Episode 13: The Grass Is Always Greener Or Bluer
Highschool
The school was almost over for today but before the last class, Noah sent a message asking him to skip his class to come and see him and since Jake was curious, that's what he did, walking into the small room Adam Park prepared so Noah could work on any related Ranger stuff.
-Hey, did you call? -asked Jake.
-Yes, come here. I want to show you this. -said, Noah.
Jake walks closer to the small iPad on the desk and looks at the laser they have on their Super Megaforce suit then, Jake looks at Noah sightly confused and waits for the Blue Ranger to explain. Noah chuckles, seeing Jake's confused face, and walks towards the iPad.
-I'm working on ways to improve our attacks. -said Noah-… I have been looking at you and I know when you use Bastro's energy you tend to channel his power, creating that white light you use either as a shield or as an attack.
-Oh… you mean you can do something like that with the lasers? -asked Jake.
-Not with the lasers but I was wondering if I could create a weapon we could use to combine our lasers and send a powerful laser beam, enough to defeat the aliens. -said, Noah.
-I see… like the combined weapons the Rangers used before, right? -asked Jake.
-Right.
Jake nods and looks at the iPad then he pats Noah on the shoulder and smiles at him.
-If someone can do this, it's you, Noah. I'm sure the others think the same. -said Jake, looking at his watch-… oh, I promised Emma I would help her. Would you let me know how it goes?
-Of course. Thank you. -said, Noah.
-No, Noah. Thank you. I'm so happy you are our Blue Ranger- said Jake, sincerely-… I have to go if you need help, call.
Noah nods and watches Jake go while he looks back at his iPad, smiling as he types and continues working on his new project, hoping this will give them the strength they need to end this war before it gets worse.
Park
Emma and Jake were walking, Emma holding her camera and Jake carrying her equipment and both were talking about Noah's progress when suddenly, they heard a sound and both Rangers turned to see a monster and X-Borgs.
Quickly, Emma put her camera in a safe place along with her equipment Jake was putting on the ground and both Rangers got ready, getting their device.
-Super Megaforce!
Emma and Jake morphed into Pink and Green Super Megaforce and run towards the X-Borgs, defeating them quickly when the other Rangers appears but then, the monster makes a gesture, and more X-Borgs appear, separating the Rangers and leaving Green and Blue to fight the monster.
Blue and Green nod to each other and run towards the monster, using their swords to try, and hit him but the monster rolls on the ground and gets up too quick for the Rangers then, he uses his attack, hitting both Green and Blue.
-Aja! -said the monster.
The monster takes the moment to disappear while Blue and Green fall to the ground, losing their morph. The Rangers quickly demorph, seeing their friends on the ground, and run to them but before they can touch them, they see Noah already trying to calm down Jake.
Or maybe not.
-Noah? Noah you in my body? -asked Jake in Noah's body.
-AGH! -screamed Noah in Jake's body.
-Jake? -asked Troy.
-I'm here. -said Jake in Noah's body then, he looked back at Noah-. Noah, I know what you are feeling but you need to calm down. Take a deep breath and think about something you love.
-I can't! -screamed Noah in Jake's body.
-You can, brother. Close your eyes and think about what you love the most, your family, your work, your friends… think about it and take a deep breath. I promise you the pain will go away. -said Jake in Noah's body.
The Rangers looked as Noah in Jake's body did exactly what his friend told him and slowly, he calm down allowing his mind to relax while Jake in Noah's body helped him to get up. Jake in Noah's body gave Noah in Jake's body his glasses and looked at the Rangers with a sigh.
-The monster switched our bodies. I'm Jake and he is Noah. -said Jake in Noah's body-. I'm guessing he had a trip sharing his already busy mind with Snake and Bastro.
-I don't know how you can live with this. -said Noah in Jake's body, wincing-. Do you have this pain all the time?
-Not all the time. I spend a lot of time with people that keep my mind at peace and do exercises. -said Jake in Noah's body-. I'm sorry, Noah, it seems you will have to deal with it until we can switch our bodies back.
-For that, we need to defeat the monster. -said, Emma.
Gia rolled her eyes, the idea wasn't ideal but there was no way around it and there was nothing they could do about it.
-Just a quick reminder, Noah. -said Jake in Noah's body-. If Bastro reaches to you in your dreams, follow him, don't fight, and don't try to interfere, believe me. It will make things weird.
-Ok…-said Noah in Jake's body.
-Maybe it would be a good idea for Noah to spend the night in Jake's home so his parents don't notice the difference. -said, Troy.
-Yes, I will do that. -said Noah in Jake's body.
-No, brother. I will do it. I'm you, after all, and this is not my first rodeo with your parents. -said Jake in Noah's body.
Jake in Noah's body walked away, grabbing his phone while Noah in Jake's body sighed and touched his head as if he was still in pain. Troy put a hand on his shoulder while the girls looked at them, worried.
-Is that bad? -asked Troy.
-Is worse…is almost as if everything was fighting inside me, Troy. I don't know how he can do it. -said Noah in Jake's body.
-What do you feel? -asked Gia.
-The Snake is heavy but is calm now, somehow it trusts me enough, Bastro doesn't seem happy but he is doing his best to contain his energy from hurting me further and his connection to the other spirits, ours, and other Rangers… the energy he needs to ease all the spirits must be exhausting… -said Noah in Jake's body.
-It must be exhausting now if Bastro is trying to contain his power with you but not with Jake… I wonder if that is what makes Jake so weak when he uses his powers. -said, Emma.
They heard steps coming and stopped talking when they saw Jake in Noah's body smiling while he put his phone back in his pocket.
-Done. It was quite easy. -said Jake in Noah's body.
-Good then, let's go home, tomorrow is a school day and I have to prepare…-started Noah in Jake's body.
-No, dude, we have to prepare. If I'm going to be you, I better get ready. -said Jake in Noah's body-… that is going to be complicated.
-Really? -asked Noah in Jake's body.
-Are you kidding? I wish I was half smart as you are Noah…
-But you are stronger and what you hold inside you…-said Noah in Jake's body.
Jake in Noah's body tittle his head and hugged his friend while the other Rangers looked at them and saw again the bond the two young men shared.
-I would be nothing without you, Noah. You got me out of trouble the same amount of times I helped you and… -said Jake in Noah's body-… now we have them. They will help us cover it, right?
-Of course. -said, Emma.
-Count of it. -said, Troy.
Noah in Jake's body looked at Gia and then looked down while Gia smiled and walked towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
-Don't worry about it, Noah. Jake and I don't act like a couple in school, remember? I spend most of my time with Emma and Jake spends his time with you and Troy and then we reunite with Orion. -said Gia then, her smile growing-… but we do have a date this weekend and if by that time things haven't changed… guess who is taking me.
Jake in Noah's body started laughing while Noah in Jake's body went pale and Gia pats his shoulder, laughing and followed by Emma, finally Troy shook his head and walked with his two best friends towards Jake's house.
For some reason, this can turn out to be something fun.
Jake's House (Night)
Noah and Jake decided to go sleep early since the next day was a school day and they did everything they could to be ready but while Jake was soundly asleep, Noah was having problems, as his dreams were plagued by white smoke and a voice.
Noah's Dream
Noah Carver…
Noah opened his eyes and looked at his hands. He was in his own body here but there was something different here and he noticed as soon as the white smoke revealed a White Lion with golden eyes that came closer to him.
-You are… -said Noah.
I am Bastro, Noah. You have a busy mind. I apologize for making you feel pain while I adjusted.
-Is ok… I feel a little better now but… is this what Jake feels? -asked Noah.
Jacob suffers worse because I don't contain my power in his mind but he has found ways to make it easier for him, just like it was easy for him to tame your Shark with barely a whisper.
Noah nodded and remained silent while Bastro walked around him, looking at him and he sat in front of Noah.
I want to show you something, Noah but I'm not sure if you are ready for the impact of these images…
-Is it about Jake? I want to see it. -said, Noah.
Bastro looked at Noah for a few minutes, as if trying to decide what to do, and then nodded, closing his eyes as an image appeared in front of Noah.
-What is this, Jake? -asked a woman with cat ears.
-This is a design from my best friend, Dr. Manx. He created this so we could use our laser combined now, we can use the same to create the Combo Delta Blaster. We will let our Red Ranger test it but I would like to adapt it to everyone. -said, Jake.
Dr. Manx looked at Jake with sympathy while Jake looked at the design with soft eyes and nodded, putting her hand on the design, and taking Jake's attention from them.
-I will create this, Jake. Your friend has a great mind. -said, Dr. Manx.
-I know…-whispered Jake-… I always knew…
The image disappears and Noah looks at Bastro while the White Lion opens his eyes, slowly.
-What was that? -asked Noah.
Future, Noah. The S.P.D Rangers will use part of the design you are creating now for their future weapons so my request to you is that you keep working on it and never forget that you have people who believe in you.
-But why was Jake…? -started Noah.
Bye, Noah.
Noah in Jake's body suddenly woke up and looked to the side, where Jake in Noah's body was still sleeping sounding. Noah was confused as to why Jake was using his design for the S.P.D Rangers and he or the other Rangers weren't around, not even Gia and… why did Jake look almost ten years older?
Noah looked at the table, where he had his design, and sighed, guess he will find out sooner or later but for now, all he could do was keep working and see what he could do with that design.
Command Center (Next Morning)
By the time the other Rangers arrive, Jake and Noah are already there, the veteran Rangers seemed to be out today but Noah was perfect since he needed all the time in the world to be able to work on his project.
-How is it going? -asked Emma.
-He tried a few things but nothing fully works yet. -said Jake in Noah's body-… I made something to eat while he worked, which is enough for everybody if you like.
-Thanks. -said Troy, grabbing a plate and the food-… Noah, can you identify the problem?
-Our keys hold so much power they burn the pistols so I have to balance the amount of energy… -said Noah in Jake's body-…maybe if I calibrate this…
Noah in Jake's body was so focused that Jake in Noah's body sat down and looked at his friend's work, on the side the Rangers followed Jake in Noah's body and sat beside him, watching Noah in Jake's bodywork.
-I bet you have done this before. -said, Gia.
-Plenty of times, Noah brings himself down all the time but he doesn't see what we see right now. -said Jake in Noah's body-… look at it, the focus, and the passion on his work, that is what makes Noah different from the others.
The Rangers looked at Noah working and while they had a good chance to see several faces of Noah since they became Rangers now is the first time they can see why Jake not only wanted as a Blue Ranger but why he saw in Noah someone to be trusted with their lives.
-You are right. Is there anything we can do to help? -asked Troy.
As if on cue, the alarm went off and the Rangers got up, looking at each other while Noah in Jake's body raised his head but he was stopped by Jake in Noah's body.
-Do your think, my friend? We will keep him in line until you are done. -said Jake in Noah's body.
-I'll call Orion on our way there. -said, Troy-… Ready, Rangers?
-Ready! -screamed the Rangers.
-Super Megaforce! -screamed the Rangers.
The Rangers morph and teleported to the battlefield while Noah in Jake's body continued his work, hoping to be able to finish it before is too late.
Plaza
When the Rangers arrived, they saw the monster walking toward them but before they could do anything, the monster raised his hands and laughed, pointing at the Green Ranger.
-Did you enjoy the change, Ranger? -asked the monster-. If you defeat me now, you won't be able to change back!
-What? -asked the Silver Ranger.
-Long story short, I'm in Blue's body and Blue is in my body-said the Green Ranger. -We have to make him change us before we defeat him.
-Do you think this is true? -asked the Pink Ranger.
-We can't risk it… -said the Red Ranger.
-Is not entirely true!
The Blue Ranger appeared with their new weapon and ran towards his friends, giving the weapon to the Red Ranger before looking at the Green Ranger.
-If we debilitate him enough, he will switch us back. Do you know what I mean? -asked the Blue Ranger.
-I do… let's do it! -said the Green Ranger.
Both Rangers ran towards the monster, jumping at the same time but while Blue landed on one foot and his knee, Green hit the monster with his swords, now glowing with a green light then, the Green Ranger jumped back at the same time the Blue Ranger got up, leaving the Green Ranger on one knee while the Blue Ranger was up. Green's swords were still glowing and now Blue's pistols were glowing blue too.
-Ready, brother! -asked the Blue Ranger.
-At your command, brother! -said the Green Ranger.
The Blue Ranger fired two blue bullets that the Green Ranger energized, using his swords, and that hit the monster at the same time, making it take several steps back while, unable to stop it, Blue and Green switch bodies back.
-Yes! -screamed the Blue Ranger.
-We did it! -said the Green Ranger, hugging his friend.
The rest of the Rangers ran to celebrate with their friend when they saw the monster getting up and the Rangers quickly moved, letting Red take the front as he was holding Blue's new weapon. He put his key on the front while Blue and Yellow put theirs on one side, and Green and Pink did it on the other side, on his side, Silver got his staff ready to strike and together, the six Rangers attacked the same time, defeating the monster for once and all.
Finally, this day was over.
Park (After The Fight)
Noah sighed happily to be able to be on his skin again and feel his mind free of pain while he looked at Jake, walking hand in hand with Gia. He felt happy that his best friend had all the support he needed but the image he saw still worries him.
Troy saw it and walked close to him while Emma show Orion her pictures. The Red Ranger could feel the worry of his friend and wanted to know what he could do to help.
-Is something wrong, Noah? -asked Troy.
-Nah… well, yes but we can't tell the others, at least not yet. -said, Noah.
-Of course, what is it? -asked Troy, now more worried.
Noah looked down and took a deep breath before he finally looked up at Troy.
-While I was in Jake's body I saw Bastro and he showed me an image. There was an older version of Jake and someone called Dr. Manx and they were using my design to create a weapon for the S.P.D Rangers…-explained Noah.
-That's great, Noah. -said, Troy.
-No… Troy, Jake was there but for some reason, we weren't… not even Gia was there and when Jake looked at the design he looked sad… as if he was missing me. -said, Noah.
Troy looked down, confused, and then looked at Noah while Noah looked towards the rest of the team, now together and laughing.
-Troy… I think that whatever is going to happen, we may be the ones not there to see it…-said, Noah.
Troy looked at the team, worried. He believed that Jake was in danger but what if wasn't him? What if it was the rest of them?