Warning: Spoilers for Power Rangers Prime #5!The Power Coins of the Power Rangers franchise used to represent hip in Zordon's 'teenagers with attitude,' but the new team has given them a chilling new meaning. Previously seen as symbols of hope, the objects represented a pledge to a heroic new mission, but one which Zordon never the Rangers from leaving when the time was right.

This isn't the case in Power Rangers Prime #5 by Melissa Flores and Michael YG. With Rita Repulsa filling the Zordon role, the Power Coins are presented as more of a curse than a gift to Power Rangers. Upon being graced with newfound power, then immediately experiencing the consequences, Yellow Ranger Valentina starts to regret accepting her Power Coin.

Before she even implies she's considering quitting, Rita makes it clear that Rangers can't just come and go. This is a sharp contrast to how Zordon approached his Rangers, putting a dark spin on the Coins and how they're viewed going forward.

Rita Repulsa Puts A Dark Twist On The Rangers' Power Coins

Power Rangers Prime #5 by Melissa Flores, Michael YG, Fabi Marques, and Ed Dukeshire

Power Rangers Prime takes place in an alternate universe to the one of the original show, and thus, there are a number of differences between each world's lore. In the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Power Coins were created by the ninja sorceror known as Ninjor, who imbued them to the Morphin Grid. Before the events of the show (and before Ninjor would make more), Ninjor originally produced nine Power Coins, five of which were given to Zordon to power his soldiers' Morphers.

The Coins serve the same purpose in Power Rangers Prime. For now at least, it's unknown how the Power Coins came to be created before the Power Rangers retrieved them from the Angel Grove Natural History Museum. What we do know is that these version of the Power Coins were imbued with Rita Repulsa's own dark magic. Despite the fact that Rita Repulsa was born connectedto the Morphin Grid, that infusion is likely corrupted when supernatural spells are brought into the mix.

It's worth noting that before giving her own 'Teenagers with Attitudes' their powers, Rita emphasizes she "cannot force the power upon you ... you must reach out and take it." When she dubs Lauren Shiba her new Red Ranger, Lauren calls out the fact that they're making a "deal." There's a Faustian quality to these Power Rangers' origins, as Rita treats the Power Coins more like the magical idea of a curse or exchange, which a Ranger can't take back once they have accepted the offer.

The Power Coins Were Treated Completely Different By Zordon

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Had More Freedom To Come and Go From The Team

In both the TV series and the comics, Zordon never treats the Power Coins like a legally binding contract that they must fulfill until evil is defeated. The closest that Zordon comes to treating the Coins like this is with his first Power Rangers team in 1969, when he requested the Power Coins back when the '60s squad vanquished the Green Psycho Ranger.

Even then, that was because Zordon felt he failed with his first Rangers team, seeing as so many died during their first mission. Zordon wanted his Coins back because he needed to close up shop due to his own failures. With the Mighty Morphin team, he let the Power Rangers quit frequently. Trini, Zack, and Jason all quit for the Peace Corps, with Kimberly quitting later. Others would follow, while some come, go, and return at will from Rangerhood.

Will The Power Rangers Regret Making A Deal With Rita?

ing Rita Repulsa Could Be The Rise and Downfall of The Power Rangers

Clearly, there is a big difference between the Power Rangers fighting for a caring, sage wizard, and working for a space witch with intentions to conquer the world. Both Zordon and Rita Repulsa ask the Rangers if they want the power before saturating them with it. In fact, in the original show's first episode Zordon allows the teens to exit the Command Center before accepting his offer, and happy to gift them the power when they reconsider.

While Rita might have done the same if all five refused, the deal that the Power Rangers make with Rita Repulsa to gain powers comes out of desperation. Either they accept the powers, or risk capture (or worse) by a gun-happy VR Troopers police force. Meanwhile, with Zordon, the Rangers genuinely want to make a difference in the world by accepting their call to power. All things considered, the Power Rangers may come to regret aligning with Rita, and this new Prime alliance could completely backfire.

Power Rangers Prime #5 is on sale now from BOOM! Studios.