Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. Only my OCs.
Chapter 17: Lost and Found in Translation
"What's going on?" Conner whispered to Andy and Kira as the three of them walked into the dimly lit Cybercafe. It was after hours and all the chairs and stools had been stacked on top of the tables and the bar. At the far end of the room stood a brand new wide-screen TV which illuminated the sitting area as it flickered.
Kira shrugged "No clue." They shared a looked and walked forward, ready to drag Blue Boy to the library to do their report.
Upon hearing a high-pitched cartoon shriek and Ethan laughing, the teens edged forward to find Ethan sat in the middle of the three-seater couch, his feet propped up on the table in front of him, a bowl of popcorn resting on his stomach and a large remote in his hand.
"Dude." Conner said, walking forward and making himself known, as Andy and Kira followed him "What are you doing? You were supposed to meet us at the library"
"Hayley got a new satellite dish," Ethan answered "Nine hundred and thirty-seven channels of paradise"
"Nine hundred channels?" Kira asked, "And I bet there's still nothing on."
"Are you kidding?" Ethan chuckled, his eyes permanently glued to the screen "This is amazing! Four-language soap operas, sumo-wrestling, junior high school girls' synchronized swimming! I may never leave this room again!"
Conner rolled his eyes and reached around the TV switching it off.
"Hey!" Ethan complained, turning it back on "I was watching that!"
"What about your social studies assignment?" Conner asked, "You know the one on comparing two countries?"
"I'm almost done!" Ethan whined.
"Me too." Kira nodded as she joined the Blue Ranger on the large sofa
Conner sighed, "Well, I haven't started."
"Why does that not surprise me?" They looked over to see Jenna sitting at the bar on her laptop, "Honestly, Conner. Why do you always wait until the last minute?"
"Why are you here? Interested in girls synchronized swimming?"
She rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder at their leader, "No, genius. You didn't actually think that Hayley would allow him to be in here alone, did you? I'm supervising. Plus," She smirked, "I thought it was the perfect opportunity to give those two some alone time."
"Did they actually think that nobody noticed at the reunion?" Andy asked, laying his stuff down next to her, "I mean, there were bets being passed around."
"I think they wanted it kept to themselves for now. Even if everybody figured it out, no one was going to say anything until they announced it. Zoey's theory? They're waiting until Mesogog is defeated. No more distractions. No more bad guys."
"I thought that they've always been together, as a couple." Kira squinted, "I mean, are they not?"
"Not officially. They've been best friends since college. Things have been slowly changing for them the past couple of years and they're just now getting their act together." Jenna chuckled, "Zoey called it. She's been talking about how perfect they were for each other since they met."
"Whatever." Conner shrugged, "I've got work to get done." He waved over his shoulder as started to walk away. He didn't get very far when Ethan called out.
"No way! Conner, you've gotta see this!"
"What?" The Red Ranger walked back as Jenna and Andy joined them at the chairs.
"It's us!" Kira breathed. The tv showed on the screen looked like a Japanese show about the Power Rangers.
"Not exactly." He murmured as they watched the beginning credits.
Andy's eyed widened, "That is just too weird."
"According to the satellite guide it's a Japanese TV show about the world-famous Power Rangers." Ethan explained, excited, "They even dubbed it in English!"
"Where's Zoey at time like this?" Jenna grinned as she moved to a chair and curled her legs under her, "She'd get a real kick out of this. She's found other seasons in Japan from past teams. It'll be interesting to see how this one comes out."
Andy grinned, sitting the chair opposite her, "You want Zoey?" Sharing a smile with Jenna, "I would love to have some Raina commentary on this."
"This is whack." Conner muttered, eating some popcorn.
Ethan frowned, "How do you know it's whack? You haven't even given it a chance!"
"It wasn't even made here!" The Red Ranger complained, "I mean, what would they know about Power Rangers in Japan?"
"Only one way to find out." Kira stated, "I for one want to know what they think of us over there."
"It's a tv show, Conner." Jenna frowned, "It doesn't have to be accurate, just entertaining. Eat some popcorn. Watch the show. And shut up."
1-2-3-4-5
"Who wants to try some of my curry?" A girl clad in yellow inquired, scooping a red sauce over a bed of rice. She brought it over to the counter, where a guy wearing red, a guy wearing green and a girl wearing purple were sitting.
"Mmm, smells delicious!" The girl in purple took a deep breath, "Just like mom used to make." She turned to the green guy with a smile, "Sure beats bologna."
"Again."
"Sure looks good." The red guy agreed.
"Hey, how's it going?" A blue clad teen entered, holding a newspaper.
"Hey!" The others replied, smiling.
He sat down at a small table to sit and unfolded his paper. He stared at the main article for a moment before groaning "Whacker Wilson's coming to Japan! Those American baseball players are always so greedy!"
"How do you know?" A voice asked, making the teen look down to see his Blue Tricera Morpher's eyes light up as it spoke.
"Ack!" A voice from behind yelled. He turned to see the red guy backing away from the counter, dropping a spoon as his hand flayed before his mouth, "Too spicy!"
The others snickered, "Toughen up!" The one in yellow smirked.
"That's how mom makes it." The purple one smiled.
The green guy nodded, "Curry is supposed to be spicy!"
"You guys should taste my curry!" Blue stood up and approached his friends.
"I can't taste anything anymore!" Red complained, breathing heavily.
"You're such a baby." Green laughed, shoveling curry in his mouth.
"Must you talk with your mouth full?" Purple shoved him in mock anger.
"I'll make some," Blue offered, "You'll love it!" He grabbed a pineapple off the counter, tossed it into the air and smirked as he caught.
1-2-3-4-5
The TV screen went blank
"Hey!" Annoyed yells echoed around the empty cybercafe, as all eyes turned to Conner, who threw the remote down onto the table, "What did you do that for?"
"This is totally weird." Conner shook his head "They've got it all wrong."
"Hello. Secret identities." Ethan rolled his eyes as he gestured with the remote, "How are they supposed to know what we're like?"
"Yeah, but did you see the red guy? He's nothing like me!"
"That's the whole point." Jenna smiled, "Just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad!"
"Besides," Andy sighed, "They don't know our true identities or personalities. They take the concept of a group of superheroes, whom they don't know, and they create a show around them. They made it up."
Ethan nodded, "I'm nothing like the blue-guy. I just wanna see what kind of curry he makes." He pointed the remote at the TV and turned it back on
"Hey, check it out!" Kira stated, "The villain's evil lair!"
1-2-3-4-5
"I hate the Power Rangers!" A woman in an elaborate red leather costume growled angrily, "But the Black Ranger I hate most of all!"
"Hey, here's a thought," a younger girl in white dress stated as she came forward "instead of whining, why don't you do something about it?"
The screen flickered to a monster "Great idea, boss!"
"I love it. No wonder you're in charge." Another chuckled.
The girl turned as her eyes flashed green, "That's right, I am in charge. Don't you forget it." She threw out her arms and sent a massive web of green lightning out, hurting her two minions.
"As for you miss," She turned back to the other woman, "I know you borrowed my hairspray without asking. Take that!" She shot more green lighting to the woman as a punishment.
"Hairspray." One of the creatures muttered, "That gives me an idea." He turned to a table and opened a book, "Nothing is more frightening than a bad haircut." He flipped through the pages, showing different wigs. "Ah, the mushroom. So yesterday, so evil."
1-2-3-4-5
"That's their evil plan?" Conner scoffed, "Bad hair?"
"Hey, I've seen you have some pretty bad hair days." Kira teased, ruffling his hair, "It's kinda scary."
"Shh!" Ethan snapped, shoving popcorn into his mouth.
1-2-3-4-5
"What is it?" The teens in the show were gathered around a plate of odd-looking food made by the guy in blue.
He smiled, "Curry Fruit Surprise! Try it!"
The others hesitated, exchanged looks and turned around to leave.
"Guys...?" Blue called out, making them stop at the table.
They looked back him, grinning sheepishly. Purple held up a finger for patience and the gathered together in a huddle.
Yellow turned to her friends, "I can't eat that." She whispered, "I'll hurl."
"I have acid reflux." Purple complained.
"I'm allergic to pineapple." Green smiled, ignoring the looks of the others.
"Well then, who's gonna try it?" Red asked.
Just then, the front door opened and a middle-aged man walked in, "Top O' the mornin' to ya!" He greeted, making the huddled group smile.
"Mr. Oshanasee!" Yellow waved in excitement.
"Have we got something for you!" Red agreed as they converged on the man.
The patron grimaced seeing their over-eager expressions, "I'm outta here!" He declared, turning around.
"Wait!" Purple called, waving him back as Green and Yellow rushed forward to grab him "I hope you're hungry!" She smiled "Here, have a seat!" She pulled out a seat at a table for him.
"Do we have a surprise for you!" Red smiled, turning to Purple, "Go get it!"
The girl nodded and rushed over to the counter to grab the platter. She took it to the table and laid it in front of Mr. Oshanasee. "Here it is! Yummy! Yummy!"
"It smells funny!" The older gentleman declared, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
"Just one bite." Red urged.
Just then, two teens, one in black and one in pink, approached the group, "Hey, Mikey! Hey, Macey!" Purple looked up and smiling, "What are you two doing here?"
"I'm starving." Mikey told her, rubbing his stomach and offering her a smile "You got anything to eat around here?"
"Please feed him. Something." Macey rolled her eyes, "He won't stop complaining."
Mr. Oshanasee grinned and sprung to his feet, "This is your lucky day!" He exclaimed, holding the platter out for the Black Ranger.
Mikey frowned, "It's free?"
"I'd pay you to eat it!" The older man declared, and that was good enough for Mikey, who grabbed a few pieces and hungrily began devouring it. The others grimaced, as they watched him.
"That looks disgusting." Pink frowned, "What is it?"
"He likes it!" Yellow exclaimed happily, "He really likes it!"
Purple nodded, "So it would seem..." but her smile turned into a frown when Mikey stopped chewing and his face twisted. Suddenly his hands flew to his mouth and he ran off in the direction of the bathroom.
"Mikey!" Macey exclaimed, following him and kneeling outside the door
The screen nearby went off with an alarm
"Looks like we've got an emergency!" Red stated, staring at the screen.
"I'll show you out, Mr. Oshanasee!" Green announced, leading him to the door, "You can take that to go!" He told him, before slamming the door shut.
Mr. Oshanasee looked down at the plate, "I guess I'll give it to me mother-in-law."
Returning to the supercomputer, Green saw the others already gathered around.
"How's he doing?" Purple asked, smiling in a teasing manner, as the girl in pink sat in the floor by the door, trying to comfort the Black Ranger.
"Bite me!" Pink looked up, glaring, "Who made that?"
Everyone pointed to Blue, who stepped back in fear, "Sorry."
"Oh, you will be."
Red cleared his throat, "There's Alien life forms detected downtown."
Green nodded, "Right!" He looked towards Pink, "Are you coming?"
"Nope." She sat down on the floor beside the door and crossed her arms, "You guys fed it to him, so you can handle this fight without us."
Red sighed, "We don't have time for this!" He gestured to the room, "C'mon Rangers!"
1-2-3-4-5
Jenna and Andy were laughing, hard, "Am I watching this right?" Kira asked, joining in the laughter after pausing it, "I mean, at first I thought they made them siblings. But the teasing from Purple makes it look like they're together."
"I can't wait to tell Raina. This is hilarious." Andy said, calming down.
"And wrong on so many levels." Jenna took a deep breath, trying to calm down, "I am so telling Tommy." She looked at Andy, "You think Zoey knows?"
"She's watched some of the past versions, so, maybe."
They resumed the show and watched as the scene shifted to that of a lake front area where Whacker Wilson had just come across today's monster as it terrorized people, "That is so a guy in a rubber suit!" Conner groaned
"No one said this was a documentary." Ethan pointed out, "Use your imagination."
"Like anyone is gonna believe a combination of a bear, an ATM machine and a mushroom!" The Red Ranger growled in frustration.
Jenna and Kira exchanged looks.
"Is it any different to what we fight?" Andy asked, chuckling.
Kira smiled in agreement as Conner rolled his eyes and went back to watching.
1-2-3-4-5
"My name is Kaching!" The monster declared "A monster who feeds off of greed! With my magic wigs, I will soon control the world!"
A tiny mushroom appeared on the bears paw, and it launched it through the air, hitting some random guy in the head. Seconds later, a large pink wig grew out. He tossed another mushroom, this time giving an old woman deep blue hair.
"What the...?" Whacker Wilson frowned as people went running by, followed by the monster.
"Lookie here!" Kaching cackled "American tourist! You look like you're ready for a new do!"
A yell ripped through the air, "Hey!" It turned to see the five teens running up, "Bear… monster… thing?"
"Wait your turn!" Kaching bellowed.
"Let's do it!" Red exclaimed, as he and the others swung their morphers into formation.
"Dino Thunder! Power Up!"
1-2-3-4-5
The American Power Rangers froze as they watched the TV counterparts morph on the screens, "I didn't tell anyone!" Ethan swore, "Did you guys?"
"Not me!" Kira shook her head
"Who would we tell?" Jenna asked.
"Other than other Rangers." Andy muttered.
Conner shrugged, "At least we're getting some action."
1-2-3-4-5
"Tyranno Power! Red Ranger!"
"Tricera Power! Blue Ranger!"
"Ptera Power! Yellow Ranger!"
"Spino Power! Green Ranger!"
"Wolf Power! Purple Ranger!"
"Power Rangers!" They cried together
"Very impressive!" Kaching taunted, clapping his paws together, "But I brought Special Guest Stars! Triptoids!"
A series of foot soldiers appeared behind him, bypassing Whacker Wilson entirely. Leaping past Kaching, the Red Ranger began to battle the foot soldiers, quickly joined by his fellow rangers.
"Smashing, bashing all paid in cash!" Kaching exclaimed, not making any sense, "Wait till I unleash my mushrooms on the Rangers!"
"Red Ranger!" The leader called, a brown wig on his helmet, a horse neigh sounded.
"Yellow Ranger!" Yellow said, a purple wig adoring her helmet, cat's meow screeched.
"Blue Ranger!" Blue added, a blonde wig falling onto his helmet, a dog bark echoed out.
"Purple Ranger!" Purple followed, an electric blue wig shaking on her helmet, followed by a Cow mooing.
"Green Ranger!" Green finished, his neon pink wig landing on his helmet, a goat baa stuttered out.
"WIGGY RANGERS!" they shouted together
1-2-3-4-5
"Oh, that's it!" Conner exclaimed "Come on, their totally making fun of us! I'm outta here!" He looked across at Andy, "You coming or staying?"
The Green Ranger looked back at him, shaking his head, "Sorry dude." He held up his tablet, "I'm working and watching at the same time."
"Where were you hiding that?" Ethan looked over, trying to figure it out.
"Ninja dude. Stealthy."
"Fine!" Conner nodded, getting to his feet and storming past the TV.
"Conner, wait!" Ethan called after him "Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly accurate of our jobs as Power Rangers." He looked over at the other three, "It is kinda fun!"
Jenna nodded, "In a weird, jumbled-up way, yeah."
"You haven't even given it a chance." Kira complained, "Don't you want to know how it ends?"
"It ends with me going out that door, going to the library and finishing my report. I'll see you guys later." He said as he turned toe and walked away.
Jenna frowned, "What a grouch!"
"He'll be back." Ethan said, once Conner had disappeared.
"How do you know?" Kira asked.
The Blue ranger grinned and pulled Conner's backpack up from the floor. "Because he forgot this!" He smiled, dropping it onto the couch between himself and Kira.
The group nodded as they turned back to the TV.
1-2-3-4-5
"This is gonna be hilarious!" Kaching snickered diabolically as he launched another mushroom.
It swerved past the Rangers, heading towards the unsuspecting Whacker Wilson. Ignoring the cries of the Rangers, the baseball player dropped his duffle bag and pulled out a baseball bat. The next thing they know, the mushroom is hurtling back through the air and returned to its owner. It smashed onto the monster's head, and a huge, thick, bright orange wig appeared.
"Hey! Its only funny when I do it!" The monster yelled, before he and the Triptoids, vanished.
Yellow frowned, looking around. "Where did everybody go?"
"Dunno." Red shrugged.
"Evil-R-Us?" Purple questioned, turning to her friends. She spotted the baseball player, "Who's that?" She asked, pointing at him.
The man removed his hood and his sunglasses as Blue stepped forward, powering down like the others, "Whacker Wilson!" he stated, "The greedy American baseball player!"
"You guys are good fighters." He grinned, grabbing his duffle bag and walking off, "See ya again."
"Wait." Red frowned, "What are you doing here?"
Whacker turned back towards them, "Oh, my back is killing me! I heard the world's best chiropractor lives here!"
"You're right, he does." Blue nodded, looking confused, "You mean you're not here to play baseball?"
"How can I play baseball when I can hardly move?" Whacker asked, rubbing his back, "I had to find this chiropractor. His name is Kenny Yukito."
"That's him." The other frowned as they pointed to the blue-clad teen with them.
Whacker Wilson grinned happily, "Hey!"
1-2-3-4-5
As Ethan and Kira munched away on popcorn, Andy and Jenna had put their work down and stared as fixated as the others on the show. They never looked up as Conner came back in, walking around them to the back of the couch, and brushed popcorn off his backpack.
"Come on Conner," Ethan said, without looking up, "take a seat."
Conner sighed, "Is it really that good?"
"You'll never know, if you don't watch for yourself." Kira told him
"Shh!" Ethan told them.
1-2-3-4-5
Purple glared at Green as he threw popcorn in her hair, "I will feed you to the Raptors, Green Boy."
"Hey." Yellow, who was sitting behind them with Red, exclaimed, "I read somewhere that Whacker Wilson makes five million a year!"
"Really?" Red's eyes widened, "Five million?"
"Do you think Kenny's right?" Purple questioned, turning around, "That Whacker is only in it for the money?"
Green shrugged, "I dunno, he seems to really love baseball." He turned to look back down at the Blue Ranger, who was working on Whacker's back. Soon, the baseball player was dancing around on the stone bed he had been laying on, "Happy dance?"
"Looks happy to me." Yellow said as they watched Kenny morphed and walked up the stairs toward them, "What do you think they were talking about?"
1-2-3-4-5
"I'm starting to see the moral here." Kira smiled.
Conner sighed, "What, that Power Rangers are doofuses?"
Jenna rolled her eyes and shook her head, sharing a look with Andy.
"No," Kira answered, "that money isn't everything!" She slapped his arm, as he lent on the back of her sofa, "Have you not been paying attention?"
The Red Ranger sighed and returned his attention to the TV, snatching some popcorn from Ethan in the process.
Just as the Kaching monster outsmarted Whacker Wilson and made fun of him; Conner appeared in front of the TV screen opening his shirt wide to block the view, "Okay, it's bad enough that they've made us look like fools, but to make fun of our sports heroes?" He exclaimed, more frustrated than before, "Where is your pride! I will not sit here and take this!"
Ethan frowned, "Don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit?" He asked he and the others tried to get around their leader, "I mean, it's just a TV show!"
"Yeah, but don't you see what this represents?" Conner retorted, "This is what they think of us in Japan!"
"How can you say that?" Kira demanded as she and Ethan moved from one end of the couch the other, attempting to see the television, "It's one episode of one TV show and not even the whole episode."
Andy smirked, "I think you're taking this a little too far, dude."
Jenna nodded in agreement, "Look, I suggest that you sit down and watch the rest of the episode." She said, crossing her arms, "If you still don't like it, you can write to the TV station or something. Or congress. Or the president. I don't really care… I just want to see if the Rangers can defeat Kaching and show Whacker Wilson the error of his ways! Now -"
"Move!" The group yelled together, agitated.
Conner hesitated, before dropping his arms and returning to his seat.
"Thank you." Jenna sighed as Andy rolled his eyes.
"Finally!" Kira said
Ethan nodded, "Good!" he responded, leaning back as the show continued
1-2-3-4-5
"I was right about Whacker," Kenny spoke, as he and Green stood at the waterfront, leaning on the rail and staring at the water, "He'll never change."
"You can't just judge someone based on the culture and chosen profession." Green rolled his eyes, "Just because he's from America and plays baseball doesn't mean that he's a greedy money-grubber."
Kenny frowned before looking up at the sound of his name and was surprised to see Whacker running towards him, carrying large bags of money in his hands, "Look at what I got! Big bulging bags of bucks! See!"
"I told you," Kenny sighed, shaking his head as he and Green turned away from the baseball player, "That doesn't impress me."
"But I wanna pay you for fixing my back!" Whacker explained, kneeling down and undoing a bag to get the cash, "How much do you want?"
"No!" Kenny protested, "Please!"
But Whacker wasn't listening "How 'bout… ten thousand dollars?" He asked, flashing the money before the Blue Ranger's eyes, as his hood fell off.
Kenny and Green's eyes widened in response as an aqua blue wig came into view.
"Where did you get that?" Kenny asked, shocked.
"His air. That wig." Green muttered, "Oh, no."
"Here!" Whacker exclaimed, thrusting money into Blue Ranger's hands, "In the home run derby, I cheated like crazy. Now I'm loaded! I bribed the opposing pitcher, and he tossed me big fat marshmallows! I hit the run outta the park and collected the big cash prize!"
Kenny shook his head, "Keep your money!" He snapped, throwing it back, "You're worse than I thought!"
"No, I insist!" Whacker told him, place more and more stacks of money in his arms "Money is the only thing that makes you happy!"
"I don't want it!" Kenny yelled, throwing the bag and the cash to the ground. Whacker gasped and ran towards his money.
"Oh, my money!" The player exclaimed, rushing to pick it up. "Money! Money!"
Kenny and Green exchanged nervous glances as they backed away carefully "Whacker..."
"Look!" Green pointed around them as many people were running around the streets harassing others for money. All these people were also wearing wigs, "This is insane!"
"It must be those wigs!" Kenny theorized, "They are making everybody obsessed with money!"
"Whacker included." Green looked back down at the player, "This isn't normal behavior. For anyone."
The Blue Ranger nodded before leaned and started shaking the American on the shoulder, "Whacker! You've gotta snap out of it!"
"Whacker, stop!" Green knelt down beside the baseball player and grabbed his arm, "Come on man, this isn't you. It's the wig."
"Excuse me!" The looked up the see Kaching behind them, laughing, "Why don't you two butt out!" He grabbed them by the shoulders and threw them across the pier. "Time for a change!" He spewed enlarged change in their direction, encasing them in an airtight cage.
"It feels like we're back at the beach and you guys had just buried me in the sand!" Green said as they struggled to get free.
Kenny looked over, "You deserved it for drinking all the water!"
The monster laughed, "There's nothing you can do to stop me! Soon, the whole world will be controlled by greed!"
The Red, Yellow and Purple Rangers ran in and stood over the friends, "Back off!"
Purple jumped into the air and shot crescent blades at the creature, encasing him ice, "That should hold him for a minute." She looked down and chuckled at the money piles, "Kind of takes me back to the beach."
"I said I was sorry." Green yelled, "Now move so we can get out of here!" They backed up as the two glowed for a moment. Then, morphed, exploded out of their coin cages, slicing it with their swords.
"Listen Rangers! I've had enough of all your screaming and morphing hooey, once and for all!" Kaching bellowed, "I'm going to destroy you!"
More enlarged money was hurled their way; but they used their Sabres to deflect most of it. Unfortunately, the speed and frequency of the coins picked up and they were unable to stop the dangerous flow of sparkling coins that hit them.
"Fight with me Rangers," Kaching laughed, "and I'll make you rich! Rich! Rich!"
Purple scoffed, "Can you believe this guy?"
"Yeah, he thinks he can buy us off!" Yellow rolled her eyes.
"How much money we talking here?" Red questioned, curious.
"What?" Kenny asked, looking towards his leader
The Red Ranger stammered "I mean… never!"
"Hey..." Green said turning to the Red Ranger.
Kenny frowned, "You had us worried."
"Well, it doesn't hurt to ask." Red stated, laughing nervously.
Just then the Black and Pink Rangers appeared, "Hey, there you are!" They called, riding up on Raptor Riders, pulling a couple of wheelbarrows behind them, "We've been looking for you guys everywhere."
Black gestured them over to the carts, "Hey, we think we have something that might help! Grab one!"
"It's the Black and Pink Rangers!" Kenny cried.
Purple smiled, "Hey, you're okay!" She exclaimed as she run forward.
Black nodded as he passed her a Wolf shaped Piggy bank.
Yellow had a treasure chest.
Kenny had a waving cat.
Red had a tomato-shaped Piggy bank.
Black had a small safe.
Pink had fox and Green had a globe bank.
"So, you brought some money banks, huh? Let me help you fill them!" The monster yelled, unleashing a powerful spray of coins. They went soaring towards the Rangers, who caught each of them in their banks until they were full.
Unfortunately, the next round of coins hit them, and sparks flew off their suits.
"Ha! You lose!" Kaching cackled.
"Now what do we do?" Purple groaned as she struggled to her feet
"Hey, look at the money Kaching got me!" Whacker Wilson called, running towards them, "Join me and be rich!"
"Whacker..." Kenny pondered, "If he really does love baseball more than money, maybe we can save him!" He looked at the American and raised his voice, "Now batting, number one, Whacker Wilson!"
The baseball player halted, "What?"
"Play ball!" The Blue Ranger yelled, tossing the cat bank towards Whacker. It soared through the air, and the baseball player reacted on instinct, dropping the bags of money and pulling his bat out. He hit it dead on and sent the money bank flying past the Rangers and crashing into Kaching, knocking him out cold.
"Huh?" Yellow walked over as he snored and laughed, "Sweet dreams!"
But it was short lived as he returned to his feet, "Wait a minute! Where am I?" He looked over at the Rangers and growled, "You rotten little punks!" Enraged, he rushed at the Rangers, knocking them all off their feet again, "The world is mine, no one can stop me!"
Yellow glared, "I think it's time we trash the cash monster!"
"Okay!" Kenny agreed, "It's on." Five of the Rangers summoned their weapons and put them together. "Z-Rex blaster!"
"Ready?" Pink asked, looking at her partner.
"Oh, I am so ready." Purple smirked as they called on their own weapons of choice.
"Flash Fire!" Pink called, sending flames down her baton, "9-tail Slash!"
"Arctic Claws!"
"FIRE!"
Three huge energy blasts soared through the air and ripped right through the monster.
1-2-3-4-5
"Yes!" Conner yelled, jumping up onto the sofa and pumping his fist into the air; startling his friends who sat around him. "Well, it… " He stammered as he sat back down, "I mean, it was kinda cool."
"See," Kira smiled, "We're not so different after all, just a slightly different interpretation."
Ethan nodded, "Now, aren't you glad you stayed?"
"Yeah," Conner nodded, "I guess I am."
1-2-3-4-5
The next afternoon, Jenna met Kira, Andy and Ethan at the Cyberspace and they were surprised to find Conner sitting in front of the TV watching the same episode from the previous night, "You liked it so much you had to catch the re-run?" Ethan asked, as he leaned over the back of the couch with the others.
"Something like that." Conner answered, turning off the TV.
Jenna frowned and looked at the laptop in front of him, "Japanese vs. American Culture. Closer than we think." She smiled, "Nice title."
"Yeah. Last night gave me an idea for my social studies project." Conner explained, "I compared how they see us; to how we see ourselves."
"Without getting too specific, I hope." Kira warned.
Conner smirked, "Please. I admit I was a little bit skeptical at first, but then I really got into it."
"See, their show is different, but it's still cool." Kira smiled in encouragement.
"There was one thing though..." Conner smirked, "Not enough Red Ranger!"
"You're just jealous Blue Ranger saved the day," Ethan chuckled.
Kira and Jenna scoffed "What?!" They exclaimed, "With the Yellow and Purple Rangers? That furry faced freak never stood a chance!"
"What about the Green Ranger?" Andy argued as they headed outside, "He contributed just as much as the rest of the team."
"Oh, speaking about the rest of the team." Jenna gestured for them to keep walking, "I talk to Zoey last night. She's coming home soon, and she has some major announcements and a couple of surprises."
"What kind of announcements?" Conner asked, looked concerned, "Anything we should be worried about?"
"She didn't get into any details." She smirked, "But I'm quite intrigued at what I did learn. And don't ask, I promised I wouldn't say anything yet. Just giving a heads up that it's a big deal for the future."
"Knowing Zoey," Andy laughed, "it's Ranger related. Otherwise, she wouldn't be giving a heads up of any kind. She likes to keep her personal life… well, personal."
"Well, is it the same with the surprises?" Kira questioned, having waited until the laughter stopped, "I mean, it's separate things, right?"
"Yes, it is." Jenna paused, "I can't say anything about it either; other than the fact that we're getting some more help."
"Help?"
"Wait, Ranger help?" Ethan asked, looking excited.
"It is Ranger help, in a way, but it's not a new Ranger." She sighed, "Things just got more interesting and a whole lot more complicated."
Let me know what you guys think of this chapter. Also, I'm bringing in a brand new OC. One I've had in my head for awhile. You'll meet this OC at the end of the next chapter, but they'll have already been established with the past teams. You will meet the new OC in Angel Grove Angels. Just a heads up, most of you will recognize where I'm going with the OC from the backstory. It's going to set-up a future story. Far off future, lol.
As usual, I read all comments and PMs. So please, if you have any suggestions, let me know. I'm open to anything. Just keep it nice. :)
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Catch you on the flip side!