Disclaimers: I do not own Power Rangers, especially Lost Galaxy, or anything affiliated with it though Johnny Marshak, the White Galaxy Ranger powers and future Galactabeast/Galactazord, and Alpha Squadron as it exists here (think I read a fanfic with a vaguely similar idea back in the day though I don't remember when, where it was, or even the name and it's probably long since lost to the ages anyway) are my ideas. Disney, Hasbro, and Toei owns the rights.
Dedication note: I just realized that I've been an idiot for not mentioning this already in this series, but this is Dedicated to all of the actors that have been on Power Rangers that have since passed, from Thuy Trang and Eric Frank to the ultimate Power Ranger himself, Jason David Frank.
Notes from the author: I honestly don't have much to say beforehand so I'll just say as always, I hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it.
Familial ties
By Har -El
Johnny whistled as he finished getting ready for the day. His life had really been going well lately after finally getting the guts to kiss Maya and ask her to be his girlfriend, being able to morph into the White Galaxy Ranger, and lucky enough to only have had his flight status revoked for a relatively brief period.
As Johnny couldn't help but grin when his phone went off and he saw it was Maya calling. "How's this fine morning treating you, beautiful?" he asked as he connected the call, putting it on speaker phone as he finished up shaving.
"Kendrix just asked if we'd want to go see a movie with her and Leo a little later so I thought I'd get hold of you," Maya replied.
"Uh, I'd like to say sure but it depends on what Commander Stanton needs me for and how long it'll be," Johnny said. He was scheduled a meeting with his CO in half an hour.
Johnny had been worried it might have to do with his actions over his fighter's AI but he promised it wasn't anything bad, instead having something to do with a bio-scan all GSA personnel had gone through over the weekend. They both had plans with his folks as well but that was dinner so a movie double date would be perfect to slide in there.
"Gotcha," Maya replied, "I'll tell Kendrix first chance I get."
"You two figure out what to watch and when and I'll call you when the meeting's over," Johnny said, "You know Leo and I don't mind if you want to see even the soppiest of romcoms. I've got to go so see you at lunch." Maya gave a brief goodbye before they hung up.
PRLG
Imagine Johnny's surprise when he got to Commander Stanton's office and found Kendrix waiting there as well. He smiled and nodded over to her before stepping up to the desk of his COs assistant. "Captain Marshak here to see the Commander," he said.
"Oh, hello there, Captain Marshak," the assistant chirped, "I'll let the Commander know you're here and he'll be with both of you as soon as he can. He's currently in a conference call with the Council so it might a good 10 minutes."
'Both of us?' Johnny thought as he nodded and took a seat next to Kendrix. "Any idea what this is about?" he asked softly. She hesitantly shook her head though she had a worried look on her face. "Hey, you all right? I'm sure it's nothing serious."
"I'm sure it's not, but… I can't help but worry it might be…" Kendrix began.
'Leukemia,' Johnny realized as he knew how Kendrix seemed to have a phobia about it, not even liking to say or hear the word, not that blamed her as she'd been forced to watch as it ate away at her Mom most of the last few years.
"You don't have anything to worry about," Johnny said, putting his hand on Kendrix's shoulder. "I'm sure the scan will not only tell you that you don't have it, but you never will."
"I don't think the scan runs that deep, but still, thanks," Kendrix said with a smile, reaching up and patting Johnny's hand.
"The Commander can see you 2 now," the assistant called out and Johnny and Kendrix got up and headed through the door next to her. The two tentatively made their way down the Hall beyond it and up to the door with their COs name adorning it.
Johnny knocked and a voice called out for them to enter. They found Commander Stanton just behind his desk and they stepped over to it after giving him a salute and he gestured to the chairs opposite. "I'm sorry to have called you here so suddenly," he began as they all took a seat.
Kendrix and Johnny glanced at each other worryingly at their usually very jovial commanding officer being so serious. "Is there something wrong, sir?" the pretty blonde asked first, "If this is about my strange unexplained disappearances recently, I can explain them."
"Yes, has Dad… oh sorry, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver had any problems with my performance?" Johnny added.
"Oh no, nothing is wrong exactly or at least you haven't done anything wrong," Commander Stanton assured them then sighed, "Do you recall the recent bio scans we had everyone undergo last week?" The two nodded. "Well, I've just received the results, which have come up with something you'll find… unexpected, though I've suspected what they've shown for some time now."
Kendrix went pale. "Sir, please tell me I don't have…" she began but her carcinophobia was so bad she couldn't quite even finish the sentence. Johnny reached over and put his hand on her shoulder to show support to his fellow Ranger and friend.
Technically it was against regulations if they weren't at ease but Commander Stanton allowed it given the circumstances. "No no or at least that didn't come up with this scan," he replied, knowing full well Kendrix was asking if she had Leukemia like her Mom and how she was about the mere mention of it.
"While it can only show so much about potential future health problems, it did show that both of you are at least currently perfectly healthy," Commander Stanton reassured Kendrix. The two nodded and she sighed with relief.
"To start, I think I'll need to tell you some of my own history first," Commander Stanton continued, "Nearly 25 years ago, I was in my Senior year of High School with a bright future ahead of me.
"I was Captain of the football team, a member of the ROTC with my sights on the Marine Corps after graduation, and a beautiful girlfriend I planned to marry someday… the whole gamut," Commander Stanton
"My girlfriend and at the time future hopeful wife's name… was Valerie Morgan," Commander Stanton said. He saw Kendrix frown and made a gesture to wait a moment when she started to say something. Johnny's jaw also dropped. He didn't know the full story but he did know that was her Mom's name.
"Not long before we were set to graduate, right after my last game in fact, she told me that she was pregnant," Commander Stanton continued, "I was devastated in some ways as it was sooner than I'd wanted but ecstatic as there'd been no other woman I'd wanted to marry and have kids with at the time.
"We knew her parents barely tolerated our relationship as it was, so we started making plans to elope the first week of summer but we never got the chance to follow through with our plans," Commander Stanton explained.
"Once her parents found out about her pregnancy, they hit the roof and forced her to cut me out of her life or they'd disown her. Her family was important to her at the time so while she hated it, she gave into their demands and they shipped her off to her Grandparents.
"I never saw her again, never knew if she had the baby and kept it, if I had a daughter as it turns out or a son, or even know what happened to her until your recruitment file came across my desk about a year ago and I didn't hesitate sending an offer."
"Wait, wait, wait," Kendrix murmured and she began pacing frantically, "I knew she hated her family but she never told me why. Are you telling me that she and you… and you're my…" She stopped and looked at Commander Stanton with tear-filled eyes. "Are you sure?"
"As I said, I've suspected this since I first saw your file, but yes, the scan confirmed it," Commander Stanton confirmed, "I am your biological father and I'm so sorry I was unable to be in your life until now.
"Your grandparents hid her trail very thoroughly so I was never able to find out where she was or even if she was doing well until I read in your file that she had died last year, which as you can imagine broke my heart," Commander Stanton said, "You look a lot like her, you know."
"Yeah, people always told us we could be sisters," Kendrix answered with a chuckle then looked at Commander Stanton with sad eyes, "I think you should know she never stopped loving you.
"She always regretted letting those bastards that call themselves my grandparents break you two apart," Kendrix remembered, "She also didn't know how to find you for the most part or where to even start trying to repair things even if she had."
"Thank you for telling me," Commander Stanton said, "I'm glad she was there for you when I couldn't be for both of you. I can't go back and I hope to be there for you as much as I can going forward."
"Look, Commander, I don't mean to interrupt and Lord knows I don't want to be rude, but I'm curious why I'm here," Johnny interjected.
"Of course, Captain Marshak, and my apologies," Commander Stanton said. He opened a drawer on his desk and took out something from inside. He looked at it then carefully tossed it to the younger man.
Johnny was able to catch the object with ease and gasped as he opened his hands and saw the object was a perfect twin for the locket pendant around his neck. He even took his out to make absolutely sure. He opened the new pendant to reveal a picture of a beautiful woman with red hair matching his own.
"She's beautiful," Kendrix said with a whistle as she looked as well though it apparently hadn't quite clicked with her yet. Johnny could only nod as he was still trying to process the locket, the picture, and the implications they brought.
"To continue my story, soon after Valerie exited my life, I turned 18 and joined the Marine Corps," Commander Stanton explained, "As I couldn't find Valerie, I wanted to just leave the life she'd been part of behind, running as many tours as I could to get as far from the memories as I could for as long as I could."
"Roughly 3 years later, I met a woman working at a restaurant on a base I'd been stationed at," Commander Stanton continued, "I knew her as Micki but her full name was Michelle Marshak." At this, Kendrix mouthed "Oh" as it finally hit her what was going on.
"At 30, Micki was several years older than I was, quite flirtatious, and very beautiful and I'd felt like I was falling in love with her and we began seeing each other," Commander Stanton said.
"I didn't know her long as she disappeared a few months later but I was still very sorry when I saw on your file she'd died giving birth to you," Commander Stanton continued, "We got those matching lockets not long before she left and I've kept mine close ever since, curious where her and it's twin was."
"How long have you known?" Johnny asked softly, finally finding his voice.
"I definitely didn't know until the scan but as with Kendrix, I suspected from both your last name and especially the moment I met you," Commander Stanton replied, "While you have some of Micki in your features, it's like I'm looking at myself in a mirror in the past."
Kendrix nodded. "Now that I've seen you two side by side, the resemblance is pretty obvious," she pointed out.
Johnny nodded, remembering the strange look Commander Stanton had given him when they first met and guessing this was what it'd been about. "This is the only picture I've ever seen of her," he murmured softly, "Could I… I mean, would you mind if I…"
"You can keep it," Commander Stanton answered with a nod, "It's only fair you have the pair after all and I have plenty of pictures of her." Johnny nodded thankfully. He unclasped the chain on his necklace and carefully added the new pendant before replacing the chain back around his neck.
"Wait, so what you're saying is you're our dad, biologically at least, and we're siblings?" Kendrix asked.
"And Jodie is also your half-sister, yes," Commander Stanton replied, "Look, I know this is crazy to spring upon you but I thought you two would want to know ASAP and thought it'd be best coming from me. Hell, I just got the results earlier and though I'd suspected it, even I wasn't quite prepared for them nor do I expect you to want to acknowledge much less welcome the news."
"I'll be honest in that I hated… well not you but what was until now my potential Father most of my life," Kendrix confessed, "Mom always had nothing but glowing things to say about him but everyone always told me she was delusional and my Father had been a horrible, abusive man and I was torn on what to believe."
"Perfectly understandable given the circumstances," Commander Stanton replied.
"However, now that I know you are a wonderful man and that her stories were 100% accurate, I'd like to be a part of your family as I always should've been," Kendrix finished.
Commander Stanton nodded, stood up, came around the desk, and Kendrix rushed into his arms. "I promise I will always be a part of your life from now on," he reassured her. He looked up Johnny over her shoulder. "Both of you."
"I'm sorry but I need time to think about this," Johnny said, watching as his father and older half-sister embrace. "I mean, I'm grateful that you've told me this and I can't thank you enough for the picture and locket, but this is all too much to take in at once and the Olivers…"
"Take all the time you need," Commander Stanton said reasonably as Kendrix pulled away, "I would never even assume I could come close to replacing Tommy as your father. I'm just asking that the 3 of us and Jodie always be a part of each other's lives since biologically, we're all each other really has." With that, he extended his hand to his son.
"Thank you, sir," Johnny said, shaking his CO's hand.
"Know that my doors, both here and to my quarters, will always be open to both of you," Commander Stanton said, "As I said, I have plenty of pictures of both Valerie and Micki, both on their own and some with them and myself, that I'm sure you two would love to see.
We can even have them scanned and printed out so you can have copies. I also have all kinds of stories to go with them if you're curious about either of your Mothers were like when I knew them."
Suddenly, a chime came from the intercom on Commander Stanton's desk. "Sir, young miss Jodie is here and asking to see you," his assistant announced.
"It's almost lunchtime so knowing her, she's here to drag me to the Comet Cafe," Commander Stanton replied dryly, "Send her on back."
"I heard that," a squeaky voice interjected through the intercom to which everyone had a good laugh. A few seconds later, Jodie came walking into the office and ran to her father, who picked her up with an exaggerated groan. She noticed Johnny a few feet away, smiled and waved. "Oh hi, Ms. Morgan, hi, Captain Johnny."
Kendrix raised an eyebrow at her newfound half-brother and Johnny was quick to regale her with the story of how he met Commander Stanton and Jodie and how the latter had insisted on calling him by rank but by his first name. She couldn't help but smile at that.
"Are you two in trouble?" Jodie asked.
"No no, they haven't done anything wrong, sweetheart," Commander Stanton said, "In fact, Kendrix here and I have recently found out she's also my daughter making her your half-sister. Captain Marshak is here on a separate matter you don't need to worry about."
"That's so cool!" Jodie exclaimed, "I've always wanted a sister!"
"So have I… little sis," Kendrix said and the two giggled.
"Would either of you like to join for lunch and maybe dinner tonight?" Commander Stanton asked the two.
"If you don't mind Leo meeting up with us as I've got plans with him for lunch, sure," Kendrix answered, looking for any reason to spend time with them.
"That's fine since I'm springing this on you so last second," Commander Stanton replied, "I hope I'm not overstepping when I say I'm glad you found him. I can tell how much you two love each other. It reminds me a lot of your Mom and I when we were together." Kendrix nodded.
"Thank you for the offer, but I've got plans with my folks tonight and Maya's probably waiting for me back at my place with lunch," Johnny said, "Thank you for clearing things up, Commander, and good seeing you again, Jodie, Kendrix. I'll tell Maya our plans have been cancelled, Kendrix." With a nod to both of his now sisters, he headed out the door.
PRLG
Not long afterward, Johnny reentered his quarters, nervously fiddling with the now twin locket pendants around his neck. Maya was at the table as he'd gotten a key fob made for her so she could come and go as she wanted, munching on some of the food she'd brought from the Comet Cafe.
"Oh hey, I hope you don't mind I decided to dig in before you got here as I haven't really had the chance to eat all day," Maya said as Johnny tossed his key fob down and sat down next to her after giving her a quick little kiss.
"That's fine, Maya," Johnny said somewhat absently.
"Are you all right?" Maya asked. Johnny usually stuck to calling her beautiful or similar so she knew something was on his mind.
"I… honestly don't know," Johnny said, "Commander Stanton dropped a couple of big bombshells on me at that meeting and I'm still trying to process it."
"Oh, you mean like he's your biological Dad?" Maya asked then giggled at Johnny's jaw dropping, "I'm sorry I didn't say anything but I thought it'd be best if he did. I kind of figured it out when you introduced him to me the other day. You look too much like him for it to be a coincidence."
"Yeah, Kendrix also said something like that when she saw the two of us together," Johnny admitted with a chuckle.
"Wait, Kendrix was there?" Maya asked confused for a moment then her eyes widened as it clicked, "No way, she's your…"
"Half-sister as is his other daughter, Jodie, yeah," Johnny replied, "It explains a lot when I think about it. I felt kind of drawn to all 3 from the first time I met them and now I know why. Movie plans are out by the way unless you want it to be just you and me. She's probably going to spend the day with them along with Leo."
"So, what's the problem?" Maya asked.
"It's not a problem exactly or at least not with them," Johnny said, "They're amazing people that I want in my life and vice versa. It's just… I don't know quite how to process it yet. For starters, what am I going to tell Mom and Dad? They've been so wonderful for so long that…"
"You feel like you'd be betraying them by wanting to know your biological family," Maya finished.
"Yeah, I know I'm feeling silly as they'll just be happy for me," Johnny answered, "It's just one of those things that haunt orphans that find a good family to adopt them. It doesn't often come out right when they find their biological family and it just kind of makes the rest of us hesitant."
"All I can say is talk to them," Maya said, "Who knows, they might even know by either him approaching them when he started figuring it out or like me, they worked it out by themselves because of the uncanny resemblance or even both."
Johnny nodded as he knew Maya was right. "Thanks, beautiful," he said, I guess I just needed someone else to point that out to me."
"It's the least I can do after you and Kendrix have been good to me since losing Mirinoi," Maya replied with a warm smile, "I can never thank either of you enough or the other guys and Cassie for that day."
"I'm sure Kendrix would agree that you being our friend and in my case an amazing girlfriend is more than thanks enough," Johnny said, "I just wish we could've done more. The Megaship can only hold so many but we could've evacuated more of your people."
"You did what you could," Maya reassured Johnny, "Furio's petrification wave seemed to target at least those of us with Quasar Sabers so we had very little room to maneuver as we retreated to the Megaship while you were lost on an unfamiliar planet. We were lucky enough to get away like we did, especially you from what you've told me."
Johnny nodded. "He also gave me this second necklace with a picture of my Mom, Micki Marshak," he said. He opened it so Maya could see.
"She was very beautiful," Maya said.
"Yeah, she was," Johnny said, "I just wish I knew more about her. Commander Stanton promised Kendrix and I that he'd tell us as much as he can about when he knew our Moms, but he said he hadn't really dated mine long before she disappeared. There's so much I'll never know."
"I know what you mean," Maya admitted, "Grampa Jera and Gramma Su tried their best to at least fill me in on what my parents were like, but I can't help but wish I could've known them better."
"It makes you feel alone," Johnny said, "Yeah, even though I mostly had good fosters and Mom and Dad are amazing parents and Aaron's a bratty but amazing brother, I still have never quite shaken off the feeling of being alone… until I came to Terra Venture and met everyone I have now… and especially after I met you."
Maya couldn't help but grin broadly at that sweet statement as Johnny kissed her. "Same," she said simply.
PRLG
Later that day, Maya was a little nervous as her and Johnny stood outside the Olivers' family quarters hand in hand. While they'd been very welcoming when she'd met them before, she still felt like an outsider. Her boyfriend could sense what was on her mind and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Hey, it'll be all right," Johnny's said, "Mom already adores you and I just know Dad will too. As for the little monster, as long as you don't mind him talking your ear off about video games, you'll be his best friend forever… or at least as long as it takes for him to get bored of you." Maya chuckled.
Johnny barely even waved his hand over the doorplate before it opened and a small missile shot into his arms, making him lose his grip on Maya's hand to haul his little brother up in a hug. "Uncle Johnny!" Aaron shrieked.
Maya thought it was weird Aaron referred to Johnny as uncle but shrugged it off as the boy noticed her and suddenly became very shy, giving her a quiet little wave as he buried his head in his brother's neck. She couldn't help but smile as she waved back. She didn't blame him for the shyness as he'd only seen her twice and even then only briefly.
"Aaron Quentin Oliver, what have I told you about running at your brother like that?" Kim gently chided as she joined them just outside the doorway. Johnny transferred Aaron to their Mom, who set him on her hip as she gave the couple hugs and led them inside.
Tommy was setting the table and waved when he noticed the two come in. "Almost ready and I hope you two brought an appetite with you," he called, "Kim made enough of a meal to feed the whole Squadron I think, though to Rocky it'd just be a small meal."
Kim bopped her husband as Johnny and the Olivers all laughed while Maya just chuckled, not quite getting the joke. "Rocky's notorious for eating way too much," Johnny explained, "We went on a survival simulation a few months back and had to call it off a little early because he had our rations eaten in no time."
"Want to play Pokemon Diamond with me?" Aaron asked his brother.
"I'm going to help Mom and Dad set up but Maya might, buddy," Johnny said. Maya nodded. He'd borrowed Pearl from Aaron for her to play and she enjoyed it a lot so he'd bought her a copy of her own and let her use his old DS Lite.
As Johnny went to help his parents setting the table, Maya pulled her DS out of her purse and she took a seat at the couch with Aaron, who had apparently gotten the shyness out of his system the moment he found out she played too, leaning against her arm to show her little tricks.
"Hey, Mom, Dad, I was wondering something so I'm just going to come out and ask," Johnny softly said as he joined his folks in the dining area, "Commander Stanton had a meeting with me earlier. Did you know he was my biological father?"
"Yeah, he approached me when he got your file," Tommy answered, "I know we should've told you but he wanted to say something first." Johnny nodded.
"How does it feel to have a little sister now as well a brother?" Kim asked. She knew her boys had always wanted a sister to balance out the family and she would've loved to have had a daughter too but after his little brother, she'd had a few miscarriages that had been very scary, almost dying with the last one, so they'd reluctantly just settled on the two.
"Sisters as it turns out Kendrix is also his daughter," Johnny corrected, "It's going well enough but I'm still trying to just wrap my head around the idea, but I'm pretty close to Kendrix and Jodie is as adorable as the little monster. I just wanted to talk to you two before I really embrace them all as part of my family. Just know that you'll always be my parents."
"We know and thanks," Tommy said as both him and Kim hugged Johnny.
"Is the food ready?" Aaron asked impatiently and they all laughed.
PRLG
Maya found the dinner with Johnny and his family as heartwarming as she thought it would be, putting any fears she had of not fitting in right out of her head. She couldn't help but smile at the thought that his parents were as close to a mirror of them in about 10 years as you could get and she'd love to have kids as adorable and full of life as Aaron.
'Maybe when the Carnivale comes around we can start working on that,' Maya thought, looking over at Johnny as he was debating with Aaron over who the better Legendary Pokémon was between Dialga and Palkia. He noticed and grinned back at her with a wink. 'Whenever it happens, I know he'll be an amazing Dad.'
Maya and Johnny were both still grinning from ear to ear an hour later as he walked her back to her quarters hand in hand. "I had an amazing time tonight," Maya said, "You have a wonderful family."
"Thanks though I'd like to think of them as your family now too," Johnny said. Maya nodded. "So, what was that look you were giving me earlier, by the way? I kind of felt like something Kendrix would be examining under a microscope."
Maya hesitated. Though she always strived to tell the truth whenever possible, she didn't quite know how to broach this subject aloud. "I just couldn't help but think the dinner was a window into the future," she said, "Your folks are what I'd like to think we'll be like at their age and Aaron… well…"
"Wouldn't be that different from any kids we have," Johnny finished, "Yeah, the thought occurred to me too. I'd love for us to have at least a couple of munchkins running around when that day comes around." Most guys would be put off by that kind of talk especially this early into a relationship but he welcomed it as he saw them being together forever.
Maya couldn't help but kiss Johnny at that. "I'd love that too," she said.
Johnny wasn't too surprised when they found Leo and his sister outside the door to hers and Maya's quarters and the scene before them looked like it was getting fairly steamy. He raised a finger to his lips with a sly wink as he glanced over at his girlfriend as he crept up to stand behind his buddy.
"Mr. Corbett, I sure hope you don't have the intention of seducing my sister in the middle of this hallway!" Johnny suddenly announced in a jokingly serious tone that mimicked Commander Stanton. He couldn't help but grin as Leo sprang back from Kendrix, bumping into him.
Kendrix glared at her Johnny as well as Maya, who was cracking up. "Damn it, Johnny, we weren't anywhere near that… wait…" she started to say but paused in the middle of her rant when what he said broke through, "Sister? You mean…"
Johnny nodded. "It's still going to be kind of weird for a while with the Commander as I've already got a wonderful Dad with Tommy, but I always intended to keep you and Jodie in my life as my sisters," he assured Kendrix.
Kendrix smiled as she stepped forward and hugged her not so little brother tightly, giving Johnny a tender kiss on the forehead as she pulled away. "Sorry, my Mom always did that when bidding me good night, even after I was grown," she said, "She even insisted on it when she was…" She had to stop at that and her friends knew why she couldn't finish the sentence.
Johnny gave Kendrix a sympathetic smile before turning his gaze to Leo. "I'm not going to go into the full overprotective brother bit but I do feel the need to say never hurt her and we're good," he said simply, extending his hand.
Leo looked relieved as they shook hands. "I love her and would sooner die first than deliberately hurt her," he promised Johnny. Kendrix beamed at that. After giving their respective girlfriends a kiss good night, the two guys went their separate ways as well.
PRLG
A few days later
Jodie tried not to roll her eyes as Mrs. Stark droned on. She was part of a field trip to the bell tower in the plaza and she was already getting bored. She smiled at Aaron, who was listening with rapt attention.
Jodie had volunteered to be Aaron's field trip buddy. Her brother… she had squealed quite loudly at that when her Dad had told her… had asked her to keep an eye on his little brother and she took her promise very seriously. Besides, he was about her age and she enjoyed talking to him.
Aaron tugged on Jodie's sleeve and whispered something to her. "Mrs. Stark, Aaron needs to use the bathroom," she called out, "Would you mind if I take him?" She pointed to a Men's Room that wasn't too far around the corner.
Mrs. Stark hesitated. She tended to be reluctant to let kids out of her sight but knew Jodie to be quite responsible and even Aaron took that after his brother as well. "That's fine, dear," she said after a moment, "Just keep a close eye on him please."
Jodie nodded. Aaron held his hand out to her and she took it as she led him just down the hall towards the bathroom. She ducked her head in to see if anyone was inside and not seeing anyone, waved him inside. "Won't you get in trouble being in here with me?" he asked as he stepped into one of the stalls.
"Maybe but it doesn't matter," Jodie said, "Not only did I promise Johnny I'd look after you but I'm following Mrs. Stark's instructions of keeping an eye on you but you might want to hurry just in case."
Aaron unzipped and carefully hopped up on the toilet. "Since uncle Johnny's our brother, does that kind of make us siblings too?" he asked, "Much as I love him, I've always wanted a sister too and you and Kendrix are soooo cool and Maya even told me I can call her sis or even aunt Maya too."
"Sure if you want… bro," Jodie said with a grin and they both giggled. Suddenly, she heard a weird noise outside the door and carefully ducked her head out and to her shock, Sting Wingers surrounded their classmates.
Letting the door close, Jodie dashed for one of the other stalls and locked herself in, hopping up on the toilet and pulling her legs up on the seat as well. "Aaron, make as little noise as you can and make sure nothing can be seen under the stall," she called out.
"What's going on?" Aaron asked as he did what she said.
"There are some of those gross buggy things the Rangers fight outside," Jodie explained, "If they come in, hopefully they're even dumber than they look and won't make sure anyone's in here."
"I'm scared, sis," Aaron murmured softly.
"Don't be," Jodie reassured her new brother, "You'll see, the Rangers will be here soon to rescue all of us. We just have to stay quiet and in here until they do."
They heard the door open and Jodie could see a Sting Winger through the sides of the stall door as it ducked it's head in and look under the stalls before shrugging and leaving. She let out a sigh of relief, hoping the cavalry would come soon.
PRLG
Johnny was doing a little window shopping in the mall with Maya when their morphers communicators went off. "Rangers, Scorpius has sent down a monster and some Sting Wingers to the plaza and has taken some kids hostage," Alpha reported.
"On it, Alpha," Maya replied then noticed Johnny had gone pale, "What's wrong?"
"Aaron and Jodie's grades were scheduled for a field trip to the bell tower," Johnny said. Maya nodded. They quickly found a bathroom to morph and teleport out of.
"Go Galactic!" they both called out, hitting the activation button on their morphers and a few seconds later, they were ready for action and teleporting away.
They teleported into the plaza to find it a melee. The others were already there trying to help whoever they could. "I'm going to go check the bell tower to make sure the kids and especially Aaron and Jodie are all right," Johnny said, "You help the others." Maya nodded and they parted ways.
Johnny was breathing hard by the time he go to the bell tower but knew he couldn't slow down. He rushed through the door and heard voices coming from down the hall. He started heading down it but whispering brought his attention to a nearby bathroom.
Hoping the voices were as familiar as he thought, Johnny rushed into the bathroom, only to find it was empty. "Anyone in here?" he called out, trying to make his voice sound different with a little Australian accent he'd been working on. Thankfully neither had heard him use it before.
A very familiar squealing sound came from the stalls and two pairs of feet appeared from two of them and Johnny was relieved to see his siblings come rushing out and hug him. "Thank you for saving us, White Galaxy Ranger," Jodie said.
"You're welcome, miss, but it's not quite a rescue just yet as I still need to help the others in your group and get all of you out of here," Johnny replied, "Give me a couple of minutes to make sure the coast is clear, then run out the front entrance. The rest of my team are dealing with more not too far away and they'll help you."
"Yes, sir," Jodie said and Aaron nodded. Johnny winced at that. He never thought he'd be called sir, especially by his own siblings. He smiled when he noticed they were holding each others hands though.
Johnny made sure there weren't any Sting Wingers around then waved Jodie and Aaron out. They went running for the entrance while he headed down the hall towards the noise of Sting Wingers. He found them pacing around the big group of kids and their teacher, all of whom looked terrified.
"Aw, is this warm reception for me?" Johnny called out tauntingly and the Sting Wingers turned to him and started blasting at him. A few quick movements and his Vortex Scimitar absorbed the shots and it and his visor glowed briefly. "Ooh, thanks for the charge, idiots, now bring it."
It didn't take long for Johnny to send the Sting Wingers packing and he turned to the kids and their teacher, who he realized he'd saved the night of the carnival and he saw her daughter Stacie among the kids.
Both raised their finger to their lips and grinned, something the members of the group that night often did anytime Johnny randomly spotted them in public. He returned the first part of the gesture and was even grinning under his helmet.
Before he could say anything, Johnny felt his heart almost stop as he heard two very familiar voices yelling from somewhere behind him. "That sounds like Jodie and Aaron," Mrs. Stark pointed out, so worried she didn't bother adding their last names to hide he knew them.
"Don't worry, I'll get them out safely," Johnny promised, "You take the rest out the back and be careful." Mrs. Stark nodded and began shepherding her charges away as he made a 180 and ran back to where he'd entered the building.
Just inside the front entrance, Johnny found a monster confronting his siblings. To his horror, it even had its hand raised as if to strike Jodie, who was defiantly standing between it and Aaron, who was also glaring at it. "Move back," he called out and his siblings did.
Taking a running start, Johnny made a feet first baseball slide that would ensure him a place in the MLB, swinging his Vortex Scimitar as the hand started coming down, almost gutting the creature and knocking it back.
Johnny quickly got back to his feet and opened the door, ushering Jodie and Aaron out. He felt a blast hit his back and while his suit soaked up the energy, the momentum of the cheap shot still sent him flying out the door. His crash onto the ground wasn't pleasant but at least the suit cushioned the impact.
Maya came running over and helped Johnny up. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"The suit took the worst of it so as long as Jodie and Aaron are safe, I'm fine," Johnny answered. He was relieved when he saw the 2 running towards Mrs. Stark and their classmates. He turned to Maya. "Ready to roast this turkey, beautiful?"
"Absolutely," Maya said and they charged the monster. Johnny went first, blocking a swing while she ducked under his arm in a rising strike with her Quasar Saber in the underhanded style the team commonly used, bent over, and he flipped over her with another strike.
The two took turns blocking or dodging shots then the other taking one of their own for several minutes. They'd been working on this strategy on the Simudeck so they were a pretty cohesive duo. It ended with them both charging up their swords and slashing the monster, knocking it down.
Johnny groaned as the monster got up and pulled a strange flask out of nowhere. Scopi-ass had stepped up his game recently by starting to make his monsters grow.
Luckily, the other Galaxy Rangers had found giant Galactabeasts that had been helping them defeat the creatures alongside the Astro Megaship. He'd been with Maya, Leo, and Damon when they freed them and was admittedly a little jealous his teammates all got one, though he knew it was just a matter of time before he found his own.
Leo then tried joining the GSA under Kai's mentorship but it didn't work out after a bunch of mishaps, including a monster getting in and destroying some of the armory. They'd stopped him and even found in his collection a set of daggers that could transform the Galactabeasts into Galactazords.
While he didn't have his own Galactabeast/zord, Johnny also wasn't useless as he often helped Alpha with the Megaship. While they didn't have the shuttle to turn it into the Megazord, it was still useful in Megaship mode.
The others teleported to their Zords but Johnny needed to check on his sister and brother before heading out, so he quickly made his way over to the group of kids. "Everybody all right?" he asked, making sure he kept his voice different.
Mrs. Stark and all of the kids nodded. "Thank you, White Galaxy Ranger," they called out in unison.
"The bus is a couple of blocks away," Mrs. Stark explained, "Would you mind escorting us there since there's knows how many Sting Wingers there could still be around here?"
Johnny nodded as he was just about to suggest that himself. He saw them onto the bus before teleporting to the Megaship's bridge to find Alpha using it to fly circles around the monster to keep it distracted while the Rangers combined their Galactazords.
"Sorry it took me a few minutes but I needed to see Jodie and Aaron and the rest of their class to safety," Johnny explained as he slid into a chair at the gunnery console. Alpha nodded and they got to work.
"Jodie, Aaron, and the other kids get away safe?" Maya asked after they opened the comma.
"Last I saw, yeah," Johnny answered, "How about we give them an amazing view of you guys kicking this thing's ass as they head back to school?" The others laughed and agreed.
Between Johnny in the gunnery chair and Alpha's flying skills, the other Galaxy Rangers had plenty of time to get ready. Once the Megazord was complete, they stepped in, punching and kicking the monster, behind which the Megaship was hovering, carefully blasting it every chance they got. Eventually, it was wasted with a swipe of its sword.
PRLG
A little while later, Johnny and Kendrix headed for their Dad's office after he checked on Aaron. They could already hear Jodie jabbering on about how the Galaxy Rangers saved the day and the White Galaxy Ranger saved her and Aaron specifically. "I bet he's cute," she told their Dad.
Kendrix couldn't help but smirk at Johnny, who chuckled. 'Just my luck, my little sister might have a crush on my alter ego,' he mused. They entered the office a few seconds later. "Mom and Dad just told us about the attack on the plaza," he said as they rushed to Jodie and hugged her, "Are you all right, sis?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Jodie said, "We hid in the bathroom until the new White Galaxy Ranger came and saved us! He was so awesome and he had this dreamy accent. Mrs. Stark said he saved her and Stacie at that carnival last month. That's so cool! We saw them taking the monster out as we left."
The adults all chuckled as Jodie had to take a moment to breathe. "Aaron told me how you stood up to that monster for him," Johnny said, giving his little sister a kiss on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you for that."
"I promised you I'd look out for him and I always try to keep my promises," Jodie replied.
"I know you do and thank you," Johnny said, "When I left, he was babbling on about how brave you were." Jodie blushed at that. "He also said he's glad to have you as a sister and he loves you." She beamed. She was so glad that two siblings by blood came into her life and brought 3 more honorary ones. He looked up at their father. "Sir, about the other day…" he started.
"It's all right," Commander Stanton said, knowing what was on his son's mind. "I put a lot on your shoulders that day, both of you, and your reaction was what I expected given the sudden news. I'm just glad you want us in your life."
"There was no way I didn't want you in it at all," Johnny said, "I just needed a little time to get some perspective and talk things out with Mom and Dad. Whatever happens, we will always be in each others lives." With that, the little family of 4 embraced in a group hug.
PRLG
Somewhere on Terra Venture, someone was watching on as they watched from afar as Johnny and Maya sat down with their friends at the Comet Cafe. They couldn't help but feel jealous as the couple's closeness and tears welled up when they shared a sweet kiss.
"Are you all right, Yolanda?"
A beautiful young Hispanic woman turned to the voice. It was her Mom, Esmeralda, who was feeding her daughter, Michelle. "I'm fine," Yoli replied softly, turning away with one last glance at her ex and his new girlfriend and taking the spoon from her Mom to feed her daughter herself.
Esmeralda searched the tables in the direction Yoli had been been looking in and wasn't too surprised at her reaction when she saw the young man that had come so close to being her son-in-law with his arms around a beautiful young woman. She knew her daughter was still heartbroken over him leaving her though she'd understood why he had.
"Did you know he was going to take part in Terra Venture?" Esmeralda asked.
Yoli nodded. "We'd even planned on it after I gave birth," she answered, "He didn't want me to know but he'd been planning on proposing and having a quick wedding because that was the best way for me to come as they'd quit taking civilians into consideration and he could only bring family. I was lucky you were able to get slotted in as an independent security consultant and bring us along."
Esmeralda nodded. "You should talk to him," she said, "I know how miserable you've been since he left. Johnny's a wonderful young man, so maybe you two can finally make things more amicable."
Yoli nodded. "I'll try but he looks happy with that girl and I wouldn't want him to think I'm trying to split them apart," she replied. Esmeralda just shook her head at her daughter's stubbornness.
PRLG
Even though it'd been two weeks since the incident, Trakeena still couldn't get the night she'd gone to Terra Venture and posed as a citizen out of her mind. She'd been going back off and on but that night really stuck in her mind.
Scorpius had sent Trakeena to do some recon trying to find info on the then 5 Galaxy Rangers and had been as surprised as her when a White Galaxy Ranger showed up that night.
Though she'd never admit to herself much less her father, Trakeena's breath had been taken away by the newest Ranger when he'd "saved" her from a staged ambush the night of their carnival.
Trakeena had found the White Galaxy Ranger quite attractive and she'd been very surprised that he didn't hesitate to help those in need even though he apparently couldn't morph most of that night, not even backing down when he had broken his arm.
'I must have him,' Trakeena mused, 'That silly little Yellow twit probably has no clue about the treasure in her unworthy hands so I'll just have to relieve her of it. Father will be glad when I'm able to bring him to our side and he'll be a great trophy for my collection.'
With that, Trakeena looked out to the many things in her private little storeroom aboard the Scorpion Stinger. It was quite the menagerie of random beautiful objects she'd collected from Scorpius' victims. The most noticeable was a huge white owl like creature, who watched her with glowing eyes.
To be continued…
Note from the author: So, what did you think? I know, I'm probably pushing the tie between Johnny, Kendrix, and Commander and Jodie Stanton a little too quickly too soon, but like Johnny and Maya getting together last story, I just wanted to get it off my chest.
Also, any thoughts on what yes will be Johnny's Galactabeast/zord? When it comes to what it looks like exactly, think Hedwig from Harry Potter. Anyway, be here next time when things start really heating up when Johnny finds his love life really taking a turn and as always, Catch ya on the flipside.