Power Rangers - Alternate Universe

Episode 002 - "Maybe I Won't Look Back"

[ Cue the overly-dramatic announcer. ]

Today on Power Rangers! It's registration day at Angel Grove High, and the gang sans Dino plans a night out. After exchanging words with Eric, Dino rethinks his priorities and ends up resorting to old habits at a party thrown by an old girlfriend. Rita targets the lone Ranger and sends both Goldar and Sphnix to take him down. Will Dino be able to claim victory without the help of his friends? Find out next on Power Rangers!

_______________________________________________

Dino

Today is probably the second worse day of the year. It's registration day today and summer is on its last leg. I remember when summer vacation began in the first week of June and didn't end until atter Labor Day. Now all we get is some shit like ten weeks from the end of May until mid-August. I've wasted thirty minutes of the the last precious moments of my summer break trying to roll myself out of bed. I'll do anything to prolong the time between now and going to school to get my class schedule.. After my shower, I called up Eric, my half brother. So you know, Dad had gotten some chick pregnant right before he met my mom. When my family moved to Angel Grove, Eric and his mom did too so he wouldn't have to grow up without a father. Eric is a year older than me, but he's "academically challenged" as Dad puts it. Eric failed the twelveth grade and is repeating it this year. At least we can graduate together.

"Ready for senior year -- again?" I asked Eric as he got in my truck.

Eric didn't respond.

"Come on, lighten up. At least you're not a three-peat senior ... yet."

"Cut the shit, Dino. Dad just chewed my ass out."

"Oh. ... What for?"

"What do you think? I didn't need to wake up to a phone call with him getting on back about school, and I don't need to hear it from you either."

Should I feel sorry? He did this to himself. Eric and I were both academic fuck ups throughout high school. At least I've gotten my act together somewhat. If I keep things up, I have a good chance of graduating with a 3.0. I put on the radio to change the mood and to no surprise they were talking about this week's alien attack again.

"Did you see that?" I asked changing the subject. "Those aliens attacking our city."

"No. I wasn't there. Not that you told me you were going."

"Eric, what's your deal today? Dad bitching you out ain't all why you're mad, is it?"

No answer again.

"Whatever, bro..."

_______________________________________________

Theo

"Sweet Lord, look at this place," I said surveying the school.

"Looks like they fixed up the place a bit," Justin added.

"Nice. Look at the courtyard. I like," Christina commented. "I'm almost not embarassed now to call Angel Grove High my school."

"Oh come on. It's wasn't that bad," I said. "Let's go get our schedules."

We walked up to the newly renovated courtyard that leads to the front doors. The area was crowded with students conversing with eachother as well as their parents. I'm probably the only one who feels this way, but this is really exciting. This is probably the second best day of the year; if not the greatest.

"Hey, look. Some of the clubs are taking apps already," Christina observed. "Thinking about joining any new ones this year, Theo?"

"Uhh, I don't know. It's always been the computer club and math league for me."

"How about joining the new Daiymo club?" Justin asked. "Sensei Steve talked it over with the principal and he loved the idea. I was appointed co-president."

"As much as it'd do me good to aquire new martial art skills, Justin, my schedule is quite full as it, but thanks for the invitation."

* * * *

Meanwhie at the moon palace, space witch Rita schemes to rid of the Power Rangers after the embarassing defeat of her Putty Patrol just days ago.

"You'll need all the help you can get, Ranger brat. ... Finster! Finster! Answer me! Get your sorry hide in here!"

"My Queen," Goldar said speaking up. "I believe Finster is not here."

"What?! Where in the cosmos is he?"

"He went to go buy those growth spells you've wanted, your wickedness," Squatt answered.

"I didn't ask you, dingus! Goldar?"

"He went to go buy the growth spells you requested of him, Empress," Goldar confirmed.

"But I need a monster and I need one now!"

"My Queen, may I suggest my old comrade the Sphinx? You do remember him, don't you?" Goldar asked approaching the balcony.

"Oh yes, the Sphinx, conquerer of both the Velderax and Bondula galaxies!"

"Wow, what a resume!" Baboo cooed.

"Well, what are you waiting for, Goldar?! Tell that muscle-bound freak to get his behind over to Earth and get those Rangers!"

"Yes, Empress. Together, Sphnix and I will crush the Power Rangers and the Earth shall be yours."

* * * *

_______________________________________________

Justin

"Hey, we have English and Marine Sciene together," I said comparing schedules with Christina.

"Yeah, we do. I like my schedule. Most of my classes are near my locker."

"I almost forgot to ask. You're coming with us tonight, right?" Theo asked Christina regarding tonight's youth group outing.

"Oh -- yeah. About that."

She always finds some reason not to come. Let's see what it is this week.

"Yo, what's up," Jonathan interupted coming up to us.

Christina took her cousin's schedule to compare.

"Cool, you've got Marine Science wih me and Justin," she said.

"Good. I have someone to copy my homework from."

"You're going mini-golfing with us tonight, right?" I asked Jonathan.

Jonathan used to go to my church, but his family slowly fell out of it around two years ago. We've always been friends both in and out of church, but when I started to focus back on God this year, we didn't see much of each other at all. Now as Power Rangers, we've hung out twice already since our first encounter with Goldar.

"For sure," he said. "Are you going, Christina?"

Here comes the no.

"Umm, the thing is Andrea is having her party and--"

"Say no more," I said. "It's alright. Maybe another time."

"Let me finish," she said. "But I didn't really want to go but I'd feel bad if I didn't because we didn't get to hang out much this summer."

"Hey, it's cool. Do what you want."

"Come on, Christina. She has parties all the time. Catch up some other time," her cousin interjected.

_______________________________________________

Dino

I got my schedule and waited outside in the courtyard for Eric. I've decided to take Alegbra II this year. Math was never my best subject, but I always had a tutor to help me pull at least a C at exam time. She was a great tutor and an even better friend. Now she hates my guts and speak of the devil.

"Hi, Dino," Christina said walking by, bull-shitting a congenial grin no doubt.

"Hi," I said back acting like I didn't care.

"Oh, Dino," she said turning back. "Justin and Theo wanted to know if you want to come miniture-golfing with us tonight."

"Just them and you?"

"I'm not sure if I'm going, but I probably will. Their church youth group. I know Jonny's going."

"I'll have to consult my Palm Pilot."

"You don't have a Palm Pilot, Dino."

"How would you know?"

"Look, I don't care if you go. I was just asking because they wanted me to. See ya."

"Wait. Where are you going?"

"I'm going to go get something to eat."

She can't say no to Italian food.

"I'm hungry myself. You want to go get something to eat at my uncle's restaurant?" I asked knowing I'm going against what I said I wouldn't do.

"Um -- Actually, I--"

"Someone say something about eating?" Eric asked walking up with his schedule in hand.

Good timing, dofus. I turned my eyes back to Christina waiting for her answer.

"I already made plans with Justin and Theo. ... Maybe some other time?"

"Yeah. Sure."

"Okay. Bye, guys."

Christina turned and left.

"Woah, hold up. What's this?" Eric asked looking at me distainfully. "Were you asking her out? Her?"

"Eric, look--"

"How many times have I told you that you don't need her anymore?"

"I'll do whatever the fuck I want, Eric. So butt out."

"The guys will say the same thing."

"I don't give a flying fuck about the guys either. Tell them to go fuck themselves."

"Fuck, Dino. What the hell is about your ass?"

"Forget it. Let's go."

"No. We're talking about this now. All summer, even before you left for Europe and after you got back, you ttotally cut me and the guys off. What the hell changed?"

"I didn't cut you off, Eric. You're my brother."

"Prove it. Come to Andrea's party tonight."

"What? Why?"

"Because I'm going, and so are C.J., Will, and the others."

"Sorry to interupt here," Christina said popping in. "I found this in my car and forgot to give it back to you before you left for vacation," she said handing me a CD of mine.

"Thank you," I said examining the disc.

"Sure. Oh -- are you going tonight? You didn't say."

"He's already got plans tonight," Eric answered.

"Are you Dino?" Christina asked. "No, you're not. Dino?"

Eric looked at me expectedly. Unsure what I was going to say, I opened my mouth to answer.

"Look who's back," Christina said pulling her hair back quickly into a ponytail as Goldar and a swarm of putties took form several feet away.

"Let's move!" I said weaving my way through the stampede.

"Dino!" Eric hollered. "Dude, what are you doing?!"

"Go!" I said pointing him in the direction of the other students.

Hesistantly, Eric left. Justin and Theo made their way to us and so did Jonathan.

"They don't admit your kind to this school!"

"Putties, get the Power Rangers!" Goldar commanded.

"Fan out!"

The Putty Patrol huddled around us and began to attack. Unlike last time, we were ready for this. However, they still prove to be skillful fighters. I got thrown against a wall right after Theo got his behind tossed into some shrubs. Christina summersalted out of harm's way, but ended up knocking Jonathan over in the process.

"Guys, we need to get it together!" I said regrouping with the others.

"We need to get them away from the school before they hurt civilians," Theo panted.

"But how?" Christina asked.

"I know," Justin answered.

He started running in the other direction. Uncertain of Justin's plan of action, we followed as did the Putties. We dashed across the lawn, pass the senior parking lot, headed straight to the neighboring forest.

"We're almost there, guys!" Justin said looking back.

"Almost doesn't count, Ranger!"

Goldar swooped down and knocked Justin back several feet with his enormous foot. I helped my teammate up as the others caught up.

"What do you want?" Jonathan hissed.

"Surrender to Rita now or face the wrath of Goldar!"

We turned around to see the Putty Patrol.

"There's no escape Rangers. The coins! Give them to me!"

"Goldar, do us all a favor and shut the fuck up, okay?" Jonathan said taking out his coin.

Black energy coursed through his coin and hit Goldar but with little effect as it reflected off his golden armor. With their attention diverted, the rest of us directed our energies to the Putty Patrol, making quick work of them all.

"Come on!" I said making a dash for the forest.

Hurdling over the litter of Putties, the five of us entered the woodsy area.

"Dino, what now?" Christina asked.

"It's morphin' time!"

"Mastadon!"

"Pyterodactyl!"

"Triceratops!"

"Saber-tooth tiger!"

"Tyrannosaurus!"

"This time I will destroy you!" Goldar growled. "Putties!"

More Putty Patrollers materialized around us. As quickly as they came, they went as we drew our blade blasters to cut them down to size -- literally.

"If I remember correctly, you punked out on us at this point, Goldar," Blue Ranger said holstering his weapon.

"Your time is coming, Power Rangers. The Sphnix and I will rid of you by the day's end. Count on it!"

"Oh puh-lease," Pink Ranger remarked.

In the expected flash of golden fire, monkey man disappeared.

"Sphnix?" Black Ranger asked.

"Beats me," Yellow Ranger said. "Maybe a creation inspired by the Epyptian wonder?"

"Maybe Zordon will have some answers," I said.

"Whoa, what's going on?" Blue Ranger asked.

Our Rangers outfits started to glow their respective colors. A strange tingling sensation coursed through my body, as I'm sure it did with the others. All I know the next moment we were travelling at an incredible speed and ended bottom down onto a cold granite floor.

"What a rush!" Yellow Ranger said getting up first.

"Can we do that again?" Black Ranger laughed.

"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, Power Rangers," a loud booming voice answered.

We turned our attention to Zordon's plasma tube. The big blue head materialized into the center.

"Power down," I ordered.

We reverted back to human form.

"Zordon, what is that form of hyper-speed dematerializational transportation called?" Theo asked.

"Teleporting," our mentor answered. "Alpha Five teleported you here."

The petite robot acknowledged us.

"So what's Rita up to now?" Jonathan asked.

"Goldar mentioned something about a Sphnix," Christina added.

"Ay yi yi!" Alpha cried.

"Calm down, Alpha," Zordon said. "Sphnix is a great and mighty warrior, Power Rangers; a force to be wreckened with."

The viewing globe descended with footage of what is assumed to be the Sphnix.

"That's one ugly dude," Jonathan commented. "He's pumped."

"The Sphnix has conquered planets before and I have no doubt he will help Rita conquer yours," Zordon explained.

"So what can we do?" I asked.

"There is nothing any of you can do for now, Power Rangers. When Rita decides to attack next, you will be alerted."

"But how?" Christina asked.

Alpha about-faced with a wooden box in hand.

"These are your communicators," Zordon's assistant announced removing the cover.

"Sweetness," Justin commented.

Alpha offered the box to me first. I took the red-themed watch, as the others took the ones corresponding to their respective alias.

"These allow Alpha and I to contact you and you eachother."

"Nice," Christina cooed. "This is so twenty-first century."

"We are working on adding teleportation so you may freely transport yourselfs to where you are needed, but for now these will do."

"Well until then, I'll see you all later," Christina said.

"Same here," said Theo.

Alpha teleported the two out.

"Hey, Dino. Did Christina mention to you already that--"

"Yeah, Justin," I answered. "I can't make it. Maybe some other time."

"Oh -- okay. We usually get together on Friday nights. Next week is bowling I think."

"I'll think about it."

"Cool. Catch you later, man."

In a flash of blue light, Justin disappeared.

"Woo hoo, my turn," Jonathan said looking at Alpha.

"Jon, wait," I said putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Um," I said looking at Alpha and then at Zordon. "Let's go outside."

"Is that alright, Zordon?" Jonathan asked.

"Perfectly fine. Alpha," Zordon nodded to his assistant.

The atmatron activated the doorway to open for us. We left the Command Center and stood outside the doors to which led to our discovery of Alpha Five and Zordon, and ultimately our calling as Power Rangers.

"What's wrong, man?" Jonathan asked me.

"Is Christina going miniature golfing with you all tonight?"

"You brought me out here to ask me that?"

"Just tell me. Is she?"

"Yeah; most likely. She doesn't really want to miss Andrea's party tonight, but it looks like she's going with us instead. Why?"

Jon already knew by just looking at me. Laying a sympathetic hand on my shoulder, he continued.

"Dino, bro, if you want to ask her out just do it."

"I can't. I mean -- I want to, but ... I don't know, man."

I took a seat on the large slather of rock beneath me.

"I keep lying to myself, Jon. I know I still love her."

"I know you do."

"Has she said anything to you?"

"Not recently -- but there is something you should know," Jon said sitting with me.

"What's that?

"Do not, I repeat, do not tell Christina I told you, okay?"

"I swear I won't."

"Her and Justin. They--"

"I knew it. I fuckin' knew it."

Unsorted and unresolved feelings about her and Justin began to stir up inside of me again.

"Dino, let me finish. They aren't together."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean -- she doesn't love him."

"But she likes him, right?"

"Yeah, but no."

"What?"

"It's hard to explain. I couldn't really understand it when she told me. You want my opinion, man?"

Not really.

"Shoot," I said.

"Move on. Christina's too mixed up right now with keeping her grades perfect and coaching and all the other stuff she's got going on."

That's not what I wanted to hear. I stood up.

"So where does that leave me?" I asked turning back around.

"Hell if I know. I'm not in the relationship. You go talk to her yourself."

"Jon, does she still love me?"

"I've said enough, dude. You really got to ask her yourself."

I wasn't letting Jon through until he gave me an answer and he knew it. Accepting defeat, he answered.

"Yes. She still loves you."

"Thank you."

"This conversation never happened."

"What conversation?"

"Exactly. So you're going to come with us now, right?"

"What do you think?"

"Yes?"

"NO. Jesus, Jonathan. Seriously, think for a second. It won't hurt you."

"I don't get you."

"Me neither. ... I suppose I'll be hanging with Eric tonight at Andrea's."

"Yikes."

"Eric or Andrea?"

"Andrea. You know."

"I know."



* * * *

Goldar's eyes instantly met with Rita's upon entering the balcony room. The alien warrior has come to expect the usual ranting and whining from his empress about why he never finishes the task assigned, but to his surprise...

"Goldar! Great news!" the slanted-eyed sourceress said elatedly.

"Yes, my queen?" a befuddled Goldar asked.

"I just found out that the Red Ranger will be seperated from the other Power Rangers tonight. Do you know what this means?"

"Of course. Seperated from their leader, the four remaining ranger brats will surcome to your wickedness soon after Dino's demise."

"Exactly!"

"Empress, has Finster returned yett with the growth spells you've requested?"

"Yes! Once Red Ranger is near defeat, I'll make you and Sphnix grow and you'll crush the power geek to into a million pieces! Eee!"

* * * *

_______________________________________________

Dino

It was around 9:30 when I showed up to Andrea's. The party's been going on since eight I think. A lot of people were there, the usual crowd Andrea associates with at school. To be honest, I really don't want to be here, but I told Eric I would show. I don't want him to think I'm cutting him out of my life.

"It's about time, bro," Eric hollered over the music. "Here."

Eric hopped off the kitchen counter and handed me a beer.

"Hey, you still haven't told me where you went when those alien thingies showed up at the school," my brother said polishing off his current bottle.

"Like it matters?" I answered trying to avoid the subject entirely. "Let's go outside. It's too noisy in here."

We left the kitchen and wove our way to the back porch where the pool was. I saw some girls sitting together over in the far corner, obviously finding something funny because they all broke out in laughter. Ignoring them, I found a lounge chair to place myself on, Eric taking a seat beside me.

"So how goes it?" I asked opening my bottle.

"It goes alright. I guess."

"Did you talk to Dad anymore today?

"Yeah. He actually apologized to me."

"Dad? Apologized?" I said surpised.

"Yes. He said he just wanted to make sure he got his point across."

"Did he?"

"I guess. I know I'm going to do better."

"How do you know?"

"I -- I just know," Eric said unsure.

"Alright..."

I took a sip of the Heineken and turned to my brother.

"Eric, are you happy?"

"What?"

"Are you happy?"

"With what?"

"In general. Are you happy? Be totally honest."

"Fuckin' no. When am I ever happy?"

"Almost never, except when you drink."

"What's there to be happy about anyway? I'm repeating senior year of high school and my summer job sucked ass."

"Didn't work out too well, huh?"

"Cleaning up horse shit and feeding pigs for ten weeks isn't my idea of a good summer."

"Well maybe if you didn't fail senior year then Dad would of let you come with us."

"Well maybe Dad can blow it out his ass. I hate him."

"Hah, whatever. You don't mean that."

"Like hell."

"I wouldn't reward my son with a trip to Europe for failing the twelfth grade either -- if I had a son I mean."

"Fuck you. No one should have to do that kind of shit. It was like a punishment."

"It was a lesson, Eric," I said tiring of the conversation.

"Whatever. Why do you want to know if I'm happy?"

"I don't know? ... I guess -- I'm kind of like -- not?"

"Let me guess. Her.

"If you mean Christina -- kinda."

"Bro, just forget about her. She's fucking Justin anyway. Sorry to break it to you."

"What the fuck?" I said getting up ready to punch my brother's teeth out, my reaction drawing several stares.

"What's with you?" Eric asked slamming his bottle down.

"Why the hell did you say that for?"

"Because it's true!"

"No, it's not."

"Believe whatever you want. Just chill the fuck out, okay?"

Forcing myself to let it go, I sat back down.

"Damn, bro. Why do you care so much? There's a million other easy fucks out there. Some are over there looking at you right now."

"Maybe I don't want an easy fuck," I said one step below scowling.

"Here," Eric said handing me a cigarette. "Chill for a second."

I mumbled a thanks as I borrowed his lighter.

"So you're not happy," Eric said taking one out the pack. "What else aren't you happy about?"

I took a moment to think before responding.

"School. ... School's almost over."

"It hasn't even begun yet!"

"NO. I mean high school. This is it, Eric. Last year."

"What? Are you worried about college? You and I both know Dad's going to pay for--"

"Dude, it's not the money. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Why are you worrying about it? A lot of kids don't know either."

"But I have to."

Eric studied my face for a few seconds and starting laughing.

"Bro, you got me going there for a minute!"

"What?" I asked not understnading.

"Like you give a fuck about anything like that. Dude! We're here right now doing what we want to do! Everything's going to be alright, bro!"

"Eric, sit down," I said trying to avoid a scene.

"Dino, pick one. Any one. They'll go upstairs with you right now."

"I think you reached your limit tonight, buddy," I said taking his bottle and placing it down.

Putting out my cigarette, I got up to leave.

"Hey, Sara! Go fuck my brother Dino. He hasn't gotten any pussy all summer long."

"Go fuck yourself," was the response I heard as I exited the patio.

I went to the kitchen and found the cooler. I had forgotten my drink and wasn't going back there to hear Eric's mouth again.

"Empty," I muttered discovering nothing but ice.

"There's more in the garage fridge," I heard a familar voice say.

"Andrea," I said turning around. "Hi..."

Smiling like she hasn't seen me in years, the petite blonde embraced me.

"God, it's been forever! How've you been, Dino?"

"Alright."

"Good. Good. Heyyy, I see someone's gotten a tan this summer," Andrea said running a hand up and down my left arm.

"Yeah..."

"Looks great! It really -- accentuates -- your muscles."

"Yeah. Thanks. Where's the beer?"

"Folloooow me..."

Nope. She hasn't changed. I tailed my ex-girlfriend to the garage along with the cooler.

"So I heard you went away this summer," Andrea said opening the small white fridge. "Italty?"

"And France and Germany."

"Wow. That's awesome. Have fun?"

"Yeah," I said absent-mindly as she handed me the bottles to lay inside the cooler.

"Are you alright? You seem -- not yourself."

"I'm fine."

Shaking her head, Andrea closed the fridge and smiled.

"You are such a bad liar, Dino. Always have been."

"Then I'll have to try harder next time."

I took up the cooler and started to head back in.

"When you get those in, come back. I have some more," I heard Andrea call out from the hall.

I placed the cooler down in the kitchen, and opened a new bottle on the way back.

"What do you want me--"

I was cut off in mid-sentence when Andrea shut the door behind me. Smiling, she leaned in close to my face, the faint smell of alcohol airing from her lips.

"To bring in?" I asked finishing my question a second before Andrea layed one on me.

"Mmm, tasty as ever," she buzzed.

Not sure what to think, I took a step back.

"Well, Dino?" Andrea asked closing in the gap.

"Well what?"

She answered with another kiss, to which I broke away from this time.

"Dino, would you loosen up already? We're here to have fun."

Taking my bottle from me, she downed a few sips before hopping her bottom onto the counter adjacent to the fridge. Figuring out what I wanted to say, I spoke.

"Okay, Andrea. One, you're drunk. Two, I really don't want you touching me. And three, I really don't want to be here."

Andrea laughed, apparently not taking me seriously.

"You're so darn cute when you're serious, Dino," Andrea said taking another sip of my beer. "And I'm not drunk -- yet."

"Sure."

"If you don't want to be here, then why are you?"

"Because Eric wanted me to."

"Ohh Eric's here?"

"Yeah. Why don't you go rub up against him instead? I'm out."

"DINO. God, why are you so -- so -- what's the word I'm looking for? Forget it. Listen," Andrea said sobering up. "I'm sorry. Is that better? If you're haivng a rotten time here then let's talk about it. We used to talk all the time."

Andrea tried her best to put on a straight face, but I really wasn't buying it. I took it anyway.

"I prefer to be some place else tonight," I said taking a seat next to her.

"Where?"

"Miniature golfing."

"Hah. For real? Why?"

"Just because. I was invited."

"Who invited you?"

"Justin Cornett."

"Like oh my God, Dino. You really should know something."

"Eric told me. ... I don't believe it ."

"Me neither!"

"You don't?"

"Oh no. Christina's totally seeing someone else."

"What?" I said almost falling off the counter.

"Yeah. She's seeing some guy -- well -- talking to some guy she met at a seminar in Orlando that she went to eariler this summer."

"How do you know this?"

"She told me so."

"You two are talking again?"

"Yeah. Can you believe it?"

After their falling out after Christina and I started to see eachother, Andrea dumped her as her friend because "she stole her man." Truly Springer; I know.

"Well, anyway, they've both been calling eachother a lot. He might be starting college here in the spring so you know how that'll work out."

"What the fuck," I muttered almost inaudible to myself.

I felt a cold bottle nudge my hand.

* * * *

A good hour has passed since Rita had started to keep close surveillance of the Red Ranger. Glaring attentively into her Repulsascope, Rita cackled before turning to report to her silent and idle servant Goldar.

"Goldar! It's almost time. Do you have the transporter ready?"

Breaking his glossy stare from the stary space ahead, Goldar nodded, holding up the device in his left paw.

"Once I corner the Red Ranger, I will take him to a secluded quarry when Sphnix and I can dispose of him appropriately."

"Yes! And how wonderfully painful it will be for his friends and family to look for him without any knowledge of his whereabouts. I'm so wicked!"

* * * *

_______________________________________________

Dino

My mind was gone and out for a walk while my back rested against the cold hard wall as a pretty blonde was against me in the front. Our lips were busy as our hands followed with the same intentions. Andrea's mouth slid down my neck as she slid her free hand down my body and onto my increasing pant buldge. Fuck everything and everyone. I'm drunk out of my fuckin' mind and I don't care. I silently screamed God as Andrea grabbed hard at my package. I knew what she doing and it was working. I could stop her if I wanted to. I have before, but tonight it's just not happening.

"Fuck," I panted breaking the kiss to catch some air before I could collapse.

Andrea wasn't playing around as she relocked the kiss, but this time she began to undo my belt. Putting my hand on hers, I moved it away.

"Not here," I said letting up for another moment.

"Upstairs," Andrea answered swiftly.

Not having the chance to respond, Andrea already began to tow me out of the garage and into the hall. She almost tripped over a misplaced laundry basket, to which I had caught her from possibily falling over. Thanking me with another long and hard kiss, we preceded out the hall and into the kitchen that lead to one ot the staircases.

"See Dino? Everything's allllright!" I heard Eric say as we started to ascend the stairs.

I looked to see where he was sitting and spotted him on a crowded couch, a blunt in one hand and a beer in another.

"Come on," Andrea said continuing upstairs.

I tugged my arm away.

"Fuck it," I said going back down.

"DINO," I heard Andrea said coming after me.

"Fuck off," I said raising my voice sharply at the bitch behind me.

I carelessly stepped around the groups of people that stood between the stairs and the couch Eric was on. When I got to my brother, I stood in front of him and leaned in.

"You know what, Eric?" I asked.

Laughing like I had said something funny, the older teen waited for me to continue.

"Fuck you," I said plainly. "Just fuck you."

Eric bursted out in laughter, as did the surrounding idiots. I craned my neck around surveying who was here until Eric calmed himself down.

"What else, man?" Eric said handing me his blunt.

I smacked it away, again sending Eric into another fit of laughter.

"That's exactly why Dad thinks you're a fuck up. You can't take anything serious!"

"Oh yeah?" Eric said through his laughter.

"Yeah. You're a complete embarassment to our family."

All Eric could do was laugh and nod.

"Yes, you're right again, Dino. Good job, man."

"You don't get it do you?"

I started to grab for Eric's shirt, but two guys pulled me back. I had no problem getting them off and was ready to take both of them.

"You want this?" I said recongizing the two.

"Dino, you're out of your mind, bro. Go with Andrea," Aaron said pointing me to the staircase.

"Or just leave," C.J. added.

"No one asked your fatass," I answered backing away from the crowded corner.

I felt Andrea put an arm around mine and kiss my cheek to get my attention away from Eric and the others. She had whispered something nasty in my ear, something I haven't gotten in awhile and was long overdue for.

"Alright," I muttered just short of incoherence.

Andrea pulled me away to the staircase, my eyes still on Eric and everyone elses' on me. We got up to the top of the stairs and entered the closest room, but it was already occupied.

"My parent's room," Andrea said taking out a key from her jean pocket. "No one's in there."

She towed me over to their door and unlocked it for us. Closing the door and locking it back up, Andrea guided me to the bed and laid me down.

"So where were we?" she whispered.

"I believe you were going to slob all over my nob," I said undoing my belt myself this time.

"I believe you're right, but first..."

Andrea rolled over me onto the bed and fixed herself on her kness. Turning the bedside lamp on to help us see better, she unbuttoned the little blue blouse she had on and threw it on the floor.

"Miss these?" she asked.

I could only stare, nothing registering at all.; as if Andrea cared anyway. She leaned in to kiss me again and sprawled herself out on top of me, moving her hands anywhere she pleased. My hand wormed its way to the clasp of her bra as I helped her remove the contrapment that were holding back her impatient breasts. As beautiful as they were, I'd prefer right now just to have my dick sucked. Without giving any warning, I pushed Andrea to the side. She gasped, not knowing through her drunkenness what I was doing. I shushed her to be quiet as I placed myself on top of her and finished removing my belt.

"Dino--"

"You wanted to suck it, so suck it."

"Dino! I changed my mind!"

"What the fuck, bitch? You gonna suck this shit or not?"

Andrea tried to get up, but I had her pinned.

"Somebody! Help!"

I covered her mouth before she could say anything more. No one could hear here anyway with that blaring stereo downstairs. The terror in her eyes; my fuckin' Lord. What the hell was I doing? It's like I have two minds right now wrestling with eachother. I know not to, but this bitch was asking for it.

"Andrea, I'm--"

Before I could finish my apology, a loud crash and screams came from downstairs. My head shot up, as did Andrea's. There was also another sound; a growl. That growl -- I recongized it immediately. Andrea looked back at me. Most of the terror had left her eyes, but enough remained to let me know I had really fucked up. Not having the chance to worry about it now, I fixed my pants and scrambled out of the room as if I had magically sobered up over the time span of just twenty seconds. Rushing down the hall and down the stairs, I saw a piece of furniture fly across the floor, some people still on there.

"Ranger boy, show yourself!" I heard the voice a certain-winged creature say.

Andrea ran into the back of me, trying to see for herself what was going on. Before I could get back upstairs before Goldar could spot me, Andrea had let out a blood curdling scream. I covered her mouth, but it was too late. I let Andrea go as she flew back upstairs and locked herself away in one of the rooms. All the people were out of the vicinity now. It was just me and Goldar, our eyes coldly locked together. I could hear Goldar faintly snickering under his breath as he slowly approached the bottom of the staircase, his red eyes practically glowing with hatred.

"Looks like the party's over, Dino," Goldar said as his sword materialied in a golden flash of fire.

"Dino!" a voice called out.

Our attention turned to the patio doors where my brother was in silent shock of the blue-faced alien that stood just feet away.

"Eric! Go!"

"Dude! Come on!"

"He's not going anywhere," Goldar said pointing his sword at me.

The tip was just inches from my neck, perfectly placed and able to pierce an artery to end it all. My eyes turned to Eric, who looked like he was going to freak out any moment now. Unsure of his next move, Eric looked to his left and grabbed the neighboring vase. Hurling it at Goldar's head, the pink piece of pottery landed on target and completely shattered. I jumped the banister and amazingly landed on my feet considering my current condition. Following Eric out the back, we dashed out to the backyard and around the house. Out of breath, we stopped just short of the sidewalk. We gasped for air as our lungs caught up with us. I looked intently at my brother; all unresolved, bitter, and angry feelings toward him slowly leaving me.

"You alright?" Eric asked still panting.

"Yeah," I said calming down. "Thanks for buying me time, bro."

Screams from the other kids started again, some of them pointing to the sky. A black figure hung on the moon, its wings flapping repeatedly and coming toward us just as quickly.

"Ah fuck," Eric said grasping my shoulder. "Let's move."

"No. Eric, you have to leave."

"Are you fuckin' crazy? He'll kill you!"

"I'll be right behind you! Go!"

Taking a last look at me, Eric turned and sprinted down the street with everyone else. I turned my head back to the black figure coming toward me, my eyes trying ever so hard to focus.

"This is a no flying zone, Goldar."

I whipped out my power coin and blasted the winged alien with a burst of red energy. Goldar fell to the ground with a loud thud and an ever louder roar.

"Okay, Ranger! Time's up!"

In another flash of gold, a device appeared in Goldar's left paw. Instantly, a thin red light beamed straight at my forehead.

"Prepare to meet your end, Dino!"

I'm fuckin' dead. Or not; as the strange tingle of teleportation consumed my body once again. From dark cool suburbia to hot muggy desert land, I materalized to what appeared to be a quarry, and most notably it was daytime.

"I don't think I'm in Angel Grove anymore."

"You're exactly right!"

I craned my neck about to see where Goldar's voice was coming from. I heard his mocking, his obnoxious laughter as I tried my best to keep focus and stand erect under my circumstance.

"Where are you? Show yourself!" I commanded.

My voice echoed off the tall quarry walls, my patience already wearing thin with Goldar's little game. Then I saw him. Fluttering off a distant rock pile, the winged creatin met me on ground level.

"I could finish you by myself, Red Ranger, but I have an old commarade on the way to assist me."

Super. Even better, the sun was becoming unbearable. Good God. I can't take being here much longer. Falling to me knees in exhaustion, I panted trying to keep consciousness. I know I didn't drink that much. Something's not right. This place; it can't be -- can't be real. I have this feeling telling me I'm not on my own planet anymore.

"What's wrong, Red Ranger? Feeling a bit down?" Goldar asked stepping closer.

"Back off," I spat short of breath.

"That coin of yours won't do you no good here. You might as well just hand it over."

"You wanna bet?"

I inserted the coin into my power morpher and grasped the handle firmly with both hands.

"Well what are you waiting for, Dino? Morph. See where it gets you."

"Okay then. Tyrannosaurus!"

The red energy consumed my body.

"What's going on?" I asked unsure of the situation.

"Hah! Your morphing abilities cannot work here!"

"Where am I?"

"That's not important. All you need to know that this will be your final resting place, boy."

Goldar summoned his sword and proceded forward.



* * * *

Though a disturbance in the morphing grid had caused Zordon reason to worry, the Command Center alarms did not alert the Rangers' mentor of any present threat.

"Anything yet, Alpha Five?"

"The scanners have traced two energy signatures from an Angel Grove residence. One was Dino's and one unknown."

"No doubt Rita is involved. Where is Dino now?"

"Ay yi yi. The scanners do not detect him, Zordon. Shall I set the viewing globe for a visual scan of the red power's last known coordinates?"

"Yes, but I feel it will do no good. If Dino is not detected in Angel Grove, chances are he's probably not on Earth at all."

"Ay yi yi! What are you saying, Zordon?"

"I'm saying it's possible Dino may have been placed elsewhere, possibly another--"

Zordon stopped mid-sentence following another disturbance from the morphing grid. The time-warped Eltarian quietly concentrated trying to piece together what might be happening to the missing teenager.

"Alpha, contact the other Power Rangers at once."

"Right away, Zordon!"

* * * *

_______________________________________________

Dino

Goldar's face was inches from mine, his hot vile breath perfuming against my skin. I couldn't take this anymore. I was done.

"Pathetic. ... Pathetic human. ... Just like the rest of your kind; weak and incapable."

"Goldar..." I weased softly trying to form a coherent sentence. "I may not leave here alive ... but there's four more Rangers that--"

Ending my pitiful attempt to speak, Goldar backhanded me. I fell to the ground in pain. The monster grabbed my shirt and lifted me in the air, his sword poking dully at my stomach.

"Tell me why I shouldn't end your life right now, human."

I didn't respond. I could barely hear the question itself. God, forgive me. Please forgive me.

"Answer me!"

Goldar struck me again. I fell to the ground trying to hold on to any consciousness left in me. I had to fight this. As hopeless as this was, I had to fight.

"What's this?" Rita's crony mused.

I grabbed ahold of Goldar's kness for support as I helped myself up. I stood erect fixing my concentration on just standing still. Laughing as if I were providing him with entertainment, Goldar continued.

"Zordon couldn't have picked a worse leader. He picked a child!"

"I'm no leader."

"Hah! You admit it!"

I started to breathe at a more steady pace as my mind started to unclog from the impressing elements.

"I never asked to be a Power Ranger. I just am."

I didn't know how, but my senses were slowly returning as I continued to stare Goldar straight in the eye.

"Then fight me, Power Ranger," the monster barked.

Before Goldar could impress his sword into me, I knocked it away with a blast of red energy. I then concentrated the red energy onto Goldar himself and lifted him off the ground. The alien warrior struggled to free himself from my control, but with no avail. With one last look, I tossed Goldar back against a steep rockpile. The bafoon rolled down and angrily landed back on the gravel beneath.

"How?! How did--"

"Looks like these powers of mine have more surprises than I anticipated, Goldar."

I felt my eyes glowing red, a brighter red than his. I didn't even need my coin this time. The dino powers were becoming part of me. I could feel them binding within.

* * * *

"Ahh! That Ranger twurp is going to ruin my plan!" Rita cried at the hanging planet before her.

Finster came running into the balcony room.

"Empress, I present to you the Sphnix," the dog-faced servant graciously announced .

Goldar's ally made his presence known.

"What are you doing here?! Get your smelly carcass through that dimensional time rip and help Goldar finish off that Ranger!"

Rita pointed her wand to the Sphnix. In a flash of red and white energy, the muscle-clad alien was teleported away.

* * * *

"Anything, Zordon?" Alpha inquired.

The inter-dimensional being grinned in delight.

"Dino is fine, Alpha Five. Has Jonathan received your signal?"

"I don't understand, Zordon. The signal went through, but there's no response. Could the communicators not be functioning properly?"

"Perhaps. Have you tried Christina, Justin, or Theo?"

"Twice already. Ay yi yi. I hope Dino's as fine as you say he is."

"It appears he may have to face the enemy alone."

The Command Center alarms were set off.

"What is it , Alpha?"

"There appears to be a dimensional rip somewhere in the skies of Angel Grove. Dino's red energy is detected."

"Of course," Zordon proclaimed. "How quickly I have forgotten. The red power has reached stage two and is attempting to reestablish a connection with our dimension."

"Doesn't this mean Dino's own strength has increased as well?"

"Yes, and just in time. No doubt Rita has placed Dino where his human lifeforce cannot withstand the conditions. His power coin is now guarding his body from the foreign elements. If I'm correct, Dino may need further assistance, Alpha Five."

"Ay yi yi! You mean--"

"Yes, Alpha. It's time."

* * * *

_______________________________________________

Dino

"Looks like your friend finally decided to show up."

Sphnix landed next to a weakened Goldar.

"Let's do this!"

* * * *

"Finster! Get your grovelling behind in here with my growth spells!"

The soft-spoken servant hurried back to the balcony with a small beaker filled with a green liquid in hand.

"As you requested, oh patient one."

"Hehe, excellent!" Rita cooed. "Gimme!"

Rita greedily snatched the beaker and absorbed all the contents through the ball attachment of her wand.

"Okay! Now let's see how it goes when Goldar and Sphnix grows!"

* * * *

______________________________________________

Dino

Sphnix and I charged toward eachother head on. Drawing my blaster into blade mode, I clashed my weapon against his. Sparks flew as the two metals met and then again following the second clash. Sphnix threw up a foot and knocked me back into a tumble to which I rebounded from with ease.

"Is that all you got?" I asked converting to blaster mode.

I fired at my muscular opponent and missed as he flew up in order to dodge the red hot lasers I was rapidly producing. Just before I could fire again, an unfamilar energy rained down from the sky. The red and white lightning consumed the winged aliens, the force of the strike sending the ground beneath me into a violent tremor. I fell to the ground as thirty-story versions of Goldar and Sphnix towered before me.

"Victory is Rita's!"

"Don't count on it, dog breath!"

Goldar and his pal each slammed a foot down trying to rid of me quickly. I tumbled off to the side as a cloud of dirt and sand flew up and covered me from their searching eyes.

"What now?" I asked myself ducking beside a boulder.

A twinkle from above caught my attention. An energy matching the same hue of red from my Ranger costume cackled down and smote the ground with great force. So great, the ground shook and continued until the point of what felt like an earthquake. Tumbling out the way, I watched the ground open up. A loud intimidating roar came from the ever-increasing canyon as it became ever so obvious what was coming out to meet me.

"Goldar, Sphnix, I'd like you to meet the Tyrannosaurus!"

The comrades exchanged reactions. Their faces were priceless.

"Say hello to my little friend!" I said leaping upward.

My powers carried me to the head of the Tyrannosaurus. Landing safely, I turned to face my challengers.

"Let's rock n' roll, bitches!"

I hopped into the cockpit of my robotic dinosaur ready to take action. Already I could feel my powers feeding me the necessary knowledge on how to get this thing up and running.

"Enough games. This ends now!" Goldar snorted angry as ever.

Him and Sphnix charged forward with swords out ready to slice and dice. I took ahold of my controls and spun the Tyrannosaurus into a 360. The tail swung and batted dumb and dumber into the neighboring mountain side.

"Score!"

Sphnix rebounded first and flew up into the air. Unexpectedly to myself, he shot lasers from his black stony eyes and hit the chest of the Tyrannosaurus with great force. Unable to keep steady, Tyrannosaurus fell over onto its side. My body rocked about the cockpit as sparks flew in my face from the machine's control panels.

"Blast him!" I heard Goldar say.

He and Sphnix joined their swords together and double-whammied the Tyrannosaurus with more fire power. Another round of sparks flew about upon impact. A blinking light on my dashboard caught my attention. Reaching out, I pressed down on the adjacent button that produced a small monitor.

"Red Ranger, are you alright?" I heard Zordon ask as a video transmission struggled to establish itself.

"So so. Just kind of laying around. Dude, I need help now!"

"I cannot get through to the other Power Rangers. Your and your zord must do this alone."

"Thanks for the pickmeup. Excuse me a sec. Goldar's about to kick my -- zord?"

"That blinking button; press it twice now."

Doing what I was told, I pressed the button twice. Mouth cannons engaged from Tyannosaurus' mouth and fired right away. Goldar took a hit as did the Sphnix. The two tumbled back in agony as my zord got itself up from its rocky bed.

"The other blinking button. Now," Zordon instructed.

Following through, Tyrannosaurus produced bright lasers from its eyes. The white lightning trecked along the ground until it hit both aliens at the feet. Goldar tumbled back again as Sphnix fell forward onto a smaller mountain.

"Quickly, Red Ranger. The cannons again."

'You got it, chief!"

The mouth canons engaged again and released a final and fatal blow to the Sphnix. The monster exploded into a cloud of fire and smoke, causing Goldar to retreat.

"This isn't over!" was the last thing he said before being zapped away by Rita no doubt.

"Oh hell yeah!" I said celebrating my victory.

"Congratulations, Red Ranger. You have defeated the Sphnix."

"I couldn't have done it without you, Zordon. Thanks."

I heard an ay yi yi off in the background.

"What's going on?" I asked concerned.

"Alpha's signal to your teammates for help was just received."

"Ha! A little too late now! Tell them I kicked some major alien ass and that I got to use a zord before any of them."

Rolling his eyes, Zordon instructed Alpha to teleport me back to Earth. Before he could, I had one last thing to say.

"Hey, Rita! If you can hear me -- rot in hell, motherfucker! The Power Rangers are here to stay."

_______________________________________________

Christina

Sunday night. ... It's really over now. It's all a blur now; the summer I mean. So much has happened. I've experienced so much. It's hard to decide which memory was my favorite, but I knew if I had to choose, it'd be becoming a Power Ranger. Dino told us all about his adventure with Goldar and the Sphnix. I never seen him so excited, so animated; not since we were together have I seen him like that. It was nice to see his spirits up again. As usual, me and my mom joined the Ricchinos for Sunday night dinner. I thought I'd be uncomfortable eating over there again with Dino next to me after his long absence, but I wasn't. Things were fine, but definitely not the same. We got the chance to talk alone for a few minutes out on the bench overlooking his mother's rose garden. Something's changing about the guy. I could tell before he even said he was going to change some of his habits and ways of looking at things. I admire Dino's maturity. I didn't count on it, but it makes me feel like -- I better not. As fickle as I have been lately, saying or thinking something about anything may not hold any truth at all.

______________________________________________

Dino

After speaking with Christina, I knew all the shit Andrea told me didn't matter anymore. It was time to put it all behind me now and move on to whatever's next. I thought I'd never hear myself say that. That's power rangering for you.

I left my house to go see Eric. I wanted to thank him again for his help. God knows I'd be dead right now if it weren't for Eric. He saved my life. It's weird isn't it? It takes a near-death experience to remove all those nasty hidden feelings you have toward someone. As much as I wanted to tell him of what happened Friday night with the Sphnix, I couldn't. I swore to secrecy that I wouldn't. He'd be proud, but I'm more proud of him. After all those things I said, it all kind of just went away as if it never happened. Maybe he was too drunk or high to remember. Either way, we're straight now with eachother and looking forward to getting through senior year -- together.

The End.