A couple nights later, Logan sat alone in the youth center, a pot of hot tea and some cups waiting on the table before him. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door. Getting to his feet, he walked over and opened it revealing James and his mother standing there. There were still many cuts and bruises on James' face but all were healing. He bowed politely to Logan.
Logan bowed back then said, "Good evening, please come in." He stepped aside to allow them entry. They noted the set table and made their way there then waited.
James' mother appeared a bit uncomfortable but said, softly, "I want to thank you again for doing this for us."
"You're welcome."
She turned to her son. "I'll be back to pick you up in a couple of hours. I love you honey," she said, giving James a quick hug before walking back to the door and letting herself out.
When she was gone, Logan said quietly, "Please, have a seat. I made tea." He indicated the pot on the table before sitting down.
Eyeing Logan a moment, James complied and sat opposite him. Logan poured the tea, handing one cup to James. As the boy took the cup, Logan noticed something. Filling his own cup then setting it down, he reached out to James left wrist and gently turned it over to reveal a thin scar forming a line across it. He looked up and saw tears falling down James' face.
He released the wrist. "Don't hide who you are from me. You were born who and what you are. Only the ignorant think it's a choice. I want you to hold your head high and be yourself, no apologizes. And you have the unalienable right to defend yourself against hatred and self hatred in all its forms when it is aimed at you and those you care for. No more of this self-loathing. When your training is over, you should feel confident enough in your own skin to be who you are anywhere you go."
Through the shine of tears, James stared at Logan for a long moment then a slow, tentative smile crossed his lips. Perhaps there was hope for him after all. At least he was willing to listen to this strangers who cared enough to help him.
Seeing the boy's demeanor lighten, Logan smiled back and they both drank their tea in silence. James felt much better and more relaxed by the time Logan said, "Alright, let's get to work. Stretching first!" He ordered rising to his feet and heading for the mats nearby. Eager to get started, James followed him.
When they were done stretching they stood in front of each other. "Now this is going to be a simple energy drill ok? I want you to close your eyes and tell me where I'm putting my energy," he told James who nodded his understanding, closed his eyes and readied himself. Logan reached out and took James' right hand and began moving it.
"Into me,… away from me,… to the right,…," James called out as Logan shifted the hand.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Over the next few nights, a couple of hours each, Logan trained James. The boy advanced at a steady pace but far faster than Logan had thought he would. He wasn't sure if it was due to a natural talent or a strong will power that helped but was glad to see it. The only difficulty Logan had was continuing his pretense that he was hampered by a broken arm.
"So when do we get to do sparring?" James asked for the twentieth time by the fourth night of training. He helped Logan put weights down on the machine that helped build his arms.
"Maybe tomorrow night, James. I can't do it myself so I have to see if someone is available to work with you, but right now I want to see some heavy bag work and combos," Logan answered. James sighed but complied.
The next day after school, Logan headed for an address he'd gotten from the office and walked to it. He arrived at the front of a nice two story house in the suburbs. Looking around he noted the houses were identical on the block, all with chain-linked fences and well trimmed lawns.
He opened the gate and walked up to the front door and knocked. It was about a minute before it opened. A middle aged woman with blonde hair stood there rubbing her hands on a dishtowel and staring at him questioningly through the screen door between them.
"Yes, may I help you?" she asked in a light tenor voice.
"I hope so, ma'am. My name is Logan and I was wondering if I could talk to your son, Peter?" Logan asked.
An eyebrow arched upward as she asked, "How do you know him? I don't think he's ever mentioned you before."
"We sort of met at the Youth Center and we go to Angel Grove High together."
"And what do you want with him?"
"He mentioned he loved Martial Arts and I hoped he could help me with something in that area."
She smiled and shook her head. "Lord, yes. Please come in." She opened the screen and he came into the living room. She lead him through the house and to the basement rattling on about how much Peter loved the Martial Arts. "… practically turned the basement into a dojo. Down there he watches movies and mimics what he sees on the films. Every day after school it's the same thing comes home, does his homework, then goes down here to train, and isn't seen again until dinner," she told Logan who just nodded in the right places. At the bottom of the stairs they came to a halt at a door.
"Out of curiosity, have you had his IQ tested and does he have the Asperger form of autism?" he asked hoping he wasn't getting too personal.
She gave a mild look of surprise. "Most wouldn't know there are different forms of autism or even realize that's what Peter has. Yes, we did get him tested and he's off the charts. As you apparently know, his only problem is lack of social skills and the ability to interact emotionally with anyone. His attention span is also very poor so he requires an aid in class to help him concentrate and complete his work. But get him interested in something and he will learn it to the nth degree. That of course is what Asperger's is all about, that ability to hyper focus normal people like you and I can't duplicate."
"Yes, I know. That's why Asperger's are considered savants in their chosen interest. A small number, I know, are quite capable of leading nearly normal lives while others can never function without a guardian to watch out for their interests as they tend to neglect basic needs like eating healthy, seeing a doctor, shopping for clothes, or using money," Logan added.
"Right, exactly. It's such a pleasure to be able to speak to someone who understands," she said, smiling in relief.
"I understand. My brief encounter with Peter at the Youth Center tells me he is the latter type," he said, a lilt of question in his tone.
"Yes, he is," she said sadly. "We've accepted that we may have to provide support for him the rest of his life."
"You've done quite well so far," Logan said encouragingly.
"Thank you. We hope so," she sighed. They stopped talking and listened a moment. The sounds of quick movements could be heard. "Must be practicing forms," she murmured as she opened the door.
Logan's mouth opened as he frankly stared into the room. It was just as she described it, a dojo minus the mirrors on the wall most sported. On two of the walls a variety of weapons hung, from staves to Sai's. All in neat order. The floor had been covered in wood and at the exact center of the room a metal post with an old mattress wrapped tightly around it held in place by many bungee cords. On the far wall a simple entertainment stand stood with a TV, VCR and an orderly rack of movies within it. Standing before this was Peter wearing sweat pants and a sleeveless shirt and moving fluidly through a form as he watched it on the TV screen.
"Northern Shaolin Leopard style," Logan murmured thoughtfully.
Peter's mother gave him a brief glance before nodding to herself. "I'll just leave you two alone now. Remember to take off your shoes before entering," she said quietly then walked back up the stairs.
Logan slipped off his shoes and left them beside the door then stepped inside, closing the door behind him, before kneeling down on his knees to wait. When Peter was done he bowed, stopped the tape and turned unsurprised to see him, only a little nervous to have a stranger in his private space.
"You're good but a little sloppy," Logan commented lightly.
"Thanks," Peter mumbled, his eyes looking down. He shifted away nervously when Logan smoothly rose to his feet and padded to the entertainment center to look over the movies.
"You've studied the moves on all of these?" he finally asked after he'd read the titles, looking over his shoulder to look at Peter.
"Yes."
Nodding, Logan turned toward the wall of weapons and studied them a moment. Without looking at the boy, he asked, "You know how to use all of these?"
"Yes."
Using his good hand, Logan took down the Sai. Turning to face Peter, he began swirling the Sai in fancy movements up, down, right, and left with the ease of years of practice. When he was done he flipped it over until he was holding it by the middle blade and held it out to Peter.
The boy eyed him with mild surprise and took it from Logan. He put the Sai through the same movements with almost the same ease before halting and handing it back the same way he'd been given it.
Smiling, Logan nodded his approval and took the Sai back, hanging it up once more. "Impressive, very impressive. That tells me you're just the person I need to help me. Peter frowned at him in puzzlement.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Later that night, Peter and James stood before him wearing sparring gear. "Aw Logan, couldn't you have gotten someone better?" James complained.
Logan frowned at him while Peter made no sign he even cared what James had said. "Remember our agreement that you would not question my decisions?" Logan demanded flatly.
James' face heated at the tone of disappointment in Logan's voice but still couldn't keep from saying, "Yes, but come on, why this…" James began but was brutally cut off by a sudden roundhouse kick to his head by Peter who acted on a silent signal from Logan.
"Nice Maui Tai kick Peter," Logan complimented the boy before turning to James. "Rule number one of sparring! Never underestimate your opponent." Peter was already facing James again and waiting.
Rubbing his face in shocked surprise and anger, James quickly got to his feet and complained, "Oh come on Logan, he sucker kicked me…" and promptly got kicked again by Peter.
Watching James getting to his feet again Logan muttered, "Rule number one...,"
"All right, all right," James muttered as he eyed Peter with more respect and took a stance, all arguing ended as he prepared to spar. A signal from Logan and they started. Over the next hour or so, James quickly learned to respect Peter's knowledge and skill.
For the next week, Peter helped Logan train James who quickly advanced with the same speed he had his workouts.
The night before the finals after as James's mother came to pick him up, the boy's mother asked, "So, how's James doing?"
Logan smiled. "At the rate he's learning I would have awarded him a blue belt by now." James's mother smiled with joy.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
The next day was the Ninja Finals. Logan took a seat in the bleachers, his friends around him but his mind on the previous events leading up to this day. He eyed the competitors as they filed into the room. Homburg was in black, Stone Canyon in white.
"I'll be right back," he told the others, standing up then climbing down to the floor to walk over to the Stone Canyon competitors. Reaching their side he told them, "See the one in the middle standing there?" Puzzled they looked then turned back to him and nodded. "He's weak on his left side and the team likes to talk tough so don't be rattle by it, they count on it for intimidation so don't give it to them, and don't be surprised if they gang up," he counseled.
Surprised by his advice, one of them asked, "How do you know this and why tell us?"
"They are a bad tempered team and I know about him because his back and arm are still sore from the beat down I gave him after he gave me this in an unasked for match. He was being a bully," Logan said lifting his casted arm.
They blinked at him in surprise and respect. Their leader nodded and said, "Thanks for the tip."
"You're welcome." Logan nodded, then went back to his seat to watch the competition. When it started, he watched the Stone Wall fighters closely seeing one familiar move after another.
In the first match, after they had bowed, the Homburg fighter kicked the Stone Canyon fighter will she was still moving upward from her bow...a clear violation that wasn't caught by the umpire. The Stone Canyon fighter was angry but quickly recovered and started exchanging and blocking blows with the male in quick succession, holding her own, until he knocked her back to the corner again with a kick to her side.
Undeterred, she recovered quickly and charged him with a kick then dodging a return kick spun through the air to the side landing low. After blocking a double strike, the Stone Canyon female flipped back onto her hands to dodge a kick by the male then was back on her feet and charging him. After throwing a front kick, she leapt up with a spin kick then dropped down to sweep her opponent's feet out from under him.
After he got back on his feet, she leapt forward with a kick that he stepped out of the way of. Facing off again the two exchanged blows. After she delivered a knife strike to his collar, he grabbed her hand and flipped her over. Going with it, she landed on her feet and flipped him right back where he landed on his feet.
Before she could do anything else, he kicked her in the side then stepped behind her to kick her hard in the back, sending her into the ropes. Turning, she charged him only to have him closeline her as she moved forward. Getting low on one knee, she flipped forward to the other end of the ring where she was replaced by one of her teammates.
Logan watched as he took his advice by mainly attacking the left side of the Homburg fighter. His moves were fast and accurate; first throwing a punch then following up with a back hand. After blocking another blow he was sent back to the ropes with a blow to his side. Charging forward, he blocked another blow then ducked under a kick and kicking his opponent as he passed him.
The two faced each other and after blocking a couple blows and striking out with a kick, the Stone Canyon competitor leap maybe five feet into the air as the Homburg fighter rolled and flipped forward. Facing each other again they exchanged and blocked a few blows with Stone Canyon first kicking his opponent in the side then flipping him onto his back.
Just then the second Homburg fighter leap into the ring trying to nail him with a turning side kick which Stone Canyon caught and flipped him up and over.
Landing hard on his chest the Homburg fighter rolled away from a kick and back onto his feet then blocked a kick and charging forward he threw kick after kick that Stone Canyon blocked and ducked under. Back on the attack Stone Canyon pushed him back with a couple jumping front kicks and after each threw a spin kick, he threw a punch that his opponent caught then kicked him in the back.
"Man those guys fight really dirty," Kimberly growled angrily.
"Yeah, but the challengers fight clean," Tommy observed.
"Which is always the winning solution when no one else is helping like the umpires should be doing," Billy said sourly.
Logan frowned as another two Homburg fighters jumped into the ring.
In answer the Stone Canyon fighter from before leap in and kicked the Homburg fighter away before he could tackle her teammate. After fending off the second spinning she kicked out at the third by the ropes who caught her leg. In response she leap up spinning on the spot kicking out at all three of her opponents.
'I knew I recognized that fighting style,' Logan thought as the remaining Stone Canyon fighter slipped into the ring and the two teams faced off then the Homburg team was sent back with a single punch from Stone Canyon and the bell rang.
After the last bout was done with each Stone Canyon fighter doing outstandingly, the judges discussed the matches.
"The judges have made their decisions! The match and title go to the Challengers!" The announcer said into his mike.
The Homburg fighters groaned. "We were robbed," Logan heard one of them say as the crowd cheered.
"The new Ninja Champions are the Stone Canyon fighters!" The announcer declared handing the trophy over to the winners. As the trophy was presented, the crowd cheered and the winning team removed their masks revealing Rocky, Adam, and Aisha.
"Wow, hey that's why we didn't see them in the crowd," Kimberly said, surprised and pleased.
"Stupendous," Billy said, grinning.
"Yeah, way to go guys," Tommy yelled as the three raised their trophy in triumph.
"I'll meet you guys outside," Logan said to his friends as the crowd began to disburse.
Outside in the parking lot Logan leaned against the Stone Canyon's jeep, waiting for them, looking up when he heard their footsteps coming up behind him. As they approached and grinned at him, he smiled back and said, "I had a feeling it was you."
"Nice to see you here too, man and thanks for the tips," Rocky said, extending his hand. Logan took it and they shook.
"You're welcome and you deserved it," Logan said then, in one motion while still gripping the others hand, he turned the arm over and saw a mark on the skin of his wrist flash before Rocky could yank his arms away and it disappeared. "I knew it! You three studied at the Thunder Ninja Academy."
"How do you know about the Thunder Ninja Academy?" Aisha demanded.
Logan cocked a half grin. "Sky of wonder…" he murmured in answer.
The three blinked. "…Power of Thunder, you studied there," Adam exclaimed.
Logan nodded. "I'd showed you mine but it's a little covered up at the moment. However, now isn't the time for that discussion. Let's get together later," Logan suggested as he caught sight of his friends coming.
Tommy reached them and told the team, "Hey man that was pretty cool!"
"Thanks and it was really great to have you all here to watch us," Rocky said, grinning.
"Wouldn't have missed it. Hey, why don't we get together some time and you can teach us some of those moves," Tommy asked, eagerly.
"Great idea! We'll set it up soon," Adam agreed, giving Logan a quick glance.
"Cool! We'll keep in touch," Billy chimed in.
Mr. Anderson had just come up beside them to open his car and put Jacob in his carseat. As he closed the door, Kimberly said, "Bye Mr. Anderson."
"Bye everyone. Excellent competition and congratulations on the win you guys."
"Thanks sir," Rocky said politely. Mr. Anderson turned away and was about to climb into his vehicle as the rest moved off to let the Stone Canyon fighters get into their jeep.
"See you three around," Logan shouted moving off with his friends. They hadn't gotten very far when a too familiar voice shouted at the three climbing into their jeep. Logan and his friends whirled around.
"A VERY IMPRESSIVE WIN TODAY!" Goldar shouted at the Stone Canyon fighters, his putties charging the three before they could move or escape and another group grabbed Mr. Anderson before he could get the rest of the way into his vehicle.
"We gotta help them, Logan! You stay back!" Kimberly shouted as she and the others charged back toward the endangered team.
Logan growled under his breath, "Last I looked, I did still have two legs." He ran after his friends and then leaping up to kick first one than another putty before landing next to Tommy.
A short distance away, Billy flip kicked a putty, shattering it as he fought side by side with Zack.
"Kimberly is going to kill you," Tommy told Logan as he kicked one then cartwheeled away and jumped up to scissor kick another putty before rolling back next to Jason.
As he nailed another with a jumping, turning, side kick, he watched as gold energy blasts shot out of Goldar's sword capturing Rocky, Adam, and Aisha.
"NO!" he barked trying to move forward but was halted by putties which he leap up spinning on his side, kicking all as they circled him.
"Lord Zed will be pleased that you have so much spunk," Goldar cackled gleefully as the three Stone Canyon fighters struggled against their bonds.
Meanwhile, the putties around Logan fell back and shattered. Trying to dart forward, he met up with Trini and Kimberly as she front kicked then side kicked two putties.
"Are you crazy Logan!" Kimberly barked, flipping a putty onto its back.
"I still have these,' he barked back bringing his leg up and kicking the putty in the Z shattering it.
Rolling her eyes, Kimberly flipped forward to kick another putty in the Z, shattering it. The two stood back to back then Billy and Tommy joined them just as another beam of light shot out of Goldar's sword causing the whole group to disappear in a spout of fire, the baby's wail the last sound they heard. Around them the putties vanished leaving the four alone in the parking lot.
"We're too late Goldar got them all, and you Logan what possessed you to fight those putties? You're not a Ranger," Kimberly snapped, shoving Logan. Tommy had walked over to Mr. Anderson's car and found it empty.
"Hey, I'm not helpless and, besides, my father told me how to beat them so I knew I could be of help," Logan defended himself, raising his hands.
"Kimberly what's done is done! He handled himself fine so right now we have to focus on why Goldar took Adam, Rocky, Aisha, Mr. Anderson and Jacob," Tommy said stepping between them.
"We've got to contact Zordon," Billy declared. He raised his communicator to his lips and called, "Zordon, come in."
"Alpha and I are aware of the situation, teleport to the Command Center immediately," Zordon responded crisply.
"Roger." Billy looked around and asked, "We clear?"
"Yeah, you're good to go," Logan said, not seeing anyone around. The group teleported away, leaving him alone. Best get to the park, he thought, taking off in that direction.
'Logan! We have to pick our fights! We have limited power now!' Red Dragon warned in his mind.
'We may not have a choice, and besides why do you think I'm running, and not streaking,' Logan snapped back in the same manner, taking out the cylinder Zordon had given him, pressing it to his arm as he took cover behind some bushes and phased his cast off.
After changing his clothes and hoped using magic didn't drain his powers further, he stepped out into the open, looking around cautiously then freezing when he saw Bulk and Skull with the baby. Well at least Golder didn't get him but when did they take the kid? he wondered, confused. In the heat of battle no one had seen the pair around.
A strong feeling of danger that had caused him to freeze in the first place got stronger. Suddenly, flower petals and other debris began to whirl around him on a wind that hadn't been there moment ago. A strike of lightning brought forth a monster that looked like the plant version of Bozo the Clown.
Immediately after, Jason, Zack and Trini dropped from the sky to land in front of it, fully morphed and ready for battle.
"It'll take more than three Rangers to deal with me. Wait till you see the tricks I have up my leaves," the monster rumbled deep in its chest.
At once Logan morphed and ran close enough so he could leap up and flip over to land beside his friends. "Then what about four,' he challenged, slipping into a fighting stance the holographic power meter staying on his screen holding steady.
"Let's get him," Jason barked and they charged.
Zack and Trini separated and attacked from either side of the monster while moving as one, Logan and Jason leap up and nailed the monster with a flying, turn side kick.
"Once I find a place to plant my seed pods nothing will be able to stop us," the monster said, untroubled by their attack, rolling to its feet and vanishing in a haze of petals.
"Zordon what's happening?" Jason demanded in his communicator.
"I have been monitoring this dangerous situation, what concerns me the most is the Terror Blossom's ability to reproduce itself," Zordon told him.
"It can do that?" Jason demanded.
"It's going to try! Alpha sector scan the park! The monster needs a powerful heat source to plant the seeds," Zordon said.
"The baby is still in the park," Alpha warned.
"We can no longer divide the power team! Alert Tommy and the others," Zordon ordered.
Logan spoke up then, "You guys handle the monster, I'll find the baby. If the Terror Blossom comes back, I'll just do more harm than good." He turned away and took off before they could argue with him.
Shrugging, the group took off, following Zodor's orders leaving Logan to find the baby.
Now where did I last see them? Logan muttered to himself as he searched for Bulk and Skull then stopped when he spotted them. Darting toward them and about to shout, he was suddenly launched off his feet, flipping forward onto his back. He moaned in pain as he rolled over and saw Goldar and Terror Blossom walk right up to him.
"Well, well, well if it isn't the Rosy Red Dragon Ranger...just the one I need to plant my seeds," Terror Blossom rumbled with delight.
"In your dreams," Logan growled, getting to his feet.
"Lord Zed will reward me greatly when I finally finish you off," Goldar said charging him, sword raised.
As he brought it down, Logan hand sprang back a couple times then leap forward kicking out at him forcing him back. "Bulk! Skull! Get that baby out of here!" he shouted at them as he dodged a couple more blows and struck out.
At his words, Bulk and Skull scooped up Jacob and high tailed it out of there just as Logan was launched against their picnic table from a blast from Terror Blossom. Before he could move out of the way, Terror Blossom was on top of him, a petal patterned sword in hand that met Logan's in a ringing sound of steel.
"With your powers Red Dragon, I'll be able to plant my seeds and become unstoppable," Terror Blossom said as Logan reached behind him.
As his hand groped behind him, Logan's eyes went to the power meter which dropped a little. "How about… some special… FERTILIZER!" he barked and shoved Jacobs diaper into the monster's face.
Howling in disgust, the monster leap off him, ripping the diaper and its smelly contents off it. Logan shook his head in disgust, "Eww, gross!" Then turned to meet Goldar's furious assault.
The two exchanged blows at a ferocious rate for a few minutes then Logan again knocked off his feet by the monster who shoved Goldar out of the way so he could attack the warrior. "You will pay for that!" Terror Blossom roared, before itself being knocked off its feet as the ground shook from an explosion.
As the three got back on their feet, Logan saw the explosion was the Hatchasarous being destroyed by Thunder Megazord and Tigerzord.
"Terror Blossom! Go back to your mission. I will handle this puny ranger," Goldar declared. The monster disappeared. "Now to finish you off once and for all," he growled as Logan got to one knee.
"I've heard that before," Logan said, blocking an attack then was kicked back down.
As he tried to get up again, he was kicked hard in the gut, sending him backward about a dozen feet, his power meter dropping a little more. "No one is going to save you this time, so any last words little ranger?" Goldar jeered coming closer.
"Yeah I've got five," Logan said looking up at his enemy. Goldar halted and stared down at him, triumph on his face. "You hit like a girl," Logan jeered in his face making Goldar's expression turn to rage as he raised his sword for a killing strike.
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