A New Ranger

Chapter 21 (Darkness Consumes)

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(Storm Chargers)

Kelly walked into Storm Chargers only to be hit by a flying rag. Pulling the rag off her face and storming over to the brown head of hair peaking over the counter she asked, " What is this? Hello!" Kelly called, gaining Dustin's attention. "Oh hey." Sighed Dustin, when he saw his friend and boss on the other side of the counter. "You understand the concept of cleaning don't you?" Asked Kelly sarcastically. "Things go onto the shelves." Dustin however wasn't really hearing anything she was saying. His mind was a jumbled, panicking mess. He needed to find his backpack and the last place he remembered having it was at Storm Chargers. Rubbing a hand over his face, he went to research the front of the store. "You know what... I.. I've lost my backpack and I can't even think about anything else until I find it." "You'll find it." Kelly tried to reassure Dustin. "By the way have you seen Blake, Hunter, or Aria?" "Blake and Hunter blew me off last week, and I haven't seen Ria since yesterday." "Have you Blake of Hunter's number?" Kelly asked, some hope creeping into her voice. "Yeah, sure, why?" Answered Dustin as he went over to the counter to grab a pen and paper. Quickly writing down their numbers he listened as Kelly explained. "I've got the money I needed for regionals next week. I've gotta put a 250 team together like yesterday." "Alright" Agreed Dustin as he handed her the paper. Stopping for a second he realized what she just said. " Hey..uh...well...I mean what about me?" He asked hopefully. "I've only got a budget for 250s Dustin and those guys have got the experience on big bikes. You understand right?" She pleaded. "Yeah sure." Replied Dustin, filled with disappointment. He was hurt, but he hid it with a smile. Kelly however could see right through it, but she didn't know what to say.

Meanwhile the door to Storm Chargers opened again and the girl in question walked through. Seeing the conversion between Dustin and Kelly going downhill, she quickly walked over. "Hey Leone, what's wrong." Aria asked as she wrapped her arms around him from behind. A smile appeared on Dustin's face when he heard her voice and felt her hug. "Nothing Ria." Answered Dustin as he grabbed her arms and spun her around. She giggled and released herself from Dustin's grip. Quickly giving Kelly a hug, she returned her attention to Dustin. She knew he was lying to her. "Now for real this time, what's wrong?" She asked again. Her voice was firm and he knew he shouldn't lie to her agina, or he would be in a world of pain. "I lost my backpack." He told her. It wasn't the complete reason as to why he was upset, but it was part of it. "Did you check the tracks?" Asked Aria, as she tried to remember the last time she had seen him with it. A wide smile spread across his face as he released a relieved breath. "I didn't even think of that!" He exclaimed. Giving Aria a kiss on the cheek he ran out of the store.

Smiling at the door, Aria turned towards Kelly. "So what was the other reason that Dustin was upset?" Aria asked her friend, as she crossed her arms. "I asked Dustin for Blake and Hunter's numbers." Kelly answered. "Okay, not seeing the problem." Said Aria, a confused look on her face. Kelly sighed as she realized she would have to explain it all. "I may have needed their numbers to make a team of 250s. Dustin wanted to be a part of the team, but they have more experience." "Ohhhhhh." Sighed Aria, finally understanding what was wrong with Dustin. "Yep." Confirmed Kelly. "Speaking of the team, I wanted to ask if you would consider being a part of it." Kelly practically begged. "Volpe you know I only do moto for fun." Said Aria as she walked past Kelly. I know but I was hoping.

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(Skate Park)

"Any luck?" Asked Shane, as he, Tori, and Dustin regrouped. "No man." Dustin whined. "Well think. Where else have you been?" Tori encouraged. "I don't know I checked the tracks and Storm Chargers, and home. It's not anywhere." Answered Dustin as he got discouraged. The three were silent as they wondered where it could be. The beeping of Shane's morpher gained their attention. "Go for Shane." He answered. "We're getting a strange heat signature reading at the quarry." Said Cam. "Kelzacks?" Asked Shane. "No I don't know what it is. Better ranger up just to be safe." Replied Cam. "Not gonna be a problem." Ended Shane, before nodding to Dustin and Tori. "Ready?" Asked Shane . after ensuring no one was around. "Ready!" Both confirmed. "Ninja storm, ranger form!" They yelled together.