A/N: Well her it is, chapter six. It was pretty fast, but it took me around four hours to get it right so I hope you all like it. I'm rewatching Stop the hate master right now so I can go into that episode next. I also need to let everyone know that Neve and Hunter will get home but not before Zeo and I am thinking about having them join the zeo team as well, but right now it is not decided yet. What do you think about them joining as the Purple and Silver - because there was already a gold ranger when Jason returned - when they quest for the zeo crystals? That won't be for a while though.
Also another thing while Neve and Hunter will be in the past for about a year, little to no time will pass in the future. Not to mention Kim and Tommy will know where they are, their memories were under a time lock but once the day came that they'd go back their memories were unlocked so they know that Neve and Hunter are okay. They'll return about three days after leaving even though they would have been gone almost a year for them. It is a time difference thing, something I am fond of using even if it might not be scientifically correct. Anyways Enjoy and R&R!
NOTE: I FORGOT HALF THE CHAPTER AND DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL NOW, SO GO BACK AND READ IT IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY!
Purple with Shock.
Chapter 6: Fourth down and Long.
Angel Grove High School;
March 20th, 1995:
A week had passed since the day Neveah and Hunter had arrived in Angel Grove, and not just any Angel Grove, 1995 Angel Grove. In that week Neve and Hunter had helped the Rangers battle their way to the Temple to protect Ninjor – the keeper of the Ninjetti Temple on earth and the place their powers were protected – though this only counted for the Power Coins since he had created them and teleported their new ones to them after they'd received the great power.
They had also dealt with Rita messing with Kimberly through her dreams – Neve was really sick of the evil messing with their dreams – and them coming after a simple paper lantern which seemed to have a story and power behind it that Adam had. And them their science teacher was turned into a monster and Rocky had to try and teach his class. It was a unforgettable week, and Neve had forgotten just how tiring being a Ranger could really be.
To make things worse, she had to return to High School. She had grumbled and groaned, pleaded and given puppy dog eyes but her grandma Hart - who thought she was her Aunt at the moment – would have none of it. Today was officially her first day, but she's gotten revenge – so to say – when she'd convinced Zordon that if she was going to High School then so should Hunter. Hunter may have been almost twenty but he could easily pass for an seventeen or eighteen year old.
Second class of the day? Chemistry...she was in hell. Science had never been her most loving of subjects and worse of all was Chemistry. Oh, she passed the class but it was only through rigorous study sessions and sitting long hours at a table with her father and mother going over it because she really wanted to get it right. It had all payed off in the end but to go through high school a second time? It was bad enough the first time.
Right now though she sat at the table with her partners – Aisha and Billy since there was a uneven amount of students – and was going over the notes Aisha had lent her. In front of them was Rocky and his partner, Allen.
"Hey Rocky? Is it true your uncle's going to be speaking to the football team after school today?" Billy asked as Aisha measured something and Neve looked up, interested in where this would go. She had never been a big fan of football but she knew enough to get by, but just barely.
"Yeah," Rocky replied as he turned in his seat. "Mr. Kaplan asked him if he'd give us some good pointers before the Stone Canyon match."
"Uncle Joe," Allen mused from beside Rocky. "I can't believe your uncle is Joe Hayley!"
"He's the best pro-quarterbacker around!" Aisha said, exited. Neve looked between her friends and shrugged.
"Is he?" she asked. "Maybe I should check out a game or two. I've never been much of a football fan."
"You should, it's a great game," Allen said nodding at Neve.
"He's right, I think you'd really like it Neve," Rocky said and Neve nodded. "Anyways, I've always just known him as Uncle Joe. He really helped me out a lot as a kid."
"Enough chatter everyone!" the teacher called and put his goggles on. "Let's don those goggles and begin mixing."
"Hey Allen, could you read those equations from that book for me please?" Rocky asked and Allen nodded, looking down at his book. Neve barely heard as Allen was reading off the equations to Rocky. She was too busy, following what Billy said or trying to anyways. Thankfully, she was familiar with this, since she'd already been through High School once and she had gone to Angel Grove high until the middle of Sophomore year when they moved to Blue Bay Harbor.
It was a shock when they heard a small explosive sound and then smoke began to fill the room.
"Don't panic everyone, just fill out of the room one at a time in a orderly fashion," the teacher instructed
"Oh man, what happened?" Rocky asked as they where the last ones left inside.
"I don't know Rocky," Allen said and then they left as well, to catch up with the other students.
xXx
"I can't believe what I'm seeing!" Rita exclaimed as she gazed through her telescope, and then turned walking down from the balcony like area.
"If those brats can't do a simple chemistry problem, why can't we defeat them?" she asked.
"Here Zedd!" Goldar called as he held a football in hand and then threw it to Zedd. Finster came up beside Rita, a long green thing in his hands.
"Rita, I have a magic centipede monster that I think you will truly appreciate, " Finster said and Rita looked at it and scrunched up her nose in disgust.
"No more bugs!" she ordered. "I need something the Rangers will truly fear!"
"Go wide your athleticness!" Goldar called as he once again threw the ball to Zedd. Zedd growled as the ball hit his hand and bounced off.
"Your lordship, let me get that for you," Finster said as he came over and bent down to pick it up about the same time as Zedd, bumping their heads together and he dropped his centipede next to the ball.
"My centipede!" Finster exclaimed as Lord Zedd grumbled.
"What's this?" Lord Zedd wondered as the football and centipede glowed and then became a strange monster. A mix of a large football player and a centipede.
"Wow, our own personal quarterback!" Rito exclaimed. "Toss one over here!" the football-centipede monster raised the football and did as he was asked and Rito caught it.
"Oh yeah, it's touchdown time!" Rito yelled as he began doing the earthlings strange touchdown dance, but then he simply disappeared in a flash of reddish light.
"Where'd he go?" Rita asked.
"Wait, I see something!" Goldar exclaimed and walked forward and bent down to pick up a football, that sort of looked like Rito.
"Look, he's finally useful," Goldar said and Rita laughed.
"Oh, I like it," she said.
"Goldar, let's play some Rito ball," Zedd said and Goldar raised his hand and threw the ball to Zedd who caught it and chuckled.
"Great ball, they don't make them like this anymore," Zedd cackled, then looking at the monster who nodded.
"You know, I'll call you Centiback," Zedd said and then kicked the back back to Goldar who let it fall to the ground. Rita chuckled and then zapped Rito with her crescent staff and he turned back into Rito.
"Any body get the number to that bus?" Rito asked, rubbing his head.
"On sheer accident, you've created something you could have never created on purpose!" Lord Zedd said, almost happily. "You are going to defeat, the Power Ranger!"
xXx
"Okay, alright, nobody panic!" Bulk said as he came to stand behind Rocky and Skull behind Allen. Neve stood beside Aisha and rolled her eyes. "Angel Grove junior police patrol is on the case."
"Great," Neve muttered, shaking her head and Aisha hid a chuckle as she smirked slightly.
"Anyone know who is responsible for all this smoke?" Bulk asked and Allen sighed looking down almost shamefully.
"Everybody back inside," the teacher, Mr. Molten said, waving everyone back in.
"I know you heard the man," Bulk began. "Get inside."
"Don't you two have anything better to do?" Mr. Molten asked and Neve scuffed.
"Don't you have classes as well?" Neve asked and they shook their heads.
"Actually Mr. Molten, we are on celebrity detail," Bulk said. "We've been assigned to guard Rocky." Rocky turned his eyes shocked and wide and he scuffed.
"You guys?' he asked and shook his head. Neve giggled some and Aisha hid a smile behind her hand. Billy bit his cheek to stop from smiling.
"I suggest you get to it!" Mr. Molten said, pointing away and the two nodded, a bit scared.
"Yes sir," Bulk said.
"Right away sir," Skull said and they both scurried away, knocking over Allan's book from his hands as they did. Neve bent forward to pick it up and opened it, looking at the notes she was a bit confused. They were pretty good notes, but something didn't seem right.
"Allan," Neve began looking from the notes to Allan. "Are these the notes you used to mix the chemicals?" Allan looked kind of sheepish and shy as he nodded.
"Yeah, they are," he replied. Neve passed them to Aisha who blinked as she looked them over. She couldn't see where anything was wrong either but there had to be, if the result of the smoke was anything to go on.
"I don't get it, they look fine to me," Neve said. "Aisha what do you think?" Aisha sighed and then handed them to Billy who looked them over.
"Billy, can you see where he did anything wrong?" Aisha asked and Billy sighed.
"Well," Billy began. "Judging from the explosion that occurred and the formula you've got written here. I'd say you reversed the elements." Neve looked over at the paper, as she moved in between Aisha and Billy and nodded. But that didn't make much since, how could he have reversed the elements, it wasn't a common mistake. At least she didn't think it was.
"What?" Allan asked, shocked.
"Yeah, you read them backwards. That's what caused the chemical reaction that transpired," Billy explained and Allan sighed a look of understanding coming over his face.
"Oh man," Allan groaned.
"Until you can get your grades up, I'm going to suggest the couch suspend you from the team," Mr. Molten said.
"But sir, the Stone Canyon game!" Allan exclaimed.
"Wait, Mr. Molten, what if I helped Allan study?" Rocky asked and Mr. Molten sighed.
Well," Mr. Molten sighed again. "Allan, if I can see your making an effort starting today, I won't say anything to the couch." Allan grinned and nodded.
"I understand sir, thank you," Allan said and they all entered the classroom again.
xXx
"How is your day?" Hunter asked as he leaned against the locker next to hers before their math class together. Neve turned and smiled. Putting her chemistry and English book inside she grabbed her Math book and notebook before shutting it and leaning against it as well.
"It's been..repetitive. School really hadn't changed much in seventeen years. Angel Grove High is scarily the same as I remember," Neve said and moved closer. Hunter put his hand on her waist and Neve leaned up to kiss him before they pulled apart barely thirty seconds latter. The last thing they needed was one of the teachers or the principle to catch them, she didn't know if it was still against school policy to kiss during school hours but in the future it had been.
"Sorry beautiful, it's not been much better for me either," Hunter said and she sighed and they began to walk to class together as the first warning bell rang.
"I'm sorry about this, I just didn't want to go alone," she said. "I know I have the others as well but, I wanted you here with me." Hunter smiled and chuckled.
"It's alright, I didn't really enjoy school to much the first time around," he said and Neve smiled back and Hunter motioned for her to go into the classroom first and she raised an eyebrow and smirked coyly at him before going inside. Hunter chuckled and shook his head before following her in. This wasn't exactly how he thought they'd spend their time in the past, hell he didn't even expect them to be in the past but he wouldn't complain. It just meant he would have more time with Neveah before he was to busy to get away from the Academy.
xXx
That day after school Rocky and Allan sat outside of Ernie's studying. The others were busy doing their own things. Kim and Tommy were on a date, Aisha was working on her English report, Billy was messing with some new invention of his, Adam was messing with soccer ball somewhere and Hunter was at the command center helping Alpha out with fixing up the communication links, though mostly he just did what Alpha said and handled the tools. As for Neve, she was still at the school, having decided to go to the football field where Rocky's uncle was giving his speech thing.
"I don't get it Allan," Rocky began. "Your really smart, why do you have such a problem with school?" Allan shrugged, before looking at his friend.
"I guess I'm just not any good at it," he said. "Even when I was a little kid I hated reading. It's like words and numbers were out to trick me."
"What do you mean?" Rocky asked, not understanding what he was saying.
"When I check things I've written down. It's like I'm seeing things, upside down," Allan explains. Rocky nods, that made a little more since, actually it sounded a lot like his Uncle Joe's problem.
"You know, Uncle Joe had problems in school too," Rocky said. Allan's eyes widened.
"Your uncle! Oh man, I bet we missed your uncles talk!" Allan exclaimed and Rocky nodded.
"Man, " Rocky groaned. "Let's go see if we can catch him," Nodding the two boys got their books together and stuffed them in their bags before standing.
"Did your uncle really have problems with school?" Allan suddenly asked as they walked away.
Boy, did he," Rocky said nodding. "Your know what? I bet Uncle Joe could tell you were your gone wrong."
"Great," Allan said with relieved sigh. "Let's go."
xXx
Neve had listened intently to the talk Rocky's uncle had given and it was interesting to say the least. She still couldn't say she was a big fan of football but she at least found it interesting and would like to see a game in the future. The upcoming game would probably be a good place to start. After everyone had left she practically skipped down the bleachers and ran up to the man who was packing up to leave.
"Hi, I'm Neveah Gordon," Neve said holding out her hand. It was only half true of course, Gordon was her grandma's younger older sisters married name and when the cover story had been created it was this name she'd taken.
"Hi, I'm..." Neve didn't give him time to answer as she nodded smiling.
"Joe Hayley, your Rocky's uncle. I'm a friend of his," Neve said and Joe chuckled nodding.
"Well any friend of Rocky's is a friend of mine," Joe said and Neve smiled.
"Thanks," she said. "Anyways I just wanted to say that talk was great, really inspirational and stuff." Joe chuckled and nodded.
"Are you on the football team?" he asked and she laughed, shaking her head.
"No, knowing my luck I'd probably be trampled to death," she said. "No, I don't even follow football, actually it was Rocky who suggested I might like it so here I am."
"So what do you think so far?" he asked.
"It's great, well I still don't understand half of it but it's a lot more interesting then I gave it credit for." Joe was about to say something when they both heard voices running towards them and she sighed, rolling her eyes as she saw Bulk and Skull.
"Them however, not so interesting," Neve muttered and Joe smiled as Bulk and Skull closed in on them. At first they didn't see Neve but when they did Bulk smiled.
"Neveah, your looking beautiful today," Bulk said.
"Yeah, beautiful," Skull repeated and Neve sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I'm not in the mood today boys, so can you get to the point," Neve said and the two nodded turning back to Joe. Sometimes she woundered how Bulk and Skull had made it out of High School in the future.
"Right, Mr. Hayley," Bulk began. "We're your junior police patrol escorts." Skull nodded.
"We're here to take you back to your hotel and protect you from any harm," Skull said and Neve rolled her eyes turning slightly so her back was pretty much turned to them.
"Yeah right, bunnies are better protection," Neve muttered in a whisper and Joe had to hold back a laugh, he doubted the others heard the young girl who obviously was not Bulk and Skulls biggest fans – and he could see why – but he had good hearing and she was closer to him then them.
"And get your Autograph as well," Bulk said bringing out a yellow paper as Neve turned around and she raised an eyebrow. That looked suspiciously like a ticket.
"Uh, this is a parking violation," Joe said. "I'm not going to sign that." Neve had to bite her lip to stop from laughing.
"On the back," Bulk clarified and Joe nodded.
"Right, on the back. Who do you want me to make it out too?" he asked and Bulk pointed to his tag and he nodded. "Right Bulk and..." he trailed off and only Skull noticed when Centiback appeared on the field.
"Welcome to the big game sport fans," Centiback said as he moved forward a bit, though he was to far away for anyone to hear.
"Bulk," Skull whispered urgently and Neve looked at Skull confused.
"Bulk!" Bulk turned to see what Skull wanted and his eyes widened.
"Oh no not again," Bulk said and both Neve and Joe turned to see what the problem was and Neve took a step back in shock. Great this was just what she need now, she could even do anything with Bulk, Skull or Rocky's uncle around.
"What is that?" Joe asks and Neve shrugs.
"That, oh just your local monster," she said. "No big deal, just the thing which is going to ruin my first day of school!" Joe looked at the seemingly angry girl and blinked. Farther away Allan and Rocky were walking into the field when Allan noticed the monster.
"Rocky, look!" Allan exclaimed as he stopped his friend from moving forward. Rocky's eyes widened upon seeing his Uncle, Bulk, Skull and Neveah being cornered by the new monster. Looking at each other they took off towards them, to help.
"Guys, we need to go," Neve said deciding it better to use we instead of telling them to run. The last thing she needed was the headache of trying to get them to leave while she stayed behind and then them getting suspicious when she disappeared and the Purple Ranger appeared.
"Your not going anywhere!" Centiback said. As he pointed at Neve and Mr. Hayley Bulk and Skull jumped in front of them and Centiback threw his spiked football and it hit Skull making him glow bluish color and become a football.
"Oh no!" Neve gasped, shocked.
"Okay, fourth and long," Centiback began as he placed his football down on the ground. "Time for the field goal." he then ran forward and kicked it, right into Bulk's chest, turning him into a football as well. This left Neve alone to defend Mr. Hayley.
"Yeah, it's the sand-monsters two, Earthlings zilch!" Centiback said just as Rocky and Allan came to their sides.
"Rocky, thank god," Neve said breathing a sigh of relief.
"Alright, replacements!" Centiback exclaimed and tossed his football once more, and Allan acting on instinct caught the football and it began turning him into another football. Neve gasped and Rocky's eyes widened.
"Allan!" Rocky cried as he knelt down to pick up the purplish football.
"Your going to pay for that!" Neve exclaimed pointing at the Centiback who moved back some and chuckled as if finding Neve's anger amusing.
"Rocky! Watch out!" Joe cried and he dashed in front of his nephew and caught the ball before it could hit Rocky. Neve's eyes widened and she placed her hands over her mouth in shock.
"Uncle Joe!" Rocky cried out as he moved forward and grabbed the ball. He then stood and Neve glared at the monster as she and Rocky stood side by side.
"You picked the wrong day to mess with me lace face," Rocky said pointing at the monster. Neve nodded as she looked at Rocky and they nodded.
"Now it's time to teach you not to pick games you can't win," Neve said and they put their hands behind their backs.
"It's morphin time!" Rocky called.
"Red Ranger Power!" he called.
"Purple Ranger Power!" Neve called and they were both consumed in colored lights and after they were done they both flipped through the air, Rocky planting both his feet in the Centiback's chest but was only bounced back and hit the ground hard. Neve seeing this decided to reposition her self she landed on the monsters shoulders, standing and then she flipped backwards off to land in front of him, and then proceeded to round house kick him only to have nothing happen and her arm grabbed and she was propelled into the air and landed on Rocky, forcing him back to the ground.
"Whoa," she cried. "Sorry Rocko." Rocky nodded as he stood and helped her up, turning back to face Centiback.
"Don't worry," he said. "You ready?" she nodded and they fell into stances.
"Games not over yet pal!" Rocky said and Centiback rushed them, and Rocky blocked a chop of the monsters hand with his own crossed at the wrist but was kneed in the side and forced back while Neve gave it a try. She was able to land a few punches to the monsters face and chest but it didn't seem to be working and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her in before flipping her over onto her back and raising his feet to stomp on her chest.
"Neve!" Rocky called and groggily she gasped and rolled out of the way and Rocky came and helped her up again.
"You okay?" he asked and she nodded.
"Yeah, I really hate this bug," she said shaking her head.
"Let's show him some teamwork them," he said and she nodded and they both dashed off. Alternating who would kick and punch at the monster. Rocky would throw a punch while she would throw and kick at it's side or Rocky would round house it while Neve would try and sweep it's feet out from under it. One would hit it low, the high. But it still did not seem to be doing to good and as Rocky through a punch the Centiback stopped it with an open palm of his hand and with the other grabbed a hold of Neve's leg.
"I've got you now!" it cackled and began to attack with surprising speed for a burly monster. In the end Rocky was thrown back onto the ground by a kick and Neve was spun and then punched in the chest making her fly back to land next to Rocky.
"Man, that monster packs a mean punch," Neve spoke as she rubbed her chest. Rocky nodded.
"His kicks aren't much better," he said.
"You're not much competition Red and Purple Rangers!" Centiback yelled and Neve glared.
"You want competition?" Neve asked. "I'll give you competition." she said and Rocky looked at her confused before she turned to Rocky.
"Call for backup," she told him. "I'll hold him off." With that she brought her hands up and then down, they glowed purple as she spoke.
"Dragonfly arm Swords!" with a firm grip on her swords she attacked, determined to hold him off while Rocky called the others.
"Zordon, it's Rocky," Rocky said into his communicator. "Neve and I are under attack at the high school football field. We need help!" Rocky winced as the monster was slashed with the blades hooked to the Purple Rangers arms just below the elbow but other then spark the Centiback was able to grab the blades and kick Neve in the gut, making her fly back to land in front of Rocky, her weapons disappearing.
"I read you Rocky," Zordon replied. "I'll have Alpha contact the other Ranger immediately."
"Zordon?" Centiback asked as he readied his football. "He's the worst couch in the universe!" He then threw the ball and Neve and Rocky gasped and threw themselves to the right to avoid it. Just as they were getting up the other Rangers flipped onto the scene, running to the Red and Purple Rangers side. Hunter was at Neve's instantly, helping her up.
"Relax Rocky, Neveah," Tommy said. "We're here now." They all fell into stances faced the Centiback.
"Ew, another bug. I think this one is the ugliest so far," Kim muttered. Neve chuckled as she held her chest a bit where the Centiback had punched her.
"You think so now, but they'll just get uglier," Neve said.
"Your teams pathetic!" Centiback exclaimed. "I'm gonna destroy you!"
"Rocky!" Tommy yelled as the Red Ranger sank to one knee. Neve was doing a little better but not much and she was leaning heavily on Hunter.
"Stay away from the ball," Rocky groaned out and Neve nodded.
"Yeah, that thing is dangerous," she agreed.
"Right," Tommy said.
"Man, hang in there," Adam said as they helped him back to a standing position.
"Prepare to be sacked," Hunter said as they all fell into half stances.
"Come on down!" Centiback cried, laughing as he did and in a flurry of black feathers the Tengas appeared.
"Don't let the ball touch you!" Rocky said and Neve nodded.
"He's right, see over there?" she asked as she pointed to a line of balls. "That's his uncle Joe and the others." The Rangers nodded.
"Thanks, we'll be sure to avoid that," Tommy said.
"Ready to be sidelined?" Centiback asked as the Rangers turned their attention back to him.
"I don't think so," Hunter said clinching his fist.
"Right, it's going to be you who's sitting in the showers, not us," Tommy says and Centiback chuckles.
"Wouldn't bet on it," the monster begins. "Down, set!"
"Ready?" Rocky asked and the others nod.
"Down, set!" they call out in unison and it looks like a game is about to begin, between the Centiback and Tengas and the Rangers.
"Ready you bug faced freak?" Neve asked, smirking behind her helmet.
"I'm one problem you won't be able to tackle," Centiback replies. "21, 14, 75 – hike!" with that the game began. It was a Tenga who caught the ball and each side rushed the other. Each Ranger tried to take the Centiback as the Tenga through the ball over head. Billy and Kim where thrown to the ground and Adam tried to tackle him but was throw over the monsters shoulder and onto his back in between Kim and Billy.
Tommy met a similar fate as Adam and Hunter was able to push the monster back some but was thrown onto his back as well and Aisha went to tackle but missed and landed on the ground instead. Neve was able to kick the monster but as she twirled around to punch he grabbed her fist as threw her into Hunter, and they both fell back to the ground as he caught the ball thrown by the Tenga.
"White Ranger you seem a little locked up," Centiback said. Tommy was trying to get out of a lock in the middle of three tengas.
"Buzz off!" Tommy growled.
"Your pretty funny, let's see you laugh this one off!" Centiback exclaimed and threw the football at him. Neve gasped as she saw this, and was kicked in the mid section for her detraction by a tenga which she punched soon after and roundhouse in the head making it twist into the air and onto it's back just as the ball hit Tommy in the chest.
"Tommy!" Neve yelled as he was turned into a black and white football.
"Don't count on completing your next play," Billy said but soon after the Centiback kicked the ball right into Billy's chest, turning him into a blue, black and white ball.
"Oh no, Billy," Kim gasped.
"Yes, got him. That two done and six to go." Hunter and Adam clinched their fist and Adam pointed at the Centiback.
"It's time we penalize this guys," Adam says. Hunter nods.
"I couldn't agree more," Hunter said and the two took off, jumping into the air as they did. They didn't have time to get out of the way of the two balls headed towards them and both where hit. Hunter was turned into a gold and silver, and black ball and Adam a black and white ball.
"No, Hunter!" Neve yelled as she kicked a Tenga away and she and Rocky both ran at the Centiback. Rocky using football moves to get passed the Tengas while Neve used her grace to flip, kick and spin out of the way of them. Like before Rocky and Neve worked as a team, while he punched she kicked, making the monster stumble back. As he threw a roundhouse kick at the monsters head she punched at his chest. Unfortunately he was able to doge these last two blows and as Rocky threw a punch he grabbed the Red Rangers fist and flipped him over onto his beck while he grabbed the Purple Rangers calf and then spun around in a circle before letting her go. She screamed as she flew through the air and she landed hard next to Aisha and Kim.
"Neve, are you alright?" Kim asked and Neve shook her head to clear it and nodded as she slowly got to her feet with the Pink Rangers help.
"Yeah, thanks." Kim nodded.
"Anytime," she replied.
"Eny meany miny moe, I think you'll be the next to go!" Centiback said and threw two balls at Aisha and Neve. Neve's eyes widened and Aisha gasped.
"Bombs away!" Centiback said as the balls came closer.
"Aisha, Neve step aside!" Rocky called and at the last minute Kim pushed Neve down taking the ball to the side and Aisha took the other to the chest. Kim was turned into a pink, black and white football while Aisha was a yellow, white and black one.
"Kim! Aisha!" Neve gasped as she sat up and then got to her feet in time to dodge an incoming football.
"And now it's half time. The score is ten to nothing. In favor of the visiting team," Centiback said cackling as he did.
"Red and Purple Ranger, it looks like your season is over!" Neve had already moved to Rocky's side though slowly from her previous hit already taking a effect on her. Her arm hurt from where she'd fall but she didn't think it was more then a sore, maybe brushed arm.
"Crap," Neve said as they advanced on her and Rocky and they backed away slowly.
"Zordon, it's Rocky. Neve and I are the only Rangers left," Rocky said into the communicator. "We need to come back to the command center."
"Hey, you forgot to tell him about all the footballs I made," Centiback said and Neve glared and clinched her fist. "I guess I'll just have to make another one." With that he threw the football at Rocky but thankfully as it was about to hit, both Neve and Rocky were teleported out in beams of Red and Purple.
xXx
"Zordon, how are we going to defeat this monster alone?" Rocky asked as both him and Neve stood in the Command center, their helmet under their arms. Neve nodded.
"That monster is brutal, he's powerful," Neve said. "The most powerful one I've come across in years."
"THE CENTIBACK MONSTER IS AN ESPECIALLY FENDISH MONSTER," Zordon began. "IT IS NOT LIKELY YOU AND NEVEAH WILL BE ABLE TO DEFEAT HIM WITHOUT THE OTHERS."
"So, what do we do?" Neve asked. Usually she was always ready for something like this but she had just seen her friends, Hunter and her parents – past version or not – be turned into footballs. It was sort of throwing her off, big time.
"Hey, those emit an energy wave, right?" Rocky asked as he turned to Alpha.
"Right," Alpha replied.
"Maybe we can turn the beam upside down and backwards." Neve looked at her red clad friend in confusion.
"I don't understand," she said and Rocky smiled.
"It'll reverse the spell!" Rocky exclaimed and Neve's eyes lit up.
"Could it work?" Neve asked, looking up at Zordon.
"Rocky's correct," Alpha began. "Inverting the footballs energy can cancel the spell."
"Great, I still don't really understand much of what you just said, but how do we do that?" Neve asked. While she got the gist of it, it still went over her head a bit. Maybe under better circumstances she'd understand better but right now she just wanted to stop Centiback.
"The monster had moved all the footballs to the mountains outside Angel Grove," Alpha said as the alarm started going off.
"Oh no," Neve muttered.
"But Ai-yi-yi, my weather scanner shows a snow storm is moving in," Alpha said and Neve blinked.
"In March?" she asked and Rocky chuckled.
"You'd be surprised," he told the Purple Ranger. She didn't remember it snowing that much in late March growing up but maybe it could and just hadn't since before she was born.
"THIS IS TROUBLING ALPHA," Zordon began. "THE ENERGY WAVE WILL NOT WORK WITH INTERFERENCE. IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU WORK FACE RANGERS."
"Right," Neve said nodding. Then two buckets appeared in front of them and she raised an eyebrow.
"These devises will reverse the energy fields," Alpha explained and the two Rangers nodded.
"Right, Back to Action!" Rocky said and the two placed their helmets back on and teleported out with the buckets.
xXx
"Looks like the storm is on its way," Rocky said. Neve nodded as she looked at the darkening clouds and sky.
"Yeah, let's hope it holds off," Neve said. "It's really cold up here."
"Cold enough to snow," Rocky said with a chuckle and then they both turned sharply as Centiback appeared.
"Somebody looking for me?" the monster asked and Rocky glared from under his visor.
"We're going to force you to stumble and then we'll control the game," Rocky said and Neve smirked.
"You should know," Neve said as she pointed at the monster and clinched her fist. "Games are what I do best. And I don't play fair."
"Tough talk from two colored nuisances holding a garbage pail," Centiback said. "I think I'll have you join your lowly friends instead,"
"I'm not afraid of you Centiback, now that I can reverse the spell." Neve looked over at Rocky and raised an eyebrow.
"Remind me to tell you guys about the badness that results in telling the bad guys these things," Neve said with a sigh.
"It's fifth and down for you buddy," Neve said and Rocky chuckled.
"No, no, it's fourth and long," he said and Neve rolled her eyes.
"Whatever," she said shaking her head.
"Ah, stick a pig in it," Centiback said and threw the ball but they were ready and Rocky caught the ball in the bucket.
"Great catch Rocko!" Neve exclaimed.
"Give me back my ball!" Centiback growled. "Now!"
"If you insist," Neve said with a shrug and nodded at Rocky who nodded and tossed the ball pass the monster and it hit the four civilian balls.
"Success!" Rocky said and set the pail down as he contacted Alpha. "Alpha it worked. Four of them are free." It was only a few seconds latter that the four were teleported back to the football field in gray beams of light.
"Well they may be gone, but your here," Centiback said and kicked the ball at Neve who was able to get into the pail and spun around once a laughed in victory at the bucket.
"Point!" Neve said and Centiback groaned.
"Come one guys, your not playing fair. Give me my ball back," Centiback practically begged and Neve chuckled.
"I did tell you I didn't play fair," Neve said. "But as you wish." she said and threw it back and it went past him and hit the six Ranger footballs and they were returned to normal.
"Did anyone get the number of the plane that hit us?" Hunter asked as he held his head and slowly stood.
"Ah man, that's one experience I'll never forget," Tommy said as they all got to their feet. "Is everyone okay?" Tommy asked and everyone nodded.
"Penalty, to many Rangers on the field," Centiback said and Neve and Rocky laughed as they clasped hands in victory.
"Whoa!" Neve cried as Centiback was suddenly zapped and became bigger.
"Great," Hunter sighed. "Should have seen that coming."
"Hey Rangers, lets play some touch football," Centiback said and Neve rolled out the way of the monsters foot and right into Hunter who caught her and steadied her.
"You alright?" he asked and she nodded.
"Yeah, thanks." Hunter nodded as they all once again began backing away and the snow got harder.
"We're giving you a two minute warning!" Rocky called and they formed a circle.
"We need Ninja Zord Power now!" they called.
"Black Frog, Ninja Zord power up!" Adam called falling into his own stance.
"Gold Snake, Ninja Zord power up!" Hunter called, falling into his stance as well.
"Blue Wolf, Ninja Zord power up!
"Yellow Bear, Ninja Zord power up!" Aisha called after Billy.
"Purple Dragonfly, Ninja Zord power up!" Neve called out, falling into a final stance very much like Kim's but while Kim's left hand came in front of her, Neve''s came out and curled into a claw like fist but other then that it was the same.
"Pink Crane, Ninja Zord power up!" Kim called next.
"Red Ape, Ninja Zord power up!"
"White Ninja, Falcon Zord power up!" Tommy called last and the Zords began to combine into the Megazord. Then the battle began. At first it seemed Centiback had the upper hand but with help from a zord side cobra saber – Hunter's personal weapon – they were able to defeat the Centiback. As the Megazord turned it's back on the sparking Centiback it exploded.
xXx
After the battle the Rangers all went to Ernie's and were sitting around a table with drinks. The only one not there yet was Rocky.
"That was a really weird experience guys," Kim said and Billy nodded.
"It certainly gave a new perceptive on things," Billy said and Hunter chuckled.
"I've got to agree. I've been sucked into a popcorn bucket before and almost dissolved by artificial butter but I've got to say this tops that," Hunter said and the other chuckled.
"Well I know I wont look at football the same way again," Neve said and Hunter smiled at her.
"I'm sure K..your mom will be glad to here she doesn't have to put up with you screaming on game nights as well," Hunter teased and she rolled her eyes.
"My dad isn't that bad," Neve said and then smiled. "All the time." The others chuckled, not even aware that he was talking about Tommy and Kimberly. Kim looked like she was about to speak when Rocky came towards them, Allan and his uncle not far behind.
"Guess what?" Rocky said as he got there. "Allan doesn't have to quite the team!" The guys all smiled and congratulated Allan.
"That's excellent Allan," Tommy said.
"What happened?" Hunter asked a moment latter.
"I told Mr. Hayley about my problems in school and he did the rest," Allan explained just as Lieutenant Stone came in and startled Bulk and Skull. They also noticed he was holding a football. As they watched the interaction, and Bulk and Skulls obvious fear of the football they all laughed as the ball flew into the air as Lieutenant stone left and hit a ball of food and making it fly onto Bulk.
"Some things never change," Neve said and Kim looked at Allan and Mr. Hayley.
"So Mr. Hayley what exactly is Allan's problem?" Kim asked.
"Allan's problem sounded a lot like mine, so I took him over to the high school learning resource center to be tested."
"Turns out I have a learning disorder called Dyslexia," Allan said and Neve nodded.
"That explains a lot," Neve said giving Allan a smile. "I had a friend in LA that was Dyslexic, it's very common actually." It was half true. She did have a friend who was dyslexic but she moved to LA when they were ten.
"That's right," Mr. Hayley said. "I'm Dyslexic too, when we're under pressure we tend to interpret numbers and letters a little differently then others."
"Not all teachers recognize the problems," Mr. Hayley said and Allan nodded.
"But now we know what the problem is and Mr. Molten said he knew ways to help. He said my grades would really improve," Allan said.
"And he doesn't have to quite the team," Mr. Hayley added and everyone smiled and clapped, cheering at the good news. Neve looked up at Hunter and smiled as they invited Allan and Mr. Hayley to sit with them and Rocky and enjoyed the rest of their day. Neve sighed, well maybe it wasn't a total waste of a day.