It's been about a month since Devon and I have been together. It was hard hiding our relationship when we were at Grid Battleforce. I greatly appreciated our friends covering for us, as we did with Nate and Zoey, but this was something that annoyed me constantly. “I said it before and I’ll say it again. Never in Ranger history was that a rule. Dr. Oliver and Kimberly Hart, Trent and Kira, Theo and Lily, Andros and Ashley, Jen and Wes..."
“Okay Kali, we get it,” Ravi had laughed when I talked to them about it.
“I get how you feel, Zoey and I agree but there’s nothing we can do about it,” Nate mentioned.
“Yes there is! We can stand up for ourselves!” I protested but since then I haven’t said anything to the Commander, simply to protect Nate and Zoey. I was ready to make my case heard though when the time came.
As for Drakkon, occasionally he still appeared in my dreams but nothing new. However, last night I had a dream different from my typical nightmares. I’d seen many Rangers in a huge battle...and they lost. Also unlike my other nightmares, this one bothered me to no end. I’d become numb to the others but for some reason I couldn’t just brush this one off. I also vividly remember Devon getting hit by a meteor. “Were we involved?” Steel asked after I told my friends about it.
“I...don’t know. I couldn’t see it clearly enough to tell what teams were involved,” I admitted. Devon was skeptical, but everyone else was convinced I’d had a vision. I wasn’t as skeptical as Devon because of my previous experiences but I didn’t know if I’d call it a vision. Nonetheless I couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was coming. We continued to hang out and after a while, Devon had to rush off to a video game tournament.
The rest of us went back to Grid Battleforce and soon we received a transdimensional call from Ethan, the Blue Dino Thunder Ranger. “Grid Battleforce...under attack...after dino gems..." was all we were able to make out from the transmission but then a portal appeared.
“They need our help!” I said urgently before rushing into the portal, despite Nate calling out after me. As soon as I was through, I saw the chaos of the battle we had heard through the transmission. I immediately morphed and right after Nate, Ravi, Zoey and Steel appeared morphed and ready to fight too. After briefly discussing a plan, we jumped into battle. The Dino Thunder Rangers were struggling to hold off a bunch of Putties, Tyrannodrones, Goldar 2.0 and Mesogog.
Only a few moments after we got involved, I saw Mesogog knock Trent down. He demorphed, which allowed Mesogog to take his white dino gem. Goldar Maximus did the same thing to Connor as well. Ethan and Kira were next, and I tried to rush to their aid but the Puttie and Tyrannodrone hordes were relentless and Mesogog was able to take their dino gems too. In a matter of minutes, we were soon on the ground beaten and demorphed as well. “You guys okay?” Connor asked as he helped me up.
“Yeah, we’ve been through worse. What about you guys?” Ravi asked as Trent helped him up.
Devon’s POV
As Cruise and I rode off to the tournament, excitement bubbled within me. The roar of the motorcycle beneath us, the wind whipping past, it all added to the thrill of the moment. But as we ventured further into unfamiliar territory, a sense of unease began to creep over me. We had taken a shortcut through a field area, hoping to shave off some time from our journey, but instead found ourselves surrounded by endless rows of tall grass, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
"Are you sure we're going the right way, Cruise?" I called out over the roar of the engine, my voice tinged with uncertainty as I scanned the horizon for any sign of civilization.
Cruise whirred in response, his digital display flickering with static. "Affirmative, Devon. According to the map, this should be the fastest route to the tournament."
I nodded, though a gnawing sense of doubt still lingered in the back of my mind. Suddenly, without warning, a blinding light illuminated the sky, followed by a deafening roar that shook the earth beneath us. Before I could react, a meteor streaked across the sky, hurtling towards us with terrifying speed.
Instinct kicked in, and I swerved the motorcycle sharply to the side, desperately trying to avoid the incoming projectile. But it was too late. The meteor struck us with a bone-jarring impact, sending us careening off the road and tumbling into the grassy verge.
Pain lanced through me as I collided with the ground, the world spinning dizzily around me as I struggled to regain my bearings. Through the haze of shock and confusion, I could hear Cruise's voice, his normally calm tone laced with concern as he assessed the damage.
"Devon, are you alright?" he asked, his words echoing in my ears as I struggled to push myself upright. I nodded, though every movement sent waves of agony radiating through my body.
"I think so," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I surveyed the wreckage around us. Despite the pain and disorientation, one thought burned brightly in my mind - we were lucky to be alive.
Returning to Grid Battleforce, Commander Shaw was already waiting for us, her expression grave as she briefed me on the situation. Our last contact with my teammates had been cut short, leaving us with only snippets of information about the dire situation they faced. As Commander Shaw relayed the details, a knot formed in my stomach. Goldar Maximus, the destruction of their gear, the theft of Dino Gems - it was all too much to process. And through it all, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at me. If only I had believed Kali's warning, perhaps we could have prevented this catastrophe.
But there was no time for regret. As Commander Shaw reminded me, rescuing our friends would require more than just determination - it would require help. And then, a spark of inspiration lit up my mind. Kali had mentioned that multiple Ranger teams were connected to the Grid, and it dawned on me that we might be able to use that connection to our advantage.
"Commander, what if we use the Morph-X Towers to amplify the Grid Speaker?" I suggested, the idea forming rapidly in my mind. "Since Ranger teams use energy from the Grid, we might be able to establish a stronger and clearer communication link with them."
But Commander Shaw dismissed the idea, citing the overwhelming force of the Morph-X as an insurmountable obstacle. Just as despair threatened to take hold, Cruise entered the room, carrying a lead case containing the remains of the meteorite that had struck us earlier. "Devon, I think this might help," Cruise explained, his voice tinged with excitement as he revealed the contents of the case. "The meteorite emits a powerful magnetic wave that disrupts energy. Maybe it can help us communicate within the Grid itself."
As Cruise spoke, realization dawned on me. The Grid had sent us the meteorite for a reason - not just to disrupt our journey, but to provide us with a means of reaching out to our fellow Rangers. With renewed determination, I turned to Commander Shaw. "We have our solution," I declared, a surge of hope coursing through me. "With the meteorite's magnetic wave, we can amplify the Grid Speaker and establish a communication link with another Ranger team. It's our best chance of getting the help we need."
Commander Shaw's expression softened with understanding as she nodded in agreement. "Alright, Devon. Let's make it happen. Our friends are counting on us."
Heading down to the nearest Morph-X Tower with Commander Shaw, I could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down upon me. The fate of my friends rested on my shoulders, and I couldn't afford to falter now. As we descended deeper into the heart of the tower, Commander Shaw spoke. “Trust the Grid and yourself, Devon. We need all the help we can get.”
With the meteorite and Gridspeaker in hand, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. The air crackled with energy as we entered the chamber where the tower connected to the Morphin Grid, the pulsating hum of the Grid filling the room with its ethereal presence. Taking a deep breath, I raised the Gridspeaker and called out into the void, my voice echoing through the chamber as I pleaded for assistance, “To any Ranger teams who hear this message, my team and I need help. We’re facing a tough battle, and could use extra support.”
The meteorite glowed with renewed intensity, its magnetic wave resonating with the energy of the Grid as a trans-dimensional portal shimmered into existence behind me. With a rush of wind and a flash of light, figures emerged from the portal, their iconic suits and helmets unmistakable even in the dim light of the chamber. My heart skipped a beat as I realized who stood before me - Jason Lee Scott, the original Red Ranger, and the rest of the Mighty Morphin Rangers. "Why have we been summoned?" Jason's voice was steady, his gaze piercing as he regarded me with curiosity.
I wasted no time in explaining the dire situation unfolding in our reality, the theft of the Dino Gems, and the resurgence of Goldar Maximus. But when I mentioned Goldar, a shadow of disbelief crossed the faces of the Mighty Morphin team. "We thought Zordon destroyed him years ago," Jason murmured, his voice tinged with concern.
Despite the shock of their discovery, the Mighty Morphin Rangers wasted no time in offering their aid. With a sense of relief flooding through me, I handed Jason the Tyrannosaurus Power Coin, a symbol of our alliance in the face of adversity.
"Goldar Maximus will meet the combined strength of Grid Battleforce and the Legendary Dino Rangers," I vowed, my voice filled with determination as I locked eyes with Jason. With a nod of agreement, Jason gripped the Power Coin tightly, his expression resolute as he prepared to lead his team into battle once more.
Scrozzle’s POV
As I observed the Tyrannodrone and Putty bringing the geode to me, a surge of excitement coursed through my circuits. This geode held the key to creating a new Dino Zord, one that would rival any of the Rangers' mighty machines. With the instructions Alpha had unwittingly provided me while under the control of the Compliance Collar, I knew that this was our chance to turn the tide of battle in our favor. "Master Evox, we have the geode," I announced, my voice tinged with anticipation as I presented the shimmering crystal to him.
Evox's impatient demeanor was obvious as he regarded the geode with a mixture of disdain and eagerness. "Excellent, Scrozzle. We cannot afford any delays in our plans," he growled, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my circuits.
"Of course. With the six different dinosaur DNA vials we have collected and the four stolen Dino Gems, I believe we have just enough to create the new Dino Zord," I explained, my processors whirring with calculations as I formulated a plan of action.
"Then what are you waiting for, Scrozzle? Get to work!" Evox's command was sharp and biting, leaving no room for hesitation. With a nod of compliance, I turned my attention to the geode, my processors working overtime as I began the intricate process of infusing it with the power of the dinosaur DNA and Dino Gems. As the energy crackled and surged around me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at the prospect of creating a weapon that would strike fear into the hearts of the Rangers.
Nate’s POV
As Ethan and I stealthily observed Scrozzle and Evox from a safe distance, a sense of unease settled over me. The prospect of them creating a new Dino Zord filled me with dread, knowing the devastation it could unleash upon our world. "Ethan, we need to tell the others about this," I whispered urgently, my voice barely above a hushed murmur as I glanced nervously at the villains. Ethan nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring my own concern.
"Agreed. Let's go find the others and warn them before it's too late," he replied, his voice tense with apprehension. With silent determination, we slipped away from our vantage point, moving quickly and quietly through the shadows as we made our way back to our friends. As we approached the others, I could see the worry etched upon their faces, a silent testament to the gravity of the situation.
"We need to act fast. Scrozzle and Evox are creating a new Dino Zord," I announced, my voice urgent as I relayed what Ethan and I had discovered. The news sent a ripple of concern through the group, each of us realizing the potential danger that loomed on the horizon.
"We can't let them succeed," Kali declared, her voice firm with resolve as she glanced around at the rest of us. Just then, our attention was drawn to a sudden disturbance in the air, a shimmering portal opening up before us.
Kali’s POV
As soon as I saw Devon step through the portal, I immediately ran up to him and wrapped him in a hug. “I knew you’d come,” I said happily.
“Of course. I owe you an apology, Kali. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I realize now that the Morphin Grid is still a huge mystery, and that literally anything is possible,” Devon said as he hugged me back tightly.
“It’s okay, Dev. Even I kind of doubted what I saw,” I replied and kissed his cheek.
“I hate to interrupt but we’ve got a bad guy to stop,” I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up and saw the Mighty Morphin Rangers!
“Billy! Jason!” I greeted my friends warmly.
“Hey Kali, it’s good to see you again,” Jason smiled. I then turned to the others.
“Kimberly, Trini, and Zack, right?” I asked and they nodded.
“Billy and Jason have told us a lot about you guys,” Trini said with a small smile.
“I’d love to talk some more, but Billy was right. We’ve got a mission to complete first, and now that you guys are here, Evox and his allies don’t stand a chance!” I said, my voice filled with my trademark confidence and excitement.
“We’ve got something for you guys. With these, you’ll be able to morph even without your Dino Gems,” Billy said as he handed the Dino Thunder Rangers new morphers. Devon handed out spare morphers to our team, too.
"Thanks Dev,” I smiled and he gave me a small smile and nodded back. Jason’s expression turned serious as he glanced around at our group.
"We need to move quickly. Scrozzle and Evox won't wait for us to make the first move," he remarked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Devon stepped forward, his gaze meeting mine as he spoke. "Kali, I want you to lead our team around the back way. I’ll follow Jason's lead and approach from the front," he instructed, his tone firm with determination. I nodded in understanding, my resolve hardened as I prepared to lead our team into battle.
"Got it, Dev. We'll make sure they don't see us coming," I replied, my voice steady despite the nerves that churned within me. “And please, be careful,” I added quietly as I hugged him.
“I will, I promise,” he replied, hugging me back. With a final nod, Devon and Jason exchanged a meaningful glance before splitting off from us.
Devon’s POV
As we made our way to the open field alongside the Dino Thunder Rangers, the tension in the air was palpable. Goldar Maximus, flanked by the Robo-Generals and their army of foot soldiers, appeared before us in a menacing display of power.
Jason wasted no time in rallying us into action. "Ready, Rangers?” he asked, and in unison we replied, “Ready!”
“Then it’s Morphin Time!” he declared, his voice echoing with authority as he led the charge. With a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, I followed Jason's lead, summoning the power of the Grid as I transformed into the Red Ranger once more. Alongside the Mighty Morphin Rangers, I charged into battle, ready to face whatever threats awaited us.
Kimberly and Kira soared through the air in a Ptera formation, unleashing a barrage of attacks that decimated swathes of foot soldiers with impressive precision. Trent, Trini, and Billy engaged the Robo-Generals head-on, their coordinated strikes keeping the mechanical menaces at bay.
Meanwhile, Connor and Ethan teamed up with Zack, their combined strength overwhelming the foot soldiers as they fought tooth and nail to protect our world from Evox's forces.
As the battle raged on, I found myself face to face with Goldar Maximus, the towering figure looming over me with a menacing glare. With every blow exchanged, I could feel the weight of our struggle, each clash of our weapons a testament to the stakes of our fight. But despite the overwhelming odds stacked against us, I refused to back down. Together, Jason and I were able to hold our ground.
Kali’s POV
As Scrozzle busily worked, I could feel the tension in the air thickening with each passing moment. With the four stolen Dino Gems safely secured inside the geode, the final step was within reach. Before Evox could proceed with using Rita's staff to complete the process, we burst onto the scene, our weapons at the ready. "Stop right there, Evox!" I called out, my voice ringing out with determination as we prepared to face off against our greatest enemy.
But Evox was not about to back down without a fight. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a powerful blast that sent us reeling, the force of it knocking us off our feet with a jolt of pain. Just then, Robo-Blaze interjected, his warning ringing out like a grim omen. "Master, the Legendary Rangers are approaching," he cautioned, his voice tinged with urgency as he relayed the imminent threat.
Evox hesitated for a moment, weighing his options before ultimately deciding to press on with the process. With a cold determination in his eyes, he wielded Rita's staff with a malevolent grin, channeling its dark energy into the geode with a sinister purpose. Before he could leave to confront the Legendary Rangers, Evox issued a chilling command to Robo-Blaze. "Take care of the Grid Battleforce Rangers," he ordered, his voice dripping with malice as he turned to depart.
But I wasn't about to let him go without a fight. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I forced myself back onto my feet, my hands trembling with determination as I aimed the Beast-X King Ultra Bow at Robo-Blaze. I unleashed a devastating Power Bolt, the energy coursing through me with an intensity that left me breathless. And in a blinding flash of light, Robo-Blaze was no more, his form dissipating into nothingness as the echoes of battle reverberated around us.