Author's Note: This was one of the first stories I wrote solo about a hundred years ago when Anne Rice and Power Rangers ruled the world my friends and I lived in. Since then I have lost touch with every one of those friends, haven't read Anne Rice in 10 years and am pretty much out of touch with the PR World. So why this? Why now? Simply, because all of those things played a part in where I am today and who I am today. I've cleaned some of this up as I've typed this from the notebook it was originally put in, but I've left some of the less stellar parts simply to remind me of where I was when I wrote it. Although it's unlikely the people of my past will read this, or recognize it if they did, I am going to dedicate it to Stacey, Tim and Andrea for being there when no one else was.

Rocky slung his bag over his shoulder and pulled on his sunglasses as he pushed open the door heading into the parking lot. A minute later he heard the rapid footsteps behind him followed by "Master, Master" barely loud enough for him to hear let alone anyone else to hear. He continued several more feet before the other person caught up, "Master I-"

"Devon, how many times have I told you not to call me that at school?"

"I'm sorry M-" he stopped mid-word after Rocky gave him a stern look.

"What did you want to tell me?" he asked putting his backpack in the back of the open jeep. Devon put his bag in the back of the other side of the car before climbing in.

"There's a ninja competition. The best of our fighters go on to face Angel Grove and some of the other schools."

"I know. I signed up".

"You… signed up?" Devon slowly repeated.

"Yes. It will be a good exercise" he said pulling out of the parking lot.

"Aren't you worried?"

"No. Devon, in time when you learn more control you can do things like this. We'll practice while you train. And stop acting so nervous. You were doing fine, but there are rumors starting to surface".

"Surface? Rumors, Master?" his hands twitched nervously clenching and unclenching.

"How long have I been telling you not to act twitchy around people?"

"Years Master" he sounded completely defeated.

"It makes people uncomfortable and nervous. They are starting to think you are touched in the head".

"I'm sorry" Rocky held up a hand cutting him off as they headed out of Stone Canyon.

"When we get home, go hunting with Ellena, you'll feel better tomorrow."

"Yes Sir" the younger man tried not to sound too crushed, he knew he was supposed to be pushing himself but the truth was, he'd nearly bitten the girl in front of him in 3rd period.

"You are still young. It will get easier with time". Rocky said as if he could hear his thoughts racing around his head.

Adam and Aisha sat under the tree in the park taking a break from their practice. "Have you heard who else is competing?" Adam asked. He knew if anyone would know it would be Aisha.

"Scott and Kyle are the only names I've heard. But I think there will be more. Who do you think will sign up?" she took a sip of water from her bottle.

"I don't know" Adam shrugged. "I heard the DeSantos kid and maybe Jimmy".

Aisha made a funny face "he's weird".

"Jimmy?" Adam frowned. He'd had a class the previous year with him and Jimmy had seemed fairly normal, or as normal as any freshman boy could be.

"No. Rocky" she rolled her eyes. "There is something off about him".

"He's fine. We're in math together. His brother Devon is the weird creepy one."

"Yeah. Maybe."

"Guess we'll know in a couple weeks" Adam said letting a comfortable silence fall between them.

A couple weeks later Adam and Aisha were suppose to find that not only was Rocky competing, he was an excellent martial artist and easily beat all of his opponents despite him looking scrawny, even for a sophomore. Aisha was less than thrilled at the idea of working with him for the tournament at Angel Grove. Adam on the other hand, was so impressed he was able to over look the boy that shadowed Rocky's every move. They knew they would have to compete in a 3 on 3 competition and would need to meet to determine their strengths and weaknesses and to work out a strategy. Rocky offered to meet them at the park not far from Aisha's and Adam's houses. They had three weeks to prepare and they would probably need whatever time they could spare.

"I hope he leaves the Shadow at home" Aisha said watching them leave.

"Come on Aisha, he has some wicked moves, you have to admit it". Just because it was the truth didn't make 'The Shadow' and less creepy.

Rocky was waiting for them at the park leaning against an old World War II era motorcycle, still painted olive drab. He gave a quick wave when he saw them. "Hey guys".

"Is that your bike?" Adam asked.

"Yeah… it was my grandfathers".

"You know you're like the only sophomore who can drive" Aisha said bluntly.

"Mark Miller can also drive" Rocky corrected her.

"Mark also failed 9th grade. Twice" She held up two fingers as if emphasizing her point.

"We moved around a lot when I was kid. Sometimes I'm the oldest in my class, sometimes I'm the youngest" he shrugged.

"Military family?" Adam guessed.

"Yes". Rocky pushed his sunglasses up "so do you want to practice or do you want family tree?"

"Uh… we could practice under the big tree" Adam suggested pointing to a tree not far from where they stood.

"Your brother didn't come?" Aisha asked as they headed to the tree.

"No. He's grounded" It was a lie but he didn't think they needed to know that he'd threatened to beat him senseless if he tried to tag along. Something had happened in the last few months that seemed to make Devon more clingy than usual and Rocky couldn't figure out what, but he did know that he needed time away from him.

They spent the afternoon practicing. To Adam and Aisha's surprise Rocky actually had a pretty good sense of humor. He also had so many moves they'd never seen, which he chalked up to traveling a lot and he offered to show them some after the tournament.

They watched as Rocky left on his bike "you know Adam, I might have been wrong".

"I told you he wasn't creepy"

Aisha nodded "he might be alright, but his brother is still weird".

"I won't argue. Maybe there's something wrong with him or something and starting a new school every year can't be easy".

"Come on. Let's go get ice cream".

The three spent the next few weekends and after school together practicing, Rocky used the time away from Devon to decide what to do with his apprentice, he hated to leave Stone Canyon High, after all, they had just 'arrived' at the beginning of the year, but it was looking like it was going to be the only option.

Adam and Aisha found Rocky on the Friday before the competition at an empty lunch table working on homework. "Hey Rocky" Adam said as he sat down.

"Hey" he didn't look up from his math book.

"Do you mind if we sit here?" Rocky glanced up at them and half shrugged.

"I don't care" his attention went back to the homework "I'm just trying to finish last night's math".

As Adam ate, he watched his classmate copy the problem from the book and quickly work through it in his head. It was advanced algebra and had taken Adam hours with a calculator. "Are you doing those in your head?" Adam finally asked when the page was nearly full.

"Um, yeah. I forgot my calculator at home". Rocky made a mental note to pick up one of the new fancy calculators even if they did take forever to work the problems with. He folded the pages and stuck them in his book.

"So ready for tomorrow?" he asked changing the subject.

"I'll be glad when it's over" Aisha confessed. "Mr. Anderson offered us a ride tomorrow".

"Oh. Devon will have to come, so we'll probably drive. If you want a ride we can pick you up" he offered.

"Oh, um.., it's probably out of the way for you". Adam and Aisha shared a quick glance that Rocky understood to mean they didn't really want a ride from him, which didn't bother Rocky any.

"There's a park not far from this place, do you want to meet up there to warm up some?" Adam suggested.

"Sure. Sounds good. I can have Devon drop me off".

"Devon can drive too?" Rocky nodded.

"We're the same age".

"Isn't he a freshman?"

"He was adopted when we were kids. He's had a lot of… difficulties. Sometimes he has a hard time relating to people and social situations. But he's good with mechanical things. I need to run to my locker. See you in class." He tossed his bag over his shoulder carrying the math book in his hand. "Well that explains some of it" Aisha said.

"We should try harder to be nice to him".

"You're joking".

"No. Rocky's alright, maybe once he gets to know you, Devon is too. It can't hurt."

"I guess" she said but it sounded reluctant.

The next afternoon when they arrived at the Youth Center in Angel Grove the place was already packed. Rocky hoped Devon was doing okay in the crowd. Adam and Aisha were still talking about the encounter in the park with Mr. Anderson and the three teens they met.

Most of their competitors were average martial artists. Rocky had to remind himself to be gentle with them. The final round of fighters they faced were a lot tougher and tended to ignore the rules in place for the tournament. They nearly finished Aisha off, although Rocky would admit she was only mediocre, but even Adam fought hard to hold his own. They were finally able to beat the opposing team with a move that would have probably gotten Rocky disqualified if he'd been seen.

Outside the Youth Center their new friends, Devon and Mr. Anderson waited for them. What none of them were expecting was the large gold winged monkey that appeared from nowhere. Before they could react they found themselves transported to a cave where Rocky, Adam and Aisha were chained to one rock and Mr. Anderson and Devon chained to another.

Rocky's biggest concern was for Devon. He was still young and panicked easily. He was hoping Devon could keep his wits about him until he could figure a way to get out. He knew he could get out of the chains that held them easily enough but couldn't begin to explain how he'd done it to the two he sat between, so he stayed put.

Devon caught his eye and he gave him a look warning him to stay calm. Mr. Anderson was still worrying about his son and Aisha had pulled a pin from her hair and was trying to pick the lock.

After what seemed like hours she managed to get the lock open but their freedom was short lived. Only now they found themselves staring down a snake that threatened to make them all evil. Rocky hated to imagine the effect it would have him and especially Devon.

If things could get any odder the Power Rangers showing up and having to battle the bizarre, wiggly, humanoid grey things certainly were the icing on the cake. Mr. Anderson had been rushed away to find his son and when the fighting was over they noticed the Blue Ranger missing and followed the White and Pink one back into the cave. They were all shocked to learn the true identity of the Rangers.

As they stood before Zordon, Rocky could sense Devon's nervousness and rightly so. Zordon's name was not wholly unfamiliar to Rocky although he was sure Devon had never heard it before. Still Rocky was sure Zordon knew their secret. He spoke to them of the importance of keeping the Rangers' identities secret and the goodness in Adam and Aisha that made them perfect citizens.

Rocky knew he and Devon couldn't be included in either description. He wondered if the others noticed them being left out until Zordon turned his attention to Rocky and Devon.

"Rocky" he looked up at the floating head pondering its existence. "You are not unfamiliar with this sort of responsibility. I trust you will guard it as your own". Rocky glanced back at Devon who stood behind him staring at the floor, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He looked terrified. Rocky looked back at the head.

"You have my word and I ask the same of you in return".

"Of course. Alpha, please return Rocky and Devon to the Youth Center".

"Ay ay ay" the robot sounded dismayed but did as asked.