Dino Thunder: Return of the Eclipse: Chapter 22: A Ranger Exclusive
Disclaimer: Saban owns all Power Ranger lines.
Copyright: All unrecognizable parts and characters are under December's Phoenix's copyright.
Summary: Mesogog and planets shouldn't mix.
"How is it that we are always racing through forests?" Crystal asked. She hung onto the back of Ethan's bike. The Rangers had been dispatched to a clearing outside of Reefside after discovering that Mesogog's goon squad was trying to destroy Jupiter.
"It's a miracle when we don't," Lucy grumbled from where she sat behind Kira.
Kira twisted over her shoulder. "Please tell me you've fought more than in forests."
"The quarry in Blue Bay, too," Crystal answered.
Conner lifted his morpher to his helmet. "We're about three minutes out from the transmitter. Are we going to make it?"
"You'll have to hurry. That beam needs to be shut down right away."
"We'll do our best." Conner nodded. "Hit it!"
"Yeah!" Ethan cheered
The Rangers stopped in the clearing. Sitting in the middle was a domed transmitter and another smaller object that was counting down. "There it is." Ethan pointed out.
"We'll have to hurry if we're going to disarm it." Kira scrambled off her bike with Lucy in tow. The Guardians turned to see the countdown.
1:00
The Rangers started to race towards it, but the familiar green light of the portals stopped them. Out popped the evil White Ranger and a pod of Tyrannodrones. "Attack!" The Ranger snarled, throwing his hand out to the Rangers.
The Rangers charged. Ethan kicked away a punch and then tried to run to the machine. Two Tyrannodrones stopped him. "We don't have time for this!" He yelled, getting shoved back.
00:36
Kira cartwheeled into her pod, then stepped to avoid a punch. Instead, she whipped around, striking one in the chest with her boot.
00:28
Conner rolled, pushing up and stopping a swing. He twisted around, kicking the Tyrannodrone's foot back, and flipped him over his shoulder. He turned around in time to see the White Ranger running at him. He struck hard, sending Conner back.
"Conner!" Kira called.
"You okay?" Ethan asked.
Crystal slammed into the White Ranger, tackling him from the side and sending him clear across the clearing. He rolled, rising to his feet, snarling. "Nice try." Crystal pushed her broadsword up, letting it spin in the air before she caught it again.
00:08
A rapid beeping was heard, making all the Rangers turn. The White Ranger laughed but stopped when a blade hit the keyboard on the transmitter. It sparked, but the countdown continued. Lucy groaned. "I really thought that was going to work." She yelled, racing to grab her blade.
"Lasers!" Conner called. The three Rangers pulled their blasters from their belts. They fired rounds, hitting the exact spot where the blade had been embedded. Everyone shielded their eyes when the machines exploded, scattering pieces everywhere.
The White Ranger heaved, disappearing. Ethan rolled his eyes under his helmet. "Sore loser."
Kira nodded. "Yeah, let's head back."
"Hey, you guys want to come to the cyber cafe and watch us try out a new song?" Kira asked, looking at her teammates around her. They were back in the lab, filling Dr. Oliver in before heading off for decompressing.
"Can't. Soccer practice." Conner told the team.
Ethan suddenly got weird. "I can't either."
"Why not?" Kira asked.
"I have to go somewhere with my mom. A dentist appointment." He answered awkwardly, smiling.
Kira smiled. "Ethan, it's fine. Don't worry about it."
"Right." Ethan nodded. "I'll see you later." He took off from the lab.
"We have to head back to the academy," Lucy spoke, nodding. "Sorry!" She took the stairs up and out of the lab.
Crystal moved over to Conner. "Still haven't talked to her?"
"She hasn't let me."
Kira turned. "Who?"
"Luce." Conner sighed. "She's been acting weird."
The Yellow Ranger nodded. "She told me all about it." The two turned to her. "She's worried that it will be a Brian Albright situation again, and she's gonna get burned."
"That's—that's crazy." Conner sighed.
"No, makes sense." Crystal hummed. "Brian told her he loves her, then spit it back in her face, saying he never did. He was using her."
Conner winced. "Ouch."
"Look, Hunter was right—don't tell him that. Just give her a little space, and she'll come around. And if not, I'll help you figure something out." Crystal smiled. "But she's not wrong; we do have to get to the academy for some last-minute prepping before our parents take off to Europe. Since Lu and I both grown and able to care for the academy, they decided to take sabbaticals and backpack across Europe for six-plus months."
"Me and Cassidy?" Ethan asked when Kira immediately asked him after he came into the cafe. "That's insane."
"I saw you guys." Kira defended. "There was hand touching." The Yellow Ranger leaned in. "Look, I'm not going to tell anyone; it's just…." She scrunched her nose.
"Come here." Ethan rose from his chair.
Ethan moved them to one of the computer sections that didn't have anyone. "Okay." He breathed. "Here it is. We're not going out. We're just hanging out, spending time together."
"Ethan, this is Cassidy Cornell." Kira tried. "She's like the president of the geek-haters-of-America club." She stopped, looking at Ethan's frown. "Not that I'm calling you a geek or anything."
"Cassidy has another side." Ethan bit out. "And if you took five seconds to get to know her, maybe you'd find that out."
"You're serious?" Kira asked.
"Kira, she's just insecure."
"That's what every guy says about girls."
"Seriously, she's never making the first move, but if you did, I'm sure you two would become friends, maybe even get Lucy in on the friendship."
"Friends?"
"Yeah," Ethan asked like it was the answer to everything. "Kira, you work at a tv station; she wants to be a reporter. So you guys have stuff in common. Just do it for me, please."
Kira sighed. "All right, I'll try." The two fist-bumped, snapping at the end.
The following morning, Kira found the network producer—Mr. Cormier—on the stairs. "Mr. Cormier, how are you?" She asked. She got swallowed by the large group of people swarming him.
"I'm in a hurry. That's how I am. My new reporter just got called out to the network, so I'm down a body, and I've got stories coming out of my ears."
"Oh!" Kira smiled. "I know someone. She's a great reporter."
"Yeah, is she good-looking?"
Kira stopped. "Why does that matter?" She looked around at the people surrounding her.
Mr. Cormier stopped and looked at her. "You've seen the cameras. This is TV, not radio, right?"
"Look, yeah, she's very pretty," Kira answered.
"She got experience?"
"Yeah, lots."
Mr. Cormier sighed. "Look, I'm desperate. Have her here in an hour, and I'll take a look at her."
"She'll be here." Kira smiled. "You won't regret it, sir."
"Hey, I better not." Mr. Cormier walked away with his pod of people.
An hour later, Kira sat with Cassidy next to her in Mr. Cormier's office. "You? You're the reporter?" He looked at Kira, pointing to Cassidy. "She's the reporter?"
"Mr. Cormier, I happen to be a —"Cassidy started.
Kira cut her off. "Cassidy." She gently told her, then turned to her boss. "Mr. Cormier, I've seen the news board. You've got too many stories for the reporters you have. So, I see it as you don't have a choice."
"Oh, I don't?"
"No, you don't," Kira spoke again.
Cormier sighed, leaning forward. "Okay, here's the deal." He turned to the group of people behind him. "Can I help you?" He asked softly, making everyone nod and walk out of his office. "A sheep farm is opening its doors as a petting zoo for all the little kiddies. I want you to get out there and get me a report."
"On a sheep farm?" Cassidy asked with skepticism in her voice.
"Yep."
"Uh, no, I don't do she—"
Kira cut her off again. "Oh, she'll do it. Good luck!" She whispered to Cassidy, taking off with her clipboard of things to do.
Lucy and Crystal were in the middle of the forest, about to head to the academy, when their morphers beeped. Crystal raised an eyebrow, lifting her morpher. "Uh, you guys mind coming down to the TV station?" Kira asked. "There's something you gotta see."
"On our way," Ethan reported.
"Meet you there." The two took off. They ninja-streaked across town, landing right before Conner's Mustang. The Red and Blue Rangers frantically climbed out of it. The two turned around at their looks to see a metal monster with what looked like Jupiter in his stomach. "That thing looks ugly."
"It looks contagious," Ethan added.
"There's only one way to stop it," Conner muttered. "Ready?"
"Ready."
Dino Thunder, Power Up!
Eclipse Ranger, Dino Power!
Dino Power!
Guardian of the Sun!
Guardian of the Moon!
The Rangers raced to the edge of the parking lot to see the monster before them. "It's time for a meltdown." He thundered, slamming his arms together.
Conner turned to his morpher. "Dr. Oliver, it's zord—"
"Conner!" The Guardians interrupted, pointing to the monster. He lowered himself to a knee and then disappeared into the building he was standing over. "He's gone!" Crystal sighed.
"Dr. Oliver, did you catch that?" Conner asked.
"Yeah, guys, you better get back in here. We need to get a lock on this thing."
"We're on our way." Kira nodded.
"I've downloaded the information from the TV station." Hayley rounded the four Rangers. "It's a virus of some kind. Mesogog is using it to reroute the satellite system and send their beam to Jupiter."
"This is serious." Dr. Oliver pushed through the Rangers to see the beam firing off. "We have to get in there and shut that thing down."
"Conner, I've adjusted your Triassic powers so Ethan and Kira can give you the energy you need and still stay morphed," Hayley informed the team.
Kira shrugged. "At least there is some good news."
Crystal grunted, a hand flying to her temple. She tilted her head to the side. "I don't feel well."
Lucy grunted. "I'm gonna throw up." She leaned against the table heavily, sucking in a breath. "You guys have to stop them. If Jupiter is destroyed…"
Hayley glanced at the two of them. "You two aren't going out there."
"Sounds like a plan." Crystal threw up a thumbs up and slid to sit on the ground. "Probably for the best."
The computer beeped, making everything turn. "What now?" Dr. Oliver grounded out. He turned to see the Evil White Ranger jump from the roof of a building onto the ground below.
"Oh, man, not him again?" Ethan sighed.
Trent turned his head to the Blue Ranger. "At least you know it's not me this time."
"Right, Conner, you deal with the White Ranger." Dr. Oliver nodded to the team. "Kira, Ethan, and Trent, you check inside; look for the control room."
"Ready?" Conner asked.
"Ready?"
Dino Thunder, Power Up!
White Ranger, Dino Power!
Dino Power!
Drago Power!
The Rangers took off on their bikes. They sped through the forest, stopping only when they saw the Channel Three building. "This is it," Conner noted, climbing off his bike once entirely stopped. "Okay, you guys, head to the control room. I'll take care of the White dude." He turned at Trent's confusion. "Sorry, the evil white dude."
Kira clapped her hands. "Got it."
"Let's go." Conner took off.
Kira led the two others into the main building, stopping when nothing was there. "Yoo-hoo, kiddies." Elsa's voice called.
"Okay, that's just rude," Kira commented. The three Rangers turned around to see Elsa standing there with her pods of Tyrannodrones. "I should have known." The Yellow Ranger nearly snarled.
"T-drones," Elsa spoke. "Get them."
The Rangers pulled their weapons out, charging.
Devin swung his camera around at the sheep farm, settling on Cassidy, who was in the corner of his shot, walking to the middle. She was in a plaid jacket, white skirt, and boots and looked a little out of place with all the sheep around her. "This is going to look great." He zoomed out.
Cassidy smiled, lifting her microphone and walking into the herd of sheep. "This is Cassidy Cornell, reporting for Channel Three. I'm here visiting some new friends I've made at the sheep farm and petting zoo." She smiled, throwing one leg up to rest on the fence in the middle of the herd. Seconds later, she fell forward, falling face-first into the mud below.
Devin winced, peeking from behind his camera. "Hey, Cass, you want me to cut?"
Cassidy pushed herself up, her face and front covered in mud. "I'm in the mud."
"And cut." Devin scrambled down from his ladder.
Conner needed help finding precisely who he was looking for. He stopped, turning around. "All right, where are you?" He murmured under his helmet.
"I'm right here, Red Ranger." Conner whipped around to find the Evil White Ranger standing across from him. "And you're right where I want you." He ran, hitting Conner multiple times before dragging him to the ground. He flipped over him and landed. "Better late than never, Red Ranger."
Conner pushed to his feet. "We know what your boss is up to." He stated, holding his arm. "Tell me how to stop this now before this gets ugly."
The White Ranger turned to the side. "The only one that's gonna get ugly for is you." He pressed a hand to his helmet. "For getting in our way, and when this is over, my master will return the Earth to its natural state. Barren, empty, and free of any human life."
"I wasn't going to bust this out yet, but you're really ticking me off." Conner breathed. "Super Dino Mode!" His spike grew as he charged the Ranger.
Lucy grunted, rising to her feet and drawing attention to herself. "I'm not letting the others fight my battles for me." She rose to her full height. "If the planets' alignment is going to destroy the world, I'm fighting for it."
Crystal followed her. "Couldn't have said it better."
Ethan and Kira had the Tyrannodrones on the second floor of the building while Trent took on Elsa. Ethan blasted a few while Kira swung her saber across another Tyrannodrone. "Want some more?" Kira asked, racing down the hallway to another pod of Tyrannodrones. She flipped over, sitting another before dancing around a few and slicing them.
Trent grunted when Elsa shoved him back. "You'll never reach the control room to stop the virus." She snarled. "The beam will be cutting into the atmosphere by now. And then your precious Guardians will be gone."
"That's what you think!" Elsa dodged the silver streak landing before her but missed the golden streak that came from behind. The two Guardians stopped between Trent and Elsa. "It's cute that you think you can destroy us," Crystal muttered.
Back at the lab, Dr. Oliver was watching the beam hit Jupiter. "It can't be." He breathed. "Their beam broke through Jupiter's atmosphere. if we don't stop them soon, it's over."
Conner dodged a swing, slicing his stomach, then jumped up and slashed again. The White Ranger groaned, falling to the ground. "How do you like them apples?"
The White Ranger clawed his way to his feet. "You're good, Red Ranger." He grunted. "Impressive."
"Thanks, but I'm not asking for your opinion." Conner charged again. He grabbed the White Ranged around the shoulders. "Tell me how to stop the beam. Tell me now!" Conner threw him across the lot. The White Ranger rolled to a stop.
Ethan jumped in front of his pod, firing blasts at them to knock them back. Kira took her pod up the stairs, slicing and hacking away while the Tyrannodrones fell. Crystal took on a pod, brandishing her blade and swiping through all of them. Lucy and Trent had the honor of fighting Elsa.
The general sliced Trent's stomach. He turned around, trying to hit her, but Elsa caught it, twisting him around until he was on his knees. She turned to see Kira and Ethan trying to take off and sent a stream of lightning at them. It knocked them from the second floor, sending them crashing. Lucy tried to attack, but Elsa caught her, sending her crashing into Trent. "Sorry," She gasped.
The Rangers moved to stand, with Crystal hauling her sister up. They turned to see Elsa climbing the stairs. "You're not going anywhere."
"Oh really?" Trent challenged.
Lucy tapped shoulders with Trent. "You two go ahead."
"We'll deal with her," Trent stated. "Go help Conner."
Crystal nodded. "You sure?"
"More than," Lucy answered. "I'm gonna wipe the floor with her."
"Okay." Crystal took off, trailing the two Rangers.
Trent took her on first, blocking one hit, but she was sliced in the stomach. Lucy caught her katana, knocking it away and hitting her down the abdomen. She spun away from the general, leveling her blade. "Bring it."
"Conner!" Ethan called when the three made it outside. He stopped on one side of Conner while Kira took the other. Crystal stood in front of them, blade drawn.
Conner turned to see them. "Glad you guys are here," He stated. "Time to go Triassic." He lifted the shield.
Kira nodded. "Yeah, he's all yours."
"We'll try to find the virus," Ethan added.
The two added their powers to the shield, morphing Conner into the Triassic Ranger. "Oh, yeah."
The White Ranger spun his blade around into his opposite hand. "I'm not afraid of you."
"That's your problem." Conner threw his arm out, sending the two to another dimension.
Crystal raced down a hallway with Kira and Ethan trailing her. "We have to find this control room," Kira called, heaving a breath while she ran.
"Hurry!" Ethan tried.
"I'm running as fast as my legs will carry me!" Crystal snarked back.
Down in the lobby, Trent and Elsa sent their powers to act each other, causing an overload that made the two stumble. While Trent recovered, Lucy charged, yelling out.
Crystal slid to a stop, her boots screeching on the tile while Kira slammed into her. The two stumbled for a moment before Kira sighed. "This is it!" The Yellow Ranger announced to the two. She shoved her away into the room.
Inside, there was a giant eye. "Oh, man, that is ugly." Crystal snorted. She moved back to let Kira and Ethan fire blasts at the eye, sending a white light around the room.
Conner landed on the ground after his fight with the White Ranger. He stood, lifting the shield just a little bit. "This shield was worth every penny." He joked, then stumbled when the ground shook under him. He moved to a better vantage point to see the giant monster reappear above the building. "Not him again?"
"We've interrupted the beam," Crystal announced, stopping by his side. Kira and Ethan joined. "But now he's gone back to his original form."
"Terrific." Conner nodded.
On the other side of the building, Cassidy walked with Devin, the former still covered in mud from the sheep farm. She picked some of it out of her hair. "That is it," Cassidy stated. "I am so over reporting. There's never actually anything good to report about." She glanced down at the mud covering her.
Devin glanced up, stumbling back. "Cass?"
"What is it now?" Cassidy groaned, scrunching her nose.
"Look!" Devin pointed up at the giant, silver monster with Jupiter in the middle and a large red and orange eye where Jupiter's storm was. He snarled loudly. "That's something."
Cassidy hit him on the arm. "Start rolling!" She ran to the opposite of Devin.
Devin flicked his eyepiece into place. "And action." He filmed the logo of the Channel 3 building before Cassidy fell into the frame.
"This is Cassidy Cornell with Channel 3, and I have a big story for you."
"It's crunch time!" The monster yelled, stomping over to the Rangers. He slammed his foot down on top of the Rangers. Kira, Ethan, and Crystal managed to roll and void, but Conner was smushed under it.
Ethan shot up. "Conner?"
Kira turned around. "Where is he?"
Crystal smacked her helmet. "Luce is going to kill someone."
The monster laughed, but it fell short when he shifted around. Seconds later, Conner appeared under his foot, holding nearly the entire weight of the enormous monster with one hand while he held the shield with his other. The Rangers looked at him with shock and amazement. "Now that's holding your own," Ethan commented.
Conner threw him clear from the station into the hills beyond the city. "How's that for power?" The four turned when they heard roaring. "Triassic Rover." He announced.
"All right." Kira nodded. She turned to Crystal. "You gonna be okay?"
Crystal nodded. "I'm gonna go help Trent and Lucy, so good luck with kicking his janky-planet ass." She laughed, taking off with the Rangers chuckling behind her.
"I'm going in," Conner announced, disappearing into the zord. He placed his shield down on the display. "Shield of Triumph, full power. Mezodon Megazord transformation." The cart formed the legs while the Mezodon formed the torso, the two attaching together with bits of the cart, creating the shoulders and arms of the Megazord. The head opened up to reveal a face.
The monster snarled again. "I will infect you." He threatened, stomping closer to the Megazord.
"No, you won't!" Conner returned. The Megazord lifted his axes, slicing the monster multiple times, one right after the other, until he was far away from the Megazord. "Power pulse." The Megazord thrusted its axes forward, sending out power that wrapped around the monster and heaved him into the air.
"Put me down! I'm afraid of heights!" The monster complained, trying to get Conner to release him. Instead, the built-up energy caused the beast to explode in mid-air.
The Rangers didn't know that by destroying the monster, they stopped the rapidly growing storm on Jupiter.
Lucy winced when her body hit the ground. Trent knelt over her, the two Rangers staring at Elsa as they heaved breaths under their helmets. "Enough of this," Trent called, using his super speed to rip past Elsa multiple times, striking her each time he did so. He sent her flying back, stopping in front of the now-standing Guardian. Crystal skidded to a stop near her sister, her broadsword drawn.
Elsa sneered, a hand flying to her shoulder as she rose to her feet with her katana. "You will regret betraying Mesogog." She threatened.
Crystal and Lucy stepped up next to Trent. "Say that again," Crystal spoke softly, a lethal calm in her voice. Her helmet tilted ever so slightly that it seemed to startle Elsa. "I dare you."
Elsa threw her arm up, disappearing from the room. The three Rangers looked at each other. "Man, she is psychotic," Lucy commented, turning around and walking toward the door. "Like, worse than Vexacus."
Trent laughed. "I still have no idea what you two are talking about."
The two sisters turned back to him. "All will be explained in time, young one," Lucy commented, then couldn't contain her laughter. She doubled over momentarily, her laughter infecting Crystal and Trent before she rose to stand straight. "We really should go check on the three."
"Yeah, you're not wrong." Crystal turned on the ball of her foot, racing out of the building with Lucy and Trent behind her.
They found the three waiting for them. "Hey, guys!" Trent called, stopping over by the three.
"You three made it!" Kira cheered.
"Nice job." Conner held his fist out, letting Trent bump it before he knocked fists with Crystal and Lucy. They celebrated for a second longer before Conner nodded. "All right, let's head back." The six took off.
Unaware to everyone but the sisters, who noticed the second they arrived near the Rangers, was Cassidy and Devin hiding behind one of the Channel 3 vans, filming them. Cassidy grinned as the Rangers took off. "What a story." She breathed, turning around to press her back against the van. "Did you get it?" She asked with excited anticipation.
"I got it." Devin grinned. He lifted his camera. "This is going to be great, Cass. Really, really great."
Lucy stood with the other Rangers at the Channel 3 station a day later. Thanks to Kira, the three non-studio Rangers got to see the preview of Cassidy's piece about the Rangers. They stood with Mr. Cormier, watching that video, when Conner appeared, pushing the monster away. They turned and smiled at Devin, who walked by them. "Hey, guys." He called.
Conner turned to Kira, where she stood with Lucy. "I still don't understand why you went to all that trouble for Cassidy, but whatever." He commented.
"Hey," Ethan protested. "Can't someone do something nice without having a reason?"
Lucy tilted her head. "Historically, yes. Right now? With Cassidy Cornell? Maybe not." She chuckled, earning laughs from everyone. Ethan eyed her. "That look won't kill, boyo." She gained more laughter.
"In 4…3…2…one, and Cassidy."
"It's rare today to find true heroes; those who sacrifice and dedication remind us of everything good and right in the world. We have heroes like that living here in our very own city. The Power Rangers, those multi-colored protectors of everything that we hold dear have once again proven that we are in the best hands." Cassidy grinned again. "This is Cassidy Cornell reporting."
"And we're clear!" The producer yelled.
Cassidy walked up to Mr. Cormier, a fat smile on her face. "It pains me to admit it, but not bad at all, Cornell. You might just have a future after all." Mr. Cormier walked off.
Devin walked up to her. "Oh yes, that was great."
"You really think so?" Cassidy asked with anticipation in her voice. "I was a little nervous, but I did well. I got all my points and managed to look directly down at the camera, but I think we should start working on our new story. Maybe something dark and mysterious." She turned to see the Rangers begin to walk out. "Wait, don't go!" She called, running over to Kira.
The Yellow Ranger stopped, turning around with a fake smile. "Yes, Cassidy?"
"I just wanted to say I really appreciate what you did for me." Cassidy smiled, lightly hugging Kira around the shoulders and kissing her cheek. She turned around, a disgusted look on her face. "There, did it." She walked away before anyone could say anything.
Kira turned to Lucy and rolled her eyes. "No problem." She practically snorted, earning laughs from the Silver Ranger.
Ethan patted her shoulder. "You had to admit she's trying."
Conner wrapped an arm around Lucy's shoulders, pulling her to him. "Did you write what she said?"
"No," Lucy laughed, looking up at him. "I didn't. But I sort of wish I did. Very eloquent."
Kira snorted. "Never something I thought I would hear you say about Cassidy Cornell."
"Change," Lucy stated. "Everyone's gotta start somewhere."
Next Episode: Tutenhawken's Curse