Jason was going through drills while keeping watch at the power chamber. He'd barely been out except for school since Kimberly had to leave. "Jason, Jason" Zack said "Earth to Jason. I asked you a question."

Jason looked up slightly startled "Hey Zack, didn't notice you there."

"Of course you didn't because I've only been talking to you for ten minutes. Man are you sure your ok?" Zack asked.

"Um… yeah, sure." Jason said starting his exersize again.

"Because your not acting like your ok. Jason you havn't been out in weeks. At least think about it." Zack said "Beach won't be open forever."

"Yeah, beach fine whatever." Jason muttered.

"Are you even paying attention at all? Adam, Aisha, Rocky and I are going now. We told you about it days ago. You coming or not?" Zack said.

"No, I've got stuff to do." Jason said.

"Come on Jason, I haven't seen you outside a battle or a math class in almost a month. Kimberly wouldn't want you-" Zack said

"Kimberly didn't want to get hurt. Billy and Trini didn't want to get captured. We're all that's standing between Zedd and the Earth. I have to be ready." Jason said "Those guys seem nice Zack and I'm glad you're making friends and all but I just can't rest till I see this team back together again."

"Jason, you're going to explode if you don't let loose soon." Zack said.

"Go on, I'm fine." Jason said "The others are waiting for you."

Jason went back to training. "I'm worried about him." Zack muttered to Alpha and Zordon.

"aii, aii aii. I am too." Alpha said.

"Jason is very worried about his fellow rangers. I fear that he is beginning to feel crushed by the responsibilities he carries as leader of the rangers." Zordon said "This is indeed a very dark time. I did not expect things to escalate this quickly."

"Hey I know you couldn't have known what would happen." Zack said "No one could have. The others are strong they will return to us. I better get going; I've got to get to the beach before the others start to look for me."

"I'll teleport you now." Alpha said.

"Thanks Alpha, I'll be back later." Zack said and disappeared.

Tommy shook his head a Raquel punched buttons. "What are you doing? And what in the world does it have to do with my monster?"

Tommy's latest mini monster was walking around the floor in front of the cells. Raquel had taken up near permanent residence in front of Billy and Trini's cell. She was sitting back comfortably in a red beanbag chair.

"Well Twinkle toes I finally got some work out of these two that could be useful." Raquel said "Behold."

"It looks like a cheap calculator." Tommy said

"Correction it's a cheap green calculator." Raquel said "but it's been converted into the calcutron 500!"

"You had geek-breath invent a calculator?" Tommy said.

"Actually I," Billy started

"He invented something that would test probabilities of success or failure. Watch this. Your monster has." She waved the calculator over it "a 19% chance of beating two rangers in its normal form and a 28 percent chance if he is grown to super size."

"Gee I'm glad you have such confidence in my work." Tommy growled sarcastically.

"The numbers don't lie." Raquel said "With this we can always send the best monster for any situation. For instance your monster's chance of winning would increase if we put in the variable desert, because it's based of a desert lizard. We go to Finster's supply of monsters, punch in the rangers and their location and pick the best monster for the job." Raquel said

"But not people. You two be careful where you point that thing." Trini yelled this is a very bad idea.

"Lord Zedd was hoping for a weapon." Tommy said darkly "He will not be pleased with you."

Just a weapon! That lacks vision. This is an improvement to all sectors. Think about it, we can make what we have more effective. That's like an upgrade on every weapon in our arsenal." Raquel said darkly

"The master has all visions Red Ranger." Tommy said quietly "I think I'm going to request prisoner watch was transferred to me."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you Twinkle Toes." Raquel said "You don't want to tangle with me. I thought up how to get rid of Goldar and I could get rid of you if I had to."

"You wish. I am the original." Tommy laughed

"I have them on other projects too. It takes time. Trust me Twinkle Toes we both have our masters best interest at heart." Raquel said "and each other's too, at least I do." She glared at him "Do you?"

Tommy turned away from her and said darkly, "I will present this to lord Zedd in the best light possible but you better be getting better stuff soon. I can't give more bad reports to lord Zedd."

"Oh you won't be." Raquel said darkly and watched him leave with the calculator "I think you'll both be rather pleased Twinkle Toes." She pulled a second calculator out of her pocket identical to the first.

"I don't get it," Trini whispered softly to Billy "Why is Raquel trying to be nice to us?"

"Perhaps her behavior can be attributed to the treatment we presented to her when she was kept in our custody." Billy muttered

"It has to be hard if your right, two different sets of loyalties." Trini muttered. Suddenly Raquel stood up showing the calculators bright red glow to them "Well Billy, you're not the only one who can tinker. By the end of the day there shall only be one power ranger. One little Red Ranger all alone in the world." She laughed.

"What are you planning to do?" Trini asked her in an apprehensive voice.

"If I told you that you'd have an easier time if you decided to try and stop me. Why would I tell you that?" Raquel growled "No mistakes for me."

She produced two tiny clay like monsters and said a spell. Billy and Trini ducked as red energy bounced around the room till it fizzled out. "Rats." Raquel muttered "Must of pronounced something wrong." She said it again and the two rangers were fully under cover but this time the monster grew. It looked very like a rock monster in a police uniform. "You let them escape and I'll make you experience pain beyond your worst imaginings." Raquel said "and don't let my master know what I'm doing. Just tell him I'm training or if Green Ranger comes tell him I'm running errands. You know the drill."

"Yes Red Ranger." The monster said.

"and as for you," Raquel said looking at the other monster. She suddenly shoved her calculator into it. Billy and Trini had disgusted looks on their face as the clay morphed and changed around it till it stood a regular looking monster very different from the former one "Come on we've got work to do." She teleported out.

Despite his worry Zack was having a great time at the beach. He, Adam, Rocky, and Aisha raced back and forth, played volley ball, had a deliciously healthy picnic, and joked around. Suddenly Aisha waved her arms in the air "Raquel over here!"

Zack turned and to his dismay Raquel started walking over. The girl was wearing a bright red one piece swimsuite with a black zig zag stripe down the front. Raquel walked over "Didn't know you'd be here." She said coldly "I guess it's good to see you."

"Um yeah, good to see you too." Adam said "Hey you want to hang out with us."

"Um sure, yeah, I was going to go swimming. It's very good exercise." Raquel said.

"Oh yeah I know." Rocky said "Let's have another race!"

"Ok first one to the other dock." Aisha said "You in Raquel."

"Nothing I'd like better." Raquel said darkly while holding her gym bag close.

"Let's go!" Adam said racing off, the other two followed him. Zack held back a second "Whatever your planning forget about it." He said.

Raquel gave an innocent look "Me planning? Look around, Green Ranger doesn't even know I'm here and that's the truth."

She placed down her bag and pulled back her hair. Her necklace glowed a minute and Zack did a double take for a second but dismissed it. He walked to the others who were calling them. Raquel put down her gym bag and muttered something then ran after the others.