(sees some spoilers for future episodes with eye twitching) Well. That blew my idea out of the water.
(Intermission scene)
(groans) Sometimes I really hate spoilers because they blow any potentially awesome story ideas out of the water. Zayto and Izzy together? Nope. (buzz) Void Knight being someone we COULD know? Nope. (buzz) Sporix being evil for the sake of it? Nope. (buzz) Gold Ranger being a Knight of Rafkon? Actually, yes! (dinging Got one right!) But there are some stuff I'm interested in from the spoilers. Izzy has been confirmed as the first LGBTQ Ranger in show canon which totally blows Becky G's Trini and the comics out of the water. And Void Knight is interesting me more and more with his human looks and I'm more curious about his backstory now. But this also raises more questions with the other spoilers. Who is Void Knight anyway? What happened to Santaura to put her in a comatose state?! Why are the Sporix the source of energy Void Knight needs if he could just team up with the Rangers to get a different energy source to save Santaura?! Aauuuugh...!
(Aggretsuko metal music plays)
So many frickin questions!
(music stops)
Eh, more for theory territory, but I'm still doing my thing. Maybe I'll put my own theories forward on Void Knight's identity too. I mean, he is played by the guy who voiced Whiger way back in Jungle Fury. It'd be another great callback to a Disney era Ranger team. Plus, it does give me an idea for this story to change it up a notch. (ahem) Anyway, let's move into "Unexpected Guest", where the Rangers meet another ally whom a lot of y'all would recognize from Ninja Steel if you saw the episode actual already. So let's dive into it. (launches a Power Star at the camera)
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, as it is owned by Hasbro as of May 1, 2018.
(Rowan's POV)
Another day, another giant Sporix to fight. This one seemed a lot easier than most once we got a handle on its weakness, but not for too long while also dealing with Boomtower. Let me explain what I mean first though.
We had one Sporix we were dealing with thanks to the new ability of Blade Formation via Ollie's Tricera Blade Zord and he was destroyed easily. "Dino Fury Victory!"
Suddenly, the cockpit started to spark as we stumbled.
"It's some kind of energy wave! Coming from the woods!" Oliie was immediately able to tell what was up.
I held on. "And it's trashing the Megazord's integrity! Everybody out now!"
We quickly teleported out of the cockpit and landed by Dinohenge, my heart pounding like crazy as we relaxed. "That was nuts. Almost like reliving one of the Megazord destruction moments from my friends' pasts while they fought the final bosses." No joke, I felt like Talia when she had been caught in the invasion that had destroyed the Legendary Q-Rex Megazord, Legendary Megazord, and Legendary Zeo RacerZord. Nightmare central right there.
"At least the Dragon Shogun Megazord is still intact, so we have one Megazord for battle, plus the other two Zords if the need arises." Zayto reassured me while he placed a hand on my shoulder.
I nodded before seeing a bird flying around us as it flapped in front of me. "Huh? What's up with this bird?" I extended my hand out and let it perch on my index finger, tilting my head as I examined it, noting familiar markings that denoted a certain alien that came to mind. "Wait a minute." I smiled and demorphed, smiling at the bird. "It's okay. You can show your real form now." I let the bird hop off my hand and stepped back, watching as it changed into a familiar face... well, familiar to me, anyway.
"That's... different." Amelia was surprised.
I smiled as I looked at her. "No different than us piloting giant robots."
Mick turned around and smiled at us. "Howdy, Rangers."
I walked over with the team and shook Mick's hand. "It's great to finally meet you. I heard so many stories about you from the team in Summer Cove."
Mick smiled. "Oh, the honor is all mine." He shook each team member's hand in turn. "I am Mick Kanic."
I stood by Mick's side, looking to Ollie. "And before you question it, Ollie; yes, his name is a turn on the word 'mechanic', but it actually works because he knows his way around machines better than me."
Mick smiled sheepishly. "Ah, I wouldn't say that. I mean, you did make the Dino Fury Cycles."
I blushed once again. "Well, I couldn't have done it without input from you and so many others."
Zayto and the others soon demorphed as he asked Mick, "What are you doing here?"
Mick shrugged. "Following the Nexus Prism."
Amelia stepped forward. "Oh yeah, Orion mentioned you were following it. Didn't he say it was coming to this location?"
I nodded to Amelia, remembering Orion's words. "Yeah, he did. But why?"
Mick shrugged. "No clue, but I wanna know what it's up to."
Javi suddenly looked up sharply upon hearing some branches rustling. "Hold that thought. We got a spy."
We all froze and listened for any telltale signs, my hearing picking up some more noise first as I summoned my Dino Dagger and launched it at Mucus, who had been hiding behind a nearby bush.
Mucus yelped as she was knocked out of her spot. "Yep, should've picked a better spot to hide."
"Darn right you should've, muchacha." I stepped forward and smirked a bit as we surrounded her, the six of us Rangers weaponed up and ready to attack.
Mucus got up quickly with a whimper. "Okay, I'm outie ten thousand!" She teleported away before we could land an attack on her.
"Oh, that's just bueno. Now Void Knight's gonna know about the Prism too." I groaned before I looked to the team. "Alright, plan of attack: We find that Prism before Void Knight does."
"Whoa, no." Zayto told me. "Look, we don't know your friend or this Nexus Prism, but we have urgent matters of our own, Rowan. Unless you forget, we are still facing Void Knight and the Sporix."
I frowned slightly. "Yeah, I remember. But that doesn't mean you have to be a wet blanket and refuse to help one of the Rangers' allies."
Zayto looked at the others after a moment. "You guys search the woods and try to find out what happened. I'll go talk to Solon."
I made a face at Zayto's dismissal. He was refusing to look for an object that could be dangerous if it fell into Void Knight's hands! It was bad enough when Galvanax and Madame Odius were after it when the Ninja Steel team was around, but Void Knight and the Sporix could actually be worse.
Mick placed a hand on my shoulder. "Uh, Rowan? You still wanna help, right?"
I looked at Mick and nodded. "Of course, Mick. Unlike my leader." I gave Zayto one last stonefaced glare before I teleported Mick and myself out of the Stonehenge area and to my place.
As soon as we arrived, I immediately went inside and grabbed my laptop, coming back out to Mick and putting my login password in for him. "There you go. Do what you need to so you can find the Prism."
He nodded and started typing away as I went to my work station and started fiddling around with a project I had been working on, a sort of chemical compound that would activate some unknown power (even I had no idea what it would be), but I was having trouble focusing as I was more annoyed with Zayto being dismissive still that I accidentally mixed the wrong compounds and ended up making the whole thing explode in my face, my hair becoming frizzy as my face was covered in smoke. Thank God I had goggles on though...
"Whoa!" Mick jumped and looked over when he heard the explosion. "You alright?"
I coughed a bit and removed my goggles. "Hijo de puta... I'm good." I sneezed and knocked off about an ounce of soot.
He went over and helped me clean up. "Something on your mind still?"
I sighed softly. "I've been working with Zayto as his Yellow Ranger for two months now and I've never known him to be as stubborn as a mule when it came to teaming up with someone. Normally I'm the stubborn one. But he brings it to a new level of stubborn. I just... Sometimes I think he isn't fit to be a leader.
He sighed softly. "Sounds like the same problem some of the other Rangers have had over the years. Some may think they're natural born leaders, but other times they need help from others. That's probably why he asked you to be his second in command in the first place. You know Ranger history better than anybody and you understand leading a group better from the knowledge passed on by others. He only knows his training and his priorities with handling the Sporix. You two need each other more than you think."
I thought that over; he had a point. Despite how many times we may butt cabezas about how we should act, Zayto and I did need to help each other. He still needed help acclimating to modern times and I still needed help learning how he managed things and his resources to make items for the team.
I gave Mick a smile. "Working with Brody and the others really helped you become a better mentor, huh?"
He chuckled and grinned. "Yeah, so did giving them advice throughout their tenure."
We shared a laugh at that, both of us smiling before we fell quiet upon hearing a teleportation noise.
I got up, looking at Mick. "Stay here." I summoned my saber and headed outside, seeing Wolfsbane howling and causing mayhem with light poles falling down. "Well, that answers the question about the destruction of the Megazord's integrity."
Wolfsbane looked over and snarled at me. "I can smell your friend in there. He's coming with me, either without harm to anything or in a doggy bag!"
"Yeah, I don't think so, Muttley. You threaten my house and we instantly have a problem. Link to Morphin Grid!" I instantly morphed and charged forward, starting to battle him, but with the howling from time to time, it was throwing me off guard.
I managed to get on my comm lines while blocking its mouth and shouted loudly, "Sporix Beast at my place!" I kicked Wolfsbane back and slashed him. "Bad doggy!"
The others arrived and started helping me fight Wolfsbane, Amelia and Izzy getting Boosters on but just as quickly losing them with Wolfsbane continuing to howl.
I stumbled back and growled. "That howl is really getting on my nerves! I'm putting your tail end down, you four-legged meatsack!" I sheathed my Saber and took a stance. "Call to the Beast inside: Send out the Dragon!" I launched my Dragon spirit at Wolfsbane.
But I never expected what happened next; he howled at the spirit and damaged it badly, causing damage to me as well as I flew back with a shout and slammed into my garage door, demorphing instantly.
"Ro!" Ollie and Javi ran over and helped me stand up as Mick came out to help.
"Let's get outta here!" Zayto activated his teleporter as all of us Rangers teleported away with Mick holding onto my arm securely.
(Zayto's POV)
Once we landed in the base, I made sure Izzy and Javi were helping Rowan out, remembering how she had told me about an animal spirit connecting to its user on a physical level as well.
Izzy walked over after a few minutes. "Her spirit really got knocked out of whack. I think she might be out of the next few battles until it completely heals."
Mick walked over. "Until then, I have something that can help you guys get in contact with other Rangers." He held up a disc. "This contains all the files up to date that I have been keeping on the Legendary Rangers. A couple you'll recognize from your team ups already or assistance with whatever, and one who you all know because of Rowan."
"Rowan's dad?" Ollie blinked in confusion. "You mean he was a Ranger? No way."
Mick nodded proudly. "Way."
I frowned at the realization. "So that means Rowan is..."
"A Ranger child." Solon spoke up, confirming my thoughts. "She didn't want to tell anyone until she was ready though. I suppose with Mick coming here, it would make sense that she'd understand why he's doing what he's doing."
Mick nodded and plugged his database into the computer, explaining to us about the Nexus Prism: It was the source of the Ninja Steel Rangers' powers and a source of various legends, but also dangerous if it was stolen by evil forces.
Izzy seemed to be thinking on the same lines as me as she spoke up: "We can't let Void Knight get his hands on that."
"Agreed." I told her before stepping forward. "Which is why protecting it is our top priority right now."
Suddenly, we all heard Rowan laugh weakly from the back end. "And you thought it wasn't worth being top priority before." We looked around and saw her sitting upright with Javi's help. "Something that powerful can also be a threat in the wrong hands. That's why I suggested we help Mick in case Mucus was listening in and told Void Knight."
I went to her. "Rowan, I'm sorry. I should have listened to you before."
She smiled at me. "It's okay. I guess I was being a little stupid with how I spoke to you earlier too. We were stubborn in our own ways today, but it shows how much a teacher needs to learn from their student and vice versa."
I smiled back and nodded in agreement; yeah, we were having our arguments, but it was no different from when we both learned our lesson.
She took a breath before getting into her leader like attitude. "Okay, first we need to find that Prism. If my theory about our Gold Ranger is right, the Prism will land near the waterfront. But we've also gotta find a way to stop that wolf's howl if he comes back, and he will come back."
Mick nodded to her. "I can make something to help stop that howl. I think with the chemical compounds you were using earlier, there might be something there."
Rowan nodded as well. "Be right back." She teleported out of the base momentarily and returned with her chemicals, spreading them out. "Okay, everything's sorted and good to go." She looked at me. "I'll stay here and help Mick with getting a no-howl solution ready."
I nodded to her. "We'll head out to the waterfront and check it out." I teleported out with the others quickly.
(Rowan's POV)
As soon as the others left, I immediately got to work on fixing up a no-howl solution with Mick's help while Solon worked on fixing the Dino Fury Megazord. I didn't know chemicals as well as I knew machines, but I knew enough about them to fix something up.
Suddenly, as I was getting a bit of water poured out, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. "Ah!" I dropped the beaker and would have dropped to my knees if not for Mick catching me and holding me steady.
I held my chest in pain, my hand shaking as I saw a bit of energy coming from the spot I had taken the damage from. "Oh crap..."
Even Mick knew that was a bad thing. "Uh..."
Solon came over to us. "What's wrong?"
I panted slightly. "My dragon spirit may be in more trouble than we thought." I remembered the stories of Master RJ going through bouts of his wolf spirit trying to take over, and it looked like it was gonna happen to me too... but I wasn't letting it happen right now.
I pushed through the pain and got up, finishing the compound and passing it to Mick before Solon helped me to a chair and sat me down.
I contacted the team. "How's it going on your end?"
"Surprisingly, we found out the Prism was made by the Morphin' Masters." Amelia told me.
I blinked in surprise. "No way! That's so freaking cool!"
Zayto spoke next. "Your theory was right, Rowan. The Prism has a new mission. It's looking for our Gold Ranger."
I knew being right was almost expected for me lately, but this was definitely surprising. "Wait, seriously?"
I heard some teleportation on their end and frowned as I faintly heard Boomtower's voice. "Oh great. I'll..." I cringed as my chest flared up in pain again, but I didn't want to let the others down.
"I got it done!" Mick ran over and smiled at me. "One no-howl drop, hot off the grill." He passed me an orange candy.
I grinned. "Perfect timing. Let's go!" I teleported us out to the battle and whistled to Wolfsbane. "Hey, puppy! How about a treat?"
"I do love treats!" Wolfsbane took the bait.
I wound up and launched the drop into Wolfsbane's maw with my best fastball pitch, smirking as I heard him whimper with a higher pitched voice. "Yeah, I'd like to see you knock out my dragon spirit now, mutt!"
"My beautiful voice! What have you done?!" Wolfsbane squealed, and I would have laughed if I wasn't facing down my enemies.
"That is a No-Howl Drop." Mick explained for me. "It takes out even the loudest bark."
"You've ruined my singing career!" Wolfsbane squeaked out.
I shrugged. "Maybe not. You could join the Chipmunks."
The team laughed as they ran over, Zayto high-fiving me and Mick. "Great job, guys! He's in the doghouse now!"
We got ready to fight, but of course Wolfsbane and Boomtower had to go giant together. Typical.
I looked at Mick. "Two words, Mick: Am-scray."
Mick nodded. "Right. I'll see you back at the base." He used his own teleporter to get out of Dodge Junction.
Izzy looked at me. "You good to fight?"
I nodded to her. "I'm not letting my damaged spirit get the best of me." I insta-morphed and activated my Morpher. "Dragon Shogun Zord!"
My Zord emerged and arrived with the others before the others combined their Zords into the new Warrior Formation.
Standing back to back, the others faced Boomtower while I went against Wolfsbane. "Alright, niƱo lobo! One on one, round two!" I charged at him and started fighting, holding my own just fine for how injured I was, and I activated my finisher quickly while I held the Mega Fury Saber. "Dragon Shogun Zord: Mega Saber Blitzkrieg!" I destroyed Wolfsbane and teleported down, snatching the Sporix Cell quickly. "Nice!"
Void Knight appeared and growled. "I don't think you're getting away with that so easily!"
I looked over and groaned. "Great. Two nuisances in one day." I got in a battle stance before the pain in my chest flared up again and made me scream as I dropped down.
He stopped when he saw the pain I was in, humming in thought before he grabbed me by the collar.
I tensed nervously, expecting to get knocked back, but instead I felt the pain fade and looked over in shock. "Huh?" He... he had actually healed my spirit somehow!
He set me down and took the Sporix Cell from my hand, stepping back. "Consider us even for now. I don't think your Master would be happy with me if I let his student go through the same fate his master did."
I blinked slightly. "So you know Master Casey?"
He nodded once and teleported away without another word.
I frowned as I demorphed. "This... this doesn't make sense."
At the base as everyone was rejoicing, I was sitting outside by the dragon statue, frowning as I thought over what Void Knight had told me. 'He knows Master Casey, but if Casey isn't under that armor, then... who is Void Knight?' Unfortunately, this was giving me more questions than answers and frankly making my brain hurt, so I teleported inside... right as Javi started making parrot noises. "Uh, what the?"
"They ate No-Howl Drop prototypes?" Solon was just as shocked.
"The failed prototypes!" Mick explained nervously.
Amelia tried to speak, only to sound like a yelping puppy, Ollie sounded like a chicken, Izzy let out cow sounds, and Zayto made grunts like a hog.
I pulled out the last drop and rolled my eyes. "That'll do it." I pocketed the drop quickly.
"Stay calm! Stay calm!" Mick shouted at the group. "I can fix this! I just need to... jolt you back to your senses!"
That got me thinking. "Jolt them back? No problem." I nodded to Solon. "Roar, Solon!" I covered my ears and just in time cause Solon let out a mighty roar and probably busted everyone's eardrums as they snapped back to reality.
"Whoa!" I uncovered my ears and smiled at Solon. "I knew a solonosaur's roar was loud, but dang! You got some vocals on you!"
"Oh, shush." Solon looked away bashfully. "You and Mick saved everyone from actual danger. What a pair of champs you both are!"
Mick nodded to me. "You especially, Ro. Besides RJ, no former Pai Zhuq student I know of could go back out there with an out of sync animal spirit and risk being a danger to their friends. You have some real guts."
I nodded a bit. "Yeah, but... something weird happened when I got Wolfsbane's Cell. Void Knight appeared and he was ready to fight me, but... he healed my spirit as soon as he saw me in pain. And... he said he couldn't let my Master be angry with him because I went through something his Master did. I... don't think it could be Master Casey under the armor anymore."
Amelia looked at me. "But... who else with a tiger spirit could be under the armor?"
I frowned as I thought it over before blinking slightly. "Wait... it couldn't be. He gave up his White Tiger spirit to save Master Casey."
"Who?" Izzy sounded a bit confused as she looked at me, the others just as curious.
I looked at them and spoke worriedly. "One of the former Phantom Beast Generals, the one who was known as Whiger."
And the plot thickens in this story! Surprising, I know, but I had to make do since seeing the spoilers. Eh, more room for creativity to flow from my brain! Anywhoozles, read and review as usual!
