Power Rangers Samurai vs. Ronin Warriors
Act 4: The Stagehands in Black.
"So, let me see if I have this straight, she was calling on her full power, every time she does it knocks her out?" Jayden asked.
"He says pretty much." Lauren translated for Navcase.
"What about those monsters we faced recently? I thought we cleaned out the Sanzu." Mike asked.
"I found illustrations of them in some of Ji's books, but they've only crossed over a few times to our world." Kevin explained.
"What I want to know is what the Nighlok are doing back. We destroyed Xandred instead of sealing him, so that should have put a stop to them. Normally they'd just wait until the seal wore off and try again." Mia said.
"Has anyone else tried to destroy Xandred or just seal him?" Emily asked.
"All the Shiba from the first to take up the fight against the Nighlok have attempted to seal them in the Netherworld forever. As far as the records state, no one except Jayden has tried to destroy him instead of sealing him away again." Ji explained.
"But it makes no sense! If their boss is gone, it makes no sense to keep up the fight unless…Ji, is there a way to revive him?"
"I'm not sure Mike; nothing I've read has said anything about the subject. Lauren?"
"I never came across anything while I was training to master the seal." She replied.
"I got it, maybe that Daisuke knows something! They have to have tons of stuff that we don't have here."
"I'll go up there and see if I can find anything on the topic of resurrecting Nighlok."
"Mind if I tag along?" A reply came at the door. It was Sakura, apparently having recovered.
"If you want, I warn you, it's a tough ride to get where we're going." He cautioned.
"I can handle it." Came her reply.
Ji sighed and headed out the door. Engines revved and the two were off.
"Well, I'm off to the pier!" Antonio replied, heading off to go fishing.
Kevin said something to Navcase in Japanese, and he nodded, and the two went out back.
"Mia!...or Lauren. What did Kevin just ask him?" Emily asked.
"He asked very formally that it would be an honor to spar with such a distinguished swordsman."
"I guess we should go cheer him on." Mike replied, as the others followed him to the training area out back, where Navcase and Kevin were squaring off. Jayden had offered to referee.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Lauren said.
"Why? Just how good is this guy?" Mike asked.
"You didn't see him fight. It's a good thing this is only practice. "
"I'm Kevin. Blue Samurai Ranger.
"I am Navcase, Ten no Mi, third Seishi of Amaterasu, 5th master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu."
Lauren gasped at what he had said.
"What is it Lauren?" Emily asked.
"Nothing."
"Last time I checked, jumping like you just saw a ghost and denying it was a sure sign that something's up." Mike told her.
"Okay, if I heard him correctly and I'm not one hundred percent sure on this, but he called himself something, and said he was the Sword of Heaven?" Lauren explained.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mia asked.
"I don't know Mia, but this friendly spar might be more than Kevin bargained for…
Meanwhile, at Mr. Browns…
"CHIAKI!"
The other boys, Kotoha, and Kaoru were watching TV on the couch, trying to make sense of the English when a green blur flew through the living room, followed by a bikini clad and somehow tattooed Mako.
"Mako-san, since when did you get tattoos?" Kotoha asked in bewilderment.
"Ask Chiaki. I was lying out by the pool, and I must have dozed off, because when I woke up there was all this graffiti all over my body. "
"Aw c'mon Nee-chan, it wasn't funny?" Chiaki asked.
"I'm going to go take a shower to wash this off…" Mako sighed, heading off.
"Where's Genta-san?" Kotoha asked.
"I think he was out front waiting for a package…" Kaoru said.
An exclamation of excitement was heard from out front. Everyone except the now showering Mako raced out front to see what was up.
A very large package, which was postmarked from France, was waiting out front.
"You didn't." Was Takeru's reply.
"This is crazier than Ryunosuke's plan." Kaoru observed.
"Genta-san, are you sure you'll do good business?" Kotoha asked.
"No worries, Kotoha-chan! I picked up a few tricks in Europe that I want to try out"
"That's great Genta-san!"
At this point in their little vacation, everyone was not sure who had lost their mind the most; Ryunosuke, or Genta.
"So just where are you going to set up shop?" Chiaki asked.
"I found a great spot down by the pier! I'm going to go put up a sign right now!"
"Genta, remember to answer your phone if we call you!" Ryunosuke called after him.
Music in his ears and his line in the water, his cart doubling as the secret home of his two Zords, Antonio was minding his own business when he noticed what he swore was a sushi chef set up a sign nearby and then head off with flyers. Luckily for him, the sign was in Japanese and English, which read:
Coming Soon: Gold Sushi!
(Sorry, no curry!)
Back in the Netherworld, Octoroo and the man in orange were hard at work with Sanzu raising.
"Now, from what you told me, we need to raise the river in order for the waters to be best for making this special sake I'm supposed to drink. So then let's raise the water already! So do you have any more creatures in there or is it all dried up?"
At his question, a monster pulled itself out of the river.
"So what can you do?"
"I'll go into the mortal realm, find the person with the juiciest life, and suck them dry!"
"And that'll raise the water?"
"Ooh-ah-ooh, that's true!"
"Find that girl who firebombed the last monster. She'll be a five course meal at least!"
"You got it boss!"
Racing towards the temple, Ji was unsure of why Sakura agreed to come along in the first place. Maybe she wanted to get more information on the enemy; maybe she hoped she could find something about the Shiba that she could use to her advantage; one way or another, she was following close behind, something that only an accomplished rider like himself could do.
Reaching the exit for the temple, Ji signaled to Sakura, and the two made the turn off. Sakura pulled in next to Ji shortly after he arrived.
"Not a bad ride you've got there." Ji commented.
"I was just holding back. Kanesada could out-run you any day of the week."
"We'll have to see about that on the way home, I suppose."
"What was all that racket, disturbing the sanctity of this…Ji? What brings you here?" An older gentleman asked.
"Daisuke. Long time no see. "
"And who is this young lady?"
"This is Sakura. She's currently staying with us along with a Shinta Tennomi. He claims that once upon a time the Shiba were one of his vassals, and Nighlok appeared in Japan, which led him here."
"Did you say Tennomi?" Daisuke asked.
"Yes. Why?" Ji asked.
"Well, after you called asking me if I had any records tying the two, all I came up with is a Tennomi Shrine. I'm still puzzled on how a member of the clan is able to contact Jayden after all these years when they are apparently all dead from what my colleague in Japan says."
Sakura started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Ji asked.
"You really don't know?" Sakura asked, barely able to contain herself.
"Know what?" Daisuke asked her. Apparently this lack of records was amusing to her.
"All the Tennomi's didn't die that night. One survived."
"If they all didn't die, then why are there three graves?"
"Navcase dug a third grave so that people would think he was dead."
"How do you know this?" Daisuke asked.
"I asked his wife."
"He's married?" The two men shouted in surprise.
"With twins I might add."
"If he didn't die that night…and there are two bodies but three graves…how old is he? And how does he look so young?" Ji asked.
"Very old, and that's a story itself. If you're still wondering in those old heads of yours who saved him that night, his wife said that a man in a heavy cape took out the guy who killed his parents. And Ayako won't shut up about how similar it is to some manga she reads." Sakura continued to explain. Then, clearly irritated that these two probably didn't know squat, asked, "Now is there a way to resurrect this Xandred guy or not?!"
There was silence between the three for a moment as Sakura's words sunk in. Finally Daisuke said,
"There is a way, but it takes time to prepare for. Come with me, I have a forbidden text that explains everything. "
Meanwhile back at Mr. Brown's, Mako returned poolside to find Kaoru and a very unconscious Kotoha taking advantage of the weather as well. Mako took a seat in a chaise between the two of them.
"Looks like someone's enjoying herself." she called over to Kaoru. A second later Kaoru took out her earbuds and Mako could almost hear what she was listening to from where she was.
"Come again?" Kaoru asked, clearly having missed what Mako asked the first time.
"I said it looks like you're enjoying yourself." She repeated.
"Oh, yes, I am. This whole normal teen thing was a little weird before, but I am getting used to it."
"Well, turn it down a bit; I can hear it from over here. How long has she been asleep?" Mako asked next, pointing to Kotoha.
"Quite a while, I guess. She did not notice me come out and sit down." Kaoru answered.
"She DID remember to put sunscreen on before she fell asleep, I hope?"
"That, I could not tell you. I on the other hand, made sure to." She replied.
"I've got a bad feeling we're going to have an Ebi-chan on our hands later. Well, keep an eye out for Chiaki, will you?" Mako asked.
"Of course."
Kaoru put her earbuds back in and went back to her magazine, while Mako laid back and closed her eyes.
Back at Shiba House, the spar was on between Kevin and Navcase. Obviously Navcase was well aware this was sparring, but he was also well aware that he would not be able to bring the full power of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu to bear. There was a small chance if Kevin was to morph, but other than that, the dragons would have to stay caged.
Kevin was good, but was he good enough to beat a guy who could easily wipe the floor with him at a moment's notice?
Lauren on the other hand, hoped her brain had mistranslated what Navcase had said. If the stories were true; and judging from what she thought Navcase said, they were; Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu was an ancient style, founded during the Sengoku period in Japan, with the sheer purpose of beating the living daylights out of anyone who opposed it. It had been called the Black Ship of the Land in reference to Commodore Perry's ships that sailed into Tokyo Harbor and demanded that Japan open up trade with the US. The last known master had reportedly died out sometime after the Russo-Japanese War, but somehow Navcase knew it. She wasn't sure how, but secrets abounded with this guy, and whether they came out easily would be another story in itself.
"You are not bad, Kevin-san. Would you care to take this to the next level?" Navcase asked him.
Asking Mia and Lauren for clarification, Kevin seemed to understand what Navcase was asking.
Kevin morphed, and Navcase opened up his energy, as he began to glow with an aura.
"You're sure about this Kevin?" Jayden asked, thinking it would be a good idea to put a stop to this before it got out of control.
"I'm okay."
Navcase nodded in reply.
Kevin let loose with his projectile attack, but Navcase was in the air before it connected.
"Ryu Tsui Sen!" He declared, crashing down on top of Kevin, knocking him off his feet. After helping Kevin to his feet, the two bowed to each other, and Kevin powered down.
"Amazing! He's amazing!" Kevin exclaimed.
Back at Tengen Gate, as Ji and Daisuke went looking for the forbidden text, Sakura was forced to stand guard outside.
"How long can it take for those geezers to find one stupid book?" She asked herself.
"Perhaps where it is forbidden, it is harder to find than others Mistress?" Kanesada replied.
"Maybe, but I didn't think it would take them this long."
Just then, she picked up on something. Following the chi trail, it led to a group of Moogers and a monster.
"GET HER!" The monster commanded.
"Oh, you picked the wrong girl to mess with…" Sakura said as the wind kicked up, and flames erupted around her.
Back at the Shiba House, the alarm went off, and the group ran inside to figure out where. They were shocked when it was at the Tengen Gate.
"That's where Ji and Sakura are!" Kevin remembered.
"We've got to hurry, only one way fast enough." Jayden replied.
"Samuraizer! Go Go Samurai!"
The Battlewing was summoned and the group sped off to the rescue.
Meanwhile, at Mr. Brown's, Mako and Kotoha were woken out of sound sleeps by Ryunosuke.
"It's SHOWTIME!" He shouted. "Everyone get ready!"
"What's he going on about?" Kaoru asked.
"I guess it's time to play along with him…" Mako sighed.
"Did I fall asleep? I didn't realize I was that tired." Kotoha replied. As she stretched out, she winced in pain as she came to the realization that she was sunburnt from head to toe, at least on one side.
"Kotoha, did you forget to put on sunscreen before you fell asleep?" Mako asked, knowing the answer to the question as she asked it.
"I forgot…" Kotoha replied, trying to apologize for her mistake but knowing she was guilty as charged as she looked herself over.
"I look like a lobster…should I trade Origami with Genta-san?" Kotoha asked.
"We'll think about that later. Right now, it's Showtime for the Kabuki King." Mako answered.
Somewhere near the Tengen Gate, Sakura, in full armor, was tearing through Moogers left and right as the sounds of Taka's screaming, Toru's guitar, Ryouta's bass, and Tomoya's drumming. NO SCARED was playing, and Sakura was in the groove.
The monster, the one sent from the Netherworld to go after Sakura, was unable to get close to her with Moogers constantly being sent to replace the ones she had already taken down.
Up in the air, the Battlewing soared over the site, headed for the Tengen Gate. They landed, unmorphed, and found Ji exiting with a book.
"Where's Sakura?" Jayden asked.
"I was about to ask myself the same question." Ji replied.
"I saw her fighting Moogers nearby when we flew in. She's fending them off, but there's some monster that seems interested in getting close to her. "Lauren explained. Everyone looked at her curiously; they had seen some pink thing fighting Moogers, but Lauren was saying that it was Sakura?
"Let's go." Jayden replied.
Horses were kanjied up, and they rode to where Sakura was fighting.
"Is that her?" Kevin asked.
"I didn't know she was a robot…Would make a lot of sense though." Mike observed.
"Navcase says she's not. It's an exoskeleton, much more powerful than our Ranger suits. "Lauren answered for him.
"Okay, let's get this guy. Lauren, take the Shiba Disc and Navcase and go help her, whether she likes it or not. We'll go after the monster."
Before a single stroke could be written in the air, drums sounded, white curtains were pulled behind them and in front, they were swarmed over by men (and three women) in black outfits, which then pulled the curtain in front away, revealing the Rangers in their warmup clothes.
"What the?" Kevin asked.
"Let's transform before anything else happens. " Jayden suggested.
The others nodded and out came the Samuraizers.
"Samuraizer! Go Go Samurai!"
Kanji were drawn, their Ranger Suits were formed, and they stood ready.
"Red Samurai Ranger Ready." Jayden declared.
"Blue Samurai Ranger Ready." Kevin declared.
"Pink Samurai Ranger Ready." Mia declared.
"Green Samurai Ranger Ready." Mike declared.
"Yellow Samurai Ranger Ready!" Emily declared.
Lauren placed the Shiba Fire Disc on her Spin Sword and spun it, turning her into Shogun Mode.
"Red Shogun Ranger Ready." Lauren finished.
"Tennomi Shinta, Navcase, the Sword of Heaven." Navcase added, getting into the spirit of things.
"Rangers Together…" Jayden called off.
"Samurai Forever!" All but Navcase shouted.
"Charge!" Jayden shouted.
Navcase sent up a shockwave of dirt with his sword, knocking Moogers back and buying him and Lauren time to move in.
"They're not half bad." Chiaki commented.
"Should we help them, Take-chan?" Genta asked.
"No. They've got this under control."
"Besides, we need to get back and put some Aloe on our little Ebi-chan." Mako said.
"Well, you know what that means Kotoha." Chiaki said.
"Ehh?" Kotoha asked, wondering where he was going. Mako eyed him carefully, having a better idea of where this was going than Kotoha did.
"You need to trade Origami with Genta." Chiaki said matter-of-factly.
"I DO?" Kotoha exclaimed in disbelief.
"Well, you are a lobster now, so you should have a lobster as your Origami instead of a monkey."
"Kaoru, may I borrow your fan a second?" Mako asked.
"Of course." She replied, agreeing that Chiaki needed to be punished.
The next words out of Chiaki's mouth were "OW! Jeez, I was kidding Nee-san!" As Mako took the fan from Kaoru and promptly whacked Chiaki upside the head with it.
Back at the fight, Lauren and Navcase were doing their best to keep the Moogers off of Sakura.
"Stupid Moogers! You should have grabbed her by now! Do I have to do everything myself? Well I guess that other guy's pretty tough too, I'll go after him instead!
The monster forced the Rangers off him and made a beeline for Navcase, turning in a cloth and attaching himself to the Sword of Heaven, who experienced a severe drain in energy.
"Ha ha ha! If you want to save him, you'll have to kill him!"
"Oh no! What do we do?" Emily wondered.
"Hey, you! You wanted me, come get me!" Sakura shouted.
"Oh no, this guy's tasty! Besides, from what his feelings tell me, you could care less about what happens to him right now! You only care about settling the score with Shiba!"
Sakura's temper, and with it her energy, flared to full power. What happened next would not be good.
"GET…OUT…OF…MY…PROTECTOR!"
Somehow this forced the monster off of Navcase, leaving the monster in a state of disbelief.
"SHIBA! Hurry up and take him out!"
Jayden went Super, which caused everyone but Lauren to go into Mega Mode. He brought out the Bullzooka, merged it with his Super Spin Sword and opened fire.
The second life kicked in and the monster became gigantic.
"Let's not take any chances, time for the Gigazord."
"We can't without Antonio to draw his kanji." Kevin reminded him.
"Heads up, giant Moogers!" Mike pointed out.
"Claw Armor Megazord then. Lauren, you go with Kevin and the others, I'll take the Bullzord and take care of those guys." Jayden answered.
Antonio's Zords were summoned by proxy using the Samurai Union Disc, as Lauren, Kevin, Mike, Emily, and Mia manned the Claw Armor Megazord.
"Double Katana Strike!" They called, striking the monster, but it stood its ground.
"It's going to take more than that!"
"Then how about this?" Mike asked rhetorically, as the auxiliary Zords plus Antonio's Octozord joined together and locked on to the monster.
"SAMURAI BATTLE CANNON!"
"Give it everything you got!" Lauren called.
"Shogun Battle Cannon Blast!"
The energy blast struck hard, just as Jayden had finished with the Moogers.
"Samurai Rangers," Jayden started.
"Victory is ours!" Lauren finished.
Standing nearby, Genta and the others observed the victory.
"They did it!" Kotoha exclaimed.
"Of course they did. They've got the same stuff as we do." Chiaki replied nonchalantly. Mako whacked him upside the head again, this time with her hand, for his snide comment.
"They deserve a clap of victory!" Genta suggested.
The seven of them put their hands together, some more enthusiastically than the others with a loud clap, which somehow was heard by the Samurai Rangers.
"What was that, a victory clap?" Mike wondered.
"Let's get back to the house. Hopefully Ji has some answers for us." Lauren suggested.
Later…
"Daisuke was able to locate a rare forbidden text that says that is possible to bring back Xandred. However, we have a few months before that can happen."
"Let me guess, raising the water level of the Sanzu is step one?" Mike asked.
"Yes. They need to make it much higher, by the time of an extremely rare planetary alignment. If they can do this, then if they have someone who can perform the spell, Xandred can indeed come back. But it also requires a half-Nighlok to perform the ritual."
"Deker…" Jayden remembered, thinking of the many fights he had to go through.
"Dayu…" Mia thought to herself, remembering how Dayu had been betrayed by Xandred in order to make the Sealing Symbol not work.
"Friends of yours?" Sakura asked.
"Fortunately, no. Both of them were destroyed, but that means there would be no one who could perform the ritual."
"Shit! It couldn't be…" Sakura swore.
"Something wrong Sakura?" Mia asked.
"Navcase and I know of someone who could help them, but he's not half-Nighlok or anything. "
"I suppose that's nothing a dip in the Sanzu won't cure?" Mike asked.
"There is something else here, a special sake made from the waters of the Sanzu. But they need to be much higher than they are now." Ji explained
"And if someone were to drink it, and while we're playing devil's advocate here, let's say he's proficient in some kind of dark magic?" Mike asked.
"He could perform the ritual!" Kevin concluded "Isn't that right?"
Ji simply nodded.
"Don't worry guys, we beat him once, we can do it again!" Mike said confidently.
"That's a great attitude to have, but if this is who I think it is, we're in big trouble…" Sakura replied hesitantly.
This brings this Chapter to a Close…