New Poll: What should TZTori aka Tobi's sister's nickname be in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm? If you do not see a name you like, please add a comment in the review. I've tried to be... unique. You can pick up to three choices.
Regarding Pairings: In this chapter, I try out the winning pairing from the last poll. To remind you, that was: Tobi/Dustin, Tori/Blake, Hunter/TZDustin, Cam/TZTori and Shane/Skyla. I haven't abandoned the Hunter/Cam fans and there's a very tiny bit somewhere in here. In the actual episode this chapter is based on, their conversation goes like this: Cam: "What's he doing here?" Hunter: "Oh, it's you." So romantic!
Warning! This chapter contains excessive (though not overly descriptive) violence! Aaaah!
Author's Notes: This chapter takes place during the second half of the episode "Gem of a Day," but I'd like to think that my version of events is better… I tried to give Condortron something to make it at least partially formidable. Also, I don't have Hunter call Vexacus a "docile dufus." Seriously, he says that in the episode! Anyway, the chapter centers mostly around two pivotal action scenes at the beginning and then at the end of the chapter. I hope that I've made things clear and understandable. I've also tried to focus more on certain characters so that it doesn't feel like there are too many characters at once. And, yes, more drama and unexpected stuff happens…
~Winner for the reviewer who came up with this chapter's most creative inspiration goes to… FinalJudgement! Too bad I don't have any prizes!
Review Comments:
Thanks griffin blackwood for pointing out that there are too many characters! I know this is true, so I've tried to focus just on certain characters at a time in this chapter. It'll get easier when some of the characters are sent back to the other dimension. I know, that probably seems overdue, but I just haven't felt like the timing is quite right yet. Soon, though. In the mean time, I'll continue to try to mostly focus on a few characters at a time. We'll see how good I am at that…
Thanks YellowPrincess for your ever supportive reviews! I appreciate them so much! First, regarding two Dustin's in one body, I'm glad that it was unexpected. That was part of my goal, but it also serves another purpose. The two Dustin's can "rub off" on each other little quarks. Also, it gave me the opportunity to do some other unexpected things in this chapter… As for if they'll stay in one body, you'll have to read and find out. But, just rest assured that I have a plan! And we'll be seeing more of hippy Marah and Kapri in here so I'm glad you like them. As a warning, this chapter contains... some very intense scenes. Just a warning. And now, on to the next exciting installment…
Thanks FinalJudgement for not only the pep talk but also the idea! Yes, I was all set to go in one direction with this chapter and then I read your review and was like, "I have to do that!" Now, what idea could I be referring to? If I told you, it would spoil the story. Yes, yes, you could just go back and read your review, but don't do that! You don't want to spoil the surprise, right? And maybe I should be giving you encouragement, since you say you lost your own motivation. So, here goes: Go, go, go! Fight, fight, fight! Oh, wait, that's not right. I thought I was in a boxing ring for a moment there. Let me try again: You can do it! Just look at the brilliant idea you came up with that I didn't even think of and that made this chapter so much better! Just use your own ideas and run with them. Either that, or let me steal them. No, I mean, keep on writing! You can do it! Maybe you should try writing about Power Rangers (I only have a vague sense that Fire Emblem is a game, right?). That could be the key right there… (hint, hint)
Thanks MagicHalo for reviewing two chapters in a row with your trademark thoroughness! Thank you! If you like the action, you'll probably enjoy this chapter. And, if you like the drama, there's a little of that in here too. No need to apologize for being upset over Dustin's death. That means that I've successfully created a captivating and compelling story. As you probably guessed based on the pairing polls, the current Dustin situation isn't permanent. It does give me a chance to do some… things, though. I can't tell you, because that would be a spoiler. I try to put the beginnings of a Hunter/TZD pairing in here, so we'll have to see how that goes. Again, I spend more time on events than relationship building, but I do try to balance things. Speaking of balance, I tried to make this chapter very linear while also creating a balance of a few characters at a time. I hope my efforts make it less confusing. Do the little summaries right before the chapter (see directly below) help at all to bring you up to date? What specifically would you like to see to make the story easier to follow? I was a little confused about the line, "So I guess, one request would be that your stories wouldn't keep moving backwards a lot, just stick to the frontward story line." By moving backward, what do you mean? Maybe I'm overthinking this, but let me know! And, yes, here's more action…
Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:
The other dimension's Dustin (Waldo) sacrifices his own body so that this dimension's Dustin can live in it, but instead both spirits end up sharing the body. The mental sharing makes Dustin slightly more erratic and impulsive, but Skyla helps Tobi see that the bond might not hold if Dustin moves too much or too fast. Afraid of losing Dustin again, Tobi helps him get hippy Marah and Kapri ready to replace their space ninja counterparts. Meanwhile, the others work together to dig out the Zord Bay with Cam. Later, Choobo shows up and takes Marah and Kapri back to Lothor's ship, thinking they're Lothor's nieces. Then Vexacus and Condortron arrive to kill Tobi and take the Sun Amulet...
Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 38 (Trading Traitors)
"Why me?" Tobi asked as he paced between Vexacus standing next to Condortron and Dustin standing next to Geo as the boy held Destiny.
"It's simple really," Vexacus answered. "I'm here for the Sun Amulet."
Tobi instinctively glanced at his morpher.
"That's the one," Vexacus told him.
"You're not going to take it from me," Tobi replied, glaring at the shark-faced alien.
"Ah, but it will be so easy once you're a corpse," Vexacus said before waving toward the mechanical bird Condortron at his side. "Kill him!"
Instantly, Condortron flew toward Tobi, so Tobi raised his arms, sending out a wave of energy that forced the bird back. But, then, Condortron seemed to vanish.
"Where did—" Tobi began just as it appeared out of thin air, smashing into him with such a force that the bird flew him against a nearby building, where he hit the brick exterior with a loud and painful crack. He could feel something in his back snap and he found that he couldn't move or breathe.
Condortron seized this moment to fly him up to the roof, where he was thrown down. Yet, no sooner had he hit the roof then whatever had broken in him had already healed and he shot up to his feet. He knew he'd need to morph if he hoped to defeat Vexacus' creation, so he shouted, "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!"
As soon as he was morphed, Condortron slammed into him, its sharp wings sending sparks along his suit, but he ignored the bird and streaked down from the building to find Dustin now morphed and standing protectively in front of Geo and Destiny.
"Call the others," Tobi told Dustin as he sent a wave of energy toward Vexacus just as—smash—he was hit from behind by Condortron. He spun around to fight it, but once again it had vanished. He left his back open to Vexacus and he quickly found himself being hurled through the air. And, as Tobi's morphed body was tossed around, all he could think was that their focus solely on him meant that Dustin would be safe.
"Just a little farther," Cam mumbled to himself as he tried to stretch his arm into a shaft to connect a cable to the back of the Zord Bay. He was interrupted by a beeping from the Samurai Amulet around his neck. He groaned, removing his hand and setting down the cable. "What is it?" he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.
"Dude, we need help!" Dustin's voice shouted from Cam's amulet. "TZT's in trouble!"
Cam glanced at the others before replying, "We're on our way." The others followed as he returned to the main room of Ninja Ops and pulled up on the computer screen an image of Vexacus and a strange bird creature attacking Tobi in tag-team fashion.
"It's my favorite fish," Shane commented sarcastically.
"Forget the fish joke," Blake interrupted. "Check out big bird."
"Why are they just attacking Tobi?" Tori asked.
"Better yet, why's it look like he's losing?" the other dimension's Shane asked. "I never thought I'd say this, but Tobi should be able to kick their asses."
"He's right," Hunter agreed, studying the screen. "I think it's 'cause he can't predict…" He glanced at his brother. "…'big bird's' moves."
"I can," Skyla suddenly spoke up.
"We're not bringing you,' Shane argued. "And, Cam, we should take the Mobile Command Center. We could use the bikes."
Cam nodded. "At least that's still online and ready to go."
"Then let's go," Shane urged. "Sensei, keep an eye on the… others while we're gone."
"Of course, Shane," Sensei agreed.
"I know I'm not a ninja," Skyla told Shane, adding, "yet, but…"
Shane watched her for a moment. "Maybe next time," he said, squeezing her hand before leaving with this dimension's Power Rangers.
Choobo led Marah and Kapri onto the bridge of Lothor's ship and the two looked around, noticing the similarities to Mayor Lothor's place back in their dimension.
"There you two are," Lothor greeted them sharply. "Where have you been?"
Marah and Kapri exchanged nervous glances. "Uh, we… uh…" Kapri mumbled.
"We were planning something evil," Marah finished.
Lothor paused, waiting. "I'm listening."
"Oh, well, you know," Kapri mumbled. "It was a plan to like defeat the Power Rangers."
"And how did that go?" Lothor asked, sounding unimpressed.
"Uh, well…" Marah replied, glancing at Kapri.
"Just as I thought," Lothor groaned. "Next time, if you tell me first, I can point out what you're doing wrong. Which, of course, would be everything," he added, walking over to a control panel. "Now, if you girls'll excuse me, it looks like someone forgot to tell me when he planned to start his attack." On the viewscreen in front of him, an image appeared of Vexacus and Condortron attacked the gold ranger.
"Why does this Lothor have a southern accent?" Kapri whispered to Marah.
"I noticed that too," Marah whispered back. "Maybe he picked it up in space."
"Space cowboys?" Kapri asked.
Marah nodded.
"What are you two babbling about back there?" Lothor called. "Choobo, get me some popcorn. It's just gettin' good."
"Uh, sure," Choobo replied, turning to the girls. "Marah, go make some popcorn."
"Okay," Marah agreed, looking around.
"You're not gonna argue with me?" Choobo asked, surprised.
"Go make your own popcorn," Kapri said, trying to sound forceful.
"Okay," Choobo said. "Just don't hit me." He then scurried out of the room.
The girls exchanged surprised looks.
"Um, mayor—I mean, uncle," Marah quickly corrected. "Where do you keep your PAM?"
"In my hand," Lothor replied without glancing away from the screen. "After last time, I'm not letting you two near it again."
Marah and Kapri exchanged worried glances. "Not even if we want to use it to, uh, defeat the Power Rangers?" Marah added.
Lothor just laughed. "Choobo, where's that popcorn?"
Tobi concentrated on pushing a continuous wave of energy out from himself. It was the only way he'd been able to prevent all the surprise attacks from Condortron while also keeping back Vexacus.
"TZT, I can help you!" Dustin, still morphed, called to Tobi.
"No!" Tobi quickly called back, his momentary distraction causing his energy field to weaken enough to let in an attack that sent him sprawling across the ground.
Dustin started to run to Tobi's side, but a wave of dizziness stopped him and he too fell to the ground. "Dude, I have an idea," he announced, clutching his head. "I've only ever done this right when I'm morphed, but this is what I tried to do in the cave."
"Dustin!" was all Tobi managed to shout just as he saw Dustin's morphed body blur and then split in two, forming two identical yellow rangers.
One of the yellow rangers ran toward Tobi. This time, no wave of dizziness stopped him. "Dude, it worked!" he cheered while helping Tobi up.
"How'd you do that?" Tobi asked, glancing back at the remaining yellow ranger as the one with him hugged him.
"That's what I'd like to know," the other yellow ranger asked, approaching. "I know how you split, even though I've never done it myself, but how did you know each of our spirits would stick to one of the two halves?"
"I didn't," Dustin replied, releasing Tobi with a shrug. "I just figured both couldn't be dizzy."
"Dustin and… Waldo?" Tobi realized, glancing between the two identical rangers.
"We've each got our own bodies now, Tobs," the other yellow ranger replied.
"Awesome," was all the one with Tobi said, again hugging him.
"But I'm pretty sure it's temporary," the other added. "How long have you been able to do this splitting before?"
"Not long," Dustin replied. "I've never done it for more than like a few minutes tops."
Tobi opened the visor on his helmet, but, as Dustin did the same on his own helmet, he noticed that Dustin's face was dim. It took him a moment to realize that Dustin's face was semi-transparent.
"What?" Dustin asked as Waldo blocked an attack from Condortron.
"I can see through you," Tobi whispered, reaching up to touch Dustin's face with his gloved hand, but finding it passed right through him until it reached the back of Dustin's helmet. He quickly removed his hand and promptly ran it down Dustin's morphed arm.
Dustin's expression flickered as he held Tobi firmly by the arms. "At least I can touch you, even if it's with gloves. And, TZT, we're not dizzy." He lowered his voice. "And I get at least a little privacy up here." He pointed to his head.
Just then, Waldo was knocked to the ground and Dustin closed his visor and turned to help fight off the attacks. "We've got your back," he called.
"For now," the other added.
Tobi stared between the two and nodded. "Thanks."
Then Vexacus waved his arms and strings of light shot out from his fingers, quickly tying up the three morphed rangers and lifting them into the air, where Condortron swept by them, its metal wings sending sparks flying along their morphed bodies.
That was when a red energy blast shot at Vexacus, distracting him long enough to release Tobi and the two yellow rangers, who fell to the ground.
The three looked over to see a series of Tsunami Cycles ride up, each driven by an already morphed Power Ranger.
Shane's red bike sent a blast of energy out, knocking Condortron back before it could advance.
Tori noticed Geo holding Destiny and called, "I'll take Geo back to the Mobile Command Center." She then noticed the two Dustins.
"Hey, Tor, we're not stuck in one body," one told her.
"For now," the other added.
"Uh, right," she mumbled, carrying Geo and Destiny to her blue cycle.
One of the two yellow rangers ran over to the other rangers. "They're after TZT," he explained.
"They want Tobs' Sun Amulet," the other yellow ranger added.
Hunter looked between the two as the one that had run up to them hugged him.
"Dude, I got a body again!" Dustin cheered. "Well, sorta," he added, releasing him.
"That's…" Hunter began slowly.
"Awesome, I know!" Dustin agreed, hastily adding, "Hurry up. We need to help kick butt."
Hunter nodded, but, just then, Motodrone materialized between Vexacus and the rangers. He was surrounded by a horde of kelzaks. "Miss me?" he asked.
"This is my battle," Vexacus growled.
Motodrone simply pointed toward the rangers and yelled, "Attack!"
As Motodrone and his kelzaks focused on the other rangers, this left Vexacus free to focus solely on the gold ranger.
Tori returned on her bike, blasting her way through the kelzaks toward Tobi, but Hunter, on his own bike, was the first to make it to the gold ranger. But, before he could come between Vexacus and Tobi, Condortron smashed into him, knocking him off his bike. Quickly jumping back onto the cycle, he called, "Crimson Glider Bike, flight mode, engage!"
Lifting into the air, Hunter's bike began to transform, its wheels raising and becoming propellers attached to its wings. Now in the air, Hunter chased Condortron through the sky.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the two yellow rangers were fighting in perfect harmony against Vexacus, their mental connection leaving at least some connection between them.
Tobi blasted a beam of burning light toward Vexacus, who removed his sword and bounced it toward one of the yellow rangers, who was sent sliding across the ground with smoke rising from his suit.
"Dustin!" Hunter's voice called form overhead as he dove his glider back toward the gournd.
Vexacus glanced up, sending a ball of black and yellow energy toward the glider and causing its controls to spark. No sooner had Hunter began to lose control then Condortron flew by, knocking the glider into a spin, where it tumbled to the earth and exploded into a massive fireball.
"Hunter!" both yellow rangers called in unison, running toward the flames and smoke.
Before Tobi could even join them, Vexacus had used a glowing string of energy to pull Tobi toward him. He stabbed his sword against Tobi's chest, but Tobi's morphed state prevented it from entering him. Still, it sent him to the ground writhing in pain.
He managed to look up to see the two yellow rangers helping a limping and still morphed Hunter away from the wreckage as he clutched his side.
Vexacus used Tobi's distraction to quickly slice his sword across Tobi's morpher, causing it to spark and his suit to flicker before he unmorphed.
"Lucky I came when I did," Motodrone said, sitting atop his bike as the other rangers were either on the ground or still battling kelzaks.
"I didn't request backup," Vexacus snapped.
"We will leave you this time," Motodrone replied, watching the severely injured Tobi, "but beware. I'm watching you." The warning lingered in the air as Motodrone and his kelzaks vanished.
The rangers hobbled toward Tobi, but suddenly found themselves being knocked away by a quickly appearing and disappearing Condortron.
After a moment, though, the voice of Skyla came from Shane's morpher, warning him before each of the mechanical bird's attacks.
With one swift movement, Vexacus stabbed Tobi's no longer morphed chest with his sword, its blade easily slicing right through him. He gasped, crumping as the sword was removed, its blade now crimson.
"No!" the others shouted, trying to run to Tobi while also avoiding Condortron.
Vexacus looked up, noticing the red ranger anticipate Condortron's moves and called, "Return to the ship. I'll handle this myself."
Condortron shot straight up into the sky, vanishing. The rangers looked up, echoing a confused, "Huh?"
"Any last words?" Vexacus asked, but he seemed to be directing his question to the other rangers, not Tobi.
"Yeah," Cam declared, an unexpected edge in his voice. "Super Samurai Mode!" he called, throwing down his gold vest with a crash and spinning his visor around.
Vexacus just laughed as strings of light shot out from his fingers, trying around each of the rangers and lifting them into the air. "I'm pulling the strings now," he laughed as the rangers were knocked into each other in the air. "Dance, my puppets!"
This gave Tobi's body enough time to heal and he turned to Vexacus, his eyes glowing. "Let them go!" he growled out.
"Sure!" Vexacus quickly agreed and Tobi's momentary surprise at his easy release of the others left him open to a blade once again puncturing his chest. But, this time, Vexacus let two glowing tentacles stretch out from one of his hands and right through Tobi's open chest. They wrapped around his two sides, lifting him. But, more than that, they began to tear him in two.
Vexacus raised his sword over Tobi's left arm that had the morpher on it, aiming to slice it off, but his sword clashed against two others. Looking up, he saw two yellow rangers, swords extended.
"Leave him alone!" one of the identical rangers shouted.
"Dude, you so don't wanna mess with us," the other agreed, slicing through the tentacles.
The other rangers were quick to run to Tobi. And, as Cam pulled Tobi back, the others stood protectively in front of their severely injured friend. It was a wall of Power Rangers that Vexacus would now have to deal with.
But, to their surprise, Vexacus just chuckled before vanishing. The moment he was gone, the ground began to shake. Out of the earth emerged a massive shark head. It tore through the earth, ripping apart the ground. Atop the massive creature, near its oversized fin, stood Vexacus, shouting, "Land Shark Attack!"
As the enormous shark plowed through the rangers, they were sent flying, each smashing into a separate building. Tobi looked up from the slowing sealing hole in his chest to see the two yellow rangers thrown roughly to the ground, where they flickered for a moment before remerging into a single yellow ranger lying motionless.
Before Tobi could try to call out, the massive shark that Vexacus had been riding was gone and Vexacus grabbed Tobi roughly. The alien glanced over at the other rangers as they helped each other up before calling to them, "I'm sorry I can't finish you all now, but I have what I came for." And then, he and Tobi were both gone, vanishing into thin air.
The others ran over to where the two had been, but the only thing left of Tobi was his blood stains.
"We have to go after him," Tori told the others.
"Agreed," Cam said, before looking around. "Where are my cousins?"
Dustin seemed dazed and hesitated before answering. "Choobo took them to Lothor's ship. He thinks they're Lothor's nieces." He looked at Cam, pausing before continuing. "I gave them a morpher, so we can keep in touch."
"Right," Shane said. "Then we should get back to the Mobile Command Center."
"Dustin… both Dustins now, don't worry," Hunter told him, approaching and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get him back."
"Uh, yeah," Dustin mumbled. "I… uh, we hope so." He glanced nervously back at Cam as the group returned to the Mobile Command Center. "Cam, can I… talk to you?"
"Right now?" Cam asked. "Hunter's right, we'll get him back."
"It's not just that," Dustin began. He lowered his voice, whispering, "Dustin's gone."
"What?" Cam snapped.
"Don't tell the others," Dustin said quickly. "When we separated, we were each in one of the two morphed halves, but, when the two parts remerged, I realized… it's just me again, Waldo. He's… gone."
Cam sighed. "I was afraid it wouldn't hold, but why are you telling me and not the others."
Dustin glanced toward Hunter. "You actually like me and I'm afraid they'll… over react."
Cam followed his gaze to Hunter. "I suppose that's possible. We'll discuss this later." He paused. "And, Waldo, I'm glad you trust me."
By this time, the rangers were entered the large truck that served as the Mobile Command Center and Cam quickly approached the screen at the front of the vehicle, adjusting its scan for a morpher that would be in space.
Vexacus and Tobi appeared in a dark hallway inside Lothor's ship, apparently alone. Vexacus quickly reached down, tearing the morpher from Tobi's wrist. "Now, tell me how this works and I will make your death as painless as possible," he said while trying to pry the Sun Amulet off the morpher.
"It won't work for you," Tobi said, coughing on his own blood. Without the amulet, his body's healing process was severely weakening him. "It just recharges me when I heal myself or use my abilities."
"I haven't seen this bonding technique since…" Vexacus whispered to himself, seemingly ignoring Tobi. "Aquitar," he realized. "The Alien Rangers of Aquitar must have bonded the Sun Amulet to the morpher. Still, I will find a way."
"Why not let me have a look?" a voice asked, startling Vexacus, who turned to see Lothor approaching, Motodrone a few paces behind him.
"I was just about to bring this to you," Vexacus said quickly, handing the morpher to Lothor.
"I bet you were," Lothor replied, glaring at Vexacus as he took the morpher and studied it. "Aquitarian bonding technique," he said dismissively. "It's power is bound to the morpher and the morpher is aligned to the gold ranger specifically."
Behind him, he heard a gasp as Marah and Kapri approached. They held each other back, fighting the urge to run to Tobi. "Is he okay?" Marah asked, quickly adding, "not that we care."
"Oh, him?" Lothor asked, glancing at Tobi dismissively. "Vexacus, dispose of him."
"With pleasure," Vexacus agreed, raising his sword.
"Don't!" Kapri shouted before she could stop herself.
Lothor stared at the girls. "Do you two have a problem with me having one of the rangers killed?"
"Of course not," Marah said quickly, "but…"
"We have a better idea," Kapri added.
"We do?" Marah asked, looking at Kapri. When Kapri just shrugged, she said, "Oh, yeah, we do." Thinking quickly, she explained, "You said the amulet only works for Tobi, so if you kill him, it would be useless, right?"
Lothor paused, surprised. "You're right for once in your life," he agreed, studying the morpher in his hand.
"Maybe he could like work for us, I mean you?" Kapri added.
"There's an idea," Lothor mused, staring down at Tobi's crumpled and bleeding body as he quietly whimpered in pain to himself. "But, as I recall, we tried that with a certain pair of thunder rangers and their loyalties didn't last, even with Choobo's mind control."
"Did someone call me?" Choobo asked, entering the hallway. "Is this a secret meeting or something?"
"Choobo," Lothor addressed, "remind me why the mind control failed with those thunder ingrates."
"It didn't last long enough," Choobo explained. "It wasn't my fault."
Lothor nodded, thinking while Marah and Kapri watched him nervously. "But we may not need it to work for long," he finally said, "not with how quickly this new gold ranger managed to defeat my best general."
"Sir, I—" Vexacus began to interrupt, but Lothor put up a hand.
"He could have the rest of the rangers wiped out before supper," Lothor continued. "Speaking of which, Vexacus, you're on kitchen duty."
"Why me?" Vexacus grumbled, surprised.
"Because I'll need Choobo," Lothor said simply. "Now carry him onto the bridge and put him under the stasis field."
As Marah and Kapri helped carry Tobi, Marah whispered, "We'll think of something," before Tobi passed out from the strain of his body's healing process combined with the pain and blood loss.
Once in the main bridge of Lothor's ship, Tobi was placed in the center of the room, where a glowing energy field surrounded him, keeping him motionless.
A beeping came from Marah's outfit, startling her.
"What's that sound?" Lothor asked as Choobo began the mind control process.
"Uh, popcorn," Kapri said.
Marah blinked at her for a moment before agreeing. "Yeah, we'll go check on it." Then the two ran out of the room.
"Is it just me or are those two acting even stranger than usual?" Lothor asked.
"Uh, they're usually strange?" Choobo asked, confused.
Lothor groaned. "Just get on with it," he ordered. "The thought of putting Vexacus on kitchen duty makes my stomach churn."
As Marah and Kapri left the bridge, they ran into Motodrone. "And where are you two going in such a hurry?" he asked.
"Popcorn," Kapri explained quickly.
"The kitchen is that way," Motodrone said, pointing.
"Of course it is," Marah replied, leading Kapri off. The moment they left, Vexacus approached Motodrone.
"So, how is our little golden spy?" Vexacus asked in a snide tone.
"I was just following orders," Motodrone explained as Shimazu scampered over to the two. "You should try doing the same."
Vexacus laughed, patting Motodrone's shoulder. "Who says I wasn't?" He then turned and left.
"I know he can't be trusted," Motodrone grumbled to Shimazu.
Meanwhile, Marah and Kapri found a deserted part of the ship and Marah pulled Dustin's still beeping morpher from her outfit. Fumbling with the buttons, she asked, "Yes? Dustin, is that you?"
"It's me, Cam," Cam's voice came from the morpher.
"Shh," Kapri warned.
"Are you two alright?" Cam asked.
"We're fine, Cam," Marah replied, "but Tobi's in bad shape and they plan to brainwash him or something to turn him against you guys."
"He said something about mind controlled thunder rangers," Kapri added.
"Lothor's going to try a repeat of what he did to me and Blake," Hunter's voice cut in.
"But it didn't work," Blake's voice pointed out.
"It worked long enough," Hunter added. "And, with Tobi, all he needs is a moment to destroy us all."
"Uh, don't listen to my brother, the pessimist," Blake interrupted.
"Marah, Kapri," Cam addressed. "Try to see if you can figure out how this mind control works and see if you can disable it without being caught."
"Sure, thing, cousin," Kapri agreed.
"We'll do what we can, Cam," Marah added. "And tell Dustin thanks for giving us the morpher."
Cam paused before agreeing. "I will."
Marah then put the morpher away in her outfit and the two returned to the bridge.
The screen in front of Cam went back to displaying a map of where the Mobile Command Center was driving the moment the communication with Marah and Kapri ended.
"She's right," Hunter said, turning to Dustin. "It's a good thing you thought of giving her Dustin's morpher. One of you, anyway."
"Yeah, one of us," Dustin agreed. He glanced at Cam, who seemed to be giving him a look that said he should tell him. "Hunter, I…" he began. "I lost the connection with Dustin's spirit. It's… just me." He flinched away as if expecting Hunter to hit him.
"Oh," was all Hunter said, looking at Dustin…Waldo and blinking.
"You're not going to… freak out?" Waldo asked, surprised.
"I'm not going to react like Tobi, if that's what you mean," Hunter replied. "I guess I'm more used to dealing with loss than him."
"Maybe you just accept it easier," Waldo suggested. "When Tobs' mom died, it took him a long time to come to terms with her death."
Hunter nodded. "Speaking of Tobi, let's… not tell him if he's under Lothor's control. It might be… disasterous."
"I'm with you on that, dude," Waldo agreed.
Hunter looked at him quickly. "Did you just say 'dude?'"
"I guess so," Waldo realized. "Maybe some of Dustin's way of thinking rubbed off on me while he was sharing my head. He… has an interesting outlook on life."
"That's one way of putting it," Hunter agreed.
"It's nice to have a positive way of seeing things that I used to brood over," Waldo added.
"Brood?" Hunter repeated.
"Dwell on, you know?" Waldo clarified.
"Yeah, I know," Hunter agreed. "And… Waldo, I want you to know, I don't hate you."
Waldo gave him a surprised look.
"I know I asked you to trade your life for Dustin's, but I was wrong," Hunter continued. "I'm… sorry."
"Thanks, Hunter," Waldo replied, smiling. He felt an instinct to hug the blonde but stopped himself.
"I was wondering, why did you both come over to me when my glider crashed?" Hunter asked.
"Oh," Waldo replied, blushing. "I guess another thing of Dustin's rubbed off on me."
"What's that?" Hunter asked.
"The way he feels about you," Waldo explained. "He doesn't call it love, but that's what he feels for you. For a lot of people, actually," he added, "but something special for you. It's not like with Tobi, but it's… special."
Hunter blinked, his eyes becoming moist.
"Dude, I'm sorry," Waldo said quickly. "I shouldn't have brought that up."
"No, it's okay," Hunter reassured him. He surprised Waldo by hugging him. "I'm just glad one of you is here."
Waldo hesitated before hugging Hunter back. "So am I," he whispered, adding, "dude."
As the rangers reentered Ninja Ops, Shane approached Skyla. "Thanks for the help," he told her with a smile.
"It was all I could do, not being there," she replied, making it obvious she wished she could do more.
Shane took her in his arms. "Trust me, Skyla, I'm really glad you weren't there this time."
"Where's Tobi?" Tobi's sister asked, noticing her brother's absence.
"Vexacus took him," Cam answered as he approached his computer and sat down.
"Lothor's going to try to brainwash him to make him evil," Tori added.
"And?" Tobi's sister asked.
"And what?" Blake asked.
"What are we going to do about it?" Tobi's sister asked, almost shouting.
"I'm working on that," Cam said as he typed.
She turned back to him. "At least someone's always on top of things around here."
Cam just nodded as he worked.
"I'm sorry, Cam," she apologized. "It's just… ever since the whole suicide thing, I get really worried about him."
"I know," he replied.
"You… oh, well, I guess you do," she said. "So, is there anything I can do to help?"
"You can let me concentrate," he told her.
"Sheesh," she mumbled. "I can take a hint."
He turned to her. "I'm sorry," he said. "You can help. If he is under Lothor's control, you're still his sister and his feelings for you might be enough to snap him out of it."
"You sure I'm the one to do that?" she asked skeptically. "I haven't exactly been the perfect sister to him over the years."
"Don't underestimate the power of love," Cam said.
She chuckled. "I can't believe you just said that."
"It's something the other Tori said to me one time," he explained.
"Oh," she mumbled, glancing over at Tori. "Yeah, maybe she'd be able to break Lothor's spell better than me. She's obviously a more caring person than me."
"That's not true," he disagreed. "You're not the person you think you are."
"And who do think I am?" she asked, surprised.
"Someone who only cares about herself," he explained.
"Really? Because that sounds just like me," she argued.
"Then why did you just tell me how worried you are about Tobi and then offer to help me?" he asked.
"Point taken," she conceded.
"I know something else you could do," he added.
"What's that?" she asked.
"See what information about this mind control you can get out of the Marah and Kapri we have here," he suggested.
"Sure," she agreed.
"Good luck," he told her. "You'll need it."
"Thanks, Cam," she said, patting his shoulder.
"Really, it's all of us who should be thanking you for being the one to talk to them," he replied.
"No, I mean thanks for knowing that I needed something to do to keep me from going crazy with worry," she corrected.
"Oh, well, I figured as much," he agreed.
"You're so smart, Cam," she said, patting his head. She leaned in, whispering, "Smarter than my dimension's Dustin—or Waldo, but keep that to yourself." She winked at him before walking over to space ninja Marah and Kapri and declaring, "Okay, girls, it's time to talk."
"I thought, like, you were on our side," Marah argued.
"Ancient history," she retorted. "Now, we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way." She cracked her knuckles. "I'm hoping you pick the hard way myself."
"Just a warning," the other dimension's Shane told Marah and Kapri, "she hits really hard." He then chuckled to himself as the girls' eyes widened in horror.
"I guess some things about the two Toris are definitely the same," Blake commented.
Tori promptly hit him. And, yes, even this dimension's Tori hit hard.
Lothor paced around Tobi as he stood in the center of the bridge of Lothor's space ship, a vacant look in his eyes. "Who are you loyal to?" Lothor asked him.
"You, my master," Tobi replied, a grin spreading over his face.
"And what are you going to do to the Power Rangers?" Lothor asked.
"Destroy them," Tobi growled. "Burn them from the inside out."
"Music to my ears," Lothor cooed, clapping his hands. "Do what you did to Zurgane to the rangers." He sighed momentarily. "Zurgane may have failed me too many times, but he deserved more than to be a pile of ash."
Suddenly Tobi began choking, looking around.
"Choobo, what's happening?" Lothor snapped, stepping away from Tobi.
"Maybe it was bringing up ash," Choobo suggested. "I think he's touchy on that because of the yellow ranger."
"I see," Lothor said, nodding. "Well, do something before we all end up like that useless yellow ranger."
"Dustin was not useless!" Marah shouted before covering her mouth with both hands. Kapri gave her a warning look.
"Yes, yes," Lothor said, brushing off her reaction. "We all know about your obsession over the yellow ranger. As I recall, you used up all the tissues with your incessant crying and I had to blow my nose in your hair. Though, the snot was an improvement." He looked at Kapri for support.
"Uh, yeah, totally," she agreed.
Marah gave her a worried look, but, the moment Lothor turned his back, she hugged her sister. He spun around, but she quickly tugged on Marah's hair, eliciting an "Ow!" from Marah.
"Where am I?" Tobi asked, looking around.
"Choobo!" Lothor called.
"I'm turning up the energy pulse," Choobo replied, but I don't wanna do it too fast or it'll fry his brain."
"Here, let me try," Vexacus demanded, pushing Choobo aside and turning a dial.
Tobi instantly fell to the ground as a red glow struck his head. "Ah!" he screamed in pain, clutching his head.
Lothor stomped over to Vexacus and Choobo, lowering the dial. "What are you doing?" he asked, glaring at Vexacus.
"Just trying to get results," Vexacus replied calmly. "You deserve that much, don't you?"
Lothor frowned. "I do, don't I?"
Meanwhile, Marah and Kapri had rushed to help Tobi up.
"I take it he's alive," Lothor said, approaching Tobi, "and no worse for the wear."
"And ready to serve you," Vexacus asked, approaching Tobi. "Right?"
"Of course, my master," Tobi told Vexacus, a faint glow behind his eyes.
Lothor glared at Vexacus. "I'm your master," he corrected Tobi.
Tobi nodded. "Yes, master."
"Do you remember what you are to do?" Lothor asked.
"Destroy the Power Rangers," Tobi replied, adding, "and then…"
"Wait, there wasn't an 'and then,'" Lothor pointed out.
"And then, the world," Tobi finished.
"Just stick to the Power Rangers," Lothor warned, leaning forward and sticking a finger in Tobi's face. "It's hard to be a ruler without subjects."
Tobi shrugged. "If that's what you want."
"I do," Lothor told him.
Tobi grinned. "Then you'll have it."
"Good," Lothor concluded, clapping his palms together. "Choobo, take him down to earth while I set the recorder on the viewer. This one I'm going to want to remember."
"Sir, I'll take him," Vexacus quickly volunteered, stepping between Choobo and Tobi.
"Very well, but be quick about it," Lothor agreed. "I've been waiting a long time for this moment and I don't want any screw-ups."
"So have I," Vexacus whispered as he led Tobi out into the hall.
Marah and Kapri discretely followed them, hiding behind a corner.
"I have a last minute request," Vexacus told Tobi, glancing around to make sure the two were alone.
"Anything, master," Tobi agreed.
"The crimson ranger has fragments of the Gem of Souls," Vexacus explained. "Once he and the others are destroyed , I want those fragments… and the Sun Amulet."
Tobi nodded. "I understand."
"And, remember, you are to give them to me and not mention this to Lothor," Vexacus added.
"Of course, master," Tobi agreed.
Vexacus then patted Tobi's shoulder and the two vanished.
"We have to warn the others," Marah told Kapri.
"We need to steal Lothor's PAM so we can get off this ship," Kapri added.
That was when the two noticed Motodrone and Shimazu standing behind them.
"Uh, we were talking about our uncle's cooking spray," Kapri hastily explained.
"A likely story," Motodrone growled. "If I didn't have Vexacus' treachery to deal with, I'd turn you two in myself for whatever you're planning."
"Planning?" Marah repeated, trying to sound clueless.
Motodrone grumbled, stepping around Shimazu and leaving. "First Vexacus and then those two," he continued as he left.
The girls exchanged nervous glances. "We need to call the others," Marah insisted and the two snuck off to find a quiet spot.
"Thanks for letting us know," Cam said to Marah and Kapri on his screen. "At the first opportunity that presents itself, you two should get out of there."
"What about his PAM?" Marah asked.
Cam sighed. "We'd rather have you to back."
"Aw, we love you too, cousin," Kapri cooed.
"Uh, yeah," Cam mumbled. "Just see if you can sabotage the mind control beam before you leave. According to our Marah and Kapri down here, it's located on the bridge and—"
"We know where it is," Marah interrupted. "And we'll see what we can do." She paused. "The Tobi that left wasn't the Tobi we know. He was… mean. Be careful."
Cam nodded. "Always," he agreed and the image of the girls vanished. He then turned in his seat to the others. "A mind controlled Tobi is on his way and…" He paused, looking at Hunter. "Vexacus seems to be under the impression that you have the Gem of Souls."
Hunter fidgeted. "I was going to tell you," he began.
"But I threw the remains into the ocean," Cam pointed out.
"Not all of them," Hunter said, removing a pouch and opening it to reveal the fragments to the Gem of Souls.
"I thought maybe they'd help me see my parents," Hunter explained.
"And he didn't even tell me either," Blake added.
Hunter sighed and shrugged.
"I understand that sometimes your loss is difficult to accept," Sensei said, hopping over next to Cam, "but what's done is done. You can never go back in time."
"Actually, that's not true," Waldo interrupted. "I mean, you can use a scroll." He looked toward Cam, who smiled at him, nodding.
"Sensei," Hunter continued, "I know my parents aren't completely gone, that they're spirits and that these fragments give me the power to bind a spirit to a body. Knowing that I can save a life doesn't mean I'm denying the fact that I've lost people I love." There was an earnestness in his voice as he gripped the shards.
Sensei paused, thinking. "I am not as worried about your temptation to abuse the power, Hunter, as I am of the gem falling into Lothor's hands."
"What can he do with the Gem of Souls?" Shane asked. "It can only be used for good."
"Except when it was used to open the Abyss of Evil in the other dimension," Cam reminded them.
Sensei visibly flinched.
"Sensei, is there something you know that you're not telling us?" Tori asked.
"You merely need to know that the gem must not leave Ninja Ops," Sensei replied.
"He knows exactly what'll happen if Lothor gets his hands on those pieces," Tobi's sister interrupted, "but he's afraid it'll scare you all."
"Dad?" Cam asked, looking from her to his father.
"Son, rangers," Sensei addressed, "you must trust that there are some things you are not ready to hear."
"It's about your destiny," Skyla explained, "and he's right."
"Okay, then," Shane agreed, shrugging.
Cam reached out. "I'll hold on to that."
Hunter reluctantly handed him the sack.
"Is this really all this time?" Cam asked.
Hunter nodded. "Cam, I didn't know you back then, when I tried to kill your dad. Now that I… Now that you're my friend, I would never lie to you."
Cam smiled at him. "Thanks."
Hunter set a hand on Cam's hand that held the sack. "I am sorry for keeping that from you."
"I know," Cam said, looking down at Hunter's hand before he pulled it away.
A beeping from the computer caused Cam to turn around.
"You really have a thing for blondes, don't you, loverboy?" Tobi's sister whispered into his ear before he brushed her off.
"It's Tobi," Cam announced. "He's… here."
"Here, as in…" Waldo prompted.
"As in, he's coming through the waterfall portal now," Cam said, hopping up from his chair as the others ran outside.
Tobi was standing alone in the center of a field of black, charred grass that served as a reminder of just what he was capable of.
"Tobi?" Cam asked hesitantly.
"You're going down," Tobi growled as his dimension's rangers also emerged from the hatch leading down into Ninja Ops.
"Tobi, don't—" Tori began before a wave of force exploded out from Tobi, knocking the group over and sending them sliding across the burnt grass. A cloud of ash blew up into the air.
"Tobi, we're your friends," Hunter insisted, standing up.
"You're no friends of mine," Tobi growled, waving a hand and causing Hunter to burst into flames.
Tori gasped before spraying the blonde with water. He coughed and his skin was blistered, but he was alive.
"Hunter," Waldo called, running to him.
"Tobi, please…" Tori begged, turning from Hunter with tears in her eyes.
That was when Tori burst into flames, but this time it was Tobi's sister who put her out.
"Tobs, stop this," Waldo demanded as he knelt over Hunter, instinctively taking his hand.
"Call him TZT," Hunter choked out.
"I'm not going to lie to him," Waldo said, turning to Tobi and standing before slowly walking closer to him. "Tobs, I lost Dustin's spirit. If you're going to hurt anyone, hurt me, but leave the others alone. Leave them—" He gasped, falling to the ground as he coughed up blood and felt his insides burn.
"You'll have your turn," Tobi growled as the others approached him.
"Dustin, morph!" Tobi's sister shouted, running to him.
"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form," Waldo said weakly.
As he morphed, Shane nodded toward the others. Together, each of this dimension's rangers morphed.
"This'll be fun," Tobi mused, calling, "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!" and morphing as well. He then backflipped into Blake while also kicking Shane to the ground.
"Guys, stay back," the other dimension's Shane warned his dimension's rangers, none of whom were morphed because the others were. "This is a losing battle."
"Tobi, we don't want to fight you," Tori pleaded as she tried to block his punches.
"So, you'd all rather die than fight me?" Tobi growled.
"She's not saying that," Blake said, stepping in front of Tori and kicking Tobi back.
"You two soulmates want to be together so bad?" Tobi asked, blocking Blake. "Let me help you." He then waved his arms, sending waves of energy between Tori and Blake and slamming the two into each other with a loud smack that resembled the clap of thunder.
Hunter limped over to the two, checking on them, but they were motionless. "Tobi, what about your soulmate?" he asked, looking up at Tobi. "What about Dustin?"
Tobi blinked for a moment before a red glow erupted from his head and he yelped in pain. After a moment, he declared, "Dustin is dead, just like all of you will be." His eyes were now glowing so brightly that they could be seen through his closed visor.
"Dustin's spirit is—" Cam began before a streak of light came from Tobi, slicing through Cam and instantly causing him to demorph. He fell to the ground, the blood on his chest bubbling and smoldering.
"Cam!" the others shouted, making their way to him. But, as they did, Tobi either kicked or forced them back.
Tobi's sister was closest to Cam, so she checked on him while Tori called out, "Is he okay?"
She shook her head, staring down at Cam. "So much for being the smart one, Cam," she whispered as she used water to cool his boiling blood.
"We need to fight back," Waldo told Shane. "If we don't, we're doomed."
Shane reluctantly nodded, removing his Hawk Blaster. "Guys, we take Tobi out, just not… all the way."
The others nodded in agreement, removing their weapons. They then began an all out assault against the gold ranger and their former friend, Tobi.
"We have to do something," Marah whispered to Kapri as the two stood behind Lothor while he watched the fight unfold on his viewscreen.
"Like, a distraction?" Kapri suggested.
Marah nodded, whispering, "You freeze the floor. When Choobo slips, I'll burn the controls."
"And we'll blame it on Choobo?" Kapri asked. "I don't like lying."
"Neither do I, but we have to or the others will die," Marah replied.
Kapri reluctantly agreed and the two sisters hugged before getting into position.
"Wait for my signal," Marah whispered.
At that moment, Vexacus noticed Motodrone entering the bridge holding a scroll and Vexacus immediately walked over to interrupt him. "Going somewhere?" Vexacus asked.
"Out of my way," Motodrone barked. "I need to make my report to Lothor."
"Lothor can't be disturbed right now," Vexacus said, pushing Motodrone out into the hall, "but I'll help you out." He yanked the scroll out of Motodrone's hand. "Hmm, says here Vexacus, that's me, is disloyal, disobedient and may be planning to take over the ship. It even goes on to say something about Lothor's nieces. Now, why would you report something like that?"
"Because it's true," Motodrone snapped.
"Well, then, I guess the last person I'd want to know that is Lothor, isn't it?" Vexacus sneered.
Motodrone reached for the scroll, but Vexacus quickly pulled it away.
"I'll just be hanging on to this," Vexacus told him.
"You can't," Motodrone insisted.
"And who's going to stop me?" Vexacus asked, pulling out a fan and fanning himself lazily.
Motodrone growled, throwing off his cloak and trying to kick the scroll out of Vexacus' hand.
"Fool!" Vexacus declared. "Back off or perish."
Motodrone swung at Vexacus, who flipped backward further down the hall before returning a forceful punch of his own.
"Do you submit?" Vexacus asked as Motodrone skidded backward.
"Never!' Motodrone replied sharply.
"I warned you," Vexacus said, raising his hands. A yellow beam shot out toward Motodrone, causing him to fall to the ground and begin melting until he was nothing but a pile of smoking gold metal.
Vexacus then reentered the bridge in time to see Choobo slip and fall onto the panel, which promptly exploded despite how lightly he had hit it.
Lothor groaned loudly. "You better not have ruined what was turning out to be the end of the Power Rangers," he called without looking away from the screen.
"Uh, the mind control will last for a little while longer at least," Choobo defended, studying the panel.
"I hope you're right," Lothor told him, "for your sake."
Marah and Kapri lowered their arms, exchanging looks.
"What's that smell?" Lothor asked, sniffing and crinkling his nose.
"Motodrone had a little meltdown," Vexacus said with a chuckle as Lothor set down his PAM and Marah and Kapri again exchanged looks.
Back on Earth, outside Ninja Ops the rangers that were still able to fight were quickly losing the battle against Tobi.
"This has been fun while it lasted," Tobi said, "but enough is enough." He held out his hand and what looked like a small sun formed in it. The sun then exploded, a wave tearing through the ash covered ground and sending dirt and trees flying while also throwing the rangers back. This dimension's rangers were instantly demorphed while the other dimension's rangers tumbled backwards, the wave causing their bones to shatter.
Tobi began to hover over the ground, flames rising up around him as his body began to glow brighter and brighter. "Say goodbye, Power Rangers."
"Tobi, don't," his sister called weakly. Her right arm and leg were completely broken, just dangling along as she crawled toward her brother. Still, compared to some of the others, she was in good shape. "Tobi, I lo…" But, before she could finish, her body burst into flames. Only, this time, Tori was unconscious and unable to help her and she couldn't do much to help herself.
Just then, Skyla emerged from Ninja Ops.
"Skyla, go back!" Shane choked out while clutching his chest. He had a hole right through him and he could feel his eyes rolling back into his head.
"I can't," she whispered as she tossed something toward Tobi's sister. "Throw them at him, now," she called just as a beam of light hit her body and she fell to the ground, her lungs crushed.
Tobi's sister could literally see the flames dancing on her now black skin as she noticed what was lying on the grass in front of her. Skyla had thrown her the fragments of the Gem of Souls. Tobi's sister feebly lifted the fragments and tossed them at her brother. She didn't see what happened after that because her eyes had burned, blinding her.
As the gem shards hit Tobi's body, a light flickered around him and the glow around his body intensified until he was a blinding light that made the sun look dim by comparison.
Then a shock wave blew out from him, sweeping over the ground and the dying rangers. But, this time, instead of destroying everything in its wake, something completely different happened.
The black charred grass around Tobi began to regrow, becoming green. Even the trees pulled themselves up by the roots. And, as the wave reached the rangers, their injuries, no matter how severe, healed themselves.
When it was over, the light faded and everything was quiet, even the birds.
The others looked up and then at each other, relief clear on all their faces not only for the fact that they had survived, but because those they cared about were perfectly healthy after being so close to death.
"Your… hair," Cam told Tobi's sister.
She reached up, feeling the short blonde spikes that were all that had grown back after her severe burns were healed.
Then they tuned to Tobi.
Tobi was lying flat on his back on a blanket of green grass filled with freshly grown yellow dandelions, his arms and legs spread. His eyes were closed and his expression was neutral.
"Tobi?" his sister asked, kneeling over him. When he didn't respond, she looked at the others for support.
"I'll get my medical kit," Cam told her, running back inside.
"When Tobi threw the other dimension's Gem of Souls at Zordon, he was stripped of his powers, but he didn't die," Hunter said as he checked Tobi's pulse.
"He… can't die," Waldo whispered.
"Dustin's right," the other dimension's Blake added. "Tobi's too tough."
"Now you dudes notice," this dimension's Cam commented.
"We were wrong, Cam," the other dimension's Hunter told him, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Skyla, why did you need us to throw the gem at Tobi right then?" Shane asked as he set Skyla in his lap and held her. "Is Tobi now powerless?"
"Tobi did something to the gem when he threw it at Zordon," she explained. "I don't know if this Gem of Souls took away Tobi's powers, but that's not why I felt it needed to happen."
"Then why?" Tori asked, approaching.
"Because of what Dustin was trying to do right then," she replied.
"Me?" Waldo asked.
"No, the other Dustin," she corrected.
At that moment, Tobi's eyes opened.
"Tobi, you're okay," his sister said, relieved. He stared at her for a moment, blinking. She looked up, running a hand through her short hair. "You did this to me, little brother, so you better like it."
He just nodded.
"Tobi, we need to know if you're…" Cam began as he set his medical kit next to Tobi. "…dangerous," he finished.
Tobi shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said, tears forming in his eyes. "I'm… so sorry."
"It's not your fault," Cam said, looking at Tobi's sister, who nodded.
"We still love you," she told her brother, glancing at Cam. "All of us."
"Thank you," Tobi told them. "I love you guys too."
"So, you're… yourself now?" Hunter asked, studying Tobi.
A grin curled up on Tobi's lips. "Nah, I'm not."
The others exchanged worried glances just as two figures suddenly appeared in the middle of the newly grown grass.
"It worked!" Marah declared while she happily hugged Kapri as the two appeared in the green field.
"Tobi!" Kapri yelled, running with Marah over to him.
"I see you two made it back safely," Cam told the girls.
"Yeah, and…" Marah said, pulling out a device and handing it to him.
"Is this…?" Cam whispered, studying the alien gadget.
"Lothor's Personal Alien Manager," Kapri finished for him. "We kinda accidently found the button that like makes kelzaks appear everywhere, but you'll have to figure the rest out yourself, cousin."
Cam looked up from the PAM, surprise clear in his wide eyes.
"How's Dustin?" Marah asked Waldo.
"Uh… he's not in me anymore," Waldo replied reluctantly.
"Oh," Marah mumbled, looking down. "What about Tobi?"
"I don't know," Cam told them.
"He says he's still not himself," Tori explained.
"Chill, dudes," Tobi told them. "I'm better than my usual awesome self. We're super awesome."
"We?" his sister asked.
"Dustin's spirit was trying to enter Tobi to stop him when you threw the gem," Cam realized. "And, when the two elements combined, power of sunlight and power of earth…" He gestured around at the grass.
"That's right," Tobi told them, smiling. "And, despite everything I did, I've never been this happy."
The others gave him confused looks, but Waldo nodded. "Because you're sharing every thought with the one person you love more than anything else."
Hunter looked at Waldo, a mixture of emotions in his blue eyes. Waldo just patted his hand.
"Totally," Tobi agreed. "We've never felt so… alive. Everything we feel, the other feels too." A wry grin spread across his face. "Yeah, we'll have to try that later," he mused. "We're… one. It's like… perfect. And, dude, it's freaking awesome!"
To be continued...
Author's Note: So, only a partial cliffhanger climax! It's practically a happy ending! But, yes, there is more to come! Still, I'd like to think that this chapter furthered the story, bringing it ever closer to that fateful day when I'll have to end this story. (cries uncontrollably at the thought) And so now we see why I kept Dustin as a spirit for so long. Yes, the thought of sharing a mind with someone you love is quite romantic to me. You might think it's weird, but… to each their own. And, what do you think of calling TZD "Waldo" or TZTori's short hair cut? I'm taking suggestions for TZTori's middle name (that she could go by to distinguish her from Tori). So, think of that when you decide if my chapter truly was better than the episode "Gem of a Day" or if the action wasn't what it could have been… Anyway, whatever you have to say, I want to hear it! Share your ideas and I just might steal them. I mean, use them!