Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: A New Interpretation- Season 1 (S1)

[TSoldier]

A meteor shower shaping up to serve as a sensational spectacle of lights brings with it a coming doom. When an evil is reborn upon the Moon, a power is resurrected on Earth. Five teenagers are chosen to wield these special powers in the hopes of guarding against a chaos brought about by the evil Rita Repulsa. A climate of fear and destruction sweeps the world, destroying the livelihood of the people of Earth, mentally, as Rita and her minions do as much physically.

An entire planet trembles in the fearsome grasp of Rita Repulsa as the 5 reluctant youths search themselves for the strength and courage to care for a world in ruins that hates and fears them as much as they do Rita.

It was reborn of a new crater in the moon, will it end in the obliteration of Earth? Find the answers, as along the way innocence is threatened, spirits are crushed, prospects darken, blood spills, and hope contends with fear in the eyes of children whose destinies deicide the fate of their entire planet. Bestowed with the Power, they are the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, and this is their story....

 

[TSoldier]

Episode 1- DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 1: FIRST STAND

DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 1: FIRST STAND

A seemingly endless expanse of darkness & cold. A hollow vacuum containing an innumerable amount of phenomena. Space is many things. It can be described in many ways. It harbors all kinds of energy. It harbors all kinds of life. At the moment, however, it harbors a kind of death. Nine planets move on different circular orbits in motions whose relevance to each other lies only with their subservience to gravity & the sun.

The third planet up from that sun is Earth. It is a place where life has spawned. It’s a place where death has appeared and disappeared on awkward intervals. The sun burns bright, with light reaching out with great intensity, illuminating many of the things in its path. One of those things is dead now. It accompanies a hail of meteorites in a flow directed toward that third planet.

Earth.
Angel Grove, CA USA.

Space is notable for it’s low temperature. Perhaps the same could be said of the chilled air that sweeps thru the city, reaching out as far as the desert area well outside of town. Located in that desert sits an odd building. It is sand colored, much like the rocky surfaces of the terrain that surrounds it. A passerby would be none the wiser as to it’s presence. Certainly, they’d be unaware of what resides inside...

The Command Center.

It is much like space itself. It is dark, but is illuminated by the many lights of the computer terminals that glow & flash, not unlike the stars in space. Among the computer terminals sits a radar screen. Momentarily, it indicates the presence of……something.

“Ay Yi Yi” Alpha 5’s voice portrayed a tone of worry. Humans ranged widely in their emotional capacities, but what makes this so odd is that Alpha 5 is not human. He is an artificially intelligent machine.

“Spatial scanners detected a foreign energy signature. But now the reading is gone” Alpha 5 turns away from the computer terminal & looks upward toward a tall, clear cylindrical tube filled with light. Among that light was a humanoid face.

“Oh no. Another fluctuation in the Power Grid. What could this be, Zordon?”

Zordon looked down from his tube at his robotic assistant standing within the ring of computers. “Calm yourself, Alpha 5. We will be better able to handle any circumstance without the disadvantage of panic. We can start with an analysis based on what information the computer picked up in that brief moment”

The lights on the computers flash and the spatial scanner again locks onto the foreign energy signature.

“Zordon, it’s back” Alpha rushes to the computer console and starts pressing buttons. “I will try to recover as much information as I can before the computers go off line again”

Alpha continued to work with the computer. “Whatever it is, it doesn’t appear to be very large. Wait….Ay Yi Yi, Zordon”

“What have you uncovered, Alpha 5?”

“The energy signature. It-it-it’s Edenite in origin”

“This could be important, Alpha. Quickly, recalibrate the annular confinement beam to lock onto the energy signature before the Grid’s power fluctuates again. We must teleport the object here immediately,” Zordon ordered.

“Yes, Zordon” Alpha did as commanded. A white light streaks into the building. It drops off a charred metallic object inside the Command Center. Alpha 5 shuffles toward the object with a hand-held scanner in hand.

“Oh no! It can’t be!” Alpha cried.

“Alpha, I--“ Zordon isn’t able to finish his sentence before Alpha speaks again.

“Alpha 4. My brother. What happened to you?”

“My apologies, Alpha 5. Perhaps you should rest your circuits”

“Y-yes, Zordon” Alpha sniffles. “I am always more relaxed when monitoring the activities of that group of teenagers in Angel Grove” Alpha moves before the Viewing Globe as a visual of a karate class in session comes to view. “Ay Yi Yi. They remind me of my dear brother. Their warmth. Their spirit. And their attitude toward life & their loved ones”

Angel Grove Youth Center.
Ernie’s Gym & Juice Bar

Two rows of young men stand in white karate gi’s, mimicking the movements of a teenager whose karate gi is adorned with a black belt around the waist. Among his students is a teenager trying desperately to follow his instructor’s movements, following them with eyes resting behind a set of glasses.

Ernie, the owner of the business in a corner of the Youth Center building, is a heavy set man. He stands behind the bar talking with a young, black teen.

“I’m telling you, Ernie. Jason’s got a lock on this thing. He’ll have Billy walking with his head up high in no time” Zack says.

“I hope you’re right, Zack. Billy’s a good kid”

“Oh, check this out, man. You heard out about this?” Zack asks Ernie as he reaches out to the TV set on the counter & raises the volume.

“…science in this day and age. The meteor shower will continue thru tonight, with what has become the eagerly anticipated coupe de grace- a comet whose path is expected to meet that of our own moon. Don’t panic, kids. Scientist’s say the comet is of very small size, and it’s erratic movements, while hard to measure, are expected to be of very little consequence. This should result in not much more than a brilliant visual spectacle for people of all ages” the newscaster reports, just before Ernie lowers the volume again.

“Hey, what gives, man?” Zack asks. In the background, Jason’s karate class commences and he & Billy make their way up to the bar.

“Okay, I gotta ask you something, Zack. I know they say the comet’s descent is gonna be of little consequence or whatever, but they also say that it’s moving at pretty weird speeds. I mean, they can’t even tell when exactly it’ll land. What if something happens, like the moon explodes or something? This could be the end, you know?”

Zack laughs. “I don’t think you got anything to worry about, man. Billy-boy says one reason the comet’s speed might be so weird is cuz it’s sloughing off mass or something like that. It’s all physics, Ernie”

“Right. I knew that” Ernie says as Billy & Jason join them.

“Hey, Billy, my main-brain. Looking good out there” Zack says as he places an assuring hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Zack. I believe I’m getting the hang of this martial arts phenomenon”

“That’s good to hear, man. I was just reassuring Ernie here that the comet that’s coming isn’t Armageddon or anything” Zack said.

“Oh, you mean that meteor shower that’s been going on all week?” Jason asks.

“Watch your language boys, there are ladies in the room” a feminine voice intervenes. The guys turn to see a petite brunette, and a taller Asian girl approach them.

“Kim, Trini. Hello, ladies” Zack stands up from his stool as he greets the girls. He starts nudging Jason with his elbow “Say hello to the ladies, Jase”

“Knock it off, man” Jason whispers.

“Hey, guys. How was karate class?” Trini asks.

“Very informative” Billy replies.

“I’ll bet” Kim adds as she looks up at Jason. He blushes. “So, what are you hooligans up to?”

“We were discussing the meteor shower & the impending lunar collision” Billy answers.

“Yeah, that’s right” Jason says, as though he just remembered something.

“Oh, that’s right, huh?” Kim asks. Jason looks at Zack whose smile is riddled with mischief. Jason puts his hand on Kim’s shoulder and leads her a few feet away from their friends.

“Ok, Jase, why are you being weird?” Kim asks.

“I’m not. I just wanted to ask you something” Jason says. Kim puckers her lips to the side of her mouth as she winces at Jason with suspicion. “That whole meteor shower thing is all over the news. They say it’s a pretty cool event to see. Especially from the park”

“Uh-huh. And…?” Kim asks.

“Oh, c’mon girl, don’t make him say it” Zack chimes in from his stool.

“Muzzle it, bro” Jason retorts.

Kim smiles. “No, it’s okay. Yeah, I hear it’s pretty fantastic. Maybe we should check it out”

“Really?” Jason asks with disbelief.

“Yeah. It’ll be fun. We can all go” Kim says to him as she looks to her other friends.

Jason looks over at Zack and his mischievous smile. “Great. I was worried this wouldn’t turn out how I wanted it to” Jason mutters.

“Great. It’s a date!” Zack adds.

The Command Center.

The charred remains of Alpha 4 lay on a metal bed. Alpha 5 analyzes him.

Alpha 5 dials into his hand-held computer and walks with it over to Zordon. “Ay Yi Yi. I downloaded the information into the computers and I have discovered some rather curious things here, Zordon”

“Go on, Alpha 5” Zordon encouraged.

“Well, I thought perhaps that the faint energy signature could some how be augmented to revive Alpha 4, but it turns out that the energy signature does not belong to him. He is gone. Instead, the signature is originating from an internal mechanism from which I’ve deciphered part of a distorted message” Alpha explains.

Alpha continues. “The message is basically stellar cartography. There is a map of the Gamma Tri System, as well as notes on some kind of electrokinetic spatial phenomenon out in that sector. There are also schematics on the trail of meteors and asteroids that seem to have come in contact with the electrokinetic storm. They were shifted onto an altered course”

“This is quite disturbing” Zordon notes.

“But why? This doesn’t appear to be much more than random spatial analyses” Alpha asks.

“We must assess the situation as a whole, Alpha. This is not mere information, but is information that happened to be carried in our direction by your brother”

“Now that you mention it, the damage pattern and likelihood that some natural phenomenon would harm my brother, and put him on a course toward Earth is very suspicious” Alpha realizes.

The computer’s flash and a console beeps. Alpha moves over to it.

“The computer’s have cross referenced the energy signature. There was a latent residual charge coupled to the Edenite signature. The residual energy source has been identified” Alpha slowly turns to Zordon. “Ay Yi Yi. The second energy signature- it belongs to……Zedd”

Zordon’s concern paints his face with a grimace. “There is more to this meteor shower than anyone realized. The citizens of Earth are in danger, perhaps like no other they have faced before. It seems an old evil has returned with new intentions”

Angel Grove Park
Night.

A pale, skinny, black haired teen runs through the park. He grunts in pain as the hot cups of coffee in each of his hands spill onto him as he makes his way toward an obese adolescent appropriately named…

“Bulk! I got the coffee!” the pale teen cries out as he reaches his friend.

“Geez, Skull! It’s about freakin’ time!” Bulk replies as his pale, skinny cohort stumbles toward him, tripping over a rock, and splashes the large Bulk on his chest with the steaming hot coffee’s.

“AAGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!” Bulk yells out in pain and runs around like a chicken with its head cut off. He races past Zack, Kim, Billy, Trini, & Jason who try to dismiss Bulk & Skull. Bulk makes his way to the lake and dives in.

“Those goons have issues” Zack remarks.

“Hey, let’s go sit up on that grassy hill” Kim points out.

“That appears to be a viable location with which to monitor tonight’s events” Billy observes as he holds onto a pair of binoculars strapped around his neck.

The 5 teens have a seat on the grassy hill. Kim wraps her arms around her knees as she pulls them up toward her chest.

“Are you cold?” Jason asks.

“A little. Yeah” Kim answers.

“Maybe you should have thought about that when you pulled those Daisy Dukes out of your dresser this morning” Zack remarks.

“Hey! They look totally cute with this top!” Kim responds as she smacks Zack on the shoulder.

“Oww, hey! Don’t hit! Why do girls hit?” Zack asks Jason who sits on Kim’s other side. Jason responds to him with an angry glare, as he wraps his oversized black sweater around Kim’s shoulders.

“This is going to be phenomenal” Billy says as he stares thru his binoculars into the sky.

“Translation?” Jason asks Trini.

“He’s thinks this is going to be great” Trini answers.

“Precisely. I’m a little perplexed, though. While I know there was no official time placed for the collision, the Explorer 7 vessel that NASADA is sending for observations is supposed to land soon & prepare for their analysis. Did we miss anything?” Billy looks over to a bench where Bulk & Skull sit watching a portable TV.

Bulk has his head tipped to the side as he smacks his upturned ear, trying to shake the water out of his opposite ear. Billy hands his binoculars to Zack and approaches the picnic table.

“Greetings, fellas” Billy greets.

“What do you want, Goggles?” Bulk asks as he continues his effort to rid the water from his ear. Skull laughs at Bulk’s insult.

“Actually, I was curious as to whether NASADA has given an update on the Explorer 7 Lunar exploration”

“No. Now get outta here, ya goody-good” Bulk replies.

“Yeah, get outta here” Skull mimics his friend.

Billy grimaces as he makes his way back up to his friends.

“Just ignore them, Billy. If what they had to say was very important, they would have more friends than just each other” Trini assures.

“Right” Billy responds.

“Billy Cranston, if you don’t get over here right now you’re gonna miss the show” Kimberly adds. Zack tosses Billy his binoculars. Billy sits down among the group.

Space.
Onboard the Explorer 7.

Astronaut #1 maneuvers the shuttle toward the moon. “We’re going to be coming in soon. I’d rather land after the collision. Just to be safe”

“I hear ya” Astronaut #2 responds. “Wait. We’re getting a communication from NASADA. Looks like the wait will be over soon”

“I should say so” Astronaut #1 points as the comet glides toward the Moon, and they watch the crash happen before their very eyes.

Angel Grove Park.

“This is it guys” Billy observes as he watches through his binoculars.

The 5 teens stand up as Kim squeals with giddy anticipation. Jason, who stands next to her, looks down at her with a smile that only partially covers his nervousness.

Space.

The comet hits the Moon’s surface. The collision lets out a very brief flash of light that illuminates the cabin of the Explorer 7 vessel. The astronauts shake hands.

“That was amazing!” Astronaut #1 exclaims.

“Yes! Let’s head out there” Astronaut #2 adds.

The Command Center.

“Ay Yi Yi! The fluctuations have intensified. If we don’t get power back on-line soon, we won’t be able to track the comet for any abnormal phenomena!” Alpha exclaims.

Space.

The Explorer 7 vessel rests atop the surface of the Moon. Astronaut’s #1 & 2 hop thru the moon’s low level gravity and close in on the crater created by the comet. Chunks of ice float out around them from the crater.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa” Astronaut #2 stops. “What the heck is this?” They step in and make their way across the crater toward some type of containment unit.

“This doesn’t look like any kind of comet I’ve ever seen” Astronaut #2 remarks.

“Do you realize what this is?” Astronaut #1.

“Well, if it looks like a dumpster, and it smells like a dumpster…” Astronaut #2 ponders aloud.

“This could be some kind of extraterrestrial artifact. This is a day for the history books, that’s for sure” Astronaut #1 notes. “Look at this. Some kind of locking mechanism. It’s got a crack in it”

Astronaut #1 tugs at the cracked portion of the canister’s seal.

“No! Don’t touch it!” Astronaut #2 yells. Unfortunately, his message comes too late. An intense red beam of energy erupts outward from the cracked seal. The two men are thrown backward in a slow arc. A pillar of light reaches out from the containment vessel and spreads out horizontally, forming 5 spheres of red light that take on the form of 5 evil beings.

The Command Center.

The red lights that adorn the tops of the computers begin to strobe as a loud alert sounds.

“We are too late to act, Alpha 5. The nightmare begins again” Zordon explains.

Angel Grove Park.

Bulk & Skull stare at their portable TV with wide eyes. Skull does a double-take as he realizes a large amount of sky watchers are standing behind them watching their TV with equal amazement.

“….only moments ago. It is unknown when communication will be re-established. Until then, we are left with one last frightening image before all contact was lost” the newscaster on the TV explains. The broadcast reveals a view from a fallen camera that films the ground on the moon. Two Golden clawed feet approach the camera & it is lifted to reveal a monstrous blue face before the feed goes out.

Bulk & Skull slowly turn to each other as the group behind them disperses, females crying, and men running with their women in hand.

“It’s an alien invasion!” Bulk cries.

“Bulky, I don’t wanna die” Skull whimpers.

Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Zack & Billy stand up and stare into the sky and witness a flash of light take place. The mass of sky watchers scramble around in a panic.

“Oh. My. God” Kimberly remarks.

“Billy, what the heck is happening?” Zack asks.

Billy shrugs, a look of complete astonishment adorning his face. “Perhaps, some type of Gamma burst?” Billy slowly turns to his friends who look amongst each other with a new look of confusion. They look over their own bodies as a sensation they’ve never before experienced begins to overwhelm them.

“What’s happening?” Kim asks.

“I believe we are experiencing inertia” Billy observes.

“But how? We’re not even moving?” Trini asks.

“Hang on guys! I feel like--“ Jason is unable to finish his sentence when every molecule in his body erupts with white light. The same occurs with his 4 other friends. What have now become 5 colorless pillars of light streak upward into the night sky.

The mass of spectators fleeing from Angel Grove Park stop & slowly turn their focus upward to the night sky that illuminates before them as 5 odd streaks of light speed above their heads and off into the horizon. The 5 white lights move swiftly out of town and in the direction of…

The Command Center.

Almost instantaneously the white lights reach their destination. They halt at the front of the building and manifest into Zack, Kim, Billy, Trini, & Jason. The teens are disoriented, and even further confused by their new surroundings.

“What just happened?” Trini asks.

“What happened to the park?” Kim asks.

“The park? Girl, look at this building. I’m not even sure we’re still on Earth” Zack comments.

“Negative. It was dark & near dawn in Angel Grove Park, and it still is. Furthermore, the moon is still well within the same location as it was when we were in the park. This is still Earth” Billy explains.

“Wait” Jason interjects. “We could still be in the park. Billy, is it possible some kind of meteor crash could have caused this?”

“A wise deduction, Jason. However, it may be prudent to search this building for clues as to our whereabouts” Billy tells his friends.

“Thank you for having your head on straight, Mr. Cranston” Kim forces a rueful comment to try and ease the fear & uncertainty of the moment.

“See, this why Billy’s part of the group. He keeps us in check” Zack adds.

“Well, I don’t see any kind of address on the building” Trini notes.

“Come on, guys. Let’s get some answers” Jason commands. He and his friends huddle close together and head into the building.

It’s as dark as it always is in the Command Center. The teens move in and are taken aback upon the sight of the technological wonders that fill the building. Kimberly’s gasp echoes through the building. She quickly covers her mouth. The 5 teens make their way into the center of the ring of main computers in the middle of the building.

Zack decides to break the silence. “Billy, now would be a good time to reassure us we didn’t just walk onto a spaceship or something”

“This place is a technological wonder. However, I do not detect any kind of propulsion devices inside, nor did I see any outside or on the way in” Billy affirms.

“Good, cuz the atmosphere on Jupiter or whatever can’t be all that great for a girl’s hair” Kim adds.

“Greetings” Alpha 5’s voice startles the teens as he steps up behind them.

“What in blue hell--?“ Zack is stunned at the site of the robot.

“Salutations” Billy responds.

“I got it. It’s like a museum” Zack guesses.

Billy studies the robot Alpha 5. “Amazing. A fully-functional, artificially intelligent, sentient automaton”

Kim grabs Trini by the arm. “Trini, tell Billy to get away from that thing before it beams us to it’s mother ship or something”

“Welcome, humans” Zordon’s voice is strong and domineering. It startles the group of teens as it fills the room. Billy turns & looks up at Zordon. He stares in amazement as his friends turn & share in his astonishment.

“Oh, geez. Now what?” Zack wonders aloud.

“So, who are you?” Jason inquires.

“Like, what are you?” Kim adds.

“My name is Zordon. I understand you are all confused. Please allow me to explain the situation to you. I promise you have nothing to fear from me or my assistant, Alpha 5”

“Ok, well then we’ll just set aside the fact that you’re like a big old ghost head, and listen to what you have to say” Kimberly crosses her arms and steps close beside Jason for support.

“Very well, my dear. I am Zordon: an interdimensional being locked away for many Earth years by a very great evil that threatened this Galaxy some 10,000 years ago. That evil has returned among the atmospheric phenomenon that has occurred in the last few Earth days” Zordon begins.

“You mean the meteor show?” Jason asks.

“Yes. Though appearing harmless, the event itself is not natural. With our technology we have detected several energy signatures involved, the most important of which belonging to an evil being that oppresses several galaxies outside of your own. That being’s name is Lord Zedd” Zordon continued.

“The meteor shower was manipulated? So, that’s why the comet’s course was so erratic and different from that of the meteors” Billy realizes.

“So, you’re telling us some evil space creature trapped you in a big, clear lipstick container?” Kim asks.

“Not quite, my dear. My imprisonment is only indirectly a feat of Lord Zedd. This consequence was a result of a very long conflict with one of his generals. A humanoid named Rita Repulsa. Our conflict ended with our imprisonment. Mine here, and Rita & her minion’s within a containment vessel which I was able to encase with enough matter to seal her and her threat away for a long time.

“The containment vessel moved thru space as a comet. An artificial electrokinetic storm created far away in the Gamma Tri System redirected the comet within which Rita was trapped. This meteor shower brought with it still another passenger: Alpha 5’s prototype. His brother, if you will- Alpha 4.

“Alpha 4 carried the message of this threat but did not survive long enough to tell of it. Thankfully, Alpha 5 managed to retrieve the message among his brother’s remains, destroyed by the power of Lord Zedd. Due to his death, the message arrived perhaps hundreds of years too late. The comet collided with your moon, and from the resulting crater, Rita’s menace was reborn”

The teens look around at each other. They’re unsure what to do.

“Whoa. Well, uh, sorry about your brother, man” Zack manages to say as he rests a hand on Alpha’s shoulder, meant to convey sympathy, despite Zack’s ongoing confusion.

“Thank you for your concern--“ Alpha stops.

“Zack” Zack identifies himself.

“Oh, yes. Thank you, Zack. Your attitude toward life continues to be a comfort to me”

“Continues to be?” Trini asks.

“Oh, gee. I do not mean to displease you, but within this Viewing Globe, Zordon and I monitor Earth as we have done for thousands of years. You humans have been a focal point of our observations” Alpha explains.

“So you chose for us to come here?” Billy asks.

“Yes. On behalf of Zordon, and the Power, I apologize for the abrupt nature of your transport. You were teleported here using our technology” Alpha 5 explains to the teens.

“Ok, yeah, that’s just peachy, dude. But, let’s rewind for just a second here, back to the ‘chosen’ thing. Chosen to do what?” Zack inquires.

“Is this like a proposition or something? Cuz I’m not that kind of girl” Kim adds.

“A proposition of sorts. I opposed Rita with the aid of a group of individuals. Together, they policed, if you will, the activities of Rita and her crew. With their aide, Rita’s threat ended. With their aide, this Solar System was protected. This Solar System once again requires the aid of individuals like those of the past. One’s with the will, the spirit, and the attitude to defend against evil. Those who have what it takes to become……the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”

Zack tries to hold in his laughter. He fails.

“Zack!” Kimberly slaps Zack upside the head. “Quit playing around. Need I remind you of the size of this guys head? He could take a serious bite out of all of our behinds”

“C’mon, girl! This is too unreal. Lord Zedd. Rita Repulsa. Artificial electropathetic something or other. No. Uh-uh. Unreal. If I’m gonna be on TV, I’d rather be totally aware of it. No more of this Candid Camera mess” Zack proclaims.

“Ay Yi Yi” Alpha steps outside of the ring of computers and into the darkness.

“I must comply. This is all very peculiar. At the least, Zordon, you can understand any hesitancy on our part” Billy says.

“Yeah, to become……the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” Zack bursts into laughter again.

“I understand this is strange for you humans. And I will continue to be patient with you. But I will have to ask you to respect the nature of these circumstances and cease your laughter. You may be amused by what we are telling you. However, I believe Alpha 5 is too lost with grief to join in the festivities” Zordon commands as a light projects down behind the computers and reveals a grieving Alpha 5 with his head down beside the charred remains of his brother.

There are no tears, but his cries are very real. Silence befalls the group. That silence is interrupted by a woman’s screams. The teens turn around and observe the Viewing Globe. They watch as fear, chaos, and anarchy spread throughout the cities of the world.

“Alpha 4 was the first life to end in lieu of Rita’s resurrection. What we are asking of you is to see to it that there will be no more” Zordon tells the group. They look amongst each other. Zack’s normally lit-up face is dead serious as he stares at the grieving Alpha 5 beside his dead brother Alpha 4.

The awe of the moment forces Kimberly to cover her mouth as she is filled with dread.

“I need some air” Kimberly fans herself as she breaks away from the group and heads out of the Command Center. Jason pursues Kimberly, and Trini & Billy share a look of concern. Zack turns to see more of the chaos in the Viewing Globe, including looting and other dangers.

Kimberly steps outside and fans herself with her hand. She runs her fingers through her hair as she exhales.

“Kim” Jason calls out to his pretty companion. Kimberly doesn’t turn back to face him. She looks out upon the rocky valley as dawn makes it’s slow appeal to the night for temporary residence. “Kim. How are you holding up?”

“I--” Kim stops mid sentence to sigh. “I’m fine. Really. I just need a second to breathe, you know? This is all just--I just need to get my grip back on reality”. Jason is puzzled by her aposiopesis. Jason always knew her as one of those girls who always had something to say, no matter what anybody came at her with. She was one of the most level-headed people he knew. He realized, though, that what they’ve just experienced was enough to stun anybody.

“So, who else thinks our next question should be whether or not that teleportation thing is round trip?” Zack makes his way toward Kim and Jason, with Billy and Trini beside him.

“This isn’t a joke, Zack. You saw the same things in there that we did. It’s just like what happened in the park before we…‘teleported’ here” Kim retorts. The five teens stand in a circle.

“I know. I know it’s not a joke. I know this is serious. So is everything that’s happening back in Angel Grove” Zack responds.

“It’s not just Angel Grove” Billy adds.

Trini couldn’t help but feel strongly after everything they‘d just witnessed. She was sure her friends felt the same way. “Billy’s right. All over the world this kind of thing is happening”

“We make this decision now then” Jason says to his friends and pending teammates. “I say we do it. There’s trouble out there and I’d be able to sleep better at night knowing I was doing something about it”

“Are you kidding? The Earth is confronted with evil and we’re supposed to be able to handle it just because some……head asked us too? Did anyone stop to think how much better equipped the Military would be to handle an alien invasion rather than a couple of teenagers? If this witch was all that powerful, Zordon would’ve killed her instead of putting her in a box and mailing her out with no delivery address. That part of the story just doesn’t make sense” Zack tries to reason.

“Actually, Zordon’s inability to kill this Rita Repulsa speaks more toward how powerful a foe she is, rather than how incapable Zordon was” Billy clarifies.

“Yeah, and now he’s stuck in a big tennis ball package” Zack turns to Trini. “What do you think?”

“I’m thinking about my father. He taught me the skills I’d need to be strong. Physically and mentally. I think it’d be a slap in the face to him for me to decline this offer. I see it as a chance to put into action the ideals that have made me the person I am today. And to ensure that I have the chance to continue to be the person I want to be in the future, I’m willing to dedicate myself to seeing that a future, a good one, comes to pass” Trini turns to Jason. “I’m with you”

“Kimberly?” Jason asks.

Kimberly sighs. “You know what? I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but if we don’t do something now, we’ll lose everything. This is scary. But I’m not willing to let the people I love die because I was afraid. I’m more willing to let the people I love live because I overcame those fears. I’m in. I’m so in”

Zack looks away and shakes his head in disbelief. Suddenly, Zack finds himself on the receiving end of a reassuring hand as Billy places one on his shoulder.

“Billy?” Kim inquires.

“I know how you feel, Zack. This is quite the conundrum, with many questions that need to be answered. How it’s possible to fight such evil. What the success rate is. There is a vast amount of uncertainty. But I spent a large portion of my life on the outside of things. Everyday I work toward adapting to the world and the people who occupy it. Achievements from that endeavor include 4 of the greatest friends any person can have. I didn’t work this hard to have to say good-bye to any of you. And even if in this endeavor that still remains a possibility, well, I’d rather have to say good-bye with you, than to you”

“Come on, man. Whatever happens, yes or no, the world needs the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Zordon’s got to give the job to somebody. What better a choice then the 5 of us?” Jason tries to encourage his skeptical friend.

“And if not us, we better get in there soon and tell him to hire the runner-up’s, and quick-style before the world goes to hell in a hand basket” Kim adds. Zack looks to each of his friends, then looks away and shakes his head in disbelief.

Inside the Command Center, Alpha 5 stands before Zordon. “Ay Yi Yi Yi Yi. Maybe I should go outside and see how they are doing, Zordon”

“I don’t believe that is wise, Alpha 5. This is a serious decision. One that needs to be made completely, without our influence”

Jason, Kimberly, Trini, and Billy step up behind Alpha 5. “Ay Yi Yi! You’re back!”

“We have come to a conclusion regarding your proposal, Zordon” Billy says.

“The world needs us. It needs protection. We’re willing to help” Jason explains.

“Ay Yi Yi. There are 5 ranger forms currently available. Is Zack unwilling to help?” Alpha asks.

The 4 teens look amongst each other as silence once again fills the room. Once again, one person takes unto himself the responsibility to break that silence.

“Where do I sign?” Zack asks. The 4 teens turn to Zack as he joins the group. Trini wraps her arms around him in a tight embrace.

“Zack, I’m so glad you’re with us on this. It wouldn’t be the same without you” Kim adds as she moves in and places a kiss on his cheek.

“And Zordon and Alpha were making this alien invasion thing sound like trouble. If I’d have known I was going to get this kind of attention I’d have been staging some alien encounters years ago”

“I am truly pleased. With the Mighty Morphin powers, many things are possible. However, to be allowed to wield them you 5 must accept and uphold 3 very important rules. 1) Never escalate a battle unless forced to do so. 2) Never use your powers for personal gain. 3)You must never reveal your identity as the Power Rangers. Do you Zachary, Kimberly, William, Trini, Jason, accept these terms?” asks Zordon.

The 5 teens nod and answer in unison with a “Yes”.

“Then extend your hands out before you and accept the Power” Zordon instructs.

The Ranger’s do as they’re told and in a flash of black, pink, blue, yellow, and red power, belts and strange buckles appear on the waists of Zack, Kim, Billy, Trini, and Jason, respectively. In another burst of their corresponding colors, a golden coin is teleported into the waiting hands of the 5 teens. They each examine their coins.

“A Triceratops from the Cretaceous period” Billy observes.

“Dinosaurs?” Kim asks.

“Yes, my dear. Protector Beasts, to be specific. These are your Power Morpher’s and Power Coins. Your Power Morpher’s will act as a mechanical trigger with which you will appropriate power from the Morphin Grid, accessed via your Power Coins, making available to you the power of each of your respective Dinosaurs and protector beasts. When it is time for you to morph, you will trigger your morphers, loaded with your own Power Coins, and call out to the spirit to which you hail” Zordon explains.

Just then, the alarms in the Command Center sound.

“What is that?” Trini asks as the teens cover their ears.

“It is the tactical alert. It warns us of dangers brought on by the forces of evil” Alpha 5 explains.

“Well, why wasn’t it going off before?” Jason asks.

“The magic Zedd used for the meteor shower, and on the comet to allow for the release of energy that was Rita and her minions to revert to their evil forms, also served as a somewhat effective binding spell on the Morphin Grid and the Command Center. It has been wreaking havoc on our computers recently” Alpha explains.

“Look, the Globe” Kim points out. The round monitor feeds a visual of…

Germany.

Chaos has taken the shape of erratic behavior, looting, pillaging, and riots. Several families and lone citizens clamor into a tall, ornate church. Weeping, and cries fill the crowded church as people convene in pursuit of salvation.

A mother and her 5 year-old son drop to their knees before a giant cross. Thru tears and cries, the mother begins to pray frantically as she lowers her head and closes her eyes. Her son gets up and pushes his way back thru the crowd. He makes his way to the large front doors as loud sounds of destruction bellow from a great distance away. The boy steps out onto the top of the steps of the church and looks out into the mountainous region upon a most startling sight.

The skies are darkened as black clouds flood in. Red lightning lashes out from the clouds with a thunderous crash. The red lightning strikes down upon an old, gothic castle perched in the mountains. The boy watches, stunned, as the lightning envelopes it.

The young boy’s mother rushes outside and grabs her son, then stands with her mouth open and eyes wide at the sight of the castle opposing gravity and tearing away from its foundation, as the sounds of destruction ring out into the distances. Soon, the castle lifts up higher into the air, racing skyward, disappearing into the dark clouds. The mother and son stand and stare in a complete state of shock.

The Command Center.

“Ay Yi Yi!” Alpha exclaims. “The computer is detecting a massive gravitational eddy in the skies above the country of Germany. A castle has been taken up into the gravitic anomaly”

“She will undoubtedly use it to establish a headquarters” Zordon replies.

“Well, now that we agreed to take on the Power, I guess it’d be a little out of place for me to say ‘better Germany than Angel Grove’?” Zack asks.

The alarm blares again. “Ay Yi Yi! Trouble in Angel Grove. The computers are picking up a growing gravitational eddy in Downtown” Alpha tells the group as they move toward the Viewing Globe.

“Zack, man, this is all your fault, bro” Jason convicts his friend. Zack shrugs.

“This is bad” Billy remarks as he observes downtown Angel Grove in the globe.

“Yeah, well this day just went from bad to worse” Kimberly adds as she points to the Globe once more.

The Ranger’s watch in astonishment as the seemingly endless lootings occurring downtown actually cease as a more serious event takes place. The skies become overcast and red lightning reaches down and cuts into a building. The streets shake downtown as the top half of the building tears away from the lower half of itself, thrusting debris outward. Rather than fall to the streets, though, the debris follows the top of the building as it rises up into the air and disappears into the clouds.

“Looks like this is it, guys” Trini addresses her friends.

“Right. Now’s the time. We’ve got to make a stand, guys. Alpha, can you teleport us in near the gravitational eddy?” Jason asks.

“Yes, Jason” Alpha answers.

“But what can we do?” Zack asks.

“Zordon said these coins give us power linked to the grid. If Rita’s using magic powers to create these gravitational eddies, maybe we can combine the power from our coins to screen out hers” Jason explains.

“An excellent suggestion, Jason. As the Red Ranger, you will serve as the leader of the Power Rangers. Go now, and lead your team to victory. May the Power protect you” Zordon blesses.

“Right!” all 5 Rangers say in unison as they nod in affirmation.

“Teleportation sequence engaged” Alpha informs.

The Rangers disappear in streaks of light. This time, however, the individual columns of light were red, black, yellow, pink or blue, rather than white.

“Good luck, my new friends” Alpha prays.

Space.
The Moon.

Atop a rocky region of the Moon sits Rita’s new palace. On one side of the building, facing out toward the Earth, is a balcony. A large, golden hued, armor clad, blue simian-like alien sets down a modified telescope on the center of the balcony.

“Empress Rita. With the modifications made with the technology taken from Earth and the shuttle, Finster has completed your new Repulsa-Scope” growls the gilded beast.

“This better work, Goldar. Otherwise I’m holding you and Finster responsible” comes a gritty, feminine voice. Tall black high heel boots click against the floor of the castle, carrying with them the evil witch Rita Repulsa. Her long gray hair is done up into two separate cones, not unlike the coned bra she wears outside of her brown and black dress. She makes her way up to the telescope and peers into it.

“Ahh, it works. There is the Earth. Home to Zordon, that simpleton. I’ve been out of commission for 10,000 years. Unacceptable. I will have my revenge. And I will begin with the destruction of the world Zordon has strived to secure. Watch out world, Rita Repulsa has returned” Rita cackles. She steps down from her balcony and makes her way toward……

Finster’s Workshop.

Rita enters the workshop where a white, dog-like alien creature finishes constructing a large machinated industrial oven. Two more aliens stand around the room as well. Baboo is a hybrid alien; a cross between a bat and a primate. His impish cohort Squatt is a lighter shade of blue, and is more rotund, carrying a bag of items, a holstered space pistol, and wearing a helmet with goggles resting on them near the top where a protrusion of his skull stands straight up.

“Squatt, pay attention. Our Empress is in the room” Baboo warns.

“Oh, greetings, Empress Rita” Squatt says.

Finster takes notice of Rita’s entrance. “Empress Rita, welcome to my new workshop. I was just putting the finishing touches on my Monster-Matic using the parts you so thoughtfully pillaged from Earth and that spacecraft. Unfortunately, I have been unable to get the machine initialized. There doesn‘t seem to be enough power for a machine of this make” Finster explains.

“Must I do everything around here?” Rita asks as she lifts her ornate wand into the air. The red garnet orb within the circular top of the wand glows and discharges red power that envelopes the Monster-Matic. The machine whirls to life.

“Why, thank you, your evilness” Finster conveys his gratitude.

“Yeah, yeah. The Monster-Matic is very important. It will play an intricate part in Earth’s degradation. I want to start soon. I need you to craft some monsters to attack the Earth” Rita instructs.

“I am sorry, your lowness” Finster begins to plead his case. “Unfortunately, I am down to a small amount of my lowest quality clay with which to create your dastardly monsters”

“It’s always something, isn’t it Finster? Well, no time to argue about it. We’ll need to retrieve more. Looks like my first choice for a plan of action will have to wait. Those stupid Earthlings have always wasted the resources of their precious planet. Perhaps then they won’t have too much of a problem if we partake in some of the violations they riddle their own homelands with” Rita surmises.

“Oh, boy. I certainly hope they don’t try and interfere with your plan, your wickedness” Squatt adds.

“They’d better not. Goldar! Get in here!” Rita calls out. Goldar enters the workshop. “New game plan. Here’s what we’re going to do: Finster, I want you to use some of that clay you have left to assemble a squadron of Putty Patrollers to be unleashed upon Angel Grove in an attack that you, Goldar, will be included among”

“What a great plan! Will Squatt and I be allowed to participate?” Baboo wonders aloud.

“Hmmm. Normally, I know better than to rely on you two buffoons very often. But I’m low on MVP’s here. You will be allowed to join Goldar and the Putties this time” Rita answers.

“Oh, goody!” Baboo exclaims. He high-fives Squatt.

“Pipe down, you boobs! This is complicated! We’re going to cause a mess of trouble in that town, the likes of which Zordon will be unable to defend against!” Rita’s voice trails off into a mad cackle.

Angel Grove.

Five pillars of light streak down to the rooftop of a building beside the one Rita demolished. They look around at the destroyed structure in awe. Among it are destroyed walls, tables, office equipment, and mangled metal.

“Did he have to drop us off so high above the ground?” Trini says in a shaky voice.

“Alpha’s scans were correct. It appears to be structurally sound. That is the Fairweather Metal Products processing plant. Or rather, it was. Look at that. The damage is unbelievable. Imagine the power it must have taken to literally break a building in half. Morphinomenal” Billy observes.

“Hey, Zordon said something like that earlier. Something about morph and our Morpher’s. What is that?” Kim asks.

“Zordon said ‘to morph’. As in, metamorphosis-to change. Into the Power Rangers, with these morphers” Trini explains. Kim nods once she understands.

“But why take only the top half. Was she just stealing parts from this place?” Jason asks.

“Maybe she got jealous of Zordon and is trying to make herself an Alpha 6. Or some kind of huge war robot” Zack comments.

“That’s not helping” Trini says.

“Yeah, well, she could be. Anyway, she didn’t have to keep the top of the building if she only wanted to keep the parts inside of it. Maybe she just didn’t have the power to take the whole thing” Zack guesses.

Jason shakes his head at the image of the building. “Let’s hope so”

“Hope?” came Rita’s voice, loud and strong. The Rangers look up at the clouds in the sky as an image of Rita’s large, ghostly face appears among them.

“I am willing to venture a guess that that is Rita Repulsa” Billy says.

“Empress Rita Repulsa” Rita clarifies.

“And what exactly are you the Empress of?” Jason asks as he crosses his arms.

Rita cackles madly. “Why, you of course!”

“Oh, of course” Kim says, wryly.

“That’s Rita, huh?” Zack asks. “Looks like she’s back for the rest of the building”

“Is there a limit to how much weirdness a girl can take?” Kim asks.

“Limits……yes” Rita almost seems to hiss her last word, contemplatively. “So much has changed since my internment. Well, I’d advise you to worry about limits, girl. Because my power does not possess any. Would you care to see more of my limitless power in action?”

“Allow us!” Trini responds, preparing to grab her morpher. “You should have seen this coming, witch! They didn’t stand for your evil deeds back then! And not that much has changed since then!”

“Silly young girl. You speak of a time from long ago. You know nothing about what time’s were like then”

“And you’re about find out what time it is now!” Jason holds his coin up before his chest. “Ready?!” His 4 friends nod in unison. They hold up their coins and, with their leader, swing an arm out in a wide circle, whipping it down to their belts, then use it to pull their morphers from their waists by the handles.

They lift the morphers before them and slap their Power Coins into place, then leap forward, off of the building, and land on the top level of the one Rita demolished. Simultaneously, they lift their heads to the sky, side-by-side, to face Rita directly.

“It’s Morphin’ Time!” Jason cries out. The Rangers hold fast to their Morpher’s, with both hands, hold them out before Rita and sequentially press the button on the side as they summon the power of their respective Protector Beasts.

“Mastodon!” Zack’s morpher pops open, morphing him into the Black Ranger.

“Pterodactyl!” Kim’s morpher pops open and she becomes the Pink Ranger.

“Triceratops!” Billy calls out, becoming the Blue Ranger.

“Saber-Tooth Tiger!” Trini cries aloud, becoming the Yellow Ranger.

“Tyrannosaurus!” becoming the Red Ranger, Jason’s voice is still brusque and strong, as are his movements as he goes into a signature kata alongside his friends who perform their own as they address Rita verbally as well.

“Back, off Rita!” Jason shouts

“Get off our planet!” Billy cries.

“Before you get hurt!” Trini shouts.

“Unless you’re looking for trouble” Zack challenges.

“And right now, I so hope you’re not looking for trouble, cuz we’re the-” Kim adds.

“POWER RANGERS!” the teens cry out in unison, striking a fight stance.

“I must say, I am very impressed” Rita’s voice chimes out loud across the skies, but only the Rangers can see and hear her.

“Good, because united we stand!” Jason yells as he points up at Rita’s ghostly apparition.

“Then together you will fall!!” Rita screams, opening her mouth wide as the top of the demolished building falls thru it and the clouds that her image is projected upon.

“A gift from me to you: trouble” Rita’s image disperses as the clouds do.

“Well, at least that gravitational eddy has been dispersed” Billy says. Billy is right. Dead right. Gravity is back in order, and it is dropping the top of the Fairweather building down upon the Rangers.

“Power Rangers, scatter!” Red Ranger orders. The shadow of the building covers them as they move. Unfortunately, it takes but a few seconds for the top of the building to be brought back together with it’s bottom half, resulting in a thunderous crash that throws debris outward. The resulting cloud spreads out along the city’s streets.

The time it took for the collision to occur was so little. Teleportation could save the lives of anyone caught in it’s path. Unfortunately, no signature streaks of light were observed, and the reaction time the Rangers had was minimal.

The building’s destruction hasn’t subsided. What was left standing after the crash now crumbles apart, unable to support its own weight anymore. It was the beginning of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Was it also the end?

TO BE CONTINUED.

 

[TSoldier]

Episode 2-DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 2: HARDSHIPS

DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 2: HARDSHIPS

Angel Grove.
The Juice Bar.

It is Saturday. The weekends tend to be the busiest days for Ernie. There were exceptions to this sometimes. Holidays. Construction. Private venues. The list of exceptions wasn’t very long, but today Ernie found himself locking the doors, and turning around the OPEN sign as he added one more exception to that list.

Ernie makes his way behind the bar and turns on the TV to watch the news as he closes up the register.

“It is a day like no other in the history of our civilization. What began as a spectacle of lights to the enjoyment of sky watchers all along the West Coast became a time of sorrow. After losing communication with the Explorer 7 shuttle, and being left with one last frightening image from space,” the newscaster begins as the visual switches back to that of the fallen camera being picked up by Goldar on the moon just before the visual feed is lost, then back to the newscaster.

“NASADA has yet to address the issue further, and all that we are left with is questions and fear. Violence and other acts of depravity have rocked the nation and the world as fear of an alien invasion spreads like wild fire. Beyond these acts, the world has begun experiencing inexplicable devastation including what can only be described as destruction in a region of mountains as far away from the US as Germany, and as close to home as Angel Grove as a historical monument and an industrial building were demolished by forces as of yet unknown. All we are left with is speculation, all revolving around the grotesque image of a creature never before seen in our history. Today Mayor Carrington will be holding a press conference to address the issue of public safety, where she is expected to shed some light on the going’s on as well as the actions that will be taken to help secure our way of life--”.

Ernie turns the TV off. He only turned it on to see if he might chance upon good news. He feels let down, and in a way, also feels a kind of irony, as all along he had reservations about the Lunar collision and whatever effects it may have on Earth and even life itself.

Now he wishes he can shut off the fear as easily as the TV. He sets the handfuls of money down and takes a seat up at the bar where he rests his head in his hands, sighs, and hopes the sense of doom will end soon. He hopes for salvation.

Downtown Angel Grove.

The dust seems to be settling. Unfortunately, this means that the devastation that has occurred here is only that much more apparent.

Destruction. Utter destruction has taken place in the once peaceful city of Angel Grove. Destruction is all that remains of the Fairweather Metal Products processing plant. Nothing is left but ruins that sit perfectly still. And any person who may have been caught in the destruction would be rendered more than powerless. They would be dead. Suddenly a small explosion occurs amongst a pile of debris.

Smoke jettisons about as a result of the explosion, and from it crawls a figure dressed primarily in blue, including a helmet adorned with 3 horns and two eyes, markedly representing a Triceratops dinosaur. It is Billy Cranston, the blue Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. In his hand he holds a red, white and silver side arm, his tool for escape. He inspects the debris for a sign of his peers.

“Jason!” Billy calls out. He receives no answer, and though he doesn’t want to, is taken by the fear that he had used to define his purpose for becoming a Power Ranger in the first place. He doesn’t want to lose his friends. He is relieved to find that this may not be the case.

A figure dressed in pink, including a white and pink helmet adorned with a depiction of the head of a Pterodactyl, pushes cement and debris off of her small, well-toned frame. Billy runs over to Kimberly, the pink Mighty Morphin Power Ranger.

“Kimberly, are you all right?” Billy asks.

Kim coughs. “I’m not sure. I’ve had people not be very nice to me before, but I’ve never actually had anyone drop a building on me. Some days it totally pays to be a gymnast”

Before Billy can respond, two more small explosions ring out and small puffs of smoke are tossed up. Kim and Billy rush over to investigate as Jason, the Red Ranger, steps out from the first cloud of smoke and Zack, the Black ranger helps up his teammate Trini, the Yellow Ranger.

“I’m unable to define the relief I’m feeling to know you guys are all right”

“We’re glad to still be in one piece, too, Billy” Zack responds.

“I didn’t know we had it in us to make jumps like that. It saved our lives” Trini remarks.

Billy sighs. “It appears we still have yet to understand the limits of these new powers”

“Billy, please. The last time someone used the word ‘limits’ they vomited part of a skyscraper on us. I am in desperate need of a shower” Kim says.

“We need to regroup back at the Command Center” Jason says.

“Ok. So how do we get there?” Zack asks.

Angel Grove City Hall.

A podium sits atop the steps to the building. Rows of chairs sit beneath and beside it. They are occupied by a few people from the media and people in suits. There are several different news stations preparing to cover the Press Conference. A man in a dark suit and dark glasses escorts Mayor Carrington to the podium.

“I want to thank all of you for participating today. We are experiencing a time of trials and tribulations and it is important that we come together as a community to face such adversity together, if we are to have a real chance at thriving as such a community,” the silver haired woman began.

“I’d like to begin by expressing my deepest regrets for those who have undergone losses as a result of what has transpired recently. However, aside from the looting and property damage it appears we have done well in keeping our loved ones safe and out of harm’s way.

“I understand there a lot of answers being sought here, and I want everyone to know that I will being doing everything I can to ensure everyone’s security. I will open up the floor to questions in hopes shedding light on some of the questions that beg answers”.

Hands rise among the crowd. The Press call out to the Mayor for a chance to speak. Mayor Carrington points to a male in the audience.

“Mayor Carrington, a climate of panic has overrun your city. There appears to be a focus of supernatural incidence that has occurred in Europe as well as here in Angel Grove. Do you believe we are a target for whatever forces are responsible for these incidents?”

“Thank you for your question, sir. There have been 3 incidences of an as of yet unexplained nature. One in Germany, one here in the US, particularly here in Angel Grove. The third being on the moon. Little is known about the nature of these events, but what seems prevalent at such an earlier point in this matter is that these events seem to be occurring at random.

“At this point no one can be sure, but there does not appear to be a continued interest by any perpetrator in these specific areas. Furthermore, there’s no indication that anymore events of this sort will ever occur again. At this point I’m not able to say definitively that we are any kind of target,” the Mayor answers.

The crowd again calls out for a chance to ask a question of the Mayor. Just then, feedback screeches out noisily, startling the crowd. The scream of a woman behind the crowd formed by the members of the Press catches everyone’s attention.

“Is this thing on?” Baboo asks. The crowd seems to gasp in unison at the sight of the skinny, blue furred, vampire like bat-monkey hybrid who taps the top of a microphone he is holding. The members of the Press scatter away.

“Oh, good it works,” Baboo goes on as the Mayor‘s guard grabs her by the arm. “I have a question, Madam Mayor-lady. Would you like to join me for dinner? I’ve never dined on a Mayor before”.

Mayor Carrington’s eyes go wide as several bodyguards rush out and down the steps and take aim with guns at the alien.

“Did I say something wrong?” Baboo asks. Several rounds are fired, but none are from the guns of the bodyguards. Several red energy pulses shoot in from the side, disarming and dropping the guards. The Mayor looks over to see a smoking pistol of an odd design in the hands of a short, bulbous alien.

“Oh boy, I love getting a piece of the action,” Squatt quips. One bodyguard rushes up to Mayor Carrington and escorts her back around the building as the other guards charge at Squatt.

“Sorry, guys, but I’m not signing autographs today. Putty Patrol, rock and roll!” Squatt stands still as a squadron of gray creatures with stray strips of black along their bodies rush in from either side of him. They pick up chairs and throw them at the bodyguards, warding them off. The Putties have rock-like hands, some with a hard blunt ball, some brandishing long sword-like protrusions.

“Uh-oh. The Mayor-lady’s getting away. Rita will not be pleased,” Baboo notes. A guard approaches him but he lashes out with a clawed hand, scratching him across the face. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to hit a guy with a monocle?”.

The guard falls, screaming.

Another guard escorts Mayor Carrington toward the back door of a black limousine. “Don’t worry, ma’am. We’re getting you out of here” he assures her as he opens the door. He peers into the to see if the coast is clear. It isn’t.

“Is this you’re idea of riding in style?” Rita asks as she sits in the back of the limo.

“Who the heck are you?!” the guard reaches into his coat for a gun but doesn’t have the chance to actually grab it. Rita points her wand toward him as he uses his free hand to push the Mayor aside.

“Is that a weapon in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” Rita discharges a blast of energy that seers into the chest of the guard, throwing him backwards into the air. He crashes against a stone pillar and is knocked out cold as Rita climbs out of the limo. Mayor Carrington slowly backs away as Rita approaches her.

“Who are you? What do you want with me?” asks the Mayor.

“Aww, can it, Toots!” Rita demands.

“What part of ‘back off’ didn’t you understand?” comes Jason’s voice. Rita and the mayor turn to see the 5 multi-colored heroes standing at the ready.

“This is Rita in the flesh, huh? You don’t look so tough,” Zack tells the witch.

“No one invited you to this shindig” Rita retorts. “You better not make a mess of things”

“Honey, you made a mess of things when you put on that cone bra, okay? Madonna didn’t look cute, what makes you think you can pull it off?” Kim asks.

“Great! I’m getting fashion tips from Gidget in spandex!” Rita crows.

“If you touch the Mayor, you’re going to spend the rest of your short life regretting it,” Jason warns.

“I’m not going to break a sweat spanking you cantankerous kids. I’m upper class. Thankfully, I brought along a qualified babysitter!” Rita points behind the Rangers and they respond by striking a fight stance. Just then, a fire erupts behind them and manifests into the hulking Goldar. The Rangers turn to find themselves facing the evil alien.

“It’s the creature from the news,” Billy notes.

“His name is Goldar, you Power Brats. And that sword he’s carrying can do more than slice bread,” The Ranger’s turn back to Rita who grabs the frightened Mayor by the shirt. “Let’s hit the road, Honey”.

“You’re not going anywhere, witch!” Trini cries out. She and the Rangers charge toward Rita who releases another blast from her wand that strikes the Yellow Ranger backward into the air, emitting a shower of sparks upon impact. Yellow Ranger lands and the other Rangers regroup around her to help her up.

“Time for me make a fashionable exit! Come on, Honey! Let’s go girl talk!” Rita cackles maniacally as she disappears with Mayor Carrington.

“No!” Red Ranger cries out.

“Yes!” Goldar roars.

The Rangers turn to the gold alien as he lunges for them. The alien lifts his sword and brings it down toward the Pink Ranger who somersaults out of the way. Red Ranger throws a front kick into Goldar’s stomach. He is hardly phased as he swings back with his sword, slashing Red Ranger horizontally across the chest, releasing a shower of sparks as the blade cuts across his protective suit.

“Jason!” Zack cries out. He springs toward Goldar who lunges forward, thrusting his sword straight at the Black Ranger. Zack flips over Goldar and lands behind him as Kimberly kicks Goldar’s sword up, but not out of his hand.

Trini follows with a side-kick that lands square in Goldar’s chest, as Kim slams her foot down on the back of Goldar’s knee. The combined attack deters Goldar’s balance and he stumbles backward. Zack takes the opportunity to drop-kick Goldar in the back, staggering him forward.

Goldar uses the momentum to charge toward Kim and Trini, slashing Trini across the chest with his sword, while using his other hand to rake his gilded claws across Kim’s chest. The two girls fall in a shower of sparks. Billy is caught off guard by the excitement and is petrified, never before having engaged in a physical battle.

Zack and Jason jump up to Goldar’s back and lock up his arms. Goldar struggles momentarily, then mightily throws his arms forward, simultaneously throwing Zack and Jason forward into the air where they collide together and land near Kim and Trini who rush to their aid.

Goldar brings a hand over his eyes, then uses it to point at the four rangers as he discharges fiery optic pulses that strike the 4 Rangers, emitting a burst of sparks as they are thrown backward off of their feet. Kim and Zack are sent rolling across the ground as Trini lands on the trunk of the limo and Jason crashes against a window on the side of the vehicle, shattering the glass.

Goldar turns his head and sees the Blue Ranger standing, petrified, behind him. Goldar growls again as he turns to face Billy’s direction. He approaches him slowly, eventually finding himself face-to-face with the frightened Ranger. He stands so close to the trembling Ranger that his breath fogs up the outside of the black visor on the Blue Ranger’s helmet.

“You!” Goldar growls. “You exemplify everything the Ranger’s will ever accomplish by fighting against us. Nothing”

Billy feels as though he should respond but doesn‘t know how. The other 4 Rangers get to their feet and jog toward Goldar.

“Keep filming!” comes a female’s voice. Goldar and the Rangers turn to see a female newscaster climb up the steps on the side of the building and stumble upon the Rangers standing near Goldar.

“We’ll have to finish this game another time, Power Rangers!“ Goldar growls and teleports away.

“Let’s get out of here,” Zack advises. “Now that we have a clue how,” the 5 Rangers place both hands at either side of their morpher’s and are enveloped in light of their respective colors that streak upward at a high rate of speed.

“My goodness. Did you manage at least to catch that light show, Frank?” the reporter asks.

“Got it, Stacy,” Frank replies.

“Mr. Anderson is going to have a field day with this,” Stacy notes.

Angel Grove.
The Bulkmeier Residence.

Bulk and Skull sit in Bulk’s garage playing a video game in which they are teamed together fending off alien enemies.

“You sure this is gonna teach us everything we need to know to survive the invasion, Bulky?” Skull asks.

“I don’t see why not. Video games are like the best teachers in the world,” Bulk answers.

“Bulky, we’ve been playing for 6 hours. Can we take a break?”

“What? Fine. Let’s take a break” Bulk throws down his control and turns the game off. The news is already in progress on TV.

“Sure we wanna watch this, Bulk?” Skull asks.

“Gotta know what we’re up against,” Bulk reasons. Skull nods in agreement.

“…new footage showing the alien at the Press Conference held at Noon at City Hall. Aside from more controversial footage of the alien, what is depicted is what looks like some type of color coded militant cohorts of the alien. They are known as the Power Rangers. Not much activity from the beings was witnessed but as we see here, the 6 so-called Ranger’s seem to disappear together in a display of light, perhaps somewhat analogous to that of the meteor show which seemed to bring with it the threat of the alien invasion. Who ever these new color-coded entities are, it appears that they participated in the chaos that resulted at the Press Conference.

“Eye witnesses last saw the Mayor fleeing from the attacks, but nothing else is known. As of yet, it appears that the Mayor has been taken, and another frightening event of an unknown nature has been perpetrated against the city of Angel Grove--” Skull turns off the TV.

“I don’t want to see anymore. Now we gotta worry about more aliens? Did you see the helmets? What was that about?” Skull asks.

“Power Rangers? You know, I read once about a group of head-hunter’s that belonged to some kind of cult that worshipped aliens from another planet,” Bulk recalls.

“Bulky, no. I can’t live without my head,” Skull whimpers.

“Ahh, you wouldn’t be missing much anyway,” Bulk replies.

The Juice bar.

Ernie turns his TV off.

“Every time I turn this thing on it’s more bad news. Now we have killer alien to worry about. Oh, man. What’s happening in the world?” Ernie wonders.

Rita’s Moon palace.
Finster’s Workshop.

“How’s it coming along, Finster?” Rita asks her mutt-like mutant alien henchman.

“Oh, it’s coming along. I’ve already been in communication with several others who are willing to help. They shall arrive sometime soon. In the meantime, I thought it best not to let the last of my clay supply collect space dust and have begun crafting several quite nefarious creatures I believe will be to your liking,” Finster explains.

“You better be right about that, Finster,” Rita warns. Goldar enters.

“Ahh, Goldar, did you escort our guest to her quarter’s?” Rita asks her lackey.

“Yes, Empress. I have deposited Mayor Carrington in the Dark Dimension. Even Zordon and his tin can shouldn’t be able to find her there,” Goldar answers.

“Good. Everything seems to be going according to plan” Rita replies to Goldar as she and him make their way to the balcony. Rita uses her wand to create a display screen depicting Mayor Carrington standing in the smoky Dark Dimension, looking frightened and lost. “Poor thing. She looks scared. I love that!”

The Dark Dimension.

Mayor Carrington looks around at her surroundings. Ornate walls with lit sconces fence her in. Gold bars reach across the openings in the walls, barring her in. She approaches the gold bars which are attached to point into a central ornament, a demon face whose mouth is lit with fire. She touches a gold bar and receives an electrical jolt that throws her to the ground. She aches and tries to get to her feet when she bumps into Astronaut #1 & 2 from the Explorer 7.

“Oh dear,” she says at the sight of the bound and gagged astronauts. She begins to free them. “Are you men all right?” she asks.

“Oh, god. Thank you,” Astronaut #1 gasps, as sweat beads along his forehead.

“We’ve go to find a way out of this place,” Astronaut #2 adds.

“Yes, but how?” the Mayor asks.

“There’s got to be a way out,” Astronaut #1 says. The three humans look survey their surroundings but see no way out.

The Command Center.

The 5 teens stand in a line before Zordon. They are in their civilian outfits.

“I apologize, guys. I was unable to assist in the battle. I failed,” Billy confesses.

“No, Billy. We’re a team. We failed. This time. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen again,” Trini reassures.

“We weren’t able to stop Rita, Zordon,” Jason says.

“Maybe we really weren’t cut out for this” Kim wonders aloud.

Billy lowers his head in shame. He is struck with brief flashes taking him back to their first battle with Goldar in which he found himself able to do little more than nothing.

“Rangers. You have done remarkably well for your first battle” Zordon reassures. “It will take growth and study to be able fulfill these duties. Please remember that this was your first mission, and first encounter with evil beings, especially of the caliber of Rita and her crew. We do not have time for regret. We must plan a means to retrieve Mayor Carrington, for her abduction threatens to intensify the climate of fear on your world”.

“Can we track her or Rita using this technology?” Trini asks.


“Ay Yi Yi. I’m afraid not,” Alpha answers.

“We lost track of the two immediately upon their teleportation away from Earth. However, this does leave us with a suggestion as to their current location,” Zordon elaborated.

“Rita’s Moon palace?” Kim asks.

“No. Mayor Carrington would have little chance of survival on the Moon. If Rita’s intentions were to kill the Mayor, she would have done so on Earth and taken joy in the grief it would cause. Instead, I believe the Mayor has been taken to Rita’s Dark Dimension,” Zordon explains.

“Dark Dimension? You mean like Philly?” Zack asks.

“The Dark Dimension is a place existing outside of our space and time. We have always had trouble in analyzing it because we have been unable to discover a means to track it. This is what our task is now,” Zordon adds.

“That doesn’t sound very reassuring. If you couldn’t pull it off for however many years, whose to say we can manage to now?” Kim asks.

“Well, they were at a disadvantage. They didn’t have Billy-boy handy to help them. There’s a reason we call him the ‘Main-Brain’,” Zack says as he places a reassuring hand on Billy’s shoulder.

Billy sighs. “The battle with Goldar has proved that I’m of little use to the Power Rangers and the entire world”.

“Don’t say that Billy. You’re important. To us and the rest of the world,” Jason says.

“Here, Billy. This is a spectral analysis of some of the energies used by Rita in her magic. Perhaps you can use it to come up with something,” Alpha wonders.

“Perhaps” Billy looks over the report. “Wait. There isn’t a lot here to work with, but the most prevalent display of energy would suggest that these trace energy signatures here could represent the power she uses to teleport. If we can manage to amplify these residual energy signatures, we could use an infusion of tachyon’s to decode the molecular pattern, and use the teleporter’s annular confinement beam to re-encode the amplified energy and piggy back on the flood of tachyon’s to reach through to the Dark Dimension”.

“Morphinomenal, Billy!” Kim exclaims.

“Great job, Billy” Alpha adds.

“Yes, Billy. Your contributions are both significant and commendable. I would like for you to assist us here with the implementation of your plan,” Zordon requests.

“Zordon, I would be honored to assist you” Billy answers.

“Is there anything we can d--?” Trini is cut off mid-sentence by the Command Center’s alarms.

“Two guesses what that means” Zack comments as he and the others move up to the Viewing Globe. Everyone is shocked at what they see.

“No way. I don‘t believe my eyes” Kim says.

They watch as the door to the rooftop of a building splinters as a security guard is thrown thru it. Out of the hole where the door once was, marches 5 figures, each dressed in a colored uniform almost identical to those possessed by the 5 teens. The only things missing are the morpher’s on the belts, and a gun like the one’s holstered by the real Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

“Who are they, Zordon?” Jason asks.

“Undoubtedly a product of Rita’s magic” Zordon answers.

“Man, they really wasted that poor guy” Zack observes. They watch as their doubles drag the security guard to the edge of the rooftop.

“Enough is enough. We’ve got to get out there” Jason tells his team. “I’m thinking we’ll stand a better chance here with 5-on-5”.

“Jason is correct. Billy, you will join your team on the field. Alpha and I will work on your plan,” Zordon instructs.

“Are you sure, Zordon? Logic dictates I would prove to be more useful here at the Command Center,” Billy reasons.

“The success rate of the Power Rangers is largely dependant on your functioning as a team. Go now, all of you, and may the Power protect you,” Zordon says.

“It’s Morphin Time!” Jason shouts. The Rangers reach behind them for the morpher’s clipped to the back of their belts.

“Mastodon”
“Pterodactyl”
“Triceratops”
“Saber-Tooth Tiger”
“Tyrannosaurus”

Downtown Angel Grove.

Five colored streaks of light deposit the Power Ranger’s onto the rooftop, behind their morpher-less doubles who threaten to toss the battered security guard over the edge. Stacy the reporter and her cameraman Frank pull up in a van and get out of the vehicle to start filming the sight of the morpher-less Ranger’s dangling the man over the edge of the building.

“Hold it right there!” Jason demands.

The doubles turn their heads to see the power Rangers standing behind them.

“Well, lookee who’s here” the evil duplicate Black Ranger remarks.

“Yeah, lookee who’s here. Well, you just said that” Evil Pink says.

“Don’t make a stupid move” Jason warns.

“You mean like this?!” Evil Red throws the security guard clear over the edge of the building and he and his team laugh madly with anticipation of the landing.

“They’re killing people!” Frank cries.

“The world’s seen enough tragedy. We got what we needed. Let’s get out of here before we’re next” Stacy and Frank load into their van and screech away as the security guard plummets down the side of the tall skyscraper.

“Now Alpha!” Jason cries out. The falling security guard erupts into white light and is whisked away to safety.

“What?!” duplicate Red shouts with fury.

“We won’t allow you to continue terrorizing Earth,” Jason says.

“And the same goes for Rita,” Kim adds.

“And just how do you intend to stop us?” duplicate Blue wonders.

“These might be a good start” Jason answers as he unsheathes his Blade Blaster and pops the blade up. The Evil Rangers charge toward the Power Ranger’s as the rest of the team follows Jason’s lead and unsheathes their Blade Blaster’s as well. The two teams slam against each other like two walls.

Jason stabs forward with his Blade Blaster toward Evil Red. Evil Red swings an outer crescent kick that pushes the blade aside long enough to allow him to throw his other foot into Jason’s stomach. He follows the kick with a punch to Jason’s faceplate. He tries to punch Jason again but Jason blocks the strike, then spins into a tornado kick that meets Evil Red’s helmet, stunning him momentarily as Jason brings his Blade Blaster down diagonally across his torso. The cut throws off a shower of sparks.

Zack and his duplicate circle each other as, in the background, Kim moves forward swinging her Blade Blaster at her duplicate that evades her by moving backwards in a layout of gymnastics consisting of back-handsprings, back flips, and whip-backs.

“What’s the matter, Zack? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. You and I are two sides of the same coin. Everything about us is the same. The fight capacity. The strength!” duplicate Black taunts.

“Yeah, that might be true. But you’re uglier” Zack replies.

Evil Black lunges forward with a jump kick that Zack side steps. Immediately he rushes forward, dragging his Blade Blaster horizontally across Evil Black’s stomach, and quickly turns to throw a kick into his back, flipping him forward onto it. Zack swings his Blade Blaster down at his duplicate who stops him by grasping his forearms.

The two struggle and the duplicate ends it by throwing a kick up into Zack’s trapezius, forcing him away. Evil Black uses his swinging legs to go into a display of Thomas’ flares. Spinning on his hands, Evil Black swings his legs around in a series of powerful kicks, disarming Zack and kicking him in the body and helmet, flooring him.

Kim throws a loose jump kick that Evil Pink side steps. “Come on! You can do better than that, can’t you? Or am I just too quick for you?”

“Sweetie, don’t confuse being fast and easy with being quick and agile” Kim replies. She swings forward horizontally at her duplicate whose back-handspring brings her out of the way of the Blade Blaster.

“This is pathetic! Is that the best you got? You’re not even a match for me. I haven’t broken a nail, let alone a sweat. You’re making the both of us look bad. I gotta tell you, I’m not very comfortable with this,” Evil Pink antagonizes. She rushes forward with a punch toward Kimberly’s head.

“Oh, well, please, allow me to help with that,” Kim grabs the punch and uses the duplicate’s momentum to perform a hip toss that throws her onto her back. “There. You look a lot more comfortable on your back anyway”.

“I’m not that easy!” Evil Pink reaches up and grabs Kim by the arm and flips her onto her back. Evil Pink kips up to her feet behind Kim who performs a neck kip to bring herself to her feet. Evil Pink rushes at Kim’s back but Kim immediately goes into a back flip and drop-kicks Evil Pink, sending her flying backward into the air.

“Amazing. Who knew trash could be so aerodynamic?” Kim wonders aloud. Suddenly Kim is thrown forward by a kick to the back. She rolls forward and gets onto one knee. She looks up to see duplicate Yellow approach her.

“She might have been easily knocked onto her back, but you should have been busy watching yours,” duplicate Yellow continues to approach the fallen Kim.

Trini flips thru the air and lands a double punch to the back of her duplicate’s helmet, sending her rolling forward. “That’s sound advice. Maybe you should try it sometime”.

Duplicate Yellow looks to Trini and then Kim to see she’s outmatched.

“Flame Blaster, up!” Trini cries as she whips around her Blade Blaster into Flame Blaster-mode. “Fire!” She triggers a blast of red lasers that zip toward her duplicate who jumps up into a full twist that carries her over the blasts that, instead, strike Kim to the ground in a shower of sparks.

“Kim! No!” Trini cries. She whips the blaster around into its neutral form, holsters it and jumps up into the air to meet her foe. The two Yellow Ranger’s sail toward each other and reach forward with a series of punches and kung-fu chops that are all blocked. As they come down they manage to slam a kick into each other. They both land on their upper-backs and immediately kip up to their feet, then somersault past each other.

Evil Blue raises his hands up as he shakes his head. “What’s the matter, Billy? You wondering if I share the same fears, the same hesitancies as you? You’re about to find out!” Evil Blue charges forward at Billy who wards him away with a swing of his Blade Blaster. Evil Blue lunges forward again, slaps Billy’s blade aside and grabs him by the shoulders. He brings Billy down into his knee, then jump kicks him to the ground.

Billy rolls backward across the rooftop. He stops and looks up to see duplicate Blue approaching. Billy looks behind him to see an odd man watching them from the busted rooftop entrance. “Who is that?”

Billy turns back to see duplicate Blue rush forward at him. He swings a kick at the fallen Billy, who manages to somersault out of the way, then goes into a sweep that knocks the feet out from under duplicate Blue, taking him onto his back. He immediately kips up and jump kicks Billy in the chest, knocking him backward. Billy lands on his back as his teammates regroup around him and help him up.

“These guys have our fighting abilities,” Zack shares with his team.

“Yeah, and they’re tricky, too,” Kim adds.

“Why, thank you,” duplicate Pink replies.

“Not you. You’re just a trick,” Kim retorts.

“Enough! If you can’t work with us, you’ll fall before us!” Evil Red shouts.

“If you’re really under the impression that you possess the ability to defeat us, you have yet to prove it,” Billy counters.

“Then we’ll take the opportunity to do so now!” duplicate Blue shouts back. The two teams move toward each other again but are thrown backwards by a fiery eruption occurring between them. The fire manifests into Goldar.

“Goldar,” Jason states.

“Stop this!” Goldar demands.

“Not a chance! When I’m done with him, he won’t be wearing red, he’ll be dripping it!” duplicate Red shouts.

The two teams charge forward again. Goldar growls. He stabs his sword into the rooftop and shakes his claws in front of his face. He thrusts his hands to each side, and discharges electrical energy from his claws that rip into both teams with a shower of sparks that throw them all down. The Power Rangers land up against the edge of the building.

“This stops now! I won’t allow a misunderstanding to spoil Rita’s rule!” Goldar insists.

“You’re the only one Rita rules, Tin Grin” Jason retorts.

“Red Ranger, you are a fool. You lead a team of fools. Have you been so blinded by those dark visors that you can’t see what’s in front of you?” Goldar asks.

“Goldar, you’re so ugly, I’m over here wishing these visors were to dark to see thru,” Kim quips. Zack laughs.

Goldar growls with annoyance. “You would believe the air was made of candy if a person with a large enough head and a robot servant told you so”.

“What are you talking about?” Jason asks.

“You oppose Rita at the whim of Zordon. He tells you of the atrocities that have occurred at her command. Did he tell you they shared the responsibility of making those commands?” Goldar asks. The Rangers look amongst each other for answers.

“Zordon and Rita-Emperor Zordon and Empress Rita, heralded as the rulers of the United Alliance of Evil. Evil from across the universe held onus to them. It was not until the good wizard Lord Zedd intervened that any being managed to break the two apart and seal them away.

“Before their downfall, Rita and Zordon each owned a team of Power Rangers that served as their own personal fighting force. Those powers are evil, maintained by a force of evil referred to as the Morphin Grid. That evil poisons you, as it has from the moment you first engaged them”.

“You’re crazy. Why should we believe what you say, Goldar?” Zack asks.

“Because deep down you feel the poison taking you over. The violence, the bloodlust. The desire to fight. It consumes your minds ands bodies, until eventually you realize what you have known all along.

“Deception. Hatred. Anger. As long as you wield the Power, you progress toward becoming what it is you were tricked into thinking you were fighting against. The UAE. Exactly what they are trying to re-establish”.

“Is that what these feeling are? The desire to engage in this conflict? Are we victims of Zordon’s deception?” Billy wonders aloud.

“No. Billy, if that were true you wouldn’t have been as frightened as you were to fight Goldar before” Trini tries to reason. “If for some reason Rita and Zordon were trying to reclaim the Power they once had so long ago, why bother resurrecting the Power Rangers? Why give the Power to people they know wouldn’t accept the UAE? Have Alpha or Zordon given us any indication they were trying to trick us. Because Goldar has”.

Jason ponders the question. He recalls their initial conversation with Zordon and Alpha 5.

“Oh, gee. I do not mean to displease you, but within this Viewing Globe, Zordon and I monitor Earth as we have done for thousands of years. You humans have been a focal point for our observations” Alpha explains.

Jason shakes his head. Zack is deep in thought too. He was always skeptical of the matter. He recalls the events of accepting the Power.

“I am truly pleased. With the Mighty Morphin powers, many things are possible. However, to be allowed to wield them you 5 must accept and uphold 3 very important rules. 1) Never escalate a battle unless forced to do so. 2) Never use your powers for personal gain. 3) You must never reveal your identity as the Power Rangers. Do you Zachary, Kimberly, William, Trini, Jason, accept these terms?” asks Zordon.

“I don’t know guys” Zack worries aloud. “The 1st rule seemed a little weird to me. ‘Never escalate a battle unless forced to do so‘. So, basically, always allow Rita to get the upper hand before we do anything about it? And never use it for personal gain? If we were really chosen for our great attitudes, we wouldn’t have to be warned to act in any way that could threaten him, unless he was afraid we would”

Goldar turns to the duplicate Rangers. “Your services aren’t needed here. Go away, or I’ll cook you alive you and eat you that way”.

The duplicate Rangers look amongst themselves, then teleport away.

“What will it be Rangers? Keep the powers and slowly let them eat away at you until you’re standing behind me, or cut to the chase and join me now?” Goldar asks.

“Shut up. I’ve heard enough,” Jason walks up to Goldar. They stare each other down creating a tension so thick it threatened to crush them. Then, Jason steps beside Goldar and faces the Rangers.

“Jason, don’t do it! You’re our leader. You’re one of us,” Kim begs.

“No. I’m one of them and so are you, so just stop fooling yourselves. Look around you. This place has fallen to this conflict ever since the meteor shower. You want to lay before those with that power, or stand beside them? Personally, I prefer the latter,” Jason says.

The other 4 Ranger’s are in utter disbelief. Together the 5 of them have been exposed to some of the most intense and frightening of situations as of late. They had been scared together, confused together. With Jason serving as an example, they have been strong together. How could things have turned around like this? How could the nightmare have become this much worse? How could they stand it? How could they stand as anything other than a team?

TO BE CONTINUED

 

[TSoldier]

Episode 3- DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part3: "TRUST"

DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 3: TRUST

Downtown Angel Grove.

High atop a skyscraper not unlike the one Rita pillaged, a battle of fists has ended, for now. But a battle of the minds still rages on. Jason the Red Ranger and Goldar stand together against the Pink, Blue, Yellow and Black Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

“You told Rita to her face, Jase. Straight up, ‘United we stand’. Did you lie to her? Or did you lie to us?†Zack asks.

“Jason, please!†Trini pleads.

“You don’t know what you’re doing, man,†Zack protests.

“Jason, you’re better than this†Kim de-morphs and rushes over to her friend. “Remember what you said when you accepted the power. You said you preferred to stand against them. I know you meant that. I know you can’t mean this. You can’t just stop caringâ€.

“No, Kim. I do care†Jason responds. “Not caring, that’s your department. I remember what I said Kim. I remember what you said, too. You said that if you didn’t do something, if you didn’t act, you’d lose everything. You said you weren’t willing to lose someone you love. You said you were more willing to stand up against your fears then let them stand on you. If you have any love, or care in your heart for me you wouldn’t let me stand here alone. And if you meant what you said back then, you wouldn’t be afraid be with me now. To stand with me now. No matter what side of the line I stand onâ€.

Kim lowers her head. Tears fill her eyes as emotions fill her body.

“Yes! It begins! The emotions welling up, feeding into your psyche, telling you how to act, how to feel. You feel it, don’t you Pink Ranger? You feel the anger, and the hatred spreading thru every fiber, every cell in your human body. Let it surface. Let it run its course. Become what you were meant to!†Goldar teases.

“This is your fault, Goldar! You’ve brainwashed him! Captured his mind!†Kim yells.

“I didn’t capture his mind, girl. I freed it! Now, free yours! You want him, join him! Be with him!â€

Kim grits her teeth as she tries to fight the emotions that fill her small frame in every way Goldar told her they would. Trini, Zack, and Billy look amongst each other. They don’t know what to do. Nor do they even know what to expect to happen next.

Kim grunts and looks up into the sky and screams in an up-swelling of emotion.

“Yes! Let it consume you!†Goldar demands.

“Shut up!†Kim yells.

“Force me to!â€

“Kim, he’s manipulating you, just like he is Jason†Trini begs. “Don’t be his puppetâ€.

Kim turns to the Red Ranger with tears streaming down her face. “I won’t let him have you. I won’t! It’s Morphin’ Time! Pterodactyl!†In a brilliant display of color and light Kim is instantly transformed into the Pink Ranger. She whips out her Blade Blaster and swings at Goldar. He blocks with his sword and the two fighters grind their blades into each other’s.

“Kim, no!†Trini cries. Trini moves to act but Zack grabs her as he grabs for the opportunity he is uncertain he’ll have again.

Zack tries to appeal to his friend. “Jason, are you going to let this happen, man? That’s your girl right thereâ€.

“Jason, You told me I was one of you. By that you meant that I was a part of your group. You said I was important both to that group and to the world. You were correct in your observation, Jason. Us-this group-is important to the world. Don’t turn your back on this world. Don’t turn your back on this group,†Billy adds as he shakes his head.

Kim pushes Goldar’s sword away. He swings it back in her direction but a half-twist carries her over the horizontal blow. Kim lands and slices Goldar in the arm, causing him to drop the sword. He moves over and bends down for it. Kim moves into him and stomps down on the back of his knee, taking it to the ground, then lifts her knee up into his chest forcing him back long enough for her to steal the sword away.

“You! The anger. It has you!†Goldar growls. Kim and Goldar stare each other down. “Much the way I have him†Goldar points to Jason. He then reaches his hand out toward Kim. “Now, give me my sword, girlâ€.

“You want it. Take it!†Kim heaves the sword in Goldar’s direction. It strikes him in the chest with a burst of sparks. Kim walks over to Goldar and stands over him. “You’re nowhere near the fighter you wanted us to believe you areâ€.

Kim’s attention is drawn when she hears Trini cry out Jason’s name. She looks up in time to see several small explosions occur around Zack, Billy, and Trini, flooring them. She tries to turn but is interrupted when a fist strikes upward into her gut, knocking the wind out of her. She falls to her knees as Goldar climbs to his feet with his sword. Kim slowly lifts her head to see Jason’s arm reached in toward her torso. It was his fist that struck her.

Kim grabs Jason’s arm but he pulls away from her as Goldar steps beside him and laughs. Zack, Trini and Billy rise to their feet as they hear voices in the rooftop’s entrance. Everyone turns to see three police officers rush out onto the roof. Jason and Goldar teleport away.

â€No,†Kimberly whispers. With one hand she reaches up to the sky, and uses the other to clutch the side of her morpher. Zack, Trini, and Billy grasp the sides of their morphers and they all streak upward into the sky in their respective colors. The three police officers look at each other in amazement.

The Command Center.

Three pillars of light streak in: Blue, Yellow, and Black, depositing each of the respective 3 Ranger’s. Billy, Trini, and Zack unfasten their helmets and remove them, then hold them at their sides as they look around.

“Ay Yi Yi. Rangers, where is Kimberly?†Alpha inquires.

“We all teleported together,†Billy notes.

“Power Rangers, we are aware of your confrontation with Goldar,†Zordon began.

“Then you know why Jason isn’t here with us,†Zack surmises.

“Yes. And I find it necessary to address the quandary presented by Goldarâ€.

“Zordon, no. We know better than to believe a monster that attacked us once before,†Trini tells her mentor.

Zordon continues to address his pupils. “Clarification is required beyond my role in this matter. To answer your questions, Billy, you must understand that the Power contributes no more to you than you do to it. The emotions, the strengths, the weaknesses, the beliefs you hold change only as a result of your experiences, not as a result of the Power. You have been given the capacity to serve for the greater good. If nothing else, Rita’s team of Evil Power Rangers serves as a portrait. One that depicts the reality of serving for anything lessâ€.

Zordon turns to Zack specifically. “I am aware of the questions these circumstances may pose. To answer your questions Zachary, you teenagers were chosen for attributes that transcend age. The added benefits of working with individuals of your age is the growth potential and longevity with which may aid in the conflict with Ritaâ€.

“If the previous war lasted as long as it did, it would make sense to recruit fighters who stand the chance of participating for as long as possible to see to it that this war ends,†Billy reasons.

“That’s fine. But at the moment, I’m more concerned with what’s happening with Jason and Kim,†Zack tells his associates.

“I am concerned for Kimberly’s physical and mental well-being as well. At the same time, we must continue our efforts to rescue Mayor Carrington and restore peace to your world. Billy and Trini, you will assist Alpha in finishing construction on the molecular decoders. Zachary, you may take this opportunity to communicate with Kimberlyâ€.

“Can we see her on the Viewing Globe, Zordon?†Trini asks.

“Yes. However, use of the Viewing Globe is irrelevant. It will take the strongest element of this Power Ranger team to deal with this particular situation: friendshipâ€.

The 3 Rangers nod in compliance.

The Hart residence.
Night.

The Pink Ranger appears in her bedroom in a streak of pink light. She walks over to the mirror set above her dresser. She looks upon herself in Ranger form, flooded with emotions still. However, the visual is what overwhelms her now. The Ranger form in which she fought to protect the Mayor. She failed. The Ranger form to which she made the promise to stop the alien invasion. She failed. The Ranger form in which she intended to stand together with her best friends. Has she failed? Kim is struck with the memories of the recent battle.

Kim’s attention is drawn when she hears Trini cry out Jason’s name. She looks up in time to see several small explosions occur around Zack, Billy, and Trini, flooring them. She tries to turn but is interrupted when a fist strikes upward into her gut, knocking the wind out of her. She falls to her knees as Goldar climbs to his feet with his sword. Kim slowly lifts her head to see Jason’s arm reached in toward her torso. It was his fist that struck her. Kim grabs Jason’s arm but he pulls away from her as Goldar steps beside him and laughs.

Kim looks down to the Morpher on her belt. She touches it and powers down, still holding the morpher. She walks over to her closet, opens it, takes a box down from a shelf, and places the morpher inside. Kim places the box back up in her closet, exits, closes the door and falls with her back up against it. She puts her head in her hands, slides down to the floor, lays her head against her knees and sobs. There is a knock at her door.

Nobody is usually there at this time so Kim is puzzled at whom it could be. “Who is it?†she asks in a voice broken by emotion.

Zack opens the door and enters. “Kim?â€

“Zack, go away, please. I need to be alone. If you’re my friend you’ll go and--â€

“Kim, if I’m your friend I’d be nowhere else but here right now, to see how you are†Zack walks over to Kim, puts his back to the door beside her and slides down to sit next to her. “Are you okay?â€

“No. It’s all gone, Zack. I can’t do this anymore. Not with these risks, not without Jason, and not doing a job that hurts the way it does. It hurts, Zack. It hurts bad†Kim grabs Zack, buries her face into his chest and weeps.

Zack wraps an arm around her. “I know, girl. I know. I’m hurt, too. And so is Billy, and so is Trini. But there’s so much happening outside of just us. We’ve got a job to do and--â€.

“You don’t get it, do you?! Jason was right. I said I’d do this, with all of you. Face my fears and make sure that in doing that that people would be saved. But no one’s safe, Zack. The Mayor, the Astronaut’s, all of them……and more. I know it’s selfish to leave but how can I be expected to save others when I can’t save you. I couldn’t even save Jason. He would have saved meâ€.

“So come back with me. We’ll save the Mayor, and the Astronaut’s. Jason tooâ€.

“Zack, you’re still not listening! I tried to help Jason, but I couldn’t. Jason’s the strongest person I know, and he’s gone because he couldn’t fight the Power’s poison. He felt it, Zack, you felt it, too! Just like I am! It took him and you came here to convince me to let it take me too?!†Kim calms herself and rises to her feet.

“I can’t believe you’re still willing to keep the Power. It took Jason, and that scares me. So, I’m overcoming that fear by refusing that Power. I’m going to guard it so it won’t take anyone else eitherâ€.

Zack stands up as Kim wipes away her tears. “Kim, come and listen to Zordon. He can explain--â€.

“Give me your morpher, Zack†Kim demands in a demure voice. Zack is taken aback. “Give me your morpher…now,†conviction in her voice now apparent.

“Kim, calm down!†Kim grabs Zack and tries to reach into his pockets. He resists. “Kim! Calm down, you‘re just hurting!â€

“Yes I’m hurting! And the one person I want to run to is the person that forced me to run away! In any other circumstance, Jason wouldn’t let this happen. I won’t let it happen either! Not to anymore of the people I love!†Kim continues to wrestle with Zack.

“Kimberly, listen to me! There is no poison! Goldar!--“ Zack grabs Kim by the arms, restrains her and pulls her close, bringing them face-to-face as his voice calms. “Goldar is a liar and a monster. What you’re experiencing isn’t poison, it’s humanity. The Power doesn’t contribute anything more to you or us than we contribute to the Power. It belongs to us, not the other way around. Don’t give up on it, not yet. Don’t give up on usâ€.

“Zack†tears start to roll down Kim’s face. “I know you’re going back. I trust you, and Billy and Trini. Please, I won’t stop you, if you just promise me one thing. Don’t use the morph. Please. Don’t. Don’t let Billy or Trini morph either. Promise meâ€.

Zack sighs. “I don’t know, Kimâ€.

“If there’s one outstanding truth here, ranging beyond just you, me, Jason, the other’s, it’s that the abduction of the Mayor serves to drive the world into hysteria. If Zordon and Alpha are everything we want to believe they are then they won‘t force it. You should be able to tell if they are, but don’t let know you’re trying not to use it. If you can save the Mayor without it then you’ll know Goldar’s full of it. And you’ll be able to know you can trust them the way I know I can trust youâ€.

Kim and Zack stare into each other’s eyes for a moment as Zack considers her request. Zack sighs. “Fine. But if we do this, will you rejoin us when it‘s over?â€

Kim ponders his question. “I don’t--,†Kim lowers her head.

“You’re not coming back are you?†Zack asks.

Kim raises her head, revealing the streaming tears that convey the answer to his question, perhaps better than a verbal answer could.

Zack walks to her door and opens it. “Then, as a last request, I promise. I’m not happy about this, girl, and I’m not happy about how you’re handling this eitherâ€.

“Well, I don’t remember telling you that you had to be,†Kim retorts.

“Fine then. That’s just fine. But I want you to think about one thing. How can you expect anyone to keep a promise to you, when you can’t keep the promise you made to them?†Zack looks back to her with an expression of anger on his face.

Kim looks up to him with a distraught look. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Jason?â€

“Fine,†Zack leaves, slamming the door behind him. Kim shuts her eyes and turns away. She opens her eyes and looks at the closet door, thinking about the Power that she’s shelved away behind it.

The Moon.
Rita’s Palace.

Rita stands on her balcony accompanied by Baboo, Squatt, Finster and the Evil Power Rangers.

“Ah, Goldar has succeeded, somewhat. If he can’t get the entire team of Power Rangers, we’ve got the second best thing. We’ve managed to stoop their stupid leader and disassemble their team before they ever really had an opportunity to be one. This is excellent!†Rita laughs.

“Congratulations, your Wickedness†Finster adds.

“Oh, goody! I love it when a plan comes together†Squatt squeals.

“Even if it is Plan B†Baboo adds.

The Dark Dimension.

Jason and Goldar appear.

“Is this Rita’s Palace?†Jason asks.

“No. This is the Dark Dimension. A place under Rita’s ownership. Here is where you will reside until Rita creates an environment in her palace with which you may reside, too†Goldar answers.

“What do you want with us?!†Astronaut #1 demands. Jason and Goldar turn to see the 3 human captives.

“Silence human!†Goldar shouts as he points with his sword.

“Let us go!†Astronaut #2 runs at Goldar but Jason steps in his way, grabs him and throws him to the ground.

Goldar turns to Jason. “Very good, Red Ranger. Giving into the poison is natural. I trust we will be able to maintain the upper hand now against a team of Rangers that is as broken as glassâ€

Jason turns back to see the 3 human captives as the Mayor and Astronaut #1 lift Astronaut #2 to his feet.

The Command Center.

Trini and Zack hold the two tall molecular decoders as Billy scans them with and hand-held scanner and Alpha types into one of the computers.

“The devices appear to nominal. Initialization will take some time, as will their induction sequences,†Billy explains.

“I have prepared the computers. I will monitor your actions from here. Once you are able to align the devices in the proper locations, I will induce the tachyon field thru the annular confinement. Access should then be granted to the Dark Dimension. Ay Yi Yi, I am so worried,†Alpha tells the Ranger‘s.

Zordon speaks. “Have faith, Alpha 5. And good luck, Ranger’s. We will teleport you to Billy’s garage where you can transport by way of vehicle to avoid drawing the attention that the teleporter beams threaten to trigger. May the Power protect youâ€.

The Cranston residence.
Billy’s garage.

The 3 teens appear in streaks of their respective colors.

“We’re here. Let’s load these into your car, Zack,†Trini says.

“Yeah. Yeah, ok,†Zack says in preoccupied tone.

“Are you okay, Zack?†Billy asks.

“Yeah. I’m ready to do this. But before we go, I need you guys to do me a favor and hold off on the morphing until we get this done,†Zack proposes.

Trini and Billy look to each other with confusion.

“There appears to be no reason with which we would morph, unless a fight breaks out,†Billy tells him.

“I know. I can’t explain it, but it’s just something I need for us to do,†Zack explains.

“Ummm, okay Zack. Besides, I doubt the Power Rangers would be met with much liking if anyone were to see them there,†Trini remarks.

Zack nods. “All right then. Let’s get this party startedâ€.

The Hart residence.
The living room.

“While an update from NASADA and the White House still has yet to be released, more activity on the part of what is believed to be an extraterrestrial biological entity has been reported upon. Three law enforcement officers, whose identities remain undisclosed for safety purposes, served as eyewitnesses to an exchange of some sort atop a building in downtown Angel Grove between the so-called ‘Power Rangers’. For public safety, the address is being withheld from all unrelated parties.

“What is more shocking, however, is what transpired before officers arrived on the scene. It has been confirmed that footage exists depicting the Power Rangers assaulting a security guard and throwing him off the top of the building. A body has yet to be produced, and in lieu of the mass amount of residents abruptly fleeing town, it cannot be clearly determined who this particular person is. Local hospitals are being flooded with care seekers, and it is proposed that this person may have been taken to one of these hospitals as a John Doe.

“Still we are left with more questions than answers, and the answers we have received have not been a cause for relief. It appears that whatever menace the world is facing, these Power Rangers are indeed a part of it. Officials are warning the public to avoid these individuals despite the few claims from some of the attendee’s of the Press Conference at Angel Grove City Hall that the Power Rangers were indeed fending off attacks by other alien invaders. Parents, keep a close eye on your children--†the TV shuts off.

“Hey!†shouts a boy sitting on a couch in his mother’s living room. His name is…

“Nicky, what did Mom tell you? She doesn’t want you watching TV without one us of here with you,†Kimberly says.

“Sorry,†the boy lowers his head in shame. Suddenly he perks up, stands on the couch and bounces up and down. “Kimmy, I saw the News earlier with Mom, though. Know what they said?†he asks as he continues jumping on the couch.

Kim walks behind the couch and catches him, putting an end to his jumping. “What’s that?†she asks. She sets him down on the couch.

“On another channel, they said people said they saw the Power Rangers fighting the aliens who took the Mayor. Like they were good guys who fight off the bad guys and stuff. And the people who said that were actually there, so I believe them,†Nicky gets off the couch and starts imitating karate poses. Kim’s breath gets caught in her throat as tears well up in her eyes. “They can be super-heroes for us, you know? Like they come over to fight the bad guys when people need them. They like it when people are safe. I like that ideaâ€.

A tear makes it’s way down Kim’s cheek as she listens to her younger brother. He notices the tear, walks up to his older sister and begins to tug on the black sweater she wears that is many times too big for her. It doesn’t belong to her.

“Kimmy, what’s wrong?†he asks. “Don’t you like that idea?â€

“Yeah. I like that idea,†Kim wipes the tear away with the sleeve of the over-sized sweater she wears. “I like that idea a lot,†Kim drops to her knees beside her 4-year old brother and wraps her arms around him. “Thank you, Nicky,†she whimpers as more tears drop from her eyes.

“For what?†the small child asks.

“For reminding me of a promise I made to some people,†Kim doesn’t want to let go, but does. She runs upstairs into her bedroom and stands before the large mirror set over her dresser. She focuses on the large sweater she wears, and remembers where it came from.

Angel Grove Park
Night.

“Are you cold?†Jason asked.

“A little. Yeah†Kim answered.

“Maybe you should have thought about that when you pulled those Daisy Dukes out of your dresser this morning,†Zack remarks.

“Hey! They look totally cute with this top!†Kim responds as she smacks Zack on the shoulder.

“Oww, hey! Don’t hit! Why do girls hit?†Zack asks Jason who sits on Kim’s other side.

Jason responds with an angry glare, as he wraps his black sweater around Kim’s shoulders.

Kimberly takes off the sweater, folds it up and sets it on her bed. She goes to her closet and pulls a small box from a shelf at the top. She sets the box on her bed, opens it and reaches inside. She clutches her Power Morpher, ready to uphold the promise she made alongside her friends.

“Kimberly, I’m home!†Kim’s Mom’s voice rings out from downstairs. Kimberly scurries downstairs and throws her arms around her mother.

“My goodness. It’s good to see you too, Kimberly. Now, what’s the problem? What have you done?â€

“Nothing. That’s the problem. And I’m gonna go fix itâ€.

Kim’s Mom watches as her daughter blows a kiss to her younger brother who catches it and slaps it onto his own cheek. Kim rushes out of the house. Nicky approaches his mother who picks him up into her arms.

“Nicky, baby, what’s with your sister?â€

The boy shrugs. “I think she liked my ideaâ€.

Angel Grove City Hall.
Night.

Zack, Trini, and Billy pull up in Zack’s SUV. They exit the car and remove from it two tall devices. They are like two tall poles, each forking into a “Y†shape at one end.

“Let’s hurry up and get this done. We only have about 20-30 minutes tops before the next security shift shows up,†Zack reminds his friends. The three of them climb up the steps with the devices.

“This appears to be the approximate vicinity in which Rita disappeared with the Mayor,†Billy notes.

“Good. Let’s set up the molecular decoders,†Trini moves one of the devices into place. Billy and Zack begin positioning the second device when Billy stops to look over to the place where he stood as Goldar assaulted his friends. He sees a quick image of himself in Ranger form standing still while his friends fought the alien without him.

“Billy, man, let it go,†Zack says.

“Listen to him, Billy. Wounds can’t heal if you keep picking at the scabs,†Trini says.

“What happened before is done. We’re past that. Don’t keep going back there. That’s not how you move forward,†Zack tells his brainy buddy.

“Of course. You’re right, Zack,†Billy helps him prop up the device correctly. “Readyâ€.

Trini activates the device she holds up. “Molecular decoder activatedâ€.

Billy reaches down and activates the other decoder. “Second molecular decoder activated. Tachyon flow induction initializedâ€. Suddenly the three Rangers hear noises from nearby.

“Someone’s here,†Trini notices.

“Let’s get this done now. I can get in and out of that place, quick-like†Zack assures. “Let’s do thisâ€.

The sounds intensify and the Ranger’s identify the noise as some type of vocal blubbering. They look back to see a group of Putties rushing at them.

“Oh man, this is not cool,†Zack remarks.

“We don’t have time for this. If we deactivate the devices and set them down to fight it’ll take them another 10 minutes to warm up again, not to mention the time to find their marks and couple the generate the tachyon field to couple to the annular confinement beam,†Billy explains.

“I’ll take these clay-heads. You guys keep those devices secure,†Zack leaves the device to Billy and rushes to meet the Putty Patrol in battle. A Putty jumps into the air and sails toward Zack with a flying side kick. Zack somersaults underneath it and springs up into the air where he throws his legs out to the sides. The split kick strikes two approaching Putties in the chest, knocking them backwards.

A Putty brandishing a long knife for a hand stabs at Zack who side steps the blade, grabs the Putty by the arm and pulls it down as he brings his knee up into it’s chest. Zack shuffles his feet as part of his signature dance-like fighting style then throws a jump kick that floors the Putty. Another Putty lunges at Zack from behind, striking him in the back with it’s wrecking-ball shaped hand. Zack falls to his hands and knees. He looks to his left to see a Putty break away and seize Trini.

“Trini, heads up!†Zack warns.

Trini is an accomplished martial artist and if that were a fact this Putty was unaware of before, it was something it learns now, the hard way, as Trini shoots a high-side kick that meets the Putty’s face, knocking it in Billy’s direction. “Billy! Coming at ya’!â€

Trini’s kick throws the Putty toward Billy who pushes the Putty back in Zack’s direction. Zack flips a Putty onto his back and turns to deliver a front kick to the Putty Billy sent toward him. “Ha! Good shot, Billy-boyâ€.

A Putty tackles Zack by surprise and the two roll across the floor, landing with Zack on top, who immediately punches it in the face. Two Putties grab Zack by the arms and drag him to the wall of City Hall behind him. A third Putty dives in and locks it’s arms around his waist.

“Zack!†Trini cries out. Suddenly a white light appears between the two molecular decoders.

“Something’s wrong. A fluctuation,†Billy dials into the control panel on the device he holds. “Some kind of energy feedback. Like we’ve hit some kind of barrier; a dead end. I didn’t anticipate thisâ€.

“What?†Trini asks.

“We were successful in finding, in essence, an energy window, more like a door to the Dark Dimension. But the energy we manipulated wasn’t fully active. It’s like the door we found is locked. What we need is a proper energy source on the other end to unlock that door from the inside--wait!†The white light becomes red and bright. “It worked! The teleport energy’s been reactivated. One of us needs to get in there…now!†Billy tells Trini.

“I’m stuck! Guys, look out!†Zack shouts. Two Putties are sprawled across the ground, another 3 have apprehended Zack. The other two set their sights on Billy and Trini.

Trini doesn‘t like the options they have left. “We’re going to have set down the devices!â€

“We may never get another chance to do this,†Billy argues. “We can’t fail this time!â€

The two Putties leap toward Billy and Trini. Before either Ranger has the chance to abort the mission they are spared the burden of giving up as two lasers shoot the Putties out of the air in a shower of sparks. Zack looks in astonishment as Billy and Trini look to each other in confusion. They turn to see their savior.

Kimberly, in Ranger form, moves toward her friends in a series of back-handsprings, her Flame Blaster in one hand.

“Kim!†Trini is pleasantly surprised to see the Pink Ranger.

“Hey guys. Did I miss anything?†Kim asks.

“You’re right on time. And morphed, too,†Zack answers. Kimberly again aims her Flame Blaster and shoots down the Putty holding Zack’s waist. Zack throws side kick that knocks away the Putty holding his right arm. He reaches behind him and draws his morpher, then uses it as a weapon to punch the Putty holding his left arm. Kim runs up to Zack.

“Kim, finish off the Putties. I’ll go in and--â€

Kim interrupts Zack. “Not this time, Zack. I need to do thisâ€.

“You know he’ll be there, right?†Zack asks. He side kicks an approaching Putty.

Kim nods. “You know what time it isâ€.

“It’s Morphin’ Time! Mastodon!â€

“Kim!†Billy calls for her attention.

“Now you see me--†Kimberly turns to the devices and front flips thru the air. She disappears into the portal in the middle of the maneuver.

The Dark Dimension.

It is occupied by Mayor Carrington, the two Astronaut’s, Goldar and Jason in Ranger form. They are all stunned by the brief burst of light from which the Pink ranger comes out of her front flip.

Goldar growls with fury. “Pink Ranger?!â€

“What are you doing here?†Jason asks her.

Kim notices the coin in Jason‘s morpher is glowing red. “I’ve got a hot dateâ€. She rushes over to the other 3 humans. She is surprised but relieved to see the Astronaut’s with the Mayor.

“Are you all right?†Kim asks.

“Thirsty. But we’re fine,†the Mayor answers, hesitantly.

“That’s more than can be said for a certain someone in about 10 seconds,†Jason intervenes.

Kim turns to him and holds her hands up to keep the other 3 humans behind her.

“Not long ago I’d be worried to hear you talk like that. But now I’m thru with talk. I’m getting these people out of here, and if you try to stop me I’ll make you sorry I was ever born,†Kim warns.

Jason draws his Flame Blaster and aims it directly in Kim’s face. “You want sorry? I’ll show you what it is to be sorryâ€. The two rangers stare each other down. Jason makes the first move and spins around, firing on Goldar. Sparks burst out from the impact of energy and Goldar stumbles back.

“Go!†Red Ranger orders.

“Come on!†Kim leads the 3 captives to the area she teleported in from. The 3 humans lift an arm and reach around for the portal.

Astronaut #2’s arm disappears into a flash of red light. “Over here!†He walks through and the other 2 captives follow.

“Come on, Red!†Kim orders.

“But, I--,†Jason is interrupted by Kimberly.

“Obviously wasn’t listening to what I said about talkâ€.

“I know, I just didn’t realize you were so domineering,†Jason says.

“Yeah, well it’s a necessity for a member of a team that has no leader. Come on, we’ll work on that on the flip sideâ€.

“You’re not going anywhere! Don’t forget what brought you here! You were a part of an evil that lived throughout this universe for centuries. It’s nothing you can just walk away from now!†Goldar insists.

“I heard the sales pitch, Goldar. I’m no more interested in buying into your story than I was when you first pulled it out of your rear end. Come on, Kim,†Jason and Kim walk thru an emergence of red energy and appear at City Hall. Zack, Trini and Billy are there but the Putties and the 3 former captives are not.

“Jason!†Trini is surprised to see her friend.

“The captives. Where are they?†Jason asks.

“Zordon teleported them away as soon as they came through so they wouldn’t see us,†Billy answers. Suddenly electricity rips thru the portal and knocks away Kim and Jason in a mess of sparks. The two Rangers hit the side of the building and then the floor.

Goldar begins to step thru the portal as Billy begins dialing into the control panel on the molecular decoder.

“I will make you pay with blood, Red Ranger!â€

“Does the term ‘energy feedback’ mean anything to you, Goldar?†Billy presses one last button on the device and the red portal bursts with white energy. Goldar screams out in pain as sparks explode from the portal just as it disappears along with Goldar.

Billy lets out a sigh of relief. “It’s doneâ€.

The Command Center.
Morning.

The 5 Ranger’s stand in a line before Zordon.

“Congratulations, Rangers. You have succeeded in rescuing, not only Mayor Carrington, but also the 2 lost astronaut’s of the Explorer 7 shuttle. Because of you, disaster has been averted,†Zordon tells his pupils.

“Thanks, Zordon,†Kim replies, smiling.

“And to you, Jason, I would like to welcome you back,†Zordon adds.

“I never really left, Zordon,†Jason replies with a smile.

“So what was the deal then? You put us thru a lot,†Zack wonders as he turns to share a look with Kim.

“Billy’s plan was brilliant. But Rita seemed hell-bent to stop you from implementing it in any way she could. Including Goldar’s whack story about Zordon’s having lied to us. Zordon said Rita wouldn’t have taken Mayor Carrington to the Moon cuz she would have died. With me on her side, I doubt she’d want anything of the sort to happen with her own Ranger either. I figured they’d try to keep me isolated from you guys, and send me to the Dark Dimension. Once I got there, I could grab the Mayor and teleport her back to safety†Jason began.

“Ay Yi Yi. What went wrong?†A

“Well, then I found the astronauts were there too, and I wasn’t sure I could manage teleporting everyone out at once. I knew I could manage teleporting one of them at a time, but with Goldar around, he would interfere if I managed to get back to rescue the other two. When Rita found out what you guys were doing she was livid. When you opened the portal to the Dark Dimension, Goldar fired a blast to try and destroy you on the other side. The blast couldn’t pass thru and I realized if nothing could get out, then nothing could get in. So I used my Power Coin to access power from the Morphin Grid and link it to the portal to open it up and allow you guys inâ€.

“Morphinomenal!†Zack exclaims. “Well, Billy. Looks like you’ve got competition for the position of the Power Ranger’s resident main-brain,†Zack jokes.

“I’m sorry if it you thought I lost faith in you, Zordon,†Jason apologizes. He turns to Kim. “And I’m sorry to you tooâ€.

“For what?†Kim asks.

“For the way you must have felt when you thought I let you down,†Jason answers.

“It’s okay. You redeemed yourself. Although, now that I think about it, I cannot believe you punched me in the stomachâ€.

“Yeah, I know. I just needed Goldar to believe that I believed him. I was betting on your suit protecting youâ€.

“Yeah, right†Zack chuckles.

The mood is suddenly broken when the alarms go off.

“Dude, can’t a brother get a day off?†Zack asks. The Rangers step toward the Viewing Globe and see their duplicates on the move.

“Looks like the Peanut’s Gang is back for more,†Kim observes.

“This is getting ridiculous. We’ve got to put an end to this before they dig us a hole so deep in the eyes of the people of Earth that we’ll never be able to dig our way out,†Trini says as the group turns away from the Viewing Globe..

“Okay then. Let’s take care of this matter once and for all,†Jason tells his team.

Alpha and the Ranger teens turn back to the Viewing Globe and watch their evil doubles march thru Angel Grove with an air of malice that Zack, Kimberly, Billy, Trini and Jason know they must end. They must.

TO BE CONCLUDED

 

[Bouken Black]

NICE. BUT WHY A BREAK OVER A YEAR.

 

[TSoldier]

I post my fic primarily at Rangerboard but at a certain point last year I posted it in a couple other sites (Rangertalk, powerrangerempire, funaroboard, here) but I forgot, until yesterday, this was one of the sites I'd posted it on. I ran into a couple sites that had really strict word limits and, if you've read my fic you can tell, there's no way for me to conform to a 10,000 word posting limit without chopping my fic into pieces, which would have an ill effect on the flow of the story and it's telling.

The generous word limit here will make it easy to update my fic. On Rangerboard I posted a new episode every week and I'm going to try to keep to that schedule here once I post the final episode (Part 4) of the DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER Saga, which kicks off the season.

Thanks for reading.

 

[TSoldier]

Episode 4: "DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 4: REFLECTIONS"

DAYS OF THE DUMPSTER, Part 4: REFLECTIONS

The Viewing Globe is filled with images of a team of Power Rangers much like the originals, save for the immoral acts they are committing. The real Power Rangers are decided in their desire to put a stop those acts.

“You guys ready?†Jason asks his team. Zack & Kim nod. Jason turns to Trini who nods in affirmation as well.

Jason turns to Billy. “I believe I am prepared for this confrontation,†Billy affirms.

“That’s good, man. We’re going to need you out there. Five on five,†Jason shakes Billy’s hand.

Zordon speaks. “May the Power protect you, Ranger’s. It’s Morphing Time!â€

“Mastodon!â€
“Pterodactyl!â€
“Triceratops!â€
“Saber-Tooth Tiger!â€
“Tyrannosaurus!â€

Downtown Angel Grove.

The evil Black and Pink Ranger’s draw their alien pistols and fire black and pink lasers that shatter the windows of several businesses. Evil Blue rushes toward a corner café as civilians run for their lives. He tosses over an outdoor table. Evil Yellow rushes into a crowd of fleeing civilians and grabs a man, and launches him backward against a wood bench. She jumps forward into the air and attacks with a corkscrew kick. The civilian gets up and runs away just before Evil Yellow drills thru the wood bench.

Evil Red runs into the streets with his pistol in hand and fires on the tires of a moving vehicle. The tires burst loudly in showers of sparks and pieces of rubber as the car goes into a spin, halting only when it crashes into a light post. The deployed airbags move as the driver exit’s the vehicle. Evil Red takes aim at the driver who evaded injury. Before the pistol can fire, Evil Red is tackled by Jason and the two Red Ranger’s roll across the concrete. Evil Red gets up first and uses the opportunity to run away.

Evil Black & Evil Pink turn back to see Kim and Zack race toward them, causing their doubles to flee. Evil Black and Pink pass Evil Blue and Yellow who turn back to see Billy and Trini join Zack and Kim in the chase. They run away as well.

The Evil Rangers run thru the streets of Angel Grove and turn a corner where they stop to find they’ve hit a dead end; an alley walled off by brick on it’s far end.

“Convenient,†Evil Black remarks. The Evil Ranger’s are thrown forward by drop-kicks to their backs from their opponents: the real Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. They rise to their feet.

“You have the gall to use a higher power to destroy the livelihood of innocent people?†Jason questions his opponents.

“What can we say? Kicking puppies, handing out poisoned candy to children; we like to party day and night,†Evil Pink responds.

“You like to party?†Jason asks. He and his team draw their Flame Blaster’s and take aim. “Then dance!†The Rangers fire on their evil doubles. Showers of sparks mark the impact as they fall backward onto the ground. They roll across the pavement, and as they do, revert to their original forms…

“Putties!†Billy is surprised to see that their opponents have been clay creatures all along.

“Let’s bag ‘em!†Jason orders. As instantaneously as they reverted back to Putties, the Putties take on the form of random civilians. From a teenage girl, to a balding middle-aged Asian man, to an obese African-American woman.

“It appears they are not so limited in their metamorphic abilities,†Billy notes.

“It doesn’t matter. They look innocent, but we know better,†Jason insists. The duplicate civilians charge at the Rangers. Billy turns and looks up to the top of a building where he sees the same man he saw in the entrance to the rooftop where he and his teammates first engaged their Evil doubles. In the midst of his observation he is tackled by the obese black woman. The other Ranger’s lock up with the other duplicate civilians.

The Odd Man standing atop the building watches the battle continue, then turns to see a News van pull up to a nearby curb. Stacy the Newscaster and her cameraman Frank race toward the alley and begin filming the battle.

“Oh, god,†Stacy comments. Frank watches thru the viewfinder as Billy holds the black woman’s wrists apart and takes her up against a wall. Trini spins about, striking out with her fist against the teenage girl’s face, followed by a sidekick.

Jason punches the balding Asian man in the stomach, grabs the back of his neck and slams his face into the brick building beside him. Zack twists the arm of a long-haired hippie behind his back and wraps his other arm around the man’s neck from behind.

Kim throws a right hook into the face of a short, elderly woman, then brings her hand back across her face. She uses a tornado kick to strike her in the face, flooring her as Kim’s spin leaves her facing the entrance of the alley where she sees they are being filmed. “Oh, great†she says to herself. She races toward the 2 observer’s to stop them from filming.

In a way she has succeeded, as they flee to their van and drive off as Kim watches. In the alley, the 5 duplicate civilians back up toward the dead end, cross a fist across their chests, and disappear.

The 4 Ranger’s turn as Kim regroups with them. “Guys, we’ve got troubleâ€.

The Juice Bar.

A punching bag hangs still from the ceiling. Skull steps out from behind it. He begins performing a very sloppy martial arts kata.

“Hi-YAH!!†Skull lunges forward with a loose and unbalanced kick. He misses the bag completely and falls to the mat on the floor, landing doing the splits. He gasps as his eyes and mouth go wide. He whimpers as he falls backward, his legs go into the air, stuck in the splits position. Bulk steps up and shuts Skull’s legs as he gasps again. Bulk reaches down and lifts his skinny pal up by the shirt.

“Skull, you gotta do better than that if you wanna beat these head-hunters,†Bulk and Skull, whose mouth and eyes remain open wide, turn as the occupants of the Gym rush up to the bar.

Bulk drags Skull who hops along with his legs locked tight together and join the crowd that has formed around the TV on the counter. The 2 friends peak thru the crowd to catch a glimpse of the News report in progress that has garnered the attention of everyone in the building, including Ernie.

“--startling new footage further depicting the hideous acts perpetrated by the Power Rangers. We would like to warn viewers, the following footage depicts strong acts of violence. Seen here, as of yet unidentified civilians undergo an assault by the army of aliens seen before in the presence of a monstrous extraterrestrial biological entity believed to be responsible for the capture of Angel Grove’s own Mayor Carrington,†the News program runs the footage taken by Frank the cameraman not long ago, in which Billy holds the black woman’s wrists apart and takes her up against a wall. Trini spins about, striking out with her fist against the teenage girl’s face, followed by a sidekick.

Jason punches the balding Asian man in the stomach, grabs the back of his neck and slams his face into the brick building beside him. Zack twists the arm of a long-haired hippie behind his back and wraps his other arm around the man’s neck from behind.

Kim throws a right hook into the face of a short, elderly woman, then brings her hand back across her face. She uses a tornado kick to strike her in the face, flooring her as Kim’s spin leaves her facing the entrance of the alley where she sees they are being filmed. She races toward the 2 observer’s to stop them from filming.

The newscaster continues. “Still no official word yet from any authorities on the matter, though word from the Mayor is expected to come as soon as she is released from the hospital where she is being analyzed for any health deficits that may have occurred during her captivity--â€.

Bulk and Skull turn away from the crowd, Skull still with his eyes and mouth wide open.

“Skull, man, I think we better keep practicing,†Bulk looks to his friend who, with his mouth and eyes still wide open, nods in agreement.

The Hart residence.

Young Nicky sits on the couch in his luxurious living room. His mother runs into the room, takes the remote control from him and turns off the TV.

“Honey, what did I tell you?!†she asks.

“I don’t believe that!,†Nicky gets off the couch and turns to his mother. “I don’t believe it!†He opens the door and runs out of the house.

“Nicky!†Kim’s mother chases after him, running across the pavement in a pair of Gucci shoes. She didn’t care. In days like these, the streets of Angel Grove was no place for children on their own. “Nicky! Nicholas!†she cried out for her son but could not find him. She runs her hands thru her hair and races back to her home, grabs the phone, dials 9-1-1 and puts the receiver to her ear.

The Command Center.

The 5 teens, Alpha, and Zordon watch as a lynch mob roams thru the streets of Angel Grove.

Trini is astonished by the circumstances. “I can’t believe it’s come to thisâ€.

“Rangers, this is indeed a dark time in the history of Earth as well as the Power Rangers legacy. Take solace in the fact that despite the misinterpretations of the public, you have succeeded in saving the lives of those in danger,†Zordon explains to his pupils.

“That’s true. But it still doesn’t make this any easier, Zordon. The only time we really get the upper hand with the Evil Rangers they either run away or let us dominate them so that we look bad,†Kim tells her mentor.

“She’s right. I was hoping we’d be able to end this by now. Especially knowing they’re just Putties. But these guys……they’re just so powerful. What can we do, Zordon?†Jason asks.

“I believe it is time for you to be made aware of the ancient fighting tools, the Morphin Weapons of Legend,†Zordon looks down upon his Ranger’s who look to each other with confusion. “An assortment of weapons you’ll carry with the power to undergo the morph alongside each of you. Zack, the axe. Kim, the bow and arrow. Billy, the lance. Trini, the daggers. Jason the sword. They are a part of the Power Ranger legacy. Touch them and they will be apart of you just as they are a part of the Power. The skill and knowledge are yoursâ€.

“Awesome,†Zack comments.

“Why didn’t you tell us about them before?†Kim asks.

“I planned to, but there was too much occurring for you to afford the time it may take for you to retrieve them. I am hesitant, as having you Rangers carrying around Weapons carried by the Power Rangers would not grant you much beneficial attention, given the distaste the public currently has for the Power Rangers,†Zordon answers.

“Where can we find these Morphin Weapons of Legend, Zordon?†Jason asks.

“Now that you possess the Power, the retrieval of these weapons is viable. You will find them in the deepest recesses of yourselves,†Zordon explains.

“Eww. Gross,†Zack shudders.

“No, no, Zack. These weapons exist in the mental arena of the Power Ranger’s minds,†Alpha clarifies.

“Prepare yourselves, Rangers,†Zordon begins.

“Do we need anything to succeed in this venture?†Billy asks.

“Only concentration and will power. Close your eyes, Ranger’s, and let the journey begin,†Zordon instructs. The Ranger’s close their eyes and lift their heads upward. A multicolored flash of light consumes them.

A forest……somewhere.

A black flash of light dissipates, revealing Zack, now alone.

“The others?†Zack looks around him for any sign of his friends. “Guys? Yo, guys, you here?†He knows they are not. “Looks like I’m on my ownâ€.

Zack wanders the forest aimlessly, unsure of where to go. He suddenly realizes the benefits of working as a team. Being able to rely on others.

“What would Billy-boy do?†Zack scratches his chin as he ponders, then reaches into his back pocket for his morpher. He pulls the coin from it, places it in his palm and holds it out in front of him like a compass as he moves. The coin glows with black light, which seems to intensify as he heads in a northern direction.

“Now we’re getting somewhere,†The black light of the coin intensifies as Zack moves forward. His attention is on the coin, paying only enough mind to the path he walks to avoid running into trees. Suddenly the glow from the coin reaches its brightest state yet. The light begins to stand from the coin, like a miniature pillar.

“Ha! Jack--,“ Zack looks before him to see a larger version of the pillar of black light standing before him, then looks down to the base of the light to see it bursting up from underneath a large mound of insects, spiders, and snakes. “--pot?â€.

The Hart residence.

Kim’s mother stands in her living room, accompanied by several police officers. She shakes her head in frustration. “I don’t believe thisâ€.

“Ma’am, please. We have an APB out on your son, I’m sure everything’s going to turn out just fine. Just sit down and let us do our job here,†Officer #1 instructed.

“I understand you have a job to do, officer. But when your shift is over tonight, I will still be Nicky’s mother. And I’ll beg your pardon for preferring to be the mother of a son who has returned home safely tonight by the time you’re heading to the bank to cash that check my taxes pay you,†Kimberly’s Mom replies.

“Mrs. Hart, please. Just have a seat and calm downâ€.

Kim’s Mom does so.

The front door opens and in walks Mr. Hart. “Anything?â€

Kim’s mom shakes her head.

“How could you have let this--,“ Mr. Hart is interrupted by his wife.

Kim’s Mother holds her hand up, signaling for her husband to stop talking. “Don’t you dare start with me, Mister. You have a lot of nerve. Now, I’m going into the kitchen to call our daughter. By the time I get back I want to see an empty spot out on the driveway where your car is now,†she turns and walks away.

The 3 cops look to Kim’s Dad. “We’re separated,†he tells them.

“Ooohhhh,†they nod their heads upon understanding.

In the kitchen, Kim’s mother dials the telephone.

The Command Center.

Kim’s purse sits on the edge of one of the computer’s, her cell phone ringing inside.

Alpha is startled. “Ay Yi Yi! An alarm!â€

“No, Alpha 5. A communication via Earth technology,†Zordon clarifies.

“Shall we wake her from her mental journey?†Alpha asks. “Perhaps it is important,†The phone stops ringing. “Nevermindâ€.

The Hart residence.

Kim’s Mom listens to the cell phone continue to ring, until a mechanical voice answers, saying “Message box full. Please enter your security codeâ€.

Kim’s Mom hangs up the phone and places a hand on her forehead. “Nicky, where are you?â€

Downtown Angel Grove.

Young Nicky wanders around, surveying the damage caused by looters and further attacks by the likes of the Evil Power Rangers. He hears a dog bark in the distance, and then watches as a trio of punk-ish children, about 9-10 years old in age, come running from around the corner. They stop when they come to Nicky.

“What are you doing here, kid? Ain’t you seen the news? This place is dangerous now, like us. You dangerous too?†Kid #1 asks.

“I’m looking for the Power Rangers,†Nicky answers. The trio of boys begin to laugh.

“Yeah, he thinks he’s dangerous all right†Kid #2 pushes Nicky onto the ground. Nicky looks up at the boys with tears in his eyes. His bottom lip quivers as he fights back tears.

“Those guys would tear you up,†Kid #3 adds.

“No. The Power Rangers don’t hurt anyone. Everyone just has the wrong idea and it’s not fair!†Nicky protests as he rises to his feet. The trio of boys laugh again.

“Kid, you’ll never learn, will you? The Power Rangers are evil and you’re just as dumb as your idea that they’re not here to hurt us. They’re killers. And they’re going to get you. That’s their idea. So you better go home, now. Unless you really are looking for trouble,†Kid #1 pushes Nicky and three boys laugh and run away. Nicky watches the boys depart, tears falling from his eyes.

“You have the wrong idea, too,†he says to himself, sadly. His face contorts as he falls onto his butt and starts to weep aloud as he hugs his knees. His small, sad body sits alone amongst only a fraction of the devastation his tired, wailing body is amongst as ruins litter that small section of Downtown Angel Grove.

The Command Center.

Kim stands among her friend in the Command Center. Her head is tilted upward, with her eyes closed. She is in a very deep trance-like state.

A Cemetery.
Night.

From a pink flash, Kim finds herself apart from her group.

“A cemetery? Ok, I think I just got creeped straight to Creepsville,†She wanders thru the mass of graves and headstones, looking for any clue as to where her weapon might be. Kim reaches into her back pocket for her morpher, from which she takes the coin, hoping it will lead her to her Bow. She walks on as the coin glows pink. She stops when she runs into a set of gravestones. They belong to her parents and little brother.

“Oh my god,†Kim freaks out, but only for a second before she calms herself down. “It’s not real. These are the deepest recesses of my mind. A place where fear can hide. I’m not looking for fear, though. I’m looking for--,“ Kim looks up to see in the distance a pillar of pink light. “--thatâ€. She sprints toward it, stopping only when she reaches the source of the light. The pink light rises from a grave, one of 4 grouped together.

The headstone of the grave that produces the light reads “Jason Lee Scottâ€. The other 3 head stones read “William Cranston Jr.â€, “Zachary Taylor†& “Trini Kwanâ€. Emotion takes Kim and she runs away, stopping against a tree where she cries.

Angel Grove Park.
Day.

A blue flash of light occurs, leaving behind it Billy, who surveys the landscape. The Park looked so different since the last time he was there. The last time, however, the park itself wasn’t what the visitors had their attention locked onto as a meteor shower flared above them.

“Here for the potato-sack races?†comes a shrieking feminine voice. Billy turns to face Rita. “Well, here you are. The Power Ranger’s prized fighter,†Rita laughs as Billy turns around to run away, when he is blocked by Goldar. Billy looks to his left to see Baboo and Squatt, then looks to his right to see the Evil Power Rangers blocking that path.

Thru intense fear, Billy decides to speak up. “It won’t work, Rita. I won’t fall for your tricks. I’m better than that. I might be here alone, but my friends are with me in spirit. I am part of a team. A smart and reliable team. And you weren’t even smart enough to realize Jason had turned your own tricks around on youâ€.

“Jason? Ah, yes. The boy who is the Red Ranger. The boy who is your friend. Or should I say ‘was’?!†Rita points to a grassy hill from which the dirt crumbles away as 4 crosses rise up, holding his crucified teammates. Billy is shocked as his foes all laugh with sickening glee.

“Funny,†Evil Blue begins. “You think you’re better than us. But you let your fears consume you. You won’t even fight, and the end result is this. It’s ironic, and hilarious. You succumb to your fear of fighting, and the result is that your ‘team’ is dead, and now you’re left to have to fight. Alone. Two fears in one. You’re supposed moral superiority is betrayed by the fact that something as morally inferior as me actually still has my team beside me. Alive and well. And ready to fightâ€.

“Now,†Rita intervenes. “Prepare for battle. Or in your case, prepare to stand still and do nothing as you’re torn to shreds, alongside everything you and your laughable team stood for,†Rita crows.
The villains that surround Billy close in like a pack of wolves.

“Stay away!†Billy shouts as he pulls his morpher out and holds it up in an attempt to ward off his foes. He turns slowly, trying to keep his foes at bay, and notices that, as he passes Rita, his coin glows blue.

Billy is thrown forward by a kick to the back from Goldar. He tries to move as his opponents gather around him, dropping punches and kicks onto his body as he pulls the coin from the morpher, rolls to his back, noticing that the coin has stopped glowing and that Rita is not a part of the lynching. The strikes keep coming, bruising and bloodying him.

“Fight! Fight us!†the evil aliens yell at him.

A Mountain Range……somewhere.

A yellow flash disappears, revealing Trini standing alone, as puzzled as she feels lost. Unsure where to begin, Trini looks up to the high mountain tops that surround her.

“I suppose the most logical course of action would be to get to the top of one of these mountains so I can see across greater distances. But I am really not interested in that. Zordon said these weapons were a part of the Power. Perhaps, then, I can use my Power Coin to detect the Daggers,†Trini takes the coin from her morpher and walks along the chasm she is in, noticing the coin glows yellow, and intensifies the further down the chasm Trini walks.

Trini watches the coin’s glow brighten to a point that it stretches up into a small column of yellow light. Trini stops walking and looks to see she is facing the side of a tall cliff. She looks up the tall mountainous cliff to a pair of silver daggers sitting crossed on a cement pedestal. They begin to glow yellow as the light reaches upward.

“Oh, of course,†She rests her face in one hand.

The Command Center.

A red flash dissipates, and Jason finds himself standing beside his teammates. They are empty-handed.

“Ay Yi Yi, Rangers. You are empty-handed,†Alpha notices. The Rangers see Alpha is correct.

“I don’t get it. What gives? You know what I just went thru in my head?†Zack asks.

“I am sorry, Rangers. But I have brought you about because we are too late,†Zordon begins.

“Too late?†Trini asks. She and her friends turn to the Viewing Globe. Kim covers her mouth as she gasps at the horror. The world has become a wasteland.

“In the time that has passed, Rita’s Evil Ranger’s managed to use their mimicked version of the Ranger Powers to retrieve the Weapons of Legend first. Combined, the Weapons caused destruction all over the world. Unfortunately, you were ill-prepared and incapable of acting with enough--,†Zordon is interrupted.

“No. No way. We were so close. It’s just that--,“ Zordon now interrupts Jason.

“A leader is able to assess a situation sufficiently before sending his team into action. A leader does not make excusesâ€.

“Jason, what went wrong? I thought you knew better?†Alpha asks.

“We let them down. Our families, the people, they’re all dead,†Billy postulates.

“This isn’t right, Jason,†Trini adds.

“Guys, I--,“ Jason is totally confused.

“Just save it, Jason,†Kim guffaws. “We should have seen this coming. Me especially. It’s why you try so hard, isn’t it? Why you work toward excellence in everything you do: karate, school, working out. Well, now you know why, Jason. Now you know why I laugh every time you speak to me on a personal level. Because despite the looks, and the muscles, and everything you’ve done to convince people otherwise, you’re not a real man. And you’re most certainly not man enough for me,†she finishes as Zack puts an arm around her shoulder.

“A girl’s got needs, Jase,†Zack explains thru a mischievous smile as he caresses Kim‘s arm with his other hand. “And the girls don’t need you. And this girl only needs……me,†Kim grabs Zack by the shirt and pulls him into a passionate kiss.

“No, I don’t believe this,†Jason refuses to accept this reality.

“Jason, as a result of your failures, your world has all but ceased to exist. Your services as a Ranger are no longer required. As it stands, it does not appear as though they ever were,†Zordon tells Jason who pulls out his morpher and takes out the coin to see it break into 3 pieces. Jason sees the pieces of his coin glow brightly with a red light similar to the red light that now fills Zordon’s tube.

“It is over, Jason. Please exit the Command Center and return to whatever is left of your world,†Zordon says.

Jason looks up from the coin to Zordon. “I don’t think so. I know what’s happening here. The same thing that’s probably happening with the others. Challenges. Dangers. Pain. Fear. We set out on these journey’s into our minds to find Weapons that will help us fight despite of all of those thingsâ€.

A forest.

Zack’s hands shake with fear, but he doesn’t allow himself to think about it as Jason‘s words narrate.

“It’s not about being fearless. We all have fear. We all deal with it in different ways. Some don’t deal with it at all. But we won’t let it end there. Because it shouldn’t. Because we can’t,†Jason’s speech continues over images of Zack as he thrusts his arm deep into the pile of bugs, spiders, and snakes. Adrenaline floods his body and with strength born of fear itself, Zack pulls his weapon up out of the pile. He holds the axe high in the air, victorious.

The cemetery.

“It’s not about the things that makes us want to run. It’s about the things that make us want to stay,†Jason goes on over images of Kimberly approaching the grave of her friends, dropping to her knees in the dirt and tearfully clawing her way thru it until she’s unearthed a bow and arrow. She rises to her feet and lifts her bow and arrow high above her head in triumph.

Angel Grove Park.

“We each have a reason for being here. Not just because we know what’s right, but because we’re willing do something about it,†Jason continues as Billy continues to be assaulted by his foes.

“Fight us!†Goldar insists.

“He’s too weak! Look at him!†Evil Blue screams.

“You fight your way……,“ Billy begins. He turns to Rita and watches the coin glow blue again. “……I’ll fight my way†Billy springs forward thru the air at Rita. The closer he gets, the more her staff starts to glow with Blue light. Rita swings the glowing staff at him but he catches it and pulls it away from her. He snaps it over his knee, breaking it, not into 2 pieces of the staff, but into 2 sections of his Lance: Mace‘s. Billy lifts the 2 Maces to the sky and crosses them in triumph as his opponents vanish.


“We know what’s best. And we strive for it,†Jason narrates over images of Trini climbing the side of the rocky mountain, talking herself thru it.

“Trini, get over it,†she tells herself. “This is your mind. It’s yours. Own it. The fears……and the strengths,†Trini slips and almost falls, using one hand to grasp to the mountain. She regains her balance and footing and reaches the top. She makes her way to the edge where the Dagger’s sit and smiles at them. She takes them from their perch and steps around to the cliff’s edge and looks down at the distance she traversed, despite her fears. She looks at her Daggers, and crosses them high in the air. Victory.

“This isn’t the end. We’ve only begun. We know what’s right,†Jason continues as he walks forward and jumps the computers that sit between him and the glowing red Zordon. “And we’re willing to do something about it†Jason throws a punch that breaks a hole in a section of Zordon’s tube. He reaches inside and grasps a horizontal beam of red light. He tightens his grasp around the beam and it reverts to the form of an ancient sword of intricate design. He pulls the sword out, turns and holds it in the air victoriously. The sword begins to glow red again and emits a flash that envelops everything.

When the flash dissipates Jason finds himself standing in the center of the Command Center alongside his teammates, Alpha, and standing before Zordon.

“Ay Yi Yi! You’ve done it!†Alpha cheers.

“Congratulations. You have completed the journey’s into your mind. You have faced fears and fought through them. While fear, like danger, can come and go, in one form or another, today you have overcome it and are now ready to make a final stand against Rita’s Evil Rangersâ€.

“We did it!†Kim squeals.

“This is Morphinomenal!†Billy exclaims.

“We did good, Rangers. I’m proud of you guys. And I‘m proud of this team. But before we celebrate we’ve got one last thing to take care of,†Jason reminds his team.

Zack‘s excitement is apparent. “Let’s do it to it!â€

“It’s Morphin’ Time!†Jason shouts.

“Mastodon!â€
“Pterodactyl!â€
“Triceratops!â€
“Saber-Tooth Tiger!â€
“Tyrannosaurus!â€

Downtown Angel Grove.

Civilians scatter frantically as the Evil Power Rangers move thru the crowd, joyously assaulting people at random. Evil Yellow throws a man over a planter box. She then grabs another man and throws him up against the stairs that lead up to the Angel Grove Observatory. Evil Pink chases some kids with a bucket full of steaming hot water.

“Everybody, head for safety!†Cop# 1 shouts. Cop #1 draws his gun and takes aim at Evil Black who kicks a man in the stomach. Evil Blue draws his pistol and fires a blue laser that disarms the cop with a burst of sparks.

Evil Red jumps forth and grabs Cop #1 by the throat. “You know we’re only doing this cuz we love you, right?â€

“Funny way of showing it,†Jason’s voice takes Evil Red by surprise. He drops the cop as he looks up the steps of the observatory to see the real Red Ranger staring down at him. The other Evil Ranger’s regroup around their evil leader.

“You here alone?†Evil Blue asks.

“Nobody is ever really alone,†Billy interjects as he and the other Rangers step up beside Jason.

Their Weapons remain in their ancient form. Civilians peek out from hiding places to feast their eyes upon the startling sight of 2 teams of Power Rangers.

“This is it!†Zack says as he performs a kata using his axe. Black energy sweeps the axe during the kata, changing it to morphed form.

“You can’t fight the real thing!†Kim adds as she swings her bow and arrow. Pink energy sweeps across, morphing them.

“You’ve sullied our names!†Billy spins the 2 Mace‘s, then slams the ends together, locking them into one long weapon as blue energy sweeps out from the center in 2 directions, morphing the Lance.

“No more games,--,“ Trini spins her daggers in a stunning display of skill, then holds them crossed before her as yellow energy morphs them. “--got it?!â€

“We’re here to make sure you know who we are,†Jason swings his sword about, red energy morphing it. “We’re the--,“

“POWER RANGERS!†the team shouts as they pose with their weapons. The Evil Rangers march up the steps toward the Rangers. The Power Rangers march down the steps to face their doubles. They meet their doubles at a landing in the middle of the stairs.

“That was a cute little show you put on there,†Evil Black quips.

“Stick around for the encore. It’s gonna be a blast,†Zack replies. Quickly, he flips his axe around and slides a section from the middle down to the bottom, forming a cannon.

“Well, well, well. Looks like there isn’t enough room in this city for the both of me,†Kim tells Evil Pink.

“And you’re going to do something about it?†Evil Pink tries to slap Kim across the helmet.

Kim blocks with the arm that doesn’t hold her Bow. “You talk too much†Kim replies.

“Touch me again and I’ll rip your dimples off--,“

Kim interrupts Evil Pink with a slap across the faceplate. “I said you talk too muchâ€.

“Did you come here looking for a fight?†Evil Blue asks Billy.

“I’ve come here looking for an end. I found yours,†Billy replies as he shows Evil Blue his Lance.

“Hey there, smart girl. What brings you here? Wait, let me guess. You’ve come to dazzle me with your intellect, or perhaps help me with my homework?†Evil Yellow asks Trini.

“No actually, I think I’ll just knock your lights out,†Trini answers as she spins her Daggers around and poses with them.

“You really think your new toys are going to help you win this?†Evil Red questions Jason.

“You can run away as fast as you’d like. You can change your name and demand everybody treat you like you’re a real Ranger. But you’ll never be me. At the very most you can only hope to be a pathetic second,†Jason replies. “And I’m about to show you what you can be at the very least†as he raises his sword, poised to attack.

Zack fires a blast from his cannon. Evil Black back flips down the steps to avoid the blast. Evil Pink throws a high kick that Kim ducks, sweeping Evil Pink onto her back. Evil Blue throws a punch that Billy dodges. Evil Blue tries to sweep Billy who hops over the kick. Evil Blue grabs Billy’s Lance and the two fight to keep it for themselves.

Trini tackles Evil Yellow and the 2 Rangers roll down the steps to the ground below. Evil Red throws a back fist that Jason avoids, then throws a front kick that knocks Evil Red down the stairs. Jason jumps down at him, slicing in a downward motion with his sword. Evil Red somersaults out of the way.

“It’s a good thing you got that Axe. You’re gonna need it,†Evil Black throws a front kick that Zack kicks away, using the same leg to throw a side kick that knocks Evil Black down the stairs. Zack jumps down and lands beside Evil Black who kips up to his feet.

Zack switches his Cannon back to Axe mode. “What do you say we bury the hatchet?†Zack strikes at his double horizontally and Evil Black side steps the blow then spin kicks the Axe out of Zack’s hands and jump kicks Zack in the stomach.

“Didn’t Zordon teach you to share?†Evil Black and Zack both dive for the Axe and wrestle for control of it.

Evil Red draws his pistol and fires at Jason who blocks the red beam with his sword. The laser charges the blade and Jason swings the sword out, sending the energy back at his double. The beam races toward Evil Red who somersaults out of the way just as the beam makes impact with the ground, causing a burst of sparks.

Evil Blue pulls the Lance away from Billy and slashes him across the chest with it, knocking him back with a shower of sparks. Evil Blue stands above the fallen Billy. “You’ve found the end all right……yours!†Evil Blue stabs down at Billy’s helmet with the Lance.

Billy catches the blade between his hands before it makes contact. “You seem to be confused about what exactly an ‘end’ is. Allow me to show youâ€.

Billy thrusts the Lance upward, striking Evil Blue in the face plate with the other end of the Lance. In a burst of sparks, the 2 Rangers are separated and Billy has regained possession of his weapon. Billy looks up the steps of the observatory to see the same Odd Man that was around for the last encounter they had with their doubles. Billy gets to his feet and runs after the man.

Zack sees Billy run off as he continues to wrestle with Evil Black for his Axe. “Billy! Don’t run this time! We need you here for this fight!†Zack cries.

“You fight your way……,†Billy runs after the Odd Man who tries to escape. Evil Black lets go of the Axe, and though possession of the weapon has returned to Zack, he is thrown off balance and Evil Black takes the opportunity to jump in the air and drop kick Zack to the ground.

Kim slashes at Evil Pink with her Bow but Evil Pink side steps the strike. Kim uses the arrow she holds in her other hand to stab Evil Pink in the chest with a resulting burst of spark. Kim swings at her again with the arrow but Evil Pink avoids the attack by going into the splits, then pulls her back leg around and sweeps Kim onto her back. Evil Pink grabs the arrow and mounts Kim who fights to keep the arrow from stabbing her in the face as Evil Pink struggles to complete the attack. “Say uncle!â€

Evil Yellow throws a jump kick that Trini knocks away with the bottom end of her Dagger. Evil Yellow goes into a sweep that knocks Trini down. From the ground Trini looks up to see one Red Ranger get floored by a shoulder throw another, Red Ranger. An Evil Red Ranger.

“Jason, we’re losing the upper hand here. I don’t know if this is going to work,†Trini tells her fallen leader. Evil Yellow uses the diversion to kick Trini in the stomach, sending her rolling across the cement.

“The public wants you dead. And so do we. Majority rules,†Evil Yellow tells Trini who crawls backward, away from her double. Zack throws an elbow forward that strikes his double in the face. Evil Blue knocks Zack down from behind with a high kick.

“Aww, man. What’s Billy doing?†Zack asks as Evil Black and Blue both close in on him.

Billy continues to pursue the Odd Man. He throws his Lance like a spear and trips the man. Billy bends down beside him to pick up his weapon. The Odd Man gets up on his feet. “You’ve been at the scene of every one of our battles with those Evil Rangers. Why am I convinced that’s more than a coincidence?†Billy asks.

“Yes, I was there. And I must say your devotion to leaving your friends to fight your battles is quite impressive,†the Odd Man replies as he and Billy circle each other.

“The Putties maintained their shape thru-out the battle on the rooftop where you stood no less than 4 to 5 meters away. When you watched our battle in the alley at an approximate distance of over 40 meters, they were unable to maintain their Ranger forms after a short period of physical conflict. I wonder how long they’ll keep their shape now that you’re a good distance away,†Billy wonders.

“At present, that is the least of your worries,†the Odd Man lifts his hand and a white beam of light elongates from his palm. It solidifies into the shape of a long, ice pick-like sword with a metal sphere at the bottom.

“I knew it†Billy swings his Lance down at the Odd Man who high blocks with his sword in a horizontal position. Billy fights to force his Lance down toward his opponent.

“You may have grown a backbone, Blue Ranger. Unfortunately it’s as yellow as your female teammate’s uniform,†the Odd Man quips.

“At present, that is the least of your worries,†Billy replies. He swings the lower end of his Lance upward, slashing the Odd Man up the chest with a burst of sparks.

Billy throws a front kick that pushes the Odd Man back, then leaps into the air and jabs forward with his Lance, striking the Odd Man directly in the chest. In a shower of sparks, the Odd Man falls to the ground, and as he rolls away, he reverts to his original form. Picking himself up off the ground, what was once the Odd Man is now a monster suited up in metallic armor whose panels are as reflective as mirrors.

“Your little trick of smoke and mirrors is over,†Billy runs back to rejoin his friends in battle.

Evil Blue and Black jump into the air with side kicks that knock down Zack and Jason. Evil Yellow jumps up and strikes down Trini with a double punch. Kim lays on the middle landing of the stairs with Evil Pink sitting on top of her with her hands around her neck.

“The people of Earth wanted the Ranger’s gone. Looks like they’ll have their wish,†Zack comments as he holds his injured shoulder while on one knee.

Trini watches from the ground as her Evil double approaches her. “I can’t believe it’s going to end like thisâ€.

“GO!!†the cry of a young child rings out over what has become a battle field. The Rangers, both good and evil turn to see Kim’s little brother standing to the side of the battle with his fist in the air.

“Nicky?†Kim is shocked to see her brother standing on the sidelines.

“Go! Go Power Rangers!†Nicky shouts with his fist in the air.

“Go!†Nicky is shocked to hear a voice other than his cheering on the Power Rangers. He’s even more shocked when he turns to his left to see the trio of bullies that had once criticized his faith in the Power Rangers now standing beside him to cheer them on. The trio of boys share a glance with Nicky. The four boys nod and turn back to the battle as other citizens step up behind the boys, raise a fist to the air and join in the show of support.

The crowds voice grows stronger as do their numbers and the amount of fists that rise to the air. “Go Power Rangers! Go Power Rangers! Go! Go Power Rangers! Go! Go Power Rangers!â€

“Oh my god,†Kim weeps beneath her helmet. She forces Evil Pink back with a punch to her helmet, then a kick up into her stomach that knocks her away.

“I don’t believe it,†Jason is equally astonished. Evil Red aims his pistol in Jason’s face who brings his sword up in an upward slash that disarms his foe. He brings 2 slashes in an “X†pattern across Evil Red’s chest then stabs him in the stomach. The resulting shower of sparks throws Evil Red onto his back, reverting him to the form of a Putty.

Evil Black chases Zack toward a tree. Axe in hand, Zack performs a half-twist off of the tree’s trunk. As he twists in the air, Zack cracks his double up the back of the head with his axe, throwing him forward in a burst of sparks. Evil Black slams against the tree and stumbles backward, spinning to face Zack who slashes upward in a diagonal strike that cuts across his chest, throwing him into a spin in the air, and reverting him to a Putty just before hitting the ground.

The crowds cheers dominate the air as they watch the two Pink Ranger’s battle. They see one Pink Ranger throw a left uppercut into the other’s stomach, punch her across the face with her right, dropping her to one knee, then grab the fallen Ranger’s arm and twist it behind her back. The battered Pink Ranger that sits on her knee reaches out a hand. “Trini, help!â€

“Hang on!†Trini brings her Daggers across Evil Yellow’s chest one at a time with an inward motion. Evil Yellow throws a front kick that Trini catches and uses to throw her foe into a back flip, landing her on her stomach. Trini turns and jumps into the air, throwing a punch that floors the dominating Pink Ranger. Trini steps in front of the Pink Ranger she’s just saved. “If you’re hurt just stay behind me and I’ll--,â€

“Hurt?!†the Pink Ranger she saved wraps her hands around Trini’s neck from behind. “Don’t make me laugh!†The 2 Ranger’s spin as they struggle with each other.

“No!†Kim picks up her Bow and the Arrow she carried with it and takes aim. She fires. The arrow hits Evil Pink square in the back. In a shower of sparks, she is thrown down the stairs, reverting to her Putty form as she descends to the ground below.

Kim runs over to Trini. “Trini, are you all right?†Kim asks.

“Yeah, thanks. Sorry about hitting youâ€.

“Are you sure you’re you, Trini?†Kim questions. The 2 girls turn to see Evil Yellow jump at them with a double punch.

“Yeah. Watch this,†Trini spins her Dagger’s and thrusts them at her double. The Daggers spin thru the air and snipe Evil Yellow out of the sky with a shower of sparks. Evil Yellow reverts to Putty form and hit’s the ground.

Jason and Zack regroup with Kim and Trini on the stairs.

“Are you girls okay?†Jason asks.

“Yes, and we’re not girls, we’re women,†Kim jokes. Suddenly, Evil Blue springs thru the air at the 4 Rangers as he draws his pistol. Kim draws he Bow and launches an arrow at him, but he diverts it in a burst of spark with a laser beam, then prepares to blast the Rangers when he is speared out of the air by Billy’s Lance. The Ranger’s look behind them to see Billy standing at the top of the steps.

“Billy!†Trini is excited to see her friend.

“Did you miss me?†Billy asks. Suddenly, Billy is struck from behind in a burst of sparks.

“I didn’t,†the mirror monster laughs as he takes Billy’s place at the top of the stairs. Billy falls down the stairs onto the middle landing. His friends help him to his feet.

Zack runs down and retrieves Billy’s Lance. “Who is that guy?†he asks as he hands Billy his weapon.

“I am Mirror Man. Look to me to see your end, Rangers,†Mirror Man’s sword glows with white light and he swings it, lashing out with a tendril of white energy that whips across the Ranger’s with a burst of sparks that throws them down the rest of the stairs to the ground below. Mirror man jumps down and takes their place on the middle landing.

“And to think I always liked mirrors. Let’s trash this guy,†Kim remarks.

“I’m done fooling around. Let’s bring ‘em together guys!†Jason shouts.

“Right!†Zack and Kim cry, holding up their weapons.

“Morphin!†Billy and Trini shout as they raise their weapons to the sky.

“Ultimate Cannon!†Zack shifted his Axe back to Cannon Mode.

“Battle Bow!†Kim locks her Bow perpendicular to the base of the Cannon.

“Dino Daggers!†Trini locked her Daggers into place under the sides of Kim’s bow, next to the cannon.

“Mighty Mace!†Billy separated his Lance into 2 maces and locked them backwards into place beside Trini’s Daggers.

“Power Sword!†Jason locked his sword atop the Cannon and took hold of it. “Power Blaster!â€

The Rangers position themselves beside and behind Jason, bracing the cannon into a lock on the Mirror Man. “FIRE!†The Rangers cried out in unison as the Cannon was triggered, emitting large streams of energy that sizzled the air it traveled thru.

“Mirror Shield Surrou--!†before the Mirror Man can seal a polygonal deflector shield around himself, the Power Blaster’s attack shattered the weak field of light around the Mirror Man, and strikes him, shattering him as well.

The Rangers disassemble the Blaster, taking possession of their individual Weapons and pose with them.

“Mighty Morphin--,â€Jason begins. The team finishes the battle cry together “--POWER RANGERS!â€

Young Nicky rushes to meet his heroes, as do the other civilians. Kim picks up her 4 year-old brother.

“The Power Rangers are good guys,†Nicky says. Kim nods, careful not to speak and reveal her identity.

“Thank you, Rangers,†a man thanks Zack, shaking his hands.

“It’s horrible how those evil Power Rangers framed you,†an elderly woman tells Trini.

“Nicky!†Kim’s mother rushes thru the crowd as Kim sets down her brother.

“Mom!†Mother and child throw their arms around each other. “Mom. My idea was right. Wait till Kimmy finds outâ€.

“Thank you, Power Rangers. If it weren’t for you, my son might not be safe right now,†Kim’s mother expresses her gratefulness. The Rangers look to ach other, nod, then walk to the top of the stairs.

Stacy the news reporter, and Frank the cameraman are there filming as they see the Rangers wave to the crowd, then take hold of their morpher’s and teleport away.

Angel Grove.
The Gym & Juice Bar.

Kim, Zack, & Trini sit at a table and watch as Jason and Billy stand side-by-side in the gym, Billy following Jason thru a martial arts kata.

Ernie brings a tray full of smoothies and sub sandwiches to their table. “Here you go, guys. On the houseâ€

“Thanks, Ernie,†Trini says.

“Hey, look at that,†Ernie takes notice of Billy training with Jason. He has greatly improved since the last time Ernie saw him practice. “You were right, Zack. Jason’s guidance seems to have done a lot for himâ€.

“Jason is an excellent leader,†Trini winks at Kim.

“I’ll say,†Ernie replies. “Billy looks like a brand new manâ€.

“No he doesn’t†Bulk interjects, with Skull in tow.

“Bulk, man, trust me. If you even think about causing trouble you’re gonna leave here wearing your smoothie,†Zack warns.

“I think that’s pretty much a guarantee with these guys no matter what they’re up to,†Kim laughs.

Bulk mocks Kim’s laughter then turns around and makes his way over to Jason and Billy. Skull follows with his own smoothie in hand.

“So, you’re a new man, huh?†Bulk asks Billy.

“Fellas, this isn’t about what you are, it’s about how and who you are,†Billy replies. Jason reaches out and touches fists with Billy as a show of commendation for his newfound courage.

“Well, that’s very interesting. But I personally don’t need goggles like yours to see that you’re nothing but a nerd, always will be,†Bulk spits.

“Yeah. Always will be, ya nerd!†Skull mimics as he steps up behind Billy.

“That does it. Those punks are out of here--,“ Ernie stops when Trini grabs his arm.

“Ernie, no. Billy will handle this,†Trini turns back to the scene of the conflict and shares a glance with Billy just like the one she gave him in the park the night of the comet crash after being insulted by Bulk & Skull. He recalls the words she said to encourage him.

“Bulk,†Billy began. “If what either of you had to say mattered to anyone, youâ€ds than just each other,†Trini smiles with pride that reaches out and warms Billy’s heart.

“What?!†Bulk’s face turns red with fury. Bulk uses his free hand to throw a punch at Billy’s face, who manages to somersault out of the way in time for Bulk’s fist to strike the base of Skull’s tall cup, throwing the top forward. Skull’s smoothie practically exploded all over Bulk.

“Perhaps you two fellas should consider enrolling in Jason’s karate class,†Billy commented.

“B-B-Bulky†Skull stutters. “He moved. It’s not my fault. He moved!†Bulk set his cup down rather daintily on the floor then proceeds to chase Skull out of the building with a mad fervor.

“Wow. And the mess takes itself out,†Ernie says.

“Listen, Ernie, we’re really glad to see the Juice Bar up and running again. You’ve been around a long time, and things wouldn’t have been the same if this place closed it’s doors for too long,†Kim tells Ernie.

“Thanks, Kim,†Ernie responds. “Yeah, I’m really glad to have the Juice Bar open for business again, too. But, now that you mention it, it looks like the Power Ranger’s are the one’s we all are in debt to. They took out the copycat Power Rangers, and I’ve seen them on the news a couple times helping out with clean up, and relief and stuff. Looks like Angel Grove will be back in tip-top condition in no timeâ€.

“Yes, the Power Rangers definitely got a bad rap,†Trini adds.

“Not from me, though. No, ma’am. I knew this whole time there was nothing to worry about. And here everyone was, sweating it over this whole thing. I tell ya, some people overreact to the most minor things. Glad I’m not like that,†Ernie says.

“Oh yeah, right, Ernie. All that crying about the comet crash. If you weren’t worried, then I’m a Power Ranger,†Zack laughs. Kim & Trini’s eyes move like a hawk’s toward Zack who may have violated one of the 3 rules of Ranger-dom. The girls look up at Ernie for his reaction and are relieved to see him burst into laughter. The girls feign amusement and join in with forced laughter.

“Good one, Zack!†Ernie pats Zack on the back, then laughs his way back around the bar. Kim and Trini drop their act and stare Zack down with distain.

“Yeah, good one, Zack!†Kim mocks. She and Trini reach up and slap Zack upside the head at the same time.

“Whoa, what did we miss?†Jason asked.

“Trust me,†Zack says as he rubs the back of his head. “You don’t want to know, oww. Hey, what’d I say about the hitting? Why do girls hit?â€

Kim and Trini roll their eyes as they shake their heads, then drop their foreheads down to the table top.

Zack is confused, but settles it at that. He shrugs “Hmph. Womenâ€

THE END

 

[TSoldier]

Episode 5:

ONCE LOVED

Angel Grove.
Day.

A motorcycle roars aloud as it maneuvers a winding road. The motorcycle drives up to a ledge overlooking the Angel Grove Regional Trails, where the bike stops and its 2 riders hop off. Jason removes his helmet, and then turns to Kim as she removes hers.

“You’re an excellent passenger,†Jason remarks.

“How’s my hair?†Kim asks.

“You look great†Jason answers. Kim smiles at his compliment, and Jason responds with an involuntary blush. He moves over to the rocky ledge and Kim joins him where, together, they survey the valley that is a grand mixture of lush landscape, surrounded by dry, desert-like land.

“It really is great to look at,†Jason observes.

“Jason, thank you!†Kim jokes. “So are you, stud,†she says as she pinches his cheek. The pinch reddens Jason’s cheek, but not as much as the flush from Kimberly’s smooth, feminine touch on his face. His mind races; all at once he enjoys the touch of the lovely girl. He knows she was joking with him, but frantically tries to decide whether or not there was anything more to her comment. He hopes so.

“Are you okay, Jase?†Kim’s question snaps Jason back to reality.

“Yeah,†he quickly replies. “Yeah. , Um, listen Kim--†Jason chuckles for a second with nervousness.

“Okay, Jase, you’re kind of giving me a complex here,†Kim interrupts.

“I just wanted you to know how sorry I am about what happened during the Mayor’s abduction,†Jason managed to say.

“It’s okay, Jase. You’re the leader, and you did what you felt had to be done to reach a happy ending. Nobody died, and the majority of the public trusts the Power Ranger’s now. I’d say that’s a happy ending,†Kim responds. “Okay?â€

“Okay,†Jason answers. There is a moment of silence left between them. “You know I’d never hurt you, right?â€

“Yeah, Jason. I know. But…to be honest, I thought the same thing before you……hit me,†Kim confesses as she looks down at her pink boots. Jason is taken off guard by Kim’s confession.

“Kim, I--,“

“It really is great to look at,†Kim interrupts with a play on Jason’s own words, meant to avoid carrying on with the subject matter.

There is only silence for a moment that feels like an eternity. Jason feels like he has more to say, and were he even to know what to say he is robbed of the chance when that silence is betrayed by a brief mechanical beeping. Jason pulls back the left sleeve of his black leather jacket, revealing a metallic wrist communicator.

Billy’s voice comes in over the communicator. “Jason, do you read me?â€

Jason presses the yellow button on the communicator. “This is Jason. I read you loud and clear, buddyâ€.

“Great. The high-resolution and functionality of my newest invention is remarkable,†Billy observes.

“Yeah, these communicator’s are great. Now we can get in touch with each other anywhere,†Jason adds.

“Well, perhaps not anywhere,†Billy clarifies. “In any case, I’ll ask that you return to my lab now so that Alpha can begin equipping them with a link to the Command Center’s computer’sâ€.

“Sure thing, Billy. We’re on our way,†Jason and Kim retrieve their helmet’s and are soon back on the road.

The Moon.
Rita’s Palace.

The image of Jason riding away on his motorcycle with Kim sitting behind him is relayed back to Rita thru her Repulsa-Scope.

“Aww, how cute? Those 2 reluctant lovebirds out for a stroll. That reminds me of my last boyfriend. Oh, how he fawned over me. He devoted his entire undead life to seeing that I was satisfied……until I caught him getting friendly with that sea-faring hussy Divatox. Talk about a wench! But I held him to his word, though. He said he wanted to be with me forever, and he got his wishâ€.

Rita taps the end of her wand against the ground and the garnet orb near the top of it begins to glow. From it floats a glass-like orb filled with blood.

“It’s been over 10,000 years now, thanks to that fat-headed, bag of wind Zordon,†Rita curses as what appears to be small hands pressed against the inside of the orb from within the red fluid.

“You think old Bones would have known better than to backstab the wickedest of the wicked,†Squatt said.

“Exactly,†Rita hissed. “But, he did spend all that time pleading with me to allow him the chance to make it up to me. A shame I had to take his flesh from him. Now he really is just bones, ha! But, I’m feeling generous, after being freed from centuries of captivity. Perhaps it’s time to pass on the favor. In turn, he can fulfill his promise to me to do whatever it takes to get back on my bad side. Today’s your lucky dayâ€.

Rita throws the orb to the ground. It shatters like glass, releasing a puddle of blood that spills out on the ground between her, Squatt and Baboo.

“Oh my, that blood sure looks tasty! Perhaps I’ll get to drink it up once this is over,†Baboo ponders aloud.

From the blood rises a monstrous figure. In fact, it is a monster, one made off bones, befitting of his name. Atop his skull sits a hat. A cape drapes down his back. He wields a sword.

“Ahh, Rita Repulsa, it is a distinct horror to be in your presence once again. I thank you for your forgiveness,†Bones says as he kneels before Rita.

“As I said, today is your lucky day. I’ve decided to collect on your offer to redeem yourself for your indiscretions,†Rita begins.

“Certainly, oh Maiden of malevolence,†Bones voice is ghost-like and chilling.

“Good, good. Now, your task will be to destroy the Power Rangers. They are on Earth, in Angel Grove to be exact,†Rita informs him.

“But, Empress. Is that not the residence of the sage Zordo--,†Rita interrupts her undead ex-lover.

“That is neither here nor there. I plan to wipe out Zordon and his beloved town, but his Rangers have prevented from doing so, and until I can get rid of them, I won’t be able to exact my revenge on the big blue head,†Rita explains.

“I am devoted to redeeming myself in your evil eyes, Empress. I will go now and eradicate the menace that is the Power Rangers,†Bones disappears in a scattering of purple energy strands.

“Um, Rita?â€

“What is it, Baboo?†Rita asks.

“About this yummy puddle of blood--â€.

Angel Grove.
Billy’s Lab.

Billy moves about his garage, which doubles as his lab.

Trini stands about with a look of preoccupation. “Billy, I’m a little worried. It’s been a couple weeks since Rita inflicted her brand of terror on the worldâ€.

“I understand your dilemma,†Billy begins. “I, too, am anticipating Rita’s next move. I doubt someone that wicked is very happy about Jason duping her lead warrior as he didâ€.

“Let’s contact Jason. Just to make sure he’s okay,†Trini proposes. Billy walks over to a table and picks up a communicator.

A wooded area on the outskirts of Angel Grove.

Kim leans up against Jason’s parked motorcycle. She is alone. She hears the alert from Jason’s communicator that is set on top of the bike. She picks it up. “This is Kimberly. Am I doing this right?â€

“Hey, Kim,†Trini’s voice comes over the device. “Just checking in on you guysâ€.

“We’re fine. We made a pit stop so Jason could go water a tree, but we should be back at Billy’s place in a bit,†Kim replies.

Trini sighs with relief. “Okay, Kim. We’ll see you in a little bitâ€.

“Okay. See ya,†Kim sets down the communicator and continues to wait. She begins to stir as she worries about Jason’s well-being. After his ruse that made the escape of the Mayor and the Astronaut’s of the Explorer 7 mission possible, she’s thought about the things a witch like Rita might do for pay back. She worries about Jason.

“Hey, Jase,†Kim calls out. No response. She’s not eager to interrupt Jason’s business but her desire for Jason’s well-being takes the best of her. She heads off into the woods.

Moments later, Jason returns to his motorcycle, taking notice Kim is gone.

“Guess she needed to make a pit-stop, too, after all,†Jason puts on his communicator, helmet, gets on the bike and starts it up. He sits atop the running vehicle waiting for his friend, thinking about their earlier discussion and how hurt he was that she was hurt by his actions weeks ago.

Jason feels the weight of someone mounting his motorcycle behind him.

“Finally,†Jason continues on his way back to Billy’s house. He continues to maneuver the winding road as his mind moves on it’s own winding trail. He’s upset about the way he and Kim left things. He leads the Power Ranger team, and thusly requires strength. He applies that strength now.

“Kim. I really like you. I wanted to say that for a long time,†the wind sheer threatens to drown out his voice, but a part of him that is scared convinces him not to worry about speaking any louder. “Do you like me, too?â€

There is a moment where words are gone. He is half-frustrated that his words have gone unheard, and half-relieved.

“Does this answer your question?†the phantom-like voice in his ear chills Jason to the bone, ironically, as he looks down thru the visor on his helmet to see two skeletal hands holding his waist.

“What the--?!,†Jason feels one of the skeletal arms around his waist rise and reach around his neck from behind, strangling him. Jason tries shooting elbows back into the skeletal creature behind him as it uses the other hand to try to remove his helmet.

The commotion causes Jason to lose control. The bike hit’s the concrete at high speed and tumbles beside Jason in a shower of sparks. The crash throws Bones into the air, who teleports away before hitting the ground. Both Jason and the Bike come to rest near cliff side, among rock and shrubbery.

Jason wearily climbs to his feet, spared any major injury by his well-trained body, the tough hide of his leather jacket, and his helmet. Jason searches for the communicator.

“Looking for this?†Bones voice startles Jason, who looks up to see Bones holding the communicator.

Jason removes and throws down his helmet. “You half-dead creep! Give me the communicator or your going to be all-dead!â€

“If you’re that anxious to deal with death, Power Ranger, you will be pleased to find that you are about to be obliged,†Bones quips as he raises his sword.

“Whatever killed you isn’t too much of a mystery,†Kim’s voice draws Bones attention as he turns around to see the Pink Ranger marching toward him, Bow in hand. “Ego seems to be your worst disease,†she adds as she takes aim with an arrow.

Bones marches forward to meet Pink Ranger in battle. She fires an arrow that strikes his hat, knocking it to the pavement.

“Your aim is deplorable,†Bones says as he turns back and leans, down to grab his hat.

“I beg to differ†Kim capitalizes on her premeditated distraction and leaps forward, ripping the communicator out of his undead hand. She somersaults over to Jason and hands him the communicator. “Are you okay? Zordon pulled me into the Command Center and told me what happenedâ€.

“Yeah. I’m okay. Why wasn’t I teleported there too?†Jason asks.

“The teleport would have brought this Bones guy with you,†Kim answers as she turns around and draw back the string of her bow, loaded with another arrow. Bones pulls the arrow from his hat, tosses it aside and puts the hat back on his skull.

“If it is fear you are experiencing, you are correct to be undergoing that emotion,†Bones comments. Glowing spheres of energy resembling eyeballs appear in his eye sockets. He points at the Rangers as Jason draws his morpher. The energy eyes jettison forth. Pink Ranger turns and jumps on Jason, shielding him with her own body as the energy blasts strike her in the back with a shower of sparks. The two Rangers roll toward the edge of the cliff with Pink Ranger landing on top of Jason.

“Is that a morpher in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?†Pink Ranger asks as she gets up, lifting Jason up by the arm. “Care to join me?â€

Bones runs at the two Rangers.

Jason pulls his morpher from it’s holder, clipped to the back of his belt. “It’s Morphin’ Time! Tyrannosaurus!†Red and Pink Ranger’s pose together in fighting stances as Bones closes in.

Bones fires another pair of optic blasts at the Rangers, who somersault away from the cliff as the blasts sail over it. The two Rangers recover and circle the monster who holds his sword at the ready. He stabs toward the Red Ranger who side steps the strike and moves away with a series of back-handsprings, landing beside Pink Ranger who takes aim with her Bow and arrow.

“Make a move, bonehead. Please,†Pink Ranger antagonizes. She and Red Ranger ready their Blade Blasters.

“You underestimate me, Rangers. It will take more than 2 Ranger’s to defeat me,†Bones challenges.

“How about 4?,†Billy’s voice is accompanied by the sound of his Lance being pulled into twin Maces. Yellow Ranger walks forward beside him, brandishing her twin Daggers.

Bones fires yet another optic blast at Blue and Yellow Ranger’s who leap into the air. The blasts hit the pavement with a burst of sparks and the Blue and Yellow Ranger’s stab into Bones’ bony body with their weapons. The combined force of the attacks throws off sparks as Bones is thrown backward. His body rolls toward the cliff, followed by his detached skull.

“His head…,†Blue Ranger takes notice as Bones body rises to his feet at the cliffs edge and fumbles around for his skull.

“Now! While he’s distracted!†Red Ranger orders. “Flame Blasters, up!†Blue and Yellow Ranger’s unsheathe their Blade Blasters as they, alongside Red and Pink Ranger’s who regroup with them, switch the weapons to Flame Blaster-mode. “Fire!â€

Bones finds his head and replaces it just as the red lasers from the ranger’s guns hit him. In a shower of sparks, Bones falls over the cliff. The rangers run to the cliff’s edge in time to see Bones hit the ground feet first, crumbling into a pile of bones and a cape. His sword spears into the ground next to the pile.

“He was all bones, and no brains,†Pink Ranger comments.

The Command Center.

Jason, Billy, Kim and Trini stand before Zordon in their civilian clothes.

“Congratulations on a successful team effort, Rangers,†Zordon tells his pupils.

A black streak of light deposits Zack amongst his teammates. “What did I miss?â€

“Where have you been?,†Jason asks.

“I was teaching my first hip-hop kido class. I finished up early so Zordon could bring me in as soon as possible,†Zack answers.

“A monster named Bones attacked Jason on the edge of town. The other Rangers were successful in defeating him,†Alpha answered.

“Aww, man. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help,†Zack says to Jason.

“It’s okay. Once these communicator’s are finished we won’t have to worry about that problem,†Jason says as he hands his communicator to Alpha.

“Yes. I will get work on the communicator’s right away†Alpha says.

“We are also in the midst of recalibrating the sensor array. The computer’s had a rather difficult time detecting Bones’ threat,†Zordon explains.

“The half-complete status of Bones’ livelihood no doubt is the contributing factor to the problems with detecting his presence,†Billy suggests.

The alarms in the Command Center suddenly engage.

“I guess this is a bad time to suggest some R & R?†Zack quips.

“Rangers, behold the Viewing Globe,†Zordon instructs. The Rangers move to the Viewing Globe and watch as civilians occupying the Fairgrounds run in mass for their lives. “The computer has detected alien life forms threatening the public gathered at the Angel Grove Fairgroundsâ€.

“I guess Rita’s trying to make up for the job Bones couldn’t get done,†Trini conjectures.

“Let’s morph and hang te--,†Zack is interrupted by Zordon.

“I believe it to be wise for you Rangers to attempt to handle this conflict on your own. By refraining from morphing, you will better accustom yourselves with handling these types of situations without the Power, should you be forced into a similar situation later by Ritaâ€.

“You guys, look. There are people still trapped on the rides,†Trini points out.

“Alpha, I know the sensor array is in the middle of being worked on, but the teleportation unit is still working right?,†Jason asks his robotic associate.

“For the most part. The sensor array specifies the target of the teleporter. At it’s current state it is capable of general sensor functionsâ€.

“All right. Hopefully that means you can target any humans trapped on the rides. We’ll need you to teleport them to safety. That goes for any stragglers, too,†Jason orders.

“Right,†Alpha affirms.

“I’m playing too this time,†Zack says. Jason and Zack touch fists.

“Wait!†Alpha leaves the ring of computers for a moment and returns carrying a display stand that holds the 5 Ranger’s weapons in unmorphed, civilian mode. “Because you will be taking the opportunity to handle a situation without the morph, perhaps you should also use this time to work with your new weapons when they are unmorphed and in civilian modeâ€.

“Excellent idea, Alpha 5,†Zordon commends his assistant. “The time to ponder has passed. You are needed Rangersâ€.

“I will teleport you there now, then. By the time you return I should almost be finished with the communicators,†Alpha tells the Rangers.

“Alpha will teleport the civilians who are being threatened by this situation. Remember that it is your tasks to address the threat itself. Good luck, Rangers,†Zordon says. Alpha activates the teleport and the Rangers disappear in streaks of their respective colors.

Angel Grove Fairgrounds.

White streaks of light fire into the sky from inside and atopthe various rides in the park, liberating the civilians from possible injury. Among the white lights streaking upward into the sky, 5 streaks of colored light move down into the park, depositing the Ranger teens. Zack, Kim, Billy, Trini, and Jason hold their unmorphed weapons, as they look up into the sky to watch Alpha teleport the civilians away.

“Way to go, Alpha,†Kim comments.

“Yeah, he did great. Now we’ve got to make sure the threat is over,†Jason says. He and his team move quietly thru the park, sliding around the sides of rides and exhibits, searching for any sign of trouble. They find it.

The Rangers stumble upon the scene of 4 Putties facing away from them, lurking just outside of the Funhouse of Mirrors.

“Look, Putties. They must be the threat Zordon detected,†Billy extrapolates.

“Try to stay quiet guys. They look like they’re up to something. We’ll wait here and try to find out what they’re up to,†Jason says.

“Umm, Jason, perhaps now would be an opportune time to begin getting accustomed to fighting with our weapons in civilian form,†Billy suggests in a somewhat frightened tone.

“Nah, man. Let’s chill for a minute and get the low down on these guys. We’ll be okay for a while. This is perfect camouflage,†Zack says.

Trini tugs on Zack and Jason’s shirts. “Uh, it was……about 10 seconds ago,†she says nervously. Kim, Zack and Jason turn to see what Billy and Trini are reacting to. Another squad of 4 Putties closes in on the Rangers from behind. Their localized blubbering alerts the other 4 Putties who also close in.
“Guys, maybe we should morph,†Kim suggests as fear takes her.

“No, not yet. Zordon said we should learn to handle things on our own until we need the Power,†Jason reminds Kim.

“Oh, right. Okay then. Everybody be careful and watch each other’s backs, as well as your own,†Kim says.

“Let’s go!†Jason orders. The Rangers spread out to make room for the fight. Billy snaps his Lance into sections, forming 2 Maces. Kim pulls her Bow from it‘s diagonal position over her shoulders.

Zack uses his Axe to block a high kick from a Putty. The Putty throws a wide outer crescent kick that Zack dodges by leaning back and balancing himself with a hand on the ground. He recovers, then goes immediately into a front flip, swinging his Axe while in the tuck formation. The Putty somersaults out of the way as the Axe chops down into the ground where it stood. The Axe’s blade sticks into the ground, but before Zack can pull it out, the Putty kicks his wrist, forcing Zack back. He assumes a fight stance.

“Hiya!†Trini throws a high kick that hits a Putty in the head, then slashes it across the chest in a burst of sparks with one of her Daggers, flooring it. She turns to her left to see a blade-armed Putty creeping around a concession stand to get the jump on Billy who is maneuvering around the attack of a Putty himself.

Trini throws her Daggers with skill. They spike into the wall at either side of the Putty’s head. She and the Putty sprint toward each other. She hits it with a high kick that throws him back between the Daggers. It rushes at her again but somersaults under her punch, stands behind her and then chases her as she heads toward her Daggers, her long back hair trailing behind her.

The Putty thrusts forward with it’s blade arm and Trini jumps up to the wall, grabbing her Daggers, using them to perform a hand stand on. The Putty’s blade sticks in the wall below her as Trini brings her legs down to the wall and pushes off, taking her Daggers with her. She lands behind the stuck Putty and charges at it. It throws a backhand with its free hand that she ducks. She back slashes him across the face with a Dagger, throwing sparks.

Kim and a Putty rush at each other. The Putty throws a front kick and Kim performs a half-twist that carries her over the Putty, as she hooks the Putty’s head in the inside of her Bow. As she lands, the string of her Bow pulls the Putty back by the neck as Kim lifts a knee up to the back of it’s head. It pitches forward to the ground quickly as Kim pulls her Bow loose from around his head. She turns and poses in a fight stance.

A Putty throws a high left kick at Billy who swings his right arm, slapping the kick away with one of his Maces. Billy swings the Mace back at the Putty who ducks the attack. Billy stabs the Maces into the ground and uses his arms to lift himself up on the ends of the Mace‘s, performing a front kick that strikes the Putty in the face.

In the background, Zack takes on 2 Putties at once in his signature Hip-Hop Kido fighting styles. In the foreground, Jason comes out of a 1-handed round-off, carrying his Sword in his free hand. 3 Putties come out of gymnastics layouts and land around Jason. One Putty throws a punch that Jason deflects with an outer crescent kick, then slashes the Putty across the chest with his sword. The Putty falls back in a burst of sparks as Jason is punched in the side by another Putty. Jason swings at the Putty with his sword, but it grabs Jason by the wrist and throws him on his back, while taking his Sword.

The Putty stands above Jason and spins the sword, now holding it upside down. It moves to stab Jason but is stopped when it is hit in the back by an arrow. The Putty is thrown back in a burst of sparks as Jason’s Sword goes spinning up into the air. Jason turns to Kim and gives her a thumbs up. She winks back. The 3rd Putty rushes at Jason who catches the airborne Sword and spinning back slashes the Putty to the ground in more sparks.

The 5 teens regroup as the 8 fallen Putties around them disappear.

“It would appear that the threat has been averted,†Billy says.

“Looks have a tendency to deceive,†a ghost-like voice startles the Ranger’s who turn to find themselves facing…

“Bones,†Jason identifies the menace as the teens assume fighting stances.

“This is the bonehead that attacked you?†Zack asked Jason.

“This is a Fairground, Ranger. Am I to assume you’ve come to play?†Bones asks.

“Assume this!†Jason shouts. The Rangers charge forward with their weapons. Jason attacks with his Sword but is quickly dismissed by Bones who parries the blade with his own. Zack lifts his Axe to strike but finds himself ducking instead when Bones lashes out at him with his sword. Billy locks his maces together into a Lance as Trini and Kim jump in the air. Trini throws a Dagger as Kim fires an Arrow, both weapons hitting Bones square in the chest with a shower of sparks. Zack slashes Bones in the back with his Axe.

The Rangers regroup in front of Bones.

“Had enough?†Zack asks.

“Oh, not quite. You see, Rangers, I myself am looking to play. However, I prefer to play on my turf!†Bones spins his sword upside down and stabs the blade into the ground. The blade glows purple and jettisons energy toward each Ranger.

“It’s Morphin’ Time!†Jason cries.

The Rangers switch their weapon(s) over into one hand and throw the other one behind them, pulling their morpher’s from the clip on the back of their belts.

“Mastodon!â€
“Pterodactyl!â€
“Triceratops!â€
â€Saber-Tooth Tiger!â€
“Tyrannosaurus!â€

Now in ranger form, the Rangers jump high into the air to avoid the ground strike, only to find the effort futile when the purple power explodes from the ground and strikes them in the air, teleporting them away in a scattering of purple energy strands.

The Dead Dimension.

The Rangers appear in the air out of flashes of purple light and fall to the ground. They are near the base of a dry hill. Small flows of lava run around them in a network, exuding heat so intense that it is tangible in the air. The sky above is solid black.

“Is everyone all right?,†Red Ranger gets up to his feet and looks to his team. They too rise to their feet and nod in affirmation.

“Where are we?,†Black Ranger asks.

“My playground,†once again Bones voice interjects. The Rangers turn to see him appear before them. “You’re on the edge of a volcano. In a place where the mummies meet the day. You are in the Dead Dimension nowâ€.

“Why is it called th--?†Black Ranger finds his answer before he can finish asking the question when a hand reaches up from the ground beneath him. The flesh is rotted. “Ohâ€

“Gross. I am so done with the undead,†Pink Ranger says.

“I know what you mean. Power Blaster, guys!,†Jason shouts.

“Right!†the team answers in unison.

“Power Axe!†Black Ranger cries.

“Power Axe? I like it. Power Bow!,†Pink Ranger shouts as she contributed her morphed weapon.

“I’m with ya’! Power Daggers!†Yellow Ranger adds her daggers to the mix.

“Prodigious! Power Lance!†Blue Ranger snaps his lance into 2 Maces and loads them up.

“Power Sword!†Red Ranger affixes his Sword to the weapon as his team gathers around.

“Fire!†the Rangers shout and the Blaster releases what might be described as brilliance in energy form. The power beams sear thru the air until they reach their mark. The blasts hit Bones’ body and detonate, incinerating some bones, while scattering fragments of others.

The skull rolls backward across the dry ground.

“Eww!†Pink Ranger kicks away an undead arm reaching for her leg as undead zombies approach the group from behind.

“Yeah!†Red Ranger shouts as he high fives Yellow Ranger.

“We did it!†Yellow Ranger exclaims.

“I recommend postponing the high fives until you’ve found an appropriate time for celebration,†Bones voice echoes.

“I don’t believe it,†Pink Ranger says as the Ranger’s look to see Bones skull fly back toward them, stopping just behind his fallen hat as his remaining charred Bones gather beneath the skull among purple energy that coalesces into new bones for the monster’s body. He reaches down for his hat and places hit atop his skull.

“Need I remind you, Rangers, that you are in a place called the Dead Dimension? And you cannot kill what is already dead. I was spawned here, after all,†Bones tells the teens.

“Then it’s a fitting place for your burial,†Blue Ranger counters.

“Billy, hold off on the machismo till we figure out how to reset this guys clock,†Red Ranger says.

“I believe I know the way to achieve victory,†Blue Ranger begins.

“Awesome, Billy. How?†Yellow Ranger asks.

“I believe we need to focus on his head--“ Blue Ranger is interrupted when sever undead zombies ravenously ambush the team. Suddenly, the network of lava streams begins to stir. The ground shakes for a moment as smoke bellows from the top of the volcano.

“The Flame Blaster’s didn’t appear to be strong enough to destroy the Bones of his body in our first encounter with the monster!†Blue Ranger shouts as he’s seized by several zombies.

“There’s too many of these guys!†Black Ranger shouts.

“We gotta get out of here before that volcano blows! I’m not too anxious to find out if our suits can handle that!†Red Ranger shouts over the geological disturbance.

“An energy charge from his sword brought us here. Perhaps destroying the sword and it’s energy wielding capacities might release us!†Blue Ranger conjectures.

“First things first!†Red Ranger shouts as he holds back a ravenous zombie. He kicks it in the stomach then throws an elbow to it’s temple, flooring it. “We gotta get to that skull!â€

The zombies preoccupy the Red, Black, Blue and Yellow Ranger‘s.

“Guess I’m up!†Pink Ranger fires an arrow, blowing off the head of a zombie trying to bite Yellow Ranger. She turns and rushes Bones who backs away from her, up the side of the volcano, raising his sword.

“You’re not afraid of little old me, are you?†Pink Ranger asks. She leaps into the air. “Hiya!†Pink Ranger fires an arrow at Bones. He swipes at it with his sword but misses, and the arrow snipes Bones in the neck bone, shattering it and dropping the skull. Pink Ranger races up the volcano for the skull but the headless Bones’ slashes her with is sword, sending he rolling down the volcano behind a burst of sparks.

Pink Ranger hits ground level and arms reach up from the ground, restraining her. “Guys, I’m stuck!â€

Blue Ranger spins his Lance in a wide arc, clearing out his zombie attackers. He leaps into the air as Yellow Ranger runs to Pink Ranger at the bottom of the volcano and slashes away the arms that hold her. Bones’ skull sees Blue Ranger coming and his body slashes at him. Blue Ranger blocks the cut with his Lance and front kicks the body away for a moment, just long enough to pick up the head.

“Now you see me--“ Blue Ranger holds the skull before him as he grabs the cape. Before he can wrap it around the skull, Bones laughs wickedly and releases an optic blast that throws Blue Ranger down the side of the volcano. He hits the ground as hands reach up and restrain him as they do Pink Ranger, once again.

“Hang on, guys! I’ll cut you free!†Yellow Ranger shouts.

“No! You got to do this now or we’re toast! And I don’t like toast! Well, French toast I do, but you know what I mean,†Pink Ranger picks up Bones head.

“Use the cape to blind him!†Blue Ranger instructs as he fights against a wave of zombies with his Lance and sudden outbursts of martial arts strikes.

“Now you see me--“ Pink Ranger wraps the skull up as more hands restrain her legs. “Trini, head up!†She throws the skull to the Yellow Ranger.

“Got it!†Yellow Ranger slashes back a zombie with her Dagger, then sprints up to the top of the volcano, as the tremors intensify. “Why is it always heights?â€

“Where are you, Ranger? I will incinerate you with my--“

“So long, bonehead!†Yellow Ranger thrusts the draped skull down into the volcano. Bones’ headless body drops, then explodes.

The Red and Black Ranger’s draw their Flame Blasters and fire, freeing themselves momentarily. Black Ranger is captured again by a group of crazed zombies.

“Jase, you got to get the sword, man!†Black Ranger shouts from within a pile of zombies. Red lasers shoot out from their bodies, and several of them drop from around Black Ranger whose Flame Blaster is responsible for the outburst of energy.

“Right! Now where is it?,†Red Ranger looks over to see Bones sword standing blade first in the dirt. He dives for it, pulling it free. “Trini, coming your way!†he tries to throw the sword to her but fumbles when hands rise up from the dry ground and grab him.

“Kimberly!†Red Ranger manages to throw the sword to Pink Ranger who is on one knee as she does away with a zombie with a swipe of one end of her Bow.

Pink Ranger picks up the sword just before a hand pops up to grab it, holds her Bow horizontally, then places the sword on top, drawing it back with her bow string.

“Now!†Red Ranger orders.

“I aim to please!†Pink Ranger aims and fires the sword up the volcano. Yellow Ranger watches it sail over the rim of the volcano and into the lava. The black sky begins to glow purple until the glows intensity consumes the Rangers.

The Moon.
Rita’s Palace.

Rita watches in her Repulsa-Scope as the Rangers reappear in the Fairgrounds. “Those Power Brats have ruined my plans once again! That bonehead Bones can’t do anything right!â€

Baboo and Squatt cower in fear of Rita’s anger.

“Well, the Moon was in retrograde--,†Baboo is interrupted by Rita.

“Shut up, Bat-face! The next person to utter anything will be turned into an Octavian Slime Toad!†Rita yells.

Baboo and Squatt run their fingers over their mouth as if to zip their lips.

“Those stupid teenagers! Now I have a headache!†Rita screams.

Angel Grove.
Billy’s Lab.

The 5 Rangers stand in Billy’s garage amongst all the technical equipment. Billy goes to a table and picks up the 5 communicators he invented.

“Here you go, fellas. Alpha completed his work with our communicators. Now they are fully functional,†Billy says as he hands one to each of his teammates.

“This is cool. How do they work?†Zack asks.

“They respond to tactile pressure, followed by auditory stimulus,†Billy answers.

“Um, Trini?†Zack asks for clarification.

“Just touch and talk. The yellow button on the side activates the communication function,†Trini explains.

“Precisely. On the side here there is a small antennae that serves as a modulator. It controls the teleportation function,†Billy adds.

“Morphinomenal, Billy,†Kim remarks. “Isn’t this awesome, guys?â€

“Yeah. It’s great,†Jason mutters disheartened. Kim looks at Jason with confusion.

“This really is great, Billy. We worked together so well to defeat that Bones’ guy. I’m really proud of us. We showed Rita not to mess with friends like us. I say we head down to the Youth Center and celebrate with a round of Ernie’s banana shakes,†Zack suggests.

“That sounds good,†Trini says.

“Yeah, I guess now’s the time we can celebrate with those high fives,†Kim chuckles.

“You guys go ahead. I got some……stuff I got to do,†Jason mutters as he walks away.

Zack, Billy and Trini share a look of confusion as Kim runs down Billy’s driveway to catch up to Jason.

“Okay, Jase, a person doesn’t have to be Billy in order to figure out something’s up with you,†Kim says.

Jason is silent.

“C’mon, Jase,†Kim encourages. “Look, I didn’t tell you the way I felt about what happened so that you could sulk about it. Just don’t push me away like this. Don’t stop being one of my best friends. That’d hurt, like, a million times more. Pleaseâ€.

They share an uneasy glance.

“I got to go,†Jason says as he turns away from Kim.

t’s it then? You’re just going leave me alone like this? Again?†Kim says, reflections of anger gleaning in her voice.

Jason is again silent.

“Fine then. Just be careful with that solitude you so desperately need. All you’ll get from it is the distinct pleasure of having only yourself to blame when find yourself stuck there. Aloneâ€

“Kim, I’m not pushing you away, you’re the one that doesn’t--,†Jason stops himself. Kimberly gives a look as though she’s waiting for him to express everything he seems to be keeping bottled up.

“Fine,†Kim says. She turns to walk back up the driveway and rejoin Zack, Billy, and Trini.

“Kim……,†Jason’s words stop Kim in her tracks. She turns around to face Jason, finding only Jason’s back facing her. She’s a little offended by this. He looks back over his shoulder to her.

“Yes, Jason?†Kim asks, a little frustrated.

Jason sighs. “I’m glad we’re friends. Good friends,†Jason walks to his motorcycle, puts on his helmet and rides off. A tear falls slowly down Kimberly’s cheek as she watches Jason disappear from Billy’s property.

Zack, Billy, and Trini look to each other and non-verbally decide to regroup around Kim.

“Kim?†Trini asks as she puts an arm around Kim’s shoulder. Kim wipes the tear away, hoping no one saw it.

“Yeah, um, so what are we doing? The, um, Youth Center’s a cool place but I don’t think Ernie’s in the milkshake delivery business,†Kim says.

“C’mon. Let’s go celebrate,†Zack says modestly.

The 4 Rangers load into Billy’s Volkswagen beetle. Kim stares out of the window. She is deep in thought as they drive off, acutely aware that, at the moment, their team of 5 Rangers, their group of 5 friends, now seems to be only 4. Is this her fault? She doesn't know if she can trust her 1 opinion, and she knows her 3 friends would tell her 'no', but the person she needs to hear it from is #5.

THE END

 

[TSoldier]

Episode 6: THE HOLLOW

THE HOLLOW

Angel Grove High School.

For the 1st time in weeks the halls are alive with the movement of students and faculty members. Billy, Trini, and a group of students exit the principal’s office. The principal steps out behind the students.

“William, Trini," the principal calls out.

“Yes, Mr. Kaplan?," Billy asks.

“I just wanted to commend you 2 on the idea for a Food Drive in the wake of the disaster that befell Angel Grove. It’ll help a lot with the relief efforts, and should keep us prepared in the future," Mr. Kaplan says. Trini and Billy look up to see the principal’s toupee on crooked, revealing a portion of his bald head.

“Thanks, Mr. Kaplan," Trini smiles. “This is a pretty scary time for the people of Angel Grove. We like the idea that, on top of the more obvious reasons, a Food Drive would help boost the town’s morale and show them we’re prepared for any other problemsâ€.

“Indeed. Angel Grove really is a great town. It’s a shame, it seems as though whole neighborhoods are moving away every week," Billy notes.

“It is. I trust Jason, Zack and Kimberly will be participating in the relief efforts," Mr. Kaplan assumes.

Billy and Trini share an unsure look. “Well, you see Mr. Kaplan…," Billy begins. “I’m sure they’ll be willing to lend a hand".

“Good, good. I’m glad. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a board meeting in a few minutes," Mr. Kaplan excuses himself.

“Bye, Mr. Kaplan," Trini waves. She turns to Billy. “Did you talk to the others about the Food Drive, Billy?,"

“Not quite. I spoke with Zack who has agreed to participate, however, I have been less than successful in communicating with Jason or Kimberly," Billy confesses.

“I haven’t been able to get a hold of them either," Trini says.

“Hey guys," the 2 Rangers turn to see Zack approach them. “What’s with the long faces?," Zack asks.

“We just had a meeting with Kaplan and the leadership Committee," Trini explains.

“Oh, right, right. You told him I’m in, right?," Zack asks.

“Affirmative," Billy answers. “However, I’m afraid I may have been somewhat overzealous in confirming the participation of Kimberly and Jason as wellâ€.

“Speaking of those two, has anyone talked to Jason lately?," Zack asks.

“Negative," Billy answers.

“I just talked to Kim a minute ago in the hall, but she had to go do something. We’ll see them in class later, or we can catch up with them at their lockers or the Youth Center," Zack assures. “They probably need a little bit of space is allâ€.

“I guess you’re right, Zack," Trini says.

“Girl, when has the Zack-man ever let you down?," he asks as he slips an arm around her shoulder and the three friends walk off into the hall.

The Moon.
Rita’s Palace.

Rita peers into her Repulsa-Scope. “A Food Drive?,"

“Yummy. I am feeling a little famished," Baboo remarks.

“Don’t forget about me," Squatt whines. “I’m always hungry".

“Shut up, you nincompoops! Don’t you see? Those Rangers are planning a Food Drive to stock-pile rations to be used in the wake of my next attack," Rita explains.

“Oooh, very smart," Baboo thinks aloud.

“Oh, yeah. Always be prepared," Squatt adds.

“I said shut up!," Rita walks down the balcony.

“Yes, ma’am," the two aliens nod simultaneously. Rita makes her way to……

Finster’s Workshop.

“Finster! Oh, Finster!," Rita calls.

“Well, hello your Evilness. You’re just in time," Finster says.

“Finster, I--wait! Just in time for what?," Rita asks.

“For the good news, my Queen. I went around and scraped all of my jars of clay and have gathered a fair amount of resin left from my higher-quality batches of clay. I have enough resin here to create a small few, but powerful monsters, or enough to mix with a whole legion of monsters made from my lower-quality clay," Finster explains.

“Finster, that’s excellent!," Rita says. “But we still have yet to locate a reliable source of the good stuff. I’ll tell you what. Make me a monster that will devour those stupid human’s disaster relief rations using a blend of the clay and the resin," Rita demands.

“Oh, my Queen, I have the perfect candidate," Finster moves over to a pottery table and spins a clay figure around for Rita to see. It is a pig monster. “I call this one the Pudgy Pig. He has a most dastardly appetite for evil. And everything else, of courseâ€.

“Finster, you read my mind. And he’s made of both the resin and the clay?," Rita asks.

“No, but that won’t be a problem. I’ll just have to shave down part of the--," Finster is cut off by Rita’s shrieking.

“Just get it done, Finster! The Food Drive will be happening soon, and I want that monster ready in time to eat up all their hard work. And while you’re at it, enlarge the snout, and create some type of armor to protect that big head of his. And sharpen the hooves some so he can defend against the Ranger‘s when they try to get in his way," Rita demands.

“Yes, my Queen. Right away," Finster begins his work as Rita turns around to find Goldar standing before her.

“What is it, Monkey-face?," Rita asks.

“Empress," Goldar growls. “I have served my suspension from duty from the last attack on Earth. I am ready to participate againâ€.

“I’ll decide when you’ll participate, you gold goon!," Rita shouts. “You hold off until I give you the word!," Rita stomps away behind Goldar. He turns to watch her walk away, growling with discontent.

Stone Canyon Beach Boardwalk.
Dusk.

Jason’s motorcycle sits alone in the parking lot. Sand dunes separate the parking lot from the beach itself, where Jason sits, fully clothed, at the water’s edge. He watches as the water complies with the wind’s orders. The flow of the water is tumultuous. He finds analogy between the water and his emotions.

He was a little more used to it now, but for him to pretend that being a Ranger was easy would be a lie; and the leader, nonetheless. He needed to be strong, for himself and for his team. He always felt he was, but 2 things challenged his sense of security: fighting the forces of evil in an effort to save his world, and his friend and teammate, Kimberly Hart. The latter, however, was the challenge he’d been dealing with the longest.

“Jason," Kim’s voice surprises Jason, who turns to see Kim saunter up and sit beside him. “What are you doing out here?â€

“I like it out here. There’s a sense of calm. Even when the water doesn’t seem to feel it, I doâ€.

“It shouldn’t be like this, Jase. Not for us," Kim says as she holds his arm and lays her head on his shoulder.

“I’ve wanted to be with you for so long. I just never knew how to tell you," Jason confesses.

Kim smiles. “I think you just did".

Jason realizes how candid his comment was and is speechless as he grapples with a desire to take back what he says, even though he meant every word. He makes eye contact with Kim who leans in for a kiss. Jason closes his eyes as he reaches up to touch her face, snapped back to reality as he feels only the cold air chill his finger tips. He looks around to see that he’s alone.

Jason stands up and clenches his fists as he stares up into the sky. “I can feel it. In the heavens. Something…… Give me strength," he whispers into the wind.

Angel Grove.
The Hart residence.

Kimberly lies on top of her bed. Her short frame is cushioned by her down comforter, her head resting on its side upon a goose down pillow. She stares at the clock on her night stand. 8:17 pm. There is a knock at her door.

Kim sits up on the edge of her bed. “Come inâ€.

“Honey?," Kim’s Mom enters. “Trini’s hereâ€.

Trini enters behind Kim’s mom, who then smiles at Trini as she exit’s the room, closing the door behind her. Trini sits down next to Kim. The two girl’s stare at each other in silence.

Trini sighs, then runs her fingers thru Kim’s hair. “Bed hair". The two girls laugh. “Kim, we’ve been friends for a long time. Please talk to me," Trini says.

“Trini, I’ve been dying to," Kim pulls her legs up and sits Indian-style on her bed as the two girls adjust to face each other. Kim sighs. “Jason is being such a……Mr. Crabby Pants. It’s not like him to be such a jerkâ€,

“Kimberly, you know what this is about, don’t you? He likes you. I mean, really likes you," Trini clarifies.

“I like him, too. But, I mean, like I like you guys……I think. I don’t know. Ok, maybe in a different way……a little. It’s not like I don’t think he’s cute, I mean, look at him. He was sculpted out of clouds from the heavens, I’m telling you," Kim says.

“But--?," Trini asks.

“Yeah, his butt, too," the girls chuckle. “Ok, ‘but’ my parents are in the middle of this separation thing, and I really can’t think about a relationship with a guy and go on that walk on the beach, or have that talk at dinner after watching a really bad guy movie without thinking about all the other walks on the beach and bad-movie talks down the road and wondering when that’s going to end, you know? I don’t want to have that, and then one day wake up and not have it anymore. Does that make sense?â€

“Well, explain it to me," Trini says.

“Ok, it’s like this. Jason is such a cool guy and he’s just awesome to be around, just like you and the others. But, out of nowhere, I’m thinking about the day that I wake up and Jason, or whoever, isn’t thinking about what movie to take me to. Can you imagine what it’s like to hold a guys hand for years, and then suddenly never get to EVER again?," Kim asks.

“I see what you mean. You have to remember though that relationships are different because no 2 couples are exactly the same. I know you’re scared about whatever the future would hold for you and ‘whoever‘, but you have to remember that what comes of a relationship is dependant heavily on what you put into it, both of you. And the best thing to put into a relationship is friendship. You guys have thatâ€.

Kim nods as she understands what Trini is telling her.

“When a relationship ends, it ends for a reason. If it’s not meant to be, then it’s not meant to be. But you have to remember that not every relationship ends, and if the guy is a good friend, and even if you do stop dating, then the friendship can continue. And you can still have that bad-movie talk with a friend. It‘s like Billy said, you guys are 2 of the best friends anyone could have. You very well might not always be boyfriend and girlfriend, but you‘ll always be friendsâ€.

Kim sighs. “You’re right, Smart Girl. How did you get to be such a smart girl?â€

Trini chuckles thru a smile. “Blame Billy. I do,"

“Oh, you mean Mr. Lover Boy?," Kim ruefully asks as she rises to her knees on the bed and wrestles Trini.

“You jerk!," Trini reaches past Kim for a pillow as Kim reaches for another. Havoc ensues.

“Oh, Mr. Lover Boy, help me with my homework! Read to me! Reeeeaaad to me!," Kim antagonizes.

“Zip your lip, Tiny!," Trini laughs. The girls continue to swat each other with the huge goose down pillows as laughter and feathers fill the room.

Angel Grove High School.
Day.

The final bell rings and the small amount of students still left in Angel Grove clamor out of their last classes of the day. Kim and Trini stand at Kim’s open locker, laughing the way only girls do. Billy and Zack approach.

“Oooh, something’s funny," Zack says.

“Yeah, the smell of your depression-era aftershave," Kim responds.

“You love how smooth, and chocolatey my skin is, girl. Admit it. I’ve seen you looking," Zack replies, putting an arm around Kim‘s shoulder.

“Well, you’re a pretty smooth guy, Zack. I’ll give you that," Kim says.

“The Leadership committee finished doing inventory on the last of all the donated goods late this morning. Trini and I are supposed to head down to the Salvation Army’s warehouse downtown to run the second inventory and make sure all the supplies are accounted for," Billy says.

“Yeah, we’ve also got to get started organizing all the donations to be stocked away in storage until the emergency shelters have finished construction. You guys are coming along, right?," Trini asks Kim and Zack as the 4 friends head outside. Zack nods in affirmation.

“Of course. I am a lady of my word," Kim answers.

“Great, cuz we’ve got our mode of transportation all set up," Trini points out to the parking lot.

Jason sits in a dark red Hummer and honks the horn. “Let’s get this show on the road, boys and girlsâ€.

Kim is surprised to see Jason outside of class. She looks to Trini.

Trini offers her support. “Remember what we talked about? Friendsâ€

Kim nods. “Best of friends".

The four move to the vehicle and Zack opens the back side door on the passenger side. “Ladies first".

Kim moves to get in but Trini pulls Kim out by the arm. “He said ‘ladies’ first," Trini jumps in as Billy gets in from the opposite side.

Zack jumps in behind Trini and closes the door. “Yeah, ladies first," Zack says as he points to the front seat. “Nobody called shotgun?"

Kim gives Zack an evil glare as she makes her way to the front passenger side door and gets in. She looks at Jason with a smile only to see the side of his stern face as he stares forward. He does so the entire drive. Kim looks back at Trini with a look of confusion that they both share.

Downtown Angel Grove.
The warehouse district.

Jason pulls up to the back of a warehouse where random hauling trucks sit about. The Rangers hop out of the vehicle and make their way to an opened warehouse where stacks of boxes and canned goods stand. Trini and Kim walk close together.

“Did you see the look on his face? Mr. Crabby Pants strikes again," Kim whispers.

An older man and woman come out to greet them.

“Hello, kids. You’re right on time," the older man says.

“Yeah, we’re ready to get started," Zack says as he rubs his hands together anxiously.

“Great. We have a little situation, though," the older woman says. “A representative from Crossworld Medtronics made a very handsome donation of canned goods this afternoon but delivered them to the Youth Center instead. The driver’s all the way back in Crossworld City now so we’ll have to pickup everything in one of our trucksâ€.

“I could take the truck down there and pick them up if you need me to," Jason volunteers.

“Oh, thank you young man, but I’m afraid our insurance policy only allows for one of us to operate the trucks. The owner of the Gym & Juice Bar and his employees have volunteered to help load the truck once we arrive. We should be back shortly, and in the meantime you can get started with the inventory of what we have here nowâ€.

“Okay, let’s get started then," Trini tells her friends.

“We’ll see you when we get back," the older man says. He and the older woman get to one of the trucks, buckle up, and depart.

The teens enter the warehouse. Kim looks over at Jason who seems oblivious to her presence. Whether that’s what he wants isn‘t certain.

Rita’s Moon Palace.
Finster’s Workshop.

“Okay, my Queen. This is my 36th attempt at structuring my creation to your specificities," Finster tells Rita.

“Yes, yes! Finally! This is what I want. Load him up, Finster!," Rita orders. “And set the Monster-Matic on high!â€

Finster loads the clay figure onto a conveyer and turns a wheel, moving it into the machine. Finster sets the machine on ‘high’ and pulls a lever. A large gray tube coming from the machine and stretching over a wall and the ceiling moves by peristalsis. The tube hangs down from the ceiling, jettisoning smoke, and eventually the Pudgy Pig.

“Oh, this is perfect!," Rita approves.

“Will you send the Putties down first to soften up those Rangers?," Finster asks.

“No! I’ve been waiting for hours for this! I’m sending the monster down now!," Rita turns to the Pudgy Pig.

“I am hungry!," the monster grunts.

“Then have at it!," Rita zaps Pudgy Pig with her wand, teleporting him away.

Downtown Angel Grove.
The Salvation Army warehouse.

“Man. This a lot of food," Zack comments as he moves cans into a separate pile.

“Yes, and there’s more on the way," Billy adds.

“Gonna take a lot of attention to detail," Jason says.

“Speaking of attention, what’s your problem, man? You’re pretending like Kim doesn’t even exist," Zack says. Jason looks over to Kim and Trini who are separating cans across the warehouse.

“It is rather curious, Jason. Taking into consideration the adoration you have for Kimberly, it would seem logical for you to be more sociable," Billy adds.

“I appreciate your concern, guys. But I know how I want to handle this," Jason replies.

“Yeah? How?," Zack asks.

“My way," Jason replies.

A crashing sound suddenly shakes the building. The 5 teens look at each other, and then run outside. Debris falls down toward them and they somersault out of the way.

“Is everyone okay?," Jason asks. The team nods.

“Look!," Kim points up to the Pudgy Pig who is chewing part of the side wall at the edge of the roof. “Gross!â€

“I am hungry!," the Pudgy Pig grunts aloud.

“Rita must have sent him to destroy the donations for the Food Drive," Zack says.

“You think?," Kim asks.

“This is most troubling," Billy notes.

“We have to stop him before he eats everything in sight," Trini says.

“The coast is clear," Zack adds.

“It’s Morphin Time!," Jason shouts as the Ranger’s reach behind them.

“Mastodonâ€
“Pterodactylâ€
“Triceratopsâ€
“Saber-Tooth Tigerâ€
“Tyrannosaurusâ€

The Power Rangers leap up onto the roof top, rebelling against gravity to confront the Pudgy Pig. The 5 heroes surround the monster.

“Why didn’t Alpha contact us when the monster first appeared?," Black Ranger wonders aloud.

“Probably because we were right here where it fist appeared. Everybody be careful," Red Ranger says.

“I am hungry! Feed me!," Pudgy Pig lunges at Red Ranger.

“Power Sword!," Red Ranger strikes down with his sword as the Pudgy Pig turns. Red Ranger’s sword meets the back of the Pudgy Pig’s helmet with a loud metal-on-metal sound. Pudgy Pig backs up into Red Ranger, knocking him over a side wall of the roof.

“Jason!," Yellow Ranger cries out, moving with the rest of her team toward the monster as Red Ranger holds fast the edge of the building.

“Hold on, Jase!," Black Ranger cries.

“Help Jason up. Kim and I will roast this porker," Yellow Ranger tells the Blue and Black Ranger’s as she and Kimberly ready their weapons. Black and Blue Ranger dash past Pudgy Pig as Pink and Yellow Ranger leap into the air. The 2 girls sail toward the monster. Pink Ranger fires an arrow and Yellow Ranger throws her Daggers.

“Food! Hungry!," Pudgy Pig opens his mouth and practically inhales the arrow and Daggers.

“He’s eating our weapons!," Yellow Ranger cries.

“Stand back, Trini. I’m gonna give this guy a belly ache," Pink Ranger rushes Pudgy Pig. Behind the fight, Blue and Black Ranger pull Red Ranger up onto the roof.

Pink Ranger slashes at the monster with the end of her Bow. It hits his snout and throws a shower of sparks. “Cough ‘em up, Pig Face!," Pink Ranger demands. She strikes out again with her Bow. This time he bites down on it and kicks her away. She rolls back toward Yellow Ranger who helps her up while the monster masticates the Bow. “Trini, he’s eating my bow!â€

“You’ve had it, bacon breath!," Red Ranger lashes out with a downward strike from his Power Sword. Pudgy Pig side steps the attack, and kicks the Sword out of Jason’s hand with a sharp hoof, releasing a burst of sparks.

The Sword goes up into the air and Red Ranger moves to jump for it when Pudgy Pig punches him in the chest with his large, sharp hoof. In a burst of sparks, Red Ranger is thrown backward into Black Ranger as Blue Ranger leaps into the air with his Maces in hand. Black and Red Ranger crash into the ground as Pudgy Pig looks up and opens his mouth, swallowing the Power Sword.

“Stand down!," Blue Ranger lashes forward with both Maces. Despite his odd shape, the Pudgy Pig moves swiftly, slapping the Maces together with his hooves, making it easier to swallow. “Desist!," Blue Ranger throws a knee up into the monster. Unfazed, Pudgy Pig slams a hoof across Blue Ranger’s helmet, knocking him across the ground as the others regroup around him.

“He’s strong," Yellow Ranger says.

“Yeah, and he’s got a stomach full of our weapons. He almost ate Billy," Pink Ranger adds.

“Hand-to-hand combat does not seem to be a viable option," Blue Ranger says.

“I’ll be the judge of that," Red Ranger steps in front of the group.

“Feed me! Weapons, food! More!," Pudgy Pig cries.

Pink Ranger grabs Red Ranger by the arm. “Jason, no! He could eat you alive. If we’re going to fight, we need to do it together. Now, Zack still has his Power Axe, and the rest of us can use our Flame Blasters to--," Pink Ranger is interrupted by Red Ranger.

“No, Kim! I’m the leader. I’ll handle this. I’m the strongest of the 5 of us. I’ll try to wear him down, you guys stay back. You’ll be the only line of defense if I fail," Red Ranger turns around.

“Jason--!," Pink Ranger cries out as Red Ranger turns to the monster.

“Howling Vortex!," Pudgy Pig calls out. The air around him whistles as it is suctioned in toward his mouth.

“What’s he doing?," Black Ranger asks. The Pudgy Pig’s eyes glow white as he opens his mouth wide, releasing a swirling vortex at the Rangers, on a horizontal axis.

“Everybody hang on!," Red Ranger cries out as he and his team are consumed by the vortex. The vortex sends the Rangers spiraling into the air before disappearing in flashes of white light.

Angel Grove Regional Trails.

Five white flashes of light take place in the air, dropping the 5, now un-morphed, Rangers onto dirt, rocks and shrubbery.

“Man, what happened?," Zack asks.

“We appear to have been forcibly de-morphed," Billy observes.

“Looks like we’re still in Angel Grove. The Regional Hiking Trails, by the look of it," Trini says.

“We’ve got to teleport back into town and turn that pig into sausage links," Zack says.

“Yeah, but how? We can’t use the Power Blaster," Kim asks. “And Mr. Crabby Pants over here seems to have something against teamworkâ€.

“Hey, I had an idea. It could have worked if we had the chance to pull it off," Jason replies. “And don’t call me Mr. Crabby Pantsâ€.

The Ranger’s communicators sound off.

“Go ahead, Zordon," Jason answers.

“Rangers, we are monitoring the Pudgy Pig’s activities. He has begun devouring the donations to the Food Drive," Zordon informs his pupils.

“Oh no. We have to get back there now," Trini insists.

“Zordon, is the area clear for us to teleport to undetected?," Jason asks.

“Yes," Zordon answers.

“All right then," Jason turns to Kim. “You seem to believe in your idea. And I believe in you. We’ll use our Flame Blasters to attack from a distance, while Zack hammers that creature with blasts from his Cannon," Jason says.

“Yeah. With the Power Axe in Cannon Mode, that Pig doesn’t stand a chance," Zack says.

“Lets get back there and save the Food Drive. It’s Morphin Time!," Jason shouts as the Ranger’s reach behind them.

“Mastodonâ€
“Pterodactylâ€
“Triceratopsâ€
“Saber-Tooth Tigerâ€
“Tyrannosaurusâ€

Downtown Angel Grove.
The Salvation Army warehouse.

The Power Rangers rush into the warehouse and stumble upon the scene of Pudgy Pig’s aftermath.

“Oh no," Yellow Ranger is as short on words at the moment as she seems to be on breath. The Rangers walk thru the warehouse, which is almost completely empty save for some busted food cans littered about. The Black, Pink, Blue and Red Ranger’s convene.

“Look at this place," Pink Ranger says in astonishment.

“He did with the food supply what he did with our weapons," Blue Ranger says.

“This has got to be Rita’s evilest plan yet," Red Ranger says.

“Everything’s gone," Black Ranger notes.

“Not everything. Over here," Yellow Ranger says from across the warehouse. She points to the ground as her friends gather.

“Eww! Totally gross!," Pink Ranger exclaims.

“Eww, it smells like spiced butt over here," Black Ranger says.

“Zack, that’s beautiful, man," Red Ranger places a hand on Black Ranger’s shoulder. The Rangers observe a large puddle of vomit beside a stack of cans. Among the vomit sits one of Kim’s arrows.

“Hey, my arrow," Pink ranger points out.

“Well, go ahead, girl. Pick it up," Black Ranger encourages.

“Eww! Knock it off," Pink Ranger smacks Black Ranger on the shoulder.

“Look at this. That Pig ate everything in sight," Yellow Ranger points to the labels on the cans. “But over here he didn’t even touch the hot stuffâ€.

“Excellent deduction, Trini," Blue Ranger commends his teammate.

Pink Ranger is confused by Blue Ranger’s comment. “What?â€

“It appears that spicy food would be the one exception to the Pudgy Pig’s insatiable appetite. If whatever small amount he ingested was able to make him regurgitate Kim’s arrow, then perhaps a greater dose would cause him to release all of our weapons," Billy explains.

“Then we can nail him with the Power Blaster," Red Ranger adds.

“More! I need more!," Pudgy Pig approaches the open doorway of the warehouse from outside.

“Okay, let’s get him. Trini, collect some of these cans to use against the monster. We’ll hold him off," Red Ranger orders.

“Right," Yellow Ranger starts sifting thru the cans for the ones containing the most potent spicy ingredients.

“Rangers in the way!," Pudgy Pig makes his way to the open door.

“Flame Blaster’s Up!," Red Ranger shouts. On command, he, Blue, Pink and Black Ranger’s draw their side arms and shift them into Flame Blaster mode. “Aim high, guys……fire!â€

The 4 teens fire at the rotary mechanism that opens and shuts the large warehouse door. In a burst of sparks, the red lasers incapacitate the mechanism and the door drops hard, shutting out the monster just before he enters. The Ranger’s can hear him grunting outside.


Yellow Ranger holds an assortment of canned foods in her arms. “I think I’ve got enough to make this Pig sick to his stomachâ€.

“Good. Now let’s serve this guy something--," Red Ranger stops mid-sentence to turn as he and his team hear the Pudgy Pig on the other side of the door.

“Howling Vortex!," A large dent grows in the warehouse door as the monsters attack forces it inward.

“Oh, sh--," The door buckles underneath the force of the monster’s vortex attack and shoots into the warehouse. Yellow Ranger is successful in somersaulting out of the way. Unfortunately, her friends aren’t so lucky. The door hits them with enough force throw the 4 Rangers backward in a shower of sparks.

“Again! Rangers in the way!," Pudgy Pig grunts.

Yellow Ranger crawls backward on the ground as she watches Pudgy Pig approach her fallen friends with cannibalism in it’s eyes. She stops moving when her hand touches upon a long, hard object. She picks it up and holds it before her. Kim’s arrow is gray with pink fins at the arrow head and tail. Trini turns back to the stack of canned spice food behind her, to the left. She stabs the air into a stack of cans, skewering several of them onto the arrow.

Pudgy Pig stands in place and lifts his arms. “Again! Howling Vortex!," Air from around the monster suctions toward its mouth. Busted cans roll across the warehouse floor as a result of manipulated air flow.

“He’s gonna blast us again!," Pink Ranger shouts out over the suction of air. The suction stops and the 4 Rangers look to each other.

“Here it comes! Get ready! Ultimate Cannon!," Black Ranger summons his weapon. The 4 Rangers brace for impact with the Pudgy Pig’s howling vortex attack.

“Not this time, Pig. Lunch is on me. You hungry? Chew on this!," Yellow ranger moves in & performs an aerial, moving perpendicular to the direction the monster is facing. As she passes by his face, she thrusts Kim’s arrow, with several dripping can’s of spiced food skewered down it’s shaft, deep into the Pig’s mouth.

Yellow Ranger rushes to help her friends to their feet. “Are you guys all right?â€

“Yeah, we’re good," Black Ranger answers. “Can’t say the same for him. Look," He points to the monster who leans back and begins vomiting into the air. Partially digested food flows out into the air, followed by the Ranger’s weapons. The Ranger’s leap forward and catch their weapons. The Ranger’s then regroup.

“I say we top him off. Let’s bring ‘em together!," Red Ranger orders.

“Right!," the team cries in unison.

Pudgy Pig makes an attempt to counter. “Howling Vortex!," The Pudgy Pig again begins to suction air.

“Ultimate Cannonâ€
“Power Bowâ€
“Power Daggersâ€
“Power Lanceâ€
“Power Sword," Red Ranger grasps the weapon. “Power Blaster!â€

The Pudgy Pig releases the vortex that shoots forward on a horizontal axis at the Rangers.

The 4 other Ranger’s group around Red Ranger and brace the weapon. “FIRE!," the teens shout as the weapon discharges, releasing a profound amount of energy that sears thru the air, slowing as it meets the pig‘s attack.

Pudgy Pig’s attack whips sparks of energy off of the Ranger’s weapon blast, as it struggles against it. The struggle is fierce, but brief, and after a certain point does little to stop the oncoming energy from reaching and destroying him. The vortex disperses before it can cause any problems.

“Another one bites the dust," Black Ranger quips.

“Yeah, but who’s going to clean up this place?," Pink Ranger asks.

Angel Grove Youth Center.
The Gym & Juice Bar.

Kim and Billy hang a banner across a high wall in the Gym. It reads ‘DONATION DANCE’. Zack walks in thru the entry way that Jason is at work decorating with ribbon from high atop a ladder. Zack carries a bunch of balloon’s over to Billy and Kim to begin decorating with. Trini stands at the bar with Ernie going over a check list. Mr. Kaplan enters, greets Jason, and makes his way to the bar.

“Hi, Mr. Kaplan," Trini greets.

“Hello, Ms. Kwan. My word, you kids have done a remarkable job setting up this place for the dance tonight. Having the attendee’s bring in donations of canned goods is a marvelous idea. I wanted to congratulate you and Billy for improvising this event after what happened with the latest attack on Angel Groveâ€.

“Thanks, Mr. Kaplan," Trini says with a smile.

“And to you Ernie, I’d like to thank you for volunteering to host tonight’s events here in the Juice Bar. Your good will has certainly made it’s mark in the latest addition of the Angel Grove Chronicle," Mr. Kaplan says.

“It’s really no problem. It’s a tough time for the city. And I realize how important it is for the community to come together to pull thru this," Ernie responds.

Trini looks across the Gym from the Bar at Kim who watches Jason with a look of morose. “Will you excuse me?," Mr. Kaplan and Ernie do so and continue to talk as Trini grabs a permanent marker and some name tags and heads over in Kimberly’s direction.

“Hey, Kim. Here’s your name tag," Trini spells Kimberly’s name on the sticker and hands it to her.

“Thanks, Trini," Kim says in a sullen manner.

“You know, I was glad to see Jason make good with your idea on how to battle the Pudgy Pig," Trini says.

“Yeah, Jason’s a really good leader," Kim replies. “But you deserve a lot credit, too, for figuring out how to exploit the monsters weakness. Smart girl strikes againâ€.

The girls turn to watch Jason. “I know he’s been kind of quiet," Trini begins. “But I think he might be more open to talking things over. Have you though about talking to him about how you feel?â€

“Well," Kim responds. “Despite how much good that did the last time, and considering how much of a Mr. Crabby Pants he’s been lately, I’m so past ready to be on good standings with him again. After the turn around he had in the fight against the Pudgy Pig, I think he might be ready, tooâ€.

“Good luck,†Trini says with a smile.

“Thanks, Smart Girl," Kim hugs her friend. “Hopefully I won’t need itâ€.

Kim hands her balloons to Zack, who, along with Billy, stands beside Trini and watches Kim make her way over to Jason.

Kim stands beside the ladder as Jason comes down it, having just finished decorating the doorway.

“Hey, Jase," Kim says with a smile.

“Kim," Jason very simply acknowledges her presence.

Kim tucks her hair behind her ears. “So, um, I just wanted to thank you for listening to my idea about fighting that totally disgusting Pig creatureâ€.

“Don’t worry about it. We’re a team. Everyone of us is important," Jason says matter-of-factly.

“Right. Well, um, after everything the 5 of us have been thru, I think this party might be just the thing the doctor ordered. And……I was hoping maybe tonight you might save me a dance," Kim says as she nervously bites the corner of her bottom lip.

“Actually, to be honest, I think I’m going to cut out early tonight. I’ve got a lot of studying to do," Jason responds.

Kim tries to encourage her friend into being sociable. “Oh, no way. You can’t cut out on us. This dance is important, and it’ll be a ton of

“Look, I’m really not interested in dancing tonight, okay Kim?â€

“But, Jase, don’t you want to--,â€

“Do you need me to spell it out for you? N-O. O-K?â€

Kim is taken aback by Jason’s crudity. “Okay. Fine. I got to go……do some--," Kim runs out of the Juice Bar.

Trini, Zack and Billy watch in astonishment from a corner, across the Gym.

Trini makes her way over to Jason. “What was that about?â€

“Nothing," Jason answers. “Don’t worry about itâ€.

“Jason, I’m your friend. I’m Kimberly’s friend, too. You can’t ask me not to care when two of my good friends are having problemsâ€.

“Trini, did it ever occur to you to just leave well enough alone?â€

“Is the way you’re feeling really what you’d consider ‘well enough’?," Trini asks.

“I don’t remember asking you to butt in and talk to Kim about things that aren’t your business," Jason says crudely.

“Jason, I don’t remember being taught that good friends let people they care about be unhappy. I’m not like you, okay? I haven’t undergone some kind of transformation into a person that hides the way they feel so that--," Trini is interrupted mid-sentence by Jason.

“Look, Trini, we’ve got a lot of work to do before the dance tonight. Now, would you please just give me my name tag and let me get back to work?â€

It is now Trini’s turn to be taken aback by Jason’s cold attitude.

“Fine," Trini begins writing on a name tag, then peels the sticker and attaches it to Jason’s chest. Trini walks away and rejoins Billy and Zack.

“What happened?," Billy asks.

Trini sighs. “Smart Girl strikes again," Trini says in a sullen manner.

Jason walks out into the hall and enters the bathroom. He runs the water from a faucet over his hands and applies some to his face. He grabs a paper towel and returns to the mirror as he dries his hands. He takes notice of the name tag Trini gave him and is confused by the name she wrote beneath the ‘Hello, my name is’ section.

Confused, he reads it aloud to himself. “Mr. Crabby Pants?â€

THE END

 

[TSoldier]

PROMO: Episode 7

NEXT TIME ON POWER RANGERS: Episode 7- "I STAY AWAY"

Jason delves deeper into his self-induced isolation as the once minor delusions of a higher power begin to assert themselves. Meanwhile, his teammates find themselves in a fight for their lives against Rita Repulsa herself. Ending up alone, Jason finds he has no one to turn to after spending so much time turning his back to everyone else. With his friends gone, can Jason manage to defend Angel Grove against Rita's latest attack? Will Jason find the strength needed to seek the help of others, and finally let someone close? Find out next time in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: A New Interpretation.