The Secret Ranger

Captain Mitchell was very worried. He had always been able to depend on the Lightspeed Rescue Power Rangers to defend the people of earth but this time things were different.

Diabolico had invented a very bad and powerful poison gas called XR2 and at just the right time, he was going to spray it on the earth and make all the people sick. Then, he and his monsters were going to take over the world!

Using the computers at the Lightspeed Rescue training base and with the help of the Rescue Rangers, Captain Mitchell had located where Diabolico had hidden the XR2 until he was ready to use it. He had put it deep in a narrow hold inside a dormant volcano. That was the big problem! That deep narrow hole was 100 feet deep down to the bottom and it was no wider than 2 feet across. All of the Rangers were too big to fit in the hole. None of them could go down using a rope to hold them to get the box that held the XR2 in it.

“What can we do?” asked the Rangers.

“We must find a way to get that box of XR2 out of there without breaking it! But how?” said Captain Mitchell.

Everyone tried to think of a way to get the XR2 out of the hole. Finally, Ryan, the Titanium Ranger, said, “You know, I was at a karate tournament a few weeks ago and I saw this kid. He was about six years old and he was really good! He won first place in his division. Also, he was tall and slender. Just the size we need to get down that hole!”

“Hold on, Ryan!” said the Captain. “We can not use a child so young to do such a dangerous job!”

“I know it is a lot to ask of a kid, sir,” said Ryan. “But there was something special about him. I think he could do it!”

“OK, Ryan. You find out who he is and where he lives. We will talk to him and see if he is brave enough and strong enough to do this job. Also, we must talk to his parents. They must give their permission for this,” said the Captain.

Ryan called the karate tournament people to find out the name and address of the six year old that had won the first place trophy. The boy’s name was Sean Smith and he lived in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Captain Mitchell called Sean’s parents and told them all about the problem with the XR2. At first, they were very afraid for Sean’s safety but Captain Mitchell told them that he and the Power Rangers would do everything they could to keep him safe. “Well,” they said, “if Sean thinks he can help save the earth. We must let him try.”

Sean was outside playing in his backyard when he looked up and saw Ryan walking toward him. He could not believe his eyes! The Titanium Ranger was in his backyard!

“Hi Sean” said Ryan. “Do you know who I am?”

“Oh yes!” said Sean. “You’re Ryan, the Titanium Ranger!”

“That’s right, Sean,” said Ryan. “And I need your help.”

“My help?” asked Sean. “You need my help?” Sean’s heart was beating very fast!

“Yes” explained Ryan as he told Sean the whole story about Diabolico and the XR2. He told him the problem they were having getting it out of that deep narrow hole. “Are you a brave boy, Sean?” he asked.

“I think so,” said Sean. “But some things do scare me.”

“Yeah, I get afraid sometimes too” said the Ranger. “But if you really prepare, you can usually handle almost anything.”

“I guess so,” said Sean.

“Well, here’s the deal Sean. We need you to train with us for a few days and if you are strong enough, we want you to be the one to go down and get that XR2!”

Sean caught his breath. Now his heart was beating very, very fast! It was really pounding! “OK” he said. “I will try.”

“Good for you! I think you will be a really great Junior Power Ranger! Tomorrow is Saturday. I will pick you up very early to start your training. Goodbye until then.” Ryan turned and walked away.

“Can this really be happening?” thought Sean.

Just then Ryan came back around the house. “Sean” he said. “You do know you must keep all this secret? No one can know what you are going to do except your parents. Captain Mitchell has already talked to them, so tell no one, OK?”

“OK” promised Sean. “I won’t tell anyone.”

“Good! Get a good night’s rest and I will see you tomorrow,” said Ryan.

Early the next morning, Ryan came in his jeep to pick Sean up. They drove to a secret airport where they boarded a big Rescue helicopter. The helicopter flew them a long way and then landed on top of a submarine that was surfaced on the ocean. When they were aboard the sub, it dove deep down in the ocean to the secret Lightspeed Rescue Headquarters and Training Base.

Sean was amazed at all he was seeing! Was this really happening? Just then they came to the room where Captain Mitchell and the rest of the Rangers were waiting.

“Welcome, Sean, to Lightspeed Rescue” said Captain Mitchell. Each Ranger shook Sean’s hand and told him that they were sure he was going to be able to help them. “Here is what you must do,” said the Captain. “Go to the training center with the Rangers. You will need to work on getting your arms and legs very strong. You must work very fast. We don’t have much time.”

Sean and the Rangers started to work. Sean ran laps as fast as he could. He climbed up and down long ropes hanging over cliffs. He worked on all his karate moves. “You are doing really good,” Ryan told him. “But, all Rangers need extra help.” He reached into his pocket. “This is yours. It’s a morpher. Captain Mitchell had it made just for you. It makes you feel odd the first time you use it but it will make you much stronger and faster. Here, try it.”

Sean took the morpher and put it on his wrist like a watch. Ryan showed him which button to push. Sean took a deep breath and pushed the buttons. Suddenly he saw a bright light and he could feel himself becoming stronger! When he looked down at his body, he saw that he was dressed as a Purple Lightspeed Rescue Ranger. “Wow! I’m a Ranger!” said Sean.

“OK, Sean, go through the training course again and see how much better you can do it.” Ryan told him.

Sean took off like a shot! He went through the whole training course in just a few minutes! “I think you are ready,” said Captain Mitchell.

All the Rangers, including Sean, got on board the Titanium Ranger’s special shuttle and flew to the top of the dormant volcano where Diabolico had hidden the XR2. They tied a very strong rope around Sean’s boots at his ankles. “Sean, you must go down head first so you can get the XR2 box with your hands” said Ryan. “We will be up here holding the rope so you don’t fall. Now everyone morph so we will be strong.”

Soon they were lowering Sean into the hole. Sean had a light on his helmet so he could see as he went down. It was so very deep and so narrow that his shoulders rubbed against the sides as he went down.

“Can you see it?” yelled Ryan.

“Not yet!” yelled Sean. “Lower me some more.”

Soon Sean saw a shiny silver box at the bottom of the hole. “I can see it! I can’t quite reach it. I need more rope!”

The Rangers let out more rope as they held it tightly so Sean would not fall. At last Sean was able to grab the box. “Got it! Pull me up!” he shouted.

“OK, let’s be careful about this” said Ryan. “If he drops it or bangs it against the wall, the poison will escape!”

Slowly they started pulling Sean upward. Just then the ground started to shake. “Oh no!” cried the Pink Ranger. “The volcano is starting to erupt! Pull faster! Pull faster! Sean, are you OK?”

Sean could not hear the Rangers above. All he could hear was the rumble of the volcano! All he could think of was – “I must not drop this box!”

“Pull! Pull! Pull everyone! We’ve got to get him out of there!” The Rangers pulled the rope. Suddenly a rock popped loose from the side and hit Sean in the side of his head! It hurt very badly but he held on tight to the box with both his hands. Just as the Rangers pulled him through the opening of the hole, Sean passed out!

When he woke up Sean was back at the Power Ranger base. “What happened?” he asked, rubbing his head where a bandage had been placed.

“You did it, Sean! You got the XR2 and we were able to take off in the shuttle before the volcano exploded! You have a bump on your head but the doctor said you will be fine.” explained Ryan. “We will get you back to your mom and dad tomorrow. If we ever need another Junior Power Ranger, we know where to find you. Thank you for your help. You saved the people of earth. Remember, tell no one that you are a Power Ranger, OK?”

“OK” said Sean with a big smile on his face!

The End