Chapter 15 – On The Wings Of A Dream
Dino Mansion
Jason walked into the lab and found Kiera sitting at the main computer. She was communicating via video link with a couple of familiar faces, a male and female. Both of them were around his age, the man had short spiky hair and a small goatee beard on his chin. The woman had long dark red hair and bright blue eyes. "If you lower the oscillation frequency then the docking sequence should complete automatically", the woman stated, much to the confusion of the man sitting next to her.
"I'll need to increase pressure to the dampers", Kiera mused, "thanks Hayley, I couldn't have done this without you".
Hayley Zitkor smiled, "Not a problem Kiera", Hayley saw Jason approaching his adopted daughter, "Hey Jason how's everything going?"
"Quiet at the moment", he replied, "I think the Deboss were counting on keeping the gold ranger under their control for a while". He then addressed the man, "Hey bro, it's been a while".
"Too long Jase", Tommy Oliver replied, "I'm beginning to wonder if you're deliberately keeping me away", he smiled.
"Well there's still three unclaimed Energems out there, I don't think you really want another power to add to your collection", Jason joked.
"Well you don't have a yellow ranger", Tommy laughed, "always thought I'd look good in yellow spandex".
"I need to get back to the cafe", Hayley stated and gave Tommy a quick kiss on the cheek, "tell that wife of yours that she needs to rest up".
"Yeah and I need to run the test sequence again", Kiera added, leaving the first two leaders of the Power Rangers alone.
"Talking of the old ball and chain, how is Kimmy?" Jason said.
Tommy laughed, "Shall I tell her you said that".
Jason shook his head, "Don't you dare bro, she'll kick my ass even if she is pregnant". Despite their break up during Tommy's tenure as the Red Zeo Ranger, Tommy and Kimberly Hart had gradually rebuilt their friendship. Not long after the loss of his Dino Thunder powers, the pair had resumed their relationship and eventually married in 2008. Kim had given birth to their first child, Brendan, in 2011 and she was 8 months pregnant with their second child.
The multi coloured ranger laughed before a comfortable silence descended between the two best friends. Eventually Tommy continued, "No luck persuading Ivan to join the team?"
Jason shook his head, "Haven't seen him since that day at the beach and that was over a week ago". He sighed, "How did you do it, mentoring a team?"
"You seem to be doing ok", Tommy replied.
"Really? The only one who wanted to be a ranger from the beginning was Tyler", Jason snorted, "everyone else had to be dragged into the team. I don't remember you having this much trouble with Conner and the others".
"It helped that I was their teacher, I could've failed them from my class if they refused", Tommy joked. "He's probably still adjusting to life in the 21st Century, give him time".
"It's not just that, the team don't seem to want him on board", Jason sighed, "other than Shelby that is".
"I had similar troubles getting Conner and Ethan to warm up to Trent", Tommy began, "fortunately Kira stood up for him". He paused for a moment, "Only takes one to persuade the others bro".
"I hope you're right", Jason replied.
Watkins Residence
Shelby had finished her morning workout and meandered through the hallways of her family home. Running a towel through her damp hair, she groaned after taking a wrong turn towards the kitchen. The pink ranger wondered why her parents would buy a home so ridiculously big for just the three of them. Even after five years she stood occasionally got lost in the maze of corridors. After finally arriving in the kitchen, she spent the next few minutes arguing with the cook. Eventually persuading the staff member that she was perfectly capable of making a sandwich, Shelby took her lunch outside and sat on the patio overlooking the garden.
She was half way through her sandwich when she thought she hear a gentle sob from somewhere below her. Cautiously looking over the metal barrier, he could make out some golden coloured clothing in the trees at the edge of her garden. Shelby ran down the steps before slowly her pace as she approached her target. "I'll never get used to his time period", the figure sighed. Shelby raised an eyebrow, the man's British accent was much less posh than she remembered.
"Ivan?" she called out. The gold ranger pulled out his sword and turned around sharply, "hey it's just me", she raised her hands defensively.
"Oh it's you", Ivan sighed in relief. He shook his head and stood up straight, "I mean, why have you disturbed me?" his voice was much harder than earlier.
"Come on Ivan drop the act, I heard you from the other side of my garden", the pink ranger replied.
"This is your home", Ivan's eyes went wide, "my apologises", he bowed slightly.
"Don't sweat it, it's my parents home anyway", she sighed, "so what've you been up to since we last met".
"Getting into trouble mostly", Ivan replied, "I'm not used to all these strange devices people use. Little communication boxes, moving images on a screen and horseless carriages. It's all too much for me Miss Shelby".
"It's just Shelby", she smiled, "let me show you how another invention of the 21st Century", much to Ivan's reluctance, she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him towards her home.
Half an hour later they were sat around the kitchen table with a tub of ice cream between them. Ivan was digging into the tub eagerly with his spoon, "This is wondrous", he gushed, "my compliments to Mr Ben and Mr Jerry".
"I'll pass on the message", Shelby ate the ice cream on her spoon before pointing it at the gold ranger, "I have to ask, if you're Russian why do you speak with a British accent?"
"I trained for a couple of years in London", he replied, "I learned the English language during my stay there. Guess I just picked up the accent from there".
Shelby smiled and allowed Ivan to continue eating. Once he had finished off the tub she spoke again, "You're not so bad really", she began, "now all I need to do is convince the guys about that".
"I'm sorry for the way I spoke previously", Ivan flushed with embarrassment, "I bet they think I'm a right tosser".
"If by that you mean an arrogant idiot then yes", Shelby wondered if they would need to a buy a book of British slang to help them understand the gold ranger. "Why don't we go to the Mansion, I'm sure we can smooth everything out". She then looked over his outfit, "First we need to get you some new clothes".
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Ivan pulled on his loose top.
"It's not very modern, you'll stand out like a sore thumb", the pink ranger responded. They were interrupted by her communicator. Shelby grabbed the yellow cell phone off the kitchen counter, "Shelby here".
"We could really use your help", Tyler's voice called out, "we're outside the stadium, get here as soon as you can".
"Right I'm on it", she replied before turning to Ivan, "fancy a monster fight?"
Ivan smirked, "It would be a pleasure my lady".
Hunston Stadium
In the parking lot of the city's football stadium, the four male Dino Charge rangers were having difficulty with the Legion's latest monster. His body was comprised of red, blue and yellow patches, giving the appearance of the armour of a samurai. Attached to his back was a "U" shaped tube with similar patterns to his body. His primary weapon was his sword, which he was using to devastating effect on the rangers. All four of them had been struck down by the monsters double edged blade and were struggling to catch their breath. They were all extremely relieved when Shelby arrived on her Dino Cycle, "Shelby, just in time", Riley choked. He then saw who she had brought with her, "what's he doing here?"
"Helping us", Shelby replied shortly to the green ranger, "looks like you could use it".
"Yeah but can we trust him", Chase asked, rising slowly to his feet.
"Without question Mr Chase", Ivan replied. He turned his attention to the monster, "So we meet again Samuton".
"Ah gold ranger", the monster replied, "good to see you again. We finally get to finish our duel from all those centuries ago".
"You know this guy?" Tyler called out.
"Samuton was the first monster I fought after getting my powers", Ivan sighed, "I'm ashamed to say he got away". He brought his brace up to his chest and opened up the dinosaur head. He inserted an Energem inside and closed the head, "Ptera Brace", he pulled back on the handle of his morpher and let go, "Dino Charge".
"Like your thinking" Shelby smiled and spun the barrel of her Dinovolver, "Dino Spirts, Dino Charge". In a flash of pink and gold light, the two rangers morphed and fell in line with their team mates.
"Two more rangers won't help you", Samuton called out and charged towards the rangers. Ivan stepped in front of the others and blocked Samuton's blade with his own. The monster was moving with a speed the rangers didn't think was possible but to his credit, the gold ranger was matching him blow for blow. "I see your skills have improved gold ranger", Samuton stated as their blades locked together.
"I've learned a few new tricks as well", Ivan smirked under his helmet, "Thunder Shot", he called and fired a burst of energy from his Ptera Brace into the face of the monster. His Thunder Sword glowed with energy as he sliced across the stomach of Samuton.
"Very sneaky of you", Samuton replied, "but you never could handle the power of my blade". Samuton spun in a circle and unleashed a powerful energy burst at the gold ranger. Ivan was knocked off his feet and smoke poured off his suit. He rolled to a halt near the feet of the other rangers.
"Ivan are you alright", Shelby knelt down next to the gold ranger.
"I'm fine", he used his sword for support and got to his feet, "I need to finish that monster.
"You mean we do", Tyler began, "If you want to be part of this team, then you need to work with us". Ivan hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement, "Awesome, right lets armour up everyone". The five primary rangers rolled their Dinovolvers down their right arm and they were soon covered with armour. Their special weapons appeared in their hands and they charged the monster once again.
Ivan took a moment to catch his breath and watch his new team in action. He admired the swordsmanship of the green ranger, perhaps they could learn something new from each other. He noticed the black ranger hovered a few paces behind his team mates but then he saw why. He was deadly accurate with his blaster, so it was better for him to keep his distance.
Next he noticed the blue ranger and his shield. He was using it to protect his team mates from the worst of Samuton's blade. The strong desire to protect others was something Ivan admired in a person. Finally he looked at the red and pink rangers. They seemed to balance each other very well, Shelby was the better hand to hand fighter but Tyler was quick, powerful and accurate with his strikes. Soon they had Samuton flat on his back and struggling to get up, "Hey Ivan, care to join us", Tyler called out.
Under his helmet, the gold ranger smiled, "Thought you'd never ask". He opened up his Thunder Blade and inserted his three Energems before closing the weapon. The others had combined their weapons to form the Dino Lance. Swinging his sword in a wide arc above his head, Ivan called out, "Thunder Blade, full power". A powerful stream of lightning flew at Samuton at the same time as Tyler launched the Dino Lance. They hit the monster at the same time and he fell to the ground, exploding on impact.
There was barely enough time to celebrate before the familiar ice crystal flew over head. The monster grew and towered above the rangers, "At least this gives us a chance to use the new Megazord combination Kiera told us about", Tyler stated. He turned to the gold ranger, "we need you and the Ptera Zord for his".
Ivan nodded and propelled his Energem into the air, calling the Ptera Zord into battle, "Quick question, who's Kiera?"
"Our tech expert, you'll meet her soon", Koda replied and called on the Stego Zord. Tyler and Shelby did the same to summon the Tyranno and Tricera Zords.
The rangers assembled the Dino Charge Megazord, leaving the Ptera Zord hovering overhead in dinosaur mode. Ivan was about to convert it to warrior mode when the radio crackled into life, "Ivan you should be able to combine with us now", Tyler began, "just instruct the Ptera Zord and it'll do the rest".
The gold ranger pushed forward on his command pedestal and the Ptera Zord attached itself to the back of the Megazord, giving it a pair of giant golden wings. "Thunder Charge Megazord", the six rangers called out. With this new combination Samuton didn't stand a chance. They could use the wings to fly out the way of his attacks. Overall it was much quicker than the standard Megazord combination. Charging up the wings of the Megazord with golden energy, it flew through the monster and sliced it half. The two pieces of the monster fell apart and Samuton was finally defeated.
"I'll admit I had my doubts", Tyler said to the gold ranger, "but you're a welcome addition to the team".
"Thank you", Ivan began, "and I want to apologise for my behaviour last time".
"All in the past", Koda smiled, "hey we should go back to the Mansion and celebrate".
"No can do", Shelby replied and stepped onto Ivan's podium, "I'm taking Ivan shopping for some new clothes".
"Then I'm coming with you", Chase added, "Ivan will need a man's option and who better to advise on fashion than me".
Ivan gulped as the black and pink ranger put a hand on his shoulder, what had he gotten himself into?
Dino Mansion
Shelby, Chase and Ivan had been gone for the rest of the day and the others were beginning to get worried. As they sat in the back yard and watched the sunset, they heard footsteps coming up the path, "Hey we're back", Shelby called out.
"Where have you been?" Koda began, "we were starting to get worried".
"Sorry but we decided to give our newest friend a full makeover", Chase smiled and stepped aside. Ivan was looking a little nervous in his modern clothes. He was now sported a pair of black jeans with a pair of navy hi-top trainers. He was wearing a knee length black leather jacket with a dark yellow patterned t-shirt underneath. His sword was now tucked into a newly constructed scabbard on the back of the coat. His hair had been trimmed slightly so it now just below his ears, "He still wouldn't part with that bandana though", Chase commented.
"It was a gift from my first teacher", the gold ranger huffed. He then saw two unfamiliar faces in the garden, a man and young woman.
"Ivan I want you to meet our mentor Jason Lee Scott", Riley began, "he was the first leader of a team of Power Rangers". Riley then moved onto the girl, "And this is his daughter Kiera Cranston, she's the tech expert we mentioned earlier".
"Good to meet you", Ivan shook their hands, Jason had a strong grip, Kiera on the other hand looked away from his nervously as she shook his hand.
"Good to have you with us Ivan", Jason began, "if you need somewhere to stay then you're welcome to move in here. We've got plenty of space".
Ivan nodded, "Thank you Mr Scott".
"Jason please, we're all friends here". He paused and called everyone over, "This is going to sound cheesy but my team used to do this all the time". He extended his hand outwards in front of him.
"You're right old man, this is cheesy", Tyler smiled but placed his hand on top of Jason. One by one the others did the same until Ivan cautiously placed his on top of the pile. The group jumped in the air and shouted, "Power Rangers". The team had now expanded to include a permanent sixth member, there was no stopping them now.
A/N - How is everyone enjoying Dino Charge so far? I've been pleasantly surprised so far but there's still a long way to go. Thank you for your continuing support for my version of Dino Charge, please keep the reviews coming.