Oke, guys...time for another update. We have a new character now. Guess who! Another character will appear soon as well! This story will contain some subjects that is too young for little children to know about. If you know what I mean. But I'll keep it ofcourse readable for teens. Enjoy the story and don't forget to review it. Remember...the more reviews I'll receive, the faster I will update!

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Chapter 4: THE CAT IN THE LAMP

The 5 teens arrived in Rootcore with the lamp they just found back in the cave. Udonna was still gone and only Clare was inside. She's still watching over the egg the Rangers found a few months ago. Nick put the lamp on the table and he and the others are looking at it. Clare was obviously curious at what her friends are looking at. "What is that?"

"A lamp. We found it in the cave."

"What does it do?"

"I have no idea. I guess Necrolai was right. It's probably some piece of trash."

"You don't know that for sure. Quick, Nick. Rub the lamp."

Nick looked confused at his fellow yellow Ranger. He shot in laughter as he understood what Chip meant. "Oke, something tells me you've watched too many fairy tales lately."

"Yeah, Chip. Rub the lamp…that's silly."

"We walk through trees, we are wearing cloaks and we're friends with a Troblin. Yeah, our life pretty much belongs to the category of normal right now."

"Chip has a point." Madison confessed. "Like things aren't crazy enough. We could at least try something."

Nick sighs. "Alright then." Nick starts to rub the lamp. "Here it goes."

Everyone, except for Xander watched closely as Nick rubs the lamp. "Yeah, right. And I suppose a genie, who grants us wishes will come out of it."

Suddenly smoke comes out of the lamp. Nick stopped rubbing the lamp and dropped the lamp on the table. They all looked stunned when from the smoke, a huge cat appeared in front of them.

"You were saying, Xander."

Xander couldn't believe what he saw. "You're…You're a…"

"I'm the great genie Jenji. I grant you one wish."

"I was actually going to say cat. And a big one actually."

Jenji suddenly stood in his fighting position. Ready to hand out some punches. "You got a problem with that hotshot?"

"No, no, no problem with that. I like cats. I like all kinds of cats. Baby kitties, small cats, big cats…giant cats."

"Good." Jenji felt relieved and moved his hands down. "Sorry, I just hate fighting."

"Same here."

"So, you're really a genie? And you really can grant us wishes? Like what?"

"Everything. TV, stereos, cars, a house…I can even deliver you Hawaii. How about that one?" Jenji looked at his skin. "You know, I could use a tan."

"We can wish for anything?"

"Anything your heart desires. So, what will it be?"

"How about bringing Helena Christensen over here?" Vida slapped her boyfriend's arm. "Ouch! For Nick." Then Madison slapped Xander on his other arm. "Ouch! I mean, for Chip."

"Can it also be Wonder Woman?" Chip asked all excited.

"Hey, what about me? I always wanted that new DJ equipment I saw at a store."

"Or maybe my very own star on the Walk of Fame."

"Guys, I say we gotta think about this one before we really do it. I mean we only have one wish."

"Ooh, I like him. He's smart."

"Nick is right. Maybe we should wait."

Jenji's eyes were caught at the huge egg lying a few feet away from him. "Well, why you're thinking about it, do you mind if I take some breakfast?"

The teens were confused when Jenji was talking about food, but noticed that he was talking about the dragon egg when he slowly walks to it. "Noo!"

Jenji stopped from walking to the egg, as the 5 teens and Clare ran to the egg. "You stay away from my egg, you…big cat."

"Don't be so greedy. It's big enough to feed the both of us."

"It's not an egg to eat. It's the last dragon egg."

"Really? Good. Dragon eggs usually taste better than normal ones."

"Don't even think about it!" Said Clare as she protected the egg from Jenji.

"Guys, we have to go back to the store if we wanna keep our job."

"So, what are we going to do with him?" All eyes are pointing to Nick.

"I guess he has to wait in here until we're done with work."

"What? With me?" Clare was shocked when she heard that Jenji has to stay with her alone. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"Well, all of us have to go back to work."

"Not me." The Blue Mermaid stepped up and stood next to Jenji. "I can look after him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I can handle it. You guys go. I'll be fine."

"Alright. We'll come as soon we're finished working." Nick gave a kiss to Madison and left with the others to the store leaving her with Jenji and Clare.

"Aw. I haven't seen that for a long time." Said the big white cat.

"Seen what?"

"A romantic kiss. Are you 2 married?"

Madison and Clare shot in laughter. "No, Jenji. Nick and I aren't married."

"Not yet." Said the smiling young apprentice as she walks with the egg to her room.

Madison watched the young apprentice leaving the room and turns to Jenji. "So, you're really a genie?"

"Trust me, I am. You think I live inside that lamp for fun?"

"So, how long you've been inside that lamp?"

"Let me think. I think the last time I saw a master was about…22 years ago."

"Wow. You must have been very lonely then."

"Ofcourse I wasn't alone. It was me, and my lamp…and the sand of the cave that often got inside my lamp. You see I'm not alone at all."

"I'm so sorry, Jenji. But you're out now."

"Yeah, that is after you guys made a wish and then I can go back to my lamp and wait another 20 years for my next master."

"Well, until we haven't made any wishes, you'll stay with us. It will be fun."

"What is fun for you guys?"

"Well, what do you want to do now?"

"Well….breakfast sounds nice. You probably don't have something to eat, since your friend left with that egg?"

Madison smiles and took Jenji's hand. "Just follow me, Jenji."

Madison walks out of Rootcore holding Jenji's hand.

At the Rock Porium that afternoon. Nick, Vida, Xander and Chip still have to work. Vida is putting some records on the shelves, Chip is behind the cash counter, Nick is making orders in Toby's office, and Xander…well, as always he's sitting on his couch supervising. Well, supervising…he's reading a magazine. Nick came out of Toby's office with some papers in his hands. Xander noticed him.

"You need a hand, mate?"

"Not anymore. But thanks for asking." Nick put the papers in a box behind the counter.

"No problem. Just tell me if you need me."

Nick already turned around to walk back to Toby's office, but something is bugging him that he needs to talk to someone. Even if that person has to be Xander Bly. He walks over to Xander. "Actually, there is something I need you to talk about."

"And what will today's subject be about?"

"It's about Maddie."

"I see. Take a seat, mate. And talk to me."

Nick took a seat on the couch and moved closely to Xander, so Vida, Chip and the customers wouldn't hear them. "Well, Maddie and I…we came to this point that we…"

"Ah, you guys have some love problems. You're not breaking up, right?"

"No, we're not. Infact, our relationship is going better than ever."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I don't think there is a problem. At least, that's what I think."

Xander looked at him confused. "Oke, if things are going well between the two of you and you guys have absolutely no problems, then…what is the problem?"

Nick started to sweat. He doesn't know how to bring this up. He decided to start the easiest way. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Shoot."

"You and Vida…you guys have been together as long as Maddie and me."

"As long as I remember…uhm…yeah."

"Have you two ever…you know…thought about…you know."

"Nick, I know I'm not a genius. But even Einstein needs more info to solve this case. You gotta be clearer about this one."

"Alright, you're right. Have you and Vida ever thought about…taking the next step?"

Xander's eyes suddenly shot open when he has an idea of what Nick is talking about. "Oh, my gosh! You guys want to get married!"

Nick quickly put his hand in front of Xander and looked around if someone might heard Xander shouting. But everyone didn't notice it. They were too busy with their own thing. Then Nick turns to Xander and removed his hand from Xander's mouth. "Sssh! First of all, Briarwood doesn't need to hear you and second, nobody is getting married in here."

"Thank god. I was afraid that you wanted me to lie to Vida. So, if you guys are not getting married, then what is it?"

"Have you and Vida ever thought about…you know…updating your relationship?"

"Updating?"

"Yeah, you know, as in…being close with your partner. But then closer than normal, you know. So close that you actually…uhm…feel the love.

Xander looked at him confused, but then he finally knows what Nick is talking about it. "Oh, I understand what you're talking about. Sure, we have thought about it."

"Oh, good."

"Infact, we already did it."

Nick rewinds in his mind the last words Xander was saying. "You what! Are we actually talking about the same subject in here?"

"That depends. Does your subject contain the motto…'No glove, no love'?"

Nick's mouth felt open. "Since when did that happen?"

"When the 5 of us went on holiday to France last year. Remember our last night in Paris? We all decided to have dinner at this expensive restaurant. You know, the restaurant where all the celebrities are dining."

Nick was thinking to bring up that moment. His eyes were wide open when he remembers. "You guys have kept us waiting for an hour, just because the two of you were…And you never told me?"

"Well, it's not really the kind of information we both like to share with other people."

"She'd kill you if you tell anyone, right?"

"Oh, yeah."

"So, how was it?" Nick hesitated when he asked. He wasn't sure if he should have asked it. It is a very personal question.

"Mate, you should have been there. I mean Vida sure is…"

Nick quickly covers his ears. "Oke, just answering good or bad is enough. No need to tell everything in detail."

Xander sighs and smiled as he remembers that moment. "It was…perfect. They always say you will never forget your first time. I sure will never forget mine."

"And you both wanted to do it?"

"Nick, it takes two to Tango. Why do you wanna know this anyway?"

"I'm just…curious."

Xander's eyes grew large as he started to understand where this conversation is going to. "Dude, are you serious about this? You and Maddie? This is great. So, when will we expect for some fireworks?"

"I'm not going to tell you that. That's between me and Maddie."

"She said no, didn't she?"

"Well…yeah. But even if she wanted, I wouldn't give you any information about it."

"Bummer, mate." Xander gave a tap on Nick's shoulder.

"I'm actually fine with the situation."

"So, how come it's bothering you that she said no?"

"I'm not bothered by that. I'm not bothered at all. I respect her decisions. I mean, it is a big step and if she wants to wait, then I can wait."

"You sure about that? I mean, you are first of all, a man."

"We are all not like you Xander. Some of us can wait patiently."

"Nick, we're talking about Madison in here. She probably waits till she reaches the age of 30. And you, Nick my boy, are a man. A real man. A man with needs."

"Oke, I don't need to listen to this." Nick stood up from the couch. "It's great that you and Vida already…updated your love life, but Maddie and I are both fine with this. Infact, we're happy that we haven't taken the next step. I mean, like you said. The first time you should never forget. And if Maddie wants to wait, then I can wait. No problem. No problem at all." Nick started to walk away.

"If you say so. But if it's not bothering you, then how come you came to me and started this whole conversation?"

Nick stopped walking and turned around to face Xander. Xander looked at him with a big grin on his face. Xander, the Great is right about this. It is bothering him. He respects Madison's decision, but something inside of him is telling him that time is running out and that they should spend the time they have with each other. If only he knew what his feeling is trying to tell him. Maybe it has something to do why he came to Briarwood and stayed in this place. He always thought Madison's the reason he'd came to Briarwood. But there is more. And Nick won't rest until he finds out what it is.

End Chapter 4.