Reefside: The "AAR" Chronicles – Part 8
Missing In Action
By Justin Jack
Author's Notes: Okay, I'm eight chapters in and still going strong. I'm a very visual writer. While I write this story, I imagine it in my head like I'm watching the TV show. It helps me set a pace. Now, I don't know how you readers imagine it, but I want to tell you who I see in my head playing the characters...both created by me and JT.
The Dino Thunder Rangers (obviously) aged to fit the time line.
Tommy—Jason David Frank
Kim—Amy Jo Johnson
Conner—James Napier
Kira—Emma Lahana
Ethan—Kevin Duhaney
Trent—Jeffrey Parazzo
Supporting Characters
Elizabeth—Ellen Page
Hayley—Ismay Johnston
Billy—David Yost
Will—Cameron Bright (with hair, he was Leech in X-Men 3)
Bryce—Shane West (the way he looked in A Walk To Remember)
Principal Turner—Kelly Hu (Cassandra in The Scorpion King)
Other former Rangers will show up as the story progresses, just imagine them sixteen years older from when we last saw or heard from them in the AAR Universe. If Justin shows up...he might, you never know. He'll be in his late 30's in the time line.
Okay, I hope that helps you readers. Don't forget to review. Now, on with the story...
August 24, 2023
Reefside High School
Reefside, California 12:35 P.M.
Beth sat at her table in the lunchroom chowing down on today's special on the menu. After last night, she was back to her old self again...with obvious enhancements of the gem variety of course. Only this time, she had control over them instead of the other way around.
As she bit into her pizza slice, Beth heard a little ringing sound coming from behind her. She gulped down her food trying not to choke herself. She looked over her shoulder and saw an arm waving a miniature bell.
Beth couldn't help but smile as she looked up and saw the cheery grin of Will standing over her.
"Cute Will, real cute," she chuckled as she pushed his bell hand down to his side.
"I just thought I'd beat you to it," he laughed as he sat down next to her at the fact that he took her threat of putting a bell on him literally.
"You're learning, and I thought you never listened to me," she shot at him.
"Hey, I listen!" he shot back
"How about that time you almost sent Dad's Ranger video diary to every government agency on the planet?"
"I was five! I was trying to find "The Funky Fisherman Show". Besides, Lightspeed Rescue would've covered it up...eventually."
"What about when you prank called Aquitar?"
"You knew about that?"
"Will, you called their King a "Moby" dick!"
"It was an accident, I swear!"
"You're lucky your Dad used to be their Ambassador to Earth, or we would have had a full scale invasion on our hands. Plus, you're lucky he only grounded you for a month. I spoke up for you."
"Well thanks, but I...," he started.
"And let's not forget the "wet cheerleader" incident...," she kept going.
"Okay B, I get it!" he glared at her.
She smiled.
"Just trying to look out for you Will."
"I'm trying to look out for you too B. You were in Wonderland after you talked to Bryce last night. I was surprised we got finished cleaning up."
"Hey, he's a good guy. Give him a chance."
"I will, but be careful B. For all we know he could be a walking fire hazard, but that's just me."
Suddenly, Principal Turner's voice boomed over the loudspeaker.
"DR. OLIVER, PLEASE REPORT TO MY OFFICE."
Beth and Will look at each other.
"I wonder what she wants?" Beth asked.
"Probably school stuff, because we are in school," Will snickered.
"Smart ass!"
"And proud of it. I'm gonna be in the Internet lab. Tell Bryce I'm watching him."
He starts to turn around and walk away nearly bumping into Bryce with a tray full of food in his hand.
"Did I hear my name?"
Will froze, gulped and looked back at Beth for help. All he saw was her trying not to laugh. He quickly looked at his watch.
"Well, look at the time. Gotta go get surgery to get my foot out of my mouth. Bryce, nice to see you. I'll see you around."
Will walks towards the exit of the Cafeteria as Bryce and Beth watch him go. Bryce walks over to the table.
"Did I miss something?"
"No, Will's just being...," She looks over and sees Will poking his head back through the entrance way and giving the 'I'm watching him' gesture with his hand. "Protective." she smiles.
"Is this seat taken?"
"Uh, no. You can sit on me...uh, with me. Yeah, with me...ahem...oh, God!"
He takes her invitation to sit down next to her noticing she is turning beet red with embarrassment.
"Hey, don't worry. I do that slip of the tongue a lot too. I've had my share of weird moments because of it."
"Good, so I'm not alone."
"Never."
Beth looked at Bryce and blushed even more while a slight smile escaped her lips. She finally came back to her senses and looked up at him.
"So...um, are we still meeting at the Cyberspace?" she asked.
"I'll be there."
"Great!"
As she was about to ask him another question, Principal Turner walked up to the table.
"Ms. Oliver, have you seen your father around anywhere?"
"Uh, no Ms. Turner. I thought he was called to your office."
"Well he never showed up. If you see him, tell him I need to see him!"
She gave a wicked glare to Bryce and looked back at Beth, then walked off.
"She doesn't like you very much does she?" he asked her.
"She's the Principal, she doesn't like anybody," she said with a questioning look in her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"It's not like Dad to not show up when he's needed. I'm gonna go look for him."
"Do you want help?"
"No, I'm sure it's nothing. He might be in the bathroom or something. I'll see you at the Cyberspace okay?"
"You got it."
She takes his hand with hers and squeezes it lightly.
Okay, bye Hottie...uh, I mean Sweetie...oh never mind. I'll see you later."
Beth quickly gathers her belongings together and rushes out of the Cafeteria as Bryce watches her go. When she disappears from view, he turns back to his food and gives a light hearted chuckle.
"Hottie," he shrugs and smiles as he starts on his lunch. But before he can take a bite of his pizza slice, the bell rings.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
In one quick motion, Bryce stuffs the slice in his mouth holding it with his teeth. He grabs his backpack and heads for the exit following the other students out.
End of Part 8
TBC