Parallel Realities Ninja Storm

by Rogue Ranger

Tori's twin brother from a dimension where the Power Rangers are evil struggles to find where he belongs, how to make Dustin happy with or without him, and whose side he's on in an epic trans-dimensional battle between good and evil. M/M and M/F Pairings.

40. Friendly Festivities

Please Vote ASAP! What should TZTori aka Tobi's sister's nickname be? Click on my profile to vote. 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. I really want a decision by the next chapter.

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Author's Notes: I have decided not to go with the episode "Down and Dirty" (the episode after "Gem of a Day") because, well, I didn't like most of the episode. Instead, I decided to do something completely different. This was originally planned as one long chapter, but it kept going and going and didn't even get to the fight yet, so I decided to end it on a cliffhanger and I'll continue it in the next chapter. I try to give each character a chance to develop beyond the series let them. Also, this chapter lets you get to know a little bit more about what it's like to be Waldo. There's humor and drama. About pairings, I'm going with the pairing combinations that won the last two polls (with hints of pairings I like that didn't win the polls). I also decided on my own pairings for the other dimension's rangers.

Change Made to Chapter 39: I went back and added a conversation between Tobi and Waldo to the beginning of the last chapter. So, if you read it before I added it, it basically can be summed up by saying that Tobi realized that he does love Waldo and there's some bits of him understanding Waldo's perspective. Of course, he loves Dustin more.

~Winner for the reviewer who came up with this chapter's most creative inspiration goes to… Ruon jian! Yay! No, I do not have prizes. :(

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Review Comments:

Thanks griffin blackwood for… a review! Now I know you're just messing with me. The same word only works once. Time to get creative!

Thanks Ruon jian for the both praise and idea filled review! I feel flattered by how highly you think of the Parallel Realities Ninja Storm universe. It made me decide that I should expand on the universe further. I hope you like some of the things I have included in this chapter and will have in the next chapter. Also, the review was extremely helpful! I didn't even think of a weapon for Tobi! I will definitely have to steal some of your ideas. And a Megazord mode never occurred to me either. I guess that's why I need reviews so much. Your comment about Tobi's feelings toward Waldo made me realize that I'd forgotten a lot of the story (it's been so long since I wrote it all) and I decided to go back and add a conversation between Tobi and Waldo to the last chapter. I mention this above in my Author's Notes. Also, I liked the name Jen (Jennifer) for TZTori's middle name (it reminds me of Jen from Time Force and seems to fit her) and added it as a choice to the current poll. The only downside is if I do ever have a teamup with the Time Force rangers, then it could be confusing. Still, different people can call her by different nicknames. And, that bit about how Tobi's sister and Cam relate is definitely something I just had to steal. As for the rest of the pairings, I mention them above, but basically I'm going with your ideas. I like multiple pairings, so we'll see how that goes… This includes how the TZBradleys relate to the Bradley brotherly love. Yep, pretty much stole your ideas and I still have some left over for the next chapter! So, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks YellowPrincess for being such a loyal fan of Parallel Realities Ninja Storm! I always look forward to your reviews after I finally finish a chapter. Sometimes it's easy to write and sometimes it's not, so it helps to have some feedback. I'm glad that you like the chemistry between Tobi and Dustin and I continue that with a little something… more in this chapter. I also work with your second favorite couple. I realized I've done a lot with Hunter but really haven't done much with Waldo, so I thought I'd try to explore what it's like to be "the other Dustin." I wanted to make sure that Hunter cares about Waldo for who he is and not just because he looks like Dustin. And, yes, they are hot. About TZTori's middle name, I really hope I get a clear winner really soon because I don't like having to constantly write "Tobi's sister" just to tell the two apart. I'm not sure if it's the same for people reading it, to constantly have "Tobi's sister" all the time. Tell you what, if it's still tied between Lia and something else, I'll choose Lia so that you don't feel like you have bad luck with polls. We'll have to see what happens though…

Thanks FinalJudgement for making me feel so special! The good kind of special of course! ;) So "whelmed" is another word for overwhelmed? I guess that makes sense. I didn't really watch much of Teen Titans, but I do remember Raven, mostly for her personality though. I'm wondering how the Psychic part comes into play, since different people do psychics differently. You know, predict the future, sense things, mild telepathy, etc. I wonder if hair can look like fire… If you start with red, fade to orange and then gradually to yellow. I think I'm overthinking it though. Jen was sort of a tomboy and it would be nice to have a girl leader. After all, as the expression goes, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." It doesn't say "man" so maybe that means women can be more vicious. All you have to do is wrong them and then… bam! You're doomed! There can also be two other girls and three guys, making it three of each instead of always having more guys than girls. But then there'd probably have to be all hetero relationships… No! So, I've considered what you said about defeating Lothor being the priority but making the other dimension's rangers indecisive. You also use the phrase "forging bonds" and I decided to take that to another level by having the various rangers bond with the group of rangers they will end up staying with (since I already know who will go and who will stay). But, yes, they're still indecisive at this point. I guess I will keep them around a little while longer still. And, whenever I do finally finish this story, I will do a sequel. But maybe I should take a short break after this story?

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Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:

Dustin's spirit ends up inside Tobi's body after Tobi is defeated and is no longer evil. Tobi then understands Waldo and admits he does love him. The bond between Dustin and Tobi allows them to share both thoughts and feelings and they use Tobi's body to masturbate in the woods. Meanwhile, Cam and Waldo figure out a way to use Lothor's PAM to stop any aliens from being sent to Earth with another PAM or other method. Cam and Tobi's sister talk more and gradually become closer. Tobi restores the Zord Bay and figures out a way to bring Dustin's body back. With Waldo's help, they combine Dustin's ash with the halves of Dustin, Waldo and Tobi and Dustin ends up having a body. Dustin carries Tobi back to Ninja Ops and everyone is happy to have Dustin back and they plan a party. Sense says everyone has a choice to stay or go back to their dimension, that their fate is in their hands. Tobi and Dustin realize they still share a connection and can feel each other's emotions and thoughts. Meanwhile, Hunter admits he likes having Waldo around and offers to take him to the track. Tobi and Dustin share an intimate shower together...

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Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 40 (Friendly Festivities)

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"And I was finally so close," Lothor groaned, turning off his viewscreen. "They were within inches of death, all of them!" he shouted. "Why can't any of you do anything right?"

"It wasn't my fault!" Choobo insisted.

"Then whose was it?" Vexacus asked in a snide tone.

"It was the fault of those gem pieces," Choobo suggested, looking from Vexacus to Lothor.

"Yes, I noticed that," Lothor commented, scratching the nob sticking out of his mask's chin. "It looks like they still have the Gem of Souls and it didn't lose its power after all. I wonder…" He paused before turning and leaving the bridge. "Why are there a bunch of kelzaks out here?" He stepped back into the room and immediately realized he was missing his PAM. "Choobo, go find my nieces. It looks like those girls are up to something again." He grumbled, running into Shimazu on the way out.

"Did I miss something?" Shimazu asked.

"Your life if you don't get out of my way," Lothor barked. "And no one is to disturb me while I'm on the upper deck. Understood?"

The three nodded as Lothor left.

"Why do you think he wants to be left alone?" Choobo asked once Lothor was gone.

"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Vexacus said before adding, "And, Shimazu, I hear your friend Motodrone had a little accident." He laughed as he left the bridge.

---

Dustin and Tobi entered the main room of Ninja Ops holding each other. They were both wearing matching green towels and nothing else but big smiles. Waldo was sitting in front of Cam's computer with Circuit hovering over him, Shane was teaching Skyla some moves and the other dimension's rangers were talking among themselves.

Dustin ran his hands through Tobi's still slightly damp hair and sniffed. "Yep, still smells like kiwi," he whispered with a giggle.

Tobi sniffed Dustin, raising Dustin's arm and smelling his armpit, the dark hair underneath still wet. "Mmm, smells Dustiny."

"What?" Dustin asked, sniffing his underarm. "Oh, clean Dustin," he realized.

Tobi stuck out his tongue, running it along the edge of Dustin's freshly washed armpit. The earth ninja started giggling and, because of their connection, Tobi became ticklish too and he began giggling as well.

When the two turned their attention to the others in the room, everyone was staring at them. Both Dustin and Tobi's cheeks promptly flushed. "It's no stranger than when Blake was licking Hunter's nipples," Tobi defended.

The other dimension's Shane and Cam turned to their dimension's Hunter and Blake, who were both wide-eyed.

"This dimension's Hunter and Blake," Dustin clarified.

This did nothing to stop the staring.

"Just because their dimension's us…" the other dimension's Blake began to defend.

"I wonder what it felt like," the other dimension's Hunter mused.

"I had my nips licks before, Crim," the other dimension's Cam offered. "And it was awesome!"

"Did you ever do it to anyone?" the other dimension's Hunter asked suggestively.

"Hold up," his brother warned. "Bro, there's no way you're leaving me out of anything. We both know I'd be better than Cam any day 'cause, you know, it's me."

The blonde pondered this.

"Speaking of Hunter and Blake, where are they and everyone else?" Tobi asked, approaching Waldo.

Waldo looked between the two shirtless guys, staring not just at Tobi's body but also at the way Dustin's body moved with the blonde. He felt something burn in him and he frowned. "You two missed a lot while you were in there."

They grinned and glanced at each other. "We were… busy," Tobi said.

Dustin snickered. "Bro, how come we didn't run out of hot water?"

"The water passes through geothermal pockets," Waldo explained. "In theory, it won't cool for a few million years."

"Awesome," Tobi commented. "And what about the others?"

Waldo stared at Tobi, his mind telling him to be jealous and cold with him, especially after what felt like an eternity of picturing what they were doing together for so long, but one look at Tobi's happy face changed all that. "Cam and the Toris are making snacks for the party," he finally explained, his expression once again softening. "Hunter and Blake are 'making room' at their apartment and I think Marah and Karpi are trying to make food too over there."

Dustin nodded. "We were like hoping you could get some clothes from my room since…"

"You two look alike," Tobi finished. "Dustin's family won't notice the difference."

Waldo glanced between the two, blinking. "Sure," he agreed. "Let me just turn on the field Cam and I have been working on. It uses a wider dispersal pattern based on the frequency used for Lothor's PAM. It's like a massive dampening field and it'll prevent anything, alien, kelzak or whatever from transporting from space to Earth."

"You're a genius!" Tobi told him with a smile.

"Yeah, bro, you and Cam are awesome!" Dustin agreed.

Waldo's expression faltered. "Well, I'll go get some clothes," he mumbled, standing. "I'll, uh, be back. Circuit, since there's still no Cyber Cam, you're in charge while I'm gone. Let Cam know if anything happens."

"Of course, Waldo," Circuit agreed, floating closer to the computer.

Waldo then walked past his dimension's rangers as he headed out of Ninja Ops.

"Hey, D-Man, want me to come?" his dimension's Cam offered.

Waldo paused, shaking his head. "No, I'm cool, Cam." Then he left, a strained look on his face. But his dimension's Cam didn't seem to notice and was already moving on to wondering if they were invited to the party.

Meanwhile, Dustin and Tobi sat down beside each other and watched as Shane continued to teach Skyla what were becoming increasingly difficult moves.

"Are you sure you're not going easy on me?" she asked as she easily dodged his foot and returned a leg swipe.

Shane grinned. "Okay, maybe a little," he admitted.

"I think I'm ready for you to try going all out," she told him.

"Are you sure?" he asked skeptically.

"I think so," she began before knocking him to the ground. As she stood over him, she said more forcefully, "Yes."

He smiled up at her as she helped him up. "Okay," he shrugged, suddenly unleashing a volley of kicks, punches and swipes, all of which she easily anticipated and dodged. She also seemed to know where he would land and she simply stuck a foot out and he landed on it, tripping.

Dustin and Tobi clapped and, as she looked over, surprised, Shane pulled her down with him.

The two laughed on the floor, panting. "You're a natural," Shane told Skyla.

"I have a good teacher," she assured him.

"Gag me already," space ninja Kapri complained, now back in her own clothes again.

"Tell me about it," the other dimension's Shane agreed.

"Maybe they want some mac with that cheese," the other dimension's Hunter offered, laughing.

His dimension's Shane and space ninja Kapri just stared at him, but his dimension's Cam was laughing.

When the laughter died down, the other dimension's Blake asked, "So, are we invited too?"

"I guess," Tobi replied, looking at Dustin, who shrugged.

"It's up to you, dude," Dustin whispered. "I know how you feel about them and it's… complicated."

Tobi nodded as Sensei spoke up from the far side of the room, near his library of scrolls.

"They should be invited as well, all of them," Sensei said. "It may help them to make a decision as to whether to go or whether to stay."

Grumpy Sensei hopped over to his fuzzy counterpart, twitching his nose curiously. "What I want to know is why you suddenly changed your mind on destiny and choosing your own fate."

"I understand your curiosity," Sensei replied. He turned to face the collection of scrolls behind him and lowered his voice. "I had not looked at the Scroll of Destiny since I was in human form and had hands large enough to grip it, but Skyla sensed that I should see it again. So, she unrolled it and… it had changed."

Grumpy Sensei's beady eyes widened. "The scroll that shows Shane, Dustin and Tori, that they are destined to be Power Rangers?" he asked.

"Yes," Sensei replied. "They are no longer the only ones on there."

"I wonder about the Scroll of Destiny back in my dimension," grumpy Sensei pondered. "So, that gay b—Tobi," he corrected, "was right after all… again."

Sensei nodded. "Yes."

"Well, are you going to tell him?" grumpy Sensei asked.

"I only possess the end of the scroll," Sensei explained. "Lothor possesses the rest and I am wary of exactly what has changed on the rest of the scroll."

Grumpy Sensei again twitched his nose. "What makes you think something else changed?" he asked.

Sensei sighed. "It is not only a matter of who has now appeared on the scroll," he explained slowly. "It is also a matter of who is not on the scroll."

"Are you going to explain?" grumpy Sensei asked impatiently.

"Perhaps I should show you," Sensei suggested. "Call Miko… your wife."

---

"Um, hello?" Choobo's voice echoed through the bridge of Lothor's ship.

At first, the only response was the unintelligible squealing and grunting of a kelzak until Shimazu walked over to a nearby control panel and pressed a button while shooing the kelzak away. "Did you find Lothor's nieces?" he asked.

"Not yet," Choobo replied. "But I can't get back to the ship."

Shimazu giggled. "I could teach you how if—"

"No, there's some kinda field keeping me down here." Choobo corrected.

Shimazu looked up at the pacing Choobo on Lothor's viewscreen before pressing a button on the panel in front of him. When nothing happened, he muttered, "Not good." He then left the bridge.

"Hello?" Choobo's voice called from behind him. "Hey, don't forget about me!"

Vexacus was standing outside the sealed entrance to the upper deck when Shimazu approached him. "What are you doing here?" Vexacus asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Shimazu replied, "but I'm just here to tell Lothor that Choobo can't transport back to the ship."

"A tragedy, I'm sure," Vexacus mumbled.

Suddenly the door in front of the two opened and Lothor stepped out. "If you two are going to try to spy on me, you can at least be quiet about it!" he shouted.

"We were not spying," Vexacus defended.

"There's some form of transport blocking field around the Earth," Shimazu explained.

Lothor groaned. "It sounds like my too clever for his own good nephew is up to something."

"You must be so proud," Vexacus commented.

"It looks like it's up to Choobo to find my nieces and my PAM," Lothor commented. "Maybe it can transport through the field."

"If I may suggest, sir," Vexacus offered, "I have recently rebuilt my ship and I can easily make a little trip down to Earth."

"Condortron and your ship," Lothor mused. "Someone's… resourceful."

"Thank you, sir," Vexacus gloated. "So, shall I use my ship?"

Lothor stared at him for a moment. "Well, I happen to have something else I need done down on Earth and I don't trust you."

"Why not, sir?" Vexacus asked innocently. "Have I not served you faithfully?"

Lothor grumbled something unintelligible. "I know you destroyed Motodrone."

"Ah," Vexacus realized. "Well, I suspected he was being disloyal to you."

"I'm sure," Lothor grunted. "Next time, let me decide which generals are being disloyal." He glared at Vexacus.

"Of course, sir," Vexacus agreed. "So, what is this task?"

Lothor frowned, thinking.

"As I see it, you can either trust me or trust Choobo to do it," Vexacus explained.

"Someone who's out for himself or a complete moron," Lothor commented. "That is a tough choice."

"Why don't I go with him?" Shimazu offered.

"That could work," Lothor agreed. "But I don't want him coming back in pieces," he warned Vexacus.

"As you wish," Vexacus agreed.

Shimazu started to scurry off. "On second thought, I think some of the kelzaks need to be bathed."

"Get back here," Lothor demanded coldly. "You already volunteered."

Shimazu reluctantly shuffled back over to the two.

"Now, what is our task?" Vexacus asked, unable to keep from letting out a small laugh as he glanced over at Shimazu.

"I want the Gem of Souls," Lothor explained. "Make sure you get every last piece. Take a radiation detector."

"I already have a radiation detector here," Vexacus said, pointing to his head.

"Very well," Lothor agreed. "My nieces, my PAM and my Gem of Souls. Understood?"

"Perfectly," Vexacus agreed.

"What were you doing in there anyway?" Shimazu asked.

"Reading," Lothor snapped. "Now get going. Oh, and do something about that field my nephew set up."

Vexacus bowed before leaving, Shimazu scurrying behind him.

Lothor frowned. "Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this?" he grumbled before whispering, "I miss Zurgane."

---

Waldo stood in front of Dustin's home. It had been so long since he had stepped foot in his own home back in his dimension. He knew from Dustin's memories that he had a loving if overly protective mom, a frequently absent but what Dustin would call "awesome" dad and a fickle but still tolerable little sister. It felt so different from his own family, who had disowned him, forcing him to live in Ninja Ops once they discovered he was a Power Ranger. He had felt so humiliated to let Dustin see all his memories, those vulnerable sides of himself that he never showed even to his teammates and friends back in his dimension.

Sure, he would be proud to show how clever he was at coming up with new weapons or new ways to trash the old abandoned factories without the others catching on that he was really keeping them from trashing the rest of the city. He had always felt so smart and so together. All of that seemed like a distant memory as he slid a key out from under the welcome mat and unlocked the front door before returning the key and entering Dustin's home.

"Waldo, honey, is that you?" he heard the overly excited voice of Dustin's mom call, but he couldn't help thinking of her as his mom. It was so tempting just to rely on Dustin's memories entirely and be her son, to really throw himself into the part and be her Dustin, her Waldo.

"Yeah, mom," Waldo called as he shook off his mixed emotions and headed toward Dustin's room. "I'm just picking up some stuff."

But, before he could make it through the living room to the small hallway between his room and the bathroom, she was already next to him. "Oh, Waldo, honey, you know I don't like it when you keep disappearing like this," she said, approaching him and waving her arms, a dish towel in one hand. "Maybe if we bought you a cell phone. I think we could afford a pay-as-you-go plan."

He turned to her and saw the genuine concern in her eyes. "I'm sorry, mom," he whispered. "I… I'm sorry I make you worry so much. I know I tell you to chill or say you freak out all the time and I know I was, like, embarrassed to have friends over when I was a kid, but…" He stared at her, blinking for a moment. "But I know you only do it because you love me." He hugged her before she had time to react. "And I love you too," he whispered.

When he pulled away, she had shiny eyes. "I love you too, Waldo," she whispered back. "Why didn't you ever tell me I embarrassed you?"

"He—I," Waldo corrected, "thought either you knew or, if you didn't know, it would hurt you to tell you."

"You know you don't have to worry about me," she defended, forcing a grin and shrugging. "I've made an effort to call you Dustin around your friends and I took down any baby pictures where you're naked. I try not to embarrass you."

He paused, studying her. "You can keep calling me Waldo," he offered. "It's a… noble and unique name."

She smiled. "I always thought so but you…" She gestured around vaguely with one hand.

"You know I over react and get a little… excitable," he explained. "I get that form you. I don't think I saw that before, but there's definitely some of you in me."

"You seem so different tonight," she observed, staring at him through questioning eyes.

He frowned. "Oh… yeah, I guess so." He was again reminded that this wasn't his mother and those memories of her weren't his memories. He turned back toward Dustin's room.

"But I like it," she added.

He couldn't help but smile as he reached for the doorknob to Dustin's bedroom.

"Oh, and I almost forgot," she remembered, clapping her hands. "Your boss Kelly called and even stopped by looking for you. She sounds really worried. Sweet girl. Too bad she's a few years older than you—and your boss."

"Mom," Waldo started to scold, a habit from Dustin's memories, before he stopped himself. "I'll talk to her. Thanks, mom." He then entered Dustin's room, closed the door behind himself and sighed.

He looked through the mess that actually made sense to Dustin and found some clothes that he knew Dustin would like and something that would fit Tobi. That was when he noticed a certain torn yellow superhero costume with the initials AD and an exclamation mark. He ran his hands over the outfit, remembering Dustin's reaction to Tobi's gift. He also remembered when Tobi died and how Dustin felt. Even though the memory wasn't his own, it hurt so much that he had to shake himself back to the present.

Looking around, he noticed Dustin's yellow striped backpack and he neatly folded the clothes, including the costume and put them inside the backpack. He then disconnected Dustin's game system and collected a few games, including Mario Kart, before fitting them into the backpack and zipping it shut.

He was about to go when he noticed that Leo, Dustin's stuffed lion had fallen off Dustin's bed. He picked it up, returning it to its place beside his pillow. He smiled, remembering what that small stuffed lion meant to Dustin. He patted the lion, remembering the night that Tobi had slept over in Dustin's room. A flood of Dustin's emotions came back to him. He remembered confiding in Tobi about how he had been tricked and used so many times before by people he cared about. What he hadn't said then was that he already cared about Tobi. He trusted the quirky blonde and, on some level, he had already falling in love with him. It just took Tobi's death for him to finally understand what he felt. But, no, those were Dustin's memories, not his own.

Waldo's eyes fell on the Pinky and the Brain figures atop Dustin's desk and he remembered how much Tobi had liked that show growing up and how he had compared them to Pinky and Brain, Waldo being Brain of course. All of that blended now with Dustin's memories of Tobi and he realized that Dustin must feel this too, the lingering connection. And, combined with now sharing Tobi's thoughts, Dustin knew every memory of Waldo's life with Tobi from both perspectives, no matter how humiliating.

Suddenly Waldo felt so empty, like everything that he had once had was now someone else's. His life and his memories with Tobi were now Dustin's. Everything was Dustin's now. But didn't it work both ways? What was Dustin's was also his now. He tried to draw on that strength, that purity and honesty that Dustin possessed, that ability not to analyze a situation and determine a solution but just to go with his feelings. And his ability to never hold a grudge.

After a moment of trying this, his feelings told him to go to this dimension's Hunter. But those weren't his feelings at all. They were Dustin's. Dustin would turn to Hunter if he didn't have Tobi to turn to. So, Waldo tried to search his own feelings. The problem was, he wasn't sure what he felt. Maybe he should talk to this dimension's Cam. Like his dimension's Cam, he cared, but, unlike his dimension's Cam, he understood. That's what he'd do. It felt like a more Waldo than Dustin decision.

Plan in mind, Waldo heaved the overstuffed backpack onto his shoulder and left Dustin's room, running into his little sister. "Sorry, Maya," he apologized. "Didn't see you down there."

"I'm trying to get taller," Maya told him. "I read online that zinc is one of the catalysts in growth and I realized that being a vegetarian and therefore having more copper than zinc in my diet may be stunting my growth."

"From a biological standpoint, that's true to a degree," Waldo agreed before he said, in a tone that sounded just like Dustin's, "But you've been a vegetarian since you were like six."

"Seven," she corrected, "but I'm only referring to supplementing zinc into my diet, not eating animals."

Waldo nodded. "Yeah, who would want to eat animals?"

"You," she suggested.

"Oh, right," he realized.

"Anyway, it's only a theory and I'll have to test it of course," she continued.

He nodded, realizing that, in this dimension, it was Dustin's sister who had inherited the analytical tendencies. And, just like Waldo, she was also prone to only learning from trial and error. "Good luck, Maya," he told her, giving her wavy brown hair a ruffle as she entered the bathroom, pointed to the door and said, "Occupied."

Despite this being Dustin's family and the memories Dustin's memories and even despite him wanting to turn to Dustin's friends instead of his own, Waldo couldn't help but smile. He liked this life. It was too bad it wasn't his own.

---

Shimazu entered Vexacus' fish-shaped ship, looking around excitedly. "Don't touch anything," Vexacus warned as he attached a temporarily deactivated Condortron to a pair of straps attached to the back wall of his ship.

Shimazu clapped his hands together, scurrying around. "We're working together now. We should trust each other." In his mind, he added, or at least not try to kill me.

Vexacus laughed, tightening the straps around Condortron. "Oh, that's a good one." He then sat down in a single pilot seat and started up his ship.

"What are those?" Shimazu asked, staring at a set of scratched and burned colored crystals on a wall display next to what looked like a collection of equally scratched and burned morphers.

"Just a few souvenirs that survived the destruction of my last ship," Vexacus explained as the ship shook, taking off and Shimazu was knocked to the ground. "I am a bounty hunter, after all."

Shimazu struggled to stand before being knocked over again as Vexacus' ship left the bay of Lothor's ship and began its descent down to Earth. Condortron, meanwhile, remained securely fastened to the wall.

"Having fun yet?" Vexacus asked, spinning the ship and causing Shimazu to crash against the ceiling.

"I know you're doing that on purpose," Shimazu called as what looked like a monster's skull detached from the wall and hit him in the head.

Vexacus glanced back to find Shimazu unconscious. "Finally some silence," he gloated, grabbing the skull and studying it fondly as he piloted with one hand. "Soon you will have a new head to join you, my friend," he told the skull. "And it will still be wearing its black face mask."

---

Waldo entered Ninja Ops and immediately handed Tobi and Dustin the backpack he was carrying. "You'll find clothes and games inside," he said distractedly while holding a bundle of yellow in his hand.

"Oh, totally forgot the games," Dustin nodded. "Thanks, bro."

"I'm going to check on Cam," Waldo replied. He then turned and left the room as Tobi and Dustin exchanged confused looks before removing their towels and getting dressed.

"Dustin, Tobi, maybe you two can do that in another room," Shane suggested.

Skyla stared wide-eyed. "So that's the difference between male and female humans," she realized, glancing at Shane. "That means you have…"

"Uh, yeah," Shane mumbled, blushing. "Dustin, Tobi, dudes, please."

"They remind me of Anerian worms," Skyla continued, "like when I was in a burrowing form on the planet Edenoi."

Shane blinked at her.

Tobi and Dustin took a hint, taking their playful dressing and undressing game out of the main room.

"Metal moth," grumpy Sensei called from across the room. When Circuit continued to hover over Cam's computer, ignoring the guinea pig, he shouted, "Get over here you stupid hunk of circuits!"

Circuit spun around. "Did you call me?"

"Really, Kanoi, you shouldn't be mean to Cam's toy," Cam's mother said as she continued to study the fragment of the Scroll of Destiny that Sensei had her get for the two tiny-handed guinea pigs.

"Come over here, please," grumpy Sensei called, glancing at his wife for support.

"Good boy," she offered.

Circuit flew over to the two guinea pigs and a human. "What do you need?" it asked. "Cam has me monitoring the field around the planet."

"That can wait," grumpy Sensei said dismissively. "We want to know, since you were from the future and you still have memories from that body, what do you know about what is going to happen with…" He glanced back at the scroll. "…The Abyss of Evil."

"The Abyss of Evil was permanently sealed by burying the Shade Amulet in it a few days ago," Circuit explained. "It will not reopen for at least a thousand years. I have no memories from beyond the year 3001."

"Circuit originated from your dimension," Sensei pointed out. "It will not know anything about the future of this dimension."

Grumpy Sensei frowned. "But your scroll shows the Abyss of Evil opening here in this dimension too."

"I understand that, but the rest remains uncertain," Sensei replied.

"Where is this dimension's Gem of Souls?" Cam's mother asked.

"My son has the fragments," Sensei answered.

"I thought that oversized robot dragon opened the abyss back in our dimension," grumpy Sensei commented.

"It had the Gem of Souls inside it, powering it," Cam's mother pointed out.

"Miko has a point," Sensei agreed. "We should make certain that the fragments we have never fall into Lothor's hands."

"But it's destined to happen," grumpy Sensei argued, gesturing his tiny arm toward the scroll.

"Destinies can change," Sensei replied, staring at the scroll. "Some of them must change."

Grumpy Sensai gave him a silent nod while he also looked at the Scroll of Destiny.

Meanwhile, across the room, something flickered on Cam's computer screen. It was a ship entering the Earth's atmosphere, but Circuit was still over by the others and the ship quickly passed out of sensor range or turned invisible. Either way, by the time Circuit returned, it was gone.

---

Waldo entered Ninja Ops' kitchen to find Cam and the two Toris hard at work making something with a whole lot of chocolate and caramel.

"Hey, we're not ready yet," one of the Toris warned Waldo, standing between him and their project.

"It's not Dustin, it's Waldo," Cam said, glancing up from his mixing.

"How do you know?" the other Tori asked.

"He's not with Tobi," Cam said simply.

"Good point," Tori agreed, nodding and backing away.

"What are you making?" Waldo asked, trying to sound casual.

"Chocolate covered Dustins," Tori explained.

Waldo smiled. "Tobi will like that."

"We hope so," she agreed.

"Cam, can I… talk to you?" Waldo then asked.

Cam looked up curiously. "Sure," he agreed.

Waldo glanced around. "Alone?"

"Oh," Cam replied, looking between the two Toris. "Of course." He walked over to the sink and washed his hands before directing Waldo to the hallway outside. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Your dad said that we can decide whether to go back or to stay here," Waldo explained. "I think I should go back and I… I thought you'd want to know."

"Oh," Cam replied, his eyes betraying the disappointment he felt.

"I know I don't belong here," Waldo continued.

"Is that how you really feel or is this just about seeing Tobi with Dustin?" Cam asked.

"It's about that too," Waldo agreed, but every memory I have is now a part of both Dustin and Tobi. Our whole past together is theirs now. What do I have?"

"You're Tobi's best friend," Cam suggested.

"You're Tobi's best friend," Waldo argued, fiddling with the yellow fabric in his hands. "Maybe I should have been, but it was more like he was just Tori's brother. At least, that's how I treated him."

"You can't change the past, but you'll never have a chance to make things right if you leave now," Cam explained.

"How do I do that?" Waldo asked. "With all Dustin's memories still in my head, I barely know who I am. It's like Dustin's stolen my life and my love… Not that Tobi ever was…" He sighed. "Cam, I came to you because…"

"I care and you think I can understand," Cam finished unemotionally.

Waldo stared at him for a moment. "How did you know?"

Cam glanced back at the kitchen. "Let's just say you're not the only one."

Waldo nodded, looking down at his hands.

"Have you tried talking to Hunter?" Cam asked. "This dimension's Hunter?" he clarified.

"We've talked some," Waldo agreed, "but… Dustin's feelings keep getting in the way."

"I thought you just kept Dustin's memories, not his feelings," Cam pointed out. "Are you sure they're not your own feelings?"

Waldo studied his face. "I don't know," he admitted, "but why should I talk to Hunter?"

"He can relate," Cam replied.

"How can he relate?" Waldo asked skeptically.

"He's in love with one half of the now inseparable Dustin-Tobi and you the other," Cam explained.

Waldo frowned, thinking. "I guess I've been thinking about myself too much again to realize he must be hurting too."

Cam just nodded. "It's hard to love someone who is in love with someone else."

"Tell me about it," Waldo agreed. "It's worse when you hurt and betrayed him."

"That part I wouldn't know," Cam admitted.

Waldo smiled at him. "I know," he whispered. "You're a nice guy, Cam. You make me want to stay, just to be around you."

"Thanks," Cam said, blushing.

"I guess I'll see you over at Hunter and Blake's later," Waldo said, turning to go. "I hope Tobi really likes what you guys are making for him." Then he left.

Cam stood watching him go for a moment and whispered to himself, "And I hope you and Hunter make each other happy." Blinking heavily, he returned to the kitchen.

---

Shimazu awoke on the floor of Vexacus' ship and looked around. The shark-faced bounty hunter was gone, the door out of the small ship left open. Condortron was still strapped to the wall, motionless.

Standing, Shimazu dusted himself off. He was about to leave the ship when the crystals on the wall again caught his eye. He carefully removed the bright pink one, wiped off some ash and held it up to study it closer.

"Lovely," he murmured, about to pocket the crystal when he noticed that the wall display suddenly looked off balance, so he took the matching pink morpher above it and smiled at his handiwork before noticing that the pink crystal fit into the matching morpher. He then attached the morpher to his wrist and turned to leave the ship. But, as he did so, he saw Vexacus' head sitting on the pilot seat. He was so startled by this that he fell out the door and straight into—splash—water.

Shimazu flailed wildly as he tried to grab the side of Vexacus' fish-shaped space ship that was apparently floating on top of the ocean, water all around. He didn't know how to swim and the middle of the ocean hardly seemed like a good place to learn.

Just as he finally managed to pull himself out of the water and back onto the ship, a hideous monster emerged from underwater. He couldn't help but scream like a girl at its appearance.

"You're finally awake," the monster commented and Shimazu realized that this was Vexacus. He had a scaly fish-like face with one eye missing and gills on each side of his neck. He climbed past Shimazu and reached for his head—or, his helmet, and put it on. "What are you looking at?"

"All this time I thought that was your head," Shimazu explained, trying to pretend like he wasn't just cowering in fear.

"Are you telling me that ridiculous clown mask is really your face?" Vexacus asked while studying something in his palm.

"Yes," Shimazu replied. "Well, sort of. I'm a spirit bound to this form, sort of like a living statue." He briefly removed his mask to reveal a ghostly glow before returning the mask to his face.

"So, if I destroy your body, you'd still be around?" Vexacus asked, glancing Shimazu up and down.

Shimazu immediately scurried around the tiny ship, looking for somewhere to hide.

Vexacus laughed. "Don't worry," he assured him. "I wouldn't want to disobey Lothor." This made him laugh even harder.

"Really?" Shimazu asked, easing closer.

"Someone needs to stand between me and the Power Rangers," Vexacus explained dismissively."

"So why are we in the middle of the ocean?" Shimazu asked, still fidgeting nervously.

"Just tracking down these," Vexacus replied, opening his hand to reveal pale green gem shards.

"That was easy," Shimazu commented, leaning toward Vexacus' hand, which he promptly closed.

"Not really," Vexacus corrected, lowering his hand, "but you missed the part where I searched the ocean floor with the radiation detector in my helmet. In fact, I even had time for a nice refreshing swim before you pulled your lazy keaster off that floor."

"So now we find Lothor's nieces, Choobo and the PAM," Shimazu listed off.

"Not quite," Vexacus disagreed. "These three fragments are incomplete. The rangers must have the rest."

Shimazu shook with fear. "You mean… with that gold ranger?"

Vexacus patted his shoulder. "That's why you're here," he laughed. "You stand between me and the gold ranger while Condortron attacks them."

Shimazu could do little more than whimper in terror.

---

Geo was helping Hunter and Blake move furniture around their apartment while Marah and Kapri attempted to make pizza ice cream in the kitchen.

"I can move it all by myself because I have super strength," Geo insisted as he helped the brothers move their couch.

"I'd like to see that," Blake commented, shaking his head.

"Okay, give it a shot," Hunter said, setting down his side of the couch.

Geo reached his small hands under the couch and grunted and heaved, but couldn't lift it. After a while of trying different angles, he gave up, frowning and glaring at the couch.

"What happened to your super strength?" Blake joked.

"The couch is just superer heavy," Geo explained.

The brothers glanced at each other. "Hey, it makes sense to me," Hunter said.

"Then why can we move it?" Blake asked.

"We're super heroes, remember?" Hunter replied.

Blake rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Destiny can help!" Geo called, reaching for the dog. "She's Super Dog!"

Destiny just climbed up on the couch and sat down.

"Oh yeah, that helped," Blake commented.

Just then, a knock fame from the front door. "I'll get it," Hunter offered, leaving the others. When he opened the door, he found Waldo standing outside, looking strangely anxious.

"Uh, which one are you?" Hunter asked.

"The one without Tobi," Waldo replied with a flinch as Hunter gestured for him to come in.

"You could have just said you're Waldo," Hunter suggested as he closed the door.

"Yeah," Waldo mumbled. "So, what are you doing?" he asked, gesturing around.

"We're moving things around to make room for everyone," Hunter explained. "We're thinking of having karaoke too."

"You can sing?" Waldo asked, surprised before remembering, "Oh, Totally Tallented competition.

"Shane can sing too, but Tobi outshines us all," Hunter commented.

"Yeah," Waldo mumbled. "Outshines."

"You okay?" Hunter asked, studying Waldo's face.

"How are you so cool with this?" Waldo asked, gesturing around.

"I don't think they're gonna trash our place," Hunter defended.

"Not that," Waldo said, shaking his head. "How are you okay with Tobi and Dustin when you still love Dustin? How does it not drive you crazy?"

Hunter flinched before recovering and leaning against the wall. "I thought you wanted Tobi to be happy," he said softly.

"I do," Waldo said with a sigh, leaning against the wall next to Hunter. "But it's different for me because I had Dustin in my head. Before that, I hated Dustin for what he had. I even hated Tobi for loving him. But you never had Tobi in you like I had Dustin in me, so how can you see Dustin with him and not…"

"I wasn't always okay with it," Hunter admitted. "I used to be jealous of them before I had a reason to be, but Tobi is special to me now, and not just because he's special to Dustin. They're my friends and I'm honestly happy for them."

"You're not jealous at all?" Waldo asked skeptically.

Hunter shook his head. "That's not the problem. I mean, I know Dustin loves me too. I also know Tori loves me, but, just like Dustin loves Tobi more, she loves Blake more." He gestured toward his brother. "I'm not jealous of them because I love the people they love too. I'm just…"

"Lonely?" Waldo suggested.

Hunter shrugged. "Sort of. I just want to love someone who can love me back without wishing I was someone else."

"What about Cam?" Waldo asked.

"He's in love with Tori," Hunter replied.

"But, by that logic, you're looking for someone who can do what you can't," Waldo pointed out.

Hunter looked at him, confused.

"You're in love with someone else," Waldo explained. "You'll never be able to just love the person who loves you."

Hunter stared at him, thinking. "I want to love someone who doesn't love someone else more and I'm the one still in love with someone else. You're right." He grinned. "Definitely the smart one."

Waldo blushed. "Hunter, I…" He paused, taking a breath. "I went to Dustin's house and I realized that I still have all Dustin's memories and he has mine, meaning Tobi has them now. I feel like there's nothing left that's me anymore. I don't even feel like 'the smart one,' I feel so stupid to be controlled by someone else's emotions. Someone who…" He trailed off as his eyes stared into Hunter's.

Hunter raised a hand, briefly running it through Waldo's hair. "Waldo, you're not a substitute for Dustin. I thought you understood that."

Waldo blushed, blinking. "Hunter…"

"What?" Hunter asked.

"Nevermind," Waldo said quickly. "They're not my feelings and I just happen to look like…"

"You're not…" Hunter began but Waldo pushed off from the wall.

"I'm gonna get some fresh air," Waldo said hastily as he left the door he had just entered, leaving a confused Hunter behind.

"Go get him," Geo's voice called.

Hunter pushed off the wall, looking over at the boy who was just telling Destiny to chase Blake. But, in Hunter's mind, the words meant something else. He turned and opened the door, following Waldo.

---

Dustin and Tobi were both dressed and sitting in the main room of Ninja Ops. "Shorts," Tobi commented, admiring the yellow and blue shorts he had on. "Looks like Waldo knows what I like."

"Yeah, he did pay a lot more attention to you than he wanted you to know," Dustin replied.

"I know," Tobi sighed.

"Don't worry," Dustin told him. "Things'll work out for him too."

"I know," Tobi said, running a hand over Dustin's brown and yellow shorts, down to his bare tanned leg.

"I know you like my legs better," Dustin interrupted, "but you have way better legs." He caressed Tobi's calf muscle. "Even the little blonde hairs are soft."

"It's because blonde hair is thinner than brown or black hair," Tobi explained, "which is naturally courser." He stared at Dustin for a moment before they both said, "Waldo's memories."

"I wonder if a lot of me is left in him too," Dustin pondered.

Tobi nodded. "I hope so."

"Thanks, TZT," Dustin said, patting his knee. "Too bad he never got to touch your girl legs though."

Tobi grinned. "I'm glad I know what you mean when you say that."

"Me too," Dustin replied, kissing him on the lips.

Tobi traced his hands up Dustin's sides while Dustin did the same. When they parted, Tobi looked around the room.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Dustin agreed to some unspoken comment.

"They care about you so much too that it's only fair I don't totally monopolize your time at the party," Tobi said.

"I'll try to spread my awesomeness around," Dustin promised before giving Tobi another kiss, "but I want to be in you."

"Your spirit might not be in me anymore, but you're still a part of—Oh," Tobi realized, blushing as a series of images flashed from Dustin's mind into his own. "Tonight?"

Dustin nodded. "I want to go all the way with you."

Tobi traced a hand over Dustin's face, feeling the heat of his tanned skin. "I'd love that," he whispered.

Dustin smiled. "I know."

Both giggled at each other while Cam entered the room. "Is everyone ready?" Cam asked, looking around.

"We were born ready!" Dustin declared, winking at Tobi.

Tobi nodded, smiling. "I guess we're all coming." He gestured toward the other dimension's rangers.

"Your dad said it'd be cool," the other dimension's Cam told his counterpart.

"I see," Cam mumbled, glancing at his father.

"I don't think everyone will fit in my van," Tori pointed out, holding a stack of tupperware containers.

"That's okay," Tobi said, standing.

"Yeah, we're gonna like hit the store real quick," Dustin added, holding Tobi's hand. "We'll meet you guys at Hunter and Blake's."

"Uh, okay," Tori replied, confused as the two scampered out of Ninja Ops.

As Tobi's sister emerged from the kitchen carrying an even taller stack of Tupperware containers, Cam turned to both Toris and offered, "Here, let me help you."

"Thanks," they both replied, exchanging glances as Cam took most of the containers and gestured for everyone to leave Ninja Ops.

---

Choobo was wandering around the outskirts of Blue Bay Harbor completely lost. He had failed to find Lothor's nieces or his PAM and he couldn't even transport back to the ship. He was trapped on Earth and he didn't like it one bit. "No one appreciates me," he mumbled just as a pair of metal claws suddenly grabbed him by the arms and lifted him high into the air. "Ahh!" he shrieked before being dropped roughly to the ground.

"Good work, Condortron," Vexacus' voice declared as Choobo flailed his arms helplessly on the ground.

"Can someone help me up?" Choobo asked, still flailing, unable to stand due to the uneven weight on his back.

"Oh, alright," Shimazu agreed, helping the alien up.

"So, I'm guessing you are still empty handed," Vexacus commented.

"I tried to find them, but I got lost," Choobo explained.

"I expected as much," Vexacus replied. "I'll take over from here."

"Does that mean I can go back to the ship now?" Choobo asked hopefully.

"Not until we complete the Gem of Souls," Vexacus explained.

"But I thought we were here for Marah and Kapri and the Personal Alien Manager," Choobo pondered.

"All in good time," Vexacus said before suddenly gesturing for the others to duck. "Shh," he warned. "It looks like Choobo did manage to find something."

---

Waldo sat on the edge of a moss-covered fallen tree, the sunset casting shadows through the trees. He reached down for a pair of scissors when suddenly he was tackled to the ground.

He tried to lift the body off him, but it was too quick and too strong for him, so he tried to roll instead, though this just ended up rolling the figure with him.

"Don't do it," a voice said intensely over him as he fought against his attacker. But, as he rolled onto his back, he looked up to see Hunter crouching over him, their midsections touching.

Waldo caught his breath, his cheeks flushing. "You freaked me out," he scolded as he pushed the muscular blonde off him.

"Look, I know you're upset, but that's no reason to—" Hunter began to protest.

"What are you talking about?" Waldo interrupted, picking up something from the ground.

"The scissors," Hunter said. "I thought…" Then he saw the needle and thread. "Oh."

"You thought I was going to cut myself?" Waldo asked, surprised.

Hunter sighed, sitting on the tree. "I guess I over reacted," he said.

Waldo nodded, taking a seat next to Hunter. "You could say that."

Hunter grinned sheepishly. "Sorry about that."

Waldo looked down at the fabric in his hands and brushed a stray leaf off it. "How did you find me?"

"I actually had to call Cam to track you down," Hunter admitted. "I checked the track and you weren't there."

"I thought of going there, but that's what Dustin would do," Waldo explained.

"And you can't do anything he does?" Hunter asked, gesturing to the fabric. "He definitely doesn't sew."

Waldo shrugged. "I'm not very good at sewing. I just wanted to go somewhere where I could like… could be myself."

Hunter looked from the yellow fabric to Waldo's face. "When I didn't know where you were, I was really worried, but I realized I don't really know you. I didn't know where to find you," he admitted before gesturing around. "So this is your 'brooding spot'?"

"Yeah," Waldo replied. "I just needed to try to clear my head, but I can't get rid of him." He gestured to his hands. "Here I am fixing a gift Tobi gave him."

Hunter looked at the brunette. "You can hear his thoughts like Tobi?"

"No, not anymore," Waldo answered. "That's not what I mean. I can't get rid of his memories or his desires."

"Desires?" Hunter repeated.

"Like how I still feel this connection to you, this lo—deep friendship," Waldo explained. "It's not my feelings."

"That doesn't make much sense," Hunter commented.

"I know," Waldo replied.

"I mean, having Dustin's memories is one thing," Hunter continued, "but you can't keep his feelings. Maybe they're yours."

Waldo studied Hunter's face, staring into his blue eyes as they turned purple in the light from the setting sun. "That's what Cam said too," he whispered, "but how do I know if they're my feelings and not his?"

"I don't know," Hunter admitted. "I've never had someone else's memories in my head. I have enough of my own." He smiled at Waldo, watching the sunset turn the brunette's brown eyes orange. "I guess we'll have to both figure out who you are together."

Waldo smiled. "Thanks, du—Thanks, Hunter."

"No problem, dude," Hunter replied with a laugh.

Waldo rolled his eyes, still grinning.

"I'm glad you're okay," Hunter said sincerely. "I'd be sad if I lost you."

"After losing Dustin to Tobi," Waldo nodded.

Hunter shrugged. "Maybe, but you're your own person." He smiled. "Once we figure out who that is."

"Well, I'm definitely a person who's better at fixing a computer than an outfit," Waldo said, holding up a yellow outfit with the logo "AD!" on the front.

"You're better than you give yourself credit for," Hunter said.

"Thanks," Waldo mumbled before admitting, "I was thinking about going back…"

"Yeah, we should get back before the party starts," Hunter said, standing.

"That's not what I mean," Waldo corrected. "I mean, back to my dimension."

"Oh," Hunter mumbled, sitting again. "Are you sure?"

"No," Waldo admitted. "I thought it would help me feel like myself again, but I don't think it would and… I'd miss you."

"I'd miss you too," Hunter agreed. "Like I said, I'd be sad it I lost you."

"Whoever I am," Waldo added with a grin.

"Right," Hunter said, brushing a hand through Waldo's hair.

"Hunter," Waldo whispered, his eyelashes fluttering at the blonde's touch.

Hunter grinned at him. "You may look just like Dustin and even have his memories, but you feel different."

"My hair?" Waldo asked, confused.

"Just the…" Hunter shrugged. "…aura?"

"Aura?" Waldo repeated.

"Yeah, I guess that doesn't make sense," Hunter admitted, scratching his head. "It's just a feeling. You're curious about things like him, but you're more contemplative and a little obsessive. It's kinda cute actually."

Waldo raised an eyebrow.

Hunter laughed. "Dustin can't do that, you know?"

"Oh," Waldo mumbled, lowering his eyebrow. "So, I guess we should get back before the party starts."

Hunter frowned. "Yeah, I guess so," he agreed, looking down.

Waldo studied him for a moment. "Can I kiss you?"

Hunter smiled, chuckling softly. "I've been sitting here wanting to kiss you but I thought you'd think I was thinking of Dustin." He leaned forward toward Waldo's face.

Waldo took a breath before leaning forward and kissing Hunter on the lips. The blonde was gentle, like the first time he'd kissed Dustin. It was obvious he was holding back, but Waldo was also holding back.

When they parted, both their faces were flushed. "So, now I guess I'm ready to go," Hunter said, standing. "I think there'll be dancing. You should see Tori's dancing. Or, I guess you remember it through Dustin."

Waldo stood, nodding before admitting, "I don't know how to dance and neither did Dustin. Well, I mean, not real dancing."

"I'll teach you," Hunter promised with a wink.

"You can dance?" Waldo asked.

Hunter chuckled. "My moves are legendary."

"Awesome," Waldo replied before stopping himself. "I mean, that's… interesting."

Hunter laughed, patting Waldo's shoulder and leading the brunette out of the woods.

Behind them, four figures stood watching from the shadows cast by the setting sun.

"We should take the rest of the gem now," Shimazu whispered to his fellow aliens.

"They don't have it," Vexacus replied calmly while Condortron flapped its metal wings restlessly, "but they may lead us to it."

"And to Marah and Kapri?" Choobo asked.

"I'll let you be in charge of that part," Vexacus said, patting Choobo's back.

"Oh boy!" Choobo declared. "I get to be in charge!"

Vexacus shook his head, leading the group forward. "Just be quiet and stay out of sight."

---

Dustin and Tobi arrived at Hunter and Blake's apartment, grocery bag in hand, when they noticed that Hunter and Waldo were also just arriving. "Hey, dudes," Dustin greeted with a big smile.

Hunter gestured to the apartment, which had the thump of music coming from inside. "Sounds like they started without us."

"What's in the bag?" Waldo asked, trying to sound casual.

Dustin and Tobi exchanged mischievous looks. "Just some…" Tobi began.

"Fun stuff," Dustin finished with a chuckle.

Hunter and Waldo exchanged confused looks, Hunter shrugging as the four entered the apartment.

All their eyes went wide as they saw how many people were crammed into the modest sized apartment. There were two Shanes, two Toris, two Cams, two Blakes, two Marahs, two Kapris, a Hunter, Geo, Destiny, Skyla, Cam's mother and two Senseis, though the guinea pigs and the dog didn't take up much room.

While Cam's mother set grumpy Sensei atop Destiny and the dog ran off, the guinea pig hanging on for dear life, Hunter approached the two Toris. "I see the party started," he commented.

Tori looked around. "You can definitely say that." Shane was singing karaoke love songs to entertain Skyla while some others were playing Super Smash Brothers.

"I also see they're here," Hunter added, gesturing toward space ninja Marah and Kapri.

"We couldn't leave them in Ninja Ops with all of us here," Tori replied.

"And they promised to be on their best behavior or Sensei will blast them," Tobi's sister added.

"Okay…" Hunter said skeptically.

"We're glad you guys are here," Tori said, smiling. "So, which one's the guest of honor?" she asked, looking between the two Dustins.

Waldo flinched as Tobi raised his hand, still holding Dustins, and declared, "That'd be Awesome Dude here."

Waldo looked down at the outfit in his hands. "Dustin, this is for you," he said, presenting his twin with the repaired costume. "I'm not that great at sewing, but I fixed it the best I could."

Dustin took the outfit, studying it. "Thanks, bro. You're awesome!" He then hugged Waldo. "You sure you don't want to wear it? You can be Awesome Dude."

Waldo shook his head. "Nah, I'm good," he replied. "You're… the guest of honor."

"Yep," Dustin agreed, pulling away. As he did so, he nodded toward Tobi.

Tobi looked at Dustin before agreeing with him silently. "Dustin thinks you'd like it if I thanked you for us both," he said, leaning up and kissing Waldo on the lips.

Waldo's cheeks flushed and his breathe quickened as their lips met. He closed his eyes, trying to savor the moment before Tobi pulled away.

Hunter watched Waldo's expression and his jaw muscles tightened.

"I'll put this with the rest of the stuff in the kitchen," Tobi's sister offered, reaching for the grocery bag in Tobi's hand.

"Wait!" Dustin and Tobi called together. "It's…"

She reached into the bag, removing a spray can of whip cream. "This'll go great with the ice cream." She peered into the bag. "There's all kinds of toppings in here." She pulled out chocolate sauce and then caramel followed by strawberry topping.

"Strawberry, my fav—" Tori began to say before glancing at Hunter just as Blake walked over. "I mean… one of my favorites," she corrected. When she looked back at Tobi's sister, she was pulling something else out of the bag. "I've never heard of KY sauce," she said. "Is that spicy?"

Tobi's sister laughed, winking at her brother who, along with Dustin, was blushing furiously. "Oh, yeah, it's really hot."

"We'll hold onto that," Tobi said quickly, grabbing the bag and handing it to Dustin.

"Uh, yeah," Dustin mumbled.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Hunter asked, pulling Dustin and Tobi into the kitchen.

"What's up, dude?" Dustin asked innocently.

"Were you two…" He gestured toward the bag. "…planning on having sex here in our apartment?"

"Maybe," Dustin replied with a cute grin.

"They're not doing it in my room," Blake said quickly. "You'd probably be turned on if you found a mess in your bed, but not me."

Hunter blinked at his brother before turning back to Dustin and Tobi.

"Don't worry, we've thought about that and can do it in the bathroom if you want," Tobi offered.

"We tasted each other's natural flavors when we gave each other blow jobs in the shower back at Ninja Ops and it was awesome," Dustin added.

Blake visibly cringed. "Too much information."

Hunter looked between the two lovebirds. "I was just thinking you'd give us some Dustin time too."

Dustin looked at Tobi before nodding. "Of course, dude," he agreed. "We can wait."

Tobi nodded also, patting Dustin's back. "He's all yours."

"Thanks, Tobi," Hunter said with a smile. "Oh, hey, we set up karaoke and I thought, since you're pretty good at singing…"

"That'd be awesome," Dustin said, looking at Tobi.

"I guess Shane looks like he needs a break," Tobi said with a giggle.

"We're playing Smash Bros and we can put in Mario Kart," Blake chimed in.

"Awesome," Dustin and Tobi agreed.

"Hey, Tori… and Tori," Hunter called, turning around. "We're gonna play Mario Kart. Maybe you guys can bring out a snack."

"Oh," Tori realized, nodding.

"Yes, us womenfolk will bring our men food while you go off to battle flying turtle shells, evil plants and other unspeakable horrors," Tobi's sister added.

Tori hit her, whispering, "Chocolate."

"I know," she replied dismissively.

The moment Tobi and Dustin ran over to play Mario Kart, Tori asked if the brothers had a large party tray.

"There's a plastic one on top of the fridge," Blake answered, turning to leave, but Tobi's sister stopped him. "What?" he asked.

"I hear from my dimension's Blake and Hunter that you two got a little frisky with each other when you were stuck in our dimension," she accused.

The brother's exchanged horrified looks. "But they weren't there," Blake protested. "Maybe, uh, they made it up?"

Tori rolled her eyes. "I was," she said, "and I told her what I saw."

"So, what's the deal?" Tobi's sister asked.

"What deal?" Hunter asked nervously.

"Quit pretending that you can't cut the sexual tension between you two with a knife," she accused.

The brothers promptly forgot how to breathe.

"I'm waiting," she prompted.

"Like I said, maybe there's nothing to tell," Tori interrupted. "Goldwinger made them do it and… that butterfly was… odd." She cringed at the memory.

"Oh, my dear sister," Tobi's sister scolded. "That is what you call denial."

Tori glared at her. "The only thing I'm in denial about is how much I want to hit you and, trust me, you're lucky for that."

"Give in to your feelings," Tobi's sister insisted.

"Cat fight!" Blake spontaneously cheered. "Go for it! Tear each other's clothes off!"

Hunter stared at his brother just as both Toris went to smack the shorter Bradley upside the head.

"No, wait!" Blake protested, raising his arms to protect himself. "Fine, we'll tell you."

The two Toris lowered their arms.

"Tell them… what?" Hunter asked hesitantly.

"We've jacked off together and given each other hand jobs, but that's it," Blake explained. "Though Hunter's always begging for more."

Hunter's face went as crimson as his shirt.

"He wanted his first 'mansex' experience to be with me," Blake said, making a disgusted face.

"Have you two kissed?" Tobi's sister asked while Tori recovered from the information overload.

"No," Hunter said firmly.

"Not that he hasn't begged for that too," Blake said, shaking his head.

"I only asked that one time!" Hunter protested.

"Begged," Blake corrected.

"I don't need to beg," Hunter argued. "If I wanted to kiss you, I'd just—" And the blonde leaned down and planted a kiss directly on his younger brother's lips. Hunter had assumed Blake would pull away, but instead the black haired Bradley froze and Hunter found himself kissing his brother longer than he had thought. That was when their lips began to move together.

They pulled away from each other slowly, staring into each other's eyes, blue meeting brown. After blinking a few times, they became aware that everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at them. That is, all except for Dustin and Tobi who were too engrossed in their game.

"Is it just me, or was that the hottest thing you've ever seen?" Tobi's sister asked.

Tori just stood there, her mouth hanging open.

"Uh, let's help you put the snacks out," Hunter immediately volunteered.

"Uh huh," Blake mumbled, nodding.

"Crash and burn!" Tobi yelled while Dustin laughed. They looked away from the screen to see everyone else standing around not talking and staring at the entrance to the kitchen.

"Maybe you should sing something to like break the whole awkward silence thing," Dustin suggested.

Tobi nodded, getting up. But, as he walked over to the other side of the room, he started to feel dizzy. He looked back at Dustin, the wavy haired brunette feeling the same sensation. Dustin walked over to Tobi to ask what happened but then the feeling went away, until it was completely gone when the two touched.

"That was weird," Tobi commented. "Anyway, let's see what we have here." He began looking through song tracks.

"That one," Dustin said, seeing what Tobi saw through Tobi's eyes.

Tobi smiled, starting the song. "This one's dedicated to Dustin Brooks, yellow ranger and all around awesome dude."

Dustin grinned wide.

"He's got a power and a force that you've never seen before," Tobi sang. "He's got the ability to morph and even up the score. No one can ever take him down. The power lies on his siiiide! Go go Yellow Ranger! Go go Yellow Ranger! Super Awesome Yellow Ranger!"

Dustin walked up next to Tobi and began to sing along, "He knows the fate of the world is lying in his hands. He knows to only use his powers for defense. No one will ever take him down. The power lies on his siiiide! Go go Gold Ranger!"

"Go go Power Rangers!" Tobi chimed in and together they sang, "Super Awesome Power Rangers!"

Destiny ran over, grumpy Sensei still atop her, and barked each time the word "go" was sung.

"Come on, dudes!" Dustin insisted.

"Go go Power Rangers!" Shane joined in, laughing.

"Super Awesome Power Rangers!" Dustin declared.

"Snacks are served!" the Tori's announced, interrupting the end of the song. They emerged from the kitchen with a large party tray full of chocolate treats.

Dustin and Tobi immediately stopped their mini concert and ran over. "Little chocolate people!" Dustin noticed.

"Chocolate!" Geo yelled. "I need chocolate for my super powers!"

"Chocolate Powered Geodude," Dustin nodded in agreement.

"They're Chocolate Covered Dustins," Tori explained.

Tobi smiled, looking at Dustin, who shared a knowing look with him. "Thanks, guys," Tobi said sincerely. "You really are the best sisters ever."

"We know," Tobi's sister replied.

"Yeah, you're all the best friends ever," Dustin agreed.

"We're glad you're back, Dustin," Tori added.

"Really glad," Hunter agreed.

"So, can the rest of us have any or are they all for Dustin?" Shane asked.

"He could eat them all," Tori agreed. "We've both seen it before."

"And he wants to," Tobi added, "but we're sharing tonight."

Dustin nodded, taking a single Chocolate Covered Dustin and eating it. "Mmm," he moaned.

"Tastes Dustiny," Tobi said, not having tasted one himself yet but experiencing it through Dustin.

Dustin giggled, glancing at the grocery bag in the corner.

"Can we have some too?" the other dimension's Shane asked, approaching with his dimension's rangers.

Tori looked at Tobi's sister. "Sure, there's enough for everyone," she agreed.

"Awesome," the other dimension's Cam muttered.

Waldo noticed this dimension's Cam sitting in a chair near the window and he walked over to him. "Not hungry?" he asked.

Cam looked up. "After the last time we had snacks here, no."

"I'm guessing you're not into parties in general," Waldo added.

"Not particularly," he agreed.

Waldo nodded in sympathy. "It's kinda hard being the other Dustin," he said, "the one who's not 'the guest of honor.'"

Cam looked over at Dustin and Tobi. "It's hard to compete with them," he said somberly, "but they look happy."

Waldo looked from Cam to the others. "Yeah, they do." He sighed. "Maybe parties aren't my thing either. I'm more comfortable in front of a computer."

"Where everything's in your control," Cam agreed, "and it's just you and whatever you're working on."

"Yeah," Waldo agreed. "Even the most complex artificial intelligence system is still way simpler than people."

Cam chuckled softly. "True," he agreed. "But I've learned there's a time for being with a computer and there's a time for being with… friends."

Waldo looked at Cam, surprised. "You're right."

Just then, Hunter walked over to the two holding some snacks. "Here," he offered Waldo a chocolate treat. "I know the other Dustin loves chocolate but I wasn't sure about you, not knowing you that well and all." He grinned as he said this.

"Thanks, dud—Hunter," Waldo said, taking the treats.

"You know, you can call me dude," Hunter reminded him.

"Yeah," Waldo mumbled, taking a bite.

"And I know you'd rather have some healthy snack," Hunter addressed Cam, "so I brought some green apple slices and peanut butter."

"That's…" Cam whispered, taking the snacks. "Thank you." He stood and glanced between Hunter and Waldo, taking a bite. "Very tasty."

"That's the spirit, dude," Waldo grinned. "I mean, let's go," he corrected, looking at Hunter, who was smiling at him.

As the three approached the others, Dustin and Tobi each eat a treat at the same time and moaned loudly. "Mmm," Dustin breathed.

"Wow," Tobi gasped. "That was like…"

"Yeah," Dustin agreed. "When we ate at the same time it was like super intense and…" As his voice trailed off, both their gazes going to the grocery bag. They then looked back at each other, breathing heavily.

Dustin launched himself into Tobi, licking the blonde's lips and nearly knocking him over.

"Okay, okay, you can use my room!" Hunter declared, throwing his arms in the air.

"You sure, dude?" Dustin asked, pulling away.

"You need to get this out of your systems," Hunter shrugged.

"Thanks, dude!" Tobi yelled as Dustin dragged him over to the bag, grabbed it and the two ran into Hunter's room, closing the door behind them.

Waldo stared at Hunter, surprised.

Hunter shrugged. "I want them to be happy."

"Right," Waldo mumbled, unable to keep from looking intensely at the closed door to Hunter's room.

"I for one am happy for my little brother," Tobi's sister commented.

"What are they gonna do in there?" Geo asked.

Hippy Marah looked at Hunter. "Are they going to…"

"Make rainbows?" hippy Kapri asked.

Hunter blinked at them.

"You know what we mean," Marah insisted.

Hunter nodded.

"I wanna see them make rainbows!" Geo declared.

"I didn't know humans can make rainbows," Skyla said. "Can we make rainbows?" she asked Shane.

Shane's face went red. "We, uh…"

"I think, in their case, it's called making babies," Tobi's sister commented before Tori jabbed her in the side with an elbow.

"Why don't we play a game while Marah and Kapri check on their ice cream," Blake suggested.

"Game?" Shane asked lamely. "Oh! I call Mario!" he shouted, running around Hunter.

"Bowser then!" Hunter declared, joining him.

"Bowser reminds me of uncle," space ninja Marah commented to herself.

"More like Zurgane," space ninja Kapri argued.

"You two up for a game?" the other dimension's Shane asked the sisters.

"Is it a fun game?" Marah asked.

"Yeah," the other dimension's Blake said, exchanging a look with his dimension's Shane. "Spin the bottle."

"I'm all over that!" their dimension's Cam immediately volunteered.

"Come on, Kanoi, this sounds fun," Cam's mother told her husband.

"Hey, Tori, wanna join us?" the other dimension's Blake asked Tobi's sister.

"Me?" she asked, surprised.

"Look, I know you probably want an explanation," he said, "and I'm feeling like a nice guy."

"Shocking change," she said.

"I know!" he agreed. "So, anyway, I met Leanne before you and I… I liked her a lot. And you… you were a slut. So, there's your explanation."

She glared at him. "As articulate as ever, Blake."

He shrugged. "I know. I am an all around great guy and I'm willing to give you a second chance."

"We never had a first chance," she pointed out.

"Details, details," he scolded. "Just join us."

"Oh, alright," she reluctantly agreed.

This dimension's Blake noticed Tori smiling at the scene. "They look like they're meant to be together," he commented.

She looked over at him. "I don't know," she argued. "I was just thinking she's only… Oh," she realized, noticing the intensity in his eyes. "Because they look like us and we're meant to be together."

"Too subtle?" he asked.

"Blake, you don't do subtle," she said, smiling. "It's all or nothing for you."

Blake ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I noticed."

Cam stepped backward, walking into Waldo. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"You okay?" Waldo asked, concerned.

"Yeah," Cam said, looking between the two Toris. "It's just a little crowded in here. I think I need some air." He forced a smile.

Waldo gave him a curious look. "You sure you're okay?"

"I will be," Cam promised, turning toward the door.

"Hey, Waldo, come join us," Hunter called, throwing the brunette a controller.

"Hoping a fourth player on the track will finally let you beat me?" Shane taunted.

Hunter rolled his eyes as Waldo walked over.

Across the room, space ninja Kapri could be heard protesting, "You cheated!"

"I did not!" the other dimension's Shane argued.

"Because it's normally this windy indoors," she said sarcastically.

"Maybe it is," he suggested, leaning forward. He had spun the bottle and a sudden blast of air caused it to face Kapri.

"I'd rather kiss a troll than you," she growled. "Probably brushes more often too."

"And I'd rather kiss a witch than a bitch," he replied, "but we're stuck here in this apartment with no trolls or witches, so pucker up."

"Fine!" she snapped, leaning forward and biting him on the lip. He promptly bit her back.

"Okay, okay, my turn," the other dimension's Hunter said, laughing. Spinning the bottle, it came to a stop facing his brother. The two stared at each other, remembering what this dimension's versions of themselves had done, and shook their heads. Then Hunter aimed his hand at the bottle and a spark set it tumbling to face their dimension's Cam. He started to point toward the bottle again.

"Gotta go with what the bottle says," his dimension's Cam said. "Them's the rules."

Hunter shrugged, leaning forward and kissing Cam on the lips.

"It looks like tonight's going to be full of surprises," Tobi's sister commented, eying the two as they continued to kiss.

"So, I guess it's my turn," the other dimension's Blake said, grinning at her. He spun the bottle and it twirled around and around until it stopped facing grumpy Sensei. Blake stared at the guinea pig who stared back at him, his beady eyes narrowing.

Suddenly a small fireball hit the bottle, spinning it further until it faced space ninja Marah.

"Aw," Cam's mother whined. "And I was so looking forward to that kiss, Kanoi," she whispered to her husband.

Blake looked from Tobi's sister to Marah and shrugged. He then leaned forward to kiss Marah.

"Kapri, he's gonna kiss me," she said quickly, tapping her sister's shoulder. "Do I have anything in my teeth?"

"Just three day old dead rodent," Kapri replied. "Go for it."

Marah and Blake kissed softly at first before Marah grabbed Blake, knocking him over and causing their kiss to break.

Blake sat back up, grinning. "Your turn," he told Tobi's sister.

She frowned at him before giving the bottle a halfhearted spin. When it stopped, it was facing grumpy Sensei again. She blinked at him and a small smile curled up on his tiny guinea pig mouth. "You know, this is a stupid game," she said, standing. "Have fun." She patted her dimension's Blake's shoulder and walked off. "Where's Cam—this dimension's Cam?" she asked.

"He went outside," Waldo told her, glancing up from the screen, where he was racing against Shane, Hunter and Blake.

"So, you think my brother and Dustin are done yet?" she asked, glancing back at the door to Hunter's room. But, listening, she heard cries of "Oh TZT!" and "Oh Dustin!"

"Obviously not," Hunter commented while Shane and Blake cringed.

"I win again!" Shane suddenly shouted, throwing down his controller and rubbing a finger in Hunter's face.

"Rematch!" Hunter demanded.

"Don't be a sore loser, bro," Blake chuckled while Shane grabbed Skyla to do a victory dance with her. But, as he tried to do so, he noticed that she looked frozen.

"What's wrong?" Shane asked her, concerned.

She blinked for a moment before answering. "It's Cam," she whispered. "He's in trouble."

---

"That was awesome," Dustin breathed, laying naked on Hunter's bed next to Tobi.

"Yeah, I think my brain almost exploded from pleasure overload," Tobi added.

"I know," Dustin agreed, trailing his hands across Tobi's bare body.

Earlier, the two had entered Hunter's room, threw their clothes off and proceeded to lick toppings off each other's bare bodies. After sharing various sensations, they both agreed they were ready to go all the way. Even though it hurt at first when Dustin entered Tobi, the pain was brief and something they both shared. Then pleasure overrode everything else, bringing Dustin to a very early climax, which resulted in it being Tobi's turn to enter Dustin. They continued their back and forth for a while until, which the help of their healing powers, they lasted longer. But, now they were content to just cuddle. After loosing their virginity to each other in multiple sex positions, cuddling next to their lover felt wonderful.

"This was the room where you told Hunter you chose him," Tobi whispered while lazily trailing a hand over Dustin's muscular tanned chest.

Dustin turned over, staring Tobi in the eyes, his deep brown eyes intense.

Tobi reached up, ruffling the brunette's wavy hair. "Don't worry, I know," he said softly, kissing him.

Dustin blinked at the blonde, his eyes moist and shiny.

"I love you too," Tobi agreed, sighing. "I guess we should get back out there," he added, gesturing toward the door.

"Yeah, I guess I am the guest of honor," Dustin agreed while nuzzling into Tobi, kissing him.

"I must really be in love because you look like you're glowing," Tobi whispered. "You're all gold."

"You always look like you're glowing to me," Dustin whispered back.

"I know, I 'shine like the sun,'" Tobi agreed, grinning.

"I'm glad we did this," Dustin added.

"I know," Tobi replied. "Me too."

"I love you, TZT," Dustin whispered, kissing him again, softer this time, "way more than words could ever say, so it's pretty awesome I can finally explain it without having to like… explain it." The two laughed. "And, dude," he added quietly, "I always loved you."

Tori ran his hands over Dustin's bare back, pulling their bodies closer and running his tongue over Dustin's bare shoulder. "Your skin's still the color of caramel and it sort of tastes like it too."

"We better like go right now or I won't be able to leave," Dustin said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Tobi nodded, "but we're going to have to get dressed."

"Aw," Dustin pouted.

"You're so adorable," Tobi cooed, kissing him, "but let's share some of that with your friends."

"With our friends," Dustin corrected. "I know like even before I was in you, you started thinking of them as your friends."

"You're right," Tobi agreed, sitting up.

The two redressed and left Hunter's bedroom, but were surprised to find the apartment empty.

"Are they doing the whole surprise party thing where they jump out and scare us?" Dustin asked nervously.

Tobi looked around. "I don't think so," he said slowly.

Then, at the same time, both said, "Something's wrong."

Running for the front door, they opened it to find everyone standing outside the apartment across from Vexacus, Condortron, Shimazu and Choobo.

But none of the rangers were fighting them because, in Vexacus' arms, he held Cam, a sword to his throat.

---

To be continued...

---

Author's Note: So, yes, action scene and more drama next chapter. The scenes with Vexacus and Shimazu do play a role in the next chapter, so I hope you paid attention. Do you like the relationship parts of this chapter or would you rather see less of that in the future? And, would you want to read an M-Rated version of Dustin and Tobi losing their virginity? This chapter may have seemed to be about Waldo, but Cam played an important role in the background, as we shall see next chapter. Please, please vote in the poll for TZTori's name or suggest something by reviewing!

NEW NEW NEW! AWESOME ALERTt! I've added a section toward the top of my profile where you can see my progress on my stories. So, say you're wondering if I'm working on a new chapter of this story or another, you can see how far along I am. Check it out!