Episode 2: The White Lion, The Firebird, and The Wolf
Eltar ( Year 2014)
At first, Jake wasn't sure it would be a good idea to land on this ship but as soon as he got there, he was allowed to land without an issue, and slowly, he got off the ship, looking at the people who were looking at him. It was almost as if they knew who he was or the power he had with him.
From all the people, a small robot ran towards him and Jake quickly recognized him from pictures. He smiled as the robot hugged him and looked up at him.
-You are Jacob, right? I remember seeing the day you were born… it was a great day here. -said Alpha 5.
-Really? -asked Jake.
-Of course! You are the son of two of our beloved Rangers. We were extremely happy! -said Alpha 5.
Jake smiled as he was brought inside the Palace and Alpha 5 presented him to the Council with reverence. The Council looked down at Jake, for the first time almost shy, and looked up at the men and women in front of him.
-Jacob Oliver Scott Kwan… the Ranger, Zordon believes you can defeat the Death Ranger- said a man.
-I don't know… he may have won a war but he didn't do it alone. -said another man.
-Well, if the records are correct he is not fighting alone this time, either…-said a woman.
-Uhm… I don't think he can do it.
Jake looked at them and honestly, he was getting tired from all their talk, even if some of it was interesting so he took a step forward, attracting the attention of the Council, and crossed his arms.
-Look, I know you rule this planet perfectly fine but Earth just finished a war, that we won, by the way. -said Jake-… everything was supposed to go back to normal but then, that Death Ranger came and took the energy of my family, ok? Not yours, mine! And all because he has something against Zordon. I don't care if you think I can do it or not, I'm doing it because the lives of my family, my friends, and the woman I love are in danger and you are not going to stop me.
For a long moment, the men and women just looked at Jake and then, they rose from their seats. Jake got silent, thinking he mess it up but the woman smiled and raised her hand, presenting in front of Jake, three small showcases with three different morphers.
Jake looked at them and then, one of the men looked at Alpha 5.
-Alpha, seems Zordon was right about this young man, please, give him Zordon's morpher and go with him. He and his friends will have to pass at least two tests to claim these morphers as their own. -said the man.
-Wait, tests? -asked Jake.
-Of course, Bastro has two guardians, the Firebird, and the Wolf, pass their test and not only you will get access to Bastro's morpher but you also will bring two of your friends back. -said the woman.
Jake looked confused until two images appeared in front of him. In one image, Conner was being hunted down by a Firebird, in the other, Mike was fighting a Samurai Wolf. Jake looked at them, worried when Alpha grabbed the white morpher with the face of the White Lion with his golden eyes and presented it to Jake.
-Put it on your wrist, Jake -said Alpha 5.
Jake did exactly what Alpha 5 told him to do and quickly, he felt the power of the White Lion overwhelm him, his aura became white and in front of the Council, Jake morphed into every Black and Green Ranger, ending with his Megaforce Black and Super Megaforce Green.
His morpher roared and Jake looked at it before he looked back up.
-I'm ready. -said, Jake.
-We see that now, Jacob… go and let the White Lion guide you in your quest. -said the woman-… good luck.
Jake nodded and then raised the morpher while Alpha 5 grabbed the other two morphers and he and Jake disappeared to pass the first test: The Fires of Hell.
SPD Headquarters (Years 2025)
-That morpher Jake wears now is Zordon's morpher. -said Kruger, at the surprised Rangers-… he can use it because he has Bastro… or better said Zordon's power but Conner and Mike had their history in this too.
-Conner is involved in this because he has the Universal Dino Gem? -asked Kira.
She wasn't comfortable. She was worried about her husband and Mike and Jake but she tried her best to remain calm since she already knew Conner was special, since the moment he received the Universal Dino Gem Power.
-Yes, Conner's sync with the Universal Dino Gem picked the Firebird's curiosity first but it was his bond with Jake that made it able to bring Conner to his realm -explained Sky.
-For Mike is more blood related…-said Syd-… Mike's great-grandfather was a fervent servant of the Order of the Wolf and he believed the legend about a Samurai saving a Wolf and his reward was to receive the power of that Wolf and become the most respected Samurai of his time.
Syd chuckled.
-What no one know is that is not like he believed the legend. He was a legend. When Mike's great-grandfather was a young Samurai he saved a Wolf and the Wolf gave him the chance to become what they call 'the Green Wolf'
Master Ji looked at Syd, surprised. He knew the legend but he never knew how it started and that Mike became from such an important family, around him, only Jayden and Lauren looked as if they knew what Syd was talking about.
-That's why Mike's family holds the Green color…-said, Lauren.
Jayden nodded and Syd looked at them, from all of them, her eyes focused on Emily that was too distraught to make sense of anything. She felt bad for her since Mike always told Syd, Emily was the sweetest girl in the world but she had hoped everything turned out for the best or at least, as best as it could be.
Bridge took a step towards the device and raised his hand to activate it but first, he looked at the Rangers, his eyes focused on the Dino Thunder Rangers.
-This part is about to appear and is not easy to watch. The Firebird is a good spirit but his test is made to allow the ones who take it to challenge his inner energy and give their best. -said Bridge.
The Dino Thunder Rangers stood together as Bridge finally activated the device and a new image was presented in front of them.
The Fires Of Hell (Year 2014)
When Jake and Alpha 5 appeared in the Fires of Hell, Jake instantly feel the heat and quickly took his hoodie off, tying it on his waist before he looked down at Alpha 5. The robot seemed fine and the morpher was fine too so Jake guessed that was one of the many perks of being human.
-What do we do now? -asked Alpha 5.
-I guess look for Conner and the Firebird…-started Jake.
He was cut off when he saw someone rolling on the ground and getting up, trying to escape from a gigantic Firebird that was chasing him. Jake smiled, raising his hand but when Conner saw him, he only managed to throw him and Alpha 5 to the ground before the Firebird flew over them.
-Hey, Conner. -said, Jake.
-Jake, what the hell are you doing here!? -asked Conner-… and why is that thing chasing me!?
-Because he is trying to figure out if you are worthy of its power. -said Alpha 5-… I'm Alpha 5!
-Alpha-5… wait, Tommy's Alpha 5!?
The robot nodded and Conner was about to say something else when the Firebird got him, dragging him along as the Firebird flew towards a volcano and sat down on the top, with Conner under him. Jake got up, quickly and helped Alpha 5 to get up.
-Alpha… what can we do? -asked Jake.
-Let's get there! Ay, Ay, Ay… I should have known, this test is going to be hard on Conner! -said Alpha 5-… we have to get there quickly!
Jake and Alpha 5 ran towards the top of the volcano, with some luck, they will get in time to save Conner from burning in this place.
Top Of The Volcano
Conner got up. His face and clothes were dirty and he was starting to get tired of this game. He looked up towards the Firebird when he saw his eyes shining red and suddenly, in front of him, Anton Mercer appeared.
But he was different… it was like…
This is your test, Conner McKnight. I brought back one of your worst nightmares and now you are alone to face it. -said the Firebird-… would you fight and defeat one of your best friend's father? Or will you die trying to save him?
Conner saw how Anton Mercer walked towards him. His whole body transformed into Mesogog but not his face, his face remained the same, a constant reminder to Conner about who he was fighting.
This will decide his future and yours.
Conner looked down at his morpher. Illusion or not this seemed to be his fight and if he wanted to be free of this place and this nightmare, he had to find a way to defeat Mesogog again but now, he was alone, his team, his wife, no one was here with him, besides, what if he hurt the real Anton Mercer by defeating this… whatever it was.
Conner sighed as this Mesogog called for his minions and he raised his morpher. He will have to fight until he figures out what to do.
-Dino Thunder! Power Up! Ha! -screamed Conner.
The Dino Thunder Red Ranger appeared and prepared for a long fight while his mind was racing to find a way to end with this Mesogog without hurting Mercer, illusion or not. He wasn't going to risk it.
SPD Headquarters (Year 2025)
-How is that possible!?
Trent was tense now, the fact that he could see Mesogog mixed with his father still gave him nightmares but his fears were nothing compared to having to face him, with Mercer's face and a bunch of minions, all in the top of a volcano.
-It was an illusion, in reality, your father was fine, Trent but Conner wasn't sure about that. -said Sky, smiling at the image-… he had all options open but tests or not, he was determined to separate that image of your father from Mesogog.
-But…-said Tommy, thinking-… the Universal Dino Gem Power?
-Ah… Conner always was driven by his emotions, so when he understood the power he was truly holding…-said Jack-… he used it.
Jack pressed the device and the Rangers looked again at the top of the volcano, where Jake and Alpha 5 just arrived.
Top Of The Volcano (Year 2014)
Jake ran towards Conner and with one jump, he pushed one of the minions away from him, at this point Conner was in his Super Dino Mode, fighting them all to get to Mesogog.
-Took your time. -said, Conner.
-Sorry, do you know how hard is to come up here? At least you came flying.
Conner used his staff to hit a minion and Jake jumped back, avoiding an attack then he jumped, kicking two minions, and hit another with his elbow that was coming from behind. Jake's morpher reacted and he looked down, Lion's eyes shining gold.
Use my power, Jacob. Say 'Lion Morpher, Activate! 'and close Lion's mouth on the morpher. Help Conner with these minions, his test is Mesogog, not them.
Jake nodded and jumped back, just enough to raise his morpher and do exactly was Bastro/Zordon told him to do.
-Lion Morpher! Activate! -screamed Jake, closing Lion's mouth.
His body was overwhelmed by white light and Jake's body was covered by white spandex, the same style as the Jungle Fury Rangers but this one had a black belt on Jake's waist and his gloves and boots were gold. On his chest, a Lion with his mouth open, as if it was about to attack and his helmet had the form of a Lion's face, making his visor smaller as it was the two eyes of the Lion.
Once morphed, Jake made his posture, very close to his father's, and prepared for battle.
-Lion Ranger! Ready! -screamed Jake.
Even Conner stopped fighting to look at him but quickly was thrown into the fight again as Mesogog grabbed him, pushing him away from Jake and Alpha 5. Jake tried to follow but he was ambushed by more minions he had to fight to get to Conner.
Meanwhile, Conner fell to the ground and Mesogog didn't lose the chance to stab Conner in the arm, breaking his suit and reaching the skin. Blood came out but Conner didn't give up, kicking Mesogog and rolling on the ground, grabbing his arm as he got up.
-Destroy me, Ranger!
Conner wanted to but he didn't know if he could. He didn't if this Mesogog was an illusion or real and he didn't want to kill Trent's father. He would never forgive himself.
-If you don't destroy me! I will destroy you!
Mesogog ran towards Conner and called for his sword, stabbing the Red Ranger on the shoulder, and pushing him against the wall, Conner screamed in pain, and Mesogog with Anton Mercer's face laughed, pushing the sword deeper.
-How does it feel, Conner? Don't worry. I will make sure your friends have quick death, even your precious wife… they all will become my pets, and then… my son… he will be my legacy…-said Mesogog.
Conner growled. He wasn't going to let that happen. He couldn't let him reach them, never. His morpher started to shine and deep inside, Conner knew what to do, he could feel Triassic and Tyranno inside him, telling him what he had to do to end this.
C'mon, master! You can do it!
Claim the power that is rightfully yours, Conner! End this nightmare!
Conner's morpher broke, making him lose his Ranger form as his Dino Gem changed, from Red to Silver with the rest of the colors of his teammates, Blue, Yellow, White, and Black were present too. The Dino Gem flew inside Conner as he grabbed Mesogog's sword and pulled it back from his wound then, the took the sword off Mesogog's hand and walked towards him.
The Firebird looked at the situation and lowered his head, interested while Jake kicked one more minion and looked at Conner, his power was like anything he has seen before and he wondered if that's what Gia and the others felt when he used Bastro.
Conner walked towards Mesogog and knelt in front of him, as Mesogog fell to the ground with Conner's push. Conner put a hand on Mesogog's/ Anton Mercer's face and looked at him.
-You will never hurt the people I love, Mesogog. I will never allow you to do it. -said Conner-… Universal Dino Gem, please, give me your power one more time and defeat this enemy.
The gem appeared in Conner's hand, between his hand and Mercer's face, and slowly, Mesogog was covered in a red fire that consumed him as he screamed until there was nothing but Anton Mercer, looking at him, confused.
-It's over, Mercer. -said, Conner.
Mercer looked at him and he disappeared in smoke just like the minion Jake was fighting. Jake ran towards Conner, losing his morph, and quickly hugged him when Conner fell to the ground, weak from the blood loss.
-Hey… it's ok… we will fix you at home. -said, Jake.
The Firebird put his head closer to them, making itself small, almost the same size Bastro was when he presented himself to Jake and flew towards Conner, landing on his chest it didn't burn him or Jake, who was holding Conner.
You showed great wisdom today, Conner McKnight. Not only fought with bravery but also manage to separate my illusions and defeat the evil… I think you deserve the power that I'm going to give you, please, carry it with you and help Bastro on his quest to defeat the dangerous Death Ranger.
The Firebird rested his head on Conner's chest and slowly, disappeared inside him, healing his wounds. Confused but thankful for the healing, Conner got up, helped by Jake, and then looked at his chest, now feeling warm and more powerful than before.
-Uh… what just happened? And who is that Death Ranger? -asked Conner.
-For the first question, I think you got a new power. -said Jake, growing serious-… for the second, I can explain later, for now, let Alpha 5 give you, your new morpher. We still have one more stop to make before we can go back home.
Alpha 5 came up to them and presented the morpher to Conner. This morpher had the face of a Firebird, but it was a mix between red and orange with the eyes bright yellow. It looked like his Dino morpher, now broken so Conner took it off, put it in his pocket, and put on the new morpher, which shone as soon as he had it on.
-I like it. -said Conner-… well then, Jake, where is our next stop.
Jake looked at Alpha 5 and sighed raising his morpher.
-To find Mike.
The three of them disappeared towards a new location, to get their next teammate while the fire consumed the Fires of Hell, waiting for the day another Master comes to them to rule the home of the burned.
SPD Headquarters /Medical Bay (Year 2025)
Dr. Kat Manx was checking the monitors again, hoping for any response when, suddenly, Conner's monitor spiked up Kat looked closer then, and she saw Mike doing the same and for a moment, Kat wondered if it was the machine until she got a steady spike.
No, it wasn't the machine… they were coming back.
-Oh My God… Jake was right… -said Kat.
She quickly ran towards the other side, calling for her assistants. She needed to make sure they were waking up when she saw Conner and Mike moving their hands and a red and green light, slowly, coming back to them.
Kat cried as she did her best to focus. They were coming back. Finally.
SPD Headquarters (Year 2025)
Everything was silent as the Dino Thunder team took the news slowly. Conner went from their leader to a Guardian and to do that, he managed to separate Mesogog from Anton Mercer, risking his life in the process.
For all of them hit differently. Ethan and Tommy seemed more worried about the consequences of this new power while Kira almost fainted when Conner was hurt and now she was left wondering how many dangerous situations she was going to see for Trent, the mix between worry and the knowledge that Conner would have died if that meant saving his dad, even if he was an illusion, made him feel nothing but deeply in debt with their leader.
Jake appeared again as a hologram in front of the Ranger, holding Conner's old Tyranno staff, and smiled, raising his head towards the Dino Thunder Rangers.
-Having Conner was a blessing. He gave me courage when I lost it and his confidence always made us believe everything was possible. -said Jake, looking down with a smile-… He was the best descendant you could ever ask for, Uncle Tommy. He never give up, not even when everything was lost and he became a true leader for several cadets here, at the Academy.
Jake got Conner's broken morpher from his pocket and put it on the table.
-I'm sure he would like to have this back. -said Jake-… don't let him forget I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him and Mike.
Jake disappeared and the SPD Rangers looked down. They knew more than they were saying but there was no time to ask when Jake's hologram was replaced by the image of Jake, Conner, and Alpha 5 appearing somewhere dark… like a dark forest.
-What is that place? -asked Kevin.
-That… the legend says is the home of the Green Wolf. -said Jayden, getting up.
-Bear!
At the tone of Mike's voice, Emily and the rest of the Samurai Rangers plus Mentor Ji got up. Mike's voice seemed furious and tired and then, they saw him, his face and body were covered in cuts but he was trying to fight as his green bear was trapped by minions.
-This is Mike's test…-said Syd, looking at the image sadly-… just like his great-grandfather had a choice to make, Mike had his but not without the Wolf pushing him to the limit.
Dark Forest ( Year 2014)
Jake, Conner, and Alpha 5 arrived at the Dark Forest when they heard the scream, quickly, the two Rangers and Alpha 5 ran towards the screen only to find Mike on his knees as his bear roared, trying to break himself free from the branches grabbing him.
You are a disgrace to the Samurais! I can't believe you come from my master's family!
Mike tried to get up but the Wolf hit him and made him roll, that's when Jake, Conner, and Alpha 5 ran towards him but branches grabbed them and pushed them against the nearest threes while the Wolf raised his head to look at them.
I understand your desire to help but if he wants to live, he must do it himself. -said the Wolf-… please, don't interfere.
-He is not a disgrace!
The Wolf gave his back to them and raised his hand, electrocuting the Rangers and Alpha 5 that screamed in pain. Mike opened his eyes and looked at them then, he heard his bear and his fury only grow as he got up, grabbing his sword.
-What do you want from me!?
Mike tried to attack the Wolf but he kicked Mike in the stomach, making him knelt and then looked down at him as if he meant nothing.
Make a choice, Michael…. Do you want to save your precious Bear? Or the newcomers?
-What?
You heard me.
Mike looked up, first at his Bear and then at Jake, Conner, and Alpha 5. He didn't want to make a choice but he didn't know what to do until he remembered his team and the way they used to do things when the choice presented was hard.
It wasn't a matter of who he had to save. It was a matter of how to save them all.
If you don't make a choice. I will eliminate them all.
Mike blocked any tension from his mind and body and took a deep breath for a few seconds, just like Mentor and Jayden teach them, then, when made his choice, he opened his eyes but said nothing, like Kevin and Mia used to advise him and a smirk appear in his face. The kid in Mike comes out to play just like it did with Antonio but at the same time the great sense of responsibility and desire to protect overwhelmed him, just like it happened with Emily.
He knew what to do…
Mike took several steps towards his bear, making the Wolf think he made a choice and when the Wolf raises his hand to end with Jake, Conner, and Alpha 5, Mike turns around, creating a symbol that hits the branches before Wolf's attacks does, freeing the Rangers and Alpha 5 right before the attacks him them.
Then, Mike uses the same symbol on his bear, freeing him and hugging him when suddenly, he is pushed towards three, with the Wolf putting his sword on Jake's throat and growling at him.
Are you playing with me, child!?
-No… -said Mike-… I know I'm not good enough. I'm probably the worst Samurai who ever existed but I know what I will never do, Wolf. I will never sacrifice my friends.
The Wolf looked at Mike for a few minutes and then, lowered his sword, putting it back on his belt. He took a few steps back and looked at the Samurai Ranger before he knelt in front of him, offering his sword.
I may have been wrong about you, Michael. You seem to have your family's qualities and for that, I offer my power to you in exchange for you guarding Bastro against the Death Ranger. He is lethal and won't stop until your friend and Bastro are dead so protect him and I will make sure you have all the power I can give you.
Mike looked at the Wolf for a few moments, not understanding what he was talking about but feeling as if it was extremely important, trusting his instincts, Mike grabbed the sword and saw the Wolf disappear in a Greenlight that went to his chest.
Mike looked at the sword when he noticed people running towards him and he saw Jake, Conner, and a robot that quickly gave him a green morpher with the image of a Wolf with grey eyes.
-This is your new morpher, Jake. Now that you have the spirit of the Wolf. -said Jake, showing him the Lion Morpher.
-I got one too. -said Conner, showing him the Firebird morpher.
Mike grabbed the morpher and put it on his wrist, the grey eyes shine before Mike took a look at it, and then he looked at Jake, still wondering about what the Wolf told him.
-Who is that Death Ranger? And why I was asked to protect you and Bastro?
Jake looks at Alpha 5 and then sighs, this is not going to be easy to explain but he didn't want to do it here. He wanted to go back and see how everyone was and how he could explain what happened to Conner and Mike.
-Let's go back to the real world and then I can explain what is going on. -said Jake, scratching his head-… is not going to be easy to understand but if we are doing this together, you need to know everything.
-Of course, don't worry, Jake. We are behind you, no matter what. -said, Mike.
-Yeah… God knows ancestral animals or not, we will get our ass kicked if we don't take care of the baby Ranger. -said, Conner.
Mike laughed and Jake rolled his eyes while Conner passed an arm over his shoulder, Alpha 5 looked at them, clapping as they went back to the real world and the small robot felt that this time, they found the right team.
This time, things could end differently.
SPD Headquarters (Years 2025)
-That is how everything started, Rangers. Once Jake, Conner, and Mike got their morphers, their destiny was sealed. -explained Kruger-… the power they received will be the only line of defense we had for the Death Ranger and…
Suddenly the doors opened and Kat Manx walked into the room. She had tears in her eyes but she was smiling, confused, the SPD Rangers and Kruger got up and took a step towards her when they noticed three shadows behind them.
The SPD Rangers and Kruger stopped, all of them except Sky and Syd that took another step, their eyes burning with tears as the shadows stepped forward, showing their faces.
The Rangers felt their mouths hit the ground when they saw Alpha 5 and behind them, the hologram of Jake appeared again, smiling towards the door as the two men came forward, one with a cane, the other one with his neck covered.
-Welcome back, Conner and Mike. -said Jake, smiling.
In front of the Rangers, a blind Conner and a silent Mike appeared with Alpha 5 and stood in front of the Rangers as they looked at them, without believing that they were real.