Super Sentai vs Super Sentai
Author's note: Hello, we're back for Team 1. This chapter is just filler, but I guess I should be giving you a breather for another multi-chapter arc. Enjoy!
ACT 20: To Overwork or To Relax
One night, in Kizuna… Nearly everyone was asleep. But for some reason, Remi couldn't sleep. 'Uurgh… maybe I should take a little walk or something.' She thought as she got up from her bed slowly.
As she went out and tried to grab some normal water to drink, she heard something. 'Typing on a computer? Who's doing that in this kind of hour?' Remi thought as she went into the room. It was Sayaka's room. "Sayaka? You're still awake at this hour?"
"Eh? ! Remi!" Sayaka said, surprised, "That surprises me. I thought you'd knock first. What is it?"
"Well the room is lighted, so I thought you're not asleep yet…" Remi shrugged as she saw the computer still turned on, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, this. I'm in the middle of an important research. I just… can't seem to ignore this for the moment." Sayaka said, "Don't worry about me, I'll sleep when the time comes."
"Oh… okay." Remi said as she walked away from the room. But then, Sayaka went up from her chair and headed to the kitchen. When Remi looked at her, she saw her making a cup of coffee. 'Aren't you just taking this a little too much?' Remi thought, worried seeing at even how Sayaka dozed off. But she continued to make herself awake and drank her coffee. When she got up, they met once more.
"This is an important research for someone… It's all right." Sayaka said, smiling. With that, Remi understood her determination and nodded.
"All right, Sayaka. Good luck!" As Remi said that, she left. 'I guess they're right. Sayaka is a great friend… Guess that's why they're so close to her.'
However, unknown to the Super Sentai, that night, Jarmin has been wandering around the Earth, looking for Juzou. 'That man…! When I see him again, I'll drag him back if I must! Does he even know the term 'teamwork'? ! Wait… teamwork?' Jarmin stopped for a bit. Teamwork… it did sound like what the Turborangers did boast about them. It was true that the only two people she could ever 'trust' to some extent were her two fellow great Bouma demons, Lehda and Zimba. 'No… no, whatever it is, that's not teamwork!' Jarmin shook her head, not believing that she would say something that the Turborangers would speak of as she continued to walk, 'For some reason, I know Radiguet is right. If we stick together and stay focused, we can defeat the Super Sentai together…'
Unfortunately for Jarmin, the more she walked and finally was out of her monologue and returned to her senses, she noticed that she's no longer at Earth. "Where's this… the sky's red…" Jarmin looked around as she realized that she's stepping on a land made of skulls and the river was red.
"So… you made it here. I'm surprised." A voice called out and as Jarmin looked behind, he saw a man in white. This was actually Juzou in his human form, "The air didn't turn you into a Gedou. You resisted well."
"Juzou! What are you doing here? !" Jarmin called out, "And what is this place? !"
"This world's Sanzu River. It exists here too." Juzou gave the answer which shocked Jarmin. She just realized she entered the origin world of Gedoushuu, "There are some Ayakashi not really loyal to Chimatsuri Doukokuu. I just realized that they also came from here. But… that's not important."
"Not important… you're kidding me." Jarmin said, also smiling, "This is a great find to our cause. We now know the source of many Ayakashi we could use as a…" But before she could finishe her sentence, she saw Juzou drawing Uramasa, "Juzou…? !"
"What's important is, I'm feeling a little bored. The water of this river is not enough to relieve my boredom. Jarmin… fight me." As Juzou said that, he instantly transformed into his Gedou form. "A fight to the death. Maybe that could entertain me."
"Juzou, cease this joke at once!" Jarmin yelled, "We're supposed to…!" However, before she could continue, Juzou already went ahead and swung Uramasa to her, which Jarmin managed to block with her whip, "Are you insane? !"
"Hoo… so that whip can also withstand Uramasa's slash. Interesting." Juzou said as he pulled his sword back, only to slash horizontally. Although Jarmin was able to jump out and opened her mouth airborne, launching energy bolt to Juzou. "Not too bad."
"Tch… looks like I misunderstood you." Jarmin said, cracking her whip.
"Really, so you're really going to be Radiguet's lapdog all along." Juzou then taunted, which hit a nerve.
"I'm never his lapdog!" As Jarmin said that, she swung her whip several times, but most of the time, Juzou was able to repel them, "I have my utmost loyalty… but not to him!"
"Same with me." As Juzou said that, Jarmin was a little surprised. So she wasn't the only one who hadn't been reduced to a lapdog, "So… fight". And for some reason, there's something in Juzou that couldn't make her stop fighting him. Not something of malice, but something like a memory. She continued to fight and fight against the stray Gedoushuu…
As the dust of battle cleared off, both Juzou and Jarmin were lying on the ground, a little tired. "Hmph… Not too bad." Juzou commented, "It's not as much as that Shinken Red, but I had my fun."
"Juzou…" Jarmin noted, as she looked at the stray Gedoushuu, "You know, I'm a little worried."
"What's this, sympathy?" Juzou said, but still unable to get up, "Don't disappoint me. Sympathy is for the weak."
"No… it's just that you remind me of someone I knew from the past." Jarmin said, reminding herself to one of her allies, "Dark Bouma Zimba. An expert swordsman amongst the Bouma tribe. Your strength, ferocity and ruthlessness remind me of his."
"Really…" Juzou noted, somehow a bit satisfied. For someone to acknowledge his strength like that, "So what does that have to do with all these?"
"I was kind of thinking… it would be best that we stick together." Jarmin suddenly gave an offering, "You didn't plan to follow Radiguet everywhere, right?"
"I don't feel like being anyone's lapdog." Juzou gave an answer as he moved to sitting position, "Not even to Chimatsuri Doukokuu… nor this Radiguet."
"Good. If we move in tandem…" Jarmin followed as she approached Juzou, "Then perhaps we will be closer in defeating the Super Sentai. And after that… I just had a feeling that our teamwork with Radiguet won't last very long."
"Indeed." Juzou said as he got up, "So you're saying that once the chance opens itself, we will strike upon him?"
"Yes. After only the two of us remain…" Jarmin put up a smile, "I will grant you anything you want. If it's a fight you wanted, then I'll give you that. With me."
"That's an interesting proposal." Juzou said, "But you have to make sure you will be able to give me a thrilling fight. A fight that makes my bone and marrows thrill… Shinken Red was able to deliver that to me. Can you do it?"
"Given time, I will." Jarmin said as she offered her hand for handshake, "After all I have to get stronger to destroy the Super Sentai. For now, we should return to Radiguet… until the time comes for us to strike." Nodding, eventually Juzou put Uramasa back to its sheath and shook hands with Jarmin, signifying the partnership between the Gedoushuu and Bouma.
And it was then the waters of Sanzu River splashed out and out came a creature. "The hell is this? ! Token friendship like this? ! How vexing!" The creature was like a gigantic skeleton, except that there were several mouths in the skulls that formed itself.
"Hm? Oh. So it's you." Juzou said as he let go of Jarmin's hand, "Nikushikuro."
"So this is where you gather most of your Ayakashi." Jarmin noted, looking at the creature, "Should we try to give him to…"
"No." Juzou then shook his head, "We had a history together…"
"Indeed!" Nikushikuro exclaimed as he pointed to Juzou, "Fuwa Juzou, I sure hope you remember our promise before, that I, Nikushikuro, will beat you with my own strength!"
"Really, then have you gotten stronger on your own?" Juzou beckoned. He did encounter the creature in the past, but Nikushikuro's persistence impressed even Juzou that he didn't kill him outright and humored him with the promise of a rematch in a future date, "Well I guess if you wanted to prove your strength, you can try by defeating the Super Sentai."
"Super Sentai? !" Nikushikuro yelled, a bit confused as all he knew, the Gedoushuu were just fighting the Shinkengers.
"They're a team like the one you constantly fought, the Shinkengers. Except they're all formed from various incarnations of teams." Jarmin explained and quickly gave out the order, "Well, I don't have time to explain further. Just go!"
"Woman, who the hell do you think you are to order me around? !" Nikushikuro was pissed as he drew a sword made of sharp bones and tried slashing Jarmin, but was then blocked and deflected by Juzou.
"She's my ally. Get moving, now." Juzou said as he ordered the creature to go. However, he didn't miss to see that Nikushikuro was grinning.
"So as I was saying…" Jarmin tried to continue a previous conversation, "Why didn't we just get him to Doldora's machine and…"
"No. His style is his own strength." Juzou said, "Any meddling would be ruinous to him. No need to worry, he can hold his own."
As Nikushikuro came out of the Sanzu River, he ended up in a place surprisingly empty. "Super Sentai they say? !" He exclaimed, "Now how do I get them out from whatever they're hiding? ! Oh well, it looks like good old fashioned way like how other Ayakashi attracted the Shinkengers will do! Come out, Nanashi Renjuu!" Snapping his fingers, he summoned many Nanashi Renjuu and he charged forward to the town, attacking anyone he came across.
The city was thrown into panic. Nikushikuro was swinging his sword and waving his shield like crazy, destroying properties here and there, and even slashing people up. However, he was soon to be halted. "Hold it right there!"
Not by the Super Sentai, but the local police. "M-monster! Stop what you're doing and cease your actions!" The captain, carrying a squad of 10 armed policemen, declared.
"Haah? ! Humans, trying to act so tough? !" Nikushikuro taunted, "Why don't you just go cower over there and scream for help for your beloved Shinkengers, or better yet, the Super Sentai? ! Come on! Just like usual!"
"I… it's true…" The captain nodded, his voice was obviously shaking, but he tried to stand firm and brave, "We've been helped a lot by the Super Sentai. Not just the Shinkenger, but every other of their previous incarnations… That's why we decided that we'll not just sit idly and take their help for granted when we can help! Don't underestimate us normal humans!" Finally, he turned towards his men and commanded, "All set! Open fire!"
All the armed policemen then proceeded to fire their guns towards the enemy. They did take out several of the Nanashi Renjuu, which brought joy to them, "How about that, monsters!" The policemen taunted. However, that was short lived, when they realize that Nikushikuro was completely unharmed.
"Not too bad! But there's no way you can harm Nikushikuro the Invincible with that!" Nikushikuro taunted, spreading his arm as if beckoning them to attack, "Come on! Here! I'll let you even shoot me for free!"
"Ugh… shooting a skeleton with guns does seem useless. Our bullets can slip off the bones…" One of the subordinate policemen said, but this served to just give the captain a good idea.
"That's it! Time to unleash our secret weapons!" The captain said as they finally unleashed something that each of them possessed… "Behold, flame throwers! Demonic skeleton! You won't miss this!"
"Hey, I didn't…" Nikushikuro's speech was interrupted when all men concentrated their flame burst to him, burning him.
"All right, we did it!" The policemen cheered. However, once again that was cut short when they saw the shield of Nikushikuro flying, dropping their weapons in the same time as well as wounding them. "No!" They collapsed, and to their horror, they saw Nikushikuro once again unharmed.
"I was going to say, 'It doesn't matter whatever you hit me with'! Your bullets hit too, you know!" Nikushikuro exclaimed, "But even that's useless against me!" As he said that, he saw the optimism of the policemen completely drained as they started to crawl back in fear, "Yes, yes, yes! That's more like it! Cower in fear! Scream for help!"
And that didn't last long when there were several blasts fired at Nikushikuro, as he stepped back. The Super Sentai arrived to help. "That's far enough, Gedoushuu." Shinken Red exclaimed, but then he realized something, 'It's been quite awhile since I said that wholly…'
"Shinken Red? !" Nikushikuro exclaimed, "That means you're the Shinkengers!"
"Half-right. But may as well…" Shinken Red said as he turned towards the others… for a role call.
"Shinken Red! Shiba Takeru."
"Blue Turbo!"
"Goggle Pink!"
"Black Condor!"
"Change Mermaid!"
"Five Yellow!"
"Green Flash!"
"We are… Super Sentai!"
Nikushikuro looked at them, as he finally drew a conclusion "Well I knew Shinkenger has no black and white members."
"That won't matter to you anymore!" Blue Turbo exclaimed, "Your rampage ends here, Gedoushuu!"
"Everyone, please stay away!" Change Mermaid tried to get the policemen away, "Don't worry, we did see your efforts. Great job, but please leave the rest to us!" After hearing such praise, the policemen smiled as they ran off together. However, something was odd with Change Mermaid. She felt a little dazed and groggy.
"Sayaka? You don't look too well." Goggle Pink, noticing her change in action, asked her in worry, "Is something wrong?"
"Thanks for the concern, Miki. But, I'm fine." Change Mermaid tried to assure her as she tried to move forward. However, even Five Yellow was able to see what's wrong.
'Sayaka… perhaps you've been lacking sleep or rest these days…?'
"That's enough about that, I guess. Let's go." Shinken Red said as he moved forward, followed with the rest.
All of them fought against the Nanashi Renjuu, until they're all wiped out and headed out against Nikushikuro. The Ayakashi stood bravely and parried through most of the Super Sentai's attacks with just his sword and his shield and his feet.
"Damn it, you're one hell of an obstinate guy." Black Condor said after a strike from his Bringer Sword was deflected with Nikushikuro's shield.
"Ha! You're not so tough either…" Nikushikuro said as he approached Black Condor, "I'll tell you one thing! I am invincible! My shield is indestructible…"
"But your body is! Prism Kaiser!" Green Flash suddenly interrupted with his Prism Kaiser ready, and punched Nikushikuro to the stomach, which was very open, "Super Piston!" Then he repeatedly punched the monster on the body, ending with a body blow.
However, Nikushikuro still stood like nothing has happened, "What was that supposed to be about, huh? I told you I'm invincible! Body included!" With that, he bashed Green Flash away with his shield.
"Melody Tact!" A yell from Five Yellow was heard and Nikushikuro found himself tied with the whip from her Melody Tact, "Body included, but probably your weakness is in another place… head!"
"Of course!" In a quick moment, Blue Turbo already closed in to Nikushikuro, even if he was far away. He rarely showed it but as a Turboranger, they're given the gift of hyper speed. He immediately put both his Turbo Laser and J Gun right onto Nikushikuro's head, and even held both in horizontal grips, "At this range, no way it'll miss. Headshot will solve this fairly easy." With that he started pulling the trigger several times, shooting up the Ayakashi several times.
"And just to make sure! Wing Gauntlet!" Black Condor followed up with his Wing Gauntlet ready, running towards Nikushikuro and punched him right on the head, from the side. 'That'll make his head pop out, I guess!'
However, as they dust cleared off, to their shock, Nikushikuro was still standing there not really harmed. "Okay, are you just goofing off now? ! That didn't do a thing!" Using his might, he flexed and broke through his binding, sending Five Yellow away. But before she fell over, he grabbed what remained of the Melody Tact's whip and pulled it, dragging her to the ground.
"Hey, I didn't even retract…" Five Yellow was about to protest but Nikushikuro instead pulled further, suddenly swinging Five Yellow to the air and used her body to hit both Blue Turbo and Black Condor to the ground before tossing her to the ground, "Ack!"
"None of the attacks works!" Goggle Pink commented, "And he wasn't even a combination of monsters! Gedoushuu… we found a powerful one."
"No, there has got to be one weakness. Maybe…" Shinken Red thought hard, until he remembered a past battle where he had to crack a formerly impenetrable shell. And with the people he got, he should have it just fine. "Fire, water, wind. Perfect. Miki, Sayaka, I'm going to need your help."
"Don't worry… you'll have it." Change Mermaid said, despite seemingly tired. Even Shinken Red noticed it, but he felt that he had no choice.
"Use a great fire to heat him off then quickly turn for water." Shinken Red explained the plan very briefly, and the two girls instantly understood.
"OK, I'm first." Goggle Pink said as she prepared her Pink Ribbon, "Pink Senpuu!"
"Shinkenmaru. Kaen no Mai!" Near instantly after Goggle Pink unleashed her attack, Shinken Red followed with his fire attack, thus the fire, enforced with the strong wind, started burning Nikushikuro. Without giving him a chance to retaliate, Shinken Red turned towards Change Mermaid, "Sayaka, now!"
"R… right!" Still struggling to stay awake, Change Mermaid unleashed her attack, "Mermaid Typhoon Wave!" Sending out a whirlpool from her hands, Change Mermaid struck at Nikushikuro with water force.
"Well, that should do the trick…" Shinken Red commented, expecting that it should be a short while until Nikushikuro's bones crack. But to his surprise, nothing happened. "What? !"
"Ha ha ha! Don't take me the same as that coward Marigomori!" Nikushikuro boasted while laughing and remembering the very Ayakashi that fell for that trick before, "When I say I'm invincible, I mean it!"
"No way…" Shinken Red said in disbelief, but at that moment he resorted into thinking of something, 'Maybe the protection is something barrier-like…'
"Okay all of you can now die!" Nikushikuro said as he put his hands forward, stabbing his sword to his shield and exclaimed, "Invincible Bone Storm!" With that, from his body came out many sharp bones that flew out like a dagger storm, striking all the Super Sentai together. "Ha ha ha! I told you I'm invincible! Die… Huh? !" However, as he said that, he stopped as he realized something, "Out of water? ! Damn it! Guess I need to refill first."
"Oh yeah? ! I guess you're not so invincible after all!" Black Condor said, quickly getting up and drawing his Bird Blaster, before shooting Nikushikuro. But at that point, he jumped into a nearby crevice and slipped away. "You're just a coward!"
"No, it wouldn't be even any of use." Shinken Red stopped him as he and the rest un-transformed, "Gedoushuu are inhumanly quick to return to the Sanzu river. But don't worry… Next time he appears, he's usually beaten without any more chance to return."
"That had better be the case." Youhei said as he approached the team and looked around, "Is everyone okay?"
However, unlike the others, Sayaka was still laying on the ground, completely exhausted as she was breathing heavily. "Sayaka! You all right? !" As everyone gathered near her, Dai asked her.
"I'm fine… I'm just… a little tired…" Sayaka tried to reassure her.
"Of course you're tired!" Remi shouted in worry, "You worked overnight! How long has it been like that? !"
"Remi…? !" Miki was shocked when she heard Remi's explanation.
"Yeah, I know how it feels, I've seen cases like that!" Remi said, remembering her past with her siblings, "There was that one time that my eldest brother Gaku overworked himself. As a result, he was unable to teach for several days and his class went unattended! The children in his class deeply missed him, so he swore that he'll never overwork and find balance in work and rest! Sayaka, please… you need rest."
"I'm sorry to worry you Remi, but don't worry…" Sayaka said, "This was nothing. In army, I've had much worse…"
"You should just drop that workaholic attitude now! It's just pissing me off!" Gai yelled, "The hell are you up working on? ! So important you'd skip rest? !"
"Gai, that's enough, no need to yell like that!" Dai said, tapping Gai's shoulder, "Look around." As Gai did, they realized people have been walking back to the area and they seem to look at the team weirdly due to the yelling.
"Okay, whatever the problem is, we better settle it at Kizuna…" Takeru suggested and eventually they returned to Kizuna.
"Hm? That is an interesting monster." While the fight was going on, the villains were witnessing the battle from afar. The watchers thus far were just Radiguet, Ahames and Mazurka. Apparently Doldora and Lee Keflen were collaborating somewhere for a plan. Seeing as how it was impervious to all attacks, Ahames couldn't help but comment on that, "To think that he could back his claims."
"If that monster was brought in here, it could've gotten more powerful." Mazurka also commented, "But instead it…"
"Well, leave it be." A voice was heard and when the three turned back, they saw Juzou, the one who said that, walking along with Jarmin, "Nikushikuro is usually a loner type Ayakashi, he wouldn't respect such combination."
"What? ! They can't be just that selfish!" Ahames scolded, "If it would result in more power for us, then…!"
"Leave it be." Radiguet commanded, silencing the rest. He then approached Juzou, "So, you return to us, Gedoushuu… and bringing a strong monster at that! Let's hope he held up well. So far he's proven invulnerable to the Super Sentai… but…!"
"Hmph, you had your fun with your Behemoth Gash." Juzou replied, while remembering their previous trip to Academia Island, "Let's just say it's my turn." 'Just so long as you leave Shinken Red to me… that's all.'
"Jarmin, that was pretty good." Mazurka said as she approached Jarmin, "How did you tame this beast back to here?"
"Just a few fights and we're done." Jarmin noted until she looked around, "Where are the two professors Doldora and Lee Keflen?"
"They're planning something…" So she answered, "We should try planning something as well."
"You were researching something without rest?" Back in Kizuna, Gai was reprimanding Sayaka, "That's overworking, you know! Man, it's like you're a female Ryuu or something."
"In that you meant Ryuu Tendou, your Jetman leader as Red Hawk? He must be a really diligent man." Sayaka commented, "I'm really honored to be compared to him, thanks Gai."
"Regardless, I'm against you overworking too much, Sayaka." Takeru said, "I'm sorry, but Gai's right. Get a rest."
"No, Takeru. This is important." Sayaka insisted. "I have to."
"No buts here, lady!" Gai reminded again, "You're going to rest and have a break! Save your strength for later!"
"Gai, I'm not a kid anymore!" Sayaka protested, "I know my limits! I've rested enough!"
"I don't think so." Gai shook his head, "You need more rest than this! And I don't mean you need to stay and sleep! You could hang around…"
"Well, yeah I could use that. But I'm not one to make it a habit like you." Sayaka said, "I know my duties, I balance my time between fun and duties, and I'd say this is more time for duty. We need to find out how to defeat that monster."
"What can a tired brain produce anyway?" Gai challenged, "You won't be able to do something productive."
"Gai! Are you underestimating me? !" Sayaka was about to yell, until both of them was separated by Youhei.
"Oh cut this out already! You're like a couple on a date who are bickering about which menu is better in the restaurant! This is not the place!" He exclaimed. And all of the sudden, the team's getting silent as they looked at Youhei, "Huh? Why are you looking at me?"
"You know, Youhei." Remi started, "That's a brilliant idea! Maybe as Sayaka's rest, Gai can take her for a date!"
"WHAT? !" Both Gai and Sayaka said in surprise, their eyes wide open, and then they looked at each other.
When Gai looked at Sayaka, he was thinking about some positive things. 'Hey, actually this won't be so bad. Sayaka's a fine babe. I could get used to this.' He started to grin. But that was interrupted when Sayaka suddenly stamped her feet on Gai's, annoyed.
"Remi, please, don't get any wrong idea with this! I really don't think I should be dating… Especially with…" Sayaka protested to Remi. She was completely surprised that she was told to date Gai. Love couldn't be forced after all. 'Well, it's not like Gai is ugly. He's actually pretty rugged. But still! I'm not gonna be one of his many girls he dates and leaves! He probably wouldn't be serious! And looks only doesn't sell it!'
"Well, it's fine, right?" Takeru suddenly entered the discussion, "This'll do good to strengthen your bonds."
At that point, Miki suddenly approached Sayaka and whispered to her. "Sayaka, this could be your chance you know. Your previous date was ruined because it was… you know." At that moment, Sayaka was reminded on how she was fooled into dating Radiguet in disguise. "That's why I want you to at least have a normal date. It doesn't need to be a romantic date, just… hang out together, have fun…" Miki did make a point. She wanted Sayaka to be at least happy and her experience with a date wouldn't be ruined forever. Finally understanding Miki's point, Sayaka nodded, accepting the prospect that she'll be dating Gai.
On the other hand, Youhei came in and whispered to Gai himself, "Okay, this is your big chance, Gai! But let me warn you one thing, though… you better don't make Sayaka sad for this. Treat her well. Do it, make us girl-chasers everywhere proud! Also… remember that one incident. Let Sayaka have her fun too."
"Heh, you don't need to ask, you know!" Gai smiled, knowing he's got the support of his friends. "Well, in that case, gotta rest up a bit to prepare for the big one."
"Gai." Sayaka called in before Gai left the room. He turned back and for the moment, Sayaka was smiling, "I'm looking forward to this one, then."
'Ooh! So she's already that accepting? ! No, no, this has got to be some trick to let my guard down. Damn it, Sayaka. Behind that smile, you must've been hiding something… But that's why you're so fine. I like it better when girls aren't that submissive.'
Thus the two left, probably to just take small naps and prepare for their date. The team was quite abuzz as well. "Well this is our big chance too!" Youhei said in excitement.
"Big chance? What? You want to date someone too?" Dai, a little confused, asked, "Well, there's…"
"No, of course not! What I meant to say was that I'm gonna follow Gai and Sayaka and see how the date proceeded!" Youhei corrected, "Hopefully it'll be a pretty good one. Plus I could watch and learn how Gai does his things."
"So… that means you want to learn more girl-chasing techniques, huh." Miki teased, "Women like it better if their men are loyal. It doesn't work in a one-sided way only, you know!" Youhei was silent hearing that, unable to come back with something to defend himself.
"I don't know, but this sounds exciting!" Remi said, excited, "Youhei, I think I'd like to come with you and see how it goes!"
"Whoa, the more the merrier!" Youhei exclaimed, before he turned towards Dai, "Wanna come too, Dai?"
"Me? Err…" Dai was thinking of whether he should accept or not, "I'm not sure what you meant…"
"You do understand about dates, right?" Remi said to him, "I think it's about time you see what date really is with your own eyes. It's good for learning too! Field study time!"
"When you put it that way… yeah, sure!" Dai finally made his decision. Indeed, he did hear about 'dates' and all during his battle against Mess, but never really saw how it was like. He thought this would be a chance to know more about the culture of Earth he left behind before.
"Awesome! You coming too, Takeru?" After confirming Dai's willingness to come, Youhei turned towards Takeru. However, what he met wasn't exactly what he wanted.
"No thanks." Thus was Takeru's answer… refusal. "Someone has got to think of how to defeat that Ayakashi just yet."
"I'm staying too. I'd like to help Takeru in this case." Miki also refused to come as well, "Don't worry, you guys have fun. Just as long as you don't do anything stupid, or ruin their date."
"Right… don't worry." Youhei confirmed as Miki smiled in approval, while Takeru just nodded. It's time for him to do his job after all.
"Since there's time between now and the date, I have a better idea." Takeru suddenly suggested, "Help us out to kill time. But when the time comes, just leave the rest to me and Miki."
"That sounds good." Remi nodded in agreement and they agreed to help think of something to defeat the currently invincible Nikushikuro.
"Hey!" That evening, Dai approached both Youhei and Remi, who was waiting at the park, "Sorry, kinda late. Got a little lost."
"You should bring a map next time." Youhei suggested, before turning towards Remi, "How is it? Has our target been spotted?"
"It's a bit too dark, but my sight's fine…" Remi said, looking around, "Those two haven't been seen yet, though."
"Hey, Remi. I haven't asked you this, but… you're a teacher, right?" Youhei asked for the moment, "You really think you should be doing this as a…"
"Aw, quiet!" Remi waved her hand in refusal as if telling Youhei to shut up, "Not all teachers are grumpy and overly tight! Sometimes they can also have funs... Heck, I've had fun playing with my students a lot!" Of course, the Hoshikawa Sibling Teachers weren't really known for their overly strict regime. They were pretty laid back and would've done the same practices, even if they're teaching older children or high school students. Youhei could only nod.
"Man, if only youth was that much easier…" He sighed, remembering that he was considered a troublemaker, even if he practically brought it on himself.
"Bet you have strict teacher, and wishes your teacher would be as lax as Remi." Dai made a small comment which kind of hit a nerve on Remi.
"Hey! If I find a student as troublemaking as him, I can be strict too, you know!" She corrected Dai, and said with a sly smile, "There's a lot of punishment I'd administer for troublemakers…"
"Hey, how did you assume things like that? !" Youhei protested, slightly embarrassed that Remi guessed his past right.
"Just a hunch, I guess? Or maybe it's your face that says 'I'm a troublemaker' everytime I look at it." Remi tried to play innocent, smiling and humming, shrugging off innocently. And all Youhei could do was just clench his fist in annoyance. Remi got him good.
"Hey wait! Aren't those…!" Dai suddenly pointed out, catching the two's attention. They saw Gai and Sayaka walking towards a restaurant, and apparently they're not wearing anything overly fancy, just their usual clothes, already cleaned nice. "Guys, they're already here!"
"Oh! Right! The sightseeing, the sightseeing!" Remi corrected as she hurried up to pursue Gai and Sayaka… and hid right back to the nearby bush, followed by Youhei and Dai, "How long have they been…"
"Beats me… We never know if they've gone sightseeing…" Youhei added.
"So this is a date…" Dai noted, "It's just about a dinner together…"
"No! Wrong answer, Dai!" Remi corrected, tapping his shoulder a little lightly, "There's more than that to a date! Keep looking!" Thus the three continued to watch all while hiding on the bushes.
"So it's a double deluxe steak package. Coming right up, sir and madam." The waiter said to Gai and Sayaka. But before he could leave, Gai called him out.
"Also, if there's whisky…" He was about to order his favorite drink… until…
"Hm, there's a discount for the milk shake? We'll have two of those, thank you." Sayaka instead ordered the milk, which kind of disappointed Gai. It's not like he disliked milk, which was a favorite of his best friend Tendou Ryuu the Red Hawk, he's grown to respect it. It's just that Sayaka seemed to completely dominate him in the date with just her look and smile.
'Damn, what a woman. Just smiles and all that and it seems she's just ready to strike anytime…'
Gai looked around. They're sitting next to a window. He felt that there's a nice breeze on the outside, but something told him that there's something wrong outside.
"Gai." Sayaka suddenly called, "Something wrong with me? So much you don't want to see me…"
"Ah! No, not really!" Gai quickly returned to look at Sayaka. He usually hadn't gotten the time to look at her, but now that he did, even if she was in normal clothes, she looked really pretty. The things proper skin care and bathing would do wonders to people. "Yeah, you look awesomely pretty tonight."
"Awesomely pretty. Hee hee…" Sayaka giggled hearing such words, "You're such a smooth talker."
"Hey… Sayaka." Gai suddenly shifted his words to a much more serious tone… as much as a serious girl-chaser he could, "Now you look into my eyes. And tell me if I'm lying when I say you're pretty." Sayaka did so. Through Gai's black eyes, Sayaka could see a lot. Passion, fierceness, and amongst all those… honesty.
However at that very moment, Gai averted his eyes. "No, this won't work."
"Gai?" Sayaka suddenly asked.
"You already thought of someone else, huh?" Gai asked, which struck Sayaka on quite the nerve. She did have some feelings for her former leader Tsurugi Hiryuu. However, she just hadn't said it and preferred to keep things professional anyway. "I think I'll just be satisfied if you're happy with whoever you like, rather than stealing you from your rightful one. That's been put down below my standards for awhile."
"Gai…" Sayaka looked down, a little embarrassed, "You know I thought you'd just go ahead and say things like 'I'll make you mine' or something."
"Only if the girl's still single. I'm not a woman-stealer." Gai responded, "Well… I guess I was before, but right now I don't think it would do me good if my target already focused on someone else." It reminded him with his old scuffle with Tendou Ryuu, trying to win the heart of Rokumeikan Kaori, whom at first he thought to be single. He won at first, but things changed, he broke up and saw who Kaori truly loved. And it made him learn a lesson, sometimes it's better if his target of affection is happy with the one she loved. Besides he knew his time with Sayaka would be a short one. Once everything's over, most likely they would return to their own timelines, "Besides… even if it's not a romantic one, a date is still a date."
"And whatever that means, Gai?" Sayaka asked, curiosity started to creep onto her.
"Well, your last date was a disaster." Gai pointed out and Sayaka was surprised. So it wasn't just Miki who was concerned about her, Gai was as well, "I just want to make sure you have at least one good date."
"Thank you. That means so much to me." Sayaka said, smiling with joy in her face. They talked so much they did not realize that the waiter was there waiting, "Ah!"
"Excuse me, sir and madam, but your talk seemed so intensive that I didn't dare to interrupt…" The waiter said, "Regardless, here's your order… Have a nice dinner."
"Will do that, thanks!" Gai replied as the waiter left, "Well… shall we?"
"Okay then, let's eat." Sayaka said as she began eating along with Gai.
Meanwhile, on the outside, Youhei, Remi and Dai were watching the two eat. "They seem to have a nice meal…" Remi commented.
"Uugh, if only I brought a camera…!" Youhei lamented, seeing on how the date went. He also didn't realize that Dai was in a daze, looking at the two eating.
"Those foods… look tasty…" He commented, "I wouldn't mind some…"
"Uh, maybe next time, Dai." Remi quickly said. Suddenly, all three sensed something and quickly hid their heads back to the bushes. Just in time as Sayaka was looking at the outside, before she eventually resumed her meal…
Once the meal's finished and the two paid the prices, the two left the restaurant as they walked down through the road together, with the three tailing behind. They went to various stores and looked around, window-shopping. Sometimes they entered some clothes store and looked around some nice clothes, and each bought clothes for each other.
It eventually ended as they sat on a bench, watching the night sky together. "The night looks beautiful." Sayaka commented, "It's like our Earth's."
"Yeah. And the skies of this world and Earth's… we protect as well." Gai noted as he suddenly noticed something. Sayaka was leaning her head onto his shoulder, "Er… Sayaka?"
"Thank you, Gai. Today was really fun…" She said softly as Gai felt like his body temperature rising. However at that moment, she felt something within Gai's body. She was quick enough to change her mood into a much calmer one, "You'd make a good big brother."
"Well… yeah, you can say I could be a brother figure to you guys." Gai noted, chuckling a little, "I'm the oldest here, right?"
"Well, I suppose so. Even if you've been… you know, dead." Sayaka said, "Don't take it as an insult, though. I mean, beneath those rude, womanizing attitude you do really have a caring heart and a heart of justice. Which not even death can hinder."
"Oh, come on… you're the one making me blush when it's supposed to be me, the guy, making the lady blush! Man, you're one hell of a woman." Gai replied, "So… is it my turn to say things, Sayaka?"
"Sure, go ahead." Sayaka said, removing her head from Gai's shoulder.
"So what kept you so busy these days? Lemme know." Thus was Gai's question.
"I guess I can tell you, then." Sayaka answered, looking up a little, "It's the Anti-Flash Phenomenon."
"Anti-Flash… Phenomenon…?" Gai asked, a little confused.
"Yes, that book I took from the Devil's Library before." Sayaka said, reminding him their first battle with Dai in their team, "Actually it contains information about the thing Dai and his fellow Flashmen has suffered about." Thus Sayaka ended up telling Gai what she could learn about the Anti-Flash Phenomenon and how it affected the Flashmen. "And… that's how it is. If I am successful in inventing the countermeasure, I can give it to Dai as a present when we all have to separate. And then, the Flashman can have leisure in searching their parents."
"Searching for their parents…" Gai said, reminded with the previous fight in which they found Dai's father. It was a joyful reunion for the two. "It's an honorable cause. I understand that you're so intent in learning it. But why didn't you just tell us?"
"Research has always been my job. I don't want you to divert your concentration for me. I'll be fine." Thus Sayaka answered.
"Maybe, but that still doesn't excuse overworking." Gai reprimanded her again, "If you think of me as your big bro, then listen to me. Don't be so overworking."
"I know, Gai." Sayaka replied, "That's why we're here. It's my break and to be honest, it was quite a refreshing one. Thank you for providing my good 'rest', especially for the mind."
"Oh, sure…" Gai was about to reply further and suddenly they heard scream of men. "Oh great, way to ruin one date, whatever monster appearing…"
"It could be him. Let's go." Sayaka noted and Gai agreed. The two then quickly rushed to the nearby area where the scream came from, putting the clothes they just bought at the side of the bench.
"Damn you, humans! Stop doing those disgusting activities!" No doubt that it was Nikushikuro. He, along with his Nanashi Renjuu, was attacking many people, many of them young couples dating. "Yeah, that's right! This world is better off without…"
"Without you!" yelled Gai as he and Sayaka were rushing ahead and attacking several Nanashi Renjuu who was harassing men there.
"Please, everyone run!" Sayaka said to the men as she fought against the incoming soldiers.
"Hey, you got guts, humans!" Nikushikuro said, "But still, you think you can beat me, the Invincible Nikushikuro? !"
"Well, who the hell do you think we are?" Gai said cockily before turning towards Sayaka, "Let's go!"
"OK!" Sayaka nodded as they prepared to transform.
"Cross Changer!"
"Change Mermaid!"
"Bah, I still have a little business. Nanashi Renjuu, come here!" Nikushikuro yelled as he called his soldiers, which surrounded both Black Condor and Change Mermaid. "See ya, losers!"
"What? ! Wait, god damn it!" Black Condor yelled, but the army of Nanashi Renjuu blocked his path, along with Change Mermaid's. In turn, the two began fighting at the night.
It didn't take long for eventually, Blue Turbo, Five Yellow and Green Flash entered the fray and helped the two fighting. "Sorry we're late!" Green Flash said as he backhanded a Nanashi that tried attacking him, "You two okay? !"
"We're fine, no problem…!" Change Mermaid exclaimed as they continued to fight further…
However, after several bouts of fighting, the Nanashi Renjuu didn't show any signs of backing down. "This horde is endless! At this rate we'll…" Blue Turbo exclaimed, but his words were eventually cut short with another's.
"Then duck." They instinctively ducked. The Nanashi Renjuu looked to the front as they saw the one who gave the command… Shinken Red, although Goggle Pink was also by his side. "Rekka Daizantou!" Turning his Shinkenmaru into a big sword, he then swung his sword forward, sending forth a wave of flame that eventually burnt the remaining Nanashi Renjuu.
"Is everyone okay?" Goggle Pink asked as she approached the rest.
"Fine, no biggie." Five Yellow nodded, "So, now that you're here, that means…"
"Yeah, we found out a way." Shinken Red nodded.
"Bah, why not just use the Super Sentai Ball and break through his defense already?" Black Condor suggested.
"Maybe, but there's one way to ensure that he'll die rather than deflecting it." Shinken Red replied, "The Shiba house also stored information about some Gedoushuu and we investigated the scrolls there. We found out about Nikushikuro. True to his words, he really is invincible, but he has one weakness, which brought to his downfall."
"And what's that weakness?" Green Flash asked, "Fists, bullets, anything got deflected!"
"It's not a physical force, but… You may find this a bit corny." Goggle Pink said, sighing, "Love acts and declarations are his weakness."
"Wait, what? !" Blue Turbo said in disbelief, "So he'll weaken when someone acts as if they're in love? ! And even say the declarations of love out loud? !"
"Yeah. Weird monster, I suppose…" Goggle Pink nodded.
"Wait, maybe you're right." Change Mermaid suddenly concluded, "Gai, just before he was attacking people dating, right? He called those a 'disgusting activity'."
"Yeah, come to think of it…" Black Condor said, but then he noticed everyone looking at him, "Wait, what's that stare for?"
"You just got off fresh from a date." Shinken Red said, "Those sweet words would've been still fresh from your mind. Do it."
"Whoa, hold up. Declaring love is one thing, but…" Black Condor protested, "This totally doesn't work when forced or gets too corny!"
"Come on, you call yourself a girl-chaser?" Blue Turbo suddenly beckoned.
"This is different! Instead, why don't you just do that with Miki, huh? !" Black Condor protested, "Or Dai and Remi together! How 'bout it, huh?"
"Well, um… not sure if I understand some love terms…" Green Flash suddenly gave an objection, which was then followed by Five Yellow.
"Yeah, what he said! He's still learning about dates!" She said, "And I'd say this is not his time for a field test! He needs more training!"
"Sayaka, say something." Black Condor said to Change Mermaid, who was being whispered by Goggle Pink, "Though if you say we go, then I guess I have no choice. I'm just gonna do my best."
"Yep, that's the spirit, Gai." Suddenly Change Mermaid said as she held Black Condor on the hand and suddenly pulled it while walking, "Let's go."
"Wha? !" Black Condor was surprised, not because how he was going to do it anyway, but on how daring Change Mermaid was. When she said her words, she was completely relaxed and not really nervous, but full of confidence with dashes of teasing.
And as Black Condor and Change Mermaid was out of sight, Goggle Pink then approached Shinken Red. "I got her briefed."
"Briefed?" Blue Turbo asked, a bit confused.
"Right. Actually, behind that, we have a plan…" Shinken Red said as he prepared to brief the rest of the team…
"Hahahaha! That's enough of that silly things called 'dating', 'making out', blah blah blah!" Nikushikuro shouted as he was driving off more dating people, "Sickening things like that shouldn't be in my sight!"
"Wait!" Suddenly Change Mermaid yelled, already dragging Black Condor to her side.
"Oh, what now? !" Nikushikuro said, annoyed, "You know you can't beat me like this!"
Change Mermaid then coughed a little. Suddenly, she circled her arm around Black Condor's neck and embraced him, "Gai… hold me tight…"
"Huh? !" Both Black Condor and Nikushikuro was shocked at what Change Mermaid did. It was a completely daring move.
"Just do it." Change Mermaid suddenly whispered, in which Black Condor finally decided to do it.
He's going to embrace it, he's going to show all these years of womanizing skills he honed up… towards a Senior in fighting evil. Even if it's not using her real face, but covered in mask and suit, he's still going to do it. He then hugged Change Mermaid so tightly, surprising Nikushikuro, "Your body is really warm. I could go on forever, you know."
"W… w… what WHAAAT? !" Nikushikuro yelled, he felt completely uneasy. Until he realized something, "Hey! No flirting! Not in my sight! No!"
"Ah… Gai. Please hold me forever…" Change Mermaid suddenly said, as Black Condor lifted her up as if a bridegroom carrying a bride, "I feel safe around you…"
"I'll never let go, Sayaka." Black Condor replied, mustering any romantic tones he could afford, "Next, we're going to church and…"
"STOP STOP STOP STOP!" Nikushikuro yelled as he rushed forward and tried striking them with his sword. However, he's not really known for his speed thus even while carrying Change Mermaid, Black Condor was able to step aside and dodged his attack. "Damn you… at this rate…!" Nikushikuro cursed. This was after all his weakness, seeing people flirting and showing affection to each other. This had an effect on him, he was unable to use his signature Invincible Bone Storm.
However, that didn't stop Black Condor and Change Mermaid to continue to flirt at each other, each seconds only served to infuriate Nikushikuro further and he couldn't even hit them as his weakness caused him to also get slower.
Until eventually…
"Now." Change Mermaid, now standing while holding Black Condor's arms, suddenly said. Black Condor nodded as suddenly they drew the Bringer Sword and Change Sword.
"Haha! I guess you do get tired after all! Now it's my turn to…" Nikushikuro said confidently that he's going to win this.
"No you don't!" Black Condor said as suddenly they slashed downwards… just in time as the Super Sentai Ball flew down to their front and both slashes launched the ball straight to Nikushikuro. Since he was weakened and didn't have time to recover, his invincibility wore off as the ball tore through Nikushikuro.
"Wha… what's this…? !" Nikushikuro yelled in pain as eventually he ended up exploding with one final yell, "BUT I'M INVINCIBLE!"
As pieces of Nikushikuro fell to the ground, both Black Condor and Change Mermaid de-morphed back to their human forms. "Well, about what I said the whole time…" Gai said, "It was fun while it lasted."
"Yeah. I had my fun as well." Sayaka said, smiling, "Thank you. This has been a great experience for me."
In the same time, Takeru and the rest approached the two, "You two. You beat your enemy I suppose."
"Yeah. Guess there are benefits of being a womanizer after all!" Gai said, once again back in his cocky self.
"There's still some downsides of it, though…" Sayaka said, as eventually the whole discussion ended up into how Sayaka started mentioning on how in general womanizing is wrong and no girls would respect such person fully. Takeru just sighed, at least today's monster has been defeated. For now, but he knew Radiguet would strike any time. But for the moment…
"This brings this chapter to a close…" So muttered Takeru lowly.
"So he had his weakness exposed that easily." Juzou commented, witnessing Nikushikuro's fall. "I guess it was no wonder I defeated him easily."
"That, or all Gedoushuu are this weak?" Radiguet suddenly incited something, trying to ignite Juzou's anger. However, Juzou remained calm.
"I could ask the same to you, Vyram." Juzou's retort caused Radiguet to get irritated on his own. He covered his own mouth, trying to blast Juzou with it, but he was stopped when suddenly he heard the footsteps of three people, belonging to Mazurka, Doldora and Lee Keflen.
"It is done, Radiguet." Lee Keflen stated, "The Super Sentai will not know what hit her."
"Indeed, if they are hit with this, we will be able to regain a good chunk of time." Doldora added.
"Very good, then. Ahames!" As Radiguet said that, he turned towards Ahames, "I'll leave you in charge for this one. I have other business to attend…"
"Very well then, Radiguet. Don't mind me if I kill the Super Sentai first…" Ahames said, chuckling, although it was met with silence from Radiguet. However, unknown to them, Jarmin looked at Juzou and both nodded to each other. It seemed that their more-personal partnership would deepen the alliance between the two...
The next day, Sayaka was taking the whole team for some shopping spree. She took Miki and Remi to the very clothing store she visited with Gai during her date. The girls were all having fun as they exchanged whichever clothes look better for them.
And on the outside, the boys, all except Dai, were waiting. "Sayaka sure is having fun now." Gai commented, looking at how happy Sayaka was, "Well! Better than completely overworking though."
"She's still in her research, though. But I'm glad she's taking a break in awhile." Youhei added.
"Regardless, it's still an important research." Takeru said, and the next thing he said surprised Gai, "Especially for Dai's sake."
"What? How did you know about that, Takeru?" Gai asked, curious.
"I had my sources." Thus was the short answer for Takeru. In truth, he's seen the book Sayaka carried from that dimension and upon reading the History of Super Sentai book, he came to realize the Anti-Flash Phenomenon that plagued the Flashman. That's why he hoped the research was a success. However, rest was still important, and he's glad Sayaka stopped being so overworking.
"Heey!" Dai's voice called them out, as he's carrying a bag containing several soft drinks.
"OK, here it is! I'm getting thirsty!" Youhei greeted as he approached Dai to get the soft drinks.
The Super Sentai seems to be enjoying their day off. However, they were unaware of a nefarious plan concocted by Lee Keflen. Will they be able to keep their cheery disposition like during this break period? Don't lose, and good luck, Super Sentai!
Super Sentai vs Super Sentai… will continue at Act 21
Author's note: And yeah, it's just filler, but there has been a more personal partnership between Juzou and Jarmin. And there's some teases between Gai and Sayaka, but Gai showed his 'development' throughout Jetman, sorta... I hope it's fine in your eyes.
Regardless, stay tuned! Next chapter will have another cameo and for those who watched Gokaiger, watch as how I put a link to the show! Once again, stay tuned!