More of Power Rangers Turbo AU

[foreverhunter]

New episodes will be grouped together in this one thread.
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More of Power Rangers Turbo AU

Episode #04
"Moving On"

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Installment 1
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"A.J., I'm not telling you again. Get up," Tommy said through the teen's door.

Stirring around in his sheets, A.J. had opened his eyes finally. There was no sun to greet the teen again this morning as a light drizzle tapped softly at the window above the bed. All weekend it had poured.

Why can't weekends be five days and weekdays two A.J. thought to himself as he reached for the tank top he had tossed earlier.

Sitting up, he rolled the green article of clothing over his body and put feet to floor. His eyes met the clock; the time indicating he was going to run a few minutes behind -- again.

A.J walked out his room headed to bathroom across the hall. Reaching for the knob, he discovered it was locked. The sound of a hair dryer could be heard through the door.

Oh come on...

"Christian, you almost through?" A.J. asked knocking.

There was no response. Not bothering any further, A.J. used Tommy's bathroom instead before going to grab something to eat. The teen got a bowl out the cupboard and then the milk and Frosted Flakes. As he opened the box up, a magazine laying on the counter had caught his attention. It was open to page featuring a picture of a large house and a small thumbnail of its floor plan. On the bottom corner was its address; 2332 Sable Ridge Drive.

"You like it?" Tommy asked coming into the kitchen.

"It's real nice," A.J. said continuing to study the page before looking over to his uncle. "Where are you going?"

Tommy was dressed in a red-dress shirt and ash gray slacks.

"I'm meeting with a realtor this morning after I drop you off at school," he said.

A.J.'s face lit up.

"You mean we're moving?" he asked.

"I was going to tell you after you got out of school, but you might as well know now."

"That's awesome!"

"Well hold on, A.J. It's not a done deal."

"But it will be, right?"

"Well, yes. I hope so. I've been eyeing that one for awhile now. As soon as the escow clears, we'll have the okay from the bank for the mortgage."

"Uncle Tom, the place looks huge. That's going to be some mortgage."

"I know. I'm not paying for all of it. There's something you should know, A.J."

"If you're going to tell me Christian's going to continue to live with us, it's cool. He'll have his own bathroom, right?"

"Well, yeah," Tommy grinned. "But that's not it. It's Mack. We've talked about it for some time and you know how his living arrangments are."

"Oh," A.J. said flatly. "He's got money?"

"If he didn't he wouldn't have been able to help me get Red Lightning going. It's just he's never bothered moving into some place where roaches aren't crawling up your behind while you sleep."

"Speaking of the shop, what's going on with that?" A.J. asked.

"Mack and I aren't sure when it's going to get rebuilt. We have insurance, but it's all a matter of time; lots of time."

"What about the Turbo Garage? Once they finish cleaning up the mess from the fire, they'll be nothing to hide the entrance."

"I've thought about that already. That's where the new house comes in. I'll explain more later, but you need to eat up and get ready nowy," Tommy said pointing to his watch.


* * *


"Michael! Michael Chin! How the heck are you doing this morning?" the portly shop owner asked coming to greet his long time customer.

Chin nodded and gave a small and brief smile to the approaching Bayside Race Shop manager.

"Hello, Edward. How are things today?" asked Michael.

"Eh, it's rainy. It's Monday morning. You know. Hey, have a sit down. Coffee?"

"No, thank you," Michael said taking the opposite seat in Edward's office.

"So what can I do you for today, young man?"

The twenty-something year old reached into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.

"You know the ten bikes you sold to my father last week?" Michael asked.

"Sure do. How are they doing?"

"Wonderful. However, Father has asked me to ask you to make some adjustments."

"Let's have a look see," Edward said taking the paper from Michael.

The shop owner studied the information and sketch for all but a few seconds.

"Are you kidding me?" Edward asked laughing heartidly.

"Is something funny?"

"I've bent the rules a little for your father before, but what you're proposing is clearly illegal."

Michael grinned.

"Edward ... Eddie. We've been loyal patrons for how long now?" he asked leaning forward in his seat.

"Almost a year now."

"And you know money's never been an object when we've come to you. In fact, you might say business has been grand since we've started using you and your bikes to service our needs."

"Understood, but I can't allow--"

Chin snapped up close to Edward's face, his expression remaining the same as before and adding an intimidating ora to his presence.

"You can't allow what?"

"Mr. Chin, listen--"

"You listen. My father has given me my orders and they are to be fulfilled by the close of business today. My associates will be here with the bikes this morning at ten sharp."

Michael reached into the back pocket of his kakis and produced a clipped roll of Franklins.

"Here. Go buy yourself some breakfast," he said placing the cash down on the desk and letting it roll into Edward's hands.


* * *


The wet sidewalk in front of Holy Mary Catholic High swarmed with teen girls in plad skirts and knee-high socks and guys with their navy blue blazers and black slacks. The door was continually open as more kids filed out to go enjoy their afternoon.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Taylor asked seeing her brother waiting for her at the bottom of the steps.

"Thought I'd give you a lift to work, seeing I don't have anything to do right now," Nicholas said greeting his sister with a hug.

"How nice. Any luck finding a job?"

"I applied with Yellow Freight today," Nick said unlocking and opening the passenger side for his sister.

"Yeah? I heard they pay good. Something like thirteen or fourteen an hour."

"Yeah. Something like that."

"That's wonderful, Nick. It's getting down to the wire."

"I know," he said shutting his door. "It'll be fine. We've been doing alright for ourselves."

Taylor wasn't buying her brother's bravado.

"Did you check your balance today?" she asked.

"Yes."

"And?"

"$230."

"That's it?"

"What'd you expect, Taylor?" Nick asked changing his tone. "It takes money to win money. Adjusting Mountain Blaster every week is number one, you know that."

"I know. .. We're just cutting it close this month. Rent's due next week."

"We'll be fine I keep telling you. I still have one more check from Tommy and come Friday night rent will be taken care of."

Taylor pursed her lips and moved her eyes away from Nick's.

[ZyuGreen]

Good job, keep it up! Also, have you considered a sixth ranger? Maybe your own custom one? I'm sure Phoenix or Clav can do a pic for ya..

[foreverhunter]

Thanks, ZyuGreen. I don't think I'll be doing a custom sixth Ranger. Phantom Knight will be along in the near future. However, there will be a character Dragon Warrior made up for me. Keep reading.

FH

[Dragon Warrior]

;) plenty of surprises are coming!

[foreverhunter]

_______________

Installment 2
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Tommy sat impatiently in his kitchen as he listened to his insurance agent explain to him over the phone the nature of the future money disbursment for rebuilding the Red Lightning Auto Shop. Time wise, it would be eight months tops when he and Mack would be back in business; an eternity to Tommy's ears.

"If you have any more questions, please don't hesistate to call," the insurance agent said.

"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Seever. ... Have a good afternoon," was Tommy's melancholy response.

"You, too, Mr. Oliver. Goodbye."

Tommy pressed end and placed the phone back on the charger.

Eight months? I don't have eight months. My shop is my life...

Tommy looked at his watch and realized he was going to be late to pick up Mack. He had arranged with the realtor to have another tour of the new house because Mack had not seen the place yet. He's only heard about it from Tommy and trusted the place would be as ideal as he said it was for their plans concerning the new and improved Turbo Garage. Getting out a piece of paper, Tommy began to jot down a note for Christian telling him where he would be.

"Hey," AJ. said coming inside and placing down his books.

"Hey. How was school?" Tommy asked finishing up the note.

"Alright. I guess."

"You're just in time. I'm taking Mack to see the house. Would you like to come?"

"Sweet. Let's do it."


* * *


Hearing a noise, Edward turned to see a black stretch limo coming up from the distance. Stopping feet away from his shop's production garage, the limo's chafuer came out and opened the door for his passenger.

"Get back to work," Edward ordered his men who too had started to gawk.

Torque, dressed unusally casual today, bore a simple black dress shirt and dark blue jeans as he stepped out onto wet concrete. His eyes met with Edward's.

"Good afternoon," Torque said greeting the sober-looking shop owner.

"Mr. Chin," Edward said wiping his hands on the rag hanging from his jump suit.

Torque's eyes shifted behind Edward where he could see one of the Shark Bikes being worked on.

"I trust things are on schedule?" Torque said look back to Edward.

"Yes. There is one completed already," he answered.

"Excellent. I would like to see."

"This way..."

Edward led Torque into his garage. The mechanics watched the multi-millionaire come through their work area as they continued with their tasks at hand.

"There," Edward said presenting the altered Suzuki.

Torque evaluated the bike before him carefully. Was it what he wanted? Pacing around the blue and silver color cromed bike, the lean and tall Asian smiled.

"And the others?" Torque asked looking up to Edward who stood opposite.

"Three are being worked on right now. I can't promise all ten by six."

"Oh?" Torque mused. "How come?"

"It's just not feesable. I mean the amount of work--"

"You are aware what I am paying you?"

"Yes, but money can't buy time," Edward protested.

"You know what they say. Time is money," Torque chuckled. "But if time is going to be a problem, I understand."

"Y-you do?"

"Of course, at a compromise that is," Torque grinned.

Edward swallowed.

"Name it..."


* * *



Nicholas pulled up in front of a two-story brick home in one of Stone Canyon's older and more secluded neighborhoods Cedar Falls. The house was seated in the company of a couple dozen others on higher land overlooking the rest of the city. A yellow jeep sat in the driveway letting Nick know she was home. Walking up to the front door, Nicholas trecked up the small incline and rang the bell.

"Who is it?"

"Pizza man," Nicholas answered.

"Don't want any. Go away."

A moment lingered.

"Come on. It's cold and windy out here," Nick whined.

Giggling, Erin unlocked the door and opened up. Nicholas casually embraced his girlfriend and then with a long drawn out kiss.

"Mmm," Erin said short of breath. "To what do I owe this visit?"

The two walked inside and closed the door.

"Just wanted to surprise you," Nick said embracing Erin once more.

"I love it when you surprise me, but you know the deal," she said leading him into the kitchen. "Homework first."

"Bah. Homework can wait."

Erin sat back down at the counter where her math book was open and papers scattered about.

"How much more do you have?" Nicholas asked sitting on the next stool over.

"I'll be eighty when I'm through," Erin answered picking up her pencil again. "Just think all the fun you'll have too when you start school in the fall."

"Oh yes. I can't wait."

Erin got back to her studies as she worked on the problem she was dealing with before Nicholas showed up.

"Gosh, I hate this," Erin said turning his pencil around to erase what she had just written.

"What is it?" Nick asked.

"Radical expressions."

"Huh?"

"Fractions, but I'm confused whether or not I can cancel some things first before finding my GCF."

"Oh. ... I have no clue what you just said," Nicholas said getting up to stand behind Erin.

Nick placed his hands on his girlfriend's shoulders and slowly began to massage.

"Baby, please," Erin said continuing to work. "I really need to finish this."

Persisting, Nicholas continued to work his hands and added a kiss to the side of Erin's neck. Erin reacted to the sensitive spot and giggled. She put down her pencil.

"Okay, I promise when I'm done with this assignment I'll spend some time with you, but I really want to get this out the way," Erin said turning in her chair to face Nicholas before turning back again.

Rolling his eyes, Nick sat back down and waited impatiently for Erin to finish. Only a couple of minutes passed before his patience wore thin. Nicholas rose up and snaked his arms around Erin's waist.

"Almost through?" Nick asked hanging his head over her shoulder.

"NO," Erin said holding back a laugh in an effort to keep her concentration.

"How about now?" Nick said placing another kiss on his girlfriend's neck.

"Nope."

"How about ... now?" he asked placing down several more before adding in the massage again.

Erin's body started to melt as Nick's hands and lips worked her into a state of relaxation and seduction. Turning around, Erin's lips met Nick's as she snaked her hands over his shoulders. Nicholas picked Erin off her stool and guided her over to the neighboring den. Falling onto the sofa, Erin straddled Nick as they delved deeper into the special study break.

"I love you," Nicholas whispered through their kiss as he reached a hand up the back of Erin's shirt.

Those words always grabbed Erin's heart and ensured that the break would be indefinite. Drawing their bodies closer, Nicholas helped his girlfriend toss aside the yellow article of clothing. In another two minutes a pile had formed. Nick motioned Erin to get up so he could reverse their positions before continuing. Time slipped, as did their attention evidently. A man in his fifties, dressed nicely in a light yellow Polo and classic Dockers, set down his briefcase on the foyer table and kicked off his shoes. Headed in the direction of the kitchen, the man had heard something coming from the den and stopped. About facing, he pressed a hand on one of the double doors and peaked in, his eyes getting more than what he bargained for.

"ERIN," was the man's horrified and embarassed response.

Erin shot her head up over Nick's shoulder.

"DADDY?"


* * *


"You could put our house in the backyard alone," A.J. said staring out from the lanai.

A big lake stretched out behind the enormous lawn and had downtown Stone Canyon in sight.

"I got to hand it to you, Tom. You really picked something nice here," Mack said coming into the lanai last.

The three took a seat on the model patio furniture.

"I should be hearing from the bank on Thursday the earliest about the escrow. After that, we could probably move in by Monday morning," Tommy said propping up his feet on the table and leaning back.

"Good. Another month in Suit Case City is all I can stand," Mack said referring to his place of residency.

"Does this mean I can switch schools?" A.J. asked his uncle with high hopes.

Before Tommy could answer, a pilar of fire errupted far off in the distance.

"What the hell?" A.J. said standing up.

Tommy and Mack stood up next trying to make out what was happening in the city across the lake. Again the pilar appeared, this time the combined noise of screaming citizens and car horns echoing off into the late afternoon sky.

"It's time to go to work," Tommy said.

[jc_lives]

Ha. They got caught. Keep it coming.

[ZyuGreen]

good job, keep it up!

[foreverhunter]

"No mercy!" a Shark Rider yelled as he and four of his buddies pushed their way through the herd of stampeding civilians.

People flooded the sidewalks and surrounding businesses in a hurried attempt to stay clear of the chaos taking over their streets. Another pilar of fire met the sky as the Shark

Riders blasted their cycles' new laser cannons into anything and everything they set their eyes on.

"Stone Canyon! You've been shark attacked!" a Rider spat.

"No need to panic, folks!" said another. "We won't be much longer!"

"Like right now?"

Turning around, the Rider was met with a kick and a trip to the ground. Green Turbo hovered over him and pulled the leather-cloaked terrorist up by the trenchcoat.

"Play time's over," A.J. said swinging a fist into the Rider's stomach.

"That means it's clean up time," Red Ranger said summoning his Lightning Sword.

Rolling forward, Tommy sliced the tires of the oncoming Shark Cycle. The Rider lost control and tumbled off abruptly. Green Turbo was met by two other Shark Riders, each one having a lock on the young Ranger.

"No way out, kid!"

Opening fire, A.J. tumbled out the way and rolled behind the neighboring econo-van. Tommy saw his nephew's prediciment and hopped onto the roof of the Honda Civic parked opposite. Drawing his auto blaster, Red Ranger opened fire and kept back Torque's men from coming any closer. Just as quickly, Tommy dismounted the sedan and bumrushed the line of Shark Riders ahead of him.

"Red Lightning bolt!" Red Turbo commanded spearing his sword into the air.

A surge of energy began to course its way up from the base to the tip. Not having the time to roll clear, the red lightning bolt cackled and smote each Shark Rider.

"You killed them?!" A.J. said coming out of hiding. "What the hell?!"

"They'll be fine," Tommy said deactivating the weapon. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just a little shaken. I nearly got fried. Thanks for your help, Uncle Tom."

"Try not to say my name when out in public, 'kay?" Tommy said taking notice of the forming crowds.

"Power Rangers!" a man shouted. "Look!"

Slowly, Stone Canyon's citizens returned outside and flooded the streets trying to catch a glimpse of the multi-colored duo.

"Um ... do we sign autographs?" A.J. asked stepping back.

"NO," Tommy said pressing down on the left light on his belt buckle, its engagement producing a four-claw grappling hook.

Hooking onto to the closest roof, Red Ranger lifted off the ground. In suit, Green Turbo produced his hook next and joined up. The gawkers below cheered gratefully for their city's newest heroes.

"Just like Batman and Robin!" A.J. cracked.

"Oh God..."


* * *


Sitting on the steps outside his apartment building, Nicholas anxiously awaited a call from Erin. It's been a few hours since the fiasco that took place earlier. Nick was concerned with how long it was taking to hear from her. The sun was already leaving the sky and the moon set to take its rightful place.

"Erin ... call already," Nicholas said looking down at his cell.

"Hey, Nick."

Nicholas shot his head up.

"Oh. Hi, Summer," he said rising to his feet. "Need a hand?"

"That'd be nice. Thanks."

Nicholas took three of the several grocery bags Summer had somehow managed to hold together. The two headed inside the apartment building and across the way to the elevator.

"So are you racing this Friday?" Summer asked freeing a finger to call forth the elevator.

"Like always," Nick answered looking ahead blankly. "How about Stewart?"

"Wouldn't know," Summer smirked. "I broke up with him yesterday."

"Oh?" Nick said feigning interesting.

Summer tossed her hair back as she coiled her fingers tightly around her bags to keep them from slipping away. Nicholas stole a look at the slightly shorter blonde from the corner of his eye and took notice of what he had not been paying attention to just a moment ago. She was obviously beautiful, with long blonde hair and a body that was definitely in shape. She bore a black body hugging t-shirt and a jean skirt that covered just above the knee.

"I heard about the shop," Summer said stepping inside the elevator with Nicholas. "That's so horrible."

"Yeah..." Nick said paying the subject no mind after already thinking about non-stop over the weekend.

Summer pressed three for her floor. Silence fell.

"Are you okay?" asked Summer.

"Hmm?"

"I asked are you okay."

"Oh. Yeah. I'm just thinking," Nicholas answered, his eyes still fixated to the floor.

"About what? If you don't mind me asking I mean," Summer said earnestly.

"It's cool. It's a lot of things, but ... one thing is the race Friday. It's really important I win."

"How come?"

"Rent's due soon and now that I'm out of a job this week, you know -- the money thing."

"Oh. I'm sure it'll work out," Summer smiled.

Silence resumed for the durution of the ride. Leaving the elevator, Nick followed in tow into Summer's apartment and placed his bags next to her's.

"Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it," said Summer.

"No big deal. I'll see you," Nicholas said turning to leave.

"Maybe I'll see you Friday night at Anderson?"

"Um ... sure. I'll see you."


* * *


"Anything yet?" Tommy asked Mack looking over his partner's shoulder.

"No. The work on their bikes is unique," Mack reported continuing to tap away at main frame. "Look at this snap shot right here."

A picture of the previous fight popped up on screen and zoomed in on the laser cannon attachment.

"Look there," Mack pointed. "See the welding job?"

"Totally clean," Tommy said impressed.

"Almost like it came that way."

"But cycles don't come with laser shooters."

"Yeah I know," Mack said turning in his chair to face Tommy. "But this is Torque we're talking about. He's got the money to make things happen."

"Christian tells me he doesn't have his men do their own work. He hires outside help," Tommy said getting out his cell phone.

"But who?" asked Mack.

"I'm about to find out. ... Christian, hey. It's Tommy. I have a quick question for you."


* * *


"Worthless!" Torque said slamming a fist down. "All of you!"

The five Shark Riders stood worn and silent facing their visibly angered boss. Torque arose from his chair and leaned in to look each man in the eye.

"I pay good money for those bikes and you can't even thwart just two of the Rangers? Just two!"

The intercom beeped.

"Mr. Chin, your son is here to see you," the secretary announced.

"Send him in," Torque answered silencing the intercom. "By the week's end, there will be ten more Shark Cycles ready to go. Only five will be in use at a time, while the others shall serve as back ups, in case of any unfortunate failures like yours'."

"Sir, what exactly did you have in mind at the week's end?" asked one of the Riders.

Torque grinned before taking his seat again.

"Revenge..."

"Father," Michael said coming into the office.

The Shark Riders stepped aside in protocol.

"Son, I assume you've heard," Torque said looking to his hinchmen with disdain.

"Yes. I have. But I have good news to bring you."

"Go on."

"I have received word concerning the Blue Ranger."


________

The site is redesigned. Check it out. (http://v4.livegate.net/brownranger/prt.html)

[foreverhunter]

Almost called off due to last week's visit from the Shark Riders, race night at Anderson proceeded as usual. The volume of people was less than previous, but quite a turn out nonetheless. Again Taylor is in attendance to support her brother, but Erin was noticably absent. After speaking with Nicholas Monday night, she informed him her father had given her an altamative. As Nicholas sat in his racer going over his checks, the conversation replayed in his mind as it did all week long.

"So what's the word?" Nick finally asked following a short stint of silence.

Erin breathed into the phone, her tone riddled with sad confusion.

"Baby ... I don't know what to tell you," she sobbed.

"What? What is it? Tell me already."

Composing herself, Erin continued.

"He wants me to break up with you, and if I don't ... I'll be kicked out."

"He can't do that!" Nick seethed.

"Well he will! Nick, baby. I love you. I don't want to lose you, but--"

"But what, Erin?"

Again Erin broke into a sob. Nick's patience with the conversation finished.

"Bye, Erin," he said lowering the phone from his ear.

"Nicholas! Listen to me!"

"WHAT? You chose! Go and be daddy's little girl. Fuck off."

Nick slumped back in his seat waiting for his cue.

"You all ready?" Taylor asked coming to the window.

Nicholas dropped his shoulders, not sure what to tell her.

"Look at me," chided Taylor. "Forget everything just for tonight and concentrate on winning. Tonight's it for us. Now we neeed to pray. Come on."

"NO," Nick whined on cue to Taylor's frequent prayer offering.

Taylor fished out the bead-bearing crucifix around her neck and held it in front of her.

"Quit being a heathen and pray, Nick," she said closing her eyes.

Giving up just to get it over with, Nicholas closed his eyes.

"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

"Amen."

"Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon Nicholas tonight, Lord. We trust Your will shall be done and You will provide for us. Thank You for his new job, Lord. Thank You for Your guiding hand, Lord. Holy Mary, Mother of God, full of grace, the--"

"OKAY. That's enough already."

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen," Taylor concluded. " Nick, don't be an ass when we're praying."

"That shit doesn't work. Stop wasting your time," Nick said slumping back down. "I hate when you make me pray with you. ... It's stupid."

"Nick..."

"What? It is. We wouldn't be in this spot right now if it worked. ... Look, My mind's in a fuckin' million places right now," Nick said flipping on his status monitor. "I just need to calm my Vicodin-filled ass down and win this shit and we'll be good, okay?"

"Alright, Nick. ... Good luck."

Taylor turned and left. Shaking his head, Nick proceded with business.

"What are you guys doing here?" Taylor asked seeing Tommy, A.J., and Mack sitting together on the curb.

"Came to see Nicholas kick some tail," Mack said lightning up his cigarette. "And we're taking a break from packing."

"Almost through?"

"Getting there," answered Tommy. "We move in Monday."

"The house is off the meat rack. You should come and check it out some time," A.J. said making room for Taylor.

"Sure..."

"You alright, Taylor?" asked Tommy looking over at the somber teen.

"Yeah. ... I will be."


* * *


"All is in order I trust?" Michael asked the lead Rider.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Chin," the Rider answered.

Smirking, Michael Chin paced slowly pass each cycle expecting every last detail with a close eye. A chilly breeze from the sky above pass through as each seated Shark Rider awaited further instruction.

"Father will not be pleased if any of you five fail to accomplish the very elementary task assigned to you," Chin said standing in front again.

The Riders nodded in unison.

"Excellent. ... I do believe it's time, gentlemen. Return to the mansion no later than eleven o' clock. Understood?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Chin," said the five.

"Good. ... Now go."

[ZyuGreen]

awesome dude, keep it up

[Michael Howard]

Now that was cool, more please.

[foreverhunter]

This is taking longing than it should and the longest ep. to date. Oh well... Hope you like it. Let me know what you think and thanks to people that voted for me in the poll. Ep. 4 will finish with installment 6. -- FH
__________________________________________




Receiving his cue to pull forward, Nicholas placed his key in the ignition and turned it forward. Taylor, Tommy, A.J., and Mack stood up to get ready to watch the race.

"Alright. You know how it is. Wait for the drop and first one across the line wins. Ready?" the flag-bearer asked

Nicholas and his competitor in the lime green Supra nodded. Shifting into proper gear, Nick turned his head and glanced over at his sister by the curb.

"Pray," he muttered contritely.

"Here we go," the man said, the race attendees responding with loud applause and praise for their favored driver. "Ready ... set ... GO."

The flag dropped.

"Mountain Blaster sonic-thrust, engage!" Nicholas said giving his computer its first command.

Overriding the inevitible peel out, the blue bogger truck lifted short of an inch off the ground and excelled for a whole second in air time. The tires landed on pavement accordingly, giving Nick the lead he tooled at for the entire week.

"What the--?" the Supra's driver asked trying to downplay his astonishment in order to focus.

"Did you see that?" A.J. asked Tommy and Mack equally awstruck.

Tommy smiled.

"Sure did," he said.

Nicholas sped down Anderson and gradually increased speed. He was almost afraid to look back in his rear view to check up on the other guy in fear of losing concentration.

Still having the lead, Nick decided to hold off on engaging his car's turbo power. Suddenly Mountain Blaster found itself with the Supra at its side.

"Shit," Nicholas muttered seeing the racer in his peripheral vision.

At this point, the people on each side of the street had turned into streaks of lights as the speeds of each car nearly doubled within a matter of seconds. It was anybody's race now.

"God..." Nicholas began to say before dropping the thought. "Turbo power, engage!"

Mountain Blaster's computer responded to the voice command immidiately and produced its blue-colored flame from the additional exhaust.

"He's almost there," Taylor said clutching A.J's arm.

"Two can play this game," the Supra's driver said casually as he entered a four-digit code into his dash computer.

In another second the Supra was again neck and neck with Mountain Blaster. The finish line was now in sight.

"Uncle Tom?" A.J. said lowering the binoculars from his face.

"Not now," Tommy said watching the race attentively.

"Just look! There!" A.J. pointed up.

Tommy tilted his head to where A.J. directed. Atop a building in the far distance, several Shark Cycles were positioned in a single-file row.

"Aww man," Tommy said looking to his nephew and then at Mack.

"What is it?" asked Mack.

"Taylor, A.J, let's move!"

"But Tommy," Taylor began to say before A.J. pulled her away with them.

The Shark gang looked down at the quickly approaching Mountain Blaster and then at each other.

"Ready?" the lead Rider asked.

The others nodded.

"Lock on!"

Tommy, A.J., and Taylor retreated into the closest ally and looked around.

"Clear," A.J. said to his uncle.

"Shift into Turbo!"

The trio brandished their keys and jammed them into their morphers.

"Wind Chaser Turbo Power!' yelled Taylor.

"Desert Thunder Turbo Power!" yelled A.J.

"Red Lightning Turbo Power!" yelled Tommy.

"Locked on!" a Rider confirmed.

"Charge 'em up!" the leader ordered.

All five canons shook as power rapidly collected.

"FIRE!"

Blue and purple-shaded lasers came forth and struck the street below.

"Let's do it!" Red Turbo said flipping forward, followed next by A.J. and then Taylor.

A laser struck the left tire of Mountain Blaster.

"JESUS," Nicholas yelled as the dash went bezerk with lights and warnings.

The Supra slammed on its breaks and spun out onto the sidewalk.

"I'm out of here!" the driver yelled evacuating his racer.

Just as he did, lasers struck the vehicle dead on, sending the car into the air entirely consumed in a firery explosion. Surrounding spectators fled for their safety as the Ranger trio ran into the middle of the street. Tommy stood center with A.J at his left and Taylor to his right.

"Not him! The truck! Get the truck!" the gang leader screamed.

"The canons aren't stable enough, sir," reported a Rider.

"Fire again!"

Another dose of aderniline and sweat flushed over Nicholas as he clutched both hards hard onto the steering wheel.

"Steady, Nicky!" he yelled letting off the gas.

Cranking the wheel at half turn, Nicholas pulled the emergency break up. As the truck hit 90º, Nick released the e-break and floored the gas once more. Straightening out the steering wheel, Mountain Blaster screeched out of the bootlegger's turn and behind a parked row of delivery trucks.

"Let's hit 'em with some of our own fire power!" Red Turbo said drawing his auto blaster.

Green Turbo and Pink Turbo drew theirs next and opened fire. The multi-colored lasers hit one of the rooftop Riders, dismounting him from his seat. The other four ducked for cover.

"Nicholas!" Taylor yelled looking for her brother.

Nick unbuckled and vacated the bogger truck quickly to investigate the source of the sudden onslaught of lasers. Coming around the corner, he saw the three Rangers engaging in a shoot out.

"Oh they're gonna pay," Nicholas said looking at the Shark Riders up ahead. "Shift into Turbo!"

Fishing into his pocket, Nick produced his turbo key and jammed it into his morpher.

"Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!"

"We're accomplishing nothing!" the lead Shark Rider said backing up his cycle. "To the streets!"

The remaining Shark Riders stopped shooting and turned around. Blue Ranger then joined his teammates in the street with auto blaster already drawn.

"Don't tell me I missed 'em," Nicholas said disappointed.

"Not quite," A.J. said pointing back to the building.

The Shark Cycles could be seen speeding down the parking garage exit ramp and headed toward the Rangers' direction.

"Let's take 'em down quick!" Blue Turbo said steadying his blaster.

"Guys! Wait!"

The four turned around to see a breathless Mack running up to his friends.

"What is it?" asked Tommy.

"Those will be no good. I finally recongized the technology the Sharks are using. We have to get out of here and get the Turbo weapons," Mack explained.

"No time for that now, Mack," Tommy said falling into attack position as the Riders came into view. "I have mine, but if you all want to go, then go."

"NO. I'm staying. Weapons or no weapons," Nick said standing next to Tommy.

"You better get out of here before you get hurt," A.J. told Mack joining up with the others.

The Shark Cycles sped down the deserted boulevard in a v-shape formation. Each laser canon was powered-up and ready to fire.

"Lightning sword, power up!"

The right light from Red Turbo's belt buckle flickered red as the weapon materalized from its holding pocket. The Shark Cycles zipped ahead with a lock on each Ranger. Pink Turbo and Green Turbo rolled clear on one side and Blue Turbo and Red Turbo on the other.

"Kiyah!" Nicholas yelled leaping into the air.

Landing on the back of a Shark Cycle, he began to struggle with the Rider.

"Let's go!" A.J told Taylor rising up.

Green Turbo ran head on toward the oncoming Shark Cycle. The Rider released his laser and missed as A.J. leapt up and kicked the leather-clad villian off his seat. The gang member skidded across the pavement and slammed against the curb-side gutter.

"Mack, we've you been?" the group leader asked cordially as he dismounted his bike. "Torque's been missing you."

The Rider drew a pistol from his trench coat and put it to Mack's head.

"Mack!" Taylor yelled.

Pink Turbo drew her auto blaster and blew apart the pistol. Using the opportunity, Mack slammed a fist into the Rider's stomach and pulled him into his knee repeatedly until he hit the floor.

"GO," Taylor said waving Mack away.

Just then a Rider zipped by and clubbed the Pink Ranger across the back. Mack turned again and saw her fall to the ground.

"Taylor!" Mack said coming to her aid.

The same Rider reversed direction and set his sights on Mack next. Tommy looked over and saw what was happening.

"This ends now. Red Lightning, full power!"

Consumed in a flame of red energy, Tommy lunged forward and caught away both allies from the speedy deviant. Green Turbo flipped over and joined the three.

"Dude, what'd I tell you?" he asked the elder.

"Guys!" Taylor yelled and pointed.

The three looked to where she was pointing. Three Shark Cycles cornered the Blue Ranger against the building.

"Didn't have to be this way, Butler," the center Rider said regretably.

"Go ahead. ... Kill me," Blue Ranger responded, fear completely absent from his voice.

Before they could open fire, a combination of red, green, and pink lasers struck the back of each Shark Rider. All three toppled over and lay still on the ground as smoke smouldered from their trenchcoats. Tommy looked to his nephew with a a light nod.

"Now they're dead."

Nicholas stood in the position he was in as Mack and the Rangers made their way over to their blue-spandexed teammate.

"Are you okay?" Taylor asked embracing her brother.

Nicholas shook his head. Without another word, the Blue Ranger walked away and back around the corner in which he came.

"What's wrong with him?" A.J. whispered to Mack.

The Rangers remained standing for another moment before the sound of police sirens could be heard in the not so far off distance.

"We better go," Tommy said looking to his teammates before activating his grappling hook. "See you back at the Turbo Garage, Mack."

"Right," Mack responded.

With that, the Ranger trio hooked on and left.


* * *

[Kali_WolfChilde]

great fic, forever. real cool. liking it more and mroe as time goes by, can't wait for next ep, amigo!

[Dragon Warrior]

Hmmm..:)

[foreverhunter]

Woo hoo. Finally. Ep.4 is done. I enjoyed writing this last part. Happy reading.

FH

________________


The setting sun glistened along the slighty choppy surface of Stone Canyon Bay, the large body of water that serves as the backdrop for some of Stone Canyon's more exclusive estates, including the new Oliver residence. Out in front Tommy continued moving in boxes full of appliances, clothes, and what not as he has been doing since early afternoon with Mack and Christian. A.J. was able to help once school let out. The teen was right behind his uncle carrying two chairs, one in each arm.

"Is anyone hungry as I am?" Tommy asked placing down his boxes.

"YEAH," A.J. agreed exuberantly. "It's pizza time."

"I second that," Christian said coming into the house with some boxes of his own.

"Great, let's go," Mack said fishing for his keys.

"Wait, they're still not here," Tommy said looking at his new housemates. "Why don't we just order in and keep working until then?"

The unpopular suggestion was taken. A.J. returned outside with Christian to get whatever was left in the U-Haul truck Tommy had rented. Walking down the decline, Christian noticed a parked vehicle at the end of the driveway.

"So they showed," he said dryly continuing to the moving truck.

Nicholas killed the engine and sat staring blankly ahead as he did during the entire ride. Taylor kept busy writing in her diary and was finishing up the long entry she had started earlier in the day. Capping her pen, she glanced out the window to take in again the grand elegant home they had been invited to live in.

"How lucky are we?" Taylor asked sublimely as she gathered up her things.

"Yeah," Nicholas softly concurred.

Taylor looked away from the window and to her brother.

"It'll only be for awhile just like you said ... remember?"

Nick shook his head, his eyes still fixed ahead.

"It never turns out that way," he answered belatedly. "Why the hell are we here?..."

"Because we have no other choice," Taylor responded.

She studied her brother's face for another moment, what looked like tears glossed over his eyes.

"What Tommy and Mack are doing for us is huge. At least pretend to act a little grateful when we see them, okay?" Taylor said leaving the civilian version of Mountain Blaster.

A.J. and Christian walked down the U-Haul ramp with the last of the boxes and saw the quiet jean-jacketed blonde trecking up the driveway. Giving the two a small smile, Taylor offered to help with one of the boxes. A.J. offered her the lite one on top and they continued inside. Stopping, Christian turned and faced the end of the driveway where Nicholas stood.

"Hey, you made it," Mack said happily taking the box from Taylor's hands.

"Yep," Taylor said giving the man her best attempt to appear mirthful.

Looking ahead across the long foyer, she saw A.J. looking out the sliding glass doors that overlooked the lenai and Stone Canyon Bay. The sun was nearly gone now.

"Hey," Taylor said walking over to join the teen.

"Hey. Welcome to the O.C.," A.J. joked continuing to look out at the waters ahead.

"Heh. ... Sure seems like it."

"We're glad you guys decided to come."

Taylor looked at A.J.

"Really?" she smirked.

"Yeah," A.J. beamed. "I was thinking it'll kind of be like 'The Real World'. Seven people picked to live in a house--"

"To find out what happens--"

"When people stop being polite---"

"And starting getting real---"

"'The Real World: Stone Canyon'. How about that?" simpered A.J.

Taylor laughed quietly before realizing something.

"Did you say seven?" she asked.

"Um, yeah. I did."

"Hold on," Taylor said counting off on her fingers. "You, me, Tommy, Mack, Nick, Christian ... that's six. Who else?"

"You'll be having a roommate -- and speak of the devil," A.J. said turning around, then Taylor.

Dragging behind a large suitcase, Erin made her presence known.

"Hey, guys," she said greeting everyone.

Christian followed behind with her other suitcase.

"Is that fine?" A.J. asked Taylor.

"Yeah. ... But Nicholas."

"What about him?"

"They broke up last week," Taylor whispered.

"Oh. ... Well that'll be awkward," A.J said casually as he started to make his way back to where the others were standing.

Taylor followed. Conveined together in the middle of the oversized foyer, Tommy smiled.

"Honestly I didn't plan this so we all could be here, under one roof," he said looking around at the faces around him. "But I guess that's the way fate would have it."

"Yeah right," A.J. cracked. "You get a house just big enough so you can start your own foster home and get a tax break. I get it."

Everyone laughed as the mood lightened up.

"Pizza should be here in half an hour. So let's get as much stuff in the right places until then, alright?" Tommy said clasping his hands.

The gang disbursted in several directions to gather up their belongings. Taylor left the house to go start unloading her things from the back of Mountain Blaster. Nicholas was still out there and had started working on getting the larger boxes off the bed of the truck.

"You got it?" Taylor asked offering her brother some help with the box he was steadying.

"I'm fine," Nicholas answered sharply.

Weasling both hands underneath the box, he immidiately placed it on the ground.

"Heavy?" asked Taylor.

Ignoring her question, Nicholas worked on the next box.

"You're going to have to talk about it eventually. She's right inside, Nick," Taylor said pointing to the house.

"Why is she here?" Nicholas seethed.

"Did you even say hello when she arrived?"

"She did. I didn't."

"Nicholas, she's not here to anger you. She's here because she made a choice, a choice that a week ago she turned down because she was scared. Give her at least that..."

"Does it matter now? Does anything matter?" Nicholas asked shoving back the box angrily.

"What is going on with you, Nick? There's something else. Since Friday you've been a totally different person. What gives?"

Shaking his head at the thought, Nicholas reached out for the box again.

"NICK. Tell me! What's going on with you?" Taylor pleaded.

"I wanted to die! Okay?"

Taylor stood struck by his answer.

"W-what?" she asked.

"I said I wanted to die," Nicholas repeated.

"But why?"

"Why the hell not? Taylor, I've worked my ass off for over a year to save for college only to lose my money on those races and then our apartment."

"You bet your tuition money? Who told you to do that?!"

"I hardly ever lose! It wasn't suppose to happen! And not winning anything Friday just did it for me."

Taylor cupped her face feeling utter repulsion from what was being said.

"And letting Erin go before then..." Nicholas continued. "What reason did I have to live?"

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Taylor said as tears filled her eyes. "You're so incredibly -- selfish. You'd want to kill yourself because things were going rough?"

"I didn't say anything about wanting to kill myself!"

"But you would have! You've tried it before!" Taylor yelled back.

"Damnit, I wasn't going to. I was hoping the Sharks would of did it for me on Friday --- but Tommy stopped them."

"How could you," Taylor whimpered.

Wiping her tears, she turned to go back inside.


* * *


"Pizza's here," A.J. said looking out the door.

Tommy got out his wallet to pay the man. A.J. took the pies and set them in the kitchen. Christian opened the one on top and crinkled his nose.

"That must be yours," he said stepping back.

"Oh yeah," A.J. said taking out a slice.

Everyone else filed in the kitchen except for Nicholas and Erin. The two were outside at the end of the driveway. Nick stood leaning against his truck, Erin standing opposite.

Neither of the two said anything for the three minutes they had been standing there.

"I ... I heard about what happened Friday," Erin said brushing back some hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry about what happened..."

"Why? You didn't do anything to cause it."

Grimmacing, Erin was ready to turn and go back inside. Nicholas reached out and guided his hand to her's.

"That wasn't fair," he admitted.

Erin withdrew her hand.

"You haven't been fair at all," she said.

"... I know..."

"So what now?"

"I don't know," Nicholas answered. "Taylor tells me you're here because of me. ... Is that true?"

Wrinkling her brows in an attempt to fight back tears, Erin nodded.

"Nick, I love you. ... And the way you spoke to me last week really hurt."

"Erin -- I ... if I knew you were going to end up moving out to be with me then--"

"NO. Even without knowing, you don't go telling me to go fuck off!"

"The way you came off made it seem like you were letting your dad call the shots!"

"I was afraid, Nick! I didn't know where I was going to go if I was going to leave! If Tommy hadn't asked me, then I wouldn't be here right now. I'm here because I can be, because I want to be with you."

Nicholas stood silently trying to sort through the mess he helped create.

"Erin..." he began to say. "I'm sorry. ... Last week was rough for me; losing my job and the run in with the Sharks again and becoming a Power Ranger for Christ's sake. We're fuckin' Power Rangers!"

Not wanting to, Erin smiled.

"So all that going on and then you telling me what your dad said just broke me. Baby girl, I'm sorry," Nick said pulling Erin into his arms.

Letting the rest go, Erin finished off the last of her tears on Nicholas' shoulder. Nick caressed the back of her head gently and down the long brown hair that his hand had been absent from for over a week now.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear as she drew her head back.

"I love you, too."

[jc_lives]

Wonderful. Episode 5 chop chop. :p

[havemercy]

Wo0t wOot! Nice going and hurry the hell up. I went to ur site & saw the pic of Nick and awwwwww so friggin cute...but n-e-wayz, good chapter. Write more soon k?

[foreverhunter]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Here goes installment 1 of episode 5 "Reunited."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Episode #05
"Reunited"

The reflective glow of the crystal blue water, the sidewalk-level step lights, and the cool star-lit sky; all the elements for a romantic evening had come together perfectly for Sea World's head shark and whale trainer Peter Bennet. The night had been planned for over a month and things were right on schedule; the visitors were gone, the park was closed for the day, and only security and maintaince would be afoot but not anywhere near the shark arena which Peter specifically requested to be left alone for the evening. Tonight's the night he would propose to his girlfriend of eight months Alana Rivera over a candle lit picnic alongside the show tank where they first met last year.

No longer confined to the damp and odorous wetsuit he would be stuck with from morning unti evening, Peter dawned a silk crimson dress shirt and black slacks for the special occasion.

"Okay ... the ring ... where's the ring?" Peter asked anxiously as he padded his body in search for the box. "Under the tray. Oh yeah. Okay calm down, man. Everything's cool."

"Uh, who are you talking to?"

Peter turned to see a figure in a tiny black dress descending the auditorium's concrete stairs. He stood stunned.

"You look ravishing," Peter said nearly blushing.

"Thank you. You do, too," Alana said returning the compliment, her face equally stunned.

The two lovers met eachother half way and engaged in a short but passionate kiss.

"You cooked?" Alana asked looking to the checkered blanket where several covered trays laid.

"The truth? It's take out."

"Papi, you know you could of lied and said you made it yourself."
Peter grinned.

"I couldn't lie and say I made your favorites because you know I can't," he said guiding her to the blanket.

"You mean?--" Alana began to ask as she knelt down alongside her boyfriend.

"Yep," Peter said removing the first cover. "Jerk chicken behind door number one."

"Mmm. What else?" Alana asked already enticed.

"Behind door number two --- bacalaitos."

"Hehe, yey! And behind door number three?"

"And behind door number three --- green beans smothered in garlic, just how you like it. And don't worry, I brought the breath mints," Peter said rattling the box inside his shirt pocket.

Giggling, Alana leaned over a planted a kiss on his lips.

"It all looks wonderful," she said accepting the wine glass he offered her.

"Thank you. I did try to make the bacalaitos though, but after three burnt batches I kind of got discouraged from trying again," Peter said uncorking the wine bottle.

"Aww, I wish I could of seen you try."

"It was pitiful. Be glad you didn't. ...... You're so beauitful."

Peter's eyes bathed in the sight of the woman he planned on marrying. Alana's curly black hair draped down past her light bronze shoulders, her lips were full and naturally-colored without the need for a bright lipstick. Her brown eyes were entrancing with little green specs that easily drew attention from her male co-workers. Peter didn't understand how in the world he was able to get a woman as charming and intelligent as she was. He was sure a million other guys would have a better chance than he, but their passion they shared for the sea and its inhabitants plus long hours drew them closely together in the past eight months.

"There's one more," Alana said reaching for the cover of a fourth tray.

Peter gently took her hand and guided it away.

"That's for later," he smiling.

"Is it?" Alana asked looking at the tray with child-like curiousity.

"Yes. Shall we toast?" Peter asked pouring wine into each glass.

"We shall."

Peter and Alana clinked their glasses together and sipped down a portion of the expensive alcoholic beverage before starting on their meal. Thirty-five minutes already passed as the two love birds talked about their day and what they wanted to do for the weekend. Most of the food was gone now and the wine bottle too was half past empty.

"Baby, that was delicious," Alana said setting down her fork. "Best take out ever."

Peter concurred with a smile.

"Maybe Buddy would enjoy the left overs," he said referring to the shark swimming in the tank just yards from their picnic.

"Maybe," Alana grinned. ""But I still want to know what's inside that tray."

"In time. In time," Peter said rising to his feet.

He removed a small remote control from his back pocket and pointed it to the back of the auditorium. A second later, the opening to Selena's "I Could Fall in Love With You" came into play over the speakers.

"Peter, I," Alana said not able to find the words.

"Shh," Peter said drawing close to his teary-eyed companion. "It's all about you tonight, sweetheart."

Taking Alana into his arms, Peter placed a soft kiss on her lips and looked intently into her eyes.

"May I have this dance?" he asked.

Alana nodded happily aghast to the sweet melody of her all time favorite song and singer. Together the pair slow danced in the middle of the water-lit auditorium. Everything was right Peter thought. Now was the time.

"Alana," he began to speak. "I never want to let go of you."

"I don't want to let go of you either, Peter."

Peter drew his head back to look Alana in the eyes.

"So I'm asking you ... will you marry me?"

The tears that had yet to be let go did. Alana nodded with quivering lips.

"Yes," she said.

"Oh, man. The ring!"

Through her tears, Alana laughed at the minor snafu in Peter's plan.

"The tray?" she asked.

"Um, yeah," he said kneeling down to remove its lid.

A diamond ring with a twenty-four karat gold band sat center tray. Alana nearly gasped seeing what would be placed around her finger.

"Do you like it?" Peter asked not sure how to take her reaction.

"Of course! Peter, oh my God. It's -- perfect."

"Here," Peter said slipping it on gently.

Alana looked down at the ring in admiration. The song was nearly done now.

"Peter, I--" Alana began to say.

A staticy disruption came from the stereo system over head.

"I'm sorry," Peter said fishing out his remote. "One second."

Pressing a button, the stereo failed to receive the command.

"Dangit," Peter said tapping the remote again. "Alana, forgive me."

"It's okay, Papi," she said looking at Peter adoringly. "Want me to go turn it off?"

"Of course not. Wait right here. I'll be right back."

Peter sprinted over to the employee exit of the auditorium that led to the master control room for the attraction. The door was noticably ajar, something Peter took note of immmidately as he remembered closing and locking it earlier out of habit. Maybe he hadn't he thought.

"Hello?" Peter asked taking caution. "Hal? You in here cleaning?"

The groom-to-be stepped inside the dark room and reached his hand for the switch. The lights above came on, revealing nothing out of the ordinary but a stereo system with a cut wire.

"Strange," Peter said looking closely at the source of the distraction. "How could that happen?"

Seeing no need for it now, Peter powered off the stereo.
Back in the auditorium, Alana stood continuing to admire her engagment ring.

"I'm so lucky," she said to herself.

Another minute passed.

"Peter?" Alana called out in concern.

There was no response.

"Papi, hurry back. We should get going."

Still there was no answer.

"Peter?..."

Alana proceded to the employee-only exit where Peter had gone through to remedy the stereo problem. Half way to the exit, Peter came stumbling back.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" Alana asked not able to see her fiancee through the surrounding dankness.

"Ala ... Alana," Peter gasped, his body falling forward from the dark into the light.

A pool of blood seeped from his head onto the moist concrete floor, sending Alana into a dreadful cry.

"Oh my God! Peter! Peter, what happened?!" she screamed kneeling down beside her fiancee.

Fighting back death to give an answer, Peter dropped his head to the ground again, his body now completely motionless.

"Somebody! Help! I need help!" Alana screamed into the air.

The sound of footsteps alarmed the twenty-something Latina. Looking up, another figure was casually apporaching from the darkness ahead. It stopped short of the light not to reveal his (or her) face. On gut reaction, Alana rose to her feet and ran the other way. Her escape was quickly thwarted. Falling to the ground from a swift punch to the face, Alana fought to regain her senses but to no avail. Several more figures appeared and walked forward to claim Peter. Two men grabbed each arm and dragged him over to the shark tank.

"Peter," Alana managed to say through her violence-enduced dizzy spell.

She could see black-clothed figures dragging her fiancee to the shark tank. As much as Alana wanted to get up, she couldn't.

"Toss him," one of the men ordered.

Peter was lifted up by both men over head and thrown into the water.

"Now the girl," the man ordered again.

Alana's eyes shot open.

"NO," she said raising her voice. "Somebody! Help me!"

Another blow was dealt to the back of Alana's head, this time completely knocking her out cold. The same men took Alana by the arms and dragged her along. Picking her up, the two tossed her into the tank next to Peter. Buddy circled around quickly discovering his house guests.


* * *


Students bustled about West Stone Canyon High's front lawn minutes before the first bell. Out by the street came a red Camaro slowly pulling around the corner in a long line of other parents and ride givers. Inside the Camaro, A.J. sat with his headphones on blasting the new Three Days Grace cut into his ears.

"HEY," Tommy said attempting to get his nephew's attention.

Hitting pause, A.J. lowered his headphones.

"What?" he asked.

"Are you deaf? I called you three times now."

"Couldn't hear you."

"No kidding. I was trying to ask you a question," said Tommy.

"And that is?"

"It's the end of the quarter. When are you getting your report card?"

"How should I know?"

"Don't make me go through the trouble of calling, A.J."

Conceding to the threat, the teen answered.

"Tomorrow morning," he said.

"And what can I expect to see?"

"I don't know..."

"A.J.," Tommy chided.

"I really don't know! Uncle Tom, chill. It's not a big deal," A.J. argued.

"It will be when my foot goes flying up your behind if I see any more than one F."

"Only one?"

"One," Tommy sharply confirmed. "Here's your stop. Have a nice day."

Grumbling something in kind, A.J. left the Camaro and proceded to the school building.

To be seventeen again Tommy thought.

Shifting gears, Tommy eased back into traffic and drove away from the school. Flicking on the radio, Tommy listened in during mid-report.

"And the puppies were returned unharmed," the newscaster concluded. "It's near the top of the hour now, meaning your local weather and traffic are on the way, but first we have a breaking bullentin. Sea World San Diego is under police investigation this morning following two murders and one account of shark-kidnapping that took place yesterday evening between the hours of nine and ten p.m. Whale and shark trainers Peter Bennet and Alana Rivera were found dead literally in pieces in the park's shark auditorium's water tank after apparently being thrown over. No other details have been released related to how the murders were executed and who would be behind such a senseless act against two well-loved and respected sea animal enthusiasts. Sea World declined to release further information about the murders and the missing shark, but park relations has released a statement saying quote we are deeply saddened by the loss of Peter and Alana. They were part of the Sea World family and will be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to all their friends and family during this tragic time unquote. We will keep you posted with further details."

Tommy's eyes narrowed.

"Torque..."

[jc_lives]

That was quick. Man you are CRUEL. Loving it.

[foreverhunter]

Here's a big fat second installment. I liked writing this a lot.
_________________________________________


Upon an elevated catwalk, several figures stood overlooking a surgery in progress. The facility was flush white and sterile and more notiably silent with the exception of the frequent beep from the surrounding medical equipment. A team of four surgeons stood center around the operating table. Four other figures stood at each side of the room, each one dressed head to toe in white scrubs akin to the surgeons'. The fin-shaped helmets atop the heads of the men guarding both exits was the one obvious contrast.

"How far along is the procedure?" Torque asked the man beside him.

The man, a lanky West Indian doctor, thought the question through for a moment.

"Perhaps near completion," was Dr. Teywari's reply.

"Excellent. Michael, inform Mr. Fuqua and Mr. Zehr to prepare the Cambiar Chambers."

"Yes, father," Chin's son said reaching for his belt-clipped cell phone.

"NO," Dr. Teywari warned pointing a hand to Michael's waist. "Cell phone frequencies can disrupt the operation equipment from processing data correctly. Please make your call in the lobby ... please."

Michael looked to his father. Torque nodded.

"Very well then," Michael said starting for the catwalk's exit.

A high-pitch beep from the equipment below abruptly sounded. All four surgeons, no longer silent, scattered about their tools to fix the problem. On the catwalk, Torque and an associate watched attentively as Dr. Teywari tried his best to assess the situation from where he stood. A large rotting fin could been seen hanging over the operating table, blood dripping down from its slimy tip. Torque then fell to his knees and over on his side.

"FATHER," Michael said running back across the catwalk.

Torque's assocaite knelt down and offered his assistance in vain as the middle-age crime lord fell deeper in agonizing pain.

"Father! What's happening?" Michael said coming to his side.

Young Chin deduced this was not a heart attack, for his father was a healthy man and always has been. The beeping below continued and in greater intervals, only to be accompanied with a sudden on again off again blackout from the facility's wall-mounted jumbo lights. A dark presence then entered the room and casted its dark shadow over the auditorium.

"Speak to me!" Michael screamed helplessly.

Dr. Teywari slipped away as Torque's son and the associate looked at eachother exchanging their fear-induced expressions.



*___*___*


"Take your seats!" Mr. Bambino repeated louder this time.

The twenty-seven count class took another minute to end their conversations and returned to their assigned desks.

"Mr. Lorenzo, that includes you," the teacher said pointing to his seat.

A.J., looking away a second from the girl was speaking with, gave him a small nod before wrapping up the conversation.

"Today, Mr. Lorzenzo. ....... Thank you. I have a special treat for you all today. It starts with a q. Can anyone guess?"

"Queer?" A.J. asked.

"Kwanza?" asked Drew.

"Kwanza starts with a k, goof," A.J. said tossing a paper wad at his friend's head.

"No. A quiz. Clear your desks, paper and pen only," said Mr. Bambino.

The class collectively groaned.

"Mr. Bambino?" A.J. said raising his hand.

"What is it?"

"May I sharpen my pencil?"

"No. Our sharpener is not working and you know that because you're the reason why it's not functioning in the first place."

"An accident I assure you," A.J. said biting back a smile.

"Just borrow a pencil from someone," Mr. Bambino said taking his seat.

"But nobody has one to spare."

"For the love of..."

Mr. Bambino searched inside his desk for an extra writing instrument.

"You have ninety seconds to go next door and come back here with a sharpened pencil," he said shutting his desk.

A.J. rose up from his seat and left the room. Closing the door behind him, he started for the neighboring class room but paused.

Hungry. Need food now.

A.J. stood thinking and remembered the vending machine in the school commons which was only around the corner. Making a detour, the teen in green proceded to the commons but not before checking for any administrators that would be checking for passes. All was clear.

"Cheetos, my old friend," A.J. said eyeing the snack as he fished into his pockets for loose change.

"Mr. Lorenzo, good morning."

"Well if it isn't my favorite administrator Assistant Principal Lipman," A.J. said turning around.

Mr. Lipman shook his head.

"Not today, A.J.," he said getting out a pen. "No pass again?"

"Mr. Bambino said I could."

"Did he really?" Mr. Lipman asked scribbling down something.

"He said I had ninety seconds and you're wasting them. You wouldn't want to get me in trouble, would you?"

"Too late," Lipman answered handing the A.W.O.L. math student a detention slip.



*___*___*


The drive from Stone Canyon to Angel Grove was just under an hour without any traffic delays. Pulling out of a gas station after a much needed refueling, Tommy continued north up Angel Highway for another fifteen minutes before reaching his destination. Along the way, he passed by some familar spots, including the Youth Center. A million memories come running back into Tommy's mind. His heart jumped at all the happy times he had there with his friends; broom ball, Parents' Day, the martial arts expo, the dances. How truly excited Tommy was to see the old place again. The outside bore the same color scheme, but it was kept up nicely.

Lunch perhaps...

Tommy got into the right turn lane and yielded onto Adamo Drive where he needed to go. Just like the rest of Angel Grove, everything has grown Tommy observed. More neighborhoods, more businesses, more schools; Angel Grove was truly its own city now.

"Kickers," Tommy laughed to himself as he pulled into a parking space.

He always told Jason the name of the dojo was corny, but business has been superb and Tommy highly respects his friend's success. He stood by his Camaro looking at the outside of the storefront dojo in high regard. Tommy thought back when he and Jason were teenagers. They had made a pact to open their own dojo together someday and "be rich." Tommy chuckled.

"Are you going to just stand out there or are you coming in?"

Tommy looked to where the voice came from and saw Jason standing at the doorway. The old friends attacked eachother with a great bearhug. It's been a few months since they've seen eachother in person. Jason was not able to attend Rocky's bachelor party a few weeks back because of other obiligations. Phone calls were weekly or bi-weekly at times. Still, the best of friends they were.

"What happened to chunky Jason?" Tommy asked play-punching his friend's stomach.

"Chunky Jason got his ass kicked in my dojo over the last few months."

"Well you look like your old self again."

"Thanks, bro. Come on in," Jason said going inside.

The mid-morning adult fitness class was in progress as Jason and Tommy strolled on over to the back office.

"How was the ride?" Jason asked closing the door behind him.

"Good. Thanks," Tommy said taking a seat.

Jason sat behind his desk and smiled at his friend.

"Man, it's been too long!" he said practically shouting.

"Bro, things been crazy lately," Tommy said leaning back in his seat.

"I know," Jason said sobering. "How you holdin' up?"

"A lot better now that I got the house."

"That's real good, bro. But I haven't gotten an invite yet!"

"We just moved in Monday. Give it a week!" Tommy laughed.

"Alright. Hey, I'm glad you came to talk about my offer. I think this could really work out," Jason said moving his computer mouse about. ""Let me print you out the paper work."

"Okay. Bro, you have no idea how grateful I am. That mortgage ain't pretty."

"Must be some house," Jason smirked.

"Yeah. ... Oh damn."

"What?"

"This weekend at my house. Party."

Jason's eyes lit up.

"Sick!" he said leaning back. "Bro, like I said it's been way too long."

"We'll have to call up everybody."

"Everybody?" Jason asked pausing his excitement.

"Okay so I won't invite Justin."

"Knock knock," a female voice said.

"Come in," Jason said waving in the visitor.

Tommy sat absolutely struck.

"Caroline, I'd like to introduce to you the greatest guy on Earth Tommy Oliver," Jason said standing up.

"So you're Tommy?" Caroline smiled. "Nice to you meet you in person finally. Jason's told me all about you."

"Good things I hope," Tommy said looking at his friend.

Jason smiled sheepishly.

"Of course. I feel like I already know you!" Caroline laughed. "Oh, Jason, Matt called in sick, so I'd suggest calling in another instructor for tonight's 7:15 teen class."

"Can you call Steve?" Jason asked.

"I can see if he'll come in, but if he won't then you know," Caroline said turning to leave. "Nice meeting you, Tommy."

"You, too," he answered.

Caroline left and closed the door.

"Good God," Tommy said nearly gasping.

"I know," Jason laughed.

"Why haven't you--"

"I've tried. Believe me. I've tried. Probably better off that way; business first."

"How mature of you," Tommy jested. "You know ... she kind of reminds me of--"

"Kim?" Jason answered. "I'm surprised you willingly brought her name up."

"Why? I can talk about her. You think I'm still stuck on her, don't you?" Tommy asked, his tone hinting at indignation.

"Nevermind, bro," Jason said retrieving the print-outs. "Here you go."

"Thanks, Jase," Tommy said taking the papers. "I'm sorry about--"

"It's forgotten," Jason smiled rising up. "I haven't eaten a thing today. You hungry?"

"Same," Tommy said.

"Well in that case there's a banana shake at Ernie's with your name on it."

"Aww man, that sounds too good."

"Great. Let's go."

[foreverhunter]

If anyone still reads, it's been a lil bit since the last installment. Been kind of stuck on inspiration. I wrote a little more, but my writer pooper is clogged up. If anyone wants to help or offer advice I'm listening. Thanks in advance.

FH

[foreverhunter]

Last installment of "Reunited."

FH

________


Henry Chin, the man better known as Torque, returned to the surrounding abyss he unwillingly visits almost every night now. Dark, gray clouds hung high above. He could feel a dampness in the air, yet there was no rain. A chilling wind blew through the messy crop of hair on his head as he nervously awaited his nightly visitors.

Absent was Henry's usual business attire for black jeans, black shoes, and a black tee. The slanted eyes of the frightened Korean were shut tight. Any moment they would be back to taunt, to beckon, to torment. The familar steel-like footsteps could be heard coming from the abyss. The clinking of the staff against the ground of the one whom carries the metallic weapon could also be heard. Louder and louder became the noises.

An agonized Henry grabbed his head and feel to his knees. Hiding his head between his legs, the scarlet red glow of the unwelcomed guest casted its evil warmth across Henry's back.

"What's the matter, Henry? Is something bothering you?" the metallic voice asked.

"Get away from me!" bleeded Henry, his head still cowarded between his thighs.

"Oh, Henry! We go through this every night. Why must you fight it?"

"I don't want anything to do with you! I just want to be left alone!"

"But then who would I use to prepare the return for my darling wife and me?"

"Don't forget us, Ed!"

"QUIET!" the voice bellowed as three more hues of light shone from the dark. "You have what I need, Mr. Chin. It would behoove you to remain silent about our meetings. My master plan cannot afford the slightest mistakes."

"Yeah, or else!" a snarling voice threatened, its golden glow also running across the quivering back of the cowering human.

"You know what to do!" another voice said, this one a female's. "Get the shark to the mutation chamber and summon the spell!"

"What spell?" Henry asked still not looking up.

The tan-colored light produced a book in mid air. Its prophetic-looking cover bore a skull in the center, the hallows of each eye socket occupied with a sinister red glow accompanied with an entrancing monotone hum. The book levitated its way to where Henry was crouching shamefully and gently set itself down.

"Page 573, first spell. Got it?" again sneered the lady's voice. "Well we must be going now. Don't keep us waiting, Henry. You have twenty-four hours."

"Yeah! Or else!"

"Quiet, monkey breath!"

Henry's eyes abruptly shot open, his surroundings still dark but recognizable now as he found himself laying in bed. The mid-morning sun peaked through the heavy velvet curtains and spilled across the floor. Henry's pajamas were soaked in sweat, as was his entire body. Looking down, he discovered a book snuggled in his arms.

"Father?"

Henry jumped.

"Father?" Michael asked knocking again. "I heard you screaming across the hall. Can I come in?"

"NO," Henry answered sharply.

"Well are you okay?"

"Yes, son. ... Please go away."

A moment of silence passed, relieving Henry. He then set his eyes back on the book but tossed it to the floor as a pange of fear rent his heart. The book landed upright and slid several feet back hitting the desk chair. Henry watched the book wide-eyed, trying to come to terms with the reality of what just happened. Had it happened? The book was there. The two-dimensional skull that lay center flashed its red eyes one more time and promptly faded away.


*___*___*


"Ernie, my man. You're looking good," Tommy said hugging the jolly Youth Center owner whose hair was now silver as it was brown.

"Tommy! Oh my gosh, it's been how long? You don't come and look for me!"

Tommy laughed semi-nervously.

"Well I'm sure you heard--"

"That you moved to Stone Canyon. Yeah I heard. I also heard what happened to your auto shop. If there's anything I can do, I'm more than willing to help."

Tommy looked to Jason who shared the same expression.

"Thanks, Ernie, but things are looking to be alright. I'll be back on my feet within the year hopefully," Tommy said leaning against the juice bar counter.

"Well if you do need anything, don't be ashamed to let me know. I love you, kids. If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't have this place anymore."

Ernie was referring to the time Jason and the others indirectly saved the Youth Center from going belly up all those years ago. Tommy assumed Ernie had not remembered that he had no part in it.

"Well," Tommy sighed. "I suppose you could do me a small favor."

"Name it!"

"I'm having a party this Saturday night at my new house."

"Congratulations! A new house!" Ernie gleamed.

"Thanks, Ernie. I would love it if you came and maybe you could also provide some of the gang's old favorites. You know, the usual."

"You got it, buddy! Hey, listen. I have to go help in the kitchen real quick, but it won't be long with the shakes."

"How'd you--"

"Tommy, back then you didn't go for more than two days without one of my banana shakes. Give me a little credit here."

"Heh. Thanks, Ernie."

"Make that two," Jason said smiling.

"You got it, fellas. Be right back," Ernie said leaving the guys.

"Good call, bro," Jason said high-fiving his comrade. "Ain't no grub like Ernie's grub."

"So tell me more about Caroline."

Tommy's cell interrupted.

"Sorry," Tommy said unclipping the phone from his belt. "Hello? .......... What is it now? ................. Expelled?!"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC in part 2....

[foreverhunter]

Ep#6 - Training Day

Installment 1

________________________________

Judging by lack of reviews, I suppose the story is not fairing so well. Let me know what you think .. if it sucks or anything.


FH
________________________________


The Oliver Estate was quiet that evening. Only Mack, Tommy, and A.J. were home while the others were off doing various things. Tommy had been absolutely furious with his nephew. Explusion. It was inevitable Tommy thought, but he was hoping maybe A.J. would of wised up because of his responsibilities as a Ranger seeing he himself had when he became the Green Morphin' Ranger over a decade ago.

Coming from the garage, Tommy carried a long tangled extension cord over his shoulder and proceeded down the long-stretching hallway that leads to the secluded library and study.

"How's it coming?" Tommy asked setting the cord down next to Mack who was busy tooling with a towering bookshelf.

"Give me a hand," Mack said rising up from where he was squatting.

Tommy obeyed and grabbed ahold of the other side of the center bookshelf. Pulling, the bookshelf moved maybe a quarter of an inch.

"Damn it," Mack hissed taking a step back to look at the obstacle before him.

"Maybe this wasn't the greatest idea," Tommy said rubbing the back of his head.

"Of course it isn't, but when it's finished you'll be glad we did," the Ranger ally said kneeling for the extension cord. "Say, how'd your meeting with Jason go today?"

"Fine. I start there Monday."

"Funny, ain't it? You buy a house and you ain't even gonna live in it for maybe more than a week."

"It's only temporary," Tommy said attaching the cord into the industrial-sized drill port attachment. "Besides, I'll be back on weekends if nothing gets in the way."

"And Torque?" Mack asked looking to his friend for a satisfactory response.

"You got Christian," Tommy answered handing back the drill.

"I don't know, Tom. ... I'm having second thoughts about him."

"Just give Christian a chance, alright? He deserves a shot," Tommy said sounding defensive.

"If you say so," Mack said kneeling again to mark the spot where he was to drill. "But I'm going to keep a good eye on him. You never know."

"You do that. Back to topic, when do you see us getting main frame and everything else moved out and over here?"

"As soon as we get this blasted bookshelf door passage going for our new ops."

"And speaking of which," Tommy said taking notice of the red light emitting from his morpher's star piece.

Mack stood up.

"Main frame, report," Tommy said tapping the morpher.

"Mutant sighting confirmed at County Line Road and Wesley Chapel Boulevard," the computerized voice informed.

"That's the movie theater," Mack said.

Tommy nodded. "Main frame, establish contact with morphers three, four, and five at once."

"Affirmative."

"What about A.J.?" asked Mack.

"Don't even let him near me," Tommy said dashing out the study.


* * *


"How could you not like the movie?" Nicholas asked Erin as they, along with Taylor, headed toward the exit.

"It's was so frickin' trite. He kills all the bad guys and gets to fuck the girl in the meantime. Very original plot."

"She was hot though!"

Erin looked at her boyfriend unamused. Taylor giggled, but her light laughter was short lived.

"Guys! Look!" she said pointing outside.

Through the glass doors the three teenagers saw a flood of movie patrons scrambling every which way. In the midst of the choas was one ferocious looking Shark. Nicholas' triangular morpher jewel hummed with its ice blue luminescence.

"This is Nick," he answered into the morpher.

"Guys, shark attack at the movie house. Get--"

"Yeah we know, Tommy. Over."

"Ready?" Taylor asked.

The young adults slipped away to a deserted corner in the neighboring arcade.

Nick nodded. "Shift into Turbo!"

"Wind Chaser Turbo Power!" yelled Taylor.

"Dune Star Turbo Power!" yelled Erin.

"Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!" yelled Nicholas.

"I'm hungry for Rangers!" the shark creature snorted as he baralled his way though the mess of fleeing civilians.

Its large fins slapped away any one that stood in its path. One man was sent flying into the box office, collectively smashing all its windows.

"I want Rangers!!!"

"Looking for us, fatty?" Blue Turbo said casually approaching the husky monster.

"Ah! Dinner!!" the shark said wiping his tongue across his long gnashing teeth.

The erect fish terror charged ahead with mouth wide open. Pink Turbo hopped up on Yellow's shoulder and extended her foot forward, meeting the shark's snout right on. The monster rolled back with both fins immediately consoling its achy brooze. Blue Turbo summoned his arm blasters and opened fire, again sending the losing mutant back several more yards.

"This is getting too easy," Blue Ranger quipped.

Just then in a flash of blinding light appeared Shark Riders -- or something like them.

"How the hell?" Nicholas asked falling into an attack position alongside Erin and Taylor.

"Those aren't your run of the mill Shark Riders, are they?" Pink Turbo asked.

The taller, stronger, and coatless Shark Riders cried out and attacked the unprepared Ranger trio as the mutant made its timely retreat. Three of them took Taylor and slammed her against the wall of the theater building. Erin was next to feel their wrath as she tried to split kick the ones coming up on each side and failed. Both caught her legs and threw her atop the hood of the nearby sedan. Four more of the newly modified Riders circled around Blue Ranger anticipating their attack. Nicholas bravely held his blasters at arms length but was nervous behind the helmet. These Sharks aren't men the Ranger concluded. Their leather attire appeared not to be leather, but rather their own tough jet black skin. Their arms bore curved blades akin to miniature fins and where would be the helmet appeared a live and breathing shark head.

Blue Ranger released a round of lasers from his arm blasters and knocked back the fore-standing Rider. The others lunged forward and battered Nicholas to the sidewalk. The Ranger could only hear the low growls and huffing from the surrounding Sharks as he began to lose feeling. Like a miracle, all nine Shark Riders suddenly fell limp. Shots of red lightning rained down on all. Nicholas looked up to see Tommy towering above him with his sword raised high into the air; the source in which the red lightning came from.

"Come on, buddy," Red Ranger said helping Nicholas up. "No resting on the job."

"Looks like the job is over," Blue Ranger said still holding on for support.

Pink Ranger and Yellow Ranger limped over to their team leaders.

"Oh my God, thank you," Erin said between gasps of air. "I thought we were done for."

Tommy scanned the area to make sure the Riders were still disabled. Each one started to disolve and dissappeared just as quickly. Taylor jumped back.

"We better go now," Red Ranger said tapping his morpher.

Their Turbo Cars arrived a moment later.

"Let's meet back at the Garage."

[Joravenel]

It is really good. Thats all for now.

[foreverhunter]

I was losing feeling for the story, but I recently got a boost of inspiration thanks to some new plot bunnies. Also, ep.s 5 "School Daze" has been renamed to "Reunited" and this episode (#6) has been renamed to "Training Day". I'm working on editing the next installment right now. Well that's it. Peace.


FH

[foreverhunter]

"Excellentl!" gleamed Torque.

Lighting up a cigar, the notorious crime boss sat back in his executive chair and kicked up his feet. His earlier bout with anguish and uncertainty was long gone and had been replaced with a cool, calm collectiveness in the most sinister sense.

"What's next on the agenda, sir?" asked one of the three Rider generals sitting opposite.

"The agenda," Torque grinned. "The agenda, yes. Well seeing how well my new breed of Sharks handled those Ranger rejects, it's time to really let them have it; all five of them this time."

"What do you have in mind, sir?"


* * *


"We got our butts handed to us," Nicholas said setting aside his helmet on a console.

Taylor and Erin lagged behind and took a seat on the step seperating the zord platform from the rest of the garage. Mack and a helmetless Tommy took their places at main frame.

"Looks like Torque's got something we don't know about," said Mack.

"No mutation machine of his could possibly create those things that attacked them," Tommy said shaking his head.

"How can you be sure?" Mack asked.

"He's right," Nicholas answered. "When I worked for Torque I saw everything; the labs, the experiments, the machines."

"Then maybe he aquired a new toy as of last week," Mack shrugged.

"I doubt it," said an echoing voice.

The five turned their attention to the pedestrian entrance up above.

"There hasn't been plans for a new mutation chamber for awhile now," Christian said jumping down, his landing precise. "Heard on the radio what happened at the cineplex. What's going on?"

"There's a new breed of shark in town," Erin coyly replied.

"And I missed all the fun?"

"There was nothing fun about them," Tommy said typing away at the keyboard. "I smell a spell behind this one."

"A spell?" a skeptical Taylor asked.

An image of Stone Canyon Forest appeared on screen.

"Is tomorrow afternoon at 3PM good for you guys?" Tommy asked turning to face his team.

"For what?" asked Nick.


* * *


"This is stupid," Nicholas moaned.

Alongside Erin and Christian, the three started to treck their way into Stone Canyon Forest. Tommy felt it would behoove his team to take some time on the side to go work on self defense and attack techniques to avoid a repeat performance of last night's fiasco at the cineplex.

"So where are the other two?" Christian asked looking to Erin for a response.

"School let's out for them at 2:40 I believe. They'll be here soon," she answered. "Ha, I can't believe Tommy is actually making A.J. go to Catholic school."

"I mean I already know how to fight," Nicholas continued.

"It was either that or James Erving Academy. You should of seen A.J's face when Taylor suggested it to Tommy and when Tommy agreed," Erin giggled.

Christian uncharacteristically smiled. Silence fell over the trio as they deepened their walk into the gradually thickening woods. Only the faint sound of passing cars from the highway behind them could be heard now as well as the crunching twigs and leaves underneath their feet.

"I'm gonna have to side with A.J. on this one. Catholic School ain't the place to send someone to get their act together," he said.

"No kid --- ding," Erin said stopping suddenly.

Christian stopped next, then Nicholas last.

"Sweet," Christian said speaking first.

"He's got to be kidding," Erin said still in initial shock.

The three teens entered the open area of forest where climbing nets, wooden beams, tree-hung ropes, and taclke dummies stood draping all about.

"Looks like we're in for a long afternoon," Christian grinned.

"Right you are," said Tommy.

"DON'T DO THAT," Erin jumped as she turned around to face their leader.

"Sorry," Tommy said biting back a smile. "We'll get started in a few. I'm just waiting for -- nevermind."

The four Rangers turned to see a black jeep navigating its way carefully through the tight quarters.

"Who's that?" asked Erin.

Tommy grinned. The jeep eventually made its way to where the Rangers stood. Sitting in the driver's seat was a man looking about Tommy's age with short spiky hair. A black t-shirt hugged his torso and camoflague-colored pants covered the rest.

"Don't tell me you hired a drill sargent," said Nick.

"Team," Tommy began. "I'd like you to meet your other training instructor. This is Jason Scott."

Jason gave somewhat of a polite smile and offered his hand.

"Erin, Christian, and Nicholas," Tommy said giving introductions.

"Aren't there suppose to be two more rooks here?" asked Jason.

"Soon," Tommy answered. "Well I see you guys dressed appropiately -- most of you anyhow."

"Well I couldn't find any army pants, but American Eagle had this really cute camoflauge skirt on sale for like next to nothing," Erin said modeling the short article of clothing.

Jason and Tommy exchanged looks.

"Anyway," Jason said taking out a clipboard for his jeep. "I have a criteria printed out as you see here. Each has a challenge you must satisfactorly complete. Some are solo, some require teamwork. If you fail to complete the assigned challenge, then you must repeat the challenge until you get it right. Are we understood?"

"Yes," they responded.

"Yes WHAT?"

"YES, SIR."

"Good," Jason smiled. "Let us begin."

[foreverhunter]

Let me know if the story is getting weak or anything you want to offer so I can know what I'm doing wrong. I write this because I love writing and I want people to enjoy it, so hit me back. Here goes the next installment.
________________________________________________


Beautiful, exotic, bikini-clad Asian and Hispanic women prowled about the outside campus of the Chin estate. The olympic size pool glimmered with the sun's sparkling reflection while the men mingled with the ladies around the deck. A mid-afternoon pool party was routine for Michael Chin, son of Torque. Lounging in his chair, the well-defined and lone sunbather laid still taking in what nature was giving. A woman, a Caucasian in a two piece, approached the aire and stood front center.

Opening his eyes, Michael lowered his shades.

"Is there a reason why you're blocking my sun?" he asked sitting up.

The brunette smiled and sat in the newly vacant area of lounge chair.

"Is that how you talk to your girlfriend?" she asked back.

Michael returned the smile.

"When she blocks my sun, yeah."

Setting aside his magazine, Michael helped pull his girlfriend on top of him and into a slow but heavy kiss. Their hands then began to roam freely.

"Um, Mr. Chin?" asked the apporaching housekeeper, her voice evident of her discomfort. "Your father wishes to speak to you."

"Can't ... can't it wait?" Michael asked between kisses.

"He's on the line," the housekeeper said holding up the phone.

"For the love of," Michael said waving off his girlfriend.

The housekeeper handed the phone over to the peeved Korean.

"Yes, father?"

"You did not answer your cell phone. Where is it?"

"I must have left it inside. Is something the matter?" Michael asked in his not-to-be-bothered-with tone.

"Yes. Captain Pittano has received word of the Rangers out in Stone Canyon Forest."

"So?" Torque's son asked as his girlfriend began to neck her back to first priority.

"So get the Riders out there at once! I don't care what you're doing!"

"Get Pittano or someone else to do it. Why do I have to do it?" Michael whined.

"Because I am your father and I said so. That's why. Report to me no later than 5:30. Goodbye."

Bitterly, Michael tossed the phone to the ground. The housekeeper took up the device and promptly left.

"Sorry, Kayla," Michael said trying to ease her away.

Kayla persisted however and giggled at her boyfriend's futile atempt.

"Let someone else do it. You're always leaving," she said looking into his eyes.

"I wish I could," Michael sighed.

"You can and you will," Kayla said running her hand down his chest and further on.

Michael breathed deeply upon the sudden sensation from his lower half.

"Oh, God ... Hold that thought," Michael said removing her hand and rising up. "I really need to take care of it, but when I come back--"

"I might not be here when you get back," Kayla said shaking her head.

Michael bit his lip in desperation.

"I'm sorry," he said as he turned and left.


* * *


"Damn, Butler! Hurry the hell up!" Christian shouted from the top of the climbing net.

The younger teen persuavered and joined up moments later.

"I'm not doing this drill again with you!" Christian said finally able to take the rope next to him to climb down.

Panting steadily, Nicholas narrowed his eyes and forewent the opportunity to rebuttal for the sake of completing the task.

"Remind you of anyone?" Jason asked looking at Tommy who were both watching from below.

Tommy chuckled.

"Yeah, but they don't have a carrier zord shooting at them," said Tommy.

Christian slinked down the rope with almost no effort. Nicholas on the other hand was only half way down, his face red for a reason other than strain. Christian hopped down and waited for his partner. Nicholas looked down to see where he was at.

"Come on, baby! You can do it!" Erin rallied.

"I hate heights!" yelled Nick.

"Come on, baby. Move your ass!" Christian hollered.

Nicholas slid down the rope a little more before letting go. His landing was lucky and upright.

"And time," Jason said clicking the timer. "For the sake of not being here until I have to shave again, I'm letting this one pass."

"Thank you!" Christian said throwing up his arms.

"Oh shut UP," Nicholas said pointing at his co-captain. "You know I'm afraid of heights and that I couldn't do this one so just can it!"

"You guys!" Erin said stepping between them. "Less arguing, more training. Sooner we finish the sooner you guys can get away from eachother."

"Then I've failed at what I came to do," Jason said handing Tommy the clipboard. "You three need to learn something here. Teamwork is your best tool. Without some major gung ho, your asses are going to be handed to you again and you can kiss the world goodbye because no one else is going to be able to stop whoever is planning next to take over. And because of your little spat, you're going to be doing this one again."

"But you said--"

"Well I changed my mind, Nick," Jason said pointing to the net. "Now go."



* * *


Several jeeps rocked through the grassy hills leading up to Stone Canyon Forest. Coming to a hault, the helmetless Shark Riders got out and stood together in front of the vehicles awaiting instruction. Vacating his jeep, Michael came and stood front center.

"For those who haven't been informed yet, there are Power Rangers somewhere in this forest. You find them and kill them. Any questions?"

Michael asked scanning his eyes about the line. "Good. Get going and hurry! ... I have plans..."

Helmetting up, the Riders sleuthed their way into the woods with weapons in hand.


* * *


"And time!" Jason yelled. "FINALLY. You guys did great that time around."

Nicholas sat down on the ground and fell back. Christian was ready to do the same, but resisted so not to look weak.

"But I think you can do a tiny bit better. One time around. Go," said Jason.

"No way in HELL am I doing that again," Nicholas said sitting up.

"You want to watch your mouth with me?" Jason asked squatting down to eye level. "You're speaking to a veteran Ranger you know. I advise you do what I say."

"I don't care if you were the Gold Ranger!"

"Well I was!"

"Yeah right! I'm out of here," Nick said getting up and leaving.

"Nick!" Erin said going after.

Christian shook his head and turned to face Jason and Tommy, their facial expressions showing disapproval.

"Yeah, really," Christian muttered. "Some leader he is."

"I might say the same for you," Tommy said. "Go after him."

"What? Why?"

"That's an order, rook. If you're a real leader, you go and mend the situation right now, co-leader and non," Jason said closing the gap between himself and Christian.

The young Ranger conceded, his attempt to hide the gulp of intimidation in his throat feeble.

"Yes, sir," Christian said going after.

Erin caught up with her boyfriend.

"Nicholas! You can't just leave!"

"Already did," he said descending the semi-step hill.

Erin took hold of Nick's arm, to which he tore away from instantly.

"You were doing fine until the climbing net. Don't quit just because you can't do it as well as Christian."

Erin's words burned with annoyance.

"I'm not going to need to climb some stupid net to fight somebody!" Nicholas said spinning around to face Erin.

Christian came up.

"Butler, they want us back there now," the older teen said pointng back to the forest.

Nick turned and continued down the hill. Like skilled warriors, the Shark Riders creeped their way up one of the rolling hills and through smaller patches of forest plotted along the way.

"Look. I see them," a Rider whispered to his comrades.

The eight of them turned their eyes to where he was pointing. Over in the distance were three figures descending a hill and talking loudly, their voices echoing into the air but still too far away to make out any of their words.

"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's get them," another Rider said aiming his weapon.

The man next to him lowered his pistol.

"No," he growled. "Wait until their closer."

Christian ran up and stood in Nick's way.

"If we're going to stop Torque from destroying Stone Canyon ... well, we're going to need to work together," he said forcing out his words.

Nicholas looked at his former Rider cohort in the eye and shook his head.

"I don't like you, Christian," he seethed quietly enough for Erin not to hear. "Not since the day you totally ratted out Mack and Tommy, even more since Tommy let you in the team."

"Well get over it. I don't like you either, but I know we need to get our act together. At least do it for the team, bro."

"Don't call me that," Nick said pushing his way pass Christian.

As soon as Nicholas pushed, streaks of red-shaded lasers struck the hill in which they stood upon just feet from their own. The three jumped.

"Good shot -- NOT," a Rider said in regards to his collague's failed attempt. "Get 'em!"

Crying out, the rest of the Sharks jumped out of their hiding spots and charged ahead. Christian, Erin, and Nicholas brandished their keys immediately.

"Ready?" Christian and Nicholas asked.

The two looked at eachother distainfully. Erin rolled her eyes.

"Shift into Turbo!" she yelled. "Dune Star Turbo Power!"

"Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!" yelled Nicholas.

"Red Lightning Turbo Power!" yelled Christian.

Flashes of yellow, blue, and red light produced the Yellow, Blue, and Red Turbo Rangers. Flipping forward in classic Ranger protocol, the trio bravely tangled with their adversaries.

"Hi'ya!" Yellow Turbo shouted throwing a hook kick at the Rider in front of her.

Laughing at her trite battle cry, the Rider caught her leg and tossed her aside. Erin bounced back up and drew her auto blaster.

"Who's laughing now?" she asked.

Yellow Ranger fired a single shot, sending the Rider flying backwards into the tree behind him. Red Turbo handspringed into a more open and flat area of grass to give himself leverage against the three coming up against him. Each weilded weapons; one with a katana, another with a lance, and another with a mace.

"Well I'm waiting!" Christian said falling into a fighting stance.

The middle Rider cried out and lunged forward with his mace. Red Ranger swept-kicked the Rider and caught away his mace. Christian spun the chained ball of spikes high above his head, causing the other two Riders to step back a foot.

"Scared?" Red Turbo asked.

The Rider wielding the katana threw the sword up ahead, breaking away the mace and leaving Christian with just a broken piece of hanging chain in his hands. Blue Turbo dealt a 360-kick to the remaining four, taking two down and leaving the other two weaponless. Grinning behind his helmet, Nicholas flipped forward and used his feet to kick them back.

"Now this is my kind of fight!"

Christian hit the ground with the Riders on top. Nicholas saw the prediciment immediately and drew his auto blaster. Firing a round of the blue-shaded lasers the two Riders fell off as smoke smouldered from the back of their trenchcoats.

"You alright?" Blue Turbo asked momentarily forgetting his animosity for his teammate.

"Yeah," Red Turbo said getting up.

Erin came over.

"Good guys one, bad guys zip," she said giving high-fives.

"Not quite," Michael said watching safely from a secluded distance.

Taking out a device from his coat, the mission leader pressed down hard on the top red button. A vortex of purple lightning appeared in front of the Rangers. Michael couldn't believe his eyes as much as the Rangers' couldn't. It actually worked. Out came several more of Torque's newest breed of Sharks.

"Oh great, them again," Yellow Ranger said drawing his blaster again, Christian and Nicholas doing the same.

[Joravenel]

good chapter, thats all for now.

[foreverhunter]

And it's done. Woo hoo. Sorry it took so long. That's life, eh. Let me know your thought, you guys. Ep. 7 ins.#1 coming soon hopefully. Check out my site (http://v4.livegate.net/brownranger/prt.html) for the archive and character bios.

FH

_______________________________________________________________


A two door Saturn slowed and pulled over onto the side of the forest-encompassed Highway 80.

"Thanks, Jenny," Taylor said stepping out the car.

Taylor let up the seat for A.J.

"Sure. See you at school tomorrow. Nice meeting you, A.J," Jenny said waving goodbye.

Jenny u-turned and got back on the road.

"Could you be any more rude?" Taylor asked smacking A.J.'s arm.

"What the hell was that for?" A.J. said removing his headphones.

"She was saying goodbye and you totally ignored her."

"So?" A.J. said climbing over the guard rail that seperates the forest from the road.

"Nevermind. Let's just change. We're late," Taylor said picking up her step.

The two went their seperate ways momentarily to change out of their school uniforms and into their appropiate training gear Tommy had suggested. They continued their treck into the woods.

"So do you have a lot of homework yet?" Taylor asked.

"I guess," A.J. answered.

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know."

"It's like talking to a brick wall," Taylor mumbled inaudible to A.J.

A red laser beam shooting into the sky caught both of their attention. A blue one followed next.

"What's going on?" Taylor asked.

"Only one way to find out. Come on!"

A.J. and Taylor dashed quickly into the thickening woods until they came to the clearing.

"Oh no," Taylor said screeching to a hault.

The Sharks had gained the upperhand and wailed violently on the Ranger trio.

"Looks like their back," A.J. said brandishing his key. "Shift into Turbo!"

"Wind Chaser Turbo Power!" yelled Taylor.

"Desert Thunder Turbo Power"! yelled A.J.

Flipping forward, Pink and Green joined the fight.

"Need a hand?" A.J. asked helping Erin up.

"Thanks," she said dusting her bottom off. "These guys are brutal."

"This should even up the odds," Taylor said. "Let's take 'em, guys!"

"Kiyah!" the group collectively shouted.

Running forward, the Turbo Rangers plowed into the school of shark, using all their available resources to reduce Torque's mutants to shreds. Summoning Turbo Wind Fire, Taylor set aflame several Sharks giving A.J. the opportunity to summon his Turbo Thunder Cannon to finish them off. Christian brandished his Lightning Sword next and sprinkled down some red lightning power onto the remaining Riders. Nicholas assisted with his Turbo Arm Blasters.

The Riders dissolved into the grey and black goop in which they were created and disappeared in a moment's notice.

"Holy crap, did you see that?" A.J. chortled excitedly.

"Good going, you two. Thanks," Christian said.

"Turbo two, power down," ordered Nicholas, the flash of blue revealing his human state.

"Where you going?" asked Erin.

"Back to Tommy and Jason I suppose," Nick said almost not wanting to answer in fear of giving Christian the pleasure.

Erin smiled and reached for her morpher next. Before she and the others could morph back, a sonic scream piecered the ears of each Ranger. They all hit the floor except for Nicholas who found himself flying backwards with a Shark monster on top of him. His scream could be heard.


* * *


"What the?" Jason asked dropping his water bottle.

"Not good," Tommy said looking to his friend. "Let's roll."

The men hopped into Jason's jeep and peeled out.


* * *


"NICK?" Erin asked frantically trying to find her boyfriend amidst the tall green meadow grass.

Shark sprung up from his landing spot, blood dripping from his teeth.

"Well that was delicious!" the monster grinned.

"NO!!" Taylor cried.

"Oh YES! I think I'll go back for seconds now!" Shark yelled turning around to find Nicholas again.

A round of blue lasers met its face.

"Don't count me out yet, tuna breath," Nicholas hissed, his side soaked with his own blood.

The other Power Rangers rushed to his aid.

"Oh my God, no," Erin said stepping back behind A.J.

"I'll get him to the hospital," Christian said kneeling to help Nick up.

"You guys!" Taylor said drawing his pistol.

Shark had rebounded and head-butted his way into Erin and A.J., knocking them both down next to Nicholas. Taylor fired and shattered two of Shark's front gnashers, causing the monster to go into a fit of pain and panic from the sudden outburst of blood and geletin-textured matter shooting from his gums.

Jason and Tommy arrived.

"Guys!" Tommy said running over with Jason alongside.

They saw the blood-soaked teen and cringed.

"Nick, no," Tommy breathed helplessly.

"I'll be fine," Nicholas said feigning a smile. "I'm a fighter. I can take it."

"Kid, we gotta get you help before it's too late," Jason said taking the Ranger into his arms.

Tommy almost couldn't handle the sight of all the blood. He's seen much worse and figured he would take it with a grain of salt, but not this time.

"We're gonna do a little switch up," Christian said suddenly demorphing. "Here Tommy."

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Christian stopped Jason for a second and carefully unstrapped turbo morpher two.

"Take it." Nicholas said. "But return it. It's mine ... bro."

Christian nervously grinned, "You got it."

Shark gathered his bearings and set his sights back to the Power Rangers.

"This is over!" it angrily announced.

"We couldn't agree more," Christian said strapping on the morpher. "Ready, Tom?"

"Oh yes. Shift into Turbo!"

"Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!" yelled Christian.

"Red Lightning Turbo Power!" yelled Tommy.

The Rangers were back to five.

"You don't scare me!" Shark scowled.

Tommy drew his pistol. "Rangers, turbo tower blaster now!"

Tommy, A.J. and Christian stood shoulder to shoulder as Erin and Taylor flipped up and landed precisely.

"Ready?" Red asked joining his pistol tip with the others. "Fire!"

The syenergy of red, blue, green, yellow, and pink lasers came forth and dissolved Shark just as quicky as the Rider gang before him.

"Curse those Rangers!" Michael hissed witnessing the Rangers' victory from his hiding spot. "Father will not be pleased with this..."


* * *


The Oliver Estate again was quiet the following evening. Nicholas would be out the hopistal in a few days and would be confined to a wheel chair for a week or so until he has healed enough to walk straight. It was a miracle Taylor cited. Nicholas should of died considering all the blood loss. The details were hammered out privately between Tommy and Christian. Christian would assume Nick's powers until Nick was up and running again and Tommy would delay moving back to Angel Grove until Nick would be well enough to fight.

Inside the girl's room laid Erin on her bed. She was draped lazily over the messy comforter with her head resting on one of the several throw pillows around her. Taylor quietly entered the room and saw her friend laying still.

"Erin?" Taylor said sitting beside her.

"Hm?" Erin moaned sticking her head up. "Oh, hey. I wasn't asleep."

"Just checking. How are you?"

"Alright ... terrible. I want to see him."

"He'll be fine," Taylor said gently stroking the back of Erin's head. "We can go see him tomorrow when he's moved in a room."

"Then I'll just go to sleep now so tomorrow can hurry up," Erin said resting her head again.

Christian tapped at the door and peaked his head in.

"You girls coming?" he asked.

"Forgot to ask her, sorry," Taylor said. "We're going for pizza. You got to be starving by now."

"I am," Erin said sitting up. "I just can't eat while this is going on."

Christian shook his head and helped the girl up.

"You're going and that's an order," he said.

"Don't let this leader thing go to your head," Erin said cracking a smile for the first time in hours.

Together the three left and went downstairs where Tommy and Jason were waiting.


* * *


"Funeral service for Peter Bennet and Alana Rivera is set for Monday morning at nine. On a similar fish related story, eye-witnesses have flooded our phone lines with reports of Power Rangers battling a Shark monster. This is the second--"

Torque turned off the television and tossed the remote onto the tan-leathered chair. Standing quietly and alone in his study, the sober crime lord walked over to the towering windows that looked over the city of Stone Canyon. A light drizzle ran over the glass as thunder boomed in the background. Henry's sad eyes searched about himself and back out to the city wondering what was going on, almost as if he just awoke in the state he has standing in. A crack of lightning ripped through the sky. Henry stepped back akin to a frighterned but disoriented child.

"Henry..."

Chin shut his eyes.

"Henry..."

"Please, no..."

"You failed us, Henry..."

"LEAVE ME BE."

The faint laughter of the collective voices echoed in Torque's head.

"There's always tomorrow, Henry. And we've got plans. Big plans indeed."

A scarlet red glow tinted the eyes of Torque. An evil grin spread across his face.

"Excellent..."

[Kali_WolfChilde]

what? did Nick die? did Tommy or another Ranger die? WHO DIED? god, this is suspenseful. i'd say more, but i've gotta *yawn* get 2 *yawn, dang!* bed. c ya'!

[Dragon Warrior]

Kali, Nick is just outta comission for right now. Go back and read it again.

FH- Nice, I liked how you ended this one. I can also see you planting the seeds for...something else. ;)

[foreverhunter]

Kali, Nick is just outta comission for right now. Go back and read it again.

FH- Nice, I liked how you ended this one. I can also see you planting the seeds for...something else. ;)


When Kali read it, I hadn't put who the funeral was for so I understood the confusion, so I edited it the names in after the response.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I wanna hurry up so I can get to the edge sooner.


FH

[jc_lives]

Nice work there bro. Ddnt think you would go in that direction. I sent you some ideas for the next episode you told me about so get back 2 me.

[foreverhunter]

Well here it goes. Episode 7: Mob Mentality (working title). I'm surprised I haven't quit yet. And so the plot thickens and complicates yet again. Feedback is nice btw. Thanks to jc_lives for some inspiration and some lines.

___________________________________

Episode 7: Mob Mentality
(Installment 1)

___________________________________


Quietly, the uniform-clad students of Holy Mary Catholic High filed into the campus chapel for Wednesday morning Mass. The school, though being co-ed, kept males and females apart; seperate classes, seperate lunch breaks, and seperate passing periods, including seating at Mass. Guys would only see the girls at service and before and after school.

The two lines of students performed the protocol genuflex and sign of the cross and were promptly seated in their assigned section as Father O' Reily proceded to the platform to begin service. A sleepy-eyed A.J. Lorenzo took his seat with the guys he had become well aquainted with over the past week. Several rows up and across the way sat Taylor Butler with the clique of friends that she sits with. A light pink scrunchy kept her ponytail neat and straight. Quiet chatter from both sides of the chapel subsided once the organ began its routine tune.

On cue, A.J.'s eyes shot open from the sudden blast of sound. Mass served both as a second alarm and a sleeping pill for the young Ranger.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Father O' Reily said.

"Amen," was the muttled collective response.

Crossing his arms, A.J. slumped down and closed his eyes. This is the most boring thing in the world he stated in sleepy thought.

"A.J.," the kid next to him whispered.

A.J. lifted his tired head. "What?"

"Pass this down so Justin can toss it over to Beth."

"Can't this wait?" A.J. asked kind of annoyed.

"NO."

The nun sitting at the end of the pew turned her attention to the chatty pupils, her eyes giving them an efficient warning. A.J. shook his head and slipped back into his idle state. Seth, the author, grew impatient and took back his note. He craned his neck forward to catch a glimpse of the girl whom he wished to contact. Beth had aburn-colored hair, her skin was fare and her face innocent as an angel's.

"Come on, A.J," Seth implored his friend.

"Dude, chill."

"It's important."

"What is it?" A.J. inquired.

"None of your business," Seth chided as quietly as possible.

And not quiet enough. The nun from earlier stood behind the boys with a disapproving stare.

"Come with me, gentlemen."


* * *


Blue Bay Harbor was always well known for its lush landscape, clean beaches and colorful boardwalk and most recently because of the Storm Rangers. Six multi-colored warriors made headlines several times a week with their latest battle against Lothor and his minions, but all that was over now. Civilians gave eye-witness accounts for what they think they saw the day of the U.S. Action Games, but nothing more has been said about the city's suddenly absent superheroes.

Returning to Blue Bay Harbor was ill-advised by Tommy for safety reasons, but Christian had loose ends to tie up. Home was no longer home. Home now was Stone Canyon with Tommy and the others. It felt weird to accept the idea Christian felt. Nonetheless, the rest of his things needed to be moved out of his cousin's house.

Christian parked his red Mazda RX8 in front of the light yellow townhouse and rang the doorbell. He had the key, but he felt weird using it after not being by for so long. He didn't think his cousin would be home. He knew he had a job at a place called Storm Chargers and has gotten more involved with his ninja academy. Christian waited another minute before deciding to leave. Just as he did, the door flew open.

"YO!"

Christian turned around to see his cousin Dustin standing there chipper as ever with the same goofy grin he vividly remembered.

"Cous! What's up, dude?" Dustin said pulling Christian into a bear hug.

Christian reluctantly recipicated the exchange and forced a smiled for his cousin.

"I came to get my things," Christian said.

Dustin lead them into the house and into the living room. Flopping on the couch, Dustin looked at his cousin with a headshake and the same senseless smile.

"Dude, what the heck is up?"

"You just asked me that," Christian said.

"I mean you not calling, no e-mail or I.M., not anything. I've worried about you."

"I've been busy..."

"With?" Dustin asked.

"A job," Christian flatly responded.

"Doing what?"

"It's not important, but you need not to worry. I've been taken care of well and I recently just moved into a new house."

"Sweet! You're a homeowner?" Dustin asked slapping his cousin's shoulder.

"No actually, I live with some maybe five or six others, but the place is sick. It's right on the bayshore."

"Right on, dude. Your stuff is right where you left it, but there's not much. You took most of it already before you left last."

"I know, but I still have some clothes and miscallaneous things that I want back," Christian said rising up from the sofa.

"Sure, man. Right up stairs. I have to get going to work so just lock up when you leave. Swing by Storm Chargers if you can so we can talk more -- if you have time for me that is," Dustin said getting serious.

"Don't make me feel more of a shmuck than I already do, Dustin."

"My mom and dad are pretty peeved about you, too, cous. They miss you as well."

Already dealing with the emotions ahead of time, Christian dismissed the thought and went upstairs.


* * *


Henry Chin stood at his balcony looking at the grand landscape he calls his backyard. The morning air was humid and the sun was bright. Setting down his cup of coffee, Henry took a seat at the small round table and waited in silence for his breakfast to be brought to him. The man was almost afraid to think about anything as he sat there alone. Randomly throughout his days now, a taunting here and there would sneak up and attack his mind. Slowly his sanity was being chipped away at. He didn't know what to do, where to turn.

"Father?"

Henry jumped but then relaxed, seeing that it was his son.

"Michael, good morning," the elder Chin said offering a seat to his son.

"Thank you," Michael said sitting down. "Sorry if I scared you."

"It's quite alright, son," Henry said forcing on a smile, unusual for him to do so on any occasion. "Did you come to join me for breakfast?"

"I, um ... if you want me to--"

"Of course! ... That'd be great..."

Michael smiled. His discontentment was noticeable and easily detected.

"Did you want to talk about something?" asked Henry.

Michael appeared to be in thought but already knew what he wanted to say. Breakfast had arrived.

"Good morning, sirs," the tall, thin servant said setting down the plate of eggs, toast, and cantalope in front of Henry. "More coffee, Mr. Chin?"

"Please," he answered.

"Master Chin?" the servant asked looking to Michael.

"Um, the cantalope would be fine and a glass of orange juice, please," Michael said.

"Very good. I will return shortly."

The servant left.

"Is that all you're having?" Henry asked his son.

"Oh, um, I'm actually going to meet Kayla later and we might grab something to eat," Michael explained.

"Oh. How is she?"

"Fine. She's doing good. ... So ..."

"Just ask me, son. I'm all ears."

"Okay. Here it goes. ... Dad, I want -- I need answers."

"Concerning?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Michael asked changing tones, his voice more aggressive-sounding. "Dad, you've left me in the dark for so long and I've obeyed all the meanwhile to your demands. I need to know what's going on with you, I mean all the changes, the magic, the spells, the mutants, everything."

"Son--"

"The Power Rangers, Dad. How did that happen? Why is this all happening? Why aren't you just happy with the life you have now? I know that we're not living the way that--"

"Michael, that's enough!" Henry ordered, his eyes stinging with the untold truth that his son demanded to know.

"Dad, I'm concerned about you! You're not well! You're having mood swings, your health is not faring well. I want to get you help. ...... Dad? Are you listening?"

Henry's face flustered as the color drained his face. His conciousness suddenly left him as his head fell and rested on his shoulder.

Tonight we ride
Tonight we fly
Tonight we see who rides or die
Summon the children all alone
With their blood they will atone
... Arise creatures of the night...


* * *


Inside a science lab stood A.J. and Seth. Their hands were busy as they wrote out in complete detail the periodic table for today's class. A.J stopped writing for a moment and consolled his right hand from the strain that was building up.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" A.J. asked.

"I heard you the first three times," Seth mumbled.

"Now my uncle is going to think I'm purposely trying to get kicked out of here."

"Isn't that what you said you wanted?"

"I was kidding," A.J. said picking up the chalk piece. "As much as I don't like it here, I have to try to be good and finish school without any more trouble."

"Well good luck."

"Shut up..."

A.J. and Seth went on to finish most of the table before Sister McKenzie came back to check on the two. Someone accompanied her; a guy, likely a senior, of Italian decent, with overall defined features, and almost identical to A.J.'s stature.

"I see you two are stil here. Wise choice," Sister McKenzie said stepping aside for the student behind her. "This is Dominic. He thought it'd be funny to skip Mass in favor of meeting privately with one of our female alumni."

"Sounds fun to me," said A.J.

"What was that, Mr. Lorenzo?" Sister McKenzie asked.

"Nothing."

"Didn't think so, Mr. Lorenzo. Mr. Colosi will be assisting you two in scraping the gum off the bottom of each of the lab tables. Here are your scrapers."

Sister McKenzie handed the three their gum-scraping utensils.

"I'll be back for you all once Mass is over. Until then, don't leave this room and do not stop scraping because I'll know. Bless you and goodbye."

Dominic, A.J., and Seth looked at eachother with similar distain for the bead-slinging woman. Sister McKenzie left and shut the door behind her.

"So anyway," Dominic said dropping the scraper onto the ground. "What's your story?"

"Talking during Mass," Seth replied.

"His fault entirely," A.J. said pointing the scraper at his friend, to which he stepped back a foot. "I'm A.J."

"Dominic," he said as they shook hands. "And yes I'm new here."

"I'm new, too. When did you start?" A.J. asked.

"Let me think. .... About 7:40 this morning?" Dominic guessed.

"And busted already? Dang. You broke my record. My best is only first day last period."

"You gotta stay on top of things, A.J. You're losing it."

"I think we're going to get along fine."


* * *

[ZyuGreen]

heh.. Christian is Dustin's cousin.. never saw that comming.. kickass, dude.. Keep it up

[foreverhunter]

It's gettin there I promise. Set up is a biotch.
_______________________

Ep. 7 - Mob Mentality
(installment 2)
_______________________


Inside Henry's bedroom, Michael watched helplessly as his father's private medical examiners worked dilligently to revive the elder Chin.

"This is all my fault..." Michael said taking a seat to calm himself from the continual pacing.

The young man buried his head into his hands. Tears of anguish and anger welded up in his eyes the more he thought about his father's condition. Michael tried to listen in to what the medical doctors were saying, trying to draw a conclusion as to what had happened. His emotions were getting the best of him and could not concentrate enough to listen.

...Power Rangers...

Michael's head shot up from his hands.

...They are responsible ... they did this...

"N-no," Michael said quietly. "They didn't."

...Yes they did, Michael. It's their fault your father is this way...

"Stop it! Stop talking!!!"

The medical examiners turned to see what was the matter. On his knees, Michael clutched his head with both hands and was breathing heavily.

"Master Chin? Is everything--"

A piercing squeal resonated throughout the room, cutting short the doctor's inquery. Each M.D. hit the floor as painful ringing disabled their ability to stand erect. Michael too fell over as the voice left his head just in time for him to look over to where his father laid; the source in which the scream derived.

"Father?" Michael said worridly as he rose to his feet.

Henry's body was convulsing like a fish out of water. Running to the bedside, Michael reached out to his father hoping to stop the pain he was experiencing. The attempt was fruitless. Falling back onto the pile of the now motionless medical examiners, Michael fought to keep conciousness as he saw a dark figure arise from the bed.

"No. ... Not again," Michael sputtered.

Hard, teeth-like scales replaced Henry's aged pale skin as he stepped out on the opposite side of the bed. A flush of gray coloring pigmented his body and a fin completely rent his back muscles. Michael heard a low snarl, the scent of fish consumed his nostrils. Slowing regaining a bit of his senses, Michael held onto the side of the bed and helped himself up enough to peak over to the other side where his father now stood. Eyes wide with fear, Michael slipped back down to the floor before losing conciousness once again.


* * *


The final bell rang, meaning the school day had come to an end. The students of Holy Mary filed out the avenue-side school and flooded the sidewalks, most forming their usual social circles and some leaving to catch their ride or the bus at the corner. With books in hand, Taylor walked down the aged stone steps in the direction where her friends were standing and talking amongst themselves.

"Anyone else bomb Sister Brown's biology quiz today?" Taylor asked.

"We were just talking about that," Cindy said taking out a cigarette. "I'm so over that class."

"I know what you mean."

"As if you actually failed it, Tay. All you do is study."

"Well it ain't easy being a nerd with no life," Taylor jested. "Anyone hungry?"

"Definitely. Anyone for pizza?" Jenny suggested. "Tay? ... Earth to Taylor. HELLO?"

"Oh, sorry," Taylor said turning her attention back to the group.

"Or maybe a piece of Italian susauge," Rene said looking in the direction where Taylor was gawking.

"RENE," Taylor said slightly embarassed, slightly not.

"Who is he?" Katie asked.

"I saw him outside school before first bell. He's new," said Jenny.

"And gorgeous," Taylor said under her breath.

Their eyes watched as the young man waited alone at the end of the steps. Another guy then joined him; a friend it seemed.

"Isn't that your cousin?" Cindy asked Taylor.

"NO. I'm in no way related to A.J. for the fifitieth time," Taylor sharply rebuked. "What would he be doing talking to him for?"

"I dunno, but he ain't bad looking himself," Cindy said dabbing her ashes. "Is he seeing someone?"

"Oh Lord," Taylor said disenchantingly. "Save yourself the disappointment."



"Yeah, I'm so there," A.J. answered to Dominic's invitation.

"Alright, that's cool. My pop likes me having new people over. He worries if I walk around here alone," Dom said taking out his cell phone.

"Who are you calling?"

"Our ride."

"Crap, you just reminded me," A.J. said looking at his watch. "I have to find someone and tell her I'm not going home with her."

"Ha, she's your girl?" Dominic grinned.

"NO. I need to find her real quick. Hold on," A.J. said turning to search the crowd of students for Taylor. "Oh, there she is. TAYLOR!"

"Oh gosh," she said turning away her stare. "Could he draw anymore attention to himself?"

"Taylor," A.J. said coming over to the group of girls. "I'm going with someone else. If my uncle asks, just make something up like I'm studying or something."

"I'm not lying for you, A.J." Taylor said disapproving his request.

"Maybe you'd like to hang out with us instead," Cindy offered.

"Or not," Taylor mumbled. "Jenny, if you want, A.J. and I can take the bus home instead and you can go with them to go eat."

"You sure?" she asked.

"NO. Taylor, just do me this one favor. Please," A.J. said.

"Ride's almost here," Dominic said joining the circle. "Is everything cool?"

"No it's not," A.J. answered. "I can't go unless Taylor covers for me."

"And she is?..."

"Right here," Rene said pushing her forward.

"RENE," Taylor snapped.

Dominic laughed, much to Taylor's embarassment.

"Nice to meet you, Taylor," he said offering his hand. "I'm Dominic."

"Hi. ... Um, well I'm sorry but A.J., by his uncle's orders, cannot go off by himself seeing he can't be trusted," Taylor said eyeing her antagonist. "Unless I accompany him."

"That's not true!" A.J. rebuked.

"Well that's what he told me!" Taylor answered back.

"I have an idea if I may interject?" Dominic said standing between the two. "Taylor, would you like to come with us?"

"She would love to," said Rene.

"No she wouldn't," A.J. said.

"You'd turn down free food and music?" Dominic asked putting on his best salesman smile.

Taylor looked at the smiling boy before her and then to A.J.

"Do it, you fool," Cindy whispered into her ear.

"... Oookay?" she answered.

"Oookay? That's a yes?" Dominic asked.

"Yes," Taylor conceded.

"Wonderful. Oh look, our ride is here," Dominic said pointing to the street.

A black H2 Hummer pulled around the corner into the line of traffic.

"Oh hell yes," A.J. said.

"Well you three have a great time. And this is for you, A.J,," Cindy said handing him a small slip of paper.

"Call me later. Full details," Rene whispered to Taylor.

Forcing on a smile, Taylor followed Dominic and A.J. to their waiting Hummer.


* * *


"Gosh, what time is it?" Erin asked looking for a clock in the room.

"Almost four," Nicholas said pointing to the one next to the wall-mounted television.

Following her classes, Erin had spent the rest of her afternoon at the hospital talking with her boyfriend and keeping him company. Some of Nick's friends had come in ond out during that time, but Erin wanted nothing more but to be by his side.

"You gonna get going?" Nicholas asked.

"Why? You want me to?"

"No, I--"

"I was kidding, silly," Erin said kissing his lips. "I can't wait 'til you're all better. I miss you."

Slowly, Nick tried to lay up. He tried to hide the pain that seethed harshly in his body, much to Erin's worry.

"Baby, don't try to move for me. Just relax."

"I'm fine," Nick said setting his arms down. My ass is sore from laying here all day."

"Is there something I can do for you?" asked Erin.

"There's plenty," Nicholas grinned. ""But it'll have to wait..."

"Oh yeah?..." Erin asked intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"

Yellow light buzzed from the balance jewel on her wrist morpher.

"Hold that thought," she said tapping the morpher. "This is Erin."

"Erin, it's Mack. I need you back at the house. It's important."

"Not that I can't, but is this something that Christian or Tommy can help you with?"

"Christian's in Blue Bay and Tommy's away at Angel Grove," Mack explained. "You're the only one left. Can you come now?"

"Sure. I'll see you in a few. Erin out."

"Be careful," Nick said.

"I will. Love you," Erin said kissing him goodbye.

"Love you, too. Call me?"

"Sure thing."


* * *


Inside a darkened layer underground sleuthed about a dozen or so men, most of them not much older than A.J. A dim light from above barely lit the place and aptly so. Unbeknownst to them paced about what sounds like a man breathing loudly, but this was no man. The men took their seats awaiting for him, or it, to speak. In one guy's hand was a crinkled flyer; a want ad concerning today's underground assembly.

"Good afternoon," the figured from the abyss said finally speaking.

Unsure to respond or not, the men mumbled back a hello.

"You came looking for a job and you've found one. I assume you have questions? ... Hands?"

"Yeah I got one," someone said. "How much are we looking at here?"

The figure chuckled.

"It depends. What are your qualifications, young man?" it asked.

"We all rolled with Sal's mob. You know Sal, right?"

"Sal Deturo I presume?"

"Yeah him," the man confirmed.

"I see Sal isn't doing well enough to keep his associates -- occupied."

"The money. We ain't gettin' nothin' from the deals!"

"Well there isn't much dealing going on here," the figure said stepping forward a foot, its body still hid from the light. "Plus, money isn't everything here. We have a different -- mentality -- so to speak."

"Then what game are you running? The Sharks do pay well don't they? That's what this paper here says."

"Yes. ... Pay is good."

"So what? We running merchandise? Getting it ourselves? Security?" the same man asked.

"Security ... that sounds fitting," the figure answered.

"That'll do fine. So now what?"

A short stint of silence followed.

"ÅëÜôå êïëõìðÜ ìå ìáò ôá âñÜã÷éá êáé ç ïõñÜ êÜÃ*åé ôçÃ* áëëáãÞ ãéá Ã*á ìçÃ* áðïôý÷åé..."

The men looked at one another, each one just as baffled as the next. The figure continued.

"Ìå õðáêïýóôå ï êýñéïò êáé ï Ëüñäïò óáò ðïõ åóåßò èá åîõðçñåôÞóù ôçÃ* êýñéá ñïðÞ óáò!!!!!"

The foundation of the underground layer slightly shook, causing all the men to rise up in a panic. Out from the abyss came Torque's newest breed of Shark Riders, each one snarling and dripping saliva at the mouth. Horrid screams echoed throughout.


* * *

[havemercy]

Sick shit man. Its nice 2cu update often. Also bout something else what did you mean about 'the edge'????

[foreverhunter]

You'll find out soon. I'm almost done with another installment. Dang this is gettin long.

FH

[foreverhunter]

Woo I'm in the zone. :p Finished ep.7. Please r/r. I really liked writing this one. New stuff/themes are introduced. I'm hoping I can go as long as possible without a 100% filler episode. I want each one to have something to add on to the story, you know? Thanks to Dragon Warrior for help with character direction. Next episode has the pink princess stopping by. That'll be fun.
____________________________



"This place is great," A.J. said taking another slice of pizza.

Taylor toured her eyes about the scene for the hundreth time. Dominic looked over across the booth with interest in what the quiet girl was thinking. Her plate still had its first slice of pizza from ten minutes ago and had not been touched.

"So, Taylor," Dominic said setting down his soda. "Tell me about yourself."

"I'm sorry, what?" Taylor said refocusing her attention.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Oh. ... What do you want to know?" she asked.

"Anything."

"She's madly in love with Josh Groban," A.J. laughed.

"Hey now, Josh Groban is an awesome singer," Dominic said before Taylor react.

"Yes he is," Taylor happily agreed. "And I'm not madly in love with him. I just think he's cute --- really really cute."

Dominic smiled as their server brought by another round of root beers. Taylor's brows furrowed.

"Can I ask you a question?" she asked Dominic.

"Shoot," he said.

"Where are we?"

All around them were many people; most of them looking to be no younger than 29 or 30. The men wore suits and the women were expensive dresses and jewelry of high value. There was a full bar in one corner and a dance floor behind them. This, however, was no club. It was nice -- very nice.

"What do you mean?" asked Dominic.

"Are we in a restaurant? A dance club?"

"Eh, it's nothin' to get concerned over. It's a nice place don't ya think?"

"Hell ya it is," said A.J.

"And why does that guy keep bringing us more pizza and soda? How are you affording all this?" Taylor further interogated.

Dominic chuckled. "Taylor, please. It's taken care of. If you must know, my father is the owner."

"Chill with the questions already," A.J. said taking another bottle of root beer. "Relax."

"A.J.'s got the right idea. Just enjoy."

Not really satisfied with Dominic's answers, Taylor shook the feeling and cracked open a root beer.


* * *

"There you are," Erin said entering the study. "Is trouble up?"

"Not sure," Mack said shelving some books. "But I got something to show you. You'll be the first -- second if you count me."

"And that would be?"

"Watch and be amazed."

Pulling back on one of the books. the towering shelf began to slowly descend into the ground.

"Holy smokes, Batman," Erin said feigning surprise. "You asked me here for that?"

"Just wait!"

It was another ten seconds or so, but the bookshelf was now completely underground. An abyss stood before them.

"Okay?" Erin said looking to Mack. "Is there a batcave in there?"

"You'd think so, but see for yourself!"

"Nah uh. No way I'm going in there with bugs probably crawling around waiting to nest their eggs in my hair."

"There's no bugs. Don't be silly. Watch, I'll go first."

Mack walked inside the passage way and disappeared.

"Come on in," he said as his footsteps could be heard echoing off the walls.

Hesistant, Erin approached the passage and stepped inside, her hands searching around the wall for a guardrail of some sort. What felt like minutes was only ten seconds when she finally saw light ahead; five lights to be exact, each one a Ranger color directing her steps into a bigger room.

"You like?" asked Mack.

"I know I was joking before, but really now; holy smokes, Batman," Erin said surveying the brand new Turbo Garage with childlike amusement. "This is so twenty-first century!"

More lights from above flickered on as Mack walked across the floor to the newly relocated main frame, revealing other parts of the new Rangers headquarters. The zord platform was larger and elevated, the lab equipment that once was cluttered and dirty was now cleaned and set properly on its own corner of tables and carts. Five metal, circle-shaped doors stood opposite from the Turbo Cars, each one brimming with spotless luster.

"I must be blind, but when did you do all this?" asked Erin.

"Well I haven't slept much this week if that answers your question," Mack said sitting down at main frame.

"Truly amazing."


* * *


All was dark and quiet in the hidden meeting room. Bodies of the job-seeking men were sprawled about the ground. Blood stained their faces, necks, and shirts, much to Torque's pleasure. Walking into the light, the shark lord examined his attendees one by one to personally verify their death. The Rider mutants snarled quietly in the background waiting restlessly for further instruction from their creator.

"Any moment now they will awaken and they shall be one of us," Torque whispered to himself.

A stir from one of the men caught Torque's attention. Gray and black foam parched at his mouth and altogether consumed his body like a wildfire. Another man began the same process, then another. Soon all were foaming and undergoing the change Torque so patiently awaited.

"Arise, my children! ... ARISE!"


* * *


"Gosh, where is everybody?" Erin asked coming into the kitchen.

"I was just thinking the same thing," Mack said looking through the refridgerator. "Tommy's probaby with Jason still I presume."

"Yeah, but A.J. and Taylor should of been home hours ago. It's already dark out. I'm starting to worry."

"I'm sure they're fine. Is there anything to eat here?" Mack asked checking the pantry next.

"Nope," Erin shook her head. "We've been eating take out since we all moved in here, remember?"

"I say some serious food shopping is in order."

Erin's turbo morpher beeped. She and Mack looked at eachother.

"They're fine, huh?" Erin said pressing in the talk button. "Main frame, report."
"Spell 11 at 56th Street and Busch. Activity is suspecious," the automated voice reported.

"Spell 11?" asked Erin, her brows furrowed.

"Damnit," Mack said rushing out the kitchen.

"Hey, wait for me!"

The two hurried to the underground Turbo Garage where main frame already had a visual on screen.

"Nothing?" Erin said standing next to Mack.

"No, there's something alright," the Ranger assistant said typing away. "Can't get anything. Something's blocking our sensors."

"What did it mean by 'Spell 11'?" Erin asked.

"It's in the book. I'd have to find it."

"Book? There's like a thousand of them in the study."

"I was suppose to set that one aside, but I shelved it somewhere like the idiot I am," Mack said turning to face Erin.

"Why would you have a book of spells? ... Are you one of those, erm, freaky people?"

"If by freaky people you mean a witch, then no. Tommy on the other hand..."

"Whoa, hold on. Tommy's a witch?"

"Warlock," Mack corrected her.

"Okay, this raises a lot of questions."

"And there are reasonable explanations, but you need to get over there and do some investigating."

"Me? Alone? Not sure if you noticed, but I'm not one of the stronger Rangers, Mack."

"If you keep telling yourself that you might start believing it. Erin, you can do it. I'll be monitoring you the entire time. If you're in trouble, you can retreat easily."

"How?"

"Well," Mack sighed. "I really wanted to save this one as a surprise for everyone to see together, but it looks like the time calls for it now."

Pulling up a login screen, Mack typed in his passcode and pressed enter. Five grid-like images appeared on main frame, each one turning in a 360º motion.

"You're just full of surprises today, aren'tcha?" asked Erin.

"The Turbo Cycles are going to be one of y'all's greatest assests, mainly because I have no way of creating a teleportation system for you guys," Mack said entering in another passcode.

Erin turned to see a piece of wall removing itself into the ground much like the shelf from the study. Strolling out steadily came the Dune Star Turbo Cycle in its sunrise yellow glory.

"Laser stunners, hyper-speed enabled -- you're good to go," said Mack.

"Niiiiice," Erin said running a hand alongside the bike. "So now what?"

"Morph to activate it. It'll respond only to you."

"I see. ... Well, here it goes. ... Shifting into turbo! Dune Star Turbo Power!"

Yellow Ranger mounted her bike and activated it with the touch of her hand.

"I'll have A.J. and Taylor join you if I can get ahold of them," Mack said.

"Okay. Wish me luck!"

The ramp let down as Erin revved up.

"Good luck, kid."


* * *


The city of Stone Canyon was lit as night fully set in. People in their cars still flooded the streets in their bid to get home from work. Through a diner window, A.J., Dominic, and Taylor could be seen sitting and talking over milkshakes.

"That's great!" A.J. laughed histerically to Dominic's story.

Taylor too was laughing. Over the course of the evening, her sober dissolve was tarnished by Dominic's excessive niceness and generiousity.

"Bro, we gotta do this again some time soon," A.J. said finishing off his shake.

"Sure. Anytime, guys," Dominic said sitting back. "Ay, Pop just paged me again. Hope you guys don't mind taking the sub the rest of the way."

"Nah," Taylor said getting up. "Um, thanks for the pizza -- and the movie -- and the shakes."

Dominic flashed his grin again and smiled. "You're very welcome. See, you didn't have a totally rotten time afterall."

"Never said I was having a rotten time. Ready, A.J.?"

"Sure," he said getting up next. "Alright, Dom. Take care. See you tomorrow."

"Later, man," he said.

The two left the diner and headed up the street to the nearest subway entrance. A.J., looking to Taylor for a second, laughed to himself and looked back ahead.

"What?" Taylor asked.

"Nothin'."

"No. What is it?"

"It's just -- you act like a prude but then you loosen up and you can actually be cool," A.J. explained.

"If being a prude means having my priorities straight, then I guess I'm a prude," Taylor said.

"Ha, you admit it."

"Now I have to stay up later to finish my homework though."

"So?" A.J said. "It was worth it, wasn't it?"

"... I guess."


* * *


Erin zipped through the backroads of Stone Canyon carefully following the signal on her cycle's data monitor. Reaching her destination, she parked the bike in the ally way and had a look around. No cars were passing by on the street; a little unusual she thought given the time.

"The signal ends here. ... But I don't see anything," Erin said to herself.

"Erin, come in. This is Mack."

"Mack, I read you," Erin said into her morpher.

"Did you find anything yet?"

"No. Nothing. Maybe it was a false alarm. Any word on that spell book yet?"

"No," Mack answered. "But if they're not up on the street, then..."

"Then?" Erin asked looking to the manhole in front of her.

"Exactly."

"Ah jeez," Erin griped. "Do I have to?"

"Are you a Power Ranger?"

"Whatever. I'm going. Erin out."

Uncovering the manhole, the Yellow Ranger crawled down inside. The sewer tunnel was fairly lit but not too well she discovered. Choosing to go forward on instinct, Erin proceded further into the sewer in hopes of finding something quick. She didn't like the feeling she was receiving. On top of the place being wet and odorous, something else just did not feel right. Erin kept a hand close to her auto blaster and continued ahead.


* * *


"I smell fear," Torque said turning to face the room's corridor. "Go..."

The now larger group of shark mutants obeyed and left the layer in search of the intruder.


* * *


A pipe running sewage into the tunnel alerted Erin's senses. Disgusted, she hurried by and resumed caution in her step.

"This place is seriously creeping me out," Erin whispered to herself.

A splash was heard. Erin jumped back and drew her auto blaster. Holding the pistol at arms length, the Ranger stepped forward being mindful not to let her boots make any noise. Another splash...

"This isn't funny," Erin said as if some kids were playing some cruel joke on her. "I've got a gun and I ain't afraid to use it."

Erin stood still and carefully monitored her surroundings. She begun to rethink her decision to even come down here now. Immediatedly deciding a definite no, the Yellow Ranger stepped back and turned to go. A six foot shark stood in her path.

"OH MY GOD," Erin yelled as she fell back to the ground.

The shark mutant swiped its fins at the Ranger and missed as she rolled away and fell into the watery center of the sewer.

"Ewww gross!" she squealed getting up right away.

Firing a round of lasers, the mutant fell back as yellow sparks flew from its chest. The remaining sharks made their appearance finally as they hopped down from the tunnels above and landed in the center alongside Erin.

"MACK!"


* * *


A.J. and Taylor stood at the subway plotform quietly waiting for the next train to come. Taking a seat on the bench, Taylor removed the pink scrunchy that had bound her hair since this morning. A.J. looked back to the girl with a disquisitive stare.

"It looks better down," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"I said it looks better down," A.J. repeated.

"I care because?" Taylor asked disinterested.

A.J. took the neighboring seat. "Just cause you're tired doesn't mean you can get nasty."

"I'm not being nasty. I'm being honest," Taylor smirked pushing away her hair from her shoulders.

"Whatever..."

The square jewel on A.J.'s wrist morpher buzzed with its mint green color. Taylor took notice and checked for watchers.

"Come in," A.J. said.

"What the heck? I've paged you guys like three times," Mack yammered. "I need you guys now. Erin needs backup."

"Where is she?" asked Taylor.

"I'm sending her coordinates to your helmet's visor monitors now. Stay safe. Mack out."

"Just like that?" A.J. asked.

"Like that," Taylor said getting up. "Let's move."


* * *


"Kiyah!" Erin yelled throwing a kick at the shark's leg.

Clumsly, she stepped back into another Rider that grabbed her arms and threw her back into the stream of sewage.

"Oh I have had it with this!" Erin said getting back up. "Star chargers, now!"

The weapon duo materialized in her hands instantly.

"Let's see how you go against these!"

Two of the Riders slapped away the hand-held chargers with their gigantic fin fists.

"Well -- you sure showed me!" Erin said stepping back a foot. "If you want me you'll have to catch me!"

Making a break for it, Erin bolted down the sewer way with the Riders right behind.


* * *


Ending his idleness, Torque lifted his head as a scent filled his nostrils.

"More of them," he rasped. "They must not intefer..."


* * *


Pink Ranger and Green Ranger stopped short of the ally way. Seeing something of interest, Taylor peaked around the dumpster and discovered Erin's Turbo Cycle.

"Sick!" A.J. said discovering it next. "How come I don't get one?"

"Nevermind that. She's obviously around here somewhere," said Taylor.

"Like down there?"

The two turned their attention to the open manhole next to their feet.

"Perhaps," Taylor began to say.

In a flash of light, a second school of Torque's sharks materialized behind them.

"Oh fun," A.J. said. "I was wondering when I'd get to play with you guys again."


* * *


"Come on, slow pokes!" shouted Erin.

The Riders kept their pace and cried out again with their ear-piercing wail. The Yellow Ranger found the manhole she came in from and proceded up the ladder.

"Yeah this way," she said almost to the top. "Guess your fins can't help you now, huh?"

Right as Erin made it to the top, a Rider from the fight above fell and plotted its head right through the manhole. Screaming, Erin fell back into the stream of sewage. The sharks surrounded her with fins held high and ready to swipe.

"Not good!" she yelped covering her face.

Forming blood-thursty saliva at their mouths, the Riders suddenly fell back as blue lasers shot ahead and smote each one of the snarling beasts. Screeching to a hault, Blue Ranger hopped off his Turbo Cycle and came to Erin's side.

"Always on time!" Christian said offering his hand.

Erin slapped it away and smacked his helmet instead. "I was nearly shark food! Where the hell were you?!"

"If that's your way of saying thank you, then you really need to work on it."

"Whatever! They're getting back up!"

"Hop on," Christian said mounting his bike.

Erin held on as they high-tailed it away from the sewage-soaked Shark Riders. Flying past a busted wire corridor, the two made it to the outside ditch where Christian had entered from.

"Let's seal 'em in," Blue said turning the bike around.

Shooting off another round of lasers, the rocks above the tunnel tumbled down and blocked off the sewer completely.

"I'm still waiting," Christian said.

"THANK YOU. Happy? A.J. and Taylor need our help now. Let's roll!"

Peeling out, Christian and Erin got back to the street where A.J. and Taylor were busy fending off the Shark Riders.

"Have a seat!" Chrisian said blasting through the line of mutants.

Flying in several directions, the Riders shook off the blast and quickly gathered their bearings. Erin hopped off the bike and joined her fellow Rangers.

"You're alright!" said Taylor.

"And you smell awful," said A.J.

The Riders rebounded and lunged forward. The Ranger trio threw a series of punches and kicks at the severly wounded creatures and gained the upperhand quickly. Christian started to rev up.

"Let's call it a night, guys!" he said popping a wheelie.

Speeding forward, the turbo cycle consumed itself in a blue wave of energy and sliced through the last of the standing Shark Riders. An explosion of shark goop flew up and rained down onto the street below.


* * *


Torque's beady little fish eyes narrowed at the air of defeat.

"I failed you, my lords!" he said falling to his knees in shame.

Failure is not an option, Henry... Don't you worry though. Their day is coming...


* * *


Quietly, Tommy came inside and shut the door. Setting his keys down on the table beside him, he proceded past the foyer and over to the living room where a long inviting couch awaited. Plopping down, the tired traveller sprawled out and shut his eyes as sleep filled his entire being.

"And where have you been?" asked Erin.

Startled, Tommy's eyes flew open as he sat up. He found the young woman standing over by the kitchen with a towel wrapped around her head and a glass of water in hand.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" Tommy asked laying back down.

"I would if I could get this nasty smell off my body," Erin said coming over.

"What smell?"

"That's what Taylor said, but I just feel so ---- yuck. You missed out on all the fun and adventure today."

"Yeah? Torque send you guys a little love?"

"That ain't the half of it. I'm not even going to try to fill you in tonight. I'm so tired."

"Me, too," Tommy yawned.

"How was your day?" Erin asked.

"Good, good. I went home to visit my aunt and uncle and I spent the rest of the day with Jason at the dojo."

"Cool. ... So you're really gonna leave us?"

Tommy shrugged. "I wouldn't call it leaving. When Nick is back, you won't even notice I'm gone. Plus, you got Christian to help out now."

"Yeah. ... You know he actually saved me today."

"Did he?" Tommy asked. "That's good."

"Yeah. Any later then I would of been done for."

"You gotta be careful, Erin. I know I never really sat down with you guys about all this, but you're putting your life at stake everytime you dawn that uniform. You gotta watch out for yourself -- and for eachother."

"I know," Erin said sitting next to the elder Ranger. "I was so scared, but at the same time -- it was exciting! I loved it. I had to go and find out what the disturbance was because Mack said there was a spell and ----"

"And what?" Tommy asked sitting up. "You alright?"

"I ... um, Tommy, I have question," Erin said unsure whether or not to pry. "If it's okay I mean."

"Sure, I guess. What is it?"

"Are you, like..."

"Am I ... what?"

"Nothing," Erin said finally.

"You sure?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah."

"Well -- maybe some other time then," Tommy said getting up. "I'm headed up to bed. Sleep well."

"You, too," Erin said watching Tommy leave.

Sitting alone in the moon-lit dark, the young woman pondered, perplexed if anything, about the long time Ranger and what could possibly interest him in his craft. Much questions were to be answered she thought again, but alast tomorrow was another full day of school and work and another day to swim with the sharks. Erin got up from the couch and headed upstairs.

[Dragon Warrior]

Sick shit man. Its nice 2cu update often. Also bout something else what did you mean about 'the edge'????


Hehehe :D

[foreverhunter]

Update: Episode 8 "The Flip Side" will most likely be delayed until Monday or Tuesday.

[foreverhunter]

The last two weeks have been hectic. The weekend was a blast though! I got to go fishing (caught 3) and I went to the greatest small beach in the world. Plus, I have a great new job with Bank of America, so life is on the up and up as I *think* as what they say, right? I really missed writing and have a bag full of new plot bunnies to let loose. This ain't much, but it's a start to get things rolling again, so I don't really expect a reply, not that I get many anyway. Ha. This one is mainly about Tommy and not the others. Peace for now.

FH

__________


Power Rangers Turbo AU
Episode 08
THE FLIP SIDE

Memories, they'll never die
In our hearts they'll always live
And never say goodbye...

Angel Highway was empty. The time was 2:18 in the morning. A full moon ruled over the star-lit sky as dust and sand kicked up and quietly rolled along the desert land. Off to the side was a parked red Camaro.

Straddling Tommy's legs, Caroline worked her mouth down the man's neck as she let hands slide the unbuttoned sports jacket off his shoulders. Tommy, with the same idea, took his hands and worked them up Caroline's skirt with the intentions of removing the thin undergarment.

"Tommy, don't stop," Caroline said.

"I'm not," Tommy answered as he removed the tiny g-string.

The two reconnected their lips as Tommy fished his other hand inside to do his bidding. His other hand however brought Caroline's underwear into sight. Tommy winced.

"What's wrong? Why'd you stop?" Caroline asked.

Tommy looked at the undergarmet and then back to Caroline.

"Nothing," he said.

Caroline attempted to get things rolling again, but to no avail. Tommy remained motionless.

"Earth to Tommy. Girl on lap ready to get laid ... TOMMY."

"Sorry," Tommy said handing back the pink-colored g-string to Jason's business associate. "I better take you home."


* * *


"Look who decided to come home," Jason said shutting off the television.

A sleepy-eyed Tommy greeted his friend with a yawn and wave as he descended the staircase to his room.

"What are you doing up?" Tommy asked. "Waiting up for me?"

"More like I just got home just a few minutes before you did," Jason answered.

"Oh right, you went to the race. ... The after party?"

"Of course."

"Hope you had fun."

"Bro, you gotta come to the one tomorrow night. Angel Grove's got some of the tightest racers I've seen since visiting Stone Canyon," Jason said following Tommy upstairs.

"Have you forgotten about the party at the house?"

"Oh right. Damn ... well maybe next week then. Did everyone RSVP?"

"Almost everyone," Tommy said tossing the crumpled dress shirt onto the floor.

"Except for?" Jason nosed.

"That's not important. ... See ya in the morning, bro."


* * *

[foreverhunter]

It's been awhile, but it's back. *crickets*

Anywho, thanks to Dragon Warrior for helping get things kicking again. Weekends are the only real time I can spend doing the writing thing so I need to get this out now so I can go to sleep for yet more work. Sigh...

This is just more development. Main stuff to come this weekend hopefully. Warning: not edited



* * *

"I don't know, Kayla," Michael said coming back to the pool with two Coronas
in hand. "It feels hopeless."

"I'm sure whatever it is, your father will get through it. Are you sure you don't want to tell me what it is?" Kayla asked looking into Michael's sad eyes.

Michael knew he coudn't tell her. Plus, it's not believeable he thought, yet it was really happening. The subject was on Michael's mind for days now. His father was under the control of something powerful and cruel. It broke his heart as much as it angered him to watch helplessly.

"Maybe you should talk to him about it. I mean just pour your heart out. He'll listen," Kayla suggested.

"I"ve tried! He'll change subjects or get angry. It's like he's afraid."

"Afraid?"

"I don't know, babe. I feel like .... I feel like I need to do something about it and soon. I shouldn't even be here right now," Michael said pulling himself out the water.

"Baby, look. Obviously you can't do something right now. Your dad is busy all day long doing whatever he does. Just let it go until later when you see him again. I won't see you for a week remember?" Kayla said reaching out her hand.

"What time is your flight?" Michael asked helping her up.

"6:45. Can't I just spend the rest of the day with my baby and without hearing another word about his schizo dad?" Kayla asked looking gazingly into her boyfriend's eyes.

"Go to hell," Michael said throwing her hand away from his. "My father is sick, Kayla. He needs my help and you poke fun at him."

"Damn I'm sorry, okay?

"No it's not okay. See yourself out. I'm going to look for my father," Michal said as he grabbed his towel and left.


* * *


The suburban town of Angel Grove was typically quiet on Friday nights. There are movie houses and restaurants everywhere, but nothing much else of interest. Downtown was usually where life could be detected. Theater was there and concerts held at the sports arena, but at the docks is where drag race fanatics congregate at the week's end. Hoards of Angel Grove youth wait around and party by the water in the meantime.

A team of muscle cars pulled up with naus spray shooting from each vehicle to clear everyone from their path. Race monkies finished securing the encompasing side streets with road closed signs and yellow tape to keep away interfering traffic. Over on one of the houseboats harbored at the docks were Tommy, Caroline, and Jason in the company of friends from the dojo and other aquaintances. Tommy had his arm around Caroline and a drink in the other hand as did Jason with a girl he had just met minutes ago and gotten friendly with real quick.

"Ya know, before too long the police wont even try to stop street racing." commented Tommy.

"How do you figure that, man?" Jason asked.

"The people, man. Sure you can take down six or eight cars but when you get practically every youngster in the city out...." Tommy droned off letting Jason get the point.

"When's this going to get going?" Tommy asked raising his bottle to his mouth.

"Soon. Relax, man," Jason said letting his girl move onto his leg. "You having a good time, bro?"

"So far so good,"Tommy answered giving Caroline a sly smile.

Caroline returned the indirect compliment with a small but very sweet kiss as she mounted Tommy's leg. A cheer from the crowd on the decks let them all know the race was almost ready fo begin. The sounds of high power engines echoed into the air and could be felt through the vibrations very slightly shaking the houseboat they were on.

"Ten-second races go first. You'll want to see those," Jason said getting up with his lady friend.

"Cool," Tommy said.

The four left the houseboat to watch the race out on the boulevard. All race monkeys radioed ahead to the flagman confirming the cops were out on their fake leads and all surrounding streets were fully secured.

"Five, six ... seven thousand and fifty dollars," the flagman said counting the drivers' money. "Nice. First to the end -- you know the deal. On my cue, gentlemen. . . . "GO!"

"This is gonna be a decent race," Jason said trying to holler over the engines and people around him.

"Not to shabby," Tommy commented in amazement. "Who does their work?"

"If I told you, would you believe me?" Jason asked looking at Tommy with a half grin.

"Sure."

"Skull."

"Skull?! I thought he left for the new world with Bulk?"

"Oh yeah. Never left," Jason said returning his attention to the race. "You know how his father owned that shop of his. Well he inherited it when his dad passed a year ago. He's been running it since and doing real well for himself."

"Well, I'll be damned. That's awesome. I gotta go look him up some time," Tommy said smiling to himself.

The race was now over. The red Mazda R-X had won.

"Who was that driving?" asked Tommy.

"Marcello. He's a cool dude, Hell of a driver too. His son is in my young dragons class at the dojo," Jason said before polishing off the rest of his beer.

Tommy tried to see through the swarms of spectators to catch a glimpse, but was unsuccessful. Someone else caught his eye however and at the same time stopped his heart.

"You alright, Tom?" Caroline asked looking at the man's frozen expression. "Tommy, hello."

"Oh what? Sorry. What'd you say?"

"What's the matter? You look like you just seen a ghost."

I do beleve I did....," Tommy said turning his stare away. "I'll be back, guys."


* * *


Micheal Chin figured it was only minutes before he would get anwers from his father. He decided to take his BMW cycle and go look for his father wherever he may be. Dressed in black pants and a black shirt, he planned on doing some spying if he had to and needed to remain unseen as much as possible.
"The warehouse, of course," Michael said to himself.

Henry Chin often spent late nights at an abandoned-looking warehouse where his Riders guarded their stolen merchandise, the same warehouse where Mack was previously held captive prior to the first Turbo Ranger battle.

Careful not to be heard, Michael shut his bike off short of the building and walked it the rest of the way until he could find a suitable hiding spot for it.

"This is it," Michael said sounding notiably unsure of his decision now.

Michael stood for a minute looking at the warehouse in front of him. So many thoughts suddenly raced through his head. Everything from his childhood up until now concerning him and his father was at the forefront of his mind. It bothered him for some reason; not the memories themselves, but the unknown reason that triggered the random recollection.

"Maybe this wasn't a good idea," Michael said to himself as he placed a hand back on the handle bar.

His eyes then shifted to the side of the warehouse where several cars were parked. He recongized none of them.

"What's going on?" Michael asked.

Suddenly his interest was piqued again. Relinquishing his bike handle, Michael proceded to the side of the warehouse where the parked cars were. All five were black and expensive; Mercedes, BMWs, and one Escalade with an impressive set of rims. Michael bent down to admire them closer, but heard a noise. Ducking between the cars, he heard the footstoops more clearly. Michael looked under the car next to him to see who it was and saw only a pair black Rider boots and the tailing trenchcoat as the man who bore them got closer.

Michael knew unless his father invited him along or instructed him to be there, he was not to be at the warehouse. He would be just be another trespasser with a death wish.

The Rider stopped feet from where Michael was hidden. Looking around, the gang member scanned the ally way attentively for any intruders. He stepped forward again, the sound of his boots on the pavement putting Michael on edge. Another step forward came the Shark Rider ... then another.

"Ha! Gotcha!" The Rider said brandishing a small pistol.

The man spoke to the ground as no one was found. Bewildered for only a second, the henchman disregarded the false alarm and continued on his detail.

Underneath the Escalade laid Michael stomach down, his breath held tightly as to not to make any sudden sound. He waited another minute until the footsteps were gone. Inching his way out, Michael arose and dusted the gravel off his shirt. Quietly he continued to the side entrance of the warehouse with hopes of it being unlocked. Even better, it was ajar.

Michael snuck a peek inside for any others. One could be seen at the end of the hall with his back turned. He then heard his father's voice echoing off the warehouse walls, but couldn't hear clearly enough from where he stood. He had to get closer. Creeping up behind the helmetless Shark guard, Michael placed a hand over the man's mouth and took him into the janitoral closet behind them. Minutes later out came Michael wearing the Rider outfit, leaving behind an unconcious, unclothed man.

"Time to get answers..."