Cinder puts her Beast Batteries into their charging station as she explains to Torin, and Shadow what happened. Since the other rangers are here she still has on her Ranger form.
Ramerez looks crestfallen, staring at the ground.
Cinder puts a hand on his shoulder, "Fear not warrior, Ankydon will be saved."
He looks up at her, and forces a smile. "Thank you, Miss Red."
She kneels beside him, "Hiding pain does not make you stronger, facing it does, so that next time life will have to try much harder to hurt you."
He blinks before thinking about it. He slowly smiles and stands. "Thanks, Miss Red. You're right, it does nothing to sit here feeling bad."
"That's the spirit," she says, and slugs him in the arm.
He smiles happily. "So how will we look for Ankydon?"
Cinder looks to Shadow, "No doubt our enemies will attempt to use Ankydon against us. They'll either lead us to him, our deliver him to us when next we meet them."
"Agreed. For now, just go about your lives. I'll alert you if Ankydon comes back." Shadow says.
Cinder nods, and goes to the charging station to collect a few batteries, "We still don't know what a lot of these will do. I suggest we test them."
"That's a good idea. It would be great to figure out what does what, and what doesn't... what... wait, what?" Ramerez blinks, confused.
Cinder politely pretends she hadn't heard him make a fool of himself. "Rangers, would any of you care to join the testing?"
"I guess. I don't mind using my shield as a tester." Ethan smiles.
"I'll help record it." Conner volunteers.
Cinder nods, "Then let's head out, I know a rock quarry where we will not be disturbed."
Ramerez asks, "Can I come watch?"
Cinder nods, "I don't see why not, unless Torin or Shadow need you."
Torin seems to hesitate. "No, he can go with you."
Cinder nods, and gets on the portal, "All aboard."
Ethan, Conner, Kira, and Ramerez join her.
Cinder draws her gun, and points it at the emblem at their feet.
FLASH!
They appear close to the quarry, and Ethan steps off, looking around. "Hm, pretty cool."
Conner clears his throat, "Hey... That Spike guy the got hit by Ankydon... Is he...?"
"When he was eight he was bit by a speeding firetruck," Cinder says simply. "At least so I've heard. He should be fine."
"We can't get sued for that, right?" Ethan tilts his head.
"...no..."
"Good." He sighs with relief. "Well, let's try these things! Armed On!" He gets his shield and walks into the quarry.
Cinder pulls a random battery, and tosses it to Conner. "You're the least likely to hit him by mistake."
Conner nods, and activates the battery. "Brave In!" He puts it in.
Cinder takes a wide step back to give them both space.
Conner spins the barrel. "Fire!" He pulls the trigger.
A stream of fire comes from the barrel, and Ethan yelps, ducking behind his shield.
Cinder crosses her arms, "Which battery was that?"
"Fourteen, Allomerus." Conner checks.
"How many do we even have to test," Ethan wonders out loud.
"If I remember correctly, eleven." Ramerez recalls.
Cinder nods with a sigh, "Did anyone remember to bring pen, and paper?"
"I'm just texting it to Mina." Conner says, holding up his Dino Buckler.
Cinder picks up another, "How are you feeling?"
"A little toasty." He says, wiping soot off his helmet.
Cinder switches places with Conner, "Are you prepared for another test?"
He stretches his arms before nodding. "Ready!" He braces himself again.
She aims, and shoots... Then doubles over laughing as Ethan turns into a huge bouncing ball.
"Ah! What the hell?!" Ethan shouts.
"Looks like you're having a ball!" Ramerez laughs.
"H-How," Cinder gasps as she pulls out the battery from her gun. "How do you feel Blue?"
"I feel as light as air, and as fat as Santa Claus after Christmas." Ethan scowls, turning back to normal and landing in a tuck and roll.
Conner texts Mina the info. "My turn." He pulls out a yellow battery marked eleven. "Brave in!"
Ethan gulps and braces himself, holding out his shield.
Vamola! Deinochaser!
"Fire!" Conner pulls the trigger.
Ethan yelps as he gets ran over by a motorcycle comprised of two small Zords, one black and one yellow, that had come and bit into the battery to form the bike.
Cinder sighs, and walks over to support Ethan with his arm over her shoulder. "Tell you what, why don't you let me use the shield while you rest?"
"...Okay..." Ethan groans happily, handing her the shield.
Conner sends the data before pulling out another battery. "Ready for this one, Red?"
She draws a her gun, "Armed On!" With her Tyranno Fist in one hand, and the shield in another she nods to Conner before taking a wide stance.
"Brave In!" He says, activating the battery and loading it in.
Gaburincho! Archenolon!
He spins the barrels and fires it at her.
She lowers herself to a crouch, holding out the shield.
The beam strikes the shield, and immediately, the gravity around her intensifies greatly.
"OOF!" Cinder is forced flat on her belly, and then forces herself to her knees, and elbows. "Instant Gravity Well... Got it."
Conner smiles. "That'll be useful." He pulls out the battery and sends the info to Mina. He pulls out another battery. "Brave In!" He loads it and spins the barrel.
Gaburincho! Ovirappoo!
"Fire!" He aims at her and pulls the trigger. He yelps when from the back of the gun, a brown smokescreen comes out. "Ah! What the fuck?!" He coughs and gags, dropping to his knees. "Oh Chaos, why is there a fart smokescreen battery?!"
"That's Tear Gas," Cinder groans.
Ramerez laughs, "Potent stuff!"
Conner yanks out the battery and tries to stumble out of the smog as he relays the info. "Okay, that stinks. I hope this one's actually an attack..." He pulls out a magenta battery.
Cinder holds up a hand, "At least wait for me to get to my feet, Black."
He pauses with a nod. "Right, sorry."
She curses as she forces herself to stand, the gravity field still weighing on her. She thinks to herself that this would be excellent strength training as she raise the shield in trembling arms.
The gravity field finally ends as the smoke clears.
Cinder stumbles a bit from the sudden release, and then nods as she raises the shield, "I am ready."
"Okay then... here we go! Brave In!" He activates it, and loads it into his gun.
Gaburincho! Stymero!
He spins the barrel and points his Dino Charger at her. "Fire!" He fires a pink beam at her.
Cinder grunts as it kisses the shield, and hits her square in the chest, Conner's aim must be thrown off by the effects of the Tear Gas. She drops the shield, and groans as she looks down, holding her head.
Conner frowns and runs over. "Hey Red, you okay?"
She nods, "Yeah... I feel funny though..."
He frowns. "Funny how?"
Ramerez takes a step back, motioning Ethan to move back as well.
Ethan blinks and does so. "What's wrong? Is she gonna blow up in his face?"
"Worse." Ramerez smirks.
Ethan tilts his head questioningly.
Cinder looks up at Conner, and freezes... Then she wraps her arms around his neck with a purr.
Conner yelps. "R-Red?!"
She chuckles sensually as she wags her tail.
Kira gawks, "What the...?"
Conner blushes and tries to pry away. "Red, what are you doing?!"
Cinder shakes her head, "Nope! I'm not letting you go Honey..."
Conner quickly pushes her off him and starts running with a yelp. "What the fuck?!"
Ethan watches Cinder playfully chase Conner, "...Okay, I think we figured out what that one does..."
"Someone help me!" Conner yells, before tripping. He yelps and lands on his face. He rolls over with a moan, dazed.
Cinder flops on top of him with a giggle, and nuzzles his chest.
Conner finally gets the presence of mind to yank the battery out of his revolver.
It doesn't appear to affect her any as she sits up, straddling his middle. She draws her own gun, reaching to pull out the battery she used to morph...
Ramerez quickly grabs her and shoots the manhole with her gun, warping him and her to the Spirit Base seconds before she demorphs.
Ethan blinks, "Huh? Why'd he do that?!"
Conner sits up. "Don't care, I'm glad he got her away before she fucked me right here." He shudders. "That's gonna scar me for a few days..."
Ethan takes the pink Battery from him, and tosses it to Kira, "You should keep a hold of that."
Kira nods and puts it away as Conner shakily texts the report.
...
Ramerez flips Cinder over. "You okay?"
Cinder puts a hand to her head, still in her ranger form. "...If anyone so much as points that battery in my direction I will break them over my knee..."
He sighs with relief, chuckling. "I'm not sure which state you're more fearsome in."
"Please do not belittle me," she says coldly as she gets to her feet.
He sobers. "That wasn't my intention. I wanted to make you feel better."
"I wouldn't expect you to understand," she says as she dusts herself off.
"I wouldn't mind trying, though." He says gently.
She sighs, "...In all your years how much experience do you have with Echidnas?"
He thinks for a moment before saying, "I had this one echidna friend. He told me all of the rules and such for echidna laws."
She scoffs as she sits at the table, "Then you may have heard the general opinion of how we see our own kind. Men are warlike, women... Whorelike." She balls a fist, "My Grandsire frowned heavily on this, and when I told him as a child I wanted to be a warrior... He was all to happy to train me. That display just now was a disgrace to him, my students, and myself."
He places a hand on her shoulder. "I will admit it's not desirable to you, or your students. But you are no disgrace, Miss Red."
She jerks as she realizes that she just mentioned her students. "Please... I am not ready for the others to know who I am. Any clue to my identity... Please keep to yourself."
"Of course." He nods seriously. He then cracks a smile. "If you show me your beautiful city. In your civilian form."
She jerks her head around at him, "If you are attempting to extort anything from me you won't have the chance to speak what you know..."
"I'm not. You said it yourself, it does us no good to sit and feel bad for ourselves." He takes her hand soothingly and gives it a comforting squeeze. "Every warrior needs to have a harsh, ready to fight side... and a gentle, caring side." He lets go of her hand and looks at the fountain. "This world has changed in one thousand years. I would like to know just how much."
Cinder is taken aback, "...A sane man would have shied away from me just now."
"Well, if you ask Torin, I'm not a sane man." He smiles gently.
She nods, and then stands, walking to the portal. "Then let us be off."
He smiles and follows.
FLASH!
They land in the city, and Ramerez looks around in awe. "What are these tall structures?"
"Skyscrapers," Cinder says as she demorphs.
He looks at her, blinking. "You are... very attractive, Miss Red."
She sighs, "My name is Cinder, Cinder Waverider of the Sea Clan."
"The Sea Clan? I haven't heard that clan in a while." He tilts his head with a blink.
"I am the last," she admits as she hides her gun in her shoulder holster, and starts down the street.
He walks with her. "I find that strange. You're a beautiful woman, a strong one at that."
She eyes him suspiciously.
He was looking around at the buildings, starting to ramble. "I only wish there were women as strong as you back in my time. Maybe we would've defeated Deboss."
She blinks, "...Better the devil you know I suppose."
"I guess. So what do you do when you're not fighting Deboss?" He asks, glancing at her.
"I teach young women to be warriors."
He smiles wide. "Wow! That's incredible!"
"If I am to die the last of my clan, I would rather The Sea Clan pass with a reputation of making the weak strong."
"A desirable wish. But wouldn't continuing the clan be more worthy? Surely there's a man out there for the mighty Miss Red!" He smiles gently.
She sighs angrily, "Once upon a time... There was one man. A boy that matched my age. We were rivals, friends, comrades... Had fate not dealt us a losing hand we may have become more, in hindsight."
He frowns a little. "...I'm sorry."
"Do not be, he showed his true colors in the end."
"Are you sure it wasn't a misunderstanding?" He hesitates to ask.
"He claimed to have thrown a match in my favor because first off I was the dojo master's granddaughter, and he was distracted by my face. How could I misunderstand that?"
He frowns a little. "I... don't know."
She nods, "Precisely. That is why I sacrificed my womanhood completely to be a warrior the next day when I left home."
"Sounds... lonely." He frowns. "Haven't you ever thought about... giving guys another chance?"
"No," she replies. "I acknowledge there are many of the decent sort out there, like you, however I refuse to leave myself open to that sort of disappointment ever again."
He stops and takes her hand. "Not all guys will disappoint you, Miss Red. Closing your heart may get rid of the bad... but it also gets rid of the good." He says seriously, looking into her eyes.
She pulls her hands away, "Listen well, Gabutyra did not choose me for the good in my heart. He chose me for my ferocity, and battle-lust... You are a good man, and mayhaps you will meet a good woman... But she is not I."
"I cannot have a woman." He looks at the ground sadly. He looks up at her determinedly. "But you can have a man. Gabutyra may have chose you for those things. But Brave takes a good heart, not a monster. You have proven to me you're not a monster, why won't you let anyone else see that?!"
Suddenly she shouts, "Because I AM a monster! Before I was even an adult I turned a seven year old hedgehog into one of the most feared mass-murders in history, the same hedgehog who considers me his mother! My own hands have spilt so much lifesblood that they should soak the streets as I walk!"
He stops her with a finger and states, "But they don't. We all have our demons, Miss Red. We alone are not strong to face them individually." He leans in and gently kisses her cheek before murmuring, "You need to let someone in... Cinder. Maybe not me. Maybe not the other Rangers. But you must find someone."
She shoves at him... Only to find her hands to right through him without resistance. At first she thinks she has put holes through him by misjudging her strength... Then the truth hits her.
He smiles sadly and looks at the ground, his ghostly form flickering before becoming solid again.
"I... Apologize," she says quietly.
"I don't want you to end up like me, regretting decisions too late." He says softly.
She swallows, "I... I understand..."
"So then... I would like to give you some help." He smiles genuinely. "I know I'm not from this time... But I would like to cordially ask you on a date. So you can have experience. Is... that okay?"
She smiles behind her mask softly, "Ironic... The first man to court me does so eons after his death when for many I am the face of death itself."
He smiles gently. "It's like we were made for this." He chuckles and offers his hand.
She looks down at it, and reaches for his hand... Then she pauses.
Slowly she withdraws her hand, "I am sorry..."
"It's fine, I knew it was a bit forward..." he rubs his head. "Where do we go to eat in this time?"
She sighs, "There are many such places. Is there a particular food you enjoy?"
"Fish?" He smiles.
She nods, "There is a Japanese fish house nearby of which I am fond, especially the sushi."
"Sushi? Sounds delicious!" He smiles.
She nods, and starts walking.
...
Back at base Trent is pacing, "And we were so close to figuring out who she was! She was about to demorph!"
Conner sleeps nearby, shuddering a little and rolling over.
Trent just shakes his head at them, "Back to that video camera... Ethan, how's going trying to remotely access it?"
"Shadow took it offline." Ethan scowls, typing furiously. "I keep trying to turn it back on, but he has a code blocking algorithm on it."
Trent sighs, "could you tell us where it even is?"
"At his house." He pauses to stretch his arms.
"So we can't just waltz in to get it," Trent muses.
"Why can't you?" Kira straightens. "You have your Dino Gem powers still, right?"
Trent blinks, "I... Think so. I haven't tried since we got our new Zords."
"Try to get it, Ethan can help you find where it is!" Kira suggests happily, glad she thought of it.
Trent swallows, and takes a breath... Then his body camouflages into the wall behind him.
Ethan tosses him an earpiece. "Here. Good luck."
Trent nods, fading back into visibility before headed out the library door.
...
Shadow stares into a computer screen, focusing intently. "Adjust course twenty-five clicks to the left, Plezuon."
Trent walks silently behind Shadow, a skill gained from his time spying on Mezogog.
"Good, check again later okay?" Shadow shuts the lid close and stands with a yawn.
Trent freezes, and slowly backs into a corner.
Shadow walks up the stairs to his main house.
"Hon, I'm done checking on Plezuon. Need any help with anything?"
No sweetie, thank you though.
Trent touches his ear piece to make sure it's working.
"It should be upstairs in the living room..."
Trent nods, and creeps up the stairs.
Shadow sits on the couch with a sigh and props his legs on the coffee table before reaching into his hair and pulling out the video camera.
Trent taps his earpiece twice to let Ethan know he found it, and then one more time to signal he cannot take it.
"Why not? Just get it!" Ethan frowns.
Shadow plugs it into his phone and turns it on, deciding to watch the video as he transfers it over.
Trent taps, waits, then taps to signal that Shadow, or Mina are in the way. He does however look over Shadow's shoulder...
"You're welcome. Now, I would like you to meet the one that designed the morphers and weapons you use to fight. This is Dr. Shadow." Torin says onscreen.
Shadow looks from where he was working, nodding. He stands and dusts himself off before walking over and offering his hand. "Any flaws in the suit or weapons? You know, other than the glaring fact that you don't like using guns?"
The Red Ranger shakes it, "None that can be found this far. I do prefer my melee option however, could you perhaps assist in this?"
"I'll keep working on it. I keep trying to convince the Samurai Rangers to let me use their design, but I can't make a spinning sword until they let me." Shadow shrugs. "Copyright laws and such."
She nods, and spots her bag under a bench. "Thank you for retrieving this Torin." She draws her gun, and pulls out the Beast Battery she used to morph as she walks towards the bag, and the camera. Her costume starts fading away from the helmet down, but her face is covered by the table before it is shown. However, her naked body is soon shown in its full glory up close, and still coming closer.
Trent's eyes bug out of his head, and he barely keeps himself from making any noise.
She walks up to the bag and bends down mostly away from the camera, still not showing her face, but revealing her ass and open flower as she takes the bag from under the bench.
Trent makes a mental note to grab the camera when Shadow isn't looking.
Shadow, could you come here?
"Coming." He says, pausing the camera and putting it in his hair, walking away.
"What do you need help with?" Shadow asks.
This bottle won't open.
Shadow chuckles. "All this time with me, and you have trouble with these still?"
This one's really stubborn.
Tent clenches his teeth, and thinks maybe he'll have to settle for a copy of that video, Shadow might realize what happened if the camera were to turn up missing.
Trent thinks carefully, and tries to find a safe place to talk to Ethan.
"Trent, can you speak now?" Ethan calls.
Trent heads as far from the kitchen as he can, "Yeah, Shadow was transferring the file from his camera to his phone."
"Could you see what was on it?"
"Yeah, didn't see a face... And apparently our red ranger doesn't care about going Complete Commando under the Ranger suit."
"...I need that camera."
"Pervert," Trent mutters. "I'll see what I can do about grabbing it when he's not looking."
"Sweet, thanks!"
Trent sighs, and decides to silently follow Shadow again.
Shadow hands the open jar to Mina. "Anything else need opening?" He kisses her cheek.
Trent silently rolls his eyes as he looks around to see if Shadow set the camera down anyplace.
"No, that's it." She smiles.
Shadow nods and walks back to the living room, pulling the camera from his hair.
He licks his lips as he moves back to watch over Shadow's shoulder.
Shadow types on his phone before continuing the footage where he left off.
"Um... did the costume chafe or anything...?"
The name was cut out, edited by Shadow.
The girl gave the camera a very hot show as she dresses right in front of it. "No Shadow the Hedgehog, you do your work quite well."
She pauses as she puts on a jacket to hide her gun, "...Can I ask a request of you both however?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"I would rather no one know I am Gabutyra's partner," she says, moving from the camera.
Trent blinks... He recognizes the outfit she put on... He still wants a copy of the video anyways though.
Shadow edits the film to end there, before going back and changing the color of the girl's clothes.
He then says finally, "If I give this film to you, will you keep it to yourself the identity of the Red Ranger?"
Trent jerks... Then fades into visibility, "How long did you know I was there for?"
"Since you came into my lab." He glances back at him. "Do you promise to not say anything about her identity?" He stares at Trent. "Because I don't care if you do. I just know that she's strong enough to kill you if she wanted to. Especially if you snitch."
Trent looks down, and then nods slowly, "Okay, I promise not to say who she is... Doesn't mean the others won't figure it out from a cheesy recolor."
He smiles. "Believe me, a change of clothes does wonders."
Trent nods, "Alright then."
He pulls an SD card from his phone and hands it to Trent. "You didn't get this from me." He states with a smirk.
Trent nods, and pockets it.
"Enjoy, but not too much. Kira wouldn't like that." Shadow smirks with a wink.
Trent chuckles, and then heads back downstairs to use the portal to leave. He glances at the window he'd used to sneak in, and sighs, "I guess I'm out of practice..."
...
Ramerez stares at the menu blankly.
Cinder looks up at him, "Is there a problem?"
He holds up the menu. "What happened to normal names, like tuna and bass?"
"There are those on the menu," she says. "But there is a wide variety more to chops from now. Salmon, Bass, Tuna, Squid, Eel, Octopus, and so on."
"Ah." He looks at the menu a little longer. "What would you recommend?"
"Why don't we get a sample platter with a few of everything?"
"Great idea!" He nods happily.
Cinder orders them their platter, and she it arrives she uses chopsticks to politely put a few select pieces she enjoys on her plate.
He does the same, eating the pieces happily.
Cinder chuckles at him as she removes her mask to begin eating.
He pauses and studies her face. "I can see why you cover your face after that incident... it's very beautiful." He says respectfully, taking another bite.
"Thank you," she says. "Ever since I was just a child my grandsire would often tease me that I could charm Angels just by looking at them."
"Why charm them? You're your very own angel of war." He smiles gently.
That makes her snicker as the corners of her mouth rise in a smile, "Are you flirting with me?"
"Yes. I'm helping you learn how to date, remember?" He smiles. "I can't help it if I can enjoy it while doing so."
"So you are extorting me," she says gently with her smile widening a bit.
"Yes." He smirks.
Her shoulders shake with quiet laughter, "Have you no shame?"
"I'm kinda not alive, so... I guess not." He gives a charming smile.
She shakes her head in amusement, "I swear, you're worse than Smoke..."
"I do not know who this Smoke is, but he sounds entertaining." He smiles. "So... You're the last of the Sea Clan, does that mean you train using their art style?"
She nods, "moves that flow like water, yet strike with the fury of a tsunami."
He smiles. "A beautiful style for a strong woman."
She nods, "The Sahara Tribe uses a style that uses untamed fury to overpower an opponent. Those in the frozen tundra use air as their inspiration, firmly believing that knowledge is power, and the best way to overpower an enemy is to outsmart them. Then of course the Amazons use earth, perfecting an iron defense, and hardening themselves to the point of near invulnerability."
"So then you focus on flexibility and freedom, then?" He smiles.
She nods, "Adapting to the fighting style of your opponent makes you unpredictable by changing styles in the middle of battle."
"But, you also have a set style, right?" He tilts his head.
"Not really, though of all the styles that I have studied I prefer Jeet Kune Do."
He nods thoughtfully. "A good art. Once we save Ankydon, I wouldn't mind showing you some moves that could help you."
"Depends what you mean by 'moves,'" she says with a raised eyebrow.
"What kind of moves do you think?" He asks suggestively before laughing and leaning back. "The Ankydon fighting technique, of course."
"I know, but I thought I would make an attempt at being flirtatious."
"Really? Oh well then..." he clears his throat before leaning in with a warm smirk, and says seriously, "Whatever you want to learn. Especially forbidden moves." He winks.
She bangs a fist on the table, making her last piece of sushi into the air, and catching it in her teeth as she picks up her mask.
He twitches back, startled, already finished with his meal.
She smirks as she swallows, putting on her mask. "Pardon, but if you're a ghost how can you eat?"
"I'm not a ghost. I'm a fighting spirit." He corrects, his easygoing smile returning. "Notice that you could touch me a few times, but when you tried to shove me, I was go through."
She nods, "So you can choose to be solid..."
"Indeed I can. I can be as solid as needed." He winks again before chuckling and standing.
Cinder closes her eyes, "I did not need that image in my head..."
"Sorry..." He says nervously, rubbing his head. "Perhaps a walk through the park will clear it?"
She nods, and pays for the meal.
He walks out with her, heading for the park. "How is your experience so far?"
"More pleasant than I would have thought," she confesses.
"Indeed. You're better at this than you think." He winks.
She smiles a bit, "Thank you..."
He smiles gently before his eyes shoot open and he gasps, dropping to a knee as he clutches his chest,
Cinder kneels beside him, "What's wrong?!"
"I... need to get back to the Spirit Base..." He hisses, in great pain.
She nods, "Should we find a portal, or so you have some other means of travel?"
He shakily points to a manhole nearby. "Shoot it..."
She nods, drawing her gun, and blasting it.
They warp back to the Spirit Base, where Torin looks up from his book and gasps. "Ramerez!" He drops his book and rushes over, helping him up. "I knew this would happen... You can't maintain this form without all of your fighting spirit!" He frowns.
"I know... but I can't just sit here, you know that!" Ramerez coughs.
"That may be, but wasting your time on trivial things is not worth the energy!" Torin growls.
"It's not trivial!" Ramerez growls, glaring.
Cinder blinks, "You mean... You risked your well-being... Just to take me on a date...?"
"Like I said, time well spent." He smiles gently at her.
"We need to find Ankydon, now." Torin says firmly. "Ramerez will fade away if we cannot get Ankydon's Zyudenchi."
Cinder looks sadly down at the man who only wanted to make her smile... Then her eyes harden. She stands, drawing her battery. "Call the rangers Torin... Brave IN!"
