[center][b][h2][u]Episode #1[/u][/h2] [h3]Destiny Awaits Your Claim (Part I)[/h3][/b] [i][b]_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________[/b][/i] [i][b][color=fff79a]Since time immemorial, the Paragons of Eltar have extended a helping hand across the known universe, empowering warriors of light and justice to push back evil wherever it may rear its ugly head. One such team of fighters - led by the legendary and wise Zordon - found themselves flung across the stars to the distant world of Earth, a result of a malfunctioning Quantum Drive. Doing what they did best, these visitors sought to provide aid to the peoples of this new world, but darkness had taken root from within. Betrayed by one of their own, these warriors watched in horror and despair as their former ally became Bandora the Scarlet Specter, enthralling entire legions of humans and monsters to conquer the planet in her name. After a bitter, desperate struggle that dragged on for years, the heroes mounted a final stand, luring the evil sorceress to an active volcano rigged with explosives. The moment before the caldera was set to blow, they triggered a killswitch that deactivated their protective Nanosuits and teleported the armor back to Zordon, leaving them exposed to the impending blast - Bandora included. Such a momentous sacrifice was a cost they were all willing to pay, given that the re-summoning of the power was an all-or-nothing ordeal that could not be individualized. They gave their lives to see an end to Bandora’s reign, trapped on that exploding volcano. Memorialized as great heroes by the Earthlings who survived, stories of the Power Rangers were passed down for generations. Zordon, infinite in his wisdom yet overcome with grief, activated the cloaking device on his ship one final time, hiding it away deep underground below what would one day become Angel Grove. Centuries later, a new team of warriors would stumble upon it and claim the power for themselves, but in doing so, expose their world once more to Bandora’s dark grasp…[/color] _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________[/b][/i][/center] Under the cerulean Summer sky, a yellow school bus cruised along a coastal highway, followed by a white box truck, crisp ocean waves crashing against the shore to their left, hilly woods to their right. A light breeze rustled the treetops as tiny critters scurried to and fro, and the sounds of teenage chatter radiated outwards from the vehicle’s open windows. They were heading towards Amber Beach Dinosaur Museum, which was right on the west-northwestern edge of Angel Grove, a suburb of Los Angeles and a city in its own right. The facility to which they were traveling sat right at the southern tip of McCadden National Forest, which was host to a number of federally-authorized fossil dig sites. The day's excursion was part of Angel Grove High's Summer School Extra Credit Program, which encouraged students to participate in charitable events such as the fundraiser they were bound for in exchange for "floating" credits that could be applied to any core class when the Fall term began in early September. Inside the bus, Shelby Watkins stared incredulously forward over the seats as Karone Morrey sat towards the front, continuing to snap pictures with her phone, the blonde girl typing away excitedly as she captioned her uploads to her Instagram account. [color=Thistle]“Gah! She’s [i]totally[/i] missing the point!”[/color] the dark-haired girl grunted, crossing her arms as she sat back, face pouting. [color=Thistle]“This is for [i]charity![/i] To [i]help[/i] people! But all that [i]bitch[/i] cares about is [i]clout!”[/i][/color] She turned and glared at Tommy Miyazoko when he didn’t immediately reply, who was sitting in the same seat, looking out the window. He noticed the silence and turned to her. [color=LimeGreen]“What?”[/color] he shrugged, holding his hands palm-up. Shelby just scowled at him as he grinned. [color=LimeGreen]“What did I do now?”[/color] [color=Thistle]“You’re defending her!”[/color] [color=LimeGreen]“I am [i]not![/i] I didn’t say [i]anything!”[/i][/color] [color=Thistle]“But you were [i]thinking[/i] about it!”[/color] she accused, narrowing her eyes. She then looked away with her chin up. [color=Thistle]“I know you watch her streams.”[/color] [color=LimeGreen]“So?”[/color] he replied, earning another grunt from Shelby as she rolled her eyes. [color=LimeGreen][i]“What?[/i] I like her content! It’s… [i]entertaining!”[/i][/color] [color=fff79a]“Let me save you some time, losers,”[/color] came a voice from behind them, and they turned to see a slightly heavy boy leaning over, a cocky smirk on his face. [color=fff79a]“Talking about Karone won’t get her to notice you. Not when [i]we’re[/i] around instead.”[/color] He gestured towards himself with a thumb as a second, taller and skinnier boy popped his head up. [color=fff79a]“Yeah!”[/color] he added, chewing on a piece of gum. [color=fff79a]“You losers don’t stand a chance!”[/color] The two punks looked at each other and nodded, pleased with themselves. Then uttered in unison, [color=fff79a]“Loo-sers! Loo-sers! Loo-sers!”[/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/SCDLAF3.jpg[/img] [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-z-ENnmCkQ[/youtube] [color=Thistle]“How did Bulk and Skull even get in this program?”[/color] Shelby wondered out loud, ignoring them. [color=Thistle]“I suppose the same way Karone did. By kissing up to -”[/color] Suddenly she was cut off as two kids on the other side of the aisle started arguing. Apparently, one had been watching a political video and it had sparked a fierce argument. [color=fff79a]“No, [i]you[/i] listen!”[/color] one of them demanded. [color=fff79a]“We [i]need[/i] Karl Ziktor as our next President! And I hear he’s choosing Anton Mercer as his running mate, which is [i]even better![/i] Our country needs a strong leader, and I am [i]so[/i] grateful I turned eighteen soon enough to register to vote in November’s election!”[/color] [color=fff79a]“No, [i]you[/i] listen, mother fucker!”[/color] the other growled. [color=fff79a]“Do you know [i]why[/i] everyone calls that piece of shit Ziktor [i] ‘Grimlord?’[/i] Because his [i]Corporatist Party[/i] only cares about their rich donors! They don’t give a [i]fuck[/i] about working class families in need!”[/color] The two continued to scream at each other until their chaperone, Miss Kendall Morgan, came stomping down the aisle towards them, snapping her fingers. [color=fff79a]“Hey! [i]HEY![/i]”[/color] she commanded, the entire vehicle going silent. Even the driver knew not to mess with her. [color=fff79a]“If you two can’t behave yourselves, then keep that political crap off my bus! Not another word from either of you! [i]Zip it!”[/i][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/KTBPKw0.png[/img] [color=Crimson]“You rock, Miss Morgan!”[/color] Karone said happily, typing away once more on her phone. [color=Thistle]“She is [i]so[/i] fake,”[/color] Shelby sulked as she continued to watch the blonde streamer. [color=LimeGreen]“Give it a rest, will you?”[/color] Tommy shook his head and smirked. [color=LimeGreen]“Do you have a crush on her or something?”[/color] [color=Thistle]“Wha-what?”[/color] she replied, eyes huge. [color=Thistle]“N-no! Why would you even [i]suggest[/i] that?!”[/color] [color=LimeGreen]“Hey Finn,”[/color] the boy said with a laugh, leaning over to the seat directly in front of him. [color=LimeGreen]“Shelby has a crush on Karone. Look, she’s blushing!”[/color] [color=Thistle][I]“I AM NOT BLUSHING!”[/I][/color] she insisted, despite the reddish glow spreading across her cheeks.