EPISODE 20: CAVING IN
(Adapted from "Prison Break")
We open on a new location in the Arrow Galion. Insidion's lab. I don't have a crazy specific layout for it so imagine the main room of Area 62 from Dino Fury, but with the ship's usual esthetic style like in cockpit shots. There's also a device in this room that looks important, but I won't describe what it is until later. Anywho, the door closes as the three headhunters group together.
Blockhead: Make it quick, new guy.
Insidion: I agree. They may find out about our conversation.
Huntoceros: Alright. Cutting straight to the chase…I want to take down Sagittar.
Blockhead: …You have to be joking, right?
Insidion: I figured that might be it, but I still can't figure out why.
Huntoceros: Umm, because he locked me in storage for years along with Scattershell and partakes in those attacks he calls "hunts"? See, when Scattershell and I were made, we were the first creations of the Hunter Forge. Oddly enough, JAGGED, was there to oversee it, and not Midaria. But we didn't want to play by Sagittar's rules. Because of that, we were left alone down there, and now, cut to the future…we were right. Not only is Scattershell dead, but he forced me to do something that goes against what I believe.
Insidion: And what would that be?
Huntoceros: (sighs) I believe that if you're gonna hunt something, it should have a reasonable chance of getting away or being on some equal footing with the hunter. But the people of this world aren't all as the rangers. They're too vulnerable. Just like those I took down when...I helped make Zoo-Killer himself.
Blockhead: I beg your pardon?
Huntoceros: I was sent to this weird jungle temple on Earth 1 night to recover 3 bodies frozen in stasis. The bodies of 3 "Zoomans". Weird human-animal hybrid things…They were asleep when I took them down…Some may see it as merciful but to me…it wasn't right that they couldn't fight back…Yet I had to play along to keep Sagittar's trust.
Blockhead: Wait a second. I remember now. When the Red Ranger got his power-up, there was some gorilla-man in the area.
Insidion: So, the ranger's abilities are tied into these Zoomans. (gasps) And Sagittar says he hates this world.
Huntoceros: Plus, all the Hunter Forge's animal DNA? It belongs to creatures of EARTH.
Insidion: But then…how do we know about these animals if this is our first visit?
Huntoceros: All the more reason to be suspicious.
Blockhead: HOLD ON. I'm curious too, but are we sure about this?
Suddenly, the door to the lab opens.
Midaria: Sure, about what?
Huntoceros: (his voice changes to a nicer tone) Midaria! Sorry for the secrecy m'lady but uh, we were planning a surprise for Sagittar!
Midaria: That sounds nice. (she pulls out her weapons) What kind of surprise?
Huntoceros: Uh, a VERY special hunt! One that'll take place on the ship's training level! I know, I know, it's a bit risky, BUT, after the loss of Zoo-Killer, I'm sure Sagittar wants some new form of entertainment, right?
Midaria: (ponders this) Alright then, let me know when you wish to unveil the surprise. But don't try anything shifty, or else.
Huntoceros: (as she leaves) Wouldn't have it any other way!
The door closes and the 3 headhunters huddle.
Huntoceros: I have a plan. That hunt IS part of it, but I'll need your help to execute it. Are you in or are you out?
There's a brief silence between them.
Blockhead: …If we do this, we risk getting destroyed.
Insidion: Yes…But I'd rather be destroyed fighting than do nothing anymore. Count me in.
Blockhead: (breaths in and out deeply) I better not regret this.
Huntoceros: Alright. Here's what I'm thinking.
Dolphin Coast, New Zealand. 5 AM, NZDT.
We then hard cut to the Sanctum to find Derrick on the Lounging Section couch with the team and his zords/weapon on the table.
Martha: You're sure you have no idea about the origins of your gear?
Derrick: No. I don't know if Sagittar found or made them….I'm sorry that I can't help with this.
Martha: Don't worry about it. It was worth asking anyway.
Jackie: (yawns) Alright boss, spill it.
Caleb: Yeah, 5 AM is early even for us, so we better not just be here to talk about Derrick's toys.
Martha: Right, ok. This is REALLY exciting. So, remember that map on this wall of possible zord locations?
Derrick: I beg your pardon.
Winston: Oh yeah. Where is it, by the way?
Martha: I took it down in hopes you wouldn't remember what the last animal was drawn on it so you can be surprised when you find it.
Sylvia: So, we're gonna find the last Cubimal on your map?
Martha: Yep. An old friend of mine named Dr. Oscar Davalos discovered something connected to the last zord and wanted us to come to see it for ourselves.
Benny: Sounds great, mom, but why so early?
Martha: Because this Cubimal is located on the South American island Trinidad, and because of time zones, early morning here is just the start of afternoon for them.
Derrick: Wait, we're teleporting to another continent!?
Jackie: (covering her ears) Ugh, quiet please, sensitive ears.
Derrick: Oh, my bad. (nervous smiles)
As a quick little background detail, when Jackie says that line and shows discomfort, Benny pats her back.
Winston: You know Derrick if you're not feeling up to this mission—
Derrick: Oh, HECK no, I'm coming along.
Martha: Good. Cause we may need your flashlight if we explore any nearby caves in the area. Alright team, wake yourselves up and let's get going.
Winston: (taps on Benny's arm) Hey, can I talk for a second?
Benny: Y-Yeah, sure. What's on your mind?
The two step away from the team as they strike a conversation.
Winston: Look, I…I'm not sure how I feel about Derrick being on the team.
Benny: Do you not trust him?
Winston: Yeah, but…between you and me, I don't think he should be a ranger right now.
Benny: But why? He's been great.
Winston: Yeah, but…I hope he doesn't feel like he HAS to fight is all.
Benny: Well, I told him we wouldn't force him to join the team and he chose to come save you guys and mom on his own, so…
Winston: (sighs) Fair enough. Maybe I'm just thinking out loud cause I'm so tired.
Martha: Is everyone ready to get going?
Jackie: (yawns) I guess so.
Our heroes then stand together, Martha grabbing onto Benny's hand as they hold up their Morphers.
The Rangers: Doubutsu!
Derrick: Jambo!
With that, all 7 teleport out in a slightly brighter multi-colored flash, likely because of the continental travel, making this the first time all 6 rangers teleport together.
Cue Theme Song (1 Minute)
Northern Range, Trinidad. 12:05 PM, AST.
We cut to a very big forest clearing that's been set up like a campsite.
Several tents are standing, tools everywhere, and people in explorer-type gear walking around.
Then, our heroes teleport in, a little wheezy and dizzy given the distance traveled.
Benny: Ugh. Right. Completely forgot about this.
Derrick: (holds back vomit) You've teleported across continents before?
Sylvia: Only once. By the way, your Morpher will need to recharge.
The people working are now starring at them.
Martha: This is the right spot.
Jackie: What gave it away? The campsite or the people staring at us?
Martha: At least we're awake enough to be cracking jokes.
Oscar: Are they here already!?
(He sounds like Rafael from the 'Rio' Movies)
The team looks over to see a man stepping out of a tent who's wearing clothing similar to Dr. Akana from Dino Fury and looks like actor George Lopez.
Oscar: Ah, well, if it isn't Martha Washi!
Martha: Bring it in, Davalos!
The two share a quick hug together.
Oscar: You have not aged a day since we last met.
Martha: Same goes for you! (laughs) Ok, so this is the team. Everyone, this is Oscar. He's a zoologist I met in college. And Oscar—
Oscar: No need. They're exactly as you described them. Sylvia, Caleb, Winston, Jackie, newcomer Derrick, and (gasps) Benjamin, look how big you've grown!
Benny: Uh, have we met?
Martha: You were only a toddler.
Oscar: Right. Well, I know you're tired, so let's get down to business about my discovery.
Now we cut briefly back up to the Arrow Galion.
Sagittar: It appears the rangers are working early on another continent…Alright, who's hunting next?
The other generals and Midaria look at him with body language showing confusion.
Insidion: We're playing again already?
Midaria: But what about Zoo-Killer?
Blockhead: Nah! Forget that guy! I for one am more than ready to start things off with a hunter made from Zebra DNA I call Stripecell!
Said hunter's last name is said both as an introduction and as a cue for him to enter the room.
Speaking of which the scene ends with the cockpit's revolving door opening as Stripecell (Adapted from the player "Prisonable") enters with a chuckle.
We then cut to everyone walking up to the biggest tent on the site.
Martha: You weren't kidding about this thing you found is big.
Oscar: (chuckles) You have no idea.
Everyone steps inside and their jaws immediately drop thanks to what's in front of them. A big pit with leaves and dirt on the ground, implying they feel in there whenever this part of the ground gave out, and at each corner of the pit… are 4 cubic pillars with red glowing patterns, just like the neon light cubes from Megazord sentai footage shots. Then, in the direct center of the pit is a small pedestal, likely for whatever Cubimal was left there.
Caleb: How the heck did you find this!?
Oscar: I was tracking a Tree Anteater one night when all of a sudden, I heard a noise that sounded like something…powering down. Then BOOM. The ground collapsed under me and this appeared!
Martha: Zooman architecture.
Winston: How did it remain hidden for so long?
Jackie: Maybe whatever the source of that "power down" sound was like a forcefield or something mystical to keep it hidden.
Oscar: That's my best guess as well. Since then, I got together a team to start looking around this part of the jungle.
Derrick: I wonder what kind of Cubimal was kept down here.
Sylvia: Yeah. I swear I remember what I saw on the map but it's not coming to me.
As the others continue to marvel at the structure below them, Oscar pulls Martha aside real quick.
From here, they whisper a conversation.
Oscar: Quick question…Does Benny know the truth now?
Martha: Hh…n-no, him becoming a ranger was by accident actually.
Oscar: He has the powers now. He deserves to know.
Martha: (sighs) I can't. It would break his heart if he knew what happened, and why he's…(sighs). Look, that bridge can be crossed later.
Oscar: Martha, I know you're still upset, but you can't keep this secret forever. He deserves the truth about his family.
That sentence is said as we cut to a curious Jackie, who has been subtly listening to them the whole time.
Crew Member: Ajuda! Monstro!
(Portuguese Translation: Help! Monster!)
Panic starts picking up outside, grabbing their attention.
And we quickly find out why as with a camera cut, we see Stripecell on the scene, causing the scientists to run away together in fear.
Stripecell: Good start! Now for the chain reaction!
(He sounds like Grave Clobber from 'Skylanders: Imaginators')
He says this while swinging some ball n chains into the air which land next to the fleeing scientists.
But then, the balls glow and form chains around at least 10 of the crew member's legs.
Panic now mixes with confusion as they look at the newly formed chains.
With a thumbs down motion from Stripecell, the balls glow again…and the trapped people scream as they, along with the balls…sink through the ground like its quicksand!
The team runs outright as this happens, leaving them caught off guard for a moment and naturally a bit horrified.
Benny: You're gonna pay for that!
Stripecell: Oh yeah!? Make me!
Martha: Derrick! Help me and Oscar protect the other scientists.
Derrick: Okay! Y-You got it!
The Rangers rush forward and instamorph off-screen.
Stripecell: Guess you'll be joining them!
He runs forward and we get our first fight scene for this episode. Stripecell swings his ball and chain around trying to hit the team as they attack him. Caleb and Jackie whip out their Savage Sabers at the same time to strike, but Stripecell dodges their strike and punches them both back into a nearby empty tent. Benny, Winston, and Sylvia then grab onto the ball and chain, trying to take it from his hands, but the monster shakes them off with the men getting quickly punched in their guts. Sylvia tries to strike but gets hit in the face and knocked down, allowing Stripecell to pin her down under his foot.
Stripecell: That's what I call putting my hoof down.
He's about to crush her with the ball and chain, but then,…Sylvia's helmet OPENS, allowing her to bite his leg?
Yes, seriously! The front of her helmet flips up like Benny's or Derrick as she bits into the monster's thigh with her teeth looking sharper than usual.
Stripecell: Ow! You BIT me!?
Cue music cutting out as Sylvia realizes this.
Sylvia: (gasps) My helmet flipped up!?...(licks her teeth) Why am I tasting saltwater—
Stripecell then cuts her off kicks her back hard, sending her flying into Caleb and Jackie as they get up from the spot they crashed into.
Back over to Martha and the others, we see a few people running into the big tent from earlier being guided by Derrick.
Derrick: Let's go, let's go, let's go!
He helps the last person in and then runs to go help the team.
Benny and Winston are slashing with their Savage Sabers, but Stripecell takes the hits and knocks them back.
Derrick: (Morpher in hand/running) Zoo Mode Go!
He rushes into the air and lunges at Stripecell, instamorphing as he does, but the monster sends him flying back with a punch.
Winston: Derrick!
He runs over to check on him as Stripecell readies two more chained balls.
Winston: Are you okay!?
Derrick: Lookout!
The Green Elephant ranger sees the balls coming right for them, and tries to strike them with his Saber, but it's too late as the balls land, glow, and create chains that magically wrap around both their legs simultaneously.
Winston: Crap!
He tries striking at the chains, but they won't cut.
Stripecell: Goodbye!
With the thumbs down motion, Winston, and Derrick sink into the ground, panicking as they do.
Benny: Winston! Derrick!
He leaps for them but they've already sunken down too far. And by the time he recovers from hitting the ground, they're gone.
Stripecell: (laughs) See you later, rangers!
He sinks into the ground as this is said!
Benny: No!
And now, the monster's gone.
Jackie: Primal Power!
She leaps forward and dives underground, hoping maybe she can find the two rangers.
Caleb: Where did they go!?
A few more seconds go by before Jackie "resurfaces" from below.
Jackie: Nothing! They're gone! Scientists included!
Benny, Caleb, and Sylvia: How!?
Well, we quickly figure out what happened as we cut to what seems to be a cave. Winston and Derrick quickly sit up and find they're stuck there, along with the captured scientists who look very afraid. Winston then quickly whips out his Savage Blaster and fires at the chain, hoping that will break it. But alas, it does nothing like the Saber.
Winston: Ugh, dang it!
Derrick: I'm sorry.
Winston: Huh?
Derrick: We wouldn't be captured if I didn't jump it like that.
Winston: Derrick, don't. It's not your fault.
Derrick: But I should've kept the distance and fired with my rifle!
Winston: (sighs as he stands up) Just…stay with these people and try to break free with your weapons…I'm gonna find a way out.
The Green Elephant Ranger then starts walking forward, dragging his chain along the way.
We then cut back to the Arrow Galion with a shot of Derrick as Winston leaves being shown on the ship's monitor.
Sagittar: Oh? So, Zoo-Killer was caught…Blockhead. Make sure Stripecell…KILLS him.
Blockhead. Insidion, and Midaria: Huh!?
Midaria: But s-shouldn't we retrieve him—
Sagittar: NO. He made his choice, now he'll suffer for it.
Blockhead: Oh! Well, y-yes sir!
Midaria: (bowing) Understood.
Back in the cave, we see Winston is further down the path he started on, even with the ball slowing him down.
After a few seconds of walking forward, the scent of something odd catches his nose and attention.
Winston: Wait. (sniffs) Saltwater!? I-I must be near a cave by the beach!
His smile perks up as he resumes his walk…
…but it's quickly halted by an ambush of Amoebanoids.
Winston: (whipping out his Morpher) And CRAP. Zoo Mode Go!
He morphs quickly and starts dodging the blade strikes attempted by his new opponents.
Back up in the jungle, the team, Oscar, and Martha regroup, likely having checked areas nearby thinking that's where everyone was taken.
Jackie: Find anything?
Martha: Nothing.
Benny: Same here.
Caleb: Ugh, where could they be!?
Oscar: T-They could be in a cave, but there's so many around here, I'm not sure where to kickstart a search.
Sylvia: Wait! When I bit that monster's leg, it tasted like saltwater!
Jackie: You think he's near a beach?
Oscar: Oh! There's an ocean cave not too far from here!
Caleb: Way to go, Sylvia!
Martha: Let's move!
Cutting back to the cave, Winston is now more surrounded. He slashes two Amoebanoids in front of him with his Savage Saber, but another slashes him in the back. With an angry yell, he slashes 3 more oncoming grunts in one slash and blocks another attempted hit from the one behind him.
Winston: I'm not doing this again!
After delivering that line referencing Episode 12, he slashes the last Amoebanoid down.
He drags his foot forward, and we a clean transition, we cut to him standing at the mouth of a cave, confirming it is indeed near the ocean.
Winston: I knew it! Now I just gotta get help come back for the others!
But as he drags forward, he's met by another obstacle.
Stripecell: Well, well. Congrats, Green. But Stripecell isn't gonna let you leave that easily!
He then punches Winston back onto the ground and on his back.
Stripecell laughs while whipping out 3 MORE BALL N CHAINS that he, of course, throws over to Winston. And with a glow, all 3 latch chains onto his legs at once.
Winston: Oh, come on!
Stripecell: Now to properly cage this elephant!
He says this while pulling out some kind of long and almost hair comb-like weapon meant to resemble the bars of a prison cell.
With an energy slash, the monster causes a cave-in, seemingly trapping Winston under a lot of rocks.
Back over to Derrick and the scientists, they sense the cave vibrations and look up scared.
Derrick: (gasps) He could be in trouble.
He quickly whips out his Morpher, turning it on like a flashlight.
Derrick: Everyone, stay here!
Once that's done, he walks forward, dragging the chain along with him in a worried manner.
Cut several minutes later to Derrick, now tired from all the walking/dragging. He then stops and looks forward…to find Winston, unconscious, next to a massive rock pile, with his face covered in bruises and cuts from the attack.
Derrick: (gasps/gets down to his level) Hey! Are you okay!?
Winston: (wakes up/coughs) Ugh. I…found the entrance, but…t-that monster collapsed it before I could-(winces as he sits up).
The green ranger takes a moment to catch his breath/sit as Derrick feels guilt for not being there…But what's VERY interesting to note about the shot as it sits up is that as he does, there is some else in focus, hanging over the two from the cave ceiling…A small cube with cracked patterns.
Derrick: (sighs) This is all my fault. If I hadn't let you go alone, then—
Winston: Oh, would you stop it!? We get enough of that secondhand guilt from Benny! So don't start that!
The angry change in tone spooks Derrick for a second.
Winston: S-Sorry…I'm just upset.
Derrick: …No, I deserve it. Like you said…I shouldn't be on the team.
Winston: …(sighs) You heard me and Benny whispering, huh.
Derrick gives a quick nod.
Winston: …Did you hear the rest of our talk?
Derrick: No. I stop listening after that.
Winston: Well…if you did, you would've heard me say…I hope you don't feel like you HAVE to fight.
Derrick: Huh? I-I don't follow.
Winston: Derrick, I think you could be a great addition to the team. But…you just broke free of being brainwashed and practically tortured! Don't you need to take another week off or a month or…something!? I-I wanna make sure you're okay.
Derrick: You're worried about me?
Winston: Of course, I am…Let me tell you something personal real quick. When I was a teenager, my parents died. They were killed in a car crash. After that, I couldn't get in a car for about a month. Then one time, my wife and daughter were put in danger by a monster attack, and I almost got killed, leading to me taking a week off, which was still awkward between the three of us because of what happened. And…(sighs)…and recently I learned that some of my actions in the past as a ranger…may have sparked PTSD in an ally of ours.
Derrick: …Woah. I didn't know about that.
Before finishing this talk, we cut back outside to Benny, standing on a rock, narrowing his eyes.
It seems he's using his Eagle vision to find the cave Oscar mentioned.
Benny: There! I can see it from here! Let's move!
The others quickly nod and follow after him.
Back in the cave.
Winston: And you know, that's another thing, actually. I have a wife and daughter, and I almost quit this job twice because I was worried about them getting hurt. Derrick, don't you have any friends or family to worry about? Not to sound mean, but…did you think about them before choosing to stick with us?
Derrick: …I don't really have friends.
Winston: Okay, well…surely a family member—
Derrick: I don't have that either.
Winston: …W-What?
Derrick: It's cool that you care about your daughter…Wish my mom and dad did that for me.
Winston: …Parent trouble, huh?
Derrick: (exhales) Let's just say school wasn't the only place that made me feel alone.
He says this while grabbing onto his arm tightly.
With a now saddened expression, Winston slowly puts his arm over Derrick's back and then pulls him into a side hug.
This spooks Derrick for a second, but he calms himself down quickly and his expression turns to confusion.
Winston: You're a good ranger...And if you aren't, you will.
We then zoom inside Derrick's head for another conversation with the 3 Zooman spirits.
Rossai: Huh. And I thought only you and Benny had a lot in common.
Derrick: I-I'm sorry, what?
Lupus: It's so obvious! You both got issues, you both wanna fight but don't wanna fight, you two could be related to each other!
Estoro: (gasps) Yeah, that's a good point! Maybe…you two could be compadres! Wahoo! We got a new friend!
Derrick: …I…guess that could work.
Rossai: Or at least you two can understand each other.
The camera then zooms back to reality, and Derrick asks Winston a question.
Derrick: Winston? Would you mind if I called you…a friend?
Winston smiles and is about to answer, so naturally, more Amoebanoids show up to interrupt the bonding moment.
Derrick: Amoebanoids!?
Winston: They must've been left inside!
Derrick: Stay down. You're injured…(stands up) I can handle these freaks myself. It's Morphing Time!
He slams the button on his Morpher and turns the cube to the wolf side while saying…
Derrick: Zoo! Mode! Go!
With a wave of the arm and a flash, he transforms into his Silver Wolf Form.
Derrick: Howl Rifle!
This time, he makes sure to start the fight as he suggested earlier, firing at the Amoebanoids from a distance, striking 3 down. Unfortunately, the ugly elk-sounding foot soldiers remember that their blades can fire blasts of energy (something that should've been done more in episodes of both this series and Zyuohger) and start firing. The two rangers avoid the blasts and Derrick keeps firing back.
Back outside, we see the Rangers, now closer to the cave mouth, run into Stripecell.
Benny: Let those people and our friends go!
Stripecell: (groans) You found me already?
Benny: (taking our his Morpher) Guess we'll do it ourselves.
Stripecell: OR I could trap you all too! Amoebanoids!
He says this while holding up some coins and throwing them down, summoning even more grunts.
Benny, Jackie, Caleb, and Sylvia: Zoo Mode Go!
They turn their Morphers for a second and then run forward, beginning to morph offscreen.
Back in the cave, Derrick, still in Wolf Mode, has decided to start fighting the Amoebanoids hand to hand with his rifle as a blunt object. One sneaks around and is about to attack Winston while he's vulnerable, but Derrick quickly shoots it in the back. Another grunt swings at his head, and he thankfully dodges it, but this makes him trip over the ball and chain he's still tied to.
The Amoebanoid then strikes him in the chest 2 times while he's down on the ground. Derrick blocks a third hit with his rifle and kicks the grunt off of him.
But once he does, the rest of the Amoebanoids fire. And all the shots hit.
Derrick drops his rifle after taking the blasts, and collapses onto his back, powering down as he does.
Winston: Derrick!
Derrick: (winces) They seem tougher.
With a loud screech, an Amoebanoid tries to strike at both men as they lay there.
Derrick almost dodges the hit and kicks the grunt back. But he then grabs his arm in pain, revealing a tear in his shirt and a bleeding cut.
Winston: Your arm!
Derrick: It's ok! I'm getting us out of here!
He then gets up and runs forward, then punches an Amoebanoid in the face with his bare fist. In slow-motion, he grabs onto two more that try to attack, punches one to the side, then turns his attention back to the second grunt, grabs onto its back, kicks it in the stomach, and tosses it aside.
And then…the cube we saw hanging from the ceiling earlier…glows PURPLE.
Derrick: Huh!?
With a flash, the cube awakens to reveal the new Cubimal. A purple and yellow Vampire Bat (Adapted from "Cube Komori").
Winston: (gasps) A bat zord!
The little Cubimal then quickly flies down with a screech and flies around each of the 6 Amoebanoids surrounding Derrick, biting them hard enough to cause sparks to fly, and then loops around to bite the chains around Derrick's leg, breaking him free. It then does the same with Winston, cutting through all 3 of his ball and chains with ease.
Winston: Yes, we're free!
Derrick: (gasps) The Howl Rifle!
We then get a slow-motion shot where Derrick quickly rushes over, and then summersaults over to his gun. Once he grabs it, the speed of the scene returns to normal, and he aims right for the remaining enemies nearby.
Derrick: Timber Fire!
With that, a few more rapid shots are blasted, and the Amoebanoids are FINALLY down.
Winston: Thanks for saving me.
Derrick: Not exactly.
The Vampire Bat zord then flutters into Winston's hands.
Derrick: This little guy cut you free. Not me.
Winston: True. But still protected me, and I think the zord woke up because…of my new friend's bravery.
Derrick turns around, surprised and a bit happy by him being called a friend.
Winston gives a smile/nod, and Derrick nods back in agreement.
Hard cut to the other rangers outside. Benny is fighting Stripecell in his Red Gorilla Ranger mode while the others fight Amoebanoids in the background. Caleb pins one to the ground, take its weapon, and hit another Amoebanoid running by, Jackie grabs onto one and uses them to lift her legs and kick another back, Sylvia stands on top of one's back-scratching at the back of its head barehanded before hitting one behind her, and Benny hits Stripecell in the gut before they grab onto each other's arms.
Suddenly, nearby on a mountainside, a dark purple cubic soundwave appears, blowing away a bunch of rock.
This of course grabs everyone's attention.
Benny: Huh!?
Caleb: What was that!?
The smoke clears, allowing us to see Winston and Derrick leading the captured scientists out of the cave with the Bat zord overhead.
Derrick: Let's go! We made it!
Winston: Find a way back to the campsite!
Benny: Winston! Derrick! (punches Stripecell aside)
Cut to the team reuniting.
Benny: You okay!?
Winston: Could be better.
Stripecell: How did you two get out!?
Derrick: With some Pachyderm power, AND a new friend.
The team looks up as the Vampire Bat zord comes flying down onto Derrick's hand.
Benny: (gasps) You found the Cubimal!
Sylvia: Aww, it's a bat.
Jackie: Glad that things worked out for you too.
Derrick: You ready, Winston!?
Winston: Obviously.
Both pull out their Morphers and hit the necessary buttons.
Winston and Derrick: Zoo Mode Go!
They spin the cubes to their correct sides, then with some arm waves and Morpher flashes, the two share a Morphing Sequence together. And once again, like with other episodes, the Sentai footage is edited slightly so that they can lead the roll call.
Derrick: Keeper of the Ground! Black Trino Ranger!
Winston: Keeper of the Forest! Green Elephant Ranger!
Benny: Keeper of the Jungle! Red Gorilla Ranger!
Jackie: Keeper of the Ocean! Blue Shark Ranger!
Caleb: Keeper of the Savannah! Yellow Lion Ranger!
Sylvia: Keeper of the Tundra! White Tigress Ranger!
Benny: Power Rangers! (throws a fiery wind punch)
The Rangers: Zoo-Keepers! (cue new sentai footage greenscreen pose)
Stripecell: Your pretty colors don't scare me! No more horsing around!
The monster runs forward with a yell.
Derrick: Let's go animalistic!
He charges forward ahead of the team, moving quicker than they do, and now sounding more confident than earlier. He and Stripe then get into a quick hand-to-hand fight with both dodging and landing hits with their hands before Derrick switches things up and hits the bottom of his Morpher mid-fight.
Derrick: Wolf Mode Go!
Stripecell throws a punch as he changes form which Derrick dodges, now kneeling on this ground.
Derrick: Howl Rifle!
He fires 3 shots into Stripecell's lower torso.
Derrick: Timber Fire!
He turns the crank on his rifle and fires multiple rapid blasts into the monster.
Jackie: Do we need to help him?
Sylvia: I mean, he seems fine.
Caleb: Eh, let the new guy have his fun I guess, right?
Benny: Sounds good to me.
Derrick: Croc Mode Go!
He turns the cube of his Morpher and changes modes offscreen as Stripecell pulls out his weird bar weapon from earlier and throws it forward like a boomerang.
Derrick: Scaly Staff!
The Black Trino Ranger blocks the shot with his weapon and sends it flying back into him.
And it seems that boomerang movement is accurate to its function as after hitting the monster once, it comes back and hits him again.
Stripecell: (grumbles) Enough of this!
Winston: Couldn't agree more!
The rest of the team comes running in with their Savage Sabers trying to strike and the zebra-themed beast. After the 4 get some hits in, Benny, still the Gorilla Ranger, grabs the monster by his waist and lifts him off the ground, allowing the team to land a few more cuts. Stripecell shakes free and pushes Benny aside, but it doesn't matter as the rest of the team keeps attacking him.
Derrick: Saltwater Spear Throw!
He naturally launches his staff forward like a javelin right into Stripecell's chest.
The monster is knocked back by a small explosion as Derrick catches his weapon and the team groups up with him.
Derrick: Winston. Finisher time.
Winston: Uh, we don't have—
Sylvia: Just go with it.
Winston: O-Ok, uh, Primal Power!
With a glow of his suit, we get a solo shot of him growing his elephant boot gloves.
Derrick: Rhino Mode, Go! Triple Primal Power!
His helmet returns to normal, and his shoulder/glove upgrades appear.
Winston gets \on his knees and Derrick then sits on top of his back with his legs around his sides. Derrick strikes a pose with his hands as Winston takes a sec to stand up.
Stripecell: Oh, what now!?
Derrick: Let's get it!
Winston: Right!
The Green Elephant Ranger then charges forth with the Black Trino Ranger atop his back; the logos for the Rhino, Wolf, and Crocodile on Derrick's belt flash behind him with two versions of the elephant logo in the corners, before Derrick leaps up into the air.
Derrick: Wild!
He unleashes a Timber Slash.
Derrick: Primal!
He unleashes a Saltwater Trash.
Derrick: Final!
He rams into Stripecell and then gets out of the way.
Winston: Pachyderm Strike!
With a charge forward and a two-handed shockwave creating punch, Winston sends Stripecell flying until he finally explodes.
The two pachyderm rangers stand together on their feet, catching their breaths.
Cut back up to the Arrow Galion.
Blockhead: Tch. Oh well. Midaria? Continue time, please.
Midaria: Understood.
She then teleports down to the shore with the green poker chip effect.
The team celebrates nearby with high fives as she walks up the dead monster's body.
Midaria: I suggest if you really want to capture the rangers, you do it on the macro scale, Stripecell.
He kneels and inserts the coin into his chest slot.
Eyes flash, he grows in a fiery burst, you know the drill.
Stripecell: (as he grows) What's black, white, and back for more!?
Derrick: Let's go, Winston!
Winston: The others are here too, but...whatever.
The Rangers: Cubimals Go!
Derrick: Cubimals Go!
Yep, this time Derrick gets to raise his zords up along with the team.
We cut to the Rhino zord driving by and Derrick hopping into his cockpit ready for action.
Derrick: (turns his Morpher cube) Megazord Activate!
The Morpher light flashes with the symbols of his three beasts and the mechs come together as usual.
Derrick: Safari Shadow Megazord! Ready!
Then, we cut to the Lion, Shark, and Eagle zords coming together.
Jackie and Caleb: Zoo King Megazord! Ready!
Finally, the Elephant, Tiger, and Gorilla zords come together.
Benny, Sylvia, and Winston: Wild Kong Megazord! Ready!
For the first time in this season, we get to see 3 Megazords standing side by side.
Stripecell: Alright. Let's drop some bars!
He says this while waving around his weird bar boomerang weapon again. The three mechs charge forward. First, the Safari Shadow Megazord gets in a punch. Then the Zoo King Megazord lands a slash. Then the Wild Kong Megazord grabs onto Stripecell before landing a punch. The Zoo King and Safari Shadow Megazords raise their arms ready to attack with another punch and slash.
Stripecell: Prison shield!
The sword bursts with sparks and the crocodile zord arm punch forward, but both hits do nothing against the barred weapon.
Derrick: Pardon?
Stripecell: And now for the Prison lock!
He throws the weapon forward at the 3 mechs, and with a flash, they freeze in place, looking stiffer as the bar boomerang is duplicated twice, meaning there are now 3 of them, and they stop over the Megazord's heads, only for each to stretch down 3 more rows, trapping everyone.
Caleb: How did he do that!?
Jackie: Come on!
Benny: Ugh, we can't move!
Derrick: N-No!
Stripecell: (laughs) Let's make this more electrifying!
He then shoots lightning out of his hands at the mechs, shocking them hard, which he likely got as a power-up from growing giant because otherwise is means he had this power the whole time and didn't use it for some reason. But regardless, the team is in danger and needs to think fast.
Winston: Derrick: The new Cubimal!
Derrick: R-Right! (pulls it out) Vampire Bat Zord! Go!
The purple Cubimal flies out and unfolds, sending out a shockwave screech as he does.
It blasts from its mouth 3 times, freeing all 3 Megazords instantly.
Stripecell: Gah! Prison break!
Derrick: Let's bring them all out!
The Rangers: Right!
Jackie: Reticulated Giraffe Zord!
Sylvia: Star-Nosed Mole Zord!
Benny: Grizzly Bear Zord!
And now, we get a shot of the Megazords standing together with their weaponized zords, including the Vampire Bat, who's now stiff in the Safari Shadow Megazord's hand.
The main 5 rangers spin their Command cubes and charge forward.
The Zoo King Megazord blasts with the Giraffe Canon, then the Wild Kong Megazord strikes with the Mole Drill, followed by the Bear ax.
The first attack knocks away Stripecell's bar boomerang he's using as a shield.
The second attack lands a hit on him.
And the third attack hits with more damage.
Both Megazords land on their feet and then step out of the way so Derrick can finish things off.
Derrick: Let's put him in the ground! Bat Zord Wild Final Strike!
Energy pours out as Derrick spins his command cube.
The eyes of the Bat Zord glow as it squeaks.
Our black and white monster frantically looks for his bar boomerang and sees it nearby.
Stripecell: Haha! (picks it up) What!? UH OH.
The Safari Shadow Megazord then launches the Vampire Bat Zord like a boomerang that dices right into Stripecell's torso, causing sparks and lighting to fly before the Bat zord flies back over to the hand that threw it.
Stripecell: At least I'm free to go!
KABOOM. Explosion in the background as the Megazords pose.
Sylvia: Yeah! We did it!
Derrick: (sighs) Aliens, zero.
The Rangers: Animals, WON.
Cue one last pose of the three Zoo-Keeper Ranger's Megazords as this is said.
Hard cut to a few minutes later on the campsite, which most everyone there is trying to clean up.
Oscar: Thank you all so much. I can never repay you for saving my team.
Benny: Helping find the Bat zord is more than enough.
Martha: Good to see you again, Oscar.
Oscar: You too. We'll keep an eye on that little shrine for you.
Sylvia: Alright then. Well, our Morphers should be ready to teleport by now.
Jackie: (yawns) Let's hope so. We've still got a LONG day ahead of us back home.
The Rangers: Doubutsu.
Derrick: Jambo.
Our heroes teleport out of Trinidad as Oscar and his team wave goodbye.
We then cut several hours later to…the Evan's Residence.
A familiar face walks up while looking at his phone reading a text from Martha that says, "Tonight, at this address. Let's talk."
Derrick: Now what's all this about?
He then knocks on the front door of the house.
And then...Tiana answers the door.
Tiana: Oh, hi!. You must be Derrick. I'm Tiana. My dad's told me all about you. Come in! They're waiting for you.
Derrick: W-Wait, what? They? Hold on, I-
He quickly finds out what she means as he steps in to find the entire team, Martha and Hitarthi hanging out in the living room.
The Bat zord then flies over to Derrick and lands in his hands.
Winston: How's it going?
Derrick: Fine? W-What's all this?
Winston: Well, in honor of the bat zord and you joining the team…I wanted to have dinner with my friend.
Martha: And so, did the rest of us.
Derrick: Wow…You…y-you really didn't have to—
Winston: I know. But that's what friends are for, right?
The two share a smile.
Martha: Come on, let's have some fun. You deserve to hang out with the team.
Winston: Hey everyone, look who showed up!
Everyone happily reacts to seeing Derrick's face as he walks up and says hi to the team with a warm smile.
For the final scene of this episode, we cut up to the Arrow Galion, where we find…Insidion drawing energy from one of Blockhead's cubes with a syringe.
Maybe as a little bonus detail, it looks similar to the Amoebanoid injector device from Episode 12.
Blockhead: Remind me again why we're doing this.
Insidion: Because whatever monster we make for this plan needs to be able to regenerate.
Blockhead: You've never studied my power though, so will this even work?
Insidion: Good question. Will it?
Huntoceros: I'm sure that brain of yours can figure something out.
Insidion: (sighs) We're putting a lot of faith in you.
Huntoceros: I know. But if all goes according to plan, we'll be able to take down Sagittar for good, and show him who we headhunters truly are!
But as this is said, the camera pans back…to reveal Sagittar watching them on the cockpit monitor via a hidden camera.
We then see his head making the glitching effect one more time.
And then he ends the episode with 2 words.
Sagittar: …GAME. ON.
But what's extra creepy about the way he speaks this isn't just the delivery…but that sounds like Sagittar…is talking over himself.
In other words,…it's as if two Sagittars are talking at the same time.
Hard cut to black, cue stylized text.
TO BE CONCLUDED
Tune in on December 18th for "Episode 21: Endangered"