Tommy, Laura, and Katherine touched down in the Command Center, "Zordon, why didn't you teleport Jason and Malcolm here too?" Laura asked in an anxious voice. "Rito attacked them and they collapsed…"

"Yes, Laura, I am aware of the situation concerning Jason and Malcolm," Zordon replied, cutting her off. "I will explain my reasons in a minute, but we must first turn our attention to something else. Billy has returned from his quest with two Zeo Star pieces and a new friend."

Suddenly, Billy and a teenage Tanya walked out of the darkness and over to where Laura, Tommy, and Katherine stood, "I'm Tanya," Tanya said as she smiled at the three of them. "Aisha told me that you guys are Power Rangers, but your powers are all disappearing. Why is that?"

"That is why I have brought you here, Tommy and Laura," Zordon suddenly cut in. "Jason and Malcolm have lost their Ninja Powers."

Tommy looked horrified, "Was it the same way I lost mine for a while?" he asked worriedly. "When Rito touched me with his sword…"

"Yes, but the quest for the Zeo Star Pieces must continue," Zordon replied somberly. "There are two more pieces to be found and one of them is on Phaedos in the care of Dulcea and Ninjor. Tommy, you and Laura must go to Phaedos to retrieve it; you must also take Katherine."

At the mention of Dulcea, Katherine suddenly looked horrified, "I can't," she replied in an anxious voice. "Dulcea said I can never return."

"She said that so long as you are evil, you can never return," Tommy gently corrected her. "You're not under Rita's spell anymore, Katherine."

Swallowing hard, Katherine turned away from them and her eyes rested on Billy and Tanya, "Why can't you send Billy or Tanya with Tommy and Laura?" she asked in a terrified voice as she began to cry. "I have to go and take care of Mark; he doesn't like me being far away now that our parents are missing."

"Mark is fine," Zordon replied. "He is being taken care of by David Trueheart; Jason and Malcolm are also being taken care of at this time."

Laura and Tommy exchanged a look, "We're in," Tommy commented in a determined voice. "Kat, you should come with us to Phaedos."

Katherine remained silent and Laura gently put a hand on her shoulder, "Stop beating yourself up over something that was beyond your control," Laura said in a quiet voice. "After I got out of my situation, I had to learn that lesson the hard way and I wouldn't have learned it at all if people like Tommy, the other Power Rangers, Lieutenant Stone, and Doctor Oliver hadn't taken the time to care about me."

"All right, I'll go," Katherine replied as she turned to face Laura. "Tommy, shouldn't you contact your uncle and tell him where you're going?"

Tommy sighed, "Yeah, you're probably right," he replied. "I should go to his office and explain what I'm going to be doing. I'll be back soon."

Before Tommy could teleport out, however, a shrill alarm sounded, "Alpha, locate Doctor Oliver," Zordon said. "I sense something is wrong."

Alpha hurried over to the Viewing Globe, "Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi!" he exclaimed. "Doctor Oliver was attacked and is at Angel Grove Hospital!"

"I have to go there," Tommy replied, suddenly realizing that he couldn't go to Phaedos with Laura and Kat. "I'm so sorry, Zordon."

Laura sighed and gave Tommy a look, "It's your uncle, Tommy," she said in a gentle voice. "You and David should go be with him."

"I hate deserting the team, though," Tommy replied in an anguished voice. "With Jason powerless, I'm kinda like the sole leader."

Billy sighed, but said nothing, "We'll have to manage on our own," Laura said in a determined voice. "We'll get help from Ninjor and Dulcea."

Tommy nodded and teleported out of the Command Center. Laura and Katherine looked at each other and then at Zordon. Billy and Tanya both remained silent as they knew their parts had been played and now it was a waiting game to see what would happen next.

Police tape, two ambulances, and a police car greeted Adam and Rocky as they rode up to the Youth Center in Rocky's truck.

Adam had spent more time at the hospital hoping that Skull would wake back up to do more homework, but a nurse had kicked him out and immediately sent for a doctor to run more tests on Skull. While he had been walking home, Adam had nearly been run over by Rocky, who was driving his truck around to see if anyone wanted to hang out that afternoon. Rocky had then offered Adam a ride to the Youth Center.

"Sorry boys, this area will be closed for the rest of the day," Lieutenant Stone said as he approached the vehicle. "Oh, it's you two."

Adam frowned, "What happened here, sir?" he asked in a timid, but very polite voice. "What's with all the emergency vehicles?"

"That Rito Revolto guy that was on the news some time back attacked the Youth Center," Lieutenant Stone replied in a worried voice as he leaned against the truck's open window. "Jason and Malcolm Lee Scott got hurt by that freak and paramedics are inside with them now."

Rocky looked upset, "Aw man," he said in an upset voice. "Are they gonna be okay?"

"I don't know, but I will get statements from them at the hospital once they are medically cleared," Lieutenant Stone replied in a concerned voice. "I have to head there soon anyway, as this Rito guy also attacked a Doctor Frank Oliver at Angel Grove High School earlier."

Adam's eyes widened, "Will he be all right?" he asked, worried that he would end up homeless if Dr. Oliver had been seriously injured.

"Why don't you boys head over there and find out for me?" Lieutenant Stone replied in a gentler voice, hating the fact that Rocky looked as if he had been hit on the head and Adam looked ready to cry. "I have to stick around until the scene is clear and I would appreciate the help."

Adam immediately nodded, "We'll do it," he replied in an anxious voice. "I hope Jason and Malcolm are okay."

Lieutenant Stone nodded and moved away from the window and Rocky immediately gave Adam a worried look.

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

"Yeah Zordon, I'm here," Adam whispered as he slouched and held up his Communicator. "What do you need?"

There was a crackle, "Adam, report to the Command Center immediately," Zordon replied. "This is an emergency."

Adam sighed and looked at Rocky, "Go see how Doctor Oliver is," he said in a determined voice. "Take care of him, okay?"

"I will," Rocky replied, knowing how much Adam was needed as a Power Ranger right now in light of current events.

As Adam teleported away, Rocky shifted into Reverse, backed into a turn, and then shifted into Drive; he carefully turned his truck around and drove off towards the hospital as fast as he could. Hopefully, Doctor Oliver, Jason, and Malcolm would all turn out to be all right.

"Jason, can you hear me?"

Jason opened his eyes and was surprised to find himself laying on something soft; he was even more surprised to see his father hovering over him in an AGFD uniform, "Just take it easy, Jason," Thomas replied in a gentle voice as he buckled some straps. "Just breathe slowly."

"What happened?" Jason asked weakly, wincing as he suddenly felt a headache come on. "Why does my head hurt, Dad?"

Thomas sighed and Jason suddenly felt a blanket being placed over him, "According to your students, some freaky thing made of bones came in here and attacked you and Malcolm," the elder Lee Scott explained softly. "Some other paramedics are taking care of Malcolm."

"I don't feel good," Jason whispered as he tried to look around. "Dad, where's Malcolm at? I need to see if he's really okay."

Thomas gently stroked Jason's hair to calm him and looked over to where two other paramedics were securing an unconscious Malcolm to another gurney and covering him with blankets to keep him warm. Malcolm was in worse shape than Jason, Thomas knew, but Jason didn't really need to hear that at the moment; there would be time to talk with Jason about Malcolm at the hospital once Jason had been cared for.

"Jason, my partner and I need to take you to the hospital now," Thomas said as he felt Jason tense up. "Just relax and trust me, okay?"

Jason sighed, knowing deep down that his father was hiding something about Malcolm's condition, "Okay," he whispered in a faint voice.

Thomas nodded and silently helped his partner wheel Jason's gurney out of the damaged Youth Center, silently hoping Malcolm would be okay.

Adam touched down in the Command Center and found Billy standing at the controls with an unfamiliar woman who was dressed in African tribal wear, "Zordon, you summoned me?" he asked in a nervous voice. "Jason and Malcolm were hurt and I don't know where the others are."

"I know about Jason and Malcolm already, Adam," Zordon replied gravely. "Tommy has gone to the hospital to be with his uncle and Laura is here with Katherine. I have called you here, Adam, because you must now go on a quest for a piece of the Zeo Star with them."

Adam looked confused, "The Zeo Star?" he asked in a confused voice. "Is the Zeo Star going to save our failing powers, Zordon?"

"Yes, but I will explain more about the Star later," Zordon replied. "For now, you, Laura, and Katherine must journey to Phaedos."

Laura and Katherine suddenly stepped out of the darker area of the Command Center, "Adam, we have to do this together," Laura explained in a calm voice as she put her hand on Adam's shoulder. "I don't know why it has to be us, but Zordon is sending us and I trust Zordon."

"It will just take a few moments to program the co-ordinates into the teleportation system," Alpha said. "Be patient and think calm thoughts."

The quiet of the Ninjetti Temple was a relief to Dulcea even now that she was completely alone in guarding its sacredness and powers.

Not long after she and Ninjor had bestowed the Ninja Powers on the seven who had come seeking help in unity, Ninjor had mysteriously disappeared without so much as a trace. The sky had thereafter darkened and torrential rain storms rocked Phaedos on a daily basis.

Dulcea had taken these storms with grace and humility, as storms were a part of life and would soon pass away with the never ending passage of time, or so she thought. When the storms became rougher and began to damage the Ninjetti Temple so much that only ruins remained, she knew that something had happened and that both the Ninja Powers and their keepers were in life-threatening danger from evil.

To calm herself, Dulcea spent time atop the pillars in the outer courtyard in meditation; she did not eat or drink, choosing to spend her time trying to connect to the animal spirits that she and Ninjor had bestowed on the seven teens. She had sensed the slow, yet painful destruction of each of their powers and also of the evil that was threatening Earth. Yet, with her limits, she was powerless to go to Earth and help them fight.

It was during one of these meditation sessions that the ground trembled so fiercely that Dulcea thought the ground would split open.

During the quake, she kept herself carefully balanced on a pillar and was shocked when a beam of light shot into the middle of the arena and quickly faded, revealing an unconscious Malcolm laying on the ground dressed in a white karategi and nothing else. Dulcea leapt off the pillar and hurried to Malcolm's side; it was then that she saw the split Orange Tiger Ninjetti Coin in his hand. His powers and life were fading fast.

"…WHAT DO YOU MEAN MALCOLM DISAPPEARED?!" Tommy heard the very angry voice of Thomas Lee Scott yell across the emergency room.

For a moment, Tommy did nothing and then he turned to see Jason's father in a very heated argument with a couple of nervous-looking paramedics who had an empty gurney beside them, "It's bad enough that Jason was attacked and has to be in the hospital for a few days, but to lose Malcolm is inexcusable!" Thomas ranted in an anxious voice as he fought to keep from crying. "I'm sorry for yelling, but I…"

Tommy quickly turned away and was relieved to see Miss Appleby and a nurse coming down the hallway with his exhausted looking uncle, who was walking slowly beside them with no help, "How are you feeling, Uncle Frank?" Tommy asked, ignoring the amused look from Ms. Appleby.

"I'm a little sore, but I'm okay," Frank replied in a tired voice. "Ms. Appleby was kind enough to drive me to the hospital and wait with me."

Tommy smiled at Ms. Appleby, but noticed the anxious expression on his uncle's face, "I don't know what I'm going to tell the school board or Mister Bulkmeier's parents," Frank commented anxiously. "I couldn't do anything to help him because I was thrown into the wall and I…"

"Bulk's missing?" Tommy asked, suddenly realizing that Rito had taken Bulk to use as some sort of monster. "I didn't know that."

Ms. Appleby nodded and Tommy sighed, "Jason and Malcolm were attacked at the Youth Center just a little while ago and Malcolm disappeared from the ambulance somehow," he explained in a somber voice. "Jason's somewhere in the hospital and I was thinking…"

"Jason will be fine," a tired voice suddenly spoke from behind a pulled curtain. "Is that you, Tommy?"

Thomas, who had been calmed by his paramedic buddies, suddenly came over to the curtain and pulled it open. Jason was laying on a gurney with a hospital gown and a blanket covering his body. His karate clothes were folded and on a chair next to the bed and he looked beat.

"Jason," Tommy said as he walked over to his friend. "I heard you were attacked. Are you going to be all right?"

Jason smiled, but immediately sighed, "I'll be fine as soon as they let me out of here," he replied. "I hate hospitals."

"Jason, just settle down and don't try running off," Thomas replied, smiling at his stubborn son. "Why don't you just let them give you some fluids and rest for a few hours? I have to call your mother about this before she hears it on the news and resting would be good for you."

Jason's smile faded, "Dad, I heard you yelling at those paramedics," he said in a quiet voice. "Is Malcolm really missing?"

Thomas silently groaned, but nodded, "He disappeared from the ambulance on the way to the hospital," he replied softly, mentally kicking himself as tears formed in Jason's tired eyes. "Jason, please don't cry. The police are all out searching and we have to have hope."

"After I get my uncle settled at home, I'll go out looking for Malcolm too," Tommy promised. "Maybe you should rest for now, Jason."

Jason nodded and immediately closed his eyes, allowing himself to cry as he slept, "Tommy, you're best to let the police do their jobs," Frank said in a tired voice as he, Tommy, and Ms. Appleby walked away from Jason and his father. "I'd rather you be home today, where it's safe."

"I'll give you both a ride home," Ms. Appleby offered in a gentle voice. She was feeling sympathetic about all that had happened that day.

Torrential rain poured from the angry skies as Adam, Katherine, and Laura touched down on the rocky surface of Phaedos and saw hordes of damaged trees, dead greenery, and muddy paths instead of the beautiful planet they remembered. Katherine immediately began to cry.

"Katherine, stop!" Laura said in a commanding voice as she gazed at the upset Katherine. "Standing there crying will not help us at all!"

Katherine sniffled, but stopped, "What are you doing here?" a fierce voice suddenly said. "I thought I banished you from Phaedos!"

Dulcea suddenly came out from a split stone that was next to the path that led to the Temple, "You, Katherine, were banished from Phaedos after you brought harm to Aisha," she said in a fierce voice as she broke her staff in two. "Why have you brought her here, Laura and Adam?"

"You said that Katherine was banished as long as she was evil," Adam replied nervously. "Katherine is no longer under Rita's evil spell."

Dulcea glared at Katherine and suddenly noticed the tears in her eyes, "Why do you cry, Katherine?" she asked in a slightly softer voice.

"Phaedos is ruined and seeing it is the price I pay for my evil," Katherine replied, her thoughts suddenly travelling to whether or not Mark was okay with all that had happened recently. "My brother, Mark, has also paid his price because he can no longer see the light of day."

Dulcea looked confused, "You mean Zedison, son of Zedd, is no more?" she asked, knowing that there had been a Zedison at one time.

"Ivan Ooze put him under a spell of submission and then tortured him," Katherine replied somberly. "The torture left Mark a blind mortal."

For a moment, Dulcea was silent and then put her staff back together, "I am sorry for what you and your brother have suffered, Katherine," she said in a more sincere voice. "However, Phaedos is in ruins and Ninjor is not here to help you. Why, then, do you come to Phaedos again?"

"We seek another piece of the Zeo Star," Laura spoke up in a brave voice. "Our Ninja Powers are being slowly destroyed and…"

Dulcea nodded, "I know of your powers failing," she replied. "You three must come to the Ninjetti Temple with me immediately."

Even though they were unsure as to why, Adam, Katherine, and Laura silently followed Dulcea down the path leading to the Ninjetti Temple.

King Mondo stared expressionlessly at the person encased in the block of ice that was before him, "What do you expect me to do with this?" he asked, glaring at Rito. "I specifically ordered that you get Doctor Oliver, his gem, and his brains so that I could revive my Machine Empire."

"Doctor Oliver gave his necklace to this boy," Rito replied anxiously as he gestured to the frozen Bulk. "Once he is thawed out, we can use it!"

King Mondo chuckled and turned away from Rito, "Perhaps you are right!" he said in a regal voice. "For now, I can use the weapon that my Archerina is preparing for barter to gain galactic allies! The human we have is so brainwashed that she will do anything for anyone!"

"What of Princess Katherine and Prince Zedison?" Rito asked in a nervous voice. "They have hidden powers that will serve useful to you!"

King Mondo hissed, "Not at this time!" he roared furiously. "Besides, Katherine has turned to supporting the Power Rangers and I do not wish to use a blind boy to carry out my conquest, even if he was ONCE a prince of evil! I must have evil allies who are able to see their enemies!"

"What about finding Goldar and Scorpina, then?" Rito asked, suddenly realizing that he hadn't seen them in a while. "They could serve you."

For a moment, King Mondo was silent and then cackled, "When Kimberly is ready, we shall use her to find them," he declared commandingly.

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

Tommy immediately placed a hand over his communicator, as he didn't want the noise to wake his over-exhausted uncle, but the doorbell suddenly rang. Silently praying that his uncle would stay in bed and rest, Tommy got up from the common room couch and hurried to the front door. He was surprised to find Rocky on the doorstep and Rocky's truck parked in front of the house.

"I went to the hospital, but they said your uncle had been released," Rocky said in a worried voice. "Is your uncle okay?"

There were footsteps and Tommy was surprised to see his uncle come up beside him, "I'm fine, Mister DeSantos," Dr. Oliver replied in a pleasant voice as he stepped aside to let Rocky come in. "Tommy, I think you'd better answer your communicator. Rocky, do come in."

Rocky hurried inside and Dr. Oliver slowly closed the door, "Zordon, what's up?" Tommy asked as he held his communicator to his mouth.

"Tommy, Zordon wants you and Rocky to come to the Command Center right away," Alpha replied anxiously. "You must hurry!"

Rocky immediately looked confused, "Why would Zordon want to see me?" he asked worriedly. "I'm not a Power Ranger."

"It's better not to ask why, just go see what Zordon needs," Dr. Oliver replied quietly. "Be safe out there, both of you."

Tommy offered his hand to Rocky, "I'll teleport us both there," he said, smiling as Rocky took his hand. "Feel better, Uncle Frank."

As Tommy and Rocky teleported away, Dr. Oliver sighed and, rubbing his gem necklace with a shaking hand, he slowly made his way into his office to meditate quietly.

Tommy and Rocky quickly touched down in the Command Center and were surprised to see a tired-looking Jason in his karate clothes and talking quietly with Alpha and Tanya, "Jason, I thought you were in the hospital?" Tommy asked as he and Rocky approached them.

"While my dad was off phoning my mom, I went to the bathroom and changed clothes," Jason replied tiredly. "Nobody knows I'm gone."

Rocky immediately looked to Zordon, "Zordon, I don't understand why you wanted to see me?" he asked. "I'm not a Power Ranger."

"As I have already told Jason, Malcolm has sent himself to Phaedos by the power of his own heart and is now dying because Rito destroyed his Power Coin," Zordon explained somberly. "Only by the full power of the Zeo Star can Malcolm have a chance at surviving."

Tommy frowned, "We don't have all the pieces yet, though," he replied. "We still need two more pieces to complete the Zeo Star."

"Billy's a Ranger, why doesn't he go with Jason and Tommy?" Rocky asked worriedly. "Where is Billy, anyway? He should be here."

Alpha sighed, "Because Billy was affected by the Orb of Doom, he is unable to return to Phaedos or else he will revert to his aged state," he explained in a worried voice. "Although we don't have all the pieces of the Zeo Star, Zordon believes that sending you four to Phaedos, the power of seven will be enough to save Malcolm's life. Hopefully, when Malcolm's life is saved, we will know how to find the other pieces."

"Four?" Jason asked in a confused voice. "Alpha, Zordon, I thought you said that Billy wasn't able to return to Phaedos?"

Tanya suddenly smiled and cleared her throat, "I'll be coming with you guys," she replied softly. "Zordon thinks I can be of help."

"Jason, Rocky, Tommy, and Tanya, the quest that lies before you is a dangerous one," Zordon said. "May the Power protect you all."

Alpha pressed a button, "The co-ordinates are set," he said in an anxious voice. "Join hands so that you don't end up separated."

Jason, Tommy, Rocky, and Tanya quickly joined hands, "You should meet up with the others already there," Alpha stated. "Ready?"

As Jason, Tommy, Rocky, and Tanya were teleported out of the Command Center, Billy came out of the Chamber of Light where he had chosen to wait while the others were given their mission. He had heard what Zordon and Alpha had said about him not being able to go back to Phaedos and help Malcolm, but not about the aging. The insinuation that he was too weak to be a Ranger over Rocky and Tanya was hurtful and Billy had decided that he wanted no further involvement.

"Billy, I am sorry that you were unable to go to Phaedos to help Malcolm," Zordon commented, seeing the upset expression on Billy's face. "I know you wanted to."

Billy was silent for a moment and then nodded, "I think I'm going to go for a walk to clear my head," he said in a toneless voice. "I'll see you two later on, okay?"

Not surprised when Alpha and Zordon said nothing, Billy silently left the Command Center and walked through down the mountain; he was sick of being the brainy geek that he had always been and he knew that he needed to step down. The Rangers didn't need him anymore, he silently reasoned; they had others to help them.

Billy sighed and caressed the Wolf Coin that was around his neck as he reached the bottom of the mountain. He could feel power from it surge into his tired body, yet he had no desire to fight for his right to save the world. Thoughts of how long it would be before Zordon took his Coin away filled his already bitter mind.

A better thought suddenly entered Billy's mind as he remembered another who was no longer a Ranger despite having the potential to be; he would find Zack and convince him that they should go to Africa. There was really no reason to go to Africa except that Aisha was there and strangely, she would be a comfort to them.

Zack and Aisha get it. Billy thought as he ripped his Communicator from his wrist and set it at the base of the mountain. They get having the Power taken away.

Anger surged through Billy's heart as he walked down the path back towards Angel Grove; he would someday find the strength to confront Alpha, Zordon, Jason, Tommy, Tanya, Malcolm, Laura, and Katherine. They had never really tried to save Kimberly after she had gone missing and they would probably forget about him. He had secretly carried a torch for Kimberly, even when she was dating Tommy, and Billy knew that he could share that with Zack; Zack had never judged him or said that he wasn't strong enough to help others when they needed help.

As he walked, Billy knew that being graduated from high school had its perks and it wouldn't take very much to convince his father to let him go to Africa to figure out what he wanted to do.

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