Chapter 8 "The New Routine"
Ryder stared at his new reflection on the murky city waters. He had been running all night, trying to get as far away from Lewis and Eve as possible. He knew that once he told Lewis of his suspicions, things would never stay the same. And there is one thing that Ryder absolutely hates more than anything in the world and that is change.
Watching the birds soar over the docks and the sun peaking out from the tallest skyscraper in the city would be considered beautiful picturesque sights to others, but Ryder was sick of it. He crushed the soda can he had drunk out of and tossed it into the water.
"Hey!" Ryder turned around to see his Antonio tugging along his fishing cart with a merry grin and a task at hand, "Don't trash our seas! Do you know that some of our food comes from the water?"
His father parked his cart right beside him and he prepared for a catch, "Well, I'm sorry I'm dirtying the oceans. But where do the fish go to the bathroom again?"
Antonio laughed, "Point taken,"
Ryder observed the items his father had with him, a tin bucket and a brand new fishing rod. He peered inside and found an ample amount of bait. It looked like it could last for a week, not one day.
"What's with the fish grub?"
Antonio plucked a worm from the bucket and pierced it into his hook. Then, he cast the line into the bay and watch it sink until it was in deep, "You were there when you saw it," he said in morose tone
"What? The fish?"
"It wasn't a fish,"
"Then what was it?"
"I don't know," This chat was similar to the one Antonio had with his friends. Thinking this where to end the same, Antonio shut up and waited for a catch.
Ryder felt the need to say something. He had nowhere else to go and the silence made this situation awkward, "Well, I can see why you think so. It was too powerful to be a fish, but it's highly improbable to say that it was a shark or a whale since the Great Whites are all at Hawaii. "
"I know, right?" Antonio grinned. This kid knows his stuff. No wonder he and his uncle caught so many fish. He devised a plan, "Hey Spikey, what do you say on helping me catch this thing?"
Ryder hadn't much experience in fishing, however, he did learn a thing or two in Aquatic Science. That was the one subject he didn't absolutely fail. But the idea of being with the man he hates didn't suit well with him.
"Nah man, I have to go and do…stuff," was the best Ryder came up with. Then he sauntered off.
Antonio crossed his arms, "Oh I see, are you afraid? This fish might be too strong for you."
Ryder stopped, "Say that again?" He spun around to face him, "Please," he said with fake sincerity. Hearing his old man call him afraid touched a nerve, "I'm not afraid."
"Then fish," Antonio knew he was going to go for it. When a man calls another man chicken, then it becomes a battle of pride.
"Alright, I will. Give me a rod and some bait so I could show you how it's done," Antonio searched his cart for an extra rod and gave it to him then Ryder indignantly put the bait onto his hook.
"Woah," Antonio whispered to himself, "this kid is crazier than me."
"From. The. Future?" Xandred's thunderous voice upset the Sanzu River, rocking his ship violently from side to side. Dayu went to fetch the Master his medicine to appease his rage. Octoroo had just reported about his recent discovery of the three new Rangers.
"Octoroo," Dayu snapped, "You better tell him everything right now or else his migraines will get worse!"
"Alright, alright," Octoroo shuffled to Xandred, "And that's not all. I also overheard that in the future, you will be Sealed." The most terrible thing anybody could ever say to Xandred. The Netherworld King roared in anguish at the thought of being sealed again. That meant more migraines. Dayu swatted Octoroo for angering the Master again, "Nice going, you riled him up so much that he probably won't ever stop screaming."
"Wait, I have a plan," Octoroo hushed Master Xandred so he could hear his ingenious plan, "Those Rangers from the future probably used a time machine to get to this time period,"
"So?"
"Well, a time machine could travel throughout all periods of time,"
"I'm well aware of that Octoroo!"
The loyal servant shook his head and shouted, "Don't you see? Using this machine, we could go back in time and eliminate the original Samurai Rangers! If there are no Rangers, then we could conquer!"
Master Xandred stood up, "Yes! Then nobody is to stop us. We could have flooded the world a long time ago!"
"Finally! Score one, Octoroo!"
Dayu rolled her eyes and had to stop this craziness before it starts, "But aren't you forgetting something Octoroo?" She conjured up an image of the Rangers' campsite, "This area is more protected than the Shiba House. None of your enchantments would work. And even if you managed to get in there, how would you be able to operate the machine? Technology isn't exactly your forte."
"But, I do have everything planned from beginning to end. It's complex, it's elaborate, it-"
"-Needs to work or else you would be thrown off my ship!" Xandred finished off, "Now, proceed with your plan,"
"Of course Master. First step, let's get to know these New Rangers better,"
In three locations, a routine had unknowingly began. For the next few days, Jayden and Emily would ride Ji's motorcycle to the clearing before breakfast. There, Jayden would train Eve from noon to 4PM while Lewis would converse with Emily and sometimes head for the city. About the same time Jayden and Emily depart to see their kids, Antonio would walk to the docks to fish with "Spike" until 4PM as well.
After 4, Eve and Lewis usually searched for Ryder while their parents returned home. And while all of these things happen, Octoroo would have spy on them through the GAPS and learn more about the enemy each day.
It had been nearly a week since the new Rangers' arrival. They had spent more time than needed to in the past. Traveling to 2012 was a mistake, a mistake with huge consequences.
Time travel comes with consequences, and not knowing what you're doing could impact the delicate fabric of space and time.
And that was exactly what they did.
A/N: Hey, everybody. The wait for updates seemed so long for you guys. I am so sorry. But to make up for it, I will be posting probably two new chapters this week. I want to finish the story so I could work on my other stories, and of course the sequel. I still have trouble coming up with a great title. By the next update, I will post a poll for you guys to vote on which should be the title.
You might have caught the Mighty Ducks quote I added in there.
And for the thank you's. THANK YOU for all the reviews and support. I miss Samurai too, Guest who reviewed on March 7, 2013 for chapter 7. I hope that Saban makes the crossover, I heard they might be making one.
Life is tough, so busy and full of activity, isn't it? It seems when you tackle one problem another one sprouts up, and the cycle repeats. But I guess, that's what makes life well...life. And I wouldn't have it any other way. All I know, nothing is going to stop me from finishing what I've started.
So, don't worry. I will be finished with this story.
*~Phoebee~*