Power rangers: Nature Force

Episode 1: Forces of Nature part one

Aeons ago, Earth was named Gaea, humanity was but a nascent species, and life was wildly different. Lush fauna the likes of which never made it to the modern age; sparkling seas and verdant fields, accented by sprawling rivers and gleaming lakes; clean, crisp air, rich in oxygen; wondrous, spectacular animals roaming by the hundreds. Such was the world the old gods inhabited. Ruled over by Zeus and Hera, they did as they pleased, and all but flourished, building enormous monoliths, fearsome weapons, and more. With what they called magic, in truth a careful manipulation of energy and matter, they governed the laws of the rock they called home.

    Artemis paced, the grass underfoot growing flatter by the minute. The garden was always her go-to place for thinking, and this was no exception. With smells of lavender and olive trees mingling in the air, it was just the place to make sense of one’s thoughts. It was a much-needed escape, especially after recent events. Her brother and Ares had both made such complex gifts for the humans, each hoping to foster their own ideals in the denizens beneath the mountain. Yet here she was, Goddess of the Hunt, stymied by what should be a simple task. ‘Apollo’s necklace was stunning, but he made that to give the humans a bit more...flair. Ares just wanted them to have more ambition, and his gauntlets -- simple as they are -- reflect that. But...I don’t want that. I want to give them something to protect themselves with, something that’s not Athena’s enhanced intelligence. A bow? No, that’s too easy. A sword? ...Eh, Hephaestus is too busy as it is...A necklace? No...’ She stopped, and blinked, cerulean eyes lighting up in realization. ‘Wait, the necklace...Oh!’ She gasped, rushing over to the pedestal.

Artemis focused on what she wanted to bestow upon humanity, steadily bringing her gift into existence. After a few moments, arcs of multicolored lightning burst from her hands before shooting towards seven points. Lights pulsed, a veritable rainbow of colors shining as crystals began to form. The goddess exhaled, and her magic subsided. Upon the pedestal were seven diamond-like crystals, each colored differently from the last. ‘Ah...at last, it is done,’ Artemis breathed as she admired her work. “A gift to aid humanity. A gift to aid their hunts. Perfect!”
  
  It was but ages later that her optimism proved itself wrong. As humans developed, they fought over the artifacts as dogs would over meat due to Ares endowing them with ambition. Blood, death, famine, all over the stones she was so sure would be used for the hunt, would bring humanity into a new age of prosperity. Artemis found herself wandering her garden one evening, her mind once again a maelstrom of thoughts. As she paced, a familiar voice coiled through the air, causing her to tense.

“Honestly, Ar, they humans didn’t need those pesky stones. Athena made them as smart as they are, and you, in your hopes, just fed them another weapon to use. What did you think would happen?” A brown-haired maiden strolled out from the shade of a nearby oak, her gaze settling on the gems. “Not to mention that you’re also Goddess of Animals and Plants, as well. You deemed them sacred, no?” Vibrant blue met gleaming gold, and Artemis glowered. “Khrusa, you know as well as I do that the humans do not have inherent ways to defend themselves. Tigers have claws and enhanced smell, birds can fly, plants have poisons in them of all things, but humans are...fragile. They just have their brains, and that is only because Athena gifted them knowledge.” Khrusa’s expression withered slightly. “And yet you sought to empower them further; surely you remember that knowledge is the reason Zeus is the one leading us all? The reason we no longer live under the Titans’ rule?” Khrusa moved further out of the dark,

“Feh! If you saw fit to make the animals and the plants so important, why let them be hunted by the humans? Even now, they take more than they should, and it’s only been a few millennia. What of the future, hmm? What will you do then? These crystals of yours could be of more use in our hands.” A gleam entered her eye before she continued. “Just think of the possibilities!” Facing the brunette, Artemis spoke, her words tinged with irritation. “I declared animals and plants sacred to keep humanity from overhunting. After all, if you eliminate too many of the young animals, there can be no hunt later on. And as for your latter statement, no. Those are meant to be humanity’s gifts, not ours.” Their debate carried on for a good while, each growing more volatile as the seconds ticked by.