…..
[October 10, 2010]
…..
It's just a week before the shoot begins.
...and what could be better than a single free day before the whirlwind of hectic months ahead?
Especially when it's spent with the person who matters most to you.
"So, this is your idea of a perfect date spot in your book?" Regal asked, eyeing the large banner in front of them.
["Welcome to - Long Beach Comic Con"]
An annual celebration of comic books, sci-fi, fantasy, cosplay, gaming, and film/TV entertainment, the convention brought together fans, creators, and industry professionals from Southern California.
Gwendolyn grinned, her fingers wrapped snugly around Regal. "Obviously. Can't you smell it? The fresh scent of books in the air! It's sweet and warm."
Regal took a slow, deliberate sniff. "Nope. Smells like plastic and overpriced merchandise."
She shot him a playful glare but didn't let go of his hand. They probably looked like one of those picture-perfect couples, the kind that made strangers smile in passing.
The convention, held at the Long Beach Convention Center, was roughly 27 miles from Echo Park, where Regal's new house and office were.
The drive had taken them about 40 minutes, not bad considering L.A. traffic.
….
The moment they stepped inside, Regal could tell the scale of the event.
The hall was massive, packed with booths, displays, and crowds of fans. But compared to the huge, world-famous conventions, this one was mid-sized. Most of the attendees seemed to be from the local area.
Long Beach Comic Con was a two-day event, running Saturday and Sunday, with an estimated attendance of around 15,000 – 20,000 over the weekend.
Not small by any means, but nothing on the level of SDCC.
Hand in hand, Regal and Gwen walked through the crowd.
The convention floor stretched before them, filled with vendors, cosplayers, and excited chatter.
As they moved, Regal's gaze landed on a particular display.
[Power Rangers]
The overhead lights reflected off the glossy banners, casting a theatrical glow over the exhibit.
The first thing that caught his eye was the massive [Power Rangers Cinematic Universe] Timeline Exhibit at the center of the convention floor.
A towering digital screen cycled through key moments in the cinematic universe, beginning with the [Red Ranger] Origins film from 2004, the movie that changed everything.
The footage highlighted its introduction of the Morphing Grid, the universal energy source that connected all Rangers across time and space.
From there, the exhibit traced the evolution of the franchise, [Blue Storm] (2006), which expanded on the technological advancements made by Ranger teams.
[Black Eclipse] (2008), which introduced the first true villain capable of manipulating the Grid itself.
…and finally their latest installment, [Green Legacy] (2009), which dove deep into the ancient history of Ranger warriors.
Just four films, yet it wasn't just a franchise.
It was an empire.
To his left, life-sized statues of the Core Rangers stood on towering platforms, each one a distinct presence.
Unlike the simple spandex suits from his past life [Power Rangers], these designs had been completely reimagined for a modern audience.
Each Ranger suit was a fusion of advanced armor plating and energy-conducting fibers, their visors sleek and detailed with intricate engravings, unique to each warrior's origin.
The Red Ranger, the supposed leader, wasn't actually chosen. His power wasn't a gift, nor was it the result of rigorous training. He built his suit himself, scraped together from stolen Morphing Grid tech and sheer ingenuity.
The armor was rugged, patched together with exposed energy vents that flickered with instability. Unlike the others, his morphing process wasn't seamless, it was rough, unpredictable, held together by force of will alone.
The Blue Ranger was different. His suit was sleek, built for speed. Unlike Red's makeshift armor, this was the result of scientific refinement, incorporating nanotech-infused alloys that adapted in real-time.
His extended visor provided enhanced vision, allowing him to react faster than humanly possible.
Then there was the Black Ranger, an anomaly. He had no armor, no enhancements, nothing that resembled a traditional Ranger suit. Instead, he wielded the Morphing Grid's energy directly, bending it with a mere thought. His body pulsed with raw power, his outline flickering like a mirage. He didn't need a suit. He was the suit.
The Green Ranger stood in contrast to the others. His armor was ancient, passed down through generations. Unlike the technological advancements of Blue or the improvised gear of Red, Green's suit was ceremonial, imbued with mystical energy rather than mechanical innovation. Engraved patterns lined the plating, pulsing faintly as if alive. His power wasn't forged, it was inherited, bound to him by bloodline.
The Yellow Ranger was the wildcard. She wasn't chosen, engineered, or born into power. She stole it. Her suit was a chaotic blend of scavenged parts, a prototype never meant to be used.
Making her the most distant one, her morphing process was unstable, her armor flickering between energy and matter as she forced the Grid to comply with her will. It wasn't perfect, but it didn't have to be, she made it work.
Each Ranger was different. Each carried their own burden. And yet, they were all connected by the Morphing Grid, even if some had to take it by force.
Beyond the statues, massive LED panels displayed concept art for the upcoming film, [Power Rangers: Omega Nexus].
The new designs took inspiration from real-world military gear, incorporating tactical elements into the suits while still maintaining their signature morphing aesthetic.
Notes from the lead designers were visible on the boards, detailing the thought process behind each alteration.
Moving past the main exhibit, Regal entered the Legacy Archives, an area dedicated to the [Power Rangers] comics and expanded universe material.
Shelves lined with collector's editions stretched across the space, each cover displaying artwork that rivaled anything he had seen in major comic publishers.
Unlike the struggling comic editions of this world, the [Power Rangers] comic division was thriving.
Their storylines weren't just adaptations of the movies but full-fledged narratives that explored new themes, unseen threats, and even alternate universes.
A massive, limited-edition print of The Fall of the Morphing Grid was encased in glass. This storyline, one of the most celebrated in [Power Rangers] comic history, depicted a future where the Rangers lost control over the Morphing Grid, leading to a war between corrupted Rangers and those still fighting for balance.
The cover itself was striking, a shattered helmet lying on the ground, its visor reflecting the silhouette of a looming figure cloaked in shadow.
As Regal moved to another section, he found himself standing in front of the only franchise capable of matching PRCU's dominance.
[Star Wars]
If not for this galactic giant, PRCU would have had an even bigger stranglehold on the genre. But as it stood, these two juggernauts were the only ones capable of truly going toe-to-toe.
It all started with [Episode IV: A New Hope] (1977), the rise of Luke Skywalker, the Jedi, and the terror of Darth Vader. A film that rewrote cinema history.
Then came [Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back] (1980), the ultimate sequel, darker, sharper, and the home of the infamous 'I am your father' twist.
Finally, [Episode VI: Return of the Jedi] (1983) - Vader's redemption, the Emperor's fall, and the supposed 'end' of the saga.
For a while, that was it. But legends don't die.
The Prequels (1999 - 2005)
The return began with [Episode I: The Phantom Menace] (1999), introducing the Jedi at their peak, Darth Maul, and a political war brewing beneath the surface. Love it or hate it, it changed everything.
[Episode II: Rise of the Clones] (2002) followed a more war-driven take on this world, emphasizing Kamino's cloning experiments and the escalating conflict.
Then, [Episode III: Twilight of the Republic] (2005), the true fall of Anakin Skywalker. This version was even grimmer, with Order 66 stretched out, showing the slow, brutal execution of the Jedi.
The Dark Period & The Expanded Universe (2006 - 2010)
With no new films, [Star Wars] shifted gears.
A live-action Clone Wars movie (2008) replaced the animated series, using cutting-edge CGI and motion capture to bring the war to life.
Then came [The Force Unleashed] (2008), a game-turned-film hybrid, introducing Starkiller, Vader's secret apprentice, a powerhouse of raw Force energy.
Regal let out a slow exhale.
"Sigh..."
His gaze drifted from one side to the other.
PRCU was young, aggressive, and had the full momentum of modern cinema. [Star Wars] was ancient, legendary, and had survived multiple eras.
One was a rising empire, the other a timeless dynasty.
But the war for dominance?
It was only just beginning.
And with Regal stepping onto this battlefield, another player was about to enter the war.
"Hehe, you are enjoying this way more than you were complaining." Gwendolyn remarked, tugging him aside.
….
The bustling hall of the comic convention stretched wide, vibrant with colors from countless cosplayers, merchandise stalls, and towering displays.
The atmosphere buzzed with excited chatter and camera flashes.
Gwendolyn led the way, her fingers tightly laced with Regal's.
Her eyes sparkled at every corner, bouncing from one booth to another like a child at a carnival.
Regal followed half a step behind, his free hand tucked in his jacket pocket. His dark t-shirt and jeans were simple, contrasting the lively crowd around him.
They stopped at a booth selling vintage comic books, and Gwendolyn immediately lit up, flipping through the pages while explaining random storylines he barely followed.
Regal watched her, pretending to listen, but really just admiring how her eyes danced with every little discovery.
After a few minutes, she noticed and caught him staring.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing." He smirked. "You just look... happy."
Gwendolyn's playful grin softened into something more tender. She leaned into his arm, resting her head on his shoulder for a brief moment.
"Well... I am."
Now, as they walked together through aisles lined with handmade crafts and fan art.
Her eyes flitted from booth to booth, lighting up whenever she spotted something cool.
….
Regal's steps slowed as he reached the far end of the convention hall, where the crowds had thinned to almost nothing. Most attendees had already passed this section without a second glance, uninterested in what was tucked away in this quiet corner.
Yet, something caught his attention.
A lone stall stood before him, its shelves stacked high with comic books. But these weren't just any comics - they were from two of the most recognizable publishers in the world.
Anyone else might have paused with the same question in mind.
What about Marvel and DC?
Well… that was a long story. One that Regal wasn't about to get into now. What he could say was that their history in this world was vastly different from what he knew.
Another time.
For now, he simply focused on the stall in front of him.
His gaze swept over the comics: Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, and Iron Man - all displayed side by side.
Why were two of the biggest rival publishers sharing shelf space like this?
Another long story.
The employee behind the counter, who had been idly flipping through a magazine, noticed Regal's approach. He straightened up immediately, stepping forward with a practiced smile.
"Welcome, sir."
Regal nodded. "Thanks. Nice to see you."
"Looking for anything specific?"
"Not really." Regal replied. "But I will be taking these."
His fingers instinctively reached for Iron Man. The cover was just as striking as ever. He flipped through the pages, the crisp scent of fresh ink filling his senses.
Still the same.
"I will take this." He said, then grabbed a Batman comic for good measure.
The employee rang up the purchase, handing him the bag. "Thanks for your purchase, sir."
"Regal." He corrected him with a casual wave. "And no need for the formalities. Thanks for your hard work."
With that, he turned on his heel, walking away, his girlfriend Gwendolyn naturally falling into step beside him.
She smirked, raising an eyebrow. "So, you do like the smell of new books, huh?"
Regal glanced at her, noncommittal. "No comment."
Behind them, the store employee watched his retreating figure - until another person approached more precisely - his boss.
An elderly man, walking with a cane. His sharp eyes scanned the stall before settling on the young man disappearing into the crowd.
"You sell anything?" He asked, his voice carrying quiet authority.
The employee stiffened slightly, straightening his posture. "Yes, sir. Just now, a customer bought two books."
"Hmm…" - the old man's gaze remained fixed in the distance, watching Regal's back.
The employee followed his line of sight before blinking in surprise.
"...Something wrong?" the old man asked, his tone unreadable.
The younger man hesitated before shaking his head. "No, sir. It's just… That guy looked familiar. Like, I have seen him somewhere before."
"A mistake, probably." He added quickly, rubbing the back of his head.
The old man didn't respond right away. His sharp eyes flickered between Regal and the employee, then back again.
After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
The employee watched him go, frowning slightly.
For some reason… he had the strangest sense of déjà vu.
Like he had just lived the last few seconds twice.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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