Power Rangers - Alternate Universe

Episode 001 - "It's Morphin' Time"

[ Cue the trite Star Wars-style vertical scrolling marquee. ]

Over 10,000 years ago, an evil souceress known as Rita sent her army to invade a quiet and peaceful planet known as Eltar in search of the power coins. The Eltarians only had magic to work with, whereas Rita's soliders had both magic and fire power. The Eltarians were easy targets. Through the sea of dead bodies, a then young sourcerer known as Zordon was brave enough to still fight for his people. Courage can only take a person so far, so Zordon was no problemo. Before Goldar could have his head, Rita ordered her warrior to step down. She would put Zordon in a time warp so he could watch the now desolate planet of Eltar crumble over time; a more fitting punishment Rita thought. Zordon would be spared if and only if he would lead Rita to the power coins. Zordon took the punishment instead and is now forever a big floating head inside a plasma tube. Finster, Rita's soft-spoken go-to-guy for creating new warriors, found one of the coins however; the Dragon Coin. With their attention deverted momentarily, Zordon used his magic to teleport away from Eltar, the hardest decision he'd ever have to make. Apparently Rita had under-estimated Zordon's capabilities. Nevertheless, she had one of the coins; the most powerful one in fact.

Light years later, Zordon crashed onto Edenoi, where he would meet his then recently built companion Alpha Five. Explaining the situation to King Lexian, Alpha was sent with Zordon to relocate; kind of like a witness protection program dealie. They needed to go to a place where life could be supported, but the inhabitants would not be intelligent enough to intefer; so Earth was the natural choice. Through the years of setting up a Command Center, or an Eltarian Embacy as Zordon wishes to refer to it as, Alpha and Zordon observed the human race and took good note. Like Rita had under-estimated Zordon, Zordon had under-estimated human beings. They, too, were strong-willed indiviuals, fully capable of peaceful interaction -- a handful of them anyhow. Zordon grew to love humans, to admire their love for life, their spirits, their compassion for others whenever evil would rise up and try to take over.

The day came when Lexian had contacted Alpha with big news. Rita and her minions had been captured and imprisioned in a space dumpster. Justice had been served and there was one less threat to be concerned about -- or so they thought. Managing to control her space dumpster, Rita steered that thing all the way over to the Milky Way Galaxy and crashed onto the moon. Like curious children, NASA investigated and freed what would spell disaster. The Command Center scanners picked up the disturbance and instantly recognized the energy pattern; Rita was back and she was ready to take out her bitterness on the closest inhabited planet. Not knowing it at the time, she'd have to go through Zordon first -- or his Power Rangers to be exact.

Yes, Zordon managed to snag the other five coins right before his exodus from Eltar and was ready to recruit five humans to become the saviors of Earth -- but who?

Angel Grove, California: August 2003

_______________________________________________

Dino

The summer is now near its end. A trip to Europe that many would covet for was not satisfying as I hoped it would have been. Junior year was over. My friends were gone. They weren't gone for good, but we didn't keep in contact like we said we would. I told them I would call when I was away, but I didn't. Honestly, I didn't plan to, and I don't know why. The more I thought about it, the guys didn't mean much of anything to me. I wouldn't call that growing up because I'm always being reminded to do so from my father. I pray I won't be so damn serious about everything like he is. To even try to live up to his example is unfathomable at this present time. I've expressed those feelings about my father to Christina ever since I moved here to Angel Grove. As much as it'd do me good to forget that name, it's that name that kept me from truly enjoying myself this summer. I loved that girl, and I still do. I had her and I blew it. She was my girl.

A medicore attempt to rid of any reminder of Christina resulted in the destruction of just my journal notes documenting our relationship. Yes; I kept notes. It's dumb; I know. I didn't write any cheesy shit and I didn't gush about Christina and how wonderful her smile is, how bright she is, how beautiful her eyes are, how -- oh hell. Like I said, I blew it. I waited too long and I made things more difficult than they had to be. I should of told her. I thought she knew. If I knew she felt the same way, I wouldn't had to fight so hard for something I easily could of had handed to me. The fight was worth it though because I was victorious. I had her. She was my girl, but I lost her to one night of drunken stupidity.

Now at home, I was feeling a bit jaded from the long flight. I don't know if I want to lay down or go find something to do. I'm sure as hell not going to unpack all this luguage right now. In Italy we bought some clothes from several designer shops that would cost boocu bucks here in the States for only a fraction of the price. Shopping isn't a favorite activity of mine, but was necessary. I've only recently started to dress nicer, so it was cool to be able to get some new threads for school in a few weeks. There I go again; I just reminded myself of the reason why I started to dress nicer -- and she's only seven houses away from me. Don't get the wrong impression. My life does not revolve around the girl. This year when school starts up again I'm going out for the wrestling team again and I'll be fine -- I think.

About my friends again, it turns out my dad was right.. C.J. and the others actually are a waste of my time. I'm not saying I'm better than them. I really can't place my finger on it. Something in me is changing. Maybe I'm slowly maturing afterall; emphasis on slowly. I'm thinking about giving at least one a call; maybe Aaron. He wasn't as much as a dick as everyone else. During the flight I already decided to take a much needed shower when I got home. I grabbed a towel from the linen closet and went to the bathroom. I smiled at the sight of the shower radio we had installed a few days prior to leaving for Europe. I didn't get much of a chance to use it. I undressed, got in the shower, and immediately turned on the shower radio and began scanning the stations. I'm not a country fan, but it's perfect shower music in my mind at least. The song playing was interupted by a D.J. for whatever reason, so I grabbed the soap for a quick second to get lathered up before continuing to find a station that was playing music. I don't know what was up, but it seemed as the more I scanned the more the stations all of a sudden killed the music and had a "breaking bullentin." If I were really paying attention, I would have caught on.

"Dino, you have to see this! Hurry up in there!" Mom called out from the hall.

"Okay?" I said quietly.

Instinct prompted me to listen to the radio news report. I knew right away it had to do with what Mom was wanting me to see.

"Citizens of the western coast of the United States of America are in shock, amazment, and even panic at this hour of the sight of an unknown weather phenomena occuring in our skies. Reports are flooding media outlets that lighting, thunder, and other unusual occurances all culmunating soley from what is being described as a pool of purple sky peaking into the devil's hell. Flames of fire make quick appearances before retreating but are not of any immediate threat says local officials due to the distance between us and the filame."

What on God's green Earth is going on? I continued to listen.

"No word as of yet from the science community as to what all this could mean, but no doubt this is just as baffling for them as it is for us. The religious community however is already citing this is as the end and are at every street corner imaginable trying to bring sinners to repentance."

What the hell? I turned off the radio. What's happening? I quickly rinsed myself and got out the shower. I ran to my room, dried off, changed, and joined my family out in the backyard who were watching what was already in progress. It was everything the newsman had said. It looked nasty, threatening, and mystical all at the same. It was beautiful; the colors that swirled together. It was like a master piece that an artist had some way of canvasing across the western skies.

"What do you think will happen?" my 10-year-old brother Shawn asked our father.

Our father stood silent, his eyes still fixed upwards before responding.

"I wish I could tell you," he answered as serious as ever.

Mom held onto Dad's hand, her eyes letting me know what she was feeling.

"You alright, Mom?" I asked coming to stand beside her.

"I guess -- what is it?"

"I don't see what the big deal is," I said.

My famiy took their eyes away from the sky to look at me.

"People are going ape over something absolutely breath-taking. Am I the only one that sees this as not a bad thing?" I asked before continuing. "It has potential to be a bad thing, but right now it's not and since no one knows what it is there's really nothing we can do to prepare for it so what's the point of worrying? It's not like space aliens are taking over."

_______________________________________________

Christina

"This is the most exciting shit to happen this summer, eh?" Jonthan said before taking another bite of his sub.

Jonathan and I were watching CNN's coverage of the unprecdented occurance over a footlong as we sat and ate at our local Subway.

"Yeah," I said back absent-mindly.

"Are you alright? You look like something's wrong."

"No. I'm fine. Just a little worried about what's going to happen."

"It's the end of the world, baby!"

Jon drew attention to our table.

"Jonny, hush. People are already panicing enough around the country; no need to start one here, too."

We continued to watch the coverage in silence as we finished eating our meals. Jonathan looked back at me and looked like he was about to say something important.

"Oh! Dino and his family are coming back today from their trip."

Nevermind. Jon saw I wasn't interested and we continued watching the television that was mounted against the wall. My eyes glanced at the part of the screen showing today's date. There are only eight more days to school. Is the summer over already? Time flies when you're continually busy. Let's see; upon finishing junior year, I not only broke up with a jealous, unfaithful, and unfair boyfriend, but I got to work with kids at the local recreation center and had a blast. It's thanks to Justin I got the job. He works there as part of his father's church's youth ministry. That's actually how I started getting into church. I'm not "saved", but so far my first three weeks of church have been -- interesting. I'll probably explain later, but it's Justin who's been amazing. He really has changed and has become a close friend this summer; real close.

No; Justin and I aren't together. We never were officially together. Ever since we started working together and ever since I started going to his church, our friendship tightened. We know we have feelings for eachother, and being together so much this summer -- well -- it's not helping. Justin doesn't know, but he likes me more than I like him. He's an awesome guy and I think he's super cute, but the occasional kiss here and there is misleading and I don't know how I'm going to end it. My heart is in several other places right now. It's just not fair to him. On a sidenote, Justin's encouraged me to go out for Cross Country again this year. I already had pondered joining again before junior year was done with, but he helped me make the final decision.

"If this is the end of the world, what would you do before you die?" Jonathan asked smiling no doubt with perversion in mind.

"Nothing you'd do," I said drily.

"Liar. If you had to kiss one person goodbye, who'd you kiss?"

"If you say his name, I'm going to stuff the rest of your sub in a hole and it won't be your mouth, got it?"

Without any warning of it happening, a loud rumble rolled across the sky and slightly shaked the windows of the store and everything in it. Now it's time to panic.

"We better leave," I said getting up.

"Hold on! I got one more bite."

"Move it!"

I dumped my trash and left the story promptly as others in the vincinity were starting to do. Jonathan finished up and followed behind. We got in his truck and left the small plaza adjacent to my neighborhood. Reaching out for his radio dial, he turned on a station for the latest. We listened in silence. News reporters could only given their opinions on what happened and could only advise listeners with precautions to take in case anything should happen. I looked over at my cousin to see his reaction to what we were hearing. He looked back at me and gave me a small smile.

"You know nothing ever happens around here. Tornados, hurricanes, and everything else never hits this town of ours. They don't call it Angel Grove for nothin'."

"Sure," I said feigning a confident reply. "We'll be fine."

Jonathan, or Jonnny as I call him most of the time, was born and raised here in Angel Grove like myself. We grew up together, so he's like my third brother, but I'm not the youngest one when he's around. He's only a year younger than me and is about to enter his junior year. The kid's a cutie, has short spiky blonde hair, blue eyes, and a smile that gets him a lot of attention with some girls at school, but not as much attention as his record for the number of fights he gets into at school. Though I think he's making wrong decisions in his life, he can definitely hold his own and he treats girls right; to their face at least. He thinks because he's got a tight little body that he can get any girl he wants, but he isn't a "playa" at all like he pretends to be. He's only mildly popular at school, but popularity is merely a state of mind to me and I don't measure my cousin's character by it of course.

Jonny turned onto my street -- and Dino's. Without thinking, I automatically peered over at his house. It's a reflex.

"Looks like they're home," Jonathan commented.

I didn't answer.

"You know we're all practically family. Your families have grown up together so it's dumb to act that way."

"What way?"

"Nothing. Whether you like it not, you two are at least going to be friends."

"Not if I can help it," I mumbled.

We pulled into my driveway. When we got inside, I saw my mom grabbing her car keys on her way out.

"Where are you off to?" I asked.

"The store to buy supplies. I'm sure the place is already a madhouse."

"So they determined this is a storm then?" I asked hoping for an answer.

"No, but better safe than sorry. I'll see you kids soon."

"Be careful. Love you," I said hugging her.

"Love you too. Bye."

"So what do you want to do?" I asked plopping down on the couch.

"Let's play some video games," Jonathan said plopping beside me.

"Video games? At this time? With that outside?"

"Sure. It ain't like it's going somewhere. How about 007? Diddy Kong Racing?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Diddy Kong," I said sitting up as Johnny handed me my controller.

Jonathan turned on the game. As he set things up, I layed back on the couch looking out the window before us. Bad weather never really bothered me, but this is something different. With that rattle we felt at Subway and just the way the sky looks, something is definitely up. This can't be just some storm. Figuratively speaking, I feel like something inside of me is going to burst. I just know something is going to happen.

"Hurry up, and choose your character," Jonathan said getting annoyed.

I snapped out of my daze and selected which character I wanted. I'm good at this game, but not as good as my cousin. I turned to look at him and then leaned over.

"I love you, Jonnny," I said giving him a quick hug from behind and a kiss on the cheek.

"What was that for? We're not going to die."

"Because I felt like it. Okay?"

Jonathan chuckled and squoze my hand lightly.

"I love you, too," he said back. "Try to relax. It'll blow over."

"I hope so."

We started playing the game. For over twenty minutes, we raced our cars through different courses. I won only once and Jonathan won all the rest. Right when we were going to start another race, all the power shut down. Wonderful.

"So -- want to play dark crystal now?" Jonathan asked.

"What are you? Ten?"

"Come on. It's fun. We used to play dark crystal all the time."

"Not now, Jonathan," I said getting annoyed.

"Whatever. Nothing's going to happen. Chill."

Right after he said that, another rumble shot through the sky and shook our surroundings more so than before. A darker tent of purple shaded the skyline.

"Chill?" I asked. "I don't like the look of things outside," I said curling up on the couch.

Jonathan got up from the floor and closed up the blinds.

"Is that better for you?" he asked

"Now it's dark. I can hardly see you."

"Well do you want them open or shut? Make up your mind."

"Open them back up so we can find some candles first. Then you can shut them."

I got up from the couch and looked around for the candles but couldn't find any in the kitchen. I then checked my mom's room.

"Nothing?" Jonathan asked.

"Nothing. For the first time in history, this house does not have any candles. Wonderful."

"I'm going to unplug some of the appliances just in case."

"I'll go unplug my computer. I'll be right back," I said heading to my room.

After we did all the unplugging, Jonny and I sat in the kitchen dining area in the near-pitch dark.

"What now?" my cousin asked.

"There's nothing to do but wait. Mom will be back soon hopefully. I hope she'll be okay driving home."

"Yeah."

Silence filled the minutes.

"Shit, I can't sit still. Let's leave," Jonathan said getting up.

"And go where?"

"I don't know. Somewhere. It's dark and it's getting hot in here."

"No. I want to make sure my mom gets home safely. It's not safe for you to go driving either."

"I should check up on my family to see how they're doing."

"I'm sure they're doing fine," I said getting up, "but it's not safe for you to go driving; especially with all those shockwaves hitting the ground."

"I should bring in my truck into the garage just to be safe then."

"Okay, but hurry."

We went in the garage and we manually opened its door since there was no power to open it automatically. Jonny got in his truck and pulled into the garage. After that he got out, but stopped me from pulling the door shut.

"What?" I asked.

"We shouldn't stay here alone. We should go over to Dino's."

"This isn't a time for jokes, Jonny."

"I'm not trying to be funny. I'm serious. It's safer to be in a place with more people in case something happens."

"You told me nothing is going to happen."

"It's not, but just in case."

"What about my mom?"

"We'll leave her a note."

"No. I don't want to go to Dino's and I don't want to leave my mom here alone."

"When she sees the note, she'll come over, too."

Right then the wind picked up. Some leaves blew into the garage with us.

"It's only for our safety," Jonathan continued. "You don't have to talk to the guy, you know. You don't even have to be in the same room."

"I know," I said softly.

"I'll go write the note real quick. I'll be right back."

Jonny headed back inside for a minute and came back out.

"Ready?" he asked shutting the door behind him.

"I guess."

We left the garage, shut the door, and locked up.

_______________________________________________

Jonathan

Christina and I hurried over to the Ricchino's. They live right down the street, so we got there quick. The garage was open and there in it was Dino coming out to meet us.

"HEY," I hollered as we walked in the garage.

Smiling, Dino punched my shoulder playfully as we got talking for a quick second.

"Aren't you going to say hello?" Dino smugly asked my cousin.

"No. Are you?" Christina asked back.

"No."

"Okay then."

I feel the love.

"Are you headed somewhere?" I asked Dino.

"Sure am," he said dangling his keys. "I called Aaron and he told me like hundreds of people are headed to Marshall Valley by the mountains. There's going to be some serious wind surfing. You in?"

"You know it! Christina?"

"I think I'll pass," my cousin said looking like she was going to head back home.

"Come on, Teenie. We can catch up about our summers," Dino said extending an invitation.

"Don't call me that," Christina hissed. "I'm only going because Jon is."

"Whatever. Let's roll."

We loaded into Dino's Dakota and headed out for Marshall Valley. It's near the city limits where the road forks off to Cross World City and Stone Canyon. When we arrived, swarms of teenagers were there, all their vechiles parked in every which way. Some were wind sailing across the flats, some were just laying about watching the sky, and some were plain high, but what's new?

"Sweet," Dino said stepping down the rocky path first. "I see Aaron's brother. We'll hook us up with a turn."

Christina and I followed behind, carefully stepping down the mildly-steep pile of rocks.

"Woah. Check tthat out!" I said pointing up.

A big bright flame of fire stretched forth the sky for at least two seconds. The crowd roared in amazement, some just obnoxiously screaming their heads off thinking they're funny.

"What's up, brotha?" Aaron's brother Michael asked as we walked up. "How was it?"

"It was tight," Dino answered in regards to his European vacation. "But what about hooking us up with a cart?"

"You got five people ahead of you and it's going to cost you."

"Mikey, we're buds. Surely you can cut me a break here."

The college-aged male snickered before responding.

"The only break happening will be are the carts if some shmuck here crashes one into the mountain. That's why I'm charging; just in case."

I stopped listening to the two for a moment. I was starting to understand what Christina was feeling. I felt it, too. Something didn't feel right. The sky -- it's awful.

"You alright, Jonny?" Christina asked.

"Yeah, I'm alright."

"Oh look. There's Amanda," my cousin said pointing past my shoulder.

I turned around and saw her. That's my -- was my girl. I hate that bitch's guts.

"Let's go say hi," Christina said beginning to walk over.

"Let's not," I said pulling her back.

"She's still my friend."

"Yeah, but she's not mine."

Dino and Michael continued talking as me and Christina continued to observe the sky. Minutes passed as we gazed blankly, waiting for something else to happen. Then it did. Screams quickly ensued.

"What the -- gray things? What are those?" Christina asked securely holding my arm.

I shrugged getting ancy myself. They were attacking and moving quick. They were raining down from the sky. Globs of gray matter poured in the distance and were taking shape as of men and begun to plow their way through. Dino and Michael joined us, their reactions similar to ours. Panic and terror spread like a wildfire.. The sky's flames shot down all around us, people flying in every direction trying to evacuate Marshall Valley. Michael left us and the carts to go save his own behind. We had to get back to Dino's truck and book it out of here quick. We were almost there when the globs dropped onto our path. They took their form, ready to attack.

Dino looked at me, and then at Christina. "Let's rock!"

Dino pounced on one and I took the other. Christina took a step back unknowingly right in the arms of another gray dude. She shreiked and stomped down hard on one of its feet. She turned to smack it away, but another gray man grabbed her from the side.

"Kiyah!"

I heard someone come to her rescue as I continued wrestling with the gray guy. It was Justin.

"You alright?" he asked Christina.

"Yeah," she said hugging him instantly.

"Let's move!" Dino said kicking his opponent against mine, sending those two against the other two.

Christina, Justin, Dino, and I loaded into the Dakota and took off. More of the guys in gray rained down from the sky.

"This is some fucked up shit right here," I said grabbing for my seat belt.

"Oh no," Justin said suddenly.

"What is it?" Christina asked.

"Theo. He was with me. We have to go back!"

"Fat chance," Dino said trying not to hit anyone as swuerved carefully around the herds..

"Dino, please!" Justin pleaded.

Dino slammed on his brakes.

"You're going to owe me big, Justin!" Dino said putting it into reverse.

We backtracked to where we were. Justin got out, as did I. Christina stayed.

"Where was he last?" I asked Justin.

"I don't know. He -- there he is!"

Two of the grays were pushing him about. Theo was trying to defend himself, but wasn't having much luck. He managed to block a few punches and kicks, but he needed some help; our help. Justin and I took one each before hopping off to help Theo up.

"You alright, bro?" Justin asked his friend.

"Yeah, man. Thanks," Theo said dusting himself off.

The two we just took down got back up, but met the dirt again a second later.

"Let's go!" Dino said springing back up after tackling them down for us.

There wasn't time to get all five of us comfortably situated in Dino's truck, so Justin, Theo, and I hopped in the bed of the truck and held on for dear life. Dino gunned it as he begun making his way over to the dirt road leading back to Angel Highway.

_______________________________________________

Zordon

The Embacy's alarms continued to blaze as Alpha and I watch attentively into the viewing globe obitting ahead.

"Ay yi yi! When, Zordon? When?"

"Patience, Alpha Five. If they truly are the ones, then it will be."

"Ohhh, I hope you're right."

_______________________________________________

Justin

More of the alien life forms appeared, but this time around the vechicle. Dino slowed down, having to make a quick decision.

"Hold on!" he hollered.

Dino floored it and plowed right through the line of aliens trying to attack the truck. Some tried to board the bed of the truck as we flew by, but to no avail as the three of us fended them off. Dino had to make a detour away from the road leading back to Angel Highway because of the hoards of people fleeing were in the way. Instead, he redirected his truck to an alternate path, hoping there would be another way out the valley. It seemed like forever as we drove further away from danger, but we made it somewhere safe. Dino parked the truck next to a large rock wall hidden from the valley's eyes. This is as far as he could take us unless Dakotas can climb vertical mountain sides.

"Is everyone okay?" Dino asked vacating the vechicle.

The three of us nodded as we hopped out. The five of us stood full circle reading each others' faces. What in God's name was happening? This is stuff we see on TV or in the movies, not in real life. This -- this contradicts my faith.

"Wow," Theo said leaning back against the rock wall. "That was amazing."

"Amazing?" Jonathan asked. "We could of been killed!"

"That's not what he meant," I interjected.

"Do you speak for him?" Jon shot back.

"Jonny, cool it," Christina said stepping in.

"Everyone cool it," Dino said commandingly. "Just relax. We're okay now."

We all quieted down and stood silently for what was another eternity. The sky above still cackled violently and the rambling of those creatues could be faintly heard in the background as the sound resonated through the valley and off the large walls of rock surrounding us. I lifted my eyes up from the ground and met Christina's. I gave her a smile, trying to show that we can be brave about this. She wasn't biting.

"Maybe there's a way to walk out of here without being noticed," Christina said craning her neck about the vincinity.

"There's no way that we're walking ten miles back home," Jon objected.

"Jonny, just be quiet for a minute and help me look."

Christina walked away from the group to look for another path that would lead us out back to Angel Highway. I followed after her as we tried any random path. After we made our way around the corner, I stopped her from going any further.

"What are you doing?" Christina asked trying to get me to relinquish my grip.

"We shouldn't go too far from the others. We should stick together."

"I'm just looking. I'll be fine."

"But you're not fine. Goodness, look at your knees."

They were a bit scraped up from her tangle with those alien creatures.

Christina's annoyed look disappeared from her face as she drew close.

"I'm a big girl, Justin. I can take care of myself."

"I know. ... I got your back, you know."

"I know. You always say that. ... Are you scared, too?"

"Umm, yes and no."

"You look a little stressed. What's wrong?" Christina asked as we took a seat a large boulder.

I slowly drew in a large breath before exhaling.

"Those things," I began. "They aren't -- I mean -- they aren't--"

"They aren't what?"

"They can't be. They can't be real."

Christina raised an eyebrow trying to understand me.

"Is this about God?" she asked.

"Yes," I admitted.

"So there's no God. What now?"

"What? Christina!"

"What? I'm kididng."

"That's not something to kid about."

"Well I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

I turned my eyes back to gritty ground beneath us. I tried to forget what she said as a flood of questions filled my head. I want answers.

"I said I'm sorry," Christina said again.

"Yeah, I heard you."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No," I said looking back up.

"I'm sorry about the look I gave you just a minute ago, too," Christina added. "I'm just a tad frazzled by all this."

"Heh, yeah. ... Me, too."

We exchanged smiles before leaning in for a quick peck on the lips. I don't get us at all. We're friends for something like three weeks at a time, then we'll do something like kiss and we'll just go back to being friends. I've tried to talk to her about it several times this summer, but got absolutely nowhere. Dino, Jonathan, and Theo came around a moment later to find us.

"Anything?" Dino asked.

"The path continues up there," Christina said as we rose up.

"Let's go then."

The five of us hiked up the path, the earth below us getting a bit more steep, but not by too much.

"What now?" Jonathan asked Dino as we came upon a dead end.

"What do you mean? Look," he said pointing up at a large tunnel piercing through the wall several feet above. "Help me up."

"I don't know, guys," Theo said inspecting the parameters. "The chances of injury are in our favor. Maybe we should head back."

_______________________________________________

Finster

"You'll be more than injured, Dearie," Rita grinned devlishlty as she peered through her Repulsascope.

I peaked around the corner hoping to hear an update of the status of the invasion on Earth. The cone-breasted Empress about-faced and summoned Goldar to the balcony.

"You know what to do," she said pointing at the golden-plated monkey.

"Yes, my queen. If your prophecy is correct, those teenagers will never meet Zordon and never receive the powers."

"Of course my prophecy is correct. If that old fool Zordon thinks he can lure some kids to fight for him well then he's wrong. Get down there and tell those putties to get up there and stop them!"

"Yes, your evilness."

_______________________________________________

Theo

"So we can just wait for things to come get us? No thank you," Christina said turning down my advice.

Dino examined the tunnel carefully.

"Maybe if I climb up on one of y'all's shoulders, I can help pull the rest of you up," he suggested.

"That could work. Let's do it," Jonathan said volunteering himself.

Jonathan stood against the slab of solid rock and give the older teen a leg up. Dino, now steady on Jon's shoulders, reached his hands out as far as they would go.

"Just a little further, Jon."

"I'm not Gumby, idiot. Hurry up or get off already."

"Jonathan, grab the side of Dino's knees and pull up as hard as you can. That may help pull him up just about a quarter of an inch to allow Dino's fingers to get a good enough grip on the tunnel's ground," I suggested.

"I'll try," Jonathan said gritting his teeth as he tried to focus his strength.

Dino was successful and pulled himself up into the rocky hallow.

"Alright, you next," he said stretching his arm down for Jonathan.

Jon sprang up and caught his hand in Dino's. The older teen pulled him up easily and looked down to see who was next. Justin stepped forward and got up there just as easily, but my attention was drawn away. That noise -- they're back.

"Guys, we got company."

The rambling of the alien army echoed off the walls and sounded like they were closing in fast.

"Let's go!" Dino said offering his arm again.

Christina leapt up immidiately and caught her hand in Dino's. Just then a swarm of those globs of clay slithered into the vincinity.

"Oh crap," I said starting to panic.

"Theo!" Dino hollered. "Jump up!"

I ran over to the wall and leapt, but I just missed his hand. Leaping one more time, I caught a finger, but was unsuccessful again as I fell hard back to the ground. The gray-suited aliens took their form again, their rambling increasing with every step they took toward me.

"Theo, you gott to try!" Justin hollered over Dino's shoulder.

I almost couldn't think. I was sweating in panic, my heart was racing, and head was pounding in utter fear.

"Come on, Theo," I said to myself. "You can do this. Just jump!"

With total determination coursing through my vains, I leapt with an arm extended straight up, my hand succesffully catching in Dino's. The muscular teen pulled me up just before the aliens could nab me.

"Thank you," I said panting trying to catch my breath from the awful excitement. "But if those things got up here in their mobile form, they'll get up here just as easily."

With that said, the five of us crawled our way through the short tunnel and up another rocky pathway. Back on our feet, we paced quickly to get as far away as possible. We didn't get far, for something great stood before us. We all stood silent, none of us able to say anything. Even with the sound of the clay creeps still audible off in the distance, the five of us stood in awe.

"Predigious," I said first to speak.

"What the hell is it?" Jonathan asked stepping closer to the large and unusual building. "Isn't that one of those, um -- Christina, help me out here."

"Beats me," she said.

"Observatory. That's it," Jon said snapping his fingers.

"No," I said shaking my head. "It's definitely not an observatory. I never seen anything like it."

"Do you think someone's in there?" Justin asked me.

"There's no way of telling."

"Yes there is," Dino said proceeding to head of the group. "Look. I see a door. Follow me."

Hesistantly, we followed Dino to where he had pointed. A large steel door stood strong and tall. It looked simply amazing. This couldn't be something from Earth. It's far too advanced.

"Now what, oh fearless leader?" Christina mocked.

Ignoring her, Dino searched around the sealed entrance for something, possibly a door bell.

"Maybe we have to be buzzed in?" Jonathan joked.

"Guys, I don't think anyone's here. We should keep moving before those things catch up to us again," Justin suggested.

Almost before he could finish his sentence, the steel doors quietly slid open, a thick cool fog filtering out from the floor.

_______________________________________________

Zordon

"Ay yi yi, come in already!" Alpha whined at the images from the viewing globe.

"Patience, Alpha Five."

We watched in anticipation as the five teenagers we had hoped would become the Power Rangers stood still peering into the abyss before them.

"How about I turn on the intercom system and you can just invite them in, Zordon?"

"No. If they truly are the Power Rangers, they will come on their own."

"Ay yi yi..."

_______________________________________________

Dino

"Well? What are we waiting for?" I asked.

"Dude, you can't be serious," Jonathan said. "What if some demented fucker is luring us in there to do some sick shit to us?"

"Then we beat him senseless."

"Ay yi yi!"

"What was that?" Christina asked startled as we all heard a voice far off into the abyss.

"I don't know," I said wrinking my brows. "But let's find out. Stay close, guys."

Together, we entered the building. The room was not completely dark as it seemed. Lights lined the floor ahead of us, each step forward producing more lights to direct our path. Inside I was scared, but I couldn't show it. I never do. There's no way in hell I'd do this on a normal day, but I just knew I had to follow through with this. We were like moths being drawn to a flame. It felt like forever had gone by, but really was only minutes as we walked carefully together on the path before us. We met another door. Just as quickly as I expected it to open, it did so in the same manner as the previous one. This time the next room was fairly lit all around, and it was huge.

"Hello?" I said, my voice echoing off the walls, wherever they may be.

The others followed close behind, our eyes touring the unfamilar place around us in wonderment and awe.

"Anyone home?" Christina asked nervously.

No answer was given. We walked along the dimly lit path and stepped onto a platform encompused by control panels and computers.

"What is this place?" Justin asked examining one of the consoles. "Theo?"

"I -- I don't know, Justin. It's beyond me," Theo said reaching his hand out to one of the computers.

"Yikes! Don't touch that!"

Startled, we all turned around to see a four-foot something rebot coming forward from the surrounding abyss. Unexpectedly, the robot froze.

"What is it?" Christina asked stepping back a foot.

Theo approached the dormant robot and took its face plate in his hands and examined it closely.

"Wow! A fuly sentient, multi-functional, atmatron!"

The rebot came out of its dormant state and tizzied off to the side. Our attention was drawn away as a big ray of light shot down from the ceiling. It's light blue hue glowed bright, revealing to us a head of gigantic proportions.

"Welcome, humans."

"Sooo ... who is that?" I asked.

"Like, what is that?" Christina asked coming to stand next to me.

"That is Zordon of Eltar, an inter-dimensional being caught in a time warp. My name is Alpha Five; his trusted assistant," the geeky sounding robot said speaking up.

"An inner-temporal, cross-dimensional, super being with outward verbal communication," Theo said still amazed.

"What'd he say?" Jonathan asked.

"He said this guy is awesome," Justin answered.

"Exuse me," Christina said cutting in, "but can someone come back to Earth and pick me up because I am really confused."

"It's quite simple, my dear," Zordon explained. "The planet is under attack and destiny has taken its course. You are to be the saviors of Earth; the Power Rangers."

"Yeah, right," Jonathan objected. "We have a thing called the military in case you didn't know. They'll send the nukes and bomb their asses and everything."

"Your earthly armies cannot battle the evil at hand, young Jonathan."

"How did you know my name?"

"Observe the viewing globe."

A large glass orb spun down from the darkness above and orbited in the middle of us. Footage of the previous events from Marshall Valley appeared instantly.

"Those are Putties. They work for an alien sourceress known as Rita."

I saw myself in the viewing globe taking down two Putties, the two Jonathan and Justin just fought in order to save Theo. The globe cut to Christina and Justin bravely venturing around a mountainous path to find us a way out. Finally, Theo was shown giving it his best to persevere and escape a putty pumbling. The viewing globe then changed to a shot of the moon.

"That is Rita's palace. She's established on the moon hidden from your earthly scanners, but not from ours. Prophecy has long told the time would come when five Earthlings would take hold of the powers of the dinosaurus to battle the forces of evil."

The five of us looked at eachother and responded in unisom: "Dinosaurus?"

"Yes. Dinosaurus."

"Okay, this raises a lot of questions," Theo commented.

"There will be plenty of time for explanations later, but now you must go and stop the rest of the Putty Patrol. They are headed this way."

"What makes you think we're the ones to become -- Power Rangers?" I asked becoming more intrigued with every word Zordon spoke.

"The prophecy scroll has predicted today's chain of events main milenia ago. What you experiened today matches the prophecy exactly. Your world needs the most dangerous group of ruthless, underhanded, overbearing, self-obsorbed, and over-emotional humans in the area."

"Teenagers! Ay yi yi!" Alpha cried.

"The world needs you."

"Can I see that scroll real quick?" Jonathan asked still not convinced.

I turned to look at others. "I say we do it."

"I say this isn't happening. This is all some big nightmare," Justin said turning to walk away.

"Justin," Christina said grabbing his arm. "Be reasonable."

"Are you serious? Look at that thing!"

Zordon stayed quiet.

"Guys -- let's just go."

With that, Justin turned and left the room the same way we came in. Christina looked at me and then at Jonathan and Theo.

"I'm sorry," she said following after Justin.

Jonathan was next to go.

_______________________________________________

Christina

Once me, Jon, and Justin got outside we noticed right away the sky was still as bad as ever. There was no audible or visual sign of the Putty Patrol either. Nevertheless, we had to figure out which way we came so we can head back to the truck.

"Did you see that shit?" Jonathan asked Justin. "A floating head and a four foot talking robot. What the hell is that?"

I studied Justin's face as we walked. He obviously wasn't in a good mood.

"A sourceress called Rita? He's got to be making that up," Jon said continuing to rant. "And dinosaurus? Someone needs to clue blue man in about them."

I reached out for Justin's hand, but he drew it away.

"I'm only trying to be supportive, Justin. Sorry I care," I said walking away in my own direction.

He grabbed me hand and pulled me back.

"I'm not trying to be a jerk, but this changes everything. You have no idea how I'm feeling right now," he said.

"I can imagine how you do feel though."

"But you really don't."

I could almost see tears in his eyes. I gave him a hug even though it wasn't really going to help. I didn't know what else to do in this situation. Jon stopped and peered around the mountain for a way down.

"Damn. I don't know how we're gonna get down from here," he said squatting down to look for a safe-enough route.

I kissed Justin's cheek before letting go and tried to put on a brave smile to encourage him.

"You and I both know He's out there. Don't jump to conclusions," I said trying to ensure my hurting friend.

"Follow me, but be careful," Jonathan said stepping down slowly a path of smoother looking rocks.

Just as he stepped down a sharp and powerful blast hit several feet away, all of us hitting the ground for cover. Out of the smoke came the Putty Patrol, ready to attack.

"Ew, gross," I said backing up, my instinct leading me to grab Justin's arm for protection.

"Ah damn," Jonathan said growing annoyed that this was actually happening again. "This Rita is for real."

With his trademark crazy look on his face, Jonathan ran toward the mob of putties ready to fight.

"Looking for a fight? You got it!"

Jonathan delivered a blow to one of the Putty's stomach. Two of the others grabbed ahold of him and tossed him several feet away. Justin and I ran to his aid.

"Jonny, are you okay?" I asked my cousin.

"I'm fine!" he said as we helped him up. "Let's kick some ass!"

The three of us took a fighting stance. Jonathan went to town with two of the Putties. He jumped on top of one, wrestled him down, and kicked his legs up at the other closing in from behind. Another Putty came after me and swung, but missed as I ducked down and swept him off his feet.

"Get off me!" Justin yelled as he struggled to break free from their grip.

Thinking quick, he tossed his body back and flipped, taking both of them with him. Justin then broke free from their lathargic hands and quickly stepped on one of their heads and then kicking the other right on the mouth. Another grabbed him from behind and wrestled him down. He was able to reverse and smashed his clay face in with his right hand.

"Ah sick," Justin said observing the goop running down his hand and onto his arm.

"Jonny! I could use some help!" I hollered.

Jonathan was busy trying to break free from the grip two of the Putties had on his waist, while another one struck him hard across the face.

"Fuck! Get off me!" Jon yelled trying to manuver his way out.

It was no use. Me and Jon were being overpowered and Justin was about to receive the same as several putties surrounded him. In the midst of us, a golden flame of fire appeared and vanished just as quickly.

"This is getting too weird," I said scared at what I saw.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Power Rangers!!" the gold-ladden monster growled.

"We're no Power Rangers!" Justin said gettng to his feet.

"Ha! It'll be glory to my Queen to destroy you all! Who's first to feel the wrath of Goldar?"

Goldar raised his sword above his head, ready to slice and dice us. Before he could introduce us to death, yellow and red lasers rained down from above. The monster let out a large growl and looked up to see where the assault was coming from.

"Excellent! More of you to destroy!"

Dino and Theo made their way down to where we were along with several devices gathered in their hands.

"Putties! Get those morphers!" Goldar commanded.

"Morphers?" I asked looking at the strange devices.

"You'll have to catch us first!" Dino said running the other direction with Theo beside him.

The Putties forgot about me, Justin, and Jonathan and went after the other two. They cornered Dino and Theo, no where else for them to run.

"Guys, catch!" Theo said as he and Dino threw three of the morphers our way.

The morphers flew high above the moon goons, all three of them landing perfectly in our hands.

"Press down on the coins!" Dino instructed.

The Putties and Goldar ran after us as we did what Dino had said. Out came black, pink, and blue lasers from our coins. Rita's soliders came down like a set of bowling pins. Dino and Theo quickly made their way around the fallen monsters and joined us.

"Holy shit! These things work?!" Jonathan said smiling like it were Christmas morning.

We all looked at our morphers, taking mental note of the animals engraved on each coin. Dino gave us a quick five second run-down on how to work these things, but Goldar cut in.

"This ends now!" the alien warrior roared as he got back up.

"I couldn't agree more," Dino said. "It's morphin' time!"

We lifted our morphers forward in the most exciting, scary, and life-changing moment we will ever experience.

"Mastadon!"

"Pyterodactyl!"

"Triceratops!"

"Saber-tooth tiger!"

"Tyrannosarus!"

In a matter of sseconds, each of our bodies glowed brightly with multi-colored lights. Once the lights faded, what was revealed was truly inconceivable.

"Wicked!" I said checking myself out. "Cute skirt!"

All of us had helmets resembling a specific dinosaur. Jonathan had the mastadon, I had the pyterodactyl, Justin had the triicertops, Theo had the saber-tooth tiger, and Dino had the tyrannosarus.

Goldar flinched, raising his sword in defense.

"Something wrong, goldy locks?" Dino chorted. "Battle action!"

The five us ran toward the Putties and the Putties toward us. I'm sure the others discovered this, but these powers given us all supernatural self-defense capabilites. I was able to jump high above a line of the Putties, as if I were glidding. I began to kick them one by one, sending five of the Putty Patrollers to the ground in agony of their rearranged faces.

"Come on!" Justin said side kicking one into another.

Goldar grabbed Blue Ranger from behind and threw him against a rock wall. Justin got right back up as he retaliated with a frontward flip and kick to Goldar's chestplate. In the likeness of a saber-tooth tiger, Theo pounced upon a Putty, tumbled off, and repeated the process with two more. As much as we were holding our own, the Putties were outnumbering us.

"Let's show 'em some fire power!" Dino said drawing a laser pistol from his holster.

With the power from our coins directing our every move, we converted our weapons into laser shooters. We opened fire on the Puttty Patrol, arms and legs flying everywhere.

"You're next, ugly!" Black Ranger said aiming his pistol.

"We will finish this another time!"

Goldar spun his sword into the ground. With the same flash of golden fire, he disappeared. We all then turned around hearing a shuffling in the dirt. There came Alpha applauding.

"Sensational!" the robot cheered gleefully.

"We totally kicked their behinds. These things are morphinominal!" Theo said clutching his morpher.

"Indeed. Come now, Power Rangers. Zordon wishes to speak to you."

_______________________________________________

Dino

Once we were inside the Command Center again, we morphed back to our human forms. Zordon explained some things to us, mainly about our powers and what might be to come. Still, many things were left unanswered, but I know in time they will be revealed to us. Also, Zordon asked us to take an oath. We did. The oath consisted of three cardinal rules. One, we cannot tell anyone about our new identites. Two, we may not engage in battle unless Rita forces us to. Three, we cannot use the power for personal gain. Damn.

I could tell Justin was still uneasy about this, but he went along with it. Theo seemed alight with it, but I too wonder about the whole God thing know. I guess right now it doesn't matter. What matters is that Zordon's prophecy was right and that we are the Power Rangers, saviors of Earth. Now how's that for an ending to summer break?

The End

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