POWER RANGERS : POWERPLAY
SAURIAN PARADOX
PROLOGUE
2025
New Tech City
"Ah, Professor Cerebros. Thank you for meeting me."
The orange skinned alien with a white burly mustache whirled around to face his shady contact, who'd just entered his lab.
"Oh, this is highly dangerous, Broodwing. Grumm wouldn't like it if he knew I was helping you." The scientist said anxiously.
" And that's why I am paying you top-dollar for your skills." The Vanquirian criminal mastermind tossed a heavy bag, which the scientist caught barely. "And your silence... I hope that ten thousand zanabattars would suffice."
The alien peeked inside the bag, inspecting it's contents carefully, before tucking it inside his lab-coat pocket, and heading towards the computers. "Let's proceed, then. I presume, you have what we need."
"Right here." Broodwing smiled, opening his black suitcase to reveal five glowing gems - red, blue, black, white and yellow. "I procured them on Oynx for a considerable sum. Neither Grumm nor S.P.D. will see this coming. With the power of my dino gems, I can finally provide my greatest weapon with ample power source to destroy everything in my way of global domination." Unbeknownst to his enemies, he was constructing his own warzord- a machine of unparalleled power and unsurpassed strength. All it needed now was a source of infinite energy, like the Dino Gems.
Cerebros plucked each of the gems out of the case, placing them on the dial behind him. He turned on a lever, while observing several graphs and spectral images in the computers.
" This is disturbing." Cerebros noted. Broodwing wanted him to siphon the gems of their energies and store them in a 'battery' of some sort - a relatively simple task for someone of his calibre. However, the gems were reacting unexpectedly. Instead of losing their powers, they were somehow channeling more from the Morphin Grid, resisting his efforts to drain them.
"Is something wrong ?" The bat like alien asked.
"Nothing..." Cerebros lied. "Just a simple glitch." He couldn't lose the money, so he put aside the warnings blaring inside his mind, and completely pulled the lever down.
That instant, many things happened simultaneously. The dino gems exploded, releasing a massive energy wave which slammed both of them against the wall and knocked them unconscious.
2009
REEFSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
"Hey man, wait up." Ethan smiled brightly, turning around to see his best friend running up to him. He wasn't sure he'd see anyone of the old gang back here, especially since most of them moved out of Reefside years ago.
"Connor McKnight, my ex partner in crime fighting." He said, clasping the soccer star's arm in a firm handshake.
"I didn't think I'd see you here at the reunion."
"Well, my class schedule at Reefside Tech is brutal, but there's no way I'd miss this. What have you been up to ?"
"Life in Angel Grove is good. The camps are doing great, too. But I miss home. I am coming back here."
"You are? Not that I am not happy but what about your camps?"
"The camps... I am giving them up to Carlos Vallerte's foundation. I'm starting afresh here. Besides I miss everyone here and Krista."
"Krista? Tree girl? You guys are still together? I didn't see her here?"
"Yeah, we're still together. She is attending a wedding in Harwood. She's a bit bummed out that she'd to miss this. Hey, speaking of weddings, is Kira and Trent coming ?"
"Don't know, man. Last time they called, they were in New York. Kira was trying to get a new contract." Ethan said, looking around. The place was almost the same. Hard to believe that it'd been four years since he graduated... Four years since the defeat of Mesagog.
"Trying being the key word." A familiar voice said. Kira Ford walked into the hall, hand in hand with Trent, both of them smiling. "You guys really didn't think we'd miss this, did you ?"
They exchanged quick hugs, before Trent began talking about the new comics he was writing.
"Guys, working with Art Fortunes was a blast." He said excited. "People are really excited to see what we do with the Beetleborgs comics."
"We are too. Can't believe you are now writing for Art Comics, now!" Ethan clapped him on the back.
"I know, right !" Trent exclaimed. Kira coughed slightly, drawing their attention. "Oh, and we've decided a date for the wedding. Next month. 19th June."
"About time !" Ethan responded as they proceeded towards the stairs.
2025
SPD COMMAND CENTRE
NEW TECH CITY
"This is peculiar." Kat Manx pursed her lips, noticing five coloured dots in the computer screen.
"What ?" Commander Kruger asked, rising from his chair.
"Doggy, look at this." The sirian walked up behind her. "These energy readings are showing up in the outskirts of the city."
"Troobian energy readings?"
"No... Ranger energy readings." Kat stated. "But all of our rangers are here in the Command Centre."
As if on cue, the eight rangers walked into the room.
"What's new in the Spd zoo, commander ?" Jack Landors, the red ranger asked jovially.
" We are detecting alternate ranger energies."
"But we're all here, aren't we ?" Bridge Carson, the green ranger asked, glancing at Z Delgado. "I think we are, right?"
"Don't look at me. I'm all here." The yellow ranger replied.
"Could it be the A squad ?" Syd Drew, the pink ranger asked hopefully.
Ben Parker, the black ranger looked at the energy readings, grimacing. "I doubt it. The colours don't match up."
"You sure, these aren't any other rangers from High Command, like Omega ?" Travis Tate, the gold ranger asked, looking sideways at the ball of light hovering around them.
Sam, the child they'd rescued from Mora's manipulations, had joined SPD and was sent to S.P.D High Command on KO35, following multiple attempts by the Troobians to recapture him. When Morgana attacked them with Devastation and Shorty, Sam took up the prototype Omega morpher and rushed to help them. Together, they defeated their enemies, but unfortunately, the morpher was not suitable for human physiology, resulting in molecular destabilisation of his human physiology, and converting him into an energy being. Kat and other scientists were working on a cure for months, but till now, failed to fix him.
"No. " Kat replied curtly. "Spd rangers have a specific energy signature. These donot match that."
"So, who can it be ?" Sky asked.
"New rangers. We need to find who they are, before others do. Go now and bring them here, before they create a galactic incident." Doggie shouted, rubbing his forehead.
"Yes sir!" The B-squad ran out of the Command Room towards the Garage, completely unaware of the threat that awaited them.
2009
REEFSIDE HIGH
Kira tightened her grip on Trent's wrist. Something was wrong. Within seconds, her instincts proved to be correct. An intense white light blindened her, and she felt herself going limp.
She opened her seconds later, finding herself at the same place, still holding Trent. Connor and Ethan were still there. She sighed. It was just another bout of nausea. Yet something was missing.
"What the heck was that ?" Connor asked, rubbing his eyes.
"You guys felt it too, right ?" Ethan asked, shaking his forehead.
"Yeah, we did. Kira, you alright?" Trent asked.
"I'm fine, but isn't it too quiet here ?" Kira looked around, failing to see anyone else, while seconds ago, the entire building was bustling with people.
"The others are gone." Ethan gawked. "How ?"
"Probably the work of some evil force..." Trent snapped." I thought our days as rangers were over..."
"Once a ranger, always a ranger." Kira murmured slowly.
"Rangers, the world needs you again." They turned around to see a beautiful woman in white, her face hidden by a veil, come out from one of the classrooms.
"Who are you ?"
"An old friend." Another voice said. But this time they knew who it was.
"Dr O!" Kira smiled, seeing her mentor climbing the stairs towards them.
"Guys, so good to see you again." Tommy said, hugging his students, before turning towards the woman.
"Dimitria, not that I am not happy to see you but why are you here? And why is the entire school empty?"
"Tommy Oliver, do not be alarmed. Your students and colleagues are fine. I have brought you here to warn you."
"Where is here? We are still in the school, right ?"
"Physically yes. But your essences are now in the Astral Plane. It was the only way I could reach you." The inquirian said.
"So, the Astral Plane is real. Wow..." Ethan exclaimed, shaking Trent.
"Geeks." Kira smiled sofly.
"Rangers, Master Vile is on his way to Earth." She said gravely. Tommy paled. "He's alive?"
"Who exactly is this guy ?" Connor asked.
"He's the father of Rita and -"
"Thrax's grandfather." Kira completed." The Sentinel Knight mentioned him. But why is he coming here ?"
"To destroy Earth and Zordon's legacy. Our allies in space tried our best to stop him. But he breached through our defences and defeated the rangers of Aquatar, Mirinoi, Ko35 and Eltar. He has amassed a great army and dangerous allies, who are keeping us preoccupied. Sadly, we cannot come to your aid."
"We have no powers. The Dino Gems were completely drained after our final battle with Mesagog." Connor said.
"Is that what you believe, Red ranger ? The dino gems are one of the most powerful objects in the universe, second only to the zeo crystal. It was simply dormant, however with Master Vile on his way here, I believe they will be ready for you to wield again and this time, you will be stronger than ever before."
"Then, we are ready to fight him." Kira smiled. "Together, we can defeat him."
"You cannot morph, Kira." Dimitria said sharply. "You need to pass on your powers to another."
"Why not ?" She asked.
"Because the battlefield is no place for a mother." The morphin master replied.
All eyes turned towards Kira, who staggered.
"Did you know ?" Trent asked quietly.
"I found out last week. I was going to tell you at the right moment." She chewed her lips.
"Well, I guess this is that moment."
"Are you okay ? I knew you have enough on your plates -"
"You kidding... I'm so happy!" Trent said, kissing her quickly.
"You're going to be a wonderful dad..." Kira laughed.
"You guys, congratulations!" Connor smiled, hugging them.
"I can't believe I'm going to be an uncle." Ethan laughed, wiping imaginary tears from his eyes.
"You guys are going to be awesome parents. Anton and Elsa are going to freak when they find out." Tommy said.
"Do not worry, white ranger. I can sense that destiny holds great things for your daughter."
"Daughter ? How do you know..." Kira asked.
"I am gifted with clairvoyance- the ability to percieve the future, and that's how I know you five are the best suited out of all the ranger teams on Earth to defeat Master Vile." She smiled, before she started to glow in a white light.
"I must leave you now. Tommy, Zordon would be proud of you and so am I. Rangers, this is your toughest battle yet, but I am certain you'll prevail. May the Power protect you."
With that, she disappeared and the light engulfed them again.
Kira opened her eyes to see the school bustling with people. There was laughter and commotion all around them. It felt as if no time had passed, but the glowing gems on their bracelets told them otherwise.
Tommy walked up to them, grimacing. "I really am getting old for this. You guys, I am so sorry. I didn't want this to happen."
"We know." Connor nodded. "So, where next? The Dino Cave?"
"Don't call it that, but yes. I'm calling Hayley and Anton. We need to be ready." He replied.
2009
UNKNOWN LOCATION
MESAGOG'S ISLAND BASE
He was supposed to be dead. Yet he was still alive.
Dr Otto Octavius looked around. The last thing he remembered was falling to his death and being submerged in the ocean. Somehow, he was washed ashore. There was sand all around him, and a forest nearby. He couldn't see any humans nearby.
Then, he heard a roar, unlike anything he'd heard before. Vibrations shook the ground. He stumbled, but his mechanical tentacles swiftly latched on to the ground.
Where the hell was he ?
Then, out of the forest, a tyrannosaurus came out, heading straight for him.
"Crap!" He cursed, six tentacles snapping into action, shooting lasers at the dinosaur's head. He smiled, as it fell to the floor. Brains over brawn, always...
He came closer to survey the fallen creature, only to discover the wires that came out from the holes in it's head.
It was a robot ? Who had the time to build a robotic dinosaur in an uninhabitable island ?
He looked up to see a giant black fortress on top of a hill in the centre of the island.
Then, he heard it. A clear voice in his head, slithery as a snake.
Come to me... It rasped.
And his mind became blank. His tentacles reached for the trees, using them as a support to fling himself towards the fortress, like Tarzan. Otto analysed, amazed at his own sense of humour. He could clearly think, but he couldn't control his actions. It was if that voice was the only thing which mattered to him. He didn't have a single ounce of control over his actions. What was going on ?
He entered the fortress, and saw the place in ruins. But he also noticed several scraps of very advanced technology. Though damaged, it could be repaired and hopefully, be used to find a way out of here.
Which is exactly what I want.
The voice boomed in his head again.
"Who are you ?" he asked.
Your saviour. I rescued you from drowning and pulled you here. Now you will do what I want you to do.
The words had no threats or warnings. They were just mere statements of facts.
Images flashed into his mind, and knowledge of this place seeped into his brain. This island was the home of the dino demon, Mesagog, the enemy of the Dino Rangers of Reefside. Funny, he always thought the Power Rangers to be rumours. It seemed they were as real as Spiderman. More importantly, the technology here could access interdimensional energies to create portals to any place on this planet and beyond - the Invisiportal network. This could allow him to return to New York and get his revenge on Peter Parker.
I won't stand in the way of your revenge. Infact, I believe Peter Parker will be useful to me...
"But first, you must do what he asks. Believe me, don't resist. Don't even think about backstabbing. It won't be fun." An actual voice said. He turned around to see a man in black robes and a hideous mask walk up to him.
"Who the hell are you supposed to be ?"
"Dark ninja, Lothor at your service." He said, doing an exaggerated bow.
Instantly, images flashed on to his mind. Lothor's battles against the Ninja rangers. His death and resurrection from the Abyss. And finally, his humiliating defeat at the hands of Mesagog, who trapped him inside a capsule.
"This is fun, isn't it. A good way to know each other."
"Who is he ?"
I am a god. I helped Anton Mercer to become Mesagog, but that creature proved smarter than I expected, and betrayed me. Now, I am back. All I need is a single piece to complete me and return me to my full strength.
The voice became louder and louder, and was accompanied by footsteps. From the corridor, another figure emerged... Uglier than anything he'd ever seen. The creature looked like a dinosaur skeleton, it's flesh replaced by giant black crystals with yellow orbs in their centres.
"You can call me Lord Fossilador. And soon, humanity will once again bow down to me."
AUTHOR'S NOTES
This is an AU involving 2 new characters - Travis Tate and Ben Parker, the gold and black SPD rangers.
The Omega ranger is not from the future, and the episodes "History" and "Wormhole" are not canon to story, but rest of PR history upto Jungle Fury is.
This is a Spiderman Crossover, though not any specific iteration of the web slinger, so as to not contradict Pr canon.
Years ago, I had this idea with my best friend, but lost the zeal to write it when we drew apart. Nevertheless, this idea is the thing which drew me to fanfiction. So, it made sense to start my "Powerplay" saga with this story. Hope you guys enjoy it.