Episode 4: A Lion's Alliance
The Super Megaforce Rangers are using their Megazord to fight a new monster. They jump and use the swords of the Legendary Megazord to hit the monster, finally defeating the monster and keeping the planet safe for another day.
-We should get back. -said Red Super Megaforce.
-Yeah, today has been…
Suddenly, Green stops talking, feeling something that forces him to grab his head with his hands and scream in pain. Pink, being the closest to him, quickly reaches for him but before she can touch him, they see Green push away from her and walk towards the small space inside the Megazord.
His head is burning and he can hear… a roar but is different from Bastro's… a sad roar.
Green falls to his knees while the other Rangers surround him worried but then, he stops and raises his head, looking at his teammates.
-I have to go to Animarium. The Lion is calling for me.
And before he can say anything else, Green is engulfed in a white light and disappears, leaving the others looking at each other before quickly moving to go back to the Command Center and find out about Animarium and Green.
Command Center
As soon as they got there, the Rangers saw someone familiar and started to go slowly while the team in front of them nodded and the leader of the team turned to look at the Rangers.
-Rangers… is good to see you. Do you remember us? -asked the woman.
-Yes, you are Taylor. -said, Troy
-And you are the Wild Force Rangers. -said Gia-… Do you know what happened to Jake?
Taylor looked at her team and sighed then, he turned towards Gia's screen and showed the Rangers an image that Tenshou quickly made bigger there, the Rangers saw an island with the form of a turtle, floating in the air.
-This is Animarium. -said Taylor-… our zords live there along with our Princess and Merrick, the Lunar Wolf Ranger and for what happened to Jake… we believe he was called by the Red Lion.
-Red Lion? -asked Troy.
-Yes, the Lion that brought him back when he died getting your Ultra Powers. -said Taylor, looking down- Lion has been dealing with a profound loss and my guess is that his roar reached Jake in a way he couldn't refuse.
-A loss… I remember Jake telling me about it… -said Gia, thinking-… your team leader?
Taylor nodded and looked down, grabbing the hand of the Pink Ranger beside her. For the Wild Force Rangers was a hard subject but they wanted to know why Lion's roar reached Jake and not them or even their Princess.
-We don't know why the roar reached only Jake but we were here to ask Gosei if you could come with us to Animarium and find out. Merrick and Princess Shayla will be waiting for us there -said Taylor.
-I asked the Dino Thunder and the Samurai to look after the city while you take this mission, Rangers -said Gosei-. You must find Jake and assist the Lion Ranger in whatever he needs, understood?
-Yes, Gosei. -said Troy, who then looked at Taylor-. How do we get to Animarium?
-With your Legendary Ship, of course. -said Taylor, smiling.
The Rangers looked at each other and then nodded. They were ready to help Jake and the Red Lion and maybe find out why this team seems so different from the others.
Animarium
When his head stopped spinning, Green lowered his hands and found himself in a cave, but it was familiar as if he was here before and he felt safe so, slowly, Green took off his helmet and Jake looked around as the last part of his headache finally disappeared and only the sad roar stayed on his mind.
He walked inside the cave, slowly, until yellow eyes looked at him and Jake stopped, recognizing the zord in front of him. The Red Lion took a step towards him, his colors have somewhat turned pale and even his royal demeanor became slow when he walked towards Jake.
-Lion? -asked Jake.
The Red Lion growled and Jake walked towards him. He and the Lion meet halfway and finally, Jake raised his hand and touched the nose of the zord. The Red Lion closed his eyes and from them, two tears ran down, surprising Jake and at the same time telling him more than anything else could.
Since the Red Lion lost his master, he lost his purpose.
-Oh, Lion… that's not true. Your mission to protect Animarium still stands. -said, Jake.
The Lion growls, taking a step back from Jake, and Jake sighs. These zords are pretty much like the Samurai's zords, bonded for life with their masters but in this case, with Cole gone, the Lion doesn't feel like he has the strength to protect this island anymore.
-I know, Lion, it hurts me too but we have to make peace and move on. -said, Jake-. He left and we can't change that, what we can change is how it affects us, instead of doing nothing, we can put all our tears and energy into making this place safe and protecting Earth.
A small growl, more like a question, made Jake walk and sit beside the Lion, putting his head on the shoulder of the Zord before closing his eyes.
-Remember what he taught us? To stand by our morals and by what was right? -asked Jake.
The Lion growled, putting his head close to Jake as they both closed their eyes and thought about the leader of the Wild Force Ranger, the one that gave them all his heart and that, in the end, left them and disappeared without a trace.
Legendary Ship (At the same time)
The Super Megaforce Ranger knew that whatever happened to the Wild Force Rangers was more serious than they thought when they saw them looking through the windows of the Legendary Ship towards the cloud with turtle form they were approaching.
They were tense and serious.
The Super Megaforce wanted to ask but the matter seemed so tragic they didn't want to bother the Wild Force Rangers Alyssa and the other Wild Force Rangers knew they had to tell the story, eventually and since they were all traveling where everything started, this was the best time to explain.
Alyssa got up and walked to the door, taking a deep breath before turning around and looking at the Super Megaforce Rangers.
-Cole Evans was our leader during our time as Rangers… -said Alyssa, looking at her ring-… he was also my husband for five years before he disappeared.
-He was… the Red Ranger and he disappeared? -asked Troy, unsure.
For him, that was strange. His duty as a leader and the bond with his friends make it impossible for him to disappear from them without a word unless he was taken away by a monster or killed in action. He looked over to Emma with the conviction that if anything, he would never abandon her.
-He didn't disappear… He got up one morning, wrote a note for Alyssa and us, and then left. -said Danny, looking at his hands-. We tried to look for him but eventually, he contacted us to make sure we knew he didn't want to be found.
-But… are you sure it was him? -asked Emma, confused.
-Yes, because it was the same day the Red Lion lost all hope. -said, Taylor.
-We are bonded with our Wild Zords, you know? -said, Max-. Losing Cole felt more real when the Red Lion hid inside his cave and refuse to get out, no matter what we, Princess Shayla, or the other zords tried. He lost his will because he lost his bond with his master.
-He also left behind his morpher and made clear he didn't want anything to do with any of us. -said, Alyssa-. Cole always went where his heart took him and this time wasn't different… the only difference was that he made sure to break everything he created with us and with his zord.
Alyssa was affected and that's why Gia and Emma surrounded the Pink Wild Force Ranger in a hug while Taylor took a deep breath, even for her was hard because despite all the anger she felt towards Cole, she had to admit to herself she missed their leader.
-I'm guessing Jake didn't take the news easily… -said Noah.
-No… he didn't. -said, Taylor-. When we first told him he… decided to go and find Cole himself.
-He started his search in Animarium so he went into the forest without any precaution or telling us anything about it. -said, Danny-. Red Lion found him the next morning, the poor kid was sad and exhausted but the Lion took care of him.
-He went through all the stages and we believe part of him is still wondering why Cole left… in a way, all of us wonder the same. -said, Max.
-Jake has a strong bond with our zords because he has a strong bond with us, so you can imagine how close he was to Cole. -said, Alyssa.
The Rangers fell into an uncomfortable silence because the fact that a Ranger just left without any explanation and forgetting not only his duty but his family was something the Super Megaforce Rangers never thought it could happen…
Troy was about to say something when he felt something hitting the Legendary Ship and the Rangers were surprised, quickly, he looked at Noah that activated the cameras, and saw the aliens, getting ready to hit them again.
-Why are they here? -asked Noah.
-Animarium is a magic place, they may come for our zords or Princess Shayla. We have to stop them. -said, Taylor.
-They to bring us down and if we are going to fight I rather do it on solid ground and in a place we know. -said Gia, surprising everybody-… Troy, we must land and fight them.
-You are right, everybody, take your position. -said, Troy.
The Super Megaforce Rangers took their position to land while the aliens did the same. Gia was right, if they have to fight, they had all the tools they needed on the ground and with the Wild Force Rangers with them, they couldn't lose.
Once they landed, the Super Megaforce and the Wild Force Rangers morphed and walked out of the ship, with the determination not to let the aliens take Animarium, the zords of Princess Shayla.
Animarium (Red Lion's Cave)
With the noise of the landing, Jake, and the Red Lion both got up, alarmed by what was happening. They looked at each other, confused when they saw a white light flying inside the cave and followed by the Lunar Wolf Wild Force Ranger.
-Merrick? Princess Shayla? -asked Jake.
-Jacob and the Red Lion. -said, Lunar Wolf.
The white light transformed into a beautiful woman with a gentle smile. She walked towards Jake and hugged him then, she broke the hug and touched the Red Lion's face with her fingertips, making the Lion close his eyes and growl appreciating the gesture.
-Princess Shayla… it has been a long time. -said Jake, with a gentle smile.
-Yes, Jacob but you are here now and I see you have been healing my poor Red Lion's soul. -said, Princess Shayla.
-I think we both needed to come to terms that no matter what happened, we can't change it and we must move on and continue with our mission, if only, for the things he teach us in the past… because no matter where he is and why he left, I know he cared and I what to honor that part of him. -said Jake, looking down.
Lunar Wolf and Princess Shayla looked at each other and nodded when they heard another noise and Jake raised his head. He could feel his friends out there and when he looked at Princess Shayla, Jake understood they weren't alone.
-They are fighting the aliens out there, you two still have a play to part. -said, Princess Shayla.
-Red Lion, please, aid us in this battle to defend Animarium and give the Super Megaforce Rangers the necessary strength to defeat our new enemy -said, Lunar Wolf.
The Red Lion and Jake looked at each other and nodded, while Jake put on his helmet, the Red Lion roared as he did before, with the power and leadership needed to defend his home and his Princess.
-Go now. -said Princess Shayla, with a smile.
Luna Wolf nodded, running out towards the battlefield while the Red Lion, lowered himself so the Green Super Megaforce could get on top of him, once that was done, the Red Lion ran out towards the battlefield.
It was time to defend home.
Animarium (battlefield)
The Super Megaforce Rangers and the Wild Force Rangers were in a deep battle with soldiers when a new monster, Peluso appeared and attacked them. Red Super Megaforce used his sword to stop him but he was thrown to the ground while the monster ran, hitting all the Rangers and throwing them to the ground, giving the soldiers the chance to surround them.
The monster laughed and was about to attack again when a roar made him stop and look over his shoulder. The rest of the Rangers look up and saw the majestic Red Lion roaring, calling his friends, slowly, the rest of the zords appeared. The Black Bull, the Blue Shark, the Pink Tiger, and the Yellow Eagle pushed the soldier away and moved to stand behind their master and Rangers while the Lunar Wolf zord and Ranger hit the alien ship, sending it back to space.
That's when the Red Lion jumped from the rock and fell between the monster and the Rangers, roaring at the monster.
-Take care of him, Red Lion! -said Green Super Megaforce.
The Red Lion roared and hit the monster with his paw, throwing him up in the air before using the laser on his eyes to destroy him for good. Green Super Megaforce raised his hands in victory while the Red Lion roared, happier than anyone has seen him since Cole left them.
Green Super Megaforce got down to the ground and took off his helmet while the others did the same as he ran towards them and reunited with them.
-Did you see that!? This is the majestic Red Lion! Protector of Animarium! -said Jake, happily.
The Super Megaforce Rangers hug their friend while the Lion roared happily, feeling better knowing he still has the power to protect Animarium. The Wild Force Rangers seemed happy too, of seeing their friends again after such a long time.
-Are you ok? -whispered Gia, caressing Jake's cheeks and feeling the mark of tears there.
He closed his eyes, pulling her closer and touching his forehead with hers. It will always hurt that Cole left but he has to think about now, their mission, and his future. Cole chose his path and he has to choose his.
-I'm fine… I promise, Gia. I will never leave you, not by choice. -whispered Jake.
-You better not. I will hunt you down. -said Gia, smiling but then she got serious and touched his face making him open his eyes-…. And I will never leave you, Jake, no matter what.
Jake nodded and then both looked to the side, seeing Emma, Noah, and Troy petting the Wild Zords when a white light appeared in front of them and Princess Shayla appeared, smiling at the Rangers with her always beautiful soul.
-Rangers… is such an honor to have you here. -said, Princess Shayla-… Animarium will always be in debt to you.
-No, Princess… we are happy to help as much as we can. -said Troy-… to be honest, we didn't know such a beautiful place could exist.
-No a lot of people know Animarium exists but you will always be welcome. -said, Princess Shayla-. Now, you have to go back, the aliens that attacked our home are attacking your city and you must protect it.
The Rangers looked at each other and nodded, running to the Legendary Ship when Princess Shayla stopped the Green Super Megaforce Ranger by grabbing his arm gently and putting her hands on his helmet, smiling at him.
-Whatever the future brings, you must be strong, Jacob. Let the spirits guide you and never lose hope, ok? You will never be alone. -said, Princess Shayla.
Green Super Megaforce grabbed Princess Shayla's hands gently and put them together with his, nodding before he got called by his girlfriend and nodded towards her, letting go of Princess Shayla. The Super Megaforce Rangers jumped into the ship and started flying while the Wild Force Rangers said goodbye to them when they saw the Red Lion jumping beside them and flying with them back to the city.
-You want to assist us? -asked Green Super Megaforce.
The Red Lion roared and the Rangers nodded to each other, going back to the city to defend it from the aliens one more time.
City (Plaza)
When the Rangers arrived they could see the monster, already big destroying a building so without losing time, they created the Legendary Megazord while they and the Red Lion landed on the ground. The Lion roared at Green and he looked at his team.
-He wants me to go with him. -said Green Super Megaforce.
Red Super Megaforce nodded and called for a key on his belt before throwing it to the Green Ranger that grabbed it and looked at it for a few minutes, surprised.
-He may be gone but the best part of him is still here, with you and with the Red Lion. -said Red Super Megaforce-. Do it.
Green Super Megaforce grabbed the key and nodded, grabbing his Legendary morpher and putting the key in before calling for the Wild Force Power.
-Wild Access! -screamed Green while he jumped from the Legendary Megazord to the Red Lion.
His suit changed to the Red Wild Force Ranger as he entered inside the Red Lion and the Lion suddenly woke up, getting on his two paws as he roared and became alive. The Super Megaforce Rangers looked amazed and prepared as the monster finally spotted them.
-Hey, Red! We have an idea! -said Green Super Megaforce transformed into Red Wild Force Ranger.
-What is it? -asked Red Super Megaforce.
-Make the Legendary Megazord jump on the Red Lion's back.
Red Super Megaforce looked at his friends but in the end, they nodded, trusting the Red Lion and the Green Super Megaforce Ranger, and Yellow and Pink, now in charge of the legs of the Legendary Megazord, ran and jumped on the back to the Red Wild Lion Zord that roared before the Green Super Megaforce turned Red Wild Force pushed the controls of the zord, using their bond and the Lion ran towards the monster, taking out everything on their path.
-Let's go, Lion! Let's show who is the protector of the universe!
The Lion used his lasers to hit the monster and then, the Legendary Megazord hit the monster with his sword, defeating him and giving victory to the Rangers and the Lion Ranger.
Another victory that today feels like the start of a new journey not only for the Red Lion but also for Jacob Holling.
Command Center (Night)
Thanks to Wes Collins's technology was easy to hide the Red Lion in a bubble that will make him and the Rangers invisible so it wasn't a problem when Jake and the Red Lion stood in front of each other to say goodbye.
-Thank you, Lion. I promise I will go visit as soon as I can. -said, Jake.
The Lion growled and when Jake hugged him, the Lion put his paw on Jake's back and they stayed there in silence while the other Rangers looked at them, a little emotional seeing the bond between the zord and Jake.
When they broke the hug, both looked at the Rangers and signaled them to come closer. They did and they were close enough, the Lion offered his paw to them. The Rangers grabbed it and smiling, said goodbye to the zord.
The Lion zord roared one more time before flying towards the sky, back to Animarium and the Super Megaforce Rangers watched him go until he disappeared.
Jake lowered his arm and hugged Gia close when the Red Lion finally disappeared and sighed. It was good to see his friend again and to be able to repair his soul even if it was just a little, in exchange, he gave Jake the chance to close old wounds.
-Will he be ok? -asked Emma.
-He will. He knows now that no matter what he is not alone, his bond is bigger and stronger with everyone and his duty remains the same. -said Jake, smiling-… He lost Cole, yes, we all did but now he knows he has much more.
-And you? -asked Troy.
-I always knew. -said, Jake-… Noah has been my rock for years and my family was always there but now, everything has grown. I have a wonderful friend and leader, another friend who is a gentle soul and calms my nerves…
He looked at Gia with the sweetest smile he could muster and his eyes so full of love it was overwhelming.
-…and a strong, smart, and beautiful girl that makes my life shine brighter every day. -said, Jake.
Gia smiled, blushing while the others laughed and then the team hugged. They won't abandon each other, for anything in this world. They were one, that's what they promised when they started this Ranger business and that's what it always be.
They are a team that will never let any of its members fall, ever.