Paper turkeys and pilgrim hats littered the walls of the Youth Center, something Laura took delight in seeing as she entered the Juice Bar area and found it empty. She was wearing her worn shoes, fading socks, and a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and an old hoodie she had found in the clothes donation box at the shelter. The shelter was closed for the afternoon so it could be cleaned for the Thanksgiving dinner that the City of Angel Grove recruited volunteers for to feed and spend time with the city's less fortunate.

Despite living at the shelter, Laura had no desire to take part in a family-oriented holiday that was two days from now; the fact that it was the 23rd of November that day was depressing enough for her.

She hadn't really seen or spoken with any of the Rangers since they defeated Ivan Ooze, Laura thought sorrowfully as she walked over to the bar and sat on a stool. Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes and Laura found herself crying uncontrollably; this was the absolute worst birthday ever for her.

"Hello," Ernie said as he suddenly came out of the back and saw Laura crying. "Are you okay?"

Laura sniffled and tried to control her tears, "Oh, I'm sorry, is this place closed?" she asked softly.

Ernie shook his head, "Nope, I'm open every day of the year," he replied in a gentle voice as he offered her a box of Kleenex that was on the counter near the register. "It's two days before Thanksgiving and most everyone is probably busy getting ready for it. Why aren't you with your family getting ready?"

"I'm alone here," Laura replied softly as she put her hands in her jeans pocket and massaged her Morpher and Power Coin with them to calm herself. "It wasn't safe for me to live with my family."

For a moment, Ernie was quiet and Laura sighed, "Is there anything fun to do around here?" she asked in a quiet voice. "It's my birthday today and if there's nothing to do, maybe I'll walk out to the beach."

"You could go shopping," Ernie suggested in a gentle voice. "Girls your age like to shop for clothes."

Despite the tears on her face, Laura managed a chuckle, "Girls my age probably have money for clothes," she replied in a semi-amused voice. "Maybe if I can get a job, I might have money for a new set of clothes by Christmas. I want to do well in school, though, so I don't really have a lot of time for a job."

"If you're willing to do me an errand, I'll pay you for it," Ernie said gently as he offered her a medium-length grocery list. "My storeroom has run low on a few things and I need them before Thanksgiving."

Laura carefully took the list and was very surprised when Ernie handed her an envelope of bills, "There's enough money in there to buy everything on the list," he said in a gentle voice. "I'd like the change."

Nodding, Laura pocketed the envelope, "I won't let you down, sir," she replied as she got to her feet.

"My name's Ernie, by the way," Ernie said, glad that he could help her. "What's your name?"

Laura sighed, "Laura Hammond, sir," she replied in a dead-pan voice. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

As Laura left, she passed by Dr. Oliver and Tommy, "Hi Laura," Tommy said, only to be ignored by her.

"What can I do for you, Tommy?" Ernie asked in a business-like voice. "How are you doing today?"

Tommy sighed and grinned, "Jason's with his parents and Malcolm at a hearing right now to make Malcolm's adoption official," he replied happily. "Jason wanted me to see if he and his parents could host a pre-Thanksgiving party here later because he, his parents, and Malcolm are going to the mountains in a couple of days to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. Do you think it's possible?"

"Sure, it'll just take a couple of hours to make food," Ernie replied. "How are you, Doctor Oliver?"

Dr. Oliver smiled, but was cut off by Tommy, "Ernie, how come Laura looked so distressed?" Tommy asked, realizing that there had been anger and dried tears on her face. "Why was she so angry?"

"Today's her birthday and she's not too keen on Thanksgiving either," Ernie replied in a somber voice as he moved the Kleenex box back to its original position. "She's pretty much on her own here, I guess."

Tommy nodded and sighed, "Uncle Frank, I'm gonna go find a phone and call Kim for a minute," he said, intending to tell Kimberly how Laura was feeling. "Will you and Ernie excuse me for a moment, please?"

"Sure," Dr. Oliver replied, wondering what Tommy and his girlfriend needed to discuss over the phone.

"Ah ha ha," Goldar cackled as he continued peering through the telescope, watching as Laura walked across the park towards the grocery store alone. "The Yellow Ninja Ranger would make a fine addition to my new kingdom! Since Zedd and Rita are gone and their heirs are mortal, I am the ruler of evil!"

Pleased with his own bravery in taking over the Moon Palace, Goldar turned to Finister, "If Laura is feeling like she isn't part of the team, I'll offer her a chance at being included. Prepare a potion that will show Laura things created by her own feelings of hopelessness; she will end up destroying herself."

"I have just the potion," Finster replied in a cheerful voice as he hurried back to his lab to work.

Goldar cackled and snapped his fingers, almost immediately appearing in the park in front of Laura, "I am Goldar, Laura," he said in a menacing voice as he approached the terrified teen. "I know that you are the Yellow Ninja Ranger and I also know that you feel like you aren't really part of the Power Rangers."

"What do you want?" Laura asked in a fearful voice. "I have some errands to run, Goldie, so…"

Goldar snarled, "That's GOLDAR," he replied sternly. "I have come to offer you a chance at glory."

"No thanks," Laura replied in an annoyed voice. "Glory's really not my thing. I don't care for it at all."

Cackling, Goldar waved his hands, "You will be made to care for it," he said as he and Laura vanished.

Sirens prompted Alpha to hurry into the control section of the Command Center, "Oh no, Goldar has captured Laura!" he said, suddenly seeing Laura disappear from Angel Grove Park with Goldar.

"Alpha, contact the Rangers and summon them here," Zordon replied. "This is an emergency."

Alpha whimpered and hurried over to the controls that would contact the Rangers.

"…I declare this hearing over," the judge said, smiling as Jason's parents signed their names to be Malcolm's adoptive parents for the rest of his life. "Congratulations to you all. Have a nice holiday."

As the judge walked away, Helen turned to Jason and Malcolm, "Let's go by that Juice Bar and see if Tommy managed to book the place for us," she said in an excited voice as she gently patted Malcolm's cheek and gave both Jason and Malcolm's hugs. "When we get home, Malcolm, we have a surprise for you in the room that you and Jason share. For now, though, I'm going to help your father get the car."

"Okay Mom," Malcolm replied, feeling extremely happy that he had someone to call Mom again.

Helen smiled and left the courtroom, "That suit looks good on you, Malcolm," Jason said as he looked at the dark suit and tie that Malcolm was wearing with a dark orange dress shirt and tie. "I like the shirt."

"At least it fits the season," Malcolm replied in an amused voice. "Orange kind of suits me."

Jason smiled, his own red dress shirt and tie suited him nicely as well and he was glad for it.

Beep-beep-boop-boop-beep-beep.

Frowning, Jason tapped his Ninja Communicator, "What is it, Alpha?" he asked in a low voice.

"Jason, Malcolm, teleport to the Command Center immediately!" Alpha said in a worried voice.

Exchanging a look, Jason and Malcolm did a quick look around and teleported from the courthouse.

"Do you think Laura might enjoy a shopping trip?" Kimberly asked as she met Tommy outside the Youth Center after being called by him. "I could go get her a gift card for her birthday and take her…"

Tommy shrugged and gently took her hand, "I'm not sure," he replied. "Maybe Jason or someone else who's better at planning parties for others would know. We should gather everyone else and talk."

Beep-beep-boop-boop-beep-beep.

"Alpha, what's wrong?" Tommy asked, lifting his Ninja Communicator. "We were just…"

Alpha's frantic voice cut him off, "Teleport to the Command Center immediately!" he said.

Exchanging a concerned look, Tommy and Kimberly quickly looked around and teleported away.

The heat of the sun bore down on Adam, Rocky, Zack, and Billy as they worked in the Kwan's backyard, building a memorial for Trini, but neither of them cared how warm it was. Rocky hadn't known Trini well, but Adam and Billy were his friends and he had decided to help them mourn Trini's death.

Trini's parents had gone to Switzerland to collect Trini's body and the memorial was to be a surprise.

Beep-beep-boop-boop-beep-beep.

Rocky frowned as Adam and Billy checked their Ninja Communicators, "Rangers, teleport to the Command Center," Alpha said in a worried voice. "It's an emergency!"

Wondering what was wrong, Adam and Billy teleported away, leaving Rocky and Zack alone.

Laura opened her eyes to find that she was freezing cold and tied to a pole, "Welcome to the Dark Dimension, Laura," Goldar said as he walked in front of her holding a bottle of Finster's potion in his hands. "You must be cold; why don't I give you a little something to warm you up a bit?"

"I don't want anything from you, you gold freak," Laura hissed angrily. "Let me go!"

Goldar chuckled and forced himself against Laura, "That's not going to happen," he hissed as he popped the bottle open and forced every bit of the liquid down Laura's throat. "Feel better yet, my dear?"

Fighting the urge to throw up, Laura shuddered as Goldar threw the bottle away, caressed her cheek with his blue hand, and then gave her a kiss on the same cheek, "Maybe once you've had enough of what the potion will give you, you'll be ready to talk to me a bit nicer. For now, ta ta, my dear."

As Goldar vanished, Laura felt the ropes binding her disappear and she fell to the floor hard.

Jason, Malcolm, Kimberly, Tommy, Adam, and Billy materialized in the Command Center and saw Alpha standing at the Viewing Globe while Zordon looked on with concern, "Rangers, welcome back," he said in a grave voice. "Laura has been kidnapped by Goldar from the park and is now in the Dark Dimension."

"He just fed Laura the potion, Zordon!" Alpha screamed, watching through the Globe as Laura shakily got to her feet and immediately collapsed again. "It won't be long before it takes effect! Ai-yi-yi!"

Jason frowned, "What potion, Zordon?" he asked, suddenly feeling bad for not including Laura more.

"It is called the Potion of Despair," Zordon replied gravely. "It will show Laura visions created from her feelings of isolation and despair. Goldar intends to have her eventually give in to it and give up herself."

Alpha hurried over to the control panels, "Only those who have been there can go and rescue her," he said as he quickly worked the controls. "Not everyone can understand what it is like there."

"Jason, Malcolm, Tommy, and Adam, you four must go," Zordon stated in a firm tone. "You four have been to the Dark Dimension before and know how to help Laura overcome the effects of the potion enough to bring her back. Kimberly and Billy, you two need to stay and help Alpha with the antidote."

Kimberly nodded and looked at Billy before looking at Tommy, Jason, Malcolm, and Adam, "Rangers, you must go in unmorphed," Zordon suddenly cut in. "If you go in morphed, Goldar may try to drain you of your Ninia Power and that would not be good for Laura. She needs your help immediately."

"I have the co-ordinates!" Alpha shouted. "You four must hurry; the portal will not be open for long."

A large black portal suddenly appeared in the middle of the Command Center, "I hope you can help Laura quickly, guys," Billy said in a concerned voice. "We'll make the antidote quickly, I hope."

Jason nodded and led Tommy, Malcolm, and Adam into the portal. As the portal flickered, Kimberly and Billy looked to Alpha and the terrified robot began gathering the ingredients needed for the cure.

"Hi guys," Laura said as she suddenly saw Jason, Kimberly, Malcolm, Billy, Adam, and Tommy appear before her, all of them morphed into their Ninja Power suits. "Did you come to rescue me?"

Tommy and Jason cackled, "We actually came to get your Ninja Power Coin and take it back to the Command Center," Tommy replied in a cruel tone. "Zordon doesn't think you have what it takes to be a Ninja Power Ranger because you're too needy, weak, and end up in the worst situations."

"But Dulcea said—" Laura said, suddenly taken aback when Kimberly and Jason slapped her hard.

Jason held out his hand, "Your power, please," he said. "You'll make a better mate for Goldar."

"NO!" Laura yelled, her eyes widening as Jason, Malcolm Adam, and Tommy suddenly came through the portal in their civilian clothes. Swallowing hard, she immediately lunged at Tommy, knocking him to the floor. "No, I WON'T LET YOU LEAVE ME HERE POWERLESS! I'D RATHER DIE THAN MARRY GOLDAR!"

Not wanting to hurt Laura and knowing that she wasn't responsible for her actions, Tommy quickly rolled, sending Laura to the floor. He quickly got to his feet and was alarmed when Laura immediately shoved him and proceeded to hit Jason in the jaw hard. Adam and Malcolm gently restrained her.

"No, you can't have my power," Laura sobbed as she tried to pull free. "Zordon can't take it back!"

Jason looked deeply confused as he gave Adam and Malcolm a look, which they quickly returned.

"You are all just like my parents and their addict friends!" Laura yelled, trying to get free from Malcolm and Adam so that she could fight to keep her power. "You just want to use me, take what's special to me away, and then leave me alone with nothing but sadness! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN!"

Goldar suddenly appeared and Laura immediately closed her eyes, haunted by another vision.

"Now that the power is back in the Command Center, I will find another individual to take what Laura could not handle," Zordon said as Jason, Kimberly, Billy, Tommy, Adam, and Malcolm stood together near the time-warp tube and Laura stood alone near the darkness. "Laura, for your continued weakness, I sentence you to life in the Dark Dimension with nothing but memories of your broken past with you."

Laura helplessly watched as the six Rangers joined hands, chanted, and she was teleported away. As she landed in the Dark Dimension, she could see a vision of an older Ashley alone on the streets of L.A.

"Thanks a lot, Laura," Ashley said in a whiny voice. "Mom and Dad turned me to selling drugs…"

Laura moaned and fell limply out of Adam and Malcolm's grip, "The spell is taking effect!" Goldar cackled, delighted that he would soon have someone to control. "You are too late, Rangers!"

"If you want this power, you will have to fight me first," Laura said in a hollow voice, sniffling as she shakily got to her feet and faced Jason, Tommy, Adam, and Malcolm. "I won't allow anyone to take anything else away that I love. I may be a loner and weak, but I've been through too much…"

Remembering what Laura told him at the hospital, Tommy nodded, "You're right, Laura, you've been through too much for someone our age," he replied, giving Jason a look and a nod to back him up.

"Let us help you become strong," Malcolm suddenly cut in. "I was where you are now, Laura."

Laura choked back a sob, becoming more paralyzed by the despair she was feeling, "If we're not a team, Laura, why don't you fight me and see how strong you really are?" Jason asked in a challenging voice as he rubbed his now-bruised jaw. "You did a number on my jaw, so imagine how you'll defeat me."

"I don't want to," Laura replied, suddenly regretful over her actions. "I'm so weak; really weak."

Jason suddenly had a thought, "Why do you weld the animal spirit of an eagle if you are so weak, Laura?" he asked, cautiously taking a step towards her. "An eagle is a free spirit; a happy spirit."

"Would Dulcea and Zordon really give you something you couldn't handle with help?" Malcolm asked, suddenly feeling a bit braver. "Dulcea trusted you enough to give you those very special powers."

Laura sighed, trying not to pay attention to Goldar's amusement, "Rocky told me that I showed courage in taking care of Aisha and helping him and Zack with Trini," she said, forcing herself to remember that day. "Trini gave me the necklace to give to you and I figured it was important that you get it."

"What happened to make that courage disappear?" Adam asked in a quiet voice. "You did a really brave thing in coming to Phaedos, accepting unknown powers, and helping us defeat Ivan Ooze."

For a moment, Laura was silent, "You all know each other so well," she replied in a quiet voice, suddenly feeling very exhausted from fighting so hard. "I didn't meet any of you until I came to Phaedos."

"We met at the hospital, remember?" Tommy asked in a gentle voice. "You told me about yourself and your past and I didn't run away; I really don't think that my other friends will run away either."

Suddenly realizing that Laura had a dark past involving parental abuse, Jason took another few steps towards her and knelt down, "I understand why you're scared," Tommy said as he walked over to them and knelt beside Jason to face her. "You're not in that situation anymore and there's reason to hope."

"I'm so weak," Laura whispered as she held her hands out to Tommy and Jason. "That potion…"

Knowing that Laura didn't have the physical or emotional strength to walk out on her own, Jason carefully scooped her up in his arms, "Let's get back to the Command Center," he said, giving Malcolm, Tommy, and Adam grateful looks for helping him help Laura. "Sorry Goldar, you lose this round."

Goldar let out a roar of fury as the five Rangers walked through the portal and the portal disappeared. He needed help if he was going to defeat the Rangers once and for all.

"…Do you think the antidote will work?" Kimberly asked as she poured the last of the antidote into Laura's mouth and carefully closed it. "She was barely breathing when she was brought back."

Alpha sighed and watched the scanner above the bed where Laura lay unconscious, "It'll take some time, but most likely," he replied as he moved away from the cot and joined Jason, Tommy, Adam, Malcolm, and Billy in the controls area. "This is an important lesson in teamwork, though."

"Alpha is right," Zordon cut in as he looked at the Rangers. "Although it is important to show unity in battle, it is even more important to form and maintain friendships with each other in your lives."

Laura suddenly let out a faint moan and opened her eyes, "Kimberly," she said, surprised to see Kimberly standing beside the cot. "I'm so sorry that I thought those horrible things about you all."

"You were under the influence of an evil potion," Tommy replied as he walked over to the cot.

Swallowing hard, Laura slowly sat up and got up off the cot with Kimberly's help, "I'm sorry for thinking you would take my powers away, Zordon," she said in a tired voice. "That potion must have been bad."

"As Tommy said, you were not in control of what you said or did while under its influence," Zordon replied. "However, you are back in control of yourself and I urge you to trust your fellow Rangers."

Nodding, Laura suddenly frowned at seeing Jason's jaw, "I'm so sorry, Jason," she said, realizing that she had hurt him while under the potion's influence. "Can you please forgive me for hurting you?"

"Of course," Jason replied in a reassuring voice as he walked over to her. "It's like it never happened."

Laura smiled and suddenly yawned, "That whole thing made me so tired, but I promised a nice man named Ernie that I'd pick some stuff up for him at the store," she replied. "I should go do that."

"Tommy and I can help you," Kimberly offered enthusiastically. "We're friends, right?"

Laura nodded and still feeling bad about what she had done to Jason's jaw, she gave Jason a quick hug before leaving with Tommy and Kimberly. Jason blushed and rubbed his sore jaw in silence.

"Jason, we need to get going," Malcolm said anxiously. "Mom and Dad are probably missing us."

Adam's eyes widened, "Billy, we should get back to the Kwan's house and help Rocky and Zack with that memorial before Trini's parents get home," he said urgently. "They're supposed to be home tomorrow."

As Jason, Malcolm, Adam, and Billy left the Command Center, Zordon sighed; all was well once again.

The Youth Center was quiet by the time Kimberly and Tommy brought Laura back with the items that Ernie had asked for. Laura quietly took the items to the counter and left them there, along with the change even though she desperately needed other clothes. Her integrity was more important to her.

It hadn't taken long to visit the store, but then Kimberly and Tommy had 'kidnapped' Laura to the mall and had helped her buy a cheap, but fashionable wardrobe. Kimberly had also curled Laura's long hair and was now helping her carry the bags of clothes. The bags were now in the car that Dr. Oliver had left there for them and walked home needing a break.

"The shelter's probably open again by now," Laura said as she turned back to face Kimberly and Tommy with a tired smile on her face. "I think I'm going to go back there and get some sleep if I can."

Kimberly smiled, "Why don't you let us buy you some dinner first?" she suggested in a gentle voice.

Suddenly, Ernie came out of the back with a large tablecloth, a large basket, and several menus in his arms. He covered one of his larger tables with the cloths and took an empty vase out of the basket.

"Have a seat, folks, and your host for the evening will be here shortly," Ernie said before running off.

Tommy and Kim exchanged an amused look and sat in two of the empty chairs. Laura, however, remained standing and immediately looked confused when Malcolm came out of the kitchen in his court suit with a towel and two menus on his arm, "Welcome to Café Ernie," Malcolm said in a gentle voice.

"What in the world?" Laura asked, her jaw dropping as Malcolm handed her a paper menu. "Malcolm, what is this?"

Malcolm grinned, "I'll come back when you are all here," he said, smiling as he darted into the kitchen.

"Oh, we forgot to tell you that Jason's parents decided to go on a date tonight instead of throwing a party," Kimberly said in an amused voice. "Since we're all free, we thought we'd have a party for you."

Before Laura could comment, Bulk and Skull came into the room, "We heard there was a pre-Thanksgiving party here!" Bulk crowed, gesturing to his suit. "We came all dressed up and are excited to PARTAY!"

"Would you like some entertainment?" Zack asked as he, Rocky, and Adam hurried in with a boom box in hand, pressed play, and began to do some rather cool dancing to sophisticated classical music, which made Tommy and Kim laugh.

A red carpet suddenly was rolled into the room by an excited looking Billy, who immediately bolted into the kitchen to help Ernie and Malcolm. A moment, Jason came in still wearing his court suit and he had a wrapped package in one hand and a large box in the other. He came over to the table and sat down next to Laura.

"Is this a date?" Laura asked nervously, very surprised when Jason handed her the package. "What is this?"

Jason merely smiled and Laura opened the package revealing a large bouquet of yellow roses, "Happy birthday, Laura," he whispered as he handed her the box. "It's a new jacket since you lost your old one a while back."

As Laura smiled, Bulk and Skull came forward to wish Laura a happy birthday and they accidentally knocked into Zack, Rocky, and Adam, who stumbled. Ernie suddenly came out of the kitchen with a cake in his arms and Malcolm and Billy behind him to help cut it. Rocky stumbled into Ernie and inadvertently sent the cake flying into the air where it eventually landed on both Bulk and Skull. Bulk and Skull groaned helplessly and Ernie shrugged.

"Oh, Jason, it's beautiful!" Laura said as she opened the box and took out a long white zipper jacket with medium-length sleeves and a patch of an eagle with multicolored wings on the back with gloves attached to a sleeve.

Jason smiled as Ernie hurried back into the kitchen and quickly came out with a camera, "Do all you kids want a picture together?" Ernie asked, thrilled at how happy they all seemed to be together. "Gather together."

Not wanting to be seen in a photo with cake all over them, Bulk and Skull bolted outside. Laughing, Rocky, Zack, and Adam hurried over to the table to join Jason, Laura, Tommy, and Kimberly. Malcolm and Billy stood at the table looking happy.

Ernie went down to the lower floor so that everyone would be in the picture. As he took the picture, everyone laughed.

As Ernie came back up to the bar to show the picture to everyone, Jason smiled, "How about we sing happy birthday to you now, Laura Hammond?" he asked in an amused voice, enjoying it as she blushed. "Happy birthday to you…"

Laura smiled as the others sang 'Happy Birthday' to her; perhaps now, everything would be okay; for even just a while.

"Mark? Mark, we're here," Katherine Hillard's voice filtered into Mark's ear. "It's time to get out of the car."

Mark offered his hand and once he felt a hand in his, he used the hand and the person attached to it to get out of the car and walk across the untouched earth. He could hear the footsteps and low voices of others, but felt nothing but the hand.

"Mark, Katherine, your journey must have been long," Sam Trueheart said as he came out of his large house and greeted the two as they came up the walk from the rental Jeep Katherine had gotten from the airport. "Welcome to the reservation."

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