"A Greater Love, Part 6- The Big Debut"

2 Months Later..

It was the first day of school, and Putu was feeling slightly overwhelmed at his new surroundings. That afternoon at lunch, he sat at a table by himself. Jake found him and sat down.

"Hey Putu. How's it going?"

"It's okay, I guess."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, everybody's really nice and everything, but I'm just not used to so much attention."

Jake smiled. "Well, it's not everyday we have a student from Indonesia come around, let alone a football player."

"I guess that's true."

"You'll get used to it. Don't forget we have football practice after school. This is just a light one. And you'll be on the sidelines doing practice kicks."

Putu nodded. "Okay."

Jake pat his friend on the back. "Okay. I'll see you later."

Over the next couple weeks, things went great for Jake and Putu. Putu continued to astonish both the coaches and his teammates. Jake also impressed them with his hard work. Soon it was the day of their first game. The rest of the team got to the locker room earlier than usual because they wanted to be able to surprise Putu. Before long, their special teammate arrived. The locker room went silent.

Putu stepped forward and there on his locker, was a jersey with his last name and his favorite number 6 on it. He looked back around at his teammates and coaches who nodded. He pulled it off the hangar and slipped it on. Then he turned around and the entire locker room broke out into thunderous cheers and applause.

Soon game time came and the team performed as if they were possessed. The rangers were in the stands and watched in amazement as the team played their hearts out. With some imaginative plays, the team won the game 65-35.

After the game, Kendall pulled the rangers to an empty spot on the bleachers while the team celebrated on the field.

"Guys, we have a very unique situation here and we have to come up with a solution quickly. We've already told Jake the truth about us. But now we have to figure out what we're going to do with Putu."

Chase looked out on the field. "You know he's a really intelligent guy. If we don't tell him, he'll figure it out. And then he might blame Jake for keeping the secret from him."

Kendall looked at Tyler. Tyler looked back at her and nodded. He quickly went down to the field where Putu was taking pictures with some kids. Jake was watching, smiling. Tyler stood next to him.

"Hey, Jake. Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." Jake followed Tyler over near where the other rangers were. They had come out of the stands.

Jake looked around at the group. "What's up guys?"

Kendall stepped forward. "Jake, you know how we've shared our secret with you. We need to know if you would feel comfortable sharing it with Putu? We know you have created a special bond and we don't want to risk damaging that."

Jake sighed and looked back at Putu enjoying spending time with his fans.

"I think we can. But we can't do it like you guys told me."

Tyler stepped forward. "What did you have in mind?"

"You guys head back to the museum. After we're done here, I'll bring him to the base. You might want to have Prince Phillip meet you there as well."

Kendall nodded. "Okay. We'll see you soon."

Jake nodded. After Kendall and the others left, he returned to the celebration.

A couple hours later, Jake and Putu left the stadium. They soon arrived at the museum, but Jake took them around the back. Putu looked surprised.

"Jake, this isn't the way inside."

Jake put the car in park.

"Putu, there's something really important I need to show you. But before I do, you've heard of the Power Rangers, right?"

"Of course. Everybody back home has heard about them."

Jake nodded. "Okay. Now the reason we're here is because back here is the entrance to the rangers' base. Before I take you there, I need you to promise me that you will tell no one about everything you see and hear in there. Okay?"

Putu looked a little puzzled. "Okay."

Jake clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Let's go."

Jake led Putu up to the fake T-rex head that was the entrance slide to the base. As soon as they arrived in the base, Putu looked around.

"Wow. This is amazing!"

Suddenly a door opened in the back, and the rangers emerged. Putu looked up.

"What's going on here?"

Kendall stepped forward. "Putu, I would like to welcome you to the base of the Dino Charge Power Rangers. I am the rangers' scientific advisor as well as the purple ranger." she turned to each of the other rangers.

"You already know Tyler, he is the red ranger and the leader of the team. Shelby is the pink ranger. Riley is the green ranger, and Chase is the black ranger." She then turned towards the trio of Koda, Ivan, and Prince Phillip.

"Now these three are very special. Koda here, is the blue ranger. He is actually a caveman from 100,000 years ago." she nodded to Prince Phillip, who stepped forward.

"I am Prince Phillip III of Zandar, the graphite ranger. Pleased to meet you."

Putu bowed and shook the prince's hand as Ivan stepped forward. Kendall introduced him. "And Ivan here, is the gold ranger. He is a knight of Zandar from 800 years ago."

Putu shook his head. "Wait a minute, I think I might need to sit down."

Jake helped him over to a table. Putu looked at Ivan and Koda. "Wait, if you guys are from the past, how..."

Jake butted in. "The Dino Charge Rangers' source of energy is a crystal called an energem. Once someone bonds to an energem they stop aging. That's why Koda and Ivan are still alive."

"This is just too weird."

"I know. But Putu, we had to tell you because you and I are brothers. And brothers don't keep secrets from each other."

Putu looked at Jake and nodded. "Thank you. And I promise I will keep your secret."

Over the next few weeks, the rangers were at each home game to support Jake and Putu. Each game was more exciting than the last. At an away game, Putu scored a school record 55 yard field goal on the last second of the game. After the clock hit zero, the crowd went crazy.

One afternoon, Jake was setting a table and looked up. Coach Lawrence arrived at the cafe and Jake walked over and greeted him.

"Coach, what's going on? I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'd like to talk to your boss, Jake. A Miss Morgan, I think?"

Kendall walked up. "Hello, coach. What can I do for you?"

"Can we go talk at a table, please?"

Kendall escorted him over to a table out of earshot of the others. Jake walked over by the kitchen and saw Tyler.

"Wonder what the coach is doing here? And what would he possibly want with Miss Morgan?"

Tyler shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me."

After what seemed like an eternity, Coach Lawrence stood up and headed for the exit. As he left, he patted Jake on the shoulder.

Kendall walked up. "Jake, could you join me over here, please?" she stood by a table.

Jake walked over and the two sat down.

"Jake, the reason Coach Lawrence came was because the last home game is in a few weeks. Since you and Putu are seniors, he would like you to participate in the traditional senior recognition. And he has asked me to fill in for your parents at the ceremony. I told him I'd only do it if you'd be okay with it."

Jake thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. That'd work." he fought back tears as he stood back up. Kendall noticed his emotions and stood up and walked over to him. She hugged him tight.

"It's okay, Jake. It'll be a night to remember."