The end of August came quickly and with it, the first day of school at Angel Grove High.

Jason found shifting back into school life was simple, as he did most of the same things during the summer that he did during the school year. He would only have to make time for academics.

For Malcolm, however, school would be quite different for him; he had attended a much smaller school in Crystal Valley and had spent time at his father's dojo after school each day.

Now that he was in Angel Grove, he knew that he would have to find things to do with whatever spare time he might have.

Physically, Malcolm knew that he was doing better and would continue to do better now that his ankle was in a walking cast and his body was healing. Emotionally, however, he knew he had a ways to go.

Jason's parents had made him rest for the last two weeks so that he would be physically able to handle school so long as Jason stayed close.

There had been no further trouble from Rita or Zedd, so Jason had balanced his time between teaching his martial arts classes and helping Malcolm adjust to his new life.

"Malcolm Lee Scott?"

Suddenly realizing that he wasn't alone, Malcolm looked up from the floor to find a tall, lean middle-aged man with dark spiky hair dressed in khakis, sandals, and a blue polo shirt, "Yes sir?" he asked.

"You don't have to call me sir," the man replied, a chuckle in his voice. "I am Doctor Frank Oliver and I've been the counselor at Angel Grove High for several years now. Would you like to come into my office?"

Letting out a sigh, Malcolm nodded and, slowly getting to his feet, he followed Dr. Oliver into the counseling office that wasn't far from the chair where he had been sitting.

The office was small, but was decorated with a desk, chair, and computer in one corner and a couch in the other, next to a bookshelf.

"First of all, whatever is said in this office stays between you and me, okay?" Frank said in a hushed voice, immediately noticing Malcolm's nervousness. "I won't go blabbing what you tell me."

Even though Jason had given him advice to relax during the counseling session, Malcolm swallowed hard and gazed at the floor.

"Why don't you have a seat and give that ankle of yours a rest, Malcolm?" Frank suggested in a gentle voice as he closed the door to give them privacy. "You're showing a lot of courage by being here."

Confused as to what that meant, Malcolm eased himself on to the couch, "I don't understand," he replied in a tired voice as he watched Frank take a seat behind the desk. "How am I courageous?"

"I did read the article that talked about the accident your family was in," Frank replied in a gentle voice as he opened a notebook and jotted a few notes. "It's only been a few weeks since the accident and you're here in school when you could be at home in bed and grieving over what you lost."

Malcolm sighed, "I live with my cousin, Jason, and his family," he replied. "This was Jason's idea."

"Jason didn't throw you over his shoulder and drag you here, though," Frank replied in a slightly inquisitive tone as he made another note. "He made a suggestion and you acted upon it."

There was a tense silence before Malcolm nodded, "I don't know how to feel," he admitted softly.

"That's actually pretty normal, Malcolm," Frank replied gently. "You're still in shock about it, right?"

Malcolm nodded, but said nothing, "Have you thought about what you're going to do to help yourself heal from this experience?" Frank asked in a curious voice. "Are there any activities that interest you?"

"Both Jason and my aunt suggested that I come here to talk to someone," Malcolm replied, remembering a conversation from the other day. "Won't talking to someone help me get better?"

Frank sighed and made a few more notes, "It will only up to a certain point," he replied gently. "I know you can't do anything extremely physical right now, but perhaps something involving creative arts?"

"I used to do a lot of drawing during my breaks at my father's dojo," Malcolm replied softly, remembering the many sketches he used to create. "Would they let me sketch anything here?"

Before Frank could reply, the bell suddenly rang, "Attention students, please gather in the gymnasium for registration and photos according to your surname and grade," a voice said over the intercom.

"Would you like to talk again tomorrow or the next day?" Frank asked, watching as Malcolm slowly got to his feet. "I know you have to go, but I think you might benefit from talking to me at least three times a week before or after school. Meanwhile, maybe you should take up drawing as a sort of therapy?"

Malcolm gave a nod, "Jason taught me some breathing techniques over the summer to use if I ever feel too anxious or stressed," he replied. "Maybe I can try them while drawing. Thanks for listening to me."

"Anytime you want to talk, Malcolm, just come to my office," Frank replied gently. "Take care now."

Frank opened the door and Malcolm swallowed hard before slowly limping from the office in silence.

"Skull, SKULL!" Bulk hissed from his locker as he saw Malcolm limping down the hallway from the offices towards the gymnasium. "There's that new kid we saw a few weeks ago. Looks like he's walking now."

Skull pulled out from his open locker with a mischievous grin on his face, "Maybe he's up to testing his skills against the mighty Bulk and Skull," he hissed eagerly. "Bulk, go give him a welcome to school."

Bulk nodded and made his way over to Malcolm, blocking his way, "So, now that you're out of the chair, ninja boy, do you wanna show me what you're made of?" Bulk hissed as he backed Malcolm into a wall.

"Bulk, let me help you welcome the new kid!" Skull shouted in an eager voice as he ran over to where Bulk and Malcolm were; he was unaware that Jason, Tommy, Kimberly, Trini, and Billy had entered the school to get their first day over with. Jason was carrying Malcolm's bag with his own and immediately spotted Bulk and Skull pinning Malcolm against a wall so tightly that Malcolm couldn't move at all.

Anger boiled up inside of Jason as he walked over to Bulk and Skull, "What did I tell you guys about bothering my cousin?" he asked in a menacing voice as he shunted Bulk and Skull away from Malcolm.

"He can walk now, so he can take care of himself," Bulk scoffed. "Quit trying to protect him."

Just as Jason was getting ready to shove Bulk out of the way, Mr. Caplan came out of the office and spotted Bulk and Skull pinning Malcolm to the wall while Jason, Trini, Kimberly, Billy and Tommy were lingering nearby. A quick glare from him was all Bulk and Skull needed to back away from Malcolm.

"You students should be in the gym with everyone else," Mr. Caplan said in a gruff tone as he suddenly recognized Malcolm from when he was registered by Helen Lee Scott days earlier. "You, Malcolm, should join the other new students at the table near the bleachers to get a locker and packet."

Jason quickly put a protective arm around Malcolm, "I'll help my cousin, sir," he replied as he led Malcolm away from the group. "He's just a little nervous about his first day at a new school."

"See that you do," Mr. Caplan replied, turning to the others as Jason quickly led Malcolm into the crowded gymnasium. "While the other four of you are in the gym, I think I'd like to talk to Bulk and Skull in my office. Shall we go chat in my office before you get your pictures done, Bulk and Skull?"

Realizing that they were going to most likely get detention, Bulk and Skull groaned as they followed Mr. Caplan down the hall towards the offices. Kimberly, Billy, Trini, and Tommy all shared a small chuckle.

"We'd better get in there," Billy said, not at all eager to join Bulk and Skull in detention that day.

As Kimberly, Billy, Tommy, and Trini entered the gym, they could see students scattered at various tables or lined up near a photography canvas waiting to have their school picture taken.

Even though the gym was crowded, Tommy quickly spotted Jason and Malcolm lingering at a table near the bleachers with two other boys and a girl. One of the boys suddenly turned to Malcolm with a competitively anxious expression on his face. Malcolm's face suddenly dropped and he didn't hear the teacher at the table calling his name.

"Rocky DeSantos?" Tommy heard Malcolm asked in a shocked voice. "I thought you went to Stone Canyon High School? What are you doing all the way in Angel Grove?"

Rocky smiled, "My family just moved here like last week," he replied. "What are you doing here?"

Before Malcolm could reply, Rocky chuckled, "Oh, I bet you came to see if the students in Angel Grove could fight any better than the students in your dad's dojo," he said in an amused voice. "Speaking of fighting, do you feel like having a rematch of our last fight after school? I need some of my glory back."

"I got in a bad accident a couple of weeks ago and can't fight right now," Malcolm replied as he gestured to his walking cast. "Maybe next semester, we can do a little bit of practicing at the Youth Center."

Rocky hooted, "What, did you crash your dad's car?" he asked in an amused voice. "Did he ground you?"

"Stop it," Jason said in an irritated voice as he saw Malcolm's nervous expression fade to nothing.

The teacher at the desk sighed and handed Malcolm a small binder, "There's your locker assignment, your class schedule, and orientation notes," she said in a cheery voice. "Welcome to our school."

"I'm going to go stash my stuff in my locker and come back for a picture later," Malcolm said in a toneless voice as he took his bag from Jason and turned away. "See you guys after school."

Jason nodded and glanced at Tommy as Malcolm walked out of the gym, "We should invite him to watch my class after school," Jason said in a low voice. "It might boost his confidence a little bit."

"You teach some sort of class?" Rocky asked in an eager tone. "What kind of a class? Baking?"

Jason scoffed, "Martial arts for beginners," he replied stiffly. "You wouldn't be interested in it."

"I always like to practice my amazing skills," Rocky replied in a cocky voice. "Where is it at?"

Kimberly and Trini looked nervous, "Jason, don't tell him," Kimberly whispered. "It's a bad idea."

"The Youth Center," Jason replied boldly, wondering how skilled Rocky was at martial arts.

Rocky nodded and turned back to the table, "Since Malcolm can't fight, maybe I'll challenge you after school instead," he muttered as he focused his attention on the teacher. "Until then, see ya."

"You can't fight Rocky after school," Tommy said as they walked over to the photo line. "What about the class you have to teach? I can't cover for you today because I'm meeting with my uncle after school."

Jason sighed as they joined the line, "It'll work itself out," he replied gruffly. "Don't worry about it."

The first day of school ended quickly and without fuss, which was what Helen and Thomas were relieved to see as they entered Angel Grove High School. They spotted Kimberly and Trini lingering near the gym.

"…When Mr. Caplan called me to his office, I was really scared that I had done something wrong," Trini was telling Kimberly. "It turns out that he just wanted to encourage me to apply to go to the World Peace Conference in Switzerland. He also said that Zack is doing night study when I asked about him…"

Relieved that Zack was okay and had just decided to pursue other education, Kimberly smiled; she was relieved not to have to worry about him anymore and her smile grew when she saw Jason's parents.

"Hello Kimberly and Trini," Helen said in a gentle voice as they approached. "How are you two today?"

Kimberly smiled, "We're good, Mrs. Lee Scott," she replied. "If you're looking for Jason, he went over to the Youth Center to teach his class and took Malcolm with him. I think Tommy and Billy went too."

"Actually, we were looking for someone to help Thomas and I this afternoon," Helen said gently. "We talked to Jason last night after Malcolm had gone to bed and decided that if Malcolm had a few more of his things from his house in Crystal Valley, he might be less nervous here. Would you like to help us?"

Trini nodded, deciding that it wouldn't be a good idea to tell Jason's parents about Malcolm's troubles with Bulk, Skull, and Rocky earlier that day, "We'd love to help," she replied, looking at Kimberly.

"I'd actually like to see the dojo that was in that picture," Kimberly replied in a hopeful voice.

Thomas smiled, "We'll stop by there when we're done at the house," he replied. "Crystal Valley is so much smaller and safer than Angel Grove that I don't think my brother ever kept his doors locked."

"It's going to be exciting to help you do this for Malcolm," Kimberly said as the four left the school.

"It's nauseating just WATCHING these goody-goodies!" Rita shouted as she turned away from her telescope and marched to the back of the room. "FINSTER! I NEED YOU TO MAKE ME A MONSTER!"

Finster hurried out of the darkness, accompanied by Zedd, "I thought you were going to try your plan once that injured brat was alone, Rita," Zedd hissed. "He's too protected by the Rangers right now."

"I saw an argument between a kid named Rocky and Malcolm through my telescope," Rita replied in an amused voice. "I think Rocky's going to make Malcolm angry enough to want to act impulsively."

Zedd grunted his approval and Rita turned to Finster, "Make something that will destroy that injured brat's house and force him to use the power I offer him on a selfish desire," she said in a menacing voice as a Power Coin-sized object appeared in her hand. "By acting selfishly, Malcolm will be in my power."

"I will make a Hailer Monster," Finster replied. "It will summon a thunderstorm and create hail the size of soccer balls that will destroy everything that they hit, including everything in Crystal Valley."

As Finster hurried off, Rita turned her attention to Zedd, "Take Zedison and Goldar with you and go with the monster to make sure it does its job," she said menacingly. "I will take the Black Knight with me and we will greet Malcolm when he is alone. Once he learns that his life is gone, he will want it back!"

"I like your plan, Rita," Zedd replied gruffly. "That Wishing Coin will help us gain a new dark warrior."

Rita grinned and swept off into the darkness to find the Black Knight so that they could leave for Earth.

"Zedison, come forth!" Zedd shouted in a gruff, eager tone. "We have another mission to fulfill!"

There was a flash of lightning and Zedison stepped out of the blackness with silver armor covering the chest and shoulders of his ninja outfit. He brandished his sword and walked over to where Zedd stood.

"You summoned me, Father?" Zedison asked in a deep, semi soothing tone. "What is it you wish?"

Zedd grunted his approval at Zedison's greeting, "Your mother and the Black Knight have embarked on a mission to tempt the injured civilian who has immeasurable power," Zedd stated as he summoned his staff. "Goldar will come with you and I to unleash a monster that will cause a wave of destruction."

"I assume it is the monster Finster is making in his lab?" Zedison asked in a smoother, cooler voice.

Zedd nodded, "Your mother ordered him to make it," he replied gruffly. "We shall wait for it."

"What if this Malcolm makes a different choice?" Zedison asked. "What if he refuses the Coin?"

Zedd scoffed, "Malcolm will HAVE to take the coin," he replied. "Either that or there will be death."