Disclaimer: I do not own Adam or any of the Rangers in this fanfic. They are the properties of Saban. Any and all original characters, however, belong to me.

Prologue

November 1994
Angel Grove
Adam

The park is busy. A dozen guys are playing a pickup game of football, a father and son toss a Frisbee between them, and a brother and sister play a game of catch. A bunch of five and six year olds run around engrossed in a game of frozen tag while a family of five sits near the playground having a picnic. The youngest of the family, a girl of about six, leaves the picnic making a beeline for the swing set.

"Stay where we can see you, Stella," the girl's brother calls after her. He looks like he's in his mid-twenties. I watch the family for a moment. The father pulls a ham sandwich out of the wicker basket while her mother takes a sip of her can of Coke. The fifth member, another daughter maybe four or five years younger than the brother munches on an apple. Looking between the six year old and the rest of the family, I get the impression that the two oldest are from one parent's previous relationship. My impression is correct when the brother and sister call the mother by her first name – Diane.

I've been in the park for much of the day honing my martial arts. It's only now I've decided to take a break and take in everything around me. The breeze is light and cool; the leaves of the oak tree I'm sitting under dance along. The sun is high and bright – autumn in Angel Grove. The people in this park, the teenagers playing football; the father and son; brother and sister; the family of five, they are all my responsibility to keep safe.

A few weeks ago I was chosen as Zack Taylor's successor to be the Black Power Ranger. When Rocky, Aisha and I learned Tommy, Billy and Kimberly were Power Rangers, none of us dreamed we would be fighting alongside them. I am honoured to be serving in their company, but I'm still getting used to looking out for more than just my friends and I. Admittedly, I worry that I won't be able to do everything that is expected of me. It's why I've been here as long as I have. Martial arts has always been a way for me to clear my head and think about things productively. Now, it prepares me for impromptu battles Zedd and Rita conjure up.

I get up from my spot at the tree and continue going through the routine. After a moment, I can feel a pair of eyes on me.

Stopping, I turn and am met by the six year old from the family of five.

"How'd you learn how to do that?" she asks. "You're good." She takes a couple of steps closer to me; she brushes a renegade strand of shoulder length brown hair behind her ear and looks at me with curious blue-grey eyes. Her denim overalls are worn and her sneakers are covered in sand, but her long sleeved lavender shirt looks new.

I give her a smile. "A lot of practise."

"I want to learn, but my mommy doesn't want me to; she says it's too dangerous. But I think it's cool."

"It can be, but only if it's used the wrong way," I answer.

"Do you think if I told her that she'd let me learn?" she asks.

"I don't know—"

"I'm sorry." The girl's mother comes up behind her. Diane, I think it was they called her? "I hope she's not bothering you." Looking between the mother and daughter, there is no denying the two are related.

I shake my head. "Oh no, she's not bothering me at all. She can stay and watch if she wants to."

"No, it's okay," Diane says. She takes her daughter's hand and leads her away. "Stella, you know what I've told you about that stuff."

"But I just want to watch," Stella protests.

"And then you'll want to learn and I don't want you involved in that; it's too dangerous."

I watch them walk away. I feel sorry for Stella. All she wants to do is learn martial arts. I do understand where her mother is coming from, but I've always believed in giving something a chance.

Stella runs back to the swing set while her mother rejoins the rest of the family. I watch Stella on the swings briefly; her disdain in her mother's decision is written all over her face. She notices me watching her and gives me a wave. I return it, then continue going through my routine.

My practice is soon interrupted by the sound of frightened screaming behind me. Knots tie up my stomach as my gut tells me the most likely cause.

Turning around, I curse. My gut is right. Lord Zedd has unleashed one of his monsters and a pack of Putty Patrollers. The monster looks like it's been made from a giant mace from the museum. It carries a mace in its hand and it swings it at the kids on the playground. The kids run amidst the group of terrorizing Putties.

The knots in my stomach tighten when I catch sight of Stella still at the swing set; she's been separated from her family by the Putties.

I briefly entertain the thought of morphing, but wonder if I have enough time. The monster is closing in fast. Stella screams for help, calling for her parents. They can do nothing as the Putties force them further and further away from the playground. They beckon to her, telling her to run, but the girl's fear has her frozen.

I weigh my options and decide to morph before engaging in battle. A concoction of instincts and adrenaline kicks in and I make a beeline for Stella.

In the short time I've been a Power Ranger, I have never seen a monster attack a child. Lord Zedd is known to fight mean, but I've never known him to particularly fight dirty.

The monster winds up, preparing to unleash its mace. I take the girl into my arms, but with the monster's weapon coming in hard and fast, I know I don't have time to escape the blow. I turn my back to the monster, keeping Stella close and the mace hits me square in the back.

Stella screams, feeling the hit through me – her voice is nearly deafening.

I fall to my knees and tighten my grip on the girl, anticipating a second hit.

It doesn't come.

I hear the familiar voices of the rest of the team behind me.

"Are you okay, Adam?" Rocky is at my side.

Looking up, I nod. "I'll survive." I get to my feet. Kim has taken care of the Putties harassing Stella's family. I turn to Rocky. "I'm going to get Stella and her family out of here."

I don't wait for a reply. With Stella now grasping my neck, I race over to her family and Kim. I tell Kim what I told Rocky and usher the family to the nearest exit.

We reach the park edge and can no longer hear the battle. Stella unwraps her arms from around my neck and I set her down. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yes, thank you so much," the mother exasperates.

Stella turns to me and through the fear still on her face, looks at me, eyes wide in astonished curiosity. "You're a Power Ranger, aren't you?"

I can't help but laugh. "Yes, I am."

With a smile, she turns to her family. "See? I told you they were real," she says proudly.

"Yes and you were right, sweetie," her brother smiles.

"Okay." The father looks at his youngest daughter. "We need to let the Power Ranger do his job."

Stella nods, but steps forward to give me a hug; I kneel down to receive it.

"Thank you for saving me," she says.

I'm thankful my helmet conceals my face; I'm beaming. Now I know I am cut out for this – I am meant to be a Power Ranger. It's for moments like these that tell me I am not doing this in vain. I understand why Kim, Billy and Tommy have done this as long as they have. It's for the thank yous from the families they've helped and knowing they have kept people from getting hurt. I don't think anything is ever going to top the tight hug of gratitude I'm in now. If ever I need encouragement in the future, I'll draw it from this moment right here.

"You're welcome, Stella," I reply.

When she withdraws, a look of recognition crosses her face. Does she recognize my voice from when we met earlier? Is she going to call me on it or just let it be?

Stella's sister puts a hand on Stella's shoulder and the girl backs away.

"Tell the Pink Ranger, and the others, we say thank you," the father says.

"I will," I reply.

The brother hoists Stella onto his shoulders. "Thank you again."

The family turns and starts down the street. Stella turns her head to look at me, yelling out one last thank you and waves at me.

I return the wave and when she turns back, I make a beeline for the playground to return to the fray.

The monster and Putties are gone by the time I get back.

"Are the little girl and her family okay?" Rocky asks.

I nod and relay the father's message to my friends.

Tommy claps my shoulder. "Good job, Adam."

I know to what Tommy is referring. I'm beaming. "Thanks, man."