Author's Notes: Finally, episode four of the Challenge. Yay! I'm kinda ticked that MTV's prolonging the life of RW/RR: Battle of the Seasons by not showing the episode when they're supposed to. . .but you get what you can, right?
Like I said in my bio, I am going to be posting this on a webpage. It should have pictures and the episodes going, and other information, so hopefully I can post that soon. I'm being too overwhelmed with the intenet right now, so I don't know how long that's going to take. I'm working on the "snaps" for the opening of the series. Going overboard? Maybe just a little ;)
Since the last episode, the scoreboard hasn't changed, so I'll post the rooming assignments when the group was in America Samoa:

Group 1 Rooming Asignments
Tommy and Carlos
Joel and Danny
Zack and Damon
Carter and Lucas
Jason and Leo
Kim and Jen
Nadira and Angela
Dana and Kendall
Katie and Trini
Maya and Aisha
Group 2 Rooming Assignments
Ashley, Tanya, and Kat
Kendrix and Alyssa
Karone and Taylor
Cassie and Kelsey
Mike and Andros
Adam and Cole
Wes and Trip
Rocky, Chad, and Max

This, of course, will change when the group is in Hawaii. The new rooming assignment will be posted in episode six (I'll explain why episode six at the end notes).

Power Rangers Extreme Challenge
Episode 4: Outside Challenges
By: stargazer_1017

"The beach looks great," Kim commented as the van she was in headed towards their new hotel. She turned to Trini and Aisha, who were sitting beside her. "Guys up for some splashes?" Aisha and Trini nodded and Rocky, who was sitting behind them with Damon and Max, leaned forward and asked, "Hey, aren't you going to invite us too?"

[Kim: "Rocky will never change. . .hope he never does."]

Kim rolled her eyes as Aisha and Trini laughed. Kim turned around. "Sorry about that Rocky. Why don't you guys come too?"

Rocky grinned. "I'd love to. Why don't we see if everyone's free? I mean, it would be a great time to get to know each other--take away some of the competitiveness of the competition," he suggested.

************In another van heading for the airport*************

[Zack: "All of a sudden, my communicator rings out."]

Zack turned to look at Karone, who was sitting beside him. "Another mission?" Karone asked. Zack shrugged. "Man, we just got here. They can't send us on a mission already," he said, shaking his head. He pressed a button on his communicator and said, "Zack here."

"Hey Zack, it's Rocky."

[Zack: "I was ready to strangle him through the communicator."]
[Angela: "Zack looked like he was ready to strangle Rocky through the communicator--and I felt the same way he did."]
[Karone: "A lot of us are still kinda tense from the last mission we had back at America Samoa."]

*************
"Andros, watch out!" Cassie yelled to the water below as the locals began to throw some rocks and stones into the water.
"No!" Ashley screamed, and all of a sudden, the rocks and stones were flew back to the locals.
*************
"We're--obviously having some problems staying here, so we have to leave," Christian McGee said to the group that night, when they were all together.
*************

"What is it, Rocky," Zack sighed, speaking back to Rocky.

"Kim had an idea--after we unpack our things, why don't we head down to the beach? The weather's pretty good today, and the beach is awesome," Rocky replied.

Zack looked towards the window, as did everyone else in the van. "Hey, you're right," he agreed. He turned to look at the others in the van. "You guys up for it?" he asked. When everyone nodded, Zack replied back, "Where are we all going to meet, Rocky?"

Kim's voice came through Zack's communicator. "How about in the hotel lobby about thirty minutes after we check in?" she suggested.

*********On the beach************

[Jen: "We're all laying on the beach and then it hits me."]

Jen rubbed some lotion on her skin and smiled as she watched some people play volleyball not a few feet away. Then her gaze shifted to the other pack of rangers playing in the water. She turned to look at the person on her right and saw Nadira, who was looking bored.

[Jen: "I have no idea what to talk to Nadira about."]

Jen smiled at Nadira when Nadira looked at her. Nadira smiled back, but turned away and then yawned. Jen frowned. She turned to Kendall, who was sitting on her left. Jen gave her a questioning look and Kendall shrugged.

[Kendall: "Nadira seemed really bored on the beach. Everyone was playing on the sand, or playing in the water. Jen and I were talking with each other for awhile, but no one really talked to Nadira."]

Kendall cleared her throat. "Uh, so, Nadira?" When Nadira turned to acknowledge Kendall, she spoke up again. "How do you like the challenge so far?"

Nadira shrugged. "It's been okay so far. I mean, the obstacle course was a killer on my hair and nails. . .but otherwise, I think we'll make it," she replied. When she didn't go further and Jen and Kendall didn't add anything else, Nadira turned to face the water.

[Jen: "There had to be something else to talk about with Nadira."]

"So. . .is that your real hair color?" Jen asked. Nadira snapped her head to turn at Jen.

[Jen: "I guess it was safer to ask why she had wanted to be evil."]
[Kendall: "I don't get it. I would figure Nadira would be so willing to open up with us, but she seemed like she didn't want to. In fact, she was more open with Lucas than anyone."]

"Excuse me," Nadira suddenly got up and left Jen and Kendall. As soon as she was out of hearing distance, Kendall turned to Jen. "That was weird, huh?"

"What was weird?"

"Nadira. I thought she'd want to talk with us about. . .stuff, but she just shut us out."

Jen shrugged. "Well, I don't know Nadira that well, so I guess that must be it."

"But she seems to open up to Lucas."

Jen turned to Kendall. "Yeah?" She paused for a moment and then said, "You don't think she. . .nah."

"She what?"

Jen slowly smiled and then burst out laughing. "It's too funny. . ." Kendall smiled curiously. "Come on Jen, spill it. . ." Jen shook her head and slowly stopped laughing. "Well, you don't think that Nadira might. . .like Lucas, do you?"

Kendall still had the smile on her face. "What would be wrong with that?"

[Jen: "Kendall wasn't with us when Nadira thought that Lucas was in love with her. They even went out on a date. Lucas didn't like her, so we had to find a way to get Nadira off Lucas' back, which we did."]

Jen just shook her head. "Nevermind," she said, waving her hand. Then Wes and Lucas ran up to the girls. "Come on, guys, you can't sit around waiting to fry in the sun. Why not come play on the beach? That's what we're here for," Wes said, extending his hand to Jen. Jen laughed and took his hand, pulling herself up. "And what do you have in mind?" Jen asked coyly.

Wes put his hand on Jen's forehead. "I think you're burning up," he said. Jen frowned. "I am?" she asked.

Wes nodded. "Yep. So I think. . ." Suddenly, he scooped Jen up onto his shoulders. ". . .We have to cool you off in the water!" Jen screamed as he ran off. "Hey! Wes! Wes. . .let go of me! I mean it!" Jen yelled. "Wes--" her yells were suddenly hushed as she was thrown into the water.

[Lucas: "Gosh, they never stop." He rolls his eyes. "Read a book or something."]

Lucas rolled his eyes as the others turned to look at the commotion. "Wes, I am sooo going to kill you," Jen vowed and she jumped out of the water and chased a grinning Wes around the shoreline. Lucas turned to look back at Kendall. "Are you up for some volleyball? Now that Wes is gone, we need another person," he said.

Kendall nodded. "Sounds like fun," she agreed. They walked towards the group at the volleyball net.

"Hey, what about me?"

Kendall and Lucas turned to look at Nadira, who was rushing towards them, waving her arms frantically.

[Lucas: "Oh no. Someone, please hide me."]
[Kendall: Laughs. "I think Jen's theory about Nadira and Lucas is right. It was so cute!"]

Lucas rolled his eyes--again. "Nadira, we only need one more person to play. You'll be the odd man. . .er, person."

[Nadira: "I don't know why he never involves me in anything. . .we're supposed to be partners!"]

Kendall turned to Lucas and smiled. "It's okay, she can take my place. I'll just head down to the water with the others," she said. Lucas looked at Kendall pleadingly. "No! I mean, come on, you've gotta play." He turned to Nadira and then back to Kendall. "Come on, please."

[Kendall: "He was practically begging me to play the game so Nadira couldn't play. I didn't know what to do! So I thought about what I would do if I was Jen."]

Kendall smiled. "No, it's all right!" she turned to Nadira, who was looking at her with hopeful eyes. "Why don't you step in for me, Nadira?" she suggested. Nadira squealed happily and threw her arms around Kendall. "Thank you so much!" she said, grinning at Kendall. Then Nadira stepped forward and put her arm on Lucas', who shrugged it off. "Great! We're going to be on the same team!"

*************At the water's edge****************

[Alyssa: "What was supposed to be a fun outing turned slightly competitive."]

Alyssa winced slightly when a ball of wet sand hit her leg. She smiled and threw the sandball she had in her hand and hit Cole in the head. She covered her mouth when Cole feigned injury and fell into the water. "Sorry Cole!" she said, laughing.

Cole came up from the shallow water, grinning. He turned to the circle of people around him, which were Carter, Dana, Maya, Trip, Tanya, and Adam. "That's it--It's time for a sandball fight!" he yelled out. Trip grinned and reached down into the water, but before he could pack a sandball together, Maya had already hit him with a sandball. Sand flew everywhere, but everyone was laughing and having a great time.

"Guys ready?"

Alyssa stopped her attack on Tanya and looked to the voice. She saw Mike standing in knee high water, with Taylor and Cassie about five feet away from him, in deeper waters. Cole noticed that Alyssa was no longer participating in the sandball fight, and he turned to look at what she was watching. Carter also stopped, as so did the others. "What's going on?" Carter asked.

"On your marks. . .get set. . .go!" Mike yelled and Taylor and Cassie immediately started swimming.

[Taylor: "Cassie challenged me to a swim race."]
[Cassie: "I had to see if this girl was as tough as she thought she was."]

Dana's eyes widened. "They're racing!"

[Alyssa: "And I thought, oh no. . .they're racing."]

Alyssa bit her lip as she watched the race. "Hey, I think Taylor's winning," Tanya said

Cassie and Taylor were quickly approaching the group, but Taylor was in the lead. About twenty seconds later, they had reached the group. Everyone quickly surrounded them. "Hey you guys, good race!" Trip said, smiling. Both girls were breathing heavily as they turned to each other. Taylor extended her hand. "It was a good race," she said.

Cassie looked down at Taylor's hand and then back up at Taylor. Then she spun around and stalked out of the water.

[Adam: "Cassie's competitiveness is hurting her. A little competition is good--but I think she might be getting in way over her head."]

Adam watched his partner walk onto the beach, heading for the showers. Then he turned to look at Taylor, who had a confused expression on her face. Tanya put her hand on Adam's shoulder. "Think she'll be okay?" Tanya asked. Adam shook his head and didn't reply.

******************************

Joel took a bite out of his pasta and closed his eyes. "Mmm, this is good," he said, and then opened his eyes and took another bite. Again, he closed his eyes and then he smiled. When he opened his eyes, he leaned towards his wife and asked, "Are you going to eat all of that?"

Angela shook her head. "No. . .have all of it," she said, pushing her half-full plate of pasta towards him. Joel gave her a grateful look and nodded, digging into the pasta.

Danny approached their table. "Hey guys, mind if I sit with you?" he asked. Angela shook her head and guestured towards one of the five empty seats. "Go right ahead."

Danny nodded, taking a seat at the table. Then his eyes lit up as Kendall walked towards them. He got up immediately. "Kendall, why don't you sit with us?" he asked.

Kendall shook her head. "Maybe next time," she said, and walked over to sit at another table with Dana, Carter, Cole, Alyssa, Trini, and Damon. Danny watched her take a seat and then turned and took a seat in his chair.

[Angela: "I felt so sorry for Danny. He seems genuinely interested in Kendall. . .but they have major differences."]

Joel clapped his hand on Danny's shoulder. "You gotta know how to handle them."

"Handle what?"

"Women!" Joel gave Danny an incredulous look. He grinned. "I've got all the answers." Angela started coughing, but Joel seemed to ignore her. "Come on, I know you've got some questions. . .fire away!"

Danny shrugged helplessly. "What do I do? You know, with me and Kendall. . .I think she might want to talk with me, but she always turns away."

"You just have to keep on trying harder, my man," Joel said. "I can tell she wants you. . .she's just afraid! So just keep on talking to her. Be persistant, bug her. . .in the end, she'll come to you."

"Really?"

Joel nodded enthusiastically as he took a bite out of some more pasta. When he swallowed, he said, "Yeah! I mean, Angela and I got together." He turned to her. "Right?"

Angela nodded and smiled sweetly. "And tell Danny how long it took for us to get together," she said.

Danny turned from Angela to Joel. "How long?" he asked.

Joel gave a sheepish smile. "Uh. . .about two years," he said. When Danny's hopeful expression dropped, Joel quickly added, "But we would've gotten together sooner if there wasn't any of that ranger business." He turned to Angela again. "Right, honey?"

Angela rolled her eyes, but she smiled at him and gave him a pinch on the cheek.

"Well, I've known Kendall for over two years. . .so, maybe in a little while?" Danny asked.

Joel nodded. "Just keep at it, and I guarentee you'll get her," he said confidentally. Angela shook her head. "Danny, if you really want to talk to Kendall, approach her seriously. Tell her that you guys have a lot to talk about and work through it. Bugging her's not the right answer in your case." Danny looked at her for a moment and then nodded.

Just then, Joel's morpher rang out, as did some other morphers in the room. "Joel here," he said, answering the call.

"Joel? It's T.J." Joel's eyes widened and Angela and Danny leaned in closer to hear the message. "Let the others on your table know that there's going to be a mission right after breakfast tomorrow, so get a some good rest tonight and a good breakfast tomorrow," T.J. said.

"What's the mission going to be?" Joel asked.

"Sorry man, can't tell you that one. The info I've given you is what I'm supposed to say. Remember, after breakfast, meet down in the lobby."

*************At another table**************

Ashley turned to Kat, whose morpher rang out. "What do you think the mission's going to be tomorrow?" she asked.

Kat shook her head. "Sounds kind of . . .physical. We're told to get lots of rest."

[Ashley: "I guess I'm still thinking of the last mission we had. I do not what to go through that again."]
[Leo: "Remind me to never get on Ashley's bad side."]

***************The next morning, at the lobby****************

T.J. grinned as he and Kai walked towards the group. "Hope everyone had some rest last night," T.J. commented as he walked towards the group. "If everyone's here, we can head down to the course."

[Karone: "Course?"]
[Rocky: "Again?"]
[Kim: "They have got to be kidding us. Another obstacle course?"]

"It can't be another obstacle course," Kim said, walking with Jason as everyone headed towards the "course". "I mean, we've already done that. They really want to kill us with this, don't they?"

"I guess they were serious about the 'Extreme Challenge' part, huh?" Jason said, grinning. Kim reached out to give him a slap on the arm, but Jason moved away before she could actually hit him.

About a few feet away from them were Maya, Katie, and Damon. "Not another obstacle course," Damon complained. He turned to Katie. "Think you can carry me through this one?"

Maya slapped Damon on the arm while Katie laughed. "I can try. . .but I can't guarentee you'll get out in one piece," Katie joked.

Leo, Kendrix, Lucas, and Trini were walking right behind them. Kendrix saw that Leo's attention was somewhere else. "What are you looking at?" Kendrix asked.

[Leo: "Mike and Taylor are definitely getting closer after each day."]

Leo pointed to his brother and Taylor, who were talking and laughing. Kendrix smiled. "You think they'll get together?" Kendrix asked. Leo shrugged. "I asked Mike about that last night. . .he didn't want to tell me anything."

[Kendrix: "Taylor and Mike did look like they were getting close. Who knows, maybe they'll hook up."]

"They can't be repeating a mission," Taylor reasoned. "It's gotta be another course."

"But what kind of course?" Mike asked. Taylor shrugged. "Who knows--but we'll get through it, right?"

[Director's voice: "What is up with you and her?"]
[Mike: "Who?"]
[Director's voice: "You know who. . .you and Taylor."]
[Mike: "Oh!" He shrugs and smiles. "Nothing's going on. We're just good friends--really good friends."]
[Director's voice: "Come on, there's nothing more than that? You've been hanging out together every time."]
[Mike: Gives the camera a Look. "So do Rocky and Adam. They're not a couple, aren't they?"]

"Right," Mike agrees, and he and Taylor lock hands for a moment.

[Director's voice: "Everyone wants to know--are you and Mike and item?"]
[Taylor: "An item? As in couple? We're just partners. . .friends. This unity is what keeps us in this competition.]

Their hands pull apart as the group slows down. "This is it," Kai said, halting the group. Everyone looked at what was in front of them. It was just like the enclosed area in their first mission.

"I guess it is an obstacle course," a whisper broke through the silence.

"Your next mission is another obstacle course," Kai said. When everyone groaned, Kai grinned. "Just kidding! This next mission is going to be a fun one--it's a rescue mission."

"That's right," T.J. confirmed. "Each pair will enter this door," he guestured towards the door in the center of the wall, "with the right gear for the mission and rescue hostages in the area. There are enemies in this compound, shooting at you, so be careful."

"Your gear will consist of a small rifle, a combat helmet, and three devices put onto your helmet, your rifle, and your vest. These devices will indicate if you've been killed or you're getting fired at. A flat-line beep means that you've been killed, and a couple of short beeps indicate you're being shot at," Kai continued.

[Leo: "Whoa."]
[Jason: "Sounds like fun. I've never done that kind of thing before."]

"You get five points for every hostage that you rescue and bring to the safety zone. This is a timed event--if both you and your partner are still alive by the end of the ten minutes, you'll receive ten points. If you or your partner is dead, you'll only receive the points for how many hostages were saved," T.J. concluded. "Are there any questions?" He looked around the group. "No? Okay, we'll have Angela and Joel go first."

[Angela: "Great, they made us go first."]

Joel gave the camera a thumbs-up sign as the gear he was supposed to wear was being put on him. He turned to Angela. "Don't worry, we'll get through this," he said, holding her hand. Angela nodded and looked at the rifle slung on her arm.

"Ready guys?" T.J. asked. He held the stopwatch in his hand and then clicked it and Joel and Angela took off running through the door.

"This sounds hard," Trini said to Jason, as they stood at the enterance. They were being suited up to go in next.

[Trini: "The last time I fired a weapon as the Power Blaster, and that's been ages ago. I hope I still have good aim."]

"Are you up for this?" Alyssa asked Cole.

[Alyssa: "Cole's not too big in violence--if possible, he'd rather stay away from it."

Cole turned to Alyssa. "We're rescuing hostages, right?" he asked.

"Well, not real ones, but it's a simulation."

"Then we're helping someone," Cole said, nodding. "I'm up for it."

********************

"Trini, get down!" Jason yelled and rushed to his partner. The sound of gunshot was all around them. He and Trini dived to the ground. "What are we going to do?" she asked.

"We've got one hostage to the safety zone," Jason replied as he looked around. He looked at his watch. "And it's almost over."

[Jason: "With only one hostage, we've got only five points. We'll probably get bumped off the top three."]

A loud beep sounded the area and Jason and Trini got up. They walked to the exit, where Angela and Joel were waiting. "How'd you guys do?" Joel asked.

"We only got one hostage," Jason replied as a crew of people helped get the gear of him and Trini.

********************

[Kim: "The combat mission was tough."]

"Tommy! Over there!" Kim yelled and pointed to a small shack.

[Tommy: "That wall was hiding a whole area of small shacks."]

"Okay, let's go!" Tommy said and he and Kim headed towards the shack Kim had pointed to. Tommy counted to three and kicked the door open. He entered first, his rifle drawn. When he moved more into the shack, Kim followed behind. She sweeped the area with her eyes. "There!" she said, pointing to a dummy lying on a seat. She was about to approach when Tommy stopped her. "Hold on," he said, and looked around for a moment. His eyes widened and he spun around suddenly. Kim screamed as he shot his weapon outside.

"What was that?" Kim asked frantically as she gripped her weapon.

A black-outfitted man was laying outside the door, a flat-line beep sounding from his devices. "Let's grab the hostage and go," Tommy said and Kim nodded. Together, they lifted the dummy and Tommy carried it. As they ran outside, gunshots were heard all around them. Kim screamed.

[Kim: "That was so scary. The whole time we were running, I could hear either mine or Tommy's device beeping."]

Just as they reached the safety zone, the horn blared, signaling the end of the competition. Kim was breathing heavily as she leaned over to put her hands on her knees. Tommy, breathing just as heavily, dropped the dummy on the ground. "Thought we were goners out there," he said. Kim leaned forward and gave him a hug. "Auugh, so did I," she said.

**********************

[Ashley: "Like the first mission, Mike and Taylor were the last to go."]

The horn's blare rang out and couple of minutes later, Mike and Taylor walked out of the ghost town. "How'd you guys do?" Leo asked them, coming forward.

"We rescued about four of them," Taylor replied, still trying to catch her breath. Leo grinned at them. "All right!" he said, shaking their hands.

T.J. and Kai came up behind them, through the ghost town. "All right, great job you guys, well done!" Everyone applauded and Kai spoke up. "We'll need an hour to get the results, so just kick back and relax. You guys deserve it. We'll call you on your communicators or morphers when we receive word of who won."

"It's not fair," Cassie muttered as she and Adam walked away from the mission they just had. "They're soldiers--they know this kinda of stuff."

[Cassie: "Adam and I. . .only got two hostages in the mission, and I was shot down. With this, we can't make the top three yet."]

***********************

"I wonder who made the top three," Adam said, as he and Tanya walked hand-in-hand to the lobby. They had just gotten word that the results had come out.

[Adam: "Cassie really wants to be in the top three and she wants to win the money. I'm just afraid that if she gets too comeptitive, people are going to get hurt."]

"Are you worried about Cassie?" Tanya asked. Adam nodded. "I like her spirit, and I've known Cassie for awhile, but she's getting way to competitive about this whole thing. . ."

[Tanya: "Adam's a pacifist. I know he'll do all his best to win, but he's uncertain about Cassie's intentions."]

Tanya squeezed Adam's hand. "Don't worry, it'll be okay," she assured him as took a seat in the lobby.

As soon as everyone was accounted for, T.J. spoke up. "Okay, the top three groups have been revealed." He pulled down a blanket, which covered the scoreboard.

[Karone: "The top three pairs in Group 2 have been changed somewhat since the last mission."]

"The leader of the mission again, goes to Mike and Taylor!" Kai announced. Everyone burst into applause and T.J. approached Mike and Taylor. "Courtesy of Roxy Quicksilver, you both each receive a check for $1,000," Kai said handing them both the checks.

[Rocky: "Whoa, mama."]
[Kendrix: "A thousand dollars?"]
[Katie: "Mike lives in space. . .he should give me the check to spend now."]

Taylor and Mike looked at each other and smiled. Kai walked back up on stage. "Okay, group one's top three are in order: Tommy and Kim, Carter and Jen, and Leo and Dana."

"Group two, these are your leaders," T.J. said and he pointed to the board. "Mike and Taylor, Wes and Kendrix, and Cole and Alyssa."

"You have an hour of deliberation," Kai announced. He looked at his watch. "Starting . . now."

**********Group 1's top three*************

"Still want to go with the weakest link?" Kim asked the group.

[Leo: "I'm very tempted to go with the strongest pairing, which is Angela and Joel. They're in fourth position right now, right behind Dana and I."]

Tommy nodded. "I honestly think that they're going to throw us a curve ball. . .for some reason, we're going to end up needing the strongest people."

Carter also nodded. "These people are smart. . .they're thinking we're going to vote off the strongest threats. If we take out the weakest link, that'll be Maya and Zack."

[Kim: "I hated to see Zack go. I mean, I hadn't seen him in forever, and we didn't get to talk that much while we were here too."]

Kim nodded, so did everyone else.

[Kim: "But I'll follow everyone else."]

*********Group 2's Top Three**********

[Wes: "We've got some pretty good teams in group two, so it's a hard decision to make."]

"All of the teams are pretty good," Alyssa said, twirling the straw in her cup. "Who should we vote off?"

[Mike: "Last time, we voted off Chad and Kelsey because they were the weaker pair. I don't know if we should do that again."]

"Should we go with another weaker team?" Mike asked. He looked around the group. When no one made a move to reply, he said, "All right, we'll go with another weaker team. I'll go with Tanya and Trip."

Taylor looked at him and nodded. "Then I'll vote with you." She looked around.

"I'd like to vote Cassie and Adam," Alyssa replied.

"Why?" Cole asked.

[Alyssa: "There's something about Cassie. . .something that's going on inside. I think it might be threatening to us."]

Alyssa shrugged and shook her head. "I just. . .have this feeling."

Wes shook his head. "I'd hate to go with my buddy, but I'm going to vote Tanya and Trip." Kendrix nodded along with him. Alyssa turned to Cole and he nodded also. When Alyssa shrugged, Mike nodded. "Okay, our votes are made."

**************************

"Group one, please come up and share your vote with us," T.J. said an hour later. The group bounded up on stage and Carter spoke for everyone. "We had a tough decision. . .since all pairs in our group are really good, but we decided to go with the lowest team, which is Maya and Zack."

[Zack: "Aww, man."]

Zack nodded from his chair and reached across the table to give Maya a handshake. "We're sorry, guys," Carter said, looking guilty.

Maya smiled. "Don't worry about it," she replied.

Kai nodded. "All right, group one, thank you for that," he said and group one left the stage. "Okay, group two?" The top three teams in group two went onto the stage. Wes spoke for them. "Just like group one, group two also had some strong teams and we also decided to go with the lowest scoring team, which is Tanya and Trip."

[Adam: "They voted off Tanya and Trip."]
[Cassie: "Maybe Adam's angry enough to want to be more competitive."]

"We enjoyed your company. . .and we hope there are no hard feelings," Wes said. Just like Maya, Tanya was also smiling. "Don't worry about it. But I hope the team that wins will share some of that money!" Tanya called out. Everyone laughed at her remark, and Wes smiled.

"Whew, tough decisions," T.J. said. "You guys all did great on the mission, though, so be proud of that. Okay, you guys have the rest of the day off. Go around Oahu, the beach, the sites, and those of you who were voted off, you'll have to be packed and ready to leave after dinner."

**********************

[Alyssa: "I knew there was a reason why I felt Cassie was very threatening. I overheard Cassie talking with Ashley and Rocky about how in order for them to make the top three, they needed to split Mike and Taylor."]

Alyssa walked out from the large bathroom that Group one's villa shared with Group two's. When she walked into the living room, she saw Cassie discussing something with Ashley and Rocky.

[Alyssa: "They were talking kinda hushed, so I thought it was none of my business. Then I heard what Cassie was saying."]

"So in order for us to win, we've gotta try and get Mike and Taylor to turn on each other, so they won't work as well as a team. Right now, they're almost untouchable. Almost," Cassie said, looking back and forth between Ashley and Rocky.

[Alyssa: "And I was right there!"]

Alyssa frowned as she approached the three. "You can't be planning that kind of thing," Alyssa interjected.

Cassie turned to look at Alyssa. "You were listening?" she demanded, but Alyssa ignored her comment. "Hey, just let the game play out! If you want to go after Mike and Taylor by splitting them up, do it by yourself. Don't bring in other people and start some kind of a mutiny!" Alyssa said, clenching her fists.

Ashley opened her mouth to speak but Cassie got up quickly and faced Alyssa. "If you can tell me that being competitive's against the rules for the competition, then I'll stop. But if you can't say anything, back off."

[Rocky: "I swear, it was almost like the battle of the rangers." Looks excited. "Let the battle begin!"]

"Are you threatening me?" Alyssa asked, narrowing her eyes. Cassie was about to reply when Adam and Tanya approached. "Whoa, back off, Cassie," Adam said, pulling back his partner. "Relax." When Cassie conceded, Adam turned to Alyssa. "This is not the time to fight," he said.

Alyssa looked at Adam and nodded. "We'll just settle this on the challenge," she said. When Cassie turned away, Alyssa turned around and walked to her room.

[Ashley: "I couldn't let Alyssa think badly of Cassie."]

A knock sounded on Alyssa's door. "Come in," Alyssa said as she took a seat on her bed. Ashley walked in. "Hey, Alyssa."

Alyssa nodded. "What are you doing here?" she asked, curious.

Ashley smiled slightly. "I know what you're thinking--that Cassie's a bad person." When Alyssa didn't respond, Ashley pushed forward. "But she's not. I've known Cassie for a long time. She does get competitive, but she's not how you think she is. She needs this money."

"We all do," Alyssa pointed out. Ashley nodded. "Yeah, I know, but Cassie's doing all she believes she can to win. It might not be the right way to do it, but I guess she feels it's the more certain way to get things done."

Alyssa sighed. "She must be a great person if you came to talk to me about her." Ashley nodded. "She's my best friend. Just. . .talk things out with her. Maybe you'll make her come to her senses." Ashley shrugged.

"We'll see," Alyssa said. "If she keeps on going this way, people are going to get hurt."

*****************Next time on Power Rangers Extreme Challenge***************

An overview of the past four episodes--in the hosts' point of view.

[Scenes:]
-"Nice one, Kai," T.J. said, after Kai fell off the four-wheeler
-Kai turned to T.J. "Bet you can't handle that," he said, pointing to the obstacle course.

Along with some cut scenes:

-"Come on, can't you tell us what's the next mission before it happens?" Leo asked Kai.
-Kim and Kat quietly discussing something, away from the group

And also, host narratives:

-[Kai: "Yep, T.J. and I have the star treatment--a whole villa to ourselves. But it's so quiet, we're not here that often."]
-[T.J.: "A lot of things going on here. . .love triangles, arguments. . .it really is a tv show."

Author's Notes: Yep, I will put the new scoreboard on episode six because episode five will be the POV from Kai and T.J.'s view. Thought that it would be interesting to see what they see, since they're the hosts and everything. Rooming assignment will also appear on episode six.
I know, I left the story off where the other preview left off. That was planned. This "animosity" will be around for awhile--I think.
Hmm. . .not much else. The story's coming along like I planned. As always, please read and review.