Episode 1: Mega Mission
Completing another lap around the clear blue lake, Troy Burrows wipes the sweat from his brow. It's a lot hotter than back in Hardwood County, which has some benefits he admits to himself when he gets near the blonde girl in yellow doing yoga. He gives her a nod and smiles at her Asian friend in pink as he passes them.
She rolls her eyes at the gesture, but her friend with the camera is quick to wave back this time with a bright smile. Resisting the urge to stop and say hello to the girls, Troy takes the blonde's glare as a hint and continues his workout.
Cheers from ahead signal the home team scored again and Troy smiles to himself at the local pride on display. The smile slips when he catches sight of the goons Jason mentioned, the pair sauntering to the front of the concession line and cutting in front of a dozen kids.
The leader is overweight, with a loose ponytail hanging over his black leather jacket. His two compatriots flank him, one is a tall skinny teen with a spiked collar on his neck and the other is a girl with long frizzy blonde hair.
"Don't get involved," He exhales heavily and repeats some of his dads last words. "Not unless someone could get hurt." If he hadn't gotten suspended, he would still have his parent's disappointed faces to look forward to every morning.
Approaching the large crowd around the soccer fields, he looks over the heads of the people and catches sight of the chess tables at the far end. Most people look to be part of a regular crowd, but the teen around his age is aggressively playing two matches at once.
"That's really impressive," Troy offers easy praise to the black teen, when the second game is won only a few turns after his first. "I haven't played in a while, but you're miles ahead of me."
"Me?" The curly haired teen looks around for the subject of praise, before slowly pointing at himself in realization and grins. "Thanks. I don't think I've ever had an audience, everyone is always focused on the real athletes." He pushes his glasses up his nose with a finger and offers a hesitant grin. "You said you played, how about a game?"
"Haven't played since February," Admits Troy and he feels a cool sensation of guilt fill him at the idea of doing so now.
"Well I can go easy on you," Noah looks over at the players on the field and does some quick mental math. "I have half an hour or so, before my friend is done showing off."
"Can I be black?" Troy takes a deep breath and pushes past the painful memories. "My dad always made me be white and without him..."
…
"Who is he?" Gia Moran grumbles to her best friend Emma Kwan, once the jogger in red is out of sight.
"No idea," Emma shrugs and zooms her camera in for a perfect shot of some ducklings. "But he seemed nice. I think he's living with Jason."
"I think Billy mentioned something like that a few weeks ago." When her egg timer goes off, Gia stands and tries shaking the tension out of her limbs.
"He's always been nice when he's with Trini," Frowning at her best friend's anger, Emma offers her a hand up. "I don't get why you're always butting heads with him."
"Same reason you and Trini have been at each others throats," Smirking at her friend, Gia grabs her bag and heads towards the path.
"That's different!" She yelps out a denial and rushes to catch a power walking Gia. "Trini never liked Eugene."
"Well..." Gia hesitates briefly, before gathering her courage and finally saying it. "Wasn't she right? He changed so much, I don't even recognize him."
Suddenly the ground starts to shake violently, with birds exploding into the sky for safety. The wind swiftly becomes a frigid gale that bends the trees nearly in half. Lightning erupts across the cloudless sky, but it is blood red bolts and clearly unnatural.
"What's going on?" Emma clutches the blondes arm and pulls her out of the way of a falling tree.
"I have no idea!" Barely being heard over the shrieking wind, Gia helps Emma over the tree. "It was completely calm a few seconds ago."
"Can you hear screaming?" Frantically Emma looks around for the source.
"It's coming from all over," Gia agrees and points towards some roller bladers. "Those things are going to get them!"
The two teens are being pursued by what look like grey men doing a strange leaping shuffle, the five figures babbling incoherently the entire time.
Springing into action, Emma leads with a cartwheel kick and knocks one of the figures down. Gia is quick to back up her best friend and delivers a fierce blow of her own to the next babbling creature's chest.
Barely hearing the calls of thanks from the fleeing pair, the two begin fighting back to back in desperation. None of Gia's kicks are doing more than knock the grey creeps down, with Emma's moves being equally ineffective at doing lasting damage.
Before the girls can be overwhelmed, they vanish in a swirl of lights. Yellow and pink beams of crackling energy shoot into the sky and arc towards the mountains, joining with three other lances of light.
...
As soon as the ground started shaking, dozens of the freaky grey aliens attacked everyone present. Knowing his team can look after themselves, Jake Holling dashes across the grass and heads for his best friend.
"I'm coming buddy," He pants under his breath, forced to divert his path towards a fleeing mother. Sliding into a kick, Jake drops the creature about to grab her stroller.
"Get to the other players Mam, I'll cover you." Planting a hand in the turf, he flips himself onto one hand and begins kicking to a rhythm only he can hear.
He manages to drop all three of the nearest clay men, but groans when each one climbs back onto their feet. As the exhausted soccer player raises his arms to defend himself from a very painful looking blow, a figure in red slams into the creep.
"You're Jake right?" The brunette pants out in greeting and uppercuts his next enemy cleanly. "Let's get back to Noah."
"Good call," Agrees the raven haired athlete, taking down another creature with a sliding kick and then springing back to his feet. "Because it looks like they could really use the help!" He grabs the unknown kids forearm and starts spinning, only letting go when Troy has enough momentum to clear the creeps between them.
"Let them go!" Roars Troy as he dives for the two carrying Noah like a struggling log.
"Thanks guys," Gasps Noah as he clambers to his feet. "I thought I was a goner."
"How'd you get caught?" Asks Troy, not breaking his gaze from the foes leaping side to side. "I told you to get them out of here."
"I realized these things are attracted to noise," Noah blocks a punch aimed for his face and returns a glancing jab of his own. "So I tried leading them away, no way the seniors could have outrun them."
"Good man," Cheers Jake, as he defends Noah's exposed back from a blow. "Knew you had it in you."
"We're completely surrounded!" The more intellectual of the three realizes first. "You guys are going to have to leave me."
"Not happening," Troy and Jake say in unison. "Stay close and focus on blocking," The boys share a determined look, before moving back to back to back.
"Something's happening!" Noah calls out unnecessarily, as swirling lights surround the trio.
"We're being abducted!" Jake starts leaping to conclusions.
"Close your eyes until you stop moving," Orders Troy firmly. "Or you'll be really sick." With those being the last words any of them have time to utter, they vanish in a trio of red, blue, and black lights.
…
"I think I'm going to be sick," Groans Gia as soon as she materializes in a room filled with multi colored consoles.
"Me too," Agrees Emma with a worried gasp.
"Told you guys the aliens got us," Jake Holling opens his eyes and peers around the circular room.
"Although Zordon is not from Earth," A chirping mechanical voice responds. "I was constructed here, which I believe makes me an Earthling." A pillar of foggy blue glass is in the center of the room, as a figure reveals itself.
A bronze robot with red armor plating on his chest and hands walks forward. His limbs a blue mesh like metal that allow for flexibility and his head is shaped like a flying saucer. A single red sensor on the front of the dish marks the 'eye' of the robot.
"Whoa..." Exclaims Noah in wonder as he adjusts his glasses and peers eagerly at the machine. "A fully functioning automaton, straight out a post futuristic setting."
"What?" Troy is brave enough to admit he has no idea what that means.
"He's saying it's an old school robot," Explains Gia, interpreting the tech talk for the others. "If you think that was hard to follow, never ask Billy for help."
"Old school?" The robot wonders aloud, which has Noah rush to reassure the sad voice.
"Don't worry, retro is in." When the robot chirps happy, Noah breathes out in relief.
"As long as nobody is getting probed here," Adds Jake with a nervous darting of his eyes around the room. "I have to agree with my buddy here, you look dope."
"I think you're kind of cute," Emma agrees, finally getting over the motion sickness of her arrival.
"As relieving as it is to hear that news," The Robot titters in embarrassment. "We didn't bring you here to compliment us."
"Who's we?" Troy looks around and notices four doors evenly spaced around the chamber, but fails to see a second person.
"That would be me and my assistant Alpha Five," A booming voice comes from the glowing tube in the center of the room, a bald man's face taking shape like the Wizard of Oz. "I am Zordon an ancient defender of good and I need your help to ensure your world remains free from Master Vile and his forces."
"If you're talking about those grey guys, how do you expect us to do anything?" Demands Gia, her arms crossed in defiance. "Nothing we did even slowed them down."
"Same with us," Jake makes eye contact with the cute girl and grimaces. "It was like hitting clay."
"That would be because they are made from moon dust and the blood of the innocent, making them indeed a form of clay." Zordon agrees with a sad expression crossing his massive face.
"The Putties are one of Master Vile's many foot soldiers and not the real threat you shall face." Alpha explains in attempt to be helpful.
"What else are you talking about?" Gia is not ready to just trust everything some head in a tube says.
"Vile corrupts the hearts of all around him and brings out the very worst in them." Alpha answers promptly, shuffling over to a large crystal ball and pressing a few buttons.
"Ten thousand years ago, while I and my allies sought to protect this world." The voice of Zordon echoes through the room. "We managed to seal him away, but he found a way back and seeks to bring ruin to the Earth."
The viewing globe shimmers and the fog inside creates a crystal clear image of downtown Angel Grove. People are screaming and trying to flee what has to be over a hundred of the Putties rounding up any too slow to escape.
Leading the foot soldiers, is a nearly seven foot tall and snarling monster. Gold armor covers him and his sword flings blasts of fire that impact parked cars, causing them to explode in flaming shrapnel.
"I have chosen you five to defend this city and your very world from an evil that has extinguished entire galaxies." In the hands of each teen, a silver belt buckle with a golden coin appears. Each one has a secondary color, matching the lights they traveled as.
"No pressure or anything, right?" Jake tries to relieve the suddenly tense atmosphere.
"Noah." Zordon stares directly at the teen. "I am aware of how intelligent you really are and how you will never give up. I have chosen you to be the blue Aenocyon dirus Ranger."
"The what now?" Jake hisses at Noah.
"Dire wolf," He answers without even looking back.
"Okay that's sweet." Concedes Jake with a smile and he joins the others in examining his own coin. "What about me Mister Head in a Lava Lamp, what cool animal am I?"
"You have the enthusiasm the others will need in these coming dark days and a drive to prove yourself." With an amused smile, Zordon continues. "I have chosen you as the black Mastodon ranger."
"How closely have you been watching us exactly?" Gia frowns up at the head.
"Close enough to know you are independent and fierce, perfect as the yellow Smilodon ranger." Answers Zordon with a smirk.
"Saber-tooth Tiger," Gia grins to herself in spite of her misgivings. "Awesome."
"Emma." Zordon shares his reasons for choosing her. "You are kind and filled with compassion, but still willing to fight for the environment. I have selected you to be the pink Falco antiquus ranger."
"Um what is that?" Noah is the only one not giving Emma a confused look.
"Ice age falcon from Europe," He answers without taking his eyes off of Alpha.
"And you Troy are patient, having the ability inside you to lead this team with courage." Zordon looks at each teen in turn and something in his gaze fills the five with faith in themselves. "You are the red Gigantopithecus ranger."
"Ancient orangutan bigger than a gorilla," Noah explains before anyone can ask, which has Troy nodding his head in silent thanks.
"Hold the Power Morphers before you and declare your intent," Zordon instructs the teens. "The Power Coins will react and provide you the tools needed to save your world."
"I'm still not sure I believe any of this," Admits Gia with a hesitant frown at the viewing globe, her face draining of any color. "The Juice Bar is being attacked."
Each teen realizes someone they care about is in danger and even if the floating head is lying about anything, the bruises from the 'Putties' are real.
"We need to help those people," Troy grabs his morpher and lifts it, with the other four following his lead a half second later. "It's morphing time, Great Ape!" A pulse of red energy expands and covers his body, forming a skintight suit of protective energy.
"Mastodon!" The soccer player is second to call his animal, engaging his morpher with a swift hand motion. A black energy covering his body and leaving him with a suit of black, with white diamonds on the torso.
"Saber-tooth tiger!" Gia calls out third, her voice filled with righteous fury at the sight of people being attacked. The yellow energy leaves her in a skirt-less battle suit, with white gloves and boots.
"First Falcon!" Fourth to make her call of battle, is Emma and her voice is filled with worry. Her suit being the only one of the four with a skirt is not noticed at the moment.
"Dire Wolf!" Noah yells last and his body is covered in blue and white.
The five teens stare in silence for a moment and see how each ranger's helmet is shaped like the prehistoric animal giving them power. Finally Jake looks up at Zordon and awkwardly asks.
"So um, how are we getting back to the city?" His voice conceals the tension filling him.
"And where is here?" Gia snorts.
"Hold your morpher above your head and call out 'Command Center'." Zordon instructs the teens. "This shall allow you to return whenever you need and Alpha can send you directly to the emergency."
"We need to get back to the action," With a voice filled with unwavering determination, Troy looks at his new team. "Now that we can really help people, we can't wait here and watch."
"Well said Red Ranger," Agrees Zordon with a pleased voice. "May the power protect you." His words are ended with the earlier sensation of teleportation overtaking the rangers.
"I don't feel sick at all," Exclaims Emma's pink bolt of energy, as the five colors arc across the sky back towards the city. "It's like we're going in slow motion this time."
"Focus on getting the people away from the Putties," Commands Troy, concealing his self doubt with rage. "We need to thin out the numbers before we try and finish off the leader."
The five bolts of colored energy land in the middle of the street, with the five rangers charging straight at the horde.
"I feel so powerful, like I can take all of these freaks on by myself even." Laughs Jake as his blade blaster slashes through his foe with ease. "And they aren't getting back up anymore, which means I'm calling first blood."
"Be careful hotshot," Noah barks at his friend and shoots a barrage of lasers into the Putties surrounding Jake. "Red said to focus on the rescues, not kill shots."
"The people inside the bus!" Calls out Emma frantically as she blasts a hole into the roof of the over turned vehicle. "I'm going to get them out, cover me Yellow!" She doesn't wait for an answer and enters the flaming bus.
"We may have the power," Grunts Gia beneath her helmet, as sweat begins dripping down her brow. "But we're out numbered twenty to one."
"Than let's see what else these powers can do," Troy charges forward and reaches for the side of his belt. "Blaze-torch!" A device clips onto the back of his hand, with a tube extending directly to his chest and flames begin shooting out a dozen feet before him.
A concentrated blast of the fire, leaves the next wave of approaching Putties fast baked statues. Attaching her own gadget to her spare hand, the pink ranger shoots out pellets of condensed air in very quick succession. The rapid strikes, send the cooked clay men crumbling to dust in seconds.
"Hey Yellow," Barks an overly excited black ranger. "Check out these moves!" His own wrist mounted device sprays out a freezing mist that leaves the Putties brittle.
The asphalt is also left with a layer of ice, which allows Jake to slide through and smash the Putties in half with a single strike each. When he reaches the end of his instant ice rink, he kicks off a charging grunt and goes back to finish off the ones he missed.
"Nice Black," Gia admits and then darts forward. "But that's nothing compared to this!" She shoots out a wire grapple from her wrist and it loops around her targets, slicing through the waists of a dozen with the contracting razor wire.
"Stop showing off you two," Growls the red ranger as he clashes with the golden general. "Get the people off the street and help Blue form a perimeter!" Troy roars with effort and uses every muscle in his body to not be knocked off his feet.
"Ah Red Ranger!" Goldar snarls at his struggling foe. "It's good to see someone with fight in them. Let's see if your insides are different from the cowards who have already fallen to my blade!"
Goldar catches the red ranger's throat and lifts him into the air, before slamming him repeatedly into the cracking sidewalk. Only the pink ranger's intervention, saves Troy from being impaled on Goldar's sword.
The fire spraying from his device is fed by the oxygen blasts, and it sears Goldar's exposed body. His face is left an angry red, with one eye permanently closed and both his wings featherless.
"You will die painfully for this rangers!" Roars the evil general, before vanishing in a cloud of black smoke.
Before anyone can think to celebrate, a crescent moon staff shoots out of the sky and strikes the road. Bolts of violet lightening shoot out from it and course through the remains of the Putties that litter the street.
The grey figures melt and pool together, growing ever larger until the form towers above the buildings. Each section of the body is made of a dozen of more Putties and if you look close enough, you can see the faces contorted in pain across the grey giant.
"How the heck are we supposed to fight that thing?" Jake tries to stay on his feet when the rock monster takes a step forward.
"Rangers, it is time for you to call upon your ancient protectors." Zordon's voice echoes inside their helmets. "Summon the Pleisto-Zords and defeat the Rockstar monster."
"Alright everyone," Troy throws a hand towards the sky and calls out in defiance at this threat to the world he calls home. "We need Pleisto-Zord power now!"
Five cries of epic proportions thunder out across the land, as the prehistoric guardians awaken. The swift blue dire wolf races along the coastline and appears in moments, having traveled the great distance at an unbelievable speed.
Next a yellow saber-tooth tiger charges into the city, having descended from the mountains and stands ready above the yellow ranger. The shriek of a pink falcon announces the arrival of her best friend Emma's own Zord, having flown from the sandy desert in seconds.
A trumpet call comes from the lumbering black mastodon, teleported from the arctic and raring for action. The stampeding form of a massive red ape brings the final Zord to the battlefield.
"Let's get this Rockstar out of the city, so we can really lay into him," Troy leaps into the sky, somehow clearing the several stories needed to reach his Zord.
The others follow his action and land on top of their own massive machines of protection, with the red ranger bringing his ape forward in a tackle. He catches the bigger, but far slower rock monster in his grip and lifts him above his Zord.
"Here Emma, take a free shot." He tosses the creature outside city limits, before it can figure out how to counter attack.
"How considerate of you Troy," Emma giggles with the excitement and fires a salvo of missiles from her falcon's folded wings.
"This is a-mega-zing!" Jake pins the fallen monster beneath his black machine.
"Agreed." Noah's grin is audible over the radio. "Gia, how about we finish this thing off?"
"I go high," She responds with an excited tone. "And you go low."
As the mist from the mammoth chills the stony hide of the monster, the wolf and tiger Zords raise and extend forth their tails. Each one takes the form of a cannon and from the saber-tooth tiger, a bolt of electricity is shot forward. The blue wolf instead sends out pressurized water, that carves through Rockstar and leaves only a new landmark in it's place.
"Mega Morphing Rangers," Troy calls over the radio, completely ignorant of the cheesiness to his words. "That was a mega morphinominal win."
