HAWAII
The next morning again Logan and Tori were on the beach practicing again all the while he felt her mother's eyes on them. After another session of listening to the waves, they both turned as a group of native kids about Tori's age walked over.
"Well looky here," one said.
"Looks to me like the wipe out queen take a new approach for her wipe outs!" another said, laughing.
"Don't you kids have better things to do?" Logan said, standing.
"Hey were just here to tell her that she broke a disqualifying rule," one said, and beside Logan, Tori crossed her arms.
"And what rule is that!" she demanded.
"Islanders only," the first said, smugly.
At that, Logan frowned. "sorry no such rule, so go sell it elsewhere because we're not buying, besides you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't think she could win," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder before nodding at their boards.
As they were picking them out of the sand, the kids converged on Tori blocking her. "Look you Malibu Haole wannabe you're not wanted or welcomed here, this is an Islander meet and we don't want you!" the leader said.
"I want her here Simon!"
Turning the two saw Shane and Dustin walk down the beach toward them and when they reached them Shane stood between Tori and the kids. "You all know me and you all know that I was born here, and my family's company! Now I want her here and I say she competes!" he snapped at them.
The boys looked at him for a moment then shoving past him the leader muttered, "Another time Clarke," and after watching them go, Shane looked at Tori.
"Sorry about that," he said.
Smiling Tori shook her head. "It's ok, I'm Victoria but you can call me Tori," she said, offering a free hand.
Smiling Shane took it. "Shane, my new friend Dustin," he said, jabbing a thumb at Dustin over his shoulder.
"So dudete, looks like the other riders are a little scared of you, and we've seen you ride they should be," Dustin said.
Smiling Tori beamed at him. "Well I just hope I prove them right, by the way you two coming to the Luau at the hotel tomorrow tonight after the heat?" she asked.
Watching them making plans to hook up at the party Logan thought, 'I think I just watched the beginning of a lifelong friendship.'
After the lesson and a shower, Logan was again on the trail this time riding a motocross bike. Racing around a bend, he popped a wheelie as it straightened out. Coming to a stop at another section of the volcano and putting down the stand, he climbed off taking off his helmet walked over to where the lava had crusted over.
Bending down as he did the other day, he ran his fingers over it and sighed. "I'm getting a little tired of this," he said, standing.
'That was the last section we could check, the only other place is in the main crater,' Red Dragon said.
Nodding Logan looked up at the over shadowing mountain before slipping his helmet on. "The question is how do we get in there without people noticing, especially with all these Volcanologists around," he said, remounting his bike and driving off.
He was just getting off the trail when lightning streaked across the clear sky. Coming to a slide stop Logan looked at the sky waiting for the thunder. But none came.
"No! No! No! How the hell did he find me!" he barked gunning the engine and racing forward calling on his Shadow Tiger uniform altering the colors of the bike.
On a different beach, the lightning came down and encased a surfboard with a shark tooth design on the nose and in a flash of light; it became one of Lord Zedds monsters looking like a mix of between a shark and surfboard. "WELL, WELL! SURFS UP BIG KAHONA!" it called out as people on the beach screamed and started running.
As the monster started firing lasers from its palms throwing up the sand on impact. Engine roaring Logan tore down the beach heading for the monster bringing his feet on to the seat. Once he was close, enough he put the bike on its side sliding it through the sand for it to collide with the monster just under its knees knocking it to the ground.
Rolling across the beach, he righted himself on one knee as the Monster pulled himself onto his own. "Well if it isn't the Powerless Ranger!" he snapped eyeing Logan.
"It's me you want! Leave these people out of it!" Logan snapped then to his horror Goldar appearing in a flash of flame.
"So you came to join the party?" he asked.
"I came to watch your demise with the greatest of pleasure, finish him!" Goldar barked jabbing his sword at him.
"And there will be time for them later but for now I'm going to have fun with you!" he said, before thrusting his clawed firing his laser.
Leaping into the air focusing on his ninja training Logan soared over him and came down with a kick to Goldar before spinning in midair to strike out at Grinder. Recoiling from Grinder as it turned to face him he handsprang away from it laser fire going off around him. Facing him fully the monster raised both hands firing his lasers as wrist to wrist, Logan pointed two fingers to the ground and he vanished in a cloud of sand.
Rushing to the spot where he had gone the monster wheeled left and right. "What? Are we playing hide and go seek?" he demanded.
Bursting out of the ground behind the monster arms spread wide Logan snapped, "No Tag!" as the monster turned to face him and flipping over it, Logan slapped its back.
"you're it!" he barked reaching his bike and gunning the engine wheeled it around and tore out of there the monster diving into the ground after him a fin rising and sinking from the ground and Goldar leapt into the sky.
Glancing behind him every now and then with no sign of the monster while Goldar kept firing laser blasts at him. 'I sure hope you know what you're doing!' Red Dragon snapped at him as he dodged another blast.
'Me to but fro right now I'm drawing him away from the civilians,' he thought as he started to drive by a river.
As he raced over a bridge near the base of the volcano when the monster burst from the water firing its lasers. Falling from the bike under the barrage, he rolled across the ground coming to a stop. Climbing to his feet he looked at the monster as it stalked toward him and Goldar landed close by.
"Alright Ranger this ends now!" he barked giving Logan a shove that sent him twenty feet up the mountain.
Climbing to his feet just as Grinder landed in front of him he shoved it back barking, "bring it!" and got shoved higher up for it.
"Let's go!"
"It's on!"
"I'm ready!"
"Come with it!" Logan barked waving it forward as they neared the top.
Then Grinder paused before pointing a clawed finger at him. "…enough of this twaddle!" he snapped swiping at Logan.
Blocking the blow Logan nailed him with a backhand that hardly phased him before leaping up throwing a kick. After blocking it, the monster seized Logan by the throat.
"Now you die Red Dragon Ranger!" he said, tightening his grip.
"Well… whatever… you do… don't… throw… me… in the volcano!" Logan gasped out holding Grinder by the wrist.
"Oh really and why not?" the monster demanded.
"Something really bad will happen if you do?" Logan said.
"I like bad!" the monster said, and threw him over the edge.
Turning in midair Logan faced the crater as it rushed at him and he saw the lava begin to flow. "Is this good enough?" he demanded.
'MORE THAN ENOUGH!' Red Dragon shouted at him.
Logan detached his Dragon Gem shouting, "Dragon Riders! Unite!" just before he hit the lava and sank beneath the surface.
Goldar gazed at the laughing monster as it rejoined him. "How did he die, pleading for his life…?" he asked, eagerly.
"No but he gave me the key to his demise," Grinder said.
"How so?" Goldar asked, eyes narrowing.
"I threw him into the volcano's lava," Grinder said, and the next thing he knew Goldar seized him.
"YOU WHAT!" he shouted at him then they both looked up as the volcano gave a roar and a spout of lava and smoke shot from it and from it a figure exploded.
Flipping through the air Logan came to rest before them on one knee, his Ranger armor steaming from excess heat as the ground hissed beneath him.
Slowly rising to his feet, he faced them. "Hi guys I'm back," he said, in a wise guy voice.
Pointing at him Grinder stuttered, "Bu…bu… but you said…"
"I said, it would be bad, I just didn't say for who, but then that's what you get when you mix a surfboard with an oversized guppy," he said, shifting into a stance.
For a few seconds the two glared at Logan before charging drawing his fist back barked, "powers or no powers! You're still dying this day!" throwing the punch.
Behind his visor, Logan smiled. "You sure about that…," he said, then in a flash of movement caught the punch in midair and Grinder started to scream as his hand started to burn.
"Because it seems to me I'm just too hot for you to handle," he said, before kicking him hard in the gut.
The blow sent Grinder back to where Goldar was where he clutched his hand. "So who's first," he muttered, waving them forward and they glared at him.
Then slowly a smile dawned on Goldar's face. "In your arrogance you forget one important fact; we may not be able to touch you. But neither can the people you rescue from us," he said, before leaping into the air and Grinder dived into the ground.
Realizing what they meant he streaked after them. 'Red Dragon, tell me the news buddy!' he demanded.
'Well the good news is our powers are restored and are holding at 200%. The bad news is we need to get them down to about 175% in order for safe physical contact. And it will take us an hour for us to vent it normally,' Red Dragons said.
"WE DON'T HAVE AN HOUR!" Logan shouted as she streaked down the dirt bath careful to avoid grassy areas until he came to the parking lot of the hotel and leapt.
People on the beach people fled in all directions as Grinder attacked with Goldar attacking from above. In the midst of it Shane, Tori, and Dustin scrambled through the crowd calling out for their families. Coming to the edge of the crowd, they came face to face with Grinder.
Through trembling, they raised what weapons they could get from the sand to point them at him and Grinder started to laugh. "And what are you going to do with those?" he demanded, laughing before raising his hands and laser blasts began to form.
Just then, Logan landed right behind them and before Grinder could react, tackled him away from the three. The both came down hard in the shallows with two mighty splashes. Jumping to his feet Grinder spun in a circle looking for Logan and saw no sign of him.
Suddenly behind him, Logan burst from the water calling, "FLYING DRAGON FIRE POWER KICK!" and nailed him hard in the chest as Grinder whipped around the face him.
The blow sent Grinder back fifty feet down the beach. Climbing to his feet, they faced each other as steam issued from where Logan stood.
With a big toothy shark grin Grinder said, "You dumb Haole! I'm part shark, and sharks love water!" and a in a flash of light a chained weapon appeared in his hands.
Smiling back summoning his Dragon Sword Logan muttered, "and you forget that water will help me cool down," before they leapt at each striking out at each other as the fight carried them further down the beach away from the people.
Spinning with a parry Logan kicked Grinder in the chest sending him back. Before whipping around and blocking a blow from Goldar as he dove out of the sky. Knocked back a few steps Logan and Goldar glared at each other before leaping forward their swords meeting in midair. Swords locked Goldar followed up with a punch, which knocked Logan into the surf where after leaping on him Goldar drove his fist forward to cave Logan's head in.
Shifting his head to dodge it, Logan locked his legs around Goldar's neck who lifted them both off the ground while Logan delivered punched after punch to his head. After being thrown off Logan rolled to his feet. At a sound spun around and caught Grinder's weapon by the chain as it flew at him.
Lifting and wrapping his leg around the chain a few times, he hooked his foot on it and drove it down. This launched Grinder at him where in mid-flight Logan drove his knee into his face.
Spinning back around he threw a spin kick that Goldar ducked under. Then leapt back as Goldar slashed at his mid second then rolled forward between Goldar's legs as he brought his sword down where he had been. Turning face him Goldar was kicked across the face by Logan's spin kick then fell in a shower of sparks as Logan followed up with a slash to his chest.
Before Goldar could regain his feet Logan's foot was on his chest the tip of his sword at his throat. "Now what were you saying earlier about my demise?" he demanded.
"Surrender Ranger or the kiddies get it!"
Looking up to his horror he saw Shane, Dustin, and Tori who had followed them down the beach held captive in front of Grinder his weapon wrapped around them. Leaping forward Logan brought his sword tip down on the chain and they almost immediately began to scream from the heat. Leaping back, he kept his distance as he glared at Grinder.
'Red Dragon give me an update!' he snapped.
'We're down to about 190% stay away from them!'
'No kidding,'
Shifting his stance Logan barked, "Let them go! It's me you want!" and he caught a flash of movement to the side.
"I told you power down and surrender! Or these kids will pay the price!" Grinder warned tightening his grip.
"then pal you just picked the wrong kid to take hostage!" he snapped and Grinder barely had time to be confused before Trident leapt out of the water and tackled him casing him to release the three kids.
"HIDE TORI!" Trident shouted as the two rolled through the water before using his tale for leverage Trident threw Grinder away.
Turning at the sound of water Logan leapt back as Goldar regain his feet and slashed out at him again. For a second the two looked at each other then leapt at each other their swords meeting in a clang of metal on metal. Swords locked the two looked each before Goldar threw another punch that Logan leaned back from to avoid before forming The Dragon Swords and spinning slashed Goldar across the gut.
"I never let the same blow land twice!" he barked then leapt forward spinning through the air throwing a kick that Goldar ducked under but was nailed across the head by the follow up.
Landing with a roll Logan faced Goldar as he climbed to his feet Trident charged forward and tackled him. Then Logan watched as Goldar getting a grip on Trident threw him back to shore and before Logan could stop him, he leapt into the air and came down hard on Trident's chest.
A grin on his face Goldar raised his foot to bring it down again. "DRAGON FIRE POWER KICK!" and Logan nailed him in the chest knocking him back.
"Thanks," Trident said.
"Don't mention it," Logan said, then was knocked off his feet as Grinder tackled him.
"RED DRAGON!" Trident shouted as the two rolled through the water.
When they came to a stop Grinder was on top and Logan grasped his wrist to stop him from slashing him then Grinder's head shot jaws snapping shut a hairs breath from his helmet. "Nice try!" Logan barked then delivered a powerful head-butt rearing Grinder back.
Throwing Grinder off him Logan leapt on top of him his sword shooting to his hand and brought the edge to his throat. "Bite this!" he snapped.
"Let's try this again,"
Looking up Logan saw Trident held in front of Goldar like a shield his sword at his throat. "Power down or the fish dies!" he ordered.
"No Red Dragon! Protect my daughter! Never surrender!" Trident barked and Goldar's grip tightened.
Scowling Logan growled, "LET HIM GO!" one hand drawing back to twitch over his Draco Blaster.
"Do it or I gut him," Goldar snapped.
In a flash of movement, Logan reached down and with a flick of his wrist sent Grinder's weapon at Goldar. It wrapped around Goldar's arm and pulling hard Logan yanked him from Trident. Leaping forward Logan rolled under a slash from Goldar and landing on his back brought one leg forward sweeping one of Goldar's legs out from under him and brought it forward brought his heel hard against the arch between his legs.
With a silent scream, Goldar fell to the ground clutching himself and rolling onto his front. He watched Trident after delivering powerful uppercut then leapt spinning out of the water slamming Grinder in the head with his fluke.
"TRIDENT PULL!" Logan shouted and getting the message Trident threw Grinder high.
"SWORD OF THE DRAGON! RING OF FIRE!" he called tracing a ring of fire with his sword before thrusting forward.
The funnel of flame nailed Grinder full in the chest rocketing him back over a hundred feet. "I've had enough of this!" Grinder roared.
Smiling behind his visor he muttered, "I couldn't have said, it better myself!"
Raising his swords in both hands, he formed them back into one. "SWORD OF THE DRAGON FULL POWER!" he shouted and the blade burst into flame.
"FINAL STRIKE!" he called drawing the sword back with one hand and the two charged each other striking in midair.
Both landing in the water they were still a few seconds then Grinder fell in a shower of sparks and exploded. Pivoting back around he faced Goldar and shifting into a stance waved him forward. Goldar and Logan looked at each other for a few seconds then Goldar turned tail and flew away.
Shaking his head Logan looked over at the beach where Trident was staring at Tori who came out of hiding with Shane and Dustin. At the sound of fast footsteps, the group turned and saw Tori's mother came running down the beach stopping when she saw them. Before words could be spoken, a sound drew Logan's attention to the sky.
"NO!" he shouted leaping up at a small orb streaking toward where Grinder had been destroyed.
Arm outstretched for the catch but the orb slipped through his fingers. Twisting in midair he watched in horror as it landed in the sea where an explosion went off throwing water into the air. As Logan landed in the water between the others and the explosion and from it grew Grinder until he towered stories above them laughing down at them.
Stepping back Logan muttered, "Run," and the others looked at him.
"But…," Trident started.
Interrupting him Logan whipped around screaming, "GO!" and the others bolted.
Turning back to face Grinder with a shaky smile he said, weakly, "ah… about that oversized guppy thing," as he backed up.
COMMAND CENTER
Through the viewing globe, Zordon and Alpha watched as Logan zipped through the air dodging laser fire from Grinder on his Dragon Rider Cycle. "What's wrong with him Zordon, why doesn't call his Zord?" Alpha demanded, turning to look up at Zordon's tube.
Slowly Zordon looked at him. "Isn't it obvious it's not that he doesn't want to he can't, something must be wrong with either him or his Zord that is preventing him from using it" he said.
"well what can we do with Lord Zedd's attack on Angel Grove we won't be able to dispatch the other Ranger's in time to help him," Alpha said, looking back at the globe.
Nodding Zordon muttered, "yes Lord Zedd planned this well, he staged an attack on Angel Grove to keep the other Rangers busy so he could finish Logan off. He wants Logan destroyed and he wants him destroyed now," and Alpha looked at him.
"But what can we do?" he asked, again.
"There is only one thing we can do…" Zordon said, shifting his gaze away before returning it.
"…send him the Dragon Dagger," he finished and Alpha whipped his head around so fast that the rest of him didn't turn with it.
"Zordon are you sure after what we've been told and what he did to Billy," he said, his body righting itself.
"yes I remember at it has been on my mind ever since that visit, but right now another thought has taken root…," he said.
"What," Alpha asked.
Looking at him Zordon drew closer. "What if we do nothing, Lord Zedd destroys him, and we're wrong," he said.
HAWAII
After coming down hard, Logan rolled from his cycle with a roll running full out down the beach with Grinder stomping the ground calling, "FE FI FO FUM! I smell the blood of a puny Ranger," as he stomped the ground and fired lasers at Logan.
"One more giant joke from him and I am going to… AGGGHHH!" he shouted as the ground exploded behind him and he was launched off his feet flipping through the air.
Coming down hard on his back moaning Logan rolled on his back he watched Grinder tower over him. "Now who's the guppy?" Grinder jerried lifting his foot to bring it down on Logan.
Dragging himself back a little he froze when she saw something streak across the sky coming to rest just beyond the shadow of the foot. Rolling away he barely got clear before it slammed into the ground. Grabbing the object, he gapped.
It was The Dragon Dagger.
Leaping to his feet Logan streaked away careful to keep his feet in the water. "Dragonzord I have no right to ask this of you or control you! But I must ask you! LEND ME YOUR STRENGTH!" he called coming to a stop near a rock formation.
Lowering the lower part of his visor and placing the flute part to his mouth started to play as Grinder came closer and closer. Nothing happened. Worry sinking in he streaked the other way between Grinder's legs and coming to a skidding stop started playing again but still nothing.
As Grinder turned to face him, he streaked in the other direction only to be knocked off his feet again and came down hard back first on the rocks. Moaning he rolled up right and looked up at Grinder both hands raised lasers appearing.
"It's time, TIME TO DIE!" he said, then what looked like missiles slammed into him knocking him to the side causing the lasers to miss Logan on the ground.
Looking over one of the biggest grins of his life spread across Logan's face as he leapt to his feet. "ALL RIGHT DRAGONZORD!" he yelled thrusting The Dragon Dagger into the air as Dragonzord strode out of the sea.
"ALRIGHT LET'S DO THIS! DRAGONZORD POWER UP!" he called crossing his arms and thrusting a hand into the air.
He felt himself rise into the air and passing through a swirling vortex of light he grew to about the same size as Grinder becoming a smooth metal version of himself. Flipping through the air, he landed on his feet next to Dragonzord and stood in a stance.
"No the odds are even," he said.
Looking from Logan to Dragonzord he said, "Two against one," he said.
If Logan had a mouth, he would have smiled. "You know what you're right, DRAGONZORD! MEGAZORD MODE!" he called.
At once Dragonzord sprang into action its tail, hands, head, and chest piece separating from the main section of the body and soared high. While the arms sank into the shoulder, which rotated until, they were on the back. Then the head with the jaws opening wide and sinking slightly inward came down around Logan's head like a helmet.
Spreading his arms as the rest of the main body spread wide then clamped down around his limbs and torso the feet encircling his shins. Then the chest piece soared onto his left arm like a shield with the hands the fingers at an even length attached to the underside on either side of his arm. And the tail now straight soared over, attached, and covered Logan's right forearm.
"DRAGONZORD MEGAZORD!" Logan called striking a pose as the ground behind him exploded.
"Me and my big mouth," Grinder said, before firing his lasers.
Acting at once Logan turned to his side lifting the shield catching the blast before drawing it back and blast exploded behind him. "A little more bulky and blocky than I'm used to but it'll do," he muttered, as he slashed out with the tail a little slower then he was used to.
In a shower of sparks, Grinder fell back and rolling to his feet launched his weapon forward at Logan nailing him in chest. As Logan fell, back Grinder leapt to his feet spinning the weapon above his head and brought down across Logan's face sending him to the ground. Launching it again, Logan blocked it with the tail where it wrapped around it.
"Gotcha! The catch of the day!" Grinder said.
"Maybe! But like many catches this one bites back!" Logan barked and raising his arm with the shield fired his missiles all nailing Grinder sending him back.
Reaching forward he grabbed the chain of the weapon and after pulling it hard he brought the tail down hard on the chain cutting it. "Much as I've enjoyed this, all good things must end," getting to his feet and great flames sprouted from the shoulders.
Then drawing back the flames became a pair of massive dragon wings. "TO THE SKY!" he called and with two mighty flaps of the wings, he was air born.
Swooping down he scooped Grinder into the air. Once high enough he threw Grinder up and zipping back and forth so fast that he was a blur Logan struck out a Grinder. Making sparks fly.
Then hovering the air Logan raised the tail up high. "DRAGONZORD MEGAZORD TAIL DRILL ATTACK!" he called, the drill end, and every section of the tail began to spin.
Diving at the falling screaming Grinder, Logan thrust the spinning tail at Grinder. Flying through him, he exploded. Landing on the beach Logan gave a cheer both arms high.
"God I've missed this!" he called then recoiled as sparks began to fly from his body.
"DRAGONZORD DISENGAGE!" he commanded and at once Dragonzord detached from him.
Looking back at Dragonzord as it reformed itself smoking a little. "Thanks for the help big guy now return to the sea," he said, and turning Dragonzord lumbered back into the water.
LORD ZEDD'S PALACE THE MOON
"YOU INCOMPETENT FOOLS!" Lord Zedd roared a solid red lighting shooting from his staff as Goldar and the other took cover.
"WE HAD HIM! MULTIPLE TIMES! BUT YOU FAILED EACH TIME TO FINISH HIM! BUT IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH YOU HELPED HIM RESTORE HIS POWERS!" Lord Zedd continued to roar.
Taking a chance Goldar lifted his head from his hiding spot. "But my lord it is not my fault! Grinder…," he started but ducked from sight as lighting struck the area where he had been.
"AND HE PAID FOR THAT WITH HIS LIFE! BUT YOU! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HIM YOURSELF MANY TIMES!" Lord Zedd roared then turned as the chamber doors opened.
Shipping around he watched as hooded figure walked in. "I see you still know how to amuse yourself Lord Zedd," the figure said.
"And who are you? And how dare you you…," Lord Zedd started then the figure faced him and seeing the face covered by the hood. He stepped back.
"You," he muttered.
HAWAII
After Logan returned to his true size while still standing in the water he turned muttering, "What are we at?"
'We're at 175% and holding we're in the clear,' Red Dragon said, sighing Logan walked out of the water looking for the others.
He found them down the beach away Trident still in the shallows as Tori and sitting in the sand staring at him. "So… you're my… father," she muttered, looking from her mother to Trident Shane and Dustin in the background.
"Why… why didn't you tell me!" she demanded.
Before they could answer walking forward Logan said, "Because they wanted to protect you," and the group whipped around to look at him.
"Thanks for the help man, I wouldn't have been able to save them without it," he said.
Smiling Trident nodded. "Nobody hurts my Princess," he said, and Logan chuckled as he sat down next to Tori.
At that Tori tears in her voice demanded, sadly, "well if I'm you're princess why were you never there for me! Why did you only come now!" while Amanda and Trident looked at each other.
Pulling himself more onto the beach, he held her close in his arms as she cried. "Oh princess I wanted to be there for every second of your life. But… I just couldn't and like Red Dragon Ranger said, we didn't tell you because we wanted to protect you. So you could have a normal life.
But by moving to that house on Malibu beach, your mother made it easier for me. I watched you every chance I got from the water. And I sang to you every night," he said, and she looked at him.
"That was you? I thought that was mom," and he smiled rubbing his palm on her cheek.
For a few seconds Logan and Amanda watched as father and daughter held each other and Amanda drew a shell necklace from under her shirt. "You're not going to tell anyone are you?" she demanded, whipping around to Shane and Dustin as of just remembering they were there.
"Don't worry I'll make sure they don't," Logan said, looking at them.
Nervously they looked at each other. "Hey I think it's kind of cool that our friend is part Mermaid," Shane said, a smile on his face.
"Totally cool, and besides who would believe us," Dustin said, shrugging.
"That is good," a deep strong voice said.
Turning back to face the ocean to another merman and a mermaid had rose to the surface. The mermaid had a beautiful face with what looked like a flower in her long brown hair and red bikini top. The merman looked even more muscled than Trident with a with a full white beard and hair with a gold crown adorning his head and a mighty trident with fins in his hand.
At once Logan and Amanda sprang to their feet and Trident and Tori stared. "Who are you?" Tori asked.
At that, the Merman arched an eyebrow. "I am known by many names, one is Neptune, another is Poseidon, but by either name I am The King of the Sea. And right now you have something I want young lady," he said, in a stern voice.
At that, Tori gulped. "What?" she asked, nervously.
Jabbing the butt end of his trident into the sand he said, in a stern voice, "my first hug from my own granddaughter," as a smile appeared on his face and his voice softened spreading his arms slightly.
Tori was silent for a moment then laughing ran into the water and all but tackled Poseidon as she leapt on him wrapping her arms around him as he uttered great fits of laughter. "How about one for your Aunt Marina," Marina said, and she was quickly obliged.
When she disentangled herself from Marina, Poseidon turned her to face him. "You have your grandmother's beautiful eyes, and my strong chin," he said, and Tori giggled while Trident moved closer to them Amanda at his side.
"Have you come to take me back father?" he asked, placing a hand on Tori's shoulder who face fell as she looked at him.
"What! You can't do that!"
Turning Logan grabbed Dustin and Shane before they charged into the water. "TORI JUST GOT HER FATHER BACK AND YOU…!" they shouted before Logan covered their mouths with his gloved hands.
"So sorry about that majesty, they're just two little boys with two very big mouths," he said, weakly in an apologetic voice as the small group in the water looked at them.
Losing his grip on their mouths a little, he let them issue a few more insults before covering them again. "See what I mean," he muttered.
Looking at him Poseidon nodded his head. "That I do but it also demonstrates that they are true friends to my granddaughter which she will need. And do not worry lads what I was going to say is what a fool I've been," he said, and Shane and Dustin froze going red.
Poseidon looking at Trident placed a hand on his shoulder. "My son when I heard that had a child with this human Amanda. By forbidding you to be with her, I was afraid that you would forget your responsibilities to your people, the sea, and that one day you would take up my throne.
Now after witnessing what you just did and said, I realized I was wrong to do what I did even though you have been secretly meeting with Amanda and watching over your daughter. You been anything but neglectant of your duties. So there for I will do what I should have done all those years ago," he said, before taking up his trident and it started to glow.
Gently he tapped Tori's bracelet with the tip, then Amanda's necklace, before finishing at a shell armband on Trident's upper arm. "There, if you simply touch these now and ask it upon them you will belong to either land or sea. But this is only on the condition that you visit often and keep up with your duties," he said, righting the Trident at his side.
At that, Trident looked at Amanda before he pressed his hand to the armband. "Make me human," he declared and in a flash of light, his fluke split in two and became well-muscled legs.
Logan a giant grin on face behind his visor watched as he stood up on wobbly knees then widen with horror in realization. Quickly snapping his fingers a pair of swim trunks appeared around Trident's waist.
"Thanks," he muttered, going red.
"Don't mention it… ever," he muttered, as Amanda leaping on Trident easily knocked him into the surf her arms wrapped around him.
"Now I think you guys have a…," Logan started.
But was interrupted by Tori shouting, "MAKE ME A MERMAID!" and in another flash of light her legs became a blue fluke and before anyone could stop her she tore into deeper water.
"THIS IS AMAZING!" she shouted as she jumped out flipping before she sank beneath the surface again.
"I think we got a problem…," Logan muttered, walking out into the water as she jumped again.
"What?" Trident asked, as he stood again holding onto Amanda for support.
"Trying to convince her to come back," he muttered, and everyone laughed.
Meanwhile…
On a ledge, high above the group two clocked hooded figures watched as after they finally got Tori return to being human return to the hotel. "Does this change anything?" the smaller one asked, the hood turning to look at his larger companion.
Slowly the hood of his companion turned to look at him before returning to gaze back down at the beach. "I don't know," he said.
"With all due respect my lord the events of the past hour drove away all doubts for me," said, a voice behind them where a third clocked and hooded figure approached a staff in its covered hand.
"You were the one who saved him in Angel Grove revealing your continued existence to one of the servants. And even after all we told you, you always had doubts about the boy," the smaller figure said, as the one with the staff joined the two on the ledge.
"I never thought you would doubt Poseidon's judgment, Dargo, do really think that The King of the Sea would allow him near his family if Logan was dangerous?" the other figure asked.
"This coming from the few…," Dargo started again.
"Enough…," the taller figure said, and both looked at him.
He was silent for a few seconds before. "I agree with our friend Dargo… but I don't make this lightly," he said, looking a Dargo as started to protest.
"And it's not because of Poseidon, it's because DragonZord would not have combined with him unless he had the heart of a true Rider," he said, the three were silent.
Then suddenly the taller one with a moan collapsed to one knee a scaly four-clawed hand clutching the side of its hooded head.
"Sire!" Dargo barked in concern as he and the other figure dropped down beside him.
"I feel him… we must leave now… or he will gain control!" he moaned, out and in a flash of light the three vanished.
Back on the beach, Logan with what of the group beside him walked back to the hotel where people were starting to emerge and the party started to resume. "This is where I must leave you," he said, to Tori, Shane, in Dustin before he streaked away.
After sneaking into his suite and after powering down he quickly changed into his wetsuit and made his way down to the beach. Once there he quickly found the others with a laughing Amanda beaming at Trident as they sat in there beach chairs with Tori, Shane, and Dustin.
Seeing him, laughing Tori raced over and grabbing his arm started dragging him over. "Logan come over here! There's someone I want you to meet!" she barked.
Laughing he pretended to resist as she dragged him over. "Logan, meet my Dad, Dad meet Logan my surfing coach," she said, laughing sitting in his lap.
Smiling Logan stepped forward. "Trident son of Poseidon, the friend of my friend. Nice to finally meet you, that is out of the water," he said, in a low voice offering his hand and Tori's eyes went wide.
Trident smiled nodding. "That it is young man," he said, taking Logan's hand and Tori looked from one to the other.
"Am I missing something?" she asked.
"It wasn't me who saved you, the day you bumped in to me, not that you were in any danger of drowning." Logan said.
"Then who did?" Tori asked, and all Logan did was point at Trident and after beaming at her father, Tori held him close.
"Eh sorry to break this up but right now we have a final lesson, before the heat that is," Logan said, his hands going to his hips.
"Really and what will you tech me today?" Tori said, leaping to her feet eagerly.
"To have fun, now LAST ONE IN IS A ROTTEN EGG!" he said, barking the last bit taking off with his board Tori in close pursuit.
Later that night as he was having his dinner the phone rang and upon answering… "Logan I heard what happened are you alright!" a voice on the other end demanded.
Sitting back in his chair, he smiled. "I think if you saw what happened on the news you would know that I am Celine," he said grateful for her concern.
COMMAND CENTER
Later that night Zordon and Alpha were going over things when a portal appeared in the middle of the Command Center. Both turned and watched as Logan stepped through the Dragon Dagger in hand.
Smiling as he looked down at him Zordon said, "Welcome Logan and it is good to see you back to full strength," he said.
Nodding to him Logan responded with, "It's good to be at full strength again and thank you for send me this," he said, holding up the Dragon Dagger.
"…I would have…, well… been history without it," he said, with a chuckle and Zordon nodded with a chuckle.
"Well you are free to keep it for as long as you need it," Zordon said, and Logan's face fell.
"That's why I came tonight," he said, and placed the Dragon Dagger on one of the consoles.
Looking back up at Zordon, Logan muttered, "DragonZord may have combined with me but it nearly destroyed him. You know that I'm more than willing to put my life on the line in this war for Earth. But from here on out it's just mine… and mine alone," he said.
Zordon held his gaze for a moment then nodding The Dragon Dagger disappeared. "Now that's done I have to get to bed, and pray the last week of my vacation goes by peacefully," Logan said, opening a portal.
"Well I am sorry about what happened," Zordon said, as Logan moved to it.
"Don't be," Logan, said, turning to face him a grin on his.
"Because of the inconvenient attack by the monster Grinder and Goldar, the hotel has given me six months free stay in my suite. To be used at my choosing," he said, and laughing leapt backward into the portal.
Shaking his head in amusement Zordon watched as the portal vanished and Alpha said, "That one seems to have a very positive outlook on life," and Zordon's face fell.
"Yes... and considering what Kimberly said, had happened to him," he muttered, and after a moments silence he looked to the side and an image of Logan in his Ranger Armor throwing a kick appeared.
"Zordon what are you doing?" Alpha said.
"This is from when he first arrived nothing recent, now let's go a little deeper," he said, and Logan's armor disappeared showing him.
"And deeper," and Logan's skin vanished showing his well-formed muscles.
"That's odd," Zordon muttered, eyes narrowing at them.
"What?" Alpha asked.
"His muscles, if I didn't know better I'd say he has a greater muscle density almost ten times greater than normal, now to go deeper," he said.
When his muscles disappeared Zordon's eyes went wide. "Spirits above and below," he muttered, as they stared at the rotating skeleton floated in front of them and the scars covering the bones.
"Zordon… by my estimates about 80% of his bones has been broken at one point or another. Many of them when he was a child. Only his skull, spine, and neck had been spared," Alpha said, in a hushed horror-stricken voice.
"Narvock what have you done… no Rider would condone this…, what where you trying to do… make him… or break him…," Zordon muttered.
Slowly Alpha looked at Zordon. "If this was done to him how come he's…," he started before Zordon interrupted.
"Tommy, Kimberly, and the others… he knew them back then… he's repaying the kindness they showed him," he said, looking at Alpha.
"Remove all surveillance on him, we don't have to watch him anymore," Zordon muttered.
HAWAII
The next morning after breakfast found Logan laid on a padded table in the spa while a native young woman massaged his back. "Oh Pamela, has anyone ever told you, that you have magical hands," he moaned, in pleasure.
Going red with a giggle. "And has anyone every told you that you have an over flattering tongue," she muttered.
"Oh, many times, but hardly a woman is more worthy of it," he moaned, out and she playfully cuffed him.
After his massage was over, he dressed in his wet suit as Tori was handed her colored shirt for the heat. Slipping it on over her bathing suit, she faced the ocean. Coming up behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders.
Rubbing them he muttered, "Ok remember what I told you, listen to the ocean, and ride with the wave," he said, and she nodded.
"Right," she nodded nervously.
"And one more thing, hand over the bracelet," he muttered, and she looked at him.
"Why?' she asked.
Bending down he muttered, "I think you know why, or do I have to go into details about temptation," he said.
She was silent for a moment she looked at him then after slipping the bracelet from her wrist handed it to him. "I'll keep it safe I promise, now get out there and show them your stuff," he said.
"How little it is!" Simon jeered and Logan's eyes narrowed as he watched her take up her board ran into the sea after the boy.
Joining her family and friends, her mother looked at him. "How is she?" she said, her voice laced with worry.
"She's fine but you'd better hold this," he said, handing her Tori's bracelet.
"Why do you have this?" she asked.
"I just took away temptation," he said, looking out at the surfers.
"But…," Amanda started again but was silenced by Trident putting a hand on her shoulder.
"He was right to do so Amanda now apart from her being able to breath underwater the field is fair," he said, before they all turned, as the speakers were turn on with a squeak.
"WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO THE HAMILTON WAIKOLOA YOUTH SURF HEAT! NOW FOR THE NEXT THIRTY MINUTES OUR COMPETITORS WILL HAVE TEN WAVES THE FINAL SCORE WILL TALLIED BETWEEN THEO TWO BEST WAVES PER RIDER ON THE 0 TO 10 POINT RANGE! NOW OUR JUDGES WILL BE LOOKING FOR STYLE, FLOW, POWER, AND CONTROL!
NOW SURFERS GOOD LUCK TO ALL LET THE HEAT COMMENCE!" the announcer called and a boat horn sounded.
For fifteen minutes, the group watched the surfers in the water with Tori keeping up with Simon. "AND TORI HENSON DUCK DIVES UNDER SIMON GRAVES AND… SHES ON HER FEET COMES AROUND GRAVES WITH AN AGGRESSIVE SNAP OFF THE TOP! AND WITH A SECOND CRACK OF THE WHIP THE JUDGES GIVE HER A SOLID 9.0," the announcer called off and Logan and group cheered.
"She's in the lead!" Amanda cried, out.
Five minutes later after Tori whipped out on a wave Logan had been sure was her's Simon after spraying her full in the face pulled off a 9.1 ride with a grinder and a jump. "With his 9 before she needs at least a 9.2 to win," Logan muttered.
"NOW THIS IS TURNING OUT TO BE A THRILLING HEAT! WITH TEN MINUTES LEFT IN THE HEAT THE SURFERS BEGIN TO LINE UP!"
After a few minutes of little waves making the riders rise and fall with them with no big swells in sight. "Do you think she has a shot of winning?" Amanda asked, beside him and he looked her.
Instead of answering, he walked down to the water and after kneeling down ran his fingers through the water. Not reaching for magic, he focused on what Tori had taught him when he was a boy at the Wind Ninja Academy.
Again, he was ten not long after Sensei Kanoi's adopted daughter had rest his arm and he was on a surfboard in the ocean. "Sensei Tori how does surfing supposed to help me learn the water style of the Academy?" he had asked.
Looking at him from her board Tori smiled. "Logan the water style is like the sea you it is an ever flowing motion. Like surfing you must be able to tell when an attack will come," she had said.
"I still don't understand," he had said.
Smiling again she muttered, "watch," and paddling away.
He had watched as she ran her fingers through the water then she maneuvered to a spot in the water where no waves had been seen. He was think she was wasting her time when a wave appeared and she quickly caught it and rode it back to him.
"How…?" he had started.
"I paid attention and like any opponent you fight Logan the sea will tell you where you need to be, and you must flow with it," she had said.
Opening his eyes, he looked out at Tori. "Remember what I taught you which you in turn will teach me Tori listen and pay attention to the sea. She's already told me where you need to go now all you need to do is listen to her," he muttered.
She was still for a moment then suddenly broke from the pack paddling out far to the right. "LOOKS LIKE MISS HENSON SEES SOMETHING WE DON'T! NO ONES BEEN PADDLING OUT IN THAT AREA DURING THE ENTIRE HEAT! AND THERE IS THE FIVE MINUTE WARNING!" The announcer called as a whistle blew.
For almost the remaining five minutes she remained where she was then it happened…"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! BIG BOMB ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE ONLY ONE IN POSTION IS HENSON!" the announcer called as the wave started to grow in front of her, she slipped into position, and Logan heard the others gather around him.
Standing he watched as she paddled unable to tear his eyes from what was happening. Then just as she stood on her board, the boat horn sounded the last ride and the end of the Heat. It was a dim echo to him as he watched Tori ride the wave.
To their amazement they watched as she sharply cut up to the lip of the wave reaching down grabbed the side of the board as she grinded along the top of the wave. Dropping down to gain speed she whipped back up and Logan's eyes went wide his jaw dropping as she was launched into the air and after spinning around landed back on the wave. At once, the crowd started cheering then fell silent as she straightened out and disappeared in a barrel falling around her.
"Come on baby you can do it…" Logan heard Amanda say beside him as he searched the barrel for any sign of her.
Then just as the wave collapsed into itself, Tori burst from the tube raising her arms in triumph. "THAT'S MY GIRL! THAT'S MY GIRL!" Amanda cried, her voice full of pride as she jumped up and down next to Trident who beamed with the same pride and Logan cried, out arms wide fists in the air while Tori leaping in the air again and into the sea.
While the other surfers paddled in Tori surfed back in and ran into her parents arms. "DID YOU SEE ME? MOM, DAD DID YOU SEE ME!" she cried, as they held her.
"We sure did, and you were so beautiful," Amanda said, holding her and stepping back, Logan lowered his gaze as an odd feeling came over him.
'Never thought I'd see you jealous of a little girl,' Red Dragon commented.
'I'm not, I'm envious,' he said, quickly.
'Same thing,' Red Dragon as the group turned to look at the judges.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AFTER A SPLIT DECISION! THE JUDGES HAVE DECIDED THAT TORI HENSON HAD MANAGED TO STAND ON HER BOARD BEFORE THE HORN! FOR HER LAST RIDE SHE IS GIVEN A 9.8 AND THE WIN!" The announcer called out and Tori and her family cheered.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE HAVE A NEW QUEEN OF THE WAVES!"
After the awards had been handed out, the group followed Logan up to his suit for a small celebration and the others returned to their rooms or homes to change. Like Tori had done they gocked at his rooms as led them to the living room where they sat waiting for him as he changed for the Luau.
As he adjusted his shirt he listed to Shane saying, "…so cool the way you jumped and slip into the tube! I didn't really realize how much surfing is like skateboarding!" from his seat on the sofa.
"So what does your parents do to get you to stay in these digs," Dustin asked, also gocking around him as Logan came in.
Pausing before he sat he looked at them. All like Logan were dressed in Hawaiian shirts or in the girl's cases, a skirt wrapped around their waist tied at their hips with a cloth tied around their chests. He was silent as he sat down in a chair.
"I never knew my parents, this was a gift from a friend," he said, waving about.
"Must have been a heck of a friend, may we ask who?" Amanda said, between Tori and Trident.
A little uncomfortable Logan fidgeted. "I don't like to brag, but it was Celine Dion," he said, they went silent and Trident looked confused.
"I thought I heard your name before! You saved her in Angel Grove!" Amanda barked pointing at him and he sighed.
"Look like I said, I don't want to brag, and all I'll say on the matter is that Celine and I have a friendship from what happened among other things. But we're just friends I didn't ask her to do this for me she just did; I had made reservations at a Holiday Inn. When I arrived next thing I knew I was here," he said, and they nodded.
"Who is Celine Dion?"
All eyes turned to Trident and they started laughing at his confused face and Amanda promising to explain later. "Out of curiosity what other things did you mean when you said, 'among other things,'?" Dustin asked.
"Well I sing a little," Logan, said, that spiked an interest.
"Really can you sing a little now?" Trident said.
"In honor of the occasion," he said, standing and after picking up his guitar sat by the fire and started playing by strumming and patting the guitar to the beat.
"She's ready She's steady
She's up on her feet
Dancing on the water to her own kind of beat
She's in it
She's on it
She's rockin' the skills
Tearin' up the current like a girl's got gills
Pop up Leanin' side to side
Laid back, hang ten Go for a ride
Catch that curl Get into the tube
Do the mahi, mahi
Make your tail fin move
She's the queen of the waves
Check it out She's spinnin' That board around
Queen of the waves
No one's gonna take away her crown
Surf's up Bow down
She's the queen of the waves
She's floating She's flying
She's out of reach Zooma to lagoona
She's best on the beach
Hi-tide, low-tide Rip-tide too
She's in it To win it for Malibu
Pop up Leanin' side to side
Laid back, hang ten
Go for a ride
Catch that curl Get into the tube
Do the mahi, mahi Make your tail fin move
She's the queen of the waves
Check it out She's spinnin'
That board around
Queen of the waves
No one's gonna take away her crown
Surf's up Bow down
She's the queen of the waves
Lemme see it now One foot up(One foot up)
Hand in the air( Hands in the air)
Put on some lotion
Jump in the ocean
Ahhh!
She's the queen of the waves.
Check it out She's spinnin' That board around
Queen of the waves
(Queen of the waves)
No one's gonna take away her crown
Queen of the waves
Check it out She's spinnin' That board around
Queen of the waves
(Queen of the waves)
No one's gonna take away her crown
Surf's up Bow down
She's the queen of the waves," he sang and they applauded Tori beaming at him.
When they left, Tori dragged him over to where her's, Shane's, and Dustin's families were. "Logan! Come sit by us!" she squealed.
"An invitation has been given and accepted," he said, as he playfully let her drag him over.
The group watched the Luau commence Logan partially memorized by the grace and beauty of the female dancers. When the fire dance commenced Logan was taken aback by the skill of the men as they spun and threw their blazing batons threw the air so fast the flames became a blazing circle.
"I think I know someone who knows someone who could do this with much more style, and theatricality," Amanda muttered, glancing at Logan.
He shrugged. "But there skill should not be diminished because unlike that friend of mine, these guys don't have the protection he has," he muttered, back looking back at the dance.
At the end and the roasted pig that had been buried in the sand was brought forth Logan cheered with everyone. At the end, Logan walked alone in the light of the full moon looking out to sea. Turning back to the hotel, he spied Amanda and Trident on the beach alone her teaching him a simple box step and by the red marks on her feet, he had already trodden on them many times.
Nevertheless, despite the pain in her feet, he saw the smile of pure happiness on her face as she held the man she loved as the waves washed over their feet. Pausing he watched the two of them he watched how they smiled at each other and the gleam in their eye to finally be together. As they swayed with the music of their hearts and he could think of only one other couple that had that much love.
'I wonder if my parents ever had a moment like this?' he thought to himself as he watched them.
Thankful that the last week of his vacation went by peacefully where he would also stand in the volcano for a couple hours in his armor minus the helmet swords at his side sucking up the heat but all too soon he was he packed up his things. After taking one last look around his rooms he left think how long it will be before he returned. Down in the lobby Logan was checking out when Tori came over with Dustin and Shane.
"… It was truly a pleasure to have you, we are certainly going to miss you," the receptionist said, as he signed the check out papers.
"Well with my free month I'm sure to be back," he said, before facing Tori.
"What's wrong?" he asked, squatting down.
After looking at one another Shane asked, "Will we ever see you again?"
Smiling he ruffled Shane's hair, "count on it, now you keep practicing those moves I showed you two and you'll far," he said, before he turned to Tori.
"And you should have a smile on your face. After all you're going to be going home with both your parents," he said, and brushing the side of his knuckle under her chin and she giggled.
Growing serious, he looked at them. "We will see each other again, that I promise," he said, and then looked up at the sound of his name.
"Your limo to the airport is ready," the driver said, and he nodded.
Taking one more look at them, he stood. "Show me the courage of a Princess of the Sea, and good-bye, for now," he muttered, then turned and left.
During the limo ride to the airport, he listened to the radio wondering if the next time he would see them would be when Ninja Storm would take up the fight. The thoughts were still in his head as he flew once more in first class. Just as he was looking out a window to the stormy sky, which was so different to sunny paradise he had left after claiming his bags his morpher, began to vibrate.
"Never fails you just get back when there a vibration to the morpher," he muttered, ducking into a bathroom.
Once he was, alone he pressed the sides but instead of an image, a voice burst forth. "LOGAN! LOGAN! HELP ME! HE'S…," Angel's voice screamed out while he heard a great ruckus in the background along with a man's enraged voice.
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