Early on the Wednesday, Abrakadanger was in Wrench's lab working on his wand. He didn't really need much in the way of tools or technology, the majority of wandcraft was about the incantations and the harnessing of magical energies into the materials. Wands had been made of virtually every conceivable material, and there was great debate among sorcerers what constituted a great wand.

Many argued that natural materials, such as wood, were more intrinsically tied to the natural elements of the natural ebb and flow of the winds of magic, making them more attuned to holding and harnessing those energies, while some were moving towards other materials, such as metals and ceramics, citing their greater resilience, allowing them to withstand more abuse. Still more, mainly modern wizards, were starting to blend technology into their talismans, forming what those in the field called "technomancy". The truth was it really was only a matter of personal taste and what worked for the individual and while some materials had a few advantages over others, for example plastics were lighter and required less maintenance, the only real universal rule was that broken wands were not a trivial matter!

The wand acted as a conduit, often holding a great deal of energy for later use, and helped focus and direct greater energies than a wizard would be able to channel themselves. A great many were incredibly powerful with wandless magic, but even they tended to reach for something to use in the midst of a fight for their lives. Breaking a wand not only released the magic already held within, but it made it more difficult and dangerous to use again. Many tales existed of wizards suffering all sorts of horrific mishaps using damaged or broken wands without any real appreciation for the potential dangers. Creating a wand in the first place was a very precise art and constituted some of the highest levels of magic, many master wizards essentially graduating into such by making their own. Repairing a wand was also a highly skilled and hazardous endeavour. The slightest mistake could leave a weakness or fault that could cause a catastrophic failure, meaning that most tended to simply replace broken wands. Abrakadanger's attempts to repair his wand were testament not only to his skill but also how much he personally valued his wand.

He had been in an almost trance-like state since his return, requiring neither food nor sleep as he worked, his hands stretched over the materials. The pieces of the wand were floating above the workbench, bathed in a dark, deep purple glow, and were slowly but carefully piecing themselves back together. Wrench could only watch from the corner, not just because Abrakadanger had no need of his assistance, but also because he still hadn't had his legs replaced and so lacked the actual means to do anything else.

Madame Odious came into the lab, but if Abrakadanger knew she was even there, he never gave off any indication. She had her own talisman, her hammer, with which she could perform some impressive magic, though her own skills were nowhere near Abrakadanger's, she still understood the gravity of what he was doing.

"So, how is it going?" She asked him.

"Slowly." Abrakadanger answered. "If I ever see that human again he'll find out what it means to spend the remainder of his days as a tapeworm!"

"Yes, it's amazing to think that such a powerful item was destroyed by something as mundane as a mere human firearm." She chuckled. "It's why I opted for metal with my hammer..."

"If you wouldn't mind getting to the point." Abrakadanger sighed. She just smirked.

"Well, I was just thinking, up until this happened, things were going well." She commented. "The Gold Ranger is still only about halfway home, and the other five Rangers are out of the picture! All going well, the Blue Ranger should be no difficulty for you."

"The Blue Ranger is a child playing with forces beyond the comprehension of his tiny, unevolved brain." Abrakadanger snorted dismissively.

"Well, that does mean that pretty soon you will have some interesting doors and opportunities opening up for you." She remarked. "And that is what I wanted to talk to you about. I understand you don't currently have representation."

"I've never seen the need." Abrakadanger answered.

"Well, that may have worked in the bush-league promotions you've been working in but here, the game is a little different."

"Well, I seem to be managing so far." He said in an off-hand way. "I already have my title match with Galvanax lined up and..."

"And what beyond that?" She asked him. "Not only do you have to ensure your interests beyond that match, there is the small matter of Galvanax himself."

"I think I can handle a brute..."

"Many wizards have thought the same thing." She told him. "I believe the last one ended up in more than a few different pieces. How many was it? 57? 75? I have trouble remembering."

"So this is where you try to intimidate me into walking away from my match?" He asked. "I thought more of you than that."

"Oh, quite the opposite. I know a real prospect when I see one." She told him. "And I also know when it's coming time to cash in my assets. Galvanax was the hot property once, but I have a feeling the people are looking for something new."

"You want to represent both fighters in the match?" He asked.

"I find it's easiest to win if you own every horse in the race." She told him. "But easier still if you also own the race track!"

"But...Cosmo owns..."

"Things change." Odious replied. "Now, perhaps it might be an idea to take a break?"

"I suppose I have some time." He replied as the wand descended onto the table and he set up protective shielding spells over it. "I trust the meal is your treat?"

"My office is just this way." She responded, guiding him from the room. From the corner, Wrench could hardly believe what he was hearing. It was just like Odious to either not notice or not care that he was there thanks to his current condition. She didn't see Wrench as a threat to her any longer, considering his reduced standing with Cosmo. He gestured over a Kudabot, which came to him.

"You, there's something I need from you." He stated. He then grabbed it, ripping its torso from its body and dumping it on the floor. He took a moment to manoeuvre himself over and attached himself to its legs. He took a moment to check it out, taking a few uneasy steps.

"Well, its crude but it'll do for now." He commented, dumping the rest of the kudabot in the trash chute. He went over to his shelf, and taking a long, deep breath, he picked up a sample jar, one carrying Sledge's mask, still slick with his blood and tissue.

"I never thought I'd find myself wishing for you back." Wrench commented. "But they do say better the devil you know."

With that, he opened a vault, which contained his re-animator.

"I'll need to run this on low power so no one notices it working." He stated, grabbing a few other jars from his desk. "It'll take a while, but if Odious makes her move, I'm going to need a few extra pairs of hands!"

Down on Earth, in the Summer Cove Central library, Viera was sitting with a whole bunch of books around her. She had told her friends she was going to the library to study while they were waiting on Preston being ready, but since she never specified WHICH library, she felt she wasn't really lying to them! Poring over dozens of different texts, from California legal codes, through sports and drug taking to school disciplinary codes, she was looking for everything and anything she could to get a handle on things.

She had studied law back home. It was part of her education for the day she would be the ruler of the Galaxy, and while her father never saw much value in it, preferring the option of whatever he said was the law, Viera wanted to be sure she was ready for the day she would preside over cases that involved her people. She needed to familiarise herself with the different customs and practices on Earth, but she was finding while there was a lot less violence in their system, with things like trial by combat and strict rules on how witnesses were treated in the stands to prevent intimidation, there was a lot similar in both their systems.

"You know, I'm having a little trouble with this. The root of the system is presumption of innocence which means it's really up to the school to prove that the drugs are Victor's and he intended to use them." She commented as Monty came back with a couple of hot chocolates.

"Unfortunately that's more theoretical in cases like this than anything else." Monty sighed. "The drugs were found on Victor, for a lot of people that's enough."

"But that still doesn't prove intent..."

"Try telling that to anyone who's pulled over with a little weed in their car." Monty replied. She just sighed and took a sip of her hot chocolate.

"OK, I think that's really going to be the mainstay of our defence, there's no evidence he either used the drugs or that he intended to use them." She answered. "Have you heard from the police regarding...?"

"Unfortunately they don't give details like that to sixteen year old kids who aren't strictly speaking part of the case." Monty said nervously. "I'd ask Victor but he's not answering my texts or calls!"

"Have you been to...?"

"I've been to his house a bunch of times; his mom just keeps telling me he doesn't want to see anyone!" Monty told her dejectedly. "He's not left his house, it's almost like he's giving up."

"But this is his future..."

"I know, but it looks like Hastings is going for a slam-dunk to get a result on this thing." Monty told her. "I...I really don't know what we can..."

"Oh hey, look who it is! It's the Dork in Chief and his little girlfriend!" He heard someone say as someone brushed past him, shoving his head down into his books. "I might have known you'd spend this free holiday Victor earned us all in the library!"

"Ace." Monty grumbled out a greeting, rubbing his neck.

"It's a little odd you mocking us for being in the library when you're in the library too." Viera responded, looking at his book. "You're reading an encyclopaedia?"

"I think it's more likely the Playboy magazines he's got hidden in the pages." Monty said, a little emboldened by Viera's presence. He always felt a little bolder when she was around, particularly since he had already seen her beat the hell out of Ace and his buddies once before. Ace just glared at him.

"You wouldn't know what to do with it!" He stated.

"What's Playboy?" Viera asked Monty. He just smirked.

"It's...got good articles!" Monty said, parroting the line a lot of people did when they were caught with adult magazines. Viera just shrugged and went back to her research.

"So, what are you looking at?" He asked them, shoving Monty aside. "Legal books? School codes? Are you seriously still trying to get Victor out of this?"

"I'm not the only one!" Monty snapped. "A lot of people..."

"A lot of people are idiots who don't see exactly what Victor is, he's the kind of guy who'll be a God in High School and then disappear into obscurity after graduation if he even gets there!" Ace told him. "He'll be that guy that has the pot belly and the bald head at the school reunion that everyone only talks to out of pity!"

"That's some way to talk about your cousin." Monty stated.

"Exactly, he's my cousin, so I know exactly what kind of person he is." Ace replied, growling slightly as he started to bare over Monty. "Now you need to be..."

"Oh, Ace? You...might want to remember what happened last time." Viera said with a smile. Ace glared at her, looking like he was about to make a move. He was completely tense, and looked like he was ready to explode at any moment, despite knowing from painful experience that Viera could and would lay a beating on him. It looked like logic finally won out and he picked up his encyclopaedia along with his real reading materials. "Anyway, we're busy so if you don't mind..."

"I'm out of here." He snorted as he walked away, getting into a seat a little way off and hanging up his jacket. Viera just shook her head as she stared at him.

"He never learns does he?" She asked.

"Looking at his GPA that's obvious." Monty replied. "Not to mention the fact he's got those magazines despite the fact he's sitting in the arts section. If he'd crack open one of those books he'd find WAY more nudie pictures than he will in those magazines."

"THAT'S what Playboy is?" Viera sniggered. She didn't have any idea what the magazine was, but there were certain cultural phenomena that were not exclusive to Earth. There were such publications back where she was from.

"You don't have Playboy in Indiana?" Monty asked her.

"We have similar magazines but most people buy them and take them home!" She laughed. "What is his problem?"

"Short attention span? Overactive pituitary gland? Violent temper, take your pick!" Monty answered with a shrug. "I think he's spent too much time building muscles and cars to spend much time building his brain."

"Violent temper?" She asked. Monty just shrugged.

"I heard that Cherry dumped him because he was a little too quick with his hands." Monty told her. "I never confirmed it or anything but I heard he had a run-in with Calvin about it. Shortly after that she chucked him...which is probably the reason for the magazines. Anyway, we should get back to this."

"I guess." She replied, taking a sip of her chocolate and moving in closer to Monty. "So, what's the precedent for these cases?"

"Put it this way." Monty answered. "Without another explanation, I would not bet against the school on this one."

Over at the Ranger Base, Mick was staring blankly at Redbot as he looked him up and down.

"I'm sorry, but no...I really don't think so." Mick told him. "You're not the droid I'm looking for! Now, move along!"

As Mick went to go and do some of his class work, Preston just started laughing. He only stopped when Hayley threw a rag at him.

"Really Preston?" She asked him. "That's how you test the Mind Trick spell?"

"What? I couldn't resist!" He chuckled as he looked to the book once more. "Alright, this one I wish I was able to do earlier. OK, I'm going to need someone to test this. Mick, can you come back in here?"

"Sure Preston, what can I do for...hey, Redbot there you are!" He said. "I was just looking for you!"

"Apparently not." Redbot replied sarcastically. "I can't wait until Preston learns the undo spell. This new look apparently makes me unrecognisable."

"I...don't understand..."

"Mick, can you pick up the wrench please?" Preston asked him, clearing his throat to distract Mick from the fact he had just used him as a guinea pig for his spell. "Alright, I'm going to have to concentrate on this. Elbartenepmi Rierrab!"

Preston held out his wand, and a pale blue light erupted from it, before forming up into what looked like a large, silver mirror. Preston smiled as he stepped back and admired his handiwork.

"Preston, that's great!" Haley complimented him.

"I guess now we have to find out how good a job I did." Preston said, taking a deep breath. "Mick throw the spanner at me."

"Um...what?" Mick asked.

"My last barrier didn't hold up, I need to know how strong it is!" Preston told him. "Throw the spanner!"

"Um...alright." Mick said reluctantly. He threw the spanner, which rebounded off the barrier, flying back and almost hitting Mick. He smiled and started clapping.

"Come on guys, that's small fry, give it a workout!" He stated. Mick picked up a Ninja Sword and ran at the barrier, striking it multiple times, creating a lot of sparks but not so much as scratching the barrier.

"Come on Hayley, give it a shot!" Preston said. "We need to be sure...WHOA!"

They all ducked as Redbot fired his arm cannon, which smashed into the barrier, causing everyone to throw themselves onto the floor. They all stared at him wordlessly.

"I AM the droid you're looking for!" He replied, shaking off his still-smoking barrier. Hayley just gulped.

"Um...how about you start on that last spell now?" She asked Preston.

"That's a good idea." Preston stated. "Undo spell. Right, this chapter's a long one, so...I'll tell you when I'm ready to try!"

Back at the library, Monty and Viera were still searching through case after case of kids being found with drugs on school premises all across the country. The sad fact was that with the exception of those with legitimate prescriptions, the majority of instances didn't end well. While the cornerstone of those cases, like in all cases was the presumption of innocence, the statistics didn't reflect that considering the fact that unless they named someone else the majority of instances ended in suspension or expulsion depending on the volumes found. In the case of drugs charges, unfortunately possession was nine tenths of the law, and there was no disputing the fact Victor had them in his bag.

"This is looking hopeless!" Monty complained. "I don't for one second believe Victor took those drugs, but unless we find out who did we've got nothing!"

"It's...it's all circumstantial." Viera protested.

"Yeah, because no one has been sent down with circumstantial evidence before." Monty muttered. "I hate to say it, but it's looking like we're licked."

"Monty, you can't talk like that." Viera told him. "That's not the kind of person you are!"

"But I failed Victor I failed..."

"You are NOT a quitter; you're the guy that put Ace in his place without throwing a single punch!" Viera reminded him. "You're the Class President! People voted for you because of that!"

"I just...I don't know..."

"I do." Viera told him. "I know what I saw that day, and let me tell you when I went home, it might not have ended the way I wanted it to, but the one thing that kept me going the one thing that I thought about when I was there was the kid who took down the biggest bully with just words. You...you inspired me to keep going when people all around me, even people I'd known for years wanted me to fail."

"I did?" He asked her. She started moving a little closer.

"Yes, you did." She replied. Moving closer, both of them were starting to draw together, their lips only inches apart when they were interrupted.

"Excuse me, but...the library said you had the book I was looking for." A girl said. Monty looked to her. "Sports science volume three?"

"Right, it's under here somewhere Cherry." He told her, looking for the book. Viera recognised the name and looked to her.

"Cherry?" She asked. "You used to go out with Ace right?"

"Yeah, I did." She answered. "We all do dumb things we regret. I'll tell you one thing; I don't miss that stupid outfit he made me wear. The jacket just wasn't me. Leather in California heat?"

"So why did you wear it?" Viera asked.

"Ace liked it." She told her. "He bought a lot of my clothes...most of them actually. In fact...all of them. It was an experience picking an outfit for myself actually, I wasn't sure I remembered how."

"But why wear things you don't like?" Viera asked her.

"He was...he had ways of persuading me to do things I didn't like." Cherry answered, gripping her wrist in a reflex reaction that looked to have been learned. "I'm...I'm better off without him...even if I am a little short on friends now. He wasn't too keen on me having those either."

"So it's true? He hit you?" Monty asked her. He could see Cherry was uneasy as she was about to answer, having only just noticed Ace sitting a little way off with his "encyclopaedia".

"He...he never used to. At the beginning he could be quite sweet." She told them. "I used to think maybe he'd change, that maybe if I could get him to stop doing things to impress his friends or get him to see he was hurting me."

"Cherry, if that was going on why didn't you say anything?" Monty asked her.

"The same reason I didn't bother reporting it then, who would believe me?" She asked them. "He's a good looking guy with a rock-hard physique from an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue, why would he need to force anyone to do anything?"

"Well, at least you're out of it now." Monty answered.

"It's still rough, but...it's getting better." She told him. "For a while I wondered if maybe I did something to trigger him or if there was something else I could have done like get him off that shit he uses..."

"Wait, what did you say?" Viera asked. "You're saying that Ace is a user?"

"No, you get that kind of build naturally when you only go to the gym an hour every couple of days!" She said sarcastically. "It really messed with his head; he would lose it over pretty much nothing!"

"Here you go Cherry." Monty said, handing her the book. "I really hope things get better."

"Thanks." She replied. "Now, I'll just...go somewhere else. Even this is a little close for my liking."

As she left, Monty smiled.

"OK, now where were we?" He asked as he puckered up. Viera just stopped him.

"Monty, you said we need to find someone else to take the blame right?" She asked him. "Maybe the first place to start is finding out where people get the HGH!"

"Yeah, that's great and all." Monty replied, puckering up again. He tumbled and fell off his chair as Viera got her stuff together and got off her chair to leave. "Come on Monty!"

Monty just sighed contentedly as he peeled himself off the floor and gathered his things.

"I'm coming!" He said, running after her.