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Centiback’s Big Comeback
(A Power Ranger Fanfic)

By: Nibblah Frog & TK Tigerkat

Chapter 6 - Fourth Down and Long

"Zordon! I have lost all contact with Tommy, Adam and Billy! They have disappeared from the morphing grid just like Rocky!" Alpha 5 warbled as he frantically punched buttons on the control console.

"Yes Alpha, I have already sensed the disturbance. I fear the situation may be grave," Zordon said. "We must locate the rangers at once. Alpha, adjust our scanners to filter out all background energy."

"Yes Zordon!" Alpha replied as he punched more buttons on the console. After a few moments, the static on the radar screen began to clear and show Angel Grove with three bright points of light representing Kim, Aisha and Ninjor, as well as one giant glowing red dot that outshone the rest, centered on Angel Grove High's football stadium.

"There! I have managed to override the signal jamming our scanners. We are able to pinpoint the source of the disturbance. Bringing it up on the viewing globe now!"

"Good work Alpha," Zordon said. They both turned their attention to the glowing orb, which showed an image of Centiback wearing his standard red football pads. In the foreground, four identical monsters stood with their backs to the viewing globe. The names "DeSantos", "Oliver", "Cranston", and "Park" were written on the back of their jerseys. At once, Zordon and Alpha realized what had happened.

"Ai ai ai ai ai!" the robot cried out in shock, swaying from side to side. "The rangers have been turned into centipedes!"

"This is worse than I thought," Zordon said. "The monster has been able to use his own energy to taint the ranger's power coins, disrupting their connection to the morphing grid by diverting that power to himself. The longer they are exposed to this energy, the more their core wavelength will match the monster."

"What does it mean Zordon?"

"You can see the effects of prolonged exposure in the changes to the rangers' physical form, and it is only a matter of time before their minds are changed as well. If he manages to corrupt their power coins completely, they may be lost forever."

"Ai yi yi yi yi! We need to find a way to stop Centiback!" Alpha paced and fretted, but went to his work looking for the rangers.

"Alpha, summon the remaining rangers to the Command Center. In the meantime, I want you to analyze the monster's energy and determine how we can neutralize its effects."

"Yes Zordon!" Alpha said and started to scuttle about to carry out Zordon's orders. Before long, a flashes of pink yellow and blue came flying in from above and delivered Kim, Aisha and Ninjor to the Command Center.

"What is it Zordon? Did you find the others?" Kim asked worriedly.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. The rest of the rangers have fallen under the Centiback's control, and are currently at Angel Grove stadium. I fear he is planning to drain their powers in order to create a lair at the stadium. If he succeeds in doing so, all of Angel Grove may fall under his power."

"What?!" Kim and Aisha exclaimed, rushing forward.

"But how do we make sure the same thing doesn't happen to us?"

"The test results show that Centiback is using sonic waves to exert his control," Alpha 5 said, reading a printout as it was spewing from the computer. "These waves act upon the chemistry of the male brain to force their competitive nature into overdrive until it takes over their body. By my calculations, these waves will not affect female, or non-human life forms."

"Good! Because I think football pads would clash with my police armor," Ninjor said.

"Kimberly. I have created special arrows for use with your power bow. You must hit the rangers' corrupted power coins with the arrow. It will be a difficult shot, but this may be the only way to disrupt Centiback's control over the rangers. After that, you must appeal to what little human nature remains in the rangers if there is to be any hope of braking Centiback's control over them."

"Right! We'll show that muscle head that he should have never stepped onto the diamond to face off in a football game," Ninjor said resolutely, trying to get into the spirit.

"Good luck rangers. And may the power protect you."

****************************************************************************

At Angel Grove field, Centiback was busy giving his loyal football bugs a moment's rest while he walked around and inspected the high school's football stadium.

"Now that I've turned those pipsqueak rangers into proper football sized bugs, it's time to use their ranger powers to help Team Centiback!" the monster said, clenching his fist and flexing his chest, feeling the immense amount of stolen energy flowing through him. His antennae twitched and shot out straight, sending a giant bolt of yellow energy towards the bleachers. The entire section was bathed in light, then suddenly turned from Angel Grove High's blue to Centiback red and white, each seat getting a cushion with a centipede football insignia on it while the rails became decorated in red and white trim. The press box at the top of the bleachers turned red and white, growing two antennae on top to give the entire area an exaggerated centipede theme.

As Centiback worked zapping different parts of the stadium to covert them to his team's colors, the four former Power Rangers laughed and shouted as they wrestled, grappled and noogied with each other, enjoying testing their mettle in a test of strength. Adam had just managed to pin Tommy to the ground, pressing his pads down into the massive bug's chest as he lay atop him, grinning and wrapping him up in his powerful embrace while letting his pads drain some of his energy.

"How do you like that, big guy? You may be bigger than me, but that just means there's more of you to tackle!" Adam said, grinding his body against his fellow bug enjoying the physical camaraderie.

*Tweeeeeeet!* "Alright maggots! Liiiiiine up!" Centiback said as he stepped on the field.

The sound of the whistle made all of the bugs stop in their tracks, scrambling to their feet and rushing to present themselves to their leader.

"Yes coach!" they all said in unison, standing shoulder to shoulder in perfect formation.

"Alright boys, you've come along way and you've made this papa bug proud. But you've got a long way to go," Centiback started with his motivational speech, pacing before his players as he was just getting warmed up.

"Before you become an unstoppable swarm of football bugs, you must commit yourself 110% to the team. You need to give me your all, and devote yourself to becoming the biggest, buffest, baddest team of centipedes on this stinking planet!"

"Yeah!!" the four bugs shouted with enthusiasm, clapping their claws together and pumping their fist in the air. "We're gonna squash em!" "We'll see who exterminates who!"

"That's the spirit! Are we gonna let those rangers come in here and march all over our field like they own the place?"

"No way!" "Heck no!"

"Who's house is this?"

"Our house!"

"Who owns this field?"

"Team Centiback!"

"That's right team!" their coach said, shouting and pumping his fist into the air. "Now get in here, it's time for a team huddle!"

The four bugs rushed in to join their coach as they squeezed together into a circle, leaning down to listen in while letting their antennae rub and hook around each other. Centiback's antennae began to glow with a yellow energy that traveled through Rocky's antennae and then the rest of the rangers until the flow of energy cycled around the entire group, all their antennae twitching and pulsing receiving their leader's power. They eagerly drank it up, letting the light fill them and make them stronger the more they willingly accepted the energy.

"It fills me with pride to see what big, strong handsome centipedes you've all become," Centiback began, his emotions flowing through his players like an electric circuit, allowing them to really feel how proud he was and strengthening their emotional connection.

"Now I think you're ready to become permanent members of team Centiback. You need to commit to me fully. if there's even an ounce of human weakness left in you, you'll never reach your true potential!"

The former rangers listened intently, their testosterone soaked minds nodding intently as their antennae filled them with visions of grandeur, standing beside their coach while crushing their opponents with muscles bulging from under their pads. Blood pumped through their veins, their muscles tensed and teeth gritted in rage at the idea of being anything less than the best.

"No way coach! I'm not gonna let that happen! I'm yours, 110%! I'll follow you to the end of the earth!" Rocky said as he stepped forward, pounding a fist into his palm. Emboldened by Rocky's spirit, the other bugs stepped forward one by one.

"Me too coach! Just point at what I need to tackle, and consider it pulverized!" Adam said as he approached Centiback with his chest puffed out.

"Yeah! I'm gonna run rings around them, but only with you help, coach!" Billy said, Centiback putting his hand on his shoulders as he came forward.

"Ta...ckle!" Tommy said at last, the giant ranger still feeling a little drained from earlier, but nonetheless enthusiastic.

"Right! Now put your antennae together and give me your all!" Centiback shouted. He was so close, but he could feel the last remaining bits of the ranger's human energy resisting him as he poured himself into his buggy family. Filling his buggy offspring with his energy was draining to him, but their minds were willing and it wouldn't be long before he overtook them completely and made them centipedes in mind and body.

The huddle was suddenly broken as a flurry of laser fire tore through the air and hit several centipedes in the back, sending the whole group flying in different directions.

"Time to break up the party, bug brain! The Power Rangers aren't done yet!" the pink power ranger said as she, the yellow ranger and Ninjor rushed onto the field with guns blazing.

Without missing a beat, Centiback turned and began barking orders to his team.

"Don't forget the plays you've been practicing boys! Defensive formation Pocket Shell!" *Tweeeeeeet!*

The four ranger-turned-centipedes scrambled into place with perfect precision, forming a half circle around Centiback. Dropping down into a three point stance, their antennae began to glow as a dome of yellow energy grew up around the team. As the rangers fired, their blasts bounced off the shell and back at them, breaking their charge and making them scatter to regroup.

"With all your friends playing for my team, you rangers haven't got a chance! Two cheerleaders and a tin can aren't gonna stand up to Team Centiback!" the main monster shouted from behind a wall of muscle.

"You two would look cute in a short skirt and pom poms, don't you think fellas?"

"Wooooo!" "I'd bump thoraxes with her any day!" "Is it mating season in here, or is it just me?" all the centipedes chuckled derisively.

"I don't think so! Your whistle may work on those guys, but it's not gonna work on us!" Aisha said defiantly.

"C'mon guys! Time to show them that the Power Rangers aren't done yet! Alright....down...set..." with a mocking call from Kimberly, the three rangers got into a V formation with Ninjor at the head. "Go!"

Ninjor charged forward with pink and yellow rangers at his back, zig-zagging back and forth firing their blasters while Ninjor headed straight for Centiback.

"You don't play fair, and cheaters never prosper!" Ninjor said as he readied his sword to attack. The front line of centipedes hunkered down to ready for the impact, but Ninjor jumped high into the air and sailed over Rocky and Tommy, landing in front of Centiback and bringing his sword down across the monster's pads in one motion. Centiback flew back in a shower of sparks, rolling on the ground as his pads smoked with damage.

"Uhh....what we do now?" Tommy-Centiback said slowly, confused without a command from his leader. As they turned, Kim and Aisha came crashing in from behind with their power bow and daggers respectively, pushing the bugs back and leaving scratches in their pads.

"C'mon guys, we can't let coach down now! Back in formation! Defensive formation Brick Wall!" Rocky-Centiback said, stepping up as the leader and he needed to step in to support his coach. In Rocky's mind he recognized these rangers, even knew they were friends. But his devotion to his coach and father was too strong and his warped thoughts told him that Kim and Aisha's would be much happier once they gave themselves to coach Centiback.

Slower than before but with exact precision the bugs performed another switch, backing up and creating a wall with their bodies in front of their coach. Their bodies glowed once again, and a brick pattern spread across their uniforms then disappeared into their pads.

Kim and Aisha attacked from opposite sides, but the centipedes locked their shoulders together making Kim's laser blasts bounce off harmlessly. The yellow ranger jumped in to stab Adam, but one of her daggers bent trying to pierce Adam's armor. Adam flashed a toothy grin at Aisha, flexed his muscles and tried to grab her with his long sharp claws.

"It's like trying to cut into a rock!" Aisha said in frustration as she dodged Adam-Centiback, flipping backwards and retreating with Kim. This left Ninjor hacking impotently at Tommy's shoulder pads, the giant bug just standing and laughing in response. "Hee hee...tickles!"

The ranger's hopes fell when they saw Centiback standing tall behind his team, posing with his hands on his hips and looking good as new.

"You see Rangers, your friends are part of my team now! They'll do anything to protect their coach!" Centiback chuckled, relishing the look of disbelief on his opponent's faces.

"Look how much stronger they've become now that I've taken them under my wing. Why would they ever want to go back to being Mighty Morphin' Puny Rangers?"

"Yeah girls! Just listen to coach Centiback - he knows what's best for ya!" Adam-Centiback said looking up from his defensive stance and flexing his forearm.

"C'mon Ninjor! We can't beat them when they're in defensive formation. We need to wait until they open up and then attack their weakness." Aisha said, running up to physically pull the robot ninja back from battle as Tommy swung a giant gloved fist at him.

The attacks hadn't hurt the rangers physically, but a sliver of desperation was starting to set in as the centipede jocks continued to taunt them.

"If you rangers give up now, I'll make sure you are displayed front and center in our trophy case as pink, yellow and blue footballs!" Centiback said mockingly.

"OK guys...we aren't going to be able to get past everyone to get to Centiback. Like Alpha said, we gotta appeal to one of them. Tommy's gotta remember who I am..." Kim said, trailing off as she fought back her emotions for her boyfriend.

"Right Kim! Ninjor and I will distract the rest while you work on making Tommy remember," Aisha said, putting a hand on Kimberly's shoulder.

"Ha! The only thing he's gonna remember is squashing you like a bug," Centiback interrupted, pointing at the rangers tauntingly. "C'mon boys, time to show these lightweights what some centipede muscle can do...tackle em!"

"With pleasure!" Adam said, cracking his knuckles as the four bugs rose from their stance and started towards the rangers while flexing their pecs and pounding their fists.

"I call the pink one!" "No way, she's mine!" "Taaaaackle!"

Kim, Trini and Ninjor backed up as their former friends rushed towards them, intimidated by their sheer size as they all towered over the rangers by several feet.

"Use your speed guys! They're just trying to scare us...there's no way they can hit us if we keep moving!" the pink ranger said.

"Wanna bet?" Rocky-Centiback said as he lunged at Kimberly, who did a back handstand to avoid him then kicked him in the back pushing him down to the ground. She suddenly felt the impact of chest pads against her back, instinctively ducking to avoid the brawny forearms of Adam-Centiback who had snuck up from behind to grab her. Doing the splits, she gave Adam a fierce punch to the gut, making him step back with a loud 'ooof!', but he came right back at her as both bugs swatted and grabbed furiously trying to catch Kim in their claws.

Aisha was having her own problems with Billy, flipping, jumping and dodging the smaller centipede as his well toned thighs helped him zoom around the yellow ranger before swooping in to slam her with his shoulder pads. Each impact sapped her strength a little, and within four passes Aisha was already starting to feel woozy from the draining blows.

Tommy-Centiback looked over at the distracted Aisha, his eyes going wide and antennae started fluttering excitedly from seeing the perfect opportunity to hit his foe. "Ta-ckle!" he exclaimed as his adrenaline shot up, putting his claws up and charging right at Aisha.

"Not today, my muscular friend!" Ninjor said, stepping forward and slashing his sword at Tommy-Centiback. Distracted in his single-minded purpose to tackle Aisha, Tommy took the sword's blow full-force. It sliced across his chest, sending up a shower of sparks and put a large gash in his pads.

Tommy howled in pain and stepped backwards, growling at Ninjor. Enraged, the massive centipede pounded his chest and ran full-bore at Ninjor. Unable to get his sword up in time, the ninja ranger dug in and took the charge. A deafening crash of pads on armor filled the air as the hulking bug slammed himself down onto Ninjor. It was a jarring blow but the ranger dug his boots in and pushed back, using all the strength of his cybernetically enhanced body to keep from buckling under Tommy who tried to force him to the ground.

"Thanks Ninjor! I owe ya one!" the yellow ranger said as she landed a kick on Billy as he passed, making him lose his balance and skid face-first into the dirt. "Watch your step there!"

Watching Billy-Centiback with a smirk, Aisha didn't notice Adam charging up from behind her.

"Blitz!!" the former black ranger shouted as he smashed into the ranger's back side, wrapping her up in his arms and pulling her tight to his body before slamming Aisha to the ground with an earth-shaking crunch.

Adam-Centiback grinned toothily felt the squirming ranger trapped between his pectorals, his tight muscles flexing and pressing against her struggling body. The sensation of overtaking his foe with his sheer size and power made Adam's blood pump and heart flutter, his feral side taking over wanting to dominate the yellow ranger completely. The thrill of the hunt filled Adam-Centiback with powerfully primal desires, and helped his football instincts to further overwhelm his dwindling human mind.

The centipede planted his arms besides Aisha's shoulders and positioning himself atop of her with his thighs pressing down against the yellow ranger's crotch. Placing his oversized cleats outside each of her boots, he dug them into the ground and lowered himself down on top of Aisha, pinning her helplessly under his body.

"See what happens when you go up against Team Centiback? Looks like I'll have to teach you to respect the uniform," Adam-Centiback moaned as he arched his back and pressed his chest against Aisha as he began to hump in slow, forceful thrusts.

Though his pads rubbed against the ranger's uniform, Adam could feel it like it was touching his own skin. The sensations drove him wild, having never felt so frisky and empowered before. The more he humped, the better it felt, and he had no intention on stopping any time soon.

"Mmmmmm I never realized how cute you were...How'd you like to go steady with the linebacker?" Adam-Centiback said as he looked down at the yellow ranger with lust in his beady red eyes, grunting and bucking against her.
"Ugh! Get off me, you muscle-brained meathead!" the yellow ranger shouted in disgust as she struggled futilely under the centipede's massive, tight muscled frame. It was more embarrassing than harmful for Aisha, and though she tried to escape as the bug humped against her again and again, she couldn't help but think that it was starting to feel good. A warming sensation spread out from between her legs, making the yellow feel flush as it felt like all her senses were being stimulated at once.

Aisha closed her eyes for a moment and moaned softly, the feel of Adam's hard, masculine body against her was making her hot. She began to buck back reflexively, and felt something pulling at her, drawing her energy out. She opened her eyes and gasped as she saw herself glowing with yellow energy that was flowing from her body into Adam-Centiback through his crotch.

"I always thought you were cute Aisha," Adam-Centiback said chummily as he gazed down at his former teammate with a look of attraction in his eye. "It's too bad you got all that weak pink flesh on ya! Oh well, your energy will be put to much better use making our team even stronger!"

As Aisha was trapped beneath Adam, Kimberly was having problems of her own dealing with the combined attacks of Rocky and Billy. The speedier Billy-Centiback was zooming around Kim, slamming into her and retreating to keep the pink ranger off balance. The pink ranger dodged the nimble bug by flipping and spinning of our harm's way, then planted her feet and waited for him to charge again so she could trip him to the ground.

"Nice work Cranston! Left her wide open for me!" Rocky-Centiback growled as he snuck up from behind and wrapped his arms tightly around Kimberly, pulling her back into a constricting chest hug. The pink ranger screamed as she felt herself squeezed between his pecs, leading her gasping for air and kicking wildly in desperation.

"Mmmmm I love it when you play hard to get Kim! A little buggy humpin' will leave you nice and drained for your boyfriend to come and finish the job!" Rocky-Centiback growled in the pink ranger's ear as he slowly lowered her to the ground, looming above her with his impressive frame. He crawled on top of Kim and wrapped his massive thighs around her, rubbing a giant cleat up her leg while grunting with excitement. Slowly he began to squeeze while bucking his padded crotch against her, each thrust sponging a little energy from the ranger and sending a jolt of pleasure through the helpless teen. Kim struggled desperately to escape the powerful embrace of Rocky-Centiback, but before long her resistance melted and she stopped fighting the her captor. The pink ranger crumpled weakly, allowing the frisky bug perched atop her to eagerly hump and buck against her in slow powerful strokes. Kim looked around for help, but saw Ninjor losing his wrestling match with Tommy and Aisha pinned under Adam-Centiback.

"Alright team! Good workout! Now I've got a reward for you for all your hard playing!" Coach Centiback said, clapping his claws together to call the team to him.

"Park! DeSantos! Why don't you bring those lovely ladies here. They'll want a front row seat for this."

The ranger bugs obediently brought the girls over to Centiback, where Tommy was waiting with Ninjor wrapped up in his arms.

Kim and Aisha gasped as Centiback held up his hand up and conjured a giant spiked football out of thin air. They remembered those footballs well.

"That's right - with all the energy I drained from you and your friends, I've got my old powers back and then some!" Centiback gloated, pumping his fist and holding the ball aloft in triumph.

"Now it's time to unleash our real offensive weapons!"

"Uuuughhhh....desist....stop this! This is no way for a ranger to behave!" Ninjor pleaded uselessly against Tommy-Centiback's grip, but the bug just squeezed tighter and soon energy began to flow from Ninjor into Tommy. This made his arms swelling to make the robo-ranger's chokehold even tighter.

"Ninjor! Look out!"

As the massive spiked football flew through the air Tommy could sense Centiback's intentions through his attenae. In perfect coordination Tommy turned his body to put Ninjor directly in front of the football's path.

With no time to react the shark-faced football smacked right into his chest, instantly exploding into a football of pure yellow light and growing to envelope Ninjor completely. Kim and Aisha were blinded by a bright flash, and when they opened their eyes they saw a blue and white striped football fall to the ground and wobble harmlessly to a stop.

"Touchdown!! With a direct hit, the home team scores big! That's 5 - 0, Team Centiback is crushing the opposition!" Centiback stepped forward and beat his chest in a celebratory dance, quickly joined by cheers from the rest of the team.

The pink ranger grimaced at the sight of her teammate reduced to an inanimate football. She knew she had to do something, and it was now or never.

"Now, two more passes and this game is ours! What do you say, girls? Line up and become the final footballs to fill out ranger collection! We'll make sure to display you next to this one!" Centiback said as he walked over and picked up the blue and white football that used to be Ninjor.

"What about her coach? She'll make a pretty pink football!" Rocky volunteered Kim, who was still squirming in his arms.

'C'mon Kim, this is just like battling the Terror Toad. It's up to you; you can do it!!'

The pink ranger used the conversation to make her move, twisting hard and kicking back hard against her captor's groin. Rocky let out a loud cry of pain and released Kim, allowing her to backflip away out of his reach. Before the monster team could react, Kim drew the arrow specially made for her by Alpha, notched her bow, and let it loose

Completely unaware, Tommy-Centiback laughed with his coach, exposing his belt and power coin for a split second. The arrow sailed through the air and hit its target dead-on, sending up a shower of sparks from the gargantuan bug's midsection.

Tommy-Centiback reeled backwards, the tarnish on his power coin fading noticeably until some gold began to show through the blackness. The arrow had pierced through the taint of the monster's influence with a disrupting energy, damaging the connection between the monster and Tommy and reconnecting him to his ranger powers. As the link to Centiback weakened the flood of football urges pumping through his veins slowed, and as he cocked his head and looked at the pink ranger the image of Kimberly, his mate, was becoming clear.

Shooting the arrow had left Kim's defenses open, and Rocky took advantage by sprinting towards the pink ranger and tackling her hard to the ground. Rocky grabbed the ranger's wrists and positioned himself on top her to thrust the bulge in his pants against her exposed lap.

"Yeah! How do you like that? That's what a real man feels like. That's what they say - once you go 'pede, you never go back!" Rocky-Centiback growled dominantly into Kim's ear while he ground his massive frame against her. The bug grunted in a growing lust and sapped her strength more and more with each humiliating thrust.

Kim squirmed as best she could, but the giant bug's weight pressed down on her and kept her completely pinned. Worse still, she felt his jock energy flowing back into her and found suddenly that she couldn't get images of big, buff bugs flexing all around her out of her head, cursing herself for starting to feel turned on by Rocky's feral physical insect lust.

"Aaaaahhhh! Tommy! Help me!!!" Kim said, finally broken, trying desperately to appeal to the remaining shred of her boyfriend's humanity.

The pink ranger's cry pierced the haze of Tommy's football frenzy as the strength of his love for Kimberly began to come into focus. The times they had together came flooding back all at once, and a voice from within was trying to tell him who he was...Tommy Oliver, the white ranger.

"K...Kim...ber..lee?" the bug's beady red eyes looked up as Tommy-Centiback cocked his head and gazed at the pink ranger, bewildered. His body hadn't changed physically, but Kim could tell that his demeanor had changed. Looking down, she saw that the blackened power coin had started to turn back to gold, the centipede icon fading slights as she could see the white tiger shine through the corruption.

"Yes! Yes Tommy, it's me...Kimberly! Your girlfriend!" the pink ranger said, dropping her guard and stepping forward hesitantly.

"Rrrrrrrraaaaaaaaggggh!" Tommy-Centiback cried out in anguish, grabbing his helmet and writhing around as if in pain.

"Oliver...you alright? C'mon over and collect your trophy! I got her waiting for you!" Rocky-Centiback called out, worried by his teammate's reluctance. His fears were eased when he saw Tommy-Centiback straighten up and start to march over, the ground shaking with each heavy step.

Without a word, the enormous centipede reached out and grabbed Rocky-Centiback's antennae in his claws, then pulled them as hard as he could.

"Drop Kimberly!" Tommy-Centiback commanded in a guttural tone, tugging at Rocky's antennae to show him he meant business.

"YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEOOOOOUUUUCCCCH!" Rocky-Centiback screeched in pain as Tommy grabbed him by his sensitive antennae. He dropped the pink ranger, who quickly got out from under the bugs. Once he saw Kimberly was safe, Tommy-Centiback once again filled with rage. "You hurt girlfriend!"

The action stopped as all eyes fell on Tommy and Rocky, the bigger bug's muscles bulging and veins popping out as he let out a primal scream and spun around, then swung his arms over his head pulling Rocky-Centiback along with it. With a mighty throw, Team Centiback's quarterback flew through the air and landed on his back with a jarring thud, legs splayed up in the air like an insect knocked prone.

Still caught up in a frenzy, Tommy-Centiback pounded his fist and began to stomp over to Rocky-Centiback, ready to pummel him further. Rocky managed to get up and meet Tommy's charge with a loud crack of the pads slamming into each other.

"What's the matter Tommy? You're going soft! You can't let that girl distract you from our goal! Coach needs us!" Rocky-Centiback said, trying to get his teammate back on their side.

It was a sight to see as the two massive gladiators wrestled with each other, each trying to gain the upper hand by grabbing under each other's pads with their gloved claws, twisting and pulling with all their might as their pads smacked together over and over with thudding crunches. As they grappled, the much larger Tommy-Centiback started to get an upper hand, using his strength to bend Rocky-Centiback backwards as the former red ranger dug in his cleats trying to hold onto his position but quickly losing ground.

"What's come over you *grunt*? Have you forgot which side you're playing for *ooof*? We need you on the line big guy!" Rocky-Centiback pleaded desperately as he was driven back by the massive bug. Still, having been converted for longer and more experienced as a brutish bug, Rocky-Centiback was able to twist Tommy-Centiback while they grappled and slowly began to gain the upper hand.

Then Tommy shoved Rocky with a might wallop, sending his teammate reeling backwards with a loud crunch. Undeterred, Rocky kicked his cleats into the grass and prepared for another onslaught. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a pink flash as Kimberly came flying at him with a jumping kick, hitting him directly in the chest pads with incredible force and dropping even the bulked-up Rocky onto his back.

"That's it Tommy! You remember! C'mon, we can beat these bugs and get you back to normal!" Kim rushed over to Tommy while Rocky-Centiback writhed in the dirt reeling from the blow. The giant bug looked down at the pink ranger, dim images and simple happy emotions of their times together flooding his brain until he flashed a toothy smile, happy to see his girlfriend back at his side. It was hard to think clearly, but now it seemed clear. Kim was on his team and was being attacked by the opposing squad! Pounding his claws together, Tommy growled and stomped slowly towards Rocky, pounding his fists in preparation to pummel Kim's attacker into submission.

"No gonna sack girlfriend!"

Across the field, Centiback felt his connection with Tommy weaken, the former ranger's strength leaving him and making his muscles deflate noticeably. He pounded his fist, angry that the insolent pink ranger was ruining all the work he had done transforming and training his star centipede lineman. He growled at the loss of size and power. His muscles meant nothing if he lost one of his children to these scrawny, bench-warming rangers. Anger grew inside him, but as he looked over the field at his four handsome buff centipede sons, his paternal instincts kicked in.

"OLIVER! STOP RIGHT THERE!!"

The sound of Centiback's voice made the Tommy stop in his tracks, the sound of his coach sending rush of adrenaline through his tensed muscles as if the whistle had just been blown. Unfortunately for Kim, the deep reprogramming of his mind and body had already taken its toll, and now the big bug stood frozen in place, his head full of difficult-to-comprehend thoughts, especially for a simple-minded bug like him. He didn't like being confused. His heart pounded and muscles pulsed with rage as thoughts of Kimberly still filled his mind, but a primal urge deep inside told the bug that he couldn't disobey the father figure he had grown to love.

"Time to take a timeout big guy." Centiback growled, jogging over to Tommy and putting his claw on his shoulder. The monster's touch zapped more of his corrupting influence into the ranger, washing away all the confusing feelings of loyalty to his coach and his girlfriend by resetting his brain completely. Tommy looked ahead blankly, unable to think of anything at all. But he felt the strong claw of Centiback on his shoulder pulling him down into a huddle, guiding him down close to his face. The two bugs knocked their helmets together, Centiback's antennae unfurling and winding around Tommy's own stalks.

"Listen. We're never gonna succeed if we can't work together as a team. We need you, Oliver. Remember your true family, and all your teammates who are counting on you. We can't win this without you."

In a moment of surprising tenderness, Centiback locked eyes with his protégé and spoke from his heart. The monster's antennae began to glow as his tainted red energy pulsed directly into Tommy's blank mind. In an instant the emptiness inside him was overflowing with deeper emotions. Belonging. Camaraderie. But above all, he felt the love and devotion his coach gave to him by building him up to be the biggest, the strongest, the best. He wanted it all. As Tommy opened himself up the energy flowed faster, making his whole body glow red. Centiback felt the connection between them strengthen, and knew it was time to pump his player up...big time. He gripped his pupil's shoulder pads roughly and got right in Tommy face, his antennae winding tighter in a dominating gesture.

"GET IT TOGETHER OLIVER! ITS THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE ENEMY IS DRIVING DOWN THE FIELD! WE NEED TO GET A STOP RIGHT NOW!" Centiback barked with increasing fervor, shaking Tommy and pounding his fists against the pads.

Tommy's lips curled in a snarl as his one true purpose returned, and hard. The bad thoughts were gone. Now there was only a lust for victory and glory for his team and crushing defeat to anyone who got in their way way. Each pound of Centiback's fists gave Tommy a jolt of electric pleasure that stoked his passions even more.

"YOU'RE GONNA GET OUT THERE AND SMASH EM! BASH EM! GRIND THEM TO A PULP!"

"Grind... to...a...pulp...!!" Tommy repeated slowly, each word making his body grow in size as the glowing intensified. His muscles creaked as they pushed his pads outwards, quickly replacing the size he had lost and then some. But Centiback wasn't done with him yet. Not until every last drop of his former life of weakness was eradicated.

"THOSE RANGERS CAME HERE TO STOP US. ARE WE GONNA LET THEM?!?" Centiback's claws squeezed tight and delivered an overwhelming blast of monster essence that made Tommy's muscles inflate rapidly, his entire body becoming so bulked up he could barely move. Tommy grunted and flexed having never felt so powerful before. It was addictive, and the bigger the got, the more he wanted.

"NO!!!! Rangers...no...stop....us!!" Tommy roared and stomped the ground like a raging bull, making the earth shake with his sheer strength. Centiback held on tight until he was ready to unleash his snorting beast of a linebacker. Looking down, the monster smiled as glowing centipede once again appeared on his power coin, the black tarnish spreading over the rest of the coin until the last glint of gold disappeared. With the connection between Tommy and Centiback back and stronger than ever, the ranger's energy began to flow back into his coach. Within seconds Centiback had returning to his former massively muscled physique, flexing with pride as he sopped up the last remnants of resistance inside the former power ranger and replaced it with pure centipede muscle. But he knew his pupil would need to pass one last test before falling under his complete control forever.

"Alright Oliver! Listen up, here's the play!" Centiback said in a serious voice, grabbing Tommy's facemask and pulling him down to meet his coach face to face. The coach bug held out his hand as a glowing orb appeared and turned into a giant spiked football, only this time it had a diamond pattern and a large centipede-coin emblazoned on the side.

"When I say hike, you're gonna grab that pink ranger and stuff his ball into her belt buckle! You got it?" He grinned, knowing that one touch of this ball against the ranger's power coin would corrupt it instantly, sucking out every last drop of her energy and transmitting it through the spikes to be converted to pure muscle power for his team while making her as a fitting trophy for his conquest.

"No....you can't!" Kim's eyes went wide when she realized this monster was going to have her transformed boyfriend turn her into football with his own hands.

"Tommy...don't listen! You don't want to do this!" Kim pleaded with her boyfriend, but it was too late. When Tommy's beady red eyes looked at Kim, all he saw was the enemy. The hulking bug dropped to a ready position, put out his hands, and obediently waited for his coach to hike the ball.

"Ha! Nice try, pinkie! He's mine now! You don't deserve a buff stud like Oliver anyways!" Centiback taunted, taking the moment to enjoy the look of defeat in her eyes. "Now you two can be together forever...as his trophy! Ha ha ha ha!"

The monster savored the moment as Kim just stood there looking aghast, knowing that there was no use in running. Centiback smiled and gazed at Kim, as if to say to her "I've won."

"Down..."

"Set...."

"HIKE!"

Centiback turned and held out the ball just as Tommy rushed forward and grabbed the spiked football in his massive claws. His mind was pure instinct. Run the play. Take the ball. Stuff the ball...the instructions were clear. His muscled swelled and he snorted loudly. The ground shook and in three steps he was in front of Kim, looking down at her from above. She braced herself for impact, but instead of a thud Tommy stopped and reached down with a clawed glove, wrapping it around Kim's shoulder and twisting her around until Kim found her back pinned against the big bug's chest. The bug was nearly twice her size, and when he bent down to get closer to her face Kim could feel the sheer power in his physique. She looked up at her hulking boyfriend's eyes and saw a his red eyes glow with competitive spirit, but behind it, an undeniable look of love and affection.

"Together..."

A tear rolled down Kim's face when Tommy took the spiked football and hugged it against Kim's waist. The ball touched her power coin, and with a shriek the pink ranger was enveloped in yellow light. It felt like a giant vacuum that sucked her energy out in one big gulp, a sudden and total weak feeling that made her collapse as her ranger powers were sucked from body and pulled into the magic spiked ball. As a final insult, the pink ranger felt a portion of power flooding into her as the Centiback's energy flowed through the ranger turning her own lifeforce to pure gridiron power. It all happened in a second on the outside, and when the light disappeared it shrank down into a big, pink football.

Description
Centiback’s Big Comeback
(A Power Ranger Fanfic)

By: Nibblah Frog & TK Tigerkat

Chapter 6 - Fourth Down and Long

"Zordon! I have lost all contact with Tommy, Adam and Billy! They have disappeared from the morphing grid just like Rocky!" Alpha 5 warbled as he frantically punched buttons on the control console.

"Yes Alpha, I have already sensed the disturbance. I fear the situation may be grave," Zordon said. "We must locate the rangers at once. Alpha, adjust our scanners to filter out all background energy."

"Yes Zordon!" Alpha replied as he punched more buttons on the console. After a few moments, the static on the radar screen began to clear and show Angel Grove with three bright points of light representing Kim, Aisha and Ninjor, as well as one giant glowing red dot that outshone the rest, centered on Angel Grove High's football stadium.

"There! I have managed to override the signal jamming our scanners. We are able to pinpoint the source of the disturbance. Bringing it up on the viewing globe now!"

"Good work Alpha," Zordon said. They both turned their attention to the glowing orb, which showed an image of Centiback wearing his standard red football pads. In the foreground, four identical monsters stood with their backs to the viewing globe. The names "DeSantos", "Oliver", "Cranston", and "Park" were written on the back of their jerseys. At once, Zordon and Alpha realized what had happened.

"Ai ai ai ai ai!" the robot cried out in shock, swaying from side to side. "The rangers have been turned into centipedes!"

"This is worse than I thought," Zordon said. "The monster has been able to use his own energy to taint the ranger's power coins, disrupting their connection to the morphing grid by diverting that power to himself. The longer they are exposed to this energy, the more their core wavelength will match the monster."

"What does it mean Zordon?"

"You can see the effects of prolonged exposure in the changes to the rangers' physical form, and it is only a matter of time before their minds are changed as well. If he manages to corrupt their power coins completely, they may be lost forever."

"Ai yi yi yi yi! We need to find a way to stop Centiback!" Alpha paced and fretted, but went to his work looking for the rangers.

"Alpha, summon the remaining rangers to the Command Center. In the meantime, I want you to analyze the monster's energy and determine how we can neutralize its effects."

"Yes Zordon!" Alpha said and started to scuttle about to carry out Zordon's orders. Before long, a flashes of pink yellow and blue came flying in from above and delivered Kim, Aisha and Ninjor to the Command Center.

"What is it Zordon? Did you find the others?" Kim asked worriedly.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. The rest of the rangers have fallen under the Centiback's control, and are currently at Angel Grove stadium. I fear he is planning to drain their powers in order to create a lair at the stadium. If he succeeds in doing so, all of Angel Grove may fall under his power."

"What?!" Kim and Aisha exclaimed, rushing forward.

"But how do we make sure the same thing doesn't happen to us?"

"The test results show that Centiback is using sonic waves to exert his control," Alpha 5 said, reading a printout as it was spewing from the computer. "These waves act upon the chemistry of the male brain to force their competitive nature into overdrive until it takes over their body. By my calculations, these waves will not affect female, or non-human life forms."

"Good! Because I think football pads would clash with my police armor," Ninjor said.

"Kimberly. I have created special arrows for use with your power bow. You must hit the rangers' corrupted power coins with the arrow. It will be a difficult shot, but this may be the only way to disrupt Centiback's control over the rangers. After that, you must appeal to what little human nature remains in the rangers if there is to be any hope of braking Centiback's control over them."

"Right! We'll show that muscle head that he should have never stepped onto the diamond to face off in a football game," Ninjor said resolutely, trying to get into the spirit.

"Good luck rangers. And may the power protect you."

****************************************************************************

At Angel Grove field, Centiback was busy giving his loyal football bugs a moment's rest while he walked around and inspected the high school's football stadium.

"Now that I've turned those pipsqueak rangers into proper football sized bugs, it's time to use their ranger powers to help Team Centiback!" the monster said, clenching his fist and flexing his chest, feeling the immense amount of stolen energy flowing through him. His antennae twitched and shot out straight, sending a giant bolt of yellow energy towards the bleachers. The entire section was bathed in light, then suddenly turned from Angel Grove High's blue to Centiback red and white, each seat getting a cushion with a centipede football insignia on it while the rails became decorated in red and white trim. The press box at the top of the bleachers turned red and white, growing two antennae on top to give the entire area an exaggerated centipede theme.

As Centiback worked zapping different parts of the stadium to covert them to his team's colors, the four former Power Rangers laughed and shouted as they wrestled, grappled and noogied with each other, enjoying testing their mettle in a test of strength. Adam had just managed to pin Tommy to the ground, pressing his pads down into the massive bug's chest as he lay atop him, grinning and wrapping him up in his powerful embrace while letting his pads drain some of his energy.

"How do you like that, big guy? You may be bigger than me, but that just means there's more of you to tackle!" Adam said, grinding his body against his fellow bug enjoying the physical camaraderie.

*Tweeeeeeet!* "Alright maggots! Liiiiiine up!" Centiback said as he stepped on the field.

The sound of the whistle made all of the bugs stop in their tracks, scrambling to their feet and rushing to present themselves to their leader.

"Yes coach!" they all said in unison, standing shoulder to shoulder in perfect formation.

"Alright boys, you've come along way and you've made this papa bug proud. But you've got a long way to go," Centiback started with his motivational speech, pacing before his players as he was just getting warmed up.

"Before you become an unstoppable swarm of football bugs, you must commit yourself 110% to the team. You need to give me your all, and devote yourself to becoming the biggest, buffest, baddest team of centipedes on this stinking planet!"

"Yeah!!" the four bugs shouted with enthusiasm, clapping their claws together and pumping their fist in the air. "We're gonna squash em!" "We'll see who exterminates who!"

"That's the spirit! Are we gonna let those rangers come in here and march all over our field like they own the place?"

"No way!" "Heck no!"

"Who's house is this?"

"Our house!"

"Who owns this field?"

"Team Centiback!"

"That's right team!" their coach said, shouting and pumping his fist into the air. "Now get in here, it's time for a team huddle!"

The four bugs rushed in to join their coach as they squeezed together into a circle, leaning down to listen in while letting their antennae rub and hook around each other. Centiback's antennae began to glow with a yellow energy that traveled through Rocky's antennae and then the rest of the rangers until the flow of energy cycled around the entire group, all their antennae twitching and pulsing receiving their leader's power. They eagerly drank it up, letting the light fill them and make them stronger the more they willingly accepted the energy.

"It fills me with pride to see what big, strong handsome centipedes you've all become," Centiback began, his emotions flowing through his players like an electric circuit, allowing them to really feel how proud he was and strengthening their emotional connection.

"Now I think you're ready to become permanent members of team Centiback. You need to commit to me fully. if there's even an ounce of human weakness left in you, you'll never reach your true potential!"

The former rangers listened intently, their testosterone soaked minds nodding intently as their antennae filled them with visions of grandeur, standing beside their coach while crushing their opponents with muscles bulging from under their pads. Blood pumped through their veins, their muscles tensed and teeth gritted in rage at the idea of being anything less than the best.

"No way coach! I'm not gonna let that happen! I'm yours, 110%! I'll follow you to the end of the earth!" Rocky said as he stepped forward, pounding a fist into his palm. Emboldened by Rocky's spirit, the other bugs stepped forward one by one.

"Me too coach! Just point at what I need to tackle, and consider it pulverized!" Adam said as he approached Centiback with his chest puffed out.

"Yeah! I'm gonna run rings around them, but only with you help, coach!" Billy said, Centiback putting his hand on his shoulders as he came forward.

"Ta...ckle!" Tommy said at last, the giant ranger still feeling a little drained from earlier, but nonetheless enthusiastic.

"Right! Now put your antennae together and give me your all!" Centiback shouted. He was so close, but he could feel the last remaining bits of the ranger's human energy resisting him as he poured himself into his buggy family. Filling his buggy offspring with his energy was draining to him, but their minds were willing and it wouldn't be long before he overtook them completely and made them centipedes in mind and body.

The huddle was suddenly broken as a flurry of laser fire tore through the air and hit several centipedes in the back, sending the whole group flying in different directions.

"Time to break up the party, bug brain! The Power Rangers aren't done yet!" the pink power ranger said as she, the yellow ranger and Ninjor rushed onto the field with guns blazing.

Without missing a beat, Centiback turned and began barking orders to his team.

"Don't forget the plays you've been practicing boys! Defensive formation Pocket Shell!" *Tweeeeeeet!*

The four ranger-turned-centipedes scrambled into place with perfect precision, forming a half circle around Centiback. Dropping down into a three point stance, their antennae began to glow as a dome of yellow energy grew up around the team. As the rangers fired, their blasts bounced off the shell and back at them, breaking their charge and making them scatter to regroup.

"With all your friends playing for my team, you rangers haven't got a chance! Two cheerleaders and a tin can aren't gonna stand up to Team Centiback!" the main monster shouted from behind a wall of muscle.

"You two would look cute in a short skirt and pom poms, don't you think fellas?"

"Wooooo!" "I'd bump thoraxes with her any day!" "Is it mating season in here, or is it just me?" all the centipedes chuckled derisively.

"I don't think so! Your whistle may work on those guys, but it's not gonna work on us!" Aisha said defiantly.

"C'mon guys! Time to show them that the Power Rangers aren't done yet! Alright....down...set..." with a mocking call from Kimberly, the three rangers got into a V formation with Ninjor at the head. "Go!"

Ninjor charged forward with pink and yellow rangers at his back, zig-zagging back and forth firing their blasters while Ninjor headed straight for Centiback.

"You don't play fair, and cheaters never prosper!" Ninjor said as he readied his sword to attack. The front line of centipedes hunkered down to ready for the impact, but Ninjor jumped high into the air and sailed over Rocky and Tommy, landing in front of Centiback and bringing his sword down across the monster's pads in one motion. Centiback flew back in a shower of sparks, rolling on the ground as his pads smoked with damage.

"Uhh....what we do now?" Tommy-Centiback said slowly, confused without a command from his leader. As they turned, Kim and Aisha came crashing in from behind with their power bow and daggers respectively, pushing the bugs back and leaving scratches in their pads.

"C'mon guys, we can't let coach down now! Back in formation! Defensive formation Brick Wall!" Rocky-Centiback said, stepping up as the leader and he needed to step in to support his coach. In Rocky's mind he recognized these rangers, even knew they were friends. But his devotion to his coach and father was too strong and his warped thoughts told him that Kim and Aisha's would be much happier once they gave themselves to coach Centiback.

Slower than before but with exact precision the bugs performed another switch, backing up and creating a wall with their bodies in front of their coach. Their bodies glowed once again, and a brick pattern spread across their uniforms then disappeared into their pads.

Kim and Aisha attacked from opposite sides, but the centipedes locked their shoulders together making Kim's laser blasts bounce off harmlessly. The yellow ranger jumped in to stab Adam, but one of her daggers bent trying to pierce Adam's armor. Adam flashed a toothy grin at Aisha, flexed his muscles and tried to grab her with his long sharp claws.

"It's like trying to cut into a rock!" Aisha said in frustration as she dodged Adam-Centiback, flipping backwards and retreating with Kim. This left Ninjor hacking impotently at Tommy's shoulder pads, the giant bug just standing and laughing in response. "Hee hee...tickles!"

The ranger's hopes fell when they saw Centiback standing tall behind his team, posing with his hands on his hips and looking good as new.

"You see Rangers, your friends are part of my team now! They'll do anything to protect their coach!" Centiback chuckled, relishing the look of disbelief on his opponent's faces.

"Look how much stronger they've become now that I've taken them under my wing. Why would they ever want to go back to being Mighty Morphin' Puny Rangers?"

"Yeah girls! Just listen to coach Centiback - he knows what's best for ya!" Adam-Centiback said looking up from his defensive stance and flexing his forearm.

"C'mon Ninjor! We can't beat them when they're in defensive formation. We need to wait until they open up and then attack their weakness." Aisha said, running up to physically pull the robot ninja back from battle as Tommy swung a giant gloved fist at him.

The attacks hadn't hurt the rangers physically, but a sliver of desperation was starting to set in as the centipede jocks continued to taunt them.

"If you rangers give up now, I'll make sure you are displayed front and center in our trophy case as pink, yellow and blue footballs!" Centiback said mockingly.

"OK guys...we aren't going to be able to get past everyone to get to Centiback. Like Alpha said, we gotta appeal to one of them. Tommy's gotta remember who I am..." Kim said, trailing off as she fought back her emotions for her boyfriend.

"Right Kim! Ninjor and I will distract the rest while you work on making Tommy remember," Aisha said, putting a hand on Kimberly's shoulder.

"Ha! The only thing he's gonna remember is squashing you like a bug," Centiback interrupted, pointing at the rangers tauntingly. "C'mon boys, time to show these lightweights what some centipede muscle can do...tackle em!"

"With pleasure!" Adam said, cracking his knuckles as the four bugs rose from their stance and started towards the rangers while flexing their pecs and pounding their fists.

"I call the pink one!" "No way, she's mine!" "Taaaaackle!"

Kim, Trini and Ninjor backed up as their former friends rushed towards them, intimidated by their sheer size as they all towered over the rangers by several feet.

"Use your speed guys! They're just trying to scare us...there's no way they can hit us if we keep moving!" the pink ranger said.

"Wanna bet?" Rocky-Centiback said as he lunged at Kimberly, who did a back handstand to avoid him then kicked him in the back pushing him down to the ground. She suddenly felt the impact of chest pads against her back, instinctively ducking to avoid the brawny forearms of Adam-Centiback who had snuck up from behind to grab her. Doing the splits, she gave Adam a fierce punch to the gut, making him step back with a loud 'ooof!', but he came right back at her as both bugs swatted and grabbed furiously trying to catch Kim in their claws.

Aisha was having her own problems with Billy, flipping, jumping and dodging the smaller centipede as his well toned thighs helped him zoom around the yellow ranger before swooping in to slam her with his shoulder pads. Each impact sapped her strength a little, and within four passes Aisha was already starting to feel woozy from the draining blows.

Tommy-Centiback looked over at the distracted Aisha, his eyes going wide and antennae started fluttering excitedly from seeing the perfect opportunity to hit his foe. "Ta-ckle!" he exclaimed as his adrenaline shot up, putting his claws up and charging right at Aisha.

"Not today, my muscular friend!" Ninjor said, stepping forward and slashing his sword at Tommy-Centiback. Distracted in his single-minded purpose to tackle Aisha, Tommy took the sword's blow full-force. It sliced across his chest, sending up a shower of sparks and put a large gash in his pads.

Tommy howled in pain and stepped backwards, growling at Ninjor. Enraged, the massive centipede pounded his chest and ran full-bore at Ninjor. Unable to get his sword up in time, the ninja ranger dug in and took the charge. A deafening crash of pads on armor filled the air as the hulking bug slammed himself down onto Ninjor. It was a jarring blow but the ranger dug his boots in and pushed back, using all the strength of his cybernetically enhanced body to keep from buckling under Tommy who tried to force him to the ground.

"Thanks Ninjor! I owe ya one!" the yellow ranger said as she landed a kick on Billy as he passed, making him lose his balance and skid face-first into the dirt. "Watch your step there!"

Watching Billy-Centiback with a smirk, Aisha didn't notice Adam charging up from behind her.

"Blitz!!" the former black ranger shouted as he smashed into the ranger's back side, wrapping her up in his arms and pulling her tight to his body before slamming Aisha to the ground with an earth-shaking crunch.

Adam-Centiback grinned toothily felt the squirming ranger trapped between his pectorals, his tight muscles flexing and pressing against her struggling body. The sensation of overtaking his foe with his sheer size and power made Adam's blood pump and heart flutter, his feral side taking over wanting to dominate the yellow ranger completely. The thrill of the hunt filled Adam-Centiback with powerfully primal desires, and helped his football instincts to further overwhelm his dwindling human mind.

The centipede planted his arms besides Aisha's shoulders and positioning himself atop of her with his thighs pressing down against the yellow ranger's crotch. Placing his oversized cleats outside each of her boots, he dug them into the ground and lowered himself down on top of Aisha, pinning her helplessly under his body.

"See what happens when you go up against Team Centiback? Looks like I'll have to teach you to respect the uniform," Adam-Centiback moaned as he arched his back and pressed his chest against Aisha as he began to hump in slow, forceful thrusts.

Though his pads rubbed against the ranger's uniform, Adam could feel it like it was touching his own skin. The sensations drove him wild, having never felt so frisky and empowered before. The more he humped, the better it felt, and he had no intention on stopping any time soon.

"Mmmmmm I never realized how cute you were...How'd you like to go steady with the linebacker?" Adam-Centiback said as he looked down at the yellow ranger with lust in his beady red eyes, grunting and bucking against her.
"Ugh! Get off me, you muscle-brained meathead!" the yellow ranger shouted in disgust as she struggled futilely under the centipede's massive, tight muscled frame. It was more embarrassing than harmful for Aisha, and though she tried to escape as the bug humped against her again and again, she couldn't help but think that it was starting to feel good. A warming sensation spread out from between her legs, making the yellow feel flush as it felt like all her senses were being stimulated at once.

Aisha closed her eyes for a moment and moaned softly, the feel of Adam's hard, masculine body against her was making her hot. She began to buck back reflexively, and felt something pulling at her, drawing her energy out. She opened her eyes and gasped as she saw herself glowing with yellow energy that was flowing from her body into Adam-Centiback through his crotch.

"I always thought you were cute Aisha," Adam-Centiback said chummily as he gazed down at his former teammate with a look of attraction in his eye. "It's too bad you got all that weak pink flesh on ya! Oh well, your energy will be put to much better use making our team even stronger!"

As Aisha was trapped beneath Adam, Kimberly was having problems of her own dealing with the combined attacks of Rocky and Billy. The speedier Billy-Centiback was zooming around Kim, slamming into her and retreating to keep the pink ranger off balance. The pink ranger dodged the nimble bug by flipping and spinning of our harm's way, then planted her feet and waited for him to charge again so she could trip him to the ground.

"Nice work Cranston! Left her wide open for me!" Rocky-Centiback growled as he snuck up from behind and wrapped his arms tightly around Kimberly, pulling her back into a constricting chest hug. The pink ranger screamed as she felt herself squeezed between his pecs, leading her gasping for air and kicking wildly in desperation.

"Mmmmm I love it when you play hard to get Kim! A little buggy humpin' will leave you nice and drained for your boyfriend to come and finish the job!" Rocky-Centiback growled in the pink ranger's ear as he slowly lowered her to the ground, looming above her with his impressive frame. He crawled on top of Kim and wrapped his massive thighs around her, rubbing a giant cleat up her leg while grunting with excitement. Slowly he began to squeeze while bucking his padded crotch against her, each thrust sponging a little energy from the ranger and sending a jolt of pleasure through the helpless teen. Kim struggled desperately to escape the powerful embrace of Rocky-Centiback, but before long her resistance melted and she stopped fighting the her captor. The pink ranger crumpled weakly, allowing the frisky bug perched atop her to eagerly hump and buck against her in slow powerful strokes. Kim looked around for help, but saw Ninjor losing his wrestling match with Tommy and Aisha pinned under Adam-Centiback.

"Alright team! Good workout! Now I've got a reward for you for all your hard playing!" Coach Centiback said, clapping his claws together to call the team to him.

"Park! DeSantos! Why don't you bring those lovely ladies here. They'll want a front row seat for this."

The ranger bugs obediently brought the girls over to Centiback, where Tommy was waiting with Ninjor wrapped up in his arms.

Kim and Aisha gasped as Centiback held up his hand up and conjured a giant spiked football out of thin air. They remembered those footballs well.

"That's right - with all the energy I drained from you and your friends, I've got my old powers back and then some!" Centiback gloated, pumping his fist and holding the ball aloft in triumph.

"Now it's time to unleash our real offensive weapons!"

"Uuuughhhh....desist....stop this! This is no way for a ranger to behave!" Ninjor pleaded uselessly against Tommy-Centiback's grip, but the bug just squeezed tighter and soon energy began to flow from Ninjor into Tommy. This made his arms swelling to make the robo-ranger's chokehold even tighter.

"Ninjor! Look out!"

As the massive spiked football flew through the air Tommy could sense Centiback's intentions through his attenae. In perfect coordination Tommy turned his body to put Ninjor directly in front of the football's path.

With no time to react the shark-faced football smacked right into his chest, instantly exploding into a football of pure yellow light and growing to envelope Ninjor completely. Kim and Aisha were blinded by a bright flash, and when they opened their eyes they saw a blue and white striped football fall to the ground and wobble harmlessly to a stop.

"Touchdown!! With a direct hit, the home team scores big! That's 5 - 0, Team Centiback is crushing the opposition!" Centiback stepped forward and beat his chest in a celebratory dance, quickly joined by cheers from the rest of the team.

The pink ranger grimaced at the sight of her teammate reduced to an inanimate football. She knew she had to do something, and it was now or never.

"Now, two more passes and this game is ours! What do you say, girls? Line up and become the final footballs to fill out ranger collection! We'll make sure to display you next to this one!" Centiback said as he walked over and picked up the blue and white football that used to be Ninjor.

"What about her coach? She'll make a pretty pink football!" Rocky volunteered Kim, who was still squirming in his arms.

'C'mon Kim, this is just like battling the Terror Toad. It's up to you; you can do it!!'

The pink ranger used the conversation to make her move, twisting hard and kicking back hard against her captor's groin. Rocky let out a loud cry of pain and released Kim, allowing her to backflip away out of his reach. Before the monster team could react, Kim drew the arrow specially made for her by Alpha, notched her bow, and let it loose

Completely unaware, Tommy-Centiback laughed with his coach, exposing his belt and power coin for a split second. The arrow sailed through the air and hit its target dead-on, sending up a shower of sparks from the gargantuan bug's midsection.

Tommy-Centiback reeled backwards, the tarnish on his power coin fading noticeably until some gold began to show through the blackness. The arrow had pierced through the taint of the monster's influence with a disrupting energy, damaging the connection between the monster and Tommy and reconnecting him to his ranger powers. As the link to Centiback weakened the flood of football urges pumping through his veins slowed, and as he cocked his head and looked at the pink ranger the image of Kimberly, his mate, was becoming clear.

Shooting the arrow had left Kim's defenses open, and Rocky took advantage by sprinting towards the pink ranger and tackling her hard to the ground. Rocky grabbed the ranger's wrists and positioned himself on top her to thrust the bulge in his pants against her exposed lap.

"Yeah! How do you like that? That's what a real man feels like. That's what they say - once you go 'pede, you never go back!" Rocky-Centiback growled dominantly into Kim's ear while he ground his massive frame against her. The bug grunted in a growing lust and sapped her strength more and more with each humiliating thrust.

Kim squirmed as best she could, but the giant bug's weight pressed down on her and kept her completely pinned. Worse still, she felt his jock energy flowing back into her and found suddenly that she couldn't get images of big, buff bugs flexing all around her out of her head, cursing herself for starting to feel turned on by Rocky's feral physical insect lust.

"Aaaaahhhh! Tommy! Help me!!!" Kim said, finally broken, trying desperately to appeal to the remaining shred of her boyfriend's humanity.

The pink ranger's cry pierced the haze of Tommy's football frenzy as the strength of his love for Kimberly began to come into focus. The times they had together came flooding back all at once, and a voice from within was trying to tell him who he was...Tommy Oliver, the white ranger.

"K...Kim...ber..lee?" the bug's beady red eyes looked up as Tommy-Centiback cocked his head and gazed at the pink ranger, bewildered. His body hadn't changed physically, but Kim could tell that his demeanor had changed. Looking down, she saw that the blackened power coin had started to turn back to gold, the centipede icon fading slights as she could see the white tiger shine through the corruption.

"Yes! Yes Tommy, it's me...Kimberly! Your girlfriend!" the pink ranger said, dropping her guard and stepping forward hesitantly.

"Rrrrrrrraaaaaaaaggggh!" Tommy-Centiback cried out in anguish, grabbing his helmet and writhing around as if in pain.

"Oliver...you alright? C'mon over and collect your trophy! I got her waiting for you!" Rocky-Centiback called out, worried by his teammate's reluctance. His fears were eased when he saw Tommy-Centiback straighten up and start to march over, the ground shaking with each heavy step.

Without a word, the enormous centipede reached out and grabbed Rocky-Centiback's antennae in his claws, then pulled them as hard as he could.

"Drop Kimberly!" Tommy-Centiback commanded in a guttural tone, tugging at Rocky's antennae to show him he meant business.

"YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEOOOOOUUUUCCCCH!" Rocky-Centiback screeched in pain as Tommy grabbed him by his sensitive antennae. He dropped the pink ranger, who quickly got out from under the bugs. Once he saw Kimberly was safe, Tommy-Centiback once again filled with rage. "You hurt girlfriend!"

The action stopped as all eyes fell on Tommy and Rocky, the bigger bug's muscles bulging and veins popping out as he let out a primal scream and spun around, then swung his arms over his head pulling Rocky-Centiback along with it. With a mighty throw, Team Centiback's quarterback flew through the air and landed on his back with a jarring thud, legs splayed up in the air like an insect knocked prone.

Still caught up in a frenzy, Tommy-Centiback pounded his fist and began to stomp over to Rocky-Centiback, ready to pummel him further. Rocky managed to get up and meet Tommy's charge with a loud crack of the pads slamming into each other.

"What's the matter Tommy? You're going soft! You can't let that girl distract you from our goal! Coach needs us!" Rocky-Centiback said, trying to get his teammate back on their side.

It was a sight to see as the two massive gladiators wrestled with each other, each trying to gain the upper hand by grabbing under each other's pads with their gloved claws, twisting and pulling with all their might as their pads smacked together over and over with thudding crunches. As they grappled, the much larger Tommy-Centiback started to get an upper hand, using his strength to bend Rocky-Centiback backwards as the former red ranger dug in his cleats trying to hold onto his position but quickly losing ground.

"What's come over you *grunt*? Have you forgot which side you're playing for *ooof*? We need you on the line big guy!" Rocky-Centiback pleaded desperately as he was driven back by the massive bug. Still, having been converted for longer and more experienced as a brutish bug, Rocky-Centiback was able to twist Tommy-Centiback while they grappled and slowly began to gain the upper hand.

Then Tommy shoved Rocky with a might wallop, sending his teammate reeling backwards with a loud crunch. Undeterred, Rocky kicked his cleats into the grass and prepared for another onslaught. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a pink flash as Kimberly came flying at him with a jumping kick, hitting him directly in the chest pads with incredible force and dropping even the bulked-up Rocky onto his back.

"That's it Tommy! You remember! C'mon, we can beat these bugs and get you back to normal!" Kim rushed over to Tommy while Rocky-Centiback writhed in the dirt reeling from the blow. The giant bug looked down at the pink ranger, dim images and simple happy emotions of their times together flooding his brain until he flashed a toothy smile, happy to see his girlfriend back at his side. It was hard to think clearly, but now it seemed clear. Kim was on his team and was being attacked by the opposing squad! Pounding his claws together, Tommy growled and stomped slowly towards Rocky, pounding his fists in preparation to pummel Kim's attacker into submission.

"No gonna sack girlfriend!"

Across the field, Centiback felt his connection with Tommy weaken, the former ranger's strength leaving him and making his muscles deflate noticeably. He pounded his fist, angry that the insolent pink ranger was ruining all the work he had done transforming and training his star centipede lineman. He growled at the loss of size and power. His muscles meant nothing if he lost one of his children to these scrawny, bench-warming rangers. Anger grew inside him, but as he looked over the field at his four handsome buff centipede sons, his paternal instincts kicked in.

"OLIVER! STOP RIGHT THERE!!"

The sound of Centiback's voice made the Tommy stop in his tracks, the sound of his coach sending rush of adrenaline through his tensed muscles as if the whistle had just been blown. Unfortunately for Kim, the deep reprogramming of his mind and body had already taken its toll, and now the big bug stood frozen in place, his head full of difficult-to-comprehend thoughts, especially for a simple-minded bug like him. He didn't like being confused. His heart pounded and muscles pulsed with rage as thoughts of Kimberly still filled his mind, but a primal urge deep inside told the bug that he couldn't disobey the father figure he had grown to love.

"Time to take a timeout big guy." Centiback growled, jogging over to Tommy and putting his claw on his shoulder. The monster's touch zapped more of his corrupting influence into the ranger, washing away all the confusing feelings of loyalty to his coach and his girlfriend by resetting his brain completely. Tommy looked ahead blankly, unable to think of anything at all. But he felt the strong claw of Centiback on his shoulder pulling him down into a huddle, guiding him down close to his face. The two bugs knocked their helmets together, Centiback's antennae unfurling and winding around Tommy's own stalks.

"Listen. We're never gonna succeed if we can't work together as a team. We need you, Oliver. Remember your true family, and all your teammates who are counting on you. We can't win this without you."

In a moment of surprising tenderness, Centiback locked eyes with his protégé and spoke from his heart. The monster's antennae began to glow as his tainted red energy pulsed directly into Tommy's blank mind. In an instant the emptiness inside him was overflowing with deeper emotions. Belonging. Camaraderie. But above all, he felt the love and devotion his coach gave to him by building him up to be the biggest, the strongest, the best. He wanted it all. As Tommy opened himself up the energy flowed faster, making his whole body glow red. Centiback felt the connection between them strengthen, and knew it was time to pump his player up...big time. He gripped his pupil's shoulder pads roughly and got right in Tommy face, his antennae winding tighter in a dominating gesture.

"GET IT TOGETHER OLIVER! ITS THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE ENEMY IS DRIVING DOWN THE FIELD! WE NEED TO GET A STOP RIGHT NOW!" Centiback barked with increasing fervor, shaking Tommy and pounding his fists against the pads.

Tommy's lips curled in a snarl as his one true purpose returned, and hard. The bad thoughts were gone. Now there was only a lust for victory and glory for his team and crushing defeat to anyone who got in their way way. Each pound of Centiback's fists gave Tommy a jolt of electric pleasure that stoked his passions even more.

"YOU'RE GONNA GET OUT THERE AND SMASH EM! BASH EM! GRIND THEM TO A PULP!"

"Grind... to...a...pulp...!!" Tommy repeated slowly, each word making his body grow in size as the glowing intensified. His muscles creaked as they pushed his pads outwards, quickly replacing the size he had lost and then some. But Centiback wasn't done with him yet. Not until every last drop of his former life of weakness was eradicated.

"THOSE RANGERS CAME HERE TO STOP US. ARE WE GONNA LET THEM?!?" Centiback's claws squeezed tight and delivered an overwhelming blast of monster essence that made Tommy's muscles inflate rapidly, his entire body becoming so bulked up he could barely move. Tommy grunted and flexed having never felt so powerful before. It was addictive, and the bigger the got, the more he wanted.

"NO!!!! Rangers...no...stop....us!!" Tommy roared and stomped the ground like a raging bull, making the earth shake with his sheer strength. Centiback held on tight until he was ready to unleash his snorting beast of a linebacker. Looking down, the monster smiled as glowing centipede once again appeared on his power coin, the black tarnish spreading over the rest of the coin until the last glint of gold disappeared. With the connection between Tommy and Centiback back and stronger than ever, the ranger's energy began to flow back into his coach. Within seconds Centiback had returning to his former massively muscled physique, flexing with pride as he sopped up the last remnants of resistance inside the former power ranger and replaced it with pure centipede muscle. But he knew his pupil would need to pass one last test before falling under his complete control forever.

"Alright Oliver! Listen up, here's the play!" Centiback said in a serious voice, grabbing Tommy's facemask and pulling him down to meet his coach face to face. The coach bug held out his hand as a glowing orb appeared and turned into a giant spiked football, only this time it had a diamond pattern and a large centipede-coin emblazoned on the side.

"When I say hike, you're gonna grab that pink ranger and stuff his ball into her belt buckle! You got it?" He grinned, knowing that one touch of this ball against the ranger's power coin would corrupt it instantly, sucking out every last drop of her energy and transmitting it through the spikes to be converted to pure muscle power for his team while making her as a fitting trophy for his conquest.

"No....you can't!" Kim's eyes went wide when she realized this monster was going to have her transformed boyfriend turn her into football with his own hands.

"Tommy...don't listen! You don't want to do this!" Kim pleaded with her boyfriend, but it was too late. When Tommy's beady red eyes looked at Kim, all he saw was the enemy. The hulking bug dropped to a ready position, put out his hands, and obediently waited for his coach to hike the ball.

"Ha! Nice try, pinkie! He's mine now! You don't deserve a buff stud like Oliver anyways!" Centiback taunted, taking the moment to enjoy the look of defeat in her eyes. "Now you two can be together forever...as his trophy! Ha ha ha ha!"

The monster savored the moment as Kim just stood there looking aghast, knowing that there was no use in running. Centiback smiled and gazed at Kim, as if to say to her "I've won."

"Down..."

"Set...."

"HIKE!"

Centiback turned and held out the ball just as Tommy rushed forward and grabbed the spiked football in his massive claws. His mind was pure instinct. Run the play. Take the ball. Stuff the ball...the instructions were clear. His muscled swelled and he snorted loudly. The ground shook and in three steps he was in front of Kim, looking down at her from above. She braced herself for impact, but instead of a thud Tommy stopped and reached down with a clawed glove, wrapping it around Kim's shoulder and twisting her around until Kim found her back pinned against the big bug's chest. The bug was nearly twice her size, and when he bent down to get closer to her face Kim could feel the sheer power in his physique. She looked up at her hulking boyfriend's eyes and saw a his red eyes glow with competitive spirit, but behind it, an undeniable look of love and affection.

"Together..."

A tear rolled down Kim's face when Tommy took the spiked football and hugged it against Kim's waist. The ball touched her power coin, and with a shriek the pink ranger was enveloped in yellow light. It felt like a giant vacuum that sucked her energy out in one big gulp, a sudden and total weak feeling that made her collapse as her ranger powers were sucked from body and pulled into the magic spiked ball. As a final insult, the pink ranger felt a portion of power flooding into her as the Centiback's energy flowed through the ranger turning her own lifeforce to pure gridiron power. It all happened in a second on the outside, and when the light disappeared it shrank down into a big, pink football.