Chapter 6
Today happened to be a little bit different than the others, that's because the rangers, Mentor Ji and Nariko were currently at a church for a special reason. There at the alter stood Nariko in a beautiful wedding dress and Jayden in a sharp looking suit. Mia, Emily, Mike, Kevin and Mentor Ji sat in the audience and happily watched the priest talk to the couple "Dearly beloved…We are gathered here today to join these two people in holy matrimony, this occasion marks the celebration of love and commitment with which this man and this woman begun their life together…" while the priest continued on Mentor Ji pulled out a handkerchief and began drying his eyes a little.
Much to his amusement, Mike saw this and quietly chuckled. "Dudes…Check out Mentor with the waterworks." but as he turned to Kevin who was sitting behind him, the green ranger was surprised to see the blue ranger crying and sniffling.
Kevin stopped his crying for a moment once seeing his friend staring at him, "What? It's just allergies…T-The flowers!" Mike slowly turned and faced the front letting Kevin to continue crying.
Emily and Mia, who were paying attention to the wedding couldn't help but admire Nariko's dress. "Wow…Nariko looks so beautiful!" said Emily, completely breathtaking by the ceremony.
Mia had a big smile on her face as she nodded, "Yeah she does…"
Mike, who really didn't like what he was seeing now, slowly sink down into his seat. "Someone get me outta here!"
"You promise to one another to aspire to these ideals throughout the rest of your lives together…Love is patient, love is kind…" said the priest, causing Mike to sink down further in his seat "I think I'm gonna be sick!"
"Do you promise to be faithful to her forsaking all others for the rest of your life?" both Nariko and Jayden looked at each other then back at the priest nodding.
"If any person can show just cause as to why they may not be joined together…" said the priest only to be cut off by Ji's cell phone ringing. Everyone looked at the samurai mentor who immediately answered the device. "Hello?…They took the bride!?…Ok…" he hanged up and looked at the group, "The Nighloks didn't take the bait."
"I thought our fake wedding would've worked for sure!" said Emily
Ji shook his head "Not this time…The Moogers stormed the church downtown and kidnapped another bride…" everyone looked at each other, completely upset about the outcome just now.
Later back at the household, everyone had gathered in the living room for a meeting on the bride situation. Currently they were sitting around the table looking at the map to the city. "That makes it 5 brides kidnapped." muttered Ji
Mike then noticed something and began tracing a pattern on the map, "Hey look it's a pattern…In the shape of a star…"
Kevin took a closer look at it and nodded "You're right!" he looked to his friend, "Have you study maps and crime patterns before?"
"Mmm…Kind of…I've watched a lot of cop shows."
"Too much was left up to chance we have to make sure to lure them in before any more brides are taken." said Jayden
"I can't even begin to imagine what those poor girls are going through I mean…This is suppose to be the happiest day of their lives!" said Mia
Emily thought for a moment before turning to Mentor Ji, "Do you think that they taken those brides to the Sanzu River?"
Nariko firmly shook her head 'No…The living can't survive there for long…The Moogers must have used the Gap to take them somewhere else."
"Wherever they are if our sting operation would have worked we could've helped those poor brides." said Mia
"We have to try again." told Jayden
"Yeah but how do we get to come our way?" wondered Kevin
Mentor Ji brought out a long list of weddings that are taking place in the city, "Here's a list of the weddings in our area."
Mike, Kevin, Mia and Emily took a closer look at the list. "There's so many weddings…That's the problem." said Emily
Jayden sat there in thought for a bit, soon coming up with an idea. He looked at everyone, "I have a plan."
At that moment Nariko quickly looked towards the clock, "Oh dear what time is it?" she got up from her seat next to Jayden "I've got to go."
"Where are you going Nariko?" asked Ji
"Don't tell me you forgot Ji? Today at three, Kagu wants me to meet her at the dress store to pick out my bridesmaids outfit for her upcoming wedding and you know how she gets."
"Ah yes…Do you want any of the rangers or me to accompany you?"
"No there's no need, besides you're dealing with this situation. I'll be alright."
"If you say so…"
Nariko turned to Jayden, "Well I'm off."
"Give me a call once you reach the store. You got your cell phone with you?"
"Of course, now go and find those missing brides Jayden."
"Don't worry I will." Nariko smiled and gave her fiancé a kiss on the cheek, then leaving the room and out of the household to meet up with her friend Kagu.
Twenty minutes later at a dress boutique, Nariko was with her friend Kagu looking through the racks of dresses. "You know when I heard the news that you weren't ill anymore from my parents I was literally jumping for joy…I mean how long ago was it since you became ill?" said Kagu
"It felt like a long time to me…But I'm glad that I don't have to deal with it anymore." said Nariko
"So am I! Since now you can be apart of my wedding Nariko, and of course I'll be part of your wedding whenever you and Jayden plan to have it…By the way how is that red ranger of yours?"
"He's doing fine so far, right now he and the other rangers are trying to find the missing brides."
"Oh I heard about that! Poor girls…" Kagu stopped once coming to a dress that caught her interest "Hmm…" she took it off the rack and walked over to Nariko who was about to search another rack. Kagu grabbed Nariko's shoulder and turned her around, handing her friend the dress "Here try this one on!"
"W-What? Wait a minute Kagu…"
The bride to be turned her friend back around and began pushing her to the fitting room, "Stop dawdling and get a move on!"
Once standing outside the fitting room, Nariko entered and closed the door not before muttering. "Sometimes I wonder how you and I became friends…"
"Because you admired my acting so much ever since you saw my first performance when we were children."
"I suppose…" Kagu thus waited as Nariko began to change her clothes
After three minutes had passed and not being a patient one, Kagu began tapping her foot. "Come on Nariko! I haven't got all day!"
"All right I'm coming!" the door to the fitting room opened and Nariko stepped out wearing the dress.
Kagu looked at her friend for a moment before placing her hands on her cheeks, softly cooing. "Oh Nariko look at you! You look so wonderful in that dress and the shoes match too! It's perfect to wear at my wedding!"
Nariko went over to the mirror and took a good look at herself, she twirled around a bit. "Oh my...It is wonderful!"
"Wait here I'll go pay for the dress right now!" as Kagu hurried over to the cash register, Nariko continued to admire herself in the mirror feeling giddy. Unfortunately it all ended once Nariko heard Kagu and the cash register lady loudly scream in fright. She abruptly turned around and was shocked to find Moogers storming into the store. Two Moogers went and cornered both Kagu and the lady but before Nariko could do anything to help, she saw another Mooger point at her and a bunch of them began heading towards her. She tried to make an attempt to escape, but the Moogers were too fast and surrounded her. As two Moogers grabbed her by the arms, Nariko began to struggle in their grip. "Let me go you freaks!"
While she struggled, Nariko dropped her phone in the process and the Moogers began dragging her away. "Nariko!" exclaimed Kagu, who had no choice but to helplessly watch her friend being dragged away by the creatures.
The Moogers then used the gap and arrived at an abandon shrine. They dragged Nariko inside and soon threw her at the feet of Dayu. The female Nighlok simply crossed her arms and stared down at Nariko, "Well, well looks like we finally meet face to face dear Nariko…Or should I refer to you as Princess Nariko, heir to the Yamada Clan?"
Nariko looked up and glared at the Nighlok, "Dayu…"
"Of course you would know me, I'm not surprised at all…"
"Why have you brought me here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Dayu cupped the princess' chin, "Master Xandred has order me to capture and bring you to him since he's planning to make you his bride." she let go of Nariko's chin and turned away. "Though I won't bring you to him…Well not just yet after all I need to finish my plan and I need more brides in order to do it."
"So you're the one who's been kidnapping brides in the city!"
Dayu walked over to a wedding dress that was being magically sewn from a large wedding cake made up of yarn. "Yes and since I have them trapped in my wedding cake cocoon I'm using their tears and sorrow to fill the Sanzu River and also to create my wedding dress." She then turned and face Nariko, "And don't you worry, I'll be taking good care of you and I know the perfect place to keep you for the time being…Moogers put her with the brides!" Two Moogers thus grabbed Nariko by the arms again and dragged her towards the cocoon. Once close enough they threw her into the cocoon, which sucked the princess up and soon she joined the kidnapped brides who were sitting there crying their sorrow out.
That night at the household, Mentor Ji handed Mia the list of weddings who found that all of them were highlighted except for one. "All of these weddings except for one were cancelled?" wondered the pink ranger
"Yes Jayden warned them all about the bride kidnappings." told Ji
"With only one left, we know exactly which wedding the Nighlok will hit." said Jayden, he then noticed the worried look on the mentor's face. "Ji what's wrong?"
"Is just that…Have any of you seen Nariko? I thought she was back at the household already but I can't find her anywhere…"
"You mean she hasn't returned?"
"Yes…And I'm getting worried…"
Just then Jayden's samuraizer began to beep to which he quickly answered, "Hello? Kagu how did you…Wait calm down and tell me again…" the red ranger then abruptly stood up "What do you mean Nariko has been kidnapped?!…I see…Thank you for telling me, now dry your tears and don't worry I'll find Nariko and rescue her…Yes I'll call you later ok? Bye…" Jayden ended the call and gripped his samuraizer tightly
"Jayden what happened?" asked Emily
"Kagu told me that while she and Nariko were at the dress store Moogers stormed in and kidnapped Nariko right on the spot…She tried looking for her but it was no use…"
"Oh no Nariko…"
The others were silent, upset by what they just heard until Kevin thought of something. "Wait…You think maybe the Moogers took Nariko to the same place where the kidnapped brides are held at?"
Realizing what Kevin was implying, Jayden nodded. "I see where you're going with this Kevin…Mia I think you know what about to say."
"Of course…I'll play the blushing bride bait for the Moogers." said the pink ranger
Mike stood up from his seat and took the wedding list from her hands, "Yeah something tells me you're excited to wear that wedding dress Nariko wore."
"Mike! Every girl wants to wear a wedding gown…Maybe Mia more than others." said Emily
Mike just lightly shudder at the thought of weddings. "Hey I'm a sucker for Cinderella…" muttered Mia
Jayden gave her a look and she quickly said, "Ok…Once I get a fix on the location of the brides and Nariko I'll send back the coordinates."
"And we'll be ready to come save them." said Jayden, who was very determined to rescue his fiancé.
The next day at the targeted bride's wedding, Jayden and Mia switched places with the real bride and groom to fool the Moogers. As the wedding started and the preacher began talking, the Moogers wasted no time in showing up and kidnapping Mia, using the gap as their escape to return to the abandon shrine. Once arriving, the Moogers dragged Mia inside and threw her at the feet of Dayu.
"Nicely done Moogers, welcome! Now what's the best way to welcome you...Pink samurai ranger!" said Dayu who ripped off Mia's veil
The pink ranger pulled out her samuraizer in order to contact the others, but Dayu grabbed her wrist and took her phone away. "Well now...What little bobble have you brought me?" she twisted Mia's arm a bit "You thought you tricked me didn't you? Oh you think we haven't been watching you and your pathetic pals? Now I've got you and the real bride as well."
Two more Moogers soon came in dragging the bride and throwing her into the cocoon. "No but we hid her!" exclaimed Mia
"You didn't hide her well enough! I also know that you're trying to rescue your dear princess Nariko but don't worry I've been taking good care of her. Moogers bring the princess to me!" said the female Nighlok
The Moogers did as they were told and went into the cocoon soon bringing out Nariko, making her stand right beside Dayu. "See what did I tell you?" the female Nighlok then put Mia's samuraizer against her ear. "Now you're going to call your friends just like you planned, tell them you found the brides then tell them to go to warehouse 32 near the docks!"
"Forget it! I won't help you send my friends into a trap!"
"Oh I think you will because if you don't I'll give those brides and your princess something to cry about."
"Don't do it Mia!" exclaimed Nariko only to have a Mooger cover her mouth
Mia worriedly looked at her, "Nariko...All right I'll do it..." once Mia contacted Jayden and told him what Dayu ordered her to say, the female Nighlok couldn't help but laugh evilly at how well her plan is going.
Minutes passed and once hearing from one of the Moogers that Jayden and the others fell for the trap Dayu began to laugh once more "Ha ha ha, kaboom! You samurai rangers were no match for me! Oh I haven't felt this good in a long time!" she then walked over to her wedding gown which was still being sewn "Look at this gown...All the dashed hopes and dreams it symbolizes oh how good it feels to throw a bridle shower, a bridle shower of tears that'll raise the Sanzu River and flood your pathetic world! This is the end for you pink ranger!"
Dayu then walked over to Mia and grabbed her by the arm, throwing her down in front of her, letting Moogers surround the ranger. "Go on Moogers! Get rid of her!" but before they could do anything, a red robot lion flew in and attacked Dayu and the Moogers. Once retrieving her samuraizer Mia quickly got up and went over to Nariko kicking the two Moogers that were holding her just as Jayden, Kevin and Mike entered the room.
"Jayden!" exclaimed Nariko, she ran into her fiancé's open arms and the couple embraced each other tightly.
Jayden sighed in relief as he held Nariko in his arms. "I'm so glad you're not harmed..."
"I knew you and the others would find me..."
Angered to see that the rangers were all right, Dayu growled. "What in the world?! How did you escape the warehouse?!"
Mia faced Dayu with a smug look on her face, "I think it's your turn to cry I'm not the only samurai ranger that's been kidnapped today."
Suddenly the cocoon was cut down, revealing the kidnapped brides and Emily who pulled off her wedding veil. "Two samurai ranger brides are twice as nice don't you think?"
"How could this be?' said Dayu in disbelief
"Pretty easily actually, when Mia traded places with that real bride to protect her we made sure she had double bride protection. So when you came back to kidnap the real bride, guess who you ended up kidnapping instead?" said Emily
"But the warehouse...Who went there?" questioned Dayu
"Our doubles." replied Jayden, soon the brides began running out of the shrine in fear of being captured again. The red ranger then looked at Nariko. "I want you to leave this place and return to the household, the others and I will handle Dayu from here."
"All right, be safe." Jayden then released Nariko who then ran out of the same way the brides took to escape the shrine.
Much later Dayu had escaped the battle with the rangers due to being rescued by another Nighlok by the name of Deker. Though before Deker took his leave with Dayu, he told Jayden the two of them will duel soon. As the two took their leave, giant Moogers arrived and had the rangers deal with them by using their megazord. Time passed and currently the rangers along with Nariko were taking a stroll downtown. While they were walking Mike looked to Emily "You know…You made a really beautiful bride."
"Thanks! You know…I never felt so pretty!" the yellow ranger then turned around to see Mia walking behind her in sadness. "Hey Mia are you all right?"
"Yeah…I guess so…"
Nariko soon came up to Mia's side, gently rubbing her back. "Hey...Because of you all those brides were saved along with me and those special women will have their special day after all."
"What Dayu did was terrible…But I just can't shake the feeling that all of Dayu's anger came from some past sadness…I mean…Why was she so into that wedding dress? Oh well…I just hope one day it'll be my turn to play the bride for real."
"Don't worry you will, I'm sure of it." said Emily who hugged Mia, she then noticed a bakery a few feet away and pointed at it. "Oh look a bakery! There's nothing like a cupcake to make you feel better Mia!"
Nariko simply watched the girls walk ahead of her and towards the bakery before turning to Jayden, noticing the serious, thoughtful look on his face. "Jayden?"
He looked at her once the call, "Yes?"
"Is something wrong?"
"It's just that…Just as we were about to give the finishing blow some Nighlok showed up and protected Dayu."
"Really?"
"Yeah…And before that Nighlok left he said that he and I will have a duel soon."
"Jayden…" Soon Emily came back from the bakery and stood in front of the couple. "Come on you two! Come and have a victory goodie with us! Samurai rangers cupcakes are ours!"
Nariko smiled and grabbed the red ranger's hand holding it in a firm grip. "Come on it'll help you get your mind off of things."
"Well…I don't see why not, as long as it's not wedding cake." The girls laughed and soon the three joined up with Mia, Kevin and Mike at the bakery to dig into some delicious sweet treats.