Five months ago to this day NASA received a top-secret transmission from their lunar rover ATHLETE. There was an unidentified object on the dark side of the moon, something the rover couldn't get near meaning NASA had no choice but to deploy two astronauts to verify what was happening. On Friday the 13/11/2021 at 8:30am PST time the astronauts landed just outside of their objective. They exited their shuttle before planting their feet on the surface of the moon. A few minutes in the astronauts got to a point where they could just see the object. "There it is," said one astronaut, his voice coming through the helmet of his companion. As they got closer it became apparent that this item, whatever it was, was something neither of them had ever seen. "What the hell is that thing, Ryan?" asked the companion, looking at her partner. "I have no idea... activating camera." As if commanded by his voice a camera switched on on Ryan's helmet, showing the moon, the horizon, and in the middle the bronze object As they stepped closer the object began to look more and more like a large bucket or a bin with a glowing red who knows what on the top of it. "Houston, this is blue eagle I hope you guys can see what we do." Suddenly a third voice entered the helmets of the two astronauts on the dark side of the moon. "We can, blue eagle, and we have no idea what it is." The astronauts took two floating steps forward before one of them spoke. "Permission to proceed?"
There was silence for about thirty seconds, although for the astronauts it felt like forever as they looked upon the extremely strange object, in fact they were so focused on the object that when they heard the voice of the man talking to them they both jumped. "Permission granted," was all the man said. Walking up to the object took less time than they expected, perhaps they were more excited than either of them originally thought. Walking around the object they tried to study it before one of the astronauts spoke. "I don't know, Ryan... it could be dangerous" but Ryan wasn't listening, instead he began to reach for the glowing red gem-like object on the top. "No, Ryan... wait" she called out but it was too late. The second Ryan touched the glowing red object both astronauts were shot back almost all the way to their shuttle, knocking them both unconscious.
As the astronauts on the moon came to, with the third person on Earth calling out to them into their helmets, they began to see the strangeness unfold even further. One ball of light exited the space bucket and then another and then another. Suddenly the balls of light exploded and from them appeared... people? Wait, no it was just one person a woman, a very strangely dressed woman, who had two creatures by her side. One of the creatures had blue overalls, white skin and big elf-like ears while the other had gold armour with a monkey face and wings. The woman looked like a witch, she had a long dress, with a staff. On top of all that strangeness, she didn't need a helmet to breathe in space. As they were about to get up the astronauts heard the witch lady speak in a very high pitched, almost nails on a chalkboard, tone of voice "AHHHH, after twenty-six years I'm free... it's time to conquer earth" she finished before the gold guerrilla added, "...again." The astronauts looked at each other and mouthed confused 'again'. "Shut it, monkey face," said the witch angrily just moments before her eyes fell upon the two astronauts "Ahhh, hello there" in less than a second the pair were up and entering their shuttle but not before the witch let off some playful shots from her staff that hit around them, while she laughed maniacally. When the astronauts started the shuttle the gold gorilla took steps toward them but was stopped with the witch's hand on his chest. "Let them go, Goldar. I want them to see their earth come crashing down around them." As the astronauts flew away all they could hear was the fading evil laugh of the witch Rita Repulsa.
Back down on earth, in Angel Grove, California, USA, to be exact, the Angel Grove Youth Center Gym and Ernie's Juice Bar was packed with kids and adults. Jason Lee Scott was teaching karate, Kimberly Hart and Zack Taylor were teaching gymnastics and dancing classes respectively while Billy Cranston and Trini Kwan were sitting by the bar enjoying milkshakes made by the owners of the juice bar Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier and Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch. Billy looked at the once troublesome Bulk and Skull before looking over his shoulder at the others being teachers instead of the students they once were a long time ago. Eventually, his gaze focused on Trini. "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Trini chuckled and looked around herself. "This place hasn't changed since we were kids." She was right, minus updated equipment it looked just like it did when it was Ernie who owned it. "We didn't want to change anything, that's why it's still Ernie's." Bulk said before looking over at the framed image of the late previous owner that hung above the counter. "We all grew and changed here so why not others," Skull added. Trini waited for the pairs' backs to be turned before looking at Billy and mouthing wow!
Thirty minutes later Billy and Trini were joined by their friends and also their students, which included Kimberly's daughter who, as much to her mother's chagrin, was learning karate from Jason. "She's doing great," Jason started as they sat down. "She's easily top three in the class." Kimberly looked at her daughter before looking at Jason with a sigh. "That's great to hear but I know she would do amazing in gymnastics but karate makes her happy and if that's what she wants then it's okay by me." Kimberly turned to her daughter with a smile. "I just don't like the thought of you getting hurt, Aimee." Aimee leaned against her mother with a soft smile. "I know mama but don't worry I can kick anyone's butt." Kimberly smiled. "I never doubted that for a moment." Bulk spoke as he placed a large strawberry milkshake in front of Aimee. "Especially considering who her father is." Both Kimberly and Aimee looked up at Bulk with small smiles. "Yeah," quietly came out of Kimberly's mouth.
Clearing his throat Zack looked around at all the other kids. "So, what does everyone have planned for the rest of their weekend?" At once the kids began to list off all their activities. With wide eyes, somehow not having expected such a barrage of words, Zack tried to pick a couple of actual sentences that were being said. One kid was going to go to his friend's place to play Fortnight. One teenager was going to the movie with her boyfriend. Another kid was going to a convention dressed up as the Red Space Ranger. When that was said all the adults, minus Bulk and Skull, looked at each other. It had been a long time since any form of the Rangers was seen. They had become such legend that there were now conventions about them. That felt strange. As if reading their thoughts a sound they had not heard in over two decades blasted out of Billy's bag.
As the kids and teens looked around for the source of the beeping sound the adults all looked at each other with confusion before their eyes went bigger in recognition of what just happened. Like a canon, Zack stood up. "I just remembered I have to take my dog for a very long walk. Have a good weekend." Turning he walked quickly to the hallway of the juice bar. Within seconds Jason, Billy and Trini all gave an excuse and walked off in the same direction. Kimberly was hesitant. She looked torn between a past that had just called back to her and the present sitting in front of her. Taking a step toward her daughter Kimberly hugged her tight. Her daughter smiled and hugged Kimberly back. "I'll be okay, remember I can kick butt now." Kimberly chuckled but with sad eyes looked from her Aimee to Bulk and Skull. "Make sure she gets home safe, please." In unison, the former bad boys nodded. "You got it. She'll be safe with us." They smiled at Kimberly who, somehow, felt reassured that the two of them would indeed keep Aimee safe if anything was the happen. Kimberly kissed her daughter on the top of her head. "I love you, my sweet girl." Aimee looked up at her mother, somewhat confused but with all the admiration in her eyes she always had when looking at Kimberly. "I love you too, mama."
Eventually, Kimberly joined her friends in a random nook in the hallways of the Juice Bar. Again, the communicator sounded from Billy's bag. "I can't believe you still have that," Zack whispered in a harsh tone. Billy looked around to see every single one of his friends had a shocked look on their faces. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Trini. "And that it still works, impressive even for teenage you." Billy went a little red at the compliment as he slipped his bag off and placed it on the ground before crouching down and reaching into it. "I keep for nostalgia's sake," Billy replied softly. Suddenly another round of beeps came out of the communicator, making them all jump. Jason glared at the communicator through the bag as if it owed him money. With his arms crossed he spat out. "Well, answer it!" Somewhat shocked at the outburst Billy furrowed his brow before pulling the old communicator out. "Wow," slipped out of Kimberly's mouth before she could help herself. "I just mean, I never thought I'd see it again, let alone hear it again," she continued as Billy stood back up. "It looks like new," Zack exclaimed in surprise. "I like to keep it clean." Billy shrugged, embarrassed, as he replied. Almost everyone gave a soft caring smile at that. Reluctantly, Billy pressed the button on the communicator and spoke into the top of it, not entirely sure it worked that well still. "Z… Zordon?" The name felt both familiar and foreign to his tongue. It was weird to say it again, he just hoped it came through to the other end.
By the counter of the Juice Bar Aimee swirled her straw around her milkshake cup. It had been around 20 minutes since her mom left and her friends were slowly being picked up and taken away by their parents until it was just her along with Bulk and Skull and a few other patrons on the gym equipment. She was sucking on the straw to get the last little bit of milkshake out to the point that it was sucking through more air than milk when she heard the rumbling noise. At first, she thought it was just her ears playing tricks on her but when she looked up at Bulk and Skull with a confused look on her face she saw them looking back at her with the same expression. A second later the whole building began to shake. In unison, the three of them screamed out. "EARTH QUAKE." People were running for the doors, diving under tables, standing stock still in shock but Bulk quickly ran to the small barn doors of the counter. "Aimee, hide under here. It'll be safer." Not having to be told twice Aimee ran behind the counter and got under it alongside Skull. Bulk was ushering more people in before parts began crumbling down around them. "What's going on?!" Aimee asked trying to keep her voice steady. "I don't know," Skull started before his eyes went wide as if he was remembering something he had long locked away. "I just hope it's not what I think it is."
