Episode 2: New Friendship

Episode 2: New Friendship

Characters:

Ren/Renger - Air Ranger | 15 years old

Prototype B16 - Mecha created by Hyper-6 and Super-11

Director-General Zheng - Unknown Ranger | 45 years old

Summary:

December 6, 2024 | 10:15 PM | Xinyi District | Taipei City, Taiwan

As Kepler continues his flight, the sprinkles and patches of light quickly change into a dazzling array of lights as he gets closer to the city of Taipei. Kepler's appearance in the sky resembles a falling star and catches the attention of the residents below. Some people are taking their phones out to take a picture while some are simply staring in awe.

"Whoa, what is that?" a boy points to the sky.

"I don't remember any falling star alert in the news..." his mother utters.

"It's a miracle, a sign of good luck!" An old woman interrupts as they walk on the street.

As Kepler prepares for a landing, he is baffled by what looks like an eye watching him on the clouds. He tries to look again but on a second look, it disappears.

"I swear...", Kepler whispers.

On the ground below in the Xinyi District, a rampaging mecha is attacking innocent people. The machine is malfunctioning and is shooting bullets at random people.

Character Introduction: Prototype-B16

"Help!", a civilian shouts. A huge piece of debris is about to fall near her.

"I'm coming!", a police officer replies.

The police officer dashes to save the civilian from falling debris.

The police officers are trying to stop and restrict the machine but are struggling. The fight below is suddenly interrupted by an intense glow in the sky. Everyone stares at Kepler including the mecha.

As the fight comes to a short pause, an aspiring superhero is changing into a superhero costume in an alleyway.

Character Introduction: Ren/Renger | 15 years old | Air Ranger.

The sudden appearance of a bright light startles him so he peeks outside the alley. He thinks he is seeing a falling star so he closes his eyes.

"I want to be Taiwan's next superhero," he wishes as he struggles to put on the costume.

After a few attempts, he finishes changing into his costume and charges to the fight.

"You are done for, mecha!", Ren summons a strong gust of wind towards the machine. The mecha seems unbothered by it and continues to shoot projectiles everywhere as the police officers struggle.

"Okay, that didn't work," Ren whispers.

"What is happening?!", suddenly confused people are asking for help as they run away from the building.

"Air bullets!", Ren uses his fingers as air guns and pushes innocent people away from the danger. The mecha senses his presence and shifts his attention to him.

"Oh, no...", Ren says.

Ren creates an orb of wind and throws it below the robot. The attack pushes Prototype-B16 up in the air. The mecha transforms into an aircraft and rains down bullets at the air ranger.

Ren avoids the attacks by hopping from one building to another. Ren summons a small tornado around Prototype-B16 which restricts the machine.

"Return to dust!" Ren yells as he charges to the mecha.

He covers his right fist with his aura and flies to the target but before he can land the attack an immense light swoops down and destroys the mecha in one strike.

Everyone is surprised at the sudden appearance of Kepler. The crowd cheers as the commotion is finally over. As Kepler awkwardly stands in front of everyone, a man in a police uniform runs to him and offers him his hand.

Character Introduction: Director General Zheng | 45 Years Old | Unknown Ranger

"Thanks for saving us," Director General Zheng reaches out his hand.

"Uh, you're welcome," Kepler accepts his hand.

"We have been having a hard time dealing with that mecha since Maelstrom is absent," DG Zheng explains.

"Maelstrom?", Kepler asks.

"He is Taiwan's only official superhero. He is supposed to be patrolling the city with us but he disappeared a few hours ago...", DG Zheng explains.

"Superhero?" Kepler asks.

"Never heard of one?", DG Zheng questions.

Kepler shakes his head.

"All right, as part of our tradition, it's time to take a picture with our hero!" DG Zheng looks at the crowd.

An entire swarm of people are about to charge to them as Kepler looks around. As he looks to his right side, he notices a teenage boy trying to grab his attention. The boy makes a gesture and then disappears.

"Uh, that's a lot of people. Help me, " Kepler utters under his breath when suddenly someone taps his back. The entire crowd stops looking confused.

"Where did he go?", a civilian wonders.

"What do you mean, he is right he-," DG Zheng stops when he notices that Kepler disappeared.

"They can't see me?", Kepler tries to wave at the crowd.

"Nor they can hear you," The same boy from earlier suddenly reappears behind him.

"Wait, who are you?", Kepler looks behind him.

"My name is Ren, you can also call me by my superhero name Renger," Ren reaches out his hand.

"I thought there's only one superhero in Taiwan?", Kepler questions.

"Well, only one that is official. ", Ren explains.

"So, an illegal superhero?", Kepler asks seriously.

"What no! I like to call myself an aspiring one," Ren corrects him.

"It's okay, I've done illegal things too," Kepler whispers to Ren.

"I don't think I need to know about that," Ren says.

"Anyway, let's get out of here," Ren floats in front of him.

"On your lead," Kepler answers.

The two escape the scene of confused civilians. They fly across buildings as they introduce each other.

"I forgot to ask for your name," Ren says.

"My name is Kepler," Kepler briefly answers.

"And what type of ranger are you?", Ren asks.

"I am an unmarked ranger, I don't have any," Kepler replies.

"Hmmm, that's weird everyone has a mark that signifies their powers. You seem to be able to fly really fast, which is usually an ability of an air ranger or fire. But you don't seem like one.", Ren investigates.

"My keeper used to tell me before that I can fly at hypersonic speeds," Kepler says.

"Hypersonic?! That's not supposed to be possible. That means you are special, a special ranger.", Ren says.

"Where are we going?", Kepler is stunned by being labeled as special but manages to ask a question.

"To my favorite place in Taipei," Ren smiles.

"Are you sure no one is going to see us?", Kepler looks below them.

"Of course, my cloud-shroud ability lets me cloak things, people, and even sounds! I'm an air ranger, a very useful one.", Ren hypes himself up.

"Look, my emblem is on my forehead," Ren looks at Kepler smiling.

"Cool... what does that mean?", Kepler asks.

"It means we're special! Or at least that's what they say. My cloud shroud ability is quite rare too.", Ren replies.

"My idol, Maelstrom is also an air ranger who has the emblem on his forehead. It makes me feel connected to him somehow. Yet I've never talked to him in person. I was hoping to fight alongside him tonight but he was gone.", Ren adds.

"I wonder why...", Kepler utters.

"Hey, that's it! We're already here. Race you to the top!", Ren energetically challenges him.