Roxy was getting ready for her day ahead, though watched as Zoey stood, staring at herself in the mirror. It was uncharacteristic of Zoey to spend so much time or thought to her appearance in the early morning. Even before she worked in the laundry, where thoughts to appearance meant little considering everyone that worked there would soon be pale from exhaustion and drenched in sweat regardless, she didn't give much stock to vanity. However, this morning she had stood for almost half an hour just staring at herself.

She couldn't believe the change in her injury in the short time since its infliction. Her nose had been broken a little over a full day ago and yet to look at her face now it was difficult to know that it had been broken at all. She had expected her nose to be bent or misshapen. The sad fact was that despite popular opinion, the nose was not truly a bone, but was made of cartilage, much like the ear. Once it had been compromised, it was often warped, and rarely healed back exactly as it had before. Without some very expensive plastic surgery well beyond her means, most who suffered a broken nose had to simply live with the fact that it was going to be misshapen. The best-case scenario was a simple bump or bend, in the worst cases, the septum could be deviated to the point that breathing was affected.

However, Nate's device had worked nothing short of a miracle. It had not only straightened and re-set it, the swelling and bruising had subsided so considerably anyone looking at her would believe the injury was weeks old instead of only a day and even then, only close up. She ran her fingers over her left cheek, which was mildly swollen and discoloured, but so mildly she could hardly believe it.

"Yes, yes, you're very pretty." Roxy teased her. "Can someone else use the mirror now? I have a class at the Riptide today!"

"I…I can't believe it." Zoey stated. "Can you believe this?"

"My answer's the same as it was the other half dozen times you asked, yes it's amazing." Roxy responded.

"Wow, it's just…wow." Zoey commented. "Nate's pretty amazing, isn't he?"

Roxy paused a little as she heard this. She was about to say something when there was a knock on the door.

"Coming!" Roxy called out. Zoey didn't seem to take any notice at all, continuing to be lost in her own thoughts. Roxy went to the door and opened it, finding a security guard standing before her. He was carrying a box and a letter.

"Delivery from the Commander." He told her, handing them over. "You're all to assemble at the Command Centre this afternoon."

"I have a class…"

"She is aware of your commitments." He told her. "You are to assemble at four."

"Do you know what this is about?" She asked.

"There is to be a press conference." He informed her. "They're firing up the Morph-X system today."

"Today?" Roxy asked excitedly. She already knew that they were planning to begin the Morph-X system soon, and on that day, when they fired up the system, that was when she, Ravi and Blaze would be transformed into Power Rangers for the first time. She was a little surprised it was so soon. She thought they'd have more time to prepare, the Commander had given them all leave to settle their affairs outside the base before they were transformed, but she thought she'd get a little more warning before that happened. Perhaps a day or two to spend time with her parents and her brother. She tore open the letter to see if there was an explanation for the surprising expediency of their decision. She closed the door, lost in the letter.

"It's today. They're firing up today." Roxy announced. She didn't get an answer though, instead seeing that Zoey was still staring at herself. "Um…Zoey, did you hear what I said?"

"Uh huh." She replied dreamily. Roxy could tell that she wasn't paying attention in the slightest.

"Zoey, today's the day I become a Ranger?" She continued. Zoey still didn't reply. "The day that all the work we're doing here comes to fruition?"

Zoey just nodded, but grinned mindlessly at the mirror.

"I'll bet Nate will be happy." Roxy stated. "All those years, his brain-child finally seeing the light of day."

"Nate?" Zoey asked. "Yeah, he's…he's really something isn't he?"

She then looked to her watch.

"Oh, shoot, why didn't you tell me the time? I'm almost late!" Zoey rushed out as she tied up her hair. "Um…yeah, good luck with that…thing…you were doing."

As she ran out, Roxy just watched her go. She just sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"Really?" She asked. "It's not enough that I'm a freaking superhero, you need me to do this too?"

She opened the box, finding inside it a new communicator, one that would also act as her morpher. She took off her old one, strapping the new one onto her wrist. She looked to the ceiling one more time.

"If you want me to do this, can I at least get a sign?" She asked. She heard a thud, and turned to see a book on the shelf had fallen over. It was Zoey's books that she needed for the required reading for the Ranger program, which she had lined up neatly on the shelf with a heavy heart after she had been cut. The books that only Roxy knew that Nate had given her. She just smiled and looked back to the ceiling.

"Alright." She responded. "I guess being a Ranger all you have planned for me. I guess I'll do this too."

In another part of the city, Muriel Reeves rushed into the television studio. She had to lie low for a time after her near-miss with Grid Battleforce. She had narrowly escaped their pursuit. She was lucky that she had checked the monitor in time to see them closing in on her web-cam and destroy the laptop. She'd been investigating rumours surrounding Grid Battleforce ever since she'd heard of them. Even before her daughter joined, she was wondering what secrets they had to hide. She'd heard the pitches that they had delivered, promising a source of energy that wasn't just clean, not just all but limitless, but that was almost without cost.

The claims were bold at a time when energy and fuel costs were rising at an alarming rate. No one in the fossil fuel industry would say how desperate the situation was but it was now beyond they point that they could claim resources weren't becoming scarcer. A tank of gas was now almost forty dollars a gallon meaning that for many the cost of running a car was now greater than the cost of purchasing it in the first place. The cost of heating and running a home was coming close to unaffordable in some places. The claims of revolutionary change were news that was exciting to many, but too good to be true to others. Muriel was just one such person. If someone claimed to be able to change the world, there had to be something to it. What did they want in return? Could they deliver?

She knew she had risked a lot in her pursuit of a story. She had avoided asking Zoey to make inquiries. Not only did she foresee that people would naturally assume the daughter of the reporter that broke the story of the truth of Morph-X, she also knew Zoey would never agree anyway. She had considered whether it was wise to even pursue a story, but it was simply too important to let rest. No, in the end she'd decided it was best to proceed, but seek another source. It was better that in the instance Zoey was suspected that she could answer any questions with honest lack of knowledge.

She had hastily gathered what she had and ran towards her editor. He threw his hands up looking at her.

"Muriel, there you are. I've been trying to reach you for…!"

"I know, I'm sorry." She told him. "I needed to lie low, but I've got the story of the century! I swear, let me…"

"If you'd had your head somewhere other than your ass, you'd know the story of the century is already unfolding!" He told her.

"I'm telling you, it's about Morph-X!" Muriel rushed out. "If you just give me a minute…?"

"Morph-X? You really are behind the curve, aren't you?" He asked her. "They're calling a press-conference today. They're firing up the system this afternoon."

"What?" She asked. The editor just shook his head dismissively.

"I don't know what you had, but today you've got jack shit." He replied. "Now, get your shit together and go to make-up. You're covering the turning on ceremony?"

"But…but…"

"Leave the stories to those who are better suited to it." The editor snapped. "Be glad you still have a job."

As he left, Muriel looked to the folder in her hands. All those chances she'd taken, all the risks. Once again, her efforts had been for nothing. The last she had heard, Morph-X wasn't due to be put into full production for weeks. She suspected her leak had spurred on the accelerated timetable, caused them to rush to get ahead of the curve and put out the narrative they wanted to be seen. It was the story of her career. She was tantalisingly close to her big moment, only to watch it go up in flames.

Elsewhere in the city, Mayor Daniels was in his office, waiting for his driver. He had a few matters to attend to that morning, but there was nothing more important than his visit to the Grid Battleforce headquarters.

He'd had his concerns about their secrecy, but their promises were too great to be ignored. The financial backing of five of the richest families in the world, the promise of being the testing ground for the technology that would bring about the next Golden Age was all too great for him to resist. Although he did worry now, that perhaps he had acted in his haste. Perhaps he had listened to honeyed words that hid a poisonous aftertaste.

The Morphing Grid. There were few his age who hadn't heard of it. It was now almost two decades since Master Org had been defeated, and the last Power Rangers disappeared to whatever lives their retirement had brought. Most were never publicly known, and so the lives of Rangers were a mystery to most. There was much conjecture of course. After all, what kind of spectacular life would satisfy a superhero? A God?

He had always loved the ancient classic tales, but even he had to wonder what kind of live would satisfy one that had wielded Godlike power? Would they be like mighty Odysseus? The ruler of Ithaca? Become a king? The world already knew at least one Ranger had become President. Had there been others? Or would they be like Achilles? The hero of the Trojan War, who sought only to retire to his own lands and harboured dreams of peacefully living out his days as a farmer?

He shook his head. It was a passing thought, but that wasn't what concerned him. He was old enough to have seen the other side of the Morphing Grid. The monsters, the aliens, even daemons had all come seeking that power for themselves. While many were glad for the peace, and many saw the Wild Force Rangers' victory as absolute, seeing off the last great threat, Mayor Daniels had to wonder if it wasn't a coincidence that in all the time there had been no Rangers, and no one harnessing the power of the Grid, there had been no monsters.

He stared at the picture on his desk. He had so many questions that needed answers, so many fears. How could he live with himself if he was the one that had invited the ruin of his city for the promise of coin? His phone rang, tearing him from his thoughts.

"Mayor Daniels." He answered. He smiled as he heard the voice on the other end. "Arthur! It's good to hear from you! Tell me, how did my son fare in his interview?"

He loved Devon dearly, but he had recently had to bail him out of jail following a brawl in an arcade. He had been frustrated for some time that Devon didn't seem to show any interest in college or finding employment, but the shame of having to collect him from a police station was making him fear for his well-being. It was a miracle none of the tabloids had picked up on the story. Under his administration the police in Coral Harbour had been well-equipped and paid and so they had remained silent on the matter when other less-fortunate public figures had found their shame splashed on the front page within hours. However, he was starting to worry now that his son's lack of direction and focus was leading to him being led astray. He'd pulled some strings to have an old friend line up a job interview, but now he was hearing…

"What do you mean he never showed up?" Mayor Daniels demanded. "Yes, of course, I'm sorry my friend. I'm sorry you wasted your time. Rest assured I will get answers!"

With that, he left his office.

"Call my driver around front!" Mayor Daniels demanded of his secretary.

"Sir?" She asked. "Your appointment isn't until…"

"I have business to discuss with my son!" He responded angrily. "Summon my driver!"

In the Riptide Gym, Blaze was leading a special meeting of his class. He, Roxy and Ravi had all been running classes as a way of serving the community. However, they had all known that soon their time leading these classes would come to an end. Now that they had been chosen as Rangers, they would no longer have time to dedicate to such pursuits. They had planned to spend the remaining time of their leave giving their students more extensive lessons, but now, they had to break the bad news to their students that they were not to receive the weeks of intensive lessons they were expecting.

They'd all now received word that this was the day they were to ascend, and so they had called their classes for one final class before they left them to new instructors. It was hard not to be disappointed, but they understood and wished their sensei well in whatever new path their lives took.

Roxy's beginner's class had ended long since, and Ravi's class was over too, though he continued to work out on the heavy bag. Roxy had gone to the bar to get them both a drink.

"Carrot and wheatgrass." She told him, setting it down. "It's sad, don't you think?"

"What is?" Ravi asked her.

"Ravi, I know you love your students as much as I love mine." Roxy told him. "I know we signed up for this, but I thought it'd be a little while longer before we had to leave them."

"Right now, we look after a couple of dozen." Ravi responded. "After today, we'll be responsible for the whole city."

"Always spoken like the recruitment handbook." She laughed. "Come on, you can't tell me you're not going to miss them surely?"

"More than some of them will miss us by the looks of things." Ravi said, pointing out one of the students. Roxy followed his gesture, seeing one of the students in the line, with ear buds in, dancing in the formation.

Blaze wandered among the students, calling out instructions. He wasn't pushing them particularly hard. In truth he had even less desire than normal to run this class today. His mind was still on his conversation with his father.

He had done as he had promised. He had trained and worked and where necessary he had schemed and manoeuvred his way to the top. He was now a Ranger, and even that was still not good enough. His father had dismissed the news as though he had announced he had graduated Kindergarten at age 21.

His mind went over and over the conversation. His father was always an exceptionalist. In his mind, the Winchesters should rule the planet, and anything short of that was a failure. He was close to doing that himself, with his commanding share in the Morph-X technology that would soon make all other energy production obsolete. Yet for his son, he had lofty ambitions. By the time his father passed, he no doubt expected Blaze to not only follow in his footsteps, but exceed him. Did it matter that Blaze had little interest for politics and position? What even could surpass his father?

This was his day of triumph, the day when he was meant to become a legend like all the Rangers before him, and yet all he could feel was bile and bitterness. His father had stripped any joy he could feel in his accomplishment, only caring if his son would stand above the other Rangers. Blaze hoped that he would, if nothing else so he could finally hear his approval. If he didn't…would his father believe his word if he said he did anyway? The Rangers were meant to keep their identities private. He'd already risked everything even telling his father he'd be a Ranger, but as he wouldn't know which one he was…would it be such a difficult task to convince him he was the leader since no one would be able to deny the story?

Blaze felt his stomach churning. Lying to his father, was that what he would be reduced to? To live his life as a fraud to feed on the few tiny scraps of affection his dad could muster like a starving dog begging for scraps from a table?

His gaze found one of the students, a new one whose name he had never really cared to learn, a brown belt no less, dancing in line. Upon closer inspection the student was wearing ear buds, listening to music. Blaze found his anger with a new target. He didn't care much for the lesson in hand, but as a life long student of Karate, he always believed in the reverence of the position of sensei. The student was mocking him, disrespecting his class. It was a personal slight, one that he didn't have any intention of letting stand. He crossed over to the student, tapping his arm. The student pulled out his ear buds, looking at Blaze.

"We're not disturbing you, are we?" He demanded. Devon could see he had been caught. He had been attending Blaze's classes for a while now, ever since his dad had forbidden him from taking lessons with Mike. He wished he could keep doing lessons with Mike, but he loved Martial Arts so much, he just wanted to learn. Unfortunately, on this occasion, he wasn't getting anything that held his interest. For the past half hour or so Blaze had them performing straight punches in horse stance. It was something that Mike had taught him a couple of years ago. While he understood the value of refreshing basics every now and then, he was starting to get to the point he was learning nothing and so he had just gotten bored.

"Oh, no not at all, I was just…" He started to say, only for Blaze to glare at him, folding his arms. It didn't take a psychologist to see that he was pissed. "Oh, I see. That was sarcasm."

"The only way you're going to learn Karate, is by doing what I tell you, and by practicing." Blaze snapped at him. He wasn't in the mood to deal with this right now. First his father and now he had some kid disrespecting him in his own dojo? The worst part was the guy in front of him didn't even seem to acknowledge he had done anything wrong.

"I agree." Devon said. "But I was waiting until you might teach some moves that are a little more…challenging."

Devon knew he shouldn't have been messing around in class. Mike was far from a harsh or strict sensei, but even he held a certain reverence for the discipline of the lessons. That said, he did feel like it was becoming apparent Blaze was taking the fact this was his last lesson to mean he didn't have to try. He could tell that Blaze was already angry, but he also felt like his criticism was valid and perhaps a gentle reminder he was teaching an advanced class might get him to teach them something they hadn't all learned before their first grading.

Blaze was livid by now. This kid not only disrespected his position by goofing around in class but now he was bringing his teaching into question? He backed off a little.

"Oh, so you want something a little more challenging, do you?" He asked. "Perhaps you'd like to be the sensei, is that it?"

"Well, now but…"

"CLASS! Stop what you're doing!" Blaze called out. "This student would like me to teach him something a little more challenging. Form up a ring!"

"Look, I'm sorry, maybe I…"

"No, you want something a little more challenging. You don't throw down a gauntlet like that and back out." Blaze told him, gesturing to a line. Devon reluctantly stepped up as Blaze went to another.

"Blaze!" Ravi called out. "You've made your point, just toss him and leave him alone."

"Don't worry Ravi." Blaze told him, pulling into a guard. "I've got this!"

Devon pulled into a guard as well, knowing that he'd overstepped the mark and fully expecting Blaze to make a point to put him in his place. Sparring, score a point or two, let him see that he knew better.

They moved off their marks and started the bout, but as Blaze hit a kick to his gut, Devon was lifted clean off the floor, landing hard a little way off. He stared up at him from the floor. It looked like Blaze was intending something a little more than just making a point.

"To the line." Blaze told him. They began again, and Devon defended himself against a couple of hits. Blaze hit him hard with an elbow, putting him down. Devon quickly had to check to make sure his jaw was still attached. He stared up in anger. Whatever was going on in Blaze's head, he realised this wasn't just sparring anymore, now he had to defend himself or he was going to be seriously hurt.

He kipped up off the floor, and the two circled each other, beginning to feel each other out. As soon as Devon started taking things seriously Blaze could see he had a lot more talent than his brown belt implied. Blaze felt like the style was vaguely familiar. It wasn't a standard form of karate; it had a lot more of an athletic bent to it. Devon even flipped over him, before back-fisting him in the face, staggering him. Blaze held his hand to his lip, before pulling it away finding blood.

"Careful." Devon told him. "Someone's going to get hurt!"

"That someone is you!" Blaze yelled as he renewed his attack. He went at him with a barely contained fury. Within a couple of moments, Devon was quickly under pressure again, off-balance and on the retreat. This only infuriated Blaze further. He kicked Devon hard sending him flying straight out of the ring. Devon clutched his ribs in pain.

"Looks like you still have something to learn." Blaze snorted. "Come back when you're ready to learn."

As he turned his back, Devon got to his feet, much to the surprise of everyone there. Blaze was just as surprised to see him coming back into the ring.

"I think I can take another lesson!" Devon said. Blaze just sneered as he went to his bag, grabbing a couple of clubs.

"Somehow, I don't know if you'll learn." He replied, throwing one to Devon.

"BLAZE STOP IT!" Roxy screamed from the side-lines. It was too late though, they had renewed their battle, and it looked like Blaze was escalating it far beyond what it needed to be. They exchanged blows, Blaze taking a few shots that surprised him, but in the end, he saw an opening as Devon came for an overhand strike. He managed to disarm him, sweeping his legs out from under him. Devon was on the floor with Blaze pacing over him like a caged lion. He looked down on Devon, his heart still burning with thoughts of the insults and disrespect. He was constantly belittled and shown up. He raised his hand, preparing to strike while Devon covered up his head. The blow never came, but something else did that was almost worse.

"DEVON!" An all-too-familiar voice barked. Blaze looked around, seeing Mayor Daniels approaching. He backed off, catching his breath as Devon started to get back to his feet. He sheepishly smiled at him.

"Hey dad." Devon greeted him. Ravi and Roxy just looked to each other.

"His dad's the mayor?" They chorused. Mayor Daniels didn't seem interested in the rest of the class though.

"You are leaving." Mayor Daniels commanded his son. "NOW!"

"Thanks for the lesson Blaze." Devon said, nursing his wounds. Blaze clenched his jaw as he watched him go.

"HEY!" Blaze called after them. They both turned towards him. "You disrespect your sensei, your done. Don't come back!"

"Don't worry." Mayor Daniels assured him. "He won't!"

As Mayor Daniels and Devon left, Blaze still couldn't get his mind off what had transpired. He eventually looked around, seeing everyone staring at him. He just threw down his club.

"Class dismissed." He snapped, before storming towards the changing rooms.