Power Rangers: Fusion

Episode X: Village of the Porcupine

"I have an idea," Kira said as she was reminiscing on her memories as a dino ranger.

Her and Zeke were in the garage. Zeke was giving his 300Ze a tune-up and she was just talking to him. She hadn't gotten so much as a word since he started but she knew he was listening.

"What's that?" Zeke asked.

"Maybe you should build a Battlizer?"

Zeke's gaze didn't stray from his work but his face displayed confusion. "A what?"

"A Battlizer. All the red rangers got em'."

"What is it?"

"A powerful suit of armor that can change the course of a battle in seconds. Conner, the red dino ranger had one that was pretty cool."

Zeke still didn't stop his tune-up but you could tell he was thinking about it. "That would be a big help but I wouldn't know where to start."

"I can get Hayley to help. She's a genius at this stuff. She created all the Dino Zords we used."

This time Zeke stopped his work and looked at Kira. "She makes zords?"

Kira nodded.

"Maybe," Zeke said as he went back to his tune-up.

"It definitely wouldn't hurt."

"Sounds like a plan and since it was your's you can help me."

"Alright but no obsessing over it like you did with that last thing."

"Hey, now that was for Master Fireseed and it needed to get done well before then."

"You had twenty years to do it."

"But in twenty years I didn't know he lived off the power of the Blue Fusion Crystal."

"Really, he didn't tell you?"

Zeke shook his head.

Kira shrugged. "Anyway, we're going for a ride after this right?"

"If you'd like?"

"I would."

"Then, that's what we'll do."

Kira smiled. She loved it when he drove it was relaxing.

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Andros walked through the vast forest. Since Andrix has been pretty inactive lately, Andros requested that he be aloud to search for his power ball. His power ball was the number two and was called the Porcupine Gloves. That was all he knew and that in the battle hundreds of years ago this was around where they ended up. He had been searching the forests by himself equipped only with his morpher and a green utility pack called a Power Box. It contained a roll-out sleeping bag, water, scanner, rations, soap, and a flotation device. Andros was in his grey uniform with a green shirt and the jacket was tied to his waist. Although now his grey uniform wasn't so grey anymore due to the fact that he had been wandering this forest for a few days by now.

He continued to cut through the thick brush of the forest with his saberpistol until he cut through one bush and on the other side found a field. It was more like a plantation with row after row growing crops.

Wow! Master Fireseed said this area was supposedly uninhabited. That's strange, the old guy's never wrong.

Andros walked through the fields careful not to step on anything. As he continued a village came into view from behind the forest. The village was small, no more than fifteen houses at the most. Andros expected these people to be unfriendly especially since this place didn't seem to even exist especially if Master Fireseed didn't know about it.

Andros flipped open his morpher and pressed a button. "Master Fireseed, did you know there was a village out here?"

"There shouldn't be anything out there," Master Fireseed said puzzled.

"Look," Andros said as he pointed the screen of his morpher towards the village.

"When did that get there?" Master Fireseed pondered. "Oh well. Regardless, you have to find the Porcupine Gloves."

"On it. Andros out."

Andros was curious about this village so he continued through the field. When he got into the village it was barren. Not one person in sight and it wasn't like there was a bar or something that he could go into and start questioning people. At least it didn't look like it. Andros sighed in disappointment and decided to just pass on through. He didn't get half way across the small village when he heard the sound of very loud scurrying and not only was it loud but it rattled the ground beneath him.

Andros slowly turned around to see two robotic porcupines looking right at him. They were the size of at least two houses and were metallic brown with huge spikes protruding from their backs.

"Hey guys, peace," Andros said.

The porcupines however didn't agree as they veered back and tried to stomp Andros into the ground. Andros did a couple quick back flips and avoided the gruesome death. The porcupines however didn't give up as they both advanced towards him. Andros ran toward one and jumped onto its back. As quickly as he got on he was thrown off. He landed and rolled a couple meters before coming to his feet.

Andros performed the Fusion Kata. "Rhino Fusion: Green!"

He was hoping the porcupines would recognize him but his efforts were useless. They started a charge. One slid to the side knocking him across the village. The other one ran full sprint to the other side and caught Andros in its mouth like a frisbee and tossed him as so. The other porcupine jumped and rammed Andros with its head sending him back the other way. Andros hit the ground rolling around in pain. He tried to get up but was gladly assisted by one of the porcupines who sent him straight into the air with its mouth. He had almost touched ground when the other one grabbed him with its mouth and then slammed him further into the ground. Andros leapt to his feet.

"Alright, porcupines, I've had enou..." Andros couldn't complete his sentence because in the next instant he was on the ground across the village due to a strong head butt from one of the porcupines.

Andros grabbed his saberpistol and opened a barrage of green laser fire onto the porcupines. The porcupines were hit a few times before they decided to take cover behind houses. One of the porcupines jumped from behind its cover and over top of Andros. Andros ran but the shadow still loomed as it came down. Realizing he had no chance of making it, he instead decided to leap toward the middle. He rolled to a knee and held his arms high. The porcupine landed on Andros who's Rhino Strength held him above the ground. The porcupine wiggled around trying to free itself. Andros stood up porcupine held high. The other one came to its partner's rescue. As soon as he got close Andros tossed the porcupine at the other one. They both tumbled backward.

Andros struck a victorious pose and laughed with it. The porcupines recovered and charged toward him. Andros ran full sprint at the one on his left. When they were close Andros grabbed the porcupine by its head and swung it around and into the other one. Andros laughed again but could tell the feeling wasn't mutual. These robotic porcupines looked pissed.

The two porcupines rolled into balls and started to roll toward him. Andros knew rolling balls of spikes were too much so he ran toward the forest. The spike balls were getting closer but Andros knew he could lose them in the thick forest. Once he was inside he jumped to the side and let the porcupines roll by plowing down part of the forest. The balls cam undone as if they knew they weren't chasing him anymore.

They probably do know. What can I do to get these things to realize they belong to me? Andros thought on this for a short second and then it came to him. Of course, the Rhino Zord.

Andros stood up and performed the Zord Kata. "Green Rhino Fusion Zord!"

The armor plates that covered his body completely came off and formed back into Green Rhino. Green Rhino leapt into the air and was swept away by a green wave of water that transformed him into the enormous Green Rhino Zord. Andros opened a portal that sent him to the cockpit. The porcupines looked in awe. The porcupines excitedly ran towards the Green Rhino Zord and hugged its legs.

"Yes! It worked!" Andros said in excitement.

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Later that night, Andros had been invited into the mayor's house by the mayor himself. He had taken the first shower he had taken in days and had fresh clothes loaned to him while his uniform was getting washed. On top of that, he just got done eating the first cooked meal he had in days.

"Thank you so much for inviting me over," Andros said patting his full stomach.

"It's no problem," the mayor said. "Any friend of the porcupines is a friend of mine."

"So, Mr. Mayor, what's the deal with those things?"

"Please, call me John and the porcupines have been in this village since before I was born. Thanks to them this village is as independent as it is. I'm sure you saw the vast fields we have around the village. All thanks to the porcupines."

"Really?" Andros asked.

John simply nodded happily. "Don't get me wrong, the village does most of the work in the fields but they would never be that vast if it weren't for them."

"Don't know much about farming but it makes sense."

"The porcupines used to be a set of hills known as the Spike Slants until my great grandfather figured out they were robotic beings covered with soil and grass. These things are centuries old. I wonder sometimes how something that old could be so advanced. After my great grandfather found them, he started this village for people who desire the simple life."

"And they serve as great guards as well," Andros said sarcastically.

"They sure do as you have figured out. Ever since my great grandfather founded this place it's been cursed."

"Cursed?"

"More like plagued. The soil around here's the best you can get but it comes with a price. There is a demon out there who eats our fruit. The porcupines have kept this demon at bay for decades but it is too strong to just destroy."

"Listen, I'm not here because of some accident. The porcupines are part of the technology that fuels us, the Power Rangers. We need the porcupines so we can combine them with our zords."

"Zords? Is that the big rhino you have?"

"Yes."

"If you get rid of this demon and agree to allow the porcupines to help when needed you can take them. The village will miss them but you have the whole planet to protect and that seems more important."

"Your not making a mistake, John, I promise."

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Andrix was infuriated when the demon he had banished from his ranks long ago had a power ranger in his grasp. He had left his underwater castle and was now in the forest by a meadow, exactly where Fruition said he'd be.

"Greetings, Andrix," Fruition said.

"I'm surprised, I didn't even hear you coming," Andrix said cooly. "Now tell me about this ranger."

"Who do you think you're talking to, you're not in charge of me!" Fruition shouted trying to sound tough.

Andrix turned to reveal a smirk and a perched eyebrow. "You have changed Fruition."

Andrix quickly advanced on Fruition and grabbed his arm, twisted it around and held his head down while holding his arm in a position where he could snap it at a moment's notice.

"But some things never change! You are a demon and you will do as I command! I'm not going to make any deals with you! You will do what I tell you unless you'd like for me to end your miserable life right here!"

"No, please, Andrix! I just want to be back with the other demons!"

"After your treachery! Never!"

Fruition looked up at Andrix with pain written on his face. "Then you'll never find the ranger!"

Andrix thought about this for a moment and figured the odds. Fruition was pathetic and annoying. Even if he used the power of the Gargantuan Gauntlet the ranger would still kill him easily. Andrix decided to go along with it because whichever side is victorious, he will benefit. If the ranger wins, Fruition is gone and if Fruition wins, that's one ranger out of the way and then he can just kill Fruition later. His plan was a gambit but not one he was banking on so it concerned him little.

"Alright, Fruition, you win," Andrix said as he released his arm. "I want those rangers out of the way more than anything. I will help you with this."

"The Gargantuan Gauntlet! How did you find it?"

"Let's just say it was in the last place I looked and leave it at that."

Fruition nodded.

"You're going to draw the ranger outside and then when he's out I'll make you grow and you can finish that ranger off. Then and only then will I revoke your banishment."

"As you wish, my lord!" Fruition said excitedly combined with a bow.

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Andros woke up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Today he was going to hunt down the demon and finish his power ball quest. He stumbled over to the window and looked out onto the vast fields. They were charming in a way. He could see why the porcupines enjoyed this place. He thought he saw something move but wasn't sure so he rubbed his eyes again and saw that his suspicion was correct.

In broad daylight? Something's not right. He knows I'm here and I'm not gonna disappoint him.

Just then John opened the door.

"I know, I'm on it," Andros said before John could say a word.

Andros grabbed his morpher and put it around his wrist. "Rhino Fusion: Green!"

In seconds he was morphed. He walked through the house and outside the back. The two porcupines were already on the attack. Andros ran into the battle.

"Rhino Horn Blade!" he shouted as he pulled the blade from his back and jumped into the air coming down on the demon.

The demon did a series of back flips and then settled in his attack position. This creature was all black scaled with glowing red eyes and blunt teeth probably because he doesn't feast on flesh.

"And just who are you? Fruitcake? Fruit Basket? Fruit Ball?" Andros asked sarcastically.

"Oh yes, the insults. How mature. If you must know, I am Fruition and you will do best to know that name for it will be the one that brings your death."

"I've seen a terd I was more afraid of. Porcupines, I got this one."

Fruition screamed as he charged. Andros jumped over the charging demon and then spun around with a kick that sent him stumbling forward. Fruition turned and fired a beam from his hand. Andros leapt sideways and pulled out his saberpistol and opened fire on the demon.

"Get im' porcupines!" Andros shouted.

The porcupines ran at Fruition. One of them rammed him and sent him flying back. Fruition recovered and fired his beams at the porcupines but they didn't stop. Allowing the porcupines to distract Fruition, Andros ran towards him and jumped into the air, turned his Rhino Horn Blade downward and then landed on Fruition's back and sticking his sword completely through his back. Fruition screamed as he hit the ground, a pool of his blood forming beneath him.

"Unfortunately for both of us, ranger, he's not through yet," a voice said as if from nowhere.

Andros searched his surroundings to find a tall red demon. "You coming to get some too?"

The red demon laughed maniacally. "Do you know who I am? I am the king of all demons, Andrix!"

Andros' heart suddenly skipped a beat. He had never seen Andrix before and never wanted to. He could feel the power from this demon and it sent chills through his body but he knew what he had to do. He flipped open his morpher.

"Don't bother calling the others, green ranger. I am not going to fight you, not yet anyway. You will fight this pitiful excuse for a demon and you will win taking this nuisance off my scales."

"And if I don't?"

"Oh, you will because if you don't I'll command him to destroy the village and then if you still don't feel like killing him, I'll let him have some fun in Scale Harbor so you will destroy him."

A ball of red energy appeared in Andrix's hand. He launched at the downed Fruition and he grew.

"Have fun, green ranger," Andrix said as he disappeared.

Andros performed the Zord Kata. "Green Rhino Fusion Zord!"

His armor left him and transformed into its zord form. Andros opened a portal onto the elevator and rode it into the cockpit where he sat down and grabbed the controls.

"You porcupines ready?" he asked.

The porcupines chirped in agreement. They both jumped into the air and rolled themselves into balls. Andros moved the head of Green Rhino and batted the balled up porcupines at Fruition. They struck him and then Andros charged full speed at the demon and impaled him on his horn. Green Rhino moved its head side to side in a rapid motion and then a swift upward one that sent him into the air. The two porcupines jumped off the back of Green Rhino and stuck themselves onto Fruition's face. The demon landed on the ground and began clawing at his face in an attempt to get the porcupines off.

Andros smirked and sent the controls forward. Green Rhino picked up speed toward Fruition. Green Rhino, now at full speed rammed his horn into Fruition's chest and then ripping it from underneath his skin. The porcupines jumped onto Green Rhino's back and started to jump around happily.

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"This village is indebted to you, Andros," John said as he extended his hand.

Andros shook his hand firmly. "It's no problem."

"As I promised, the porcupines are your's. If you're ever passing through, don't be afraid to stop by."

"Don't worry, I won't," Andros replied as he opened his morpher. "Fusia, we're gonna need a good sized portal for these porcupines."

"You have succeeded in your retrieval. Master Fireseed will be pleased."

"Thanks Fusia."

"Portal opening in five seconds at your position."

The portal appeared and the porcupines went through. Andros shook John's hand once more before passing through.

The End