Power Rangers:

All grown up

Chapter 3

"Teleport to the command center?"

"I thought it disappeared years ago!"

"It did! Hey, maybe it's back!"

Tommy looks outside. In the distance, the familiar monolith towers above the foothills. Already news helicopters swarm in the air like so many dragonflies, as numerous news vehicles race down city streets. He digs out his phone out of his pants and dials a familiar number.

"Hey dad, what's up?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm with Drake at the gym. Why?"

"Meet me outside in about 10 minutes."

"Wait, wh-"

He hangs up, and quickly puts his clothes back on. Katherine has already done the same. They race downstairs and into his Escalade. At the gym, Alaine and Drake stand outside, marvelling at the rebuilt command center.

"When did that happen?"

"No idea. Must have been within the last few minutes since it wasn't there this morning."

They hear a car madly honking at them. Turning...

"It's dad! Come on!"

They pile in, and rush off as fast as the car can take them. Racing through red lights, and weaving through cars, Tommy lays on the horn, making a path through the madness. Vehicles veer to the side, pedestrians dive away, some cursing madly.

"Geez dad, take it easy! What's the big hurry!"

"When Zodon says you gotta go, you gotta go!"

"Why doesn't he just teleport us?"

"Because I'm the only one with a communicator!"

"Oh."

Arriving at last, Tommy takes a secret path up to the command center. the dramatic scenery had everyone holding their breath. Emerging from the woods, at the base of the huge building, they marveled at how it almost complemented the view of the city.

The helicopters still buzzed overhead, so Tommy left the car under the canopy of leaves and branches. Piling out, they headed for a secret backdoor that would keep them out of everyone's prying eyes.

They enter, expecting to see a familiar layout.

Instead, their greeted with a massive upgrade!

New consoles rising out of the floor, spread out all over.

A massive holographic viewing screen in place of the regular globe.

Blinking lights; beeping panels; everything shiny and brand new!

A technological wonderland!

In one corner, a large, square tank fills up with water and bubbles. Seconds later, a familiar face appears!

"Welcome back, rangers!"

"Zordon! You're back!"

"Oh my god, we've missed you!"

"It is good to see you too. I have certainly missed you too."

"How's Eltar?"

"The planet is healing slowly. It suffered a lot of damage in the last war. Alpha 5 is now overseeing the final few stages of the rebuilding there. He will be joining us shortly. Right now, there is an emergency we must prepare for."

"What about that? Your message was kind of...vague."

"I'll tell you, Tommy. An evil that I thought had passed has resurfaced on a distant planet 4000 lightyears from Earth."

"What is it?"

"Master Vile has returned."

The group looks at each other in total shock.

"Wait a sec...I thought he was killed in that energy wave?"

"He wasn't, Alaine. He had fled the galaxy as it was happening. Thus, he wasn't transformed. Now he's back, bent on revenge for the destruction of his empire."

"What's he doing, exactly?"

"His power is growing. Should he reach maximum strength, he'll be able to amass an army that would easily dwarf Zedd's. You must go to this planet and stop him."

"But...we're only 4 people. What can we do?"

"Actually, Tommy and Katherine, this fight isn't yours. It is now time for a new generation to rise up and take your place. Alaine and Drake? Are you ready to lead your team?"

"Forget it Zordon! I'm not a leader!"

"But you are. You have proven yourself worthy. There is no one else here that can do it."

"Alright. I'll do it if I have to!"

"Good. The other rangers will join you shortly. For now, get ready to leave at a moment's notice."

"Where are the other rangers?"

"They are scattered around the galaxy. I am sending the both of you to collect them for this mission. Only when the team is full strength will you be able to defeat Vile."

"Sounds good. Where is the shuttle?"

There's one docked and ready to go for you at NASADA. Your first ranger is there. She will greet you, and be your pilot."

"Great. When do we set out?"

"You are free to leave whenever you're ready, Drake. However, I would advise that the sooner, the better."

"What about our jobs? and school? Eventually people are going to notice we're missing."

"Your parents will take care of that. A plan has already been put in place to cover such emergencies. If there is nothing else, I would recommend you make haste."

"Alright. I just have to take care of one thing. Drake, I'll meet you there OK?"

"OK."

"Rangers, before you go, take these: "

On one of the panels, a small drawer slides out, revealing sleek new communicators.

They each take one.

"Good luck. And may the power protect you. Forever and always."

Alaine teleports into a dense copse of trees in the middle of Angel Grove Park. She calmly walks out, brushing pine needles from her clothes. If her guess was right, she would be around here somewhere. A minute later, she spots Andy sitting on a picnic table, making out with her new girlfriend.

Fighting the urge to vomit, Alaine walks over to her. After not being noticed for some time, she clears her throat to get their attention. It works, and Andy turns. Immediately seeing who it is, a clear look of revulsion cross her face.

" 'Sup, bitch?"

"Um...I need to talk to you."

"Fuck off. There's nothing we need to discuss. As you can see, I'm quite busy."

"Please? It's important."

Andy stares, clearly pissed.

"Gimme me a second, babe. I'll be right back."

She smooches her girlfriend and gets up.

Alaine leads her to a tree a few feet away; just far enough to not be heard.

"What's this about?"

"Remember that secret I have?"

"Yeah."

"Here-" She reaches behind her, and pulls it out her morpher.

"Where'd you get that? eBuy?"

"No, Andy. This is the real thing. I'm...um..."

"Yes?"

"I'm a Power Ranger."

Shock. That is all Andy feels right now. She felt absolutely galvanized by this piece of news.

"What? No. You're kidding, right?"

"Have I ever lied to you? My parents were rangers too; the best there's ever been."

"Oh my..."

"By telling you, you are in danger. You must -not- let on that you know, ok?"

"Ok."

"Promise me you won't tell! Swear it!"

"Yes, yes, I promise! What happens now?"

"Right now, I'm going off on a dangerous mission."

"Will you make it back?"

"I don't know. Please promise me something: promise me you won't settle out."

"Alaine...I...I am so sorry." Tears begin to well up in her eyes.

"It's OK. What's happened has happened. We're better off this way. This way if I don't make it back-"

"Which you will!"

"You won't have have recover as much."

"BULLSHIT! You're coming back!"

"I can't make a girl a promise...if I know I can't keep it."

By now Andy is sobbing full force.

"True that, Alaine. OK. I promise I won't settle for just anyone." She chuckles slightly. "You know the past 3 years have been the happiest of my entire life?"

"I can say the same. I really felt blessed to have you."

"I wish it didn't end up like this."

"I know, babe. It is what it is though. Right now, though I gotta go. Time is short."

"OK."

They hug fiercely, tears streaming on both sides.

"I love you, Alaine."

"I know."

Alaine retreats back to the trees. Seconds later, Andy watches a streak of pink light arch through the sky, into the distance.

"Kick some ass, girl. For me."