The aftermath took only days to come to light but the effects were felt for weeks.

It was taking a while to get Zack to talk, which was easily attributed to the fact that what had been done to him was obviously quite traumatizing and without a singular individual even close to trained in mental health, it was hard to get much more than mumbles and sobs and apologies. Abby took the initiative in relaying the story of the rescue to the others and the reactions seemed to range from the deathly quiet to the loudly outraged. Upon hearing about what Carter and the others had done the tension in the air only grew not lessened and Abby couldn't exactly blame them: if she hadn't been there herself she probably wouldn't have believed it. After roughly two years of conflict and trouble, it was hard to honestly believe that the same people who had helped burn Briarwood to the ground and destroy the Ninja Academies had decided on what seemed to be a random thought to fight back finally.

It just got worse though when Taylor Earhardt showed up. It had been about a week after the rescue and emotions were still high as the question of if Zack would ever properly recover hung over everyone, a general sense of malaise covering the whole temple. Camille was the one who found the woman, bringing her inside; Dustin was the first Ninja Storm to see her and almost fell out of his makeshift wheelchair to try to stop Camille but the damage was done. Hunter was next and chaos erupted immediately. There was screaming and crying and accusations; Tori buried her face in her hands as Abby rushed to get between the enraged ninja and the silent Wild Force Ranger. Laura wanted to know what she was doing there, Lauren wanted to know why everyone was screaming and couldn't just calm the hell down, Merrick was currently stuck between helping one side or the other. Tsuki walked out of one of the rooms with Zack in tow, as was common at this point, and she glanced from Hunter, who was trying his hardest to get past a very angry Abby, and Ileana who did make her choice and was warning Hunter about what would happen if he kept trying to take one more step towards them. Jarrod had joined his ex-lieutenant's side and was growling threateningly until RJ made his presence known and placed a hand on his shoulder, seeming to calm him even just a little.

"What is going on out here?!" Trent walked over, looking frustrated and annoyed; in the last week the monster attacks hadn't so much increased in number as in intensity and the newest dino team had needed a lot of backup. He had then been out of mission more often than not and didn't look like he had slept yet.

"Trent, god, please, could you help keep Hunter from murdering Taylor?!" Abby said and pushed the angry crimson ranger back who glared at her.

"Why are you protecting that murderer?!" Hunter yelled and tried again only to get a kick to the stomach.

"Everyone stop yelling!" Lauren also yelled and grabbed Hunter by one arm; Trent grumbled under his breath but grabbed the other, both managing to pull him back and away.

"Why is Taylor even here?" Laura asked her voice sounding ready to crack open like an egg, tears in her eyes as she looked from her restrained love to the yellow in question. Taylor had not spoken since arriving, not even looked at anyone; she was limp in Camille's care and Merrick, with a deep intake of breath, walked over to her, leaning down to where she was settled in a pile of sorts on the ground.

"Taylor." He spoke her name gently but she didn't respond; he repeated it but still she didn't say a word. The wolf warrior sighed and turned to lock eyes with his sister and a wordless conversation passed between them.

Tsuki felt someone grip her arm and could guess at least who it was; with a smile she turned to look at Zack and patted his head. "It's alright, I understand."

He nodded and she stepped forward, standing soon beside Merrick and the wolf looked to her as well before stepping aside. Many things had changed in the week since the rescue and among them Tsuki's place in the group had become more complicated; according to Zedd she had definitely become something akin to Zordon, a living connection to the Morphing Grid, but that was all the ex-evil would tell and she wasn't much more vocal either. The young woman had become more contemplative, spending most of her time with Zack or with Ivan; the golden ranger had apparently taken the awakening of his charges as a sign to modify his given role and with Karone protected by her brother, and Heckyl once the outlaw reawoke, and Anton busy trying to act as a doctor to everyone injured, he had taken up to sparring with or just generally being by Tsuki's side. It was honestly a bit odd to not see him there but in the moment none were going to dwell on it.

She placed a hand on Taylor's shoulder and the yellow looked up, locking eyes with her. Taylor furrowed her brow, looking upset for a moment before lowering her head again and muttering an apology. Tsuki chuckled some. "You do have plenty to apologize for but I'm not the one who needs to be apologized to."

"Do you honestly think an apology is enough for what you've done?" Hunter growled at her, his anger still palpable, "You murdered my brother, you murdered my students and my friends, you are nothing but a monster to me!"

"Hunter Bradley," Abby snapped as Taylor flinched and she turned her head away.

"I have no excuse to give for what I did save that I was under the belief that what I was doing was right. But I know it wasn't, I've known that for a while." Her voice was soft, a strange sort of meek compared to what Merrick and Ileana remembered of it; the twins once more shared a look and the latter spoke up first.

"Then why did you never try to stop any of what's happened since?" Taylor looked up at her and in a movement that gave the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness she reached into her pocket and let drop three stone orbs. Ileana placed a hand over her mouth and Merrick tried not to wince as the recognition hit him; they knew what it meant, Tsuki knew what it meant, Abby could guess as Jason's words echoed in her head. ' ...Taylor broke down first, bet you didn't know that her Wild Zords stopped talking to her after the Ninja Academy event...'

"What are those supposed to be?" Hunter asked curtly.

"Those," Ileana said, Tsuki reaching down to pick up the crystals, cradling them ever so gently in her hands, "Are the Eagle, Polar Bear and Black Bear Zords."

"But...your crystals don't look like that," Lauren said slowly, "I mean I've seen your crystals and Merrick's..."

"That is what happens when a Wildzord decides to break their connection to their chosen warrior; if a Wild Force Power Ranger proves themselves wanting or goes against what is known to be right, then the Wildzord can put themselves to sleep, turning their crystal into a clouded stone," Merrick spoke and his sister moved to put a hand on his back, rubbing it lightly, "There is few things more devastating to a chosen warrior I assure you, the understanding that they have betrayed the ones who believed the strongest in them and losing something so precious."

Taylor clenched her jaw as if that could stop the tears that started to fall. "Eagle stopped speaking to me and it felt like a piece of me had been ripped out. I wanted to believe I did right, that I was acting like I should; I told myself that a good soldier does not ask questions and that I could trust in Senator Morgan and Senator van Dran to lead us properly. But if my dear friend was willing to turn their back to me, if the Bear Brothers who I trusted so did not believe in the path I was going down, then...then how...could I truly say I was right?"

"You lost your rights as a Power Ranger for what you did and only then felt remorse; how disgusting." It wasn't like he was wrong but Abby desperately wanted to punch Hunter in that moment for his attitude about this.

Taylor had no words for him at least and Tsuki held the stones close to her chest, closing her eyes for a moment. The light of the Morphing Grid started to flicker around her and satellites appeared, slowly twirling around her. A blue gem with a small shark inside that made Ileana left out a strangled cry, a black one that made Merrick's heart drop; they did not know how many of their teammates were living and how many were dead but as more gems appeared the twins watched each with far too much interest. There seemed be a breath of relief after a moment, obviously some still missing, but this was overshadowed by a small squeak from each as their pockets burned and they pulled out their own crystals that moved to join the others in a slow measured orbit around Tsuki. It was quite the sight and no one talked for what felt like eternity, then finally they stopped, encircling her in a single circle around her. She lowered her hands to offer what was in them to Taylor once more.

"I can't speak for or to the Wildzords; they have souls that go beyond my connection to the Grid and as I'm not a chosen they don't deem me worthy of their interest. But I think that if your remorse is true and sincere, then you will find that they still understand your feelings and maybe, just maybe are just waiting for you to find your way back from the darkness you've been in." The stones were crystalline again but there was a sense that the power inherent in them was not quite awake again. Still the way Taylor looked at them would have made anyone believe that they were back to normal and all was as it had been before; her eyes widened and she took the crystals, holding them tight to her and repeating the same apologies and words of gratitude over and over. The crystals of Merrick and Ileana Baliton floated back to their respective warriors and the wolf warrior took a moment to simply stare at his. He thought, remembering his own reawakening, that golden moment when the trio who had chosen him choose him again, his mistakes not erased, the pain he caused not gone, but rewriting the past had never been the point. Taking steps towards becoming better, to proving himself again had been and returning his gaze to Taylor, he was struck with the feeling that perhaps it was his path now to help her see what he had had to learn what felt like had been a lifetime ago.

"This is bullshit." But in the wave of all these thoughts and feelings, Hunter Bradley's anger still boiled and all eyes returned to him. There was hurt as well as anger and there was not a soul that could blame him or state that he was wrong to feel like that. Merrick could not imagine losing Ileana but he could remember the desperation that had filled his soul when he had first met Billy and their group, trying to get back his sister if nothing else; his hatred for Jason Lee Scott for his part in her pain had yet to subside and if he was truthful he doubted it ever truly would. But Ileana was living, breathing, and Blake Bradley was not. Shane Clarke was not. Sensei and Cameron Watanabe were not. The Ninja Academies were destroyed and one of the culprits was sitting there, cradling silent morphing totems, and it was impossible to state that he was wrong for the emotions that were obviously roiling inside him. Merrick was aware he'd been angry too after that incident, had been enraged at Taylor for what she had done, but this was not like Jason; Taylor showed remorse and had been given a punishment that he knew all too well was immense for one like them. Part of him still hadn't properly forgiven her yet, part of him perhaps never would, and he could understand the emotions that had to be boiling within Hunter but that did not mean Merrick was going to let whatever was in the crimson ranger's head be.

He bristled and moved to stand with Abby between Taylor and Hunter, watching as he brushed off Abby who for all her virtues was still trying to get the man to calm down; Hunter's eyes burned with emotion and he was focused on Tsuki with an intensity that made Merrick feel angry as well. "You're going to forgive her then? You saw the Academy, you saw Blake die, and you're just going to tell her everything is okay and sunny and rainbows and ignore everything that she had done? Everything she's culpable in?!"

Tsuki for her credit did not respond so much as she simply looked back at him, the emotion in her expression hard to read. This though seemed only to encourage him and he took a step back, causing both for Abby to reach out a hand to stop him and the Lunar Cue to materialize in Merrick's hand; there was a warning in both things but this seemed to escape Hunter's notice. Or maybe it was instead that he just didn't care. He narrowed his eyes and growled, pressing forward still. "She can feel bad for herself all she wants but it means absolutely nothing; it doesn't reverse anything that has happened, it doesn't make up for the things she's done and allowed to happen."

"Nor does getting angry," Abby said and she tried to soften her tone, "Hunter, we understand your frustrations-"

"Understand? Don't fucking say you understand when you don't!" He pushed her and whether it was because she was not trying to fight him or because his anger simply made him so much more in the moment, but she staggered aside and an opening was given that he seemed to have no qualms in taking; as she moved he did too, pushing his way forward to try and get at Taylor.

He didn't get much further, finding two different blades at his throat for all of a second before the crimson ranger went flying, hitting the nearest temple wall. Merrick stood there, looking displeased, but no less than Ivan who had seemingly appeared from nowhere with his sword drawn and pointed directed at where Hunter had been. And certainly not less than Billy who it took a few seconds to realize had grabbed Hunter and thrown him like a ragdoll. No one wanted to say anything about it; many things had been strange since the rescue, Billy was definitely one of them. At the very least his eyes weren't glowing but he glared over at Hunter before turning to look at Merrick and Ivan; the latter nodded and the former took a deep breath before reaching up to run a hand through his hair. The aura of a dark spirit clung to Billy tight, burning the Animarian's eyes, and he waited a few seconds until he felt it gone; it did not surprise him to see that it did so at the same some that RJ had touched the blue's shoulder.

"Hunter!" Laura and Tori both spoke, the first time in what felt like an eternity, and both women rushed to his side to help him. Dustin looked helpless, eyes wide as he looked from his friends to the others, and part of Merrick almost felt bad for him. It couldn't be easy to be disabled on top of everything else that had happened to and around them but in the moment there was nothing to be done or said to be made easier for him.

Hunter groaned and as he was assisted up, his gaze was turned on them, on the group that had started to form around the weakened Wild Force Yellow, and for a moment, a split second in time, Merrick felt the pressure of something dark in Hunter's eyes as well. But no words were exchanged as he turned to leave, his ambulatory teammates following after him. Dustin was left and as he sunk into his chair, Ileana went to go help him and tend to him.

There was a growl from nearby and Merrick glanced over at where Trent was, looking frustrated and annoyed; for his credit he was not looking ready to start a fight but that felt like a small victory in the face of what had just happened.

"That asshole," he grumbled and Abby threw him a look that he easily ignored.

"I have a feeling that this will not end well for any of us," Lauren said rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Zack walked over and grabbed hold of Tsuki again, tugging on her sleeve; she looked at him and smiled before standing up. She turned to Taylor then Ivan and nodded. "Sir Ivan, would you kindly show Taylor to a room? I think after everything that has happened thusfar, she likely could do with some rest."

"Of course Lady Tsuki," the knight answered with a smile and a bow, the small shake of her head that followed either going unnoticed or ignored; Ivan moved to assist Taylor to her feet and led her away without another word.

A deep silence fell over those remaining and slowly they began to move, setting off to their duties and plans, until finally all that was left was Tsuki, Zack and Trent. The white was still grumbling, running his hand through untidy hair over and over until it was left in a state more madness than anything else. Tsuki moved to approach him and he looked at her, eyes meeting before he furrowed his brow and finally lowered his hand.

"This is getting really bad, Tsuki." Trent did not sound like himself, a softer, lower tone almost akin to a whisper. She smiled back at him with an edge of sadness and he continued, "We're falling apart and we were a loose team to begin with. We don't know what happened with Zack, the situation with Heckyl isn't actually dealt with entirely, we have monsters to still fight as well as whatever that bitch Katina and bastard Astor are up to, and Hunter is on the verge of killing someone. Not to mention the thousand and one other fucked up stuff going on like whatever is going on with Tommy and the re-repairs on the Megaship. The stress is getting to us."

Zack moved closer to Tsuki and she reached back to pat his head comfortingly as she responded to Trent, "I know, Trent, believe me on that. And I wish I had answers..."

"But you don't. I know." There was a sense that this was not the first time they had this conversation. Trent took a look around and seemed only to relax as he assured himself that they were alone before turning his eyes back to her. It was very much a teenager staring back at her, the same who had once come to her for help when the situation with his father being Mesagog had gotten too much for him, the same who had had to fight tooth and claw to prove himself. Part of her wanted to bundle him up and hold him, to comfort him and make him feel better. But there was nothing to be said or done; she could could only smile and reach out to stroke his hair, hope that it relayed some sense of ease, and let him speak. It certainly was far better than if he kept it all inside like some of them seem to be.

If Taylor though was the spark that started the flames, then what came next was the gasoline that brought the blaze to an intense inferno. It started with Zack.

"I'm sorry." It was hard to be certain how many times exactly the boy had said it but that morning, roughly three days after Taylor's arrival, they sounded and felt different, more desperate, more clear.

Tsuki looked at him, as did everyone else in the mess hall of the temple within earshot which amounted to basically the Baliton twins, Andros and his sister, Heckyl of course who never left Karone's side, and half of the Dino Charge team. Kendall had holed herself up in a room since the retrieval mission, a mix of grief over Albert's death and trauma from Zack's kidnapping seeming to keep her at a distance; RJ had dragged Riley and Shelby off for training purposes and Philip was back in Zandar though Lyta was sitting with the remaining members and seemed to be rather happy munching on some eggs and toast that the wolf master had made before leaving. This left of course Koda, Chase, Ivan and Tyler, and it was Chase who responded first.

"What's on your mind, mate?" His tone was soft, plying; it had became clear with continued exposure that the skateboarder for all his flirting and jester-like attitude was a strangely insightful person at times and it seemed this was one of those. His words were careful and calculated, his head turned slightly to focus on the other black ranger and thoguh there was curiosity, there was no push to answer. A question and suggestion, not a requirement of response.

Zack didn't look at him, he rarely looked at anyone anymore outside of a small handful of individuals; he wrung his fingers like he often did, which prompted Tsuki to take his hand in hers and squeeze it lightly. His eyes shot up and for the first time in a while she saw the light of life in his dark eyes.

"I didn't want to tell them," he practically whispered and as she furrowed her brow, he shook his head, "She just...I remembered what happened, to my team, to my friends, not here, not in this version of events, but back when we were still stupid kids trying to learn how to use our powers and...I didn't want to let anything happen to you guys again. I wanted to save my friends this time so...so I told her everything."

Merrick looked to his sister and there was a noticable edge to Andros' voice as the In Space red spoke up next, "By everything you mean...?"

"About the ship, about Zandar, about this temple, everything." Someone took a deep breath and Koda took a bite of his breakfast sandwich.

"Problem?" the caveman asked looking to Chase for explanation.

"Zack, you told Katina van Dran about the temple?" Chase asked, trying to keep his tone even but it was hard.

The Megaship was a known variable from the beginning. Zandar had made it's position known. But the Pai Zhua temple, the temple had been involved since the Briarwood Incident and been guarded ever since. With the megaship down, with this being their current hideout, there was a pit that started to grow in not only Chase's stomach but judging on expressions of others at the table, others as well.

Ivan turned to Tsuki for guidance and the woman was silently, continuing to hold Zack's hand in hers. Zack started to tear up and as momentary as the light had been there it was gone again, giving way to the madness that had plagued him recently.

"I couldn't let her torture anyone else, she would have found a way, she would have! I didn't want that to happen again, I didn't want to let anyone else be hurt, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." His words were panicked and hurried, a collection of words that got louder and attracted more attention to them.

Abby walked over with concern and James in tow, looking to the veterans in the group first once she stopped. "What is going on over here?"

"We-"

"We need a team meeting, now." Andros cut Tsuki off before she could continue and stood up, his expression dark and hard. It was hard to be certain if he was angry or panicked or both but he made to leave and Karone looked from him to Heckyl then sighed.

"Well then," Heckyl said, standing up and offering his hand to Karone with the slightest roguish grin; she of course took it and with one last pitying glance at the others, she went with him to follow after Andros.

Abby looked confused, something that could not be faulted. Chase realized that the room had gone quiet and leaned closer to Tsuki, now holding Zack against her, to whisper. "We better get going."

She nodded and whispering something to Zack, she got him to stand up, holding onto his hand. Ivan frowned some but moved to join them, alongside Chase and Koda. They left and Abby turned to her son next who gave her an innocent but sympathetic look.

"What is going on, young man?"

"I honestly think it would be better if it's all explained later." Before his mother could say anything more Tyler got himself out of his seat and rushed off, following after where the rest of his team had gone.

Abby sighed, a deep exasperated sound that called Merrick to rest his hand on her shoulder; she looked at him and he nodded.

"You got see about getting everyone together in the assembly hall; we all go look for Dustin and his group and see about getting them to join us today."

"This is bad isn't it?" He did not answer, simply smiled and walked off with his sister. Abby watched them for a moment before getting to work; if Andros was calling a team meeting, if the ones at that table were acting so strange, then surely this could be nothing but trouble. But what else was new for the Rangers?

Merrick and Ileana failed in their mission for the most part but Abby had not. A mass of voices and bodies filled the assembly hall of the temple, both Renegade and Briarwood civilian, and when the twins arrived with only Dustin in tow, Andros' frown only grew. And it already was rather dark. Tommy walked into the hall with all the expedience of a man going for a stroll and made his way to where Tsuki and Zack were, glancing at Tsuki before turning to look at Andros. "What is going on, Andros?"

"We have a problem" was all the red would say, loud enough to be heard by more than just Tommy and multiple voices responded.

"What kind of problem?"

"What's going on?"

"Can't we get a moment of sleep without having to worry about dying?"

"Andros, what the hell is going on?"

"Why are we all here?"

"Quiet." Zedd's voice boomed. His staff hitting the ground made an even louder impact and instantly the room silenced. Striding into the hall the disfigured man's figure brokered no argument, no complaint, no comment; he went to join the main group and looking from Tommy to Andros to Tsuki, he gave a curt nod of his head. He looked better than he had in a while though there were still bandages from top to bottom, a mental thing rather than physical; his body was damaged not by violence but by the force of his old self trying to reassert itself upon him and still the effects seemed unlikely to be undone. But though he was starting to once again look the part of the Emperor of Evil, it had been a while since any save a select few had looked upon him as anything less than their friend and ally.

He still could command attention and some form of respect though and as he took his spot with the main group, he glanced at Tsuki.

"Zack's not with you." This time his voice was softer, lower and there was implications there that he refused to speak aloud. Luckily.

"He needs some rest and quiet," Tsuki said. In truth she just didn't want him to have to be there in what was sure to come.

Zedd paused but nodded and turned to Andros, his expression seeming almost amused. "So what is the occasion for this meeting?"

"As I said we have a problem," Andros said and paused; there was no response this time, though most likely for lack of interest. He looked at Tsuki and Ivan, Tyler and Chase, Merrick and Ileana and Koda and Karone and Heckyl; the final one gave him a nod and he sighed, "Katina van Dran is aware of the Pai Zhua temple."

No one spoke for a moment, a golden singular moment when everything was quiet but as the realization seemed to finally set in Zedd lifted his staff and Tsuki heard him mutter something that brought silence once more. She frowned and poked him in the ribs, making him wince then give her nasty look.

"You need to stop doing that," she whispered to him and he scoffed in response.

"I will stop when everyone learns that yelling in unison does not make for condustive conversation," he responded then lowered his staff again.

"So never," Chase muttered under his breath.

Tommy took a deep intake of air, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Am I to assume Zack is the reason that Katina knows?"

Zedd threw him a look but Tsuki nodded. There was no point in lying about it, not when it was an obvious thing. Honestly it should have been more so considering Taylor's arrival; the yellow was with Camille and Jarrod, standing between the ex-villains with all the presence of a mouse but each time someone, Renegade or otherwise, looked at her Fran seemed to bristle and glare at them, causing everyone to avert their eyes. Tsuki would have preferred Taylor closer considering everything but not everything could go according to plan. Nothing could really she supposed.

"Why?" And there, coming from the mouth of the green, was the question, echoed by many until Udonna stepped in; Zedd tried but Tsuki elbowed him and he cringed in pain as the sorceress from Briarwood cast silence over the group. Mouths moved, sound did not leave; Tommy glared but Udonna seemed unconcerned and Tsuki waved him off before walking over to the other woman. She tapped her shoulder and signed something, causing Udonna to nod and remove the spell.

Mostly. "Thank you," Tsuki said though it came out in a whisper and she paused for a moment before nodding again.

"Damnit," Tommy whispered and ran a hand through his hair, "How are we gonna hear each other?"

"By not talking all at once," Udonna said.

"Mom logic," Tyler said and looked to his mother who shrugged.

"If it works, it works."

"Why?" Tommy repeated, managing to put an edge to a whisper.

"The why doesn't matter now," Tsuki answered, "He told Katina everything and that's that; we cannot change the past."

"Bullshit, Tsukkuyomi." She turned to glare at him and got a glare in response.

"I mean I see her point," Kira interjected and got a look from her teacher; feeling Trent grab her hand in his she pulled away and returned the annoyance back at Tommy, "You saw Zack, we've all seen Zack; I doubt that the why will do anything but make us angrier and hate Katina van Dran more than we already do. If that's even possible."

"The important thing is that we decide how to deal with the situation as it is now," Zedd added, rubbing his abdomen with a strained look, "No doubt the temple is no longer safe; maybe today, maybe tomorrow, but soon enough that corrupted lioness will strike against us."

"I would love to see her try," Trent managed a low growl, narrowing his eyes; Kira smacked him and he huffed at her.

"Jason and the Lightspeed were leaving," Abby murmured, more to herself but anyone else but still audible as all the others were, "They're not with those monsters anymore..."

"Even with every single Ranger they have at their disposal they won't take this place easily," RJ spoke up and it was the first time he had sounded...angry; it felt inherently wrong, like it shouldn't be, couldn't be. But RJ Finn was angry and he wasn't the only one.

"But can we really afford to put in all the effort and strength into trying to defend this place?" Shelby's question didn't come off as accusatory, more tired and sad than anything, and no one answered immediately.

The Pai Zhua temple had been their safe haven since the Briarwood incident and it was RJ and Annie's team's homebase; Ocean Bluff had been their city but the temple was their home. But the ship was down, while they were recovered physically, mentally, psychologically, it was clear that the spark that often burned in the hearts of the Power Rangers, that drove them to fight and win, was starting to flicker. Arguments were getting more common and emotions were high; again Abby was made all too aware of the fact that Dustin alone was present of the Ninja Storm team. She couldn't remember if she had seen Tori or Hunter or Lauren since Taylor's arrival, an oversight that could be chalked up to the sheer number of people, Renegades and Briarwood residents and students alike, that were constantly about. But in that moment, as they talked of what to do about the fact that their place on Earth was in danger again, it seemed all too important to the veteran now.

"Well then what do you suggest? Because I think our choices are seriously limited right now," Andros said shaking his head, "The way I see it is that we either prepare to defend the temple from whatever danger might be coming, try to evacuate everyone to Zandar before anything can happen or work really hard to get my ship back in the air."

"Or we can do what we did with Zack and take the fight to them," Trent offered up and got stares; he straightened up but didn't stand down, "If Abby is to be believed they don't have the help of those traitors anymore. Katina van Dran and Astor Morgan have caused us a lot of pain and suffering; I think it's about time that we return the favor."

"Please tell me you are kidding," Abby said, managing even in a whisper to sound authoritative.

Trent turned to her and took a step forward, Kira reaching out to try to grab his arm. The white did not stop nor did he look at her. "They hurt Zack. They kidnapped him, traumatizing Kendall and hurting Heckyl in the process, and then they obviously tortured him one way or another. They have orchastrated murders and attacks, that insane event at the Courthouse was likely their idea, and they authored the Ranger's Initiative in the first place. They and everyone who follows them deserves to find out what happens when you push someone too far too many times."

"We are not going to do anything of the sort and you would do well to discard thoughts like that, Trent Fernandez-Mercer," Abby responded, narrowing her eyes.

"I'd argue against anyone else calling him that but as you're Abby, I will refrain from angering you more," Anton stated, raising a hand, "I agree with you though; Trent, I understand you're frustrated and angry but as things stand there is no way that throwing ourselves at our enemies will end well."

"Trent is letting his emotions get the best of him but I can't say I don't understand his stance nor that I am against it," Heckyl added, standing with Karone; people purposefully ignored the fact that he was leaning on her slightly, "You've all been far too meek about this situation as it is; going after Energems, going after Power Rangers, fighting the monsters when they come but the people causing you the most trouble, that brought you to the point that you need to hide like this when you're the ones with giant robots and super powers, you let them do as they wish? It's pathetic really."

"We are not antagonizing the US government more than we already have," Tommy said with a deep frown.

"Dr O, we are well and far beyond antagonizing them; we're into full on war levels at this point," Trent stated.

"You have no idea how right you are." The voice, the only one not whispering, shocked some of them but the majority of heads turned to address them.

Phillip approached, his expression one of a person drained and troubled. Upon seeing him Tyler moved to approach but Kendall did so first; she had not spoken yet, didn't seem all that interested in interacting with the others. The Purple Energem hung around her neck, the stone never leaving her sight since the raid on Sledge's ship, and for a moment it caught the light, glimmering. She went up to the prince and reached out to check his forehead, "You alright?"

He smiled, though because of bemusement at the way she whispered or the fact she was curious was hard to tell; gently he brushed her off though and shook her head. "No, I'm not alright though that's no one's fault but my own."

"What happened?" Tsuki asked and he raised an eyebrow; she shrugged, "We had a little trouble quieting down so Udonna cast a spell."

"Got it," he said then paused; it felt like an eternity, his mind roiling with thoughts and words that he obviously didn't want to have to say aloud but that seemed to be eating him alive inside. When finally he did open his mouth again to speak it was with an evenness that denoted control rather than calmness or composure, "The US government has declared war upon the kingdom of Zandar."

Gasps and even in soft tones the panic was clear, whispers and exclaimations making a whirlpool of noise that made it impossible to pluck out any one voice. Tsuki's heart sank but she pushed the feeling down as she cleared her throat. "I assume this is connected to the rescue mission."

"Apparently Senator van Dran was badly injured in the process." Billy shifted between his feet but said nothing. "This along with the desertation of those Rangers who were before working alongside them allowed her and Senator Morgan to make what I have heard was a rather empassioned plea to the Congress and House that the 'threat' of the Power Rangers is too great and to take more drastic measures."

"Like threating a small European nation that literally is the least threatening place on earth?" Heckyl asked raising an eyebrow.

"I would be insulted but you're not entirely wrong," Phillip said with a slight deflating of his shoulders.

"What do they think a war with Zandar will accomplish?" Kira asked furrowing her brow.

"I suspect Zandar is just a causalty in their plots and plans," Tsuki said and she sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, "Based on what I've heard and seen so far of those two, this is unlikely to be the whole of their efforts. There must be more to it."

"At the very least this means we can't go to Zandar," Andros said.

"Hell, now we have to worry about the kingdom along with the temple; that's way too many people to deal with," Trent groaned and started to mess with his hair again in frustration, "Evacuating there is no longer an option. Damnit."

"Unless we do something to protect Zandar, like maybe a barrier?" The suggestion came from Zedd and that wasn't surprising. Yet no one spoke and looked to each other; the ex-evil shifted some. "We were able to protect Briarwood once with one and the government had no power to get in until the barrier become weakened because of...problems."

Abby furrowed her brow. "Briarwood was one city, Zandar might be small but it's not that small."

"The sheer amount of magic that would be required to create a barrier large enough to protect the entirety of Zandar would be," Udonna started then trailed off, looking more than a little concerned; she frowned and shook her head, "That's more than we can easily handle, Zedd, even if all of us were to work together. And with your magic the way it is..."

"I can probably add some to the collective," Karone offered raising a hand, "It might be dark magic taught to me by Dark Specter but it's magic nonetheless."

Tyler turned to Keeper who was looking contemplative. "Is there any way we could possibly help in this?"

"Without all of the Energems together there is little we can do unfortunately; if we had all ten then we could potentially make use of their true power. But the magic within them will not be easy to tap into individually."

Shelby straightened up and making her way over to Kendall she grabbed the mentor by the arm; she turned to look at the younger woman who spoke up, "Leave trying to figure out how to use the Energems to me and Miss Morgan. We'll figure something out."

There was a confidence there that made Tyler remember before, the scared girl who hadn't wanted to be a Ranger, who didn't want to get involved. His heart swelled some and watched as Hayley looked over to Billy and then nodded.

Merrick turned to his sister who gave him a look that seemed to make him uncomfortable. He took a deep breath and spoke, "My sister and I know a magic source that could help us."

Tsuki glanced at him. "You mean..."

"The princess could help us," Ileana stated and threw Merrick another look, "The Animarium is protected and if we could get to her then I'm sure we could convince her to assist us. If nothing else the island could be a potential safe haven for us."

"Will you be okay going to the Animarium though?" Tsuki asked, her question directed not at the female twin but the male.

Merrick straightened some and nodded. "Princess Shayla would never turn her back on those who need help and if Ileana and myself are the ones to go, then we are sure to succeed. We will take Taylor with us of course."

Hearing her name the yellow's head snapped up and in a panic she stood, eyes wide. "Me? Why? I...I...Merrick, I can't possibly-"

"Nonsense," the wolf warrior stated, interrupting her, "Only us Wild Force Power Rangers can locate the Animarium and in case of any danger it would be in our best interest to work together."

"Okay, okay," Andros spoke up, raising a hand, "It's all well and good to want to get some magic users together but that's going to take time. Moving everyone is going to take time. And we don't know how much time we have left. This is a disaster in the making."

"Then I say we distract them with some good old fashion payback!" No one noticed that the spell had been lifted over time until Trent practically yelled, causing some to jump and others to stare at him wide eyed. The white looked annoyed and took a step forward, "We attack them, distract them with that long enough that Merrick and his group can get their princess and all the little witches and wizards can get together to create a barrier around Zandar and we can get everyone there. We redirect their attention elsewhere while we do what we have to survive but I say we do it now, while we have the chance and we have the power to do so."

"Your vendetta will get us killed," Abby said disapprovingly.

"He's not entirely wrong though." No one expected that from Tommy but at this point no one had the energy to respond in surprise. The green crossed his arms, "I'm not saying we do something violent but a few of us go to make sure that Katina and Astor and their cohorts don't start in on their plans against us or get in the way of our own."

"That's...what you're suggesting is..." Billy seemed uncertain how to respond, shaking his head slowly and stared at Tommy, "You hated the idea of us going on the rescue mission yet you are somehow okay with something that is honestly a lot more dangerous that has a bigger chance of going badly for all involved."

"You didn't listen to me then, why should I try to dissuage you now?" the green asked and for a second his eyes wandered to Tsuki and lingered, matching her gaze before turning back to Billy, "Besides I'm not expecting anyone to do anything I wouldn't."

"So you're volunteering?" Tommy didn't answer immediately and Billy clenched his fist. He turned from the man, feeling anger start to set in but couldn't express it in ways he wanted; his eye caught the flickering of energy that sparked at his hands, and a feeling of darkness that he had to push back, like whispers in his skull. This whole situation was frustrating, his knowledge about Tommy though was especially so.

The feeling of calmness came though and he knew it was Tsuki this time; he leaned into her hand and she smiled gently at him as he did so. People murmured around them, some arguing Tommy's plan, others questioning what to do. A small boy fumbled through the crowds to cling onto Billy's leg, the boy from Briarwood, the child he'd saved; he looked at him and moved to pat his head.

"Are we going to be okay, Billy?" the child asked, eyes wide and imploring.

"You'll be fine," he mumbled, unable to meet his gaze, not sure if he could lie to a child's face, not to this ones at least. But all around he saw similar looks and he furrowed his brow before turning instead to Tsuki. She almost looked amused, ruffling his hair some before stepping away.

"Andros is right, we don't have a lot of time to stop and talk and think about this stuff; if we're going to do anything we need to do it now," she said, her voice not different, not louder or more assertive, but every Renegade stopped and stared at her still as if drawn to do so; Zedd understood it, he was probably the only one who did, but he too watched her and listened as the swordsgirl spoke, "The Baliton twins already have an idea of what they want to do and I trust them to do so," Merrick nodded and grabbing his sister by the wrist before approaching Taylor to prepare get going, "If we want to make our exit to Zandar then we better get preparing; if Shelby wants to work on something with Energems then you guys probably should head over there, set up what you need to."

"You don't need to tell us twice," Shelby said then went to Phillip, "You have a lab in your place, correct? Miss Morgan and I will need equipment and it would be easier to get things done if we don't have to move stuff from the Megaship, especially right now."

The prince gave a light smile and with a light nod he gestured for them to follow. "We have everything you might want or need, ladies first?"

Tsuki turned to Billy. "You and Hayley should go along; you're the most brilliant here, Kendall and Shelby will definitely want your help."

"Tsuki," Billy started; he didn't continue. He wasn't sure how he wanted to go on, he wasn't sure what else to say. His heart ached, a sort of sense that made him uneasy and uncomfortable, but she smiled at him and in his eyes he saw something he almost remembered, he almost knew. He truly like a teenager again suddenly and then it passed and people were talking, moving, alive. He looked up to see Tommy looking at him and he frowned, furrowed his brow, then turned to walk away and join Shelby and Kendall.

Billy Cranston had no idea what that decision would led to nor how this would end. None of them did, except save perhaps one.