Before anyone knew it, the New Year had come to Angel Grove and school was in session once again at Angel Grove High. Thanksgiving and Christmas had been a quiet, but very fun-filled holiday for everyone and everyone, even Laura, had found reason to be grateful for friends, family, and most of all, holidays.

Even now that school was starting again, each of them were excited for the opportunities that being back in school would bring to them both academically and socially. On that day, Malcolm had a session with Dr. Oliver before school, so Jason found himself walking through the hall towards his locker alone.

Clack, clack, bang, clack.

Raising his eyebrow, Jason walked towards the sound and saw a tall young man who looked remarkably like Tommy leading a younger man who looked a bit like Malcolm but was wearing tan pants, shoes, and a tan sweater with a Native American vest over it down the hallway from a back entrance door, "This is a little tough," the shorter young man said tiredly. "You're gonna be late for your class, David."

"Don't worry about it, Mark," David replied in a gentle voice. "Do you want to try the stick instead?"

Jason went over to his locker and silently watched as Mark released David's arm and carefully got a folded up cane out of his pocket. With very little effort, Mark had unfolded the cane and was sweeping it across the floor as if trying to see if it were clear. Jason suddenly frowned; Mark was Zedison.

"Where's my locker?" Mark said in a frustrated voice that caused a bit of an Australian accent to emerge. "I've got a map of the school in my pocket, but I can't read it without a lot of help."

For a moment, Jason was confused about why Zedison would be called Mark and why he was pretending to be blind; was Zedison here in disguise on orders of Rita and Zedd for some evil purpose?

Swallowing hard, Jason walked over to David and Mark, "Can I be of help in some way?" he offered in a gentle voice, wondering if Zedison was just trying to trap the Rangers one at a time. "I'm Jason."

"I'm Mark Hillard and this is my foster brother, David Trueheart," Mark replied, clumsily offering his hand, which was in a wrist brace, to Jason. "I'm kind of new here and it's hard for me to get around."

David smiled reassuringly at Mark, "You're doing well," he said in a gentle tone. "Jason, would you mind showing us where David is supposed to be at? I don't know this high school very well myself yet."

"David, I've got it," Mark said in a pleasant tone. "Go on to your class, okay? I'll see you after school."

David looked to Jason, "Jason, can you make sure he gets to class?" he asked in a hopeful voice.

Even though he was unsure if this was a trap or not, Jason put his arm in Mark's, "Why don't we go by the office and see where you're supposed to be?" he suggested in a reassuring voice. "After I help you get your schedule and books, we'll go to class and look for your locker later. Does that sound okay?"

"Oh, I forgot, I have to go see some guy named Doctor Oliver for counseling before I set foot in class," Mark said as Jason began leading him down the long hall. "It's part of the conditions for coming here."

Jason nodded, "Conditions?" he asked, unable to stop his curiosity. "You have some conditions?"

"I've not been in prison or anything like that," Mark replied in an amused voice. "I was in a bad accident back in the summertime, but my parents went on a dig just before Thanksgiving and they wanted me to be near my sister. I lost most of my sight in the accident and had some other injuries as well…"

As they passed by the office, Mr. Caplan suddenly emerged with a tape recorder, a small box of blank audio tapes, and two large textbooks in his hands, "Mark Hillard, right?" he asked in a curious voice.

"Yes sir," Mark replied in a quiet voice. "I'm sorry about the cane, but I'm visually impaired and…"

Mr. Caplan sighed impatiently and handed the items to Jason, "I know all about that since both your parents and Mr. Trueheart informed me of your circumstances," he replied in a tiresome voice. "I took the liberty of ordering you a tape recorder for class, blank tapes, and some textbooks in Braille. Please remember that you are to see Doctor Oliver before you attend class and if you need a tour…"

"I was just taking him to Doctor Oliver's office, sir," Jason cut in. "I can also give him a tour."

Mr. Caplan scowled at being interrupted, but nodded, "Very well," he said before walking off.

"That spoiled brat of Emperor Zedd is as useless as he ever was," Goldar hissed as he watched Jason lead Mark down the rest of the hallway. "I can't believe Zedison and Katherine were sent to Earth. I don't know where Princess Katherine is, but Zedison is nothing more than a blind mortal now."

Scorpina then entered the room, "You summoned me, Emperor Goldar?" she asked seductively.

"We need some help to defeat the Power Rangers," Goldar replied coldly. "We are powerless."

Scorpina sighed, "Didn't Rita and Zedd leave anything behind?" she asked in an annoyed voice.

"Only Finister," Goldar replied, scoffing as he turned to face her. "We have no way of making the monsters big and powerful, only annoying. There's no point in making any monsters right now."

Scorpina looked scandalized, but before she could reply, the ground began to shake and a large being made entirely of bones appeared in the middle of the throne room with a bone sword in hand.

"Who are you?" Scorpina asked in a surprised voice. "We thought that none could help us."

The being cackled, "I am Rito Revolto, Rita's brother," Rito replied. "She sent me to help."

"Hey Malcolm, wanna fight?" Bulk said mockingly as Malcolm came out of Dr. Oliver's office.

Malcolm frowned and quickly backed away; he was pretty sick of Bulk and Skull's bullying, but could do nothing about it because they were bigger than him and he had promised Zordon that he wouldn't initiate any fights. Taking his backing away as a sign of weakness, Bulk snatched Malcolm's backpack.

"Hey!" Malcolm said as they unzipped his bag and dumped all his books on to the floor.

The door suddenly opened and Dr. Oliver poked his head out looking annoyed, "Bulk, Skull, please pick up those books and put them BACK in Malcolm's bag right now," he said in a strict voice. "Then get yourselves to class and after school, report to detention. I don't have time for nonsense today, boys."

Bulk and Skull looked shocked at the normally quiet counselor's strictness, but Dr. Oliver's glare was enough to prompt them to pick up all the books and put them back in Malcolm's bag, "Thank you," Dr. Oliver said in a stern voice before he closed the door again. Bulk handed Malcolm his bag fearfully.

In the safety of Dr. Oliver's office, Tommy sighed, "Those two are always getting on my nerves," he said in an exhausted voice, having heard the confrontation. "They crashed Laura's birthday party, you know."

"Yes, I heard," Dr. Oliver replied in a gentle voice, not bothering to comment on his nephew's occasional short-term memory issues as they stemmed from the childhood abuse. "Now, Tommy, I noticed you had a little trouble sleeping last night and went for a walk at about three o clock this morning. Why…?"

Tommy sighed, "Goldar's not happy with me for helping rescue Laura," he replied. "I had a nightmare that somehow, Goldar managed to capture me and torture me into giving up my friends…"

"Goldar's that creepy gold guy that you told me about after you were freed from that spell, right?" Dr. Oliver asked, silently processing the information. "Why do you think Goldar would come after you?"

"Hmm, who is that freaky mortal that's calling you a creepy gold guy?" Rito asked as he peered through the telescope and watched Dr. Oliver and Tommy talk. "Aah, is that that brat, Tommy?"

Goldar hurried over to the telescope, shoved Rito aside, and peered in, "Yes and he's obviously told someone else about the Power Rangers!" he hooted in a delightful voice. "Perhaps we can use him."

"I have strict orders from Rita to find Princess Katherine and have her help lead the assault against the Power Rangers," Rito stated, suddenly all business. "Rita also said to leave Zedison where he is at."

Goldar snarled, but said nothing, "Goldar, don a disguise and find Princess Katherine," Rito said as he took a seat on Zedd's throne. "She was only given a mind block, so her memories should resurface easily. Do not, under any circumstances, go after Prince Zedison; he is useless to us. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Rito, I understand," Goldar replied even though inside he was fuming. "I will return soon."

Determined to prove to his sister and Zedd that he was capable of taking care of things while they were away, Rito cackled and made himself comfortable on the throne. He would be the coolest ruler ever.

Goldar, meanwhile, was planning to beat the snot out of Rito when he had the chance and power.

The bell had already rung by the time Tommy left his uncle's office and he had a note to give the teacher, excusing his lateness due to counseling. His uncle couldn't walk him to class per policy, as he had to counsel a new student who was visually impaired and required it for medical reasons.

As he made his way towards Ms. Appleby's class, however, he saw a blonde girl hovering outside the door looking in every once in a while, "Are you okay?" Tommy asked, approaching the girl. "If you're late, Ms. Appleby won't be mad."

The girl shook her head and looked at him, "Just looking for Mark," she replied in a pleasant voice. "I'm his sister, Katherine, and I'm worried about how he's doing."

"He might be at the counseling office," Tommy replied, remembering that his uncle had referred to the other young man as Mark before dismissing Tommy to class. "My uncle's a school counselor here."

Katherine looked relieved, "Oh, I'm glad he's all right," she replied. "I should probably wait for him."

"I can show you where the office is," Tommy offered, suddenly feeling in no hurry to go to class.

Katherine nodded and followed Tommy as he walked back to the counseling office. The door to Dr. Oliver's office was closed and Katherine sighed. Suddenly, the earth began to tremble violently.

"Hello Katherine!" Goldar said in an excited voice as he appeared out of thin air. "Ah, Tommy!"

The door to Dr. Oliver's office suddenly opened and Dr. Oliver looked out, "Uncle Frank, stay in there!" Tommy yelled, cringing when the bell suddenly rang again. "It's not safe to come out!"

"Who are you?" Mark asked, suddenly hearing an unfamiliar voice outside. "Kat, are you out there?"

Suddenly feeling frightened, Kat looked at Mark, "Mark, meet me at the courtyard after school," she said, not wanting her brother to end up injured. "Doctor Oliver, close the door right away."

As students, including Jason, Kimberly, Laura, Billy, Adam, Rocky, Zack, and Malcolm began to come through the hallway, Goldar caused the ground to shake, "You're coming with me, Katherine!" he chanted in an amused voice as he reached out for Katherine. He suddenly roared as Tommy kicked him.

"So you want to help Katherine?" Goldar roared as he grabbed Tommy's arm and pulled him close.

Tommy groaned as he felt his shoulder pop out of place, but he edged himself close to his uncle and carefully slipped his morpher and Ninja Coin into his uncle's pocket so nobody would notice. Goldar cackled and quickly vanished with both Tommy and Katherine in his custody, leaving a mess behind.

"Tommy!" Kimberly yelled as she hurried through the debris to where Tommy had been standing.

Mark quickly came out of the office wanting to talk to Katherine, but a sudden aftershock courtesy of Goldar sent his cane flying out of his hand and in the direction of Bulk and Skull. Fortunately, Billy caught Mark and helped him stand back up, "Attention students, please evacuate to the football field while we see if there is any damage from the earthquake," a brisk voice suddenly said over the intercom.

As the crowd dispersed, Jason, Kimberly, Malcolm, Laura, Adam, and Rocky came over to Dr. Oliver while Billy stayed with Mark, "I need to find my cane," Mark said as he reached for the wall.

"Billy, help Mark find his cane," Dr. Oliver said in a firm voice. "Jason, Kimberly, Malcolm, Laura, and Adam, I want to talk to all of you in my office. Rocky, can you take Mark's books and help Billy?"

Nodding, Billy left Mark at the wall, hurried into the office and, grabbed Mark's school supplies, "As soon as you can, Billy, go to the Command Center," Dr. Oliver whispered. "You'll be needed, I'm sure."

Billy nodded and hurried back over to Mark, "I should find David," Mark told Billy as they walked away.

"Guys, go into my office and get to the Command Center," Dr. Oliver whispered to them. "Hurry."

Nodding, Jason, Kimberly, Malcolm, Adam, and Laura hurried into the counselor's office and shut the door so nobody would see them teleporting. Dr. Oliver sighed and immediately noticed Bulk and Skull at the far end of the hallway holding Mark's cane in their hands and looking rather mischievous.

"What are you two DOING?!" Dr. Oliver asked in an angry tone as he approached the two. "That cane belongs to Mark Hillard and he lost it during the earthquake. Go and give it back to him right now."

Bulk suddenly looked afraid, but before Dr. Oliver could take the cane back, he promptly vanished.

"Hurry Skull, let's get this cane back to Mark before anything else bad happens," Bulk said, suddenly wondering if Dr. Oliver was a Power Ranger and he was now invisible. "I'm sure Mark's missing it."

Princess Katherine, I remember it now. Katherine thought as she suddenly appeared in the Moon Palace throne room and saw Rito sitting on the throne, "What are you doing on my father's throne?" she asked in a commanding voice. "Where is my brother? My parents would be most displeased with his absence."

"Your brother was killed by the Power Rangers the moment he came to Earth as a mortal," Goldar replied as he appeared in the throne room. "The Pink Ranger saw through his civilian disguise and told the others to kill him. You were brought here to find the other Power Rangers and destroy them."

Katherine nodded, a brief look of sorrow passing her face for her lost brother before she became all business and looked eager to fight, "As a gift, we have captured the White Ninja Ranger and an innocent civilian for you to torture," Goldar said in an amused voice. "They are being warmed up underground."

Stone walls and extremely warm air greeted Dr. Oliver and he immediately wondered how he had gotten from Angel Grove High to wherever he was now. A hoarse cough suddenly distracted him.

Frowning, Dr. Oliver made his way towards the sound and was horrified to see Tommy laying strapped to a table in the corner of the room with sweat pouring down his face, "Tommy?" he asked in a horrified voice as he hurried over to the table where his nephew lay. "Tommy, are you okay? What is this place?"

"So…warm," Tommy whispered faintly as he forced himself to stay conscious despite the heat.

Frowning, Dr. Oliver quickly worked on the top strap, but only managed to loosen it a bit, "Uncle…Frank?" Tommy asked, suddenly recognizing him. "What…are you doing…here?"

Ignoring the sweat that he could suddenly feel on his forehead, Dr. Oliver continued working on the top strap and finally undid it, "Just stay calm, Tommy," he replied in a gentle voice. "Help will find us."

"You think so," Goldar said as he suddenly stepped out of the darkness. "Help will be too late."

Jason, Kimberly, Laura, Adam, and Malcolm touched down in the Command Center and were immediately met by a frantic Alpha, "Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi!" he exclaimed. "An ally of Rita's has taken over the Moon Palace and Rita's daughter is helping her. They have captured Tommy and Doctor Oliver."

"Why would anyone want to capture Doctor Oliver?" Kimberly asked, suddenly concerned for both Tommy and his uncle now that they were in evil's hands. "Doctor Oliver doesn't have powers."

Zordon sighed, "The ally that Alpha speaks of is called Rito Revolto, Rita's brother," he explained as the six Rangers turned to face him. "Rito ordered Goldar to capture Katherine back from the civilian life that Zedd and Rita had placed her in. Rito has also discovered that Doctor Oliver knows of all of you, and…"

"Is this Rito fellow planning to torture Doctor Oliver in giving us up?" Laura asked in a worried voice.

Zordon was silent for a moment, "It was Goldar's idea to capture Doctor Oliver and he is bait to catch the rest of you and steal your Ninja Powers," he explained. "Goldar thinks that by using torture, Tommy will surrender his powers and encourage you to all do the same. This is a grave situation, Rangers."

"Isn't there a way to teleport them out?" Adam asked, suddenly concerned for his new friends.

Alpha hurried over to the viewing globe and Jason, Laura, and Malcolm followed. Through the Viewing Globe, they could see Dr. Oliver trying to fight off Goldar himself to keep him away from Tommy.

"Is there a way we can morph and teleport in there to rescue them?" Billy asked in a concerned tone.

Alpha nodded, "There might be, but it will take some time," he said, hurrying off into another chamber.

"Ah, the White Ninja Ranger," Katherine said as she swept into the room now back in her Rita-like princess costume and over to the table. "And this must be the infamous Doctor Oliver, the mentor."

Dr. Oliver frowned as Goldar backed away, "Aren't you Mark Hillard's sister?" he asked, suddenly recognizing Katherine as a student. "He wanted you to be there with him today."

"My brother is dead, thanks to the Power Rangers," Katherine hissed as a large wooden staff with a skull on top of it suddenly appeared in her hands. "I'm going to finish them all, starting with Tommy."

Before Dr. Oliver could react, Katherine waved her staff and pointed it at Tommy, "Let's see how you do in a fight after being warmed up!" she hissed, growling as Dr. Oliver suddenly grabbed Tommy's hand, causing them to vanish from the cell together. "Goldar, make sure you deal with them both!"

"Yes, Princess Katherine," Goldar said as he bowed and vanished. "They will be given their lessons."

"Rangers, the co-ordinates have been found and set," Alpha said in an urgent voice. "You must hurry."

Before anyone could reply, Billy suddenly teleported in with Mark's cane, "Bulk and Skull were trying to escape the school grounds with it and by the time I got it back, Mark had gotten lost in the crowd," he explained as he set the cane near the control panel. "I'll find him and return it later on. For now…"

"Doctor Oliver and Tommy have been captured by Rita's brother and Goldar," Jason replied in a grave voice. "We've got to teleport in, rescue them, and try and stop Rito and Goldar from their conquest."

Billy nodded and suddenly looked concerned, "Do you think Zedison tricked us somehow?" he asked.

"I don't know, but I guess we'll find out," Adam replied in a determined voice. "Let's get going."

Jason held out his Ninja Morpher, "It's Morphin Time!" Jason yelled. "Red Lion Ninja Ranger!"

"Blue Wolf Ninja Ranger!" Billy yelled as he whipped out his Ninja Morpher.

Her heart pounding, Kimberly whipped out her Ninja Morpher, "Pink Crane Ninja Ranger!" she yelled.

"Yellow Eagle Ninja Ranger!" Laura yelled anxiously as she whipped out her Ninja Morpher.

Adam gritted his teeth and whipped out his Ninja Morpher, "Black Frog Ninja Ranger," he yelled.

"Orange Tiger Ninja Ranger!" Malcolm yelled as he whipped out his Ninja Morpher. "Let's go!"

An arena with fog covering the floor and fire covering the ceiling was what greeted Dr. Oliver as he opened his eyes and found that Tommy was now beside him, struggling to stay conscious from shock.

"Welcome to the arena of fire!" Goldar chanted as he stepped into the ring. "Ready for your battle, Tommy?"

Dr. Oliver looked at Tommy, "You don't have to do this," he whispered. "Tommy, you're exhausted; you need to rest."

Too exhausted to speak, Tommy silently pulled away and stumbled towards the ring, ready to take Goldar on and protect his beloved uncle from any further trauma. As Tommy entered the ring, Dr. Oliver reached into his pocket and placed his worn hand on the White Ninja Morpher Tommy had given him before being kidnapped; how could the power help them now?

Please read and review!