Chapter 33 – A Lighter Shade Of Blue

Dino Cafe

About a week after the battle against Scorpina and her allies, everything was surprisingly quiet. The Legion of Deboss had temporarily retreated to plan their next move which gave the rangers a chance to recuperate. Most of them used the opportunity to make the time they missed at work, or school for Riley, during the monster attacks. Jason and Chloe didn't have that problem today, the museum had closed early for the day and Chloe had left her employees to watch the shop.

"I'm sorry I can't afford anything fancier", Jason said as he indicated to their surroundings.

Chloe shook her head, "It's the thought that counts". They continued to enjoy their meal, interrupted only by the occasional appearance of Shelby to take their order and bring them their food.

They had just finished the main course when the door opened and a woman stepped inside. She had shoulder length blonde hair and she was dressed in an expensive looking jacket and skirt. Her high heels clicked on the floor as she strode purposefully towards Jason, "Thought I'd find you here", she said with a sneer, "seems like the classless place you would hang out".

"Emily", Jason sighed, "I thought my day was going far too well".

"Just here on business", she replied, "it's not against the law to look up my ex-husband is it?"

"Depends on what you want", Jason spat.

Offended by the tone of his voice, Emily stood up a little straighter, "Your next settlement payment is due shortly and I just wanted to make sure you'll be able to pay. From what I hear you're working at a museum".

"I'm fully aware of when my payments are due", Jason replied coolly, "now if you'll excuse me, I'm busy".

"I see you didn't take you long to replace me", she looked down her nose at Chloe, "setting the bar lower this time I see. Really Jason this is the best you could do?"

Chloe's jaw dropped and Jason's eyes narrowed, "At least I waited until we were divorced to move on", he began, "if I was a vindictive person I could've claimed adultery on the divorce papers", he looked at her a little closer, "couldn't I?"

Emily looked like she was about to blow her top but any eruption was prevented by the appearance of Shelby, "Is there a problem here?" she asked.

"No she was just leaving", Jason turned away from his ex-wife.

"I will not be dismissed so easily Jason Lee Scott", she shouted.

"Madam if you don't have a table then I'm going to have to ask you to leave", Shelby stepped in front of her mentor's table.

"Listen girl, I made more in the last hour then will in your lifetime", she began to poke Shelby in the chest, "don't tell me what to do". Shelby got fed up of getting poked and she grabbed Emily's arm and began to apply pressure to her wrist.

"As Assistant Manager I get to decide who's allow in this diner", she squeezed a little harder, bringing a tear to Emily's eyes, "now get out before I call the cops". Shelby released her grip and glared hatefully at Emily. The blonde didn't say anything and turned around, slamming the door behind her. "What a total bitch", the pink ranger commented.

"Don't I know it", Jason sighed and turned back to Chloe, "are you alright, hurricane Emily didn't do too much damage?"

"Hmm", Chloe began, "er yeah, I'm fine", she quickly stood up, "excuse me I need to visit the ladies", she practically ran from the table and dived into the ladies room.

Once inside she leant on a sink and took a few deep breathes. From Jason's description of his ex-wife, she knew that she wasn't a particularly nice person but the way she looked down on Chloe really hurt. Perhaps she didn't have such a thick skin like she thought she did. "What an unpleasant woman", a man's voice called out.

Chloe looked in the mirror and saw someone standing behind her. She quickly spun around, "What are you doing here, this is the ladies room?" she cried.

"Forgive the intrusion my lady but I don't have much time", he began, "my name is Andreas and I have an offer to make you". There was a flash of light and suddenly the bathroom changed into a barren desert, "Welcome to my home country of Spain", Andreas continued, "well not really, this is actually an illusion".

To her credit Chloe wasn't completely freaking out about this sudden development, at least externally. "W-who are you?" she asked tentatively.

"Andreas Ramos", he bowed extravagantly, "Dino Charge Aqua Ranger". Chloe was about to continue but Andreas held up his hand, "My time is short so I don't have time for too many questions. I believe the others have mentioned me in passing", she nodded, "unfortunately my time as a spirit is coming to an end and I must pass on my powers before they are lost forever".

It took Chloe a few seconds to grasp the hidden meaning behind Andreas' words, "Me", she pointed at her chest and the Aqua Ranger nodded, "you want me to be Power Ranger?" She began to laugh, "I can't be a Power Ranger, I got frightened off by a bitchy woman. How could I cope with a bunch of monsters?"

"Have a little faith in yourself Chloe Yuzuki", Andreas replied. A few images began to project up in the sky, firstly they showed Chloe comforting Kristy after her husband died. Next they showed her fighting to protect her family during the Armada's invasion. The images shifted to show her juggling parenthood and the trials of running a small business. Finally they showed her helping out the rangers a few weeks ago, "You are a strong woman Chloe, you just need to believe in yourself".

Chloe watched the images up in the sky, almost not believing that she was the same person, "It can't be as easy as that though, believing in myself. If it was then anyone could be a ranger".

Andreas laughed, "No it's not the only thing but it's the most important principle that holds everything together. A ranger needs bravery, intelligence and skill but all of those are useless without the self belief to use them". There was a roar as an image of the Anklyo Zord appeared behind Andreas, "Anky here believes that you will be the right partner for him, do you believe that you will be right for him?"

Chloe looked at the ground, could she really do this? There was Kristy to think about, I mean with her and Koda as active rangers, what would happen to her daughter if the unthinkable happened? On the other hand she could protect Kristy against anything if she was a ranger and it had been her dream since she was eight years old to be a ranger.

"Alright I'll do it", she answered but to her shock, the desert, Andreas and the Anklyo Zord had disappeared and she was back in the ladies bathroom of the diner. She shook her head a few times trying to work out if that had actually happened. It was only a few moments later that she realised there were a couple of things in her hands. In her left hand was a small battery sized object that was light blue in colour and had the number seven printed on it. In her other hand was a Dinovolver, identical to the one her brother had, "It wasn't an illusion", she muttered.

From outside the bathroom she heard the sound of chairs scraping on the floor as people hurried to get out of the diner. Usually this only meant one thing, there was a monster attack in the area. Cautiously pushing the door open, she saw that the diner was now empty except for Shelby and Tyler. The red and pink rangers checked that no one was around before they quickly morphed.

Chloe stepped in the main part of the diner and looked out the window. There were several Vivix and a couple of Cobra's but the red and pink rangers were holding them at bay. A few moments later the black, blue, green and gold rangers arrived. She knew from the conversations the others had that the Vivix were the equivalent of the Putties from Angel Grove. Not especially tough but they could be annoying in large numbers. The Cobra's were a stiffer challenge and it normally needed a team attack to take them down.

Suddenly the window of the diner shattered as a Vivix was thrown in the glass. He hesitantly got up and began stalking Chloe. Her first instinct was to run away but she was a ranger now, apparently. "I thought you said the diner was empty", she heard Shelby say to the red ranger.

"You never told me that Chloe could still be in the bathroom", Tyler shot back. They were prevented from reaching her by a Cobra blocking the way so Chloe was on her own. Pointing the Dinovolver at the Vivix, she pulled the trigger and the footsoldier crumpled to the ground. Chloe nearly dropped her blaster in shock, she had actually done it. Her confidence boosted, she stepped over the fallen Vivix and approached the ongoing battle.

"Chloe get out of here", Koda called out as he struggled with a Vivix, "use the back entrance".

"Not a chance little brother", she smiled, "you're not the only one with powers in the family". She opened her hand and revealed the Aqua Energem. Before the others could question her, Chloe inserted the gem into her morpher and spun the barrel, "Dino Spirits, Dino Charge". In a flash of aqua light she morphed in the Dino Charge Aqua Ranger. Her suit was identical to Andreas' except that hers had a small skirt like the other girls.

"Ok I wasn't expecting that", Chase said to the others, the Vivix and Cobra's weren't sure what to make of the new arrival either as they paused to inspect the latest ranger.

Underneath her helmet Chloe smirked and ran the chamber of her Dinovolver down her arm. The familiar armour appeared along with a light blue hammer. Approaching the nearest Vivix she swung the hammer, knocking the creature into the side of the diner, "Well don't just stand there", the aqua ranger called out.

Tyler shrugged, "You heard the woman", he pulled out a Dino Blade and sliced through a couple of footsoldiers. Koda still hadn't got over the shock of seeing his sister morph and was nearly caught by a Vivix. He regained his senses long enough to lift the creature onto his shoulders and propel it head first through the windscreen of an abandoned car.

Ivan meanwhile had been tasked with keeping the Cobra's at bay. He kept one distracted by firing a burst from his Ptera Brace, hopefully immobilising it long enough to take care of the other one. The Cobra in question spat acid at the gold ranger but he was able to use his sword to deflect it. The acid splashed into the wall of the Dino Cafe, burning a hole in the wall, "Hey I just finished decorating this place", he heard the aqua ranger call. She jumped in with her hammer and smashed the Cobra across the face. It stumbled around in pain and fortunately for Ivan, in his direction. Charging up his Thunder Blade, he unleashed his special attack on the snake creature, turning it into dust.

The gold ranger approached Chloe and gave her a small bow, "Thanks for your assistance my lady", Chloe responded with a bow of her own.

The other rangers had beaten the rest of the Vivix so this just left the other Cobra to deal with. The Dino Lance was quickly formed and with one mighty swing, it too was defeated. Everyone powered down, which Chloe soon learned was done by ejecting the Energem from her blaster. "Welcome to the team I guess", Tyler smiled, "but what happened to Andreas?"

"I don't know", Chloe replied, "he said that he needed to pass on his powers before it was too late", she paused for a moment, "I guess he's moved on to the other side now".

There was a few moments silence for their departed team mate before Koda said, "Well he couldn't have left his powers to a better person".

"Suck up", Chase snorted.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you forgetting who your boss is?" Everyone laughed before they started their trek back to the Dino Mansion.

Hunston Park

The following morning the rangers were having a breakfast picnic in the park to welcome their new team member. Questions soon turned towards the original red ranger, "So why did you marry that bitch of an ex-wife?" Shelby asked.

"I knew living so close to Chase would rub off on everyone", Jason groaned to himself before addressing the question, "Emily wasn't always like that. We met during my stint as the Gold Zeo Ranger and I guess you could say it was love at first sight. She always had an ambitious streak but she wasn't as cold hearted and ruthless like she's become". He paused for a moment, "We got engaged in 1999 but we kept putting off marriage".

"So what changed?" Tyler asked with a mouthful of bagel.

"Not long after we married in 2004 we found out that she couldn't have kids", Jason sighed, "things were alright for a while but as time went on she began put all of her effort into her career. I'm sure she'll say that I held her back because I didn't have many career aspirations or any interest in advancing our social standing".

Chase raised his hand, "Correct me if I'm wrong but did you have a kid by the time you got married", he pointed at Kiera.

"I'll field this one", the purple ranger began, "I think Emily wanted a girly girl to groom into her personal image. Instead she got someone who was more interested in science than socialising. After a few years she largely lost interesting me", she shrugged, "can't say I was too bothered if I was honest".

Jason smiled, "The final straw came two years ago when I found out she was having an affair with someone at work. After that she moved out only to get the lion's share of everything in the divorce settlement".

"Still don't know how she did that", Kiera muttered darkly.

"Probably because she could hire the most expensive lawyers going and also I wasn't too interested in fighting", Jason began. "I just wanted her gone from our lives and I didn't care what it cost".

"And now she's waltzed back into town", Riley looked across the park and saw the aforementioned woman strolling towards them, "speak of the devil".

"Think I'd rather go twelve rounds with Rita than her", Jason muttered to which everyone laughed.

"Can't afford to even eat in that crummy diner anymore?" Emily smirked.

Jason shook his head, "No just choosing to enjoy the sunshine with my girlfriend, daughter and some of our friends", he paused and stared her directly in the eyes, "you do remember what friends are, right?"

Emily chose to ignore his comments and turned to the purple ranger, "Kiera, how lovely to see you again".

"Can't say the same about you", Kiera spat without making eye contact.

"Just say what you came to say and then get out of here", Jason said impatiently.

"I just came to make an announcement", she began, "I'm opening a new branch of discount DIY stores in the city".

"But that could ruin us", Koda exclaimed.

Emily smirked and shrugged, "Not my problem if inferior business minds are bankrupted by progress. It's the American way after all and judging by what I've seen of you lot, the competition should only last a few days".

Shelby was about to get up and continue her frank exchange of words from last night but Chloe stopped her. Instead the aqua ranger stood up and moved towards Emily, getting almost in her face, "Better people than you have tried to break me", she said with a dangerous whisper, "do your worst, I'm not afraid of you".

For the second time in as many days Emily was speechless and chose to retreat before there could be any further exchanges, "Geez your sister's scary", Ivan whispered to Koda.

"Don't I know it", the blue ranger replied, "I feel sorry for the Deboss". There was a new ranger in town now and she wasn't going to back down from anyone, not the Deboss and certainly not the ex-wife of her boyfriend.

A/N - And then there were eight. Anyone work out that Chloe was going to be the Aqua Ranger? I've been dropping some hints throughout the story. Emily's going to hang around for a bit, just generally getting on everyone's nerves. Next time out, the gold ranger getting a lesson in trust and Riley gets some bad news...