Power Shot
Reignited with Ego!
Morph Five- Evaluation
0 stood silently over the chaos, watching through the golden visor the scene below. Rescue vehicles were on the scene immediately. There was a small hole in the ceiling, nothing compared to the sinking crater below the ground, exposing the basement. Many of the arenas were destroyed, not even the PKM would be able to handle a problem like this. The truth would have to be told, or at least, a part of it. PKM was a very special agency, one that was known to the public thanks to the Rangers that were a part of it, but it also was required by the governments that employed it to remain as undetected as possible.
“That won’t be happening,” 0 said quietly, he had been silent for long enough. So far, no one had seen the new Golden Ranger up on the landing, across the street from the center the Festival took place at. He was almost relieved at the thought of its destruction, so far the reports had given no fatalities save for one, the mystery murderer covered in black armor similar to the Ranger’s own.
He clenched the gloved hands, feeling two small bands in his hands, the morphers he had confiscated from the man. It meant that someone had developed technology potentially rivaling to the PKM, though it did not have the RSP that his suit came with. He had assessed that portion already, thanks to the scanners in his suit.
“Agent 0...” Pikachu’s voice entered his ears, returning him to the world that surrounded him, rather then his own thoughts. “Message from the PKM. Patching through for you.”
“Thanks.” It was difficult for 0 to accept, now that the moment had passed, that he was a Ranger now. “This is Agent 0,” he said, as the com link in his suit came online. “What is it?”
“Ketchum,” said a tired, grayed voice, the voice of his supervisor. “What are you doing in that suit? Where is the real 0?”
0 shifted, that was strange. Normally, the PKM were always on top of things, though they were probably confirming what had happened from an eyewitness. “The previous 0 is dead,” he cited, remembering how the missile had been averted from May. “I was given the morphers in his place. I am now the Golden Ranger.”
“That will be determined later,” the voice replied. “For now, you must return to HQ for evaluation. The Festival has been called off due to terrorist attacks. You will return, and bring with you the morphers from the terrorist. You will then be given your next assignment.”
“I’ve got them right here,” 0 answered, dangling the morphers in front of his visor. “I’ll be back in three days.”
“You have one.” The line went dead, and 0 pocketed the morphers in his belt.
“Stupid hicks,” he grumbled, looking down at his wrists. The golden lightning bands were bonded to him, just like his Spirit, Pikachu. He would learn to live with it for a few days, then they could separate him from them. “We have one day Pikachu, and it takes half a day to return to HQ. What do you recommend?”
“Well, I believe it may be wise to practice with the morphers, and the Golden Ranger abilities if you plan to continue using them,” it replied, its voice strangely mechanical. “You won simply because of blind luck this time. Next time they may send someone greater, the murderer mentioned there were five more.”
“First, how’s about we tone down the robot talk?” 0 asked. “Is that really how you speak?”
“Oh, thank you Ash,” Pikachu sighed, breathing a sigh of relief. “I just felt like playing the part of your Spirit.”
“You’re more then a Spirit Pikachu,” 0 answered, chuckling lightly. “If it wasn’t for you, I couldn’t become this and save May and them. You’re more then my armor, you’re my best friend, and after this is over, you still will be. I’ll never look at you differently.”
“Thank you Ash.”
“Don’t mention it buddy,” he replied, swerving his head. “Come on, I think we’d better go check up on May and Sarah, make sure they’re doing all right after today. And I should swing my the hospital and see how Brock and Max are doing, I think they got hurt in the crossfire.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Pikachu said, enjoying its returned freedom of speech. The suit it had become prevented it from having much without Ash’s consent. It was nice to be of help to its trainer, and now its bonder. “The fastest way there is…” A screen appeared on the visor, with a map of the city attached, showing two dots, one for the hospital and the other for the hotel, “these.”
“Let’s get rolling, I think I’ll take off the suit for now,” 0 said, raising his hands. “Power down!”
Golden light flashed, surrounding him in an ethereal glow. The force inverted, and Ash Ketchum began to appear, forming from the Golden Ranger’s body. The long locks of hair emerged, ebony like the night surrounding him, and his body appeared, covered by dark cloth. Dark pants, a gold shirt, and a black leather jacket. On his neck dangled the ring, but for once he put it out of his head. The fierce eyes, previously dulled by the years apart, glowed through the seeping darkness with intensity.
“We’d better get moving,” Ash, the Golden Ranger, said, before falling to the ground, and breaking into a run. The streets whizzed beside him, Pikachu’s voice in his ear as he began to make his way east, towards the hotel. Protecting the target was his first priority, and he knew that. At the same time though, the agent was excited at what May had said, about meeting his daughter. He hoped she was being serious.
***
May shivered, drawing Sarah close to her. The day had been too tiring on them, and the attempt on their lives had not been pleasant. The dark man was still in her head, swords and guns and everything flashing through her mind. She drew the blanket closer to her and her daughter, wanting to forget so terribly his white visor, his voice’s hiss.
But 0 had saved them, rising from the dead to protect her life twice that day, first with the missile, and then in combat. The Golden Ranger continued to amaze her, with his sage advice and brutal battles. He was a true hero, one that the PKM could be proud of, whoever was in the organization. She sighed, Sarah had not spoken since they had returned to the room with the police, Officer Jenny keeping everyone away for them to rest.
“Are you all right honey?” she whispered to her child, hugging her tightly. “Did the bad man hurt you?”
The girl sighed, her dark eyes glazed. “Mommy, was that man in black a Ranger?” she asked, turning her head behind her, to her mother who cradled her on the bed, wrapped in her embrace. “Was the man in yellow a Ranger?”
“The man in gold is 0,” she replied, brushing Sarah’s hair out of her face. “He’s a friend, he saved us today. The bad man…he looked like one, but he’s not a Ranger. The Rangers are good people who protect us, no matter who they are behind the masks they wear. They never ask for anything, they help people.”
“Then why did the man who looked like a Ranger try to kill Mommy?” Sarah asked, her eyes fearful. “I don’t want Mommy to go anywhere, specially to the hospital with Uncle Max and Brock.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” May reassured her child, patting her dark hair. “Why don’t you try to go to sleep, and forget about how hard today was?”
Sarah nodded, climbing out of her mother’s bed, and started for hers, sinking into sleep almost the instant she hit the covers, falling into a deep slumber. May sighed, wishing she could sleep like that, after an attack like the one they had gone through that day. Maybe the child was stronger than her mother.
A knock issued from the hotel’s door, followed by a soft whisper. “Hey, mind if I come in here?” it asked, the voice panting and urgent. May only needed a moment to realize it was Ash’s, and the ragged voice was probably from the running he had to do to get past security. She stood up, keeping the blanket close to her, for she was wearing nothing more then her pajamas under it. May crept to the door, her brown hair trailing behind her, before she unlocked the latch sealing the outside from the room.
Ash opened it instantly, sending the door flying and wrapping her in a powerful embrace. His hands came around her, but she did not shrink away as she once would have, the powerful limbs would not release her for one, jerking in fear. He was so relieved, to see her in one piece. “I…came as soon as I heard,” he murmured into her ear, his pants growing less and less. “Are you both all right?”
And for the first time in a long time, May wrapped her own arms around him, pulling him closer, needing the comfort that only two people could give one another. “Yes…0 saved us. We both got out fine, so did Max and Brock.”
“I’m not worried about them,” he replied, feeling her hair against his face. It was…so soft and gentle, the way it used to be. “I’m worried about you two.” His voice was shaking, he really was scared for them. “Nothing broken?”
“We’re fine Ash.” Truth be told, she was happy that he was so worried, and she was so happy to be back in his arms. “We’re fine…” She sighed, feeling his chest against her face, his face against her hair. They stood still very quietly, before she realized she was wearing very little, and he was beginning to notice. She pulled him away gently, holding his arms. “Did you…meet that person you were talking about?”
“I did.” He gave nothing more, but she didn’t really care. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there, but at least 0 protected you. I’ll…I will be there next time…”
She smiled, looking up into the hidden eyes. The dark room shrouded them both, all save for the glitter that was on his chain, the wedding ring he could not bring himself to remove. May had forgotten where hers was, but it wasn’t really important. “Thank you Ash,” she sighed, gazing up into the hidden eyes. “Thank you for…wanting to be there, if that’s anything.”
“I feel really weak right now,” Ash replied, feeling the pit welling up into his stomach. “I couldn’t be there, and I almost lost you both, when you’re already lost to me…I guess that doesn’t really make sense, huh?” He chuckled lightly, though it wasn’t all that funny. He needed something to keep himself going.
“I guess neither of us have moved on.” They both turned to their child, sleeping in her bed. Ash’s eyes came alive, looking down onto his daughter. May felt for his hand, taking it gingerly between her fingers. “She has your spirit,” she said, looking with a parent’s eyes at the girl.
“Your daughter is very beautiful May,” Ash answered, tightening the grip gently. “She has your looks.” His face broke into a true smile, one of ultimate satisfaction. It had been so long since he had seen Sarah, he had dreamed of meeting his daughter for a long time. “It’s too bad she’s asleep, but at least she’s safe. I’m happy to see both of you aren’t harmed.”
He withdrew his fingers, and looked at May. “Is the Festival being cancelled?” he asked, changing the subject.
“The center is destroyed, I really don’t think there’s much else they can do. Sarah and I will probably go back to my parents with Max for a while, before heading to our home.” She missed his hands, and reached for them. Ash put his hands in his pocket, though he did so unwillingly. She could see the pain in his features.
“I have to go May,” he said, not meeting her eyes. “I don’t know when I’ll see you and Sarah again, so that intro we planned will have to wait. But I promise I’ll come back, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know. 0 will protect you, I’m sure of it, but I need…to go somewhere.”
She nodded, she didn’t think he would stay. He was a traveler, and it was how he dealt with his emotions. “Can you tell me where, if nothing else?” she asked, pulling the man close to her. She felt the dark breath from his nose, she was so close to him.
Ash paused, unsure what to tell her. “Somewhere close,” he decided, his heart hurting. It was no longer the dull throb he had felt, it was real and painful, threatening to spill all his secrets, old and new, towards the woman he loved, the woman he had left for the duty that now called. He had traded the bliss of his marriage for shackles he could not escape from. He glanced behind her, at the moon shining through the window. “The moon’s full tonight,” he said, turning her to face the window. “When I’m gone, I’ll look at it every night. I always have, because I knew you could see the same moon I did. It…helped me feel connected to you, I guess. If you ever feel lonely, just look out there and know I’m looking back.”
She glanced over the orb’s surface, seeing the craters. She felt his hands leave him, and turned around. No one was in the room, even the door was locked. May sighed, feeling her heart race for the first time in years. Ash was gone, but he had certainly left an impression that would not be forgotten.
***
“Agent 0 arriving,” chimed a voice above Ash’s head. The agent sighed, he hated visiting PKM, it was one of those things he did only when necessary. He glanced at the morphers, it had become necessary. Ash stepped out of the small room he had sealed himself in to enter the HQ, and the doors swung open to admit him. A small hiss issued as steam erupted from the room elevator, and Ash stepped through.
“Ketchum!” blared a voice from his left, the instant his dark shoes stepped out into the narrow metal corridor. Ash felt someone grab him, and suddenly met the floor with strange intensity. He felt someone on top of him, and groaned slightly. He knew exactly who the voice belong to, and what they wanted.
He turned his eyes, meeting the gaze of PKM 3, White Ranger, Serena. Her white hair was strewn around his body, her lithe form concealing the unbelievable muscle power she had within her. “Gerroff me,” Ash groaned, feeling pain enter his shoulder. “What have I asked you about tackling me?”
“Sorry Ketchum,” she replied sweetly, though the green eyes betrayed her intents to cop plenty of feels. He now had to keep locks by the dozen to keep her out of his station. “You know how I don’t know my own strength…or should that be sorry sir?” She grabbed his wrists, showing the new lightning morphers Ash was wearing. “You’re 0 now.”
“Not for long,” Ash answered, pushing her off him. “I’m returning them the instant I can, I told you I’m not a Ranger. You and 0.”
Serena looked troubled, she sure was overdramatic. “Pweeaze Ashy? Pweease be a Ranger for Serena?”
Ash stood up, groaning lightly. “No 3, I can’t. You know that, and I can’t change my feelings about being a Ranger.” He rose to full height, practically dwarfing her in comparison. Serena stood up as well, not in the least bit hurt at his emotion-lacking self, it was the best part of the new Golden Ranger.
She was very beautiful, for an agent. She should have been a model, not a Ranger. Her long silver hair flowed the her waist, while her emerald eyes gazed intently at him. She was barely up to his chest, and she had to stand on tiptoes in her black boots. The white jacket and white shirt she wore covered her bountiful chest, her lithe body under the shirt and black pants. The number 3 was engraved on the left side of her uniform.
“I know you want it sir,” she giggled, laughing at his serious face. “Just get in there and take the job you know you were chosen for. It’s time you got off your high horse.” She took his hand, and began to pull him straight through the HQ, not waiting for him to reply. Ash jerked, but was unable to defeat her powerful grasp.
He sighed, why did she have to out him of all people? Ever since he had arrived, Serena had made it a point to flirt with him as much as she could, especially since agents had to obey Rangers. Oh, the torture she had put him through in, from innuendo to ‘accidentally’ bumping into him in the shower. But nothing the White Ranger did made any difference in his manner towards her, completely and totally robot. And she found that strangely…enticing.
“I can find my way through here on my own!” Ash protested, hauling to keep his arm attached to his body. “Let go 3!”
And she did, sending him sprawling to the floor. Ash groaned again, he always seemed to be getting injuries around Serena. “As Agent 0 of the PKM, I order you to calm the hell down!” he shouted, pulling rank in the desperate hope that she would stop. But Serena was a good soldier, and stopped, allowing Ash to get to his feet, as gracefully as he possibly could.
“Bout time you used that,” she grinned, leading him through the narrow metal corridors, practically skipping like she always did when he arrived. Serena led him deeper into the fortress that was known as PKM HQ, seeing various stationed agents awaiting their next missions. Ash had been lucky, allowed to live outside to maintain his image, he rarely returned to HQ unless needed, or if a mission came up. He really didn’t like it there.
Ash did not wear the PKM uniform like Serena did, which was specially tailored for her Ranger rank. 0 had had one as well, and 1 had one also. 2 had died some months back, so he couldn’t really remember about him. It didn’t matter, Ash decided, as he neared the briefing room.
Serena stopped in front of two large doors made of wrought-iron, with a small console to its right for identifying agents that appeared before the chambers, where the highest ranking members of PKM gathered. No one ever saw their faces, but Ash had never been asked before them for such an important reason. The disarming and removal of Ranger morphers were by no means a simple task, he was sure it hadn’t been done before. Then again, every Ranger before him had been willing.
“Scanning for Rangers is slightly different,” she explained, pulling up the sleeves of her jacket, revealing snowy-white morphers very much like Ash’s. “For regular agents, they give their name and number, but for Rangers, we also add our designation. Like this.” She stood in front of the console, her wrists out.
“Ranger locked,” the console said, scanning the morphers. “Please verify name, rank, and number.”
“Serena Brine,” she replied clearly. “Agent 3 of the PKM, White Ranger.”
“Welcome Agent 3,” the machine replied, its monotone annoying.
“You’re up,” Serena said, pointing to the console. “Just repeat what I did, but with your info.”
Ash nodded, stepping forth towards the screen. He pushed up the leather jacket he was wearing, exposing the morphers 0 had given him, the ones holding Pikachu’s spirit. He held them over the scanner, which emitted a red beam to check the morphers for bugs or fakes.
“Ranger locked,” it repeated dully, boring even for Ash. “Please verify name, rank, and number.”
Ash nodded, clearing his throat. “Ash Ketchum,” he said, pausing before the second part. “Agent 0 of the PKM, Golden Ranger.”
“Welcome Agent 0,” it replied, the doors opening instantly to admit them both. “Agent 0 is expected for evaluation, Agent 3 is not. Please explain irregularity.”
“Chaperone for new Ranger,” Serena answered, passing in front of the machine. “Open the doors.”
“Complying request…” The machine’s voice fell silent, and the iron doors began to creak open. Ash wasn’t intimidated, it was simply a ploy the council used to scare cadets entering. He was more then a cadet, even before 0 had died. He just wasn’t afraid of much. As soon as enough of the door was open, he strolled in, hands in his pockets and Serena skipping at his heels.
“Agent Ash Ketchum entering council chambers,” the machine droned, the agents ignoring it. They walked down a much larger corridor which led to a single circular room before them, with the same small chair that sat in the dead center of the room. Ash’s ears picked up the shuffling of papers above him, a mild cough from a councilman, and knew what they were, just old men trying to frighten him.
He did not frighten easily.
“Ketchum,” stated the familiar councilman, who normally spoke to him. His voice was quiet, almost a whisper, while the others murmured. Ash could hear at least ten. “You are here to be evaluated in the case of your new temporary rank of Golden Ranger. Do you understand this?”
Ash nodded. “I do.”
“Very well then. Ranger Brine has asked to testify on your behalf, so we shall begin.” He shuffled his papers, coughing mildly to get the excess air out of his system. “You are presently in possession of the Golden Ranger morphers, correct, received from the prior Agent 0?”
“I am,” Ash replied, holding up his wrists, exposing the bracelets to the council. “0 entrusted them to me before he died. They passed on to me, and I contained a Spirit into them due to the necessity of a Ranger in a mission. During this mission I also obtained a second set of morphers from a terrorist, which leads me to believe that another agency might be in possession of PKM technology.”
“Ash Ketchum?” the voice asked.
“Yes?”
“Cut the crap,” he answered. “I know full well you do not speak like this. It will not buy you points with the council.”
“I’m not trying to buy points, sir,” Ash explained. “I’m trying to get these morphers off me. I want a transfer to my old grade, I don’t want to be a Ranger.”
“That will be considered later,” the voice answered, a bright light suddenly turning on, blinding Ash mildly. “Those morphers you obtained from the terrorist will be examined by Agent 3 later, you will give those to her. Now, the biggest matter is of the mission. Report.”
“My assignment was to protect May Birch and assist Agent 0,” Ash answered. “During this mission, the center used for the Festival was destroyed, and the event called off. May Birch, her daughter, and friends are all returning to Petalburg for an undetermined amount of time. I request an extension on this assignment, as I still believe her life to be in danger.”
“May Birch is still a pressing matter to the PKM,” he answered. “Request granted, on condition that Agent 3 be allowed to accompany you in protecting her, and keeping your personal feelings void during the mission.” The other members agreed, and Serena was practically bouncing with happiness. “Agent 3, do you have objection to this?”
“None sir,” she answered, her bearing straight but easily seen through. “It would be an honor to assist our new Golden Ranger.”
“Very well,” the voice finished. “Now, the final matter at hand, whether Ketchum should be allowed to keep the Ranger morphers given to him by 0. Play the transmission received by PKM from 0 precisely two hours before death.”
Ash sat very still, realizing that he was not going to have a say in this. If 0 said that he would be a Ranger, the PKM would make it so. Again, he cursed the man for dying. He could only sit, as the transmission began to play, 0’s dead voice echoing through the dark chamber.
“…It is with a dear heart that I must bid farewell to the PKM, after many years of service,” it said, Ash’s head sinking lower. “My morphers have been programmed, and will be received by the agent Ash Ketchum, whom I have chosen as my successor. He is loyal to the PKM, and will use them with honor. I have given him the Golden Gauntlets, which will permanently bond the morphers to his DNA lock. No one else can use them save for Ketchum…”
“That’s where the transmission cuts off,” the councilman said, the voice echoing with silence. Ash stared at the floor, his eyes pained. “Do you have anything further to say Ketchum?”
“Would it matter if I did?” he asked.
“No, it would not,” the chairman answered, and Ash heard a foot shuffle. “It is then with great pride we confirm onto you the rank of PKM Agent 0, Golden Ranger. Congratulations Ketchum. Meeting adjourned.”
Ash stood up and, without waiting for Serena, walked out of the room, head bent. The bracelets felt hard on his skin, dragging him down. This was his punishment for saving his only love, for saving May. Damn you 0, he cursed silently, making his way towards his living quarters, ones that he rarely visited, but ones that he needed to see.
***
He were always peaceful there, he noticed, when he opened the small door that led to his quarters. The card key he owned, and guarded from Serena, slid easily through the hatch that allowed him access. The doors hissed, before he was admitted, wall coming apart to admit him.
He passed through the opened door, the doors slamming shut after him. He punched the button on the wall, locking himself inside, before gazing around what little he could call a home.
He passed through the metal atrium, the blank walls looking back at him, before entering his living space, a desk, a chair, and a bed was all the furniture he ever needed. A single mat, without a bedspread or pillow, and a hard wooden desk and chair. He hated comfort. Ash dropped his jacket on the chair, and removed his gold shirt from his chest, exposing the great, powerful muscles that had allowed him to live this long. He saw bruises from the mission, but ignored them. They would heal in time.
“Ashy!” shouted a voice, his door opening to admit Serena in. He groaned inside, why couldn’t she just leave him alone? Serena bounded into the small room, tackling him once more and landing both of them on the hard mattress of Ash’s bed. “Ashy…” she purred, carefully positioning herself on top of him, grinning madly. “Ashy, I didn’t know you were such a man, throwing me onto your bed so fast…”
“You threw me on the bed!” Ash protested again, trying to shove her off but failing. “How did you get in here?”
“Picked the lock, it isn’t very hard ya know,” she giggled, releasing him and standing up. “Come on, I have something for you.”
“It isn’t handcuffs again, is it?” he asked, rubbing the back of his head, where a small bump had formed from colliding with the headboard. “I remember the last time you found your way in here…” It was an experience that he did not want to repeat under any circumstances.
“Nope, even better!” She reached for the floor, where a large parcel had been thrown aside during the Ranger’s charge, colored gold. “The council wanted you to have this, they said it would be a good idea.”
Ash reached for it, grabbing out of her hands before she could do anything, and felt light cloth inside it. “What is this?” he asked, turning towards her.
Serena propped herself onto the chair, grinning happily. “Put it on, you’ll see,” she said sweetly.
Ash sighed, and the agent stood up and headed for the bathroom to change.
Serena watched him go, her eyes trailing over his muscular body. She wanted him so badly, and he had no idea how much, Ash assumed she just had a thing for annoying him. “Now, where’s his underwear drawer?” she whispered to herself, grinning wildly, the emeralds of her eyes burning.
“What the hell?” Ash asked from the bathroom, he must have opened the package. “I’m not wearing this stupid thing!”
“Put it on!” Serena instructed. “Don’t make me do it Ashy!” She heard a sigh, and the ruffle of clothes being changed. She giggled at the thought of Ketchum naked, but ignored it as she searched for wherever Ketchum hid his clothes. She looked over the desk for some clue, and she noticed something she had never seen before in Ash’s quarters.
On the desk was a small frame, facing the wood of the desk. Curious, Serena looked towards it, touching the small white wood with her fingers. She lifted it from the surface, a small picture sitting in the bright frame. It was Ash, but there was also other people in the picture.
There was a man, with fierce, jagged black hair, with the eyes of a fox. He was grinning broadly, standing next to Ash with his arm around him. There was another person as well, a slim man with soft dark hair and big glasses, on the other side of the Golden Ranger. Ash himself was in the center, a great smile on his face. In his arms was another woman with auburn hair and sapphire eyes, and he held her tightly against himself.
And there was a small bundle in the woman’s arms, with a little head sticking out of the white cloth, with midnight black hair just like Ash’s. Serena stopped, staring at the photograph.
“Thanks for waiting,” she heard a voice say, Ash exiting from the room. She held the photo and turned slowly to face him. He was dressed just as she was, with alterations done to his uniform. He wore a dark jacket, similar to hers, but with a deep golden 0 on the right side of his chest that stretched from the collar down to the lining on the bottom. His pants were also black, as were his boots. But the shirt he had on was deep gold, even more so then the one he had previously been wearing. “3…” his eyes swerved down to notice what she was holding. “Put that down.”
“No.” She stood up, keeping the picture held tightly to her chest. “So…this is the reason you can’t be a Ranger, isn’t it?” Serena held it up, wanting confirmation. “Is she the reason?”
“That is the woman I gave up for this 3,” he answered, keeping his eyes forward. “That is May Birch, who we have been assigned to protect. And that is her daughter, Sarah. And my friends.”
“I know that,” Serena snapped, putting the frame down hard on the desk. “So, you’re gonna try and get back with her on this mission, huh? Well, I’m not gonna let that happen Ash, you’re too important to this agency. You’re the best Ranger we could have…”
“I am not a Ranger!” Ash shouted, forced her back. “I’ll say it a thousand times I’m not!” His eyes were furious, anger blossoming in his heart. “Don’t you understand 3, what the PKM took from me? Don’t you understand that my daughter has no idea who I am, and never will because being a Ranger means you can’t have someone special in your life? And don’t you understand that no matter how hard I could try, I can’t return to what I had, to the family I want?”
She couldn’t, no matter how hard she tried. “I lost someone too, Ash, when I came here,” she replied, looking up at him, forcing him to meet her gaze. “You know who I lost, but I never gave up. I stayed and became who I am because of it. Where’s your mark?” she asked, feeling a tear coming to her eyes. “Where’s the band that holds you to what you cannot have?”
Ash slipped his hand into his shirt, pulling out the golden ring he carried, dangling it on its chain in front of her. “I never took it off, because the only thing this place has done for me is breed hate in my heart.” He stared her down, she knew she couldn’t beat him in that contest. “So just drop it 3, because I’m not in the mood for this. If we have to work together, know that I am in no way using the morphers. I don’t have anything against you 3, but I am not a Ranger.”
Serena nodded, though she felt a strange disappointment in her heart. Ash was a plaything for her, nothing more, she reminded herself, and stood up. “Come on Ash,” she said, starting for the door, “the Council said they had some things to show you, for the Golden Ranger.”
Ash followed, though he was never going to use any of the weapons that she was planning to show him.
***
“This is what the former Golden Ranger referred to as the 0 Cycle.”
Serena pulled the covers off a large object in the center of the main hanger, exposing what Ash thought was the most beautiful vehicle he had ever seen. It was like a modified Harley, but was more lithe and speedy, clearly designed to go very, very fast. The main part was a mesh of golden darkness, black striped with golden etches. A 0 was displayed before the handlebars, completing the perfect bike of Ash’s dreams.
“Unfortunately, the brakes need a little work right now,” Serena said absent-mindedly, kicking the side of the bike. “But you’ll get the hang of it pretty fast, or you’ll crash into a wall.”
“That’s reassuring,” Ash muttered dryly, following her away from the 0 Cycle towards a strange looking door with the number 0 marked in gold on the door. “What’s this?”
“This would be the weapons room for the Golden Ranger,” Serena answered, opening the door. She stepped forward into a brightly colored room with golden walls, beckoning him to follow her. Ash complied, simply because he didn’t want another conflict with her. Out of the entire PKM, for all her annoying gestures, Serena was the only person that made it entertaining to come back to the base, and she laughed at his overly serious nature, never taking him seriously. It was difficult for him to see her so sad, she was a friend. He would apologize when they got to Petalburg.
He glanced at a small computer in the corner of the room, and noticed that the whole room was completely empty save for him and her. “Where are the weapons?” he asked, following her towards the console.
“We’re going to make them,” she told him, opening the computer. “The computer can analyze a Ranger’s morphers and Spirit, and create new weapons based on that.”
Ash nodded, he decided to play the game. Unwillingly, he stepped up into the scanner that every computer in the PKM seemed to have. “Let’s just get this over with,” he murmured, holding the bracelets over the console. “Yada yada yada, Golden Ranger,” he said, wanting more then ever to leave.
“Scanning for Spirit…” the voice said, running a red light under the morphers. It was not long before Pikachu’s face appeared on the screen, smiling broadly.
“Hello Ash!” it said, grinning.
“Hey buddy,” Ash replied, smiling at the sight of his best friend. “How are you doing in there?”
“It’s actually quite nice,” it answered, chasing its tail. “In here I can speak and play and do mostly anything when the Ranger uniform is not in use. So, what exactly did you need me for Ash?”
“We are going to modify Ash some weapons to suit his new Ranger status,” Serena answered the Pokemon, giggling that at least Ash’s Spirit was fun. “Think you can give me a hand?”
“No problem,” Pikachu answered, the mouse grinning. “What kind of weapons do you have in mind?”
“Well, tradition states that all Rangers must have one melee weapon and one blaster weapon,” Serena answered, typing onto the screen to startup the program. “So, how does a sword and a shotgun sound?” She turned to Ash, who held no objections considering he found this a waste of time to issue him anything when he would not morph.
“I think I can do that,” the electric type nodded, closing its eyes. “I’m gonna need a second, but it shouldn’t…there!” Pikachu released the program, and a golden light appeared in Ash’s hands. “Here comes the melee weapon!”
Ash felt a metal appear in his hand, a handle materializing from Pikachu’s power. It felt smooth, but firm in his grasp. The golden light transformed into a saber, bending horizontally across his hand, before shooting up at an angle, forming what looked like a lightning bolt, but was in reality a sword.
“How is it?” Pikachu asked, peering at its creation. “I think I’ll call it the Bolt Blade, since it looks sort of like my tail. How does that sound?”
“Bolt Blade?” Ash asked, testing the weight of the weapon in his hands. It was light, but durable, with a four feet long blade. “Sounds a little babyish, doesn’t it?”
“Hey, I have a weapon named the Snow Staff,” Serena objected, putting her hands over her hips. “I don’t think it’s babyish, it’s just part of the motif that Rangers use.”
“Whatever you say,” Ash retorted, keeping a grip on the sword. He twisted it, keeping it perfectly stable. “I’ll need to practice with this.”
“Rangers don’t practice,” Serena replied. “Your Ranger suit is already fitted with everything needed to use that weapon.”
“Sounds simple enough.” The Bolt Blade glowed, before vanishing into pieces of light, flooding into the right bracelet morpher. “So, how do I use it?”
“Activating the program in the suit,” Serena explained. “Now Pikachu, how about that blaster?”
“Comin’ right up!” Pikachu concentrated again, and again golden light flooded into Ash’s hands, transforming into a long, single barrel shotgun, with jagged black and white lightning stripes across the surface. It was the same size as the Bolt Blade, only designed with projectiles in mind. “That will be of use, it shoots lightning charges at people. I’m gonna call it the Lightning Laser.”
“Great, another original name,” Ash answered, gazing through the sights the gun had. It would be a useful weapon, and it vanished into the left morpher, ready to be summoned at any time by the Golden Ranger. Which would not happen, because Ash was not planning on morphing. “Are we done here?”
“That should do it,” Serena answered. “Thanks for your help Pikachu.”
“Not a problem 3,” Pikachu replied cheerfully. “Call me again if you need any more help.” The screen went blank, and Pikachu returned to the morphers to continue being the Spirit, waiting to be summoned to help Ash.
“Your Spirit has more personality than you do Ash,” the White Ranger giggled, already forgetting their quarrel. “Pikachu might be the side of you that knows how to have fun.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Ash answered dully, before turning from the room. “I think we’re done here, we should prepare for the mission.” Serena heard a crack of lightning, and Ash was gone in an instant.
“I think he’s close to mastering the RSP system,” she sighed, before walking out of the room herself. She had her own things to prepare, several cases of luggage filled with clothes.
***
Ash cleaned out the room, it didn’t take very long. The PKM would be providing a safe house for himself and Serena, so it wouldn’t hurt for him to plan ahead for anything. He grabbed the gun under his bed, checking to make sure the safety was on the pistol, before tucking it into a satchel he would take to carry his few belongings.
“Pikachu?” he asked, knowing that the Pokemon could hear him. He headed for the bathroom, and gathered his toiletries, a shaver and a toothbrush, along with a small black comb.
“Yes Ash?” the Pokemon asked, its voice spreading through the living quarters. “What’s up?”
“I was just thinking something,” he answered, tossing the items into his bag. “You think 3 has a motive in coming with me on this mission?”
“I think if you’re going to be partners, it might make more sense to call her by her name, and not her designation,” it replied. “She cares for you, or at least, your well-being Ash. She is a friend.”
“She annoys me,” Ash muttered, stashing away a few provisions under the bed, a few clips and food. “She lives to make me uncomfortable.”
“Don’t worry too much about it,” Pikachu replied soothingly. “Remember how you used to be just like her when you were younger? Try and have some fun, Serena can show you how. She seems like a nice person.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ash replied, his eyes hitting the frame Serena had picked up. “I wonder why she got so worked up about a photo,” he muttered to himself, picking up the last photo he had of them, and remembering that he was going back to them a Ranger, their protector. He put it inside his satchel, closing the bag tightly. “I’d better get going, it’s a long way there for Serena, two seconds for me.”
“RSP is a useful system Ash,” Pikachu agreed, and the man made his way out of the room, making sure to get his civilian clothes. There was no way he was walking around wearing the stupid PKM uniform Serena had made him put on. The door shut fast behind him, and the Ranger made his way left, towards where the exit to the PKM would be.
He hoped that Serena was not bringing her entire wardrobe.
***
“It took you long enough,” Ash sighed, an hour later as agents hauled various suitcases towards the chopper he was leaning on. The thin helicopter wasn’t going to be able to hold all the luggage that Serena had chosen to take with them. He slung his satchel over his shoulder, already dressed in civilian form, looking more like a biker than anything. He then noticed that she wasn’t wearing her uniform either.
Serena had opted for something more…casual. With jeans to tight they looked painted on, she strode out to him with red heels, and a white shirt that exposed her naval. A few bracelets dangled from her lithe wrists, and her silver hair was tied into a bun. Ash groaned, she looked more like a ***** then an agent.
“And why do you look like that?” Ash asked, putting his ponytail out of sight. At least her hair was neat, though it looked like she wanted him to notice her.
“I wanna have fun on this mission, so I figured I’d wear something so I wouldn’t stand out,” she answered sweetly, Ash noticing the masses under her shirt even without having to look hard.
“I think everyone’s going to pay attention to that,” he muttered, looking away. “Come on, get your stuff onto the helicopter, we’ve got work to do.”
She nodded, and turned to the agents, all of whom seemed to have blood leaking from their noses from staring at her shirt. “Load ‘em up!” she ordered, and the people rushed to obey her, hastily putting up all the luggage, to Ash’s disbelief. It seemed impossible that such a large amount of material could fit into a small copter like the one PKM had given them to travel to Petalburg.
“Thank you!” Serena said sweetly, bowing low towards the agents when they were through. All of them disappeared instantly, probably due to the display she had given them. “Nyahaha, rookies are so easy to mess with,” she cackled, before skipping back to where Ash was waiting. “Is that all your taking?” she asked, pointing to the satchel he was holding.
“It’s all I need,” he replied, tossing it aboard the craft. “Let’s get going.”
He climbed aboard, followed by her, and entered the pilot’s seat immediately. He did not know how well Serena could fly a chopper, but from what she had just done, he really didn’t want to know. He could fly well enough, so he would pilot. Plus, he had seniority in terms of rank to her.
“Get in,” he ordered, shutting the hatch behind her, “and buckle up.”
She nodded, getting into the co-pilot’s seat and buckling up tightly. Ash was known for somewhat reckless yet effective driving and piloting. Ash put on a set of headphones, and turned on the chopper. “Agent 0 to control,” he said into the microphone. “This is Chopper A, requesting admission to the air.”
“Chopper A, please stand by for dock opening,” a static voice crackled back, before the ceiling above them began to open, exposing them to the bright sky above them, blue with the radiant sun streaming down on the two. “You are clear for launch,” the voice muttered, “good luck Rangers.”
“Roger.” Ash started the engine, the blades above them spiraling on command. After waiting for the momentum to build, Ash raised the copter into the air, and out of the hanger, into the beautiful sky above. “Adios PKM,” he said, reaching the desired altitude needed to travel through the air. “Ready 3?” he asked, looking over to Serena.
“Ready Ash,” she replied, and both Rangers began to head east to Hoenn, to continue their mission. The morphers confiscated from the terrorist were still in Ash’s satchel, he would give them to Serena later, when there was time, and when May was safe.
__________________
And it is with that I present the White Ranger, Serena Brine, along with Ash's and her confusing relationship of lust and total lack of Ash's interest! Stay tuned for more, we're getting to the good part soon!
NEXT: Morph Six-Acceptance Coming Soon!
SEE X3! IT IS PWNSOME! Review if you can, I'm out of school suckas!