Written by BigD1987, Power Rangers GPX is an original Power Rangers fic described as "Power Rangers on Power Metal and infused with realism, some slight parody and Lampshade Hanging, with some Gurren Lagann added to the mix. And Sailor Moon villains. And maybe, a little social commentary."Taking place in an alternate universe to the main Power Rangers 'verse, the story goes like this: Fifty years prior to the beginning of the story, some scientists and engineers began working on a cloth that could withstand colder temperatures after the Korean War, but also to protect soldiers. Eventually, they discovered a universal bio-electric field, which led to unbelievable advances in technology. About 15 years before the story, SETI discovers a signal from another world. At first they are excited about it, until they discover that it is a distress signal from another world. The United Nations panics and looks for options to stop this invasion when MIT scientists involved in the suit project give their proposal to the U.N. The U.N. likes this plan and agrees to it.Fifteen years later, the invasion has begun. Colonel Alan Greene of the United States army calls together five individuals who were trained as part of this project from their youth to Tokyo to become Power Rangers. The candidates, American Sean O' Callahan, Irishman Kevin O' Donnell, Venezuelan Maria Aparicio, and Japanese siblings Daisuke and Hitomi Miyazawa are at first skeptical until they are forced into becoming Rangers, thrust into a conflict with the Zordonian Empire.GPX is an interesting story. At first sloppily presented, it starts building momentum as the story gets going, and according to the text, is heading towards one hell of a Grand Finale... and that's only the first part. The story is probably different from its source material in that it is more adult or young adult-oriented than regular Power Rangers. The story gleefully plays around with its tropes. It could be a Deconstruction one moment, play its tropes straight in another, parody them the next and then veer right into a Reconstruction the next, sometimes within the same chapter. Also, the villains are (admittedly) clones / rip-offs of Sailor Moon villains. Of course, the story also has fun with itself, including the aforementioned Lampshade Hanging and minor parodying of itself. The realism portion is simply adding more realistic elements into Power Rangers, like the Rangers trying to prevent any property damage, or the universal bio-electric field, implied to be the Morphing Grid. Also, this will probably be the only story where the Rangers actually change their suits mid-story.Part One has been completed, and Part 2 has been posted. The story relocates to Orlando, Florida, and a new Green Ranger, Mandla Ndebele, is introduced. Another Ranger, the Silver Ranger, has also been introduced. A sequel entitled "Power Rangers GPX Supercharged" has also been announced, set in Madison, Wisconsin. Another sequel, "Madison Days" has also been announced. Both are separate timelines, with "Madison Days" being a look at the Rangers getting the peaceful ending they deserved.Part 1 has been "re-posted", albeit in an edited and re-written form with a lot of potential for Retcon, which has already begun. Also, an Alternate Universe version has been published, set at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A side-stories collection has also been posted, focusing on SIU, as well as a prequel detailing how the Rangers will get their powers.The character sheet is available here. Part 1 can be read here, Part 2 here, and SIUhere. SIU's prequel can be read here.
Averted in SIU where they live in separate buildings.
In the Name of the Moon / Super Sentai Stance: Lampshaded, parodied, and dropped. Sean hates having to do it, because he finds it silly. Eventually Reconstructed. It's lampshaded again in Part 2, and Sean still hates it.
Mocked more directly in SIU where Hitomi says this nearly word-for-word but is shot down by Maria.
Hitomi: "In the name of SWORD, we shall punish you!"
Ronald: "Um, what?"
Maria': "Hitomi, Sailor Moon taunts never work in real life."
Monster of the Week: Not so much, since there have been 23 episodes and there have been only 9 MOTW so far.
Also a variation between the two continuities. In the main story, they're implied to be something akin to mercenaries (except for the robot enemies) while in the SIU universe, they're alchemically created using clay and objects such as teddy bears.
Elite Mooks: Both in the original and in SIU (although in that one, the elites are used more than the main ones)
Rag Tag Bunch Of Misfits: A hockey player, a former Irish Defense Forces soldier, an heir and his sister, an exile, a college student and a former United States Marine fight aliens and alchemists.
Transformation Is a Free Action: Generally justified. When forming the megazord, the zords fire some cables at the big monster to keep it in place for them to transform. Also, the Rangers just morph in a flash of light.
But sometimes subverted. The Zordonians have recognized the Rangers are at their most vulnerable when they're about to morph, so one MOTW attacks Sean and Hitomi before they morph.
Clark Kenting: Played around with. Early on, it looked as though the Rangers weren't trying to hide their identities, although that might be kind of justified due to those early battles taking place in the middle of the street. However by Part 2, they covered up their faces with handkerchiefs and sunglasses. After that, they morphed before leaving the house they share.
In SIU, this is mostly averted with them simply covering their faces when in Carbondale or morphing way from public eyes.
Cool Car: All over the place! The GP Cruiser is a Hummer H2, and the zords are big cars.
GT Racer (Red): GT race car
Touring Racer (Blue): Touring car
Mountain Hauler (Green): Pick-up truck
Haz Runner (Yellow): Hazmat vehicle
Am Chaser (Pink): Ambulance
Fiction500: The Miyazawa family not only owns one of Japan's most successful department store chains, but they also own stock in other chains like Macy's. It's not too much of a stretch to assume they may be at least partially funding Project Ranger.
It's been confirmed they are funding Project Ranger.
Hot Blooded: Sean and Kevin. We haven't seen that yet, though, but he has shown hot bloodedness. Apparently the author is waiting for the right moment for Sean to unleash his full hot-blooded potential. Eventually, he gets so Hot Blooded, it's implied that it's able to push the suits to their maximum potential.
Super Soldier: When you think about it, that's what the Rangers are. Of course, it's implied in text that they're not genetically enhanced, and they think for themselves. But they are an example of The Spartan Way making Super Soldiers.
In episode 6, the Rangers badmouth Dominio's Pizza (which they're eating!) and Code Geass.
Disney even gets on the receiving end of a zinger in the final chapter... when they're at Disney World.
Sean himself is a Take That to Shinji Ikari. Word Of God says he hated the show so much that he set out to create an anti-Shinji, which resulted in Sean. The story itself is another Take That aimed at Evangelion, what with the training, mentally stable Rangers and general support the Rangers got.
Talking Is a Free Action: Mocked. In Episode 15, Phaedos gets annoyed while the Rangers give their 'friendship' and 'unity' speeches. He even mocks them for it.
Tyke Bomb: The Rangers are a different type of TykeBomb. According to them, they had to take not only martial arts classes, but strategy, shooting, and all that, but they were able to lead normal lives. Apparently so they don't end up going nuts. Also, they've only been trained since they were 10, 9 and 7, respectively. Also, they think for themselves instead of having undying loyalty.
Achilles in His Tent: Zig-zagged with Daisuke. At first, he (and Hitomi) leaves the team because of some Creative Differences - ish grievances (he wanted to be the leader). And then instead him saving the team, they save him.
The Flash Rangers in episodes 31-33. They reconcile with the GPX Rangers when they realize they have a very common enemy.
Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene: Quite a bit of the story. In fact, there might be more of these than actual fight scenes!
Angrish: When Sean finds out that Rob is the Silver Ranger. He can't even think straight!
Ascended Meme: Deifed in Episode 15, when a staffer is about to say Sean's power level is over 9000, Col. Greene stops him from saying it. However, it's said in episode 33.
Asskicking Equals Authority: Rob wants some hostages to stay calm. Said hostages refuse to stay calm. Swabot attacks Rob. Rob beats the Swabot. The hostages calm down.
Rob: "Now are you going to listen?"
Back for the Finale: Toji-san, the Flash Rangers, Daisuke, Godai-san, Hikari and Pola-Killer.
Bad Ass: Apparently, the story seems to be trying to make Sean one. He pretty much becomes one by Episode 15.
Badass Normal: Toji-san, the Miyazawa bodyguard easily takes out some Swabots to rescue Shingo in Episode 15. Daisuke is also an example after he gives up his powers.
"We're Power Rangers! We don't quit, we don't surrender, and most importantly, WE DON'T LOSE!!!"
Sean: You'll see it in another universe. No matter who they are, be they witch or galactic conqueror, the result was the same; THEY LOST! AND THAT'S YOUR FATE AS WELL! Your conquest ended as soon as you picked a fight with us, Rashon! You're gonna PAY for everything you've done! And now YOU'RE gonna lose, just like the rest of the guys who challenged people like us! MESSIN' WITH THE POWER RANGERS IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU'VE EVER MADE!
Bears Are Bad News: Kind of subverted with a polar bear monster named Pola-Killer. Only thing is, he's a big softie like a big teddy bear. Hitomi even makes friends with him. Of course, we say "kind of" because he's turned vicious... and brings out Hitomi's Darkside, too.
The best is in, again, Episode 15 when the three western Rangers jump in to save Daisuke and Hitomi.
Big Que: When ever Maria gets flustered, she gives out a big, "¡¿QUE!?"
Sean when he finds out Project Ranger sent them an incomplete Silver Morpher.
Bilingual Bonus: There are several instances of foreign languages being used, such as Gaelic, Japanese and Spanish. Sean and Maria even have a short conversation in Spanish in Episode 11.
Camp: The author is obviously inspired by RPM and The Dark Knight Saga. Any Camp is either downplayed, mocked, blasted, deconstructed or done in a Gurren Lagann-style awesomemness.
Captain Ersatz: The Zordonian Empire is quite clearly (and admittedly) a clone of the Black Moon Clan from Sailor Moon. The author even takes it a step further by making the Quirky Miniboss Squad clones of the Shitennou from the first Sailor Moon season/arc.
Although, they don't share their exact personalities and even have different color schemes, so they can be seen as Expys.
Sean's personal weapon, the GT Sword, ends up becoming a weapon's version, a flat-out copy of the Master Sword from The Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess, although justified in this case, since he asked the UN to make it like the sword.
Cerebus Rollercoaster: Possibly, although it seems planned instead of coming out of nowhere.
Combat by Champion: Sean invokes this in his battle against Rashon, who is so impressed with Sean turning into a win-win situation, he accepts. Guess what? Sean wins.
Curb-Stomp Battle: The Rangers' first battle with Phaedos, in which he handily defeats them, one-by-one. He does so much damage to their suits that they're forced to change their suits. Also a literal one in chapter nine when Phaedos curb stomps Kevin.
Darker and Edgier: Gurren Lagann-level awesomeness aside, this story goes places regular Power Rangers wouldn't dare touch, not even in Space or RPM will go (say, threatening to level an entire country just to smoke out two Rangers, for one). Hell, the acknowledgement the Rangers are trying to prevent planetary genocide is a good indication this is different.
Deadpan Snarker: Most of the Rangers, save for Hitomi. Also much of the cast, even the villains count, too.
Decon-Recon Switch: Happens almost at will. One moment is a Deconstruction, the next is a Reconstruction and back again.
Despair Event Horizon: The Rangers are close to this in episode 23 before Mandla saves them.
Destructive Saviour: They try to keep the property damage to a minimum, but Col. Greene admits there's always the possibility of property damage.
Did They or Didn't They?: Maria walks into Sean's room offering to take his V-card. We're left with them kissing before cutting away. However, it's pretty heavily implied They Do.
Duels Decide Everything: Invoked by Sean, challenging Rashon to a one-on-one battle that if Sean wins, Rashon has to leave. Sean wins.
Also a variation, because Rashon mentions that he would have left anyway out of sheer humiliation had Sean not challenged him.
Dull Surprise: Sean's reaction to Rob being unveiled as the Silver Ranger. Although, in his defense, it's most likely because his brain was still trying to process the information out of shock.
Erotic Eating: Maria eats a chocolate cake... suggestively.
Evil Laugh: Phaedos... indulges himself in episode 12 when the Rangers split thanks to Daisuke's mutiny.
Extreme Doormat: Hitomi when Daisuke convinces her to split with the Rangers along with him. Considering the nature of the story, this is lampshaded, as the other Rangers were surprised that she could just obey him like that. She eventually recovers and delivers an epicReason You Suck Speech to her brother, calling him out for his arrogance and nationalism.
Genre Savvy: The Rangers, and even Col. Greene is implied to be.
Hitomi's love of Sailor Moon comes in handy in a later chapter, when Daisuke correctly assumes that Kalderon is in disguise, using the example of Nephrite, the character whom Kalderon is based on. It works, because instead of getting angry, Sean realizes he's on to something.
But the biggest one comes in Episode 15. Sean is down, but he blocks Phaedos's sword and goes Hot Blooded, declaring he's going to kill Phaedos, somehow tapping into the suit's power which spreads to the rest of the Rangers and they're able to beat the Zordonians.
Forget episode 15! It's calm compared to episode 33!
No Endor Holocaust: Because of galactic law, which is apparently enforced no matter what, inhabitants of a planet that are about to be visited must be immunized against alien diseases, usually via the atmosphere, and the visitors have to disinfect themselves.
No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Phaedos subjects Sean, Kevin and Maria to a BRUTAL one in episode 13, in which the Rangers are left close to death.
Non-Indicative First Episode: The first chapter-and-a-half really doesn't give any clue that this is a Power Rangers story, even hiding the fact that the main characters were called to Tokyo by the UN.
Opt Out: Daisuke leaves the team as self-punishment for his actions that nearly got them all killed.
Orcus on His Throne: Rashon is this for the most part, but he did go down to Earth to fight the Rangers in episode 4, where he nearly beats the crap out of the Rangers. And again in episode 16 when he confronts the Rangers in their own house (but not to fight them) where he finds out they're moving.
He comes off his throne in the final episodes.
Panty Shot: Averted; Genre Savvy Maria knows that if she wore a skirt, then she'd get some unwanted attention.
Patriotic Fervor: Justified in episode 19. The USA wins the World Cup and celebrations pop up all over the country. It's not really mentioned afterwards, though.
The Power of Friendship: Friendship is more of a symbolic force than a physical one, but it's still vital when the Rangers fight Phaedos in Episode 15.
Actually downplayed in episode 25 when the Silver Ranger shows up.
Sean: "What. The. Fuck."
Quirky Miniboss Squad: The Four; Phaedos, Kalderon, Tirna and Zentor are described as "the Four greatest Zordonian generals". Except they don't seem very quirky. Like the main Zordonians, who are Ersatzes of the Black Moon Clan, the Four are Ersatzes of the Shitennou (Phaedos=Jadeite, Kalderon=Nephrite, Tirna=Zoisite, Zentor=Kunzite).
Readings Are Off the Scale: Episode 15, again. The Rangers' heart rate, adrenaline and power levels increase when they manage to somehow tap into the suit's power. The staffers at the United Nations base practically quote this word for word.
Blue Oni: Daisuke is calmer and more aloof. Kevin is also more calm then Sean.
Refusal of the Call: The Rangers (then called candidates) are at first skeptical of the UN's story about the alien signal and how they're supposed to become Power Rangers. Of course, we see how that turns out...
Rousing Speech: Sean quotes the last part of the St Crispian's Day speech from Henry, specifically adapted to their current situation. It works.
And then in episode 32, right before confronting the Zordonians, Sean gives what could be the most epic Rousing Speech in all of fanfiction, complete with another recital of the St. Crispian's Day Speech.
Royal Brat: Daisuke could be considered a modern version. His sister Hitomi, however, is pure Ingenue and is too nice to be a brat.
Sarcastic Confession: Although it's during a Heroic BSOD, they still confess to Hikari that they're Power Rangers. She doesn't buy it.
Sean: "By the ancient galactic rites of combat, I forbid you, Rashon III of Zordon, from conquering here for the rest of time. And when you go back to the stars, tell others of this planet. When you tell them of its riches, its people, its potential, when you talk of the Earth, make sure you tell them this: It. Is! DEFENDED!"
"Shut Up" Kiss: Maria does this to Sean in episode 13 when he keeps complaining about Daisuke and Hitomi's departure. She even adds a little extra by saying, "¿Por qué no te callas?" Unfortunately for Sean, Maria doesn't count it as a kiss.
A Simple Plan: But an effective one. Used by Sean to catch a wolf-monster.
Spit Take: In episode 9, Maria tells Sean she and Hitomi are going to Ginza. He reacts in this exact way. He does it again in episode 16 when Maria asks him to kiss her.
Team Dad: In Part 1, Col. Greene and Godai-san. In Part 2, it's Sean's brother-in-law Robert.
Team Mom: In Part 1, Hikari Godai. In Part 2, Sean's sister Bridget.
The Tokyo Fireball: Averted for the most part. The Rangers do their best to lower property damage, as shown in Part 2.
Tokyo Is the Center of the Universe: Played with. The Rangers went to Tokyo only because the Japanese government gave Project Ranger permission to fight on Japanese soil. The Zordonians later attack the city, but they only picked a random city, and eventually subverted, since the Rangers leave for Orlando. The Zordonians also don't really care about which city they attack, since it's implied they're just looking for the Rangers to try and kill them.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: Maria is the Tomboy (sort of) while Hitomi is the Girly Girl.
Tuxedo and Martini: Episode 30, right down to Sean's martini drink order... which Sean promptly spits out. Heck, the name is a reference to this trope, just with the "martini" changed to "beer".
What the Hell, Hero?: Sean to Daisuke, after Daisuke almost shoots a monster when civilians are present. Sean decks him big time.
Episode 20, when Pola-Killer is reverted back to being a giant teddy bear, the Flashman try to kill him. However, the GPX Rangers tell them not to do it.
Rob also gives on to everyone else twice in episode 31, First when they complain that Sean is going to abandon them. Second, when they have a falling out with the Flash Rangers.
Wounded Gazelle Gambit: In episode 11, Sean tells of a time when playing hockey, he pounded an opposing captain into the boards. The captain lay on the ground for a while, making it seem as though Sean would get a penalty. Sean of course, didn't fall for this and insulted the opponent, which got the opponent to get up and chase him.
Ancient Conspiracy: How the Ouroboros Society sees themselves. The Rangers think that's nonsense.
Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Sean's mom acts just like any mother dropping her kid off at school would act, and it embarrasses Sean to no end.
Assassin Outclassin: Rob manages to foil an assassination attempt just by asking the (inexperienced) assassin if he needed any help. It's implied he knew the assassin was up to no good.
Creator Provincialism: Shout Out or not, why would alchemists be attacking a relatively rural area (although, judging by their dialogue, there may be some justification for them being there)?
Curb-Stomp Battle: Sean ends up on the wrong end of one in chapter 9. Hitomi also ends up on the wrong end of one a chapter later.
Darker and Edgier: Definitely more than the main continuity, especially after episode 6.
Eagleland: Type 2 parodied in a side story by a man threatening to take a thirty-ought-six to an Ouroboros Society member if they even came to his farm.
Gilligan Cut: In the prequel, Sean and Daisuke have just finished punching and kicking down trees when Kevin asks to leave so they won't get ticks. Cut to Daisuke complaining while pulling a tick off his leg.
MacGuffin: The object SWORD sends to the Rangers in episode 5. It gets stolen by some bystander. And then it turns out it was taken by Sean's friend Marty and it's the Gold Ranger morpher.
Magic A Is Magic A: Discussions of whether alchemy is science or not, the alchemy follows strict rules, including the law that alchemists cannot create life. The Ouroboros Society gets around this by creating walking, talking mannequins.
Magical Native American: Played with. Native American magic is mentioned, but by an anthropologist who has studied Native American culture. The concept itself is criticized by the author both in-story and in the author's notes where he cites This Very Wiki.
Meaningful Funeral: Don't ask who it is. Just go and read the story, right now (the author has requested that we not share the details of who it is).
Origins Episode: Gets a whole prequel. It mirrors much of the plot of the original origins story.
Perfect Poison: Justified, since the makers are alchemical geniuses, but subverted because the assassin runs into Rob and doesn't get a chance to poison his target.
Police Are Useless: Played with. Rob is a cop in this continuity and of course, he can't be useless. Plus, they're pretty effective in containing the monsters. However, Rob says that the chief of Carbondale police isn't interested in investigating the Ranger fights.
They do a pretty good job in episode 6, though, even if they are outgunned.
In this case, it's more of a case of "Police Are Hopelessly Outgunned".
Write What You Know: The author is an SIU graduate and goes into great detail about the campus and town, as he himself would have memorized the campus layout.
You Have Failed Me: Drake says this word-for-word to Ronald after he fails to get what he was chasing in episode 5. However, instead of killing him, he punishes him by removing his rank and forcing him to deal with his failure for the rest of his life!
You Killed My Brother: Bellatrix wants to beat the Rangers because of Ronald's death.
, Part 2 here
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