HW Pt2: Feathermen Unite! (Open to all)

According to the fliers ,that had somehow migrated from the bulletin  board outside the dorms to carpeting nearly every wall in the school, this was the place. A few days ago someone had posted fliers telling anyone interested to show up to this room at this time today. Something about a super hero team forming or something but, this place couldn't possibly be it. First and foremost the room was in the rarely use third story  of the west wing, an area usually reserved for cleaning supplies and cobwebs. Secondly the small window on the door to the old room was dark, meaning no lights were on within the room. Lastly, there was a large and some what cumbersome sign standing outside the room that said in blatant and simple terms.


Obviously not the place listed in the flier, signs never lie after all. However, before you could turn to leave a booming voice bellowed from the room

“Young Hero! At last the day has arrived. Before you lays the pathways of destiny. Whether you have come here through your own free will, or were drawn here by a force far greater than any within human comprehension, you have found yourself before the threshold of fate. Beyond this door is the death of your life as you know it to be! For once you pass through this portal you will no longer be the person you were before! You will be a hero, fighting to protect all that is precious to you and yours. Now young intrepid hero! Step forth, and seize the reins of your fate!”

The door slid open slowly. A thick fog, that smelled distinctly of dry ice, wafted from the open door.

The door is open, what will you do?

Nilo sighed and didn't seem to overly care about the speech or special effects, simply walking into the room. He only came because Jack seemed like a nice person, after all, he did buy him dinner. He held his book close to him as he stepped through the dark room, becoming slightly scared at the strange environment he was now in.

The interior of the room was dark and foggy. The floor creaking underfoot. The only light from in the room came from a small glowing lamp in the center of the floor. As soon as Nilo passed through the thresh hold loud triumphant music began to play from the far corner, probably an old CD player or laptop from judging from the poor quality. As the song reached a crescendo a single spotlight shone down from the ceiling, eliminating a single figure crouched in near the center of the back wall. The man was clad in a red nearly skin tight jump suit covered in a velvet trim. His boots and gloves shone a golden color in the bright light, and his hawk themed helmet gleamed in the heroic illumination.

"We guard the world from the dark shadows that plague it at every turn!" the man stood quickly, his back still to the door. He struck a heroic pose by placing his hands on his hips and standing with a broad stance," We five young hero's, gifted with the powers of righteousness and justice stand firm against the evils of the stars and the earth! We five shall stand together to defend out world! Our home! Our loved ones and ourselves!" The man turned quickly striking a valiant pose,"Neo Featherman Rang..." He stopped dead in the middle of his speech and simply stared at Nilo.

Slowly the man dropped his pose and with shaking hands he reached up to his helmet and removed it. Jack stood there motionless with a shocked expression on his face," N-Nilo... are.... are you the only one that showed up?"

Nilo looked around the room, lowering his head slightly. He sighed sadly, knowing something like this would happen. People weren't nearly as nice and open minded as most... And as much as Nilo wouldn't openly admit it, he felt responsible for Jack; he wanted to make sure he'd be okay. He shook his head and looked up, a determined look on his face.

"I... I might be the only one to come... B-But one's better than none. And... We can still defend people with just the two of us... I-I think..." he said, his speech seeming less convincing as it went on. He still seemed determined but it came across as a little odd. He would stay that way until Jack responded, his thoughts drifting to the possibilities of his responce.

Jack silently stared at Nilo for a moment. Quietly he walked from under the spotlight and into the darkness. After a moment of nothing the lights in the room spring to life, illuminating the room in florescent light. The room was small but full. At one end stood five manikins, one naked and four wearing suits and helmets very similar to Jacks; one Black, Blue, Yellow, and Pink. At the other end of the room sat a large computer screen, currently turned off.

Jack sat at the large circular table in the center of the room, takeing the seat that had a large red,"1" on it's back. There Jack sat for a moment before speaking.

"Nilo... with in you I sense the power...sigh...?" Jack's voice lacked it's normal pep and liveliness," Of the condor... Strong in will and determined in spite of fear... You's is the power of the black ranger...."

Jack sighed and turned to Nilo, a genuine sadness in his eyes,Nilo... Is something wrong with me?"

Nilo sighed, he really didn't know how to respond to that. He pushed forward though, putting on a brave face. "... You know something? Screw people. People suck, they're mean, judgmental, idiotic, stupid, rude, inconsiderate, and selfish monsters... If they don't want to help, then we'll have to pick up their slack." he said with a /very/ determined look on his face. He didn't like Jack being so down, it made him mad. How dare people hurt his friends feelings?

That thought startled him, but he hid his fear of his thoughts well as he walked over to the black suit. It looked like it would fit his small frame, did Jack get it custom or was 'Black Ranger' naturally his size? Nilo didn't know as he couldn't and didn't watch TV but placed his book down and too the suit in his hands.

"... Should I put this on now or later?" he asked, draping the suit over his arm. He didn't quite realize how silly he'd look wearing the costume yet, but he'd be wearing the helmet so it didn't bother him so much. Plus, cosplaying was apparently an 'in' thing right now... Right? Nilo didn't care either way, he didn't mind being slightly embarrassed if it made Jack feel better.

"N-Nilo?..." Jack looked at Nilo confused for a moment. Why was a guy he met once acting so nice to him? Normally people would get tired of Jack's eccentric behavior within moments of meeting him. The entire reason Jack set this meeting up was to perhaps meet some like minded people, some other people that shared his passions and drive. In the back of his head he knew that no one would show up. It was to the point that he was sure that the door had opened on its own. He went through the song and dance more for himself then anything else, but seeing Nilo there broke something in Jack. He thought he saw pity in Nilo's eyes, but maybe it was something else.

Jack stood from the table and sighed with a wistful smile gracing his lips,"I-It's designed to go over cloths... You can... Put it on now if you want."

Nilo nodded and smiled happily, at Jack. He couldn't tell if he really uplifted his spirits or if he was just putting on a brave face but Nilo was glad he was able to make him smile. He quickly took his jacket off and slipped into the suit, making sure Jack wasn't able to see the scars that decorated his wrists and arms. He looked it over as it fit his frame.

He wasn't used to wearing such odd clothing, actually, had he ever worn a costume before? He was always kept inside as a kid so he didn't participate in plays or Halloween. Was it supposed to feel this tight? It was like a glove almost... A glove for his body? He inwardly sighed, feeling a little exposed with out his jacket but chose to smile through it.

"... What do we do now? I suppose you're the leader, right? So... As you're Black Ranger, guide me in what to do." he said with a light smile and determined look. He didn't wish to convey pity but instead a feeling of friendship. He didn't want Jack to feel bad if he could help him out. His caring nature shown in this moment, a nature rarely seen by others.

Jack's eyes widened as his small smile turned into a great grin. Faster then he could think he put his helmet back on and jumped back from where Nilo stood. From there Jack crossed his arms over his chest and stood proud.," AHA! You have great potential Ranger Black! First! Refer to me as Ranger Red when we are morphed! And furthermore.... Oh morphed means when we're in costume... Furthermore! I am not your leader! We are a team! Though I guide and protect my rangers with my life, I am your comrade first! And your valiant captain second!" Jack's short red cape slowly began to flap and wave in the nonexistent wind.

Jack ran to the back of the room and turned on the computer with flourish and exaggerated movements,'This Ranger Black is our justice computer! This is conected directly to police scanners all around the islands! You see my dad is a police chief and eh... I mean I was contacted by the governments of this world to defend it as best I could! That is why I called uppon you!" Jack sprung from his seat and pointed to Nilo," Now tell me Ranger Black! What drives you towards Justice!"

If Nilo could see under Jack's helmet he would see tears of joy and gratefulness streaming down his face. Jack had wanted a team of strangers to come and play pretend for an afternoon. What he had gotten was one friend who really wanted to help. It was more then Jack thought possible...

"Thanks Nilo..." Jack said quietly to himself.

Nilo smiled happily at Jack's return to himself. He was really glad he was able to make him happy again. He listened to Jack's explanation of what the Ranger's team worked. He smiled lightly and nodded, understanding that team work would work better than a leader dishing out commands.

He followed Jack to the 'justice computer,' intrigued by it. A computer linked to security cameras around the island? This could be helpful indeed... He listened to Jack's explanation of how he obtained the computer and almost laughed. It seemed Jack was so exited, he broke character quite a bit. He didn't mind though, stepping back as Jack jumped up and pointed at him.

"Um... O-Oh! Wait a moment..." he said as he quickly went to put the 'Ranger Black' helmet on. It was an odd experience, but he could breath easily with it on and see out of it clearly. "... Justice... I want to keep my family safe... My mom works hard for me... A-And I don't want her to get hurt." he said from behind his mask. It was true, though... Even if it was just pretend, he could still try and protect his mom through this club of two.

"That is a good reason Ranger Black..." Jack smiled under his helmet and sat back down at his desk chair, turning towards the monitors,"I want... I want to protect the world... To make it a safer place to people to enjoy their lives... Growing up I watched the heros on TV save the world every week... They would fight colorful monsters and learn a life lesson along the way... Yeah it was stupid but... Every single day they would put their lives on the line for people they never even met, people that they would never meet, people that took them for granted and most likely made fun of their silly costumes. Yet... no matter how dangerous the task, how vicious the foe or how evil the emperor, they always fought on."

Slowly Jack stood and turned towards Nilo and removed his helmet again setting it on the center table,"That's what I want to be. Someone like the heroes I looked up to when I was a child. Someone that other children can look up to...," He looked to Nilo and smiled a determined smile," I was looking for a team... But maybe a partner is exactly what I needed. So what do you say Nilo... Mind helping me save the world? OH! One other thing I need your help with."

Jack walked to a cabinet on the far side of the room and opened it, inside stacked to the top where hundreds of thousands of fliers each advertising the Featherman," Mind helpen me hand out these? We're gunna need help to fight the forces of evil after all! Ahahaha!

Nilo listened to Jack's reason for justice. He wanted to save the world, to save people that would never thank him. It was admirable, at least to Nilo. He had never watched TV but he understood how he felt. It made him feel happy that Jack aspired to be something so great. He then looked up and smiled, taking the helmet off.

"... I'd be happy to be your partner..." he said, smiling lightly. He then perked up and looked over to the cabinet, blinking as he saw its contents. How exactly he would be able to help with this escaped him but he simply smiled and nodded past it. "Of course. More help is always better and I'd like to help you." he said happily.

"But before that, we need to work on your poses and victory shouts!" Jack shouted donning his helmet once more," Now repeat after me! Death must not needlessly be feared! But it must not be needlessly desired as well! Face it and fight! Feathermen!"

Jack may not have gotten a team, but a good friend trumps a team of rangers any day.

Both characters have left .This thread is now closed.