Now I know what you're going to say: Gee, you already have two other strories on the go, another one? BUT… I couldn't resist. I had to at least make a dent and start writing this story. But anywho I hope you all enjoy it. Let me know what you think by dropping me a review :)
Welcome to the Jungle Part 1
We are the vision in your dreams.
We do not exist, yet we have been here since the beginning. We are Pai Zhua - the order of the claw. We train only the best both physically and mentally, swearing them to secrecy. All masters of their skills, never knowing their true purpose.
…. Until now.
Lily slowly opened her eyes, glancing down at the small line of students that were sitting down on the ground, meditating with their eyes closed. They had been there since the early hours of the morning and the grounds had been quiet until he could see Master Mao walking with three other teachers, and two cubs.
"Theo," she whispered, turning to her best friend who was trying his best to keep his eyes closed, "what is going on?"
Theo turned to her, "Lily, no talking," he cautioned her.
"Lighten up," she told him, "We've been sitting here since last night."
"Just try and enjoy the silence," said Theo with a small nod.
Lily sighed with defeat, "I hate the silence," she replied, looking down the line seeing Jarrod sat next to her, shaking his head as he listened to the conversation, turning to look at his friend next to him, the red haired girl elbowed him in her own way telling him to keep his mouth shut.
"Lynette," she looked at the young woman, who had been in Pai Zhua for longer than anyone but still hadn't graduated yet. "Do you know what's going on?"
"Nope," she replied, standing up as Master Mao approached them, "but Theo is right, just enjoy the silence."
Lily turned to look behind her back, "Theo," she said, "did my butt get up with me? I couldn't tell," she clasped her hands together, "I'm numb," Theo could only shake his head with a small smile as they bowed.
"You are the eight finalists," said Master Mao, breaking the silence, "I'm looking for four," he instructed, clapping his hands together and the students split up into their pairings.
Lynnette paired up with her opponent in the courtyard. Preparing to fight, she split her feet so one was in front of the other and her arms to her side, she waited until the young man quickly ran towards her and dodged to the side.
This time, she was going to listen and wait. It had paid off, the young man was shocked he had no idea what he was doing when he spun back around to face her, she quickly summoned the snow leopard spirit when he was about to attack again, blocking his fist from punching her she used her spirit to send him backwards.
"You did well," she told him, as she walked over to help him up from the ground.
Her opponent nodded, "I had no idea you had it in you," he admitted, looking behind her they could see Jared was taking it overboard and taunting his opponent with his lion spirit.
"Jared," Master Mao called his name, causing him to stop, "Lynette, Theo and Lily," they all stopped what they were doing and turned to face the master. "Join us in the great hall this evening."
They all bowed, "Yes," cheered Lily, celebrating with Theo. Lynette felt a small smile form on her lips, as she watched the two best friends.
"Where's my towel?" Jarrod had his arms wide open, as he walked over to the cubs at the towel station. "Cub," he snapped. "Go get me a towel, move it!" He towered over the cub who looked absolutely terrified.
Lynette walked up to Jared, "Jarrod," she told him, "maybe you should just let it go?" She asked, watching as he flipped the prepared towels that were on the bench to the floor.
"Here's a towel," she turned to see Casey, one of the new recruits holding a towel towards Jarrod who took it from him. "Look, I don't want any problems."
Jarrod nodded, "Too bad…"
"Jarrod, enough," snapped Lynette, as she got in the way of her best friend. "You made your point."
"Get out of my way, Lyn," he pushed her to the side, so hard she fell and hit the ench, tumbling backwards. Master Mao had stopped walking, his eyebrow raised as he saw what was happening.
"Oh my god," Lily and Theo rushed to Lynette, helping her up, "are you alright?"
Lynette nodded, "I'm fine," she said, brushing her clothes with her hands. "A little pissed off but I'm fine," she glared at Jarrod. She knew he was having a hard time lately with his family but this was out of line.
Casey growled, "you didn't have to do that," he told Jarrod.
"Oh," Jarrod laughed, "is the little cub going to do something?" He asked, noticing how Casey was gritting his teeth, suddenly Casey roared, releasing his tiger spirit, sending Jarrod towards the temple stairs.
Casey stopped and looked at his hands, "what did I just do?" He could see Jarrod standing up, "I'm sorry," he raised his hand, as an apology, "I don't know what happened."
Master Mao clapped his hands, before Jarrod could do anything, they all turned to see him in the far corner and bowed. Jarrod quickly stormed off before anything else could be said.
~*welcome to the jungle*~
Lynette knocked on Casey's bedroom door, "Hey," she said, leaning against the doorway, "are you alright?"
"Oh hi," said Casey, standing up from his bed to bow towards the senior student, who quickly shook him off. "Sorry," he apologised.
"No, don't apologise," she told him, "but there is no need to bow to any senior student, especially me."
Casey frowned, "but aren't you Master Mao's ward?"
"Yes," she nodded, "but I hate the whole bowing thing. Jarrod, when his ego is a little high tends to love that sort of thing a lot more recently," she winced, "and not that it excuses it but he is having a little trouble back at home. It mostly happens when he receives bad news on that front."
"Oh," blinked Casey, "I didn't know."
Lynette sighed, "Yeah, well no-one does," she warned him, "I just wanted to explain his behaviour a little bit."
"I won't tell anyone," Casey reassured her.
"Thank you," she smiled, standing up straight, "anyway, Master Mao asked me to come and get you on my way to the great hall."
Casey frowned, "Why me? I thought it was just you, Jarrod, Lily and Theo?"
"Who knows," she shrugged, "over the years I've learnt to not really question Master Mao's thought processes," she told the young cub, as they began to walk out of his bedroom. "Even if it is a little weird."
~*welcome to the jungle*~
Lily raised her eyebrow, as Lynette sat beside them on the bench outside the great hall with Casey not fair behind her. "What's he doing here?" She asked, leaning towards her friend.
"Master Mao requested Casey's presence," she told them, hoping that would put a stop to it but Lily had turned to Theo, sharing a confused glance with him.
Theo leaned over, "I thought Jarrod…."
"I don't know anything," Lynette raised her hands in her defence, "I was only doing what I was asked," she glared at the both of them, bringing her hands back down to her knees.
"Why would Master Mao ask him?" Theo asked.
Lily sighed, turning to her best friend, "why do you need to know what is happening all the time?" She asked, with a small smirk, "you have control issues."
"Me," Theo snorted. "Control issues?" He looked up as Master Mao came from behind the corner.
Master Mao stared at them for a moment as they all stood up, "follow me," he instructed.
~* welcome to the jungle*~
"This is so cool," Lily exclaimed, as Master Mao opened the great halls in the forbidden room that kept hold of Dai Shi's spirit. "Where are we?" She quietly asked, watching as both Lynette and Master Mao stood in front of the shrine.
Master Mao bowed with his protege, "it's called the forbidden room," he explained.
"Forbidden?" Casey asked, stepping forward, "that doesn't sound good?"
Master Mao turned to them, "Jarrod has been dismissed," Lynette took a step back quite surprised by that news, "in your hearts you know why," he looked to the young cub, "Casey," he said. "You have the heart to stand up for others, you also have the potential to be a Tiger master. I have decided to choose you in Jared's place."
Theo, Lily and Lynette turned to Casey, quite surprised by the whole situation, "listen closely," the master continued. "Over ten thousand years ago, there was a great evil," he turned to the shrine, "named Dai Shi, he believed that animals should rule the planet. "Humans were to be erased, brave warriors channeled the animal spirits and after a great battle were able to capture the Dai Shi," he picked up the box and approached them, "inside this box." They all stepped nervously back as Master Mao revealed his master tattoo, "the Pai Shua the order of the claw, was formed to be train students in kung fu and to serve as protectors if the Dai Shi were ever to escape, you four have been selected to take on that task."
"Yeah," winced Casey, "well the evil hasn't escaped, all is good, and look I've just been here a week…"
Jarrod stormed down the stairs, Lynette turned to see her friend storm past Casey, pushing him back a little bit. "I spent ten years in training," he declared. "You can't just kick me out for no reason."
"Agreed," Master Mao calmly replied, "but I have a reason," he turned to put the box down. Jarrod went in for the attack which Master Mao quickly blocked, using one arm he eventually managed to push Jarrod backwards. "Now go," he ordered.
Jarrod snarled, "Yes," he quickly turned on his heel.
"Jarrod," said Lynette, stepping forwards, trying to get through to him but he had already turned back and sent his lion spirit towards the master, knocking him and the box back. "No!" She cried with the others as they starred at an empty box.
Dai Shi's spirit quickly escaped the box, "Free," he exclaimed, "at last," the spirit sending the students back. "Mao, my old friend. I thought about no-one else for centuries," Lynette sat up, gripping her arm as she saw Dai Shi's spirit hovering over her guardian. "Before I destroy you, you will bear witness to the destruction of those dear to you."
"Who is he talking about?" Theo asked, slightly scared.
Lily gasped, "that'd be us," she answered. They quickly stood behind Dai Shi, prepared to fight when they heard Master Mao cry out. Dai Shi quickly got a hold of the master and began to drain his spirit.
"No," Lynette cried, rushing forwards only to be stopped by Casey, who was now grabbing her waist, pulling her back. "Master!"
They watched helplessly as Dai Shi was finished and threw the Master on top of the shrine, "Mao is defeated," he turned to the students. "You are not worth my time," they were sent backwards as Dai Shi escaped the forbidden room.
"Master!" Lynette cried, rushing over to Master Mao, who cried out in pain, she reached for his hand.
Master Mao looked to the students, "my time in this form has ended," he looked to Lynette, "Shed no tears there are important things to do, the evil that is Dai Shi will return to where he was captured. You must destroy him," he handed Lynette a folded piece of parchment. "Go to this address in Ocean Bluff. There you will find your new master."
"We don't want a new Master," said Lily, shaking her head.
"Remember what I said," Master Mao told her, "Don't be attached to the master but to the lesson, now go."
Casey shook his head, "look I am not your guy," he told him, "I can't defeat evil, I haven't even mastered handing out towels," Lynette sadly smiled at the young cub knowing he wouldn't have a say in the matter.
"Listen to me," yelled Master Mao, "all of you, you four are the world's only chance," they watched as Master Mao's body faded into his spirit.
"Master Mao," Casey yelled. Lily hugged Lynette as she watched the spirit disappear.
~*welcome to the jungle*~
"A Pizza Parlour?" Theo exclaimed, as they walked up to the small business in Ocean Bluff. Lynette looked around the building impressed but she was going to keep her mouth shut on this one, "this can't be the place."
Lynette smiled, "remember what Master Mao said," she told him.
"What?" Theo asked, turning to face her.
"Never judge a book by it's cover," smiled Casey, as Lynette nodded in response. They opened the door and walked through taking a look at the busy pizza parlour. Theo's eyes settled on an old man in the corner.
Theo nodded, "That must be him," they began to walk over.
"I wouldn't bet on it," muttered Lynette, but she followed them anyway.
"We're here," said Theo, "I'm Theo, this is Lynette, Lily and this is," he paused, "someone who is way in over his head."
Lily smiled, "We are from the Pai Zhua school, ready to take on evil and defeat it," she continued. Lynette could only watch with amusement as the old man started leaning back into his chair, looking slightly confused. "You have our full attention and obedience. We are ready for whatever you have to teach us master."
"Yes," agreed Theo, "Give us your words of wisdom," they bowed.
Lynette watched in silence, trying not to laugh as the man raised his hand, "cheque please," he begged.
"Okay, wrong guy," said Theo, realising his error.
Lynette folded her arms, "no, really?" She smirked, trying her best to be completely serious, "whatever gave you that idea?"
"If you knew why didn't you stop me?" Theo glared at her.
"It was too much fun," she shrugged in response, as they turned back to the restaurant watching a girl in the far corner trying to eat her pizza.
Lily giggled, "probably not her either," they all laughed but their amusement was cut short as a man burst through from the kitchen door, his head covered in pizza dough.
"Tense," he breathed, trying to get his breath back, taking the pizza dough off his head. "So much for my killer mount Jaro pizza experiment," he chucked it in the bin, "woah," he turned to see them standing in the middle of the restaurant. "New customers," he picked up some menus and walked over to them, "Welcome to Jungle Karma Pizza, the name's RJ," he handed them the menus.
Theo shook his head, "No, no, we are not customers."
"We are looking for our master," said Lily.
Lynette smiled, "I mean they are," she pointed to them, "at this rate, me and Casey here are just here for the free entertainment."
"Thanks for the support," muttered Theo.
"Aren't we all," agreed RJ, with a small laugh.
Theo simply smiled, "I say we go," he turned and began to walk out.
"I'm hungry," suggested Casey, turning to face Lily.
Lily nodded, "Me too," she said.
"Me three," Lynette pitched in as RJ guided them towards a free table. Theo stopped and sighed, shaking his head at all them, "are you joining us or are you just going to be a spoilt sport?"
"Unbelievable," Theo muttered to himself and joined his friends.
~*welcome to the jungle*~
"Well," said RJ, as he checked on the small group of Pai Zhua students as they eat their pizza, "how's the Pizza?"
Theo sighed, as he took another slice, "yeah, yeah, the pizza is amazing," he said, leaning in towards Casey and Lily, "but that is not why we came here."
"Right, you're looking for your master," RJ looked around the table, his eyes landing on Lynette who at this point was just hoping she had a camera on her to film this moment. "If you're supposed to meet him here, I suggest you wait… you can work here until he shows up?" He suggested.
"Work here?" Theo asked in disbelief, shaking his head as Casey, Lily and Lynette whispered between them. "No, no we don't work for anyone. Right guys?"
Lynette shook her head, "Speak for yourself," RJ took this as a queue to get back to work and leave them to talk.
"Look, Theo, we are in the real world now," said Lily, "there are things to get, things to have and we need money to do that."
"Even Master Mao had some money," Lynette pointed out.
Lily nodded, "Plus I am not going to spend another day in these pyjamas."
"Okay, fine," Theo gave in, "I'll be a manager or something reasonable," he told them, "but only until our master arrives, not a day more."
They turned as they heard the sound of explosions and screaming outside the door. "We should go check that out," suggested Lynette, as she got up from her seat.
"Maybe I should stay here and check out the bearings," said Casey.
Theo walked over to him, "hey if you're going to be a part of this team, now is the time," he grabbed the cub and pushed him towards the door.
~*welcome to the jungle*~
They ran towards the creatures attacking the city, and stopped as they turned to face them, "who are they?" Casey asked, stepping back a little.
"My guess," shrugged Lynette, "friends of Dai Shi?" They got into action and began to help the people stuck in the bad guys' grasp but were instantly over powered by how many there were.
The leader in red watched as the Pai Zhua students fell to the ground, "Time for my true form," he declared and transformed into a bug type creature, "now for some real destruction," he jumped towards Casey, Lily and Theo.
"Looks like he came out from under a rock," Theo said.
The bug prepared to fight, "humans are now a match for a bug," he declared and used his weapons against them, sending them backwards.
"Hey," Lynette cried, as she rushed over to the bug, and tried to fight him, only to be quickly overpowered and her arms restricted as it grabbed hold of them.
The bug laughed, "care to join your friends?" She screamed as the bug threw her up into the air and she rolled onto the ground.
"Now to finish you little pests," the bug laughed harder as he approached them, suddenly RJ stepped in front of the four students.
RJ held his hands out, "Woah, dude," he said. "Step back."
"What is going on?" Theo asked, completely confused, as he helped Lynette up.
Lynette winced, "remember when I reminded you of Master Mao's lesson of never judging a book by its cover?"
"Yeah," nodded Theo.
RJ uncovered his Pai Zhua tattoo, and they all smiled in relief, watching as RJ prepared to fight. "Never judge a book by its cover," RJ agreed and made quick work of the creatures that were attacking them.
"You're him," said Casey, surprised as RJ turned to them smiling. "You're our master," Casey, Lily and Theo bowed whilst Lynette just watched on with a small smile forming across her lips.
RJ shook them off, "Oh, just call me RJ," he looked at Lynette, "now students, the real journey begins…"
"You knew all along," said Theo, as he walked up to Lynette, "and you didn't tell us?"
Lynette smiled, "I've known RJ since I was a kid," she explained, "and no I wasn't going to tell you. It wouldn't be fun otherwise."
~*welcome to the jungle*~
Fran stood up, "where was everyone?" She asked, seeing RJ walk back with his new employees, "The door was open, and people were waiting and so I ended up taking orders, making pizza and stuff…"
"It's okay," RJ tried to reassure her, as she frantically told them what had happened. "Fran, remember to breathe," he looked to the others, "Fran, this is, Theo, Casey and Lily," he looked to Lynette. "You remember Lynette, right?"
"Oh yeah," said Fran, "Hi Lynette."
Lynette waved, "Hi," she offered the girl a small smile, truth be told she didn't remember her much at all.
"Fran is our best customer," RJ explained, Lynette's eyes widened in realisation, now she remembered, "she's in every day."
Fran turned to him, "It's not like I have anything else to do," she said. "I do, I just love Pizza, the toppings, the smell and the taste," they all nodded and smiled as Fran went on another Tangent.
"Remember to breathe," Lynette told her, gesturing to breathe at the same time.
RJ nodded and smiled, "now you remember," he winked at the redhead, he turned to Fran, "We'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye," Fran quickly rushed out of the door.
RJ spun around, "Follow me," he said, gesturing for them to follow him.
~*welcome to the jungle*~
"Woah," exclaimed Theo, as he looked around RJ's loft apartment. "Look at the size of this place."
Casey grinned widely, "this place is great," he said.
"Check it out," Lily rushed over to the stereo and turned it on dancing as the music played.
Lynette smiled fondly, "it really hasn't changed one bit," she told RJ. "It's still the same apartment."
"Thanks, Lyn," he smiled in response. "I'm glad you still like it."
Theo looked around, "It's nice," he told RJ, "but could do with a clean."
"Thanks for volunteering," RJ smiled, as he walked past the students, before THeo could say another word, "My casa, Esau Casa, this is where you'll be living, sleeping, training, playing and working, everything is yours."
Lynette turned to Lily, as she walked over to RJ's chair, "I wouldn't," she told her but it was too late, RJ was already on her.
"Except that chair," he pointed out to the chair. The music stopped. "It's mine. My chair. It's off limits, got it?"
"Got it," they all agreed.
RJ smiled in relief, "okay," he said, "next order of business is to get you out of those pyjamas," he passed them their new uniforms one by one, until he handed Lynette's out, she looked down at the white and black jacket and leggings.
"Look at all those TV's," Lily grinned, "I haven't watched TV in years."
"No," said RJ, "these are much more than TV's," he began to explain, "They're state of the art city wide monitoring systems, plus one thousand two hundred sixty three cable channels," he grinned from ear to ear. "Pretty sweet, huh?"
Theo watched as the creatures appeared on the monitor, "looks like our friends are up to no good again," he said, "let's get them," he declared and began to run off, stopping as he realised RJ wasn't behind them. "Come on RJ?"
"Oh, no," he said, "I have a pizza store to run, fighting evil is your job but I did notice you were a little overpowered last time so I got a little gift to even out the odds," he rushed over to the chest of drawers and opened one of them.
Lynette tilted her head, "sunglasses?" She questioned.
"They're not just sunglasses," he replied. "They're Solar Morphers, did you ever hear of the Power Rangers?"
Casey smiled, "Yeah," he nodded, "who hasn't?"
"Me," Lynette raised her hand in confusion, "I grew up in seclusion," she told them, as they all looked at her in surprise.
RJ smiled, "I'll tell you later," he said, "well guess what, you be them!"
"No way," Theo cried out. "Ever since I was a little kid, I've always wanted to be a…" he trailed off seeing his friends look at him oddly. "If that's what It takes."
"The Power Rangers aren't part of the order of the claw," he told them, "it's why Lynette hasn't heard of them but I figured we can use what we can get to fight the Dai Shi, so I knew this guy who has this guy, who had an uncle who had a connection but long story short he tapped into the morphing grid and whalla," he passed them their individual sunglasses, '"once you activate them, all the knowledge that comes with them will be instantly sellualated into cellular makeup, pretty gnarly huh?"
Lynette frowned, as she studied her sunglasses closely, "I guess," she mused.
"Now go out there and fight evil," RJ grinned, "now you'll look good doing it."