Standing in the center of the lab were three of the Ninjetti Rangers Tommy had called in the dream construct. The two young men flanked the shorter, young woman. Though it had been many years since they held Ranger powers, their clothing still reflected their color associations. Kanoi considered that it might have more to do with their long-slumbering ninja power than a preference for a closet full of clothing in all the same shade
The young woman was dressed in white Capri pants and a yellow print shirt with an African flavor. A yellow woven belt worn low on her hips accented her trim figure. The Asian man was striking, dressed in black from head to toe: from his jeans to his t-shirt to his cropped black hair. The Hispanic young man in blue jeans and a red work shirt over a white t-shirt was the first to make a move. He smiled engagingly as he looked around for a familiar face, and settled on Kanoi. "Hi!" He allowed his gaze to sweep over those who had gathered, but he continued to move toward the older man with his hand outstretched. "I'm Rocky, Rocky DeSantos."
Kanoi grasped his hand warmly unsurprised that Rocky would seek physical contact with the one he perceived as the leader of the group right off the bat. Though the young man did not yet understand that he was still connected to his Ninjetti powers, confidence and determination exuded from him, as though they had never been lost. It made Kanoi wonder what these young people had chosen to do with their lives, and if they were influenced by the power they thought they had had to leave behind.
Rocky turned back and with a sweep of his hand indicating his friends, introduced them as well. "This is Aisha Campbell and Adam Park. We've sort of met…well we've met some of you anyway."
Kanoi bowed toward Adam and Aisha, welcoming them, and including Rocky who had moved to stand with them again. Kanoi quickly introduced the others who had assembled near the computer bank; giving names to those who they'd seen briefly in the dream, and introducing the others. They exchanged greetings with the Wind and Thunder ninjas as well as Haley.
Before the Ninjetti could bring up what was surely on their minds, Kanoi stated, "I am sure you have many questions, but I would like to suggest that we wait to discuss our current situation until the others have arrived."
Adam and Aisha nodded, but Rocky spoke up anyway. "Where are the kids?" He let out a whoof as Aisha jabbed him in the ribs. "'Sha!" he complained, rubbing his side. "That kid, the one in red…he wasn't doing so well when we "left". Is he okay?"
Aisha, regretting her impulsive jab, threaded her arm around Rocky's waist and patted his side conciliatorily. "The Dino Rangers…yes, they are over there." Kanoi pointed beyond where Tori and Blake were standing to the couch where Conner was sleeping. "Conner is the Red Ranger, he is doing much better."
"He does look better," mumbled Hunter under his breath. Kira and Ethan hadn't moved since taking up their positions to lend their strength to Conner, but Conner had. He'd curled onto his side, facing Kira and Ethan, and he appeared to be having a much more restful sleep.
"Kira is the Yellow Dino Ranger, and Ethan is Blue. I am sure we will have time for more formal introductions later." Kanoi continued.
"It's pretty early, and I know none of us have had a chance to eat. What do you say we go raid Tommy's kitchen. At the very least, we can make some coffee." Haley suggested.
All of the Rangers agreed heartily. Cam stayed in the lab, monitoring the situation and waiting for calls from the other Ninjetti Rangers. The Dino Rangers were left undisturbed as it appeared that they were helping Conner. But Haley made a mental note to make sure she saved breakfast for them.
The Rangers descended on Tommy's spacious and airy kitchen. There was a large, inviting table where Blake, Tori, Hunter and Shane seated themselves. Aisha and Adam perched on stools at the butcher block island in the center of the kitchen. Rocky and Haley busied themselves getting the meal together. Haley privately thanked whatever higher being had motivated Tommy to recently stock his kitchen. Maybe it was the fact that the Dino Rangers spent so much time raiding his fridge, but he was much better supplied than he ever was in grad school.
Kanoi took a position near the table, watching the Rangers, much like he had in the lab. He learned a lot about the Ninjetti Rangers as they became acquainted with his own team of rangers; the more he learned, the more confident he became that not only would they be able to rescue Tommy and Dustin, but they would have a good chance to defeat their foe completely.
"You know," Aisha teased Rocky as he inspected the drawers to find the utensils he needed, "there was a time not that long ago when we wouldn't have let you near a kitchen."
"Not unless it was to find anything other than cereal or a box of cookies." Adam added.
"Yes, but that was before I worked in the firehouse. Now, I am a master chef!" Rocky stated grandly.
"You're a firefighter?" Tori asked, interested.
"Firemen cook?" asked Blake simultaneously.
Rocky nodded as he began to whisk eggs in a large bowl. "Yup. I think it was the red trucks that appealed to me…I just can't seem to get away from the color." He smiled self-depreciatingly. "And I've spent a lot of time at the station waiting for calls learning how to cook at the hands of some great guys. Now I can make a lot more than smoothies."
"Red trucks weren't all that appealed to you," Aisha interjected, "you needed to find a job where you could climb stuff and rescue people." She paused and looked at Adam. There was a silent exchange, they grinned and then they burst out simultaneously, "LADDER MONKEY!"
Rocky pointedly ignored them as he poured the egg mixture into the heated frying pan, and turned to the group at the table. "I'll be feeding you folks, but I don't know what my friends here are going to eat."
"C'mon Rock…you know you can't let us starve." Adam gave Rocky the puppy dog look. Aisha propped her chin on her steepled hands and exaggeratedly batted her eyelashes at him. Rocky could not withstand the onslaught. He turned back to the stove muttering in a sotto voice, "I'm best friends with a frog and dating a bear. There's no hope for me."
The Rangers at the table clearly did not understanding the comments that were being made. Aisha chuckled at their confused expressions. "When we were given the Ninjetti Ranger powers, each of us was chosen by a spirit animal. Rocky's is the ape, mine is the bear, and Adam's is the frog."
"Frog, dude?" Blake made a face to express his sympathy.
"I used to think that too." Adam smiled, but did not explain further.
"Those were the animals that appeared in the dream, before you guys…" Tori struggled to find the words to explain what she'd seen. "Before you "came through"."
"Is that what it looked like to you guys? For me it was just – hearing Tommy, and knowing I had to get to where he was." Aisha explained. Adam nodded in agreement and Rocky threw out a "me too" from over by the stove. Aisha, used to Adam's silences, continued. "It was so weird to see everyone like that. I mean, well, I see you guys a lot," she waved toward Adam and Rocky, "but I haven't seen Tommy or Kim in ages - let alone Billy."
"Did you see Tommy's hair?" Rocky exclaimed from the stove. "I've never seen it that short!" He deftly managed the bacon and sausage while keeping a watchful eye on the eggs.
Aisha chuckled. "Why are you so hung up on that? It's all you've talked about since we got together last night."
Rocky shrugged. "It's just different. He looks so much older, you know?"
"We're all "so much older"." Adam reminded him.
"Yeah, but I see you guys so much…it's like we're all the same." Rocky moved the eggs off the heat and lowered the flames under the meat. "I know that's not right, obviously we've all changed, but since I've seen you guys through all of our changes…it's not the same." He shrugged again frustrated with his inability to express himself the way he wanted. But he saw the thoughtful look on Adam's face and knew that he'd be able to explain it better to the group.
"I know what you mean." Adam stated. "The three of us have stayed so close…"
"Three ninjas!" Aisha called out with a grin. The ninjas gathered around the table smiled at her enthusiasm and warmth.
Adam smiled at her. "We've been there for each other as our lives have moved on. So even though we've all changed dramatically, the changes have been gradual to us, and it's like that's the way we've always been." Rocky nodded as he listened agreeing with Adam's statement. "But not having seen the others for so long, it appears that their changes are more abrupt, more startling."
Now Aisha nodded in agreement, and for a moment the Ninjetti Rangers were lost in their own thoughts. Then Rocky disengaged the eggs from the frying pan, and swung around with the heaping platter. "Who's ready to eat?" The enthusiastic affirmation from the seated Rangers was the response he was looking for
Rocky set the eggs, bacon and sausage along the counter that ran adjacent to the sink. Haley added the toast and biscuits she'd prepared. Everyone assembled grabbed a plate and served themselves buffet style. Haley spared a fleeting thought for the Dino Rangers; the way Hunter and Shane descended on the food, it was unlikely there'd be anything left. I hope Tommy's got some cereal stashed in a cabinet somewhere.
Haley needn't have worried. Whether it was just good timing, or the innate ability of teenage boys to follow the scent of a meal that's about to be served, the Dino Rangers appeared in the kitchen. They didn't even wait for introductions: Conner made a beeline for the food with Ethan hot on his heels. Kira entered more sedately and managed to secure some fruit and a biscuit for herself.
Shortly everyone had served themselves and was seated once again. Rocky joined Adam and Aisha perched on stools near the island, as did Haley. The Wind and Thunder Rangers made room for Ethan, Conner and Kira. Everyone dug into the meal enthusiastically. Aside from the glowing complements tossed to Rocky and Haley for a job well done, silence reigned as breakfast was devoured.
After a few silent minutes, conversation resumed again. Blake looked at the Ninjetti Rangers. "We know that Rocky's a fireman, but what do the rest of you do?"
"Rocky's a fireman?" whispered Ethan. "Which one's Rocky?"
Conner nodded approvingly. "It's got to be the red guy," he stated knowingly.
"Sorry guys…I should've caught you up, but you were a little busy eating…" Haley apologized. Introductions were made, and Conner repeatedly assured everyone assembled that he was feeling fine, just hungry. Hunter seemed particularly concerned, but the more Conner ate the more reassured he felt.
Rocky, never one to let an opportunity to chat get away from him began to sing the praises of his teammates. "Tommy's not the only Ranger to get a PhD…though I'm sure Billy's got 6 or 7 by now. Aisha's a doctor too. Dr. Campbell!" His eyes shone with obvious pride and affection.
"Not a medical doctor…" Aisha shook her head at the question she knew was coming from Ethan.
"Nope, our 'Sha is a Doctor of Environmental Education. She's gonna save the world, one giraffe at a time." Aisha chuckled at what was surely a familiar joke. Her affection for Rocky was as clear as his for her.
"I spent some time in Africa helping save animals from a devastating plague." she explained.
"That's why you left the Rangers in the first place," Ethan stated.
Aisha seemed surprised that he knew. "That's right…how did you…?"
"I've done some research." Ethan answered. "Ranger history is a hobby of mine."
Kira intervened before Ethan could take over the conversation; she wanted to hear what Aisha had to say. "Did you go to school in Africa?"
"No, the time I spent there was like an internship. I learned so much about the need for a balanced ecosystem. And, I realized that one of the biggest problems we face is that so many people believe that what they do is isolated – not realizing that everything we do affects everyone else." Aisha's passion for her topic was clear. "So I came back to California, got my masters in Psychology and Sociology. Then I went for my Doctorate in Environmental Ed. Now I split my time lecturing to raise money and awareness of the issues we face, and volunteering in national parks like the one I started in."
Kira's face shone with awe. "That's so amazing. You're changing the world."
"I do what I can." Aisha smiled self-depreciatingly, her expression matched the one Rocky wore when he spoke about his own career choice.
"What about you, Adam?" Blake asked.
Adam paused, gathering his thoughts. Rocky seemed ready to jump in, but held back. "In college and for a little bit after, I did some stunt work."
"Like in the movies?" Conner exclaimed. Shane and Hunter both perked up. Adam nodded. "That' so cool!" Ethan added.
"It was cool – very cool. But it wasn't enough for me. I mean, I was busy and everything, but I was looking for something more." The black clad young man paused again. He gave the impression that he was pondering how much to share with this group of people he'd known for just a few hours. But the common bond of Ranger power made him comfortable enough to continue.
"I opened my own dojo in L.A., but I found myself working more in the street – trying to help people; trying to give young people an option other than joining a gang. But I've recently come to the conclusion that I need to do more." He paused again, giving weight to his words. Rocky was bouncing on his stool trying to contain himself and spoiled the solemnity of the moment when Adam announced, "I'm going to become a priest."