EPISODE 3: ELEPHANT IN A MOOD
(Adapted from "Don't Underestimate This Planet")
This episode starts off around lunchtime at the zoo with a wide shot of its Indian Elephant habitat. Now, since I don't have some incredibly detailed map drawn of the place, so I'll just take a second to better describe it. It's got a cool South-East Asian esthetic with a few realistic-looking fake trees, a watering hole, and a large building in the center that visitors can walk into. It's basically the Brookfield Zoo's "Pachyderm House", except instead of their being 2 habitat squares for rhinos, 1 square for tapirs, and 1 square for hippos, they're all for an Indian elephant herd only, and they are all connected by an opening that's big enough for elephants to get through, but low enough as to where there's still room for an elevated bridge for visitors to cross on.
Look, long story short, we get a pretty establishing shot of this elephant exhibit…followed by a slightly comedic cut to Winston shoveling some dung into a wheel barrel.
Winston: And Jackie says poop-scooping doesn't count. I'd like to see HER shovel this stuff, every day.
Just as he takes a second to set the shovel down and stretch his back though…
Tiana: Hey dad! Do you need any help with that?
(She sounds like Efi Oladele from 'Orisa Origin Story | Overwatch')
He looks to his left and sees a young tan-skinned girl with brownish-black poofy hair, a green/gold shirt, and jeans, next to a cocoa-skinned woman with black hair in a ponytail and a slightly lighter version of the Rainforest sector staff shirt. This is Hitarthi and Tiana Evans.
Winston: Oh, hey girls! Nice to see you on this end of the habitat.
Hitarthi: Good to see you too, Winnie. We're just stopping by to see if you needed any help with your workload.
(She sounds like Letitia Wright as Shuri from 'Black Panther')
Winston: Nah, it's alright. Wait, shouldn't you be washing the elephants right now, hon?
Hitarthi: Funny story actually. You wanna tell him, Tiana?
Tiana: I got to help mom get it done, early.
Winston: You helped your mother wash the elephants? Shut the front door!
Tiana: No, it's true.
Hitarthi: Yeah! Check this out.
Hitarthi shows him her phone and we get a quick video showing Hitarthi helping Tiana wash one of the Asian Elephants with one of their hoses.
Winston: Wow, sweety, that's great!
Tiana: Oh, it's…nothing, dad. That's just…little stuff, you know?
Winston: Well, that's a good thing though. It's like my parents told me as a kid. Chaguo moja, mabadiliko makubwa.
Tiana: What's that mean, dad?
Winston: It's Swahili for, "one choice, big change." It means that sometimes even a simple action or decision can make a great impact on your life going forward.
Tiana: You really think what I did is going to impact my life? How
Winston: Well...it's preparing you for becoming a zookeeper someday, right?
Tiana: ...Huh. I guess so.
Winston: See? Now you're getting it! Keep that kind of stuff up and I promise you'll be an even better zoologist than you already are.
Tiana: (he rubs her head making her giggle) Thanks, dad.
Hitarthi: By the way, if you want, it's my turn to get the elephant's to bed tonight if you want to join us.
Tiana: Yeah. It's gonna be super quiet and relaxing in the elephant house by then.
Hitarthi: Who knows? Maybe you and I can even fit in some lost dance time. (hip bumps him)
Winston: Ooh, now that's a tempting offer. I'll see what I can do, but just remember, I might have the uh-
Hitarthi and Tiana: Secret promotion stuff. Got it.
Winston: Y-Yeah, that. But uh, if I recall, I don't have any really crazy plans tonight, so...I'll see what I can do and hope for the best.
Hitarthi: Great. Alright, well, we're gonna grab lunch at the Aquarium. (kisses his cheek) Let me know if you need anything until tonight. I love you, Winston.
Winston: I love you too, Hitarthi.
Tiana: Hope to see you at the elephant house tonight, dad!
Winston: My thoughts exactly, pumpkin.
Tiana: Maybe then you can finally tell us what all the secret promotion stuff REALLY is.
Winston: Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Guess you'll have to wait and see.
Tiana: Aw, you're no fun.
Winston: Alright, get out of here you little stinker.
The two of them high five before Tiana and Hitarthi begin to leave as Winston waves at them while smiling...But then, a thought comes to mind that makes him frown a bit.
While nobody's looking, Winston reaches into his pocket and pulls out his Morpher, staring at it with a more serious look.
Winston: It's now or never Winston…You can't lie to them anymore. Either tell them yourself…or they might find out about it the hard way…You know what? Just finish your work and use break time to go and talk to the others. Maybe then…they can at least give you some perspective…I hope.
With that, he shoves his Morpher back into his pocket and begins taking the wheel barrel either out of the exhibit or to another part of it that has dung to shovel.
Before following up on that though, let's cut up to the Shooting Star Poachers on the Arrow Galion, watching Earth through their monitor.
Sagittar: (chuckles) Another day, another chance to cause all new destruction.
Midaria: Thankfully, the Hunter Forge is all powered up. Let's hope it'll move the hunt along quickly, today.
We then get a wide shot of Blockhead wielding his large rectangular sword to the right, while Insidion holds a bizarre device of his off to the left of the room.
Blockhead: But that'd be missing the point, Midaria! So, what if it takes longer? It ensures hunts aren't anti-climactic.
Insidion: Agreed. Recent prey has died off FAR too fast. We need more resistance in our hunts.
Sagittar: I expect nothing but the best from you two…Especially given my own personal stake in this.
Insidion: But of course!
Sagittar: Excellent…Now then, what hunter do have for us today, Blockhead?
Suddenly, we get a shot of Sagittar starring at Blockhead as a colorful monster with a spear (Adapted from the player "Halbergoi") comes out a revolving door.
Javephant: Greetings, psychotic ones.
(He sounds like Grilla Drilla from 'Skylanders: Swap Force')
Sagittar: And who might you be?
Javephant: I am Javephant. Born from the ivory fury of an Asian elephant, I wish to go and rain my spears down on the Earth's lower lifeforms!
Sagittar: You don't look like much of a pachyderm design-wise.
Blockhead: Trust me, boss. The DNA I mutated him with might be a little off, but I promise he'll deliver some solid damage.
Sagittar: Hmmm. Very well, Javephant. Go set yourself atop a Dolphin Coast skyscraper. And when I give the signal, I hope to see your "spears of influence" go to work.
Javephant: Understood my lord. For the thrill of the hunt! (teleports down)
Cue Theme Song (1 Minute)
Back onto the main plot, we cut down to the Sanctum, where we see Winston teleport down in front of the Link Cube.
Winston: Alright. You can do this. Just find someone to talk to and-
Benny: Winston?
Our green ranger looks up to spot Benny, setting down a Savage Blaster in the Training Section.
Winston: Oh! Uh, Benny, right?
Benny: Yep.
Winston: What're you doing down here?
Benny: Mom figured if I was gonna stay on the team, I should get used to the blasters. So, she's helping me train…At least, that's what we WERE doing, but now that she's upstairs, I can't train because I'm "without her supervision". Her rule, not mine.
Winston: Ah. I see…So, is Martha free at the moment?
Benny: Sorry. man. She has some kind of video meeting with friends in Australia to attend to and I don't wanna bother her.
Winston: Oh…Alright then, I'll uh…I'll just come talk to her a little later then. (starts to lift up his Morpher)
Benny: …W-Wait. (Winston stops) Is something up?
Winston: (sighs) N-No. Well…Kind of...There's just…something I'm not sure how to feel about right now, and…I was just hoping Martha could maybe give some perspective.
Benny: Well…do you wanna talk to me about it? I got nothing else to do if you need help.
The green ranger thinks about this for a second before we cut to the two of them on opposite ends of the Lounging Section's couch.
Benny: So, what's up?
Winston: Do you promise not to tell the others?
Benny: (confused why he'd ask this) Umm…yes?... Why?
Winston: (takes out his Morpher) …I'll be blunt with you…I might want to stop being the Green Elephant Ranger.
Benny: (his eyes widen) You're…you're quitting?
Winston: No, I'm not QUITTING. I am…simply keeping the idea of renouncing my ranger status before the job gets more difficult to handle…an…option on the table.
Benny: So…you're THINKING about quitting.
Winston: Huff…Yeah, I guess so.
Benny: But why? Why would you want to quit being a ranger!?
Winston: …Well, there is one factor.
He then sets down his Morpher, pulls out his phone, turns it on, and shows Benny his home screen. It's a picture of him, Tiana, and Hitarthi celebrating Diwali.
Benny: (looks confused by then gets it) Oh! Is that your family?
Winston: Yeah. My wife Hitarthi and daughter Tiana.
Benny: Ah. What're they like?
Winston: Well, Hitarthi's also works here as an elephant keeper, and Tiana loves animals as much as we do. She even wants to be a zoologist when she grows up. Sure, she might be a little bit shy at times, but…she's really sweet when you get to know her.
Benny: Congratulations…You still married?
Winston: Oh, of course. Did you not see my ring? (he holds up his left hand, showing his gold ring)
Benny: Huh. Guess I just didn't notice it yesterday.
Winston: It's alright, I get that. That was a lot of info to process.
Benny: (chuckles) True. I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of it.
Winston: (chuckles) Honestly, I'd be concerned if you weren't.
Benny: Heh. Yeah…So…I take it you're worried about their safety?
Winston: (slumps down on the couch) Guess that's one way of putting it…When Martha first said I could be a ranger, it wasn't to fight aliens. We would just be security for the Link Cube and the Zoo should the occasion arise…But now things have changed, and…I'm afraid of the idea that things are gonna get worse or that my family could get hurt before anything gets better…And I don't want to go through that again.
Benny: …Again? Did you…did you lose someone?
Winston: …Several people, actually…When I was a baby, my parents either…abandoned me or died, and so…I got adopted by this family that had moved from Africa…They raised me like I was their own son, even though I wasn't, and…gave me so much, but then…(tears up a little) then they…there was this…this accident and…it all just…felt like it was my fault and…(wipes his eyes a little).
Benny: …I'm…I'm so sorry.
Winston: (sighs) And that's just my side of the family. I love MOST of Hitarthi's relatives, but her parents? Yeah, I'm glad she left their house when she did.
Benny: That bad huh?
Winston: Yep…(he then picks up his Morpher) Ugh, and Hitarthi…You should have seen her when I left the Sanctum the other day…She doesn't know about any of this, so when I went to her after the lockdown…she tried to hide it but I could tell she was worried about me…It's not that I don't like being a ranger, because honestly…I do really enjoy the feeling of putting on that suit in hindsight…It's just…I fear that if these aliens keep coming back…I might not only endanger my family but…I could even endanger you guys and myself, because…as much as I love the girls…they could be turned into my weakness if I stay.
Benny: (ponders for a sec) …Well…here's the way I see it. (gets up) …If you want to give up being a ranger, don't let me stop you of course, but…I think you should stay…Now, maybe it's just me because, I'll be honest, being a red ranger is the first thing I've done in a while that…both feels right to be doing and like something I'll finally fully commit to, but I think while you bring up some good points…there's another way to think about it.
Winston: Really?
Benny: Yep.
Winston: Elaborate.
Benny: Look at it this way. Yes. Your family could eventually be in danger. But…and, I'm not saying your selfish or anything by prioritizing your family, mind you…but so is the whole Earth and everyone on it. Before you guys showed up, that Jagged monster told me that he and these "Shooting Star Poachers"? They won't stop until they've destroyed all life on Earth. As far as we know…they just want to kill all living things on this planet because it's fun to them. Even if you quit being a ranger…I don't think these aliens will care enough about who belongs to what family as long as they're causing destruction…(this makes Winston think) And besides, while I also see your point about your family being a weakness, don't think about them like that…The way I see it…they should be your motivator…They should be the thing getting you out of bed to keep up the fight. So that they have a world to live in at all…Plus…if what happened with you getting your powers was similar to how I got them…I think that means…whether it was your cube or something inside of it, or maybe the Morphing Grid, or whatever…you were chosen for this.
Winston: …WOW…Benny, that's…that was actually really well said.
Benny: It was!? OH, thank goodness! For a second there, I was worried that I'd be completely wrong, and I was just rambling.
Winston: (laughs) No, no, that was…that was the kind of perspective I was looking for.
Benny: You really think so?
Winston: I…I do. (he stands up, Morpher in hand) You're right…I may not know what'll happen next, but… I want to keep fighting…At least for my girls…and my friends.
He puts his other hand on Benny's shoulder while saying this. Benny looks at his hand, then back at him, and sees him smiling.
Benny: Oh!... We're…were friends, now?
Winston: (shrugs) I don't see how we couldn't be.
Benny: (smiles and stands up happy) Huh. This is…this is awesome!… Sorry, I…I don't exactly have a ton of friends, nowadays, so…thanks for that. It means a lot.
Winston: After the way you just helped me...it's the least I can do.
The two then share a quick fist bump with each other. Benny has gained a new friend, and Winston now feels certain about his final decision.
But then, out of nowhere, we smash cut up to the top of a skyscraper and see Javephant. Armed and ready to strike.
Javephant: May the strong prevail, and the weak fall where they run!
He then raises his spear upward, and out of nowhere, a giant purple portal opens up in the sky, sparking with indigo lighting. And then, almost as quickly as the portal opened, massive energy spears rain down from the sky, causing both civilians to flee in terror and the city to some heavy amounts of damage.
Javephant: Yes! Suffer under my thundering spears!
Cut back to the boys in the Sanctum when suddenly, Winston's Morpher starts to vibrate like a phone.
Benny: Uh…is your Morpher vibrating?
Winston: Y-Yeah. But why would it-(eyes widen) Oh shoot! (answers his) Hello? Guys?
Jackie: (on the call) Dude! You gotta get downtown!
Benny: W-Why, what's wrong?
Caleb: There's a new monster causing trouble, lad!
Winston: Again? Already!?
Sylvia: He's making giant spears rain down from the sky! Hurry! And find Benny if you can!
Winston: What!? O-Okay! Benny's with me! We're on our way now! (hangs up)
Benny: What's wrong?
Winston: Something about a monster attack in the city. The others are there now, and they need us.
Benny: Oh shoot, really!? (takes his Morpher out of his pocket) Say no more.
Winston: Alright. Focus. Think…the team, and Dolphin Coast's downtown areas.
They both take a second to focus…
Benny: I think I got it.
Winston: Me too. Okay then. 3, 2, 1!
Benny and Winston: Doubutsu!
Within a flash, they both teleport out of the Sanctum, and we cut to an area in downtown Dolphin Coast.
Once Benny and Winston arrive, they see chaos. A few buildings are on fire, explosion sounds can be heard, and people are running and screaming as spears rain down.
Benny: Oh jeez, they weren't kidding! The whole city's under attack!
Winston: A-Alright, let's not panic! We just need to find the others, and then we'll stop whatever monster is causing all of this!
Thankfully, the others come rushing in a few yards away.
Sylvia: There they are! Amigos! We're here!
Caleb: Ugh, where were you, lads!?
Benny: Sorry! We were busy talking down in the Sanctum!
Jackie: Whatever! Just come with us! We saw the monster nearby!
Winston: Alright then! Show us the way!
With that, the team dashes toward their enemy.
Cutting ahead several seconds, Javephant continues to do damage to the surrounding area.
Javephant: There's no stopping me now! (cut to a wide shot of him standing on a rock as people run in terror and spears keep raining) Yes! That's it! Let me hear your screams! (cut to more injured people) Yes! Cry over the destruction of your nests, you weaklings!
Winston: THAT'S ENOUGH!
The monster then looks to his right and sees the full team, running right towards him like a herd of animals, before quickly coming to a stop.
Javephant: Hmph. Let me take a guess. You're either prey that's too stupid to run from a predator, or you're-
Winston: The Zoo-Keeper Power Rangers. And you are?
Javephant: I am Javephant!
Sylvia: …Wait, JavePHANT? You're an…ELEPHANT monster who uses Javelins?
Javephant: Of course! Isn't it obvious, that I am a warrior born from the DNA of an Asian Elephant?
The rangers comedically stare at him for a second in silence before Winston speaks.
Winston: …NOPE.
Sylvia: No, not really.
Caleb: I don't see that at all.
Jackie: Yeah, not in the slightest.
Benny: Are you lying to us?
Javephant: Oh, come on, is it really that difficult!? Look! My spears are like the tusks, this frill is like the ears, and this...thing is my trunk! I'm an elephant-themed hunter!
Winston: Are you sure? You look more like a poison dart frog to me.
Jackie: Right!? I was just thinking that!
Caleb: Yeah, you got the colors, you got the javelins to throw like you would a throwing dart-
Benny: Or maybe it's like using poison-tipped arrows like certain tribes do?
Sylvia: Yeah, that makes WAY more sense.
Javephant: Ugh! Enough! Are you just gonna stand here and insult my intentionally mutated biology, or are we gonna get a move on and let me destroy you?
Winston: Oh, please. We're gonna crush you the same way a startled elephant would crush a snake.
Caleb: Hmph. You seem a lot more confident, green gut. What changed?
Winston: Let's just say…I talked something out earlier and…got a bit more perspective.
Benny: (nods to this) You guys ready!?
The Others: Ready!
Everyone then quickly pulls out their Morphers, presses their transformation buttons all at once, and…well…you know the words by now.
The Rangers: It's Morphing Time! Zoo Mode Go!
Naturally, that last part is said as they spin the Morpher tops from the green side to the animal side.
From there, they pretty much recreate the Zyuohger transformation where we get a slow-motion shot of their arms moving from one side to the other as hollow energy cubes form around them before opening up their Morphers, raising them up to the sky as light shines from them, and then transforming with green screen backgrounds into their suits (with said suits obviously slimming down Winston and Benny's proportions). The final piece de resistance being, of course, CGI versions of their motif animals biting down to form the helmet as said animal's faces appear on their suits individually.
And now…it's time for the sentai footage, blocky torch baring, environmental roll call, baby!
Benny: Keeper of the Sky!... Red Eagle Ranger!
Jackie: Keeper of the Ocean!… Blue Shark Ranger!
Caleb: Keeper of the Savannah!... Yellow Lion Ranger!
Winston: Keeper of the Forest!... Green Elephant Ranger!
Sylvia: Keeper of the Tundra!... White Tigress Ranger!
Benny: (pulls out his Eagle shredder) Power Rangers! (waves it around in greenscreen sentai footage)…
The Rangers: …Zoo-Keepers! (cue sentai footage team pose)
Javephant: Hahaha. I hope you're prepared to die by my spears.
He then sends out an energy slash, causing an explosion that leaves a wall of fire in front of the team. But they just leap through it, Benny still wielding the Eagle Shredder.
Benny: You go ballistic (as he slicks back his helmet) we go animalistic!
Everyone then charges forward with a battle yell. After a few seconds of trying and failing to hit and restrain him, Javephant pulls out some familiar coins.
Javephant: Amoebanoids! (cue foot soldiers spawning and continuing the fight at hand) You're not the only ones with backup!
He then looks to his right and gets out of the way as Benny tries to strike him with his sword.
Benny: Let's make this quick!
He punches an Amoebanoid in the face and reverse grips the Eagle Shredder, before yelling/slowly making a familiar pose, that of course causes his suit's eyes to glow.
The Rangers: Primal Power!
Now fully transformed in their gear, they begin utterly decimating their enemies. Jackie beats up two goons before doing her Shark Spin Dash, Caleb tackles an Amoebanoid to the ground before taking out more with a slash of his Lion Lightning, Winston stops their weapons from hitting him before leaping into the air with a small current of leaves surrounding him and destroying the enemies around him with his Elephant Earthquake, and Sylvia pushes a few aside before leaping into a dead tree and sending down her Tigress Snow Strike claw slashes.
We then get an awesome one-shot as Benny flies over the others, still using their Primal Power to utterly WRECK the Amoebanoids in their path, before yelling out…
Benny: EAGLE…Fire Flash!
The last part is said as he performs a spinning, almost drill-like drive, which both gives off this flaming look and finishes off the blaring grunts.
Javephant: No! Ugh!
Cue the theme song as Javephant looks to his left and sees the rangers, untied together as the fire as smoke clear.
Javephant: Now you're forced my upper HALBIRD!
He thrusts his spear forward, but as he does, the energized spear point enlarges as it rushes forward at the rangers, before slashing around trying to hit the team. Fortunately, they're able to dodge its brief strikes and use their Primal Power upgrades to slam the enlarged javelin down into the concrete.
Javephant: How are you this strong!? (grunts trying to free the spear)
Benny: Guys! Now!
He and the team then pull out their signature weapons and…
Everyone: Savage Blasters! Fire!
The blasts land direct hits on Javephant's chest, sending him flying onto his back several more feet away. Suddenly, as he looks up, he sees Benny and Winston, charging together as a tag-team, firing their Savage Blasters directly at the deformed ivory alien creation.
They tussle for a few more seconds, and then Winston pulls off this weird but effective maneuver where he catches Benny off guard with a surprise arm latch that spins the two around for a second, confusing Javephant until both rangers come to a stop with their Savage Blasters aiming right at the monster's chest before just blasting him back with more orange cubic shots as the other rangers group back up with them.
Winston: Let's cut him down!
Everyone else nods at this and switches their Savage Blasters to Saber mode.
The Rangers: Savage Sabers! WILD FINAL…STRIKE!
As they yell this out, our heroes leap into the air, and transform into a giant, golden CGI paw with multi-colored claws on the end, and slash down onto Javephant.
From there, sparks fly, the monster explodes, and the rangers get in an awesome pose for their second victory as a team.
Anywho, back with the villains…
Blockhead: Oh, come on!
Insidion: Ha! What a wonderful defeat.
Blockhead: Ugh. Midaria, would you go there and-
Sagittar: Not to worry, Blockhead. She's already on top of it.
Hard cut back down to Javephant's steaming remains as Midaria teleports in with a Continuation Coin in hand and walks towards him.
Midaria: It looks like your ivory will has failed you…Let's hope you do better on the macro scale, Javephant.
She slides the coin into the keyhole on Javephant, waking him up with a distorted elephant noise before he grows giant in a fiery burst, cackling as the Zoo-Keepers watch.
Jackie: Crap. This part.
Benny: Well, we know what to do!
They all reach behind their backs, pull out their zords, and lift them up into the air, making them grow giant, before then quickly leaping into their cockpits.
Benny: Bald Eagle Zord! (spins his command cube, the zord screeches)
Jackie: Reef Shark Zord! (spins her command cube, the zord chomps)
Caleb: African Lion Zord! (spins his command cube, the zord roars)
Winston: Pygmy Elephant Zord! (spins his command cube, the zord trumpets)
Sylvia: Siberian Tiger Zord! (spins her command cube, the zord roars)
Javephant: I won't stop until you fear my spears!
This is said as he opens another one of those stormy-looking purple portals in the sky and more spears begin to rain down at the zords as they charge forward. Benny spins his command cube and the Eagle zord briefly goes cubic as spears make direct hits but do no damage to it, before we cut to the Elephant zord as it awesomely slides forward at high speed in cubic form, spinning around and shaking off every spear that hits it.
Javephant: How long until you all get the point!?
As more spears rain down, the Tiger zord launches energy slashes that destroy an incoming amount of the diving weapons.
Benny: Take my COUNTER point! (said as he spins his command cube)
The Eagle zord flies up into the air while doing a fiery spin and almost seems to blow away the portal.
Javephant: What?
Before he has a chance to act, the Shark and Lion zords lunge forward at Javephant and attack him, the former chomping his spear, the latter biting his left side.
Jackie: Just give up!
Caleb: You're finished!
Javephant: Let go you mechanical barbarian beasts!
Winston: Benny! Let's take him together!
Benny: You got it!
The two pull out/open up their Morphers, making the cubic rings of fire appear. This time, it's the Elephant and Tiger zords leaping through with the Eagle zord.
Caleb and Jackie: Hey!
Sylvia: Sorry! But first come, first served!
Benny: Megazord, activate!
He presses the 1, 4, and 5 buttons on the Morpher, spins the top to the blue side, and like last time, the Megazord forms, only instead of the Shark zord as the hips/upper thighs and the Lion zord as the lower legs/feet, it's the Tiger zord as the hips/upper thighs, and the Elephant zord as the lower legs/feet.
Benny, Winston, and Sylvia: Zoo King Megazord! Tigerphant Formation!
Javephant: Finally! It's time to finish this!
This version of the Zoo King Megazord, while kneeling, slides forward with steam picking up behind it towards the halberd pachyderm.
Winston: Elephant Kick!
He spins his command cube, and the Megazord slides forward even faster, knocking Javephant off his feet.
Javephant: (as he stands up) What's with these guys!?
The Megazord then comes to a spot and turns back to face the monster before Sylvia yells out…
Sylvia: Tiger Kick!
She spins her command cube this time, sending the mech lunging forward in a jump to then knee punch Javephant in the chest, before landing on a building and tapping on the leg they just used while Sylvia says…
Sylvia: Thanks, stretching our legs, amigo.
The Zoo King Megazord walks forward and kicks Javephant again before he tries to strike at it, only to hit it so hard that his spear gets knocked from his hand.
Benny: Time to pierce this "pachyderm".
The three pull out their Morphers, turn the tops back to the animal side, and then plug them into the command cubes. Only this time, instead of charging up the sword for a finishing ability, the Zoo King Megazord leaps into the air as the three spin their command cubes with energy flowing around them.
Benny, Winston, and Sylvia: Wild Final Strike!
The Zoo King Megazord comes diving out of the sky, its right leg coming in hot and ready to kick as the same cool little number effect from last battle lines up the perfect shot and allows the Tigerphant formation to crash right through Javephant with one diving kick.
Javephant: (in pain) I guess this is my breaking point!
The ivory halberd of a best falls onto his back and then KABOOM. Cubic debris and sparks fly before cutting back to some (briefly) original cockpit footage.
Sylvia: Yeah! Victory!
Benny: Aliens zero, animals, WON.
Winston: Nice wordplay.
Benny: Thanks. Took me all morning to come up with it.
Cue one more shot of the Zoo King Megazord standing next to the Shark and Lion zords.
BUT, instead of the team jumping back onto the ground beneath them and the zords disappearing in flashes of light…
Winston: Hey guys? While I have you here, there's something I gotta ask?
Benny: Oh yeah? What's that.
Winston: Just an…experiment I'd like to try out. Does that sound, cool?
Jackie: Well don't keep us in suspense, dude!
Caleb: Yeah! Go on! Tell us!
Sylvia: Whatever it is, I'm POSITIVE that we can help out.
Winston: Alright, well…here's what I was thinking.
Our final minutes of the episode will be spent around nightfall as we cut to the Sanctum, text appearing at the bottom of the screen saying, "Several Hours Later". We see the elevator doors to the Sanctum open and out steps Martha, with Tiana and Hitarthi in blindfolds.
Martha: Alright girls, we're here!
Hitarthi: Okay, Martha, what's this all about?
Tiana: Can I take this off now, Ms. Washi? The back of my head is getting itchy.
Martha: Just a sec…AND…now you can!
The girls do so, look forward…and then drop the jaws while looking in awe at what's in front of them. Not only are they taking in the Sanctum…but they're also looking right at the newest team of Power Rangers who have shown up to protect their hometown. The Zoo-Keepers. In this case, Benny, Jackie, Caleb, and Sylvia all have their helmets off, with the obvious exception to this being Winston.
Martha: Hitarthi and Tiana, this is the Sanctum. And these are-
Tiana: (hiding slightly behind her mom's legs) The new POWER RANGERS.
Benny: Hi there. Winston's told us a great deal about you too. (shakes Hitarthi's hand) I'm Benny Washi. Red Eagle Ranger.
Hitarthi: Washi?... Oh, you're Martha's son! How nice to meet you!
Benny: Thanks. It's nice to meet you too.
The other rangers then step up one by one and all shake Hitarthi's hand.
Jackie: Name's Jackie Sanders. Blue Shark Ranger.
Caleb: Caleb Lachlan. Yellow Lion Ranger.
Sylvia: And I'm Sylvia Santos. White Tigress Ranger.
Winston: (putting on a fake voice) And I'm the uh (coughs for a sec) Green Elephant Ranger, of course.
Hitarthi: It's an honor to meet you all, today. Thank you so much for keeping our city safe…Martha, is THIS the secret promotion work Winston's always talking about?
Martha: Yep. He's been incredibly valuable in helping the team.
Tiana: Awesome!... But…wait, where is dad? Shouldn't he be here right now?
Hitarthi: Yeah, is…Winston coming soon?
Winston: (still having a fake voice) Uh, about that…
With a deep breath, he grabs the side of his helmet and begins slowly taking it off. As a result, his body, and head glow green, allowing his more muscular ranger physique to expand back out into his regular fat body. Once the helmet is fully off, the light fades, and Hitarthi and Tiana's minds are blown.
Tiana: …AM…AM I DREAMING?
Hitarthi: ..W…WINSTON?...IS THAT REALLY YOU!?
Winston: Yep, it's…it's me, girls! I'm the…I'm the Green Elephant Ranger!
Hitarthi: I…I…I can't believe it!
Tiana: Dad, this is…this is…amazing! Wow, look at you! The suit, the helmet is awesome!
Winston: (chuckles) Yeah, it's…it's pretty cool.
Hitarthi: …Wow…I…I didn't even think this could be a possibility.
She puts her hand on his stomach and moves it us his chest, just to feel the suit that's now on his body. She looks into his eyes and is clearly about to say something to him when all of a sudden, the same sound the Morphers made when they first got their zords starts coming from everyone's Keeper Cubes, making them all take them out.
Tiana: Are those your Morphers?
Winston: Yeah, but why are they making this sound again?
Hitarthi: Is that sound like a bad thing or…
Benny: Well, the last time it did this we got zords, but…what could it be this time?
Caleb: (already has his open) Lads, take a look! The yellow button's glowing again.
Sylvia: Again?
Jackie: What do you mean again?
Caleb: What part of that do you not understand? Open them on up!
The others do the same and see that he's right. Looking at each other confused, they all press their buttons at once, and then flash! A bright light catches them all off guard, and once it quickly fades away…Nothing seems to have changed…Until the team looks at their feet and sees their zords, in smaller toy-like forms, hopping up and down on the ground making cute versions of their typical animal noises at them.
Sylvia: (gasps) Aye Que Lindo, they are SO CUTE! Hello, there little amiga! (the tiger zord hops into her hands and happily roars)
The Shark and Lion zords then leap into their hands as well.
Jackie: Oh sweet! (starts petting her zord) So the zords can go giant AND hang with us as little dudes. Cool.
Caleb: I think you mean brilliant! (scratches his zord's chin) Hey, little lion lad!
Over to Benny, his Eagle zord lets out a lot of happy noises as it rapidly circles around his head.
Benny: Woah-(laughs) Hey there! Okay, okay, I get it, you're happy to see me! (lets the zord land in his hands) It's nice to meet you too. (his zord chirps at him)
Meanwhile, Winston looks down at his legs and sees his elephant zord pulling on his pants with its trunk. It looks up at him and trumpets at him.
Winston: Well, hello there. (kneels down and picks him up) Nice to meet you, pal. You've really saved our butts out there.
Tiana: Aww, he's so cute! This night just keeps getting better and better.
Winston: Hitarthi? I'm really sorry for hiding all of this from you. It was just supposed to be a little security job for this place at first, but...then those aliens attacked yesterday and...I needed some time to think it all over, because...I do want to do this, I want to save people, and I would love to keep fighting with my friends, but...if it means putting my family in danger ever again, then...I don't know what I'd do with myself...In fact, I...I almost quit today because of that.
Hitarthi: ...Oh. Come here. (she pulls him into a hug while Tiana pats his back)
Winston: It's your call. I'd don't mind keeping this up, but...if you don't want me to keep doing this, I'll stop.
Hitarthi: ...But Winston, you don't need to quit!
Winston: ...Wait, r-really?
Tiana: Yeah. Why would we want you to give this up, dad?
Hitarthi: We saw your newest fight on the news earlier today, and you were CRUSHING IT out there!
Tiana: Yeah! You were stomping enemies, shooting that rainbow spear guy, spinning your zord around, kicking with that giant new Megazord, it was so cool!
Hitarthi: And most importantly, you were saving people as a POWER RANGER. You shouldn't give that up because of us!
Winston: But...we don't know what'll happen next. You don't know if...if at some point in the future, you might get hurt because of my ranger status.
Hitarthi: (shrugs) You're right. We don't. But neither do you. And at the moment, something like that hasn't happened yet, so...maybe don't think about that kind of stuff or at least not right now?
Then, Tiana gets Winston's attention and hands him his elephant zord.
Tiana: It's like you told me. Chaguo moja, mabadiliko makubwa...This is YOUR big choice, dad...And...I want you to hold on to it.
Hitarthi: Both of us do, Winston.
Tearing up a little bit, Winston and the girls embrace each other in a big family hug as the others watch nearby.
Winston: I love you girls.
Tiana: We love you too, dad.
The episode ends with Winston and Hitarthi sharing a kiss on the lips as Tiana rolls her eyes, the elephant zord hops atop Winston's shoulder with a small victory trumpet, and Benny silently fist pumps, happy that Winston will be staying on the team thanks to their talk; A big smile on his face as well.
Tune in next time for "Episode 4: Savage Sights"