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Post by FangZeronos on Mar 29, 2021 10:55:07 GMT -5
Aaron heard what Mayumi had to say and it would be nice to be able to believe her words and move forward but this feeling was something that he couldn't shake, especially combined with the pending offer from Overseer. "Thank you but do this for me." He said, almost pleading with her. "If it does happen, I don't want another Kida situation. Let me be clear. If something happens, there is no argument. The others need to do what must be done and not hesitate because I fear what may happen if they do." He looked Mayumi square in the eyes. He knew that he was asking a lot of her and part of him regretted doing so but he also knew that if he didn't, the alternative could be disastrous. "If that means if I die, so be it." Aaron said, making things as plain as possible to eliminate any confusion.
"Rangers, there's a new attack," he said, contacting the Rangers. "Near the Youth Center. Looks like a ninja and surrounded by Coronites. Get downtown fast!"
Before Mayumi could respond properly, Jameson called them regarding an attack downtown. Normally, he'd be eager to get out there and show off his advances skills but this attack caused him to pause since it should have been happening. "I thought I had more time..." Aaron mumbled under his breath. He quickly thought that maybe if he got there first, he could wave off this attack to buy the team some more time but Rina got involved quickly, dashing his plan. "Damnit, Rina!" He cursed after communications were shut off on his end. He stood up.
"You should get to the Command Center." Aaron told Mayumi, stopping short of giving her a proper explanation. "DINO STEEL!" He shouted, quickly morphing into the Black Ranger before teleporting out to the downtown area where he found the Green Ranger directing civilians. He locked eyes with Ironmoon, silently cursing his presence here as he was sure that he had more time to consider the offer.
Mayumi started to respond when Aaron asked her to make sure the others knew what to do if he turned, and her heart sank. "Kane--" she started, being interupted by Jameson. "What do you mean, more time? Kane, talk to me!" She watched as he morphed and teleported out, leaving her alone in the room.
Walking out of the apartment, Mayumi yelled as she got grabbed by the ninja-themed Coronites. "Let me go!" She tried to fight back, wishing she had her sword before headbutting one and breaking it's grip before feeling a dart in her neck. "Oh...that's a...a cheap trick..." She crumpled to the ground unconscious and left to be tied up by the Coronites who disappeared with their prize.
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"Dino Steel!" Kida called out, morphing and teleporting out at the same time. She landed beside Rina, getting the last few civilians out of the street. She looked over, seeing Ironmoon and Aaron having a staredown. "Oh, boy. Shinobi battle. My money's on our dude." She ran over with Rina, looking Ironmoon over. "Well, looks like the ninja-con's in town."
"Choose your worlds carefully, Red Ranger," Ironmoon said. "Today would not be a day for you to anger us."
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Post by Mr.Silver on Mar 29, 2021 12:51:52 GMT -5
"Dino Steel!" Kida called out, morphing and teleporting out at the same time. She landed beside Rina, getting the last few civilians out of the street. She looked over, seeing Ironmoon and Aaron having a staredown. "Oh, boy. Shinobi battle. My money's on our dude." She ran over with Rina, looking Ironmoon over. "Well, looks like the ninja-con's in town."
"Choose your worlds carefully, Red Ranger," Ironmoon said. "Today would not be a day for you to anger us."
"Nobody gives a fuck if a ninja knockoff is angry." The Pink Ranger arrived, landing next to the Red Ranger who Ironmoon was addressing. She looked over at Aaron who appeared to be in an intense stare down with Ironmoon. "What's the deal?" She asked Kida in a hushed tone. "Normally, Frosty would be declaring victory by now."
"Ironmoon!" Aaron called out. "Why are you here!? Don't you have something better to do!?"
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Post by CaptainCanary92 on Mar 29, 2021 16:49:44 GMT -5
Rina tilted her head, watching intently as she looked between Ironmoon and Aaron.
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Post by venomizer on Mar 29, 2021 22:10:03 GMT -5
Before Jaxon could react to anything, the rangers were called to action. "Evil never rests, neither do I. Dino Steel!" Jaxon stated as he instamorphed into the blue ranger before teleporting to the disturbance only to find Rina, Kida, JT and Aaron and from what the looks of it, Aaron knew this Bushido looking monster. "What's going on? Aaron, why ain't you frosted this fool yet?!" Jaxon said as he had his saber drawn.
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Post by FangZeronos on Mar 29, 2021 22:18:50 GMT -5
"Nobody gives a fuck if a ninja knockoff is angry." The Pink Ranger arrived, landing next to the Red Ranger who Ironmoon was addressing. She looked over at Aaron who appeared to be in an intense stare down with Ironmoon. "What's the deal?" She asked Kida in a hushed tone. "Normally, Frosty would be declaring victory by now."
"Ironmoon!" Aaron called out. "Why are you here!? Don't you have something better to do!?"
Rina tilted her head, watching intently as she looked between Ironmoon and Aaron.
"What's going on? Aaron, why ain't you frosted this fool yet?!" Jaxon said as he had his saber drawn.
"I don't know," Kida said softly, looking at JT. "I genuinely don't know. This doesn't feel right, I know that much."
Ironmoon smirked, his hand resting on his sword. "Doing my job, Black Ranger. You see...the Master still wants them eliminated. One way or the other," he said. "Tell me, Rangers. Do any of you know the truth? Know who he really is?"
"Who cares?!" Kida asked. "He's our friend, and that's all that matters. Whoever you think he is, asshole, you're dead fuckin' wrong!"
"Oh, am I?" Ironmoon asked, snapping his fingers. The ninja-clad Coronites appeared, Mayumi bound and gagged and unconscious between them. "This is what happens when he doesn't listen."
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Post by Mr.Silver on Mar 29, 2021 23:09:11 GMT -5
"What she said!" JT shouted, not caring to hear Ironmoon's attempts to slander their friend. "We know exactly who he is, Jackass!"
"Who cares?!" Kida asked. "He's our friend, and that's all that matters. Whoever you think he is, asshole, you're dead fuckin' wrong!"
"Oh, am I?" Ironmoon asked, snapping his fingers. The ninja-clad Coronites appeared, Mayumi bound and gagged and unconscious between them. "This is what happens when he doesn't listen."
"Mayumi!" The Black Ranger drew his Steel Edge Saber, pointing it at the vile ninja. "Your boss must have gotten his wires crossed. Now let her go! This is your one and only warning!" On the inside, Aaron was borderline panicking. He was extremely careful not to tell anyone of the proposal from Overseer and for this to still happen weighed on him very hard because he knew that it was his fault.
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Post by FangZeronos on Mar 30, 2021 22:04:36 GMT -5
"Mayumi!" The Black Ranger drew his Steel Edge Saber, pointing it at the vile ninja. "Your boss must have gotten his wires crossed. Now let her go! This is your one and only warning!" On the inside, Aaron was borderline panicking. He was extremely careful not to tell anyone of the proposal from Overseer and for this to still happen weighed on him very hard because he knew that it was his fault.
Ironmoon smirked, a dagger sliding into his hand as he pointed it at Mayumi's ribs. "Tell them the truth. If you don't, this goes between her ribs," he said. "This is coated in a very deadly poison from the dawn of time, one that one tiny nick is enough to kill a full grown wild boar. Now, start talking."
Mayumi moaned as she lifted her head softly, blinking the pain away before looking up at the assemlbed Rangers. "MMM!!" she screamed, shaking her head and thrashing to try and get away. She looked at Aaron, feeling the knife in her side before shaking her head, knowing what Ironmoon wanted.
"What are you going to do, Black Ranger? Your friend only has a few seconds before I decide for you," Ironmoon growled.
"Aaron, what is he talking about?" Kida asked. "Tell us what?"
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Post by Mr.Silver on Mar 30, 2021 22:17:05 GMT -5
Aaron played through the available options in his head. He could try to get to Mayumi before Ironwood stabbed her but based on his position, he didn't think that he could get there fast enough. He could also call his bluff. Overseer would have to know that killing his friend wouldn't help in facilitating any deal no matter where Aaron's head was. No matter the scenario, he couldn't risk the former Ranger's life more than he already has.
"Okay!" The Black Ranger relented, lowering his saber. "Let her go and I'll tell them."
"What!? What are you doing!? We can take this guy and still save Mayumi!" JT took a step forward only for Aaron to raise his hand.
"Don't." Aaron said, stopping JT from going on the attack before turning his attention back to Ironmoon. "You heard me! Release her and we have a deal!"
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Post by venomizer on Mar 30, 2021 22:30:12 GMT -5
As Jaxon observed the situation, Aaron who was usually very forward to attack villains was hesitant. "Aaron, you got some serious explaining to do man.." Jaxon said as he still had his saber at the ready.
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Post by CaptainCanary92 on Mar 30, 2021 22:34:22 GMT -5
Rina bit her lip looking at Mayumi and between Aaron and Ironmoon, putting her sword back on her belt and looking at the Black Ranger and nodding her head softly knowing that the ball was in Ironmoon’s court and not wanting to see another friend hurt.
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Post by FangZeronos on Mar 30, 2021 22:44:25 GMT -5
"Okay!" The Black Ranger relented, lowering his saber. "Let her go and I'll tell them."
"What!? What are you doing!? We can take this guy and still save Mayumi!" JT took a step forward only for Aaron to raise his hand.
"Don't." Aaron said, stopping JT from going on the attack before turning his attention back to Ironmoon. "You heard me! Release her and we have a deal!"
"Aaron. What the hell is going on?" Kida asked. Her blood was boiling, getting ready to attack Ironmoon regardless of what needed to be done.
Ironmoon released Mayumi's bonds, smirking as he flicked the dagger against the White Ranger's neck, a green line seeping into her bloodstream and slowly starting to pass through her system. He flung Mayumi forward, the powerless shinobi hitting the ground and rolling to a stop in front of Kida.
"Mayumi," Kida said, kneeling down and supporting the younger woman's head. "Oh, god. Don't worry, honey, we're going to get you help. I promise."
"Aaron...please don't....I'm not worth it...please..." Mayumi whispered, coughing as her eyes screwed shut.
"Now. Lower your suits and start talking," Ironmoon said.
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Post by Mr.Silver on Mar 30, 2021 23:17:00 GMT -5
Ironmoon released Mayumi's bonds, smirking as he flicked the dagger against the White Ranger's neck, a green line seeping into her bloodstream and slowly starting to pass through her system. He flung Mayumi forward, the powerless shinobi hitting the ground and rolling to a stop in front of Kida.
"Bastard!" The Black Ranger looked at Ironmoon, making a mental note to kill the ninja no matter how these next few minutes went. He knelt down next to Mayumi, demorphing as he saw her weakened form. "No. You are worth it. Besides, I should have done this a lot sooner."
"Done what?" JT asked. "Whatever it is, it can't be that bad." Her tone conveyed some serious worry as this was all unraveling quickly.
"Wanna bet?" Aaron sighed, taking one more moment to gather himself before he started speaking. "I'm not who you think I am. When you hear me say I'm built different, it's not me being cocky... most of the time. I am not the real Aaron Kane. I am a clone. The real Aaron of my timeline went bad. He's an elite ninja who led an evil clan that almost destroyed our village twice. I was created by Orochimaru to serve as a decoy of sorts so that nobody would suspect that the real Aaron was actually Proto. To throw a wrinkle into things, the Grand Battle that included the multiversal brawl ended with another Aaron slipping into our timeline who ended up being our Red Ranger. He ended up dying at the hands of Proto once and my arrival coupled with his resurrection nearly tore our team apart as we were both sure that we were the Aaron of that world when in fact, neither of us were. Eventually we made amends and survived a final battle against Proto but before I could properly find out if there were any other tricks Orochimaru planted inside of me, I was brought here... which is still a mystery to me, as to why me but not our Red Ranger."
Aaron paused for a moment, looking down at the ailing Mayumi. "I've also been having nightmares, wondering if or when the darkness that was in the original me will come out and cause me to don the Proto mantle but in keeping that to myself and asking Mayumi not to tell anyone, I've gotten her hurt and for that along with lying to you all..... I'm sorry." Aaron bowed to his teammates, bracing themselves for whatever vitriol would come his way.
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Post by CaptainCanary92 on Mar 30, 2021 23:26:32 GMT -5
Rina narrowed her eyes ar Ironmoon as he flung Mayumi at them after sticking her with the poisoned knife. She looked at Aaron as he spoke, reaching up and taking her helmet off, no judgement in her eyes as she looked at him. “You have nothing to apologize for. Seeing as the Overseer is making a habit of airing out people’s dirty laundry forceably, it wasn’t our right to know unless you wanted us to. You’re the you we know and evil background or not, it doesn’t change who YOU feel like on the inside. I’ve had friends who had evil family backgrounds and this doesn’t change how I feel you are as a person.” she said.
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Post by FangZeronos on Mar 30, 2021 23:27:34 GMT -5
Kida listened to Aaron's story, her own suit falling away as she looked at Mayumi in her arms. She pushed the White Ranger's hair out of her face, feeling her shaking as she started sweating. She looked up at Aaron, shaking her head. "Don't be sorry. You hid it because you thought it was the best course of action," she said. She reached up and put her hand on the Black Ranger's arm softly. "You're here because the Multiverse knew you needed to find your place. It gave you the second chance you needed. Mayumi beleives in you. And so do I. I never doubted you for anything. You've always had my back, even when I screw up and almost kill the team, and I've got yours now."
"Kane...you're....you're you. You'll...you'll never be Proto...not as long as I...as long as I....as I live..." Mayumi whispered, flinching and curling up, wincing as she felt the poison flowing into her veins. "Mmm....Okāsan...gomen'nasai...Mōsugu shinde o ai shimashou..."
"No. You aren't going to die, Mayumi. I fucking refuse to let you die," Kida said, taking Mayumi's hand. "You're gonna be fine, sweetie. I promise."
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Post by Mr.Silver on Mar 31, 2021 1:14:36 GMT -5
"Thank you." Aaron stood up straight, still not feeling his best because there was still the other shoe to drop. Because Overseer didn't keep his word, there was no longer any point in keeping anything back any longer. "But that's not all." He added. "Earlier today, Overseer met with me personally and offered me a place in his army. He said that I had 24 hours but clearly, he's not the patient type." Aaron dropped down to one knee, placing his hand over Mayumi's forehead. "Now Mayumi's in danger and it's my fault." The Black Ranger lowered his head, feeling a great deal of shame for getting his friend along with the other Rangers into this mess.
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