A/N 1: So this is a little plot bunny that just won't go away. I've already put this up on ao3, but well, screw it, I'm going to do it here too. Even though the views for stories is screwed the heck up. Note: I am not a Kat hater. But this one just won't go away so I gotta do it.

A/N 2: Zordon escapes. Kat hopes to ensure the Rangers don't get so lucky. You may have already seen this chapter on ao3, but I will put it up now as well.

A/N 3: Usual disclaimer. Power Rangers isn't mine.

Chapter 3 – Escape

January 20, 1997

3:30 p.m.

Angel Grove, CA, just outside the city

"It's been a while, Kat," Lokar said as he erected his forcefield – Kat, Kaden and Lokar were meeting just outside of town. "How goes it?"

"Swimmingly in some aspects but some concern in others," Kat said. "Interesting times we live in. How goes it with you and my…predecessor, Kaden?"

"Wonderful. She doesn't even suspect a thing – and won't until it's too late," Kaden said. "She bought what I was selling 100 percent."

"College is going to be the tricky part," Kaden said, "If we can get through that and find a way to tie the knot, then I will have her where I want her and we can possibly use her as the conduit to eliminate Zordon's legacy."

"On our front I am concerned about a few things," Kat said. "Tommy and I are going steady – he doesn't suspect a thing either. Gullible soul. There are other matters that concern me however."

"Such as?" Lokar said.

"For one, Cranston, the genius nerd who was once the Blue Wolf Ninja, went to Aquitar because he couldn't take the Golden Powers. The negative impacts aged him, and he decided to stay with the fish creeps," Kat said. "I guess we have eliminated him from the picture but I would rather see him dead. He is dangerous."

"How dangerous are we talking about here?" Kaden said.

"Potentially very. Dad, I understand you dealt with him before with the Island of Illusions mess. He is a much better fighter than he was then and he's just as smart."

"I hear you, but as long as he remains with the fishies I don't see him being a threat to us," Lokar said. "He worked with Ninjor not Dulcea and they have no clue who Dulcea is. Now if she gets involved, then we worry."

"Who is she? A better Ninjor?"

"A better, smarter and more intelligent Ninjor. The Ninjetti, or the Great Power that she guards, is infinitely more dangerous to our aspirations than the powers Ninjor gave them and you inherited."

"With the Machine Empire gone due to that bomb, Zordon has also removed our connections to the Crystal. He did this last week," Kat said. "Jason still lives. Couldn't be killed."

"Great," Lokar muttered sarcastically. "So with your connections gone, the Crystal will once again get more powerful over time. Could you pilfer it for us, maybe?"

"Probably not. It would incinerate me as you know," Kat said.

"True and we don't need that. Do you think Zordon suspects any funny play by anybody?"

"I don't know," Kat said. "The times I have talked with him are fewer and fewer these days. If he suspects, he hasn't called us in to talk about it except to relieve us from the crystals. He did say we would be getting new powers at some point because of potential threats."

"I personally think it is quite the shame that Rita and Zedd were successful in blowing up the Machines," Kat said. "If we had to keep fighting them the Crystal would have become less and less powerful."

"True enough, but I like that the Machines are out of our way for a while," Lokar said. "Just have to keep plugging along."

"This will need to be honed over time, but I have a theory, having done the superhero thing for a little while," Kat said. "Have you noticed that right after the letter Tommy boy got real sloppy in defeating monsters all of a sudden?"

"I did notice that, yes," Kaden said.

"And did you notice that when they were fighting my ugly purse monster, the longer it went and the more futile their attacks were the more impotent they became?" Kat said.

"That's true. What are you getting at?" Lokar said.

Kat then explained her theory. A malevolent smile formed across both Lokar and Kaden. Kat may not have the scientific knowledge that Cranston did, but she was much smarter than most gave her credit for, and her time being connected to the Grid had honed her skills quite well.

"Yes, that is a theory that has legs. We should try it. If your theory is correct, it could give our monsters the power to unlock untold abilities," Lokar said. "It will have to be developed like you said, but if your theory is correct, we will bring Zordon's legacy to its knees."

"And I know just the person who will be our conduit," Kaden said. "That puny Pink Ranger…when I marry her."

"That's absolutely bloody perfect," Kat said. "The hell she will go through will eventually bring down her old friends as well and we will rule it all."

What about Zordon?" Kaden said. "Should Kat try to eliminate him if she gets the opportunity?"

"Yes, but I doubt she will. At some point, Zordon will realize something is wrong. He will escape then will get captured by Dark Specter. I already know what's going to happen," Lokar said.

"Dark Specter?" Kat said, a bit confused.

"Ah, that's right you haven't been educated fully," Lokar said. "Dark Specter is the head of the United Alliance of Evil, an amalgam of individuals that consist of every villain an Earth Ranger team has faced. Astronema, who is the second in command, is no picnic either."

"And you're not allied with them?" Kat asked.

"No way. Not ever," Lokar said. "Too full of themselves. I'll help individuals in that alliance when called on, but I've never been a part of it and don't intend to be. I work independently."

"Kat should probably go back into the city," Kaden said. "This has already taken too long."

"Yes, I was supposed to meet up with them at the Youth Center. Today's a school holiday for us, plus we are doing senior things – it's a high school thing. And if I don't hurry, they're gonna get suspicious," Kat said.

"Get going then," Lokar said. "Take care."

As Kat walked back towards the city, Kaden and Lokar flashed malevolent smiles.

"The Earth is as good as ours. Those Rangers just don't know it right now," Kaden said as he and his father vanished.

Tuesday, January 21, 1997

The Power Chamber

Angel Grove, CA

"We've got a transmission coming in, Zordon," Alpha said. Zordon's eyebrow raised up and down. This didn't seem normal – people didn't buzz into the Power Chamber, previously the Command Center, for social calls.

No, if someone were calling him given the state he was in, it was extremely important.

Alpha's arms began waving up and down. Now Zordon knew something was up. His suspicions were correct.

"Aye-yi-yi, Zordon, it's from Phaedos!" Alpha cried. Zordon's face immediately became pensive with a look of concern.

If the Power Chamber was getting buzzed from Phaedos, then Zordon knew what that meant.

He'd known Dulcea for years – if Phaedos was calling him it was a guarantee that it was going to be her on the other end.

They had been teammates on the Order of Meledon many thousands of years ago, and during that time period Zordon always sort of felt like when someone was called in to see Dulcea, it was like going to the principal's office as the Earthlings would say.

Before Zordon responded to Alpha, speaking of going to the principal's office, he recalled the day where Rita had created fake Rangers to disrupt school through a being known as Twin Man. The Rangers had in fact been sent to detention that day as they had been framed – by some miracle, they'd won.

"Patch it through, Alpha," Zordon said solemnly. "If Dulcea is calling, then the matter is serious indeed."

Alpha pressed a few buttons and the viewing globe roared to life. It was just as Zordon expected – it was in fact his old friend Dulcea (who none of the Earth Rangers had met, to this point), and her face formed a serious expression.

"Hello, Dulcea," Zordon said solemnly.

"Oh, Zordon, I'm hurt," Dulcea said, a bit sarcastically. "We haven't seen each other in a very long time. You are happy to see me, right?"

"I would be, but I also know this isn't a social call, it never is anymore where you are concerned. Your facial expression tells the story," Zordon said.

She laughed a bit at that.

"You know me too well," she said. "I am calling you because I am concerned. You my friend are in serious danger and I am not sure you know that you are."

Zordon's face formed a confused look.

"My life? That's interesting, and quite a bit scary," he said. "We've been holding the Alliance at bay here, though my Rangers have run into some…issues. I have things that concern me but I didn't figure my life being in danger was one of them."

"Then the danger has been hidden well from you," Dulcea said, with much urgency in her voice. "I have noticed disturbing tendencies in the Grid though they've gotten better in recent days."

"I shall cut to the chase. I suspect that one of your Rangers has been turned to the dark side and has been hiding it from you," she continued. "I don't know which one it is…yet, but I have my suspicions. I suspect that specifically Lokar's presence is in one of your Rangers."

"Aye-yi-yi!" Alpha cried frantically. "Lokar? He hasn't been seen around here since Cycplosis!"

"Hello, Alpha," Dulcea said. "If you haven't seen him, then he must have cloaked himself from you. Here is what I have seen and what I suspect."

She then went on to explain what she knew, that Lokar had in fact been on Earth which had been detected by her magical abilities, and what she suspected as well.

"It's grave news indeed, Dulcea," Zordon said. "if this is true, I cannot stay here much longer. I would be exposing myself."

"Very much so, Zordon."

"Furthermore, I regret to inform you that one of your ex-Rangers has fallen into a trap and I suspect will be going through a world of hurt sometime in the future," Dulcea said. "Unfortunately, I knew it would happen. It is a fixed event that cannot be avoided."

"It's not Jason…is it?"

Dulcea shook her head and Zordon froze in fear.

That couldn't mean…

"It's your first Pink Ranger, Zordon. She made a mistake and unfortunately will pay the price," Dulcea said. "The human she met is indeed charming, but unfortunately she has fallen in love with another of Lokar's children."

"Unfortunately, this event had severe consequences for the Grid. The Grid, while still strong, has been compromised from within by dark magic," Dulcea said. "It is fortunate that you severed the Rangers connections to the Zeo Crystal, Zordon. The crystal itself was slowly being compromised after Kimberly's letter and it only got worse when Lokar got in the picture. This is also why William almost died not long ago."

By now, Zordon was extremely solemn. The situation, if Dulcea was correct, was extremely serious.

"And there is nothing you or I can do for Kimberly?" Zordon asked.

"Nothing at all, unfortunately," Dulcea said. "It's a fixed event and unfortunately she must live with her choices. If my suspicions are correct, then I am most concerned about if Tommy and Kat marry and have kids."

"If you are correct, then that would be very bad," Zordon said. "Any child Kat would bear would immediately be vulnerable to Lokar's evil."

"What is most important though, in the short term, is that I leave before I get hurt," Zordon said. "I could remove Kat from the Rangers forcibly, but I can't take that chance. It is better that I keep my life than risk losing it."

"Indeed," Dulcea said. "If my suspicions hold then Kat has untapped, but dangerous powers even though she doesn't hold a Ranger power for the time being. It would be extremely dangerous for you to take her on, not to mention it could cause a rift in the Rangers. Dimitria can remove them, but the time is not quite at hand."

"So, I need to find a way to get home then and avoid danger to me and other members of the Council," Zordon said.

"No. You don't. I will. In the meantime, pray that Zedd and Rita don't reassemble their army for a long time and keep your distance from the Rangers for a while."

"Yes, Dulcea. I'm tempted to ask, but is there a force that can stop Lokar? And is there hope for Kimberly?"

"Possibly on both counts. Both of those questions are to be determined, many years into the future," Dulcea said.

"Very well," Zordon said. "Is that all?"

"I believe so," she said. "It is wonderful to see you again, although I wish it were under better circumstances."

"And you too. Take care, and may the Power protect you."

Saturday, June 28, 1997

Just outside Angel Grove, CA

"Report!" Lokar said as Kat had pressed a button, then Lokar had appeared with Kaden and had immediately activated his usual forcefield.

"It is as you suspected, Father," Kat said. "Zordon kept his distance from us and I think figured out something was wrong. He is gone and has been replaced by Dimitria. Our new 'enemy' is Divatox. If only she knew…" Kat said.

"That's OK, Divatox is a dolt anyways," Lokar said. "Your team should be able to handle her, though I am sure Dimitria has been briefed on the situation and will remove you from your Turbo Powers when the time arises."

"Yes, she was giving me dirty glances yesterday. On the very first day. I didn't know if Zordon suspected, I KNOW Dimitria suspects."

"I'd flip sides, but I want to kick Divatox's butt for attempting to ruin my high school graduation," Kat said.

"You do that. As Dad said, she's a dolt. Unpredictable and can be difficult at times, but a dolt in the end," Kaden said.

"And as far as plans for my…predecessor?" Kat asked.

"Proceeding swimmingly. She has no clue," Kaden said.

Lokar chuckled at the mention of Kimberly. He had to admit, in the brief time she'd been under Maligore's influence, she'd almost destroyed the Rangers herself. Tossed all of them on their asses.

But then Lerigot had to intervene, just like he'd intervened with Zordon, and relieve Kimberly of the pure evil inside her. Oh well.

"It is quite the shame that Zordon will not have a ringside seat to see the destruction of his entire legacy," Kat said. "It's as you said would happen though, Dad. He's just too noble for his own bloody good."

"I agree, but it is better that we do this right," Lokar said. "You must keep Tommy close and try and marry and have kids. Any kid of yours can be corrupted by me as well."

"Yes. That is the key," Kat said. "I gotta run. Graduation parties. See ya later."

"Toodles," Lokar said as Kat disappeared. Moments later, he and Kaden did as well.

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