[Tuesday, October 5th, 1993 4:18pm]
Jason Scott stood ready in front of a group of half a dozen students, each of them wearing traditional karate attire. Ernie had been nice enough to allow Jason to teach a small karate class in the juice bar, and he took advantage of it whenever his schedule allowed him to. Granted, over the last six months that had not been very often. His responsibilities as not only a power ranger, but leader of the group were extremely demanding.
Even so, when time permitted, it gave Jason an opportunity to unwind.
"Gary," he stopped front of one of the students, who immediately stood at attention. "What is the goal of martial arts?" Jason asked him.
"To teach discipline, confidence and…" the student stopped, unsure of how to answer.
Jason immediately recognized his students discomfort and took a step back, looking at the entire group.
"Can anyone finish Gary's sentence for him?" he inquired.
One student, who had been in the back of the group, took a step forward. "To learn how to beat people up," he said proudly.
The students collectively snickered at the comment, but it subsided quickly as they each saw the disappointment on Jason's face.
"No, Richie. That isn't what martial arts is about. It's about self defense, self control. Anyone can throw a punch, but the trick is to learn when to throw a punch and when to walk away," he explained.l
"Of course, sensei," he responded.
"Stand ready."
Richie, who was a few inches shorter than Jason, prepared himself. His arms went up in a defensive stance.
"Martial arts isn't about offense, it's about defense. Might doesn't make right, and you have no right to inflict your will on others," Jason told him.
"Tell that to the bullies who bother us all time," a few of the other students nodded, mummering their opinions in agreeance. "Not all of us are a 3rd degree black belt like you, sensei. We just want to feel safe."
Jason nodded. "I understand, but if you use martial arts to go after bullies you're no better than the bully. It is to be used as defense, and only as a last resort. Am I clear?" he called out.
"Yes, sensei," the group said in unison.
"Yes, sensei," Richie stated separately, stressing to Jason that his point was taken.
"Class dismissed," Jason said, bowing slightly. The entire class bowed together, then gathered their belongings and dispersed.
With the class cleared out, Jason headed over to his usual table at the juice bar, where Zack and Trini were sitting. He sat down, planting his elbows on the table, then his face into his palms, letting out a sigh.
"Tough class?" Trini asked him.
The truth was, Jason was becoming frustrated with things. In his class, he taught the importance of never escalating a battle. He taught them that violence was the last resort, and while that were true in many cases, it wasn't the case for everything.
Zordon made it very clear when they received their powers that they were never to start a fight, only finish it, but in the case of Rita Repulsa it didn't seem to be the most sound advice. They knew Ritas base of operation was on the moon. Why not take the fight to Rita and get it over quickly? How many lives could be saved if they simply stopped waiting for Rita to attack and just went after her?
None of the other rangers seemed to share his sentiment and were content to wait around for Rita to attack an innocent group of people, then respond, so he chose to keep his concerns to himself.
"No, just tired," he glanced around, then leaned in closer to them. "It's weird that there hasn't been a peep out of Rita for a while now. Its been quiet," he said.
"Yeah. Too quiet," Zack added with a chuckle and a half smile.
"No I mean it. She's up to something. I can feel it."
"If she is, we'll be ready," Trini assured him, reaching out and touching his hand slightly.
Jason let out another sigh. "You're right," he reluctantly agreed.
"I'm going to grab a smoothie while I wait for the others to get here. You guys want anything?" Zack asked, lifting his leg up over the back of the chair and standing up.
"I'll have a banana smoothie," Jason said.
"Make that two," Trini added, holding up two fingers in agreement.
"You got it," Zack said, then headed off in the direction of the front counter.
"He'll be gone for a minute. You wanna tell me what's really going on?" she asked him.
Before becoming a power ranger, he'd seen Trini around school, but that was about it. When he taught his classes in the park, sometimes he'd seen her sitting under a tree reading. But after fate had thrown them together with a common cause, he took the time to get to know her. Trini was wise beyond her years. She was easily the heart and soul of the team, his team, so he knew lying to her was not an option.
Yet, telling her the truth wasn't an option for him either, so he found a comfortable middle. Jason reached in his pocket, pulling out a small box and presented it to her.
"What do you think of this?" he asked.r
Trini opened the box to reveal a small gold bracelet. On each end were small gold balls, and engraved underneath the bracelet was a word.
Rather, a name.
"Kimberly," she sighed, running her finger across the engraving. "She's going to love it."
"You sure? I mean, it's been over a year since she dated anyone and I know that it ended rough for her. Do you think…"
"She's over what happened last year with David, I promise you. She's ready, but you'll have to move slowly. You don't want to pressure her," Trini explained.
Jason recalled last year being a bit rough for him as well, dealing with his own family issues. The last thing he wanted to do was pressure Kimberly. He took the box back from Trini, closing it and putting it back in his pocket.
"I'll talk to her tonight," he said.
"Good. You guys will be great together," she assured him.
Billy and Kimberly walked into the juice bar together, heading over to the table with Jason and Trini. Billy sat down next to Jason giving him a high five as Kimberly sat next to Trini, hugging her slightly.
"Hey guys, whats up?" Kimberly asked.
Jason went to open his mouth, but Trini immediately realized he was having a hard time. "Jason just finished a class. We've just been waiting for you guys," she said.
"Sorry, we were in the library studying for Mr. Chapman's chem test," Billy added.
Jason stared at Kimberly as she and Trini made small talk with one another. It amazed him how he could stand toe to toe with the forces of evil, yet something as simple as telling Kimberly he was interested in her was too much of a feat for him.
Jason parted lips to say something, to say anything, but was interrupted with the all too familiar sound his communicator beeping. Each of them glanced around to not only see if anyone else heard it, but to find a secluded spot where they could respond.
Zack walked over to them struggling to hold three smoothies by himself, setting each of them down.
"Aw man, those cost me six bucks," he complained.
The five of them headed to the back room of the juice bar, each of them gathering around Jason and he reached for his communicator.
"We read you, Zordon," he said, speaking for the group.
"Rangers, teleport to the Command Center at once," a voice answered.
"We're on our way," Jason glanced back, nodding at each of them as they all reached for the communicator on their wrists.
Billy tried explaining to then once exactly how molecules were broken down, dispersed, teleported and then reassembled at their desired destination, but it was far more technical that Jason cared to admit.
All Jason knew was that they were all encompassed in a stream of light corresponding to their ranger color, and when the light dissipated, they were at their destination.
The five of them appeared in the Command Center, which had served as the base of operation for them ever since they became rangers. They were surrounded by control panels, all of which was humming and beeping in unison. At the front of the room was a long, slender tube.
"What is it Zordon?" Jason asked, once again acting as the voice for the group.
"Behold the viewing globe," he ordered.
The five of them headed to the opposite end of the room where a large sphere rested. The viewing globe blinked on, where Goldar could be seen destroying the city.
"Looks like Goldar is up to no good," Billy chimed in.
"So much for things being quiet," Zack added.
Just then, it was A.L.P.H.A. Five who staggered into the command center and over to one of control panels.
"Ay yi yi yi yi, and that's not all. There are putties in the industrial area and a monster heading towards downtown Angel Grove," he warned them.
Despite being a report with no actual emotions, there was still a sense of urgency in his voice.
"We're going to have to split up. Billy, you and Trini to the industrial area. Zack, take Kimberly and cut that monster off before it makes it downtown. Ill handle Goldar," Jason ordered.
It was Kimberly who approached Jason, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure? Goldar looks like he means business," she mentioned.
"So do I," he turned, getting into position as he reached around to his back with his right hand. "Its morphin time!" he called out.
"MASTADON!"
"PHERADACTAL!"
"TRISERATOPS!"
"SABER TOOTHED TIGER!"
"TYRANNOSAURUS!"
The energy began to swirl around them. Hissing, crackling. Then, in an instant, each of them transformed into the power rangers.
"Alright rangers, let's do it!" Jason ordered.
"Right!" they all complied in unison, then disappeared into a stream of light.
"I wonder what Rita is up to this time," A.L.P.H.A. Five mentioned.
"Whatever it is, the rangers will be ready for it," Zordon assured him.
"Think again, old man!" a voice snarled.
There was a stream of green energy, and no sooner did the rangers leave, the green ranger appeared in the command center with the Sword of Darkness in hand.
"Ay yi yi…" before A.L.P.H.A. Five could finish, the green ranger placed a disc in the slot of A.L.P.H.A. Fives back, causing him to malfunction.
"System error. Syyyyy… tum… rrrrr," he managed to moan as his voice got slower, deeper and more distorted. Finally, it stopped altogether, and A.L.P.H.A. Five slumped over.
"How is it possible you are here? Only one who has a power coin may enter this fortress undetected," Zordon bellowed.
The green ranger removed the green power coin from his belt. "Yes I have the coin and the power. And there's nothing you can do to stop me!" the green ranger said in a deep, menacing tone.
"So Rita has finally chosen someone to give it to."
"Right, Zordon. I am her green ranger and she is my Empress!"
"I see you have the Sword of Darkness. Rita must be using it to control you. You are under a spell," Zordon paused, it was only for an instant, but in that one moment he was able to get all the information he needed. "Tommy, let me help. I can save you."
How did he… before the green ranger could even allow himself to finish the thought, he dismissed it.
"Worry about saving yourself, old man!" he snapped, then began to rip apart one of the control panels. The lights in the Command Center began to flicker, and sparks shot out of the panels. With one destroyed, he turned to another, and another.
"Tom… you have to… stop this… you must… please don't… You'll cause a rupture in the..."
Rupture? Tommy thought to himself. The statement was enough to make Tommy pause, but it was only for a moment. The entire Command Center powered down, all the lights went dark, and Zordon was gone.
"It is done, my Empress. Zordon has been eliminated, and the power rangers are next!" Tommy said proudly, laughing with a sinister tone in his voice.
[Tuesday, October 5th, 1993 5:36pm]
The red ranger teleported into the city, where the citizens were running in panic. Goldar kicked a parked car, sending it crashing into a building.
Red ranger glanced around, and it seemed as though there was no rhyme or reason for Goldars attack. He didn't seem to have a goal in mind; it was simply random acts of violence. He knew Goldar well enough to know something wasn't right.
"That's far enough, Goldar!" he called out, standing ready with his sword in hand.
"You're quite right, red ranger. That is enough. Now, the real fun begins," he growled, rushing in after him.
Goldar swung his sword, but the red ranger was able to block and counter each one. He tried for a kick, but Goldar blocked. Goldar tried for a kick, but it was blocked. It was almost as if he wasn't trying to get the upper hand. It was almost as though…
"This is just a distraction," the red ranger realized.
"You're not as stupid as you look, ranger. But no matter, it's too late," he told him.
The red ranger reached for his belt buckle to teleport away, but Goldar opened his hand revealing a small yellow box. A beam of energy came from the box, connecting with the red ranger… and he disappeared.