Happy birthday to us! Today is Constellations' first birthday. I figured an update is a good way to celebrate it.

We're approaching the end of arc 3, Mind of My Own. Arc 4 - It Takes a Village - will begin right on the heels of the mini-arc that starts here, and in many ways the arc 4 themes starts here also. I'm very, very excited about all this.

Love and Gratitude to the Constellations Team: Camille and Mara (friends and beta readers), Nurit (discussion pal) and Roie (who made this possible).

Enjoy, and please review!

21. Binds

It was the weekend, he was groggy, and why was his alarm clock ringing? Dustin's disorientation faded as he remembered why he had only fallen asleep at four in the morning, and why he had had his alarm set. Saturday, January twenty-fifth. Yeah! He leaped out of bed and was dressed before he noticed that the alarm was still going. At least Mom's a sound sleeper. He shut it down, jammed on his shoes and skipped downstairs. He had plenty of time to spare, enough to sit down and eat breakfast, but he was just too hyped to stay put. Oh man, why can't the Power make us less hungry instead of constantly starved? He grabbed a bunch of energy bars and the car keys and headed out.

It was six in the morning and there was zero traffic, but his mom's car was a right piece of junk – I wish she'd let me fix it, after seven years she could stop minding that I'm fixing stuff - and so it still took him half an hour to get to the airport. He left the car in the first parking spot he found and went inside, biting on the last remaining bar and hoping there were some cafeterias that were open yet or at least some decently-stocked vending machines. By seven o'clock he'd had a large sandwich, a coffee and a Mars bar, and was pacing all over the place.

Then, finally, he ran forward.

"Dad!"

Cam said thanks upon receiving the first tea; nodded at the second; and made the third himself. "Kindly explain," he asked Tori, taking a sip and making a mental note to bring more kinds of tea to Storm Chargers, "What am I doing here?"

"Dustin's father's coming in today," said Tori. "And he can't check in until eleven. They'll probably come in straight from the airport; Dustin loves showing his work to his dad."

Blake, leaning on the counter, frowned. "Check in? Like at a hotel? Why isn't he staying with his family?"

"You didn't know?" asked Shane.

"Didn't know what?" asked Hunter.

"Dustin's parents are divorced," explained Tori.

"His dad lives in Philadelphia. Dustin only gets to see him two times a year or so," said Shane.

"So it's a pretty big deal for Dustin when his dad's here," completed Tori. "You really didn't know?"

Hunter shook his head. "He never said anything," he said. "Well, he said that his dad got him his first tool kit and taught him how to handle a bike, but…" He shook his head again. "I can't believe he never said anything." He turned to Cam. "Did you know?"

"Yes," said Cam quietly. "He mentioned it about a week after the attack on the Academy."

"He doesn't talk about it a lot," said Kelly, coming up from behind them. "It was an ugly divorce and not the prettiest of marriages, either. I'd hear Sandra and Jack yelling at each other quite a lot."

"You guys were neighbours?" asked Cam.

"Well, that explains a lot," muttered Blake.

Kelly shoved his shoulder affectionately. "Yes, we were neighbours until I moved out of my parents' house. Now be quiet, here they come."

"Hey, guys!" announced Dustin cheerfully as he pushed open the door, followed by a balding man in a flannel shirt and a vest.

"Hello, boys," said the man – Dustin's father – flashing them a smile which Dustin must've inherited directly from him. "And girls. What's up, Shane? All bones still in one piece? How are your parents, Kelly?"

"Yeah," said Shane with a smile, shaking Jack's hand. "How's it going?"

"Same old, same old," said Jack.

"They send their regards," said Kelly with a smile.

"And you must be Hunter, Blake and Cam," said Jack, surveying them. "Dustin told me a lot about you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," said Blake, flashing a smile and holding out his hand. "Dustin says you taught him a lot."

Jack shook Blake's hand. "A lot?" he said, mock-punching Dustin's shoulder. "Everything he knows about fixing stuff, I taught him. Now, Dustin tells me you and your brother both race, too?"

When Dustin and his father left, Cam let out a sigh of relief. "Does he always talk that much?"

"He likes to feel he knows what's going on in Dustin's life," said Kelly, "That he knows his friends."

"So why does he live across the country?" asked Hunter. "He's a mechanic, there's work everywhere."

"I think he moved away on purpose," said Cam.

Hunter seemed startled. "Why…?"

Pause.

"To punish Sandra," said Kelly bluntly. "I told you it was ugly."

"Kelly!" yelled one of the salesgirls from the other side of the store. "Come here a sec!"

"Coming!" shouted Kelly, before leaving Hunter and Cam alone in their corner.

"More than one way to lose a parent, I guess," said Hunter under his breath.

"Yeah," agreed Cam.

"But you still have your dad."

Cam just looked at him.

"Okay," said Hunter after a moment. "It's somewhere up there on the suckiness chart, huh?"

"Sure is."

"How did he get stuck like that?"

"Lothor used too much power," said Cam. "And it's pure Dark Ninja, not a single bit of Elemental work involved."

"So what does it take to break it?"

Cam's arms tightened around his body. "I'm working on it," he muttered.

Hunter seemed surprised. "You are?"

Cam nodded.

"How…?"

"The amulet," said Cam, so quietly that only Hunter – standing close and a Ranger – could hear. "It reacts oddly with Dark Ninja powers, I noticed that when I fought my uncle in the past. It can channel and convert incredible amounts of energy. If I infuse my dad with enough properly-modulated energy, he can transform. Theoretically."

"Theoretically?"

"It has never been tried."

"And if it fails?"

"It has never been tried," repeated Cam, but his expression told Hunter the real answer.

"Hey." Hunter touched Cam's arm, very gently. "He may be a guinea pig but he's still alive. Don't risk it."

"He may be a guinea pig but he can still make his own choices," said Cam.

"And?"

Cam looked away. "He didn't say yet. He told me to ask him again when it's ready."

"When will it be ready?"

"Any day now. The final computations are still running."

"Cam? Promise me one thing, okay?"

"Depends."

"If he agrees, don't be alone when you do it." Hunter gave him a hard look. "I mean it, Cam. I don't care which of us will be with you and if the rest of us won't know until later, but have at least one of us be with you."

"We'll see."

Hunter sighed. "How long do you think it'll take Dustin?" he asked.

Cam shrugged, visibly relieved by the topic change. "It's about ten minutes' ride from here to the hotel, but they'll probably take time to say goodbye. We're not supposed to meet Adam until twelve-thirty, anyway. I think Tori and Blake took a large safety interval when they scheduled it."

"They would," agreed Hunter. "What a day."

"How do you feel about it?"

"About what? Adam?" Hunter shrugged. "It's been years."

"Come on, Hunter."

Hunter looked away. "I hope he's for real," he said. "I hope he's not Lothor's and I hope he really was a Ranger. Let's go out for a walk," he said suddenly. "Get our jackets?"

"Sure."

"Hey, Shane, Kelly! Cam and I are going out for a breather!"

"Take your jackets!" shouted Kelly.

"Don't get kidnapped by aliens!" shouted Shane.

"Will do and no problems!"

Cam was back with the jackets. "Shall we?"

He returned to Storm Chargers to find the guys already waiting for him in Tori's van.

"About time," said Tori as she started the car. "I was wondering if we should pick you from the hotel."

"Nah," said Dustin, strapping on his seatbelt. "I would've called you if I was running late."

"Yeah, right," said Shane. "What time is it?"

"Ten to twelve?"

"Try twenty past," said Blake.

"Whoa." Dustin checked his watch. "Man, you're right."

"Why do you wear that watch if you never check it?"

"I do check it! Usually."

"Come on, guys," said Tori. "Try not to shout, I'm driving here."

"Oh, come on, Tori, it's easier than driving a zord," said Blake, all innocence.

"Zords don't have to worry about other zords getting in their lane."

"Really?" asked Hunter. "I didn't notice."

"Don't even go there," warned Shane.

"Oh? Or what will you do to me?"

"Don't give me ideas."

"Hey, enough of that, guys," said Blake.

"I believe it was you who brought up that topic?" asked Cam mildly.

"Guys," said Tori sharply. "Enough. We'll be there in two minutes, I believe you are capable of being quiet that long."

"Yes, Sensei," whispered Hunter into the sudden silence, making everyone but Tori dissolve into giggles.

"All right," said Tori as she parked the car right in front of the Blue Seal. "Everyone ready?"

Cam put his hand over his morpher. "CyberCam? Begin surveillance."

"Up and running," said CyberCam, unusually professional. "Good luck."

"Good luck, Rangers," added Sensei in the background.

"Thanks, CyberCam. Thanks, Dad. Cam out." He removed his hand. "Let's go. Is he here already?"

"I can't see him in the crowd," said Dustin.

Tori rolled her eyes. "Guess he's here, then."

"Beevil!" squealed Marah, running across the bay to greet her friend as she emerged from the small spacecraft.

"Hello, darling," said Beevil affectionately, bending down to hug her friend. "I'm so sorry for the short notice."

"I'm just glad you called! I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Since graduation," remarked Kapri, coming up behind her sister. "What's up, Bee?"

"Keeping busy," said the kunoichi. "And you, Kapri?"

"Much the same."

"What's this, girls?" asked Lothor, coming into the bay. "Zurgane told me we have guests?"

"Beevil called and said she was in the neighbourhood, and I told her she could come visit. Isn't this great, Uncle?"

"Marah and I are friends from school," explained Beevil, correctly interpreting the situation. "I happened to had a job in the area, and I thought it would be nice to see Marah again."

Lothor's expression, which cleared at Beevil's mention of school, became calculated at her last words. "A job, hmm?"

"Kunoichi with a minor at bioforming," said Beevil offhandedly. "I find that my skills are in high demand."

"I'd imagine, as bioforming was outlawed most everywhere two years ago," said Lothor dryly.

Beevil smiled. "I'd be wanted on twelve different planets, except that they don't know it was me."

"Impressive." Lothor smiled. "Would you like to join us for lunch, later?"

"I'd be honoured."

"A party of five, then. Oh, and Beevil?" he added over his shoulder as he was about to leave. "You are quite welcome to take a look at the kelzacks if you'd so like. Bioformers with imagination are so hard to find, nowadays."

Adam was indeed waiting for them, and they managed to get their ice cream in less than half an hour – mainly due to Cam and Tori herding everyone else. Armed with their cones – and with plenty of napkins bearing the image of a blue puppy seal – they made their way to the beach just below the ice cream parlor and then south towards the rocky patch where they weren't likely to be disturbed – at least not by civilians.

They were nearly on top of the bluff before anyone spoke.

"Great waves," said Tori. "Pity to miss them."

"You surf?" asked Adam. "That explains it."

"That explains what?" asked Tori.

"I came to Blue Bay to look for the Rangers," said Adam, "And I knew you guys werelikely to be athletes and young. I've been here for weeks. I guess I was just looking for the wrong kind of athletes."

"Extreme all the way, dude," said Dustin.

"I get that now," answered Adam with a smile.

"Why were you looking for us?" asked Shane.

"To find out what's going on," said Adam simply. "I was in New Zealand during the attack – filming – and I hadn't known anything was wrong until after I returned."

"Your parents," said Blake suddenly.

Tori covered her mouth. "Oh."

Adam nodded. "Both lived and worked at the Academy. All the people who worked at the Academies, particularly those who didn't have non-ninja relatives – nobody ever realized they went missing. I returned from New Zealand and found nothing but cold ashes. I tried tracking down other Thunder Ninjas, but they were all gone – all of them who could help me, anyway."

"Which means?" asked Shane.

"Everyone who had been in regular contact with the clan," said Adam. "All the qualified ninjas, even those who lived quite far from the Academy."

"But you're a dropout," said Cam bluntly.

Adam looked him in the eye. "Yes."

"Did you really leave the Academy to become a Ranger?" asked Dustin.

"Why did you think you'd find more answers here?" asked Shane.

"I saw the reports of Power Rangers in Blue Bay even when I was still in New Zealand," said Adam. "I saw footage of your fights and I realized you're probably ninja. I knew the US Wind Academy was close to Blue Bay Harbor. I thought if anyone could tell me what's going on, it would be you guys."

"You're awfully calm for someone whose parents are missing," said Shane.

"Would you be less suspicious if I was panicking?" asked Adam wearily. "It's been a month, Shane. I worried myself out of my mind a long time ago."

"He's telling the truth," said Cam abruptly. "I can't sense a hint of Dark Ninja about him. He's never been near Lothor or any of his goons."

Adam's eyes went wide. "Dark Ninja? I knew the Academy reeked of something."

"His name is Lothor," said Blake. "He was banished from Earth twenty years ago."

"He's also my uncle," said Cam dryly. "Or was, before he was banished."

"Damn, we should have brought a camera," said Dustin. Adam's expression was too precious.

"You'd think that after three years of being a Ranger I would've seen it all," said Adam. "Apparently not."

"Three years?"

"What colour where you?"

"Black," said Adam, "Then green. I've held three morphers, total."

"Dude, you have got to tell us your story."

"I'd rather hear yours first," said Adam. "The ninjas – do you know if…?"

"Most are alive," said Hunter. "Some are injured. They're all held captive in stasis on Lothor's ship."

Adam nodded, visibly relieved. "Thanks. Everything was burned down – I was afraid that…" He looked away.

"So how did you become a Ranger?" asked Dustin.

"I was kidnapped by an evil overlord and left in a cave for a snake to bite," said Adam, deadpan. "You?"

"Kidnapped by the guy who flattened the Academies and talked into thinking he's the good guy," said Hunter dryly.

"We were late to class," said Shane.

"Because we helped these two old dudes with their car," added Dustin.

"Which, in my dad's eyes, qualified them to be Rangers," said Cam.

"Or maybe it was because we were the only ones left," said Tori. "And he went back in time to get his morpher."

"Really? I did that too, once."

"Yeah," said Dustin, "But did you meet your own mother?"

"Okay, Dustin," said Hunter as they hauled their equipment off the van. "That's enough. You need to concentrate on the race."

"I know, I know, but it's just too cool," said Dustin, brushing his hair out of his face. "I mean, maybe to you he's just the guy next door but to me he's like an idol, you know? And I wish he'd come watch us race."

"Considering what happened in Storm Chargers, I can't blame him for not wanting to come up here," said Blake from Dustin's other side. "Besides, there's someone else here to watch you race."

Dustin followed Blake's gaze, and his eyes lit up. "Dad!"

Hunter and Blake watched as Dustin ran towards his dad.

"He's going to be totally unfocused out there," said Blake quietly.

"I don't have the heart to curb his enthusiasm," said Hunter.

"Yeah," agreed Blake. "I just think he'd also like for his dad to see him race well, not just race."

Hunter shrugged. "We'll have a few minutes without interruptions before the race starts. I'll try calming him down then."

"Good luck with that," said Cam dryly. He's approached them from behind while they were talking. "Just came to wish you good luck."

"You're not staying?" asked Blake, surprised.

Cam shook his head. "Something came up at Ops." Looking directly at Hunter, he said: "What we talked about before."

"Not on your own," said Hunter sharply. "You promised."

"Well, half the team's racing and I'm not going to prevent Tori or Shane from watching you two out there."

"So wait until after the race," said Hunter. "Come on, Cam. Just one more hour."

"Hunter…" said Cam warningly.

"Not alone," said Hunter firmly. "I'll ditch the race if it means being with you for this; I mean it."

Cam pursed his lips. "Okay," he said finally. "Fine. After the race."

"What was that all about?" asked Blake once Cam was out of earshot.

"Either Cam's going to get very lucky," growled Hunter, "Or he's going to regret this for the rest of his life."

"Don't you think you're being a little melodramatic, bro?"

"No, I don't."

"No." Marah covered her mouth with both her hands. "Beevil, please, no, tell me you didn't."

"What's wrong, Marah?" said Beevil, tossing her ribbons behind her head. "Can't take a little competition?"

"Tell me you didn't sign up to work for Uncle!"

"I just told you I did."

"You're going to get yourself killed!"

Beevil's eyebrows shot up. "So much faith. Just because I was second in class, you think I won't survive?"

Marah stomped. "It's not about that!" she said hotly. "You kicked my ass in the combat workshops, and I never said you didn't. But if you go out there and fight the Rangers, you're not going to make it out alive." Marah swallowed. "Nobody else has, so far."

"Oh, please. Ask your sister, the history buff, how many undefeatable teams were defeated like that," she snapped her fingers, "by the right opponent's hands."

"Please," begged Marah. She had tears in your eyes. "You can still tell him you won't do this."

"Sorry, darling," said Beevil. "Your Uncle's paying very nicely, and in advance. Plus all that promised glory, if I beat them. I'm not bailing out on this job." She patted Marah on the shoulder. "I'll see you around." And she walked away.

Marah stood alone in the hallway, shaking, tears in her eyes.

"Fine," she whispered, long after Beevil was gone. "Fine. I'm going to save you from yourself, and I don't care if you hate me for it. Uncle can do what he wants, but he's not touching my friends."

"So," asked Tori, "What's going on?" Cam had basically kidnapped her and Hunter to Ninja Ops as soon as the race was over. He'd tried getting Dustin, too, but the yellow Ranger seemed too occupied with his dad. Cam had buried his head in the innards of some machine as soon as they'd arrived at Ops, fifteen minutes ago, and Tori had had enough with not knowing what was going on.

"He's going to try and change his dad back into a human," said Hunter.

"What? How?"

"Using the amulet."

"The amulet?" Tori turned, staring holes at Cam's lower half – the only part of him visible. "Cam, is this for real?"

"Yes, it is," came the muffled – but stubborn – reply.

"What if something goes wrong? What will happen to your dad, or to you?"

"Nothing will go wrong. None of my designs have ever failed to work."

Tori exchanged looks with Hunter. His expression seemed to mirror her own.

"There is always a first," said Cam, mocking. "Thank you for having so much trust in me."

"It's not about trust, Cam. It's about not wanting to see you hurt."

Cam pushed himself out and looked at them angrily from his position on the deck. "Thanks for the vote of support. Remind me, why are you two here? Right, for moral support."

"So you can take out your anxiety on us instead of on your dad," said Hunter simultaneously.

Cam just glared.

Hunter raised his arms as if pledging surrender. "You said yourself that you don't know what will really happen," he reminded Cam. "'Theoretically' is not a word you use when you're sure of yourself."

Cam deflated. "Can you at least be quiet while I'm doing the final calibrations? This is really driving me nuts."

Tori nodded. "We'll go outside. Call us when you're ready. Come on, Hunter."

Cam called them back inside almost half an hour later. When they entered they found Sensei already there, standing inside an open metal barrel about one foot tall and more than wide enough for a standing human. His whiskers were twitching, but his voice was calm as he greeted them. "Tori, Hunter. Thank you for your presence."

"Sure thing, Sensei," said Tori. Her easy tone contrasted with her worried expression.

"I drew a safety line on the deck," said Cam quietly. He was sitting on the deck, the console he'd just calibrated next to him. The amulet lay on a small metal plate on top of said console, and Cam's fingers were toying with its cord. "Around the barrel. Don't cross it once I start the process, until it ends."

"Understood," said Hunter. He and Tori walked across the room so that they were next to Cam. Tori sat down at Cam's side, but Hunter remained standing.

"We're ready," said Tori.

"I am ready," confirmed Sensei. "You may begin, Cameron."

Cam nodded tersely. He let go of the amulet's cord and flipped a switch on the control panel. Promptly, the amulet and the barrel began to glow. Cam's laptop – positioned next to the amulet's plate – came to life, data tables scrolling down faster than the eye could follow.

"Okay," muttered Cam. "Going good. Dad, you should start feeling the change about…" He coughed. Hard.

"Cam?" asked Tori. Cam had doubled over, and was coughing hard. Abruptly he stopped coughing, straightening and gasping in air. His pupils were so contracted they were barely visible.

"Cameron!" said Sensei.

"We have to stop this," said Hunter.

"How?"

"You're the one who knows how he thinks."

"Me?" demanded Tori, incredulous. She didn't argue further, though. Cam was having too much difficulty breathing. She considered the panel, and pulled the amulet off its plate.

Brilliant green light flashed, momentarily blinding everyone. When Hunter could see again, Cam was picking himself off the deck, and Tori and Sensei both seemed unconscious. Hunter kneeled and helped Cam into a sitting position. "You all right?"

"I will be. What happened?"

"You stopped breathing," Hunter informed him. "We stopped the process."

Cam nodded. "Check Tori, I'll get my dad."

Hunter let go of Cam – who managed to get to his feet without too much difficulty – put two fingers against Tori's neck. He checked her breath and her head while he counted up to twenty. "Breathing's normal," he called out. "Steady pulse – strong but slow. No swelling, so I think she was conscious when she fell and didn't hit her head. She'll probably come around in a few seconds."

"Same here, mostly," said Cam. Returning to where Hunter was crouched next to Tori, Cam sat down and laid his dad's unconscious form on his lap.

Tori stirred. Her fingers moved as if she was trying to grip the floor. "Human," she muttered.

"No, it failed," Hunter reminded her gently.

"But…" She opened her eyes, blinking slowly until her vision focused. Her pupils widened as she took in Cam, with the guinea pig on his lap, but her expression remained unchanged. "Dear Elements."

Hunter and Cam exchanged worried looks. On the rare occasions that Tori swore, she did it after the fashion of common Americans, not like one who lived all their life among ninjas. Something was seriously wrong.

"Tori?" asked Cam tentatively.

She sat up in one fluid motion and regarded him seriously. "No, I am afraid not, Cam."

Hunter jaw dropped. "Sensei?"

The guinea pig on Cam's lap stirred. "Why's the deck so warm?" he asked sleepily, "And since when it is soft?" Opening his eyes, he sat up – and promptly fell with a terrified squeak as he saw Tori's body regarding him. "Oh my god!" The guinea pig turned around, first looking up at Cam then down at its own paws. "Oh, we are in so much trouble!"

"That's one way to put it," muttered Hunter. Cam seemed frozen with shock.

The alarms blared.