Two Sides To Every Story 8
Chapter 8: Strong Ties
Sensei looked the girl up and down. Her brown-blonde hair was pulled back off her face now and she was smiling hopefully. "And you are?" he pressed.
"Chance, Cassidy Chance" she said. "You're Sensei Kanoi! A pleasure" she bowed and gave a hopeful smile. "Umm I am the- the guardian of the Mara- Ishii"
"Not the best job ever" Cam said tossing the book onto the desk. Cassidy winced.
"Well, the sensors of Matriarchus sense it. Luckily rangers drown out its aura...I was hoping I'd find one but it was pure luck I found you. I realized that you were a ranger when I stopped sensing the book. Then I saw you talking to Shane and realized that he was a Ranger too...but I smelt Demon touch off him so I followed him a bit and found out his mother had been replaced with Matriarchus".
"I knew Greta Clarke would never wear her hair that way!" Jason exclaimed.
"You know my mom scary well," commented Shane.
"The woman is a great political mind" Jason defended.
"Greater then great" added Trini. "She beat down three delegates in a debate without more then 5 minutes to create her speech."
"She sounds really interesting" Adam said.
"She is" Shane murmured. "And she's tough too..."
"You know, you aren't a good mother" Matriarchus sighed. "Your son won't even try to save you...hnh, he probably liked me better"
Greta looked at Matriarchus. "You're a bizarre alien with pink and gold skin," she said calmly. "You're probably powerful and strong, you've probably killed many warriors in your life..." her voice became tougher. "But my son is going to kick your ass to Switzerland and back".
"So feisty!" exclaimed Lothar as he materialized. "I see where he gets if from! Matriarchus I want you to capture the Astral Ranger next time you see him."
"But the sword--"
"DO IT!" Lothar snarled. He looked at Greta. "The boy will bring it for us..."
Greta glared at Lothar, startling him. No one could match his gaze...NO ONE! He teleported away and left Matriarchus to throw a dirty glance at Greta before she too disappeared and left Greta alone in her cage over the magma vortex.
Jason sat down beside Rocky. "Okay..."he said. "We owe these guys for pulling us out of the fire...literally, in the park. So I say...we find the sword and use it to destroy this Lothar dude"
"With that mask he's worse then Rita" snorted Kim. There was a smile from the group as they recalled the old days.
"We should council prudence," warned Trini in her soothing voice. "We're not rangers anymore and that means we can easily be hurt by the soldiers of the despot."
"I say we crush him like a bug" admitted Rocky. "---But with a long handled fly swatter, he ain't gonna be a push over".
Adam shrugged. "Maybe, Maybe not...but we can rely on what little power we all still have within us. It never left. We can trust it."
"But it's not enough" Jason sighed rising slowly. "After all Tommy was the "best" fighter. I'm just number two." The bitterness was evident.
"We have to remember...all of us are able for this" Adam said calmly. "We're not exactly helpless. We stand a chance."
"Yeah" Kim said touching Jason's shoulder. "We can do this."
"Yeah" Jason nodded. "We can".
Blake bit his lip as Tori straightened his shirt. She'd arrived late but in time to catch him before he entered the restaurant her father owned. He looked adorable, sweet as sugar, in the black suit and blue shirt. She was satisfied once she'd tossed the necktie.
"Mom is pretty tough, don't ever talk back...not that you would. Dad likes it when I date guys with plans...be yourself but be respectful. They don't know about the ninja thing...keep it out. Mom will give a few brisk questions fitted in between meals. Do NOT speak with a full mouth"
"Should I salute?" Blake grinned. Tori placed a kiss on his lips.
"Be polite and yourself and they'll adore you as much...but not like, I hope...as I do"
She placed another kiss on his lips for longer and inwardly gave a contented sigh. Then she led him into the restaurant. The room was gold and crimson, tinted with lights like sunsets. Her father had his private booth reserved.
"Hello Vicky" he cooed. Tori hugged her father and smiled. "And this must be Blake...fine lad sit down you two love birds."
Blake smiled, pulled a chair out for Tori and basically helped her sit down. That action alone earned him a level-5 judging-gaze from Mrs Hanson. Mr Hanson leaned forwards a little. "So Blake. Tori tells me you two met at the Motocross track."
"Yes sir" nodded Blake, his neck stiffening and throat closing.
"Do you ride?"
"Ysss" Blake managed. He took a drink of water and managed to free his throat up.
"Is that long term?" Mr Hanson said.
"I honestly don't know" Blake said. "It's just what I love to do. I've got all intentions to go to college. But Motocross might make it possible, there's a scout looking at myself, Hunter and Dustin for a chance to go pro."
"I see" Mrs Hanson said. "That sounds nice...are you two going to order?"
"Try the duck it's superb" Mr Hanson said.
Blake swallowed. He felt Tori brush her hand off his and send a wave of hope through it to him. He was calm now...
Dinner passed as he dealt casually and truthfully with the lawyer Maggie Hanson's sharp but respectful questions. Finally the night ended...it had been awkward. Blake walked Tori out to her van.
"You dazzled Daddy" Tori said. "And if you ever call me Vicky I'll bait you with a hook and feed you to the sharks!" she glared at him. He gave a grin and looked over his shoulder.
"They're gone" reassured Tori. "So kiss me or I'll tell them you thought the duck was dry!" Blake bit his lip and leaned in, initiating a small kiss that heated into an inferno of passion that...his brain switched off and he felt himself getting washed away by the wave that was Tori. Finishing the kiss took all his will power, more then it had to free himself from any mind control.
She kissed him on the cheek and climbed into her van, pulling her shoes off. "Don't try drive in heels," she said. "Okay?"
"Darn" Blake grinned. "My weekends ruined!"
The van pulled away. Blake breathed in and punched the air the second Tori had pulled away. "Yes!" he grinned. "She likes me! She likes me! She likes me!"
He leapt into his jeep and gave a loud Wahoo before driving home with Tori on the brain.
Marah peeked out from behind the tree. The rangers were there with Dustin; her chances had flopped...oh well. She couldn't be Margo again; the rangers would catch on toooooooooooo fast.
"Hey" Blake said, his face turning redder then Shane or Hunters outfits. Tori smiled and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Hi" she smiled.
Dustin looked to Hunter who shrugged. "You guys going to bike with us?"
"I'll take your times" Kelly called from the van. "Tori can you help me get these out of the back? I have something for you guys."
Tori walked over and opened the back of the van with Kelly. She took the new helmets from the box. They were sitting on newspaper. The latest issue, which read on the cover:
"CEO OF ELECTRIC PLANT MURDERED?" Tori leapt back the second she read the time of death. "Oh God" she muttered. "I gave the murderer a lift!"
"Huh? What?" Blake said darting to her side to put a hand on his shoulder. "Who?"
Tori picked up the paper. "I think I did...he helped fix my van, I offered a lift, he took it...I dropped him at the plant oh my god!!!"
"Calm down" Blake said putting an arm around her waist. "We can go talk to the police, it's not like you knew he was going to kill anyone!"
"You guys go riding, you need to clock your times for that scout" Shane said. "I'll take Tori to the station."
"No I should---"
Tori should her head and cut Blake off. "You said it yourself, this could be your big chance. Shane's one of my oldest friends, I trust him as much as you. He'll look after me. You need your times for that scout."
Blake watched Tori depart with Shane and looked at the new helmet.
"Twice the protection, half the weight" explained Kelly. "Come on let's do this and go be there if Tori needs us."
Hunter pulled his helmet and in three seconds they were speeding along. In the forests a bike revved up...and sped out. It was a black tsunami cycle! It shot along the track and vaulted over a hill into the air with the trio. Kelly shouted a curse that made people's hair stand on end. The red bolts shot from the headlights and hit the ground. Blake's bike landed in the spot, it hurled him into the grass off the track. Dustin glanced over his shoulder...the black clad biker spun his legs over the side of the bike and snapped them out into him.
Dustin was separated from his bike with a thud and shout of pain. He crashed into a tented drinks stall with a yelp as his bike slammed to the ground.
Hunter heard the tsunami cycle...felt a pulse hiss past his head. The crimson energy was his colour...would it be his death, was a bigger question.
He could sense the calculating coldness of his pursuer...Somehow! He felt a crunch and thud. The back of his bike had lost a large slab. He gritted his teeth and shot over another slope with the black tsunami cycle at his back. The blast fired through the air... It hit Hunters head. Seconds later Cams sword shot through the air and slashed the side of the black bike.
The rider and bike crashed down. Cam raced forwards, his heart pumping. He had a choice between: the black clad man on the stolen tsunami cycle (A/N: try saying that 3 times fast with a mouthful of peas), and Hunter.
He picked Hunter.
He heard his sword ripped from the side of the bike, the engine begin again and roar off. He leapt to Hunters side in full Samurai garb. Easing the helmet off Cam prayed his ranger endurance had saved him.
"Please, please, please don't die bay---" Cam caught himself and turned it into: "Bay's most brooding boy". Hunter's eyes fluttered open and focused on Cam with a wide smile.
"Did you get him?" he croaked.
"In a word...yes" Cam said. "Then he escaped...didn't take my sword at least".
Kelly rushed over and seemingly ignored the presence of a Green Samurai Ranger at her side. "Hunter? Are you okay? Man this city is a home to craziness!" she checked his eyes and head. "Trip to the hospital for you pal."
She looked over her shoulder, The Samurai was gone and the other two were rushing over. She sighed and looked at Hunter. "Any spinning sensations?"
"Not really Mr Elephant-in-a-bowler, but can I have my pickle ice cream back?" Hunter droned.
"OH MY GOD HE'S GOING TO DIE" exclaimed Dustin.
"No I'm not," snorted Hunter. "I'm fine."
Thirty minutes later they were at the hospital. A German nurse with a crooked nose and sharp eyes (as well as a build like a wrestler) took Hunter to a doctor and brought him back. In a wheelchair. Most embarrassing for Hunter.
"Can I please walk out of here?" Hunter asked. He struck up Cute-Grin #29. It hit a brick wall and slid down like slime.
"Zorry dear but I'm a muzzer of 5, zat grin has keine effect on me. You use it I'll let you stay up to 10 to watch infomercials at best" she said sharply. "Lets not be zeeing you again Hunter."
"Sure thing Helga" he sighed.
"Zats nurse Helga to you Blondie" she snipped and basically tipped him out. He staggered over to Kelly and gave thumbs up. Blake and Dustin frowned and nodded.
"So the Astral Ranger has a tsunami cycle," Kanoi murmured. "Lothar must have supplied it...when the young man was totally under his influence".
"He might be again," murmured Cam. Tori nodded in agreement.
"We should look for him," she agreed.
"Or trap him?" suggested Cassidy. "If we get the Astral Ranger we might be able to use him as a bargaining chip to get Mrs Clarke back...the sword cave won't open for another night. We mightn't have much time".
"Like, Cassidy has totally gotten a plan dudes!" CyberCam exclaimed. The holographic image of the beachside walk appeared. The swirling blue and white tiles and shops lining one side, set on the cliff.
"This is the best place for an attack against him. All the powers will function perfectly here...ergo he'll have a slight disadvantage when Cyber and I do this".
She pressed a key on the console. A green field popped up around the palm trees and benches in a circular area of the walk. "A field to prevent him Telekinetically tossing any of the cars around. Plus, its just Jim-dandy at stopping teleportation or ninja jumping from causing trouble in the fights. Once you lure him here I turn it on and he goes nowhere..."
"We have a plan" nodded Hunter. "Can we get around to using it...how do we lure him? He's hardly got a Bat-signal."
"Actually that's true...but you two..." a slightly sinister gleam came in Cassidy's green eyes. "That's another story."
"We're hooked up to a power source that will boost a psychic signal to attract the astral ninja with his Telepathy?"
"Yes" Cam said as he and Hunter stood near the palm trees in the circle of stone.
"Just checking" Hunter sighed. "So...what now?"
"Game of I-Spy-with-my-little-eye? Or maybe a rousing round of 99 bottles of beer on the wall?" suggested Cam dryly.
"You're mocking me, aren't you" Hunter said.
"Exactly Buzz Lightyear. Congratulations on that assumption"
"What flew up your ass and died?" exclaimed Hunter turning on Cam.
"Nothing" Cam said slowly. "I'm tired is all".
Hunter didn't get a chance to take it any further. A blur of black slammed into him and lashed out with a kick to Cam's gut. The Black Astral ninja held his Spider Sai at the ready. "Can we start now, I want to find where that signal came from..."
"NOW CASS!" Hunter shouted. The other sped up to their comrades and surrounded the Black Astral ranger as the green pillar of marbled energy swirled out.
"Hmmmmmm" the astral ninja murmured. "This IS a turn...oh well"
He lunged at them. Sparks flew. Tori slashed the Astral Ninja in the back. He spun and slashed her in the visor. Blake gave an animal roar and smashed his staff into the Astral Ninja. The battle swiftly became brutal.
"The Astral Ninja!" Kapri exclaimed excitedly as Matriarchus and Marah surrounded the viewing screen. "And all the rangers in one place! Perfect!"
"Let's go girls," Matriarchus said. "—Where is The Demon"
"She said something about...doing her nails?" Marah said in a confused voice.
"Oh brother" sighed Matriarchus.
They teleported out.
The field imploded as Cam slashed across Black Astral's chest. The rush of energy threw them all up into the air. Dressed to kill in the costumes The Demon had given them they strode forwards. Marah and Kapri.
Matriarchus stormed along behind them. Kezlacks prancing along behind her.
"I feel like this is going to cause pain..." Black Astral commented. "Fun."
Cam spun and slashed the Black Astral ranger. The obsidian clad teen grunted in pain and glanced up. "Oh, who told you I liked it rough?"
The TK blast knocked Cam off his feet. A trashcan shot trough the air and crashed into two Kezlacks. "Your uncle won't control me," stated the Black Astral ranger to the girls before he launched into an unbiased attack on everything that moved.
"Yummy with chocolate icing" Kapri murmured.
"And sprinkles too" Marah said. She spotted Dustin and raised her staff. "Sorry Dusty" she whispered and blasted him through the glass of a window. She leapt after him, Kezlacks pounded after her, blades at the ready.
She hopped into the shop and levelled her staff at him. "Prepare to-y'know- die," she said half-heartedly. Dustin raised his Lion Hammer.
"You've really improved in fighting by the way," he said as she swung at him.
"Thanks!" exclaimed Marah. "D's been giving me a few pointers, Matriarchus is really quite good as well! And you've gotten even better!"
"I guess" chuckled Dustin. "I trained harder, 50 extra push-ups"
Kapri kicked Shane in the ribs. He ducked under her next kick and knocked her backwards. She rolled over the bench and landed on her feet to blast him with a crescent of pink light. Shane slammed it with his sword batting it away.
Kapri vaulted the bench and delivered a rapid bicycle kick to his face. He shot backwards with a shout.
"Hey! That's my move!" he whined.
"Get over it" she sighed. Rolls reversed it seemed as she slashed at him and spun with her staff. He caught it and swung a kick over it into her side.
"I did" he smirked under the helmet.
They launched at each other again.
Matriarchus lashed out with her hair whipping the dreadlocks around Tori and Blake, flinging them upwards. Hunter leapt through the air and batted down into her head, she shrieked and staggered back. Tori and Blake fired in unison, flooring Matriarchus.
"Okay Mommy Fearest" Tori said. "It's been real!"
The sonic fin glowed with power; she leapt into the air and slammed down. Sparks ran through Matriarchus and knocked her back. Hunter and Blake surged forwards past Tori and planted a double kick on her.
"Yeah we rock" Blake said.
"Understatement" sniffed Hunter.
15minutes earlier
"I have to do something," Cassidy said to CyberCam as the field shattered and the Kezlacks appeared. She sprinted towards the portal.
"Careful" Kanoi said. "If you run into that fight you will be disadvantaged and a warrior without a shield falls against one with both shield and sword...usually."
They stared at one another for a while, Guinea Pig to Human. Sensei to Young woman. "I have no idea what that means" she said. "But I'll not go in there without a plan...I'm just stopping by the weapons workshop."
She darted out the door.
"Dude, she is one hot tamale," CyberCam said.
"I never here my organic son say that" sighed the Sensei.
The sai prongs trapped Cam's blade and the kick rose into his gut. He wheezed and fell back a little. The metal hissed with the movement. He knew he had one choice, only one; he had to disarm them both and hope for the best...the concentration it obviously took for Telekinesis was high...if there was too much of a distraction.
He kicked the Astral Ranger in the stomach and twisted his blade, pushing it up at the same time. The weapons shot upwards and Cam chopped down into the side Black Astral Ninjas neck...the blur of black caught him in the neck. Cam collapsed.
"Is this a private party or can any party animal join in?" crowed Mandilok- D. It levelled its scythe-sceptre at Hunter. Cam darted out and shoved Hunter aside, the blast of purple hit the Kelzack the Crimson Ninja had been fighting. It turned into a mass of black and white spots jetting off in opposite directions.
"Dag-nabbit!" cured Mandilok-D. He plunged into the fray, slashing and stabbing.
Marah and Dustin crashed through doors of the shop. Fists flying kicks crashing...and then the explosion. The black smoke filled the air, the sewers were revealed beneath the walk. The stench filled the air as the aliens disappeared, Kezlacks defeated and energy depleted. Marah and Kapri glanced at Shane and Dustin...then they were gone.
And Black Astral too
"Are you guys okay?" shouted Cassidy, running from the smoke in a scuffed leather jacket, stained jeans and tarnished boots, with mud smeared on her face. "Did my little fire cracker s under the street hurt anyone?"
"The city council" Cam said. "That was dangerous"
Cassidy halted in front of him and squared up. "Are you dead?"
"No"
"Maimed?"
"No"
"Then I have no reason to apologize."
Biting his lip Jason entered the room. Of course he felt bad...but he figured, if they started hiking now they'd be able to get there by the next full moon. Tonight. They'd reach there tonight and grab the sword.
He held the map from the Mara-Ishii, a copy of course...but it was the only one. Perfect, Cyber Cam had made it as magical as the one in the book itself thanks to the expertise of Kanoi.
He looked at the others dressed for the out doors.
"Got it," he whispered.
"Let's go" nodded Adam.
"And be quiet" added Kim. "No swearing at interesting of naked art, no games of I-Spy and NO, I repeat, NO asking are we there yet."
"Hey! I did that once when we needed to get a football back from Old McGregor's garden!" he exclaimed.
"You can't win this one, so don't try" Adam sighed.
Trini gave the thumbs up from around the corner. They crept along the passage and slipped towards the portal.
Next Chapter: Blake gets jealous. The ex-rangers get action packed! Christian deciphers more symbols and...some other romantic stuff happens! VOTE NOW FOR A PAIRING!!!
A/N: That wraps up another chapter. Zilch reviews...yet still I write...why? Perhaps because I now have regular ninja storm (I feel that it's gotten less serious since Buena Vista took over. But that's good because at least they don't over gesture like they used to...eeeeeeucccch!).
Okay so far...voted couples are...
Tori/Blake (of course)---Marah/Dustin---Kapri/Shane---Cam/Any-Hot-Guy-at- all-really-he's-not-picky.
FAO (me): And now a word from our sponsor...well the guy who harasses me regularly...
General Lee Twisted: SLASHYSLASHYSLASHYSLASHYSLASHY
FAO: Someone shoot me
Chapter 8: Strong Ties
Sensei looked the girl up and down. Her brown-blonde hair was pulled back off her face now and she was smiling hopefully. "And you are?" he pressed.
"Chance, Cassidy Chance" she said. "You're Sensei Kanoi! A pleasure" she bowed and gave a hopeful smile. "Umm I am the- the guardian of the Mara- Ishii"
"Not the best job ever" Cam said tossing the book onto the desk. Cassidy winced.
"Well, the sensors of Matriarchus sense it. Luckily rangers drown out its aura...I was hoping I'd find one but it was pure luck I found you. I realized that you were a ranger when I stopped sensing the book. Then I saw you talking to Shane and realized that he was a Ranger too...but I smelt Demon touch off him so I followed him a bit and found out his mother had been replaced with Matriarchus".
"I knew Greta Clarke would never wear her hair that way!" Jason exclaimed.
"You know my mom scary well," commented Shane.
"The woman is a great political mind" Jason defended.
"Greater then great" added Trini. "She beat down three delegates in a debate without more then 5 minutes to create her speech."
"She sounds really interesting" Adam said.
"She is" Shane murmured. "And she's tough too..."
"You know, you aren't a good mother" Matriarchus sighed. "Your son won't even try to save you...hnh, he probably liked me better"
Greta looked at Matriarchus. "You're a bizarre alien with pink and gold skin," she said calmly. "You're probably powerful and strong, you've probably killed many warriors in your life..." her voice became tougher. "But my son is going to kick your ass to Switzerland and back".
"So feisty!" exclaimed Lothar as he materialized. "I see where he gets if from! Matriarchus I want you to capture the Astral Ranger next time you see him."
"But the sword--"
"DO IT!" Lothar snarled. He looked at Greta. "The boy will bring it for us..."
Greta glared at Lothar, startling him. No one could match his gaze...NO ONE! He teleported away and left Matriarchus to throw a dirty glance at Greta before she too disappeared and left Greta alone in her cage over the magma vortex.
Jason sat down beside Rocky. "Okay..."he said. "We owe these guys for pulling us out of the fire...literally, in the park. So I say...we find the sword and use it to destroy this Lothar dude"
"With that mask he's worse then Rita" snorted Kim. There was a smile from the group as they recalled the old days.
"We should council prudence," warned Trini in her soothing voice. "We're not rangers anymore and that means we can easily be hurt by the soldiers of the despot."
"I say we crush him like a bug" admitted Rocky. "---But with a long handled fly swatter, he ain't gonna be a push over".
Adam shrugged. "Maybe, Maybe not...but we can rely on what little power we all still have within us. It never left. We can trust it."
"But it's not enough" Jason sighed rising slowly. "After all Tommy was the "best" fighter. I'm just number two." The bitterness was evident.
"We have to remember...all of us are able for this" Adam said calmly. "We're not exactly helpless. We stand a chance."
"Yeah" Kim said touching Jason's shoulder. "We can do this."
"Yeah" Jason nodded. "We can".
Blake bit his lip as Tori straightened his shirt. She'd arrived late but in time to catch him before he entered the restaurant her father owned. He looked adorable, sweet as sugar, in the black suit and blue shirt. She was satisfied once she'd tossed the necktie.
"Mom is pretty tough, don't ever talk back...not that you would. Dad likes it when I date guys with plans...be yourself but be respectful. They don't know about the ninja thing...keep it out. Mom will give a few brisk questions fitted in between meals. Do NOT speak with a full mouth"
"Should I salute?" Blake grinned. Tori placed a kiss on his lips.
"Be polite and yourself and they'll adore you as much...but not like, I hope...as I do"
She placed another kiss on his lips for longer and inwardly gave a contented sigh. Then she led him into the restaurant. The room was gold and crimson, tinted with lights like sunsets. Her father had his private booth reserved.
"Hello Vicky" he cooed. Tori hugged her father and smiled. "And this must be Blake...fine lad sit down you two love birds."
Blake smiled, pulled a chair out for Tori and basically helped her sit down. That action alone earned him a level-5 judging-gaze from Mrs Hanson. Mr Hanson leaned forwards a little. "So Blake. Tori tells me you two met at the Motocross track."
"Yes sir" nodded Blake, his neck stiffening and throat closing.
"Do you ride?"
"Ysss" Blake managed. He took a drink of water and managed to free his throat up.
"Is that long term?" Mr Hanson said.
"I honestly don't know" Blake said. "It's just what I love to do. I've got all intentions to go to college. But Motocross might make it possible, there's a scout looking at myself, Hunter and Dustin for a chance to go pro."
"I see" Mrs Hanson said. "That sounds nice...are you two going to order?"
"Try the duck it's superb" Mr Hanson said.
Blake swallowed. He felt Tori brush her hand off his and send a wave of hope through it to him. He was calm now...
Dinner passed as he dealt casually and truthfully with the lawyer Maggie Hanson's sharp but respectful questions. Finally the night ended...it had been awkward. Blake walked Tori out to her van.
"You dazzled Daddy" Tori said. "And if you ever call me Vicky I'll bait you with a hook and feed you to the sharks!" she glared at him. He gave a grin and looked over his shoulder.
"They're gone" reassured Tori. "So kiss me or I'll tell them you thought the duck was dry!" Blake bit his lip and leaned in, initiating a small kiss that heated into an inferno of passion that...his brain switched off and he felt himself getting washed away by the wave that was Tori. Finishing the kiss took all his will power, more then it had to free himself from any mind control.
She kissed him on the cheek and climbed into her van, pulling her shoes off. "Don't try drive in heels," she said. "Okay?"
"Darn" Blake grinned. "My weekends ruined!"
The van pulled away. Blake breathed in and punched the air the second Tori had pulled away. "Yes!" he grinned. "She likes me! She likes me! She likes me!"
He leapt into his jeep and gave a loud Wahoo before driving home with Tori on the brain.
Marah peeked out from behind the tree. The rangers were there with Dustin; her chances had flopped...oh well. She couldn't be Margo again; the rangers would catch on toooooooooooo fast.
"Hey" Blake said, his face turning redder then Shane or Hunters outfits. Tori smiled and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Hi" she smiled.
Dustin looked to Hunter who shrugged. "You guys going to bike with us?"
"I'll take your times" Kelly called from the van. "Tori can you help me get these out of the back? I have something for you guys."
Tori walked over and opened the back of the van with Kelly. She took the new helmets from the box. They were sitting on newspaper. The latest issue, which read on the cover:
"CEO OF ELECTRIC PLANT MURDERED?" Tori leapt back the second she read the time of death. "Oh God" she muttered. "I gave the murderer a lift!"
"Huh? What?" Blake said darting to her side to put a hand on his shoulder. "Who?"
Tori picked up the paper. "I think I did...he helped fix my van, I offered a lift, he took it...I dropped him at the plant oh my god!!!"
"Calm down" Blake said putting an arm around her waist. "We can go talk to the police, it's not like you knew he was going to kill anyone!"
"You guys go riding, you need to clock your times for that scout" Shane said. "I'll take Tori to the station."
"No I should---"
Tori should her head and cut Blake off. "You said it yourself, this could be your big chance. Shane's one of my oldest friends, I trust him as much as you. He'll look after me. You need your times for that scout."
Blake watched Tori depart with Shane and looked at the new helmet.
"Twice the protection, half the weight" explained Kelly. "Come on let's do this and go be there if Tori needs us."
Hunter pulled his helmet and in three seconds they were speeding along. In the forests a bike revved up...and sped out. It was a black tsunami cycle! It shot along the track and vaulted over a hill into the air with the trio. Kelly shouted a curse that made people's hair stand on end. The red bolts shot from the headlights and hit the ground. Blake's bike landed in the spot, it hurled him into the grass off the track. Dustin glanced over his shoulder...the black clad biker spun his legs over the side of the bike and snapped them out into him.
Dustin was separated from his bike with a thud and shout of pain. He crashed into a tented drinks stall with a yelp as his bike slammed to the ground.
Hunter heard the tsunami cycle...felt a pulse hiss past his head. The crimson energy was his colour...would it be his death, was a bigger question.
He could sense the calculating coldness of his pursuer...Somehow! He felt a crunch and thud. The back of his bike had lost a large slab. He gritted his teeth and shot over another slope with the black tsunami cycle at his back. The blast fired through the air... It hit Hunters head. Seconds later Cams sword shot through the air and slashed the side of the black bike.
The rider and bike crashed down. Cam raced forwards, his heart pumping. He had a choice between: the black clad man on the stolen tsunami cycle (A/N: try saying that 3 times fast with a mouthful of peas), and Hunter.
He picked Hunter.
He heard his sword ripped from the side of the bike, the engine begin again and roar off. He leapt to Hunters side in full Samurai garb. Easing the helmet off Cam prayed his ranger endurance had saved him.
"Please, please, please don't die bay---" Cam caught himself and turned it into: "Bay's most brooding boy". Hunter's eyes fluttered open and focused on Cam with a wide smile.
"Did you get him?" he croaked.
"In a word...yes" Cam said. "Then he escaped...didn't take my sword at least".
Kelly rushed over and seemingly ignored the presence of a Green Samurai Ranger at her side. "Hunter? Are you okay? Man this city is a home to craziness!" she checked his eyes and head. "Trip to the hospital for you pal."
She looked over her shoulder, The Samurai was gone and the other two were rushing over. She sighed and looked at Hunter. "Any spinning sensations?"
"Not really Mr Elephant-in-a-bowler, but can I have my pickle ice cream back?" Hunter droned.
"OH MY GOD HE'S GOING TO DIE" exclaimed Dustin.
"No I'm not," snorted Hunter. "I'm fine."
Thirty minutes later they were at the hospital. A German nurse with a crooked nose and sharp eyes (as well as a build like a wrestler) took Hunter to a doctor and brought him back. In a wheelchair. Most embarrassing for Hunter.
"Can I please walk out of here?" Hunter asked. He struck up Cute-Grin #29. It hit a brick wall and slid down like slime.
"Zorry dear but I'm a muzzer of 5, zat grin has keine effect on me. You use it I'll let you stay up to 10 to watch infomercials at best" she said sharply. "Lets not be zeeing you again Hunter."
"Sure thing Helga" he sighed.
"Zats nurse Helga to you Blondie" she snipped and basically tipped him out. He staggered over to Kelly and gave thumbs up. Blake and Dustin frowned and nodded.
"So the Astral Ranger has a tsunami cycle," Kanoi murmured. "Lothar must have supplied it...when the young man was totally under his influence".
"He might be again," murmured Cam. Tori nodded in agreement.
"We should look for him," she agreed.
"Or trap him?" suggested Cassidy. "If we get the Astral Ranger we might be able to use him as a bargaining chip to get Mrs Clarke back...the sword cave won't open for another night. We mightn't have much time".
"Like, Cassidy has totally gotten a plan dudes!" CyberCam exclaimed. The holographic image of the beachside walk appeared. The swirling blue and white tiles and shops lining one side, set on the cliff.
"This is the best place for an attack against him. All the powers will function perfectly here...ergo he'll have a slight disadvantage when Cyber and I do this".
She pressed a key on the console. A green field popped up around the palm trees and benches in a circular area of the walk. "A field to prevent him Telekinetically tossing any of the cars around. Plus, its just Jim-dandy at stopping teleportation or ninja jumping from causing trouble in the fights. Once you lure him here I turn it on and he goes nowhere..."
"We have a plan" nodded Hunter. "Can we get around to using it...how do we lure him? He's hardly got a Bat-signal."
"Actually that's true...but you two..." a slightly sinister gleam came in Cassidy's green eyes. "That's another story."
"We're hooked up to a power source that will boost a psychic signal to attract the astral ninja with his Telepathy?"
"Yes" Cam said as he and Hunter stood near the palm trees in the circle of stone.
"Just checking" Hunter sighed. "So...what now?"
"Game of I-Spy-with-my-little-eye? Or maybe a rousing round of 99 bottles of beer on the wall?" suggested Cam dryly.
"You're mocking me, aren't you" Hunter said.
"Exactly Buzz Lightyear. Congratulations on that assumption"
"What flew up your ass and died?" exclaimed Hunter turning on Cam.
"Nothing" Cam said slowly. "I'm tired is all".
Hunter didn't get a chance to take it any further. A blur of black slammed into him and lashed out with a kick to Cam's gut. The Black Astral ninja held his Spider Sai at the ready. "Can we start now, I want to find where that signal came from..."
"NOW CASS!" Hunter shouted. The other sped up to their comrades and surrounded the Black Astral ranger as the green pillar of marbled energy swirled out.
"Hmmmmmm" the astral ninja murmured. "This IS a turn...oh well"
He lunged at them. Sparks flew. Tori slashed the Astral Ninja in the back. He spun and slashed her in the visor. Blake gave an animal roar and smashed his staff into the Astral Ninja. The battle swiftly became brutal.
"The Astral Ninja!" Kapri exclaimed excitedly as Matriarchus and Marah surrounded the viewing screen. "And all the rangers in one place! Perfect!"
"Let's go girls," Matriarchus said. "—Where is The Demon"
"She said something about...doing her nails?" Marah said in a confused voice.
"Oh brother" sighed Matriarchus.
They teleported out.
The field imploded as Cam slashed across Black Astral's chest. The rush of energy threw them all up into the air. Dressed to kill in the costumes The Demon had given them they strode forwards. Marah and Kapri.
Matriarchus stormed along behind them. Kezlacks prancing along behind her.
"I feel like this is going to cause pain..." Black Astral commented. "Fun."
Cam spun and slashed the Black Astral ranger. The obsidian clad teen grunted in pain and glanced up. "Oh, who told you I liked it rough?"
The TK blast knocked Cam off his feet. A trashcan shot trough the air and crashed into two Kezlacks. "Your uncle won't control me," stated the Black Astral ranger to the girls before he launched into an unbiased attack on everything that moved.
"Yummy with chocolate icing" Kapri murmured.
"And sprinkles too" Marah said. She spotted Dustin and raised her staff. "Sorry Dusty" she whispered and blasted him through the glass of a window. She leapt after him, Kezlacks pounded after her, blades at the ready.
She hopped into the shop and levelled her staff at him. "Prepare to-y'know- die," she said half-heartedly. Dustin raised his Lion Hammer.
"You've really improved in fighting by the way," he said as she swung at him.
"Thanks!" exclaimed Marah. "D's been giving me a few pointers, Matriarchus is really quite good as well! And you've gotten even better!"
"I guess" chuckled Dustin. "I trained harder, 50 extra push-ups"
Kapri kicked Shane in the ribs. He ducked under her next kick and knocked her backwards. She rolled over the bench and landed on her feet to blast him with a crescent of pink light. Shane slammed it with his sword batting it away.
Kapri vaulted the bench and delivered a rapid bicycle kick to his face. He shot backwards with a shout.
"Hey! That's my move!" he whined.
"Get over it" she sighed. Rolls reversed it seemed as she slashed at him and spun with her staff. He caught it and swung a kick over it into her side.
"I did" he smirked under the helmet.
They launched at each other again.
Matriarchus lashed out with her hair whipping the dreadlocks around Tori and Blake, flinging them upwards. Hunter leapt through the air and batted down into her head, she shrieked and staggered back. Tori and Blake fired in unison, flooring Matriarchus.
"Okay Mommy Fearest" Tori said. "It's been real!"
The sonic fin glowed with power; she leapt into the air and slammed down. Sparks ran through Matriarchus and knocked her back. Hunter and Blake surged forwards past Tori and planted a double kick on her.
"Yeah we rock" Blake said.
"Understatement" sniffed Hunter.
15minutes earlier
"I have to do something," Cassidy said to CyberCam as the field shattered and the Kezlacks appeared. She sprinted towards the portal.
"Careful" Kanoi said. "If you run into that fight you will be disadvantaged and a warrior without a shield falls against one with both shield and sword...usually."
They stared at one another for a while, Guinea Pig to Human. Sensei to Young woman. "I have no idea what that means" she said. "But I'll not go in there without a plan...I'm just stopping by the weapons workshop."
She darted out the door.
"Dude, she is one hot tamale," CyberCam said.
"I never here my organic son say that" sighed the Sensei.
The sai prongs trapped Cam's blade and the kick rose into his gut. He wheezed and fell back a little. The metal hissed with the movement. He knew he had one choice, only one; he had to disarm them both and hope for the best...the concentration it obviously took for Telekinesis was high...if there was too much of a distraction.
He kicked the Astral Ranger in the stomach and twisted his blade, pushing it up at the same time. The weapons shot upwards and Cam chopped down into the side Black Astral Ninjas neck...the blur of black caught him in the neck. Cam collapsed.
"Is this a private party or can any party animal join in?" crowed Mandilok- D. It levelled its scythe-sceptre at Hunter. Cam darted out and shoved Hunter aside, the blast of purple hit the Kelzack the Crimson Ninja had been fighting. It turned into a mass of black and white spots jetting off in opposite directions.
"Dag-nabbit!" cured Mandilok-D. He plunged into the fray, slashing and stabbing.
Marah and Dustin crashed through doors of the shop. Fists flying kicks crashing...and then the explosion. The black smoke filled the air, the sewers were revealed beneath the walk. The stench filled the air as the aliens disappeared, Kezlacks defeated and energy depleted. Marah and Kapri glanced at Shane and Dustin...then they were gone.
And Black Astral too
"Are you guys okay?" shouted Cassidy, running from the smoke in a scuffed leather jacket, stained jeans and tarnished boots, with mud smeared on her face. "Did my little fire cracker s under the street hurt anyone?"
"The city council" Cam said. "That was dangerous"
Cassidy halted in front of him and squared up. "Are you dead?"
"No"
"Maimed?"
"No"
"Then I have no reason to apologize."
Biting his lip Jason entered the room. Of course he felt bad...but he figured, if they started hiking now they'd be able to get there by the next full moon. Tonight. They'd reach there tonight and grab the sword.
He held the map from the Mara-Ishii, a copy of course...but it was the only one. Perfect, Cyber Cam had made it as magical as the one in the book itself thanks to the expertise of Kanoi.
He looked at the others dressed for the out doors.
"Got it," he whispered.
"Let's go" nodded Adam.
"And be quiet" added Kim. "No swearing at interesting of naked art, no games of I-Spy and NO, I repeat, NO asking are we there yet."
"Hey! I did that once when we needed to get a football back from Old McGregor's garden!" he exclaimed.
"You can't win this one, so don't try" Adam sighed.
Trini gave the thumbs up from around the corner. They crept along the passage and slipped towards the portal.
Next Chapter: Blake gets jealous. The ex-rangers get action packed! Christian deciphers more symbols and...some other romantic stuff happens! VOTE NOW FOR A PAIRING!!!
A/N: That wraps up another chapter. Zilch reviews...yet still I write...why? Perhaps because I now have regular ninja storm (I feel that it's gotten less serious since Buena Vista took over. But that's good because at least they don't over gesture like they used to...eeeeeeucccch!).
Okay so far...voted couples are...
Tori/Blake (of course)---Marah/Dustin---Kapri/Shane---Cam/Any-Hot-Guy-at- all-really-he's-not-picky.
FAO (me): And now a word from our sponsor...well the guy who harasses me regularly...
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FAO: Someone shoot me