It had been a busy couple of weeks for the new team of rangers and Chip was trying his best to get them up to speed. Demi was getting back into it while Jessi was still pretty new to being a ranger, Ruby was still getting used to Earth, having only been on Earth for a year. The morphers was designed to be used by someone with a greater level of experience than three had. So for the trio each victory felt like a real achievement to them.
At first Chip had been dismayed with their complete lack of team work and commitment at first. Chip was quietly impressed with Jessi. She had shown great resourcefulness and intelligence to escape a trap set up by Morgana. The pink ranger was extremely laid back, perhaps a little too laid back for his taste but she had the making of a fine ranger.
"Come on Jessi, your times were still good", Chip heard Ruby's voice from the garage out back.
"Yeah but those guys are something else", Jessi replied despondently, "I'll never reach their level".
"Sounds like my cue", Chip muttered to himself and walked into the back room. He found Ruby holding onto Jessi's new bike with the pink ranger leaned again the metal door, "Jessi, how did the time trials go?" he asked.
"Awful", she groaned, "I got totally blitzed by These two riders".
"Jessi it wasn't that bad", Ruby tried to reassure her, "you set a personal best during your final run".
"Only for Hunter to smash my time by a second", Jessi pushed off the wall and stomped into the base.
"Man she's really steamed", Chip shook his head, "did the bike run smoothly?"
"Better then expected", Ruby replied, "she was doing fine until Hunter and Izzy arrived"
"Ah, so they rattled her then", Chip chuckled, it's not nice getting whipped on your home turf. I'd better go talk to her , I'll help you with the bikes when I'm done".
Ruby nodded and Chip left the garage area in search of the pink ranger. He found Jessi slouched in one of the chairs in the common area. She was watched an old Power Ranger video on one of the screens, "My Dad was a pretty good ranger", Jessi began as Chip stood a seat next to her.
"So you want to be just like him?" it was more of a statement from Chip than a question. He watched the video of Adam Parks zip across the battlefield but he could tell that Jessi was right. "You know Jessi I was a little bit like you once", he began, "most of my life I've left like I've been in someone's shadow.".
"But at least you done something", Jessi replied, "Mystic Force Yellow"
"You've read my file", Chip smiled.
"And you were a great ranger", Jessi huffed and flopped back in her seat, "unlike me".
Chipsighed, "Now we're getting somewhere", he mumbled and turned towards Jessi, "I wouldn't say I was a great ranger, I mean I argued with my leader, almost got in a fight on several occasions", he sighed, "it took me years to get my temper under control because it nearly cost us our lives on a few occasions".
"But you were the yellow ranger", Jessi leaned forward a little bit, "you were amazing".
"What you perhaps didn't realise was that its more the. Just the colour", Chip began, "Don't let the colour define you".
"You didn't have two legendary rangers as team mates though", Jessi sighed, "Ruby's got this awesome leader vibe going on and Demi's all smart and stuff".
"Trust me, I had some pretty amazing team mates as well", their conversation was interrupted by Jessi's morpher, "but that'll have to wait for another day". The pair stood up and Jessi moved towards the door, "Remember what I said, forget everyone else, just be the best that you can be". Jessi gave him an appreciative nod and ran out the door to answer the call.
Outskirts of Pine Ridge
If there was one thing that Pine Ridge didn't lack, it was abandoned quarries. The city had survived on the mining industry until it took a downturn in the seventies. The abundance of quarries made good places for monster battles as they were away from the general population. The high sides also gave perfect vantage points for anyone wishing to spy on someone down below.
"How are they doing", Hunter asked as he handed a can of soda to his sister.
"It's just the red and blue ones so far", Izzy replied, "no pink ranger in sight", he chuckled. A few snide comments here and there and before they knew it, the pink ranger had the same expression as a kicked puppy.
"Looks like we spoke too soon", Hunter slapped Izzy on the arm when the pink ranger stormed into the quarry.
"Hmm, the ranger bitch is tougher than I expected", Hunter added with almost a respectful tone. The battle as the mole like creature continued, with pink ranger the Dino fury rangers was able to gain the upper hand on the monster, "Predictable", Hunter snorted, "I'm seeing nothing to write home about".
"I don't want to admit it but they're better than I thought they would be", Izzy commented.
"But not as good as us", Hunter stated with an arrogant tone, "nothing I've seen from these rangers would present a challenge to us", he smirked as he watched the Dino Rangers congratulate themselves down below, "enjoy your victory whilst you can".
"So when do we take them out?" Izzy asked.
"Soon", Hunter replied, "we'll make our presence known in the city and then we'll show those lightweights who are the best", he held out a closed fist to Izzy, "ain't that right."
Izzy bumped her fist with her brother , "Rangers Forever", she chanted and the pair grabbed their bikes and rode back to the city. The Dino Rangers were about to come up against their toughest challenge yet.
