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Wait I'm A Power Ranger? Part 1

"Okay, lovebirds," Dr. Oliver says carefully, "Mike, you're going to miss the bus."

Mike rushes off toward the bus after kissing her cheek, leaving Tracy standing there blushing so hard she thinks her face might combust.

Dr. Oliver gives her a sideways look as he unlocks the jeep.

"Come on, Tracy. We should head out."

She nods, still dazed. She takes a step...but bumps straight into the jeep door because she's not watching where she's going.

"You sure you're okay?" Dr. Oliver asks gently.

"Yeah," she says, pushing her glasses up her nose. "That was just... a lot."

He chuckles softly. "First crush?"

"Maybe," Tracy says, staring at the ground. "I think so. It's kinda hard to tell when—" she sighs, "—at my old school, boys never really told me I was beautiful. And if they DID talk to me, it was only because one of their friends dared them to."

Dr. Oliver's expression softens immediately.

"Well," he says, "that wasn't fair to you."

Tracy gives a tiny shrug. "It's whatever. Just weird having someone actually mean it for once."

"Nothing weird about someone seeing what's already there," he says, nodding toward the jeep. "Come on. Let's get you settled."

As they drive to Dr. Oliver's place, Tracy can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. She has never been in a situation like this before, and she's unsure of what to expect. But she knows one thing for sure—she's glad she has friends like Kira, Conner, Ethan, and Trent by her side.

When they arrive at Dr. Oliver's house, he leads her inside and shows her to the guest room.

"This is where you'll be staying," he says. "Make yourself at home."

"Thanks, Dr. Oliver," Tracy says, feeling a sense of relief. "I really appreciate it."

"Anytime, Tracy," he replies with a warm smile. "Now, let's get some dinner. You must be starving."

As they sit down to eat, Tracy can't help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn of events. She's found not only a new school but also a group of friends who accept her for who she is. And maybe, just maybe, she's found something more with Mike.

After they finish eating, Tracy helps carry the plates to the sink. Dr. Oliver dries his hands, walks back to the table, and pulls out a chair.

"Tracy, can you sit for a minute?" he asks gently.

She nods and sits across from him.

Dr. Oliver takes a slow breath, then rolls up his sleeve.

At first, Tracy doesn't understand what she's looking at—until she sees the device strapped to his wrist. It has a gem on it like the one she found, but it's black. Then he flips his wrist, and it transforms into a different chaptered bracelet with a faceplate featuring brachiosaurs. The morpher is sleek and metallic, with a dominant black and gold color scheme. The brachiosaur faceplate is intricately designed, featuring detailed scales and a fierce expression that embodies the power and strength of the dinosaur.

Her eyes widen. "Wait. Is that...?"

He meets her gaze. "My morpher."

Tracy's heart skips. "So you're... a Power Ranger."

"Former Ranger," he corrects with a small smile. "But once you've been one, it never really leaves you."

Tracy stares at the morpher, unable to look away. "So the gem I found... It's real."

"It's very real," he says. "And it chose you."

She presses a hand over her chest as the weight of his words sinks in. "Me? But I'm... I'm not brave like the others. I just got tossed against a wall today, and Mike had to save me from falling over twice. Why would it pick me?"

Dr. Oliver shakes his head. "The gem didn't choose you because you're fearless. It chose you because of your heart. You stood up to Grant even when you were scared. You help people even when they don't see it. Rangers aren't chosen for perfection, Tracy. They're chosen for potential."

Tracy goes quiet. Her fingers curl around the glowing gem in her pocket.

"So what happens now?" she whispers.

"That," Dr. Oliver says softly, "depends on whether you want to understand what this gem is... and what it means for you."

Tracy looks down at the gem.

It pulses once.

A warm light. Like a heartbeat.

She swallows. "I want to learn."