See chapter 1 for Story notes. Thanks for the reviews! Please consider leaving feedback. It really helps and is much appreciated. Here is individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yep, everyone is safe and yes, Hunter is going to propose to Tori. Glad you're enjoying.
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Thunderstruck
Chapter 15: Home Sweet Home
"And more news out of Mexico tonight. The story first broke early this morning that one of Mexico's most notorious drug lord's and his top operatives have been arrested. Palo Vasquez has been linked to drug dealing, smuggling, and related murders in various cities all over California in the past several years. Thanks to two undercover government agents, who are not being named, his operation has suffered a serious blow," the reporter said, as the man turned the television in his large office off.
He turned in his chair and stood up to gaze over the pristine cityscape from his corner office. His past was shrouded in mystery to most, though no one had ever bothered to dig that far. His new identity, unlike him, was only a decade old. He once had a very different life, but he was betrayed by his wife, her family, and his ninja brethren. He was tossed in a prison cell and his son was ripped away from him. His eyes went black with dark ninja magic at the thought of everything that was done to him. But he had risen and managed to escape prison, but no one suspected. Like a snake, he had shed his former identity when he walked away from the burning prison and like a baptism of fire, he was made anew on that night. And he wasted no time in making a new life for himself…and plotting a careful, intricate revenge.
Gridiron Industries was the leading supplier of energy in the country and a frontrunner in the world. They also manufactured weapons, having several contracts with the U.S. Government, in their weapons division. They also had an extensive interest in technology and manufactured the latest tech gear and devices and even energy efficient appliances. CEO Jared Zale had built his company from the ground up, founding it in 1998 with his first energy efficient appliances, marketing them as the future in home convenience of the 21st century. Entrance into the world of technology had further catapulted his business into a multimillion dollar company.
But it was his weapons division and contracts with the government, as well as his constant research into various forms of alternative energy sources and advancements in clean, affordable energy that sprang his company into the now multibillion dollar conglomerate that it was. Gridiron Industries also donated millions per year to charities and employed thousands.
But Jared Zale was not everything he appeared to be on the outside. With his weapons and technology factions came the allure of the drug underbelly that was rampant in the country. Everything from the illegal ones to the legal pharmaceuticals that were supposed to be prescribed only by physicians. The face of the drug world had faces like Palo Vasquez's, the self proclaimed Top Dog. But he was a small working part in a much bigger machine. Men like Jared Zale, dressed in their fifteen hundred dollar Armani suits didn't get their hands dirty, nor were they the face of evil. But Jared's ambitions went far behind the drug network. He practically owned the criminal underworld and knew things that he wasn't supposed to know. And he knew for certain that two government agents didn't take down Palo's operation alone. He would meet with his underlings and discover exactly what had gone on, though he had a pretty good idea. But first, he had a meeting to tend to, as his intercom beeped.
"Yes Karla?" he asked.
"Your one o'clock is here, Mr. Zale," she answered.
"Send them in. You may take your lunch break now," he said.
"Thank you Sir," she replied. A few seconds later, a woman dressed in an expensive looking pantsuit walked in. She was a beautiful Caucasian woman with raven colored hair and a slim, fit figure.
"Ms. Cho, thank you for coming. Please have a seat," he said. She did so and he sat across from her behind his desk.
"Do you have any leads?" he asked.
"The team you have provided seems to be competent enough, but it will still take time and resources," she replied.
"Money is not an issue, as long as you get the objects I seek," he replied.
"That we both seek. Don't forget our agreement. You wouldn't even know the existence of these artifacts if not for me," she corrected. He smirked.
"Of course, just make sure you keep other treasure hunters like Andrew Hartford off your trail," he warned.
"Andrew Hartford is consumed by finding the jewels of the Corona Aurora. He has no clue that something more powerful exists. The ancient scroll that speaks of the Storm prisms has been lost for centuries. My husband found it a few years ago by pure chance, hidden on the mountain of lost ninjas," she replied.
"Then I hope you put my money to good use and find them," he insisted.
"I will, but I need time. They have been lost for centuries and this is a very big planet, but I will find them. The air, water, earth, ice, lightning and thunder prisms are yours, which will allow you to control the entire planet's energy supply. And I will keep the dark prism for my purposes," she replied.
"Mind if I ask what those purposes are?" Jared asked.
"That's for me to know, but trust me, my side is the one you want to be on when I get that prism," she replied.
"Duly noted," he stated, as she rose from her seat.
"I am assuming for the check I'm writing you that you have the information I asked for?" he questioned. She smirked and tossed a folder onto his desk. The contents partially spilled out, revealing photos of several young people and information about them. He handed her the check.
"Happy hunting, keep me informed," Jared called, as she saw herself out.
A few days later
"You wanted to see us, Captain?" Jack asked, as he and Alana peeked inside their superior's office. They had a very good idea, seeing as Jason Scott and Billy Cranston, as well as Rocky Desantos and Eugene Skullovich sat in the office, but they played their part perfectly, acting as if they didn't know the other four men.
"Yes, Jack and Alana, please come in," Captain Donovan said, as he motioned them in.
"Jack and Alana, this is SSA Jason Lee Scott of the FBI, and his partner, Dr. William Cranston," he introduced, as they shook hands.
"And these are Detectives Rocky Desantos and Eugene Skullovich of the Angel Grove Police Department," he continued.
"Nice to meet all of you," Jack said.
"Sir, is this about the special task force briefing we received?" Alana asked, cutting to the chase.
"Yes, we've chosen the two of you to join this specialized task force, with Agent Scott as your team leader, if you accept, that is," Donovan replied.
"We talked about it this morning and we've decided that we'd like to accept the offer," Jack answered.
"Excellent," Donovan said.
"We'll start meeting regularly in a couple weeks. Dr. Cranston and I are taking time off to move our families," Jason said, as they shook hands. Jack nodded.
"We've also taken some time in the next two weeks to spend with our daughter," Jack mentioned.
"Perfect, we'll meet again in two weeks," Jason replied, as they filed out of the office.
Hunter put down the wrench, as he tightened the final bolt. He was helping Kelly out today since he had a light class load at the Academy.
"Hey, how's that repair coming?" Kelly asked, as she popped into the back room.
"Just finished. That repair guy that you hired doesn't know what he's doing, you know," Hunter mentioned.
"You don't have to worry about Joe anymore. He lied on his resume about his experience as a mechanic so I fired him yesterday," Kelly replied. Hunter shook his head.
"Who applies for a job they can't possibly know how to do?" he asked rhetorically.
"Oh dear, sweet, naive Hunter, you'd be surprised at how many people embellish their resumes and boast about all their supposed qualifications," she mused. He smirked and then saw her sorting through the mail.
"Hey...did anything from Blake come for me?" Hunter asked.
"You mean your mother's ring?" Kelly asked. Hunter sighed.
"Who told you? It was Dustin, wasn't it?" Hunter asked. Kelly smirked.
"Relax...Blake called me and told me to be looking for it since it's a very valuable piece of mail," Kelly replied, as she handed him the small box.
"Thanks Kel," he said, as he tore it open and dug out the small blue velvet ring case.
"Well...let's see the rock you're going to be putting on Tori's finger," Kelly said eagerly.
"If she says yes," Hunter mentioned. Kelly smacked his arm.
"She's crazy about you, so stop worrying," she scolded, as he opened the case and showed her.
"Wow...what a rock!" Kelly said, admiring the blue diamond set among a border of smaller white diamonds on a band of a silver gold.
"It's been passed down for several generations in the Bradley family, which is good for me, because I'd never be able to afford a ring even half this size," Hunter replied. Kelly tilted her head.
"You know that Tori wouldn't care if you got her a ring out of a gumball machine, right?" Kelly asked. Hunter smiled and nodded.
"I know...but I want her to have this ring. My parents had a very strong marriage and I want us to have that too," he replied. Kelly squeezed his arm.
"You will, believe me, what you two have is so special, it's obvious to everyone," she assured him. He nodded.
"Thanks Kel, I'm gonna go unless you need anything else?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No, get out of here. I need to interview some new candidates and hope I can find a mechanic that's half as good as you," Kelly replied, as she shooed him out.
Secluded in the woods behind the Thunder Academy, Zara secretly practiced the forbidden dark ninja arts. It was twilight and most students were eating dinner, Sensei Omino was secluded in his study, and Leann and Hunter were gone for the evening, so it made for the perfect time to practice without getting caught. Her eyes were solid black, as purple lightning crackled from her body and an orb of dark energy hovered between her palms. She poured all her anger and hate into the energy, before releasing it into the sky. She watched it disappear and suddenly sensed that she was being watched.
"Whoever is there...you had better show yourselves," she snapped.
"Temper, temper darling," a woman scolded, as she appeared from behind the trees in a similar uniform, though hers bore the dark symbol that those belonging to her husband's sect of ninjas wore.
"Mom...you're back," Zara replied.
"For the moment. I was actually on my way to Hawaii, but I needed to see you first," Tamara Cho said, as she hugged her daughter.
"What's in Hawaii? Have you found a prism?" Zara asked in a hushed whisper. Tamara shook her head, but was beaming a smile.
"No, but it's better than that. He's alive, sweetheart," Tamara said in excitement.
"You mean...father? But how?" she exclaimed. Tamara shook her head.
"I don't know...but he is still recovering from what my source tells me. He's not even awake yet, but I must confirm that it's the truth," she replied.
"I want to go with you!" Zara begged.
"No darling, I need you here. You must prepare for the coming alignment in one year's time and having you on the inside watching these traitors will be very useful. Your father will be so proud," Tamara replied. Zara nodded.
"If it means helping father finally come to power, then I will do what I must. I just can't wait to crush them all!" Zara exclaimed.
"Patience my dear, as your father was always fond of saying, revenge is a dish best served cold," she reminded. Zara smirked.
"And one to be savored while the blood of our enemies stains our hands," she recited.
"Keep preparing. Our plans haven't changed. We must be ready," she reminded. Zara nodded.
"Safe trip, mom. In one year's time, we will rule this world and those that have crossed us will pay," Zara said. Tamara smiled.
"You are your father's daughter," Tamara replied proudly, as she ninja streaked away, leaving Zara alone again. She knew dinner hour would soon be over, so she gathered her things and headed back to school grounds.
Hunter found her where he usually did at sunset and he sat down, watching as she trekked in from the water. He saw her sketchbook and idly leafed through it. He knew she wouldn't care and he loved looking at her talent. She wanted to design surfboards and he was behind her all the way. Even Kelly offered to let her sell them in her store for a fair cut until they saved enough money to buy her a small shop. He turned the page to one that he hadn't seen before, obviously something she had only recently drawn. It was a board with tendrils of lightning.
"Do you like it?" she asked, as she sat down beside him, while scrunching a towel through her wet hair.
"Yeah...a lot. You're really talented. If surfers don't buy boards from you, then they're morons," he replied, as he put his arm around her.
"You have such a way with words," she teased. He smirked.
"It's a gift," he joked, as he stood up and pulled her up.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Just for a walk in the surf," he replied, as he tossed his shoes off and they padded through the wet sand and let the water lap around their feet. Tori sighed, as she looked at the sun dipping below the horizon and she smiled, as she felt his arms around her waist. The breeze gently tousled their hair and she felt tingles go down her spine, as he pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss.
"I'll never get tired of moments like this...watching the sunset with your arms around me," she mentioned. He smiled.
"That's really good to hear, because it makes what I'm about to do pretty easy," Hunter replied. She looked at him with questioning eyes and then gasped, as he got down on one knee.
"I'm probably the least traditional guy ever, but the guys made me promise to do this when I asked you," he said.
"There was a time when I thought I'd be terrified to ask a girl to marry me. It used to seem like married life was the most un-Hunter-like thing to do. But now that I'm asking the woman I love to marry me, I'm not scared at all. The only thing that scares me is not spending the rest of my life with you, because you're the best thing that ever happened to me," Hunter said, as he paused and opened the ring case.
"Don't worry...I didn't steal the ring," he joked, making her shake her head in amusement.
"It's been passed down for generations in the Bradley family and I know that if they were here, my parents would be ecstatic that I'm putting it on your finger," Hunter told her. A tear slipped down her cheek.
"This was your mother's?" she asked in awe. He nodded.
"So...Tori Hanson, will you make me the envy of every guy in the world and marry me?" he asked. She eagerly shook her head, as more tears came.
"Yes..." she uttered, as he slipped it on her finger. As he stood up, he caught her, as she threw her arms around him. Their lips met passionately, and her feet dangled off the ground, as he spun her around. Their lips finally parted several moments later and she smiled at him.
"Let's go home, thunder boy," she said, giving him a sultry look. He smirked and they gathered their things, before heading to her blue van.
Jared looked at the photos of the six young people that he had requested information on. The Academies had truly come together, against all odds, and created a ranger program. Power Rangers Ninja Storm; a fitting name. As his eyes came to the blonde young man in crimson, his memories set him on edge.
Flashback
1985
"The scroll of Lokar?" Sarah exclaimed in horror, as she picked up the scroll, having found it hidden away.
"Sarah…let me explain…" Logan pleaded, but she pushed past him.
"There is nothing to explain! This is one of the darkest scrolls in existence! Lokar would destroy this world if he were to be given passage into it," she said.
"It's not like that…what if he could be brought here and controlled? By us. We could rule this world together," he said.
"You're sick…" she hissed, as she grabbed a duffle bag.
"What are you doing?" he demanded to know.
"Leaving…and I'm taking Hunter with me. James was right about you," she replied. His eyes narrowed.
"So that's it…you're leaving me and stealing my son away from me! So your brother and his wife can help raise him into their perfect image?" he roared.
"Better than you using our son as a vessel for evil!" she cried, as she started looking for her son. They were fighting again, which meant their toddler was probably hiding.
"You're not going anywhere!" Logan growled, as he grabbed her arm.
"Let me go!" she cried, as she managed to break away, but she fell in the process and hit her head on the corner of the dresser on the way down. Logan stared in shock, as blood pooled around her head. He swallowed thickly and started to move toward the closet, in order to retrieve their son. They had to go now, but a beam of crimson lightning struck him and he collided with the wall.
James Bradley glared at him, as several masked ninjas rushed in and captured him. James knelt down with his wife, Elizabeth, at his twin sister's side.
"You killed her!" James cried.
"It was an accident! She fell!" he claimed.
"Really? And you just so happen to have the missing scroll of Lokar with you?" Elizabeth asked, as she confiscated the scroll. His eyes went black and he threw off the other ninjas, but the Bradley's were ready with crimson and navy thunder. In the end, Omino arrived and gave them the edge and he was banished to a dark ninja prison where he remained for ten years. His last sight before prison was watching James and Elizabeth pull his son from the closet and comfort him.
"You were stolen from me, Hunter…but you have become a powerful warrior, beyond even my expectations. We will soon meet again…"
