I went to the main computer, and the screen was already streaming several images.
On one side, I saw the Rangers' point of view; on the other, a television broadcast offering a third-person perspective of the fight. The scene was absolute chaos.
Suddenly, I felt something change in my glasses.
One of the arms elongated, morphing into an earpiece with a built-in microphone.
Before I could react, a deafening screech exploded in my ears.
''Argh, damn it!''
The interference lasted only a few seconds before finally stabilizing. The static gave way to familiar voices.
''Hello? Can you hear me?''
On the screen, I saw the Rangers looking around, clearly confused.
''Xavier?'' Neto's voice came through first. ''Well... hello. We're a little busy right now.''
Yeah, that was obvious.
''I can see that, Neto. I'm here to help.''
The situation was bad. They were already used to being outnumbered (it would be a miracle if they weren't), but this time there was a bigger problem: one of the aliens was holding something bright, pulsing, something that looked... important.
''Z, what is that?'' I asked, my eyes locked on the screen.
The answer came quickly.
''A Traxian core. I have no idea how he got it, but it's an absurd source of energy. It can be used for a lot of things... mostly powering large ships.''
My eyes narrowed.
''A ship like Mortuus's?''
''Correct. He's still trying to stabilize. He's very weakened, but if he gets that core...''
Mortuus was vulnerable. That was our advantage. But if that alien escaped with the core, the entire story would change.
I looked at the keyboard in front of me.
A plan started to form in my mind.
Was it risky? Absolutely. But everything was risky right now.
''Karol, do exactly as I say. You're the fastest on the team, so... run.''
''Are you serious? There's basically an army in front of us!''
''Exactly. They're clumped together. Run over them. Victor and PH, flank them and block any escape. Neto, push forward. Force them to retreat. And Aila'' I paused ''you're support. Paralyze any alien that tries to interfere.''
For a moment, total silence on the transmission.
Then, in unison, I heard their response:
''Roger that!''
I smiled.
Now it was showtime.
''Z, can I time the Zords' appearance?''
Z approached, arching a skeptical eyebrow.
''What are you thinking, you idiot?''
I grinned as maliciously as possible.
''Something crazy.''
She rolled her eyes but said nothing, quickly teaching me what I needed to know.
Meanwhile, the battle was unfolding exactly as planned. The Rangers were applying even more pressure on the enemy army. Karol dashed at full speed, moving as if the uneven terrain didn't exist — and for her, it didn't.
She reached the alien and, with a precise move, snatched the core from his hands.
''Karol, use your stinger to disrupt the ground! Everyone else, use your weapons to do the same!''
No one questioned it.
Without hesitation, the Rangers followed my orders, reshaping the battlefield around them. In seconds, the enemy army was almost trapped.
Z crossed her arms, impatient.
''And now, genius?''
Right as she finished speaking, the sound of something massive echoed through the base.
The garage gate opened, and a Zord emerged.
''Rangers, jump… NOW!''
The five of them exchanged glances for a split second. Then they noticed the colossal shadow forming above them and leapt with everything they had.
The next instant, Victor's Zord crashed down from the sky like a meteor.
The impact was devastating. A massive green crab, gleaming in emerald tones, landed with overwhelming force, crushing part of the alien army under its colossal weight.
The alien holding the core tried to flee, sprinting toward the forest, but before he could take more than two steps—
ZWOOOOSH!
An arrow flew straight into his back. He froze in place, paralyzed.
On the other side of the transmission, Aila smiled proudly.
''Not today, funny guy.''
I rolled my eyes.
''Did you really need the catchphrase?''
She chuckled.
''Of course I did.''
''Xavier,'' Neto cut in. ''We're going to interrogate him. We'll head back to base soon.''
''Copy that. Over and out.''
The transmission ended.
My glasses returned to normal, and the computer, as if alive, slowly retracted back into the wall.
I let out a relieved sigh.
''Alright. So we still have some time.''
Z, who was reviewing a hologram displaying a dossier of information, looked up at me.
''Time for what?''
I turned toward her, scratching my head as I tried to organize my thoughts.
''It's not the first time Earth has had Rangers. And after a while, there's always... an extra Ranger. It always happens.''
Z raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, waiting for me to continue.
''Isn't that a good thing? Another person for the team?''
I sighed, hesitating.
''Yeah, but for the extra Ranger to appear, the team usually has to lose first. At least, that's how it's always been. In theory, they arrive at the last moment to save the day… but there's also a chance they arrive too late. And if that happens, someone on the team dies first.''
Z shook her head in disbelief.
''You're exaggerating. That's not going to happen.''
Without answering, I went to my dorm and grabbed a folder filled with notes. I came back and handed the papers to her.
At first, her expression was curious. But as she read, her face tightened. Curiosity turned to fear, and soon after, to deep concern.
''Impossible… How? HOW?!''
I crossed my arms, looking down.
"How, I don't know. No one does.''
Z kept flipping through the papers, her eyes scanning desperately over the information I had gathered.
''The world is cruel, Z. Not everyone gets a happy ending.''
She stared at me, still stunned.
''Was this before the Mighty Morphin Rangers?''
I nodded.
''Before the first Rangers the world knows about, there was another team. No one remembers them. No one even knows they existed. Their names? Their powers? The team's name? Everything was erased. The extra Ranger arrived too late. The rest died.''
The silence between us stretched.
''And the extra Ranger?'' Z asked, almost hesitant.
''He made sure to erase all the records. I think he wanted to give peace to the comrades he lost. But he made one mistake.''
Z looked at me, confused.
''He let a newspaper slip.''
I crouched down and pulled out a yellowed clipping from one of the folders. It was old, fragile, but the headline was still legible:
"The City Mourns the Loss of Its 'Heroes'."
It was the only clue left of a team that should never have been forgotten.
''Z, we need to keep this information between us. We can't let them find out about it, and above all, we have to stop that event from happening.''
Z crossed her arms, still processing everything.
''But how will we know when it's about to happen? Besides... what can we even do?''
I looked down at my wrist. The bracelet glowed faintly.
''Until then, we'll think of something. But you'll know when the event is about to trigger.''
Z's hologram flickered slightly, as if she were deep in thought. For a moment, I thought she was going to argue, but then...
''Fine, fine. But just this once. It'll be our little secret.''
She raised her hand and extended her pinky finger toward me.
''Pinky promise.''
I blinked a few times, incredulous.
''Are you a child?''
Z rolled her eyes.
''Isn't this how humans make serious promises?''
I stayed silent for a moment.
''...Yeah, that's exactly how.''
I sighed and, with no better option, reached out to seal the pinky promise.
----------
Were the following weeks monotonous? I don't know if that's the right word. Maybe just repetitive.
Study, train, visit the infirmary, help the Rangers... and train even more. During my dreams, of course.
For reference, it's been exactly six weeks, and the team's efficiency increased by 24%. They could still improve a lot.
To be honest, without my help, they'd be completely lost.
Worrying? Absolutely. They still don't train as a team, even when I ask them to. In fact, I practically have to beg them to at least run one joint session per week.
And well... I kind of repeated that whole thing of almost killing myself training.
A few times.
Okay, maybe a lot of times.
''YOU IDIOT! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT?! I'M GOING TO LOCK YOU IN THIS BED 24 HOURS A DAY!''
Z practically growled while massaging my shoulder — hard. Very hard.
''Sorry, sorry! I won't do it again!''
I tried to defend myself, but it was useless. She was furious.
''IT WAS THE FIFTEENTH TIME! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?!''
I stayed silent.
''...Can I do this "training" just twice a week?''
Z huffed, crossing her arms.
''Why do you want to do this so badly?''
''Strength. That's the answer, Z.'' I took a deep breath before continuing. ''If I push my body to the limit and fully recover here in the infirmary, I can increase my strength, agility, and endurance much faster. Basically, I'm cheating. What would normally take months of training, I can achieve in weeks.''
Z stopped massaging and stared at me, thoughtful.
''Alright, I understand your pursuit of strength... But it's useless if you die from shock before reaching your goal.''
I lowered my head. She was right.
''I understand the pressure you're under,'' her voice was softer now, ''the lies you have to keep, all the attempts you're making to improve the team, and especially... you sacrificing your social life.''
Her fingers gently squeezed my trapezius, as if trying to ease the weight I carried.
''I have to be strong, Z. I will be strong.''
I raised my head, determined.
''In a few months, there will be a test for the S.P.D., and I need to pass it. If I make it, I'll have even more resources. I'll be able to help the team, even if I'm not here.''
Z blinked a few times, surprised.
''You... are leaving?''
''Yeah...' I gave a half-smile, seeing her expression twist slightly. 'But do you really think you're getting rid of me that easily?''
I touched the side of my glasses, activating a faint holographic interface.
No matter where I was... inevitably, Z and I would stay connected.
''Alright, alright, I get it. You're still going to annoy me.''
I laughed as I rotated my shoulder, feeling my muscles settle after training.
PLIM.
''The diagnosis is ready,'' Z announced as she walked over to the holographic printer to grab the reports.
''Diagnosis of what?''
She grabbed the papers and walked over to me.
''I want to see how much you've improved since the first time you used the training room.''
That would be... interesting. Actually, it had been a long time since I'd evaluated my own progress. I'd been doing everything on autopilot, as if my body already knew what to do without needing to think about it.
I stood up, walked to a wall, and activated the holographic panel to bring up a mirror.
The reflected image... was that me?
I looked taller. My muscles were way more developed and defined. Forearms, calves, shoulders... all had expanded noticeably. My abs weren't ridiculously exaggerated like in anime, but they were strong and functional.
My body was no longer that of an ordinary civilian — I had built the physique of a warrior.
''Done admiring yourself yet?''
''Almost... Stop nagging me, Z.''
She ignored my comment and went on analyzing the report.
''Alright, here are the numbers. Your body fat dropped by 27%. Your muscle mass increased by 57%. Your strength grew by 63%, your endurance by 79%, and your stamina improved by 66%.''
She frowned as she reached the next line.
''Dexterity... wow... 129% increase. Reflexes, 27%.''
Then her eyes widened.
''Fencing... wait, this must be wrong...' she pulled the visor closer to her eyes, double-checking the numbers. '399%?! Xavier, what's your record now?!''
I raised my arm and activated Analysis Mode on my bracelet.
A hologram emerged from the engraved "X," displaying my notes.
''Well... 230 enemies defeated in six hours.''
Z stared at me, completely shocked.
''Holy shit.''