*"Bye Bye Bye" is playing*
Omarnosian10: Who put on NSYNC?!
Conner: Don't look at me!
Megan: What's wrong with it?
Omarnosian10: It's not the music that's the problem, it's the timing of it.
Dick: Dude, I know I'm a troll sometimes, but this is weak sauce for me.
Wally: HEY!
Artemis: A~nd we got our answer.
Josh: Why?
Wally: This is payback for all the flack I got in the last chapter!
Omarnosian10: Robin's right, this is weak. Speaking of pay… one of you owes the other money!
Artemis/Wally: Who?!
Omarnosian10: Not saying anything aside from this; Lady Deadpool keeps her mask on the whole time she's on film; I had to find out the actress in the credits.
Dick: Y'know you could check the social media sites and find out for yourself.
Omarnosian10: Yeah, I avoided them until after I saw the movie to not risk spoilers. Anyway; ON WITH THE SHOW!
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or Power Rangers. All rights go to Brandon Vietti, Greg Wiesman, and Saban. Before editing, portions of this chapter belongs to JokerCyclone. I only own Josh, his OC upgrades, and most of his rogues. Ownerships of OC Power Ranger teams are in Profile.
Chapter 8: Education
(Mount Justice)
The days following Kent Nelson's demise, then the funeral were… less than pleasant. With Zatara's permission, Zatanna and Robin have been hanging out frequently… but not before the Boy Wonder was threatened by the father and Josh to "treat her right". In the meanwhile, Josh had Zatara give Wally a magic sensitivity course as a punishment for making his daughter cry… and the other stuff he did in the Tower. Artemis, feeling weak, had Josh train her in Ranger-based skills. The latter agreed to do so, training her in the Jungle Fury way; Pai Zhua. M'gann, not wanting her rival to get ahead, joined in on the training. Kaldur, the Beast Bots, and the Zordroids checked out the Tower to find out what the Cyversed were doing, with Zatara joining them later. To the magician's horror, he found several artifacts and items missing or destroyed. He and Titana began to work on shifting through what is what. As for Conner, while he visited Papa Kent's grave with Clark and Maxima (Superman's fiancé), the Man of Steel regaled him with childhood stories. Presently…
"Stupid screw," grunted Conner, using a socket wrench to adjust the one that almost fell on his eye from the bike.
"Are you ready?" Conner turned to see M'gann entering the hangar with Kaldur, Josh, Steel, Red Tornado, J'onn, Clark, and Maxima; a redhead Almeracian woman slightly older than Clark.
(A/N: The design belongs to jsenior on Deviantart… also, I didn't know Maxima had a YJ counterpart until later. To keep things as planned, this version will be much older than the canon version)
"Ready for what?"
"For the first day of school, duh!" teased M'gann. The clone raised an eyebrow.
"Since when do we go to school?" asked Conner.
"Since we enrolled you. (chuckles) Bats and I talked, and we all agreed that you kids need some good old-fashioned education. Know how to do more than superhero stuff, Plus, you guys need socialization. Get to know folks who don't dress up in dumb outfits and fight people in even dumber outfits. So, some of us did our thing and got in touch with someone, and as of today, you three are all high school students." explained Steel.
"Wait. 'You three'? What about you?" asked Conner, gesturing to Kaldur.
"In Atlantis, our basic schooling ends at 13, where we are then able to choose between enrolling in the military academy or the school of sorcery. I chose the latter, which is how I met Aquaman." Kaldur explained.
"Why is Josh going?" asked M'gann curiously/hopefully.
"Yeah, didn't he graduate or something early a couple of months before coming to this universe?" recalled Conner.
"Yes," growled Josh.
"And like back home, you have to socialize. After all, Power Rangers are better in a group than alone," advised Steel.
"That and Titana threatened to burn my plant collection," said Josh dryly.
"You like plants?" smiled M'gann.
"Something I picked up from my mom and… someone else." sighed Josh sadly. Covering for him, the clone cleared his throat.
"So we go to school and you get to sit around the cave all day?" folded Conner.
"My king requires my assistance in procuring a peace treaty with Eldfur," answered Kaldur. Conner hoped that was not the actual name of the underwater colony.
"And you three?" asked Conner, looking at the Leaguers.
"The first day of the scholastic journey is an important milestone in human culture. We wanted to wish you luck." offered J'onn. The couple beside him smiled and nodded. Conner did the same back.
"I've been waiting for this! I spent hours picking out this outfit! (costume shifts to civilian) So, do you think M'gann M'orzz can pass as an Earth girl?" smiled M'gann.
"Well…" trailed J'onn.
"I'm kidding! (chuckles whine skin shifts to African-American) Everyone, meet Megan Morse!" announced the Martian, twirling.
(A/N: Human form is inspired by Sharon Leal, Miss Martian's CW actress)
"One problem, (gestures to clothes) These are the only kinds of clothes I have here," noted Conner.
"Not a problem. (reaches hand) Sehtolc Egnahc!" chanted Josh. In multicolored lights, Conner's hero clothes are replaced by a jean jacket, a red shirt underneath, blue jeans, and black sneakers.
"Nice." smiled Conner, toying with his sleeve.
"…Really?" asked Steel dryly, looking at Josh.
"What?" asked the clone, confused.
"Those are the same clothes Conner McKnight wore when he got his Ranger powers," explained Steel. Conner sent Josh a dry look before shrugging.
"Doesn't hurt." Clothes are clothes.
"Oh, and one more thing." coughed Clark, handing his clone a glasses case.
"What is this?" blinked Conner.
"Same thing I wear to keep my identity secret." smiled Clark.
"It was either that or we dye your hair," commented Steel. Glaring at the Beast Bot, Conner rubbed his scalp.
"Yeah… I think I'll take the glasses."
(Happy Harbor High)
It was an average day at Happy Harbor High, with students mulling about. An average brunette boy glided through the crowd on his skateboard, not a care in the world. At least not until he almost smashed straight into a group of new students. He tried to stop but failed spectacularly as they all took a step back, and the boy grabbed him by his jacket, allowing his skateboard to fly off. He was surprised and a little scared as the boy in glasses glared at him.
"Watch where you're going," demanded Conner.
"Yes sir…" stammered the boy.
"Hey! What's your problem?" asked a new, deeper voice. Turning, they all found a tall and heavily muscled dark-skinned boy glaring at them. His arm is around a dark-skinned girl in what looks like a cheerleader's uniform. "Put my man Marvin down,"
"Sure." shrugged the dark-haired boy, dropping Marvin. The jock blinked, having expected resistance.
"Apologies for my friend's rough demeanor, but your friend almost crashed into us with his skateboard." defused Josh. The jock groaned and facepalmed.
"Again?! The year has barely started and you couldn't resist crashing for even one day?!" scolded the jock.
"Sorry, Mal…" slumped Marvin, looking down.
"Does this happen a lot?" asked Josh curiously.
"You have no idea…" giggled the jock's friend, eying him. Jealous, Megan stepped between them.
"We're new here. I'm Megan Morse, this is Conner Kent and Josh Martinez," greeted Megan, pointing to each of them as well.
"Welcome to Triple H. I'm Karen, the teddy bear's Malcolm, but friends call him Mal. (Mal blushes and looks away) And the guy who almost crashed is Marvin." introduced Karen. Before anything could be said, a brunette man in his early 20s snapped his fingers. The Team boys can't help but find him familiar for some reason.
"While I'm happy that matters were resolved peacefully and I won't have to deliver another detention, (Marvin blushes) we should get to homeroom," stated the man seriously. Letting out a breath, Mal walked off, followed by Karen and Marvin.
"Wait, did you guys even know where homeroom is?" blinked Conner. Josh and Megan owlishly blinked before groaning and facepalming.
"Don't worry, you three. You're all assigned to my homeroom. (takes out papers) And to keep the introductions going, I'm Lucas Carr, your homeroom and civics teacher." presented the adult. Conner's eyes widened.
"YOU! (Megan and Josh back away, confused) You're the one that led Joker to the Cave," snarled the clone. Carr's eyes widen.
"He did what?!" gasped Megan, looking at Carr. Josh looked around, relieved no one was close enough to hear sensitive information.
"How did you—"
"He suffered a psychic attack and relived what you went through that time," explained Josh before Carr could finish. Sighing, the teacher wiped his glasses.
"So you're the friend that Steel was talking about!" realized Megan cheerfully. Carr chuckled, adjusting his glasses.
"Manhunter's right, you are a bubbly little gal, ain'tcha? (Megan giggles) And yeah, I was. (frowns) Sorry that my carelessness got you in trouble." apologized Carr. Conner only scoffed, folding his arms.
"Whatever."
(Homeroom)
Connor, Megan, and Josh were all seated in Mr. Carr's first-period Civics class, an old television set having finished a report on two underwater colonies.
"I can't believe Kaldur wasn't kidding about the name," balked Conner.
"If you think that's bad, wait until you hear some planet and species names from my universe," retorted Josh, thinking of Walkatrout. Shutting the TV off, Carr leaned against his desk and folded his arms.
"Who here can tell me anything about Eldfur?" asked the teacher.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…No volunteers? Alright then, how about… (scans room, before eyes settle upon a sleeping Marvin) Mr. White, can you tell us anything?" snarked Carr. The question stirred Marvin from his nap, the skater blinking as he tried to think of an answer.
"Uh… it's better than Youfur?" This got a few laughs from the other students, but a sigh from Carr.
"Nice try. Anyone else?"
"Located within a valley on the ocean floor, the village of Eldfur was once the home to a peaceful and rather advanced civilization. Then, the leviathan-like creature known as the Bugala came, speculated to be due to migration. The creature returned to Eldfur once each year, leaving devastation and despair in its wake. Each year the Eldfur army would repel the Bugala, always suffering heavy casualties. With less populace to tend to the fields or repair the village's infrastructure, Eldfur fell into ruin. The valley's once lush vegetation died off. Eldfur's King once instructed the last few remaining warriors of his army to enlist the aid of a champion, one who might end the threat of the Bugala, once and for all. A raiding party abducted Aquaman in his first year for this purpose. The King of Atlantis thankfully succeeded in defeating the Bugala before the Eldfur imprisoned it. The incident, while swept under the rug due to the abduction being for noble purposes, raised the ire of a majority of the Atlanteans." recited Conner almost robotically before blinking.
"I thought you didn't know about Eldfur until today," asked Josh.
"I didn't… Felt like a rush of knowledge surged into my brain all of a sudden," answered Conner.
"It wasn't me!" chimed Megan. Hoping to distract everyone from the nature of his answer, Conner cleared his throat.
"But… why are they fighting? They're both merpeople," asked Conner.
"Right, Mister Kent. If it was an average Atlantean citizen, negotiations would've immediately started, but with the abductee being the King done by an unknown race, a majority of Atlantis sees this as an act of war. Eldfurians on the other hand, while a majority are grateful for Aquaman's assistance in ending the potential famine, a select few feared his power. And, unfortunately, like humans, Eldfurians and Atlanteans aren't really fans of people who are different, no matter how small those differences are." explained Carr. Megan frowns. Josh scowls.
"It's the same way on Mars, too. The white Martian minority is treated as second-class citizens by the Green majority. I'm Green, of course, but that doesn't make it right." informed Megan, adding the last part hastily.
"Discrimination…" The pure hatred in Josh's mental voice surprised Conner and Megan. "It doesn't matter what form it takes; gender, sexuality, religion, wealth, species, color, etc; it exists everywhere."
(Hallway)
Sadly for the three, while Civics is their homeroom, it is also a mixed-grade class; Conner and Megan are sophomores while Josh is a junior.
(Meanwhile, in the KRSI Multiverse)
"ACHOO!"
(Present)
This means that they only share a small number of classes. Conner and Megan, being in the same year, have an almost similar schedule with only one class difference. For the Martian, it's Culinary Arts. For the clone, it's…
"Agriculture… more like agrigation," growled Conner, passing by students while looking at the room numbers and comparing them to his schedule. So in his goal, he didn't notice that he was approaching someone until they were knocked down. Eyes widened, he lowered his schedule to see a 5'1 Korean-American girl roughly his age in a black skirt and a pink uniform shirt with long, dark brown hair draped over her face as she gathered her fallen school supplies.
"Sorry about that, let me help you." It might've been Josh's gentlemanly influence, but Conner couldn't find it himself to leave the girl. Kneeling, while Conner helped the girl pick up her stuff, he got a better look at her face. Over it is a pair of glasses reflecting light along with her—
'Those eyes… they're the same as Josh's…' When the girl finished and looked back, Conner wasn't the only one mesmerized.
"Hubba, Hubba…" gawked the girl. This staring contest went on until the 1-minute bell went off. Blushing and looking away, Conner gave the girl back her things.
"Sorry again, I'm new here and got lost looking for my class." explained the clone.
"It's alright. (fiddles with glasses before standing) If I weren't on a personal tour a couple of weeks ago, I would've gotten lost too." smiled the girl. Relieved, Conner stood up, extending a hand.
"The name's Conner. (girl giggles) What's so funny?" blinked the clone.
"Nothing. And the name's Jasmine. Nice to meet you too." nodded the girl, shaking Conner's hand. "Whoa, what a grip you got there."
"I can say the same about you." agreed Conner. He's holding most of his strength back, yet the girl's grip is above an average human.
"What class do you have?" asked Jasmine, releasing the hand.
"Agriculture. (Jasmine raises eyebrow) My grandparents work on a farm, and I thought it'd be interesting." admitted Conner.
"I'm better with animals than plants. Anyway, (checks Conner's schedule) that room's close to my Culinary Arts class. I can take you there." suggested Jasmine.
"Really? (Jasmine nods) Thanks." smiled Conner. Jasmine blushed at it, her glasses almost fogging up.
"No problem."
(Meanwhile, Chemistry Room)
"OK students, here are your assigned seats." In Josh's junior class, he and all the students are standing around while their teacher, Mr. White; a bald man in his late 40s with a brown goatee (and a voice that oddly reminds Josh of Mighty Morphin monsters Twin Man and Snizzard initially), stood in front of a whiteboard. Activating a projector displayed a screen over the whiteboard. On it are the class tables with three names around each one; likely a preempt for future team assignments. Finding his seat, Josh was the first one there before two girls joined him.
"Room for two more?" grinned the girl with red hair breaching her back, her blue eyes sparking with interest.
"We can ask the teacher for a do-over if you want." assured the girl with neck-length white hair shyly, her similar blue eyes looking away while her cheeks were flushed. Josh noticed how much they looked alike, along with the sweatshirts having Hawk(wo)man's emblem; the only difference being the redhead's one being red while the white-haired one's blue.
"No, I have no problem with you two being my partners for the semester," assured Josh.
"See D? Told ya we got nothing to worry about. ('D' blushes) Excuse my twin's shyness. In case you haven't read the board, I'm Holly and this is my sister Dawn." introduced the redhead.
"My name's Josh. It's a pleasure to meet you, miladies." smiled Josh, gentlemanly kissing their knuckles. Holly grinned while Dawn 'eep's and went to her seat, hiding her face behind her book. Seeing everyone seated and mostly civil, Mr. White cleared his throat, catching his students' attention.
"Now open your books onto page…"
(Hours later, cafeteria)
Fortunately for the Team members, they all share the same lunch break. Taking advantage of it, they gathered and found a table to sit at.
"How's school so far, you two?" asked Josh. Given that he's the only one with a normal education (until he shifted to online courses in 8th grade shortly after getting his powers), he figured he'd be in the best position for advice.
"It's almost nothing like what TV showed me," answered Megan.
"While not everything on TV is true, that doesn't mean nothing is," advised Josh. Blushing, Megan nods. Secretly, she hopes for certain stuff to be true.
"I got nothing to compare it to, but it's… interesting, so far." blushed Conner, thinking of Jasmine. Josh and Megan exchanged raised eyebrows. Before they could ask, two pairs of footsteps were heard coming closer. Looking around, they see Marvin approaching their table behind a dark-haired, blue-eyed girl with a polite smile.
"Hey, I'm Wendy Harris and this is my friend, Marvin White. We were new last year so we get how hard it can be to fit in," smiled the girl.
"We've met." frowned Conner, staring at Marvin. The brunette gulped, tugging his collar.
"What's he talking about?" frowned Wendy. Conner gave her a short rundown of their earlier encounter. Marvin sweats nervously when Wendy facepalms.
"…and that's why I'll never take up skateboarding as a hobby." finished Conner.
"Sorry." slumped Marvin.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to my chemistry teacher, would you?" asked Josh curiously, saving the boy from more roasting.
"You mean Uncle—I mean, Professor Walter?" asked Marvin.
"…I'll take that as a yes."
(Happy Harbor Streets)
A cloaked figure walked the streets, surveying the surroundings.
"So this is the world the head honchos want to conquer… Can't wait to watch it burn." chuckled the figure psychotically/gravelly. The pedestrians looked at it like the figure grew a second head. Noticing, the figure hurried before finding and entering a building, leaving behind smoking, abnormal footprints.
'Time to let the fun begin.'
(Happy Harbor High, Afternoon)
Finished with their first day of school, the Team walked out of the building almost in sync.
"I'd thought it never end." sighed Conner in relief/sadness.
"Tell me about it." nodded Josh. So much time studying and so little time training…
"I can't wait for the school clubs to be active!" smiled Megan.
"…This place has clubs?" asked Conner, confused. His Cadmus training only had him learn of the weapons, not the groups or locations. Before his teammates could explain, sirens were heard. Looking at the street, they see ambulances and fire trucks driving by.
"What's happening?" frowned Megan. Josh summoned a Morpher to communicate to ensure no one else was looking. It was on his left wrist, gray with a dark blue M/V trimmed in gold. In the bottom gaps are two buttons marked 'C' or 'W'.
"This is Omni-Ranger; can anyone tell me what's going on?" requested Josh.
"There's been a bombing a few blocks away from your location." started Smash.
"The building's a skyscraper near a gas production facility," added Accel worriedly.
"If that fire spreads…" dreaded Conner.
"At least a city block will be burned to ashes," frowned Josh.
"We gotta help them!" chimed Megan.
"Aren't Martians weak to fire?" asked Conner. Megan blushed and looked away.
"Don't worry Megan; you can stay outside and be our scout; scan the building for trapped people… conscious or otherwise," assured Josh. Determined, Megan nods. They then found an empty alley, where Conner took out his P-Morpher.
"SUPERBOY!"
"Titanium Power!"
(City street)
People watched in the city street as a building was engulfed in flames, with sirens blaring in the distance, a sign that first responders were coming, but they'd never be there in time. Inside, a boy and his mother ran to the door, but a piece of burning debris trapped them. They looked around as pieces fell around them. Eventually, the ceiling above them starts to cave in. They both shut their eyes and braced for it… But nothing happened. The young boy slowly opened his eyes and quickly widened them.
"…Who are you?" Standing before them is Superboy, holding the ceiling debris above their heads.
"Superman's son." introduced the clone before throwing the debris away. Remembering Josh's footage of Four Arms, Superboy gave a weak seismic clap, blowing away the flames and making a path. The clone led the two into a hallway, where they met another hero holding two unconscious children under his arms.
"Are these two the last of them?" The hero is clad in silver with a V-shaped visor, gold lines running along his helmet, a gold Y shape down his chest, and some golden armor on the shoulders. He also had white gloves and boots with gold trimmings around them, a black M on the center of the forehead, gold, and a golden belt with a gold/blue symbol on the buckle. This is Titanium Ranger.
"Give me a minute. (looks around) Martian?" asked Superboy.
"That's everyone. I'm sending you the best possible route… but Superboy, you'll have to carry them," informed Miss Martian. Nodding, Superboy picked up the mother in a bridal carry with her son on her. Getting mental instructions, they followed their route to a window, which Titanium Ranger kicked and shattered. The heroes jumped out before the mother could scream when she realized what they planned. Right when they see the onlookers, their descent is slowed, courtesy of Miss Martian's telekinesis. Once they landed, Superboy gently released the mother while Titanium Ranger carried the children to an ambulance.
"These kids require medical attention; I found them in a closet sealed with debris." informed the Silver Ranger. Nodding, the med workers took the children into their vehicle and rode off. Hearing gasps, Titanium Ranger looks at the crowd before they cheered.
"Looks like our job's done." hummed Superboy, basking in Superman-like glory. Miss Martian appeared beside them, smiling at the people. Nodding, Titanium Ranger prepared to leave with his teammates following…
"Hold on a minute!" The heroes look back to see a news crew led by a redheaded woman in her early 30s.
"Isn't she Wally's aunt Iris?" recognized Conner. His teammates discretely nod.
"We know about Superboy and the rumored Miss Martian… (puts microphone close to Titanium Ranger's helmet) But you're a complete mystery; who are you?" asked Iris.
"How likely is it that she'll twist my words like Harangue?" questioned the Silver Ranger. His teammates held a hiss, remembering what he told everyone about the Stalker tech, including who funded it and why.
"Not likely. From what I heard, she isn't a condor or whatever Uncle J'onn calls some people in the news business," assured Miss Martian.
"I'm pretty sure Mi—I mean, Mom calls them vultures… and other non-friendly words." winced Superboy, remembering his early meetings with Superman's fiancé… and how the Man of Steel had to dissuade her that he cheated on her or something among those lines. Nodding, Titanium Ranger looked at the reporter.
"In this suit, I am Titanium Ranger of the Lightspeed Rescue Power Rangers," introduced the Silver Ranger. This piqued Iris' interest.
"There are more of you? Are you like the Green Lanterns?" asked Iris. Before Titanium Ranger could answer, he noticed something fast approaching the reporter.
"Get down!" Bringing out a black/silver axe-like weapon, Titanium Ranger pushed Iris down and swung the axe down a fireball thrown toward them, splitting it. The halves hit behind them and exploded.
"Aw, why you gotta ruin my fun?!" The crowd looked at a melted street light and a creature standing on it. The creature is a muscular magma-based lifeform whose body is composed of a dark orange inner magma body covered by charcoal black rocks on his torso, which turn dark red upon reaching his kneecaps and lower legs and they also cover his hands in the form of fingerless gloves. His face is black with a well-developed mandible and visible fangs, whereas his head has four dark orange and red spikes on top, in the style of a mohawk. His feet have a slight oval-like pattern with only two toes.
"Get to safety everyone!" shouted Superboy over the panicking crowd. They quickly dispersed, with the news crew taking cover and filming the upcoming fight.
"A Pyronite? Here on Earth?" questioned Titanium Ranger. Despite the similar appearance, something felt… off about the creature.
"Oh, you recognize my template? (darkly chuckles, jumping off light) I'm something more than those little sparks. The name's Arsonyx… And you're going to pay for ruining my fun!" scowled the creature. It didn't take a genius to put two-and-two together.
"You're the one who set the building on fire?! Why?" gasped Miss Martian.
"Oh, gotta keep the sight going. (shrugs) It's no fun if everything instantly goes up with no buildup." grinned Arsonyx psychotically.
"This guy's reminding me of that Firefly that Robin sometimes talks about," noted Conner, comparing the creature to the Gotham arsonist.
~Battle Song: Lightspeed Rescue Theme~
"So all this destruction… all this pain… It's for your fun?! (Arsonyx kept grinning) Titanium Laser!" shouted Titanium Ranger, shifting his weapon to blaster mode and resting the barrel on his left forearm. He fired at the false Pyronite, the blasts exploding on impact. When the smoke dispersed, Arsonyx was relatively unharmed.
"Is that all you got?" laughed Arsonyx.
"He's got me!" The false Pyronite got launched into a fire hydrant by Superboy's punch. The hydrant exploded, and a water geyser came out, dowsing Arsonyx.
"Not so hot now, are you?" grinned Miss Martian, opening another fire hydrant. Remembering the training she did with Aqualad, she aimed the opening at the false Pyronite when the water came out. Soon, Arsonyx's flames are extinguished.
"Had enough yet?" grinned Superboy, arms folded. Snarling, Arsonyx dug his fingers into the ground. Under his helmet, Titanium Ranger's eyes widened; he remembered another element Pyronites could control.
"Superboy, stay off the—" The warning came too late when a black earth pillar came out from under the clone and launched him away.
"YOU CAN'T PUT THIS FIRE DOWN! (reignites) AND THE PARTY'S JUST GETTING STARTED!" screamed Arsonyx, conjuring a fireball the size of a car and throwing it over his enemies' heads. Confused, the Martian and Ranger turned around… and reacted in horror upon seeing a gasoline truck connected to a silo.
"YOU MONSTER!" Teary-eyed, Miss Martian tried to telekinetically stop the projectile, but the heat, along with its size, was proving the task quite difficult. Titanium Ranger clenched his fists; if he tried blasting it, he'd risk exploding it and making a worse situation. Why didn't he choose a water or ice-elemental Ranger?
'Aqualad, we would really appreciate your help right about now!'
As if the heavens heard his desperation, a wall of water came up suddenly in front of the fireball and blocked it, evaporating afterward.
"Mind if I crash this party?" When the steam dispersed, standing there is, surprising to the Team, another Ranger; one in a suit like Josh had never used before. Aside from the main difference being her gender and the skirt, she's more humanoid than Titana. Her suit is light blue, almost cyan. Her suit had golden edges almost tribal in appearance. Her helmet has a golden band of sorts around the visor and a silver mouthguard under it. The top of the helmet is also silver. In her hand, pointed to the ground is a silver baton-like sword.
"Who are you?!" growled Arsonyx, fists aflame. Silently, everyone else thought the same. The female Ranger brandished her sword, posing.
"Warrior of Water; Shaolin Blue!"
"Josh, do you know of a team called Shaolin?" asked Miss Martian, surprised.
"No, this is new to me," answered Titanium Ranger. The last time he's physically seen a Ranger outside his visions was his second year when he first fought Drakkon's Dino Charge Gold Sentries.
"Should we trust her?" added Miss Martian.
"I think we should." The answer came from Superboy of all people. Looking at each other, the Martian and Silver Ranger nodded before standing beside the Blue Ranger with the clone.
"You're outnumbered, Arsonyx! Surrender before things get ugly!" threatened Titanium Ranger.
~Change Song: 5—4—1 by Ron Wasserman~
"On the contrary… (conjures fireball) I'M JUST GETTING WARMED UP!" screamed Arsonyx, throwing the fireball. The heroes jumped out of the way before rushing towards the false Pyronite. Superboy got to him first, throwing an uppercut that launched Arsonyx into the air. Growling, the villain steadied himself with streams of fire on his hands and feet. Dodging laser fire from the Titanium Laser, Arsonyx spat out a fireball at Miss Martian. She telekinetically brought up a manhole cover to block it, creating an explosion.
"Water Slicer!" With a swing of her Shaolin Sword, scythe-like blades of water were sent at Arsonyx, cutting at him. Growling, he reacted. Blades of fire and water became exchanged between the elementals.
"Base, can you tell me everything about the Pyronite we're facing?" asked Titanium Ranger to his Morpher.
"I would if that is a Pyronite," answered Navi, confirming the Ranger's suspicions.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm not reading any signs of the usual stuff; machinery, DNA, or anything. The best I can find is that its energy signature is an odd combination of Psycho Red and Black in their monster forms," informed Navi. Titanium Ranger held a curse; if there was any hope Eighteight was bluffing that time, it was gone now.
"So it's not sentient?"
"It's more like how the Psychos are, so you do not need to hold back," assured Accel. Nodding, Titanium Ranger pressed the 'W' button.
"Battle Booster!" A gold brace with blue numbered buttons like a phone and an 'M' button appeared on the Silver Ranger's right wrist.
"Hmm…" Pausing, Arsonyx eyed the Silver Ranger with interest.
"Hey Fakeblast! (points at Arsonyx) Ya like to fight? (clenches fist) Wait till you see what I got in store for you! 8-6-1! (types buttons, then 'M') Mega Battle!" yelled Titanium Ranger, crossing his fists in front of him. He then spread his arms out on either side, then a large sliver backpack with sirens on began to appear on his back, followed by body armor with his number on the chest. He held his right arm out, and then a large round drill with gold spikes appeared in it, connected to his backpack. "Hyah!"
"I didn't know he had a Mega Battle too," noted Shaolin Blue.
"Mega Battle?" echoed the aliens.
"It's a special armor that only the Blue and Green Rangers of Lightspeed Rescue can use… and Titanium, too, by the looks of it," explained Shaolin Blue.
"Take this!" shouted Arsonyx, stomping his foot. Earth spikes began sprouting from the ground in front of it and heading toward Titanium Ranger. Rearing his armed limb back, the Silver Ranger then plunged it into the ground, the drill spinning. In an instant, the spikes reached his location… but touched nothing but air. "Where did he go?!"
"Right here!" The ground under Arsonyx rumbled before Titanium Ranger burst from it, striking the false Pyronite in the chest. Gasping, he was launched toward Superboy, who clotheslined him to the ground. Bursting in flames and anger, Arsonyx shot a torrent of fire at the clone, which he painfully tanked. Standing, the false Pyronite kept the assault up.
"I got you, cutie! Hydro Pump!" A pressurized stream of water came from behind Superboy and struck Arsonyx, putting him out and pushing him. He crossed his arms to defend himself. From behind, Titanium Ranger flipped over the false Pyronite and faced it.
"The party's over for you, Fakeblast!" Drill spinning and spikes glowing, Titanium Ranger plunged his weapon into Arsonyx's chest. Moaning in pain, the false Pyronite then fell on his back and exploded. The Rangers posed in front of the explosion out of tradition.
~End Song~
"Finally." sighed Miss Martian, wiping off sweat.
"Good work team." praised Titanium Ranger, dismissing his Mega Battle armor.
"Now onto important stuff. (looks at Shaolin Blue) Who are you?" frowned Superboy, his glare ruined by a blush at being called 'cutie'.
"And why do you have almost the same powers as me?" added Titanium Ranger.
"I would answer that, but… (points back) I don't think you'd want them to be on national TV." tilted Shaolin Blue. Following, they see a news crew preparing to approach them. Titanium Ranger groaned.
"Follow me…" As the heroes leave, they are unaware of an orb of black/red energy emerging from where Arsonyx was destroyed and flying off elsewhere.
(Mount Justice)
Once the three Team members led the Blue Ranger into the base, she was confined to the main room while they called the other members. It wasn't long before the whole Team gathered at the base, facing Shaolin Blue. Unlike most of her interrogators who are eying her with suspicion and/or caution, the Blue Ranger is looking around the base, carefree.
"Tabloids don't do this place justice," noted Shaolin Blue.
"Thanks for giving our leader and Megalicious a hand," thanked Kid Flash, smiling at the Ranger.
"Oh, so when I save him, you give me nothing but trouble, but when this newbie does it, you give her props." retorted Artemis.
"She ain't you." scoffed the speedster. Before the archer could glare, Titanium Ranger cleared his throat, silencing them.
"Now I believe you were gonna give us answers…" demanded the Silver Ranger.
"Geez Indy, way to make a girl feel welcome." sighed Shaolin Blue. Titanium Ranger froze, his teammates looking at him in confusion.
"Indy?" echoed Miss Martian and Robin.
"He never told you? His middle name's Indiana, after the movie character," revealed Shaolin Blue.
"…So your initials… are J.I.M?" chuckled Superboy. Aqualad covered his mouth, hiding his own.
"How do you know that?! Almost no one in this universe knows!" panicked Titanium Ranger.
"Why wouldn't I know your middle name?" tilted Shaolin Blue. In a flash of blue, the Ranger demorphed, revealing a familiar Happy Harbor High student.
"Jasmine?! (faces each other) How do you know her?!" questioned Superboy and Titanium Ranger.
"Omni-Ranger, please go first." requested Aqualad. The clone stopped himself from answering, awaiting his leader's. The Ranger demorphed, looking at his teammates.
"She's my baby sister." The revelation surprised the Team.
"You have siblings?!" gawked Robin.
"Sibling, singular, Richie. (Robin's eyes widen while Artemis raises eyebrow) The domino mask can't fool me. (glares at Josh) An I'm not a baby! I'm barely two years younger than you!" pouted Jasmine.
"Sure you aren't." nodded Josh sarcastically, patting Jasmine's head patronizingly.
'I almost tried to get into the pants of the leader's sister.' paled Kid Flash. What he went through in the Tower would've been nothing compared to what could've happened if he kept the act up.
"If she's from Josh's universe, how did you know her?" tilted Miss Martian.
"She bumped into me before directing me to my class," explained Superboy. Josh's eyes widened in alarm.
"Before you say anything embarrassing or something, I'm alright. (raises hand) You should know that a Ranger's endurance can withstand a single bump." assured Jasmine.
"True… (narrows eyes) Speaking of which, how did you get those powers? And get to this universe? And how long have you been here?" ranted Josh.
"For the first two, your friend Paradox, and I've been here since May," answered Jasmine.
"You mean that Doctor Who time-traveler guy?" blinked Kid Flash.
"Yeah, him." nodded Jasmine.
"Uh, Josh, aren't you gonna formally introduce us?" requested Artemis. She and the Martian hope to score brownie points with Josh's family. Clearing his throat, the leader faced the Team.
"Alright, this is my little sister, Jasmine Ella Martinez, who was supposed to be looked after by old family friends while she pursued her acting dream." started Josh.
"You're an actress?" awed Superboy.
"Surprised, Conner? (eyes widen) I'm not as dumb as the people in this universe; glasses as a disguise are weak." jested Jasmine. Said universe's inhabitants felt a jab at their pride. Superboy is starting to reconsider dying his hair or at least getting some headgear for his costume.
"These are my teammates Aqualad, Robin, Superboy, Miss Martian, and Artemis." introduced Josh.
"Hey, you forgot me!" protested Kid Flash.
"You're suspended, remember?" reminded Robin dryly. Kid Flash pouted.
"Nice to meet you all. (smiles at everyone) Speaking of, is there room for one more?" asked Jasmine.
"Of course you're welcome!" smiled Miss Martian before Josh could protest.
"Leader, I saw the news; if it wasn't for her, dozens of people might've died," added Robin.
"This team can always use more girls." nodded Artemis.
"From what I saw along with Robin, I believe she has the makings of a capable warrior." agreed Aqualad.
"Someone with almost the same powers as our leader? Aye!" praised Kid Flash.
"Having her here could be interesting." smiled Superboy, starting to understand what Robin felt when he met Zatanna. Seeing his teammates resolute, Josh groaned before facing his smiling sister. Making sure to keep her out of danger as much as possible, Josh conceded.
"Welcome to the Team, Jasmine." Unknown to Josh, keeping his sister out of danger will be far more difficult than he could ever imagine.
(Unknown)
The Light's screens circled a holoscreen that displayed the Rangers posing in front of where Arsonyx was destroyed.
"Oh great, pests are multiplying." groaned the childish voice.
"And is it just me, or do her powers remind me of some people?" noted a male member.
"Her powers are nothing compared to the true Atlanteans." huffed another member.
"Not only that but compared to the male Ranger, her fighting capabilities seem… lesser, for lack of a better term." noted an accented member.
"Will this new enemy be a threat to our plans?" questioned the female member.
"Don't worry your pretty little head, Bee." laughed a monstrous voice in the shadows before 13 beings exited them; 8 male and 5 female. The beings were mostly black, with white cuffs on the arms and boots, with color markings on them. Their helmets were partly their color, with menacing two sharped visors (one for each eye), sharp teeth on the mouthpiece, and a beetle-like chest armor, and a weird 'N' shape on their belts.
"Once we gain our full strength and more, those pesky heroes will know the power of the Psycho Society!"
Wally: Psycho Rangers?!
Conner: I thought they were only for your RWBY crossover?
Omarnosian10: In the early days, maybe, but I plan on rewriting the early chapters there to improve.
Jasmine: Hey, not everything's bad now that I'm here!
Dick: Was that an All Might reference?
Wally: Speaking of reference, what is that monster and why did it look like a Heatblast?
Omarnosian10: Arsonyx is a universe-exclusive Psycho Pawn; similar to my upcoming creations for my RWBY story. This story will have a mix of universe-exclusive and 'canon' Psycho Pawns for Josh to face.
Josh: *sarcastic* Morphenomenal.
Omarnosian10: Speaking of you, I introduced two future members of your harem, and here's a list and reference sheet.
Miss Martian: Pink
Artemis: Yellow
Poison Ivy: Green
Dawn Granger: Blue
Holly Granger: Red
Kaldur: Are you comparing them to Ranger colors?
Omarnosian10: More like their personalities, but yeah. And before anyone asks, Dawn and Holly aren't OCs. They're future heroines Hawk and Dove.
Conner: Future?
Omarnosian10: They won't get their powers until the time skip; a while after the harem becomes official.
Dick: When are you gonna make it official?
Omarnosian10: New Year's story-wise. Anyway, Jasmine's civilian attire in this is a reference to Dana Mitchell's. From every appearance onward, she'll be wearing civilian clothes matching female Rangers.
Megan: About civilian lives, why was stuff from "Targets" put here?
Omarnosian10: To make that chapter shorter and this one more informal.
Kaldur: Will there be any more original content you'll be bringing next chapter?
Omarnosian10: A little, but overall, it'll be my 'replacement' for Downtime. SMOKEBOMB!