[Chapter 18: A Star in Torn!]
Hayley's Cyberspace!
Jessica and Trent both rushed out out of Hayley's Cyberspace quickly looking worried.
"Trent, Jessica," Kira said with a smile on her face, "you two are not going to believe this. You're going to freak."
"I'm already freaking, we're out of soy milk and Hayley is off today," Trent told her, "I gotta hit the store."
"I'm also freaking," Jessica added, "I'm late for my samurai training and I know Sensei is going to kill me."
The two of them started to walk away, but Kira stopped them again.
"Oh, wait, I have to tell you something," Kira said.
"Sorry, it's going to have to wait," the White and Green Rangers told her.
"Okay, have you seen Ethan?" Kira asked.
"Not yet."
"Conner?"
"Not today."
Trent and Jessica both started to walk away.
"Later!" both of them called over their shoulders.
"Great," Kira sighed, "who am I going to tell?"
Wind Ninja Academy!
Jessica ran onto the academies grounds already in her training uniform hoping that Cam wouldn't point out her lateness.
"Your late Jessica," she heard the familiar voice of her Sensei that dashed her hope.
"I'm so sorry Sensei," she apologized as she turned to face him.
Cam looked at his student and friend's younger Sister with his arms crossed.
"Why are you late?" he asked.
"Hayley took today off and so I was helping Trent out at the Cyberspace cafe," she answered, "I was so busy helping him that I lost track of time."
Cam looked her in the eyes to see if she was lying, but she just stared back at him with an apologetic look in her bright blue eyes.
"Alright," Cam sighed, "I can tell your telling the truth." Jessica beamed before he tossed her a wooden sword that he had on his left side. "Shill we begin?"
"Yes Sensei," Jessica answered as she got into a samurai fighting stance.
Without warning the two of them lunged at each other and started to trade blows.
Dino Lab!
As Jessica was at the Wind Ninja Academy two of the 6 Rangers where in the Dino Lab each doing their own thing. Hayley seat at the Main Computer while Conner was standing next some kind of control box.
"Alright, you ready Conner?" Hayley asked.
"Yep," Conner answered, "ready."
Hayley turned back to the computer, "try the controls."
Conner touches the controls.
"Okay," Conner said.
"Initiating simulation," Hayley said as she started to type.
Red electricity moves up Conner's hand, traveling up his body making his hair stand on end.
"Hayley, can we stop please?" Conner asking
Hayley turns round in her chair before she gasped and spins back to the computers, typing quickly.
"Shutting down," Hayley said as she turned off the program.
Conner gasps as the simulation ends before Kira appeared on the view screen talking into her communicator.
"Hey Conner?" Kira asked, "are you there? It's Kira."
"Hey Kira. Unfortunately he's a little…fried right now," Hayley answered as she looked over at the poor Red Ranger.
"Are you alright?" Hayley asked
"Yeah, fine, I just wanted to tell him that…" Kira replied
"Can we call you back?" Hayley asked, "we're working on the control program for the new assault vehicle."
"Oh, yeah, sure," Kira agreed, "what about Ethan? Is he around?"
Everyone all looked over at the Blue Ranger who was on his computer.
"Can you tell her that unless she's getting attacked by something green and scaly, send me an e-mail?" Ethan asked.
"Did you hear that?" Hayley asked.
"Yeah, I heard," Kira answered
"And Ethan's right," Hayley agreed, "unless it's an emergency, we should keep the communication frequency clear."
"Okay, I'm just…I'm sorry, I'll talk to you guys later," Kira said sounding upset before she let go.
Hayley turned around to look Ethan.
"What are you doing over there that's so important anyway?" Hayley asked.
"Searching the web for my soul mate," Ethan answered.
"Dude, you needed help with girls, you just needed to ask," Conner told him.
"I'm looking for something a little bit more deeper then to what your use to bro," Ethan stated, "and by the way? Nice look."
"What?" Conner asked as he looked over at Hayley, "what's he talking about?"
"You look fine," Hayley told him, "now, let's try that again."
The two of them went back to the new program though they where having trouble.
"Come on, Conner, take 'em down!" Hayley cheered him on.
"I'm trying!" Conner told her, "no, I'm losing it!"
On the screen, the MegaZord explodes and the words 'simulation over' flash. Hayley sits back.
"Oops," Hayley said.
Conner removes the simulation helmet looking none to pleased.
"Great," he groaned, "game over. Again."
"Welcome to my world, dude," Ethan told him.
"At least it's only a simulation," Hayley stated trying to cheer the Red Ranger up.
"The hydraulics are doing the opposite of everything I tell them to," Conner complains
"Hey, would you guys say that I'm a) a chiseled work-out fiend, b) a beefy boy-toy, c) a walking toothpick, or d) just your average, everyday dude?" Ethan asked.
"I thought you were looking for something a little deeper, Ethan," Hayley told him.
"Yeah, but to get there I've got to answer these 500 questions," Ethan agreed as he rubs his hand, "and I'm getting a hand cramp."
"Here's a chance to take a break," Hayley told him, "I need you two to pick up a titanium server mechanism. I e-mailed the address to your organizer, Ethan. It'll be waiting for you."
"Do you think that's going to fix the problem?" Conner asked.
"I'm hoping," Hayley answered, "let's just get it home without Mesogog finding out what we're doing."
Tones Records!
Kira walked into a wide open space with a TV and music related instrument.
"Hello?" she called out, "anybody here! Hello?"
Kira turned around the place taking it all in when a blonde haired man appeared wearing a white shirt with jeans and shades.
"You must be Kira," a man's voice said making Kira to turn around to face him, "welcome to my home." He reached up and took off his shades. "Walk with me?"
"Wait?" Kira asked as she followed, "you live here?"
"My ideas do," the man answered, "this is creative home." He lead her over to a chair and had her set in it. "This is where I make all my stars Kira." Kira watched as he moved behind her. "Stars like you."
"Great," Kira said, "so what do I do?"
"Just follow my lead," he answered with a smile, "if you can promise me, your loyalty, your trust. I can promise you, your dreams. Does that sound fair?"
"Yeah," Kira answered, "I guess it does."
"Then let's start," he informed her before walking over in front of her and pulled her up out of the chair. "On the way to wardrobe, we can talk about Kira Ford, who she's going to be, what she's going to represent." Kira nodded her head as she listened. "This is going to be great." He started to walk away from her. "Come on."
Kira followed slowly feeling a bit nervous.
Wind Ninja Academy!
Jessica blocked a blow from Cam before dropping to the ground and tried to sweep his feet out from under him. Only for him to jump over her leg then away from her as she spin around and stood up.
"Your getting better Jessica," Cam complemented.
"Thank you, Sensei," the Green Ranger thanked as they locked swords again.
Cam came out of his fighting stance when they two back away from each other and signaled for Jessica to do the same.
"Your training for today is over," Cam told her, "now go and do get your homework done."
The younger Hanson put her wooden sword at her side and bowed before taking off for the entrance.
Tones Records!
Kira stood in front of the Music producer wearing an all black outfit with her hair in a Mo hawk style.
"You love it?" the guy asked.
"You want me to be honest?" Kira asked as she turned while he walked around her.
"Remember Kira?" he asked, "trust."
"Doesn't trust work both ways?" Kira asked him.
"Not in my world," he answered, "spin." Kira did just that which made him smile. "That is prefect." Just then an African-American man in a green shirt walked in and handed over a disc. "Ah, excellent." He turned towards Kira and help it up. "Your new sound."
"New sound?" Kira asked confused as she walked up to his desk.
"Remixed by Kylee Style's producer," he answered her as he put the CD into a player, "and he is not easy to get." The manager hit play on a remote and once the music started Kira's face turned into disgust. "Oh, that is magic. That is pure magic."
"Would you mind if I went outside and made a call?" Kira asked.
"Yeah, sure," he answered as he listened to the music, "just don't be long. We got a lot of work to do."
Kira turned around and just shook her head before walking out.
Outside Tones Records!
Kira pulled out her yellow cell phone and dialed a number before putting it to her ear.
Dino Lab!
Jessica sat next on some steps on the other side of the Dino Lab with her sketchbook out when Conner and Ethan came down the stairs carrying a box. Jessica looked up at them when she heard a strange sound when the boys came into view.
"Do you hear that?" Conner asked, "what is that?"
"That's my phone," Ethan answered.
"Dude, you gotta change that ring," Conner told him.
They both sat the box down with some trouble.
"What's the matter with it?" Ethan asked/
"Are you serious?" Conner asked.
Ethan pulls out his phone, looking at the screen. He answers it.
"Hello?" Ethan asked before glances at his phone, "hello?"
He looks at Conner and shrugs.
"Must have hung up," Conner said.
Outside Tones Records!
Kira put another Number once again.
"Conner pick up," she growled.
Dino Lab!
Conner and Ethan have picked up the box again and are carrying it down the last bit of stairs when Conner's phone starts ringing.
"You gotta be kidding me," Ethan said.
"What?" Conner asked
"It's better than yours!" Ethan answered as Conner struggles to find his phone while still holding the box with Ethan bracing himself against the banister to keep the box from falling. "Hurry up."
Conner fails to find his phone so he gives up on it.
"Oh, man," he groaned, "come on, let's just get this thing inside."
"'Kay."
Outside Tones Records!
"Please Jessica answer?" Kira begged as she held her phone to her ears a third time.
Dino Lab!
The two boys once again started to bring the box when this time a ring tune that sounds a lot like a fan made song for the Ninja Storm team started going off.
"What is that?" Conner asked as Jessica pulled out a green cell phone.
Rolling her eyes at him, Jessica looked at the caller ID before answering.
"Hello, Kira?" she asked.
"Thank god, you answered," she heard Kira breath.
"What's wrong Kira?" the Green Ranger asked as she stood up and away out of the Lab.
"I'm at a record studio to do a music video, but the manager what's to change my music and my looks," Kira answered her.
"Alright Kira, just breath," Jessica said calmly, "now I can't tell you what to do, but if you want then do the video and bring to the Lab to show the others so you can see what they think about it."
She heard Kira sigh on the other end sadly.
"I just want your opinion that's all," Kira told her.
"If you want my opinion then here it is," Jessica stated before letting out a sigh, "drop the guy cause if it means changing who you are and your sound then it's not worth it, Kira."
"Alright, I'll do the video shoot and see what the others think about it," Kira informed her.
Jessica let a smile appear on her face.
"Good," she said with a nod, "see you when you get back to the Lab."
"Yeah, see you," Kira sighed before they both hung up.
Jessica looked at her phone with a sad look on her face and in her eyes.
'I hope this is what you want Kira,' she thought before turning around and heading back into the Lab.
Outside Tones Records!
Kira sighed as she looked at her phone about to head back inside when three young girls run up to her.
"Excuse me, but are you a singer?" one of them asked.
"Yeah, I am," the Yellow Ranger answered.
"What do you sing?" the same girl asked.
"Well, I'm suppose to be making an album, but I don't think I'm going to anymore," Kira answered.
"Why not?" the girl asked, "I bet your great."
"And I love your clothes," a second girl told her.
"You do?" Kira asked a bit unsure.
"Yeah," all three answered.
"Can we have your autograph?" the third girl asked.
"You guys want my autograph?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah, I guess," Kira agreed.
The three girls walked up to her with smiles before she started to sigh their books.
Dino Lab!
"Let me get this straight?" Conner asked, "so, we just have to transfer the computer information from our testing to this, install it, and then we're ready?"
"Only problem is, it's not accepting the data dump," Hayley said.
Her computer beeps, the screen reading 'DATA TRANSFER ERROR'.
"I just don't understand it," Hayley sighs
Tommy turns round in his chair to face her.
"Keep trying, Hayley," Tommy told her.
He gets up and walks over to her.
"Hey, what do you guys think of this one?" Ethan asked, "she's single, attractive both inside and out, believes she was Cleopatra in another life and loves to paint portraits of snakes."
Conner laughs before getting a smack in the back of the head by Jessica who had walked past him and over to Tommy.
"That makes sense, historically," Tommy said a bit unsure.
"Sounds like a perfect match," Conner joked as he rubs his head.
A while later, Hayley and Tommy are at the computers, Ethan was still on his laptop, Jessica was reading a book on Egypt, and Conner is reading over her shoulder much to her annoyances when Kira walks in.
"Great," Kira said, "you're all here."
"Kira," Ethan said in relief, "where have you been?"
"Yeah, you should check in every once in a while," Conner agreed.
"I did," Kira answered, "never mind." Jessica, Conner, and Ethan gathered around her, Hayley, and Tommy. "Look, I need your opinion on something and I need you all to be honest." Kira then held out a CD to Hayley. "Hayley can you, please?"
"Sure," Hayley agreed.
Hayley took the CD and inserts it and before long Kira's new video appears on the screen. She was dressed in a black outfit with spiky hair and dreadlocks. The music is techno in style and computer images of things like teapots float around her. Conner and Ethan gape at it and then each other while Jessica started to panic just figuring out how bad it was as Kira looks nervous though Hayley just looks up at her.
"Hmm," was all Tommy could say.
"Alright," Kira said, "tell me the truth."
"Well…um…" Ethan tried.
"It's…" Hayley also tried
"What?" Kira asked, "is someone gonna tell me what they really think?"
"I will," Conner answered
"Conner!" Ethan, Hayley, and Tommy yelled.
"No, let him talk!" Kira told them.
"I just think it's not you," Conner stated.
"I agreed with Conner," Jessica second letting out a sigh, "just as I said before, you should drop the guy cause if it means changing who you are and your sound then it's not worth it, Kira."
Kira shakes her head while Jessica looks at the girl in pity.
"I knew it," Kira said with a sigh, "what was I thinking?"
"I never thought I'd be glad to hear that sound," Ethan sighed in relief.
"I'm with you on that one," Jessica agreed as an image came up.
"Either something escaped from the air show, or we're in trouble," Conner stated.
"Zeltrax," Tommy said.
"You guys handle it," Tommy told them, "I'm going to try and help Hayley get our new weapon powered up."
Tommy and Hayley watched as the three primary and Green Rangers ran to stand next to each other.
"Okay," Conner agreed, "ready?"
"Ready."
"DINO THUNDER! POWER UP! HA!"
Outside the City!
The three Primary Rangers formed the Thundersaurus MegaZord before Jessica attached the ParaZord to it. The weird vehicle slammed into the Thundersaurus MegaZord knocking back away from it.
"Look out!" Conner pointed out as the thing fired lasers at them.
The Thundersaurus MegaZord hit the ground, but the Rangers where able to get it back up onto it's feet again only for the insect vehicle to disappear.
"Where's it going?" Kira asked.
"Good question," Conner answered.
Dino Lab!
"Keep trying to get the new vehicle up and running," Tommy told Hayley, "we're going to need it. Zeltrax isn't going to give up until one of us is destroyed."
Hayley went back to typing while Tommy left the place.
City Limits!
Tommy sat on his Rapter Rider before raising his morpher.
"Guys, this thing is still in the area," Tommy told them, "we have to intercept it before it comes into the city." He kicks his Raptor Rider into a run. "Come on, Raptor."
Outside the City!
Just then the aerial assault craft flies overhead making Tommy pull on the reins of his Raptor Rider.
"Whoa, steady boy." Tommy said as he got off of the Rapter looking up at the aerial assault craft. "There he is.
Just then Conner, Ethan, Kira, and Jessica ran up behind them.
"What should we do Dr O?" Ethan asked.
"You'll have to fight him the best you can," Tommy answered before raising his morpher, "BrachioZord!"
The Terror Assault Craft drives over some hills which hits the BrachioZord making the other Zords roar. The BrachioZord shoots lightening from its mouth at the Terror Assault Craft, which flies into the air and splits into three different fighter jets.
"Whoa!" Conner said in shock, "check that out!"
"Oh, man," Tommy groaned as the fighter jets shoot at the Rangers who were sent flying through the air, however, Tommy gets to his feet and looks up. "He's getting away!" Jessica watched as the aerial assault craft flies away. "Oh no, you don't."
Jessica gasped as Tommy runs forwards and leaps into the air flying up to the aerial assault craft. Below, the fighter jets continue shooting at the BrachioZord making it roars before falling over.
"We gotta do something!" Conner told them.
"Like what?" Ethan asked.
"Might be time to go Triassic, Conner," Kira told the Red Ranger.
They all look up as the Terror Assault Craft reforms as Ethan, Jessica, and Kira give Conner energy.
"Triassic Ranger, engage!" Conner said.
Conner's Ranger suit changed designs a bit as Ethan, Jessica, and Kira demorph with the effort of giving Conner energy. Conner walks forwards, towards the Terror Assault Craft.
"I'm coming up there!" Conner said.
He jumps up, towards the Terror Assault Craft, however, it knocks him away easily. Ethan, Jessica, and Kira start forwards.
"Huh?"
"Whoa," Ethan breathed.
Conner lands on his feet.
"Okay, new plan," Conner said as he pulls out his blaster. "Fire!"
He shoots up at the Terror Assault Craft as screams before it blasts him. Kira, Jessica, and Ethan jerk in shock, looking worried. Conner is still standing when the explosion clears, but his shield is glowing when all of them heard a roar.
"What?" Conner asked as he looks up as a new Zord appears. "Whoa, Hayley did it! Triassic Megarover is online."
"And just in time, by the look of things," Hayley said, "do it just like we practiced, Conner."
"You've got it," Conner answered before floats up to enter the Triassic Megarover. The others where all watching as Conner took out the Terror Assault Craft before he joined them longer in morph. "Where's Dr. Oliver?"
Kira and Ethan look at each other while Jessica was busy looking at the air craft.
"You want to tell him?" Kira asked.
Ethan looks at Conner who turns around, and looks up at the aerial assault craft.
"He's still up there?" Conner asked worried.
The 4 Rangers watch in shock as explosions start all over the aerial assault craft.
"Whoa!" Kira shouts.
"Huh?"
Kira, Jessica, and Ethan gasp before they step forward and let a cry of despire as the aerial assault craft explodes.
"No!" The 4 Rangers shouted.
"No!" Kira screamed, "he can't be gone!"
Conner and Ethan look shocked before Tommy reappears, walking towards them.
"It's alright, Rangers," Tommy's voice said making them all spin around while Kira gasps, and Conner grins. Jessica let out a sigh of relief before they ran to join him. "I made it out."
"Dr. O!" Conner shouts with joy.
"You're okay!" Kira said with a smile.
"But what about Zeltrax?" Ethan asked.
"Zeltrax is gone," Tommy answered.
Later that day!
Conner, Kira, Jessica and Ethan are walking towards the place where they're going to shoot Kira's new music video. Trent jogs up behind them then while Kira was carrying her guitar, and Trent has a camera.
"Well, everything is all set," Trent told her, "cameras are all ready, playback's good. All you gotta do is sing."
"Thank you, guys," Kira thanked, "from now on, no more letting someone tell me who to be."
"Especially since who you are is already pretty cool," Conner told her with a smile.
Kira grins at him making Trent and Jessica share a knowing look before Conner looks at Ethan, who is looking around.
"Hey, you forget something?" Conner asked.
Ethan grins and rubs his hands together.
"I'm supposed to meet my cyber-hottie today!" Ethan answered
"What, here?" Trent asked.
"I figure, you can't get much better in the first date department than a music video shoot." Ethan replied
"How're you going to know who she is?" Conner asked
"She's wearing a pink hat and a matching jacket," Ethan answered, "oh, there she is now!"
He runs towards a girl sitting in a chair reading a magazine, wearing a pink hat and jacket. Conner pulls out his cell phone and got it ready to film.
"Excuse me, are you Dreamgirl23?" Ethan asked.
The girl looks up and Jessica could see she was Cassidy.
"Yes, I am!" Cassidy answered.
She stands up and turns around, but she gasps as she sees Ethan, who looks shocked. Their smiles faded as Ethan looks round at the other Rangers, who gape at him.
"I don't believe it," Trent said before they all started to laugh.
Just then Jessica pointed a familiar blonde haired girl and a dark haired boy making her smile and wave at them.
"I have to go guys," Jessica told them though she did smile shyly at Trent before she ran over, "Tori, Blake!"
The two smiled at her as she got closer before she hugged Tori and then Blake.
"Jessica," Blake greeted with smile, "it feels great to not have to hide the hole Ranger business from you."
"Oh, I'm sure," Jessica stated with an eye roll.
"Looking back I don't regret, one single day."
Ethan is standing in the audience with Cassidy before he grins at her, and she smiles back. Conner laughs at them, clapping along to the music.
"Memories will keep me close, when you walk away."
Devin, also in the audience, raises a camera up.
"It's harder than I could imagine."
Trent was also filming her.
"Guess I should have known that."
Kira looks up into an overhead camera. Jessica, Tori, and Blake clapped along to the music while the two girls where smiling and cheering for Kira.
"Close your eyes I'll be there; I'll come running anywhere."
The camera angle changes several times. The sun behind Kira is sometimes so bright she cannot be seen through the cameras.
"Say goodbye, I'll be okay; I'll wait for you 'cause."
The video changes to a new location, a scrap heap. Kira is leaning against a rusty shell of an old car.
"True love will never fade."
The video goes back to showing Kira on stage.
"When it's real, you can feel it."
On the video, Kira laughs and waves a hand at the camera, her voice played over the top.
"And I know that you know."
The video goes back to showing Kira singing, this time standing on a box in the scrap heap.
"That I will keep on waiting."
The camera shows Kira standing against the sky.
"Faithfully… patiently… for you."
The audience claps and cheers as the music fades. Jessica and Tori smiled at each other while Blake cheered with the crowd.