ATTENTION!: I have created a new poll that asks "How do you feel about having a character die in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm?" Please vote! As always, I will go with what the poll says. And, since you can click "Review this Chapter" at the bottom of the page and review anonymously, feel free to vote that way too since you have to log in to vote in the poll (located at the top of my profile page if you click on Rogue Ranger to the top left of this). Thanks!
Author's Notes: Thanks Ghostwriter for always being so quick to read my new chapters! Given the phrase "Awesomeness abounds!" I'll take it that the chapter came out well and me being sick didn't impede on anything. This chapter furthers the storyline presented in the last chapter. Enjoy!
YellowPrincess, I'm taking a guess that you didn't log in or something and that's why it's an unnamed anonymous review. You might think, how do I know that's your review? I can just tell… Anyway, the drama between Dustin and Marah won't be resolved in this chapter because I ended up dealing with other stuff, but I will try to resolve it soon so don't worry. As far as which Dustin stays where and which ends up with Tobi, I'm glad you have an open mind because I honestly haven't really decided yet. I actually make a lot of this up as I go along. And I knew you'd like the comment about Hunter being more than just a pretty head of hair. It seemed like something Tori would say… Regarding the poll, as of when I am typing this, it seems like you're not the only one who doesn't want anyone to die. I'll see what I can do about giving everyone a chance at a happy life like you suggest. And, thank you, I'm feeling better now (finally)!
Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:
The group decides to get a backpack to carry the two Senseis, but their shopping is interrupted by Kimberly and Billy trying to steal equipment and clothes. They detain them long enough for Frax, Wes, Eric and the Golden Guardians to show up. Unfortunately, Doctor Oliver (Tommy) appears with the ability to turn into a shadow of smoke. When mayor Lothor shows up to attack the Power Rangers, Dr. Oliver is able to escape with Kim and Billy. Frax blames the Power Rangers and the group is outnumbered and forced to retreat to the woods. Tobi leaves alone with Dustin and the two have a long talk about Dustin's feelings. After finally purchasing a backpack, the two run into Marah and her little cousin Geo when an earthquake hits, but Dustin senses it's not just an earthquake. Then his morpher goes off...
Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 23 (Tobi's Short Circuit)
Dustin hesitated, looking from Marah to his beeping morpher. As the shaking began to subside, he raised his wrist. "Uh, Cam, this like isn't a good time, dude," he said, "but if it's about the earthquake, it wasn't one."
"It's Tori," Tori's voice replied, "and I know it wasn't an earthquake. Something's rising out of the ocean floor. Are you and Tobi alone?"
"Uh, no," Dustin answered. "Marah's here…"
"What? Right there? Dustin—" she began to scold.
"Chill, Tor," he interrupted. "She already knows we're Power Rangers. And, no, I didn't tell her. Her cousin did."
"Cousin?" she repeated.
"I'll explain later," he said quickly. "I'll meet you guys back there in a minute." He then pressed a button and lowered his wrist.
"So… you are Power Rangers," Marah said, squinting. "That's where I remembered your friends from," she realized. "That day Kapri and I helped the mayor defeat you…"
Dustin looked confused for a moment. "no, that was the evil us," he tried to correct.
"And now you make an earthquake… or worse," she gasped, immediately prying Geo off Dustin forcefully.
"But Marah!" Geo protested.
"You tricked me to… I don't know," she accused Dustin. "Maybe to get near to the mayor to take him out. You knew I was trusting and I believed in us…" She covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. "I never want to see you again!" She spun around, dragging her cousin with her.
"Marah!" Dustin called.
"She's just hurt right now," Tobi confronted him, placing a hand on his arm.
"But it's no fair," he complained. "I didn't even do anything!"
"I know," Tobi mumbled. "Give her some time. Right now, we need to get back to the others."
Dustin looked at him and nodded. "Dude, you're right." He then looked up at the retreating Marah one last time before streaking off with Tobi.
When the two appeared back in the woods, everyone was standing around looking ready to go, like they had just been waiting for Dustin and Tobi to return.
"What's wrong?" Tobi was the first to ask.
"Something… big came out of the ground and is in the ocean now," Shane explained, looking to Tori.
She had her eyes closed and appeared to be focusing. "It's moving toward the shore," she said.
"You should have sensed it first, bro," Shane told Dustin, "even before the earthquake."
"I did," Dustin defended, "but I thought it was like just an earthquake." He looked down, frowning.
"Dustin, I'm sorry," Shane said, approaching him. "I didn't mean to chew you out. I just…"
Dustin gave him a forced grin. "No, it's cool, bro." He clapped a hand on Shane's shoulder and then walked over to the others.
Shane had a confused look on his face. "He just has a lot on his mind," Tobi told him.
"So, did you get a backpack in all that time?" Hunter asked Dustin suspiciously.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, we got one," Dustin replied.
"Let us go then, rangers," one of the Senseis suggested. "We will observe what it is, but not yet engage if it proves hostile."
"Yes, Sensei" the others agreed.
"I am not going in there!" the other Sensei insisted as Cam helped the two Sensei's into Tobi's backpack.
"I suppose you could walk," Cam suggested.
That Sensei huffed, taking his place next to his fellow guinea pig in the backpack.
The others nodded at each other before streaking toward the beach several miles south of Blue Bay Harbor.
The group stood near the shore, watching waves crash against the surrounding cliffs. "What's it doing now?" Shane asked Tori.
Tori concentrated again. "It's… just sitting there, I think. The water's not moving. It's like it vanished."
"Then I guess we wait," Shane advised with a shrug.
Tori opened her eyes and looked at Dustin. "While we wait, maybe you can tell us why Marah knows we're Power rangers?"
"Her cousin saw us—you guys—morph," he explained.
"We should be more careful," Blake suggested.
"I think Kelly's seen us morph or at least knows," Hunter added.
"What? What makes you say that?" Tori asked.
"How many bosses are okay with her employees constantly bailing on her?" he pointed out. "She's not stupid. We always leave when there's a monster attack and the Power Rangers show up."
"Hunter and Blake have a point," Sensei's voice said from behind Tobi. "Discretion is advised, especially here where the Power Rangers are feared."
"We can trust Kel," Dustin insisted.
"I didn't say we couldn't," Hunter replied. "If she does know, she's kept it a secret even from us."
"Good point, bro," Blake agreed.
"So… Dustin," Hunter addressed. "If Marah knows about us, is she okay with it?"
Dustin looked down, frowning and kicking his feet in the sand. "No," he said quietly. "She thinks I tricked her. She never wants to see me again."
Hunter glanced over at Tobi and sighed before looking back at the hurt look in Dustin's eyes. Reaching out a hand, he lifted Dustin's chin until their eyes met. "If she cares about you, then she'll come around," he told Dustin. "And, if she doesn't… then that's her problem."
Dustin continued to pout, so Hunter pulled him into a hug, which Dustin accepted after only a moment's hesitation.
Tobi turned away quickly, took a breath and then walked over to Cam. "Dustin had a couple ideas I thought I should tell you," he said.
Cam looked from Hunter and Dustin to Tobi and raised an eyebrow.
"He's not as dumb as people think he is," Tobi said in a hushed tone.
Cam just smiled and nodded.
"You already knew," Tobi realized.
"He has a lot of… random things that go on in his head, but he's not all heart with no brain," Cam explained quietly. "He's actually very curious about how the world works."
"How do you know so much about the way Dustin thinks?" Tobi asked.
"It helps that I spent so much time as an outside observer," he explained.
"Oh," Tobi replied, glancing back at Dustin and Hunter before continuing. "Anyway, he mentioned that the company that makes the Power Rangers comics that just happn to be true is called Gold Wing Comics and I thought…"
"Goldwinger," Cam finished.
"It's worth looking into," Tobi suggested. "Also, he said that there's a robotic owl called Circuit in the Robotics Institute of California that has the ability to contact the Power Rangers from the future. I was wondering if you could reprogram it so that we can call on reinforcements once we're back in the other dimension."
"I'd have to see the robot first," Cam explained, "but future technology may be exactly what we need to permanently turn the tables on Lothor. So, Dustin's going to want to go back?"
"He says he's going wherever his friends go…" Tobi replied.
Cam smiled. "I'm glad," he said. "Somehow I suspect you played a roll in convincing him."
"Well, we did talk," Tobi offered.
"Right," Cam agreed. "Don't tell him this, but… I would have really missed him."
Tobi gave him a surprised look. "I always knew you cared."
"I'm not all brain with no heart," he told Tobi.
"Don't worry," Tobi replied with a wink. "I'll keep that to myself."
Cam grinned. "I appreciate that."
"Oh, but I might have let it slip that you like Tori when I was talking to her when she was under Mindzine's control," Tobi decided to confess.
"Tori is smart enough to know anyway," Cam conceded.
"At least I didn't mention your computer program where she strips…" Tobi added.
The sound of a guinea pig clearing his throat came from behind Tobi.
"What did you do that for?" the other guinea pig complained. "They had forgotten all about us. We could have heard all kinds of dirty little secrets!"
"That would be disrespectful," Cam's father explained. "Besides, I want to talk to Cameron."
"Fine," the other Sensei agreed. "Queer boy, turn us around!"
"Speaking of disrespectful," Cam mumbled.
"Queer boy, please turn us around," the voice replied.
Tobi rolled his eyes and turned his back to Cam so the Senseis could talk to their son.
"Look, Cyber Tori was just a program I was—" Cam began to explain.
"I am not concerned with your recreational activities, son," his father told him.
"I am!" the other Sensei insisted.
Cam's father sighed. "What I was going to ask you, son, is if you believe the object that rose out of the ocean floor is a Zord."
"I suppose it's possible," Cam agreed. "You mean, as in an ancient Zord?"
"Precisely," his father agreed.
"And you think we might need to get the Zords that he other Dustin started working on operational just in case," Cam suggested.
"It would be a wise course of action," his father said.
"What about Gold Wing Comics or the robot that may be able to contact future Power Rangers for help?" Cam asked.
"They are both promising leads," his father agreed. "Didn't you take a field trip to the Robotics Institute of California?"
"Yes," Cam replied. "And, since I know where it is but not anything about Gold Wing Comics, maybe I should look into the robot first."
"How long would that take?" his father asked.
"Not long just to check it out," Cam replied.
"Then perhaps you should go there while the others remain here," his father advised. "After that, you can return to Ninja Ops and begin work on the Zords."
"Alright," Cam agreed
"And, can you build a self destruct feature?" his father asked.
"Why?" Cam asked, concern in his voice.
"When we do leave and undoubtedly return the other rangers here, there must not be Zords waiting for them," his father explained.
"I understand," Cam replied.
"So Dustin really was working on Zords…" the other Sensei pondered.
"In secret," Tobi added over his shoulder.
"It seems Dustin can be quite surprising in any dimension," Cam's father mused. "Cam, perhaps you should take Tobi and us along. He can continue his training and provide assistance as needed."
"Sure," Cam agreed, leading Tobi away.
"Where are you guys going?" Shane asked.
"We will briefly visit the Robotics Institute before returning to Ninja Ops so that Cam can work on the Zords should they prove necessary," Cam's father explained. "Tori and Dustin, if you sense any changes, use your morphers to contact Cam or Tobi immediately."
"Yes, Sensei," they agreed.
"Thanks," Hunter said, approaching Tobi.
"For what?" he asked, confused.
"Dustin apologized for 'leading me on' and said some other stuff I know he got from you," Hunter explained.
"Oh," Tobi replied. "Well, he trusts me even after all I did and he's always there for everyone else… Someone should be there for him." He paused before adding, "I guess right now that's you."
Hunter smiled. "Don't worry," he told him. "I won't let him down… ever again."
"Thanks," Tobi gulped before saying goodbye to the others and joining Cam.
"Bye, TZT!" Dustin called as the two streaked off away from the beach.
The Robotics Institute of California was a large metal and glass building located in Reefside, California. As Cam and Tobi rounded the corner of the building, a huge hole in the building's side greeted them. It was still smoking. The two exchanged looks as a security officer approached them.
"I'm terribly sorry," the approaching officer called, "but tours have been canceled until further notice."
"What happened?" Cam asked, gesturing toward the side of the building.
"There was a break in," the officer explained.
"Was anything stolen?" Tobi asked hesitantly.
The officer looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Former Power Ranger robotic assistants Alpha 6 and Circuit are missing," he reluctantly admitted. "They were housed in a protected laboratory and Alpha 6 has been confirmed stolen, but Circuit is believed to have simply escaped during the break in."
Cam and Tobi exchanged another look.
"I'm not saying there's anything to worry about," the officer continued, "but I would advise you to return home and remain there for now. Local authorities have already been alerted and will issue an update via local news agencies when the situation has been resolved."
"Thank you," Cam offered, turning to go. "Well, it was a short trip after all," he told Tobi.
"If Circuit wasn't taken, can you track him?" Tobi asked.
"Not without the Mobile Command Center," Cam replied as the two walked away from the building. "Ninja Ops doesn't have the range."
Something occurred to Tobi. "If you knew the general area to look, could you track it?"
"I suppose I could use the Super Samurai mode when I morph," he suggested.
"I see…" Tobi said slowly, raising his communicator. "Tobi to Dustin," he called.
"What's up, dude?" Dustin's voice greeted.
"I was just wondering where the Time Force Power Rangers lived in the comics," he asked.
"They lived in a big clock tower owned by the red ranger's dad," Dustin explained.
"Do you know the name of the city?" Tobi asked.
"Yeah," Dustin replied. "Silver Hills. Why?"
"We're tracking down Circuit," Tobi answered. "We'll let you know when we find it. Thanks, Dustin."
"Uh, anytime, dude," he replied as Tobi lowered his wrist.
"What are you doing?" Cam asked.
"Playing on a hunch," Tobi replied.
"A hunch?" Cam asked.
"A feeling," Tobi elaborated. "Obviously you didn't play silent observer around Dustin enough," he added with a grin.
"Apparently not," Cam replied, confused.
"If I'm right, Circuit will go to the Time Force Power Rangers former place of operations," Tobi concluded.
"Please be quick with your excursion," the voice of Cam's father came from Tobi's backpack. "The rangers may need the assistance of Zords soon."
So, Tobi streaked after Cam as he led the way to Silver Hills, California. After streaking around the city several times, the two stopped. "I didn't see a single clock tower," Cam said.
"Me neither," Tobi agreed.
"Just because it was in a comic book…" Cam began.
"Obviously it's a different dimension, but everything else seems like it matched the comics," Tobi interrupted.
"Maybe we should return to Ninja Ops," Cam suggested.
"Let's take one more look around," Tobi encouraged. "Maybe you should morph so you can scan the area."
Cam sighed. "Alright," he agreed, "but then we're returning to Ninja Ops."
The two streaked around until Cam noticed an empty lot that had obviously previously housed a demolished building. He paused, scanning the area until he noticed a small metallic object hovering.
"What is it?" Tobi asked, streaking up to his side.
"I think I've found what we're looking for," Cam replied.
"Maybe you should try convincing him to come with us," Tobi suggested. "You are a green Power Ranger after all."
"Okay," Cam agreed, shrugging. "Circuit?" he called as he approached the metal owl hovering in the center of the vacant lot.
"Trip?" the owl chirped, flying over toward Cam.
"Uh, no, but I'm the current green Power Ranger," Cam replied.
"Oh…" Circuit replied, almost sounding disappointed.
"I need you to come with me back to my lab," Cam continued. "Can you deactivate yourself?"
"Why?" Circuit asked.
"Uh," Cam hesitated, "because there are people looking for you and I don't want them to be able to track you," he explained.
"That makes sense," Circuit agreed. "Those nasty humans are always after us."
"Nasty humans?" Cam repeated. "Isn't the other green ranger human?"
"Trip is a Xybrian! Circuit protested.
"Non humans unite!" a voice called from Tobi's backpack. Tobi groaned. "I was only trying to help."
"Silence would be the most helpful at this time," another voice advised from within Tobi's backpack.
"So, will you come with me?" Cam asked Circuit.
"Of course," it agreed. "I'm programed to aide the Power Rangers in their conquest of Earth."
"Uh, great," Cam replied slowly, taking Circuit in his gloved hands. "So, how do I deactivate you?"
A panel on Circuits back opened. "Just press the red button," Circuit explained, "but don't forget to turn me back on!"
"Don't worry, I won't," Cam told it, pressing the button. The owl immediately fell limp, its eyes no longer glowing.
"Mission accomplished," Tobi told Cam.
After returning to Ninja Ops, Cam demorphed and immediately began to study Circuit. "I've never seen anything like this," he said in awe.
"Well, it is future technology," Tobi reminded him while removing his backpack.
Cam looked like a kid in a candy store. "It uses photonic data transfer, meaning even a strong magnetic field would never permanently damage its memory," Cam commented. "And, speaking of memory, its total memory capacity is incredible. Ah, here we go," he said, activating something.
"Hey, that tickles!" Circuit said, its eyes lighting up. "Where am I?"
"You're in a place called Ninja Ops," Cam explained.
"Why can't I move?" Circuit asked.
"I'm still checking your circuits, uh, Circuit," Cam replied. "I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Do not forget about the Zords," Cam's father warned.
"Don't worry, dad, I won't," Cam agreed. "Now, Circuit, what do you know about the Power Rangers?"
"Which generation of Power Rangers?" Circuit replied. "I am programmed with complete profiles for the past one thousand years of Power Rangers."
"Perhaps we should go to one of the training rooms for your training, Tobi," Cam's father said.
"What about him?" Tobi asked, gesturing toward the other Sensei.
"I'll be humping my tree," the other Sensei replied, hopping off.
Tobi and the remaining Sensei exchanged looks before retreating to the training room.
Crash! A chair collided with the training room wall before falling to the floor noisily. "You are improving quite well," Sensei told Tobi.
"It gets easier each time," Tobi replied.
"Let us now try a challenge," Sensei said, setting the chair upright and placing a single pellet of guinea pig food on top of it."
"But it's too small," Tobi protested.
"Just focus on the organic elements that make it separate from the chair itself," Sensei advised.
Tobi raised his arms and concentrated.
Smash! This time, the chair sparked and actually broke in two. "I didn't expect that to happen," Tobi commented.
"It seems that your element may react differently when it comes to metallic surfaces," Sensei theorized. "Perhaps it has properties in common with lightning. I may have you also train with either Blake or Hunter. For now, though, just focus on the combustible elements in the food pellet. The chair is metal, so it can not burn. Only the food can catch on fire."
"Okay," Tobi agreed, concentrating. It was extremely difficult to focus on something so small, but he finally found it in his mind and saw it burn. "Is it really burning?" he asked Sensei.
"Unlike the bonsai, yes it is really burning," Sensei replied.
Tobi smiled. "So, now that I have that down, I was wondering how I can sense my element?" he asked. "You know, like how Dustin can sense earth or Tori water or Shane air."
"First, clear your mind of everything," Sensei advised.
Tobi closed his eyes and practiced his breathing exercises.
"Good," Sensei commented. "Now, let your unconscious mind wander outside and around yourself."
Tobi peaked an eye open. "And, how do I do that?" he asked.
"It's not that different from how you sensed something with the air around you, but you must spread yourself out more, over a larger distance until you finally feel yourself on the brink of slipping away," Sensei explained. "And, do not worry. You will not actually leave your body through this method. I will monitor you."
Tobi closed both eyes again and relaxed his mind, letting his feelings drift out. After a while, something began to take shape. "I can see the room," he told Sensei.
"Good," Sensei encouraged. "Keep going."
Tobi stretched himself further until he felt weightless. Had he left his body? Everything seemed to be blending together into one giant pulsating glow. After a moment, he began to recognize familiar objects. Trees were these glowing vines that were connected to one another beneath the surface of the sparkling earth. Eventually, he found the ocean, which resembled a breathing pulse. There was something else, something all around him, but he couldn't quite explain it. It was just a feeling.
Suddenly he felt a burning pain in his lungs and he found himself lying on the floor, writing in pain all over his body. He was gasping for air and when he looked down, his clothes were singed. "What happened?" he choked out.
"You stopped breathing and caught on fire," Sensei explained, concern in his voice. "I am sorry. I… never expected this to happen."
"It's not your fault, Sensei," Tobi told him, noticing that his arms had blisters on them. He lifted his charred shirt and saw that his chest was burned too. He looked at Sensei. "How… how bad is it?"
"Pretty bad," Sensei said slowly. "I'll get Cam." He quickly hopped away.
Tobi tried to find a mirror, even though he was afraid to see what he looked like. Would the burns heal? For a moment, he remembered the wilting bonsai that he had healed. Could he heal himself? He remembered seeing the tree on fire in his mind while it was healing. The last thing he needed was to catch himself on fire again. Still…
He decided just to focus on a small part of his arm. He was sure to focus on that intangible force inside his skin and not on actually creating fire. Fire would be just something he saw… if he did it right. It didn't look like it could get much worse.
He focused on his arm until he found strands of light and focused harder on those. Immediately, his whole arm seemed to catch on fire, spreading through his body. He screamed, a tingling heat running over him. So much for getting it right the first try.
Cam came rushing into the training room, a bright orange medical kit in hand. He froze, his eyes wide.
"Do something!" Tobi cried, trying to snap Cam out of his shock while also trying to find a way to stop the fire from spreading.
"Do… what?" Cam asked.
"Get a fire extinguisher!" Tobi shouted. So much for Cam being the smart one. He remembered learning in school to stop, drop and roll, so he did just that. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes and wondered how much longer he'd be able to see… and what would be let of him to see… Then, he passed out.
Tobi opened his eyes and looked around to see he was on a bed in a small room decorated with pictures of Power Rangers. He looked down at his arms and saw… that they were completely healed. "What happened?" he asked, looking over at a wide-eyed Cam and two guinea pigs.
"My father said you had accidentally set yourself on fire," Cam explained, wincing at the memory, "but when I arrived at the training room…"
"What?" Tobi asked.
"Your body was healing itself," he finished.
"So, it worked," Tobi realized, studying his body.
"You… knew you could do that?" Cam asked.
"I healed a dying bonsai tree," Tobi explained, "but I honestly thought I had set my body on fire again when I tried it on myself. I guess there's something inside living things that I can ignite. Well, maybe that's not the right word…"
"There is a spirit within all things," Cam's father explained. "It surrounds us and binds the universe together."
"Like the force?" Tobi asked.
"The what?" Sensei replied.
"I'll have Dustin explain it to you sometime," Tobi said, sitting up. Suddenly he felt extremely dizzy and weak. "Woah," he groaned, lying back down. "I guess that took something out of me."
"That's understandable," Cam replied.
"As I recall, you said you felt the same weakness when you healed the bonsai," Sensei stated, "so it may have more to do with using your abilities than with your body healing itself."
"I… owe you an apology, Tobi," the other Sensei chimed in.
Tobi looked at him with a surprised expression.
"It seems I may have… made a mistake in not training you as a ninja," he quietly admitted. "And, thank you for healing my bonsai. It may have been my fault it was dying," he added before hopping off.
Tobi gave Cam and the remaining Sensei surprised looks.
"He makes me wonder if the other versions of us can change," Cam commented.
"I think so," Tobi offered, trying to sit up again.
"Let me find you something to change into," Cam said, turning toward a nearby closet. "So, the other Dustin lives in Ninja Ops?"
"No," Tobi explained. "He just stays here sometimes when he needs to get away from his family."
"I see," Cam replied. "Well, I guess you'll like the wardrobe then."
"Yeah," Tobi agreed, collapsing onto the bed.
"I was wondering, though, what's with all the Power Rangers pictures," Cam commented.
"Dustin was always into the Power Rangers," Tobi explained. "A lot of kids were. They were 'teenagers with attitude,' rebels who didn't do what their parents or teachers said. Half the time, they didn't even do what their leader said."
"Were you into the Power Rangers?" Cam asked, pulling out a pair of jeans and a button down yellow shirt with a gold dragon across the front.
"A little," Tobi confessed. "Maybe if they had used their powers for good like in your Dustin's comics books… Oh! Someone knows my tastes," he added, holding up the shirt. "Any shorts in there?"
Cam sighed, removing the jeans and turning around. "I'm surprised your Dustin was still into evil Power Rangers after the destruction and… deaths you told me they caused with their Zords."
"Yeah," Tobi mumbled, shaking off the memory. "Well, right after that he started training as a ninja and, by the time Sensei revealed the whole Power Ranger thing, he was actually really excited," he explained while managing to remove his charred polo shirt and trying to put on the new button shirt.
"I see," Cam replied before turning around holding blue and yellow shorts and… a yellow trimmed black training outfit.
"Dustin had an extra!" Tobi exclaimed.
"Apparently so," Cam replied. "I'd recommend you put the shorts on first and then the training—"
"Thanks!" Tobi interrupted happily, taking the shorts and training outfit.
"You're welcome," Cam said with a sideways grin. "You might want to turn around," he advised his father. "Tobi isn't… shy."
"It's nothing I have not seen before in our first training session," Sensei replied, "but I will turn around. I recommend you do the same as a courtesy, Cam."
"I probably don't want to know about your first training session, do I?" Cam asked, turning around.
"Nope, you probably don't," Tobi replied, pulling off his jeans.
"I wonder where you pulled the energy from to heal yourself?" Cam commented, his back still turned. "Was it inside you or somewhere else? It had to come from somewhere."
"There is energy all around us to draw on," Sensei explained.
Suddenly Tobi froze, his shorts halfway up his legs. "That's it!" he realized, pulling the shorts on the rest of the way.
"What's it?" Cam asked, his and Sensei's backs still to him.
"You can turn around now," he told them while activating his communicator. "Tobi to Hunter," he called, already pulling on his training outfit over his clothes.
"What's up?" Hunter's voice greeted him.
"I think I know why the thing on the ocean floor stopped," he explained. "If you focus on sensing the electricity it's absorbing, I think you'll find it's draining energy from the planet. Dustin might be able to sense some of that too."
"Now you tell me," Hunter said, the sound of something in his voice.
"What's wrong?" Tobi asked, pausing in his dressing.
"We're not at the beach anymore," Hunter replied.
"Why not?" Tobi asked while Sensei hopped onto the bed next to him.
"We were waiting for a long time and Blake and I figured we might as well run up to the Thunder Ninja Academy just to check it out," Hunter explained, "and then Dustin wanted to come along and, since he can't morph, I didn't want him there if a Zord did emerge and start blasting away…"
"Hunter," Sensei called, leaning over Tobi's communicator," I understand your concern for Dustin and your desire to see your parents, but—"
Just then, Cam's morpher beeped. He raised his wrist, telling his morpher, "Cam here."
"It's Tori," Tori's voice answered.
"I would have thought you would've stopped them from going," Cam commented.
"I'm sorry, Cam," she apologized, "but—"
"It's my fault," Shane's voice chimed in. "I told them they could go."
"Now is not the time to assign blame," Sensei said, hopping closer to Cam's morpher. "Why have you called in?"
"It's coming out of the ocean," Tori replied.
"Morph while I call for the others," Sensei advised, hopping back over to Tobi. "Hunter, Shane and Tori need you. You and Blake will morph and join them. Under the circumstances, I feel it would be best if Dustin returns to Ninja Ops."
There was silence and then Hunter's voice. "Sensei Omino? What are you…?"
And then there was a painful grunt and a thud.
"Hunter?" Tobi called. "Dustin? Blake?"
Sensei and Cam exchanged a glance while Tobi finished dressing and tried to shake off his fatigue. "I have to see if they're okay," he insisted, handing Cam his charred underwear as he stuffed his plastic bag with the remaining money in it under his pants and into his shorts.
"You're not going anywhere in your current state," Cam warned. "I'll have Shane and Tori see what happened with Hunter and the others. I've set up an interface with Circuit so that we can see what it does. I'll send it to monitor the thing coming out of the water."
Tobi couldn't do much more than growl as he reached for Cam's arm to help him out of bed and back to the main room. "Maybe you should send Circuit to check on Dustin and the others first," he managed to choke out as he leaned heavily on Cam's shoulder.
"Circuit can't travel as fast as a ninja can when they streak," Cam explained, looking around. "Where's Circuit?"
"Where's the other Sensei?" Tobi added.
"I believe this explains things," Cam's father said, removing a note from near the bonsai tree. The others approached as he read the note. "Dear Cam, clone and queer, I am not stealing the stupid flying owl. I am trying to help get you back to your dimension so that you can bring me back my son. Sincerely, Sensei Kanoi Watanabe."
"What do you suppose he's going to do?" Tobi asked.
"I don't know," Cam replied, "but at least I can track where he is. First, though," he said, raising his wrist. "Shane, Tori, what is your situation?"
Boom! "It's definitely a Zord!" Shane called, grunting as explosions were heard.
"Rangers, fall back and regroup with the Thunder Rangers and Dustin," Sensei advised.
"Sensei, we don't know how to get to the Thunder Academy," Tori chimed in.
Cam sat down in front of his computer and pulled up the academy's portal access point. "I'm feeding the location to your morphers," he said, typing away. "Streak and you'll end up there."
"Where is Tobi?" Sensei suddenly asked.
Cam turned around and groaned. Tobi was already streaking toward the Thunder Ninja Academy. "Sometimes I feel like the only responsible one," Cam commented, turning back to the computer.
"It does not go unnoticed, son," his father offered.
As Cam tracked the rangers' movements, he heard someone entering Ninja Ops. Since Tobi wasn't always that impulsive, he turned, half expecting to find Tobi with a hasty apology ready. Instead, he saw two figures descending the path into Ninja Ops. As they stepped into the light, two adult ninjas were revealed and, by their appearance, they could only be… Hunter and Blake's parents.
To be continued...
Author's Notes: Let me know what you think about this chapter. Remember, you can review anonymously! Just click "Review This Chapter!" Thanks!