I have this same dream every night. I crumble under the weight of my guilt at events that I cause to happen. My jealousy and my rage covered by the laughter and pranks I excel at. I was supposed to be loyal. The black ranger was supposed to be the most loyal. I'm not second in command. I always transform first, but I'll never be first in command. Unless I can prove it to them otherwise. That's us; the golden five sitting in Ernie's after a hard day's work sipping pineapple smoothies. Loyalty, Grace, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Courage. Do you ever wonder why Black hasn't been resurrected in the Ranger pantheon until recently? Well, that's my fault. My name is Zach. And I used to be someone important.

So, about this dream. It's kind of a preface to the events that destroyed the world. Trini is dead; it's my fault. I can accept that except for the guilt. It's always the guilt that sends me to my knees. It's the guilt when I think of Billy in that asylum and Tommy running away. It's the guilt of Kimberly's broken career and watching that evil Green Ranger destroy Angel Grove. I'm at Trini's gravesite always after midnight. It's an embarressment; a just in case sort of scenario. I don't want any of them to see me. After the coins were destroyed by Goldar; I fell deeper and deeper into the pits of my own personal hell. I began doing some very bad things and eventually had my legs broken and reset. I know I'll never dance again. I know I can never love.

And Trini is that reminder. Beautiful, philosophical, studious Trini who I helped to destroy. I have this pair of earrings I snuck off of her ears at that last battle. Alpha was hoping to have Billy analyze them; see if something from her could be revived. But it was all too late. Alpha was dead, well, as much as a robot can be dead, and Zordon was gone; the place completely trashed. She wore this pair of Amber earrings every day, almost, and I took them from her. And now I am giving them back.

The dream ends as my trembling, scarred right hand places them in two little notches on her grave. The earth trembles and gives way. The dream ends like most dreams do; I fall into the grave and wake up swamped in my pillows to the chime of my alarm clock. Thank God I only have the dream once a week. By the time I make it down to breakfast; I've usually forgotten most of it. Except for that feeling. Today? Today is different. It's vivid and startling all the way until I see her.

I jump as she snaps her locker shut next to mine. The five of us were split up on the locker assignments this year, but we're only across the hall. Apparently, Billy's been calling my name as Trini made some comment about the dance contest next week. I pretend to hear it.

No, Billy, I haven't finished the assignment on the rainforest yet. I have to try and ignore her; the weird guilt feeling just isn't going away. She smiles and shakes her head back; her hair floating in the wind.

Zach, you've got to get serious about this homework. It's due next week.

I know Trini; I know. Between you and Billy, I can't seem to get piece about it.

Even Jason has some of it done!

Hey, why are you picking on me? It's not my fault they schedule my favorite show at the same time each day!

Jason, ESPN is not a good reason for not learning about the cute rainforest frog that's going extinct. Jason groans.

Only you would think a poisonous creature is cute, Kim.

I also happen to think it's cute, just in a unique sort of way. Come on Kim; let's leave the boys to their sports talk. Everyone shakes their head as Kim and Trini walk off to the bathroom in a pair again.

Billy, man, you're the scientist. What's up with girls going to the bathroom like that?

It's perplexed man since the beginning of the dinosaurs, Zach. Jason shoots Billy an amused look. And it may always be that way.

I think that might have been rhetorical Billy.

Jason rubs his head playfully and shoots down the hall to join the game of hallways basketball the jocks are playing. Billy sighs as he enters the classroom; taking a last glance at his homework assignments. Just another uneventful day at Angel Grove High.