June 9, 2009
Tommy Oliver, legendary power ranger and science teacher was sitting in his lab sorting through materials for his lecture that he would be teaching tomorrow morning. The lesson was on basic artifacts and what it would say about a civilization or event in the past. He gathered together shattered pots, cooking utensils and other items and placed them in a card board box. Suddenly he came across a small wooden box not from any time in the prehistoric days. He opened up the box to reveal five rocks. Tommy flashed back to a time 5 years ago when these gems held the power to transform him as well as Connor, Kira, Ethan and Trent into the Dino Thunder Power Rangers. Tommy smiled to himself thinking about how much each of the teenagers had grown since he met them. Taking the black gem in his hand, he thought he imagined it but Tommy could have sworn that he saw a bit of light enter the gem. There was no doubt about it. As he touched each of the five gems, they went from the dull color to a bit brighter. Rushing over to the computer, he took the gems and scanned them looking for the energy radiating through them. Whether it was good or bad, the Power was back.
Kira awoke to the vibrating of her phone. Groaning slightly, seeing that it was only just past five in the morning, Kira sat up and saw that there were ten missed calls, all of which were from Dr. O, otherwise known as Tommy Oliver, legendary Ranger.
Although it was not unusual to receive calls from Dr. O, as he was both a fantastic teacher and mentor to Kira in her senior year in high school, Kira was more than worried. Quickly, she pressed the "call back" button and waited for Tommy Oliver's voice.
"Dr. O, its Kira. What's up?" Kira felt like she was back in ranger mode, half expecting to hear news about a monster attack. Sadly she was not far off the mark.
"Kira, is there any way you can come back to Reef side. It is official Ranger business. I am sensing new power in our old Dino gems." Tommy seemed stressed. Kira felt sure that something was wrong in her old home town. After all why else would he be calling in the middle of the night (okay, early to mid-morning) talking about ranger business? Could it be Mesagog back from wherever evil monsters go when they are destroyed? Or possibly an even worse enemy? It had taken all four rangers full powers combined to destroy Mesagog in the first place, completely draining the Dino gems. How would they be able to fight any monster now?
Kira replied, "I'll be there in two hours. Did you get a hold of the others?" As Tommy was speaking, Kira was already up and moving. She got dressed in a pair of grey jeans and a long sleeved yellow top with brown leather patches on the elbow. Pulling her shoulder length reddish brown hair, which was now straight and layered into a pony tail leaving rock inspired jagged bangs, she packed a few extra outfits into a duffle bag. At this point in her life, Kira was a skilled packer. She was as they say, a starving artist. She got by, but Kira was nowhere near living in a penthouse in L.A. She had to schmooze and work hard for gigs and freelance song writing deals. Still she stuck with it, because it was her passion to use music to communicate to the world.
Dr. O broke into her thoughts and said, "I'm working on it, see you soon." The call ended and Kira carried her duffle bag, guitar case, and car keys out of the small apartment and down to her old yellow bug car. She started the car and pulled out onto the quiet street before maneuvering onto the busy highway leading her back to her past and to possible danger.
Connor McKnight flew the whistle to end soccer practice. He watched with tired pride as his elementary soccer team walked off the field to join their parents. Fifteen minutes he thought. Fifteen minutes to sit and wind down and plan for his junior high team. That was a challenge. For the first half, the girls, having newly discovered boys, giggled. During the second half of practice the girls messed up easy plays, or tried to show off to the boy team that was getting ready for their time. Next year, he thought, I am going to have to switch the order of practice so the boys go first. Connor walked over to his sports bag and pulled out his cell phone. 15 messages from Dr. O. Oh boy this can't be good. He dialed the number, known by heart, and when Dr. O greeted him, asked "What's the deal?"
Connor wasn't sure what was so important that it couldn't wait until this evening. Connor was the only ex-ranger to return to town after college. This was surprising for Connor. If someone had told him in High school that he would be back in town teaching kids soccer, Connor would have thought he was crazy. The truth was, though, that although the old Connor had cared about his pride as a soccer player and demanded to be the star of the game, Connor, largely as a result of his experiences as a power ranger learned that life was more than power or popularity. Perhaps it was not long after Connor became a ranger, that he discovered it. He fondly remembered how amazing he had seemed to the little girl he rescued from the monster, all by kicking a soccer ball around and showing her how to kick and pass. When Conner was deciding what kind of career he wanted, he remembered that little girl and wanted to feel that way all the time. Maybe he couldn't be a power ranger anymore, but he could be a hero to many kids by spending time with them and sharing a love of soccer.
Connor now coached soccer at Reef side schools and created summer programs for kids of all ages. If this was how it was for Dr. O to take on a group of teenagers, Connor could see how Dr. O was both so proud, yet so exhausted. But then, anything that takes passion is difficult.
Dr. O chuckled, although it sounded strained, and replied, "I'm glad you called. I have been continuing to monitor frequencies of the Dino power and other alien powers. After viewing the morpher grid and observing the different gems for changes and variants. I calculated- "
Connor interrupted the science teacher mid lecture, "Dr. O, remember who you are talking to. I am not Ethen or Hayley. I don't speak nerd." Maybe things hadn't changed as much as Conner might have led you to believe.
"There is a possibility that our Dino Gems may be regaining some of its power," Dr. O stated blandly. Here he paused to let it sink in.
Impulsively, potentially reverting back to the high school senior power ranger, Connor burst out, "Dude, no way!" Realizing that some of the junior high girls were starting to show up, Connor quieted his excitement. "Do you think we be able to, you know, morph again?"
Instead of being excited like Connor, Dr. O seemed worried. "I don't know, Connor, but there is one thing I do know. The Power doesn't awaken for no reason. I don't know what is happening, but I think we need to have a discussion about the possibility of a new threat in Reef side."
Connor sighed realizing that the life he had known for the past 5 years could be over. Being a Power Ranger had been the best thing in Connor's life. HE would never trade the things he did to help the people of Reef side, but Connor had also grown to appreciate not being interrupted randomly for a monster attack. Breaking the silence, Connor said, "Dr. O can this wait? I am about to start practice?"
Connor feared that he would get lectured as he had many times before for putting other things instead of being a Ranger, so he was surprised when Dr. O replied, "Sure, can you be here for supper tonight to talk?" Connor had already planned on being there. Dr. O and Connor had taken to eating many of their meals together since Hayley took pity on the two bachelors and usually either cooked or sent over dinner for the men. However, Connor was blown away when Dr. O declared that he was getting a hold of the rest of the Dino Thunder Rangers to join them.
Trent looked up from the comic he was struggling over. Trent still enjoyed his art. He better after spending four years in the School of Arts. Trent's pictures were better than ever. He learned to draw something other than superheroes and learned the business of both graphic design and art. The problem was the plot. It seemed like it would be easy to come up with a decent plot after all of his experiences as a hero (and villain), but that was the problem. Everything he experienced was real. The real danger, the real impact, the real power. Everything that came out of his head seemed phony in comparison. Creating a comic about the Power Rangers was obviously out of the question with all of the personal details that could expose him or his friends.
His friends. Trent tried to think of the last time he had been with all four of his fellow rangers. Was it the one year high school reunion? He used to see Kira a lot, she had gone to the same school with am music major, and even started dating for a while, but it was the wrong time for them. Maybe in another life. Connor was busy with his kids in soccer, and who knows what Ethen was up to.
As for Trent, after school, Trent was struggling to break into the graphic novel industry, so his Father created a position for him in the meantime. At first Trent dreaded it, both because he anticipated that it would be a bad fit and because of what people would think about Daddy buying Trent a company, or some nonsense. However, Anton Mercer had really grown and listened to Trent and what he wanted. Trent was designing the advertising for some of Mercer Industry's smaller companies. This got his art out in the real world while teaching him about what the world wanted from him. Anton also understood Trent's desire to earn his position, so he assigned Trent small pieces at first and slowly challenged him with difficult companies and marketing campaigns.
Trent looked at the clock, he had been working for two hours with no good material to show for it. He stood up and stretched out the achy muscles. Trent started thinking about a good run to get ideas flowing and the muscles happy again. He did miss the training that went along with being a power ranger. Now, especially in his line of work, he didn't have to be active, so he had to make special efforts to keep fit. He looked down at his phone and was surprised to see several messages from Dr. O. Immediately, he tried to call back, but met a busy signal. Hmm, what could be so important? No, Ranger stuff? If it was ranger related, then he had to get a hold of Dr. O immediately. But perhaps, maybe one of his former teammates knew what was going on, but who would Trent call? Conner had switched numbers about six months ago, but neglected to give Trent the new number. Ethan usually stressed to people not to call him because he was too busy with his NASA job (probably more to do with gaming, but whatever). Kira… Trent remembered the last time he had seen Kira up close and personal. It had been sophomore year of college, and Trent and Kira were trying to make their relationship work. However the schedules never seemed to work together. When Trent was available, Kira had rehearsals. When Kira was available, Trent had team meetings or assignments due. The longer it went on, the easier it became not to see each other. One day, after struggling to find a time to be together, they had promised to try again next week. Next week apparently never came. There was never an official break up. That almost made it harder. No, that definitely made it harder. Mentally preparing for the awkwardness coming, Trent pressed "call."
After a few rings, Kira answered. "Trent?" Kira asked. She was obviously surprised by his call, and why not. It had been three years since they had talked. Trent's stomach twisted hearing her soft voice, almost like a purr of a cat.
"Yeah, it's me," Trent answered. Rather than start an endless stream of awkward small talk, Trent got right to the point. "Have you heard from Dr. O lately?"
"Yea," Kira replied. "Apparently there is some ranger stuff going on. He needs all of us there ASAP. That's all I know. I am on my way now. Are you going to come?" Was that hope or dread in her voice? Maybe Trent didn't even want to know.
"Definitely, Dr. O wouldn't call us there if it weren't important. I just have to call my dad to borrow a car. My car is in the shop." Wait, I hope that wasn't a hint for her to come get me!
"Um, you still live in Bakersville, right? I go right past there, if you, you know, want a ride?" She said that as though it were a question, and in many ways it was. Trent had no idea what Kira was up to. Did she have a boyfriend, or kids? Trent knew that she was still in music, since he had come to some of her gigs, (she had no idea of course) and he heard some of her songs she had written. Beyond that, no information.
Trent hesitated. He knew that once he got into the car it would be an hour of awkward silence, yet the chance to see Kira again was tempting. "Ok" No "That sounds good to me" Fun like a tooth ache! "Do you need my address" Don't do it! The mental battle made Trent exhausted.
Ethan held his breath as he came across the final battle boss in the new video game he bought. Left, Right, Left, Left, SHOOT! Unfortunately for Ethan it was his player that exploded. Leaning back in his chair, Ethan fumed. He might be an employee for NASA, but he still loved his video games. It was probably a remnant from his past as a Power Ranger. He loved the adrenaline that came with saving a victim or beating the bad guy. With a pang of regret, Ethan remembered for the hundredth time, that he would probably not experience that for real again.
Ethan prepared to get back to work with computer security. Suddenly a new window popped up on Ethan's screen and Tommy Oliver's face appeared.
"Woah, Dr. O! What's going on?" Ethan looked around wildly, making sure his boss was not around, apparently not caring that moments ago he was playing a video game on the job. "Uh, Dr. O, not that I don't like seeing your face on my screen, but can you give a guy a little warning?"
Dr. O frowned, clearly not amused at the welcome he had received. "Well," Dr. O said, "life often happens without warning. This is one of those times."
"Sorry, Dr. O, what can I do for you?" Ethan apologized. Dr. O must have been under a great deal of stress. Normally, the black ranger would have laughed it off or replied with a witty comment.
"Ethan, I can't tell you what is going on at this moment. You never know who might be listening. Can you come to my house tonight? I assure you, it is urgent-," Dr. O dropped his voice to a whisper, "ranger business"
Hearing the words "ranger business," Ethan's heart leaped in his chest. "What!" Ethan exclaimed loudly, "I'm going to be a Power Ranger again?" It seemed almost too good to me true.
"Ethan, Tommy warned, "I never said that. I am still not completely sure what is going on, and please be discreet. You know how dangerous it is to talk about this where others may hear." Ethan thought about when Cassidy and Devin had filmed the five rangers morphing during the last battle. Thankfully Cassidy did not say a word to anyone, but it did hit home the point about how risky this business was.
Just then, Ethan considered a point he hadn't thought of. Ethan lived about three hours away from Reef Side. How was he supposed to leave work in the middle of the day possibly for weeks or months depending on what Dr. O had to tell him? Nevertheless, Ethan eagerly said, "I will be there."
Now, driven by the power of the gems, former rangers came back to where their story had begun and there from the dull gems of the past will emerge renewed set of Power Rangers.