A delivery is being unloaded in front of the Amber Beach museum by crane when one of the tow ropes snap, sending heavy cargo flying... Directly into Kendall's path! At the last moment, a passerby tackles her to the floor, saving her life. She proclaims him a hero, and as he reaches for her belongings to give back, he touches the Purple Energem...
And nothing happens. It turns out that this particular hero is only after the rewards a hero gets, such as money or fame. In fact, the entire scenario is a set up, right down to the rangers being the crew workers. Kendall resets the 'test' multiple times, but each time ends one of two ways - either nobody steps up to help, or the 'hero' is less altruistic than they would like. After a day of failure, the rangers turn in, hoping that tomorrow the hunt for a new Energem host will be better.
Unfortunately, Fury overhears that the Purple Energem is unbonded, and sets off to inform Sledge. Wishstar meanwhile tries to get his hands on it first, by cursing a set of wish cards so that the wishes go sour. When Koda and Chase's respective wishes are granted almost immediately, Shelby, Ivan and Tyler all join in, to Kendall and Riley's bemusement.
In space, Sledge decides to release the one prisoner he has that could possibly pass for a human - Heckyl. Heckyl is locked up in solitary for a very good reason, and both Fury and Wrench beg in vain for him not to open his cell. As it turns out, Heckyl is extremely powerful and extremely smart, first vaporizing his two guards and melting his cuffs with his electric blasts, but then short circuits the cell doors to free the other inmates, forcing Sledge's cooperation. He wants to make a deal with Sledge, if he returns with the Energem, the pair become partners, ruling the universe together side by side...
Back on Earth, Tyler tries to get everyone to go on a picnic with him, but Koda is sick, Chase is busy with his new friend, Riley is helping Kendall, and Ivan is covering Chase's shift at the cafe. Shelby agrees to go, but only because she thinks it will turn into a date, which was her wish all along. Unfortunately, it goes awry; first she gets soap in her eye when trying to make big soap bubbles, then when they sit down to eat, ants swarm the food and get in their clothing. Meanwhile, Tyler sees someone who looks like his dad watching them from afar. As Tyler notices him, he runs away, and Tyler gives chase. Only too late does he find out that it was a trap by Wishstar, and the two battle. A timely intervention by Shelby causes Wishstar to flee, and Tyler realizes that the cards were cursed. Meeting with the others confirms his suspicions, but too little too late, as Kendall has already gone to make her wish - to find a Purple Ranger!
As she leaves the card stall, a car comes peeling down the road at high speed, right into her path! Just as it gets too close, a stranger sweeps her away, before reminding her to pay attention to the roads, before giving a wink and walking away. It's Heckyl! Thinking that her wish came true, she asks the man to hold onto the Energem for a moment.
Of course, before he can seize it, Wishstar knocks it out of his hand. Then Fury knocks it out of his. As Fury makes his escape, followed by Heckyl (who does not want the rangers to see his powers yet) Wishstar takes on the rangers. Despite his mastery of wishes, he cannot wish for victory, and is swiftly defeated. However, Fury is able to grant Sledge the Purple Energem. With its power, he is able to upgrade his blaster to immeasurable power, and demands Heckyl return to his cell. Heckyl retaliates, and the pair fire on each other, but Heckyl's power is no match for an Energem.
Riley decides on a course of action for retrieving the Purple Energem, the team goes to the one place Sledge won't expect them - his own ship!
TO BE CONTINUED...
Tropes:
- The Bad Guys Win: Sledge has possession of the Purple Energem, and is more powerful than ever.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Wishstar has the power to grant people’s wishes and make them go wrong, though he also makes his own wishes come true with no consequences. For everyone else:
- Koda wanted a burger, and gets food poisoning.
- Chase wanted a girlfriend who rides a skateboard and likes his accent, but she later breaks his heart and his board.
- Shelby wanted a date with Tyler, and ants ruin their food (and Shelby also got some soap in her eyes from being accidentally hit by a bubble Tyler blew earlier).
- Tyler wanted to see his dad, and runs into Wishstar.
- Ivan wanted to save a damsel in distress. A girl falls and he catches her, but he hurts his back in the process.
- Kendall wanted to find a hero to give the purple Energem to, and loses it.
- Bystander Syndrome: One of the times that the rangers set up a fake disaster for someone to “save” Kendall from, nobody tries to help her. Kendall says “Really?”.
- Decoy Damsel: A non-villainous example; the Rangers put Kendall in a scenario where she'd be harmed unless someone saves her. Her saviors end up being less than heroic: one wants money in return, one just admires the Energem and one tries hitting on Kendall after saving her.
- The Dreaded: Heckyl. His name alone causes the other prisoners to put their backs against the walls. Fury and Wrench beg Sledge not to let him out.
- I Ate WHAT?!: At the picnic, Tyler has already bitten into the sandwich before discovering the food is crawling with ants!
- Jackass Genie: Wishstar. He’s not literally a genie, but he grants people’s wishes and makes them backfire.
- Mundane Wish: Koda wishes for a burger.
- Never Going Back to Prison: Wishstar refuses to go back onboard the ship until he gets the Energem.
- Not Distracted by the Sexy: A muscular, handsome man hits on Kendall, but she’s not interested.
- Reckless Gun Usage: Wrench makes Sledge a new Hand Cannon; Sledge waves it around for a bit as Wrench warns him to be careful and tries to divert Sledge's aim away from him and the Mooks.
- Rescue Introduction: Kendall's introduction to Heckyl (though not the audience's).
- Rescue Romance: One of Kendall's saviors tries to hit on her.
- Shipper on Deck: Kendall and Ivan both smile when they bring up Tyler and Shelby going on a picnic together, like a date.
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Throw It In!: Heckyl's comment about his goggles and putting them on was added after costuming realized that his actor didn't have them on after most of the scene had been filmed.
