Chapter 13
The Temporary Dance
"You win Vega." Il Sung grumbled, as he, Vega, and Josh all played Candy Land. Karina was at dance class, while the other five Rangers entertained Il Sung, and did some chores around the house. Bryn had begun doing dishes, Maralynn did some laundry, and Tess vacuumed. Vega had mopped the floor, and finally Josh had done the "supervising".
They had all agreed to help Karina out, as there was going to be a big recital on Friday, and Karina had several solo dances. The Rangers didn't mind helping out. Vega and Josh were having a blast playing board games with Il Sung. It was like the two boys were giant kids (in all actuality they acted like it).
Tess came up to Vega, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I will have dinner ready in about 10 minutes." she told him. After the Fall Formal, Vega, and Tess became an official item, and this brought out a whole new side to Tess the Rangers never knew she had. Romance was in the air for the Rangers; Bryn and Mitchell Taylor had started dating. Also, much to everyone's surprise, Bryn's brother Jeremy had asked Karina out on a date, claiming that he had an amazing time with her at the dance, and wanted to get to know her better, Finally, Josh and Maralynn had begun talking more, having noticed they were very interested in each other.
"Awesome! Thanks Tess!" Vega replied happily.
"Do I get some dinner too?" Josh asked, looking up at Tess.
"Yeah. Go to the store and get some." Tess replied.
"But that's not fair." Josh groaned. "I supervised everything. I did my horrible Math homework, and did I mention I hate Math class?"
"You mention that before class, during class, after class, and doing your Math homework." Maralynn called to him.
"So how did court go against Bulk Jr. Maralynn?" Tess asked. After the whole scene had gone down, Maralynn had gone to court to receive a restraining order against Bulk Jr. It was there that Bulk Jr.'s plan had come out. He had planned on beating Josh until he was severely hurt, and use force to abduct Maralynn and take her to an abandoned building where they would stay until he could make it out of Angel Grove with her. He claimed it was due to abandonment issues from his parents leaving him.
"It was alright. I am going to get the restraining order, and they are sending him out of Angel Grove to get mentally checked out." Maralynn replied.
"Good. Get him out of our hair." Josh grumbled. While leaving in the Police Car, Bulk Jr. called to Josh, vowing revenge.
Il Sung looked at the others. "I'm learning about big people stuff!" he said happily. The five Rangers then remembered he was in the room, and stopped talking at once.
The door opened and Karina came in. She was wearing a baby blue tank top, and black sweat pants. "I'm home." she called.
Immediately Il Sung ran up and hugged her. "Rina! I beat Josh in Candy Land!" Il Sung announced happily.
"That's great Il Sung! Maybe you can give him a pointer or two." she said, hugging her brother.
"He forgot to mention that he beat Josh in every game." Vega added, smirking at Josh.
Josh rolled his eyes. "And you call yourself my best friend." he said. Vega playfully punched Josh in the arm.
Karina laughed. "Thank you all so much." she said.
"Not a problem. It's what friends do." Bryn said. "Oh by the way, Jeremy wants to know where you want to go for your guys date."
"Oh my gosh! I forgot all about that. Miss Katherine, and Dance Master Zack have been working us hard for this recital." Karina said. She then got all excited. "There's going to be talent agencies there! I may have a chance to become a professional dancer!" she cried.
"That's awesome!" Maralynn exclaimed, giving Karina a high five.
"Very nice!" Bryn said. "Wait a second." she added. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number. After a few seconds, she began talking. "Jeremy, it's your favorite sister Bryn. Listen, Karina's dance recital on Friday is going to have talent agencies there looking for possible prospects to join them, and you're going."
After a couple of seconds. "I said you're going! Karina is going to need all the support she can! And, you're the one who said that you want to date her." Bryn added.
Karina suddenly blushed into a red that rivaled Josh's Ranger suit. Jeremy wanted to continuously date her, and hold a relationship with her?
Bryn hung up her cell phone. "Jeremy will be there. He's not used to the whole going to dance recital idea." she said.
"He wants to date me? As in, hold a relationship with me?" Karina blurted out.
"Yep. Said it the other night. Told me you were one beautiful girl, and that he would like to hold a relationship with you." Bryn told her.
Karina suddenly had to sit down. She never dreamed that she would date her best friend's brother, and didn't want it to hurt her friendship with Bryn. "Bryn, I do really like your brother, but what about our friendship? If he and I broke up, wouldn't that destroy us?" she asked.
"Nah. That would be his business, not mine." Bryn said.
"Wow." Karina said. For the first time ever, she had managed to finally get noticed. It wasn't the fact she wasn't pretty enough, many considered her very pretty. She was just to busy with keeping the house up, and taking care of Il Sung, and trying to get into a good college to have a relationship.
"May I interject for a moment? Karina, you are smarter than hell. Why try and become a professional dancer?" Josh asked.
"I love dancing. It's my passion in life." Karina said.
"I see. Well, I have to get going. See you all tomorrow." Josh said. He then turned to Maralynn. "You need a ride home?" he asked.
"Sure." she said. The two said their good-byes, and left the house. A few seconds later, a buzzer went off signaling dinner was done.
"Woot! The steak is done!" Tess cried happily as the remaining Rangers and Il Sung went to go eat.
On the Moon Palace, Thrax sat in his throne, concerned about the other day. He was actually afraid of what had happened, and was curious to know why it had happened. He had actually blasted the four monsters that he had sent down to destroy the Rangers, and had ordered a retreat of his two Generals.
"Blasted Power Rangers!" he yelled. It had to have been their fault somehow.
Goldar then walked into the Throne Room. "Greetings Master. What evil plan do you have for the Rangers today?" Goldar asked.
Thrax looked at Goldar. "I have seen that the Blue Ranger has a dance recital coming up, something that could make her famous. I will not allow this. I plan on sending Grumble Bee down to keep her busy while it goes on." Thrax said.
"Excellent idea Master. Also don't forget Grumble Bee has a special poison in him that could stop her in her tracks." Goldar reminded his Master.
"Ah yes. Very good. Sorry Blue Ranger. You don't get to become professional." Thrax laughed.
Goldar walked out of the room, and suddenly Thrax felt a large pain in his chest, the same pain that had happened the other day. "What am I doing?" Thrax asked himself.
Friday finally came, and Karina was more nervous than ever. The dance recital was in a few hours, and after that, her date with Jeremy. "Can't this day just hurry up?" Karina asked the others while sitting at lunch.
"Yeah, it can. Only if you stop worrying about the recital. You will do awesome." Maralynn assured Karina.
"She's right. Don't let it get to you. When we played Stone Canyon in football this year for playoffs, I was all nervous. But ultimately we did good." Vega said.
"You had a touchdown, then got ejected for punching a player that started crap with the Quarterback." Karina recounted.
"Yep. That was fun." Vega said, taking a drink of his chocolate milk.
"You'll do fine Karina." Josh said.
"Yeah, absolutely good." Tess agreed. She was still thinking about the other night. She may have finally seen her father.
Finally, later that day, it was time for Karina to start getting to the dance recital. "Il Sung, are you almost ready?" Karina called up the stairs.
""Coming Rina." Il Sung said walking down the stairs.
The two got into Karina's car, and headed of to the theater where the dance recital was being held. About halfway there, a group of Putties, and a large bee like monster appeared in front of the car.
"Oh no. Not now." Karina said softly to herself. If she started fighting, that meant she would have to morph, in front of Il Sung.
"Rina, I'm scared!" Il Sung said, near tears.
"Don't worry Il Sung, I'll handle this." Karina said. She got out of the car, and faced the monsters. "What do you want? I'm kind of busy right now, and have no time for you today." she stated flatly.
"I'm the Grumble Bee, and I'm here to stop you from going to that dance recital Blue Ranger." Grumble Bee told Karina.
"Blue Ranger?" Il Sung called from the car, obviously confused. There was no way his sister was the Blue Ranger.
Aww. Did I let the cat out of the bag? Or the Bee out of the hive?" Grumble Bee asked.
"Damn it!" Karina said. She then pulled up her Power Watch. "Guy's I'm going to need some help!" she called. That's when the Putties then began attacking. Karina managed to hold off most of the Putties, but didn't notice Grumble Bee sneaking up behind her.
"Rina! Look out!" Il Sung called.
Karina turned around, only to be stung by Grumble Bee. She screamed in pain, then dropped to the ground writhing in pain, as poison coursed through her. "Ha ha Blue Ranger. With that poison in you, you will be dead within four hours. Now to go for your brother." Grumble Bee said, walking slowly towards Il Sung.
"Stay away from him!" Karina yelled.
Suddenly, a blue streak knocked Grumble Bee away from Karina, and her car. Karina looked up to see the last person she would ever expect show up at a battle; Ninjor.
"Ninjor?" Karina asked.
"Yes Karina, I am here. The others are regrouping with us at the Temple." Ninjor told her. He then looked at Grumble Bee. "I will teach you to mess with one of my Rangers." he threatened Grumble Bee.
"Bring it on Blue Boy." Grumble Bee laughed. Ninjor pulled out his katana, and within seconds, had Grumble Bee flying through the air.
"Had enough?" Ninjor asked.
"Be lucky that I do not decide to kill her instantly Ninjor. Remember, the only way to cure the poison is to destroy me, and with a Ranger down, you couldn't defeat me without the Megazord!" Grumble Bee shouted. He had a point. Without Karina, none of the Megazord formations could be made. With that being said, Grumble Bee disappeared.
Ninjor walked over to Karina, and picked her up. "We're going back to the Temple, you can get some rest there." he told her kindly.
"My brother." she said, pointing at Il Sung, who was half crying, and in half shock I nthe car. "He knows about me." she said weakly.
Ninjor nodded, and looked over at Il Sung. "Little boy, I need you to come with me. I am going to take your sister to safety."
"I'm not supposed to go with strangers!" Il Sung wailed.
"Il Sung, it's alright. We're going together. The other Power Rangers will be there." Karina called to him. Slowly, but surely, Il Sung got out of the care, and walked over to Ninjor, and Karina. Ninjor held out his hand, and Il Sung grabbed it, and they then teleported back to the Temple.
Once they got to the Temple, they saw Josh, Maralynn, and Vega all waiting for them. "Karina, what happened?" Vega asked.
"Grumble Bee poisoned her." Ninjor informed them. "The only way to cure her is to defeat him."
Maralynn then looked down and saw Il Sung standing there. "Um, why is Karina's brother here?" she asked.
"He saw the battle, and knows Karina is a Power Ranger." Ninjor said.
"And now he knows that we're Power Rangers too." Josh added.
"Yes." Ninjor replied. "Where is Bryn and Tess?" he asked.
"Bryn is trying to lie to Jeremy, saying that Karina will be late, and Tess, I have no idea. Should be on her way" Vega said.
As if on cure, the two girls teleported to the Temple. Bryn immediately ran over to her best friend. "Oh my gosh. Karina, are you alright?" she asked.
Karina managed a weak smile. "It hurts like hell." she said.
"So what are we going to do? If Karina's out of commission, then we can't form the Megazord and defeat Grumble Bee if he grows." Josh asked.
"There is a way. But it will require another Ranger." Ninjor said. He then turned to Il Sung. "Little boy, this must all be a lot to take in, but I must ask something of you. The Power Rangers need you to step up and temporarily fill in as the Blue Ranger." Ninjor told Il Sung.
Il Sung looked shock. "But I'm only 6. Isn't this for big people?" he asked.
"Dude! We can't ask a 6 year old to help us! How could we handle telling Karina something happened to him out there?" Vega asked.
"It must be him. Because he has a relation to the Karina, the Powers can be used by him." Ninjor said gravely.
Bryn knelt down beside him. "This is asking a lot of you, but a bad guy has hurt your sister. We need your help to defeat him." she told him kindly. This was more easier coming from Bryn, because he considered her a sister like figure once she had become best friends with Bryn and came over a lot.
Il Sung looked at the Rangers, then Ninjor, and finally Karina, who smiled weakly at him. He then looked at the others. "I'll do it." he said.
Karina handed her morphed over to him, tears forming in her eyes. "Guys, take care of him out there." she asked them. She then looked at Il Sung. "I wish you didn't have to do this Il Sung. Good luck out there. I love you buddy." she said.
"I love you too Riri." he said. He then looked at the others. "I ready." he said, determined to make Grumble Bee pay.
"Alright. All you have to do is yell "Blue Ranger Power" and you will become the Blue Ranger." Ninjor told him. Il Sung nodded.
"Here, watch us." Maralynn told him.
"It's Morphin Time!" Josh yelled.
"White Ranger Power!"
"Black Ranger Power!"
"Pink Ranger Power!"
"Yellow Ranger Power!"
"Red Ranger Power!"
The five Rangers morphed, and turned to face Il Sung. "Your turn little buddy." Vega said.
"It Morphing Time!" Il Sung shouted.
"Blue Ranger Power!"
Il Sung then grew to be as tall as the Rangers. "Wow, I a Power Ranger!" he said excitedly.
"Alright, let's do it." Josh said, The Rangers then teleported out of the Temple and back to Angel Grove.
Ninjor looked at Karina. "Who are your dance instructors?" he asked.
"Miss Katherine Hilliard, and Dance Master Zack Taylor." she replied.
"Ok." Ninjor said. Luckily he knew Katherine.
"Alright girls, remember that this is a big recital, but have fun with it. It's your night out there." Dance Master Zack informed his students. The girls were all nervous for the recital, and everyone was wondering where Karina was.
Katherine was standing next to the door looking for Karina when she heard a voice in her head.
"Katherine, it's Ninjor." the voice said in her head.
"Ninjor? Are you using telepathy?" Katherine asked.
"Yes. Listen, there is something I need to tell you." he told her.
The Rangers arrived in Angel Grove, and right in front of Grumble Bee. "Well, well, if it isn't the Power Rangers. Are you mad that I took out your Blue Ranger? I can easily make it so you join her in death." Grumble Bee told them.
Il Sung started to run at Grumble Bee, but was held back by Vega. "Easy buddy. We do this as a team." he told Il Sung gently.
"But he hurt Riri!" Il Sung screamed.
Josh clapped him on the back. "We're going to fight. Just be careful out there. Karina said you do know some Martial Arts. Hit the gray dudes in the T, and leave the rest to us, OK?" Josh told him.
"OK." Il Sung agreed. The six then ran for Grumble Bee and the Putties. Josh began fighting Grumble Bee, which was a lot harder than he thought it would be.
"I stung your friend, I won't hesitate in stinging you Red Ranger." Grumble Bee told Josh.
"Bring it on!" Josh yelled back. He pulled out his Power Sword, and struck Grumble Bee, sending him to the ground.
Il Sung was having a hard time fighting the Putties. Despite the fact he was about as tall as the Rangers now, and his Martial Arts training, he lacked a strong punch, and kick. A Putty kick him in the side, sending him to the ground. Two Putties began advancing on him. Suddenly, Bryn jumped in front of the two Putties, kicking them in the T, and sending them packing.
"You OK?" she asked, helping him up.
"Yeah. This is hard work." he admitted. The two then ran off to fight more Putties.
Soon, all the Putties were destroyed, and all six Rangers began fighting Grumble Bee. Grumble Bee threw Il Sung out of the way first, and then began taking out the other Rangers.
"Poor Rangers, all about to join your Blue friend." Grumble Bee said happily.
Il Sung looked up, and got angry. "Leave them alone!" he cried out. Suddenly, he called for the Power Lance, and chopped off the stinger on Grumble Bee. The Rangers looked in awe as Il Sung then again swung the Power Lance, and sent Grumble Bee flying.
"That's what you get for messing with Riri and the Power Rangers!" he called out.
The Rangers then got up and ran over to him. "Good job Il Sung." Josh said, clapping him on the back.
"Excellent little dude." Vega said.
"Awesome job." Maralynn said.
"Nicely done." Tess agreed.
"Karina will be proud." Bryn told him.
"Yay! I did good!" Il Sung said excitedly.
Grumble Bee then grew into a giant, and the Rangers knew what time it was. "We need Dinozord power now!" Josh called. The Dinozords appeared, and the Rangers hopped into them, and formed the Megazord.
"Wow, this is awesome." Il Sung said. The others laughed.
"Yeah, it is pretty cool." Josh said.
The Megazord, and Grumble Bee began fighting, and soon, the Megazord was on the ground. Grumble Bee began advancing on them. "Bye Bye Power Rangers." he said.
"We call upon the Power Sword.!" Josh called. The Power Sword fell from the sky, and the Megazord picked it up, and struck Grumble Bee. The sword then charged up, and with one final strike, destroyed the Grumble Bee.
Back at the Temple, the poison in Karina vanished, and she felt as good as knew. Getting up, she saw that the Rangers had won. "Good job guys. Il Sung, I'm so proud of you." she thought.
A thought then hit her, the dance recital. "Ninjor, tell the others to meet me at the theater!" Karina said. Before Ninjor could respond, she teleported off.
At the theater, Karina saw the recital was now over, she ran inside to see no one around. Not a person in a seat, or a person backstage. Tears began flooding her eyes, as she sat down in one of the seats, and began to cry. This had been her dream, to become a famous dancer, and because of Thrax, her dream was now crushed.
She then felt two people sit on either side of her, and looking up, saw it was Miss Katherine, and Dance Master Zack.
"Hey Karina." Miss Katherine.
"I'm so sorry." Karina sobbed. Miss Katherine hugged her.
"It's alright. We know something more important came along. You have nothing to be sorry about." Dance Master Zack told her kindly, not letting on that they now knew. Watching this scene from the entrance of the hteater, were the other Rangers, whose hearts broke watching Karina cry. They may have won the battle today, and saved Karina's life, but Thrax had ultimately won when it came to Karina's future. Slowly, Karina left her seat, and met up with the other Rangers, who gave her a group hug.
"Hey Karina, there is still that date with my brother to look forward to." Bryn told her, trying to boost her spirits.
"Yeah, I guess." she said.
Later that night, Karina came home from her date with Jeremy. Despite the sadness she had felt earlier, and still ultimately felt, two good things came out of the day; she had began a relationship with Jeremy, and she had seen her brother help her friends destroy a monster.
She walked into the house and laughed at the sight she saw; Vega was sitting on the couch, with his arms wrapped around Tess, Maralynn was sleeping on the other couch, and Josh was in a sleeping bag a few feet away. Finally, Bryn was sprawled out on the floor. The Rangers had volunteered to watch Il Sung, and had a Ranger night watching movies.
Karina then went upstairs, and looked in Il Sung's room, and saw him sleeping. She quietly began closing the door, until she heard "Riri?"
"Yes Il Sung. It's me." she replied.
"Can you come here?" he asked her. She turned on the lights and walked over to his bed, and sat down on a bean bag chair.
"What's up?" she asked him. From under his pillow, he pulled out her Power Morpher, and handed it to her.
"You need this." he said. Karina smiled and took it from him.
"You did good out there today Il Sung. I'm extremely proud of you." she said, ruffling his hair.
"I sorry that you can't be a famous dancer now." Il Sung said sadly.
"I am too, but being a Power Ranger is more important right now. You now know why the others are here a lot. With everything going on, and now being a Ranger, I need help doing things around the house. I'm going to need your help too, keeping your room clean, homework up to date." she told him.
"I will." he said. He then hugged her. "You a great Power Ranger." he said.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Maralynn's cell phone vibrated, indicating she got a text message. Picking it up she read the message, and her stomach dropped. It was a text from her father.
"Your mother died in jail last night."
Well, that was a nice chapter. Il Sung became a Ranger, Karina got a boyfriend. Relationships are in the air, and two more former Rangers have come into light. Will anymore show up?
Next time on MMPR:NG Maralynn questions being friends with her team, and getting close to Josh after her mother dies. Thrax sends down the Bloom of Doom to destroy Maralynn. Will he succeed? Will Maralynn lose her friends, and a possible romance?
Find out next time on MMPR:NG