A/N: Enjoy the chapter! Sorry you guys had to wait so long.
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers Samurai or Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. I just own most of the plot and the characters and things you don't recognize from the original versions.
~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~
"He was happy he didn't have to worry about his brother, but now, as Emily would discover, Mike had someone else to worry about."
Better Together
Power Rangers: Samurai REDO
Season 2, Episode 5: Scrambled Samurai
Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld
February 12, 2015
Octoroo was annoyed at the Furry Warts that were attempting to mimic Dayu's music. "Quiet down, you pests!"
"Relax, Octoroo," Xandred said as he walked past. "They're just little furballs. Now, shouldn't you be doing something?"
"Absolutely! Um...like what?"
"Like figuring out how to take out the Rangers!" Xandred replied as he sat down.
"If you've got a pest problem," came an unfamiliar voice, "I'm the Nighlock to call."
Octoroo and Xandred watched the unfamiliar Nighlock climb aboard.
"Who are you?" Xandred demanded. "You don't look familiar!"
"I am Switchbeast," the Nighlock replied. "I work for someone else, someone who wishes to remain anonymous for now. He likes to hide in the shadows. You understand, right?"
"Understand?" Octoroo replied. "Not a word!"
"My boss has asked me to help you out with your pest problem."
"Really?" Xandred asked.
"Please, leave everything to me," Switchbeast bowed slightly, before leaving the Ship.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Pier 17, Panorama City, California
The City-Wide Rummage Sale was an annual charity event that everyone looked forward to. One man's junk is another man's treasure, after all, which meant that you often found something interesting that someone else was selling. All profits made went to various charities.
Antonio and Emily had just dropped off the things that the Rangers wanted to sell and were now headed back to the Shiba House.
"It's a beautiful day for a picnic," Emily told Antonio, smiling, as the two walked through the lanes, past the various tables with items laying on top, waiting to be sold.
"It is," Antonio replied. "Maybe Ji will let us grill some burgers for dinner tonight." However, he paused, which made Emily pause too.
"What's up, Antonio?" she asked. She followed him when he moved towards a nearby table that was selling handmade jewelry. "You find something you like?"
He picked up a fish hook necklace, with fishing line woven as the string. "This...reminds me a lot of my Grandpa. He loved to fish, and he's the one who taught me how," he told Emily.
Before Antonio could put it down (not that he wanted to), Emily pulled out her wallet and asked the young lady at the table, "How much for this necklace?"
"Five dollars," the lady answered. Emily swiftly pulled out a five-dollar bill and handed it over.
Once she did so, Antonio looked at her, slightly flabbergasted but grateful nonetheless. "Thank you, Em, but...you didn't have to do that."
"It's no problem at all, Antonio," Emily replied. "It was obviously something you wanted. It's also very well made."
"Yeah," Antonio agreed. He turned to the young lady that Emily had paid, who was now wrapping up the necklace is a brown bag. "Is this handmade?"
"Yeah, by one of my friends," the lady answered before pointing at a familiar brunette in the distance (who was getting ice cream with a familiar guy in a green plaid shirt). "She's over there, getting lunch."
"Is that...Angela?" Antonio asked, looking at the brunette the lady had pointed to.
"Yep, and Mike," Emily replied. She knew Mike and Angela anywhere.
They hadn't seen Mike all morning. He had missed breakfast and morning training. In fact, no one had seen him since lunch yesterday.
No one was mad at him. They were all just worried, Ji especially. Mike had left a note, but he never said he didn't intend on returning home.
Emily sighed in relief, "I'm glad he's okay."
"Me too," Antonio replied. "Now I won't feel so bad giving him grief for making us worry about him."
The two strolled forward, neither Mike nor Angela noticing they were about to have company. Antonio lightly tapped Mike's shoulder, making the Green Ranger jump and turn around.
Mike breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that it was just Antonio and Emily. "Oh, it's just you guys. What're you doing here?"
"Dropping off our donations for the Rummage Sale," Emily replied. "What are *you* going here?"
"Oh, I was helping Angela set up her table for today," Mike answered. "I'm really sorry I worried you guys. I was going to call you, but my phone died."
"I can vouch for him," Angela swiftly cut in, holding a book. "We were up all night making sure everything was perfect."
"It's no sweat," Antonio replied. "We're just glad he's okay. By the way, Angela, did you make this?" He held up the fish hook necklace in the packaging.
"I sure did," Angela replied, a bright smile on her face. "Why?"
"You did a dreat job," Antonio explained. "This is incredibly well made."
"Thank you," Angela said. "My little sister taught me." She paused, noticing something over Emily's shoulder. "Hey, what's up with that guy?"
The four turned and watched as the guy Angela had noticed just stopped and fell to his knees, hands up in front of him like he was holding something.
"Maybe he's doing yoga?" Antonio suggested.
"Then how do you explain him?" Mike pointed to another guy wearing a bicycle helmet, including elbow and knee pads. He was on his hands and knees, staring straight ahead of him.
Emily nervously rushed over to the biker's side and waved her hands in front of his face. "Guys, I think something's wrong. It's like he's in a trance or something."
"What?" Mike jumped up and raced over. Antonio made a move to follow him, before he felt a dull pain suddenly hit his back. Darkness consumed his senses and he fell onto the floor, curled up like a fish hook.
Angela noticed Antonio fall and ran to his side. "Antonio! Hey! Are you okay?"
Mike and Emily both turned back when Angela called out Antonio's name, just in time to see Angela freeze and fall to the ground, the book she was holding beside her.
A Nighlock was walking away from the scene.
The two remaining Rangers turned to each other, bothing thinking the same thing.
Mike snapped open his Samuraizer. "Ready, Em?"
Emily nodded, following suit.
"Go, Go, Samurai!"
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
"Where might those pests be?" Switchbeast grumbled, waiting for the Rangers to show up. "They should have been here by now."
No sooner had the words left his mouth did he hear the words "Earth Slicer!" He ducked to avoid a sharp, yellow-colored giant shuriken, and then turned to see the Green and Yellow Rangers appear out of nowhere.
Emily caught her weapon perfectly when it circled back around to her. "That's enough, Nighlock!"
"What did you do to all these people?" Mike demanded, pointing his Spin Sword at Switchbeast. "Wake them up!"
"Nah, I don't think so," Switchbeast laughed. "And there's nothing you two can do by yourselves!"
"I said wake them up!" Mike growled, before charging at the Nighlock.
Meanwhile, Emily, her Earth Slicer in hand, ran towards the people on the side, giving a man on gentle pat on his shoulders. No response.
"Mike, everyone's frozen!"
"I knew there was a Nighlock behind this," Mike said. "What did you do to them?!"
"Not telling~!" Switchbeast sang before hitting Mike in the stomach with his arm, sending him flying backwarts through the air.
Emily rushed in to cover him but was also quickly disarmed and sent flying into Mike, who swiftly caught her.
"This is too easy," Switchbeast laughed, enjoying this. Two tentacles came shooting out of his arms. Mike and Emily ducked their heads and raised their arms, both knowing that there was no way to stop this attack.
But the hit never came.
Instead, two blurs of pink and blue shot in front of the two fallen Rangers, as Mia and Kevin arrived just in time to block the attack.
"Surprise!" Jayden shouted as a blur of red slashed down at the Nighlock. "Did you really think we'd let those two down?"
"Of course not. Actually I was counting on it," Switchbeast used his staff to block Jayden's Spin Sword, but pausd when he noticed Jayden holding his right shoulder. "Did Deker damage you there?" Switchbeast taunted Jayden before pushing him away.
The Red Ranger stumbled before being hit with one of the Nighlock's tentacles.
"Time for a switch!"
"Jayden!" Emily cried.
"Switch Blast!" The Nighlock yelled, firing a burst of fiery energy at the four remaining Rangers as they ran to help their still-injured leader. "You four just stay put! You wanted to know how I froze all those people, right, Greenie? Well, take notes!" He aimed another tentacle at a nearby garden gnome.
Two lights, one from the gnome and the other from Jayden both entered into the pointer fingers and crossed each other on Switchbeast's chest, before resuming their courses toward the other "object".
Jayden de-morphed, and his body assumed the position of the gnome, his sword on the ground by his side.
Emily and the others ran up to him and tried to get him to move, but he wouldn't. While the other three were preoccupied with Jayden, Mike glanced back at the gnome.
"I've done it again!" Switchbeast congratulated himself. "Time to finish the job. Just one blow and the Red Ranger is history!" He was standing over the gnome now, his staff raised above his head.
"Not so fast!" And metal met metal.
Switchbeast looked up in surprise as the Green Ranger appeared in front of him, his Spin Sword blocking the Nighlock's staff. "History's not one of my best subjects!" Mike said, shoving the Nighlock away from the gnome.
"Then let me teach you!" Switchbeast said, blocking Mike's attack. He shoved him away as Kevin and Mia jumped to his defense, blocking and attack with their Spin Swords. "In the year 14-hundred-and-92, Switchbeast took out the Rangers Pink and Blue. Switch Blast!"
A bright blast erupting from his chest knocked Kevin and Mia back into some cardboard boxes behind them, and Switchbeast attacked them with his tentacles again.
"Time for another switcheroo," Switchbeast announced, shooting his tentacles at the two downed Rangers and switching them into objects.
He took a moment to admire his work before ducking to avoid Emily's Sword. He fell to his knees when he felt his water supply run out.
"Dried out already?" Switchbeast asked himself before turning to the remaining two Rangers. "This isn't over yet, Rangers."
Mike and Emily watched as Switchbeast ducked out of sight in a flash of red.
While Emily ran to where Mia and Kevin had fallen, trying to find them among the rubbish. "Kevin, Mia!"
Meanwhile, Mike looked between Jayden's lifeless body and the gnome, deducing what just happened base on the clues the Nighlock gave them.
"Did Switchbeast place Jayden's spirit into the gnome?" He asked himself. "Man, that's messed up."
"Mike!" Emily called out. "I've learned what Mia and Kevin are based on their poses!"
"What are they?" Mike asked, picking up the gnome.
"Mia's a fan," Emily replied, holding up a pink fan that was rotating back and forth and a music box. "And Kevin's a music box."
"And Jayden's the gnome," Mike said. "But what about Antonio?" He then started to panic and ran over to where Antonio was.
"Mike!" Emily called after him. "What's wrong?"
Mike soon returned with Antonio's necklace in one hand and Angela's book in the other.
"Angela was attacked too," Mike told Emily in a quiet voice, feeling guilty that he didn't notice before. "She's the book."
"Let's take her back to the Shiba House," Emily gently suggested. "She'll be safe there."
Mike only nodded, clutching the book close to his chest as Emily pulled out her Samuraizer to call Ji for help.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
Ji set the pink fan next to Mia, the ballerina music box next to Kevin, and the fish hook necklace next to Antonio. Meanwhile, Mike set Angela's book next to her lifeless body lying on a spread of the chairs surrounding the meeting table.
Ji waved his hands in front of Jayden's face. "Jayden? Are you there?"
"Ji," Emily gently spoke up, "Jayden's right here." She motioned to the gnome in her arms.
"Really?" Ji sounded like he didn't believe her, and she couldn't blame him.
Ji watched as Emily set Jayden the Gnome on the table beside his body. A moment of silence, before she tapped the side of his hard head.
"You think they're...awake in there?" She asked, waving a hand in front of the gnome's face.
Yes, we're awake! We hear you! They all collectively replied.
"So this Nighlock puts people's spirits in objects?" Ji asked, still unable to believe it.
"Yeah," Emily replied. "And then the victim's body takes the shape of the objects."
Why can't you hear us? Angela asked.
Because we've been turned into inanimate objects that have no voice of their own, Antonio explained, but at least we can still hear each other.
Back and forth, Mia muttered, back and forth. Pft! Who knew being a fan was so boring?
Boring?! Kevin demanded. If this thing doesn't stop spinning soon, I think I'm gonna be sick...
"Okay," Mike brought the attention to him, as he tried to deduce the situation based on the clues Switchbeast gave, "so the deal is that the person's spirit is switched over to the object, and Switchbeast tried to destroy the gnome after Jayden was switched into it." Jayden glanced between Mike and Emily as they spoke. "I think that if the object gets destroyed...then the person does too."
A very intense silence followed.
"All those people..." Emily muttered. "They were at a Rummage Sale, Mike, selling junk. If unaffected people destroy those objects because they're not wanted anymore, then..."
No one spoke, unable to process the thought of someone else murdering another human being, let alone the thought of Jayden dying if they had let Switchbeast destroy the gnome like he was about to.
"Thanks, Em," Mike suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
"You were right. Angela is safer here," Mike explained. "Especially since the Nighlock don't know that this house exists thanks to the barriers."
"You're welcome, Mike," Emily said. "We need to come up with a plan. There's only two of us. We can't make a mistake next time."
"You're right," Mike softly sighed. "And there's no way to know for sure what everyone transformed into. But we have to try, or there's no hope for any of them." He paused. "I'll be outside. I need some air."
He needed time to process and accept what just happened. Emily understood.
"Very well," Ji said as Mike left through the front doors. "I will search the archive for any information about this Nighlock. Though, perhaps if you beat the Nighlock, then everyone will return to normal."
"It's worth a try," Emily replied.
The room got very quiet when Ji left the room as well, leaving Emily all by herself.
She walked up to Jayden's lifeless body, staring straight into his blank eyes that were normally full of life, despite his stoic nature.
"Seriously," she softly spoke, "are you guys awake, or even alive, in there?" She subconciously shook her head, her voice beginning to crack. "I can't read any of your emotions. Any of you." She glanced around. "Not even if I stare into the eyes of the objects you've become. It's like you're not there, like none of you exist anymore."
She then hung her head and let out a short, sarcastic scoff.
"What am I doing?" She asked herself. "There's no guarantee they can hear me. I must sound so crazy."
We can hear you, Em, Jayden quietly replied, for the first time since they returned to the House, even though there was no way she could hear him. Just hang in there. We know you and Mike can beat the Nighlock.
Emily then turned to Angela (both human body and book body), and let slip a small, gentle smile, "Sorry you got wrapped up in this, Angela. Yes, we are the Power Rangers, if you didn't guess already. But don't worry. We'll save you. We'll save everyone," she vowed, the fire within her eyes reigniting, before leaving the room for the kitchen.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld
"I've gotta hand it to you," Octoroo praised their new Action Commander, "switching humans with worthless junk is genius!"
"You ain't seen nothing yet," Switchbeast replied.
"Oh really?" Xandred asked, clutching a Furry Wart in his hand.
"The trapped humans are miserable, yes," Switchbeast said, "but any minute now, the real fun will begin."
"'Real fun'?" Octoroo asked.
"Humans don't like piles of useless junk sitting around," Switchbeast explained, "so they're gonna start cleaning. The humans will take the objects to a dump or a recycling center, to be crushed or melted down into something else. They'll destroy their own fellow helpless humans and they won't even know they're doing it!"
"Well done, Switchbeast," Xandred said. "I like your style. Why don't you consider working for me?"
Switchbeast bowed, "I'm sorry, but I only serve one master."
Switchbeast left without another word, angering Xandred a great deal.
"Master?" Octoroo carefully asked, as Xandred growled.
"There's only one Nighlock King!" Xandred yelled. "And that's me! Who is this other master?!"
"Relax, Master," Octoroo pleaded as Xandred stormed off into his cabin. "Dayu's music would calm you! But, we're missing her..."
Xandred threw the Furry Wart he was holding out the window in anger.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Cortez Forest, Panorama City, California
The Furry Wart flew out of a Gap within a tree and fell into the river below, floating on the water until it reached the shore.
Right into the hands of Dayu.
"Missing Dayu, missing Dayu..." it muttered when it laid its eyes on her.
"Poor little thing. Did Master Xandred exile you like he did to me and Deker?" Dayu laughed. "And now he's regretting that choice. Ha! What music to my ears. He burned my Harmonium, and I look forward to returning the favor. But for now, I least I have you to talk to. Even if you just parrot my words..."
She continued walking by the shore.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
Mike finally sat down after an intense hour of training by himself with his Spin Sword. He closed his eyes, his body hot from exercise. He opened them again, however, when he felt something cold on his forehead.
He glanced up to see Emily holding out a can of his favorite soda, Dr. Pepper, with her holding a can of hers, Diet Coke.
"You returning the favor?" Mike asked her, smiling, as he took the can of Dr. Pepper from her.
"Yeah," she replied, sitting next to him. "A token of friendship. 'If you ever need anything, even if you just want to talk, don't hesitate'."
Mike smiled at her sending his own words back at him.
"It's been a while since I've seen you train by yourself," she continued. "That only happens you have something on your mind. What's going on?"
Mike immediately looked away.
"You can trust me, Mike," Emily gently urged. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yeah..." Mike was quiet as he gathered his thoughts. "I really did leave yesterday to help Angela prepare for today. But we just got caught up in each other's company that we forgot that we had worked through the night. But the truth is...Angela and I have been meeting up for about a month now. We ran into each other while I was taking David home one day, and we instantly connected. I mean, we have so much in common. Her mom left when she was kid, she loves video games, and she has a younger sister to look after. I don't why, but...being with her feels right."
"You both had to grow up so fast," Emily explained. "So, being with each other allows you two to be kids again."
"Kind of like you and Jayden," Mike commented. "You and Jayden both lost your older sisters, and you two connected because..." he trailed off, not knowing what to call it.
"-of grief," Emily finished, knowing that Mike was right, "and closure."
"Right," Mike replied. "But the issue is...Angela was attacked by a Nighlock today, and if you hadn't suggested we take her back here, I wouldn't have forgiven myself if anything happened to her. I mean, I'm still processing that David was attacked by Rofer because of me. I would never forgive myself if I let anything happen to David, or Angela, or you, or Ji, or the others."
Emily shook her head. She respected Mike's feelings, but he was ranting. So, she cut him off, the two looking directly into each other's eyes, "Nothing's doing to happen to any of us, Mike. I promise. We'll deal with this Nighlock, and save Angela and the others. Together."
Mike smiled, before standing up, all fired up and ready to fight. "Right. Wanna spar with me, Em?"
Emily returned the smile and nodded. "Of course. But before we do, I should probably mention that I saw what you did to Kevin. And as your friend, I must inform you to watch your back. Because when we switch everyone, he's going to kill you."
But she was smiling, and so was he.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Sure enough, Kevin was angry at the sight of him in a tutu that Mike had put on his lifeless body, to go with the ballerina stance he was forced to assume.
When I get back in my body, Mike is so gonna get it! Kevin growled.
Relax, Kev, Mia said, teasingly. You look kinda cute.
Kevin tried to ignore everyone else's giggling and chuckling. 'Cute'?!
So you guys are the Samurai Rangers? Angela asked. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.
We sure are, Mia replied.
Kevin added, And we're not worried about you spilling our secret identities. Just the fact that the Nighlock might find out that you know. So, watch your back from now on.
I will, Angela quietly vowed.
Don't worry, Antonio told her. You're safe here. Mike and Emily made sure of that.
I know, Angela replied. And don't get me wrong. I'm very grateful for that, but what about all the people who aren't here, or somewhere safe with people who know what's going on? People like Mr. Bulk and Spike. They were turned into a can and a newspaper, respectively. Items that you only use once. They aren't so lucky as me.
Have faith in Mike and Emily, Jayden spoke up. They'll get the job done.
Angela was about to respond when an alarm started blaring.
What is that?
The Gap Sensor, Kevin replied.
The Nighlock is back, Mia explained as Ji rushed in and tapped the table to see which Gap Switchbeast had emerged from.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Ji ran outside, as Mike and Emily turned to face him, clearly waiting for the location, "He's at City Square."
"Right. Thanks, Ji," Mike said.
"Just remember," he advised, "you two can do this, as long as you put your mind on it.." They both nodded. "And don't be afraid to use the Black Box. Emily, you should still have it."
She pulled it out, "I do, but this time, I will concede it over to Mike."
"What? Why me?" Mike asked.
"Switchbeast attacked someone you care about," Emily explained. "I know you want to get revenge."
Mike took the Black Box from her, and paused before saying, "I think I have an idea on how to deal with this Nighlock. Something pretty risky and a little crazy."
Emily only smiled. "Sounds like a Mike plan. What is it?"
Mike filled her in on the details as they ran to the Nighlock's location.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
Switchbeast reveled in everyone screaming and running away from him.
"Ah, they're singing my favorite song," he commented.
"Oh," Mike interrupted, and Switchbeast immediately turned to face his opponents. "So, you like music, do you? Then, let's dance."
"Go, Go, Samurai!"
The two leapt up, rolled over in mid air, morphing on the way, and both struck at Switchbeast, who was able to easily block both swords with his sword-staff. The Nighlock flipped both Rangers over and the two landed on the ground behind the Nighlock.
Switchbeast's first tentacle hit Mike's chest, and he felt himself go numb. "Now, what should I switch you with? How about that mailbox over there?" The Nighlock's second tentacle soared through the air towards the said mailbox behind them.
But Emily caught it in mid-air.
Using every bit of her strength and determination, Emily ran towards Switchbeast, who soon became the one on the other end of the switch.
Once the transfer was over, Switchbeast looked down at his body.
"What? I'm a Samurai Ranger?!" The Nighlock cried out in an incredulous manner. He was now in Mike's morphed body, and Mike was in the Nighlock's.
"Nice!" Mike said, in victory. "It worked! High five!" Mike smiled as he and Emily shared a high-five.
"What did you guys do to me?" Switchbeast demanded. "Ugh! I feel all gross and hero-y."
"We're giving you a taste of your own medicine," Mike replied.
"Now, tell us the quick and easy way to switch everybody back," Emily added.
"Oh yeah? Well, as loathsome as this body is, I bet you don't want anything to happen to it." Switchbeast held Mike's blade up to his own throat. "Back off, or Greenie gets it."
However, Mike had foreseen this, and had a simple backup plan for this. "If you didn't like my body, why didn't you just say so?" He shot a tentacle hit the center of his own morphed chest.
"Here, Nighlock, have a ball!" Emily said, sticking the second tentacle to a soccer ball. She was seemingly enjoying this a little too much, but as long as the plan worked, that didn't matter.
Mike's body curled up into a ball and Emily looked down at the one in her hands.
"Penalty kick!" she said, drop-kicking the ball into a wall and catching it when it bounced back. "I think something's wrong with this ball. It feels a little mushy."
She pressed on the ball as hard as she could, squeezing, unable to hear the Nighlock crying out in pain from the inside.
Mike laughed, shaking his head, until he had to interrupt, "Okay, Em. I think we've made our point." He stabbed the ball with one tentacle and attached the other to his helmet. The Nighlock was transferred back into his body.
"Ow! That was just cruel! I think you broke a rib!" Switchbeast complaining, rubbing his chest in slight pain.
"This isn't a game, you monster!" Emily yelled back, throwing the ball to the side. "People's lives are at stake!"
"Tell us the secret," Mike sternly added, "now. Or we'll make your life really miserable."
"Why, you–I ought to–" Switchbeast paused, but this only seemed to anger the two Rangers more.
"Quit stalling, Nighlock!" Mike shouted.
Finally, the Nighlock growled and picked up Mike's Spin Sword. "Fine, I'll do it. Just don't move."
Switchbeast run up to his own body and slashed it across the top of the chest. The Green Ranger felt a tremendous amount of pain, but it was gone before he had a chance to cry out.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
Angela woke up to come face to face with the book she just was. As she sat up, she saw the other four Rangers stretch, uncomfortable with having been in the same position for so long.
"They did it!" she exclaimed, smiling.
"They sure did," Jayden replied, a small smile grazing his face, while rubbing his injured shoulder. Being stuck in the same place, in the same pose, did not do any favors to his injuries.
"I'm sorry I doubted them," Angela apologized. "For doubting all of you."
"Hey, it's okay," Antonio told her, before turning to Kevin. "Hey, Kev. Nice tutu."
Kevin looked down and immediately blushed in embarrassment. He tried to cover the pink fluffy skirt surrounding his waist, but to no avail, and he ran back to his room, ignoring everyone's giggles.
"Typical Mike," Angela commented. "He knows I love his jokes too much to not laugh at that."
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
City Square, Panorama City, California
Emily heard Mike cry out, as the switching spell finally broke. She quickly raced over to Mike's morphed body and waved his hand over his face.
"Mike? Is that you?"
She was very pleased and relieved to hear his voice come from his own mouth. "Yep," he patted her shoulder. "Whatever he did, I'm me again."
"Which means the others are also back to normal..." Emily smiled. "We did it!"
"Yeah, we did," Mike said.
"Ow, I hit myself!" the Nighlock screeched.
"Serves you right, Nighlock!" Emily said, unsheathing her Spin Sword.
"Well, allow me to serve this! Switch Blast!"
Mike braced himself for the impact, but it never came. Emily was in front of him, and had blocked it with her Earth Slicer.
"Mike, it's time to use the secret weapon! Let him have it!"
"Right!" Mike acknowledged, as Emily ran off to stall Switchbeast as long as she could, morphing into Havoc Mode on the way.
"Black Box! Super Samurai Mode!"
Emily glanced up from the fight to look at him. He was almost as impressive as Jayden and Kevin, but she knew his new Super powers would be just a strong as theirs.
"Super Samurai Green, Ready! I'll handle this, Em. Stay back!"
Emily ducked to avoid a swipe of the Nighlock's staff and managed to get away just as Mike laid the first strike. She watched as Mike hit him in the same place three times, before a block and then a downward strike to his chest. Then a leap and yet downward strike to the chest.
Opening the Black Box, Mike loaded it with his green Power Disk. "Bear Disk!" she said, firing up her sword.
"You'll never defeat me," Switchbeast growled.
"Never say never!" Mike said. "Super Spin Sword: Super Forest Vortex!"
There was a blast of green energy as Mike slashed through Switchbeast with his Spin Sword. The Nighlock rippled with electrified energy before exploding.
"Hey, Super Green Ranger!" Emily ran over to him. "That was awesome!"
Mike laughed and high-fived his best friend. He wouldn't have succeeded without Emily.
"Ready for the big switch!" Switchbeast yelled as he grew into his second life.
Mike held up the Super Samurai Disk and loaded it into the Black Box. "We're ready for you," he said. "Super Samurai Combination!" Mike then initiated Shogun Mode, "Shogun Mode: Power of the Ancestors!", allowing both him and Emily to gain gold armor.
There was a roar was all eight zords raced towards their destination.
"Claw Armor Megazord, We Are United!"
Once in the cockpit, Mike and Emily buckled down what they expected was going to be a long fight.
"Your sneaky tricks won't save you this time." The Nighlock shouted at them, wielding his staff in a circle.
Mike smirked and shook his head. "We don't need tricks to whip your sorry butt," he said. "You ready, Emily?"
"Yeah. Let's do it!" Emily nodded. She lung her Sword forward, Mike following her lead, and the Megazord charged forward. The Megazord slashed at the Nighlok, causing sparks to fly as the double swords came in contact with Switchbeast's staff.
Mike groaned. "We've got to get that staff away from him!" he said.
"Keep fighting, Mike," Emily replied with a smile. "Let's show him some of our Mega moves!"
"Switch Blast!" Switchbeast shouted, blasting them with an energy ball from his chest. The Megazord merely slashed through them with its twin swords, before turning its back on the Nighlok.
"Energy Burst!" Emily called, blasting the Nighlock with a blast from multi-colored energy from the Ape, Lion, and Turtle Zords on the Megazord's back.
Switchbeast finally lost his footing and fell with a crash. His staff flew into the air and landed further away from him, and he knew, by the time he could reach it, the Rangers would have finished him off.
So, he surrendered instead.
"Time for the big finish," Mike instructed Emily. In sync, the two Rangers held their Swords in front of them before spinning their respective Power Disks.
"Katana Power: Twin Saber Strike!"
The two swung their Swords, and the Megazord responded to their movements verbatim.
Switchbeast cried out as the four slashes rained down on his, causing him to explode. He was gone for good.
"Samurai Rangers," Mike started.
"Victory is Ours," Emily finished.
The two sunk to their knees, exhausted, letting their heads rest against their respective podiums.
"I can't believe it," Mike said, breathing heavily. "We really did it. Just the two of us."
"Yeah," Emily nodded, letting out a gentle laugh. "Let's never do that again."
Mike only nodded in agreement.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California
Angela was back home, the sun going down and the danger over. Mike didn't want her to leave, wanting her to stay for dinner, but she had brought up a good point by saying that her dad would've gotten mad if she did stay without prior warning to him.
Ji was grilling burgers for dinner, all of the residents outside on the front lawn, gathering around as their burgers came to them one by one.
"I can't believe you actually changed bodies with Switchbeast," Kevin said to Mike. "I never would've thought of that."
Mike sat down with his burger, "It wasn't like I wanted to, and it was way creepy, but it was the only thing I could think of."
"Just be thankful it worked out," Antonio replied. "Maybe someone was a fish and was about to get eaten by a cat. Or a can about to be squashed. So, thank you, to the both of you."
"That'd be pretty risky," Kevin explained. "What if something went wrong and you were trapped as a Nighlock forever?"
"Then you'd be trapped as ballerina," Mike gently shot back. "At least I would've still had the ability to move around and communicate."
"But you did it by yourselves," Mia smiled. "Just the two of you."
"You should thank Mike," Emily said. "He was the one with the plan."
"No way, Em," it was Mike who answered. "I couldn't have done without you. Together, right?"
Emily smiled. "Right."
"Well, if it weren't for you two, I'd still be gnome," Jayden said as he sat down, and everyone else smiled at him. "So thanks."
"Yeah, thanks, guys," Kevin agreed.
As everyone went back to their burgers, Mike brought out his Samuraizer and showed Emily a piture he had taken earlier.
Emily immediately laughed. Beside her, Antonio (wearing his new fish-hook necklace) also started laughing. When Mike showed the picture to Jayden and Mia, they two burst out laughing.
Kevin glanced over at his ecstatic friends, happy that they were having a good time.
"Hey, Kev," Mike said, and Kevin turned his glance to him, "are you sure you're not even mad about this?"
Mike showed him the picture on his phone. Kevin in a tutu still made everyone laugh.
Kevin gasped, as if offended, and everyone's laughs got a little louder.
"You took pictures?!" Mike nodded, unable to wipe the smile off his face. "Gimee that!"
Kevin tried to take away Mike's Samuraizer, but was unsuccessful.
"You'll have to chase me~"
And a chase ensued, much to the others' amusement.
Emily shook her head as she laughed, "Kevin's efforts are in vain."
"What? Why?" Mia asked.
"Because Mike may or may not have already sent the picture to Angela."
This only made the others laugh even harder.
~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~
Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld
Octoroo was befuddled by all of the Giant Marauders that were appearing on the shores. "What is going on?"
Just then a Nighlock he did not recognize gave him an effective jumpscare. "My apologies. That would be my doing."
"Who are you?" Octoroo asked.
"Surely you were expecting me," the Nighlock continued, as he floated to the side, Octoroo following him. "My servant came to see you earlier."
"Ah, Switchbeast," Octoroo realized. "So you're his master."
"Yes," the Nighlock replied, bowing. "My apologies for his incomputence. I sincerely thought he would get the job done."
"So you're the one who sent him," Xandred said, coming out from his cabin. "You're the great one he told us about?"
"Allow me to introduce myself," the Nighlock said, moving to stand in front of Xandred. "I am Serrator. Please, allow me to be your servant. I have spent a very long time at the bottom of the Sanzu River. Being worthless and weak is unnatural for a Nighlock. But thanks to your recent power surge, I finally gained this kind of power." Serrator created a dark ball of energy that he unleashed at the Marauders on the shore, destroying them all.
Xandred turned back to Serrator, who got down on his knees.
"Master Xandred, I can help you finally flood the Earth," Serrator continued. "I promise you. With my heightened powers, I can make that happen. I will."
"Ha!" Xandred scoffed. "You must think you're something special. Well, think again!"
Serrator glanced up when he heard Xandred unsheath his sword, but he remained unflinching when Xandred struck him in his left shoulder.
"Why don't you fight back?" Xandred asked, amazed.
"I could," Serrator replied, as if the answer was simple, "but that wouldn't prove my unflinching loyalty to you." He bowed even lower. "Please, allow me to go to the human world on your behalf. I will scare so many humans that your moment of victory will be at hand before you know it." Serrator raised his upper half, hiding his smile behind the blade of his weapon. "It will be glorious."
"Very well," Xandred said. "You better deliver."
Octoro watched this entire exchange, unnaturally silent. He didn't trust this new guy just yet, and he doubted he ever would. Something about him just rubbed him the wrong way.
But he stayed silent.
TO BE CONTINUED...
~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~
Original Shinkenger Episode: Act 27, Act 28 (Serrator's Debut)
Original PRS Episode: Trading Places, Something Fishy (Serrator's Debut)
Note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think! The thing with Antonio and the necklace wasn't randomly added. I have something in mind. And for those of you who're confused about the Mike and Emily soda-as-a-token-of-friendship thing, head back to the very first chapter to get refreshed on why that's a thing.
A/N: Do review, please. If you guys have any ideas you want me to consider adding, please PM me. A preview for the next chapter:
Season 2, Episode 6: "The Doppleganger Effect"
"It was a letter, written to his deceased mom. Antonio owed it to her to read it for her, but he shouldn't have. Because what he finds is something he regrets discovering."