MARA JANE - FIVE YEARS LATER

Jimmy and I are talking excitedly as we and Jacob are walking to the park on Eltar. Well, Jimmy and I are walking and I'm carrying Jacob on my back. It's summer break from school, we came to visit with Papa's family, Jimmy and Uncle Jason got to come with us, Uncle Dar, Aunt Pina, Aunt Kira and Aunt Hayley will all be here tomorrow. I know that Papa and Daddy won't be far behind us, but it's kind of exciting to be out without them. I know that Daddy has explained very clearly - several times - how careful I have to be on Earth (anywhere really) but apparently it's not as much of a concern here for some reason and I'm loving the freedom. And they're trusting me to take care of Jacob.

Once we get to the park, I let Jacob get down and he runs to the playground equipment. Jimmy and I are making all kinds of grand plans that we both know won't happen, but it's fun to think about. Daddy and Uncle Jason said something about taking us to do something called 'camping' before school starts back up again, though Papa was very quick to state that he and Jacob would not be joining us if that was the case. We stop our planning for the time being, instead playing with Jacob and each other.

I put Jacob on a swing, not unlike one on Earth, and start pushing him. I can't help but smile as he squeals in delight. Jacob and I have had a special bond since the day he was born and he smiled for me, so keeping an eye on him and playing with him doesn't bother me at all in spite of the seven year age difference.

Focus still on my brother for the moment I almost miss it when Jimmy suddenly says quietly, "Hey, not to worry you or anything, but that man over there is watching you. He has been for a while now."

Casually, I look over where he tells me and I see the man. While he hasn't done anything wrong - yet - it's making me a little nervous as Jimmy is right, he is clearly staring at me and not even making an attempt to hide it.

"Do you know who he is?"

"No." There's no reason to trigger my cuff, but I still feel like I should. "Maybe we should take Jacob and head back until we meet up with Daddy and Papa."

Jimmy nods in agreement. Quickly I stop the swing and lift him down. Taking his hand, we start to walk away. We do not need another problem like we had when that other man attacked Daddy years ago. Unfortunately, we don't get out of the park before he steps in front of us. About to question what he wants, I don't get a chance as Jimmy however takes up a quick stance between me and the stranger, something that while sweet, is in reality not very smart as despite him being two years older than I am and somewhat bigger, I'm by far the stronger one due to being part Eltarian. "Move."

Barely giving my friend a glance, the man continues staring at me intently before finally speaking up, "You're Zeddic's child, aren't you?"

Studying him back now I realize that he looks a little bit like Papa, though for some reason this does not put me at ease. Is he a distant relative? An uncle or cousin? He did use Papa's full name, so maybe. Still, Daddy and Papa's training kicks in and I tuck Jacob behind me as I respond. "Yes, sir."

Still looking unhappy, Jimmy moves to urge me further away as he adds, "And we're actually on our way to meet him now. So if you'll excuse us."

Addressing me once more, his expression one of annoyance, what he says next only has me all the more confused. "You should keep your pets on a leash, child."

"Pets?" Looking around for any dog or cat that might have wandered near us, any animal really that he might be mistaking for a pet of ours, I shake my head as I don't see anything. "I don't have any pets."

When he shakes his head and gestures to Jimmy and Jacob, I'm now all the more lost. "The loud one and the small one with you."

Frowning, I know I don't keep the confusion out of my voice when I answer. "They aren't pets, they're my friend and brother."

"Wait, your brother?" He sniffs the air for a minute, before pointing to Jacob. "Is he your brother?"

"Yes, sir."

Suddenly his face twists into an ugly expression. "You have got to be joking me! I can't believe that evil bastard and his pet have brought another abomination into the universe!"

I can't help it. I shoot Jimmy a confused look. Who is he talking about? "What?"

"Not what, who."

"Fine, then who?"

"Zeddic." Feeling my head begin to hurt, I think this must be like what Daddy feels like when arguing with Papa over the concept game shows they watch on TV.

"My father" I clarify.

"Yes, your father" he agrees in far too nasty of a manner.

"What about him?" I question, really just wanting this conversation over with at this point. "Do you need his help? Do you want me to get him for you? What?"

"His help?" Seeming briefly stunned by my question, he however recovers fairly quickly. "The only 'help' I need where he's concerned is to find someone willing to finish the job Zordon started and kill that evil, self-centered monster."

"Excuse me?"

"What exactly are you confused about? He's as evil as they come, child, just like you." Papa? Evil? That's almost laughable. Sure he has a temper, but then again so does Daddy.

"I think you're the one that's confused. My Papa and Daddy are both power holders, they aren't evil."

"Power holders? No, see Zeddic's little pet, he is amazingly enough a power holder. Your father however, he, well he's just a monster."

Fists clenched at my sides, I stare him down, my anger quickly rising. "My father is no monster."

"Really now? Try telling that to the millions of people he's killed and injured over the years, or the thirty, thirty one planets he's enslaved." What?! At my look of disbelief he continues in a mocking tone. "Oh haven't they told you yet? How Zeddic was part of the Evil Alliance, conquered planets, killed people? Hell the only reason he even met your Daddy was because he was assigned to kill him."

"You're lying!" Manners be damned. I will not let anybody talk about my father like that!

Jimmy touches my arm. "Come on, Mara Jane. Let's just go."

The man speaks again. "Just ask anybody. They can all tell you about the death and destruction that he wrought just trying to enslave this planet alone." Yep, time to go.

"I don't have to ask anyone anything. You're lying and when I tell my father what you said you're going to be sorry."

We go to move around him, but he tries to grab my arm. I jerk away, making sure that I stay between him and Jacob. When that doesn't work, he shoves me so hard that I fall to the ground, knocking Jacob over and making him cry. And now I'm pissed off. I hear Jimmy trying to comfort Jacob so I keep my full attention on the threat before me. He speaks again. "I told Zeddic that he had no business having a child, that it would be as evil as he is. It's a good thing that they taught you to look and act normally. Not that surprising really since I'm sure that any day now they'll be sending you to the Alliance, but still."

I feel something under my hand and I grab it as my rage climbs higher and higher as he continues to speak, talking about how neither Papa nor his pet (whoever or whatever that is) shouldn't have been allowed to live, nor should any of their children - meaning Jacob and me. Without thought, I scramble to my feet and hurl the object in my hand right at his face.