Billy lay on his back in the middle of Aquitar's vast ocean, basking in the warmth of its sun. He had lived there for the past eight and a half years ever since he had been cured of his accelerated aging though much had happened before then.

Months after he had met Sean, Billy's aging process had accelerated to the point that he was ninety years old in a matter of hours. After consulting the Aquitians, it was decided that water from the Eternal Falls on Aquitar could restore his natural age and aging process. Cestria, an old friend Billy had met on his first trip to Aquitar, had come to Earth to give Billy a dosage of the water. Since it was not enough, Billy had to return to Aquitar for more doses. After he was cured, he decided to stay on Aquitar with Cestria, declaring that he had finally found someone he could share his life with. And the two of them married, resulting in the happiest years Billy had ever had.

As he lay on the water, he recounted some of the most memorable moments of his life—the birth of his children. Titrus had been born four years ago while Arqua had been born a little over a month ago. Together with Cestria, Titrus, and Arqua his life was perfect and he was content to stay on Aquitar for the rest of his life. He was at peace. This was his home and he loved everything there.

As he lay on the ocean's surface, Sean's voice whispered softly within Billy's mind. Billy, may I speak with you at your house?

Billy stirred out of his doze as if he had just awoken from a pleasant dream, turned over, and dived under the water. He headed straight for the bottom with Olympic-like speed and agility, wearing no scuba gear. Due to his treatment from the waters from the Eternal Falls to reverse his rapid aging, he had become part Aquitian. Thereby he could breathe in the water through his skin, though his body still registered as human. Although he could have teleported himself to his house, there was something urgent in Sean's message that made him think otherwise. As he swam, Billy wondered what Sean needed him for. It had been weeks since he had seen him.

Entering his house, Billy proceeded into what could be called the living room. It was at least ten feet tall and the turquoise curved walls gave the room the double effect of an organic feeling to it and also as if the house had been hollowed out of this structure. A wide window on Billy's left revealed the vast ocean of Aquitar. Several creatures—either amphibious or purely aquatic—of different sizes swam near and far from the window.

Sean stood at the far end of the room, leaning on the wall. Now in his early thirties, he was dressed in gray jeans with a green tank top that was visible through an open, loosely tucked in white button down dress shirt that was rolled up to his elbows. He held his left elbow in a slight caress. Right below the joint was a second degree burn. Despite the wound, he looked the same as he had when he had first met Billy.

"When did you get that?" asked Billy.

"I've had assassins tailing me for the past two weeks," Sean answered, his voice revealing that the assassins were below his caliber. "Whether they want me dead or simply distracted, I am uncertain. But they definitely have my attention."

"Are my friends alright?" Billy asked worry growing in his face. He paid no heed to Sean's wound, for it was minor and Billy knew all too well that Sean could handle himself. Being the enemy of an empire had its risks.

"Yes," Sean said, raising his hand. "Nonetheless, I think it is time for them to know the truth."

"What makes you say that?" Billy asked.

"Jason has been gone for a week," Sean said. "Nobody knows where he is and Trini is tormenting herself with worry."

Jason and Trini had been married for the past seven years. During such time, Jason had never done anything suspicious. And yet, how Sean had said this gave Billy a sense of foreboding. "But you do," he said, realizing it was futile to make it question.

Sean nodded, confirming Billy's suspicions.

"Yes, I do," Sean answered, staring out the window and then back at Billy, pity on his face.

Billy sighed. So the day he and Sean had been waiting for was finally here. That knowledge tore his insides apart. He knew all too well that the truth would shatter his friends but there was no going around it. As he and Sean had said eight and a half years ago, his friends had a right to know. But now leaving was more complicated.

"If you wish to discuss this with your family before you leave, you may," Sean said and he turned towards the doorway. "They are coming this way as we speak."

"That still freaks me out," Billy replied, turning his head in the direction of the doorway.

A second later, Cestria came through it, holding their newborn daughter, Arqua, in her arms, with Titrus trotting beside her. She and the children had been at the market to get some food for what Billy would call dinner. Hesitating at first, Billy went over to his wife and embraced her, a human custom she had learned to enjoy.

"I did not expect you back so soon," Cestria said, handing Arqua to him. She saluted Sean with the traditional Aquitian wave greeting hand gesture. "Greetings, Sean. It is an honor to see you again."

"My apologizes for the intrusion, Cestria," Sean said with a curt bow, "But the time has come for Billy to return to Earth."

"Is this true?" she asked, turning to her husband.

"Yes," Billy said.

Since Billy had told her everything (by Zordon's leave) Cestria knew exactly what he was talking about. For a moment, her face filled with sorrow and worry.

"When will I see you again?" Cestria asked, controlling herself. Her heart was tearing at the thought of Billy leaving.

"I don't know," Billy said and he turned to address Sean. "When must we leave?"

Sean was leaning on the far side of the wall nearest to Billy with his arms crossed over his chest. "The sooner the better," Sean said. "If you wish to stay here for a while, I will inform your friends of the situation. Though it would be easier for them to trust me if you were there also."

Billy turned to his wife and children – torn between his desire to stay and a longing to go. He couldn't decide which impulse was greater. Going to see his friends would be terrific but the reason for his visit was horrifying. However, if he stayed on Aquitar he would be running from his Ranger duties and his promise to Zordon.

"No, I am going with you," Billy said to Sean after a long pause, handing Arqua back to Cestria. "Just give me a moment to say good-bye to my family."

Sean nodded in response.

"Dad, where are you going?" Titrus asked.

"I have to go to Earth, but I will be back as soon as I can," Billy said as he got to his knees to look Titrus in the eyes. "I want you to look after your sister and mother while I am gone. Promise me you will."

"Alright," Titrus answered and he gave his father a hug.

"I shall inform Delpine of this," Cestria said as she hugged her husband with her free hand. She was referring to the leader of the Aquitian Power Rangers – Delpine, Cestro, Tideus, Aurico, and Corcus. When Mastervile, Rita Repulsa's father, had turned back time on Earth in order to transform the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers into children, Zordon had called for the Alien Rangers' help to defend the Earth. "Should I ask the Aquitian Rangers to join you on Earth?" she added as Billy kissed Arqua on the forehead.

"No, it is not time to assemble an army yet," Sean replied. "For the time being, they must remain on Aquitar. Tell Delpine I may contact her within a few days."

"I shall," Cestria said. "I am certain she would help in anyway. Come back soon, Billy."

"I will. Good bye, Cestria," Billy said and he kissed his wife. "I love you," and the two embraced one another again.

"I love you too," Cestria said and the emotion was clear in her voice. "Be safe, Billy."

With a look of deepest regret, Billy walked over to Sean. Billy stared at his family with clawed hands squeezing and tearing the insides of his chest.

"Are you sure you want to leave now?" Sean asked.

"It would have been harder if I stayed," Billy said.

"Then follow me," Sean said.

With an effort, Billy straightened up and the two of them teleported to Earth as blue and green column-like streaks. Hopefully, no one would see them depart from Aquitar.

Unfortunately, someone did.

A faint, transparent, red beam in the shape of a wide "V", circular-edged visor phased through the roof and each internal wall of Billy's house until it reached the ceiling of the parlor. Neither Billy nor Sean saw it as they headed to Earth, even though their trajectory was slightly parallel to it. Yet the beam did not originate from Earth, but from the Moon.

Standing tall on the Moon's lighted surface was a grayish blue castle composed of a wide rectangular tower and a smaller cylindrical tower that was joined to the right side of the taller tower. Faces and figures of menacing gargoyles and demons punctured the outer shell of the castle, ready to strike at any attackers. A balcony was positioned two thirds of the way up the rectangular tower.

The red beam pulsated with energy from within the vast foggy chamber within the balcony. In the middle of the chamber was a throne that stood upon a single step smooth dais. A reddish humanoid alien with its skin ripped off, and had a silver/white mask with a red glass visor over his eyes that covered his face sat upon the throne.

Lord Zedd, self-proclaimed "Emperor of all he sees" was using his supervision to watch Sean and Billy depart from Aquitar. He ceased when Sean and Billy entered the solar system and watched them from his throne. Underneath his mask, Lord Zedd smiled.

"Welcome home, Billy," Lord Zedd said encouragingly. "Rest assured this will not be like last time."


Unaware that Lord Zedd had seen them, Sean and Billy landed on the rocky summit of a mountain that overlooked Angel Grove. The sun was just climbing over the mountain range as they touched down.

Almost as soon as he materialized, Billy went into a coughing fit, finally collapsing to his knees. It was amazing how dirty the Earth's atmosphere was compared to Aquitar. Pollution hardly existed on Aquitar.

"How do you feel?" Sean asked.

"A little overwhelmed," Billy said, taking in the whole scenery before him. A mixture of quarry and forests patterned the mountainous landscape. "I never thought I would see this place again." His breath came in deep pants. It would take a long time before he would become used to the atmosphere again. "What's the date?" Billy asked; too bewildered by the sight of Earth to think.

"Thursday September 9, 2005," Sean said. "I wish you were here by a different choice. But there is no other way."

"Affirmative," Billy answered. The answer sounded cold and empty to him. "I'll have the others meet at Rocky and Adam's studio after they close. Where did you say it was at again?"

"Beside the Surf Spot; Tommy knows where it is," Sean replied. "Get to his house and stay there. I'll meet you at the studio at closing time, but watch yourself. Assassins could be trailing the others also."

"I thought you said we could not be attacked by them yet?" asked Billy.

"I don't trust Zedd or Rita," Sean snarled. "However, I do trust their leader. All the same, be careful."

"I will," Billy said, taking a step forward. "This is going to kill Trini." He took a deep breath and then teleported to Tommy's house.

As soon as he was gone, Sean jerked his head to the right, sensing a presence nearby. "Never a moment's rest," he said, instantly morphing into his Green Ranger outfit.