****************Command Chamber************************

He had come to think of this spot as his corner. His own private little place where no one bothered him. Justin sighed and pulled his knees tighter to his chest. It was always quiet here in the command chamber. Justin sniffed. It was a bit chilly as well but he didn't mind the cold. It was sobering. The little corner was a good, safe place where he could think things through and let his walls down.

The world was still barely holding on. Not to mention having to survive. With Ninjor gone, his magic vase certainly didn't make food appear anymore. They we completely reliant on Ernie for supplies and Justin felt guilty about it.

So many people still went hungry. He had seen it while at the juice bar helping out in ranger form. So many hopeless faces. It weight heavy on his small heart. This isn't what he thought being a ranger would be like.

He hated that he still didn't fully trust the others. Adam was the only one he trusted completely. The others, while good people, just saw him as a happy go lucky kid.

He was afraid to show them any other side of himself. He wasn't stupid. He knew that the others kept him around because he was a ranger but he had learned form Alpha that powers could be transferred. They could be taken away or stolen or lost if the wolf spirit found someone more worthy.

Then he would just be a kid. A burden to all of them... except maybe Adam.

Justin let the tears flow. He had seen first hand what was happening to his new family. Lines were being drawn in the sand. People were picking sides and no one had told him why. The team lacked any form of real harmony. And as much as he admired Tommy... Justin was starting to have doubts about the white ranger. Doubts that scared him to his core.

If things couldn't be fixed. If they couldn't work as a team. Would everything break apart and shatter? Would they fail and Divatox take over? Would she lock them away like she had Ninjor? Would they be killed? Would they all die?

Would he be all alone again? That thought brought bitter fear into him. What was he going to do?

What could he do?

… he was just a kid.

**************** Island of Illusions*******************

Hot sun, warm sand and clear blue skies greeted the rangers as they appeared on the island. The air smelled fresh and slightly salty from the sea. The sand was soft under there feet. It felt just right, not to hot or humid but almost a relaxing warmth. Adam cast his eyes around. A thick jungle of deep green just a few yards away from the beach. He always liked green. "You know for a trap, I wasn't expecting anything so nice." He turned to Kimberly, suddenly noticing how pale she looked. "Kim? What's wrong?"

"The foot prints..." Kimberly said pointing down at the sand. Adam glanced down as she spoke. He could see several pairs of foot prints in the sand. People must have been here recently. Kimberly continued. "There ours... I mean... from the first time we were here, like, a year ago." She shook her head in disbelief. The island hadn't changed at all. "That's Jason, " She pointed to a set of tracks. "and that's Trini, and Zack, Billy and me." Kimberly leaned back onto a nearby rock and covered her eyes with her hand. It was all still so fresh. She hadn't really mourned her friends yet. How could she? There hadn't been any time.

A gentle hand on her arm brought Kimberly back from the sea of dark emotions she had been drowning in. "Come on Kim." Adam said softly. "Let's get out of the sun."

She nodded. "Right, we have a key to find. Maybe Quagmire could help us."

Adam blinked at the strange name. First time he had heard it. "Who?"

"He's about this tall." Kim held up her hand, not so very high. "Dressed all in green and playing a flute. If it hadn't been for his help. This island would have destroyed us. Though he wasn't very friendly when we first met him. I think he thought he were working for Rita. Not, you know, her enemy."

"Right okay, so where is he?" Adam asked, moving some thick green leaves to the side. The path they had found to walk on was pretty clear, even as it lead deeper into the forest. They ground was harder here, compacted dirt. At least that meant no more foot prints of those who were no longer alive.

Kimberly shrugged. "He always found us."

They traveled the path for an hour or so. It was impossible to tell time. Listening for music and calling out for the little imp but the forest remained still and quiet. Unnaturally so. Adam hadn't heard a bird call, hadn't seen a single bug or butterfly. It was if the only non plant living things on the island were the two rangers. The frog was starting to feel spooked. "Let's take a break." Adam offered.

"Yeah. I'm getting pretty tired." Kimberly replied. "Not fainting tired, just frustrated, you know?" She felt the need to clarify. She still felt exactly the same as when they arrived, so at least that theory had been right.

Adam nodded. "Here." He offered her one of the bottles of water Aisha had given them to take. "Rest a bit. I'll scout on ahead a little ways. Wait right here Kim." Adam didn't like the commanding tone in his voice but Billy would never forgive him if anything happened to Kimberly and Tommy would probably kill him.

"Don't worry. I'll be here." She replied from her seat in the shade. As soon as he was out of sight among the tropical plants the sound of a flute on her right made her jump. "Quagmire! You scared me!" she practically shouted at the little man in green.

Quagmire gave a hearty laugh. "It was just a little fun, come now pink ranger don't be glum." he winked playfully at her.

Kimberly laughed at that. "Okay it was funny but don't do it anymore. We've been looking all over for you."

He gave a bow. "Kimberly, pink ranger though and though, what can I do to help you?"

"We're looking for a key. I think it might be here, well really it was Billy's idea that our friend Ninjor might have hidden it here."

Quagmire nodded. "The armored fellow in blue, but tell me Kim, what's this key to you?" Quagmire was clearly curious. He didn't care for how popular his island was seeming to become.

"It's the last piece of the key that can free Ivan Ooze and..."

"Ooze! Now that is indeed bad news!" Quagmire interrupted.

"I know but we have to find the key part. Make sure evil can't get it. If they ever find out is here..." Kimberly let he voice fade softly, she didn't want to say what would happen to Quagmire's home if Divatox came. She didn't need too. The little man's eyes spoke volumes. Kimberly continued. "So please Quagmire, can you help us?"

Quagmire was quiet for a long moment before sighing. "Ranger whose heart is so true. I'll tell you what I am going to do. They key you seek is where sea and sky meet. The pools of tide is where you need to be, that way..." He gestured with his hand to a path Kimberly was sure wasn't there a moment ago. "and mind the trees."

"Thank you Quagmire."

"Kim? Did you say something?" Adam's voice called back from the path.

"No! Everything's fine." She replied before turning back to her minstrel, magic friend. "Adam's coming. Are you going to hang around and meet him? Or vanish again?"

Quagmire shook his head no. "Adam is a friend that's new but give him a chance Kimberly. He'd be genuine with you."

Kimberly tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

But Quagmire said no more, putting pan pipe to lips and playing a few notes before vanishing right before her eyes.

"Kim?" Adam questioned. "Is everything okay? I thought I heard music."

"You just missed Quagmire. He says the key part is that way in some tidal pools." Kimberly pointed to the path across from them.

Adam blinked, had that path always been there? "Do you want some more time to rest?"

Kimberly shook her head. "I don't feel tired yet." She was already on her feet. "So let's get going. Oh and mind the trees."

"Mind them for what?"

"No idea." Kimberly replied. "Just something Quagmire said and he wouldn't have warned without a good reason."

Adam nodded. He would be wary of the trees. Though so far, nothing seemed dangerous.

He would be proven wrong... and sooner than he knew.

********************** Divatox submarine***************************

Ninjor hung limply from chains bound tightly on his arms. Everything hurt. His armor was damaged badly, his mind slipping in and out of consciousness. At least Divatox hadn't captured a ranger... though that Scorpina woman had worried him.

Water continued to drip along the walls in his leaky cell. A fish-scaled rat scuttled among the molding hay and broken cargo boxes. At least they couldn't bite him. A human would be another matter. There was no sign of the rangers coming for him and he couldn't blame them. They were barely more than children. What had Zordon been thinking? There were so many other species, so many others who would have made better protectors of this little blue ball. He was sure that if Zordon had tried he would have found assistance on Edenoi or Aquitar to fight back Rita's forces. Choosing humans had seemed risky from the start. Such a strange species. He hoped beyond hope that they had understood his words. Aisha liked poetry and literature. Perhaps she would have figured his clue out.

Ninjor was so lost in thought he barely heard the door to his cell opening.

Rygog stood there with an electric whip. "Ready to talk yet?"

Ninjor didn't reply.

Rygog smiled. "Good, because this is the part I enjoy." The villain laughed turning on the electric whip. "Time for some fun."

Ninjor took a deep breath...

And willed himself not to scream.

*************************** Dumpster***************************

A sudden jolt work Rita from her sleep. For a moment she only sat up, pulling the sleep mask from her eyes. There is was again! That banging sound. "Zeddie! Zeddie wake up!" She elbowed her snoring husband in the side.

Zedd growled, "What is it?"

"Listen." Rita hushed him before he could complain more. "Someone's outside."

Just as Zedd was about to call his wife a fool, the top of the trash prison was removed. Bright, blinding light flooding into the capsule. There was a whoosh of air and the feeling of being pulled out and freed.

Zedd stood a moment later, his full size once more. "What?"

"Daddy!" Rita shouted embracing her father. "Oh Daddy! I'm so happy to see you."

Zedd frowned, of all the people to free them, why did it have to be Master Vile?

"Rita! My little bat wing pie! I was so worried. I knew you didn't have this ranger thing handled. My little dark princess. Don't worry, daddy's here now. I'll make those rangers pay. No one put my daughter back in her box."

"Now see here Master Vile. While I appreciate you freeing us. I will be the one to take vengeance on the power rangers." Zedd said stepping forward.

"Zedd don't be such a brat." Rita chastised. Now was not the time to pick a fight.

Master Vile gave him a look, like one gives a child having a temper tantrum. "You have had more then enough chances. And I won't have my Rita continue to be dragged down though the mud of failure. Besides, these rangers are much stronger than the originals you fought."

Zedd crossed his arms. "Yes I heard about your run in with the white falcon ranger. How he almost destroyed you."

Master Vile steamed. "He merely surprised me. That's all. I have more than enough power to end them all."

Rita bit her lower lip. It was clear Zedd and her father were close to coming to blows over this. "We would love your help daddy." Rita said in a sing song voice. "At least getting the moon castle back in shape and getting my magic back up to par."

Master Vile let out a deep breath. "Alright, we can get the moon castle fixed up." He turned to Zedd. "But this isn't over Zedd. If I have to go to Dark Spector, I will. Mark my words. Come Rita. Why don't we get you something to eat?" Master Vile held out his arm and Rita took it without hesitation. They turned to go, servants following behind.

Zed narrowed his eyes as they walked away. "Consider them marked..."