Chapter 29: Emergency at Moanalua
A/N: Revised Chapter
"Tashiko is going to be okay," Jayden assured his best friend. It had been two weeks since the Red ranger, Serena and Tashiko had been kidnapped. Everyone was recuperating well, except Tashiko. She had to be medically induced into a coma in order for her not to die. Antonio hadn't left her side ever since she got back and refused to leave.
Antonio glanced at Jayden and gave him a short nod before glancing back at Tashiko. Jayden sighed and patted the Gold rangers shoulder before heading towards the hallway, where Serena was waiting for him.
"Alright Jay, what did you want to talk to me about?" Serena asked him as they walked into the Common Room. "I wanted to ask you, if you were going to take the mantle of being the Yellow ranger," Jayden asked her. "Now that you're cured from your illness, I figured you would want to be the Yellow ranger." They both stopped and glanced at each other before Serena sighed, raking a hand through her blonde hair. "Look Jay, I was thinking about it," she began. "But, you all grew accustomed to Em. She's part of your family and it would be extremely rude of me if I took her away from you all. Besides, she seems so happy here. She seems more open, less shy and just, being what she was supposed to be: the Yellow Samurai Ranger. It would be wrong if I took that away from her in a flash." Serena sighed and said, "If you don't mind. I would like to stick around. I want to become a ranger, but in other terms. I want to be fighting beside you all. The others have told me how Antonio created his own morpher. Do you think he can create one for me?"
Jayden glanced back down towards the infirmary and sighed. "I guess so. It will be hard for him to work on it, since he hasn't left Tashiko's side ever since she got back." Serena sighed as well and said, "Well, maybe this will distract him. Keep his mind off things." "Yeah," Jayden nodded as Serena went back to talk to Antonio.
"Good luck."
Octoroo glanced at Hideo who made the images of his crystal ball disappear. "Ooh, ahh, ooh, seems that Serrator has been caught," Octoroo told Hideo who walked towards the ship's deck. "I'm only telling you Octoroo, because I want to see Serrator destroyed," Hideo replied, his hand clenching around his scepter. "Why the change of leaders, Hideo?" Octoroo asked, looking at Hideo suspiciously. "I thought you were loyal to Serrator." Hideo scoffed, a smirk appearing on his face. "I was only loyal to pry out information from the white haired bastard." "That's what all traitor's say," Octoroo pointed out. Hideo chuckled quietly, knowing it was going to be a lot harder to convince the noodle faced Nighlok.
"Did I tell you, Octoroo, that where I come from, Master Xandred won the war?" Hideo replied. The Nighlok narrowed his eyes at Hideo as the latter glanced out to the Sanzu River. "Let me tell you a story, Octoroo," Hideo began. "About something that seemed to be impossible, become possible. I come from a distance future, where the rangers are all but defeated. They whimper at the thought of a Nighlok attacking them in their sleep. They shiver at the thought of Xandred appearing once more in the world. They scream when Xandred's sword cuts them like a machete cutting down jungle plants."
Octoroo looked at Hideo and walked towards him. "What are you playing at?" he asked, with narrowed eyes. Hideo glanced at Octoroo and stated, "I will guide you to end the rangers and make Xandred rise to glory."
The rangers were sitting down and eating breakfast. It was mostly quiet in around the table, only with the constant giggling of Mike, Serena and Emily. Antonio was eating his breakfast quietly and quickly, wanting to go back to Tashiko's side. He finished and excused himself, walking back towards the infirmary. "You know, being at her side 24/7 isn't healthy for him," Serena pointed out, breaking the silence. "Yes, but what can we do?" Emily sighed, looking at her sister. "He doesn't want to talk to any of us. He's just bottling up all these feelings." "Well, maybe you can talk to him?" Mike asked Jayden who glanced at the rangers. "I can try," Jayden shrugged. "But I'm not very good at talking to people about their feelings." "You have to try," Emily pleaded. "You're his best friend."
Suddenly the Gap sensor went off making the rangers groan. "Great timing," Mike sighed as he got to his feet and rushed towards the Common Room. Ji was waiting for them with a worried look on his face. "What is it?" Jayden asked beginning to worry as well. "Well," Ji began. "For starters, we don't know if this is a Nighlok attack. The Gap Sensor picked up some paranormal activity on the island of Moanalua. I tried to contact the island, but seems like communications have been cut." The rangers exchanged glances before Jayden gave a nod to Ji. "Then we are investigating," Jayden stated, looking at the others who nodded. "Alright, but please, be careful," Ji told them as they left.
Serena saw that one of their members was missing and sighed. "Antonio." She ran towards the infirmary to find the Gold ranger holding Tashiko's hand and felt sympathy for Antonio. She neared him and placed a hand on his shoulder, causing to glance up to look at her. "Antonio. The others need you," Serena told him. "The Gap Sensor caught something strange in the island of Moanalua." "But," Antonio began, glancing back at Tashiko, who didn't move. "She won't wake up any time soon," Serena replied, looking at Antonio. "Besides, she wouldn't want you here while the others risked their lives. Go, I'll stay with her." Antonio sighed and gave Serena a nod, quickly giving Tashiko a kiss on her forehead before rushing out of the infirmary.
Serena watched him leave before turning to look at Tashiko. She took her hand and sat on the chair Antonio had been sitting. "C'mon sweetheart, wake up. Antonio and the others need you."
The ranger arrived in the island of Moanalua, finding no one in sight. "This looks like a horror movie," Mike stated earning a slap on the back from Emily. "Where's everyone?" Mia asked, looking around, seeing the empty bay. "Well, we here to find that out," Jayden replied, turning around to look at the rangers. "It will be better if we split up and searched the island in two man teams." "Alright!" Mike stated, putting his hands together and glanced at Emily. "Teams that don't involve, romantic mutual feelings towards one another," Jayden pointed out, causing Mike to pout. "Fine," Mike sighed, grabbing Antonio by the arm. "Let's go Antonio." "Em?" Kevin asked, glancing at the younger ranger. Emily nodded as they went off in a different direction. "That just leaves you and me," Jayden replied, looking at the Pink ranger who smiled.
"Let's go."
The Red and Pink rangers arrived at a neighborhood where they noticed people peeking out before rushing out to hide. "Look Jay," Mia pointed out, seeing a woman peeking out from her window before closing the curtains. "The people, they're hiding." "That's strange," Jayden frowned, his gaze sweeping around the area. "They seem... afraid." "But why?" Mia asked. "That's the million dollar question," Jayden sighed.
In another part of the island, Kevin and Emily weren't having much luck. "There's no one here," Kevin told the Yellow ranger who glanced around. "Maybe we can find something in the forest?" Emily suggested, pointing out a path that led to a forested area. "Well, there's no harm in checking that out," Kevin shrugged as the two rangers followed the path.
They scanned around the area for anything suspicious when a bush near them rustled. The rangers jumped into a defensive position before a young boy around ten, ran out from the bush and into the forest. "Wait!" Emily called running after the boy. Kevin ran after her. "Wait up Em!"
Emily continued to run after the boy, calling, "Wait! We just want to help!" The boy zig zagged through the forest losing sight of the strange blonde woman running after him. He slowed down and stopped, panting before turning around to find Emily in front of him. He tried to run but Kevin appeared behind him, raising his hands in defence.
"Whoa! Hold up! We aren't here to hurt you." Emily slowly approached him but the boy backed away. "You're going to hurt me!" he cried in terror. "No we're not," Emily replied in a soothing tone. "Yes you are! You're the enemy!" the boy told them, looking at the two rangers. Seeing their confused looks, the boy began to hesitate and repeated, "Right?"
Emily and Kevin exchanged looks and said, "No. We're the good guys. We came to help you." Emily reached towards the boy who seemed hesitant before she placed her hand on his shoulder. The boy relaxed under her touch, sensing she was a good person. Kevin examined the boy, wondering why he had told them that. Had he seen a Nighlok? Did the Nighlok threaten him?
Emily rubbed his shoulder and asked, "What made you think we were the enemy?" The boy didn't know what to respond, as he himself didn't know. Kevin noticed black spots on his face and narrowed his eyes. He noticed some of the black soot also covered the boy's clothes. "Hey, what's that on your face?" The boy instinctively touched his face and looked at his hand, seeing the black ash covering his fingers. "I-I don't know," the boy responded, glancing at them. "It fell from the sky."
Emily and Kevin exchanged worried glances.
Mike knocked on a door to one of the houses. "Hello? Anyone in here?" he called, waiting for an answer but got none. Mike sighed and walked down the stairs. "Nothing," Mike replied, walking towards the Gold ranger. He rubbed his face in frustration. It was the fifth house they had gone to and no one came out of the house.
Antonio's samuraizer began to ring making the Gold ranger answer the call. "Que pasa?" he asked. "I found out what's making the people strange," Kevin told them. "Some kind of ash is covering the people. I talked to a boy who said this soot fell from the sky and it started to make the people act distrustful from one another. We located that the ash, is coming from the mountain." "Then what's the plan, mi amigo?" Antonio asked, looking at the Green ranger. "We destroy the ash," Kevin commented. "Then let's regroup at the base of the mountain," Jayden told the others. "See you there." Antonio closed his samuraizer and nodded at Mike. They were about to head about when Tashiko stood in front of them. "Tashiko?" Antonio gasped, seeing the girl he was crushing on in front of him.
Mike noticed that something was off when he felt an enormous presence behind them. He turned around only to receive black flurries of soot thrown in his face. "Argh!" Mike yelled, touching his face making Antonio turn around to see Serrator in front of him. "You always get tricked so easily fool," Tashiko told Antonio as she shape-shifted into Ami. Her hand glowed with a kanji making Antonio glare at her, summoning his Barracuda Blade. They shot forward only for Ami to hit his chest with the symbol, causing him to gasp out and collapse into the floor. Ami watched as the Green ranger, glanced around in fear, seeing everyone as his enemy. "Good work, Ami," Serrator complimented her. "Two down. Four to go."
They both disappeared in a white smoke.
Mentor Ji was writing a letter when he heard a knock on the door. He raised an eyebrow, knowing he wasn't expecting anyone but still got to his feet to answer it. He opened the door and found Cody standing there, holding something in his hands. "Cody?" Mentor Ji stated, surprised. "Hello Mentor," Cody answered with a bow and a big smile on his face. "What do you got there?" Mentor Ji asked, looking at the item Cody was holding. "It's a project I've been working on since Tashiko appeared," Cody replied as Mentor Ji led him inside. He placed in on the Common Room table before noticing that the hyper teen was missing. "Speaking of Tashiko, where is she?"
Mentor Ji sighed, not knowing what to tell the younger boy. "I think, it's better if you come see," Ji told him, leading him towards the infirmary.
Emily started to wipe the soot off the boy when Dayu appeared holding a dagger. "Dayu!" Kevin called out in alarm, making Emily turn around to find the Nighlok in front of them. "Hello rangers," Dayu sneered, circling around them. Emily pushed the young boy behind her and said, "What are you doing here?" "What am I doing here?" Dayu echoed, before chuckling. " I've been expecting you." The Blue and Yellow rangers got into a fighting stance, ready to fight Dayu. "We fell into the Nighloks trap!" Kevin growled lowly. "Yes," Dayu laughed, her eyes narrowing. "Foolishly. Just how I like it."
Mia and Jayden had arrived towards the base of the mountain, noticing that the smoke Kevin had mentioned was stronger. "Looks like Kevin was right," Mia noted, glancing around the area. "The ash is a lot stronger here," Jayden commented. "I hope the others come here on time," Mia replied, noticing that the others hadn't arrived.
Jayden felt a presence and turned around, clenching his fists angrily. Mia noticed the Red ranger tense up and turned around to find Dekker walking towards them. "Seems like we got other things to worry about," Jayden declared, taking out his Samuraizer. "What are you doing here?" Dekker smirked and stopped a few feet away from him and raised his sword. "I'm here to duel you," he stated. "I may not have Uramasa, but this sword will do." He transformed into his Nighlok form and got into a fighting stance. Jayden morphed and summoned his sword, shooting forward, followed by Mia.
Antonio gasped awake, quickly sitting up. He touched his chest, remembering that Ami had slammed a symbol into his chest. "You!" came a shout, snapping him out of his thoughts. Antonio jumped to his feet, to find Mike looking at him in pure terror. "Mike?" Antonio whispered, seeing how tightly Mike was gripping his sword. "You're trying to kill me!" Mike yelled, raising his sword towards the Gold ranger. "What? No! Mike!" Antonio replied, shaking his head. "I'm not trying to kill you!" He noticed that black ash was covering the Green ranger's face and clothes. "Oh no," the Gold ranger murmured.
"This ash made everyone in this island so easily scared and insane!" Dayu laughed as she slashed at Kevin. Emily turned to the young boy and said, "Go home! Hurry!" The boy nodded and ran off down the path while Emily morphed into the Yellow ranger. She joined the fight exchanging blows with Dayu, driving her against a small creek. Dayu noticed what they were doing and clenched her teeth angrily.
"Give it up Dayu!" Kevin stated, slashing at her but Dayu slashed at his chest, making him stagger. "I don't think so!" Dayu grinned, blocking Emily's attack and attacked her. "I'm not letting you rangers ruin Serrator's plan!" She dodged the attack they threw at her and spun around, powering up her dagger and slashed at their chest, sending them towards the creek. Both rangers screamed as they spun in air, landing in the water with a splash. Dayu watched them sink in the creek and chuckled, "That's four down." She stepped backwards before opening a gap and disappeared through it.
Jayden and Dekker exchanged blows before Mia blocked both their swords, pushing Dekker off. Both rangers slashed at the half-Nighlok who easily fought both of the rangers with ease. Dekker began to notice that both rangers were overwhelming him and he was only interested in fighting the Red ranger, not the Pink one. Dekker watched as Mia spun around to strike him and noticed an opening to strike her. He slashed at Jayden, causing him to stagger and spun around to slash at Mia. "You're in the way!" he shouted at her, striking the Pink ranger in the chest. She spun mid air and landed on the ground with a painful grunt.
"Mia!" Jayden shouted, as Dekker raised his sword to finish her off. Mia looked at Dekker, her eyes wide in horror when Jayden intercepted, blocking the fatal attack.
The Red ranger pushed Dekker away from the Pink ranger, slashing at the half-Nighlok. Dekker blocked his attacks, noticing that the Red rangers attacks didn't have the same fire when they had first dueled. He landed a blow on Jayden's leg, making the Red ranger to fall to one knee and block his attack. "What, Red ranger? You rely on your teammates to fight your battles now?" Dekker taunted. "Have you become so pitiful?" Jayden glanced at him puzzled and asked, "What?"
Dekker shouted angrily, kicking the Red ranger, making him land on his back and block Dekker's attack. "You're weak!" Dekker snarled.
Mia got on her feet, seeing Jayden struggling with Dekker and shot forward. She exchanged blows with Dekker before the half-Nighlok sent her tumbling down once more. Jayden rolled over and got to his feet, exchanging blows with Dekker. Dekker managed to get under Jayden's defences and stopped his sword inches from the Red rangers neck. "The lone warrior is the strongest," Dekker spat, glaring at Jayden who glanced at him. "Fighting with your teammates has made you soft. You lost your edge, Red ranger. I could easily decapitate you, right here and right now."
Dekker slashed at Jayden multiple times in the chest, driving him backwards. "Jayden!" Mia yelled from the ground, watching as Jayden didn't even try to defend himself. Dekker powered up the mooger sword and struck him in the chest, making the Red ranger demorph. The half-Nighlok spun around, slicing the unprotected ranger in the chest, making Jayden spin in the air and land on the ground.
Jayden clutched his chest, blood seeping through his fingers as Dekker approached him. He changed back into his human form and spat, "Pathetic. You're not worth fighting anymore." Dekker glanced at him one more time before he turned around, leaving the Red ranger on the ground.
The Red ranger tried to get to his feet, but collapsed into the ground. The edges around his vision began to darken when he heard a whisper, Jayden. Please be okay.
"T-Tashiko?" he whispered before losing consciousness.
A/N again: This episode is half of Trust Me, Act 39: The Very Urgent First Aid Emergency from Samurai Sentai Shingenker and made up. Same for the next few chapters!
