The first time she met him was the night after her mother's funeral.

It was an emotionally draining day as Alexandria or Alex (as she preferred to be call by her friends, when she had some) and she had just gone to bed. It was one of the rare days that her step-father Dick Coulson didn't hit her or abuse her in anyway. He had seemed truly sad during the service as they had said good bye to Alex's mother Jessica and her lifeless body was placed in the ground with Alex's father Ben and older brother Jackson. But like always the moment they had come home Dick had let the façade fall and had told Alex that if she wished to avoid punishment she would go to her room and stay there for the rest of the day. This was a blessing as she didn't want to deal with him, eat or do anything, as she felt numb all over in her sadness.

Like most nights Alex cried herself to sleep, where horrible and terrible nightmares waited, where she could not escape her step-father. This night however things were different as she fell into what she knew would be a restless sleep. The Light Shard, the milky white crystal that was the pendent of her neckless that her mother had given her, the very thing that made her The Keeper of Light (though she didn't know it yet), it heard the plea of her heart. With the light and powers that were connected and intertwined within the Light Shard, it led her to one who could be her friend.

Alex didn't know this at first as she had wrapped her arms around her legs, her face buried into her knees as she cried. She didn't see that she was not in the darkness of a nightmare but on the sandy shore of a beach. She didn't see the beautiful sunset that was before her, or hear the sounds of the gentle waves near her feet. There was only her sadness at losing of her mother and her step- father's cruelty, with no end in sight. Alex was so focused on the darkness and negativity in her life that she didn't see the paradise that surrounded her.

Or that she wasn't alone.

"Why are you crying?" Alex jumped and turned up to look at the owner of the voice, fear fulling her. She looked up at a boy who looked about her height, perhaps a bit taller, with short but spiky moon silver hair. His aquamarine eyes studied her in confusion but also concern. Alex looked up at him with a bit of uncertainty as Dick had scared off all of her friends and any kids that wanted to do anything with her. If the boy noticed her fear he didn't show it as he sat down next to her and smiled. "Are you new to Destiney Islands?"

Alex frowned at him. "Destiny Islands? I live in North Dakota." It was only then she took notice of her surroundings and Alex's felt her jaw drop in the beauty before her. "But- how?"

"Where's North Dakota? I've never heard of it, is it another world?" the boy asked hopefully now as he looked at her.

"Another world?" Alex asked confused even more. "Who are you?"

"I'm Riku and this is my home. "Well not this island my house is actually on the main one across the water. This is the one my friends and I come to play, well when we're not in school that is. What's your name?" he asked.

"Alexandria Smith, but call me Alex." she answered giving him the first smile she had in a very long time.

-o0o-

Alex saw Riku a lot after that first meeting, which was a welcome relief from her nightmares, both awake and a sleep. They talked most of the time, learning about each other as they sat in what they came to call their dream scape. It wasn't always the island they would meet up, sometimes it was one of their schools, Riku's house or a park Alex frequented. Alex was surprised that Riku was so mature for being 2 years older than her 11 years but it was something she appreciated greatly about him. As Alex told him of the daily life she faced from Dick, Riku was horrified and angry by what she shared with him. It had him wishing more than once that they were in the same world, because then he could tell his dad or member of law enforcement and get her away from the man. It broke his heart some nights when Alex had had a very bad day at Dick's hands, or in his bed, and all she could do was cling to Riku and cry.

Riku tried to think of a way to help his new friend, despite being in a different world and seeming beyond his influence, save in their joined dreams. He did take his dilemma to his dad but when he explained that Alex was a girl he dreamed about every night that was be abused, his dad brushed it aside, saying she didn't really exists. Frustrated by not getting the guidance he needed Riku threw rocks in the ocean that evening on the play island. His best friend Sora, who was the same age as Alex, watched him worried for his best friend. "Riku what is it that has you so upset today?"

Riku sighed as he let his shoulders slouch in defeat and leaned against the Papu tree. "If I told you, I don't think you would believe me. My dad sure didn't" he said bitterly.

"Now Riku, how do you know that for sure unless you tell us?" Kairi asked as she joined them, a smile on her face. Seeing her smile put him at ease and let him put his frustrations aside as he told them about Alex. He still feared that they wouldn't believe him but the wide eyed looks on their faces put that fear aside. "That's horrible." Kairi said once he was done.

"But if she's in another world and is talking to you in your dreams there has to be a way to get to her world. Well- when you're awake." Sora said thoughtfully and wisely for once.

"If there is she and I don't know it." Riku said letting his frustration show once again as he threw some more rocks. Than an idea came to him as he looked at Kairi. "Wait, Kairi you came from another world right?"

"You already know that Riku." Kairi pointed out with a frown.

"Hear me out. Maybe if we can go to where you came from they might have a way to get to other worlds, we use it and go help Alex." He said hopefully and it was with that thought in mind that they started to build the raft. Riku felt good that night as he went to bed and was soon pulled into their dream scape, he was excited to tell Alex about their plans to find a way to other worlds. He was a bit surprised to see the smile and relaxed look on Alex's face as she sat on a swing in the playground. "Alex, has something happened?" he asked as he sat on the swing next to hers, hopeful that an adult in her world had realised what was happening to his friend and saved her.

"You could say that Riku, though I don't know how you're going to feel about it." Alex said as she looked up at the sky, her smile growing. "I ran away from home, not that it much of a home anymore."

Riku stared at her in awe. "Alex that's great but what are you going to do about food and shelter? Are you in a safe place right now in your world?" he was now more worried about her safety then before when she was living with that monster. They at least knew what to expect day to day from Dick, well the world its self was always unpradicable.

"Don't worry Riku, I'm in a hammock up in a tree in a thicket not too far from a less used highway. No animal or human will bother me tonight." Alex assured him, her smile growing bigger by the minuet. He was finding it infectious as he also began to smile. Though the situation wasn't ideal or very safe but Riku could see that she was a lot happier, which made him happy. From their previous discussions he knew that the "country" she lived in was very large, so perhaps her chances were good. Every night after they talked every time they were together about how she could survive on her own and stay out of Dick's clutches. She did have some close calls with police, other homeless or just people who saw her as a push over as she tried to mame enough money to get to Scotland and her great uncle.

Then after Alex had been on the road, travelling across the US for almost a year and was now 12 years old, her world gained superheroes' and a dangerous enemy. Riku wasn't sure what to think of the Power Rangers or of the space witch Rita Rapulsa, with her army of monsters. He found it all farfetched, especially since the attacks were all mostly contained in one city, Angel Grove. Soon though he had an idea that made not only Alex and him smile, but Sora and Kairi when he shared it with them. Riku suggested to Alex to head to Angel Grove, as he figured that Dick wouldn't think to look for her in a place constantly over run by monster attacks. Alex agreed with gusto as she wanted to see the rangers in action, well at the same time wanting to see about restarting her own martial arts training. Alex then of course had to explain what that was to the poor islander boy and even started to teach him the basics of what she remembered from her own training.

Alex soon told Riku that she had arrived in Angel Grove and they gained a new location in their dream scape. It was the city itself and Riku was in awe of it as Alex showed him around what she had seen so far. Well they explored Riku told her that the raft was slowly taking shape so it would still be some time till he, Sora and Kairi, were ready to set sail across their world's ocean. "Don't rush. I'm safe for now and it's better to get the job right the first time. I would hate for you guys to be in the middle of the nowhere on water as the raft started to come apart." Alex told him making both of them laugh at the thought.

It was a month later things changed for the better and the worst when they learned about Alex being the Keeper of Light.

-o0o-

The Mysterious Tower- Master Yen Sid's office, Four Years Later

Riku and Mickey stood at attention in front of the great wizard and former keyblade welder's desk, wondering why they were there. Ever since Riku, his majesty Mickey Mouse, Axel, and an old friend of Riku's (who he refused to tell all but Sora and Kairi the identity of), had rescued Sora from Organization Xlll they had been trying to gather allies. In their search to find a way into the realm of darkness to save Master Aqua, Master Yen Sid had called Riku and Micky back. He believed that he may have found something that could help them not only in the coming war but in their search. "Riku, Mickey, thank you for returning so quickly. The information I have to share with you is of the up most importance."

"What is it that you have discovered that is so important Master?" Riku asked curious.

"I recalled a passage I had read years ago about a survivor of the first Keyblade War and an artifact of great power that was passed to him, it was a source of light and darkness, kept in perfect balnce. It is called the Light Shard, placed in the care of the wizard Quill and the great sage Zordon eons ago. The world that they lived in was not an easy one to retch but I believe that by combining both the power of a keyblade and the Star Shard, you will be transported there." Master Yen Sid explained as he pulled the shard out of a pouch and placed it in Mickey's hand. "Remember this, as the Light Shards protectors, neither Zordon nor Quill will have made finding it easy. Proceed with caution my young friends and keep the world order."

"We'll do our best Master." Mickey said as he gripped the star shard tightly as he and Riku bowed before they left. Once outside the tower Mickey held up the shard well Riku opened a gate with his keyblade. Once the gate was open the shard activated and both mouse and boy were enveloped in light and sent through the gate. The trip seemed to be instantaneous, void of bumps or turbulence of any kind. They landed in what looked like a simple park of some kind with people walking through it, well tall strange buildings were not too far off in the distance

"This kind of looks familiar in some- Ah! Mickey is that you?" Riku asked as he looked down at Mickey in surprise. Standing in the small rounded eared mouse king's place was a small boy with jet black hair that was short like Riku's but less spiky, with hazel eyes. The white gloves Micky always wears on his hands were gone which allowed him to look at his now human hands in awe.

"This is by far the oddest thing that has ever happened to me." Mickey muttered ad he continued to look himself over.

"I guess the gear felt that you would stick out if you looked like yourself here." Riku said as he knelt and looked at his friend, thinking he look a bit like a younger Sora. They soon got over the shock of Mickey looking like a little kid and began their search for the Light Shard. "It's too bad Master Yen Sid didn't have any further information, or at least an idea where we could locate the Light Shard." Riku commented as he looked around at their surroundings.

"We may have to see if there is a library and if there would be any records or books about it, Quill or Zordon. Who knows it might be a part of this world's history." Mickey suggested optimistically. They had just asked a jogger where the library was located when screams retched their ears. Thinking it was heartless the two keyblade masters ran towards the danger, to only stop dead in their tracks in surprise.

In front of them there was a monster that looked like a robot rat with cannons mounted in its shoulders, a pointed helmet rested on its head and it had armor all over its body. It was fighting 5 very colorful masked warriors that were fighting their hardest against it. Riku and Mickey watched as they tried a group attack to have it stopped by the rat and it threw them all back with a laugh. "Give it up rangers, you've met your match." It laughed.

"Not yet we haven't." came a voice as two new figures arrived on the scene, taking the robot-rat by surprise and hitting it directing in the chest. The first was clearly male, dressed in black with a gold chess plate that had the same marking as their comrades had. His helmet had an odd symbol where the man's face would be, which matched the shape of the top of his small- was that a wand? The second arrival was a few feet short then her black and gold counterpart, her outfit was red and gold. Her helmet was very different to the others as it had three gold frills on her red helmet that started at the front of helmet and end near the back in points. (A/N: think similar to the new style on Tommy's old green ranger helmet, but more bird like. I know it's not the best description.) She had two long swords, one in each hand her stance low ready to strike well the others got to their feet and regrouped behind their two friends.

"Nice timing you two." asked the red ranger as he clasped the two new comers on their shoulders. The metal rat by this point had recovered from the blow and hissed in pain. "You'll pay for that Gold, and Phoenix rangers." It hissed angrily.

"Sorry Robo-Rat but you're going down." The Phoenix ranger told him as she led the charge, the other rangers pulling out their weapons and the fight started a new. At one point some strange silver and bronze robots showed up to support the Robo-Rat but the rangers seemed to handle the situation well as Riku and Mickey watched unnoticed. That is until the robot rat spotted them and saw an opportunity which after sending red and blue rangers flying he ran over. Pushing Riku out of the way Robo-Rat grabbed Mickey by the back of his shirt and turned to the now stunned rangers.

"Put the kid down Robo-Rat!" the gold ranger told him as he, pink and phoenix stood a few feet from the monster. Robo-Rat laughed but it turned to a cry of pain as Riku's keyblade, Way to the Dawn, cut though his armor, taking both the monster and the three rangers by surprise. Robo-Rat dropped Mickey, who also summand his keyblade and cut through his legs, making him fall to the ground with a cry of pain.

"Who are you two?" Robo-Rat asked as Riku, Mickey and the three rangers stood over him.

"Sorry but that's not something you're going to find out." Riku told him as he put Way to the Dawn at Robo-Rat's throat, or the robot equivalent thereof. Then suddenly Robo-Rat and the remaining Cogs were teleported away, making Mickey and Riku jump in shock. With the immediate threat dealt with the rangers all joined them as the two keyblade welders dismissed their keys, which didn't go unnoticed. "Sorry about stepping in like that but I wasn't about to let that monster hurt my friend." Riku explained as he turned to them.

"It's alright we understand the need to protect your friend but we would like to know how you did it." The Red ranger stated well Phoenix looked both of them over for any injures, or that's what it looked like to Riku. "Who are you two exactly? From your cloths and strange weapons, I would gather a guess that you two are not from around here." She asked when she was satisfied they both were unharmed.

Riku frowned at her as he could swear that he recognized her voice and there was the way she said that they weren't from around there that made cerious. He began to wonder about her as Mickey gave the rangers their names and said that they were from out of town. "We came here looking for some information on an artifact that we are looking for. A dear friend of ours, he's our teacher actually, sent us to come find it and we were just on our way to the library to do some research." Mickey told them without reviling any information he shouldn't.

"Right, sure, ok." The blue ranger said as he looked at his fellow rangers as he crossed his arms and then turned back to them. "So what's the real story?"

"That really is why we're here." Riku said feeling that a little more information from them might convince these ranger that they were not here to cause trouble. He knew from Alex that after the whole "evil green ranger" incident that the rangers were always cautious of the unknown. "The artifact is said to have two protectors who most likely have it hidden somewhere for safe keeping. The protector's names were Quill and Zordon."

Despite the fact that the rangers may wear masks to hide their faces, and their expressions, it didn't stop them all jumping in surprise at hearing their long time mentor's name. "From your reactions I thinks it's safe to say you all recognise those names." Micky observed with a small smile.

Before any of them could respond in anyway their communicators went off and the red ranger answered. "We read you Zordon." Both keyblade welders couldn't help but stare when they realised Zordon was still alive. Though if they were surprised the rangers were more so when the great sage told them to bring Riku and Mickey to the command center. The two looked around when they teleported in, looking around in awe until their eyes fell on Zordon and their jaws dropped. "Welcome Riku and Mickey, I am Zordon of Eltar. Why do you seek the Light Shard?"

"Wow, right to the point and no giving them time to process, pulse how do you know that is what their looking for?" Phoenix muttered and was immediately shushed by the rest of the rangers. Riku frowned at her again as such a comment and the way it was said was very familiar to him. He pushed it aside for the moment and turned his attention back the hug floating head in front of him. "Well sir you see about 15 years back some friends of ours went missing because of the actions if one man, Xahenort." Mickey then told them of the events that led to Terra's disappearance, Ventus being put into hiding to recover, that the forth apprentice went into hiding, and Aqua falling into the darkness. "It's our hope that the Light Shard can led us to one if not all four of our lost friends, before the coming Keyblade War begins."

"I'm sorry for interrupting." The yellow ranger said stepping forward. "But what is a keyblade exactly?"

"This-" Riku summoned his keyblade and showed it to them. "Is a keyblade. It not only can unlock and lock anything but it can open passage ways to other worlds. It also acts a conduit so we can case spells and such." Riku would usually hold to the rule that he shouldn't tell others of other worlds but if his suspicions were correct a friend of his would have his back.

"I know of keyblades and of the ancient war. It would seem that this Xehanort wished to recreate the x-blade and open Kingdom Hearts." Zordon said thoughtfully but there was a hint of fear in his voice, which rarely happened and it scared them. The rangers could only recall one time they hear fear in their mentor's voice and that time he was dieing.

"You know of the X-Blade and of Kingdom Hearts? How?" Riku asked curious.

"I was there, as was Quill." Now everyone started but before anyone could question him for more details he continued. "It is not something I wish to go into great detail save this. The Light Shard is not only a part of the Heart of the Morphing Grid, it was made from the x-blade's destruction at the end of the war. It was placed in our care and we brought it to our dimension to not only keep it safe but to protect Quill as well. For you see when the Light Shard was made it bonded with my dear friend and those to his blood line, as my rangers already know."

"So that means that if we wish to use it to find our friends we need to have his descendent with us?" Mickey asked to which Zordon nodded.

"Long after Quill's death those who were given the responsibility to safe guard it and its light were given the title, Keeper of Light." Zordon explained. "The current Keeper is the Phoenix Ranger, who stands right behind you."

All eyes fell on Phoenix as she did a little bow to the two keyblade masters and it was then that Riku knew for sure who it was behind the mask. He had to fight the urge to smile as he knew that she was having a bit of fun at the moment at everyone else's expense. Before she could say anything though the Gold ranger pulled her behind him. In that moment Riku could feel not only his heated glare but Red's as well, along with everyones protectiveness to her. "Sorry but she's not going anywhere with you two." Gold said in a sharp voice.

"You have no reason to fear your sister's safety from us Jason and Tommy." Riku couldn't keep the smile off his face any more as both now named rangers took steps back in surprise well Phoenix started to laugh. A second later there was a flash of light that emanated out of her and all of them demorphed. The smile Alex had on her face was worth reviling their little well-kept secret, even though her two brothers were glaring at him. "Oh calm down you guys, they have been telling the truth, right Riku?"

"Your right about that Alex, though I think I now know why you always said that I should never pick a fight with them. Or Zack, Trini, Kimberly and Billy, unless I'm wrong in my guess and neither of them were rangers." Riku ignoring the now shocked looks the teens, Mickey and Zordon were giving him.

"I was the original blue ranger but I'm not any more, well Zack was black, Trini was yellow and Kim was pink. I help out here in the command center and act as technical support these days. But how do you know my name and those of all my friends?" Billy said as he and Alpha walked in to the main room having been watching from the other room in an attempt to keep Billy's identity a secret.

"I can answer that." Alex said as she stepped over to Riku and Mickey, taking a second to poke the moon haired teen in the chest, earning a laugh from him. "Sorry, I just had to check. I told Riku all about you guys but left out that we were all rangers."

"But how and when?" Mickey asked confused as he looked between her and Riku.

"Well up until a few moments ago I was never really sure, save that the Light Shard had heard my heart's desire to have a friend when I really needed one. You see my mother was tricked into remarrying an abusive man who took advantage of her lung cancer to get what he wanted. Then she passed responsibility of protecting the Light Shard to me and I became the new Keeper of Light when she died. This left me alone with a man who could care less about me. The very night after her funeral I met Riku in what we have come to call our dream scape, which was over 4 years ago now." Alex explained well she and Riku smiled at each other.

The way the two were looking at each other didn't go unnoticed. Mickey was smiling, as was Zordon but Jason, Tommy and the other rangers were all glaring daggers as the still unknown young man. Too many monsters and their masters had tried all sort of tricks over the years to take the shard from Alex and her along with it. Because of that they were concerned that it may be a ploy to take both for some dark purpose. It didn't help when Mickey gasped as he came to realise something important. "It was you, wasn't it? You were the one who was there when Riku, Lea and I confronted Organization XIII to save Sora."

"Yes it was me your majesty. I'm surprised you figured it out so quickly as the power of the grid was vailing me so no one save Riku could see me properly." Alex said impressed. "The last thing I needed at the time was for Xehanort to know who I am before any of you really got to know me. I mean sure Sora, Kairi and I have heard a lot about each other over the past 4 years but the only time I've seen the goofball was when he was a sleep and needed rescuing. By the way who falls asleep during their Mark of Master Exam anyway?"

"Wait, back up a minuet Alex." Adam said interrupting as he stepped forward. "When did all this happen and who is this Sora guy you keep mentioning?"

"Sora is Riku's best friend, as for when all that happened it was a couple of months ago. Do you guys remember when Master Vile showed up and turned back time, and you all turned back into little kids?" Alex asked all of them.

"You mean that happened when the grid pulled you into it to protect you from Master Vile, Rita and Zedd?" Kat asked alarmed. "You told us that you me with the Emissaries of the Morphing Masters, the ones who made the morphine grid eons ago."

"That they tested you, gave you knowledge of the morphing grid, you found your Zord, gained a better understanding of your new abilities, and you talked with your mother Jessica." Billy said easily recalling all the details she had shared with them of her time in the grid, well out of Master Ville's grasp. None of them saw the look of surprise on Mickey's face as he quickly made it disappear to focus on the conversation.

Alex looked away a bit guilty, well Riku blushed as he also avoided looking any of them in the eye, well scratching the back of his head. "Well you see there was more to it that I didn't tell you guys as well- it was a bit on the dangerous side." She began to explain well she nervously played with her fingers and not looking at any of her fellow rangers.

Jason crossed his arms well giving his little sister a hard look. "How dangerous Alexandria?"

Alex closed her eyes as she took in an unsteady breath through her teeth, Riku looked down at her sympathetically. He knew, like Tommy, Billy and Jason that use of Alex's full first name brought back very bad memoires for her. Dick had only ever used her full name, especially when he was doing the worst things to her. Riku put a comforting hand on Alex's shoulder and gently squeezed well shooting an angry look at her adopted big brother. "I understand if you're upset about Alex keeping me and all of this from you guys but Jason you know what it does to her when you say her full name. If you have to be mad at someone be made at Xehanort or even me, but not her."

Seeing that Riku was really sincere about this well Alex grasped the hand that was resting on her shoulder, calmed not only Jason but the other rangers as well. They could see that Alex really was close to Riku and that he in turn did really care about her. Jason signed as he walked over and put a hand on Alex's available shoulder before he made her look at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you sis and Riku is right I know better than to use your full name."

"It's ok Jase, I'm getting better with hearing my full name." she assured him well giving him a hug. It was after that they learned a bit of what Alex had done during the time she had been pulled her out of their world and her involvement during Sora's and Riku's Mark of Mastery Exam.

Flashback- when Master Vile turned back time

Alex stood in the carnival grounds with her fellow rangers and watched as the skies blackened and lightning flashed, giving everyone reason to stop and stare. Though it had already been a tuff day for the rangers they knew that they had to be ready for whatever was coming next in Master Vile's planes. Suddenly Alex's head was filled with a stabbing pain, making her wince and hold it. "Alex, are you alright, what's wrong?" Billy asked being the first to notice the sudden change to the Keeper and their youngest ranger.

"I don't know. My head just started to hurt." Alex said closing her eyes against the growing pain.

Suddenly Kat gasped. "Alex, look at your feet." She said making all of them look down and stare in shock. From her feet up to about her knees they could see right through her and slowly it was spreading, causing not only the poor girl to panic but rest of the rangers as well.

"Guys what's happening to me?" Alex asked as she watched her hands become transparent, unshed tears filling her eyes.

Tommy quickly stood in front of her, grasping her shoulders and made her look at him. "Alex we'll figure it out, just try to use the Light Shard to stop- whatever this is." He tried to keep his own panic out of his voice well thinking if there was anything they could do to help her.

Alex shook her head, in full panic as tears fell down her face. "Tommy, I can't- focus, my head hurts too-" Alex cried out as she held her head as the pain was at the point her head felt like it was being ripped apart. "The grid is screaming!"

"Maybe if we can combine our Ninjetti energies into her and see if that helps." Aisha suggested discretely pulling out her power coin. Seeing more of Alex fading, the pain she was in and no other option being offered, Tommy nodded. They all pulled out their power coins quickly and tried to push their energies into Alex. This seemed to work as for a few moments she became solid once again but then she screamed and faded completely. They could only stare in shock at the place she had once been standing, not noticing what was happening around them. "Jason is so going to kill us." Billy muttered dismally as they were all turned into children.

Dream World: Travers Town

Riku stirred as he found himself waking up on the stone paved street in districted two, confused as he began to pick himself up. "What happened? Did I fall asleep?" he asked out load not expecting an answer but heard a groan to his left. Looking that way he was taken back as he saw Alex laying two feet from him on her side groaning. Riku was able to get up and went to her, putting a hand on her shoulder as she rolled over, well her eyes struggled to open. "Alex, are you ok?" he asked worried as he saw her wincing a bit as her hand came to rest on her face. It was then he noticed that she was looked to be 13, the same age when the Destiny Island disappeared.

"My head hurts enough already without you shouting Riku." Alex muttered as she pinch the bridge of her nose, willing the headache, no the migraine, she had to go away. "Wait Riku?" she finally opened her eyes and frowned at him.

"Yes Alex it's me but what are you doing here and why does your head hurt?" he asked as he helped her up, holding her against him well fishing out a potion and had her drink it. Alex's stomach turned as the potion hit it but she was able to keep it down and was relieved that the pain soon faded. She smiled up at him in thanks, which Riku was happy to return as he continued to hold her against him. It was then they both realised how close they were and blushed as Alex pulled out of his arms.

"So um… where are we exactly Riku? I don't recognize this place." Alex asked as she looked around trying to redirect their attention. Riku was about to answer when they heard soft foot falls causing both of them to take ready stances, Riku summoning Way to the Dawn. They both suddenly frowned at the beings walking towards them. Riku felt his eyebrows go up in confusion, well Alex looked like she almost couldn't believe her eyes. The red Tyrannosaurus, the blue Triceratops and the yellow Sabretooth Tiger rangers were walking towards them. "But how-" Alex started to ask but was suddenly cut off.

"Peace Keyblade welder and Keeper of Light, we are not who we appear to be. We are the Emissaries of the Morphin Masters and we come bearing a message and a gift for you young Keeper." The red ranger said in a voice that Alex did not recognize.

"The Morphin Masters, Alex what's going on?" Riku asked his dear friend well keeping his eyes on these three colorful costume people.

"It's ok Riku, we can trust them." Alex said as she made him lower his keyblade and stepped closer to the Emissaries. "What is this message from the masters?"

"It would seem that they were correct that you were told of them by your mentor, which makes this much easier." The yellow ranger said with an air of relief, before she/he continued. "As your friends Riku and Sora are here taking their Mark of Mastery Exam the Masters have deemed it time that you be tested as well."

"As Master Vile uses the Orb of Doom on your world to turn everyone, including the rangers in to children, it seemed the best time. As children the rangers will have lost their ability to morph and as such your powers would be considerably weakened as well." The blue ranger explained.

"Ok so what am I to do for this test?" Alex wondered now a bit worried, well thinking that Riku had to bring her up to speed on somethings.

"You are to be tested on all of your skills but you are not to interfere with Riku's or Sora's exams. At the same time only Riku, who you are connected with through your dreams, will be the only one who will be able to see you." The Red ranger explained further. "This means that you will not be able to interact directly with anyone but him"

"But wouldn't that be interfering with Riku's exam?" Alex asked worried as she knew how important this was for Riku.

"Hey don't worry Alex, we'll work it out." Riku told her as he took her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. He then turned back to the three standing before them. "You said that you had a gift for Alex."

"Indeed." Red said as the three walked towards her and placed an amazing object in her hands that made both Riku's and Alex's jaws drop in awe. "Use it well and wisely. For it will be your ally and your reward among many others if you succeed. Good luck and may the power protect and guide you both."

End of Flashback

Mickey and the rangers starred at Alex and Riku as they finished the short explanation of how she became involved in what happened during the exams. Zordon seemed proud as he smiled down at Alex, who was happy to smile back at him. "I had no idea you were involved from the beginning and unable to do anything to stop Xehanort from interfering in their Mark of Mastery Exam." Mickey said sadly. "It must have been hard to watch."

"Your right it was but I learned that as the Keeper of Light I can't always act, especially emotionally or on impulse. I have to use both my mind and heart to know when I need to act and even then with great care as I can't put the Light Shard at risk as many have and will try to take it from me and use it for evil purposes." Alex assured him. "Besides I was allowed to help save Sora when my test was over and when you all needed it the most. Thankfully I did have the gift the Emissaries gave me as well even if I'm still learning to get the hang if it."

"What was it Alex, can you show it to us?" Rocky asked excited.

"Yeah Alex show off a bit." Adam said as he and the others all waited in anticipation. Alex and Riku exchanged smiles before Alex summand it in her left hand. It was summoned much in the same way as any keyblade did but it was most defiantly not a giant key. The bow she held in her left hand was like nothing they had ever seen. It looked to be made of a pure white wood which then transitioned to a white crystal of some kind all the way to the bows tips. The string looked to be made of the purest silver as it glistened when it caught the light. With practiced ease Alex drew the string back and an arrow of pure light formed, ready to be fired.

"Whoa! That's so cool." Tanya said as she and the others came closer to get a good look at it as Alex let the arrow disappear and held it out to them. Well Alex let them look it over she turned to Mickey and told him. "When Riku went to go get Sora and told me about it, I had to help. If not only for all Sora as done for the worlds he's helped but because I was still stuck in the grid as these guys hadn't stopped the effects of the Orb of Doom yet. I hope that my presence during their test doesn't affect Riku being named a master."

"You have nothing to worry about and I am grateful you were there to help us in stopping Xahenort's plans. Can I count on your help in locating Aqua, Terra and Ventus?" Mickey asked hopeful.

Before Alex could responded with her answer Jason once again pulled her back behind him and gave both the king and Riku the stink eye. "As I said before my sister isn't going anywhere with you two. Friend or not."

"Calm yourself Jason." Zordon said in his calm but commanding voice drawing everyone's attention to him. "I know how important Alex is to you and the others but the threat of the x-blade is too great for her to not help the guardians of light. However the choice is hers alone to make, and what dear Alex is your choice?"

"It's not really a question for me Zordon. I know what will happen if Xehanort wins, if he succeeds in getting to Kingdom Hearts, no world will be safe from him." Alex said this with conviction that made everyone smile, even though Jason didn't want her to go head long into danger. Seeming to read his thoughts Alex turned to him and her friends. "Guys I know you're worried and don't want me to put myself or the Light Shard at risk but you haven't see this man. He has a crazy look in his yellow eyes that makes Rita and Lord Zedd look sane."

"I didn't think that was possible." Kat said making them all laugh.

"So that's a yes to using the Light Shard to help us find Aqua, Terra and Ventus?" Riku asked once their laughter had died down.

"Yes Riku it is but we better tell Janet and James what's going on because I would rather not get them into a lot of trouble with social services if I suddenly disappear." Alex suggested dismissing her bow and after saying good bye to Zordon and Alpha they teleported to the Scott house hold.