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Thunderstruck

Chapter 17: The Retro Rangers

San Angeles, California

The Retro rangers, as they were calling themselves, entered the Hartford mansion, having successfully driven Thrax and his minions back for the moment.

"You guys were great out there!" Mack called excitedly. Adam smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Thanks, it's great to be back in action," Adam replied.

"Yeah, though I have to admit I never thought I'd be back in the game," Tori mentioned.

"Oh that's right, you're getting married soon," Kira said, nudging her arm, as Tori smiled shyly.

"Married?" Ronny asked.

"Who's the lucky guy?" Dax questioned.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Dax," Tori teased.

"But if you must know, his name is Hunter and he's the head Sensei of the Thunder Ninja Academy," she said proudly.

"I still can't believe you and Hunter are together since you used to have a thing for Blake," Kira teased. Tori rolled her eyes.

"And this is coming from the girl that swore she would never fall for an arrogant meathead jock, your words, and then ended up not only doing exactly that, but falling for none other than Conner McKnight, King of all Jocks," Tori teased back, turning the tables on her best friend.

"Okay…I get it. Life doesn't always go the way we think. But Conner has changed a lot," Kira pointed out. Tori smiled.

"Hunter hasn't really, I mean he's less broody now and a little more trusting, at least when it comes to our former teams, but I wouldn't change a thing. Believe me, I never

thought I'd fall for him either, but Blake left, we drifted apart and both found other people," Tori replied with a shrug.

"As long as we're happy," Kira said, as she put her arm around Tori. The blue wind ranger smiled.

"Blissfully…I wouldn't change a thing," Tori replied.

"So does Hunter know the real reason you're here in San Angeles?" Will asked out of curiosity. Tori smirked and Adam chuckled.

"He should, since he was one too," Tori answered coyly.

"You guys really need a crash course in ranger history. Come on, we'll talk over dinner. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starved," Adam said.

"I could eat," Xander agreed.

"I have access to a complete comprehensive database of ranger history. I can tell you everything," Bridge bragged. Adam chuckled again.

"Or they can hear from someone who was there," Adam replied.

"Yeah, let's talk about Thrax. I mean, son of Rita and Zedd? Who were they exactly?" Dax asked.

"Wow…you guys are really clueless on your heritage," Kira mentioned.

"Rita and Zedd were our big bads in my days as the black ranger, before the Zeo era. And believe me, the fact that they have a son creates all kinds of images I never wanted

to think about," Adam said, shaking his head in disgust. He could almost hear Rocky's one liners right now about it.

The Overdrive rangers and even the others listened, as Adam began telling them about his days as a ranger.


Hawaii

The life support machines hummed and blipped a steady beep, indicating a heartbeat of the patient in the bed. The seemingly male person's face was wrapped completely with gauze, with the exception of the eyes and mouth. The man had been in this small Hawaiian hospital for nearly three years now, having been found nearly burned to death and washed up on a nearby beach. The extensive burns should have killed him, but to the local physician's amazement, the man survived, though he had remained in a coma since he had been found. During that time, the doctors had treated his burns as best as possible and his skin had mostly healed, though he was horribly scarred on almost one hundred percent of his body. It had been determined though, through testing his DNA, that he was of Asian descent, but inquiries made to cities throughout the far east and the United States had gone unanswered. No one seemed to be missing this man. To the small medical community, he had become their living, breathing miracle.

A young nurse walked into the room, making her hourly rounds, and picked up the man's chart. The name read John Doe and she checked the last dosage of medication that had been given. He was mostly healed and had yet to wake up, so they had been trying a new drug that had seen some success recently with comatose patients. But the nurse was about to find out that the patient in this bed was not deserving of the help he had received.

Her face was suddenly aglow with astonishment, as the patient moaned and his brown eyes fluttered open.

"Oh my God…I've got to page Doctor Parker," she whispered in awe. He reached his hand toward the woman and she went to his side. It was a mistake that would cost her in the form of her life. His eyes glazed over with blackness and he clutched her throat, snapping her neck like nothing. Tossing the body away, he thrashed in the bed and tore the gauze away from his limbs. The machines blared with emergency warnings, as he ripped the wires and tubes away and stumbled to his feet. Seeing his reflection in the window, he tore the gauze away from his face and saw a scarred and aged face of Kiya Watanabe staring back at him…or at least the physical appearance of what used to be to Kiya. In reality, he had ceased to be Kiya many years ago and Lothor had been born of the evil inside him.

"Welcome back, my love," a woman's voice said. Lothor turned and grinned deviously.

"Ah my lovely Tamara..." Lothor hissed, as they joined hands.

"I have waited for this day for a very long time, my love. I was afraid it would never come," she recalled.

"It may not have been if our enemies had their way, but now they will finally pay," Lothor replied.

"More than you know. The planet Mars will be in a most unusual and rare alignment in just a week's time," she informed him. Lothor's eyes widened with evil delight.

"If we open the abyss during the alignment, then nothing will stop us this time. But we must have the prisms," Lothor stated. She smirked.

"I have much to tell you," she replied

"What the devil is going on in here?" an orderly exclaimed, as he burst into the room. Lothor turned and purple energy erupted from his fingers, killing the poor man upon impact. Evil laughter bubbled from his throat, as he used his Ninja powers to transform himself into his evil Ninja garb once again and he donned his mask. The window cracked and glass flew everywhere, as they disappeared into a purple Ninja streak…


Two days later

London

Screams of terror erupted in the museum, in a particular wing that displayed artifacts thought to be remnants of various myths from all over the world. Two bumbling monsters that Flurious had sent lurked through the exhibits until they found what they were looking for.

"There it is! The thunder stone of Thor!" one of the creatures exclaimed.

"Fine, grab it and let's get out of here," the other griped. As he brought his hand to touch it, crimson lightning erupted from the stone, keeping him from touching it.

"Grab it, you fool," the other snapped.

"I can't touch it!" he growled back. The other tried and found the same results, receiving only a violent shock from the glowing stone.

"Hold it right there, meatheads," Adam snapped, as he and the others arrived, already morphed.

"Rangers..." they growled and charged. Chillers and Lava lizards arrived to give them back up. Kira, Xander, and Bridge took on the foot soldiers, as Tori and Adam went after the two aliens. While Tori kept them busy, Adam tried to touch the glowing stone, but pulled his hand away in pain, as it shocked him.

"You can't get it either, ranger," one of the alien's laughed. Adam charged at him and they dueled, while the other tried to best the blue ranger. But as usual, he sorely underestimated the female ranger and found himself on his back in defeat. Tori ran toward the stone and Adam called out to her.

"Careful Tori...I couldn't touch it without..." Adam's words died on his lips, as he watched her grab the stone. The crimson lightning sizzled, but didn't seem to hurt her. In response, blue ribbons of power coursed all over her body.

"Get her!" one of the monster's cried. Tori leapt up and kicked him back, as the other charge. The object in her hand reacted though, much to her surprise, and electrocuted him. The monsters retreated and the rangers were teleported back to the Hartford mansion with the thunderstone in tow.


Japan

The monk climbed the Temple stairs, going about his daily duties of upkeep and prayer. The Temple of Air had stood for centuries, guarding an ancient power that generation after generation had protected it until the person chosen to wield its power came along. He had always admired the red prism of power; it was hard not to. Legend was that only a master of air could properly use the power. He heard footsteps behind him and turned, finding a woman standing there.

"Stop...you are trespassing," he stated, raising his voice.

"You know, whoever decided that this dump needed so many steps is lucky he is probably already dead or I would kill him for making me ruin these boots," Tamara hissed.

"Now darling, you're being rude. That's no way to speak to someone that's about to hand us another piece toward ultimate power," Lothor said, as he joined her.

"You will not touch the power prism!" he refuted, as he fell into a defensive stance.

"I believe he is challenging you, dear," Tamara leered.

"Well, I guess I have no choice then," Lothor replied, as he charged the aging monk in spar. Lothor was ruthless, as he went straight for a knife punch to the throat and then twisted the poor man's arm, snapping his brittle bones. As the man lay crumpled on the ground before him, Lothor's eyes went black with his dark ninja powers and the man cried out in agony, as the dark power was thrust through his chest. When the energy dissipated, the man lay with a hole in his chest and vacant eyes. Tamara smirked evilly and took her husband's arm, as they walked up to the power prism on the pedestal.

"I had almost forgotten how ruthless you could be, my love. It's exhilarating," she gushed. He smirked.

"Speaking of exhilarating," he said, as he picked up the glowing red object. Only a Ninja master could have touched one of the prisms without consequence. Lothor knew that this particular stone was meant for the red ranger, but he was determined that Shane Clarke would be destroyed by it rather than ever touch it. Along with his friends and meddlesome nephew and his traitor of a brother.

"Two down...five to go," she said excitedly.

"This time...nothing will stop us, not even those meddling, powerless rangers," Lothor growled.


The Hartford Mansion

"Any ideas why it's reacting like this?" Adam asked, as Andrew carefully examined the stone.

"Yeah and why can only Tori seem to touch it?" Mack asked.

"Well, I can tell you that I was wrong. The Thunder stone of Thor isn't hiding one of the jewels of the Corona Aurora," Andrew replied.

"It's not?" Kira asked in confusion.

"So why were those goons after it?" Xander wondered.

"Good question. Seems like it was a waste of time," Dax replied.

"I didn't say that. There is definitely something inside this stone that's quite volatile," Andrew stated.

"Volatile to anyone except Tori, maybe," Rose said. Adam became pensive.

"Your powers were reacting to it too, weren't they?" he asked her.

"I guess..." she said, as she went back to thinking. Andrew continued drilling with the small tool, until finally the stone cracked. The room filled with crimson light and the sparks dissipated, allowing Andrew to extract the object.

"What is it?" Ronny asked.

"It's a prism...a crimson colored one. Suddenly, the blue prism around Tori's neck reacted to it and began glowing brightly.

"That's pretty freaky," Kira said. Tori's eyes lit up in recognition.

"That's why this seems so familiar! My powers lately have often been reacting to Hunter's and neither of us know why. When we've asked Sensei, he just gives us riddles. We know that he knows something, but I think he's trying to get us to figure it out," Tori explained.

"Well, if my instincts are right, then these two objects are not just ordinary prisms. I think you need to call Hunter and I think it's time Sensei Watanabe tells us what he knows," Adam said. Tori nodded, as she grabbed her phone and went to call him. But she was interrupted by the alert sounding.

"You'll have to put that phone call on hold. We've got trouble again," Andrew said, as they saw several city-sized monsters attacking San Angeles.

"I'm sending the zords," Andrew said. Adam nodded.

"It's Morphin Time!" he called.

"Magical Source, Mystic Force!" Xander chanted.

"S.P.D...Emergency!" Bridge cried.

"Dino Thunder, Power up, ha!" Kira shouted.

"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form, ha!" Tori called, as they hurried to the zords.

The Wind-Thunder Ninja Academy


Outside Blue Bay Harbor

Hunter watched two of his students spar, while he and the rest observed. Nate was an aggressive crimson thunder ninja with an attitude sparring against a skilled, but more timid navy thunder ninja named Brian. Normally, Hunter wouldn't have been too concerned. He had once been just as hot headed as Nate and still could be at times, though he had matured a lot since those days. Still, even at his angriest, not counting when he was under Choobo's spell, he had never been as sadistic as he had witnessed Nate be. It concerned him greatly and he had even discussed a few of his students with Sensei Omino, including him and Zara. They were part of the dissension in the ranks and he had more than one altercation with some of these students.

Nate flipped Brian on his back, but instead of backing off since he had gotten the point, he proceeded to wrap his arm around Brian's neck while he was pinned on the ground.

"There's no room in the ranks for a weakling like you," he hissed.

"Stand down Nate!" Hunter ordered, but the student ignored him.

"One day, Sensei Bradley won't be here to protect the likes of you and the rest of these weaklings that follow him like loyal little sheep," he hissed. Hunter pulled him off the student and pushed him away, as he helped the other young ninja up.

"Michael, can you please take Brian to the nurse?" he asked. Michael nodded.

"I'm fine Sensei," Brian assured him. Hunter nodded.

"I'm sure you are, but we need to be positive," Hunter replied, as he looked sternly at Nate.

"What?" Nate scoffed.

"Your use of excessive force could have seriously hurt him. There's no need for it in sparring," Hunter stated.

"That waste of air is fine though, so no harm done, right Sensei," Nate said disrespectfully.

"Class is dismissed for now. You'll report to Sensei Omino tomorrow in place of your regular classes though. Until you can learn respect for the other students, your training is suspended," Hunter said sternly. Nate grinded his teeth angrily.

"You can't do that!" he screamed, as the other students watched the exchange with interest and surprise.

"I'm your Sensei and you've displayed conduct that is disgraceful and dishonoring of the ways of the Thunder Ninja..." Hunter said, but Nate angrily cut him off in mid sentence.

"You're the only disgrace here, Bradley!" he screamed, causing many of the students to gasp in surprise and a few to smirk proudly. But Hunter held his temper in check and

only smirked.

"Oh really?" he asked.

"The founders of this Academy would roll over in their graves if they could see your disgraceful conduct! It was once illegal for a Thunder Ninja and a Wind Ninja to be involved!" he screamed. Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, about three hundred years ago. Times have changed and my personal life is none of your business," Hunter retorted.

"You're right I guess, but you and your "bros" have gone and decided that we should all just push aside our rivalry and all get in bed with the Wind Academy," Nate hissed.

"Apart we fell to our true enemy, but together we prevailed over evil. Joining the Academies is the right thing to do," Hunter argued.

"No, you fell because you're weak!" Nate said, as he charged him. Hunter dodged his punch in surprise, but quickly recovered and went on the defensive, as the angry student lashed out at him. Hunter dodged and blocked Nate's fury of punches and kicks. He wasn't surprised that the disruption soon attracted the other Sensei's.

Shane, Dustin, and Leann stared at the exchange in disbelief. They had all sensed the dissension from some students, but this was the first time one had actually attacked one of them. Hunter found an easy opening since Nate had let his emotions take control, leaving him with a sloppy defense. Hunter swept his legs out from under him and pinned him to the mat. Shane and Dustin stepped forward to help, but none of them expected what happened next. Nate's eyes went black and he shot dark energy at them.

"Thunder shield!" Hunter cried, as he blocked the students from the dark energy. Dustin, Shane, and Leann reacted quickly, launching their own elements at him. Hunter joined them and they subdued the young dark ninja.

"What's going on?" Cam cried, as he arrived with his father.

"You're all a disgrace, that's what's going on!" Nate spat, as they restrained him.

"Where did you learn dark ninja magic?" Hunter questioned.

"Like I'd tell you," he spat.

"You have committed treason by practicing the dark arts. Our laws are clear on this matter. You will be banished for all time," Kanoi announced. Nate chuckled evilly.

"Do your worst, old man. You have no idea what's in store for you!" he ranted, as the Sensei encased him in a sphere of power and sent him away to the stars, much like his twin brother was so long ago. The students dispersed at their orders and Hunter retreated to Ninja Ops.

"I'm sorry Sensei," he apologized.

"It's not your fault, Hunter. Some will never get used to the idea of the merging, but it is what is best. Nate knew the consequences of using dark ninja power and unfortunately, not everyone can be saved, especially when you try to save them from themselves," Kanoi said, as he patted the crimson thunder wielder on the shoulder.

"Believe me, I would know," Kanoi added. Hunter nodded and was perplexed when Sensei handed him a tattered scroll.

"I know that you love Tori and that neither of you let the whispers around the Academy get to you. But if you ever doubt whether you are meant to be together, you may find comfort in this scroll," Kanoi said.

"Thanks Sensei, but ancient scroll riddles do nothing but confuse me," Hunter replied. Kanoi smiled.

Not this one. Read it," Kanoi insisted, as he quietly left the room. Hunter sighed and unrolled the document.

"Amethyst Storm," Hunter read and then sighed.

"Stupid riddles," he grumbled, as he reluctantly began to read.


The Hartford Mansion

"That battle was brutal, mates," Xander said, as they filed into the rec room at the Hartford mansion.

"No doubt. I think I'm getting too old for this," Adam complained, as he dropped onto one of the couches. Tori took to the video phone and called ninja ops. She was happy and surprised to see Hunter answer instead of Cam.

"Hey babe," she greeted.

"Hi yourself, beautiful," he responded with a lazy smile.

"You look tired," she mentioned with concern.

"I'm fine. Sensei is making me read scrolls again about purple storms and a bunch of scroll gibberish that makes no sense to me," he complained. She smiled.

"You have such a short attention span. Always a man of action," she teased. He smirked.

"Well, I am a red," he reminded her. She nodded.

"So true," she replied.

"You look tired too," he mentioned.

"I forgot how taxing three hour zord battles can be," she reminded him. He winced.

"Wish I was there with you," he said.

"Me too, but I was hoping that you might be able to get away for a few days and visit me here. We found this artifact I think you should see," she replied.

"Seeing you is exactly what I need after today," he said. She frowned.

"Did something happen?" she asked. He sighed.

"One of my students attacked using dark ninja magic and we had to banish him," he told her. She gasped.

"What?" she asked in disbelief.

"He kept going on about how we were disgracing Academy tradition by joining together, among other things," Hunter replied.

"You mean us," she stated. He shook his head.

"It doesn't matter what any of them think. I love you and nothing is going to change that," he assured her. She smiled gently.

"I know, I love you too," she responded.

"I just wish that I could have done more, you know? Maybe I could have reached him somehow," Hunter lamented.

"No babe, he made his choices and you are not at fault. He knew the consequences of using the dark powers," Tori insisted. He smirked.

"That's what Sensei told me," he said.

"He's right and he would know," she replied. He nodded.

"Guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" he asked. She smiled brightly.

"I can't wait. I love you," she said.

"Love you too," he replied, as the video comm went dark, leaving Tori curious about the events of the day and what it all could mean…