" Your father?" Ian asked.
" Yeah. At least, from the few memories I have from back then. Pretty much everything from before Melissa's family took me is just a jumble. But I am able to see my birth parents faces. And that is definitely my father," Roder said.
" You know, I was wondering about your name. I mean, no one I've met know of any name of Roder," Sarah said.
" Like I said, before Mr. Storms took me in, just a jumble. I'd seen my name somewhere, but I think it was either misspelled or I didn't remember it right. I just told Mr. Storms my name was Roder," Roder sighed.
" Then you must have been Roger Bennett III," Sarah said.
" I guess. Keep calling me Roder, please," Roder smiled.
" Secret's safe with us," Ian smiled. He rolled over to his computer, turning it on.
" What are you doing?" Sarah asked.
" I'm gonna run a search on the Internet for Roger Bennett II. If they couldn't find him the past ten years, he had to have been declared dead. I'll find his obituary and we'll see if we can find your mom," Ian said.
" Thanks, Ian," Roder smiled.
" What are friends for?" Ian asked.
" Well, those are words I didn't think I'd hear from your mouths for a while," Thomas said from the doorway.
" Yeah, it's great. Uh, Mr. Scott, can we have some time alone? With the door closed?" Sarah asked.
" Well, Cat and I are going out to dinner. Do you guys want us to pick you up some drive through on the way home?" Thomas asked.
" No, Dad. We'll be okay," Ian said.
" Okay," Thomas nodded. He walked down the steps and joined Cat.
" Well?"
" They said they'd be okay," Thomas said.
" You think they mean that as in they won't get near any trouble?"
" Not a chance in hell."
" So. That silly little Green Ranger is looking for his mother. Well. Finally I can relate to the Rangers in some way," Liko smirked. She strode into X's monster chamber.
" Ah. Little Lady. How are you today?" X asked.
" As well as can be expected. X. Yesterday you told me of an improved version of Star Smasher. I believe it will come in handy," Liko smirked.
" Ah. Excellent. I believe you will be very proud of this one, Little Lady. Star Killer is much more powerful than Star Smasher was. She will be able to gather quite a bit of energy for you," X smiled.
" Excellent. And you're certain she'll be able to gather the energy from one of the Rangers?" Liko asked.
" Of course, my dear girl. Star Killer is better than those 'dime a dozen' monsters I've worked one before. Unfortunately, there isn't enough energy for me to upgrade the elder ones..." X trailed off.
" As long as she is ready when I need her," Liko said. She turned and left X.
" Of course," X growled. He turned back to one of his devices. " And, of course, my hidden agenda will have to take precedence. M-51 is getting closer all the time..."
" Okay, here's Roger Bennett II's obituary. Officially declared dead in '96... No mention of a wife or a son," Ian said.
" Maybe she went by her maiden name," Sarah suggested.
" Yeah. Or maybe they were never married," Roder added.
" Good point. Let's see what it says about girlfriends... Here we go. An Emma Williams. At the time of this printing, she still lived in Starry Grove," Ian said.
" Any mention of a son?" Roder asked.
" It doesn't say. Then again, if she's just his girlfriend, they probably wouldn't include it," Ian said. " I'll see if I can find her address, though," Ian said.
" Thanks," Roder sighed. Ian typed and clicked through fast. " Whoa. What's your hacker rating, anyway?"
" Oh, not much. Just enough to make it so that at the end of the year I can hack into the school computer and alter my grades enough to pass," Ian smiled. " Wait. Here we go. She lives at 1328 Prescott."
" Ooh, she's a little out of the way, though. Unless we want to bike over there, we can't make it before dark without breaking the laws of under- aged driving," Sarah said.
" Who would know?" Roder asked.
" My parents. They're both cops," Sarah said.
" Yeah. On the first couple of dates Sarah and I went on, I had to meet her at her house, where Mr. Ri patted me down," Ian said.
" Do all your dates go like that?" Roder asked.
" All the one-nighters I had before Ian," Sarah said.
" Yeah. Hey, wait. How many boyfriends did you have before me?" Ian asked.
" Oh, one or two," Sarah smiled.
" Okay, how'd this get off my family and to your romance?" Roder asked.
" Sorry. Anyway, why don't we ask Alex and Penny to drive us over," Ian suggested.
" Uh..." Roder stammered.
" Alex is just super paranoid during the hours he's at the StarBase. Trust me. He's my godfather," Ian said. " C'mon. He lives just down the street."
" Okay, the test should be done soon," Penny sighed.
" Maybe we'll make it this time," Alex sighed.
" Here it is... Oh, Alex. We didn't make it," Penny said dejectedly.
" You think all of these pregnancy tests are jinxing it for us?" Alex sighed.
" All I know is, I'm getting tired of doing the work and ending up with nothing," Penny sighed. The doorbell rang. " Go get that, honey. I'm going to be busy sulking." Alex smiled and got off the couch. Opening the door, he saw Ian, Sarah, and Roder.
" What's up Ian?" he asked.
" Alex, we need a ride," Ian said.
" Why?" Alex asked.
" We're trying to find my mom," Roder said.
" Your... I'll get my keys," Alex sighed.
" Thanks for the help, Alex," Ian said.
" What's your godfather for?" Alex said and started the car. " Now, where are we going?"
" 1328 Prescott," the three said as one.
" Ooh, that's on the other side of town. No wonder you got me," Alex said.
" Did we interrupt anything important?" Ian asked.
" Oh, just me and Penny sulking," Alex sighed.
" About what?" Sarah asked.
" Results," Alex said. He seemed to want to leave it at that, but the other passengers were teenagers, another word for 'incredibly curious.'
" We were getting the results from one of those pregnancy tests," he sighed.
" Oh," the others said. They were silent for a minute.
" Did you..." Ian started.
" No. Again. It's been the same all month. Penny really wants one. I don't blame her. I mean, we've been married for a few years, and we see your mom and dad having fun with you, and well..."
" You want to have your own fun with your own kid," Roder said.
" Yeah," Alex sighed.
" At least you'd be there," Roder sighed.
Alex's car pulled up to the ranch house at 1328 Prescott. Or rather, the remains of it.
" Man. Looks like there was a fire here," Ian said.
" Yeah, and I'd say with in the last couple of weeks," Sarah said.
" Man..." Roder sighed.
" Maybe we could ask one of the neighbors about it," Ian suggested.
" Uh, I can't. I've got math homework with a quiz tomorrow. So do you two," Sarah said.
" Right, the math quiz. Sorry, Roder," Ian said.
" It's all right. I guess... I wasn't meant to know who my Mom was," Roder sighed.
" Maybe you will. Just... not today," Alex said. " C'mon, this side of town doesn't do good things to kids your age this close to night."
The next day at school, Roder sighed. He was stuck in the I.S.S. room with just about nothing to do.
" All right, you little miscreants, listen up. If you can be quiet long enough, I'll let you have a little fun. About five minutes of school- approved websites," Mr. Porter, the I.S.S. teacher said. One of the kids turned to Roder.
" In other words, he means he's taking a nap and if we don't wake him, we have free access to the Internet," he snickered.
" Mr. Keller. There is no talking allowed here. That's another hour you've gotten of I.S.S. You're accumulating quite a collection," Mr. Porter said.
" Oh, quit being so nice. Don't you want some of the other teachers to share the wealth?" Jim Keller snickered.
" Jim. C'mon, give him a break," Roder said. Jim backed down, simply because Roder, having punched the principal, had earned a reputation as the leader of the I.S.S. kids.
" Thank you Mr. Roder," Porter said.
" It's Roder. Just Roder," Roder sighed. Within a few minutes, Mr. Porter's light snoring filled the room. Jake Lane rolled over to Roder.
" Hey, Roder," he said.
" What?"
" I saw you last night with that Scott kid and his girlfriend at Prescott. What were you doing there?" Jake asked.
" None of your business," Roder rumbled.
" If you were looking for the lady who lived there, she's at the Comet Apartments now," Jake said.
" What?" Roder was now listening.
" Yeah. My mom and her were friends. Anyway, just curious," Jake said.
" The Comet Apartments? Not very classy, is she?" Sarah asked.
" You gotta live with what you got, and she obviously didn't have a lot. Why else would she have lived on Prescott. Anyway, I want you guys to come with me," Roder said.
" Why?" Sarah asked.
" Because if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten to this point," Roder said.
" Okay, but we'd better go tonight. Tomorrow Mom and Dad open the Tiki Room, and they'll want us there," Ian said.
" Here we are. The Comet Apartments," Alex said as he pulled up to the building.
" Part is right. It looks like only part of this place can pass health inspections," Sarah said.
" Tell me about it," Ian said, stepping over a dead rat. The three teens and Alex entered the registration room.
" Can I help you?" the man at the desk asked.
" Yeah, we're looking for a woman who moved in here recently. She had a house on Prescott, but it burned down sometime in the past couple of months," Alex said.
" Name?"
" We don't know her name. If we did, we would have asked, now wouldn't we?" Roder growled.
" Roder," Alex warned. " Look, she probably told you why she came here, could you please check?"
" Only two women have come here from a fire. Both left last week," the clerk said.
" Where'd they go?" Roder asked.
" Don't know. Now, if you don't want a room, get out," the clerk said.
" Come on, guys. Looks like we're out of luck here," Alex sighed. As they entered the car, Roder snapped.
" Damn it! Why is it that when we finally get close, something happens to take it away?" he cried.
" Roder..." Sarah started. Alex placed a hand on her shoulder.
" Let him vent." As Roder finally finished venting, he heard a woman's voice from the lobby, via one of the broken windows.
" Look, I'm Emma Williams, and I moved out last week. I found a small house, but I need some of the things from apartment 702," she said.
" You don't think..." Roder started.
" Look, lady, I don't care if you are the Grand Duchess of Genosha. Everything in there now belongs to the new tenants. Now get out of my lobby!" the clerk growled. The woman argued a couple more minutes, then finally left in frustration.
" Excuse me!" Roder called.
" Oh, yes?" she asked.
" Look, uh, I was looking for a woman who used to live here. She had moved in because of a fire at her home on Prescott Street," Roder said.
" Why are you looking for her?" she asked, looking for something in her purse.
Roder inhaled, then sighed. " My name's Roger Bennett III." The woman dropped her purse.
" Roger Bennett III?" Alex whispered to Ian and Sarah. They both hushed him.
" Roger Bennett III?" Emma gasped. Roder nodded. " Oh my God..." She gasped a couple more times. " My son..." She gasped again and pulled Roder into a hug. As this was happening, Liko stood on the top of the Comet Apartment building. Magoto appeared next to her.
" Magoto. What do you want?" she asked.
" Psycho sent me to bring you home," the general growled.
" I thought you didn't listen to my father," Liko smirked.
" X agreed," Magoto said.
" Oh, so you obey X now, do you?"
" No. It is simply that... we both disagree with Psycho methods. We both have covers to maintain," Magoto said.
" Tell my father I am overseeing a plan," Liko growled.
" Be careful, then. I know of the Power Rangers. It was one of them who catapulted your mother into the middle world," Magoto said. He disappeared in a ripple of space-time.
Emma invited all of them back to her new home.
" Well..." Sarah started.
" It's... cozy," Ian offered.
" Homely," Alex chimed in.
" You can say it. It's small and cramped. But it's better than Comet," Emma smiled.
" She's right. Anything's better than Comet. Comet makes the streets look cozy," Roder said.
" Thank you," Emma sighed.
" So... why exactly did you abandon me?" Roder asked.
" It wasn't my choice. The Henderson family, the people I worked for had agreed to help me survive for a few years. See, the day before your father... disappeared-"
" Died. We found the body a few days ago in the Shooting Stars hotel," Roder said.
" I thought he was dead. Otherwise he would have found me by now," Emma sighed. She took a breath and continued. " But anyway, the Henderson family had agreed to support me since I'd been broke for a few years. I'd been out of a job at the time I met your father. He let me move in with him. We had a wild night, and well, I became pregnant with you. I gave birth to you, and we kept it quiet. Roger's family didn't approve of me, and they wouldn't have approved of you, either. About two years later, the day before he left to help fix up the Shooting Stars hotel, in fact, he proposed to me. The ring he gave me was the first thing I had to my name in years. But after he died, I had to give it to the Henderson's or else they'd take his house. But, about a week before your third birthday, someone broke in and took you. I didn't know what happened to you until today," Emma finished.
" But how did I end up on the streets?" Roder asked.
" I don't know. Presumably, the kidnapper dumped you out there," she said.
" But that doesn't explain how I don't remember anyone or really anything before I was taken in," Roder said.
" I've read about it. Most people, after having some kind of serious physical or emotional trauma, tend to block those memories out. One day you might remember them," Sarah said.
" Well, does anyone want something to eat or drink?" Emma asked.
" Yeah, sure," Ian said, looking at a piece of furniture. Emma got up and walked to her little kitchen.
" What is it, Ian?" Alex asked.
" Look at this chest. It looks like it's an antique. One of the kind that cost over a thousand bucks," Ian said.
" So?" Roder asked.
" So, if she didn't have anything to her name before your dad proposed, where'd she get this?" Ian asked.
" Maybe she bought it at an antique shop," Roder suggested.
" Or maybe she a hired thug from the Henderson's. Remember, you sent one of their kids to jail. This could be one massive plot for revenge or something," Ian suggested.
" Or maybe you're trying to ruin this for me," Roder growled.
" Why would I do that?" Ian exclaimed.
" Do what?" Emma asked coming in with a tray of drinks.
" Oh, nothing. I was wondering about this chest, though," Ian said.
" Ian," Roder warned.
" What about it?" Emma asked, looking a little nervous.
" Well, it seems to be an antique. And I thought you said you didn't have anything to your name before Roder's dad proposed," Ian said.
" Oh. That. I was hoping you wouldn't notice," Emma sighed. She closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were bright red. Ian and Sarah jumped up. Roder gasped. Emma passed a hand over herself, revealing herself to be a monster.
" What... what did you do with my real mother?" Roder asked.
" Oh, you mean the real owner of this shack? I killed her as she came home and assumed her appearance," the monster chuckled. Liko appeared.
" Well. It seems your charade ended, Star Killer," she said.
" You were the one who supplied the chest that tipped them off," Star Killer said.
" Regardless, take them. I'll get the energy," Liko said.
" You got it!" Star Killer snickered.
" Star Power!" Ian, Roder, and Sarah cried. Alex rolled out of the way.
" Phantom Ranger Power, now!" he called. He flicked his wrist, revealing a morpher. He pressed it in the center and morphed into a Phantom Ranger.
" Four or four hundred, I can take you all on!" Star Killer chuckled. She jumped towards Roder, throwing him backwards. Ian, Sarah, and Alex turned to Liko.
" Three little Rangers, all in a row," Liko smiled.
" Didn't you learn last time? Don't mess with a Power Ranger," Sarah growled.
" You should worry about each other instead of trading insults with me," Liko smiled. She threw her energy gatherer at Alex. He grabbed it in midair, and some energy came out of his body.
" Alex!" Ian cried.
" You are going to pay for what you did," Roder growled.
" Whatcha gonna do, go crying to your mommy?" Star Killer snickered.
" No. This," Roder growled. " Star Sword!" His sword appeared in his hand.
" I'm shaking in my pumps," Star Killer chuckled.
" Your pumps are all that's gonna be left of you when I get through," Roder growled. He ran towards the monster. As he jumped and prepared to slash the monster, he hit the ceiling and fell back to the ground.
" Forget this was a small house, did we?" the monster asked.
" Then let's open this place up a little!" Roder cried. He brought out his Star Blaster and blasted several holes in the ceiling, basically vaporizing it.
" You know, I did say this place needed a sunroof..." Star Killer started, then snapped back to reality. Reality being Roder attacking her and throwing her out of the shack. He jumped out after her.
" Aye yi yi! Thomas! It appears that a Star Blaster was fired around Sloan Avenue!" Alpha cried.
" Alpha, contact the other Rangers and have them head down there," Thomas ordered.
" Thomas, I'm reading a Phantom morpher in activity in that same area," Cat said.
" I'll bet that's Alex. And he was taking Ian, Sarah, and Roder somewhere today," Thomas sighed.
" Should we go help?" Penny asked.
" We might. I'm not sure Alex is fully recovered from when Divatox took the Power Ruby and the Machine Empire attacked him on Purbla," Thomas said.
" Is this thing the best you got?" Alex smirked, holding the energy ball at arms width. He gripped it and threw it back at Liko. She caught it.
" So. You are nearly immune to the effects of the energy ball. Pity. I'll just have to force you to demorph before I take your energy, then," Liko said. She growled and lashed out at Sarah.
" Hey! I'm the one who was immune! Attack me!" Alex called.
" Oh, but I have a score with this one," Liko growled. " You made me bleed. I'll make you die."
" Not today, not ever. Hi-yah!" Sarah delivered a knee to Liko's stomach, knocking the wind out of her. With a shove, Liko was off Sarah and on the ground. Sarah jumped back up. Liko made a move to head over to Sarah, but Ian stepped in front of her.
" Hi. Remember me?" he smiled. Liko growled and spun, knocking Ian over with her tail. Unfortunately for her, she forgot the size of the house and banged her tail into a wall. She moaned with pain, then called the energy ball over.
" I'll be back sooner or later. And when I do return, you will die," she growled, looking at Sarah. He dragon eyes glew and she vanished.
" Way to go, you guys," Alex said. Then he groaned.
" Alex?" Ian asked.
" It's nothing. Just an old injury. I'll head home. You two better go help Roder," Alex said.
" Oh my God, he's right," Sarah said. Alex demorphed and ran around to the front to get his car.
" C'mon, Sarah. Let's get out there before Roder gets himself killed," Ian said.
" So, Green Ranger. You want to face the almighty Star Killer?" Star Killer smiled.
" I don't see any 'Almighty Star Killer.' I just see some wimp trying to impress no one," Roder smirked.
" You insolent little brat," Star Killer growled.
" We could stand here all day trading insults, or we could get to the part where I kick your ass," Roder smiled.
" Cheeky little foul-mouthed teenager, aren't you," Star Killer said. She jumped at Roder, throwing him backwards into a phone pole.
" Foul-mouthed? It's street talk. If you were going to be around longer, I'd teach you more of it," Roder smiled. He gripped his Star Sword and slashed the monster. Star Killer's hand fell to the ground.
" You'll pay for that," Star Killer growled.
" No I won't," Roder smiled. He ran at her again, this time firing his Star Blaster as well. Each hit landed on Star Killer's chest, causing explosion after explosion to erupt on her. Then he grabbed her and jumped in the air. Hanging in midair, he pulled out his Star Sword again after replacing his Star Blaster in its holster. He slashed at the monster.
" That was for my mother!" he cried. He slashed again. " That was for anyone else you hurt in this scheme!" He prepared to slash again. " And this... This is for me," he growled. He brought the sword down straight on the monster, who began to howl with pain. Roder let go, letting the sword slash even further into Star Killer. Roder touched down, and Star Killer fell down. She hit and exploded in a fireball. Ian and Sarah ran up as Roder fell to the ground from exhaustion.
" Roder, are you okay?" Sarah asked.
" Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Roder looked at Ian, and the viewer over his face opened. Sarah and Ian's did the same.
" What?" Ian asked.
" Go ahead. Say it," Roder sighed.
" Say what?" Ian asked.
" 'I told you so'. You caught onto the fact that she was an imposter," Roder sighed.
" Roder, I was just trying to look at it from an impartial point of view. After all, it's not like I didn't want you to find your real mom," Ian said.
" Yeah, but I got mad at you for it," Roder said.
" I would have done the same if I were you," Ian smiled. Just then, Melissa, Sierra, and Ben teleported in.
" Don't tell me we missed everything!" Ben said after looking around.
" Okay, little bro. We won't tell you," Sarah smiled.
" Roder, are you okay?" Melissa said, turning to Roder.
" Yeah. I'm fine," Roder sighed.
" Well, let's head back to the StarBase," Sarah said.
" Wait. We heard Alex was here," Sierra said.
" Yeah. He already headed home," Ian said. The teens got into a line. Ian turned to Roder. " Hey, Roder?" he asked.
" What?"
" Told you so." The teleportation effect hid Roder's smile.
" I didn't think your plan would work anyway," Magoto snickered.
" Shut up," Liko growled.
" After all, simply preying on one Ranger is foolish," Magoto smiled.
" I said shut up," Liko growled.
" The sheer stupidity of it ... I'm glad I'm not going to be the one to explain to Psycho why one of the stronger monsters X has created was destroyed," Magoto chuckled.
" I told you to SHUT UP!" Liko snarled, blasting Magoto with a burst of energy. Magoto was thrown back into the wall. When he stood again, he chuckled.
" When you take command away from your father, you'll need that kind of rage to keep your future underlings in check," Magoto said. He turned and left the energy storage room. Only then did Liko realize that he had been teaching her a lesson she'd need once her father was destroyed.
" I may keep him around," she said.
" A wise move," Psycha's disembodied voice said. " Now, place the energy in the canister. I will not wait forever."
" Of course, mother," Liko said. She opened the canister and gripped the energy ball, causing the energy to enter the canister and fall to the bottom.
" It will still take several infusions. But at least I thought ahead and took all of the real Emma William's energy before Star Killer killed her," Liko said.
" Remember, Liko. Both you and the Green Ranger gained knowledge today. He learned of his past, and you learned what it takes to be in charge. Remember it, and I might not have you share your foolish father's fate," Psycha said.
" Yeah. At least, from the few memories I have from back then. Pretty much everything from before Melissa's family took me is just a jumble. But I am able to see my birth parents faces. And that is definitely my father," Roder said.
" You know, I was wondering about your name. I mean, no one I've met know of any name of Roder," Sarah said.
" Like I said, before Mr. Storms took me in, just a jumble. I'd seen my name somewhere, but I think it was either misspelled or I didn't remember it right. I just told Mr. Storms my name was Roder," Roder sighed.
" Then you must have been Roger Bennett III," Sarah said.
" I guess. Keep calling me Roder, please," Roder smiled.
" Secret's safe with us," Ian smiled. He rolled over to his computer, turning it on.
" What are you doing?" Sarah asked.
" I'm gonna run a search on the Internet for Roger Bennett II. If they couldn't find him the past ten years, he had to have been declared dead. I'll find his obituary and we'll see if we can find your mom," Ian said.
" Thanks, Ian," Roder smiled.
" What are friends for?" Ian asked.
" Well, those are words I didn't think I'd hear from your mouths for a while," Thomas said from the doorway.
" Yeah, it's great. Uh, Mr. Scott, can we have some time alone? With the door closed?" Sarah asked.
" Well, Cat and I are going out to dinner. Do you guys want us to pick you up some drive through on the way home?" Thomas asked.
" No, Dad. We'll be okay," Ian said.
" Okay," Thomas nodded. He walked down the steps and joined Cat.
" Well?"
" They said they'd be okay," Thomas said.
" You think they mean that as in they won't get near any trouble?"
" Not a chance in hell."
" So. That silly little Green Ranger is looking for his mother. Well. Finally I can relate to the Rangers in some way," Liko smirked. She strode into X's monster chamber.
" Ah. Little Lady. How are you today?" X asked.
" As well as can be expected. X. Yesterday you told me of an improved version of Star Smasher. I believe it will come in handy," Liko smirked.
" Ah. Excellent. I believe you will be very proud of this one, Little Lady. Star Killer is much more powerful than Star Smasher was. She will be able to gather quite a bit of energy for you," X smiled.
" Excellent. And you're certain she'll be able to gather the energy from one of the Rangers?" Liko asked.
" Of course, my dear girl. Star Killer is better than those 'dime a dozen' monsters I've worked one before. Unfortunately, there isn't enough energy for me to upgrade the elder ones..." X trailed off.
" As long as she is ready when I need her," Liko said. She turned and left X.
" Of course," X growled. He turned back to one of his devices. " And, of course, my hidden agenda will have to take precedence. M-51 is getting closer all the time..."
" Okay, here's Roger Bennett II's obituary. Officially declared dead in '96... No mention of a wife or a son," Ian said.
" Maybe she went by her maiden name," Sarah suggested.
" Yeah. Or maybe they were never married," Roder added.
" Good point. Let's see what it says about girlfriends... Here we go. An Emma Williams. At the time of this printing, she still lived in Starry Grove," Ian said.
" Any mention of a son?" Roder asked.
" It doesn't say. Then again, if she's just his girlfriend, they probably wouldn't include it," Ian said. " I'll see if I can find her address, though," Ian said.
" Thanks," Roder sighed. Ian typed and clicked through fast. " Whoa. What's your hacker rating, anyway?"
" Oh, not much. Just enough to make it so that at the end of the year I can hack into the school computer and alter my grades enough to pass," Ian smiled. " Wait. Here we go. She lives at 1328 Prescott."
" Ooh, she's a little out of the way, though. Unless we want to bike over there, we can't make it before dark without breaking the laws of under- aged driving," Sarah said.
" Who would know?" Roder asked.
" My parents. They're both cops," Sarah said.
" Yeah. On the first couple of dates Sarah and I went on, I had to meet her at her house, where Mr. Ri patted me down," Ian said.
" Do all your dates go like that?" Roder asked.
" All the one-nighters I had before Ian," Sarah said.
" Yeah. Hey, wait. How many boyfriends did you have before me?" Ian asked.
" Oh, one or two," Sarah smiled.
" Okay, how'd this get off my family and to your romance?" Roder asked.
" Sorry. Anyway, why don't we ask Alex and Penny to drive us over," Ian suggested.
" Uh..." Roder stammered.
" Alex is just super paranoid during the hours he's at the StarBase. Trust me. He's my godfather," Ian said. " C'mon. He lives just down the street."
" Okay, the test should be done soon," Penny sighed.
" Maybe we'll make it this time," Alex sighed.
" Here it is... Oh, Alex. We didn't make it," Penny said dejectedly.
" You think all of these pregnancy tests are jinxing it for us?" Alex sighed.
" All I know is, I'm getting tired of doing the work and ending up with nothing," Penny sighed. The doorbell rang. " Go get that, honey. I'm going to be busy sulking." Alex smiled and got off the couch. Opening the door, he saw Ian, Sarah, and Roder.
" What's up Ian?" he asked.
" Alex, we need a ride," Ian said.
" Why?" Alex asked.
" We're trying to find my mom," Roder said.
" Your... I'll get my keys," Alex sighed.
" Thanks for the help, Alex," Ian said.
" What's your godfather for?" Alex said and started the car. " Now, where are we going?"
" 1328 Prescott," the three said as one.
" Ooh, that's on the other side of town. No wonder you got me," Alex said.
" Did we interrupt anything important?" Ian asked.
" Oh, just me and Penny sulking," Alex sighed.
" About what?" Sarah asked.
" Results," Alex said. He seemed to want to leave it at that, but the other passengers were teenagers, another word for 'incredibly curious.'
" We were getting the results from one of those pregnancy tests," he sighed.
" Oh," the others said. They were silent for a minute.
" Did you..." Ian started.
" No. Again. It's been the same all month. Penny really wants one. I don't blame her. I mean, we've been married for a few years, and we see your mom and dad having fun with you, and well..."
" You want to have your own fun with your own kid," Roder said.
" Yeah," Alex sighed.
" At least you'd be there," Roder sighed.
Alex's car pulled up to the ranch house at 1328 Prescott. Or rather, the remains of it.
" Man. Looks like there was a fire here," Ian said.
" Yeah, and I'd say with in the last couple of weeks," Sarah said.
" Man..." Roder sighed.
" Maybe we could ask one of the neighbors about it," Ian suggested.
" Uh, I can't. I've got math homework with a quiz tomorrow. So do you two," Sarah said.
" Right, the math quiz. Sorry, Roder," Ian said.
" It's all right. I guess... I wasn't meant to know who my Mom was," Roder sighed.
" Maybe you will. Just... not today," Alex said. " C'mon, this side of town doesn't do good things to kids your age this close to night."
The next day at school, Roder sighed. He was stuck in the I.S.S. room with just about nothing to do.
" All right, you little miscreants, listen up. If you can be quiet long enough, I'll let you have a little fun. About five minutes of school- approved websites," Mr. Porter, the I.S.S. teacher said. One of the kids turned to Roder.
" In other words, he means he's taking a nap and if we don't wake him, we have free access to the Internet," he snickered.
" Mr. Keller. There is no talking allowed here. That's another hour you've gotten of I.S.S. You're accumulating quite a collection," Mr. Porter said.
" Oh, quit being so nice. Don't you want some of the other teachers to share the wealth?" Jim Keller snickered.
" Jim. C'mon, give him a break," Roder said. Jim backed down, simply because Roder, having punched the principal, had earned a reputation as the leader of the I.S.S. kids.
" Thank you Mr. Roder," Porter said.
" It's Roder. Just Roder," Roder sighed. Within a few minutes, Mr. Porter's light snoring filled the room. Jake Lane rolled over to Roder.
" Hey, Roder," he said.
" What?"
" I saw you last night with that Scott kid and his girlfriend at Prescott. What were you doing there?" Jake asked.
" None of your business," Roder rumbled.
" If you were looking for the lady who lived there, she's at the Comet Apartments now," Jake said.
" What?" Roder was now listening.
" Yeah. My mom and her were friends. Anyway, just curious," Jake said.
" The Comet Apartments? Not very classy, is she?" Sarah asked.
" You gotta live with what you got, and she obviously didn't have a lot. Why else would she have lived on Prescott. Anyway, I want you guys to come with me," Roder said.
" Why?" Sarah asked.
" Because if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten to this point," Roder said.
" Okay, but we'd better go tonight. Tomorrow Mom and Dad open the Tiki Room, and they'll want us there," Ian said.
" Here we are. The Comet Apartments," Alex said as he pulled up to the building.
" Part is right. It looks like only part of this place can pass health inspections," Sarah said.
" Tell me about it," Ian said, stepping over a dead rat. The three teens and Alex entered the registration room.
" Can I help you?" the man at the desk asked.
" Yeah, we're looking for a woman who moved in here recently. She had a house on Prescott, but it burned down sometime in the past couple of months," Alex said.
" Name?"
" We don't know her name. If we did, we would have asked, now wouldn't we?" Roder growled.
" Roder," Alex warned. " Look, she probably told you why she came here, could you please check?"
" Only two women have come here from a fire. Both left last week," the clerk said.
" Where'd they go?" Roder asked.
" Don't know. Now, if you don't want a room, get out," the clerk said.
" Come on, guys. Looks like we're out of luck here," Alex sighed. As they entered the car, Roder snapped.
" Damn it! Why is it that when we finally get close, something happens to take it away?" he cried.
" Roder..." Sarah started. Alex placed a hand on her shoulder.
" Let him vent." As Roder finally finished venting, he heard a woman's voice from the lobby, via one of the broken windows.
" Look, I'm Emma Williams, and I moved out last week. I found a small house, but I need some of the things from apartment 702," she said.
" You don't think..." Roder started.
" Look, lady, I don't care if you are the Grand Duchess of Genosha. Everything in there now belongs to the new tenants. Now get out of my lobby!" the clerk growled. The woman argued a couple more minutes, then finally left in frustration.
" Excuse me!" Roder called.
" Oh, yes?" she asked.
" Look, uh, I was looking for a woman who used to live here. She had moved in because of a fire at her home on Prescott Street," Roder said.
" Why are you looking for her?" she asked, looking for something in her purse.
Roder inhaled, then sighed. " My name's Roger Bennett III." The woman dropped her purse.
" Roger Bennett III?" Alex whispered to Ian and Sarah. They both hushed him.
" Roger Bennett III?" Emma gasped. Roder nodded. " Oh my God..." She gasped a couple more times. " My son..." She gasped again and pulled Roder into a hug. As this was happening, Liko stood on the top of the Comet Apartment building. Magoto appeared next to her.
" Magoto. What do you want?" she asked.
" Psycho sent me to bring you home," the general growled.
" I thought you didn't listen to my father," Liko smirked.
" X agreed," Magoto said.
" Oh, so you obey X now, do you?"
" No. It is simply that... we both disagree with Psycho methods. We both have covers to maintain," Magoto said.
" Tell my father I am overseeing a plan," Liko growled.
" Be careful, then. I know of the Power Rangers. It was one of them who catapulted your mother into the middle world," Magoto said. He disappeared in a ripple of space-time.
Emma invited all of them back to her new home.
" Well..." Sarah started.
" It's... cozy," Ian offered.
" Homely," Alex chimed in.
" You can say it. It's small and cramped. But it's better than Comet," Emma smiled.
" She's right. Anything's better than Comet. Comet makes the streets look cozy," Roder said.
" Thank you," Emma sighed.
" So... why exactly did you abandon me?" Roder asked.
" It wasn't my choice. The Henderson family, the people I worked for had agreed to help me survive for a few years. See, the day before your father... disappeared-"
" Died. We found the body a few days ago in the Shooting Stars hotel," Roder said.
" I thought he was dead. Otherwise he would have found me by now," Emma sighed. She took a breath and continued. " But anyway, the Henderson family had agreed to support me since I'd been broke for a few years. I'd been out of a job at the time I met your father. He let me move in with him. We had a wild night, and well, I became pregnant with you. I gave birth to you, and we kept it quiet. Roger's family didn't approve of me, and they wouldn't have approved of you, either. About two years later, the day before he left to help fix up the Shooting Stars hotel, in fact, he proposed to me. The ring he gave me was the first thing I had to my name in years. But after he died, I had to give it to the Henderson's or else they'd take his house. But, about a week before your third birthday, someone broke in and took you. I didn't know what happened to you until today," Emma finished.
" But how did I end up on the streets?" Roder asked.
" I don't know. Presumably, the kidnapper dumped you out there," she said.
" But that doesn't explain how I don't remember anyone or really anything before I was taken in," Roder said.
" I've read about it. Most people, after having some kind of serious physical or emotional trauma, tend to block those memories out. One day you might remember them," Sarah said.
" Well, does anyone want something to eat or drink?" Emma asked.
" Yeah, sure," Ian said, looking at a piece of furniture. Emma got up and walked to her little kitchen.
" What is it, Ian?" Alex asked.
" Look at this chest. It looks like it's an antique. One of the kind that cost over a thousand bucks," Ian said.
" So?" Roder asked.
" So, if she didn't have anything to her name before your dad proposed, where'd she get this?" Ian asked.
" Maybe she bought it at an antique shop," Roder suggested.
" Or maybe she a hired thug from the Henderson's. Remember, you sent one of their kids to jail. This could be one massive plot for revenge or something," Ian suggested.
" Or maybe you're trying to ruin this for me," Roder growled.
" Why would I do that?" Ian exclaimed.
" Do what?" Emma asked coming in with a tray of drinks.
" Oh, nothing. I was wondering about this chest, though," Ian said.
" Ian," Roder warned.
" What about it?" Emma asked, looking a little nervous.
" Well, it seems to be an antique. And I thought you said you didn't have anything to your name before Roder's dad proposed," Ian said.
" Oh. That. I was hoping you wouldn't notice," Emma sighed. She closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were bright red. Ian and Sarah jumped up. Roder gasped. Emma passed a hand over herself, revealing herself to be a monster.
" What... what did you do with my real mother?" Roder asked.
" Oh, you mean the real owner of this shack? I killed her as she came home and assumed her appearance," the monster chuckled. Liko appeared.
" Well. It seems your charade ended, Star Killer," she said.
" You were the one who supplied the chest that tipped them off," Star Killer said.
" Regardless, take them. I'll get the energy," Liko said.
" You got it!" Star Killer snickered.
" Star Power!" Ian, Roder, and Sarah cried. Alex rolled out of the way.
" Phantom Ranger Power, now!" he called. He flicked his wrist, revealing a morpher. He pressed it in the center and morphed into a Phantom Ranger.
" Four or four hundred, I can take you all on!" Star Killer chuckled. She jumped towards Roder, throwing him backwards. Ian, Sarah, and Alex turned to Liko.
" Three little Rangers, all in a row," Liko smiled.
" Didn't you learn last time? Don't mess with a Power Ranger," Sarah growled.
" You should worry about each other instead of trading insults with me," Liko smiled. She threw her energy gatherer at Alex. He grabbed it in midair, and some energy came out of his body.
" Alex!" Ian cried.
" You are going to pay for what you did," Roder growled.
" Whatcha gonna do, go crying to your mommy?" Star Killer snickered.
" No. This," Roder growled. " Star Sword!" His sword appeared in his hand.
" I'm shaking in my pumps," Star Killer chuckled.
" Your pumps are all that's gonna be left of you when I get through," Roder growled. He ran towards the monster. As he jumped and prepared to slash the monster, he hit the ceiling and fell back to the ground.
" Forget this was a small house, did we?" the monster asked.
" Then let's open this place up a little!" Roder cried. He brought out his Star Blaster and blasted several holes in the ceiling, basically vaporizing it.
" You know, I did say this place needed a sunroof..." Star Killer started, then snapped back to reality. Reality being Roder attacking her and throwing her out of the shack. He jumped out after her.
" Aye yi yi! Thomas! It appears that a Star Blaster was fired around Sloan Avenue!" Alpha cried.
" Alpha, contact the other Rangers and have them head down there," Thomas ordered.
" Thomas, I'm reading a Phantom morpher in activity in that same area," Cat said.
" I'll bet that's Alex. And he was taking Ian, Sarah, and Roder somewhere today," Thomas sighed.
" Should we go help?" Penny asked.
" We might. I'm not sure Alex is fully recovered from when Divatox took the Power Ruby and the Machine Empire attacked him on Purbla," Thomas said.
" Is this thing the best you got?" Alex smirked, holding the energy ball at arms width. He gripped it and threw it back at Liko. She caught it.
" So. You are nearly immune to the effects of the energy ball. Pity. I'll just have to force you to demorph before I take your energy, then," Liko said. She growled and lashed out at Sarah.
" Hey! I'm the one who was immune! Attack me!" Alex called.
" Oh, but I have a score with this one," Liko growled. " You made me bleed. I'll make you die."
" Not today, not ever. Hi-yah!" Sarah delivered a knee to Liko's stomach, knocking the wind out of her. With a shove, Liko was off Sarah and on the ground. Sarah jumped back up. Liko made a move to head over to Sarah, but Ian stepped in front of her.
" Hi. Remember me?" he smiled. Liko growled and spun, knocking Ian over with her tail. Unfortunately for her, she forgot the size of the house and banged her tail into a wall. She moaned with pain, then called the energy ball over.
" I'll be back sooner or later. And when I do return, you will die," she growled, looking at Sarah. He dragon eyes glew and she vanished.
" Way to go, you guys," Alex said. Then he groaned.
" Alex?" Ian asked.
" It's nothing. Just an old injury. I'll head home. You two better go help Roder," Alex said.
" Oh my God, he's right," Sarah said. Alex demorphed and ran around to the front to get his car.
" C'mon, Sarah. Let's get out there before Roder gets himself killed," Ian said.
" So, Green Ranger. You want to face the almighty Star Killer?" Star Killer smiled.
" I don't see any 'Almighty Star Killer.' I just see some wimp trying to impress no one," Roder smirked.
" You insolent little brat," Star Killer growled.
" We could stand here all day trading insults, or we could get to the part where I kick your ass," Roder smiled.
" Cheeky little foul-mouthed teenager, aren't you," Star Killer said. She jumped at Roder, throwing him backwards into a phone pole.
" Foul-mouthed? It's street talk. If you were going to be around longer, I'd teach you more of it," Roder smiled. He gripped his Star Sword and slashed the monster. Star Killer's hand fell to the ground.
" You'll pay for that," Star Killer growled.
" No I won't," Roder smiled. He ran at her again, this time firing his Star Blaster as well. Each hit landed on Star Killer's chest, causing explosion after explosion to erupt on her. Then he grabbed her and jumped in the air. Hanging in midair, he pulled out his Star Sword again after replacing his Star Blaster in its holster. He slashed at the monster.
" That was for my mother!" he cried. He slashed again. " That was for anyone else you hurt in this scheme!" He prepared to slash again. " And this... This is for me," he growled. He brought the sword down straight on the monster, who began to howl with pain. Roder let go, letting the sword slash even further into Star Killer. Roder touched down, and Star Killer fell down. She hit and exploded in a fireball. Ian and Sarah ran up as Roder fell to the ground from exhaustion.
" Roder, are you okay?" Sarah asked.
" Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Roder looked at Ian, and the viewer over his face opened. Sarah and Ian's did the same.
" What?" Ian asked.
" Go ahead. Say it," Roder sighed.
" Say what?" Ian asked.
" 'I told you so'. You caught onto the fact that she was an imposter," Roder sighed.
" Roder, I was just trying to look at it from an impartial point of view. After all, it's not like I didn't want you to find your real mom," Ian said.
" Yeah, but I got mad at you for it," Roder said.
" I would have done the same if I were you," Ian smiled. Just then, Melissa, Sierra, and Ben teleported in.
" Don't tell me we missed everything!" Ben said after looking around.
" Okay, little bro. We won't tell you," Sarah smiled.
" Roder, are you okay?" Melissa said, turning to Roder.
" Yeah. I'm fine," Roder sighed.
" Well, let's head back to the StarBase," Sarah said.
" Wait. We heard Alex was here," Sierra said.
" Yeah. He already headed home," Ian said. The teens got into a line. Ian turned to Roder. " Hey, Roder?" he asked.
" What?"
" Told you so." The teleportation effect hid Roder's smile.
" I didn't think your plan would work anyway," Magoto snickered.
" Shut up," Liko growled.
" After all, simply preying on one Ranger is foolish," Magoto smiled.
" I said shut up," Liko growled.
" The sheer stupidity of it ... I'm glad I'm not going to be the one to explain to Psycho why one of the stronger monsters X has created was destroyed," Magoto chuckled.
" I told you to SHUT UP!" Liko snarled, blasting Magoto with a burst of energy. Magoto was thrown back into the wall. When he stood again, he chuckled.
" When you take command away from your father, you'll need that kind of rage to keep your future underlings in check," Magoto said. He turned and left the energy storage room. Only then did Liko realize that he had been teaching her a lesson she'd need once her father was destroyed.
" I may keep him around," she said.
" A wise move," Psycha's disembodied voice said. " Now, place the energy in the canister. I will not wait forever."
" Of course, mother," Liko said. She opened the canister and gripped the energy ball, causing the energy to enter the canister and fall to the bottom.
" It will still take several infusions. But at least I thought ahead and took all of the real Emma William's energy before Star Killer killed her," Liko said.
" Remember, Liko. Both you and the Green Ranger gained knowledge today. He learned of his past, and you learned what it takes to be in charge. Remember it, and I might not have you share your foolish father's fate," Psycha said.