Captain Blues: A New Arc is upon us.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Final Mix
Episode Eighteen: The Scorpion, the Slayer, and the Frozen Gauntlet
[Location: Angel Grove High School
POV: Billy Cranston ]
Billy was in a good mood.
It had been two weeks since the SPD Rangers returned to their time, Grace left Angel Grove with their new friends, and he and his friends could finally return to normal teenagers. Well, as normal as they could be being Power Rangers. But this time of peace wasn't without its strife.
The rangers had spent five hours every night since what Zack dubbed "the silence" to search for Tommy and David with no results, leaving them all discouraged. Outside of their ongoing search for the brothers, Jason's mother, Jamie, grounded Jason from all extracurriculars outside Ranger work thanks to his role as Zordon's newest Red Ranger, leaving the Rangers leaderless outside school and ranger work.
Soon, they were leaderless, Zack and Trini-less, and Kim-less as the two rangers, along with Trini's mother, left for Gravesfield, Connecticut to visit family and Kimberly was busy studying with Ms. Ozu to get her grades up, leaving Billy and Katherine spending more time together, which was no bad thing at all in their opinion.
Tonight, he had a plan for Katherine to finally meet his father. He figured it was the right time since he met her parents, both as a ranger and as Katherine's boyfriend, and frankly, he was excited.
"Yo, Billy!"
Billy turned around and smiled at the sight of Matt and Angela heading his way, both wearing large smiles on their faces.
"Matt! Angela! I thought you two would still be out of town for the meet!" Billy said with a friendly smile as he gave both Matt and Angela a hug, which they happily returned.
"We were but it got cancelled," Matt grumbled. "All that training, wasted."
Angela giggled at Matt's pout before she glanced at Billy. "So what happened while we were gone?" Angela asked.
"I got a girlfriend," Billy answered with a light blush.
"No way!" Matt exclaimed.
"Yes way," Katherine's voice said from behind the pair. Matt and Angela turned around to see Katherine with a friendly smile. "Katherine Hillard. Girlfriend to Angel Grove's own Billy Cranston."
"Oh my god, it is so nice to meet you!" Angela exclaimed as she and Katherine exchanged a hug while Matt turned around and lightly punched Billy in the arm.
"Billy, you sly dog. How did that happen?" Matt asked.
"Well," Billy began. "We were about to head to Ernie's if you both want a smoothie and some catch-up. It's been a crazy time while you guys were away."
[Location: Ozu Residence
POV: Kimberly Ann Hart ]
"Hart-san, you seem to be distracted. Are you alright?"
Kimberly's head snapped up from the table to glance at Ms. Ozu and gave a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry...I just..." Kimberly rubbed the side of her head.
Ms. Ozu shot her a sympathetic expression before she slowly closed the book in front of Kimberly. "Perhaps we could use a break. Would you like a bowl of ice cream?"
And so, that's how Kimberly found herself sitting beside her teacher with a bowl of strawberry ice cream in both of their hands, watching Hocus Pocus. "So, what is on your mind, Kimberly?" Ms. Ozu questioned mid-way through the movie.
Kimberly sighed and answered, "I don't even know where to start."
"The beginning is often a good place," Ms. Ozu suggested.
Kimberly frowned and toyed with the ice cream in her bowl. "Well, I'll start from the least important to major important. I've been having strange dreams about my friend, my mom has been...her usual self, my dad is MIA in the army again, and the biggest, someone I've been interested in is missing alongside his brother..."
Kimberly looked up to see Ms. Ozu frowning at her.
"That is certainly a lot to be dealing with," Ms. Ozu said. "My mother used to say that when dealing with several mountains, start with the smallest to conquer first."
"Start with the smallest..." Kimberly repeated with a mumble.
If Kimberly had to think about each of her issues, the smallest mountain would be Jason.
Her mother has always been estranged from her since her divorce from her dad. Always ditzy, always uncaring. always being...her. The only reason she didn't outright loathe her mother was because it was her being her that led her to her best friend, Billy. Her dad being married to the Air Force was something she was not going to touch with a ten-foot pool, and all of them were doing their best to look for Tommy and David.
"What if the smallest mountain is... embarrassing?" Kimberly asked.
"Then approach it at your pace," Ms. Ozu answered.
Kimberly nodded and then eyed her ice cream. "...I've had these dreams about my friend for the last two weeks..." Kimberly began.
[Location: Juice Bar
POV: Billy Cranston ]
"Holy shit, I didn't expect all of that to have gone down while we were gone," Matt said with wide eyes.
"Yeah, it's been a trip. Thank goodness it's all seemed to calm down in the last two weeks," Billy sighed.
"Yeah, if we had to have one more hectic day, I would have broken something," Katherine grumbled.
"But hell, I'm glad to see you in one piece. Who knew you guys could get into so much trouble," Matt said before he rubbed his forearm with a wince.
Billy noticed this and motioned to the forearm and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah…I don't know why but's been burning lately," Matt softly answered.
"Burning how?" Katherine asked.
Matt and Angela glanced at each other before Matt leaned in close and asked, "Remember when I was the Mythical Gigas?"
Billy paled. "How could I forget," He softly answered.
"Well, whenever that gauntlet would trigger itself, it would burn, just like this, and I don't know why," Matt explained with a frown on his face.
"Hm…It could be similar to Phantom Pains that some go through whenever they lose a limb. I mean, anytime you used that gauntlet, your physiology would change to match the hulking form that would take place," Billy theorized as he shut his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Ah, I get it," Angela said. "My Granddad suffers from that from time to time."
"I don't think you should worry about it for now but if it gets any worse, we should have Zordon take a look," Katherine told him.
"The big blue head thing right?" Matt asked.
The ranger pair nodded.
"I still can't believe you and your friends follow that thing, Billy," Angela said. "Oh, before I forget, have a party going on at my folk's place at the end of the week. You are invited, of course, along with your plus one."
"I'm really happy you were able to find someone as cool as her, Billy," Matt said with a soft smile. "I always worried that you wouldn't see anyone after...y'know..."
"I didn't think so either," Billy shyly said before he bravely took Katherine's hand. "But she's been wonderful and I can't see my life without her."
"Awww, you're a really sweet guy Billy," Angela gushed as Katherine blushed.
Billy flushed with the praise and said, "As to your invite, I'd be delighted to come."
"Ditto," Katherine said as she flashed a smile.
"Awesome. I'll let my folks know! We better get going though. Catch you guys!" Angela said before she and Matt departed, leaving Billy and Katherine alone.
"Wow, that's such a turnaround from how you described him before I got here," Katherine said with a smile.
"He's a great guy," Billy said.
"He is. Oh! We should get going by the way so we can meet your dad," Katherine said.
"Goodness gracious, I nearly forgot, let's go," Billy said.
[Location: Cranston Residence
POV: Billy Cranston ]
"Father, I am home," Billy announced as he walked into the house with his hand in Katherine's. After some silence, Billy turned to Katherine and said "How weird...He should still be here."
"Maybe he stepped out?" Katherine offered.
"Potentially," Billy replied before the two traversed inside. As they got closer to the living room, it was then the two heard voices. One male and one female. While Katherine didn't think anything of it, Billy's face paled significantly.
Once they reached the living room, Billy let out a faint sigh.
Sitting across from a middle-aged man with balding brown hair, glasses, a blue striped button-down t-shirt, and tan slacks was a middle-aged woman with her auburn hair tied into a bun glasses on her freckled face, a well-fitted black suit with a black suit dress and high heels.
The man turned and said, "Ah, welcome home son. I see you brought Katherine as well as promised."
"I did…" Billy said with a frown.
"Hello, William," the woman said with a curt nod.
"Mother…" Billy greeted with a grimace.
Katherine's eyes brightened as she said, "Ah, hello Mr. Cranston. And Mrs. Cran-"
"Ms. Monroe, thank you very much," Ms. Monroe interrupted with a small glare to Katherine, who shrunk back with a frown.
"Sonya, do you really-" Mr. Cranston began but a cold glare from Ms. Monroe stopped him in his tracks.
"What are you doing here mother?" Billy finally asked.
"I came to relieve Mr. Cranston of fatherly his duty for the rest of the year," Ms. Monroe explained.
"I…I was not aware that it was that time," Billy said with a frown.
"What time?" Katherine asked.
"Every six months, I switch between parents," Billy explained to Katherine softly. "With everything that has been going on. I completely forgot."
"Forgetfulness is another way of saying laziness. You were too lazy to remember our yearly tradition," Sonya said with stern tone, which caused Billy to recoil and look down.
"I am sorry, Mother…" Billy apologized with a bow of his head to her.
"Hey, cool it," Katherine defended as she stepped in front of Billy to defend him.
"Katherine," Billy tried to intervene.
"He forgot. It happens when you have a lot on your plate," Katherine said.
"Hm…I am displeased with your tone, Kimberly was it?" Sonya questioned.
Katherine let out a harsh breath as Mr. Cranston stood up and corrected, "It's Katherine, Sonya."
"Hm, no wonder. Kimberly has far more respect when it comes to her elders," Sonya replied as Katherine balled up her right fist.
"But we will discuss your poor taste in paramours later William. For now, you must pack because you leave at the end of the week," Sonya said before she trotted out of the house.
Once Sonya was out of earshot, Katherine turned to Billy and whispered, "That woman was horrible."
"You don't know the half of it…" Billy sighed.
But if they had been paying attention, a small golden scorpion would have been seen vanishing from their windowsill.
[Location: Abandoned Warehouse
POV: Ash Hammond ]
"How long shall I remain here?"
Ash opened her eyes to stare at the ruby-red eyes of her captive, who sat tied up with glowing gold chains.
"Until Rita makes her move," Ash responded with a wry smile. "Once she does. And I assure you, she will, I will release you long enough so you can watch her die beneath my blade."
Goldar chuckled. "I've seen Rita conquer planets. Her power surpasses yours."
"Not without the Dark Ranger Coins," Ash responded.
Goldar's eyes widened a fraction, which made Ash smirk. "Oh, did you think I didn't know about those? Well, I did. I've seen firsthand what they can do and right now, the dark ranger coin she took from the Future Swan Song is nowhere near ready to replicate. Unfortunate, isn't it?"
Goldar chuckled as well. "I remember seeing you with the Red Ranger but I can tell you are not her. Hell, you aren't even of this time. The air of time displacing magic hasn't faded from you yet."
"Congrats, you guessed I'm from the future. Big deal," Ash said. "What should be a big deal is that you can't change your fate or the woman you love. Whether by my hand or his, you two are fated to die."
"Your tone when you said "his" was filled with a greater evil that matches mine when it comes to rangers like yourself…Tell me, future one, who has enraged to the point of evil?" Goldar asked.
"I am not evil. I'm just willing to do what I need to do. What I came here to do and what I will succeed in doing and that is killing Rita before he comes to be," Ash informed with dark determination in her voice. "And if anyone tries to stop that, I will kill them."
Goldar chuckled.
"Then it seems we share a similar trait because I will kill you for standing in my way between me and what I was created to do and that is protect the woman I love," Goldar said.
"Then a toast, to your death. Mighty Goldar," Ash said as she raised the tin cup in her hand before she downed the contents of it.
[Location: Rita's Palace
POV: Scorpion Knight Lamie ]
With a flash of gold light, Lamie appeared beside Rita and announced, "I believe I found the perfect target, Empress…"
Rita chuckled and held up the newly created Monster Gauntlet. "Good…Once your target has this on, they will be stronger than Gigas was and with the amount of power we have in here, we should be able to lure out that mysterious ranger and complete our main objectives."
Lamie smiled deviously and added "And I shall complete mine and slay the Blue Ranger once again."
"All in due time. For now, let us prepare for our new helper and for David's part to play," Rita said as the two walked away from the throne room and into the deeper part of the palace Rita placed her hand on Lamie's right shoulder.
[Location: Unknown Location (Sunrise - Following Day)
POV: David Truehart]
'Need to get away!' David repeated within his mind as he looked back in a panic in the middle of the night within a dense forest. David tripped on an uprooted tree root, which sent him tumbling down a steep hill before he rolled to a stop, right into a river.
David stayed under the water for a moment before he sprang up to the surface, swam to the other side, and pulled himself free of the cold water. David stood up and looked back and, in the darkness, he saw a pair of golden irises gazing at him through the shadows before several putties ran down the hill.
David screamed and ran as fast as he could until he found himself outside of a random house just as the sun began to rise. "Help!" he screamed in a panic as he heard the footsteps behind him getting louder. David looked back briefly and then ran forward to the door and began to franticly bang on it.
The door opened moments later with an exhausted-looking Billy, who blinked in alarm at the sight of David.
"David?!" Billy exclaimed.
[Location: Angel Grove Highschool (Morning)
POV: Katherine Hillard]
"The nerve of that woman," Katherine said to Kimberly as they walked to their next class.
"Yeah, Billy's mom is kind of a jerk," Kimberly said with a wince. "She knew what she was doing comparing you to me…And I'm sorry she did that."
"Don't sweat it. I know she was trying to get under my skin. I just wish I knew what to do about Billy leaving…" Katherine sighed out. "We just started to have a relationship and now I won't see him for six months? That's ludicrous…Maybe we can convince Billy not to go?" Katherine suggested but Kimberly shook her head.
"His mom has a fucked way of forcing him to comply…The last time he tried not to leave, she banned him from talking to us for all six months he was gone," Kimberly told her.
Katherine scowled.
"Damn her," Katherine whispered with a furious tone.
"It'll be alright," Kimberly said as she placed a hand on Katherine's left shoulder. "We'll figure something out."
"Hey guys!" Jason's voice shouted out from ahead. While Katherine looked up and gave a friendly wave to Jason, Katherine noted Kimberly's apprehension at seeing their leader. "Anyone seen Billy this morning?"
"It's not like him to be late…" Kimberly said with concern.
"Kimberly, Katherine!" Angela's voice shouted from behind them. The group turned around to see a panicked Angela. "Matt is missing!"
"What?!" Katherine exclaimed while Kimberly rushed to Angela with a concerned expression on her face.
"What do you mean?" Kimberly asked.
"Well, we stayed at a hotel last night…." Angela blushed at this admission. "But last night, I caught him leaving but when I called out to him, it was like he was in a trance and his wrist was glowing red."
Katherine saw the grime looks on her friends' faces. However, before anything else could happen, a loud, monstrous voice shouted, "CRANSTON!" before a loud explosion was heard.
Angela paled.
"Uh-oh…" Jason whispered.
[Location: Abandoned Warehouse
POV: Ash Hammond]
Fists pounded against an old dirty mattress as Ash repeatedly jabbed at it as fast as possible. She swayed to the left as if she had avoided an attack and twisted her body to deliver a hard punch to the face before she took a step back with her left leg in the air and delivered three quick kicks then with a leaping twist, she delivered another kick to the mattress.
"This just in! Two monsters are attacking Angel Grove. One attacked a residence and the other attacked Angel Grove High. The Blue Ranger is fighting a monster alone while the other Power Rangers are protecting the school. Citizens, please evacuate to the Crisis Center!"
Ash panted slightly and walked over to her cloak, threw it over her body, and placed the hood over her head.
"A diversion tactic. Attack two areas to separate. Impressive," Goldar said.
Ash turned her head to the bound and weak knight and said "Unfortunately, it won't work. Now sit tight. I have a ranger to save."
Goldar chuckled and bowed his head in a salute as he said, "To your eventual death."
"Not likely," Ash responded as she smirked, and with a raised hand, radiant orange and white light began to expand from her body.
But without warning, the large iron doors to the warehouse opened and dozens of Putties spilled in. The energy around Ash lessened as she acknowledged the Putties. "Seems we were found…" Ash muttered.
The putties moved to the side to reveal a 6'5ft monster that wore ice-white armor that faded down to grey with three orange circles on his chest and abs, black foot bottoms with icy permanent attachments resembling bottoms of cowboy boots with spurs, yellow fading to orange poncho-like tendrils around his neck and a tail-like appendage acting as a waist cape, and on his thighs are two gold safes
It also wore an ice-like sombrero that put a shade on its Cthulhu-like ebony-colored mask. "Hello Little Lady," the monster said, its voice reminding Ash of a cowboy as he tilted his sombrero in her direction. "My name is Zamigo Delma and you have a friend of mine. I've come to retrieve him."
"Interesting," Ash noted as a slow empty smirk appeared on her face as she said, "It's Morphin Time: Dawnbreaker." With a flash of radiant orange light, Dawnbreaker stood in Ash's place. The ranger turned her attention fully to Zamigo Delma and nodded her head. "Then, kill me and save him," she challenged.
"Yes Ma'am," Zamigo Delma responded before he motioned for the Putties to attack.
[Location: Cranston Residence
POV: Billy Cranston]
An exhausted Billy had just finished getting dressed and was in the kitchen eating before he heard a rapid knocking on his backdoor. "Help!" A familiar voice cried out. Billy walked to the door sluggishly before he opened it, only to blink in shock.
"David?!" Billy exclaimed in shock as David pushed past Billy and stumbled into his house and began to drag himself backward in terror. Billy then heard footsteps and when he turned around, he saw a load of Putties in the distance.
"Stay here and do not move," Billy warned the frantic-looking David before he pulled out his morpher and ran towards the putties, and shouted, "It's Morphin' Time: Triceratops!"
With a quick flash of radiant blue light, Blue continued to run before he leaped up and delivered a dropkick to a pair of Putties, which caused their bodies to fly backward into their companions. Blue landed on his shoulders then flipped to his feet and blocked the right hook of a Putty then pushed it away only to grab its head and ram it down to his right knee.
The Putty's head crumbled upon impact of his knee and Blue immediately pulled out his blade blaster and blasted three Putties in the chest before he ducked/swayed to the right to avoid a roundhouse kick from a Putty, only for him to rise, grasp the leg and swing his opponent into the remaining Putties.
After he holstered his blaster, Blue held his arms out with shards of radiant blue light, his Power Lance appeared in his hand and then instantly leaped into a group of Putties while he simultaneously swung the lance, striking the remaining ten Putties in the chest, causing them all to crumble from the impact.
"Very good…" A voice echoed out around him. Blue turned his head slowly as the voice said "But you aren't out of the woods yet, my prey…"
Blue saw a flash of gold ahead of him, which caused him to roll to the left where a beam of gold energy crashed into the tree behind him, which tilted backward and fell to the ground, the tree and its branches/leaves, barely avoiding his house.
"Whew," Blue said as he spared a glance behind him before he looked ahead to see an attractive Asian woman in the distance, a golden armor gleaming from the rising sun. Blue stood up and dismissed his Power Lance with a flourish of light. "Who are you?" he questioned.
The woman smiled. "I am Scorpina…The Blue Ranger Slayer," Scorpina said as she crossed her arms.
Blue was instantly on guard. "Interesting," he noted with narrowed eyes. "You chased David here. No doubt to gain my attention. Well, congratulations because you have it."
Scorpina let out a laugh and replied "I came to analyze you. You moved quickly and did not hesitate to slay those Putties. You seem skilled as well, much better than your predecessor at least."
Blue frowned.
"You have yet to attack…Is that because you are waiting for an opening or because you are trying to distract me?" Blue asked her.
"Diversions are not necessary," Scorpina said with a smile. "No…That is what she is for…"
From behind her, a shard of ice flew past her left shoulder and slammed into his chest, which caused blue sparks to fly from his chest as he was sent backward from the attack.
Scorpina smiled as a 7ft tall humanoid woman with pale white skin, frosted blue eyes, long luxurious ice blue hair, a navy blue dress with a high collar that had a metal corset fixed above it, and metal spiked heels walked from behind her.
"Lady Frost. Please take care of him and capture the runaway," Scorpina ordered softly.
"Understood," Lady Frost replied as she summoned a long rapier and a short dagger, both made of ice, into her right hand and left hand respectfully. Scorpina smiled and turned away before she vanished in a glittering gold light.
Blue rose to his feet, his chest smoking as he faced down the monster, he found himself strangely reminded of his mother and it shook him to his core. "Blue Ranger. You will surrender yourself and the prisoner to me immediately," she said and Blue flinched.
She sounded like her as well.
He shook off this fear and said, "Unfortunately, I will have to deny your request."
"Then you will die," She responded before she lunged forward.
[Location – Abandoned Warehouse
POV: Mighty Morphin Dawnbreaker]
With a leap into the air, Dawnbreaker cleaved through the bodies of two putties before she turned and sliced off the heads of two more. She then twisted her body and delivered a kick to the head of a putty that tried to sneak up on her then rammed her blade, the Edge of Dawn, into its chest before ripping it up its body.
Dawnbreaker twirled her sword as the last putty fell and eyed Zamigo Delma. "Thirty putties…Gone," Dawnbreaker lifted her blade at Zamigo Delma and said "Come."
Zamigo Delma chuckled and formed an ice flintlock pistol and fired an amber-colored ice pellet towards Dawnbreaker who sliced through it with her sword before she dashed forward and attempted to slice at him but when Edge of Dawn met his body, the part struck changed into green liquid, which caused her sword to slip right through him.
Zamigo Delma attempted to fire a direct shot at her head but Dawnbreaker leaned back to avoid the pellet of ice and delivered a headbutt but like before, he made his head liquid to negate the attack.
Dawnbreaker jumped back and tilted her head thoughtfully before she said "Interesting."
Zamigo Delma chuckled and charged forward and swung his right arm, followed by his left arm, to hit her but Dawnbreaker ducked the first swing then kicked away the second swing and sliced up his back but once again, the attack took no effect.
Zamigo Delma took a step forward and aimed a kick at her stomach but she kicked his foot down, leaped into the air, and delivered a roundhouse kick to the back of his, but once again, no damage.
Dawnbreaker landed with a twirl as Zamigo Delma turned to look at her and summoned two ice flintlock pistols and fired at her. Dawnbreaker deflected each shot with Edge of Dawn before she jumped up onto a high level to gain some distance.
"Blunt force and slashing doesn't work…Alright. I know how to defeat you now." She pulled out her blade blaster and the moment Zamigo Delma flew up, she shot him in the chest, which caused sparks to fly from his body as he flew back down a level.
"Called it. Edge of Dawn: Sniper mode," Dawnbreaker calmly said as she placed her Blade Blaster in between the chasm of her blade then slid the blaster down to the hilt of her sword, which made the blade close around it, which caused a thin glowing orange beam of energy to appear in the closed blade.
She then bent the hilt of her sword to connect with the handle of the Blade Blaster. Dawnbreaker then vaulted over the railing and landed back on the main floor of the warehouse and blocked a kick aimed at her head by Zamigo Delma, pressed the edge of her weapon at his chest and pulled the trigger, which pierced through his stomach as sparks flew.
Zamigo Delma staggered back and began to fire multiple pellets of ice at her but Dawnbreaker fell onto her right shoulder and fired two more shots, that pierced his chest, causing sparks to fly. She then lifted her weapon and said, "You were no challenge…Adios…" and pulled the trigger. A beam of orange energy shot from her weapon and pierced through his skull, which made his head tilt back. Zamigo Delma staggered back as a trail of sparks spurted from the front and back of his head before he exploded. Dawnbreaker rose to her feet separated her Blade Blaster from Edge of Dawn and holstered it. She then turned around and said to Goldar, "Easy…If that's all Rita has then I'm going to slaughter her."
It was then she heard clapping from above her. Dawnbreaker turned around and saw a woman with gold armor above her.
She had never seen this person before.
"It can't be…" Goldar whispered in disbelief.
"You did well against Zamigo Delma…" The armored woman said with a grin. "Bet you can't do that against me."
The woman then looked at Goldar and greeted, "Master Goldar…This is what happens when I leave you for 10,000 years? Did you get held hostage by a ranger? For shame…"
"Lamie…But how?" Goldar whispered.
"Time travel," Lamie answered with a grin. "But that can wait for I have a ranger to kill."
"Hm…" Dawnbreaker hummed out. "Alright…Let's see if you can fight as good as you look."
"Flattery will get you nowhere with me," Lamie said. "But thanks!" Lamie leaped down from the second level as a golden sword appeared in her right arm.
[Location: Cranston Residence
POV: Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger]
Blue rolled against the ground and then bounced up to his feet only to sway side to side to avoid the icy blades of Lady Frost before he leaped up and delivered a dropkick to her chest. Lady Frost flew backward in the air and then landed on her back, only for her body to be encased in ice and explode, which caused the shards to slice against Blue's body, causing him to fly backward as sparks flew.
As Lady Frost quickly reformed into her humanoid self, Blue slammed into the ground then rolled backward onto one knee, withdrew his blaster, and fired at her repeatedly. Lady Frost summoned a block of ice, which blocked the beams of lasers before she forced it to fly towards him at top speed.
Blue rolled to the left to avoid the slab of ice before he was struck twice in the chest by Lady Frost's strikes from her rapier then her dagger. Blue flew backward as sparks flew, crashed through a tree branch, and then fell into the backyard of his neighbors.
"It seems Zordon lacks standards when he chooses his rangers," Lady Frost told him as she walked through the gate. "What an abysmal performance Blue Ranger. It seems even now, you disappoint me…"
Blue flinched at her words.
"How disappointing…These grades are abysmal William…" He heard his mother say in his head, which caused his chest to tighten.
"Sonya, he scored all several A's and only three B's… These are wonderful grades," His father had argued.
"But he had A+'s in his last report card," his mother had countered coldly.
"William, I understand that you have companions now, but I expect you to be consistent when it comes to your grades. You got A+'s on your last report card before you met these people, so I expect A+'s on every future report card now that you have people in your life William. I will not accept anything less than that," his mother calmly told him. "Otherwise, I will have no choice but to withdraw you from this school and send you away from your…distractions…Am I understood?"
"Okay, mother…" Billy had replied before his mind put him back into the present.
Blue pushed himself on his feet and narrowed his eyes.
Why did she sound so much like her? Even the cadence of this monster's voice matched his mother's...
Wait…The last time this occurred, it was with Matt….
Blue's eyes widened in horror as he looked up at the monster. It could not be. This monster he was facing could not be…But that would make sense. Each time she spoke, she spoke as if she knew who he was. and asked, "Tell me, you know you are fighting against me, the Blue Ranger…But do you know who I am?"
The ice wielder looked at him and responded with, "Of course I do…Why do you think I'm fighting you, William?"
[Location – Angel Grove High *Morning*
POV: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]
"Cranston!" The Might Gigas roared as the three rangers, plus Angela, looked on in horror as he rampaged through the school.
"That's not good…" Jason whispered.
"Was he that bad of an opponent?" Katherine asked.
"Yes," Kimberly and Jason simultaneously replied, but it was Jason who followed up with, "Not only is he tough, but he is also durable as hell and with him being human, we're unable to go all out on him."
"The only reason we won last time is due to Angela managing to snap him out of it…" Kimberly followed up.
"Think we can do that again?" Katherine asked as she looked at Angela.
"I'm not sure," Angela answered fearfully. "But we need to help him as best as we can…I can't lose Matt again to this monster…One time was more than enough…"
"Alright, here is the plan," Jason said. "We need to get him away from the school. I will lure him as far as I can from here. Katherine, you will need to grab us a getaway cause this is not going to be fun… Kimberly, you protect Angela because she is going to be the way we get through to him. Once we find a way to lead him away, you follow after us."
"Right," The two rangers said but Kimberly turned to Angela and said, "Come on, let us get out of here."
Angela nodded and the two quickly ran.
Making sure the close was clear, the two rangers quickly ran into an empty classroom, and with a nod, Jason pulled out his morpher and said, "It's Morphin Time!"
[Morphing Grid:
Jason Lee Scott]
(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 soared down 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 his feet and leaped up into the air from the earth.
With a forward front flip, 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 as his zord, the Tyrannosaurus, appeared behind him with a red outline and roaring in victory as Jason shouted, "Tyrannosaurus!"
[Morphing Grid:
Katherine Hillard]
(Theme of Morphing - Fairy from The King of Fighters '96)
Katherine found herself floating in a black void as a violet aura flowed around her body. The Aura began to swirl around her body slowly at first until it began to pick up speed until she was in a glowing orb.
Katherine curled herself into a ball, causing the orb to shrink slightly before she unfurled herself quickly, causing the orb to explode in brilliant light, revealing Katherine in her ranger suit, without her helmet and armor.
A silver orb with her power coin floated in front of her and without any hesitation, Katherine grabbed the orb and crushed it within her hand, causing silver and white streaks of lightning to slam against her body, forming the silver vest-like armor as well as the silver trim on her boots and gloves and finally, a violet and silver of lightning slammed into her head and once it faded, her helmet was on her head.
Violet landed on a pillar in the middle of the ocean, rose to her feet, and shouted "Rahonavis!" Violet swung her left arm into the air and snapped her fingers, causing an explosion of water behind her, revealing the Rahonavis zord to screech in victory.
[Location: Angel Grove High *Morning*
POV: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]
The two rangers quickly ran out of the classroom as the sounds of Gigas raged on down the halls. "Violet, get on it," Red ordered.
Violet nodded and quickly ran off as Red ran the opposite way and turned the corner, only for Gigas to explode from the wall ahead of them. "Gigas!" Red shouted. The monster turned around to face them, steam escaping his mouth with each breath, his skin burning red.
"Where is Cranston!" Gigas roared.
"You want him, you gotta follow me," Red instructed.
Gigas roared and charged towards them, which caused Red to quickly run out the exit doors. As soon as he exited, Violet pulled up in her car. "Come on!" Violet yelled. Red ran to her car and leaped into it just as Gigas exploded outside.
"Come catch us, big boy!" Red yelled as Violet drove off.
Gigas roared and charged after them.
[Location: Angel Grove Highschool
POV: Kimberly Ann Hart]
Kimberly watched as Gigas ran off after her friends and motioned for Angela to follow her as they walked to the parking lot to get to her car. "This is absolutely crazy," Kimberly said with a sigh. "I can't believe this happened to Matt twice…"
"Neither can I…It's …Hard to watch," Angela said with a sigh.
"Don't worry, we'll free him. We did before after all," Kimberly told her.
Angela nodded as Kimberly looked ahead but then she noticed something that made her heart stop.
Leaning against her car was…
Her…
She looked a few years older; her hair was shorter and fell over her right eye and she had a black cloak around her lower body, but she knew it was her. Kimberly could feel her power coin pulsate in her Morpher as she took a step back.
Kimberly did not know why but she felt dread fill her heart as this Kimberly turned to look at her.
"I-Is that your sister?" Angela asked.
"Angela…I need you to get out of here," Kimberly said.
"What about Matt?" Angela said. "He's that monster again, remember?"
"I know…But you need to go…This isn't right…" Kimberly told her. She quickly pulled off her communicator and handed it to Angela and said "Press the button on the side and that can get you to talk to the others. Find out where they are going and then get there…"
"Kim…" Angela said.
"Go now!" Kimberly shouted, unable to keep the panic out of her voice.
Angela jumped and nodded before she ran off. The other Kimberly began to approach her as Kimberly stood rooted to her spot, fear filling her veins as the older, taller woman approached. Finally, the other Kimberly stood before her.
Kimberly could see bitterness, sadness, regret, and anger swirling in her deep brown eyes and for a moment, she felt sad…
But that immediately changed as that feeling of dread doubled with those eyes became emotionless. "Wow…Who let you go outside with that haircut?" Kimberly quipped, trying to keep her nerves under control.
The older Kimberly smirked and said, "Making jokes in front of certain death…it seems some things never change…"
"How is this possible?" Kimberly asked. "I mean, it's obvious you're from an alternate universe because there is no way I would dress the way you do…But what are you doing here?"
"I hitched a ride from those other rangers," she said.
"The SPD Rangers?" Kimberly asked.
"Not them…The other rangers," The other Kimberly said. "But I do not have a lot of time so let's make this easy," The other Kimberly said before suddenly delivering a hard kick to Kimberly's chest, which sent her off her feet and back into the air where she fell in between two cars.
"Fuck that hurt," Kimberly wheezed out before she rolled backward to avoid the foot of her alternate self. Kimberly got onto her feet and blocked two jabs before she stepped forward to give her own punch, but the other Kimberly grabbed her fist and threw her over her shoulder and into the air.
Kimberly managed to recover and landed on the ground with a stumble.
"I'm here to eliminate you and take your place to make sure everything goes smoothly for Lord Drakkon's birth," the other Kimberly said. "And for me to do that…You will need to die."
"Fat chance in hell!" Kimberly shouted as she took out her morpher. It was risky but the danger had been increased tenfold. "It's Morphin Time!"
With a flash of electricity, Pink stood in Kimberly's place, pink electricity streaking across her body. "Come on!" Pink shouted as she readied herself for combat.
The other Kimberly smirked and pulled out her own Morpher and said "I was hoping you would do this…" The other Kimberly held up her Morpher. "I needed the stress release…It's Morphin time…"
[Morphin Grid:
Kimberly Ann Hart]
(Theme of Morphing – Full Powered Kamehameha from DBS: Broly)
With her body from the neck down covered in a pink aura, Kimberly stood in a white void as streaks of black and pink electricity flickered around her in a circle. Without warning, a large black pillar of energy exploded around her as she lowered her head.
Through the pillar, glowing pink eyes appeared before they took the shape of a visor and with an explosion of energy shards, a ranger stood in a black ranger suit and helmet.
From the ground, her weapon, the Bow of Darkness, floated from the ground before her. She grabbed the bow with her left arm, which pink energy to flow up her left arm, her chest, her thighs, and her left shoulder, and caused a glowing cape to form around her and finally, her helmet.
With an explosion of pink energy shards, Ranger Slayer had the familiar three diamonds on her torso, a white armored archery sleeve guard with a pink trim, an armored black shoulder guard with pink trim, pink thigh armor, a flowing black cape, and pink trim on her armor to represent a pterodactyl.
[Location: Angel Grove Highschool
POV: Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger]
Pink's eyes widened in terror as this new ranger stood before her. "I am Lord Drakkon's personal assassin…" The ranger announced as she pointed the knife edge of her Bow of Darkness at Pink. "…I am, Ranger Slayer."
Pink took a sharp breath as she withdrew her Blade Blaster, her eyes locked on her alternate self, her body tense and ready to strike.
"And you…Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger…Are my prey…" Ranger Slayer said as she charged towards Pink.
[Location: Cranston Residence
POV: Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger Vs Lady Frost]
Blue stood in disbelief.
"You know who I am?" Blue asked. "And yet you still fight me?"
"It is easier than I expected, William," Lady Frost answered. "I thought I would feel some sort of regret. Instead, I feel satisfaction."
"But why?" Blue breathed.
Lady Frost tilted her head. "It's complicated," she answered then charged forward.
Blue retreated as he avoided the quick lunges of Lady Frost's rapier while also blocking the slash of her ice knife with his Blade Blaster.
He stopped his retreat and slashed his Blade Blaster down at an angle, but she blocked it with her rapier and sliced up his chest with her knife, which caused blue sparks to fly from his body.
He stumbled back and held his chest, which now had a large gash that revealed the intricate circuitry beneath this suit. "Complicated…." Blue whispered. "There's nothing complicated about willingly fighting your son!"
Lady Frost remained silent, a faint mist of ice shimmering around her form. "Every time we meet, it's a fight," Lady Frost finally said. "It was a fight since the moment I held you in my arms."
Blue winced.
"It was a fight when I realized your potential. It was a fight when you actively tried to go against my plans to nurture it," she continued. "All I want is for you to realize your brilliance."
"I know my brilliance, Mother," Blue told her. "I've always known it. Father knew it as well. But instead of trying to throw me into the deep end, he eased me into it. He treats me like a person, and not like the machine you wish that I was."
Blue summoned his Power Lance then split it in half. "I am a human and I have emotions," he continued. "I have friends and a beautiful girlfriend. I am in the position to help people with more than just my mind."
"All of which is a distraction," Lady Frost told him. "You were born for one reason, and one reason alone. And that is not to be a Power Ranger. You are to be a scientist that will lead the world into the future. And I will make you fulfill your obligations."
Blue growled.
"You are an investment to the future," Lady Frost told him. "Nothing more, nothing less. So do not falter, William. I am willing to do anything and everything to ensure you do what you were born to do. Even if it means breaking your will."
[Location: Angel Grove Highschool
POV: General]
With an explosion, Pink's body crashed through the side of the school, where she then skidded against the hallway floor. She flipped to her feet and used her blade blaster to block Ranger Slayer's Bow of Darkness.
Pink pushed the bow away then stumbled back to avoid a roundhouse kick. Ranger Slayer quickly notched her Bow of Darkness and fired three black and pink energy arrows, which struck Pink in the chest and sent her back into the air.
Pink landed on her back as smoke rose from her chest. She leaned back and then flipped to her feet, only to roll into the empty cafeteria to avoid Ranger Slayer's energy arrows. "You can run, Pink Ranger," Ranger Slayer announced. "But you can only run for so long."
Inside the cafeteria, Pink held her chest as she closed her eyes. "All that you have to do is surrender," Ranger Slayer continued as Pink holstered her Blade Blaster and summoned her Power Bow. "If you do, I can save more lives."
Pink stood up and fired an energy arrow at Ranger Slayer, who swiped her Bow of Darkness up and sliced the arrow in half, which caused the arrow to fade away into particles. Ranger Slayer immediately returned fire, which prompted Pink to run to the left to avoid the energy arrows.
Ranger Slayer immediately jumped into the air and kicked Pink in the head, which sent the ranger through the cafeteria glass walls. Pink rolled against the ground and moved to her feet, only to sway left and right to avoid Ranger Slayer's quick jabs, but was unable to avoid the knee strike to her chest.
Pink staggered back and blocked Ranger Slayer's right hook, her knee strike, then her left jab, only to duck and attempt a leg sweep. Ranger Slayer hopped over the leg sweep while she also landed a knee strike on Pink's helmet, which caused Pink to skid against the floor.
Pink's back hit the wall of lockers, which made the lockers directly behind her bend from the force of the impact. Pink scrambled to her feet and rolled to the right to avoid Ranger Slayer's energy arrows while she also fired her Power Bow.
Ranger Slayer stopped firing and spun the Bow of Darkness in front of her and absorbed Pink's energy arrows, which caused her bow to crackle with pink energy. With her bow still spinning, Ranger Slayer twisted her body and launched a wave of black and pink energy from the blade on her bow toward Pink.
"Shit!" Pink screamed as she did the splits to avoid the wave energy, which sliced through the wall of lockers. Pink aimed her bow and fired another energy arrow, but Ranger Slayer sliced through the arrow again pulled out her Blade Blaster, and fired several shots.
Pink leaned forward and pressed her chest to the ground to avoid the beams and fired her Power Bow again, which nailed Ranger Slayer in her left knee. Ranger Slayer fell to one knee and fired another arrow, but Pink rolled to the right to avoid the arrow, pushed herself to her feet, and fired an energy arrow at the Slayer as she ran down the hall.
Ranger Slayer cleaved through the arrow as she stood up and chased after the ranger.
[Location: Abandoned Warehouse
POV: Mighty Morphin Dawnbreaker Vs Loyal Knight Lamie]
Weapons clashed as Dawnbreaker and Lamie entered second gear in their intense duel. Each strike that was poised to kill or disable their opponent was blocked, and every strike that did pass managed to cause orange or red sparks to fly from the ranger and villainess.
Their weapons clashed with accompanied sparks as the gold headpiece of Lamie's scraped against the helmet of Dawnbreaker. "Oh, you are good," Lamie noted. "I'll have to change myself from the "Blue Ranger Killer" to the "Orange Ranger Killer" with how skilled you are."
"I do aim to please," Dawnbreaker replied. She then broke the clash and lunged Edge of Dawn at Lamie's head. Lamie smacked her blade against the side of Edge of Dawn to avoid the strike and fired an orange beam from the stinger on her helmet.
Dawnbreaker ducked the orange energy beam and tackled her off her feet and through the warehouse wall, which sent the pair outside on the outskirts of Angel Grove.
The two rolled to their feet and slashed at each other's chests with their respective weapons, which caused orange sparks to fly from Dawnbreaker and red sparks to fly from Lamie. The two staggered back, smoke rising from their body.
Gold electricity crackled in Lamie's hand as she lunged it forward to strike Dawnbreaker with a bolt of lightning. Dawnbreaker rolled to the left as she changed Edge of Dawn into its Sniper Mode, landed on one knee, and took the shot.
Lamie swung her blade and absorbed the energy bullet, which caused her weapon to glow a bright gold, then swung her blade, which sent an arc of gold energy at Dawnbreaker. Dawnbreaker separated Edge of Dawn from her Blade Blaster and used both weapons to block the energy arc, which caused her to skid back from the impact.
Dawnbreaker rose to her feet and moved left and right to avoid the quick slashes of Lamie, who retaliated with a lunge of her Blade Blaster. Lamie grabbed the blade of the Blade Blaster with her left armored hand and then used her blade to block Edge of Dawn.
Another stalemate.
Their eyes locked as they breathed heavily and strangely, in unison as the world became still. "Yes," Lamie whispered. "You are a bigger challenge to me than the Blue Ranger. I'll gladly become your killer…. and once I'm done, I'll take your helmet as my glorious trophy."
"My very own killer," Dawnbreaker quipped. "How darkly romantic."
Lamie smirked and told her, "As a sign of goodwill, my future trophy, I will let you go to help your fellow rangers, especially former prey. I've already gotten what I came here for."
"Oh, did you?" Dawnbreaker asked.
Lamie grinned and motioned to the warehouse. Dawnbreaker looked and to her surprise, Zamigo Delma was alive, and he had Goldar in his grasp.
"He lived," Dawnbreaker whispered.
"You thought it would be that easy?" Lamie questioned.
"For a second there?" Dawnbreaker asked. "Yeah, I really did."
"Lucky for you, Dawnbreaker, this is a draw," Lamie said as she kissed the cheek of Dawnbreaker's helmet. "Until we fight again."
Dawnbreaker blinked in surprise as Lamie, Goldar, and Zamigo Delma flickered out of existence in a flash of ruby light.
All that work to capture Goldar was gone, and all Dawnbreaker had to show for it was a hole in her base and golden lipstick on her helmet.
[Location: Angel Grove Highschool
POV: Ozu Houka]
She could hear the combat from the other side of the school.
Houka knew that the Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger was in grave danger. And she knew that eventually, she would die by Ranger Slayer's hand if no one interfered in the battle.
She had hoped that she didn't have to interfere.
She only had enough magic in her MagiPhone to go into battle ten times. But she couldn't allow the Pink Ranger to fall.
'Urara….' Houka whispered. 'Looks like my reveal will be a little bit early….'
She made sure the coast was clear, pulled out her MagiPhone, and said, "Pink Ranger. Hang on, help is on the way."
She flipped open her MagiPhone and tapped "106" as she said, "Heavenly Saint, grant me the power of magic…."
"Mahou Henshin…. Maagi Magi Magiiro…." Houka solemnly finished as a pink rune circle traveled up Houka's body, which left her as a bright pink silhouette.
With a burst of energy, a new figure stood in Houka's place.
The figure wore a pink suit with a pink skirt attached, a white neck, and white leggings.
There was a gilded black "M" on the torso of the suit, which went all the way down to the end of her pink skirt. Her belt was gold and had a large golden "M" as the belt buckle, and her pink gloves and boots had a gilded black band on the edges. She had a small pink cape with a silver inside attached to her suit, and her pink helmet had a gilded butterfly-shaped visor.
"Momoiro no Mahōtsukai," The ranger stated as she closed her glowing pink eyes beneath her visor.
It had been so long since she stood in her ranger suit.
Despite the endless battles, and being trapped within the suit in the time vortex Urara forced her into with her last act of selflessness from Lord Zedd, she had missed it.
"MagiPink…." She finished.
It was time to help save a fellow Pink Ranger.