Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:
Tobi is teased by the Power Rangers. While looking for his sister, he is kidnapped by Kelly, but he is quickly rescued by Tori, his twin. Later, the two have some... fun at the beach until a bright light forces Tobi underwater...
Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 2 (Weird World)
A pair of soft yet clearly masculine lips were pressed hard against Tobi's all too willing mouth and he could feel powerful hands on his bare chest. It was like one of his dreams—like the one where Dustin becomes overcome with lust while everyone else is out and it's just him and Tobi in Ninja Ops. Of course, in that dream, he wasn't coughing up water like he was now.
Tobi squinted open his eyes to see the blurry image of a figure above him. The dark hair and skin could only be... "Dustin," Tobi choked out.
"Huh?" the figure said in reply. "Are you alright, dude?"
Tobi blinked several times until his vision cleared. It wasn't Dustin at all. It was the guy in the red Speedo. He must have had a backup Speedo because he was wearing another too-tight red Speedo. Maybe they snapped off and flew in people's faces a lot. It was too bad because the only thing better than getting mouth to mouth from a hunk in a Speedo would be getting mouth to mouth from a nude (and well endowed) hunk.
"I'm fine," Tobi said forcefully as he pushed the jerk off of him. Why was he acting so different now? As he got up, he noticed the logo on something attached to the guy's wrist. He was a lifeguard. Since when would a human make a good lifeguard? But, instead of pondering farther, he scrambled off quickly.
Something seemed different about the beach and then he realized that there were no kelzaks or even a single alien in sight. Maybe the Power Rangers were attacking nearby. Monsters were always the first to be scared off.
Then, looking around farther, he noticed that his sister was nowhere to be found. Their stuff was gone too, along with her van. Why would she just abandon him? Maybe it was that jerk Shane playing a prank again. Whatever the reason, Tobi just stole a yellow tank top and a pair of sandals before leaving the beach.
The town was quiet. It figured that the moment the rangers were done blowing stuff up, they'd have plenty of time to punk him. If only his sister wasn't such a sucker for Blake. She'd go along with the others just to make him happy, even if it meant hurting her own twin brother.
Tobi looked around and again noticed the lack of anyone but humans. This was starting to get a little weird. After all, if the Power Rangers had stopped attacking, why would every non human still be hiding? Plus, not all monsters were cowerds (just most of them).
Then he noticed the same sporting goods store as before. He was about to avoid the site of his near abduction when something caught his eye. He thought he saw Dustin. But he always thought he saw Dustin. It was a sure sign Tobi was in—No, he wasn't going to go there.
"Dustin, customers," a familiar female voice called. Tobi recognized it as the voice of Kelly from the alley and he immediately dove out of sight.
"I'm almost done," came the unmistakable voice of Dustin. But what was he doing in Storm Chargers? Of course! The rangers had been behind Tobi's attempted kidnapping. It was just like them, but something didn't seem quite right.
Tobi peaked around the corner to see Dustin coming out of a back room while wiping sweat and what looked like motor oil from his face and hands. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I guess I got a little distracted."
"What else is new?" Kelly replied with a grin. But this wasn't the same Kelly from before. She looked like she had a complete makeover. She was dressed in some casual clothes that belonged on a park dweller, though a little subdued to be considered full-on hippie.
Just then, two people approached Tobi. He turned around to see Hunter and Blake. A shot of fear hit him, but he quickly forced it away. He scowled at them as they walked past him and started to enter the store.
Blake bumped Tobi's arm, causing him to look over at the cowering Tobi. "Oh, sorry," Blake said. "Didn't see you there."
The two then proceeded to enter the store and approach Dustin.
It was strange. They had totally ignored him, but not in a mean way. It was almost like...
"Yo, Dustin!" Blake announced.
Dustin looked up, his face quickly forming a beautiful, excited smile. "Blake! Hunter! Dudes!" he cheerfully greeted them. "I'm almost off, right Kel?" He turned and gave Kelly a pleading look.
"Alright," Kelly relented, "but I expect you here early tomorrow."
"Right!" Dustin agreed excitedly. "I'll be totally early!"
Tobi watched as Kelly roller her eyes and walked off.
"Dude," Hunter began, "when was the last time you showered?"
"Yeah," Blake agreed with a grin. "You stink man."
Dustin lifted his arm and sniffed. "Dude!" he gasped, staggering backward a step. "You guys are so right."
Hunter smiled. "Clean up and meet us back at Ninja Ops."
This scene didn't make any sense to Tobi. First off, since when did Dustin work for anyone, let along someone Tobi just met today? Also, Dustin was never dirty or sweaty. He defiantly wouldn't be covered in motor oil. And why would he be in a sporting goods store? He hated any sport that didn't involve explosions or a computer screen.
It was time for answers (and courage), so Tobi entered the store. Just like outside, it was also strangely free of aliens or kelzaks. He bravely walked right up to the three.
Dustin was the first to notice him. "Sorry, but I'm like off work now," Dustin said to Tobi. "Kelly can help you though."
Tobi gave him a puzzled look. Even Dustin was pretending not to know him. This little prank was wearing thin. "What are you guys up to?" Tobi demanded. "It's not funny, jerkoffs."
"Woah!" Blake said, raising his arms. "Calm down. I think you got us confused with someone else."
Tobi raised an eyebrow and looked toward Dustin. The confusion in his eyes was clear and it was a look Tobi didn't remember seeing from know-it-all Dustin.
"Sensei might not have a problem with you guys' pranks, but I'm sick of them," Tobi finally got up the courage to say.
"Dude, did you just say... Sensei?" Dustin asked, lowering his voice.
The other two stared at Tobi. "Just because everyone else is afraid of the Power Rangers doesn't mean I'm afraid of you guys," Tobi continued.
Blake and Hunter exchanged looks before grabbing Tobi by the arms and pulling him outside.
"Let me go!" Tobi demanded, spinning in place while kicking out until he landed just behind the two. He immediately took up a fighting stance.
"Wow," Dustin muttered as he emerged from the store.
Hunter and Blake were quick to take up similar stances to Tobi's
"Dudes, what's going on?" Dustin demanded, confusion still in his dark gold eyes.
Tobi made the first move, flipping back onto his arms and hitting Blake in the chest with both feet. He somersaulted back until he was standing again.
Blake wasted no time in recovering and returning a leg swipe while also punching.
When Tobi went to counter the punch, he left his legs open and the swipe sent him to the ground.
Hunter was quick to force Tobi's arms behind his back and pin him against his chest.
"Listen," Blake said, catching his breath. "We don't know who you are, but—"
Just then a beeping sound came from the three's wrist morphers. Dustin looked at the others before raising his. "Uh, yeah?" he greeted.
"Hey guys," came Cam's voice. "We need you back at Ninja Ops now."
"We're on our way," Hunter called from behind Tobi.
"What about him?" Dustin asked. The look in his eyes was so different. It was like he seriously didn't even know him and Tobi felt something inside him break. Maybe he really was in love with—
"I guess we have no choice but to bring him," Hunter suggested.
"I don't think Sensei will like that, but I don't have a better idea," Blake agreed. "Let's blindfold him though." He watched Tobi suspiciously.
"Like, what can we use for a blindfold?" Dustin asked.
Tobi felt Hunter shift behind him. As he did, he clearly felt that Hunter had an erection. The jerk was getting off on manhandling him. Tobi groaned inwardly.
"I have an idea," Hunter replied. "Dustin, take off your shirt."
"What?" Dustin asked, his eyes widening.
"The odor will make him pass out," Blake said before realizing his brother's plan. "Oh, right. Good plan, bro."
Dustin looked reluctant, but still removed his grungy yellow shirt, revealing his earth colored chest and nipples. Hunter wasn't the only one getting boned now. But, no sooner had Dustin's slender yet muscular arm reached up, revealing dark hair in the pits, then Tobi passed out.
When he awoke, he found himself in Ninja Ops surrounded by the guys.
"What do you suggest we do with the shirt?" Cam asked, using a pair of tongs to hold it away from himself.
"Dude! I say we burn it!" Shane suggested, covering his mouth with his hand.
Hunter and Blake both had shirts covering their mouths and noses, so they agreed to take Dustin's shirt outside.
"I suggest you not try anything," a voice came from above Tobi. He looked up to see Sensei. The guinea pig had a suspicious look on his tiny face.
"Do I ever?" Tobi mumbled as he sat upright.
"Who are you?" Shane asked. "Do you work for Lothor?"
Tobi couldn't help but laugh. "My fighting skills aren't that bad!" It was one thing to pretend not to know him, but why accuse him of working for the mayor? It's not like Lothor was even a threat to the Power Rangers.
"What are you talking about?" Shane asked.
"Doesn't he look familiar to you?" Cam asked. "It's like I've seen him somewhere—" A noise from the computer near him caused him to spin around in his seat. "It looks like Lothor's monster isn't content to stay in the outskirts of town and there's still no signal from Tori's morpher." Cam was not only using Dustin's computer, but he was acting like him (except that he seemed genuinely concerned about Tori).
"Keep trying," Shane encouraged, patting Cam on the shoulder. There wasn't a hint of a growl in his voice. Shane too looked worried about Tori. Things just kept getting weirder.
"You can't find Tori?" Tobi asked.
"If you know where Tori is, please tell us," Sensei said way too nicely. It was freaking Tobi out.
"We were at the beach and I got caught in a riptide," Tobi explained. He had no reason not to go along with their weird little game, but the more he thought about it the less he thought it was a game. In fact, he was starting to wonder if it was all a bizarre dream. "After I was rescued by a lifeguard—a human lifeguard—Tori was already gone. Then I looked around town and everything was all weird. There weren't any kelzaks or aliens anywhere. I mean, nowhere. And then I ran into Dustin, Hunter and Blake and they were pretending not to know me and it pissed me off. I mean, you guys always pick on me and I'm not the weak pansy you think I am. Tori can beat your asses and she's a girl so you better believe her brother can kick some ass too."
"Wait a minute," Shane said, a confused look on his face. "You're saying you're Tori's brother?"
"Duh," Tobi said. "We're twins." Why was Shane acting dumb and Cam acting smart. Talk about role reversals!
"That's why he looks so familiar," Cam realized.
"But Tori doesn't have a twin brother," Shane insisted. Great, Tobi thought. He was in a dream where he was never born. It was just like the movie It's A Wonderful Life except it turns out everyone's actually better off without him having been born. He groaned loudly.
"What's going on?" Hunter asked, returning with Blake.
"Any sign of Tori?" Blake asked, more genuine concern in his voice. Yes, things were definitely better in this reality where Tobi had never been born (at least for everyone else).
"No," Cam replied as Hunter and Blake approached, "but—" he stopped himself. "What's your name?"
Tobi rolled his eyes and answered, "Tobi. Tobi Hanson."
"Hanson?" Blake said in surprise.
"The dude says he's Tori's twin brother," Shane commented, clearly not believing it himself.
"Tori never told us she had a twin," Blake said.
"She doesn't," Shane continued to insist.
"But he might still know where Tori is," Cam offered.
"Sounds like one of Lothor's tricks to me," Hunter said.
"That might be the case," Cam replied, trying to sound diplomatic, "but it's still worth checking out."
"What's worth checking out?" came Dustin's voice. Tobi turned to see Dustin enter and he had to catch his breath. Dustin was wearing a clean layered blue and yellow shirt combination and camouflage shorts and he had obviously just showered thoroughly. He looked gorgeous.
Tobi caught himself staring and looked away quickly. When he did, he noticed Hunter giving him a strange look. He knew. Well, everyone must know by now, Tobi figured. But, no, in this reality, no one even knew him at all.
"We might have a lead on where Tori is," Cam explained while Dustin approached.
"Then let's go!" Dustin said, sounding energetic. "That moth guy's not gonna wait forever for us to smoke him." Even clean, this Dustin seemed so different.
"Dustin's right," Shane agreed. "Where did you last see Tori?" he asked Tobi.
"We were at the beach near where all the aliens with tentacles love to hang out," Tobi explained.
The others looked at each other blankly.
"It's the long patch of flat beach between the two lowest cliffs," Tobi added.
"I know where that is," Blake spoke up. "Tori likes to surf there."
"Then let's go!" Dustin insisted.
"What about him?" Hunter asked, gesturing toward Tobi.
"I'll keep an eye on him," Cam offered.
"This better not be a trap," Hunter commented.
"If it is, we'll be ready," Shane assured them.
As the others left, Tobi reached down and pinched himself.
"No, you're not dreaming," Cam said.
Tobi looked up at him. "What's going on?" he asked, the hostility and demanding gone from his voice. "Everyone's acting so weird. It's like everything turned upside down."
"Maybe it would help if you start at the beginning," Cam suggested.
Tobi took a deep breath and began talking about how his sister and her friends became Power Rangers, how the blundering Sensei had accidentally turned himself into a guinea pig and had been jaded ever since, how mayor Lothor was so afraid of the Power Rangers that he just stood by while they trashed his city and how he finally found himself in this strange world.
"I don't know about the part where I turn myself into a guinea pig instead of Lothor doing so," Sensei commented, "but the rest sounds like a parallel dimension. What do you think, Cameron?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Cam agreed. "Where he comes from, the Power Rangers are evil and Lothor is good."
"One brother is always fallen," Sensei mused.
A noise from Cam's computer distracted them. "It looks like they found Tori," Cam said, relief in his voice, "but now they're having trouble with Lothor's monster. It keeps regenerating."
"You should go, my son," Sensei encouraged. "They need you." Cam looked at Tobi quickly. "He will be fine here," Sensei assured his son.
"I'm at least activating Cyber Cam," Cam said before dashing off to join the battle on his computer screen.
Just then another Cam appeared out of thin air and immediately sat down at the computer console. "Looks like things will be A-OK now," he said. "This bug's about to have a run-in with the exterminator."
"Cam," Tobi muttered. It was finally the Cam he knew, the ditsy, goofy Cam. He reached out and poked Cam's shoulder. For having appeared out of nowhere, he felt real enough.
"Nope, I'm Cyber Cam. I'm here, so Cam can be there," he said, pointing at the screen. The way he moved his arms made it look like he was about to bust out some robotic dance moves.
"So, you're a duplicate of Cam?" Tobi asked.
"A virtual replicant," Cyber Cam replied.
"Do you have virtual versions of any of the other rangers? I mean, one you can touch and all?" Tobi asked, his mind racing with the possibility of his very own personal Dustin to play with. Maybe this new "parallel dimension" wasn't so bad after all, he thought.
"Nope," Cyber Cam answered. "Total bummer, I know."
"Tell me about it," Tobi muttered. When he looked back at the monitor, the battle was already over. It had taken all six Power Rangers to defeat one single monster. The Power Rangers in this dimension were obviously a whole lot weaker. So why hadn't he been able to defeat Hunter and Blake?
"We totally squashed that bug!" came Dustin's cheering voice as the rangers returned—all of them, including Tori.
Tobi stood, raising his arm to wave and relieved to see his sister.
"Who's that?" Tori asked, pausing from high-fiving the others to notice Tobi standing.
"Tori," Cam began, stepping away from the others and toward Tobi, "meet your twin brother."
To be continued...
Author Note: You can get Tori's perspective of this chapter by watching the episode "The Wild Wipeout" on Youtube or something like that. You might find the parts where the perspectives meet humorous.