LIGHTS, CAMERA, DARK RANGERS

DISCLAAIMER/AUTHOR'S NOTE

Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban, Fox Kids, and Disney. This is another ep that's been retooled. I hope you like it. I've brought back characters from early season two. Two names were taken from the episode guide on t.v. com and the rest I made up.

"And television as we know it was first introduced at the world's fair fifty years ago in 1939," Aisha stated. She pushed a tape into the VCR and pressed the "play" button. Then, the class watched as a short documentary played.

"That was a wonderful report, Aisha," Ms. Appleby said when the girl was done. Then, as she took her seat, "Class, can anyone remember from Aisha's report who is the father of television?" Various students raised their hands. "Bulk?"

"Captain David Sarnoff?" he guessed.

"He was a general, but yes," the woman corrected. Aisha looked at him in slight surprise. He was paying attention to me? Wow, she thought. "Class, today we learned about the power of television as a communication medium. Tonight, as you all know, the Power Rangers will be on t.v. to spread their special message about the power of education." The Rangers looked at each other excitedly. This was gonna be so cool! "Tomorrow in class, we will discuss what they had to say and how it affects you personally." The bell rang and the woman dismissed them. The students grabbed their books and headed out the door.

"Aisha, that was a great report," Bulk told her.

"Thanks, Bulk. I'm glad you liked it," Aisha responded.

"Hey, listen, do you want to come over and watch the Power Rangers with me and Skull tonight?" Bulk asked.

"Oh, shoot. I already made plans to watch it with the others. I'm sorry."

"No, don't worry about it. You shouldn't flake on your friends."

"Thanks for understanding. Record it for me and I'll watch it with you guys later?"

"Sure." Aisha hurried to catch up with her friends.

"Guys, I'm nervous. I've never liked being in front of cameras," Adam worried.

"Don't worry, Adam. You'll be morphed and no one will know who you are anyway," Aisha assured.

"Yeah, I know. But I still don't like cameras," Adam responded.

"Aw, come on. It'll be a blast," Zack told him.

"Yeah, and if you think about it, it's a great opportunity to reach out to kids and teens all across the world," Billy added, coming up beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Billy's right. It's a very important, positive message," Trini commented, coming up on the other side of Adam.

"It really is quite an honor," Jason added.

"Yeah. I can hardly believe it," Trini stated. Adam didn't look convinced.

"Come on," Billy said, and they started out.

"Hey, Jase!" Jason turned around at the voice.

"Hey, Justin, what's up?" he asked the teen, who was wearing a dark red shirt.

"Have you heard about this Power Ranger thing? It's gonna be so cool to see them on t.v.," Justin raved.

"Yeah, I can hardly wait," Tina added. Like Trini, she was wearing yellow.

"So, what do you guys think the Rangers will talk about besides their education message?" Hilary wondered.

"I don't know," Kimberly answered, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Oh, hey, is that a new bracelet, Kim?" Hilary noted.

"Uh-huh." The two girls continued to talk and Zane and Chris looked at each other and rolled their eyes. The newest Rangers looked at the group of five. Jason and the others hung out with them a lot, and Rocky, Adam, and Aisha noticed how the group seemed to match the other color-wise.

"Hey Billy, I'm working on this project and I can't quite figure out the systematics," Chris commented.

"Perhaps I can help. Say this weekend?"

"Awesome." The group dispersed and the Rangers once more continued on their way.

"They seem pretty nice. How come we don't hang out with them more often?" Aisha wondered.

"Because Zedd's been keeping us pretty busy lately," Jason responded. Meanwhile, Bulk met Skull at his locker.

"Hey Bulkie, are you and Aisha gonna come to my house and watch the show?"

"No, she already said that she had plans with the other goody-goods."

"Oh. Sorry, man." Bulk shrugged.

"No big deal. We can just record for her and---"

"And---watch it later, I assume?"

"Wait a minute! What if instead of watching the show, we become the show?"

"Uh…you wanna run that by me again?"

"It's simple. We get backstage of the talk show, then, when the time is right, we unmask those Power dweebs on national t.v." He laughed. "Believe me, this time, we are gonna be rich and famous!" While this was going on, Zedd was in his Chamber of Command.

"So, those star-struck Power punks want to send their message to the world? Well, I'll give them all a message to remember and annihilate the Power Rangers at the same time.

"He is truly the biggest star of them all," Baboo commented.

"Bigger than Elvis," Squatt agreed. Goldar rolled his eyes, but made no comment.

"Silence, you Blue berries for brains!" Zedd barked.

"Yes, silence!" Goldar interjected. He didn't need their babbling. "What is your plan, my lord?"

"Drain the power from the Rangers with my staff---you'll be able to do so even when they're un-morphed---and infuse their five friends with the stolen power. With them, I will make my Dark Rangers and destroy the world," Zedd instructed. Oh, that plan again? Goldar wondered. It hadn't worked before, so why did he think it would suddenly work now?

"As you wish," was all he said.

"After that, they will give my message on t.v."