EPISODE 17: BLACKENED RHINO PART 2
(Adapted from "Branded with Fear" and "Who To Believe")
After a 40 second recap, we start this episode off on the Arrow Galion. But unlike last time, the tone is a bit lighter. The following scene takes place mere moments after the Shooting Star Poacher's newest weapon, Zoo-Killer, beat the rangers and their zords + Megazord before being called back up to the ship by Sagittar's voice.
We see a green flash of light appear over the center of the room as Zoo-Killer lands on his feet.
His cubimals follow shortly after, landing in his hands as they shrink.
Zoo-Killer: Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
Blockhead: What!? What was that!? You could've finished that red rooster off! Why did you call him back!?
Midaria: I'd calm yourself if I were you—
Blockhead: No, forget that! I'm not sitting by this time!
Insidion: (whispering) What are you doing!?
Blockhead: I'm all for drawing out hunts and making things last, but that was a perfect opportunity to mix things up for once and you just blew it!
Sagittar: Stand down, Blockhead. I'm not doing this charade tonight.
Blockhead: Well, I am! For someone who wants to destroy the world, you sure are taking your time! And even by those standards, you're going slower than most snails!
Sagittar: Last chance. STAND. DOWN.
There's a brief golden flash in his eyes as he says this.
Huntoceros: Mate, it's not that I necessarily disagree with what you're saying, but I think you should take his advice.
Blockhead: Well, I think that maybe it's time for a new change in management!
With that…Sagittar quickly stretches his right arm forward…and starts zapping Blockhead with yellow lightning being channeled at his fingertips.
This lasts for about 5 seconds before Blockhead explodes in blue blocks across the cockpit floors.
Insidion and Huntoceros are caught off guard by this display of power while Midaria…just shakes her head in a disappointed manner.
And Zoo-Killer…well he doesn't even flinch.
Sagittar: …Does anybody else have any objections to make?
Huntoceros: …N-No sir.
Insidion: Yes. W-What he said.
Sagittar: Excellent…Well then, I'll see you all soon. Goodnight, gentlemen. Zoo-Killer. Come.
Zoo-Killer: Yes, master.
Huntoceros: Wait. What about him?
Midaria: He'll be fine. He does this sometimes when he's damaged.
He then stands up out of his chair and starts to leave the cockpit with Midaria and Zoo-Killer by his side, leaving Huntoceros and Insidion to worryingly glance at each other.
Cue Theme Song (1 Minute)
We then cut to next Saturday, where we see Jackie cleaning the outside of a tank at the Aquarium, looking VERY tired.
Aquarium Worker: Hey, Jackie?
She then whips around spooked and accidentally hits the worker in their arm.
Jackie: Oh, jeez. Sorry about that.
Aquarium Worker: I-It's fine.
Jackie: Alright, well, uh, what's up?
Aquarium Worker: You're 30 minutes late on shark feeding.
They say this while holding up gloves she puts on when handling the shark's meat.
Jackie: (eyes widen) Oh, SHOOT. R-Right, I'll get on that in a minute after I… (yawns) finish this.
Aquarium Worker: Are you sure you're okay?
Jackie: Y-Yeah, I'm just…I'm just really tired today.
Aquarium Worker: Overnight hours, huh.
Jackie: Tch. You have NO idea.
She says this while grabbing the gloves and begins walking as quickly as she can toward the shark exhibit.
Aquarium Worker: W-Wait, weren't you gonna finish cleaning first?
Over in the Elephant habitat, we see Winston shoveling some dung into a wheel barrel, but much slower than he usually does. We see how tired he is in his face, even showing some unshaved stubble. He shovels a bit more dung off the ground, but he's not looking at the barrel when doing so, meaning that when he lowers the shovel, it drops back down on the ground, making him let out a small groan before shoveling it up again.
Once he finally gets it in the barrel, he lets out a sigh, and we hear a familiar voice.
Hitarthi: How're you holding up?
Winston: (sighs) Oh you know…Doing alright I guess?
Hitarthi: Winnie, go take a break. I can shovel the rest of this.
Winston: N-No, Hitarthi, I-I've already taken way too many breaks with ranger stuff in the past.
Hitarthi: You are TIRED, you're probably HUNGRY since I know you didn't eat a big breakfast, you were up all night working on that research project for Martha, and between you and me, you need to put on deodorant.
Winston: You know that smell could be the piles of poop I just shoveled.
Hitarthi: We share the same bed. I know the difference.
Winston: Hmph. Fair enough.
Hitarthi: I'll take care of this while YOU go relax inside the Elephant House for a little bit.
Winston: But I—
Hitarthi: NO BUTS.
Winston: (sigh) Alright…Thank you so much.
Hitarthi: Hey, it's the least I can do.
She takes the shovel from him and he starts walking out of the habitat.
Now to the Washi Residence. On tv, we see news footage of the Mecha battles from the last episode while Martha sits in a chair, frustrated.
News Reporter: For those of you living under a rock, our very own team of Power Rangers faced a new threat on Halloween last week in the form of what we can assume was a new ranger as a black and gold Megazord, or at least a monster that looks like one, attacked the team in a forest area outside the city.
The zoo curator then turns off the television and rubs her eyes.
Martha: Ugh, THINK, Martha. There has to be something about 3 Zoomans from Randall's work that you can remember.
Not getting anywhere just sitting down, she then looks around the corner of her living room, before cutting several seconds later to something we haven't seen in a while.
…The picture of a young Benny and his father, who as a reminder we can't see the face of as his head is out of frame. Martha approaches the picture and smiles seeing her son on there…but when she turns her attention to Randall, she frowns and lets out a deep sigh.
Martha: I wish you were here right now.
She stares at the image longer…but as she does…something happens in the background. Somber music plays in the background…sounding like a sad violin cover of Harris' theme, and Martha's already saddened expression turns into one of guilt/regret.
Martha: …I shouldn't have done what I did that night. (she tears up) And I'd give anything to apologize to you right now.
Her hand tightens into a fist.
She's then interrupted by a text noise from her phone going off.
She quickly snaps out of it and sees it's from Benny saying, "We're in the Sanctum".
Martha types, "Ok, I'll be down in a minute", before walking away from the picture while rubbing some of the tears out of her eyes.
Finally, we cut down to the Sanctum Training Section.
Caleb: Lion Lightning!
His Primal Power attack flies forward at one of the dummies, zapping it up.
The camera cuts to him on the other side, fully morphed and with his Primal Power gloves on.
Caleb: Ugh. Not quick enough. Lion Lightning!
He sends out another attack, but it's the same speed as before.
Caleb: Gah, what am I missing!?
Sylvia: You shouldn't be relying on one attack, you know.
Caleb: I'm not relying on it alone I'm just making sure I can strike with it faster.
Sylvia: It might not do anything though if Zoo-Killer attacks us in that tough-as-nails Croc Mode.
Caleb: It's still worth a try. I didn't end up using it last time because I got distracted in the heat of the battle. Maybe it can do damage to him, and we just haven't seen it yet.
Sylvia: Maybe, but that's assuming Zoo-Killer doesn't just zoom past it in Wolf Mode as he did with my Snow Strike and Jackie's Spin Dash.
Caleb: Are you trying to be helpful, or not?
Sylvia: I'm just making sure that we're thinking about possibilities.
Caleb: (takes off his helmet) Speaking of thinking, let's check on egghead.
We then cut to the Lounging Section to find Benny looking down at some animal books.
Benny: Hmm. Think, think, think. You can do this Benjamin. You've read these dozens of times as a kid. There's gotta be something that can help you out here.
His mind then wanders to something else though...The moment when Zoo-Killer could have destroyed him and his zord...but didn't.
Benny: ...He didn't kill me. Why didn't he kill me? Nothing was stopping him, so why...(sigh)
Caleb: Any luck yet on your book report?
Benny: Nope. Same as usual. Hey uh, when are the others gonna get—?
He's cut off by Winston and Jackie teleporting in and Martha coming in through the Sanctum elevator nearby.
Benny: Huh. Question answered.
Cut a few moments later to everybody standing in a circle.
Martha: Okay everyone, I know it's been a very, VERY long week, what with Halloween clean up, your jobs, and all this extra stuff, so…let's just see what we've come up with.
Caleb: Me first. I've been trying to improve my Lion Lightning attacks and make them quicker. It…could be better, but I'll be ready!
Martha: At least one of us is energized. Sylvia, Benny, what about your work?
Benny: Well, we figured that if Zoo-Killer is like us, that means he might have an animal trait which we can exploit…BUT we haven't figured out what it could be.
Sylvia: The most we could come up with is MAYBE he has poor eyesight like a rhino, but I have a feeling that he won't let us check under his helmet. And even then, that's assuming it's not a wolf trait or croc trait, or if he even has an animal trait at all.
Jackie: (yawns) I've started back up more training lately. Hoping that'll at least sharpen my senses a little.
Martha: Just don't overwork yourself. Winston? Care to present your findings?
We then see he has a tablet behind his back.
Winston: Well, as the one assigned to PR research, I went looking to find any info on evil rangers in the past. (he turns on a tablet) Some examples I could find included the original Green Ranger, a White Dino Thunder Ranger, the Thunder Rangers of Blue Bay Harbor, and the Titanium ranger. I tried to find any footage that could help us, but most of it was just Megazord fights and footage of those evil rangers…eventually working with their teams, so I'm not exactly sure how it'll help.
Martha: It was worth a shot. Come to think of it, I need to refresh my ranger history anyway.
Benny: Speaking of help, did Harris pick up?
Martha: (sighs) No. Nothing. And it's starting to worry me…I mean, sure, we've had our disagreements in the past, but…it's like he's purposefully ignoring me this time.
Looks of guilt appear on the other ranger's faces.
Benny: Woah, what's with the faces?
Sylvia: Umm…M-Martha? I think there's something we forgot to tell you.
Martha: I-Is everything okay?
Caleb: Well, uh…so, remember when we went to find Harris and see if he could help us with the zords after Huntroid blasted us?
Martha: Yes, I remember it VERY vividly…Why?
Winston: Well, when we found him, he gave us advice that worked out in the end, since, you know the zords ended up healing themselves, but…well, we were all on edge, and we were worried that they wouldn't heal in time, so…then we thought maybe his Keeper Cube could give us an extra boost, but Harris didn't want to help, so…we—
Jackie: We tried fighting Harris for his Keeper Cube.
The Washi family's eyes widen at this.
Benny: Wait, what!?
Martha: You did WHAT NOW?
Caleb: We didn't know the zords were gonna heal quickly, so—
Martha: So…you're saying that you fought Harris with your powers and didn't think to tell me about this…at all!?
Winston: We didn't want to bring it up.
Sylvia: If it makes you feel better, we know it was a mistake, and we feel really bad about—
Martha: YES. Yes, you should feel VERY bad about this! That was an incredibly STUPID mistake to make! You can't just do that with Harris! No wonder he's not answering my calls, you drove him away, by sparking his—(stops herself and takes a deep breath)…OH, this is not good. This is not good at all.
Suddenly, their Cubimals interrupt them with their noises.
Benny: S-Sorry, mom. We gotta—
Martha: Go. But remember. We're FAR from done with this conversation.
She's trying to be calmer about this, but she's still clearly upset with most of the team as they teleport out with guilty expressions on their faces.
We then cut back up to the Arrow Galion, the crew gathered in the cockpit, say for Huntoceros.
Zoo-Killer: (stepping forward) Good morning, master.
Sagittar: Likewise, my apprentice.
Insidion: Speaking of this one, I'm very curious to see how he will affect hunts, especially if he acts as an "extra player" so to speak.
Blockhead: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, boss. What's the agenda for today?
Sagittar: I'm liking Insidion's idea. Zoo-Killer's purpose is to counter the Zoo-Keepers…but throwing him into the fire as assistance for hunters could be VERY fun.
Insidion: In that case, if the goal is to drag out Zoo-Killer's impact, then I have an idea for the rangers. Cardlada? Game on.
The camera reveals he's been leaning in the background against the cockpit bar.
Cardlada: Haha! NOW we're talking!
Hard cut to an overhead shot of Dolphin Coast. We see a bunch of red and white cards flying through the air down towards the ground, before cutting to a public area with plenty of people walking around. All of a sudden, a giant flat card lands behind one woman, extends forward, and morphs into 3d object, trapping her inside.
Woman: What the-!? Hey! Somebody help!
A few people start to take notice only for this to happen at least 6 more times to other nearby civilians.
We then focus on one man whose girlfriend is the 6th to be trapped.
Trapped Girl: What is this! Help!
Panicked Boyfriend: Babe! W-What is this thing!?
Cardlada: (steps into frame) Tell me, sir! Do you wish to open that box?
Panicked Boyfriend: What do you think I'm trying to do!?
Cardlada: Not to worry, just turn over the cards on the front. If you get a heart, she's free.
The man looks down and notices that there are indeed 4 flipped cards. He thinks for a moment and then quickly chooses the second card. Unfortunately, we quickly find out what happens when the right card isn't chosen as he flips it over, revealing a drawing of an Amoebanoid…only for the card to send him flying back with a small explosion.
Cardlada: (as it blows up) Sorry! Wrong answer!
He starts to chuckle, but it's quickly cut off as Benny flies in and strikes Cardlada in the torso with his wings, followed by Jackie knocking him down with a Shark Spin Dash.
We then see Sylvia run over the man who got blown back by the blast.
Sylvia: Are you okay, sir!?
Winston and Caleb group up with Benny and Jackie.
Jackie: Oh yeah. The crazy card monkey. This should be FUN.
While she says this, Caleb walks behind them and examines the card box.
Caleb: Let's bust this wild card open!
Cardlada: I wouldn't do that! If you do, it'll explode, along with the person inside.
Fortunately, the explosive mention gets Caleb to stop as he's about to punch through the box, making him think for a second.
Caleb: What!?
Trapped Girl: Help! It's so cramped!
Caleb: Hmph. Very well!
He then tries getting the card with the heart on it…but chooses wrong and ends up with an Amoebanoid card.
Caleb: Son of a—
BOOM. Caleb is sent flying back into some nearby chairs.
He even demorphs as he lands on the ground.
Jackie: Holy crap!
She and Benny run over toward him.
Cardlada: You better open these soon or these people will run out of air!
This makes Benny and Jackie stop and turns their attention toward the last cards.
Benny: Uh, O-Ok. Then we'll just turn over the remaining two.
Jackie: Same time, you, and me!
Benny: Gotcha!
The two then turn the cards over simultaneously…only for it to be revealed that all of these cards have the Amoebanoid drawings.
Both are confused, followed quickly by being sent back from strong demorphing blasts.
Winston: Hey! Those were all wrong!
Cardlada: (chuckles) It appears I didn't shuffle the cards enough!
He continues laughing.
Sylvia: You really are a tricky lying baboon!
Winston: Well then…what if we destroy you instead?
Cardlada then gasps, leading to…the music stopping as a literal bright red, Valentine's day style heart pops out of his chest, and falls to the ground, confusing Winston, and Sylvia before he just quietly steps forward to lean down and pick the heart back up to place it inside his chest…In case you couldn't tell, this part is Sentai footage.
Sylvia: Aha! A heart!
Winston: Alright! Attack time!
He says this while they take out their Savage Sabers and then rush forward and start slashing.
Cardlada: (blocking their attack) You think you'll win this fight?
The two break their sabers free of his grabbing hands and slash him in the chest, and then keep trying to strike him again.
Cardlada: Well then! I guess I'll have to call…Zoo-Killer.
This makes Winston and Sylvia stop with a small gasp right in their tracks. Cardlada quickly sees this, and with a quick chuckle, whips out a new weapon. A card-themed fan blade that he quickly uses to knock their sabers out of their hands, and then strike the two back.
Nearby, Benny, Caleb, and Jackie get back on their feet.
Caleb: You're gonna pay for that!
The three rush forward.
Cardlada: Oh! Why hello, Zoo-Killer!
Once again, the team stops and turns around, quickly whipping out their weapons.
But of course, it's another lie as Cardlada then slashes Benny in the back, punches Jackie in the face, and tosses Caleb off to the side, followed by a smack to Benny's face with the side of his fan blade.
Cardlada: (laughs) Until next time, rangers!
He says this while teleporting out in a green flash.
Benny: (getting back up) Dang it!
Sylvia: Is Zoo-Killer actually around here?
The team frantically looks at their surroundings for a few seconds just in case.
Benny: (sighs) No. It was a trick.
We then quickly cut back up to the Arrow Galion.
Insidion: Poor rangers. The mere mention of his name has them quivering with fear.
Sagittar: And now you see the benefits of keeping the Zoo-Keepers around. (chuckles) I can't wait to keep playing this game.
Hard cut several minutes later to a hill overlooking Dolphin Coast.
The team is standing together looking disappointed or tired for about 4 seconds before Winston speaks up.
Winston: I can't believe we froze like that.
Sylvia: I guess we were more mentally affected by that Halloween fight than we thought.
Caleb: Speak for yourselves. I was just a bit surprised is all. And the next time those punks decide to pick a fight, it's one I intend to win!
Jackie: Exactly. We're not afraid of those monsters!
Benny: Well, I am.
This gets his team's attention.
Benny: I'm scared of fighting Zoo-Killer again…I'm scared of fighting his zords, I hate that Midaria singled me out and said that my powers may have inspired this whole mess, I hate that apparently, we failed to save 3 Zoomans…and I'm…(turns to face them)…I'm scared of losing my friends.
This leads to about 6 seconds of silence as the team lets his words sink in.
Winston: …Me too. I'm scared I may never see my girls again.
Sylvia: I'm worried I may never see my brother again.
Caleb: I guess I'm worried about…loved ones and Zoo-Killer and stuff…B-But not that much!
Everyone else chuckles, say for Jackie, who has her turn to speak.
Jackie: I'll admit. The reason I went to the Halloween party last week was that…I was scared too…Scared of losing my friends.
The gets a smile out of everyone.
Benny: The Shooting Star Poachers want us to be afraid…But we can't let them turn that fear against us.
Everyone then stands side by side.
Caleb: So…what if Zoo-Killer does show up again?
Jackie: …Then we face him no matter how strong he is.
Winston: And save those innocent people that monster trapped.
Sylvia: I'm sure we'll come up with some kind of plan that will help us win this, right?
Benny: (thinks of something) Speaking of which…I think I have an idea.
Before we can hear what this plan is, we hard cut to another part of Dolphin Coast to find Cardlada has returned, overlooking a group of people from a bridge.
Cardlada: Hahaha! It's time for round 2, humans!
He sends more cards flying into the air, and like before, some grow giant-sized, and trap people as they land on the ground. One woman starts panicking wondering what just happened to her friend as the monster jumps down next to her to explain his game.
Cardlada: If you want to get her out, you'll need to find a card with a heart on it first.
Benny: Stop right there!
The team comes running up a few yards away.
Cardlada: Zoo-Keepers? Not ready to give up so easily, eh?
Benny: Enough monkey business. Are you guys ready?
The Rangers: Ready!
They quickly whip out their Morphers, press the correct buttons, and jump straight to spinning the tops.
The Rangers: Zoo Mode Go!
From there, we get the standard arm wave and Morpher opening to morph, but once the greenscreen Morphing sequence is finished, we hard cut straight to the team pose.
The Rangers: Power Rangers! Zoo-Keepers! (Cue sentai footage team pose)
Cardlada: Very well. Zoo-Killer? Oh, Zoo-Killer! Where are you?
Benny: Enough talk…Let's go animalistic.
Wasting no time, and no longer falling for the charade, the team charges forward and starts attacking Cardlada, much to his surprise.
Cardalada: Shouldn't you be running in terror from—
He's cut off by Caleb getting a slash in on his chest and Benny kicking him back.
Hard cut to the Arrow Galion.
Insidion: No! That baboon buffoon did it too much! Sagittar, if I may…?
Sagittar: You know what to do Zoo-Killer.
Zoo-Killer: Understood. (said as he walks forward)
Back on the ground, Benny lands flying kick onto Cardlada, knocking him onto the ground and rolling him back a few feet as the team regroups.
Zoo-Killer: Ready to play again!?
We get shots of the rangers hearing this, their suit actor body language showing worry.
Sylvia: He's here.
Caleb: Yeah, but where?
The camera zooms in on Benny as this is said…before we cut behind the team to see familiar boots walking forward.
Benny: (as he turns his head around) Zoo-Killer.
We then get a few more close-up shots of the ranger as he walks forward, Rhinoceros Rod in hand.
The team's attention is now fully turned toward him.
Zoo-Killer: Tsk, tsk. You think you'd have learned your lesson by now.
Cardlada: Ah! Z-Zoo-Killer! Finally! I've been waiting for you to arrive the whole time!
Benny: Everyone?...Charge!
Fight music begins to play as the team charges forward yelling while Zoo-Killer lets out some slack on his rod's line to whip it around. With that, he pulls a clever trick where he whips the fishing line out and sends it around the pillar of a nearby building's second floor, which quickly lassos itself around Jackie's foot, stopping her charge.
Jackie: Gah!
Caleb: Jackie!
He lunges forward, grabbing her by the legs, but he ends up getting pulled with her, making Winston and Sylvia grab onto Caleb's legs as well. The team pulls tight, but with one yank, Zoo-Killer pulls back his rod and sends them flying into a nearby wall.
Benny: Hey! It's my turn for some fishing!
This is said as we see Benny on the bridge Cardlada was on, Eagle Shredder in his hands. He quickly sends the chain blade forward, lassoing it around Zoo-Killer's right arm.
Zoo-Killer: What are you—?
Before he can finish that sentence, Benny takes off with his Primal Power wings, taking Zoo-Killer with him through the air.
Cardlada: Wait! Don't go without me! I beg you!
Cue Savage Blaster shots being fired into his side and knocking him over.
Sylvia: Ha! The plan worked!
Jackie: Now all that's left is this guy!
The team charges forward, ready for a hopefully fairer fight.
Cut to Benny and Zoo-Killer, now flying over a river in a nearby forest. After a few seconds, we zoom in on Zoo-Killer, who now has his Morpher out.
Zoo-Killer: Intriguing. Wolf Mode Go!
With a tap of his Morpher's bottom button on his arm and a flash of his suit, Zoo-Killer's helmet flips up, and his Rhinoceros Rod reappears in his hands, this time in its Howl Rifle mode which he quickly uses to his advantage, blasting at Benny in the chest, which forces them to land in the river with only one landing on their feet.
The music stops as Benny stands back up on his feet.
Zoo-Killer: So. You're fighting me alone?... Heh. I mean it's your death wish, but if that's how you wanna play the game.
Benny: It's exactly what I want.
He strikes a pose, and the fight begins again.
Zoo-Killer: Timber Fire!
Benny: Primal Power!
The Red Eagle Ranger sprouts his wings and zooms around the river as Zoo-Killer sends out more rapid-fire purple energy blasts in his direction for a few seconds, before slowing down and sending some water up to temporarily "blind" Zoo-Killer with a wing flap. As the splashed water rises, Benny quickly lands on his feet and fires Savage Blaster shots through the wave. Once it fades, Zoo-Killer is out of sight. But not for long as he tries to strike Benny on the left, knocking Benny onto the ground. He quickly turns around and fires his Savage Blaster again as we transition back to the city.
Cardlada panics without his reinforcements around as Primal Power attacks are unleashed on him.
Jackie: Shark Spin Dash!
Caleb: Lion Lightning!
Sylvia: Tigress Snow Strike!
Winston: Elephant Earthquake!
Though done one at a time, all of the attacks work, doing some form of damage and knocking down the colorful hunter.
Cardlada: (as he gets up) UGH. Where's a trump card when you need one!?
Caleb: I know this isn't chess, but regardless, CHECKMATE.
The 4 whip out their Savage Blasters again.
Jackie, Caleb, Winston, and Sylvia: Wild Final Strike!
With that, the four fire their finisher directly into Cardlada's chest, causing his heart to pop out, and explode along with him in a fiery burst.
We then get about 9 to 10 seconds showing the giant card boxes disappearing and the people being freed.
Cue another cut to the Arrow Galion.
Insidion: Continue time, Midaria.
Midaria: (sighs) Of course.
Hard cut to her approaching Cardlada's corpse with a Continuation coin.
Midaria: So much for that full deck of yours. I expect a better play on the macro scale, Cardlada.
She inserts the coin in the slot on his torso, his eyes glow as a baboon's yell can be faintly heard, and with a burst of fire, he grows as usual.
Cardlada: Hope you rangers brought your poker chips!
Back in the forest, we see Zoo-Killer flip Benny over his back but is caught off guard by Cardlada growing giant.
Zoo-Killer: What the...?
Benny: Gorilla Mode GO!
With a flip of his helmet, a flash of energy, a brief wave of wind, and a splashing rise out of the water, Benny starts trying to land punches with his Red Gorilla Ranger mode. Zoo-Killer does block some of the attempted hits at first, but Benny quickly lands a torso punch that sends him back.
However, Zoo-Killer quickly gets back on his feet and runs forward with a yell.
Interestingly, it seems like he's angered by the punch.
Hard cut to the Cubimals coming together as the others yell out…
Jackie, Caleb, Winston, and Sylvia: Megazord, activate!
The transformation of the mecha we've known for several episodes now occurs as usual.
Jackie, Caleb, Winston, and Sylvia: Zooman Fusion Megazord! Ready!
Dirt and rubble erupt off the back of the mighty mech as it steps forward towards the giant Cardlada.
Jackie: Attack!
They spin their command cubes.
The mutant baboon blocks 3 punches with his fan blade, but when he moves to strike, he leaves an opening, allowing them to punch him back in the torso.
Cardlada: Fine! Time for a different card game!
Caleb: Excuse me?
He begins waving his fan a few times, forming dust clouds that obscure the Megazord's view.
Caleb: This wind is surprisingly strong!
Cardlada then lands 2 strikes on the Megazord's torso through the fog.
Winston: Gah! I guess we're not at full power without Benny.
Jackie: We have to keep going!
Sylvia and Caleb: Right!
Sylvia: (to herself) Hang tight, Hermano.
Back in the forest, Zoo-Killer dodges more punches from Benny before firing a blast at him with his rifle. Benny tries to close the distance, but Zoo-Killer pushes him down while pulling back on his arm. Zoo-Killer then starts talking boastfully…not noticing Benny's fist tightening while he does until the last second.
Zoo-Killer: That'll teach you for thinking you're stronger than me!...Huh!?
Not wanting to take the hit, Zoo-Killer lets go and gets out of the way of Benny's strike.
Benny: Bring it on, you coward! (said as he slams the water)
Zoo-Killer: Oh, NOW you've done it!
He says this while whipping out his Morpher, hitting the bottom button, and turning the center cube to the crocodile side.
Zoo-Killer: Croc Mode Go!
With a wave of his Morpher and a gold flash of his Morpher, his helmet transforms.
Zoo-Killer: It's time for you to face the Scaly Staff.
He waves the rifle around, transforming it into staff mode, and then charges forward, with Benny also rushing forward to keep fighting.
Back in the city, the Zooman Fusion Megazord now carries the Grizzly Bear zord in ax form.
Caleb: We're counting on you, Grizzly Bear!
The Zooman Fusion Megazord then slams the bear zord down into the street. Now, in this case, the sentai footage is edited because, in the original, there are cars on the road when they slam the ax down, making it look like the attack they sent forward just destroyed a bunch of cars. But in this case, they'd be edited out.
Anywho, blasts are sent forward by the ax that hit Cardlada causing him to drop his fan while yelling in pain.
Jackie, Caleb, Winston, and Sylvia: Bear Zord Wild Final Strike!
The ax-like zord is sent forward, sparks bursting out of it as it lands one big final slash on Cardlada's torso, finally putting an end to this battle.
Cardlada: I should've stuck with Go Fish!
BOOM. The monster explodes in a fiery burst as the rangers pose in their Megazord.
Jackie, Caleb, Winston, and Sylvia: Animals, WON.
Back in the forest, we get a one-take shot lasting for about 8 seconds of Zoo-Killer trying to slash a Benny with his Scaly Staff, sending out wind waves as he does.
Benny stops a hit but gets punched right in the face, with the same happening to Zoo-Killer in vice versa.
He tries slamming the staff down one more time, but Benny catches it with his two hands, the two then struggling.
After several seconds of trying to break the staff from his grip, Zoo-Killer unfortunately, pushes back enough to punch Benny in the gut.
Interesting to note is that as he gains control back, he says…
Zoo-Killer: (straining) I'M THE STRONGEST RANGER!
He then tosses the staff aside and yells out the worse possible attack he could.
Zoo-Killer: TRIPLE…Primal Power!
With a glow of his suit's eyes, he grows his Rhino Horn shoulder pads, his wolf-clawed glove, and his crocodile-tailed glove; Benny getting on his feet, looking tired now.
Zoo-Killer: Timber Slash!
He sends out two energy slash attacks that directly strike Benny.
Zoo-Killer: Saltwater Thrash!
His tail armament then slams down onto the Red Gorilla Ranger causing much bigger explosions. It doesn't knock him down, but it comes close.
Zoo-Killer: (charges forward) Wild Final Crash!
He slams right into Benny's torso, but instead of causing a bunch of sparks and explosions, Benny's suit muscles take the hit. But it's a minor, short-lived win as Zoo-Killer then throws him into the air, sparks flying off his chest while he falls to the ground, screaming in pain, as he lands with a thud into the river.
A landing so strong, it completely demorphs him as he winces in pain.
Zoo-Killer: (sighs with relief) I told you. It's your death wish.
Benny: (as his enemy walks up) N-No, please!
Zoo-Killer: GAME OVER.
The wicked ranger then raises his crocodile tail over his head, ready to slam it down and kill the young Zoo-Keeper, who screams "No!" as he does…
…but right as all hope seems lost…Zoo-Killer's body freezes.
Tense jungle percussion music picks up in the background as Zoo-Killer…staggers back in pain?
With a scream, his Primal upgrades disappear.
Interestingly, his voice starts to sound different as a result.
Red lightning sparks from his chest as his helmet eyes flash red, and with a purple energy effect accompanied by another yell…
…his suit completely vanishes.
Benny's eyes widen with confused shock as he can't believe what he's seeing.
Standing in front of him is the shirtless African-American man in grey pants with curly black hair we saw the beginning of Part 1, screaming in agony.
Benny: (whispers) ...You're human.
Zoo-Killer(?): P-Please! Help Me!
(Now he sounds like YouTuber CoryxKenshin)
Suddenly, as Benny is about to say something else, a green flash appears behind the man.
It's Midaria. She quickly punches him in the back of the head.
He falls onto the wet river ground in slow motion.
Midaria: Looks like we've found a flaw. Well, back to testing with you.
She grabs him by the arm, raising him off the ground.
Benny: (gasps/wincing) W-Wait! Stop!
But it's too late. With a green poker chip effect, Midaria and Zoo-Killer teleport out of the area. And all Benny can do is look down at the water, his jaw hanging open, covered by his hand as his eyes express fear/confusion/rage, all while haunting mysterious music plays in the background.
Finally, his team shows up, running toward him from his right.
Jackie: Dude! There you are!
The episode ends with a wide shot panning back from the river as Benny and his team reunite, with text at the bottom of the screen reading…
TO BE CONTINUED
Tune in next time for "Episode 18: Blackened Rhino Part 3"