A/N: So, this is an idea that's been floating around in my head for a little over a year now, and I'm really excited to share it with all of you. The story will have a lot of elements that parody the show, especially in the beginning chapters (because frankly, I really can't help myself), but will start to head into a more darker and edgier direction in later chapters. Also, this is a fic in which OCs are an integral part of the plot, as mentioned in the summary, so to people who aren't partial to them, thanks for checking this out anyway. If you like what you read, please leave a review; they're much appreciated!

Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one, save for my OCs. If I did, I'd be rich. Rich, I tell you!

1. Official Unofficial Business

It was no secret that Angel Grove was the moral center of California – perhaps the entire United States. Instead of spending all their time partying, slacking off, or fulfilling their typical archetypes, teenagers did practically all the work in maintaining the city and the ethical consciousness. They planted gardens, cleaned up litter and waste sites, organized community outreach programs (especially for kids), stopped the demolition of historical landmarks, worked for and gave to charity, studied hard enough to make their high school's API the highest in the state, taught extracurricular classes, treated everyone with respect (well, except for the few bad seeds, of course), entered science and art fairs, held dances with simply stylin' tunes, hung out at the same youth center and park every day, and did we mention that six of them saved the world daily from aliens?

It's remarkable that most of them came home in time for dinner.

No wonder it was the city chosen to represent the US in the 1994 Teen Peace Summit – because no one knew the issues that plagued the world better than adolescents. It was incredibly exciting for the city as a whole. After all, the only thrilling thing that had happened lately was the Rita Repulsa attack, and while it did result in the arrival of the Power Rangers, it certainly wasn't a good thing. Having the chance to better the world instead of just standing by and watching it be destroyed would be a nice change of pace. However, there were only three spots available for the US, and tension was high over who would be selected. The smartest? The sweetest? The prettiest? Oh, it didn't matter; they all seemed to posses those qualities.

The trepidation was still enough to paralyze the teens, most of whom were gathered in the Juice Bar on the penultimate Saturday of the announcement. Those who had gotten there early enough were crowded around Ernie's sole television set; the rest were either straining to see over each others' shoulders, or just hovering around the tables, resigned to just hearing the news. The report began a few minutes after four, and everyone in the building ceased their chatter – except Bulk and Skull, of course, but they couldn't be expected to ever shut up.

"Out of thousands of entrants, three names were announced today as the lucky students invited to attend the World Peace Summit in Switzerland. The three youths will meet and then travel with teens from all over the world to discuss global problems that effect all of us, young and old."

"Excuse me, please," called a nasally voice, as a thick head of greasy black hair poked out of the crowd and slowly made its way to the bar. "Oh, please, move aside." It stopped behind two unnaturally tall boys. "Move it, subordinates." It was trying to take on a demanding tone, but just sounded pathetic. However, the boys did move aside, and a stick-thin boy with think, square-rimmed glasses resting on the the tip of his pointy nose pressed himself into the bar, staring intently at the TV screen.

"Hunger, pollution, poverty, cultural barriers, and education are among the topics on a very busy agenda for these young people. They'll be visited by scientists, politicians, and academiants as they try to understand these issues and offer their perspective on solutions for world peace."

" 'Academiants' isn't even an actual word. Very unprofessional for an anchorman, tsk tsk tsk," the boy muttered, shaking his head and sniffing loudly. A few people behind him shushed him, but he just waved them off. "Juveniles...commentary is a sign of intelligence."

"The three teens from Angel Grove are Jason Lee Scott, Zack Taylor, and Trini Kwan."

"Aha! Interesting choices indeed." As the patrons began to both gush and steam over the report, the boy power-walked though a break in the crowd and nearly tripped over his feet as he tried to reach the exit. However, he saw the need to press himself against the lockers as a large chunk of the group stampeded out of the Youth Center, probably to go angst in their bedrooms or cry to their mothers over how they hadn't been chosen. Scoffing at the thought, he brushed off his wrinkled orange t-shirt, and detached a walkie-talkie from his belt. "Co-Ed, this is Eagle-Ed, do you receive my transmission?"

Some static came through the speaker, until a feminine voice cleared her throat on the other line. "Melvin, do we really have to use code names?"

Melvin rolled his eyes. "Official business, Lilly. Co-Ed, I repeat, this is official business, over."

Lilly let out a long sigh. "Eagle-Ed, what is your business? ...Over."

"Identities of delegates revealed. Coverage required ASAP."

"No duh, I was watchi- uh, I mean...tell me what to do and it'll be done. Urgency is not guaranteed, over."

"What? What do you mean it's not guaranteed, smart-alec? No other newspaper in the city will cover their reactions until tomorrow; we have to be the first. This could be the break that finally improves our profit!"

"You realize that newscasters are probably interviewing them right now, don't you?"

"Of course I realize that! I'm not the editor for nothing. Televised news is overrated; real information is printed." He coughed. "Anyways...contact the writer that lives nearest to the park. Make sure he or she is armed with at minimum four questions that the three can each answer individually, and that he or she gets there using the fastest method of transportation possible. The Temporibus will not be upstaged by some popular, 'legitimate' newspaper. We are the most legitimate there is! One day, the city of Angel Grove will realize our genius – my genius – and no longer shall I have my head shoved in the toilet! No longer shall I be assaulted in empty classrooms! No longer shall I be taped to the locker roo-"

"Melvin! Please don't go off on a tangent, the sound is tinny enough as it is over the speaker," Lilly pleaded. "...But yes; one day, our measly little biweekly high school newspaper will someday achieve city-wide acclaim. It sure will." Her voice was now monotone.

"That's why I made you co-editor, Lilly. You share my vision. And, eheh, the other matter I discussed with you after your induction ceremony...about possibility of intimacy..."

"Not in a million years, Glauss. It's an inappropriate time to be bringing that up right now, don't you think?" She didn't give him the chance to attempt to defend himself. "I'll get on that and do my best to meet your demands, sir. Over."

The static cut off, signaling the end of the transmission. Melvin huffed, and finally went through the doors. He looked down at the shrubbery. "The Temporibus will grow colossal. Even the citizens will beg to put it in syndication. ...We just need that whopper story. And I swear, this has to be it."

Meanwhile, the Power Rangers – three of whom were the chosen delegates and were to be the subjects of this supposed 'whopper' – were engaged in a tight group hug in the park, basked in the sunset. They were laughing and cheering – except for one.

"Kim...are you crying?" asked Tommy when they broke apart, gripping her shoulders lightly and looking straight at her. She wiped a tear away with her thumb, but shook her head.

"Of course not! I'm so happy right now; unbelievably happy!" she replied, forcing a smile and a chuckle. Zack tilted his head slightly.

"Aw, Kim, you can't fool us like that. Especially when tears are running down your face," he said, laughing and pulling her into another hug.

"I'm gonna miss you guys so much," she choked out, burying her face into his chest. "Do you guys know when you're gonna be back?"

Jason ran a hand through his hair. "We don't know anything; all we know is that we're going, and you guys told us that."

"Oh...right." Kim bit her lip.

"We'll call and write whenever we have the time," Trini said gently, rubbing Kim's arm and smiling tentatively at Billy and Tommy. "Of course, you did say that we have a packed agenda..."

"It'd be most improbable and unfair if the facilitators didn't allow you any allotment for leisure and contact with your relations," Billy added, shoving his hands into his pockets and folding into himself a tad. "There's nothing to worry about in regards to that.

Trini smiled even wider at him. "He's right; of course there'll be free time."

"I'd like to think that's an important part of keeping the peace," Zack joked, earning a hearty laugh from everyone. He finally released Kimberly, who launched herself at Trini.

"But...you guys won't be here. You'll be missing in class and at the Juice Bar and in the Rangers! What are we even going to about that?" She took a moment to think over what she said. "Ugh, I don't even care about Ranger duties right now, I just care about you. I mean...who's gonna spot me on the beam?"

"Tommy? Billy?" Jason questioned. Billy looked uncomfortable, and Tommy just shook his head. They laughed again, save for Kimberly.

"Gee, thanks; that makes me feel so much better."

Trini stroked her hair. "What about Aisha? She seems nice enough, and attentive."

"Nah, she and the guys are going back to Stone Canyon the day after tomorrow. At least that's what they said the last time I talked to them; I haven't seen them in a couple of days."

"I asked Adam and Rocky to train with me a couple times, but they never came to the Youth Center. I thought everyone hung out there." said Tommy, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Even after what Zedd put them through? I wouldn't blame them if they're already back in Stone Canyon," said Zack, shrugging.

"I don't know...they've stuck around to help us this long – and they've really helped us..." Jason mused, rubbing his chin. Kim separated herself from Trini, and attempted to compose herself.

"They're nice, but they're leaving, and that's that. And you are too, so we have to make the most of our time left - what little we have. The news guy said you were leaving on Wednesday..." She huffed, and looked down at the grass. She tapped her foot impatiently, and rose her head after a minute. "We'll think of something."

Tommy reached forward and squeezed her shoulder. "We will. But it's getting late. I've got a ka-"

"A karate tournament tomorrow?" Jason finished for him, smirking.

"Hah; you're funny, man. But you're right." Tommy lightly punched his arm, and the group laughed yet again.

Trini nodded. "Tommy has a point, though. I should start packing. Or at least figure out what I'm going to pack."

"Me too...once my mom stops hugging me to death," said Zack, shuddering. No one laughed this time, because they all knew it was true.

"Alright guys, we'll see you later," said Jason. He led Zack and Trini down the path with their bikes, while Tommy, Billy, and Kim went the other way. Suddenly, Kim stopped, grinning.

"I've got it! We'll have a major party! Pull out all the stops, invite everyone! Oh, it'll be awesome; the best way to send them off!"

"Stupendous!" Billy agreed readily, smiling almost as wide as her. "Perhaps it would be an appropriate occasion to test my renovations to the Cake-O-Matic."

Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Cake-O-Matic? Sounds like a heck of a machine."

"Oh, no," said Kim, shaking her head and giggling, "Billy, I love you, but that machine isn't coming anywhere near the party." She turned back to Tommy. "He made it for Zack's birthday so we wouldn't have to pay for a cake from the deli. Unfortunately, it just turned out mush and made a huge mess. A tasty mess, but a mess."

Tommy laughed. "Oh, but that sounds like fun! There won't be mush at the peace conference; this could be their only chance to have any!"

"While that is not the intended function of my invention, it could make for a boisterous experience." Billy smiled sheepishly. "However, per Kim's request, I wouldn't want it to cause a ruckus, so I'll exercise caution and keep it in my workshop until I work through its flaws. And I would much rather escape her wrath than be at the brunt of it."

She had a vacant look on her face for a moment – still not very good at comprehending Billyspeak – but nodded sharply all the same. "You've got that right." After one more shared laugh, they settled into comfortable silence as they made their way home.

They left just in time to miss someone roll haphazardly down the steepest hill in the park, not too far from where the group was standing. Once she finally was safe on the ground – covered in grass and mud – her cheap bike rolled down and landed right on top of her, causing her to emit a yelp.

"The things I do for my craft!" she yelled, and slumped on the grass.

Lord Zedd had to face it – he was failing miserably in his attempts to destroy the Power Rangers.

He had been pacing for hours in his throne room, trying desperately to come up with an idea for a monster so powerful, so frightening, and so malicious that those children wouldn't stand a chance. The only thing that came to his mind was a living dandelion whose seeds had the ability to put humans to sleep. Oi.

"Why can't I come up with a way to annihilate those juvenile delinquents?" he yelled, stomping back over to his throne. He slammed the bottom of his staff down on the floor, causing the palace to shake and thunder to reverberate through the corridors.

"Baboo, it's the big one!" Squatt shouted desperately, clinging to his companion's waist. While they were well-kept within their little safe-room, they could never be too sure of what their new master could do to them. "Maybe we shoulda left with Empress Rita! There aren't any earthquakes in space!"

Baboo lightly slapped his partner's hands in an attempt to get him to unlatch his arms. He didn't. "Squatt, be rational! There's nothing in space, except singing with our empress. And you know how she gets when she wants to sing solo!"

"You two in there! Stop your incessant yapping!" He pounded his staff once again, causing the place to shake even more. Now Baboo found himself squeezing Squatt.

"I take it back! I would take singing about slime on the wall over becoming slime on the wall any day!" They backed into the corner and shrunk down to the floor, promptly hushing up.

"My liege!" shouted Goldar, rushing in.

"Oh, what do you want now, you overgrown ape? I'm in no mood for any of your fail-prone ideas!" Zedd barked, sending him a look that, even covered by the visor, dared him to take one more step toward the throne.

"But master, the Power Rangers are dissolving!" Goldar was careful not to say anymore than that for now; Zedd hadn't been this angry in a while, and even an expert brown-noser like him had to be careful about what he said in this situation.

Zedd paused. "Dissolving?"

"The Black, Yellow, and Red Rangers have been called to Switzerland, with no date of return!"

Squatt and Baboo teleported into the room. "Switzerland? Ooh, I hear they make the best chocolate!" Squatt bellowed, clapping his hands together.

Zedd leaped off his throne and marched up to the balcony. "So that's all it takes to get rid of three Power Rangers!"

"I could destroy the rest with my eyes closed!" proclaimed Goldar, seemingly forgetting his place.

"Don't even think about it, Goldar," Zedd hissed, "As soon as my newest demon of destruction is fully energized, I will destroy the Power Rangers myself!"

"New demon? But I thought you were having trouble with coming up with a new monster, Lord Zedd!" said Baboo, sounding confused. Zedd spun towards them menacingly.

"You know nothing about me, bafoons!" He slashed his metal claws at the air, causing the two to cower away. "Serpentera is my war machine; my very own zord, capable of annihilating whole planets! But its power source runs out far too quickly, preventing me from even crushing the gravel of any planet. But now..." He turned back to Goldar. "Goldar, see if you can't find a viable power source anywhere in this place. If you have to, get that worthless white creature to whip up something! I need more energy!"

"Anything you wish, O' Illustrious One." He marched down the long hallway, and entered Finster's workshop – a place he hadn't been to since Rita was tossed out into space. Speaking of whom...

"Finster, what is that?" he demanded, pointing his sword to the very familiar staff resting by his clock.

"It's simply a replica of Empress Rita's wand, Goldar," he answered, going over to it and polishing it with a rag he fished out of his pocket. "I created it for Zedd when he chose the Pink Ranger to be his bride, remember?"

"Never mind that; why is it still lying around? No trace of Rita Repulsa shall be found in my master's palace!"

"I assure you, it's just a powerless copy. Can't I keep it as a momento?"

"A momento? What would you need to remember that powerless hag for?" He grabbed the wand and shoved it at Finster. "Dispose of it. And when you're finished, make a potion that will expand the power capacity of our master's newest monster; be quick about it!" Just as soon as he came, he left.

"A potion to enhance a machine? I suppose I'll have to try; if I make something that works, maybe Zedd will use my monsters for a change." With a sigh, he shuffled through the palace until he reached Rita's old lookout point. Ever since the base of operations had moved to Zedd's throne room, this room had been eerily quiet. He looked out into the vast expanse of space, feeling empty. He had been lying to when he said it was powerless. When the Pink Ranger had been taken to fill Rita's old role, he had hoped that she would treat the minions with at least a little more respect than Zedd, and give Finster a job again. They were far-fetched hopes, seeing as Zedd's magic worked simply so well on his monsters, but it was something for him to hold on to. Now all he had was the even more recondite belief that Rita would return and take back her crown. It was almost laughable.

"Oh, Empress...I only hope this wand will reach you somehow, and you'll find some use for it." With that, he gently tossed the wand over the balcony, and watched as it began to slowly drift out of view.