DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN POWER RANGERS
AN: Here's the next chapter for you and we see the return of some old characters...
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"This job would really mean a lot to me Mr Lertree".
"I'm sure it would Miss Cornell, so if you're really serious about this, then i'm willing to give you a chance..."
"Of course I am".
"But still, I appreciate that you're young and might not have the experience of most reporters, so, if you can get me a story good enough to be put on air on this channel by the end of the week, then the job's yours".
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"I got it Devin!", Cassidy shouted excitedly as she jumped up and down in front of her friend.
"That's great Cass!"
"All I have to do is find a decent story and the job's mine!"
"Well...the Power Rangers are back...and they're here in Reefside".
"Of course! Everyone wants to hear about the Power Rangers!", she grabbed hold of Devin's arm; "Let's go!"
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"That was one monster day...", Kira crashed out on one of the couches at the Cyberspace after returning from a long recording session. She was immediately followed by the rest of the team who had all also finished work.
No sooner had they sat down did each of their communicators ring out with their unique tones. "Speaking of monsters...", Adam looked at the others pointedly before they all rushed out of the door. "Where's the problem guys?", Adam spoke into his communicator once they were out of sight.
"Shouldn't take you too long to find him, he's -...", Tommy's voice replied, but he was cut off by a loud scream. The Rangers' heads all shot up at the noise as they looked for it's source. It didn't take too long before they saw large numbers of civilians running away from the next street.
"I think we got him..."
"Okay, good luck guys".
The four Rangers charged around the next corner to come face to face with their monster, who was enjoying terrorizing everyone in sight.
"Feel the fear of Pralor!"
"Hey!"
"Stop!"
"Well look who it is!", the monster appeared unphased by the appearance of the Rangers; "I've been looking forward to this...", he sneered evilly; "Hornets, attack!"
A dozen footsoldiers appeared and the Rangers shifted into a battle stance before running to meet them.
Having grown used to the predictable movements of the Hornets, the Rangers confidently struck out at them with no sympathy and they were easily defeated.
Pralor looked unimpressed; "Perhaps you like larger numbers!", he challenged and at his command, no less than 20 Hornets surrounded each Ranger, waiting to attack.
"I'm getting too old for this", Tori commented on the fresh wave of opponents.
"Likewise", Xander agreed.
"I hear that...", Adam didn't seem to be in a patient mood; "IT'S MORPHIN' TIME!"
"NINJA STORM, RANGER FORM, HA!"
"DINO THUNDER, POWER UP!"
"MAGICAL SOURCE, MYSTIC FORCE!"
All at once, two swords and two axes came crashing down to meet their targets as the Rangers began to fight their way through the Hornets.
Adam swung the Power Axe at the nearest few creatures, bringing it straight across their mid-sections. He drove a sharp kick backwards into two trying to ambush him from behind and rapidly turned with the axe in hand to finish a couple more. The Black Ranger then leapt high into the air; "Blade Blaster, fire!", the lasers got the job done.
The Hornets facing Kira had all drawn their daggers and simultaneously prepared to bring them down. However, the Yellow Ranger raised the Thundermax Saber above her head and crouched low to the ground. 20 sharpened blades rested on Kira's and without warning, she thrust herself upwards, sending the footsoldiers flying in all directions. Kira stood over the grounded Hornets and, like Adam, drew her blaster and the creatures were quickly destroyed.
"Magistaff!", the Green Ranger thrust the weapon towards the group of Hornets and thick vines shot out of the end, wrapping themselves tightly around the footsoldiers. Xander quickly followed up and swiped at the now defenseless creatures, sending sparks flying from their armor. "Axe Mode!", the Magistaff transformed and he swung it over his head before slamming it straight into the ground where a streak of energy spread from where it hit and surged straight through the Hornets. The evil creatures were overpowered by the force and they fell to the floor, defeated.
Tori removed the Ninja Sword from her back sheath in one fluid movement; "Ninja Shadow Battle!", she surged forward towards the now visually impaired Hornets as they desperately scrabbled around. The Blue Ranger struck out at the creatures, who were completely overwhelmed by the attacks and they crashed to the ground, exploding into a cloud of flames.
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"Devin! There they are...", Cassidy pointed at the Rangers from behind the large crate where she was hiding as Devin scrambled around for his video camera and set the tape rolling.
As the Rangers fought, the one in yellow drew closer, just finishing off the Hornets and Cassidy recognized the familiar suit. "Wait a minute...isn't that Kira?", Devin looked up towards the battle scene and sure enough, there stood the Yellow Dino Ranger.
"Yeah...it is...", he looked confused; "But where are the others?", he asked, referring to Conner, Ethan, Dr. O and Trent.
"I don't know...", a sudden smile crept over Cassidy's face; "But I think i've got my story..."
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The four Rangers stood facing Pralor having defeated the large group of Hornets. "Is that the best you can do?", Xander taunted.
"Yeah, how about a real challenge?", Tori added.
"You asked for it!", the enraged monster charged towards the Rangers, a curved Saber held tightly in his hand where they met him head on with their own unique blades and to the sound of clashing metal.
Adam twisted himself away from the fray momentarily, while the others kept Pralor busy and darted behind the creature before landing a good kick in his back, knocking him off balance and gifting the other Rangers a free hit on it's armor. Kira quickly drew her blaster and aimed it at his head, but it was knocked out of the way as Pralor pulled up his saber and slashed her across the chest. However, that favor was returned courtesy of the Black Ranger and a deadly swipe from the Power Axe.
The monster growled as Tori followed up Adam's attack almost straightaway with a well-timed strike across its chest plate, leaving the door open for Xander to do the same. Pralor continued to stagger backwards away from the Rangers as he clutched his chest; "You will see me again, and next time – you won't be so lucky!", he threatened before quickly disappearing in a flash of jet-black lightning.
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Upon returning to the Cyberspace, the team once again crashed out on the couch and Adam casually switched on the TV. The picture blared onscreen as he reached for the remote.
"Wait a minute", Kira prevented him changing the channel as she stared at the familiar face onscreen.
"And now may we introduce a new member to our team here at Reefside Central News – Miss Cassidy Cornell".
"How the hell did she get that job?", Kira wondered out loud.
"Thanks John, can I just say that it's an honor to be joining Reefside's biggest News network".
"Well, we all think that you'll do great and I hear that you've brought us an exclusive".
Cassidy couldn't help but grin; "That's right, I have the first confirmation on the identity of the Yellow Power Ranger".
"Well, tune in tomorrow for Cassidy's new slot where all will be revealed on that story. That's it from me today but i'll back again at the same time tomorrow-..."
Adam promptly shut the TV off and Kira felt three pairs of eyes bearing down on her as she sat in stunned disbelief.
"So...", Xander began.
"I've gotta find her", Kira stated, interrupting the Green Ranger before rising from her seat and leaving the building. The Rangers stared after her before a familiar voice appeared behind them.
"Are you guys alright?" They all turned to face Hayley as she leaned casually against the back of the couch, a couple of empty glasses in her hand.
"Yeah, I guess so", Adam answered for them.
"Where's Kira?"
"We just saw the news on TV and this new reporter – Cassidy Cornell, I think it said...", Hayley perked up at the name; "...Claims to know who the Yellow Ranger is", Adam started.
"And she's gonna announce it tomorrow", Xander added.
"So Kira ran off to find her", Tori finished.
"I mean, how can anybody know who we are, we always make sure no-one can see us morph and everything", Xander commented in a hushed voice.
"Yeah, she probably just saw somebody who was near a fight or something when we disappeared".
"Hold it guys", Hayley held her free hand up; "Don't waste your breath because Cassidy Cornell already knows who Kira really is..."
"I don't think so, nobody has seen us morph and we've definitely not told anyone – well, except my mom", Adam argued.
"You've not heard the full story yet", Hayley explained; "Kira and the other Dino Rangers went to high school with Cassidy, and at the final battle with Mesogog, she was there – she saw everything".
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A loud knock rattled the large wooden door to the unused office that Daniel had kindly given Cassidy in which she could compile her news story; not even looking up from her work as she answered. "Devin! If you're here again about the stupid kid who got stuck in a tree, then i'm gonna-..."
"Hey Cassidy".
The budding reporter finally peered towards the doorway with a mixture of shock and worry as her eyes came to rest on her old classmate. "Hi...Kira".
"I guess I don't need to tell you why i'm here?", Kira answered calmly as she surveyed the girl who was threatening to expose her secret.
"Oh come on...lighten up!", Cassidy grinned; "Why does it matter so much if people find out that you're out there running around in spandex half the time?"
"Hey, keep it down!", Kira replied in a hushed voice; "How about we take a walk?" she motioned to the door and Cassidy reluctantly followed.
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"You wanted to know why I want it kept secret?", Kira finally sat herself down on a park bench; "Take a look around...", she gestured with her hands.
"At what?" Cassidy's brow furrowed in confusion.
"People...lots of people", she glanced at her companion; "Can you imagine the attention they all found out who I really was?"
This statement seemed to be more on Cassidy's wavelength; "Sure I can! You'd be an international superstar – the people would love you!"
"Exactly", finally they were getting somewhere; "People following you everywhere...interfering where they shouldn't be – the effects could be deadly if they screwed up our Ranger plans". Cassidy bit her lip as she processed the thought. "I'll tell you now that Osirico doesn't take prisoners; all he needs is one starstruck civilian to get in the way, never mind hundreds of them; and BANG!...He'd wipe them out like a fly".
"Don't be stupid...it couldn't be that bad", Cassidy answered, but her expression didn't quite support the words.
"Of course it could, we're more than happy as unknown heroes saving the world – there's far less chance of people getting hurt". The young reporter chewed over the information in her head, and was admittedly beginning to see Kira's side of the story.
A loud beeping noise interrupted the conversation momentarily and Kira looked down at her bracelet before tapping into the comms system.
"Kira we need you down here, this guy's gonna be a tough one".
Adam's voice fizzled away and the Yellow Ranger looked back at Cassidy; "I could be out there saving the world, but i'm talking to you", she pointed out.
"This is my first, probably my only chance at hitting the big time...this story will put me on the map!", Cassidy argued; "You've already got your fame, the record companies are going crazy trying to sign you – now it's my turn".
"Okay, but the next time you have to report on another civilian injured by a monster attack, don't come running to me", Kira replied sternly; "I know you've got a job to do, but don't you think that mine is a little more important?" she stood from her seat, ready to leave...
"Okay! Okay, i'll scrap the story!", Cassidy raised her hands in defeat; "But on one condition..."
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"Give it all you've got!", Xander growled menacingly as the three morphed Rangers faced off against the monster who had retreated earlier. "Mystic Muscle!", the empowered Green Ranger full-on rugby tackled Pralor to the ground, cracking the concrete slabs beneath them.
Xander stood right back up before picking the creature up by its chest armor and flinging it straight up in the air, towards the skies.
"He's mine!", Tori leapt skywards, unsheathing her sword and delivering a powerful strike on the monster's return journey to Earth, just as Adam fired shot after shot from the Blade Blaster straight into it's torso.
"Hope you're gonna leave some for me!" the Yellow Ranger's voice echoed out as she thrust a foot into the creature's back for good measure before landing neatly beside her teammates.
The smoldering heap that was Pralor clambered to its feet extremely unsteadily and pointed a shaky finger at the Rangers; "I may be defeated, but my master will live on!"
"Yeah, well we'll see about that", Adam inclined his head casually; "Combo time?"
"You know it", Tori replied from his right side as the Ptera Grips fused with the Ninja Sword in her hands.
Adam lifted the double-headed combination of his and Xander's axes onto his shoulder; "Time's up for you buddy..." he charged, closely followed by his Ninja teammate and in a blur of black and blue, the Rangers swiftly destroyed the creature.
"And another one bites the dust!", Kira finished cheerily, so of course it was only fitting that the monster regenerated to the size of a small skyscraper.
"You just had to say it", Xander muttered jokingly as he reached for his morpher; "It's Titan time!"
"Galwit Mysto Prifior!"
"Mystic Minotaur!"
Hayley deployed the rest of the Zords and whilst Xander was busy with his axe, the Shogun and Ptera Zords swiftly combined into their new-found formation. "Let's get this over with", Kira suggested from inside her cockpit.
"Sounds good to me...and the Dolphin's away!" Tori's blue machine shot forwards towards Pralor, upending him completely; "How'd you like my party trick?", she joked as the monster bobbed helplessly on the end of the Dolphin's nose. "To you Xander!", Pralor was thrown high into the air before the Zord's tail whipped around, smacking straight into its armor and sending it in the direction of the Green Ranger in a shower of sparks.
Xander waited for his moment like a pro baseball player before swinging the giant axe.
The weapon powerfully connected with Pralor's already defeated chest plate, sending him hurtling towards the ground. "Finish him off guys", he gestured with massive hands towards the 'mini-Megazord'.
"Would be a pleasure...", the Megazord turned towards its quarry; "Full power!", raw energy surged down through the Ptera rang gripped in the Shogun's hand as it flew towards Pralor, quickly ending his bout of terror amidst a large smoke cloud and a lick of flame.
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"So is this it then?"
"Yeah, do we all need to grow beards and mustaches?"
"You'll see...we came to a compromise " Kira replied with a grin, just as Cassidy's face blared up on the TV screen.
"What kind of compromise?"
"Thanks John, i'd like to start by saying what an honor it is to have joined Reefside Central News..." The young reporter began excitedly. She was obviously not in the usual broadcasting studio due to the two plush armchairs, one of which, she sat in and the decorated room that was obviously designed for high-profile interviews. "...And it's also a pleasure to have gained such a great first story...", Adam audibly gulped from his place beside Kira on the couch, even though it was obvious that the Yellow Ranger had sorted something out. "Yes, I have the exclusive rights to the first ever live interview with Reefside's rising superstar – Kira Ford!"
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And there goes Chapter 7, hope you guys liked it :)