Daisuke never felt like this in his life. Usually whenever he thought of his friends, he would feel elated and happy, but now he felt angry.
He was casted aside. He didn't fail to notice how his best friends would now talk about something they all knew but keep him out of it and his mother was not any better now.
Since the events of the last Kid heist, she's been interrogating him every time he wants to leave the house, and it has become harder to convince her to let him leave the house for even a walk in the park.
And when he told her about Kazumi, she asked him to cut his ties off her, just because he had not seen her parents before. That woman was paranoid in his own point of view.
Hence why, he sneaked out of his house late at night and went to a nearby park where he asked Kazumi to meet up with him, wanting to talk with her.
But as soon as he reached the park, he received a message from Kazumi.
Sorry Dai… I can't meet up with you today, Father wants me to help him with something.
Daisuke raised an eyebrow at the message before his eyes widened as he let out a cry of pain before he fainted, falling face first on the ground, a taser attached to his neck.
"A taser? That's all we needed to get him?", A man wearing all black commented as he came out of the shadows with a woman dressed in the same manner.
"It looks like a taser, but it's much stronger, and you do need higher volts if you wanna ruin a machine.", She waved her invention with a smirk before she looked down at Daisuke, "But I only knocked him out. I finally have my little lab rat..".
"So, it's him.", He hummed.
"Using the DNA we had stored with the one him gave us, her jacket that she wore while she hung out with him. We found a hair strand and compared it to the DNA of his parents, and it was a perfect match.", She nodded in confirmation.
He narrowed his eyes with anger, hate, ferocity, and blood-thirst all in the same time.
"And he'll be our next man.", She said as she snapped her fingers, before she and the man with the still unconscious Daisuke teleported and reappeared inside her lab.
"You'll use the same brainwashing method?", He asked.
"Why brainwash him when we can tell him the truth?", She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What are you talking about?", He asked both suspiciously and curiously.
"The former brainwash method won't work anymore. I've come up with a new method, and I'm willing to test it on him.", She said, eyeing the unconscious teen like a predator.
~•~•~•~
Daisuke woke up alarmed with a sharp gasp, feeling unable to breath for a second.
He started panting in his place as he rubbed his forehead from sweat.
He looked around, and recognized his room before he sighed, "Kaasan's Paranoia is getting to me… Her talking about dangerous men dressed in black and capable of brainwashing and have advanced tech.".
He rubbed his eyes before he lied back in bed, "I shouldn't have watched a couple of episodes of Star Trek before going to sleep. It's all getting mixed up together.".
~•~•~•~
The Next Day,
Neo Headquarters,
Masumi stood with her arms crossed, resting her back on the wall, watching everything happen in front of her with a blank stare.
Kaiden was talking to Dan about something while Nina was talking on the phone to someone, probably Vermouth. Ryu was talking to Kaito while the latter was playing with cards in his hands, Makoto and Saguru were talking about something, while Akira and Static were showing off Ascalon to Heiji.
But her eyes focused on the last two present in the room; Shinichi and Ran.
The first was looking with the second at some photos on his phone, before he said something with a cheeky smile that made her blush and frown at him, elbowing him playfully in the shoulder, making him laugh.
Masumi smiled at the scene of the two lovebirds, and her mind wandered to the person she could not understand what her feelings towards him were; Rei.
Whenever romance was brought up or she would see her teammates with their significant other, she would think of Rei, and imagine herself with him in the place of her friends.
Was she truly in love with him? She was horrified when they thought the Organization had figured him out and-
"You could ask me for a relationship advice, you know.". Masumi almost jumped in her place before she looked beside her, to see her mother kneeling next to her with a smirk on her face.
"Nani?", Masumi blinked.
"You're thinking about Furuya, aren't you? I can see it in your eyes.", Mary said.
Masumi knew it was useless to deny so she let out a heavy sigh with a nod, "Yeah… I don't know if this is an infatuation or true feelings… I don't even know what he feels towards me.".
Mary nearly rolled her eyes, 'You seriously don't know with how you're both following each other around?'.
"You can settle your feelings of him during this mission, since he insisted on accompanying us.", Mary said as the elevator door opened, and in walked Shuichi, Shukichi, Furuya, Agasa, Araide, Akemi and…
Shiho.
Everyone turned to the new arrivals and smiled but their eyes widened at the sight of Shiho, knowing very well how risky for her to go on such mission when Black Organization agents will be there, but the biggest question in their minds was not why was she going them.
It was if she was back to her true form or a disguise.
Shinichi was the first to notice that Shuichi, Shukichi, Araide, Agasa, Akemi, Static, and Mary were not surprised about her appearance, so they knew about this.
"Shiho?", Ryu asked hopefully.
"It's not a disguise if you're asking. I worked with Static to make one for Mary-Obasan indeed, but I also worked on another one for me.", Shiho replied with a shrug.
Shiho opened her mouth to say something else, but she gasped once Ryu rushed towards her with a wide smile, hugged her, and picked her up, spinning her around a few times in front of everyone.
Once he placed her back on her feet, he noticed how her face was blushing as she glared at him, "Did you have to do that in front of everyone?".
"Get used to it from now on, Miyano-hakase.", Ryu slightly smirked.
"Oh, Little Ryu is being a Romeo!", Nina teased, making Ryu blush before he frowned at her.
"Told you so.", Shiho mumbled.
"Urusei…", Ryu grunted to both girls.
"I guess we'll be seeing you smiling more often now that you're officially with your boyfriend.", Masumi teased.
Shiho turned towards her with a smirk as she replied, "At least I know feelings towards Ryuuga and he knows too, what about you and Furuya?".
Both blushed heavily and looked away from each other, and Rei spoke up first, "There isn't something going on between us…".
"You guys are just seeing things.", Masumi mumbled.
"I really hope they are.", Shuichi commented, jealousy evident in his tone. Araide and Akemi sweat dropped at his attitude while Mary rolled her eyes.
"You're overreacting, niisan.", Shukichi mumbled.
"Before you all go on your mission, I'd like to inform you with what Shiho-kun, Static-kun, and I reached while researching the remains of the Deathnoids and their heart-shaped cores.", Agasa said as he presented his tablet and pressed on it, making a hologram display in front of them.
"They're made from Dragonian metal, aren't they?", Akira deduced.
"Indeed, but they have an advanced artificial intelligence system, and I noticed that they have what resembles a Bluetooth connection. So, any data they receive or find out in battle, they send it somewhere.", Agasa explained.
"Probably back to Madeira.", Mary said.
"Good thing they did not see our faces.", Kaito sighed in relief.
"What about the core? I have a bad feeling about it.", Kaiden said.
Agasa sighed solemnly while Static and Shiho stared at the ground, both having a mixed facial expressions of disgust and grimness.
"It functions like any other previous core… with an option to become a bomb at any moment if not destroyed but… it had parts… made out of Human remains…", Agasa said heavily.
Everyone looked disgusted at the news, and the Rangers felt like they were going to puke. And here they thought the Organization can not stoop any lower.
"But why? What's the use of doing this?!", Ran cried in disbelief and anger, Shinichi placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
"A message.", Shuichi deduced, "They're telling us what they're capable of doing and how heartless they can be.".
Shinichi clenched his fists before he said seriously, "Let's get moving. We have to stop them, and send them our own message.".
"I need more heart cores to analyze them more… maybe we can find out something about those cores.", Agasa said.
"They usually send ten to twenty Deathnoids to face us. We'll try to get you some of them; not just the cores, but the robots themselves.", Dan said seriously before he motioned for everyone to follow him, as he walked towards the Neo Spacer.
"Be careful, Shiho.", Akemi said as she gave Shiho a quick hug. Araide then handed her a small kit box.
"Take this with you, you might need it.", He said.
"Thanks.", Shiho nodded as she followed the others into the Neo Spacer.
~•~•~•~
"Take a picture, it'll last longer.", Shiho scoffed, glancing at Masumi, who sat next to her in the Spacer,
"What happened between you and Gin?", Masumi asked, making Shiho's eyes widen for a second before she looked away.
"What do you think?", Shiho mumbled.
Masumi nodded silently, understanding what Shiho meant, confirming her suspicions. She was forced in a sexual relationship with Gin.
Masumi placed a hand on Shiho's shoulder as she assured her, "You're safe now.".
Shiho gave her a small smile before she placed the kit Araide and Akemi gave her on her lap, and opened it, a smirk appearing on her face.
"They certainly won't like this.", She mumbled.
"What's that?", Shukichi asked curiously.
"Some tools that I can use for analysis, alongside some first aid.", Shiho replied.
"Who needs first aid when you've got super powers?", Kaito asked with a confident smirk, earning him a slap on the back of his head from Dan.
"Oi!".
The Rangers snickered a bit at what happened before Masumi looked at Rei, and blushed once he smiled at her, before she returned the smile.
Ran looked back and forth between them before she smiled a bit, the scene reminding her of herself and Shinichi.
"Anyways, who are our allies for this mission? And where are we going also?", Saguru asked.
"America. In western Texas in the desert, tornadoes have been happening there non stop. Which is uncommon since this part isn't part of the Tornado alley.", Dan explained, "We'll be helped by American FAUSD agent Austin Walker, Canadian FAUSD agent Noah Smith, and Mexican FAUSD agent Lucia Rodriguez.".
"It's seriously cool how every Gauntlet starts to react whenever we find the previous one. As if it's telling us to come get it.", Makoto commented.
"I think they're connected to us somehow due to the Zords, and how they can connect to us. When that robot monster hit me and I fell into the volcano, the gauntlet flew up towards me, and I used it.", Shinichi explained.
"Don't remind me, my heart almost stopped back then.", Ran sighed.
"Once we get this, we'll be halfway through.", Nina said, "We even spotted strange activities happening in three other places where the other gauntlets might be, they aren't as strong as the previous ones, but we are certain they'll get stronger.".
"Egypt has had some mild earthquakes happening from one of the caves, the trees are growing at an exponential rate in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, while the ice is growing in one of the largest glaciers in Antarctica.", Static said.
"I honestly love this mission, it feels more like a journey around the world.", Akira chuckled.
"Best part of being a FAUSD agent is getting to travel for free, literally.", Rei joked.
Shiho then smirked, "Imagine being two FAUSD agents and traveling to a romantic location. Say, aren't you guys now official FAUSD agents?".
Her eyes were directed towards Rei before looking towards Masumi, and both of them blushed.
"Drop that subject.", Shuichi grunted.
"Don't tell me what to do.", Shiho scoffed, making Ryu snicker.
"Your girlfriend's bossy.", Kaito joked, earning a glare from Shiho.
"Well, I love the type of woman that can kick my ass.", Ryu shrugged.
Dan laughed, "That's my son! We even have the same taste in women!".
"I can't make fun of that…", Mary mumbled as she looked back and forth between Masumi and Rei, "My daughter decided to like a top government agent when she's technically one… just like I fell for the top MI6 agent back then."
"Don't worry, Sera-san. If Furuya-kun ever thinks of hurting Masumi, he'll have to deal with me.", Kaiden assured her with a smile.
"I still find it weird how everything literally started from the death of Haneda Kohji.", Ran said, "It had the Akai family get involved and was the start of APTX 4869.".
"It's not ever yet too, we still don't know where Asaca is, or what happened to Kohji's child.", Shuichi replied.
"Ya think da Organization abducted him? Or if he even is still alive?", Heiji asked.
"Everything points to that he's still alive, but we don't know where he is or what happened to him.", Shukichi said.
~•~•~•~
The Neo Spacer landed on the ground, near a fence with a sign that said, "Welcome to the Chihuahuan desert.".
"The Sun's scorching hot for today,", Saguru mumbled once the Neo Spacer's doors opened and one by one, everyone walked out, before the Neo Spacer surrounded itself with an invisibility cloak. He was morphed but not wearing his helmet, same with the others.
"It's cold at night, like any desert though.", A male voice announced his presence. The group looked ahead, and deduced from the uniforms that those were the FAISD agents they were told about.
"Captain Austin Walker, at your service.", The one who spoke up said again. He was a tall lean and toned man with light complexion, blonde short hair, and bright blue eyes.
"Captain Noah Smith, pleased to meet you.", The second man next to him said. He had the same build as his friend but short brown hair, with green eyes and a light complexion.
"I guess you already know who I am, but I'm Captain Lucia Rodriguez.", The woman next to them said. She had a tan complexion with long wavy brown hair, and brown eyes. She was the same height and built as Nina.
"I knew it, I knew you were going to join us someday!", Austin laughed as he went to shake hands with Shuichi, who smirked back at him.
"I guess I know where the hell you would always be when you ain't at the office.", Shuichi replied.
"Wait, Walker, you know him?", Rei asked surprised.
"Remember the FBI guy I always told you about for the past years? That's him. Thought I never mentioned his name.", Austin explained.
"Of course he'd be popular.", Shiho deadpanned, earning a snicker from Masumi.
"You never mention the name of any the colleagues you talk about.", Noah pointed out.
"That's the whole point of a secret identity.", Austin pointed out before he turned to the Rangers, "Don't worry, your identity is safe with us.".
And that's when he noticed Masumi and he moved closer and asked, "Say, don't you look similar to Akai?", and that's when he noticed Shukichi and Mary, "Even you two…".
"Move back a bit, Austin.", Rei said sternly, making Austin walk back while raising his hands in defense, but slightly smirking at Rei's protectiveness.
"Because they're my family.", Shuichi explained, before he introduced everyone one by one, except Rei and Nina since they already knew the three.
"So, does this count as a family field trip?", Lucia joked.
"Probably, since we are all one big family.", Masumi laughed.
Rei and Nina shared a look at that before they looked away, still not over their argument and fight with each other.
"Since you're an American and a captain, can I call you Captain America?", Kaito joked. His friends groaned at his joke while Austin laughed.
"If it weren't for the possibility that Marvel could sue me for copyrights, I'd have said yes.", He replied.
"Come on, we've gotta get nearer toward the tornadoes' area.", Noah said as he pointed at the two large tornadoes present, that looked a bit smaller since they were standing further away.
"Does this happen often in this desert?", Makoto asked.
"Nope. It happens in North Texas mostly, and in Chihuahua it happened in the part in Mexico, and tornadoes often move up to Canada. But in this area, never.", Austin said, "I can confirm since I'm a Texan born and raised.".
"We're afraid this may evolve and strike both our countries, not just the United States.", Noah added.
"We've brought these to move there faster.", Lucia pointed at the two open black Jeep wranglers behind them, "Will they be enough?".
"We have our own runners.", Shinichi nodded.
"I can take Shiho with me.", Masumi said.
"We can fly.", Akira and Static chorused.
"I can use the glider of my staff.", Kaiden said.
"Then let's get in.", Dan nodded.
In the first wrangler; Mary, Shukichi, and Rei sat in the backseat while Shuichi sat in the front seat, next to Austin who started the car. In the second wrangler; Dan, Ryu, and Kazama sat in the backseat while Lucia sat in the front seat, next to Noah who started the car.
The Rangers summoned their Neo Runners, wore their helmets again, before they mounted their bikes, with Shiho mounting behind her, holding onto Masumi with one hand while holding the kit with her other hand.
The wranglers drove forward first, followed by the Runners. Kaiden then jumped spread the glider of his staff, while Akira and Static flew with him, following the vehicles.
~•~•~•~
"Looks like we ain't the only ones here!", Lucia cried, "Your amigos (friends) are here!".
Ahead of them were twenty Deathnoids, with Kaguya and Chianti, and a robot monster. The robot monster was a dinosaur-like creature with two large wings out of its back, green scales, and red glowing eyes, with sharp teeth.
"How are they aren't affected by the tornadoes?", Ran asked.
"They aren' in da area where da tornadoes would start ta pull them, so dat's a smart move on der part.", Heiji explained.
"It's your turn to get your device Masumi, We'll handle them all while you find it!", Kaito cried.
"The tornadoes seem to be spinning in a circle around something, I bet the Gauntlet is in the middle.", Masumi replied.
"Go get it then!", Shinichi ordered.
"Right ahead of you!", Masumi cried, "Savage Zord, Unleash! Partner Mode!".
Suzaku appeared in pink light just as Masumi jumped off her runner, landing on top of Suzaku while Shiho moved forward to drive the Runner herself.
Noah and Austin then drifted with the wranglers, creating a dust around them, blinding the villains, and giving them a chance to get out of their vehicles, but the Rangers drove forward, making the Deathnoids aim their weapons at them and attempt shoot them down.
"You guys are not that special anymore so why are you even trying?", Shinichi mocked.
"They're desperate.", Saturn said as he summoned his shield, blocking the projectiles, and he reflected an energy beam that almost hit Kaguya.
"Watch it metal crap!", Kaguya cried.
She then eyed Masumi and Suzaku, growling in anger, before she turned to the robot monster, the Deathnoids, and Chianti.
"Do as you please with the others, the pink one is mine.", She said before she flew upwards, toward Masumi.
"Don't tell me what to do.", Chianti snorted before she turned to the robot monster, "the Rangers are yours, Wyvern. The Deathnoids and I will handle the rest of the agents.".
"As you wish.", Wyvern nodded before he flew while roaring towards the Rangers.
Chianti looked ahead with the Deathnoids to see the FAUSD agents with Akira and Static charging towards her and the Deathnoids.
"Let's do this!", She cried as she charged forward with the Deathnoids.
"Stay behind us, you still haven't learned to defend yourself and…", Ryu wanted to warn Shiho, but he trailed off once she opened the kit on the ground and pulled out a small gun before she fired a bullet at a number 10 Deathnoid, electrocuting it for a few seconds, before it fell on the ground. The glow in its eyes died on, the robot no longer functional.
"I've spent some time working on prototypes for new FAUSD weapons with Agasa-Hakase, this is one of them. An EMP gun.", Shiho explained.
"Have I ever told you how amazing you are…", Ryu trailed off, not knowing what to call Shiho.
Shiho remained silent for a second, for she had not come up with something suitable to be her Codename, especially since she recently joined the Scientific Division, specifically the Research Department.
The Organization had made her create for them different things, particularly poisons.
Now, she has got the chance to do the same, but use her science for good. Come up with weapons, poisons, and more, against those who stole her childhood, her parents, those who ruined her life for 18 years.
She was going to be the venom that kills them.
"Call me Venom, Black Cat.", She replied confidently.
Ryu raised a thumbs up as he exclaimed, "You got it!".
"Nice weapon, keep it hidden from my crazy government officials who could use it in the wars they want to start!", Austin joked as he pulled out a pistol with his right hand and a Native American tomahawk with his other from his sides, "Anything I need to know about these basket heads?".
"Their limbs aren't that strong, and they can only be destroyed by Dragonian metal like my sword, or using their limbs and weapons to cut them down.", Akira explained as he held Ascalon.
"Alright then, let's do this!", Noah cried as he grabbed the shotgun placed on his back.
"This fight will be fácil (easy).", Lucia laughed as she grabbed the club placed on her back before she pressed a button on it's side, and it changed into the Aztec weapon; a wooden sword with several embedded obsidian blades; a Macuahuitl.
"The Rangers will handle the robot monster, and we're eleven against 19 Deathnoids and Chianti, while Savage Pink will handle Kaguya.", Dan said as he readied his pistols.
"Chianti is mine, we had not finished our first fight.", Shuichi cracked his knuckles.
"You two can help me.", Ryu told Shukichi and Shiho, "We'll take on four of the Deathnoids.".
"We can take on three together.", Austin motioned towards his two friends.
"It's like the old days; Rodeo, Gunner, and Aztec working together.", Noah commented with a nostalgic smile.
"Let's take on 6 at once.", Mary told Dan, Nina, and Rei, who nodded in agreement.
"That leaves the remaining six for us.", Kaiden said as he, Akira, and Static stood ready.
~•~•~•~
"We meet again.", Shuichi said with his arms crossed, "But where is your partner? The one with gray hair and black glasses?".
Chianti instantly recalled the fight on the Ferris wheel and recognized Shuichi, "YOU! YOU'RE THAT BASTARD I FOUGHT BACK THEN ON THE FERRIS WHEEL WITH KORN!".
"You still remember me? Looks like a I left a good impression on you.", Shuichi mocked as he pulled out a dagger.
"You piece of-AHH!", Chianti swore as she aimed her rifle at him, but Shuichi was faster, throwing the dagger at her. The dagger impaled her right wrist, making her cry in pain as she dropped her rifle, and Shuichi charged towards her.
"You son of a bi-", Chianti did not get the chance to finish her sentence as Shuichi's right fist collided with her face, making her grunt in pain as her head turned left forcefully, before he kneed her in the gut, forcing her to lean forward
'You're lucky it's me and not Furuya nor Nina… If our main objective wasn't keeping you busy until we get the Gauntlet, they wouldn't have let you go.', Shuichi thought, as he kneed Chianti again but in her face, right in the nose.
She let out a cry of pain as she took a few steps back, her nose bleeding profusely, but Shuichi hit her with a spinning head kick, that made her dizzy.
"This was just an utter waste of time, I can't even consider this a warm up.", Shuichi commented before he sent a front kick right into Chianti's chest, making her cough as she was sent a few feet away. She landed on her back, unconscious.
Shuichi raised his fists and stared at them, 'I now see how effective enhanced-to-super human condition can be. It's remarkably amazing how these suits give us this boost.'.
~•~•~•~
"You've got a plan?", Shiho asked as she glanced at Shukichi.
"Show me the kit.", Shukichi said as he grabbed the kit to look inside, and he deduced the function of every object he found inside instantly before he glanced at Shiho and Ryu.
Usually it would take minutes to form a proper plan, but Shukichi formed a plan in seconds, smirking under his helmet. He had already heard from Masumi and Shiho about Ryu's capabilities and he knew what Number 10, 9, 8, and 7 were capable of.
Shukichi grabbed a bomb before he handed one for Ryu, "Try to provoke numbers 7 and 8, I'll take down 10 since we've got one, and I'll paralyze number 9.".
"You also made an EMT bomb?", Ryu asked Shiho in awe.
"Just a few prototypes. I gave some for the others except the international agents, since we recently met, before you can ask.", Shiho replied.
"Good, follow my lead!", Shukichi cried as he pulled out a smoke bomb from his belt and threw it on the ground, making it explode.
The Deathnoids' eyes changed to green as they used their heat vision, but what shocked them was that the three were nowhere to be seen. They heard a sound behind them, so number 9 flew high in the air out of the smoke cloud, while number 8 fired an electricity beam behind him and number 7 fired one of his claws in the same direction.
Number 9 turned left once he heard the sound of something being shot, and he ended up receiving an EMT bullet. He spasmed in the air a few times before he fell on the ground, shut down.
Number 8 spasmed too once a bullet hit him from behind while number 7 was pulled from the chain, out of the smoke cloud. Number 10 stared at where number 7 was left, since it was only him and number 7, but a few seconds later, number 7 was thrown at his feet, shut down too, but his arms were missing.
Number 10 then turned invisible while looking around frantically for the three.
His eyes' widened once he felt claws piercing through his chest and neck. The claw then moved up roughly, forcing the head out of the body, and the rest of the body fell to the ground.
The smoke disappeared and Ryu and Shiho walked closer to Shukichi, who was the one behind what happened to number 10.
"Nice work, giving me the claws.", Shukichi said after he threw the arms on the ground.
"I'm kind of impressed with your plan, we've got the other numbers and got rid of the extra one.", Ryu said.
"Did you think less of my cousin?", Shiho asked.
"I thought you disliked your cousins, but Masumi.", Ryu commented.
"Only Shuichi, he's annoying…", Shiho grunted.
"Give him a chance, Shiho. I swear he's a nice person when you got to know him.", Shukichi said friendly.
"Fine fine, I don't really see why everyone likes him.", Shiho shrugged, not that convinced.
~•~•~•~
Number 4 fired from his flamethrower arms at Lucia, but she held her sword across her to block the flames.
"You're a tough one.", Lucia mumbled. Number 4 changed his attacks from a fire beam into fire blasts, and Lucia blocked them by swinging her sword before she charged towards Number 4.
"Eres mia ahora! (You're mine now!)", Lucia cried as she raised her sword, aiming to strike it down at one of number 4's limbs.
Number 4's body then became on fire, and Lucia jumped back to avoid being caught in the fire.
"Woah, now that's something I didn't expect to happen.", Lucia commented.
Number 4 charged at Lucia, aiming to catch her to burn her alive. Lucia gathered her strength and threw her sword with all her might at Number 4. The sword spun sideways, and cut off Number 4's neck, tearing it's head off.
The body fell on the ground, functionless, now that the head was torn off.
"That wasn't hard. Your AI isn't that smart.", Lucia shrugged in mockery as she picked up her family's sword, "Old is gold, indeed.".
Number 5 fired multiple shurikens at Noah, who was doing his best to dodge the shurikens while trying to block it with his shotgun.
"Shooting off his limbs is useless, since he uses them for nothing literally.", Noah mumbled to himself.
"But if I can just get a proper aim at his neck…", He said as he rolled out of the way of the shurikens, "The neck is a weak part in any creature or robot.".
Noah jumped high, and landed behind the number 5 and fired at one of the arms that shoot Shurikens from his waist, tearing it off.
Number 5 turned to face him and fired only one shuriken at a time, not rapidly anymore, now that he lost one of the arms.
Noah only ducked and fired again, destroying the other arm, before he fired at the neck of Number 5, separating the head from the neck.
The rest of the body fell on the ground functionless.
"You were hooped all along, buddy.", Noah laughed as he rested his shotgun on his shoulder.
"You're done for.", Number 6 said in a robotic monotone.
"I've heard that before, and I'm still alive.", Austin scoffed.
Number 6 charged toward Austin and aimed to cut him with his circular saw hands, but Austin would either duck or evade, or use his tomahawk to block the attacks.
Number 6 attempted to strike with both his hands at once but Austin moved sideways before he swung his tomahawk, cutting off the right arm.
Number 6 turned to try attack Austin with his left arm but the latter shot at his shoulder with his pistol, separating the left arm from the body.
Austin swung his tomahawk sideways, cutting off the head from the neck and the rest of the body.
"Piece of cake.", Austin smirked.
~•~•~•~
Mary, Dan, Rei, Nina vs Number 3, 2, 1, 9, 8, 7
"We need numbers 3, 2, 1. Let's hit them with EMT before we can strike the others.", Mary said.
"Divide and conquer.", Dan said as he pulled out one of the bomb and jumped high getting the attention of the Deathnoids.
Mary pulled out her own and threw it at the feet of Numbers 3, 2, and 1, and the bomb exploded, creating an EMT field around those three. The three spasmed for a few times before they fell on the ground functionless.
Number 9 aimed to fly away but Nina used her gun piston system, same with Rei, firing their grapplers and wrapping them around Number 9, keeping him in his pace.
Dan landed behind Number 7 who aimed his claws at Mary, grabbed his hands from behind, and using his strength, changed the aim of the arms toward number 8, shooting both claws into the robot who was readying his electricity to strike Nina and Dan.
The claws hit Number 8 in his chest and the head, the eyes of the robot died down at the hit.
Number 7 pulled back his claws just as he freed himself from Dan's grip, and the latter jumped out of the way as the robot turned to strike him with the claws.
This time, Mary appeared behind him and held his arms, keeping him from shooting the claws for a second, which gave Nina and Rei the chance to use their strength and pull the grappling ropes, throwing Number 9 toward Number 7.
Mary let go off Number 7, making him shoot the claws, and they hit number 9, giving the same fate as Number 8. Number 7 pulled back his claws, freeing it from number 9.
Mary grabbed her gun and changed it into a blade before she cut off both of number 7's arms, before she caught his right arm from the claw part, and slammed it in his neck, before she moved the claw upward, cutting the head into half.
Number 7 took a few steps back before he exploded.
"That was something.", Dan commented.
"Not sure your wife would like you complimenting me.", Mary scoffed.
"Eh, if I go overboard, she won't. But a simple sentence won't do harm.", Dan shrugged before he turned to Nina and Rei, "Nice job thinking the same thing and doing the same thing, just like the old days.".
Nina and Rei understood what Dan wanted them to do, so they shared a look under their helmets but remained silent.
~•~•~•~
Kaiden, Akira, Static vs Number 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
"I guess the others have other versions of those six, so that means we can destroy these as much as we want.", Static noted as he took a around.
"Good, I don't want to hold back on these bastards.", Akira said as he tightened his grip on Ascalon.
"They're more than us. Keep that in mind.", Kaiden added as he held his staff.
Number 2 started using his gun barrels arms and fired at the three, who jumped high in the air.
Kaiden threw his staff higher before he disappeared and reappeared behind Number 2, grabbing his neck and twisting it roughy, taking the head off, but the hands continued shooting, so he grabbed the arms and fired at Number 4, making holes in every single part of the body, before the robot destroyed.
The gun barrels died down before Kaiden threw the body of Number 2 on the ground.
Number 3 fired explosive ropes at Kaiden but Akira landed in front of him and raised his sword, the rope wrapping around Ascalon, and he threw the sword at Number 3. The sword did not touch Number 3 but was very near, to the point that when the rope exploded, number 3 was destroyed, while Ascalon fell on the ground unscathed.
Akira opened his hand, Ascalon flying back to his hand just as Number 1 charged toward him and their swords collided.
The two exchanged blows for a few times before Akira ducked, and cut Number 1 from his waist into two equal halves, before the upper half exploded, and the lower body fell on the ground.
Static changed their right arm into a circular electric saw while the left arm changed into a cannon.
"Yippie kay yay you filthy animals!", Static cried as they charged toward Number 6 and 5.
Number 5 started firing the rapid multiple shuriken at Static, who raised their left forearm, a blue energy shield created. Once the shurikens hit the shield, they were reflected back at Number 5, hitting him in every place possible before he exploded.
Static clashed with their saw with one of Number 6 while blocking the other with their cannon.
Static struggled in the clash with both of their hands until their saw was directly aimed in the face of Number 5.
"Goodnight.", Static said cheekily before they fired the saw from their hand, cutting number 5's head into two halves.
The robot slowly loswerde his arms just as Static aimed their cannon at number 5's body and fired, obliterating the upper half. Smoke came out of the lower half as it slowly fell down onto the ground.
~•~•~•~
"Vanguard Gauntlet!", Shinichi, Ran, and Heiji summoned their gauntlets and crossed their arms as they cried, "Vanguard Change!".
The morphing sequence was the same for Shinichi but Ran and Heiji extended their arms as lightning hit the first while the second was drowned by water for seconds, forming the gold armor on their body.
The Jaguar spirit appeared from behind Ran while the Crocodile appeared from behind Heiji, and once they each touched their heads; the helmet changed into their forms.
"We are ready!", Shinichi cried on behalf of his teammates.
"Just having an extra gold armor and a different helmet won't help.", Wyvern scoffed.
"Vanguard Inferno/Tsunami/Storm!", The three chorused as they summoned their new weapons in their melee modes.
"Geo Slammer/Dendro Fencer/Cryo Blizzard!", The other Rangers summoned their weapons in their melee modes.
Wyvern took a deep breath before he let out a stream of green fire breath at the Rangers.
The Rangers rolled out of the way while Shinichi raised his arms and crossed them, crossing the blades to block the flames.
Wyvern narrowed his eyes as he continued the fire, leaving himself vulnerable for attack.
"Ranged Mode!", Kaito and Saguru chorused as they changed their weapons to their ranged modes.
Kaito fired a blast of ice at Wyvern's neck twice, freezing his neck and mouth, stopping the fire breath temporarily.
Saguru then threw his shield. Wood spikes appeared on the shield before the shield moved behind Wyvern and cut off his wings.
Wyvern used his claws to break the ice off him, just as Shinichi extended his chain blades, stabbing them in his chest.
Heiji and Ran charged toward Wyvern. Heiji swung his Ninajto, cutting off the right arm while Ran moved her blade tonfa to cut off the left, and both then jumped out of the way, just as Makoto jumped forward.
The latter slammed his hammer onto the head of Wyvern just as Shinichi pulled his chains back, pummeling Wyvern into a large round piece, before he exploded.
~•~•~•~
"Death Beam!", Kaguya cried as she fired the beam from her finger toward Masumi, chasing her in flight, but Suzaku moved out of the way, evading the blast.
"You're gonna have to try harder than that!", Masumj taunted while merely glancing at Kaguya before she looked ahead at the two tornadoes.
Kaguya growled at her as she threw several Death beams that Masumi would easily avoid, with how Suzaku moved around.
"Air Beam!", Masumi cried as she imitated Kaguya's actions, but instead of sending an energy beam, she sent an air blast.
It was not as strong as Kaguya's to pierce through her body, but it was strong enough to make the latter cry in pain as the attack made her lose balance in her flight.
Masumi laughed loudly at the sight of Kaguya trying to regain her balance before she cried in English, "You reap what you sow!".
Kaguya glared at her, her eyes slightly glowing, before a sinister grin appeared on her face, "Bold of you to assume Death Beam is the only move I've got.".
Kaguya then moved her her left sideways as she cried, "Death Wave!".
A purple explosion happen, creating a shockwave that sent Masumi off Suzaku, and pushed them both towards the two tornadoes, with both of them letting a cry of pain from the shockwave.
"Let's see you flying in the tornadoes!", Kaguya laughed as she watched Masumi disappear in one tornado while Suzaku disappeared in the other.
Her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear her, and look in worry and disbelief at the tornadoes.
"MASUMI!", Rei cried in worry, unable to contain his emotions, and he aimed to rush forward, but Nina stood in front of him, stopping him, "Out of the way, Nina!".
"Take a good look first, before rushing in.", She cried.
Rei did as she said, and everyone noticed how the tornadoes slowly died down before they completely disappeared.
Masumi stood on the ground, the pink gauntlet on her other wrist, wearing the same gold armor as Shinichi, Ran, and Heiji. Her helmet now resembled a hawk instead of an Eagle. On her right, stood Suzaku, while on her left, was another pink and grey Hawk Zord.
She held in her hands two pink escrima sticks with the ends colored black.
"What?! How?! HOW!", Kaguya cried in rage.
"The Aero Gauntlet sensed the distress of its owner and came to help. Since it was the one causing the unstable tornadoes, they disappeared once I took control over it.", Masumi explained as she twirled the sticks, "And I instantly summoned my new Zord to help me down, while Suzaku was balancing herself in the other tornado; meet my Vanguard Hawk Zord; Horus.".
Horus let out a cry as he bowed theatrically while extending his wings.
"And my new weapons, which I'll use to kick your ass; Vanguard Spinner.", Masumi added as she stopped twirling her sticks and stood ready to fight.
"I'm going to kill you this time.", Kaguya scoffed as she floated down to the ground, standing across Masumi to face her, as she grabbed her broadsword from her back.
"I would love to see you try.", Masumi taunted, smirking under her helmet.
"Oh, I will!", Kaguya cried as he moved her left arm again while crying, "Death Wave!".
Masumi jumped high in the air while Horus and Suzaku flew out of the way, and Masumi then landed with her two escrima sticks, aiming for Kaguya's head, but the latter blocked with her sword.
"Too easy for-AHHH!", Kaguya cried once Horus grabbed her from the back of her jacket with his talons, before he threw her aside. He grunted a few times and Masumi chuckled.
"I do agree, this is how trash should definitely be treated!", She cried before she rushed toward Kaguya, who recently started getting up.
The first thing Kaguya received once she stood up straight and turned around was a smack from one of Masumi's sticks, before she received another in her abdomen, and one hit her with an uppercut, before the second slammed over the back of her head.
"Looks like you're my new punching bag.", Masumi joked as the sticks extended before they divided into two equal halves, a chain holding the sticks together, forming two Nunchucks.
"You have no idea how many years I've trained with this.", Masumi laughed as she spun her nunchucks before she slammed the first's stick onto Kaguya's head and smacked her in the face with the other, before she held both sticks in each hand, and slammed them into her chest.
Kaguya took a few steps back as she let out a cry of pain.
Masumi spun the nunchucks before she threw them at Kaguya, and they spun swiftly with pink energy around. The two nunchucks spun around Kaguya, creating a small tornado around her.
The speed of the wind of the tornado made Kaguya unable to move just as Masumi jumped while crying, "Suzaku, Horus, with me!".
She raised her hands above and spun around herself, imitating the actions of Suzaku and Horus who did the same, before the three resembled three pink drills.
"Wind Drill Smasher!", Masumi cried as the three slammed down onto Kaguya.
The smoke filled the area, not giving people the chance to see anything, but Masumi then jumped out of the smoke with Suzaku and Horus flying out, and the two nunchucks returned to Masumi's hands.
The smoke cleared, and Kaguya was found lying on the ground, her clothes teared and her body bruised.
She spat blood as she sat up while grabbing her sword as she glared at Masumi.
She then looked up once she saw that the Rangers had destroyed Wyvern, and scoffed once she saw Wyvern come back as a large monster.
She disappeared before she reappeared next to Chianti's body and held her arm as she mumbled, "I'm in mood for some words… hence why I have to take you back with me…".
She and Chianti disappeared in black light just as Hydra let out a loud angry roar.
"Savage Zord, Unleash!/Zord Mode!".
"Zords Combine!".
"Your turn now to shine with your Zord, Masumi!", Ran exclaimed.
"I guess we can fly higher dan' ever now!", Heiji cried.
"Take the lead this time, Sera!", Shinichi nodded.
"You don't even need to ask me twice! Vanguard Hawk Zord, Combine!", Masumi cried.
The legs and the head separated from the body. Horus's head attached to the body of the Megazord while the body of Horus attached below Suzaku, giving the Megazord two extra wings. The leg's straightened while the claws extended, and they were held by the Megazord's hand, resembling two Sai daggers.
"Savage Aero King Megazord, Ready!", Masumi cried.
Wyvern let out a roar before he breath of green fire at the Megazord. The Megazord crossed its forearms, blocking and protecting itself from the fire.
Wyvern spread his wings and flew high and away in the air. Usually, the Megazord would have not been capable to reach such heights during flight, but with the Vanguard Hawk zord,
The Megazord spread his wings and took flight, chasing Wyvern in the air.
Wyvern raised his head in the air and shot a beam of green fire in the air. The beam kept on extending before it divided into ten beams that fell down like rain from hell at the Megazord.
"This is too easy!", Masumi laughed as the Megazord easily avoided the flames, before it threw both Sai at Wyvern.
Wyvern evaded both Sai and laughed in mockery, "Your aim is awful!".
"You think?", Masumi retorted as the Megazord snapped it's fingers.
The Sai turned in the air, facing Wyvern again, and flew back down towards him swiftly.
Wyvern's eyes widened as the Sai hit him in his back. This moment gave the Megazord the chance to fly towards him, grab his head, and separate it from his body, before he punched a hole through its chest, and the rest of the body exploded.
"Savage Rangers, victory is ours!", Masumi exclaimed before she turned to Shinichi, "Now I see why you like saying it.".
"I've gotta say, that was morphinomenal!", Kaito laughed.
"Where did you get that word from?", Makoto asked, confused about the new word.
"Static said the previous Rangers used to say it.", Kaito shrugged.
"I like the sound of it, it's too corny nor stupid.", Saguru mumbled.
"We're halfway through guys. We've got only three gauntlets.", Heiji said happily as he raised three fingers.
"I loved how you took down Kaguya, by the way.", Ran told Masumi in awe and pride.
"I was taught by the best.", Masumi shrugged, but her tone held pride and joy.
"We all were, indeed.", Shinichi nodded in agreement.
~•~•~•~
"Liam was right. You guys are indeed an interesting bunch.", Noah said once the Rangers were back.
"Are you guys really that close?", Makoto asked Nina and Rei curiously, noting how Noah knew Liam.
"We used to be colleagues in one class with Matsuda, Hiro, Date, Natalie, and Hagiwara. And we went together on multiple missions. Some included all the 27 of us, and others had us in separate groups.", Rei explained.
"You're talking about a friendship that lasted for 10 years, and some of us knew each other even before; like Hiro, Zero, and I.", Nina explained.
"It's amazing to have such a large group of friends your age.", Ran said with a smile.
"What matters is that they're you're true friends, your second family.", Noah said with a wide smile.
"It may take time, or it may happen at once. You won't even notice it when it happens, but I'm sure that it will happen someday.", Lucia said, same smile on her face, "Ustedes son increíbles. You guys are amazing.".
"Yes, they are.", Mary nodded in agreement, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder and another on her niece's, glancing at both of them with proud smiles.
"Don't I know it.", Rei mumbled to himself, staring at Masumi with a warm smile, his feelings toward her evident in his eyes.
"You guys know what time it is, right?", Kaito asked with a smirk.
"It's time to explore three other countries!", Shinichi nodded with a smile.
"I thought you guys weren't going to mention it, whenever you're ready then!", Lucia laughed.
"We're going to be taking a break too for a couple of days, even after you're done.", Dan shrugged before he yawned lazily, "We can't keep going on like that without a break.".
"You just miss being with Kaachan.", Ryu rolled his eyes and Shiho snorted, hiding her snickers.
"4 done, three ta go. Aren' we amazin' or what?", Heiji said with a confident smirk, "I bet we can take on Akuma and his army!",
"Heiji, be careful.", Kaiden warned Heiji from becoming overconfident.
"I'm just messin' wid ya, Sensei!", Heiji laughed, and everyone joined in, happiness and joy emitting from everyone standing.
Rei took the chance and walked away from the group, motioning for Nina to follow him. Once they were away, Rei spoke up.
"I'm tired of our stupid argument… I owe you an apology for what I said, and about how I acted.", He said genuinely.
"I'm the one who should apologize. No matter how much I was mad at you, I should've not said what I said. Sorry about that.", Nina sighed, "We are the only ones left of our group, we should cherish every moment of friendship… not argue like kids.".
"Agreed… So, friends again?", Rei asked with a smile as he raised his hand.
"Friends forever, for real this time.", Nina nodded with a smile as she shook his hand before she smirked, "So, friend, tell me what's going on between you and the Pink Ranger.".
"No, we are not having that conversation.", Rei scoffed as he pulled away his hand, but a small smile was on his face as he went back to the group.
Nina chuckled, "You can't hide nor run from me forever, Zero. I'm your closest friend and you're going to need my help someday.".
'A reminder not to ask her for a relationship advice… even if she has a successful one…', Rei thought to himself.
"Say Zero.", Nina said as she picked up the pace to walk next to him, "Are you up for a tennis match? We could use some fun.".
"I don't see why not. You and your husband make a good team, too.", Rei said.
"If I'm bringing Takaaki, then you'll be bringing Masumi.", Nina teased again.
"Katrina!".
"What? I'm just being a supportive friend!", She laughed.
Meanwhile,
"Wow! Tropical Land is indeed amazing!", Kazumi said in awe, missing how Daisuke was staring at her with a warm loving look. It was his idea to spend their day here.
"I don't know what rides to try first… It's all so amazing, who gave you the idea to bring me here?", She asked with a teasing smile.
Daisuke chuckled, "No one. But Ran had told me that she had fun here with Shinichi before he disappeared.".
"Oh… Okay…", Kazumi mumbled, her tone uninterested at the mention of Teitan's most famous couple, "You're very close to those two…".
"Not anymore…", Daisuke shook his head, "I used to be close with them, Kaito, Ryu, and Sonoko… But they're all hiding something from me, and we don't talk that much anymore. It's as if I was casted aside…".
He frowned at the end of his sentence.
Kazumi stared at him in pity before she placed a hand on his shoulder with a comforting smile, "It's their loss. You're an amazing person, Dai, and I always have the best time whenever I'm around you.".
Daisuke smiled at her words, placing his hand over hers, before he pointed at a ride, "Let's try this first, then.".
"No problem.", Kazumi chuckled.
The two walked toward the rollercoaster, not knowing that someone was watching them among the crowds.
He took a couple of pictures of them with his camera before he smirked, "As a father… I should make sure of my daughter's love interest…".
He then pulled out a phone as he walked away, "Sake here, there's something I'd like to tell you…".
Somewhere unknown,
Madeira sat at her desk, checking piles of papers, while her two headed dogs slept near her legs, their teeth stained with dried blood.
The door to her lab opened, and she took a glance before she stood up, as Akuma walked in toward her.
"Lord Akuma, a pleasure seeing you here.", Madeira said with a smile.
"I've been looking for you, since I need you for three missions.", Akuma said.
"I'm at your service, but I'm curious to know, why me and not Genesis?", Madeira asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Genesis, I need him for something else, but I know you're the right woman for the jobs.", Akuma said, "I need you to upgrade the Deathnoids, first.".
"Already working on one.", Madeira waved her papers.
"Always ahead, aren't you?", Akuma chuckled, "Second, I need you to create a clone Ranger team… It's a starter for a plan I have in the future, if my bigger plan succeeds with the candidates I have in mind.".
Madeira stared at him and narrowed her eyes as a slow sick grin spread on her face, "I think I understand what you're planning… and I love it…".
"The first two may take time, but I know the third will not take much, probably will be over after they find the Vanguards.", Akuma said.
"And what would that be?", Madeira asked even more curious.
"Find out the real identity of the Power Rangers…".
How's the arc going so far? Only three chapters in this arc! (Which is the longest arc).
By the way, excluding the epilogue and prologue, Neo Savages will be 85 Chapters not 100.
Don't forget to comment, like/vote/kudos, and follow!
Yes, this is Saturday's (1 March) update, since I'll be busy then.
Sorry, if I'm not that good at beta reading since I've got a tight schedule, but I'll edit all my works in Summer!