Chapter 24
The day was beautiful with the sun shining high in the sky; in a field just outside the city were Kevin and Mia training with their weapons on mooger dummies. Meanwhile in the city was Mike skateboarding and Emily skating through the area, having some fun together. The yellow ranger smiled as she watched Mike do some skateboard tricks but soon realized where he was heading and gasped.
"Mike look out!" exclaimed Emily
The green ranger looked but was already too late as he ran into a rail; he flipped around and slid down the metal rail before halting.
"Just the way I planned it…" groaned Mike
"Hey Mike, over here!" called Emily, causing the green ranger to get off the railing and go over to her.
At the Shiba household Jayden was in the front yard practicing with his spin sword. Nariko was there also though she was sitting on the bench reading a book. Then Jayden's samuraizer began beeping, the red ranger immediately stopped his training and looked toward the sound.
He made his way over to the bench and grabbed his samuraizer; Nariko looked up from her book at this time to see her fiance answer the call. He listened to the person on the other line and firmly nodded "I'll be right there."
As he hung up, Nariko immediately asked her red ranger "What's wrong?"
"We've got a serious problem on our hands…"
"How serious is it?"
"You have to see it for yourself, come on."
Jayden grabbed his loved one's hand and led her into the Shiba household to change.
Meanwhile in the city Mike and Emily were joined by Kevin and Mia at a park, the four rangers gathered around a dark red puddle, frowning as they stared down upon it.
"I can't believe this is happening…" said Mia
Kevin took his attention off the red puddle just in time to see Jayden and Nariko walking over to them. The blue ranger quickly ran over to the couple with a bit of worry etched on his face "Jayden!"
"How bad is it?" questioned the red ranger
"You and Nariko are gonna have to take a look and judge for yourselves…"
With that said the three made their way over to Mia, Mike and Emily who were still gathered around the puddle. Both Jayden and Nariko got down on one knee to stare down at the dark red puddle.
"I was afraid this would happen…" muttered Jayden, he looked to his fiance "What do you think Nariko?"
She remained silent at this but grabbed a stick off the ground and stuck it into the dark red puddle. Just as it touched the dark red liquid, the stick was immediately set on fire. Nariko pulled the piece of wood away and inspected it.
"Definitely Sanzu river water…" announced the princess
"This is not good!" told Kevin
"We've seen the Netherworld break though our world before." Said Emily
Nariko stood up straight still looking at the burnt stick "We know…But this much water is really dangerous."
"And with pools like these, the nighlok can rehydrate without going back to the Sanzu River." Added Jayden
"Guys over here!" called Mia
The group immediately ran over to the where the pink ranger is and to their horror, they found a large pool of Sanzu river water.
"Oh no…Last time this happened, Mentor said that this was a sign that the nighlok were growing stronger." Said Kevin
"It gets worse, look!" exclaimed Mia who pointed at red printed tracks leading away from the pool of Sanzu river water.
Thus Mike, Mia, Emily and Nariko began investigating the tracks that led them to a walkway. Jayden and Kevin followed after the four, discussing about gaps that are leaking in Sanzu river water right after the red ranger had called Ji and informed him what's happening.
"Then we'll cover those cracks up too." Told Jayden to Kevin
Mike who was studying one footprint announced out loud "These foot prints are definitely nighlok."
"But no gap sensor went off." Mia pointed out
"I don't think he came through a gap recently…This nighlok has been here awhile…" said Nariko
Kevin thought for a moment and exclaimed "And using those pools of Sanzu water from drying out!"
"Come on let's keep following the nighlok's tracks and by doing this we can catch up with this monster." Said Jayden
Their trek soon led them through a forest where Mike was leading the group the whole way. He soon stopped and kneeled down studying the ground. The green ranger ran his fingers through the dirt before rubbing them together.
Jayden watched his fellow teammate for a bit and asked "Have you lost the trail?"
Mike remained silent for a bit then immediately looked off in one direction "This way."
Impressed by this Jayden nodded in approval "Good job Mike."
Kevin nodded in agreement "Yeah these foot prints disappeared a long time ago."
Once again Mike led the group soon coming out of the forest to find a neighborhood right before them.
"The forest is my turf, I can still track him." Told Mike
Suddenly they heard people screaming and a loud roar, Jayden frowned at this "I think we've just found him."
The red ranger then turned to his fiance "Nariko…I want you to return to the household…See if you can help Antonio program the black box. Like I told Mentor earlier we'll most likely need soon."
"All right I'll do that, you and your team be careful."
"Always are."
And with that the rangers ran into the neighborhood while the Yamada princess made her way back to the Shiba household.
There upon entering the yard Nariko found Ji pacing back and forth upon the yard, she quickly approached the samurai mentor "Ji!"
He stopped his pacing and looked at the call of his name "Oh Nariko! Good you're back."
"Where's Antonio?"
"Inside the household, he sealed himself in the dojo to work on the black box."
"I'm gonna go and help him."
"You do that, maybe with you by his side Antonio will be able to finally program the box."
Not wasting another minute, Nariko quickly rushed inside the Shiba household. There she burst into the dojo where her childhood friend was currently working in "Antonio!"
The gold ranger jumped and almost dropped his morpher, after being surprised by the princess' sudden appearance. Once having a firm grip on his morpher, Antonio turned to Jayden's fiance "Oh Nariko you're here! Ji told me you were coming to help me."
"How's it going so far?"
"It pretty good, I think I'm getting close."
Suddenly the gold ranger fell to his knees due to using his symbol powers. Nariko immediately ran to his side "Antonio!"
She helped the ranger stand back up "You need to pace yourself…Don't use too much of your symbol power or you'll collapse from exhaustion."
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the advice Nariko."
"No problem."
Antonio rolled his shoulders for a bit before holding out his morpher towards the black box, which happened to be on a stand in the middle of the room. He pressed a few buttons on his samuraizer and soon symbol power shot of his morpher, hitting the black box. The box began to glow and levitate for a bit before it ceased.
Antonio sighed at this and began pacing a bit "Come on…I can do this…"
Minutes passed and the rangers have returned after trying to defeat the nighlok: Arachnitor who escaped during the battle. Currently the rangers and Mentor Ji were gathered in the living room, looking over the city map.
"There are many spots where the Sanzu river is seeping into our world…And it looks like Master Xandred is planning to flood the Earth…" said Ji
"We'll have to work as a team even harder!" declared Kevin
"The nighlok have tried to ambush us before but this time it's our turn." Said Jayden
At this time Nariko left the confines of the dojo and made her way into the living room. She was a bit surprise to find the rangers there with the samurai mentor "Oh…I didn't knew you guys came back…"
The rangers looked at her and Jayden immediately went over to his fiance "Nariko…How's Antonio doing on the black box?"
"He's working hard but he hasn't finished programming it yet."
"I see…"
"What are you doing right now?"
"We're just planning to ambush the nighlok like they tried to do it to us."
"Yeah but how Jayden?" asked Emily
The red ranger turned from the Yamada princess and went over to the city map. After studying it for a moment, Jayden circled one spot on the map "He'll need to hydrate so we'll ambush him at the source…I may need your help Nariko…"
Much later the group had arrived at a construction site from there they decided to split up and head for the three major spots of Sanzu water.
"All right Kevin and I will head north of the site, Mike, Mia and Emily you head east while Nariko heads west." Instructed Jayden
All of them nodded and began heading to their destination, but before Nariko could leave Jayden grabbed her hand "Wait Nariko…"
She turned and looked at her fiance "What is it Jayden?"
"You be careful."
"Oh Jayden…You know that I always am."
"I know…And if you run into that nighlok, contact me right away understand?"
"Of course."
"You have your cell phone with you?"
The princess pulled out the electronic device and showed it to the red ranger "Right here."
"Good…Remember be safe for me."
"Don't worry so much Jayden, I'll be fine."
And with that Nariko leaned up and pecked Jayden on the lips before walking away, the red ranger smiled a bit as he watched her leave. Once she was gone from his sight, Jayden began making his way to where Kevin is.
He soon found the blue ranger crouched down behind a pillar, watching the large spot of Sanzu water. Jayden went over and stood by his fellow ranger's side "Anything?"
"No nothing yet…Jayden do you really think Nariko will be all right by herself?"
"I know where you're going with this and yes…Even though I really don't like the fact that she is by herself, Nariko is a strong person and is able to protect herself."
And while the two rangers kept an eye out for Arachnitor, little did they know Octoroo was hiding behind a pillar spying on the two.
The squid like nighlok, softly chuckled "Hehehe…They think they're going to ambush him but they're in for the surprise."
Octoroo then made his way to where Nariko is and placed two dark red scrolls on the wall in different places "Knowing the rangers, they'll immediately come here once learning that the Yamada princess is in danger. Walk pass these and say good bye to your morphing powers, rangers!"
10 minutes passed and there was no sign of Arachnitor, Jayden paced a bit "Where is that nighlok?"
Kevin sighed a bit then wondered "Could we be wrong?"
"The map definitely identify this site…But that just means this general area…We saw this pool and assumed!"
"Of course, this place is so big there could be another pool!"
"Or he could be at one of the pools, the others are at…I better call Nariko and make sure she's all right…Kevin call Mike and see if he and the girls are ok too then go on ahead and see if you can find another pool."
"You got it Jayden!"
As the blue ranger left to do what he was told, Jayden pulled out his samuraizer and contacted his fiance. He listened as it ringed two times before Nariko answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Nariko it's me…Any sign of that nighlok?"
"No not really…I don't think that nighlok is coming to this spot Jayden."
"All right I want you to make your way back to me, I'll be waiting at the center of the site."
"All right I'm on my-"
Suddenly the red ranger heard a loud roar on the other line and he immediately became alert "Nariko! What was that sound?"
"I take back what I said Jayden, that nighlok is here and he's standing a few feet away from me."
"Get out of there Nariko, get out of there now!"
His heart dropped as Jayden heard his fiancé scream on the other line "Nariko? Nariko?"
He heard a click on the other line and was greeted to the sound of the dial tone, Jayden quickly contacted the blue ranger's samuraizer "Kevin it's Jayden, look I have no time to explain. That nighlok showed up right where Nariko is at. Something has happened to her and I'm making my where there now, you and the other rangers should too."
Right before Kevin could get a word in, Jayden immediately hanged up and ran towards Nariko's location.
Upon arriving at the location the red ranger quickly hid behind some concrete blocks and watched as Arachnitor was hydrating itself in the Sanzu water. Jayden quickly scanned the area for Nariko and soon spotted her lying on the ground. The princess struggled in the spider cocoon that she was wrapped in, hoping to break free somehow. Kevin and the others showed up at this time, quickly joining their leader behind the concrete blocks.
"I'm glad that you guys are here." Admitted Jayden
"We came as fast as we could." Said Kevin
"Glad that you did, that nighlok has Nariko hostage. Currently he's rehydrating himself with the Sanzu water here, Nariko is a few feet away from the nighlok but she's bound by spider web. Kevin you and the others will distract that nighlok while I'll go and rescue Nariko understand?"
"Completely, you can count on us Jayden!"
"Good let's go!"
Kevin, Mike, Mia and Emily quickly came out from behind the concrete blocks and charged at Arachnitor. It didn't take long for the nighlok to be distracted by the four rangers attacking him, once seeing that he was distracted Jayden darted over to where his fiance is.
He kneeled by her side and began pulling at the spider web binds "Nariko are you all right?"
"Yeah I'm fine…Sorry Jay that nighlok caught me by surprise."
"It's not your fault, at least you're not harmed."
The red ranger became frustrated as he was struggling with the binds "Ugh…They're coming undone…"
Jayden then summoned his spin sword "Hold very still Nariko."
She did as she was told and with one quick swipe, the red ranger cut the binds. Once they were off Jayden helped his fiance up. At this time the other rangers came running over to the couple after trying to deal with Arachnitor.
"Sorry we couldn't distract him any longer." Said Emily
"It's all right, that gave me enough time to free Nariko." Told Jayden
Soon the nighlok stood a few feet away from the group, growling in anger. Suddenly Arachnitor was joined by many moogers that surrounded the rangers and Nariko.
"Don't worry Jayden, we've got your back." Said Mike
"And so do I." declared Nariko
From out of nowhere Jayden pulled out a pair of sais and handed them to his fiance "I was going to give you these as a present and to use later on, but right now seems like a really good time to use them."
"Jayden…Thank you…"
The red ranger smiled a bit then looked to his team "All right let's do this!"
All five of them pulled out their samuraizers to morph, as they did somehow they couldn't morph into their ranger forms. They looked around and at each other in confusion.
"What's wrong?" wondered Mia
"This hasn't happened before…Something is blocking us from morphing." Said Kevin
They all looked around for a bit until Nariko spotted one of the dark red scrolls on the wall and pointed "Look there! You guys crossed an evil barrier!"
Jayden summoned his spin sword once more "Kevin and I will handle the barriers…"
He then looked at Nariko, Mike, Emily and Mia "You guys be careful…There's a lot of Sanzu river water here and it's dangerous stuff."
They nodded and thus Jayden and Kevin darted away, skipping over some of the Sanzu water in order to reach the barrier scrolls, while Nariko, Mike, Emily and Mia quickly split up just as the moogers began attacking.
Nariko quickly ducked as a mooger swing its sword at her, and then blocked another mooger's sword with her sais. The mooger pushed the princess back and she immediately stopped in her tracks as she was right near a pool of Sanzu water.
The Yamada princess blocked two sets of moogers' swords and the force they were putting on them caused her to slowly go down on her knees. It soon came to the point where she was leaning back towards the Sanzu water. Nariko grunted as she tried to push back, but proved to be no use as she continued to near the water.
Jayden saw this and quickened his pace to the barrier scroll "Hang on Nariko we're almost there!" "I'm trying!"
Soon the red ranger reached the barrier scroll and looked to find Kevin reaching the other, Jayden gave a nod to the blue ranger and at the same time, the two rangers destroyed the two barrier scrolls. Once rid of, the team morphed into their ranger forms and began fighting the moogers with no problem.
Jayden quickly made his way over to his fiance and knocked the moogers away with his spin sword. He then grabbed Nariko's arm and pulled her to him, wrapping a protective arm around his fiance "Are you hurt Nariko?" "My hair got a bit burnt from touching the Sanzu water, other than that I'm fine."
Suddenly from out of nowhere Arachnitor showed up and attacked the couple, Jayden quickly push Nariko out of the way to take the blow "Nariko look out!" The blow hit him straight on and the red ranger flying back a few feet.
"Jayden!" exclaimed the princess, she quickly blocked Arachnitor's attacks as the nighlok started coming after her. Just by seeing this Jayden struggled to get back on his feet "N-Nariko!"
Once the red ranger was up, he darted over Arachnitor attacking the creature's back "You stay away from her!" as the nighlok stumbled a few feet back, Jayden took this time to go over to his fiance "Nariko!" "I'm fine Jay, what about you?" "I'll be fine…" Kevin and the other rangers quickly joined the couple and stood in front of them.
"Don't worry Jayden we got your back!" said Mike
Unfortunately Arachnitor caught the rangers off guard by using its demonic powers on them. The force of the power caused the four rangers to fall upon their backs, groaning in pain.
"Oh…He's too strong!" groaned Kevin
"Oh this isn't good!" admitted Mike
Jayden quickly left Nariko's side and stood in front of his team "Stay strong!"
From out of nowhere a voice exclaimed "Guys I did it!"
All of them looked to find Antonio running over to them in his ranger form, with the black box in hand.
"Huh, Antonio?" wondered Jayden
"Gold is good, but right now black is better!" told the gold ranger
He stopped in front of the red ranger handing him the black box and a power disk "The black box is ready!"
Jayden took the box and power disk from his friend "Let's see what it can do." He inserted the disk into the black box and activated it. The box glowed a bit and from it, the power formed a white sleeveless jacket upon Jayden's body.
The red ranger then attached the black box to his spin sword "Nighlok you're about to meet the super samurai!" Jayden then casually strolled towards Arachnitor and some moogers.
The moogers charged at the ranger leader, who easily took them down without a problem. Nariko couldn't help but watch in awe at how graceful her fiance fought "Amazing…"
With the power of the black box, Jayden was able to defeat Arachnitor with it though it didn't end there. The nighlok soon came back in its second form and automatically the rangers summoned their zords, forming their samurai megazord. Joined by Antonio's clawzord and again with the powers from the black box, Jayden and the others were able to defeat Arachnitor once and for all.
10 minutes later the rangers and Nariko were still at the construction site, covering all the Sanzu river pools with rocks. Soon Emily had covered the last Sanzu water pool with her earth symbol powers and joined up with the others, having Mike and Mia by her side.
"Good job Emily." Said Mia
"Yeah good job Em." Said Mike
The yellow ranger tiredly sighed "I don't think I have an ounce of symbol power left…"
Mike patted her back "Good thing that's the last leak."
Kevin crossed his arms and with a serious face said "For now."
Antonio lightly nudge the blue ranger's side "Oh man…Don't be such a downer, we've just won!"
"Yes…But I don't like the fact that the nighlok found a way to mutate." Admitted Nariko
Jayden wrapped his arm around her waist "The threat is growing, but so are we…Thanks to our man Antonio. We'll just have to keep getting better and stronger…We have to be…Super samurai." The whole group smiled and each other and nodded in agreement, from there they began their trek home in order to prepare for the upcoming battles with the more difficult nighloks.