Chapter Fourteen
Command Center
September 7, 2017
Friday
3:40 p.m
After waiting a few moments Zordon began to tell his story, "the original power rangers started with myself the original red ranger and my best friend the original green ranger Rita. Through our combined magic we were able to create six power coins with near limitless power. We sought to protect the galaxy from evil and recruited four others in our cause. Sadly, Rita began using her power to conquer instead of protect and she began growing more and more violent. She had to be stopped, the entire team agreed. She killed our allies and the battle ended with her destroying my physical body and I was able to seal her in the space dumpster. I never imagined she still had her dragon coin, nor did I ever expect her to choose a warrior of her own. Rangers this was a very dark time in my life, I failed as a ranger, a leader, and as a friend."
The rangers all stood silent thinking about the story Zordan told them. AJ was the first one to step forward "Zordan, if you can promise there will be no more secrets between us I will continue to fight the good fight until my dying breath."
Slowly all the other rangers also stepped forward showing solidarity with their leader AJ.
"Thank you rangers, I may have failed as a leader, but I hope to atone for my past mistakes by being a better mentor" Zordan said sagely.
Rita's Moonbase
September 7, 2017
Friday
3:40 p.m
While the rangers were having their conversation with Zordan a similar discussion was happening with Rita and her forces. Rita sat at her throne with Goldar, Scorpina, Finster, and Enzo.
"My empress, I have failed you, the red ranger was able to escape before I could finish him" Enzo said.
"You have done well my green ranger, the red ranger was no match for you" Rita responded with a smile.
"I softened him up," Goldar said angrily.
"You mean I saved you before the red ranger could destroy you yes" Enzo quipped back.
"Ranger or not you will respect me" Goldar snarled.
"Goldar, that is enough," Rita said with a tone of finality.
"The red ranger is a resilient one, do not underestimate him" Rita warned.
"My apologies, my empress, what would you like me to do next?" Enzo asked.
"I have a test for you, I have a powerful weapon I wish to give you called the sword of darkness, but you must prove yourself worthy" Rita said.
"I am ready, my empress," Enzo said.
With those words said, Rita transported Enzo to her dark dimension.
Cook's Residence
September 7, 2017
Friday
4:00 p.m
After their conversation with Zordan the rangers needed some time to take everything in. Marseano went back to inventing with Alpha, Katrina and Hezekiah went to his house to spend some time together which left Jasmine to make sure AJ got home alright. Secretly everyone knew those two needed to talk so they gave them some alone time. After teleporting back to the park they took a short car ride back to AJ's house. The ride was silent, both not knowing whether it was because of the tension between them or the bomb Zordan dropped on them.
"Just give me a few minutes to recover and I can take you home, Jas" AJ said as he got out of the car.
"No rush, besides I think we need to talk" Jasmine replied with a weak smile.
AJ motioned for her to follow him to the backyard where they sat under a tree.
"So what did you want to tell me before I had to fight for my life again?" AJ joked.
"I'm afraid AJ" Jasmine said in a low voice.
Before AJ could interject Jasmine raised her hand to cut him off "I just feel like with so much going on, I may lose you before I get the chance to tell you how I really feel. I've been so caught up with the extra attention that I didn't think about how you were holding up with everything. This isn't how I wanted things to happen, but I got a birthday wish that I've wished for year after year and that was a kiss from you. Things won't get any easier for us as rangers or at school, but I want to be with you no matter what."
AJ was left speechless as Jasmine's words hit him. He pulled her into a hug, surprising her. He looked into her eyes and had to admit he never felt this way when he would look at Monique. He leaned in and his lips connected with Jasmine's. The kiss started out slow before Jasmine became more passionate and slipped her tongue into AJ's mouth. They were interrupted by the sound of a camera click. The duo quickly broke apart to see Mrs. Cook with a camera.
"MOM, not cool" AJ yelled as Jasmine tried to cover her blushing cheeks.
"But you both looked so cute and I wanted to capture the moment," Mrs. Cook replied with a smile.
Moore Residence
September 7, 2017
Friday
4:00 p.m
Hezekiah and Katrina were sitting in Hezekiah's living room enjoying a nice movie. Katrina laid in Hezekiah's lap as they sat peacefully on the couch. Hezekiah started to run his fingers through her long jet black hair "do you think AJ and Jasmine are going to be ok?"
Katrina let out a sigh "I hope so, they have a lot of people against them."
"Armon, Latyff, Davon, and Monqiue all have it out for them" Hez sighed.
"Don't worry, they have us to back them up, besides AJ isn't going to just roll over for them" Katrina said with a smile.
"I hope so, I'm pretty sure AJ can take it, but what about Jasmine?" Hez asked.
"This isn't how she wanted it to happen, but you know as well as I do how long she's been silently chasing him," Katrina said.
"What are your thoughts on Zordon and this whole Green Ranger fiasco?" Hez questioned.
"I'm not too sure, AJ said he fought that lizard monster and Goldar before fighting the green ranger so we don't know how strong he really is" Katrina thought aloud.
"Did AJ say anything to you about him?" she asked.
"I think he knows or at least thinks something, but he doesn't want us to worry until he's sure," Hez replied with a shrug.
"Typical AJ, anyway about the Zordon situation I know we said we would continue to fight, but if he withholds any more information I'm turning in my power coin" Katrina joked.
"I'm right there with you, AJ almost died again because Zordon wasn't entirely honest with us, but can you imagine Rita as a power ranger?" Hez asked.
"I really can't picture her as the savior type," Katrina replied with a chuckle.
Rita's Dark Dimension
September 7, 2017
Friday
4:00 p.m
Enzo found himself in Rita's dark dimension surrounded by darkness. He was unmorphed and noticed he didn't have his power coin and rationalized it was a part of his test. After walking aimlessly he realized he wasn't actually going anywhere and he was only tiring himself out. Instead of wasting his energy he took a seat and began meditating. When Enzo opened his eyes he was at a beach and noticed a platoon of putty appeared. Enzo slowly stood to his feet and dropped into a fighting stance. Two of the putties rushed at him to start the battle off. Enzo was prepared as he immediately side kicked the first one before connecting with a vicious hook kick to the second. A third grabbed him from behind as a fourth began punching him in the body. Enzo steeled himself as he jumped up planting both of his feet into the patties chest before falling to the ground. He managed to quickly roll and deliver a vicious elbow to the back of the fifth putties head. Enzo kipped up back into his fighting stance as he looked at the army in front of him "who's next?"
Command Center
September 7th. 2017
Friday
5:00 p.m.
The rangers were interrupted from their time off when news reports of a giant monster called them to action. Everyone teleported to the command center to prepare for the battle ahead.
"Zordon, what are we dealing with?" AJ asked.
"I am unsure, but Rita created a new monster, the Fighting Flee to wreak havoc downtown," came Zordon's reply.
"I don't understand Zordon, Rita never starts with a giant monster," Marseano said, confused.
"It might be a trap," Katrina added.
"Either way we don't have a choice, you guys ready to grab the zords?" AJ asked.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"Alright, IT'S MORPHIN TIME"
"MASTODON"
"PTERODACTYL"
"TRICERATOPS"
"SABERTOOTH TIGER"
"TYRANNOSAURUS"
"All right rangers, let's hit 'em hard and fast, megazord mode activated" AJ yelled as the zords began to form.
The megazord fully assembled the rangers braced themselves for battle.
Rita's Dark Dimension
September 7, 2017
Friday
5:00 p.m.
Enzo destroyed upwards of fifty putties, but they didn't seem to be slowing down in the slightest. He slowly was becoming more and more fatigued as the waves of putties kept coming. A putty grabbed him from behind, placing him in a chokehold. Enzo used his elbow to strike the putty before throwing it over his shoulder and gasping for air. Another came forward and tried to deliver a body level kick. Enzo took the hit and slightly stumbled, but managed to grab its leg and kick out the other effectively sweeping it. As the putty hit the ground Enzo stomped on its head. Suddenly the putties all kneeled as Goldar slowly made his way forward.
"This is the final part of your test, human" Goldar snarled, clearly unhappy.
"I see, Rita is testing me against her disgraced general" Enzo replied.
"You have dug your own grave human, I was going to go easy on you but you will receive no mercy from me" Goldar said as he got into a fighting stance.
"What's this, you're too good to raise your sword against me?" Enzo asked intrigued.
"I have my orders, be lucky I can't kill you here, but I can break you," Goldar said.
Enzo dropped into his fighting stance as he waited for Goldar to make the first move. Goldar rushed in with a fist aimed for Enzo's face. Ezo was prepared and slipped the punch before delivering a counter hook that connected flush. Enzo shook his hand in pain as he realized Goldar's armor was actually made of gold and not just for show.
"Do you know how unwinnable your situation is now human?" Goldar taunted.
Enzo looked at his now busted knuckles and scowled before rushing back in. Enzo came back, throwing several kicks that Goldar managed to evade or block. Before he fired back with a kick to the chest that sent Enzo flying. Enzo slowly made his way to his feet coughing violently trying to get the air back into his lunges. Goldar rushed forward delivering a flurry of punches that Enzo had no choice but to try and block. Enzo absorbed a lot of damage on his arms as he tried to power through the onslaught of attacks. Enzo capitalized when Goldar over extended on a punch and grabbed his arm before executing a perfect throw. Goldar crash landed with a heavy thud as his golden armor added to his fall. Once down Enzo quickly towered over Goldar as he began unloading punch after punch on the downed general. Bone connecting with bone as Enzo's knuckles began to crack and blood began to drip as he constantly pummeled him. The dimension warped and Enzo found himself standing before Rita.
"You've done better than I could have expected Enzo," Rita said, pleased as she used her magic to heal his wounds..
"For now I will give you a weapon, the mighty sword of darkness, it will boost your powers and make you an even more formidable warrior," Rita said as she used her magic to summon the sword.
Enzo tested its weight with a few practice swings and bowed "thank you my empress with this I will be sure to destroy all who oppose you."
Rita smiled "Good my warrior, your wounds have been healed but be warned it's only temporary you still must rest."
Irvington NJ
September 7th. 2017
Friday
5:00 p.m
The megazord roared to life with AJ behind the controls. The Flea lunged forward trying to strike the megazord. AJ was ready as he had the megazord braced for impact. After blocking the first two strikes AJ launched a counter attack with the megazord delivering a strong left hook. The Fighting Flee hit the ground hard giving AJ time to summon the megazord's power sword. Sword in hand the megazord raised its mighty sword toward the sky as lightning struck it and super charged it.
The rangers yelled in unison "Lighting Plasma!"
As the super charged sword came down cutting the Fighting Flea in half leading to its destruction.
"Well that was easier than expected," Hez said.
"Yeah, is Rita losing her touch?" Katrina asked
Before AJ could say what he had on his mind the door in the cockpit was ripped open by none other than Rita's Green Ranger. He immediately began throwing a series of punches before throwing all five rangers out of the megazord. The rangers landed with a thud as they connected with the solid ground as the Green Ranger followed after landing in front of them. Without giving them a moment to rest he charged in immediately delivering a high kick to Marseano before delivering a spinning back elbow to Katrina. After seeing Katrina go down Hezekiah rushed in with a flurry of punches that Enzo parried or dodged. Jasmine summoned her power bow and began rapidly shooting arrows at Enzo. Enzo slipped another punch before grabbing Hezekiah and using him as a shield. Reaching down Enzo grabbed Hezekiah's blade blaster and shot Jasmine multiple times before tossing it aside.
"That's four power rangers down, ready for round two Red Ranger?" Enzo asked.
"Let's see how well you do when you don't have the element of surprise," AJ replied.
The two rangers rushed at each other throwing punch after punch and kick after kick. Neither could land a shot on the other as they constantly dodged and blocked each other's attacks. The opposing rangers were locked in the clinch jockeying for strength until AJ pushed off and delivered a jumping back kick that connected flush. Enzo hit the ground hard and immediately kipped up back to his feet. Clenching his teeth he raised his hand as he called out for the sword of darkness. The sword of darkness was a curved jagged blade that had no guard, only a red jewel to act as a guard and a tassel hanging off of the handle. AJ, not one to be undone, called forth his power sword. Both rangers wielded their blades as they stared down at each other neither blinking or making a move. They both ran forward blades clutched as the sound of metal on metal could be heard. The other rangers slowly began regaining their bearings and saw the red and green ranger locked in a furious sword duel. As they clashed swords again and struggled to over take the other, AJ spoke out "I don't understand you're a great fighter, you're a power ranger, you should be on Zordon's side."
"You fool, I'm loyal to my empress."
"Then I'm going to bring you down just like I'm going to do Rita."
They broke apart as Enzo ducked a slash and delivered a front kick pushing AJ back. As Enzo rushed in to follow up he was hit by Jasmine's power arrows. Before he could turn around to counter Hezekiah fired with his power axe sending Enzo to the ground. As Enzo slowly made his way to his feet he looked up and saw the rangers had assembled the power blaster. Before they could fire he teleported away in green light.
"The way he moves, I can't be sure of it but it seems familiar" AJ said to himself
"Next time we're gonna take him out" Hez said as the rangers powered down.
"Is that what we want to do?" Marseano asked.
"What do you mean?" Hez aseked.
"He isn't a monster, he's an actual person and I don't think I could kill a person," Marseano added.
"I have to agree, I don't think I could do that," Katrina added.
"AJ what are your thoughts?" Jasmine asked.
Everyone realized AJ was zoned out thinking about something.
"Yo bro what's on your mind?" Hez asked.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions yet, but I might know who the green ranger is," AJ said.
The silence was deafening as everyone waited patiently for AJ to continue his thought.
"Like I said guys, it's only a speculation. I don't have any concrete proof, but I fought him twice so far. His fighting style is heavily influenced by karate and before you say anything yes I know that is a broad statement, but that's the point. His style of karate switched between several different versions I know about, meaning he has to be someone highly practiced in several styles of karate." AJ summarized.
The wheels started turning as Hez looked up immediately "are you saying you think it might be Enzo?"
"Like I said I'm unsure, but I fought him twice and I saw some similarities to when Jasmine and I saw him fight in the park" AJ added.
"We have a martial arts tournament coming up that I told him about that day and he was interested in signing up" AJ said as he rubbed his chin.
"I get it, you can watch him during the tournament and decide if it's him or not," Marseano said.
"That's the plan, let's get out of here and meet back up at the school before the tournament, we need to be ready for Rita" AJ said as the rangers teleported away.
