Disclaimer: See first chapter…

Chapter 10: What the Hell?

When Sensei Cameron "Cam" Watanabe made it back to shore with Sensei Tori Hanson cradled in his arms, he noticed the enemy surrounding them. They were farther downstream than where he jumped in after Tori, but the androids now had them trapped. He was breathing hard as he mentally surveyed their options.

He could go back in the river, but the creature that grabbed Tori was down there somewhere; waiting to strike. It was pure luck that he beat the creature to shore. Androids stood on the other side of the river blocking that escape route. Eric McKnight was no where in sight so there would be no help from that front.

A lightning bolt from the sky hit the ground in front of him. Cam smirked in relief. When the smoke cleared Hunter Bradley, Sensei of the Thunder Ninja Academy, was revealed as the source of the lightning. A crack of thunder seemed to shake the ground, as Hunter got into a defensive stance.

The shaking of the ground mystery was solved, as Sensei Dustin Brooks jumped out of the ground and landed beside Hunter.

"Is she okay?" Hunter asked without taking his eyes off the enemy. He was wearing the traditional robes of the Thunder Sensei.

"I do not know," Cam replied.

"Where's Eric?" Dustin asked.

"I don't know the answer to that question either. Seriously guys, stay alive now . . . talk later."

Finally one of the female androids stepped forward. She was exquisite with long blonde hair and wide cold blue eyes. She was dressed in black spandex. All of them wore black spandex bodysuits. "Our battle is not with you. But if you try to thwart us again, we will not hesitate to wipe all of you from existence." She smiled coldly. "You have your warning." They all disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Man . . . what the Hell?" Hunter muttered in disbelief.

"Tori, Eric, and I set up camp about half mile up the river," Cam muttered. Hunter ninja streaked in that direction to see if he could locate Eric or some clue to where he had gone. Cam dropped to his knees and placed Tori on the ground. Dustin was kneeling beside him. Cam took his gloves off. He checked first to see if she was breathing. "She's breathing." He then checked for a pulse and heartbeat. "Her pulse seems normal and so does her heartbeat." He cradled her head and started searching for an injury. He felt no bumps or cuts. He checked his hands for blood. There was none. He rested her head gently on the ground.

"Come on Tori, wake up," Dustin muttered, he grabbed her hand and shook it. He got no response. "Tori."

Lillian McKnight stood pacing the length of the waiting room floor. She was bone tired and running on pure adrenaline. She and her husband arrived from Africa only a few hours earlier. She had camped out in Conner's room from then on.

Lillian was ushered out of Conner's room as soon as she alerted the nurse of his outburst. Not that she really needed to alert them of Conner's plight. He had yelled loud enough to awaken the dead.

She was worried. Conner and Eric always had a sixth sense when the other was in danger or hurt. Her son's cry sounded like that of a wounded animal. He had called Eric's name. She knew within her heart, that something awful had happened to her other son.

She eyed the handsome man who followed her to the waiting room. He had been standing guard outside of Conner's room. Why was his presence needed? She knew he wasn't a cop because the cops had a problem with him being there. His status must be above their own, because after having a private audience with him they were singing a different tune. What was he? "Why are you protecting my son?" she asked, continuing her trek across the room. She was tired of being left in the dark on some aspects of Conner's life.

"He needs protecting."

"Do you know where my other son is?" she asked. "I have to find him."

"No."

She suddenly turned on him, her eyes wide and frightened. "What is happening?" she demanded. "Why was Conner attacked and where is Eric?" She felt helpless and honestly hated the feeling. She was used to being the one in power.

"I don't know why he was attacked," Jason said. His voice was calm. "I plan for it not to happen again. That is why I am here. If I were you, I would be trying to contact Eric. Conner's reaction may have been from a nightmare, and it may have been something altogether different."

"Who are you Jason Scott?" she asked. "Are you from the FBI, CIA, or something?"

"Or something," he replied. "After you contact Eric, you should get some rest. Jet lag and shock are not a good mix."

She looked as if she would say something more, but then thought better of it. He was not going to directly answer her questions. "I'll be back and if I cannot reach Eric, you will talk one way or another," she threatened. "My husband and I may never have been parents of the year candidates, but we do not tolerate anyone hurting our children."

"I am not a parent of the year candidate either and . . . I am not your enemy," Jason replied. "Go look for your son and I swear on my life that Conner will be safe with me." Jason understood and was very empathetic to how she felt. He had only to cast his son in the place of Conner or Eric to personally feel the heartache of what the older parents must be going through.

"I am going to hold you to that," she replied. She hurried toward the glass dividing doors that would lead her to the elevators. She and Grant, her husband, would find Eric even if it killed them.

Jason got up and hurried back to Conner's room door. He wanted to be close enough to act if the androids came and tried to finish off Conner. If the McKnight's had lost one of their sons, he would do everything within his power to keep them from losing this one.

Ethan James fell off the couch he was sleeping on, as he heard the pounding on the front door. He quickly scrambled to his feet once he remembered where he was. Who could be banging on Doctor Oliver's door at this hour? He knew it was late because he stayed up late, just to watch the encore presentation of X-Play. It had to be an moments before sunrise.

His heart starting to match the rhythm of the knocks on the door as he headed toward it. A hand reaching out of the darkness and grabbing him—almost stopping his heart in the process—stopped his trek to the door. Without warning, his impenetrable skin activated as he punched at where the head of the culprit might be.

Doctor Thomas "Tommy" Oliver ducked under the punch, grabbing the part of Ethan's arm that did not embed into the wall of his house. "It's me," he whispered. That was close. Ethan could have killed him with that punch.

Before Ethan could very sheepishly say "My Bad," the front door was forcibly kicked open. Ethan's eyes widened in shock. Doctor Oliver released him and Ethan pulled his fist from the wall. They both got ready to strike.

"Tommy! Ethan! Are you guys in here?" Dustin called.

"Why don't you just announce to the world we are here?" Hunter muttered sarcastically. He was in civilian clothes, opting to leave his Sensei robes back at the Wind Academy.

"I thought you did that when you kicked the door open."

"We're here," Tommy muttered. Ethan sighed with relief as Tommy approached the door. He thought he and Doctor Oliver were about to meet the androids who attacked Conner. On retrospect, he realized that the androids probably would not announce their arrival by knocking on the front door. "May I ask why you felt the need to attack my front door?" Tommy asked dryily.

"We thought that you guys were being ambushed," Dustin replied. "We thought we heard sounds of a scuffle."

"Oh, that was just Ethan trying to decapitate me," Tommy muttered. "I ducked, he missed . . . and now I have a new hole in my wall." Dustin looked surprised and Ethan looked sheepish.

"You don't grab a gamer all stealth like when killer androids are on the loose," Ethan replied. "We don't think . . . we act." Especially gamers who played the Resident Evil series and were ex-power rangers.

"The enemy has made their presence known this night," Hunter muttered. "We didn't want to lose anyone else."

"Conner . . . Jason," Tommy muttered frantically. "They weren't-"

"It was neither of them," Dustin replied solemnly. "They went after the other target."

"Eric," Ethan said in shock. "Don't tell me he is-"

"We are pretty damn certain that he is," Hunter replied bluntly. He wasn't one to beat around the bush. "They must have really did a number on him. What was left of him, they must have took with them." When he had doubled back to the camp to see if Eric was there, all he found was blood. To much blood from a person who was still alive. "And by some miracle if he is not dead . . . they have him in their custody."

"Please don't tell me that," Ethan commanded in shock. His brown eyes were wide with the emotion. ". . .Do not say that to me." Over the years, he had developed a tentative friendship with Eric McKnight. "Eric is . . . he has to be fine." But the androids were ruthless and even if by some miracle Eric was alive, odds were the androids weren't worshiping him as their new wind god. Saying that Conner would take this hard, would be a gigantic understatement. It would not matter if Eric was dead or alive. He was in the hands of the enemy. He could already feel his friend's pain.

"I am sorry man," Dustin said sadly. "Hunter and I got there to late to be of any help to save him." He honestly did not think they would have been much help if they had made it in time. They all could have been killed.

Aww man, this cannot be happening. Tommy did not like Eric at all, but he would never have wished this fate upon him. He knew that Conner would be devastated. "What about Cam and Tori?" Tommy asked. He had noticed that the two Ninja had not mentioned their comrades' fates.

"They weren't a match for our new enemy," Dustin replied. "Even morphed, they got the best of Tori. Her morpher was totally destroyed." We almost lost her.

"Destroyed," Ethan repeated his voice sounded hollow even to his own ears. The shockers just kept on coming.

"They are okay?" Tommy asked slowly.

"Cam is fine," Hunter replied. "They did something weird to Tori, though. We cannot get her to wake up. It is like she is in some kind of suspended animation."

"Cam is pissed," Dustin replied. "Our common enemy made a mistake with crossing him . . . crossing us. He will not rest until we get our revenge." Cam was already trying to find a new power source for the new morphers he would be developing for the Ninja Rangers. "He is already making blueprints for our new morphers."

"He is juggling this with trying to find a way to wake up Tori," Hunter said. "We are wondering if we can enlist Haley on the helping to wake up Tori front or on the making new morphers front."

"You'll have to ask her," Tommy replied. "I am positive that she will agree to help in any way that she can."

"How can we can stop them if they can stop a Power Ranger in her tracks?" Ethan asked. "Tori is no push over. We have to warn Jason about all this. Maybe he can call in some reinforcements of the Power Ranger persuasion from Angel Grove. Obviously, he cannot do this alone."

"I agree," Dustin said. "I am sorry about Eric." He seemed to deflate. "We underestimated the enemy and we lost him as a result."

"We all underestimated the enemy," Tommy muttered. "But I have learned to never make the same mistake twice. First we go to the hospital and tell Jason and Conner the news. Then one of you will take me to the site of the battle so I can investigate the scene. The enemy would have to be very powerful to stop Tori. And I don't intend upon losing anyone else."

Katherine Hillard awoke from a dream centering around Rita Repulsa. Her old enemy was trying to tell her something but she could not understand what. Usually when Katherine dreamed about Rita, something bad was about to occur.

The last warning Katherine received from her old nemesis was before Adam Park and she were captured by Prince Gasket and his wife Princess Archerina. They were forced to try and battle each other to the death. Gasket and Archerina had enslaved an entire planet to manipulate Katherine and Adam into this act of pure violence that went against their character. Every time they refused to fight, Gasket and Archerina killed an innocent. Rocky and Tanya had their work cut out for them trying to free the inhabitance of the planet so Kat and Adam could stop their never ending battle.

Gasket and Archerina were at it again. Cogs showing up to cause trouble in Angel Grove was proof positive of that fact. The evil couple never did the same sinister thing twice, so what would their new evil angle be? The Zeo Power Rangers always managed to stop them. She hoped that that would be the case this time too.

Her wrist communicator sounded off. She reached over for it. "Billy," she said softly. Billy served as their Zordon when troubles of the evil persuasion surfaced in Angel Grove. His lab had many functions that served the Power Rangers of Angel Grove well.

"There is a cog attack in the Angel Grove Park," he replied. "You need to join the other Rangers as soon as possible."

"Okay," she replied. "Has Gasket or Archerina surfaced yet?"

"No," Billy replied. "These cog attacks are so random, I have yet to figure out what a possible angle of attack could be."

"You should get some sleep," Kat said quickly. "When I return, I will hold down the fort." She knew that he spent all night in his lab, monitoring Angel Grove. When evil was afoot, Billy always tried to stay one step ahead of the enemy.

"I don't want to give them the upper hand," Billy protested.

"The effects of insomnia will eventually give them the upper hand," Kat replied. "If you do not want to be outsmarted, get some sleep and recharge that amazing mind of yours."

"Right," Billy replied, a smile in his voice. "You guys be careful Kat."

She got out of bed and then activated her morphers. "It's Morphin Time!" Since the teleportation system had been down for months, she would have to call upon her Zeo Cycle to get to the park.

Kimberly Hart made breakfast for herself and Thomas "Toss" Scott on auto-pilot, because she was lost in thought. The previous night, she had received a call from Emily Scott. Jason's ex-wife was back in Angel Grove and had meekly requested to maybe come over and visit with Toss.

Kim agreed without hesitation. She knew that Jason would be mad at her when he found out about her little agreement. Toss was his son and it should be his decision, but Kim did not want to worry him. He had a mission to accomplish in Reefside and his mind should be focused solely on that mission. From what Rocky had told them about the horrible situation going on there, she knew that Jason would have to give it his all if he wanted to protect Conner McKnight . . . and Tommy.

Tommy, Kim thought shaking her head in dismay. She hoped Jason and Tommy were getting along. They would fall to the enemy if they were not a united front. She knew that Jason could hold a grudge forever if he set his mind to it. She hoped he realized that he would have done the same thing if he were in Tommy's shoes. That is why the two became best friends. They would go at a task at a different angel but somehow the way the achieved their goal would be the same.

Half-asleep, Toss entered the kitchen clad in his Superman pajamas, dragging his teddy bear behind him. He looked so much like Jason, when he was that age, that she could not help but smile. "Good morning Little Scott," she said.

"Good morning," he replied. He climbed into Jason's chair and sat down with an air of authority. He could mimic Jason really well when he go the notion. "I trust that you swept well?" he inquired, with one blond eyebrow raised.

"I did, kind sir," she replied smiling. She winked at him. "It is slept not swept."

"That is what I said, swept," he declared. She giggled. "I am hungry."

"Breakfast will be finished soon and then we can eat," she replied turning her attention back to the eggs she was scrambling. Once she finished them, she hurried to put a glass of juice in front of him.

"My momma's back," he declared, he stared at the juice as if in a trance.

Kim stared at the little boy in surprise. "You have seen her?" she asked slowly. Emily never mentioned approaching Thomas, but maybe she watched him from a far and did not think he saw her or even recognized her. Kim did take Toss with her to the grocery store the previous evening.

"She is not the same," he said softly. He picked up his glass and begin to sip his juice. Kim bit her lip as she stared at him. Why did she all of a sudden have a bad feeling about inviting Emily to dinner?

Where am I? Why do I feel so much pain?

As the hours went by his name and personality were erased. All the things that made this young man himself were taken. Only his memories, skills, and physical body remained. There was also the pain, but soon it too faded.

Kira Ford sat in Conner's room alone with him and his brooding. Jason was now with Doctor Oliver and the others. Hunter had temporarily taken over Jason's job as bodyguard and was sitting in the hall beside the room. They were going to try and talk Jason into leaving or at least calling for some reinforcements of the Power Ranger variety to come and help him. She felt that they were wasting their breath and trying to talk Jason into leaving. The reinforcement idea sounded like a better objective to try in achieve.

Kira looked at Conner from the side of her eyes. She could honestly say that things were better when Conner was comatose with not clue of what was going on in the world around him. This silent brooding Conner was not one she was used to. Jason informed them that he had not said a word since he awakened shouting Eric's name.

She closed her eyes. What could one say to someone who just lost their twin?

There was nothing she could say that would change things. She would probably succeed in making him feel worse. An action that would do wonders for the already depressing mood.

What do you say to someone who lost one of their significant others? Conner silently wondered.

Especially if the person in question had a Ptera Scream that could send him flying into the hospital room next to his. Still, she had to be hurting . . . .

"I'm sorry."

Kira's eyes opened. She said the words in her head, her mouth even moved, but the voice offering condolences was not her own. She looked at Conner in surprise. "About?" she asked, her dread carefully hidden from her face.

"Eric," he replied. "I know that once upon a time he was special to you."

Damn. Damn. Damn. "When did we slip into the Twilight Zone where I was the one needing comfort?" she asked. "Eric is your brother. This is your loss."

"I am aware of both of those facts," Conner replied slowly. "I am also aware that you and Eric had a thing or whatever."

"Hi Conner!" Cassidy exclaimed, giving a fog horn a serious run for it's money. She floated in the room with a bright smile on her face. "You look so much healthier than you did yesterday!"

Conner looked at her as if she lost the few marbles she had left. Kira looked at her in silent gratitude. Cassidy had saved her from what was about to be a very embarrassing confrontation. Trent shuffling in the room after Cassidy made the save all the greater. She did not want to discuss Eric in front of Trent and especially not in front of Conner.

Having Cassidy as an ally in this situation was proving to be a good thing.

Jason stared at the others in silence. They seriously thought that he would leave because the odds were not in his favor? Yes, the smart thing to do would be to pack his bags and head for the hills, but doing the smart thing wasn't always the right thing to do. "So the odds are against us," he said slowly. "If I am the only person with active Ranger Powers here, it makes sense for me to stay. You guys need my help."

"You have a son," Tommy replied. "Who I am pretty sure would miss you if you get taken out by the androids."

"They zapped Tori of her Ranger powers in a matter of seconds," Dustin explained. "No offense . . . but you won't be much of a defense against them for very long. Not if they have that kind of power."

"None taken and I mean no offense when I say that I am more of a defense than you guys," Jason said calmly. "I have active Ranger powers."

"That is true," Dustin agreed.

"That means you will last only a couples of minutes longer than us in a battle against them," Ethan replied logically. "You'll die right along with us and we are trying to prevent that."

"I cannot in good conscience leave here," Jason said honestly. "That is not my style. You guys need my help and I intend to give it."

"How did I know that you would refuse to leave?" Tommy asked with a dry smirk. He knew because it was the same answer he would have given. "What do you want to do?"

Despite the pleas of his friends from the previous night, David Trueheart spent the better part of the morning driving to Reefside in an angry fog. The emotion had clouded his judgment, severing his ties to the spirit world; severing the only tie he had left to his uncle.

He did not understand how Tommy could so cruelly let them all believe he was dead. He had spent many years anticipating the moment when he would meet his little brother, and when he finally did his life finally felt complete. Their reunion obviously did not mean as much to Tommy as it did to David.

How could the little brother that he had come to know, so easily live another life while the people who cared for him most, thought he was dead? How could he let David think that he was dead. Did he think so little of their bond?

He found the old house with some difficulty. Rocky had been vague with his instructions, hoping David would give up on his quest of confronting Tommy.

No way in hell that was going to happen.

He got out of the small compact car, slamming the door behind him. His eyes narrowed in on the front door of the house as it opened and a woman stepped out. Her startled brown eyes met his after they studied his mode of transportation.

"Tommy," Elsa whispered. She could not help but say the name aloud. This man standing before her looked so much like Tommy. He was a little stockier but the resemblance was uncanny. He was dressed in all black. Another trait of Tommy's. "Hello."

"Can the pleasantries." David noticed that his voice was more gruff than he would have liked, but he was to mad to really care. "Who are you and where is Tommy?"

Elsa's eyes narrowed as her principal mode kicked in. "First of all, you need to watch the tone of your voice. You are being rude and inconsiderate." She stopped herself before she gave him detention, which would be really dumb. He looked surprised as she marched down the veranda steps. I guess I would be rude and inconsiderate too, if my only mode of transportation was that ridiculous pink car.

David had borrowed Kimberly's car, because she was one of the few in the group that recognized his need to confront Tommy. "Where's Tommy?"

"I am not Tommy's keeper," Elsa muttered. She looked up at him curiously. "My name is Elsa." She stuck out her hand for him to shake. "What is yours?"

"David," he replied looking at her extended hand like it was unclean.

She retracted her hand to her side, withdrawing the offer of peace. She decided to try a different tactic. "Are you older than Tommy or younger?" she asked. "You look so much like him."

"I-I am older," he replied. "Are you his girl friend?" If she said yes, there was yet another reason to confront Tommy. "He has a fiancée in Angel Grove he let believe he was dead for years." His hands balled into fist. He was now literally shaking in fury.

Elsa schooled her expression so he would not see the surprise. She had not learned the complete truth on Tommy's past yet. She had been so busy with the Cyber Cafe and trying to keep food supplies stocked for Tommy, Kira, and Hayley that she had not been able to corner one of them to ask them the truth about the mystery that was Doctor Thomas Oliver. Stocking the fridge with food for him and Ethan, was the reason she was at Tommy's to take a part in this weird encounter. "That would explain why he would never go out with me," Elsa said thoughtfully. "Hey, it beats believing that he thought that I was about as attractive as one of his dinosaur fossils."

No one in their right mind would consider this woman unattractive, David thought. Bossy and brave but not unattractive. He was relieved that he would not have to go back and tell Kat that Tommy was with someone else. Not that it would not be expected, so many years had passed, but David thanked the spirits for small favors.

"Is he inside?" David asked refusing to be distracted for more than a few seconds.

"No he is at the hospital," Elsa replied. "Do you want me to escort you there?"

Right. Rocky had informed them all that one of Tommy's students had gotten hurt. Of course he would be there. "That won't be necessary," David muttered. "I saw the hospital when I drove into town."

"You actually drove in downtown Reefside in that?" Elsa asked in amusement. "You are either very brave or to angry to care about your reputation."

For the first time since making this voyage, David started to really consider how ridiculous he must look. A man hellbent on revenge, cruising the streets in a little pink car. He looked at Kim's car and smirked. "This is a friend's car," he replied. "I do not own my own motor vehicle. I usually remain on my reservation with my people. My horse is the only mode of transportation that I need. I could not bring him on this mission, so . . ." He let his voice trail off.

"You live on a reservation?" Elsa asked surprised. "Did Tommy live there?"

"Yes to the first question, and no to the second," he replied. Apparently he did not even warrant a mention to Tommy's new friends. ". . . I apologize for my earlier rudeness." He bowed his head. "It is just that . . . my brother has betrayed me and I have to find out why."

Elsa's look of amusement turned to one of pity. Behind the anger this guy was hurting. "For the record, Tommy did not come here to hurt you guys. He had a mission he had to complete. That mission saved the world, even if Tommy had to sacrifice his loved ones to finish it."

"Why didn't he come home after the mission was finished?"

"That is a question he has to answer himself."

After a short battle with the Cogs, the Zeo Rangers met at Katherine's place. After Katherine did a general sweep of Angel Grove from Billy's lab, she joined her friends in her den. "Something isn't quite right here," she said slowly.

"I agree," Tanya Sloan said. "I mean, random Cog attacks? Usually, they go all out when trying to defeat us."

"I am starting to think it is a diversion, but a diversion from what?" Adam Park muttered thoughtfully.

"If Tommy had not called Katherine, we would not know about what exactly happened to Conner," Rocky DeSantos said. "Which means we would not know about the android attack. Which means that we may have a possible reason for said diversions."

"You think it is possible that this is all related?" Katherine asked slowly.

"We cannot afford not to cover all the bases," Rocky replied.

"So we are going to Reefside?" Tanya asked glancing over at Katherine in concern.

"Rocky and I are going to Reefside," Adam replied. "On the very good chance that we could be wrong, Angel Grove needs defending from Prince Gasket and Princess Archerina."

"Out of the question," Tanya said frowning. "We can't split up because that is exactly what they want us to do. It would be easier for them to pick us off."

"It is not Angel Grove they want to destroy," Katherine said frowning. "It is us and I am not letting any of you out of my sight for more than a second."

"You heard the ladies," Rocky said smiling. "We aren't leaving without them."

"Are you ready for this?" Adam asked his eyes capturing Katherine's eyes.

"Yes," Katherine replied without hesitation. "I'd be a poor Ranger indeed if I let the situation with Tommy effect our teamwork. I am not so naive to think that this mission won't effect me but over the years I have learned that self sacrifices come with the job. I am a Zeo Power Ranger first and foremost."

Wise beyond her years. Adam decided long ago that that was an understatement when it came to Katherine Hillard. Tanya's thoughts also centered around this fact.

"I wanna be you so bad," Rocky said awestruck, causing the others to laugh. "Seriously I do."

Terrified did not quite cover the feelings that Krista had been experiencing these last few days.

Sensei Hunter left his school. Which meant that something happened to either Conner or Eric; maybe both. Since Eric had brought her to the Thunder Academy, some of Hunter's students were keeping watch over her but he was never far from where she was hidden.

Her guardians were now outside her room door. She usually stayed in the den with them, but today she just wanted to be alone. Guys please be okay. She was worried about her guys. She hoped that Conner would make a full recovery. She and Eric were the ones that dragged him into this situation. If he had died during that attack, she would never forgive herself.

What Pandora's Box did Eric and I open?

A noise from under her bed startled her. What was that? A soft purr quickly settled her nerves. Hunter had given her charge over a stray kitten that he found days earlier. She slid off the bed to retrieve her new pet. "Smoky," she whispered as she raised the side of the quilted bed spread.

She looked under the bed. The kitten was black so all she saw was his eyes shinning in the darkness. "Here Kitty." The kitten slowly walked toward her. She smiled in relief.

Hayley Viktor arrived in Blue Bay Harbor exactly two hours after being requested to do so by Hunter and Dustin. She wanted to leave earlier than that but there were some things she had to take care of in Reefside. Dustin and some of the Ninja from the hospital were her escorts. They had all piled into Dustin's Durango and made the trip.

Hunter was leading Tommy to the scene where they had lost Eric.

The Ninja were very worried about their Sensei and comrade. Tori meant a lot to many people so Hayley planned to do all she could do to help.

The situation was getting out of control. Hayley hoped that Rocky would return with more of the Zeo Power Rangers. She knew of the promise they made to Zordon but some promises needed to be broken. If these Androids were as strong as Hayley calculated them to be, the Zeo Crystal could very well be the only power source strong enough to match them.

Dustin could only drive to a certain point and then they would have to go the rest of the way on foot. The Wind Ninja Academy could not be reached by ordinary means. Hayley decided that this was an understatement, when they walked on a lake to open a portal that would lead to the school.

She stood on the lakeside in surprised awe. Dustin walked back toward her. "Take my hand," he commanded when he got close enough to reach out to her.

"I am not a Ninja and I am not the Son of God," Hayley replied. "I can't walk on water." Dustin smiled at someone or something over her shoulder. Hayley turned swiftly in a defensive stance that Tommy taught her. When she saw his identity, she stepped out of her stance in shock. "Detective," she said surprised, which quickly turned to anger. "Why would you follow me here?" She demanded. "For the last time, my friends and I have had nothing whatsoever to do with what happened to Conner!"

Detective Lance Smith looked at her strangely.

"He is with us," Dustin declared smiling.

"What!" Hayley exclaimed turning on Dustin. "Did you forget that he thinks that we had something to do with what happened to Conner?"

"That was pretty stupid of you man," Dustin declared, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"I cover all the bases." Hayley turned back to glare at him as he grabbed the side of his shirt and pulled. His Ninja outfit appeared as his clothes disappeared. His suit was black with yellow trim . . . An Earth Ninja.

"You are either the oldest looking teenager I have ever seen or the Ninja Academy takes on much older students then I first estimated." Dustin could help but laugh at this. There was no way the middle aged man could be mistaken for a teenager.

"This isn't Never-Never Land," he muttered in reply. "Teenagers grow up."

"I did," Dustin declared enthusiastically.

"Right," Hayley replied, making a face. Wasn't Lothor originally in Earth Ninja too? She wondered if it was a trait of all Earth Ninja to have rocks for brains. Tiring of the subject Lance stalked forward, bent at the knees, and grabbed Hayley behind hers. She found herself being lifted upwards and dumped over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Hey!"

"You said it yourself, you can't walk on water," Lance said bored. Dustin and the other Ninja stepped aside as the older Ninja stepped onto the water and walked toward the portal that led to the school. When Lance disappeared inside the portal, they quickly followed and then the portal closed behind them.

Cam looked back over his shoulder at the figure laying on the medical examination table. The glare from the overhead light shone on the top of her blond head like a beacon. She was ghostly pale and totally motionless; except for breathing in a normal rhythm.

He turned back to his computer, took off his glasses, folded his arms over his keyboard, and then rested his head on his arms. He felt guilty. Not only did he fail his mission, but Tori got hurt as a result of his failure. He wished that he could trade places with her and that it was he who was hurt instead of her.

"Yeah . . . and if it were you lying here instead of me, we would all be toast because without you . . . all would be lost." He knew her so well, he could hear her voice in his head berating him for having such thoughts. She was his biggest supporter and believed in him one hundred percent. He would not let her down.

When she finally awakens from this spell she'll probably lead the charge against those damn androids. Tori and Cam had never failed a mission, and they would do all within their power to bring Eric back home; dead or alive.

The floor Conner was on was completely vacant. In anticipation of an attack, other patients on the floor, were moved to a safer location. "Do you sleep?" Cassidy asked Jason seriously. "Because I would have keeled over by now if I were playing bodyguard for so long without rest."

"Do you realize it is not in his job description to answer dumb questions?" Trent asked. Cassidy had pulled up a chair next to Jason when he returned to his post. He just knew she was trying to score an interview with the older Power Ranger.

Jason smiled over that reply. Tommy's students were interesting to say the least.

"I am just concerned about his safety along with Conner's," Cassidy replied glaring at Trent. "What if he goes to sleep in the middle of combat or something?" This earned her a laugh from Jason and a dry look from Trent.

"The only other person who would have put that so eloquently is Kimberly," Jason declared. "I am fine and when Dustin and Hunter return they along with some of their Ninja will hold down the fort allowing me to recharge my battery."

"Who is Kimberly?" Cassidy asked intrigued.

"My best friend," Jason replied. "She lives with me and my son."

"You can put up with someone like her?" Trent inquired of him surprised. Jason seemed the type to avoid people like Cassidy like they were some type of great plague.

"Hey," Cassidy said deeply offended. "Like it is some great honor to hang out with the likes of you."

"You seem to think so," Trent muttered. "It's not like I ask you to contact me or anything." Ethan called him for inside the room and he opened the door and sauntered inside. The door closed behind him.

"I am always on the outside looking in," Cassidy said sighing. "I will never be completely accepted in the group." She looked at Jason trying to smile. "Why didn't you bring Kimberly with you?" At least I'd have someone here who relates to me.

"Her powers are malfunctioning," Jason replied. "Over the years they have gotten worse and I know if she were here and was faced with the threat of the androids and trying to protect Conner, she would morph without hesitation." Cassidy's matchmaker senses started to tingle.

"That is bad . . . right?" Cassidy asked.

"Very bad," Jason replied. "Every time she morphs a small part of her life force dissipates."

"That's awful," Cassidy said sympathetically. "It is awful for you because you want to protect your friend and it is awful for her because she is used to whipping out a morpher and saving the world without hesitation . . . and now she can't."

"I worry about her a lot, but since she is occupied, I think she will be fine." I hope.

"You know what, you are one cool guy. I am surprised you and Doctor Oliver are so close. He is this gigantic nerd who only talks about dinosaur bones. Just between you and me," her voice lowered into a stage whisper, "his class was so boring I almost died." Her opinion of Tommy would be higher if she actual knew his complete past, but since he deflected most of her questions about his Power Ranger history with his theories on evolution and his theories about how the dinosaurs spent their daily lives, she had come to the conclusion that he was a nerd of the highest order.

Jason laughed. Her personalty reminded him so much of Kim in her teenage years. "The Tommy I knew would not ever be mistaken for a nerd." Yes, Tommy had taken his career as a paleontologist seriously back then but in Angel Grove he still made time for racing, football, goofing off with the guys, and video games.

Maybe a part of Tommy did die because of what happened on that island.

Kimberly sat in the park waiting for Emily to arrive. Kimberly had requested this impromptu meeting after having breakfast with Toss. His words about his mother not being the same, is what prompted Kim's actions. His safety was her top priority and she wanted to make sure it was completely safe for him before proceeding with her dinner plans.

Meeting in the park wasn't her idea but Emily felt more comfortable around a lot of people. Maybe she thought more people would see her disappear if something out of the ordinary were to happen and then the Power Rangers could be on alert a lot faster.

Jason was so going to kill her. She had conversed with him on the phone not some five minutes ago, on her way to the park. It was like he knew she was up to something and then called to investigate. He was very good at sensing when Kimberly was up to mischief, as he called it. Kim had conveniently forgotten to mention that Emily was in Angle Grove and that she was on the way to meet her.

Kimberly's parents got divorced when she was a young teenager. Her life had never felt complete after that. She once thought that she would find completeness in romantic relationships, but she never did and she ended up ending two great relationships because she did not want to be left first because she just knew she would eventually be left.

She hated to think that Toss would grow up being scared that the people he loved would leave so he had better beat them to the punch and leave first. She wanted him to live life to the fullest and not pretend to do so like she had been doing over the years.

She also felt sympathy for Emily. It must have been so hard to leave her son behind . . . to leave Jason behind . . . her family. She didn't leave because she found something more worthwhile than her family. She left home to protect a family that she still loved.

"Hi."

Kimberly visibly started. She had not seen or even sensed Emily's approach. She was usually very attuned with her surroundings. She looked up. Jason's ex-wife stood before Kim wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a brown leather jacket. Emily was still gorgeous her looks withstanding the test of time; much like Kimberly's.

Kim recovered quickly and stood up. "Hello," she said excited. She enthusiastically hugged Emily and she hesitantly returned the gesture. The hug was brief but assuring enough to relax Emily. Kimberly had a way about her that made anyone around her feel as if they were with their best friend. After releasing her, Kimberly sat down. She motioned for Emily to sit beside her, but Emily opted to stand.

The two women did not know each other very well. Kimberly stayed in Florida for the majority of Emily's stay in Angel Grove.

"Why did you want to meet here?" Emily asked confused. "I thought we agreed upon me coming to dinner tonight to see Tommy." Emily's nickname for Thomas was Tommy.

"True," Kimberly replied slowly. "You left because you felt that you were the weak link in the chain that protects him." Emily visibly flinched but Kimberly could not allow that to stop her inquiry. She looked Emily right in the eye. "This probably sounds pathetic but your son is pretty much my best friend and I need to know, right now, if you are an enemy to him and if you are . . . it would be wise for you to leave Angel Grove immediately."

Emily looked stunned. Her eyes closed, wisps of her blonde hair fell forward framing her face. Her hands hung loosely at her sides. Her eyes finally opened after a few seconds of contemplation. "No, I am not an enemy or a threat to Tommy," she replied softly. "I can't promise that while I am here I will not be used as an device to get to him. I think we both know that the bad guys are good at using me in just that fashion. Right now . . . I just want to see my little boy." I miss him.

"Good," Kimberly whispered. She sighed with relief and guilt. She did not relish having to dig up Emily's old wounds like that. She would never forgive herself for it but it had to be done. "I'm sorry. His safety is my top priority." She looked down at her hands which were now clasped in her lap.

"Mine too," Emily replied. "I would think a lot less of you if you did not interrogate me in some way." She finally sat down on the bench next to Kimberly. "Can I ask you something now?"

"It is only fair?" Kim replied shrugging.

"Why aren't you and Jason together?" Kim looked at her as if she sprouted another head. The question was not an odd one, but the person asking the question made the situation odd. "I have known from the first moment that we were introduced that you loved him. You have been staying with him for a long time now so why haven't you told him?"

Kimberly laughed nervously. She looked up at the sky. She should have seen this question coming a mile away. "I have been in two failed relationships that were sabotaged by me. I discovered that I am very good at keeping friends . . . but I am terrible at being one-half of a dynamic romantic duo. You see, I always find a way to leave the other half heartbroken." The wind hid her face from Emily's because it disappeared behind her long hair which was flowing in the direction the wind carried it. "I have given up on love because in the end . . . I am not capable of keeping my side of the bargain."

"I see," Emily replied. Before she could say anything more a rip, in the shape of a gear, opened in the sky above them.

Kimberly watched in shocked, horror as a legion of Cogs fell from the rip. The rip closed as their feet hit the ground. Both women stood in shock as the evil footmen marched toward them. Oh no! Kim thought in horror. Not now.

Here we go, Emily thought with bitterness. The Cogs started to advance toward them. I should never have come back here.

Kimberly and Emily glanced at each other and then briefly nodded. Using the bench as a vault Kimberly flipped backwards over it and Emily used it to perform a back handspring over it. They landed on their feet perfectly behind it.

"Zack!" Kim exclaimed. "Teej!" Her power coin was way to unstable for her to use. Zack Taylor had insisted upon coming on this mission with her and his power coin was in top notch shape. T.J. Johnson had come along to offer assistance if it was needed. She had no idea where they were but she knew they were somewhere nearby.

"It's Morphin Time! Mastodon!"

"Lets Rocket!"

The Black Ranger and Blue Space Ranger walked out of the woods near them. They stood between the two women and the Cogs. The Black Ranger had his Power Ax resting on his shoulder and The Blue Ranger had his Astro Ax resting on his own shoulder. "Lets cut these guys down to size, Teej," Zack said smirking behind his helmet.

"Excuse us ladies."

"We have to get out of here," Kimberly said quickly. "This is going to get ugly fast and I don't want the guys to be worried about us while they are fighting." She watched the two powerful Rangers hack at the enemy with their axes and also taking some down with powerful kick combos.

Kimberly grabbed Emily's arm and ran in the direction of her car which was in the opposite direction of the Cogs; pulling Emily along behind her. Two Cogs suddenly appeared in front of them. Kim released Emily's arm, she jumped high in the air and kicked one Cog hard on the side of its head. When she landed on the ground her right arm launched forward and she hit it in the chest with her extended palm. The Cog stumbled backwards several yards from the force of the blow.

Emily twirled to the side to avoid running into Kimberly. She slammed both of her fist into the stomach of the other Cog, who also stumbled backwards several yards.

"Ha!" Kimberly jumped and kicked them both in the head simultaneously when the two robotic creatures rushed at them. When the two Cogs fell, Kim and Emily continued their trek toward the car. It wasn't to far now. The Cogs got to their feet and gave chase. Before they could reach the sanctuary of the car, more Cogs appeared in front of it. They begin to fight their way to the car.

Zack and TJ found themselves buried under many Cogs. More of the dumb robotic creatures dropped out of a rip in the sky to occupy the two Powerful Rangers. "This is ridiculous!" T.J. muttered. "Astro Blaster!" He pulled the weapon out of the holster on his hip and started firing on the Cogs at random.

The Cogs were programmed to fight to the death. Even the ones that the guys struck down with almost fatal blows still tried to get to their feet and continue the assault.

Zack hoped that Kim made it to the car before having to tangle with more Cogs. He knew that Kim had the good sense to flee the scene. He had lost sight of her because of interference from the large amount of Cogs. "Zack!" When he heard Emily's frantic cry, it was like an extra shot of adrenaline and he started fighting with more aggression to get to her and Kimberly.

His actions were futile because there was so many of the enemy. He wondered where in the hell the Zeo Power Rangers were. He hooted in happiness when they finally arrived along with the other Space Power Rangers. Their arrival sealed the fate of the enemy. Soon all the Cogs were gone but the arrival of the Rangers was not timely enough to help Kimberly and Emily because both women had disappeared.

Author's Notes: Since my last update my computer died on me. I had it for years so it was a huge blow. I got a new one months later and started working on updating my stories. In my next chapter Zack will be making a trip to Reefside to help Jason and another character or characters will disappear. Jason and Conner will bond over the disappearance of Kim, Emily, and Krista. David will confront Tommy. The Zeo Power Rangers get an ultimatum from Prince Gasket and Archerina.