"Daddy, the big guy's almost melted!" Prince Sprocket yelled in an anxious voice as he watched the ice melt off Bulk's face.

King Mondo came into the throne room just as Bulk opened his eyes and promptly screamed at the sight of the robots, "W-where am I?" he asked through chattering teeth, "Excellent Sprocket, now I can take the gem and revive my Empire!" King Mondo crowed happily.

"What gem?" Bulk asked, shocked when King Mondo ripped his necklace from around his neck. "HEY, THAT'S MINE!"

King Mondo chuckled and caressed the black rock in his hand, "This gem will help me fuel up my monster-making machine and allow me to find the spare parts I need to make things that will destroy the Earth!" he roared as he hurried over to the dormant machine that sat in the corner of the small room next to a telescope. "Klank has been dormant in the machine for years and it is now time to revive him!"

Bulk whimpered as King Mondo inserted the rock into a slot, but nothing happened, "WHAT?!" King Mondo roared angrily, realizing that the machine had not been reactivated by the gem as was supposed to happen. "THIS IS NOTHING BUT A USELESS BLACK ROCK!"

"I-It's a cool rock I found outside of t-town!" Bulk chattered anxiously as he continued to shiver uncontrollably. "I-It was f-for S-Skull!"

King Mondo steamed, "MY MACHINE IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT MAGIC TO POWER IT!" he roared as he whipped the rock out of the machine and threw it to the ground, causing it to break. Bulk whimpered and tried to move, but his feet were still encased in ice.

"Calm down dear, your oil's boiling," Queen Machina said as she came into the throne room dragging an unconscious Kimberly by her the Ninja Coin that was pinned to her dirty pink tank top. "We can power the machine with Kimberly's Power Coin and dispose of this useless mortal."

Bulk whimpered as King Mondo ripped the Coin from Kimberly's shirt and placed it in the machine, "Ah, excellent!" King Mondo crowed as the machine suddenly began to work. "Machina, get rid of Kimberly however you see fit and take this chubby mortal with you as well."

"Dear, I think we should keep Kimberly around," Machina replied in an amused voice. "She could prove useful as a bartering tool later."

King Mondo laughed, "Perhaps you are right my dear," he commented in a gentle voice. "Ah, the machine is ready to release Klank!"

The door to the machine opened and Klank stepped out, "Greetings sire!" he said in a jubilant Scottish accent. "How might I help ye?"

"Daddy, why don't we turn this fat guy into a monster?" Prince Sprocket chirped. "The Cogs can provide a distraction while we work."

King Mondo steamed, "I ordered those Cogs destroyed!" he hissed. "However, Sprocket, you do have a good point; put him in!"

Bulk whimpered as King Mondo picked him up by his shirt collar and carried him over to the machine, "This won't hurt a bit," he said.

As King Mondo threw Bulk into the machine and shut the door, Kimberly suddenly fell from Queen Machina's grip and hit the floor.

"Ms. Appleby, I'm done," Skull said in a tired voice as he closed the binder that held his final exams and lay back on the pillow that was on the hospital bed where he had been confined in the last week. He was so exhausted from his exams that he barely acknowledged Ms. Appleby as she came over to the portable table and picked the binder up. "I'm surprised that Mister Caplan hasn't kicked me out of school by now."

Ms. Appleby gave him a reassuring smile, "You're doing your best, Mister Skullovitch, and we can't really fault you for having an illness that is far beyond your control," she replied gently as she tucked the binder under her arm. "The entire faculty knows that you can't come to school right now and we're giving you a break on your attendance so long as you keep up with the work and counseling sessions."

"Doctor Oliver's out of town this week, though," Skull replied in a tired voice. "Who's going to actually come and visit me willingly?"

The door suddenly opened and a fully uniformed Lieutenant Stone came into the room with a large binder underneath his arm, "Doctor Oliver sends his regrets that he couldn't come himself, but left me some coursework that he wanted you to do while he was away," he said in an official voice as he walked over to the bed. "I didn't look at it, but Doctor Oliver left you a note inside the binder. How are you feeling?"

"Maybe after I have a nap, I can look at it," Skull replied sleepily. "Everyone's doing finals this week and I just did a bunch of them today."

Lieutenant Stone nodded, but before he could reply, Cogs appeared in the hospital room and grabbed hold of Lieutenant Stone and Ms. Appleby. Skull tried to sit back up, but Prince Sprocket suddenly appeared on top of the hospital bed and pointed a sword at him.

"Stop right there!" Prince Sprocket hissed gleefully. "You'll be the perfect diversion to my daddy's really cool plan!"

Lieutenant Stone and Ms. Appleby exchanged a look, "I really don't want any visitors right now," Skull commented in a tired voice.

"Tough!" Prince Sprocket replied angrily as he slapped Skull across the face. "You are a weak Earthling and you amuse me!"

Ms. Appleby frowned, "You are a naughty little thing, whatever you are!" she commented in an angry voice. "Let Mister Skullovitch go."

"I'm NOT a thing!" Prince Sprocket cried, insulted by Ms. Appleby's comment. "My name is Prince Sprocket!"

The ground suddenly began to tremble and Queen Machina appeared, "Sprocket, what are you doing?" she asked in a curious voice as she saw him sitting on the hospital bed that Skull was resting in. "Ah, it's YOU! When I was analyzing Kimberly, I came upon an image of you."

Skull's eyes widened, but he said nothing, "I didn't think she would have any feelings for such a simpleton!" Queen Machina said in an amused voice as she picked Sprocket up off the bed. "Now, Sprocket, come along; the Cogs can keep these people in here for now."

"Aww, I wanna stay until Daddy is done making a monster!" Sprocket whined. "I don't wanna hang out at the palace by myself!"

Lieutenant Stone cautiously took off his hat, "Look, little one, why don't you go home with your mom?" he said in a voice that he would only ever use to deal with an unhappy child. "Mister Skullovitch really does need to rest and Ms. Appleby and I have to go back to work."

"I think I should just turn you into blocks and play with you!" Sprocket whined. "Humans are so annoying!"

Queen Machina sighed, "I know they are, but we must be patient in dealing with them," she replied gently. "The monster will be ready soon."

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Skull whimpered, full of horror and disgust at this scenario. "Someone pass me a bedpan."

Ms. Appleby swore and pulled herself free of the Cogs, "I have had just about enough of this!" she yelled. "Get out of here!"

"She'd make a better monster than that Bulky guy, Mommy!" Sprocket crowed. "Let's go tell Daddy!"

As Queen Machina and Prince Sprocket disappeared, Skull passed out. The Cogs looked at each other and at Lieutenant Stone, as they were now too frightened to even approach Ms. Appleby. Lieutenant Stone hit the Cogs and promptly regretted it, as his hand began to swell.

"Tanya, I have a letter for you," Ernie called out from behind the Juice Bar counter as he saw Tanya walk into the Youth Center with Katherine, who was carefully leading Mark across the floor. Tanya looked surprised, but hurried over to the counter to get a hold of the letter.

Ernie smiled as Tanya approached and handed her the letter, "It's from a Los Angeles address," Ernie whispered. "Do you know anyone there?"

Tanya nodded and took the letter, reading the envelope carefully, "Thanks Ernie," she said, seeing that the letter had messy handwriting.

Nodding, Ernie returned to the kitchen and Tanya opened the letter, "Katherine, come here for a sec," she said in a worried voice.

"Just let me help Mark to a table," Katherine replied in a kind voice. "He's worried about his math final tomorrow."

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

"New beeper, sis?" Mark asked as they reached a table. "David must have gotten you one yesterday or something."

Katherine smiled, helped Mark to sit down, and put his Braille books on the table, "I'll go check it," she replied in a gentle voice. "You study."

Mark nodded and began to work through his Braille math book, "Zordon, what is it?" Katherine whispered as she edged away from Mark.

"Katherine, you and Tanya need to come to the Command Center immediately," Zordon replied. "The other Rangers will meet you there."

Katherine cast a look at Mark, "I was supposed to transcribe his study notes for him," she whispered. "What am I going to do?"

Suddenly, David, who was exhausted from his own semester finals, came into the Youth Center, "David, I have to run back to school and get something I forgot," Katherine said in an anxious voice. "Mark has his math final tomorrow and needs help studying. Can you help him?"

"Of course," David replied, always eager to help Mark and Katherine however he could. "Is Tanya going back to the school with you?"

Katherine nodded and hurried out of the Youth Center with Tanya at her heels. David smiled and walked over to where Mark was sitting.

Katherine and Tanya touched down in the Command Center and were surprised to see Tommy already there, standing near Zordon's tube and talking softly to Zordon, "Katherine, Tanya, welcome," Zordon said, prompting Tommy to turn around and reveal his balled up fists.

"Tommy, I thought you had gone to Los Angeles with Laura and your uncle?" Katherine asked, remembering that Tommy had left the high school cafeteria with Laura and Dr. Oliver a few days ago. "If you're back, does that mean Laura and your uncle are back too?"

Tommy shook his head, but before he could speak, Jason and Malcolm touched down in the Command Center, "Guys, I'm not really allowed to be discussing Laura's situation right now," he explained in a worried voice. "Besides, we've got bigger things to worry about right now."

"Tommy is right, Katherine," Zordon stated. "The time has now come to bestow the Zeo Star's powers on the seven of you."

Adam suddenly touched down in the Command Center, catching the end of Zordon's comment, "Zordon, how can the powers be given to us if we don't have all seven pieces?" he asked in a confused voice. "Besides, we need Rocky and Laura to come here; we need seven people."

Tommy sighed and opened his right hand, revealing a triangle shaped stone, "I have the seventh piece of the Zeo Star," he stated softly.

"What about Rocky and Laura?" Jason asked in a worried voice. "We don't have enough people for the powers of the Zeo Star yet."

There was a deep sigh and Rocky suddenly came out of the darkness accompanied by Alpha, "I'm here," Rocky replied tiredly. "What's up?"

"Alpha, take the seventh piece from Tommy and add it to the Star Frame we have constructed," Zordon instructed. "Rangers, form a line."

Jason, Rocky, Katherine, Tanya, Malcolm, Tommy, and Adam quickly formed a line, "Zordon, where's Laura?" Jason asked in a worried voice.

Alpha quickly took the stone from Tommy and hurried over to a small star-shaped container where the other six star pieces were already in place. He inserted the star piece into the container and the newly formed star immediately began to glow multiple colors rapidly.

The star immediately broke apart and each piece and the center of the star came to rest above each of the seven, "Each piece of the Zeo Star is a different color and gives off a different energy-based power to each of you," Zordon explained. "Katherine, step forward."

Katherine nodded and stepped forward, "Katherine, you are Zeo Ranger One and your color is pink," Zordon explained. "Tanya, step forward."

"What?" Tanya asked in a nervous voice as she stepped forward. "I don't understand; what about Laura?"

Zordon coughed, "Tanya, you are Zeo Ranger Two and your color is Yellow," he stated. "Rocky, please step forward."

"Rocky, you are Zeo Ranger Three and your color is Red," Zordon stated firmly. "Adam, please step forward."

Adam nodded and quickly stepped forward, "Adam, you are Zeo Ranger Four and your color is Green," Zordon stated.

Figuring he was next, Tommy stepped forward, "Tommy, you are Zeo Ranger Five and your color is White," Zordon said in firmly.

Trying not to think of what could have happened to Laura and why she wasn't there, Jason stepped forward, "Jason, you are Zeo Ranger Six and your color is Gold," Zordon stated as a gold staff suddenly appeared in Jason's left hand. "Malcolm, please step forward now."

Malcolm stepped forward, "Malcolm, you are Zeo Ranger Seven and your color is Blue," Zordon said as a silver necklace appeared in his hand.

A light suddenly filled the Command Chamber, completely engulfing the seven new Zeo Rangers, Zordon, Alpha, and all of the machines.

"A new day is upon us and it is time to draw upon the Zeo Star to help defend the world against a new evil," Zordon's voice echoed throughout the chamber. "The Machine Empire is working on conquering Earth and the next level of the Power Rangers now must come forth."

The light suddenly faded and Katherine, Tanya, Rocky, Adam, Tommy, Jason, and Malcolm were shocked to find themselves in pink, yellow, red, green, gold, white, and blue power suits with various pieces of the Zeo Star serving as viewers on their helmets and chest emblems.

They could see fourteen items on the console in front of them; two wrist items for each of them with corresponding colors on the wrist straps.

Loud beeping could suddenly be heard, "The alarm is going off!" Alpha suddenly exclaimed. "The Machine Empire is already at work!"

"Rangers, my sensors detect trouble at Angel Grove Hospital," Zordon stated in a grave voice. "Behold the new Viewer to my right."

As the Rangers looked to the viewer, an image of Lt. Stone trying to fight off Cogs with a swollen hand while Ms. Appleby tried to revive an unconscious Skull appeared on the screen, "I was supposed to visit Skull after I was done writing my final," Adam said with a groan.

"What's Lieutenant Stone doing there, though?" Malcolm asked in a confused voice. "Doesn't he usually work during the day?"

Zordon coughed, "Rangers, my instincts tell me that this is a diversion from something even more deadly that King Mondo is in the process of preparing," he commented. "However, your current focus must be on rescuing the innocent hostages from King Mondo's Cogs."

The little robots cornering him were strong, but very mighty, Lieutenant Stone told himself, as he nursed his badly swollen hand and tried to break free of the tiny corner that he had been backed into.

On the other side of the small robots, he could see that Ms. Appleby was failing to revive the unconscious Skull. Skull's books were now scattered on the floor as a result of the visit from Queen Machina and Prince Sprocket.

Suddenly, seven people in Power suits touched down inside the hospital room and the Cogs turned away from Lieutenant Stone, allowing the terrified police lieutenant to escape the room and find help for Skull. Personally, Lieutenant Stone had had enough of monster attacks.

Ms. Appleby's eyes widened as the people in pink, red, and green suits came over to the bed, "You need to leave right away," the pink ranger said in a concerned voice as she checked to see if Skull was still breathing. "We'll stay with him until medical help comes, I promise."

"You don't understand, I promised Frank that I would look after things while he was away," Ms. Appleby replied as she placed her hands on the metal railing of the hospital bed. "Frank usually comes and visits Eugene, but he had emergency business that took him out of town…"

Without warning, the Cogs suddenly broke through the blockade that the gold, yellow, blue, and white Rangers had formed to protect Ms. Appleby and Skull from any further harm.

They lunged towards Ms. Appleby and Skull, but Tommy and Rocky quickly pulled the Cogs back and threw them into the wall. The two remaining Cogs started forward, but Jason and Tanya knocked them both backwards into the same wall.

The door suddenly flew open and two nurses, a doctor, and Lieutenant Stone hurried into the room, "The Power Rangers defeated those weird metal things!" Ms. Appleby said in an excited voice as she gestured to the mess near the wall. "Thank you very much, Rangers."

Realizing that it was time to leave so that Skull could be helped medically, the seven Rangers teleported out of Skull's hospital room.

David and Mark were still working hard at the corner table when Katherine and Tanya came into the Youth Center, "Why won't you say what's going on and why Tommy went back to Los Angeles all of a sudden?" Katherine asked in a worried voice as they walked over to where Mark and David were talking and working with the Braille books. "Tanya, you need to tell us what's going on and why Laura hasn't come back yet."

"I am sure Laura is fine," David commented in a calm voice as he looked up from the notes he was transcribing. "I am also sure that Tommy is fine, as he is with Doctor Oliver. Mark, now that Katherine is here, did you want to tell her what you told me earlier?"

Katherine smiled at Mark, who suddenly looked nervous, "I want to take the martial arts class that Jason and Malcolm Lee Scott are teaching," he said in a nervous voice as he fingered his Braille book. "I've been studying hard and doing okay in school, but I want to learn self-defense."

Swallowing hard, Mark shut his book, "Never mind, I don't think Jason and Malcolm would let a blind person actually join their class," he said in a nervous voice as he got to his feet and picked his Braille book up. "It's a stupid thought, Kat, and I'm sorry I ever brought it up at all."

"No, it's not a stupid thought!" Katherine replied in an upset voice as Jason and Malcolm walked into the room dressed in their karate clothes.

Exchanging a look at Katherine's outburst, Jason and Malcolm walked over to where Katherine, David, and Mark were, "What's not a stupid thought?" Jason asked, concerned by how distressed Mark and Katherine looked. "What's wrong, Mark? Did you do badly on a final exam?"

"Oh, hey Jason," Mark commented, immediately recognizing Jason's voice. "No, my exams are going well. I was just telling Kat that I want to try taking the martial arts class you and Malcolm teach since I get picked on a lot for being blind. I need to learn how to stand up for myself."

Malcolm smiled, "I can help you with the moves if you want, Mark," he offered in a gentle voice. "I can explain what Jason is doing to the very last detail so you can copy it without trouble; I used to do the same thing whenever my mother was curious about what I learned."

"I think there's extra karategi's in the locker room," Jason commented. "If you want, Mark, I could help you get ready for class today."

Mark smiled and held out his hand, as he wasn't exactly sure where Jason was standing. Jason carefully took Mark's hand and led him away from the table, across the floor, and towards the locker room, "I was thinking of getting Mark a new cane with some of the money my father left me," David commented as he smiled at Malcolm and Katherine. "Malcolm, did Katherine tell you that I'm living in the city now?"

"Now you can come to be with me at the beach on Saturday," Malcolm replied, smiling at Katherine. "I was hoping you would be able to."

Katherine smiled and kissed Malcolm's cheek, "Even if I wasn't living in town now, I would still come," she replied softly. "You know that."

Malcolm chuckled, "Yes, I know," he replied with a grin on his face. "David, you and Mark are also welcome to come to the beach on Saturday for the memorial service we are holding for my parents. If I knew where Tanya was today, I'd see if whoever she is staying with will let her…"

"Tanya's living with Mark, David, and I," Katherine explained in a gentle voice. "She went with Adam and Rocky to visit Skull in the hospital."

Malcolm winced, "I thought he was doing outpatient chemotherapy?" he asked in a worried voice. "I didn't think he had a session today."

Katherine shrugged, but before she could reply, Jason and Mark came back into the main area; Mark was holding on to Jason's arm and he was wearing a white karategi that was a little big, but fit his frame well, "Oh, Mark, you look so handsome!" Katherine said in a voice of awe.

"Cool," Mark replied in a happy voice. "I'm really excited to be focusing my attention on something besides schoolwork."

Katherine smiled as Jason led Mark over to the area where the class would be taking place, "It's good he finally wants to do something after school besides think about our missing parents," she said in a calm voice. "Hey, you'd better go and get changed for class. I'll see you later."

Malcolm nodded and hurried off towards the locker room, "You didn't tell anyone of the dreams you've been having about your friend in Africa," David whispered in a concerned voice as Katherine gathered Mark's school supplies. "I thought you said they were premonitions."

"I'm sure they were just silly dreams," Katherine replied in a nervous voice. "Nothing's going to happen to Billy while he's in Africa."

David nodded, "Just be careful," he said in a calm voice. "I had dreams about Tommy before I met him and your dreams might also be true."

"Oh, I hope not," Katherine replied fearfully as she looked over to where Mark and Jason were. "Life's hard enough already."

"Foolish boy, he has no idea," Rito hissed as he peered through a fragment of crystal that was hidden in the planetary cave where he had come to find Goldar and Scorpina. "Prince Zedison has no idea that once we regroup our forces, we will draw upon his power to rule the world."

There was a loud crash and Scorpina suddenly came out from behind a rock wall, "Goldar, we have a visitor!" she yelled.

"Goldar's here?" Rito asked in an eager voice as he looked around at the cave. "Who might you be, anyway?"

Scorpina scoffed and held out her left hand, which sported a gold band on the index finger, "We eloped shortly after Rita and Zedd left to find help in defeating the Power Rangers," she replied haughtily. "We two don't really have the power to defeat them by ourselves."

Goldar suddenly emerged from a rock arch nearby, "Rito!" he crowed, delighted to see his friend. "What are you doing here?"

"The Machine Empire's taken over the Moon and I need help in destroying them," Rito replied in a whiny voice. "They kidnapped a civilian and they have Kimberly as a hostage, but they're not really doing anything with her. Oh, I also found Prince Zedison on Earth as a blind mortal."

Goldar and Scorpina exchanged a look, "Rita and Zedd put Zedison on the Earth without any powers because Ivan Ooze almost killed him from excessive torture," Goldar explained in a know-it-all voice. "We also know about the new Zeo Power Rangers, you know."

"We should kidnap Kimberly and make her into a bride for Prince Zedison once we can convince him to return!" Rito crowed. "He'd love it!"

Goldar scoffed, "Only Rita and Zedd can give Prince Zedison his memory and powers back," he replied irritably. "Without them…"

"Too bad," Rito said with a sigh in his voice. "What if, though, we went looking for that crazy space pirate to help us kidnap Prince Zedison?"

Scorpina's eyes widened, "Are you nuts?" she asked in a shocked voice. "Divatox is almost impossible to find!"

For a moment, Goldar was silent and then chuckled, "If only we could find that brainy kid who used to be the Blue Power Ranger," he said in an amused voice as he turned his attention to the crystal. "He has knowledge that would prove very, very useful to us."

"Oh, you mean Billy?" Rito asked in a confused voice. "I think Billy ran away from the Rangers because they didn't like him anymore."

Goldar grinned, "Let's go find him then," he said in a menacing voice. "Even if we have to search the entire Earth for him."

"Excuse me, we're here to see Eugene Skullovitch," Adam said in a polite voice as he and Rocky approached the hospital admit desk where a middle-aged woman in pink scrubs was working on paperwork. "We go to the same high school as him and we just wanted to see…"

The woman looked up at them, "Oh, I'm sorry," she replied in a somber voice. "Mister Skullovitch is not allowed any visitors right now."

Adam and Rocky exchanged a confused look before looking back at the woman, "You see, boys, the chemotherapy regimen Mister Skullovitch was undergoing has left his immune system very weak and we were forced to put him into isolation just an hour ago," she explained in a sympathetic voice. "If Mister Skullovitch's health improves well enough, we'll be putting him on a list for a bone marrow transplant."

"Bone marrow transplant?" Rocky asked in a nervous voice. "Could…could Skull die from this if he doesn't get one soon?"

The woman suddenly looked very serious, but was interrupted by a soft sniffle, "Oh, Adam, you've come to visit Eugene," a tired voice said.

Adam and Rocky turned and saw Mrs. Skullovitch standing beside them in a loose t-shirt, sweats, and work boots; she was holding a box of tissues and a jacket under her arms and she looked distressed, "Yes, I brought my friend, Rocky, with me," Adam replied nervously.

"Rocky, it's nice to meet you," Mrs. Skullovitch replied in a distressed voice. "I'm Eugene's mother, Wilma."

Rocky nodded, "Is there anything we can do for you?" he asked, suddenly feeling very bad about Skull's situation.

Mrs. Skullovitch shrugged and Rocky suddenly had a brainwave, "Can't people like donate blood and bone marrow to Skull?" he asked in an uncertain voice as he gave both her and Adam a look. "What if we did some sort of blood drive at Angel Grove High School for Skull?"

"Why, that would be very nice," Mrs. Skullovitch replied in an intrigued voice. "Could you two boys help me organize one?"

Adam nodded, "We could go over to the school right now and see if Mr. Caplan is there to discuss it," he offered in a kind voice.

"Yeah, I could drive us there in my truck," Rocky stated in a pleasant voice. "I'm sure he'd be willing to discuss a blood drive."

Mrs. Skullovitch smiled at both boys and silently followed them from the hospital, grateful that Eugene had people who cared about him.

Night came quickly and Adam, who was hoping that Mr. Caplan would allow them to hold the drive once the new semester began on Monday, found himself alone in Dr. Oliver's large kitchen nursing a cup of hot cocoa at the kitchen counter. It was nearly midnight and he was so exhausted from the last week of semester finals he had just taken; he knew that he needed to go to bed, but he just felt so alone.

A light suddenly flashed on outside and, instinctively, Adam jumped to his feet and got into fighting stance; to him, lights flashing on outside of a house meant police and police meant nothing but trouble, pain, and sorrow for him. He suddenly felt very lightheaded and began sinking.

The door was opening and Adam realized that he was on the floor, but he couldn't bring himself to move. His body was numb from shock and terror about why the door was opening so suddenly; surely Dr. Oliver would have called before coming home from Los Angeles, right?

Footsteps entered the house and Adam closed his eyes and felt his body going rigid. He had never been able to shake his intense fear of lights outside of a house at night because of all the broken foster homes he had been in as a kid that had been visited by the police.

Ranger or not, Adam knew that if he just lay there long enough, whoever was inside the house would go away and leave him to relax in peace.

A soft hand suddenly clamped down on his face, "LET GO!" Adam screamed in a voice that was not his own. "P-Please, just leave me alone."

The hand drew back, "Adam, it's us," a tired, yet very familiar voice filtered into his ear. "Tommy was supposed to call you, but he forgot."

Adam opened his eyes and saw a very pale and very tired looking Laura gazing down at him, "Doctor Oliver wanted me to come back before the new semester started on Monday," she explained in a soft voice. "Just lie there for a minute, okay? Tommy, is there ice in the freezer?"

Tommy nodded and moved over to the freezer, "Laura, step back," Adam said in an anxious voice. "I'm seriously gonna throw up."

Laura jumped back just in time to see Adam throw up clear liquid on the floor, "Adam, have you eaten at all today?" she asked worriedly.

"I was busy," Adam replied as he sat up and leaned against the wall. "I have to go to bed; the memorial service is tomorrow at sunrise."

Laura and Tommy exchanged a look, "The one for Malcolm's parents?" Tommy asked in an intrigued voice. "That's at sunrise?"

"I should go and give my condolences to Malcolm," Laura said in a gentle voice. "I can imagine what he's feeling right about now."

Adam nodded and his gaze travelled to the puddle of vomit on the floor, "Oh, I should probably clean the floor," he said, deeply embarrassed.

"I'll take care of it," Tommy quickly offered. "You and Laura should try and get some sleep tonight if you can."

Laura sighed, "I've got so much on my mind right now that I doubt I'd get any sleep," she replied in a semi-amused voice.

"At least try and take a nap," Tommy said in a kind voice. "You did a lot of reading and writing on the drive back from Los Angeles."

Laura rolled her eyes, but silently made her way out of the kitchen, "How's your uncle going to get back from Los Angeles if you and Laura took his car?" Adam asked in a faint voice as he slowly got to his feet and immediately leaned against the wall. "Can you make me some food?"

"Yeah," Tommy replied in a kind voice as he opened the fridge and pulled a container of stored food out. "He said he'd fly back from L.A."

Adam nodded and slowly sat down at the kitchen table so he wouldn't faint again. Tommy silently took the lid off of the Tupperware container and put it in the microwave so Adam could have some warm food.

Even though neither of them knew what else to say to each other or how to really talk to Laura, it was enough that they were now spending time together again; they were all truly a family that was much more important than blood relations.

Several figures were crowded around a lit fire in a firepit as the sun rose on Angel Grove Beach. In front of the fire stood a portable table that held only recent photos of Tyler and Karen Lee Scott, as a lot of things had been lost when Malcolm's childhood home had been destroyed.

It was a simple memorial service with no speeches at Malcolm's request; sunrise had been his mother and father's favorite time of day and a moment of silent remembrance for them would suffice. After the moment was past, everyone would go to Ernie's for a light breakfast.

The moment of silence was over quickly enough and Thomas, Helen, Jason, and Malcolm then stood together near the table in a line so that the few people who had come could express their condolences. Katherine reached Malcolm first and immediately enveloped him in a gentle hug.

With Katherine next to him, Malcolm was able to greet David, Mark, and Rocky with a calm demeanor and a smile on his face. Malcolm was equally cordial to Tanya and Adam; however, upon seeing Laura, he gently wrapped her in a hug and gently whispered in her ear.

Laura silently nodded and patted his cheek before pulling away and moving down the line to give Jason and his parents condolences. As Thomas, Helen, and Jason all embraced her, Tommy and Malcolm shared a friendly embrace and exchanged a few quiet words.

Billy and Zack had sent condolences to Malcolm via a letter, but had stayed in Africa; in reality, Zack was still feeling very guilty about all that he had done to Malcolm while under Rita and Zedd's control and Billy was still very angry at Zordon for not letting him become a Zeo Ranger.

However, nobody dwelled on the negative that day; everyone chose to dwell on the peaceful silence that was the dawn of a brand new day.

Reviews please?