Power Rangers: Public Enemies
Chapter 1: The Ranger Act of 2013
"So,"-Taylor paced around the empty parking lot- "I did it."
"I'm not surprised you registered first out of all the Rangers,"-said Carter- "You beat me to it. I registered this very morning."
"It's my duty as an American,"-she says- "I will do what the Government tells me to do, no questions."
"Whatever floats your boat," said Carter. "Personally, I just did it because, well, after what happened LAST YEAR, I think it's good that the Power Rangers have a little more accountability in regards to the property damage we cause."
"Yeah,"- said Taylor. She stopped pacing for a bit, eyeing the parking lot in Turtle Cove.
"Hard to believe, huh?"-Taylor leaned back on her car door- "Seven months ago, this was Little Windjig."
"Yep,"-Carter nodded his head.- "President Sears sure did a number on the economy. Most tent cities are things of the past now."
"Ugh, don't remind me of those times,"-Taylor said, disgusted- "I still have nightmares over what happened at Haiti's Daughter."
"I remember too,"-Carter thought back to that awful riot that occurred in the tent city of Haiti's Daughter...
Taylor was escorting three hundred people away from a fire that Carter was fighting to put out. With every passing moment, the fire consumed more tents, destroying what few possessions the inhabitants of Little Haiti could keep for themselves. As the fire reaches the medical provisions tent, Taylor rushes towards the medicine in hopes of saving the essentials. Unfortunately, losing sight of the inhabitants of Little Haiti proved to be a mistake, as many began to rush back towards their tents in hopes of saving their belongings. A gust of wind spread the fire wider, setting some people ablaze. Theirs screams fill the night air...
"Thank God for George Sears,"-Taylor said, knocking Carter out of his flashback- "Otherwise, that would still be going on."
"You know that they are planning on rebuilding Angel Grove?'-Carter stated.
"I support that decision"-Taylor smiled- "When George Sears runs for President again, he has my vote."
"Mine too,"-Carter laughed.
"I wouldn't have given away my Morpher to any other President but him,"-she said.
"I know the feeling,"-said Carter- "I feel like I can trust the guy."
In Reefside, the Dino Thunder Rangers met up to discuss what to do regarding the Ranger Act...
"I just can't,"-said Ethan- "And I think I shouldn't have to be obligated to sign up!"
"But Ethan, be reasonable!"-Conner pleaded- "I mean… what harm could it do?"
"Conner, the three of us saved the world!"-Ethan argued- "Why does the Government come around telling us we have to give up our identities as Rangers, huh? I mean, we don't owe them! They owe us! And what they owe us is a chance to live peaceful lives!"
"But Ethan,"-Conner said- "Remember how bad shit was back in 2010? We couldn't do a thing. All that ended with Sears as president. It's thanks to him that the people can finally breathe in a sigh a relief."
"Maybe,"-Ethan said- "But my mind is made up. I'm not registering. The two of you can register if you want, I won't stop you. But I'm not going."
"Maybe I should register,"-Kira says- "I worked my ass off to get my career to where it is today. It survived 2010. I won't allow this Ranger Act to destroy it."
"What makes you think the Ranger Act will destroy your career?"-Ethan asked. "No one knows you're a Power Ranger."
"Well, it's just,"-Kira said- "The Overdrive Rangers know my identity. I have a feeling each of them will register. I mean, they HAVE to, everyone knows who they are! Anyway, when they register, the Government may ask them if they know any other Rangers that have not yet registered. Guess what comes next."
"Shit,"-Ethan buried his head in his hands.
At Hartford Manor...
Mackenzie Hartford sat at the head of the main dining room table, which was covered in the hate mail his teammates had received. To his right sat Dax Lo, whose eyes are covered in dark circles due to lack of sleep for the past five days. Beside Dax sat Ronny, whose hair was disheveled, her eyes no longer shining with the brimming youth and enthusiasm from her days on Operation Overdrive. To Mack's left sat his fiancee, Rose Ortiz. Any joy that could be found in a woman about to be married to the man she loved was completely absent from her. Next to Rose sat Will Aston, whose entire body just betrayed how utterly DONE he was with life.
"All this from the past week alone?" Asked Mack. The other Rangers just nodded weakly.
"Somebody threw a brick at my window,"- said Ronny. When I made the mistake of looking out to see who it was, I almost got hit in the face with a second brick.
"Somebody spray painted my house,"-said Will. "I'll give you three guesses which word they called me, and the first two don't count."
"I got a call from the studio,"-said Dax. "I'm officially blacklisted by pretty much every studio in America. No one will work with me anymore, or ever again."
"I got blacklisted by Academia,"- said Rose. "All my life's work just went up in smoke. My writings, books, my seminars? Poof, gone."
"I'm sorry, guys,"- said Mack. "I wish I could make this whole damn thing go away."
"It's not you, Mack,"- said Will. "I don't know who it was, but I know for a fact YOU aren't the one who spray painted 'nigger' on my doorstep."
"I'm scared to live by myself now,"-said Ronny, fighting back tears.
"Guys..."- Mack slumped into his chair, defeated. "You can all stay here, with Rose and I. Our doors are open for you."
"No, Mack, come on,"- said Will. "A newlywed deserves their time alone with their new spouse..."
"I know,"-said Rose, standing up. "But guys, Mack cares about you guys as much as I do; you're our family! How can we not offer you help when you need it most?"
"Couldn't have said it better myself, honey,"-said Mack as he put his arm around his future wife, kissing her. Her smile is all he needs in life. "I'd do anything for you guys."
A knock on the door. Mack excused himself to check. As he approached the door, a team of heavily armed soldiers burst in, pointing their guns at the rest of the Overdrives. General Wade Miles walked in, looming over Mackenzie Hartford. As Andrew Hartford and his butler, Spencer, rushed into the scene, the General picked the young heir to the Hartford name by the arm.
"Let him go!"- Yelled Andrew.
"Overdrive Rangers,"- said General Miles with a sneer. "There's been a failure of registration among you."
"What are you on about?"- asked Dax, his arms raised overhead. "We were registered with the government for years! We've kept our identities public since Operation Overdrive!"
"I don't mean your team,"- Wade Miles said. "I mean the REST of the Rangers!"
"Well, that's their decision!"- Ronny yelled out.
"Decision? There's no decision!"- said Miles. "It's either register or register!"
"Well, what can you do about it?"- asked Andrew. "You can't force people to do anything! This is America!"
"Exactly,"- said Wade Miles. "And this beautiful land of freedom MUST be kept strong and alive, and that can only be done by weeding out any and all potential threats! And that, of course, includes you!"
There were no words of protest, no struggles, not even a peep made in self defense. Just the deafening silence of a group of young, tired, good people who have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders for too long.
"Here's what I demand,"-said Wade Miles. "Give me the names of ALL the Rangers you know of. We know for a fact that you AT LEAST know the identities of the Jungle Fury Rangers. Give us those, and we'll be on our way."
"And if we refuse?"- Asked Spencer.
"Then I am arresting you all under grounds of treason,"- said Wade Miles. "And believe me, after all the SHIT you Power Rangers did two years ago, I am just ITCHING to lock each and every one of you behind bars!"
"This is a violation of our civil rights!"- Rose yelled out. "You can't do this! It's inconstitutional! It's illegal!"
"Read it and weep, girl,"- said Wade Miles as he threw an arrest warrant right at Rose's face, taking the chance to twist Mack's arm a bit. "Your rights have been forfeitted by the Ranger Act until you register. And since none of you technically registered..."
"Stop!"-Mack yelled out, tears in his eyes. "Please, let them go. My friends have been through enough!"
"Trust me, kid,"-said Miles. "They've been through NOTHING yet!"
"Let them go!"-Mack cried out. "Let them go, and I'll..."
"No, Mack!"- cried out Dax. "We can take it! We can't let this monster find the rest of the Power Rangers!"
"So, you're 100% willing to aid an enemy of the US?"-said Wade Miles, his eyes piercing through Dax's very soul. "I know just which cell to lock you up in. I doubt you'll last an hour, though. I'd have to arrange a funeral as soon as you set foot on Piedra del Diablo!"
Rose's eyes widened, her jaw hitting the floor as she heard that name. Her hands began to tremble, her tears freely falling down her face.
"Tell them, Mack,"-said Rose. "But only on the condition that this monster wearing human skin won't hurt them!"
"That's going to be up to them, not me,"-replied Miles. "So, you gonna be a good little American, son?"
"OK,"- said Mack, tears in his eyes. Andrew's eyes were red with tears as well, as were Spencer's. "I'll tell you where the Jungle Furies are..."
Next day, Ocean Bluff...
Theo and Lilly sat at their breakfast table, completely unaware of the approaching, heavily armed soldiers marching towards their door. One soldier knocks on the door. Theo gets up and answers the door.
"Need a lift for the registry?"- The soldier threateningly asked Theo. "You and your friends are very, very late for it."
