by Ervin V. Griffin, Jr.
Meanwhile, the female rangers along with Cole discuss what to do when they get there and what they are up against.
“Okay, this is what we know. A few years ago, Trakena and her father Scorpious tried to invade the floating ship-planet known as Terra Venture. The Galaxy Rangers managed to stop their plans. Later, Trakena survived her encounter with Leo, The Red Ranger and come to earth but she was thwarted again by both the Galaxy Rangers and Lightspeed Rescue Rangers,” explained Kat as she let Dana Grayson take the floor.
“We thought Trakena was destroyed after we teamed with the Galaxy Rangers but somehow, as we now know, she managed to survive. According to Cole, she has resurrected Psycho Pink and managed to create a clone of Scorpina, the former henchman of Rita Repulsa and Lord Zed. What Trakena is planning to do is release mutated spores from space and release them into the atmosphere. If that happens, then everyone on earth will become insect-like beings, submissive to Trakena and her allies,” explained Dana.
“That’s why we have assembled you, the female Power Rangers. Tommy knew this mission could be dangerous. In the event of capture or death, he gave all of us information to find you all and to assemble you if we failed,” said Cole, who now is taking the floor.
“Hopefully, our friends are still alive and we can help them stop Trakena. But, our mission is clear, we must stop her from mutating the earth at all costs,” said Cole who sounded as serious as he ever has. Not even fighting Master Org did he ever sound so in control. This change was not lost on Alyssa who looked on, admiring what Cole was becoming.
“Well, that’s the story. Rest and relax while you can ladies because this will be a bumpy ride,” said Kat as the meeting adjourned.
As the meeting broke up, Taylor and Alyssa caught up with the ladies of Turbo, Zeo and Mighty Morphin’. The Time Force ladies caught up with them as well.
“Hey guys. There has been something we’ve been dying to ask you?” said Alyssa.
“Well, what is it?” asked Cassie.
“You’re powers were originally destroyed. How did you regain them?” inquired Taylor.
“I’ve been wondering that one myself,” added Katie.
“It’s a long story guys but we have a few minutes to kill,” said Ashley.
“It started a long time ago in Angel Grove, CA. The birthplace of the Power Rangers,” said Kimberly as she takes a trip backwards.
Kimberly explains that the original power coins were destroyed by Lord Zed and Rita Repulsa. Over time, the Rangers changed memberships and powers as they discovered other power sources. The last link to Angel Grove was the Space Rangers led by Andros. During the final fight known as “Countdown To Destruction”, Andros found Zordon captive. Knowing that the Rangers had no chance against defeating Astromina and her band of evil hordes, Zordon forced Andros to destroy his energy tube and sacrificing his own life energy to save all that is good and destroying all that is evil. Over the past few years, Tommy and others have found that the energy from that tube not only destroyed all that was evil but also restored what was good that was once thought to be lost. With the help of a few others, Tommy found the lost power coins used by the original Power Rangers, the Zeo morphers used by the Zeo rangers and the turbo morphers used by the Turbo Rangers. Somehow, Zordon’s energy restored them.
“And I was among the group that found them. That’s how I got my old morpher back and how the others got theirs too,” finished Kimberly.
“Wow,” said Alyssa, who was captivated by the story. At this point, Karone walks in on the conversation.
“But wait, Cassie, you were the Pink Space Ranger. How did Karone become that?” asked Jen.
“Well, I think I better let Karone explain that one,” said Cassie.
Karone now explains that at one time, she was Astromina and would’ve did anything to destroy the Rangers and all that was good. But, the love of her brother Andros would win out as he saved her from the evil that gripped her soul. Later, wanting to make up for all the evil she had done, she voluntarily took up her Astromina identity again in order to find the Quasar saber of the Pink Galaxy Ranger in order to keep it out of Trakena’s hands. In doing so, the spirit of Kendrix (who was thought to have perished) gave her blessing for her to become the new Pink Galaxy Ranger for a time. Later, when Kendrix was restored to life, Karone returned her saber to her. Later still, when Cassie regained her power as the Pink Turbo Ranger, Karone took up Cassie’s old identity as the Pink Space Ranger, joining her brother Andros and her one time love Zhane on their journey’s.
“Amazing!” said Katie.
“I guess redemption is possible,” said Taylor in her natural pessimistic manner.
“Hey, if anyone knows anything about redemption, its me,” said Jen referring to her own struggles as well as the reformation of one time enemy Ransik. Taylor reluctantly nodded.
“Hey, I can understand Taylor’s point though but you need not worry, my own sins are enough motivation for me to do what I am doing, not to mention my boyfriend,” said Karone.
“Leo I presume,” asked Ashley.
“Yeah, he and I got together after we got the Terra Venture residents to Mirinoe,” said Karone.
“Married?” asked Jen.
“Not yet….” Started Karone but then the reality set in as a frown came over her face.
“Karone, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked…”started Jen but Karone stopped her.
“There is nothing to be apologetic about Jen,” said Karone.
“You are wrong there Karone, if anyone knows about the pain you must be feeling, its me,” said Jen. Making reference of her once fiancé Alex Collins being struck down and thought for dead at the hands of Ransik.
“But you found Wes?” asked Karone.
“Yes, I did. But if I stood here and told you that I wasn’t afraid, I’d be a bold faced liar,” admitted Jen.
“I think we all are afraid Jen. But that’s what makes us different. We are afraid but we still have the courage to do what’s needed,” said Tanya.
“I have to ask you Tanya. Why did you come on this mission? You just got married. You have a husband that loves you. Why risk that,” asked Jen, wondering if that was her in that situation, would she have the courage to do the same? After a few moments of thought, Tanya answered Jen.
“Yes, I wanted to stay with my husband. I didn’t want to leave him. Adam and I have been through a lot together. He, along with Kat, was my first friend when I returned to the U.S. from Africa. Over time, that friendship grew into something special. I didn’t want to leave him but if you guys were to take this mission and failed while I stayed behind, I could never forgive myself because I would always think ‘what could I have done?’ ‘Could I have helped?’ So, it was so tempting not to come but I knew in my heart I had to,” said Tanya. Jen nodded to her before walking away. Tanya then turned to Katie.
“I hope I didn’t upset her,” said Tanya.
“You didn’t. Its just that what you have…what you all share with your ranger mates. Its what she wants so desperately with Wes. If not for this time period crap…” started Katie before she grew silent too.
“Hey, don’t feel bad. You only care about your friend,” said Cassie.
“Yeah, to me, she couldn’t ask for a better friend right now,” said Ashley.
“Thanks guys but I don’t know how much I can help her. I only hope that Wes..."started Katie but then Jen came rushing back.
“GUYS! COME QUICK! THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON OUTSIDE!” yelled Jen. The other female rangers made their way up on top to see a giant funnel of wind spinning around and around. Creating a storm with huge waves that were crashing down on the ship!
“Where did this come from?!” asked Kat to Captain Seely!
“Gods if I know?! This shouldn’t have even been possible! There are no weather patterns out there today that should’ve caused this! This appeared out of nowhere!” said Seely.
Meanwhile, back at the secret island, Trakena looks on in her private throne room at the surprise and panic of the rangers on the ship. She laughs triumphantly at their plight. While in another room, the red rangers look on in anguish as they watch their comrades/lovers/wives caught helplessly in this man-made storm.
“Jen,” thought Wes.
“Taylor,” thinks Eric.
“Kimberly,” thinks Jason.
“Karone,” thinks Leo.
“Cassie,” thinks Andros.
“Kat,” thinks Tommy.
Even at home, the storm is being reported on TV. Adam watches as he recognizes the area where the storm is being reported.
“Tanya,” whispers Adam. Adam isn’t known for being religious but at that point, he gets on his knees and says a silent prayer for both his wife and the others on board. As he does, you can almost hear the cackle of Trakena’s evil laughter.
End Of Pt. 6
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