Roads Less Traveled (But Roads Travel Anyway): Trough
By: M14Mouse
Summary: When a stranger shows up during Theo's morning yoga, he is slightly annoyed. Then he kept coming back. AU: Theo joins Wind Ninja Academy instead of Pai Zhaq
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
For my brother who kept harassing me to post this story.
Theo would like to point out that his life wasn't too exciting.
School, homework, ninja training, preventing his brother from doing stupid things, and hanging out with his friends.
Sometimes, he would annoy his twin brother.
Now, when he was younger, he did get to see the power rangers in action almost every week. That was exciting in all the good and bad ways. First, power rangers are superheroes. Almost every kid in his class wanted to be one. They could fight and had super cool weapons. With it came the bad. The monster alerts that fill the air. How the ground shook as power rangers and the monster fought. How close those parts of buildings would fall on his head.
As he got older, he realized how damn terrifying everything was during those times. Why would his parents always talk about leaving?
Then he got older and somehow, he got to pick to train with those same rangers that saved their city made him super excited and almost giggly. Of course, he got over it especially after seeing Master Hanson drop a ton of water on Master Clarke's head for saying something about her hair.
He started to learn their history…
His brother would point out that he was a power ranger geek and he couldn't be too surprised. He rolled his eyes and pointed out that it doesn't work that way. Master Hanson often explained that they pick students that had potential. How does that work? He had no clue.
She said they never reveal that secret until you become a Master yourself.
It made sense even if he did want to know and may or may not made Master Brooks tell him and his friends.
He had enough potential to train under Master Hanson, who was the best.
He was a water ninja after all. So, he might have a slight bias.
He had a schedule until….
Until this Master Swoop showed up one morning during his morning yoga sessions…
Before school, he always goes into their backyard, he would set up his mat to meditate or do yoga.
He almost didn't sense the man until he was almost on him.
He didn't want to make this Master Swoop aware that he knew that he was there.
So, he might have channeled some water to drop the stranger's head.
The Master didn't seem to upset. In fact, he almost seemed amused.
His first impression of this Master Swoop was…well…interesting. He was as tall, blind, heavy set built, and mysterious as his brother would say…like those dudes in the Matrix movies. He snorted. His brother did have a point especially because he was wearing the same black outfit and sunglasses every day. It didn't help that his "supposed" name was Master Swoop which sent his brother into a laughing fit and said that was one of the worse aliases that he has ever heard of.
Honestly, the name wasn't a big deal…it was where he was from. Master Swoop said that he was Pai Zhaq…
Of course, he knew what Pai Zhaq was from his studies at Wind Ninja Academy. Instead of martial arts and elements like Wind Ninja, they focus on animal spirits and their own form of fighting which was impressive.
Even if he has no idea how he trained, he got to say that Master Swoop is good.
Not as good as Master Hanson but…whatever….
"Good morning," A voice said behind him.
And he just shows up whenever….
He glanced over his shoulder to see Master Swoop, standing behind him.
"Morning," He said as he got out of his sleeping dog pose.
There was a moment of silence. He could tell Master Swoop was amused by the smile on his face. Wish he would just leave or go bug someone else.
"So, what brings you here this morning?"
"I have spoken to your Master," Master Swoop said.
"And how was that conversation?" He asked.
Master Hanson was one of the most levelheaded of the Masters and probably didn't give Master Swoop an inch. Most of all, she was protective of him and his fellow students. When he showed up to say that he needed him to go with him to do something, that answer was no.
Master Swoop looked at him like he grew a second head.
He wasn't that dumb. Master level or not. Pai Zhaq or not. Part of the ranger team or not. He wasn't going with the stranger.
There were reasons.
A: He could be a villain.
B: Mind controlled.
C: Imposter.
D: Shapeshifter.
E: Alien.
F: Illusion.
G: Minion
H: Trailor.
I: All of the above.
J: None of the above and it is something new.
After a few days of Master Swoop not taking the answer no, he called Master Hanson and explained the situation to her. She said that she will be there shortly. When she did show up, there was a staring match. Finally, Master Hanson nodded before they vanished into the woods. He was curious of course but he had class and he had to make sure that his brother didn't drown in his oatmeal before he had his cup of coffee again. It's only funny after the third time that it happened. After that, he became sad and concerned. He was pretty sure that Master Hanson would tell him later.
"It could have been better," Master Swoop said honestly.
"And?"
"She believes that it is your decision."
"Wonderful then I'm going to ask Master Hanson," He said.
Master Swoop just sighed.
Well…tough.
End of Trough
Next Chapter: Period
A/N: What is this?! A new power ranger fic that isn't birthday related in 2024. Wha…? This is actually an old half-finished power ranger story that I found. So, I dusted it off and finished it. I believe that it was based on a one shot that I wrote many years before this one. This story has 7 parts and will be posted every other week or so. Read and Review if you wish.