Chapter 02
.................
While the kids were waiting at the bus stop, Tommy had walked into to a surprise welcome home party. The fifteen-year-old was delighted to see his friends once more. Everyone agrees; it appears Tommy has changed. His long hair was gone. His skin had toned considerably and showed great maturity both in body and in his actions. It was like having the old Tommy back, or at least of awhile...
.................
"Mom, you can let go some time today," Tommy laughed as his mother held on tight to her youngest son.
"I love you so much. Welcome home, baby," Karen said eventually relinquishing her child from the prolonged embrace.
"Surprised, son?" Daniel Scott asked ushering them into the living room.
"You bet! You had me thinking nothing was planned," Tommy said still grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey, a little white lie was worth it," Tommy's father said embracing the teen once more.
"Sure, Dad."
Tommy was practically mobbed by his friends who anxiously awaited their turn to welcome him home.
"It's been way too long, man," said a teen in a navy blue polo and jeans.
"Rocky, mi amigo. You hit a growth spurt or something?" Tommy laughed poking fun at his long time friend.
"I could say the same for you! When did you grow muscles?"
"Try lifting weights for two hours a day six days a week. You might get some yourself."
"Nah, he's still the same old Tommy."
"ADAM. Man, what's up?" Tommy asked embracing the Korean teen next. "Where's your better half?"
"Um, Aisha?" Adam asked unsure whom he was referring to. "Her grandmother's in town. She'll try to swing by later if she can get a ride she said."
"Cool. You're looking good, man. Still training hard in Judo?"
"I test for my black belt next month," Adam humbly informed.
"Awesome," Tommy said beginning to greet his other friends next. "Aw man. Hold up. Where's Jase and Kim and the others?"
"I'm sorry, baby. I sent Jason out to get some of Ernie's key lime pie you like so much and it started pouring. Kim was with him," his mother explained.
"Oh?"
"Yes. As for Zack, Trini, and Billy, I'm not sure. There's still a monster warning out. I sure hope none of them are near that mess."
"We heard on the radio. It's over now anyway. I'm sure they're fine, Mom," Tommy said offering his confidence. "I still can't get over all that. Where do they come from?"
"No one knows," said Adam. "The Rangers just show up out of the sky when a monster comes kicking around the city. They've been great.'
"I haven't been able to see one photo of them because of camp. I'm dying to see what they look like."
"They're always on the news," said Mr. Scott. "With the rate these monsters and gray fellas keep appearing, who knows, you might run into one someday."
.............................
The Ranger teens were seated together inside the muggy city bus quietly waiting for their stop. Running from the canvas to the curb to meet the bus got all five of them more wet than before and in a slightly more unpleasant mood. Kimberly was still playing with her hair trying to get it back to a presentable state while Zack, Trini, and Billy sat staring wherever other eyes weren't meeting theirs. Jason was zoned out, but a reminder jolted the teen back to life.
"Oh my gosh," Jason muttered. "No. Way to go, Jase."
"Huh?" Kimberly asked continuing to brush her hair straight with her fingers. "What's the matter?"
"The pies. My mom wanted Ernie's pies. I'm so stupid."
"She'll live," Zack said.
"No, you don't understand. The pies are for Tommy."
"Okay. He'll live," Zack corrected.
"NO. The party is for Tommy, but it's really for my mom. You see, this day is all she has been talking about since forever when Tommy left. She wanted it to be perfect and me not showing up on time and without the pies is a big fat no no. We need to get off."
"Ha, you're joking, Jase. It's pouring," Zack said pointing to the window.
"Okay, you guys can go ahead. I'm going," Jason said reaching for the stop indicator.
"We're not letting you go alone," Trini said blocking his hand. "Right, Zack?"
Not an intimidating person by any means, Trini's stare had an effect of sorts on anyone who opposed her. Zack knew this.
"Right," the black teen sighed.
"All for one -- always."
.............................
"Finster!"
The dog-faced servant of Rita Repulsa instantly identified the angry growl. Goldar marched into the scientist's laboratory with a charred set of armor in one hand and his sword in the other.
"How can I be of service to you?" Finster asked sheepishly.
"Indestructible armor, huh? Ha!" Goldar said chucking the heap of metal at the alien's head.
Finster ducked as the armor met the wall and fell to the ground with a loud clang.
"Well it wouldn't have destructed if you used it properly," Finster rebuttaled.
"I'll show you proper!" Goldar said raising his sword.
"What's all this hollering about?" Rita asked coming into the laboratory, her hands planted on her waist.
"You saw how Finster's armor failed me, your wickedness," Goldar said lowering his sword. "I demand vengeance."
"Quit your bellyaching, monkey boy. Unless you can look up another monster matic operator in this side of the universe, then I'd gladly let you dispose of him. Until then, zip it!"
"Yes, my Queen."
"Finster, you twit! What do you have to say for yourself?" asked Rita.
"I have to say this armor is still good," Finster said bending down to pick up the mangled scraps of metal.
"Are you as blind as you are stupid? It's ruined!"
"Not quite. This unique metal comes all the way from Alazintari, Empress."
"Skip the spiel and get to the point, Finster!'
"Um, anyway, this metal can be reused though not in its previous form. It can be molded into armor again, but judging by the looks, only enough can be used for nothing more than a shield."
"I'm not impressed," Rita said turning to leave.
"A chest shield to be more specific," Finster said raising a finger. "You do know what I'm getting at, don't you, Empress?"
Rita turned to face her soft-spoken minion. Her demonic grin answered yes. Goldar too knew what Finster was implying.
"The green coin requires a chest shield to obtain a steady flow of power between the morpher and the coin itself, for the morpher technology is far more advanced than the original five, as denoted by its golden finish."
"Yes, I know. Go on."
"Plus, the shield does just that; it will shield the one who assumes the power."
"Well? Get to work, Finster! I want that shield pronto!"
.............................
"Still pretty awful out there I see," Ernie said seeing his five best customers approaching the juice bar in their wet attire.
"Tell me about it," said Kimberly.
"Ernie, be quick. I need two key lime pies," a stressed Jason said pulling up a stool. "Please."
"You got it, boss. Let me take care of those two over there first."
"Yeah. We were here first -- geeks," Bulk said from the other side of the juice bar.
"YEAH, geeks. Take a number!" Skull echoed.
"Chill you guys, okay?" Kimberly said taking a seat next to Jason.
"Yeah? And who's gonna make us?" Bulk said getting up from his stool, Skull following right behind in his shadow.
"Here we go again," Billy whispered to Trini.
"Bulk, now's not the time to start up. Annoy us some other time, would you?" Zack said ignoring eye contact with the beastly hoodlum.
"If Bulk wants to start up, then he'll start up! Right, Bulkie Boy?" Skull said pushing his portly friend, his hand slipping and pushing too hard for Bulk's liking.
"Guys, give 'em a break," Ernie said whipping out his order pad. "What can I get you?"
"Two banana milkshakes. On the double," ordered Bulk. "And step on it. We got work to do."
"You mean someone actually employed you two?" Kim asked.
"None of your business -- unless you want to go out tonight and I can tell you all about it, sweet lips," Skull said leaning against the counter.
"Get real, eel," Kim said turning the other way.
"Two banana shakes coming up. I'll get those pies for you in a minute, Jase," Ernie said going to work.
"Thanks, Ernie," said Jason.
.............................
"Alpha Five, what is the computer read out on Goldar's special armor say?" Zordon asked his trusted assistant.
The four-foot atmatron seemed puzzled as his digital scanner read through the printed data.
"So far nothing, Zordon," Alpha reported. "The metal is venerable, but not destructible. Perhaps that is why Goldar took it with him when he retreated."
"Indeed puzzling. Keep searching, Alpha. We are bound to found something."
"Ay yi yi. I hope you're right."
.............................
"Your shakes, gentlemen -- to go," Ernie said serving up two large cups of the thick yellow treat. "And Jason, your pies."
"Thanks, Er -- aw man, Ernie. You don't have the plastic containers?" asked Jason.
"Sorry. I have only the paper cake boxes to use until my shipment comes later today, providing it comes at all thanks to this weather we're having."
"Oh. Well is there something I can cover it with?"
"Napkins? Sorry, Jase. Plastics bags are on the shipment truck as well."
"You can use my jacket I guess," Billy said slipping off the blue windbreaker.
"It's alright, man. I don't want you to get soaked. We'll just have to make a run for it when the bus comes around and hope the boxes hold up," Jason said rising up.
"Add it to your tab?" Ernie asked.
"Please. Thanks again, Ernie."
"No problem. Be careful out there."
Jason, Zack, Trini, Billy, and Kimberly left the Youth Center and stood out under the covered entrance way. The storm hadn't let up at all and the bus would not be at the center for another couple of minutes according to the schedule Billy had crumpled away in the pocket of his overalls. Taking longer than anticipated, the bus pulled around the corner and on its way to the head of the Youth Center parking lot.
"Ready to make a break for it, guys?" Jason asked.
Together the five dashed out into the rain towards the slowing bus. As the driver pulled to a complete stop and released the doors, two more teenagers in yellow rain coats came zipping by on bicycles.
"Move it or lose it, tweebs!" Bulk hollered.
"YEAH!" Skull echoed again.
"The pies!" Jason yelled.
Bulk and Skull's bikes together created a hydroplane and drenched the pie boxes as well as the teens' lower halves. Skull's nausiating chortling could be heard off in the background.
"Augh! I can't believe this!" Kimberly screeched as she ran onto the bus first; Zack, Trini, and Billy following next.
"JASE, come on!" yelled Zack.
Realizing it was impossible to be any more frustrated, Jason boarded the bus. Both cardboard boxes were one hundred percent completely soaked.
"Are the pies okay?" Kimberly asked.
"I don't even want to know," Jason said setting the boxes down by his feet. "Can this day get any worse?"
The bus ride was another twenty minutes added to the teens' tardiness to Tommy's welcome home party. Once the bus reached Jason's subdivision, the gang made a run for it again down the main boulevard that connects to all the side streets in the neighborhood. Jason's was the third.
"This bites, this bites, this BITES!" Zack complained.
"We're almost there!" said Jason.
Dashing across the lawn, the five teenage superheroes came into the open garage of the Scotts Resident and practically collapsed in exhaustion. Jason set the boxes down and hit the garage door button to close the door.
"This is the thanks we get for saving the city?" Jason muttered under his breath.
Only Kimberly heard the boy's comment and frowned. She almost never hears Jason complain about anything; no matter how bad things get. That's part of what makes Jason an admirable person she felt. Kimberly offered a hand of support to her friend's damp shoulder.
"The good with the bad, you know?" Kim said.
"Tell me that tomorrow," Jason said ringing out the tail of his baseball tee.
Mr. Scott poked his head in the garage to see who had entered.
"Look who made it finally," Jason's father said looking to his elder son.
"Hey, Dad..."
"You all look pitiful," Daniel Scott said almost laughing. "I see you got the pies."
"Or some form of it anyhow," Kim murmured.
"Let me see," Mr. Scott said taking the pies from Jason's hands.
Daniel set the boxes on the table behind him and opened the flimsy box top to find a waterlogged key lime pie. The whip cream had dissolved and had started leaking white-colored water onto the ground.
"Well -- these are certainly not some of Ernie's best work," said Jason's father. "You guys go inside and dry up. I'll see what I can do with these."
Jason, too embarrassed to show it, led his friends inside hoping to avoid being seen by anybody. Without any luck, everyone was there in the kitchen eating pizza. Tommy looked up and saw the five standing there dripping head to toe. Daniel Scott was now behind them with the pies in hand.
"Oh no. Don't tell me," Mrs. Scott said cupping her face.
Mr. Scott opened the garbage can beside him and let the pies slide out their boxes in all their runny, watery glory.
"It's the thought that counts," said Tommy. "But next time, guys, just get me a card."
.................
While the kids were waiting at the bus stop, Tommy had walked into to a surprise welcome home party. The fifteen-year-old was delighted to see his friends once more. Everyone agrees; it appears Tommy has changed. His long hair was gone. His skin had toned considerably and showed great maturity both in body and in his actions. It was like having the old Tommy back, or at least of awhile...
.................
"Mom, you can let go some time today," Tommy laughed as his mother held on tight to her youngest son.
"I love you so much. Welcome home, baby," Karen said eventually relinquishing her child from the prolonged embrace.
"Surprised, son?" Daniel Scott asked ushering them into the living room.
"You bet! You had me thinking nothing was planned," Tommy said still grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey, a little white lie was worth it," Tommy's father said embracing the teen once more.
"Sure, Dad."
Tommy was practically mobbed by his friends who anxiously awaited their turn to welcome him home.
"It's been way too long, man," said a teen in a navy blue polo and jeans.
"Rocky, mi amigo. You hit a growth spurt or something?" Tommy laughed poking fun at his long time friend.
"I could say the same for you! When did you grow muscles?"
"Try lifting weights for two hours a day six days a week. You might get some yourself."
"Nah, he's still the same old Tommy."
"ADAM. Man, what's up?" Tommy asked embracing the Korean teen next. "Where's your better half?"
"Um, Aisha?" Adam asked unsure whom he was referring to. "Her grandmother's in town. She'll try to swing by later if she can get a ride she said."
"Cool. You're looking good, man. Still training hard in Judo?"
"I test for my black belt next month," Adam humbly informed.
"Awesome," Tommy said beginning to greet his other friends next. "Aw man. Hold up. Where's Jase and Kim and the others?"
"I'm sorry, baby. I sent Jason out to get some of Ernie's key lime pie you like so much and it started pouring. Kim was with him," his mother explained.
"Oh?"
"Yes. As for Zack, Trini, and Billy, I'm not sure. There's still a monster warning out. I sure hope none of them are near that mess."
"We heard on the radio. It's over now anyway. I'm sure they're fine, Mom," Tommy said offering his confidence. "I still can't get over all that. Where do they come from?"
"No one knows," said Adam. "The Rangers just show up out of the sky when a monster comes kicking around the city. They've been great.'
"I haven't been able to see one photo of them because of camp. I'm dying to see what they look like."
"They're always on the news," said Mr. Scott. "With the rate these monsters and gray fellas keep appearing, who knows, you might run into one someday."
.............................
The Ranger teens were seated together inside the muggy city bus quietly waiting for their stop. Running from the canvas to the curb to meet the bus got all five of them more wet than before and in a slightly more unpleasant mood. Kimberly was still playing with her hair trying to get it back to a presentable state while Zack, Trini, and Billy sat staring wherever other eyes weren't meeting theirs. Jason was zoned out, but a reminder jolted the teen back to life.
"Oh my gosh," Jason muttered. "No. Way to go, Jase."
"Huh?" Kimberly asked continuing to brush her hair straight with her fingers. "What's the matter?"
"The pies. My mom wanted Ernie's pies. I'm so stupid."
"She'll live," Zack said.
"No, you don't understand. The pies are for Tommy."
"Okay. He'll live," Zack corrected.
"NO. The party is for Tommy, but it's really for my mom. You see, this day is all she has been talking about since forever when Tommy left. She wanted it to be perfect and me not showing up on time and without the pies is a big fat no no. We need to get off."
"Ha, you're joking, Jase. It's pouring," Zack said pointing to the window.
"Okay, you guys can go ahead. I'm going," Jason said reaching for the stop indicator.
"We're not letting you go alone," Trini said blocking his hand. "Right, Zack?"
Not an intimidating person by any means, Trini's stare had an effect of sorts on anyone who opposed her. Zack knew this.
"Right," the black teen sighed.
"All for one -- always."
.............................
"Finster!"
The dog-faced servant of Rita Repulsa instantly identified the angry growl. Goldar marched into the scientist's laboratory with a charred set of armor in one hand and his sword in the other.
"How can I be of service to you?" Finster asked sheepishly.
"Indestructible armor, huh? Ha!" Goldar said chucking the heap of metal at the alien's head.
Finster ducked as the armor met the wall and fell to the ground with a loud clang.
"Well it wouldn't have destructed if you used it properly," Finster rebuttaled.
"I'll show you proper!" Goldar said raising his sword.
"What's all this hollering about?" Rita asked coming into the laboratory, her hands planted on her waist.
"You saw how Finster's armor failed me, your wickedness," Goldar said lowering his sword. "I demand vengeance."
"Quit your bellyaching, monkey boy. Unless you can look up another monster matic operator in this side of the universe, then I'd gladly let you dispose of him. Until then, zip it!"
"Yes, my Queen."
"Finster, you twit! What do you have to say for yourself?" asked Rita.
"I have to say this armor is still good," Finster said bending down to pick up the mangled scraps of metal.
"Are you as blind as you are stupid? It's ruined!"
"Not quite. This unique metal comes all the way from Alazintari, Empress."
"Skip the spiel and get to the point, Finster!'
"Um, anyway, this metal can be reused though not in its previous form. It can be molded into armor again, but judging by the looks, only enough can be used for nothing more than a shield."
"I'm not impressed," Rita said turning to leave.
"A chest shield to be more specific," Finster said raising a finger. "You do know what I'm getting at, don't you, Empress?"
Rita turned to face her soft-spoken minion. Her demonic grin answered yes. Goldar too knew what Finster was implying.
"The green coin requires a chest shield to obtain a steady flow of power between the morpher and the coin itself, for the morpher technology is far more advanced than the original five, as denoted by its golden finish."
"Yes, I know. Go on."
"Plus, the shield does just that; it will shield the one who assumes the power."
"Well? Get to work, Finster! I want that shield pronto!"
.............................
"Still pretty awful out there I see," Ernie said seeing his five best customers approaching the juice bar in their wet attire.
"Tell me about it," said Kimberly.
"Ernie, be quick. I need two key lime pies," a stressed Jason said pulling up a stool. "Please."
"You got it, boss. Let me take care of those two over there first."
"Yeah. We were here first -- geeks," Bulk said from the other side of the juice bar.
"YEAH, geeks. Take a number!" Skull echoed.
"Chill you guys, okay?" Kimberly said taking a seat next to Jason.
"Yeah? And who's gonna make us?" Bulk said getting up from his stool, Skull following right behind in his shadow.
"Here we go again," Billy whispered to Trini.
"Bulk, now's not the time to start up. Annoy us some other time, would you?" Zack said ignoring eye contact with the beastly hoodlum.
"If Bulk wants to start up, then he'll start up! Right, Bulkie Boy?" Skull said pushing his portly friend, his hand slipping and pushing too hard for Bulk's liking.
"Guys, give 'em a break," Ernie said whipping out his order pad. "What can I get you?"
"Two banana milkshakes. On the double," ordered Bulk. "And step on it. We got work to do."
"You mean someone actually employed you two?" Kim asked.
"None of your business -- unless you want to go out tonight and I can tell you all about it, sweet lips," Skull said leaning against the counter.
"Get real, eel," Kim said turning the other way.
"Two banana shakes coming up. I'll get those pies for you in a minute, Jase," Ernie said going to work.
"Thanks, Ernie," said Jason.
.............................
"Alpha Five, what is the computer read out on Goldar's special armor say?" Zordon asked his trusted assistant.
The four-foot atmatron seemed puzzled as his digital scanner read through the printed data.
"So far nothing, Zordon," Alpha reported. "The metal is venerable, but not destructible. Perhaps that is why Goldar took it with him when he retreated."
"Indeed puzzling. Keep searching, Alpha. We are bound to found something."
"Ay yi yi. I hope you're right."
.............................
"Your shakes, gentlemen -- to go," Ernie said serving up two large cups of the thick yellow treat. "And Jason, your pies."
"Thanks, Er -- aw man, Ernie. You don't have the plastic containers?" asked Jason.
"Sorry. I have only the paper cake boxes to use until my shipment comes later today, providing it comes at all thanks to this weather we're having."
"Oh. Well is there something I can cover it with?"
"Napkins? Sorry, Jase. Plastics bags are on the shipment truck as well."
"You can use my jacket I guess," Billy said slipping off the blue windbreaker.
"It's alright, man. I don't want you to get soaked. We'll just have to make a run for it when the bus comes around and hope the boxes hold up," Jason said rising up.
"Add it to your tab?" Ernie asked.
"Please. Thanks again, Ernie."
"No problem. Be careful out there."
Jason, Zack, Trini, Billy, and Kimberly left the Youth Center and stood out under the covered entrance way. The storm hadn't let up at all and the bus would not be at the center for another couple of minutes according to the schedule Billy had crumpled away in the pocket of his overalls. Taking longer than anticipated, the bus pulled around the corner and on its way to the head of the Youth Center parking lot.
"Ready to make a break for it, guys?" Jason asked.
Together the five dashed out into the rain towards the slowing bus. As the driver pulled to a complete stop and released the doors, two more teenagers in yellow rain coats came zipping by on bicycles.
"Move it or lose it, tweebs!" Bulk hollered.
"YEAH!" Skull echoed again.
"The pies!" Jason yelled.
Bulk and Skull's bikes together created a hydroplane and drenched the pie boxes as well as the teens' lower halves. Skull's nausiating chortling could be heard off in the background.
"Augh! I can't believe this!" Kimberly screeched as she ran onto the bus first; Zack, Trini, and Billy following next.
"JASE, come on!" yelled Zack.
Realizing it was impossible to be any more frustrated, Jason boarded the bus. Both cardboard boxes were one hundred percent completely soaked.
"Are the pies okay?" Kimberly asked.
"I don't even want to know," Jason said setting the boxes down by his feet. "Can this day get any worse?"
The bus ride was another twenty minutes added to the teens' tardiness to Tommy's welcome home party. Once the bus reached Jason's subdivision, the gang made a run for it again down the main boulevard that connects to all the side streets in the neighborhood. Jason's was the third.
"This bites, this bites, this BITES!" Zack complained.
"We're almost there!" said Jason.
Dashing across the lawn, the five teenage superheroes came into the open garage of the Scotts Resident and practically collapsed in exhaustion. Jason set the boxes down and hit the garage door button to close the door.
"This is the thanks we get for saving the city?" Jason muttered under his breath.
Only Kimberly heard the boy's comment and frowned. She almost never hears Jason complain about anything; no matter how bad things get. That's part of what makes Jason an admirable person she felt. Kimberly offered a hand of support to her friend's damp shoulder.
"The good with the bad, you know?" Kim said.
"Tell me that tomorrow," Jason said ringing out the tail of his baseball tee.
Mr. Scott poked his head in the garage to see who had entered.
"Look who made it finally," Jason's father said looking to his elder son.
"Hey, Dad..."
"You all look pitiful," Daniel Scott said almost laughing. "I see you got the pies."
"Or some form of it anyhow," Kim murmured.
"Let me see," Mr. Scott said taking the pies from Jason's hands.
Daniel set the boxes on the table behind him and opened the flimsy box top to find a waterlogged key lime pie. The whip cream had dissolved and had started leaking white-colored water onto the ground.
"Well -- these are certainly not some of Ernie's best work," said Jason's father. "You guys go inside and dry up. I'll see what I can do with these."
Jason, too embarrassed to show it, led his friends inside hoping to avoid being seen by anybody. Without any luck, everyone was there in the kitchen eating pizza. Tommy looked up and saw the five standing there dripping head to toe. Daniel Scott was now behind them with the pies in hand.
"Oh no. Don't tell me," Mrs. Scott said cupping her face.
Mr. Scott opened the garbage can beside him and let the pies slide out their boxes in all their runny, watery glory.
"It's the thought that counts," said Tommy. "But next time, guys, just get me a card."