PRT 415- “Sisters in Pink”
“Great practice guys, see you tomorrow.” I said as I waved to my squad mates. I slung my gym bag over my shoulder and headed out of the gym. I went into the school so I could grab my books from my locker. On the way I saw Six slam her locker shut.
“Hey, you ok?” I asked.
“Do I look ok?” she snapped.
“Hey, chill, I was just asking.”
She sighed, “I’m sorry Echo. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just upset about Seven.”
“Oh, the whole...Red thing?”
“Yeah, it should have been me.”
“But it wasn’t. You can’t hold on to that anger forever.”
“Watch me.”
“Seven really isn’t that bad.”
“He’s an arrogant ego-manic that doesn’t deserve to be a Samurai, let alone a Ranger.”
“Shh, hold it down.”
“Whatever, the point is that Seven is a lame loser and he took what should have been mine.” She said as she stormed off.
“Take care.” I said to the air, as she was already gone.
I proceeded to my locker and grabbed my books then I headed for home.
I walked into my house. My parents weren’t home yet. I went to my room and threw my bag on the floor then turned on some music. I loved dancing. I could dance for hours.
My name is Echo Hart. I’m 16 and a sophomore at
I was about to start my homework but I hadn’t had the chance
to tell Kim about the Ranger thing yet. Since no one was home it was a perfect
time. I picked up the phone and dialed Kim’s number. She lived in
“Hello?” Tommy answered.
“Hey Tommy, is my sister around?” I asked.
“Oh, hey Echo, sure. Hang on.” He said as he called Kim to the phone.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey Sis!” I said.
“Hey Echo, how are you?”
“So amazing. I have to tell you the biggest news.”
“OK, what is it?”
“Ok, so this evil undead Samurai attacked
“Oh no, Echo, are you ok? Is Dad?”
“Yes, yes, we’re fine. Not the point. Guess who the new Pink Ranger is?”
“You know who it is?”
“Yes! You’re talking to her!”
“Wh-what?!”
“Me Kim, I’m the new Pink Ranger!”
“OK, back it up. First of all if this is true you shouldn’t be telling me. Your identity should be secret.”
“Oh please. Michelle told me you were the first Pink Ranger. I know all about it.”
“Ohhh, Michelle…of course. If there’s a new team of Rangers then she’s the Purple Ranger.”
“Exactly.”
“So this is for real? You’re the new Pink Ranger?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Wow. Congratulations! Being a Ranger is such a remarkable and rewarding experience. I know you’ll make a great Ranger…and you have the benefit of having Michelle as a trainer. She’s amazing.”
“Well, we’ll have her sometimes anyway.”
“What do you mean sometimes?”
“She’s busy on tour with Jon. She said she’ll come by and train us and if we really need her to call but she’s not actually sticking around on a regular basis.”
Kim sighed, “She chose Jon over Rangering?”
“Well, I’m not sure if I’d phrase it quite like that. She did do a couple of training sessions with us.”
“She should be there everyday to help guide and train you.”
“She’s not here everyday, but we have Sensei Cam and we have a good team.”
“
“You know about the Samurai Sector?”
“Tommy knows about everything related to Rangering.”
“Oh yeah, Michelle mentioned something about that. Anyway, we don’t need Michelle. We’ll be fine.”
“Well I’m really happy for you. Just be very, very careful.”
“I will be, I promise.”
“Ok. I need to go but I love you Ech.”
“I love you to Kim. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I hung up and started my homework. My algebra wasn’t going to do itself and I had no idea how much time I had because there was no telling with another undead Samurai would attack.
Kim
~~~
I hung up the phone with Echo extremely upset. Michelle was supposed to be a Ranger trainer, not gallivanting all over the country with a rock star. I was not happy. I went into the living room where Tommy was watching TV.
“Everything ok?” Tommy asked.
“Not even a little.” I replied.
He muted the TV and looked at me, “What’s wrong?”
“Your irresponsible sister is going to get mine killed.”
He sighed, “What did Michelle do now?”
“Are you aware there is a new Ranger team?”
“No…Michelle is supposed to keep me informed of that.”
“Well clearly she failed at that too because there is a new team and Echo is the new Pink Ranger.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, wow.”
“Ok, so aside from failing to inform us what else did Michelle do?”
“She’s not training the team. She has decided that touring with Jon is more important than her Ranger duties.”
“She what?!” Tommy cried.
“Yeah. I guess she told the Samurai team that she would help if they needed it but she wouldn’t stick around because of the tour.”
“It’s not even her tour! She’s putting Jon ahead of her duties as a trainer?”
“Sounds like it.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“Do you seriously think it will do any good? She’s stubborn and there’s no way we can force her to leave Jon. You’ve tried before.”
“I’m sure Echo will be fine. We didn’t have a trainer.”
“Yeah, and how many times did we make mistakes that cost lives? You created the position of trainer to assist the new Rangers so those mistakes were minimized. If Michelle won’t do it then I will.”
“Kim, you can’t assume the Power of Purple. No one can.”
“I don’t have to be a Ranger to train the team.”
“Seriously? You really want to train the team?”
“Yes. I do.”
“And how will you explain to your father your presence in
“I’ll tell him that I’m scouting for a location to build a new gym.”
“Which brings up another point…who will run your gym?”
“I have a great staff and most of the business side I can do with internet access.”
“There’s no talking you out of this is there?”
“No. Tommy, you risked everything to make sure the Dino Gems were used the way they were meant to be. You were there for the DinoThunder team when it almost cost you us. You should understand my need to be there for these Rangers better than anyone…especially if Michelle won’t take this seriously.”
Tommy nodded, “I do understand. If you feel the need to go then go. I’ll be here waiting.”
I smiled, “Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you too. I need to go book the next flight to
Echo
~~~~
The next day I went to school like every other day. When I got to class I took my seat next to Morgan and Chance.
“Hey guys.” I said.
“Hey Ech.” Morgan said.
“Where’s Seven?” I asked.
“Late again.” Six said as she sat behind me.
“He’s not the most punctual person I’ve ever met.”
“It’s really unbecoming of a samurai.”
“Oh cut him some slack. He’s a normal teenage boy.” Morgan said.
Six scoffed as she opened the book and pretended to study.
I shook my head, “Seven isn’t that bad.”
“Speak of the devil.” Morgan said as he ran into class and slid into his seat just as the tardy bell rang.
“Sweet! I made it!” Seven said.
“Congratulations Mr. Duncan. Can we begin now?” Mr. Tenelli, our homeroom teacher, said.
“Um, sure. Carry on.”
I heard Six let out a sigh.
After school all headed for the Academy. We went to Ops and found Sensei Cam.
“Hey Sensei.” Morgan said.
“Hey guys…um…Six, what are you doing here?” Sensei
“Training.” Six replied.
“I told you classes were suspended for now.”
“Yes, and I told you I didn’t want to stop my training.”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t be here. I need to work solely with the Rangers.”
“I should be a Ranger, not him.” Six said pointing to Seven.
“But he is and you need to accept that.”
“Fine…when he fails don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Six said as she stormed out of Ops.
“Sensei, isn’t there something we could have her do to help?” I asked.
“I don’t have time for her childish fits right now. We have work to do…starting with introducing you to a new trainer.”
“A new trainer? What about Michelle?” I asked.
“Michelle will still help us as her schedule permits but she
does not have the time to devote to the team.” Sensei
“But you’re a veteran too Sensei, can’t you train us alone?” Morgan asked.
“I could, but it could be far too much for one person to do. I have to keep Ops up and running. Being on the battlefield while running the tech side is taxing enough. It would be a disservice to us all if I were to attempt to be your sole trainer as well.”
“So who’s going to train us now?” Chance asked.
“I am.” A voice said.
We turned around as saw Kim standing there.
“Kim?!” I asked.
“Hey sweetie.” She said.
“Oh my god!” I cried as I ran up and hugged her.
“You know her?” Seven asked.
“Guys, this is my sister Kimberly.”
“Nice to meet you guys.
“So does this mean you’re the new Purple Ranger?” Morgan asked.
“No, only Michelle can hold the Purple Ranger power and she will help you as her schedule permits. I do still have access to my Pterodactyl power if I need it and I am extremely capable of training you all just as well as Michelle.”
“This is so awesome!” I said.
Kim did a training session with us and when we finished we headed for home.
“Does Dad know you’re here?” I asked as we drove.
“Not yet. Figured I’d surprise him.” She said.
“How are you going to explain to him why you’re here?”
“I’m scouting for a location for a new gym and
“Nice. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I don’t spend nearly enough time with you.”
“Now we’ll spend plenty of time together.”
“Yes, we will.”
“Are you staying with Dad? If he invites me.”
“I’m sure he will.” I said as we pulled into the drive way.
We walked in the house. My parents were in the kitchen. “Hey guys, guess who I ran into.” I said as Kim and I walked in.
“Kim? Hey sweetie!” Dad said as he hugged her.
“Hi Kim.” My mom said.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well, I’m trying to find a place to build a new gym and Blue Bay seems potentially promising so I figured I’d come check it out and surprise you while I’m at it.” Kim said.
“This is a wonderful surprise. It’s so good to see you. Do you have a place to stay yet? Oh, it doesn’t matter, you’re staying here anyway.” Dad said.
Kim laughed, “OK, if it’s ok with Kathy I’ll stay.”
Mom nodded, “Of course you can stay. You’re always welcome here.”
“OK then it’s settled. Echo, show your sister to her room and we’ll set an extra place at the table.” Dad said.
“Yes sir. Come on Kim.” I said as I led her upstairs.
“Here’s the guest room. Make yourself at home.” I said as I opened the door for Kim.
“Thanks.” She said as she put her bag on the dresser and started to unpack.
I went in and jumped onto the bed, “It’s gonna be so awesome having my sister in the same house.”
Kim laughed, “Thanks. I guess I didn’t spend much time with you growing up did I?”
“No, but its ok. You were busy with gymnastics and your own life. I get it.”
“It’s no excuse. I should have been there for you more.”
“You’re here for me now and I’ve never needed you more.”
Kim smiled and hugged me, “Yes, I am.”
“That’s all that matters.” I said as her phone rang.
She looked at caller ID, “I need to take this.”
“OK, just come down to dinner when you’re done.” I said as I left the room, closing the door behind me.
Kim
~~~
“
“Hello?” I answered.
“What in the hell are you doing?” Michelle said.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean how dare you come in and take over my team. Tommy told me you’re training them.”
“OK, first of all, they aren’t your team because you’re never here. Second of all, you placed Jon above your responsibility as a Ranger so I don’t want to hear it.” I said.
“I can do both thank you. I plan to train the team very well.”
“How? You’re never here.”
“I won’t be as present, but I will be there.”
“OK, and I’m not stopping you from doing that. You are welcome to come train them. I’m just here as a constant presence.”
“You shouldn’t be there at all.”
“You’re entitled to your opinion but I’m not leaving. It’s bad enough that you ditched your responsibility but my sister is on this team. I’m not leaving her training to you right now…not in your current state.”
“My current state?”
“Oh come on
“Screw you Kim. I’ll show you.”
“By training them well? I hope you do
“Stop patronizing me. Tell
“Nope. See you in a few days.”
She scoffed and hung up the phone. I hated upsetting her. I really did feel I was stepping on her toes here but I also didn’t feel I had a choice. Someone had to step in and it was clear that Michelle was certainly in no shape to be left with this kind of responsibility. I sighed and went down to dinner. It was going to be a long mission.