A/N

So new in my return to fanfiction that I've been forgetting a disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers whatsoever, I am merely borrowing them for fun. I make no money on this at all!

—

On the moon, trouble was brewing. Rita and Zedd were holding council with their inner circle of fiends. Finster had an array of putties presented before the emperor and empress, explaining in great detail the strengths of each one. Zedd was unimpressed while Rita listened to each description with rapt attention. Squatt and Baboo stood off to the side, trying to poke at the little putty creatures without Finster yelling at them. Goldar stood aside silently, bored out of his mind. He wanted to be the one to go after the rangers, but he also knew that his strength alone was no match.

Goldar could see clear as day what these imbeciles were missing. They needed to tear apart the team of teenagers from the inside out. They needed to separate them and break them in ways that Rita and Zedd hadn't thought about. They would have to call for help, though. Goldar thought hard about what he had learned of humans and what he knew of the rangers themselves.

They were so touchy and loyal to one another. They care for their parents, but Rita had tried going after them once before and failed. They've tried making the rangers rivals several times, put them all under various spells, and tried to kidnap them. Every time the rangers have outsmarted or outpowered them, becoming an even stronger team every time.

The rangers were just teenagers – mere children. What were children known for on human worlds? Their attitudes, their energy, their ability to eat copious amounts of food… That's it, Goldar thought to himself, their hormones. Teenagers are known for having intense and uncontrollable hormones!

"Goldar!" Rita screamed, "Are you even listening to me?!" She whacked him with her staff, and then whacked Squatt and Baboo for laughing. "I asked what you thought about the BuckleBull monster Finster created?"

Goldar growled before responding, "If I may, my Empress, I have an idea that might be more beneficial than a mere monster." He gave a small bow, hoping to gain some favor. Finster huffed ever so slightly, but the large warrior ignored him.

Rita didn't seem pleased and began to brush him off when Zedd interrupted her, "Let's hear him out." He said, staring down his favorite fighter. "What do you have in mind?"

Goldar bowed again before explaining, "Humans are creatures driven by hormones. Children, teenagers especially, are known for wild hormones resulting in extreme behaviors and urges. Perhaps we can use those, and the Power Rangers' loyalty to one another, against them."

Zedd nodded slowly, considering his knights' words. "I like it, but how to we execute such a plan? What exactly do we use as leverage? The girls?" He listed off some other options.

Squatt nudged Baboo and whispered, "Remember when we were watching the rangers last night? That red ranger sure seemed like he didn't want the blue ranger to leave them. Maybe they could use that?"

Baboo quickly shushed him, then stopped himself. He had been studying human behavior, trying to understand these strangers. He remembered reading in a book for young children about some emotions and bodily reactions that humans have as they grow up and it gave him a wicked idea. He looked to his blue friend and stated, "Squatt, you're a genius! This will surely gain Empress Rita's approval!"

"What are you two idiots talking about? You know you're not allowed to think unsupervised!" Rita scolded them, their bumbling catching her ears as her attention had faded from Zedd and Goldar's discussion.

Baboo stepped forward, stuttering his words as he shared, "You see, my Queen, we were watching the rangers last night, as you recommended we do, and I've come to the conclusion that just maybe –"

"Spit it out!"

"I believe the red ranger has a crush on the blue ranger!" Silence followed the statement. Even Zedd and Goldar stopped their discussion. A small smile crept up on Rita's face. Baboo continued, "Some teens that know the rangers called them boyfriends!"

"But Billy didn't seem to like that." Squatt spoke up.

"But Jason didn't seem to mind!" Baboo argued, not wanting his plan to be foiled by mentioning unwanted details.

Zedd stepped closer to the two henchmen, and the two backed away from him. "How can we use this to harm the rangers?"

A new voice spoke from the shadows, one who had been there since the start of the meeting, "We break their hearts."

Rita hissed, "You won't be able to break up their bond! You've tried that before!*"

"It wouldn't be me… it would be a ranger." She explained slowly, a sultry smirk on her face. "I know a guy by the name of Tharian. He is a powerful Shifter who can become anyone he pleases at will. He even has some magical ability to gain insight into the man or woman he takes the form of by touching them."

"Find him." Zedd replies without consulting anyone else. He slammed his staff down, emphasizing his command. "I want him here immediately."

Rita shuffled slightly on her feet before speaking to Scorpina, "You speak of this Tharian as though you know him well."

Scorpina practically beams, "Oh, I do. He's very good in bed." Her head tilted in thought momentarily, "In fact, that's how he prefers to generate his magic. If we had a way to enhance his abilities, he could possibly place a ranger under his control."

Goldar stepped in now, "But who do we send him to take the place of? Do we need to kidnap a ranger first?"

"No," Zedd responded, a smile, though not seen, could be heard in his voice, "there is one ranger split up from the others during their 'spring break,' correct?" A nod from Baboo prompted him to continue, "We attack the rangers at their smartest link. Scorpina, summon Tharian, he is going to visit the blue ranger!"

Squatt and Baboo clapped at Zedd's declaration. Rita crossed her arms and went to spy on the rangers as Scorpina and Goldar left the meeting room, Scorpina to contact their villain, and Goldar to prepare for his arrival. As he stepped away, Goldar couldn't help but think that this could finally be the play they needed to put an end to these rangers.

—

Jason knew he was asking for trouble by making his way to the Cranstons' house early that next morning. He had to settle this feeling in his gut, and he hoped that checking in on Billy one last time before he left would help. His gut feelings were rarely wrong, even if he was no longer the leader of the Power Ranger.

Perfect timing, he thought as he saw both Cranstons packing the car. Lawrence smiled at Jason, greeting him as he approached. "Good morning, Jason! What brings you by? We are gonna be heading out in the next half hour or so after a little breakfast."

The red-clad teen smiled at the older man. He may not have been as close to Billy's father as Billy was to his own parents, but he had spent plenty of time at the Cranston home to be comfortable around him. "I just wanted to talk to Billy before he left." He stumbled over his next words, choosing to blame it on his lack of sleep the previous night. "I, uh, I'm gonna miss him – I mean, we all are! We've spent so much time together lately and it'll be weird not seeing him, um – can I speak to him real quick?"

Lawrence didn't seem phased by the stuttering teen, simply calling for Billy from the open door between the garage and the house. A moment later came the blond, wearing his trademark overalls over a blue striped shirt. He had a hat on that had a picture of a fish on the front. Jason almost burst out laughing at the sight of Billy with a hat on it.

Billy noticed him staring and he began to fiddle with it, making sure it was adjusted properly before addressing Jason. "This was a vacation gift from my dad. He wants me to go fishing with him," He smirked at the thought, "good thing I'm not as afraid of fish as I once was."

"Hard to picture you fishing at all, Bill." Jason commented with a chuckle.

Billy feigned a hurt look before straightening his expression and asking, "What are you doing here, Jase? We have to be departing shortly."

Jason nodded, shoving his hands awkwardly into the pockets of his sleeveless sweatshirt as he answered, "I was worried about you."

"Don't be, I'm fine–"

"No, you're not. You can't lie to me, Billy." The older teen interrupted. "I know Bulk's words hurt you and you're not telling us why. Just, please," a desperate rasp entered his baritone voice, "don't hide from us. We are all here for you, no matter what. We are a team."

Billy wasn't looking at him. Jason reached out and touched his shoulder, causing Billy to look at him. There was fear and longing in those blue eyes that Jason had never seen before and his heart ached for his closest friend. Billy shuffled awkwardly, not giving a verbal response, just nodding in acceptance of Jason's declaration.

Jason didn't push. He knew it wouldn't end well if he did, especially with them being on a time crunch. Instead, he tried to offer comfort by saying, "I hope you have a great time on vacation. We'll – I'll miss you. It's weird thinking about you going on a trip without me!" That made Billy laugh, which gave Jason some comfort that things were going to be alright.

"I will certainly attempt to enjoy this vacation." Billy promised him.

Jason pulled the other boy in for a quick hug. "Catch a lot of fish for me." He said, backing up and waving as he walked away. Billy had a big smile on his face as he turned to go back into the house for breakfast.

As Jason walked away, back toward his own home, he couldn't shake the sense of dread that still sat at the bottom of his stomach. He really wished he could be with Billy or keep the genius here with them. Something about them splitting up screamed trouble.

Lost in his thoughts, Jason didn't see the older man walking along the sidewalk toward him. The teen ran into him, knocking his books and bag that he had been carrying to the floor. A slight shock ran through him at the impact, but he barely noticed it as he immediately fell to help pick up the mess.

"I'm sorry, sir, I wasn't watching where I was going!" He exclaimed, handing the man his things.

The man had a kindly face, smiling at the bumbling, burly teen. He grasped onto Jason's shoulder before he took back his items. Another shock jolted through Jason's body, but it was quickly forgotten as the man responded, "It's quite alright, my son, no harm was done."

Jason gave him a smile and a wave as head left him with his things and continued on his way. Behind him, the figure turned to watch him walking away. A red glow entered the older man's eyes as his features shifted, making him younger, stronger, into a perfect image of Jason Scott.

Tharian rubbed his temples as information entered his brain. By touching Jason, he could feel the things he felt, gain some minor insight into his memories and experiences. He quietly walked toward the Cranston home, staying out of sight. He watched the young blond get into the passenger side of the car and leave the home. Heat flooded Tharian's new, young body as he thought of his mission and the object of desire that awaited him.

He would have to thank Scorpina well for the fun he was about to have.