Chapter Five

"So, what have you been doing since you left?" Tommy asked as they drove into the city, passing tall building after tall building.

"Well, when I got back to New York, I finished high school. Then, I went to Columbia University where I majored in Journalism. After that, I got the job at the Times." She explained it as if it was nothing while looking at all of the different buildings. She acted as if it had been so easy to get the job at the paper.

"I never expected you to go into journalism. Didn't you used to have a band in New York?"

"Yeah… but, you know, things change. Music wasn't really my thing, I suppose, so I went into writing. I did pretty darn well while in college."

"Well, I remember that you would get A's on every English assignment… So, I guess I should have expected it."

"Yeah, I know. I had to help you out with so many of them that you sucked up most of my time." He looked offended at that comment. "But, don't get me wrong; I had fun, too." He smiled widely as he kept his eyes on the road. "So, where's our first stop of the tour?"

"Hayley's Cyberspace. A friend of mine owns it. I think you'd be interested in meeting her and a few of my students."

She nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Her eyes went wide at the sight before her. Standing there was a four-foot tall, red and blue robot with a gold, drum cymbal-like head. It was amazing. "Wow!" She muttered as she looked at it.

"My name is Alpha-5." The robot spoke up.

"Are you a really robot?" She asked, still dumbfounded, poking it in the chest.

"Yes." Alpha giggled. She had touched one of his sensors. Apparently, one of his most ticklish.

Melissa turned her attention from the robot and looked around the room once again. This place was nothing like she'd ever seen before. "Where am I?"

"You are in the CommandCenter of the Power Rangers." Alpha said.

"Power Rangers?" She asked.

"Yes, Melissa." A coming voice said from overhead.

She turned sharply to look at a giant, slowing tube that she hadn't noticed at first glance. And inside the tube, was a giant floating head. She gasped loudly as her hand rose to her mouth. "Oh my God!" She exclaimed. "What? Who are you?" She was going to ask what it was, but she caught herself. She didn't want to offend whatever this thing was. There was no telling what it could do to her.

"My name is Zordon. I am an intergalactic being from the distant planet of Eltar and also the creator of the Power Rangers."

"You mean those guys who run around in different colored spandex?" She asked, not sure if they were really called that. She saw that they were very well respected around the city, but she never really expected for them to have a group name.

"Well, yes... That would be them, I suppose." Alpha answered.

"So, why am I here? What do I have to do with this whole operation?"

"You hold the key to a great power. And if it were used for good, Earth would no longer be in danger. But, if used for evil, this and any other planet would be destroyed." Zordon explained.

"So, what is this 'great power' anyway?" She asked, believing this all to be an elaborate hoax. This guy was basically talking about magic and that was soemthing that she didn't believe in. Only little children believed in crockery like that.

"Your necklace." Alpha spoke up.

Melissa reached up and touched her necklace. "My grandmother's emerald?" She asked. "You're saying that my grandmother and my mother both held this power that could protect the planet and now I do?"

"Yes. But, only you can activate its power. The jewel was blessed by a long departed and very powerful being of light. It was because she knew Earth would be in grave danger someday and so she cast a spell on that emerald to which she gave her entire life force. She did that, so that when the day came, you, a strong-willed teenage girl, would awaken her powers and save the world."

Melissa looked from Zordon to Alpha and back. Her skepticism was now gone. She didn't know why, but she believed them. It was pretty hard not too. It just felt as though it was the truth. "This isn't some stupid joke, is it?" She asked.

"No. It isn't… But, Melissa, you do have a choice for whether or not you want to embrace this. The planet will be much safer with this power on the side of good." Zordon explained.

"What happens if I don't embrace it?"

"The power will, then be lost until it finds another worthy host."

She paused before answering. She didn't want to just come out and accept a responsibility like this, but she didn't want to turn it down, either. There was no telling who or, in this case, what another worthy host would be. "Can I have some time to think about this?" She asked.

"Of course… Take as much time as you need. When you decide, I will know and I will bring you back."

She nodded. "Thank you."

Okay, that's the end of chapter four. I hope you guys liked it.

I'm not really sure how long this is going to be, because I can go so many different ways, it's unbelievable... so, don't expect and end just yet. I'm already up to chapter fifteen, on paper anyway.

But, if you guys would like for me to add something, like if you have an idea and you think that it might work, please suggest it... I will make sure you get total credit for the idea.

I might include some of the old rangers, too. I know of one that I want to include, but I'm not sure if I should include the others or not... I think it might get too out of hand if I do that, what do you think?

Please don't be hesitant to suggest ideas... I can use them... So, I wouldn't mind if this goes on forever... But, it will have to end sometime, and I just don't want for it to end so quickly.

Also, please recommend this or any of my other stories to friends, family, or your e-mail groups... I can use the reviews.

If you make a suggestion and I decide to use it, I will post in the chapter after the review so that you know.

Yeah, I know this is a really long note, but it's been practically a week since I last updated, because this has been the first time I could get on the computer without interruptions, since I work all night and sleep during the day. Plus, there's the fact that there's always someone in my family on it.

But, please, read and review and give me your questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions. They will come in handy.

Thanks again.

Wolflver2003