"Okay, be honest... am I getting old or are kids way more hyper nowadays?" Kim asked, her legs stretched out before her. She showed no signs of caring that sitting on a gift shop's floor was undignified for a Ranger. She stared at her boots, wishing she could rip them off and massage her aching soles.
Tommy was seated right next to her, annoyed that he couldn't remove his helmet and rub his temples. "I think they are making us old," he muttered.
The Mini Rangers, as Connor, Kira, Ethan and Trent had taken to calling themselves, had been running the two heroes ragged. They never seemed able to agree on what they wanted to do next, were constantly darting underfoot when they spotted something interesting, had the attention spans of goldfish, and asked a thousand questions. Not just about being a Ranger, but also about different displays, exhibits, and even once a trash can (Tommy didn't know WHY Connor found the trash can so interesting but he had and wanted to know more about it). It had all come to an end when Kira had tugged on Kim's sleeve and asked "Where do babies come from?"
Tommy had quickly told them it was lunch time and herded the kids into the cafeteria. That had been their first moment of relief, as the kids had actually quieted down while they munched on their burgers and fries and slurped soda from their plastic kiddie cups that had little mummies and brachiosaurus on them. The only downside had been the fact that Kim and Tommy couldn't eat themselves but that small discomfort was something they could manage if it meant they got a moment to breathe and sit down in padded chairs.
And then Connor had spotted the gift shop.
What had followed had been a whirlwind of little legs, brightly colored souvenirs, and all manner of items with the museum's logo printed on them flying about like the Wicked Witch in Dorothy's tornado. Tommy and Kimberly had quickly thrown up their hands in surrender, telling their little charges to stay in the gift shop and use indoor voices. The four had agreed though those restrictions weren't enough to keep the Mini Rangers from bringing about their own unique brand of chaos upon the gift shop.
"Connor, don't climb on that," Tommy said halfheartedly.
"I wasn't gonna, Mr. Green!" Connor complained, though it was clear he was lying his little rear off as he eyed a clothing shelf.
"Old McDonald had a farm!" Kira sang as she darted through a rack of shirts. Ethan, had managed to get behind the register and was attempting to rewire it while Trent looked like he was about to crash from his sugar rush. "And on that farm he had some Putties!"
"You know, I thought Rangers were suppose to be able to handle anything," the employee running the gift shop said, shaking her head as she walked over to them, guiding a pouting Ethan away from the register. She was roughly Tommy and Kimberly's age but the way she held herself spoke of a world-weariness even the heroes didn't have.
"I'll give you my morpher now if you think you can do better," Kimberly said.
CRASH!
"...I'm okay!" Connor called out.
"Nevermind," the employee said, letting Ethan escape her grasp. "They're the four kids from the school, right?"
Tommy nodded. "Yeah... we're doing Big Brothers/Big Sisters..." he tilted his head as he read her nametag, "...Haley."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because supervillains from the future think I'm evil and I caused a bunch of pedophiles to commit suicide."
"...you know, I don't think I need to know." She began to back away, only to bump into Kira, who looked up at her and pushed up her mask so Haley could see her large beaming smile. "Uh... hello."
"I'm with them! I'm with the Power Rangers!" Kira said proudly. "Do you work with Mr. Green and Miss Pink?"
Haley managed a smile. "no, I just work at the museum. I'll leave working with the Power Rangers to you." With that Haley made her escape while the kids hurried over to Tommy and Kim, who reluctantly got off the wonderful floor and got to their aching feet; they could get thrown out of their own zords and yet somehow walking around with the Mini Rangers hurt worse. The kids looked over at Haley to get their items rung up on the school's tab but Haley merely waved them off, wanting them out of the shop as quick as possible.
"What did you guys get?" Kim asked as she took Kira and Trent's hands, Tommy taking Ethan and Connor's.
"Stuffed animals!" Ethan proclaimed, holding up his bag.
"Ethan," Trent said with a little sad whine, "you said..."
"Oh! I'm sorry Trent!" Ethan bobbed his head before addressing Kim once again. "We got our zords!" He held up a plush blue triceratops that was clutched in his little hand.
"Rawr!" Connor declared, waving his t-rex plushing around. Kira had found a yellow pterodactyl while Trent had a white one... that also oddly had sinister red eyes. Tommy looked down at it, glad his helmet hid his slightly frightened expression as the crimson eyes seemed to burn into his soul.
"Well, what do you want to do next?" Tommy asked, forcing himself to sound more energetic than he was. "We still haven't gone through the Roman section..." He noticed Connor doing a little dance and sighed. "Do you need to use the potty?"
"No!" Connor declared. "Potties are for babies."
"...do you need to use the Mini Ranger Room?"
"Uh huh!" Tommy pointed to his right and Connor nodded in thanks, hurrying into the restroom.
"Do we have to wait for him?" Kira complained, putting her plushie back into her bag.
"Yes, it's polite," Kim said.
Kira frowned at that. "Being polite sucks."
"Kira said a naughty word!" Ethan cried out.
"Did not!" Kira exclaimed.
"Did too!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Mr. Green…" Trent said, tugging on Tommy's hand.
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Mr. Green…"
"Uh huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Mr. Green…"
"Trent… not now," Tommy said in annoyance, glad they were alone and there wasn't anyone else around to see the Rangers at a lost at how to deal with two bickering 4 year olds…
"MR. GREEN!" Trent growled, his eyes flashing blood red. Tommy leaned back in shock and Kira and Ethan went silent. Trent, suddenly seeing he had everyone's attention, blushed. "Uh… why do those pilgrims look weird?"
Tommy frowned, looking over at the display Trent was pointing. He saw the two pilgrims that were part of the Mayflower exhibit, wearing black outfits and buckle hats and with gray faces that were clearly Putty faces-
"Kim!" Tommy shouted without thinking, shoving the kids behind him as the Putties threw off their costumes and leapt out to face them. "They're the buddies of that pilgrim monster, come for revenge!"
"Stay behind us!" Kim said, shoving the kids behind her and getting into a battle stance. "What, did you guys come to see the museum's exhibit on Whistler?"
"We came to pick up some items!" Goldar declared, suddenly appearing before the two with a crate in his arms.
"Hiya!" Tommy moved to take on Goldar, his leg lashing out and kicking the crate, shattering it and causing Rita's right-hand monster to stumble back even as bits of straw, wood, and other bits went flying all over. The two exchanged several punches and blows, grunting with each strike. "Si-Hiya!"
The battle might have gone Tommy's way if it hadn't been for Kim's cry. He looked over just in time to see her slam into a wall as a horde of Putties descended on her. That proved to be his undoing as Goldar swiped his sword at Tommy, the Green Ranger crying out as sparks exploded from his chest and he was sent flying back next to Kim and the frightened kids. He struggled to stand up only to see more Putties appear before them.
"Tommy," Kim whispered, eying up the Putties.
"Yeah," Tommy said, not wanting to scare the kids with the news that they were greatly outnumbered. "I can't reach the others either."
"Of course you can't!" Goldar said with a laugh, holding up a necklace with a glowing orange gem. "This mystical jewel blocks all your communications! You can't contact the other Rangers or Zordon!" He took a step forward, the necklace dangle from his fingertips and as he let out a mocking growl that had Trent whimpering and hiding his face in Kim's top. "You could teleport, of course, but I don't know if you could bring all the runts with you!" Goldar cackled, lazily swinging his sword as he approached to huddled group. The two Rangers cursed; they could teleport with one more person but wouldn't be able to take a second. Kim and Tommy shoved Ethan, Trent and Kira behind them, trying to shield them as best they could from the golden monster that was stalking towards them. The two Rangers looked at each other and even with their masks on they knew the other wore an expression of fear. They'd faced many dangers but there had always been something that made them think that they'd get through it and survive. At that moment, with Goldar and the Putties slowly closing in, both were struck with the realization that they weren't going to survive. Worse, they were going to fail the children they'd sworn to protect.
"Miss Pink?" Kira said softly, clutching at Kimberly's hand.
"It'll be ok, Sweetie," Kimberly said.
"Yes!" Goldar mocked. "Keep feeding them lies! Lie till the bitter end!" He raised his sword, a maniac gleam in his eye. "You'll all be-"
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIYYAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Tommy and Kim couldn't believe their eyes. Behind Goldar, running at full steam, was Connor. His mask was down and he'd grabbed a janitor's broom with a broken, jagged end, and was wielding it like a lance, charging at Goldar as fast as his little legs could carry him. The Putties stared at him, unable to comprehend what they were seeing. Kim grabbed her Blaster Blade, preparing to make a suicide leap at Goldar the moment he noticed Connor; she hoped it would be enough for Tommy to get the kids to safety. But Goldar never turned, his attention focused solely on the downed Rangers and their young charges.
Thus he was unprepared for Connor's broom to find a way through the folds of his armor and strike him.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Goldar screamed, his eyes bulging out and his sword falling from his fingers, clattering to the floor. The Rangers stared at Goldar, their jaws dropping, and Kira, Ethan and Trent peered around them, watching with wide eyes as Goldar cried out in pain. Tommy and Kim looked at each other, as if silently asking "Are we seeing what we're seeing?", only to turn back to watch Goldar. It was Ethan who put words to their shock.
"Mr. Green! Mr. Green! Connor shoved a broom up his butt!"
"Yes... yes he did," Tommy said quietly, his brain trying to comprehend the sight of Goldar with a broom handle shoved several inches up his rectum.
Pain turned to rage and Goldar whipped around, moving to grab Connor. But the little boy held onto his broom and all Goldar did was spin the Mini Red Ranger around. Kim instantly had the mental impression of a dog chasing its tail.
"You little brat!" Goldar screamed in pain and anger. "When I get my hands on you..."
"Have to catch me, meanie!" Connor said, putting his feet down on the ground and grabbing the bristles of the broom, trying to wretch it free. Instead all he managed to do was twist it, causing Goldar to scream and fling his arm out, striking a Putty. Connor blinked, looking at the broom head... then gave it another twist. Goldar once more cried out and took out another Putty.
"Cool!" Connor proclaimed. "He's like a puppet!" He began to randomly twist the broom and Goldar, near tears, bellowed and began to flail about, taking out any Putty that got in his way. "Die Putties!" Kim and Tommy's jaws dropped once again as they watched the mighty golden warrior begin attacking his own soldiers. "Come on guys!"
"Yeah!" Ethan suddenly shouted, squirming out from behind Tommy and hurrying over to the broom, taking over for Connor. He began to twist and spin the broom about, giggling at the way Goldar bellowed and moaned even as he swung his clawed hands at a poor Putty. "Go go Mini Rangers!" Ethan shouted in glee as he made Goldar take out another three of his goons.
"STOP THAT!" Goldar screamed in agony as the sharp wood up his rearend.
"Is… is he crying?" Kim said.
"I think he is," Tommy said.
"This is really disturbing."
"I wanna try!" Kira shouted, avoiding Kim's attempt to grab her. Ethan nodded and shoved the broom towards the little girl. Kira grinned as she leapt up, grabbing the handle and tugging down hard; Goldar roared and spun his arms in circles, decapitating two poor Putties that happened to be standing a bit too close by. "Trent, you want to try next?"
"You can have my turn," Trent said, deciding it better to stick with him the Pink and Green Ranger.
"Okay, but I'll have to do something really special then for you!" Kira said, twisting the broom a few more times before pausing, her head tilted to one side. "Hey… if twisting the broom makes him attack… what would shoving it in further do?"
Goldar froze, a look of utter panic crossing his face.
"Should I do it?" Kira called out.
"Yeah!" Connor called out.
"Totally!" Ethan exclaimed.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Goldar screamed.
"Try it," Trent said.
Kira gripped the broom, taking a moment to tally up the results of her poll. "Sorry, 3 against 1!" And with that she rammed against the bristled head with all her might.
Goldar let out a shriek that had the glass display cases trembling and Tommy and Kim clamping their hands over their ears… only to remember they were wearing helmets. The golden monster, for his part, opening his mouth and a plume of flames shot out, roasting the Putties that were near him.
"I didn't know Goldar could breathe fire," Tommy said with a wince.
"I don't think he knew either," Kim answered, her voice quiet due to shock.
Trent suddenly rushed forward, grabbing the necklace from Goldar's hand and swinging it at the floor, shattering it. A few seconds later the familiar forms of Jason, Trini, Zack and Billy appeared morphed before them. The other rangers got into fighting stances only to stare in surprise at Goldar as he struggled to remove the broom from his butt while the Mini Rangers moved about him, kicking at his shins while yelling 'hi-ya'. Finally the golden warrior let out a roar and teleported away, Kira letting out a yelp as the broom suddenly disappeared. She fell to the ground and for a moment was ready to cry about her boo-boo, only to see the Putties and Goldar gone and let out a cheer.
"We did it! We did it!" Connor chanted. Ethan, Trent and Kira quickly joined him, the four marching around in a circle, celebrating their victory while the newly arrived rangers looked on.
"I believe we may have arrived late and missed vital information," Billy stated.
"It's… it's a long story," Tommy said. Before he could say anything else he heard Zordon's voice echo within his helmet.
"Rangers, please return to the Command Center… and bring young Connor, Kira, Ethan, and Trent with you." Kim and Tommy shared a look and shrugged, lifting up Kira and Trent. Connor would have normally complained about being carried like a baby but the fact that Jason was the one who did it had the little boy grinning under his mask. Billy took Ethan while Trini and Zack grabbing their gift backs before the Rangers teleported back to the command center.
The Mini Rangers were set down on the ground but for once weren't running about like little hellions. Their heads swiveled about as they looked about the command center, soaking in everything before finally catching sight of Zordon.
"Welcome, young ones," Zordon stated. "I am Zordon, mentor of the Power Rangers. I watched the battle with Goldar and witnessed your bravery… and unusual battle tactics."
"Ai Ai Ai!" Alpha exclaimed. "Unusual is not the word I'd use."
Zordon merely chuckled before turning his attention back on the four. "I asked the Green and Pink Ranger to bring you here so that I might reward you for your bravery." Alpha stepped forward and opened up a small black case… revealing four morphers. The other rangers stared at each other in shock but before they could say a word Zordon continued. "Connor, Kira, Etha, and Trent. I tell you as I told the Power Rangers the Three Cardinal Rules of being a Ranger. One: Use force only when it is necessary. Two: Never use your powers for personal gain. And Three: Never reveal your identity or the identity of your fellow Rangers to anyone. Do you accept these terms?"
"Yeah!" the four kids exclaimed. Alpha handed them each a morpher and the kids grinned as they examined them.
"Then I official declare you the Mini Rangers… may the power protect you."
The four shouted out their thanks and after shaking hands with the rangers and giggling in delight. Tommy, Kim, Jason, and Billy gathered them back up again and teleported away.
Once they were alone Trini spoke up. "Zordon, that was very sweet… but are you sure it was wise?"
"Yeah!" Zack said. "I mean, you just gave them morphers-"
"Oh, there is no need to worry," Alpha said, patting the Black Ranger on the arm. "Without a power source like a Power Coin, the morphers are useless."
~30 Minutes Later…~
Connor, Kira, Ethan, and Trent were sitting in Trent's back yard, still giddy over what had happened. After the Rangers had dropped them off Trent had asked his adopted father if his friends could come over to play. Anton had agreed and now the Mini Rangers were gathered under the large oak that held Trent's treehouse, looking over their morphers.
"This is cool!" Connor exclaimed. "We're Power Rangers!"
Trent nodded. "It's a really big responsibility…"
Kira nodded. "Yeah, we'll need more brooms!"
"Hey guys," Ethan said, digging through his gift bag. "Look at these!" He set his stuffed animal next to the other three plush dinos and held out four colorful rock-like lumps.
"What are those?" Connor asked.
"I don't know… they were in my bag. I think that golden monkey monster threw them into my bag when Mr. Green hit him. They were in his crate."
"They look pretty," Kira said, holding out her hand. "Hey!" she yelped when the yellow gem flew into her morpher. "Whoa."
"Let me try!" Connor said, holding out his morpher, grinning when the red gem flew to him. "Awesome!"
Trent and Ethan mimicked him, the white and blue gems entering their morphers as well. The four little ones looked over their morphers, now each sporting a glowing gem, before looking back at each other.
"Do… do you think-?" Trent asked.
Connor got a naughty grin on his face. "Only way to find out." He leapt to his feet, the others mimicking him. None of them knew what made them say it but as one the three shouted:
"DINO THUNDER! POWER UP!"