Big Sisters

Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers, they belong to Saban Entertainment. All other properties belong to their respective copyright owners. This is a piece of fanfiction and I would thank Cynthia for allowing me to post it here.
Author's Note: This story was originally posted at the Command Center Archives back in 1998. It has been changed slightly to reflect the current version of Conquest of Evil.

A warm September breeze swept through Angel Grove as Kimberly and Trini strolled through the park with Maria, their twelve-year-old "little sister" for the day. The smell of freshly cut grass and the distant hum of skateboards set the scene. Near the playground, kids scrambled up climbing frames while parents chatted on benches, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. Kimberly pointed to a nearby ice cream cart.

"How about a treat?" she asked, smiling at Maria.

Maria's face lit up. "Yes, please! Can I have chocolate?"

"Chocolate it is," Kimberly said, heading toward the cart.

Far above Earth, on the desolate expanse of her moon base, Rita Repulsa stared intently at her telescope. "Finally," she hissed, gripping her staff tightly. The image of a glowing chest hidden deep within an ancient cave filled the screen of her viewing device. "The Power Eggs are mine!"

Finster, her ever-loyal monster-maker, approached cautiously. "My queen, the Power Eggs are protected by ancient wards. I fear that even our strongest warriors may not be able to retrieve them."

Rita spun on her heel, her voice sharp. "I don't want your excuses, Finster. Send the Putties! They'll smash their way through."

Finster nodded reluctantly. "As you command, my queen."

Moments later, a squad of Putty Patrollers materialised near the chest, their grey bodies blending into the cave's shadows. They lunged at the glowing object, but an invisible force repelled them, sending them tumbling back.

Back on the moon base, Rita growled in frustration as she watched the failure unfold through her telescope. "What is this?" she screeched. "Why can't they get the chest?"

Finster hesitated before speaking. "It appears the wards can only be bypassed by the touch of an innocent. Someone pure of heart."

Rita's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. "An innocent, you say?" She began to smile, a sinister grin spreading across her face. "Of course. That little brat Maria! She's perfect for this. Finster, prepare Chunky Chicken. I want that girl brought to me immediately!"

Finster bowed and hurried away as Rita cackled. "The Rangers will never see this coming. Soon, the Power Eggs will be mine, and their precious Earth will be finished!"

Trini stayed back with Maria, chatting about her school project. Maria was shy, but she was starting to open up, laughing at Trini's jokes. Neither of them noticed the shadowy figures creeping closer through the trees.

Suddenly, five Putty Patrollers burst out of the bushes, their grey, featureless forms moving with jerky, unnatural speed. Maria screamed, clutching Trini's arm.

"Putties!" Trini shouted, pulling Maria behind her.

Kimberly spun around, dropping the ice creams. "Maria, stay close to Trini!" she yelled, charging at the nearest Putty.

Kimberly and Trini launched into action, their training kicking in. Kimberly leapt into a spinning kick that sent one Putty sprawling, while Trini blocked a strike and countered with a powerful punch.

"Get Maria out of here!" Kimberly shouted as she ducked under a Putty's clumsy swing.

Trini grabbed Maria's hand and started to run, but two more Putties blocked their path. Trini dropped into a defensive stance, ready to fight them off. "Don't worry, Maria. We've got this."

Kimberly joined her, flipping over a fallen Putty and landing gracefully beside Trini. The two Rangers fought back-to-back, their movements perfectly synchronised. Kimberly's high kicks and Trini's rapid strikes made short work of the Putties, but just as they thought the danger had passed, a shadow loomed over them.

It was Chunky Chicken, a bizarre creature with feathers, oversized claws, and a menacing beak. The monster cackled, its voice high-pitched and grating. "I'm here for the girl!" it screeched, lunging toward Maria.

Kimberly and Trini moved to block its path, but Chunky Chicken was faster than it looked. It swiped at them with its claws, forcing them to dodge. In the chaos, Maria was snatched by a pair of Putties and dragged toward a swirling portal.

"No!" Kimberly yelled, sprinting toward Maria, but Chunky Chicken blocked her path.

"You'll have to do better than that!" the monster taunted before disappearing into the portal with Maria and the remaining Putties.

Trini's fists clenched. "We need to find the others. Now."

At the Youth Center, Jason, Zack, and Billy were practicing their martial arts when Kimberly and Trini burst through the doors.

"What's going on?" Jason asked, immediately noticing their panicked expressions.

"Maria's been kidnapped," Trini said quickly. "By Putties and some kind of chicken monster."

Billy adjusted his glasses, already thinking. "We need to get to the Command Center."

"Teleportation and communication are down," Kimberly reminded them. "We'll have to take the RadBug."

The group piled into Billy's custom-built flying car. The RadBug sped through the streets before lifting off into the sky, heading toward the Command Center at breakneck speed.

Inside the Command Center, Zordon's calm face greeted them. "Rangers, Rita has taken Maria because only the touch of an innocent child can unlock the chest containing the Legendary Power Eggs. These ancient artefacts have the potential to create a new universe, bending the fabric of reality to their wielder's will. If Rita succeeds, she will gain unimaginable power."

Alpha 5 buzzed nervously. "Ay-yi-yi! The Power Eggs have been protected for millennia by the descendants of the Morphin Masters, legendary beings who first harnessed the power of the Morphin Grid. Their descendants guarded the eggs, waiting for the day when the Morphin Masters' chosen champions would return to secure them in the safety of the Grid itself."

Zordon's tube glowed as he continued. "The Power Eggs were hidden on Earth long ago by the Morphin Masters' descendants. Locked within a chest that only the purest innocence can open, they were meant to remain protected until champions of the Morphin Grid could ensure their safety. Rita's plan to use Maria is a direct threat to this balance. You must act swiftly, Rangers, to secure the Power Eggs and prevent catastrophe."

"Let's do it," Jason said. "It's morphin' time!"

The Rangers arrived on the beach in a burst of coloured light. Goldar and Chunky Chicken stood guard over the glowing chest containing the Power Eggs. Maria was tied to a rock nearby, her eyes wide with fear.

"Rangers!" Goldar snarled, drawing his sword. "You're too late!"

"We'll see about that," Jason retorted, charging forward.

The beach erupted into chaos as the Rangers clashed with Rita's forces, each of them acutely aware of what was at stake. Jason's voice cut through the noise as he shouted, "We can't let them take the eggs! If Rita gets them, it's game over!"

Zack was the first to engage, somersaulting into a group of Putties. His Power Axe swung in wide arcs, sparks flying as it struck down one enemy after another. "I'm not letting some overgrown chicken ruin our day!" he quipped, delivering a spinning kick that sent a Putty crashing into the sand.

Trini leapt onto a nearby rock for better positioning, her Power Daggers flashing in the sunlight. She struck with precision, taking out two Putties in quick succession. "Keep pushing forward! We need to get to Maria!" she called out, her focus unwavering.

Kimberly faced off against another group of Putties, her movements swift and graceful. She flipped backward to avoid a strike, landing on her feet and firing an arrow from her Power Bow. The arrow found its mark, striking a Putty and causing it to disintegrate. "Maria's counting on us!" she said, her voice firm.

Jason charged directly at Goldar, their weapons colliding in a shower of sparks. "You're not getting those eggs, Goldar!" he growled, forcing the warrior back with a series of powerful sword strikes. Goldar roared, swinging his massive blade in retaliation, but Jason blocked each strike, holding his ground.

Meanwhile, Billy worked frantically on the chest, his hands steady despite the chaos around him. He adjusted the mechanisms on his device, muttering calculations under his breath. "Just a few more seconds…" he called out, sweat beading on his forehead.

Chunky Chicken, cackling maniacally, lunged at Kimberly and Zack. Its claws tore through the air as it swiped at them. Zack rolled to the side and retaliated with a powerful swing of his axe, the impact staggering the monster. Kimberly followed up with a well-placed shot from her bow, the arrow piercing its wing. Chunky Chicken screeched in frustration, stumbling backward.

"Hold the line!" Jason yelled, deflecting another strike from Goldar. "Billy, we're running out of time!"

"Almost there!" Billy shouted back, his voice tense. With a final adjustment, the lock on the chest clicked open. "Got it!" "I just need a little more time!" he called out.

Jason faced off against Goldar, their weapons clashing in a shower of sparks. "You're not getting those eggs!" Jason shouted, forcing Goldar back with a series of heavy blows.

Meanwhile, Chunky Chicken lunged at Kimberly and Zack, its claws slashing through the air. Zack dodged to the side and countered with a powerful strike from his Power Axe. Kimberly fired a precise shot with her Power Bow, hitting the monster's wing and forcing it to retreat.

"Now, Billy!" Trini yelled.

Billy finally unlocked the chest and tossed the Power Eggs to Jason. "Get rid of them!"

Jason ran toward the water and hurled the eggs into the sea with all his strength. They sank beneath the waves, glowing faintly before disappearing forever.

"No!" Goldar roared, retreating into a portal with the remaining Putties.

Chunky Chicken, now furious, grew to an enormous size. The Rangers summoned their Dinozords, which combined into the towering Megazord.

"Let's finish this," Jason said.

The battle was fierce, with Chunky Chicken using its speed to dodge the Megazord's attacks. But the Rangers worked together, landing blow after blow until the monster staggered.

"Power Sword!" Jason commanded.

The Megazord's sword appeared, glowing with energy. With a single, powerful slash, Chunky Chicken exploded into a burst of feathers and light.

Maria, now safe inside the RadBug, waved to the Rangers as they stood victorious on the beach. "Thank you!" she called.

Kimberly smiled. "Anytime, Maria."

Back at the Command Center, Zordon commended them. "Once again, you have saved the Earth from Rita's evil. Your courage and teamwork are an inspiration."

Jason nodded. "We couldn't have done it without each other."

As they left the Command Center, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Angel Grove in a warm, golden glow. Peace had been restored, and the Rangers knew they would always be ready for whatever challenge came next.

End