Chapter 32 - Ultimate Resolve

Sanzu River

Stroking his tentacles, shootari glared at Akumaro as he arrived back on the Rokumon Junk. He'd been banished from Doukoku's sight some days earlier. He didn't mind. He'd been doing work. He cocked his head at shootari. "Yes?" he asked.

"What are you up to?" shootari demanded and jabbed a finger at the maps on the table before him.

Dayuu was listening to them from where she played her shamisen. Lord Doukoku was in his cabin resting after an episode earlier.

"It's just as well I tell you. Both of you," he said easily. "You've seen it yourself haven't you, shootari," he wheedled.

"A Devil's Triangle," shootari agreed, nodding.

"What's a Devil's Triangle?" Dayuu asked suspiciously.

"It's a convergence of three points of power. The Rokumon Junk is heading for one now," Akumaro beckoned her over to the map. She came, curious despite herself. "Passing between the Citadel of Chaos on the starboard shore, ruins so old no one even knows what they were meant for anymore, and Mountain of Eternal Sorrows on the port side. Ahead of us, Ikazuchi's Maw," he indicated each landmark.

Ikazuchi's Maw was a massive whirlpool that even bottom dwelling Ayakashi steered well clear of. No one knew where the whirlpool led. Navigating the Rokumon Junk around it every fifty or so years was always a tricky affair.

"How does that help us?" Dayuu demanded.

"Though the process has been slow, the Waters have been rising. The accumulation of human suffering has left weaknesses in the barrier separating the Sanzu River from the Human World. There are leaks everywhere now. If you recall, Akumaro has made attempts to create enough suffering in a single spot in order to gain a true foothold into their world," shootari explained.

"I recall him failing miserably," Dayuu said.

"Yes, but all is well," Akumaro said. "They are still two of the weakest spots in the barrier," he declared. He spread the map of Angel Grove and its surrounds on the table. "Here is where I kept the children from the summer camp. Here is where PowerCon was held," he indicated to spots on the map. "Here is where I have set up another wedge," he said.

Dayuu could clearly see the triangle. "I do see the Mountain and the Citadel connections, but the Maw escapes me," she admitted.

"You'll see. I fully expect your participation in my plan," Akumaro said dismissively. "It matters not, the center of the triangle is what will ultimately matter," he said.

"Angel Grove Park," Dayuu said, nodding. Ayakashi attacked park patrons on many occasions. "It must be terribly weak by now," she said thoughtfully.

"Yes. The Rokumon Junk will be passing in the epicenter in less than two weeks. That's when we must make the ultimate sacrifice," he said and eyed the two of them seriously.

Both shootari and Dayuu balked. "You've got to be kidding me," Dayuu denied flatly.

"Surely other Ayakashi--" shootari's protest was lost at the sudden roar erupting from Doukoku's cabin. The ship shook so hard support beams creaked. The river itself pitched and rolled. The three of them were tossed around and crashed into each other.

After several minutes the shaking stopped. They were sprawled on the floor in the ensuing silence. "What do you need me to do?" Dayuu finally asked.

"I hope we survive another two weeks," shootari said grimly.

Akumaro's grin widened. "Even if we aren't there to enjoy it, the Waters of the Sanzu River will engulf the Human World," he declared triumphantly.

~*~

The Youth Center in Angel Grove rattled. Saeko reached out to steady her diet soda that threatened to overturn on her study materials. Across from her in the booth, Rena raised her eyebrows as Winter covered his ears for a moment.

"Those are getting more frequent," Saeko said with a frown.

"Poor Win must be worried sick about his windows," Rena couldn't help remarking. She took a slurp of her smoothie.

"Last time we had to replace the windows, we decided to see how shatterproof glass stood up against monsters," Winter said as he delivered a plate of chili-cheese fries to their table. "So far so good," he said and eyed his windows warily.

Rena snorted. "What was with the ear thing?" she asked.

Saeko glanced up from her practice test booklet for the answer as well. She'd learned Winter had exceptional hearing due to an experiment done on him while he was a prisoner of the evil beings from the Moon. Maybe there was something to tell Tai.

Winter was a quiet a moment. He shook his head. "Under the noise of the entire city rattling, I could have sworn I heard a scream," he admitted.

Rena and Saeko shared a look. That was definitely interesting. Rena jumped when her text alert went off. He took out her Phone and checked it. She made a face at it. "Ok, chica, it's my turn to help Daiki scour the Library," she said and took a fry as she slid out of the booth.

Saeko made a disgruntled face.

"Hey, you have a test to study for so don't pull your lip at me. You'll be fine," she said and with a jaunty wave, left the Youth Center.

"Test?" Winter queried.

"G.E.D." Saeko answered glumly.

He nodded. "I'll leave you to you studying then," he said and went to where his two younger sisters, Spring and Summer (working for him to make extra money during the summer), were giggling madly over something instead of doing their jobs. Some things, it seemed, never changed.

Saeko looked blankly at the worksheet before her. Daiki felt she was ready. She had her doubts. In frustration she closed the booklet and scrubbed her hands through her hair. She was also annoyed that she was rarely asked to help Daiki in the Library. She could fetch and carry as well as the next person.

She glanced up when she felt she was being watched. She narrowed her eyes and turned her head questioningly. Her surveyor was a tall, podgy guy with thick glasses who'd been eating hamburgers in the booth across from hers.

He gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry. Couldn't help overhearing. Don't be so hard on yourself," he said.

"Excuse me? What do you know about it?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I understand the pressure other people put on you. My boss is breathing down my neck to do my best. The trick is, not to let it get to you. Take a step back, take a minute, screw you're head on straight. Don't put the pressure on yourself," he explained. "Speaking of my boss, he's a monster when he's ticked," he said and left the Youth Center.

Saeko grunted but she had to admit, she was the one stressing out. Everyone else seemed to think she'd do fine, even Daiki. She knew, somewhere inside, that Daiki wouldn't have recommended she take the test if he weren't sure she'd do well.

Her resolve once again firm, she munched on a few fries and opened her booklet back up. She began working on the questions once more.

~*~

Tai was talking to Billie in his study when the tremor hit. "That's getting annoying," he declared. "How bad was it?" he asked her screen.

Billie turned away from the screen for a moment. "That's the worst one yet," she answered. "The reason I needed to talk with you is because we've been getting reports from hospitals in the area. People have been admitted over the last few days to get their stomachs pumped for overeating. Reports are that even after this has happened, the patients continue to be ravenous to the point of having to be sedated," she explained. "Doctors are stumped."

"We can safely assume that's not something within the normal medical purview?" Tai asked.

"That's a given. The one thing most of these patients have in common is that they were found in or near the Valerian Complex. A large percentage was patients at the Valerian Weight Loss and Eating Disorder Clinic," she said.

Tai leaned back in his chair. "Where's everyone right now?" he asked her.

"Daiki, Rena and Kiari are in the Library, Saeko's at the Youth Center. Lani, Rex and Kane are around the Studio," she explained.

Tai nodded. "Have Lani and Rex meet Saeko at the Youth Center. From there they can head to the Valerian Clinic and check things out for themselves. They can say Rex is binge eating," he said with a slight smile.

"Oh, so we're going with the truth are we?" Billie remarked dryly. "Since when did I become your secretary?" she demanded.

"Do you want to go over these resumes and hire a completely new teaching staff for the Studio?" he asked her.

"No, sir, Mr. Stapleton. I'll contact Lani, Rex and Saeko now," she said and her screen went dark.

Tai sighed. He knew the quiet from the Sanzu River the past few days was a bad sign. He wondered what they were up to now.

~*~

Saeko entered the Valerian Weight Loss and Eating Disorder Clinic with Lani and Rex. She was glad of something to do beside study and do practice tests.

"Tell me again, why I have to be the patient," Rex said sourly.

"Because you're the overachieving, Mr. Perfect slash martial artist slash-slash-slash," Lani answered him with a small grin.

"Even I'm surprised you aren't a basket case," Saeko said.

"It helps that I don't compete anymore," Rex answered. "Besides, I'm Destiny Boy. I can't afford to be a basket case," he added with a grin.

They headed toward the receptionist, noticing the people in the waiting room. Everyone seemed normal. Saeko stood while Lani and Rex went to speak with the busy looking woman behind the desk. She turned slightly went she saw that guy from the Youth Center dressed in white enter a room with a patient.

She thought it was rather odd for such a big fellow to work in a place where the emphasis is on losing weight and eating right. Because she just happened to be facing that way, she saw a woman in a white coat exit another room. If she hadn't recognized the guy, she would probably have never seen the attractive Asian woman dressed as a doctor.

"Dayuu," she said out loud. "Dayuu!" she shouted.

Dayuu stopped in her tracks and looked up. She made a face and took off running toward the emergency exit. Saeko ran after her. Noticing the commotion, Lani and Rex excused themselves and followed them.

Dayuu opened the exit and ran outside. Saeko, Rex and Lani were right behind her. Dayuu ran only a short distance before she stopped and turned around, transforming to her Gedou form. "Nanashi Company!" she called. Nanashi seeped out of the cracks.

"Whatever you think you know, Rangers, you don't," Dayuu informed them smugly. "Good bye," she called and waved her fingers at them. She disappeared into the cracks leaving the Nanashi to face the Rangers.

Rex flipped out his Morpher in Phone-mode. "Guys, we need back-up," he said into it. He converted it to Pen-mode. "Samurai Sword Clash!" He said and drew his Character in the air. He pressed the red button. It flipped around and enveloped him, forming his morph suit, his helmet and two Swords crossed over his back.

Saeko and Lani flipped out their Morphers as well. They drew their Characters in the air and activated them. They flipped around and enveloped them, forming their morph suits, helmets and Swords.

Samurai Silver drew his two Swords and dove into the thick of the Nanashi. He put his Swords together and pulled his Hidden Disc from his belt. He slid the Disc on the hilts and sent the Disc spinning. "Dancing Bat Wings!" He slashed in a circular motion. Silver and black energy whirled about and created hundred of spinning bat wing shaped metal slivers. They whizzed through the air, slicing through Nanashi.

Samurai Pink drew her Sword. She pulled her Disc from her belt and slid it on the hilt of her Sword. She spun the Disc. "Heaven's Gale Dance!" She slashed her sword. Gale force pink winds literally blew her enemies away.

Samurai White drew her Sword, reached into her belt and pulled out her Hidden Disc. She slipped it onto her Sword's hilt and spun it. Flames began dancing around her blade. "Dancing Phoenix!" She swung her blade. A vaguely bird-shaped blast of fire sprang forth to envelope the encroaching Nanashi.

Though they cleared the majority of the Nanashi, they came together, back-to-back-to-back and couldn't help but notice there were more than they realized.

"I get the feeling that Dayuu is trying to keep from finding something out," Silver remarked as the remaining Nanashi circled them.

"Ya think?" White said.

"Well, there's no choice but to go to it," Pink said and reached into her belt for her Falcon Disc.

"Ahem. You guys forget about us?"

There was momentary confusion as the Nanashi realized they were also surrounded by the other Samurai Rangers. Then they attacked.

Samurai Green, the speaker, pulled the Beetle Disc from his belt. He slid it onto his Sword and spun it. Greenish-orange energy circled his blade. "Ravenous Dancing Roots!" he slashed forward. Roots burst up through the concrete surrounding them. He jumped over a certain area and spun around mid-air in several places. The roots wrapped around several Nanashi at a time and sucked them down below the earth.

He winced when he landed. "I hope they have insurance," he said with a grimace at the damage to the city pavement.

Samurai Yellow pulled her Fox Disc from her belt. She slid it onto her Sword and spun it. Dark yellowish energy swirled around her blade. "Fox Dust Storm Dance!" She jumped around, slashing her Sword toward Nanashi. Though comprised of dust and dirt, forms of giant fox heads with gaping mouth devoured Nanashi before fading away into dust once more.

Samurai Blue pulled his Swordfish Disc from his belt and gave it a spin. "Dancing Crystal Clear Rains!" He slashed his Sword in an upper cut motion. A crystal pool of water formed above and around him. He came back with a downward slash. The water hardened into dense crystals that fell around him, slicing Nanashi to shreds before hitting the ground as harmless water droplets.

Samurai Gold looked around. She drew her Sword and pulled out her Hidden Disc. She slid it onto the Sword and spun it. Lightning crackled around her. "Supreme Thunder Dance!" She stuck the tip of her Sword to the ground. Lightning exploded from her in a brilliant display of dancing arcs.

Samurai Red reached into his belt and pulled out the Tiger Disc. He didn't need to bring out the big guns for a few Nanashi. Besides it'd been awhile since he used the Disc and he had new technique he wanted to try out. He slid the Disc onto his Sword and spun it. Flames licked up his blade. "Dance of Flame's Fury!" He slashed in a motion that was almost like swinging a baseball bat. A funnel of fire formed and the heat was mighty. It swirled around engulfing Nanashi as it went before finally dissipating.

He propped his Sword on his shoulder. "Well, what happened?" he demanded of the three failed spies.

"We were made. Dayuu was there. No sign of an Ayakashi but if she was there..." Silver trailed off.

Red nodded. "We'll keep an eye on it," he said. "Let's go," he said. He paused and eyed the damage they caused. "Remind me to make a sizable donation to the Monster Relief Fund," he said with a grimace. That said, he teleported out. The others followed.

~*~

They took turns, with Billie's help, keeping an eye on the clinic but without storming the place, they couldn't seem to identify the Ayakashi behind the ravenous humans. Dayuu hadn't reappeared. There were more and more ravenous cases everyday.

Through it all, Saeko had to prepare for her test. "I'm supposed to do well on this test with an unknown Ayakashi running around out there?" she demanded of Daiki as he graded the practice test she'd just completed.

"Yes," Daiki answered without glancing up at her.

Saeko grunted and took of drink of her diet coke. They sat in the Youth Center. Daiki was done with his classes for the day and she'd finished her turn watching the Clinic so they'd met there so he could administer the test.

She was getting sick of him and his tests. She glared at him the entire time was grading.

"If you think staring at me is somehow intimidating, you're wrong," he declared, finally looking up at her. "Congratulations you passed again. Quit being a pessimist," he said and handed the practice test booklet back to her.

"Looks who's talking," she grumbled.

"I am a realist. There is a difference," he declared with a slightly superior smirk. She rolled her eyes, but she was glad she got a good score on her practice test.

"This was the last one. Take a break before the actual test," he said. He glanced up when a shadow loomed over their booth. "Yes?" he asked, raising a brow at the interloper.

Saeko glanced up to see the guy from the other day. She frowned slightly.

"What's this? Who's this?" he demanded.

"I beg your pardon?" Daiki queried.

Saeko frowned even more. "Look, you, what's your thing with sticking your nose in my business?" she asked and got to her feet. He towered over her, but she was far from intimidated.

Sensing trouble Daiki got to his feet as well. he wasn't sure what was going on here. He mildly surprised to see that the guy was also taller than he was. Generally only Tai towered over him.

"Is it because I'm a big eater? I can't help it. I have thirteen mouths to feed," the man said and dashed out of the Youth Center.

There was a silence. "Did he just say thirteen mouths?" Daiki asked.

"You know I did see him at the Clinic," Saeko said quietly. She frowned and ran out the door. He ran fast for a big guy. She didn't spot him anywhere, but she had an idea where he was headed.

Daiki was right behind her.

"Hey, you!" Saeko shouted when she spotted him in the Valerian Complex. "Ayakashi!" she accused.

Sunasusuri stopped and spun around. "Looks like the jig is up," he said and transformed into a red Ayakashi with blue tentacles, thirteen mouths and a long blue protuberance. "I'll just make as many humans feel the way I feel as I can!" he shouted gleefully and began to shoot some kind of black sand out of protuberance as fleeing screaming people. When the sand hit them, they stopped in their tracks and began to find anything edible they could stuff in their mouths.

Daiki flipped out his Morpher in Phone-mode. He contacted everyone. "We found our Ayakashi," he said.

"We're on our way," Tai responded.

Saeko flipped out her Morpher in Pen-mode and Daiki converted his to Pen-mode. "Samurai Sword Clash!" she called. They drew their Characters in the air and activated them. They flipped around, enveloping them, forming morph suits, helmets and Swords.

Sunasusuri produced a weapon of his own. To Samurai White, it looked like a big butter knife made of bone platelets. Samurai white drew her Sword. "Look, you, just because you have thirteen mouths doesn't mean you have to make everyone feel bad. So, yeah, morality speech: check," she said. She rushed forward and jumped, coming down with a slash. Sunasusuri only just had time to block. She landed and the two of them traded blows.

Samurai Blue had a moment to admire her form. She'd improved drastically under a strict training routine. He, however, sprang into action when Sunasusuri stepped back a few paces to suck in a breath. He knocked her out of the way as black sand flew over their heads.

"Nanashi!" Sunasusuri called and the foot soldiers of the Sanzu River began appearing from the cracks.

The Rangers rolled to their feet as the others appeared around them.

Three people strolled up behind Sunasusuri. Dayuu and Akumaro in their human forms and someone they didn't recognize. He was a shorter, stockier man with long dreads, a frizzy goatee, and sharp framed glasses in a plaid shirt, khakis, a bow tie, and a white lab coat. "You're too late, Rangers. Even if you win this battle, you've already lost the war," he stated. "Sunasusuri, we'll leave things to you."

"Yes, shootari," Sunasusuri said.

"Oh, I get it. Tentacle face--"

"Tentacle head!" Gold finished Green's statement for him. He gave a thumbs-up and nodded.

shootari's face darkened. "Nanashi! Attack!" he ordered. He didn't like this human form thing to begin with. He wasn't about to let them make fun of him.

The Nanashi surged forward to attack the Rangers.

"Enough suffering was inflicted here to create the wedge we needed. We'll retire now to plan our next move. It doesn't matter if they defeat Sunasusuri or not," Akumaro said.

Dayuu raised a brow. "You care even less for the Ayakashi than I do," she said.

"I would give my life to see the Waters of the Sanzu River flood this world. I expect no less from any Ayakashi," he said coldly. He returned to his true form before disappearing into the cracks. Dayuu snorted. shootari rubbed his beard. They too returned to their true forms before returning to the Sanzu River.

Instead of forging ahead, Samurai Blue jumped back out of the way. He pulled his Swordfish Disc from his belt, slid it onto his sword and spun it. "Water Arrow!" He pulled out his Morpher in Pen-mode and drew a Character in front of him and activated it. It was the Multiply Character. He drew back his Water Arrow and let it fly. As it passed through the Character, it multiplied into several arrows that spread out, spearing Nanashi.

"Amazing technique Dai-kun!" Yellow called to him, impressed with his ingenuity.

"It was all right," White and Green said at the same time.

Yellow grinned behind her helmet. "I'll try it, too!" she declared. She flipped her Morpher out in Pen-mode and drew the Multiply Character and activated it. She pulled the Fox Disc from her belt, slid it onto her Sword and spun it. "Fox Claws!" When the weapons formed around her hands, she jumped through the Character. Several Yellow Rangers appeared on the other side. "Spinning Foxes!" The multiple Yellow Rangers used a variant of her Spinning Monkeys technique. She found it a bit more devastating with the wicked Claws.

"Multiple Kiis. That's both super hot and a bit troubling," Green remarked to no one in particular. He braced himself but glanced around, realizing everyone else was too occupied to smack him. He smacked himself on his helmet with his Sword. "Bad, Kane," he scolded. That taken care of he decided to use the Multiple Character himself. He pulled the Beetle Disc from his belt, slid it onto his Sword and spun it. "Wood Spear!" He flipped his Morpher out in Pen-mode. He drew the Multiply Character. He made the blade of his Wood Spear pop out then thrust it through the Character. The head detached and multiplied, and arched overhead then dropped like missiles, hitting Nanashi hard. The original head returned to him.

Samurai Pink eschewed any fancy Characters. She stuck to the tried and true. She pulled the Falcon Disc out of her belt, slid it on to her Sword and spun it. "Raptor Wings!" She jumped and came down spinning, spreading the Raptor Wings. She bounced from Nanashi to Nanashi like a pinball. She came to a halt with the Wings spread out, a path of destruction behind her.

Gold whistled under her breath. She drew her Sword and dashed around, slicing at Nanashi, leaving sparking gold slashes. She stopped, sheathed her sword then snapped her fingers as best she could with gloves on. Nanashi exploded in arcs of electricity. She smirked.

Silver made his way over to Red. "Hey, let's show these beasts why Team T-Rex can't be beaten and what super heated metal does to monster flesh," he suggested.

"Now that sounds like fun," he said. They bumped the sides of their fists together.

Red pulled the Tiger Disc from his belt. He slid it onto his Sword and spun it. Flames licked up the blade. "Dancing Wall of Fire!" He slashed his Sword in a wide arch, creating a curved wall of flames around them.

Silver placed the hilts of his Swords together and drew his Hidden Disc. He slid it onto his Swords and spun it.  "Dancing Bat Wings!" He slashed in a circular motion. Silver and black energy whirled about and created hundred of spinning bat wing shaped metal slivers. They whizzed through the air, passed through the wall of flame and came out the other size as molten globs of metal that splattered into any unfortunate Nanashi that happened to be in the way.

Samurai almost had a clear path to Sunasusuri.  She pulled her Hidden Disc from her belt, slid it on her Sword, and sent it spinning. "Giant Blazing 'Rang!" She threw it, putting her whole body behind it. "Tai. The box!" She demanded.

Red didn't argue with rather irate sister. He tossed her the Battlizer and Power Disc. She caught them. She opened the Battlizer and put the Power Disc inside. She closed it and held it up. "Samurai Sword Clash Power-up!"

Sunasusuri saw that she now had a clear path to him. "Oh, no you don't. You're a failure and I hope you fail your tests miserably!" He shouted at her and prepared to shoot sand at her.

She reached up and caught her 'Rang as it came back to her It converted back into a blade. She removed the Power Disc before clipping the box to it. She took out her Hidden Disc and placed it inside the box.

"Burning Mandala Dance!" She flicked her Sword at him seven times in rapid succession. Each time a ball of fire flew at him until a ring of fireballs encircled him. He spat sand at her. The eighth time she flicked her sword, a fireball incinerated the sand. It Kept going until it hit his protuberance. The seven other fireballs exploded around him, taking him with them.

In the smoking aftermath, Red approached her. "Nice technique," he said and meant it. To do something like that had to have taken much more control than he would have thought she was capable of. He was impressed.

She nodded. "It's not over yet."

He nodded. Sunasusuri roared as he grew into his second life. "You'll pay for this! You'll all pay!" he shouted as he attempted to stomp on them. They ran and jumped out of the way.

"Wow, petty much?" Gold said as he jumped out of the way and pulled Yellow with her.

"Saeko! Summon them. All of them!" Red shouted at her. He had a plan.

She cocked her head but gave it a shot.  "Power Disc! Samurai Origami Zords!" Every Zord in their arsenal appeared and grew into the full size. The Rangers, except Red and White, teleported to their primary Zords and spent time attacking Sunasusuri. He held his own, spitting sand at them. In his second life, it caused damage. He was also handy with his giant butter knife.

Red ran to White and pulled out his Morpher in Pen-mode. He drew an unusual Character.

White's eyes widened. "Activate it," he said.

"Power Disc! Ultimate True Combination! Activate!"

The Character, which said 'Ultimate True Combination', activated. The Zords came together. Lionzord, Turtlezord, Dragonzord, Bearzord and Monkeyzord formed the base body. Eaglezord and Falconzord attached to the back to form wings. Wolfzord formed a helmet and mantle. Foxzord formed a tail. Batzord formed a shield. Tigerzord, Swordfishzord and Beetlezord formed the Battlewing for the Megazord to ride on; the Squidzord attatched itself as a propeller for extra maneuverability. Finally, TyrannoZord combined with the Megasword to create a large menacing blade. "United Under Providence! Ultimate Samurai Megazord!"

White and Red teleported to the large cockpit.

"Ok, I have to say it. This awesome," Green declared.

"How did you know?" Yellow asked Red.

"That's easy. There was no way Billie, Danny and Holly would spend all that time and energy creating Zords that couldn't combine with the originals," Silver answered.

Sunasusuri snorted in disgust. "Is that supposed to intimidate me?" he demanded and spat sand at them.

The Megazord raised the shield and fended off the attack. The explosive force of the sand still rattled their bones. They traded sword slashes for a moment after that.

"It's time to see what this thing can really do," Red declared. "Saeko," he prompted.

She nodded. She pulled her Sword from the console in front of her. "Ultimate True," she drew a circle with her Sword. The Megazord drew a glowing a circle in front of it with the Ultimate Megazord. "Samurai Sword," She placed her Sword back into her console. The energy circle before the Megazord glowed in fifteen points. "Clash!" She pushed the Sword Forward. The point of the converged in the center and a massive beam of blinding energy shot into Sunasusuri. He attempted to block it with his butter knife but it was no match for the energy of fifteen Zords. He didn't even get to make a parting remark. He was simply disintegrated.

"Holy smoking cow pies," Green declared in awe.

"You can say that again," Blue found himself agreeing.

"Wow," Yellow said in a small voice.

Pink and Silver shared a look. "Holly," they said at once.

Gold found she was speechless.

Red clapped White on the shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

She nodded. "With that, this chapter is closed," she stated. "Good riddance," she sniffed. Everyone agreed.

~*~

Sanzu River

shootari, Dayuu and Akumaro were met returning to the [Rokumon Junk] by a very irate Doukoku. "I tire of all your failures!" he roared at them.

Dayuu came forward to place a hand on his arm. "My Lord, please be calm. What happened this day was no failure," she assured him.

He glared at her. "How exactly does the Power Rangers defeating yet another Ayakashi constitute a victory?" he asked with a snarl.

"I believe Akumaro can answer your questions, my Lord Doukoku," shootari intervened quickly.

Doukoku turned his glare on Akumaro. "Oh. Do tell, Akumaro. Do tell," he prompted.

Akumaro gave Doukoku a bow. "Of course, my Lord. Of course. Have a bottle of Essence while I tell you all about it," he said in a placating tone. It was time to tell Doukoku of the specifics of his plan. After all, it was all for him. And they'd need his power if it were to succeed.

Doukoku grabbed a bottle. "Play," he instructed Dayuu. He sat down and waited for Akumaro to do the same. While Dayuu played her shamisen, he listened to Akumaro's plan.

~*~

A few days later, they gathered in Tai's study. Billie was on the screen, looking more serious than cranky. That was not a good sign. "Well, the good news is, everyone that was affected by the Ayakashi is better now. Still suffering the effects of what and how much they ate, but for the most part fine. The original staff of the Clinic was found in their homes. They'd been told that it was closed due to a gas leak."

"That's the good news, huh?" Kane asked.

Billie shrugged. "You take what you can get. What troubles me is the silence now," she said. "There is no suspicious activity of any sort. No Sanzu River energy patterns have been detected except for a couple of new leaks. Nothing," she said flatly.

"That's bad news?" Rena asked.

"Use your head, Rat. Do you think just because we have a super powered Zord combination, we've scared them so badly they decided to give up the fight?" Rex asked.

She made a face. He was right.

"Besides, the tremors are getting more frequent. Something big is about to happen. Both Lammy and Winter now attest to hearing the screaming when it happens," Tai said and rubbed his chin.

"And shootari said it himself. Just because we won the battle didn't mean we've won the war. They are up to something," Saeko said.

"In all of Grandfather's teachings of the battles between the Shiba's and the Gedoushu, I have never heard of such things. After a period of years, they would simply stop coming through the cracks for another period of years," Kii said quietly.

Daiki nodded. "It was believed that it had to do with cosmic influences. Something gives them enough power to come through the cracks. Eventually, unable to raise the Waters high enough, they stop being able to come through for a time. That changed when you became Lord," he told Tai.

"Hikomi-san said they'd break free whether I became Lord or not," Tai said. He'd actually been briefed on all this by Hikomi-san from the start.

"It might be us. Humans I mean. Our world is more populated now than it has ever been, especially compared to ancient times. More people means more sorrow and pain," Lani said.

"Well, whatever the cause is, it's happening and we have to stop it," Tai said.

Billie frowned a moment and leaned out of the screen for a few minutes. "That was weird," she muttered. "There was a temporal spike," she said.

"Is this a thing we should be worried about?" Tai asked.

"Not sure. I'll send you the coordinates to the general area but it may be nothing to do with Ayakashi and Gedoushu," she said. "One more thing before I go. Saeko. I hacked the result center for your test. You passed. You have a near perfect score. That should get you into any college you want coupled with your ACT and SAT Scores," she said.

Saeko blinked. She nodded. "Thank you," she said.

Billie nodded. Her screen went blank.

There was a round of congratulations heaped upon her, making her feel antsy. She didn't like being the center of attention.

"Ok, people. Rex, Lani and I will go check out that temporal spike. The rest of you, take a break," he said and got his feet.

Saeko got out the study as soon as she could. She settled onto an old tire swing in the back yard. She made a face as her peace was interrupted. "Doesn't the fact that I came all the way out here in the opposite direction as everyone else signify that I want to be left alone?" she asked.

"Hmm. Yes, but I chose to ignore the significance," Daiki answered. "You don't seem very happy about your results," he stated.

"It's not that," she said. "I'm glad. I just, it still doesn't seem real sometimes that this is my life now," she stated.

He nodded and put his hands in pockets. "Well, I know it's a big day for us both. I have nothing left to teach you. I am no long your teacher. In education or Bushido," he said.

She looked up at him. "What?"

"Not long ago you never would have had the patience or the self control to do that mandala technique. You've come a long way in a short time. You don't need me as a teacher anymore," he said.

Saeko hopped off the tire swing and dusted off her bottom. "Well, then, I guess I'll just have get into the Language Department at Angel Grove University, won't I?" she quipped and walked back inside the house, leaving Daiki gaping after her. She smirked. He was an idiot if he thought he could be rid of her that easily.

~*End Act 32*~           

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