Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter three of "If Only." This chapter introduces Zordon and Alpha. I decided to include Phaedos and Dulcea in this fic as she and Zordon were established as old friends in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. It is not said how they knew each other in it. I will do my own version of how thet knew each other here. I will not give details about it here. You will have to see for yourselves. Stay tuned for chapter four.

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Chapter 3: Good and Bad News

Clouds covered half the sky above the desert. Light wind blew some sand around. A roadrunner walked across it. It passed the Command Center. It broke into a run and flapped its wings to take flight. It squawked as it gained altitude. Another roadrunner joined it. They cawed to each other. They disappeared beyond the horizon. Their caws echoed on the wind.

Alpha stood close to the Viewing Globe in the main room. He and Zordon watched two bottlenose dolphins leap through the surf. The dolphins headed underwater with squeaks. The first dolphin leapt into the air and flipped forward. It landed on its back with a big splash. The second dolphin shot upward. It spun in midair before landing on its side with two huge splashes. They went out to sea, clicking joyfully. Alpha chuckled in a soft way.

"It is great watching dolphins have fun on this thing," Alpha said.

"It sure is, Alpha," Zordon agreed with a smile. "It's nice that it has been peaceful over the last four days."

"I know, Zordon," Alpha responded as he turned around and went to the console before the plasma tube. "Goldar and Scorpina did a bit of damage during the most recent attack, but the Rangers handed their butts to them as always."

"It makes me wonder Lord Zedd is up to right now," Zordon said thoughtfully.

"Who knows?" Alpha said, raising his arms above his head. "Just because we monitor his activity constantly doesn't mean we catch everything he is doing."

"Of course not," Zordon commented while shaking his head. "It is impossible for anyone or anything to be aware of their surroundings every second."

"The Rangers are very attuned to their surroundings. That helps them detect danger when it is approaching," Alpha pointed out matter-of-factly. "Of course, they do underestimate their opponents sometimes."

"My warriors and I did that occasionally when we defended Earth from Rita's first invasion. We were experienced, but that didn't make us immune to error. The Rangers are young, so they are more bound to make mistakes," Zordon explained.

"Failure is a part of life. Success comes from it," Alpha said, placing his hands on his hips. "Sometimes, you have to fail many times before you succeed."

"Unfortunately, some people consider failure not to be an option. They expect others to succeed at everything," Zordon boomed sadly.

"I recall the Rangers' stories about children being spanked simply because they messed up plays in sports such as baseball, soccer, football, and others in the old days here on Earth," Alpha mumbled, shaking his head in disbelief. "How can any parent do such a thing to a child? Children make mistakes. They should be told they need to learn from them, not be abused."

"Eltarians are no different from Earthlings. Many adults abuse their children when they mess up on practicing fighting skills or magic spells. I hated when that happened while I was there. I reported abusive parents," Zordon added and cleared his throat. "They almost always had their children taken away from them. In many cases, they never got them back because they had been so cruel to them."

"Earthlings are trying to help abused children, but there is so much pressure to reunite them with their parents. In many cases, the parents end up killing them," Alpha commented.

"It is a most unfortunate situation," Zordon admitted. "Still, they must keep trying."

Alpha nodded in agreement. He wished he could help Earth's abused children. Unfortunately, he couldn't as he was a robot. He didn't think they would believe such a thing existed or would be comfortable around him. At least he could take comfort in the fact he could help lost children find their parents as long as he let Zordon and the Power Rangers know where he was going.

"There is one thing Zedd does not know we are doing," Alpha said with a chuckle. "We are looking for a power source to restore Tommy's powers to him permanently."

"We've been doing that for the last two weeks. We've had to stop several times because he launched attacks on Angel Grove. We couldn't let him find out what we were up to," Zordon said.

"I feel so bad for Tommy," Alpha muttered in much sadness. "The last few battles have taken a toll on his powers. Every attempt to recharge them has failed."

Zordon sighed. "He has enough powers for a few more fights. I pray we find the power source soon. Who knows how long Zedd will hold off before he attacks again?"

Alpha held up his hand. "You are right, Zordon. Zedd and Rita make me so mad that—"

Suddenly, loud beeping came from the console on the robot's left. He moved over to it and proceeded to press buttons. Zordon shifted his attention toward him.

"It seems we have finally located a power source," Zordon said hopefully.

"Oh, I hope it isn't too far away," Alpha said in some uncertainty. A paper printed out the location once he finished. He ripped it off and looked at it. He tilted his head in curiosity. "I can't believe it. The power source is located on the distant planet of Phaedos." He looked at Zordon with an excited laugh. "That is where Dulcea lives! She is the Master Warrior of that world!"

"She is the guardian of the Great Power. Rita bound her to the planet permanently in revenge for sealing it away centuries ago. She cannot step beyond the plateau containing the ruins of the Ninjetti temple. Otherwise, she will age rapidly and die," Zordon replied.

Alpha groaned. "That really stinks. She didn't deserve such a terrible fate. Zedd and Rita make me so mad that they burn my circuits."

"Dulcea will be able to guide Tommy to the place where the power source is located. After that, he will have to complete the journey on his own," Zordon pointed out.

"That won't be easy. Phaedos is a dangerous place. All who have tried to get the Great Power have perished," Alpha said, sadness showing in his voice.

Zordon blinked. "Indeed, they—"

Suddenly, the alarm started blaring. Alpha looked toward it and waved his arms about. He tensed badly before letting out a panicked whimper. He turned to Zordon, who exhaled.

"There is trouble, Zordon!" Alpha cried in fear. "After we get good news, we get bad news!" He groaned in annoyance before shaking his head in disbelief. "I hate it when that happens."

"Scan all channels, Alpha," Zordon commanded.

"All right," Alpha replied with a nod. He pressed four buttons on the console. "Oh, my. Ay-yi-yi."

Alpha made his way to the Viewing Globe. He saw Tigton throwing an energy ball at a young woman in Angel Grove Park. She screamed as she ran out of the way. Five Putties chased three children and their parents.

"Oh, no! A new monster and Putties are terrorizing people in the park!" Alpha yelled. He returned to Zordon. "His name is Tigton. He looks really aggressive!"

"Contact the Power Rangers right now. We may have to tell them the bad news, but we will tell them the good news too," Zordon answered.

"Of course," Alpha commented while letting out a soft sigh. He proceeded to press buttons.