Africa

Exhausted from the day of hiking they had done through Aisha's old village after getting information that the beach closest to Muranthias wasn't far away, Laura sat down on one of the beds in the room that she and Tanya were sharing at the closest town. Tomorrow, they would travel to Muranthias.

Suddenly realizing that she had promised to meet Tanya for dinner, Laura stood up and made sure she had her purse before she left the room again. It didn't take her long to reach the elevator and as she waited for it to come, a young man wearing a suit suddenly approached her from behind.

"Laura Hammond?" the man asked softly, smiling as Laura turned around. "Nice to meet you."

Slightly frightened as to how the strange man knew her name, Laura nodded, "You don't need to be afraid, Laura," the man replied gently. "My name is Anton Mercer and I'm a medical student."

"I see," Laura replied nervously as the elevator door slid open. "I-I need to go downstairs."

Instead of leaving, however, Anton followed Laura into the elevator, "I've been watching you and your friend for a few days now and I know you're here for some important reason," he commented softly as he looked at her intently. "How would you and your friend like to have dinner with me tonight?"

"I have a boyfriend back in the States," Laura replied, shocked that Anton was asking her on a date.

Anton smiled, "I actually have some information that might be of interest to you because you and a girl named Kimberly Hart are two that he mentioned," he replied softly. "Do you know a Billy Cranston?"

"Billy Cranston?" Laura asked in a shocked voice as the door slid open. "Why do you ask?"

Anton sighed, "I know of him," he replied softly, silently leading Laura from the elevator and over to a small bench just around the corner from the hotel restaurant. "Mister Mercer, you're scaring me."

"Anton, please," Anton replied calmly. "Laura, what if I could tell you that Billy Cranston is alive?"

Laura frowned, but said nothing, "I can take you and your friend to him tomorrow morning," Anton promised in an anxious voice, unaware that Tanya had come out of the restaurant looking for Laura.

Tanya frowned as she came around the corner and saw Anton take Laura's hand and she was unable to pull it away, "Please, I have a boyfriend," Laura protested softly, her eyes widening as she saw Tanya standing behind Anton looking concerned. "Look, Mister Mercer, please let me go at once!"

"Leave Laura alone," Tanya snapped, grabbing hold of Anton's arm in an aggressive manner.

Anton sighed and stood up, forcing Laura with him as he reached into his pocket with his free hand, "Really, ladies, making a scene is for the uncivilized," he said in a calm voice as he pulled out a small needle that he had brought along in case Laura and Tanya did not come with him willingly.

Before Tanya could react, Anton stuck Laura with the needle and then her, "Don't fight it when you start to feel tired, my dears," Anton hissed as he forcefully sat Laura down on the bench and grabbed Tanya.

"Why are you doing this?" Laura asked in a groggy voice, fighting the sedative as hard as she could.

Anton smiled and silently put small items on Laura and Tanya's arms, "I always get what I want," he replied in an evil voice, determined to drain Laura of any remnants of Turbo Powers in order to give Billy what he needed in order to return to a state where he could be useful. "See you in the morning."

Tanya opened her mouth to protest, but she and Laura dematerialized from the lobby. Chuckling, Anton reached into his pocket and pulled out the key he had swiped from Laura's pocket in the elevator before anyone would see and question his presence. With the card, he looked like he belonged there.

Smirking, Anton walked off to the elevator with the intention of breaking into Laura and Tanya's room, removing their luggage, and making sure nobody knew they were there. If nobody was looking for them, he could keep them for as long as necessary. Billy was alive, yes, but it wasn't much of a life for him.

"Miss Hammond, I believe it is time for you to wake up," a dark voice said calmly. "It's morning."

Laura groaned and slowly opened her eyes only to find Anton at the foot of her bed wearing a suit and a lab coat over it. She slowly sat up and found that she was in the clothes she had left the hotel in, but that she was in a comfortable, four-poster bed while her luggage sat stacked neatly by the door.

"Where am I and where's Tanya?" Laura asked in an anxious voice. "What have you done, Anton?"

Anton smiled, but said nothing, "You're a Turbo Ranger and Tanya is a Turbo Ranger or at least you were Turbo Rangers," he replied calmly in a tone that frightened Laura. "You see, your remaining powers can help Billy Cranston regain the former life he had before sacrificing himself for the Power Rangers."

"What are you talking about?" Laura asked in an angry voice as she got out of bed. "Where is Tanya?"

Anton chuckled, "If you really must know where Tanya is, follow me," he replied calmly, not saying another word as he led Laura from the room. "Just know that neither of you are leaving as of yet."

Zordon, please help us. Laura thought sadly as Anton led her into a laboratory where Tanya lay unconscious and strapped to a table in her clothes while energy surged from her into a large machine through wires that were connected to her. Near the machine, a frail looking Billy sat in a wheelchair with tubes connected to his body that were transferring the energy into him and slowly stabilizing him.

"Billy?" Laura asked in a confused voice. "Anton, you were telling the truth about him."

Anton nodded, "I may do despicable things, but I don't lie," he replied coldly. "Now, Laura…"

"Release Tanya, send her home, and you can have my powers," Laura quickly replied. "All right?"

Anton looked intrigued, "Your powers?" he asked in an intrigued voice. "All of your powers?"

"I know that you found Billy and cared for him," Laura replied in a courageous voice. "You had to have done that since you took such trouble to find those who were his friends before his disappearance."

Anton chuckled, "You are very smart, Laura," he stated calmly. "Billy would be very proud if…"

"If I could hear her?" Billy suddenly said as he slowly opened his eyes. "Laura, hello."

Laura's eyes widened, "Billy," she replied in a shocked voice. "Can you let Tanya go now?"

"Yes," Billy replied as he slowly removed the equipment from his body. "Thank you, Anton."

There was silence as the machine stopped and a moment later, Tanya's eyes slowly opened and she looked terrified at being strapped to the table, "I don't understand!" Anton exclaimed, his eyes wide and his tone anxious. "How can you be awake without taking all of Tanya and Laura's powers?"

"Trying to take Tanya and Laura's powers is wrong," Billy replied calmly. "Zordon told me so."

Tanya's eyes widened, "Zordon?" she asked in a shocked voice. "You saw Zordon, Billy?"

"I did," Billy replied softly, a deep sigh in his voice. "While I was unconscious, Zordon came and infused me with enough energy for me to wake up. Anton and his father, Allan Mercer, have helped me since I was able to wake up because I'm not able to function as I once did. You see, I can't walk at all."

Laura frowned and Anton cleared his throat, "The technology of Mercer Industries allowed Billy to survive, but helping him regain the ability to walk is something we can't do," Anton explained in a nervous voice, knowing he owed Laura and Tanya an explanation. "I had studied a lot of the Power Rangers over the years and I couldn't help but wonder if your powers could help with that."

"Why didn't you just ask for our help?" Laura asked in a gentle voice. "You didn't have to…"

Anton sighed, "Because this had to be done in a timely manner since I'm transferring to MIT this fall because my father thinks I'll have more opportunity in the States," he replied in a distressed voice.

"MIT?" Laura replied in a shocked voice. "We have a friend going there in the fall for school."

Tanya frowned, "What friend?" she asked, giving Laura a confused voice. "Tell me."

"Tommy," Laura replied softly. "I don't think he's told very many people that he's going to MIT."

Tanya nodded, "I've missed you all so much," Billy said in a soft voice. "I just want to go home."

"Your father's still in Angel Grove, Billy," Laura replied gently. "He would love to see you."

Billy nodded and sighed, "I don't know if I can go back to Angel Grove, though," he replied in an uncertain voice as he rested his hands on his knees. "The sight of it all would be overwhelming."

Anton was quiet for a moment and then he knelt beside Billy's wheelchair, not caring that he was wrecking his expensive pants, "If you don't want to go back, you should at least let your father know you're alive and well, Billy," he stated in a quiet voice. "He's probably grieved for you a lot."

Blinking tiredly, Billy placed a hand on his forehead and sighed, "Would you care for some breakfast, Laura, Tanya, and Billy?" Anton asked in a compassionate voice. "I can join you if you'd like."

Just then, Allan Mercer, who looked exactly like Anton, came into the lab and looked almost horrified to see that Billy was awake and that Laura and Tanya were both unharmed. Anton frowned at his father.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Anton asked in a concerned voice. "You look as if someone died."

Allan fidgeted for a moment and then sighed, "Divatox is going to kill me now because I couldn't get your powers and Billy woke up on his own," he explained anxiously. "I didn't know who she was at first, but she said that she knew of me and that Billy was here. She threatened to kill him if I didn't…."

"Divatox?" Laura and Tanya replied in a shocked voice. "Divatox has come back to Earth?"

Allan sighed and swallowed hard, fiddling with a small blue gem around his neck as he tried to figure out what to say, "I've given you enough time, Allan Mercer," a menacing voice suddenly spoke.

Laura, Tanya, and Billy gasped as Divatox suddenly appeared in front of them looking smug, "Ah, Zordon's pathetic little attempt worked," she sneered. "Hence, our little deal is broken."

"Spare my son and Billy," Allan replied anxiously, his voice trembling. "They've been through enough."

Divatox looked amused and sneered at Laura and Tanya, "You two were stupid to give up your powers and give them to little kids," she hissed. "Zordon is dying and he chose to give what he had left away."

"You gave away the Turbo Powers?" Billy asked in a shocked voice. "Why would you do that?"

Laura sighed, "Dimitria gave them to others; I didn't," she replied. "Why are you here, Divatox?"

"Dark Spectre sent me," Divatox replied in an amused voice. "Now, Mercer, we had a deal."

Allan nodded and was about to walk towards Divatox when he suddenly ripped the gem off its rope and threw it forcefully into the machine, "NO!" Divatox screamed as the machine fell apart, releasing all of the powers that it had captured from Tanya and the energy that had been being sent to Billy.

Tanya and Billy gasped as they felt themselves being re-energized, but Divatox lunged towards them as if to try and strangle the powers out of them. Laura, however, got in Divatox's face and shoved her back.

"How DARE you touch me!" Divatox screeched, pulling away from Laura as if she were contaminated.

Allan scowled and his eyes widened when Divatox suddenly shot beams of energy from her eyes at him, causing him to collapse to the ground unconscious. Anton gasped and ran over to his fallen father.

"I'll kill each of you one by one!" Divatox screeched. "After I take away the last of your powers!"

Divatox's cackle echoed through Malcolm's mind, causing him to nearly drop the bag he had brought and was now carrying down the hallway towards Rocky's hospital room. Although Rocky was doing better, Dr. Cranston had elected to keep him in the hospital in case the treatment had side effects, but he had allowed people to visit whenever they wanted and had instructed nurses to ignore visiting hours.

Swallowing hard, Malcolm silently entered the hospital room and saw that Rocky was asleep in bed with fresh IVs in his arms while Dr. Oliver and Justin played chess at a table near the wall. A covered tray sat on the portable table while baskets of flowers sat on the dressers and clothes were piled in a chair.

"I brought Rocky some clean clothes and other stuff," Malcolm said in a quiet voice. "I also…"

An angry cackle and terrified screams filled Malcolm's mind just then, causing Malcolm to stumble, "Malcolm, are you okay?" Justin asked in a scared voice. "Doctor Oliver, what's going on?"

"Malcolm?" Dr. Oliver asked in a quiet, but concerned voice as he watched Malcolm turn pale.

Malcolm frowned, "Divatox is back on Earth and she just hurt someone," he replied somberly.

"Divatox?" Dr. Oliver replied in a concerned voice. "Do you know where she is, Malcolm?"

Malcolm closed his eyes as a vision of Divatox attacking Laura and Tanya with energy bolts while a young man he didn't know was trying to move both Billy and an older man from the room came into his mind, sending him to his knees. The room they were in was becoming more and more damaged by the bolts.

"Africa," Malcolm replied anxiously, struggling to compose himself. "Attacking Laura, Tanya, and Billy."

Dr. Oliver's eyes widened and as he stood up, Rocky woke up, "What's going on?" he asked groggily.

"I know what will chase Divatox away," Dr. Oliver replied softly. "It's something Dark Spectre wants."

Justin frowned, "Divatox is really bad, Doctor Oliver," he replied worriedly. "She'll kill you."

"No, she won't," Dr. Oliver replied calmly as he removed the black gem from around his neck and held it up to the lights in the hospital room. "This gem is not just a healing gem; it also has power within it."

There was silence as the gem suddenly glowed and spun around in place before the glow faded, "The gems have power in them that are said to repel evil," Dr. Oliver explained softly. "They've been around for the longest time and I came into the care of one of them a long time ago before I adopted Tommy."

Justin's eyes widened, "Cool," he replied anxiously. "Doctor Oliver, were you ever a Power Ranger?"

"We'll talk about that another time," Dr. Oliver replied gently. "Anyway, let's get back to our…"

Suddenly, Dr. Oliver disappeared from the room, as did Malcolm, Justin, and a terrified Rocky. It was if an ancient power was now in control.

Dark clouds gathered over Angel Grove and Kimberly frowned as she looked down from the sky at Skull, who was setting the table inside the small house they shared with Skull's parents.

Since receiving the news that had changed both their lives forever, Skull had decided to keep an eye on Kimberly for the safety of his unborn child while preparing to enter the local college's Policing program in the fall while Kimberly took Design. Skull's parents had graciously offered to let Kimberly live there, knowing that Kimberly was experiencing mental issues as a result of what happened on Muranthias.

"Kimberly, it's about time for dinner," Wilma Skullovitch called out in a compassionate voice.

Kimberly sighed, massaged her stomach, and continued to gaze up at the clouds as if in a deep trance because she could feel the evil in the air. She knew that Divatox had returned, but for what exactly?

"Kimberly, are you all right?" Skull asked in a concerned voice as he came out into the yard.

Kimberly sighed, "Everything's just so different now," she replied softly. "It's overwhelming."

"I know," Skull replied gently, knowing that it felt strange to him that he was going to be a father.

Kimberly swallowed hard and silently went inside, well aware that Skull was following her as she took a seat at the table, "I was thinking that I should ask you to marry me, Kimberly," Skull said in a soft voice as he got down on one knee in front of the chair where she was sitting, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small ring box, which he opened. "Kimberly Ann Hart, would you please marry me?"

"Eugene, I don't know what to say," Kimberly replied softly. "This is all happening so fast."

Skull remained silent, as he fully expected Kimberly to say no because she still had feelings for Billy and marrying another would be insulting his memory, "I want to only be married because it would be best for the baby," she finally replied softly. "I can never fall in love with you; I hope you understand that."

"I understand," Skull replied gently, sighing as Kimberly put the ring on her finger and closed the box.

Kimberly sighed as Skull's parents came into the room, "Eugene and I are going to get married for the sake of the baby, Mister and Mrs. Skullovitch," Kimberly explained in a soft voice. "Not for love."

Wilma and Silas exchanged a concerned glance before nodding, "Eugene told us that he was going to ask you to marry him and we'll support you both," Silas finally replied gently. "Are you both ready to eat?"

Suddenly feeling trapped by the decision she had made but having no way to fix it, Kimberly nodded and Skull silently got up and sat at the table. He knew Kimberly didn't love him, but he knew that marriage was the best situation for both of them for the time being, but how long would she choose to stay?

Debris and broken furniture was scattered across the lab and Divatox grinned as she gazed at the bloodied Anton, who was sitting beside his unconscious father's form. Billy's wheelchair was in pieces against the wall and Tanya was helping him stand upright against the wall while Laura stood guard.

"It's not like I'm going to do anything to a cripple," Divatox sneered, cackling at Laura's glare.

Laura scowled, "You attacked Doctor Mercer and destroyed his lab over some stupid little gem," she replied in an angry voice. "I don't understand why you'd come back and do this over a tiny gem."

"You stupid girl," Divatox chuckled, her eyes widening with fury as Dr. Oliver suddenly appeared in a black Ninjetti-style outfit with the gem around his neck. "Well, one of the Earth's fabled guardians."

Dr. Oliver scowled and got into a fighting stance, "You have broken the code created by the Ancient Guardians of the Earth long ago," he replied in a fierce voice. "By the power of the Black Dino Gem…"

"NO!" Divatox screamed, raising her hands in surrender. "I AM GETTING OFF THIS ROCK!"

In a flash, Divatox was gone and Laura placed her hands over her abdomen, as it had been twinging with discomfort ever since Divatox had destroyed the lab, "Is everyone all right?" Dr. Oliver asked in a concerned voice as he turned towards the group. "Oh my goodness, Billy Cranston? You're alive!"

"Yes," Billy replied softly, struggling to stay upright with Tanya's help. "The Mercers helped me."

Dr. Oliver nodded, "Please, sir, help my father," Anton said in an anxious voice. "Could you?"

"I can," Dr. Oliver replied in a calm voice as he held the gem up. "I can help everyone here."

"Uncle Frank?"

Dr. Oliver opened his eyes and saw that Tommy was standing in the doorway to his office in the home where he had lived for the last several years, "Uncle Frank, I was wondering if you could give me a hand helping Rocky in from the car?" Tommy asked softly. "Doctor Cranston decided to release him."

Still slightly confused as to what the gem had done to rectify the dangerous situation he had come across in Africa, Dr. Oliver got up and followed Tommy out to the front yard where Malcolm and Katherine were helping Rocky from the car into a wheelchair while Justin held Rocky's full bag.

"Hey there, Doctor Oliver!" Justin called out excitedly. "Rocky's out of the hospital. Isn't that cool?"

Dr. Oliver nodded and smiled, "After we help Rocky get settled, we're going to the airport to pick up Laura and Tanya," Katherine explained cheerfully. "Their trip helped Doctor Cranston quite a bit."

"I see," Dr. Oliver replied calmly, choosing not to explain what he had just done with the gem.

Malcolm sighed as Rocky sat in the wheelchair and Katherine slowly wheeled Rocky towards the house and inside, "Doctor Cranston said that Rocky can come twice a week for outpatient treatment and should also try and do simple things to build up his strength," he explained gently. "It'll help him."

"I think Rocky should rest for now," Dr. Oliver spoke in a pleasant voice. "He's had a long day."

Rocky sighed tiredly and Dr. Oliver silently wheeled the young man to the bedroom where he had been staying since his family's death, "I don't really know how to thank everyone for all that they've done for me since my family died," Rocky said in a quiet voice as he slowly got himself into bed and laid down.

"It's not a problem," Dr. Oliver replied gently, quickly parking the wheelchair close to the wall.

Nodding, Rocky quickly closed his eyes and Dr. Oliver flipped off the light and left the room, "Doctor Oliver, can we talk about what I asked earlier?" Justin asked softly as he approached his guardian.

"I suppose we should," Dr. Oliver replied calmly. "Did Tommy go with the others to the airport?"

Justin nodded, "Tommy went so he could give Laura a special letter that Jason had written her," he replied softly, remembering how quickly Jason had left. "Why did Jason leave Angel Grove?"

"Why don't we go for a short walk and I'll try and answer your questions?" Dr. Oliver asked in a gentle voice, knowing that Jason needed to sort himself out and that he couldn't do that in Angel Grove. "I think Rocky will be fine on his own for a few minutes."

Nodding, Justin smiled and ran to grab his coat from the rack while Dr. Oliver sighed deeply.

"Why couldn't Jason give this to me himself?" Laura asked nearly half an hour later as she stood in the Angel Grove Municipal Airport holding Jason's letter in his hand while Tommy stood in front of her, ignoring Katherine, Malcolm, and Tanya as they gathered the luggage. "Tommy, where is he?"

Tommy sighed, "Jason's been having nightmares since you and Tanya went to Africa and he decided to go to New York early to get himself settled before school starts," he explained in an apologetic voice. "I told him he should wait til you got back, but he wrote you a letter and left you an open ticket so that you can visit him whenever you're not busy with school. He loves you and hopes you'll understand."

"I understand and love him," Laura replied softly, holding the letter to her heart. "Thank you."

Tommy nodded and Laura silently walked over to a nearby café table so she could have a little time to read the letter before going back to Dr. Oliver's. As Laura sat there reading the letter, she felt tears of both relief and shock coming to her eyes because while she was happy that Jason was going to where he could come to terms with everything, she was also very shaken about what had happened with Divatox.

"Laura, I have your luggage," Tanya spoke softly as she brought two rolling suitcases over to the table.

Laura nodded and silently put the letter and ticket in her purse before standing up, "I just want to go bak to Doctor Oliver's and get some rest," she commented softly, smiling at Tanya. "What about you?"

"I don't know," Tanya replied softly. "I just want to forget that this experience ever happened."

As Laura took her bag and followed Tanya over to the others, her thoughts were on what had happened in Africa and how she wouldn't ever be able to forget what had happened even if she ever wanted to.

"Kimberly, I know your secret," Kimberly heard a dark voice say from the direction of the mirror as she came into the bedroom that she would stay in until she and Skull were married. "I know your heart."

Frowning, Kimberly walked towards the mirror, "Zordon?" she asked in a quiet, but nervous voice.

An image appeared in the mirror that didn't look like Zordon at all, but Kimberly didn't scream or back away in fright, "Who are you?" Kimberly asked in a trembling voice. "Are you planning to hurt me?"

"My dear Kimberly, I have no intention of hurting you or your unborn child," the image replied in a cool voice, smirking at Kimberly. "I know you're not happy, but do what you have to for now and I promise that you'll eventually be free of being forced to do things and be able to pursue a life full of happiness."

Kimberly touched the mirror, "I've lost everything that would make me happy," she replied softly.

"Oh, my dear, don't give up so easily," the image replied darkly. "Nobody ever truly dies, you know."

Before Kimberly could reply, there was a knock at the door and the image faded just as Wilma came into the room holding a large box in her arms, "Kimberly, I hope I'm not bothering you?" she asked in a gentle voice, smiling at the young girl. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to use my wedding dress."

Reality quickly came back to Kimberly, but she didn't know how to reply, "It's lovely of you to offer," she finally replied in a soft voice. "This is just all so new to me and I'm really not sure how to respond."

"Oh, it's all right, Kimberly," Wilma replied reassuringly, setting the box on top of the wooden dresser.

Kimberly sighed tiredly and Wilma smiled, "How about you rest for a while, dear?" she suggested gently.

Nodding, Kimberly retreated to her bed and remained quiet while Wilma left the room. Once she was alone, however, she laid on the bed and stared at a photo of her and her friends from high school.

"How did life get so hard?" Kimberly whispered in a somber voice as tears fell from her tired eyes. "I didn't ask for any of this to happen."

"Doctor Oliver, I'm back!" Laura called out in a tired voice as she came into the house lugging her rolling suitcase behind her as she closed the door behind her. "Tommy went to drop Tanya at Kat's house."

Dr. Oliver nodded as he came down the hallway, "Have you had any dinner yet?" he asked gently.

"I'm not hungry," Laura replied softly, setting her suitcase by the shoe rack. "Where's Justin at?"

Dr. Oliver smiled, "Justin and Rocky are watching a movie in the den while I'm making dinner," he replied in a calm voice. "I was thinking about having a gathering in the next week or two since Adam will be returning from coaching camp and Tommy will be getting ready to head off to Massachusetts."

"That sounds great," Laura replied softly. "Doctor Oliver, what exactly did you do with that gem?"

Dr. Oliver sighed, "It contains part of a very special power that was granted to defenders of Earth a long time ago and it only manifests itself to the bearer in times of great need," he explained softly, gesturing to the gem around his neck. "It works much as the Power Rangers, but I only know of this one gem because, according to ancient legend, all the gems were scattered and lost during a war long, long ago."

Just then, an oven timer went off and Dr. Oliver hurried to the kitchen. Deeply intrigued by the discussion about the gem, Laura followed and entered the kitchen just in time to see Dr. Oliver take a large pan of lasagna out with oven mitts and after setting it on the stove, he took out a pan of garlic bread. He then turned off the oven, removed the mitts, and began to cut the food with a knife.

"Jason went to New York while I was in Africa," Laura stated as she sat on a kitchen stool next to the counter and set her purse on the counter. "He left me a letter and a ticket so I could go visit him."

Dr. Oliver nodded, "Jason was very afraid you wouldn't understand," he replied softly. "He's been very isolated this summer and he thought it would be better for him to go and sort himself out before fall."

"Doctor Oliver, I wouldn't know how to face him anyway after what happened in Africa, but I'll eventually use that ticket to go and spend some time with him in New York," Laura replied in a distressed voice. "I don't know how I'll ever be able to forget how Anton forced us to his lab and we found out that they had been looking after Billy while Allan Mercer had made a deal with Divatox."

Dr. Oliver offered a compassionate smile and sighed, "Sometimes, people try and seek an easier way to solve all their problems, like the way Allan Mercer made a deal with Divatox," he replied calmly. "I don't know what the deal involved, but making deals with untrustworthy individuals is not a way to succeed."

"What happened to Billy, Anton, and Mister Mercer, though?" Laura asked softly. "Are they all right?"

Dr. Oliver was quiet for several minutes, "I believe they will be, Laura," he replied in a reassuring voice, giving her a smile as he took some plates out of a cupboard. "Rocky, Justin, it's time for dinner!"

Rehabilitation Facility – Unknown Location

Dr. Cranston smiled, loosening his tie as he entered the residential apartment where Billy had been staying and recovering since he was released from hospital. Billy was wearing scrub pants, slippers, and a loose shirt and reading a book as he sat in his wheelchair that was parked next to the window.

"Billy, I'm sorry I'm so late," Dr. Cranston said in an apologetic voice as he approached his son.

Billy smiled, "It's perfectly all right, Dad," he replied softly, smiling at his father. "How was work?"

"Work was busy, but it's over now and I can spend time with my son," Dr. Cranston replied warmly.

Billy nodded and sighed tiredly, "I'm trying really hard in my therapy, but it makes me so tired," he explained softly. "Dad, I'm really grateful that I'm here, but I just want to be at home with you."

"The work on the house should be done soon and then you'll be able to get around without any problems," Dr. Cranston replied gently. "I've also talked with Doctor Oliver and he's going to explain to your friends about your coming home very soon. You should know that Jason's gone to New York."

Even though he was slightly shocked to hear that Jason had chosen to go to New York and be away from his parents and Malcolm, Billy nodded, "Why don't we see about getting you some dinner, kiddo?" Dr. Cranston continued softly, seeing that Billy needed time to process the news about Jason leaving.

"That's a good idea," Billy replied softly. "Doctor Mercer said I need to build up my strength and said nutrition would be beneficial."

Dr. Cranston chuckled and gently ruffled Billy's hair before wheeling his son out of the room.

Exhaustion washed over Rocky as he walked out into Dr. Oliver's yard and sank into one of the padded wicker chairs that sat next to the firepit. He had put on a hoodie over the shirt he was wearing and along with the sleep pants and slippers he was wearing, he felt warm even there wasn't a roaring fire.

The house was quiet because Dr. Oliver was in his office, Laura was in her room, and Justin was in bed after eating and helping with the dishes. Rocky had rested a lot of the day, so he decided to stay up.

Tommy had eaten dinner over at Katherine and Tanya's with them, the Hillards, and Malcolm since Mr. and Mrs. Lee Scott had gone camping and he hadn't returned, but Dr. Oliver wasn't too concerned.

Rocky, who was suddenly beginning to feel cold, was about to go inside and see what was in the fridge to satisfy his slowly returning appetite when he heard rustling. A moment later, Kimberly, who had decided to go for a walk to digest everything that was suddenly going on, came into the large yard.

"Rocky, I didn't expect anyone would be out here," Kimberly spoke in an anxious voice. "I…I…"

Without warning, Kimberly suddenly dissolved into an evil looking shadow, "I WANT TO LET YOU STUPID RANGERS KNOW THAT I'VE NOT FORGOTTEN WHAT YOU DID TO MY MINIONS AND THAT I WILL SOMEDAY SEND AN EVIL THAT NOT EVEN YOU CAN STOP!" a dark voice roared in a flash of flames.

Rocky's eyes widened and he gasped anxiously, "Rocky, wake up!" he suddenly heard a voice say.

Fighting the urge to scream, Rocky opened his eyes and saw Dr. Oliver and Laura standing near his chair looking very concerned, "Are you all right?" Dr. Oliver asked in a concerned voice. "You fell asleep."

"I guess I'm more tired than I thought," Rocky replied softly as he slowly stood up. "What time is it?"

Dr. Oliver checked his watch, "About time that I phone the Hillards and tell them to send Tommy back here," he replied in a concerned voice. "I just made some cocoa, so why don't you go inside?"

Still very shaken by the dream and Kimberly dissolving into nothingness, Rocky nodded and allowed Laura to lead him inside and get him some cocoa while Dr. Oliver got on the phone to summon Tommy home. Both Dr. Oliver and Laura wondered if Rocky was okay, but neither knew how to ask in a way that wouldn't alarm the young man or anger him. It looked, however, like Rocky had just seen a ghost that had truly terrified him.

Please read and review!