It's episodes like this one that remind us that the Gorengers are basically supposed to be a spy organization. They are very good at improvising on the fly, and coming up with skilled plans. This chapter is a good example of that. Disclaimer: I don't own Super Sentai, Shonen Jump, or any other referenced media.

*Five heroes in colored armor suits speed along in modified motorcycles as explosions go off around them. A rainbow stream forms a stylized number 5 as music picks up with our title screen.*

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the Shonen Beginning

*The five Gorengers drive in their special Machines along the street. The seen switches to them running together in a V formation.*

Under a bright red sun, fighting behind a mask!

Dan Green as Yugi Moto/Akarenger *Yugi is seen fighting using his Red Bute whip and attacking black suited soldiers called Zolders.*

These five only have one wish… For a bright blue sky!

Matthew Mercer as Jotaro Kujo/Kirenger *Jotaro throws a Zolder with some judo techniques before riding in the sidecar of the Blue Machine.*

Yellow storms blow through town, sweeping away all evil!

Shelley Calene-Black as Medaka Kurokami/Momorenger *Medaka takes out a Zolder before destroying a few more with her Earring Bombs.*

Bright pink on the cheeks of five smiling soldiers

Johnny Young Bosch as Ichigo Kurosaki/Midorenger *Ichigo launches his Midomerang to take out a Zolder while flipping another one.*

Revving up, follow the wind for that great green Earth! Go! (Go, go!)

Justin Cook as Yusuke Urameshi/Aorenger *Yusuke take out a few Zolders before firing his Blue Cherry longbow.*

Combine these five powers in one, and make greater power today!

*The mighty ship Variblune starts up as the Gorengers drive their Machines into it.*

Shout out the cry that brings you victory, Himitsu Sentai… Gorenger!

*The Variblune takes off from its loading bay before flying above the city.*

Chapter 18: Secret Infiltration Strategy

A group of kids were enjoying a camping trip in the mountains. "Okay," a young boy said, "Now it's Midori's turn to answer." Midori, a young girl in the group, nodded. "Alright, go ahead." "What is a bug (mushi) that is fine crossing even at a red light?," the boy asked. Midori thought about that riddle. "I can't think of an answer." The boy smiled. "A traffic light violation (shingomushi). Well, you lost, so you go and fill the water up."

"Okay," Midori said as she picked up the canteen. "Okay, my turn," another boy said, "What do you see with you tongue but not your eyes?" "I believe the answer there is flavor," came a much deeper voice. The kids looked around confused as to who spoke, as a strange light appeared in the nearby water. Out of the water emerged a humanoid being with blue-scaled skin, its head covered in black and white stringy hair and a large spear in its hand.

As it approached, it parted its hair to reveal a single large eye and a huge mouth. "I am Cyclops Mask of the Black Cross Army." He aimed the sphere on the opposite end of his spear at the children, shooting out some sort of pink tendrils that entrapped the kids. "You've been selected for our honorable Black Cross Reserve Corps," Cyclops Mask declared, his eye starting to glow, "Now, go to sleep. Go to sleep."

His hypnotic spell worked as the kids suddenly fell unconscious. The only one to escape was Midori, since she had only just come back from getting the water and had hidden when she saw what was going on. Several Zolders picked up the kids and started carrying them off. Cyclops Mask had actually been sending his squad to kidnap boys and girls in several successful raids, all for the sake of bolstering the Reserve Corps.

In order to put a stop to it, the Gorengers went undercover at several youth groups. Medaka and Jotaro were working together on one such assignment, the Boy Scouts Johoku Division. The group was practicing at a local Sports Center. Jotaro was taking it seriously, helping the kids climb a rope ladder. "Remember to put strength in your arms as you climb." Nearby, Medaka was counting off as a couple of kids were training on a trampoline.

"With Ki and Momo in position at the Sports Center," Edogawa said, "We should be able to get a leg up on the Black Cross Army's attempts at kidnapping children." "It's a target they won't be able to resist," Yusuke noted. Edogawa gave a nod. "Aka and Mido, you two are to go out and locate the missing children. Searching for their base is already our top priority. Yusuke, I want you on standby until you're contacted to respond."

Yugi and Ichigo headed out in the Red and Green Machines. Yugi heard something as they passed through a canyon. "Ichigo, heads up!" Ichigo looked to see a rock slide incoming. The duo quickly hit the brakes and ducked behind the Ranger Machines, using their durable armor plating as a shield. The boulders that fell behind them turned into Zolders. "It's an ambush," Ichigo realized. Yugi smirked. "I see the Black Cross Army is lacking in the manners department."

The two of them quickly started taking out the Zolders. As Yugi punched one right off the nearby cliff, a sudden mist came in along with a sinister laugh. Cyclops Mask emerged from the mist. "I am Cyclops Mask. Black Cross Boys' Reserve Corpse, forward!" Several boys dressed in black suits, wearing eye masks, and carrying spears, started marching forward. "Oh, now that's just low!," Ichigo called out.

"You would use children to fight your battles for you!?," Yugi asked angrily. Cyclops Mask laughed. "These boys have been programmed to fight the Gorengers." "Now what?," Ichigo asked. "We can't strike children," Yugi admitted, "But we can disarm them." Ichigo nodded. "Leave that to me. Go after Cyclops Mask." "Okay," Yugi said as they activated their Ranger Buckles. "Go!" Akarenger leapt up to confront Cyclops Mask.

However, Midorenger got a little overwhelmed with the boys tossing their spears, which turned out to be explosive. "Mido!," Akarenger called out. He quickly leapt over and started fighting Cyclops Mask. "You bastard! Return those children to normal! Or we'll force you to!" "I don't think so!," Cyclops Mask retorted, "I'll make every child in Japan part of the Black Cross Reserve Corps!" Akarenger kicked him away. "Then I hope you're prepared for the consequences! Red Bute!"

He used his whip to grab Cyclops Mask's spear. "You're too late! My influence is already extending to the Sports Center!" Midorenger, who had managed to survive the onslaught, quickly hurried to the Sports Center in an effort to stop Cyclops Mask's kidnapping plot. Akarenger continued his fight against Cyclops Mask, only for Sun Halo Mask to appear and unleash his solar attack, sending Akarenger flailing to the ground as he tried to avoid more thrown spears. He wound up going right over the side of the cliff.

"Well done," Cyclops Mask praised, "My Black Cross Boys' Reserve Corps! That's all for today's field training!" Down below, Yugi had reverted from his transformation. He had never felt more angry in his life, not since the death of his little brother during an attack from Black Cross. "I won't let those children wind up the same. I have to save them... Somehow. I hope the others are doing better than I am right now."

Ichigo returned to the Sports Center to witness a shocking scene. For some reason, Medaka and Jotaro were dressed up in Black Cross Army uniforms. "What's the new duds?," Ichigo asked. Several Zolders appeared, along with the clearly hypnotized kids. "One move and the children lose their lives!," Medaka warned, then gave a subtle wink. Jotaro gave a subtle wink of his own. "Ichigo, you should also pledge loyalty to the Black Cross Army!"

Ichigo realized in a second what was really going on, but leapt over anyway to grab Jotaro. "Have you gone crazy, Jotaro?" He and Jotaro grappled for a moment before Jotaro got Ichigo in a choke hold, Medaka holding a glass of orange liquid to him. "Drink the poison, Ichigo. Become our ally." Ichigo threw Jotaro to the ground and continued wrestling with him. "Come to your senses, you two!" He then whispered, "What the heck is that stuff...?"

"Don't worry," Jotaro whispered back, "It's only juice. The only way we're gonna infiltrate Cyclops Mask's lair to find the other kids is to make him think we've joined his side." Ichigo nodded as the two continued to wrestle. "Just give it up already!," Jotaro called out. He got Ichigo in an arm hold, or at least Ichigo let Jotaro get him in said hold. "Hurry, Medaka! Make him drink it!" Ichigo made a show of trying to resist, which was tough since the juice was pineapple flavored, he absolute favorite. "Ah!," he called out, falling to the ground, "I'm going numb! Damn you traitors...!"

Back in the Gorenger Base, Yusuke was starting to get anxious. There was no word from any of the other Gorengers. He sighed. "Nothing for it..." He got up to head out, only for Edogawa to stop him. "You haven't been given any request to move out." "Sir," Yusuke said, "I can't contact any of the others. You need to let me go find them." "Even if I were to agree," Edogawa pointed out, "Where would you go looking? You have no idea where they are. Don't worry. They won't go down so easily."

Cyclops Mask had his base located on an isolated island some kilometers off the western Japanese coast. The island was surrounded by a security force so strict that not even an any could sneak in. Inside an operating room, Cyclops Mask was overseeing the brainwashing of kidnapped children to be made part of his Reserve Corps. Of course, had he been more attentive, he would not have allowed Jotaro and Medaka to watch.

He opened his large eye and began chanting as several Black Cross scientists got to work on the various instruments. Inside Cyclops Mask's head was a large nerve that powered his hypnotic abilities. So long as it remained unbroken, he could keep the children under his control indefinitely to serve in his Reserve Corps. "This is horrible to look at," Jotaro whispered. Medaka nodded. "We can't allow any more children to suffer through this," she whispered back.

Cyclops Mask was having Medaka and Jotaro train the Reserve Corps, which they did to the best of their ability in order to not seem suspicious. Though of course they had no intention of actually letting those kids get on the battlefield. Training involved standard things, rope climbing, jogging, and basic hazard avoidance using squib mines. Cyclops Mask nodded in approval at the initiative the two were taking, still none the wiser for their real intentions. "They're really into it. As expected of former Gorengers."

The two Gorengers ended a quick march, just as Medaka noticed movement at the dock. "Jotaro, look. They're bringing in more kidnapped children." Jotaro nodded. "We've got to find some way of keeping those children from getting brainwashed. I still haven't been able to find where they took Mido. He's got to be locked up somewhere on this island." Medaka put a finger to her lips. "Cyclops Mask is approaching." "Got it," Jotaro replied, "All troops, resume march!"

Eventually training let out for the day. "You do good work," Cyclops Mask said as he approached, "Our own forces couldn't have trained the Reserve Corps nearly so well. Black Cross Fuhrer was skeptical of the usage of children, but I think when he sees what excellent skills they have, he'll be most pleased. With this, we can accomplish all that we have dreamed of." Medaka nodded. "We can use the boys' squadron in a surprise attack on EAGLE. They'll surely be done for."

"In other words," Cyclops Mask said, "The Black Cross Army will finally rise to power! Just as the Grand Crystal promised!" As he turned his back to them and laughed, he didn't notice Jotaro rolling his eyes or Medaka practically gagging on the words she had just uttered. He was way too full of himself, thinking his plans were proceeding better than anticipated. He had no idea how badly he'd be getting screwed over.

That night, as the children were placed in their cells, Midori, who had let herself get caught in hopes of finding her friends, cracked an eye as she heard footsteps approaching. It was Jotaro and Medaka. "We have to get these children out before tomorrow's brainwashing," Medaka said. Jotaro nodded. "We should contact Yugi and Yusuke." Medaka shook her head. "No. That would tip off Cyclops Mask and he'd rush the kids into the brainwashing."

"Big Sis," Midori whispered as she sat up, "I'm Midori." Jotaro shushed her. "We need to be quiet when we talk." Midori nodded. "So you two aren't bad people after all?" "That's right," Medaka said, "We're with the Gorengers. We infiltrated this place to save all the children that were kidnapped." Midori smiled. "You promise?" The two Gorengers nodded, but had to leave when they heard a Zolder patrol coming in.

Earlier it was said that not even an ant could slip through the island's security. However, Yugi was far more clever than an ant. One of the patrols spotted a motorboat coming in, with what looked like Akarenger driving it. The Zolders opened fire and blew the head off. "We got him," one of them said in excitement. They boarded the motorboat as it came in, but were shocked to discover that what they had blasted was actually a dummy. A diver emerged from the water and fired off a harpoon gun, hitting one of the Zolders in the chest.

Another opened fire as the diver submerged. The diver came back up near the firing Zolder, tripping him into the water. The diver met with two others, one of them carrying the harpoon gun. It was Yugi, Yoko, and Tomoko. "That went well," Yoko noted. Yugi nodded. "Good work getting their attention. But it looks like I'll need to go it alone from here. Contact Yusuke. I'm sure he's going near stir-crazy with worry by now." The girls nodded.

Yugi transformed into Akarenger and snuck into the prisoner cells. He noticed a camera up near the ceiling. "Hmm... Can't go any further in or else I'll be spotted." "A little late for that, Akarenger," Cyclops Mask said as he approached. He motioned toward the cave entrance, and Medaka and Jotaro came in. "You're alright," Akarenger said. "Don't act so relieved," Jotaro said, "We're no longer your allies." He made the same wink he gave to Ichigo, letting Akarenger know what was going on.

"Just what nonsense are you spouting?," he fake demanded. Cyclops Mask chuckled. "Show me what you two are made of. Dispose of your old friend!" The two made to attack, or at least put on a convincing show. At one point Jotaro got Akarenger in an arm lock. "They have the cells locked tight," Jotaro whispered, "Any ideas?" "How strong is your head?," Akarenger whispered back. He broke free and punched Jotaro right in the face. "Ow...," Jotaro muttered, "Is that what we keep doing to Zolders? Now I almost feel sorry for 'em."

He charged at Akarenger with a headbutt, Akarenger dodging as he struck at both the two infiltrators and a group of Zolders that showed up as reinforcements. "What's with this sloppy performance!?," Cyclops Mask reprimanded, "Just get rid of him already!" Akarenger took out the Zolders, then dodged a charging headbutt from Jotaro. However, Jotaro was actually aiming for the cell behind Akarenger, breaking the cell door enough to get it open.

Medaka threw the cell door open. "Act's over! Time to get out of here!" Cyclops Mask was flabbergasted as Akarenger held him off while the children escaped from the cell. "We'll look for the other kids!," Jotaro called out. Akarenger nodded. "I'll deal with this trash!" As he kept taking out the Zolders, Medaka and Jotaro lead the kids out of the cave. Medaka noticed Midori coming in on her own. "There you are! I'm glad you're safe!"

Midori nodded. "Akarenger came to save us!" Jotaro nodded. "Of course he did. He's a friend of ours and a true hero." Medaka then heard the sound of enemies approached. "They're getting closer." "Midori," Jotaro said, "Run like your life depends on it! Which, let's be honest, it probably does." Midori nodded and hurried off while Medaka and Jotaro hid in a nearby building. Cyclops Mask and a few Zolders passed by the building. Cyclops Mask thought he felt someone watching him, but couldn't see anyone.

"Damn bad depth perception...," he muttered. He then saw his Zolders approaching with Midori in tow. "We found trying to run," one of them explained. "Who was with you just now?," Cyclops Mask demanded. "I don't know!," Midori insisted, "I was just running out of the cell!" "Lies!," Cyclops Mask said, "Fess up, or I'll kill all of your friends!" Midori stayed silent. "It won't matter how long you wait," Cyclops Mask insisted, "The Gorengers won't come to save you."

He cried out in pain as something hit him in the head. He noticed that it was a thrown pipe. He turned to the nearby building. He nodded to a Zolder, who tossed in a stick grenade. Of course, Medaka and Jotaro had already snuck out a different exit after Jotaro throw the pipe. As the explosion went off, Akarenger came in attacking the Zolders. "I overheard what you said earlier," Akarenger said, "What, do I no longer count as a Gorenger?" Cyclops Mask was about to retort, but relented with a sigh.

Akarenger grabbed Midori and started running for it. "After him!," Cyclops Mask called out. Soon enough, Akarenger and the kids reached the shore. "We'll be alright now, Midori." "But what about the other two?," Midori asked. Akarenger gave an assuring nod. "They'll be fine. I'm sure they've already gotten to safety." Cyclops Mask laughed as he appeared. "I wonder about that, Akarenger! We've already gotten rid of those two!" "Oh?," Akarenger asked, "Then produce their bodies."

Again Cyclops Mask seemed at a loss for words. He looked to his Zolders, but they just shrugged. "Ah, it doesn't matter! You'll be dying one way or another!" He launched his spear, but Akarenger dodged it and started taking out the Zolders who approached. He then grabbed Midori and leapt off to a nearby field. Before they could get much father, however, Cyclops Mask ambushed them with his tendrils. "How's that? You can't move now, can you? And we've captured the other children as well!"

"Midomerang Cut!" Cyclops Mask gasped as Midorenger leapt in out of nowhere and sliced through his tendrils using the Midomerang. "Good to see you alright, Mido!," Akarenger said as he tossed aside the limb tendrils. "Sorry I'm late," Midorenger said, "I needed to find a chance to break free and wreck the place. I already took out their brainwashing machine." Cyclops Mask was shocked. "What the hell are you doing here?" "You just learned that Jotaro and Medaka never betrayed us," Midorenger pointed out, "And you're asking that question?"

He pointed to where Kirenger and Momorenger were running up, baffling Cyclops Mask. "How are my plans getting wrecked left and right!?" He growled, then opened his eye wide, sending the Gorengers into a hypnotic trance. They found themselves inside Cyclops Mask's strange head. "Damn," Akarenger said, "We fell into his trap." "We need to get out somehow," Momorenger said, "Before we get too numb to move."

Akarenger then noticed the central nerve. "There! If we can take out that nerve, we can stop him from controlling the children!" "Blue Cherry!" A familiar arrow struck the nerve, breaking the Gorengers out of the trance. Aorenger had arrived, striking Cyclops Mask in his eye. "Who dares break off my attack?" "Up here!," Aorenger called out. The other Gorengers leapt up to join him. "Akarenger!" "Aorenger!" "Kirenger!" "Momorenger!" "Midorenger!" "The five assembled!" "Gorenger!"

"The five of you can go straight to hell!," Cyclops Mask called out. "Heroes of justice never go to hell!," Akarenger retorted, "Only vile monsters like you! Gorengers, attack!" Cyclops Mask fired off some explosives from his spear, which did little to slow down the Gorengers as they started attacking the Zolders. Akarenger, Kirenger, and Aorenger took out the first group. Midorenger took out a few more using his Midomerang's blade.

He then took aim at an incoming group. "Midomerang!" The flying boomerang took out the entire line. Momorenger took out a group of her own. Kirenger started pounding on another Zolder. "I'm Mount Aso! Make me mad and I explode!" He threw the Zolder off the cliff. "Red Bute!" Akarenger started lashing the Zolders with his main weapon. Aorenger struck down a few more with the shaft of his Visor Weapon before firing it off. "Blue Cherry!" He hit a flying Zolder right in the face.

Momorenger took out another Zolder before pulling off one of her earrings. "Sakura Bomb!" She threw the explosive, wiping out a charging group of Zolders. The Gorengers then moved to confront Cyclops Mask. "Don't move!," he warned, "I have the children over there on the cliff! One word from me, and they'll jump to their deaths!" Akarenger looked at Aorenger, who nodded. "Blue Cherry!" He struck Cyclops Mask right in the eye, causing him to tumble off the hill he was on.

"Now's our chance!," Akarenger called out, "Gorenger Storm!" The team nodded and got in formation as Momorenger produced the Storm. "Gorenger Storm! Ki!" "Mido!" "Ao!" "Aka!" "Finish!" Cyclops Mask had just gotten up and pulled the arrow out of his eye, when he got struck by the Gorenger Storm, which exploded in his face and destroyed him. With his death, the eyes he implanted in the children fell off, freeing them from the brainwashing. Midori and the other children ran out to greet and thank the Gorengers for saving them.

"I never had much faith in this plan to begin with," Black Cross Fuhrer admitted, "But any loss to the Gorengers is a humiliation that cannot be allowed to go unpunished." "I agree," Sun Halo Mask replied, "I gave Cyclops Mask my full confidence in this operation and he blew it. He couldn't even tell that the Gorengers were deceiving him. Our next operation will be much more successful." "I hope so, Sun Halo Mask, for your sake," Black Cross Fuhrer said, "My patience with you is wearing thin."

To be continued...

What is a bug that can't walk? That's a riddle that will be asked in the next chapter. I decided to include it since at this point the previews for the next episode started including riddles. See if you can guess by the time the answer is revealed next chapter. Remember, some of the answers might be wordplay from the Japanese language, so if you're stumped, try finding ideas on Word Hippo. Read and review.