Current Poll: Of these pairings, which do you most want to see in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm? There are now only three options (the top three from the previous poll), meaning I will go with one of those pairing combinations. As you can tell, I plan to keep TZDustin and TZTori in the regular dimension. As always, you can make your opinion known by reviewing!

Previous Poll Results: Besides Shane and Skyla, what pairing combination do you want to see in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm?

First Place: (5 votes) Hunter/TZDustin, Tori/Blake, Cam/TZTori, Dustin/Tobi

Second Place: (3 votes each, tied) Hunter/Tori, Blake/TZTori, Cam/TZDustin, Dustin/Tobi or Hunter/Dustin, Tori/Blake, Cam/TZTori, Tobi/TZDustin

Third Place: (2 votes each, tied) Hunter/Cam, Tori/Blake, Dustin/Tobi or Hunter/Cam, Tori/Blake, Dustin/Tobi/TZDustin or Hunter/Cam, Tori/Blake, Dustin/Marah, Tobi/TZDustin or Hunter/Blake, Tori/Cam, Dustin/Tobi

Fourth Place: (1 vote each, tied) Hunter/TZDustin, Tori/Cam, Blake/TZTori, Dustin/Tobi or Hunter/Tori, Blake/TZTori, Cam/TZHunter, Dustin/Tobi

Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay! I wasn't strongly motivated with this chapter, but I was like, "I have to write something!" Also, I've recently discovered that I need to devote less time to this or face very serious consequences. This chapter takes place during the episode "Gem of a Day" but naturally almost nothing that happens in that episode happens in here. It's just a continuity thing. This chapter will not be as… depressing as the last two. In fact, I try to add some humor. And, regarding pairings, it turns out that having everyone care about each other at some point or another works as a bonding element.

~Winner for the reviewer who came up with this chapter's most creative inspiration goes to… DenialBrigader! Yay!

Review Comments:

Thanks griffin blackwood for pointing out the obvious! Yes, I could just not have Hunter/Cam as an option, but I have a tendency of overcomplicating things (as you probably figured out by how I often write). Fortunately, it turns out that the winning pairing didn't have Hunter/Cam. And, neither did the two runners up, so I created a new poll. I'm hoping the pairings that I end up doing will be… unique (and good). Also, let me know if some part of this chapter doesn't make sense because, honestly, I was really distracted as I wrote it. I know, shame on me!

Thanks DenialBrigader for coming up with the interesting idea that I can't mention because then I'd be spoiling this chapter! But it was brilliant and I didn't think of it on my own, so thank you! Your review really has a lot of ideas in it, enough that I have some left over for the next chapter too. It's the Dustin splitting in two and half of him being under the earth that I'm saving to answer for the next chapter. We'll see how that goes. But, your idea of a… spirit sharing (I think I can call it that without spoiling things) turns out to have given me to do a lot more than I thought it would. In fact, if it doesn't turn out to be a permanent solution, it will open up a lot of things indeed… I know, I'm intentionally being vague. I just don't want to spoil things! But, to answer your question about the other dimension not having a yellow ranger, I actually just did it because I needed a ranger to lose their powers and I chose Dustin because him losing his powers would have the strongest impact in the story. But now I guess I can just pretend like I had things planned out all along! Without spoiling too much, I do not plan on having TZDustin go back to the other dimension. And I'm sorry (or was it a good thing?) I made you cry. And, yes, I couldn't have Hunter attempt suicide. People would be like, "What, is everyone trying to kill themselves in this chapter?" A writer needs to know where to draw the line between emotionally impactful and just too much.

Thanks Ghostwriter for saying I keep blowing you away! I know in advance that this chapter is not as strong as the last two and I also know I took a long time to get around to writing it, so I apologize for those two things. But, I don't think it's bad or anything! I'm sure you'll still enjoy it. At least, I hope so.

Thanks YellowPrincess for saying you loved the last chapter! I don't know if I should apologize for making you cry again or say, "Yay, I succeeded in making an emotionally impactful chapter!" I'll settle for saying that this chapter should not make you cry. I like how you say that Tobi and Dustin seem like soul mates when they talk. I think the same thing, but don't worry, things will work out somehow. I'm glad you'll keep reading the story no matter what pairings end up happening, but I also like your idea that I should choose my own pairings. You're right, I should enjoy what I'm writing, but I also like to make my readers feel like they're involved. Also, if I hadn't had that first paring poll for Dustin, I might have made Tobi and Dustin end up together right away and that would have made the story less interesting. I think so, anyway. Personally, I want to have Hunter/Tori, Blake/TZTori, Cam/TZDustin, Shane/Skyla and Tobi/Dustin. So, I think I'll follow your advice (and because I'm sure you'll like it) and have a bit of that pairing going on for a while longer. I also have a soft spot for Hunter/Blake. At least Hunter didn't end up with Cam again in the last poll, so maybe this new poll I just put up will have something different too. I am willing to do Hunter/TZDustin though too, so I think I should warn you about that. That would allow Cam to end up with TZTori, which is sort of a substitute for Tori. I'll keep thinking about it. Either way, having characters love each other (even if they don't end up together) helps bring the team closer together. And, you wanted good news regarding Dustin and TZD, so… I guess this chapter (sort of) has that!

Thanks FinalJudgement for the encouragement and praise for my imaginative surprises! I actually don't always come up with things on my own. That's another thing reviewers can offer. They throw out ideas and I run with them. The surprises are kind of hard, though, since many times people can see some things coming and because I do sometimes use foreshadowing. Still, I try! They're not always like fall out of your seat shocking, but they should keep you reading. And, about you being a coach, I could have said cheerleader since they encourage teams, but that has a negative connotation with it, so coach sounds better! So, you have to be half asleep to bump into things? Strange how I do that all the time… Regarding love pairings, I actually did finally decide on what to do with the other dimension's rangers. I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say that there are hints of it hidden in this chapter. As for the main pairings, though, I have my preferences, but I'm open to other options. The new poll only has the three that I'd be willing to do. Well, I kind of wish Cam could end up with Tori, but I have established she doesn't love him, so I guess that wouldn't work. Plus, I can't also have her end up with say Hunter or/and Blake. Alas. Your review (complete with all caps moments) helped encourage me to push out a chapter when I really wasn't strongly motivated, so you have officially done your job! Congratulations!

Thanks MagicHalo for coming back and reviewing again! I missed your reviews! Don't worry, I understand that you actually have a life and things to do besides reading fanfiction all the time. I can only imagine you studying my story instead and how your grades would suffer and then it would be all my fault and all I'd have to say for myself is, "Uh, so my story isn't educational?" Now it's my turn to defend myself. I'm not evil! Yes, I came up with the idea of Dustin dying, but it was just an idea that came to me and I thought I'd play it out and see what happens. And, then, when I read it over, it was really a good story, so I was like, "I have to have this!" Sometimes having something really bad happen in a story actually makes the good moments stronger. After all, a story that is always happy wouldn't have nearly the emotional impact. So, no, I don't like drowning puppies. You point out that TZD and Hunter aren't getting closer and this chapter has something happen that will allow TZD and Hunter to get closer in the next chapter. I actually didn't even start writing this chapter until after I read your review. I guess that's what I was waiting for. And, I can't resist Hunter/Blake in any story. I've created a new poll and I've decided that (with the new development in this chapter) there are three pairing combinations I think would work. Hunter/Dustin is one of them, but Hunter/Cam is not. And, yes, you point out that Marah and Kapri need to switch places. So, I tried to include that too, though they'll have to really do their thing in the next chapter because I ran out of time. It was just that I didn't want to overcomplicate things. I've been told that things get confusing in chapters that have too much going on. Even you say things are getting too complicated. It's my hope to have things come together soon, but I don't know when a new idea will come to me and I'll have to run with that. Again, I'm so glad you're back and I hope to read more reviews from you again in the future!

Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:

After Tobi kills himself, he becomes a spirit and is finally with the spirit of Dustin, but the others use the other dimension's Dustin to rescue Tobi and bring him back to life. Tobi is still broken hearted over Dustin's death, but he's not the only one. The others think Hunter wants to kill himself, but he explains his past and why he's no longer suicidal. Meanwhile, Tobi heads to the beach to find fragments of the Gem of Souls in order to see Dustin again, but it turns out Hunter has the fragments. Hunter asks the other dimension's Dustin if he's willing to sacrifice himself so that the other Dustin can live and he agrees, but Tobi says Dustin's spirit won't let the other Dustin do it. So, the other Dustin asks Tobi how he feels and Tobi says he'd be okay with trading the life of the Dustin he grew up with for the life of the Dustin he loves. A moment later, the other dimension's Dustin causes a rock to stab him through the chest and he crumples over and falls to the sand...

Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 37 (A Tale of Two Dustins)

The moment Dustin's body fell to the sand, Tobi and Hunter rushed down to him while the two Toris and Blake stared in shock and horror.

"Help me roll him over," Tobi told Hunter, who nodded and the two rolled Dustin onto his back.

A long, sharp chunk of rock was stuck into Dustin's chest. It was stained with crimson streaks of his blood and Tobi was the first to cringe away from the wound.

"How did…?" Tori began, her voice trailing off as she saw the blood.

"It's the power of earth thing," Blake realized as the two Toris knelt over Dustin's body. "He made the rock stab him."

"It's my fault," Tobi whispered, unable to shake off the shock. "I said I'd be okay with a trade. He's going to try to force this dimension's Dustin into his body."

Hunter looked up at him from Dustin's body. "Don't we… don't you want that to happen?" he asked slowly, a serious look in his eyes.

Tobi blinked down at the body of his dimension's Dustin. "I…" he began, staring at Dustin's face. He reached out, pushing a brown curl aside. Of course, it just fell back into place. "I promised him," he whispered. "I can't…" He blinked heavily before standing up. "I'm going to talk to them," he announced, closing his eyes and focusing.

"Tobi, don't!" his sister called just as his body fell over, bursting into flames. "Damn it," she muttered, putting him out.

Hunter looked from Tobi's unconscious form down to Dustin's body and ran a finger of the crimson blood.

"Bro?" Blake asked, kneeling next to Hunter. "We'll just give Tobi a couple minutes and then he'll heal Dustin. Whatever Dustin ends up in him, I guess," he added. "Man, this is seriously freaky."

Hunter was still staring at the blood as it dried between his fingers. "His blood… it looks the same."

Blake gave him an odd look. "As our Dustin's?"

"As mine," Hunter replied, his eyes not leaving his hand.

"Everybody's blood looks the same," Blake said, wrapping an arm around Hunter's shoulders. "Come on, bro, snap out of it. We need you here with us today, right now."

Hunter looked at his brother. "I was willing to let one Dustin die to save the one…" He swallowed before continuing. "It's like I killed him."

"Bro, we're not going through this again," Blake warned, forcing his brother to look at him. "Dustin—that Dustin made his choice and it's not your fault. I need you and I love you."

Hunter offered him a weak, forced smile and Blake wrapped his arms around him. "I love you too, bro," he whispered.

Tori stared between the bodies of Dustin and Tobi and had to admit to herself that she too wanted her Dustin back, no matter the cost. And that made her feel extremely guilty. "This must be hardest for him," she whispered.

"What?" Tobi's sister asked as she doused her brother.

"Tobi," she clarified. "I don't think he knows it, but he loves them both. Choosing means letting one die."

"Oh," Tobi's sister replied. "I just hope he can learn to accept whichever one he ends up with. We can't keep doing this."

"No, we can't," Tori agreed, helping her keep Tobi wet.

Even before Tobi had fully forced himself into a spirit form, he saw the two Dustin's staring at him. "Look, I'm sorry I caught you on fire," he began. "I didn't mean to and I'm… trying not to blame you for… I just… If I could choose you both, but…" Then he realized that they seemed to be staring past him. So, he turned around to see…

The spirits of Hunter and Blake's parents were hovering over their sons. "Tobi," Mrs. Bradley said softly, "you don't have to decide."

"What do you mean?" Tobi asked.

"The decision has already been made," Mr. Bradley explained. "It was decided by Zurgane."

Tobi looked down, unable to reply.

"I don't know why you two are here," the other dimension's Dustin spoke up, "but this is the Dustin Tobi loves."

"But, dude, it's your body," Dustin pointed out.

"It's noble for you to be willing to sacrifice your very life out of love for Tobi," Mr. Bradley said, "but only your own spirit belongs in your body. Besides, Tobi would always hold the guilt of deciding inside him."

"So, you're saying let him be miserable with me instead?" the other Dustin argued.

"He wouldn't be miserable," Mrs. Bradley corrected. "He would be sad for a while, but he would not feel guilt. Even he knows your body is your own."

"Yeah, it's my body," the other Dustin replied, "and I can do with it what I want."

Tobi looked between the two Dustins. "I'd feel guilty if I leave either of you here."

"You have to, Tobs," the other Dustin told him. "There's only one body."

"TZT," Dustin interrupted, "Hunter and Blake's parents are right. You can't choose."

Tobi shook his head. "But not choosing is a choice." He looked at Hunter as Blake comforted him. "When you chose Hunter, not choosing me hurt and, when you chose me… I know he wouldn't admit it, but Hunter was hurt."

Dustin grimaced.

"I'm sorry," Tobi said quickly, approaching Dustin. "I love you too much to let you go, but that's what you're asking me to do. And, look at them." He gestured toward Hunter, Blake and the two Toris. "The people you love and care about would be happier if you were alive."

Dustin looked at Hunter and pouted before turning back to Tobi. "What about TZD?" he asked seriously. "You grew up with him. You always liked him."

Tobi nodded. "I know," he replied somberly, glancing at the other Dustin. "That's what makes this so hard."

"And, dude, that's why I made you promise," Dustin reminded him. "I don't want you to have to choose."

"And I'll keep that promise," Tobi agreed, "but that doesn't change the fact that I want you in that body." He gestured toward Dustin's lifeless body below Hunter and Blake.

"I know," Dustin whispered. "I wish I were alive with you too."

The other Dustin looked between the other spirits, blinking. He couldn't cry and he couldn't walk, but Tobi had said he could touch other spirits, like this dimension's Dustin. So, he dove toward Dustin, knocking him over, which resulted in the two hovering horizontally.

"Woah, dude, what're you doing?" Dustin asked as he bounced around.

"Tobi loves you," the other Dustin explained as he tried to force Dustin toward his body, "and he doesn't love me."

"I…" Tobi began to protest, but he stopped himself. When Dustin fell in love with him, it meant that Dustin ended up dead. And now, because he fell in love with Dustin, the other Dustin, the one he grew up with, was going to end up dead. Was love worth all this? But, in the end, Tobi knew he hadn't chosen to fall in love.

"Tobi, do you really only love one of them?" Mrs. Bradley asked as she and her husband hovered over to stop the struggling Dustins as they rolled toward Dustin's body.

Tobi looked between the two identical Dustins. They looked the same. They were both slightly geeky. They both liked him. The difference that stood out in his mind is that only one of them was nice to him. But, all those memories he had from his past were with the Dustin who mistreated him just like everyone else. "I don't know," he finally said.

The other Dustin paused, looking at Tobi.

But, after a moment, Tobi had to admit, "Yeah, I guess I do only love one." Because, as much as he didn't understand it, it was true. At least, it felt true.

The other Dustin stared at Tobi a moment longer before grabbing Dustin with much more determination. If he could cry, he would definitely have been now.

Behind Tobi, he heard Tori's voice say, "It's been long enough. Hunter, we need to wake him up now so he can heal Dustin."

Tobi glanced at the two struggling Dustin as they hovered over the single body of Dustin. That was when he felt the sudden pull back toward his body. He had one moment in which he could have tried to stop the other Dustin, who had Dustin pinned over his body, but he didn't. Instead, he let himself drift back into his own body.

Once he felt the familiar pain that came with being back in a living (and burned) body, Tobi looked around quickly before rushing to Dustin's body. He pulled the chunk of rock from Dustin's chest and he heard gasps from the others as blood flowed out of Dustin's chest unimpeded. Concentrating, he focused on healing the body.

The others watched in silence as Dustin's wound healed itself.

The Sun Amulet on Tobi's morpher glowed brightly as he regained his own strength. Then he waited, watching the body for any signs of life. When Dustin's eyes remained closed, Tobi grabbed the fragments of the Gem of Souls and placed them on the body.

Immediately, they began to glow and, almost instantly, Dustin gasped, opening his eyes.

The others gathered around as Tobi stared into Dustin's familiar golden brown eyes. "Dustin?" he whispered.

Dustin blinked, looking around. "Woah, dude, my bell is totally ringing," he said, clutching his head.

Tobi blinked down at him for a moment before falling on top of him, burying his face in Dustin's chest. "Dustin," he choked out between tears. He didn't feel guilt or anything else. Right then, he felt… relief.

"Aw, man, Dustin, we seriously missed you," Blake was the first to say.

"Yeah," Tori agreed softly as she wiped away tears.

"Dude, I've missed you guys too, but—" Dustin began.

"Dustin," Hunter whispered, reaching out for his hand, which Dustin offered him willingly.

"What about our—the other Dustin?" Tobi's sister asked, standing away from the others as they gathered around Tobi and Dustin.

"That's what I wanted to tell you," Dustin said, one hand in Hunter's while the other petted Tobi's hair. "We're… both here."

Hunter gave him a confused look. "What do you mean, we're both here?" he asked slowly.

Dustin cocked his head to the side. "He means," Dustin began, "During the struggle, both our spirits ended up in my body."

The others gasped and Tobi raised his head from Dustin's completely healed chest, his eyes wide and shiny. "You mean…" he whispered.

"Yeah, Tobs, we're both here," Dustin explained. "And, dude, it's freaking me out. It's like—Like we share the same mind? Yeah." He paused, thinking. Well, actually, having an internal conversation.

"Seriously?" Tobi's sister asked. "Both Dustin's are in there?"

Dustin nodded, still thinking.

Tobi stared into Dustin's eyes. "But… the Dustin I love is in there?" he asked nervously.

"Yeah, I'm in here, TZT," Dustin replied, offering him a smile. Then the smile faultered. "The one you love…" he whispered sadly.

"How do you decide who talks?" Tobi asked, confused.

"We're working on that," Dustin said with an exhausted look before blurting out, "Aw, dude!" His expression changed to one of disgust. "TZT, you so don't wanna know what he did with the fake you."

Tobi blinked at Dustin, speechless.

"Those are my private thoughts," Dustin said, apparently to himself. "Dude, it's not like I want to know everything you know. Like, knowing how to make a robot is cool, but you're seriously messed up." He frowned before grimacing. "I'm seriously messed up? You have just as many insecurities as me. You just ignore them instead of facing them." He pouted. "Or like dwell on them."

"Okay, this is really getting weird," Blake commented.

"Tell us about it!" Dustin agreed.

Tobi looked at him seriously. "Dustin, are you… okay being in there with him?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Dustin ran a hand through Tobi's hair and sniffed. "I like being alive," he replied. "The sharing thoughts thing is kinda a pain, but I think it's harder for TZD because he's not used to being honest with people… or himself."

"Oh," Tobi replied, surprised. "Well, as long as you're okay, I guess…" He noticed Dustin staring at him with a strange look in his eyes. Suddenly Dustin leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Without even thinking, Tobi found himself kissing Dustin back. After a moment, he pulled away. "Who…" he stuttered, staring at Dustin. "Who was I kissing?"

Dustin blinked at him. "Both of us, I guess."

"Oh," Tobi mumbled.

Dustin put a hand under Dustin's chin, forcing their eyes to meet. "I know for sure he loves you, TZT," he told him, nodding. "It's true, Tobs, I do love you. And I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," Tobi replied quietly.

"I know," Dustin said. "We know what you said when you were a spirit before about…" Dustin paused, a wide range of emotions appearing on his face. "Oh," he whispered and his bottom lip began to tremble.

"Dustin?" Tobi asked.

Dustin couldn't answer because he began crying. "TZT," he choked out. "I wish you could see inside his mind. Maybe you'd get him I mean, like, even I get him."

"Oh," Tobi mumbled.

"Dustin?" Hunter whispered, clutching his hand tighter.

"Yeah?" Dustin whimpered.

"Can you walk?" Hunter asked. "I want Cam to look at you to make sure…" He glanced at Tobi. "…that you're okay."

Dustin nodded, wiping his face as the others helped him up. "Woah," he said, clutching his head.

"What's wrong?" Hunter asked.

"Dizzy," Dustin replied, shaking his head. "This is seriously gonna take some getting used to."

The others exchanged glances.

Back at Ninja Ops, Cam finished his examination of Dustin and looked at the others. They all had nervous, expectant looks on their faces. And, as always, it was up to Cam to fix their problems or calm their fears. "Physically, he's fine," he began, earning him at least a few sighs of relief. "Tobi healed even the burns he inflicted earlier."

"Yeah, I… I'm sorry," Tobi mumbled.

"We know," Dustin replied.

"Mentally, however," Cam continued, "I'm not sure."

"What do you mean?" Hunter asked.

"I just mean I'm not sure how the two personalities will work together," Cam explained. "They might function in tandem or they might clash, leading to psychosis."

"Which means?" Tobi's sister prompted.

"He'd go insane," Cam concluded.

"Too late, dude," Dustin muttered.

Shane patted his shoulder. "I'm glad you're back, bro, but seriously not the time for crazy jokes."

Dustin just nodded.

"There's also the possibility that the two personalities may merge and eventually become one," Cam added.

The others exchanged shocked looks.

"What would happen to… our Dustin then?" Tori asked slowly.

Cam thought for a moment. "He wouldn't be gone," he said, "but he wouldn't really be the same person we know. That's assuming the spirits both remain in him of course."

"We're not taking Dustin—a Dustin out," Tobi said quickly.

Cam shrugged. "How do they feel about it?"

Dustin looked at Cam. "It kinda sucks, but it beats being dead."

The others nodded in understanding or support.

"Okay, then," Cam said. "Dustin," he addressed before pausing. "That is, the other dimension's Dustin."

"We need some way to tell them apart," Shane pointed out.

"How about D-Man?" the other dimension's Cam suggested.

Dustin shrugged. "Or, I could go by Twilight Zone Dustin," he suggested, "or TZD."

"It sounds a little too much like TZT," this dimension's Cam suggested, glancing at Tobi.

"And that would be a problem?" Dustin asked, looking at Tobi as well.

"Uh, I guess," Tobi replied, staring at Dustin with a grimace.

"What's wrong, Tobs?" Dustin asked. "You prefer D-Man for old time's sake?"

Tobi blinked, flinching. "It's just… when you talk, it reminds me of… the way things were before I came here. And, I don't want to go back to that."

"Oh," Dustin mumbled, looking down. "Because you'd never want to go back to when it was just us."

"It was never just us," Tobi corrected.

"Yeah, my fault," Dustin agreed, sighing.

"And…" Tobi continued uneasily.

"What?" Dustin prompted.

"I'm afraid at one point it'll only be you doing the talking and… this dimension's Dustin will be gone again."

Dustin blinked for a moment before saying earnestly, "TZT, dude, I'm still here." He reached out for Tobi and held him while Tobi rested his head on Dustin's upper arm. "Do you think you'll ever be able to love us both?"

Tobi looked up at him. "Who's asking?"

"Both of us, I guess," Dustin said, shrugging.

Tobi went back to resting against Dustin and thought about that. "I don't know," he admitted. "I guess it's… possible."

Dustin smiled, petting Tobi's head. "Waldo," he suddenly said.

"What?" Tobi asked, raising his head.

"We've decided you can call me Waldo," Dustin said.

"Me, as in…?" Tobi prompted.

"TZD," Dustin clarified. "He's not like totally against it like me. I always hated it. All the Where's Waldo jokes… Dude, it was so…" He paused, blinking. "Lonely." A look of realization dawned in his eyes. "It wasn't just that we both felt all different from everybody else. We both felt lonely even though we weren't alone. We both have friends and are… or were happy. But something was missing." He stared into Tobi's eyes. "It was you. You changed that."

"What do you mean?" Tobi asked.

"You made us feel like we belonged," Dustin explained.

"How?" Tobi asked, confused. "This dimension's Dustin was practically carefree with the friends he grew up with and everyone who… fits his destiny, and my dimension's… Waldo was the brains of the group, the unspoken second in command. How did I add something to that?"

Dustin nodded, cocking his head to the side. "I guess like both of us are kinda clueless with how to explain it, but it makes sense up here." He pointed to his head.

"I really wish I knew what goes on inside that cute head of yours," Tobi said, "now more than ever."

"I remember you saying that when we were in the training room and Tori was being all like mind controlled," Dustin said with a grin. "And, dude, I thought I had a lot of stuff in my head then. Now it's like crazy!" he chuckled softly before becoming serious. "But, dude, I felt something… like this bond even then. It was like I was waiting my whole life for you. TZD… I guess Waldo," he corrected, cringing at the name, "helps me make a little more sense of what's in my head." He smiled warmly at Tobi. "The way you always do."

Tobi nodded, blinking.

"And, remember when you used to pretend to read my mind when we were kids, Tobs?" Dustin added, shaking his head. "You always had the craziest sense of humor. I think…" His expression fell. "I think, if your mom survived or we didn't become ninjas without you or just if we weren't such jerks, you might have ended up like this Dustin. He's… like who you could have been, maybe should have been." He pouted. "I guess there's no way to tell what would have happened."

"Yeah," Tobi mumbled.

"And, Tobs," he continued, "I think he's good for me. I may be the smarter one of us." He smirked, rolling his eyes. "But he has everything I'm missing."

Cam cleared his throat before addressing, "Waldo, I was hoping you could help me restore the holographic portal functions. The controls in the Zord Bay are buried under dirt, so…"

"Sure, Cam," Dustin agreed quickly before suddenly stopping himself. "But, we should at least consider my idea. The Zords won't—Your idea is way too risky and I don't want Marah and Kapri getting hurt," he interrupted himself.

"What idea's too risky?" hippy Marah asked, approaching the group gathered around Dustin.

Dustin pouted, forcing his mouth closed.

"I think he's talking about you two impersonating the other versions of you," Cam theorized, "and infiltrating Lothor's ship to steal his PAM."

"You want us to steal his cooking spray?" Kapri asked. "Cousin, if you're that desperate, I have a way better idea."

"Kapri's right, Cam," Marah agreed. "Did you know the human body produces its own oil that can—"

Cam groaned. "I'm not talking about cooking spray," he interrupted. "Lothor has a device called a Personal Alien Manager, or PAM, that he uses to summon and enlarge monsters." He spoke slowly, almost like how an adult would speak to a child.

The two girls made dramatic "Oh" sounds.

"But it's dangerous and…" Dustin began, looking at Marah. He stopped, just staring at her.

"Dustin?" she whispered.

He blinked quickly, shaking his head. "It's just… you're really cute. Funny how I never saw it before." He then glanced at Hunter and nodded. "Yeah, you're right," he said, agreeing with some unspoken comment in his head.

"Am I the only one who's freaked out by this?" Blake asked.

Hunter patted his brother's shoulder while still staring at Dustin. "No, bro, you're not."

"I'm sorry, Hunter," Dustin insisted. "We both are."

Hunter gave him a confused look.

"Dude, I… I didn't really give you like an explanation why I chose TZT," Dustin explained. "I guess I kinda got all… caught up in stuff. It wasn't… fair to you."

Hunter's eyes softened. "It's okay, Dustin. I understand. If you hadn't chosen Tobi, I probably would have told you to. I'm glad you're together. You deserve to be happy."

"Thanks, dude," Dustin said, but so do you."

"I'll be okay," Hunter promised, taking Dustin's hand, "as long as you're okay."

Dustin stared at Hunter for a moment before leaning forward and kissing him on the lips.

Hunter was surprised and caught off guard, but still returned the kiss after some hesitation.

Then Dustin pulled away quickly, his cheeks flushed and an embarrassed look on his face. "Sorry," he mumbled. "it's hard to control things when we both want the same thing."

Hunter's own cheeks were also red as he nodded. "Yeah, I… get it."

Dustin glanced around, embarrassed. "Waldo's not used to like showing his feelings when other people are around."

"Even his friends," Tobi's sister added matter-of-factly.

Tobi looked between Dustin and Hunter but Dustin turned to him and smiled. "Guess you know what's coming?" He then leaned forward and kissed Tobi on the lips. Tobi reached up, running his fingers through Dustin's hair and pulling his face closer.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," the other dimension's Shane grumbled.

"It's not… that bad," the other dimension's Hunter suggested.

"Wait, Super Shane, you don't think it's hot?" the other dimension's Cam asked, confused.

"No, Cam, that's all you," the other dimension's Blake said with a roll of his eyes.

When Dustin and Tobi separated, they were both panting heavily.

Tori noticed Tobi's sister smiling. "What?" she asked.

She shrugged. "Hey, it takes weird to a whole new level, but it means Tobi's finally sharing his feelings with our Dustin. Waldo, whatever," she added.

Tori nodded, turning back to the two. "Sure," she mumbled.

"We've decided to help you, Cam," Dustin said, turning to Cam. "Even though one of us is scared of Zords, we trust you." He smiled a wide, toothy grin.

"Thank you… both," Cam replied.

Dustin began to walk toward the Zord bay, but became momentarily dizzy.

"Cam, I thought you said he was alright physically," Hunter said, steadying Dustin.

"He is," Cam said, shrugging toward Hunter as he examined Dustin.

"It's the two spirits," Skyla suddenly spoke up.

"You can see them?" Tobi asked, turning to her quickly.

She shook her head before approaching Tobi and taking his hand. Shane glanced between the two, confused. "But you can see them," she whispered.

Tobi just stared at her.

"At least, I think you can," she added.

"You mean, if I leave my body again?" he asked. "I don't think Cam would like it if I started burning in Ninja Ops."

Cam nodded. "That's true."

"You're not doing that again," Tobi's sister warned him.

"I don't think you have to go that far to see what we can't," Skyla told him.

"Skyla is correct, Tobi," Sensei spoke up, hopping over. "You do not need to take your meditation as far as you did when I first taught you."

"Oh," Tobi realized, turning to Dustin. He closed his eyes and concentrated just on Dustin's life force. He tuned everything else out and didn't try to let his consciousness roam or form. It was just like he was going to heal Dustin, but instead he tried to see him the way he would as a spirit.

"Do you know what he's doing?" Shane whispered to Skyla.

"He's learning how to see," she said quietly.

"Uh, okay," Shane said, glancing at Tori, who shrugged.

Then Tobi finally saw it. He saw the glow around Dustin that seemed more drawn to Dustin than bound to him. When Dustin moved, rather than the glow moving as a part of him, there was a slight delay as the glow caught up with the movements. After a moment, he realized what the glow was.

"Tobi?" Tori asked as Tobi opened his eyes, worry clear on his face. "What did you see?"

"I know why you're dizzy," he told Dustin.

"Why?" Dustin asked quickly.

Tobi blinked for a moment, taking a breath. "I guess because it's Dust—Waldo's body, his spirit is all the way in it, but you…" He swallowed. "Dustin, your spirit is just like caught on his body. It's loose, not fully connected. When you two move your body, your spirit takes a moment to catch up. It's only like a second, but it's enough that…"

"That what?" Dustin asked nervously.

"That he's afraid the bond might not be permanent," Cam concluded.

Tobi nodded.

"Oh," Dustin mumbled.

"Just… take it easy, okay?" Tobi advised. "And, whatever you do, don't streak."

"What about helping Cam?" Dustin advised.

"I don't know what would happen if you move through the dirt," he replied, glancing at Marah and Kapri. "Maybe we should try Waldo's idea."

"But…" Dustin started to protest.

"We'll just see if they can pull it off," Tobi added, "you know, practice."

"Oh, yeah, I guess so," Dustin agreed.

"What do we have to do?" Marah asked.

"First, you'll need to swap outfits," Tobi replied. "I guess you could think of it as a makeover."

"And the Zords?" Cam asked.

"We'll help," Tobi's sister immediately offered.

He gave her a surprised look.

"What?" she asked. "I don't want Dustin and… Waldo separating either." Cam raised an eyebrow, so she leaned toward him and whispered, "If my dimension's Dustin ends up being the only one in there again, I don't know what it'll do to Tobi. We'd have to go through the whole sacrifice and death and spirits and whatever else all over again. And, Cam, none of us want that, do we?"

"No," Cam agreed, blinking at her.

She smiled at him. "Close your mouth. Unless you want to catch flies."

"We're not gonna watch them change, are we?" Dustin asked Tobi, his eyebrows raised.

Tobi stared at him.

"We're joking," Dustin quickly assured him, glancing around.

"Right," Tobi replied, watching him. "I can see that putting both personalities together is going to be… interesting."

Dustin nodded, grinning. "Totally."

"Yeah… interesting," Hunter mumbled behind them.

Tori noticed this and patted his shoulder.

After the girls changed in the training room, Tobi, Dustin and Geo entered the room.

"How do I look?" hippy Marah asked, spinning around. She was dressed as space ninja Marah and Destiny was growling at her.

Hippy Kapri clapped her hands. "I love the antennas and little wings!" she cheered before trying to calm Destiny.

"But it's the same clothes you said you didn't like on the other Marah," Geo pointed out.

"But she looks so much better in them!" Kapri insisted. "Quiet, Destiny."

"Aw, you're so sweet!" Marah said, hugging Kapri. "And the horns kind of look like two unicorn horns," she added, touching the horns atop Kapri's head. "And you always looks so good in pink."

"Thank you!" Kapri said sweetly.

"Oh, yes, these two will completely fool our uncle," space ninja Kapri said sarcastically. She was still tied to space ninja Marah, but the two were now dressed in their hippy counterparts' outfits.

"She's right," Tobi agreed. "They're too nice." Then he noticed Dustin staring at Marah, his head tilted. "What is it, Dustin?" Tobi asked.

"We just figured out that Marah's outfit looks like Beevil," Dustin said.

"Beevil?" Tobi repeated.

Dustin frowned. "Unpleasant memory."

"Oh," Tobi realized, "when Marah tricked you."

Dustin nodded, blinking as Tobi put an arm around him. He smiled at Tobi before turning to Marah and Kapri as they complimented each other's outfits. "Can you guys be… mean and…" He paused, adding, "stupid?"

"Being stupid is easy," Geo said. "Just pretend you're dumb and don't know stuff."

"That we can do, but we can't be mean," Marah insisted.

"But you'd have to for this to work," Dustin replied. "And, if it doesn't work, not only will Lothor still be able to enlarge aliens to destroy the city and… crush houses," he added, cringing, "but you two would be… in danger."

Tobi watched Dustin for a moment before suggesting to the girls, "Maybe you two could just try it out. Just practice being mean."

"I'll go first," Kapri offered. "Black really isn't your color."

Marah looked at her outfit. "Yeah," she agreed. "It is kind of depressing as far as colors go."

"But chocolate's black," Geo pointed out, picking up Destiny.

Kapri nodded. "Well, more of a dark brown. Oh! Let's try that! Maybe Lothor won't notice. I think it'd go good with the red."

"I don't think that's quite it," Dustin said.

"Do you think I look bad in black?" space ninja Marah asked, concerned. "I mean, like we're total copies of each other."

"Shut up," space ninja Kapri grumbled. "Don't even try to talk."

Space ninja Marah then began whining and complaining.

"Like that," Tobi said, gesturing with his arm. "Act just like them."

"But they're mean to each other and we're like best friends," hippy Kapri argued, throwing an arm around hippy Marah.

"Pretend like she's… like whoever you hate," Dustin suggested.

"We don't hate anyone," hippy Marah replied.

Tobi and Dustin exchanged exasperated looks.

"Can we get something to eat now?" Geo complained. "I'm hungry."

Dustin raised his eyebrows. "So am I, Geodude. I didn't eat at all when I didn't have a body. I mean, like of course I didn't."

"The others are going to try to dig some of the dirt out of the Zord bay," Tobi said. "You guys can go eat. I guess I'll… help them." He watched Dustin as he said this.

"Aren't you hungry, TZT?" Dustin asked.

"Yeah, I am, but…" he started to protest.

"I'm sure they'll be okay without you," Dustin replied. "I… We want you to come."

Tobi smiled. "Sure. Maybe they can practice while we're eating. It seems like it's going to take a while."

Dustin nodded. "I just hope Lothor doesn't choose to use his PAM to summon a monster while we're still unprepared, Tobs."

"Yeah," Tobi agreed, patting Dustin.

"We're worried about that too," Marah added. "That's why we're helping you. That and…"

"What?" Dustin asked.

Marah blushed. "We like you."

Dustin smiled. "We like you too. I'm glad we're friends."

"Yeah, so am I," Marah agreed.

"We're like total best friends forever!" Kapri declared. "Group hug!"

Dustin and Tobi joined Marah, Kapri, Geo and even Destiny in a group hug before Marah asked, "So, what are we going to eat?"

Tobi and Dustin turned to each other at the same time and said, "Ice cream!"

Lothor stared at his viewscreen as he watched Zurgane's defeat over again as if somehow, this time, the result would be different. He slammed his fist down, letting out some frustration while also turning the viewer off. "At least he managed to destroy one of the Power Rangers," he commented outloud, "but there are now more of them than there are of us." He sighed before calling, to no one in particular, "Where are my nieces?"

"Beats me," he could hear Choobo reply dumbly.

"Oh, for the love of…" he began, groaning. "Choobo, go find them," he commanded without looking at the alien.

"Yes, okay," Choobo said, turning and scampering off, nearly running into Vexacus.

Lothor looked over at the fish-headed alien. "Vexacus," he greeted dryly. "Since, by default, you are my new number one general," he began, visibly cringing at the thought, "I have a task for you."

"Does it by chance involve defeating the Power Rangers?" Vexacus asked in an off-handed way.

"Yes, it does," Lothor replied, surprised as he noticed Vexacus unroll a transparent-papered scroll. "What's that?"

"A plan to defeat the Power Rangers: Condortron," Vexacus explained, studying the scroll absentmindedly.

"Now you're talking," Lothor said, his mood quickly improving. "And I want you to make sure to include that gold ranger. In fact, he deserves something… special, if you know what I mean."

"Ah, I do," Vexacus agreed, closing the scroll.

"He also has something that I want," Lothor continued, now sounding casual.

"What's that?" Vexacus asked, glancing over as Motodrone and Shimazu entered the room.

"According to a very reliable scroll, he has in his possession what is called the Sun Amulet," Lothor explained.

"Wasn't that destroyed?" Vexacus asked.

"Apparently not in the other dimension," Lothor explained. "It certainly would be quite a prize."

"That was how the gold ranger defeated Zurgane," Vexacus realized, thinking.

"I assume so," Lothor replied, glancing at the alien out of the corner of his mask.

"I will fetch it at once and then… victory," Vexacus declared, clenching his hand into a fist and raising it into the air.

Lothor nodded, grinning. "Go, but make sure I know exactly when the attack is to occur. I want to set the DVR on the viewer. And, remember, the gold ranger—"

"Get's special attention," Vexacus finished, nodding. "As you wish." He then spun in his tracks and left the room, laughing quietly to himself.

"Motodrone," Lothor called the moment Vexacus was gone.

"Sir," Motodrone said, approaching.

Lothor lowered his voice. "Follow him. I don't trust that fish as far as I can smell him."

"Yes, sir," Motodrone quickly agreed while Shimazu scampered around the two.

"And make sure he brings back the amulet," Lothor added, waving off Shimazu like he was an insect.

"What could he do with it?" Motodrone asked.

"I'd rather not think about that," Lothor replied. "Anything I can do with it, he can do."

"Sir, what if the gold ranger destroys him too?" Motodrone pointed out.

Lothor shrugged. "Not a huge loss there," he admitted, "but I want the amulet in my possession and that gold ranger destroyed. Make sure those two things happen. And, as always, try to defeat the rest of the Power Rangers."

"Yes, sir," Motodrone agreed, leaving.

Behind the two, Shimazu called, "See you later, gator! Bye bye!"

"I'm running out of generals I can trust," Lothor grumbled to himself before growling at Shimazu.

"What?" the alien asked innocently, stopping his annoying behavior.

Lothor just grumbled to himself as he left the bridge.

With the exception of Dustin, Tobi and the hippy Marah and Kapri, both dimension's rangers were in the Zord bay, shoveling through a mountain of rocks and dirt. The process only ended up moving the dirt from one side of the bay to the other, but it also exposed vital panels that were necessary to using the holographic portals to transport the Zords out of the bay.

"We wouldn't be doing this if Dustin were here," Blake commented as he tried to heave a large chunk or rock aside.

"It's worth it if it means we don't lose our Dustin again," Hunter said, helping his brother with the rock. With it out of the way, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Bro, you got something right…" Blake said, pointing to Hunters forehead. His brother wiped his forehead again, making it worse and causing Blake to laugh.

"Well, you got something right… here!" Hunter said, smearing dirt on his brother.

"Ew! Look at them getting all dirty," space ninja Marah complained. Her and space ninja Kapri were still dressed as hippies and tied together off to the side of the bay, where they could watch the digging.

"On you, dirt would be an improvement," Kapri grumbled.

"Well… your outfit doesn't even match your hair," Marah replied.

"That's the best you can come up with?" Kapri snapped. "At least my clothes don't smell like urine."

Marah sniffed her clothes. "Ew! It smells like dog pee!"

"That's because it is dog pee," grumpy Sensei spoke up, a grin on his tiny face.

"You're enjoying this, Kanoi, aren't you?" his wife accused as she helped shovel.

He shrugged his little body. "Unlike the other ones' singing, these two are actually entertaining."

"I'm with you on that one, Sensei," the other dimension's Shane told him, a rare smile on his lips.

"I want to know how you know what dog pee smells like," the other dimension's Blake asked.

"We used to have a puppy," Marah explained, "but our uncle made us give him away. He never lets us have any fun."

Kapri rolled her eyes. "Because he didn't like us trading away his PAM?"

"But I thought the Make A Puppy was just as good," Marah insisted.

"Just like adding frozen vegetables to our uncle's drink was just as good as ice cubes," Kapri said.

"Well, how was I supposed to make ice cubes?" she defended. "I looked through the whole cookbook and couldn't find the recipe." Suddenly she shrieked as dirt spattered on her face. She began spitting it out. "Someone got dirt on me!" she complained.

"My bad," the other dimension's Blake said with a grin. "You remind me of Leanne." Then his face fell. "I can't believe she's dead. She was a spoiled brat, but I looked even better than usual next to her, if that's possible."

"Nope, not possible," the other dimension's Hunter said, patting his brother's chest.

"Just as I thought," Kapri told Marah. "The dirt's actually an improvement."

"Is it?" Marah asked, studying herself.

"Calling you stupid would be an insult to stupid people," Kapri mumbled.

"I'm not stupid!" Marah insisted.

"I forgot," Kapri replied. "You're possessed by a retarded ghost. I'll call an exorcist."

"How do you come up with those insults?" the other dimension's Shane asked.

"Too much free time," she replied. "I would teach you, but I don't have that much free time."

Shane chuckled quietly as the two continued bickering.

"I thought about you all day," Kapri told Marah.

"You did?" Marah asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I was at the zoo," Kapri finished, watching the blank expression on Marah's face. "Keep thinking about it and maybe someday you'll get it."

"It's not that I'm too stupid to see things your way," Marah insisted. "It's just that I can't get my head that far up my ass!"

This actually caused Kapri to laugh.

"You think those two fight so much because they love each other?" Tori whispered to the other Tori as they shoveled near Cam.

The other Tori stared at her. "That doesn't even make sense."

"Well, they say couples that are in love fight about anything, so I thought…" She noticed the look in the other Tori's eyes and shrugged, tossing aside dirt. "I guess not."

Suddenly the other Tori's expression changed. "This is about you and Blake fighting," she realized.

"Maybe," Tori admitted. "That would mean I love Blake more than Hunter."

The other Tori watched her. "That's what you want, isn't it?"

Tori frowned. "I guess. I mean, I've always liked Blake and he likes me. And Hunter… he's still in love with Dustin. I can see it in his eyes." She stared off into space.

"His sparkling, sky blue eyes," the other Tori teased. "If you want him, go for it."

Tori raised her eyebrows before realizing. "So you can have Blake," she accused.

The other Tori just smiled. "Naturally. I wouldn't want the brown eyed Bradley to go to waste."

"Well, he's not going to waste," Tori huffed, shoveling dirt aside roughly, which caused it to spatter on the other Tori. "Not that he's some thing that can be wasted. I just can't stop caring about…"

The other Tori groaned, brushing dirt aside. "Just go talk to them. They're brothers. They can share."

"Share?" Tori repeated. "But…"

"Go!" the other Tori insisted, shoving her with dirty hands toward the direction of this dimension's version of the brothers.

Tori reluctantly walked over to the two as the other Tori watched her. "So, how's it going?" Tori asked lamely as she approached the brothers.

"Hey, Tor," Blake greeted. "We could use some help."

"Sure," she offered cheerfully. "So, you guys okay?"

"Why don't we ask the brooder?" Blake suggested.

"Hunter?" Tori asked.

Hunter shrugged. "I'm just trying to wrap my mind around there being two Dustins in one body."

"Yeah," Tori agreed. "Me too."

"Hey, you think it's weird that the two Dustins are sharing Tobi?" Blake asked. "I mean, if they're still together."

"Sharing, right," Tori mumbled.

"What?" Hunter asked her.

"You know, it's funny really," Tori explained. "The other me said… you two could share me." She made a little laugh to show she didn't take the idea too seriously.

The two brothers exchanged looks. "Before you say anything, no," Blake told his brother.

"Come on, bro," Hunter insisted. "Let's just hear her out." He ran a hand through Blake's hair, rubbing his scalp. "It could be fun."

Blake glared at him before turning back to Tori. "Since it was the other Tori's idea, why can't she join us? It'd be more fair. Two guys, two girls." He smiled at the thought.

Tori frowned. "On second thought, sharing isn't just a silly idea. It's a bad idea."

"Oh," Blake mumbled, glancing across at the other Tori, a disappointed look on his face.

Hunter rolled his eyes so Tori could see. She just roller her own right along with the blonde.

Meanwhile, the other Tori approached Cam, still watching the three from a distance. "Cam, how do you know when you're in love?" she asked casually.

He looked up from his shovel, confused. "Why are you asking me?"

"Because you're smart," she replied, "and… you care."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Yep, I can see right through you," she said with a smirk. "Aren't you scared?"

"It's not a secret that I care about people," Cam defended. "It's just not… well understood."

"So, are you going to dodge the question forever?" she prompted impatiently.

Cam sighed, following her gaze to Blake. He watched as Tori seemed to be flirting with both brothers. He was sure that she wasn't aware of her behavior, but it still… hurt. "When you love someone, that person, more than anyone else, has the power to make you happy or… to hurt you."

The other Tori paused, thinking. "Then maybe I really haven't ever been in love, not with my dimension's Blake or the new, more… adorable Blake. I haven't loved anyone. Well, except for Tobi, but that doesn't count."

"Did you tell Tobi that you love him?" Cam asked conversationally while turning back to his work.

"Yeah, I did finally," she replied.

"Good," Cam said. "He deserves to know that people love him."

She gave him a surprised look. "You almost sound like you love him."

"He's just… I've become used to him," Cam quickly defended. "Plus, he did say he liked me best, second only to Dustin. But, of course, everyone loves Dustin."

"So it seems," she agreed as the two noticed how often Hunter got a far away look in his eyes as he dug.

"Circuit, is that enough room for you to squeeze down into the projection conduit?" Cam asked.

"I'll try to fit, Cam," Circuit said before hovering down through the dirt.

"Do you see the interchange manifold?" Cam asked.

"Yes," Circuit replied, its voice muffled.

"How much more dirt do we need to move before I can get to it?" he continued.

"About five more feet," Circuit replied. "And, Cam, it looks like it needs to be replaced."

Cam groaned. "That's what I was afraid of." He looked down the mountain of dirt that he was at the top of and wondered what Dustin was doing right now…

Marah giggled as she ate her rocky road ice cream. "You two look so cute," she said, glancing between Geo and Dustin, both of whom had chocolate ice cream covered faces.

Geo licked his sticky fingers as Dustin gave her an innocent look. "What?" he asked.

"She's right," Tobi said, looking up from Destiny to Dustin's messy face that she was trying to lick. "But, cuter than usual. The whole messy eating thing takes some getting used to, but I like it."

"Messy?" he repeated, sounding surprised as he looked at his reflection in his spoon.

"I heard you're not supposed to give dogs chocolate," Marah warned as Destiny jumped onto Dustin's lap.

"She can have the rest of mine," Kapri offered, sliding her bowl of strawberry ice cream across the table.

Dustin stopped looking at himself and offered Destiny Kapri's bowl.

"You've always been a messy eater," Tobi told him.

"I… have," he mumbled, thinking.

"Oh," Tobi realized. "Because Waldo was never messy. But, you chose chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, so I guess you're eating habits are more like Dustin's."

Dustin nodded, still thinking.

"This ice cream isn't as good as the kind in the other dimension," Geo pointed out.

"Yeah, it wasn't as creamy," Kapri agreed.

Suddenly a look of realization filled Dustin's wide, chocolate eyes.

"What's wrong?" Tobi asked, concerned. He placed a hand on Dustin's arm, feeling his bicep momentarily tense.

"The milk they use here is cow's milk," Dustin said slowly.

"What?" Marah and Kapri asked in unison, suddenly staring at the mostly finished bowls of ice cream. Even Destiny seemed to pause, sensing the surprise.

"But, dude, your dimension's milk is from… humans," Dustin said, arguing with himself. "So… that milkshake you made me…" he realized, looking at Marah.

"You didn't like my milkshake?" Marah asked, concerned.

"No, it was awesome," Dustin replied. "I just… So, you, uh, like squeezed it out?"

Marah blinked at him, blushing. "That's how it works, more or less."

Tobi watched as Dustin's gaze lowered to Marah's chest.

"I really get sore when I make a lot of milkshakes, but I wanted something from me to you," Marah explained. She patted her chest. "I really need a good massage."

Dustin started to reach across the table and Tobi reached up, grabbing his hand to stop him. "Dustin, I think you're having one of those hard to control what both of you want moments."

Dustin blinked, coming to his senses. "Yeah," he mumbled, lowering his hand.

"I'll give you a massage later," Kapri promised Marah while using a napkin to clean Geo's face.

"Uh, Dustin, why don't I clean your face in the bathroom," Tobi suggested.

"Yeah, okay, dude," Dustin said, lifting Destiny and handing her across the table as Tobi led him off.

"We'll be right back," Tobi told the others.

When the two entered the restroom, Dustin looked around, making sure it was empty except for the two of them. "So, you wanna lick me clean, Tobs?" He grinned suggestively.

Tobi stared at him for a moment. "I guess everything that happened that day you both know now," he said, blushing as he approached the sink.

"Yeah," Dustin replied, a smile still on his face.

Tobi wet a paper towel and proceeded to wipe Dustin's face clean.

Dustin's expression fell. "No licking?" he asked, sounding disappointed. "Is it 'cause he's in here with me, TZT?"

Tobi paused in his cleaning of Dustin's face to watch Dustin's expression. "I guess it's a little strange—or a whole lot strange," he amended, "but maybe it's not about there being two of you. Maybe it's just because it's been such an emotional roller coaster recently. I didn't even masturbate today and I'm not boned right now." He could feel his cheeks flush as he confessed this. "Okay, I'll admit I feel closer to Dustin than Waldo," he continued. "I know that doesn't make any sense because I grew up with the one I don't feel closest to." He paused, thinking. "But I feel more nervous talking about things like… like masturbating with Waldo because… Well, I guess because he would make fun of me if I did."

"Tobs," Dustin said, his voice sounding serious. "I can let Dustin control my body while I… stay in the back of my mind until he needs me. You can be with him… just him."

Tobi froze. In a way, it was what he wanted, to have this dimension's Dustin without loosing the other Dustin, but that made him feel guilty. Really, it wasn't fair. "No," he said quickly as he resumed his cleaning of Dustin's face. "I'm actually starting to get used to you both being in there. "You—Waldo," he corrected, "was never nice to me, so there was a lot of… heartache involved with liking him, but there was heartache with Dustin too. I guess what I'm saying is I could learn to love you both." He finished cleaning Dustin's face and disposed of the paper towel.

Dustin stared at Tobi for a moment before suddenly leaning forward and kissing him. His kiss was gentle at first before becoming more aggressive until he pulled away. He was blinking as if surprised.

"Dustin?" Tobi asked, the feeling of Dustin's lips on his own still lingering.

"That… that wasn't both of us," Dustin said, still staring at Tobi.

Tobi gave him a confused look. "Which one was it?"

"It was TZD," Dustin answered. "He like tricked me with trying to figure something out he had in his head and then like wham, he was kissing you."

"Oh," Tobi mumbled, confused.

"It was… a going away kiss?" Dustin asked himself.

"Dustin…" Tobi whispered.

"This one's totally me, TZT," Dustin said, leaning forward and kissing Tobi with a passion that reminded him of the last time they were in an ice cream parlor.

Just then, Geo entered the restroom holding Destiny.

The two separated, staring at the boy with embarrassed grins. "Geodude," Dustin greeted cheerfully. "Does Destiny have to pee, 'cause you know she's a girl?"

Geo shook his head. "Some alien's attacking the restaurant."

Tobi and Dustin exchanged quick glances before running for the restroom exit, but, as they did, Dustin stumbled into Tobi and Tobi had to catch him. "Don't run," Tobi warned. "And, if a fight breaks out, stay behind me."

Dustin nodded, shaking off his dizziness as the three left the restroom.

As a few customers ran out of the ice cream shop, they fled a large green a white alien. It was Choobo and he was standing in front of the still seated Marah and Kapri.

"There you two are," Choobo greeted the girls. "Your uncle's been looking everywhere for you. Well, okay, he didn't even leave the ship, but I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Marah and Kapri exchanged worried looks before Marah's eyes met Dustin's. She seemed to be asking if they should pretend to be the space ninja counterparts that they were dressed as. Dustin blinked, breathing heavily. He found Tobi's hand and squeezed it before nodding. Tobi looked up at him, concerned.

"We're sorry to worry our uncle Lothor," Marah began before changing her tone. "I mean, like, who cares?"

"Uh, yeah, we don't care," Kapri agreed. "We're mean."

"Not as mean as your uncle's gonna be when we get back," Choobo said, gesturing for them to stand up. That was when he noticed Dustin, Tobi and Geo. "Do I know you from somewhere?" he asked Dustin.

"Uh, no," Dustin said quickly, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a morpher and handed it to Marah. "You dropped this," he told her.

Choobo didn't seem to notice as she offered him a thankful nod. Then the alien reached for something on his arm and the three vanished.

"Marah! Kapri!" Geo shouted, running over to where they had been only moments before. Destiny also barked at the empty booth.

Tobi looked into Dustin's eyes as he continued to grip Tobi's hand.

"At least Waldo thought to give her the morpher he took from me in the cave," Dustin said, pouting. "I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm glad he didn't totally bail on me."

Tobi put an arm around Dustin. "Come on, guys. Let's get back to Ninja Ops."

Dustin nodded, but, as the three exited the ice cream shop, he blinked, looking up.

"What is it?" Tobi asked.

"Nothing," Dustin said. "Just thought I saw a shadow."

"Maybe resting would help," Tobi replied before he noticed a shadow pass overhead as well. And, this time, he followed it to a shark-faced alien and a large mechanical bird creature.

"Just who I've been looking for," Vexacus greeted. "I had a feeling that bumbling fool Choobo would lead me right to you."

Tobi immediately took up a fighting stance in front of Dustin, Geo and Destiny.

Vexacus looked to his left, as if just noticing the bird creature. "Meet Condortron," he introduced, "an ingenious creation, if I do say so myself."

"If you came here to try to do to this Dustin's body what Zurgane did," Tobi growled, "you're gonna meet his fate. I don't care what killing you does to me. You'll never get to him."

"Actually, I came here for you," Vexacus corrected, adding, "gold ranger."

To be continued...

Author's Note: Lots left to happen, so tell me what you think and what you want to see!