[IC] Rangers

[AlteredTundra]

Location — Angel Grove Community Center
Interactions — Vallory @Zoey Boey, Sloane @psych0pomp

---

As soon as Ross heard the sound of Sloane's unreasonably fat finger click, signaling to both him and Vallory that the selfie had been taken and with it, his end of the deal completed, Ross immediately stepped away in a somewhat eccentric fashion, almost twirling a half step. He gripped the inside of his legs, tugging at his pants. Because the fabric his pants were made from wasn't as rough as denim jeans might've, getting his boxers to where they needed to be was a matter of one-two-three tugs.

"Much better." A smiling ross turned back, looking at Vallory and then to Sloane. He found it odd that for a guy who insisted on the selfie, he wasn't so happy that it was done. Ross couldn't even recall the Frat Boy tapping away at his phone, as he knew to share it to any social media app, one had to hit a few more times on your phone.

"What's wrong? No good?"

And when Ross got no answer, he saw that Sloane was in some sort of trance-like state. Ross then tried to snap at his direction and his immediate response was something was, again, getting his name wrong.

"It's Ross! Not Ryan. Not Rhodes. Ross! Like David Schwimmer's character from Friends!" IT was clear Ross was getting fed up with being called Ryan.

And then Sloane mentioned cosplayers, which decreased Ross' annoyance and a look of visible confusion consumed his face.

"Cosplayers? Does this look like SacAnime to you?" He retorted back, slightly annoyed at the assumption that it was cosplay season. "We don't host Ang-Anime until the spring."

As Ross followed Sloane's gaze, there was a moment when he thought they actually were cosplayers, coming here to put on a show for the kids. And at the moment he had that thought, it became apparent that this would be a problem. For one, Entertainment Hour wasn't for another three hours. And secondly, he knew for a fact that what was planned was more along the lines of a local pop-punk band and not some Renaissance Fair rejects.

But there was something about them. Something...familiar. Ross couldn't place his finger on it, but he didn't like that feeling. Something in his gut, which may have been the lack of food in it, but definitely something about this whole thing made him feel uneasy. Even as Sloane asked for the best path to exit, he just couldn't shake this feeling.

Internally, Ross' old habits were starting to come back to the surface. The same old habits that made him a nightmare for the kids he grew up with. Those very same ones that caused him to shut down. Whatever sounds he heard coming from the stomping feet of the three armed whatever-they-were, slowly approaching them, were muffled out by the various scenarios that Ross began to play in his head. They had weapons and the only person who could match that was Sloane.

But I'm not a fighter. I wouldn't stand a chance.

And Ross found himself neck-deep in the sinking sandpit that was his mind. His chest started to feel tight and Ross gripped the top of the table as tight as he could, his other arm gripping his throat as if to alleviate the anguish he was allowing himself into experiencing. It felt like all the weight in his body was being pressed on his shoulders, his legs, arms, against his throat. And Ross just...he couldn't breathe.

""HrrrrrRAGH!"

And then he'd hear something, loud and demanding his full attention. And with it, Ross' hyperventilating seemed to subside. "Vallory?" He questioned as he saw her chuck what looked like a...cinder block. "Wait was that what I think it was?"

And then it crashed into one of the armed things. Ross saw it stagger and then Vallory went for the weapon in its hand.

Is she insane? Ross thought as he stood paralyzed, watching the Amazon of a woman do what she can to protect them.

And then he remembered who else was here. Not just the three of them, but..

"The kids..." He muttered out, looking back where he had come from. He still heard the faint sounds of chatter, the sounds of kids either ignorant to what was coming or just unaware of the danger outside.

Without even thinking, Ross jumped onto the table. He wouldn't even know what he was doing until he lept off one foot. He was able to cover a good amount of distance due to his old track and field training and managed to secure his hands on the same lance that Vallory had, under hers for obvious reasons.

"Four hands are better than two!" He said, grinning at her.

[Potemking]

Location: Angel Grove Roads & Angel Grove Community Center
Interacting w/: None, though attempting to get to Ross, Vallory, and Sloane.

Clint was regretting his decisions, now on the road to head towards the hardware store. Charlie and Jordan behind him at the diner, he felt guilt about just ditching them both. His breathing was uneasy, the man trying to calm himself with the music on his radio through a bit of an anxiety attack. The loud music rang out of his windows despite them being closed, but that soon came to a halt as a new alert blasted his ears from how loud his radio was. Turning it down a bit with a groan due to the pain in his ears, he irritably listened to the report.

His eyes widened, hearing a description of everything going on. The community center was under attack during an event? Who the hell attacked a community center, terrorists? Wait, the radio continued, and made it clear the attackers had weapons. Not like guns, but... Spears, or something? And they were wearing strange matching armor suits. Clint could put the pieces together, but even the radio news report remarked that this was similar to attacks seen over a decade ago, and this looked like a resurgence!

"You have got to be kidding me..." He voiced in disbelief, eyes narrowing. One name rang in his mind, causing him to grip his steering wheel tightly as he accelerated. The AGYC wasn't far off, he could be there fast. And he'd get there fast. For the fact that those descriptions marked the same group that had traumatized him in his past. A group he thought was destroyed, at the loss of four wonderful people.

Druidon...

---

The truck was loud and roaring as it rolled up to the Community Center, skidding to a halt as the large man within it hopped out. It was chaos; People evacuating, screaming. One specific situation caught his eye as a man was tossed out one of the center's windows, landing in a pile of grass and glass. Clint's eyes shot open wide, noticing the culprit and it's appearance. The exact fears he had rang true, and it brought out an almost feral type of fury in Clint's mind, as he ran forward without even a second more of hesitation.

The Drunn Soldier had intended to use his spear to stab at the man from his position on the opposite side of the window, but as he stabbed downwards, he felt his spear full-stop. But the man wasn't skewered, instead scooting backwards fearfully and a large hand being what was holding the spear in place. The soldier looked up, seeing a very angry man, one that soon turned his body inward towards the spear, leg lifting and shooting straight through the remains of the window, kicking the Drunn Soldier in the face. This sent it flat to the ground, losing grip on it's spear, which was now in Clint's possession.

He glanced back, noting the injured man trying to run off for help. Fleeing was something Clint had no time for, unfortunately. He flipped the spear around, the weapon feeling familiar in his hands. He'd stolen a few of these in his day, though he preferred getting down and dirty with his hands. He used it to clear the broken glass enough to not absolutely fuck up his hands as he propped himself up and inside, figuring it to be a better entrance than the front door. The Drunn Soldier has just got done pulling itself to it's feet, only for Clint to shift his body again, roundhouse kicking it directly back to the floor with a direct impact to it's chest before driving the spear through it's lower, less armored torso.

Unfortunately, this commotion had caught the attention of another, who approached from Clint's left. It seemed to disregard it's spear, instead taking a swing at Clint which was met with his arm swinging up to smack the Drunn Soldier's arm away, the cowboy's boot meeting the soldier's knee causing it to lose it's footing. Taking advantage, Clint grabbed it by both sides of it's dumbass helmet, before driving it face first into the space where the window used to be, the soldier laying there in a daze, at least until Clint delivered a firm boot, sending it out the window, crashing into the glass and grass below.

Having a moment to catch his breath, Clint had to wonder if Jordan or Charlie had any idea about this-- But that instantly ended as he heard something that sounded like a bear, if the bear had a chainsaw for tonsils and it's favorite drink was testosterone.

HrrrrrRAGH!

"That a monster...?" He questioned aloud, realizing it came from outside. If the window hadn't broke, he might've not heard it. He didn't see more soldiers in this area, so he decided to take himself back outside. Yanking the spear out of the first defeated Drunn Soldier before jumping out the window; Landing on his feet on the second Drunn Soldier's chest which caused it's arms and legs to shoot upwards from the shock and pain of being crushed by the man.

Clint was off, and soon found the main venue of the community center's events. Plenty of booths and chaos, he should've figured everything was outside. But where did that growl come from? Scanning the area, he saw too much chaos going on. He was just one man, he couldn't fix everything... He couldn't help but notice some kids dealing with those damn Drunn Soldiers approaching. He would have went to help, but he felt something shove him forwards, turning quickly to see even more behind him now, a small gang of three cornering him against the backside of one of the booths.

"Shit." He muttered, unsure of how he'd handle three of them at once. He didn't have time to think as they attacked however; The man instantly finding himself in a deep struggle as he attempted to use the spear to block off the thrusts of his opposition, trying to find opportunities to grab at the spears and disarm his opponents but even at that point, they were ganging on him and there were just too many fists flying. Clint was still standing, but he wasn't giving out even a portion of what he was taking: The man getting pummeled on his feet as he was still just a guy. A tough guy, but a guy. He might've fought them at one point, but no matter his experience he wasn't much competition without actually being a Ranger.

His struggle continued, probably out of sight of those youths that he was using as motivation to not just kneel down from the pain of all this pummeling.

[psych0pomp]

| 𝖫𝖮𝖢𝖠𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭 : ANGEL GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER | 𝖨𝖭𝖳𝖤𝖱𝖠𝖢𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭𝖲 : DRUIDON & LONESOME DOVE | 𝖬𝖴𝖲𝖨𝖢 : ALL EYES ON YOU |

Sloane’s encouragement to exit—egress as he’d so warmly called it—fell on deaf ears. Vallory ran forward, unphased, to combat the oddly uniformed soldiers. He turned to Ross, hoping he wasn’t so impulsive, but Ross did just the same. “Are you fucking kidding me!” Sloane exclaimed; the sugar-sweet veneer washed away from stress. His fingers tightened on the baseball bat.

Druidon. He knew what they were, but the name still felt like volcanic ash in the back of his throat. Sloane couldn’t swallow it down no matter how hard he tried. While the McCabe’s hadn’t been in the middle of the physical war, avoiding the carnage of death and destruction, they had been a part of a different one. The blame had been placed at GENESIS’s feet and the feet of those that had supported them—namely his family. With the Druidon came the fear of being in his own home. The yelling. The threats. The—

“Mommy!” a child’s voice pierced his thoughts, drowning out the slowly growing cacophony of voices in his head. Sloane snapped back to reality. Ross and Vallory were in the middle of fighting the Druidon, and quite frankly they could have the damn monsters. He didn’t care for a piece of that action, because he wasn’t some hormone-crazed thrill junkie. No, Sloane was right from the get-go—they needed to find the exit. But maybe he caught sight of a kid, and maybe his climb getting to said exit had grown a few steps.

Sloane ran towards the child. She stood in the middle of chairs and tables that had been blasted to the ground by the Druidon’s lance. There were people attempting to get out from underneath them. Sloane would have to worry about that later. Instead, he focused on the kid who was currently snotting into her Dora the Explorer shirt with an increasing degree.

“Where’s your mom?” Sloane asked.
The kid looked up at him, and her eyes were as large as goldfish bowls. “She told me not to talk to strangers.”
“Are you—” Sloane let out a noise of exasperation. “Look, kid, you can choose between me or them,” he waved towards the Druidon, “and I want to help you find your mom. They want to…” about that time another one of the Druidon’s fired their weapon, and the crack of rubble was more than audible.

The kid hiccuped in fear, more snot pouring out of her nose. “She’s over there,” the girl gurgled, pointing closer towards the building. Sloane narrowed his eyes, trying to block the sun out. There was a sheer panic of people trying to make their way towards an exit—any exit. Hadn’t Ross gone over this before the entire thing had started? Weren’t there clearer signs? Fire Marshall’s existed for a reason—Ross from Friends. Calling him Joey from now on.

The kid sniffled even hard, a snot bubble forming. He needed to find her mom before she managed to glom onto him like a ball of goo. It was then he saw a woman pinned underneath a table. He could see why the kid was too scared to make it over there—there was a lot of rubble between them.

“Come on,” Sloane said, pocketing his phone and grabbing the kid’s hand. It was very sticky. He tried not to think about it as he half-hoisted her up, half-pulled her closer to the building. In the kid’s defense, she came along without much fuss. He swore he heard her giggling once as he maneuvered through the rubble and lifted her over a few taller pieces of broken concrete. Sloane was breathing hard by the time he got to the woman, but he wasted no time. Setting down the bat, he grabbed the edge of the picnic table and lifted it. The woman looked at him, her eyes as wide as her daughters. Sloane could hear the crunch of his knee as he deadlifted the piece of furniture. “Move,” he grunted. The woman scrambled out from underneath it, allowing Sloane to drop the thing. He placed his hands on his knees and caught his breath.

The woman ran towards the girl, and they embraced. Sloane had been a bit concerned he’d freed the wrong person. He didn’t have the time or the stamina to play “Where’s Snot Goblin’s Mom?”
The woman looked at him. “Thank you!”
Sloane smiled through deep breaths and gave a thumbs up.
Her eyes trailed to his bat. “Can I—”
“Uh, no.” He pointed towards a doorway with a flashing EXIT sign above it. Maybe Joey had done his job. “Please exit in an orderly fashion, and try not to lose your kid again. You’ve already lost your ‘Mom of the Year’ award.”
Indignation passed over the mother’s face, but she grabbed the young girl and headed that way. A few words were said under her breath, and the child gasped in response. “Mommy, I thought we didn’t say those words,” the kid chastised as they left the scene.

Sloane picked up his bat, leaning on it like it was a cane. He took a few large breathes—soothing his burning lungs. He’d thoroughly taxed his knee. Dr. Gardner would probably "tsk" and furiously clack away on his keyboard before prescribing Sloane yet another round of physical therapy and medication. So, Sloane should leave now—right? He should minimize the damage while still looking like a hero—right? Right! Except that when he swept the scene, he saw those monsters starting to swarm someone. The person was tall, Sloane could make that out, and they were damn well holding their own against the Druidon. Yet, it wasn’t Vallory, unless she’d suddenly turned into Jolly Green Cowboy Giant. Sloane considered leaving, but his feet stayed firmly planted. Fine, he'd be the hero one last time.

He ran towards the monsters with his bat raised. Without thinking, Sloane struck one of the Druidon square in the back. There was a loud crack as the monster heaved forward. He would have been pleased with himself had it not turned around and focused all its attention on him—and it wasn’t the only one.

“Oh shit,” Sloane let out. Hey, at least Dr. Gardner wouldn’t be able to get onto him, because he would be dead.

| 𝖳𝖠𝖦(𝖲) : @metanoia @Zoey Boey @Potemking |

[Akayaofthemoon]

Location: Heading to the Angel Grove Youth Center
Interacting w/:@OGSG

"Druidon is back and I need help, okay!?"

That one sentence made her freeze, the world almost seeming to tilt as she felt like she had been punched in the gut and was going to be sick. Her hand tightened momentarily on the younger woman’s shoulder as she tried to ground herself and not fly into a panic or maybe it was rage. She had so many mixed emotions running through her veins that she didn’t know where one started and the next began. This wasn’t real, right? She hadn’t just heard Charlie say what she thought she had just said. They had succeeded! They had given everything and more so why?! It couldn’t be….it had to be something else! Anything else! Though deep down, she knew, if Charlie was saying it then it was an undeniable fact. Charlie wouldn’t jump the gun like this but Jordan wanted to stay in denial. She wanted to say that this was madness for either of them to be trying to pick up the fight and mantle of Rangers again but….could she really let her do this alone? Could she really make someone else take care of her failures and take on her place? Could she dishonor her friend's sacrifices like that? No...no matter how much she didn’t want this, Jordan couldn’t just walk away. She wouldn’t walk away from what she had always viewed as their destiny, whether it ended good or bad.

When Charlie spoke up again, drawing her back from her own thoughts, Jordan realized just how hard this was for her friend to say and just how much she cared for their team. She had thought to do this alone, just so they didn’t feel trapped or burdened by the knowledge. It was sweet. This had always been how Charlie was though, caring about others, their feelings, and what they thought. She was leaning on them for support again, showing how much she still trusted them even after all this time. Jordan did want an explanation, to hear all her thoughts on the matter and come up with a plan together on what the next steps would be. First, they needed to get back into the diner and loop Clint in on the situation. He had a right to make a decision and hear the details too. It seemed like it was just part of Charlie’s original plan coming a bit sooner than expected since fate had put him at the diner the same day that they were to meet.

Jordan was about to answer but suddenly a frantic alarming beep chimed, drawing her attention to the watch or more what looked like a watch at the other woman’s wrist. If the ‘oh fuck’ was anything to go by as well as the exclamation point on the front, she had a feeling that it was much more than it let on and one that while different was very familiar in some ways. A holographic display came to life, showing the Angel Grove Youth Center but not just that, no...upgraded Drunn Soldiers were terrorizing the event, attacking people left and right who were unfortunate enough to not escape in time. It made her blood boil having the urge to break and destroy every last one coming on strong. It also sparked her furious need to protect people which was exactly what some of the citizens needed right now. The screen minimized, Charlie already raring to go and join in the fight, the most capable at the moment since she had a Power Morpher. She wasn’t sure how far the Youth Center really was, having been gone for so long but she wasn’t going to let her run off without her in tow. ”Let’s go!”, she said without hesitation and gave a curt nod.

Jordan sprinted off after Charlie, pausing for a moment at the window to the booth they were just sitting in, planning on knocking to wave Clint to join them. Sadly, when she peered inside the man was nowhere to be seen and there was just a confused waiter standing there wondering what the heck happened to the table. She figured he went to the bathroom or something which made her bite her lip, feeling a bit bad that they were suddenly ditching him but they didn’t have time to wait. They could try to catch up with him later. He would understand once they explained about the sudden problem. She gave a frustrated growl, shrugging it off to focus again as she sprinted off after Charlie once more. She had to keep her in line of sight or she wouldn’t be able to know where she was going, plus she didn’t have a Power Morpher yet and if she lost Charlie then there would be no chance at transformation….not that that would stop her from kicking ass and assigning graves to the Drunn Soldiers scum that dared walk the earth.

[Potemking]

Location: Angel Grove Community Center
Interacting w/: @psych0pomp

---

Clint was forced into a losing defense, an assortment of spears planted in the dirt as he had disarmed the opposition before getting swarmed entirely, his arms up in an attempt to protect his head from sustaining too much damage. Unfortunately, this meant less defense for the rest of his body, and he was at that very moment sick of getting punched in his ribs. And kidneys. God, kidney punches were the worst. It came to an eventual point that Clint almost lost his footing entirely, the man's back against one of the booths as he used it for support, heavy breaths escaping him as he scanned the situation. Three on one was fantastic, it sure was a lot easier to handle this when he could morph. At least he hadn't gotten stabbed, but the less optimistic side of him wanted to say a rib was broken. Maybe he'd just take a nap for a few minutes and they'd piss off? Then he could get back up and kick their asses... As they closed in, he realized that plan wasn't going to work and began bracing himself for another beating.

At least, until a loud noise signified something foreign hitting one of the Drunn Soldiers. The loud crack caught Clint's attention, the man looking up and noticing a guy; He thought he saw him a short while ago, but wasn't particularly sure as the pain was fucking with his recent recollection. Regardless, two of the Drunn Soldiers turned on him, and one was left focusing the cowboy. Panic ran through his mind as he heard the man exclaim at the fact their opposition turned on him, which told Clint he wasn't very prepared for the idea whatsoever. He'd get pissed over a guy playing hero, but then what had Clint done by rushing over here, right? They were two people in the same boat at the moment, and neither of them were going overboard today.

He took a deep breath, a sharp pain shooting through him but he decided it wasn't worth worrying about right now, for better or worse. The third Drunn Soldier had assumed he was weakened enough to pummel by itself, but it couldn't have expected Clint's second wind: The man grabbing it's arm as it took a swing at him, it seemingly having an "Oh shit" moment of it's own with how it tried to recoil against his grip as he delivered multiple firm kicks to it's torso, the final kick knocking it to the ground.

'C'mon, Martyr...' He thought to himself, pushing through the pain to pull one of the Drunn's weapons out of the ground, liking the idea of the kid's approach with the bat, actually! So much that he swung the weapon in both hands towards the ankle of one of the Drunn Soldiers, causing it to tumble down to it's knees, Clint then taking a swing at the second one before it could turn; This time the weapon breaking from the impact as it too was forced down, at least stopping their approach on the guy who tried batting a thousand. Clint had moved in to try and actually finish the job, but found himself getting elbowed in the gut; The pain from the injuries he already had from his previous defensive kicking in full force as he toppled backwards, onto the ground.

He might have went down, but so did one of the soldiers. And the other two were still trying to regain their footing, so perhaps it was a worthwhile exchange for the situation the batter had been in prior. If anything, it at least gave him time to run. Or, if he was feeling brave still, to take a few cheap shots while they were struggling.

[LG]

Location: Arriving at the Angel Grove Youth Center
Interacting w/: @Potemking @Akayaofthemoon @Zoey Boey @metanoia @psych0pomp

All that Charlie needed to hear was confirmation from Jordan in order to be pushed over the edge to feeling motivated and energized. Internally, she smiled, her heart filled with the warmth of having someone by her side as they proceeded to press on with the threat of Druidon terrorizing the Youth Center. Thousands of thoughts played out in Charlie's mind as she ran alongside Jordan down the side streets, this final turn leading directly towards a pile up of traffic near the front of where the center was attached to the mall. Were there people who had been killed? Was there anyone else brave enough to stand in the face of the Drunn Soldiers? Was there any form of law enforcement or protection surrounding the perimeter. The Angel Grove Police Department had often been slow at responding, so perhaps some form of military assistance would be of use? Charlie couldn't bank on that.

As the two women ran, Charlie glanced down at her bag slung over her shoulder, slapping against her thigh with each long stride. She brought a couple of Power Morphers with her, along with the one that was already strapped around her waist. It still needed to be tested, but she assumed that the Blue Power Crystal would remain compatible with Jordan. It was a risk and she didn't want Jordan to get hurt during the morphing sequence. Only if desperate times calls for desperate measures... Charlie thought to herself as she and Jordan arrived on the scene that seemingly was shifting towards making its way outside.

There was carnage and destruction of the facility already done, which caused Charlie to curse under her breath as she stopped in place, scanning the area as people and children made their way outside running in the opposite direction towards the parking lot. The bevy of people turning a corner gave Charlie the clue that perhaps the biggest threat was on the other side of the building. "This way, Jordan!" Charlie said, nodding her head in the opposite direction, making a full-on sprint towards the scene. Once she saw the all too familiar face from earlier before, her brows furrowed before pure rage and energy coursed through her veins. "Clint!" she exclaimed, her feet quickening as she sprinted before she leapt gracefully into the ear and kicked the side of the head of one of the three Drunn Soldiers.

Tumbling onto the grass, Charlie quickly rolled onto one knee and positioned herself ready for a fight. "Looking for me, assholes?" she mused with a smirk. Charlie was unsure about the condition of Clint or Jordan in terms of fighting, but she had taken the time to continue to train in preparation for this day. Her piercing eyes quickly glanced the area and noticed three individuals in particular that stood out more than anyone else around. They hadn't run for safety, but if they were going to be here, then they needed to help in some way. Clearing her throat, she projected her voice to anyone who could listen. "If you're going to fight, then don't die! If you're going to help people to safety, then make sure that they don't die either!" The soldier gathered its bearings before charging at Charlie with his lance. Ducking out of the way, Charlie grabbed the middle of the lance, lifting her body up to kick it again and sent it stumbling back. It was until she created space from the evil-doer that she noticed her 'Purple Rain' shirt had been sliced open, exposing her navel. "Oh now you've fucked up!" Charlie said, sarcastically but all too seriously.

She grabbed for the lance at the solider tried to stab her once again, but Charlie had always been quick and agile with her movements. She wasn't physically as strong as Clint or even Jordan while she was unmorphed, but she often used her size to her advantage. Grabbing the base of the lance again, there was a momentary struggled for power until Charlie swept the solider's leg causing it fall flat on its back. With the lance in tow now, Charlie used it to pierce through the soldier's torso, causing it to explode in a bright light on impact. "Bitch..." she mumbled under her breath and turned to see how the others were fairing. She was sure that Jordan was probably holding her own too, but Charlie recalled from before that Clint had been outnumbered three to one. Trotting over to him, she helped him up to his feet as best as she could. "How you holdin' up, Cowboy?" she asked, her eyes looking off into the distance of the building where there were even more Drunn Soldiers spilling out of the opening from the building. "I don't have time for this...." she grumbled.

Slipping away from the others, she tossed her bag behind her towards Clint and Jordan, glancing over her shoulder. "Your new morphers are inside," she said, turning to face the Drunn Soldiers who were now charging forward with an immeasurable number. Looking over at the other three who had stuck around to fight, she nodded at them. "Get yourself to safety. We'll take care of this." Holding her left hand out, she tapped the screen of her Power Morpher as it lit up. Pressing her finger against the 'Ranger' icon, Charlie shouted, "Purple Ranger, Dino Power!" Spinning the perimeter of the screen, a bright purple light emitted from the morpher as the head of a dinosaur burst out from it with a stream of purple energy releasing behind it. The head shot up into the air before slamming down on Charlie's body, giving her a vibrant new form, her body surrounded with the Purple Ranger suit.

"I've been waiting for a while to kick some ass!" Charlie said, smirking behind the visor of her helmet as she reached for the Dino Blaster in her holster. "You might wanna run while you can!" she said to the soldiers as she held up her weapon and began firing blasts that took the soldiers down one by one. Running to get in close, she punched one of the soldiers as they attempted to attack, ducking out the way of one of them and then kneeling to shoot one right in the crotch as it exploded into bits on impact. "They didn't tell you to protect the family jewels? Tragic," she said dryly before kicking another soldier in the chest and then firing a series of shots the other ones from across the way. "You two feel like you're riding a bicycle yet?" she called over to Jordan and Clint. Maybe being a Ranger wasn't comparable to riding a bike, but perhaps adrenaline would make it simpler?

[Zoey Boey]

Location: AGYC Community Event
Interactions: Mia, Basilisk, Charlie, Clint, and Jordan.

---

With Ross's help, Vallory easily yanked the lance out of the Druidon soldiers hands. It looked at her dumbly, and she wrenched it back, removing Ross's hands from it if he hadn't let go already. With all her might she raised the lance up, stepped forward and leaned into a mighty thrust. The Druidon soldiers crumpled to the ground and exploded in a strangely harmless flash of light.

Huffing, she removed the lance from the ground. She looked over Ross's shoulder at one of the other Druidon soldiers that were with the group. It raised its lance and began to line up a shot. Instead, Vallory threw the lance full force at its chest. "Grah!" It was destroyed, too.

At that point, Mia arrived. She frantically gestured for a family that had been followering her run to the exit. "Vallory! What the hell is going on!? Are you actually fighting these things!?"

Vallory looked at Ross and Mia. She liked these two, even though she just met Ross. "Get outta here, you two. Sloane was right, we should focus on evac." She jogged over and picked up a lance. "But I can hold them off." She clenched her knuckles around the lance. "I'm strong enough to fight, and win."

"Fuck that! I'm gettin' outta here, and you should, too!"

Vallory looked at Mia with a seriousness that Mia had never seen in her before.

"Just get people out, Mia. Please." She looked at Ross. "You should, too." She hefted the lance in her hands. "I'm going to go deeper inside the event and find people who need help. The more Druidon soldiers I kill, and that are focused on me, the more people can escape."

Mia nodded slowly. "Okay...okay. I'm going. Stay safe, Vallory."

"Oh, I will. I'm gonna win." Vallory grinned, her face intense. Mia was already backing up, and she took off, going to guide more people to the exit.

At that moment, a pretty lady in a Purple Rain shirt called out to them. She looked like she knew what she was doing. "Watch out!" Vallory called out. (Un?)Fortunately only her shirt was torn and she totally wiped the floor with the soldier. "She's badass! We got this until the cops show up!" Vallory said. She went to find the nearest Druidon soldier so she could puncture the hell out of it. She didn't find any, but she did pick up someone who had been thrown into book stand.

"Come on, get up! Go, go, you got this!" She encouraged, lifting some fallen fabric and steel pipes off the man so he could escape.

"I saw more people that way!" He pointed out, before scrambling to his feet and taking off.

At that moment, the cool lady in the purple shirt told them to run. "I'm here to help. I want to beat these bastards!" She said.

"So I'm-" Vallory shut her big mouth. Purple Ranger, Dino Power!? She watched the transformation, stunned. Her mouth fell open as she saw the Power Ranger destroy entire groups of Druidon soldiers like it was easy.

Vallory literally began jumping up and down with heavy thuds, pointing the scene out to Ross or anyone else who was nearby. "WOOO! YOU SEE THAT SHIT!? IT'S A FUCKING POWER RANGER! WOOOO, GET 'EM! HELL YEAH!!" Vallory yelled. She stopped jumping and thrust her stolen lance up into the air, celebrating.

"They're back! They're fucking back!" Vallory squeaked excitedly to herself, a childlike smile on her face. As she did, she hid down in one of the booths, concealing herself. No way was she going to not listen to a Power Ranger. The purple one, no less. Her second favorite! The best one was of course, the Pink Ranger. Was she here!? Was the Pink Ranger here in Angel Grove!? She made her costume pink because of the Pink Ranger!

While she was fangirling, Vallory was messing with the lance. "Ahahaaaah~! How the fuck does this thing work?!" She was high on adrenaline, a strange mix of joyful and battle hungry. She wasn't going to get in the way, but she was going to try and shoot some Druidon goons down with their own tech. That was her plan, anyway.

[AlteredTundra]

Location — Angel Grove Community Center
Interactions — A family, Vallory @Zoey Boey, Charlie (indirectly; observing her baddassery) @OGSG

---

When the lance was removed from the Druidon's grasp and he caught the non-verbal cue, Ross stepped back from it, removing his hands from the middle of the lance, and watched as Vallory would make quick work of the previous owner of the lance, as well as his friends.

Ross felt a secondhand adrenaline course through his veins. His arms were moving on their own. When Vallory made a thrust forward, his fists tightened up into a ball and lightly pumped into the air. He cheered her on when they were reduced to ash, no longer a threat to anyone.

And after a brief encounter with her friend Mia, who Ross recognized as one of the people he spoke with earlier before the event started, Vallory shouted at the two of them, telling both him and Mia to get out of here. He wanted to protest, feeling that she might need help. But then she mentioned Sloane and what he had suggested

Finding an exit.

For as much Ross was concerned about the kids and the parents they came with, he couldn't forget the fact that when it came down to it, he rushed into action. He wasn't a Power Ranger or anyone who was in any position to make a real difference -- not yet, anyway. But he was respected by most of everyone here. He had been working with just about every family that had kids stay at the center from early morning well into the evening. They looked up to him. They saw him as a role model.

And this was the time for Ross to prove that to them.

"Right. Just..." Ross looked at Vallory before she took off, "just be careful."

His heart thudded intensely in his chest and Ross took maybe five steps forward, heading towards a family of three who were under an awkwardly positioned bench. A Druidon soldier was coming close to them. Ross prepared himself to take off in a jump. He was a skilled long jumper, which was his specialty when he was a part of the track and field team during high school. He took the stance with his body being poised to take off using his left foot, however, the soldier was distracted by the same thing that Ross turned to see:

A girl who couldn't have been any older than he nor Vallory making quick work of a Druidon.

"Whoa..." was all Ross could mutter as he sloppily ducked as the Druidon soldier noticed him and swung its lance at him. He tripped over himself.

As he looked over at the family, he put on a brave face for the little girl who was terrified. "It's going to be okay," he promised her even though he wasn't the least bit confident that it would be. He had to make sure she wasn't afraid.

He stared down the creature as it raised its lance, but the sight of a bright purple light caught its and his attention. The druidon soldier took off to a run, though it was obliterated about five paces into its haste-like sprint. Ross shielded the sight as he positioned himself in front of the kids, his back turned to the light and he smiled at the mother, father, and their little girl. Telling them repeatedly it's going to be okay.

Curiosity took over as Ross turned and his jaw dropped around the same time that he heard Vallory's voice. It reverberated like a crashing wave, the vibrations of her fangirling outweighing the previous desperate feeling he felt when he had his hands on the lance. The light that seemed to overwhelm the darkness of the scenario made Ross feel...good. Something about seeing it made him genuinely confident that maybe things weren't so bad now.

And when the smoke cleared, his eyes widened for the first, authentic time. Hearing Vallory's voice confirm what his eyes and mind were confused about sent him up to his feet, almost star-struck.

"Who is that?" The little girl asked

Ross slowly turned his head to face her. "I...think that's a Power Ranger," he admitted as he tried to process that the rangers were actually back.

Ten years ago, the rangers disappeared without a trace. They had been the saviors of Angel Grove. They were the heroes that they never thought they'd get. PArt of the reason Ross became so grounded in wanting to help people out had more to do with just the center. Of course, it was a large reason as to why he is the way he is, but it was the rangers who stood as symbols of hope that inspired him to do what he could. It was the rangers who protected them all from the Druidons that Ross felt if he had it in him, he should always do the right thing. But more importantly, the rangers made him believe in himself more and truly gave him the confidence to not let what people said about him get to him so much.

Snapping out of it, Ross quickly got up, holding the table up. "Okay, it's safe to come out." Ross held out his hand, helping all three of them get up. "There's a fire emergency exit over there--" he gestured to the door with the neon "exit" sign about ten feet to the left of them, "--use that to get to safety. There's a staircase that will lead you outside." Ross told them and smiled once more.

Suddenly, the little girl gave him a tight hug. Ross was caught off guard as his heart pumped in that fluttery way and he pat the top of her head.

"Thank you Mr. Ross!" She said as she hugged him for a few more seconds.

"No problem, Grace," he said before he watched her leave with her parents. He made sure to watch them until they disappeared through the door. Better safe than sorry.

He felt a sense of pride in how he was able to help a family get to safety but he had to do more.

But what?

[Akayaofthemoon]

Angel Grove Community Center
@OGSG@metanoia@Zoey Boey@psych0pomp

The center was still in a state of chaos upon arrival, people scattering and desperate to get to the parking lot or get out of the way from the destruction path. She frowned, the lack of police assistance not at all surprising considering how slow the response was in the past but it didn’t stop her annoyance that the citizens had had to face this practically alone. At least they were here now, maybe they could help calm the storm and make this more of a fair match. Charlie pointed out a direction, the biggest portion of panic coming from that location or at least it appeared so since it was on the other side of the building.”Right.”, she agreed with a nod before following her lead as they sprinted to the scene. It seemed a few of the people had decided not to run or hide but stood up to take on the fight and try to defend others.

She was about to sprint forward and attack the soldiers honing in on a dude holding a bat but instead she found herself pausing and looking in the direction Charlie had dashed. ’Clint?’, Jordan thought in confusion, noticing that indeed one of the people amongst the chaos was him and looking worse for the wear since he had probably jumped into a fight with no defense. She had a split moment of panic, worrying about his safety and if he needed medical attention when suddenly something clicked that sparked her full blown anger. ’That motherfucker! He is gonna get a piece of my fucking mind!’, she internally cursed as she sprinted off in that direction. Charlie was already taking on one of the soldiers so she went to distract the other two from her teammates. She jolted forward, not hesitating even with the lance pointed in her direction. As the soldier thrusted forward to attack, she quickly spun to the side so grabbed the wrist of her attacker before yanking them in her direction, forcing the previous momentum to continue so she could land a nice right hook into their face. She didn’t give them a moment to relax or catch their balance as she was already pulling them back up by the wrist to halt their falling so she could kick them into the next oncoming soldier, letting the other soldier take out their teammate since it had been thrusting at her.

”Wanna piece of me, huh!?! Come at me, bitch!”, Jordan growled darkly in taunt, curling her hand and for it to come forward. It went into defense, not moving an inch as it seemed to be preparing for her attack instead of diving after her as the first had or at least she had thought that is what it was doing when it’s attention was starting to drift to another. ”Oh no you don’t! Eyes on me, ya rat bastard!”, she yelled, sprinting in the soldiers direction. She slid to her side at the last moment, elbow slamming hard into the soldier's gut before she bent her body backwards, hands placed solid on the ground before kicking upward hard to complete her flip as well as to disarm. The lance flicked into the air, the soldier stumbling back a bit while she landed on her feet. She went to catch the lance only to stumble back to avoid a punch, the soldier recovering faster than she had hoped. Jordan was forced to throw bother her arms up to block but winced as her side was hit with the other punch.

She flipped back a few paces to create some distance, her side aching a bit but easily ignored it to focus once more. She sprinted for the lance, the soldier doing the same. She made a jump for it, rolling with the lance in her grip before planting herself defensive and thrusting it upward into the soldier causing an explosion of bright light. She slammed the lancing on the ground, using it to help her up as she made her way over to Charlie and Clint. She arrived just in time to catch Charlie's little question about how he was holding up and actually found herself scoffing in irritation. ”He wouldn’t have to be holding up at all if he hadn’t fucking ditched us like a little…big pussy assed bitch.”, she answered even though the question wasn’t directed at her. She was glaring daggers at him, the only thing saving him from her wrath was the fact he did look like shit and having been punished enough by taking a beating but it wouldn’t save him from a verbal lashing. Honestly, this jagoff had snuck out like an embarrassed woman after a one night stand. Who does that crap?!?? It was childish and pathetic.

”Nice to see you recovered and went back to screechin’.” Clint replied, knowing partially that she was right, but with an attitude like that she could shove that lance up her ass. Taking Charlie’s help to stand, despite the fact it hurt like hell to do it, he was glad to be back on his feet and back in the action, or at least he hoped back in the action if the damn pain would stop. His eyes scanned both women, noting that they seemed just as ready to fight as he was. He figured the news would hit them too, but he wasn’t as sure that they’d show up. As much as he wanted to tape Jordan’s mouth shut, he was more welcoming of her jackass remark than still being on the ground. ”I’m fine, Charlie. Thanks for askin’.” He answered to his short friend, eyes peering over at the sight of… Quite a few Drunn Soldiers approaching. It was definitely an unfortunate sight to behold right after getting back on his feet.

”Oh? You think that’s nice, hm? I haven’t even begun to screech at you, cowboy! The only reason you aren’t getting an ass whooping right now is because you already took one. Don’t make me change my mind cause I can easily multitask when it comes to problems.”, Jordan shot back, irritation mounting in her voice the longer she spoke. He obviously wasn’t hurting as bad as she thought if he still had it in him to be sassy. It actually gave her immense relief that he was snapping back, toning down her need to worry or examine his injuries since now wasn’t the time. As it was, she was worried about the other people still in the area and hoping none of them were injured either. It was just easier to be pissed off then a worried mess, even more so with the rapidly approaching Drunn Soldiers.

”Well you can multitask th--” Clint was going to retort, but his eyes snapped forward as a bag smacked against his chest, onto the ground. Jordan’s gaze followed the bag’s path to the ground, glancing back up to look at Clint as her face clearly read as ‘are you kidding right now’ since he had been too busy trying to get a dig at her than to focus and simply catch.

… He noted his self-awareness and reactions had gotten worse with time, but with what Charlie said… Their morphers were in here, right? It hurt to bend down and dig, but he scrambled through the bag looking for them. All he found were some things that looked eerily similar to the watch Charlie had back at the Diner… One was blue-ish, the other green… That thing hadn’t been a watch, Clint was now realizing. He pulled both out, quickly tossing the blue one to Jordan, his remark from earlier already forgotten so he simply quipped to her instead. ”Everything’s different. The Drunn, the damn morphers. Makin’ me feel old!”

”Hey, hey! You don’t get to say that cause if you're getting old then I am and I sure as shit don’t accept that.”, Jordan replied, working to strap on the Morpher to her wrist and feeling a rush of excitement at having it back. ”Right, then. Let’s show ‘em we can still fight like we used to, then!” Clint said with enthusiasm as he strapped on his own Morpher. Charlie was already trying to clear out the last of the citizens that had chosen to fight but she doubted they would really leave if they hadn’t already. Jordan tapped on the screen, having a look at what she was working with and got part of the jist on how to start but without guidance, she didn’t want to fuck it up. Fortunately, neither Clint or her would have to ask as Charlie started to morph, showing rather than explaining how to get started. She wasn’t one to wait long, her fingers already tapping her own ‘Rangers’ icon and Clint following with her, shouting,”Blue Ranger, Dino Power!” ”Green Ranger, Dino Power!” before spinning the perimeter of the screens and their own signature colors emitting from them. They felt a familiar flow of energy coursing around them, wrapping and curling before they were surrounded by their Blue Ranger and Green Ranger suits respectively. ”I’ve been itching for a fight! You assholes chose the wrong day to show your ugly mugs again!”, Jordan stated, grabbing the Dino Blade and giving it a quick spin.

Clint had been willing to fight before, but looking down and seeing the suit really filled him with motivation. Jordan’s eagerness, as well-- Not to mention Charlie’s! He thought back to how he’d ran from the Diner, feeling regret for those actions. If he’d stayed, Jordan wouldn’t have had to get so damn worried. They could have approached this better. But now wasn’t the time to mope or regret, now was the time for action. Where Jordan had pulled out the Dino Blade, Clint gave the Dino Blaster a twirl or four before pointing it forward past his fellow Ranger. ”Hell yeah!” He shouted, reinvigorated. ”Can’t let Charlie hog all the fun,” He added, proud at seeing Charlie take action like she was. He’d have to give her that talk later, as now wasn’t exactly the time. Instead, he glanced towards Jordan, his heart still racing from both being in his suit, and seeing his old friends in theirs. ”Let’s remind ‘em who protects this planet!”

”Yes, let’s.”, she stated with a cocky smirk under her helmet before dashing forward and being careful to avoid the fire from her teammates. This was nothing new for her, never having one to sit back and shoot, instead she had been the one to be the distraction and attack directly. She had trusted the others on her team to watch her back or help her get the advantage she needed to strike. Jordan felt no need to stop that pattern now as she dove in slashing and stabbing in a crowd of soldiers. She gracefully dodged lance attacks, sometimes even using the weapon poles themselves to jump off of if multiple tried to attack at once.

Those that Jordan couldn’t counter weren’t a problem with Clint there; Blaster shots sending them to the ground without issue, though he easily became tired of sitting back and instead crouched down, Dino Blaster leaving his hands as he took a large and one might even say overly dramatic leap into the action; Foot coming down on one of the soldiers and booting them back into the group, it’s armored chest piece shattering from the impact and leaving the two Rangers back-to-back. It was almost nostalgic for him to bob and weave, countering with strong crippling strikes as Jordan slashed the other end of the opposition. Without missing a beat, Clint extended his hand and gripped one of the soldier’s helmets, Jordan hooking one of her arms around his and using it as leverage to roll off of his back to slash at the surrounding group as Clint turned, his pure strength on full display as he swung the soldier by it’s helm knocking down many by using one. Between both moves, they covered a full circular rotation, clearing space.

Clint personally had more room to push out; Grabbing two more of the soldiers and smacking their heads together, before pressing with both legs to jump off the ground to send one barreling back into its brethren with a jumping roundhouse kick. The second being victim to an assortment of Clint’s punches before he finally decided to pull out his Dino Blade, slashing it across it’s torso and sending it plummeting to the ground. ”You keepin’ count? Because I think I’m winnin’!” He called out to Jordan, much more comfortable with her in a fight like this. ”Damn right I am! And we both know I have this in the bag!”, she teased, before pausing to kick back another soldier. ”Wanna compare? I’ll share mine if you share yours or would you like me to rub my victory in later?”, Jordan asked playfully.

Clint wasn’t terribly good with counting under stress, and thought maybe she’d been counting for both of them. Biting the inside of his cheek, he nervously chuckled. ”We’ll save it for later. We’ll see how confident you are after I barrel us a path straight to Charlie!”

”Let’s see if you are all talk or not. Go on, cowboy. Show me what you got.”, Jordan stated, nodding her head in the direction of Charlie. She was still confident in the numbers either way but she did love to see people rise to a challenge. And that’s exactly what Clint did, the man using the room they made to focus a path forward, Dino Blade cutting in one hand, and his fist solving any other problems. With Jordan as his support for once, they made an effective unit, cutting through the ranks and leaving a few of the soldiers crawling behind. They’d surely follow, but it was better the trio regroup before fighting further.

[LG]

Location: Angel Grove Youth Center
Interacting w/: @Potemking @Akayaofthemoon @Zoey Boey @metanoia @psych0pomp

Charlie kept herself busy with the Drunn Soldiers, opting to switch to the Dino Blade now that they were coming in closer to her. With the strength of her powers running through her veins, she had a new found energy to take down the soldiers one by one in order to protect the people as well as the actual facility itself. Seeing those familiar green and blue lights glowing from behind her pushed her over the edge even more. Now she was no longer alone in the fight, not with Jordan and Clint coming to her aid in defeating these minions that Druidon had sent out to attack the area. As her comrades took down their foes on their way to partnering up with her, Charlie found herself surrounded by multiple soldiers, dodging some of their attacks, but not being able to completely miss a punch or a kick there. "Mmph!" she grunted, holding up her Dino Blade against the strength of a few of their lances.

Her body bent backward as Charlie held her own, but the plethora of foes was causing her strength to wane. "Get... the fuck... off... me!" she exclaimed, finally breaking through and tossing the soldiers back. Her Dino Blade began to glow a bright purple color as Charlie held it with both hands, pointing it forward towards the remaining Drunn Soldiers that was in the way of the Rangers. "Purple Slash!" she shouted, slicing her Dino Blade forward as a piercing purple beam cut through the soldiers, causing each of them to combust on impact in a powerful explosion at the center of the battlefield. Sighing, she rested the blade on the back of her shoulder, walking over to meet with Jordan and Clint, giving each of them a fist bump. "That was fun, yeah?" she said with a slight chuckle, not before hearing a loud, menacing laugh coming the roof of the center where there was a basilisk looking monster standing with the family that Ross had helped to escape the scene, Vallory's fellow wrestler Mia, and one of Sloane's fraternity brothers.

"Ah ha ha ha! You Rangers think it's that easy huh? This was merely a distraction to keep you busy while I captured some precious hostages!" The monster shouted as each of the individuals struggled to move due to them being tied in thick, blue tentacles around their upper bodies. "I'm sure you're each familiar with Druidon! Given how we destroyed those other Rangers. And not only that... but we also fooled two others into sacrificing to themselves! And what did that get you? Four Rangers down and only six more to go! Only... wait... there are three of you here? Don't tell me the others have died as well! What a pity!"

Snarling through her helmet, Charlie reached for her Dino Blaster and pointed it up at the monster. "Speak ill of my friends again and I swear I'll..."

"You'll what!? Die like the rest!? Druidon would adore that! In fact, let's play a game... shall we?" And with that, the monster disappeared into a portal that opened up, taking it along with the hostages as well. Charlie, cursing under her breath, lowered her blaster and sat it into the holster.

"Fuck..." Charlie mumbled under her breath and shook her head. She didn't account for people to be taken and having their lives put in danger. If she had to guess, this monster from Druidon wouldn't necessarily kill the hostages; it was more of a ploy to get them to show up somewhere if anything. Druidon wanted to finish the job and annihilate the Rangers... but she wasn't to let that happen. Not without a fight. Remaining in her suit, she turned to Jordan and Clint saying, "I know, I've got a lot to explain but... we gotta head back to the Command Center. It's... just promise you won't get triggered by it, okay?" Chuckling nervously, she realized that having GENESIS's former HQ as their new Command Center may have hit a soft spot, but it was one of the few places in Angel Grove that had a ready made facility with dormant technology that they could use to tap into the Morphin Grid. "We can rest, heal up there and... Wait, what the...!"

From her bag, three bright lights emitted: Red, Black and Pink. Bursting from the flap, each of the individual Power Crystals shot towards their respective individuals and floated in front of their hands. Taking a small step forward, Charlie's eyes narrowed, a soft smirk hidden behind her helmet. "Looks like we've got some new company guys..."

[Zoey Boey]

Location: AGYC Community Event
Interactions: Mia, Basilisk, The Power Rangers.

---

Pew!

Vallory jumped in surprise as the lance fired a bolt of energy into the sky. She'd found the trigger, or something. Vallory grinned and held it like a rifle. She poked over the booth and prepared to shoot the nearest Druidon goon.

That was when she saw the Blue Ranger, and the Green Ranger. Again, kicking ass and taking names. "Yes!" She held her lance over her head like a Tuskan Raider from Star Wras. Druidon soldiers were being exploded everywhere. Excitement kept her heeart pumping more than the physical exertion did.

All that was about to change, however. Her heart dropped when she saw what was on the roof. Mia and some other innocent people, all tied up in tentacles.

"What the fuck, Mia!" She shouted as the Basilisk talked to Charlie.

"Sorry! I mean- why am I apologising!?" Mia asked, her voice shrill.

"Don't worry! The Power Rangers are here, they'll save you!" Vallory tried to reassure her, voice breaking.

"If I die," She said, struggling against the weird appendage wrapped around her, "You have to strike the word Wopple from the record."

"What? That's baloney!" Vallory shouted back, laughing a little with tears coming to her eyes.

"Better hope I get saved, then!" Mia turned her attention to her fellow hostages. "Hear that? The Power Rangers are here. This ugly-ass, untrimmed nail havin', sashimi bitch-ass motherfucker is gonna get blown to pieces just like every other creep that crawled out of a hole ten years ago!" Mia shouted, a surge of anger in her voice as she kicked her legs.

Unfortunately, she was ignored. Vallory and Mia had a lot of experience talking to each other in loud situations. That meant Vallory almost entirely missed what the basilisk was actually saying though as she was too focused on Mia Chikara. It was clear the monser was just talking to Charlie.

Then, they were gone. Vallory clenched her fists around her lance and, angrily, brought it ontop of her knee to crack it in half. Being made of steel meant it just bounced off with a pang and Vallory grimaced. Growling, she slammed it into the ground and ran her fingers through her hair. "Shit...shit!" Despair gripped her heart. She felt powerless.

Vallory ran over to the Power Rangers. "You guys will save 'em, right? I-" From a bag emerged three colorful objects. One of them, the Pink one, floated right over to Vallory. It stopped the woman in her tracks and she stared at it, eyes wide. Wonder, confusion, realisation, and acceptance. Emotions filtered over her face in a few seconds. But it didn't take long at all for her to know what she had to do. Something had happened to the Pink Ranger. It was Vallory's time to step up. Somewhere, in the back of her mind and her heart, she had been waiting for something like this to happen. Ever since steel trapped her legs and flames threatened to devour her family. When she was powerless, helpless... Ever since she was saved by heroes with red helmets and masks.

Vallory didn't know this would happen. But she believed in destiny. Fate is written in the stars; she would be powerless no longer.

"...Okay." Vallory decided. She wiped away the fearful, bitter tears. Reaching out, she took the Pink Power Crystal in her hands.

"So. How does this thingy work?" She brought the Crystal close to her eyes and then flicked it with her index finger. She bit lightly on it, like she was checking to see if it was candy.

[Potemking]

Location:Angel Grove Community Center
Interacting w/: Jordan, Charlie, Basilisk, Vallory

Having cut through with Jordan to reach Charlie, he was glad to be able to witness the last few moments of their little Ranger sis kicking some ass. He paused for a brief moment, placing a hand on Jordan's shoulder to keep her from rushing into the slash attack like a madwoman and pointing to the finishing blow the Purple Ranger was making on her opposition. "Damn, she didn't need us at all. Maybe she has us both beat." He commented, ready to celebrate a victory as his hand slid off Jordan's shoulder, fist bumping Charlie as she "You know it. You've gotten better, too." He complimented, only to be interrupted by a menacing laugh. The Green Ranger eyed the area, looking for the threat, only to notice it was above. Instinctively, he brought himself in front of Charlie, in case it decided to jump down.

"Hostages.. Yellow-bellied bastard." Clint muttered, knowing he needed to get up there. But as the conversation went on, he was learning a little too much. The way this creature spoke of their friends deaths as a joke... His fists clenched, ready to fight at a moment's notice. But with him all the way up there, and the hostages, it made things tricky. Was everything they fought for really for nothing? He almost faltered, but shook himself out of it. They fought for peace, and for ten years... They had it. And if Clint had anything to say about it, their sacrifices wouldn't suddenly be in vain now. "Don't need more of us! I'll come up there and add some black to that blue!" He threatened, but with their current position... It came out as kind of empty.

His eyes peered over, hearing someone call to one of the hostages. His eyes widened, Clint wondering how the hell he didn't notice this huge woman prior. Actually, wait... Recollection struck him, and he did catch a glance of her earlier. She'd been outside earlier. Sticking around wasn't a great idea, but with friends around he could understand. This only motivated him to want to stage a rescue attempt more, however by the time that fully processed... They were gone. Shit.

Turning to Charlie as she exclaimed a swear of her own, he was confused by the idea of her having a Command Center. "First the morphers, now a base? You've been preparing for this, haven't you?" He questioned, having expected Charlie to move on for the most part. Of all of them, he hoped she would the most. She was younger, smart. Maybe because of that intelligence she kept wary... He was only finding more reasons to show her respect. Realizing the fight was over, Clint huffed out a sigh of relief as his suit disappeared in the same light that had engulfed him, the cowboy now standing there thinking of how they'd deal with the hostage situation.

Or at least he would've, if he wasn't startled by the tall girl coming over and questioning if they'd save the hostages. He would've spoken up, but the pink Power Crystal flew past his face close enough that he felt the breeze, eyes locking onto the sight of it choosing a new user for it's power. "Huh..." He was speechless, unsure if he should influence her decision, so he watched. As she accepted the crystal, a smirk crossed his face as he approached the emotional girl, glad he'd removed the suit as this probably made it less awkward for her. His expression was soft, up until she bit the Power Crystal.

"Heheheh..." He snickered, finding enjoyment in the sight, surprisingly enough. "I saw a lot of reactions when we first got these, but nobody bit one!" A hint of nostalgia washed over him, finding a bright light in this dark situation. He never thought he'd have to raise his arm to plant a hand on someone's shoulder, but this girl was definitely an exception to the rule. "Ya don't got to chip a tooth on it, though." He explained, lifting his other arm to show her the Morpher on his wrist. "Just gotta get you set up with one of these! Though, that's Charlie's department." He added, glancing back at the hugely contrasting short girl to confirm her identity, before lowering the arm with his Morpher and focusing back on who the Power Crystal chose to be a new Pink Ranger.

"Name's Clint. Better get yours, too: Because it looks like you'll be helping answer your own question." Regardless, Clint would do all he could to save those hostages. But if she was going to be joining them, then this would be a perfect drive for her. She could help, too. Though they'd need to make sure she was ready. Along with the other two, Black and Red...

It wasn't the same team, but a team was getting together. He planned to make sure it bloomed into a successful one.

[AlteredTundra]

Location — Angel Grove Community Center
Interactions — The Purple Ranger @OGSG

---

I wish I could do something more than just...watch.

There was nothing more in this world that Ross hated most than feeling helpless. That and when his outfit of the day became wrinkled. But the second thing he hated most was definitely feeling helpless, especially when the source of danger was so immediate.

But he understood. Ross understood that he wasn't in any position to be of any use to the Power Rangers. They were trained to do this. They had the power to actually make a difference. Ross understood this more than anyone could know. They had been the reason why he, Vallory, and Sloane weren't dead already. If they didn't show up when they did, albeit covertly and under their noses, well ...he didn't want to think of the worst-case scenario right now. He could only watch as they dismantled one batch of Druidon Soldiers after the other.

A few feet away, while Ross silently cheered on the Rangers, he heard Vallory obnoxiously cheer them on as if it was one of her wrestling matches. Under normal circumstances, he might have winced at her ungrateful display of encouragement, but at this exact moment, her direct approach had quelled some feelings of anxiety that started to develop inside Ross.

And then it didn't. The tightness in his stomach almost consumed him until he remembered something. "The family.." he muttered, remembering how scared Grace was and how brave her parents were for not trying to show just how terrified they were too. "You helped them escape. You're not useless or helpless. You helped them out. You gave them the escape route to leave."

As he reassured himself and refocused, Ross smiled at the Rangers doing what they did best. And he couldn’t help himself as he subtly fist-pumped the air close to his midsection (where his left hand was).

And a not-so-silent-but-not-as-vocal-as-Vallory cheer.

But as the self-contained celebration continued, it would cease when an unnerving laugh sent chills down Ross’ spine, causing every hair along his arms and legs to stand up with a sense of familiar dread passing through him.

The source of it? Some terrifying-looking snake-like monster.

And the dread increased.

With so much of his attention on the monster, Ross had a delayed acknowledgment of who he was standing near, blue tentacles constricting them.

“Grace..no..” He said in a dry breath.

And in that terrifying moment, his eyes blinked repeatedly. He kept seeing the flash of the monster and Grace’s family and the other hostages -- all of them trapped under that monster’s hold. And the rangers...did nothing. But that wasn’t because they didn’t, but they didn’t know how to.

Of course. They couldn’t because they were his hostages.

Ross fell to one knee, his breathing getting short and fast. One hand held his form up and the other gripped his chest. Not ont he side where his heart was but closer up near his neck. Ross couldn’t breathe. Or, at least it felt like he couldn’t. His chest was certainly tight, but his mind kept racing. And it was consistent.

Thoughts of uselessness consumed him along with failing Grace and her family.

I was supposed to protect them. I was supposed to help them. But…

But he didn’t. He couldn’t. He was so focused on watching the Rangers that he thought they would be fine. He thought her parents would be able to get her to safety.

Ross hadn’t heard much of what the monster had said, but as he looked up, his eyes widened when he saw the monster and his hostages disappear into a portal.

“No!”

Ross went to step up but his legs buckled and he was on all fours.

As he repeatedly slammed his awkwardly-balled fists into the ground, parts of the skin over his knuckles cracking open, shallowly bleeding on the ground, drops of crimson coating the silver floor, tears flowed from Ross’ eyes. “Useless!” He cried out, his voice cracking. “You’re useless! You sat there and did nothing!”

His despair carried him into a fit of pity-like rage until his hands were covered in his own blood.

But then a light caught his attention (albeit slowly). He looked up as a red and pink light floated to Sloane and Vallory respectively, but then there was a third. A black crystal flew into his left open hand. It glowed still as it rested in his palm. As it did, he felt a strange power flow into him. He couldn’t quite explain it, but one thing that caught his immediate attention was how the cuts on his hands started to heal. Like they were responding to this crystal in his hand.

“What is this thing?” Ross questioned more to himself, looking at it, inspecting it. “No, it couldn’t be…”

Ross didn’t wait for his mind to jump to any conclusions as he got up and quickly ran over to where he saw Vallory and the Purple Ranger. “Yo! Miss Purple Ranger!” Ross said as he came to a slow stop. “Kore wa seikaku ni wa nanidesu ka?” Ross fell into his natural tongue whenever he was excited or tired and he was both right now. “I mean, what is this? Can’t be what I think it is, can it?” Ross looked at the Purple Ranger before looking back down at the black crystal firmly in his grasp.

[psych0pomp]

| 𝖫𝖮𝖢𝖠𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭 : ANGEL GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER | 𝖨𝖭𝖳𝖤𝖱𝖠𝖢𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭𝖲 : EVERYONE | 𝖬𝖴𝖲𝖨𝖢 : - - |

Everything was a blur of motion. For a second, Sloane was assured that he’d be dead sooner rather than later. A thought roiled in the back of his mind. They better leave my face alone. I do want an open casket funeral. It was selfish and stupid, but it wasn’t cowardly. He didn’t regret his decision.

It was then that a series of things happened very rapidly. The man he’d been helping gained footing and took one of the creatures down before exhausting himself. The other two were knocked off-kilter, allowing Sloane to take a few steps out of their swiping range. He gripped his bat tighter, ready to take swings to get the guy out of that situation. Much like Sloane, the odds were against him, but considering the fact that the other man was his own draft horse—he’d look like a piece of chicken shit in Sloane's eyes if he wasn’t fighting the Drunn Soldiers. Then there was another person, seemingly unbothered by the goings-on, but still wary about her surroundings. She instructed Sloane to leave. For a moment, he almost rebuffed against that notion. Who was to tell him what? But common sense poked its head in and reminded him that he was in a life or death situation with only a bat and his good looks.

There was then a flash of purple, and the bossy woman was now a… was now a ranger. Oh shit, she did have it. He definitely did not need to be here. Sloane highly doubted that anyone was keeping tabs on him by now, and he bolted back towards the building. Unfortunately, his mad dash was drawn short as someone yelled at him for help. They were trapped under a piece of debris. Sloane let out a groan of annoyance but went to help them. He glanced around, trying to make sure they weren’t going to be ambushed while he did this. It seemed as if the creatures were focused on something else—someone else. He turned away as flashes of blue and green flickered in his periphery, and there was a subsequent cacophony of both excitement and battle. Sloane brought attention back to the trapped person. The brightly colored Spandex Squad could take care of them, he’d just deal with minimizing the mass casualties. The annoyance that he’d be ignored after all this was said and done, due to the Ranger’s return, fueled his actions. Sloane definitely looked like a good Samaritan on the outside, but the inside was a different story.

As the person thanked him and skirted away, Sloane’s attention was grabbed by a voice that seemed to silence the noise around him. He turned to see a nasty creature looming on top of a building, far more imposing than any of the Druidon before. Yet, what Sloane focused on was the fact that David, wet but terrified, was in the creature’s clutches. Whatever inner-grumbling his narcissism had fed him, vanished. Despite the shit that they’d give each other, David was one of his few friends. He stood, ignoring the pain in his leg.

“David!” he yelled, but he was far enough away that his frat brother didn’t seem to hear him. Panicked, he ran towards them. Unfortunately, a few words were spoken between the creature and the Rangers below… and then the creature and his hostages disappeared. “No!” He tightened the grip on the bat, slamming it against a discarded chair. The metallic ring was the only thing he focused on. So, it was no surprise that when a red light vaulted at him—he swung. Fortunately, it was a panicked motion, and he missed. That was a rare occurrence. Because out of every skill that he ballooned to infinite heights, his skill as a batter was not exaggerated.

“What the hell?” he asked, snatching the thing out of the sky. Twisting it in his hand, he slowly realized what this might be. Sloane leaned the bat against the chair he’d just mutilated and ran a hand through his blond locks—pushing them away from his face. He approached the group. There were the three rangers, blue, green, and purple, but there was also Ross and Vallory. They also had glowing crystals in their hands.

“I get why I have one, but why does Ryan over here get the honor. Or are they participation crystals?” Sloane submerged his roiling emotions once again and returned to his usual self. That was the McCabe way.

| 𝖳𝖠𝖦(𝖲) :@OGSG @Akayaofthemoon @metanoia @Zoey Boey @Potemking |

[Akayaofthemoon]

Location: Angel Grove Youth Center
Interacting w/:@OGSG@metanoia@Zoey Boey@Potemking@psych0pomp

The strong hand on her shoulder had her pausing, feeling confused as to why he had done so. She gave a quick glance at Clint, following his gaze so her attention was on Charlie which instantly had explained his actions in stopping her from continuing forward. The purple slash of energy caused a devastating final blow to the last rank of soldiers and made a gentle smile tug at her lips, marveling at the strength her little sis had demonstrated. She nodded at Clint’s statement that Charlie hadn’t needed them after all but at the last comment, she slowly turned her head to him with narrowed eyes full of suspicion. ”Are you saying that because you mean it or did you not count and want to keep us on the same level by declaring Charlie the winner?”, she asked which ultimately went ignored. She decided to let it go, shaking her head gently as she met up with her team, watching the fist bump between the two. It was different and familiar to see her teammates fight again, bringing back so many memories after battles long passed. Jordan didn’t have long to relish in the nostalgia she was feeling though as a menacing laugh rang out.

Jordan instantly tensed, ready for another fight and scanning the area before looking up. What she was met with made her enraged and mortified. Hostages...the fucking coward and taken people hostage which wouldn’t have been so bad if it were not for the distance. The basilisk wasn’t going to let them move from their current positions to attempt a rescue and even if they managed to break away from its sight, making it up the building before it disappeared or worse, did something like toss the hostages over the edge was close to impossible. This was definitely not the most ideal situation. She let her fellow teammates throw the insults or threats for once, shaking silently in rage that she was struck useless with nowhere for the pent up energy to go. If a single one of those hostages were harmed, she would never forgive herself. It was obvious how important the group of hostages were to the other citizens that hadn’t fled from the fight just by the looks on their faces. The conversation between the Amazon woman and her taken companion made things even clearer if it wasn’t before. She didn’t want more lives to be lost and could only hope that their enemy was going to use them for a trap or to lure them in. She tried to ignore the mockery of her friends' deaths because she wasn’t going to give the creature the satisfaction of seeing her be affected by its words. She vowed to herself that the creature would feel her wrath for ever uttering a single word against them and for starting up what it viewed as a little game to toy with them. She was going to make them pay. That was her only thought as she watched the group on top of the building disappear.

Jordan holstered her weapon, cursing under her breath in complete frustration. This had been a disaster with very little feeling of success. Clint had been beaten up like a piñata, citizens had been placed in danger, and now some had been taken as hostages while they were too busy dealing with minions. They needed a full team or at least more members but the others were done with fighting, having made that extremely clear. ”More surprises, Charlie? Seriously? I do want an explanation but I don’t know if I can handle one more negative thing or news. Can’t you just spit it out now?!”, she snapped a bit. She was trying to keep a calmer tone but this was all a lot to take in and deal with so for Charlie to think they would be triggered...it might just be another bombshell waiting. It seemed answers were not something she was going to receive any time soon though as three bright lights glowed, the bag their Purple Ranger had with her flying open, the power crystals selecting their new respective holders. It was a bit shocking to say the least but at the same time, she had just been thinking they needed a full team. Thinking and seeing it happen were two very different things...she wasn’t sure she was ready for Rookies that they would have to prepare or get along with strangers to their mission.

Jordan literally wanted to face palm at the reaction of their new Amazon Pink Ranger to being chosen. It was extremely cute, don’t get her wrong and on a normal day she might have laughed at the antics but right now she couldn’t so she ended doing what she did best, talking instead of knowing when to hold her tongue. ”Let me give you a hint....not like that.”, she sassed, dropping her transformation and dragging her hands through her hair to settle on the back of her neck. She was in a foul mood and was about ready to just smack the next person to hit her nerves so with that being said, she decided to let Clint could make friendly with the Pink Ranger while Charlie took on answering their new Black Ranger on if this was real. It was a common reaction and she didn’t blame him for the surprise of suddenly being chosen but then she heard, “I get why I have one, but why does Ryan over here get the honor. Or are they participation crystals?”. Jordan literally felt her eye twitch as the last of her patience snapped, her head slowly turning to the one that would be her next victim and was now the holder of the red power crystal. She didn’t care that he was a stranger, this fucking twits ass was grass and with that in mind, she raised her hand up and literally smacked the newcomer up side the head with a pretty fair amount of force. ”Don’t fucking talk to your new teammates like that. I don’t care who you are or how special you think it is to be you. As far as I am concerned, you just signed yourself up to be the bottom of the totem pole and let me tell you something….that isn’t a place you wanna be with me. Consider yourself lucky or perhaps unlucky to be roped into this in the first place cause I have half a mind to take that crystal and stick it where your sun don’t shine, see if you can transform after that.”, she spat, ripping into him more because he had poor timing than anything else but honestly, he really shouldn’t be speaking to another teammate like they didn’t hold value.

”And speaking of assholes….Clint, don’t think I’m fucking done ripping you a new one either.”, she started, whirling her attention on the next poor sucker that would be on the receiving end of her pent up aggression but this one much more deserving of it than the last. ”I might not be able to beat your ass right now but I fucking told that you hadn’t begun to see me screech at you. New Rangers or not, you aren’t getting to weasel out of this one. What was that fucking crap you just pulled huh?!? Why the fuck did you ditch us at the Diner!? What were you trying to prove with that fucking little stunt of yours?! Did you want us to feel guilty, huh!?! You made me fucking believe we had left you behind and even ditched to resume hero work without you but no, instead you were here, going in without a plan and getting fucked up to hell and back. Why can’t you use your head!?! Why do you just jump in to protect people without thinking about yourself!?! What if we hadn’t gotten here in time and something happened to you!?! We fight as a team for a reason or is that concept lost on you after ten years of not having to deal with us!?! Do that again, I’ll break your fucking legs so you can’t run off like a goddamn coward or get into trouble without us.” Jordan ranted, not letting him get a word in edgewise. She pushed past him, stopping a bit of ways from the group before looking at Charlie, letting the anger drop from her tone but it was still serious and almost stern. ”I suggest we get out of here before we are stuck answering stupid questions or giving statements for the police and who knows what else that we don’t have time for. The new Rangers can get caught up and have questions answered when we are back at base. Which is where exactly? Clint is kindly gonna offer a ride there to anyone that needs it which I do.”, she said, her eyes turning to the Green Ranger at the last sentence with a glare as if daring him to deny her statement. It was the least he could do in her opinion to make up for the obvious transgression.

[LG]

Location: Angel Grove Youth Center → Command Center
Interacting w/: @Potemking @Akayaofthemoon @Zoey Boey @metanoia @psych0pomp

There was a lot going on after the scene had finally cleared up from the battle with several questions that each of the other five people around Charlie surely had. Once the Basilisk creature disappeared with the hostages, Charlie was trying to quickly come up with a plan to reverse their fortunes, but there was turmoil brewing amongst the group. This... extremely tall woman brought the Power Crystal to her mouth (disgusting by the way) and tried to gnaw on it; the frat-boy had called the Power Crystals... "Participation Crystals"; Jordan had gone off the deep end with her anger towards several members of the group; Clint, of course, surely must have been confused by this and needed his wounds tended to; and then there was the possessor of the Black Power Crystal who had asked her what all of this was about. How would Silas deal with all of this?

Remain calm... breathe. I can do this.

Clearing her throat, her hazel eyes glanced at Ross, offering him a nod that silently stated that she was going to explain all of this in due time, she just needed to get a hold of everyone within range that was a wielder of a Power Crystal. There were six of them and she couldn't possibly go into full detail here and now. They needed to get to the Command Center. "Everyone... just... calm the fuck down!" she exclaimed, guiding herself towards the center of them all, occasionally turning on her heel to look at each of them in the eyes. Once they were silent, she exhaled deeply, her expression softening. "Now... I know all of you have questions about... everything and I promise that I'll answer them to the best of my ability. But right now, what we don't need is for each of you to... act like kids!" Because that was part of the reason for the initial demise of the Rangers: each of them were teenagers with their own agendas and their own method of thinking. Even Silas was a bit hot-headed at times. What they needed right now was for them to just listen.

"Like Jordan mentioned, if you need a ride to the Command Center, we'll load up in Clint's truck. Otherwise, I'll send you each coordinates," Charlie said, glancing down at her Power Morpher and tapping away at the holographic screen that popped up from it. The address of the Command Center sent straight to the Rookies phones since they didn't have a Power Morpher yet. "Now... let's move out."

---

Jordan and Clint may have been caught off guard when they realized that the Command Center was actually GENESIS's old headquarters. A decade without civilization interacting with the facility didn't do the building any favors, but it was the only facility that Charlie had in mind that had notable technology that could serve the needs of the Rangers. After instructing those who were driving to park in the attached parking garage, she led the group inside the building, pressing her hand against the identification sensor as the door slid open with a swooshing sound. "Welcome home, Rangers," she said, walking slowly into the rotunda area, sunlight peeking through the windows at the ceiling. The facility was massive, with several untouched corners that Charlie hadn't found the time to get around to. She was considering hiring out someone to help update everything, but she needed to be sure that the team would be stable. Otherwise, it was a waste of money. "Now... I know what you're thinking... we've got a lot of work to do," she said as they neared the elevator. "But, the real good stuff is in the basement."

The elevator took the group down to the Control Room that was much more updated than anything above ground. This was where Charlie had spent much of her time updating and improving what was already a decent system. It just needed her own personal touch. Across the perimeter were pods with each of the Rangers suits, including the ones that were no longer in commission. There were screens as well that served as surveillance to the city along with other information like Ranger vitals and blueprints for other projects. The central area had a step down area that shaped in a circular fashion. There were a few rolling chairs in front of numerous computer screens that instantly lit up once a foot was stepped onto the lowered platformed. Turning to face everyone, she cleared her throat as now was the time to actually begin explaining, especially to the Rookies.

"Okay... We haven't gotten into the particulars yet but... new people, new Rangers... I'm Charlisa Fox, but everyone calls me Charlie. Purple Ranger." She gestured to the other two veterans who were prone to biting each other's heads off. Well, mainly Jordan but Clint wasn't exactly a pushover. "That's Clint "Cowboy" Martyr, Green Ranger. And my lovely big sister, Jordan Hall, Blue Ranger." Nodding, she gave them the opportunity to introduce themselves, and then acknowledged the Rookies. "I don't know... anything about you all, but... the Morphin Grid has a way of being able to identifying people that have bonded with Power Crystals..."

Turning, she slight bent down to tap on one of the computer screens on the lower platform as the screens beyond them, high on the wall, showed the faces of the three new Rangers. "Ross Takahashi, Sloane McCabe, and Vallory Vance. Black, Red, and Pink Rangers respectively. The Power Crystals have a way of finding a person of great potential and utilizing them to carry out the mission of protecting the planet as Power Rangers. We don't know everything about it... but I would tell you this: take it seriously. There is a great responsibility with being a Ranger and, yes, we look cool and flashy and all of that... but the fate of the world is on the line while we're kicking ass." Pausing, she looked to Clint and Jordan before leaning her backside against one of the chairs. "I'm sure all of you have questions... including you two, Jordan and Clint. Fire away."

[Zoey Boey]

Location: Power Rangers HQ
Interactions: Everyone

---

Clint's Power Morpher made Vallory smile. It was a honor to see one so close. She casually continued to play with the Power Crystal, not embarassed by her very practical testing of the power crystal. It didn't taste like anything. "Heya, Clint. My name's Vallory." She answered Clint simply. Someone was screaming, and Vallory became alerted.

She turned around and saw Ross with bloodied hands, and she frowned. "Jesus, Ross. Are you okay?"

Sloane made some jerk-ass douchebag comment again, but before Vallory could say anything the Blue Ranger, Jordan, popped the fuck off in a way that was pretty scary. And also a little disappointing, especially when she started yelling at the Green Ranger, too. She wasn't sure what she expected the Power Rangers to act like, but it wasn't this. Weren't they supposed to be friends?

The Purple Ranger calmed everything down, kind of. Vallory wasn't sure if she was mad at her, too? Even though the Power Crystal was fine, she found herself wiping it off with her tied up Starshine t-shirt anyway. But, whatever. If it had been secretly candy she would have looked really smart.

"I got my own car. I'll meet you there." Vallory said, surprising herself with how calm she was.

As Vallory crouched into her simple black car, she pulled her phone out of the back of her jean pocket. Yes, they were mens jeans. Whatever. She texted her parents to let them know she was okay since they would undoubtedly find out about this event soon enough. If she was going to be disappearing on some secret mission she would need her parents to know she was okay.

Flicking the pink Starshine rearview mirror ornmanet for good luck, Vallory followed the pick-up truck out of the community center and apparently, to her new homebase.

As she drove, she briefly considered what she was doing. Was this really happening? Her life had suddenly taken a drastic turn from it's previous trajectory. But as someone who believed in destiny, she reframed this turn of events. This was always her fate, she just hadn't known it. Besides...it made sense. Deep down she might have been waiting for something like this. All she had ever wanted to do was help people. To be a hero. She played the face, the hero, in the ring, to satisfy that part of herself. Now it was real. That was that, she supposed. Vallory Vance was the new Pink Ranger.

It looked like they were holed up in an old GENESIS HQ. Strange, but, it worked. This implied the old base wasn't available anymore. And Vallory hadn't seen any of the other Rangers. And given that Red, Black, and Pink were available colors...there were only so many conclusions to be drawn. It was all too much to thoroughly process right now. Vallory would just have to take these issues as they came up. If she got overwhelmed, she'd be no used to anyone.

Once inside, Vallory decided to try and focus on the hype factor. At the same time, she really wanted to go save her friend and the other hostages.

Still rolling the Power Crystal between her hands, Vallory walked over to the pod with the Pink Ranger suit. Running a hand over the glass, being this close to the Pink Ranger, was a strange feeling. Because now she was the Pink Ranger? Compartmentalize, Vallory! Compartmentalize. Don't think about it too hard. Just rush headlong into it like you always do. It's worked out for you so far, hasn't it?

"Uhm," Vallory raised a hand. "Ms. Charlie- Purple Ranger- Ms-, uh." Her voice was too quiet. She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. This is- this is a huge honor, by the way. It's just-"

"Will the Pink Ranger suit automatically...change sizes?" Her head was well above that of the previous Pink Ranger's height. "I'm okay with wearing tight outfits but..." She trailed off.

[Potemking]

Location:Angel Grove Community Center → Command Center
Interacting w/: Everybody, to an extent!

Vallory. A smile crossed Clint's face, comforted by her introduction. Short and sweet was more his style anyways, it suited him fine. Clint had tried to keep his spirits up, until around when Jordan decided to start being herself and sassing the tall girl he was chatting with. The cowboy's face scrunched up, considering her sass unnecessary as people had to deal with this kind of shock in their own ways. His attempt at being positive thwarted, he simply let out a complaint towards Jordan: "C'mon, lay off a little. I know you're mad at me, but..." He responded in an attempt to push Jordan's sass off the person next to him. Telling her to stop did not make her stop, but it at least diverted the bull's attention like a red cape--

“I get why I have one, but why does Ryan over here get the honor. Or are they participation crystals?”

_"Christ..." Clint muttered. His eyes slowly drifted between the men holding the Black and Red Power Crystals... Recognizing the latter as the guy that tried to save him earlier. Clint wished he could save him in return, but Jordan huffed over to him and smacked him without remorse, causing Clint to flinch. Ahah, Jordan was just as good at chewing people out as ever, her ruthless words and lack of filter on full display as he stared at the scene, unsure if he even had the guts to intervene.

... Not that he had too, as Karma was swift to bite him in the ass. His eyes widened as Jordan turned on him instead, recoiling slightly as she got closer showing that not only were her words stinging, but for one reason or another these rookies could see he was very clearly afraid of her to an extent, if the attitude wasn't enough reason for him to be. He attempted multiple times to get a word in, but she just kept bashing him over and over, until eventually he fell into a surrendering silence, accepting it with a deep sigh. She wasn't wrong of course, he had fucked up, and he knew it. The repeatedly beating it into his skull thing was helping with that, though he felt angry... Or felt angry that he SHOULD have felt angry. Instead, all he had was guilt. Guilt that caused him to easily be shoved aside, the man thinking about her words. Damn, what had he caused?

Well, one thing he caused was becoming the team driver, apparently. Not that he was exactly going to reject it and not give anyone a ride, but she really had to put him on the spot like that? He just nodded along, crossing his arms and trying to ignore the rest of the situation at hand. Which was hard, with Charlie also joining in on the shouting. There was one person flipping out, and making more of a scene here wasn't helping anybody.

Not that he'd mention that. Right now, Clint was really at a loss for words. Jordan had not only left him reeling from the fit she just threw, but hit him hard enough with her words to leave him dead silent. Hell, he knew the extent of what he needed to, but at the same time he realized they needed to get these new people more situated. He'd need to prepare himself, because he'd be a big part of that, at least he assumed. This was a dangerous road ahead, and he had to make sure to protect--

He looked towards Jordan... Feeling a glint in his own eye. No, not just protect. Ensure they could protect themselves, and he'd assist as needed. He couldn't just throw himself around, not after what Jordan said. She hurt him, but, he could feel the intent behind it. He knew she cared, and that just made him feel worse. So when a distraction was brought up, that being to transport the gang to the Command Center, he nodded.

"Yup," He spoke, pain shooting through him as he hobbled off towards his truck, trying to smile through his injuries. "Just the big chauffeur, let's get everyone that's going and git!" He added, trying to include some enthusiasm, though was a little saddened that Vallory had her own transportation. Good for her, sure, but she was like, the only person not stressing her out aside from maybe the shorter guy that Clint hadn't had the chance to harass with his hospitality yet. Injured or not, Clint was very insistent on driving, not intending for anyone else here to be behind the wheel of his baby... Especially not Jordan, though she'd take it in a heartbeat.

At least he'd have some good tunes... If Jordan stopped fucking with his radio for five seconds.

---

To say Clint was surprised was an understatement. It didn't take super long for Clint to figure out the situation of where they were going, yet his eyes still didn't believe it. GENESIS headquarters... There were a lot of memories with that name, not many, if any, were positive. Guess in retrospect that's what being a ranger felt like. after the charm wore off? Yet here he was, embracing the power again. In a strange way, he was excited. Maybe it was to strike back in vengeance against Druidon, or just to kick that Basilisk-looking jackass in the face and show him who was boss. Maybe Clint was just needing some violence to supply a bit of therapy for his emotions? He was just reaching at straws, no point in continuing down that path of thinking, instead parking with Charlie's directions as to conceal the vehicle properly.

Following Charlie inside, this place looked like an old barn in the back of his field back home. It needed work, repairs... But they could do something with it, he imagined. And Charlie seemed pretty proud, so he didn't want to squash little sis's thunder on the whole ordeal. "Make due with what you're given, right?" He commented, figuring the space to bit a of a work in progress, yeah, but if they turned it into something cool, then who'd be laughing? ... Who owned this building, now, anyways? Did Charlie? He had a few basic questions, but found himself pretty quiet on the elevator, standing in the corner as if to try and take up the least amount of room he could.

The Control Room was astounding, the basement proving to house a lot of hard work on Charlie's end. As everyone shuffled out, Clint slowly wandered behind the group, poking and pressing things as he passed out of curiosity, as this place looked like the inside of a spaceship, like the damn Enterprise! He mostly controlled himself, trying to not accidentally push a button that'd fire some nuclear warheads Charlie was neglecting to tell them about, or something. Girl had a ton of secrets, and he found himself getting tired either from being hurt, or from just trying to follow everything going on.

As Charlie introduced him and Jordan to the others, he almost lost his composure as she called Jordan lovely. Yeah, in what fucking universe, right? If there was a reality where Jordan was nice, she probably cured goddamn cancer or solved world hunger, or something like that. He held his tongue, however, not wanting to cause more trouble at the moment and instead speaking to the rookies momentarily. "Yup, cowboy, that's me. Sorry for bein' short, but... Think I've gotta sit down." He fell into one of the chairs, that only causing him to ache more. Son of a bitch, it hurt pretty bad, but he ignored it momentarily.

Clint didn't bother speaking up again until Charlie said they could fire questions her way, his simple mind shining through again. "All I gotta know is that Druidon is back. The rest is just backburner stuff until we get those hostages back." He spoke from his seat, an arm across his torso as he flinched from the pain he was feeling. Shit, Jordan wasn't going to let him live this down, but he had no choice but to bring it up. "Actually, I got one. We have any first-aid here? I haven't felt this bad since one of the horses back at the ranch bucked me off my feet." He'd rather be doing that a hundred times than having to cope with the return of their menace... Unfortunately, it seemed like he was all out of bucks and instead was going to be worrying about Druidon until further notice...

As Vallory spoke, he actually decided to speak a little from personal experience. "I actually worried about that too, I was a bit smaller the last time I put on mine! They seem to come equipped to fit, part of their weird Powers, I guess. But it works out for us, doesn't it?"

[AlteredTundra]

Location — Command Center — Control Room
Interactions — Everyone in the room
_{Anything between (JP) and (NJP) is to be assumed it's spoken in Japanese}

---

Amidst the aftermath of the chaos, curiosity burned in Ross' mind, and after Sloane walked up, possibly interrupting the Purple Ranger as he so intentionally referred to Ross by the wrong name again, anger towards McCabe was steadily rising like water in a tea kettle. It wasn't a difficult thing to grasp. His name is Ross, not Ryan. He's not fucking Deadpool! It didn't matter how attractive Ryan Reynolds was or how iconic his movies are. He wasn't Gosling either.

Actually, now that Ross was thinking about it, a lot of famous Ryans were insanely attractive. He might not be outwardly bisexual, but Ross could acknowledge one man's level of hotness. And boy were they smoking, like a platter of spicy tuna made human.

Right. Don't get sidetracked. We're mad at Sloane right now! Fōkasu, Hiroshi! Fōkasu!

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you: my name is Ross, not Ryan!" He'd clarify for whatever the number of times was right now.

"Jesus, Ross. Are you okay?"

A few seconds later, Ross heard Val ask if he was alright and he nodded. "Yeah. Guess I hit the ground a few too many times." Though he laughed it off, Ross could imagine how that might make him sound. Like hey, here's a dude that just hits the ground for fun!

Moments after, as the other rangers chimed in, Ross was dealt a rather jarring dose of reality. Despite them being rangers, it became apparent that they weren't the holy figures that he remembered them to be, or that they shouldn't be held on a pedestal like certain Amazons he knew probably did. Granted, Ross wasn't a superfan. He admired them for what they represented and no doubt influenced him to become the best version of himself he could be, but as the blue and green Rangers bickered, Ross figured there was a lot more under the surface than what they allowed the public to show. That, at least, he could understand. There was certainly a lot more to Ross than just his charitable nature and obviously good looks.

At some point, Ross found himself a bit distracted by the blue and green Rangers going at it (mainly the blue just saying so many words at him) that he didn't have a chance to prepare himself for the Purple Ranger speaking in an elevated tone. He could have sworn he left his body for the slightest second as his heart nearly stopped.

And then she informed everyone of the plan: either hitch a ride with the cowboy or find your own way to...the command center? Right because of course, the Power Rangers have a command center.

Considering that this wasn't a matter of making sure people knew where he was going. Those who were still lingering about would be safe, what with the cops not far behind, so what was really keeping him around? Nothing, that's what.

"Alright Mr. Green, I'm hitching with you if that's okay!" Ross didn't always do this, but he bowed before following him and took a seat in the back of his truck. Being brought up by honor, particularly by his O bāchan, Ross always found ways to show respect whenever he could.

Bowing to the Green Ranger was just a way of doing that, though he couldn't help but wonder about this Command Center and just what the hell he and the others were in store for.

"Guess there's only one way to find out," he muttered under a breath.

---

As they arrived, Ross was on his phone. The quiet sounds of the truck stopping in front of some large building served as background noise as Ross talked on his phone.

(JP)”I’m safe, mom. Don’t worry. I know it’s scary, but you don’t have to worry.” Ross expelled a frustrated voice as he climbed out of the truck.

“Hiroshi. Where are you? Are you okay?” His mother said, her voice full of concern.

Ross smiled, looking around. The others hadn’t noticed him on the phone, though he knew he couldn’t tell his mother where he was exactly, but he also felt terrible that he had to lie to her. But he also knew that this wasn’t something he could let anybody know. “Mama, it’s okay. Listen, I’m safe. I’ll be home soon, okay? Tell Papa that I’m safe. I’ll bring home some food in a little bit, okay?”

“Hiroshi, I’m just worried. The news is saying--”

Ross cut her off. “The media embellishes, Mama. You know this. Just let everyone know I’m okay and when everything settles down, I’ll call you, okay?”

“Okay, Hiroshi! But make it as soon as possible!”

Ross laughed and smiled, “yes, Mama! But I have to go. Talk to you later! Love you, Mama!”

“Love you too, my Hiro!”

(NJP)

Again, Ross hated lying to his mother. Honestly, he hated the whole concept of lying. It never sat right with him.

Part of the reason people at the center trusted him and relied on him so much was that he could always be depended on to tell the truth to anyone that wanted it. He wasn’t cruel or brutal about it. He was honest and that was something a lot at the center valued. Ross could tell them his opinion about whatever they ask him about and know that there was never any intent to demean or criticize. Plus, it didn’t hurt that they thought he was right.

But it wasn’t like Ross couldn’t tell the difference between a lie that was hurtful and one that was for their own safety.

And whether he liked it or not, lying about being at some abandoned building was, in his eyes, a necessary white lie.

Of all places, being at the old GENESIS HQ was the last place Ross ever expected to be a command center.

“Hiding in plain sight and all that, I guess.” He scratched the back of his head as he followed the others inside.

As they were led inside, Ross had a few thoughts going in, but all of them took a backseat to his curiosity as his head rotated several times over, taking in the sights.

In all the time he’s lived in Angel Grove, knowing that he knew the city like the back of his hand or his love for wasabi, Ross had never been inside this building. Of course, he wasn’t the kind of kid — back then, at least — who ever needed a reason to be inside. He wasn’t from a well-off family like Sloane or had any technical prowess like some of his cousins did. Hell, he didn’t come from a family with connections.

So he wanted to take in the sights of the building and everything in between. No telling how many chances he might be earned, given the state of everything right now.

As The Purple Ranger commented about how she was assuming they were underwhelmed about the state of the ‘Command Center’, that wouldn’t be his way of putting it. But now that she mentioned it, he couldn’t help but note that it was a little run down. Though, with a working elevator, it must be just fine.

At least, that’s what Ross thought.

When they were lowered to the basement that The Purple Ranger hinted at, his first thought was how decked out everything was. He wasn’t a computer person. His cousin Kenji was. If Kenji were here, he might get on the purple rangers nerves. But Ross? He was still stuck on the whole aesthetic of what he was looking at. Monitors, the central platform, all of those lights and buttons — it was all a little much.

“This is...impressive,” he managed to say before The Purple Ranger started to speak.

And that’s when they found out the names. “Charlie? Okay, I’ll be sure to remember that!” He nodded, giving her, Clint, and Jordan all each a quick bow with his palms pressed together, arms bent, and fingers a few inches under his chin.

While he did that, he heard Vallory attempt to speak, specifically about her being the Pink Ranger and the size of the uniform.

“I’m a bit curious about this Morphing Grid thing,” he admitted, scratching the back of his head. “I mean, what exactly is it? And also, while I’m at it, what made it choose us? I’ll admit, I know I do a lot of good work at the center and I do try and help out whenever I can, but does that really qualify me to be a Ranger” Ross looked at Vallory for a quick moment before returning back to Charlie. “Vallory I understand because she’s not only physically impressive, but she’s pretty amazing as a person, too. But, uh..” Ross’ eyes darted to Sloane, narrowing them in a glare. “Referring to the crystals as a participation crystal can’t make someone worthy, can it?”

[psych0pomp]

| 𝖫𝖮𝖢𝖠𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭 : THE COMMAND CENTER | 𝖨𝖭𝖳𝖤𝖱𝖠𝖢𝖳𝖨𝖮𝖭𝖲 : EVERYONE | 𝖬𝖴𝖲𝖨𝖢 : - - |

Sloane had maybe half a second of a smug smile before he felt a stern slap across the side of his head. For a second he saw white as the pain peaked and blossomed across his eyes. Not even a curse word could leave his lips before the woman laid into him again but this time verbally. Fucking shit… was all that passed through his brain as he was lectured. He’d usually have some sort of smart remark to make, but instead, he swallowed it down in lieu of just letting it happen. Apparently, he was on a team now. Great… Yet, while his internal monologue tried to be condescending, he felt something of a relief. Sloane couldn’t tell anyone why, but a familiar feeling of camaraderie was pleasant—even if he didn’t know any of these people. The feeling faded, though, as the woman that assaulted him turned her ire to the Jolly Green Cowboy whose name was apparently Clint. It took everything in his power not to go ”oooo…” at the verbal ass-chewing Clint received.

That spiel was punctuated by the purple ranger—the short one—asking everyone to calm down and then sliding into instruction. So, she was the leader? Honestly, Sloane couldn’t tell, but he’d learned the angry one’s name was Jordan. More like Roar-dan if he’d have anything to say about it. Actually, no, that was a shit nickname. He’d sort it out later.

They were headed to the “Command Center,” because apparently they all took orders from the short one now, and were complicit to join. Sloane looked around. No one seemed interested in leaving or abandoning this position. He glanced at the red crystal in his hand. Quitting wasn’t his style. ”Yeah, no, not riding in the sentient Country Song’s truck. He might run over his beloved dog and get left by his girlfriend on the way there. I’ll see you soon.” He gave a lazy salute and dispersed. The calamity around the center had died down and sirens peeled out loudly in the distance. David was gone, and Sloane left Travis to clean up the mess.

Sometime later he arrived at the “Command Center.” It was the old GENESIS building. Did his dad cut the ribbon to this place? No. But, Sloane was pretty sure he’d stood behind the person that had, clapping and looking as dead on the inside as he was. The building was a far cry from the way it used to look. The empty parking garage only added to the desolation as he pulled in, taking up three spaces. What? he had a classic, bright red Mustang. He wasn’t about to get cozy with everyone else’s jalopies they called cars.

Sloane didn’t exit the car immediately upon arriving. Instead, he leaned over and opened the glove compartment. Inside was a small, orange bottle of pills. He shook it, almost guiltily, and poured a couple into his hand before swallowing. They were just pharmaceutical-grade pain killers, nothing that would alert the presses. He winced as he pushed his seat back. Pulling his pants leg up, he straightened his leg and looked over his knee. It might have seemed like a dirty secret the way he acted, but it was just a prominent chink in his almost pristine armor.

His knee was mostly metal with a thick layer of scar tissue over it. It consumed most of his leg from there down, pale and disfigured. Over the remains of his knee was a form-fitting brace made of material that had the fit and elasticity of latex but the toughness of fiberglass. Sloane didn’t know what it was, but the pins and staples that held it to his knee almost glittered in the light pouring from the window. Honestly, he shouldn’t have been able to walk at all or at least without a prominent limp, but money had bought him a sense of normalcy. He took a long drink of the bottle of water in his car, making a face at the warmth of it, before lowering his pant leg down and exiting his car. He brushed the front of his designer button-up shirt off and tugged at the sleeves of his red coat. There was the sound of ripping as the stitches in the shoulders gave out. Sloane pulled it off and tossed it into the car. He looked better without it, anyway. He locked the thing and moved towards the building.

GENESIS HQ, huh? They’d almost ruined his family, and so it was a bit of poetic justice that he was back. He followed the others, head bobbing around and taking in the sights—or lack thereof. ”A lot of work is an understatement, but abandoned hobo station is a mouth full.” Sloane may have mistrusted the elevator had not it seem to function with the fluidity that it probably had in the beginning. He narrowed his eyes as everyone piled in but followed suit.

As the doors opened to the basement, Sloane let out an impressed whistle. Alright, this seemed more his style. He looked over the red crystal, turning it between his fingers. Was he getting excited at the prospect of being a Ranger… of being an official member of the Spandex Squad? Surely not. Then why was he here? Why was there a smile on his face? He let that fall and followed the others into the room.

The short, bossy one was named Charlie, and the other two were Jordan and Clint. He knew the latter’s names already, but it was refreshing to hear them in a more official capacity. At least he could commit them to memory for the future while trying not to seem too complicit in getting Ross’s name wrong. What? It was funny to see him get upset about it every time. This only became cemented as the screens showed his face along with Vallory and Ross’s, Charlie announcing their names ceremonially. Sloane’s eyes narrowed. Was that his Angel Grove University ID? He placed a hand under his chin and tilted his head to the side. Not his best angle, but it would have to do. His gaze trailed back to Charlie and let her finish up. Everyone started moving about and asking questions. Sloane caught that barbed comment from Ross and his stare. He just smirked.

”Morphin Grid?” he asked, suppressing a laugh. ”Ahem. Sorry. But, yes, I do have a lot of questions. For instance, who cares if you fit your suits or not? What we should be worried about is the reason the Druidon are back. Didn’t the previous Spandex Squad, you guys, finish them off? And, where did that one monster take off to with my and Vallory’s friends… aaaand I’m assuming Ryan’s family?” He shot Ross a look.

| 𝖳𝖠𝖦(𝖲) : N/A |