Disclaimer: You mean you didn't take a look at chapter one? I'm shocked. . .well, it's in there. . .I swear! Okay, maybe not fully there. . .
Author's notes and thanks: At the bottom
Lightspeed Rescue: A Different Look
Breaking in New Rangers
By: stargazer_1017
Chad took a deep breath and gripped his duffel bag even tighter. He had gone to Sea World Park to gather his things and inform his boss of his temporary absense from the park. The Blue Ranger, he thought to himself. Who'd ever thought? Just yesterday, before he came to work, he was just the shy Asian kid who worked with animals. Now, he was a demon-fighting, ass-kicking Power Ranger.
He had heard of the Power Rangers when he was younger, but all the incidents were so far away from Mariner Bay that it seemed like a myth than reality. Now he actually was one.
"Chad!"
Chad looked to his left and saw a stout woman approaching him with a smile. Chad smiled back at her. "Ethel," he greeted the woman.
"Congratulations on becoming a ranger," Ethel said, extending her hand to the man. Chad extended his right hand to the woman and shook it. "Thanks, Ethel," he said warmly.
Ethel nodded at the duffel bag Chad was carrying with his left hand. "I see you're packed and ready." Chad looked down at the bag and then back up at Ethel. "It's just for awhile," he said, trying to assure her. "When my ranger duties are over, I'll be back."
"Will ya actually?" Ethel asked. When Chad gave a questioning look, Ehtel went on, "Chad, you're a great entertainher here. One of the best, certainly. But this is a great opportunity for you--your job's still going to be here if you ever decide to come back, of course, but open yourself up to other opportunities, all right? You certainly deserve it."
Chad was slightly confused by her words, and his expression showed his emotion. "Ethel, I don't understand."
Ethel smiled at him. "Don't worry, my boy, don't worry. When the time comes, you will," she said, still not revealing anymore. She leaned forward and gave Chad a hug. "Take care of yourself, you hear me?" she said, after pulling away. Chad nodded and with a smile, he turned around and headed out of the park towards his new home, the Aquabase.
***
"Are you sure I can't come with you?" the muffled voice of a young woman with short, brown hair asked. She was walking down the stairs with a large box in her hands.
Carter didn't answer until he placed the huge box he was carrying into the back of the Rangers' humvee, which Dana informed him was called the Rescue Rover. Then he turned around carried the box from his girlfriend's hands. "Those are the rules that we go by, Adrienne," Carter said as he put the last box into the Rover.
"So you mean there are no regular civilians in the Aquabase? None whatsoever?" Adrienne asked.
Carter shrugged. "That's what Dana told me," he replied.
"Dana?"
There it was again, Carter thought inwardly. It almost sounded like the tone Dana took on when she wondered if Adrienne was my wife. "Dana's the pink ranger," Carter said aloud. "Besides, she grew up with the rules and regs of the Aquabase, so she knows more about the place than any of the other rangers."
Adrienne sighed. "Carter, I just--I worry about you, that's all," she said quietly. Carter suddenly felt guilty about being defensive. He opened his arms and Adrienne stepped into them. "I know you are," Carter said, hugging her tightly and resting his head on hers. "You don't have to worry about me, okay? I mean, the technology they've got down there is amazing." He pulled away slightly to look into Adrienne's brown eyes. "If that can't protect me, nothing on Earth will."
Adrienne stared back at him and then smiled. "All right, Red Ranger, if you say so," she said and pulled him back into her embrace, "then I'll believe you."
"That's all I ask," Carter replied as he gave her one last hug. Then he pulled away. "I've got to get going," he said, apologetically. "I have a briefing in an hour and I've still got to get this all packed in."
Adrienne nodded. "All right," she said. Carter bent down to give her a long kiss and then ran off to the driver's seat. "Hey Carter!" Adrienne called out. "Find out if you can have visitors down there."
Carter grinned at her. "Sure thing," he called back, starting the engine. He gave one last wave and drove off to the tunnel that would take him down to the Aquabase.
***
"Know what the briefing's going to be about?" Kelsey asked Dana as they walked towards the Quarters Bay of the Aquabase. Both were carrying small boxes with Kelsey's belongings in them.
Dana shrugged. "He didn't mention," she replied. The door to the room they shared opened with a swoosh and they walked in and placed the boxes on Kelsey's bed. Dana started opening the box to emtpy its contents. She raised her eyebrow ash she peered inside and shook her head. "Think you got enough equipment in here to start opening your own sporting goods store?" she asked, holding up yellow rope.
Kelsey grinned at her. "Hey, when your motto's 'Always be prepared to climb a mountain', you'd have every available athletic equipment available in arm's reach," she replied, taking out more athletic equipment from the box she was emptying.
Dana smiled slightly and rolled her eyes. She and Kelsey didn't seem to have much in common, but she had a distinct feeling they would get along great. "What about you, Dana," Kelsey started. "What would you have in your box if you packed one?"
Dana stopped emptying the box long enough to turn and face Kelsey. "Depends where I'm going," she replied.
"What about if you were the new ranger moving into the Aquabase?"
Dana tilted her head slightly to the left, thinking about her answer. "That's a tough one," she admitted. "I mean, I've been in the Aquabase since a little girl. It's weird moving into here."
Kelsey rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "All right, how about if you were moving above ground?" she asked.
"Geez, you make it sound like I've never been above ground before."
"Dana. . ."
"All right, all right," Dana said, smiling again. "I'd definitely pack my med-books for reference."
Kelsey raised her eyebrows at the answer. "Books?"
Dana slapped her on the arm and focused her attention on emptying the rest of the contents in the box. "Yes books. . .my clothes, pictures. . ." she stopped again. "Nothing much, really."
"That's it?" Kelsey asked. She didn't know what to expect from Dana's answer--after all, they had just met yesterday. It was interesting what Dana would pack in a suitcase to move out to a new place.
Dana shrugged as she folded the now empty box up. "Everything else can be bought, I guess."
Kelsey nodded in understanding. "As long as you don't change your answer, I guess we'd win on a Best Friend Game," she joked. Dana turned to her and smiled. It was differnet to see Dana like this, Kelsey remarked inwardly. Just yesterday, she was distant and ordering. She could tell Dana probably was more sensitive than she appeared, and she hoped to make friends with the paramedic.
"Kelsey, got anymore boxes?' Dana said, breaking into Kelsey's thoughts. Kelsey nodded. "Just that last one," she replied. Dana headed for the door. "I'll head back to the loading bay to get it," she said. When Kelsey nodded again, Dana headed out. She walked through the halls expertly and turned a corner.
"Dana?"
Dana stopped in her tracks and turned around. She saw a woman wearing the same uniform that Dana was wearing yesterday. "The community college called. They wanted to confirm your schedule change," she reported.
Dana nodded. "I'll call them back," she replied. When the woman acknowledged her response, Dana turned back forward--and bumped hard into someone. She fell to the ground, as did the necklace around her neck, which she was oblivious to.
"I'm so sorry," Carter said, quickly placing the box down on the ground. He reached forward and extended his hand to Dana. "I couldn't see over the box."
Dana took his hand and Carter pulled her up. "Don't worry about it," she assured him as she dusted herself. Carter still seemed a bit concerned. "You sure you're okay? I mean, these boxes weigh a ton--I hope it wasn't almost like a bulldozer running over you or something."
Dana couldn't help but smiling at his concern. "I'm fine, Carter," she assured him again. When Dana smiled, Carter realized that she really was okay--and he smiled back. "You know, that's the first time that I've seen you smile since I've met you," he told her.
Dana turned away slightly. "Guess you're a lucky one," she said, and turned back to him to watch his reaction. Carter grinned. "Guess I am," he replied. Then things went quiet as both thought of things to say. Dana noticed the box on the floor and asked, "Uh, do you have any more boxes to bring in?" she asked.
Carter looked down at the box at his side. He had forgotten he was carrying them in. "I've just got one more in the Rover," he replied.
"I'm heading towards the loading bay," Dana replied. "If it's not that heavy, I'll just put Kelsey's last box on it and carry it to your room." Carter shook his head. "It's pretty heavy--don't worry, I'll go back for it," he replied.
Dana nodded. "All right." She walked forward headed for the loading bay. Carter turned and watched her go, remarking at her slightly changed demeanor. He shrugged and bent down to carry the box again when he noticed a shining object on the floor. He reached over and saw it was a necklace with a ring on the chain. Must be Dana's, he thought as he got up and turned to see if Dana was in sight. When he saw she wasn't, he put the necklace into his pocket. I'll give it to her later, he thought inwardly as he picked up the box with a grunt and headed towards the room he shared with his two other teammates, Chad and Joel.
***
"So he took the Rover while I had to get a moving truck," Joel said, trying to make conversation with one of the technicians carrying a box of his. "Can you believe that?" The technician just smiled and shrugged, not saying a word. "You guys don't talk much, do you," Joel asked, as they carried the box to his room.
When they reached his quarters, Carter was inside, emptying some of his boxes. "Well, if it isn't the leader," Joel said as they entered. Carter looked up at Joel and smiled. "Sorry I had to take the Rover, Joel. Hope you didn't mind," Carter apologized.
Joel shook his head. "Nah, don't worry about it. I got way more stuff than you to lug around with me, and it wouldn't all fit inside of the moving van," he said shrugging. He put down his box and looked around. Then he raised his eyebrow. "Please tell me you've got more stuff waiting in the Rescue Rover."
Carter looked around at the two boxes and shrugged. "Nope, just these two."
"And how do you live life doing that?"
"You don't take more than you need," Carter replied, and went back to emptying the box. Joel was speechless and then he nodded with understanding. "Oh I get it. Must be a fireman thing, huh?" Carter turned to Joel for a moment and raised his eyebrow. Then he chuckled and turned back to his box.
Joel turned back to the technician. "I've got a couple more boxes to go. We should get them here as fast as we can," he said and they both went back to the bunch of boxes stacked high in the command bay. Captain Mitchell was waiting for Joel when he got back, and he had a glare on his face as he walked in. "Joel, what are all these boxes doing here?" he demanded.
"I had no where else to put them," Joel started, "so we had to pile 'em all in here."
"This is a Command Center, Joel! You can't just leave these around here!" Captain Mitchell pointed at a technician who walked around them to get to a computer console. "See what I mean?" he said.
"I'm trying as fast as I can, Captain," Joel said, putting up his hand to calm his new commander.
"Well work faster. We've got that briefing in two minutes."
Joel grabbed a box and nodded to the technician, who bent down to pick up another box. Captain Mitchell shook his head. "Roberts, back to your station," he ordered the technician and the technician went back to his duties without question. "But sir," Joel started before Captain Mitchell cut him off. "Joel, get going."
With a sigh, Joel headed back to his quarters alone. "Joel, get going," he mimicked Captain Mitchell. "Geez. . ." Joel obviously wasn't watching where he was going because he had bumped hard into someone and they both landed on the ground with a thud. Joel felt the anger rise in him as he said, "Next time, watch where you're--" he immediately stopped when he saw who he bumped into. A woman with a blue shirt, a black skirt, and a white overcoat was on the floor, gazing at him uncertainly.
She groped around the floor and picked up her glasses and then focused on Joel. "Excuse me?" she asked, focusing her eyes on him.
Joel grinned. "I'm sorry, it was all my fault," he said, jumping up quickly and extending a hand to her to help her up. "I'm just moving into the Aquabase," he explained. The woman smiled. "Yes, you're--"
"I'm not a technician," Joel interrupted her, guessing what she was going to say. He held up his morpher. "I'm on a. . .secret mission."
The woman seemed amused. "Really? I'd never guess."
Joel shrugged good-naturedly. "Yeah, well," he tipped the cowboy hat on his head, "danger follows me everywhere. Danger's my middle name." Joel watched the woman's reaction. At first, she looked like she was going to burst out laughing, but the expression was gone just as quickly as it appeared. Then she had a pensive look on her face. "Sounds really. . .dangerous."
"It is," Joel agreed. "But I can handle this kind of stuff." Just then, his morpher rang out, along with Dana's scolding voice. "Joel, you're late for the briefing! Where are you?" Joel, slightly surprised by her voice, started fiddling around with the morpher and when her voice wouldn't cut off, he started striking the morpher. "On my way. . .on--on my way, green ranger out."
The woman next to him started smiling. She dropped her smile when Joel looked back up at her. "I've gotta go," he told her apologetically. "Ranger duty calls. I hope that we'll. . .see each other again?" Joel asked hopefully.
"Oh, I know we'll meet again," the woman said. She gave him a serious look and leaned forward slightly. "I have a feeling it's destiny." Joel felt his heart flutter slightly and he grinned at her. "I hope so," he said, as she turned around to leave. He watched her go and then thought of something. He smiled to himself. "You sly cowboy you," he said as he walked off in the opposite direction.
***
It wasn't a place that could be accessible by humans--unless
they had the power to get there, or were escorted by its
residents. The Skull Cavern was hidden within a slight tear in
the dimension located in the skies above Mariner Bay.
The winged creature with black hair narrowed her eyes at her two
other companions. "So what's the next plan, Diabolico,"
she hissed at the taller horned creature with yellow skin.
"Be quiet, Vypra," the other creature, who was slightly chubby, said. "You're not the leader here."
"Silent you two," Diabolico warned. He paced forward, saying, "I am your leader until Queen Bansheera arrives, but we must prepare the city for her arrival." He moved towards a short column in the center of the room and waved his hand across it. An image of Mariner Bay appeared on the top. "Humans have taken the city from us. We must get it back."
"And how are we going to do that?" Vypra demanded. "With Power Rangers watching the city, we've got a battle on our hands."
"Their base is also underwater," the other creature pointed out. "And you know how much the other demons hate water."
"Only you, Loki," Vypra muttered under her breath. Loki narrowed his eyes at Vypra and turned to Diabolico. "Diabolico, will you tell this little girl to--"
"I said stop it!" Diabolico roared. "We do not need this nonsense!"
Suddenly a cry sounded and it shook the room slightly. Vypra turned around and rushed to the infant-like creature perched on top of another short column near the edge of the room. "Shh," she cooed the creature in the small basket. She snapped her attention back to the other three. "You fool," she hissed, "you know better than to disturb the child. We must watch him until the Queen returns."
"Well it's not like she'll know anything about how the kid's doing," Loki countered. "He's just a maggot."
Vypra rolled her eyes and turned back to the baby demon still whimpering. She reached into the demon's basket and held up a card. "Looks like Impus chose a demon for us to send down to the city," she said. She looked the card over and nodded approvingly. "Excellent choice too, might I add." She flew the card to Diabolico and it stopped short of his head and floated right in front of him. Diabolico narrowed his eyes at the card. He hated the kid--everything about him. One day when the Queen returned, he would probably take over his place as leader of the minions.
"Well what are you waiting for," Vypra demanded. "Send the demon down!"
Diabolico glanced at the card again and growled. "Jinxer!" he bellowed. A tall and thin demon came running into the room. "Yes, Diabolico," he said, bowing his head for a moment.
"Impus chose a demon to send down to Earth," he said, a bit of haughtiness in his voice. "Make the maggot happy and awaken it."
Jinxer bowed his head again. "Certainly, Diabolico," he said. He grabbed the card that was floating in mid-air and started a chant to awaken the demon trapped inside of the card. He ended with, "Arise!" and the creature that was trapped inside of the card suddenly appeared. He bowed immediately. "What would you like me to do," the creature said, bowing its head.
"There are humans who oppose our attempt to take back our city," Diabolico said, approaching the monster, "I want you to destroy the opposition. That is your only mission." The monster nodded Diabolico turned back to Vypra. "Vypra, I want you to follow Meteron and check out this. . .opposition."
Vypra narrowed her eyes. "Exactly what is the purpose of sending me down to Earth?" she demanded. "Are you asking me to--"
"Vypra, do not question my order. Do as you're told," Diabolico cut her off and turned around before she could say anything else. Vypra narrowed her eyes at Diabolico as she passed her and moved next to the demon. "I'm more than a babysitter," she hissed at him as she passed. Diabolico glared at her as she vanished in a smoke of dark purple.
***
"Think he'll be coming?" Chad asked. He, Carter, Kelsey, Dana, and Captain Mitchell were standing in the Operations Bay. Captain Mitchell seemed slightly aggitated. He spun around and the other rangers followed him. "We'll proceed without Joel," he said, walking out of Ops and walking towards another section of the Aquabase. "As rangers, you will keep the city safe from Diabolico and his minions, as well as from natural disaster," he said, as he walked forward. "This, is the weapons bay," he said, gesturing around the area. "This is where all equipment and weapons are created, tested, and maintained." The rangers watched as various weapons, like a fire extinguisher gun, to a water cannon, were being tested.
"Whoa!" Kelsey jumped out of the way as one of the weapons misfired and almost shot a laser at her. Everyone turned and Captain Mitchell said, "I guess it would be safer to wear protective gear while in the Weapons bay," he said and turned back around to lead the rangers to another room where a dark-haired woman with a white overcoat was talking with a technician.
"Rangers, I would like you to meet the woman responsible for all of the weapons we have here, to even your rescue morphers," Captain Mitchell said, walking up to the woman. She turned around and smiled at the rangers. "Rangers, this is Ms. Fairweather."
Ms. Fairweather straightened her glasses and smiled at the four rangers. "Welcome to Lightspeed," she said. The rangers smiled back at her. "As you know, Diabolico will everything in his power to stop you from getting in his way. My duty? To make sure that you stay one step ahead of him at all times." She walked over to a console with a monitor and pressed a couple of buttons. "You will have various weapons at your disposal."
Many different weapons flashed on the screen, and ended with train-like vehicles. "What are those?" Kelsey asked, curious. "These, are the Rail Rescues," Ms. Fairweather replied.
"Rail? As in trains?"
Ms. Fairweather smiled at the simplicity of the question. "They're much more than trains, I assure you."
"What can they do?" Chad asked.
Before his question could be answered, alarms rang throughout the Aquabase. "What are those?" Carter asked, looking around. Captain Mitchell walked over to the console, while Ms. Fairweather pressed buttons on the console, which brought up a picture of the city on the monitor. "They're code alarms that tell us when the city's in danger," Captain Mitchell explained. Just then, something streaked across the sky on the monitor.
"Was that an asteroid?" Carter asked. Ms. Fairweather shook her head. "It's an meteorite," she corrected and pressed some more buttons on the console. "It's in the downtown city district," she reported.
Captain Mitchell nodded. "Guess it's your first chance to work as Rangers to deal with a disaster in the city. Get on it, people."
"What about Joel," Kelsey inquired. Captain Mitchell rolled his eyes. "Find him and get him on your way out," he replied.
Carter turned to his teammates and nodded at them. "Let's go, guys," he said and he led the others to the transport bay.
***
Joel pushed the cash forward to the vendor. "Keep the change," he said and turned away, smelling the bouquet of roses he had just bought. "If this won't do it, nothing will," he said aloud to himself. A squealing of tires brought him out of his thoughts and he jerked his head around, trying to find out where they were coming from. He tensed, ready to reach for his morpher if the time ever came. To his surprise, the Rescue Rover swung into view, its tires still squealing.
"What the--" Joel started as the rover stopped right in front of him. "How'd you find me?" he asked.
Dana, in the passenger seat, was fiddling with some bottons on a small console right between the driver and passenger's seat. She looked up at him. "We can locate you anywhere on earth," she replied, pointing to the console.
Joel's jaw dropped and he was about to add another comment but he was cut off by Chad, who threw him his rescue jacket. "Come on Joel, something just landed in the city." Joel nodded and threw the bouquet of roses into the back of the rover and jumped in. "And why didn't anyone call me?" Joel demanded as he buckled himself in and Carter stepped on the gas.
"We did, Joel. Did you forget how to answer your morpher?" Dana asked.
"I didn't hear anything," Joel said, defending himself. Kelsey stopped the conversation by pointing forward and yelling, "There it is!" The meteorite had landed into the side of a building and was burning. Carter nodded and stepped on the brakes hard, causing the rover to skid a little as it stopped. All rangers got out and started approaching it slowly. Carter reached for his morpher. "Captain, we've reached the meteorite, but it looks harmless."
"Secure the area, Carter, and investigate further," Captain Mitchell replied.
Carter nodded. "Understood, sir," he
responded. He turned to the other rangers. "Guys, we've
gotta secure the area," he
ordered. "Kelsey, Dana you--"
"Not so fast."
Carter spun around to who had just spoken. His eyes widened when a human-like creature with wings approached them. She was glaring at the five rangers as she extended her right hand and a sword appeared. "So, you're the Power Rangers who destroyed Warilite."
"Warilite?" Kelsey demanded. "Who the heck is that?"
"Probably the monster we destroyed yesterday," Dana replied, narrowing her eyes at the intruder.
The creature stanced with her sword. "I promise you the others won't be as weak as he was," she said, smiling evilly. "Neither am I." Suddenly, she rushed forward with a war-like cry, heading first for Carter.
Carter was surprised at her action, but was by no means unprepared. He jumped back to avoid the slash of her sword. Then he ducked and did a floor sweep, hoping to bring this creature down, but she was smarter and faster and as soon as Carter attempted to get up, she just kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying back.
Dana rushed up to him. "You okay?" she asked, helping him up. Carter nodded, feeling the anger rise in him. "As soon as I can get her," he replied, glaring at the creature.
Joel rushed at the creature and tried to punch her, but all she did was grab his fist and throw him off. Chad went after, and he had more success in bringing her down, but she got right back up and tried again. Chad blocked all the attacks she threw at him, but when Vypra faked a kick, she hit him in the chest with a hard punch and got him out of the way. When the rangers regathered, Vypra shook her head. "This? You're the ones who are stopping us from taking back our city?" she said.
"You'll never get Mariner Bay," Kelsey yelled at her, ready to take a swing at the demon. Just then, the meteorite behind her exploded, its shockwave sending all rangers off their feet. Carter looked up and saw something emerging from the meteorite. Vypra looked back for a moment and then turned back to the rangers. "Meet Meteron," she said as the monster approached her. She turned to Meteron. "You know what Diabolico has ordered. Do it."
Meteron nodded. "As you wish, Vypra."
"Vypra?" Joel questioned as he and the rangers got up. Vypra smiled another one of her evil smiles again. "Remember the name, ranger. I promise you, it won't be the last time you see me." With that, she disappeared in a purple fog.
Meteron looked at the rangers. "Time to reak havoc," he said and thrust a meteorite that appeared in his hand at the rangers. "Look out!" Carter yelled. He and the other rangers rolled out of the way just in time to avoid getting hit by the meteorite.
"Carter, we need to transform!" Dana called. Carter nodded, agreeing. "Let's do it then, guys." A few seconds later, the rangers had transformed into their respective uniforms. Dana turned to Carter. "There are still people trapped in the building," she pointed out.
Carter nodded. "Yeah, I've thought of that. We'll have to split up. Chad, can you and Joel take care of Meteron?"
"You got it."
"Good. Dana, you, Kelsey and I will go into the building and get those people to safety," Carter said. When the two young women nodded, they ran quickly into the building. A flurry of people were already rushing out. "Come on everyone, this way!" Dana yelled out, pointing towards the exit. Kelsey and Carter ran further into the building and up the stairs, to see if there were still people on the other floors. Kelsey ran towards a woman who was one the floor, unconscious. "Carter! This woman's out!" she yelled. Carter ran to her and said, "I'll bring her back downstairs. You check out the other rooms." Kelsey nodded with understanding and ran off to search the floor, while Carter carried the woman in his arms and went down the stairs. Dana was running up the stairs. "First floor's secured," she reported.
"Good job," Carter said. "Help Kelsey get all the other floor secured." When Dana nodded, Carter ran downstairs and brought the woman outside. He ran into paramedics who had aleady gathered.
"Red Ranger, you've gotta get everyone out before the building collapses," one of the paramedics informed him. Carter looked back to the building. It did look a bit shaky and it wasn't helping that the meteorite was spurting heat into the structure. "Don't worry about that. Just work on these people," Carter answered, running back into the building before the paramedic could reply.
He ran up to the second floor and was met by Dana carrying a child and a man leaning on Kelsey for support. "The building's going down," he reported. "But there's still ten stories to go," Dana pointed out. "And we can't just keep running these people downstairs."
Carter bit his lip. Dana had a point. . .everytime they brought someone downstairs, they were losing time. He looked down on his left wrist, then back up at Dana. "How do we contact your father."
"Carter, I'm here," Captain Mitchell's voice souned in his helmet. "There's a device you can press on the helmet right at your left or right ear," Ms. Fairweather's voice sounded next. "Just put your hand to it."
Carter did as instructed and asked, "Captain, there's gotta be an easier way to get these people out of here before the building collapses. What can we do?"
"Now's the time to use the rail rescues," Ms. Fairweather informed them.
"How do we do that?"
"Just call for them--they'll arrive on your call."
Carter nodded with understanding. "Rail Rescues, on track!" he called out.
"On track?" Kelsey inquired. "Where'd you come up with that?"
Carter shrugged and couldn't help but smile behind his helmet. "Sounded good and it worked," he replied casually. Then he got serious. "Come on, let's get these people out of here." When they reached outside, they looked up just in time to see the Rail Rescues land not to far away. "Now what, Ms. Fairweather?" Carter asked.
"There are five rescue zords inside, all designed to fit your personal skills," Ms. Fairweather explained. "Go to the train with your designated colors." Carter nodded at the other rangers and together, they ran to the Rail Rescues.
"Carter, your zord is Pyro Rescue one,"
Ms. Fairweather said. "You should be pretty familiar with
all the equipment on the
zord, and also how all the consoles work.
"Chad, your zord is Aqua Rescue two. It'll provide a lot of the water support that will be needed when dealing with the demons. I'll explain that later.
"Joel, you've got Aero Rescue three. It's our aerial assault zord, so you control the skies with this zord.
"Kelsey, the Haz Rescue four deals with a lot of the challenges that any of the other zords probably won't be able to handle in tight situations.
"Dana, the Med Rescue five is also the zord that you're probably familiar with as it resembles the amublance. A lot of controls will deal with the protection of civilians you rescue, the others are for more active roles in the rescue."
"I don't think I know how to work this thing, Ms. Fairweather," Chad confessed as he took a seat in his new zord.
"Don't worry, Chad. All zords are designed to help you and adjust to your personal attributes," Ms. Fairweather replied. "As soon as you're in the cockpit of your zord, just insert your keys into the right side of the console. The keys are located on your rescue blasters. It'll activate your zords."
Carter nodded and took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing," he said, and took out his rescue blaster from his right side. He inserted it into the opening Ms. Fairweather had mentioned and all of a sudden, the zord roared to life. Carter grinned as he heard the engine. "Are you guys okay?" he asked his teammates.
"Man, this is awesome. Woo hoo!" Joel howled. Carter looked on his monitor just in time to see Joel streak across the sky right above him. "Easy, Sky Cowboy," Carter informed him. "We've gotta get this building secured. How do we get those flames out?"
Chad looked around on the console. "I've got water cannons," he informed everyone. "I'll try and use them." He reached for the shift stick and moved his zord towards the building. When he was close enough, he stopped. "Water cannons, activate!" he called out and pressed the button marked for the water cannons on the console. Chad held his breath as he waited for a response from the zord. He sighed with relief when water shot out from two cannons located on the top of his zord. He watched his progress and then said, "Carter, it's almost out. Get those people out of there!"
"Right," Carter agreed. He looked onto his console. His mouth widened into a smile when he saw what he was looking for. "Lightspeed ladder arms," Carter called out and pressed the button. Almost immediately, tall ladders with gloved hands shot out from his zord, extending to the top of the building. "I'm going after the trapped people," Carter informed them, but before he could move, something struck his zord. Meteron was still running around and had noticed that the rangers were no longer paying attention to him. "Joel, Kelsey, take care of that monster!" Carter yelled.
"I'm on it," Joel replied, moving his zord towards the monster. "Man, this is too easy!" he said, manuevering the controls like a pro. "What idiot can't understand these controls?"
Kelsey rolled her eyes, but pushed her zord forward. "Let's see what my zord an do," she said.
Carter got outside of his zord and got into a harness. Dana suddenly appeared beside him. "I'll help you get those people out," she said, also putting a harness on herself. Carter nodded. As they were being transported to the top of the ladder arms, Carter asked Chad, "Almost got the fire out, Chad?"
"Just a few more moments," Chad replied.
"When you're done, Chad, see what you can do to help Joel and Kelsey," Carter said as he and Dana landed on top of the gloved hands at the top of the ladder arms. They jumped into the hole the arms had punched out on the side of the building and ran in. "Is there anyone still in here?' Carter asked as he and Dana scurried the top floor, looking through every door. When there was nothing, they went down each floor, checking for people who were stuck. They found five more people on the eighth floor and two on the sixth floor. Dana brought them back out to the Med Rescue to shelter them before she could bring them back to the amublances.
"Carter," Captain Mitchell's voice broke in, "the paramedics inform me that there are still three people unaccounted for."
"Three?" Carter confirmed. He was now on the third floor and he knew the second floor was cleared. There's gotta be a way to fine them and fast, he thought to himself. "You got a heat-sensor weapon I could use, Ms. Fairweather?" Carter asked.
"All of your zords have that ability, Carter," Ms. Fairweather replied.
"Dana, use your heat-sensor equipment to find the three missing people," Carter called out to her. Dana, checking on the hurt people in her zord, rushed to her console. "I'm on it," she answered, and tried to follow the sequence of buttons that the computer brought up to do a heat-sensor search. "Almost got it. . .there! They're on the fifth floor, Carter."
Carter started climbing the stairs as soon as he got word. "Where on the fifth floor?"
Dana watched the screen as she ran a search on the exact location. "It appears to be an elevator, Carter."
"Damnit," Carter said as he reached the fifth floor. He ran to the elevator doors and tried to pry it open. He pressed the buttons on the side, but they wouldn't work. "It won't budge open," Carter called out. He slammed his fist against the door in frustration.
Ms. Fairweather had already gone a step ahead. "Carter, I've sending you the rescue bird," he informed him. Carter turned around and saw the mechanical bird swoop through the broken window and stop next to him. He pulled out a drill that was on its body. Before he could face the door, the building shook. "What the heck was that?" he asked, as the building stabilized again.
"Carter, Meteron's attacking the building. You've gotta get out of there," Chad reported.
"Not until I get these people out," Carter said with determination. He started drilling the opening between the door and worked to get the people out. "Just a bit further," he muttered as sparks flew from the contact the two metal objects had. His eyes widened under his helmet when the door suddenly budged a few inches open. It was a small opening, but enough for Carter to reach his fingers in and pull open the doors.
Inside the doors was a mother and her two children. Carter ran over to them and knelt down so he was face to face with the coughing mother. "Are you all right?" he asked her, looking over to the two children who were also coughing. The woman nodded, unable to respond. Carter gestured towards the door and helped the mother get up. She took the hand of each child and followed the direction Carter led her in.
"Carter!" Kelsey's worried voice sounded in Carter's helmet as he helped the mother and children onto the hands of the ladder hands. "I got them! I'm getting them out of here," Carter replied as the hands pulled back into the Rescue Zord. When he entered the cockpit of the zord, he saw Dana, ready to take the three people. "Thought you might need some help," Dana replied, carrying the youngest child, a boy.
Carter nodded. "Thanks," he replied as he watched her leave with the three people. When she was out of the Zord, he turned his attention to the monitor and watched the progress that the other rangers were having. "Hanging in there, guys?" Carter asked.
"Very funny," Joel remarked. He was flying his zord in circles around the demon. All of a sudden, the demon swung its hand at Joel and sent him flying off.
"Time for me to join the fight now, I guess," Carter said. "I'm coming right behind you," Dana replied and the image on Carter's monitor swung to show the Med Rescue coming into view. "But what about the injured people?" Carter inquired.
"I left them with the paramedics," Dana replied. "Thought you guys needed my help."
"All the help we can get," Carter replied back and watched as Kelsey's Haz Rescue was getting stepped on. "Uh. . .a little help here please, guys?" her tense voice sounded through the zord.
"Where's Joel?" Chad asked.
"On my way," Joel replied, rushing forward in his zord. "Man, we are not winning the fight this way. We're getting manhandled!"
Carter looked down at his controls and around the cockpit. He shook his head and pressed a button on the console. "Ms. Fairweather, if there's any other weapon you want to show off now, it'd be a good time to reveal it," Carter said.
"Rangers, the Zords are your weapons," Ms. Fairweather replied. "Chad, the demons hate water--in fact, they're terrified of it. Use that knowledge to your advantage."
"Right," Chad replied, pressing some buttons and manuevering the water cannons towards the demon. The demon started firing some energy bolts at Chad as he tried to fire. "I'm getting hit," Chad called out. "I can't get the water cannons on his location."
"Joel," Ms. Fairweather called to the green ranger. "Chad needs a distraction. Fly in from slightly above the demon and start firing your cannons at him."
"I can just swoop in and fire the demon directly," Joel protested.
"No, the demon will attack you if you get in close range. Just stay from a distance."
"Who do you think you are, anyway? I can--"
"Just do it!"
"All right, all right, geez. . ." Joel did as he was told and started to distract the demon from afar. Just as Ms. Fairweather expected, the demon started to take the bait and go after Joel instead. Chad worked while Joel distracted the demon and then brightened and yelled out, "Okay, the cannons are in position!" He fired the water cannons and the demon started backing away. "All right!" Chad cheered. Then the smile dropped from his face.
"He's going to fire back!" Kelsey yelled. Sure enough, as the demon backed away, it started to create energy bolts in its hands. He hit all of the zords with separate energy bolts.
"Auughh!" Carter shielded his face from the sparks that came erupted from his console. "We need more power!"
"Combine your zords, Rangers," Ms. Fairweather instructed.
"Just who the heck are you?" Joel asked again, sounding slightly aggitated. "Nevermind that, Joel," Carter said, checking his console for instructions on how to join the megazords together. Then he saw it--"Okay guys, we've gotta shift our keys a little," he instructed.
"I got it," Chad replied, already starting. His zord started to change shape a bit, pulling in at some parts. The other zords did the same. Carter held his breath as the zords started to join each other. I hope this works, he thought inwardly to himself as he felt his zord join with another.
***
"You did much better than I expected," Ms. Fairweather said, smiling brightly at the group. "I'm proud of you all." The rangers were gathered at the weapons lab, at Ms. Fairweather's office--minus one ranger.
Captain Mitchell frowned and looked around the room. "Where is Joel?" he demanded. Carter looked around and shrugged. "He was with us just a minute ago, sir," he replied.
Ms. Fairweather shook her head and turned to Captain Mitchell. "If there's nothing else, I have to get back to work, Captain. Some of the Zords need maintenance work on them." Captain Mitchell nodded and turned to the rangers. "You're dismissed," he ordered them. The four rangers nodded and walked out of the office.
"Man, that was awesome!" Kelsey cheered as the four walked towards their quarters. "I can't believe we made it!" Dana raised her eyebrow slightly. "You didn't think we would?" she asked.
Kelsey shrugged and turned to her. "It's not that I didn't think we would. . .but I thought we were just going to get more bumps and bruises than we did back there." She turned forward and saw Joel walking towards them with roses in his hand. "Joel, where were you?" she asked him.
Joel didn't respond. Instead, he just walked forward and kept his eyes straight. "Joel?" Chad called to him as he neared the group. Joel still had his eyes forward and didn't seem to notice the group. Chad turned to Carter. "Where's he going to?" he wondered aloud. Carter shrugged. "Let's find out," he suggested with a gleam in his eye. He turned and quietly followed behind Joel, with the other three rangers in pursuit.
They stopped beside a wall alongside the hallway leading back to Ms. Fairweather's office. Craning their necks out so that only their heads would be seen, and not their bodies, they watched as Joel walked into the office and tapped Ms. Fairweather slightly on the shoulder and brought out the bouquet of roses. "Is he doing. . .what I think he's doing?" Dana asked.
"I didn't even know they had met!" Chad said. "From the way he talked to her during the battle with Meteron, it sounded like he didn't even trust her own opinion." Then they went silent as Joel also handed her a piece of paper. He started to talk to her and make gestures with his hands as he talked. All of a sudden, Ms. Fairweather turned around, a different expression on her face. She started talking calmly, and then all of a sudden her voice became louder and louder. She jabbed Joel in the chest with her index finger, making him take a few steps backward. With her last word, Joel tripped on something on the floor and fell down.
Kelsey burst out laughing. "Good one!" she said, looking up at Chad, who was right above her. Dana was much more quieter in her reaction and covered her mouth to muffle her laugh. Unfortunately, Joel heard their commotion and turned to look at them--then looked back up at Ms. Fairweather after she threw the roses onto his head and stormed out of the other door of the office.
Joel scrambled to his feet and approached the rangers. "You mean she. . .Ms. Fairweather. . .morphers. . ." he tried, unsuccessful at completing his sentence.
"What?" Carter asked. "What are you trying to say?"
Joel shut his eyes and then opened them again, this time his voice eerily calm. "Ms. Fairweather. . .was she the one who designed our morphers and zords?"
Dana raised her eyebrow. "You mean you didn't know?"
"NO, I DID NOT KNOW! Next time, will one of you kick me or something? I made a complete fool out of myself in there," Joel scowled.
"Will you put that in writing?" Kelsey asked. Joel glared at her as the other rangers laughed and surrounded him, each giving him sypmathetic pats on the back. "Looks like she clipped your wings this time, Sky Cowboy," Kelsey grinned at him.
Author's Notes: All right, it was almost like the
second episode, but a slightly bit altered. As you can see, I got
into some parts of the zord arc--but not all. I'm not really
familiar with the arsenal that the rangers have, so I'll most
likely only go into the battles instead of the zords, unless the
zord scene is really important.
I realized when making the episode list for this series that it's
going to be AU--that's right, alternate universe. I will most
likely not follow the season itself. Why? Because it didn't
really give us anything. I really felt that the other rangers,
besides Carter, really got underplayed. Their personalities
could've been really brought out, but instead, it wasn't fully
developed. This series will take you into their
personalities--some different (like how Chad's one will be), but
some the same (like Joel). I can guarentee you, the next episode
will be way different than what was on the show. It'll be
slightly the same, in terms of plot, but will go differently.
Oh yeah, and anyone know any demon names? I'm so terrible at
getting demon names, as you can already tell. . .
Thanks to: Rach--You're awesome, girl ;-) Thanks for your
input into the series. As you can see, I've stuck with the third
person omniscient--I think I'll keep it that way. But thanks so
much for the civilized way you've pointed out some things to me.
I hope I have your blessing to go into the series this way!
