(Rika wakes up after taking her snooze)
Rika: Ugh.
Tranza: Good...you're still alive.
Rika: Unfortunately. (smirks a bit)
Tranza: ...how does it feel, making it through halfway?
Rika: We're not even at the halfway point yet, but dear God...it hurts. With more insane happenings, it's just...
(Rika sighs)
I can't lose hope yet.
(at the other dimension, the three guardians watch the scouts)
Aka Red: Hopefully the All-Stars know what they're getting into.
Phantom Ranger: I'm sure they know.
(Aka Red and the Sentinel Knight nod, and the former identifies the scouts, one by one)
Aka Red: It's a good thing the All-Stars saved the mages. I'm sure that, with the help of Tori Hanson, Xander Bly, and Dan Ewing, among the others, they will succeed.
Sentinel Knight: And what of the other three scouts?
Aka Red: Likely, the other three volunteered to do the mission. Mako Shiraishi embodies hope, encouraging the others to do their best. Mao Ichimichi embodies toughness, and she's surprisingly strategic.
...the final one, Sean Cw Johnson, embodies sanity.
Phantom Ranger: ...what.
Aka Red: He's quick to realize what's going on, knows the ins and outs of battle and story. Sanity, hope, and toughness can be synchronized, no doubt creating an effective team. And with the elemental mages, it will work out for the best.
Sentinel Knight: If it works well at all.
Aka Red: That is true.
(The Phantom Ranger looks at Sentinel Knight)
Phantom Ranger: You think he's lost it?
Sentinel Knight: I cannot really say for certain.
(after that bit of nonsense, unless if anyone wants to call "revealing the last names of these guys" nonsense...)
(:P)
(...Rika exhales)
Rika: Gotta be strong.
Previously, we had our Dynaman "tribute", love was kinda in the air, and the dumbest thing that was the fucking Detention Center was introduced.
(Rika pulls up a new pic
that brings her hope, and she is smirking)
Tranza: ...what are you doing this for?
Rika: To remind myself that with team-ups, they can be so much better than...this clusterfuck.
(she doesn't want to reveal another reason why she's pulling up the pictures: since Akizuki loves him some Cole, well...)
Anyway, let's go on with...!
(click!)
Chapter 17: Biomic Soldiers' Crisis
We have a big-ass Author's Note, with it starting with the reason why Trini and Kimberly are chosen for the mission. For Trini, it's because she's the first Yellow Ranger in Power Rangers' history.
(Rika cracks up)
Yeah, what happened to, for one thing, the Wild West Rangers again?
As for Mika (the first Yellow Four, by the by), we get what we've already known, oh...some chapters ago. The "first female Yellow Sentai Warrior in history" thing. As for Kimberly? When Bioman was dubbed in the Philippines, Hikaru Katsuragi (Pink Five) was given the Dub Name Change of "Kimberly". Also, some shit about Hikaru and Kimberly's actress, as we all know about the latter, becoming singers themselves.
...and...oh, boy. We get this.
- "The weirdest coincidence was that while Mika died in episode 10 of Bioman because the actress Yuki Yajima left out of pay disputes with Japan Action Club and years later Thuy Trang had pay disputes with Saban Entertainment."
First off, while it is indeed said that Yuki had payment disputes, the actual circumstances behind her leaving and her character's getting killed off are actually kinda murky. Leaving over payment disputes is one side of the story. Her cast members thought of another version: that she may have eloped with someone. Regardless, to this day, Yuki hasn't been heard of since. Mysterious? Oh, hell yes!
Secondly, yes, it's true that Thuy also left the show. What makes things interesting about her is that she and her fellow co-stars, Austin St. John and Walter Jones, remained friends, with the former once stating that she was like a sister to him.
Awwwwww.
Then...we get possibly the most offensive (I think) moment during this explanation.
- "Then on September 9, 2001- Thuy Trang also bit the dust in a car accident, an incident which some fans try to connect her death with that of Mika's death. At least she didn't die like Mika did, Mika's death was tragic enough, never mind hers."
Okay. First, fucking what? Yeah, admittedly, that whole thing does fall into Harsher in Hindsight (hell, in the Live Action TV section, it does indeed list all that, as well as a few other connections—how there was only one Ranger who died in the actual show, revival be damned, and one of the bigger ones. Remember Gorenger? Baku Hatakeyama, the actor who portrayed the first Yellow Ranger in Sentai history, period, committed suicide). But to choose Trini because of all this? That's just...creepy as fuck.
(Rika is having some bad shivers)
Secondly, Trang died on September 3rd, 2001, not the 9th.
...God. This installment's getting to be really depressing. So let's begin, shall we?
We start the chapter with—
Oh, FUCK ME! This shit again?!
(Rika drinks quite a lot)
So yeah. We begin this chapter with exactly what you think. More humiliations and "humor". And yes, for whatever reason, the guys still think Natsuki and Eri still need to be taught a lesson.
And the worst thing I've done to the former character thus far was simply misspelling her name.
And yes, we're beaten over the head that Mako sucks at cooking. Dear God.
Meanwhile, we finally see Spike. Apparentally, he was rescued in the Dynaman "tribute" offscreen. I'm crossing my fingers, hoping that he doesn't speak in Japanese for no reason.
And as it turns out? Bulk, Skull, and Spike do not come from the year 2005 after all! What a fucking revelation! Then...how in the hell did they even show up without reality throwing up and screwing itself over? Alternate dimensions or some shit?
...my brain hurts. (drinks)
Jetman!Ryu is shocked to hear that, and he tells Aya that she's making a mistake, but she assures him that she isn't. And yes, Jetman!Ryu is talking about the mishaps in the lab, and how Kai Samezu will be chosen for the Bioman mission.
...meh.
Anyway, we then see Spike, trying to do his best, until...hoo-boy. He sees Kaoru, Lady Shinken Red. And he drools at her.
(Rika snorts)
The Crack Pairings are all out in full force once more. That, and it's pretty contradictory for Spike, since he had a crush on Mia, the Pink Samurai Ranger. Unless if Akizuki amended the rule and made him fall in love with someone with a similar shade to pink, I don't know.
Then again, that would be giving too much credit.
Kaoru is not happy with Spike's crush on her, and she hits him with the fan, causing him to faint. And surprisingly? Tanba is actually...I don't know. He doesn't seem to be obnoxious like his canon counterpart, but at the same time...
(Rika shrugs)
So we see our guys for the Bioman "tribute". Aside from Kai, Kimberly, and Trini, there's Makito and Jason. They talk about the mission and the Biomen, especially Trini.
By the way, and yes, ChrisX has pointed that out, but it sounds like there's going to be a lot of focus for Mika. I mean, yeah, it's cool and all that...well, you know what she's famous for (that isn't her death), but...it is rather worrying and unhealthy.
(Radiguet listens to Rika)
Radiguet: <The more she goes on, the quicker I'll be able to escape and find the All-Stars. I can't take much more of this badly-written nonsense! And this Radiguet is a joke!>
Rika: After a scene where Kimberly plays the flute (uh...) and speaks about her not being Spike's mom, we cut to the U.A.O.E. RINO chooses Trakeena, Tranza, Mesogog, and Shizuka for the mission. And yes, Flurious is badly beaten. Tranza then accepts some pieces of meteorite, and what are they going to do with them? Create a monster that will neutralize the Jetmen's powers, and not only theirs, but the USSPRA as well.
(Rika closes her eyes)
This is not going to end well.
(at the training/camping area...)
Natsuki: Find anything yet?
Ryota: Kind of...so far, we've heard that there may be traps in the area. Traps that lead to alternate dimensions if we are to go too close.
(such traps are marked with a purple marker)
Christopher: Man, seriously? He's totally prepared for anything, isn't he?
(he takes a bite out of the apple)
Ryota: It seems so. But at the same time, I didn't think it would be that easy. It's...weird.
Jason: Maybe he's giving us a false sense of security?
Ryota: Perhaps. Or perhaps it's something else.
Christopher: You think this Rika chick has something to do with this? Why it's so easy?
(everyone shrugs)
Alex: Considering her track record, it could be possible.
(at the base...)
Rika: Okay, now I'm better.
So we see the Biomen: Shiro Gou (Red One—yeah, remember the guy whose backstory was ripped off wholesale and applied to Jason?), Shingo Takasugi (Green Two), Ryuta Nanbara (Blue Three), Mika, and Hikaru. Shiro notices that they have some new people and ask their ally, Peebo, if he knew anything. Mika thinks that it could possibly be the work of Gear, and that they must investigate immediately.
Shiro warns her to not be too hasty—oh, wait, "rush". (Rika facepalms) Hey, guess what time it is!
- Take a shot if "rush" is ever used.
- Take two shots if "rush" is used in its correct meaning.
And somehow, Shiro...agrees with himself? Huh? Regardless, Mika wants to find out, and so she rushes off.
(Rika raises her hands again)
At the Gear Empire, Doctor Man talks to his subordinates about finding out the competition. If I am a betting woman—and for the record, I'm not, but still—this is probably an extended sequence of "villains find out about the U.A.O.E, declare them intruders, and then they strike a deal."
Let's find out if I'm correct.
Mason sees that there are five people and a rival organization, thinking that they could be threats to their conquest. Doctor Man orders Mason and Farrah to destroy them. Hoo boy...
Meanwhile, in the city, Trini is riding her motorcycle (...what?) until some ooze stops her. The ooze materializes into Mettlzer, and Farrah and Farrah Cat join them. Farrah interrogates Trini, and she tells them who she is and where she came from. Then Farrah Cat fights the original Yellow Ranger, and you have three guesses as to how it all ends.
...
.........................
..................................................................
The short version of it all is: "Trini gets curb-stomped, and just when things look their bleakest, the Biomen show up."
Trini recognizes them, especially Mika, and the two Yellow Rangers fight Farrah Cat. The rest of Jason's team rejoin their friend and also see the Biomen.
...also, I guess Gear's forces have retreated. Or something.
We get some scenes of the groups talking. Especially one scene in particular, where it's nothing but just Trini and Mika having a chat. The latter couldn't believe that the former's a photographer like her.
Me, I believe it. Why? Because LAZINESS.
Trini wishes that she was back to Africa, taking pictures of the land her brother loved so much. Wait, didn't she say that with that almost exact same quote back in Chapter 5?
If so, then I'm not sure if I'm happy it was brought up again, or enraged, considering the numerous other repetitions.
Mika pauses, and she reveals that she, too, had a brother who died the same way! In other words, shit we already know by proxy of ripping off backstories. Whoo-hoo.
I'm sorry, but...to be honest, did I make a drinking game rule of ripping off backstories? If not, then I'll have to create one.
Trini assures Mika that she's not of this world, and she finds that hard to believe. Why?
- Mika: "Maybe you're just some other super heroine we never knew existed who's out there to fight other evils that we the Biomen can't defeat."
...huh?
(Rika headdesks and drinks)
As the two groups chillax, Mason and Psygorn manage to see Tranza's team. Guess what? They find the team to be enemies of both Gear and the Biomen, but we end up getting a fight, with Tranza's team winning.
So, in other words, it's a bit of an extended version of "villains find the U.A.O.E, declare them intruders or traitors, and then the U.A.O.E convince them and strike a deal". Well, that was a waste of time!
And we get even more, with Doctor Man berating Farrah for her failures, until Tranza's team shows up. They talk and, yes, strike a deal to have the meteorites be a part of a new weapon called the Nega Magnetic Laser. That's just about it.
We go back to the two teams, and Jason's about to give up, until Mason, Psygorn, and Tranza show up. The Biomen and Jason's team morph, and they defeat the mooks. Then the Terrible Trio (my nickname for Tranza's team for this arc) reveal the Nega Magnetic...Gun?
(Rika shakes her head as she laughs in disbelief)
Anyway, they shoot at Shiro, but Trini manages to...save Mika? Uh...what? Regardless, somehow, Trini is badly affected by the laser's effect, weakening her.
...yeah, you see why I feel rather offended when Akizuki decided to have Trini as a tribute to the Bioman arc? Because there's nothing like remembering a person's memory than killing his or her character off.
(Rika drinks)
Mason gloats about the success of the Nega Magnetic Laser, and Tranza explains what it is. You see, it neutralizes anyone's powers, and it has the power to kill anyone when it's used as a laser beam.
So, somehow, it kills someone by neutralizing their powers. Uh...yeah. I got nothing to say. Mainly because I honestly don't know what to say about that!
(Rika looks at the picture)
...
(she closes her eyes)
Gotta be strong.
(she nods and opens her eyes)
As Trakeena somehow enters the fray, Jason's team tries to tend to Trini, but in all that confusion, she somehow is separated. Why? Stop trying to ask questions, it's not healthy.
After the fight, Jason's team, now with an added Jason (Gold Zeo Ranger?) and no Makito, try to find Trini. Jason says how much trouble they're going to be if they don't find her, but he then says that they're not invincible, and some Sentai Warriors have died in the past.
Gee, thanks for rubbing it in about the whole "death" thing, Jason. I'm sure it won't create a theme of one of the Biomen dying later—OH, WAIT.
Shiro, with the help of a dog, finds out that she's in an abandoned warehouse. As in, one of the favorite hideouts for villains, right next to rock quarries and New Zealand. The groups head over there.
At said abandoned warehouse, Trini tries to hide from Farrah Cat. And yes, we get what we already know. Mikoto arrives to finish the original Yellow Ranger off, buuuut...when he sees her in her weakened state, somehow, he stops, not wanting to do it.
And this jogs his memories, the ones where he was redeemed.
(Rika sighs, and then...)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!
Seriously...that fucking fast?! I was hoping for something lackluster, but decent! Not this! And the worst part? This was never, ever hinted, or explained, or...anything! It's another fucking ass pull!
...
I'm so tempted to use one of my own examples of the "someone regaining their memories" arc, because that was considered to be done decently. But I'll refrain. For now.
So Mikoto helps Trini out, yes, seriously, and Farrah Cat shows up, ready to fight. We all know how this will end. The Biomen defeat Farrah Cat (or Mika does...yeah, he does realize that each Bioman has to do his or her fair share of fighting, right?), and Jason's team find their friend. And just when things can't possibly get any worse, Mason and Psygorn show up.
...and they're still gloating about how the beam will kill them. Dudes, you already said that! Mason strikes at Kimberly, and yes, she, too, suffers from the effects. And, somehow, they still aim at her, planning to kill her. Then Jason is hit, taking the beam.
Okay, this whole "taking the bullet" game is really reaching to be fucking idiotic. Why hasn't anyone ever heard of, oh, I don't know, shoving the person to the ground?
(Rika then looks at the audience)
But when things look dark, we have a Deus Ex Tommy Oliver! He tells everyone to leave, and he presses a button, allowing the Time Train to show up. Even Mikoto's dragged in, with him saying that he was part of the U.A.O.E. The chapter ends with Tommy deciding to free the confused Abare Killer from the brainwashing. And yes, we're told again that he was dragged in, this time by Tommy and the Biomen.
(Rika exhales)
Obviously? This arc ain't even done yet. Tune in next time for more stupidities and offensive shit.
What kinds of other shit will Rika find? Will the scouts be able to make it safely? And what plans do the villains have now?
Emergency Signal; Now, Forward! To the next liveblogging of Super Sentai vs. Power Rangers!!
Comments
which killed Mika. Heck, a bunch of stuff mentioned in that link alone draws some parallels.
I also wonder if Silva will be in the fanfic. I know that'd lead to fail, but you can't just mention the Elephant In The Living Room without also bringing up the Ensemble Darkhorse as well.
