Thanks for all the reviews and support so far! Read to the end of this chapter because you are going to be in for a surprise!
Chapter Twenty
Casey looked on out the window as evening had come to Ocean Bluff. He glanced around seeing Tommy, Kimberly, Jillian, his fellow rangers Rangers, Flit, the Ronin Warriors, Lady Ronin Guardians, and Master Swoop as they were all waiting on RJ being released from the hospital. His father was with him.
"So," Rekino asked the bat master, "you're one of those Pai Zhua masters that James mentioned?"
"Yes," Master Swoop answered, "I am."
Kento waves his hands to the bat master's face.
"Kento!" Amaya exclaimed, "That's not very nice!"
"It wouldn't be the first time someone has done that to me," Master Swoop replied, "but it doesn't mean I enjoy it."
"A little insensitive," Ryo stated, displeased with his teammate.
"So what about the other masters in Pai Zhua?" Hana asked.
"There's Master Finn," Swoop answered, "he's RJ's father and the shark master."
"There was Master Phant," Lily added, "However, he sacrificed his life during our early battles against the Dark Elite."
"We're very sorry to hear about that," Mia replied.
"He knew the risks," Swoop replied, "as did Master Mao, Master Guin, Master Lope and Master Rilla."
"They're Pai Zhua Masters as well, right?" Sage asked.
Master Swoop nodded, "Yes. They all died in battle with Dai Shi."
"Dai Shi?" Rowen looked up, confused.
"He was the threat before the Dark Elite," Casey answered as he turned to face the group, "and besides myself, there are other masters at the academy as well."
"Interesting," Cye muttered.
"I'm going to get some snacks," Josephine said all of a sudden.
"Can I come with you cuz?" Kento asked.
"Sure," Josephine answered, "Anyone want any snacks?"
Some of the group accepted while others declined before the Hardrock duo left to purchase some snacks at the vending machines.
-Through-Dangerous-Times-
"Tommy? Kimberly?"
Tommy turned around as the others followed suit. He noticed that Jason and Kat had just arrived at the hospital.
"Jason, it's good to see you again, man!" Tommy greeted his best friend.
"Good to see you again too," Jason replied as the two men shared a brotherly exchange.
"Long time no see," Kat greeted her friends as well.
"Hi, Katherine," Kimberly walked over and hugged her friend.
"I take it these two are past rangers as well?" James asked.
"Of course," Tommy gestured to Jason, "Jason Lee Scott is the original red ranger, and was the Zeo Gold Ranger for a short time."
"Nice to meet you guys," Jason waved to the group.
"And Kat Hillard took my place as pink ranger after I left for the Pan Globals," Kimberly gestured towards Kat.
"Hi everyone," Kat greeted the group, "Good to meet you."
"So you're Australian?" Cye asked.
"Yes," Kat nodded, "that's right."
"And you're British," Jason glanced over at the Torrent warrior.
"That's right," Cye replied.
"Well, well," the group heard RJ's voice from behind, "what do we have here?"
Everyone looked to see RJ and Master Finn arriving at the area.
"What you see RJ is more veteran Power Rangers," James answered.
"And there'll be more coming real soon," Jason added, "Billy, Hayley and Zack are supposed to be coming with Minh, while Rocky, Aisha, Tanya and Adam are on their way as well."
"You'll probably meet Rocky and Tanya first," Kat explained, "Adam and Aisha are in space with the space rangers. Andros is going to drop them off because the space rangers are busy with their mission."
"And you'll probably meet some of my former students as well," Tommy spoke up, "Conner, Kira, Ethan and Trent."
"Did you say Conner?" Master Finn asked, perking up.
"I believe he did," Rowen answered, "Why, do you know him?"
"I might."
"Um, before we get into possible revelations," Kat suggested, "I think we should get to know the new faces first."
Kat and Jason were introduced to the Jungle Fury Rangers, Master Swoop, Master Finn, Flit, James, Twyla, the Ronin Warriors, the Lady Ronin Guardians and finally, Jillian. Josephine and Kento arrived by this time.
"So you are Jillian," Jason looked over at Tommy and Kimberly's daughter, "the daughter of my best friends."
"Good to finally meet you," Kat smiled at Jillian.
"And good to meet our new allies as well," Jason added, "we'll take any help we can get."
"Thanks," Jillian replied before asking, "can we go now?"
"I agree," RJ stated, "I hate hospitals. Who wants dinner at Jungle Karma Pizza!"
"It's on us!" Casey added.
"Pizza?" Kento exclaimed with excitement, "I'm all for it!"
The others all nodded in agreement.
"I just let Billy and Zack know where we're at," Tommy announced, "and Billy said they'll meet us at Jungle Karma Pizza."
"They?" Casey asked, confused.
"Billy, Hayley, Zack, and Minh are almost at Ocean Bluff," Tommy answered.
"That sounds awesome!" James exclaimed, excited.
"Indeed," RJ nodded in agreement.
-Through-Dangerous-Times-
Jillian glanced around her parents and their friends as well as the masters, Ronins and Guardians. RJ, Casey, Lily, Theo and Dominic were making pizzas for everyone to enjoy.
"Are you okay?" Twyla asked.
Jillian looked up, "I think so. I was just thinking about everything that has happened these past few weeks. It's my fault RJ doesn't have his wolf spirit and the rangers getting hurt."
"Now stop right there," Master Finn spoke up, "that's not your fault, Kartras and the Dark Elite are to blame for what happened to my son and everything else that happened."
"The shark master is right," James added, "the Dark Elite's the one who were putting those things in your head."
"Something I can relate to," Tommy stated.
"As can I," Kat nodded in agreement.
"Hello there, fellow rangers."
Everyone turned around as a guy in blue, a black guy, a red haired woman and an Asian woman in yellow all entered the building.
"Hi there, Billy," Tommy gestured towards the guy in blue, before gesturing towards the red haired woman, then towards the guy in black, and finally the Asian girl in yellow, "Hayley, Zack, Minh."
"Good to see you again, Tommy," Hayley replied.
"Great to have a reunion here," Zack stated.
Jillian looked over at the young lady, "So, you must be the daughter to Trini?"
Minh nodded, "And you must be the daughter to Tommy and Kimberly."
There was a moment of pause before both young ladies shook hands.
"It's nice to meet you," Jillian told her.
"Nice to meet you too," Minh replied.
"That worked out nicely," Billy grinned.
"I didn't think there was going to be any issues," Zack quipped.
"Really now?" Hayley replied.
"How did you know about my mom anyway?" Minh asked.
"My mom's mentioned her a few times," Jillian answered, "as they were best friends. I'm very sorry for your loss."
"Thanks," Minh replied, "even though it's been over a year, it still hurts."
"Who are these guys?" Zack asked, glancing at the Ronin Warriors and Lady Ronin Guardians.
"We are the Ronin Warriors," Ryo answered.
"And the Lady Ronin Guardians," Rekino added.
"So the legends are true!" Billy exclaimed in surprise.
"My name is James Ferino, bearer of the Eliminator Armor," James was the first to introduce himself, "and this is my wife Twyla."
The rest of the Ronins and Guardians proceeded to introduce themselves as well. The Jungle Fury Rangers arrived with the pizzas for everyone.
"Finally!" Kento exclaimed with excitement, "I've been waiting for this since we got here!"
"That's not very nice," Amaya chastised, "we should be saying thanks here."
"It's no problem," RJ assured the group, "I just hope you enjoy the pizza."
"That won't be a problem with myself or my cousin," Josephine quipped.
As the group were enjoying the pizzas, Jillian noticed the door opening revealing a man in blue and a black woman in yellow.
"There are Power Rangers everywhere!" Rekino exclaimed.
"They sure are," Hana quipped, "and we're sitting next to the most iconic ranger of all."
Rekino nodded in agreement as her best friend pointed at Tommy.
"So who are the newcomers?" Mia asked as Tommy was greeting the new faces.
"Nice to meet all of you," the guy in blue greeted the group, "my name is Rocky Desantos, the second red ranger and the Zeo Blue Ranger!"
"And I'm Tanya Sloan," the woman in yellow added, "I'm the Zeo Yellow Ranger."
Rocky and Tanya ended up meeting Jillian, James, Twyla, the Ronin Warriors, Lady Ronin Guardians and the Jungle Fury Power Rangers as well as the two masters.
"We're getting some interesting allies here," Rocky stated.
"I'll say," Tanya quipped, "that's something else."
"Adam and Aisha will be here sometime tomorrow," Rocky told the rest of the group.
"And you'll be meeting the Dino Thunder team as well," Tommy added, "Kira just sent me a message letting me know they'll be there soon as they left Reefside already."
-Through-Dangerous-Times-
RJ looked around as everyone was talking, giving updates on what was going on.
"When they do come," Master Finn spoke up, "RJ will be in for a surprise."
"What do you mean, Dad?" RJ asked, his curiosity piquing.
There was a pause of silence as the shark master didn't know how he was going to explain what he was going to.
"It's probably a good idea to let your son know the secret sooner rather than later," Kimberly suggested.
"I have to agree," James nodded in agreement.
"Yeah," Minh chimed in, "I'm curious to know as well."
"Minh!" Billy exclaimed, grabbing her arm to keep her quiet.
Another pause of silence filled the room as Rocky and Tanya helped themselves to pizza as well.
"Well," Master Finn finally spoke up, "I think it's time for RJ to know something he should have known a long time ago."
"Well, this should be good," Rekino quipped.
"Oh, hush," Amaya said motherly.
"RJ," Master Finn faced his son, "you have three older brothers, and it appears they are all rangers in some form of sorts."
"Conner is aware of the gist of it," Tommy chimed in, "He knows the McKnights adopted him as a baby."
Everyone looked at the shark master in shock, especially RJ.
"Shocking news there, Dad," RJ muttered.
"I know how that feels to be in the dark about my long lost sibling, RJ," Ryo spoke up, "A few years ago, I found out about Rekino being my long lost younger sister."
"I knew a few years prior," Mia added.
"A surprise in every corner," Rowen stated.
"What I'd like to know is...how older they are than me?" RJ asked.
"Conner and Eric are a year older than you are," Tommy answered, "and they were adopted by Ronald and Tammy McKnight when they were a baby."
"So, who is the oldest brother?" Cye asked.
"RJ should be asking these questions," Amaya replied.
"The third brother would be RJ's oldest brother Dustin, who was adopted by Howard Brooks, who came to me and convinced me to let him adopt Dustin as he and his wife couldn't have kids of their own," Master Finn explained, "somehow he managed to convince Sensei Kanoi Watanabe to raise him in the Wind Ninja Academy."
"Eric flunked out of that said academy too," Tommy spoke up, "Conner once said he was an airhead who was nothing like him."
"Why did you keep RJ and not his brothers?" Sage asked as that question popped in his mind.
"There was something about RJ when he was born," Master Finn explained, "something where I couldn't give him up for adoption. I found myself attached to him."
"Something you couldn't feel with Conner and Eric?" Rekino asked.
"It's hard to explain," Finn answered, "but you can say that."
"Go easy on the guy!" Tanya exclaimed, "it might be hard for you guys to process, but he has his reasons on why he did what he did."
"Tanya's right," Kimberly nodded in agreement.
"When Conner and the others come here tomorrow," Tommy spoke up, "I'll see if he can contact Dustin."
"That sounds like a plan," Mia nodded.
"It'll be a whole different type of reunion," Casey stated.
"A family reunion, duh!" Kento exclaimed.
Casey stood up annoyed before he moved over to where Jason and Kat were sitting, "Why was I sitting next to an annoying version of Dominic?!"
"What did I say?" Kento asked, slightly offended.
"I wouldn't worry about it, cuz," Josephine replied.
RJ looked in surprise. For the longest time, he always believed he was an only child. He was surprised to learn that he had not just one brother, but three brothers, and two of them were twins, and all three of them were older than him. The wolf master decided to be mature about this as there were probably reasons behind giving up his older brothers for adoption that the shark master preferred not to talk about.
"I'd be interested in meeting my older brothers," RJ finally spoke up as he turned and faced the group.
"So, you're not mad?" Master Finn asked.
"No, not really," RJ answered, "Nothing surprises me at this point. I just wish you told me this sooner."
"So did I," Master Finn nodded.
-Through-Dangerous-Times-
Conner looked outside the window of the hotel the rangers were staying in, looking at the beautiful night sky. It had been four hours since they left Reefside. The four managed to get a plane ticket which got them a little over half way to Ocean Bluff.
What surprised the leader of the Dino Thunder team the most was the fact that Eric was not his only brother and the couple who he thought were his parents for the longest time adopted him. He met his older brother in the past, being the Ninja Storm Yellow Ranger, but he has yet to meet his youngest brother. He had this feeling he was going to be in for surprise, not only meeting his biological father, but his youngest brother as well.
"You okay?"
Being pulled from his thoughts, Conner turned around to see Kira.
"Yeah," the red Dino ranger answered, "I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"You know last year when Dr. O told me the truth about my family," Conner explained, "my adopted parents, the McKnights, told me who my parents really were. Not only that, I have brothers who are Power Rangers."
"We were all there when you found out," Kira stated, "and we were all surprised when Dr. O told us what happened."
"It was a surprising revelation to us all," Ethan stated.
"You wouldn't be the only one with a Power Ranger family tree or extraordinary family ties," Trent spoke up, "Like my adopted dad for example, who was Mesogog."
"My oldest brother is Dustin," Conner said as he was trying his best to take the news in, even after a whole year, "and we've met Dustin before, right?"
"Right." Kira, Ethan and Trent all answered in unison.
"And my youngest brother is also a Power Ranger," Conner continued, "and we're about to meet him for the first time."
"And you wouldn't be the first ranger who had a sibling as a fellow ranger," Kira replied.
"I get the idea," Conner quipped.
"Are you nervous about the family reunion?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah," Conner nodded, "you can say that. First, I found out Eric became the new red Ninja Storm ranger after Shane was killed, even after he flunked out of the academy, and now this, I found out I have not one, but two brothers, who are also rangers."
"Don't worry," Trent assured him, "it'll be just fine."
"Yes," Kira added, "just take it one step at a time. You'll meet your brothers and your real father real soon."
"At least by tomorrow," Conner looked up.
"Exactly."
"We should get some sleep," Ethan suggested.
"Right," Conner nodded in agreement, "tomorrow's the big day."
Author's Note: It was sad when Pua Magasiva (Shane's actor on Power Rangers Ninja Storm) died on May 11th 2019, and he will be missed by one and all. May he rest in peace. I had something planned for his character which I can't reveal yet, or it'll spoil things, but trust me it is going to be good.
A/N 2: 9 to 10 pages! This is the longest chapter so far! I am really proud of that.
A/N 3: And now for the big announcement! This story is going to continue after the "Pink With Evil" story arc this story started with with Conner and Dustin joining the field and possible other cameos you'll be surprised with. I got somewhat inspired with Lily Hanson and her Kaylee series (where a group of female rangers are sisters/related) to have a handful of rangers to be brothers. You are going to be in for a real treat here!