Later on….

Zane finally came to a stop. Slamming the door to his safe house shut behind him. Releasing his breath, it was odd he wasn't even tired. After all that running he had expected to be exhausting, short of breath and aching. Yet he felt none of the three, in fact he felt like he could do another entire lap of his escape. Now though he could feel whatever strange power had surged through him dwindling. Whatever it was would soon be gone.

Zane found himself eager to regain that power, to pull the device out from his pocket and try again. At the same time he feared it. He had seen the device, it was broken, dead. Yet it had seemingly given him something. That scared him. So instead he removed the device, placing it on the desk and walked away. Whatever it was his client would have to deal with it.

Zane paused for a moment. Suddenly a new thought crossed his mind. The person who hired him wanted the device, why? Did it have something to do with the strange power it held? If so what did they intend to use it for. Zane wasn't sure he wanted to hand over the device. If he had stolen something powerful, what could happen if he handed it over?

Zane sighed, a part of him knew that these thoughts may be closely tied to how much he wanted to feel that energy again. So he pushed them aside. His client would arrive soon and he would deal with it then.

"It seems you have succeeded red shadow." The voice of his client danced around the room. It had an edge, a roughness. At points it even sounded slightly mechanical. Zane turned to find the cloaked figure turning the device in his hands.

"Did you doubt me, I always deliver you must know that." Zane said. He had found it odd that his client remained hidden. His entirely body hidden underneath a large cloak, his face hidden by a plain mask. It must have been a two way thing one side see through, since from this side it looked completely solid no visible visor or eye holes present.

"In this world there are no guarantees, although I had hoped you would prove me right." The voice said. He now held the device at his side, he appeared to be looking directly at Zane.

"My reward?" Zane made sure to sound stern. He made a mistake letting the device go before he got his payment. To his surprise he watched the figure drop a small bag to floor, it landed with a loud clink before before kicked towards him.

Zane slowly picked up the bag, never taking his eyes of the figure. Trusting the wrong person is only asking for death. Nothing happened, Zane checked the bag and it was full of coins as promised.

"This was never about the device Zane, at least not all about the device." As the words were spoken Zane felt a chill trickle up his spine. How did he know Zane's name? It had been years since he showed his face. Zane immediately jumped back, drawing a dagger hidden up his sleeve. The voice continued to speak.

"Don't be alarmed this was never about harming you either," He began to stroll as he walked.

"This was about something far more important, something could potentially affect the entire world." The voice was serious that much Zane could gather from his tone. He was looking at the device again holding up now like some holy relic. Zane said nothing.

"Do you have any idea what this is Zane?" Hearing his name spoken made him tense. Zane still said nothing.

"No I don't suppose you do. It is a relic of the past. Something that the entire Zodiac empire once feared. Useless to almost everyone except those that are chosen." The voice stopped.

Turning towards Zane pointing the device towards him. It looked exactly as it did the first time he saw it. Dormant, broken. Zane didn't understand a word he was being told, it meant nothing to him and yet it felt right. Something about what he was being told made him listen. Zane stood a little straighter and this seemed to prompt his guest to continue.

"This device once belonged to Earth's greatest defence force. A group known as the Power Rangers."

"A chosen few were granted access to powers that elevated them beyond natural human boundaries." The voice spoke, Zane listened.

It sounded insane, a group of humans bestowed powers that allowed them to fight and win against creatures like the Zodiac's? Impossible. Still Zane found himself listening, really listening. Strangely he believed everything he was hearing, it was because of what he had felt. The surge of energy from the device, the power he had granted him. It had changed him.

"They unfortunately failed. The rangers fell and Zeal, his empire rose from the ashes of their defeat." Zane noticed some stiffness from the figure at this point. It didn't last long but it definitely was a subject that affected him greatly.

"I have searched for years, finally I believe the chosen have arrived again." The voice finished. Zane just stared.

Wait, was he speaking about Zane? Did he think Zane was this chosen hero, a power ranger? There was no chance. It was impossible.

"Wait, wait are you telling me I am one these chosen people. That I am some kind of hero destined to save the world?" Zane almost laughed.

"I think you have me very mixed up with someone else, I am not some empowered person and I am certainly not a hero." Zane said.

"Your actions today Zane speak differently. I believe you saved six lives today, ones that would still be suffering without your aid." The figure said in response.

Zane had saved lives today. That much was true. It was also true that he didn't need to save lives, leaving would have achieved everything he needed from his mission. Yet he had stayed, fought even, at the risk of his own life. Still it was one day out of years where he hadn't done such acts.

"One day doesn't make me a hero, I am a man for hire I have done many things a hero would not." Zane said deflating slightly.

"What is it that makes a hero? I have been watching you Zane, longer than you might think."

"Every mission you choose to take never directly caused any harm. You never killed or hurt anyone. Even what you stole affected what jobs you took. Never leaving people worse off than they already were." The figure drew back his arm and launched the device at Zane. He instinctively caught it, his natural reflexes moving on their own.

"There is more though, the power never lies and trust me when I say it doesn't give itself out willingly."

"I would never share this information with someone who didn't have the potential to become exactly what this world needs." The voice sounded calm, serious.

Zane doubted everything he had heard, this guy was obviously insane. Still Zane was interested in his last comment.

"What is it exactly that you think the world needs?" Zane asked, genuinely curious.

"What any struggling situation needs of course, hope." The voice raised his arm again as he finished talking, pointing at the device now in Zane's hands.

Zane looked at his hand, the device pulsing red again just like it had back in Mamba's lair. The pull was strong again. Zane wanted to take hold of it, to accept it and what it had to offer.

"See Zane that is no accident, you have been chosen what you decide to do with that is up to you."

"I cannot direct you only guide you. Take the power Zane, become who you were always meant to be." The voice was clear but quiet.

Zane fully focused on the device in his hand. He knew it was dangerous, that it was risky but he knew exactly what he was going to do the moment the device landed in his hand. Maybe even since he first picked it up back in the lair. So Zane slammed his hand over the pulsing light. His mind exploded with images, like a speeding train they raced by. A strange base, a floating head, a small robot. Five teenages, the device unbroken being handed to them. The power as it transformed them, warriors.

A single soldier in red, wielding a sword. Zane saw images of monsters, not Zodiac but a different threat being defeated. He saw the power passing from person to person. Each new generation leading to the next as they fought with their lives to defend the planet. Then he watched as King Zeal only a shadow in the memory cut down the last red ranger and the world burning around him.

Zane snapped back into reality. No time had passed but it felt like hours to him. The figure stood watching as Zane fell to his knees.

"What the hell was that, what happened to me," Zane asked, he could feel the tears beating at his eyes.

"I can only imagine, from what I understand you saw exactly what I just described to you. Now you know it's the truth."

"You will feel it now, changing you, modifying every molecule in your body. You will know things you didn't before. Like a computer accessing a database." The voice said.

Zane just sat silent. He could feel the change, he was stronger that he could tell. Physically he looked no different. He was still the slender, toned agile looking human he once was but this change was internal, he could feel it inside. The device in his hand was no longer damaged. The slot was filled by an image, not a gold coin like in his flashback. The image was a plague doctor mask. What did that mean? Zane was more confused now than ever.

"I must now take my leave, you have chosen the power now you must decide how you wish to use it. That you must do on your own." The voice trailed off as he turned to leave.

Zane went to protest to plead with him not to go but the figure simple raised his hand.

"This is not the time for questions, I have business to attend. I have faith that you will choose the correct path to walk from here." The figure opened his cloak as he said this, keeping himself hidden but revealing what was held to the inside of cloak. Four more devices. Again the figure turned to leave.

"Wait! Who are you, at least give that?" Zane sounded desperate, it scared him.

"You may call me Zordon, that is all I can tell you for now." Zordon said. Then he left.

Zane stayed on his knees, the power slowly changing his body and was suddenly aware just how quiet it was.

A/N:

Well. There you have it, what will come of the strange events involving the mystery figure, is he really who he says he is? Part 4 will conclude our opening phase. Stay tuned!

May the power protect you.

- end of part 3 -