Author's Note-Please read: Welcome to my new, but kind of old, Power Rangers fic. I've been absent from the PR fandom since 2016 and decided that I wanted to finish my Endangered Legacy series. I re-read it and while I'm mostly happy with it, I decided I wanted to expand it. Originally, it consisted of Endangered Legacy, Secrets, Butterflies and Hurricanes, and Smoke and Mirrors.
This new story will feel very familiar and encompass the entire story, with expanded lore and a few changes here and there. I will continue it beyond the events of Smoke and Mirrors as well and hopefully get a satisfying ending in honor of the upcoming 30th Anniversary. I hope you enjoy and please review to let me know what you think.
Once again, the main focus of the fic will be the Ninja Storm team, the original MMPR gang, and the Dino Thunder Rangers. Other teams and rangers will appear. The story begins in the year 2004 in this chapter and then picks up in 2005 in the next chapter.
Thunderstruck
A Power Ranger story
Established Pairings: Tommy/Kim, Jason/Trini, Rocky/Aisha, Adam/Tanya, and Billy/Kat, Dustin/Marah
Pairings in Progress: Conner/Kira, Hunter/Tori
Chapter 1: Twisted Obsession
1998
The wave of energy swept over the armies of minions, turning them to dust and Goldar watched the wave Rita and Zedd next, except they weren't dissolved, but rather made human. The wave hit him, Scorpina, and Rito next and instead of dust, he watched his hands become human and while Rita, Zedd, and Rito seemed void of evil now, anger still burned inside him and apparently Scorpina as well, as she scowled at their former Masters. He was a proud Titan warrior! And Zordon had seen fit to turn him into a weak, filthy human. He would have rather been turned to dust and the thought of living out his existence on Earth made him sick.
"This won't stand, Zordon…you'll regret not turning me to dust, when I torture those pathetic, hormonal children you gave powers to," he growled.
2004
Angel Grove
"Good evening and thank you for joining us this evening, I'm John Malone," the reporter introduced himself to the camera for news station channel four in Angel Grove.
"And I'm Tanya Park. We have breaking news this evening, as the manhunt for the dangerous and wanted serial killer that boasts the name Ares, has come to a head. We're going live to our reporter, Jackie Phillips, who is at the scene of the local gym and well known high school hangout where the FBI and Angel Grove police believe they have cornered this mad man inside," Tanya reported, as the TV studio switched to broadcast from the live cameras at the Gym and Juice Bar.
"Thanks Tanya, as most know, the name Ares is derived from the Greek God of War. However, the FBI has shed no light on what war this serial killer is trying to wage. I'm Jackie Phillips and I have with me, Detective Rocky Desantos of the Angel Grove Police Department," the female reporter said to the distracted looking detective.
"Detective Desantos, what can you tell us and how did the FBI trace the suspect to this location?" the reporter asked.
"As you know, Ms. Phillips, the man we're dealing with is severally unhinged and has raped and murdered eighteen women that we know of. Special agent Scott and his team caught a break earlier this evening when the suspect escalated and made a careless error, allowing the FBI to track him. Details are sparse at this time, but we're hoping to have the suspect in custody soon," Rocky informed.
"We'll keep in touch with you Detective, thank you and back to you, John and Tanya," Jackie stated, as the camera panned back to the studio.
"Thank you Jackie," Tanya thanked, as her co-anchor took over with another story.
"In other news, the autopsy results on billionaire business mogul Emmanuel Chavik revealed no foul play. The cause of death was confirmed by the coroner to be a massive heart attack. His wife of two years, Sabrina Chavik, declined our interview, asking that the public respect her privacy in this time of grief. With no children, Mrs. Chavik is the sole heiress to her husband's fortune," John continued…
Victor Goldman, better known to the public as Ares, switched off the television in the darkened youth center. The teen hangout had changed several hands over the years and even became different types of establishments, but ultimately returned to its roots as a gym and juice bar under new ownership a few years ago. He smirked, as he felt the presence of the one he was looking forward to facing.
"Lingering in the shadows is not really your style, Supervising Special Agent Scott," Victor hissed. Special Agent Jason Lee Scott emerged from the shadows and leveled his gun at the sociopath.
"End of the line, Goldman," Jason stated. Victor chuckled evilly and turned to face him.
"You are as good as they say you are, but then why wouldn't you be? All those years of hard training have paid off," Victor goaded.
"You gave us a good chase. I've been after you for three years. Never did get the name Ares though. It's a little generic, don't you think?" Jason asked. Goldman smirked.
"Still trying to profile me?" Victor asked.
"It's kind of what I do. So tell me, why rape and kill innocent young women? What war does that represent?" Jason asked. Victor chuckled.
"Innocent? Oh no, Agent Scott. The women that my victims represent are hardly innocent," Goldman hissed.
"So there are others you're really after," Jason concluded.
"You have no idea," Victor drawled.
"Doesn't matter, this is over. On your knees and put your hands where I can see them," Jason ordered.
"Oh, it's very far from over and aren't you curious as to why I led you here?" Goldman asked.
"You didn't lead me here. You finally made a mistake and our technical agent tracked you," Jason refuted. Victor chuckled in amusement.
"Ah yes, your colleague, the esteemed special agent and multiple PHD bearer, Dr. William Cranston," Victor stated. Jason glared at him, trying to figure out where he was going with this. The guy was all over the map. Every time they thought they had a profile nailed down for him, he changed M.O. or did something completely opposite of what the profile suggested.
"I know everything there is to know about you, agent Scott and everything there is to know about Dr. Cranston as well for that matter. And when I say everything…I mean everything…" he hissed, looking Jason straight in the eye. Something about this man's eyes had haunted him since the moment he started hunting him, but he could never put his finger on why.
"I study your kind and I don't mean FBI agents when I say that. I know about every single one of you…even Tommy's newest batch in Reefside. Oh, forgive me, I guess it's Dr. Oliver now," Victor said. Jason lowered his gun just slightly, as his eyes widened in surprise. But he quickly regained his composure and leveled his weapon at the man's head. He turned his earpiece off with a small press and switched it so only Billy would be picking him up.
"So…what? You killed all those women to get the attention of the Power Rangers? That's a little off target, you know. Rangers deal with the more alien variety of scum and you're human, so you fall into my jurisdiction now," Jason spat.
"Yes…humans, I guess that is what I am," Victor said, though his tone bore disappointment that confused the first red ranger of Earth.
"Listen…the time for your games is over. Put your hands where I can see them now. You're under arrest!" Jason demanded. Victor chuckled.
"And if I refuse?" Victor questioned.
"Then you'll provoke me into shooting you, but trust me, I'm a good enough shot that I can take you down without killing you," Jason promised. Victor chuckled, unnerving Jason even more.
"Care to share the joke, because I hardly see anything funny," he snapped.
"Your cluelessness is highly amusing, but you're right, I too am tired of this little game. It's time to end it and move to the next phase," Victor stated.
"Fine, then put your hands up. Don't make me ask again," Jason spat. Victor laughed again.
"That's not the kind of end I'm talking about," he hissed, as he grabbed a hidden gun from behind the bar.
"Put the weapon down!" Jason screamed.
"Make me, red ranger," Victor hissed. Jason's eyes widened in surprise again, as he called him out. And with his refusal to drop the gun, Jason ended it by putting a bullet in Goldman's forehead. The murderer fell to the floor like a dead weight and the former red ranger loomed over him. And just like that, this three-year-old case that had haunted him, stolen sleep from him, and taken up nearly all his time was finally over.
"Billy, did you get all that?" Jason asked into his earpiece.
"Yes and I'm as baffled as you. But I already erased the parts that expose our pasts from the recording. I've also finally managed to hack through Goldman's entire database and I downloaded it all to the ranger database. Then I wiped it all out," Billy replied. Jason sighed.
"If our bosses find out…" Jason started.
"Relax…they won't. I've covered my tracks and logged in as Victor. It makes it look like he was responsible for wiping his own system clean. Who the hell was this guy, Jase?" Billy asked.
"I don't know Billy, but we need to find out how much he knew and if anyone else knew about his little ranger obsession. I still have no idea what raping and murdering young women had to do with our pasts as rangers," Jason mumbled.
"Don't worry, I'm on it. The boss is headed your way," Billy warned.
"Agent Scott…I assume there was no other means to subdue the subject," the director presumed.
"No Sir, I had him cornered, but he deliberately pulled a weapon and chose suicide by cop instead of coming quietly," Jason reported, as Rocky and his partner entered.
"Nice work, Agent Scott," Rocky complimented. Jason allowed a small smile.
"It's thanks to you that you pinned this guy down so quickly when he popped up here, Detective Desantos," Jason said, as the two men slowly walked out of earshot.
"You've got that look," Rocky stated.
"What look?" Jason asked.
"You know what look I mean. We both have an affinity for red, so I know it when I see it," Rocky replied.
"I'll fill you in later," Jason promised.
"But this is over…right?" Rocky asked. Jason sighed.
"I hope so, but if I have to go with my gut, then I would have to say not so fast," Jason replied simply, leaving Rocky behind to ponder his words.
Billy Cranston typed away on his laptop, completely and utterly fascinated and horrified by his findings in Goldman's database. This man had an obsession with rangers, but he had no idea what connected it to the eighteen rapes and murders he had committed. Sighing and deciding it was probably time to call it a night; he pushed back from the desk. A message invitation blipped in the corner of the screen and he smiled, accepting the video chat invite and welcomed the sight of his beautiful wife on the screen before him.
"Hey there handsome," Kat Cranston cooed to her husband.
"You really know how to flatter a tech nerd," Billy replied.
"You are not a nerd. The FBI would be lost without you. Besides, I've seen you fight and you carry a gun, which is clearly not nerdy. You're very cute in fact and your brain is sexy," Kat said playfully. He chuckled.
"I'm glad I'm cute then. How are the girls?" he asked.
"Full of energy as usual, though they're finally asleep. I meant to call earlier, but after keeping tabs on the news broadcast in Angel Grove online, I knew you wouldn't be able to talk. Guess it's over now though?" she asked. He nodded.
"Should be. We'll probably just have odds and ends to tie up and with any luck, I'll be home in Quantico by tomorrow night," he replied. She smiled.
"Good…I can't wait. We miss you," she said. He smiled.
"I miss you too. Kiss my little angels for me," he requested, as his phone beeped.
"That's probably Jason. He wants to go over a few things to wrap this up," Billy replied. She nodded.
"Okay…but try not to stay up all night. I love you," she said. He smiled.
"Love you too," he replied, as their video chat ended. Billy texted Jason back and packed up his laptop. He would meet with Jason in their hotel room and go over what he had found. He glanced at the victim board where they had the eighteen young women that had lost their lives in the last four years to this monster. He remembered how Goldman always bragged that the last words each of his victims heard was him saying, "I have the power now." And suddenly realization hit Billy Cranston like a ton of bricks.
"Holy shit…" Billy cursed, as he quickly took down the eighteen photos, stuffed them in his laptop case, and jogged out of the police department and was about to hail a cab when he saw Rocky. The former blue zeo ranger said goodnight to his partner and spotted him.
"Hey Billy…you look like you've seen a ghost," Rocky said.
"Maybe we have. Where's your car?" Billy asked.
"Over there," Rocky said, pointing with confusion.
"Good, you're driving me to the hotel. We need to talk to Jason right away," Billy said.
"Oh crap, I knew it. Jason had that look too. What the hell is going on?" Rocky demanded, as they got in his car.
"I'm not exactly sure yet, but if my hunch is right, then we might have a big problem," Billy responded shortly. Rocky groaned.
An Unknown Location
Victor Goldman strode confidently into his hideout, alive and well, with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"You look happy with yourself," a beautiful woman of Asian descent drawled. A small, sniveling man in a white lab coat almost cowered in the presence of this man.
"Why shouldn't I be? You haven't lost your touch, Finster," he said to the scientist.
"Your clay model of me worked perfectly as a clone that went willingly to slaughter," he said, as he looked at his companion.
"You should be happy too. You're a very rich woman and you're finally rid of that weakling husband," Victor chuckled. She smirked.
"I am and I'll admit, I am enjoying watching you torture Jason Lee Scott. And you're right, his money is ours now. If we have to be cursed to live the rest of our lives on this mud ball, at least we can do it in style now," Sabrina said.
"You should have seen the look on his face when I referred to him as red ranger," Goldman chuckled at the memory.
"That's great and all, but I still don't get why you did all this and where we go from here," she said.
"You've really lost your imagination living as a human, Sabrina," he chided.
"I had to spend two years seducing that bastard of a husband for money, so explain it to me," she demanded.
"Isn't it obvious?" he snapped, as he looked around the room. The walls were papered with photos and surveillance captures of every living ranger that had ever donned armor, the most recent being Tommy Oliver's Dino rangers.
"Zordon cursed me with this human form, that's why!" Goldman roared, causing Finster to slink away.
"I am a proud Titan warrior in the body of this weak, disgusting human! I can never return to my home planet. The wise and great Zordon thought it would fit me better to become this!" Victor continued to rage, as he poured brandy into a glass, before gulping it down.
"I would have rather been turned to dust," he growled.
"So you want revenge?" Sabrina asked.
"Zordon isn't here or I would have already shattered that old wind bag's tube myself. But those he loves most are going about their happy little lives. That's about to come to an end. They're going to pay for Zordon's transgressions, every single one of them. When I'm done, there will be nothing but a trail of blood left of his legacy," Victor seethed.
"Fine, but what are we going to accomplish with you supposedly dead and us living in this hole?" Sabrina asked.
"We'll accomplish everything if you fetched what I asked for," Victor replied. Sabrina smirked and produced a long pointed metal staff embellished at the head with a Z.
"Of course I did, how else do you think I came up with a clone of you so quickly. Finster made the clay model, but the way he is working on his monster machine, it would have been years to animate the clone. Fortunately, I was able to do it in seconds with the Z staff," she said.
"I still don't get how this thing wasn't turned to dust with everything else," Sabrina mentioned.
"The staff itself isn't evil. It's only enchanted and its magic belongs to whoever is lucky enough to control it. Did Zedd or that human he is posing as, try to stop you from stealing it?" Victor asked. She smirked.
"Of course, but he's gone soft in his human life. I threatened Rita's life and he took me right to the place where he had hidden it," Sabrina said.
"Can you believe he actually liked being good?" she asked in disgust. Victor chuckled.
"Zedd is a joke. Even before he became human, he was the laughing stock of numerous galaxies. So did the weakling just hand it over?" Victor asked. She smirked.
"Of course not, he insisted on fighting so that's what we did and I pried it from his cold, dead hands," Sabrina replied evilly.
"And the body?" Goldman questioned.
"I dumped it in an alleyway that's well known for gang activity and took his wallet. The stupid police will think it was just a robbery that went bad," she replied indifferently.
"Excellent…now we wait until the dust settles and they drop their guards again. Then, that's where the fun will begin," Goldman said…