Chapter two
After ten minutes Jayden told me to stop. We were in the heart of the forest and on the foot of a beautiful mansion. We all got out of the car as Mike playfully said, "Welcome to the Shiba Mansion June," he jokingly bowed like a butler in movies and spoke in a funny British accent, "our humble abode." I couldn't help but smile at Mike's silliness. Emily seemed rally lucky to have him. As everyone walked inside, Cobra Zord woke up and beeped nervously. I patted him on the head in comfort.
The house inside was breath taking. It was wider than any house I've ever been in with creamed colored turquoise walls and beised furniture. There were many Japanese artifacts around the house, including a Kokyu. My mind drifted back to when mom would teach me to play the instrument. I could only help but wonder what she was doing right now. Many paintings hung around the walls, and through two double bamboo doors, a training area was perched under the sun. Antonio encouraged me to sit down. I did and he sat next to me. My heart picked up speed. Jayden was suddenly not there anymore, and I wondered what he was doing. All the others sat around me as Cobra Zord slid out of my pocket and placed himself on my knee. He seemed to be looking at this mansion as much as I was. "While we're waiting, why don't I make some snack?" said Mia with a hostess smile on her face. Mike's eyes popped open and he said, "Ah, nah that's ok Mia. I'm not hungry." Mia went into the kitchen anyway. Emily raised an eyebrow at Mike.
Suddenly I heard a lot more beeping and buzzing. I turned around and saw seven other small Zords heading in my direction. I looked closely at them. One was a lion, another appeared to be a dragon, one seemed like a bear, another an ape, a turtle, a squid, and I think it was a crab. Cobra Zord slithered down my leg and greeted the other Zords. They beeped and buzzed in conversations with each other. "Would you look at that?" spoke Kevin. "I've never seen them so friendly." The other Zords then began to play with Cobra Zord. I smiled greatly. "What's so funny?" asked Antonio. "Nothing," I giggled. "I'm just happy Cobra Zords' finally found some friends." The others laughed with me as the Bear Zord playfully tackled Cobra.
"June Anderson," said a deep voice. I turned around and saw Jayden next to an older man that was holding a staff. I stood up and walked over to the man. "How do you know me?" I asked. The man slightly smiled and said, "I'm Ji. I knew your father." I blinked in shock. This was the man who mentored my father? "You did?" I asked, my voice raising an octave. Ji nodded. "I hope I don't frighten you, but there are a few things Jayden and I wish for you to see." I gulped but followed them down the hallway into a large room with a garden.
Everything in the room seemed like artifacts. There were paintings, weaponry, jewelry, and so much more. "Everything in this room belonged to your father. When he was lost, his fellow Rangers and myself kept his belongings as a memorabilia to him. That necklace right there"-Ji pointed to a silver necklace on a wood table that was embroidered with a single gold nugget-"was something he made specifically for you." I walked over to the necklace and nearly cried. It was so beautiful. I small tear escaped my eyes. "I miss him so much," I confessed. "Your father is considered one of the greatest Rangers ever June," stated Jayden. My head snapped up as I abruptly turned around. "You knew who I was the whole time didn't you!" I accused. Jayden sighed. "Actually June, we met along time ago." I shook my head at him when Ji cut in. "You both met when you were very young, practically infants."
"So that's why I felt like I knew them," I thought to myself. My mind tried to remember, but it didn't work. I signed. "Why did you bring me here?" I blurted out. Jayden glanced at Ji as he began. "We've known the sacred Power has been used again, but we never knew where to look. I guess we just got lucky today. We need you on our team June." Jayden's eyes grew wide, like a puppy. I thought about it long and hard. I walked to a painting of my father and stared at it. I know it's what my dad would have wanted, so I turned and said, "Where do I begin?" Ji smiled in satisfaction as Jayden put his hands on my shoulders. "Perfect. Just perfect. Welcome to the team June Anderson, the seventh Ranger."
We left the room and went back to the other Rangers. Ji explained everything and introduced me as the new member of the team. I laughed at their expressions. Mike gripped me in a bear hug, Emily jumped up and down and clapped her hands, Mia gave me a sisterly hug, Kevin shook my hand, and Antonio shouted, "Golden baby!" Cobra and the other Zords came back, and it seemed as if the Zords were welcoming Cobra as the Rangers were welcoming me. I smiled greatly. Jayden offered to accompany me back to my small, mangy apartment to pick up my belongings and move into the extra bedroom between Antonio and Emily. As we drove back and made it to my apartment, we packed my things and drove back to my new home. It all felt so fast, but I knew this is what my dad would have wanted.
Emily helped me unpack. "So," she said while placing some knickknacks on the dresser. "Are you excited?" I looked at her. "I guess so. This probably makes me a full fledged Ranger right?" "Right," she laughed. We unpacked in silence for three minutes before she said something that drove me crazy trying to figure out what she meant. "Besides, I think there's one person who is happy you're staying." My clothes slipped back through my fingers onto the small bed. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. But she didn't say anything. She just walked out of the room, turned around and said, "You should get some rest. Jayden wants us up at dawn for an early session." I asked her the question again but she shut the door with a playful smile on her face. I rolled my eyes and laughed. Cobra Zord was already sleeping on my pillow. I changed into my pajamas and crawled into the surprisingly comfortable bed. I turned off the light with a smile on my face.
Finally, I'll become the Ranger I've always wanted to be and bring glory to my fathers name.