The Shooting Star
"Girls, you'll be late if you don't get a move on!" Lisa called up the stairs. "Don't forget Em, you promised to take Elliot to school!"
Up in her room, Emma nodded along as she finished braiding her hair, tying it with an ice pink ribbon. Tanya sat on Emma's bed, lacing up her boots. "I'm already starting to feel at home. Thanks so much Emma for letting me stay here."
"It's not a problem." Emma grinned, grabbing her satchel bag and gym duffle. "I love having you here, we all do." She held her hand to help up Tanya. "It's like I've got a sister." The two girls shared a laugh as they went downstairs. "See you after school mom." Emma pecked her mother's cheek.
"By Mrs. Gilbert." Tanya gave Emma's mother a hug.
Lisa patted her shoulders, "Tanya, please, I told you that you could call me Lisa." she reminded, smiling.
Tanya nodded and followed Emma out of the house, with Elliot trailing behind them. The two girls slid into the two front seats and Emma turned up the volume on the radio as they pulled away. Their first stop was Angel Grove Middle School, where Elliot was spending his final year of Junior High.
"Mom said she could pick me up after school." Elliot informed his sister as he stepped out of the car. "See ya later."
Emma smiled as she watched her brother join a couple of his classmates, happy that he was making some new friends. "He's such a sweet boy." Tanya noted.
"Yeah, he really is." Emma agreed, pulling away from the curb and making her way to the high school.
Emma parked her Mazda in a free space next to her cousin's blue Volkswagon Beetle, cutting the engine. Her and Tanya grabbed their backpacks from the back and walked arm-in-arm into Angel Grove High School, heading to their respective lockers.
Tanya grabbed her Calculus books and met Emma by her locker, seeing the blonde hanging up a picture. "Are those your friends back in Australia?" she asked.
"Yeah." the blonde mermaid answered. "This way, it feels like they're here."
"You must miss 'em huh?" Tanya wrapped an arm around Emma's shoulders.
Emma nodded, "I do." she rested her head against Tanya's. "But, it's not so bad. At least I've got you and the guys." She smiled, glancing down the hallway, seeing Tommy and Adam making their way towards them. "Speaking of."
"Morning girls." Adam greeted, standing beside Tanya.
"Morning Adam." Tanya replied. "Hey Tommy."
"Hey you two." Tommy gave a nod, leaning against the locker next to Emma's.
Emma smiled and shut her locker with her shoulder, "You ready for that Literature test today?" She directed the question to Tommy.
"Ready as I'll ever be, I guess." the Red Ranger shrugged.
"Wait, you guys already have a test today?" the Green Ranger questioned. "School's only been in session three weeks."
"It's AP Literature." informed the Yellow Ranger with a giggle.
The other three chuckled as they walked down the hallways. "So Tanya, how're you liking Angel Grove so far?" Adam asked, nudging the girl's shoulder.
"I like it, it's just." Tanya sighed, looking down at her feet. "I still feel like the new girl in town, ya know?"
Emma nodded in agreement, "I know what you mean." she replied. "Don't worry, just be yourself and you'll be fine."
Another student joined the four Rangers, "Hey there Tanya." he greeted, smiling at the aforementioned girl.
"Oh hey Shawn." Tanya replied. "These are my friends Tommy and Adam, and my best friend Emma." the three waved.
Shawn gave a nod to the guys, whom he already knew from the football team, and shook Emma's hand. "So Tanya, ready for Calculus?"
"Yeah, I'll meet you in a minute." Tanya smiled, watching Shawn leave.
"Isn't he on the football team with you two?" Emma asked, glancing between Adam and Tommy.
"Yeah, he's a wide receiver." Tommy clarified.
"How do you know him?" Adam asked Tanya.
"He's been having a bit of trouble in Calculus so I've been helping him study for our test at the end of the week." Tanya answered.
"Seems like you're fitting in pretty well then." Tommy noted with a smile.
Emma quirked her brow, "Yeah." she agreed. "I expect details after school." she whispered, giving her friend a wink. "Catch ya guys later." Emma and Tommy walked down another hallway, towards Ms. Appleby's room.
"Good luck on that test." Adam called after them. Tommy and Emma waved back before disappearing into a crowd of students.
"I'm glad Tanya's settling in okay." Rocky said, him and Emma warming up with the rest of the co-ed dance team.
"Yeah, me too." Emma smiled, tightening her ponytail. "She's already at home at my place. We're practically sisters." She pulled her arm across her chest.
Their wrist communicators went off, and on reflex they looked around to check if anyone was looking in their direction. When it was clear, they ran off to the side of the bleachers, where Tommy and Adam were already waiting for them.
"We read you Zordon." Tommy hailed, the four Rangers standing close.
"Rangers, King Mondo has sent his Cogs down to Earth." their mentor informed. "It appears they're searching around the Zeozord holding bay. You must intercept them at once."
"Should one of us go and get Tanya?" Adam asked.
"I will alert her myself." Zordon answered. "You four must get to the Cogs at once."
"Roger that." Tommy confirmed, glancing to the rest of the team. "It's Morphin Time."
"Zeo Ranger I, Pink!"
"Zeo Ranger III, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger IV, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger V, Red!"
Tanya sat with Shawn in the study hall area, going over notes from their earlier Calculus class. "A few more study sessions like this and you'll be sure to pass this test." Tanya assured, resting her cheek on her hand. She checked over her notes for reference as she worked on her homework.
Shawn glanced around, seeing no one was paying attention to the two. He leaned in closer to Tanya, "I've got a sure fire way to pass this test without studying." he whispered, unfolding a pink sheet of paper.
"What do you mean?" Tanya asked, punching in digits on her calculator. "You've got to study in order to pass."
"Not if you know the answers you don't." Shawn muttered, reading over the answer sheet he held.
Tanya looked over at him, shocked. "You mean cheat?" she reiterated. "That's not the way to pass."
Shawn scoffed, "I need to pass this test in order to play in the upcoming game." he reminded, getting defensive. "I have to do what I have to. I thought you would understand." he gathered up his things and left.
Tanya sighed, shaking her head. Her wrist communicator went off and she quickly grabbed her books and bag and hid in a far corner where no one was. "Yes Zordon, I read you." she whispered into her communicator.
"Tanya, a platoon of Cogs has been spotted in the vicinity of the Zeozord armory." Zordon informed. "I've already dispatched the other Rangers. You must meet up with them and intercept the Cogs."
Tanya nodded, "I'm on my way." she took a deep breath and exhaled. "It's Morphin Time. Zeo Ranger II, Yellow!"
The Yellow Ranger regrouped with the rest of the team, who were already in the midst of fighting off the Cogs. She jumped into action, taking on three Cogs by herself. The Zeo Rangers were making use of their newly advanced powers, easily scaring the Cogs away.
"Hit the highway, leadheads." Zeo Ranger V threatened.
"Catch you later, Rangers." one Cog spoke, before the entire platoon was swallowed up into a portal back to the Machine Empire Skybase.
Tanya sat alone at a table in the Juice Bar, tapping her pencil on her Calculus binder, her expression solemn. Emma walked up and set a banana smoothie in front of her, "Don't worry, it's on me." she winked at her friend.
"Thanks Em." Tanya sighed.
"What's wrong?" the blonde sat opposite her friend. "Is everything okay?"
"No." she answered, meeting her friend's eyes. "It's just, I'm at a loss."
Emma reached over and took Tanya's hand. "If something's bothering you, you know you can talk to me. And the guys too." she smiled.
Seeing the mermaid's smile brought one to Tanya's and she nodded, "So, I was talking with Shawn earlier and he thinks the only way he can pass the Calculus test is by cheating. I tried to talk him out of it, but he just shut me out."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Emma squeezed her hand.
"I don't know what to do." Tanya admitted, moving her straw around in her drink.
Before Emma could say something, their communicator's sounded. The two girls jumped up and joined the guys, the five of them heading towards the locker room, hidden from sight. "We read you, Zordon." Tommy whispered into the communicator.
"You all must report to the Power Chamber at once." Zordon ordered. The Rangers didn't argue and activated their teleportaion function.
In a flash of color, the Rangers stood at the back of the Power Chamber. "There is no time to lose, Rangers." Zordon continued. "As you can see, an assault by the Machine Empire is immenient." The five teenagers were directed to the Viewing Globe, where images of the Quadrafighters coming down to Earth was shown. "The Machine Empier is mounting a full-scale attack. We must initiate the Zeozords immediately."
"But Zordon, they haven't even been tested yet." Billy cut in. "I really don't think it's safe, you guys."
"It looks like we don't have much of a choice." Tommy deducted. "The Zeozords are our only hope. We'll just have to take that risk."
Emma nodded in agreement, "Tommy's right you guys. We've got to stop the Machine Empire, now."
"Rangers, come forward and listen." Zordon spoke, the five teens moving up to the main consul. "What I am about to tell you is of the utmost importance. Emma and Tanya," his eyes landed on the two female rangers, "I have placed the responsibility of the Zeozords arsenal in your hands. Zeozord I and Zeozord II have tremendous firepower. I trust you will use them with temperance and good judgement."Zeozord I resembled the Moa statues of Easter island, while Zeozord II resembled the Dogu statues of the prehistoric Japanese period of Joman.
"Rocky and Adam, you will be commanding the driving forces of the Zeozords. Rocky, Zeozord III possesses the mythical power of the Sphinx. Adam, Zeozord IV possesses the mighty strength of Taurus the Bull." The Blue and Green Rangers exchanged a grin and a nod.
"Tommy, Zeozord V embodies the spirit of the Phoenix. I know that its fierceness and nobility will serve you well as its pilot." The Red Ranger nodded in understanding.
"The Zeozords are incredible fighting remember, they are only machines." the galactic being went on. "The most important resources you have to fight these new foes are your human attributes."
"What do you mean, Zordon?" Tanya asked.
"Your hearts and minds are greater tools than anything that can be manufactured." he clarfied. "The Machine Empire can never build anything that can compare to them."
The alarm sounded, alerting the Rangers to the monster that King Mondo had sent down. The Viewing Globe depicted a large robot with a star-shaped shield on it's back, by the name of Staroid, making its move on the city limits.
The five Rangers looked to one another and nodded, ready to face their first real monster of the Machine Empire, "It's Morphin Time!"
"Zeo Ranger I, Pink!"
"Zeo Ranger II, Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger III, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger IV, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger V, Red!"
The Rangers were then lowered to their respective Zeozord cockpits, ready for battle.
"Zeozord I, ready!" The Pink Ranger intiated her Moa-like Zord, prepping the single cannon it was armed with.
"Zeozord II, awesome!" The Yellow Ranger switched on her Dogu-shaped Zord, priming it's dual cannons and lasers, the eyes glowing a dim shade of red.
"Zeozord III, check this out!" The Blue Ranger ignited his Zord, the Sphinx giving a loud roar.
"Zeozord IV, ready!" The Green Ranger pulled back the two levers, the Bull-like Zord rearing up and ready to fight.
"Zeozord V, let's go." The Red Ranger iniated the Phoenix-like Zord, spreading it's wings and ready to fly.
The bay doors opened the Zords charged into battle. However, King Mondo's Qudrafighters located them and began firing lasers to slow them down. The five Zeozords pushed forward, knocking the Qudrafighters out of the way and firing back with equal force. The Rangers themselves were quite impressed with the increased power and were having a good time.
They soon came upon Staroid, who was more than ready to make the first move. He started firing lasers left and right, nearly toppling the Zeozords over once or twice. Staroid encased himself inside a metal sphere, and rammed into the Zords.
"Rangers." Zordon hailed over the communication system. "You must use your Zeonizer Crystals to activate the ZeoMegazord."
"You can do it guys." Billy encouraged, although he was still very worried about his friends' and cousin's well being.
Each Ranger energized their Zeonizer Crystal and the Megazord process was initiated. "ZeoMegazord assembly, now!" Zeo Ranger V ordered.
The chains connecting Zeozords III and IV disconnected from Zeozords I and II. The Pink and Yellow Zords formed the feet of the Megazord. Zeozord IV formed the legs and waist of the Megazord, and Zeozord II formed the arms and upper torso. Lastly, Zeozord V formed the head and helmet of the Megazord. "ZeoMegazord, Battle Ready!" The Rangers called out, positioned in the cockpit.
"Your little toys don't scare me." Staroid taunted.
"This star's about to fall." Zeo Ranger III threatened, clenching his hand into a fist.
The two large robots started off in a hand-to-hand style combat, throwng punches and kicks. The Rangers gains the upper hand when they activated the Megazord's saber weapon. With one strike, they managed to dismember Staroid, only for him to reasseble.
"Man, this overgrown Starfish just can't take a hint." Zeo Ranger IV groaned.
"We need more power." Zeo Ranger II noted.
"ZeoMegazord Saber! Full Power!" The five Rangers called in unison. The weapon glowed and in a swift motion, Staroid was destroyed far beyond repair.
"They did it!" Alpha cheered, jumping up and down.
"Looks like the field test was a success." Billy concluded with a grin. "Thank goodness."
The next day after school, Tanya sat alone at a table in the Juice Bar, working on a History assignment. Shawn walked in and saw her, he took a deep breath and exhaled, walking towards her table. "Hey Tanya." he greeted. "I was looking for you."
"Don't bother." Tanya shut her History book and got up to leave, only to be stopped by Shawn.
"I just wanted to tell you that I turned the test answers into Mr. Caplan." Shawn admitted, getting Tanya's attention. "I know I was kind of a jerk before. I just hope I didn't mess things up too bad between us." he sighed. "You know your respect is important to me."
The corner of Tanya's lips curled into a smile, "I guess everyone makes mistakes." she admitted.
"Don't I know it." Shawn chuckled. "If you're not too busy, I could really use some help studying."
Tanya's smile grew, "Let me see if I can squeeze you in." she flipped open her planner and flipped a few pages. "Well, it turns out I do have an opening."
"When?" Shawn asked with a raised brow.
"Right now." Tanya giggled. She set her History work aside and pulled out her Calculus notes. "Have a seat."
Shawn smiled and sat next to her, leaning closer. He held his hand up, which Emma saw from behind the bar and she walked over. "What can I get you guys?" she asked.
"A Banana Smoothie for the lady and I'll have a Mixed Berry Smoothie." Shawn answered, pulling a couple bills from his wallet.
"Coming right up." Emma smiled, giving a small wink to Tanya as she turned to leave.