Hey. at least it's been less than a year, right?
Well... I was planning on posting this when I got the next chapter done, but... I figured there's been a long enough gap, and posted this one anyway.
So, onto the story... after this;
Disclaimer; I don't own Power Rangers at all. If I did, these two would be canon.
Please enjoy.
Merrick
I groaned as I tossed and turned in my sleep.
"Wait, please!" I pleaded to a disappearing figure, "Please stay!"
"Why should I?" The voice echoed through my head, so much that I couldn't distinguish it.
"I'm sorry!" I insisted, "Please… forgive me…"
"How can I when you don't even know what you did wrong?" The voice countered.
"Then tell me, please," I begged.
"What'd be the point?"
With that, the figure vanished.
"Come back!" I pleaded, holding my arm out.
However, almost as soon as I did that, something grabbed me from behind, pulling me into an endless void of darkness…
I gasped as I bolted upright, before I slowly lifted my hand to my cheek, to feel it was wet.
Taking in a soft breath, biting my lip
I slowly got up, getting ready to start my day of chores.
As I did, my Lunar Caller buzzed and, after a bit of jumping… and fumbling for it, I casually leaned against a wall, holding it to my ear, "Hello? Who is this?"
"Oh… sorry Merrick…" It… was Alyssa…
"Crap…!" I mentally growled.
"I… um… wasn't expecting you to be up this early… sorry… I'll call again-"
"I'm always up this early." I lied instantly.
I clamped a hand over my mouth, wanting to shut up already, closing my eyes.
"Oh… well… um…" She took in a soft breath, "Danny and Max are gonna train with me in about half an hour, and I usually go on a run around now… and I was… well… wondering if you wanted to join or… if you wanted help, I could do that to…"
"No!" I insisted quickly, my hand going out instinctively.
"…Oh…" She let out slowly, "S… sorry for-"
"N-n-n-n-no!" I stuttered before I took in a soft breath, "I didn't mean to be rude like that… I meant, no, I don't need any help… but… I... I appreciate the gesture… and… um… sorry, but I can't join you."
"…Oh… okay." Was all she said, "…I'll be by later to study then…"
"…Okay…" I agreed calmly, "I'll see you then…"
"Okay… bye…" With that, she hung up.
"Yeah… bye…" I sighed, lowering the phone from my ear, before I hit my head against my doorframe, "Why am I such an idiot when it comes to her?!"
"Probably cause you like her?" My mind scoffed.
I quickly shook that thought from my mind.
"Whatever… I need to start working anyway…" I breathed out slowly.
3 hours later…
Just as I was about to start fixing some new tables, the wind blew for my attention.
"Dang it…" I cursed before I bolted off.
20 minutes later…
Before us was a… basically, a human, with a spiked ball for a head.
And two… strangely familiar but still unfamiliar orgs with horns accompanying it.
"Alright, more pins! What a thoughtful thing you've done for me!" The strange… Ball Org mocked.
"We're only here to get rid of you and your friends!" Cole retorted, pointing at it.
"That's Jindrax and Toxica with that Org…" Alyssa stepped forward, "They've changed!"
"Well, not enough!" Cole noted, "Blazing Lion!"
"Soaring Eagle!" Taylor called.
"Surging Shark!" Max continued.
"Iron Bison!" Danny added.
"Noble Tiger!" Alyssa let out.
"Howling Wolf!" I finished.
"Guardians of the Earth…!" Cole went to the motto, "United, we roar! Power Rangers…!"
"Wild Force!" All of us jumped to the ground to 'claw' at it, before jumping back up, getting in our stances.
"Your pins are set!" 'Toxica' mocked, looking at the Org, "Knock 'em down!"
"Thought you'd never ask!" The Org stepped forward calmly, seeming to… 'wind up' as it were.
"What's he doing?" I questioned.
He threw a Ball down, sending it right at us.
"He's gonna bowl us down!" Max let out, "Watch out!"
Before we could, remarkably… the bowling ball came at us, then blasted all six of us into the air.
This sent us flying off… and… I sorta blacked out.
I groaned when I came to, on the ground, definitely demorphed, and definitely at the bottom of a cliffside.
Slowly, I got up, holding my right shoulder in pain.
"You guys okay?" Alyssa asked calmly.
I took in a few breaths, before I jogged up to them, nodding at her question.
"Is everyone here?" Cole groaned out as he got up to us as well.
"I've been better…" Taylor grumbled.
"Same here…" I grunted.
"…How are we gonna stop this Org?" Alyssa questioned, looking at all of us.
"…I know how!" Max let out, "Come on!"
He definitely got a second wind, as he rushed off.
"…I'll catch up." I groaned a bit, holding my shoulder, "I… need to be somewhere…"
Alyssa and Taylor nodded, "Be safe."
I nodded back before I tried to jog off… only for my left leg to give out below me, and I fell to the ground.
"Or not…" I grumbled.
"Come on." Alyssa helped me stand up, "Do you think you can walk with support…?"
"Worth a try…" I breathed out.
"Here." Taylor got on my other side, wrapped an arm around me, and walked us down the path, where the others were going.
"What was Max even talking about…?"
"I overheard him and Danny earlier when Max was cleaning out his area… turns out, Max had a bowling trophy from when he was a kid."
"Okay… uh… what exactly… is bowling…?"
"We'll explain on the way." They sighed.
Half an hour later…
I frowned as we walked into a 'bowling alley'…
Which I still had no idea exactly what was going on…
Max was talking about some… 'Bowling Legend' who taught him how to… well… bowl.
I was more caught up in the ones actually doing the bowling… mostly cause I couldn't really move my left leg much.
"'Xcuse me…" An old man swept his mop under my feet a bit.
"Oh… sorry…" I winced as I moved a bit back.
"…Excuse me," Max walked over, "Do you know where Don is?"
"I don't know any Don." He bit.
I blinked before I noticed his tag read… 'Don'…
"He's a pro bowler?" Max scoffed, "He used to work out here a lot."
"I said I don't know 'em." 'Don' glared back at him.
"…Don!" Max gaped.
Don moved his mop and bucket around the chairs, closer to the… 'bowling' part.
"…Is that you?" Max walked up to him.
Don exhaled softly, before turning to him, "What do you want, kid?"
"…I need your help." Max let out, "I need you… to teach me the Tornado Spin."
"Look, I can't help you, I don't bowl anymore." He denied the blue Ranger.
"Uh… please!" Max grabbed his shoulder.
Don glanced at the hand, which Max quickly removed.
"…Can't you just do it for me?" Max requested.
"Look, you had your chance, and you threw it away." Don denied.
I blinked at this exchange, as Don walked away.
How could a guy like this…!
"Max," I got the blue Ranger's attention, "…You sure this is some… Bowling Legend? He's cleaning the floor… and… not actually bowling."
"Still…" He walked after Don.
I sighed, as I followed him, with the others not far behind me.
5 minutes later…
I gently clapped Max's shoulder as he seemed to be looking off into space.
He jumped a bit, before he walked forward, "I'm sorry I disappointed you before…. But I had to go."
Don looked up from where he was drying his mop, clearly getting annoyed.
"We really need your help." Max insisted.
"Look, It's a little too late for that, alright?" Don let out.
Cole stepped forward carefully, "…Please forgive Max. He had a lot of work to do last time. And still does."
I shook my head, then stepped forward, "We'll return the favor somehow, right guys?"
I looked back at everyone.
"Yeah." Alyssa agreed as the others came forward.
"Alyssa's a great cook, she'll make you anything you want," Cole let out, "And Taylor can help organize this whole place…"
"I can help mop the floors, or fix the machines." I added plainly, though there was no way I'd make do on that promise in any way…
"And Danny… uh… Danny can…" Cole looked at me for an idea.
"I…" Danny tried to step in.
I raised a hand, "Danny can… wash your bowling balls."
Don seemed to consider this, then seemed to snap back to reality.
"Look, I don't want your help, alright?" He denied, "And I don't work with quitters. Now get outta my way, leave me alone…"
He moved around us, taking his mop with him.
Danny, however, stopped him momentarily.
"You're wrong about Max… sir…" He let out, "He's loyal… and dedicated. He'll make you proud."
He glanced away, then scoffed, looking back at the black ranger, "You know? I once believed that…"
With that, he continued on in.
The others groaned, following him.
I stayed back, biting my lip.
"Merrick?" Taylor frowned, looking back at me.
"…I need to get back to Willie's anyway…" I was about to start walking away when the wind blew.
"And… that's my cue to get outta here…" I gritted my teeth before I ran out.
10 minutes later…
I was morphed, atop a shipping container close to Turtle Cove Port.
"Where are those Pesky Rangers…?" Toxica growled.
"I know where one of them is!" I shouted down.
They looked up at me, clearly confused.
"Right here!" I called.
"And who are you?" The Bowling Org questioned.
"Lunar Wolf Ranger at your service!" I replied before I jumped from my position onto the ground easily.
Once I landed, I quickly pulled out my main weapon.
"Lunar Cue! Saber Mode!" I shouted as it changed.
Once in its more bladed shape, I took in a soft breath.
"You literally have a death wish…" My conscious grumbled softly.
As always, I ignored it.
He raised some… 'pins' before we ran at each other.
We connected a couple of times, but… while I was able to get some strikes in.
Ultimately, he struck me back with the pins.
But, I easily hit against some railing and kicked him back a bit.
"If that's all ya got, you're throwing gutter balls!" The Bowling Org mocked, and I was nearing my wit's end.
"I'm just warming up." I retorted, "Maybe you'll like my next shot!"
"This isn't Billiards! Cue Sticks can't stop bowling balls!" He denied, readying his bowling ball.
"Lunar Cue! Break Mode!" I shifted the mode of my main weapon.
"You're asking for it…" He let out.
"So give it to me!" I placed my Lunar Cue closer to the ground, where the ball would roll.
"Do you want to be sent to the Hospital or something?!" My mind snapped.
Once more, I ignored it.
The bowling ball rolled down to me, and I prepared myself to hit it…
But, it rolled up, hit my head, and I was sent flying backward, into some barrels, then into a gated area.
"You were warned."
I distinctly ignored that.
"That bowling Ball was more powerful than I thought." I groaned softly.
Alyssa
For some reason, I got a very bad feeling in my chest when the Princess calling Cole about the Org attack.
Looking around the area, I figured out why.
Merrick was missing.
"I don't like this…" I frowned before the rest of us ran out quickly.
5 minutes later…
We came to where the fight was definitely happening… and while I couldn't see Merrick right away, I did see that the Bowling Org didn't have his Bowling Ball anymore… and that could only mean…
"Alright, Max! You knocked his bowling ball away!" Cole cheered a bit as we got up to him.
As we did, I was almost relieved to see Merrick jumping back over to us.
"Yeah, but we still need to combine our weapons." Max instructed plainly.
Without a second thought, we quickly did just that.
"Jungle Sword!" Cole exclaimed as we held his back as he held the combined weapon high.
"Lunar Cue! Break Mode!" Merrick readied his weapon.
"Alright guys, time to end this game." Max noted.
With that said, Cole turned the weapon in his hands, readying to strike, "Savage Slash!"
"Lunar Break!"
The Jungle Sword struck down as the Laser Pool sent Merrick's three crystals out.
Once they hit, the Org fell to the ground, exploding.
Of course, the newly changed Toxica was ready with her staff to enlarge the Org.
But, so were we as we pulled out our crystal sabers.
"WildZords! Descend!" The Six of us quickly let out.
Once I noticed the main five WildZords coming, we got ready with the next part…
"WildZords! Combine!" The other four and I chorused.
"Soul Bird!" Cole called next.
We jumped onto the strong control panel, going into our Megazord a moment later.
When we did, I gulped softly as the Bowling Org held up an enlarged version of its original ball.
"My bowling ball's back, and there's gonna be trouble!" The Org declared as he threw it at us.
The Bowling Ball struck the Wild Force Megazord first, sending it flying into the air… and for it to come apart not a moment later…
Meaning, we were sent flying out like it was nothing.
I groaned as I landed on the ground, gritting my teeth in pain a bit.
"Next!" Bowling Org laughed darkly at the Predazord.
I bit my lip in worry as I watched the 'Predator Wave' being sent out… but… it didn't do a thing to it!
And, of course, the Bowling Org returned the wave of power with a strike from his bowling ball.
Which… sent the Predazord flying, and coming apart…
"And Merrick to fall through the air!" My mind exclaimed in worry.
"Merrick!" I called as we rushed up to where he landed quickly, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Merrick assured weakly.
"I'm tired of playing with you losers!" The Org stepped close to us, making us quickly move out of the way.
"We can't win without our Megazords!" I gaped.
"Anybody have any ideas?" Cole looked at each of us.
"Maybe there's a way we can form another Megazord." Taylor reasoned slowly.
"Yeah." Danny agreed.
"But how?" Merrick wondered, motioning out, "My Alligator is very damaged."
"Yeah… and so's my shark." Max looked at his WildZord too.
"And the tiger is too." I blinked when I noticed my WildZord was also hurt.
"Merrick, how are the Wolf and Hammerhead doing?" Cole looked at the silver ranger.
All three of the mentioned Zords looked ready to fight.
"It looks like they're okay, Cole." He let out.
"Maybe… if there's a chance we can combine them with the remaining WildZords, there's a good chance we can pull this off." Cole figured.
"Let's do it!" Merrick nodded, "Wolf! Hammerhead!"
"Lion, Eagle, Bison! Let's go!" Cole called.
The Wolf and Hammerhead quickly combined to the rest of the reforming Megazord as the arms.
"Soul Bird!" Cole called the connecting panel again before the five of us jumped into the Megazord.
"You've got nothing left to bowl with!" The Bowling Org countered as we got situated.
"Yeah, we do!" Max countered, "Call the ArmadilloZord!"
"Wow, sounding pretty commanding now, Max." I mentally praised.
"You got it, Max." Taylor agreed, placing the corresponding crystal in its place on her Crystal Saber, "ArmadilloZord! Descend!"
Within moments, the small-ish Purple and white Zord came down from the Animarium, coming onto the Hammerhead's arm.
"Give me a break, you call that thing a bowling ball?!" The Bowling Org mocked, "Let a pro show you how to do it!"
The Org threw his bowling ball, but we were ready.
"Tornado Armadillo Spin!" Max called.
We turned in the motion that Max had been shown with the standard Tornado Spin, with the Megazord following our movement, before we sent the ArmadilloZord out.
The strength of the attack not only broke his bowling ball, but it struck the Org down before the little Zord came back to us.
"Strike!" Max cheered.
"Please work, please work…!" I mentally begged.
"You… haven't… won the game… yet!" The Bowling Org fell to the ground, exploding, a moment later.
"Yes!" I grinned to myself.
2 hour later…
"Hey, Merrick…" I let out slowly as I got into Willie's…
The others had gone to talk to Don, but… I'd headed to the Roadhouse to make sure Merrick was okay.
He was by the Pool-table, but, cleaning some tables.
"Oh… hey, Alyssa…" He bit his lip.
"Um… are you okay…?" I frowned.
"I've… been better." He nodded.
"Oh, okay…" I rubbed my arm.
He looked away, before he asked, "So… uh… what about you…?"
"I'll be fine." I relented, "A little banged up, but… I've been through worse."
He frowned, "…Okay… if you say so…"
I smiled a little, before I went and put my bag in the desk room, before I came back out.
"…You want any help…?" I inquired gently.
"No, it's fine." He denied.
"…Oh…" I frowned.
I sighed, shaking my head.
"…Are you free right now?"
"Sort of, why?"
"…Wanna join me for a walk in the park?"
Cole
I was watching some birds in the park when I noticed Merrick walking alongside Alyssa…
And, for some reason, that twisted my gut in anger.
But, instead of confronting them, jumped into a tree.
When I did, I noticed them coming down the path, talking about… something…
I blinked, looking over to see Taylor in another tree, clearly giving Alyssa some sort of motion.
"…Listen… um… about earlier today…" Alyssa let out slowly, biting her lip.
"Yeah, I… I've been meaning to mention that…" Merrick sighed softly.
I frowned, listening closely.
"…I'm sorry I was such an idiot on the phone this morning…" Merrick let out slowly, "…I had this… stupid dream, and I was still coming off of it."
"Oh…" Alyssa blinked, slowly nodding, "I… I get it."
I gritted my teeth as I watched this, feeling something boil inside me that I couldn't understand.
However, one look at the other tree told me Taylor was feeling exasperated.
"Are you… maybe… gonna come by the Roadhouse tomorrow…?" He asked slowly.
"…Why do you ask…?"
"Oh… uh… j… just…" He stuttered, "You… um… you've been coming by daily… and… I... um… I wanna make sure that… you know… you're doing… well…"
"…In school…?"
"Or just… in general." He reasoned.
That weird feeling was beginning to boil in my stomach as he said that…
"…Maybe… I don't know…"
"Oh… uh… okay." He breathed out.
"Sorry, it's not a definitive answer…" Alyssa bit her lip.
"No worries." Merrick smiled lightly, "…I'll see you later."
With that, he turned and jogged off.
Looking over at Taylor… I saw she was banging her head into the tree branch she was leaning against.
Quickly, I looked down at Alyssa, feeling… betrayed or… just… angry about something…
It was like… watching her and Merrick together… talking like this… it made me… angry.
And I couldn't figure out why.
Oh boy, wonder what could be feeling?
Well... I'm sure it can't be bad for Merrick and Alyssa, right?
Well... you'll just have to wait and see.
I hope you like this story so far.
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Till next time!