Parallel Realities Ninja Storm

by Rogue Ranger

Tori's twin brother from a dimension where the Power Rangers are evil struggles to find where he belongs, how to make Dustin happy with or without him, and whose side he's on in an epic trans-dimensional battle between good and evil. M/M and M/F Pairings.

32. Home Is Where the Heart Is

IMPORTANT: Who should Hunter end up with? PLEASE take just a moment to vote in this poll at the top of my profile page (click on Rogue Ranger to the top left of this). Remember, you can also make your opinion known by reviewing.

Here are some possibilities: Hunter and Twilight Zone Dustin (they were both evil and they're both jealous of Tobi/Dustin), Hunter and Tori (Blake could get evil Tori and Cam and Twilight Zone Dustin could get together), Hunter and Cam (they could bond over unrequited love for Tori), Hunter and Blake (they're adopted, so…), etc, etc. So, please vote! You can also see some of the choices visually if you click the link right below the poll link!

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rogue-ranger .deviantart .com (take out spaces) Go there and see all kinds of crazy stuff! (Dustin shirtless, chapter posters, ninja slash, etc, etc.)

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Author's Notes: This is the last chapter that takes place before the rangers leave the "Twilight Zone." I've decided to continue alternating between characters like I did when Tobi was dead. In other words, Tobi doesn't have to be everywhere for us to see what the others are up to. And, based on the previous poll results, Tobi and Dustin are going to be together! Yay! Remember to vote for who Hunter should end up with! I've given incentive by putting more Hunter in here than I usually do.

I would like to thank Rebel Paisley (author of Any Moment) for inspiring the ice cream flavor debate in here. Of course, she would never read my story because she's a girl of class and sophistication (despite the outrageous humor that appears in her story) and I'm a guy of… well, let's just say that if you are squeamish about hot and heavy makeout scenes, consider yourself warned because there's definitely one in this chapter!

Speaking of Rebel Paisley's Any Moment, you have to read her story! It's crazy good! If you are a Ninja Storm fan, it's a must. Plus, be nice and review her story!

Oh! And if you want to see Dustin in his Awesome Dude costume, check out a drawing Rebel Paisley did by going to her DeviantART account: rebel-paisley .deviantart .com (again, take out spaces).

FYI: In case you're wondering how I determined that the rangers in the previous chapter were 13 during PRiS is because, in the episode Shane's Karma Part 2, there are 18 candles on Tori's cake and so, five years earlier, they're 13! Yay! I can count! No, seriously, until I saw that, I thought that the rangers' ages were never revealed in the series. Of course, the actress Sally Martin also turned 18 around the time of the episode filming (possibly during), so maybe it wasn't supposed to be show related…

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Review Comments: Not many reviews this time. I guess that says something about the last chapter…

Thanks griffin blackwood for your honesty! But it was either the last chapter or nothing until now, so there… :p Not every chapter can be "great" but I still try. Well, let's see what you think of this one…

Thanks YellowPrincess for being the one person who actually loved the last chapter! It did take some effort to write, but not everyone can be as appreciative as you. You have earned yourself a little extra Hunter/Tori time in this chapter (since I'm psychic and know that's who you voted for in this poll!) At least the poll worked this time!

Thanks FinalJudgement for your continued encouragement! It helps when a chapter meets with less than stellar approval. Tobi's background may have been sad, but I personally think it will help serve as a lead-in to the present day events. Of course, what do I know? I just write the story. Hmmm. What would happen if Tori ran into a guy named Tori?

Thanks Magichalo for your support for the previous chapter! I was almost completed with writing this one up when I saw your review appear. I agree that it's nice to change the pace every now and then. Not every chapter can be action packed. And, since this is another dimension, I figured I could take liberties with making Kira and Tori know each other before the NS/DT crossover. The great thing about having the memory take place during the finale of PRiS is that's when Pinky and the Brain originally aired and we've already established that Dustin likes the series, so... I know it's still on the air, but just IMDB it!

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Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:

Tobi dreams about the day that he lost his mother to a Zord attack over five years ago. In his memory, he and his sister are celebrating their thirteenth birthday at the beach while Tobi tries to find out if Dustin likes girls or guys. Then a Zord attacks the city and they race to save their mother. Unfortunately, while Tobi is trying to save his mother, the house collapses, trapping them both. Tori rescues her brother but only has time to save him before the Zord crushes the house. Meanwhile, Shane's brother Porter dies saving him and Dustin runs off to "check on his robot." Then, with everyone in a somber mood, Sensei shows up and says three of them are to be trained as ninjas. Three, meaning not Tobi, not the one who couldn't help his mother or himself, the one who his friends ignore, his father despises and the one who most wants to belong. He wakes up feeling alone until he realizes that Dustin is sleeping next to him. Finally content, he falls back to sleep in Dustin's arms...

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Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 32 (Home Is Where the Heart Is)

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Hunter stood over Dustin and Tobi, their limbs intertwined while they slept. The way Dustin held Tobi made it look like Dustin's unconscious mind was afraid of losing him. During the time that Dustin had chosen Hunter, the two had never ended up in such a position and here Dustin and Tobi were tangled together after just a few hours.

Hunter ran a hand over his face. The truth was, he was tired, but he really didn't feel like sleeping. He just had too much on his mind.

"Good morning," a voice whispered in his ear. "Or probably afternoon by now." He literally jumped. When had Tori entered the room, let alone come close enough to put a hand on his shoulder? "Jumpy much? She asked while following his gaze down to the sleeping pair. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her brother and best friend snuggled up together.

"I'm gonna get some air," Hunter said flatly before leaving Ninja Ops.

"Hunter?" she asked, but he didn't look back. She looked from her brother and Dustin still sleeping to the exit and decided to follow the crimson ranger.

Hunter wasn't easy to find when he didn't want to be found, but it's hard to truly hide from a fellow ninja, especially when she had already learned from Blake about his older brother's secret alone or "brooding spot" as Blake called it back in their dimension.

"Penny for your thoughts," Tori's voice once again startled Hunter.

He looked over quickly, ready to snap, but the water ninja's eyes only held concern. He sighed, looking away. "I guess there's no place to be alone when you're surrounded by ninjas," he commented.

"Not really," she agreed, offering him a smile. "Mind if I share your big rock?"

He shrugged, gesturing with his hand for her to join him on the rock he was currently perched on.

"It's about Dustin and Tobi, isn't it?" she asked, taking a seat.

"Lucky guess," he said sarcastically.

"So, okay, we both know what's going on here," she told him, pulling herself up so she could lean on his shoulders. "You love Dustin, but you also feel like you owe Tobi something for saving your life. I'm the one who suggested the idea in the first place after all."

"I know," he mumbled.

"And they're cute when they're asleep," she continued. "Of course, everyone's cute when they're asleep, even Blake."

He gave her a surprised look.

"Maybe it's the whole not talking thing," she offered, shrugging.

"Must be," Hunter agreed with raised eyebrows.

"Hunter, what will make you be okay with this?" she asked seriously.

He furrowed his brow, thinking. "I really don't have a clue," he admitted. "I'm totally clueless when it comes to love."

"Trust me, you're not the only one," she assured him while patting his shoulders.

"I just…" He groaned. "I don't know. I want them both to be happy, just…"

"So do I," she agreed before frowning.

He looked at her expression and added, "Don't worry, Tor, I'll be fine."

She forced a smile. "It's not just you I'm worried about," she admitted. "It's also my brother."

"Why?" Hunter asked, confused.

"I'm afraid Dustin's going to change his mind again," she explained.

"Look, he did it because Tobi died," he reminded her. "That's not gonna happen a lot."

"You never know," she said. "It's a dangerous profession being a Power Ranger. I was certainly… upset when you died." She took a sharp breath, looking away momentarily.

"Thanks," was all Hunter could think of to say.

"But Dustin's the type of person who needs something right in front of him," she continued. "What happens when what's right in front of him is you or… Marah?"

"Are you saying Dustin has a short attention span even when it comes to love?" Hunter asked.

She shrugged. "He's always had trouble prioritizing. For example, when we were kids, he'd always try to do homework while watching tv. As you might imagine, that didn't work out too well. He once turned in a report on Egypt where he wrote that Pinky and the Brain had overseen the building of the pyramids. Whereas I…"

"Let me guess," Hunter cut in, a slight grin finally curling up on his lips. "You'd always do your homework first and then watch tv."

"Exactly," she agreed. "And, when he wanted to try two different flavors of ice cream, he'd put them side by side and eat one then the other before mixing them together and trying them that way."

"Wait, so you're saying Dustin's gonna want a four way with Tobi, me and Marah?" Hunter asked, raising his eyebrows.

She stared at him blankly for a moment. "Let's not think about that."

Hunter nodded.

"I'm just trying to say that I'm not sure Dustin really knows what he wants," she continued.

"I don't know about that, Tor," Hunter disagreed. "Remember when he was so convinced that Marah had turned good? He even charged up Beevil with power from Ninja Ops. The only thing that changed his mind about her was when she straight up betrayed him."

"And seriously hurt him in the process," Tori agreed. "I hadn't seen him that depressed… until Tobi died." She looked at Hunter, thinking. "Maybe you're right. Dustin does have a tendency of becoming obsessed with one thing, like motocross."

"You did not just bag on moto," Hunter began to scold.

"Before that, it was Power Rangers," she added. "I'm just saying maybe Dustin has really chosen and will stick to his choice the way he did with motocross even back when he wasn't very good at it yet." She rubbed her hands into Hunter's shoulders as she spoke.

"Why aren't you worried about Dustin being hurt by Tobi?" Hunter asked.

She smiled. "I'm not worried about either Tori or you hurting Dustin," she admitted. "It's just not something either of you could do. Now, as for Marah… I don't know."

"I'm not saying on purpose," he clarified. "But what if the other Dustin turns good like some of those old Power Rangers or the other Sensei?"

"Trust me, my brother is over the Dustin he grew up with," she assured him. "He's said repeatedly that this Dustin is the one he loves."

"You can't always choose… or predict who you're gonna fall in love with," he pointed out.

She looked at him, surprised for a moment as his eyes studied hers. "You're right," she agreed, smiling. "Too bad none of your wisdom rubbed off on your brother."

"I try," he assured her. "Believe me, I try, but you know Blake."

"Yeah, I know Blake," she said with a sigh.

"Hey, are you two still on the outs?" he asked.

"I guess so," she admitted. "I keep wanting to give him a second chance, but… I don't know. It's like something inside me has changed."

"Changed?" he repeated.

"Don't get me wrong," she clarified. "I still lo—care a lot about Blake," she amended, "but sometimes I find myself feeling something for… someone else." She glanced at him quickly before looking away.

"Must be a lucky guy," he mumbled.

"He doesn't seem to think so," she replied.

He looked at her in the eyes, a serious expression on his face. "Look, Tor," he began. "There's something I want to tell you."

She smiled and raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.

"I think I've…" He suddenly looked away, fidgeting. "What I mean is, what do you think about the idea of someone falling in love with more than one person at the same time?"

"Oh," she said, a disappointed look in her eyes. "I definitely think it's possible that Dustin really does love you all."

"I'm not talking about Dustin," he corrected. "I just mean in general."

"Oh," she said again, pausing. "I'd say, from experience, it's definitely possible. You can love… two different people equally but in two different ways."

"Yeah," he agreed, nodding.

"Are we saying what I think we're saying here?" she asked, leaning into his left shoulder.

His breathing increased before he suddenly jumped off the rock and began to leave.

"Hey, what did I say?" she asked, quickly following him.

"Nothing," he assured her.

"Hunter, I—" she began, pulling him to face her. When she saw his face, it held a pained look. She reached out, wrapping her hand around his.

He looked down at her hand and then back up at her face, their eyes meeting and… before he knew it, he had started to lean down toward her as she tilted her head upward.

"Woah," she suddenly interrupted, stepping back. "What are we doing?"

"I thought…" he mumbled. "Forget it," he said, turning away.

"No, Hunter, it's alright," she assured him. "We're just… emotionally vulnerable right now, what with Dustin and… with Blake."

"Blake, right," Hunter mumbled.

"Yeah, Blake," a voice agreed in a harsh tone. The two turned, started to see the navy ranger standing behind them, arms crossed.

"Blake," Tori greeted first, forcing a wide smile.

"Listen, bro, it's not what it looks like," Hunter defended.

"I'm not blind, bro," Blake said, emphasizing the last word in an accusing tone.

"Um, we were just… talking," Tori explained.

"It's his fault, isn't it?" Blake asked.

"Whose?" Hunter and Tori asked together.

"Tobi, of course," Blake clarified. "He stole Dustin from you,' he said, gesturing to Hunter, "the same way his sister tried to come between us," he added, gesturing to Tori.

"It's not his fault," the two answered in unison. They both exchanged surprised looks with each other before turning back to Blake.

"Blake, I—" Tori began, but Blake just held up a hand.

"Save it," he said, turning to leave.

She looked back at Hunter for support, but all he did was look at her apologetically. So, she gave him one last glance before running after Blake.

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Meanwhile, back at Ninja Ops, Shane woke up in the training room with his arm around Skyla. He smiled as he ran his cheek over her long curly hair. He heard her giggle and she turned over, staring up at him with a smile. "I thought you were asleep," he told her.

"I was," she assured him, "but I sensed you were going to wake up and I guess that woke me up."

"You can predict the future?" he asked, surprised.

She grinned at him. "Your breathing probably changed," she replied. "I don't think I'm psychic. I'm human, remember?"

He ran a hand over the edge of her face. "Yeah, I remember. So, you're going to stay this way?"

"I won't change like a Karminion," she answered, "but I'll still get older. That is what humans do, right?"

He laughed quietly. "Yeah, it's what humans do."

Just then, her stomach began rumbling. She looked down, surprised. "What's wrong with me?" she asked, concerned.

"Don't tell me you've never been hungry before?" he said with raised eyebrows.

"I haven't been in this form that long, I guess," she conceded, embarrassed.

He laughed to himself while helping her up. "Maybe Cam'll have some food," he suggested as she stood.

"Does Cam cook?" she asked curiously.

He grinned. "Probably. It's just that Cam's always prepared," he commented. "It'd probably be annoying if we didn't depend on that part of him so much."

"Does he know how much you guys appreciate him?" she asked.

"He's Cam," Shane said with a shrug. "He knows everything."

The two then entered the main room of Ninja Ops, where they found Dustin and Tobi asleep together on the floor and Cam hard at work in front of the computer.

"Hey, Cam," Shane whispered by way of greeting.

Cam turned in his chair and stared at Shane and Skyla. They really looked like a happy couple. He then looked down at Tobi and Dustin, both still intertwined. "Good morning," he told them before turning back to his work.

"Did you get any sleep at all?" Shane asked.

"Yes, I did sleep," Cam snapped before stopping himself. He turned back to face Shane and Skyla. "I did manage to get some sleep earlier, thank you," he said in a much friendlier tone.

"Great," Shane replied. "So, any food around here? Skyla's hungry and I guess she's like never been hungry before." He chuckled as he said this.

"This dimension's Dustin keeps a large stash of food in a room across from where you two slept," Cam explained.

"Maybe he's hungry all the time like our Dustin," Shane suggested.

"Maybe," Cam agreed. "Just avoid anything in a small package marked "Mini Meals."

"Guinea pig food, right?" Shane asked.

"Right," Cam nodded.

Shane and Skyla then left and Cam couldn't help but notice their hands interlace as they walked. He glanced back at the two sleeping ninjas on the floor before sighing and turning back to the computer.

His father chose that moment to enter the room and hop up next to the computer's keyboard.

"Hi dad," Cam greeted him somberly. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept well, son," Sensei replied. "And you?"

"About how I expected to sleep," Cam answered. "Not nearly enough and… alone." He glanced at his father quickly. "Forget I said that last part."

"Cam, is there something you want to talk about?" Sensei asked seriously.

"No, dad, I'm fine," Cam assured him.

"Just so that you know, I am here if you need to walk," Sensei offered. "Is it about your mother?"

"No, actually it's not," Cam replied, "but thanks for bringing that up too."

Sensei looked down at Tobi and Dustin and then back at his son. "IS it about Dustin and Tobi… or perhaps Shane and Skyla? Possibly both?"

"Dad, we're not having this conversation," Cam warned.

"Son, some things do not need to be spoken to be understood," Sensei told him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cam asked.

"It mean, I understand how you feel," Sensei finished.

"I sincerely doubt that," Cam disagreed.

Sensei twitched his nose. "You may find this hard to believe, but your mother was not the first woman I loved."

"Dad, I don't need to hear this," Cam said, grimacing.

"Alright," Sensei agreed, hopping away before turning back to his son, "but your mother was the first woman who loved me back." He then left the room.

Cam sighed, turning back to the computer as he heard the two sound sleepers behind him start to stir.

"Ow!" Tobi yelled as an elbow hit him in the face.

"Huh? Wha…?" Dustin asked groggily as he stretched.

That was not the awakening Tobi had been hoping for. He held his face, rubbing away the sleepiness.

"TZT," Dustin greeted him, his eyes barely open as eh gazed at him.

"I think you hit me in the face," Tobi commented.

"Oh, dude, I'm sorry!" Dustin apologized, his eyes instantly opening fully. "Guess I'm not used to sleeping next to somebody."

"Why did you sleep next to me?" Tobi asked curiously.

Dustin thought for a moment. It was always hard to think right after waking up. "I thought it'd be nice," he finally said.

"It was," Tobi agreed, smiling up at Dustin's messy hair while wrapping an arm around the earth ninja. "You're so…"

"You're so…" Dustin began at the exact same time. "What were you gonna say?" he asked.

"I was going to say, you're so cute when you've just woken up," Tobi replied.

Dustin smiled. "Me too, like the exact same thing. I swear, the whole mind reading this is kinda freaky, TZT."

Tobi chuckled softly. "Freaky in a good way though, right?"

"Yeah, freaky in a good way," Dustin agreed, laughing as he ran a hand through Tobi's hair.

Tobi leaned his body even further into Dustin's until he felt his morning wood meet with the earth ninja's.

Dustin immediately blushed and shifted his position. "Dude… sorry," he mumbled.

"It's not like we can control those kind of bodily functions," Tobi told him.

"Uh, right," Dustin agreed. "So, I'm like totally starving."

"Me too," Tobi agreed, smiling. "But, first…" He leaned forward and kissed Dustin softly on the lips before pulling back and cringing.

"Ah, dude, morning breath!" Dustin complained.

"Yeah, tell me about it," Tobi agreed, making a face and then standing up. As Dustin stood, stretching next to him, he added, "You know, I still love you, morning breath and all."

Dustin laughed, rolling his eyes. "Morning breath and all. So romantic, dude."

Tobi hit him lightly on the arm. "Come on," he told him. "Let's get something to eat."

"Uh huh," Dustin agreed, grinning at Tobi before following the blonde's eyes down to the crotch of his costume. He felt his cheeks flush again.

"Maybe we should take care of our morning wood first," Tobi suggested.

Dustin just blinked at him before moving his arm in a sweeping motion that left him in his training outfit instead.

"Well, at least we match," Tobi commented.

"Don't worry," Dustin assured him. "Awesome Dude will be back in action again soon, but now it's time for Eating Machine!" He flexed his muscles in a silly manner.

"Save some for me, Eating Machine," Tobi joked, laughing.

"You two will find Shane and Skyla down the hall eating as well," Cam said, spinning in his seat.

"Dude, I have an idea," Dustin suggested. "We should totally go out to eat."

"Oh, like a date," Tobi realized.

Dustin nodded before cringing. "But not that place we went before with the big pig's head on the sign. That food was nasty!"

"Don't worry," Tobi assured him. "I know of just the place, especially if you like pizza and ice cream."

"Those are like my two favorite breakfast foods!" Dustin declared.

"Good, because they have pizza ice cream," Tobi told him.

"Dude, are you serious?" Dustin asked, grabbing Tobi's arms and staring intensely.

"Totally," Tobi agreed.

Dustin promptly started doing a little dance. "This'll be so awesome!"

"Tobi, a word of advice," Cam said, gesturing for him to come closer. Tobi nodded and approached, leaning in as Cam whispered, "Don't tell Dustin where the milk comes from."

"Why not?" Tobi asked. "You think it would weird him out like you?"

"Yes, that and also I don't want it getting back to Tori," Cam explained.

Tobi shrugged. "Sure."

"Hay, Cam, you should totally join us," Dustin suddenly chimed in.

Cam gave him a confused look. "Then it wouldn't be a date, Dustin. No, you two go enjoy yourselves."

Dustin proceeded to make his puppy dog face at Cam.

"I'm with Dustin on this," Tobi agreed. "I haven't seen much of you for a while, what with being dead and all."

Cam just blinked at him for a moment. "I've missed you too," he finally said.

Tobi decided to lean over and give Cam a hug. Suddenly he felt another pair of arms wrap around him and Cam.

"Group hug!" Dustin declared.

When the two released Cam, his cheeks were flushed. "I… I should have predicted that," he managed to say. "Combining two very tactile people naturally leads to a group hug."

"Is that a rule or something?" Tobi asked.

"No, just an observation," Cam replied, composing himself.

"'Cause you have like a huge list of stuff you notice," Dustin said as if he already knew this.

"I hope I still do," Cam replied, thinking, "unless my files have been deleted.

Tobi put a hand on Cam's shoulder. "Don't worry, Cam. "If the other Dustin deleted anything, I'll have my sister beat him up or something."

Cam raised an eyebrow. "Which Tori would that be?"

"I was hoping both," he admitted.

Dustin chucked to himself behind them. "That would be awesome to watch."

"Thank you," Cam told Tobi. He paused before adding, "I've been working on something for you." He turned around and revealed a gold morpher.

"So that's what happened to my communicator," Tobi commented. "Thanks, Cam. The new color's great!"

"Actually, I accidentally disintegrated your communicator," Cam corrected, and this is more than just a communicator."

"Are you saying it's a real morpher?" Tori asked, eyes wide.

"No way, dude!" Dustin yelled. "How awesome is that?" He gave Tobi a high five.

"Well, it's more of an energy regulator," Cam explained. "In theory, it would channel the energy from the Sun Amulet through it at a regulated rate rather than a sudden burst triggered by polymelecular and technophotonic bonding."

Dustin and Tobi both stared at him blankly.

"Of course, I want to test it out first before I would even think of trying it out on you," cam added. "It's too bad the Cyber Tobi program was destroyed in my last attempt."

"You made a Cyber me?" Tobi asked.

"Actually, the other Dustin did," Cam corrected.

"You should of seen him," Dustin said. "He was so not like you. He was all, 'You're my master,' and he didn't even look like you naked."

"He was naked?" Tobi asked.

"Yeah," Dustin said, nodding.

"Dustin, I really don't think Tobi needs to hear this," Cam chimed in.

"Dude, why not?" Dustin asked, confused.

"So, wait," Tobi interrupted, thinking, "the other Dustin has a Cyber version of me that's naked and begging him for sex?"

"Yeah, begging," Dustin agreed.

"He said he knew how I felt about him and he didn't feel anything for me and now I find out he's been having sex with a Cyber version of me?" Tobi stated in an angry tone. "Why didn't he just ask me?"

"I don't know," Cam whispered. "Maybe he wasn't after a relationship and you were."

"Yeah, I am," Tobi agreed. "Well, he can have his Cyber Tobi," he huffed. "He probably treats him like crap too. I just can't believe I liked him for so long and even thought I loved him when he was always such a jerk."

Dustin reached out and wrapped Tobi in a hug. "Chill, dude," he told Tobi. "I'm here now and you get the best of both worlds: Good looks and charming personality."

Tobi looked up at him and smiled. "You're right. I guess I just got used to everyone treating me like I don't really matter."

"I'm sorry for taking you for granted," Cam said. "We all are."

Tobi turned around, surprised. "Is that what everybody thinks? Listen, you guys have all been super nice to me and I feel closer to all of you after however long it's been than I did after years of being around my sister's friends." He paused, remembering. "In fact, I had a nightmare this morning about the Zord attack and how… helpless and worthless I felt at the time. I guess knowing that I'll be seeing them all again soon made me think about… how things were…"

"I hope my father keeps that in mind," Cam replied with a sympathetic look.

"You think he wouldn't want me to stay with you guys?" Tobi asked, concerned.

Cam squinted. "Something tells me he'll give in." He looked over as Shane and Skyla entered the room, both laughing.

"Finally wake up, bro?" Shane asked Dustin with a grin.

"Yeah," Dustin nodded. "What's so funny?"

"Shane was just telling me a joke," Skyla explained. "I wasn't sure what a nun was or a bar or some other things, but once I understood those, it was really funny."

"You had to be there, man," Shane explained, gazing at Skyla affectionately.

"Right," Dustin said, punching Shane in the arm. "'Cause you jokes are seriously not that funny."

Shane glared at him. "You would know all about telling lame jokes."

"Yep," Dustin agreed, grinning.

Shane shook his head.

"Hey, we're all gonna go out to eat," Dustin added. "Wanna come?"

"Actually, I was going to pass," Cam spoke up. "Dustin and Tobi can use this as their first date."

"Date?" Shane repeated.

Dustin blushed and fidgeted.

"What, two guys can't go out on a date?" Tobi asked.

"I think it's sweet," Skyla suggested.

Shane shrugged. "I guess, but what about Hunter?"

Dustin continued to fidget. "We went out before like on a date," he explained, suddenly looking lost in thought. "I gave him a lot."

"What?" Shane asked. "You didn't give him your…"

"My what?" Dustin asked, confused.

"Your… virginity," Shane whispered.

Dustin's eyes widened. "No! Dude!" He started blinking rapidly as he waved his hands. "I just mean I gave him a lot of me time and not TZT. I never had me choosing something mean someone… died, not even as a Power Ranger." He suddenly turned to Tobi, grabbing him. "Dude, let's go out right now!"

"Really hungry, huh?" Tobi asked. "Me too."

"Yeah, hungry and I wanna give you me time and… tell you something," Dustin explained.

"Okay," Tobi agreed, glancing at the others. "We'll meet you guys back here later. Cam, we'll be at that place we ate at yesterday."

Cam nodded, pulling out some alien money. "Here, you can take the rest."

"Thanks, Cam!" Tobi replied, taking the money.

"Have fun," Shane offered as they left.

"What do you think Dustin wants to tell Tobi?" Skyla asked.

"I think I have an idea," cam answered.

Shane waited. "Are you gonna tell us?"

"Let's just say the two seem destined to be together and I think Dustin realized he's in love," Cam said.

---

Blake knew Tori was following him, so he streaked into the city in order to lose her among the crowds of humans, aliens and kelzaks. When he stopped, though, he noticed that he had ended up outside an ice cream shop where a group, including Ryan, was gathered inside. He started to turn around when a voice interrupted him.

"You're friends with the guy who defeated Zordon, aren't you?" Dana asked as she approached the ice cream shop with Alyssa.

"Uh, I guess so," Blake replied.

"You must be insanely proud to be his friend," Alyssa chimed in, giving him a friendly yet forceful punch in the shoulder blade.

"Uh, yeah, sure," Blake mumbled.

"Hey, Doctor little sis," Ryan greeted. "Glad you could make it. Come inside. Oh, and Blake, come join us too."

"No, it's okay," Blake declined.

"Goldwinger says you're going to be leaving soon," Ryan told him. "You could at elast say goodbye."

Blake shrugged. "Alright," he agreed, following them inside.

Goldwinger, Eric and Wes were already seated around two tables that had been pushed next to each other.

"And when I went to where my factory has always been, there was nothing but a charred pile of rubble," Goldwinger complained. "All I have left is my portable viewscreen and my MOTHs. I'm ruined!"

"Calm down, Goldie," Ryan said while offering Blake a seat. "You were always saying comics weren't that profitable. Maybe this is your chance for a fresh new start."

"Aw, Ry, but what?" Goldwinger asked.

Ryan shrugged. "It's up to you."

"Do you ever read my comics?" Goldwinger asked Blake.

"You make comics?" Blake asked.

Goldwinger proceeded to cry into his wings.

"Perhaps he should consider television," Dana suggested.

"Right," Ryan agreed while trying to console Goldwinger with a pat. "Like the mayor's show, I Love Lothor."

Eric cringed. "Wes and I saw that at the hotel while we were—"

"Strategizing," Wes immediately cut in. "We were planning our attack at the time."

Eric rolled his eyes. "He was attacking my mouth alright." When Wes glared at him, he smiled and continued. "It was really bad. The show, not the kissing," he clarified.

"But I hear it won Mayor Lothor reelection," Ryan interjected.

"What do you think, Blake?" Goldwinger asked directly.

"Me?" Blake replied blankly. "Uh, a tv show sounds good."

"Looks like a winner to me," Ryan suggested.

"We'll call it… Power Rangers: The TV Show," Goldwinger commented. "I'll work on the title later, but it will star the red ranger, who is a tortured artist by day and a Power Ranger by night."

Blake groaned to himself. "The whole red ranger thing is kind of overdone. How about the blue ranger and he's into motocross?" Blake suggested.

"Ah, extreme sports!" Goldwinger declared happily. "Perfect! If you were your studly brother, I'd kiss you!"

Blake frowned. "What, does everyone love Hunter all of the sudden?"

"Which one was he?" Dana asked.

"Tall, blonde and built like a Greek god," Goldwinger explained.

"I know the one," Alyssa said, grinning.

"Girl, you mean all this time you weren't really a lesbian?" Goldwinger asked, surprised.

Alyssa punched him out of his chair and shrugged. "I swing both ways."

"And always with her fist," Ryan added, laughing as he helped Goldwinger up.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside. Apparently, Tori had found Blake and was trying to just spy quietly when Kapri walked up and (quite loudly) asked what she was up to. And, being Kapri, she didn't seem to get the whole quiet spying idea and instead insisted on playing a guessing game as if Tori were doing charades (which she wasn't).

"Tor," Blake greeted her coldly.

"Blake," she greeted back.

"You seem to like following me," he commented.

"I'm just worried about you," she insisted.

"Hey, you guys want some ice cream?" Eric offered.

"I'll have blueberry," Blake immediately spoke up, never taking his eyes off Tori. "And so will Tori. She likes blueberry too."

"You know, maybe I'll go for strawberry," she suggested.

Blake crossed his arms. "Strawberry is boring. You know you want blueberry. Blueberry had its hold on your taste buds first."

"Well, maybe my taste buds have changed," she replied.

"What? So there's no place in your life for blueberry anymore?" Blake asked.

She thought for a moment before looking Blake in the eyes. "Blueberry has always been my favorite and it will always hold a special place in my mouth. But strawberry just…"

"Come on, Tor!" Blake demanded. "You can't give up on your favorite flavor just like that!"

"Who says I'm giving up?" she asked. "Maybe I just like both right now."

"They may both be berries, but there is no way I'm sharing my blueberry with strawberry," Blake insisted.

"Fine!" she snapped. "Then I'll just have strawberry from now on." She crossed her arms and turned away.

"Aw, Tor, I'm sorry," Blake apologized, touching her shoulder lightly. "If you really… love strawberry, I won't stand in your way. I just want to make sure you're happy with the flavor you chose."

She sighed, turning back to face him. "I don't know that I love strawberry. I just need some time to decide."

"It's a good thing you didn't tell them they have banana or we'd be here all day," Wes whispered to Eric.

Blake gestured with his hand. "That's right," he told Tori. "What about strawberry banana? It's a classic combination. How do you think banana feels loosing strawberry to blueberry?"

"I think banana really likes being with pineapple," she immediately retorted. "Sometimes those quirky exotic fruits need to be together."

"Pineapple," Blake mumbled, frowning.

"Should I tell them there are more than just fruit flavors?" Eric asked Wes.

"Please don't," Wes told him seriously.

"I'll have mixed fruit ice cream," Kapri suddenly said. "I like all fruits equally," she said smugly, giving Tori and Blake an accusing look.

The two just stared at her blankly.

"Let's go talk to that strawberry brother of yours," Tori told Blake.

He nodded. "Anything for you, blueberry," he replied.

She grinned and shook her head. "I can't believe we just had that conversation."

"What?" Blake asked. "Us blueberries need to stick together."

"How about in a fruit salad," Tori suggested.

"Don't even go there," Blake warned.

"Let's just go before this conversation gets any weirder," Tori told him, leading him off.

"I hear that," Blake agreed, following her.

"They say when you're in love, you fight about anything," Eric commented once they had left.

"Are you saying we're going to fight about fruit at some point?" Wes asked, concerned.

"God I hope not," Eric replied.

"Reminds me of our first fight," Goldwinger noted.

"As I recall, it was over gold versus titanium," Ryan replied.

"This is why I never plan on falling in love," Dana explained.

"No one ever does, Dana," Alyssa told her. "No one ever does."

"Got that right!" Goldwinger agreed, reaching out for a high five. Unfortunately, when Alyssa smacked Goldwinger's hand, he once again tumbled onto the floor.

"Love hurts," Ryan commented with a shrug.

---

By the time Dustin and Tobi arrived at the ice cream shop, Goldwinger and the others were done eating and were preparing to leave. "You sure you can't stay longer?" Goldwinger asked Eric and Wes.

"We have to get back to work," Wes replied.

"Wes' right," Eric agreed. "We've got a state to protect."

"I guess I should check on how Perry is coming with that gift for Cam," Goldwinger commented.

"We're going to be leaving this dimension soon," Tobi told Eric and Wes as their paths crossed. "So, goodbye I guess."

"Yeah, thanks for all you did," Eric said. "Especially you, Tobi. Not only did you save us, but you defeated Zordon. You're some kind of a hero."

Tobi raised his eyebrows. "Me? A hero?"

"Of course, TZT!" Dustin assured him. "You're like a super hero! Like Totally Tobalistic Tobinator!"

Tobi started to point out that Tobinator was what he called his special friend in his shorts, but decided against it.

"Say goodbye to the others for us too," Eric told them.

"We will," both Tobi and Dustin agreed.

"Thanks," Wes told Tobi, holding out a hand. "I really appreciate it."

Eric smiled. "That's high praise from my boyfriend," he joked.

Tobi decided to ignore the hand and instead give the two a hug, which Dustin quickly joined. When they pulled away, Wes had a flushed face but Eric was just laughing.

The two Golden Guardians then waved as they left.

"Where's your boyfriend Hunter?" Ryan asked as he and Goldwinger prepared to go.

Dustin ran a hand through his hair nervously. "I don't know. We kinda aren't going out anymore."

"You're saying Hunter is single?" Goldwinger asked.

"I guess so," Dustin agreed.

"Hunter is…" Ryan began, looking at Goldwinger before they both ran out the door.

"I saw him first!" Goldwinger called as the two ran off.

"Poor Hunter," Dustin commented.

"Yeah, poor Hunter," Tobi agreed, looking at Dustin.

"Will we see you later at the park?" Kapri asked as she walked by with Nadira.

"Is something happening at the—" Tobi began.

"Yeah, we'll totally be there!" Dustin interrupted.

"I'll tell Marah," Kapri said with a giggle.

"Come on, great grandmother," Nadira said with a shake of her head as she and Kapri left. "Nice to meet you!" she called over her shoulder.

"Uh, yeah," Tobi agreed, wondering who that pink haired woman was with the pink haired Kapri.

At that moment, Dana passed by with Alyssa.

"We wish you two the best of luck in dealing with the malicious Power Rangers that came from this dimension," Dana told Tobi and Dustin. When the two gave her a surprised look, she added, "My brother told me about that. We're a little concerned about what sending them back here would mean."

"I'm not," Alyssa chimed in, pounding her fists together.

"Alyssa, there is a time for violence and a time for restraint," Dana told her.

"I can be gentle when I want to be," Alyssa said with a smirk as she ran a finger through Dana's blonde hair.

Dana blinked at her. "Are you…?" she began. "Uh, anyway, we should get back to work. Saving lives." She continued to blink at Alyssa.

"Of course, Dana," Alyssa told her as the two left. "Bye, boys!"

"Bye," Tobi and Dustin said, exchanging confused looks as they approached the front counter to order.

"That was pretty awesome last night," Dustin commented. "It was like a comic book convention with all those Power Rangers and stuff."

"Except for the fighting," Tobi pointed out.

"I don't know," Dustin disagreed. "Some of those comic book geeks can get kinda wild."

"I know the type," Tobi said with a grin. "So, is pizza ice cream with the works okay?"

"With the works!" Dustin agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

"Okay," Tobi said, turning to the human at the counter. "Two large pizza ice creams with the works."

After paying, the two then found a booth in a private area of the now mostly empty place and Tobi started to sit down.

Dustin looked at their training suits. "Maybe we should change," he suggested.

"For our date, right," Tobi realized. "Well, here goes." He swung his arm and looked down. He was now wearing a button down yellow shirt and shorts.

Dustin grinned, looking him up and down.

"What? Were you hoping I'd end up naked?" Tobi asked.

Dustin blushed. "Maybe," he mumbled while swinging his arm to reveal a yellow t-shirt and shorts. "I like the gold dragon," he commented, pointing to Tobi's shirt.

"Thanks," Tobi replied, taking a seat and grinning as he looked up at Dustin's messy hair.

Dustin felt his head. "Aw man," he complained. "Hey, how come you don't get bed head? It's like no fair!"

"It's because I have dead straight hair," Tobi explained, "whereas you have nice thick, wavy hair." Dustin cringed. "What? I like your hair a lot." He reached over the table to play with a stray curl.

"It's not that," Dustin replied, biting his lip.

"Oh," Tobi realized, lowering his hand. "Dead straight. Maybe I should have chosen another word. Maybe I shouldn't use straight either, considering I'm anything but."

Dustin stared into Tobi's eyes, blinking.

"Look, I'm alive now," Tobi told him as he noticed his own reflection in Dustin's eyes. "Dustin, what were you going to say last night when you were on top of me?"

Dustin's cheeks flushed. "I was on top of you?"

"At the abyss, remember?" Tobi clarified.

"Oh, yeah," Dustin replied, running a hand through his already messy hair. "I felt… something, but I wanted to like figure it out first."

"And have you figured it out yet?" Tobi asked, staring at him.

"Not really," Dustin admitted, embarrassed. "I'm trying!"

Tobi leaned his elbows on the table. "Maybe I can help you figure it out," he offered.

Dustin smiled at him, an almost dreamy look in his brown eyes. "Thanks, TZT. You've always got my back."

"No problem," Tobi assured him. "So, what did you feel?"

Dustin thought for a moment. "It's like…" He waved his hand, trying to find the words. "…this feeling. Dude, of course it's a feeling, but… it's like I needed to be with you even though you were like right there. Aw, man, it's so confusing."

"You were afraid of losing me again?" Tobi suggested.

"Yeah, maybe," Dustin agreed, "but I wanted it to mean something more."

"You wanted it to mean you love me," Tobi concluded. "You know, Tori thinks you really love everybody and that's why you think you love nobody."

"But it's not the same with you, TZT," Dustin told him.

"How's it different?" Tobi asked.

"I care about everybody kinda the same," Dustin explained. "I like people a lot and love being around them, but I can handle not being around people all the time. Like if I'm fixing up a bike or something, but with you…" he cocked his head to the side, thinking. "I feel alone when I'm not with you, even when I'm like totally not alone. See, it doesn't make any sense." He put his hands up in a sign of surrender. "It's like you're the only person I don't love because I hurt so much when you were lying there. I hated it."

"You think you don't love me because you missed me so much it hurt?" Tobi asked.

"Yeah," Dustin agreed. "Love's supposed to make you feel happy. That's why I wanted to talk to you. Last night and today I felt so happy that I thought… maybe I'm in love with you. And, of course, thinking that like made me supper happy!"

"Oh, Dustin," Tobi said, reaching out and taking Dustin's hand in his. "Love doesn't always make you happy."

Dustin frowned in confusion. "It doesn't?" He thought for a moment. "Guess I don't really know much about love."

"Sure you do," Tobi argued. "Think about your family or your friends. Do they always make you happy or do you feel really bad when something happens to them?"

"Duh, but that's different," Dustin replied.

"It's not really," Tobi disagreed. "Love is love. Romantic love isn't anything magical."

"It's not?" Dustin asked in disbelief. "But I heard that… aw man."

"Don't believe the hype," Tobi told him. "I used to think the same thing, but it's just love mixed with wanting to bone them too."

Dustin nodded, blushing slightly. "I get it now. Thanks, TZT!"

"Anytime," Tobi replied.

"So, then… I love you?" he asked hopefully.

Tobi smiled. "I think so."

Dustin proceeded to do a little dance in his seat.

"Here we go," a voice interrupted, causing the two to release their hands as two large pizza ice cream platters were set in front of each of them. "Enjoy," the waitress said, eyeing the two with a smile as she left.

Dustin's eyes were wide as he stared at what was in front of him. He picked up his spoon and carefully scooped out a layer of cheesy goodness before tasting it. Immediately, a smile stretched across his face and he started shoveling the ice cream into his mouth.

"I see you've found one thing you know for sure you love," Tobi commented while scooping out some ice cream from his own platter.

"Aw, man, this stuff is awesome!" Dustin mumbled with his mouth full.

"Careful or you'll get brain freeze," Tobi warned.

"Mmmhmm," Dustin mumbled. "Man, I can't believe they don't have this back in our dimension."

"Wait, they don't have pizza ice cream?" Tobi asked, concerned.

Dustin nodded, cheeks stuffed as he closed his eyes and held his forehead. "Gah, brain freeze!"

"Mix the cheese layer into the sauce layer and it helps," Tobi suggested. "But no pizza ice cream? Maybe I should order another."

"Ah," Dustin sighed, the pressure in his head finally gone. Of course, then he promptly shoved more cold ice cream into his mouth. "Dude, you should so order another. Gah! Brain freeze!"

Tobi had been too occupied with watching Dustin and thinking about a dimension without pizza ice cream that he ended up eating his own ice cream too fast. "Brain freeze," he complained, squinting.

"Here," Dustin offered, running his warm palms back and forth across Tobi's head quickly. "Better?" he asked.

Tobi opened his eyes, staring at Dustin. "Better," he replied, grinning. "Here," he said, reaching out a finger and wiping some ice cream from Dustin's chin before bringing it to his mouth and licking his finger.

Dustin stared at him wide eyed. "Dude, that was kinda… hot," he mumbled.

Tobi blushed. "Thanks," he replied. "I think I missed a spot."

Dustin leaned his face over the table. "You got some on your cheek."

Tobi leaned forward so that their faces were inches apart. "You too," he told him. "Right… here…" He leaned forward and ran his tongue over Dustin's cheek, which caused the darker skinned ninja to giggle. He then ran his tongue along Dustin's jaw line, up his chin and finally around Dustin's lips. He felt Dustin's tongue emerge from his mouth and meet his own before licking around Tobi's lips. Dustin then began lapping at Tobi's face like a dog. By this point, they were both giggling.

Dustin's mouth eventually found its way back to Tobi's and their tongues exchanged some licks before, without a spoken cue, both their mouths opened and their lips met. Their tongues explored each other's warm inner wetness, tasting each other's residual ice cream.

"Mmmm," Dustin moaned, quickly followed by Tobi doing the same.

Tobi reached up and ran his hands through Dustin's hair, instinctively pulling their faces even closer together.

Dustin's hands repeated this motion, running down Tobi's long hair, then down his neck until they were rubbing over Tobi's shoulders.

Tobi lifted himself off the seat to get better leverage, but he neglected to take a part of his body sticking out into account and he rammed his erection into the table. "Gah!" he cried into Dustin's mouth, biting both their tongues.

"Ow!" Dustin yelled, pulling back.

"Sorry," Tobi mumbled, sitting down carefully and adjusting the sensitive contents of his shorts. "I kinda banged myself."

"You banged… yourself?" Dustin asked, eyes wide. "You can do that? How?"

Tobi stared at him for a moment. "I hurt my… equipment on the table."

"Oh!" Dustin said with a dramatic nod. "Gotcha. You okay?"

"I will be," he replied. "I just got a little excited there."

"Man, me too," Dustin agreed, blushing.

"And I'm used to masturbating after I wake up," Tobi added.

"Me too," Dustin agreed, nodding. "I mean…" His blush became more pronounced.

Tobi chuckled to himself.

"Hey, TZT," Dustin asked, suddenly, biting his bottom lip, "you ever think about… doing it with me? You know, it? Like, banging, but good banging?"

Tobi nodded. "A lot," he admitted. "You?"

"Yeah," Dustin agreed. "And Hunter and Marah and lots of people."

Tobi raised an eyebrow. "I guess me too, sometimes. I mean, minus Hunter and Marah."

"But Hunter's hot and Marah's cute," Dustin argued.

"I'll have to take your word for that," Tobi replied.

"Marah kinda reminds me of a girl I knew in middle school back when I first started having crushes."

"Oh," Tobi mumbled. "So, Hunter and Marah both have some hold on you because of your past." He tried not to sound as disappointed as he felt.

"Nah," Dustin disagree. "They're friends and I like them and all, but I think I love you." He suddenly frowned.

"What's wrong?" Tobi asked, concerned. He reached out and took one of Dustin's hands in his.

"That was another reason I thought maybe I didn't love you," Dustin explained. "I could think about doing it with them but not you. It was like I was using you and it didn't feel right. I couldn't think about you like that, so I thought about them."

Tobi frowned. "You don't find me attractive?" he asked.

Dustin wrapped his other warm hand around Tobi's hand that held his. "TZT, you are so super handsome and cute and I want to bang you in a good way, but…"

"But?" Tobi prompted.

"But I don't wanna hurt you or change things with you," he finished. "I just want to be with you and, like, if that leads to doing it with you, I'd be super happy. But, when I think about doing it with you, it's different. It's like… more than doing it." He tilted his head and thought.

"It's like… making love," Tobi suggested.

Dustin looked at him and smiled. "Yeah, like making love," he agreed, his smile widening. "Dude, does that mean I really love you?"

"Yes, you love me already," Tobi assured him with a grin.

"Awesome!" Dustin declared, releasing his hand for a high five.

Tobi reached up and gave Dustin his desired high five, laughing. "I don't thik that's how people say they love each other."

"It totally should be," Dustin argued, standing up so he could reach across the table. "And hugs are good too."

Tobi looked awkwardly at the table between them.

"Dude, come over here," Dustin suggested, motioning for Tobi to sit next to him, which Tobi happily obliged. Tobi sat as close to Dustin as possible and Dustin put an arm around his shoulder. He then tried to feed Tobi ice cream.

Tobi giggled as the ice cream spilled on his face. He then decided to try feeding Dustin ice cream as payback, which had similar results. Then, with their faces a mess, they licked their lips and proceeded to lick each other's faces until they were once again kissing. This time, the two let their hands run down each other's arms as their breathing quickened.

Dustin pulled Tobi onto his lap and ran his hands down the back of Tobi's shirt while Tobi played with Dustin's hair with one hand and ran the other along Dustin's tanned bicep. Almost instinctively, the two began grinding their hips. As Dustin's hands found their way down to Tobi's butt, Tobi leaned farther into Dustin's mouth. Dustin's hands then began to move Tobi up and down in rhythm with his own movements as Tobi's hands ran over Dustin's shirt covered chest. They were attacking each other's mouths with a fury when suddenly they both gasped.

Tobi pulled back quickly, an extremely embarrassed look on his face as he looked down at the wet spot forming in his shorts. To his surprise, an identical wet spot wa forming in Dustin's shorts.

"Dude," Dustin panted, cheeks flushed and chocolate eyes wide, "did we just… do it?"

"Uh, I don't know," Tobi mumbled, catching his breath. "I don't think that counts. Real sex involves being naked and… penetration. That was like… humping with clothes on."

Dustin nodded before looking around. "Man, I haven't messed up my shorts like this since Was like fourteen."

"Look, Dustin, I'm really sorry," Tobi apologized.

Dustin offered him a reassuring smile. "Nah, TZT, I liked it." He gave him a quick kiss. "A lot."

Tobi leaned forward and rested his head on Dustin's shoulder. "I'm glad. I just want you to be happy and I never want to hurt you."

"Me too," Dustin agreed, wrapping his arms around Tobi tightly. "I never want to hurt you."

"I love you Dustin," Tobi whispered.

"I love you too TZT," Dustin replied. "Thanks for like helping me figure that out."

Tobi lifted his head. "Was it the sex?" he asked.

"Nah, dude," Dustin disagreed. "I figured it out before then. So, wait, it was sex?"

Tobi just grinned and kissed Dustin.

"Dude, maybe we should finish our ice cream before it's all melted and drippy and stuff," Dustin suggested.

"Speaking of melted ice cream, that's almost what it feels like is in my shorts," Tobi complained.

"Me too," Dustin agreed before making an arm movement that returned him to his training outfit.

Tobi frowned. "I don't think I can do that without ending up naked with what I'm sure looks like vanilla ice cream dripping off me," he admitted.

Dustin's eyes went wide. "TZT, have you ever… tasted your… stuff?"

"My… Oh, no, why?" Tobi asked. "You mean, you have?"

Dustin blushed, embarrassed. "I was just like curious, you know?"

"I guess that makes sense," Tobi agreed. "Now I'm curious what it tas—Wait, does that mean you were thinking about licking me clean… down there too?"

Dustin's blush became even more pronounced. "Maybe…" he said with a grin.

Tobi's cheeks flushed as well. "I… I think I'd like that a lot…" He looked around. Even though they were in a secluded area, it was still a public place. "But I don't think this is a good place. Maybe later…"

Dustin grinned, nodding. "Yeah, later," he agreed.

Tobi blinked for a moment. "Now let's finish this ice cream before it's just soggy breast milk."

"Breast milk?" Dustin repeated.

"Nevermind," Tobi told him as the two finished their pizza ice cream.

---

Later, Tobi and Dustin picked up two chocolate ice cream cones to go and licked them as they left the shop.

"It's nice to have so much money to spend freely," Tobi commented between licks.

"Yeah," Dustin agreed. "Hey, what'd you want to do next?"

"Well, they probably want us back soon so we can leave," Tobi replied. "I would have liked to teach you how to surf." He frowned. "I think I left my board at the beach. I wonder if I should just buy a new one."

"Uh, dude, I'm like so not a surfer," Dustin told him. "I kept wiping out. At least with moto, you can't drown in dirt."

"I'm sure there's a way," Tobi disagreed.

"Yeah, probably right," Dustin said with a nod.

"But I've had a lot of time to think about this and I came up with surfing I think you'll really like," he continued.

Dustin raised his eyebrows, which were probably the only part of his face not covered in chocolate by now. Tobi had to resist the urge to lick it off.

"Dirt surfing," Tobi explained. "Since you can control earth, you should be able to ride it."

"Oh, man, why didn't I think of that?" Dustin asked in amazement. "That'd be totally awesome!" As he waved his hands in an excited manner, the remaining chocolate ice cream atop his cone flew up and splatted in his face.

Tobi couldn't help but giggle. "I don't think I can lick all that up. I'll go get some napkins."

"But, before Tobi couldn't run back inside, Dustin reached out to stop him. "Dude, what's that?"

Tobi followed Dustin's gaze to a thunder cloud that was suspiciously hovering over just one small area in the distance. "I think I might have a guess," Tobi replied.

Dustin looked at him, a questioning look in his eyes. "Hunter?"

Tobi just nodded before the two hastily finished the ice cream cones and Tobi gave Dustin's face a quick lick and they streaked off toward the lone dark cloud.

---

Hunter had managed to find a new spot to be alone when Tori and Blake appeared out of nowhere. He couldn't help but groan, even though a part of him was relieved to see the two.

"Listen, bro, I'm sorry I freaked on you like that," Blake immediately apologized. "It's just hard since I care about both of you."

"And I'm sorry too," Tori added.

"No, it's cool," Hunter spoke up. He had an almost defeated look in his eyes.

"Tor explained things," Blake continued. "She's not really likes strawberry more than blueberry and all that."

Hunter stared at his brother blankly.

Blake grinned awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. "Yeah, guess you had to be there."

Hunter nodded. "Guess so," he agreed. "Wait… don't tell me this has to do with Tori's… cherry." He shot Tori a panicked look.

Both Blake and Tori's faces flushed immediately. "No," Tori assured him. "My, uh, cherry is… uh, still… uh, yeah," she mumbled.

"Good, because I like your cherry the way it is," Hunter said with a glare at his brother.

"Uh, me too," Blake quickly agreed.

"Way to play it safe," Tori told him with a sideways glance.

There was a moment of awkward silence before Blake spoke. "So, bro… I know how Tori feels. What about you?"

Hunter was silent for a few moments longer. "I… care about her a lot," he finally answered, his eyes never leaving Tori's face. She offered him a smile before he continued. "Which is why I still think you two should be together. It's meant to be. Just get over yourselves already."

"Meant to be?" Blake repeated.

Hunter shrugged. "Couldn't think of anything better to say," he explained. "It's still true."

"And what about Dustin and Tobi?" Blake prompted.

"Maybe they're meant to be together too," Hunter replied.

"What about you?" Tori asked quietly.

"I don't know," Hunter admitted, pouting. "I've been thinking, maybe I'm just…" At that moment, a cloud began to form over his head. "…in the way," he finished.

Little sparks of lightning flickered as the cloud rose and expanded.

"Not again," Blake groaned. "Always the drama queen."

"This has happened before?" Tori asked in disbelief as she stared at the thundering cloud.

Crackle! A flicker of lightning struck a nearby patch of grass.

"It's the power of thunder thing," Blake explained. "He gets like this sometimes when he's in his 'I wish I was never born' mood. At least he's not all suicidal."

Tori shot Blake a horrified look. "When was that?"

"When tall, blonde and brooding started liking crimson," Blake explained.

"It's not a mood and I'm not suicidal," Hunter argued. "It's just that, if I weren't here, I couldn't come between you two."

"Hey, that was Tobi's sister," Blake reminded him.

Hunter just grunted. "If I weren't here, Dustin would have chose Tobi right away instead of putting him through… what I'm sure was a really painful time." He furrowed his brown in concentration.

Tori approached Hunter, placing a hand on his arm hesitantly. "Dustin still cares about you," she assured him. "We all do."

"Yeah," Blake agreed. "You annoy me sometimes, but you're still my big bro. You've always been there for me and I love you."

Hunter blinked at his brother, his eyes turning reflective. "I love you too, bro," he agreed. "That's why I want you to be happy. I'm sorry for being selfish." He looked away, his eyes glazing over. "You know, Dustin really debated and had a hard time deciding before choosing me, but, with Tobi, it was like it took no effort at all. Like it was… natural."

"Like banana and pineapple," Tori commented to herself.

Hunter shot her a confused look. "I can't change the past, but I'm not gonna stand in anyone's way any longer."

"Hunter…" Tori whispered, rubbing his back with her hand. She could feel the tension in his muscles. "I didn't mean to come between you and your brother. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine."

Just then, the cloud overhead was pierced by a stream of sunlight.

Tori let out a relieved sigh, giving Hunter's back one last pat.

"About time you came around," Blake commented, patting his brother's arm. "I love you, but damn you're stubborn sometimes."

Hunter frowned. "That wasn't me," he said, looking from the dissipating cloud over to Tobi, who was standing several feet away with his arms raise. Somehow, he was using sunlight to dissipate Hunter's thunder cloud. Dustin was standing next to him, his face full of the same amazement that Tori and Blake's faces held.

"I felt like how you feel," Tobi said, lowering his arms, "but, Hunter, even if you think we'd be better off without you, you're wrong. You made Dustin happy and I think you made Tori happy too." He glanced at his sister, who nodded. "Blake's your brother, so of course he needs you."

"Brotherly advice and all," Blake agreed.

Hunter forced a small grin. "That's true. He's helpless without me."

"Hey!" Blake protested.

Tobi walked up to Hunter and put an arm around him. "I saved your life," he told Hunter. "That means something. It means you can't want to throw that away. I died for you, meaning you matter bigtime."

"Yeah, dude," Dustin agreed, pulling the two into a group hug.

Tori smiled and wrapped her arms around the three. "We care about you."

Blake shrugged and decided he might as well join his brother's fan club and hugged him as well.

Hunter chuckled lightly to himself while rubbing a hand through his brother's short black hair. "This probably looks ridiculous."

"Just like a big fruit salad," Blake commented, eying Tori, who promptly hit him lightly, though she was still smiling.

"Mmm, fruit salad!" Dustin declared.

"They make mixed fruit ice cream," Tobi suggested.

"You think you can like get permanent brain freeze?" he asked.

"I doubt it," Tobi replied as the group hug dispersed.

"Speaking of fruit, I'm sure our kiwi is waiting for us to get back so we can all go home," Tori suggested.

"Why not lime?" Blake asked.

"I like kiwi better," Tori explained.

"Okay, you guys have to spill what this whole fruit thing is about!" Hunter insisted, grabbing his brother and Tori.

"Sure, strawberry," Tori agreed.

"Can I be cherry?" Tobi asked. "Especially those little chocolate covered cherries."

Tori's cheeks immediately flushed.

Blake laughed. "Dude, don't even go there," he warned.

"What?" Tobi asked.

Hunter just patted Tobi's shoulder.

"You like Cherry Coke?" Dustin asked Tobi.

"Of course!" Tobi agreed. "And Orange and Pineapple. Oh, and speaking of drinks, you can't forget lemonade. It's a classic."

"Total classic," Dustin agreed with a nod.

"Yeah, let's get back to Ninja Ops," Hunter said, shaking his head. "Strawberry, he muttered. "Why couldn't I be apple?"

---

Cam was busy making last minute preparations before their departure when he noticed a moth flying around.

"Dude, that's the first time I've seen any kind of insects in Ninja Ops," Shane pointed out while he played mindlessly with Skyla's hair.

"I know," Cam replied, squinting at the flying creature suspiciously. When it tried landing on the keyboard in front of him, he shooed it away, but it was too fast for his samurai reflexes.

"Want me to look for bug spray?" Shane offered.

"What does spraying it do to the bug?" Skyla asked curiously.

"It kills it," Shane replied, confused.

Skyla's eyes widened. "Oh," she mumbled.

"Somehow I doubt that would be effective," Cam replied as he watched the moth hop from one key to another at a lightning pace. On the screen, it looked like a signal code was being entered. By this point, Cam already had his suspicions, so he decided to just let the tiny creature do its thing.

When it was done, it went back to hovering in front of Cam while the screen popped up an image of Goldwinger.

"Ah, my friend!" Goldwinger greeted happily. "Can you hear me alright?"

"Yes, I can hear and see you," Cam replied, unimpressed.

"Wonderful!" Goldwinger said, fluffing his wings.

"Woah, how'd he do that?" Shane asked, approaching the screen.

"The moth has a camera and it tuned the computer to its frequency," Cam explained.

Shane nodded. "Doesn't explain how it got in here."

"I have my ways," Goldwinger said with an evil laugh. Well, it was an attempt at one anyway. It came out mostly like a girl having a giggle fit.

"I take it that here's a reason you're contacting us," Cam prompted.

"Yes indeed," Goldwinger agreed. "I was looking for that studly hunk of a man Hunter."

"Studly hunk of a man?" Shane whispered to Cam. "Does he always talk like this?"

Cam just blinked. "I'll tell him you're looking for him," he offered. "We'll all be headed to the park soon anyway. Will your Zord be able to fit us all?"

"It might be a little tight, you know, but sure," Goldwinger agreed. "you might have to press your hard bodies against each other as the jostling of the Zord rubs your—"

"I get the picture," cam said, covering his head in his hands.

"Oh, and I almost forgot!" Goldwinger added. "I have a little something for you. I felt bad about what happened to that adorable little owl, so I had Perry whip up a little flying creature." Suddenly a metallic gold moth with a big goofy looking face flew up on the screen. "I'm having my MOTH send over it's schematics now," Goldwinger added as a series of blueprints began to fill the screen.

"Thanks, Goldwinger," Cam replied, genuinely surprised.

"Any time!" he declared happily. "I'll miss you guys, but at least my little mechanical friend will be able to let us keep in touch."

"Oh, it can communicate across dimensions…" Cam began, uncertain how he felt about that particular feature. "That's… interesting."

"Remember the hunky studmuffin!" Goldwinger added.

Cam nodded. "Right," he agreed. "See you later, Goldwinger." He then waited for Goldwinger's MOTH to fly off wherever it had come from.

The moment it was gone, almost on cue, Hunter entered with Tori, Blake, Dustin and Tobi.

"Hunter, bro, that moth dude Goldwinger was asking about you," Shane teased Hunter. "He totally has the hots for you." He paused. "At least, I think it's a he."

The others visibly cringed as they approached Cam.

"Is it time to go home, Cam?" Tori asked with a hopeful expression.

"I'll be ready in a moment," he told herce. "I just want to make sure I'm not forgetting to do anything. I've set the Zords to self destruct, set a remote activated virus, tested Tobi's morpher, reconfigured the—"

"Tobi has a morpher?" Blake interrupted.

"Yeah, how awesome is that?" Dustin said, offering Blake a high five, which he declined for some reason the yellow ranger didn't catch.

Tori put an arm around Tobi's shoulders. "You finally get your wish. Not only are you a ninja, but you're a Power Ranger too."

Tobi grinned. "Yeah, it's everything I used to want but with people who care about me."

"Aw," Tori said, hugging him.

"Technically speaking, it does not make you a Power Ranger," Cam pointed out. "I should also mention that it may still prove dangerous. While it does work at channeling the Sun Amulet's energy in simulations, it may have an unexpected response to a human subject. That being said…" He handed Tobi the gold morpher, the Sun Amulet affixed where a power disk would be on a regular morpher. "Don't activate it yet," he warned. "For now, a communicator will be all you need it for. Once we get back to our dimension and retake that Ninja Ops, I can use the biobuffer there to protect you in case the test fails."

"Thanks for all your concern for me," Tobi said, hugging Cam lightly before asking, "Will I morph?"

Cam's cheeks flushed from the contact, but then Tobi released him in order to put on the morpher. "Neither Doctor Oliver nor Sensei Omino morphed when they bonded with the Shade Amulet," Cam replied.

"Oh," Tobi said, disappointed.

Dustin put an arm around Tobi. "Let's go to the park so we can like… say goodbye and stuff."

"I bet you're looking forward to being able to morph," Tobi told Dustin.

"Morph," Cam suddenly realized, hitting his forehead with his hand. "I need to realign all your morphers."

Dustin offered his first and Cam proceeded to realign it.

"I'll go change while you guys do that," Tobi said, looking down at his shorts.

Dustin blushed. "Sounds good," he said with a nod.

Tobi smiled at him before leaving the room.

Hunter noticed Dustin's flushed cheeks and he couldn't help but sigh.

"Dude, you okay?" Dustin asked, genuinely concerned.

Hunter nodded. "He makes you happy, doesn't he?"

Dustin grinned, his eyes adopting a dreamy look. "Yeah, he does. I love him a lot."

"You love him?" Tori repeated.

Dustin nodded. "TZT helped me figure it out. He's awesome."

Hunter blinked. "Yeah, awesome," he mumbled.

Tori gave the crimson ninja a sympathetic look. He looked back at her, offering her a smile in return.

"I'm glad you're happy," Hunter told Dustin.

"Thanks, dude," Dustin replied, giving Hunter a hug.

"There you go," Cam said, finishing with Dustin's morpher. His eyes were locked on the two hugging as he continued. "If we time it right or my electromagnetic field disruptor works, you'll be able to become the yellow ranger again."

Dustin grinned, releasing Hunter. "That'll be cool and all, but I kinda liked being Awesome Dude."

"You'll always be Awesome Dude," Cam told him, earning the samurai a surprised look from the others. "Anyway, who's next?" he asked.

Tori offered her morpher to Cam as Tobi returned to the room wearing his training suit.

"Hey, let's go see if Marah's at the park with Destiny and Geodude," Dustin said, grabbing Tobi by the arm.

Tobi studied Dustin's face for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Sure."

"We'll meet you guys there soon," Tori called as Tobi and Dustin left Ninja Ops.

"Dude, did you see how they were like connected at the hip?" Shane asked. "Dustin'd move in synch with Tobi."

"That's what happens when you're in love," Tori told him.

Shane looked at Hunter. "That's why you're so quiet. Dustin never said he loved you."

Hunter started to open his mouth to speak, but his brother spoke first. "That's not the only reason," Blake began before noticing the worried looks in Tori and Hunter's eyes. "But you know Hunter's never been much of a talker," he quickly added.

Shane nodded, accepting Blake's answer and overlooking the little exchange.

"I'm glad that they're both happy," Skyla spoke up. "They deserve that."

"Yeah," Hunter nodded in agreement. "They do."

"Speaking of in synch," Tori said, gesturing toward Shane and Skyla, "you two seem pretty close too."

Shane smiled at Skyla. "I think we are."

Skyla nodded. "We are," she agreed. "I love him."

Shane blushed, looking back at the others.

"We noticed a while ago," Tori told Shane.

"You two are set," Cam told Tori and Shane. "I'll meet you at the park with my father soon. Call me if you need anything."

Shane nodded. "Will do," he agreed, offering a hand to Skyla. "You ready to go?"

"Yes," she agreed, following him out.

"Hey, Tor, I'll, uh, catch up with you later," Blake said as he handed Cam his morpher.

She looked between the two brothers and nodded. "Sure," she agreed. "Don't be long." She patted a hand on both before leaving Ninja Ops.

"Bro, we've got to work this out," Blake told Hunter once Tori had left.

"What's to work out?" Hunter asked. "I told you I want you both to be happy."

"And we won't be happy unless you're happy," Blake retorted.

Cam looked up from his work on Blake's morpher. "You two are both interested in Tori?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Hunter admitted.

Cam sighed. "She seems to have that effect on people." His eyes glazed over for a moment.

Blake nodded. "I hear that," he agreed.

"Dustin seems to also have a similar effect on people," Cam added, glancing at Hunter.

"It's the eyes," Hunter suggested.

"It certainly isn't the brain," Cam commented.

"Hey!" Hunter protested. "Dustin's not stupid."

Cam have him an apologetic look. "I know that. I just mean it would have been nice to combine his looks with a… less impulsive personality."

Hunter raised an eyebrow toward Cam. "Yeah, I guess I see your point."

"Level headedness has its advantages," Cam mused, "as you know from yourself."

Hunter nodded before smiling. "We sound like a bunch of old ladies sitting around talking about lost love."

"Who you calling an old lady?" Blake asked.

Cam chuckled softly. "Hunky's right. We sound—"

"Did you just call me… hunky?" Hunter interrupted.

Cam froze. "Hunter. I meant Hunter," he corrected, blinking for a moment before groaning. "It's that Goldwinger's fault. He kept calling you a 'studly hunk of a man.'"

Blake shook his head. "That monster is seriously freakier than any of the ones we fought."

Hunter looked at Cam. "So, it's not that you think I'm… good looking?"

Cam's cheeks flushed. "Well, I, uh," he stuttered. "I mean, of course you're good looking. People do fall all over themselves to get your attention, but there's a difference in being aware of aesthetic beauty and lust. I simply wish I had what you have."

"You're jealous of me?" Hunter asked, surprised. "Wait, so you think I'm… beautiful?"

"I didn't…" Cam began, trying to calm himself. He handed Blake back his morpher rather forcefully. "I happen to be aware when certain people are attractive, such as you or Dustin, but it's tied into the fact that I want to be one of those males that women find as… irresistible as you two."

"Is that what you tell yourself?" Hunter said with a slight chuckle.

"That's what I tell myself and it's the truth," he insisted.

"So, Cam, you're like totally straight or are you bi like my bro?" Blake asked.

Cam thought for a moment as he took Hunter's morpher. "I would say that I'm a one and a half, possibly two at most on the Kinsey Scale."

"The what scale?" Hunter asked.

"In the 1950s, Alfred Kinsey extensively researched human sexuality," Cam explained. "He showed that most people fall somewhere between one, one being entirely heterosexual, and six, six being entirely homosexual, and that it is rare to be one of the extremes."

"Which means?" Hunter prompted.

"Most people are bisexual to at least a small degree," Cam replied. "For me, it is a very small degree."

Hunter smirked. "Uh huh. We totally buy that, don't we?" he asked, looking at his brother.

Blake rolled his eyes. "Not with how he was going on about Dustin's looks. So, what, am I the only straight guy?"

"Bro, there is no way you're totally straight," Hunter told him.

Blake's cheeks flushed. "Don't go there," he warned. "You're my bro. It doesn't count."

Hunter continued to smirk. "Course not."

Cam gave the two a suspicious look. "Well, your morphers are realigned," he said, handing Hunter back his morpher. My father and I will join you shortly."

"Right," Blake agreed, turning to leave, his cheeks still red. "You coming, bro?" he asked.

Hunter paused, leaning over Cam and giving him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled, chuckling to himself. "Later, straight man."

"You are cruel," Blake told Hunter as he joined him.

"What? He's got to learn," Hunter justified. "And so do you."

Blake put up his hands as the two left Ninja Ops. "Don't even! I'm glad you're feeling better, but not now!"

Cam stared at the exit to Ninja Ops. He had only ever really found males attractive when they had feminine features or, in Tobi's case, reminded him of a girl. Maybe, on rare occasions, he had found Dustin cute, but cute was hardly a masculine feature. Hunter, on the other hand, was certainly not feminine in the least and suddenly that two on the Kinsey Scale was starting to look less realistic. As he felt his cheeks still flushed, am wondered if he might be leaning toward a three.

---

"When are they coming?" Geo asked impatiently as he hopped up and down next to a banner that some kelzaks were setting up in the middle of the park. The banner read, "Thank You, Power Rangers!"

"Soon, I hope," Marah told him, glancing at Kapri.

"They said they'd be here," Kapri assured them both while Destiny barked at one of the kelzaks. The kelzak jumped away from the dog, scared, and ended up crashing into another kelzak. The banner then came tumbling down on top of both as Destiny continued to bark.

Mayor Lothor bent over, helping the kelzaks up. "I never thought there would come a day when, as mayor, I'd be thanking the Power Rangers for anything," he said as he helped with the banner.

"Not only did they help defeat the evil Power Rangers, Kiya," grumpy Sensei said from atop his wife's shoulder, "but one of them also defeated Zordon by himself."

His wife turned her head toward the guinea pig. "What happened to Tori's twin not being good for anything?"

"I told you, Miko, I was wrong about a lot of things," he admitted.

"That's true," she agreed with a smirk. "You're wrong about him being a Power Ranger."

He gave her a sharp look, which was difficult considering he was a cute little furry creature. "I think he will become a Power Ranger," he explained, "so I'm not really wrong."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, that makes perfect sense," she said sarcastically.

He tried to cross his arms, but quickly realized his limbs were too short. "When he becomes a Power Ranger, I expect an apology."

"From who?" she asked, trying to keep a serious face.

He just shook his head. Even as a guinea pig, he could still do that right.

"Is he here yet?" a voice called as the others turned to see Goldwinger, Ryan and Perry approaching. A fat bodied, big headed mechanical moth was flying next to them.

"Not yet," Lothor informed the newcomers. "If you want, you can help us set up."

"We'd love to help!" Goldwinger quickly agreed.

"All I do all f*&$% day long is work," Perry complained.

Ryan leaned toward Goldwinger and whispered, "What do you see in him?"

"I'll show you!" Goldwinger replied, intentionally dropping a wrench. "Perry, would you get that for me?"

Perry grumbled something unintelligible as he bent over to retrieve the tool. Both Ryan and Goldwinger tilted their heads to stare.

Ryan nodded toward Goldwinger. "Now I see."

Meanwhile, more kelzaks set up a stage near the banner.

"Oh! There they are!" Kapri declared upon seeing Dustin and Tobi approaching.

Marah, Geo and Destiny immediately ran over to greet them.

"Marah says you're leaving," Geo told Dustin as he stopped in front of the earth ninja.

Dustin ran a hand through his hair, looking from Geo up to Marah. "Yeah, that's true," he agreed.

"But I don't want you to go!" Geo protested.

"Neither do I," Marah confessed. "And it looks like Destiny wants you to stay too," she added as Destiny ran in a circle around Dustin.

Dustin reached down and picked up Destiny, holding her close enough that she could lick some of the remaining ice cream off his face. "Maybe you guys can come with us," he suggested.

"Yay!" Geo promptly cheered.

"Do you really think your friends will let us?" Marah asked hopefully.

Dustin frowned. "Probably not," he admitted.

Tobi looked from Marah and Geo to Dustin. He reached out and petted Destiny in Dustin's arms. "If you came, would you guys miss your home?" he asked outloud.

"Me and Kapri have been on our own for a while," Marah explained. "It's Geo I'd be worried about. You sure you can't stay?"

"Yeah, please stay!" Geo begged. "We can play Power Rangers together!"

"Not Pokémon, Geodude?" Dustin asked, surprised.

"Power Rangers are way cooler," Geo insisted.

"Yeah, Power Rangers are awesome!" Dustin agreed.

"Awesome!" Geo repeated, giggling.

"It's too bad they don't have chocolate sandwiches and like all the stuff you said back in our dimension," Dustin told Marah. "They don't have pizza ice cream either."

Tobi pouted. "Yeah, don't remind me," he mumbled.

"So then stay," Marah suggested.

Dustin looked down at the dog in his arms and then back to Geo and Marah. He then looked over at Tobi. "TZT, you were like born here. This is your home. You want to stay here?"

Tobi put an arm around Dustin. "I was born here, but I never belonged here."

"But you did all that awesome stuff here," Dustin pointed out.

"Yeah," Tobi agreed, "but only after I met you. This isn't my home."

Dustin gave him a confused look.

"Home is where the heart is," Tobi explained with a grin. "And my heart is wherever you are."

Dustin smiled at him. "So… if I stayed, you'd stay."

Tobi raised his eyebrows. "If that's what you want." He looked toward a hopeful Marah before turning back to Dustin. "But what about the others? Will they want to stay?"

Dustin proceeded to pout. "Nah, probably not," he admitted.

"Why don't you ask them," Marah suggested, gesturing toward Shane, Skyla and Tori who were approaching.

Dustin smiled, running over to his friends. Tobi quickly followed suit. "Dude! Can we stay?" Dustin asked Shane before he even had a chance to greet him.

"Stay?" Shane asked, confused.

"Yeah, 'cause there's lots of cool stuff here like aliens and pizza ice cream and Marah and Geo and Destiny," he listed off, holding out Destiny to illustrate.

"Dustin, we can't stay," Tori told him softly.

"Yeah, dude, we have to save our own dimension now," Shane added.

Dustin went back to pouting.

"Maybe we could bring some of the things you like about this dimension with us," Skyla suggested.

"Skyla's right," Shane said, smiling at her proudly.

"People too?" Dustin asked.

"What people?" Tori asked before realizing. "Oh, Marah." She looked at Tobi briefly before looking back at Dustin. "We'll have to see what Sensei says."

"But he'll at least let Tobi come, right?" Dustin pleaded.

"Right," Tori agreed, though she gave her brother a slightly nervous glance.

"Ah, welcome," Mayor Lothor greeted, approaching with Vexacus and Shimazu. "We have quite a farewell planned for our heroes." He gestured toward the banner which was now fastened securely and the stage beyond it, where various humans and aliens were already gathering. "The governor might be making an appearance. Oh, and former President Zedd and his wife Rita told me to give this to you specifically, Tobi." He handed Tobi what looked like a round coaster.

He examined it in his hands before a hologram of Zedd and Rita appeared on it. "Is this thing on?" the small holographic Zedd asked Rita.

"It figures that it wouldn't come with instructions," the miniature Rita commented.

"I think the blinking light means something," Zedd pointed out.

"Ah, well, if you can hear me…" Rita began, pausing to look at Zedd.

"I think it was Thomas or something like that," Zedd suggested. "I had such a headache at the time, you know."

"I do know my poor Zeddypoo," Rita said. "We'll be on Triforia before you know it." She then began addressing Tobi. "Well, then, person who defeated Zordon single handedly, we owe you more than we can possibly ever give you."

"Especially after this trip," Zedd added. "I think we'll be broke."

"We've spoken to President Org and he has agreed to make yesterday a national holiday in honor of you," Rita continued. "I expect he'll know your name in order to do that."

"It's not much, but we both thank you!" Zedd added.

"Now how do you turn it off?" Rita asked.

"Just give it to Lothor," Zedd suggested. "I really need a vacation already!"

"Of course, snookums," Rita agreed. The two little holograms then proceeded to start making out.

"Uh," Tobi mumbled, trying not to look at the miniature kissing fest, "that was really nice of them." He then handed the device back to Lothor.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure the president knows your name," Lothor assured Tobi as he took the device.

After a moment, Tobi realized that the rangers were looking at him. "What?" he asked.

"See, he's a hero!" Dustin declared.

"I knew that," Tori agreed with a smile before noticing the crowd gathering around the stage in the distance. "Is the stage for… singing?" she asked Lothor hesitantly.

"Various performances including music, yes," Lothor agreed.

She visibly cringed. "Great, she said, looking at Shane.

He nodded at her. "Yeah, that's something I definitely won't miss," he whispered.

Just then a pink helicopter landed in the middle of the park. Out hopped several humans and aliens wearing pink.

"Frax and the Golden Guardians send their thanks and appreciation," Nadira said, approaching and waving at Kapri.

"The boys were busy," Alyssa agreed, approaching with Dana. "So, as usual, it's up to the girls to take charge of the situation."

"What situation is that, Alyssa?" Dana asked.

"The situation of party time!" Archerina declared.

"Damn right!" Alyssa agreed, slapping Archerina's hand with a loud metal clunk.

Dana shook her head as Ryan ran over to the group.

"Hey, Doctor Little Sis, where'd you disappear to?" he asked Dana.

"I received a call from our father," she explained. "He wants offer you a position as head professor for the Research and Best Practices Division in Sacramento."

"Really?" Ryan asked, surprised, but then he paused. "What about you?"

A smile curled up on her lips. "He wants me to head the California Department of Health."

"Congratulations!" Ryan said, hugging his sister.

"So I guess you'll be leaving the Pink Protectors," Alyssa commented in an unusually somber tone.

Dana looked at her. "I'll still be heading PULSE and I think I'll be able to stay in Pink Protectors."

"You always were good at time management," Alyssa agreed, "but in Sacramento…"

"You know, I think my father might need someone to head his security detail," Dana offered.

"Really?" Alyssa asked excitedly, grabbing Dana rather forcefully and giving her a kiss on the mouth before pulling away with a big smile.

"Am I going to have to defend my sister's honor now?" Ryan asked Alyssa, laughing.

Dana's cheeks were flushed. "I… No, I can handle myself."

"Of course you can, Dana!" Alyssa agreed, throwing a punch toward Dana's shoulder, but Ryan caught her fist in his hand.

"You'll have to watch that right hook of yours around my sis," Ryan told Alyssa, grinning as he leaned forward and whispered to her, "My dad let me keep my morpher, you know, for emergencies."

"I'll keep that in mind," Alyssa said, lowering her arms to her side.

"Ah, my friends!" Goldwinger greeted, approaching with his mechanical moth. He looked around. "Where's your friend Hunter? Surely you're not leaving him beh—" He suddenly paused. "On second thought, no one seems to be missing here. Best of luck!"

"We haven't forgotten Hunter," Tori assured him with a roll of her eyes. "He'll be here."

"Speaking of Mr. Popular," Shane said, glancing over to an approaching Hunter and Blake.

The two brothers quickly found their path blocked by the combined forces of Goldwinger and Ryan.

"So, Hunter, I was thinking that, in exchange for using my Zord, you have to do a little something for me," Goldwinger began.

Ryan looked at him. "Ah, so playing dirty are we?" he asked with a grin. "Like you'd really forbid them from using your Zord to go home."

"I might," Goldwinger replied. "Besides, it's just a little thing really."

The two brothers exchanged worried looks. "Uh, what is it?" Hunter asked nervously.

"Yeah, what is it?" Ryan asked, turning to Goldwinger, the smile never leaving his face.

"I'm glad you asked!" Goldwinger replied, clapping his hands together. "I just want you to take off your shirt and show off what I'm sure is a well defined chest you've got under there."

Hunter crossed his arms while Blake rolled his eyes. "Are you serious?" Hunter asked.

"Completely!" Goldwinger assured him.

"Just humor him," Blake told Hunter, shaking his head.

"Fine," Hunter mumbled, removing his shirt.

"Oh yes, that's the stuff!" Goldwinger declared.

Ryan just let his eyes do the talking. Of course, what they were saying was definitely R rated.

Hunter started to put his shirt back on when Goldwinger stopped him.

"One more thing before I let you use my Zord," he added, turning to Blake. "You look like you're getting something out of this."

Blake's cheeks flushed. "What! I'm his brother! I'm just embarrassed for him is all."

"Sure, sure," Goldwinger said dismissively. "All I want you to do is to lick Hunter's nipples. They're so pink and rosy. I'm sure you'll both enjoy that!"

Blake just stared at him with wide eyes before offering his brother a pleading look.

Hunter shrugged. "Just get it over with I guess," he suggested.

"No way am I licking my bros' nipples!" Blake protested.

"If we're stranded here, it's your fault," Hunter said with a smirk.

Blake glared at him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked.

"Why would I be?" Hunter asked, putting a bare arm over Blake's shoulder.

"One lick!" Blake insisted, shaking his head.

Hunter smiled as his brother reluctantly stuck his face against his bare chest. He could feel his younger brother's breath on him until… a tongue lightly caressed his right nipple. This elicited a low moan from Hunter.

Blake was only going to give his brother a quick lick, but the moan of pleasure made him go for a quick tongue swirl. His older brother may have annoyed him at times, but they were still brothers and Hunter had always been there to care for him and show him a level of closeness and affection that he almost never showed anyone else.

"Blake…" Hunter breathed, running his fingers through his younger brother's short black hair. "Right there, just like that…"

Blake's tongue slid across Hunter's chest until it reached the opposite nipple, where it once again swirled, causing yet another low moan to rise from Hunter's chest out his mouth.

Hunter reached down, placing his hands on each side of his brother's face and pulling him away from his chest so he could look at him. "Thanks, bro," he told him.

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, not saying anything until the sound of applause drew their attention back to Goldwinger and Ryan. But, as the two looked over, they saw a crowd consisting of the rangers, Marah and Kapri and the Pink Protectors.

Both brothers' cheeks went crimson as Hunter quickly put back on his shirt.

"Reconsidering the fruit salad thing, I see," Tori commented, eying Blake.

"Dude, was it just me, or was that really hot?" Dustin whispered to Tobi.

"No, it was alright," Tobi agreed.

"We should totally try that sometime," Dustin added.

"Uh, sure," Tobi replied, giving Dustin a surprised look.

"You two sure take brotherly love to a whole new level," Marah commented. "But, since we're all brothers and sister of the earth, I don't see anything wrong with it."

"Yeah!" Dustin agreed, smiling toward Marah.

"Don't get any ideas, Alyssa," Dana warned as she watched her stare a little too long.

"Let's forget this ever happened," Hunter suggested.

"That will be difficult," a voice called and the group turned to see Cam with Sensei on his shoulder.

The brothers went even more crimson.

"Your personal life choices are your own," Sensei said as Cam approached.

"Surprising as they might be," Cam mumbled to himself.

"But Goldwinger made us do it!" Blake insisted.

The others offered him doubtful looks.

"In any case, rangers, it is time to return to our proper dimension," Sensei declared. "Goldwinger, will you check on the status of the other Power Rangers?"

"Will do!" Goldwinger said with a little salute. He then vanished into a puff of sparkling gold dust and shimmering yellow light.

"While he's gone, you should so sing for us again, Tobi!" Kapri urged.

"You totally should!" Dustin agreed.

"Yeah, someone else needs to embarrass himself," Blake suggested.

"Uh… I guess," Tobi reluctantly agreed.

"And make it something happy this time," Dustin told him.

"Sure," he agreed, giving Dustin a pat. "I'll make it something totally rockin!"

"Awesome!" Dustin declared.

"Awesome!" Geo repeated, mimicking Dustin.

Destiny barked in agreement.

As Tobi approached the stage, Cam's mother approached with grumpy Sensei on her shoulder. "We've talked it over and have decided to ask if we can come with you," she said, glancing at her husband.

"It's not that we think you're incompetent," grumpy Sensei commented. "We just think that we might be able to convince the others to come back with us."

"He has a point," Cam agreed, looking toward the guinea pig on his own shoulder.

Sensei paused, thinking. "We must be cautious that our motives for bringing them are legitimate ones and are not based on… reactions we may have to seeing Miko again."

"Of course," Cam replied quietly while his father continued to think.

"Agreed," Sensei finally said. "But, when Goldwinger returns, we must ask if he will be able to carry us all."

"What about my brother?" Tori asked, glancing from the stage back to Sensei.

"Your brother?" Sensei repeated.

"I consider him my brother," Tori explained. "Will he be coming, Sensei?"

Sensei thought some more. "He has given me a great many concepts regarding my beliefs about destiny to consider," he mused before declaring, "I believe he will be helpful in defeating or possibly… befriending his true sister and her friends."

Tori nodded, relief clear on her face.

Dustin jumped up and down, clapping his hands together.

"He's starting," Shane commented, gesturing to the stage. "Is he any good?"

"He's actually very good," Cam told him.

Over on the stage, Tobi asked the band of aliens if they knew how to play "Go Surfing Ninja."

As the music started, Tobi stared out at the crowd, nervous until he found Dustin, who was already hopping up and down excitedly. "The call is on," Tobi began. "Their force is getting strong. They'll have to brave the weather. Ninja storm, stand together." By this point, Dustin was dancing around to the much more upbeat tune. "The storm will grow! The waters flow, Power Ranger ninjas, go! Power Rangers, Ninja Storm is growing! It's growing! Go, Power Rangers go, Ninja Storm, Let's Go!"

Suddenly the ground began to rumble and shake, causing the humans and aliens in the crowd to begin to panic.

"Sorry!" Dustin shouted. "That was me! He's totally rockin!"

The other rangers offered him a smile and a few shook their heads.

Once it was clear that there was no cause for alarm, the crowd turned their attention back to Tobi's performance. "The speed of the wind," he continued, "and strength like thunder! Go, Power Rangers, go, Ninja Storm, let's go! Power Rangers, go, Ninja Storm, let's go!"

"I'm not sure he knows his audience," Lothor commented outloud, "even if the Power Rangers are currently the good guys."

"Maybe not," Ryan told him, "but I think I've just found a theme song for Goldie's Power Rangers tv show."

"He's making a show?" Lothor asked. "You know, if he needs any pointers…"

Just then, a gust of wind blew from overhead, drawing everyone's attention upward. A massive multicolored flying saucer hovered in the sky. The performance stopped as five aliens materialized on the ground below it. Their bodies looked human but their heads were purple and had strange spots. They each had their hands in front of them, their fingers making diamond shapes.

"You're mayor, Kiya, do something!" grumpy Sensei insisted.

Lothor reluctantly approached the five visitors.

"Don't worry, they're good aliens," Dustin told the others.

"How do you know?" Shane asked skeptically.

"Because here all aliens are good just like back in our dimension all aliens are bad," Dustin said as if it were obvious.

"I guess you've got a point," Shane agreed with a shrug.

"Uh, I am mayor of Blue Bay Harbor," Lothor spoke. "I would like to welcome you."

"Thank you for your hospitality," one of the aliens spoke. "We come from the planet Aquitar. We have been watching your planet closely."

"And you chose to come specifically to Blue Bay Harbor?" Lothor asked. "I must say, we are honored."

"We have been waiting to come here until this moment," another alien spoke.

"Why now?" Alyssa spoke up.

"The Power Rangers have turned from evil to good," a third alien explained.

"And why does that matter?" grumpy Sensei asked.

"We are Power Rangers of a kind too," a fourth alien stated.

"Alien Power Rangers!" Dustin declared.

"We were the ones responsible for the defeat and capture of Andros," the fifth alien added.

"I thought that was President Mondo," Lothor commented.

"We allowed him to take credit as we wished to remain anonymous," the alien explained. "We also come to bestow a gift to one of you."

"Only one of us?" Lothor asked.

"Him," the first alien stated, pointing toward Tobi.

"Me?" Tobi asked.

"You are the hero, dude," Dustin told him as Tobi approached the aliens.

"We can grant you a single wish, so long as it is within our power," an alien spoke.

Tobi looked at Dustin before glancing at the others and then back to the aliens. "I have everything I need," he admitted. He paused, looking back at Hunter. "Actually, can you make sure Hunter is happy?"

"Me?" Hunter asked, confused.

"You deserve it," Tobi told him.

Hunter couldn't help but smile. "Thanks," he replied.

Tori patted Hunter's arm, smiling up at the blonde.

"We are sorry, but we can not grant emotions," an alien informed Tobi.

"Oh…" Tobi replied, looking down. As he did so, he noticed the morpher attached to his wrist. "Can you make it so that I can morph with the Sun Amulet?" he asked, looking back up at the aliens. "Then I'd really be a Power Ranger."

The five aliens exchanged looks, making gurgling sounds at one another before turning back to Tobi. "This we can do," an alien agreed before all five approached Tobi. "Hold out your arm."

Tobi held out his left arm and the aliens gathered around the gold morpher. Suddenly five different colored beams of light shot out from their heads toward his morpher. His arm began to burn, but he just focused on healing it while he continued to watch the rainbow of colors.

Once the process was completed, the five aliens stepped away. "We are finished," they stated.

"Thanks," Tobi replied, looking down at the morpher, which still looked exactly the same. He reached out, preparing to test it, but suddenly a pair of hands stopped him. He looked over to see Dustin, Tori and Hunter watching him.

"Are you sure it's safe?" Tori asked, turning to Cam.

"I really have no way of knowing," Cam replied, "but I built in a snap off release underneath just in case."

Tobi nodded, placing his other hand under the morpher strap.

"Tobi, be careful," Hunter whispered.

"Yeah, TZT," Dustin agreed before the three stepped back.

"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!" Tobi yelled, moving his arms and activating the morpher. "Power of Sunlight!"

Suddenly Tobi's entire body began to glow and the others couldn't help but gasp. For Tobi, though, the process was painless. Instead, it felt like he was being filled with an amazing amount of energy. When the glowing subsided, he looked down to find himself in a gold suit complete. He was also seeing through a helmet of some kind.

"It worked!" Dustin declared.

"I'm a Power Ranger!" Tobi yelled.

"I know!" Dustin agreed, pulling the morphed Tobi into a hug.

"You owe me that apology now," grumpy Sensei told his wife.

"Ain't gonna happen," his wife told him.

"I guess there's no chance of leaving him behind now," Cam told his father.

"There never was, Cam," Sensei replied. "There never was."

Just then, Goldwinger reappeared out of thin air. "I'm back to report that…" He paused, noticing the aliens and the ship overhead. "Did I miss something while I was gone?"

Ryan put an arm around Goldwinger. "You missed a great new theme song, but, besides that, Tobi's a Power Ranger."

"Ah," Goldwinger mumbled. "I love the gold!" he told Tobi. "That is you in there?" He waved an arm in front of Tobi's helmet.

"Yes, I'm in here, Goldwinger," Tobi assured him. "So, does this mean I have super powers now?" he asked Dustin.

"You always had super powers," Dustin assured him.

Tobi pressed a button on his morpher, which caused him to dimorph and return to his training suit.

The other rangers quickly gathered around him. "You're definitely one of us now," Tori told her brother.

"Thanks, guys," Tobi replied as Dustin patted his chest.

"Goldwinger," Cam addressed, "I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to bring more than just your Zord with us back to our dimension."

"What did you have in mind?" Goldwinger asked curiously.

"Let's bring Tobi's Zord!" Dustin immediately suggested.

"Well, that too," Cam replied, "but I was thinking about ours and Hunter and Blake's Zords."

"Ah, to join the Zord battle back in your dimension," Goldwinger realized.

"There is a Zord battle back in our dimension?" Sensei asked, concerned.

"That's right," Goldwinger replied.

The others exchanged worried looks.

"I've never tried whole Zords at once," Goldwinger admitted. "My Zord was assembled piece by piece, but I'll do my best. Oh, and I almost forgot! Cam, I have a special little flying friend for you!"

"Yes, thank you, Goldwinger," Cam replied as the mechanical moth flew over to him. "I studied the schematics and see that you left a spot for a second memory slot." He pulled out Circuit's memory panel and held it up to the mechanical moth.

"I knew you'd love it!" Goldwinger declared happily. "It may not be an owl, but it'll help you remember me."

Cam raised an eyebrow. "Goldwinger, I seriously doubt any of us can forget you."

"Oh, you're too sweet!" Goldwinger cooed. "Between your cute friends and your studly friends, I'm quite jealous!"

Cam looked at Goldwinger, surprised. "You're jealous of me?"

"Of course!" Goldwinger replied. "We're both mechanics of a sort, but only one of us is friends with a gerbil and Hunter."

"Uh, right," Cam replied, inserting the panel into the moth.

"Dude, actually he's a guinea pig," Dustin corrected.

Suddenly the mechanical moth began flapping its wings wildly. "Where am I?" a voice came from it. "Trip?"

"Circuit?" Cam asked, surprised.

"Oh, hi Cam," the moth greeted.

"I think we're ready to go home," Tori said, smiling toward Cam.

"Yeah, home," Cam agreed.

"Oh, Sensei, can Marah and the others come too?" Dustin asked.

"It sounds as thought it would be too dangerous at this time," Sensei replied.

"But you're letting Cam's mom and grumpy you come," Dustin pointed out.

"They may prove useful in avoiding a confrontation with the other rangers," Sensei explained.

"Like, maybe we can help too," Kapri offered.

"I am sorry, but this is not the time," Sensei replied. "You belong here, where you will be safe."

"But I wanna come too!" Geo whined.

Dustin started to hand Destiny back to Marah, but she stopped him. "No," she said. "You keep her."

"Really?" Dustin asked.

"To remember us by," she added.

"I couldn't like ever forget you," Dustin said honestly.

"And I'll never forget you," she agreed, giving him a hug. "Goodbye."

"And like say hi to the other versions of us too!" Kapri added.

Geo just stood there and pouted as the rangers made their way toward Goldwinger's Zord.

After Cam and the thunder brothers summoned their Zords, Goldwinger flew around, dropping gold dust on each of the Zords while Cam deactivated the self destruct setting using a portable device in his hand.

"I guess you'll be glad to get back," Tobi told Cam.

Cam looked at him for a moment. "I know yesterday I said that I couldn't wait to get back, but I'll admit your dimension has its charms." He looked over at Lothor talking to the alien rangers. "Plus, without this dimension, we would never have gotten to know you."

"Thanks, Cam," Tobi said, giving him a hug.

"You're welcome," Cam replied, patting Tobi's back and trying to keep his cheeks from flushing.

"All set," Goldwinger declared, landing. "You won't all fit in my little Zord, but I think your Zords will follow once I've opened the vortex."

"Thank you, Goldwinger," Sensei told him.

"And goodbye, my friends!" Goldwinger said, starting to cry. "Don't forget to keep in touch!"

Ryan put an arm around Goldwinger. "Good luck, guys," he told the rangers.

"Kick some evil Power Ranger ass for us!" Alyssa yelled.

"She means to say good luck as well," Dana added.

Dustin threw an arm around Tobi, a big grin on his face. "Let's go, gold ranger," he told him.

Tobi grinned back. "Sure thing, yellow ranger."

Blake noticed Hunter looking at Tobi and Dustin. "You okay, bro?" he asked.

"Yeah," Hunter replied, turning to face his brother. "I'll be fine."

"Yeah, you have us," Tori chimed in.

Hunter nodded, smiling.

"How come Sensei never said anything about you not coming with us?" Shane asked Skyla curiously.

"Maybe it was our talk," she suggested, looking up at him. "Or maybe he knows… I'm your destiny."

"I like that," Shane commented. "Too bad, it's also the name of a dog." He chuckled lightly.

As the crowd said their goodbyes, the rangers, now including Tobi, and Cam's mother and grumpy Sensei entered the Zords.

Flash! Suddenly a glowing vortex started to sparkle open in the sky, pulling the Zords toward it.

"Don't go!" Geo yelled, but it was too late for him to be heard by Dustin or any of the others.

Marah held him back. "We'll all miss them," she said quietly.

Geo forced himself out of Marah's grip and began running toward the gold Phoenix Zord as it started lifting off the ground.

"Geo!" Marah called, running to him.

The boy jumped onto the clawed foot of the Phoenix Zord just as it was pulled toward the vortex.

"Geo!" Marah yelled, jumping, but missing the departing Zord and landing on the grass.

"Marah!" Kapri screamed, running over to her.

As the Phoenix Zord flew toward the vortex, Goldwinger's Moth Zord vanished into the sparkling vortex in the sky.

Marah and Kapri both looked toward the Thunder Megazord as it was also pulled toward the vortex. And, as the Phoenix Zord vanished, Marah and Kapri jumped onto a foot of the Thunder Megazord. They held on tight as the Megazord flew toward the vortex and—Flash!—a blinding light covered everything.

"Now that our heroes have departed," Lothor said to the alien rangers, "I wanted to introduce you to…" He paused, looking around. "Where are those girls?" He turned back to the aliens. "They're always so responsible. They'll turn up sooner or later."

Overhead, after all the Zords had left the dimension, the vortex flickered closed, leaving nothing but endless sky in its place.

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To be continued...

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Author's Note: Okay, it's official! They're going home! Yes, you read it correctly, I had the PRNS theme song in there for some reason. In case you hadn't noticed, I had hints at different possible pairings for Hunter in this chapter because, while I was typing it up, the poll was tied between Tori, Cam and Blake. I'm thinking the runner up will be the pairing for evil Hunter. Also, I hope some of the humor in here wasn't over the top. I just couldn't resist (especially the Dustin/Tobi ice cream scene)! Let me know what you think of this last chapter in the Twilight Zone! Also, feel free to make suggestions for future chapters. Up next, they arrive back in their dimension to find…