Chapter 14 - Samurai Storm

Kane Watanabe groggily woke up. He looked around unsurely, wondering what awakened him. He looked at his window and saw that it was only just barely dawn. He yawned and rubbed a hand through his hair. He was tremendously unsettled. He eased out of bed and opened up the green laptop. Cyber Cam grinned at him. "What can I do ya for?" he asked cheerfully.

"Is everything okay at Ninja Ops and the Academy?" Kane asked as he wandered around, sniffing clothes and putting on what smelled least detestable.

"Everything is fine," Cyber Cam reported chipperly. "In fact Marah and Kapri just left in a fit of excitement, twittering about Aunt Leatrix," he went on unaware of the effect his words had on Kane.

"Oh, no," he said. "Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. She's almost here. She's coming," he said and ran out of his room without bothering to close up Cyber Cam. He passed by Tai drinking coffee at the breakfast table without a second glance. "Oh, no," he said and looked up at the sky.

There was a bright white dot getting larger and larger.

Tai had paused mid-sip when he saw Kane go zipping through. Kane being up before dawn was an unusual enough occurrence that it rated investigation. He stood and went to the back door and saw his cousin staring up at the sky as if transfixed. He glanced up as well and nearly dropped his coffee cup as the bright ball of light falling out of the sky.

A tiny orb, no larger than a baseball, decelerated and hovered in front of Kane for a moment before an arc of purplish-black lightning lit up the entire yard and nearly blinded both men and woke up everyone else in the house because of the brightness. It was only a flash, but as their vision cleared, they saw a woman standing there, slipping the orb into a bag at her waist.

She was a tall woman, with blond hair, green eyes and Caucasian features. She looked like she was in her mid to late twenties and no older. She wore a black body suit with purple piping; nearly black pirate boots, a long flowing sash/skirt tied around her waist under a dark corset and bounty belt. Dark leather gauntlets went from hands to above the elbow, and a headdress rested around her head. Gems sparked around her throat, ears and a few fingers.

After putting away her spaceship, she pounced on Kane, giving him a hug and smothering his face in kisses. "Oh, there's Mummy's little pumpkin! Ooohhh! You're getting so big. And what have you done to your hair? Have you been eating right?" she demanded and poked him in the ribs.

Kane withstood this torture without protest even though he was very aware he was gathering an audience. Awakened by the light, the other Samurai were now looking out there windows, watching in fascination. "Moooooom," he said plaintively when she glomped him again. "Everyone is watching," he said, squirming to get away.

"Oh, foo on them," she said dismissively. "I haven't seen my baby in years and I get to hug him all I want," she declared. She studied his appearance critically. "What are you wearing?" she demanded, taking in his scruffy appearance of wrinkled tee-shirt and rumbled jeans. She wrinkled her nose at him. "I cannot believe Kanoi let you do that to your hair," she tsked him. She licked her fingers and attempted to smooth it down.

Kane ducked out of her reach. "Mom! Please. Uncle has no say over my hair. I'm an adult, I can do whatever I want to it," he defended.

Pursing her lips, she turned toward Tai. "I suppose you're the one letting him running around dressed like that," she said and gave him a once over and her expression soured even more.

Tai took another sip of his coffee before answering. "Space Ninja get-ups attract undue attention," he answered evenly.

Kane hid a laugh behind his cough. No one aside from Uncle has ever spoken to Mom like that.

Leatrix was taken aback. "I see," she said. She snapped her fingers and in another bright flash of purplish-black lightning, her appearance changed. She now wore a pair of tight jeans, high heels and a low cut blouse that made Kane groan and cover his eyes. Why couldn't his mom dress like other moms?

"Is this better?" she asked Tai.

"Yes, ma'am. Come in and be welcome," he said and stepped out of the way of the door.

Leatrix looked back at Kane. "Well come on sweetie and introduce to me all your new friends!" she said and grabbed his arm and pulled him inside with her.

"Moooom!" Kane groaned.

Chuckling quietly, Tai closed the door behind him. This was sure to be an interesting visit.

~*~

Sanzu River

shootari had meant to speak with Doukoku about this Seal business, but Dayuu had gone missing and he was not brave enough to bring up the matter without her there. Until she resurfaces, he'll merely have to do the usual thing and send an Ayakashi to raise the waters of the Sanzu River.

He merely had to choose the right one. A good one this time. One who wouldn't make Doukoku angry. Yes, he wanted Doukoku in a good mood when he brought up the matter. Drat that woman. Where was she?

~*~

Stone Canyon

Stone Canyon held a secret. It was currently a peaceful city, but that had not always been so. Juzou and Saeko knew its secret. Juzou had been surprised, when he spotted Dayuu seep from a crevice and immediately take a human form. He had not known she was capable of her own form without having to copy that of another. Curious as to what she up to, he and Saeko silently followed her.

They traveled a long way through the night. They recognized the city. Juzou had been drawn there six years earlier and had surveyed the events, but no one there had made his sword hunger. They followed her to a ruinous place. Taking up positions, they waited.

~*~

Dayuu was not a stupid woman. She had also learned that by using a human form, a form she had not donned in hundreds of years, she could move freely without alerting the Rangers. She had refused to glance at herself in the mirror, however. Over the past few weeks, she'd been doing her own kind research in order to help Doukoku defeat the Power Rangers and Lord Shiba.

There were all sorts of unsavory elements in the human world she could use to her advantage. She'd learned much about the history of these Power Rangers and the various attempts to defeat them. Most of them were useless, but there was something that interested her.

She had not missed how Lord Shiba relied on his retainers. Especially the Pink and Green ones. She was still working on a way to take the Pink girl out of the picture, but there was something she could do about the Green one.

Smirking after several hours of fruitless searching, she found what she was looking for in the ruins of Mesagog's lab. It was a container of purple ooze and floating within that ooze appeared to be an action figure. That action figure was what remained of Lothor, the evil Space Ninja. The Green one's father.

~*~

Blue Bay Harbor

Grayson Collier was never going to leave Blue Bay Harbor. The reason was much the same as why the Wind, Fire and Thunder Academies were created in the area to begin with. The Abyss of Evil. It was a place that had existed for millennia. His reason wasn't so much the Abyss itself as what was trapped in it.

Who was trapped in it.

He was up with the sunrise. He lived alone in a ramshackle beach house he built himself with the money left to him when his grandfather disappeared and was presumed dead. He sat on his front porch sipping coffee gazing off into the distance. His next class wasn't for another couple of hours but he found himself unable to sleep. He knew not to ignore these types of ill-stirrings.

For as long as he could remember, he was raised by his grandfather, learning not only ninja arts, but Shadow Ninja arts. His parents were a mystery to him and his grandfather was trapped in the Abyss of Evil before he could give Gray the answers he wanted. It was only a couple of years ago that his views of the world began to change. One of the main reasons was his grandfather's unwillingness to tell him the things he wanted to know. The other was coming up behind him, wearing one of his shirts and a sleepy smile.

Alice Whittaker draped her arms around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. "Something's troubling you," she said quietly.

Gray smiled slightly. Ally Whittaker was way out of his league and always had been. Tall, slim, blue eyed, golden blond, angel-faced Alice had been the one girl he'd never imagined he'd end up with. His crush ever since he noticed girls. But she'd been one of those smart, popular girls that the quiet, solitary loner that he was had no chance with. When he found out she was a Water Ninja at the Wind Academy and was the Blue Ninja Ranger, he was stunned and amazed.

Ally also saw something in the quiet, solitary guy with the gorgeous gray eyes. She also saw something in the mysterious Black Ninja Ranger. He owed her a lot. He reached back and pulled her around into his lap and kissed her lightly. "I need to check on a few things," he said seriously. "You should get some more sleep. Lock up after you leave for class. I'll call you around lunch," he said.

Ally was not surprised by this. He was still a bit of a loner. She gave him a smile. "If you don't, I'll be calling you," she warned him. He chuckled and kissed her again. He spent several long minutes reluctantly untangling himself from her before walking to his motorcycle and taking off.

~*~

Five strange figures gathered in the darkness of the now abandoned Shadow Ninja Academy. They were strange figures. Two men and three women in their early thirties. Their abuse of Dark Ninja Arts has forever changed them.

Falcore was once Corey Falcone, a good looking young man with a cocky attitude. He's mastered the Wind Techniques before being seduced to the Dark Arts by Sensei Kagemoto. Now he was half-man, half falcon.

Sharkita was once Sachi Kaito, a young woman of Japanese descent who mastered the Water Techniques. She was also a bit of scientist and Kagemoto fed her illusions of grandeur. She was now half shark, half woman.

Gurohol was once Gary Hollis, a big young man of African-American descent that had mastered the Earth Techniques. He was also on his way to a promising football career before Kagemoto got a hold of him. He was now half bear and half man.

Butah was once Bulan Thomas an ambitious, deliberate young woman of mixed descent, Irish and Indonesian. She mastered the Thunder Techniques. She was perhaps easiest of Kagemoto's generals to sway to the Dark Arts. She was now half ant, half woman.

Zstingerz was once Justine Garrett, a lovely, charismatic, hot blooded young woman. She had mastered the Fire Techniques. She wanted to be a model before Kagemoto swayed her to the Dark Arts. Even as she was now half bee, half woman, her vanity was unchanging.

They had attempted to help Sensei Kagemoto bring down the other Academies and steal their students. They were defeated and that traitor, Grayson Collier used every bit of dark knowledge his grandfather had ever taught him to trap them in the Shadow Academy and hide it from the world. The little prat.

Over the last two years, however, they began to want something more than revenge. They wanted to be normal again. Shockingly enough, they found someone who might be able to help them.

~*~

Tai's house had been completely taken over by Space Ninjas. Shortly after the arrival of Leatrix, two women appeared, squealing loudly about Aunt Leatrix. There was much bouncing and hugging Kane. Kapri was a tall blond woman wearing Sensei's robes of the Wind Academy with a decidedly pink bent. Marah was shorter and a brunette, but she also wore sensei's robes with orange shooting through them. They were his cousins, daughters of his mom's sister.

When he demanded to know if Sensei Dustin and Cam knew where they were, they gave him double looks that reminded him that they had once been evil. Rather than back down, he'd returned the look steadily.

"Of coarse Dustin knows where I am," Marah finally said with a sigh. They, however, did not answer his question about Cam. This was all the answer he needed.

Kane rubbed his head and finally escaped with his mom regaling her nieces with stories about her adventures. He made his way to the kitchen where Tai the other Samurai's were eating breakfast. "I warned you," he told Tai.

Tai paused with a forkful of egg half way to his mouth. "Your warning was not sufficient. Don't think I didn't see her eyeing Grandpa's Ando Cloisonné vase from the Taisho period," he stated.

"Or you're grandmother's Meiji period lacquered hair comb and pin," Rena added with a slight grin around her pop tart.

Kane groaned. "I promise, she won't take anything," he assured them.

Lani giggled. "Quit torturing, him," she admonished Tai and Rena. They just grinned and didn't apologize.

Kiari watched Kane a long moment but didn't say anything. His family was delightful in her opinion. But being surrounded by such beautiful women would make her pale in comparison. With that thought, she ducked her head and continued eating her toast.

Daiki shook his head. He jumped when Leatrix and her nieces finally tracked Kane down and entered loudly.

"Oh! Kane. These are your new friends? Delightful!" Kapri asked leadingly.

"You simply must introduce us," Marah added more bluntly.

Again Kane went through the process of introducing his housemates. Grandpa and Hikomi-san were, however, conveniently absent.

Kapri smiled at Daiki. "Well, aren't you a cutie," she said.

Daiki's eyes widened and he leaned away slightly. "No sapiku Engerishu," he said holding up his hands helplessly. Everyone at the table and Kane looked at him for a speechless moment before bursting out laughing.

Kapri pursed her lips and glared at Kane since she didn't know what was so funny. "What?" she demanded in a clipped tone.

Holding his sides, Kane took a deep a breath. "Don't hang you're hat on Dai-kun, there. There's a white haired girl with a very sharp sword that might have an opinion on that," he told his cousin.

Kapri shrugged. "All I did was say he was cute," she said defensively.

"Kaney, don't tease your cousin," Leatrix said and attempted to spit comb his hair again, but he ducked away just in the nick of time.

There came an insistent knocking on the front door.

Tai suppressed a groan. "What now?" he said. Lani smoothed a hand over his arm.

A stagehand led in a tall man who somehow made his Deputy Headmaster's robes look like a three piece suit. He was quite possibly as long and lanky as Tai. He wore black rimmed glasses and had slightly untamed dark hair. "So they are here," he said and gave his female cousins a look that they ignored. "Tai, my apologies," he said and bowed to Tai,

Tai nodded back. "No apologies necessary," he assured him. "Kane's family is always welcome here," he added.

Cameron Watanabe gave an absent smile. Then he found his cheeks being pinched. "Oh, Cam. Every time I see you, you remind me so much of Kiya when we first met," Leatrix said and squeezed his cheeks again.

Cam tried to extract his face from her grip while Kane snickered. It was such a joy seeing Cam squirm. He shared the amusement with Marah and Kapri.

Tai was enjoying watching the show when his Morpher beeped. He frowned and flipped it out in Phone-mode. "Tai," he said, knowing it could only be one person.

"Go into the study. Bring Cam Watanabe with you," Billie said and disconnected.

Tai did not question how Billie knew Cam was there. She was Billie. "To the study. Cam, your presence is requested," he said.

Rubbing the feeling back into his cheeks, Cam gave Tai a quizzical look but he followed along behind the Samurai to Tai's study.

Kane paused outside. "Do you mind waiting out here, Mom? This is--"

"Absolutely not," Leatrix and pushed him inside. He caught Tai's raised brow look when his mom joined them but just gave a helpless shrug.

Tai pursed his lips but said nothing. He wasn't going to try and extract the momma bear. He picked up the pad and opened the communication to Billie's lab.

Billie gave Leatrix a shrewd look, but didn't question her presence. "About an hour ago, someone poked around what's left of Messagog's lair in Stone Canyon. I informed Dr. O since that was his territory and the Rangers there have moved on," she began explaining.

Tai nodded, having taken time years back to brief himself on his Ranger history. He knew about Stone Canyon. "What was taken?" he asked.

Billie was quiet a moment. She looked at Kane then Cam before answering. "Dr. O thinks it may have been Lothor," she finally said.

This remark was met with silence. Tai said nothing, watching Kane, Cam and Leatrix. Leatrix looked rather bored. Cam looked constipated. Kane was expressionless. That wasn't good. "What do you mean?" he finally asked Billie.

"Dr. O believes that Mesagog trapped Lothor in a container in his lab and rendered him powerless. There was a lot of confusion in the aftermath and no one but a few people even knew where the lab was located, much less how to get to it, poor Dr. O completely forgot about it." she explained.

"Who would...I mean Kagemoto is trapped in the Abyss, never to be heard from again if Gray has anything to say about it and the generals are trapped in the Shadow Academy," Cam said.

"If I had the answers, I would give them to you," Billie said simply.

Cam nodded. "There's really only place someone with Lothor would go," he said.

Tai nodded. "Have someone inform our students classes are canceled for the day," he told Billie and turned her off. He eyed his Samurai. "We're heading to Blue Bay Harbor. I am not ready to dismiss the theory that the Gedoushu are involved in this," he said.

Lani nodded. She wasn't ready to dismiss the thought either.

Daiki gave a brief and immediate bow.

Kiari hesitated. If she was right that really pretty girl, Sisi, was there. She gave a mental wince at her selfish thoughts and bowed a bit more deeply than she needed to.

"Always up for a field trip," Rena assured him.

"Wait. Wait. I can't go back without telling Tay," Kane said and ran off to his room. Noticing Cyber Cam still open he closed it up and sat down on his bed. He lowered his head and linked his hands behind his neck. He squeezed his eyes together and tried to process everything.

He was failing miserably. He hadn't laid eyes his father in over six years. He didn't know what to feel about possibly having to face him now, on the opposite side of good and evil spectrum. There was only one way to find out. "Just get it over with," he told himself out loud.

He forced himself to unclasp his hands and took a deep breath. He stood and shook himself like a dog. Finally, some calm reclaimed, he flipped out his Morpher in Phone-mode and dialed Tay.

~*~

Gray parked his bike at the perfect vantage to look over the Shadow Ninja Academy. It looked forlorn and rundown. He pursed his lips. The least they could do was keep the place up. Shaking his head, he dismounted and pulled some binoculars from his saddlebags. He occasionally checked on the generals. Sometimes they plotted to escape. He simply will not allow that.

He scanned the ground and the windows he could see, but there was no sign of them. They must be in some of the inner rooms. Shadelings milled around aimlessly, some tending gardens, others lacklusterly cleaning. He shook his head.

He wasn't sure exactly what brought him there. An unsettling feeling. Since the seals of this school were made by him, he suspected there were some shenanigans going on. What, he could not say, but he intended to find out.

~*~

Dayuu slipped into the Shadow Ninja Academy with surprising ease. Unfortunately, she was not strong enough to break the seals that contained the five warriors. She was only power enough to bypass them. This slightly annoyed her.

She met the Shadow Ninjas in an inner room of the main building. Others would have been, but she was not surprised when the five of them seemed to shimmer from the shadows.

"Did you bring it?" Butah asked immediately as she took up position.

Dayuu was very aware she was being surrounded. She smirked slightly. "I have it," she said and produced the container. "Remember what we discussed, Lothor. You have your minions, you have you're freedom. Do what you will with your vengeance, just remember your promises. Your freedom for theirs. Destroy the Rangers. I did everything but write them an engraved invitation, after all. However, you will leave Lord Shiba alive and able to speak," she said to him.

She addressed the others now. "That goes for the rest of you. Do what you will with the other Samurai, but Lord Shiba will provide answers for -my- Lord Doukoku," she said.

As one, the five generals bowed to her. "We agree," they said in unison.

Dayuu smashed the container against the floor. The container shattered. In a whirl of purplish energy, Lothor grew to full size. Unfortunately he was covered in slippery ooze. This did not deter him from grinning. "It's show time!" he crowed and black and purple energy cracked and sparked around him, growing and expanding.

~*~

Sanzu River

Doukoku had awakened in a bad mood and was shouting at shootari as he gulped Essence. "Where is Dayuu?" he demanded, grabbing him by the tentacles.

"I don't know, Doukoku. I swear. She has been keeping her own council lately. She does not confide in me," he said, eagerly throwing her under his lord's wrath.

Doukoku's wrath was not swayed away from shootari, however. "Find her and bring her back," he ordered with a deathly cold menace. He shoved the squat man away from him and poured himself some more essence. it was hard to remain under control without her shamisen playing to soothe him.

shootari bowed several times and scuffled through the hatch into the River. He refused to actually look for her. He knew she'd be back. She was nothing if not loyal to Doukoku.

~*~

The moment Lothor's power touched and broke his shields, Gray knew. Long before he saw the energy expanding. The bright purplish light hurt his eyes through the binoculars. He lowered them and squinted. "What the hell?" he said and ran to his bike. It was too urgent to even dial anyone. He jumped on and cranked up and headed toward the Wind Ninja Academy.

~*~

Tai and his retainers stood in front of a waterfall. "Behind here?" he asked Cam. He'd had Billie teleport the entire entourage to the location specified by Cam and now they were waiting to be let in.

Cam gave a smile and held out a hand. The illusion of a waterfall rippled. "Please," he said. Giggling, Marah and Kapri went in first.

Daiki looked at it dubiously but stepped through at Tai nod for him to go on. The site that met him was spectacular. A large yard surrounded a large Japanese style temple. People in ninja attire milled around. Some stopped when they saw him. More people stopped and stared as Kiari and Rena followed looking awed as well. Lani came in and glanced around. In her estimation, the Studio was just as impressive, just in a more sprawling sort of way.

Kane, Tai and Leatrix were last followed by Cam.

The assemblage of gawking students and staff began to part and Kanoi Watanabe approached them. Trailing behind the headmaster were four other figures, all in instructors robes. A tall, large young man with Polynesian features wore the robe of a Wind Element instructor. A shorter, leaner dark haired young man wore the robes of an Earth Element instructor. A petite blond with long blond hair wore the robes of a Water Element instructor. Kyousuke Singuji also in Water Element robes was the last.

Both groups bowed to each other respectfully. Dustin Brooks automatically slipped an arm around Marah when she approached him.

"Kanoi. It is good to see you again," Tai said respectfully to Grandpa's nephew. "Grandpa said that he will be here later today for a visit. He, uh, refuses to be teleported," he explained.

Kanoi chuckled. "I do not blame him. You are looking well, Tai, or I should say, Lord Shiba," he said. He got down on his knees and gave him a formal bow, his head resting on his hands in front of him. "I pledge the services of this Wind Academy to the 18th Lord of the Shiba Clan," he said in a very formal way.

Shane Clarke and Tori Bradley took the same position. Marah had to poke Dustin in the ribs to remind him he should be doing the same. Neither she nor Kapri followed suit, but when Cam and Kyousuke followed suit, the on looking staff and students did the same until a flabbergasted Tai was looking at a sea of bowed figures.

Lani stepped up beside her and squeezed his hand.

"You can add the Fire Ninja Academy in that as well," Three other figures arrived. Only one of them wore instructor's robes. Another petite blonde, though her hair was shorter and edgier. She got down on her knees. The younger people behind her; a fair haired young man and a red headed girl; knelt as well.

"And the Thunder Ninja Academy," Four more figures seemed to come out of nowhere. A man in instructor's robes, two younger men; a Polynesian featured man and a slim Latino; and a short Latina followed suit.

Tai cleared his throat. He bowed to them all. "I honor your allegiance by bestowing my own and my promise of protection," he said solemnly.

Kanoi got to his feet. "Well met," he said with a smile. He looked at Hunter Bradley and Michaela Hanson. "When--"

"Taylor Hicks can't hold water," Mikey answered as she got to her feet.

"Indeed he cannot," Hunter agreed with a slight smile.

"I can if I want to," Taylor said he came up behind the group of Samurai. "Actually, I think it was someone's little green laptop telling tales," he said and looked pointedly at Kane.

Tai cocked his head at Kane, who he knew had a green laptop. Before he could say anything more, yet another young man ran into the yard. He skidded to a stop, looking momentarily confused at the assemblage of strangers and the presence of Fire and Thunder Ninjas.

Cam put a hand out to steady Gray. "What is it?" he asked.

Tai felt tightness at the base of his skull. Whatever this guy had to say, he knew it wasn't going to be pleasant.

"The Generals have found a way to escape the Shadow Academy and whoever let them out was more powerful than the five of them combined," he said gravely.

Kane felt the cold hand of dread crawl down his spine. He closed his eyes waiting to see who would say what everyone was thinking. He opened his eyes when he felt someone touch his arm. When he saw Kiari giving him a faint smile, he had to smile back. He cleared his throat. "So the old man is free and teaming up with those weirdoes. Fun times," he said and clasped his hands together.

Tai gave him a faint nod.

"Gray!" Ally came through to the yard with a tall brunette with short hair. She ran over and hugged him. "What's going on?" she demanded.

"We're gettin' the band back together," Tay announced. "Right Sensei?" he asked Kanoi respectfully.

"Follow me," Kanoi said and lead a rather large contingent of people down into the depths of the academy to a place known as Ninja Ops. It was a state of the art computer room.

Rena gave a whistle. "Sweet set-up," she declared, still so very thrilled at being able to be a part of this world.

Tay grinned. "Yeah, awesome, right?" he said. Suddenly speechless she just nodded.

"Billie would have a field day in here," Lani remarked.

"Danny too," Tai chimed in.

Kanoi had Cam bring out the three Wind Morphers. He handed the red one to Tay, the blue one to Ally and the yellow one to Alex Roberts, the brunette who'd been with Ally when she arrived.

Rena huffed. Of coarse he was Power Ranger, too. She was surrounded by them, so why not the hot guy from out of town?

Hunter handed Thunder Morphers to Sam Callen, the large Samoan young man, Marley Bronte, the small Latina, and Drake Addley, the slim dark featured young man.

Mikey handed Fire Morphers to Reese Grayson and Chelsea Cartwright.

Sissy, who'd been working in Ninja Ops when they arrived, though she was aware of the situation, stepped forward to take the Samurai Tsunami Morpher.

Cam took the Samurai Cyclone Morpher in hand. Kane looked at it as well. They nodded as one. "Grayson. Since you had to use the power of Shadow Morpher to seal the Abyss of Evil, we agree that you would be the best person to use this," he said.

Surprised, amazed and oddly touched, Gray took the orb. He nodded. "I'll do you both proud," he assured them.

"So, Lothor and the Generals, huh?" Alex asked. She draped her arms over Kane and Tay's shoulders. "You guys ready to get down and dirty again?" she asked them. Kane gave a wan grin but Tay winked at her.

Cyber Cam popped up on a computer screen. "As touching as this is, and all, there's an army of Shadelings making for the Academy," he said and showed proof.

Tay moved away from Kane and Alex and approached Tai. They engaged in a quick, quiet conversation.

Kane shook his head. "Leader stuff," he said in a mock whisper to Alex that had her snickering.

Tai and Tay faced the group. "This is what we're going to do," Tai said and Tay gave a smile.

~*~

Hordes of Shadelings descended upon Stone Canyon. They created a barrier around six figures. The five Shadow Generals and Lothor. "Trust me, guys. Once I take over the Wind Academy, there will be scrolls aplenty to turn you all back to normal," he assured them. They were too skeptical to be hopeful, however, they knew that there was truth in his words about the scrolls.

Power Rangers began appearing. Samurai Blue appeared with Pink Samurai, Ninja Blue and HurricaneDragon. They pulled swords and began to make their way through the Shadelings.

"There will be monster somewhere in this," Pink Samurai told them. "The Generals never do -anything- without a monster," she added as she ducked a Shadeling's sword.

Samurai Blue nodded. As he fought off one Shadeling, another one materialized behind him. He turned to block, but he was fraction to slow. He was almost stabbed in the back except for person who had his back. "What did I tell you getting yourself killed before we have our battle," Saeko demanded of him.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded of her.

"Uncle and I were following Dayuu," she answered. She made a scoffing sound when more Shadelings came forward. "You guys are watery, right? Can't you do some fancy water tricks?" she said with exasperation.

Ally pulled out her Sonic Fin and used it on a Shadeling. "She's right," she said. "Forgive me for my ignorance, but do you have any control over the element?" she asked Samurai Blue.

Pink Samurai giggled. "Oh, Ally. Just watch," she said and whirled out of the way.

"Nii-san," Blue said to HurricaneDragon. "Dragon!" He shouted.

If nothing else, HurricaneDragon understood that. He pulled out the dragon shaped blaster.

Blue opened his belt and pulled out his Disc and slid it onto his sword and spun it. Blue energy swirled around it. "Dance of the Water Dragon!" He stepped forward with a Slash. HurricaneDragon and Ninja Blue fired their weapons at the same time.

A wall of water washed over the Shadelings and drug them away.

Samurai Gold tossed her darts and stopped a few of the Shadelings in their tracks. "This is as far as you go!" she said, reaching behind her and pulling her sword forward. Ninja Crimson and Ninja Indigo pulled out their Thunder Staffs. Ninja Navy brought out the Thunder blade.

There was a brief electric pause before the Shadelings rushed forward again. Samurai Gold sped through the first way, slashing at lighting before whirling away and sheathing her sword. The three Thunder Ninjas gaped for moment as Shadelings lit up and sparked, finally following away.

"Ok, that was freakin' cool," Ninja Navy declared. "I expect nothing less from someone else wearing Navy," he added.

Gold grinned even though he couldn't see it. She didn't have time to gloat for long because more Shadelings were coming.

They fended off a few more Shadelings. Ninjas Indigo and Crimson abandoned their Staffs and pulled out their Blasters. Gold reached into her belt and pulled out her Gold Disc and slid it onto her sword. "One Hundred Light Rays!" Instead of focusing her attack on a single target, she sped through one hundred Shadelings.

Samurai Green to admit, it felt sort of odd fighting besides both Alex and Kii and seeing someone else wearing his other Green Samurai suit. "You wear it well, Gray," he assured his friend.

Green Samurai looked over at him briefly and gave a nod. Saber in hand, he was working his way through the Shadelings, but there seemed no end to them. "Bastards must have been making them this whole time," he grumbled.

"I thought you were keeping an eye on them," Ninja Yellow said as she fought with her sword.

"I was!" Green Samurai said. He growled. "Super Samurai Mode!" He shed his vest and his helmet turned around. The suit amped up his strength and he went after the Shadelings with a vengeance.

Samurai Yellow was focused on her task as hacking through Shadelings. She almost jumped out of her skin when Ninja Yellow got her attention. "Another Yellow Earth girl, eh? That's so awesome," she commented. Frustrated with the Shadelings, she put her sword away. "Lion Hammer!" she called. The Lion Hammer appeared in her hands.

"shoot!" Samurai Green said and grabbed Samurai Yellow around the waist and pulled her out of the way just as Ninja Yellow brought her hammer to the ground. Large fissures of earth opened up, spitting chunks of earth and sucking down Shadelings.

Samurai Yellow gaped. "Oooh. That was brilliant!" she said.

"That was Alex showing off," Samurai Green and Green Samurai stated at the same time.

Samurai Green grinned. "Let's show her how it's really done," he suggested. Samurai Yellow nodded. They drew their Discs and slid them onto their Swords, spinning them. Yellow and Green swirled around them.

"Dance of Hungry Roots!"

"Dance of Rich Soil!"

They slashed forward. The earth before them lurched, almost in a wave, engulfing Shadelings. And Whatever Shadelings the earth missed, large roots whipping up out of the earth snatched and dragged down.

Samurais Red and Pink fell into a wall of Shadelings with Ninjas Red, Teal and Violet at their backs. They held Hidden Swords in hand. Ninja Red has a single sword while the two Fire Ninjas had two swords each.

After a moment of cutting through the thick of them, Ninja Red took up Samurai Pink's back. "All right, lady, let's show them what air can do," he suggested.

She had to grin a bit. "All right. I am curious to see this wall of air Kane is always complaining about," she said.

He nodded. She nodded. She took her Disc from her belt and slid it onto her Sword. She spun it and pink wind began to swirl around it. "Dance of a Thousand Wings!" She lashed forward. Instead of one single gust of wind, hard little of pockets of air blew Shadelings away. She spun away as Ninja Red spun forward.

He slashed his sword and a gust gale force wind cleared a path briefly so that they could see the six figures in the center. "Reese!" Ninja Red said when the hole filled up again.

Teal Ninja's helmet snapped open, revealing his face. "Dragon's Breath!" He put took a deep breath then blew out, a large plume of fire erupting from him. He was one of only three Fire Ninja in the US with the ability to master the Dragon's Breath technique.

Samurai looked at him, impressed. "All right. We've seen the best of air. We've seen the best of air. Wanna see what they both can do?" he asked innocently. All three Ninja looked at him with unseen yet identical quizzical expressions. Samurai Pink put her thumb up, showing her support.

He pulled out his Hidden Disc and slid it on to his Sword. He spun it and fire licked up the blade. "Dance of the Firebird!" He slashed forward at the same moment he released his Crane. A fiery phoenix took to the sky before diving down to wash over the Shadelings.

Around them, what remained of the Shadelings were either brought down or fled on some survival instinct.

The Five Generals and Lothor found themselves suddenly surrounded by Rangers.

Samurai Green and Green Samurai stepped toward them. Green Samurai demorphed and glared at the Generals. They glared back. "We let you live last time. You were allowed to stay in the Academy and to do almost anything you wanted there. Do not expect me to be so lenient this time," he warned them

Zstingerz hissed at him. "You want us to be grateful? You and your Grandfather did this to us! He made us like this and you expect us to live happily like this in a prison," she sneered.

Lothor sighed. "All you people do is whine, whine, whine," he said. He looked unimpressed by the Rangers surrounding him. "This time, I will win," he said, addressing his words to Ninja Red.

It was Samurai Green who answered. "No, no you won't," he said tightly.

Lothor just smirked. "Yes, I will," he said. A monster appeared. A nasty looking thing covered in boils and oil. "Oilslick will make sure of that," he said.

The monster laughed and produced an axe. He attacked at the same time as the Shadow Generals.
Zstingerz went for Gray's throat, but Ninja Blue hit her with a blast from her Sonic Fin.

Oilslick swung his axe at Samurai Green, hitting him across the shoulder. The other Samurai Rangers stepped up to fight him, except Samurai Pink, who hung back to observe the fight between the Ninja Rangers and the Shadow Generals.

"Lani," Samurai Red glanced over at her briefly.

"Remember Pua," she said. Red nodded.

Ninja Red was close enough to have heard. "Group them together!" he instructed his Ninjas. Falcore eyed him suspiciously. In all honestly, Falcore loathed Taylor Hicks because he represented all that he should have been.

Ninja Red made his Hawk Blaster appear and fired before the General could react.

Sharkita fighting Ninja Blue didn't have the benefit of being able to protect herself from a blast from the Sonic Fin. She stumbled back into Falcore.

Butah had a bone to pick with the Thunder Ninjas, but she was rusty. When Indigo Ninja used her Indigo Boomer on her, she couldn't dodge fast enough and was sent stumbling into Falcore and Sharkita.

Gurahol, as big and proficient as he was in earth techniques, he did not have a Lion Hammer. Lion Hammer's to the chest did not feel good.

Zstingerz had never been able to master the Dragon's Breath Technique. Neither was she able to dodge it. With singed wings, she fell into the heap of her comrades.

Meanwhile, the Rangers fought Oilslick were discovering that their weapons were sliding off his oily skin without affecting it. "What the hell is this?" Rena said in distaste as she got some of the oil on her hands and realized she couldn't maintain a grip on her sword.

"Some kind of ooze," Samurai Blue said in disgust and lost grip on his own Sword.

Samurai Red looked at Samurai Pink. "Now," he said and pulled out his Disc. She nodded and pulled out her Disc again as well.  "Everyone out of the way!" he called loudly.

They slipped their Discs onto their Swords and spun them. Flames licked up Samurai Red's blade. Pink wind swirled around Samurai Pink's blade.

Ninja Red ducked back. He slipped over to Samurai Gold and handed her a rather grungy looking bandana. "We'll use this to tie your sword to your hand," he said and proceeded to help her do just that.

"Dance of the Flame!" Samurai Red slashed forward. Whatever ooze the monster was covered with caught fire, burning it away.

"Dance of the Pure Winds!" Samurai Pink slashed forward. A blast of pink wind energy passed over the Shadow Generals. There was a pregnant pause as they looked confused. Suddenly the air around them lit up with a bright purple light that no one could looked directly at.

Samurai Gold nodded her thanks to Ninja Red and brought out her disc. She slid it onto her Sword. "One Hundred Light Rays!" she pushed forward. The ooze burned away from the monster, she was able to slash him one hundred times.

She jumped away, as he exploded in an array of golden light.

The two kinds of light explosions mixed briefly blinding them all.

~*~

Lothor casually walked toward the waterfall illusion. It was time he and his brother had it out once and for all and the control of the Wind Academy went to the rightful person. Him. He stepped through without difficulty. He was still a Watanabe and the illusion recognized him as such.

The yard was empty.

~*~

When the Rangers could see again, Samurai Green cursed. "He's gone!" he exclaimed. Before anyone could ask him to expound upon that, he teleported to the Academy yard, only to see that he was too late.

Lothor was already there.

He drew his sword. "I won't let you destroy this place!" he said firmly. He was absently surprised his hand was rock steady even as he held a sword on his own father.

Lothor laughed. "Out of the way," he said, dark energy swirling around him in preparation for battle. He didn't even flinch as more Rangers began appearing around him. Only one thing made him flinch.

The voice of his wife screaming at the top of her lungs as she charged forward. "Kiya! Stop it now. That is your son and you will not harm one hair on his head, is that understood? Kane, put down that sword! That is your father and will not harm a hair on his head, is that understood!" Leatrix stated.

Lothor reeled back. Leatrix was the only person who got away with calling him Kiya. That, however, is not what knocked him back. "Don't be ridiculous, Leatrix. Kane is not a Power Ranger," he denied.

Kane dropped his morph, but not his Sword. "I know perfectly well who he is. But Uncle has been more of a father to me than this man and I will not let him continue to destroy everything my Grandfather tried to build here," he said calmly, gazing at the man with eyes exactly like his.

"Kane. It can't be," Lothor said.

Leatrix popped him on the back of his head. "Yes, it's your son and you don't deserve to catch up with him. We're leaving now. We won't be coming back until you can act right and apologize to your brother," she said and pulled out her small spaceship.

Lothor rubbed the back of his head. "Now look here, Leatrix, I won't have any son of mine--"

"No you look here, Kiya. We're leaving, now," she stated and snapped her fingers. He disappeared in a burst of light.

Kane blinked a couple of times. He looked at his mother. She gave him a smile and lowered his sword arm for him. "I'm so proud of you, Kane," she said tearfully and kissed his forehead. She too disappeared in a bright burst of light. The small ship shot straight up into the air. He watched it until he could no longer even see a spec of it.

From an upper balcony where he stood with Tori, Shane, Hunter, Blake, Marah and Kapri, Dustin crossed his arms and frowned. "So...this whole time, to defeat Lothor all we really had to do was call his wife?" he asked.

Marah and Kapri shrugged. "Aunt Leatrix is a bit unpredictable," Marah said. Kapri nodded.

Kanoi entered the yard with Cam. He approached Kane. "I think you as another son," he said and put his hand on his shoulder.

Kane deflated slightly and had to sit down before he fell over. Kiari sat down beside him. Alex sat down on his other side. He smiled slightly. He wasn't so stupid as to not take the opportunity presented to him and leaned over to rest his head on Kiari's shoulder. Alex rolled her eyes at him and muttered, "Opportunist," at him.

Kanoi turned his attention on the five figures surrounded by his ninjas. Corey Falcone, Sachi Kaito, Bulan Thomas, Justine Garrett and Gary Hollis stood before him, shamefaced. "So, you were able to be returned to normal. You will be allowed to be guests here until we decide what's to be done with you," he said.

This was more than the five of them expected. They formally bowed. "Thank you, Sensei," they said as one.

With a nod, he gestured Cam forward to take care of them.

~*~

Juzou caught Dayuu leaving Blue Bay Harbor. "So you learned to attain your human form. Putting it to good use as well, I see," he said.

Dayuu jumped. She cleared her throat. "I do what I can to help Doukoku," she said. "Not that is any of your business. You are a stray. Go away and play with your sword," she said regally.

"Lord Shiba is my opponent. Until I face him in battle I will not allow you to destroy him," he said.

"I have no intention of destroying him," she said and pushed by him.

Juzou watched her go until he could no longer see her. He looked behind him as Saeko came up. "I should fight him soon before someone ends up killing him," she complained with a huff.

Juzou nodded. "My thoughts exactly," he agreed. "Come, let's go home," he said. She gladly nodded. They walked off as well.

~*~

Kane sat at the window in his old room at the Academy, looking over the yard. Kanoi, upon the arrival of Grandpa, had invited them all to spend the night. Grandpa took him up on it.

He knew he should be exhausted, but he just couldn't sleep.  He ran a hand through his hair and yawned. He turned when someone knocked tentatively on his door. He knew that knock. He walked over to allow Kiari entrance. "I don't think we have to do our lessons tonight," he said with a slight smile.

Kiari laughed a little. "I know. I was worried about you. Alex-san says you have not seen your father in a long time," she said unsurely.

He rolled his eyes. "Been talking to Alex, huh?" he said and chuckled. "Bet she's a wealth of information," he grumbled.

She nodded unsurely. "She is your friend," she said.

Kane grinned. "One of the best," he said. "And she's right. It's been six years or so. Before he decided to rule Earth. Not the best dad in the world, not the worst. We were never the typical sort of family, but I will do anything to protect Uncle Kanoi, Cam and this place, I will. Even if that means facing my own father. Same goes for Tai and the Studio," he added.

Kiari nodded and gazed at him a long moment. How could her heart not trip over when he said things like that with that rare intense look on his face? She stepped forward and touched his arm.

He looked down at her hand on his arm then glanced at her. "Maybe you should go now, Kii. Now is not the right time for what's about to happen if you stay," he said quietly.

She looked up him in confusion but she nodded, sensing that he was right. "Good night, Kane. I hope you can sleep well," she said and let herself out.

Kane sighed. He went back to looking pensively out over the yard. Yeah, he hoped he could sleep ever again, too.

~*The End Act: 14*~           

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