Ezra Brown is portrayed by Daniel Ezra
On a rather sunny day in Bayview, the High School was in celebration; their football team had beaten Reefside High and become the District Champions for the third year in a row.
Despite it being Saturday, students and faculty alike came to support the Team as they unveiled a small statue commemorating the victory. The statue was about four feet tall and most of it was a black pillar of sorts. The last foot of it consisted of a golden hand holding up a golden football.
Nolan Brown, father of the team captain Ezra Brown, gave a short speech on how proud he was of his son and of the team.
Nolan was a lot like his son; short brown hair, peach skin, and green eyes. The man wore a white short sleeved button down shirt with a green tie. He also wore brown khakis and penny loafers.
"Please be sure to join us next Friday for the game against Angel Grove for State Championship qualification!"
After a round of applause from the audience, everyone dispersed into festivities. Ezra looked around for a little while before realizing that a certain person wasn't there. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Lydia's number.
"H-Hello?" Lydia practically screamed into the phone.
"Lydia? Hey, Babe. You weren't at the celebration today. I was wondering where you were."
"Yeah, um.. now's not a good time." Suddenly, Ezra heard an explosion behind Lydia followed by her scream.
"Lydia?!"
"I'll call you back!" She stated before hanging up.
Looking down at his phone, Ezra had a look of disbelief.
"Trouble in paradise?" Came his father's voice.
"Just giving her some space..." Ezra half muttered.
"Ezra, you're at the top of the school. Your grades, your sports. You need someone to share that with. I believe that Lydia isn't quite worth it."
"Worth it? You only met her twice!" Ezra defended. "If you weren't so busy all the time you'd get to know her!"
"Ezra Aubrey Brown, don't talk to me like that." Nolan glared.
This stare made Ezra look at the ground in regret. "Sorry, Dad. Y-you're right."
"That's better. Now all you have to do is find someone worth it."
(Cue Theme)
Over in the quarry, the Rangers were testing out new innovations created by Lydia. The explosion that Ezra heard was caused by the Legend Burst Cannon's new mode: Element Blast. The Ranger holding the cannon would insert their Power From Within and the Cannon would fire a blast of their specific element. Jared's power had caused a small explosion. Thankfully, Alicia had cast a muting spell around the area so the outside world couldn't hear it.
"They won't know what hit them!" Noah laughed with glee as he fired numerous rounds of Ice and Water from the Cannon.
Liam stepped forward and grabbed the weapon. "You're a little too trigger happy."
"Xbox..." Noah muttered.
Lydia looked down at her Ipad and started to go through the list of devices to test.
"Ok... Legend Burst Cannon:Check. New Grappling Hook: Check. Burst Boots: Check. Now we need-" She was cut off when an alarm sounded through all their devices.
Tobias informed, "We've got a problem! Phantom Hybrid is attacking the school!"
"Wonderful..." Sonia muttered dusting herself off.
~ Bayview High ~
The Football celebration had been interrupted by a humanoid canine Phantom. His hair was all black and he wore silver chest plates and arm plates. Standing at six feet tall, the factor that made him even more dangerous was the chain whip he'd swing around at people.
"Back off!" Chris yelled as he kicked the Canine in the chest, sending him back.
In a scratchy deep voice, the Canine said "Looks like it's time for a hunt."
When the rest of the Rangers caught up, Asher said, "No, it's time for you to be sent packing!"
The seven drew out their X-Swords and charged into battle.
Alicia and Noah got there first and slashed forward. The Canine swatted them away but was then struck by Liam and Jared. The Phantom back flipped into the air and swung his chain, nailing both in the chest. Asher and Chris sent swift attacks forward and were joined by Noah. Sonia jumped off of Noah's shoulder and into the air.
"Spirit Slash!" She called out, sending a wave of yellow energy at the Phantom. However, he slashed the attack into nothing and sent out his chain, knocking Sonia to the ground.
While the Rangers were holding off the Dog, Lydia proceeded to evacuate the premises. She spoke into her communicator, "Tobias, I think I got all of them."
"I think so too. But I'm not sure, something's interfering with the scanning system."
"Alright." Lydia answered. She turned in shock when all Seven Rangers were cast off ten feet away. "Tobias, send the Power Dizer."
"All over it."
Within moments, the yellow mech sped toward Lydia and opened up. She climbed inside and made it rise to humanoid. She charged forward and swung the giant fist at the Phantom, hitting him away from her friends.
"Back off, Dog breath!"
"Another object of prey." He growled. The two entered a long fight, but it was clear that the Phantom was gaining the upper hand. Lydia just couldn't stand the strain of the Power Dizer suit.
"Legend Burst Cannon!" The Rangers announced.
"Blazing Mode!" Jared called out.
"Fire!" The Rangers shouted as a blast or roaring flames sailed at high speeds and struck the Phantom in the back. This caused for a hasty retreat.
Demorphing, the Rangers panted heavily.
Liam asked, "Is it just me, or are these guys getting tougher and tougher?"
Sonia answered, "You're not alone on that one."
The Power Dizer dropped to the ground and Lydia stumbled out of it. When she stepped out, the Power Dizer teleported back to HQ. She collapsed into Chris' arms, sweat rolling down her face.
"Are you ok, Lydia?" Chris asked.
"I'm... a little tired."
Jared said, "Let's get her back to base." As they all teleported away, someone was watching from the shadows. Ezra Brown walked into the light and whispered, "So that's the secret."
~HQ~
Lydia was lying down in a machine that resembled an MRI. Tobias scanned the screen, impatiently waiting for answers. The tension was seriously getting to him. When the monitor beeped and showed results, Tobias's eyes lit up in satisfaction.
He read the data in silence and as he went down the page, let his expression of hope drop into sadness and worry.
"So what's the status?" Lydia asked as she exited the room and sat next to Alicia on the couch.
Tobias explained, "You can't use the Power Dizer. The strain for using it is pushing your body past its natural limits."
"I feel fine, though." Lydia argued.
Tobias sighed and handed her a can of soda. "Open it."
Tilting her head in curiosity, Lydia tried to pry the tab up to open the can. However, she couldn't find the strength to do it.
"What's going on?" She asked in unexpected shock.
"Your body is stressed out. So like I said, you shouldn't use the Power Dizer. No one should use it until we can get someone to pilot it."
Sighing in disappointment, Lydia said, "Fine."
~School on Monday~
Tobias, Jared and Liam were making their way to the quad for lunch. First, they had to go up to the top floor to get to Liam's locker.
"Hurry up, dude. I'm starving." Tobias beckoned.
"Yeah? So am I." Liam shot back in irritation.
"Ok, guys. Let's calm down. There's nothing to worry about." Jared reminded them.
But, Ezra's voice said differently. "Actually, Red and Green Rangers. You do have something to worry about."
At that moment, the three boys felt as if someone had thrown gallons of ice cold water on them. They turned to meet a smirking Ezra who was clearly enjoying himself.
"What'd you say?" Liam asked.
"Ranger Green, you should really listen a bit more."
"How'd you-" Tobias began before getting elbowed in the arm by Jared.
"We don't know what you're talking about." The Slayer answered coolly.
"Oh really?" Ezra raised an eyebrow. He then held up his phone and hit the playback button. On screen, it showed the Seven Rangers demorphing.
"I know what you're hiding." He threatened.
Jared's eyes glared at the Football player darkly. "What do you want?"
"Simple: I'll keep your secret from getting out, if Lydia stops hanging around you guys."
"Seriously?!" Tobias protested in growing rage.
"Back off, pipsqueak. My Dad doesn't think Lydia is good enough for me. But he's wrong."
This talk made Tobias's blood boil even more.
"Ezra, we understand where you're coming from. But we need Lydia. She's helped us get out of more jams than you know."
"Well if she stops hanging around you guys, she'll definitely help you out of this jam. I'll be waiting." With that, Ezra turned and walked away with overflowing confidence.
~Quad~
"He's just being selfish." Lydia commented after Jared told her the story.
"But guys, he knows who we are." Sonia reminded them with a scowl.
"Hopefully, Lydia is all he wants." Noah said. "We're completely at his mercy."
Chris asked, "Couldn't we cast a memory spell?"
Asher shook his head and Alicia said, "Memory spells are complicated and tend to backfire if we're not careful."
The Teens tossed around more ideas on how to deal with the situation, each plan being less likely to work than the last. It was then Lydia stated, "I'll do what he wants."
"What?" The Rangers asked at once.
"I'll do what Ezra wants. He's stubborn but he keeps his word. I'll go back to him so you guys won't be at risk."
"Lydia-" Tobias tried to protest.
"It's ok, Tobias."
~Brown Household~
The Brown house was just as luxurious as the Chase house. It looked very similar to the Chase house, but it was more of a deep brown.
Ezra rode up in his car and parked in front. As he exited his car, he got a text from Lydia. He smirked in triumph as he read, "I'll come back to you. Text me soon."
Satisfied with the text message, Ezra sent a quick reply and entered his house. As he passed the living room, he greeted his brother, Sam.
Sam, in comparison to his brother, was shorter and scrawny. At age 15, the boy had sloppy brown hair and green eyes that hid behind thick glasses. He also wore clothes that made him look preppier than most, being a blue collar shirt, khakis and dress shoes.
Sam muttered a small hello, to which Ezra shrugged off. The two didn't exactly bond well.
"Where's Dad?" Ezra asked. Sam, without looking back, shrugged his shoulders once again. "How should I know?"
With bubbling irritation, Ezra decided to go upstairs to his room. "Later, squirt."
"Don't call me that!" Sam shouted after his brother.
~ Jared's House ~
Jared was sitting on one of his couches as he watched Tobias pitch a fit.
"I can't believe that guy!" The boy fumed. "Did he forget that you guys saved Lydia from a burning building?! Does he know what she's done for everyone?!"
Jared tried to reason with his friend by saying, "Tobias, I know you're angry-"
"Angry?! I'm furious! How could someone just blackmail you guys? You're heroes!"
"Tobias, calm down." Jared placed his hands on Tobias's shoulders. "Breathe with me. In, out. In, out."
"Ok. Ok, I'm calm."
"We'll get through this. Us, the team, we'll be fine."
Before anything else could be said, the two teens got an alarm.
~ School Football/Track Field ~
The Rangers confronted the Canine Phantom on the turf field as if tore the ground up with its chain.
"Marking his territory?" Noah joked with a grin.
"Let's get to it." Asher suggested rather impatiently.
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
Jared and Sonia sent swift punches at the Phantom, who blocked them all. Noah jumped in with a kick but missed. Liam flipped over the Phantom, landed behind him and kicked him in the back. The Phantom swung around and slashed Liam in the chest, sending him flying. Alicia and Chris charged in with perfectly timed punches and kicks. The Canine swung his chain and knocked them away. He then spun around quickly, striking all the Rangers before they could get close. Asher, on the ground, fired a shot from his X-Defender and nailed the Phantom's leg.
Meanwhile at HQ, Tobias saw how the Rangers were struggling against the Phantom. Taking the risk, he dialed a number on his phone.
Lydia and Ezra were together downtown talking at a cafe; rather, Ezra was trying to maintain a conversation.
"So... you excited for the holidays?" Ezra asked awkwardly.
"Yes for the third time, Ezra. I-" Lydia was cut off by her cell phone. Lifting her pointer as to say, "One minute, please," she pressed the receive button and pressed the phone to her ears.
"Tobias?" As she greeted her friend, Ezra perked up.
"The others are getting thrashed right now. I need to help; what's the Power Dizer command?"
"Tobias, that's dangerous." Lydia informed them with worry. Ezra tried to say something, but the girl hushed him by putting her hand up.
"I have no choice. Give me the command."
"Ok, ok. The command is 'Big Fat Cheesehead.'"
Tobias looked at his phone with a raised eyebrow. He then said, "Seriously?"
"Yes, Tobias... I'm serious. Now where are they?"
Shaking his head to get back to the task at hand, Tobias answered, "The School Field."
"The School Field? Ok, I'll be there." She hung up and picked up her purse.
"Um, where are you going?" Ezra asked in irritation.
"The others need my help."
"No. We haven't spent any time together at all." Ezra took Lydia's arm.
"Ezra this is important!" Lydia informed pulling away. "My friends need my help." With that, she took off. Ezra decided to tail her not wanting to let this go.
No matter how many times the Rangers got up to fight, the more the Canine Phantom knocked them down.
"Nothing's working!" Liam pointed out.
"We have to keep trying." Sonia answered, raising her daggers.
The Power Dizer accelerated from out of nowhere and rammed itself into the Canine, sending it flying.
"Hang in there, guys!" Tobias called out as he changed the Power Dizer into warrior mode. He slammed the giant fist into the Canine's chest and sent him into the goal post.
After a short amount of time, it was clear that Tobias couldn't hold out. Like Lydia, the strain was too much on his body. The boy was out of options when Lydia called out, "Use the rotation gatling!"
Inside the cockpit, Tobias looked around and noticed a small box above him he hadn't noticed. When he opened it, he found three different buttons with labels.
The green button said, "Charge," the blue button said, "Crash," and the red button said, "Gatling."
Slamming the red button, the Dizer materialized a yellow and black gatling gun on its right shoulder.
"Eat this!" Tobias shouted as he pulled the trigger. A flurry of energy bullets crashed into the Phantom with lots of power and velocity.
Lydia sighed in relief as Ezra caught up. He looked on as the battle ensued and wanted to say something to Lydia. However, he caught the attention of the Phantom who immediately turned its attention to him. In a flash, the Canine was in front of the Football Player and sent a claw at his head. Before contact could be made, Tobias's gatling gun knocked the assailant off balance. That gave enough time for Lydia to dive at Ezra and get him out of harm's way.
"He's still coming!" Ezra called out in worry trying to get himself and Lydia to their feet.
"I hate you!" The Canine growled as it sent its chain at the two. Liam jumped to his feet and raised a barrier between the chain and his classmates just in time.
Noah and Jared then jumped into the air and fired off a combo attack of ice and flames. They hit their target, causing it to scream in pain.
Growling in anger, the Canine Phantom disappeared.
"You ok, Lydia?" Liam asked, helping her to her feet.
"Yeah, thanks."
Ezra dusted himself off and kept silent.
"Tobias!" They heard Sonia shout. Everyone turned to see Chris and Asher drag Tobias out of the mech suit. The boy was covered in sweat and his eyes were bloodshot. Severely disoriented, his arms dangled around by the slightest movement.
"No!" Lydia breathed as she sprinted forward. As she got to him, she placed his head on her lap and stroked his hair. "Tobias, can you hear me?"
"Is.. the thing gone? It's gone right?" He asked weakly, as if he was going to lose consciousness any second.
"He's gone." Lydia nodded squeezing his hand with hers. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made that mech suit."
"Don't be... it's pretty cool." Tobias feebly smiled only to fall into a coughing fit.
"Let's get him out of here." Alicia suggested.
As timing would have it, as soon as Chris and Asher orbed away with Tobias, Ezra's father and brother had arrived.
"Sam told me you were here." Mr. Brown said without greeting his son. "And why are you with them?"
"Dad, I-"
"Need I remind you who you are?" He asked with poisonous calm.
"No..."Ezra muttered.
Mr. Brown cupped his right ear with his hand. "No?"
"No sir." Ezra said clearly.
"Good. Now get home."
Sulking, Ezra walked off in the opposite direction. Mr. Brown, after giving the teens a stuck up glare, followed suit.
Sam stood and looked at his father like a dog looking for approval from his master. Mr. Brown ignored his second son, who's face sank into disappointment.
"Let's go." Jared beckoned to the others.
~School, Friday~
It was the day of the big football game against Angel Grove and Ezra was still down in the dumps. Lydia told him they'd talk, but she hadn't contacted him in a while. He attempted to find a new girl, but he just couldn't connect with any.
In all honesty, he was angry that Lydia never told him of her activities with the Rangers. He knew in his heart that he should've supported her since she was helping to save the world; but his damaged pride wouldn't let him. Clearing his thoughts, he willed himself to focus on the task at hand, which was winning and making his father proud.
He went through the motions of the day until he had to get to the locker room.
As the stands started to fill, the atmosphere started to charge with excitement. The Rangers all lined up to watch Lydia and the cheer squad start their pre-game routine.
Alicia felt a tap on her shoulder followed by a, "Miss me?" She turned around to see Bobby beaming at her.
"Hey, Bobby!" She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. "What're you doing here?"
"What? I can't visit my old school and my girlfriend?" He answered. The music started, and the cheerleaders began their routine.
First half was coming to a close and the game was close. Angel Grove was up by a single point and was hanging on tight.
As Bayview huddled up to plan their next move, someone watched from the in-ground entrance to the field.
Wielding a dark orb, he muttered, "This time it's over. No more neglect, no more pain." With a dark atmospheric confidence, Sam Brown walked into the light and onto the field.
Of course, everyone noticed and the referees tried to get him to leave.
"Out of my way." He spat at the officials.
"There's a game going on, pipsqueak!" Ezra called out.
"Oh no... the game is over." With that, Sam's Brace started to glow a black. He pressed the button and transformed into the Canine Phantom. Sam's body fell to the ground in the ectoplasmic cocoon.
"What? Why?" Ezra asked as everyone on the field started to flee.
"I was never noticed by anyone; you, Dad, Mom, no one! Now, I'm in the spotlight! It's time for a hunt!" With a roar, he flung the chain forward. However, Chris and Jared managed to block the attack with their X-Swords.
"Back off!" Jared threatened as he slashed forward a wave of fire. The rest of the Rangers circled the Phantom, ready to go.
"Always in the way." The Phantom growled. He jumped high in the air and led the Rangers to one of the end zones. Lydia ran to the field and helped Ezra up.
"Are you ok?" She asked him. Ezra could only nod because he was in shock.
"Do you see now? I have to help my friends. You can lump me with them if you want, but what we do is important. I have to help save the world."
Ezra, finally standing up, nodded.
"Good... Now I have to get the Power Dizer." Within moments, the Mech Suit appeared. "I have to do this." She stated stepping to the Dizer.
"No. Let me." Ezra suggested moving Lydia away from it.
"Are you sure?"
"Ezra!" Mr. Brown called. "What do you think you're doing?!"
"I think I can take it." Ezra grinned as he entered the cockpit. "I'm tired of following you Dad. I'm helping the Rangers."
The Power Dizer dashed forward and rammed the Phantom into the goal post.
"Crash!" Ezra commanded hitting the button. The Dizer started to glow with electricity and held onto the Phantom.
"Hit it, now!"
"Right!" Jared answered.
"Legend Burst Cannon!"
"Aero Mode!" Alicia called out charging her Power.
"Fire!" The Rangers shouted together, sending a blast of wind at the Phantom which disintegrated him.
~ Later On~
The Fiasco was over and the Rangers stood on the sandy beach outside HQ.
"Thanks for your help, Ezra." Jared said, raising his right hand.
Ezra nodded and took it. "My pleasure. If you ever need a pilot, I'll gladly help."
Alicia informed, "No one remembers your brother was the Phantom; I've made sure of it. But, I left a sense of the desire to bond between your Dad and Brother."
"Thanks, guys." Ezra smiled. Lydia walked to his side and linked her arm with his.
"Let's go." Lydia smiled.
Nodding, the two turned around and teleported away in a swirl of Orange lights.
The Seven were glad it was over for now, yet Tobias looked genuinely sad about Lydia leaving with Ezra for the night. Well, he quickly dispelled the feeling and let relief flow through him.
A/N: This was a pretty turbulent chapter for me. I guess it was just because of character development that didn't exactly continue the story.
Next Chapter will focus on plot development!
Please Review, and Later Days!
