'CITY-WIDE MEETING TONIGHT FOR ADULTS ONLY' was displayed across the roof of the Angel Grove City Hall and parents from all over Angel Grove parked their vehicles in every available space all over town and walked up the pristine sidewalk to the meeting.
Jason's parents, Billy's father, Aisha's parents, Trini's parents, and Rocky's parents were among those who had decided to come to the meeting. Bulk and Skull, though not technically adults, had snuck into the meeting with the thought of free food.
It didn't take long for everyone who had chosen to come to fill the meeting hall and Ivan, who was disguised as a handsome looking business man with a purple suit and tie, immediately stepped up to the podium and gestured to his 'helper' Mark to dim the lights. Mark did and then quietly lingered nearby.
"Greetings parents of Angel Grove," Ivan said in a deep voice. "I am, as of this moment, the new ruler of Angel Grove and eventually the universe. My assistant will now help you to accept my leadership."
Zedison stepped forward and began throwing piles of Ooze at the crowd. At first, there were murmurs of disgust and confusion at the ooze, but as people touched the purple substance, their faces became expressionless and their bodies all became rigid, "Parents of Angel Grove!" Ooze crowed. "You are now my mindless slaves and I order you to gather me every source of power in this wretched city!"
Silence filled the meeting room as all the adults rose from their seats and silently filed out of the city hall, intending to bring anything they could to satisfy their leader. Ivan grinned at Zedison; their plan was going well so far and once they had all the power in the city, they could first destroy the Command Center and then what was good in the world.
Only the faintest of light was left in the sky by the time the group made it to the Ninjetti Temple.
The Temple itself was a large, brown cinderblock structure that was a single story high and was adorned with ancient symbols and markings both on the columns and the walls. There were seven small steps that led up to the temple and the entrance was a single door decorated with a carving of a star.
"Welcome to the Ninjetti Temple," Dulcea said in a gentle voice as she approached the building.
Although the rain had stopped, Jason, Kimberly, Adam, and Billy were all exhausted from walking through the jungle in wet clothes with nothing to eat or drink. However, none of them complained and they had merely put their energy into helping Malcolm and Tommy, who were in much worse shape.
Understanding that the six had used most of their energy to get there, Dulcea silently led them inside the Temple and into a small room that was just to the left of the main entrance. The room was small, but contained seven small beds covered with red, gold, blue, yellow, pink, orange, and black blankets.
The room also had a small table in the corner where a large covered tray, a large pitcher of steaming liquid, and seven cups sat, as if Ninjor and Dulcea had been expecting visitors for the longest time.
"Rest tonight and in the morning, I will prepare you to meet Ninjor," Dulcea said in a gentle voice as the six Rangers entered the room. "As you take care of yourselves, your clothes will become dry again."
As Dulcea left the room, the door closed behind her, "I have to lie down," Tommy moaned, suddenly feeling ready to faint from the pain and nausea he had been feeling all day. "Kimberly, help me."
"Guys, let's have something to eat and then go to sleep," Jason said, immediately assuming a leadership role since Tommy did not have the strength to. "We need our strength to listen to Dulcea tomorrow."
Kimberly, however, helped Tommy over to the bed with the red blanket, "I'm sorry, but I really need to lie down," Tommy said in an apologetic voice as Kimberly pushed back the cover. "I feel so weak."
Billy walked over to the table and lifted the lid, revealing seven small bowls of soup, "I'll bring you your food and drink, Tommy," he said as he picked up one of the cups and a bowl and brought it over to the bed where Kimberly was helping Tommy to stay sitting up. "Malcolm, do you need help too?"
"I'll wait," Malcolm replied in a quiet voice, suddenly feeling guilty about all that had happened to them.
Jason slowly moved to the table, picked up a bowl and cup, and offered them to Adam, "We all need our strength for tomorrow," he said, smiling as Adam took the items. "Billy, Kim, come and get your food."
"They can have mine," Malcolm suddenly cut in. "I was responsible for bringing us here, so I don't eat."
Both confused and concerned by Malcolm's words, Jason, Kimberly, Tommy, Billy, and Adam all exchanged looks before looking at Malcolm, "What are you talking about?" Billy finally asked.
"That was the second part of the wish I made with Rita's coin," Malcolm replied, dropping his gaze to the stone floor. "Besides wishing for help to come to the Power Rangers, I also wished that the holders of the power would be protected from harm if anyone ever tried to destroy the source of their power."
Before anyone could reply, Malcolm quietly walked over to the bed with the orange cover and sat on it, taking great care to face the wall, "It's my fault that we lost Aisha," he said in a quiet voice as he lay down facing the wall so that nobody would see his tears. "My decision has destroyed the team."
"Why are you laying facing the wall?" Adam asked, suddenly wondering why Malcolm's voice full of more pain than any of them could see. "Malcolm, were you injured during that fight with the Tengu?"
Malcolm sighed and winced as he sat up, "I'm not sure," he replied softly. "I fell pretty hard and I think my left shoulder might have popped out of place during my fight with those Tengu things. I might have also scraped my legs up a bit when I was dragged across the rocks. I'm sorry I got so mad at you all…"
"My dad's a paramedic and I've taken advanced first aid, so let me see," Jason said, quickly walking over to Malcolm's bed and quickly checked Malcolm's left shoulder. "Yep, it's popped neatly out of place."
Malcolm nodded, "Pop it back in," he said, gritting his teeth. "I know it'll hurt, but do it anyway."
Jason nodded and was shocked when Malcolm didn't utter so much as a peep as his shoulder was popped back into place, "Now you need some food," Jason said calmly. "Just rest your arm a bit."
Guilt filled Malcolm's heart as he watched Jason walk over to the table and get a bowl of soup and a cup and come back; Jason was still soaking wet, hadn't eaten, and still had the desire to care for others first.
Even though she could feel the life slowly slipping out of her, Trini smiled as Laura tucked her into one of the empty beds in the common sleep area of the shelter, "I hope your friends and Aisha can find some food," Laura said in a worried voice as she knelt beside Trini's bed. "I tried 9-1-1, but no answer."
"There's not really anything anyone can do for me at this point," Trini said in a faint voice, feeling sadness over her premature death, but also relief that she could die being cared for by good, compassionate people like Rocky, Zack, Aisha, and the kind young woman sitting by her bed. "I don't know you, but you make me feel better about dying. How on earth did Aisha get so young, though?"
Keeping in mind that Trini was most likely in a lot of pain and was bound to say things that didn't make a lot of sense, Laura sighed and gently caressed Trini's hand, "It'll be all right," she said in a soothing voice, comforted by Trini's smile. "My name is Laura Hammond and I moved to Angel Grove from Los Angeles."
"Los Angeles?" Trini repeated softly. "I was in Switzerland with Zack and Rocky…at a Peace Conference."
Before Laura, who was confused by Trini's words, could think of a reply, Rocky and Zack came back into the main room with Aisha, who was carrying a small plastic bowl of noodles with a spoon in it.
"This soup stuff was all we could find in the kitchen," Zack explained in a worried voice as Aisha handed the soup to Laura. "Did you try phoning emergency services for Trini? Is an ambulance coming?"
Laura sighed and took the spoon filled with noodles out, "I couldn't get a hold of anyone," she replied in a solemn voice as she gazed at the dried blood on Trini's chest. "You say she was stabbed? Where?"
Zack and Rocky exchanged a look, as they couldn't tell the truth about Zedison and risk getting into a conversation about the identities of the Power Rangers, "I suppose it doesn't matter, though," Laura suddenly continued in a soft voice. "Everyone's got secrets they like to keep buried; myself included."
"Zordon," Trini weakly spoke, suddenly feeling her life force slipping away. "Zordon, please; I need you."
"Trini," Zordon said in a faint voice as his eyes suddenly opened. "I feel you suffering, Trini."
Dr. Oliver looked up from the computer console he was repairing, "Zordon?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Doctor Oliver, can you contact the Rangers on Phaedos?" Zordon asked weakly. "I need one of them to go and find Trini; she is dying and needs help. I sense that there are also others in danger with her."
Even though Alpha would have been a better choice to see if such contact was possible, Dr. Oliver silently went over to the Viewing Globe and quickly saw that Trini was at the Angel Grove Shelter and being cared for by Rocky, Zack, a small child, and a civilian girl, "Alpha!" he shouted anxiously.
"What is it, Doctor Oliver?" Alpha asked in an anxious voice as he came out of the Chamber of Light.
Dr. Oliver gestured to the Viewing Globe, "Zordon wanted me to contact the Rangers on Phaedos, but I don't think there's enough power," he explained in a worried voice. "However, I do wonder if it would be possible to transport Trini and those taking care of her here? It would keep them safe from harm."
"Maybe," Alpha replied as he hurried over to one of the few consoles that was working and studied it to see what power was available. "If we used some of the power from the Power Coins, they could be transported here safely. It would, however, put your own powers at risk for being depleted."
Dr. Oliver nodded, "I know," he said, silently praying that the Rangers would return very soon.
"I'll do it quickly," Alpha replied as he worked on the console. "Your courage is admirable."
Dr. Oliver fought the urge to chuckle; he wasn't courageous at all. He just wanted to help how he could.
Six empty bowls and six empty cups littered the small table and while six of the seven beds were occupied, only Tommy and Malcolm were sound asleep. Jason sat upright in his bed, silently wondering why everything seemed to come in sevens within the Temple. Were seven needed to move forward?
"Jason, are you still awake?" Kimberly asked, gazing over at the gold bed that Jason occupied.
Jason nodded, "Whatever was in that drink is making me tired, though," he said in an amused voice as he noticed Kim's worried expression. "I'm just thinking about why everything seems to come in groups of seven here; do we need another person in order to truly get the help that is offered at this temple?"
"Without Aisha, we're only six," Kimberly whispered, being careful not to wake Tommy or Malcolm.
Jason sighed and gazed over to where Adam and Billy were laying in their black and blue beds with their eyes closed, "Maybe tomorrow we'll be given an idea of how we're supposed to move forward," he said in a tired voice, fighting the urge to yawn. "We just have to keep hope alive, Kim; for Zordon's sake."
"For Zordon's sake," Kimberly whispered as Jason lay down. "We just have to keep our hopes alive."
Laura nearly screamed as she, Rocky, Zack, Trini, and Aisha touched down in the damaged Command Center and saw Zordon lying on the damaged warp tube. However, Aisha screamed loudly.
"What is this scary place?" Aisha whimpered, unaware that Alpha was nearby and had suddenly realized that she had forgotten everything about being a Ranger because of some spell. "Laura, I'm scared."
Nodding, Laura gently patted Aisha's shoulder, "Stay here with Rocky and Zack a minute," she said as she walked over to where Zordon lay. "Sir, what happened to you? Why do you look so sick?"
"My dear child, my name is Zordon," Zordon spoke, gazing at Laura. "This place was attacked…"
As Zordon coughed, Dr. Oliver came out of a back chamber, "Miss Hammond," he said as he approached Laura with a smile on his face. "I'm Doctor Oliver and I do believe you go to Angel Grove High, yes?"
"What is this place?" Laura asked as she watched Zack and Rocky carry Trini over to the cot.
Dr. Oliver walked over to her, "This is the Command Center for the Power Rangers," he explained, frowning as Laura took a step back. "You seem to be unusually afraid of adults. Why is that?"
"Laura?" Trini suddenly asked in a weak voice, prompting Laura to run over to where Trini lay.
Alpha suddenly came out of the Chamber of Light and saw Trini lying there, slowly dying. Aisha's eyes went wide at the sight of Alpha and she fainted, "Alpha," Trini said, smiling at seeing the robot.
"Trini was stabbed by Zedison at the Peace Conference in Switzerland," Zack explained in a worried voice as Alpha approached Trini. "We were ambushed by Ivan Ooze and Zedison unexpectedly; they thought we were still Rangers and when we said we weren't, they stabbed Trini and disappeared."
Laura gasped, "The Power Rangers are real?" she asked in a shocked voice as she knelt down next to where Aisha lay unconscious. "I had heard stories, but I assumed that they were just mythical…"
"You needed something to believe in, Laura," Alpha suddenly piped up. "You may not know this, but Zordon and I have kept an eye on you since you were little and you had reason to need hope."
Swallowing hard, Laura nodded and gently brushed Aisha's forehead, "Aisha will be fine," Dr. Oliver said, suddenly realizing that Laura had just as dark a past as Tommy and Adam. "Trini, however, will not."
"Someone take my life force and go to Phaedos," Trini whispered. "A Yellow Ranger is now needed."
Zack took Trini's hand, "Laura, you should go," he said, gazing at Rocky. "You have a good heart."
"I don't know how to be a Power Ranger!" Laura said in an anxious voice. "They are brave, right?"
Rocky nodded, but smiled, "Laura, you showed courage in taking care of Aisha and in taking care of Trini," he replied, knowing that Laura was the better choice to go to Phaedos than he and to take possession of whatever powers were there. "Alpha, is there any way to send her there?"
"Laura, give this to Jason for me," Trini suddenly spoke, holding out a small Praying Mantis necklace to her. "It was given to me by a friend who I had deeply cared for."
Zack smiled, "Oh, I remember that," he commented. "Jason gave that to Trini a while back when they started going out. It was a symbol of her success within the martial arts."
"I'll give it to him," Laura said as she took the necklace and pocketed it. "How will I find them all?"
Dr. Oliver smiled, "When you arrive, you'll be found," he replied. "Trust the other Rangers; they will help you be able to accomplish what you need to. Don't be afraid to face your past to embrace the future."
"If you are to go, it must be now," Alpha said as he hurried over to a power console. "Are you ready?"
Laura nodded and Trini suddenly closed her eyes, taking a final breath, "May the Power protect you," Zordon said in a faint voice as Laura vanished from the Command Center. "May the Earth be saved."
The streets of Angel Grove were filled with zombified parents carrying anything that conducted electricity to help Ivan achieve whatever he needed to. Ivan had made himself a nice little seat atop of the Centennial statue in the park and was gleeful over the destruction caused by gathering items.
Zedison stood next to the statue in clad in his Silver Ninja outfit to show both authority and the fact that he served as a protector to Ivan Ooze. He thought his parents had been killed by Ooze, otherwise he would have fought to the death against the one who was now trying to take over the world.
"Brother, Master Ooze, I come bearing news," Katherine said as she suddenly appeared in the park.
Ivan looked intrigued, "How was your trip to Phaedos, Katherine?" he asked, gazing down at her.
"I stole the Orb of Doom from my father and used it to turn the Yellow Ranger into a child when she tried to fight me," Katherine replied evilly. "She is now somewhere in Angel Grove with few memories."
Ivan cackled, "Now the Rangers can't strive for the help from that freaky Ninja Master," he hooted. "What of the Tengu Warriors? Were they capable of destroying the other Powerless Rangers?"
"Some warrior woman came and whipped them with a staff," Katherine replied. "They ran away."
Ivan growled, "Dulcea," he hissed. "No matter; there are only six and that is not enough."
"I should assume my cat form and observe the Command Center," Katherine replied. "Who is to say that those mentors to the Rangers will not try and send someone to become the seventh Ranger?"
Ivan frowned, "There is not enough power," he replied crisply. "However, I do want you to wait near the center for the Rangers to return from Phaedos. When they come back, use that Orb to finish them off."
"I will," Katherine replied in a firm voice. She, however, planned to return to Phaedos and search again. Nothing was said, fortunately, as Katherine vanished from view.
Stars filled the sky of Phaedos and all was quiet. The rain had stopped and the air was cold because of a light wind that had cropped up, but otherwise, all was peaceful both near and away the Temple.
A howling wind cropped up just as Laura touched down on the rocky surface and she immediately shivered, as she was cold even in her jeans, jacket, shirt, and shoes. Her eyes travelled up to the stars and, for a moment, she was lost in their beauty. She then began to feel pain and sank to her knees.
"I'm so tired," Laura whispered; she had not been given a chance to rest at the hospital and had refused to eat any of the food offered because she felt horrible about being safe while Ashley was stuck in a bad situation. She wondered if the Power Rangers were actually real, or if this had been of her imagination.
Letting out a sigh, Laura pulled herself to her feet and looked around, hoping that there would be some sort of clue as to where she was supposed to go. Suddenly, a cloaked figure came walking towards her from a grassy trail that seemed to spiral downward. Laura gulped and slowly took a step back.
"You need not fear me," Dulcea said as she removed her hood. "How did you get to Phaedos?"
Before Laura, who immediately calmed at seeing gentleness in Dulcea's eyes, could reply, Katherine appeared on the rocky surface, "Ah, so I was right," Katherine said, gazing at Laura sharply. "My instincts told me that there would be a seventh even though I turned Aisha into a child. Now it will be you who…"
Dulcea whipped off her cloak and immediately struck Katherine with her staff, sending her to the ground in a heap, "As the Guardian of Phaedos and all that resides on it, I banish the evil within you from this place, Katherine," she said in a firm voice. "So long as you are possessed by evil, you cannot be here."
Before Katherine could reply, she suddenly vanished from view, "Now, on to you," Dulcea said as she turned to Laura, who was on the verge of trembling. "How did you come to Phaedos and why?"
Laura didn't know how to explain it; how could she? The pain in her tired body and excessive hunger suddenly got to her and, throwing up, she promptly collapsed into unconsciousness.