DAY EIGHT-Friday

Two days later Billy and Dr. Oliver were still working on the device. The Dino teens hung out at the youth center or the park while the originals were in school. Come afternoon though, the spent time with the other team around Angle Grove.

"So what are we gonna do today, Dr. O?" Ethan asked as they arrived at the youth center. "Please don't say Kim gets to pick again."

Dr. Oliver parked the truck and they all climbed out. He laughed to himself, remembering long afternoons at the mall with Kim. The kids all looked at him expectantly.

"I have no say over who picks," he said. "All I ask is that you stay out of trouble."

"I refuse to take another trip to the mall," Kira said. "We were there all afternoon and I didn't even make it into the music store."

"Spending another day wandering around Angel Grove for the grand tour, like we did the day before yesterday, isn't high on the list either," Trent added.

"And please don't tell us to go to the library again," Conner said. "We were there all morning yesterday, waiting for the other rangers to get out of school. Boring."

Dr. Oliver shook his head, smiling. Locking the truck, he turned back to the group.

"Well, you're coming with me," Dr. Oliver said, looking at Ethan.

Conner perked up, looking extremely excited.

"We are?" Conner exclaimed.

"No," said Dr. Oliver, shaking his head. "Just Ethan. Billy and I are going to need an extra set of hands today and Ethan knows what he's doing with computers."

Conner slumped again, grumbling.

"So Ethan gets to help while we sit around and do nothing?" Conner asked. "For the third day in a row?"

"I know it's tough sitting out," Dr. Oliver said. "But if you're really frustrated with me, there I am. Why don't you go spar with me? Take out your frustration that way."

The teens looked over to see Jason and Tommy approaching the youth center. They had their backpacks, so they had just gotten out of school. The others weren't with them. His eyes lighting up, Conner took off.

"Great idea, Dr. O!" said Conner, heading in their direction.

Kira and Trent followed him. They were shaking their heads at Conner. Ethan watched them go, and then looked back at Dr. Oliver.

"Can I go with them?" Ethan asked. "I want to—"

"No you don't," Dr. Oliver said. "Trust me. You don't really want to. I was a third degree black belt freshman year."

Ethan looked at him in confusion for a moment, and then he started grinning. Laughing, he looked after Conner and the other two.

"Any chance I can use the viewing globe at the command center?" he asked.

Dr. Oliver put a hand on his shoulder.

"You'll have to ask Zordon," Dr. Oliver answered as he teleported them away.

Conner, Trent, and Kira caught up to Jason and Tommy as they walked into the youth center.

"Tommy! Jason!" Conner called.

They looked around, stopping to wait for the three Dino Thunder rangers.

"What's up guys?" Tommy asked.

"Well, we don't want to spend another day at the library or mall," Kira started to say.

"So we thought we could spar with you guys," Conner interrupted. "You show us some of your moves, we'll show you some of ours."

Jason and Tommy exchanged looks. They grinned at each other.

"Why not?" Tommy said.

"Great!" Conner said. "Tommy. You and me."

"Alright," Tommy said, heading inside. "You're on."

Trent, Conner, and Kira went straight inside. Tommy started to follow, but Jason stopped him.

"I'll meet you guys inside in a few minutes," Jason said. "Just want to go check on something."

"Ok, bro," Tommy said. "Don't fall asleep somewhere this time."

"Yeah, right," Jason said. "I'm coming back to kick their butts."

Laughing, Tommy followed the other three into the youth center as Jason teleported away.

Jason arrived at the command center in time to see Dr. Oliver heading toward the generator room. Billy was sitting on the floor, frowning at the device. So Jason followed Dr. Oliver to see what he was doing. Dr. Oliver rummaged around in some parts, looking for something. Finding it, he turned around and looked right at Jason, who had been trying to stay out of sight. The stared at each other for a moment.

"You don't trust me," Dr. Oliver stated.

There was a pause, neither of them speaking. Jason looked at Dr. Oliver and shrugged.

"You don't have to trust me, Jason," Dr. Oliver said when Jason didn't speak. "I know how you feel. I've been there."

"I don't think you do," Jason snapped. "You couldn't possibly understand how I feel."

Dr. Oliver sighed.

"Just try and remember to trust your friends," he said. "Don't forget about them, because you never know when you're going to need their help. One day you might turn around, and discover you let the mistrust go for to long. Trust me you will regret it."

Without waiting for Jason's response, Dr. Oliver headed back to the main room to keep working on the device. Jason stayed where he was for a few moments, frowning after Dr. Oliver. Shaking his head, he took a deep breath and teleported back to the youth center. Out in the hallway, Dr. Oliver paused. Jason hadn't changed much since he was a teenager. Just as stubborn and apt to jump to conclusions. He hadn't seen him in a few years. Hadn't even talked to him since the moon mission.