Welcome to Reefside (editing in progress)

Prologue

Deep under Tommy Oliver's house, the Dino Lab hums with quiet machinery as Hayley taps rapidly on her keyboard. A burst of pink energy flickers across one of the monitors—bright enough to make the whole team pause.

"There it is again," she murmurs. "Same frequency spike as an unbonded Dino Gem."

Ethan leans closer, brow furrowed. "But the gems don't cooperate unless they pick somebody. That's why we can't lock onto it."

Trent crosses his arms. "Makes sense. The White Gem avoided me until it bonded."

Kira lets out a short sigh. "If this ends up being another Ranger, I'm hoping it's a girl. We could use one more."

Conner grins. "As long as she's not like Elsa."

Tommy chuckles lightly. "Hayley, think it's worth preparing a prototype morpher? Just in case?"

"Already working on it," she says, spinning back to her screen.

The pink pulse brightens... flashes... and winks out again.

Waiting.

Choosing.

Across the country in a quiet Michigan office, Christi sits stiffly in her chair while her boss folds his hands on the desk. Benjamin rests a comforting hand on her knee, sensing the tension in her shoulders.

"Christi," her boss begins gently, "with the downsizing... I can't keep your position here. But the Reefside division needs a senior financial analyst immediately. If you take the transfer, your job is secure."

Benjamin lifts his eyebrows. "Reefside? California?"

"And they want her there next week," the boss adds with a wince.

Christi swallows hard. "My daughter just started her senior year."

"I know. I'm sorry. But this transfer is the only guaranteed option."

Benjamin squeezes her hand, voice low and steady.
"It's your call, angel. We'll make it work."

Christi exhales shakily... then nods.
"Alright. I'll take it."

Far from Michigan—and far from anything human—the air ripples in Mesogog's fortress. Zeltrax stares at a glowing radar display while Elsa steps closer, her heels echoing across the stone floor.

"The signal again?" she asks.

"A Dino Gem," he growls. "One the humans never located."

A cold hiss crawls through the chamber as Mesogog emerges from the shadows, reptilian eyes gleaming.

"At last," he whispers.

Elsa lifts her chin. "Do we know where it is?"

"No," Zeltrax admits. "It refuses to be tracked."

Mesogog bares his teeth in slow, vicious delight.
"Then find the one it chooses... and destroy them."

After the last bell at Jefferson High School, the parking lot buzzes with students racing toward freedom. Tracy walks beside Ashley, adjusting the straps of her Michigan State green backpack. Her tiny NICU bracelet charm and the strip from her brown belt sway with each step.

Ashley elbows her.
"Honest question — if my science grade drops any lower, do you think Mrs. Weston will let me redo the quiz? Or will she vaporize me with her teacher glare?"

Tracy snickers. "She'll let you redo it. She actually likes you."

"Yeah, well, teachers adore you by default."

Tracy rolls her eyes. "I'm running on iced coffee and pure panic. Nobody adores that."

They head toward Christi's silver sedan — the one Ashley's borrowing while her own car is being repaired. Ashley unlocks it with a flourish.

"Snacks, homework, complaining, and your couch? Peak Monday vibes."

Tracy smiles softly. "Yeah. Home sounds perfect."

They climb inside and shut the doors, backpacks dropping to the floorboards.

But as they pull out of the lot, Tracy goes quiet.
Too quiet.

Something in her chest twists — a weight she doesn't understand yet.

And inside the house, they're driving toward...
Cardboard moving boxes already wait in the corner of the living room.

Far away in Reefside, the pink glow pulses again.

Awakening.

Choosing.

Coming closer.