Note: This is an 'original' Power Rangers universe, if you can call it that. The team is my own cast of original characters from other works of fiction that I am currently working on. Their names have been changed but they are, in essence, the same. This was just a fun idea I had of putting my own characters onto a Power Rangers team. A few characters from Mighty Morphin' make an appearance and, as such, do not belong to me. They belong to Namco Bandai and Saban. Violence and swearing are abound as I gave this team a much more 'hard edge' than the regular shows have. I've done this because this story is half parody and half love letter to a show I loved as a kid. It both makes fun of Power Rangers and pays tribute to it. I hope that comes across here and I hope you like it.

Note 2: I changed the title since I had the realization that the original title was a bit too close to something that would appropriate Native American culture. I changed one word to fix that. If that upsets you, well, bye!

Chapter 1: The New Team

The rain pattered against the windshield of the derelict tractor but she continued her work. The engine turned over and refused to start. A second attempt, with a heavy foot on the throttle, still did nothing. After a third attempt brought the same result, she heaved a sigh and leaned on the wheel. A roll of thunder echoed in the far distance but the sound was accompanied by a nearby voice just outside.

"Excuse me!"

She turned in her seat and saw a man standing in the rain. A quick look behind him revealed a car parked along the side of the road about thirty feet away.

She climbed down out of the tractor and stood in front of him. He was a short man; much shorter than she was. But that didn't take into account that she was six feet tall herself. People often remarked how tall she was for a woman. In fact, she could see by the look on the stranger's face that he was thinking the same thing. She had seen that look too many times.

"Well hello," he said, his voice changing all of a sudden. It sounded to her like he was about to hit on her. She'd heard that enough times, too.

"Car trouble?" she asked.

"Actually, I was going to say I'm lost but I'm starting to think I'm right where I ought to be."

"Is that right?"

"It is, sweetheart. You're a work of art. Just look at that gorgeous brown hair. And those fierce, dark eyes. You're beautiful."

She rolled her eyes.

"Highway is back the way you came," she said. "A lot of folks get lost on this road. It's not a straight shot but the way back will get you where you need to go."

The man stepped closer.

"Maybe you could, ah, come with me."

"Don't think so."

"Why not?"

"I've got work to do."

The man laughed.

"Come on now. I'd bring you right back."

Her eyes started to harden.

"You understand the words I said to you, right? You simple or something?"

"What were those words again?"

"Short version: no. Long version: fuck off."

A dangerous look entered the man's eyes.

"Something wrong with you, lady? I pay you compliments, I offer you companionship, and this is my goddamn thanks?"

"Pretty sure it ain't me that's got something wrong," she said. "Now I think it's best you clear out of here."

"Or what?"

A surge of heat rushed through her entire body and all of her muscles tensed. She clenched both of her hands into fists. Just as she took a step forward, she heard someone open the door to the farmhouse.

"Kiera, who's there?"

Kiera kept her eyes trained on the stranger.

"Nobody, Gavin. Go on back inside."

She heard Gavin step outside and call to her again.

"What's wrong, Kiera?"

She never could hide anything from the kid.

"Nothing's wrong. Go back inside the house, Gavin."

The man continued to eyeball her and decided then to turn away from her.

"You're lucky," he said.

"Ain't me that got lucky, boy. Just get lost. Again."

The man laughed as he walked back toward his car. Kiera didn't stop watching him until he turned around and drove back the way she told him to go. She turned away from the road when she heard Gavin step up beside her.

"Who was that?"

"Just some lost tourist from the city," Kiera said.

"What did he say to you?"

"Nothing, Gavin. It's fine."

A wide smile spread across the little boy's face.

"You were gonna kick his ass, weren't you?"

"Language, Gavin."

Gavin chuckled.

"Sorry. But you were, weren't you?"

Kiera tossed the boy's red hair and looked down into his sharp, brown eyes.

"Only if he refused to leave."

"I would have paid to see that."

Kiera shook her head.

"Don't start up with that, now. You know I don't like to hurt people."

"But you know how to fight, right?"

Kiera sighed.

"A bit."

"Will you teach me?"

"I already told you that I would but only if you promised not to use it to beat people up. You still haven't made that promise."

"But I only want to beat up bad people."

"That doesn't matter. You have to have discipline. Until you show that to me then you're stuck feeding the chickens."

Gavin hung his head.

"Why can't you just teach me, Kiera?"

"Already told you. You gotta wise up. You're good kid but you've got a lot to learn."

"You're right. I'm sorry. I won't ask again."

Kiera rubbed the kid's head.

"You'll wise up with age, Gavin. Now go on back into the house like I said."

Gavin said nothing more and started walking back to the farmhouse. As soon as he went inside, Kiera felt the earth quake beneath her feet and she almost fell over backward. She looked toward the city and saw smoke billowing out from somewhere.

"What in hell was that?"-

-"Zordon, we're in trouble!" the robot proclaimed.

"Yes, Alpha. I am aware." The old man sounded tired as he spoke. But there was no one else in the room with the robot. Alpha played around on some switches on the console in front of him. A holographic projection behind the console started getting clearer. It was massive and displayed only the head of a grizzled and bald old man with a rough beard on his face.

"What is happening, Zordon?" the robot asked.

"The viewing globe, Alpha. You know the drill by now."

The robot turned to look and saw something he had not seen in centuries. A massive starship had come into the atmosphere and several humanoid creatures were pouring onto the streets of the city. He noticed a massive letter 'Z' on the starship. The creatures even had a 'Z' symbol on their chests. The robot could see that the local police force was being overwhelmed by the humanoid creatures.

"Oh boy. That's not good, is it?"

"Of course it isn't," Zordon said. "You know what this means, right?"

"All my circuits are telling me that Lord Zedd has returned."

"Indeed. So what does that mean, Alpha?"

"We need help, Zordon!"

Zordon's formless head nodded in the projection.

"That's right, Alpha. We need a team. You know what to do."

"Do they have to be teenagers again?"

The tired old man sighed.

"No. Just find the best this world can offer, teenager or not."

"All right. Here's hoping," Alpha said.

He played around on a few buttons and started scouring the globe for the right talent.-

-A woman in the city was surrounded by five of the humanoid creatures but she refused to back down. She dropped her backpack and reached into it, pulling out a pair of fighting sticks. She held them up as the strange things continued making their odd sounds and circling her. She said nothing. Not waiting for them to make the first move, she jumped at one of them and hit the thing square in the head. It fell to the ground and rolled but got back up again.

Two of them rushed her from behind but she was fast enough to throw a kick to one's stomach and hit the second with the stick in her left hand. Another rushed at her and felt the wrath of the woman's right hand stick. They reeled from the attack but two others tried attacking her again. Before she could react she disappeared in a flash of light that almost looked black. The creatures looked around, confused, and then dispersed and continued on into the city.-

-Meanwhile, another woman was running from the creatures but it wasn't out of fear. She had a plan in her mind. While ducking and dodging out of the way of the creatures, she rushed into a store window and tucked herself into a ball as she smashed through the glass. She landed in the store on her feet and looked to the cash register on the counter. She rushed to it and just as she pressed the button, she disappeared in a flash of yellow light.-

-A shorter man in a green suit, having just left his business meeting, found himself surrounded on all sides by the strange creatures. He considered his options and decided he had no choice. He had to fight back. They rushed him and he started throwing punches every which way. He landed a few solid ones, remembering his boxing lessons, but he was soon overwhelmed and forced to back away from the creatures. But he had backed right up against a wall and the creatures were closing in. Just as they were about to reach him, a flash of green light whisked him away.

-This man had long hair and sharp eyes and he wasn't about to let these creatures harm the child they now surrounded.

"Hey!" he shouted.

They turned to look at him. A sinking feeling entered his stomach. He didn't know much about fighting and he suspected he was going to find that out the hard way in a few moments. But he didn't care in that moment. All he cared about was getting the child out of harm's way.

"Come at me then, you weird little shits!"

The creatures rushed him and he ran at them like a raging beast.

"Run!" he shouted to the kid.

He took a stiff forearm to the face from one of the creatures and fell to the ground on his back. As he started to get up, he saw the child run away. Once the kid was out of sight, he kicked the feet out of one of the creatures and punched it in the chest as it fell. When he did, he watched it explode into pieces of clay and disappear. The sight dumbfounded him but he didn't have any more time to think about it as he flew away in a blue flash of light.-

-Kiera saw two strange people running toward her farm from the road. They were oddly dressed, wearing what looked like white bodysuits. There were Z's on their chests and their movements were erratic and crazed. But they ran on toward her and soon she realized what their purpose was; they were coming right for the farmhouse. She bolted to the door and lowered her shoulder into the one that reached the front step first. The creature fell to the ground and then stood back up. By then the second creature had reached the house. She stepped to it and grabbed onto its arm, pulling it to the ground while the first jumped on her back. She shook the creature off and whirled around, hammering its head into the ground.

She heard Gavin run to the door and heard him call her name.

"Stay in the fucking house, Gavin!" she shouted. The unbridled rage in Kiera's voice was like nothing the boy had ever heard before. He did as he was told and closed the door again, locking the deadbolt. But he ran to the front window and just had to watch what Kiera did to the weird people that she was fighting.

As the second creature stood up again, Kiera stepped forward and threw everything she had into a heavy punch straight to the thing's chest, right on the 'Z'. The thing exploded into clay pieces and disappeared. She froze for a moment and tried to process what had just happened. But the feeling passed as she turned back to the first creature and delivered another vicious punch to the creature's chest, watching it explode into clay like the other one had. When it disappeared, she stared at the ground.

"What the hell is going on today?"

Right after she asked the question, Kiera was engulfed in a bright red flash of light and disappeared. Gavin rushed outside and stood where Kiera had been moments before.-

-Kiera surveyed her sudden new surroundings. The place she was in was like the set of some weird science fiction movie. A robot stood in front of her playing with some buttons and she was flanked on either side by four people she had never seen before. Above them she saw the disembodied head of an old man with no hair.

When Kiera tried to speak, she couldn't find the words. Nothing she was seeing made any damn sense.

Another woman, dressed in black and with skin the colour of caramel, stepped toward the disembodied head. She looked to Kiera like someone of Arabic origin.

"What the hell is this?" she asked.

A third woman, shorter than both of them, stepped up beside the woman in black. She had immaculate, golden blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She was the very picture of perfection. But Kiera disliked her right away from the cocky smirk on her face.

"You got any idea how much money I could have had?"

Kiera shook her head and stared up at the old man's head.

"I don't believe it," said a long haired man. "This place is impossible. We're years away from any technology like it. And is that a... robot? A goddamn robot?"

"Who the hell are you people? Explain yourselves, damn it!" said the final person, a man wearing a green suit.

"Peace," said the tired voice of the old man. "There is no cause for alarm."

"Yes there damn well is," said the blonde woman. "What the shit have you done to us? How did we get here?"

"There is no time to explain how," the old man said. "There is only time to explain why. You have no doubt seen the creatures attacking the city of... Alpha, what is that place called again?"

"It's called Parksville, Zordon."

"The robot even talks?" the long-haired man asked. "What a time to be alive."

"Really? I thought it was called Angel something," Zordon said.

"Zordon! There's no time to argue about this."

"You're right," Zordon said. "You have all been brought here for a reason. The creatures you encountered are called putties. Turn around and face the viewing globe behind you."

They did as Zordon asked watched a glass globe come to life. It showed them images of the chaos the putties were causing in Parksville.

"Remarkable," said the long-haired man.

"They are controlled by someone named Lord Zedd. He has returned to Earth with the end goal of global domination."

"This is unreal," Kiera finally said.

"Tell me about it," said the woman in black.

"Believe me, I'm right there with you," said the man in the green suit.

The glass globe went dark again and they turned around to face the old man's head, who the robot had called Zordon.

"This world's defenses will not be enough to repel Lord Zedd's invasions," Zordon said. "That is where you come in."

"Sorry, what?" the blonde woman asked. "We're not soldiers."

"No. You are far greater than that. You are Rangers. Power Rangers. You are the last line of defense for this world. When the planet is threatened, you will be called upon to save it from evil."

"But why us?" asked the long-haired man.

"You have been deemed worthy of the powers I am to grant you. An object should now be in your hands."

They all looked down to the strange objects they were now holding.. Each one had a different symbol. The devices were about the size of a cell phone.

"What the hell is this thing?" the woman in black asked.

"These are your power morphers," Zordon said. "Holding them in your hand and calling upon the soul of your power, you will be granted powers beyond which any mortal being on the planet can comprehend. In that moment, you will become the Power Rangers."

"What kind of dumb fucking name is Power Rangers?" asked the blonde woman.

"It is what you are. Now, will you accept your duty?"

"Duty? I don't think so, buddy," the man in the green suit said, stepping forward and placing the device on the console next to Alpha. "You put this on us, not the other way around. You don't get to decide what we get to do."

"That is why I asked the question. But if you are content with allowing this world to suffer than so be it."

The long-haired man grabbed the other man's arm and pulled him forward.

"Somebody's got to do something," he said. "It's obvious the cops aren't going to cut it. I'm not even sure the army has the tech to deal with that bloody spaceship in the sky. You can see where we are. Why would you walk away from a chance like this? We can do something to help people."

The man in the suit pulled his arm away from the long-haired man.

"Fuck you. I don't like being used. This is bullshit and you know it."

"We might not have asked for this but neither did we ask for those fucking things to come down here and shit on everything. You'd best man up and do the right thing."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll make you."

The man in green laughed.

"Really? You think you can make me, poindexter? Why don't you just try?"

"Why don't you shut your goddamn mouth and use that fight in you on those things out there?"

"Well said, Arthur," Zordon said. "And before you say it, yes. I know your names. All of you. Arthur, the wisely spoken one, you are the Blue Ranger. Your Soul Beast is the Owl, for your great and powerful wisdom."

The blonde woman shrugged and smirked. Kiera was liking her less and less.

"Sounds like fun to me," she said. "What do I get?"

"Lara," Zordon said. "You are the Yellow Ranger. Your Soul Beast is the Lion, proud and graceful. You hold the intellect and tenacity of the lion within your very soul."

Lara's smirk grew to a cocky grin.

"Always knew it," she said.

The man in green stepped forward and picked up his device again.

"Fine," he said. "But just to show this dickhead what I can do." He glared at Arthur.

"Cal. You are the Green Ranger. Your Soul Beast is the Raven, clever and cunning. Your silver tongue embodies the soul of the Raven."

"God damn it," Cal said. "Of course I get the shitty one."

The woman in black stepped forward.

"Is it too late to back out of this?" she asked.

"Do you wish to leave?" Zordon asked.

She looked around the room let out a long breath through her nose.

"I don't think I have any choice but to stay," she said.

"Very well, Ayla. You are the Black Ranger. Your Soul Beast is the Wolf, ferocious and loyal. You embody the lone black Wolf with your ferocity and strength."

"And finally," Zordon continued. "You will meet your leader."

"She's the leader?" Lara asked. "Doesn't seem like much of a leader to me."

Kiera turned her head and glared at Lara.

"You want to see a fucking leader, short stack?"

Lara's laugh was twisted and bordered on the insane.

"Go on then, sweetie. Let's see what you've got."

"Enough, Rangers," Zordon said. "Fighting amongst yourselves will solve nothing. You must work as a team and Kiera, the Red Ranger, you will be the leader of the team. Your Soul Beast is the Bull, for your massive strength and steadfast toughness."

They each stepped up beside Alpha.

"When the time comes, invoke the power of your Soul Beast. Then you shall be granted the powers and you will morph into a being of great power. Hold the power morpher in your hand. Do it now so that I may send you into battle," Zordon said.

As the newly proclaimed leader, Kiera stepped forward and decided to go first.

"How do I do it?" she asked.

"Just say Bull Soul Beast with the morpher held out in front of you. And say it with force so the soul may hear your call."

Kiera knew she would feel silly doing it but, if those things came for Gavin again, she had to protect him. Any feelings of silliness would be worth keeping him from harm.

She held the device out in front of her and drew in a breath.

"Bull Soul Beast!"

In an instant, Kiera felt power surge within her and something around her began to change. She was soon wearing a suit like that of a superhero and a shielded helmet appeared on her head.

The suit was bright red and fit like it was made for her. The gloves and boots were accented in gold and black with only trace elements of red. Her chest was adorned with a black and gold stripe and a crest sat in the middle. It depicted a charging bull, coloured red. Her helmet had the shape of a raging bull at its top and a black visor covered her eyes, though she still saw with clarity. A hardened mouthpiece coloured gold completed the helmet.

"Looking good there, sweetie," Lara said. "My turn. Lion Soul Beast!"

Lara changed then into a similar suit, though hers was yellow. Her gloves and boots were accented in black and silver and her chest had a similar stripe to Kiera's, only it was black and silver instead. In the centre of the chest was a crest with a roaring female lion. Her helmet looked like the head of a female lion at its top and had the same straight, black visor and gold mouthpiece.

"But I look better," Lara added.

Cal sighed.

"Let's get this shit over with," he said. "Raven Soul Beast!"

He morphed as well, into a full green suit. His gloves and boots were accented in black and gold, like Kiera. Also like Kiera, his chest stripe was black and gold. His crest depicted a raven in flight. His helmet was shaped like that of a raven's head and was complete with visor and mouthpiece as well.

Ayla looked at the three morphed rangers.

"Let's go then," she said. "Wolf Soul Beast!"

Her suit was full black, except for the gloves and boots which were accented in silver and gold, as was the stripe on her chest. The crest was a howling wolf and her helmet seemed to snarl with the wolf's head on top. The visor and mouthpiece also completed Ayla's helmet.

Arthur stepped forward, beaming with pride. He held his morpher out in front of him.

"I can't believe this is happening," he said. "Owl Soul Beast!"

Arthur morphed into his blue suit, with black and gold accented gloves and boots. The stripe on his chest was also black and gold and the crest was and owl with its wings spread wide. His helmet was also an owl at the top and he, like the others, had the black visor and gold mouthpiece.

"Go now, Rangers," Zordon said. "The time for action is now. Good luck and may the power be with you. Always."

"Sure. Whatever, old man," Lara said as the five of them were transported away in multicoloured light.

Once they were gone, Alpha looked up at Zordon.

"They're not teenagers," Alpha said.

Zordon sighed.

"Yes. But they are still brimming with attitude. You always make strange choices, Alpha. And yet I have confidence that this team will succeed."-

-With the city in chaos, there was no one who could beat back the Putty forces. The police were overwhelmed trying to handle them and they were destroying everything they could in their wake.

A dark figure was watching the scene unfold from above. A red beam of light shone from his visor dissipated and he let out a low, growling chuckle.

"This is what I live for," he said. "And nothing stands in my way now."

An even deeper, growling voice spoke to him from the shadows.

"You know how these things go, my lord. It will not be this easy for long."

The figure allowed his massive throne to spin around and face the one who had spoken to him. The dark figure was a large man devoid of skin. All of his muscle matter was covered over by a metallic skeleton but his head gave him a far more intimidating appearance. His eyes were nothing but a solid, red visor and a metal cage covered where his mouth would be. His expression was frozen in a permanent scowl. A piece of metal protruded from the middle of his forehead and a letter 'Z' sat at its top. A snake wound its way around his body and he grabbed it when he stood from the throne. The snake became a large, metal staff with a 'Z' at its top.

"Are you suggesting the Power Rangers will return, Goldar?"

Goldar's grip tightened on his sword as Lord Zedd stood from his throne.

"It's not that you couldn't handle them, my lord. But I would advise that you proceed with caution."

Lord Zedd growled at his minion and turned away from him. He walked over to the balcony of his starship, with a perfect view of the ground below.

"Your advice is appreciated, Goldar. But things are well in..."

As Lord Zedd peered down at the Earth below, he stopped speaking. A red aura began to glow around him and he pounded his fist on the railing of the balcony.

"Is it the Power Rangers, my lord?"

Lord Zedd said nothing. He just seethed as he saw a sight he dreaded all along.-

-With the city still in chaos, the Putties' attention was drawn to the middle of an intersection in the street. Five coloured flashed of light came down from the sky and a team of heroes appeared in their midst. Each one of the heroes braced themselves as a swarm of putties surrounded them in an instant.

"Odds aren't with us," Arthur said.

"Sure they are," Lara said. "You ever felt stronger than this before?"

"Point taken," Arthur said.

"Stick together," Kiera said, trying her best to be the leader as she was supposed to be. "Don't get split up. We take them as a group. Don't let them get behind you and watch each other's backs."

Lara scoffed.

"I'm not waiting for you."

The Yellow Ranger charged into a group of putties and moved like lightning. One high kick and solid punch later and two of the putties disappeared into clay pieces.

"God damn it," Kiera said. "Get after her, one of you. The rest of you, pick your targets."

Cal took it upon himself to jump in beside Lara and level another two putties with heavy punches. The two backed up into each other and were surrounded again, cut off from the rest of the group.

"You're a moron," the Green Ranger said.

"I don't take orders," Lara said. "And I don't need your help."

"Well, you've got it now. I'll watch your back, even if you don't fucking deserve it."

"Marvellous," Lara said. "And while you're doing that, I'll be doing all the work. Great fucking help there."

"Just shut up and fight, asshole."

The circle of putties closed on them and the two of them started the fight.

Kiera led the other two into a larger group of putties. Two of them ran at her. The Red Ranger was quick to pick one up off its feet and slam it to the ground, punching it in the chest. As soon as she did that, the second had no time to react as Kiera delivered another heavy blow to its chest. Both putties disappeared into clay pieces.

Ayla followed Kiera and took three of them, jumping back and forth between them. None of the putties had any time to hit the Black Ranger as she leapt in and out at them. Two punches and a kick later saw the putties turn to nothing.

Arthur started grappling with two of them but his lack of any actual training started to show itself. He was pushed back by both putties and stumbled a bit. He kept his balance and punched one in the chest as it reached him but the Blue Ranger spent too much time marvelling at his minor victory as the second putty reached him and tackled him to the ground. He tried grappling with it but he wasn't faring very well. To his relief, he saw Kiera looming over them and she pulled the putty off of him. She slammed it to the ground and punched it in the chest. She reached down to Arthur and pulled him to his feet.

"Stick with me," she said. "And be careful."

"Right," Arthur said.

The two of them rushed over to Ayla to begin helping her fight off another group of putties.

Cal and Lara, meanwhile, dispatched their group of putties with ease. Cal felt that he hardly had to do anything at all. Lara's speed was incredible and, no matter what the putties tried, they couldn't touch her. As impressive as Kiera had been in the glimpses he had caught of her, Cal felt that Lara might just be the best fighter amongst them.

This fact only became more apparent as two of them rushed at her from either side. She laughed at the sight.

"Oh, please. Give me a challenge already, you shambly fucks," she said.

He barely even saw her move as the two putties were gone in an instant. She turned to face him and, even with her face hidden behind the helmet, Cal knew that cocky smirk would spread across her face.

"You're staring, little shit."

The name irked Cal. He hated when people made fun of his height.

"Get in there and help the others, you heel," Cal said.

Lara glanced to her right and saw the rest of the putties. The other three were surrounded on all sides. They were faring well but their progress was slow. Lara turned back to Cal and he could almost feel the twisted smile he had seen inside with Zordon.

"Watch this," she said.

Lara charged into the middle of the group and took down two putties before Cal even got there.

Once Cal jumped into the fray, all five Rangers were now battling the putties and they began dropping like flies. After a short while, most of the putties had fallen. Before they could finish the rest of them off, they disappeared and the streets were cleared.

The panic in the streets disspated and everything went silent for a few moments. The five Rangers stood together and took a look around at the damage the putties had done to the city. The place was trashed but it wasn't anything that couldn't be cleaned up with a few hours of work. The Power Rangers had showed up at the right time.

"Is that it then?" Lara asked.

Kiera noticed several people stepping out into the street. They were gawking at the five of them and seemed afraid to approach. Kiera turned her head to answer Lara.

"Looks like it," she said.

"So what happens now?" Ayla asked.

"Wish I knew," Kiera replied.-

-"Damn those Rangers!" Lord Zedd boomed. He whirled around to face Goldar. "Get down there and get rid of them!"

"You're sending me, my lord?"

"Of course I'm sending you! What other idiot could I send to deal with those damned Power Rangers?"

"Very well, my lord. I am ready to face them."

"Then be ready to grow larger, Goldar! I'm not playing around this time!"

"Yes, my lord."

Lord Zedd raised his staff and Goldar disappeared in a flash of white lightning. He watched the scene below to make sure he had done it right.

The Rangers were startled by the sound of thunder from somewhere behind them. The figure of a large, humanoid creature greeted them from the road as they turned around.

"It's been a long time, Power Rangers! The time to do battle has come once again!"

Lara laughed at the creature.

"The fuck are you supposed to be?"

What she saw was a strange sort of wolfman with thick, bat-like wings. He was covered in a thick, golden armour and held a heavy longsword in his right hand.

"You would dare laugh at the might of Goldar? Just you wait, Yellow Ranger!"

Lord Zedd from above raised his staff again and crackles of lightning filled the sky. As he did, Goldar shouted to the sky and raised his sword and he started getting bigger before their very eyes. Soon he was as tall as the skyscrapers that surrounded them.

"Who's laughing now?" he said as he glowered down at them.

"Well, shit," Lara said. "Didn't see that one coming."

"How the fuck are we supposed to deal with this?" Cal asked.

"I sure hope that giant head as a goddamn plan," Ayla added.

"Don't lose focus," Kiera said. "Keep your composure. We've got to have a contingency of some sort."

Right after Kiera spoke, the Rangers disappeared into flashes of light again and they were back within Zordon's command centre. They stepped forward and removed their helmets and waited for Zordon to speak.

"The time has come," he said. "Alpha, show the Rangers their Zords."

Lara chuckled.

"Named them after yourself, did you?"

Zordon ignored her comment and directed their attention to the viewing globe.

"Lara, the Yellow Ranger, you control the Lion Zord. Its strength and pride will aid you in the battle ahead."

A huge, robotic lion appeared in the viewing globe. It was a bright yellow beast with huge jaws and powerful legs, gliding along with effortless bounds at a full run. Lara's lion symbol adorned its chest.

"Ayla, the Black Ranger, you control the Wolf Zord. Use its ferocity wisely."

The image changed to that of a huge, robotic wolf, coloured black. Its form snarled and the beast's eyes glowed a deep, angry red. It, too, carried the same symbol on its chest as Ayla.

"Arthur, the Blue Ranger, you control the Owl Zord. Its wisdom will guide you through any battle."

The image changed again and a massive, robotic owl swooped into view. It was coloured blue, for the most part, with a few black parts on its body. Its eyes were bright yellow and intelligent and it carried Arthur's owl symbol on its chest.

"Cal, the Green Ranger, you control the Raven Zord. Its cunning and intellect will prove vital in the fight to come."

Another image change revealed the huge, cawing raven soaring across a dark, starry sky. Its body was solid green and it stared forward with bright red eyes, like the Wolf Zord. The raven symbol on Cal's chest was also on its chest.

"And finally, Kiera, the Red Ranger. You control the Bull Zord. Its rage is terrible so be cautious but its strength in battle is unmatched."

The image changed once more to show a massive bull. Its rage seemed impossible to contain as it charged forward with glistening, white horns. It's black eyes raged and it made a terrible sound. The rest of its body was red with the exception of the golden coloured crest of the bull on its chest.

They turned back to Zordon when the image darkened.

"How do we, uh, use these things?"Arthur asked.

"Just call upon them using their names. They will always heed your call. And should their power not be enough, your Zords can combine to form the Soul Beast Megazord. Once you do that, you can call upon the final power of the Sword of Beasts to aid you even further. But this must be done by you, Kiera."

"And that's it?"

"Yes. Call upon your Zords when I send you back. Go forth, Rangers. And may the power be with you."

"You gonna say that every time, big head?" Lara asked.

Zordon didn't answer her and the five of them disappeared again as they palced their helmets back on.

"I don't think I like her, Alpha," Zordon said with a sigh.

"I know what you mean, Zordon."

"Still, she is growing on me."-

-The five Rangers appeared in the intersection they had just left and Kiera looked to the sky where Goldar was tromping through the city.

"Let's do this, then" she said. "Bull Zord!"

The huge, red beast charged into view and Kiera found herself being transported toward it. She was sitting in front of a kind of control panel in mere moments.

"Woah," she said. "This is some crazy shit."

Lara looked up at the huge bull.

"Time for some fun," she said. "Lion Zord!"

The great yellow beast leapt down from above and Lara was soon inside the thing, behind a contol panel like Kiera.

Ayla didn't waste time joining the fray.

"Wolf Zord!"

The lone, black beast howled as it heeded its master's call and jumped to Ayla, who was now also transported to the contol panel.

"Shit," Cal said. "And to think, ours fly. This might be awesome. Raven Zord!"

A loud, screeching caw greeted Cal and the beat of great, green wings thrust a heavy breeze down on them. He, too was, transported to a control panel.

"Last again," Arthur said. "Owl Zord!"

The screeching, blue beast swooped down to him and he was behind the controls in no time. The five Zords now stood on equal footing with Goldar.

"All right," Kiera said. "Can the rest of you hear me?"

"Coming through nice and loud, fearless leader," Lara said.

"I hear you," Ayla said.

"Me too," Cal added.

"Got ya, Captain," Arthur said, saluting to the Bull Zord.

"Stick together this time. I mean it, Lara. We watch each other's backs and surround him. All right?"

Every member of her team agreed but one voice was missing. She looked out the front of her Zord and saw the yellow lion charging straight for Goldar.

"For fuck's sake!" she said. "Get after her!"

Kiera didn't know how she would contol the beast but as she looked down at the control panel, all manner of things came into her head. She knew what to do out of instinct. It was as though the Bull and her were made for each other.

With a few simple commands the Bull lunged forward and threw itself at Goldar, who was already battling the lion.

Goldar's sword created sparks against the lion's right haunch and caused it to stumble backward.

"You're bold, Yellow Ranger!" Goldar said. "But you've separated yourself from your friends."

"Don't need 'em. You've never fought someone like me before."

Lara's lion leapt on Goldar and knocked him to the ground, quaking the ground beneath them. Kiera felt the tremor as her Bull charged in.

"Damn it, Lara! You'll level the whole goddamn city if you're not careful!"

"At least I'm getting the job done, fearless leader," Lara said.

Kiera growled as she watched Goldar throw the lion off him and stand back up in a split second. But before he could strike out at the lion again, the bull's horns caught him in the chest and sent him stumbling backward.

"Ah, the Red Ranger has arrived," Goldar said. "Perfect. More for me!"

His sword struck the bull in the side of the head and caused it to lurch to one side. In that moment, Kiera lost control of the bull and it started kicking its back legs out violently.

"Woah!" she said. "Settle down! Easy now!"

The bull continued to rage and stamped the ground, shaking the earth even more.

"Shit! Zordon wasn't kidding about this thing's rage."

"Get it under control then. Don't go turning into a hypocrite," Lara said.

Kiera did everything she could to calm the bull but nothing would work. Finally, she shouted at it in frustration.

"Bull, stop!"

The bull stopped its raging and Kiera had regained control.

"About time," Lara said.

By then the other three Rangers had reached them but even as they surrounded him they couldn't land a decent hit on Goldar. He was far quicker than any of them had been expecting. Not even Lara could do anything to him.

"We're gonna need do that Megazord thing," Cal said.

"He's right," Arthur added. "We're not touching him."

"I'm with you there," Ayla said.

"Only if fearless leader says so, though, right?" Lara said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Let's do it, then. Megazord?"

Kiera's tone was uncertain and she realized that she didn't know what to say.

"Shit, um, Soul Beast Megazord!"

That seemed to do something as all five Zords began to change shape. The Bull's legs folded underneath it and the head folded down to reveal a robotic head underneath. The Bull's head formed its chest. The Lion folded its form up and became the Megazord's left leg. The Wolf did much the same as the Lion and became the right leg. The Owl came in from behind the Bull and folded around the chest to form both of the Megazord's arms. The Raven swooped in and wrapped around the Megazord just below the chest, forming a sort of armour piece and belt. The robot's eyes sprang to life and glowed a bright orange and it held its fists up to Goldar.

The five of them came together onto one control panel. Kiera stood in the middle, flanked on either side by Lara and Ayla. Cal and Arthur sat at the very edges of either side.

"Let's get that sword and give it right back to this guy," Kiera said, turning to face Lara.

"That's up to you, fearless leader. Remember?"

"Right," she said. "Um, Sword of Beasts?"

As the Megazord stood there, nothing happened. Goldar laughed and moved in to strike them down.

"Better try something else there, genius," Lara said.

"Damn it! Um, uh, give us the Sword of Beasts!"

Bright lightning cracked the sky and dark clouds formed above them. They split apart as a massive, silver sword came down from the sky and stuck in the ground in front of them. They picked it up and parried Goldar's attack just as he moved in.

"Close call," Cal said.

"At least I know what to do now," Kiera said. "Let's waste this shitheel."

"And this time, none of us have the chance to charge in like a moron. Right, moron?" Cal asked, turning to Lara.

"You just wish you were as good as me," Lara shot back.

"Hey! Focus! There's a fucking swordfight happening here," Arthur said.

"Yeah, let's get this shit over with," Ayla added.

"Thanks. Both of you. Let's get him," Kiera said.

With all of them at the controls, the Megazord was much faster than Goldar. Soon the wolfman with wings was overwhelmed by the fury of the Megazord's attacks. He could barely stay on his feet as he was hammered by the Sword of Beasts time and again. After falling one final time, Goldar could only scramble to one knee, supporting his weight with his sword.

"You haven't seen the last of me! I will return!"

Goldar disappeared just when the Megazord was about to cut him down. They all sat inside in total silence. Everything around them went deathly quiet. They waited for something else to happen but nothing did. Goldar didn't come back. The putties didn't come back. There was just nothing but onlookers on the ground staring up at the Megazord's mighty form.

"Did... did we do it?" Arthur asked.

"I guess," Kiera replied.

"But we didn't kill him," Lara said. "Seems a shame to me."

"We still beat him back," Ayla said. "That's not nothing."

"We did put a pretty good hurtin' on him," Cal said. "I don't think he'll be back anytime soon."

"Here's hoping," Kiera said. "At least we'll know what to do when that happens."

They fell silent again and reflected on everything that had happened.-

-Above them, meanwhile, Lord Zedd was fuming when Goldar returned with news of his failure.

"Explain to me again how you fled from the battle, Goldar! Explain your cowardice to me, you fool!"

"I had no choice, my lord. I would have been no use to you dead. It was a tactical retreat. I must recover my strength, my lord."

Lord Zedd growled and struck Goldar with his staff, causing him to stumble to the ground. He did not get back up, holding his hands up to shield his face.

"I will not fail you next time, my lord!"

"See to it that you don't or I shall dispose of you myself."

Lord Zedd turned back to the balcony and glared down at the Earth as his starship retreated to the moon's orbit.

"Those damned Power Rangers will not stop me a second time, Goldar. I will not have it!"-

-The Rangers were back to normal and de-morphed back in the command centre, standing before Zordon.

"You have done well here today, Rangers. You will make a great team yet."

Kiera shrugged.

"I can only hope so."

"As can I, Kiera. But before I send you all home, there are three rules you must be told and abide by for you to continue to serve the world as Power Rangers."

"Of course. There's always rules," Lara said.

"First, never use your powers for personal gain. You will be Power Ranger no longer if you abuse the gifts you have been given."

"Fuck," Lara said. "Why'd you have to make that the first one?"

"Second," Zordon continued, "Never escalate a battle unless you are forced. You are guardians, not vigilantes. Your duty is a sacred one and good must be upheld with only the greatest of integrity. And finally, always keep your identity a secret. Tell no one that you are Power Ranger."

Kiera sighed.

"This was a lot to take in, you know."

"Yes. I know. You have led your team admirably. Your team cohesion will only grow as you work together more and more. I am sorry for placing this burden on your shoulders but you will make the best team to defend this world. That is why you were chosen as the Power Rangers."

"Not sure I'm ready to do that again," Arthur said. "Besides, I have no training."

"And I have very little," Cal added. "Surely you can find someone else."

"I can train you," Kiera said. "I've done some boxing and judo training. Quite a bit, actually."

"That explains why you throw people and punch so damn much," Lara said. "I know a bit of judo myself. And some capoeria. A bit of jiu-jitsu, too. If you make it worth my while then I could train you, too."

"You want us to pay you?" Cal asked.

"Hey, I've got to get something out of it."

Cal growled under his breath but he remembered how Lara had fought off the putties.

"Fine. I'll pay you what I can, as long as I get results."

Lara nodded and smirked at Cal, who growled again.

"Will you train me, Kiera?" Arthur asked.

"Sure. I'm not exactly an expert but I come pretty damn close. It'd help for you to know how to throw a punch. And you don't have to pay me."

"Aww. Aren't you just the perfect sweetheart," Lara said.

Kiera glared at Lara.

"Don't try my patience. You've already been stupid enough for one day. You keep up with that shit and you'll find yourself on the fucking ground."

"Try me," Lara said, her smirk widening to her twisted grin.

"You're part of this team now, right?" Kiera asked, gritting her teeth.

"The best part. What's your point?"

"You're a selfish whore," Kiera said. "And there's no place on this team for selfish whores."

"You kicking me out, fearless leader?"

"No. You're too valuable. But what I am doing is telling you to straighten yourself up or I'll fucking make you."

Lara's smile widened even further.

"How about you make me straighten out right now, sweetie?"

Kiera swore under her breath. Lara laughed.

"I think I like you, fearless leader. So much fight in you. I love that."

"Just shut your mouth and do your damn job," Kiera said.

Lara gave Kiera a mock salute.

"Sure thing there, fearless leader."

Kiera ignored Lara and walked over to Ayla. They two of them looked each other in the eye.

"You have any problems?" Kiera asked.

"I'm not sure about this whole thing," Ayla said. "But somebody is going to need to fight back if shit like that is going to keep coming down on us. So I'm in."

"And you're good with the whole training thing?"

"Done some arnis training in the Phillippines and a bit of kendo. Tried out judo like the two of you as well. I'm good."

"All right then. Anything else?"

Ayla shook her head.

"You and I should get along just fine. As for her," Ayla said, looking to Lara. "Hope we can get that problem sorted out."

"I do love to leave an impression," Lara said.

Kiera ignored her again and faced Zordon.

"I'd say we're all in then," she said.

"Good. I shall return you to your homes but, before you go, Alpha will give you watches that will act as communicators should I have need to contact you."

Alpha handed them each a watch of their corresponding colour and they all affixed them to their wrists. They turned back to Zordon.

"Thank you for your work today, Rangers. Go now and return to your lives. But always be ready to heed the call to action. And may the-"

"Don't say it again, old man," Lara said.

Zordon cleared his throat.

"May the power be with you. Always," he finished with a sigh, sounding more tired than he had before.

The five Rangers disappeared again and Alpha looked up at Zordon when they were gone.

"They did well," he said.

"Yes, Alpha. But they have a lot to get over if they're going to be the team we need. I worry they may not be able to conquer themselves."

"So do I, Zordon."-

-When Kiera returned home in a red flash of light, Gavin was waiting by the doorstep. He ran outside to her and threw his arms around her waist.

"What happened to you?"

Kiera pulled him away and knelt down next to him. She looked into his eyes and rubbed his head.

"Just got pulled away for an emergency. Nothing to worry about now, though. Everything is fine."

"But I saw you disppear like you were abducted by aliens or something."

"Come on, Gavin. You must have been seeing things. I left in the truck. I had to take care of an emergency."

"What emergency? I heard all these loud sounds coming from the city and the ground was shaking and I thought you might get hurt."

"Well I didn't. You remember Griff, right?"

"He's that nice, big guy."

"That's right. Well, he had to rush his father to the hospital and I helped him get there and make sure he was okay. That's all."

"But what about all that shaking? And those sounds?"

"There was an earthquake," Kiera said. "That's all. Just a bit of damage to the city but nothing major. Everything's fine, Gavin."

Gavin looked into Kiera's eyes.

"But I saw you disappear. There was even this red light."

"That wasn't anything but your imagination, Gavin. All right? Let's go inside. I'm hungry. How about you?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Gavin still wasn't satisfied with Kiera's answers but it became obvious to him that she wouldn't say anything more. So he followed inside the farmhouse and decided to let it go for the time being.