The lunch rush had been every bit as insane as Shebly expected it to be. But together the two valiant employees had been able to pull it together and make it to the other side in one piece.

Shelby sighed as she wiped the sweat from her brow. A pang of disgust jittered through her as she realized she'd accidentally smeared ketchup on herself.

"That's quite the look, young lady," an annoyingly familiar voice spoke.

Shelby swallowed and offered her best customer service smile. "What'll it be today, sir?"

The man offered a good-natured laugh. "really?" He asked. "Is that how you greet your old man?"

"Our special today is the Mighty Morphin Mocha Shake," Shelby continued. "and the fries are half off with the purchase of a double-decker DragonZord quarter pounder."

Her dad just raised an eyebrow. Even in civvies, it was clear to anyone that he was military. It was written on every inch of him, from the way he observed every subtle movement to the far too-perfect way he stood.

"Shebly, relax," her father said. "I know we had a heated disagreement last night, and I'm sorry for how I acted."

The look in her dad's eyes was enough for her to soften a bit.

"You know that I love you and only want what's best for you," her dad said.

"Yes Dad, I know," Shelby replied, finding a spot on the counter to stare at.

"I just want to see you apply yourself. I want you to grow and thrive," he sighed. "That's why it's so hard to see you here. Wasting your potential."

"I'm not wasting anything," Shelby replied. "I like it here."

Her father's face twitched in a way Shelby couldn't help but feel satisfied by.

"If you want to work in food service I can get you into culinary classes," he offered.

"It's not that dad. I don't have a passion for flipping burgers or anything. I just like being able to work with my friends."

Her father nodded slowly. "I see… Well, tonight I'd like to discuss a more productive plan to get you what you want while putting you where you need to be."

Shelby signed, "Yes Dad."

Colonel Mason Truman smiled. "That's the spirit baby girl, I love you."

"I love you too," she replied as sweetly as she could stomach.

As soon as the man left the food court Shelby turned around to get some air.

"Go step out for a few minutes," Kaylee said. "I can take things from here."

Shelby nodded, she needed the fresh air anyway. Using the back door in the kitchen she embraced the warm afternoon sun.

She knew her dad meant well, but his approach was all wrong. He was far too used to her siblings, who followed in his footsteps without a moment of hesitation. And while he could respect her decision not to join the airforce he just couldn't wrap his head around her choice of employment.

"Trumans don't take the easy road!" Her father exclaimed. As if standing in a hot kitchen for hours, getting yelled at was somehow easy

Her thoughts were interrupted by a red jeep pulling up to her.

Oh, it was the young man from earlier.

"Hey, uh, Shelby," he said. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"Yeah?" She asked.

Why did hearing that instantly make her smile?

"Did you have any luck?"

The man shook his head. "No… but I need to know something. You said the Power Rangers haven't been to Angel Grove in years, but if I were trying to contact them where would I have the best chance of doing that?"

Shelby scratched her head. "I'm… not really sure… last I heard there was a team over in Ocean Bluff but that was years ago...I did read about a sighting a few years back in Panorama City…"

The man frowned, leaving Shelby feeling strangely distraught. "There is one thing we can try… but it's a long shot."

The man nodded, his gorgeous brown eyes alight with determination. "Say no more. I'm in."

Shelby looked back at the metal push door. She felt bad about leaving Kaylee but she could figure out a good excuse later.

Besides, if Dakoda and Chastity could leave whenever they wanted, why couldn't she?

Shelby hopped into the passenger seat of his Wrangler and pulled out her phone. Then she googled the local but nevertheless world-famous author F. B. Bulkmier.

The Grid Battleforce technician waved a flat paddle-shaped sensor across Zenowing. The device beeped and the bird sighed.

"Are all of these tests necessary?" He asked.

"Yes," Director Hart lied.

Well, it was a half-lie. The first few tests had been important. They needed to make sure it was safe for him to be there. They even ran a blood test to ensure he wasn't carrying some ancient pathogen or parasite that could contaminate the compound. However, the last few tests were mostly just to try the newcomer's patience and willingness to cooperate.

And it seemed they were nearing a threshold.

"Though I must say, I'm very impressed with what you've achieved here," Zenowing said. "I would love to see this Morph-X I keep hearing about. Eltarians had achieved something similar through magic runes engraved on objects they wished to power but to make the grid energy something tangible is ingenious."

"Maybe if you prove yourself trustworthy enough," she replied.

"Yes, yes. I'm sure you're very keen on making sure your method doesn't get leaked out. Can't have everyone making their own Morph-X; that's just bad business."

"It's not that simple," the director said. She could tell that the jab had been a test of his own. "Imagine if it fell into the wrong hands."

"I couldn't agree more. But prey tell, how do you determine what would be considered the wrong hands?"

"All of that is handled through our widely successful distribution program. "

"Ah, how bureaucratic, how much does it cost to submit an application?"

Director Hart ignored the question and consulted her portable monitor. "Y'know, speaking of Eltar. My mentor was actually Zordon."

"Sorry, but the name doesn't ring a bell."

For the first time, Zenowing said something that actually irked her. But, she simply steeled herself and replied. "No, I suppose he was after your time."

"Is he a great man?"

"He was one of the best."

"Then I'm deeply sorry that I never got the chance to meet him."

Director Hart looked up from her monitor. "I miss him every day."

"I have no doubt, but you must remember that his spirit lives on, both within you and within the grid itself."

That was enough to bring a sad smile to the Director's face. "Thank you."

"I also had a mentor that left this realm far too early," Zenowing admitted with a dark tone. "He sacrificed everything to protect me and the rest of the universe."

"Against what?" The Director asked, feeling the room grow colder.

"The antithesis of life itself, a creature known only as the antipode."

The pure hatred in his voice was enough to send a chill down her spine. "Well, at least his sacrifice wasn't in vain."

"That's the part that I fear the most about my return," Zenowing said. "The antipode can't be destroyed, only sealed away. And the first step to unleashing him on this realm once again would be to free me from my self-imposed prison."

Unbeknownst to nearly everyone on Earth, a tiny black ship floated above them. The ship itself was hardly more than scrap metal, with an inside that had been gutted and entirely replaced so many times the only thing still stock left inside of it was the user manual that Sledge used to stabilize his bedroom nightstand.

From inside the ship, chaos erupted. Steam and smoke poured from a severed culvert pipe that hung across the wall.

"Oh dear, our life support is down, again!" Wrench exclaimed as the Vivix scurried frantically to repair it. "Quickly, we must fix it before Sledge notices!"

The blue and chrome machine, a creation of the Royal House of Gadgetry, had served as Sledge's mechanic and engineer for over three centuries. And in that time he learned it was always better to fix the problem before Sledge noticed it.

He carefully reached for the severed culvert but a sudden rush of electricity ejected from it. Oh dear… it was far worse than he thought.

The door to his Sledge's private chamber opened up and a loud stomp echoed across the bridge.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

"Wrench!" The booming voice of his boss exclaimed. "What is the meaning of this?"

The machine shook in terror. Certainly, Sledge had been in the middle of his nightly shows when the ruckus began.

You never wanted to interrupt Sledge in the middle of his shows.

"It's-it's the life support, sir," Wrench reported.

"Of course it is," Sledge groaned and reached for the two black pipes. "I should've known this would happen when the Troobian offered it to me at half price!"

"Sir, that's over twenty billion gigawatts!" Wrench warned.

Sledge ignored the machine, and with a groan of frustration, he pulled the two pieces back together.

The smoke cleared, and the bounty hunter's crimson eyes glowed from within his helmet. "Now Wrench, what did I tell you would happen if you ever interrupted Galaxy Warrior again?"

"Y-you said you would rip open my chest and use my m-mother b-bored as a-"

"Oh Sledgums!" A voice called from his private chamber. "The commercials are over."

"Okay dear, I'll be right there!" Sledge called back. He leaned forward as close as he could to the machine. "This is your final warning."

"Yes sir," Wrench muttered as the bounty hunter sauntered back to his room.

Wrench let out a sigh of relief as the door closed behind his boss.

Only for the dock entrance to slide open and for Fury to stomp into the ship. Fury had been sent to retrieve a target, so him showing up alone… was quite peculiar.

Nevertheless, Wrench wasn't about to press the issue as Fury left to his chamber and instead, the machine went to a nearby wall-mounted console to make sure the life support was still calibrated properly. You can never be too safe, not when organics are so fragile.

Wrench was just about to adjust the oxygen levels to a more appropriate percentage when the console flashed red and indicated a high-priority message.

"H-hello," Wrench said as the transmission came through, revealing a dark-haired man with a pair of goggles around his neck.

The man was named Heckyl, and he represented their current client.

"Socket, how're you doing?" The man asked with an enthusiasm so intense it made him seem deranged.

Which might be a rude thing to say about anyone else. But in this instance doing so wouldn't even turn any heads. Because it was a universally known fact Heckyl WAS every bit as deranged as he sounded.

"Good, sir," He replied, unable to find the resolve to correct the client. "Would you like me to get Sledge on the line?"

"No bother," Heckyl said. "It's rude to bother him during Galaxy Warrior. Just give me an update on the bounty."

"Ah. Well… you see…" Wrench swallowed and tried to stabilize his panic dioids. "It's going… it's going-...good!"

"Ah," Heckyl said with a growing smirk. "Well good. You made me worried there with your stuttering."

"I have a malfunctioning voice box," Wrench lied. "It-erm- um…. D-does that a lot."

"Ah, well, I'm very sorry to hear that," Heckyl said. "Nevertheless I will require an adequate progress report by this time tomorrow."

"Yes s-sir," Wrench said before Heckyl cut off the communication.

Once alone Wrench could only find the strength to mutter. "Oh, dear…"

Before Shelby knew it she was leading the strange young man through a suburb with a higher combined property value than the entire net worth of the museum.

"So who is this F.B. Bulkmier?" The man asked.

"He wrote the book on the Power Rangers, literally," Shelby explained. "His autobiographies laid out the foundation for Ranger historians. Rumor has it he's the only civilian to know the identities of every Ranger who protected Angel Grove."

"So you think he'll be able to tell us where to find them!" The man exclaimed.

"That's right," Shelby said. She knew it was a long shot but it was all she had. Her eyes caught the man in the driver's seat again. This was a whole lot of work for a complete stranger, wasn't it?

"Y'know," she said. "You never told me your name."

"I'm Tyler," he said with a smile that she couldn't help but return wholesale.

"I'm-"

"Shelby!" Tyler finished with a smirk, then when Shelby frowned he pointed towards her chest and added: "It says it on your shirt."

"Oh, yeah," she groaned and looked down at her uniform. "It's not the best look, I know."

"I think pink looks good on you."

Shelby turned away as her face flashed with heat. Thankfully before long, they were finally at the massive estate.

"Well," Shelby said as they pulled up to the gated entrance. "That sure looks like the picture." She felt a pang of anxiety as she stared at the red call button.

"We've gotta be careful," Shelby said. "Otherwise he might just call the cops-"

Shelby's mouth fell open when Tyler began to practically pound on the button.

"What the hell do you want?" A voice barked from the speaker.

"We just wanna talk," Tyler said.

"Contact my agent if you wanna do an interview."

"Oh, no. It's not like that," Tyler replied. "We wanna talk about the Power Rangers."

"Well, in that case," the voice said. "You have 3 minutes to get out the hell of here before things get real ugly real fast!"

"Just listen to me, please," Tyler begged. "I'm trying to find my dad and I think whatever happened to him is somehow related to the Power Rangers."

"To be honest kid I don't know if I'd be much help with that." The voice sounded apologetic, if not a little annoyed.

"Can we just talk for a bit?" Tyler pleaded. "Anything would be helpful. His name is Jason Scott."

There was a moment of tense silence that left Shelby convinced the author was about to unleash his security goons on them.

Finally, the voice spoke once again, "Did you say Jason Scott?"

"Yes sir."

To Shelby's utter surprise, the gate opened.

The two looked at each other, then wordlessly drove inside. Once they made it up the winding path they found the legendary author waiting patiently at the door.

Bulkmier had definitely aged a bit since they took the picture they slapped on every one of his books. But the change only succeeded in making him look more distinguished.

His handlebar mustache twitched as he smiled.

"So Jason, eh?" F.B. Bulkmier said. "Your dad and I go wayyy back. Let's head inside and we can talk more."

The three headed into the house, one that was just a few steps below a mansion.

Once inside they were met with a massive foyer lined with various antiques and memorabilia. From a signed Big Bad Beetleborg comic in a plastic box to an ancient katana resting on an ornate stand. Not to mention the largest collection of Power Ranger action figures Tyler had ever seen.

"Nice sword," Tyler said as he studied the blade.

"Thank you," said. "I got it while studying Bushido in Japan."

Shelby's eyes scanned across the photos that lined the foyer, all of which showed the author with various people of cultural importance.

"Oh my God, you know Skullovitch?" Shelby asked as she gazed at the photo of him with the famous rockstar.

"Know Skull?" He asked with a wide grin. "He's my best friend."

"Why are you both holding cream pies like you're about to throw them at each other?" Tyler asked.

"Oh, just a little inside joke," Bulkmier replied. "Why don't we head into the living room so you both can take a seat, I'll get us some drinks."

The two guests nodded and proceeded to step into an even larger room that housed a plethora of furniture and a television that swallowed the whole wall. Tyler took the massive couch while Shelby claimed a loveseat beside him.

For a brief moment, she'd considered sitting next to him but worried it would instantly make things awkward.

A few moments later F.B. Bulkmier returned with a tray of smoothies. "Hope you guys don't mind if I take the chance to test my newest experiment."

"Not at all!" Tyler said and grabbed the nearest drink, a blue-colored smoothie. After a small sip that quickly escalated into a large gulp, he smiled and exclaimed. "Oh wow."

Shelby took one for herself. And after a test sip of her own, she realized Tyler's reaction was completely warranted. For a brief moment, she simply closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the explosion of flavor.

"This is amazing!" Shelby exclaimed. "What's in it?"

"It's quite simple," the smoothie master spoke. "Just blueberries, mango, and imported Ginga beetle."

Shelby's face fell. "Did you just say beetle?"

"It's something I caught onto during my time on Mirinoi," Bulkmier admitted. "I'm hoping to bring it over here."

Shelby started to choke.

"This isn't my first time eating bugs," Tyler said, completely unfazed, "But this is by far the best."

"You eat bugs?" Shelby asked the young man as her stomach contemplated an emergency eviction.

"Not all the time," he said with a shrug, "But I've tried a few during my travels. My dad always told me to keep an open mind, especially when you're in a new place."

"Very wise words," Bulkmier said. "I'd expect no less from Jason." The author plopped down on his recliner and took a sip of his smoothie. "Now, how about you tell me why you think your dad might be tied to the Power Rangers."

Tyler nodded, and after a deep breath, he started to speak.

"Everything started falling into place a few hours ago when I went home for the first time in nearly a decade."

Memories… bright flashing images.

The rattling picture.

The trembling floor.

A terrified scream.

Bare feet slapping against the ground.

A young Tyler had tried to run outside, but as he reached the door two figures materialized from the shadows. Pale-faced monstrosity clad in ragged clothes with piercing crimson eyes.

Just when he thought it was all over the front door burst open, revealing a Red Power Ranger who dispatched the grunts with his sword.

His dad appeared from behind Tyler, his face only half-shaven.

"She's gone," he spoke in a tone that shattered Tyler's heart.

She's gone.

Tyler felt the tears burning in his eyes. "That's all I remember."

F.B. Bulkmier nodded. "I'd heard about your mother. I'm so very sorry for your loss."

"Whatever came that day, during the earthquake, it took everything from me," Tyler said. "And for years I thought my dad was just running. But now I think he was trying to find a way to stop it."

"Stop it?" Shelby asked. "It sounds like the Power Rangers already did."

"No," Tyler said with a shake of his head. "Those things I saw as a kid. They were just soldiers. Whatever sent them is still out there."

"This is all fascinating," Bulkmier said. "But purely circumstantial, where's the hard evidence that your dad has any concrete connection to the Rangers."

"To be honest sir, I don't have any," Tyler admitted in a low voice."I just… I don't have anywhere else to go. And this feels right like I'm closer than I've ever been before." He swallowed the pang of hopelessness. He'd expected this interaction to be far more productive than it was ending up.

"Tyler," the older man spoke softly. "I have to be completely honest with you. If you're here because this is your Hail Mary, and you have nowhere else to go, then you're only going to find disappointment. Blind hope can too easily masquerade denial."

"What the hell," Shelby snapped suddenly. "If you can't help just say so. No need to be a dick about it."

"Shelby…" Tyler replied. He did appreciate her trying to help him but she went about it in the worst way possible. She didn't see the whole picture. She didn't realize Bulkmier was trying to help.

"However…" the man in the recliner added, completely ignoring Shelby's outburst. "I don't think you're here because you don't have anywhere else to go. I think you're here because something happened that you can't talk about. And I think that's what brought you here."

Tyler opened his mouth and froze, unable to conjure up any words. His mind flashed back to the cloaked figure.

-only chaos and decay await

"I know one thing for sure," Tyler said. "No matter what my dad is doing or who he's tangled up with, I know there are forces trying to ensure I don't find him. That's all I need for proof that I'm close."

Bulkmier nodded, he had a strange look in his eyes as a tiny smirk spread across his lips. "I think your dad would be proud to hear that answer."

Tyler couldn't help but beam, meanwhile, Shelby was still reeling from the bipolar exchange. "So… are you helping us or not?" She asked.

"Helping is a bit of a stretch," The author said. "But… I might be able to send you in the right direction."

F.B. Bukmier sat up and disappeared for a moment before returning with a large three-ring binder stuffed with papers.

He opened the book to reveal an assortment of old newspaper clippings, police reports, and even photos that seemed to be of a high school in the 90s.

"So, despite what many people think. I don't personally know the Power Rangers," the author explained. "However, after years of research and my own recollection, I have a pretty good idea of who they all are."

"Hey!" Tyler exclaimed and pointed to a group photo taken at a charity drive in 93', "That's Uncle Zack and Aunt Trini!"

"I had a feeling you'd recognize them," Bulkmier said. "Now, what about them?" He then pointed toward a boy with curly hair and glasses and a girl with long brown hair and a valley girl aesthetic.

"No, I don't," Tyler admitted.

"That's Director Hart of Grid Battleforce," Shelby said.

"Bingo!" The man said. "And surely it's just a coincidence that she's now in charge of maintaining the same power used by the Power Rangers."

Tyler looked a bit harder and finally saw an unmistakable boy in the background, playing with a group of young kids.

His dad…

"We need to talk to this director lady," Tyler decided.

"Are you serious?" Shelby asked. "She's one of the most powerful women in the world. What are we gonna say?"

"That I'm Jason's kid, and I know the truth," Tyler said with a fiery look in his eyes.

A/N: Hello all. The last chapter ended up a bit rushed because I wanted to post it before I took my business trip so I didn't get a chance to explain myself at all. This story is going to be a Dino Charge rewrite that seeks to build something new upon the "bones" of the DC narrative. Some characters will be the same, and some will change but I want to, in the grandest sense, follow the same beats as Dino Charge.

Don't forget to spread some love with a quick review! Something you liked, something you hated, or maybe even something you'd like to see. Us writer folks will eat up whatever you wanna say!

In hopes of some good vibes and fun conversations

- Shadowhenshin