Green Girl (PRS)

Room For One More

We all sat in the common room, waiting for Antonio to show up. I didn't like that guy at all, but I'm willing to give him a chance. "He's so fast when he's the gold ranger. I'm surprised he's not here yet." Emily said.

"Just because Antonio showed off when we beat that nighlok doesn't mean he's fast at everything." Kevin said.

"It's true. We really don't know much about him. At least Jayden can vouch for him." Mia said.

"Yeah. We were friends from the moment we met. His father owned the local fish market. The times we played together were really the only times I got to feel like a normal kid. But it did drive Mentor crazy because it distracted me from my training. That was before Antonio had to move away." Jayden explained.

"So if he moved away, how did he become the gold ranger?" Mia asked.

"Wait. He's definitely got some skills, but he's not a true samurai. It doesn't run in his family, and he doesn't have any formal training." Kevin said. He exhaled in frustration before getting up. "Plus, we have no idea what this guy is up to."

•••

"Antonio's late." Mentor said while pacing slowly. "Can't say I'm surprised. Did he say he was bringing the octozord with him?"

"I don't know, why?" I asked.

"Well... when Jayden was a boy, he gave it to Antonio when I wasn't looking."

"What? You gave him a zord?" Emily asked.

"Look, I was a little kid. I didn't know any better." Jayden defended.

"By the time I found out, Antonio had moved away, and I didn't think he'd actually figure out a way to activate it. Jayden threatened he'd quit being a samurai if I tried to get it back." Ji said.

"Like I said: I was a little kid." Jayden argued again.

"Wow, such a rebel." I chuckled. Jayden and Mentor gave me looks, reminding me of what I'd done too. My smile immediately went away.

"Sounds like you guys were really good friends. I bet you missed him when he moved away." Mia said.

"Yeah." Jayden said. Suddenly I heard shoes squeaking as Antonio literally slid into the room with a fishing pole by his side. He swung it around skillfully, but Kevin, Mentor, and I weren't impressed. Antonio turned to us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you the sixth samurai, the gold ranger, me, Antonio Garcia."

"And you thought I was cocky." I whispered to Mentor.

"Jayden, please. Allow me to join you and your team in the fight against the nighlok." He went to lift his pole, but the hook was caught in his pants and they ripped with the force. I kept a straight face, not amused by his antics. "Ooh, that's not good. It's no big deal, really. It's happened before. N-not a lot or anything." His pants continued to rip while everyone, but Ji and I laughed.

"Can you guys help him?" Jayden asked while laughing. Then, he got up and left the room.

"I'll be just a moment." Ji said with a stern look, while following Jayden.

•••

"You were able to make this from what Jayden taught you in studying the octozord systems?" Ji asked as he studied Antonio's morpher.

"It wasn't that hard." Antonio answered.

"What are you some kind of techie?" I asked Antonio.

"I've always been good with gadgets." He hit the peanuts, but Mia caught them before they could fall. "Well, anyways, I have always just wanted to be a samurai. I know I wasn't born into it like you guys, but I just kept practicing what Jayden had taught me. I was trying to take things to a higher level, but I was really stuck. When I found out I could communicate with octozord by texting, everything fell into place. And now I am finally ready to join you in the fight against the nighlok."