XV. Power Rangers In Retrograde - Mystic Force Surely Heroines Part 1
(Based from the unadapted Magiranger episode number 8 of the same name)
"Not on your life," Pink and Black say slapping his hand away.
"So be it!" Imperious taunts, knocking her back with his fan, the two defusing in the process.
"You better cool it!" Blue says blasting Imperious with her powers.
"Entrowa!" Imperious counters, creating a funnel of water that surges back and Blue blasting her away.
"Try and stop this," Yellow says thrusting his own MagiStaff skyward, calling down a lighting storm on Imperious.
He easily collects it in his fan.
"But how?"
"I have stronger magic," Imperious taunts returning the lighting with some of his own added to it, "That's how. Volleffo!"
"Chip!," Red shouts as the other Rangers collect themselves together, "That's it! Dragon Power!" Red shouts as she launches into the air for her fiery strike.
Imperious stops it with his fan and blasts the Red Ranger away, Jenji watching from the sidelines, "I really would like to help, it's just his massive fear thing that's stopping me."
"I was mislead into thinking you would be a more powerful adversary," Imperious taunts crossing his arms as he turns sideways to the Rangers. "Udonna has not chosen wis-"
The suddenly appearance of several bounders slamming into him throws Imperious off his game, the Silver Training Ranger, Liera appearing beside the others Ranger knocks Imperious back.
"I was not aware there was a 7th Ranger, your trick was sneaky but not enough to stop me!" Rising his fan he blasts all 7 Rangers back as a dark seal begins to form under him, "I want to show you real power, Anosoo!" As he grows to giant size.
"Well that's just unfair," Jenji comments.
"Oh yeah well we have a few tricks too!"Red shouts, the group caught off guard as their Mystic Morphers beep.
"Is that," Yellow says looking at the code combination surprised.
"It is!" Green exclaims, "That's my fusion spell!"
Blue and Black push Green and Red to the front, "You two go Unizord well all lend a hand, pausing a moment Blue looks to Silver, "You up for Megazord action Liera?"
"You bet!"
With a sigh Green shifts to female, to the rose Ranger, bidding a quite farewell to her masculinity as Red and Rose Titan up quickly forming the Dragon Unizord while on the ground Silver, Yellow, Blue, Pink, and Black invoke Galwit Mysto becoming energy to combine with the Unizord, who only comes up to Imperious foot.
"Pathetic!" Imperious laughs kicking the Megazord some distance away.
"New plan," Dragon calls, Titan formation, Liera fuse and join us in the cockpit."
"Right!"
After another shift back to Green for Nicole the zord configuration changes, Silver looking around in shock and awe at the chessboard layout, "This is fascinating!"
"Focus Liera," Black advises, "Let's take this to the air!"
"Right!"
As the Titan Megazord flies toward Imperious he mocks them, "Oh look, a flea!" Batting them away with an off hand smack into several buildings.
Green looks off to the side and vanishes from the cockpit.
"Where did she go?" Silver wonders, her answer is quickly received as she see's the Green Ranger running out of a damage building with several civilians carried inside a bubble of sticks and vines.
Red refocuses as she powers the Megazord for its finisher, "We need to end this now before people are hurt. Put all you have into the sword!"
"Right!"
The Titan Megazord forcing itself to it's feet at Imperious blasts them with lighting, "I am growing bored with this annoyance."
"Oh no," Jenji cowers, "I can't..." as the Titan Megazord once more takes to the sky.
"It is time to end this!" Imperious taunts as he raises his fan, just as the Green Ranger returns to the cockpit.
"I wish I wasn't such a little scary cat," Jenji moans. Suddenly he shoots from his lamp, growing larger and larger, "Who's a big cat now!" until he is a match for Imperious.
"Jenji!" Red says relived.
"What's this!" Imperious says in disbelief!
"OK whose your daddy now mummy!" Jenji taunts showing off one hand and then the other, "Look at this, look at this. What's in my hand!" Before clapping them together.
Imperious scoffs at Jenji, "Foolish cat!"
"Wrong!" Jenji says throwing open his hands, the Titan Megazord charging at Imperious, "Power Rangers!" Imperious stumbles back a few steps as the Titan Megazord slashes him with a full power strike, as Jenji laughs, "Being big is goooood!"
Imperious stumbling dangerous close to another inhabited building.
"You were lucky," Imperious says dangerously as he prepares to counter attack, "Take this!" only for feedback to shock through him and make his scream out in pain.
"Take what?" Jenji says confused.
Imperious keeps his voice low, "My magic is still weak from my time in the cave," mentally adding, 'Like pulling a muscle.' before turning his attention back to Jenji and the Rangers, "My apologies for not destroying you as promised, but I will," before vanishing into a spell seal.
"Oh yeah well you're a bigger looser," Jenji taunts, "Peace out mummy."
The Green Ranger suddenly exits the cockpit, crashing toward the ground as he demorphs, the other Rangers quick to return to normal Ranger form using a combination of effects to slow her fall, Blecker almost passing out as soon as he is on the ground.
Alexis quickly running over, "Nicole! Nicole! You going to be okay?"
"So tired," he says passing out in Alexis' arms, "Soo...many...fusions, form changes."
Liera looks up to the other Rangers as they demorph, tears forming at the rims of her eyes, "Is she going to be OK?"
Vida moves over kneeling by Blecker and checking her temperature and pulse, "I think so. I think she just pushed herself too hard."
Maddie offers Liera a handkerchief and smiles, "Yeah remember fusions take a lot out of her."
Chip pauses looking down at his hands, "But not us apparently. That's so weird."
"Let's get her back to Rootcore to rest," Manni advises.
As they move off a frog watches them closely.
Udonna laughs as Vida and Chip lead her out of Rootcore, "Can't you just tell me the surprise."
Vida laughs, "Now keep your eyes closed until we say you can open them."
"Alright," Maddie chuckles as she, and Manni stealthy sneak Jenji up behind her, "Because we have a new cat! Open your eyes!"
Udonna removes her hands from her eyes and smiles wide as she sees Jenji.
"It's me," Jenji laughs, "I'm the cat!"
"Jenji!" Udonna says as she runs over embracing him.
"Udonna you haven't aged a day!"
"I think we can keep him," Xander jokes.
Vida nods enthusiastically.
"I've missed you so much. Where have you been!"
"Well let me tell yo-"
"Daggeron? Bowen? Do you know where Bowen is?"
"No, you see-"
"Somebody help me!" Clare calls out, everyone rushing inside.
"O-Ok, Nice catching up!: Jenji says rushing to join the others as they hurry into the hatchery for the dragon egg.
"It's hatching!"
"What's going on," Jenji says running in last, "What's happening?"
The group watch in awe as the egg springs upright and cracks, a baby dragon emerging.
"Waste of a perfectly good omelet," Jenji says disappointed.
The dragon hatchling looks around before focusing it's gaze on Clare and murmur "Momma," to her surprise and confusion, everyone laughs.
As Blecker comes around she found herself resting on a small cot, as she sits up she holds the blanket close to her as Chip came over with a cup of tea, "Feeling better?"
"Yes, a little, she said taking the tea and sipping it, a small blush coming to her cheeks as she gave Chip a small peck on the cheek. Instantly turning away and flushing with color as she did so.
"T-Think nothing of it," The other Rangers making their way over, including LeeLee as Chip slinks back. Blecker started at her still feminine hands a while before speaking again, "G-Guys?" her throat suddenly dry. "I...I can't do this any more...this...Ranger thing."
The Rangers gasped, Vida pushing to the front, "W-Why? We need you, especially with that jerk Imperious about, we need as many Rangers as we can get."
"I-I know this isn't the best time," Blecker stumbled upon her words, "I just can't keep up, it's too much, I-"
Madddie measured her words carefully as he motioned over Jenji, "I know you don't have the same...stamina...for morphed and unmorphed fights, is that it? We can work on that, with some more training we-"
Blecker took a sip and looked away, her eyes dropping to her chest a moment as she sighed, "T-That's part of it," she sighed again, "You all get stronger and it just seems like every time you guys have to take it up to another level I lag more and more behind, and now this Green Ranger thing. For a moment I had myself back, my man hood, I was a guy again, then I had to be the Rose Ranger, then Green, back and forth. I just can't keep up, b-besides it's been-"
"Wait your a guy?" LeeLee interjects, smirking, "Are you cute."
Blecker flusters, then looks over to Jenji and turns bright red, "Sorry mate..."
Jenji waves it off dismissively.
Manni looks to the others a moment, Chip and Vida sharing a look, "Jenji you can fix her right, make it so she can keep up power wise and all?" Vida asked the feline, "If you can that's my wish, do it."
"Granted!" Jenji said dramatically.
Blecker's eyes went wide as she felt her body tingle with power and her energy rapidly returning.
"And I wish she had a body that could keep up physically with all the magical action we do, something lithe, powerful, beautiful, the whole nine yards!" Chip added.
"You already had a wish," Jenji reminds him.
"Find then make it mine!" LeeLee cuts in.
Blecker's eyes went wider, "LeeLee wai-"she tried to protest as Jenji snapped his fingers, "Granted."
He body quickly began to slim, her bust filling out as the pounds just melted away, Alexis gasped, "Oh wow your gorgeous! Oh me next!" she grabbed the lamp. "AND the other girls get the same treatment!"
"Granted!Jenji said dramatically as all the girls started to go through drastic changes.
Blecker leaned back in her cot and sighed, "All of you you just don't get it! She said jumping to her feet and throwing her Mystic Morpher on the table. "Ever since this has started I've felt like some kind of backup Ranger, My powers were the same as Vida's my Ranger form was the same, my powers. It's like I existed solely to be her 'use in case of emergency' button."
"It's not like that," Vida said grabbing the Morpher, "You have your own identity, your own role in all this."
Blecker threw up her arms, "Do you know how many times I've been changed into a girl in the past few years? Do any of you even care? You don't even think of me as a boy do you? Hell I don't most of the time! I'm sorry I just can't give up that part of me anymore. The longer I stay a girl the less like me I feel like. It's like the power, the power you just increased is trying to force me into some kind of role of what the Rose Ranger should..." she sighed, looking to Chip, "Remember that kiss Chip we just had?"
The other Rangers look to him, he flashes sheepishly.
"It felt natural, it felt right. And it's not the only time I've found I had feelings for a boy. All kinds of strange thoughts flit through my mind since I became like this. Such as, 'Maddie has such nice hair, what's her secret.' or 'when this fight is over we girls should hit the mall, I could really use some new blouses.'"
"That's not so bad," Maddie comments.
Blecker growls, "Did you hear me I said 'we girls' I don't think of myself as a guy. I think of myself as 'one of the girls'. And the longer I stay like this the more afraid I'm going to forget who I am, not just my real gender but aspects of what makes me...me. I already see it now, when I look at Chip and want him to ask me out on a date. Or stare at my reflection and think how I can look better for the boys. I'm loosing myself to whatever the Rose Ranger is supposed to be!" Blecker sighed, "I wish..."
Everyone tensed, but Blecker caught herself, "I need some time alone, OK everyone...I just need some time to change back, I need time to be me. I-I just can't be a Ranger. Not right now, not like this. OK?"
The other Ranger's nodded as Blecker walked out of Rootcore, without her Morpher, Chip looked to the others, "You guys think we've been ignoring the obvious? Could Nicole be right?"
"Maybe," Maddie offered, "I mean we just call her up when we need help, I know I never really thought to much about what it must be like to change sex when I became a Ranger," she pauses a moment before she concern crosses her face, "In fact I can't remember the last time I thought of Nicole as anything other then 'one of the girls'."
The other Rangers nod, Chip adding, "Same here, if anything I kept thinking of her...er him...as a girl who sometimes changes into a boy not the other way around."
LeeLee drops into an open seat, "I can't believe how much we've taken advantage of her..."
Still fuming Blecker storms through Brairwood, not paying to much attention to her surroundings and direction, she only stops when she passes a dress shop, her feet rooting firm to the ground as she catches her reflection, and a smile starts to creep onto her face, 'I do look good.' she purrs at her reflection, the ghost image of the dress on the mannequin catching on her as well, images flitting through her mind of her in many a dress and outfit. She twirls around, inspecting her self in the mirror and laughs at how good she looks as she tries on one outfit after another, the fantasy not fading until she exits the store in a new blouse and skirt, her arms laden down with bags.
She stops, looking around and at herself, the bag were real, the new dress she was wearing was real. Realization dawns that her mental shopping montage was not a fantasy. She turns to storm back in, intent to return her purchases but finds her feet carrying her away in the other direction. Planting her feet firmly on the ground she stops.
"Can I give you a hand miss?" man asks her politely.
"No I'm fine," she says automatically as she looks into the slate gray eyes of a hansom stranger, "What's your name?"
"Alex."
Blecker finds herself flushing, setting her bags down as she pulls out a small blank card scribbling her number on it, "I have to get going but call me, let's have lunch some time."
Blecker was several blocks away before her mind caught up with her and she slipped into an alley way dropping to her knees, her heart thundering in her chest, 'I just asked a boy out on a date...and I liked it.' Looking down at herself chill ran up her spine, "I need to sleep this off, wait till I change back," to whispered.
There is a scream, a woman's voice, on instinct Blecker jumps to her feet and runs to investigate, as she arrives on the scene she sees a young woman collapsing to the ground, she is not breathing, a Manticore monster looming over her. Blecker instinctively reaches for her Mystic Morpher only to slap her forehead, she has left it at Rootcore in her huff. Swearing under he breath she sets her bags down and charges the monster, surprised at the speed of her new body and the power behind her blow.
There are several other people around her, a film crew to be exact, "Get the girl to the hospital NOW!"
A couple scramble to collect the actress and Blecker trades blows with the monster, until the other Rangers arrive, "Get to safety miss!" Yellow says as he stealthily slips Blecker her Mystic Morpher, she nods.
Blecker starts to run off until the director stops her, "This way miss."
Blecker stops, her bags in hand, as she slips into the car with the director as they speed away to safety.
Nicole dances into Rootcore on top of the world.
"Well someone is in a better mood," Alexis says happily, then looks sheepish, "Sorry about earlier Nic-Blecker."
she beams, "You can call me Nicole, no reason to change a working habit," she says as she gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Chip walks over feeling her forehead, "You feeling OK Nicole?"
"I'm better then OK, I'm going to be an actress!"
Everyone gasps.
"That film crew I saved from the monster thought I had the right stuff, I have an audition in a couple hours, it's a small part but I-"
Chip shakes Nicole gently, "Get a hold of yourself man!"
Blecker stops, seemingly shaken out of her glamour and sinking into a chair in a funk, her voice soft and low, "I was hoping I could just pretend."
"Pretend what?" Maddie wonders.
Blecker sighs, "I walked into a clothing store, had a shopping montage in my head, only it turned out to be real. The line between 'Nicole' and 'Blecker' is getting blurrier and blurrier. I hoped maybe if I indulged my female fantasies I could get it out of my system...get back to normal."
The Rangers look concerned among themselves, before LeeLee speaks, "I say go for it, we can back you up right Vida, Maddie?"
The other two girls nod.
"O..Okay," Nicole says unsure, "If you girls are by my side."
"Come on," Vida says leading the girls to the exit, "Let's get ready."
As the girls head out Chip watches them, "Looks like the girls are going to have a lot of fun, I wish I could join them," he glances around at Manni with a smile, "All of us could join them, for moral support, for times like this."
Jenji pops up behind Chip and taps his shoulder reverting him to female, "You can, remember!"
"Ow," Nicole grunts as the cheerleader baton she was swirling hits her in the head, again. The director sighs, "Nex-"
"Just one more t-try!" Nicole begs, "P-Please!"
From off stage Maddie winks, turning invisible, Nicole smiles.
Twirling the staff the invisible Maddie helps her keep control, until as the two are dancing around the stage, their feet tangle in the curtains and it comes crashing around the girls, Maddie once again visible as they extract themselves. Quickly Maddie's bows, apologizes and runs for the exit.
"Wait!" The director calls, collecting Maddie in a finger box, "Your perfect for the Heroine of the piece, won't you please audition?"
"T-the heroine? Maddie stammers as the director scrambles for an extra script handing it to Maddie, "Study the part, and be back in an hour."
Maddie nods automatically, and walks off, Nicole glowers at her as she walks off, "H-How was I Mr. Director?"
"Not bad, in that last round, why don't you take a break, I have a few more actresses to see."
Nicole nods and slips off.
"Next!" the director calls out, "Charlotte Thorn!"
A pretty red-haired girl emerging onto the stage.
Nicole wanders the area around the studio in a funk, 'I can't believe the director takes one look at Maddie and wants to make her the star.'
She stops as she sees Maddie seeming lost in a dream, Maddie is staring at the script, seeing herself as a popular cheerleader, the crowd cheers and paparazzi take pictures of her, stars twinkling in her eyes. Nicole come up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You really like being the star don't you, her nails digging just slightly into the skin, a hit of jealousy in her voice.
Maddie snaps out of it and turns around, looking sheepish, "S-Sorry N-Nicole...I'm always behind the camera so when I got offered to be in front-"
Nicole sighs, "It's alright," looking away a moment, "Truth be told it took all the courage I could muster to stand before the director, fighting monsters is easier then standing up on stage being judged by your peers," she smiles warmly, "I'm glad for you, really. I don't think-she stops, correcting herself, "I know I would just choke in the spotlight."
Their Mystic Morphers go off, it's Clare, the Manticore is back, causing trouble in the park. Blue and Rose hurry off to confront it.
As Rose and Blue arrive they stop cold, Pink and Silver arriving a moment later as they watch Yellow blast the Manticore who is using his powers to make several people dance like puppets on invisible strings. The blast breaks the spell and Blue quickly recovers helping evacuate the civilians, as Rose runs up to the Female Yellow Ranger.
"W-What happened to you guys?"
"My wish, remember,", Yellow answers, the Rangers quickly dispersing as the monster blasts them.
"I can turn into a girl as well, as long as you have to deal with this change you won't deal with it solo," Yellow comments, "Let's get him girls!"
Rose fights back tears, "T-Thank you!" charging forward.
Some distance away the Blue Ranger ushers the civilians onto a bus, "You'll be safe, this bus will get you out of the danger zone."
"Thank you Blue Ranger."
"You're the best!"
"Blue is my favorite color!"
Blue stands transfixed as the bus pulls out, imagining herself before the spotlight, the fan again bowing them kisses as she signs autographs, this time as the Blue Ranger not Madison Roca. After a moment she recovers running back to the scene, raising her MagiStaff to blast the Manticore.
He leaps out of the way her attack hitting Red instead, "A-Alexis," she says confused and ashamed as she runs over to Red to help her up, "I-I'm sorry."
Yellow blasts the Manticore as he retreats to a tree, knocking him off, she laughs and pumps her fist in the air, "Girl power! Yeah!" Manticore quickly escaping.
Blue shakes her head confused, "Am I still dreaming?"
Pink moves over to her side with a bit of a laugh, "We'll explain back at Rootcore."
Alexis sneezes, Maddie wrap her in a blanket as Manni, gives her some tea, "I'm so sorry Alexis."
"It was an accident."
Maddie slumps into a chair, "But if I wasn't so...distracted."
Chip, still a girl, takes her hand, "It's OK Maddie, no one got hurt, it's just a little cold."
Nicole sits down next to her, looking at her watch, "Don't you have an audition to get to?"
Maddie shakes her head, "Maybe I shouldn't go."
"Go! Go!" Chip, encourages, "We all tried out. Come on. Even if you only get a small part when Nicole is on the camera she's going to have all of us behind her!"
Maddie looks over to Nicole who smiles, "Go for it."
"If your going to go go in style!" Vida smirks, "I have a new transformation spell I've just been dying to try out."
Shortly Vida and Maddie are in town, Vida slipping out of view a moment, "Here goes nothing!" as she transforms herself into...a pink beetle car. "Well I was hoping for a sedan or limo!" Vida-Car opens her door, Maddie chuckling, "Hop in."
Maddie does so as they drive to the audition, the Mystic Morphers going off just as Vida changes back, she pushes Maddie toward the door, "You go, we'll handle this."
"You sure?"
Vida nods, "Just be honest with yourself."
A short distance away Black arrives on the scene to see the Manticore blast Red, Green, Yellow, Pink, and Silver. As they get back to their feet they prepare for another attack, Pink quickly transforms into a changing room vanity wall defecting the attack. The others gather up behind the barrier only for the monster to take control of their bodies, Necra watches as the 4 Rangers all attack the vanity wall and it reverts back to the Pink Ranger.
"Come on girls!" Pink says trying to snap the others out of their controlled stats, the 4 other Rangers dancing around her as they attack.
"They can hear you but can't do anything until I stop the funk that's making their toes twinkle Pink Ranger, now why don't you join the dance party!"
"Now I understand what my victims felt, this is so degrading," Pink muses.
Green growls as they all power down, still caught in the dancing spell, "Come on, body, come on!" He dances closer as Manticore laughs.
"Pirouette for me my lovely," he coos as he strokes his chin, Green shifting uncontrollably into female form as she purrs in content.
An aura, bright pink but fiery like Phineas', sparks about Nicole's body as she starts to ballet. The others coming in to complete the act. She closes her eyes taking a deep breath, the world dropping away until she can only hear the beat of her own heart.