Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. Only my OCs.
Chapter 4: Thunder Strangers: Part 2
Shane, Dustin, Tori, Dee and Liz were climbing up a hill after the crash, when Liz heard others running in their direction. Thankfully they had demorphed to their civilian clothes.
"Come on!" Whoever was coming, was getting closer. 'Please don't be anyone we know.'
"There!" The Bradleys and Kelly came over the ledge. 'Crap.'
"We were riding up when we saw the smoke," Blake said, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, thanks," Tori nodded.
"What happened?" Hunter asked as he looked around the crash site.
"I was listening in the car on the way here," Kelly spoke up as she looked at the group. "They think it was some kind of alien attack!" she exclaimed with worry.
"That sort of thing happen a lot around here?" Blake asked, still holding onto Tori.
"You never wondered why housing was so cheap?" Shane grunted, doubled over as he caught his breath. Lexi came over to check on him.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just out of breath."
"Are you sure?"
He smiled, "I'm sure. Thanks."
"We need to call someone!" Kelly exclaimed with worry. "The police, the FBI, the CIA-"
"No Kelly," Tori cut off the worried woman with a smile. "We're fine, thanks," she insisted.
"Are you sure?" Kelly asked.
"Yeah, Kel," Dee patted her shoulder, "We're fine."
"We'll see you at work later." Liz nodded.
"Come on, we better go," Shane nodded to the others, who agreed.
"Do you guys need a ride home?" Kelly asked, looking over the departing teens
"No, we're okay," Dustin answered.
"Are you sure? I mean, I don't mind?"
"Yeah, we're ok. Thanks Kelly," Shane said, "It's just a few bumps and bruises. We'll just pull out the first-aid kit. No problem."
1-2-3-4-5
"Well, you've managed to reduce years of technological advance into scrap metal in a single afternoon," Cam looked up from the four broken morphers in his hands. "Not to mention what you did to your Zords," he lectured the Ninjas who stood in front of him.
"Cam, now is not the time," Sensei interrupted.
"I'm sorry, you're right," Cam didn't look very sorry. "Thankfully, the auto-retreat allowed the reactors time to reset the holographic portals." he told them. "I've engaged the self-reconstruct functions," he added as he walked back over to his computer.
"Dude, I've got no idea what you just said," Dustin informed him as they followed him over to the computer.
"The Zords are fixing themselves," they looked around at Dee, as she stood up. She turned at the silence, looking at the faces of awes on her friends, except Liz, "I'm not a complete idiot. Or have you forgotten that I'm into video games and want to be a designer?"
"Um, considering that you don't talk about that sort of thing anymore," Her brother shrugged, sheepishly, "I kind of forgot about it."
"Airheads." Liz rolled her eyes as she looked at Tori, "You too?"
"I mean, I knew she was a gamer, I didn't know she wanted to design them, too."
Cam looked over in pride at Dee, remember some of their previous conversations from the past, "I'm impressed. I had actually forgotten about it. I'm sorry."
"No worries." She shrugged, not caring.
"Hey, Sensei," Shane turned to their mentor, "why didn't they finish us off?"
"Yeah, their Zords were sicko, bro!" Dustin nodded, before realizing who he was talking to. "I mean, Sensei," he bowed his head to be respectful.
"Thunder Zords. Created by the same technology that powers your own," Sensei told them as they looked to the video on the screen. "The Spectre Zords are the same," he added.
"Yeah, right." The two Spectre Rangers called out in unison, making the others chuckle.
"I can't believe these Thunder Ninjas work for Lothor. I mean, that doesn't even make sense," Tori shook her head as she straightened up.
"No more than Zurgane booking out of there when they showed up," Shane nodded. Dustin lifted his fried morpher and poked at it curiously.
"I suspect, that with all evil alliances, there is dissension in their ranks," Sensei spoke up, and they frowned. "Dissension that can be used to our advantage, when the time is right." he added, and Cam nodded in agreement.
"I don't care why it happens, it just makes it more difficult for us," Shane grumbled.
"Since when do the bad guys care about making things easy for us?" Tori asked him.
"Ummmm…." Liz just laughed at his lack of an answer.
"I hope these are under warranty," Dustin his morpher out to Cam, who rolled his eyes.
"I just feel totally helpless," Tori complained. "There's gotta be something we can do," she looked to Sensei, hoping for an answer.
"For now, you must return to your daily lives," Sensei told them softly. "If Lothor expects anything out of the ordinary, it will only give him more power," he spoke warningly.
"And be careful. They've already stolen the Tsunami Cycle disk somehow, who knows what they'll do next. If you talk to anyone, make sure that you trust them completely," Cam warned the four, and they nodded.
1-2-3-4-5
While the other three Rangers took off to do whatever, Liz and Dee stayed in Ops to spar. They smirked every time they heard Cam shock himself on the morphers.
"Cam! I need your help outside," Tori burst in, looking panicked.
"Can't it wait? I've nearly got the morphers back online," Cam looked back down at the morpher, but Tori shook her head quickly.
"It's an emergency! My friend, he's... hurt," Cam's eyes widened and he looked up at her sharply.
"And you brought him here?!" Liz demanded as he got to his feet. "Ever hear of a hospital?"
"Tori, what were you thinking?" Dee glared at their Blue friend, "The Ninja schools are supposed to be kept hidden. I'd expect this of the boys, but not you."
"I know, I know. But he was hurt because of me," Tori was frantic as she tugged on Cam's arm, "Please? Come look at him," the Blue Ranger pleaded, and Cam sighed, shaking his head. "It was one of Lothor's space freaks, we have to help him!" Cam watched her as she pleaded with him.
"Alright," he sighed, and relief spread across Tori's face. They ran outside, and found Blake lying outside with strange things on his chest.
"Blake? That explains it." Dee sighed. Liz laughed when Tori went red as she shot in her frown in their direction. The four crouched down beside him, and Cam studied the tadpole like creatures.
"What are these things?" Tori asked as Cam removed one slowly.
"Some kind of cybernetic leech," he explained as he removed the other two. "Looks like they dehydrate the human body until it just shuts down," he sighed as he put the things on the ground.
"Did you get them off in time?" Tori asked as she took Blake's hand.
"I think so," Cam nodded as he checked Blake's pulse. "This guy must drink a lot of water," he commented as Tori relaxed.
"His name's Blake," she told him.
"I don't care what his name is," Cam bit, looking up at her. "Dad's gonna flip when he finds out you brought him here," he warned, and Tori smiled sweetly.
"Well then, maybe he shouldn't find out?" she suggested, and Cam rolled his eyes.
"The Morphers are on the console inside. Go get them, I'll stay here," Cam told the Water Ninja, who smiled brightly at him.
"Thanks Cam," she kissed the genius' cheek and got up, heading back to the lake.
"Seriously?" Dee chuckled, "Wow."
"Yeah. Men as a species are doomed," Liz told Cam.
"Shut up," Cam rolled his eyes at them. The girls just smiled at him, none of them noticing Blake as he opened his eye. He watched as Tori walked across the water and disappeared into the waterfall, and a smirk spread across his face.
1-2-3-4-5
Tori, Liz, Dee and Blake all sat in Tori's van as it came to a stop at the motocross track so Bake can find his brother.
"Listen?" Blake asked, "uh… thanks for what you did back there. I mean, I-I don't know what happened. I guess I just blacked out." He shrugged, not seeing Liz or Dee smirking at each other in the back.
"Yeah" Tori agreed, "you took a nasty fall. You're actually pretty lucky."
"I feel like a chump," Blake informed her, "I mean, I try to save you, and you end up saving me instead."
"Forget it," Tori told him, "it's no big deal."
It was then that Hunter and Lexi appeared on Blake's side of the van looking worried.
"Hey," Hunter greeted, "what happened? You alright?"
Blake nodded his head without looking away from Tori.
"Long story." Blake went to open the door. "I'll tell you later."
When the Bradleys left, Liz, Dee and Tori went over to Shane to watch Dustin on his bike. They congratulated him when he was done and then went back to Tori's van.
"I got your morphers here guys. I think we're going to need them," Tori told the boys just as Hunter and Blake showed up, Lexi frowning behind them.
"Hey," Hunter greeted.
"Hey," Tori greeted back.
"Hey, guys," Dustin greeted as well.
"I just wanted to say thanks for taking care of my bro," Hunter told Tori.
"Anytime."
"We owe you one," Hunter went on, "and we always make good on our promises."
"Ok, good to know. Thanks." Liz smiled, cautious. Something was wrong.
"We gotta head home," Blake spoke up, "Parents, you know how it is?"
Dustin and Shane shared a look. "Yeah ok," Tori said. "I'll catch you later."
"See ya."
"Yeah, later."
"Later."
After the siblings left, Tori pulled out her purse and took out three morphers, since Liz and Dee were already wearing theirs, and passed Dustin and Shane theirs.
"Here," she told them, "when you see Cam, say thank you. I think he's feeling a little unappreciated."
"Dude, they told Kelly that they didn't live with their parents, right?" Dustin asked Shane as he placed his morpher on is let wrist like Shane was doing, "I mean, that's what we heard."
"Yeah, that's right," Shane agreed making the girls look at them in confusion before their morphers went off.
"I've located the frog," Cam told them, "he's at the riverbank. Hurry!"
"Dude, if Cam wants a frog, let's stop by the pet store," Dustin told them making everyone look at him with raised eyebrows. "I mean, they've got, like, a tank full of them."
Dustin used his hands to emphasize his point.
"I'll explain on the way," Tori told him as she walked forward. "You ready?"
"Ready!"
"NINJA STORM!"
"SPECTRE STORM!"
"RANGER FORM, HA!"
"Power of Earth!"
"Air!"
"Water!"
"Fire!"
"Shadows!"
"Light!" When they finished morphing, they streaked to the riverbank to confront the frog.
Before they could do anything, however, Amphibidor shot a purple energy blast at them that surrounded them and chained them together.
"I can't move," the girls exclaimed.
"Going up!" Amphibidor stated as the rangers were lifted into the air. "Next floor housewares and sporting goods!" he yelled. "Hope you can swim!" A blast went off knocking the rangers into the water below. "I knew they'd make a splash!"
The rangers jump back out of the water as if nothing happened.
"OK, guys," Shane said as he looked at his team "Ninja Beams."
They all fired different colored beams at the alien, only for him to vanish.
"Where did he go?" Tori asked.
"You guys like hip-hop?" Amphibidor asked as he hopped back into view, knocking the rangers down, but they just got back up. "Polytrons!" Five of the cybernetic leeches attached themselves to the rangers before blowing up once again knocking them down. "Friendly, aren't they?"
"This guy's tough," Shane mumbled as they got back onto their feet.
Liz groaned when she heard thunder, making them all look around to find the source. Three different colored lightning hit the ground making smoke before it cleared to reveal three Thunder Rangers instead of two.
"What?"
"Wait, where did that third one come from?"
"Like fighting a giant frog wasn't bad enough," Dustin commented, "Now we have three Thunder Ninjas to defend against." He squinted, "That's a girl."
The new Ranger had a similar suit to Liz and Dee, except it was Gold with black knee and elbow pads.
They watched as their counterparts pulled out their staffs from their backs.
"Thunder Staffs!"
"Lightning Staff! Attack!"
"Get ready guys," Shane said, "here they… go?" The five rangers stared in disbelief as, instead of attacking them, they charged at Amphibidor. "What?"
"But I thought we were on the same team!" the monster yelled as it was thrown away from the rangers, "I guess not. Polytrons!"
The Thunders pulled apart their staffs and crimson, navy and gold colored electricity filled the middle. "Thunder Shield!"
"Lightning Shield!" As the Polytrons charged after them, they bounced off and hit the frog, throwing him to the ground as they exploded. They broke apart their staffs and put one piece on top of the other. "Thunder Staff! Tornado Star!" The star glowed and they threw it at the frog, causing him to crackle with electricity.
Then they called on their personal weapons, "Crimson Blaster!" "Navy Antlers!" "Wing Shot!"
"You ready?"
"You know it!" The Navy Ranger lunged forward, and his Antlers opened. When they gripped the frog in the middle, he lifted the monster up and threw him away. Amphibidor landed on its feet and turned around laughing. "That didn't hurt!"
"How about this?" The Crimson Ranger held up his blaster and fired several shots. The frog hit the ground hard. "Let's put it together! Thunder Blaster!" After combining their weapons, they took aim and fired. "I'm too young to croak!" Amphibidor protested before blowing up.
"Hey, wait!" Shane yelled, "What's up with you guys?"
"Why did you just help us?" Tori asked.
"Hello," Dustin tried next, "anybody in there?"
"We're even," The Crimson Ranger told them without turning around, "Wind Rangers."
"Even?" Liz said quietly. "For what?"
"Two males. One female." Dee looked at her partner in shock, "You don't think?"
"Thinking. Believing. Ah, man."
"What's wrong with you two?" Dustin asked, looking confused,. But before they could answer, Amphibidor was revived with a Scroll of Empowerment.
"That's going to have to wait," Shane spoke into his morpher, "Hey, Cam! Guess what we need?"
"Don't tell me," Cam answered as he sent the Wind Ninja Zords and the Spectre Zords to them. They Wind Rangers formed the Megazord, while Liza and Dee jumped in theirs.
"Liz. Dee. I've found an activation code for your Zords that will allow them to combine." Cam called out to her, "Sending now."
"Yes!"
"Thanks Cam," Liz replied, "Power Disk. Locked and dropped."
The two bird Zords folded, separated and merged together.
"Spectre Megazord! Online!"
"Cam!" Tori called, "Anything you can send our way?"
"Uh… try the Ram Hammer!"
"What do you guys think?" Shane asked the other two.
"Yeah," Dustin and Tori agreed.
Cam uploaded the power disk to Dustin, "Power Disk received! Let's lock… and drop!"
Amphibidor turned to the Wind Rangers, "Aw, you had to go there, didn't you?" he asked. Completely ignoring the girls, he didn't see them come up behind him.
"Don't forget about us, you Toad Freak!"
"Bring it on, Frog Face!" Shane yelled out.
Amphibidor launched his Polytrons at them, but they were able to knock them back at him. They exploded on impact, sending Amphibidor to the ground.
"Is he down for good?" Dustin asked.
"Just resting!" Amphibidor told them as he got back up, "What else you got?"
"How about a little batting practice? Shane, batter up!" Liz yelled. They unhooked the wings on their Zord's back and swung around, creating a ball of light and dark energy. "Spectre Vortex! Power Up!" They threw it at Amphibidor, and as expected, he deflected it, sending it at The Megazord. "Can they get any dumber?" The Ram Hammer swung up and sent it back at the Frog, destroying him for good. "Alright!"
1-2-3-4-5
The group walked into Ninja Ops talking back and forth.
"Yeah," Dustin said, "That's what they told Kelly. No parents."
"Blake and Hunter lied to me?" Tori asked, "Why?"
Shane turned to Liz and Dee, "What were you two talking about earlier? The two guys one girl thing."
"I don't know. It may just be a coincidence." Liz replied, looking at Dee.
"One we were both thinking."
"What king of coincidence?" They looked back at them. Before she could answer, they heard movement coming from the other side of the room. They looked over to see the Thunder Rangers standing there holding Cam.
They all fell into fighting stances when they saw them.
"What are you doing here?" Shane snarled, but instead of answering, the Thunder Rangers demorphed, and their true identities took everyone, "Not a coincidence." Liz glared. The three Wind Ninjas straightened up as they stared at Hunter and Blake.
"What do you want?" Dustin growled, trying to keep his voice flat, but they could hear the quiver in it. "How did you get in here?" he asked.
"Ask her," Hunter responded coldly, looking at Tori.
"Blake?" she looked to the Navy Ranger, who was still holding Cam tightly.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, and Liz looked at him in surprise. He sounded genuinely guilty for misleading her. "But we had to find the Ninja Ops. I didn't mean to use you," he told her, but Tori just looked away, unable to believe it.
"Yeah right," Dee scoffed, "Where's your sister?"
"Not part of this."
"If you hurt him, I will hunt you down," Tori growled after a moment, but her voice shook just like Dustin's had.
"And we'll help her." Liz glared, staring straight at Hunter.
He fidgeted for a moment and broke eye contact, "Leave him," Hunter told Blake, who tossed Cam into the others, "We've got what we want," as Shane pushed Cam behind them, Hunter smirked. "Goodbye rangers, and good luck in your future battles." Hunter and Blake threw down smoke bombs, making the other Rangers and Cam cover their eyes. They looked up to see the thunder Brothers were gone.
"Everyone alright?" Tori asked as she looked around. Cam pushed past them and ran to his father's habitat.
"What did they want here?" Shane asked.
Cam straightened up, pulling his glasses off as his worry shone clear. "My father. They took my father," he told them, and they stared at him, stunned.