A/N: So sorry for the long wait guys, I've had a lot going on with work and setting up to go back after lockdown. Hope you enjoy :)
Evie tilted her head to the side in confusion as she looks at Kevin measuring out everything onto a set of scales, and he'd been at it for a good few minutes already.
It was boring yet somehow kind of fascinating to watch.
Jayden, Mike and Emily also had similar expressions on their face as they all watched him as well.
Sensing their gaze Kevin looked up at them.
"What are you doing?" asks Mike, "just eat already" he insists.
"There is a right way to do everything within the samurai code" replies Kevin.
"Wow you're so wound up it's a wonder you can digest your food" retorts Mike.
"Yeah and I've read most of the books we have here on the samurai code as you put it, and not once in any of them does it mention the need to weigh out ones food, daily" agrees Evie taking another bite of her toast.
Mia walks in with a bright smile on her face and a covered plate in her hands.
"I came up with a new recipe" she beams as she sets it down.
Evie automatically slides a little further away from it, knowing to avoid Mia's cooking at all costs.
"Everyone loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches right. So, what could be better for breakfast than a PB and J omelette" she finishes pulling the top off with a flourish, the look of abject horror momentarily crossing everyone's faces as they see what's underneath.
"Darn I'm stuffed I just ate. Rain check?" says Mike quickly.
"Sorry Mia, I can't stand PB and J, never have, never will" apologises Evie shoving the rest of her toast in her mouth.
Mia looks at Kevin and he quickly pours everything he'd been weighing out into the bowl and starts shovelling it into his mouth.
"Precision and discipline, huh?" asks Mike pointedly.
Evie snorts with laugher at that one.
"Everyone I have excellent news" smiles Ji as he walks in. "The missing Swordfish zord has been spotted, at Limintau beach" explains Ji.
Both Jayden and Evie's head snap up sharply at that and then Evie turns and shoves Jayden, "see I told you I wasn't making it up when I said I saw a giant fish out there" she says.
"We were 13, I doubt it was the zord" answers Jayden.
"A swordfish?" asks Mia in confusion pulling the two back onto topic.
"A zord that went missing in action years ago. If we don't catch it now, who knows when we'll get another chance" explains Ji.
Suddenly the gap sensor starts to blare.
"Do they time it randomly, or are they planning this shit now?" asks Evie with a huff.
Jayden stands up and then looks at Kevin, "Kevin, we'll take care of the Nighlok, you go and catch that swordfish zord, are you up for a solo mission?" asks Jayden.
"Up for it? I've been waiting my whole life for it" beams Kevin.
"With your mastery of symbol power over water, I think you're out best chance at catching it" explains Jayden.
"I won't let you down" promises Kevin.
"Take the truck" says Ji throwing him the keys.
Kevin nods and disappears out the door.
"And the rest of us, we get to take on a Nighlok" says Jayden.
"Bring it on" smiles Mike standing up.
The five of them race out of the house, they arrive at a parking structure and see a man lying on the ground.
"Where's the Nighlok?" asks Mike looking around.
Emily kneels down next to the man, "are you alright?" she ask but receives no response.
"He can barely move" realises Mia.
The sound of cackling echoes through the area and a disgusting smell washes over them.
"What is that smell?" asks Jayden wrinkling his nose.
"Hey are you saying I've got a certain air about me?" asks the Nighlok as he walls towards them.
"Why are they always so damn ugly?" asks Evie.
"Beats me" replies Mike.
"Samuraisers" they call and quickly morph into their suits.
"Let's get him" yells Jayden and they all charge forwards.
Kevin walked towards the beach, stopping on the rocks as he looked around.
"If dad could see me now" he sighs thinking back to what his dad had said when he gave him the folding zord.
"And this is what all the hard work has been for. I won't go back without the swordfish zord" vows Kevin before he draws a symbol and fishing rod appears in his hands, "now that's what I call symbol power" he smiles smugly.
He looks at the water and unbidden thoughts of Alyssa crossed his mind, she'd always loved the beach.
"Come on Kevin, an afternoon off will not kill you, honestly if it makes you feel any better we can even go for a swim" teases Alyssa as she drags him down to the beach.
"But I'm meant to be training, and as an assistant coach you should not be distracting me" retorts Kevin.
"Oh you're saying I'm a distraction?" teases Alyssa as she looks at him.
"You can be" smiles Kevin.
Alyssa smiles, letting go of his hand she loops her arms around his shoulders, "good, sometimes you need distracting" she replies.
"I might be able to be persuaded" admits Kevin as pulls her close.
Alyssa just laughs before leaning forwards and kissing him.
Kevin shakes off the memory, he had more important things to do than to reminisce about his ex-girlfriend, he'd known what he'd have to do when he'd broken up with her. This was his destiny; his duty and he couldn't afford to give it anything other than his all. With that resolution he pulled out he disk, adding it to the fishing rod before spinning it. He was going to get this zord, one way, or the other as he cast it out into the water.
A few moments later the swordfish zord leaps out of the water before disappearing again.
"Wow, I just missed him" realises Kevin, spinning the disk again he re-casts, at least he knew he was in the right place. The next time he felt it bite he smiled, "gotcha" he says as he starts trying to reel it in. But a moment later its escaped and he sighs, "damn it" he mutters. Fishing was not supposed to be this hard.
The Nighlok blocks their attacks, "once you get a sniff of my funky smell, you'll say I'm a knockout" promises the Nighlok as he kicks Mike away before following after him having sent the other four backwards.
The next thing they see is Mike de-morphed and coughing on the floor.
"Mike" calls Emily in concern as she runs over and kneels down next to him.
"That stink must've immobilised him" assumes Mia dropping next to her.
Evie and Jayden step in front of him, "come on stinkpot" taunts Jayden as they both attack.
"Garlic and onions are all I eat, and pickled toothpaste is quite a treat" laughs the Nighlok as he blocks their attacks, Evie getting behind him to try and take him out while Jayden attacked from the front.
As he back him towards the edge and charged both of them flew over.
"Jayden" cries Evie as she rolls out of the way before scrambling to her feet and looking over the edge in time to see the Nighlok breath on Jayden.
He too falls back and is depowered in moments and as incapacitated as Mike.
"I'll get Mike, you two take him" orders Evie.
Mia and Emily both nod and vault over the edge to attack the Nighlok.
Evie rushes over to Mike and pulls out her samuraiser, "I'm sorry this is likely not going to be a smooth landing" she apologises as she quickly draws a symbol.
"Home" she calls and Mike disappears in a flash of black.
Evie pauses for a moment feeling the toll it had taken on her before she turns and runs back to the edge and looks over in time to see both Emily and Mia have been hit and the Nighlok had disappeared into a gap.
"No" she cries as she vaults over dropping next to them as she powers down and kneels next to Jayden, "I'm sorry" she apologises but none of them seem to hear her.
"Well shit" she says as she stands up and pulls out her samuraiser again.
She draws the symbol again above them, "Home" she calls and the next moment they're in the driveway of the Shiba house and Evie sits down hard as the strength of the symbol drains a lot of her energy.
"Evie" calls Ji as he runs out of the house.
"I'm good, I wasn't hit" she assures, "just took a lot out of me" she explains.
"Transportation symbols do, but well done" nods Ji, "help me get them inside" he says.
Evie nods and stands up pulling Jayden to his feet and half carrying him into the house where Ji had already managed to set up a mini med bay for them.
She settles Jayden in bed as Ji does the same with Mia and Emily, Mike already in one.
"This is all my fault, if I hadn't paused to send Mike back" sighs Evie looking down.
Ji rests his hand on her shoulder, "then you would likely all be stuck out there in this condition, but now we still have one ranger standing at full strength and you got them home" soothes Ji.
Evie still doesn't look happy about it, "what do we do?" she asks as Ji begins taking temperatures and the like.
"I'll need to check the archive, can you get it for me?" he asks.
Evie nods and grabs it from the shelf flicking through it rapidly until she finds the Nighlok who attacked them, "this is him" she says.
Ji takes it and reads through quickly, "call Kevin" he orders.
Kevin sighs, he was exhausted, he'd used every symbol power he could think of, but he was getting nowhere. Wiping his forehead, he absently realised he hadn't been drinking and he was out in direct sun using a lot of symbol power. But by the time that it had registered he was already too far gone and the next thing he's aware of is a lamp swinging above him.
He looks around confused, a damp towel resting on his head, and a man sat a little way off.
"What happened?" he asks pulling the towel off and sitting up.
"You fainted. I didn't want to leave you to roast" answers the man.
"Thank you so much for your help, but I really need to go. I have to catch a fish" says Kevin, he checks his watch and sees how much time has passed, his team needed him, and this zord.
"I say that every day" chuckles the man.
"You don't understand" starts Kevin only to stumble again.
"Whoa, easy there fella" he says steadying him.
"Its Kevin" replies Kevin.
"Andy he nods.
Kevin's samuraiser beeps then and he pulls it out flicking it open.
"Kevin, the others have been poisoned" informs Evie.
"Poisoned?" repeats Kevin.
"Yes, everyone but me inhaled the Nighloks disgusting stench. And now they've got fevers and are completely out of it, they're down for the count" explains Evie.
"I'll be right there" promises Kevin.
"No" interrupts Ji.
"Hold up Kevin" says Evie looking at him questioningly.
"The archives say they can only be healed by a purifying power" explains Ji.
"The swordfish" finishes Evie.
Ji nods, "he needs to catch it" he says.
"Okay Kevin, Ji says you have to catch the swordfish zord, it's the only thing that can help them, I'll try and hold the Nighlok off until you do" says Evie.
"Okay, be careful Evie, we don't want you down too" says Kevin.
"I'll do my best" assures Evie as she hangs up and looks around the room, "though something tells me, my best is not going to be good enough" she sighs.
"Evie you can do anything you set your mind too" reminds Ji.
"You do remember when I thought that meant I could do a round-off back-hand spring, full twisting layout right?" asks Evie. "Funnily enough Ji, I just broke my ankle, severely bruised by coccyx and sprained my wrist" she adds.
"I recall, I didn't think you'd take it quite so literally and would understand you had to practice first" he admits.
"I was ten, of course I took it literally" retorts Evie. "Look at what this Nighlok did Ji, in the space of a few minutes he took out four rangers, with one whiff of his breath. I might be able to hold my breath for four minutes underwater but how can I fight effectively while doing it, how do I do this alone?" demands Evie.
Ji sighs and then he straightens, "you don't do it alone" replies Ji.
"Uh, you just told Kevin to get the zord and these four are as much use as a chocolate fireguard" points out Evie gesturing to the others.
"We will ask our allies for help, the ninjas can help us" answers Ji simply.
"Of course" realises Evie, "but will they get here in time this Nighlok could return at any moment?" asks Evie.
"They're ninjas, I seem to recall you lamenting their ninja streak abilities quite vehemently upon our return" reminds Ji.
"I'll call Hunter" nods Evie as she pulls out her samuraiser and dials Hunter's number.
"Hello" answers Hunter.
"Hunter, its Evie, we need your help, you and the other Ninjas, we've got a problem. All the other rangers are incapacitated and I can't take on our current Nighlok alone" explains Evie.
"Of course, we'll be there as fast as we can" promises Hunter.
"Thank you, here track my samuraiser signal" she says as she pulls back and sends a set of co-ordinates through her samuraiser.
"Got them, we'll be with you sooner than you can say my name" smiles Hunter.
Evie hangs up and looks at Ji, "they're on their way" she says.
"Then let us hope the Nighlok gives us enough time before it attacks again" nods Ji.
Evie looks around the room again and sighs, "I hope so, or you'd better put another bed in here" she adds worriedly thinking back to the bully Nighloks words, that she wasn't good enough.
Ji rests his hand on her shoulder, "you can do this Evie, don't start to doubt yourself now, you are more than ready for this. And you are an have always been good enough" assures Ji gently.
Evie looks at him and sees the earnest look on his face and she nods covering his hand with hers. "I can do this, I have to do this, for them" she says her gaze landing on Jayden.
Its barely half an hour later when Evie hears the doorbell go.
She races towards and throws it open smiling in relief when she sees the three familiar faces.
"I am so happy to see you guys" she smiles hugging Hunter.
"Good to see you too" replies Hunter.
She hugs Tori and Dustin as well.
"What's going on Hunter said your whole team was down?" asks Tori.
"The Nighlok unleashed some kind of stench on them, they're all down for the count until our blue ranger returns with the cure" explains Evie as she leads them into the room that held the four other rangers.
"Oh my god" murmurs Dustin.
"Hunter, Tori, Dustin, welcome, thank you for coming" says Ji as he sees them.
"Anytime" assures Dustin.
"What's the cure?" asks Tori.
"Purifying power, Kevin our blue ranger is getting a new zord that should have the power to do it. But until then I don't think I could handle this guy alone" replies Evie.
"Let me see what I can do" says Tori as she steps into the middle of the room and summons her water power channelling it into the four rangers.
For a few moments they appear better but then their discomfort returns.
"Sorry guys, I'm not strong enough to produce that much purified water" sighs Tori slumping from the effort and Dustin steadies her.
"Kevin will get the zord, guy doesn't know how to fail" says Evie.
Dustin walks over to Emily and looks at her, "she's earth right?" he asks.
Evie nods.
"I can sense it" says Dustin, "maybe once this is all over we can chat, compare notes" he adds.
"I'm sure Emily would love that, she's been really up for learning new stuff lately" nods Evie with a small smile before her gaze flicked to Jayden and the concern became evident.
Tori wraps her arm around her, "he'll be okay, you said it yourself your blue ranger doesn't know how to fail, and we blues are pretty stubborn when we set our minds to something" smiles Tori.
Evie takes a deep breath and straightens up.
At that moment the gap sensor goes off.
"Ouch what is that?" asks Hunter covering his ears.
"Gap sensor, it tells us when a Nighlok enters our world" explains Evie, "which means its go time, remember whatever you do, do not breath in what he spews out or you'll be as bad as these guys" warns Evie.
"Lead the way Evie, shows us what a samurai can do" smiles Dustin.
"We're all behind you" agrees Tori.
Hunter nods and Evie smiles, "thanks guys, now lets show this Nighlok who's boss" she says.
The four of them turn and run out of the house once they'd checked the map, Hunter picking Evie up as they used their ninja streak abilities to get there faster.
As they disappear from sight Ji turns and sees Jayden pulling his shirt on and stumbling out of the room.
"What are you doing?" demands Ji.
"You heard the gap sensor" replies Jayden, "Evie can't do this alone" he says.
"She isn't alone, we called the Ninjas to help. Tori, Dustin and Hunter are with her, they'll watch her back" assures Ji.
"Not Hunter" mutters Jayden delirious from the fever, "he better not kiss her again" groans Jayden.
Ji's eyes widen at that but he files it away for later and guides Jayden back to bed. But not before he flicks open his samuraiser and calls Kevin, "Kevin, Evie's got back up now, so you focus on the swordfish. I did not choose you for this randomly Kevin. I choose you because of your commitment and discipline, and I know you can overcome any obstacle" assures Jayden.
"I won't let you down" promises Kevin. He hangs up and with renewed determination casts his fishing pole, he was not about to let Jayden down.
Meanwhile Evie and the others arrive in the city and see the Nighlok knocking down civilians, the four of them morph and walk forwards.
"Hey ugly, why don't you pick one someone your own size" calls Evie.
The Nighlok turns, surprise appearing on his face as he sees the three ninja rangers.
"Hey, no one told me about extra rangers, where'd you come from?" demands the Nighlok.
"If you're not going to play fair, then neither are we" retorts Evie.
"And we've fought way worse than you" agrees Hunter.
"Give it your best shot, I'll put you down just like I did the rest of your pathetic team, and your new friends too" answers the Nighlok.
"Not going to happen" assures Evie as the four of them run forwards Evie pulling her sword while the others pull their weapons as well.
Kevin relentlessly continues trying to catch the swordfish zord, not noticing Andy had followed him until he finally runs out of symbol power and stumbles, Andy managing to catch him.
"Uh, come here" he says helping him to sit down.
"Here, drink this" he adds holding out a bottle of water.
Kevin took a much needed drink and sighed, he couldn't believe he was failing.
"Kevin, why are you doing this to yourself?" asks Andy simply.
"I have to bring in the swordfish, and my symbol power" starts Kevin only to see the blank look on Andy's face.
"What I'm doing isn't working" he clarifies.
"So why make yourself sick? There are plenty of easier catches than a swordfish" replies Andy.
"No this fish is special. And it has to be now" explains Kevin standing back up. "My friends are counting on me for this" he adds.
Andy reaches down and picks up the fishing rod before handing it over, "then get to it" he nods with an encouraging smile. "Its time for you to catch that swordfish" he says.
Kevin nods and re-casts.
He just needed to focus.
"I can sense it, its out there right now" he says.
Shutting his eyes he slows his breathing, focusing his thoughts and his symbol power as he'd been taught to do and a moment later he feels it channel through the fishing rod as he spins the disk. And a few seconds later he could feel the swordfish zord on the line, "I can do this" he says, "I can do this" he repeats.
Andy steadies him and the next thing he knows he's holding the now blue disk in his hand and they're both lying on the floor. The zord securely in the disk.
"Its on the disk, I did it" he smiles sitting up as he looks at the disk.
"Exactly what kind of swordfish was that?" asks Andy looking at it as he sat up as well.
"I told you it was special" smiles Kevin.
Andy nods and Kevin turns and shakes his hand enthusiastically, "thanks for all your help, really" he beams before jumping up and sprinting towards the truck, he had to help his team, so they could help Evie.
Evie transforms her sword into a whip so she can attack without having to get too close to the Nighlok, while the ninjas use their speed to avoid his breath as well.
As the Nighlok swings at Dustin she wraps her whip around his arm and yanks it back, Hunter appears in front of him and knocks him backwards with his thunder staff. Evie releases his arm as Tori uses her sonic fin to send the Nighlok onto one of the columns and Dustin completes it with a hit from his lion hammer.
Evie flicks her whip, "someone wanna give me a boost?" she asks.
"With pleasure" smiles Hunter as he brings out his shield.
Evie runs forwards and jumps onto, she's thrown into the air and wraps her whip around the Nighloks arm using the momentum she flicks the whip forward with a snap of her wrist and the Nighlok is thrown across the square rolling along the floor painfully while Evie lands easily and wraps her whip around her body with a smirk.
The Nighlok groans in pain, "no fair" he says as he pulls himself up before he suddenly turns and lunges at Evie about to spew his breath on her when he's drenched in a stream of water and is thrown backwards again.
Tori lands next to Evie with a nod.
"No not purified water" cries the Nighlok still on the floor.
"I thought you said you couldn't do enough?" asks Evie looking at Tori.
"Not to purge him from your team, but a direct hit, now that I can do" replies Tori.
"Care to do the honours?" offers Hunter.
"With pleasure" nods Evie as she walks forwards her whip morphing back into a sword and she pulls out her disk, "spin sword" she calls and her sword ignites.
"Metal strike" she yells as she jumps up and lands next to the Nighlok her sword going right into its chest.
A cry rings out before the Nighlok explodes, the force of the blast throwing Evie backwards but instead of hitting the ground she finds herself in a familiar pair of arms.
"Jayden" she smiles throwing her arms around his shoulders.
"Miss me?" he asks.
"Maybe a bit" she smiles knowing he'd hear it in her voice even with her helmet on.
Jayden sets her down and her smile grows when she sees the rest of the team along with Kevin.
"You got the zord" she beams.
"I did, we came as soon as we could, but seems you found your own help" says Kevin looking at the ninjas questioningly.
"Remember how we said we spent some time with the Ninja rangers" reminds Evie.
"Cool" smiles Mike.
Behind them the Nighlok grows to a megamonster.
"Jesus, yours do this too?" asks Hunter.
"Yep" nods Jayden.
"Need any more help?" asks Dustin.
Evie looks at the others, "No I think we got this one guys" she says.
"Can't wait to see how this goes" smiles Hunter as they power down and step back while the others power up.
"Let's take this stink breath down, once and for all" says Jayden.
"I couldn't agree more" nods Evie.
They pull out their zords and combine the megazord, within moments they're all stood in the control room.
"You should know the bigger I am, the bigger the stench" taunts the Nighlok as he blows a smoke at them.
"I can't see" says Emily.
"We're sitting ducks" realises Mike.
Then out of the smoke the Nighlok appeared and slammed into them.
"Things getting a little foggy?" he laughs as they try and fend off his attacks through the smoke.
"This isn't good" says Emily.
"Maybe the swordfish zord can cancel out this fog" suggests Kevin.
"Good call" agrees Mia.
"Take it away Kev" nods Jayden.
Kevin pulls out the disk and slides it onto his console, "swordfish zord" he calls and a moment later the swordfish zord is heading straight for the Nighlok as Kevin appears in its cockpit. "Swordfish torpedo" he activates and the two slam into the Nighlok following by the swordfish zord itself.
"Hey stop that" whines the Nighlok.
"Let's combine and show this creep what we can really do" suggests Kevin.
"Do it bro" cheers Mike.
"You ready?" asks Jayden.
"I am so ready" assures Kevin, "samurai armament" and the swordfish zord combines with the rest of the megazord.
"Oh yeah, now we're popping, prepare to feel the pain dragon breath" taunts Kevin.
The Nighlok turns concern evident on its face, "what?" he asks.
"Katana power, twin blade mode" smirks Jayden as he activates it.
They attack the Nighlok with their new weapon before unleashing the torpedoes as well.
"Let's finish this" says Evie.
"Our megablades should so the trick" nods Jayden.
They activate their blades "swordfish splash" they call and within seconds the Nighlok explodes in front of them after a single swing.
"Samurai rangers, victory is ours" smiles Jayden.
Everyone smiles and they return to the ground and power down, their zords shrinking and settling in their pockets.
"Nicely done, I'm impressed" smiles Hunter walking forwards and hugging Evie.
"I should hope so" replies Evie before smiling, "thank you for the help" she adds.
"Anything for my favourite samurai" replies Hunter.
"Don't tell Cam that" warns Tori.
"Please Cam knows he's not my favourite, I mean compare, Evie" he says gesturing to her, "or Cam, who in their right mind would not choose Evie?" he asks.
"Well I'd pick Jayden" replies Tori.
Jayden smiles and hugs her, "thank you, all of you for helping Evie when we couldn't" he says.
"Once a ranger, always a ranger" smiles Dustin.
"Uh going to introduce us?" asks Mike.
"Right of course, guys this is Hunter, Tori and Dustin the ninja power rangers, guys this is Kevin, Mike, Emily and Mia" smiles Evie.
Dustin walks up to Emily, "earth right?" he asks.
"Yeah, you too" guesses Emily.
"Mhm" nods Dustin, "Evie said you might be up for comparing notes?" he offers.
Emily shoots her a grateful look, "absolutely" she nods.
"Great" beams Dustin.
"And you'd be the water samurai" assumes Tori looking at Kevin.
"I am, nice to meet you" he says shaking her hand.
"You too, its always good to meet another blue ranger" replies Tori.
"Likewise" agrees Kevin.
"So you're what, fire?" asks Mike noting the red on Hunter's clothes.
"Nope, thunder ninja and a crimson ranger" replies Hunter and the clouds close above them momentarily and thunder crashes.
"You need to stop doing that" says Evie.
"What we all have our tricks" replies Hunter, "but seriously you guys were good, you've come a long way since we saw you last" he says holding out his hand to Jayden.
"Thank you" replies Jayden shaking his hand.
"How about everyone comes back and we can talk properly?" suggests Evie.
"Sounds good" nods Tori.
None of them noticing the Nighlok who was watching them all from above. His gaze flicking between the rangers. One of them would be worthy, of that he was sure.
They head back to the house and find Ji waiting for them, "well done, all of you" he smiles.
"All in a day's work, been awhile since we got to fight a monster, and that was almost worse than some of Lothor's goons" nods Tori.
As Ji ushers everyone in to sit down and get drinks Evie grabs Tori and Hunter.
"The team don't know yet" she says pointedly, "about me and Jayden" she whispers.
"Not a word" assures Hunter and Tori mimes zipping her lips.
Everyone settles down and they begin sharing stories and training ideas, Tori and Kevin and Dustin and Emily especially given their shared elements and Dustin and Emily disappear outside to play in the mud as Mia affectionately dubs it.
Evie glances out the window a little later and sees Emily practising her symbol power, minus her samuraiser.
"Good for you Em" nods Evie.
Mike appears next to her, "so this Dustin guy, what's his deal?" asks Mike.
Evie turns and raises her eyebrows, "his deal?" she asks.
"Yeah what's he like?" asks Mike.
"Dustin, he's sweet, optimistic, a lot like Emily actually. He's really good at motocross and was actually one of the first people to get me into bikes, well him and Hunter" replies Evie enjoying teasing Mike by leaving out the one thing he wants to know.
"Anything else?" asks Mike.
"He's a really good teacher so he'll probably be able to help Em in a way we can't. Though I doubt he'll be around all that much, his girlfriend Marah and he are planning a trip to Spain I think he said" says Evie holding back her smirk as she sees Mike almost deflate in relief.
"Huh, well they say Spain is nice this time of year" nods Mike.
"They do" nods Evie with a smile.
Ji appears at that moment with Hunter behind him, "Evie can I borrow you for a moment?" he asks.
"Sure" nods Evie as they follow him into his office.
"What's up?" asks Evie looking at Ji in confusion.
"Jayden said something just after you left, and I'd like to story behind it. At what point when Evie was barely 16 and you Hunter were 22 did you decide it would be a good idea to kiss her?" asks Ji folding his arms and looking at Hunter pointedly.
Hunter and Evie's eyes both widen, "Jayden said what now?" asks Evie.
"When I informed him Hunter and the others were helping you he said Hunter had better not kiss you again" answers Ji, "so I want, answers, now" adds Ji.
Hunter and Evie share a look before Evie sighs, "he did it to make Jayden jealous" admits Evie.
"What?" asks Ji in confusion.
"I'd figured out she and Jayden were into each other having watched Tori and Blake go through it, twice. And well Tori and I decided to play matchmaker, it had mostly worked Jayden was well and truly ready to throw me from the roof. And to bring it home, I waited until he could see us and I kissed her" explains Hunter.
"Which in turn led to me and Jayden talking and him finally getting his head out his ass as he put it" finishes Evie.
Ji takes a deep breath not looking very happy, "you're telling me, you are the one I have to thank for this?" asks Ji looking at Hunter. "That you and Jayden began your relationship at the Ninja academy?" clarifies Ji looking at Evie.
Both nod.
Ji shakes his head, "how did I miss this" he sighs.
"I've kind of wondered about that as well" admits Hunter but shuts up when Ji shoots him a look.
"Either way Ji, the kiss meant nothing, not to Hunter and not to me. It was just a gateway really, and it never happened again" assures Evie, "he wasn't taking advantage of me or anything" she adds.
"As if anyone could take advantage of you" snorts Hunter.
"True enough" nods Evie.
"Alright, out both of you, and you Hunter need to stop meddling" warns Ji.
"I swear, no more meddling" promises Hunter holding up his hands.
The two of them exit the office and both let out a snort of laughter.
"I think you're off the Christmas card list" giggles Evie.
"Yeah that's a full gone conclusion, but hey if the ninja thing doesn't work out, I seem to be pretty good at this matchmaking thing if we're here over four years later" smiles Hunter.
"Thank you Hunter" smiles Evie hugging him.
"No worries" assures Hunter, "But you know just for the record when the time comes, Hunter is a great name for a boy" he smirks.
Evie shoves him, "not happening" she says.
"You're not going to name your firstborn after your first kiss, how is that fair?" protests Hunter.
"No Hunter" repeats Evie as she turns and walks back into the room Hunter following behind her.
Tori puts her phone down as they come in, "we need to get off guys, we have the academies to think about, and I don't trust Marah and Kapri not to drive Cam to madness" smiles Tori.
Everyone hugs and shakes hands as the ninjas walk out the door.
"Lemme know if I can help with anything" smiles Dustin as he hugs Emily.
"I will, thanks Dustin" smiles Emily hugging him back.
They watch them leave and Evie huffs when they use their ninja streak powers.
"I hate they can do that" she whines.
Jayden just wraps his arm around her, "not going to happen" he says, "but your transportation symbols were excellent, nothing got left behind and no one got injured on landing or ended up in a tree" smiles Jayden.
"You were the one who got us stuck in the tree" corrects Evie.
"You got us stuck on the roof" answers Jayden.
Evie just pouts and Jayden smiles and resists the urge to kiss her.
"Hey, how about a walk on the beach?" suggests Mia.
"Sound good" nods Mike.
"Why not" smiles Jayden.
They six of them head down to the beach and each breaths in the sea air, Kevin pulling out the power disk he still had.
"Ah the sweet smell of success" smiles Mike nudging him.
Mia and Emily then sneak up behind Mike and grabbing his arms the two of them drag him down towards the water where the three of them begin to splash each other.
"So how does it feel for all of that training to pay off?" asks Jayden with a smile as he looks at Kevin.
"It feels great, but it wasn't just my training" he admits. "You know all the practice and dedication in the world doesn't mean much unless you truly believe in yourself too" he smiles.
"Wise words" nods Evie.
"Hey next time we have a day off, we should come back here and spend the whole day at the beach" calls Mia.
"Sounds like a plan" smiles Jayden.
"Only if someone brings sunscreen, because I got fried out here" laughs Kevin as he walks towards the water. It wasn't the same as being here with Alyssa, but this was his new team now, and today it felt good to have not let them down.
Jayden looks down at Evie who smiles before punching him hard in the arm,
"What was that for?" he asks wincing.
"I had to tell Ji about Hunter and me, and about how it led to us" answers Evie.
"What why?" ask Jayden.
"Because apparently delirious you told him Hunter better not kiss me again" retorts Evie.
Jayden winces, "sorry, my bad" he says.
"Mhm, it is your bad, that was a very awkward conversation to have to have" nods Evie crossing her arms. "I am so annoyed with you right now" she adds.
"No, don't be. I was delirious, see even delirious I was thinking about you" he smiles.
"Not gonna work" says Evie looking away.
"Please forgive me?" asks Jayden.
"Nope" replies Evie.
"Please" tries Jayden.
"Uh uh" says Evie .
"Well if doing it the nice way won't work, then I'll have to resort to this" says Jayden as he lunges forwards and grabs Evie throwing her over his shoulder.
"Ah Jayden no, put me down" orders Evie.
"Not until you forgive me" he says.
"This is not endearing you to me right now" huffs Evie.
"Say you forgive me" repeats Jayden as he starts walking towards the water.
"Don't you dare" squeals Evie.
"Say it and I'll put you down" says Jayden.
"No, I had to tell Ji about my first kiss" groans Evie.
"It was an accident, come on it had a good outcome" he reminds.
"Put me down" squeals Evie as she sees the water getting closer.
"Only if you say you forgive me" says Jayden.
"Fine, fine I forgive, I forgive you put me down" cries Evie.
Jayden smiles and sets her down, "good, and I will make it up to you" he promises.
"You'd better mister" says Evie narrowing her eyes.
"I promise" says Jayden.
Evie rolls her eyes and smiles as they continue to walk along the beach the others soon joining them before they head home.
Later that night Evie was applying her moisturiser in the bathroom when Jayden walked in.
"Does it really still bother you?" asks Evie.
"What?" asks Jayden.
"That Hunter was the first person to kiss me?" she asks.
Jayden looks at her, "I was delirious Evie, and not in a good way" he says.
"I know, but there must've been some element of truth to it, for you to be bothered by it" notes Evie.
Jayden sighs, "it doesn't exactly bother me, I mean like you said, it led us here, if Hunter hadn't kissed you who knows what how long it would've taken us to sort things out. And we might've hurt each other without realising it, but I guess on some basic level it does a little" he admits.
Evie smiles and turns cupping his face, "it was one kiss, it involved no feelings. You have had the first of everything else, the only place anyone else has ever kissed me is my lips, everything else has been you, so next time it bothers you think of that" says Evie leaning up and kissing him.
Jayden kisses her back his tongue parting her lips as her hand tangled in his hair, deepening the kiss.
Jayden picked her up setting her on the side and stepped between her legs, one hand cupping her face the other on her hip.
"I don't want Hunter, its only ever been you" murmurs Evie breathlessly against his lips.
"Good" replies Jayden as he kisses her again his arm sliding around her back to pull her against him as her legs lock around him, their tongues tangling together in a heated kiss as Jayden picks her up and carries her into his room. Dropping her onto the bed and covering her body with his as his hand slide up her thigh and settled on her hip the other resting next to her head to support his weight. One of her hands settles in his hair the other arm wrapping around his shoulder.
Jayden trails kisses along her jaw and down her neck, Evie tilting her head back to give him better access, the hand not supporting his weight lacing with hers before he reconnected their lips.
Jayden broke the kiss and looked down at Evie with a soft smile, "I love you" he smiles, "even when I am an idiot about it" he adds.
"I know, and I love you too, even if you are an idiot" replies Evie.
Jayden just smiles and lies next to her pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head, "you did good today" says Jayden, "even if you didn't think you could do it" he adds.
Evie sighs, "Ji really needs to stop telling other people when something bugs me" huffs Evie.
"Ji didn't tell me, I could hear you, I might've been delirious, but I know how you sound when you're scared, upset or in a panic and today you were all three. You saved us" smiles Jayden.
"Kevin saved you" corrects Evie.
"No, you got us back here, I know how much transportation symbols can take, and you did two and one was with multiple people. Even with a samuraiser that would've taken a lot out of you. And then you went out to battle again, and you dealt the final blow against that Nighlok, even if you had help. You led them, you were very much a badass in black" assures Jayden.
Evie smiles and just snuggles against him, "I promised I'd keep you safe, I was just doing what any of us would've done" replies Evie.
"Maybe so, but you did it. Don't try and downplay it, today you and Kevin were both the heroes. So thank you" replies Jayden.
Evie nods, "alright, now speaking of transportation symbols, I am very much in need of some sleep, so hit the lights and shut up" orders Evie shutting her eyes.
Jayden shakes his head but smiles as he reaches over and turns off the lights and pulls the blankets over them.
Evie was asleep in minutes and Jayden lay there listening to the familiar sound of her breathing.
She had been a hero today, and there was no one he'd rather have watching out for him. And something told him that was going to matter given they had no idea what they were going to face in the battles come.
With that thought he shuts his eyes and lets himself drift off, the sound of Evie's breathing soothing him into sleep.
A/N: Lemme know your thoughts on the cameos from the Ninja Storm rangers :)