The Unmasking of Rex Red and Wolf McBlue
By: PernDragonrider (with major help from Ghost Zero)
Disclaimer: See first chapter.
Note: Sorry this chapter took so long to post. Had computer problems and finally got them fixed, hopefully permanently. Again, thanks to Ghost Zero for all the help with this story.
Chapter TwoWhile Tanya was giving Adam and Justin their presents, Jason and Billy were on separate telephones changing the almost completed plans for their unmasking.
"Look, I know you were going to wait at the Ranger Space for us, Kimberly." Jason said with some exasperation showing in his normally calm voice. "I know you don't like wresting, but please Kim, won't you come and join us?"
"All right, Jason." Kimberly sighed in frustration. "I'll come to the arena and sit with you and the others for this. I don't believe that it's real and I don't care to watch it; however, since you unexpectedly managed to get tickets for all of us I'll be a good sport and sit through the damned thing."
"Thanks Kim." Jason said with a happy smile in his voice. "You won't be sorry because it's going to be a hell of a show that night. That much I can promise you. Besides, you can spend the night drooling over the wrestlers. Oh and I hate to burst your bubble, but I won't be sitting with you guys. I've got an appointment with my business partner before I can catch up with you guys at the Coliseum. I probably won't be there until the time for the finale."
"Jason Lee Scott!" Kimberly said with some exasperation and anger leaking into her voice. "If you weren't one of my oldest friends, that's virtually been missing for six years, I wouldn't come to this thing. But, since I do want to see you, in person and not just a quick e-mail every blue moon, then I'll be there."
"I've got your flight information already posted on my calendar, Kim." Jason said with a smile. "There will be a car and driver to pick you up at the airport and bring you out to my place. See you Wednesday night. Take care and have a good flight."
"Bye Jase." Kimberly replied and hung up the phone.
Jason looked at the desk that was placed against the wall on the other side of his large office and smiled as he heard Billy's side of the conversation.
"Ryan, there's been a change in plans. Jason and I will not need the large VIP room until we arrive. Make sure that the kitchen staff is made aware of the changes. The room is NOT to be rented out for another party that night and I don't care if the Governor or President wants it; it stays closed until we arrive with our guests." Billy said sternly as his checked off items on the list before him.
"The largest VIP room is closed until you and Jason arrive, check on that, Bill." Ryan Mitchell answered with a smile in his voice. "Everything is going fine, boss. Just chill out and get yourself into your Wolf McBlue persona for tomorrow nights gig in Anaheim. We're doing just fine and Jason already stopped by yesterday and signed the paychecks for the week. Merrick, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone have everything under control. We're booked solid and have been since opening the doors three months ago. Just relax. Call the club on your cell when you're on your way and we'll roll out the RED Carpet for your arrival. You are arriving by limo aren't you?"
"Yes we are." Billy answered and smiled. "We might stop by after work tomorrow night; but we'll give you a heads up of how many to expect in that group. A few of our co-workers have expressed an interest in seeing our newest business venture and since we're staying in the LA area for all the performances next week they want to take advantage of that to see the club."
"Just let me know how many are coming and we'll make room for you." Ryan told him with a smile. "Will you and Jase be in your masks or out?"
"Most likely we will be wearing our masks should we escort any of our colleagues to the Ranger Space, Ryan." Billy answered with a grin. "We don't want to give away our identities until after the official removal of the them next Friday."
"Cool." Ryan replied and then paused. "Oh, gotta run boss. Andros and Zhane are swamped at the main bar. Kick ass tomorrow night and have fun."
Billy sighed as Ryan hung up the phone and he turned to face a smiling Jason. "Have all our guests for next week's party agreed to attend the event?"
"Kimberly was trying to hold out until she found out that she'd be the only one waiting at the club." Jason told him as he carefully rose from his chair. "God I wish my back would hurry up and heal. Terry is having fits because he can't bounce me all over the ring and apron like he usually does."
"He will just have to live with the limitations your injury places on your movements, Jason." Billy told him with a worried frown. "We cannot take the chance and use the medical facilities we recovered from the ruins and have in the room off of the garage. It would look too strange and raise multiple questions that we are not prepared nor equipped to answer fully."
"I know, but do you think we could sneak in a treatment and just not let it heal me fully?" Jason asked as he winced in pain. "I can hardly walk right now."
"Are we finished in here for the night?" Billy asked as he shutdown his computer and rose from the chair. He went over and placed Jason's arm around his shoulders. "Come on, I'll help you up to your bedroom and use the portable healing ray on your back. Next time, make sure that you follow up your words with the correct head movement and don't sent mixed messages."
"I was trying to get him to loosen up his strangle hold." Jason complained as Billy helped him walk up the stairs and down the hall to the master bedroom suite. "He was actually choking me so I nodded to get him to loosen up a little. The next thing I know I'm flying over the ropes and down onto that blasted ladder Matt had pulled out from under the ring."
"I was there, Jason." Billy said with an understanding tone. "Come on, lay down on your stomach and relax as much as possible." Billy grimaced when Jason pulled his tank top over his head and crawled onto the oversized king bed. "God why didn't you tell me you were bruised that badly, Jase?"
"Didn't know I was bruised badly, bro." Jason said with a sigh as Billy gently ran the portable healing ray over his hurting back. "Can't exactly see that portion of my body without help from a couple of mirrors."
Billy ran the healing ray over the black and blue discoloring that marred Jason's muscular frame from the bottom of his shoulder blades to just below the waistband of his briefs. "You're going to have to eat like a pig tomorrow, bro." Billy's voice was pitched low and held a smile of relief when all Jason did was sigh and shift a little in the bed. "We're going to have to keep up the farce of having the company chiropractor come out and adjust you for a few more days, but I'm healing this now. You can't go into the ring hurting like this tomorrow night." Billy smiled even brighter when his only reply was a small snore from Jason's open mouth. Billy finished healing Jason's injured back fully and then pulled the sheet up over him.
Billy left Jason comfortably asleep and gently closed the bedroom door as he left the room. He walked down the long second floor hallway that led to the second master bedroom suite that Jason's house boasted. He went into the attached bathroom and took a quick shower. He dressed in just a pair of boxers and dropped onto the bed. For once, and had he been aware of it he would have smiled, he fell into a deep restful sleep moments after his head hit the pillow.
The next morning Billy came downstairs to find Jason standing at the island counter of the kitchen and wolfing down a huge portion of scrambled eggs with green pepper and onion chunks along with a liberal amount of cheese, approximately a pound of bacon, and about as much fried potatoes. Billy smiled and went over to the coffee pot. He grabbed his large blue mug and poured it about three quarters of the way full. He took a sip and sighed as he turned to face his friend again. "Good morning, Jase." Billy said with a smile. "Feeling better?"
Billy laughed happily when all Jason did was mumble, 'mornin', through his full mouth and nod his answer to Billy's second question.
"I see you've remembered the drawback to using the healing facilities of the Power Chamber without holding an active power." Billy remarked as he moved past Jason on his way to the toaster oven that graced the black marble countertop that was interwoven with gold veins. "That is one of the reasons I have been devoting all of my downtime to researching how the device works and why is causes the body to react that way. Once I've corrected the need to binge eat; we can release it on the market through the medical company."
"Uh huh." Jason grunted between mouthfuls of food.
Billy just smiled and continued preparing his own breakfast of toasted bread slices topped with butter and two very generous slices of extra-sharp cheddar cheese. While his bread was toasting, Billy grabbed an apple, a pear, and a banana from the basket that hung next to the fridge. He then took a container from the refrigerator and removed two slices of cantaloupe and added that to his plate. He sliced the apple, pear, banana, and melon into a bowl. Then removed his toast from the oven and placed that upon a plate. Instead of moving to the table he just sat his plate and bowl on the counter next to Jason and the two friends shared their breakfast in silence.
Once Jason and Billy finished their respective breakfasts; they placed their dishes into the dishwasher and split up to get ready for their day. Jason went into the office to call Terry Bogard, a.k.a Hulk Hogan, and arrange for him to come to the house so that they could work some more on that night's match while Billy went upstairs and changed into a business suit. He had to go down to the Ranger Space to take care of some business. Once dressed in a conservative black business suit with a pale blue shirt and navy paisley print tie, Billy stopped by the office and just stuck his head in the doorway. "I'm off to the Club, Jase." Billy said with a jaunty tone of voice. "Anything you need before I head out?"
"Nothing bro." Jason said as he looked up from the computer. "Just double checking the flights for our guests next week. Terry is going to be here in about an hour and we'll probably still be in the gym when you get back from the club. Drive safe and take the Hummer for once it's better than the Diablo in case of an accident and traffic downtown is going to be a total bitch by the time you've finished at the club."
"Will do." Billy said and was gone with a small wave. Surprisingly, Billy followed Jason's advice and took the Hummer instead of his beloved Diablo.
Billy drove into downtown Los Angeles and parked in one of the parking places that was marked off with a red line and had a sign, reserved for staff only, posted at the front of the space. He climbed out of the Hummer, briefcase in hand. He used the remote to lock the vehicle and set the alarm and then turned toward the large building that was painted with a montage of all the previous Power Rangers teams as they looked while morphed. He used his key and entered through the front doors, disabling the alarm system before he went any further into the darkened interior. He turned on enough lights where he could see and walked toward the back of the building and the cleverly concealed elevator that was hidden there. He entered the elevator and pushed the button for the basement while pressing his power coin against a scanner that he'd designed and built years before. Instead of dropping down as his choice of destination indicated, the elevator rose. Billy waited patiently until the elevator stopped moving and the doors opened to reveal the interior of what looked suspiciously like one of the large cargo bays on the Megaship. He walked down a corridor and smiled as he heard voices issuing from just ahead. /Good, everyone is here and ready to get down to business./ He thought as he walked to a closed door and again pressed his old power coin against a scanner there. The doors slid open with a slight hissing sound and Billy walked into the room smiling.
"Good morning everyone." Billy said with a smiling tone as he entered the room. "Thanks for meeting on such short notice, but Jason is stressing over having everything be perfect for next Friday."
"Not a problem, Bill." Ryan said as he emerged from another doorway with a large glass of orange, cranberry, and papaya juice. Ryan set the glass down in front of the empty chair at the head of the large boardroom style table and took his own seat to the left of that one.
"Okay, and thanks for juice Ryan." Billy said as he sat down in the only chair left available, the one at the head of the table. "Fill me in on how we've been doing and how the preparations are coming for next Friday."
"Well," Ryan said and was cutoff by Merrick.
"We need more bouncers, Bill. Preferable big guys with lots of muscle that are licensed to carry a firearm." Merrick said with a belligerent tone of voice as he glared angrily at Ryan. "We almost had a gang fight in here last night and most of the damage is fixed, but having the cops roaming all over this place makes me uneasy."
"How bad was the damage?" Billy asked seriously as he looked straight at Ryan.
"Four tables, six chairs, and about half the lights on the stage got busted along with the dishes and drink glasses that were at the four tables. We can handle anything that comes in the door looking for trouble, Bill. Andros, Karone, Zhane and I can still morph, so most people don't come in looking to cause trouble."
"I don't care if you four can still morph or not, Ryan." Merrick said with a growling angry tone of voice. "Us getting hurt isn't an issue. It's our customers that we need to protect and we don't need the bad press if someone accidentally gets hurt or killed here."
"I have to agree with Merrick on that point." Billy said sternly. "Are there any former Rangers we could hire, ones that don't have jobs or might need the extra money?"
"TJ just lost his job in Angel Grove because the company went under." Karone said with frown.
"Cole might be looking for work now that the mess in Turtle Cove is over with." Merrick said with a smile.
"Any more?" Billy asked looking around the table for suggestions.
"Yeah, but you might not like it." Andros said with a small smile. "I just heard from Cassie that Bulk and Skull are looking for work. Apparently things didn't work out on Mirinoi for them and neither did their vacation resort bar. Bulk's built on the large side and according to Cassie, Skull has put on some weight and both of them are licensed to carry firearms."
"Okay, contact those four for now." Billy said with grim tone. "I will make some inquiries during the program tonight to see if any of the trainers or others might be interested in coming to work here. I have just about perfected the new security system that will allow the door manager to detect concealed weapons, no matter what they are comprised of. Once that is in place things should calm down; however once it is in place we will need more security on the door to keep those with weapons from using them when they are denied entry."
"What else has Jason stressing about next week, boss?" Zhane asked with a surprisingly serious tone of voice. "He was just in here yesterday and did a bunch of paperwork and signed the paychecks. He didn't say or do anything that showed he was stressing out about the party you two have planned."
"Jason doesn't show that he's stressing unless you know the signs to look for." Billy sighed. "I've seen the signs and the less stress he has right now the better. Vince has been on our backs for the last six months to drop the masks and start wrestling together and separately. We've been able to keep the pressure down from Vince with this plan of Jason's; while still managing to keep our involvement in the various research and development fields a secret."
"Research?" Andros asked with a small frown.
"Development?" Ryan asked also with a small frown in his voice.
"But I thought that this club was your only other means of income, besides wrestling." Karone said with a small frown.
"Well, I guess we've just learned something new about our employers then." Merrick said flatly as he tried to break the tension he could feel growing in the room.
"Jason will strangle me for this." Billy sighed as he motioned for all of them to sit down and get comfortable.
"Most of you know that I had to travel to Aquitar to be cured of my unnatural aging." Billy said flatly. "You also know that I had, supposedly, fallen in love with Cestria and decided to remain on Aquitar. I did care for Cestria, but only as a friend. Before the necessary trip to Aquitar I worked in the Power Chamber with the Zeo Rangers in a capacity of inventor, repairman, and a backup for Zordon and Alpha's knowledge of the monsters the team fought. Jason's return to become the Gold Ranger sent me deeper into a depression that was taking over everything I did, said, and believed. By the time I had to travel to Aquitar, I was convinced that my friends only had me around to fix things for them and that I was a liability unless in the Power Chamber. While I was gone to Aquitar, Jason almost died rejecting the Gold Ranger's powers. Zordon was just barely able to reunite Trey and return the powers to him before Jason was killed and the powers lost."
Billy stopped and took a large drink of his juice. He sat in silence as the others looked at him worriedly. "Zordon knew of my depression and hoped that once on Aquitar and cured that I would return to Earth. I think I surprised him when I adamantly remained on Aquitar with no intention of coming back and becoming, in my mind, a slave to those that held the powers when I didn't. After Jason's brush with death and the mess with Maligore on Murithanis soon afterwards, Zordon started having Alpha transfer all of the data for constructing a morpher, zords, accessing the morphing grid, the advanced medical knowledge the computers contained, as well as the advanced electronics and machinery that ran the Power Chamber onto a computer disk that a normal Earth made computer could read. The day before Lerigot came to Earth to return Zordon to his home on Eltar, Zordon called Jason to the Power Chamber and gifted him with all of these disks that Alpha had prepared. Zordon told Jason, I have heard the recording on the first disk myself, that these disks contained Zordon's legacy for his first Rangers and that he trusted Jason to see that the information made it's way into the hands of those that could best benefit from having it. Poor Jase. It took him about eight months to wade through all of the information Alpha was able to cram onto those disks and he only understood about half of it. Jason contacted Demitria, Zordon's replacement, about two days before Divatox attacked and destroyed the Power Chamber. He spent almost six hours speaking with me, arguing with me actually, that I need to come home to Earth and help him with overseeing Zordon's legacy to the Power Rangers. When he transmitted some of the information off of one of the disks, I packed my bags and teleported back to Earth that night. We've started since that day a few very small medical, electronic, and mechanical research and development firms on shoestring budgets and gradually leaked the information from Zordon into the firms. We took jobs as trainers with the WWF so that we could eat and survive until our businesses were up and running. Neither of us ever planned to go in front of the camera it just seemed to happen."
"How did you come up with the idea for this nightclub?" Zhane asked with a smile on his face.
"This place was all Jason's idea, Zhane." Billy said with a smile. "He wanted someplace that would honor the memory of Zordon as well as honor all the Power Ranger teams since our first one. Someplace that wasn't a museum, but was where people could go and have fun. Hence the Ranger Space was born six months ago. It was also Jason's idea to hire ex-Rangers as staff."
"Why ex-Rangers as staff?" Karone asked in an understanding tone of voice.
"Jason's reasoning was that most people who accept the mantle of a Power Ranger don't have time to think about their lives and he wanted a place where retired or even an active Ranger could come and work at a job that paid decent wages as well as had good benefits to continue the practice of Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger. Kind of extending a helping hand to those Rangers that weren't ready to face life after losing or passing on their powers to a new generation."
"Well he hooked us on the idea without having to give much of a recruitment speech at all." Zhane said with a smile. "Andros and Ashley wanted to settle on Earth and so did Karone and I. Working here helps us blend in and it does help business that we are the only Rangers, besides the Lightspeed Rescue team that's ever been known to be Power Rangers."
"Jason was so excited that the four of you wanted to come work here, Zhane." Billy said with a smile. "Ryan and Merrick brought a smile so big to his face that I swore his head would split open."
"I was delighted to come work here." Ryan said with a smile. "Being raised by demons doesn't exactly get you millions of job offers on a resume. Jason hired me on just the fact that I was a Ranger looking for work. I couldn't get over the fact that he made me one of the head managers and doesn't even check that I'm doing a good job. It still baffles me sometimes."
"Jason was always one that made good snap judgments about people and their abilities." Billy said with a slight frown. "He was the first one that offered his hand in friendship and a place on the team to Tommy right after Rita's evil spell was broken. Threw the rest of us for a loop until we got to know Tommy better, but Jason always stuck up for his decision by saying quote it wasn't him it was Rita's spell unquote."
"So what have you done with the money from the other businesses?" Merrick asked with a slight smile.
"The profits that haven't gone back into the businesses go to the same place the profits go from this one." Billy said with a small smile. "Jason calls it the Ranger's Emergency Fund. It's used for any Ranger that needs financial help over and above what they can get on their own. Zack's father and my dad oversee the fund and whenever there is a new team created, their names go into the fund for future reference. Rocky's dojo, Kimberly's gymnastics studio, along with quite a few college grants and funds have been provided to ex and current Rangers through the Emergency Fund. That information on the Ranger Emergency Fund has to stay a secret to everyone but those in this room until next Friday night. That is when we will be telling our friends and former teammates about Zordon's legacy."
"You're secretly helping everyone that's ever been a Ranger through this fund?" Ashley asked as she joined them in the boardroom. Her gait wasn't her usual lively walk because of her advanced stage of pregnancy.
"We have been since we created the first of the companies to design, research, and build the items from Zordon's legacy. We, the original Rangers, hold the patents on all of the material and we're paid handsomely for allowing other companies and the government to use the information for the betterment of our world." Billy replied with a smile as he saw Andros jump from his chair and move quickly to help Ashley into the empty one by his side.
"Well, the fight in here last night won't be happening again." Ashley sighed as she sank into the plush leather. "Cassie and TJ just dropped me off after we made our reports at the station. Apparently TJ and Cassie showing up as the Pink and Red Rangers have convinced the gangs involved in the fight that this place is neutral ground and there will be no fights in or around our place of business."
"What about the other gangs in and around LA?" Merrick asked with a worried frown of concern.
"The ones involved in the fight last night are going to spread the word that this place is protected by the people that are depicted on the outside of the building. They're going to be sending representatives to talk with the management and see if they can use the club to iron out differences before resorting to violence from now on." Ashley replied with a small smile. "Apparently TJ and Cassie were very impressive and very stern with the ones involved in the fighting."
"I do not believe that the Ranger Space would be a good place for them to meet, Ashley." Billy replied with a small frown. "Everything in this club is legal and above board. I do not want them to start thinking that this is a good place to make plans for illegal activities. Jason would be most displeased to discover that his living tribute to Zordon and all the Power Rangers was being used for something illegal."
"We are getting the same advice from the police department on that score." Ashley said calmly. "However I believe that enough security attention from one or two Rangers while the gangs are present in the club would deter them from attempting to use the club for illegal activities."
"Which former Rangers are we going to have watching over these gang members, Ashley?" Merrick asked quietly. "Andros, Zhane, and Ryan are needed to manage the bar and they are the only Rangers on staff that still have the power to morph."
"TJ needs a job and so does Cassie." Ashley replied with a grin. "And since I am in charge of hiring staff, they start tonight and they'll be here unmorphed until needed."
"TJ will be helping Merrick with the security at the door while Cassie circulates and plays hostess for me, since I'm so advanced with my pregnancy we needed a new hostess."
"Is everything set for the party next week?" Zhane asked with an indulgent smile on his face. "I'm sure that you need to get down to the WWF offices or over to the Anaheim area for practice for tonight, Bill. Is there anything else we need to discuss?"
"I cannot think of anything that hasn't already been covered in our discussion." Billy said with a smile as he rose from his chair and shook hands with them men while giving Karone and Ashley a brother peck on the cheek. "If any of the plans change again I will keep one of you apprised of the changes. Ashley, TJ and Cassie get the standard wage and benefits package the rest of the regular employees do for now. The same goes for Cole, if he decides to come and work at the Ranger Space. Bulk and Skull will get the same, but limit their contact with patrons until it is apparent that they aren't the clumsy goofs they were in High School. Put them on door security with TJ for now."
"Got you boss." Ashley said with a smile. "Oh, will you and Jason be gracing our presence as Rex and Wolf tonight?"
"Most likely." Billy replied as he gathered up his briefcase in preparation for leaving. "I believe that Paul, Terry, Steve, Mick, Al, and a few others have voiced their desire to come and see our business venture. We will be in our masks and don't forget to call us by our stage names until next Friday night."
"Got you on that one Billy." Zhane said with a smile. "Merrick will let TJ know that Rex Red and Wolf McBlue will be coming to the club along with numerous guests. We'll have the one of the VIP rooms ready for your arrival, but call and let us know how many to expect so that we can make sure the room is big enough."
"Plan for ten other people besides Jason and I." Billy said as they all walked out the door and entered the elevator. "I don't believe that there will be more with us, but if there is one of us will call and tell one of you about the increase in guests."
"I'll call Cole and see if he's interested in a position as well." Merrick said as the elevator opened up on the ground floor of the club. "Don't be surprised if he's at the door with TJ tonight when you arrive."
"I won't." Billy said as Ryan let him out the front door and watched to make sure that Billy wasn't molested while getting into his vehicle.
Billy drove away from the very popular nightclub and once back at the home he shared with Jason he went into the large gymnasium cum workout room that Jason had had built just after purchasing the house. He watched as Jason and Terry, a.k.a. Hulk Hogan, worked on choreographing their fight for that night's show in Anaheim.
Jason and Terry took a break when Billy joined them and soon the three went back to working out the full details of the fight that would happen that evening in Anaheim. Between them they managed to put together a convincing routine that would allow for the limitations of Jason's recently injured back, that was now fully healed.
Terry left after the plans and moves were finalized. After he'd left Jason and Billy got ready to make the drive into Anaheim together. They packed the clothing they would wear in the ring that night along with their masks, which Billy checked the voice alteration devices before putting both into the specially designed travel case that acted as protection for the masks while charging the ultra light batteries built into them. Jason put the case into the bottom of his duffle bag and placed that night's costumes on top. They took Jason's black Hummer and drove to Anaheim while listening to the radio and getting their brains into their on screen personas of the mysterious Rex Red and his equally mysterious manager Wolf McBlue.