not applying yourself completely."
"About that…" Hunter began running his hand through the hair on the back of his head while grinning sheepishly.
"There may be others with better grades, but you have a far greater potential than they could ever dream of."
Hunter turned crimson from head to toe.
"Don't feel intimidated because you are here. You have great promise and a student, who will be entering the Junior High School in the fall, has agreed to tutor you. She has agreed to become a mentor, a 'Big Sister' if you will. Not too long ago she was one of our brightest students, even if she was more concerned with her clothing and makeup sometimes than her studies. I know you are at a point in your life where you still think girls are yucky, but trust me they're not. In a few years you will be chasing after them instead of running away from and picking on them."
Hunter paled.
"She's a good person Hunter. If I recall correctly she was in the top fifteen percent of her fifth grade class. It could have been better if she tried in areas outside of the ones she preferred. She was a bit of an airhead at times, but she was a good student nonetheless. Now I know you would rather have an older guy keeping an eye on you, but your parents picked her out specifically. And who knows. She may give you some pointers with the ladies."
Hunter was definitely speechless. He never imagined any of this. It was such a weird amalgam of topics jammed together in an awkward parental type conversation with his principal of all people.
"While you are performing above average, your foster parents know you could be an Honor Roll student if you were given the chance. I know you are holding yourself back Hunter. There is no excuse for that. You are about to enter an important part in your academic career. If you ever need to talk to someone I'm all ears. Life has dealt you a difficult hand, but it will only make you stronger. My advice is to take the tutoring, that is unless you want to partake in an even more un-cool type of extracurricular activity" Principal Derrick Thorn-Brooks said the last part with a chuckle.
"I don't know what to say."
"Agree. Hunter just agree to the tutoring."
"Excuse me?"
"Just agree to it, it will be a lot easier on you," Principal Thorn-Brooks continued switching back to his "all business" tone.
"Why?"
"Your parents stipulated you take the tutoring or join an after school activity of their choosing. They know you would rather be doing a sport or something, but they stressed to me the importance of maintaining a balance between physical and mental fitness. Hunter you are a smart kid. Don't make this anymore difficult than it needs to be. You don't have much of a choice in the matter. They are just highly concerned about you," he said in a sickeningly sweet tone that caused shivers to run down his spine.
"What kind of activities?"
"A musical instrument, choir, or ballet."
"EXCUSE ME?"
"They said something about a Tuba or something if you did an instrument. Or was it an accordion? Yeah and they want you to sing lead in the school choir. Or was it dancing the male lead in the schools ballet production."
"You have to be kidding me."
"Your PARENTS thought it would be easier on you to take the ultimatum this way. Those are your choices if you decide not to take the after school tutoring/ mentorship."
"And why should I… wait did you say PARENTS?"
"He did Hunter" said a new voice coming through the opening door. Two familiar figures passed through the door much to the surprise of Hunter.
"Jeremy, Kathleen, shouldn't you two be at work?" asked a confused Hunter.
"Well Hunter we haven't been completely honest with you lately" Kathleen (Hunter's foster mom) began.
"I know the drill. When do I have to pack my bags?" said a depressed Hunter.
"Sport you completely misunderstood us" Jeremy (Hunter's foster dad) added.
Hunter's head jerked up quickly from looking up at his feet to the two individuals who walked through the door and sat in the two chairs next to him.
"I will give you a few moments. Hunter you can have the rest of the day off. I will inform your teachers. It was nice seeing you again Jeremy. Kathleen you are looking as stunning as usual."
A brief exchange of small talk and polite comments were exchanged between the three adults. All of it went over Hunter's head until Jeremy lightly elbowed Hunter out of his stupor.
"Thank you Principal Thorn-Brooks" said Hunter in a confused tone.
"Good luck Hunter, you'll need it!" Principal Derrick Thorn-Brooks said as he closed the door to his office. Sometimes he regretted the mistakes in his life. But what was about to occur was one of the few times in his life that he was proud of his actions. He was glad that he could help. He knew from the beginning Hunter was a good kid.
"Well Sport we've been busy lately, but it isn't because Kathleen has had to take a few extra shifts at the hospital or that my case load has been extra heavy at the firm."
Hunter was becoming extremely suspicious.
"Let me cut to the chase" Kathleen began. She continued after a nod from Hunter and her husband Jeremy. "What my husband is trying to say is that we have been extremely busy for another reason, and its not to get rid of you. And while we wont deny there will be some changes in our home, there is no need to worry about us getting rid of you."
"It's been almost since a year since we welcomed you into our home. And we have become fond of you Sport. You know that we could never have kids of our own and we love you as much as we would any child, whether related to us by blood or through spirit. It is not the blood that ties a family together, but the love shared between the individuals," Jeremy added.
"So we know that lately you have grown more distant and that your grades have been falling. Your Principal, not your TEACHER, brought the matter to our attention so we discussed a few things and she thought it would be best if you received some tutoring and was placed into the advanced work class."
A million things were going through his brain that the next thing would take a while to be processed.
"And we also decided Sport that we would like to adopt you if that's ok with you."
Hunter face faulted (and lay unconscious on the floor).
"Honey did you really have to bring that all up?"
"Well Jeremy how else are we going to get him to agree to join the advanced track at school?"
"You are a cruel woman."
"I am only looking out for the best interests of the men in my life."
"Sure you are."
"Be happy we didn't have to mention the whole Thunder Academy thing."
"Thank God."
"Yeah, that's your job" she said Ninja streaking out the window.
'Sometimes, really… that woman is going to be the death of me' though Jeremy as he carried Hunter out over his shoulders.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
End of Flashback
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Hunter knocked on a door. The anticipation was eating away at his stomach as he turned the doorknob to enter the room. It had been many years since he had walked these hallowed halls, but it was definitely not a social call. He had questions, and the person behind the door hopefully had answers.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Hurricane Chronicles
Author's Note
Sorry it's a few days late, but I started college again on Monday. Classes started Tuesday but I had to pack and move in by Monday. I hope this is to your personal levels of satisfaction (i.e. Liz and Kelly)!
I know that I am taking a lot of artistic license now trying to create a past for Hunter, but I couldn't help but put together "Mr. Dark and Brooding" and "M(r)s. Ray of Sunshine/ Damsel in Distress."
I'm taking some license also with assuming MMPR (1-3), Zeo, and the first half of Turbo was essentially the four years of high school. Hunter is older than Blake so I am having issues trying to keep everything as canon as possible. It's not easy trusting me with trying to make all of this believable. Ninja Storm is the 11th season. So seven years have passed since Kim and the others should have graduated. The Wind Rangers are 18 or 19 during their season (2003) so Kim and the others should have been 18 or so by Turbo as Billy "graduates" a year early in Zeo Episode #10 "Graduation Blues." Turbo is the fifth season so Kim and the others should be 24 or so by Ninja Storm (18+624). Which would make her a few years older than Hunter. Hunter and Blake lost the Bradley when Hunter was in his early teens so this is making my crossover moment difficult but not impossible. It should all work out though if Hunter is 20 in Ninja Storm, Blake 19, the others 18 more or less.
-Griffin
(UPDATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. I accidently uploaded the wrong chapter last time. There isn't a huge difference, but enough to make the plot stronger!)