The sun hung directly the desert, filling every living thing out in the sand with its life-giving light, but also drying out everything out of water's reach. Only one thing gleamed as bright as the star overhead, and that was the armor of the lone person that stood outside the Power Rangers' hidden Command Center. Rays bounced off of his brilliant green helmet, the small diamond-shaped ruby atop the fanned crest that sat above the visor and between the helmet's sharp black eyes, and his golden shield embossed with ornate black markings that covered his chest and shoulders, a huge diamond-shape protecting his front.
As this figure walked toward the fortress, he let out a low chuckle and reached toward his Power Morpher, running his finger over the Power Coin. What could that old fool have been thinking? The coins were an enormous source of traceable power, yet they allowed those who held them to enter the Command Center undetected.
The person in green kept going on, scaling the mountain path with no trouble, and leisurely walking into the huge open space that was the temple's front door. As he made his way inside, he took little note of the brilliant blended colors that surrounded the front walls or the black spacescape dotted with stars behind him. All that mattered were the computer and the two guardians of the Command Center. The figure turned his head to the left, seeing that strange red robot with the gold saucer-like head with tubes running from his back to the computer. The stupid thing was probably recharging itself. He then turned to face the center of the chamber and the three columns positioned directly in front of him. The two golden columns shone with rings of light, but Zordon's time-warp prison was empty.
"No matter," the person said under his breath, walking over to the computer terminal where Alpha 5 was connected. With one swift stroke, he smashed the console with his fist, causing a flare-up of sparks and electricity. Alpha shrieked and began to convulse as bolts shot through his metallic body. The green one deftly lifted his boot and kicked the robotic assistant to the floor.
"Looks like there was a bad connection, tinhead," he said with a venomous voice.
Suddenly, the figure found himself frozen in place, bound by white bolts of energy around his arms and legs. In the same instant, the face of Zordon came into view in the aquamarine tube, opening his eyes from a deep meditation.
"It is as I have feared, Green Ranger," the good wizard said calmly. "Fortunately, you will not proceed any further."
"Ha. This coming from someone who couldn't save his little bucket of bolts?" the Green Ranger quipped, standing still in his restraints. Alpha was still trembling on the ground.
"He will survive, but Rita's plans for you will not," Zordon said back. "Hayashi, you must listen to me. This is not your doing. Rita has you in her trance. The power you wield is only meant to protect life, not destroy it as she wishes.
"Are you done, old man?" Hayashi asked, tightening his fists. "We both know your shackles can't hold me back much longer. And your lies mean nothing! I will complete the mission my queen has charged me with, and this world will belong to her once again. Not even your precious Power Rangers can stop her."
Zordon closed his eyes again, frowning at this development. "Then I have no choice," he announced. "I must separate you from the Dragon Coin before Rita's magic can permanently corrupt you."
As the sage finished speaking, white lighting flew from the surrounding energy columns and toward the Green Ranger. However, just before it could strike him, Hayashi laughed and materialized into sickly green flames, escaping his bondage. He quickly reappeared near a couple of the purple computer panels and began destroying them, smashing in buttons and ripping into wires, causing Zordon's energy bolts to fade and his face to become distorted, crackling with the same energy.
"Hayashi, you must stop!" Zordon protested. "You can control the power! The Power Rangers and I can help you!"
The Green Ranger paid no attention to his victim's pleas, levying a high axe kick to another terminal, busting it wide open. He suddenly felt a hand tug at his ankle. Rita's charge turned to see Alpha weakly trying to pull him away from his rampage, but he simply kicked the wounded machine square in his red visor, sending him back.
"Power Rangers! You must hear…" Zordon tried to say. But it was too late. Too many panels were smashed. The communications system was no longer working, and Zordon's face faded from view, only a few sparks and lines of electricity remaining in his tube.
"Say bye bye to your mentor, robot," Green Ranger taunted. Alpha could do nothing, eventually letting out a low whir and going silent. Hayashi didn't take time to admire his handiwork, passing by the small flames, hanging panels, and demolished wires and going straight to Zordon's energy tube. Letting out a war cry, he reared his fist back and sent it straight toward the tube, but it didn't shatter as he intended.
Hayashi grimaced behind his helmet and rubbed his hand. "I guess you have some fight left in you," he said, turning to leave the way he came. "Oh well. The least I can give your pathetic warriors is hope that you'll come back…if they survive."