Again with the pre-fluff. Okay, new plan. Starting after chapter 30 we'll be going in chronological order. This despite the fact I don't own Power Rangers.

Twenty-five: Test (pre "Koragg's Trial")

The task had been delegated to Madison. Vida flat out refused to do it, Chip was scared to do it, Xander could not do it. Which left Madison. So she went out back while Vida and Chip got the paint and the painting clothes all set up. Getting out her morpher she dialed Nick's morpher number.

Nick was sleeping in, or rather staying in bed half-asleep. He loved Sundays. Then his morpher started to buzz on his dresser. With a groan he grabbed it and put it to his ear, his head still on his pillow.

"What?" he yawned.

"Um, hi. Nick. Uh… it's me, Madison."

"Maddie?" Nick puzzled. He groaned. "Don't tell me that there's a monster attacking."

"Worse. Xander called in sick."

"I'm going to put him on the barbie," Nick grumbled, still snug under his red blanket. No, not his baby blanket. That was snug in his dresser drawer. Madison sighed.

"He's really sick this time; a cough and sneeze and everything. He said he'll try to whip up a potion to get better but we need someone at the Rock Porium now. Toby wants four of us to do that mural on the side wall today. With Xander gone that means you."

"Maddie," Nick grumbled, delving deeper under his blanket. "I don't want to get up."

"You're still in bed?" asked a surprised Madison, with a blush creeping up her cheeks. The visual image of a sleepy Nick in his bed was activating her hormones.

"It's my day off, and considering how out of whack everything got last week I think I'm justified in sleeping in. Wait. Did that make sense?"

He blinked sleepily.

"Yes," Madison smiled. "Please Nick? You know we'd do the same for you."

"I know, I know. Fine. But Xander can't come to me next time Chip accidentally shoots him in the butt with a toilet plunger."

"That was only twice," Madison defended her twin's best friend.

"In my opinion, that's two times too many," Nick grumbled as he rolled out of bed. Madison pointed out helpfully, "At least it wasn't a real arrow."

"Ugh… yeah, Xander's lovesick often enough as it is," Nick agreed, using magic to instantly change out of his pajamas into regular clothes. "I'll be down in Briarwood in fifteen minutes."

Nick paused. "Maddie, why does Toby want a mural again?"

"I didn't ask, but since he's the boss…"

"True. See you soon."

With that Nick shut the morpher and tucked it into his pants pocket. He hoped he'd get paid for coming in when he wasn't supposed to, although he had to admit spending any extra time with Madison was fine by him.