"After spending the majority of my young life as a Superhero and saving the world more than once, I thought maybe it would be nice to try to live a normal, quiet life. You know, go to College, make some friends, help the world in a way that didn't involve me fighting monsters. But of course, life had other plans."

- An Excerpt from the Diary of Tobias Cook, discovered in the debris.

July 17th, 2023

It was the jolt of a speed bump that awoke Tobias "Obi" Cook from his sleep. Feeling the cool glass of the car window press against his forehead, Obi squinted his eyes, watching the scenery rush by.

"Finally awake, Kiddo?" Came a strong but gentle voice from his left. Obi lifted his head away from the window and looked over at his Godfather. He nodded his head and let out a soft yawn.

"Kinda," Obi answered as he stretched his legs as best he could. Driving down from Reefside did not do his knee joints any favors. Lazily, Obi pulled down the sun visor in front of him to use its mirror. Obi's deep amber brown eyes were still bleary with sleep. He had raven black hair that was shortened on the sides that blended up into a slightly longer, casual style on top of his head. He had caramel brown skin that glowed with an ethereal, yet grounded, beauty. Obi straightened out his red tank top that went well with his black shorts. The young man's white sneakers lay off to the side. Under Obi's shirt was a black necklace cord that held a Hook-Shaped pendant. Obi subconsciously caressed this treasure as his thoughts began to race. What would college be like? Could he really lead the quiet life he wants? He was pulled from his thoughts abruptly.

"We're almost there," Obi's Godfather replied. Obi's Godfather was a rugged yet gentle man. His fair skin and lighter eyes were a contrast to Obi's features. The man wore a forest green shirt, blue jeans, and casual slip-on shoes.

It only took a few more minutes for the pair to arrive at Obi's dorm. It was on the North End of Campus, and its old-fashioned architecture, like the rest of the Campus, hid its advanced and modern interior.

"You must be Tobias!" The extra chipper RA called out as Obi approached the front door. The older student held his hand out with bright energy. "I'm Neil, I'll be your RA this year. Welcome to UC Angel Grove!"

Obi reached out and shook his RA's hand. "You can call me 'Obi.' Nice to meet you!"

"Likewise, Obi." After shaking Obi's Godfather's hand, the RA led the two up to Obi's dorm room on the 7th and top floor. The dorm, simply known as "The North Campus Towers," or just "Towers," was an exclusively Freshmen Dorm. It had a central building that housed study rooms, the laundry rooms, and a Dining Hall, there were three towers that connected to the central building: East Tower on the right, West Tower on the left, and Central Tower right behind. Obi's dorm room was in Central Tower.

Neil guided Obi and his Godfather to a room at located on the corner at the end of the hall. He opened the door and led the two inside. "And here's your room. If you need anything from me, my room is down the hall. The RA Phone Number is on the Emergency Contact sheet on your door."

"Pretty spacious. Much better than my room at MIT," Obi's Godfather pointed out. Obi took in the space and felt a flutter in his stomach. The room itself was a bit bigger than the standard room due to it being located at the end of the hallway. There was a wide window at the back that let over looked Campus and let in an abundance of natural light. There was a set of beds, desks, closets, and small dressers. A small smile crept onto his face. His Godfather did not miss this gesture. "And look, you get to choose your side of the room."

Obi nodded and placed his backpack on the bed to the right of the room. Early arrival before the rest of the student body had its perks.

It only took an hour for Obi and his Godfather to unpack the car and decorate his half of the room. The two looked at their handiwork and exchanged satisfied glances. Above Obi's bed was a tapestry that depicted a serene, misty forest. Christmas lights hung above on the ceiling and glowed down onto Obi's dark green bedsheets. On his desk was his Laptop, school supplies, and a few picture frames. On the wall above his desk were two pennant flags - one that held the Angel Grove High School Crest, and the other was a Pride Flag.

It wasn't much, but it was cozy. And that was more than enough for him.

"Lunch?" He asked his Godfather.

"Lunch."

"So this is where you'll be working?" Obi's Godfather asked, admiring the restaurant they were eating in. It was a comfortably cozy cafe located in the center of campus known as, The Bistro Jurer, where students would have some food, relax, and socialize.

"Part-Time, but yeah," Obi nodded as he bit into his sandwich. "I guess they really liked my resume. Working at Dad's restaurant back home really helped." The boy subtly froze. Memories of his late father began to wash over him like a slow moving current.

Sensing this shift, Obi's Godfather reached across the small circular table and rested his hand on Obi's shoulder.

"Obi… This… is a new start for you. You deserve it, after everything you've gone through. I know your parents would be proud seeing you here."

"I know… Thank you…"

After eating their fill, Obi and his Godfather walked back to Towers. The two stood in front of the Main Building and faced each other.

"I gotta get back to Reefside," Obi's Godfather stated.

"Sounds good," Obi nodded back.

"Remember what I said, it's a fresh start. Have a little fun, make some new friends. You're 18, Obi. So go be 18. Call or text me if you need anything."

"I will, thank you."

"And you have Rocky's number for emergencies?"

"On speed dial."

"Okay, good. Have a great first year, Kiddo." The two embraced for a moment, before pulling away.

"Thank you… for everything, Tommy."

Tommy Oliver grinned from ear-to-ear at his Godson. "Of course. That's what family's for."

Obi watched as Tommy's car disappeared down the street. Even after he lost sight of it, the boy stood there for a short while. He closed his eyes, feeling the early evening breeze pass over him. He took in a deep breath, grabbed his student ID from his wallet and swiped his way into Towers.

Upon getting back to his room and sitting at his desk, he stared at the pictures he placed there: One picture was of him in a group picture with five of his best friends. They were beaming at the camera and laughing together.

The picture next to it was of Obi hugging one of his closest friends, Izzy Garcia. The two were at a Track Championship Meet and both won trophies. Though they were from different schools, they cared for and supported each other all the same.

Another was on his Graduation Day from Angel Grove High School - He stood with Tommy, Katherine, and their children JJ, Kenny, and Olivia.

Finally, the last photo, and his most precious, was a family photo. It depicted Obi as a young child with his two older siblings, Cyrus and Luna. With them were his parents - a beautiful woman named Aelita and a handsome, beaming man named Matthew Cook, the second Mighty Morphin' Green Ranger.

A small wave of sadness washed over him, but it was quickly overwritten by a newer feeling, a feeling that he briefly felt earlier in the day: Hope.

Thank you for starting this story. I've been developing it for a while, and I'm happy with it enough to share it with you! My goal with this story is to balance the life stuff with the Ranger stuff.

New Face Casting:

Tobias "Obi" Cook - Perry Madison