CHAPTER SIX — KNIGHT TIME
new recruits — part one

"That's a good nickname." — ada cranston

ADA HAD JUST STARTED HER NEW JOB AND IT WAS BETTER THAN SHE HAD EXPECTED. Being a waitress in a small diner was nice and quaint and it also helped that her boss was super nice. Of course she missed her Ranger friends whilst she was tending to coffee and tables, but she had to do this. Besides, currently she didn't actually have many hours. So everything would hopefully turn out okay. 

It just meant that she couldn't go with Amelia and Ollie as they tried to help Zayto get a job at BuzzBlast. The Rafkonian knight had come a long way since waking up after a 65 million year nap, so Ada was sure he was ready to take on the job world. 

Once she finished her shift, Ada received a call from Amelia, telling her they were at the track. It seemed part of Zayto's interview process was to write an article about a local rising athlete. And, of course, Ada wanted to help. So after clearing up and changing, she met her friends there.

"Hey, guys!" She waved.

They smiled. "Hi, Ada. Glad you could join us." Amelia said as she wrapped her arm through Ada's. 

Then the girls walked over to the interviewee together. Having a girl like Amelia as a friend was new for Ada. She was so bubbly and interested in non-science stuff, unlike her previous small group from school. The change of pace was nice, but it was taking some getting used to.

"Humans do some strange things." Zayto said as he noted all the sports people were doing around them.

Ada wasn't much of a sport person, but she had kept up with her martial arts over the years of her life. It was the only thing she would ever consider competing in. 

Across from them, they watched as a green javelin sailed through the air before piercing the ground among over javelins next to it. Impressive. Amelia's gaze flickered to the file then back up at the girl who threw it. "Hey, that's her. Izzy Garcia."

Now all Zayto had to do was get her to answer some of his questions.

"You've got this, Red." Nodded Ada encouragingly.

Zayto sent her a smile before heading directly towards Izzy who was picking up another javelin. The three remaining Rangers were behind him and kept their distance as he approached her. Ada was curious to see how this was gonna go. His communication skills with humans wasn't exactly great.

"That was a good throw." He noted, impressed. But with her headphones on, Izzy didn't hear him right so she lowered them and he repeated. "I said 'That was a good throw'." Zayto made a beeline for the second rack with red javelins and he said. "I know 'cause I used to throw those all the time when I was a knight."

Ada's palm slapped her forehead.

He twirled the red javelin around with precision and even though the pointed end almost hit Izzy, he knew it wouldn't. "Careful." Izzy didn't seem convinced. "You're a knight? Well, I'll give you a call if I see any dragons."

"There are dragons here?"

He seemed so full of wonder to hear about the dragons. They definitely should have explained more about what was real and what wasn't as they tried to get him up to date on Earth stuff. 

Ollie stepped forwards. "Uh, he's just kidding."

"Uh..." The knight chuckled awkwardly as he realised the truth by the looks on his friends' faces. "Yes. Right. Just a joke." Then he managed to get the conversation back on track. "I'm actually a reporter. I'm Zayto. I'm doing a story for BuzzBlast and I want to tell the city about all your amazing skills."

He offered out his hand to shake but despite his welcoming smile, she stepped back. "I see. Sorry. I don't do interviews."

"That's fair." Nodded Ada as she thought back to when the press would try their absolute hardest to get anything from Billy Cranston's daughter. "I'm the same." Izzy frowned at the girl whilst the others gave her disapproving looks. "Sorry, not helping."

Returning to Zayto, Izzy added. "I gotta improve my throw before the next meet."

And it seemed the Rafkonian had some reporter skills after all, because he quickly came up with a proposal. "I'll make a deal with you. I show you a trick to improve your throw, and you give me a story."

Izzy chuckled. "You show me a trick you learned in 'knight training'? You're on, pal."

"Cool, cool, coo—" But before he could finish, Ollie jumped in and stopped him. What had she missed? What was he not supposed to say? Zayto cleared his throat. "Uh, I mean, you get more distance if you release the spear with a slight upward angle." He stood and demonstrated the move for Izzy. "Like this."

"'The spear'?" Izzy rose a questioning eyebrow at the amateur reporter and Ada smiled in amusement. A chuckle escaped the athlete's throat before she mimicked his technique. "All right, Mr Knight."

Ada hummed. "That's a good nickname." 

Then they all watched as Izzy Garcia moved back to get a running start. As soon as she was far enough away, she raised the javelin just like Zayto said and ran towards the line. And when she released the javelin from her hold, it soared up into the air before coming to a land in the dirt. It landed further than her previous attempts.

It was safe to say Izzy was impressed. "All right, Mr Knight!" She smiled and then walked over to finally shake his hand. "Ok, you got yourself an interview." 

The trio looked to each other and then to Zayto. They were proud of him. 

"So," Began the knight. "you're the top high school athlete in the state." Damn, she was good. "What's your secret?"

She just shook her head. "No secret. Just practice makes perfect. That's what Dad says. He sometimes trains me when he's not busy being the park warden." 

Did she just say... park warden?

Ada's eyes widened in shock as she realised the connection between the two. Her friends seemed to also be a little surprised to hear that. "Really? A strict guy, big hat, stares at people like this?" Amelia imitated the warden's scolding look and Ada had to admit, it was good. "He's your Dad."

"Technically stepdad. You know him?"

"Uh, no." Lied Amelia which was probably due to the number of times the warden had escorted her from the property. "Never met him."

With a simple shrug, Ada responded. "He kicked us out of the park. We didn't see the sign." Well, that was certainly true in her situation. Although, even if she had seen it, she would have gone past it anyway to follow her Morphin Grid scanner.

Izzy just nodded, understanding her Dad all too well. "So, do you have a favourite event?" Zayto continued. And she answered. She answered every question he was throwing her way. Zayto was doing very well even if there were moments of awkwardness and confusion. 

There was more Izzy was saying, but sadly Ada had to tune her out as Solon beeped on their communicators.

Ollie and Ada pulled away from the interview to answer. "What's up, Solon?" Ollie asked. And so the dinosaur told them about the newest call to the Ranger hotline. Oh how Ada was loving that thing. Once Amelia and Zayto joined them, Ollie filled them in. "There's an attack at the museum."

"That's where that Javi guy went." Zayto realised. 

So the Rangers left the field and as soon as they were out of sight, they teleported away. They had some Sporix but to kick and a fellow BuzzBlast candidate to ensure was alright.

THE FAMILIAR SENSATION OF TELEPORTING WAS ALMOST WELCOMING TO ADA AT THIS POINT. It hadn't affected her since she was young, so by now, the tingling sensation felt almost electrifying in her veins. She was gonna need all the power she had as when the Rangers arrived on the scene, they found Mucus and two new creatures with one of them holding a big green orb. Then the warden had arrived.

Yet before they could morph or do anything, the castle-looking creature with the orb blasted the warden away. Oh no.

"You're gonna regret that!" Yelled Zayto.

They ran towards the three creatures and came to a stop with a decent amount of distance between them. Amelia noticed the same thing Ada did, but she knew what the orb was. "He's got the Nephrite Orb from Javi's assignment."

"If Void Knight wants it, then we gotta stop him."

Ada looked at the creatures disapprovingly. "Stealing local historical artifacts is low, even for Sporix."

Mucus turned to whisper to the one with the orb. "Those are the Rangers."

He didn't seem convinced. "Those pipsqueaks? Impossible!" He cried.

"Rude!"

Zayto stepped forwards as they all stared down the three creatures. It was four against three, so Ada was liking her odds even if they were Sporix. "Don't believe it? See for yourself. It's Morphin' time!"

Their morphers appeared with a press and then they all reached for their dino keys.

"Dino Fury Key — activate!" They all inserted their keys into their morphers, their eyes never leaving the creatures. "Link to Morphin Grid."

The spirit of the Pterodactyl burst from within her key, the power of the dinosaur soaring around her. It fused with her body, merging the two together to make one whole. Ada could feel the power within and watched as yellow light coated her form until it vanished and she was left as the Yellow Pterodactyl Ranger.

"Dino Fury Power!"

They waved their sabers as they announced their team entrance. Together they stood defensively as the creature with the orb narrowed his focus on them. "I'll show you power."

Then he charged. So, the Rangers charged too.

Meeting in the middle, the tower-looking creature and the one that had a similar appearance to a dragon, clashed with the Rangers. Mucus, it seemed, was taking a time out as the four battled with the two.

The Yellow Rangers swiped her saber across, hitting the side of the dragon. They all took their turns with each beast, trying to find the rhythm that would end them. Kicking a leg out, Ada hit the tower's back, sending him towards Zayto who wielded his saber readily.

Then she jumped into the fight with Amelia and Ollie against the dragon, slashing her blade down at its legs. It cried out in pain as she made contact. Ada grunted with effort, her yellow-clad arms swinging at the beast as Amelia and Ollie went for the tower. Zayto quickly jumped in to her aid and the two started to fight the dragon together.

But they didn't expect what happened next.

"I'm spittin' fire!" 

A plume of purple flames erupted from the dragon's mouth. Red and Yellow quickly dived out of the way so that the fire ended up hitting a sat-out Mucus instead. They pushed themselves back onto their feet and noticing how Blue and Pink were struggling against the tower with the orb, they quickly ran to their sides to join them.

"You guys ok?" Asked Ada as she arrived with Zayto.

They nodded to reassure her which allowed the Yellow Ranger to feel momentarily relieved. 

Then Zayto had an idea. "Let's give these creeps a boost." As he raised his saber, so did the other three and they went to insert boost keys. "Gravi-dino key — ready!"

"Sprint-dino key — ready!"

"Hyper-dino key — ready!"

"Shield-dino key — ready!"

They charged their sabers and then flicked them down so that the armour consumed the right side of their bodies. Now they were ready.

The tower didn't seem to be that off-putted by their new powers. "Here comes the boom!" He went to strike down his blade, but Ollie leapt in between.

"Shield block!" He used the power of his boost key to protect them. "Better watch out. Yo, Pink, Yellow."

Now, it was their time to shine.

"Sprint streak!"

"Hyper strike!" 

Both Amelia and Ada surged forwards. Amelia used her boost to zoom past the tower, slicing him on the back. And the distraction was all Ada needed to lunge forwards with one powerful blow to the front. Sparks flew from the robot's chest at the impact which resulted in the green orb toppling from his hands.

He was understandably angry. And to stop the Rangers from retrieving it first, the dragon spun, sweeping its powerful tail so that it knocked all four Rangers to the ground. Uh, that didn't feel good.

"Good job, whatsyourname." The tower said approvingly to the dragon. "Now I'll just grab my—"

Yet before he could get his robotic hands on the orb, Zayto launched into action. "Gravi ball!" He flung the chain outwards, sending it through the air and towards the two followers of Void Knight. It curled around their bodies and he yanked them away from the orb. 

They couldn't let Void Knight get his hands on it.

Zayto tightened his grip on the creatures which made the robot-tower snap at his acquaintance. "Do something, dragon guy!" He shouted just as Ada spotted a boy sprint across the battle to grab the fallen orb. At least it was getting away from these guys

"Is Draknarok really that hard to remember?"

Like a spin on the Nordic myth? Fascinating. 

The boy got into the warden's car and started it. Then he began to drive away but Mucus spotted him. "Hey! We stole that first!" She exclaimed angrily.

"Mucus, you're only hope!" Called out the robot which just made Ada stare at them weirdly. That wasn't something evil people said everyday. "Stop that car!"

But when Mucus ran after the car, nothing happened. And she had vanished. The orb was still getting away.

"Nice try." 

"Worth a shot." Grumbled the robot and then him and Draknarok vanished in beams of purple light. It was Void Knight's teleportation beam. The boosts on their arms vanished as the Rangers regrouped. "Bold move, but risky."

Amelia stared off in the direction the warden's car had gone. "We'd better find Javi before they do." So, that was Javi. Good to know. 

"We can't let Void Knight get that orb." Agreed Ada with a stern nod.

Suddenly Ollie spotted the warden, still lying on the ground after being flung back by the robotic creature. "Look! The warden!" The quartet quickly ran over to the fallen man to make sure he was okay. "Are you ok, Mr Garcia?"

"This is a mess." He groaned as they helped him to his feet. "I think I need to get to the medical centre." 

Ada tilted her yellow helmet as she glanced over the warden's form with a look of concern upon her concealed face. "Don't worry." The Red Ranger assured him. "We can take you there. Hold onto me." 

The warden placed his arm around the shoulders of the Ranger and then they all reached for their morphers. And with a press of a button, they were teleporting once more.

AFTER MAKING SURE WARDEN GARCIA WAS ATTENDED TO BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEY WAITED OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT HE COULD TELL THEM. It seemed that the Rangers no longer just destroyed monsters, but investigated thefts too. Ada knew her Dad, the history teacher, was gonna be crushed to hear about the attack on the museum. He had been planning to delve deeper into local history that week.

When the warden exited the facility, bandage strapped to his forehead, the Rangers approached him. "Any update, Warden?" Inquired Zayto.

"The police are trying to track down my vehicle," He told them as his hands went to rest by his belt buckle. That did seem to be his signature pose. "but no luck so far."

"Dad!"

They all recognised that voice and turned to see Izzy Garcia rushing towards her Father. She jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She must've been so worried. The warden grunted slightly at the contact but tried to keep it quiet as to not worry his daughter.

But she did hear it so she immediately pulled back. "Are you ok?"

"That depends. How was practise?"

His response made the young athlete laugh. "Yeah, you're fine." He was so enthusiastic about his child's achievements, it was wonderful. Ada was so glad that she had two Fathers who cared about her deeply and supported what she did as she knew others weren't as lucky. Izzy then looked to the Rangers and instantly a wide grin spread across her face. "Wow." She chuckled nervously. "The Power Rangers. I'm a fan." No one had come up and said that to them before; it felt nice. It felt nice to know people were liking them for saving the city. "I heard about you on the news. So monsters stole the Nephrite orb?"

"They tried to." Amended Zayto.

The warden sighed. "Until my son ran away with it." His son? First the daughter and now the son? Wow, they were really meeting these Garcia kids today.

"No way." Izzy chuckled in disbelief. "That was Javi?"

"Wait. So he's your son?"

With Javi's life now on the line and the orb still missing, things weren't looking so good. "We really need to find that orb." Ada said.

"Javier could be anywhere." The warden told them and his words didn't really give them hope. "He's always disappearing. As soon as I hear something, I will let you know." He promised the Rangers.

"Thank you."

Even with his injury, Warden Garcia wanted to push on. Ada admired him for that.  "I have to get back to work." He then turned to his daughter, placing a hand upon her shoulder. "Excuse me."

They may not know where Javi was, but they had to do something. "We can't just wait around." Zayto told his team. 

Then Izzy spoke up. "I might know where he is." Finally, some good news. They all instantly turned to her to hear what she had to say. "My brother's really into playing music. But, Dad doesn't approve, so Javi goes to a secret spot to practise without Dad bothering him."

"Smart." Nodded Ada.

"Where?"

Then Izzy said. "I can show you."

"Ok." Zayto agreed with a small nod. "Let's go." 

And so Izzy Garcia led the way to where her brother was hopefully hiding with the powerful Nephrite Orb. Because they had to get it before Void Knight did otherwise things weren't going to end well for them, Ada could feel it.

Chapter six and the start of episode four!!!

Javi and Izzy are joining the gang! Four is about to become six. LMAO, just realised it's the backwards of the line above. That's a coincidence.

Ada has got herself a job which will make more appearances throughout this book. 

I love her and her relationship with the other Rangers so much!!! They're already such a good team and gonna become even better with the new addtitions.

I love writing this story so much. So, hopefully, we'll have more chapters soon.

Thank you for reading!!!

Sincerely Rosie aka Winter326