Rika: Welcome back.
Previously, nothing really that important happened. Unless if you want to count Cole's romance with Sakura something important. Me, I don't.
So let's continue with...
Chapter 21: The Change Predator
We get an Author's Note stating that the reason why Andros is chosen to lead because Akizuki thinks that Power Rangers in Space is inspired by Changeman, even though it's nowhere near as dark.
(Rika pauses, then she looks up the storylines for both series)
...riiiiight.
Also, it's a shout-out to Power Rangers. I got nothing, to be honest.
The story begins with Andros getting his merits. I can imagine what it's like.
(imitates Aya) "Okay, so you tried to find Zordon, but you wanted to find your sister instead. You got angry when you thought Zhane was hitting on Ashley. You bitch a lot, and you ended up not only killing your sister, but also the mentor. A complete failure...works for us! COME ON IN!"
(in her normal voice) You know it's bad when you consider Andros' very own actor to be even more heroic and normal than his character ever was. Hell, I even forgot to mention, and I may just be paraphrasing/wrong, but he even says something to the effect that Andros wasn't supposed to be likable, just grumpy!
(Rika is gleeful)
...ahem.
Also, we're told of who he is and where he came from, as if we didn't get it the first go-around, and that he led the battle against Dark Spectre's empire. Andros is surprised when he's told that he's going to lead the next mission, especially since he just got there.
Aya tells the formerly wangsty Designated Hero that, yeah, he did lead against the first U.A.O.E...something we already know...and, thus, he gets to lead in the next mission. He's also going to get a lot of seminars and workshops in order to have the groups get along with each other. I'd like to imagine that therapy sessions may be a special part of workshops for him. Especially for him.
But that would portray the USSPRA in a positive light, sooooo...
When the group finds out that the U.A.O.E are going to target the Changeman world, Andros meets up with Sakura (again!!), Rocky (again!!!), Sae, and Masumi. You know, I kinda wish that just one of them, someone preferrably in-character, just advises Andros to not fuck it up this time. And I also kinda wish that Andros is a bit snarky, no matter if it's OOC for him. Because here? So far, he's...dry.
As the group talks, Sakura prepares her rifle if she needs it. And decides that it's best for all of them to take a shower. Uh...
(Rika shrugs)
And the only thing to take out of the shower scene? Cole accidentally stumbles into it. Even though he was training his ass off. Sakura gets pissed off, and he leaves.
(Rika stammers) How does that happen?! This isn't cute, Akizuki; quite frankly, it's creepy as fuck!
After that, Andros' team regroups, and they head out. The space alien realizes that Sakura's tougher than Cassie, and he wonders how she's doing.
(imitates Andros) "Eh, I'm sure she'll end up showing up in this crazy world somewhere. It always seems to happen. And I hope Zhane doesn't show up, otherwise, if he's trying to romance Karone again, he's dead."
(in her normal voice) And Sakura thinks about Cole, how he's such a gentle man. Okay, with all the shit that's happening...no. It's tempting, but no, I am not going to beat a dead horse with a certain now-dead franchise. Because at that point, it would just be cruel.
In the Changeman world, Trakeena and Abrella are sent for this mission. And they talk to RINO via communicator. RINO tells them how excited he is to see the new alien being in action against the Changemen. Also, Flurious is still getting the shit beaten out of him, especially from the Jaryuu incident.
(Rika looks at the last installments) That's six chapters ago! You can't seriously hold a grudge for this fucking long!
Tranza: ...I don't remember my master being this...
Rika: I can't quite recall, either. (she looks at Tranza, who still looks worried) Scary, ain't it?
Tranza: Y-y-yes! (he shudders)
Rika: Trust me, man, the worst is still to come.
Abrella gloats about how the alien will net such a huge profit, but RINO tells him to shut up, or he'll clip his wings off. Jeeze. He then tells Trakeena to be aware of Gozma's evil queen.
(Rika is unimpressed) Is it me, or is RINO getting more and more unhinged as the chapters go on? And why do I have the feeling that the end result is not going to be pretty? In a very bad way?
(we cut to the journey, where the All-Stars find that healing pool. Sean, Christopher, Saya, and Matoi take the time to tend to their wounds)
Alex: So, Christopher, about that story...
Christopher: What story?
Alex: You know, how you met one of the All-Stars.
Christopher: Oh, yeah! That story! (he sits cross-legged and places some water on his arms) Sean and I first met when his character appeared on Safe Harbor. It's one of the shows I've done from a long time ago.
Alex: So Ranger actor friendships, even across different seasons, existed back then?
Christopher: Kind of. I mean...this was around the time that team-ups were a mostly-annual thing, after all! (he grins) And he wasn't even a Ranger actor yet!
Brittany: Really?! So how did he become...
Christopher: I let him know about an audition for a Red Ranger for the next season, Lightspeed Rescue. He went for it. The rest was history after that. Even then, we always had each other's backs.
(he then looks at Sean, who's just...floating face-up, eyes closed, and fully-clothed at that, almost serene)
Hey, Sean! Is your headache gone?
(the young man gives a thumbs-up to his friend, indicating that, yes, his headache's gone)
Awesome, man! You had me worried...
(Christopher then turns to Alex and Brittany)
So yeah. That's just it. (smiles)
Brittany: That's awesome! But I wonder, about the Sentai actors...if they ever had the same things going on.
Jason (joining the trio): Becoming friends behind the scenes? Oh, yes. There was an instance where one of the Sentai hero actors and a villain actor were in the same troupe, specifically D-BOYS. And there was another instance of two red Sentai Warrior actors still remaining friends, despite their characters' roles. That's just to name a few!
Christopher: ...huh.
(the four look at a pondering Ryota)
Ryota: <When I tell them about our adventures, I wonder how they'll respond to it. I know Mao can back me up on this one, but...>
(he smiles)
<Once a Sentai actor, always a Sentai actor!>
(he takes out his Gokai Sabre, and he sees that the other All-Stars are ready)
Okay, guys, let's go forth!
(everyone heads off)
Rika: At the Changemen base, we see the titular heroes: Hiryu Tsurugi (Change Dragon), Sho Hayate (Change Griffin), Yuma Ozora (Change Pegasus), Mai Tsubasa (Change Phoenix), and Sayaka Nagisa (Change Mermaid)...
(she pauses)
And no, I'm not going to make an obvious joke based on Sayaka's name and insignia.
They talk about the portals, and how it may be possible that it's a threat that's worse than Gozma. Sayaka repeats what we already know, but she wonders if they're opposing threats. So their mission is to investigate the portals further, and they do.
So far...it's actually going kinda well. Sure, there was that stupid Cole/Sakura thing, and there's RINO acting like a jackass, but it's actually kind of...I don't know!
We see the Gozma Space Pod, and Bazoo talks to his troops. Ahames volunteers, and he tells her that he'll blow up Amazo if she fails. Yeah, about that...
(she looks around)
Nah, not gonna spoil it.
Then Trakeena and Abrella show up with the Xenomorph Queen (I thought it was called a Xenomorphis Queen?), which will be called Aria. This time, there isn't much in the way of "old villains flipping their shit over the new ones until they strike a deal" department, if at all. Instead, they straight-up make a deal: they'll hand Aria over to the Gozma forces in exchange of three diamond crates and one emerald crate. Which happens.
After Ahames becomes excited to see what Aria can do, somewhere in the Super Sentai universe, we see Leo Corbett and Kai Chen. And whatever goodwill that was gathered in the last few scenes are quickly obliterated by what Leo says next.
- Leo: "Kai, this is all too weird to me especially everything we speak now is in Japanese, a language we never learned."
(Rika screams)
You know it's bad when the speculation behind Danny Slavin's accepting the Megaforce cameo invite makes some clearer sense than this! At least with this one, you can think that either he mellowed out, or...something, despite the whole reveal being the unexpected, you know?! (That, and it makes such an interesting comparison between him and Leo's Gingaman counterpart's actor, Kazuki Maehara.)
And yeah, I know it's random for me to think of something that ridiculous. What I'm saying is...not only are we shoved down our throats that most(?) Rangers can speak in Japanese, but it's not told why they have to speak that way. Or why some, even when they do speak it, end up speaking in English.
Tranza: ...Rika.
(Rika looks up at Tranza)
...please stay strong. I honestly don't want for you to lose your way...
Rika: Why are you saying that?
Tranza: Because, if the abomination gets you, well...I'll tell you later what Radiguet really has planned.
Rika: ...oh, shit.
So as Kai and Leo talk about their missing allies, they're cornered by Mooks. Andros' team finds them (and he recognizes them as well), and when the two groups morph, they defeat the mooks.
Also, Andros tells the two Galaxy Rangers what the hell's going on.
The Changemen then see the two groups, and Sho falls in love immediately with Sakura, who rejects his advances hard. Then Andros tells them what's going on as well.
- Andros: "Well we're from the future and here to assist you in your fight against enemies from the future who came her to help Gozma."
You know, there are simpler ways to write that...
Yuma denies it, but then Rocky reveals the Time Train. As they try to know each other, they see the U.A.O.E, Aria, and her eggs near a water station. They even spray deadly mists until the "heroes" show up. Leo is in shock that Trakeena's still alive. Uh, dude, did you not hear Andros?
So long story short, Aria's proven to be too fast for the "heroes", and Giluke reveals the deadly plan. Specifically, people right now are carrying the eggs, and as soon as they hatch into larvae, people will die. In a gruesome state. And Ahames wants to record their suffering.
(then there's just a tiny crack, revealing Rika's increasingly broken state)
Oh, God. It's just more sadistic shit for the sake of sadistic shit! I mean...yeah, Bazoo is the prototype of every Super Sentai Bad Boss everywhere, but come on!
(Tranza, too, is starting to grow sickened)
(in the main room, Radiguet watches Rika)
Radiguet: Excellent. It's a shame that the story's so bad, I can't really witness it all myself. Let's see what else I can throw at her...
(he then looks at the All-Stars and start to think of another plan...)
(with Rika...)
Rika: A-anyway...Kai grows upset to the point where he splashes water at Aria, weakening her. Wait...I don't think Kai's that ragey. Even then, the villains retreat, and our "heroes" realize that, yes, the monster's weakened.
At the Changemen base, the groups do talk a bit. Yes, Yuma still denies the fact that the USSPRA are from the future until they show the Time Train again. That second time causes them to believe. (Rika facepalms)
Cut back to the New Skybase, and Jetman!Ryu finds out that Andros' team has found Kai and Leo. Andros then goes on to say about the evil plan, and how many people are hit by a high fever now. He's told to have Leo and Kai bring some of the egg samples in, and they do, with Billy and Ranru being the analyzers.
Meanwhile, the Gozma forces and Trakeena's team try to think of a new plan. Namely, neither of them realized/remembered that Aria's kind does not like cold temperatures. To recover, she's placed in a tub of hot liquid, so that way, their plan kicks into gear once more. After being told of what we already know, they decide to continue with their plans. Which ultimately is, you guessed it, taking over the world.
Rika: We go back to the Changemen, and they don't know what their enemy's weaknesses are. Sho wants to go out there and defeat the enemy, and even Yuma isn't really happy.
- Andros: "Patience."
Wait, what?
- Andros: "Until we know how we can deal with the enemy, we're never going to go anywhere. It'll just tear us to shreds."
(Rika is taken aback by what Andros just said)
You know, I'm actually realizing something. Mindfucky sentences aside...Andros isn't being wangsty in this incarnation! Yes, he's dry as hell. But...did he just take lessons from Carter Grayson? On how to actually be a strategic Red Ranger?! Because he seems to invoke him moreso than his own whiny, self-absorbed ass!
(Rika is in bliss)
Well done, Akizuki. From now on, I'm sooooooo going to name Andros and Tanba the true heroes of this story. Now all we need to do is to have Andros sacrifice his life--even if it means him going to Hell for all eternity--in order to save the world! Then he will truly be the Carter Expy.
Sayaka agrees with him, and so they create a plan. Especially when Mikoto tells them that, yes, cold temperatures do beat them. Also, as for Kai and Leo? They must prove their worth by delivering the vial of cryogenic treatment. However, they have to also face villains along the way.
So it's like running the gauntlet, only not as humiliating.
We get to Leo and Kai driving a truck. And it turns out that some of the civilians are already dead. Welp, there goes the ray of hope! And now that I think about it more, wouldn't an easier way of finding the weakness be, like...realizing that water's cold? Like having Kai test it out against one of the eggs himself?
(Rika shrugs)
Anyway, the Galaxy Rangers defeat Booba and Shiima. When they get to the hospital, with the doctor saying what we already know, the Rangers have him administer the vials to the patients. And wouldn't you know it, it works like a charm—
(she reads the part where the eggs were vomited) Or not. (makes a disgusted face)
At the dam, Aria lays more eggs until the Changemen and Andros' team show up. With a canister of cold gas, which Hiryu kicks at to release it. And since this installment's running rather long...
- After the group do their role calls, Giluke is shocked when the "heroes" and one true hero have all this high-tech stuff. Trakeena admits that they're from the future.
- The Changemen one-shot Aria with the Change Bazooka. Yes, after the villains teleport away. Yes, it's anticlimatic as hell, why do you ask?
- Oh, wait. Almost forgot the obligatory "making the Monster of the Arc grow" scene! Aria grows into giant form, causing the Changemen to go into their respective mecha, forming the Change Robo. Aria is somehow fast, managing to strike the enemy rather effectively.
- That is, until Billy, Mikoto, and Ranru show up. By using the Top Galer, it causes to artificially seed the clouds, making it rain, baby!
Tranza: Why did you do that?
Rika: Because I'm bored.
- As the rainfall weakens Aria, and Andros' team weakening the larvae with cold gas, the Changemen finish their foe off with the Windmill Cut.
- After a scene with Bazoo punishing his followers, we see the Galaxy Rangers carrying pails of larvae. It rains so fucking much, the larvae are left to wither. Leave it to Sakura crushing them all.
- Finally, Masumi and Rocky defeat the Xenomorphs, and Mikoto's team finishes with the cold treatment for the patients. The latter team also cleans up the mess.
(Rika sighs in relief)
So. The day's saved. And I will have to say this. I'm really loving this version of Andros now! I mean...I'm honestly impressed. Yeah, he's boring, but you know what? It's a lot better than, say, "KAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!1". Over and over and over again.
I mean, I don't want to imagine how they can screw him up—
- Andros: "On the other hand, I hope if I fight this battle I will have Ashley by my side."
...wait, what? Please, let it not be this lovey-dovey bullshit...
- Sakura: "Is she your girlfriend?"Andros: "Yep. She was also a Power Ranger like myself. I badly miss her already."
...oh, fuck me. Akizuki...you were so close. So close. So fucking close to actually having a hero. I cringe, thinking of how it's all gonna play out now...
(Rika, for the first time since this installment, drinks)
So, Andros' team prepares to leave. And yes, Sho tries to hit on Sakura, but to no avail. Andros, thankfully remembering that here, he's Carter Grayson Lite, promises to protect the future, and they head off.
Speaking of lovey-dovey shit, back at the New Skybase, the group talks about their mission. Ranru and Billy head back to the lab, finishing their work, and yes, the latter blushes. We get another scene with Cole and Sakura talking...and oh, God, really?
- Sakura: "Well he's not that bad. Maybe it's high time I forget about Satoru… oh no! No! I'm being to rush!"
(Rika snorts)
Yeah. "Not that bad." Tell me, Sakura, is trying to force the issue of being his girlfriend considered "not that bad"? What about stumbling in the shower? Or thinking of you every single fucking day? This is almost stalkerish, if it isn't reaching to that level already!
...and do I need to point out the (one of several) dumbass tweet(s) Rick Medina once made again?
As for Jasmine, she's watching the progress with Tetsu. (Rika groans)
And so, our chapter ends with Kai and Leo trying to make themselves at home. They remember their adventures, Terra Venture, and Trakeena. Then Aya, Zordon, Alpha 5, and Makino show up. Naturally...
- Leo: "Wait? Weren't you supposed to be dead?"
(imitates Zordon) I was, but somehow, I got mixed up in this crazy plot. Now, I'm stuck as an old man. At least I get to haunt the hell out of Andros...that'll teach him to not screw up on missions!
(in her normal voice) But seriously, he introduces Alpha to the Galaxy Rangers. Also, Bulk—once again—gushes about Makino, about how he's sooooooo much cooler than Professor Phenomenus. Yeah, because doing awesome things, and even taking part of a "We are the Power Rangers!" thing, isn't cool enough.
I just wonder if Bulk and Skull forgot about that.
Also, and this is important, Skull wonders if Spike is going to do something stupid. Because he has a feeling about that. Even worse for him? His son talks about Kaoru so much, his ears hurt. Seriously.
...dude...if he's incessant about talking about Kaoru, don't you tell him to...you know...stop? And I doubt that Spike talks about her so much, because no sane (or, hell, normal!) person ever does that to anyone else.
The chapter closes with Leo and Kai heading elsewhere to fill out paperwork.
(Rika sighs)
...thank God there's at least another bright spot. I really do hope Andros doesn't talk about Ashley so much. Because...at least he's okay.
Though I am kinda disappointed that he didn't snark. Oh, well, beggars can't be choosers!
What will happen in the Flashman two-parter? Will Rika continue to hold out on hope? And will our All-Stars survive?
Emergency Signal; Now, Forward! To the next liveblogging of Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers!!
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