(on the road, the remaining All-Stars come across five runes and another sign)
Matoi: ...seriously?!
Saya: Let's see what it says this time...
(she and Mao read, and the two whisper)
Jason: What is it this time?
Mao: "Surrender the five Heroes, and you'll pass. They must be one of Water, one of Energy, one of Forest, one of Wind. The last Hero must be one of Pirate."
Alex: Sounds like a failed attempt to summon—
(everyone looks at Alex to shut him up)
Tori: I really hope that we don't face anything too awful...
Xander: I'm sure we don't! I still have Plan Xander as backup!
Dan: ...dude. That never works.
Xander: Well, it'll have to work somehow!
(Dan facepalms, and Mao sighs)
Mao: Guys, we need to calm down. It may be possible that, wherever we go, it may be a detour.
Mako: Yeah! We have to work together! (to Mao) Um...do you know where it's going to lead to?
Mao: To be honest, I don't. Hell, I don't even know if it's going to be a trap. There are so many possibilities.
Ryota: Mao, please...be careful. You and the other Scouts.
Mao: Ryota, don't worry about us. You and Jason will need to lead the others to Radiguet's base. And if we don't return, make sure Rika's saved.
(Ryota is tearing up, afraid of losing his other friends, but Mako gives him a reassuring nod)
Mako: We'll be fine!
Dan: Yeah...you have your own mission to worry about.
Ryota: ...okay. Thanks, guys.
Jason: Good luck!
Mao: Thanks. We'll need all the luck we can get.
(Mao, Mako, Dan, Xander, and Tori stand on the runes)
Dan: Okay, guys, let's get 'em!
(the five are teleported off, and the gates open)
Rin: You think she's...?
Brittany: I don't know!
Natsuki: ...
We haven't heard from that tall, spiky-haired guy for a few days! You think he's okay, too?
Ryota: Well, we don't know what's up with Sean, either. It could be possible that he fell into a trap. It could be possible that he's trying to find Rika solo.
But right now, we need to focus on the mission, as Mao said.
(the remaining All-Stars head off)
(in another alternate dimension, the five Scouts find just...emptiness)
Tori: What on Earth?
(then five monsters show up: Darkuroi, Aocean, Kithunder, Momortex, and Midorungle)
Mao: Who are you?
Aocean: We are Radiguet's forces, sent to stop you!
Momortex: This should be fun...(giggles)
Xander: Okay, so what exactly are you going to do with us? Because we'd like to get back to the other All-Stars as quickly as possible.
Midorungle: Who says you're going to go back quickly?
(then Radiguet appears as a holographic image)
Radiguet: Enough.
(everyone but the monsters are stunned)
Xander: Is that you, mate?!
Radiguet: Correct, Xander. I am Radiguet. I'd like to congratulate the other All-Stars for making it this far.
(the Scouts are not impressed, especially Xander, Tori, and Dan)
You see, I'd like to have a little fun with you before you face me. If you do...
Tori: Radiguet, you brainwashed us. You had us fight other people. Don't you think that your sense of fun is a little messed up?
Dan: ...nice one! (he and Tori high-five)
Radiguet: No matter. I'd like to test your strength. If even one of you survives the dungeons of Hell...you'll be reunited with your friends.
Especially your fellow missing Scout.
(he then shows Sean, still unconscious)
Mako: Oh, my God!
Xander: The hell happened to him?!
(Mao then becomes even more determined)
Mao: <Looks like we have one more person to save! But what does he want with Sean?>
Radiguet: Let's just say I saved him from...a certain near-death. Akire was being too rough on him.
Mao: Enough talk, Radiguet. Show us the dungeons now.
(then Radiguet shows up)
Radiguet: As you wish.
(the monsters disappear, and the first door opens)
You'll face the following: a Water-themed dungeon, a Forest-themed dungeon, a Wind-based dungeon, a Shadow-based dungeon, and a Thunder-themed dungeon. Face the elements, and the bravest survive.
Good luck, Scouts.
(Radiguet disappears)
Tori: Water-themed...you think he's trying to tell us something?
Mao: I don't know, but we need to make it through. Otherwise, I don't know what's going to happen with either Rika or the other All-Stars.
Everyone...let's get showy!
All Other Scouts: RIGHT!
(and so, they enter the first dungeon)
(with Rika...)
Rika: Welcome back.
Previously, a bit more important shit actually happened. We reached the end of the Maskman "tribute", and Kiros is shown to join the U.A.O.E. Also, Flurious died.
...well. 10 chapters to go. At this point, we're reaching the Countdown to Destruction, where, this time, not only do the shit get really real (if it wasn't before), but things just get even fucking worse. Even for a brief moment.
Hold onto your sanity good and tight.
(click!)
We see the Hurricanegers, Zach, and Adam training. I know what you're thinking. "Wouldn't it make sense for all five (six if you count Shurikenger) guys from Hurricaneger to be in the Liveman mission?" Well...I don't know, either.
Oh, and with them is Yuusuke Amamiya (Red Falcon). He says this.
- Yuusuke: "You will realize a lot more than what I have trained with you today when you meet my younger self."
...
Wouldn't saying "When you meet my younger self, all this training will make sense to you" sound a bit simpler?
And yeah, he's seeing if he can gather the Goraigers, who, As You Know, were the Hurricanegers' rivals. (Rika grins as if to say, "I knew it!") Turns out, there are some people who drop by, but they're not fully committed to the alliance. Probably because those guys just realize how fucked up the USSPRA are.
Yousuke Shina (Hurricane Red) hopes that he would learn from Yuusuke's past self. And...oh, boy. He sees a blonde girl. Tori Hanson. You know exactly who she is...
After a scene with Spike hammering the rocks and crying out Big "NO!"s...again...we see several other people talking. By the way, you want to know what happened to Ashley? She, too, is a photojournalist! And yes, they talk about Trini. Yes, we get it, Trini is...soooooo OOC.
(Rika shakes her head)
- Andros: "She's one spunky girl with all the guts in her."
(imitates Andros) I mean, seriously, she told me to grow up or she'll punch me in the fuckin' guts! Seriously, what the hell is going on with her lately? (in her normal voice) Ah, Andros...now you're just boring as hell, sadly. When are you going to be awesome again?
(Rika sighs and crosses off Andros on her very very small list, "Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers Characters I Like")
We get to a scene with the Hurricanegers, Adam, and Zack talking about their mission. No, wait. They talk about the villains, and how awesome the Hurricanegers are. None of those are relevant, with the exception of this...
- Adam: "I wish that Zordon could still use the viewing globe but I fear his last strain in battle made him lose his powers so bad."
...is it me, now that it finally dawned on me, or is Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers a fix fic for characters Akizuki likes—that are dead—so that they can be brought back to life?
(Rika sighs a bit more)
(in the Water Dungeon, after many—and by "many", I mean "three"—boring-ass floor advances later, the group arrives at the final floor)
Xander: Ya think Radiguet's going easy on us?
Tori: I wouldn't be surprised.
Mao: It always seems to happen—always fake us out with something simple, then go for the devastation. Still...
(then Aocean shows up)
Aocean: Welcome! (streams of water burst all over)
Mako: W-what the?!
Aocean: Oh, don't be surprised by a little flair! If you can beat me, you can advance!
(Mao grins)
Mao: We'll see what'll happen. (she and the others prepare)
Aocean: Are you ready?
(then, more bursts of water occur, followed by...two towering whirlpools)
See if you can get me!
(Mao tries to shoot Aocean, but the burst of water counters the blast)
Mao: What the hell?!
Dan: ...that motherfucker. Looks like we'll have to figure out a pattern...
(Tori is doing exactly that right now, and just when things can't get any worse/WTF-inducing, water-based soldiers show up to attack the group)
(with Rika...)
Rika: We get to Tommy Oliver, who's training. And who shows up? Banba. Who is, I shit you not, "now aging" and "now an aging mentor and advisor". Lemme guess, and we're gonna be told that someone, age 12, is 12 years old, riiiiight?
Banba asks Tommy if he remembers when they met. Holy shit, the time travel really does affect the past Sentai Warriors! Then...shouldn't Mika be alive or some shit? Or...something else? Literally something else?
As Tommy remembers, Banba tells Tommy that it's time to learn a lesson in disguises. Also, he's going to replace him. WHAT.
Tommy is just as confused as anyone else, like you and me, and Banba tells him that he's not getting any younger. Yeah, we know, we were already told that at least two times before! In the fucking narration! And we get this.
- Banba: "Cole Evans' aid to Aka Red to fuse both powers is not the only assistant force I believe we need to win. If he has brute strength, you've got your ingenuity Tommy."
(Tranza blinks)
Tranza: ...
Rika: ...really? We're supposed to believe Tommy's really smart right about now? Tommy, Mr. Swiss Cheese Memory himself? Granted, I don't know what the hell kind of university he went through to get his degrees and become a teacher while he was also supposed to be a damn racecar driver and shit, but...that's asking too much willing suspension of disbelief.
Oh, wait, now I think I know why he brought that up!
Tranza: The whole "brains are better than brawns"?
Rika: Probably.
- Banba: "Oh yeah, you've got to really realize that brute force isn't the only thing we need to win."
(Rika lets out a disbelieving cry)
I hate it when my intuitions are right...
Tranza: Even I called it a mile away!
Rika: That's pathetic.
Anyway, Aka Red shows up. Turns out he can pop out whenever he pleases. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. He tells Tommy that he's also a key to saving the world, like all other Sentai Warriors and Rangers.
...but as anyone will know, Cole's more important than anyone else, because Akizuki says so. (Rika gags) Yeah, you know how the whole "everyone plays a part" or the whole teamwork thing is a Warped Aesop in the Power Rangers franchise? This takes it one step further.
(Rika drinks)
(meanwhile, as pretty fitting-ish music plays
, the group battles the water soldiers. Mao and Mako manage to slice them, whereas Dan confuses them with shadow doubles of himself. Xander, well...)
XANDER used ENERGY BALL!
Xander: Get a load of this! (using his arm like a cannon, he shoots the attack at the water soldiers)
It's Super Effective!
(As for Tori, she manipulates the water below to try to strike at the foes)
(and yes, if anyone asks...they all morphed offscreen)
Aocean: <Wow! They're all impressive! But I gotta focus on surprising them...>
(as if on cue, the soldiers sink to the bottom, and they try to do a sneak attack, striking at the scouts with Dive)
(this works, with the scouts getting hit)
Mao: ...okay, guys...let's stop and figure out what they're doing.
Mako: ...are we going to do a "brains are better than brawn!" thing?
(Mao laughs a bit)
Mao: No.
(they concentrate...)
(back to Rika...)
Rika: So we look at the Liveman world. From there, presumably-new recruits for the U.A.O.E, Tau Zant, Sargain, and Satarakura, are trying to unite with Volt. Turns out that they got Zeba's DNA...somehow, and they're, yes, trying to talk to Great Professor Bias.
By the way, their new plan? A deadly game show. And Lothor will be attending them.
...
Deadly game show...with a bit of a Toku flair, either directly or indirectly. Tell me, why does this sound oh-so-familiar?
...what? That one wasn't much of a deadly game show, more like a deadly reality show, and it only had a Toku flair just because one Power Rangers actor was the star? Screw you, it still counts to me!
(Tranza is confused, either Rika is breaking, or he's breaking, or the both of them are)
After yet another obligatory "grr, must take over the leadership!" from Tau this time, we see the Livemen—Yuusuke, Jou Oohara (Yellow Lion), Megumi Misaki (Blue Dolphin—take note, she's the first female Blue Sentai Warrior), Tetsuya Yano (Black Bison), and Junichi Aikawa (Green Sai, and yes, he's the same guy who once was impregnated by a Monster of the Week).
(Rika then thinks)
(Rika gives a "...really?" look at the screen)
Only when shit gets weirder.
(Rika then sighs)
The Livemen discuss amongst themselves about what Volt's doing. As they become patient, we see M!Takeru and Momoko.
O__O
(she then remembers what happened in the last installment, drinks, and then...)
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!
Seriously?! Why the hell did you have to bring those two in? Oh, wait, it's because you want to have them do a little "lovey-dovey" times. Honestly, of all the past Sentai Warriors to bring in, ruin, and then bring them back again...
(Rika is shaking)
They talk about how M!Takeru lost Iyal (that should have had a big honkin' "SPOILERS!" alert), and how her twin sister became a nun. They also wonder about Tube's future...and their own. And this is said.
- M!Takeru: "I can't be certain. We're not supposed to know the future. But I'm okay with the whole plot if I do marry you, even if I can't stomach your cooking."
...fuck you, too, buddy! (she says it in a higher tone, and she lightly headdesks)
By the way, I'm skipping past the whole "Volt makes a deal with the U.A.O.E" because it's so used so many times, it's not funny. About the only thing new about this is we get a Monster of the Arc. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Lethal Zuno.
Also, oh, hai, Yutaka Hirose's Sentai Villain Character #2: Doctor Kemp! (This is in chronological order, by the way, in case you're wondering.)
Anyway, cut back to the Livemen, and they're seen conversing with the Hurricanegers. As the latter group convinces them that what they're saying ("hi, we're from the future!") is true, they see Lethal Zuno attacking the city. And Tau Zant...speaking to them? Huh?
(Rika shrugs)
(a few minutes later, after taking hit after hit after hit, the group finds where the soldiers will strike next)
Mao: Okay. On the count of three, we'll blast them. One, two—
Tori: STRIKE!
(before the soldiers become dirty cheaters and strike them before Mao gets to "three", Tori manages to blast one of them with her Sonic Fin, turning him into bits of water)
...wow!
Mao: Damn! That's impressive! Okay, guys, let's pull out the stops!
(eventually, the group manages to strike at the soldiers themselves, turning their foes into bits of water as well. Aocean still watches)
Aocean: Impressive! But you still have to beat me...
(blasts of water knock off the group, and then Tori stands up)
Tori: Guys. Let me handle this.
(she stands in front)
Dan: <What is that girl doing?>
(Tori is mentally preparing, focusing on the water...)
Rika: We go to Tau's team, and aside from them, we see the three Ninja Storm Rangers—Tori, Shane Clarke (Red Wind Ranger), and Dustin Brooks (Yellow Wind Ranger). Oh, and Lothor, too.
...by the way, expect Lothor's Genre Savvy ways to be gone.
As they banter (and thank God that we aren't told the Ninja Storm team speaks Japanese—can they be possible translators? Hm...), Lothor tells them that they'll be the first contestants of the Quiz Show of Death. They wait until other hostages show up, namely M!Takeru and Momoko. And no, I don't know how they even got captured, either.
Oh. Tori imagines that she hopes her "dream ninja" would save her. You have got to be kidding me. So we're going to pair Yousuke with Tori...just because they're kinda-sorta on the same levels? Or whatever the hell?
After that, we cut to a battle. Wait, what battle? Didn't the Livemen and Hurricanegers watch some sort of a fucking news program? (Rika groans) Regardless, you know the drill: the two teams beat the Mooks, then Lethal Zuno hands their asses to them. Also, M!Takeru and Momoko notice the Monster of the Arc. Despite the fact that they're already captured.
(Rika shrugs and shakes her head) I'm just as confused as you are, folks!
As for the two Maskmen? They, too, get their asses handed to them. Even M!Takeru tries to use the God Fist, but it doesn't work. Complete with a Dull Surprise-induced "Ouch, my fist."
(Rika snorts)
Anyway, M!Takeru and Momoko are just as defeated as everyone else, and the villains capture them so they could use them for the Quiz Show of Death. (Rika sighs) I honestly don't know anymore.
Also...
- "In the Sentai Year 201…"
You know it's bad when even the fucking story can't really say the exact date!
Anyway, back to the actual U.A.O.E, RINO hears about the news. He tells Tau that it's time to begin the show. Oh, and lots of people will be betting on the lives of other people.
(Rika stares dumbfounded)
Betting the lives of other people...in a show. A game show. That would be a bloodbath. Setting difference notwithstanding, ripping off My Little Eye much?! I swear to God, if I see one character mutter the equivalence of the infamous Wham Line, I will flip my shit.
(Rika is shaking horribly)
And that's not getting into other types of Deadly Game Show media from the past, either!
Lothor is assigned to be the host of the show, and they plan to get an audience of Alienizers. NEXT!
After a scene with Cassie and Karone realizing that their assigned Rangers are gone, we go back to the Liveman timeline. The villains explain the game to the captured heroes (and, yes, "heroes"), and we're told that Lothor and Satarakura would be the hosts because..."they have a wicked sense of humor".
(Rika shrugs again)
Yousuke is not happy and is about to transform, but the henshin powers? Nullified. And the villains kill a civilian. Why? For breaking the rules.
...I can't...gah. I can't snark on this. I need to get this through.
As they prepare, we see the groups into booths—first booth is for the Ninja Storm team, second is the two-fifths of the Maskman team, third's for Livemen, fourth's for Hurricanegers, and fifth is...I have no fucking idea, but one would think that Zack and Adam would be in it? Meh.
(in the fight, Tori focuses more and more. She's so into it, she semi-consciously manipulates the whirlpools, starting to make them shrink)
Aocean: What?! My whirlpools!
(with a roar, he tries to make them stronger, but this forces Tori to work hard)
Tori: (in a mysterious voice) On the count of "three", after I strike Aocean, you guys strike next.
Mao: Tori, what are you trying to—
Tori: Just trust me!
...ready? One...
(she's still focusing)
...two...
(she takes aim)
THREE!
(she uses the whirlpools towards Aocean, capturing him. He tries to use the water blasts at Tori, but he's so caught up)
Dan: Holy—!
Mao: Okay, let's finish this!
(Mao uses her Gokai Gun, Xander uses one last Energy Ball, Mako performs the Heavenly Dance attack, and Dan uses Shadow Ball, all to defeat Aocean. A stone is all that's left behind)
We did it, guys! We actually did it!
(as they celebrate, Tori comes back to her senses, and she's force-demorphed. She then lets out a soft groan, and, completely drained from the battle, she faints)
Mako: Tori! Are you okay?
(the four scouts rush to her side, trying to do their best to have her come to)
Rika: So the game show starts, which is cleverly titled "Wheel of Torture". As the wheel's spun, just to show how wildly OOC this entire situation is, a man's getting electric shocks. Yousuke eventually cracks, but Tau threatens to blow up the man on the wheel. Dear God, let this end...
We get a brief scene of the other three Maskmen rejoining. Tommy, though, is sent to the past to basically test his abilities he has as BIIIIIIIG OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!!1. Yes, you read that right. And yes, it is as fucking stupid as it sounds. Ranru tells him that he must find the other Maskmen so they can complete the mission. Also, the data's in an iPod.
PRODUCT PLACEMENT KITAAAAAAAA!
(Rika coughs)
Tranza: ...why did you do that again? Even when your voice can't handle it?
Rika: I'll get the hang of it, dude.
And so, this chapter ends with Billy telling Tommy that the Maskmen and Livemen need to work together to beat the monster. Wait, so what's the entire damn point of having the Hurricanegers, Adam, and Zach go onto their mission?
You know what? Screw it, we're almost done with this chapter!
Tommy does a little Ship Tease in his head with Billy and Ranru, and he heads off to find the other Maskmen. Then all the television sets become jammed. Which means that lots of people are viewing the deadly game show.
(Rika drinks)
...that was hella painful. Like...I don't know where to begin! I didn't think this would potentially suck as much, if not worse, than the Maskman arc!
...hopefully it won't be as bad.
What will happen to Tori now? How will the scouts survive through the dungeons of Hell? And what kinds of stupidities will Rika come across next?
Emergency Signal; Now, Forward! To the next liveblogging of Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers!!
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