This story will be told in third-person, however for the prologue I wanted to use first person point of view to catch up from the last episode (technically the Dino-Thunder episode where the Ninja-Storm cast appeared) to the current time in the story. After this chapter, everything will be in third person.

The Princess and The Shogun
Act One: Confessions Of A Powerless Ranger

Adjusting to a life without monsters, deranged uncles and most of all, not being a Ranger was tough for everyone. As odd as it seems, not fighting evil anymore made life seem...boring. In a way, when we lost our powers to transform, we lost a bit of our life.

Sure, everyone still lingers around the academy, but the feeling isn't the same. There's no heart like there was when we were all bound to our duties as soldiers. No one has been able to wrap their head around the idea of a new generation of Rangers.

Even those three took it hard.

There was always something special about them three. Even when they were bickering or sticking themselves in near-death situations, I always had faith in them, faith that they'd carry through. My father must have known something when selecting them three.

Shane has devoted his spare time to training with the younger ninjas. Watching him "train" them is very humorous, especially when a cute girl is one of his students. Sometimes I catch him grabbing his wrist, where his morpher used to rest, but I'm quick, I never get caught. His eyes always fill with sorrow when he realizes there's nothing but flesh there. Deep down, my heart aches for him.

I don't see Tori much, but when I do she's usually talking about surfing. From what I hear, she's become quiet the wave-master. She likes to hang out by the ocean, and when she's at the school she's always around a near by lake or stream or something with the water. When I try talking to her she's always changing the subject to memories. Usually our conversations start out with "Remember that one time?" and then it leads into a story about being Rangers. She'll smile to keep from crying, I just pretend to laugh along. She's not fooling me though; I don't think she even fools herself.

Dustin, on the other hand is still Dustin. A little ditzy, but he means well. He brought his new trophy to show us. Apparently he's being sponsored. We all attended his race one day where he won, then dedicated the trophy to us. It's still hard to imagine the light-hearted guy who says "dude" a lot was once a Ranger. Unlike the other two, he never talks about being a Ranger. I'm not sure if he's embraced his freedom or runs from the past.

It would be so much easier if we could run from the past. Or at least learn to accept the fact that our memories are only memories. There's no sense is trying to live in them.

Still...

To be honest, I miss being the Green Ranger.

- - -- - - - - -

There are probably all sorts of sick dust all over my skateboard. It seems like I haven't touched it in forever. When I sit in my room, on my bed, I look over at the empty corner and see it, just sitting there, idle and unused. I'm thinking about giving it to some young kid, maybe they'll have an interest.

I'm always amazed at how quick some of the young kids I've been around are. Yesterday, this one fifteen year old boy kicked my butt in sparring. He was quick like the wind. These kids must be eating healthy, that or I'm getting old.

I remember when I was quick like the wind. It wasn't so long ago.

I keep the date in check, like some sort of strange anniversary. It's been almost half a year since I've morphed into the Red Ninja Ranger. Sometimes when I'm asleep, I have weird dreams about fighting monsters; I wake up with a little hope only to realize it was just an illusion.

Don't get my wrong. I'm very glad there's no more fighting and the evil in the universe has been sealed away. Peace is a good thing.

But I feel naked without my morpher. Like a part of me has vanished into thin air.

There I go again, talking about air.

Seems like all my thoughts go back to air, or the clouds, or the sky. Last week I took a hike with Dustin and Tori and on the way I saw the coolest looking hawk and instantly the image of my old zord came to mind. I didn't want the other two to worry so I just acted like everything was cool. I keep my mouth shut when Dustin wanted to take a picture.

It just seems like, everywhere I go, there's always something that will remind me of my time as a Ranger.

Maybe it's a good thing...

- - -- - - - - -

"AND THE WINNER IS TORI HANSON!"

I remember those words like they happened a second ago.

I felt so excited when I won my first Big Wave competition. Sure, it wasn't as impressive as Dustin's latest winnings, but hey it's something big for me! It was nice to have everyone at the beach cheering me on. I loved all the signs they made, especially Dustin's. For some reason he still can't spell my name right. I've told him constantly there's no "Y" in my name.

Afterwards, Blake took me on our first official "date".

I never considered dating him before when I had a duty as a soldier, sure I thought he was cute and everything, but I felt like being a Ranger was top priority.

Now, all things are cool. He's so sweet. We ate at this very expensive sushi restaurant; I can't believe how dumb I looked trying to use chop-sticks properly. But Blake never made me feel stupid, he kept laughing with me instead of at me.

I still don't call him my "boyfriend." And when Dustin and Shane try to bug me, I simply protest, claiming he is just a dear friend, though I think the blush on my cheeks proves otherwise.

I haven't given up on meditating. In fact, I teach a few classes at the academy.

My main students seem to be younger girls, which is a good thing for me. It seems girls relate to water more than guys. Water is so calm and peaceful one minute but can change completely into fierce and scary the next. It seems like water and girls are a lot alike!

I keep a close eye on each of my students. Secretly in my head, I try and guess which one will be the next Blue Ranger. I still haven't made my final decision, though I have a few good candidates.

I see so much of myself in some of the girls.

I just hope they can keep their heads on straight and keep their friends close.

Now I sound like a mother. Seesh!

- - -- - - -- - -

I shine them every night. They're my prized possessions. Shinny and gold and tall with a dirt-bike racer placed on top, like icing to a cake, a very sweet cake might I add.

It only took one major win for all the real gold to start coming in. I still can't believe a major company like X-Wheel would sponsor a guy like me!

Everyone at the shop is proud of me, especially when X-Wheel added more to the store and the name started to appear in magazines all over the country. Business has really increased; at least that's what everyone tells me.

Even Blake and Hunter consider me on their level now! How totally sweet is that!

I've been practicing my saxophone a lot too! I think I'm really getting good. I walked down to a local jazz shop down in town. It was a really old place where a lot of experienced musicians play, my mom told me about it. I sat down and listened, dude, I tell you, there is nothing more awesome than a killer sax-player. My ears were in total heaven as this one dude totally nailed every note with so much soul! I ended up meeting the guy, his name was Robert Keys, but he said to call him "Smokin Bobby". I played with him one night at the club, all the gang came too. Shane and Cam couldn't believe how amazing Smoking Bobby was, they even said I sounded good too!

When I'm not busy racing or playing, I'm usually at the school. I started off as a teacher but have since kinda stopped. It just wasn't my thing. Sensei totally understood where I was coming from. Shane is so good with all of the kid-ninjas. I still can't really believe I'm not a ninja in training anymore.

I guess I still can't believe there will one day be another Yellow Ranger who isn't me.

Oh well. I wish that dude all the luck with it, if it is a dude.

What if the Yellow Ninja Ranger was a chick?

- - - - -- - - - -

I can't help it if I stare at Dustin all the time! It's not my fault!

He's so charming and funny and nice and polite and -

Kapri is right! I think about him way too much! I can't help it though. Even after all the nasty things I did to him, he's still so nice and polite to me.

My heart was in pieces when I found out he was no longer going to teach the younger kids. No matter, I still keep a close eye on him and talk to him every chance I get! Kapri says I'm slacking on my training, but my ninja power is the power of LOVE!

I honestly don't see the use in training so much though. I doubt I'll be a new ranger and I doubt there will ever be another threat. Well there was that one time with the Dino Rangers, but that doesn't count.

My martial art skills have really hit an all time low. I'm slacking too much and it's evident.

But my hair is really cute! Probably the cutest it's ever been!

And what's more important: being able to do a round-house kick or looking super great!

I thought so!

- - -- - - - - - - -

Marah is so dumb sometimes!

I swear, if it wasn't for me, she'd be completely lost and stranded on a desert island!

All she does is talk about Dustin. She makes him sound like some kinda model or something.

It's ridiculous!

He doesn't even show interest in her. When she showed up in a brand new dress for his motocross race I thought I was going to die of embarrassment for her, especially when the dirt spun up and turned her into a clay-doll. It was humiliating!

I wish she'd get her head out of the clouds and join the rest of us in reality!

Her training regime is sad. Sparring with her is like sparring with a paper bag!

And the thing that bugs me the most: she still thinks she's the better dresser!

How dare she? Anyone with half a brain would know that I am clearly the better dresser!

My poor sister, she has a lot to learn.

- - -- - - -- - - -

Across the galaxy I see a light so blinding, I want to reach out and grab it, pull it close to my heart and soak in it's warmth, but my eyes are too weak, they can not hold on to the light without wincing.

Carefully, I make me way across the Milky Way. Planet to planet, moon to moon and star to star. I see the burning glow I've heard about in legends. Can this really be it?

Can the mystical Princess be on this puny planet...

Called Earth?

Finish

Okay, so the ending was a little up in the air. Don't worry; the next chapter is when the story really begins. I just used this little side-starter to bring everyone up to date. As a side note, the name "Robert Keys" is a reference to Bobby Keys, the legendary saxophone player for the Rolling Stones. In case anyone missed that. I'm also sorry I didn't give Hunter or Blake a part, but they will be main characters, especially in the next chapter. Please read and review.