It was a slow day at the Tendo house. Not that anyone minded.
Akane sat in the dojo, watching Ranma and Ryoga spar. Mousse was trying to teach Shampoo how to speak better Japanese but he was having little luck. Shampoo was too busy cheering for Ranma to pay attention to Mousse.
"So, have you heard from Ukyo," asked Ryoga.
"No. She's still mad at me for keeping my ranger life a secret," said Ranma as he dodged a punch from Ryoga.
"This is probably the longest she's ever been mad at you. I mean, if you don't count when she first came here," said Akane.
"Shampoo say good riddance. Now only Akane and crazy gymnast left," said Shampoo.
"Yeah but she and Konatsu have two of the figures. Remember, we need all twelve and it wouldn't hurt to have some extra back up," said Mousse.
Mousse and Shampoo then heard a voice coming from their morphers.
"Shampoo, Mousse, your breaks over. I need you back at the restaurant," said Cologne.
"We on our way grandmother," said Shampoo into her morpher.
Suddenly, another person stepped into the dojo.
"Hey everyone," said Niseko with her usual happy smile.
"Hi," said Mousse.
"Bye," said Shampoo as she and Mousse left the dojo.
"I've got to go to. I was going to meet Akari for lunch. If I start now I should be able to meet her on time this Saturday," said Ryoga.
As Ryoga left the dojo, Niseko sat down next to Akane, "Was it something I said. Everyone just left so suddenly."
Akane laughed, "No it wasn't you. We're just busy people. You get used to it."
"Yeah right. I lived here for who knows how long and I'm still not used to it," said Ranma.
"Oh I just remembered. Do either of you know what's wrong with Ukyo. I went to her restaurant for lunch the other day and she seemed kind of out of it," said Niseko.
Ranma and Akane glanced at each other and before Niseko was able to notice, Ranma said, "I don't know what could be wrong."
"Neither do I," said Akane.
A minute later Kasumi walked by the dojo, "Ranma, could you please help me move some things down from the attic."
Ranma got up, "Sure Kasumi."
With that, they walked off to the house.
As Akane watched them go, she heard Niseko causally ask, "So what's the deal with you and Ranma?"
Akane sighed. Even though it was inevitable, she hoped Niseko wouldn't ask. Akane replied, "There is nothing between me and Ranma."
"But you like him don't you?"
"NO. I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH THAT PERVERT RANMA," shouted Akane.
"Calm down Akane. I didn't ask if you were in love with him did I."
"Besides, Ranma already has two other fiancés and a stalker. He doesn't' need me."
"Wait, are you two engaged? And who are the other two fiancés?"
Akane sighed again. This was getting out of hand.
"Why don't you just go over and talk to them," said Konatsu.
Ukyo had been a mix of sad and angry ever since she found out Ranma and the other's secret. She was still so shocked that they would keep that kind of secret from her.
She looked down at the morpher in her pocket. She didn't even know why she still had it. She tried to throw it away after their fight with Masara but something kept her from doing so.
"I just can't, ok. Now go sweep the floors," said Ukyo.
Konatsu sighed, sometimes there was just no talking to her.
Meanwhile, Keima was carrying a large pot to the throne room. Inside the pot was an even larger flower that looked like a large pink calla lily.
"Your plant, my lord," stated Kiema as she sat the pot down.
"What is that?" said Koruma as he moved in for a closer look.
Suddenly, the flower's roots sprang out of the pot and wrapped around Koruma's neck. As the roots started pulling Koruma closer, Masara ran forward to help him get away.
As the two were busy playing tug-o-war with the potted plant, the dark warrior started to explain, "That is a special kind of demon flower. I've had Kiema take care of it for me for the past week. It's fast growing and while it doesn't eat flesh, it does like to torture unsuspecting individuals."
The dark warrior then snapped his fingers and the flower let Koruma go. As Koruma backed away from the plant, he could have sworn he heard it laughing.
Kage continued to explain, "Now that the plant has grown strong enough, I will use my powers over darkness to transform it into my latest demon. Behold the Bloom of Doom."
Kage waved his hands over the flower and allowed his dark aura to flow into the plant.
Kiema stepped back as the pot suddenly shattered, spilling dirt everywhere. Out of the darkness of Kage's aura, stepped a bipedal creature with four large pink on each side of its head. At the center of each flower was a single eye. The demon's arms were made of two large green vines that slithered like snakes around the room.
Even though the demon had not visible mouth, it spoke with the voice of cackling witch, "Thank you for freeing me from that pot, Master."
Koruma started scratching his arms while Masara felt his eyes start to water.
"What's going on," demanded Taro. Even though he didn't show it, Taro was starting to feel a burning sensation on his whole body.
Kage started to explain while enjoying watching his minions suffer, "The Bloom constantly blows a cloud of fiery pollen from the flowers on her head. By the time the rangers figure it out, they will already have fried inside their suits."
Saffron being a creature of fire, felt none of the pollens burning effects. He simply stood silently and smiled at his masters' latest plan.
Ranma was just finishing moving boxes for Kasumi when he heard someone trying to speak through his morpher.
"I'm gunna go see if Ryoga found his way out of the house," said Ranma.
"Ok, thanks for helping," said Kasumi.
Ranma wasted no time jumping to the roof of the house.
He pulled his morpher from his pocket and started speaking into it, "You know, we should really invest in cell phones."
Cologne was on the other end "Son-in-law. A demon has just been spotted by the river. Shampoo and Mousse are already on their way down there. I'm am however having trouble getting in touch with Ryoga."
Ranma sighed. So much for it being a slow day.
Ranma jumped down from the roof and ran to the dojo.
"The ladies man returns," laughed Niseko.
"What's that supposed to mean," said Ranma.
"Akane told me about your other fiancés."
Ranma looked over at Akane who shrugged and said, "She asked and I wasn't going to lie."
Ranma shook his head, "Never mind. The old ghoul just called. We gotta go."
Akane quickly got up and left with Ranma.
Niseko just sat wide-eyed.
"Ok, I'll be here," she said to the empty dojo.
Ranma and Akane arrived at the river to find Shampoo and Mousse already fighting with a group of bird warriors.
As one of the warriors was about to get the jump on Mousse, Ranma quickly ran up and kicked the birdman away.
"It's about time you got here," said Mousse.
"Well no one told you two to go off alone," said Ranma.
"Now is not the time for this," shouted Akane.
"I agree," shouted Shampoo.
Behind the hoard of bird warriors stood the Bloom of Doom. She watched with glee as the warriors attacked. "I hope you don't mind, I brought some of my friends," she laughed.
A birdman leaped Shampoo who grabbed the front of his armor and used his momentum to flip him around and toss him into the river.
Akane jumped up, kicking at a birdman who ducked, causing her to miss. However, Akane quickly dropped to the ground and kicked the legs out from under him, causing the bird warrior to fall to the ground. Before he could get up, Akane punched him in the chest and he passed out.
The birdman Mousse was fighting tried to backhand him. However, Mousse coughed the bird warrior's fist and lashed out with five well placed kicks to the bird warriors' torso and chest.
Mousse then spied a group of three bird warriors swooping down for an attack. He reached into his robes and pulled out several small bombs. Mousse adjusted his glasses and threw the bombs with almost perfect aim. Still even though they were a little off course, the bombs hit and the bird warriors fell from the air and into the river.
Ranma easily blocked one of the bird warriors kicks. Then he grabbed the warriors' leg, picked him up and slammed the birdman onto the ground. Ranma turned to see several more bird warriors charging him.
Ranma smiled as he charged them back. However, to the bird warriors' surprise, Ranma disappeared. Then suddenly, each of them felt a series of punches and kicks on their backs and heads.
Ranma then stepped out of the umi-senken, satisfied with the bird warriors' defeat.
Once all the bird warriors were unconscious, Ranma grabbed his morpher and got ready to face the demon flower.
"Ready guys," he said. The other three nodded as they strapped on their morphers.
"We need Sheng Xiao power NOW"
As the rangers charged the Bloom of Doom, they suddenly felt a severe burning sensation all over their bodies.
The heat was so intense that it stopped the rangers in their tracks.
"What's going on?" yelled Ranma.
"Whatever it is, it's like fire and it's only on my suit," said Akane.
"I think flower demon causing it," said Shampoo.
Mousse suddenly fell to his knees, "Shampoo's right. I think the demon is releasing some kind of incendiary pollen."
The flower demon laughed, "You rangers are no match for my pollen."
"Ranma, she's right, we should retreat for now," said Akane.
"I'm not going down so easily," said Ranma.
"Don't be a jerk. All we're doing is retreating to come up with a better plan."
"I don't retreat. This weed's no match for me."
Ranma summoned his spear and charged forward towards the demon flower with all his might. The flower's pollen burned and stung his eyes. Each step seemed to add an extra ten degrees to his suit.
Ranma's spear was barley inches away from the demon, when she released a concentrated cloud of pollen around her.
The cloud was so strong it knocked Ranma off his feet and back towards the other rangers.
Akane ran forward shouting Ranma's name only to be pushed aside by Shampoo who just had to get to Ranma before Akane.
"Ranma, Shampoo has you," said Shampoo as she pulled Ranma's arm around her shoulder and lifted him up.
Akane glared at Shampoo through her helmet. She then grabbed Mousse and pulled him over to Shampoo and Ranma.
"Let's get out of here," said Akane.
Shampoo put her hand on Akane's shoulder while Ranma muttered, "Can't….run….away."
Akane then pressed the teleportation button on her morpher and within seconds, the rangers were gone and safely inside the Cat Café.
As the rangers left, the Bloom of Doom laughed, "Run while you can Rangers. I'll be waiting for you,"
Meanwhile, Ukyo and Konatsu were just finishing up serving a customer when Ryoga walked in. His face was glued to the map he was reading. Finally, he got frustrated and threw his map down, shouting, "Where am I?"
"Nice to see some things don't change," said Ukyo.
"Oh hey Ukyo. Could you tell me where the park is? I'm meeting Akari there this Saturday," said Ryoga.
Suddenly, the phone rang and Ukyo excused herself to answer it.
Konatsu was wiping down the grill when he asked, "Please forgive Miss Ukyo. She's still mad from the other day."
Ryoga walked over to the counter and sat down, "It's not like we meant to lie to her. We don't share our secret because none of us want innocent people like our families to get hurt."
"I guess I can understand that."
Ukyo walked back into the room and with a bored expression.
"Who was it?" asked Konatsu.
"Just my dad, wondering how I was doing," said Ukyo. "So anyway Ryoga, shouldn't you be with Ranma and the other liars."
Then Colognes voice shouted through Ryoga's morpher, almost as though she knew Ukyo and Konatsu were listening. "Ryoga, where are you? The others are hurt badly."
Ryoga grabbed his morpher, "I'm here. I'll be over there as soon as possible."
Ryoga noticed that Konatsu was listening to his conversation and so was Ukyo. Only, she was at least trying to pretend to work.
"Well, let's go," said Ryoga.
"See you later," said Ukyo dismissively.
"You're coming with me."
"I don't think so. Konatsu, we need to get back to work."
"Yes, Miss Ukyo," said Konatsu
Then Ryoga did something Ukyo did not expect him of all people to do. Ryoga ran over to Ukyo, picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.
"What do you think you're doing," shouted Ukyo as she struggled to get out of Ryoga's grip.
"I don't know what's going on with the others and I may need your help. If you come willingly though, I'll put you down," said Ryoga.
"Alright, fine, I'll go."
The moment Ryoga put Ukyo down, she grabbed her giant spatula and smacked him over the head.
"Don't ever grab me like that again," shouted Ukyo.
Then Konatsu walked over to her, "Miss Ukyo, I think we should go with him. If the others are hurt, don't you think we should help?"
Ukyo sighed, "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
Ryoga glared at Ukyo one last time before teleporting out of Ucchan's and into the Cat Café.
"I can't belive it. A demon actually beat the rangers," said Koruma.
"Of course the rangers were beaten. It was my plan," said Kage.
"Well, all your other demons failed miserably," said Masara.
Then Kiema kicked Masara in the back of the head, "Show some respect."
"And doesn't that list of failed plans include you Masara," said Taro.
Kage then pounded his fist on the armrest of his throne shouting, "Quiet all of you. Let's not forget, only four rangers have been defeated. There are three more that need to be dealt with."
Kage and his minions then turned their heads towards the viewing to watch the ranger's downfall.
"What happened?" asked Ryoga as he found Akane washing Shampoo and Mousse in their cursed forms. The water was obviously cold. Akane herself was too preoccupied to worry about her own discomfort.
"The newest demon got the better of us. It used some kind of fire pollen. The stuff burns so bad," said Akane.
"Where's Ranma?" asked Ukyo.
Akane didn't bother to ask how Ryoga got Ukyo and Konatsu there she just replied, "He got the worst of it. Ranma jumped strait into a cloud of the pollen. I swear, the jerk just doesn't know when to run away sometimes. Anyway, Ranma passed out when we got here. Cologne has him upstairs."
Ukyo walked upstairs with Konatsu right behind her. When she saw Ranma, all her anger towards him and the others went away. Ranma was in his female form and completely submerged under cold water with a layer of ice cubes over the surface. A snorkel was attached to her mouth so she could breath.
Konatsu put his hand on Ukyo's shoulder, "This is why they didn't tell us Miss Ukyo. They didn't want something like this it happen if it could be avoided."
"But we're involved anyway. I swear, I'm gunna get the demon why did this to my Ranma," said Ukyo.
Just then, Cologne walked past them saying, "It looks like you're going to have to. Ryoga told me that you two have morphers now. Akane, Shampoo, and Mousse are still washing off the pollen and they're in no condition to fight right now."
"We're on it," said Ukyo.
"Here, take this with you," said Cologne as she tossed something to Konatsu.
"What' is it," asked the ninja.
"The fan of divine wind. It will counter the demons pollen. I once gave it Akane so she could face some rivals of Shampoo's. I would have given it to the others if I had known what kind of demon they were about to face."
"Looks like it's just us three then," said Ryoga. "Are you ready?"
Ukyo took one last look at Ranma, and then pulled out her morpher along with Konatsu.
"We need Sheng Xiao power NOW."
The three remaining rangers teleported back to the river where the Bloom was last seen.
"Well where is it?" asked Ukyo.
"Akane said it was here earlier," said Ryoga.
While Ryoga and Ukyo were busy looking around, they didn't notice a pair of long green vines slowly wrapping around their legs.
"Miss Ukyo, look out," shouted Konatsu.
However, it was too late. The vines tightened and pulled the blue and white rangers off their feet and into the air.
"I see the more rangers have come to sample my pollen," laughed the demon flower.
The Bloom of Doom wasted no time in letting a cloud of pollen loose.
"Konatsu, the fan," yelled Ukyo as she dangled from the Bloom's vines.
Konatsu quickly opened the fan of divine wind and leaped toward the cloud of pollen. When Konatsu swung the fan, a strong wind came blowing towards the pollen cloud, dispersing it.
Konatsu then summoned his daggars, leaped into the air and cut loose Ryoga and Ukyo.
The Bloom quickly retracted her vines, screaming, "How dare you try to prune me."
"We're going to do more than that," yelled Ryoga.
The Bloom suddenly felt a great power towards her and looked up into the sky.
"I seriously doubt that raners," she laughed as a black feather planted itself in her.
"Ryoga, what's going on?" asked Ukyo.
"We need to run," yelled Ryoga.
The Bloom of Doom laughed evilly as she grew into a giant.
"What do we do now? How are we supposed to beat something that big," said Konatsu.
"Just follow my lead," said Ryoga.
Ryoga raised his morpher to the sky, followed by Ukyo and Konatsu.
Then Ryoga shouted, "We need Zodiac Zord power now."
"What are those," said Konatsu as the zords descended from the sky.
"We pilot them," said Ryoga.
"I can't wait," said Ukyo.
Ukyo was the first to teleport insider her zord. She was happy to see that her dog zord was huge. She almost mistook it for a tank.
Kontsu's monkey zord walked on two legs and carried a large staff. It reminded Konatsu of the monkey king from Journey to the West.
As Ryoga teleported inside the pig zord, he asked, "You guys ready?"
"Whenever you are," said Ukyo.
The monkey zord was the first to leap at the flower demon, slamming her with its staff. Unfortunately, the close contact allowed the Bloom of Doom to catch the monkey zord in its vines and slam it into the ground.
"Your zords may protect you from my pollen but you still have no chance of beating me," laughed he demon flower.
Suddenly, two large chains wrapped around the Bloom.
"I got her guys," said Ryoga. The pig zord effectively stood its ground while the Bloom struggled to get free.
A pair of large cannons emerged from the dog zords' back.
"Hold her still Ryoga," said Ukyo.
With that, two missiles fired out of the dog's cannons, blasting the demon flower off her feet.
"You'll pay for that," yelled the Bloom as she got up.
The pig zord fired its chains again but the Bloom was ready this time. She caught the chains with her vines and yanked the pig zord towards her. Within seconds, the Bloom of Doom had the pig zord off the ground and was swinging it around by its own chains.
"I could use some help," shouted Ryoga.
"I'm on it," said Konatsu.
The monkey zord ran towards the demon flower and delivered a swift uppercut with its staff. The demon flower was knocked off its feet and the pig zord was dropped to the ground.
The Bloom of Doom laughed, "Sorry rangers but I'm afraid your friend is going to have to sit the rest of this fight out."
"What's that supposed to mean," said Konatsu.
Suddenly vines sprouted from the pig zord and wrapped around its' body. As the vines grew, they began to grow.
"Guys, I can't move my zord. The vines are draining its energy," yelled Ryoga
"I planted my seedlings on you when I had you in the air," laughed the Bloom.
"How are we supposed to beat an attack like that?" said Ukyo.
Suddenly the dog zord started barking. Then it stood up on its hind legs. The dog's front legs folded backwards and detached along with its' shoulders. The dog's head then detached and folded so that it was on its chest. Its hind legs detached and opened up to became a platform.
"Wha'ts going on?" said Ukyo.
"I don't know. But my zord is also doing something," said Konatsu.
The monkey zord quickly leaped onto the dog zords platform. The dog's hind legs closed around the monkey zords lower legs. Then the dog zords front legs and shoulders folded around the the monkey zords arms. Then the body of the dog split in two. The front half of the dog attached itself the monkey's chest and its' back attached to the monkey's back.
The dog zords' cannons appeared on the monkeys' shoulders. The dog's crescent tail detached from its back and reattached itself on one end of the monkey's staff, forming a monk's spade. Finally, the monkey's neck extended from its body and its mouth opened to reveal a human like face.
Ukyo looked to her side and she found that she was sitting next to Konatsu and that they both had computer terminals in front of them.
They looked at their screens, which glowed with the words, "Wushu Megazord Online."
"Your megazord won't save you from my vines," laughed the demon flower as it launched its vines at the megazord.
"Quick, we need to dodge them," said Konatsu.
"No, I got it," said Ukyo.
The white ranger then typed in several keys and the wushu megazord began spinning its' weapon around in a clockwise motion. The weapon moved so fast that it acted like a shield and protected the megazord from the vines.
"Now we retaliate," said Ukyo.
Konatsu nodded his head and pressed several buttons on his keyboard. The megazord suddenly leaped forward and delivered a powerful kick to the front of the demon.
As the demon fell back, she used the megazords' opening to wrap her vines around it.
Then the demon laughed, "Now for my ultimate attack."
Then the vines that were wrapped around the pig zord began to glow brihter and a ball of green energy emerged from the vines and was absorbed by the Bloom of Doom.
"What's she doing," yelled Ryoga who was still doing everything he could to get the pig zord loose.
"Prepair to feel the power I absorbed from your friend," said the Bloom.
The green energy surrounded the demon flower and then channeled into her vines. The energy traveld down the vines and blasted into the wushu megazord.
Sparks flew from the megazord as it took the attack.
"This isn't good," yelled Ukyo.
The white and green rangers typed in various keystrokes to keep their megazord in one piece.
"We just need to hang on a little more Miss Ukyo. I have a plan," said Konatsu.
Then the wushu megazord grabbed onto the Blooms' vines and yanked her forward. The megazord then followed up with a punch that knocked the Bloom of Doom back onto the ground.
"Do it now Miss Ukyo," said Konatsu.
Ukyo pounded on her keyboard until her screen read, "Final Strike: Wushu Fire Spinner ACTIVATED."
The megazord once again began to spin its weapon at incredible speeds until it caught fire. The megazord twirled the spinning wheel of flame over its head and then threw it at the demon flower.
Before she could react, the flaming wheel struck the Bloom of Doom, slicing her through the middle. Then finally, the Bloom of Doom erupted into a cloud of flaming black dust.
A few seconds later, the vines covering the pig zord disintegrated, freeing it.
"We did it," cheered Konatsu.
"CURSES," yelled Kage. He looked over at his minions and shouted, "I should throw you all into a black hole."
"Please forgive us my lord," said Kiema as she bowed down, pulling Koruma and Masara down with her.
"Mark my words all of you. The next time we face the rangers, it will be the end for them."
With that, a dark pulse erupted from the dark warrior, knocking everyone in the room, even Saffron, off their feet.
"How are you all doing," asked Ukyo as she, Konatsu and Ryoga walked back into the Cat Café.
Ukyo then noticed that Shampoo and Mousse were human again and they both looked like they had been beaten and trampled by an ox.
"What happened to you two," asked Konatsu.
"Yeah, I thought you guys were just suffering from the pollen," said Ryoga.
Shampoo was wrapping up her arm when she said, "Stupid violent girl scrub to hard."
"Akane needs to work on her touch," said Mousse.
"Oh they're just overreacting. It wasn't that bad," said Akane as she came out of the bathroom rubbing a cold wet towel over her arms.
Cologne walked downstairs covenanting, "The pollen's effects on Ranma have started to wear off. I assume you were able to destroy the demon."
"Yes and thank you for the fan," said Konatsu while handing Cologne her fan back.
"Can we see Ranma?" asked Ukyo.
"Sure, he's right where he was when you left."
Ukyo quickly ran up the stairs. She went into the bathroom to find that Akane had somehow beaten her there. She was sitting on stool next to the bathtub while handing Ranma a bottle of cold water. Ranma was wrapped up in a towel while she relaxed in the tub.
"How are you feeling Ranchan?" asked Ukyo.
Ranma took a big gulp of water and replied, "My skin still burns a little but it's not a bad as before. I can't believe I just dived head first into that cloud."
"I warned you," said Akane.
"I know. You don't have to remind me," said Ranma. She looked over at Ukyo, "Are you still mad?"
Ukyo sighed, "Not anymore. I think I understand why you kept me in the dark. You all were just trying to protect me."
"Well your part of the team now," said Akane.
"Yeah that reminds me, how did all of this start?" asked Ukyo.
"Were do we begin," laughed Ranma.
Hours later, Ukyo walked back downstairs to find Ryoga gone and Konatsu chatting with the others.
"What happened to Ryoga?" asked Ukyo.
"He left to meet Akari," said Mousse.
"I hope he makes it on time. Anyway, Konatsu and I have to get back for the dinner rush."
Cologne got up form he seat and walked over to Ukyo, "I take it Ranma explained the situation to you."
"Yes he did," said Ukyo.
"Will we be able to count on you two?"
Ukyo thought for a moment and said, "I still have a business to run. But, we'll be here to help if you call us."
Konatsu turned one last time to bow before he left with Ukyo.
Cologne began to walk back upstairs in thought, "Only five more figures to find. I only hope we have the strength to withstand the dark warrior until then."
As Akane and Ranma walked home that night, Akane came to a realization.
"Oh no, we left Niseko all alone in the dojo," she said.
Ranma, who had grabbed a pot of hot water before leaving the café, said, "She probably went home. I doubt she's still there.
As they entered the Tendo house, they saw Niseko in the kitchen helping Kasumi cook dinner.
"Welcome back," said Niseko who waved at them happily. "Dinner will be ready shortly."
Nabiki was at the table nonchalantly flipping through a magazine. When she noticed Ranma and AKane walk in, she said, "You know, it's rude to leave a guest unattended to. Niseko was in the dojo for at least three hours before Kasumi found her."
Ranma and Akane looked back into the kitchen. Niseko didn't even seem to notice that they had left.
"She's kind of weird you know," said Nabiki.
Ranma and Akane sighed before sitting down for dinner. Sometimes you just couldn't escape the madness that was Nerima.
Authors notes:
You know, I didn't realize how cheezy some of the monster names on power rangers were until I wrote this chapter.
I tried to base the designe of the Wushu megazord on the phoenix unizord from mystic force.