October came quickly and with it, talk of the arrival of delegates who would interview those who had signed up for interviews and then decide who to give the honor of attending the World Peace Conference in Switzerland; the conference wasn't happening until December, but the chosen students would have much to do beforehand in preparing what they would both contribute and learn from it.

Hundreds of students had signed up for interviews, all six of the Power Rangers among them; Malcolm had been the last of them to sign up for an interview and he had only done so with the encouragement of Jason, Tommy, and Dr. Oliver, all of whom invited him to show the potential that he had within.

Zack, Aisha, Skull, Rocky, and Adam had also signed up and had backed off considerably on picking on Malcolm because Zedd had ordered it and they wanted to look like good conference candidates.

Zedd and Rita had left the Earth alone since they had lost the Black Ranger Power and for that, Malcolm was grateful as using that power took a lot of his energy. He had hidden his concerns from the others and from both Zordon and Alpha because they had been so enthusiastic when he became a Ranger.

"You're looking a little pale, Malcolm," Dr. Oliver's voice suddenly broke in. "Are you all right today?"

Malcolm looked up from the fountain he had been getting a drink from and saw Dr. Oliver standing in the open doorway to the counseling office looking both concerned and amused, "You're running a bit late today, aren't you Malcolm?" Dr. Oliver asked in a gentle voice. "The bell rang five minutes ago."

"I know," Malcolm replied, deeply embarrassed about the fact that he felt terrible; he had suffered bad nightmares during the entire night and had slept through his alarm because he was so worn out.

Dr. Oliver nodded, "Bad dreams about the accident?" he asked in a gentle, yet prodding voice.

"Yeah," Malcolm replied in a sleepy voice as he dropped his backpack on the ground. "I feel so—"

Suddenly, Mr. Caplan came walking down the hallway at a fast walk, "Malcolm Lee Scott, you're just the person I want to see," he said in a stern voice. "Are you aware that the bell rang five minutes ago?"

"Mr. Caplan, it's my fault entirely," Dr. Oliver spoke up before Malcolm could think. "I had asked Malcolm to stop by my office before school today and time ran away from us. It's not his fault."

Mr. Caplan was silent for a moment and then nodded, "Very well, your tardiness can be excused this time," he replied in a calmer tone. "I was wondering, actually, if I could speak to Malcolm in private."

"Mr. Caplan, can Doctor Oliver sit in on the conversation too please?" Malcolm asked, very nervous that he had done something wrong. Fortunately, Mr. Caplan nodded and gestured into Dr. Oliver's office.

"…Attention students, please gather in the gym immediately," Mr. Caplan's voice sounded over the intercom as Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Billy, and Tommy walked out of Ms. Appleby's classroom after they had finished a discussion on what peace meant to them. "This is a mandatory assembly…"

Jason and Kimberly suddenly looked very nervous, but said nothing, "I wonder if it's concerning the Peace Conference interviews that are coming up," Billy commented as he walked with his friends towards the gym, joining the crowd of students already heading there. "I heard that the teachers are encouraging talented students to put on demonstrations or displays for when the interviewers visit the school. I was only asked yesterday to demonstrate how the Science Club helps the school grow."

"Last week, I was asked to give the interviewers a tour of Angel Grove when they come to interview the students," Trini stated in an illustrious voice. "I was also asked to tell them about the school clubs."

As the five of them entered the gym, Jason spotted Malcolm and Rocky near the stage talking with an excited looking Mr. Caplan. Another man was also there, one who looked like he'd been through extreme shock and stress by how pale and beat up both he and his clothes looked.

Aisha, Zack, Skull, and Adam were all seated on the front row with Bulk sitting next to Skull and looking very afraid of Aisha, Zack, and Adam. They, however, made no move to harm him and even gave Jason, Kimberly, Billy, Tommy, and Trini friendly looks of acknowledgement as they moved up the bleachers.

Soon enough, all the students and teachers were in the gym and Mr. Caplan approached the microphone stand, "Good morning, students and staff of Angel Grove High School," he said in a pleasant voice as he eyed the students to ensure that all were behaving. "As you know, Angel Grove High will be hosting interviewers in a matter of days for the World Peace Conference in Switzerland that will take place in December. During the time in which the interviewers are here, I would expect that all of you would be on your best behavior and take the opportunity to show the best about our school to them."

This long speech, of course, was greeted with silence and Mr. Caplan gave everyone a stern look to remind them to pay attention, "I would like to now introduce a special guest who will be on hand during the time when the interviewers are here," he said in a formal tone. "This is Mr. Anderson, a teacher at Stone Canyon High School and former principal of the Crystal Valley High School. Now, Mr. Anderson, the floor is yours…"

"Hello students," Mr. Anderson said in a gentle voice as he stepped up to the microphone. "I'd like to first thank you for inviting me to your school. Secondly, with the interviewers for the World Peace Conference coming to Angel Grove High School, Mr. Caplan has graciously invited me to organize martial arts demonstrations to show the interviewers; Jason Lee Scott and Tommy Oliver will do one of the demonstrations and the second demonstration will be a full match between the Crystal Valley champion, Malcolm Lee Scott, and the former Stone Canyon High School champ, Rocky DeSantos."

Jason's eyes widened and he looked at Malcolm, who looked expressionless and was trying to hide the fact that he was scared to death about the match, "Wow, when were you going to tell me that we were doing a demonstration?" Tommy whispered as he watched Malcolm and Rocky shake hands.

"Mother, the Dark Red Ranger will be fighting Malcolm in a matter of days," Zedison spoke as he looked through the telescope at the assembly. "I suggest that we retrieve him and give him some power."

From her throne, Rita groaned and tried to shake the headache that was making it very difficult to concentrate, "We cannot interfere with Rocky's abilities," Zedd hissed from his throne. "We can only wear Malcolm down enough that he cannot use his own abilities to complete the demonstration."

"Father, I wish to fight Malcolm again," Zedison said in a deep voice. "Without any power or weapons."

Zedd cackled, "You will get that chance, my son," he said in an amused voice. "I promise you that."

"Jason?"

Long after the other students had left the gym to return to classes, Jason had lingered to wait for Malcolm to finish talking with Mr. Anderson because Rocky had also lingered nearby with Aisha, Adam, Zack, and Skull. Jason didn't want them ganging up on Malcolm when he was without any help.

"Jason?"

Suddenly recognizing Aisha's voice, Jason walked over to where Aisha, Zack, Adam, and Skull were standing in a group, "Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" she asked, ignoring the disgusted looks she was getting from Zack, Adam, and Skull as she moved away from them. "I'd like to apologize to you for the way I've treated Malcolm ever since I came to Angel Grove High; I didn't mean to act like that."

"You should talk to Malcolm," Jason replied even though he was smiling. "He'd appreciate it, I'm sure."

Aisha nodded and looked over to where Mr. Anderson and Rocky were talking. Before she or Jason could say anything, Dr. Oliver walked into the gym and over to where Malcolm and Mr. Anderson were.

"Aisha, we need to go," Rocky suddenly said, walking over to Aisha and Jason. "We have to go to class."

Suddenly feeling uneasy about trusting any more of Rita and Zedd's ideas, Aisha shook her head and stepped away, "I'm not going anywhere with you, Adam, or Zack," she said in a nervous voice.

"Whatever," Rocky replied in a disgusted voice as he backed away from the two. "I'll have my way."

Aisha glared daggers at him, "I no longer serve Zedd or Rita," she said in a nervous, but firm voice.

Suddenly, everything in the room froze and Goldar appeared, "Queen Rita has invited you all to a special match in the Dark Dimension between her Dark Rangers and the Power Rangers," he said in a menacing voice as he looked over at where Malcolm was standing. "Specifically, one Ranger versus another."

"Will you leave my friends out of it if I come willingly?" Malcolm asked, deeply concerned about the frozen Dr. Oliver and Mr. Anderson. "If I fight, will you agree that my friends won't have to fight?"

Goldar nodded and the Angel Grove High School gymnasium suddenly faded into the deplorable view of the Dark Dimension. Dr. Oliver and Mr. Anderson were on a caged platform, but looked unharmed.

Jason, Malcolm, and Aisha found themselves at one end of the room while Goldar stood at the other end of the room with Rocky, Adam, Skull, and the Black Knight. Zedd suddenly appeared out of thin air.

"Welcome back to the Dark Dimension, Black Ranger Malcolm," Zedd said in a menacing voice. "Since Aisha has chosen to rebel against me, I have arranged for you to fight for the freedom of your friends versus the remainder of your Black Power. If you lose, you surrender your power to me, mortal."

Malcolm sighed, but said nothing, "However, I will make things easier on you since you came so willingly," Zedd said in a calmer voice. "You will be allowed to save two people and send them back to Earth with no memory of their time here. "The others will be forced to stay and watch you fight."

"I'm sorry Jason, but I have to think of the innocent civilians," Malcolm said without even a moment of hesitation. "I choose to send Mr. Anderson and Doctor Oliver back to Angel Grove High School."

Zedd nodded and with a wave of his staff, Mr. Anderson and Dr. Oliver vanished into thin air. Malcolm reached for his Morpher, but Zedd shook his head, "No power and no weapons for this fight," Zedd said in a gruff voice. "You may give it to one of your friends providing that they do not use it."

Malcolm quickly handed his communicator and Morpher to Jason, "Take Aisha back to the Command Center," he whispered in a faint voice. "Get Zordon to gather the other Rangers together."

"NO TALKING!" Zedd roared as Jason pocketed the items. "Come and show your strength, boy."

As Malcolm stepped forward, Jason quickly activated the teleportation mechanism on the communicator and grabbed Aisha's hand. Zedd roared angrily as Jason and Aisha vanished.

Having been summoned from the school after sneaking out of their class one at a time under the pretense of needing to use the bathroom, Kimberly, Trini, Billy, and Tommy materialized in the Command Center and saw Jason standing in front of Zordon's tube with a confused Aisha.

"Aisha?" Kimberly asked, confused to see Aisha there. "Jason, what's Aisha doing here?"

Alpha suddenly came out of the shadows, "Rangers, you are needed in the Dark Dimension immediately, but you cannot Morph," he said in an anxious voice. "Take a look at the fight with the Viewing Globe."

Jason, Aisha, Kimberly, Trini, Billy, and Tommy gathered around the Viewing Globe and were all horrified to see Malcolm and Zedison in hand-to-hand combat while Zedd, Goldar, Adam, Zack, and Rocky watched from the sidelines. Alpha whimpered as he came over to the group and held out his hands.

"I may be able to get passage for one of you using the Black Power Coin," Alpha said in a nervous voice as he looked at Jason. "Due to Zedd's interference, the one who goes will not be able to morph or assist Malcolm in any way. There is a way to solve the problem, but the solution will not be an easy one."

Jason immediately looked towards Zordon, "I'll go," he volunteered. "Malcolm's my family after all."

"Zordon, if we combine all of our Power Coins, could we all go to the Dark Dimension?" Billy asked in a curious voice. "We have to think about Adam, Zack, and Rocky as well, since they are in trouble."

Zordon was silent for a moment, "If you all go to the Dark Dimension, you all risk losing your powers," he said in a grave tone. "However, if you are willing to take the risk to save others, I will assist you all."

"Aisha, you had better stay here," Jason said in a concerned voice. "You'll be safer here…"

Suddenly, Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Tommy, Billy, and Aisha vanished from the Command Centre much to Alpha and Zordon's horror. A moment later, the entire Command Center went completely dark.

"Welcome to the fight of the century, Rangers," Zedd said in an amused voice as the six materialized outside the ring where an exhausted Malcolm was trying to use what physical strength he had to fight off the stronger and more skilled Zedison. "This is the price that is paid for Aisha's betrayal."

Malcolm suddenly gasped and winced as Zedison drop-kicked him in the chest, "The Black Power Ranger is becoming weak, Father," Zedison said in a menacing voice. "Shall the other engage in combat yet?"

"One on one, with their counterparts," Zedd replied in an amused voice. "No power, no weapons."

Goldar cackled, "I will take the White Ranger on myself," he said in an amused voice. "Alone."

"Before the battles begin, I wish to reveal my true self," Zedison spoke as he removed his head covering and gazed at Malcolm, his doppelganger. The others looked shocked that Zedison was identical to Malcolm and all of them exchanged concerned looks. Malcolm, however, retained fighting stance.

Malcolm then looked at the Rangers and Jason could see that his cousin's strength was quickly dissipating, "If you can contact Zordon and escape, I want you to do it," he said in a faint voice. "You guys don't need to be here and I don't want any harm to come to anyone else because of Zedd."

The ground suddenly began to shake uncontrollably, knocking Zedd and Zedison off balance, "Noble Malcolm, your selflessness will be rewarded and your desire will be granted," a deep, Zordon-like voice suddenly said as a golden sword appeared in Malcolm's hand. However, it will take a great sacrifice."

"I SAID NO WEAPONS!" Zedd roared as he jumped into the ring where Zedison and Malcolm were standing. Zedison had regained his footing but found himself unable to touch the sword Malcolm held.

Malcolm was silent for a moment and then swiftly smashed the sword into Zedd's staff, breaking it in half and causing a huge light to fill the Dark Dimension.

When the light faded, Jason saw that Zedd, Zedison, and Goldar were all gone; Adam, Aisha, Rocky, Zack, and Skull were all looking around with frightened and confused looks on their faces.

Malcolm was standing nearby, gazing at the large sword and at the pieces of Zedd's staff that lay on the floor now devoid of any power. Suddenly, he fainted.

"What are we doing here?" Zack asked in a nervous voice, suddenly noticing the other Rangers, Adam, Aisha, Rocky, and Skull were also there. "Last thing I remember is being at the park in Angel Grove."

Kimberly ignored Zack's comment and hurried over to where Malcolm lay with his left hand still gripping the sword, "Malcolm?" she asked, kneeling down to see if her friend was okay. "He's barely breathing."

Before anyone else could comment, Morphers suddenly appeared in Jason's, Kimberly's, Trini's, Billy's, and Tommy's hands, "Rangers, I sense you are in danger," Zordon's voice suddenly filtered out of Jason's communicator. "Do you need emergency teleport from your current location?"

"You guys are the Power Rangers?" Rocky asked in an awed voice, his attention suddenly turning to Kimberly, who was now kneeling next to Malcolm. "Is Malcolm a Power Ranger too? Is he okay?"

Without warning, all six of the Rangers, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, and Skull vanished from the chamber.

"How could that have happened, Father?" Zedison asked as he and Zedd appeared back beside the thrones at the Moon Palace. "I have never known the Rangers to possess that kind of power."

Zedd grunted and looked at Rita, "With my power nearly gone, I must travel into space to find a power that the Power Rangers will not be able to defeat," he said in a menacing voice. "You and Zedison must enlist the help of Goldar and Finster to keep monsters terrorizing Angel Grove while I am away."

"Father, if the Rangers have that kind of Power as we saw, nothing will be able to defeat them," Zedison said in a concerned voice. "What if you cannot find the power you seek and cannot come back here?"

Zedd was silent for a moment and then let out an unusually patient sigh, "Then it will fall to you to find a way to defeat the Power Rangers," he said in a gruff voice. "You are my heir to all evil that is ours."

Rita whimpered and quickly kissed Zedd before turning away to nurse her sudden headache. Zedd turned away and quietly left the palace before he allowed anyone else to protest his sudden departure.

Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Billy, Tommy, Aisha, Zack, Rocky, and Adam materialized in the Command Center with Jason and Tommy holding a barely conscious Malcolm up while Billy held the sword in his hand.

"Ai, yi, yi, yi, yi!" Alpha exclaimed as he saw Malcolm's condition. "Jason, Tommy, bring him over to the bed here and I will see what damage was done. Zordon, wake up! The Rangers need our help!"

As Jason and Tommy carried Malcolm over to the bed and laid him down, Billy turned to Zordon with a worried expression on her face, "Zordon, what happened to Skull?" he asked. "Was he left behind?"

"Skull is safe in Angel Grove with no memory of what has happened," Zordon replied. "Alpha, take that sword to the lab for analysis. Rangers, I need you all to morph and gather around Malcolm right now."

Jason looked at the Mastodon Coin and Black Morpher in his hand, "Put the Mastodon coin in Malcolm's hand and it will benefit the process greatly," Zordon said as if reading Jason's thoughts. "Do it quickly."

Jason quickly put the items in Malcolm's hands and morphed into the Red Ranger suit. He looked at the others and saw that they had also morphed; Aisha, Zack, Rocky, and Adam looked surprised at that.

"Rangers, Malcolm's condition is very serious because he used what energy he had to summon that sword and destroy Lord Zedd's power source," Zordon explained in a grave voice as Alpha took the sword from Billy and hurried off to the lab with it. "The destruction of Zedd's staff broke the spell that made Aisha, Zack, Rocky, Adam, and Skull Dark Rangers. It also took Malcolm's life energy, however."

Aisha, Zack, Rocky, and Adam suddenly looked very sick to their stomachs, "Because of what we did and Zedd's power, Malcolm might die?" Adam asked in a worried voice. "Is there any way to save him?"

"Yes," Tommy suddenly replied, suddenly understanding what Zordon was telling them. "Jason, stand at the head of the bed and I'll stand to your left. Kimberly, stand at Jason's right and Trini, stand next to Kimberly. Billy, stand next to Trini and all of us need to join hands and think about peace very, very hard.

Even though they were confused by Tommy's instructions, Jason, Kimberly, Trini, and Billy gathered around the bed and joined hands, thinking only of peace. Adam, Aisha, Rocky, and Zack watched with astonishment as lights emanated from the Power Coins and shot into Malcolm's very still form.

There was silence and the Rangers dropped their hands and removed their helmets just in time to see Malcolm's eyes slowly open, "What happened?" he asked in a faint voice as he suddenly saw the other Rangers in a circle surrounding him. "Am I in the Command Center? I remember hitting Zedd's staff…"

"Although Lord Zedd's power is gone, it does not mean that Zedd and Rita are destroyed," Zordon suddenly spoke in a grave tone. "However, the Black Power is no longer in danger of Rita's control."

Malcolm sighed, "Jason, I'm really tired," he said in a faint voice. "Is it okay if I rest here for a bit?"

"Alpha, see to Malcolm," Zordon cut in. "Rangers, please come here with your new and old friends."

Quickly turning his attention to the supply cupboard near the bed, Alpha tended to the very weak Malcolm. Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Billy, Tommy, Zack, Aisha, Rocky, and Adam walked over to the tube where Zordon waited. Aisha, Rocky, and Adam looked astonished while Zack looked rather guilty.

"Since you know of the identities of the Power Rangers, you must now agree to a simple rule," Zordon said in a calmer tone. "You must never reveal the identities of the Rangers under any circumstance."

Aisha, Rocky, and Adam joined hands, "We promise," they said together. Zack, however, frowned.

"How can I be forgiven for the way I've acted?" Zack asked in a sorrowful voice. "I don't deserve to be."

Tommy gave Zack a look, "You were under Rita's spell, just like I was," he said in a compassionate voice as he smiled at his former teammate. "You can't be held responsible for what you had no control over."

"Zordon, I would like Malcolm to keep the Black Power Coin," Zack replied as he gazed over to where Malcolm was being taken care of by Alpha. "Even though I'm okay, I don't feel worthy of the Power even if you want me to have it."

Having overheard Zack, Malcolm slowly got up off the bed and came over to the group with Alpha's help, "The Power Rangers need all of their members strong so they can protect the Earth," he said in a faint voice. "I am not strong right now."

"Malcolm, your strength will eventually return and for now, you will retain the power that you rightfully earned," Zordon replied in a gentle voice. "Zack, you have served well and will be given another chance to defend peace on the Earth in another way. For now, focus on helping your friends retain a peaceful environment with friendship."

Malcolm sighed and Jason quickly hurried to his cousin's side. Alpha hurried over to the console that would teleport everyone back to places in Angel Grove where they would be safe, "Time has resumed its normal course with everyone having no memory of anything out of the ordinary. Nobody is aware that you went missing."

"I think I can convince my mom and dad that you came down with the flu at school and that you should rest at home for a few days," Jason said in a concerned voice, knowing that only rest, proper food, and time would help Malcolm get his strength back. "They won't let me miss school, but you should take a few days to rest."

Too tired to argue, Malcolm was silent and watched as Alpha worked the controls. A moment later, the group vanished in swirls of light, leaving Alpha alone in the Command Centre with only Zordon for company.

"Alpha, now that the Rangers are safe, return to analyzing the sword," Zordon ordered in a firm voice. "I do not know what power brought the sword to Malcolm's aid, but we must see if it can help the Rangers in the future."