Sorry this took so long rangers. My health has been poorly...again. So even though I have the story in my head, it's hard to find the energy to write. And thank you to all my reviewers and readers for being patient. You make this story fun to write.

Also for those who think Tommy could not have been beaten, in the search for the Zeo crystal when Zedd fights Tommy he is more than a match for the ranger. The fight only ends in a stalemate when Tommy gets in a lucky shot and breaks Zedd's staff.

***************************Kimberly's dream*********************************

Kimberly shielded her eyes from the blazing sun as she walked on and on in a sea of sand. It was so hot and the dunes so very endless. She needed water and shade. Her footsteps faltered and she tumbled down another dune, the sand burning her bare flesh, burning, burning. She cried out in pain. Such a scream of torment and hopelessness, almost inhuman. She couldn't take much more. There was a noise like a deep wind. There in the distance a blurry figure in grey and white seemed to be beckoning her. "Zordon…? Zordon! Please help me!" Kimberly cried but the sand stirred up and she shielded her face. When she next looked the image was gone…

****************************Billy and Kim's Room******************************

"Oh my, it's worse than I thought." Finster whispered more to himself than to Billy. Kimberly was lying in a twisted pile of clothes, matted down with her sweat and another bodily fluid. Her face was cherry red and glistening with a coating of sweat. She was breathing in wheezing desperate gasps. Her eyes were closed but moved rapidly behind the lids.

"Kim? Kimberly? Please open your eyes!" Billy said shaking her slightly. She moaned softly but would not awaken.

"She cannot hear you. Open her mouth quickly." Finster ordered mixing a green slimy liquid. Billy did as he was told and Finster poured the goo into her mouth. "Rub her throat, make her swallow it." He instructed already mixing another batch of magical potion. Billy did as he was told and Kimberly gagged and coughed, her body's natural defenses trying to keep her from "drowning."

"Come on Kim, you've got to keep it down." Billy held her close, rubbing her neck gently, inducing a swallow. Quickly the fire in her face was leeched away; she went pale, her body becoming limp in his arms, as still as a corpse. "Kim!" Billy shouted distressed.

"And again young master, she needs to swallow this too." Finster held up another mixture, silver based with gold shavings and pink flickers of light.

Billy was curious and wanted to ask what it was but he couldn't spare even a moment as he coaxed the strange glowing substance down Kim's throat. A little color came back into her face. Her breathing became normal and soft. Slowly, ever so slowly her eyes fluttered open and she focused on her friend. "B…Billy?" Kim whispered unsure. She felt so very strange, not really herself.

Billy cradled Kim protectively to his chest. "Thank God." He whispered softly.

"I'm not sure the gods had anything to do with it." Finster said suddenly, startlingly Billy from his thoughts. He had forgotten the elderly monster maker was there. But there was the white rabbit, holding out another vial of silver liquid with gold bits but now the sparkle of energy was blue.

"Drink this. Though your method of residual energy removal was basic, this will make sure there are no lasting effects." Finster assured. Billy blushed and took the vial downing it quickly, like a shot.

"Now I suggest you both get some sleep." Finster said packing his bag as he stood to leave.

Billy wanted to thank him but as he opened his mouth to speak a yawn came out instead. His deep blue eyes already feeling so very heavy with sleep.

Finster shut the door, shaking his head as he walked the hallway. That was too close for comfort. If Lord Zedd had lost his leverage over the blue ranger…ex-blue ranger, he would have been quite unhappy. Everyone in the palace would have been unhappy.

It had been too much dark power… too much and too soon. Zedd, if he was sober, would be regretting this move. Plans would have to be set back now. They were still too "good", changing their human hearts was proving to be a slow process. Humans were such funny creatures. Born neither good nor evil, with the capacity to change, to choose one side or the other. It wasn't like that usually. In the universe you were good or bad, no in between. Finster sighed and set his bag on the table in his work shop. The little clay creatures waiting to be created, greeting him with small noises. Unpacking the bag he slowly pulled out two glass vials containing golden shavings.

Tiny amounts of their power coins filed off. Finster sighed; they both now had an infusion of "good" again as it were. It would take months to get them back to where they should be. Craving the dark, seeking the dark, begging for it. He would talk to Zedd, perhaps there might be a way to speed up the process.

***************************Hallway outside Rita's chambers***********************

Goldar frowned as the door shut. He had been unable to find the dozens of children there used to be on earth. Having returned with only ten, already now toys for Rita's amusement. Humans took longer to reproduce then most monsters. Even finding humans had been hard on this trip. At this rate he would need to suggest some kind of breeding program be created using the slaves they already had on the moon. Sure Zedd wasn't one for having, ick, kids around but kids did eventually become the young adults that he liked so much.

Goldar thought it over more as he walked to his chamber. The stone door opened with a single word of command from his lips. The chamber was dark with a thick animal scent. Only a few thick candles on the walls illuminated the room. Red banners and sharp weapons hung from the ceiling. There was a large basin set against the wall the size of a hot tub. It was a strange combination studio apartment and wild animal den. The bed wasn't so much a bed but large piles of furs of varying sizes and patterns.

Goldar removed his armor and stretched his wings fully. Goldar smiled in the mirror. He was quite the good looking monster. He would take a hot musk bath then see to his prize. Kimberly was still his. It had been the offer on the table, though Rita had not mentioned it when he took her toys to be. Well he would just blame it on her should Zedd be angry. There wasn't any hiding the fact the relationship was severely strained. Close to crumbling, everyone in the castle knew that and Goldar knew what side he planned to be on should it all come crashing down.

The winning side.

*******************************Space ship**********************************

"How's that Rocky?" Aisha asked as Rocky rubbed at his eyes.

"Yeah, my sights back. I'm alright now." Rocky said taking in the room. It was not a very large holding area, maybe twenty feet by about thirty feet. The walls were a metallic black, the floor a metallic gray. This place wasn't a hotel that was for sure. There was a small pile of bedding in the one corner and that's when Rocky saw her. The tall blonde sitting all alone.

"What's up with her?" He asked Aisha, nodding towards the girl.

Aisha shrugged. "She hasn't said a word this whole time. And she, smells kind of like alcohol. Some of the harem girls said her name's Kat and that she…isn't nice. Some of the girls referred to her as the kitty with claws."

Kat snorted from her corner. She couldn't believe they were talking about her. She was nice…well back on earth. Ugh, she had such a migraine. She wished there was liquor in here. Reality was becoming too clear for her liking. Well at least she has all the nice soft and warm bedding to herself and she had no intention of sharing. As far as she knew this place might be the same as the harem, survival of the fittest.

There was the sound of metal sliding on metal. A small opening at the base of the door slide to the side and a tray of food and water slides in. Even though she had her back towards the door and the other humans, Kat could smell the food. Her tummy growled loudly.

The other two were eating, she could hear it. Slowly Kat risked a glance towards them. Her eyes catching sight of the roasted chicken, the pile of white rice and serving plate of fruits. Some of the fruit was dried, some was fresh. Kat licked her lips with hunger and suddenly felt eyes on her as she locked gaze with Rocky. Quickly Kat whipped her head back around to face the blank wall again. She was hungry but not hungry enough to beg…yet. There was a good amount of food too. Kat hoped they would be kind enough to leave her some scraps. Kat looked at her lap feeling the tears well up. Why would they be kind, she hadn't been kind, she had just been surviving.

"Hey you should come eat." Aisha called over, her voice loud in the metal room. Kat covered her ears, her head hurt so much.

Aisha saw and snorted with slight anger. "Why of all the…what is she too good to eat with us?"

But Rocky was already on his feet approaching the girl. Kat stiffened slightly as he crouched near her. He didn't want to frighten her. "Hey, I'm Rocky." He whispered, Kat locked eyes with him again…Yup, it was just as the thought. "Come eat something, we'll keep it down. I know your head must be hurting."

"I…okay…" Kat said softly. She had no reason to trust this man but there was something about him. He didn't seem like a liar.

Aisha frowned slightly but didn't say anything as Kat joined them. Kat took a few bites of chicken but then paused for a moment, her hand going to her head. Even chewing made the throbbing hurt more.

"Here can I help?" Rocky offered reaching for Kat's hand. With great hesitation she allowed him to take her hand into his. Rocky slowly began to massage the webbing between her thumb and pointer finger. Kat felt the pain in her head begin to melt away and she sighed becoming content. This touch was not perverse or invasive. After a few moments Rocky stopped. "Feel better?" He asked. Kat nodded she wasn't 100% but it was much better. "How did you know what to do?"

Rocky looked away slightly. "My mom was an alcoholic."

The trio fell silent eating once more. Aisha was the next to speak after a few minutes. "I'm Aisha, by the way."

Kat gave the girl a slight smile. "I'm Katherine, Kat if you prefer."

Rocky smiled. It was a start.

*********************************Kitchen***************************************

Justin flopped down onto the soft mattress. He hadn't been in a bed since earth. Adam smiled at the kid's contentment. They certainly had moved up in the world as it were and full bellies felt so good. Still he missed Rocky and Aisha deeply. Harem meals went out twice a day. Maybe he could eventually work his way up to helping deliver those meals. He might see his friends again, if only a glimpse. Even as his mind drifted Adam took of his dirty chef coat and put it in the sink. He then filled a plastic bucket with hot water and grabbed the soap.

Sitting down near a drain, on a wooden three legged stool, Adam began to wash his body. He could swear he could still smell the pig's blood on his skin.

"What are you doing Adam?" Justin asked from the little doorway.

"What does it look like? I'm taking a bath." Adam said scrubbing the soapy was cloth against his skin then dumping the bucket over his head.

"Weirdest bath I've ever seen." Justin said softly, realizing he might have offended his new friend. Adam could sense Justin's hesitation as he began to dry off with a towel, he laugh softly showing Justin he was not mad.

"It's how we bath in Korea. I didn't move to America till I was, well about your age. And speaking of bathing, when's the last time you had a real bath? Because you are not sleeping in that clean bed if you are dirty." Adam teased while putting his pants back on and grabbing clean under shirt. He would need to try and scrub his chef coat clean but that could wait for the moment.

Adam couldn't hide the smirk on his face as he approached Justin and sensing something was amiss Justin let out a soft eep and turned to run. He was a second to slow as Adam's already wiggling tickling fingers grabbed him around the belly. Justin squeaked once then began to laugh hard. Adam stopped after a minute and ruffled the boy hair gently. "Go take a bath."

Still giggling Justin nodded and went to do just that. Adam could hear the water splashing from where he stood now by the cave entrance. He gazed out across the kitchen. The kitchen really wasn't that bad of a place to be trapped but as he sat in his thoughts, he worried more and more for Aisha and Rocky. Adam sighed, even though he wasn't sure anyone was out there to hear him, silently, Adam prayed for a miracle.

*****************************Rita's room****************************************

Queen Rita was happier than she had been in weeks. Yes the toys were fewer in number than she wanted but it was a start. She would need to send Goldar again in a few days, maybe to a different area of earth. She wanted more playthings. As nice as toys were to have again she felt sad. Master Vile had left. She thought for sure her daddy would have freed her from this unhappy marriage but no such divorce had happened. Squatt and Baboo had informed her of Zedd's gift to her father. More exotic pets, after all humans only came from this one little blue planet. Her father always did love his pets more than her. Rita sighed, she didn't have a head ache, she felt almost numb.

Even as her new toys danced before her Rita feel more aged than she should. At that moment the empress of evil was a sad sight. Looking like a grownup who very much wished she was still a child. At least Rito was still here in the castle. She would have someone she could real trust. Family always stuck together.

Still she had duties to attend to. In a few hours Zedd would be up and most likely very cranky. She might as well get some sleep now while there was a little peace and quiet.

***************************Billy and Kim's room*******************************

"Is the coast clear?" Skull whispered to Bulk. They had been hiding in the dark of Kimberly's wardrobe for hours now.

Bulk pressed his little wooden ear against the door. "Yes, I think so." Very slowly he pushed the door open. It creaked slightly and the sound was so loud in the room. Seeing it was all clear Bulk and Skull hopped to the floor and ran to check on their unconscious friends.

"Bulk? Are they okay?" Skull asked. Bulk put his hand on Kimberly's forehead. "Her fever is all gone, she is breathing okay." Next he moved to Billy. "He's okay too, just in a deep sleep."

Skull felt his wooden feet splash in something on the stone floor. "What is this? Water?"

Bulk shook his head.

"Eww!" Skull squealed, squishing the wet clothing a bit under foot.

"She couldn't help it numb skull, the fever made her body lose control. Help me get a towel, she shouldn't sleep wet, neither should Billy." Bulk immediately turned to go get some towels from behind the partition in the room.

Skull watched his friend go. Was it just him or was Bulk acting strange, even for Bulk.

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