[Beside him, two pairs of booted feet come clumping up. It's Bulk and
 Skull, bedecked in heavy leather biker gear. A multi-coloured mohawk
 crests Bulk's helmet.]

 Bulk : Better be prepared to hit the dirt ... 'cause that's all
        you're gonna hit.
Skull : Yeah. You'll be eating our dust all the way across the
        finish line.

[This boast catches the attention of Kimberly and Billy, who are also
 gearing up for the race. As might be expected, their preparations are
 worlds apart: Billy, without his trademark glasses for once, makes
 notes on the back of a map; beside him, Kimberly applies lipstick
 in front of a hand mirror.]

[Bulk and Skull laugh. Skull jerks his hand across his chest in
 imitation of a tough pledge.]

Kimberly : Please, you guys. This is not about winning.

[She turns to Billy, who shakes his head in the classic "Just ignore
 them" gesture. In the background, Skull excitedly plonks himself onto
 one of the bikes. Glaring, Bulk hauls him off and starts to take his
 place.]

[Tommy observes these antics with a smile on his face, resting his
 left foot upon the racer he and Jason are working on. Jason is still
 crouched over the vehicle, finalising his adjustments.]

[In the background, Mr Caplan and the other man are conferring with
 a third official, this one holding the chequered flag. As they speak,
 a fourth strolls over to join them, hands in pockets.]

Tommy : [referring to Bulk and Skull] Well, you've got to hand it
        to them. They certainly don't lack for confidence. [chuckles]
Jason : [straightens up, finished] That's for sure.
        [to others] Guys, we got work to do.
Billy : Right. Let's take a look at our maps.

[Billy carries his map over to Jason and Tommy, following Zack and
 Trini. Kimberly gets off her bike and follows, her excitement clear
 from the lightness of her step.]

[Zoom in on the Moon Palace. Rita is peeking through her telescope,
 laughing excitedly. As she speaks, she turns and steps towards Baboo
 and Squatt.]

  Rita : Ah-ha-ha! They're right there for us, Goldar.
Goldar : [off-screen] Yes, my Queen.
  Rita : This is perfect!
Squatt : Ooh!

[Goldar is now revealed on a separate shot, standing beside a grinning
 Scorpina.]

Scorpina : We'll get them, finally!
  Goldar : Yess.

[Just then, surges of lightning illuminate a frontal shot of the
 Palace. Disembodied evil laughter sounds. On the now-shaking Balcony,
 Rita shrieks and loses her footing, Wand flying from her startled
 hand. Her minions rush to her side.]

Rita : Arggh! What's going on?

[She moans before the onslaught of flashing light. Baboo and Squatt
 hug each other fearfully. Goldar, on the other hand, seems almost ...
 excited.]

Goldar : This can only mean one thing: Lord Zedd, the true Emperor,
         has returned!
  Rita : [sick with fear] Uhh ... oh, my gosshh ...

[Back on Earth, the motor marathon is about to begin. The onlookers
 watch the racers donning their helmets.]

Mr Caplan : [via megaphone] Now, remember. The only way to reach your
            final destination is by solving the clues on the map
            you've all been given. So, good luck, and drive safely!

[Pan across the cheering crowd; one excited woman jostles a dog in
 her arms as she bounces up and down. Now sitting aboard her racer,
 Kimberly lowers her goggles into place.]

Kimberly : [to Billy] Ready?

[Billy nods and starts to do the same. Behind them, Bulk and Skull
 are also ready to go. A hyped-up Bulk bashes his head against Skull's
 and roars.]

Mr Caplan : On your marks, get set, go! [drops flag]

[The bikes set off.]

Mr Caplan : [as they pass] And may the best racer win!

[Several shots of the bikers follow: first from the rear; then from
 the front, showing the Rangers; then a side shot, then another
 frontal shot.]

[Individually focus on each Ranger: Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Zack,
 Billy, and finally Tommy. Each bike is marked, not surprisingly,
 with a Ranger-coloured flag.]

[As the four-wheelers roar away, the focus shifts to a darkening sky.
 Thunder rumbles and lightning flashes.]

[Inside the Moon Palace, a cowering Baboo and Squatt hug each other
 again. Another shot shows Rita(now standing again, with Wand in hand)
 and her minions(minus Scorpina) on the Balcony.]

Rita : [frantically] Oh, no! Where is he? Where IS he?!

[A sinister being appears, shown from the waist up. His skinless body
 is a mass of highly developed red muscle, reinforced by silvery metal
 and served by a system of artificial veins. His mouth is covered by a
 grille; his eyes are concealed behind a red visor. Most disconcerting
 of all, his brain is open, exposed - he has no skull.]

[The dark lord's voice is cold and ruthless.]

Figure : I am Lord Zedd, Emperor of all I see.

[White energy flows through one of Lord Zedd's artificial veins,
 gathering in his right hand. He looses a bolt of lightning onto
 the Balcony, demonstrating but a taste of his true power.]

Lord Zedd : You have failed to complete the mission assigned to you.
            -I- will now resume command. Prepare the Palace for my
            return! [fires off another blast]

[Rita and her minions duck as a red bolt sweeps past them, carrying
 the essence of their dark master. A quick shot of Baboo and Squatt
 cowering is followed by an exterior shot of the Palace, highlighted
 by further bolts of lightning. Inside Finster's workshop, the clay
 monsters shake, and a cabinet falls over. Lightning flashes above
 a cliff somewhere.]

[Out on the Balcony, Goldar is the first to recover.]

Goldar : Lord Zedd has returned.
  Rita : [growling] Oh, he's gonna ruin everything!
 Baboo : But ... but where -is- Lord Zedd?
Goldar : Where he belongs: his Chamber of Command! [points inside]
  Rita : [sickly] Oohh ... I've got such a headache.
Goldar : Deal with it! I'm going to meet my Emperor. [leaves]
  Rita : Hey, wait for me!
Squatt : [to Baboo] We should check this guy out. Come on! Heehee!

[They set off to find Lord Zedd.]

[Cross back to Earth, focusing on the racers for a moment. Eerie
 thunder rumbles overhead, alerting Jason.]

Jason : What the heck was that? [to others] Hey, guys, pull up!

[The six of them turn off the track and remove their helmets. Jason
 runs a gloved hand over his rumpled hair.]

 Zack : What's the matter, Jase?
Jason : I don't know. Do you hear that?
Billy : Well, it might be thunder, but ... I don't think so.
 Zack : We should probably keep an eye on our communicators in case
        Zordon tries to get in touch.
Jason : I agree. Something doesn't feel right.
Tommy : Let's be sure we stick together.
Billy : According to my calculations, the next clue should be that
        formation of rocks up there. [points off-screen]
Jason : [looks in that direction] Let's go.

[Thunder continues to rumble as they put their helmets back on.]

[Cross to a shot of the lunar surface and then to a never-before-seen
 shot of the Moon Palace, heralded by imperialistic music. Lightning
 licks onto a balcony, highlighting an air purifier within. Its blades
 rotate smoothly, cleansing the Chamber of Command as Goldar enters.]

[The gold warrior halts before an empty pedestal in the middle of the
 room, waiting expectantly. Above him, on a gallery marked by a 'Z',
 Baboo and Squatt are watching. They shush each other and mysteriously
 teleport away.]

[In a flash of lightning and a puff of smoke, a granite throne appears
 upon the pedestal. Its back also bears the 'Z' insignia, throbbing
 with power.]

Goldar : [shielding eyes] I welcome you back, my Emperor!

[Golden energy traces the 'Z'-shape as the throne turns around. Lord
 Zedd is sitting there, silently menacing. Fluid sloshes through his
 artifical veins, and his right fist opens into a grasping claw. A red
 light blazes behind his visor. From this angle, it can now be seen
 that a curved spike protrudes from the top of his facemask; shortly,
 it will be seen that the tip of the spike is also 'Z'-shaped.]

[Goldar moans and shivers at the sight of a snake slithering through
 his master's hands. Finally, the dark lord stands, infusing the slimy
 creature with crimson power. It transforms into a silver staff,
 crowned with a 'Z'.]

[A measured silence falls.]

Lord Zedd : [tersely] I am Lord Zedd. Identify yourself.
   Goldar : Excellency, surely you remember me? Goldar, your
            faithful servant.
Lord Zedd : Ah, yes, Goldar. The -grovelling- one.
   Goldar : [bowing] I surrender myself to serve and obey you only.
            It is good to have you back, Lord Zedd.
Lord Zedd : Your spineless, snivelling attitude leads me to believe
            you will serve me well.
   Goldar : [pleased] Yesss ...
Lord Zedd : For that, I shall restore to you what was once taken away.

[Lord Zedd raises his staff. Power runs through it, zapping Goldar and
 restoring his wings.]

   Goldar : Lord Zedd, I thank you. You will not regret this.
Lord Zedd : See that I don't. [turns to the left] Now, where are
            the Earthlings that the incompetent Rita Repulsa was
            unable to defeat?

[As he speaks, a red beam projects from his visor towards the distant
 Earth, picking up the motor marathon.]

[Rita, waiting outside, chooses this moment to enter.]

Rita : [grovelling] Ahh, my brave and powerful Lord Zedd. Whoa-hoa!
       What a pleasant surprise. Welcome! How can I be of service
       to you? [to Goldar] Traitor!

[She kneels before the throne.]

     Rita : Oh, Lord Zedd, give me another chance. I will not fail
            again!
Lord Zedd : QUIET!

[Baboo and Squatt are excitedly watching through peepholes outside the
 chamber. Bluish light shines onto their faces.]

Lord Zedd : Those Power Rangers are nothing but mere infants! You were
            defeated by CHILDREN! You dare call yourself an Empress of
            Evil? You are not fit to destroy a COCKROACH!
   Goldar : I have always said that, my lord.
     Rita : You gold-bellied rat!

[Goldar laughs in his former Empress's face.]

Lord Zedd : [glowing red] You have made me very ANGRY!

[Rita covers her face and moans(Rita: Oh, no.).]

[Focus on Baboo's eye peeking through one of the peepholes. Red light
 surrounds it, touching the faces of the lowly pair without.]

Baboo : Oh, how very interesting! The Chamber of Command changes its
        colour along with Lord Zedd's mood.

[The Command Center alarm starts blaring.]

 Alpha : Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi!
Zordon : Alpha, activate the intergalactic scanners.
 Alpha : Right away, Zordon. [pushes buttons]
Zordon : If my suspicions are correct, we may have some very dire
         circumstances to deal with. Contact the Power Rangers
         at once.
 Alpha : Yes, Zordon. I'll locate them and transport them here
         immediately.

[Cross to a side-shot of the racers. Jason is in the lead, closely
 followed by Tommy and Zack. Kimberly and Trini are not far behind,
 with Billy bringing up the rear. Jason's communicator sounds.]

Jason : [to communicator] Hang on, Alpha. [glances over shoulder]
        I'll round up the others.

[Jason turns off the track again, followed by Zack, who has overtaken
 Tommy. This is followed by a shot of Tommy; one of Kimberly, Trini,
 and Billy on their bikes; and one of Kimberly looking over her
 shoulder.]

[Billy is the last to arrive. He removes his helmet and dismounts,
 joining Tommy, Zack, and Trini as they gather around Jason. A few
 moments later, Kimberly hurries over as well; by the time she gets
 there, the following conversation has begun.]

         Jason : [to communicator] We read you, Zordon.
Zordon's voice : Rangers, teleport to the Command Center immediately.
                 This is an emergency.
         Jason : [to communicator] We're on our way.
         Trini : [worried] What do you think it could be?
         Jason : I don't know. Are we clear, Tommy?
         Tommy : [after looking around] Clear.

[The Rangers turn their backs and teleport away, beaming into the
 Command Center behind Alpha.]

 Alpha : Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!
 Jason : [stepping forward] What's going on, Zordon?
  Zack : What's the emergency?
Zordon : Power Rangers, the thing I have feared most has happened.
         Lord Zedd has returned.
 Billy : Who's Lord Zedd?

[Troubled, Jason looks to his fellow Rangers for a moment.]

  Zordon : Rita and her minions' lord and master.
Kimberly : [worried] You mean there's somebody worse than Rita?
  Zordon : I'm afraid so. Lord Zedd has been ruling over darker
           places within another galaxy. Eons ago, he left Rita
           in charge to carry out his orders. Since she has failed
           to do so-
   Trini : [finishing] He's come back to finish the job.
   Tommy : Will we be able to defeat him, Zordon?
  Zordon : I do not know, Rangers. I'm afraid your Zords may not be
           powerful enough to defeat Lord Zedd's magic.

[Jason blinks, trying to absorb this information. He turns to Alpha,
 who can only reinforce the grim possibility ... ]

Alpha : Lord Zedd's power is unmatched by anything we've ever seen
        before!

[Jason and Zack exchange uneasy glances. Beside them, Billy examines
 a computer printout over Alpha's shoulder.]

[Cross to an exterior shot of the Moon Palace, for all intents and
 purposes the property of Lord Zedd once more. Inside the Chamber of
 Command, Rita submissively plants hand-kisses on her master's lower
 leg and foot.]

Lord Zedd : [completely ignoring her] So, poor old Zordon is still
            around, eh? Little does he realise his pitiful teenage
            do-gooders are no match for me.
   Goldar : Might -I- suggest we send down a group of Putties to
            attack the Rangers? They're in the open and will be easy
            prey.

[Lord Zedd roars with laughter.]

Lord Zedd : Your Putties are as useless to me as you are! I have my
            own army of Putties, the likes of which you have never
            seen.
   Goldar : [laughs nervously] Of course.
Lord Zedd : Observe, you simpering fool. [turns]

[His staff sizzles; a gibbering Putty Patroller appears on a set of
 steps across the chamber. It is lighter than one of Rita's Putties
 and bears a large, circular 'Z' badge on its chest.]

[A second Putty appears, followed by a third and a fourth, then a
 fifth and a sixth. The sixth raises its hands like a bogeyman.]

[The Putties drop arms and stand to attention, awaiting command.]

Lord Zedd : And now to energise them! Hahahahaha!

[His staff zaps the 'Z' badges; the Putties rock back slightly as
 they receive the power.]

[Back on Earth, Bulk and Skull are puttering through the race when
 they hear the same sounds as Jason did earlier. Skull takes his
 eyes off the road, musing skywards ... ]

Skull : Huh! Those are really loud clouds. You don't hear many
        of those these-

[He is so focused on the clouds that he runs into a large rock and
 goes flying. Bulk screams and follows suit, both of them ending up
 on the branch of a tree. Well, actually, Bulk lands ON the branch,
 and Skull dangles underneath. From the sound of things, a family
 of birds has had quite a surprise ... ]

 Bulk : [hauls Skull up] -Now- look what you've done.
Skull : [wretchedly] What did I do? I just-
 Bulk : You'd better hope those four-wheelers start. [releases Skull]
Skull : Oh, don't worry. I'm sure it's just a little dent.

[Brief passage of time - oil is dribbling from one of the smoking
 bikes onto the rock. Skull squats nearby, studying the scene.]

Bulk : [dryly] Just a dent, huh?

[Skull scoops up some of the oil and sniffs it.]

Skull : Uh-uh. I think it's oil. [nods firmly]

[Bulk sarcastically claps Skull on the shoulder and steps closer to
 the smashed-up bikes.]

 Bulk : [petulantly] What are we supposed to do now? We'll never make
        it to the finish.
Skull : Uh-uh-uh-uh! [produces map] We still have the map.

[Bulk snatches it.]

Skull : Maybe we can make it there by foot.

[The eerie thunder rumbles again ... ]

 Both : Whoa.
Skull : Bulky, I think something weird is going on.
 Bulk : [stares at Skull] Yeah. I'm looking at it.

[Confused, Skull turns around to see if he can spot it, too. While
 he's looking, the thunder peals again.]

Both : Whoa!
Bulk : Come on! Come on!

[Yammering with fright, they run off(in sped-up footage).]

[Cross to another shot of Lord Zedd's Palace, revealing a crimson
 glow around the Chamber of Command. Inside, Rita continues pleading
 with her impassive master.]

  Rita : [desperately] Oh, Lord Zedd, -please- let me send down
         another monster. I'll prove to you that I can finish the job!
Goldar : [gloating] I don't think so!
  Rita : Zip it, you gold monkey!

[Goldar growls to himself. Lord Zedd leans closer to Rita, as if
 addressing a child.]

Lord Zedd : Your days of control are over. There will be no other
            chances.
     Rita : Can't we talk?
Lord Zedd : [coldly] Silence! I have spoken.
     Rita : [drops Wand, bawling] Oh, nooo!!
Lord Zedd : I hereby strip you of the powers that you've squandered.

[Energy runs down his left arm, into his hand, into his staff ... and
 onto Rita's dropped Wand, causing it to vanish without trace.]

Lord Zedd : Putties, bring our fallen Empress her travelling vehicle.

[A pair of Putties arrives with a miniature version of the dumpster
 from 'Day of the Dumpster'.]

  Rita : [sickly] Not again!
Goldar : [loving every minute of this] Yes, her travelling vehicle.
         Heh-heh-heh! Ah, good!

[The Putties place the dumpster beside Rita. They depart as Goldar
 approaches.]

     Rita : No, please! This can't be happening ...
Lord Zedd : [ruthlessly] You are now, and forevermore, banished from
            this place and from my sight.

[His staff crackles again, this time blasting Rita, who begins to
 shrink. White energy strikes her twice more as she diminishes, and
 once more at the end.]

Rita : [throughout] Ohhhh, I'm shrinking! Ohhhh ... owwww....
       I'm shrinking ... What a planet ...

[Goldar laughs and walks towards the tiny Rita, who is now smaller
 than the dumpster. He reaches down to pick her up.]

Rita : [furiously] You won't get away with this!

[Lord Zedd roars again. Goldar places Rita inside the dumpster.]

Rita : Put me down! Release me!

[Lord Zedd continues laughing.]

   Goldar : It's been fun! [closes lid]
     Rita : LET ME OUTTA HERE!
Lord Zedd : And now I'll hurl you into the farthest reaches of the
            universe. [gestures towards Balcony] Putties.

[The Putties carry the dumpster out to the Balcony. Lord Zedd watches
 them go by, chuckling, and sits back on his throne. With nothing to
 lose, Rita is openly firing threats ... ]

Rita's voice : Why, you! I oughta ... You'll pay for this, Lord Zedd!
   Lord Zedd : [taps fingers on armrest] Hurry, Putties. Time is
               wasting! [zaps dumpster]

[The Putties hurl the enchanted prison into space; one of them waves
 goodbye.]

[Focus upon the floating dumpster, crossing over to Rita as she
 speaks. Her face is inexplicably shadowed.]

Rita : I'll be back! You haven't seen the last of Rita Repulsa!
       [cackles]

[Back in the Chamber of Command, Lord Zedd spins around on his
 throne.]

Lord Zedd : Now that that is taken care of, it is time to finish
            off those Power Rangers. Send down MY Putties!

[On Earth, Bulk and Skull have stumbled upon the Rangers' abandoned
 bikes.]

Skull : Hey!
 Bulk : Hey, it's their four-wheelers.
Skull : I wonder what happened to those geeks? [looks around]
 Bulk : [craftily] Who cares? We have their bikes.

[Both laugh. Skull points at Bulk in an impressed way.]

[A Putty Patroller materialises nearby, followed by three more. Bulk
 and Skull exchange looks and scream, the latter pointing towards the
 evil soldiers. The first Putty 'stumblesaults' over a bush. Others
 close in around the panicking pair.]

[Over in the Command Center, Alpha is watching the (offscreen) Viewing
 Globe. The Rangers are in the background, facing control panels, and
 walk over to him as he speaks.]

Alpha : Ai-yi-yi! Rangers, come quick!
Jason : What is it, Alpha?
Alpha : [points] Look!

[The Rangers observe the Viewing Globe, which shows five Putties
 surrounding Bulk and Skull.]

   Billy : Bulk and Skull.
Kimberly : Um ... [turns to Zordon] ... they don't look like your
           normal run-of-the-mill Putties.
  Zordon : They are Lord Zedd's new army of Putties. I'm afraid
           they will be significantly more difficult to defeat.
    Zack : I bet this attack was meant for us.
   Trini : We've got to get there before they hurt Bulk and Skull.

[Kimberly nods.]

Jason : It's Morphin' Time!

[All reach for their Morphers, and the Morphing Sequence begins.]

   Tommy : Dragonzord! [morphs into the Green Ranger]
    Zack : Mastodon! [morphs into the Black Ranger]
Kimberly : Pterodactyl! [morphs into the Pink Ranger]
   Billy : Triceratops! [morphs into the Blue Ranger]
   Trini : Sabre-toothed Tiger! [morphs into the Yellow Ranger]
   Jason : Tyrannosaurus! [morphs into the Red Ranger]

[Out in the wilderness, the Power Rangers come somersaulting over the
 abandoned bikes - Red, followed by Blue; Green and Yellow together;
 Black, and then Pink. They charge the Putties, who run off-screen.]

Skull : W-w-wait a sec!

[Bulk yanks him away by the hair, but quickly releases his grip.]

Red Ranger : [to Bulk and Skull] Watch your backs and stay alert!

[Bulk and Skull take cover by a bush as the Rangers go into battle
 stance. Lord Zedd's Putties regroup; the Morphin warriors renew
 their fighting poses.]

Bulk : The Power Rangers!

[The Rangers run off-screen, Black and Yellow lagging a little.]

Skull : [laughs and makes fist] We're saved!

[One by one, the Rangers begin to adopt fight stance yet again.]

Bulk & Skull : We love you!

[The Pink Ranger enters battle stance, completing the sequence. Three
 Putties edge on-screen, the Rangers charge, several more Patrollers
 respond in kind, and combat (finally) begins.]

[CENSORSHIP ALERT - ITV, UK.]

{In the following scene, ITV chops the Red Ranger's attacks, showing  only he and the Yellow Ranger flipping. Because of this, the bit with  the Putty landing near Bulk and Skull(and their panicking) is mostly  chopped, as it would make no sense. A tiny portion is shown(once the  Putty is safely offscreen).}

{The Red Ranger's later double-kick is chopped as well.}

[The Red and Yellow Rangers flip across the grass. Reacting with his
 usual speed, the Red Ranger blocks a Putty's kick, blocks its punch,
 strikes the soldier, and kicks it off-screen.]

[The Putty lands near Bulk and Skull, who scream. Ignoring them, it
 gets back up and rejoins the fray.]