ZEDD - FIVE YEARS LATER

I bounce out of bed, feeling pretty good in spite of how late we got back from Earth last night. I know Thomas is worried about Jason as he was rather depressed having lost Hayley this year and Zack last year. I get the feeling that David's not going to make it another year. Fortunately, Thomas has made some friends on Eltar so when his human friends are gone he'll have more than just me.

I shake off the thoughts as I head downstairs. Thomas is, no doubt, already in the kitchen or dining room. The doorbell rings just as I reach the bottom of the stairs. "I'll get it!" I open the door, surprised to find Zordon on the front porch. "Wasn't expecting you this morning."

"Zedd - we have to talk." His overly serious demeanor combined with his equally serious companion, whom I don't recognize, has me confused.

"Do you want to come in?"

Zordon's companion speaks. "Actually, we need you to come with us. We'd appreciate it if you don't put up a fight about it."

I hear Thomas behind me. "Zedd, who is it?"

Without looking away from the men before me, I answer, "It's Zordon and, I believe, a law enforcement official."

Thomas steps up beside me. "What do you want?"

"Don't make this harder than it has to be" Zordon asks wearily. "I've already vouched for you and said that you wouldn't cause any trouble until this is sorted out."

I sigh heavily. "I've only just gotten up. Can't I at least have coffee and breakfast first?"

"I'm sorry, my lord, but this really does require immediate attention."

Thomas' voice is harsh. "What does? What needs to be sorted out?"

The pair on the porch exchange looks. "There's been a murder and it bears all the hallmarks of Zedd's handiwork" Zordon says reluctantly. What now? Not that it's not a bit flattering that someone went to the time and trouble to honor me in such a way, but I haven't killed anyone on this planet in decades.

"And when did this happen?" Thomas demands.

"A week ago."

Thomas replies smugly, "Well, we've been on Earth for the last month or so, therefore it wasn't Zedd. And what exactly do you mean that it bears all the hallmarks of Zedd's handiwork?"

"The victim was gutted and hanged, home burned and there is the feel of dark power all over the place."

My husband's eyes narrow. "Since we weren't here, it couldn't have been him. So I'm assuming that you aren't accusing him, but are asking for his help in determining who actually did this?"

The official has the sense to cast his eyes to the ground for a moment. "Not exactly."

Unsurprisingly, Thomas explodes. "WHAT? Are you serious? We weren't here, he didn't do it and you're still going to arrest him?"

"Thomas, calm down."

"I will NOT calm down! This is bullshit of the highest order and you know it!" He spins on Zordon. "And you know it too!"

"Tommy, even on your own planet it's not unusual for someone to be taken into custody when they are suspected of a crime - especially one of this magnitude. I have already informed them that you have been off planet for some time and have reminded them that Zedd has settled down quite a lot since you two became mates. However, a complete and thorough investigation must be done to completely clear Zedd - whether or not the actual responsible party is found."

Thomas looks at Zordon's companion. "When will he be back?"

"I don't know. It depends entirely on-"

"WHEN will he be BACK?"

While I myself am not happy at this turn of events, I know that fighting them will not end well. In spite of how good I felt when I got up this morning, I am still a bit run down from our - activities - this last week or so. Not to mention that losing my temper and starting a battle over this will affect our children and the lives they wish to have. "Thomas, the longer I wait to go with them, the longer it will be before I get back."

He turns to me. "Zedd, you have been set up and I'm not comfortable with this at all."

"Make the usual calls and start there. I'm certain that I'll be home before bedtime this evening." I kiss him quickly and step forward. "I have plans for the next few days, so let's get this over with, shall we?"

Several hours later, I'm tired, hungry and more than a little irritated. I'm getting tired of all the questions, implications and suggestions. I feel for my staff's magic, well aware that it's probably out of range, even with the improvements over the years from Zordon's wave all those decades ago. I'm more than a little surprised and pleased to find that I can feel it, and strongly enough to summon it once I'm beyond tired of their nonsense.

Just then the door flies open hard enough to bang against the wall, startling everyone in the room. I'm rather surprised to see Thomas standing in the doorway looking pissed. "Come on, Zedd. Let's go home."

A glance at the men across from me and I look back at Thomas. "Um- okay."

"He can't leave. We aren't through with him yet" one protests.

Thomas levels an icy cold glare on him. "Yes he can and yes you are. While you've had him in here, there's been another murder. Your own security drones and a little basic math show that the person committing these crimes isn't even the same height as Zedd, never mind the armor is all wrong. It's the wrong pattern and gold colored. Zedd's isn't."

Another officer comes in and confirms everything that Thomas has said. One of the interrogators suggests, "It could be an ally or minion working under his direction."

Thomas opens his mouth to respond, but stops at the hand on his shoulder. Zordon addresses the young man. "Zedd, as I pointed out before, left the Evil Alliance decades ago. He's lived on this planet off and on for quite some time without incident. Your boss agrees that someone is trying to make us all think that Zedd's gone back to his old ways, when in reality, he has not. Go home with your husband, Zedd."

With one last look at the others in the room, I stand and head out the door, following Thomas through the maze of corridors. Once we're headed home, I can't help but comment, "You know, after they find whoever is doing this, I'm going to have to kill them."

"The officials? There's no point. Mad as I am at them, they were only doing their jobs."

"No, Thomas. Whoever thinks that imitating me is a good idea."

"That's not even my primary concern right now, Zedd."

"What I can't understand is why, never mind who."

"I've already made several calls. Annwyl is accounted for, as is Jax. Dar and Pina are on their way and Kira should be at the house by the time we get home."

Much to my dismay, however, we discover that Kira isn't there when we arrive, leaving me to deal with my still very angry husband alone. He's pacing and muttering to himself and while I cannot make out everything he's saying, I'm starting to feel very sorry for whoever is going to be on the receiving end of his plans. Just as I'm about to suggest we see to some dinner, and perhaps a few drinks, I hear the front door open, but my relief is short lived when I realize that it's not Kira, but Mara Jane.

"Daddy! Papa!" Thomas grits his teeth and moves over to the window, turning his focus outside. Knowing that he's too angry to speak civilly, I call out to let her know where we are. She bounces into the room, excited. "So Grandma and Aunt Serena told me that I'm supposed to have a dance with each of you at my party and I have some ideas about it that I want to talk to you about." I'm just about to tell her that it's not the best time when she catches the mood of the room and her smile fades. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Thomas growls low in his throat. I sigh. "The authorities took me in for questioning about a murder that happened a week ago."

Her brow furrows. "You weren't even on the planet a week ago so you couldn't have done it."

Thomas' voice is low and dangerous. "And they arrested him anyway."

"I wasn't exactly arrested, love. They just asked me a lot of questions."

"I would think so given I've not heard of any explosions or planetary alerts of panic being broadcast today." Giving me a smirk at my curious look, my child knows me all too well. "Never mind you'd probably just release all the prisoners in the jail with you out of spite."

"Perhaps not all, but a good deal may have gotten an early pardon in order to teach the law enforcement in this sector a lesson. However, as I said, they just wanted to question me on the matter, nothing more really."

My casual take on the events apparently not sitting well with my mate, I'm rather surprised as Thomas spins around temper flaring once more. "Which it shouldn't have even come to that! I am a power holder, Zedd. They have zero reason not to trust my word. As much as I love you, if you were going around committing random murders, I'd have turned you in myself if I had to. I mean it's not like you knew the victim, right?"

"Not the one they brought me in for, no, but I don't even know the name of the second one, so I have no idea about that one."

"They didn't even trust Zordon when he vouched for you!"

"Good" Mara Jane remarks calmly.

Thomas' mouth falls open in shock before he turns his anger on her. "What in the hell is wrong with you? They believe that he killed someone!"

"I get that, but-"

"I don't really think you do!"

"Daddy, stop and listen to me. I understand why you're so angry, but them still viewing Papa as a threat is what helps keep us safe. While you, me and Jacob can most certainly take care of ourselves now, the twins aren't quite there yet. I mean, yeah they handled themselves okay on Phaedos, but that's not the same."

"That has nothing to do with this!"

"That was kind of my point. His reputation - while not actually his current behavior - keeps us safe, but also puts him under suspicion when something like this happens. Now, that aside, they do now know that he didn't do it, right?"

"Right" I answer, since Thomas seems too bewildered by her logic and calm take on the matter to respond. "Mostly since there was another murder while I was being questioned."

She nods as she takes this in. "I'm guessing that, since you both are here and not out killing someone, they haven't caught who actually did it."

"Not that I'm aware of." I look at Thomas who just shakes his head.

"Okay then, so instead of being furious at the civilians of this world, who still clearly fear Papa, which again is a good thing, maybe some of that anger and fury should be directed on finding and stopping this copycat. Also, not to be disrespectful, or question your word, Daddy, but are you honestly surprised they didn't believe you? And on that note do you honestly expect me to believe that you would turn Papa over to a bunch of random Eltarians if he was going off on some murderous rampage?"

Teeth and fists clenched, I can see the turmoil in his eyes, even as he answers in a rather evasive manner now. "I wouldn't allow him to kill innocent people."

"I didn't say you would, however I find it highly doubtful you would let those outside our family intervene and instead very likely lie to them so that we could help him through whatever has him going off seeking a bloodbath." Continuing before Thomas can even try and argue, I must say I am indeed glad she took after him where intelligence is concerned, even if it sometimes ends up biting him in the ass. "Just like I know you'd do with me."

"What?"

"Daddy, if something happened and I went off the deep end, I know you wouldn't hand me over to a bunch of people who would very likely try and kill me. However I accept that there could very well be a time where what happened today with Papa could happen with me, and you know what, I'm okay with that. Because just like with Papa, I know that my powers keeps us safe, and that the people that count would never turn their backs on me no matter what the situation. Trust me, if Papa was going off killing random people just for the hell of it, you can bet Aunt Pina, Uncle Dar, Jacob and I would gladly help you lock him in the dungeon back at the palace until we could find a way to save him, however that's not the case right now."

Looking to my daughter, I can't help but jest, "You'd at least remember to feed me right?"

"I'd very likely leave that up to Uncle Dar given how vicious I have seen you get when hungry."