Power Rangers Express Force
Episode 4: A Friend Indeed
"It's a real fixer upper," said Jake. "But with a little elbow grease, we can turn this place into a real Command Center!"
"I want to plant a little garden!" Said Emma, pointing to the empty plot of land. "Right over there!"
"And a lot of these trains are in great condition!" Said Orion. "I think I can even live in one of them!"
"What about our apartment?" Asked Emma, making big puppy eyes at Orion.
"I don't want to intrude any more than I have," replied Orion, giving Emma a warm smile. "You've given more than I could ever deserve."
"Oh, that's not true at all," said Emma. "It was my pleasure to help you out!"
Jake smiled at this scene, but then he noticed Gia talking on the phone. He frowned, because he had a sinking feeling who it was she was talking to.
"You OK, bud?" asked Noah.
"Yeah," Jake replied, faking a smile. "I was just reminiscing."
"I see," said Noah. "You OK working with Gia again?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Asked Jake.
"It isn't easy working with the ex," replied Noah. "And I might not know much about what caused you two to split, but I know it must have hurt a lot."
"We both moved on," said Jake. "She got married, I got a new girlfriend."
"Is she nice?" Asked Noah. "Your new girl, I mean."
"When she's happy," Jake replied with a chuckle.
"And when she's not?"
Jake let out another chuckle. "She's as mean as a snake."
Gia hung up her phone, hesitating for a bit. She then turned to the rest of the Rangers. "Guys? I gotta go home now."
"No problem," said Jake. "See ya tomorrow, Gia."
"Yeah, see ya," Gia replied, looking down.
"Gia, need a lift?" Asked Noah.
"I'm taking the bus, don't worry," replied Gia. "See you guys tomorrow."
Noah watched Gia leave the trainyard with a serious look on his face. He then turned to Jake and said "She seemed upset."
"Probably," Jake said. "But it's her life."
"You're not worried?" Noah asked.
"About what?" Jake replied.
"You didn't seem bothered about her leaving so soon," Noah added. At this moment Emma and Orion began to listen in on the conversation. "You were really cold to her just now."
"I know," Said Jake. "But it's her life. My life is mine, hers is hers."
"Hey guys! I just got an idea for a new Zord!" Doctor J excitedly said as he carried some blueprints, but stopped when he saw how serious the other Rangers looked. "Uh, did I miss something?"
Meanwhile...
The Sun was nearly setting as Gia finally arrived at her house. When she noticed her husband's car, she gulped. She reached for the door, her hand trembling, bracing herself...
The door was opened by Jeeves, who was expecting her. "Madam, welcome home."
"Thank you, Jeeves," Gia said with a half smile. "Sorry I'm late, I was doing Ranger duties."
"I am aware, as I explained it to Sir," Jeeve's smile fell. "I'm afraid he demands that you speak to him. He is in the kitchen."
"I know," Gia said. She headed towards the kitchen, where her husband, Harry Miles, sat eating his dinner of medium rare steak. Harry was a white man in his thirties, brown hair, piercing blue eyes, a strong chin, and the body of an athlete. Gia sat across him on the table.
"So," Harry said, not even bothering to look up from his plate. "Got a new hobby?"
"It's more like a job," Gia replied. "I'm a Power Ranger."
"Does it pay?" Harry asked, still not looking away from his meal.
"No," Gia replied.
"Then you can't really call it a job now, can you?" Asked Harry.
"I guess not," Gia replied, looking away. "But it's for the world. I help keep the world safe."
"So do literally hundreds of others that came before you," said Harry. "You're nothing special."
"You're right," Gia said with a sigh. "But it's still something I want to do."
At that moment, Harry got up. He paced around the kitchen, looking hurt. "I work hard, Gia. I work really hard to provide you with the best of the best."
Gia did nothing but look at the ground. Harry continued, "I buy you the best jewelry, the best dresses, I even bought you a new car! But I find out from Jeeves that not only did you leave with a group of strangers, one of whom was eyeing you up, you rode the BUS! While your shiny new car, that I bought with all my love for you, was left in the garage to gather dust!"
"I'm sorry," Gia said, tears in her eyes. "I was in a hurry to-"
"No Gia, no," said Harry. "I'm sorry. I guess I should expect you to put me in second place, what with your new 'job' and all."
"That's not true, Harry!" Gia said quickly. "I...I love you."
Harry turned to Gia and smiled. "I just wish you'd prove it every once in a while, instead of letting me think you're just being ungrateful."
Meanwhile...
Noah fumbled to get the key to his dorm room. As he unlocked the door, his mind kept wandering back to Gia. He thought about how she seemed so excited to be a Ranger again, how energized and alive she seemed while donning the spandex, and how that look contrasted whenever her husband came into the picture.
"What's with her?" Noah asked himself, sitting down in front of his desk. He turned on his computer, opened his web browser, and searched for BlueBoard, a message board exclusively for Blue Rangers.
His eyes glanced around the board, looking for new topics. Among them were:
'Pics of my vacation!' by Justin Stewart.
'Announcing my divorce,' by Madison Rocca.
'Super Sale at the Surf Shack!' by Tori Hanson.
Noah clicked on Madison's topic, where she discussed the circumstances that led to her divorce from her husband, a guy named John Edwin.
"John and I started off great," wrote Madison. "Although he and I are still friends who care deeply for one another, we need to end our marriage. Our lives are simply going in different directions."
There were two posts written beneath Madison's.
"I hope you find someone you can share your life with," written by Tori Hanson. "You've got my email if you ever need to talk!"
"I'm sad for you both," written by Dax Lo. "You deserve happiness."
Noah wrote a new message. "I agree with Dax, and I'd like to add that everyone deserves happiness."
As he turned off his computer, Noah started thinking about Jake, how hesitant he was to be in Gia's presence again, and how cold he acted towards her as she left.
In Cosanostra...
Don Capone spread a few deeds across his desk, a smile on his face. His Capos surrounded him, watching him unfold his latest plan.
"Guys, we're pulling a little job," said Don Capone. "I recently acquired the deeds to a few acres of forest land on Earth, and I had them insured for a LOT of money."
"Well golly gee," said Miss Stake. "I know just the man for the job! A good ol' boy from outta town named Coalbelly! He'll set yer pretty little woods on fire!"
"And that will line up my empty pockets with a whole lotta dough," Don Capone said with a devious smile. "That's why I keep you around, Miss. You know what I want and how I want it."
"Oh Boss, you'll make little ol' me blush!" Said Miss Stake, shaking her head.
"Mein Boss!" Said General Paine. "And if the Rangers try to stop you?"
"Is this Coalbelly guy a fighter?" Asked Don Capone.
"I do declare that he can tussle and tumble!" Replied Miss Stake.
"Best be safe than sorry," said Baron von Badd. "I do believe we should give him some Boyys!"
"Right," said Don Capone, grabbing the phone from his desk. "But I want a little insurance."
He dialed a number on his phone. "Hello, Broodwing?"
"Why Boss, hello!" said Broodwing on the other end of the line. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Got a job for you," said Don Capone. "Those Black Star Trains you sold me, can you convert some to become Zords?"
"It'll be costly, Boss," said Broodwing. "But it can be done!"
"Money's no issue for me," said Don Capone. "But I expect top quality."
"You can expect nothing less!" Said Broodwing. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, that Grumm guy you're selling Crybots to on the side," said Don Capone. "He skimping any payments?"
"None at all, Boss," replied Broodwing.
"If he ever does, give me a call," said Don Capone. "I'll have my guys ghost him in a jiffy."
With that, Don Capone hung up the phone. He turned to his Capos, a devious smile on his face. "Oh, and guys? Don't let Coalbelly know about the five million until AFTER he ghosts the Rangers. I want him to focus on the job at hand."
"How much will the job pay?" Asked Baron von Badd.
"The insurance is for 400 thousand total," said Don Capone. "So that's 150 grand for me, 50 grand for each of you, and another 50 grand for Coalbelly once he finishes the job."
"Jolly good," said Baron von Badd.
The next day...
Noah barely slept a wink the night before. He took out his phone and dialed Gia's number. The phone rang twice before someone finally picked it up.
"Who's this?" Asked a male voice.
"Uh, is Gia there?" Asked Noah.
"Gia who?" Asked the male voice.
"Gia Moran?" Noah replied. "Former Megaforce Yellow?"
"Her name's Gia Miles now," the man said, fuming. "This is her HUSBAND!"
"Oh, pleasure to meet you, I'm a friend of your wife's," Noah nervously said. "Can I talk to her?"
"No," and so Harry hung up Gia's phone.
Noah just looked at his phone, shocked at what he had heard. "What a jerk."
He turns on the news. There's a report of a forest fire just outside Briarwood. Noah shakes his head in disbelief. "What could have caused that?"
At that moment, his communicator goes off! He picks it up.
"Noah!" Said Doctor J. "The Black Shadow Mafia's on the move! One of their Made Men is burning down forests! They're in the woods just outside Reefside!"
"I'm on my way!" Said Noah, quickly leaving his room. He morphed and summoned his Express Zord, allowing him to quickly reach Reefside. He noticed that Gia was following him on her Zord.
"Hey!" Gia called out. "Going my way?"
"Yeah!" Noah replied. Let's hurry!
The two Rangers convened on Reefside Reservoir, where Jake, Orion, and Emma were confronting the evil Coalbelly (Stove Shadow). Coalbelly let out a hearty laugh.
"Nao wut in tarnation are ya'll Rangers doin up in hea?" Said Coalbelly. "I gots a job to do!"
"We're here to cool you off, hot head!" Said Noah, getting off his Zord with Gia following suit.
"I saw what you did on the news!" Said Gia. "You're going down, you freak!"
"How dare you burn down the forest!" Emma angrily said. "Trees make the air we need to breathe!"
"Well ain't ya'll a buncher tree huggers!" Coalbelly said.
The Ranger's communicators suddenly shimed. Noah picked his up. It was Doctor J. "Oh Rangers! I forgot to tell you, you guys can switch up your powers while morphed! It's almost kind of like Legendary Ranger Mode, only with each other instead of other Rangers!"
"Really?" Asked Noah. "That's amazing!"
"Also I just finished making a new Zord!" Said Doctor J. "Anyway give that hot belly a good fight!"
"Thanks!" Said Noah. He turned to Gia and said "Well, let's give it a try!"
"Agreed!"
And so the two took out the mini-trains from their Morphers! "Express Ranger Shift! Blue to Yellow! Yellow to Blue!"
Noah transformed into Yellow Express, and Gia to Blue! Carrying the Hammer, Noah charged at Coalbelly, ready to strike! Noah struck Coalbelly with the Stoplight Hammer while Gia blasted him with the Signal Shooter!
"That's so cool!" Jake said. "Alright, we're doing it too!"
"Express Ranger shift! Red to Green! Green to Pink! Pink to Red!"
And this Jake became Express Pink, Orion became Express Red, and Emma became Express Pink! Although Emma did struggle with the Hyper Axe, Jake and Orion rushed towards Coalbelly with their weapons!
Jake started off by slashing Coalbelly with his Express Claw! Noah followed up by smashing him with the Stoplight Hammer, followed by a slash from Orion's Rail Saber! Emma tried to strike with the Hyper Axe, but it prooved too heavy for her, so Noah picked up the slack by smashing Coalbelly again with the Hammer!
"Hey fire starter!" Said Gia as she prepared her Signal Shooter. "Cool off!"
Gia shot her laser, but Coalbelly ducked. However, Noah used the Stoplight Hammer to hit the blast right back to the monster, striking it down!
"Time to finish this!" Said Noah. All Rangers reverted back to their original colors. "Let's bring out the Rail Shooter!"
And thus the Ranger weapons combined to form the Rail Shooter! Noah stepped up, preparing the Bullet Train! "Hey ugly! You know who can prevent forest fires?"
"Ur, what wassit Smokey the Bear said?" Asked Coalbelly. "Oh yer! Only you can prevent...uh oh..."
"Bullet Train, fire!" The Rangers said in unison. The Bullet Train flew right towards Coalbelly, piercing him, sending him flying backwards, rolling on the ground as electricity shot out of his body.
"Dey took mer jerb!" Coalbelly cried out as he fell to the ground, exploding.
In Cosanostra...
"Predictable," said Don Capone with a smile. "But watch this!"
At that instant, Coalbelly grew to giant size!
"A new little tool I came up with," Don Capone said. "I gave him a Growth Pill earlier. If he's ever slain, the energy in the pill will turn him giant!"
"Genius!" Exclaimed General Paine.
"Yes, but we're not done," said Don Capone. "The Rangers have summoned their Megazord. I have been waiting for this! Send out the Shadow Zords!"
In the Reefside Forest arrived two Black Shadow Trains, which quickly became Shadow Zords! (Kuliner Robo).
"No way!" Said Noah. "The Black Shadow Mafia has Zords too!?"
The Shadow Zords stepped forward, shooting lazer pellets at the Megazord from their wrist cannons! One of the Shadow Zords stepped forward, punching the Megazord while the other one kicked. Sparks flew out of the Megazord, the Rangers pinned! One of the Shadow Zords kicked the Mega Rail Saber away from the Megazord! The two Shadow Zords grab the Megazord's arms, with Coalbelly himself stepping forward!
"Guess what yer gettin' fer Christmas?" Said Coalbelly, opening up his stove belly. "It's COAL!"
Coalbelly fired flaming coal at the Rangers from his belly, damaging the Megazord further. The two Shadow Zords themselves took turns punching the Megazord!
"We're in trouble!" Said Gia.
"Makin' lotsa money," said Coalbelly, preparing to fire more coal. "Is one of my life COALS!"
"I don't know what's worse," said Gia. "The attack, or the pun!"
"I don't know, I thought the pun was kind of funny," said Doctor J, appearing in the cockpit. "Hey guys!"
"Doc, this isn't the best time!" said Jake. "We're kind of in a pickle here!"
"Oh, I guess I'll give you your new Zord next time," said Doctor J, taking out a new mini-train from his pocket.
"On second thought, Doc," said Jake, taking the mini-train. "Your timing's impeccable!"
Jake summoned the new Zord, the Express Signal Zord! The new Zord rushed to battle, knocking away the Shadow Zords from the Megazord! Quickly grabbing the Mega Rail Saber, the Megazord extended its Pink arm, uniting it with the Signal Zord to create the Signal Shield!
"Well don' jes take it lyin' down!" Said Coalbelly to the Shadow Zords. "Pick yerselves off yer bootstraps!"
The two Shadow Zords picked themselves up and rushed towards the Megazord. One attempted to punch the Megazord, only to be blocked by the Signal Shield. Two strikes from the Mega Rail Saber was all it took to destroy the evil Zord!
"Now ya'll went and did it!" Said Coalbelly, firing up more coals. "Yer getting' COAL for Christmas!"
"You already said that joke!" Said Emma, directing the Shield to block the fiery coals. "And it wasn't funny the first time!"
A Shadow Zord attempted to sneak up on the Megazord, only to get caught in the crossfire. The coals ended up destroying it.
"Oh no!" Said Coalbelly. "The boss'll kill me!"
"Express Signal Beam Spam!" Yelled the Express Force as five beams of light fired away from the Shield, blasting Coalbelly away!
"I ain't done!" Said Coalbelly. "I'll get you!"
"It's time for the Cross Slash!" Jake said. "Let's go finish this!"
With one final slash, Coalbelly was finally defeated!
"No!" Yelled out Coalbelly before exploding. "I jes wanted a quick buck!"
"There's no such thing as easy money," said Jake. "Express Rangers! Victory at the speed of Justice!"
In Cosanostra...
Don Capone sneered at his defeat, while the Capos nervously backed away. After a while, he smiled.
"They're resourceful," said Don Capone, breaking into a slasher smile. "But I am more so!"
Back on Earth...
As the Rangers headed towards their Command Center to celebrate, Gia's phone rang. She picked it up, and frowned.
"Guys, I have to go," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Don't you wanna celebrate with us?" said Noah. "I was thinking of ordering a pizza!"
"Thanks," Gia smiled at Noah. "But my, uh..."
"Husband," Jake said.
"Yeah, my husband," Gia said. "He wants a dinner date with me. So...bye..."
As Gia left, Noah angrily shook. He turned to Jake, shaking his shoulder. "Don't let her leave!"
"I told you," Jake said. "We both moved on."
"You don't know her husband," said Noah. "I called her this morning, and he picked up her phone! Wouldn't let me talk to her!"
Jake paused, taking in everything Noah was saying. He nodded. "Gia's a big girl, Noah. She knows what she's doing. If she's decided this is the man she'd rather spend her life with..."
"Jake," Noah pleaded. "You know better than that. Come on, you're seeing the red flags!"
"Her life," Jake said, raising his hands. "Not mine..."
Noah kicked the ground in frustration. What else could he do?
