November came quickly and with it, even colder weather than what was present during Halloween.
Nobody minded the cold too much, however, as there were plenty of exciting things to do indoors and with school still in session, the teachers tried to keep the lessons lighthearted to keep the minds of the students off of the cold. Ms. Appleby, for one, had taken to showing movies dealing with current issues in her English and History classes, asking the students to take notes, and then write reports on them.
It was early and although the bell had not yet rung, most of the desks were already full; Jason, Billy, Tommy, Aisha, Adam, Kimberly, Bulk, Skull, and several others were all in their seats and preparing to take notes on that day's movie. Malcolm suddenly came into the room and nearly knocked into Bulk on his way to his desk at the back of the room; he looked tired, but really anxious about something.
"How was your meeting this morning?" Jason whispered, turning to face Malcolm as he sat down.
Malcolm sighed, but before he could reply, Ms. Appleby came into the room with Lt. Stone, who was completely clad in uniform and carrying a small yellow backpack. A moment later, a blonde, very thin and tired-looking teenage girl came into the classroom wearing old boots, oversized jeans that were patched, a dark t-shirt that was covered by an oversized flower-print jacket. The girl looked nervous.
"Class, this is Laura Hammond and she's just starting at Angel Grove High School today," Ms. Appleby said in a pleasant voice. "Laura, would you like to tell the class something about yourself please?"
Laura was silent for a moment, "I'm from Los Angeles and I'm here to get good grades," she replied in a toneless voice as she moved slowly to an empty desk near the door and sat down with a tired sigh.
"Why are you starting in the middle of the semester?" Bulk asked in a curious voice.
Laura shrugged and was silent as Lt. Stone carried the backpack over to her desk and set it on top, "Make sure you get help carrying it," he whispered to her. "You're not supposed to lift a lot yet."
"Bulk, I'm sure if Laura wants to share more about herself, she will," Ms. Appleby said in a no-nonsense tone as Lt. Stone left the room after smiling at Malcolm. "In light of Laura joining our class, I thought we'd do a little get-to-know-you exercise before starting today's movie. Who would like to start?"
"…I don't know why I couldn't do it," Adam said in the safety of Dr. Oliver's office nearly half an hour later. Adam had found himself unable to play the game and had politely asked to use the bathroom. When Ms. Appleby let him go, Adam had fled to Dr. Oliver's office, needing to talk to someone safe.
Dr. Oliver sighed; he knew Adam's history well and had become familiar with abuse cases of past students and even of present ones, especially that of Adam Park and his own nephew to name just a few; he had let Adam in and had been quiet as the scared boy shared his fears about his hidden past.
"…Adam, why would your friends judge you over something that wasn't your fault?" Dr. Oliver asked in a gentle voice, sighing patiently as Adam fidgeted while seated on the counseling couch.
Adam shrugged, "I don't know," he replied nervously. "Malcolm saw me at the shelter because he tried to run away a while ago. He thought Jason's parents didn't love him anymore and now I'm scared that he's gonna tell my friends that I live at the shelter. I'm gonna be labeled the school freak over this…"
"One moment," Dr. Oliver said as he quickly picked up the phone and dialed a few numbers, "Yes, Ms. Appleby, could you please inform Tommy Oliver that I need to speak with him in my office right away?"
There was murmuring on the other end of the phone, "…Excellent, thank you," Dr. Oliver said in a gentle voice as there was a click on the other end and he hung up. "When Tommy arrives, I'd like you to wait in the hallway for a minute, Adam. I need to talk to him and then I want to talk to both of you together."
Adam nodded, stood, and moved towards the door, "I'll keep an eye out for him," he offered nervously.
The gentle knock on the door roused Dr. Oliver out of the contemplative state he was in as he watched Adam sit in a chair in the hallway, writing to pass time until Tommy showed up. The door opened and Tommy entered the room. Dr. Oliver smiled and gestured for Tommy to close the door, which he did.
"You wanted to see me?" Tommy asked, being careful not to refer to Frank as 'Uncle Frank', as they were in a professional setting. "What's Adam doing out in the hall? He missed half of class."
Dr. Oliver sighed, "Tommy, remember when I told you that your experiences in an abusive family situation would enable you to help others heal from their own?" he asked in a very gentle voice.
Tommy nodded and his eyes suddenly went wide, "Adam?" he mouthed quietly in a shocked voice.
"If you're comfortable talking about the past, I'd like you to show Adam that he's not alone," Dr. Oliver explained in a concerned voice. Tommy was silent for a moment and then nodded, looking at Adam.
"How interesting," Zedison hissed, watching through the telescope as Adam came into Dr. Oliver's office and began talking with both Dr. Oliver and Tommy. "The White and Black Ranger have shady and hidden pasts."
Rita suddenly came up beside him with her staff in hand, "I must stay with your father," she said in an anxious voice as she conjured a map with her wand and handed it to him. "Here is a map so that you and your sister can find Ivan Ooze's burial chamber. Open it and bring Ivan Ooze directly back here."
"Yes Mother," Zedison said as he turned away from the telescope to face her. "Where is my sister?"
Rita cackled, "She is undergoing final preparations," she replied evilly. "What were you looking at?"
"We need to send some Putties to Angel Grove High School to distract the Rangers so that Sister and I can open Ivan Ooze's burial chamber without interference," Zedison said in a dark voice, grinning.
Rita cackled, "I will do that!" she said in an amused, evil voice. "Now get out of here!"
Zedison bowed and quickly took his leave as Rita hurried off to send some Z-Putties to Angel Grove.
Tommy had been gone for nearly half an hour and the bell rang before Jason, Kimberly, Aisha, Billy, or Malcolm could wonder where he had gone. After putting the notes they made from the movie away, the five teens made their way into the cafeteria for lunch.
As the five teens joined the line forming at the food counter, Bulk and Skull strutted into the cafeteria and over to Laura, who was sitting alone at a corner table with a bag lunch. She immediately looked uncomfortable at their approaching, but said nothing; she merely pulled out a sandwich.
"Hey there, blondie," Bulk said in a demeaning tone as he tapped the table. "Want some company?"
Laura shook her head and silently bit into the sandwich, "No," she replied coolly. "Please go away."
Before Bulk or Skull could reply, Laura quickly gathered up her food and got up, "You can use the table if you want," she said as she walked towards the food line. "I'm really not that hungry today anyways."
"Hey, Laura, do you wanna sit with my friends and me?" Kimberly asked, eager to befriend Laura.
Laura was silent for a moment and her eyes rested on Jason, Billy, and Malcolm before she shook her head, "No, thank you," she replied in a soft voice. "I have some homework to catch up on. See you."
"Laura seems a little nervous around us," Aisha commented in a concerned voice as Laura left the crowded cafeteria. "Why was she so late to school and why was Lt. Stone carrying her bag today?"
Jason shrugged, "Jason, Malcolm, let's go make sure she's okay," Kimberly said, her instincts of all not being right with Laura suddenly kicking in. "Billy, Aisha, can you get us a little something to eat, please?"
Billy and Aisha nodded and determined to help Laura if she could, Kimberly led the bewildered Jason and Malcolm out of the crowded cafeteria. Something didn't feel right to her; not right at all.
"…It's really cold out here," Adam commented as he followed Tommy and Dr. Oliver out into the school courtyard after they had gone by their lockers to get their jackets. "Why did we come outside?"
Dr. Oliver smiled at Adam and Tommy, "The outdoors, away from people and distractions, is the safest place to deal with personal barriers," he said in a wise voice. "Do you feel safe out here, Adam?"
Adam nodded, but before he could reply, 10 Z-Putties appeared, blocking Dr. Oliver, Tommy, and Adam from the school, "What on earth are these things?" Dr. Oliver asked as he quickly backed away.
"Putties," Adam replied in a disgusted voice as he got into fighting stance. "They're always on the news."
The Putties immediately advanced on Tommy, "I don't watch the news often," Dr. Oliver replied in an unconvincing tone as he suddenly saw two of the Putties dropkick Tommy to the ground. "Tommy!"
Even though his mind wanted to get up and keep fighting, Tommy knew that his body was in enough pain that he couldn't move well without help. His head hurt from hitting it on the ground and his chest hurt from the dropkick delivered by the Putties. Adam quickly advanced on the Putties, but found that he kept jumping back every time one of them advanced. Dr. Oliver, meanwhile, was helping Tommy.
"Fear will be your undoing," a menacing voice suddenly rang out as the Putties vanished into thin air.
Dr. Oliver quickly knelt down next to Tommy, intending to see how badly injured his young nephew was before alerting proper authorities about the incident, "I'm sorry, I should have been a better fighter," Adam said in a remorseful voice as he walked slowly to where Dr. Oliver was kneeling beside Tommy.
"It's not your fault," Tommy said in a pained voice as he closed his eyes to block out the pain. "Oww."
Before Dr. Oliver could comment, the three were suddenly teleported from the courtyard in a flash.
"…They want to adopt you?" Billy asked, gazing at Malcolm in shock. "Jason's parents offered to adopt you because they want you to feel more like part of their family? How do you feel about that?"
Malcolm shrugged, not bothering to touch the cafeteria food on his tray or plate, "I told them at breakfast this morning that I'd think about it and let them know," he replied, not wanting to disrespect the memory of his parents by allowing his aunt and uncle to adopt him. "It's just hard to think of…"
Beep, beep, boop, boop, beep, beep.
Frowning, Jason, Kimberly, Aisha, Malcolm, and Billy quickly stood up and hurried out of the cafeteria, "What is it, Alpha?" Jason asked quietly as they got into a quiet area and he raised his communicator.
"Rangers, report to the Command Center immediately!" Alpha's frantic voice replied. "Emergency!"
Taking a look around to make sure nobody was nearby, the five Rangers teleported out of the school.
"Tommy!" Kimberly exclaimed as the five Rangers materialized in the Command Center and immediately saw Dr. Oliver kneeling beside a cot where Tommy lay while Adam was lingering near Zordon's tube.
Kimberly immediately rushed over to the cot while Jason, Aisha, Billy, and Malcolm joined Adam at Zordon's tube, "Rangers, we have an emergency situation," Zordon explained. "Putties attacked Adam, Tommy, and Frank Oliver at Angel Grove High School just moments ago and that attack was meant to distract you from Zedd and Rita's latest plan to dominate the world; the plan is already in motion."
"What plan?" Aisha asked in a concerned voice. "I didn't think Lord Zedd was around anymore."
Zordon sighed, "While it is true that Lord Zedd was in another galaxy for some time, he has now returned with power that could destroy the Earth if unleashed," he replied gravely. "He has granted Zedison the ability to seek out the burial chamber of Ivan Ooze and open it. If Ivan Ooze is freed, the world as we know it will be in grave peril. Kimberly, you must go with Jason, Aisha, Billy, and Adam to the chamber to stop Zedison from opening the chamber. Malcolm, you and Tommy must stay here."
"Zordon, I don't understand," Malcolm said in a confused voice. "I could be of help to the others."
Suddenly a doorway opened and Alpha came rushing out, "Malcolm, you possess a power so great that even you do not know it yet," Zordon explained as Alpha hurried over to where Tommy lay. "You can fight against Zedison well enough, but if Ivan Ooze were to find you, he would overpower even you."
"I'm being selfish, though, if I stay," Malcolm replied. "The others could get hurt…"
Zordon sighed, "You are thinking with your heart, but your mind must tell you that you are not yet ready to meet Ivan face to face," he said in a gentle voice. "The others will be fine; you will have your chance."
"Alright," Malcolm replied, knowing that he should listen to Zordon's counsel. "Be careful, you guys."
Jason nodded and he, Aisha, Billy, and Adam walked over to Kimberly, Tommy, and Dr. Oliver, "Feel better soon, Tommy," Jason said as he looked at Dr. Oliver. "How do you even know of this place?"
"You five should get going," Dr. Oliver replied, pretending like he hadn't heard the question at all.
As the five Rangers teleported out of the Command Center, Dr. Oliver gazed down at Tommy silently.
Nearly an hour later, Tommy opened his eyes only to find himself laying on a hospital gurney shirtless with bandages around his chest and an IV in his arm. There was a curtain around his bed that was suddenly pulled back, revealing a smiling nurse in scrubs with his uncle also standing there.
"How are you feeling, Tommy?" the nurse asked as she walked over to his bedside. "Any better?"
For a moment, Tommy was confused about how he ended up in a hospital bed from the Command Center and then it clicked; his uncle and Malcolm must have brought him here from the center.
"…Please, I'm fine," a distressed, yet very familiar voice suddenly interrupted them. "Lt. Stone…"
Dr. Oliver and Tommy exchanged a look as the nurse hurried out of the curtain, "…We had a deal, Laura," Lt. Stone's gentle, yet very firm voice replied. "You promised me that if I let you go to school today that you would come here after school. Your injuries won't heal if they remain untreated."
The curtain was suddenly pulled back and Tommy was surprised to see Laura Hammond laying on a hospital gurney with a gown and blanket covering her body. Lt. Stone was standing there holding her clothes and backpack, as was a distressed looking nurse. Tommy frowned at seeing the bruises on Laura's arms, neck, and collarbone area, but Laura said nothing and looked at her blanket.
"Aren't you the new girl in my class?" Tommy asked, trying to make Laura feel comfortable.
For a moment, Laura was silent and then looked up at Tommy, "Yes," she replied in a quiet voice. "I just moved to Angel Grove a few days ago from Los Angeles. Once I'm out of here, I'm going to be moving into the city shelter until I can get a job and enough money for an apartment. I don't know how long I'm going to be here, though; I'm really tired and sore right now. I've been that way for a while, I guess."
"Doctor Oliver, can I speak with you for a moment in private?" Lt. Stone asked, suddenly recognizing the school counselor. "Laura, don't try and run away while I'm gone, all right? Just relax and take it easy."
As Dr. Oliver and Lt. Stone walked off together, Tommy smiled at Laura, "I'm Tommy Oliver," he said in a gentle voice, suddenly feeling a headache coming on. "Why the shelter? You could live with family."
"Can I tell you a secret?" Laura asked in a quiet voice. "I came here from Los Angeles because Lt. Stone rescued me from an abusive situation. My parents both have problems with drugs and alcohol and they didn't treat me well because I wouldn't join them. I focused my time on taking care of my little sister, Ashley, and making sure both of us were okay. Lt. Stone is a friend of my father's and he came just a few days ago and was able to get me made an emancipated adult. Ashley's not old enough yet, though…"
Tommy frowned, "You had to leave your sister behind?" he asked, suddenly feeling angry that Laura's parents treated her so poorly. He winced again and was forced to lie back down on the pillow.
"When I'm old enough, I plan to apply for custody of her," Laura replied gently. "In the meantime, I'll do well in school and hopefully be able to go to the local college while Ashley goes to school."
Tommy sighed, "I'm sorry I'm not good company right now," he said as he gazed at her. "I'm in a lot of pain and I'm also worried about my girlfriend, Kimberly. She's out with some of my other friends."
Without warning, Dr. Oliver returned alone, smiled at Laura, and quickly drew the curtain, "Tommy, we have to go NOW," he hissed in an urgent voice. "We need to get back to that Command Center."
"Why?" Tommy asked, confused about how his uncle knew so much about it. "What's wrong?"
Dr. Oliver merely tossed Tommy his white tank top and overshirt, "Uncle Frank?" Tommy asked, slowly pulling off the gown and putting on the shirts. "Uncle Frank, why do we need to get out of here?"
"We have to warn them," is all Dr. Oliver would say in a whispered voice. "The time of crisis is coming."
All was quiet as Zedison and Katherine materialized in front of a large mound of dirt, one of many in the 'construction zone' of Angel Grove's newest development project. Zedison looked delighted at finding the area that had been indicated on the map. Katherine, however, looked confused and disgusted.
"The burial chamber is a dirt mound?" Katherine asked, not caring that she was dirtying her dress as she walked around the dirt, looking for an opening. "Brother, have our parents truly lost their minds?"
Zedison chuckled and with a flourish of his hand, the dirt swept away, revealing a large purple hand clenching a life-sized egg in it, "Is this Ivan Ooze some sort of humanoid bird?" Katherine asked in a regal, yet very confused voice, a look of alarm crossing her face as the hand suddenly opened.
Both Zedison and Katherine were silent as the egg cracked open and a purple being with clad entirely in purple clothing stepped out of the egg, "Greetings, I am Ivan Ooze," Ivan said, opening his arms.
"I am Zedison and this is Katherine," Zedison replied, gesturing to his sister. "We are the son and daughter of Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. We have been sent to seek your power and wisdom."
Ivan looked amused, "Zedd and Rita have children," he said in an intrigued voice. "Tell me, why do you seek MY power if Rita and Zedd are your parents? They are very powerful beings, are they not?"
"The Power Rangers, led by Zordon of Eltar, have continually undermined them," Zedison replied.
Ivan suddenly looked angry, "I will deal with Zordon personally," he hissed. "YOU TWO FIND THE POWER RANGERS AND CRUSH THEM LIKE THE BUGS THEY ARE! After that is done, we will go see your parents."
As Ivan teleported away, Zedison and Kat looked at each other, "Zordon has most likely ordered them here," Katherine said in a low voice. "If we remain here, we are more likely to meet them in battle."
The quietness of the Command Center was unnerving to Malcolm as he sat on the cot, deep in thought about why Zordon had ordered him to stay there while the five original Rangers had gone to search for Ivan Ooze's chamber and Tommy had gone to the hospital with Dr. Oliver. Why did he alone have to stay?
"Malcolm, you must hide in the Chamber of Light," Zordon suddenly said, appearing in his tube.
A look of alarm crossed Malcolm's face as he stood up and faced Zordon, "Ivan Ooze has been freed by Zedison and another warrior," Zordon explained to the nervous teen. "If he finds you, he will not hesitate to either kill you or force you under his control. Alpha, take Malcolm into the chamber."
"What about you?" Malcolm asked as Alpha hurried over to him. "Ivan will destroy you, won't he?"
Zordon sighed, "There is no time to waste," he replied gravely. "Ivan is already on his way here now."
Alpha whimpered and quickly hustled Malcolm into the Chamber, "This should keep you safe," Alpha said as he began to close the door, only to be given a concerned look by Malcolm. "I must stay here."
As the Chamber Door closed, Alpha turned and saw purple slime oozing through the Command Center door and he suddenly whimpered, "It's so good to be out of that chamber," Ivan said in a menacing voice as he materialized inside the Command Center. "Ah, hello Alpha and Zordon! Did you miss me?"
"You will not get away with this, Ivan," Zordon said in a weary voice. "The Rangers will stop you."
Ivan cackled and raised his hands, his eyes full of excitement as he blasted the tubes around the center into fragments, "Is your power source hiding in here, Zordon?" he asked menacingly, suddenly sensing that Alpha and Zordon were not alone. "Are you trying to count on it to protect you from harm?"
Realizing that Ivan already knew of Malcolm's presence, Alpha pushed Ivan hard, nearly knocking the purple monster to the floor. Unfortunately for Alpha, Ivan was stronger and merely zapped the little robot full of enough power that Alpha collapsed in a heap at Ivan's feet. Ivan then turned to Zordon.
"Say goodnight!" Ivan crowed as he extended his hands and shot lightning bolts at Zordon's tube.
As Zordon's tube exploded, Malcolm gripped the wall that separated him from the rest of the Command Center to keep himself from collapsing. It was if Ivan was trying to break him, not Zordon, into pieces.
"As for that power source, I'll leave him a little GIFT!" Malcolm heard Ivan shout. "TAKE THAT!"
Suddenly, Malcolm felt a surge of evil power fill the Command Center and he promptly collapsed.
All was quiet as Jason, Kimberly, Aisha, Adam, and Billy materialized at the construction area where Ivan Ooze's burial chamber was supposed to be. They were dismayed to find an open hand and an open egg.
"We're too late," Jason commented as he approached the open egg. "Someone already let him out."
Kimberly winced as she looked at the purple slime, "Ew," she commented, throwing her hands up.
"Now that Ivan's free, we have to figure out how to find him," Billy said in a concerned voice. "I'm sure there's something either at my lab or at the Command Center that can help us find Ivan and stop him."
Aisha nodded, but Adam sighed, "I'm still feeling guilty over the fact that Tommy got hurt because I wasn't brave enough to act," Adam said in a sorrowful voice. "Those Putties really beat him up."
"Now's not the time to focus on that, Adam," Jason cut in. "We need to get out of here and find Ivan."
Suddenly, an amused cackle rang out, "Leaving so soon, Rangers?" Zedison asked as he came out from behind the remnants of the dirt pile with Katherine at his heels. "Have you met my sister, Katherine?"
"What do you want, Zedison?" Jason asked in a mean voice. "We already know you freed Ivan Ooze."
Zedison cackled, "I wouldn't try and Morph if I were you," he said in a menacing voice. "Ivan has already been to the Command Center and your precious powers are all gone. Now the world will be ours."
"Yeah right!" Jason replied in a disbelieving voice as he pulled out his Morpher. "Tyrannosaurus!"
Nothing happened and Zedison cackled, "Goodbye Powerless Rangers!" he hooted. "Nice knowing you!"
As Zedison and Katherine vanished, the five Rangers quickly ran off towards the Command Center.