The dense rainforest was alive with the sounds of chattering monkeys, colorful birds, and rustling leaves. A group of animals, including a family of capybaras and a flock of toucans, were gathered around a small pond, drinking and snacking on the plants nearby. Suddenly, a hush fell over the scene as a jaguar silently crept through the underbrush, eyes fixed on the unsuspecting prey. Hidden in the dense foliage was a set of eyes; they pierced through the grass as it crawled forward slowly. The jaguar was on her daily hunt as she had found a group of capybaras to feast on.
The giant feline kept low to the ground to minimize its presence as it closed in. Some of the capybaras lifted their heads as they looked about, using their eyes to scan for any danger. It looked at the spot where the jaguar was in as it didn't seem to spot the cat. It went back to grazing as the jaguar prepared and jumped out of the grass with a roar.
The toucans scattered in a flurry of wings while the capybaras frantically scrambled to safety. The large horde was now running as the jaguar had one of its prey in her sights. She was on its tail and leaped into the air with its claws out to sink into the animal's hind before it was tackled out of the air. The jaguar tumbled before recovering to her feet and growling.
Standing before her was another feline of similar size. However, it was colored black, and it seemed more mechanical. The panther growled as it didn't like the jaguar trespassing on its territory. The two felines began to circle each other as they were sizing the other up. The two large cats studied the movements of the other, waiting to see what the other would do.
The two cats lunged as they put their front paws out to push the other back. The jaguar sent the panther to the ground as it quickly got up and avoided a deadly swipe. The panther then lunged forward, grabbing the jaguar's neck in its jaws and bringing it to the ground. It released the feline and stood over it as it growled before bringing one of its paws down.
The jaguar was scared as the panther's claw stopped just inches from her face and growled. The black feline gave a threatening growl as the jaguar quickly got up and ran. The panther stood its ground as it watched its foe disappear from its territory. It then turned as it climbed onto a tree and lay on a branch. The symbol on the thigh of its right hind leg was shown as it seemed to beep.
Sunset put her fists up as she prepared to fight. Opposing her was Ash, as the boy did the same. The pair were in the training room as they were in a wrestling ring. The duo were looking to spare for a bit to improve their combat skills. The teens approached each other as they locked their arms. Ash quickly transitioned his arms around Sunset's head as he had her in a headlock. The boy tightened and wrenched his grip on the girl as she grabbed his midsection and dragged them back into the ropes. She slingshot Ash forward as he turned to bounce off the ropes and shoulder tackle Sunset to the mat as she took a fall.
The boy smirked before he went to bounce off the ropes again. Sunset quickly acted as she turned over so that Ash stepped over her but did a quick backflip and landed like a superhero with his head down. He lifted it with a cocky smile while staring at Sunset lying on the mat. The girl growled at her friend for mocking her as she got to her feet and lunged at the boy.
Ash dodged and ducked to her left, caught her around the midsection, lifted her into the air, and slammed Sunset onto the mat. The boy was on top of the girl's back as she managed to get seated while Ash still held her midsection. He began to squeeze to make Sunset submit, but the girl fought against the hold and was getting to her feet slowly. She managed to slip her hands through Ash's grip, and she did a standing switch and was now having the boy in the hold.
Ash countered as he put his arm up to grab Sunset's head and rolled her over to make her release the hold while on a knee. He quickly went for a knee strike as Sunset sidestepped, Ash almost going into the ropes. Sunset managed to get behind the boy as he bounced off the ropes and into her arms as she delivered a suplex. She managed to drop Ash with the move, but the boy recovered by rolling through.
He waited as Sunset got up to turn and delivered a step-up enzuigiri; it caught the girl on the side of her head to make her stumble. Ash followed that up by running past Sunset to jump on the middle rope to springboard and turned in midair as he extended his right arm. Sunset turned to Ash in midair as he caught her with a clothesline and took her down.
Before Sunset could get up, Ash got on top of her and pinned Sunset's wrists. There was about a foot between them as their eyes locked with each other. Ash's was full of determination, while Sunset's was full of surprise, with a hint of excitement. The boy got off of her to allow Sunset to sit up.
"You're improving," said the boy as he lifted a bottle of water to his lips.
"Yeah, but not good enough to take you down," replied the girl as she pounded the mat, knowing she couldn't win.
"Don't beat yourself up. You can't beat someone better than you," said Ash as he sat on the top rope.
"Thanks for making me feel better about myself," the bacon-haired teen sarcastically responded.
"You're welcome," stated Ash with the same tone while taking another sip of water.
Sunset sighed while rolling her eyes. That was one thing that she did admire about Ash. His cocky and smug attitude at times. He wasn't like Rainbow, having to constantly brag and show off to everybody how good they were. He was just enough to tolerate, and in some ways, it added more to his overall hotness that Sunset was drawn to. After a few more rest, the pair went for another brawl.
Applejack was in the school's auditorium as she had a set of tools near her. The farm girl put on her goggles as she measured some wood pieces. The teen was designing a background for the drama club as she was the only one who volunteered to help build it.
"I appreciate the help, Ms. Applejack," said Vice-Principal Luna.
"Think nothin' of it, Vice-Principal Luna. I like to get mah hands dirty," said the country gal as she hammered some stuff.
"Just make sure this gets done by the end of the week. The drama club has a play they need to put on."
"You can count on me," stated Aj as Luna left.
As if on cue, Aj's bracelet began to beep. The girl instinctively touched it before seeing if anybody was present. Seeing that the coast was clear, she lifted her hand off of it and spoke.
"What's up, y'all?"
"We need you at headquarters," responded Ash.
"On my way," said the girl as the transmission ended. She looked at the pile of materials scattered before her as she recalled the words of Vice-Principal Luna about it getting done. "It's probably just quick and easy."
The country gal touched her bracelet as she turned into a green light and teleported away.
"So much for quick and easy," said Aj.
Upon teleporting into the command center, she and the others saw Sunset and Ash all packing stuff. It turned out that one of the missing zords they'd been looking for finally turned up. Rachel picked up the signal as the A.I. managed to pinpoint the location. The destination was South America.
"Field trip!" shouted Rainbow as she was most excited.
"It's not a field trip. We're going on official business," said Twilight as she packed some guidebooks into her backpack.
"So, what's the zord this time?" asked Pinkie, who was bouncing about the backpacks, putting some snacks in for them.
"It's the panther zord," said Rachel. The computer pulled up a blueprint design of the zord, allowing the girls to see it. "The last location was in the Amazon rainforest."
"The Amazon?" said Rarity.
Rachel pulled up the world map on the screen and then zoomed in on the continent of South America. It then highlighted an area on the continent as photos and live feeds of the rainforest popped up. Fluttershy was smiling like a girl in a candy store as it showed the many animals that considered the rainforest their home. Soon images of deforestation also appeared as machinery displayed.
"The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest. It houses many different species of animals but also suffers from deforestation. A vast biome that spans eight rapidly developing countries—Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname—and French Guiana. The Amazon contains millions of species, most still undescribed, and some of the world's most unusual wildlife. It is one of Earth's last refuges for jaguars, harpy eagles, and pink river dolphins and home to thousands of birds and butterflies. Tree-dwelling species include southern two-toed sloths, pygmy marmosets, saddleback and emperor tamarins, and Goeldi's monkeys."
"Woo-whew. Ain't that a mouthful," said Aj as she had to lift her hat a bit to scratch her head.
"Exactly, so start helping us pack," said Ash as he added more supplies to his backpack.
"Just how long do you expect us to be gone, sugarcube."
"As long as it takes. Every second we spend lolly gagging around is a second our foes will get their hands on the missing zord. We already messed up by letting them take one. I don't want to risk them getting another." said Ash.
"Figures," sighed Aj.
The group now stood with their backpacks over their shoulders as Ash was at the main computer, setting their coordinates for teleportation. The others were ready to go as Applejack talked with Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy about finishing the background for the drama club in her absence.
"Just make sure you follow the blueprints I left. And measure twice so that you only have to cut once."
"Darling, we'll be fine. Now stop worrying. Wrinkles are not a good look for you," said Rarity to her country friend.
"Come on, Applejack!" shouted Dash.
"I gotta go!" said the farm girl as she waved goodbye to her friends.
Ash finished calculating the coordinates as he stood before his team, gathering them in a circle.
"Good luck!" said Pinkie as she waved at them.
"Be safe!" spoke Fluttershy in a soft tone.
"We will, Shy!" shouted Rainbow.
"Alright, let's do this!" said Ash, lifting his arm to show his Morpher.
The girls did the same as they synchronized their teleport, and within a flash of light, they all shot up and disappeared, leaving the girls behind. Watching from the window of a truck was Shining Armor. The captain of the Crystal Soldiers noticed the five lights in the air as they flew over him and away from the city. The young man scoffed before putting on his shades and continuing his city patrol.
The lair of the Dark Lords was shown. Walking through the doors to the throne room was Thorax as an officer behind him was accompanying him. The general spotted his commander sitting on his throne as he bowed.
"My lord. We have found another of the zords."
"Retrieve the zord at all costs, Thorax. No doubt the rangers have also discovered it and are on their way there to get it."
"Do not worry, my lord. I give you my word that I will return with the zord," said Thorax as he got up and instructed the officer he was with to follow him.
Sombra closed his eyes as Starlight then made her presence known.
"What is the word with Chrysalis?" asked Sombra.
"She's currently keeping the Crystal Quartz Ranger occupied," said the mutant.
She waved her staff as it Chrysalis in her human disguise as Cadance. The mutant approached Shining Armor as the young man had finished his patrol and smiled upon seeing the woman.
"With him distracted, we have one less problem to deal with," stated Starlight.
"Good," snickered Sombra.
The rangers landed in the middle of the rainforest as a few toucans were spooked upon seeing the flashing lights. The group took a moment to notice their surroundings as they saw the dense and colorful forest. As well as how humid the air was.
"Whew, it's hotter than a... than a... I got nothing," said Applejack as she was fanning herself with her hat to show how sweltering it was that she couldn't come up with a countryism.
"Alright, let's focus," said Ash as he got the attention of the others and began to walk.
The girls began to follow their leader as they walked in a single-file line through the dense forest. The boy was using his saber to slash through some of the leaves in their way while avoiding any dangerous traps or animals.
"It says here that the Amazon provides many things, such as agriculture, clothing, and traditional medicine. Many people even rely on it for food, shelter, and livelihoods. They even use the waterways for transport." said Twilight as she read from her guidebook.
"Does it say anything about it not being hot?" Rainbow asked as she was sweating.
"There are some hats in your backpacks. Put them on," stated Ash as he was wearing a fedora that had a high crown and a wide brim which gave him a very distinctive silhouette.
The others, minus all, reached into their backpacks and pulled out the packed headwear. Applejack even traded her signature cowboy hat for the packed adventure ones.
"I feel like Daring Do!" said Rainbow. "And this feels like we're on the adventure for the Quest of the Sapphire Stone."
"Are you talking about that book series you keep reading?" said Ash as he continued cutting through the plants before him.
"Yeah. In that book, Daring Do..."
"Hold!" shouted Ash as the girls all bumped into him.
"What!" said Sunset as she peeked from behind her leader.
In front of them was a river. The girls almost wanted to glare at Ash for stopping them for a simple body of water until he tested it out by pulling out a device from his backpack and dropping it into the water. He looked at the device as it indicated that the river was too deep to cross.
"So, how do we get over?" asked Sunset.
Ash looked about as he was trying to think of something. Applejack noticed a vine just then as she yanked it from the tree. The country girl stepped forward and began to twirl the vine like a lasso as she threw it. The vine wrapped around a tree branch on the other side of the river.
"Nice thinkin', Aj," said Ash as he grabbed the vine and swung.
The boy landed on the other side before tossing the vine back to the girls. They could safely cross the river and continue their journey one by one. The group continued traveling through the rainforest as the girls were amazed by the many animals they spotted. Soon nighttime was starting to fall.
"I think it'd best we stop for the night," stated Ash as they arrived at a clearing.
"We still have a ton of land to cover," said Twilight.
"Plus, we have no idea where it could be," said Sunset.
"Let's calm down, y'all. We only just got here. You can't expect us to find the dang zord and call it a day." stated Applejack.
"For now, we rest. We'll look for it in the morning," said Ash as he pulled out a box from his backpack.
He pushed the button on it before tossing it. The box hit the ground before springing up to reveal a yellow-colored tent. The girls did the same as they pulled out their respective cubes and had their tents appear. Ash then pulled out another shape as it responded to his Morpher. Soon the shape turned into his wolf zoid as it was in its cub form. The small wolf howled and panted before jumping onto Ash's shoulder. The girls also summoned their zords as they appeared in their small forms.
The rest of the night was the teens and their zords making their campground and having dinner. Before long, they listened to the sounds of the jungle as they drifted to sleep with the moon high above the canopy.
The sky then turned to daytime as it panned down to the rainforest. A massive tree was shown falling as it landed with a thud. Thorax was shown throwing his daggers in front of him. The general was moving ahead as behind him were some minions. The mutants soon stopped as a swamp appeared in front of them.
"Check it out!" said Thorax to one of the lackeys.
One of the minions stepped into the swamp to see how deep it was. After taking a few steps, he sank and disappeared within seconds.
"What now?" asked the officer behind Thorax.
Thorax grunted as he made some daggers appear between his fingers before throwing them at a nearby tree. The large tree began to crack and fell over as it landed on the swamp. The mutants then began to cross the bog as they followed their leader. Thorax had a device in his hand as he was honing in on the signal of the missing zord.
The group came to a clearing full of trees as the general looked at the device. The red dot on Thorax's device beeped as it seemed the mutant was getting closer. Soon, the red dot vanished. Thorax stopped as it got the others also to pause.
The general looked at his device with a raised eye as he recalibrated it. At that moment, a blur ran by one of the minions as it was gone. One of the others turned as the minion before him disappeared too. The blur was shown emerging from a bush and tackling another minion into the bush.
"It's here," smiled Thorax.
The minions and officer all spread out in offensive positions. They were all watching the trees and the greenery around them, keeping a sharp eye out. The blur was in the trees above before silently taking down another minion.
Thorax was off on his own a few meters as he made his daggers appear. The blur spotted the general as it used its lightning-fast reflexes to move closer undetected. It was now in a perfect position in Thorax's blind spot. The blur growled as it got down, ready to pounce before it lunged. Thorax detected the attack, leaped into the air, and twisted his body.
The blur missed its target as Thorax threw his daggers while twisting his body. The daggers hit the blur as electricity flowed through and made the shadow tumble along the ground. Thorax and the rest of his men looked at the shadow as it got to its feet to reveal it was the panther zord. The feline zord growled as it didn't like Thorax and the others trespassing on its property.
"Capture it," said the general as two minions with a net approached the beast.
The panther growled before jumping at them; it took one out with a single bite and then tore up the net with its claws before destroying the other mutant.
The remaining mutants rushed forward to detain the feline as it opened its mouth and fired a beam of energy that took out most of the minions. The panther disappeared into the bush as it was using the shadows to its advantage and taking out the minions.
"Sabor!" said Thorax.
The mutant began channeling into his animal powers as he charged at the panther quickly. He collided with the zord using rhino strength, sending the feline tumbling again. The panther got up and lunged as Sabor tapped his powers again, used elephant power to yank a nearby tree from the ground, and swung it at the panther. The feline tumbled as it allowed the minions to throw the net on top of it.
"Don't fight it. You'll soon get a new home," cackled Thorax as he eyed the trapped animal.
The panther growled before it began to tear at the net. The minions attempted to hold it down as the zord continued to fight. The zord jumped at a minion before him but disappeared in the blink of an eye. The net fell to the floor, and even Thorax was surprised. The mutants looked about, trying to spot the zord, when a blur rushed past them, sending several minions up in the air. A claw swipe took out Sabor as he was sent tumbling. The panther growled as it eyed Thorax, the general standing his ground. The zord charged at him as he began to throw his electric daggers; the panther avoided them and lunged as Thorax rolled out of the way. He got to his feet and looked about as the panther was gone.
The general stood with daggers between his fingers on both hands as he kept an eye on the shrubbery around him. The panther eyed the general as he moved about the shadows. Thorax kept his eyes peeled as the shadow lunged from behind; the general turned to throw his daggers, but, to his surprise, there was nothing there. The shadow under Thorax then leaped up, and it turned out to be the panther as Thorax's eyes turned to see the zord. The zord took down the general as it clawed and scratched at the downed mutant.
Thorax held back the beast's fangs from biting down on him before tossing it over his head. When he got up and turned, the zord was gone. The general looked about with the rest of his group as the panther disappeared. Thorax growled as he threw some daggers into the ground before him.
As the sun rose, the rangers continued their trek through the rainforest. A shadow was shown racing through the dense forest as it headed toward the teens. Ash, who sliced the latest leaf, suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" asked Sunset.
"Shh," said Ash, telling the girls to be quiet.
They remained quiet as the boy closed his eyes. He focused on listening to his surroundings. The sound of the brush and the animals were heard as Ash was looking to listen past that. His eyes shot open.
"Duck!" shouted the boy.
They all listened to him as a shadow lunged over them. The teens looked as skidding to a halt was the panther zord. The beast noticed the group of rangers as it growled.
"Is that..." asked Rainbow, poking out from behind Ash.
"That's the zord we're looking for," said Aj as she eyed the black panther.
The panther growled before it lunged at the teens. They all moved out of the way as they nearly avoided the zord's claws.
"Calm down! We mean you no harm!" shouted Twilight.
The zord didn't seem to listen to them as it saw the teens as enemies.
"We're here to help you!" said Sunset.
The zord continued growing as it didn't seem to listen to the girls' words. It then turned its attention to Ash as it targeted the boy. The teen saw this and quickly rolled out of the way as he morphed. Ash stood in his ranger outfit as he was staring down the zord.
"We gonna do this the hard way, huh?" stated the yellow ranger.
The panther growled and charged at the boy. Ash did the same as he looked to engage with the zord. Before either could make contact, explosions occurred in between them as it got both to stop. They turned, as did the girls when Thorax and his men emerged from the brush.
"Rangers!" growled the mutant general.
"Thorax!" responded Ash as the panther growled, seeing both foes.
"Get that zord!" instructed Thorax as he sent his men into battle.
The girls touched their bracelets to transform into Morphers. They soon transformed into their ranger suits as they battled with their leader. The two sides engaged in combat as a sea of battle began. Ash slashed down the minions around him with his saber as he bounced off a nearby tree to deliver a kick, sending the minion into the dirt.
While the rangers and the mutants were locked in battle, the panther zord was also engaging in the fight as it was taking out any foes in its path. It ran over several minions, knocking Aj off her feet from behind.
"Hey!" shouted the country gal.
The panther growled as it opened its mouth and fired its energy beam attack. The laser took out more minions and hit Applejack as she was sent tumbling along the ground.
"Aj!" shouted Ash as he saw his teammate get hit.
His attention was returned as Sabor charged into him as he flew back. The boy grunted as he felt like a bulldozer had hit him.
"Worry about yourself, ranger!" said the officer as he activated gorilla powers and charged the downed boy.
Ash got up as he, popped to his feet using a single hand, and did a backflip to avoid the slamming of Sabor's fists. However, the slam to the ground created a wave, pushing Ash back and sending him flying into a nearby tree.
"Ash!" shouted Sunset, seeing her friend hit the tree.
The girl pulled back on her bow and fired several shots at Sabor, who stumbled back. The red ranger quickly spun and landed on her knee as she took out a barrage of minions attempting to surround her.
"That's enough!" shouted Thorax as he was shown leaping into the air and throwing his daggers.
The daggers hit Sunset and the area around her, causing some explosions. The girl cried as she was sent tumbling to the floor. Thorax smiled as he began to approach Sunset; he made more daggers appear in between his fingers. Just then, a shield bounced off the mutant as Twilight spun in the air and caught it before engaging in close combat with the general.
The girl was attempting to protect her friend as she was attempting to hold off Thorax. Twilight threw her shield again after it bounced off a nearby tree; the general swatted it to the ground. Within the blink of an eye, Thorax threw his daggers at Twilight, who was pushed back. He threw his electric daggers at the purple ranger before a blur zoomed in front of her and struck them down with fast reflexes.
The blur was Rainbow, who was using her superspeed. The girl managed to strike down the daggers from Thorax as she rushed at the mutant. He was unprepared for the sudden rush attack as he was pushed back but skidded along the dirt. Rainbow then leaped into the air and looked for an aerial attack from above, but Thorax could shut that down as he quickly threw his knives at the girl, who felt the attack and was swatted out of the air.
Rainbow tumbled as she managed to get to a knee. She growled under her helmet and looked at Thorax, who twirled a dagger between his fingers. The panther zord growled once more before it ran off and jumped into some bushes.
"Guys, the zord's getting away!" said Ash as he instructed the girls to follow him to go after the zord.
"You guys, go!" said Rainbow, still keeping her eye on Thorax as he scowled at the girl before him.
"Rainbow!" said Applejack, trying to get her attention.
"Go! I got business!" said the blue ranger as she pulled out her saber and held it backward.
"Come on!" said Ash as he told the girls to listen to their friend and went off.
"Don't let it escape!" instructed Thorax to Sabor.
The mutant nodded before he and the remaining minions began to go after the zord to get it for themselves. The only ones left were Thorax and Rainbow as they stared down at each other. The two foes gripped their weapons tightly as Rainbow got to her feet.
"You think you can win?" taunted Thorax as he tasted one of his daggers.
"I know I can," responded Rainbow.
The girl took off as Thorax began throwing his daggers; Rainbow dodged them precisely as she closed the gap between them. Rainbow leaped into the air as Thorax did the same; the two met and zoomed past each other. They landed on opposite sides before turning around to face each other. The two began to circle clockwise as they eyed the other's movements. They soon both lunged as two blinding lights were shown crashing, colliding against each other and zipping back and forth. Rainbow landed as she rushed forward and threw a flurry rush of attack as Thorax was merely backstepping and dodging.
"What's the matter?" taunted Thorax as he mocked Rainbow for being too slow to land a hit.
Rainbow growled upon hearing her foe mock her. Her latest slash caused Thorax to lunge as he backflipped away.
"Worm!" shouted Thorax as his arms crossed against his body and threw out the daggers between his fingers.
They all landed as they sent an electric pulse through Rainbow, resulting in explosions to occur. The girl was taken down again as Thorax smirked and began to approach her. The general made more knives appear as he looked to throw them when he was suddenly blasted. Rainbow pulled out her blaster and quickly fired it at the mutant general as he stumbled back and dropped to a knee while clutching his side.
"You insignificant speck!" growled Thorax as Rainbow slowly got to her feet.
"Come on!" shouted Rainbow as she egged Thorax to get up and continue their fight.
Thorax growled as he flicked his hand to make the daggers appear. This time, they glowed as they got longer, like claws that pulsed with electricity. The mutant rushed forward, as did Rainbow, now having her lance as the pair were moments away from connecting.
To be continued...
Author's Note: We now have another one of the missing zords appear. And this time, it happens to be the panther zord and the location is the Amazon Rainforest. Hopefully, this time, Ash and the girls can be able to get the zord first, less they risk the Dark Lords getting an upper hand.