Chapter III: "Animal Intervention"
Miguel looked out the windshield of Cayden's jeep as the two approached a stone wall. Cayden hopped out, with Miguel close behind him. Without any words from Cayden, a door opened.
Miguel looked around. "Wow! This place is amazing! Where are we?"
Cayden smiled. "Welcome to the Animarium."
Miguel smiled, then heard a loud screech. He ducked and looked up.
"What was that?!"
"Oh, that was just the yellow eagle zord."
"The WHAT?"
Cayden smiled. "Come on, there's so much more for me to show you."
The two walked into an open area with stone statues in the shapes of animals.
"Welcome to the temple of the Animarium. This is where the Wild Force Rangers live."
Before Miguel could respond, a group of people appeared all around him.
Cayden looked at them. "Wait, I know you guys. You're the Wild Force Rangers!"
A tall and well built Hispanic guy in a black jacket stepped forward.
"That's right. Welcome to our home."
Miguel stepped forward. "You're Danny, right?"
Danny smiled. "That's right."
Miguel stepped forward. "But I don't think I got to meet the rest of you."
A short girl in white stepped up. "I'm Alyssa, white ranger."
A guy in blue stepped up. "I'm Max, Blue Ranger."
A guy in an aqua jacket stepped forward. "I'm Merrick, I'm the lunar Wolf Ranger."
A girl in yellow stepped forward. "Lt. Tyler Earhart, US Air Force, and yellow ranger."
Miguel nodded. "Sgt. Miguel Ortega, US Marines."
Taylor nodded. "Well I guess that's everybody."
"Wait a minute, where's your red ranger?"
Taylor looked at Miguel, "He's at school right now."
Miguel looked at her. "At school?"
She nodded at him and gestured at him to sit down.
"About 18 years ago, our Red Ranger died from a heart attack. About 4 years ago, his son became the new red ranger."
"Man, that's rough."
Taylor nodded. Suddenly, out of a pool nearby, a ball of glowing light emerged and transformed into a beautiful woman. She noticed the visitor and stepped forward. Cayden walked up and stood next to Miguel.
"Princess Shayla, this is my friend Miguel."
Miguel bowed. Princess Shayla smiled.
"That won't be necessary, Miguel. You are a friend of the Power Rangers."
Cayden smiled. "Come on, there's so much more for you to see."
The two walked around the Animarium, with Cayden pointing out the special areas. Finally, they arrived at a giant building.
Miguel looked at Cayden. "What's in here?"
Cayden smiled. "Just some really good friends." He opened the door. "Hey guys!"
Miguel looked up in shock as a batch of lion cubs got up and darted towards Cayden.
"Cayden look out!"
Cayden smiled as the lion cubs approached him and nuzzled him, their tails wagging happily. "It's okay, they're my friends." he turned towards them. "Jasiri, you're looking good! Zuri, you're looking beautiful!"
Cayden smiled.
"Okay guys, I brought someone for you to meet. This is Miguel."
Jasiri turned towards Miguel and stared at him. He started to growl. Miguel got into a fighting stance. Cayden jumped between them.
"Jasiri, it's okay. He's a friend!" Jasiri stopped growling and walked up to Miguel. After staring him down, the young lion walked in closer and nuzzled Miguel.
"Wow. He's amazing." he looked at Cayden. "But wait, you said this was the home of zords. He's a real lion."
Cayden nodded. "It's a long story." suddenly in the entrance, a large red lion with a golden mane appeared. Cayden smiled.
"Hey, Red! Come over here!"
Red walked over and knelt down next to Cayden. He let Cayden pet him and then looked at Miguel. Miguel looked at the adult lion at got nervous.
Oh man. I'm in trouble now. To Miguel's surprise, Red gently nuzzled him. Miguel smiled and stroked the big lion. The two spent time with the animals and that afternoon had lunch with Princess Shayla.
After lunch, Miguel decided to spend some time alone at the top of Red's hill. He wasn't alone for long. Jasiri walked up and sat next to him. Miguel rubbed the young lion's mane. He looked out at the beautiful landscape in front of him, then looked at Jasiri.
"How about I come visit you every now and then? Would you like that?" Jasiri jumped up and licked Miguel.
Miguel laughed. "It's a deal."