Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Final Mix
Episode Thirteen: Chaos at the Tournament! Fighting Gold
[Location: Hart Residence
POV: Trini Kwan]
"Man, it's been forever since we all just hung out," Zack said as he lazily floated in the pool beside Trini, both of them sitting in a water donut. Two days had passed since the battle in the Forest of Memories and the rangers decided to meet up and enjoy a dip in Kimberly's brand-new pool.
Jason was at the grill with Kimberly while Billy and Katherine were sitting on the edge of the pool chatting, leaving Trini and Zack to float in the middle of the pool beside each other. Even though history had been clear between Zack and herself, the two hadn't had the chance to talk about how things would proceed between them.
Trini had realized during her time in the forest was Zack was the center of her universe and when she thought he had died, her heart had shattered into a thousand pieces. After a full night of thinking about it, she realized that she was still in love with him. Despite all that had happened between them, those feelings for him never died. Despite trying to push them away, the feelings she had for Zack never went away.
But where that left them, Trini didn't know but she was determined to find out soon.
But for now, she was enjoying being with him again, chatting about non-ranger things.
"It feels nice to be able to be together like this again," Trini said. "I-I really missed this. Being with you Zack."
Zack gave her a warm smile and replied, "Likewise…I missed you too."
Trini smiled in reply as her fingers brushed up against Zack's in an attempt to grab his hand but then they heard Jason shout, "Time to eat people!"
"Oh boy, food!" Zack excitedly announced before he looked at Trini with a pleading look. Trini laughed and motioned for him to go. "Awesome! I'll grab you a brat with Jalapeño and BBQ sauce."
Trini couldn't help but smile.
He remembered what condiments and toppings she liked. "Thanks Zack…" She said.
"I'll be back soon," Zack said as he swam off to the edge of the pool.
"I know you will…" Trini whispered to herself as she watched him go.
Seconds later, a Cheshire ginning Kimberly swam up from the water beside her and teased, "Well, well, well…It seems you and Zack are enjoying your time together."
Trini shrieked in surprise and looked at the now-laughing Kimberly. "We're just talking," Trini hastily defended.
"I wonder for how long," Kimberly giggled. "Hey, I haven't had the chance to actually tease you in forever about a boy. It's about time I got the chance to now."
"Fair," Trini replied. "Speaking of boys, I'm surprised you didn't invite Tommy to this little cookout/pool party we're having."
"Well, the thought did cross my mind but I decided to leave this as a ranger gathering," Kimberly said, a small blush appearing on her face briefly. "Besides, it's the first time in a long time we've all been able to hang out."
"I know…" Trini guilty murmured.
"Hey, the past is just that so let's focus on the future," Kimberly said with a cheerful smile. "Now spill, have you and Za-" Kimberly was interrupted by a female shouting "Kimberly! Get your friends in here! It's about the tournament!"
Trini and Kimberly glanced at each other curiously.
[POV: Jason Lee Scott]
Kimberly's mother had just delivered some news about the tournament.
The first was that the tournament had been moved a day so the Rangers would be fighting tomorrow. The second thing was the bracket for the tournament had been given to them.
The first day would have Zack Taylor Vs Adam Park,
Trini Kwan vs Aisha Campbell,
Kimberly Ann Hart VS Tanya Sloan.
And finally Rocky DeSantos Vs TJ Johnson
The second day would have, Tommy Oliver Vs Billy Cranston,
David Truheart Vs Katherine Hillard
Jason Lee Scott vs Carlos Vallerte
And Ashley Hammond Vs Cassie Chan
Then the following day, the winners of the first round compete and the last day would end out the tournament.
But then the third bit of news had come up, which put some concern into Jason's heart which was this.
"I can't believe Carlos dropped out of the tournament," Jason noted with a frown on his face.
"I had a feeling it would occur, I just hoped it wouldn't have happened. Not like this at least," Zack said as he crossed his arms.
[Location: Angel Grove National Park (Flashback)
POV: Jason Lee Scott]
"I can't believe all of that happened to me…" Carlos said with a blank expression on his face.
The rangers had finished telling all that had occurred during the battle with Violent Knight and Carlos looked as if he was sick.
"It did sadly. We got very lucky in saving your life," Jason replied. "And it wasn't us that did it. Zack was the one that saved you. We just backed him up."
Carlos looked at Zack and opened his mouth but Zack said, "Don't worry about it. All in a day's work for being a Ranger."
"I…I didn't think that being a Ranger was so dangerous. I mean, you guys always made it look so easy on the news," Carlos stated.
"Not likely man. There are times we get our asses thoroughly whooped but we always come back to win in the end," Zack replied with a smile.
"But to think…You guys are Rangers…And I'm fighting against you guys in the tournament! Holy shit, I just remembered! How can I go up against you guys now?!" Carlos exclaimed.
"We'll…It's not like our ranger abilities transfer to our non-ranger forms," Trini told him.
"I'd rather not take the chance…Being held by a monster was bad enough but knowing I have to fight against you guys is a terror I don't want to have," Carlos said as he stood up and walked away, leaving Zack, Trini, and Jason standing at the park with frowns on their faces.
[End Flashback]
[Location: Hart Residence (Present)
POV: Jason Lee Scott]
"That sucks. I bet he would have been a great fighter…" Jason said with a sigh. "Nothing can be done about it now but I wonder what happens to me. He was my opponent after all. Do I just get to go onto the second round or am I out of the tournament as well?"
"I don't know but that freaking sucks," Zack complained. "We never even saw him fight. What a joke."
"I get it though. I mean, he was kidnapped and nearly killed by a monster, a monster that we killed. Because he knows we are the Power Rangers and that makes for a recipe of fear," Trini said as she crossed her arms.
"I guess. I just hope I'm not going to lose out because Carlos dropped out," Jason said, his frown deepening.
"Don't worry about it, Jase," Kimberly said with a smile on her face. "I'm sure everything will work out. Just gotta have faith."
Jason's frown stayed for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face. "Yeah…You're right," Jason agreed. "Let's worry about this later. Let's go enjoy our final day of peace before the tournament starts."
"Here Here!" Billy and Zack happily chorused.
"Well you guys have fun and relax, I'm going to see if I can talk him out of it," Jason said as he tugged off his apron and slid on his red tank top before he ran off.
Jason then ran back in and asked "Does anyone know where they are staying?"
The five rangers simply chuckled in reply before Billy said "Ernie informed me that all fighters are located at the Holiday Inn downtown."
"Thank Billy!" Jason said before he ran out again.
[Location: Holiday Inn
POV: Ashley Hammond]
"You're seriously leaving? The tournament is tomorrow," Ashley said with a frown on her face as she watched Carlos pack his bags.
"I'm done with this place. I know being a ranger was something I wanted but after nearly dying and realizing that we are going up against the fucking Power Rangers tomorrow has told me differently. This place is not normal and I'm leaving before things get even more fucked," Carlos replied firmly as he zipped up his bag.
"Damn it Carlos, this is thousands of dollars and a trip to Japan you're losing out on. All the nights you trained. All the things you missed out and you're giving that up…" Ashley said.
"I'm sorry Ash but fighting the Power Rangers is the last thing I want to do. I mean, they fight monsters daily for fuck sake how can we possibly stand a chance?" Carlos questioned her with a frown. "I just…I realized that life is far too short to dedicate my time to trying to be a ranger. I'm going to go back home and just, prioritize things in my life. Please understand that, Ash."
Ashley stared at him for a moment before she nodded with a sad smile on her face. "I understand…That just means I'll have to work extra hard to win it all," Ashley told him.
Carlos smiled before he walked over to Ashley and gave her a brief hug. "You can do it," Carlos whispered into her ear before he pulled away and walked out of the door, leaving Ashley in the room alone in thought.
"I suppose it's for the best…I can't have him get all broody. He did nearly die after all," Ashley murmured.
Also, she realized that he had every single right to think this way.
He had gotten taken while the Red Ranger, Jason, had managed to save her.
It could have been her leaving this place as well as him and while she would miss her best friend, she was happy he had made it out to make this decision.
Thirty minutes passed and Ashley was taking a small nap when she heard a knock on her door. Ashley walked to the door and opened it to reveal a slightly sweating Jason. "Oh…I was expecting you of all people here," Ashley said, her tone surprised but welcoming.
"I-I'm sorry," Jason said with a slightly flustered tone. "I uh…Well…I came here to talk to Carlos…I-I mean, not that I wouldn't want to talk to you but…Well…It's kind of...y'know...?"
Ashley let out a small laugh and said, "Relax. For being the Red One, you sure fluster easy."
"Not that easily. I just…" Jason paused to take a breath. "I need to speak to Carlos. Is he here?"
"No, he left back for home some time ago," Ashley said. "He said he needed to calm his nerves and think about his future."
"Damn. I was hoping to catch him before he left. He was my opponent for the tournament. With him dropping out, I don't know what happened to me," Jason said. "Not to mention…Other things…"
Ashley stared at Jason for a moment before she asked, "Would you like to come in?"
"Sure," Jason answered.
Ashley stepped aside and Jason walked inside and sat on one of the queen beds while Ashley shut the door and walked to the bed across Jason's and said, "He told me all that happened. I want to first and foremost thank you for saving his life."
"It was nothing. Just doing our duty. That's all," Jason replied.
"You all risked your lives for someone that could have ruined yours, as far as you knew. It takes brave hearts to do that," Ashley said with a kind smile on her face.
"No matter what, the lives of the innocent are what truly matters to all of us. Even if he didn't know our identities, he would have helped at a drop of a dime if he was in danger. Same with you or anyone else," Jason replied, a determined smile on her face.
Ashley felt herself blushing at his words and said, "And not only did you all save his life, you saved mine that day. It could have easily been me who that monster took. Not him."
"It's my fault he was taken in the first place. If I had been quicker, I would have been able to save you both," Jason said, his tone regretful. "We wouldn't have had to save him had I been fast enough."
"You can't blame yourself for that," Ashley told him.
Jason opened his mouth but then his communicator began to chime. Jason looked at Ashley apologetically before he pressed it and announced, "Jason here."
"Hey Jason, were you able to find Carlos?" Billy's voice came through the small watch. Ashley looked at it in wonder.
It looked just like a watch and yet Jason was talking to someone on it.
How amazing.
"Carlos left. It sucks but what can we do?" Jason replied.
"Very true. Will you be coming back to the pool party soon then?" Billy asked before the sounds of splashing and the sound of Kimberly screaming Zack's name were heard in the background.
"Yeah," Jason chuckled. "I'll be back soon."
"Better hurry. Kimberly is now chasing Zack around the pool with threats of throwing him in," Billy said before the transmission ended.
"Sounds like you have to get back," Ashley said.
Jason nodded as he replied, "Yeah. We're celebrating defeating our longest foe as well as our team being an actual team again."
"Oh?" Ashley asked him.
"Long story," Jason replied before he paused. "Would you like to come with me? The gang would be more than welcome to have you."
Ashley smiled at the offer but she shook her head and said, "Some of the other fighters are getting together in an hour to hang/eat out…"
"Alright..." Jason began.
"But…I do owe you for saving Carlos' and my own life…How about I take you out for dinner? I-I mean if you want and all," Ashley offered, suddenly finding herself flustered as a smile began to appear on Jason's face.
"How about tomorrow night after the first round of the tournament?" Jason asked her. "I know a nice steak restaurant…"
"Tomorrow night then," Ashley confirmed.
"Tomorrow," Jason repeated, a large smile on his face, which caused Ashley to smile wide as well.
"Tomorrow," she breathed out with a small blush.
Jason nodded and walked out of the door and shut it behind him and Ashley found herself letting out a small squee of excitement. She had a date tomorrow and it was with the freaking Red Ranger!
Ashley sat on the bed and kicked her feet in excitement.
No one was going to believe this!
[Location: Hart Residence
POV: General]
"Holy shit, you got a date?!" Zack and Kimberly chorused out in unison, shock on their faces while Billy, Trini, and Katherine looked from the side, highly amused.
Jason had come back to Kimberly's home but instead of telling them that he had managed to speak to Carlos, he came back with a date with Ashley, the girl he had saved before the conclusion of the Violent Knight Saga.
"Yeah, why are you guys so surprised by this?" Jason asked with a clueless expression on his face.
"Dude, you hardly go on dates," Kimberly began. "Do you know how many girls have been crushing on you at school? Dozens and yet, you clueless as you walk past the dozens of pining girls at your locker."
"What? Are you serious?" Jason asked, stunned.
Billy nodded as he took a bite of his hotdog before he swallowed and replied, "Yes. I have several of said pining girls come to me asking for my help to set them up with you. Remember Courtney Delgado?"
"Yeah," Jason replied.
"She had a crush on you for two years," Billy said.
"Two years?!" Jason exclaimed.
"Yeah. Remember Jennifer Bailey? She had a crush on you for two years too," Billy then added. "Michelle Lee, Trina Hale, Shannon Morris, Cath-"
"I get it," Jason said with a frown on his face. "I can't believe I've been blind all this time. Like seriously. How lame."
"It could be worse," Trini piped up.
"Yeah? How?" Jason asked.
"You could have had a crush on one of them and not known they liked you," Trini replied.
"You're right. That would have been worse…" Jason said after a moment of thought. "Well…Now that you guys have made me realize that I've been a moron ignoring the signs, what do I do then? I don't want to assume she likes me that much."
It was surprising for the other rangers to see their normally confident leader look so unsure about what to do. "Well…I know what you could do," Zack suddenly piped up, a grin forming on his face. "Why don't you guys do a double date?"
"Double date?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, it's where two couples go on a date together," Zack explained.
"That sounds good but I don't think Ashley would like that…" Jason said.
"Then, how about two of us shadow you on your date?" Zack then suggested. "You know, give you pointers and things like that?"
"That could work…" Jason thoughtfully murmured. "But who would be willing to do that?"
Zack then turned to Katherine with a grin and suggested, "Why don't Katherine and Billy go with you?" Katherine blinked in surprise before a slow smile appeared on her face, realization blossoming in her chest.
"A d-date?" Billy stuttered out, his eyes flashing to Katherine briefly before he looked down at the ground, a growing blush on his face.
"Yeah, that would be a great idea," Kimberly chirped out in agreement, catching onto Zack's plan. "Billy and Katherine are pretty smart and quick on their feet. They would be a great assistance to you."
"B-but I've never been on a date before," Billy stammered out nervously. "I d-don't have the qualifications for it."
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Trini said as she patted Billy on the shoulder, catching on to what Kimberly and Zack were trying to do. "Besides, Katherine will be with you. Everything will be fine."
"Yeah," Katherine said. "I won't bite, I promise."
Billy licked his lips briefly before he nodded and stammered, "T-Then I would be happy to go on the shadow date with you."
Katherine smiled at him but inwardly, she was panicking. She had only been on two dates in her entire life but being on one with the guy she was crushing on hard had her on edge.
She hoped she didn't screw up.
But little did she know, Billy was facing the same thought she was.
He was hopelessly crushing on Katherine but he had never been on a date before and he never really had the chance to sit with Katherine one on one due to ranger duties.
He hoped he didn't screw up.
"Then it's settled," Zack said as he clapped both Jason and Billy's shoulders. "I even have the perfect place in mind for the date."
"You do?" Jason and Billy asked curiously.
"Oh yeah. It's this really lovely restaurant on the west side of town. It's really damn good," Zack said with a smile to Trini.
Trini instantly realized the place Zack was talking about and felt herself returning his smile. She was touched that he still remembered the restaurant that they went to on their very first date. "I'm going to go make a reservation for you two," Trini said before she glanced at Kimberly.
"Kimberly…Why don't you take the boys shopping for some proper dating attire."
Kimberly let a predatory grin appear on his face while Billy and Jason paled.
"Oh no…" Billy murmured.
"Anything but that," Jason said with a fearful tone.
Kimberly let out slow, ominous cackling as she rubbed her hands together.
Zack shook his head sadly. "I'll pray for you both," Zack told them as he patted their shoulders before moving out of frame to stand next to Katherine, where the two shared a hidden fist bump.
"Thanks Zack…" Katherine whispered to him.
"I made a promise," Zack simply replied as the two watched as Kimberly chased Billy and Jason around the pool, fruitlessly trying to escape from their fate of shopping.
[Location: Angel's Buffet Restaurant
POV: Ashley Hammond]
"So…You got a date with that Jason guy eh?"
Ashley's face heated up as Aisha and Cassie stared at her with a grin on their faces. As promised, Ashley met up with the other tournament fighters at the Angel Buffet which was located near the hotel they were staying at. Unfortunately for her, she blabbed about her date with Jason and was now in an interrogation, led by Cassie and Aisha. "W-Well, he helped me out tremendously," Ashley explained with a bashful expression.
Cassie and Aisha squealed in excitement while Adam narrowed his eyes in pain. "A little squeal would be nice," Adam grumbled while TJ and Rocky chuckled beside him.
"So how did he ask you out?" Aisha asked her.
"Well, I asked him," Ashley replied. "I was thanking him and I suddenly asked him." Ashley glanced down at the table with a blush.
"Ohohohohoho," Cassie laughed while Aisha smirked at her.
"How bold of you Ashley. Never knew you had it in you," Aisha commented as she took a sip of her soda.
"Well, we didn't know her until a few days ago," Rocky added cheekily beside his friend.
"True but doesn't make it any less," Aisha responded to Rocky.
"How did he help you anyway?" TJ asked curiously.
Ashley paused, a brief look of panic appearing on her face. She didn't think anyone would ask how he helped so she never came up with a good excuse for it.
Damn it TJ.
Wait…
Ashley then thought back to what she had told the other rangers when Jason was fighting those monsters and then grinned. "Well, remember when that monster took Carlos?" Ashley questioned. With a nod from TJ, Ashley continued with "Well, the only reason I got away was because Jason distracted it."
"That makes sense," TJ said but something in his tone told Ashley that he wasn't too convinced.
Did he know something she didn't?
"So, where are you guys going to go?" Tanya piped up curiously from beside Adam.
"No idea…I don't know," Ashley admitted. "I guess I should have asked him…I know I forgot something."
"Well, no worries. Did you give him your hotel number?" Tanya asked.
Ashley shook her head as she slapped her palm against her forehead. That was another bloody thing she had forgotten to give him.
She was so pumped that she had a date with her favorite ranger that the simple things slipped her mind.
"Oh honey," Tanya said with a slow shake of her head.
"I know, I know. I goofed up. It's not every day I ask a handsome guy out," Ashley lamented.
"I don't know. That guy Carlos was pretty handsome," Tanya said. "I'm surprised nothing happened between you two."
Ashley got this sort of comment a lot.
A lot of people questioned her friendship with Carlos, considering they were the opposite sex and the like but while the two did date super briefly, that incident proved they were more like siblings than friends.
Ashley noticed that Adam's eyes shot to Tanya for a moment with a quirked eyebrow and it made her smirk lightly.
'That's interesting…' Ashley noted in her head before she nonchalantly replied, "Well…The two of us did date for like a week but we both found it weird and decided to stay friends. Plus, he has a girlfriend at home he's going steady with."
"Do you think it's a good idea to go on a date with someone when you guys live in different cities?" Adam spoke up.
"It's only a date Adam," Ashley chided. "It's not like we're a couple. I'm sure it'll be fine if we date for a bit."
"But what if it gets serious?" Adam asked.
'I know he's a Power Ranger. I'm sure it's already pretty serious,' Ashley thought wryly before she replied "I'll cross that road when I get to it but hopefully, I don't get to that point so quickly."
"Ain't that right," Rocky agreed. "Anyways, where is Tommy and David? They were supposed to be here a while ago."
"Apparently, they are having issues with their father right now," TJ replied.
[Location: Holiday Inn
POV: Tommy Oliver]
"The nerve of him," Tommy raged as he launched a pillow against the wall in anger. "I can't believe he tried to make you drop out."
"I can believe it," David replied softly as he lay on his bed.
The pair had just gotten through speaking to their father, who had told David to drop out of the tournament. Their father hadn't given a reason but Tommy instantly knew, and it only made him angrier.
When their parents were younger and David was born, they had given the newborn baby to their friends, who had happily adopted him but when they died two years into Tommy's life, his guilty feeling parents placed him back into the family.
Tommy could understand that they were young, inexperienced, and afraid of raising a child at the time they gave him up but to Tommy, it was like they were trying to erase David's existence and now that he was back, he was treated as the lesser son compared to Tommy.
Tommy knew that years of being the un-favorite child was hurting David and the fact that Tommy himself loved his older brother only made it worse that he was being treated this way.
And when the one time the pair could get away from his parents to do what they both loved, his father tries to send David back home, and for what? For Tommy to be the face of his father's martial arts school?
"It's pathetic," Tommy growled out as he sat beside his older brother, a scowl on his face. "You are his son as much as I am. I hate that he keeps trying to hold you down."
"You are the golden child brother," David said calmly. "It's understandable that he wants your name to be in lights."
"But it should be OUR name in lights. Not just mine," Tommy spat. "I'm sick and tired of them trying to lift me up by holding you down…"
David let out a sigh and said "I know you are but trust me, it'll be alright. I'm used to this."
"You shouldn't be," Tommy muttered in reply before he rose from his bed. "I'm going to go for a walk around town. I need to clear my head."
"Oh, did you forget we were supposed to meet the other fighters at the buffet?" David asked him.
"I didn't but I'm not hungry," Tommy said as he opened the hotel door and shut it behind him. If there was one thing that Tommy disliked more than David's treatment by his parents was David's calm acceptance of his treatment.
For as long as he remembered, Tommy was the one who always raged against his parents due to David but not once had David spoken up to them.
Tommy walked out of the hotel building, slipped his hands into his pockets, and began to walk down the sidewalk, a dark frown on his face.
[Location: Rita's Palace
POV: Rita Repulsa]
"So…He seems extremely fond of his brother…" Rita noted with narrowed eyes as she looked at Tommy's form in her globe.
From what she gathered from her observations of Tommy, there were two things that Rita discovered. He loved his brother dearly and that he wished to become and/or fight the Power Rangers….Well, one specific ranger.
"It also seems like he doesn't have a good relationship with his parents either due to the fondness of his brother. Perhaps I could use this to my advantage…" Rita murmured before the sound of distance battling caught her attention.
She had to think of something fast, however.
Goldar was gaining strength faster than expected and she did not want him to engage in battle with the rangers and risk his life. No, she didn't want to risk him like that, despite his willingness to fight on her behalf.
It was then an idea struck her.
"Yes…That'll be what I do…" Rita muttered softly as she gazed at the image of her future ranger, a devious smirk on her face.
[Location: The Stadium
POV: General]
"Man, talk about cutting it close," Trini murmured to Zack as the group of six stood in front of a large dark blue mini-van the next day. "That's the last time we take a shortcut of yours, Billy."
"I sincerely thought we would make it here by taking that shortcut," Billy defended with a cross of his arms. "It wasn't my fault people caught on to that path."
"But at least we all made it," Zack before he glanced back at the van to Trini's mom and said "Thanks for taking us here today Mrs. Kwan."
"It's no problem at all," Jessica Kwan said with a smile before she glanced at Trini and then back at Zack. "I'll be watching in the stands. Fight smart out there you two."
"Always Mẹ," Trini replied with a nod while Zack gave a thumbs up. The van drove off to go park while the rangers glanced back at the stadium. The platinum silver-colored stadium itself was 18 stories tall, covering 9.5 acres shaped like a donut and the roof of the stadium was currently open. "Well guys, let's get in there," Trini said before she began to walk forward, with the group of five following her lead. The group walked through the building, making their way to the entrance to the stadium itself, where a large crowd had already gathered in the stands.
"Hey! Over here!" Rocky's voice shouted, which caused the rangers to glance in his direction, where the other tournament fighters sat.
But before the group could make their way to the others, a man in a suit came over to Jason and asked, "Are you Jason Lee Scott?"
"I am," Jason confirmed.
"Great. Our boss wants to meet with you about your tournament spot," the man said.
Jason nodded, turned to the other rangers, and said, "I'll be back."
The five nodded and while Jason walked off with the man, they walked over to the large group, with Zack being the one to ask, "What's up everyone, ready for the big day?"
"You know it," Rocky replied as the two shared a fist bump and a grin.
Zack turned to look at Adam, who was speaking to Tanya, and asked, "You ready for our fight there, Adam?"
Adam paused then looked to Zack and smirked as he replied, "Of course I am. I can't wait to see where I stand against you."
Billy quirked an eyebrow at Katherine, who picked up on the silent question and whispered, "I know. That response was not expected at all…"
Tanya smiled happily at Kimberly and said, "To go up against you will be a perfect chance to show what I have. I cannot wait for our fight!"
Kimberly looked to Tanya and said with a smile of her own. "I can't wait either. Let's make sure to put on a show!" Kimberly cheered.
Meanwhile, Trini sat down beside Aisha and said, "Our match will be after Zack and Adam's. Just know I won't take it easy on you."
"I wouldn't expect anything less of you but know this, I am ready to win this thing." Aisha then held out her hand. "Good luck today." Trini stared at the hand before she chuckled and clasped her hand against Aisha's giving it a firm shake. Aisha broke the shake and added, "Besides, if what I think about you is true, this should be the fight of a lifetime for me."
"If what about me is true?" Trini questioned curiously but Aisha stood up and walked away, leaving a confused Trini behind.
"Something on your mind?" Ashley asked Trini from behind, prompting the ranger to turn around to face her.
"Aisha confused me for a moment. Must be mind games," Trini said before she turned to Ashley and smirked. "So…You're Jason's date huh?"
Ashley flushed and answered, "Yeah. We're going out after the matches tonight…Speaking of Jason, where is he?"
"He just had to talk to someone, he should be back soon," Trini replied. "So how are you doing today?"
"I'm a little nervous honestly. Not so much due to the tournament either," Ashley responded. "But I'm also very excited."
Trini nodded in understanding and said, "I have a feeling you're talking about your date. Trust me, Jason is nervous too. He's never been on a date before but he is excited as well. You two will be alright. Trust me on that."
"I hope so. It must be weird being teammates with so many cute guys," Ashley said.
"Oh, believe me, you get used to it. I mean, I've known Jason and Billy since I was little and while they both are very attractive, I only see them as my brothers now," Trini said.
"But not Zack?" Ashley asked her.
"Zack…he's more than that," Trini softly responded as she gazed at Zack, who was chatting away with Rocky and Adam before she shook her head. "But that is a work in progress. But the males in your group aren't half bad either."
"True but Adam has his target locked on Tanya, Rocky and Aisha are nuts about each other, Cassie is pining after TJ and I was only here for the tournament, not for hooking up with anyone," Ashley replied.
"That's how it starts honestly. You walk into a place with your head in the game but a cute face sends you spiraling out of control," Trini recounted with a small smile on her face.
Ashley let out a small giggle and nodded in agreement then added, "And then you start to think about him day in and day out, just a cruel cycle to go through."
"Hey, ladies!" Jason's voice suddenly came out behind them, which caused Trini and Ashley to turn around in surprise.
"How long were you standing there?" Trini asked accusingly.
"I just got here," Jason said good-naturedly before he looked to Ashley and let out a bashful "Hey…"
"Hey…" Ashley replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her right ear.
The two let out a small laugh while Trini watched on in amusement.
"So um…How did that talk go?" Ashley asked him.
"W-Well, since Carlos left the tournament, they decided to move me up to the next round," Jason replied with a smile. "I'll be facing off with either Rocky or TJ in the next round."
"That's great! I'm so glad!" Ashley said. "I was worried that they were going to kick you out due to Carlos leaving."
"I was too but I can't wait to see who wins between the two but…I wish I could have talked Carlos into staying…I should have been quicker," Jason told her.
"But you guys did save him. That's all that matters to me in the end," Ashley said as she took his hands into hers, a smile on her face.
Jason smiled as well and said, "Thanks…"
"Anytime," Ashley replied.
The two stared at each other for a moment, with Jason letting out a small laugh and Ashley letting out a giggle before the pair heard the announcer shout "Welcome to the 10th annual Angel Grove Martial Arts Tournament!"
Ashley blinked and let go of his hands, a small blush on her face and said "Since neither of us are fighting until tomorrow, let's go find a seat to watch the first fight together."
"Right," Jason said with a grin on his face.
The two walked to the stands and sat behind Billy and Katherine and in between beside Cassie, who turned to the pair and said, "Hey guys."
"Hey Cassie," Ashley said with a smile while Jason nodded with a smile as well.
Cassie stared at Jason for a moment, her mind going back to her discussion earlier that day.
[Location: Holiday Inn (Flashback)
POV: Cassie Chan]
Today was the day of the big tournament in Angel Grove and Cassie found herself sitting on her bed, watching as Ashley paced back and forth with a nervous expression on her face.
Cassie knew that Ashley wasn't nervous about the tournament. No, her nervousness stemmed from her date with Jason after the tournament. "You gotta stop pacing Ashley. You're more nervous about the date than the tournament," Cassie noted, which prompted Ashley to look at her.
"I can't help it, Cassie. I mean, have you seen him? He's a damn hunk!" Ashley exclaimed.
"Why would I need to check him out when I got a hunk of my own?" Cassie retorted sincerely, which caused Ashley to let out a small swoon, much to Cassie's confusion.
"That's so cute," Ashley said sweetly. "And yet you won't tell him how you feel?"
"I-I just don't know how to tell him, that's all," Cassie said with a brief stammer before she blinked. "Hey, don't turn this around on me! This is all about you and Jason!"
Ashley snapped her fingers as she said, "Damn, almost had you."
"You aren't that slick," Cassie replied before she lay in the bed. "I wonder where Aisha and Tanya are. They were supposed to help you pick out some clothes for the date."
"Well Aisha and Tanya fight today so she must be getting her nerves in order," Ashley explained before a smirk appeared on her face. "Not to mention, she'll want to cheer on Rocky…"
"You mean her Not-Boyfriend?" Cassie said with a giggle. "Those two are so into each other it's crazy. I don't understand why they just don't get together."
"You're the one to talk," Ashley countered, which caused Cassie to gasp in surprise before she tossed a pillow at Ashley's direction, who laughed as the pillow hit her face. Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
Still laughing, Ashley walked to the door to open it to reveal the stern-looking TJ. "Hey TJ," Ashley said with a welcoming smile on her face. "Are you looking for Cassie?"
"Yes, I wanted to talk to her about something," TJ replied with a small smile of his own.
Without warning, Cassie appeared behind Ashley with a smile on her face, which caused Ashley to jump at the sudden appearance of her friend. "Hey Teej," Cassie said. "You wanted me?"
TJ smirked in amusement and asked, "When don't I?"
Cassie's face heated up briefly before the male laughed and said, "Come on. I want to talk to you."
Cassie nodded and turned to Ashley."Hey, I'll be back. Just try to calm down. The date will go okay," Cassie encouraged with a wide smile. Ashley nodded and Cassie left the room and shut the door behind her. "So what's up?"
"We can't talk here. Come to my room," TJ said.
Cassie nodded and the two walked to TJ's room, where he unlocked the door and said, "So Cass, I want you to keep an eye on Jason and his friends for me."
Cassie tilted her head in confusion. "What? Keep an eye on them. How come?" Cassie inquired.
"Well, before he left, I bumped into Carlos. He told me to look after Ashley and to keep an eye on them," TJ explained as he opened the door to let Cassie walk inside before he shut it.
"I've also noticed something. When Ashley told us about the monster that attacked her, Zack and Trini left immediately. Then on the news, it showed the Yellow Ranger and Black Ranger coming to save the Red Ranger before those two disappeared, and guess who never came back? Zack and Trini while Jason did come back after the battle," TJ continued as he leaned against the wall across from the bed Cassie sat down on.
"Really?" Cassie asked. "I never noticed that at all."
"Yeah. Adam noticed this as well," TJ said. "Also, something about Ashley's story isn't making sense to me. Jason saved her life but Carlos was the only one kidnapped? It doesn't make sense to me."
"What are trying to say?" Cassie asked.
"I think Jason and his group are the Power Rangers. I don't know for sure but Adam and I came to that conclusion but we need proof so I want to spy on them while we are in Angel Grove," TJ said.
Cassie snorted and said, "As much as they all kick ass, I doubt they are the Power Rangers but you know what? Count me in."
TJ smiled at her. "Awesome!" TJ exclaimed. "Adam told Rocky, Aisha, and Tanya about it as well and they agreed to it. The only ones that we haven't told were David and Tommy yet but we will during the tournament." Cassie then saw a determined gleam in TJ's eyes, which made her heart skip a beat. "Together, we will see if they are the Power Rangers…And if they are, we're going get the chance to fight and beat them."
[End Flashback]
[Location: The Stadium (Present)
POV: General]
'Could he really be a Power Ranger?' Cassie thought to herself before she looked down to the circular cement-made ring where Zack, Kimberly, and Trini stood across from TJ, Rocky, Aisha, and Tanya then looked to Billy and Katherine. 'Could they be the Rangers?'
"Today, we have come together to watch fifteen of our brightest and strongest teenage fighters for the grand prize of ten thousand dollars and a trip for six to Japan! But today, give it up to our first 8 contestants!" The announcer exclaimed.
The audience cheered for the eight challengers in the ring.
"Now to our first bout…Adam Park will be going one-on-one with Zack Taylor," Adam and Zack took a step forward and shook hands.
"Did we miss anything?" Tommy's voice rang out in Jason's ear from behind him, which caused him, along with Cassie and Ashley, to glance at a sweating Tommy and David.
"You just made for the first match," Jason told him.
"Good, I can't wait to see this go down," David said with excitement. "I saw Adam fight the other day but Zack, I'm curious about his skill."
"Really? Interested in Zack, brother?" Tommy asked him.
"Of course. He looks like a fighter," David replied but then he caught the sly smirk on Tommy's face and gave him a glare, which made Tommy laugh.
"Trickster," David muttered as he ruffled his brother's hair before he looked down at Jason and asked, "Jason, between Zack and Adam, who will win?"
"Zack," Jason replied.
"No hesitation in that answer," Cassie said. "How come?"
"I've fought alongside Zack and against him. His style has a rhythm to it and a certain wild style to it, while my style, and to an extent, Trini's, is more controlled and focused. Adam looks like he fights similarly to myself and Trini. If he doesn't cut loose, he's going to lose. Not to mention, Zack can take some serious blows that even I may not be able to take," Jason said.
Tommy glanced down at Jason and said "How serious were the blows?"
"Life-threatening…" Jason replied as he looked at Tommy.
"And yet he doesn't seem like the strongest out of your team…" Tommy suggested.
"Everyone has their flaws," Jason said as he turned to Tommy with narrowed eyes. "But out of my group of friends, there is no strongest. We are all equally skilled."
Tommy smirked and said, "I'm sure…" Tommy then looked to the ring. "We'll see in time."
"In time," Jason replied.
Cassie and Ashley exchanged glances before Jason turned back around to watch the match.
[POV: Zack Taylor and Adam Park]
"The rules are simple. If you are out of the ring for ten seconds, you lose. Simple as that!" The announcer shouted into the microphone. "Other than that, anything goes! Now for our first contest. Hailing from our home of Angel Grove, he is Zack Taylor!"
Zack raised his right arm as the crowd cheered for him before he lowered them.
"And hailing from Stone Canyon, California…Adam Park!" The announcer shouted and while there were cheers for Adam, there was some booing as well, which Zack gave a sympatric smile to his opponent.
Stone Canyon was a well-known rival to Angel Grove so it made sense for people to boo the outsider but it still sucked.
"Let the first match of the 10th annual Angel Grove Martial Arts Tournament begin!" The announcer finished, to the loud cheer of the crowd.
"Good luck Zack," Kimberly said as she gave him a brief hug before she left the ring.
"Do not lose, Zack. I would like to fight you in this tournament," Trini said before she hugged Zack as well, which he returned.
"Heh, can't wait," Zack replied before Trini pulled away and walked out of the room.
"Good luck Adam. Take this one home to Stone Canyon," Rocky said as he patted Adam on the left shoulder, with Aisha doing the same before the two left the ring.
"Be safe during this fight," Tanya told him sweetly before she left the ring as well, leaving Zack and Adam alone in the large circular-shaped ring.
The crowd quieted down as Adam and Zack stared at each other. "Time to see where I stand…" Adam said as he dashed forward and delivered a flying kick to Zack, who stepped to the side to avoid it and blocked a roundhouse kick when Adam landed.
Zack grabbed the leg and pulled Adam close and released the hand to punch Adam in the face which sent Adam to the ground but Adam rolled back to his feet only to leap up and land a dropkick to Zack's chest, which sent Zack to the ground.
Zack flipped back up to his feet while Adam did the same where Zack leaped forward and punched Adam in the face hard, which sent Adam staggering backward before he caught the second punch and pulled Zack into a hard knee to the gut.
Adam pushed Zack backward and kicked Zack in the chest but Zack caught the foot and pulled Adam close to lift him into the air and slam him down onto his back hard enough to knock the breath out of Adam but he quickly regained this and kicked Zack's hand off his leg and flipped to his feet.
Zack dusted off his hands as he took several steps backward and complimented, "Nice trade-off."
"Likewise but there is so much more than that coming to you!" Adam shouted before he dashed forward but then in a flash, a large amount of putties appeared around the two, causing the audience to scream in shock.
[Location: Skyforce Labs
POV: Charlotte Hillard]
"Peter…" Charlotte gasped out as she stared at the screen in front of her. She looked around to see Peter dozing off to her left and quickly shook him awake as she said "Wake up! You need to wake up!"
From the moment they found these ranger keys, they had been working hard to unlock the secret they held but now, after all this time…From the sleepless nights to neglecting her beloved daughter, she had cracked the code but what she didn't know was the sheer gravity of what she had discovered.
On a large screen was some sort of energy field, where dozens of multi-colored lights were within it, each one sparkling but there were many groups of them.
"Hmm, what?" Peter grumbled out sleepily as he looked at his wife.
"Look at the screen…" Charlotte ordered him, a tone of excitement in her voice. Peter looked at the screen and blinked in surprise.
"W-What is this?" Peter asked her.
"I don't know…" Charlotte murmured as she stared at the screen in front of her.
But then her eye caught something.
From all the groups of sparkling colored lights that were spread out everywhere, there was a single group of clustered colors in the middle of them all with six colors.
Red.
Blue.
Black.
Yellow.
Pink.
Purple.
But there was an orange light fading in and out beside the purple light as well as green light fading in and out beside the red light.
"What does this mean?" Charlotte questioned as she narrowed her eyes at the middle group. "This group in the middle seems to be the heart of all the others around it…"
"But what about the two fading ones…What does that mean?" Peter asked her.
Charlotte went to answer him but she accidentally hit a key on her keyboard, which caused the screen to zoom into the clustered group rapidly.
"What the hell?" Charlotte managed to get out before the screen flashed white and when it faded, the two gasped out loud.
"Oh my god…" Charlotte whispered in shock.
On the screen were the figures of Jason Lee Scott, Trini Kwan, Zack Taylor, Billy Cranston, Kimberly Ann Hart, and their own daughter, Katherine. Behind them were six golden coins that glowed red, yellow, black, blue, pink, and purple respectively, their bodies outlined in those colors.
The figures' eyes were closed and they seemed to float beneath the coins, bolts of lightning in their respective colors streaking across them but on their bodies were the very familiar suits of the power rangers.
[Location: Rita's Palace
POV: Rita Repulsa]
Rita watched on as her putties appeared in various parts of the arena with a small smirk on her face. Behind her, Finster stood dutifully, awaiting her orders.
Rita turned around and asked, "Where is Goldar?"
"He is currently meditating in his chambers," Finster said. "I posted several putties outside his chambers as you requested. If any of them are destroyed, I will know."
"Good," Rita said with a nod.
"Lady Rita…I am concerned admittedly about deceiving Goldar in this manner," Finster admitted to her.
"As am I but I…" Rita turned away from Finster and stared at the image of the arena. "I do not want to risk him leaving while he is injured. He is my protector after all."
Finster nodded in understanding before he said "As for your request, it took some time but I managed to find him. He was in a tavern in Dark Specter's sector of the universe. It took quite a bit of funds but I managed to hire him for our cause."
Coming into view was what looked to be a human Asian male with slicked back black hair, a black-colored martial arts Gi with white bone-made armor beneath it, a left arm made of large bulky bones, and a right shoulder made of bones. He also wore black martial arts pants with a red belt and bone-made feet.
"Ten thousand years since the last time we met Rita. That means there is a target you have for me," The warrior stated, his silver-white eyes staring at the empress.
"That is correct, Garouki," Rita answered. "Your mission is for you to kidnap either one of these humans." At those words, the image of David and Tommy appeared on the screen.
The two were currently fighting putties with Ashley, Jason, Billy, and Katherine by their sides. "Both of these humans are my targets? They must be very important for you to hire me again," Garouki stated.
"True but I need them alive," Rita said. "If you can't get both of them, that's fine. I just need either one of them in my grasp."
"Very well Lady Rita," Garouki said as a large swirling blue portal appeared behind him. Garouki turned around and walked towards the portal before he paused and looked back at Rita. "Tell me something. Are there any obstacles I may face during this mission?"
"The Power Rangers," Rita simply replied.
"Are they stronger than their predecessors?" Garouki questioned.
"They managed to kill Knasty Knight, Swan Song, Death Rose, and quite a few of my monsters," Rita admitted.
Garouki smirked and silently walked through the portal, leaving Rita and Finster alone. "Lady Rita, do you think Garouki will be able to achieve his purpose?" Finster asked curiously.
"He's one of the best assassins that were ever in my employment," Rita said. "I know he may die. He actually prefers it but only after he achieves his mission and that is all that I need to know about him."
'And if he does…Goldar will not need to go. That is what also matters,' Rita thought to herself.
[Location: The Stadium
POV: General]
"They just keep coming!" David exclaimed as he stood beside Tommy, panting heavily as putties surrounded the seven teens.
"I know, isn't it great?" Tommy asked with an excited look on his face.
"You and the rest of us have wildly different thoughts about the situation, Tommy," Jason muttered behind him. He growled and looked down at the ring and saw their friends in deep combat with the many putties around them.
Add to the situation were the dozens of citizens screaming and running around the place, in the middle of all of the chaos. "Damn it! We need to help the others and get these people out of here now!"
Without warning, he was launched off of his feet along with the other fighters from behind.
The seven teenagers rolled down the aisles before they slammed at the base of the stairs, all of them groaning at the blossoming pain in their bodies but Jason looked up to see Garouki walking out of a swirling blue portal with a smirk on his face.
"What the hell?" Jason muttered.
This person looked human but the bone-made arm and feet told him otherwise.
"I am Demon-Fist Master Garouki," Garouki explained. "And I am here on the behalf of Empress Rita to retrieve…" The creature then pointed at David and Tommy, who were starting to stand up. "Them," Garouki finished with a chuckle. "So if you let me have them, I will take my friends and leave. If not, I kill all of you and take them. The choice is yours."
Despite the number of screams of panic and alarm around him, Jason didn't hesitate to reach for his Morpher. "Billy, Katherine, I will hold him back. Reunite with the others and get out of here now!" Jason instructed.
"Are you crazy?" Ashley exclaimed. "There is no way we are leaving you behind to fight this guy."
"Yeah," Tommy replied. "I don't intend to run, especially since he's after me and my brother for some odd reason."
"There's no time! You need to go now!" Jason told them.
"Come on, let's go!" Billy and Katherine shouted as the two pulled at Ashley's arms while Cassie and David pulled at Tommy's.
"There is no way in hell am I allowing you to stay here," David said.
"But he's after us," Tommy said.
"All the more reason to leave!" Cassie said.
"Guys! Hurry!" Jason shouted.
Ashley and Tommy looked to Jason before they relented and together, the six ran off, leaving Jason along with Garouki and the putties.
Garouki kept his eyes on Jason as the six teens ran off and chuckled with amusement. "You must be the leader," Garouki deduced, causing Jason to scowl. "It's easy to tell. You have that look in your eyes. The last time I saw that look was when I faced down with your predecessor."
Jason narrowed his eyes and said, "Then you know what's about to happen. It's Morphin time!"
[Morphing Grid
Mighty Morphin Red Ranger]
(Theme of Morphing - Infinity Mijinion Stage from Megaman X6)
In the black void, with a red aura flowing around him and his Power sword in his hands, Jason fell toward his power coin, which was hovering in the air with a red orb around it.
Jason raised his blade and sliced through the orb and the moment he did, red and white lightning encased his sword and then his entire body before it exploded, revealing the Red Ranger.
The Red Ranger landed on the ground in a crouch before quickly rising and slashing his blade in a downward arc before stabbing it in the ground. With an explosion of red energy, his personal zord, the Tyrannosaurus, appeared behind him with a red outline and roared in victory as Jason shouted, "Tyrannosaurus!"
[Location: The Stadium
POV: Garouki Vs Mighty Morphin Red Ranger]
With a flash of red light, Red stood before Garouki, standing tall opposite the assassin. Garouki laughed and held up his left fist before he dashed forward and aimed a punch at Red's face.
Red blocked the blow with his forearms but to his surprise, he found himself being launched backward through the air with Garouki flying after him, his fist still connected to Red's forearms.
The two traveled at an upward angle until the two crashed through the windows of a large room near the top of the stadium, where Red's back slammed against the ceiling of the room. With a shout, he pushed the fist off his forearms, sending Garouki down to the ground.
Red landed across from him in a crouching position as Garouki stood up with a laugh. "How disappointing. Your predecessor would have been able to shake that off easily."
"Should I be disappointed at your disappointment?" Red asked sarcastically as he stood up as well.
"Your teammates will be before I kill you," Garouki exclaimed before he dashed forward and aimed a jab at Red's head. Red slapped the fist away, took a step forward, and delivered two jabs to Garouki's chest before he jumped up and aimed an elbow at the assassin's head.
Garouki blocked the elbow with his right arm and kicked Red in the chest, sending Red flying backward into a couch, which then flipped over and caused Red to fall to the ground. Red rose to his feet and was kicked once again in the chest, sending him slamming against the wall.
Red rolled to the left of the wall to avoid a high kick from Garouki, whose foot broke through the wall, and kicked the man in the chest, sending Garouki skidding backward from the kick before Red ran up and landed a knee to the being's face, sending him soaring away from the wall.
Garouki rolled on the ground and pushed himself up to one knee with a chuckle. He then stood up, his eyes watching as Red stared at him. "You may have some skill yet," Garouki stated. "But it will take a lot more than that to stop me from completing my mission."
"Then allow me to keep it going!" Red exclaimed before he dashed forward.
[POV: General]
"Can we have one day without being attacked?!" Adam exclaimed as he tossed a putty over his shoulder and punched it in the chest.
"What? You don't like the warm-up?" Zack asked after he leaped up and nailed a putty in the face with a Superman punch.
"Warm up for you maybe," Tanya said as she rose from the ring floor, having just sent two putties to the ground with a double drop kick.
"You get used to it after some time," Trini said before she landed two solid palm strikes to a putty's chest before bending over and hitting the putty in the face with the bottom of her bent foot, sending it to the ground.
"We need to get the civilians out here," TJ said before catching a kick from a putty and pulling it close to land an elbow to its face.
Rocky hopped over two putties, rolled beneath TJ, and kicked the putty behind the teen in the chest. "What? And miss the party?" He asked.
Aisha swayed against two putties' rapid jabs before she punched one in the stomach then leaned back and landed an uppercut to the second putty before Kimberly appeared from behind her and leaped into the two with a spin, sending all three of them to the ground.
Kimberly rolled off the putties and onto her feet only to bend backward to avoid a roundhouse kick from a putty where Aisha leaped up above Kimberly and kneed the putty in the face.
Kimberly rose from her bent position and said, "TJ is right. We need to get all of the civilians out of here."
"And allow the Power Rangers to show up and clear them out," Adam said, giving a pointed look to Zack, Trini, and Kimberly, who ignored his look.
The three instead noticed six familiar teens running and fighting putties on the higher levels of the stadium, saving various civilians in the process.
"Seems the others have the same idea," Zack said.
"Yeah, let's follow their lead," Trini said with a nod.
"Rocky, Aisha, Tanya, Adam, and I will go on the left side to get civilians out," TJ said. "You guys see if you can "summon" the Power Rangers to assist us."
"We'll do what we can," Kimberly said truthfully.
"Then let us get to it," TJ said before he motioned for the others to follow him, leaving the three rangers alone.
"I think they know," Zack said once they were out of sight.
"Yeah, I'm surprised they realized it so soon," Kimberly noted.
Trini shook her head and said, "Then let's not waste any time then and morph."
The three ran down the hall, taking down any putty that came past them before Kimberly and Trini pulled out their morphers and shouted, "Its Morphin time!"
With a crackle of white and black lightning, the Aura Morpher appeared around's wrist. Zack then pressed the "V" on the Aura morpher and said "Aura Change: Awaken Black Ranger!"
Unknown Void
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
(Theme of Morphing - Infinity Mijinion Stage from Megaman X6)
Kimberly and Trini found themselves falling down the black void, their bodies glowing in their respective colors when each of them saw their power coins in the middle of a glowing orb, each one in their individual colors.
The two teens dove down and slammed into the orbs at top speed, causing two streaks of lightning to shoot down to the ground.
A pink streak of lightning then slammed against the ground and formed a female's body in a crouch. The body rose to its feet and forced the energy away to reveal Pink with her Power Bow in her hand. Pink fired three arrows in the air, where they then exploded, causing pink sparks to fly down on her as she shouted, "Pterodactyl!"
Moments later, a yellow streak of lightning slammed into the ground beside Pink to form into a female form, and with a burst of energy, Yellow rose from the ground with her Power Daggers and twirled the right dagger in her hand before kicking the air twice, leaping into the air and gave a roundhouse kick and landed on the ground and shouted, "Saber-Tooth Tiger!
[Morphing Grid
Zack Taylor]
(Theme of Morphing – Mass Destruction – Persona 3 Midsummer Knight's Dream Remix)
With a press of the "V", a large beam of light shot up from the ground as the color on Zack's clothes, hair and body began to fade away into bright white, with only glowing black eyes appearing.
Black energy shards appeared in the air hovering around him and began to quickly shoot towards his body.
The black energy collided with his torso and legs, forming the black spandex suit while the remaining shards flew to his wrists and feet, forming the black gauntlets and boots as another black shard slammed into his chest to form a black crest that held a silver "5" within it.
And last but not least, dozens of black shards slammed into Zack's head to form the black helmet and another shard slammed into the front of the forehead to make a black orb above the empty space where his visor would go.
Then one final black shard slammed into the helmet, creating the T-shaped visor that covered his eyes which began to shine as bright as the heavens themselves.
[Location: The Command Center (Future)
POV: Aura Black Ranger]
But as the morphing was finished, the ranger suddenly stood in the command center.
"What's going to happen this time?" Aura Black asked himself. Suddenly, the doors opened behind him, and a Caucasian woman in a gray suit, flowing gray hair and intense brown eyes entered the room and behind her, six of those unfamiliar rangers followed.
In front of him, Zordon appeared in a flash, his face instantly taking on regret as he gazed at the woman.
"Zordon," the woman said with heat in her voice.
"Grace…" Zordon responded cordially.
"I've waited years for this moment," Grace said. "All that I have done. Was for this. My rangers are properly trained to handle the threats of Rita Repulsa. You have shown that you are a failure of a mentor to your ranger team. I ask you one time…Deactivate your rangers."
"What?!" Aura Black asked before that familiar pull was felt and he found himself vanishing before he could find out more.
[Location: The Stadium
POV: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]
With a flash, Aura Black appeared beside Yellow and Pink, who jumped in alarm, dozens of putties around the three.
"What happened to you?!" Yellow asked.
"I…" Aura Black began.
"Your body vanished as soon as you morphed," Pink explained.
"I think I saw the future," Aura Black said, much to the surprise of the two rangers. Before anyone could speak, however, a shout of panic was heard outside of the hall they were in. "We'll talk about this later. We need to move."
The two nodded and quickly ran out of the hallway to assist in stopping these monsters.
[Location: Skyforce Labs
POV: Charlotte Hillard]
"This…This is the discovery of a lifetime Char. We have not only the identities of our rangers but whatever this is, it has the identities of every ranger before and after them!" Peter exclaimed as Charlotte leaned back in her chair, a concerned expression on her face.
"And while that is all well and good, we just found out our daughter is one of the Power Rangers," Charlotte replied. "She's been fighting those monsters….She is only a teenager. Hell, all of them are teenagers and they are"
She saw Peter's excitement deflate at this.
Seems he forgot that little bit of info that she could understand. They had just found out the identities of the Power Rangers. "You're right…Our daughter and her friends are the Power Rangers. This serves as more motivation to get our research done. Now that we've unlocked the power of the keys, we can create our own rangers."
Charlotte nodded and said, "Yes. Let us continue. If it all goes well, we can let those kids enjoy being kids. But there is one thing that concerns me…" Charlotte motioned to the glowing orange and green orbs that faded in and out next to the red one.
"What does this mean? Does this mean two more rangers are coming?" Charlotte questioned. Without warning, the orange light exploded, which caused the screen to shine a bright orange before it faded away, revealing a solid, glowing orange orb.
"It solidified," Peter noted as he stared at the screen.
"But what does it mean?" Charlotte asked with narrowed eyes.
"It doesn't matter. We need to contact and let her know we were able to do it," Charlotte said. "After that…we speak to our daughter."
Just then, the two heard an alarm coming from one of the consoles in front of them and when they looked down on it, it showed people screaming and leaving the Angel Grove Stadium in droves.
"What is going on there?" Peter asked out loud.
"Wait…Wasn't that the place that Ninja tournament thing Katherine was talking about going to last night?" Charlotte asked.
The two grew silent as realization formed on their faces. "We need to go!" The two said in unison before they ran out of the office to assist their daughter.
[Location: The Stadium
POV: Mighty Morphin Red Ranger]
With a crash, Red flew from the wall and skidded against the carpeted floor hand but managed to push himself off the ground and spin up to his feet where he held his stomach.
Garouki walked through the large hole left behind by Red's body as he held up his left arm with a smirk on his face. "Come on Ranger. You're going to have to do better than that," Garouki taunted before he launched himself forward and aimed his left fist at Red's head.
Red swayed to the left and kneed Garouki in the stomach before he grabbed his arm and swung him over his shoulder, sending the warrior flying across the room through a wall.
Red then pulled out his blade blaster and ran through the hole only for his chest to hit the left hand of Garouki, which was now in the shape of a sawed-off shotgun
"Got you," Garouki said with a smirk before he pulled the trigger, which caused Red to fly out backward with sparks flying from his chest and shoulders.
Red stood up shakily as Garouki smirked and aimed his gun-arm at Red, the barrel of his arm-gun glowing an ominous white, with crackles of black electricity coursing against his arm before he fired again.
Red rolled to the left and returned fire with his Blade Blaster, nailing Garouki in the chest and causing several sparks to fly off his body.
Garouki charged forward, swung his gun arm towards Red, and stuck the ranger in the head before he aimed a kick at Red's chest. Red caught the foot, swung over it, and slammed the side of his foot into Garouki's face and together, the two fell to the ground.
Red rolled onto one knee as Garouki rolled onto his stomach, both of their weapons aimed at the other's head. "Whew…Quick on the draw," Garouki stated as the two began to stand up at the same time, their respective weapons still pointed at their opponent.
"You're able to keep pace with me, I may have been wrong," Garouki stated.
"That was your first mistake," Red replied. "Never underestimate a ranger. We've defeated every monster that has come our way since day one. No matter how strong they were."
"Confident," Garouki chuckled. "You sound just like the Aura Red Ranger right then. Yes, I can start to see why the big blue head chose you as the leader. You're just like that pompous but skilled fool."
Red narrowed his eyes. "Am I?"
"Oh yes," Garouki confirmed. "We've had so many battles together back then and the air around you matches his. Though he died before he could sire a child so I know you aren't his descendant but it's very unmistakable."
"But let's see if you make the same mistakes," Garouki said before he suddenly aimed his arm at Red's chest and fired, sending Red flying backward through another wall with sparks flying from his chest.
Red landed on his back but flipped up to his feet and fired his blaster repeatedly, each strike slamming into Garouki's body before the warrior dashed through the hole toward him.
Red leaped up into the air while doing the splits, avoiding the charging warrior, and landed on the ground and shouted, "Power Sword!"
With a flourish of red energy, Red's personal weapon appeared in his hand. Just as Garouki turned around, Red's blade slashed down his chest, causing an arc of sparks to fly from the warrior's body. Red twirled his body and slashed upwards before he jumped up to slash at Garouki's head. Garouki blocked the strike with his right arm and fired his arm cannon, striking Red in the chest and sending the ranger bouncing off the ceiling and down to the ground.
Red flipped to his feet and ducked a jab from the arm cannon and then twirled backward away from a wide swing of Garouki's right arm and swung his blade, which met with Garouki's arm cannon in a clash.
"Same mistake!" Garouki shouted as he pushed Red's blade away and slammed the head of his arm cannon against Red's chest, sending the ranger backward onto the ground.
Red rolled to his feet but was drop-kicked in the chest by his opponent, which sent Red bouncing off the wall behind him. Garouki then grabbed the ranger by the neck and launched him across the room, where Red slammed to the ground.
"Red Rangers are all alike!" Garouki exclaimed, a wild look in his eyes and a smirk on his face as he held his arm up and fired several bolts of electric blue energy out towards the standing Red, causing several sparks to fly from Red's body at the moment of impact, Sending the ranger to his knees.
"This is where your predecessor failed as well. You never try to test your strength against a monster like me!" Garouki exclaimed as electric blue and black lightning streaked across the arm. The lightning shot up the arm and formed a medium-sized orb of black and blue energy that hovered above the gun. "I will admit, I prejudged you however this is the end so goodbye…" Garouki then reared his arm cannon back, causing the orb to draw back as well.
"And goodnight!" before he thrust the arm forward and sent the orb hurdling at Red.
The speed of the orb was so quick that Red knew he was unable to get out of the way in time. With gritted teeth, Red lifted his blade blaster and fired. Without warning, a beam of orange energy collided with the red energy, causing Red's shot to become enhanced enough to pierce through the orb, where it then hit Garouki in the chest, splintering the bone armor that protected his chest.
Seconds later, the orb exploded, causing the entire booth to shine brightly before the windows shattered, causing the glass to fall beneath it and the two combatants were sent flying.
Red went through the wall he had made before he slammed into the couch and onto the ground where he lay, seemingly unconscious.
Meanwhile, Garouki lay in another booth, seemingly unconscious as well.
[POV: General]
"These putties just won't quit!" Aura Black shouted as he kicked a putty in the side of the head before he turned around and blocked two fists by catching them.
Pink then leaped over Aura Black with her legs spilt apart and slammed her stretched legs against the arms of the putties while Aura Black gripped their fists, which caused their arms to break from the weight of Pink's legs.
The putties stumbled backwards as they held their broken arms and Pink quickly summoned her Power Bow and nailed both putties in the chest with two shimmering arrows, defeating them.
Pink then rolled backward onto her feet so she was standing in front of Aura Black and complimented, "Nice double team."
"Thanks, been working on it," Aura Black said with a grin in his voice.
"I think that clears out the putties in this area," Yellow said as she walked towards them, seconds later, a large explosion shook the stadium, which caused the three to stumble around.
"What the hell?" Aura Black said just before shards of glass rained down around them.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Pink asked.
Without warning, an orange beam came from above shot towards Pink, and pierced her in the right shoulder, causing sparks to fly from her shoulder as well as sending her to the ground.
"Pink!" The two exclaimed in horror.
Pink stood there for a moment, unable to believe what had occurred before she looked down. There was blood falling down from her wound onto her pink suit. Not even a second later, another orange beam flew from the smoke and pierced through her right side, causing another burst of sparks to fly from her body. Pink took a step forward as Aura Black and Yellow watched on in silent horror before she fell forward to the ground.
Aura Black and Yellow rushed to Pink's aid just as she demorphed back into Kimberly. "W-What the fuck?" Aura Black said with fear in his voice.
"Oh my god, who could have done this?" Yellow asked with panic.
Aura Black cradled Kimberly in his arms and saw that she was unconscious, with blood pouring down her left shoulder and right side. "Oh no, Kim…" Aura Black whispered. "It's okay little Hart, we'll get you fixed up."
He then looked at Yellow and handed Kimberly to her as he said, "Get her in the healing chamber I need to find whatever did this to her as well as help the others."
"Right," Yellow said. "Be safe. I don't want you to get injured like this either."
"I know," Aura Black said.
Yellow looked around briefly to make sure they were alone before she and Kimberly were transported out of the stadium and towards the Command Center.
"Alright," Aura Black said. "Time to keep moving."
Aura Black ran through the stadium to check for any remaining civilians and made it from the south of the stadium (Where he started) to the north of the stadium where he heard the familiar sounds of battle coming from the lobby area of the stadium.
Running down the long hall, he found himself running into a large battle, consisting of his friends and the other tournament fighters battling a large group of putties but thankfully, there looked to be no more civilians in the area.
Aura Black quickly charged forward and delivered a flying kick to a putty that had snuck up on Adam, which caused the teen to turn around to face Aura Black. "New suit?" Adam asked.
"You could say that," Aura Black replied before the two turned away and kicked two putties in their chest, sending them flying backward.
"Get out of here," Aura Black commanded to Adam, who nodded in reply before Aura Black ran forward and landed a solid knee to a putty Billy had in the air, which caused the teen to snap backward and deliver a German suplex to the putty.
"Good looking out," Billy said as wiped the sweat off of his brow.
"I'm surprised you and Katherine haven't morphed yet," Aura Black whispered.
"Not enough wiggle room, unfortunately," Billy replied.
"Grab Katherine and morph. We still need to find Jason and Kimberly was attacked and demorphed so we need to hurry and clear out the place," Aura Black said.
Billy scowled in barely contained fury at the sound of Kimberly being wounded but he nodded and ran towards Katherine, who had just landed a hard right fist to the face of a putty, and quickly explained the situation.
It was amusing to Aura Black how enraged Katherine had looked when Billy told her that Kimberly was hurt.
It sure was a change from when they first met.
The two quickly ran off and Aura Black kept his focus on the large amount of putties in the area, making sure to keep the other tournament fighters safe.
[POV: Mighty Morphin Red Ranger]
With a groan, Red leaned up from the ground and held his right side in pain. He pushed himself up to one knee and then up to his feet, where he then stumbled backward and rested against the wall, panting heavily.
He had gotten lucky that his blast had destroyed the ball of energy that had come towards him but he wasn't left unscathed from its explosion.
Red's suit was torn in several places, revealing the intricate circuitry beneath it that seemed to crackle with red energy, and the right side of his visor was cracked but thankfully, still hid his identity.
But if Garouki was caught in it as well, he wouldn't be faring much better.
Red walked through the wall he was sent through due to the explosion and found that the room he and Garouki had fought in was gone, leaving alone a large opening between him and his opponent.
"Had that attack hit me dead on, I wouldn't have survived…" Red said as he observed the damage.
It was then he heard a groan come from across the destroyed area. Garouki leaned up from his spot and Red could see the damage that was upon his opponent.
While Garouki's Gi and pants were torn in several places from the explosion, his face was the most damaged. While the right half was his normal human face, the left half was a skeleton with a glowing red eye with a skeleton horn poking out of it.
And in his chest armor was a large spider-web crack that seemed to come from the middle of the bone armor.
"You truly are a monster," Red muttered as Garouki stood up and stumbled backward into the desk behind him.
Garouki's eyes landed on Red across the large chasm and shouted, "I don't know how you managed to do that but I won't allow you to do it twice!"
Garouki launched himself across the room in the blink of an eye forward and kneed the Red in the face, which sent Red in the air through the hole before he slammed onto his back.
Garouki jumped into the air and tried to land an elbow drop but Red rolled to the right and then leaped up and slammed his shoulder onto Garouki's chest when the latter landed on the ground, sending them both crashing through the ground to the arena floor behind the top row of chairs.
Garouki kicked Red off of him, sending Red to the left and rolling down three rows of chairs before he was able to stop himself from going forward by gripping the next chair that came his way and flipping his body upwards to stand on a chair.
Red then ran up the few rows he had just tumbled down, jumped into the air, and kicked Garouki in the chest, which sent the humanoid crashing through the wall, leaving his body dangling in the air.
Red charged forward just as Garouki leaned up from the hole and threw himself toward his opponent shoulder first, sending them both plummeting down. As the two fell, an empty Angel Grove bus pulled up and the driver walked out with a yawn and walked off just as Garouki's body slammed into the bus quickly followed by Red's body, sending them both crashing through the roof of the bus and sending them landing within the bus.
Red rolled backward off of the warrior and shook his head with a dazed groan. 'I am never doing that again,' Red thought as Garouki leaned up off the ground and rubbed his head.
Red quickly stood up only to take a step back and shake his head before he rushed forward to Garouki only for the warrior to kick Red in the stomach, which sent Red staggering backward from the blow.
Garouki flipped to his feet and dashed forward to deliver a hard punch to Red's head but Red ducked the blow and landed two jabs to Garouki's stomach before he leaped up and kneed him in the chin, which sent Garouki into the air and crashing to the floor.
"Power Sword!" Red shouted, his sword appearing in his hand with a red flash. Red twirled the blade briefly and then jumped into the air and lunged his sword downward at Garouki and stabbed him in the chest, cracking the bone armor as the blade plunged into the warrior.
Blood splashed against Red's visor as Garouki coughed, a grimace of pain on his face. "Heh. No hesitation…" Garouki stated as blood dribbled down his lips. "I see the ferociousness of the Red Ranger is still there….Even after ten thousand years."
"This was all on you," Red growled, his hands shaking against the hilt.
Garouki laughed and leaned his head back on the bus floor. "Sure, you're right," he responded with a bloody smirk on his face. "But you do realize…That once I shut my eyes, my true form awakens and I won't be able to stop it…"
"True form?" Red asked.
Garouki grinned and said, "Ah…Yeah…It's a pity…I wanted to continue to test you without it awakening…Ah well…I just hope you're prepared f-for…" With those words, Garouki shut his right eye, his left eye dimming until it was gone.
Red removed the blade and staggered backward to lean against a chair, his hand returning to his side.
"Red! Are you there man?!" Aura Black's voice shouted in his ear.
Red lifted his wrist and replied wearily, "Yeah…I'm here…Just finished defeating this opponent…"
"Good. Violet, Blue, and I just finished the last of the putties in the stadium. All citizens are accounted for," Aura Black said. "Wasn't easy but we did it."
"Wait? Where is Yellow and Pink?" Red questioned.
"Pink was seriously injured and Yellow took her to be healed at the Command Center," Aura Black replied.
"She was? Do you know by what?" Red questioned.
"Not at all. All I saw was two flashes of orange and then she was down," Aura Black stated with a frown.
"We'll need to investigate that. In the meantime, Get the others far away. We need to start making a plan to protect Tommy and David. Rita is after them," Red explained.
"What?! But why?!" Aura Black explained.
"No idea," Red said as he looked at the downed body of Garouki one last time before he turned around and made his way to the back exit of the bus. "I didn't get an answer but that is just enough for us to start preparing for anoth-" Suddenly, a bone-like tail pierced through Red's left shoulder, which caused him to gasp out in agony.
"Red? Red?! What happened?!" Aura Black exclaimed as Red turned around to see Garouki's hunched-over body standing on two feet, with a long, protruding bone tail coming from his back.
Red gripped his blade and swung at the tail but the tail withdrew fast enough to avoid being hit and curled around the feet of Garouki's body.
As Red stared at the figure in front of him, he reached up and held his shoulder and could feel his blood seeping between his gloved hands as red streaks of electricity shot from his wound to around his body. 'That's not good,' Red thought to himself before a pulse of energy shot through his body, bringing his attention back onto Garouki, whose body was now emitting dark purple energy.
Without warning, Garouki's body began to expand at a rapid pace, his clothes and skin stretching before tearing apart as he let out a loud roar filled with malice. The roar was so powerful, it sent Red flying out the large back door of the bus and skidding across the ground.
Red lifted himself onto one knee as a figure came into view.
The opponent he had fought before was gone.
Instead, Red faced down a hulking humanoid creature made of a myriad of bones with a skull shaped like a jackal with tattered clothes hanging on various parts of its body, and in its right hand was a large scythe.
The creature roared, causing a shockwave to hit Red and send him flying backward into a car, causing sparks to fly from his back before he landed on the ground. Red hissed out in pain and rose to his feet only for this creature to appear in front of him with a flash, its scythe raised high in the air.
Red summoned his Power Sword and swung it up to block the strike of the scythe but then the arm flicked and Red felt the scythe slash down his left shoulder down to his right hip, causing sparks to fly out from his torso.
'I didn't even see it coming,' Red thought through the pain as his body began to lean forward but the creature grabbed his neck and tossed Red back into the bus so hard, that Red's body exploded through the front windshield and slammed into the ground.
Red skidded across the ground like a rock skipping in a pond before he rolled to a stop, his suit even more torn than before he demorphed back to an unconscious Jason.
[Location: Outside the Stadium
POV: Mighty Morphin Yellow Ranger]
The creature appeared in a flicker on the bus hanging from the upper corner before it darted forward on all four legs towards Red but without warning, Yellow appeared and kicked the creature in the head just as it reached Red, sending it flying into a car.
Yellow landed on the ground and rushed to Red's side and said "Come on, let's get you out of here." She pulled Jason up by his right arm, slung it over her shoulder, and lifted him off the ground but before she could transport them both, she was knocked into the air by the skeleton creature.
Yellow managed to recover in the air and landed effortlessly on the ground. The creature was fast and it hit like a damn tank but with her superior speed, she could defeat it. Her eyes then flashed to Jason's unconscious and bleeding form before she turned and focused on the creature before her, which was still on four legs, jittering from side to side.
The creature then dashed towards her and top speed and just as it got in front of her, it stood on its hind legs and slashed its scythe down at her but Yellow jumped to the side and landed a palm to its head, which sent it leaning to the side but it allowed the creature's tail to lunge at her.
Yellow leaned to the left to avoid the tail before it whipped into her chest sharply, sending Yellow skidding backward before she smacked the tail down and delivered two palms to the creature's chest, making it skid back.
Yellow pressed her advantage by dashing forward and delivering three more palm strikes to its upper chest before landing a palm beneath its chin, sending its head whipping into the air but she was suddenly sent backward into a car by a kick to her chest.
Yellow bounced off the car and rolled under the lunging tail of the creature. She then sprang to herself and vaulted herself into the air to aim a flying bicycle kick to its head but its body fell on all fours, causing Yellow to fly above it and land on the ground.
She turned around and was struck by the creature's scythe twice, causing sparks to fly from her body but she managed to block the third strike and kicked the creature in the left knee, making it fall to one knee before she kneed it in the head.
The creature bent backward from the blow to the head but its tail wrapped around Yellow's neck, which caused her to gasp in shock before she was lifted into the air by it while the creature rose to its feet.
Yellow grasped at the creature's appendage that was around her neck and kicked it in its chest several times before it roared and tossed her into the car a few feet from the unconscious Jason.
Yellow pushed herself up to her feet and held her side, blood dribbling from the corner of her hidden mouth.
"That all you got?" Yellow taunted.
The creature roared maliciously in reply before it launched itself towards her but with a shout, Aura Black, Blue, and Violet vaulted over the car behind her and all three kicked the creature, sending it flying back into the bus it was born in.
"About time," Yellow said, her tone grateful at the timely arrival.
"It took us a while to find you guys," Violet replied.
"We need to get him out of here," Yellow said as she looked at Jason.
"We also need to figure something out about that!" Violet shouted, catching the attention of the three rangers.
Before them, the creature began to grow.
"Oh fuck off with this!" Aura Black shouted.
Yellow ran towards Jason and picked him up before she said "We need to summon the Zords."
"Yeah, that's great and all but there are only three of us. We cannot fight this thing without the full Megazord," Violet said.
"She's right. It's far too fast for my Zord and while you and Violet's could keep up, mine could be destroyed," Blue said.
"I know but we have to-" Yellow then paused when she heard a mechanical roar in the distance.
[Location: Empty Highway]
The ground began to rumble as the sky darkened to a pitch black.
Gold lightning streaked the sky before striking the ground at random intervals before the roar was heard again.
Two thick bolts of lightning slammed against the highway and remained stable long enough to change into two large, thick golden swords.
The electricity then began to crackle against the blades before a portal exploded to life, revealing a swirling yellow vortex.
Seconds later, a mechanical creature exploded from the portal at a full sprint, its black armor gleaming from the lighting that streaked across the sky before the light faded, leaving only its orange eyes glowing in the shadows.
Another streak of lighting hit the sky and it showed the glowing claws of the being before the image faded into the darkness.
Another streak of lightning came down from the sky and slammed into the creature directly, revealing the creature in all of its glory.
It was a four-legged Zord with a gold metal frame, a round head, a reduced neck, round ears, a gold spike at the end of its tail, and golden teeth within its mouth.
It let out a roar as another bolt of lightning hit it, causing thick golden armor to slam against its shoulders, back, feet, and head.
When the lightning faded, the Zord now had thick orange armor on the lower forelegs and back legs, orange armor on its shoulder joints and hip joints, and orange armor on its torso.
On the torso armor, two wings sprouted up and pointed backward but on the end of those wings were two golden blades, with the top blade being longer and thicker and the second blade being shorter and slightly thinner. Finally, on its head, an orange mechanical mane slid over its head and attached itself, where two orange "Ears" sprang up on the orange armor along with a golden blade that appeared in the middle of the ears, as well on the sides of its face.
As the Zord continued to run, the blades on each side of its mane, and the two on its back began to glow until gold electricity began to streak across them and the Zord itself, causing it to form into a large lightning bullet.
[Location: Outside the Stadium
POV: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]
The bullet streaked against the ground towards the creature, barely missing the rangers on the ground, and slammed into the creature hard, sending it tumbling against the ground repeatedly before it skidded to a stop, its body convulsing due to the electricity around it.
The Zord skidded to a stop and stood proudly as the rangers looked on in shock.
"What the hell?" Violet asked.
"It's a Zord," Blue said. "Not one we've ever seen before though…"
Yellow narrowed her eyes beneath her helmet.
The creature scrambled to its feet and launched itself at the Zord but the Zord dashed forward and leaped into the air and slammed the upper side of its body against the creature, knocking it down to the ground.
The creature scrambled onto its hind legs and swung its scythe and the Zord but the Zord ducked beneath the swing and swiped at the legs of the creature with its right arm, sending the creature down to the ground.
The creature scrambled backwards until it gained enough distance and lunged its tail forward several times towards the Zord.
But to the shock of the rangers, the Zord nimbly hopped from left to right to avoid the quick lunges before it launched itself high into the air, its front claws glowing bright gold.
With a roar, the Zord slashed its right claw first, destroying the oncoming scythe of the creature, and then slashed its left claw, shattering the chest of the creature, and revealing a glowing green heart attached to the ribcage of the creature.
The Zord then twisted its body as lightning formed around it's right claw and with a roar, the claw sliced through the glowing green heart of the monster, causing it to roar in agony as its glowing eyes dimmed until it was completely out.
The Zord landed on the creature's body as it disintegrated and roared victoriously.
[Location: Rita's Palace
POV: Rita Repulsa]
"No, no, no, no, no…" Rita repeated with dread as she watched Garouki's body disintegrate beneath the unknown Zord.
She was so close.
Garouki was so close in defeating the Red Ranger and the Pink Ranger was wounded by another.
Had Garouki's uncontrolled form kept up, the rest would have fallen as well.
But once again, she had failed…
And with her failure, Goldar was going to fight the rangers and he could wind up dead.
"Damn it all!" Rita yelled as she slammed her scepter to the ground and shouted in frustration.
[Location: Outside the Stadium
POV: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]
The Zord let out another roar as it turned around and dashed back in the direction it came, its body changing into gold lightning and shooting off into the distance.
It was then, the dark clouds disappeared and the sun was out.
The four rangers stared in silence for a moment before Violet and Aura Black shouted in unison, "What the hell?!"
"That was impressively quick. Even our Megazord battles don't end as fast," Blue noted with a curious tone in his voice.
Yellow nodded in agreement and started to speak when she heard Jason groan weakly. "We can talk about this later. We need to get to the Command Ce-"
"Thank god I found you!" Ashley's voice rang out, causing the rangers to turn around to face her.
"Whoa, what are you doing here Ashley?" Aura Black asked. "I thought I told you and the others to go far away from this place."
"They did but I stayed behind…I-I wanted to help in case you guys needed it. Stupid I know," Ashley muttered with an embarrassed look on her face before she caught Jason's body hanging beside Yellow.
"Oh my god! Jason!" Ashley shouted as she ran to Jason and touched his cheek. "What the hell happened?!"
"He was in battle and that creature got the upper hand," Yellow explained. "We were just about to transport to the Command Center before you ca-"
"Katherine Hillard!" A voice rang out behind the group, which caused them to turn around but when they did, Violet paled beneath her helmet.
What they saw was Katherine's parents pulling into the area in their car, with her mom's upper body sticking out of the window of the passenger seat, looking less than pleased.
"I guess I can never finish my sentences," Yellow noted dryly.
Once the pair parked their car and exited it, Katherine's parents darted right up to Violet, who took a step back in alarm at the sudden speed they exhibited as she said "I do not now know who y-"
"Knock off that act Kat," Katherine's father said before he looked at Yellow, Blue, and Aura Black. "Trini, Billy, and I'm going to assume by the color, that you are Zack. Good to see you three again."
"Oh…" Aura Black said.
"Oh?" Yellow repeated. "Good cover."
"You try being a smartass when someone just blasts your government name like that," Aura Black retorted.
"And judging from the heavily wounded Jason, he's the leader of you bunch," Katherine's mother deduced. "Regardless, we can't have him injured like this. Katherine, get him into the car. We're going to take him to Skylabs to get him healed."
"But we ca-" Violet began.
"I don't want to hear it young lady," Katherine's mom replied.
"Honey, get him into the car and once he is healed, all of us are going to have a nice long chat. That also means your missing ranger friend, Kimberly." Katherine's father said with a stern tone. "Unless…You want us to tell your parents or guardians what you all have been doing," he added, looking to Blue, Yellow and Aura Black.
"I think we're left with only one choice," Blue said.
"Yeah…We understand," Yellow answered.
"Fuck," Aura Black stated before he stammered out "I-I mean excuse me," at seeing the scowl on Katherine's mother's face.
[Location: Unknown Location
POV: Unknown]
The Unknown Zord sat down on a mountain and its orange glowing eyes dimmed to a deep orange before the top of its head popped open before fully opening up.
A figure then stood out of the cockpit, their entire figure hidden by the black cloak and hood that hung loosely on their body.
The figure smiled and said, "One last chance…I better make it count," before they pulled aside the cloak, briefly revealing their orange shirt, pulled out a notebook and held it up.
On the notebook, three names were written on it.
Kimberly Ann Hart.
Tommy Oliver.
And Rita Repulsa.
