Chapter 8 - Gone Fishin'

Hikomi rushed into the Bushido Studio. "Tono-sama! There are invaders in your study!" he said breathlessly. "And that, and that scary woman is in charge of them!" he said breathlessly.

Tai frowned. "Invaders? Scary Woman?" he asked as he paused in his cleaning up.

"Billie?" Lani asked.

"Hai!" Hikomi answered and bowed slightly.

Tai frowned again. "Well, what is she doing?" he muttered. "You three," he said to Kane, Daiki and Kiari, "finish cleaning up while I see what she's doing now," he stated. "Follow when you're done."

"Jii! You make sure they make it," Kane called after them.

Tai's only parting shot was to point a sword at Kane in warning. Though he had to wonder what Billie was up to without consulting him. There was really no telling with that woman.

Lani giggled at his expression and wrapped her arms around his. "Stop frowning so. Billie's on our side. Whatever's she's up to, it's to help us," she pointed out.

Tai smiled. "I know. I know," he said and kissed the top of her head. It was a short walk from the studio to the house. Tai was surprised by all the people milling about. "My house has turned into a nerd convention," he declared.

"'Ey! I'll have you know, bein' a nerd is a noble profession." said a man nearby who had just come out of Tai's study. He was almost as tall as Tai, and almost as skinny, but at the same time, definitely bulkier. He had short dusky blond hair combed forward in front and wore narrow rimmed navy blue glasses framing blue eyes. He wore beat-to-hell sneakers and beat-to-hell jeans and a loose long sleeved shirt. He was probably the least nerdy looking nerd in existence.

Tai had to grin. "What are you doing here? I though they had you doing secret things in Ocean Bluff," he asked and frowned slightly now.

Felix Daniel Kennedy, known simply as Danny was an electronics and mechanical genius. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I came back to the CC because Beez disappeared again," he answered with a shrug.

Lani blinked. "Disappeared?" she asked, concerned. Beez, properly Beta Z, was an android and someone they all held very dear.

Billie stepped out of the study. "She's on a quest to become human. Now get your skinny butt in here so I can explain what's going on," she stated.

Mentally wishing Beez luck in her endeavors, Tai followed her into the study with Danny and Lani trailing behind. He stopped dead and gaped. "What the hell did you do to my study?" he demanded. The wall opposite his desk, which had held shelves, books and other bits and bats collected by Grandpa, his father and himself over the years. All of it was completely gone. In its place was a huge bank of flat panel monitors and some other equipment he couldn't quite identify.

Lani had run into his back at his sudden stop, but now she gawked as well. "What on earth?" she asked.

Danny stepped around them. "The reason I'm here is to link you up with the CC. You don't have access to the Beezes, but the teleport grid now has a hub here," he explained.

Billie nodded. "My team and I also studied the charms Hikomi-san uses to detect the presence of Ayakashi and created devices using the same ability to detect their energy and amplified its range. You now have a much more accurate detection system. I've also configured the system to send coordinates to your Morphers," she explained and looked at an electronic clipboard in her hands.

"Pretty awesome, yeh?" Danny piped up.

Lani just nodded, still in awe.

Tai nodded. "And the monitors?" he asked.

"You're also tapped into the Viewing Grid via the Gedou-detectors. When one appears you can see what they're up to. A second feed is being installed in Hikomi-san's office," she added.

"Whoa! Can we get Pay-Per-View on it?" Kane asked as he wandered into the room and eyed the set up. "Ha! Cam eat your heart out," he muttered.

Kiari and Daiki came in as well and looked at the monitors.

Daiki had to admit he was impressed. He didn't know Billie-san that well, but she knew her stuff. He eyed Danny oddly for a moment.

Danny noticed the look he was getting and cocked an eyebrow. "This the new Blue?" he asked.

Tai nodded. "Daiki Singuji. And that's Kiari Sakakibara. And you know Kane from the time he tried to kill me," he explained.

Daiki and Kiari gave Danny slight bows.

Danny nodded. "A'ight, Glitch. Don't forget that other thing," he reminded her.

All eyes went to Billie again. She moved to Tai's desk where a case lay. "We've located the Swordfish Origami. He's in Angel Grove Bay. A few fishermen have spotted him and wild tales are beginning to be passed around. He's dangerous. He's tried to take out several boats," she explained.

She opened the case to real a light blue Hidden Disc. "If you catch him using this Disc, he will then be able to be controlled by it the same way as the Beetle." She eyed each of them gravely. "Swordfish is every bit as strong as Beetle was, plus he's wild," she warned them.

Tai walked to her and picked up the Disc. He turned and approached Daiki and passed it to him.

Daiki took it with a surprised blink. He had not expected Tai to give him this duty. It spoke of trust. "T-Tono--" he stuttered, slipping into Japanese.

Tai shook his head. "I think you can do this. You will do it," he stated firmly.

The two of them stared into each others faced for a long moment. Daiki bowed. "Yes. I will," he agreed.

Billie quickly tapped on various things on the screen of her clipboard. "Coordinates have been sent to your Morpher," she explained. She gave a ghost of a smile. "Good luck," she told him.

"Thank you," he stated. He bowed again and left the study to shower and change for his task.

Danny watched him leave and then grinned at Tai. "I approve," he stated.

Tai didn't even look up as Billie showed him how to control everything from a clipboard of his own. "Yes, because your approval is required," he said dryly.

Lani snickered. "Stay for dinner," she told Danny firmly before bundling Kane and Kiari off to shower and change, getting them out of Tai's way.

~*~

Daiki followed the blinking dots on his Morpher, to the best place on the beach to enable him to capture Swordfish Origami. Thankfully this time of year, there were no beach goers. He found a suitable place, a lonely looking old pier that had seen better days. Flipping the Morpher into Pen-Mode he drew a character in the air and a long, sturdy fishing pole appeared. Putting his Morpher way, he brought out the Swordfish Disc and slipped it on where the real would go. A glowing strand of energy appeared to make the fishing pole.

Looking out over the gentle waves he spotted movement. He cast his line.

~*~

Somewhere in Angel Grove, a very foul smell smelling creature crawled out from a crack. His presence was dull enough that he wasn't immediately detected. Looking like a pile of decaying seaweed, the first people to spot him screamed. Whether or not he understood why was unclear but his reaction was to release a cloud of noxious gas.

The people around fell to the ground instantly. He laughed slowly and walked on aimlessly. There seemed to no rhyme or reason to his action, wander to and fro. Whenever he encountered people, they would scream, he'd release gas, they'd fall and he'd wander on giggling.

~*~

Sanzu River

Dayuu sat in her corner playing her shamisen. She was trying to tread lightly. Doukoku had not pleased with her little excursion into the human world. She curled her nose slightly. "What is that smell?" she asked, unable to bear it anymore.

shootari sighed heavily. "I found a Yamiororo stuck to the bottom of the ship. I sent it off into the human world to cause havoc before its smell awakened Doukoku," he eyed her for a long moment. "You should be pleased. Doukoku was not pleased. Not with your activities or the appearance of that stray," he pointed out sharply.

Dayuu pursed her lips. "The appearance of Juzou was not my fault. Though it was timely," she stated. She gave a shrug. She'd put up with the smell as long as Doukoku slept.

~*~

The presence of Yami was finally detected, but he had already left a path of ill people behind him. Tai glanced up as the monitors went crazy with beeping. They gave him different angles on the creature's location. He flipped open his phone. "Let's move out. Daiki, you concentrate on catching that Swordfish. We'll handle this," he stated firmly.

He stood and switched his Morpher to Pen-Mode. "Samurai Sword Clash!" he drew the Fire Character in the air. He pressed the red button. The Characters flipped around and enveloped him, forming his morph suit, helmet and sword.

Fully morphed, he teleported.

~*~

Daiki cursed slightly as he put his phone away. He'd already been at this for over an hour. He was not very good at regular fishing. This was a bit frustrating. Every time he thought he felt Swordfish on the line, he would spin the Disc to reel him in but while it sapped his strength, the wily beast broke free.

With a hard sigh, he cast his line again toward where he thought he saw Swordfish surface.

"You're not casting right, that's why you're line is going astray. Then when you finally -do- get a bite, you reel too hard, too fast. You don't fish much, do you?" said a voice from somewhere behind him.

Frowning he glanced over his shoulder and saw the girl and white perched on an overturned five gallon bucket, watching him shrewdly.

Daiki bristled. One thing he hated was his flaws pointed out to him. "Who are you anyway?" he demanded. This girl had a habit of showing up in odd places.

She tilted her head slightly. "You can call me Saeko if you must," she declared.

Before he could reply he felt a hard tug on the line. Bracing himself he began to spin the Disc. He felt hard resistance and his muscles strained. Then there was sudden slack and he felt backwards on his butt.

Gritting his teeth, He got to his feet.

"I told you," Saeko remarked.

Daiki sent her a glare.

He tried it his way a few more times, only for it to end with no catching of a swordfish. Each time he heard an exasperated sigh from his audience.

"If you know how to do it then show me," he stated finally.

She got to her feet and approached. She wasn't gentle in showing him the proper stance and how to properly cast the line. "And when you get a bite, don't spin with all your might. That just makes too much tension. Spin and pull in an even steady pace. Not to slow, but not fast either," she finished off her instruction and sat back down. She gestured for him to do it.

Unsure whether or not to be grateful, Daiki cast his line and got it almost exactly where he wanted it. While he waited he thought about Saeko. She was a mystery and seemed to know who he was, but she didn't seem to be a threat. After he danced with her at Kane's Ant-Valentine's Day thing, she disappeared into the crowd and he hadn't set eyes on her since.

She was very pretty, there was no denying that. There was also something familiar about her. "Sae--" he had just opened his mouth to say something to her when he felt a hard tug on the line.

~*~

Yami toddled through a crowd of people in a mall parking lot. He hummed a bemused sort of hum and startled a mother and her young children as she was putting away her purchases. She cried out and pulled her children behind her. Yami startled back and released his gas.

"Gedoushu!"

Black clad Stagehands appeared and began to help the now nearly unconscious people while Yami was distracted. He moaned irritably.

Samurai Red, Samurai Pink, Samurai Green, and Samurai Yellow surrounded Yami. He groaned irritably again and pulled out his weapon, the Branching Sharp Fan Sword. He whipped it around at Samurai Red. He used his sword to block as he rolled away. In quick succession Green, Yellow and Pink jumped at Yami, slashing with their swords.

Furious, he moaned, and blocked, stumbling back. With an agitated growled he spewed gas at them.

Green tried to cover the air hole of his helmet. "Oh bloody frack, that's foul," he said coughing and gagging. The other Rangers were in a similar predicament.

Sensing an opportunity, Yami prepared to attack, but he audibly crackled slightly and stumbled back again. He gave out a pitiable moan and slipped into the nearest crack.

Red's vision began to blur but he managed to catch Pink just as she fell. He cushioned her fall as he blacked out and fell at the same time.

~*~

Apparently, Swordfish learned as Daiki did. He looked up when he heard laughter and saw Saeko peering over the pier at him. Before he could adjust himself, he'd been pulled completely into the water. This was after the wily bastard had evaded capture several more times. Lucky he still had a hold of his pole, and miraculously, he glasses stayed on his face. "This is funny to you?" he growled as he began to climb back up onto the pier.

Saeko moved back to avoid the water he was sloshing everywhere. "I thought you were smart, but I'm beginning to think he's smarter," she declared.

Daiki flung his drenched hair out of his face. He opened his mouth once again to ask how she knew the things she so obviously knew when his Morpher chimed. Pulling it out of his drenched pocket and answered. "Moshi moshi," he said automatically and winced.

"Catch that Swordfish!" was the first thing Billie stated. There was urgency in her voice that Daiki had never heard in the woman's voice before.

"I am working on it. What happened?" he demanded, knowing something must have gone terribly wrong.

Billie stood in Tai's study checking the feed out on the monitors. "The Ayakashi poisoned them. I have no idea what the ramifications there are with this, but I was studying Swordfishes schematics. He has the ability to purify water into a strong antidotal medicine. You have to catch him and quickly. People who have been poisoned mere hours ago have lapsed into comas.

"The filtration systems of the helmets reduced the amount of poison the others breathed in but it's only a matter of time," she explained. She gasped when Tai walked into the study, supported by Lani. "What the he--"

"Just concentrate on the Swordfish, Daiki. We'll take care of this Ayakashi if he comes back," he declared and stared at Billie, daring her say something. She didn't.

Face set in grim lines, Daiki saw the fins of Swordfish. "Got it," he declared and closed the phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

Saeko looked at him with a serious expression. "That's expression you need to have," she declared.

Daiki didn't respond. Despite his wet clothes he cast the line perfectly

~*~

Danny, who was still working on all the complicated installations of the system, had gotten to his feet. "Brave words, Leader Boy, but you're about ta fall over," he stated and helped the man to his chair.

Lani leaned against the doorjamb. "When has that ever stopped him?" she asked. She was part exasperated by this yet at the same time she felt exactly the same way.

Billie just rolled her eyes. There were some people you just waste your breath arguing with. Tai was one of them.

The Ayakashi-Alert system began to beep like crazy. "That was quick," Tai said. He got to his feet.

"Let's go," Lani said and attempted to straighten.

Tai shook his head. "No. Daiki will have the Swordfish soon," he declared and pulled out his Morpher.

~*~

Yami was such a bottom feeding sort of Ayakashi he didn't need that much water to replenish his strength. Also, his stench was so foul; shootari ejected him back into the human world as soon as possible before he awoke Doukoku.

Now he stumbled around Angel Grove again. He paused slightly confused when Samurai Red appeared before him again. He brought out his defend himself as Samurai Red began to attack.

Red guessed his best defense might be to distract him for awhile so he wouldn't poison anyone else. If he could buy everyone else some time, that was just fine with him. The sword play took them out into the middle of a busy street, but the Stagehands were already clearing a path for them.

He took out his Hidden Disc and slipped it onto the hilt of his sword. He spun it. "Giant Flaming Blade!" The blade caught fire and transformed into the giant red blade. He nearly fell over with its weight. It was less than impressive.

Sensing and opportunity Yami moved in with his own weapon.

~*~

Daiki felt the pull on the line that told him Swordfish had been snagged. Setting his feet in a battle stance he began to spin the Disc. Swordfish fought back but he continued to spin with a grim determination; a man who knew that failing again was not an option.

~*~

Giggling slightly, Yami went in to strike Samurai Red, who hung onto the Giant Flaming Blade for support.

"Land Slicer!"

The giant shuriken came flying at Yami from behind and struck him in the back.

"Wood Spear!" Samurai Green jumped past Yami to cover Red, slicing with the bladed tip of his spear.

"Heaven Fan!" Samurai Pink spun into view, creating a pink whirlwind that caught Yami up and sent him stumbling around.

Red grunted. "You were all told to stay put," he declared but truth to be told, they probably just saved his @$$. His morph faded.

Stars floated in front of Pink's eyes and she fell over backwards. Yellow seemed to watch it in slow motion as her own vision began to dim and a ringing sounded hollowly in her ears. Any witty repartee Green made have had faded away as darkness enveloped him.

Tai watched his team fall and lose their morphs as Yami finally righted himself. He was easily confused and it took a moment for him to recall what was happening. When he finally spotted Tai and recognized the weapon, he began to moan angrily. He moved forward.

Tai summoned his last reserves of strength and gripped the hilt of his blade. "Bring it," he said throw gritted teeth.

"Water Arrow!" Blue water pounded into Yami's torso.

Daiki approached the scene with a determined stride. "This is where it ends for you, Ayakashi," he said held up a Hidden Disc. He pulled out the cyan colored Hidden Disc and put it on a slot of his Bow. The string glowed slightly. He pulled back and pointed up into the air and released. A bolt of light blue energy shot upwards and seemed to explode, causing a vaporous rain.

Just the touch of it and breathing it in made Tai feel better.

Yami moaned pitiably and tried to make himself smaller as the vapor touched him.

Lani opened her eyes and sat up, the weakness of her body and the pain of her head were gone. She looked around and saw Kane and Kiari sitting up as well. The three of them shared a look and looked first at Tai and then Daiki.

"Sorry. I was a little late," Tai stated.

"You should be damn sorry. While you spending all your time fishing, we fighting an Ayakashi and getting poisoned," Kane declared as he got to his feet. This time it didn't seem as though he were only jokingly complaining.

Kiari frowned. She bowed slightly to Daiki.

"Enough," Tai cut in. "its morphin' time!" he got his Morpher wondering if he really just said that. Old habits apparently died hard. The others brought out their Morphers as well in Pen-Mode. "Samurai Sword Clash!" He called and drew his Character in the Air and hit the red button.

Daiki, Lani, Kiari and Kane drew their Characters in the air and hit their red buttons.

The Characters flipped around and enveloped them, forming their morph suits, helmets and swords.

"Authorized by Providence! We are the Samurai Rangers!"

Angry and hurt, Yami was not impressed with the reappearance of the Samurai Rangers. He covered his eyes then removed his hands and shot red blasts of energy at them.

Though hit, it wasn't enough to deter the newly revived Rangers. They rushed forward, slashing as Yami one at a time as they passed and engaged him in battle.

Unknown to them, they had witnesses to the battle. The red and white Gedoushu called Juzou watched quietly from a rooftop. He didn't even turn his head when Saeko climbed up beside him. "Have I missed anything, Uncle?" she asked.

Juzou shook his head. "You helped him attain his power?" he asked idly.

Saeko nodded. "I want him at full capacity before I fight him," she declared. He gave a curt nod.

Down below Samurai Blue took out his Hidden Disc. His slipped it onto the hilt of his sword and sent it spinning. Blue energy formed and engulfed the blade. "Dance of the Water Dragon!" Slashing forward he released the watery energy at Yami.

Becoming engulfed in such clean water made Yami screech with horror.

Taking his opportunity, Red pulled out his Hidden Disc and slipped it onto his sword. He sent it spinning. "Giant Flaming Blade!" Fire engulfed the blade as it turned into the other weapon.

Blue rushed forward, producing the Swordfish Disc. "Use this," he said and held it out.

"Together," Red Stated. Blue nodded and slipped the Disc into place. The Giant Blade caught fire. "Giant Flaming Blade, Bazooka Mode!" The Blade transformed. The other three rushed forward and placed their discs into the slot. "Five Disc Shot!" Together they fired on Yami.

Each of the five blows was devastating. The Ayakashi fell backwards and blew up.

There was no time fore celebration or witty remarks. From the fires of his own explosion, Yami grew into his second life.

"Zord time," Red said and held his Origami Zord and Morpher in Pen-mode.

"Right!" The others agreed and got out their Origami Zords and their Pens. Over the Zords they wrote the character for Large. The Zord grew to full size and their pilots appeared inside. Red immediately drew the Unite character. The Zords combined to form the Origami Megazord.

Annoyed and aggravated with this new development, Yami produced another gaseous substance.

The Rangers coughed and realized they had low visibility. "What is this stuff?" Pink complained and waved her hands.

"We can't see anything!" Blue announced.

"It smells almost bad as the poison," Yellow wheezed and covered her air holes.

"Be careful," Red warned.

"Careful, he says! No, duh, Oh Tono-sama!" Green said dryly.

Yami began slashing at the Megazord. It was all they could do to parry with their sword and block with their shield.

"It's no use. It's almost impossible to get an edge in this," Yellow declared worriedly.

Blue looked at Red. "Swordfish should to give us an edge," he declared.

Red glanced at him. He nodded finally. "You caught it. Can you use it?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Good leaders didn't ask questions like that unless they knew the answer.

Blue nodded. "Yes. Yes, I can," he declared. He took the Swordfish Disc and slipped it onto his sword. He spun it. "Swordfish Origami!"

Yami stumbled back in shocked confusion when a giant swordfish actually popped out of the Megazord.

Blue slipped his sword back into his console. "Swordfish Torpedoes!" The Swordfish Origami Zord turned toward Yami and launched torpedoes at him. They hit him dead on. Blue pushed his sword forward and the Origami rammed Yami with the point of its wicked looking nose.

Green sighed. "I gotta admit, that Swordfish is pretty frikken awesome," he declared begrudgingly.

Yellow laughed slightly. "Yes, amazing," she agreed excitedly.

Red smiled slightly. "Enough playing around," he said.

Taking his cue well, Blue nodded. "Yes, sir," he said and pulled the sword out again and spun the Disc. "Samurai Armament!" The Swordfish Origami, transformed into a helmet and armor for the Origami Megazord. "Armed Under Providence. Swordfish Origami Megazord!"

The Megasword glowed and formed a dual ended naginata. They slashed at Yami, causing irrevocable damage. Yami tried to block but the double ended weapon gave them the advantage. The Megazord stepped back and bent over. "Swordfish Torpedoes!" They launched torpedoes at him again.

Standing upright again they all took sword in hand and spun their Discs. The Megasword became single bladed again. The top of the Swordfish helmet came open and the sword connected itself to it. The sword slung around and hit Yami. Inside they brought their sword up for a slash. "Swordfish Slash!" They brought their swords down

The Megazord bent over and the Megasword Slashed Yami down from stem to stern. As he sparked and crackled, the Megazord turned, ejecting the Megasword. They caught it just as Yami fell over and exploded.

Slumping over slightly, Blue sighed. "That brings this chapter to a close," he declared.

Red clapped him on the back. "That is it does."

~*~

Tai studied Daiki from across his desk. Billie and Danny had finally finished their work in here and he was slowly adjusting to it. "You did well, catching the Swordfish and saving the day just in the nick of time," he declared with a half smile. "You're getting the hang of being a Power Ranger," he declared.

Daiki nodded, but couldn't help a feeling of pride at the praise. He tensed slightly when Tai frowned. Something else was on the Lord's mind.

"There is something I've been meaning to speak with you about. I tend to try to avoid trouble in the team. It's about your attitude toward Kane's ninja roots," he said.

Daiki stiffened. This was a touchy subject. "I am trying my best to detach my past distaste from my present comrade," he stated. His blank expression told Tai that that was all he was going to say on the matter.

"Fine. Stop being such an @$$ about it. How Kane was raised wasn't his choice anymore than it was yours." he added. "You can go now," he added.

Daiki nodded again and walked out of the study. He sighed. He knew sooner or later Tai would say something about that. Not really wanting to speak to anyone else just then, he teleported to the city. He tried not to abuse his teleport too often, but he wasn't used to American driving and he didn't want to deal with Stagehands.

He arrived at the pier where he fished for Swordfish Origami. He looked out over the still waters of the bay and closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh scent of the salt air. Sensing he was not alone, he turned and saw Saeko standing behind him, a long elegant sword in her hand and pointed at him. He blinked. "You wish a battle?" he asked quietly.

"In due time, Blue Ranger," she declared. "This is your warning. Next time I draw my sword on you, it will be to the end. Do you understand?" she asked a very serious expression on her face.

Daiki studied her a long time. "Are you...Gedou?" he asked quietly, not quite able to reconcile it his mind.

"I am your opponent. That is all you need to know," she stated. She sheathed her sword and gave him a bow. She turned on her heel and walked away.

Daiki didn't attempt to stop her. He admitted surprise when a tall, slightly older man joined her. Right before his eyes, they seemed to disappear.

~*End Act 08*~           

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