World Bender: Season 2

[Beckoner]

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If you wish to go to Season One, click here. (http://www.rangerboard.com/showthread.php?t=115027&highlight=World+Bender)


EPISODE LISTING
Episode 1: A Case of Bracelets (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2805819&postcount=1)
Episode 2: An Unlikely Villain (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2810299&postcount=6)
Episode 3: Unwelcome Wagon (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2816993&postcount=14)
Episode 4: A Cerebral Enemy (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2822059&postcount=22)
Episode 5: Bad Climate (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2831372&postcount=27)
Episode 6: Complications (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2845079&postcount=35)
Episode 7: Finding The Will (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2847144&postcount=39)
Episode 8: Zero Sum Gain (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2860998&postcount=44)
Episode 9: Entrepreneur (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2865036&postcount=49)
Episode 10: Against Unspeakable Odds Part 1 (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2868495&postcount=52)
Episode 11: Against Unspeakable Odds Part 2 (http://www.rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2894232&postcount=66)
Episode 12: Stranger than Strange (http://rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2912196&postcount=73)
Episode 13: Endless Enemies (http://rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2920756&postcount=79)
Episode 14: The Return of Zeltrax (http://rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2932911&postcount=82)
Episode 15: Vengeful Intent (http://rangerboard.com/showpost.php?p=2943484&postcount=87)


Here it is fellas, the second season of World Bender. Here's the first episode for you all to enjoy (I hope), with more on the way. I'll update this page as the series progresses. Due to text formatting, it is recommended that you view this with a dark theme. RB Light will conceal certain words. Without a long intro, here it is: episode one.


World Bender Season 2
Episode 1: A Case of Bracelets


Today was a boring day. His room still wasn’t even completely unpacked since he moved from Iowa. The only thing he had actually situated was his bed, dresser, and nightstand. His name was Jaron, Jaron Eiker. At just 19 years of age, he had a very youthful appearance even for a young man. With straight brown hair with just a tint of red slicked down to his eyes, he was considered pretty cute by most girls. After two months of getting used to his new home in Pennsylvania, he was getting ready to take a few classes at the local community college. He lived with his widowed mother, and they had decided to move from Iowa in order to get a fresh start after his dad died in China when a renegade soldier had used a government robot to wipe out parts of Hong Kong. While he wasn’t particularly close with his dad since he was always traveling, but it still was a painful experience. He had no intention of moving out since his mother needed him more than ever, which was fine for him. He sat in the living room watching television, and a quick news insert came on advertising the 11 o clock news. There was yet another story about the reconstruction effort in Chicago ever since the Power Rangers had their last battle a while ago.

Jaron didn’t feel anything either way in regards to them leaving, but seeing the thousands of displaced people did irk him somewhat. After the news insert, another commercial came on advertising the crazy new cell phones that were just coming out. They were the hottest new thing. A new company had unveiled a new line of cell phones that were gaining major market share in just the past few weeks. They were pretty snazzy flip phones, but they were offering insane calling plans. Everything was unlimited for only 50 bucks a month. Apparently they used some kind of proprietary network and therefore bypassed the usual methods for cell phones. No one knew how they worked, but they were donating large amounts of their profit to the reconstruction effort in Chicago. For this reason alone, Jaron was thinking about picking one up. Cingular and Verizon sucked anymore, so he made a mental note to save up for one. The sun was shining brightly in the late afternoon, and public school was just ending. A little bored, Jaron decided to go for a drive.

“Hey mom, I’m heading out. I’ll be back later okay?” Jaron called upstairs where his mother was.

After snatching his keys off the key rack next to the front door, Jaron walked to his car in the suburb they had moved to. He noticed across the street there was another family moving in. The U-Haul was parked in the driveway as people were unloading a couch. It was then that he saw a familiar face. A rather confused looking African American guy the same age as him with gentle eyes and short hair came outside to tell the movers where the couch would go. It was his old friend from junior high, Mark Bimms! What were the odds?

“Mark!” Jaron yelled.

Mark looked over to him and his eyes suddenly widened. If he didn’t look confused before, he definitely did now. Mark walked across the street, clearly looking a bit surprised.

“Jaron?” asked Mark with disbelief.

“Dude, I can’t believe it!” Jaron said with a chuckle before embracing his old friend.

“I haven’t seen you in ages. I thought you guys moved to Arizona in the tenth grade. What are you doing here?” Jaron asked conversationally.

“Yeah,” Mark said in a somewhat somber tone, “My dad wanted to invest in real estate here since it has some of the lowest mortgage rates in the country.”

“It’s good to see you man. Hey look, I’m going for a drive to grab something to eat. You feel like coming along?” asked Jaron, overjoyed at the sight of a familiar face.

“Um, I gotta ask my dad first,” said Mark.

Jaron noticed that Mark was a little subdued from the last time he saw him, but then again growing up did that to you. Mark ran back into the house for a minute or two, before jogging back out and approaching Jaron who was standing by his car.

“What did your dad say?” asked Jaron.

“I wasn’t really carrying much anyway, so it’s all good,” Mark replied.

“I wanted to grab something to eat and then just take a little drive around town. I moved here a couple months ago and I’m still just getting used to it,” said Jaron.

“Sounds cool to me,” Mark answered.

In his little rinky dingy Geo Metro, Jaron took a leisurely drive through town. The two friends had a somewhat animated conversation about a variety of topics, just shooting the breeze and catching up. After driving past several fast food places, Jaron saw one that he liked: Burger King. Jaron took no time in slowing down and turning into the parking lot.

“A lot of people around here seem to like this place. I’ll never get it,” Mark commented.

“Yeah all my neighbors come here. It seems to be a kind of social hotspot around here, so I figured we’d come here,” Jaron answered.

“Sounds fine to me,” Mark answered with a smile.

The pair of them entered the establishment to find tons of high school kids forming a rather congested line. No doubt they were stopping by for an after school snack. Jaron and Mark looked at the impossibly long line and quickly reconsidered whether or not they wanted to eat here.

“Uh, so do you want to go somewhere else?” Jaron suggested wryly.

“That might be a good idea,” Mark agreed.

“Hey guys, you wanna hop in front of me?” said a girl who wasn’t far from the front of the line.

She looked pretty nice, and had a very sincere look in her eye.

“Are you sure?” asked Jaron.

“I saw the look on your faces when you came in here, so come on over. I’m not ordering that much anyway,” the girl answered, with her backpack slung over her shoulder.

Jaron and Mark quickly obliged her offer. After entering the line, Mark smiled and shook her hand.

“I’m Mark. This is my friend Jaron,” Mark introduced himself.

“I’m Nicole. Nicole Olmen.,” Nicole responded.

“You’re a senior?” asked Jaron, taking note of her physical appearance.

“Yeah. School just started but I already feel like I’m almost free,” Nicole remarked.

“Enjoy it while you can. Time goes so much faster when you get out of high school,” Jaron commented.

“How old are you?” asked Nicole.

“We’re both 19. Our birthdays are exactly one month apart,” Jaron said with pride.

Nicole smiled and shook her head.

“I turn 18 in a week,” said Nicole.

“Cool,” said Mark.

Their conversation was interrupted by the cashier asking to take their order. Nicole lived pretty far from where they were, so Jaron had offered to give her a ride home. Their new acquaintance proved to be rather interesting and funny. Pennsylvania was turning out not to be so bad after all. When it was time to go home, Nicole was dropped off first.

“It was nice to meet you guys. Thanks a lot for the ride,” Nicole said courteously.

“Thanks for letting us cut in front of you,” said Mark with a smile.

Nicole laughed before waving at them and going to her front door.

“She was cool,” Jaron commented.

“Yeah she was,” Mark said in agreement.

Having nothing left to do for the day, they returned to their own neighborhood. Once the car was parked and they had got out, the front light for Jaron’s house automatically turned on.

“It was good to see ya again man. We gotta hang out again sometime, especially since you’re right across the street now,” said Jaron.

Mark nodded.

“Well I’m needed at home. Still plenty of stuff to unpack. I’ll see you later bro,” said Mark.

Jaron nodded affirmatively, before Mark walked away back to his house. When Jaron turned around to walk to his door, he was startled by the sight of some kind of bum standing there. He was dressed in a grayish-blue rain poncho with a big hood concealing everything except his big, hooked nose. He was holding some kind of black case that looked like a really big and fancy lunch box.

“Whoa man, you scared me there. Can I help you?” said Jaron.

“Why yes my dear boy,” the old man said in a friendly, disarming tone, “I have a package for you. This case belongs to you. Inside are some items of great interest.”

“Uh, okay,” Jaron muttered in a confused tone, before taking the case.

“So, you’re not UPS or anything,” Jaron commented, eyeing the elderly man.

“Oh heavens no. I’m just the Case Holder. You’ve been selected based on a number of factors to receive the case for a period of time,” he replied.

“So this is like some kind of free trial scam or something?” Jaron asked in confusion.

“You won’t be paying for anything. However, after you’ve had time to inspect the items inside, I will return. Until then, good day,” said the Case Holder, before casually taking a stroll down the street.

Jaron was supremely confused, but simply carried the case inside his house and went up to his room. Tossing the case onto his bed, he went into the bathroom the wash up. After he had finished, his mother came walking down the hallway and spotted him.

“Hey little man; you just get back?” his mother asked.

“Yeah. I made a new friend today. This girl: Nicole. She’s pretty cool,” Jaron answered.

“Ooh, a lady friend?” his mom teased.

“No mom, it’s not like that,” Jaron answered defensively.

“I’m just messing. Remember the Bimms family? They moved in across the street. My god it’s been years,” she said.

“Yeah I saw Mark helping them unpack, we went out to eat,” Jaron answered.

“That’s good, that’s good,” his mom answered, grasping for something else to talk about and finding none, “Well, I’m heading off to a job interview. It’s at 5:00 PM so I better start getting ready.”

“Alright mom, I’ll get out of your way,” Jaron replied, before drying off his hands and leaving.

Walking back into his bedroom, he saw the case which he had completely forgotten about. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he opened the black case which happened to be quite nice on the inside. Inside were five weird looking wrist watches with dinosaur faces on them all lines up. Just below them for five colored rocks. Red, blue, yellow, black, and white were their colors. They seemed to correspond with the five wrist devices.

“What are these, toys?” Jaron muttered.

Picking up the red rock, he realized that it was more solid than any rock he had ever seen. It was made out of some kind of diamond material or gemstone. A gem this size had to be worth something, but Jaron pushed that thought of his mind. Picking up the wrist device with the red carnivorous face on it, he looked at it, rotating it with his hand and trying to figure out what it was force. The red gem then started glowing, which alarmed Jaron. He quickly tossed both the wrist device and the gem down. Coincidentally, the gem landed on top of the wrist device, and somehow was absorbed into it, causing the wrist device to glow slightly.

“Holy shit,” Jaron said in shock.

Once the little tendrils of light faded away from the wrist device, Jaron picked it back up. It suddenly vanished and turned into a silver bracelet with the red gem embedded in it. It suddenly jerked free of his hand and latched itself onto his left wrist.

“What the hell?!” Jaron said in alarmed frustration, trying to pry the bracelet off.

It wasn’t coming off, and after a lot of pulling and prying, he noticed that the bottom of it came loose easily in order to remove it. Making sure he hadn’t broken it, he put the bracelet back on, and then took it off again. It seemed to work just fine, and he put the bracelet on one more time and left it on. He needed to find out what this was, and he instantly went to run downstairs to the computer. What should’ve taken at least 20 seconds, took 2 as his perception of time suddenly changed. The world whizzed by slowly as he was propelled at speeds his mind could barely fathom. Quickly stopping his run, he came out of it and tripped over the couch by the computer table.

He had just run like he was the Flash or something. This was impossible. Jaron had to know what this was, and he pulled up and chair and quickly logged onto the internet. He tried googling numerous search terms, but all he could come up with was jewelery. After nearly 5 minutes of searching, Jaron became frustrated and leaned back in his chair to take a breather. He then took a second look at the bracelet, and remembered the dino-themed wrist device it had been before it turned into the silver bracelet. He entered three words: “Red dino brace” into an image search, and the exact image of them came up. He quickly clicked on them, and then he found out what they were, along with the silver bracelets.

The red gem was something called a Dino Gem, along with the other ones. And they were used as power sources for…it couldn’t be. Jaron could not believe it. These were morphers for Power Rangers. Jaron quickly stood up and clutched his head in disbelief.

“No no no. This isn’t happening to me. Who the hell was that old man?!” Jaron frantically talked to himself.

“I need to find that guy,” Jaron decided.

Grabbing his coat and heading out of the door, Jaron looked to his car. He stopped. Looking at the Dino Gem embedded in his bracelet, he realized that he could cover more ground if he used the speed he had previously. Jaron closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, and when he opened his eyes, everything was moving slower. In the daylight, he saw trees swaying much slower in the wind, and a car backing out of its driveway down the street terribly slow. He then began running in a streak of human speed. He last saw the Case Holder walking down the south end of his neighborhood, so he decided to check there. In the span of just a few seconds, he had darted to the end of the street, before turning left and barreling down the sidewalk while eyeing his surroundings. He couldn’t find the Case Holder anywhere. The man walked, so he couldn’t have gotten far, as he saw him less than 15 minutes ago.

Even while moving through suburbia at superspeed, he could not find the Case Holder. All of this occurred within just a couple of minutes. Finally deciding to give it up, Jaron turned back and started to head back home because he was starting to feel physically tired from the effort.

“Are you looking for me my boy?” asked a familiar voice.

Jaron’s eyes widened in alarm, and he instantly stopped super-sprinting. When he turned around, the Case Holder was standing directly behind him.

“How did you-” Jaron was interrupted.

“I’m afraid I must apologize for this sudden intrusion, but it appears you’ve inspected the package. Now I must ask something of you: I require you to choose two individuals who will receive the blue, and yellow ones,” the Case Holder said in a kind voice.

Jaron had no idea what to do. His world had just been flipped upside down, and he couldn’t figure out what to make of it. Between superspeed and an old man who seemed to be everywhere at once, his view of reality was becoming increasingly skewed.

“You want me to pick two other people? For what?” asked Jaron suspiciously.

“The world is going to need you. I’m afraid that certain events that could not be avoided are beginning to coalesce. Not so long ago you demonstrated your own heroic nature by helping a girl save her father. If anyone is deserving of this gift, it is you. I simply ask you to choose two partners to help you accomplish that same end but on a much grander scale,” the Case Holder explained.

“What about the black and white ones?” asked Jaron logically.

“Oh I’m sure those will sort themselves out. For now, the blue and yellow ones shall be your partners. One male and one female are all that’s required,” the Case Holder responded.

It was too perfect. In one day he had encountered an old friend and made a new one. He didn’t know any other girls, but Nicole seemed cool enough. And surely he could trust Mark.

“I want my friends to do it,” asked Jaron.

The Case Holder cocked his head to the side, before scratching an itch on the top of his left hand.

“Alright then. It’s done. Mark and Nicole have just received their gifts,” the Case Holder answered.

Jaron was instantly alarmed, and backed away before trying to rationalize the situation.

“Is this some kind of a set up? Where are the hidden cameras? You got guys hiding in the bushes or something?” Jaron demanded an answer.

“Oh no, nothing like that. I admit I am a bit eccentric, but not a trickster. You made a good choice. When you return to the case, you’ll find the blue and yellow ones missing. Do not be alarmed, for they are where they belong. After you’ve had some time, I will return. Until then, farewell my boy,” the Case Holder said enigmatically.

Jaron blinked, and when he reopened his eyes, the Case Holder was gone. Jaron had no idea how to take this. It was too much. He couldn’t process this. With no other options left, Jaron took a slow, contemplative walk back home as the sun started to set. After going up to his room, Jaron opened the case and saw that the blue Dino Gem and morpher along with the yellow ones were missing just as predicted. Whoever this Case Holder was, Jaron was not particularly pleased with the idea that a total stranger somehow gained access to his house while he was gone. Whatever the big idea was, Jaron had no intention of playing along. He did however, want to get to the bottom of this.

The bracelet on his wrist then suddenly beeped even though there were no visible electronics on it, and a voice came through.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” asked Mark’s voice, which seemed to be emanating from the Dino Gem itself somehow.

“Mark?” Jaron answered.

“Jaron, is that you? What’s going on?” Mark questioned.

A female voice then came through, clearly startled.

“Are you the guys from earlier? Seriously, what is all this?” asked Nicole.

“We need to meet. I don’t know what’s going on so we need to talk,” said Mark.

“Alright. I’ll pick you guys up in an hour and a half a little after nightfall. See you guys later,” said Jaron.

Jaron took full advantage of that hour and a half, as he spent all of it on the internet researching the Dino Thunder Rangers and learning everything he could about them. There was no way that some old man just casually gave him the ability to transform into a super powered being in a weird costume. All the signs pointed to yes however, given the increasingly unbelievable events that had occurred just in the past couple of hours. After he realized what time it was, Jaron quickly made his way to his car to find Mark waiting by it, before the two of them got into his car. Mark looked unsettled and uncomfortable, continuously touching his Dino Gem.

Neither of them said a word as Jaron drove to Nicole’s house, where she waited sitting on her front steps. Once she got into the car, Jaron accelerated hastily and began driving with no real destination in mind.

“Alright, what’s this thing doing on my wrist? I was taking a shower and after I finished drying off, this bracelet was suddenly here,” Nicole explained with concern.

“Same here. I was just unpacking when I noticed it,” Mark added.

“You’re saying they just appeared?” asked Jaron incredulously.

“Yeah,” Nicole muttered.

“I think this might be my fault,” said Jaron.

“What are you talking about?” asked Mark rather carefully.

“Some guy gave me a box; a case of some kind. It had these things in them. He told me to pick two people to get one of them so I just mentioned I wanted my friends to get them. Somehow he knew who you guys were and the next thing I know those two on your wrists were missing!” Jaron explained.

“That’s bull,” Mark said plainly.

“I’m serious. I have no idea what the hell is going on,” Jaron answered in a raised tone.

“So what are these things supposed to be anyway?” asked Nicole from the backseat.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Jaron said firmly.

“Try me,” said Mark.

“They’re morphers…for the Power Rangers,” said Jaron.

Before anyone else had a chance to respond, siren lights came on behind them revealing a black Crown Victoria. It didn’t look anything like a police car, so it must have been something higher up; like an FBI car.

“Shit!” Jaron yelled.

“You were followed? Do you have any idea what they’ll do to us? The government doesn’t exactly like the Power Rangers,” shouted Mark, clearly perturbed.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening,” said Nicole to herself as she held onto the sides of her head and tucked her head down.

“I’m pulling over. I’ll think of something,” said Jaron.

After coming to a stop on the side of the street, a lone man got out of the car and walked up to the driver side window. A man somewhere in his mid to late 30s with a clean shaven face, brown wavy hair, and brown eyes approached, and he gestured for Jaron to roll his window down who of course obliged.

“My name is Special Agent Arden Jones. I’m going to ask you to follow me to the Federal Bank on Vandorn street, and don’t try to run,” said the agent.

With that, Agent Jones got back into his car and drove up in front of them, with Jaron following behind.

“We are so screwed,” said Nicole in a panicking voice.

“No we’re not! Just let me do the talking,” said Jaron.

“You better be right about this,” Mark answered.

The agent took a slow, leisurely drive to the Federal Bank, which he likely selected because it was secluded, with all the surrounding buildings having already closed down for the night. This didn’t look good, and Jaron kept his hands firmly locked on the steering wheel before they finally arrived. After parking their cars in an alleyway adjacent to the bank, they had to get out of the car. Agent Jones silently motioned for the terrified teenagers to follow them out of the alley and onto the front steps of the large Federal Bank which had a locked rotational door that they stood in front of. It was here that Agent Jones stopped walking, before turning around to face the teenagers.

“So, what do you kids know about the Case Holder?” Agent Jones asked with a knowing gleam in his eye.

[Kali_WolfChilde]

oh, damndamndamndamndamn! Dude, you FREAKIN ROCK! I mean - oh, hell, you're the best writer i've seen in God knows how long. I'm gonna be glued to this story like the CIA are to Bin Laden tapes. KIU!!!!!

[Red Evolution Ranger]

Ok, no hiding for me this season! I must say, this is freaking awesome! I loved every minute of this first chapter, and I can't wait for more!

[dragomuseveni]

oh man dude im so excited for chapter two, this is totally awsome!!! I loved how you picked Jaron, i was like, i know i have heard that name before somewhere, oh man its the dude that helped out in the last one, and nice way to bring agent jones into this!!!

[roc da mic]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[Beckoner]

oh, damndamndamndamndamn! Dude, you FREAKIN ROCK! I mean - oh, hell, you're the best writer i've seen in God knows how long. I'm gonna be glued to this story like the CIA are to Bin Laden tapes. KIU!!!!!

I'm glad I didn't disappoint. Thank you very much. It means a lot that you would call me one of the best writers you've seen. I'd never think that on my own. I am confident in my story telling abilities, and I can only hope to improve to give you an even more entertaining story. I'm glad you've continued to follow the Benderverse!

Ok, no hiding for me this season! I must say, this is freaking awesome! I loved every minute of this first chapter, and I can't wait for more!

Thank you very much. I'm glad you came out of hiding!

oh man dude im so excited for chapter two, this is totally awsome!!! I loved how you picked Jaron, i was like, i know i have heard that name before somewhere, oh man its the dude that helped out in the last one, and nice way to bring agent jones into this!!!

I'm glad you like my choice for the Red Ranger. I thought I'd foreshadow him in that last season when he helped Chelsea (last season's Pink Ranger). Yup, Agent Jones is back.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Thanks. I hope you like this chapter too man.

--------------

Well, without further distraction and delay. Here is chapter two.

World Bender Season 2
Episode 2: An Unlikely Villain


While Mark and Nicole expressed outright confusion, Jaron had a far more subdued reaction. Now convinced that he had been set up somehow, he had no intention of being arrested by an FBI agent a few hours after a stranger gives him a case. He decided he was never going to accept gifts from strange old men ever again.

“What are you talking about?” said Mark.

Agent Jones didn’t look amused, rubbing the bridge of his eyes and eyeing the three with irritation.

“Wait, I’ll talk,” Jaron quickly spoke up.

That got the agent’s attention.

“I met him today. He gave me this,” said Jaron, holding up his left wrist and showing the silver bracelet with the Dino Gem on it.

Agent Jones swallowed a gulp, keeping his eyes fixed on it.

“What’s going on?” Nicole quickly said.

“You kids don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into,” Agent Jones answered.

Jaron didn’t say anything, feeling his adrenal glands pumping in full forth at the sheer amount of anxiety he was experiencing as a result of all of this.

“What do you know?” Mark asked forcefully.

“Mark! He’s a fed, don’t push it!” Nicole said in a loud whisper.

“If he was going to arrest us, he’d have done it by now,” Mark rebutted, “Now what’s going on?”

Agent Jones paced along the step he was standing on, apparently weighing his next few words.

“This Case Holder you met is unlike anyone else we’ve ever dealt with. It was he who supplied the previous team of Power Rangers with their morphers. We don’t know who he is, or how he does it, but he seems to be capable of things that are frankly, unnatural,” Agent Jones answered.

This seemed to sedate Mark a little bit.

“We don’t know what his aims are, but we’ve determined that he gives off a very strange energy signal wherever he appears. We’ve used this to track him to you, Jaron Eiker,” Agent Jones continued.

“So then what do you want with us?” asked Jaron.

“I want you to return those to the Case Holder. The climate in Washington is very volatile right now. The world needs a break to rebuild right now, not another team of Power Rangers,” Agent Jones responded.

“How are we supposed to give them back? I have no idea where to find the guy,” asked Jaron.

“I want you to take these,” said Agent Jones, before taking three cell phones out of his inside pocket.

They were those new cellphones Jaron had seen on television. He was getting one for free? He could only speculate on the reasoning for it. Nicole was at a loss for what to think, while Mark was trying to figure out what was going on in the first place.

“So what do we do with these?” asked Mark, as the three received their cell phones.

“We’re going to continue tracking the Case Holder’s movements. The next time he appears and we are able to reach him in a timely manner, I will contact you. We will then return those to him,” Agent Jones responded.

“That’s fine with me. I don’t want any part in this anyway,” said Jaron.

Numerous sirens could be heard as several police vehicles came driving toward the Federal Bank. Strangely enough, a couple of Federal vehicles were following them. Jaron, Mark, and Nicole were now seriously alarmed.

“What is this?!” said Jaron, before he turned to look back at Agent Jones.

Strangely enough, Agent Jones appeared confused as well. This wasn’t his doing.

“I’m not sure. Let’s get into the building. I can’t be seen with you,” Agent Jones said calmly, before walking up to the rotary door of the bank.

The other three followed him, and were shocked to see Agent Jones draw his sidearm and shoot the locking mechanism on the top of one of the door flaps. He then effortlessly pushed the rotary door and entered. Jaron, Mark, and Nicole followed him quickly into the bank.

“Listen to me very carefully,” Agent Jones started, “Someone will call you when the Case Holder reappears. You NEED to find him and return those morphers. Whatever you do, DON’T come back for me. There’s an emergency exit by the managers office in the back. Now leave.”

Federal agents then began to storm the bank, holding up pistols that looked like toys somewhat.

“Go!” Agent Jones yelled.

Although it moved quickly, Jaron saw one of the FBI agents fire some kind of metal object from his gun which struck Agent Jones in the chest and sent him into convulsions. It was clearly a taser gun. Mark held his arms up defensively, as one of the electrodes aimed for his neck struck his forearm. He expected to feel himself zapped with electricity, but felt almost nothing. The electrode simply bounced off. When he looked up, his forearms were covered in some kind of blue glow.

“What’s this?” Mark asked to no one.

Nicole was scared at having guns aimed at her, taser or not. Screaming like a damsel in distress, she suddenly felt some kind of torrential force flow from her lungs and out of her mouth. A nearly transparent, yellow shockwave blasted from her mouth and knocked all of the FBI agents down. This caught them completely off guard, and they were quick to re-aim their tasers at the youngsters. That was all the motivation that they needed. Jaron looked toward the back of the lobby and saw a hallway just to the right of the bank teller counter. Mark grabbed Nicole by the hand and pulled her away as he ran. Jaron was quick to take off in a full sprint as well.

The three ran as fast as their bodies would allow, narrowly avoiding the metallic electrodes as they turned the corner and hid with their backs pressed against the corridor.

"Guys, we can't just leave him there," Jaron said hoarsely, panting profusely as adrenaline filled his system.

"He told us to leave! We have to worry about finding the Case Holder, or all of this was for nothing!" Mark argued.

"And I really don't want to get taken away. You saw those guys, they're Feds!" Nicole argued.

"Fine. You guys run, I'm going back to save him!" Jaron said in a carelessly loud tone, before running back toward the lobby.

Nicole and Mark had a mutual feeling that they couldn't allow Jaron to get taken too.

"God damn it!" Mark cursed in frustration, before chasing after Jaron along with Nicole.

The three got back to the lobby, and saw an incapacitated FBI Agent convulsing on the floor. The four other federal agents were distracted trying to put handcuffs on him as they got him to his feet, with several police vehicles and federal agents still outside.

Jaron didn't have time for words, and he still had questions for the man who was now at the mercy of the authorities. The bracelet on his left wrist then disappeared as the earlier device reappeared once more. All three young adults pressed a lever on the bottom of them, causing the mouths of their morphers to open, the eye shining a neon green.

“Dino Thunder, Power Up!”

Focused on saving Agent Jones who had been mercilessly tasered, Jaron performed his morphing call exactly the way he had learned from his research online.

With the exception of his head, Jaron’s body began to glow a bright white. The Dino Thunder insignia then appeared on his chest, and his body was propelled into the air involuntarily. Feeling his body fill with energy, Jaron’s body continued through in the air in a large somersault as red streaks of fabric materialized and attached itself to his body, forming a suit. Now wearing a very familiar red suit, Jaron landed back on the ground where he had been standing before. The force of his landing caused the marble floor of the bank to crack underneath his feet, and a helmet quickly appeared on his face. Jaron was now a Power Ranger. He was suddenly aware that he had weapons, and knew exactly how to call them. In addition, he felt amazing. Every part of his body was empowered. He felt stronger in places he didn’t even know he had. Mark and Nicole looked at him in astonishment.

“They’re back! We’ve got a Power Ranger!” one of the Federal agents quickly yelled into his radio.

“Guys, follow my lead. Just do what I did!” Jaron instructed.

Already having activated their morphers, Mark and Nicole just copied what they saw Jaron do. Just like him, their bodies glowed and they were propelled through the air as their suit formed around them. When they landed, they also cracked the floor beneath them, before their helmets appeared on their heads. The Blue Tricera Ranger and the Yellow Ptera Ranger now stood alongside the Red Tyranno Ranger.

“Take em down!” yelled the Federal Agent who had cuffed Agent Jones.

Aiming their pistols at the three of them, the three had no time to react as triggers were pulled and bullets came at them. Upon striking their bodies, sparks burst out of the impact points but did not penetrate. While they had felt fear for a fleeting moment when the FBI agents first drew their guns, they felt extremely confident having survived with little more than discomfort when the bullets hit.

Jaron smiled underneath his helmet, having never felt this way before. The Red Ranger ran into the fray, before slamming his palm into the chest of the FBI agent who had radioed their presence in. Unexpectedly, the agent was sent flying back and slammed into the glass front of the bank.

“Whoa,” Jaron said to himself as he looked at his own gloved hand.

“Be careful! Your strength is augmented at all times! Pull your punches!” Agent Jones managed to yell as the other three FBI agents backed away.

The Blue Ranger stood back as Nicole hesitantly stepped forward toward Agent Jones. Seeing what she was after, an agent moved to grab her wrist and stop her from helping Agent Jones up, to which she quickly pushed her assailant away, sending him flying back several felt before falling onto the marble-tiled floor. The two remaining federal agents then aimed their lethal pistols at Agent Jones, who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He reached into his jacket, about to withdraw something, but it would be too late. Mark needed to protect Agent Jones, and with a subconscious knowledge that was granted to him when he morphed; his belt buckle shined and his Tricera Shield came to his aid. After securely grabbing it, he dashed up to Agent Jones and outstretched his arm in order to cover Jones with the shield. The bullets that were fired shortly after bounced off the Tricera Shield harmlessly.

Jaron quickly turned to look at the two agents, before subconsciously calling out his Tyranno Staff. Clasping it shortly after it came out of his shining belt buckle, Jaron jumped into the air toward them, before thrusting his staff outward, striking the two agents aggressively and knocking them down. The four agents could do little else but retreat, running out of the bank and leaving the rotary door spinning.

“Are you okay?" Jaron asked Agent Jones as his Tyranno Staff vanished back into his belt.

“Yeah, I’m fine. You weren’t supposed to come back for me. I don’t think you get what you just did,” Agent Jones said grimly.

“I couldn’t let you get arrested for nothing. There’s still a lot I want to know. Look, take the emergency exit you talked about, we’ll deal with the guys out front. I’m sorry about this, but it looks like the Power Rangers are back until we can find the Case Holder,” said Jaron.

The three Rangers ran out of the bank, looking at numerous federal vehicles and police cars. There were dozens of them, and the Rangers looked upon them with a twinge of fear. Even though they had just earlier proven they were impervious to bullets, old habits die hard. Having a pistol pointed at you was nothing to get used to easily. Helicopters were beginning to arrive, with their bright spotlights trained on the Dino Thunder team. They looked up as helicopters, some law enforcement and some from the press, began to take photographic evidence that the Power Rangers had indeed returned albeit in a different incarnation.

“So what do we do now?” asked Nicole.

“We keep them from getting into the bank so that agent can get out,” Jaron responded.

“I’m not going to hurt anybody,” Mark asserted.

Suddenly then, a strange green light appeared in the air across the street behind all of the vehicles. Something fell out of it. Because of how bright all the lights were, it was hard to see what it was. Suddenly then, blue lighting burst from the object’s last known location and struck a police car, causing it to explode. The police officers who were standing near it were thrown back. One of them was killed. Another blue lightning burst shot out, starting from the far right, and slowly moving to the left. Two more cars were severely damaged. The helicopters that were focusing their attention on the Power Rangers then turned their lights on the source of the mysterious attacker. Jaron couldn’t believe his eyes. It was impossible, but the armor was unmistakable. The THING that had attacked the police officer was walking toward them. It was covered in black armor, with an almost glass-like blue sword and a shield. But it couldn’t be who Jaron thought it was. Apparently, the morphers weren’t the only thing the Case Holder brought with him.

“Who is that guy? What’s he wearing?” Mark asked in anger, quite furious at his unprovoked attack.

The police officers began to fire their guns at the advancing figure, who simply held his shield in front of himself, blocking the bullets before he jumped into the air and soared over the police vehicles. He landed just in front of the Power Rangers.

“Who the hell are you?!” Jaron demanded to know.

From his research he knew who this was supposed to be in the television show, but there was no way a fictional person was brought here.

The being spoke in a low, deep, almost monster like voice.

“Who I am isn’t your concern. More importantly, I want to know where Federal Agent Jones is. I’ve got business with him,” the armored being answered.

“You don’t get out of it that easily. That suit you’re wearing doesn’t exist. I want to know who you are!” Jaron angrily demanded.

“I know this suit shouldn’t exist. I don’t understand it myself, but I’m going to use it to deal with that FBI crony that you let escape. My name doesn't matter. I’ll tell you what, you can refer to me by what I look like,” the being answered.

“And who is that exactly?” Nicole snapped back.

Jaron already knew the answer.

“Just refer to me as Zeltrax,” the being responded.

“Well, ‘Zeltrax’, we’re not letting you anywhere near him. You’ve done enough damage,” said Mark.

“Well then I’ll just kill you for getting in my way. I’m not in the mood to deal with you colored jackasses!” Zeltrax responded angrily.

Zeltrax then pulled his sword back and struck Jaron on the chest, causing sparks to fly out and the young Ranger to fall down. Jaron clutched his chest, trying to get his breathing back to normal.

“Holy shit that really hurt! Be careful!” Jaron warned.

Mark called out his Tricera Shield again, and Nicole called out her Ptera Grips, having no idea how she was even aware of their existence. Zeltrax lashed out with his blue sword, and the police were hesitant to fire, as the Power Rangers were apparently the enemy of their enemy. Zeltrax launched a series of attacks at Mark, who defensively used his Tricera Shield to avoid being struck, as sparks burst from it upon every blow.

This Zeltrax was vicious, and Jaron knew it wasn’t going to be long before he landed a hit, as Mark continuously stayed on the defensive.

“Fight back!” Jaron yelled as he got to his feet.

Mark didn’t listen, and Zeltrax managed to find an opening and jabbed his sword into the Blue Ranger’s chest, hurting him instantly and sending him stumbling back. Nicole was now feeling a little more bold, and started to recklessly lash out at Zeltrax with her Ptera Grips. The Yellow Ranger landed a clean hit on the unsuspecting Zeltrax’s back, who quickly turned around and began to knock each following hit away with his shield. After blocking all of the Yellow Ranger’s remaining attacks, he sent his leg flying out and struck her in the stomach, causing collision sparks and for her too to fall down. Zeltrax pressed the attack, and moved forward in order to try to send the tip of his sword straight into her neck. Mark couldn’t stand by and let it happen, and he pulled out his Thundermax Blaster from his belt holster and fired a laser shot right into Zeltrax’s hip.

He quickly stumbled sideways from the hit, finally separated from the rest of the Rangers. The police and federal officers took the chance, and fired their pistols at Zeltrax. While the bullets did indeed strike him, he easily survived as the only damage that could be visibly seen were collision sparks bursting from points all over his armor. He managed to bring his shield in front of himself, blocking most of the bullets while the rest struck his legs. He did not tremble. The Rangers heard Zeltrax’s words as he talked to himself.

“I see, so I’m as durable as the Power Rangers!” Zeltrax commented.

Without wasting any more time, Zeltrax thrust his sword forward, causing blue lightning bolts to burst from it and destroy a federal SUV. They all ceased fire as they took cover from Zeltrax’s next few attacks; blowing up vehicles as if they were fire crackers.

“We’ve got to stop him,” Jaron said with resolve.

Drawing out his Thundermax Blaster, Jaron converted it into the Thundermax Saber, now in possession of his own melee blade weapon. The Red Ranger charged Zeltrax, bringing the Thundermax Saber down toward Zeltrax’s head for an overhead slash. Zeltrax saw it coming, and blocked it with his shield. From his position, he sent out an attack of his own using his sword. The Red Ranger parried it, utilizing his training during his years as a Tai-Kwon-Do student. The two exchanged attacks with their swords, demonstrating skillful swordplay that both Mark and Nicole were surprised by. Jaron really knew how to fight. While Jaron himself wasn’t an expert in swordsmanship, he could tell based on Zeltrax’s swordplay that whoever was in that armor knew what he was doing. Refusing to concede any ground to this Zeltrax, the Red Ranger lashed out with a careless attack that left him wide open to a counter. Sending his Thundermax Saber dashing forward light a fencing thrust, Zeltrax wasn’t expecting such an unpredictable maneuver. The gambit worked, and the business end of the Thundermax Saber struck Zeltrax’s chest and collision sparks burst from the point of impact.

Zeltrax fell backward onto his back, before quickly getting up and assuming a defensive posture. Nicole quickly got an idea.

“Jaron, use your laser!” said the Yellow Ranger as she took out her own Thundermax Blaster.

Jaron listened, and converted his Thundermax Saber into blaster mode, before all three Rangers fired a volley of lasers at Zeltrax. While he blocked what he could with his shield, the majority struck his body and caused noticeable damage as he cried out in pain. Zeltrax was knocked back and after the Rangers stopped fighting, he put growled as his breathing appeared labored.

“I may be at a disadvantage here, but I’ll find your friend and slit his throat!” Zeltrax threatened.

In a quick act, a green fissure of some sort opened in the air above him and he was pulled into it, disappearing from the scene.

“What the hell?!” Nicole yelled.

“Invisiportals? Those exist too?!” Jaron exclaimed.

“Just what do you know, Jaron?” Mark firmly questioned.

“We have to get out of here first. Let’s go!” Jaron ordered.

Using the full force of their legs, the Power Rangers jumped into the air kicked off of various buildings to speed away from the scene. All of the law enforcement officers were left trying to tend to their wounded, while the press was left with footage of the newest team of Power Rangers.

After they got gotten sufficiently far away, the Rangers finally stopped in a small city park just a couple of miles away.

“Power down!” they all said coincidentally at the same time.

Their suits then broke away from their bodies, leaving them as civilians.

“Jaron, what do you know that we don’t?” Mark asked as he approached Jaron.

“When I figured out what these morphers were, I looked everything about them up online. I looked up the television show, which is actually called Dino Thunder. I watched Youtube videos of some of the first episodes, and that’s how I knew how to morph,” Jaron explained.

“And?” Nicole urged.

“That guy was a villain in the television show. He was called Zeltrax, but this guy can’t be the Zeltrax. This guy didn’t seem to know what was going on. He might have gotten that suit like we did. And that little disappearing act of his was called an Invisiportal in the show, but that’s a network that someone has to build. So someone had to have made it. We need to know who he is, and why he’s after Agent Jones,” Jaron elaborated.

“I’m afraid I must apologize,” said a familiar, old voice.

Jaron, Mark, and Nicole quickly turned around to see the Case Holder standing before them. Jaron was not impressed, and brazenly walked up to the Case Holder and grabbed him by the scruff of his poncho.

“Jaron!” Nicole said, clearly appalled at Jaron’s action.

“Just who the hell are you?! What did you do?! Why the fuck is a Zeltrax clone running around? Do you have any idea how many people just died?!” Jaron raged.

“My apologies. If you would but unhand me, I will offer an explanation,” the Case Holder said calmly.

Jaron reluctantly let go, and took a step backward.

“Receiving those morphers would have made things a bit unbalanced. To even out the balance, the person you encountered earlier had to become what he is. He is not the fictional counterpart nor a clone of the character. He is a man just like any other, and he received that armor in the same manner you did,” the Case Holder explained.

“You’re saying you gave him that armor so he could go apeshit on everyone?” Mark asked in an irritated tone.

“I did not. He received the armor involuntarily. I would never willingly do such a thing,” the Case Holder answered.

“What do you mean willingly? You’re saying you did give them, against your will?” Nicole cleverly asked.

The Case Holder turned to Nicole, before sullenly shaking his head.

“As I told you, he was given that armor as a manner of balance. I myself never met the culprit. You were given the Dino morphers: a force for good. Due to an unfortunate chain of events outside of my control, a force for malevolence was introduced before I met any of you. I am sorry, but that is all there is I’m afraid,” said the Case Holder.

“You’re being too cryptic. What exactly is going on?” Jaron asked.

The Case Holder suddenly cocked his head to the side, and then looked behind him. No one was there, as it was rather quiet where they were. The Case Holder then looked forward again at Jaron.

“You must listen to me. Use the Dino morphers and remove the one you call Zeltrax. Only then will I accept the return of your morphers. Only then will everything be re-balanced. That is your purpose. Farewell,” said the Case Holder.

“Wait!” Jaron yelled, unsatisfied.

The Case Holder’s poncho then suddenly fell to the ground as if no one was ever wearing it.

“Holy shit! That guy just vanished like Obi-Wan Kenobi!” Mark said as he recoiled.

Jaron was furious, and even more confused than when things had begun. Now more than ever he agreed with Agent Jones. The morphers had to be returned. They would only cause trouble. At the same time, they were going to have to deal with the appearance of this ‘Zeltrax’. Nicole was hyperventilating trying to process everything, while Mark’s eyes were wide with abject horror and vexation. Jaron simply decided to himself that he would remain the Red Ranger as long as he needed to. Hopefully Agent Jones escaped, and when he saw him he would have a lot of questions waiting for him.

[Einsider]

awesome start man! loved chapter one and the working in of Agent Jones! and chapter two was really good, is funny how they don't want the morphers but the caseholder won't have them back - a complete reversal of your SPD rangers! lol. Will be different now they have a proper bad guy to fight, i'm liking where this is going. The caseholder and agent jones thing kind of reminds me of Doctor Who and Torchwood - it's awesome man, keep up the good work!

[Red Evolution Ranger]

Sweet man! This episode was some serious awesomeness! Geez, I wish I could write half as good as you can... Anyway, love how you brought Agent Jones in, love the rangers..... pretty much love everything! Can't wait for the next chapter!

[roc da mic]

dude you have some of the best inovative ideas that i have ever seen.
i like your new and more realistic veiw on the power rangers. i was wondering witch team do you plan for next season?

[Kali_WolfChilde]

double damn! Beckoner, oh, how can i say this.... YOU ROCK!!!!!!

EDIT: who do u base ur characters off of?

[dragomuseveni]

dude that was ridiculous at first i wasnt sure who it was and then i realized it and literally shouted zeltrax...that i was not expecting, nice work!!! also i agree about the Doctor Who and Torchwood thing, I wonder if Agent jones is an anagram for case holder...prolly not o well

[Silver-Ranger]

nice you seem to have another awesome fic in the making Beckoner.

[Kali_WolfChilde]

I'm on the edge of my seat awaiting the next ep, amigo!

[Beckoner]

awesome start man! loved chapter one and the working in of Agent Jones! and chapter two was really good, is funny how they don't want the morphers but the caseholder won't have them back - a complete reversal of your SPD rangers! lol. Will be different now they have a proper bad guy to fight, i'm liking where this is going. The caseholder and agent jones thing kind of reminds me of Doctor Who and Torchwood - it's awesome man, keep up the good work!

Yes it is quite a reversal isn't it? Lol. Yeah I haven't seen Doctor Who and Torchwood. But since you've drawn parallels between the characters, I may have to check it out!

Sweet man! This episode was some serious awesomeness! Geez, I wish I could write half as good as you can... Anyway, love how you brought Agent Jones in, love the rangers..... pretty much love everything! Can't wait for the next chapter!

Thank you very much! Yup, Agent Jones is back!

dude you have some of the best inovative ideas that i have ever seen.
i like your new and more realistic veiw on the power rangers. i was wondering witch team do you plan for next season?

I appreciate that. My head is full of ideas, so I hope you enjoy what else I have in store. The Rangers-In-The-Real-World idea was something I had tossed around for a while.

As for next season's Rangers...well, I'll probably reveal that in one my previews for the next season.

double damn! Beckoner, oh, how can i say this.... YOU ROCK!!!!!!

EDIT: who do u base ur characters off of?

The Lineer family had elements lifted from my own family, and the rest I made up. This season's characters are completely original creations with no inspirations drawn from anyone.

nice you seem to have another awesome fic in the making Beckoner.

Thank you. Still two seasons to go!

I'm on the edge of my seat awaiting the next ep, amigo!

Wait no more!

I give you episode 3!

-------------------

World Bender Season 2
Episode 3: Unwelcome Wagon


Thankfully it was Saturday morning. Just the night before; Jaron Eiker and his two friends Mark Bimms and Nicole Olmen became the Dino Thunder Power Rangers. None of them were doing well comprehending the last 24 hours, having fought someone in a suit that was supposed to be fictional in addition to their own. The media was in a frenzy. Footage of their appearance was being replayed numerous times all over the world. Not a single government spoke of them fondly. While the United States government took a far less pointed stance on them in the way of criticism, they simply expressed “concern at the appearance of people who answer to no law with supernatural capabilities”. While the previous President had been impeached over the summer, Jaron couldn’t help but think that the now-promoted Vice President was simply sugar coating his true opposition in order to differentiate himself from his predecessor. Jaron was worried that he’d be found out. The government knew just about everything didn’t they? How could he possibly keep this up without being found out? While being the Red Ranger was very enjoyable, he was afraid to ever morph again.

If the government had methods to track the Case Holder, surely they could track morphing energy? Regardless of these concerns, Mark and Nicole came over the next morning also still wearing their morphers. Jaron had spent the morning showing them everything he looked up. He showed them the first four episodes of Dino Thunder, which is all he had seen as well since he figured that it would be all it took for them to learn about what they had received. While the show itself was corny, since none of them followed the franchise since they were nine years old, it was very informative. Mark now knew that he had indestructible energy armor for his forearms and Nicole learned that her screams were now ultrasonic and could inflict serious damage depending on how loud she screamed.

Mark was eyeing his phone, as there were no contacts listed in the phone and they hadn’t received any calls. He was concerned that their efforts to stall for time did not work.

“So do you think he got away?” Nicole asked almost optimistically.

“I’m not sure,” Jaron answered.

“He got away,” Mark said shortly.

Both Jaron and Nicole turned to look at Mark with interest, a little bit perplexed.

“What makes you so sure?” asked Jaron.

“The sight of us probably distracted them from everything else. I’m pretty sure they’d be more concerned with Power Rangers than an FBI agent,” Mark explained thoughtfully, gesturing with his hands as he spoke.

“That makes sense,” Nicole quipped briskly.

All three flinched when Jaron’s phone rang a neat little ringtone. Jaron almost dropped his phone anxiously trying to flip the phone open.

“Hello?” asked Jaron.

“It’s me,” said the voice of Agent Jones more clearly than any other phone he had heard before.

“Thank god,” Jaron breathed a sigh of relief, indicating that who it was to the others.

“I need you to meet me, at my place right now. Bring the case. I’m uploading the directions to your phone now,” Agent Jones responded.

Jaron was confused, and then Agent Jones hung up.

“What the hell was that? You can’t upload-” Jaron was quickly silenced.

His phone beeped, and a rather impressive looking screen flickered on his phone display, complete with directions more detailed than MapQuest could ever provide. Since when could phones be used in such a manner? Mark and Nicole were similarly impressed. Their interest in their expensive phones was cut short by the fact that they needed to get to Agent Jones quickly. Another problem was the fact that Jaron’s car was still in the alleyway by the bank, and surely someone had discovered it by now. It was then that Jaron realized that no one had come to question him, since his car was right next to the site of a major event. It concerned Jaron to no end now that he had thought about it.

“So how do we get to Agent Jones’ house?” Nicole asked concernedly.

“I guess we walk,” Mark quipped.

They wasted no time in walking out the front door, and then they were shocked. Jaron’s car was in the driveway as if it had never left.

“What the hell?” Jaron said almost angrily.

“Alright, this is weird. How the hell did your car get here?” asked Mark.

“I don’t know. We need to get to Agent Jones’ place fast,” Jaron responded as he suspiciously got into his car.

Following the directions exactly, Jaron drove himself and his cohorts to Agent Jones’ house, which was a simple two-story house on the other side of town. Just to avoid suspicion, Jaron parked his car a block away and they walked the remainder of the trip. Once they got to the front door, they didn’t even need to knock. Agent Jones, in plain civilian clothing, quickly ushered them inside as they walked up his front stoop.

“Get in,” he responded.

After being led to the living room, he sat in a chair directly across from the three who sat next to each other on his sofa.

“Agent Jones, what’s going on?” Nicole asked first.

“Just call me by my first name: Arden. I’m not a federal agent anymore. I quit,” said Jones.

“Why? What happened?” asked Mark.

“Turns out that some passerby called the cops because we were loitering outside the bank. I’ve been under suspicion for some time, so when they learned I was there, they sent other agents to apprehend me. You guys using your morphers only made the situation worse,” said Jones.

“So then how come you’re not in prison?” asked Nicole.

“To throw them off, I told them I was investigating possible connections to the SPD Rangers, and that I was going to bring you guys in when I learned who you were. Don’t worry, I didn’t give names. I basically said they compromised a mission I was secretly taking and could have brought in Power Rangers for questioning. So I handed in my resignation to avoid any further questions. I don’t mind, since I already have another job. It pays better too,” Jones explained at length.

The others remained silent for a moment, but Jaron’s mind raced with questions.

“So what are you going to do now?” Mark questioned.

“Well obviously, they’re a little skeptical, so I’ve taken some precautions. We’re not being recorded right now. This house is lined with a special material that blocks radio signals of every bandwidth from getting in or out. You’ll notice that regular cell phones won’t work here,” Jones mentioned.

“Yeah, about these phones,” Jaron began, “Won’t they tap your line or monitor your phone calls? They could trace it back to us!”

“No, they can’t. These phones cannot be monitored. Just trust me on that. These phones are rather special,” Jones answered, holding his hand up to stop any further ranting.

This explanation made no sense to the others, but they simply accepted it as part of some weird technology that Jones had access to as a federal agent.

“I don’t see how you can make an untraceable phone, but whatever. How the hell did Jaron’s car get back to his house?” Mark asked, leaning forward and looking Jones dead in the eye.

“I carried it in what’s called a containment card,” Jones said simply.

“What?” Jaron questioned with confusion.

“A containment card. Whatever is stored inside it is put into a pocket dimension for easy transport. It’s no bigger than a GameBoy,” Jones answered.

This prompted even more curiosity on everyone’s part.

“I’ve never heard of that kind of technology. How’d you do it?” Nicole asked with interest.

“With this,” Jones said as he pulled a black device out of his back pocket.

“What is that?” asked Mark.

“It’s the Fire Morpher,” Jones said darkly.

Jaron then got off the sofa, angered beyond reasoning and prepared to punch Arden Jones in the face.

“Hold on, you're the Fire Ranger?! So it’s your fault! You killed all those people! You’re the reason my father is dead!” Jaron raged.

“Hold on!” Jones said in a very authoritative tone as he stood up, revealing that he had at least three inches on Jaron.

“First of all, I was the Fire Ranger. The SPD morphers need the Delta Base to work. All I can do is make containment cards now. Now I’m sorry for your loss, but I wasn’t responsible for that. I’m the second Fire Ranger. I entered the picture in Arizona and West Virginia. The first one was a psychotic American Sergeant who had a grudge against the Red SPD Ranger,” Jones explained calmly.

“Don’t insult the American army,” Mark said coldly.

Jones took a peculiar look at Mark, before speaking very clearly and at a slow pace.

“I’m not insulting our country’s soldiers, just that soldier. His name was Eric Daylon. He was killed by the Shadow Ranger during the Battle of Saudi Arabia. He was psychotic, power hungry, and unstable. It was he who was responsible for several events all over the world,” Jones rebutted.

This appeared to sedate Mark, but he still displayed a displeased expression.

“So then you know the first Power Rangers? You know the SPD guys?” asked Jaron.

Jones seemed hesitant to answer.

“It’s too late to be keeping secrets now. Come on, cough it up,” Jaron urged.

“I was one of them. I helped them in a lot of ways. I used my position as a federal agent to give them information and I put together a large group of people who believed in their mission. I was the only non-Ranger with a position of authority. Later on, they trusted me enough to become the Fire Ranger. After Saudi Arabia, the Case Holder came back and took the morphers back. We have no idea why,” Jones elaborated.

“Hold on, if the Case Holder took the morphers back, then how do you have the Fire Morpher?” Jaron asked.

“The Case Holder never gave it out. We made the Fire Morpher on our own, so it was ours to keep,” Jaron responded.

“So who are the SPD Rangers?” Nicole asked in curiosity.

“To protect their identities, I can’t answer that question,” Jones said shortly.

Everyone else knew not to push it beyond that, and there was an awkward silence.

“So what are supposed to do now?” asked Nicole, while keeping her eye on Mark with curiosity.

“We have to find the Case Holder and return those morphers. The sooner the better,” Jones answered.

“I don’t think we can do that just yet,” Jaron answered.

“Why?” Jones asked while eying Jaron.

“Some guy who started referring to himself as Zeltrax appeared last night. He’s using Invisiportals, and he seems to have a specific interest in you,” Jaron answered.

“Hold on, wasn’t Zeltrax a villain in the television show? You’re telling me he’s here?” Jones questioned urgently.

“No. It’s not the Zeltrax, he just wants us to call him that. He wears the same armor. What does he want with you? And how the hell do Invisiportals exist?” Jaron questioned.

Jones didn’t seem sure on how to respond.

“I don’t know what this guy wants with me. As for the Invisiportals, I would guess they exist the same way that the Universal Morphing Grid does. If what you’re saying is true, then this is bad,” Jones answered.

“Morphing Grid? What’s that supposed to be?” asked Mark.

Jaron and Nicole seemed interested in the answer as well.

Jones paused as he gathered his thoughts.

“The Universal Morphing Grid isn’t really understood. I don’t know how it works really. It wasn’t even completely fleshed out in the television show. From what I know, the Universal Morphing Grid is some kind of unlimited energy source. It’s where every Power Ranger gets their powers from. It also stores all of your equipment and anything else that’s put in it,” Jones explained.

“But the Morphing Grid isn’t real. So how are we tapping into it? Who could have possibly made it?” Nicole chimed in.

“Miss Olmen, by now you should get that a lot of things that weren’t real suddenly are. The Morphing Grid wasn’t real, but now it’s as real as your Dino powers,” Jones countered.

“Won’t the government eventually start using the Morphing Grid for themselves? They did have your Fire Morpher at one point,” Jaron offered.

“No. You can’t use something when you don’t know how to access it. They gained more from one of the SPD Rangers’ megazords than they ever did from the Fire Morpher. They don’t understand the technology involved. They can’t tap the Morphing Grid. It’s beyond them. Only one person knows how to tap the Morphing Grid, and he’s a former Ranger,” Jones answered vaguely.

“Who is the Case Holder. Wait, what is the Case Holder?” Mark asked directly.

Jones was visibly disturbed by this question; apparently slightly irritated and disappointed.

“I have my theories, but I don’t know. No one does. Those who know about him only know that he’s capable of some extraordinary things. I can’t say if it’s some kind of incredible technology or something else. He brought the Power Rangers into our world, and we don’t even know what his real name is or if he even has a name,” Jones explained in a resigned tone.

“That’s scary. Some creepy old man goes around giving people things that don’t exist and we don’t even know a single thing about him,” Nicole mused.

“Or if he’s on our side. That’s why we need to return the Dino morphers. There’s no telling what he’s trying to accomplish by giving them to you,” Jones answered.

“I don’t think he’s bad,” Jones cut in.

Everyone else looked at him.

“What makes you so sure?” Mark questioned.

“He gave us our powers, and he gave the last Rangers their powers and megazords. So far there hasn’t been anything this guy couldn’t do. I mean he could’ve given the powers to Osama Bin Laden if he wanted to. I think if this guy was into some sort of shenanigans, he’d have done it already,” Jaron explained.

“He’s right,” Nicole agreed.

“This is exactly what concerns me. We don’t know his motives, how or why he does what he does. The best solution is to wait for him to reappear, and return the morphers,” Jones insisted.

“What about Zeltrax?” Mark spoke up.

“Well, we can keep looking for the Case Holder, and deal with Zeltrax as needed. It would help if we could find out who he is,” Jones replied.

“This is all so complicated,” Jaron ranted in frustration.

“Look, you want the morphers returned; that’s fine by me. I don’t want in on this, and I don’t like fighting,” Mark asserted, before standing up to leave.

“Mark,” called Jaron as he stood up, “What’s your deal with fighting? You used to be the first person to knock someone’s jaw off in my defense.”

“Times have changed,” Mark said simply.

“What about Zeltrax? You’re just going to let him keep killing? You saw what he did last night. We need you. You’re seriously going to just walk away? Some things are worth fighting for. This is worth fighting for,” Jaron rebuked in return.

Jones said nothing; Nicole also remaining silent given the history between the two boys. Mark stood still, apparently contemplating the argument, before turning his head to look at his friend.

“I’ll fight for this, but after Zeltrax, this needs to end,” Mark responded quietly.

Jaron’s lip curled in a slight smile, before Mark then sat back down on the sofa.

“Look, you kids don’t even need to be involved. If necessary, I can hold onto the case, since I can return it faster as opposed to having to track you all down before going after the Case Holder if he appears again,” Jones suggested.

“Sure, I don’t want it anymore. We’ll return our morphers after Zeltrax is dealt with. It might help if we knew who Zeltrax was,” Jaron answered.

Jaron then relinquished the case to Jones, who then took it and carefully set it inside an in-wall safe behind a portrait above his chair. A cell phone then rang, and everyone reached for a phone. Jones’ phone was ringing, and he quickly picked up.

“Yeah,” Jones answered over the phone before listening further, “Alright, I’ve got it. Talk to you soon.”

Jones then abruptly stood up as he shut his phone closed. Much to the others’ confusion, he then walked over to his television screen and turned it on. After skipping a few channels, they were all treated to a news broadcast on an attack taking place in Arizona. Jones knew very well what this place was, because it was where the HybridBot had been deployed. Jones remembered that battle all too well. Using helicopters to record the event, Zeltrax was being seen leaving the old facility that had housed it prior to its activation. The cameras zoomed in and they all noticed that he was carrying several large binders.

“What’s he doing?” Nicole asked to herself.

“I don’t know, but he’s attacking the military police trying to stop his intrusion,” Mark observed.

From the camera view they were seeing, Zeltrax then looked up directly at the camera. He then thrust his blue sword toward it and a series of blue lightning bolts came forth. When it struck what was apparently the helicopter, the screen went static. After that, the screen then switched to a news anchor who looked rather concerned but tried to explain it away as a technical difficulty. Jones switched to another channel, which showed another news helicopter’s view, and they all watched with horror as the other helicopter fell to the earth in a tailspin. Apparently, getting a good story was more important than evacuation.

“He’s going to kill everyone if we don’t stop him. Whatever he’s after, we need to do something,” Mark declared.

“How are we supposed to get there? He’s halfway across the country and we’re stuck in the middle of Northeastern Pennsylvania!” Nicole argued.

“If we had access to the Invisiportal Network like him, then maybe we could get there quickly,” Jaron added.

“We can,” Jones said firmly.

That got everyone else’s attention.

“How?” Jaron asked intently.

“The invisiportal he used last night. I know a few people who managed to pinpoint its exact location. If you give off a little bit of energy in your Ranger forms, it will trigger the invisiportal to open. After that, you use your energy signature to ‘steer’ yourself to the exit you want. Not all the invisiportals are connected, so we’ll have to hope that this one comes out where he is,” Jones explained.

“Alright, let’s get this done. Arden, are you coming?” asked Mark, knowing full well that he knew the exact location of the invisiportal.

“I can’t be seen with Power Rangers right now. I’ll send the exact location to your phones. When you get there, I want you to focus on your Dino energy, and make it grow. The energy spike will trigger the invisiportal. You’ll know what to do,” Jones instructed.

Jaron nodded before heading out of Jones’ house with the others, quickly shuffling into his car and heading back toward the bank where Zeltrax appeared. Every second wasted, Jaron just imagined that another life was being taken. He couldn’t drive fast enough, and it felt like he was hitting every red light on the way there. It took a few minutes, but he indeed managed to make it there. Once they were at the proper location as their cell phones indicated, Jaron took a look around and noticed various people going about their day.

“So uh, what about all the people?” asked Mark.

“Let’s go over there,” Nicole indicated toward the very alleyway they were led to the previous night.

“Alright, let’s go then,” said Jaron.

They promptly made their way across the street and into the alleyway. Mark and Nicole walked over and stood next to Jaron. After holding up their arms, their bracelets began the Dino morphers. They all then pressed the lever to make the mouths open up and the eyes to flash green.

“Ready?” asked Jaron.

“Ready,” the other two responded.

“Dino Thunder, Power Up! Ha!” the three yelled as they synchronized their arm movements.

At the press of a button, their bodies glowed white as their insignia formed on their chest. Thrown into an involuntary somersault as pieces of their suit flew onto them, they landed just as their suits had finished forming. Upon landing, they all severely cracked the sidewalk they had stood on. Once standing up straight, their helmets appeared on their heads in order to complete the transformation.

“Wow, I’m still not used to how amazing this feels,” Jaron commented.

“Definitely,” Nicole agreed.

“Let’s make a break for it,” Mark suggested.

Jaron then nodded, before taking off full sprint along with the others. The various pedestrians shouted and pointed in shock as three Power Rangers came running out of an alleyway to a spot across the street. As they closed in on the invisiportal’s location, Jaron began to focus inward innately knew how to draw more power from his Dino gem. Unaware that it was a side effect of being a Ranger, Jaron used his newfound knowledge and began to semi-consciously draw more power out of his Dino gem. The other two did the same, and the insignia on their suits glowed slightly. As passerby civilians observed the sight, they witnessed the Dino Thunder Power Rangers suddenly get sucked up into a tiny green fissure which closed as soon as it opened. Being tossed around in a maelstrom of green energy, the Rangers felt their inertia dramatically increase. All of them were screaming in alarm as they tried to gain their bearings, before they began to push their energy out once again, which seemed to stabilize them.

Having no idea where the invisiportal was headed, they were relieved when they finally saw an opening to the real world and tumbled out of it. Once they fell out, they managed to land on their feet and found themselves inside a building. Outside they heard explosions, yelling, and large crashes. This must have been the place. The invisiportal had taken them into the interior of the building.

“Alright guys, let’s get outside and finish off Zeltrax,” Jaron said to the others, who nodded their approval.

The Rangers ran out of the room, following the sound as they made their way through various hallways and rooms. The sounds were getting closer, and with Jaron leading the way, the Rangers turned down the longest hallway yet and pushed a door open on the side of it. Light shined through brightly as they were now outside. Zeltrax was firing bolts of electricity at numerous oncoming authority vehicles and at least two media helicopters had been downed. It was a horrible sight.

“That’s it!” Jaron shouted in frustration.

Zeltrax then realized that the Rangers were there, and turned around in order to face them. It was too late for him to respond however, as the Yellow and Blue Ranger had already drawn their Thundermax Blasters and opened fire. Upon striking his armor, the blasts exploded into a shower of sparks and knocked Zeltrax back. The Red Ranger then ran forward and jumped into the air with his Thundermax Saber out. He landed just in front of Zeltrax and swung his saber down, which Zeltrax blocked by holding his sword out over his head. The military police were slowly advancing, with their M4 rifles aimed at Zeltrax. They seemed to be holding their fire however, as they did not have a clear shot at him with the Red Ranger battling him. The Yellow Ranger then brought out her Thundermax Saber as well, not particularly versed in swordsmanship. She’d have no chance at blocking a sword strike, but she could still attack. Entering the fray, Zeltrax now had to contend with two Rangers, but he handled himself well and continued to block and parry sword strikes. The Blue Ranger then turned his own blaster into saber mode and joined with the other two.

Zeltrax was a capable fighter. The Yellow Ranger swung out with her saber which Zeltrax stopped with his own sword, before ramming her with his shoulder. Stumbling back from the move, Zeltrax then balled his free fist and backhanded her helmet with it. The force of the blow was powerful enough that she was knocked back while her body spun swiftly.

“Nicole!” Mark called out in concern.

Mark managed to pull off a repost when Zeltrax attacked him, but Zeltrax countered it by sidestepping the Blue Ranger’s retaliatory jab and delivering a spinning rear kick into the Blue Ranger’s chest. The blow was powerful enough to generate collision sparks, and Mark was sent hurtling to the ground. Jaron was left, being the more capable fighter out of all three given his martial arts background, but he couldn’t penetrate Zeltrax’s defenses.

“You fight well Red Ranger, but you’re not a match for me!” Zeltrax taunted in his deep, monstrous voice.

Eager to make some progress, the Red Ranger began to perform a series of moves with his saber that was basically a modified version of his kata that he had learned at his dojo. He had done the kata so many times, he performed it with perfect timing and precision. Zeltrax defended himself against Jaron’s combination of slashes, jabs, and kicks, as the Red Ranger continued going through his choreography. He wasn’t getting through, but he had finally reached the end of his kata which was what he wanted. The final slash got the two into a saber lock, after which Jaron grabbed Zeltrax’s sword wrist and driving his kneed into his stomach. The powerful attack generated attack sparks and Zeltrax stumbled back a bit. Apparently irritated, Zeltrax thrust his sword forward and fire blue lighting from it, which knocked the Red Ranger back and caused many sparks to come out.

Jaron clutched his chest at the incredible pain. While he suffered no injury, he still had to feel the pain of it and wasn’t yet used to it. Mark and Nicole were already back up, and they both sent an overhead saber slash down onto Zeltrax’s shoulders. Barely avoiding it, Zeltrax turned his body so that the sabers harmlessly sailed over his chest and back. With the danger negated, he jumped into the air, performing a helix flip before slashing out and striking both the Yellow and Blue Ranger at the same time. The two cried out in pain as they flew back and landed next to Jaron. Now having a clear shot, the military who were present opened fire with their weapons. Almost every bullet hit the target, striking Zeltrax over and over. His armor was strong enough that they did not penetrate, instead being deflected in favor of sparks spewing out of his armor. His body recoiled and jerked accordingly, but he still stood as dozens of bullets were shot at him. After a short period, they all ran out of bullets and needed to change their magazine. His armor smoking, Zeltrax got his bearing and looked at the soldiers. With a low growl, he fired tons of blue lightning at them, causing a series of explosions wherever they struck. They all fell to the ground, some of them having lost their lives. The Humvees nearby them were set ablaze.

Another team of soldiers who had not been attacked came from around the side of the building, complete with rocket propelled grenades and carbine rifles. As the Rangers got to their feet, they prepared to fight once more in order to stop the mindless killing. The military did something the Rangers didn’t expect however and began firing their RPGs at both Zeltrax AND the Rangers. All four were sent flying as sparks blasted from their body and pained racked through them.

“I didn’t see that coming. What the hell are they doing? We’re on their side!” Jaron ranted.

“I guess they’re still a little sore over the last bunch of Power Rangers,” Mark commented.

“What are we supposed to do?” asked Nicole.

“I don’t know,” Jaron responded, as he got to his feet while holding onto his shoulder with one of his hands.

“You can all die!” Zeltrax shouted angrily.

As the soldiers began to reload their RPGs, something began to happen. The leader soldier who was reloading, suddenly lost his RPG launcher. It suddenly jumped out of his hand, before swinging around and knocking him over. The launcher then dropped to the ground before the confused and alarmed soldiers began to recoil and fall down as if some force was attacking them. Zeltrax looked on, interested in what was going on. Unable to defend against whatever it was that was knocking these soldiers unconscious, they were swiftly dispatched.

“What the hell just happened?” Jaron asked in abject confusion.

Footsteps could be seen depressing into the Arizona dirt, approaching the three of them. Suddenly a person began to fade into view, revealing what had been there. It was Jones, who had somehow gained the ability to become invisible. The soldiers were now unconscious, so there was no risk of them seeing who he was. The news helicopters were also too high up to get any kind of facial clarity, as they had increased their altitude in order to avoid being shot down by Zeltrax.

“Arden!” Zeltrax called out with complete enmity.

“You seem to know who I am, but I have no idea who you are,” Jones replied.

“What’s going on?” Nicole asked to no one.

“Thanks for showing up. Now I can take great pleasure in killing you,” Zeltrax said scathingly.

“I don’t know what your problem is, but now you’re my problem,” Jones shot back.

“You’ll have to get through us!” Jaron declared defiantly, as he ran in front of Jones and stood defensively along with Mark and Nicole.

“I don’t have time to waste on you kids,” Zeltrax responded, before revealing a containment card.

Jones looked shocked that Zeltrax had one, but quickly shook off his astonishment. After pressing the release button it, Zeltrax tossed the containment card into the air before it released about a dozen old SARCOS armors. These were the same exoskeletons that were used back against the SPD Power Rangers, but there were no soldiers in them. They were operating autonomously.

Jones then stepped past Jaron, standing in front.

“You guys deal with the exoskeletons, I’ll handle Zeltrax,” Jones said with determination, before rolling his sleeve and revealing a Dino bracelet with the black Dino gem on it.

No one was given a chance to respond, as the bracelet turned into the Brachio Dino Morpher, and Jones revealed a key in his right hand. He then began to perform a very familiar set of arm movements.

“Dino Thunder, Power Up!” Jones yelled, before inserting the key into the morpher.

Once he turned the key, he held his arm up as the morpher filled with his energy. His body was covered in white light as the Dino Thunder insignia appeared on his chest, before he was thrown into a backward somersault as black fragments flew onto his body. Once he landed, the force of the landing caused a crater under his feet. Once he stood up straight, his helmet appeared on his head. Filled with the strength of a Power Ranger for the first time in a long time, Jones assumed a fighting stance.

“So you’re a Dino Ranger now?” Zeltrax commented.

“Say hello to the Black Ranger,” Jones responded with clear confidence in his voice.

“Alright then, I can deal with this,” Jaron commented.

“Come on kids, let’s do this,” said the Black Ranger as he drew the weapon hanging from his belt, “Brachio Staff! Bring it on Zeltrax, whoever you are,”

“Attack!” Zeltrax yelled, forcing the SARCOS automatons to start moving forward on their own.

The Red, Blue, and Yellow Ranger all charged into the oncoming crowd of metal attackers, as the Black Ranger leapt over all of them in order to land in front of Zeltrax. With his Brachio Staff at the ready, the Black Ranger began to engage Zeltrax. The two participated in a highly competitive swordfight that displayed rather impressive swordsmanship. Jaron caught a glimpse and recognized that Jones was a far more capable fighter than he had been up to this point. The Dino Rangers dealing with the SARCOS exoskeletons fought swiftly, dodging the noticeably nimble SARCOS exoskeletons before striking out with their Thundermax Sabers and severing metallic limb and battery alike. These SARCOS suits looked rather old, but the Rangers had no issues dispatching them as they moved through the crowd using their fists, legs, and sabers to cut their numbers down.

Jones managed to snatch an opening and sent the tip of his Brachio Staff into Zeltrax’s chest. Sparks emerged, but Zeltrax instantly responded by throwing several punches toward him. Jones blocked them all, before tilting his torso back to dodge an oncoming punch aimed for his helmet. Grabbing Zeltrax’s outstretched arm, the Black Ranger swung him around before throwing him into the air. As soon as he became airborne, Jones began to prepare his next attack. Slowly drawing a circle with his weapon, a ball of pure energy began to form.

“Energy Orb!” Jones yelled, before slashing the orb and propelling it toward Zeltrax.

Upon striking him, the energy orb exploded into a ball of fire that engulfed Zeltrax, who fell from the scene of explosion and smashed into the ground as his charred armor steamed and smoked. He was quick to get up, and used his blue sword to prop help lift himself.

“Black Ranger or not, you will die by my doing Arden. I’ll make sure of it!” Zeltrax threatened.

Reaching up with his sword, Zeltrax disappeared into an invisiportal as the other Rangers finished off the last SARCOS exoskeletons.

“What was that all about?” Jaron asked as he jogged up to the newest member of their team.

“I don’t know, but I’m definitely going to find out,” Jones remarked, before looking to the soldiers he had earlier dispatched.

“We need to go,” Jones said, before running off and leading the other Rangers toward the invisiportal they arrived in.

In short order, they had all returned home. Meeting at Jones’ house, they watched on the news as the media tried to spin the attack as the fault of the Ranger’s somehow. Even the anchors were smart enough to notice that they had HELPED defeat Zeltrax, and various television personalities verbally duked it out. Of greater interest was real footage of a Ranger being seen morphing. Too high up to make out Jones’ face, they still saw a Power Ranger transforming and now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that these news Rangers also meant business.

“So what do we do now?” Nicole asked as she sipped some ice tea while sitting on Jones’ sofa.

“We wait for Zeltrax to reappear. But in the meantime, we need to map out the invisiportal network so we can use it ourselves,” Jones replied.

“And just how are we supposed to do that?” asked Mark.

The doorbell then rang, and Jones was quick to answer it. An average looking man with glasses and a serious expression stood before them.

“Guys, meet Hank. He’s going to help us map the invisiportal network,” Jones said proudly.

“Hello Rangers, I’ll look forward to assisting you,” said Hank with a large smile and a gleam in his eye.

Jaron, Mark, and Nicole all looked with concern at this new person who knew that they were Power Rangers.

[Kali_WolfChilde]

oh, ****. Beckoner you totally freaking RULE!!!! as for Zeltrax, the only person i can guess that would have containment cards is the old Fire Ranger, Sergeant Daylon. other than that, u have got me sitting on the edge of my seat, man! KIU (keep it up)!

[Philip]

Wow, this is really good. I liked how Agent Jones turned into the Black Dino Ranger. I wasn't expecting that one.

[dragomuseveni]

dude that was awsome man, i really liked it...i agree with kali...about halfway through this chapter it hit me, because i commented when dylon died that i could see a zeltraxish return...and here is zeltrax...idk lol but great work dude, i get a very tommy vibe from jones and its not cuz he is the black ranger haha

[Einsider]

Nice one man - still going good! I thought jones might be morphin some point soon! keep going, this is getting so interesting!

[roc da mic]

sweet . and i am nowvery eager to see how you bring in the drago ranger. also will ther ver be a cross over of some kind in the future.

[Red Evolution Ranger]

Wow.... lol, Jones kicked some ass :p. Once again, awesome job man! I think I have an idea who the whie ranger might be, but hey, I have no doubt you'll probably prove me wrong.

[SnoopsWarner]

It's funny because "Bender" is slang for "Gay".

[Beckoner]

It's funny because "Bender" is slang for "Gay".

Lol World Gay. Yes in European nomenclature it means that. But in this it refers to what's happening. Something that is supposed to be impossible is happening in the world, bending the very laws of reality since Power Rangers are fictional and the Ranger's presence is changing the world. Hence the name "World Bender".


oh, ****. Beckoner you totally freaking RULE!!!! as for Zeltrax, the only person i can guess that would have containment cards is the old Fire Ranger, Sergeant Daylon. other than that, u have got me sitting on the edge of my seat, man! KIU (keep it up)!

I'll definitely keep doing my best! Thanks a lot man!

dude that was awsome man, i really liked it...i agree with kali...about halfway through this chapter it hit me, because i commented when dylon died that i could see a zeltraxish return...and here is zeltrax...idk lol but great work dude, i get a very tommy vibe from jones and its not cuz he is the black ranger haha

Lol man you have made a series of good calls in the past. Mark my words, I'll manage to slip a few things past you. As for Zeltrax, well we'll have to see. Heh.

Nice one man - still going good! I thought jones might be morphin some point soon! keep going, this is getting so interesting!

Yuppers! Got a little experience on the team to even it out.

sweet . and i am nowvery eager to see how you bring in the drago ranger. also will ther ver be a cross over of some kind in the future.

I'm looking forward to introducing the White Ranger as well. As for future story points, well you know I like to keep it under wraps until the right time; heh.

Wow.... lol, Jones kicked some ass :p. Once again, awesome job man! I think I have an idea who the whie ranger might be, but hey, I have no doubt you'll probably prove me wrong.

Thanks a lot man. The White Ranger will be a tough one. Either you'll see it coming a mile away, or you'll be completely caught off guard. Lol.

---------------

And now, time for episode four!

World Bender Season 2
Episode 4: A Cerebral Enemy


Almost two weeks after Hank had arrived to assist the Rangers as the technical consultant for the Rangers, they had dozens of invisiportal links mapped that traveled all over North America, with some going to Korea, Canada, and China. After the events in Arizona, there hadn’t been another appearance of Zeltrax. It took a lot of investigation, but it had turned out that Zeltrax had stolen a copy of the HybridBot schematics for himself, as well as stealing that facility’s complement of SARCOS exoskeletons. Now running autonomously, they were easier to mass produce without the need for actual soldiers wearing them. As Hank typed away on his blazingly fast laptop while going over some technical data in Jones’ living room, Jaron had come over to watch the tv and see if there was any more trouble.

In the political world, it wasn’t getting any better. Even though it was plainly obvious to some that the Rangers were not a menace to society, the government was convinced otherwise. They wanted both Zeltrax and the Power Rangers gone. In the public eye, the new Power Rangers were more or less neutral and hadn’t hurt anyone in particular. It was a controversial topic, but the President was using the Arizona incident as an excuse to begun funding military projects in order to combat them. While watching the coverage on CNN, Jaron suddenly got an idea.

“Hank!” Jaron called out as he stood up and walked over to Hank who was heavily engrossed in his work.

“What is it?” Hank responded.

“There’s something that’s been bothering me. How did Zeltrax get that containment card? Not just anyone can get their hands on those SARCOS suits. I remember the Army was using them against the last Power Rangers. Zeltrax obviously knows things about the Army, so maybe that could narrow down our search,” Jaron explained at length.

“Believe me, that occurred to me,” said Jones as he entered the room and sat down on an armchair.

“So who do you think Zeltrax is?” Jaron asked.

“I’m pretty sure he’s someone who has been in the military before. The problem comes once you add me to the equation. I can’t think of anyone who would have a grudge with me. As for the SARCOS suits, they were old suits. I’m guessing he’s stealing them from a warehouse somewhere. Hank’s already checked warehouse and cargo manifests. There are only about 30 remaining containment cards under Army ownership, so we’re figuring it out,” Jones responded.

“I’m picking something up on the invisiportal network,” Hank suddenly piped up.

“What’s going on?” Jones asked as he walked up behind Hank and looked at the laptop screen.

“There’s something moving through the network. It just headed toward North Korea. That’s the third time this week,” said Hank.

“Can you narrow it down to a precise exit point?” asked Jones.

“Not on a laptop. I need better equipment. I’m going to have to monitor this from headquarters,” Hank said simply.

Jaron was bothered once again, as he didn’t like being kept out of the loop. Jones’ contacts all seemed to know more and he wasn’t being told anything. He was particular disapproving of Jones giving out their identity. Hank was an example of that. He decided to butt in.

“Headquarters? Just what exactly are you into Hank?” Jaron asked.

Hank looked at Jaron dismissively, before closing his laptop and preparing to leave.

“Not your business Jaron,” Jones said with finality.

“I’ll relay the information I get once I triangulate his position. See you later Arden,” said Hank, before walking out of the house.

With Hank gone, Jaron decided to pick a bone with Jones.

“Arden, don’t be a dick. I’m just as involved in this as you are. The morphers were given to me. I'm the Red Ranger, and anything that has to do with this is my business. You’ve been doing shit behind our backs and not telling us anything. This guy Hank has been sitting quietly with his face buried in his computer like a drone for two weeks and I don’t even know who he is. I want in,” Jaron asserted himself.

“Kid, I’ve got about 15 years on you. I served in the military, as a police officer, and then I spent the last 5 years in the FBI. I was being considered for a spot in the Central Intelligence Agency before you guys recklessly morphed and I had to leave my job to cover it up. I have extensive knowledge of national security protocols and I was good at what I did. I know what I’m doing. You’ve got the morphers, but I can’t allow a trio of teenagers with powers beyond their imagination doing whatever they want. Just trust me; I’m the only thing standing between you and a ticket to federal prison,” Jones rebuked.

“Fine. You want to be Mr. Big Shot? Fine. Do this on your own. I’m done playing the superhero,” Jaron snapped back before taking his cell phone out of his pocket and dropping it on the floor.

With no further dialogue, Jaron stormed out of Jones’ house. Jones simply watched him leave and let him go. He had a lot to do without needing to chase after a kid. Jaron drove around randomly until he passed by a basketball court where he saw Mark shooting some hoops while Nicole sat on a bench watching. Apparently they had been hanging out. Jaron circled the block and parallel parked nearby before walking over to them. Mark was playing three on three with some guys he didn’t know, while Nicole was reading a magazine of some kind. Jaron walked over and sat next to Nicole.

“Hey,” said Jaron.

“Hey!” Nicole replied brightly.

“What are you doing here?” Jaron asked conversationally.

“Mark wanted to hang out, but I’m not much of a basketball person. Those guys would kill me,” Nicole responded.

“You could always morph and then kick all their asses,” Jaron joked.

Nicole giggled before looking back at the guys playing basketball.

“Some of these guys are kinda cute,” Nicole remarked.

Jaron scoffed, before looking at Mark play. While Mark was pretty good at shooting and covering, he was getting tossed around by a guy in a tank top who was playing very aggressively. He had light skin, a fairly muscular build for a lean guy, and he was just a little taller than Mark, suggesting he was about as tall as Jaron. From the get go, Jaron didn’t like the guy. He kept pushing into Mark when he covered him and nearly knocked him off his feet. Perhaps it was a defensive response for his friend, but Jaron was considering telling the guy to back off a little.

“So what’s up?” asked Nicole.

“Well, I’m done being Arden’s errand boy. The guy’s a total prick. He’s got all these backroom deals going on, telling people who we are and getting them involved without even consulting us. He wants to play captain when we barely know him,” Jaron ranted.

“So you’re not going to be a Power Ranger anymore?” asked Nicole.

“I’ll keep the morpher, and I’ll do what I have to, but Jones is on his own for a while. Rather than act like part of a team, he wants to throw his resume at me and have me shut up like a good little teenager. Fuck that,” Jaron responded bitterly.

“I’ll tell you what: I’ll back you up. If you don’t fight, I don’t fight,” Nicole said supportively while resting her hand on his shoulder.

“Thanks,” Jaron replied sincerely.

Jaron looked back at the basketball game and saw a shorter guy with wild eyes trying to cover someone who was on the same team as the guy with the tank top. The guy in the tank top saw the short guy on Mark’s team trying to block the left side of the court, and quickly walked into him and bumped him over using his chest. The short boy toppled straight over.

“Whoa whoa, chill out bro,” said Mark as he walked up to the guy in the tank top.

“I don’t need to ‘chill’ out. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the fire ‘homie’,” the guy shot back.

The clearly racist comeback, an offended Mark approached the guy but then restrained himself.

“Chill out,” said one of his teammate, who had blond hair and a very American looking chin.

“Butt out, Jerry,” said the guy.

Mark let out a restrained sigh, apparently trying to cool down.

“What, you gonna try something? Go ahead and throw,” the guy said as he got into Mark’s face.

“Chill the fuck out Sergio,” said Jerry.

“You want a piece, come and take it,” Sergio said, still in Mark’s face.

Jaron tensed up and was halfway out of his seat; ready to run in if things got out of hand.

“Don’t let Sergio get to you man. He’s not racist, he’s just trying to get a rise out of you. Now step off Keldon,” the blond boy said as he referred to Sergio by his last name.

Mark backed away before walking over to Jaron and Nicole.

“Uh huh, walk away,” Sergio taunted.

“That guy’s an asshole,” Mark commented.

“Dude, you could’ve laid him out. I seriously feel like knocking his jaw off for you,” said Jaron.

“Don’t worry about it. So what’s up?” asked Mark.

“Nothing,” Jaron answered.

“Jaron’s a little peeved at Arden. We’re going on strike,” Nicole said with a laugh.

“What, he being too controlling or elitist?” Mark said knowingly.

“Got to you too huh?” Jaron answered.

“Let’s just say I’m not too fond of it,” Mark answered.

The special cell phone that Jones had given to Mark began to ring. Drawing it out of his pocket and checking the caller ID, they all noticed that it was Jones. Having already made a mutual agreement, they all just let the phone ring. After Mark missed his call, Nicole’s phone rang shortly after. When it became apparent that she too was not going to answer, the ringing stopped.

“Wanna make a soda run?” Nicole suggested.

“Shotgun,” Mark called out.

Back at Jones’ house, he flipped his phone shut in irritation.

“Kids these days,” Jones remarked, before his phone rang.

When he picked up, it was Hank.

“Talk to me,” Jones said shortly.

“I’ve narrowed it down. Your phone is now receiving the invisiportal path. He’s definitely there,” Hank answered on the other end of the line.

Jones ended the call, checking the screen and seeing a topographical view of a small portion of the invisiportal network, with a small green blip indicating his destination. If the data was correct, it was indicating that an invisiportal leyline overlaid his house. Saving himself a little bit of time, Jones’ will turned the Dino bracelet into the Brachio morpher, his right hand receiving a key.

“Dino Thunder, Power Up!” Jones called out as he performed the proper arm movements, before inserting the key.

Twisting the key and activating the morpher, his body was instantly covered in the Ranger suit of the Black Dino Ranger. Jones noticed that he had morphed differently this time, with no idea as to why. It was all for the better, as if he had morphed the usual way, he would’ve broken the floor of his house. Reaching his hand up and exerting his Dino gem, the Black Ranger got sucked out of his living room and into the invisiportal network. Carefully regulating his Dino gem’s energy levels semi-consciously, he navigated through it as though it were second nature. Having been a Power Ranger before helped, although the suits felt vastly different. The Dino powers had a completely different yet familiar feel to them. A primary difference between the two that he had noticed was that the Dino powers seemed more embedded with his own physiology, whereas the Fire Ranger powers were completely independent of it. It all took only a few seconds before the Black Ranger was ejected from the invisiportal network and had landed inside an office.

Wherever he was, it was definitely in Korea. There were open manila folders on a mahogany desk written and printed in what was evidently Korean. A meeting of some sort took place here, and Jones was anxious to figure it out. Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to look. A Korean man in military garb of some apparent stature came walking in with a briefcase and following just behind him into the room was Zeltrax. A few steps into the room, the man noticed the Black Ranger and shouted something in Korean, after which Zeltrax pushed him aside and drew his sword and shield.

“Arden!” Zeltrax yelled with enmity.

“Who is this?” the Korean man asked with a medium accent.

“Just an enemy who has come to his own execution!” Zeltrax shot back.

“That’s my line,” Jones responded, drawing his Brachio Staff.

The two opponents slowly circled the room while aiming their weapons toward eachother, with the Korean man pressing himself against the wall, having dropped his briefcase with the contents spilled on the floor.

“This is a Power Ranger!” the Korean man realized.

Taking a glance at the forms on the floor, he saw what appeared to diagrams. They were building something.

“So, you’re selling American technology to the Koreans eh? Is that was you were aiming for when you stole the HybridBot plans in Arizona?” said Jones with an air of disgust.

“I’m not selling anything. I don’t need money. I get what I want. Thanks to the invisiportals, I can be anywhere I want whenever I want,” Zeltrax replied.

The Korean man looked emboldened.

“You did not tell us of this. If you want the Type 100, I want access to your ‘invisiportals’ as well!” the Korean officer answered.

“You will get nothing! And now that you’ve built what I wanted, I don’t need you anymore!” Zeltrax viciously responded, before firing a beam of blue lightning from his sword at the man.

The burst of lightning completely penetrated the man’s chest as ancillary lightning breaking off from the main beam struck him on various parts of the body. One of them even struck the man’s eyeball and popped it. When it was over, a heavily charred and bloodied man fell to the ground. The wall behind him was heavily burned with some blood slowly leaking down. It was a painful and gruesome death for the man. Zeltrax then aimed his sword back at the Black Ranger. Jones wasn’t particularly upset at this man’s death given who his allegiances were, but it was a gratuitous murder never the less.

“I want to know who you are, right now,” Jones said firmly.

“Who I am doesn’t matter,” Zeltrax responded.

“How do you know me?” Jones questioned.

“You ruined my life. Well, a past life that is,” Zeltrax responded.

“I’ve taken down, arrested, or led to the arrest of hundreds of people. Last time I checked none of them were able to come back and bite me in the ass,” Jones spat back.

“None of them were me!” Zeltrax yelled as he charged the Black Ranger.

Closing the distance between the two, Zeltrax pushed his shield into the Black Ranger, forcing him back against the wall. While holding him there, Zeltrax lifted his sword aloft with his other arm, drawing into it. Jones was not one to be beaten here, and he managed to force his way from under Zeltrax’s shield and rolled against the wall to his right. Zeltrax ended up slicing into the wall when he finally brought his sword down where the Black Ranger used to be. With Zeltrax’s sword stuck in the wall, the Black Ranger took advantage and started delivering powerful kicks into Zeltrax’s back. Recoiling from the kicks, Zeltrax could do little more than take the blows as he tried to unwedge his sword. Jones then thrust the tip of his Brachio Staff straight toward Zeltrax, who quickly held his shield in the way, blocking the blow. A little fizzle of collision sparks burst from his shield before the feedback shock traveled back up his arm, and made the Black Ranger stumble backward. Zeltrax yanked the sword out of the wall before swinging it at the Black Ranger. Using a fierce combination of would-be killer moves, Zeltrax tried to connect his blade with the Black Ranger’s suit, who managed to recover from his stumble and use defensive blocking maneuvers with his Brachio Staff.

The two used their swords in an exchange of parries, thrusts, slashes, and power slices, neither landing a hit. Jones had a slight advantage, but Zeltrax’s use of his shield effectively negated that. As their weapons banged against each other, rattling the air, the more aggressive Zeltrax forced the Black Ranger to maintain his footwork and move backwards. They fought until they had moved out of the office, entering a long corridor with glass for walls. The hallway was effectively a sky bridge linking the office to a larger building. Jones didn’t have time to look at it, though he did see enough to it to be mindful of his surroundings. As the two moved down the hallway, the Black Ranger saw another opening, and tried to drive his Brachio Staff into Zeltrax’s armpit in order to force him to drop his weapon, but he blocked with his shield and then pushed it against the side glass wall, pinning the Brachio Staff down.

Zeltrax used this advantage and tried to strike the Black Ranger’s neck with a lateral swing of his sword. Jones ducked underneath it, and Zeltrax’s sword hit the glass instead, making the durable glass crack severely from the point of impact. In order to avoid losing his weapon, the Black Ranger let go of the Brachio Staff’s handle, and swooped down before kicking out Zeltrax’s right leg. Stumbling to one knee, Zeltrax could no longer pin Jones’ weapon, and the Black Ranger quickly snatched it as it fell through the air. Still crouching down, the Black Ranger couldn’t stop the oncoming kick Zeltrax sent out since he had gotten to his feet first. Jones managed to move his left forearm in the way, but the kick simply forced his arm into his chest and his whole body flew back several feet down the hall. Zeltrax was quick to pursue, and the Black Ranger blocked an oncoming sword slash with his own weapon, before pushing Zeltrax’s sword away and twirling to his right, before swinging out with his Brachio Staff which of course was in his right arm. Zeltrax saw the move coming, and ducked below it, before going on the offensive again.

Jones had a plan in mind, and kept up his defense as their weapons danced through the air as the two tried to destroy one another. The Black Ranger started to become more aggressive, but still continued to move backwards in tandem with Zeltrax’s own footwork. After a quick skirmish that felt like it was going on forever; the two made their way pretty close to the opposite exit. Jones now decided to go through with his strategy. Zeltrax performed a generic lateral strike, which the Black Ranger blocked exactly as he had earlier. He then pushed Zeltrax’s weapon away once more in the exact same manner, before twirling toward his right again. Zeltrax recognized this attack as Jones had used it earlier, and knew exactly how he was going to dodge it. As the Black Ranger spun 360 degrees, he switched the Brachio Staff from his right hand to his left during the split second that his back was facing Zeltrax. He swung his right arm out again, but there was no weapon in it, so Zeltrax ended up ducking under Jones’ fist. When Zeltrax stood back up to his full height, he hadn’t seen it coming, and the Black Ranger followed up with a swing the Brachio Staff in his left hand. It connected directly with Zeltrax’s shield which was being held in his own left hand. The force of the move sent the shield flying and it broke through the side window that the walls consisted of.

As Zeltrax watched his shield fall away along with shattered glass, the split second he wasted looking at it allowed Jones’ trick to reach its full conclusion. The Black Ranger sent a powerful punch into Zeltrax’s abdomen, forcing him to bend forward in pain. The Black Ranger seamlessly pushed himself into Zeltrax, before rolling over him using his back as a support surface. Now on other side, the Black Ranger planted his foot and sent his heel crashing into Zeltrax’s back. He crashed through the metal, double doors and onto a metal catwalk. When Jones ran into the room to follow up his offensive, he noticed that the catwalk they were standing on overlooked a giant machine.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/Zatenks2/mecha.jpg

It was what appeared to be a chassis for a massive robot. Korea must have been plunging their economy into near poverty trying to build this thing. From what had been completed however, it possessed large claws and a massive machine gun. Jones’ second to size the machine up proved to be an opening for Zeltrax, who swept his leg out and knocked the Black Ranger down. Jones got up quickly, as did Zeltrax. Both of them aimed their weapons at each other, and the Black Ranger was first to attack.

He swung his Brachio Staff straight from above, which Zeltrax sidestepped. The Brachio Staff ended up colliding with the metal guard rail, which bent it horribly as friction sparks burst from it. Zeltax tried to throw his leg out in order to kick Jones, who lifted up his leg and blocked with his knee. Zeltrax pressed his attack by trying to perform a stabbing move into Jones’ chest; who blocked with the Brachio Staff and entered into a saber lock. Zeltrax tried to force his advantage by pushing the Brachio Staff down but the Black Ranger managed to overpower him and reverse the push, forcing Zeltrax’s sword until the tips of their weapons touched the floor. An angered Zeltrax then yanked his sword free from the saber lock and grabbed Jones by the neck before pushing him against the guard rail. The Black Ranger then lifted up his knee and wedged his leg in between the two, before sho