LAST CHANCE TO VOTE: Who should go to and stay in the REGULAR dimension, aka the GOOD Power Rangers dimension? This poll closes before I put up the next chapter and create a new poll, so if you haven't voted yet, please do! Don't leave anyone you care about behind!
I've created a deviantART account that I may at some point upload pictures to illustrate my story to. The link is at the top of my profile, click on Rogue Ranger.
Author's Note: I try to do something a little different with this chapter by trying to create simultaneity, where I go to another location or perspective and have the events that led up to the events from the previous perspective. It's my way to having a lot happen at once without it being confusing, so let me know how it comes out!
Review Comments:
Thanks FinalJudgement for declaring Tobi "fang-tastic"! And, yes, I agree that it seems to be possible to love Power Rangers even more. I should add on the note of ninjas getting the powers being more realistic that the Ninja Storm costumes are a lot better than many of the others. They have less white and some silver sleeving. The worst has to be Lost Galaxy with its white and then black zigzag, blah! Anyway, I have only ever seen bits and pieces of Naruto. I know it's been hugely popular for a while, but I don't follow it. I did look up and see that Tobi is a character from that ninja-themed series, but I honestly was just trying to come up with a male version of Tori.
Thanks YellowPrincess for your suggestion about Dustin's feelings for Tobi! You'll notice that Cam mentions what you wrote, but you'll have to wait for the next chapter to see what Dustin does. I will say that I like your idea a lot. The only problem is that I will need to create a poll to see who everyone else thinks Tobi should end up with. Yeah, I know, but that's the way it works! And, I'm glad you liked the idea of Blake and Hunter's parents helping to bring Tobi back to life. You'll see in this chapter what they have in mind, but there may be complications. Oh, and I'm glad you liked Cam's sweet side. He's an underrated character and I like to treat him to some appreciation from time to time.
Thanks griffin blackwood for reviewing both my previous chapters (and my other story)! Yes, things are pretty intense at this point in the story, but I still listen to what my readers want. So, due to your love of Kimberly (even when she was beating up Tobi you were cheering for her!), I have decided to allow her to redeem herself. I can't say more without spoiling this and the next chapter, but I hope you appreciate that. ;)
Thanks Magichalo for your constant feedback! I always wait to start writing until I hear from you (no pressure!). I'm glad that I was able to make the action sequences clearer this time, but I do try to still have plenty of drama. Things will mellow out at some point. There just happens to be a lot of things that I need to resolve one way or another. I will consider more drama, but at least you say you're hooked on the action. As for Dark Omega, I thought about what you said about it feeling like déjà vu and tried to make it clearer what is going on, though it's not really revealed in full until the next chapter (which, against my usual tradition, I have already started writing). And, lastly, I have decided to save some of the characters I had stabbed last time, but I did like your idea of Tobi encountering spirits, so I came up with something…
Thanks Ruon jian for becoming a new reviewer of my story! And a review that's a question? To answer your question without spoiling this chapter, I can say that, no, the solution Cam has (bond the Sun Amulet to the morpher on Tobi's wrist) is not the same as what the Bradley's propose to Tobi. You'll have to read on to discover what their solution is…
Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:
Tobi saves Hunter's life, but at the cost of his own. Cam tries to save him, but only manages to keep his body from decaying. The rangers discover they have many regrets when it comes to Tobi. Tobi's dimension's version's of Blake and Hunter's parents give them discs for their morphers to call on the Thunder Zords. Meanwhile, Shane and Hunter try to find the Sun Amulet to save Tobi. Shane finds Skyla, who can sense the Shade Amulet, which turns out to be bonded with Sensei Omino in a way that prevents him from taking on human form until he and Dr. Oliver become one entity, Dark Omega. As the new figure begins sending black tentacles out of its body and through people's chests, Hunter returns to Ninja Ops with Skyla, who is nearing the end of her current life cycle, and the Sun Amulet while Shane tries to take on Dark Omega. But, as it turns out, the Sun Amulet doesn't heal Tobi. Meanwhile, Tobi wakes up to find he's dead and a spirit, just like Hunter and Blake's parents from their dimension, who tell him they are grateful and that there may be a way to bring him back to life...
Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 28 (Spirited Survival)
"Maybe you can be more specific," Cam told Skyla while glancing down at her hand on his wrist as he stood ready to connect the Sun Amulet to Tori's morpher that was on Tobi's wrist. "Why won't it work?"
She paused, looking at him for a moment. "I can just feel that it will destroy his body right now," she said.
"Right now?" Hunter repeated as Tori hastily removed herself from his chest and wiped her eyes conspicuously. She then straightened up, regaining her composure.
"Something's missing," Skyla replied, thinking. "His life force is gone." She gasped, clutching her chest.
"What's wrong?" Dustin asked her.
"I'll be okay," she said.
"Skyla may be sensing that Tobi's spirit has left his body," Sensei suggested, "meaning it may be too late to save him."
"No way!" Dustin protested.
"Sensei, we respect your insight, but we can't accept that Tobi's… beyond saving," Tori insisted. "There has to be hope."
Cam looked from Tori to his father, not saying anything, but giving him his classic "I told you so" look, a look typically reserved for the rangers. He sighed before setting the amulet aside and picking up his screwdriver. Bending down, he called, "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!" He then walked over to the computer and began typing.
"Dude, you can't just give up!" Dustin pleaded, running over to Cam.
"I'm not giving up, Dustin," Cam said without looking away from the screen. An image of the park filled the screen. Sensei somersaulted to a spot near the computer and studied the screen.
Just then, Blake entered the room, stretching. "Bro, what's up?" he asked his brother.
"The amulet didn't work," Hunter replied somberly.
"Rangers," Sensei addressed, turning from the computer. "Go to the park. Shane has requested assistance."
"We're on it," Blake declared.
"What about Dustin?" Hunter asked.
"Hunter's right," Tori agreed. "Since he can't morph…"
"Under the circumstances, Dustin will remain behind," Sensei concluded. "And, rangers, morph before you reach the park. As Shane stated, the situation is quite serious." He turned to his son. "Cam, Tori will need her morpher."
Cam reluctantly walked over and deactivated the morpher on Tobi's wrist before handing it to Tori. "Please don't take too long," he told her quietly.
"Don't worry, Cam," she assured him. "I won't and… I know you'll find a way to help my brother."
Cam gave her a small smile in response.
Before they left, Hunter turned to Skyla. "Skyla, since you can talk to our parents, maybe they can help put Tobi's spirit back in his body," he suggested.
She frowned, looking around. "Your parents aren't here," she admitted.
Hunter exchanged a concerned look with his brother. "But you told us they said they were always with us," he insisted.
"I know," she said. "I don't know where they are."
"Rangers, you can resolve this later," Sensei warned.
"Yes, Sensei," they agreed, streaking out of Ninja Ops.
Cam turned in his chair to glance back at Dustin.
"Dude, what did I do?" Dustin asked defensively.
"I just expected more of a protest out of you about being left behind," Cam explained.
"Yeah, I would be all over wanting to go save the Twilight Zone, but…" Dustin's voice trailed off as he looked down at Tobi's lifeless body.
"Yeah, but…" Cam agreed, turning back to the screen.
"Will he be okay not being morphed and all?" Dustin asked, staring at Tobi's white skin and blue lips.
"I don't know," Cam replied hesitantly before turning to his father. "I'm surprised you don't feel like helping in the park is a waste of time we could be using to get back and save our dimension," he told his father.
"While we are here, the rangers must still help where they are needed," Sensei replied.
"Let me guess," Cam said with a sigh. "If we're here, it's because we're destined to be here, so we are destined to help."
"Precisely, Cam," Sensei agreed.
Cam couldn't help but sigh a second time.
Skyla clutched her chest again, causing Cam to spin in his chair.
"Is there anything I can do?" he asked her.
She shook her head. "It comes with being a Karminion. We never stay in one form for long."
"How many forms have you had?" he asked.
She thought for a moment. "Over a hundred, I think."
Cam raised an eyebrow.
"A hundred?" Dustin repeated. "Woah. Was any of them like really freaky looking?"
"I once had twelve arms," she replied.
Dustin's eyes widened.
"But each time I end a life cycle, I can use the energy from my old form to pass on a power," she explained.
"Like the Battlizer," Dustin realized outloud. "Hold up! Can you use your powers to make Tobi okay?"
She shrugged. "I don't know." She paused. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Dustin gave Cam a quick, worried look, but Cam seemed to be thinking of something.
"When you say you use energy from your old body, what do you mean?" Cam asked.
"I think my old body itself becomes the energy," she explained. "Or part of it anyway."
"The matter is converted into energy," Cam realized outloud, returning to his computer and pulling up a 3D model of Tobi.
"Dude, why's Tobi naked?" Dustin asked, gesturing toward the screen.
"When I was searching through the other Dustin's files fro things I could use, I came up with a virtual replicant of Tobi," Cam explained.
"Virtual Reptile?" Dustin repeated.
"Virtual replicant," Cam corrected, "like Cyber Cam. Anyway, I'm going to try experimenting on it. Unfortunately, it wasn't programed with any clothes, so maybe Skyla would prefer to wait in the other room."
Sensei hopped over to her. "I will take this opportunity to speak with Skyla," he said. She nodded as he led her out of the room. "And, son, do not neglect the rangers at the park. They should remain your primary concern."
"I understand," Cam told him before looking at Dustin. "What about you?"
"Dude, I've seen him naked," Dustin replied. "I can handle it."
"Alright," cam said before pressing a button.
Instantly, a Cyber Tobi appeared. "Oh, Great Yellowness," he moaned. "You're so evil! Have your way with me. You're my master. Make me scream!"
Dustin's eyes grew so wide, they looked like they might pop out of his head. "That's—that's not… TZT would never say that!" he insisted.
"Yes, I know," Cam agreed, "but that's how the other Dustin programed him." He then addressed, "Cyber Tobi, like down on the floor, close your eyes and do not speak."
"You're not my master," Cyber Tobi mocked. "I only bottom for the yellow God of Earth."
Cam groaned. "Dustin, would you mind…?"
Dustin frowned. "Just do what Cam said," Dustin told Cyber Tobi.
"Your wish is my command, master," Cyber Tobi replied, lying on the floor.
"Why'd TZD make TZT act like that?" Dustin asked.
Cam took a moment to process what TZD stood for. "I don't know," he admitted.
"It's not right!" Dustin insisted.
"Why not?" Cam asked. "It's just a computer program.
Dustin made a disgusted face. "TZD was a jerk to TZT," Dustin said. "He's always bagging on him or bailing on him and then he like bangs a fake one of TZT? I don't get it."
"Based on what Tobi told me, the other Dustin knew how Tobi felt about him and could have began a relationship with Tobi at any point," Cam explained, "but maybe he didn't want to face the consequences of a real relationship. Maybe he wanted something he could turn off at night."
"TZT said he didn't think TZD's a coward," Dustin replied, "but I think he's like a total coward. The lame poser was probably afraid Tori would so mess him up."
"She does have that kind of a reputation," Cam agreed.
"And the evil me can't even get TZT right," Dustin complained, tilting his head. "I think the real TZT's got a bigger one than that."
"What is bi—Oh," Cam realized, picking up Tobi's communicator.
"Whatcha gonna do with that?" Dustin asked.
"Before giving this to Tobi as a communicator, it was designed as a mock-up morpher," Cam explained. "I'm going to try binding the amulet with it and seeing what it does to Cyber Tobi. I don't' want to risk the real Tobi."
Dustin offered him a smile. "Thanks, Cam."
Cam just gave him a weak smile in return as he worked.
"Dude, you're supposed to say 'you're welcome,'" Dustin reminded him.
"I'm sorry," he replied. "You're welcome." He paused, looking up. "Dustin, you know I would never be one to give relationship advice of any kind, but…"
"What is it?" Dustin asked curiously.
"If somehow Tobi does pull through," Cam began, "maybe you should consider giving him a chance."
"A chance?" Dustin repeated.
Cam sighed. "If you want to love him, just be there for him. Treat him how you've treated Hunter. Have you ever been out on a date with Tobi?"
"I guess not," Dustin agreed, "but what about Hunter? And what about Marah?"
"I know you're afraid to lose what you already have with them," Cam replied as he attached the communicator to Cyber Tobi's wrist, "but I don't believe you will. And, even if things do change, isn't Tobi worth it?"
Dustin thought for a moment, scrunching up his face in concentration. He looked from the naked Cyber Tobi to the pale real Tobi. "Yeah, dude, he's worth it." But then he pouted, his eyes moist.
"Don't worry, Dustin," Cam assured him, trying to sound more optimistic that he really felt. "We won't stop trying to save him." He then attached the Sun Amulet to the communicator on Cyber Tobi's wrist.
The two watched as the communicator and then Cyber Tobi began to glow. Cam returned to the computer and studied the readings until the screen went blank. "What happened?" he asked, turning around to see that Cyber Tobi was gone.
"It just went… poof!" Dustin explained, making an explosion motion with his arms.
Cam looked down at the amulet sitting alone among a pile of gold dust. "So much for the mock-up morpher," he commented. "At least I didn't use Tori's morpher." He frowned, thinking. "I wonder if I'll be able to reinitialize Cyber Tobi."
Dustin grabbed Cam's arm. "Dude, I changed my mind! Don't put the amulet on TZT!"
Cam offered him a reassuring smile. "I won't," he promised, "but I really don't know what to do."
"Yeah, me neither," Dustin agreed. "Guess you don't know everything."
"No, Dustin, I don't know everything," Cam conceded.
Just then, Cam's morpher beeped and Shane's voice came on. "Cam, we need help!"
Moments ago, morphed versions of Tori, Hunter and Blake streaked to the park. They approached Shane as he was dodging what looked like black tentacles shooting out of a black-eyed Dr. Oliver.
"What's happening?" Tori asked while dodging a tentacle.
"Sensei Omino didn't die," Shane explained quickly. "He became some black thing that took over Doctor O.'s body and now calls himself Dark Omega."
"Why Dark Omega if he's Sensei Omino?" Blake asked.
"How would I know?" Shane replied with a shrug.
"I think the Shade Amulet is doing something to his mind," Hunter suggested as he nodded toward his brother and the two combined their Crimson Blaster and Navy Antler to make the Thunder Blaster before firing at Dark Omega. "And maybe there's still a part of Doctor Oliver in there too," he added as their weapons had no effect.
"Shane, did you try your Battlizer?" Tori asked while slashing at a tentacle as it headed toward Goldwinger, who looked like he was running from one injured human or alien to the next.
"Yeah, and it had no effect," he replied.
Tori dropped her sword as it turned black and melted upon contact with the tentacle. "How do we beat this guy?" she asked.
"You don't," Dark Omega answered for the others as he sent out a cloud of blackness that made seeing impossible. There wasn't even a star in the sky.
"Cam, we need help!" Shane yelled into his morpher.
After a moment, Cam's voice replied, "I'm on it, Shane. It looks like the area is blanketed in some kind of a field that neutralized light. All my photonic-based scans show nothing, including infrared. I'm switching to sonic-based scans."
"Ah!" Tori gasped as something hit her in the dark.
"Hurry up, Cam," Shane warned.
"I've got it," Cam replied. "Shane, dodge left."
Shane did just that as he heard something whoosh past his side. He realized that he could sense it move through the air.
"Hunter and Blake, duck!" Cam called. "Tori is down. Shane, she's about five meters to your right. I'll work on disrupting the field."
"You may not be able to see me, but I can see you," a voice echoed, laughing.
"Tori!" Shane called, feeling around for her. He sensed motion through the air and rolled out of the way.
"Shane, duck right," Cam's voice called from his morpher just as something shot past where he had just been.
"Thanks, Cam," Shane muttered sarcastically. He sensed two figures moving through the air and swung around, preparing to fight.
"Ow!" Hunter yelled. "That was my foot, bro!"
"Sorry, I can't see," Blake replied. "I'm making lightning and everything."
"I know!" Hunter told him. "Stop it already!"
"Oh, sorry bro," Blake apologized.
"Blake, Hunter, over here!" Shane called. "Tori's somewhere around here."
The three began scrambling around on the ground. Suddenly Shane sensed a barrage of objects approaching through the air and he grabbed Hunter and Blake, knocking them over.
"Guys, duck!" Cam called. "Now dodge left." But Shane was already moving them out of the way. "No, right. Leave a gap between the three of—that's it."
Shane had pushed the brothers apart just as tentacles shot between them.
Just then, the darkness began to fade slightly as a loud mechanical whirling sound filled the air. The others looked up to see Dustin's Lion Zord with its mane spinning. "Let's hurry up and smoke this dude so we can help TZT," Dustin's voice came from the rangers' morphers.
"Oh, so it's smoke you want," Dark Omega called as suddenly his entire body began to grow until he was as tall as the Lion Zord.
"Woah!" the others gasped as the now enormous figure opened his mouth and a gust of black gas came out. The Lion Zord promptly started sparking and melting.
"Dustin, get out of there!" Shane called into his morpher.
"Tori!" Blake yelled, running over to her now visible body. She was unmorphed and lying unconscious on the ground.
"Is she okay?" Hunter asked, joining his brother. No sooner had Hunter asked this then the Lion Zord exploded, pieces of it crushing the ground they landed on before those pieces then began to melt.
"Dustin!" Hunter screamed, standing and running toward the wreckage, but Blake immediately streaked in front of him and tried to hold him back. "Out of my way!" he growled.
"Aw, man, my Zord!' Dustin complained. The two brothers turned to see Dustin standing next to them. He looked around, noticing Tori. "Tori!" he yelled, streaking to her side. "Guys, I don't think she's breathing!"
The others rushed over and noticed a black hole through her chest.
"I'm on my way!" a voice sang as Goldwinger bounded over. He was holding a blinking device and placed it on Tori's chest. "You, start mouth to mouth," he told Hunter. "You, distract Dark Omega," he then told Shane.
Hunter immediately bent over Tori before his brother stopped him. "I've got this," Blake told him, pressing his lips to Tori's.
Meanwhile, Shane activated his Battlizer mode and again blasted away at Dark Omega.
Hunter watched as Tori's chest healed, the blackness vanishing. "Thanks," he told Goldwinger with an audible sense of relief.
"I felt bad about not being able to help your friend Tobi," Goldwinger explained, "not to mention being more of a chicken than a moth when it comes to danger, so I tried my little device on that cute couple Wes and Eric and it worked. Needless to say, I've been working my toned ass off running around trying to save everyone."
Tori coughed, gasping for air as she caught her breath. Opening her eyes, she looked around, blinking.
"Tor, how do you feel?" Blake asked as he smiled down at her.
"My work here is done!" Goldwinger declared. "Super Goldwinger away!" He then flew off to help someone else.
Tori glanced down at her hand. Without realizing it, Hunter had taken her hand in his own. "Tobi," she gasped, "he's… he's here."
"How can you bring me back to life?" Tobi asked Hunter and Blake's parents.
"Before it was shattered in our dimension, the Gem of Souls bound us to the Mountain of Lost Ninjas," Mr. Bradley explained. "Aside from being powerful enough to permanently separate a spirit from a body, the Gem of Souls also has the ability to bind a spirit to a body."
"Meaning I could be put back in my body," Tobi realized.
"Tobi, we must warn you that time is running out," Mrs. Bradley added. "It is only because of your healing abilities that you still have any hope of being rebonded with your physical body."
"I understand," he replied. "So, where is the Gem of Souls?"
"It is in the Mountain of Lost Ninjas," Mr. Bradley answered, "but first we must find a way to bring your body there."
"Skyla," Tobi realized. "She can see you guys, so she can see me."
Mrs. Bradley glanced at her husband before saying, "Skyla is nearing the end of her current life cycle."
"Then what are we waiting for!" Tobi yelled just as he saw Tori, Hunter and Blake streak to join Shane. As he watched them, he noticed a glowing, transparent figure sitting cross legged and hovering over the ground. "Leanne?" he recognized.
As he ran over to her, passing through other figures between them, she looked up. "Go away!" she called.
'I'm just trying to help!" he insisted, frowning.
"You can't help me!" she complained. "I'm dead." She looked him up and down. "And so are you. Just leave me alone."
"Leanne," a voice called from behind Tobi. He turned to see the Bradleys hovering over to them.
"Not you guys too," she commented, shaking her head. "I guess if I hadn't been stupid enough to kill myself, my father would have killed me anyway. I hope he dies soon so I can give him a piece of my mind."
"You don't really mean that," Mrs. Bradley insisted.
"Yes I do!" she argued.
"It may still be possible to reach your father," Mr. Bradley suggested.
"He's part of the amulet now more than it's a part of him," Leanne replied as Tobi noticed the rangers nearby acting like they couldn't see, even though he could see them fine.
"There must be a way to stop him," Tobi said, glancing back at Leanne, "and maybe to save him too. If you think it's the amulet that's controlling him, then maybe you can forgive him for—"
"I can never forgive him for what he's done!" she yelled just as Tobi saw a tentacle stap Tori through the chest, causing her to fall over.
"Tori!" he screamed before suddenly finding himself by her side. He tried reaching out, but his hands just passed right through her. "How can I help her?" he asked outloud.
"You can't interact with the living world," Mrs. Bradley told him as she approached with her husband.
"Tori…" he whispered, pouting while hover over her and continuing to try to touch her.
"Tobi?" a voice that sounded like Tori's asked, but her lips weren't moving.
Tobi's eyes widened as he saw a glowing spirit rise out of Tori's body. "Tori!"
"What's happening?" she asked. "You're… a ghost?"
"I'm a spirit," he corrected, "like Hunter and Blake's parents." He gestured back to the two Bradleys. "And Leanne's over there moping."
"So you really are dead…" she mumbled somberly. "Tobi, I'm so sorry. I never should have—"
"Listen to me," he interrupted. "you have to get back into your body. You can't die too…"
"I'm…" she began, turning so she was hovering over he body. Dustin rushed over to her, passing through her spirit form as he examined her body. Her spirit form gasped.
"When we get the Gem of Souls, we'll put you back in your body," Tobi explained quickly, glancing back at the Bradleys.
"There is the possibility that it will only work once," Mr. Bradley warned.
"Then you'll go first," Tobi told his sister.
"No way am I letting you sacrifice yourself again!" she protested.
"Don't argue with me," he pleaded as Goldwinger bounded over. "Just listen to your brother and make sure Hunter treats Dustin right. I know I can count on you to keep him in line." He offered her a smile and wink just as Goldwinger's device healed her chest.
"What's happening?" she asked, her spirit form beginning to fade as it sank back down into her body.
Tobi smiled wide. "I'll meet you guys back at Ninja Ops," he told her. "I'll use Skyla to tell you—"
Tori's body gasped and her eyes began to flutter.
"Tor, how do you feel?" Blake asked her as Goldwinger flew off.
"Tobi," she choked out. "He's… he's here."
"What!" Where?" Dustin yelled, looking around.
"You sure you weren't seeing things?" Blake asked.
"I'm sure!" she insisted, hitting him out of habit. "I guess it was… an out of body experience. He was right here and so were your parents and Leanne."
Hunter and Blake's eyes widened. "That's why Skyla didn't see our parents before. They were with Tobi…"
"How is he?" Dustin asked her. "Is he okay?"
"Other than being dead," she answered, "but he said he might be able to put his spirit back in his body with the Gem of Souls."
"So there must be a Mountain of Lost Ninjas in this dimension too," Hunter realized. "If that's where he's headed, we have to get his body there."
"Let's go!" Dustin agreed.
Tori shook her head as the others helped her up. "The last thing I heard him say is that he was going to meet us back at Ninja Ops."
"Why there if we have to like move his body?" Dustin asked.
"Skyla," Blake realized.
"Right," Hunter agreed. "She'll be able to talk to him." He paused, worried. "I hope Cam was able to find a way to help her."
"So do I," Tori agreed.
After they were sure Tori could walk on her own fine, they ran over to Shane, who had at least succeeded in distracting Dark Omega, who was now back to regular size.
"Tommy!" a voice called as Kimberly ran toward Dark Omega.
He paused, turning to her. "But I killed you," he commented.
"I was healed by—" she began.
"Easily corrected," he interrupted, sending one of his tentacles her way.
"Tommy, I know you can hear me!" she screamed while jumping aside. "I love you!"
Suddenly the tentacles dissolved and Dark Omega's eyes began to clear, but it was only momentary. "There is no Tommy Oliver!" Dark Omega growled.
This gave Tobi an idea and he ran back over to Leanne. "Leanne, is there anyone who Sensei Omino loves?"
"What?" she snapped. "Because he doesn't love me, is that what you're saying?"
"No," he disagreed. "It has to be someone who's still alive so he can see and hear them."
She sighed. "I suppose Miko Hidaka, but good luck getting that tramp to agree to anything."
"Thanks," Tobi replied. "And, if we do manage to save your dad and me, is there anything you want me to tell him?"
She gritted her teeth. "I have nothing to say to him," she insisted.
Tobi frowned. "Okay," he agreed, shrugging.
"Enough of this," Dark Omega declared, recovering. "I have a more important task to complete." He stretched out his arms and a black wave blew out from him, knocking everyone over. He chucked to himself as he vanished along with the dead Dragon Zord.
"Dude, why'd he take the Zord?" Dustin asked, standing.
"Just be glad he's gone," Shane replied as he powered down from his Battlizer.
"We've got something else to worry about," Blake pointed out.
The others turned to see the crowd of injured or recovering humans, aliens and kelzacks standing and facing the rangers, their pupils large and dark. They then began walking toward them.
"Now zombies now too!" Shane complained.
"At least they're the slow zombies, dude, not like the running zombies," Dustin suggested.
Just then, some of them began running toward the rangers.
"You just had to say it!" Blake complained as he prepared to fight.
"You think they're still human, just under some kind of a spell?" Hunter asked.
"I'm going with that," Tori replied, watching a beady-eyed grumpy Sensei hop closer to them.
Shane kicked a Golden Guardian back and the figure tumbled to the ground. "At least it didn't give them super strength," he commented.
Suddenly what looked like a fighter jet shot overhead before stopping. Its engines turned to a vertical position and it hovered in the air before landing. It was followed by two others that did the same. The jets had medical crosses on the sides and, as a figure stepped out, it yelled, "Did someone call for medical assistance? Sorry we're late, but we had some trouble finding this place at night."
"It's Power Rangers!" another voice yelled as they saw the crowed attacking the rangers.
"I'm thinking we get out of here and let them sort this out," Blake suggested as one of the alien medical officers pulled out a definitely not very medical looking bazooka.
"I'm with you on that one," Shane agreed, nodding to the others before they all streaked away.
Tobi watched them go and turned back to the Bradleys. "How do I follow them?" he asked as the crowed then turned on the medical officers. "Can I pass through the portal and all that?"
"You just need to focus on where you want to be," Mrs. Bradley explained.
"Oh, like how I suddenly appeared by Tori," he realized.
"Exactly," she agreed.
Meanwhile, one of the medical officers, a blonde human woman, called to another human medic. "Alyssa, it looks like mind control. Get me my brother."
"Yes, Dana," the other medic agreed before rushing off.
Tobi closed his eyes and focused on Ninja Ops. Instantly, he vanished.
Leanne watched him disappear into thin air. "The Gem of Souls, huh?" she said outloud, a small smile curling up on her lips.
Tobi found himself inside Ninja Ops even before the others arrived there. He looked around and saw that the Bradleys had followed him too. Then he noticed his pale, slightly bluish body. His skin looked like flaky chalk and the sight disturbed him.
"So, what did my father want to talk to you about?" Cam asked Skyla as he studied the computer screen.
"He seemed to have a lot of questions about destiny and what I thought or felt was supposed to happen," she explained.
Cam smiled. "So, he's asking for a second opinion," he replied. "I'm glad."
"He's here," Skyla whispered as she turned around.
"Oh, dad, I—" Cam began, turning around but not seeing his father. "Where?"
"Not Sensei," she corrected. "Tobi is here."
"He's not exactly going anywhere," Cam pointed out, confused.
"No, his spirit," she clarified. "And he's with Blake and Hunter's parents."
"You can see…" cam began, studying the air just as the others streaked in.
"Skyla," Tori immediately addressed the moment she finished her streak, "I saw Tobi. He's a spirit and he's coming here."
"He's already here," Skyla told her.
"Tell him I'm sorry," Dustin immediately spoke up.
"I can hear you," Tobi replied.
"He can hear you," Skyla repeated for the others.
"TZT…" Dustin whispered, looking around.
"I also need to say I'm sorry," Shane chimed in.
"We all have things we want to tell Tobi," Hunter told the others. "A lot of things," he added, "but they can wait until he's alive again."
"You're right," Tori agreed.
"And how do we do that?" Cam asked skeptically.
"The Mountain of Lost Ninjas," Blake explained.
Hunter nodded. "The Gem of Souls can supposedly bring Tobi back to life."
"Then let's go already!" Dustin yelled.
"Wait," Tobi called, pausing as Skyla repeated his words. "When Kimberly told Dark Omega that she loved Doctor Oliver, his energy seemed to weaken for a moment. Leanne told me that Sensei Omino was in love with someone named Miko Hidaka. If you can find her, maybe she could pull Doctor Oliver and Sensei Omino apart or at least make Dark Omega weak long enough to have a shot at defeating him."
Cam gasped as Skyla finished repeating Tobi's idea.
"Cam, what's wrong?" Tori asked.
"Miko Hidaka was my mother's maiden name," he explained slowly.
The others exchanged looks.
"Maybe if we get your dad to help…" Shane suggested.
Cam took a breath. "I'll see to… my mother while you take Tobi's body to the Mountain of Lost Ninjas," he told them, a pained look on his face.
"Don't let him go alone," Tobi told Skyla.
"Tobi doesn't want you to go alone," Skyla repeated for Cam.
Cam offered her a weak smile.
"She's right, Cam," Tori agreed, looking toward where she thought her brother might be.
"I will go with Cam," Sensei stated as he entered the room. "And I believe this dimension's version of me may prove useful in convincing his wife."
Cam nodded toward his father.
"But Twilight Zone Sensei is under some like evil spell," Dustin pointed out. "one of us should go with them."
Hunter, Dustin and Tori exchanged looks, shaking their heads. They glanced at Shane. "We need Skyla and I'm not leaving her," he insisted, "not like this." He gestured toward her as she clutched her chest and her legs became wobbly. He was at her side in an instant. "Cam, you couldn't do anything for her?"
Cam began to speak, but Skyla interrupted him. "There's nothing he can do," she whispered.
Tori looked at the others. "I'm staying with Tobi," she said.
"Me too!" Dustin agreed.
Hunter just nodded.
"Don't everyone volunteer at once," Blake said sarcastically, hitting his brother on the shoulder. "Fine, I'll go with Cam and Sensei."
Cam nodded, looking to Skyla. "Anything else?" he asked.
She smiled. "He says, good luck."
Cam smiled back. "Thanks," he offered.
Hunter and Dustin carefully lifted Tobi's lifeless body.
"Here," Cam called, tossing the Sun Amulet, which Tori caught.
"Don't worry, Cam," she told him. "We'll save Tobi."
He just nodded, blinking slightly.
"Well, let's go," Shane said, supporting Skyla.
A moment later, everyone had left Ninja Ops, including the spirits.
To be continued...
Author's Note: So, what did you think of my attempt at simultaneity? This chapter was originally supposed to be one big long epic, but it quickly became obvious that it was way too long, so this seemed like a good spot to stop it. Let me know what you think of things. Your feedback is extremely helpful! Believe me, I am very much dependent on my reviewers to know not just how I'm doing but where to go with what I have. So, thank you for clicking the Review This Chapter button below!