PokéRangers: New World

Scarred Pasts (Part 2)

"Remind me again how all of this is supposed to help me NOT die" Zekks asked as he laid passed out on one couch.

"I can't feel my body" the Infernape Ranger added as he laid sprawled halfway off the other couch, clothes torn and singed from his day of training.

"We're so sorry" the other rangers added penitently, their heads hung low.

"Oh please, they're both just being dramatic" Dawn dismissed as she helped Macho put out some plates

"Why does my stomach hurt so much?" Zekks asked uneasily.

"SO", Macho began as he poked his head out of the storeroom, "funny story about that... "

Zekks eyes narrowed. "I highly doubt that... but go on"

"Well... you know how when someone drinks alcohol, it gets absorbed from their stomach into the bloodstream." Macho continued, nervously tapping two fingers together. "Well, you see... Macho kind of... decided to try the opposite with you."

Zekks eyes widened "You what?"

"Wait" the Mandibuzz Ranger asked. "Are you trying to say that all the poison that's been flowing through his blood stream is now in his..."

Though before she could finish her question, Zekks grabbed the nearest bucket-shaped object and began to violently throw up into it.

"...that's disgusting" the Houndoom Ranger added

"4 out of 5 Doctors just had a Mental Breakdown" the Greninja Ranger quipped in disapproval.

"WHAT?" Macho exclaimed. "We had to start getting the poison out somehow!"

"I swear..." Zekks threatened between labored breathing "... if I survive all this, I'm going to kick both of your..." Though before he could finish his sentence, he immediately resumed throwing up.

"What was that?" Dawn teased as she held her hand to her ear, "Macho just gave you another reason to live?"

Zekks could only muster a semi-audible growl in response

"I'll take that as a yes!" she proclaimed proudly as Macho nervously slunk back into the storage room.

"Really? Cause it sounded more like he was trying to curse you out" the Greninja Ranger added, to which Zekks offered a trembling thumbs up.

"Eh, same difference", she shrugged.

"I take it we should postpone that 'Mind Control' talk for later..." the Bewear Ranger suggested as Zekks continued to vomit and the Infernape Ranger rolled face-first off the couch. "... much later?"

"Yes please" they both mumbled.

------

*2 years earlier*

"What the hell took you so long?" the former Tyrantrum Ranger huffed

"I'm sorry", the former Raikou Ranger offered, her stoic façade now back to normal.

"You're sorry?" he scoffed. "Look, we might not have our powers anymore; but that doesn't change anything about our arrangement. Remember that!"

"I'm aware"

"Good. Now then, I need you to get me dirt on Dawn"

"Dawn?" Her mind immediately flashed back to the encounter she had just had with her.

"Yeah, you know", he began in a still annoyed tone. "The pixie gear-head with the giant blades. Also has a tendency to run her mouth!"

"For what purpose?" she asked hesitantly