Disclaimer: The Power Rangers originally belonged to Saban, now they belong to Beuna Vista entertainment. The point is they don’t belong to me. I am writing this without permission. I am receiving no money for this, so please don’t sue me. A note: In this story and the one before it (Morphin’ thru the Rainbow) the character Rocky is gay. Something to keep in mind: This is a work of fiction. I in no way am implying that Steve Cardenas (who played Rocky) is gay. (Actually I have no clue whether he is or not). That being said, if anyone has a problem with homosexuals I have one request: GET OVER IT! Sorry had to get that out of my system.
Author’s note: The martial art James uses is called Capeiro (I’m probably misspelling that) It’s a Brazilian martial art with centuries of history. It combines fighting and dance. I don’t know it but am interested in it. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford lessons. Have fun.
Rocky DeSantos leaned casually back in his chair. The voice on the other end of the phone was talking about some class project, but, he didn’t care. He was too focused on that voice to care. He could listen to it for hours.
“Rocky, are you listening?” The voice asked, “I asked you a question.”
“Sorry James,” Rocky said, “What did you ask?”
James Montgomery sighed, “Are we going to build this bloody thing at your place or mine?”
The “bloody thing” was a rocket they’d been assigned to build by their science teacher. James and Rocky had decided to partner up.
“Yours.” Rocky said, “There are too many people at my place.”
Rocky had four brothers and five sisters, ranging in age from twenty to five. His older brother, Juan was away at college, which still left eight annoying siblings to get in their way.
“Okay, I’ll see you then.” James said, “Love you.”
“Love you.” Rocky said and hung up.
“Rocky’s in love.” Taunted his eight-year old brother Rico, who had just come in the room.
Shut up.” Rocky said, and threw a pillow at him.
“Rocky’s in love?” Rita Repulsa screeched, “How dare one of those Power Brats be happy? If I have to be miserable, so do they.”
“What do you propose, sis?” Rito Revolto asked.
“I don’t know.” She replied, “Something nasty though.”
He was about to respond when a brilliant white light appeared. When it cleared a woman dressed in ornamental armor stood before them
“Scorpina.” Rita sneered, “I haven’t seen you since Lord Zedd first showed up.”
“Well, I’m back.” The oriental woman said.
“Did you get it.” A gruff voice asked from the doorway of the trailer they lived in.
Turning, Rita saw her husband, Lord Zedd. The tall red being was looking at Scorpina expectantly.
“Yes and no.” Scorpina replied.
“What do you mean?” Lord Zedd demanded.
“I have part of it.” Scorpina held out a gray crystal.
“A piece of the Dark Zeo Crystal?” Rita asked, “I didn’t think it existed.”
“Well it does.” Scorpina retorted.
Lord Zedd lifted his staff. A bolt of electricity flew from the Z at the end and send Scorpina flying.
When I said I want the Dark Zeo Crystal,” He growled, “I meant the whole thing!”
Scorpina scrambled to her feet. She held the out the crystal imploringly. Zedd took it. It was a simple thing. Barely four inches long. It was hard to believe it could mean the end of the Power Rangers.
“Now,” He said, “who do we give it to?”
“I know, Ed.” Rito volunteered.
“It’s Zedd!” Lord said snapped, “For the last time skull-boy; my name is Lord Zedd!”
“Sorry!” Rito said, “I think we should give it to Zeo Ranger 3’s boyfriend.”
“Yes that would be fun wouldn’t it.” Lord Zedd said, “Now where is he?”
A beam of red light emanated from his eye plate. This was Zedd’s method of spying on Earth.
Below, sitting on the porch of his house was James Montgomery. He had long blonde hair and green eyes. He sported black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. He was currently smoking a filter less cigarette.
“And the Blue Ranger?” Lord said asked.
He shifted his gaze to Rocky who was headed to James’ house.
“Goldar!” Lord Zedd called, returning his gaze to the moon.
A giant baboon sporting golden armor and black wings waked out. He carried a large ornate sword.
“You called, Evil One.” He said.
“Take some tengas and delay Zeo Ranger 3.” He ordered, “Scorpina take some more tengas and bring me James.”
The two henchmen vanished.
James was just finishing his smoke when an Asian woman accompanied by a squad of oily black humanoid birds appeared. He sighed and tossed the butt of the cigarette on the ground.
“Mum said moving to America was a bad idea.” He commented, “You must work for one of the aliens.”
“Yes.” She replied, “I’m Scorpina. Lord Zedd requests your presence.”
James glanced at his watch, “I have a project to work on. How about next week?”
“Now!” Scorpina insisted.
With that the tengas attacked. Launching himself into the air James kicked the nearest one in the face. Then, without missing a beat he spun on his foot and took down three more.
Scorpina watched amazed by the teen’s skills. She couldn’t tell if he was dancing or fighting. Plus, he seemed to be going in circles. After a while, the tengas retreated.
“Still want me?” James asked.
“Yes.” Scorpina replied and threw her boomerang at him.
Scorpina threw her boomerang at him again. This time he didn’t duck. Instead, he reached out and used a sai to catch it and knock it aside.
“You can’t.” She began.
“He kicked her in the face. She fell onto the ground with a thud.
“Enough!” a voice said.
Looking up James saw a lady dressed in some sort of weird outfit. It looked sort of like a medieval dress that hadn’t been washed in centuries. On her head she sported a kind of jester’s cap. She was sitting on a flying unicycle. James really didn’t want to know what was keeping it up. Some things were better left to the imagination.
“You must be Rita.” He said.
“Yes, Gray Ranger.” She grinned.
“I’m not the Gray Ranger.” He protested.
“You are now!” She yelled.
She pointed her want at him and began to chant. Moments later he vanished followed by Rita and Scorpina.
Rocky ran into to James’ yard panting for breath. He’d been on his way over when Goldar had and the tengas had attacked. They’d been easy to get rid of though. Too easy. Rocky had the distinct impression Zedd and Rita were up to something.
He froze at the sight of the yard. Black feathers covered the lawn. Red blood pooled on the green grass mixing with a purple slime.
Rocky bent down and scooped up a fingerful of the slime. He sniffed at it. It smelled sweet, like cinnamon. But, he had no idea what it was.
He activated the silver communicator at his wrist, “Come in Zordon.”
“Yes, Rocky.” Boomed the voice of the Power Ranger’s mentor.
“Zordon, James has been attacked.” Rocky said.
“I know.” Zordon replied, “Teleport to the Power Chamber.”
“On my way.” Rocky said.
Suddenly an object landed in the ground at Rocky’s feet. Looking down, he saw a sai sticking up. It was still quivering. He looked up his body automatically going into a fighting stance.
“James?” Rocky took a step backwards, “Oh man no.”
“Oh yes.” Gray Ranger said and laughed.
“It’s Morphin’ Time!” Rocky called.
Rocky: “Zeo Ranger 3 Blue!”
In a flash of light he morphed.
“Listen to me.” He said, “You’re under a spell. You have to fight it.”
“I don’t have to do anything.” Gray Ranger said, and then he attacked.
Tommy Oliver, Katherine Hilliard, Adam Park, Tanya Sloan, and Trey of Treyforia were sitting around a table in Angel Grove’s Youth Center. Tommy was holding hands with Kat. Their orders hadn’t arrived yet, and they were beginning to wonder about Rocky.
“Rocky and James were supposed to meet us after they finished their project.” Adam commented, “It’s not like them to be late.”
“They’re a minute late.” Tommy told him, “Besides, they probably got distracted.”
Adam snickered at this.
“Boys.” Tanya muttered.
Adam’s snicker became a giggle. Tommy joined in.
“What?” Trey asked, “Why are Rocky’s personal activities amusing.”
“They aren’t.” Kat said, “They’re just being stupid.”
Tommy’s communicator let out a beeping noise. They quickly found an empty corner.
“Yes Zordon.” Tommy said into his communicator.
Rita has turned James into her Gray Ranger.” Zordon commented, “Morph to his house. Rocky is already there.”
“Understood.” Tommy said, “It’s Morphin’ Time!”
Kat: “Zeo Ranger 1 Pink!”
Tanya: “Zeo Ranger 2 Yellow!”
Adam: “Zeo Ranger 4 Green!”
Tommy: “Zeo Ranger 5 Red!”
Trey: “Gold Ranger Power!”
“Nice of you to join us.” Blue Ranger commented as his teammates appeared.
Guess you did get distracted.” Red Ranger replied, pulling out his Zeo Saber.
“I’m not asking.” Blue said producing his Zeo axes.
Pink Ranger and Yellow Ranger were back to back fighting Tengas.
“Get lost birdbrains.” Yellow Ranger said, twirling her Zeo clubs.
Pink Ranger kicked an especially insistent Tenga. It went down with a squawk. Then she tossed her Zeo discs taking down a few more.
Green Ranger, meanwhile, found himself facing off against Gray Ranger. He had no idea why the evil ranger had separated him from the group, but, he’d be damned if he was going to let Rita win.
“Rocky’s mine!” Gray Ranger hissed swinging his sais.
“I never said he wasn’t.” Green Ranger retorted parrying with his Zeo hatchets.
“I see the way he looks at you.” Gray Ranger said.
The other Rangers, having taken care of the Tengas, joined him. They spread out, ready to attack their opponent.
“James,” Red Ranger said, “I know what it’s like to be under a spell. You have to fight it.’
“No.” Gray Ranger replied, “Zeo Howl!”
A loud noise emitted from his helmet. It was a focused beam of sound that brought the Rangers to their knees. Blue Ranger tried to stagger to his feet only to get knocked down again as the sound continued.
The Rangers managed to reach their communicators. Gray Ranger tried to attack them again, but they teleported out.
“How do we stop that guy?” Adam asked after the Rangers had demoprhed.
Alpha 5, Zordon’s robot assistant, looked up from the console he was working on.
“Unknown.” He replied, “We’re still analyzing the data.”
They were standing in the vast Power Chamber. The rangers were all standing around trying to recover from Gray Ranger’s Zeo Howl. Zordon observed everything from his warp tube, a floating head that looked sternly at Alpha and the Rangers.
“Rita has found a piece of the Dark Zeo Crystal.” Zordon informed them “She has given it to James.”
“Dark Zeo Crystal.” Tommy repeated, “What the heck is the Dark Zeo Crystal?”
“Well,” Zordon replied, “when the forces of good created the Zeo Crystal, Master Vile created the Dark Zeo Crystal to fight it. Like the Zeo Crystal, the Dark Zeo Crystal was broken up to keep it from being used by evil.”
“Is the Dark Zeo Crystal making James evil?”
“No.” Alpha said, “Like the Zeo Crystal, the Dark Zeo Crystal isn’t in and of itself evil. However it can be used for evil. James is under a spell.
At that moment the alarms in the Power Chamber let out a siren’s wail. This could only mean that Angel Grove was under attack!
“Gray Ranger is attacking the parks.” Zordon informed them, “Go stop him. Alpha and I will continue to analyze Rita’s spell.
The Rangers morphed and teleported out.
“Is it ready?” Zedd asked.
“Almost.” Finster replied.
Rita’s dog-like servant was working on a large robot. Zedd couldn’t see all of it, due to a large tarp, but he knew it was Gray Ranger’s zord.
“Back for more?” Gray Ranger asked.
“Yes,” Gold Ranger replied, “we are.”
Gray Ranger laughed and attacked. Rather than using his sais he used his hands and feet. Spinning he kicked Gold Ranger in the chest. Then continuing to spin he performed a back flip, kicking both the Pink and Yellow rangers in their faces.
“Golden Power Rush!” Gold Ranger yelled, shoving his Power Staff into the ground.
A wave of golden energy slammed into the Gray Ranger. Gray Ranger tilted his head back and laughed!
“What the hell?” Red Ranger asked.
“Ranger powers can’t affect me.” Gray Ranger told them.
“No?” Blue Ranger asked, “Zeo Axes.”
He sliced at the Gray Ranger. Gray Ranger merely lifted a fist and sent his boyfriend flying.
“Oof!” Blue Ranger felt all the air go out of him.
“It’s ready.” Finster announced.
“Good,” Zedd commented, “let Gray Ranger know.”
Gray Ranger froze when he heard Finster’s voice.
“Your new weapon is ready.”
: Good.” Gray Ranger said, “Wolf Zeo Zord!”
A giant robotic wolf landed before the Rangers. It was slate gray. Its ears swiveled back and forth as if trying to pick up sounds. Its tail was waving back and forth. Gray Ranger jumped aboard.
“Oh great.” Green Ranger said.
: The Rangers called on their Zeo Zords and formed the Zeo Megazord.
“Come on James.” Blue Ranger said, “Fight it.”
“I told you, James isn’t here.” Gray Ranger said, “Zeo Howl!”
This time the howl came from the Wolf Zord. It was so loud that it knocked the Zeo Megazord on its back.
Gold Ranger, who had been watching from the ground, took this as his cue to call on his own Zord.
“Pyra-.” He began.
His communicator went off. He answered it quickly.
“Trey, teleport to the Power Chamber.” Zordon commanded.
With a sigh, Gold Ranger teleported out.
“Trey, I need you staff.” Alpha said.
Gold Ranger handed the staff over. He knew it was safe in the hands of the small robot.
“I take it you found a way to break the spell.” He said.
“Yes,” Zordon replied, “negative ions.”
Alpha finished what he was doing and handed the staff back to Gold Ranger.
“Use your Golden Power Rush.” Zordon instructed, “We’ve modified your staff to emit negative ions.”
The battle wasn’t going very well. It seemed that every time the Megazord tried to attack, the Wolf Zord let out another Zeo Howl. The Rangers were beginning to lose their hearing. They had summoned the Megazord’s sword. But, it was useless since they couldn’t get close enough to use it.
“I call on Pyramidus!” Trey’s voice rang out.
“Hey, welcome back.” Read Ranger called, “Got good news?”
“Yes.” Gold Ranger replied, “We just have to get him to leave his zord.”
“Easier said than done.” Red Ranger replied.
“Zeo Howl!” Gray Ranger called.
The Megazord fell down again.
“I serve my mistress willingly.” Gray Ranger said, “Quit trying to turn me against her.
Gold Ranger quickly activated Pyramidus’ main weapon. Energy flew from the pyramid zord’s point into the sky. Golden lightning flew surrounded the zord and slammed into the Wolf Zord.
“Whoa!” Gray Ranger called as he was forced from his zord.
The Rangers quickly followed him to the ground.
“Golden Power Rush!” Gold Ranger yelled, slamming his staff into the ground.
This time the attack at an affect on the Gray Ranger. He let out a scream and demorphed.
Red Ranger nodded at the others, “Okay guys.”
“Power down.” They said in unison and demorphed.
Rocky ran over and helped James to his feet. The young man looked completely frazzled by his experience as Rita’s slave. He stared blearily at Rocky.
“What have I done?” His voice was strained.
“It’s okay love.” Rocky said.
“No it’s not.” James insisted, “I could’ve killed you.”
“That’s not your fault.” Tommy told him, “You were under a spell. You’re not alone. I was Rita’s evil Green Ranger. Kat was under a spell once too.”
“Yeah.” Kat said, “But I got free. So have you.”
: “So,” Rocky said, “want to join the team?”
“I don’t know.” James said.
“Oh come on.” Adam said, “It’ll be fun.”
“It’s just that I look terrible in gray.” James quipped.
His boyfriend slugged him in the arm.
“Okay.” He said, “I’ll join.”
“Great!” Tommy said, “It’s Morphin’ Time!”
Kat: “Zeo Ranger 1 Pink!”
Tanya: “Zeo Ranger 2 Yellow!”
Rocky: “Zeo Ranger 3 Blue!”
Adam: “Zeo Ranger 4 Green!”
Tommy: “Zeo Ranger 5 Red!”
James: “Zeo Ranger 6 Gray!”
Trey: “Gold Ranger Power!”
In a flash of light all seven Rangers morphed.
“NO!” Rita screamed, “Another plan down the drain.”
She spun on Scorpina who was standing behind her. She swung her wand at her unfortunate henchwoman. Scorpina ran as fast as she could.
“This is your fault!” Rita screamed as she chased Scorpina from the room.
The Rangers, having demorphed, gathered in the Power Chamber. The others stood grinning as Zordon let James know the rules.
“And lastly,” Zordon finished, “Welcome to the Power Rangers.”
The Rangers let out a cheer. For a few minutes they celebrated. Then, Rocky turned to Zordon.
“There is one thing.” He said.
“Yes Rocky.” Zordon replied.
“Right before I got into it with Gray Ranger, I found some purple slime.” Rocky said, “Do you know what it could have been?”
“What did it smell like?” Zordon asked.
“Sort of like cinnamon.” Rocky replied.
“James, I’m impressed.” Zordon said.
“Why?” James asked.
“Because you managed to wound Scorpina, Rita’s scorpion monster.” The wizard told him, “That was her blood Rocky found.”
“Oh yeah.” James grinned, “Her.”
The Rangers’ celebration resumed. They knew they would have to deal with Scorpina’s return eventually. But, for now, they were content to celebrate the addition of their newest teammate.
End
Next: Enter the Shadow Ranger.