Chapter 7: Lessons in Independence
Training Day
The training simulator hummed to life as Commander Cruger stood at the center of the holographic rooftop. The B-Squad Rangers took their positions around him, confidence radiating from their stances after weeks of having the legendary Shadow Ranger as their backup.
"With all due respect, sir," Jack called out, "are you sure you really want to do this? It hardly seems fair – the five of us against you."
Cruger's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'll try my best. Now suit up."
"Ready!" the Rangers called in unison.
"SPD Emergency! SPD Emergency!"
In a flash of light, the B-Squad morphed into their Ranger forms, while Cruger transformed into the imposing Shadow Ranger.
Across the training room, Naruto was working with Kat on basic combat maneuvers. The brilliant scientist was struggling with the physical aspects of self-defense, her movements awkward and hesitant compared to her usual graceful precision with technology.
"Remember, Kat," Naruto encouraged as she stumbled through a defensive stance, "it's not about strength – it's about balance and anticipation. Your mind is your greatest weapon."
Kat wiped sweat from her brow, frustration evident in her voice. "This is much harder than recalibrating a Zord's targeting system."
"Ready, Rangers?" Shadow Ranger's voice boomed across the training area.
"Ready!" came the unified response.
The simulation began, and within minutes, it was clear the B-Squad was outmatched. Shadow Ranger moved with fluid precision, easily countering their attacks and systematically taking down each Ranger. Jack charged in first, only to find himself flat on his back.
"No way! I saw that coming from a mile away, Jack. You'll have to be quicker," Shadow Ranger said.
The other Rangers tried coordinating their attacks, but one by one, they fell to Cruger's superior skill and experience.
Naruto paused in his training with Kat to watch the demonstration. "See that?" he said quietly to her. "Perfect teamwork, but they're becoming predictable."
As Shadow Ranger delivered the final blow to Sky, the B-Squad Rangers lay defeated on the simulated rooftop.
"Man, I thought I was strong," Sky groaned, "but I can't believe the strength of Shadow Ranger."
"It's like all of us put together times two couldn't beat one of him," Bridge added, shaking his head.
That's when Naruto stepped forward. "Impressive as always, Commander. Mind if I join the party?"
The Rangers looked up with interest as Naruto pulled out his morpher. "SPD Emergency!"
Orange light engulfed him as he transformed. The SPD Orange Ranger stood before them, the distinctive dragon shield gleaming on his chest, the Dragon Blaster secured on his back, and the Kyuubi Saber at his hip catching the training room's lights.
"Shadow Ranger," Orange Ranger said with a respectful nod, "how about a real challenge?"
The two experienced Rangers faced each other, and the B-Squad watched in awe as they engaged in a battle that was far more evenly matched. Shadow Ranger's disciplined technique clashed with Orange Ranger's unpredictable, flowing combat style. The Dragon Shield deflected several of Shadow Ranger's strikes while Naruto countered with swift movements that spoke of years of combat experience.
"Now this is more like it," Shadow Ranger acknowledged as they broke apart, both breathing slightly harder.
The sparring match continued for several more minutes, neither Ranger able to gain a decisive advantage. Finally, they called a mutual halt, both impressed with the other's skills.
"Excellent work," Shadow Ranger said, demorphing back to Cruger.
Naruto likewise returned to his civilian form. "You too, Commander."
Later in Rangers Quarters-
The B-Squad Rangers sat up, their earlier defeat forgotten after witness fight between their two strongest allies.
"Personally," Syd said with a grin, "as much as I love saving the planet, with Shadow Ranger AND Orange Ranger here, I'll have more time to work on my tan."
"And I can check out my bed," Bridge added happily.
"Why are you so chipper?" Sky asked, though he was smiling too.
"How do you check your bed" Z asked, then instantly said" Wait! I don't want to know"
Zack comes to Rangers Quarters
Sky asked Zack "Why are you so chipper?"
"Well, Sky, with Shadow Ranger and Orange Ranger here, it's a big weight off my shoulders. I can just sit back, relax, and go with the flow."
"We still have to be ready for the battle" Sky told Zack
Zack" Sky you saw how strong Shadow and Orange Ranger are"
Z Thought. "With both of them here, we're more than golden – we're platinum!"
Outside Rangers Quarters, Naruto and Cruger exchanged a meaningful look. The lesson they'd intended to teach was already becoming necessary.
Emergency Call
Later that night, the alarm klaxons jolted the Rangers from their sleep.
"Rangers, disturbance downtown. Let's move it!" came the emergency call.
"Sorry," Bridge mumbled, still half-asleep, "I thought I was still dreaming."
"I can't believe I have to fight evil with guacamole on my face," Syd complained.
The Rangers arrived downtown to find Drakel, a Vampiranoid, wreaking havoc in the city streets. The creature's pale, gaunt appearance and razor-sharp fangs made him look like something straight out of a horror movie.
"Kat said this guy's big trouble," Jack observed. "He sure looks it."
"Get out of my way or be destroyed!" Drakel snarled at them.
The Rangers engaged the monster, but quickly found themselves outmatched. Drakel's vampiric powers and surprising strength had them on the defensive.
"We need Shadow Ranger!" Sky called out desperately.
"Commander Cruger!" Jack added to his communicator.
"And Orange Ranger!" Z shouted. "Naruto, we need backup!"
In the command center, both Cruger and Naruto heard the distress calls. They looked at each other and simultaneously made the decision not to respond immediately.
"This is brutal," Bridge said as he narrowly avoided Drakel's claws. "Why won't they come help us?"
The battle continued until Drakel suddenly retreated at the first sign of sunlight, dropping a strange device in his haste to escape.
Confrontation
Back at headquarters, the Rangers confronted their mentors.
"All right, so what's the deal?" Jack demanded. "Leaving us high and dry on the battlefield? Why didn't you bust out Shadow Ranger and Orange Ranger?"
"I thought we were a team," Sky added, frustration clear in his voice.
"We were busy," Cruger replied curtly.
"Busy?" Bridge echoed incredulously.
"Before we arrived, you didn't need our help. You did fine," Naruto added, crossing his arms.
"Fine as in good, or fine as in we weren't doing too well but you're just saying fine to spare our feelings?" Bridge asked with his typical overthinking.
"Kat, last night that freak dropped his device as he fled any idea what it is?" Cruger said, turning to their technical expert
Kat looked between Cruger and Naruto, clearly displeased with their decision. "Sir, shouldn't—"
"Kat is not to assist you. You do not need our help. Dismissed," Cruger interrupted.
After the Rangers left to seek answers from Piggy, Naruto approached Kat. "How about we grab some early breakfast? I know a place that makes great pancakes."
Kat looked at him with mixed emotions but nodded. "Fine. But we're talking about this."
Heart to Heart
At the small diner, Kat stirred her coffee with more force than necessary. "I don't understand why you and Cruger are being so stubborn. Those Rangers could have been seriously hurt."
Naruto took a sip of his orange juice. "You're not pleased with our decision."
"Of course I'm not pleased!" Kat's voice rose slightly before she caught herself and lowered it. "I've worked with their parents, Naruto. I've watched these kids grow up. They're like... like my kittens. I never had any of my own, but they're the closest thing I have to family."
Naruto's expression softened with understanding. "I get it, Kat. But think about this – they won't always have backup. We've already seen what happened with A-Squad. They became so confident, so sure of their superiority, that when they faced real adversity, they crumbled."
"But that's different—"
"Is it?" Naruto interrupted gently. "Did you hear them after our training session yesterday? 'We're more than golden, we're platinum.' They're becoming dependent on us the same way A-Squad became dependent on their reputation."
Kat's ears drooped slightly as she considered his words.
"The best way for them to learn," Naruto continued, "is through failure. Through being forced to rely on each other instead of waiting for the cavalry. When the final battle comes – and it will come – we might not be there to save them."
Kat was quiet for a long moment. "I still don't like it."
"Neither do I," Naruto admitted. "But sometimes being a good teacher means letting your students struggle."
The Test
The Rangers' investigation led them through Piggy's information about the evil stone to the old bookstore where Baskin, the Keeper, had been guarding the ancient evil for two thousand years. When Drakel attacked the store and stole the stone, absorbing its dark power, the Rangers found themselves facing their greatest challenge yet.
From the command center, both Cruger and Naruto watched the battle unfold. Drakel, now empowered by the evil stone, was demolishing the Rangers' defenses.
"Commander," Kat said urgently, "they need help!"
"And Orange Ranger," she added, looking at Naruto pleadingly.
Both men remained unmoved as they watched their students struggle.
"What are you waiting for?" Kat demanded.
"They don't need us," Cruger said firmly.
"Finish the job," Naruto added. "Trust them."
On the battlefield, the Rangers were being overwhelmed by Drakel's newfound power.
"Where's Cruger and Naruto?" Jack gasped, struggling to his feet.
"Why won't they help us?" Z asked desperately.
It was Sky who finally understood. "They're not coming. We have to do this ourselves."
"Fine," Jack said, newfound determination in his voice. "We'll do it. Come on, guys, let's show them what we can do!"
The Rangers rallied, fighting with a coordination and desperation they'd never shown before. Working together with perfect synchronization, they deployed the Canine Cannon and delivered the finishing blow to Drakel.
"Judgment time!" Jack declared, and they successfully contained the defeated monster.
Lessons Learned
After returning the evil stone to Baskin and seeing him off to New Zealand, the Rangers confronted their mentors one final time.
"All right, what happened?" Jack demanded. "You were there, then you weren't, then you were watching but not helping. Where were Shadow Ranger and Orange Ranger when we needed them?"
Cruger stepped forward. "We were listening. 'I can just sit back, relax, and go with the flow. With both of them here, we're more than golden – we're platinum.'"
The Rangers looked ashamed as their own words were quoted back to them.
"Ever since our arrival," Naruto continued, "you've lowered your guard and relied solely on us. To defeat Gruumm, we'll all need to battle with one hundred percent commitment."
"No one Ranger is more important than another," Cruger added. "We didn't come to your aid because you didn't need us. You just didn't know it."
Bridge scratched his head. "Now he's starting to sound like me."
The Rangers exchanged glances, understanding dawning on their faces.
"You're right," Sky admitted. "I guess we did sort of take you for granted."
"Won't happen again, sir," Jack promised.
"Good," Cruger said with the hint of a smile, "because we can't stand watching you get your morphers kicked all over the city."
Naruto chuckled. "Besides, you're much more impressive when you actually try."
As they walked back into headquarters together, Kat fell into step beside Naruto. "I still don't like your teaching methods," she said quietly.
"But?" Naruto prompted.
"But... I suppose my kittens did prove they could handle themselves," she admitted reluctantly.
"They did more than that," Naruto said, watching the Rangers ahead of them, chattering excitedly about their victory. "They proved they're ready to be the team Earth needs them to be."
The lesson had been learned, but Naruto knew it was just the beginning. Gruumm's forces would only grow stronger, and the Rangers would need every ounce of independence and teamwork they could develop. Today had been a good start.
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