Disclaimer: I'm distraught and melodramatically overwhelmed that I don't own the Power Rangers, but all the other weird stuff is mine, so hey, guess there is an upside to all this...
This is the thirteenth in the Sun Goes Down series and the penultimate episode (oh yes, it has a planned ending!). By this time you will be hideously lost if you haven't read the rest of the series, so I would recommend that you look 'em up! Otherwise, read and enjoy!

Beyond the Dark Edge of Night
by Peregrine

"You know, this is starting to have a strange, eerily familiar feel to it," Kim announced, twisting her hair around her fingers as she pondered events thoughtfully.

"Hmm?" Tommy commented, sipping at his drink, tired from another long shift working with the Zords.

"Billy ... and Trini and Skye, actually." Kim said and paused, noticing at least one member of her audience was not paying attention.

"Adam ... Adam!" Kim resorted to throwing a scrunched-up piece of paper at the Frog Ninjetti who was 'resting his eyes', sprawled out on the couch.

"Wha ...?" Adam opened a bleary eye. "What?" he asked grumpily.

"Have you managed to speak to Billy about what happened yet?" Kim asked hopefully.

"Well ... no ... I mean he got back and he then had to configure the computer system at the Power Chamber and initialise the power flow up on the Moon at the Palace. Then he was programming all the Zords with new weapons specs ..." Adam reeled off, beginning to frown as he realised what the Pink Crane Ninjetti was getting at.

"See?" Kim interrupted Adam's recitation. "Ring any bells for anyone else?" She looked at them exasperatedly. "Honestly, do you lot always walk around with your eyes shut ... well, maybe Adam does, but really ...!"

"Hey!" Adam sat up, trying to defend himself. "I'm not that bad!"

Kim sighed at their blindness to events. "Well, I recognise it ... it's what Billy always does to ignore something that has happened to him. Come on, you BOTH know that as well as I do!"

Tommy looked uncomfortable. "I thought it was because he really was very busy, I mean Ninjetti are gathering at Phaedos as we speak, and the Ninjetti trying for the Master Powers are nearly ready to get going ... except for those of us trying to get a bit of rest," he said with feeling and Adam gave a quiet chuckle at that remark.

"Yes ... and once we've done that, no-one will have the time to force them to talk about this," Kim answered in her familiar 'I'm on a mission' tone. "And you know what, however busy he is, if he doesn't deal with this before the pressure gets too great, he'll crack and possibly take us with him."

"Kim!" Tommy exclaimed, amazed at her clinical assessment.

She tossed back her hair. "What? It's true. Besides ..." and she looked at them with her expression softening, "he's hurting, and he needs help. I can feel that here ..." she put her hand to her chest. "And I am not about to let that carry on any longer than necessary."

~*~

Billy was working intently on the console, cursing under his breath, wishing that Alpha was there to help him. Such was his concentration that he was totally oblivious to the stalking ambush that was going on. The first thing he knew was the sensation of hands gripping his arms and legs and lifting him bodily away from his work. He struggled, instinctively twisting and about to kick out to get free when he realised who it was who actually had him.

"Easy there, bro ... you could take a guy's eyes out like that." Jason's voice came from somewhere above his head.

"Or other more ... er ... sensitive spots," Tommy added from one of his legs. There was a low, familiar chuckle that indicated that Zack was there, too, manning his other ankle.

Billy stopped struggling. "What are you guys doing? I've got work to do," he protested, trying to look at least one of them in the eye.

"Oh ... end of working hours, Billy," Tommy informed him gravely. "C'mon, Zack, Jase ..."

The Lion Ninjetti grinned and the group of them began to carry Billy away.

"Hey, at least let me down ... Jase! Aw, come on," Billy tried reasoning with his friends.

"What, and let you scamper back to that console? I don't think so - a few words are WELL overdue with you, bro." Jason replied unmovably. "Let's teleport, the others might be there already."

~*~

As it turned out, they were the first ones there, at Billy's familiar garage lab and adjoining room. Jason, Zack and Tommy dumped Billy on the sofa.

"Sit! Stay!" Jason ordered in his best commanding tone as Trini was ushered in, under guard by Tanya, Aisha, Kat and Kim and then in a similarly undignified fashion to Billy, Rocky and Adam brought Skye into the room.

The three Ninjetti righted themselves as a massive delivery of pizza and sodas and assorted junk food items miraculously appeared. Billy, Trini and Skye looked at each other, wondering what had come over their friends.

"Er, guys ... look, this is a nice idea," Billy began, his mouth filling with saliva at the delicious smells wafting from the flat cardboard boxes. "But really we don't have time ... the War has started, remember? The Master Quest is a matter of days away, the space armada of the Darkness Visible has already started to encroach on the territory of the Council of the Wise ... We can't sit here and eat ... is that a Special?" he asked as Kim passed the tantalising pizza his way.

"Just the way you like it ... extra cheese and all," Kim responded, waving a piece under his nose before taking a huge bite from a slice. "Coach Schmidt would probably have a heart attack if he knew I was eating this."

Billy bit into a delicious slice. "Mmm ... but I shouldn't be eating pizza when a galactic war threatens."

Rocky grinned. "It'll still be there tomorrow ... but the pizza won't; I can guarantee that."

The group snorted a little.

"I bet," Aisha said drily, ignoring Rocky's mock-wounded expression.

Trini looked around. "Seriously, what is this all about?" she asked, scanning around the group for some sort of a clue.

They all glanced briefly at Kim whose idea it had been even if it had been Jason and Tommy who pushed it through into action.

"It's about you three. Billy, you are hiding from something ... we know you well enough to know now," Kim said seriously. "We know you had some pretty bad times out there ... and since you got back you haven't talked to anyone about it."

"Yeah," Adam picked up the thread. "You three know about it, but it's going to be ALL of us in this war... and what affects you, affects us. We want to help you and know what happened."

Billy unconsciously shrank back a bit against the sofa. The pizza he was eating was suddenly incredibly interesting and absorbing and he found himself trying to memorise its colour and texture as if studying for a test.

Trini and Skye looked at each other and with the familiarity of such a long time of working together nodded in perfect synchronisation.

"I think that would be a good idea," Trini said softly, glancing at them all with a warning to be gentle in her dark almond eyes.

Skye settled himself on a bean bag half sprawled out across the floor and Trini in a nearby chair, leaving room on the sofa for some of the others next to Billy ... just in case.

"So then ..." Tommy said as they all relaxed, "tell us everything that happened whilst you were away."

The three Ninjetti looked at each other and grinned. "Everything?" asked Skye "We'd be here forever!"

"Well, edited highlights ... as long as you don't leave out the juicy bits!" Kim demanded, leaning forward, her eyes bright at the prospect of gossip. Of course, as always when someone is asked to talk about anything, a deathly hush settled across the room and Kim rolled her eyes heavenwards for patience.

"Talk!" she threatened them with a piece of pizza, and Trini laughed and began with some of the more innocuous stories from their trip into space.

~*~

The story poured out throughout the night, ranging from the incredible, the hilarious, to the dangerous and tragic, all the successes and the failures gradually moving closer and closer to the more painful stories. When one of the Ninjetti faltered, one of their friends gently pressed the issue until they told them everything, if not one being questioned, then one of the others. Trini had cried when she spoke of the misunderstanding that had nearly broken them all apart ... and virtually all the women shed tears when she recited what Billy had said on Veras, much to the Blue Wolf Ninjetti's flaming embarrassment.

And then they drew near the end, to the events that had not been talked about ... not even in passing, blocked from their minds as if they had never happened. Strangely, it was Rocky who kept them talking when the words threatened to be crushed out of the room under the weight of the intense emotions.

"So ... you investigated Chlorak, yes?" Rocky prodded the emotional scars tentatively. "What happened there?"

From the sudden jump in tension all around them, they knew this was the focus of what was troubling the three Ninjetti. Of course they had heard snippets of what happened from the Astro Rangers, but ...

"Dark Spectre." Billy choked on the name a little despite himself and then repeated it more firmly. "Dark Spectre was double-crossing them and we launched in to help. I distracted Dark Spectre and Trini and Skye helped them against the monsters -- Ecliptor and Darkonda. Then ..." he stopped suddenly, freezing up despite his best intentions. It was as if suddenly his tongue had frozen or shut down, rendering him completely mute. He pulled in on himself, looking very vulnerable, suddenly seeming to shrink away from everyone into the dim light.

"Yes?" Tommy asked, leaning forward. He glanced at Jason who somehow casually managed to sit beside Billy without making it too obvious what he was doing. Aisha had manoeuvred herself into a similar position close to Trini, and Adam perched on the arm of the couch next to Billy, near to Trini and Skye as the others closed in an intimate circle around them.

"I don't remember much for a while after that," Billy said, looking away from everyone. They couldn't know, shouldn't know, it was too much risk ...

"Trini?" Tanya prompted, focussing upon her when she saw Billy struggling with himself.

The Tiger Ninjetti looked up, reliving that horrific moment in her mind. By common reluctance, after that time on Triforia they had not spoken of what had happened, not even to each other. It had been too raw for any of them, too close, but now she realised that it was time for them all to talk about what had happened, whether they felt ready or not.

She sighed. "Billy was hit point blank by a full blast from Dark Spectre. I thought him dead ... as I turned to see him, the monsters combined forces to destroy us all." She cast a pleading look over to the Star Crystal Ninjetti.

"I threw a shield over them ... to reflect the worst of the blast, but they were all knocked unconscious by the concussion," Skye said, picking up the thread briefly before falling silent

"They? What happened to you?" Kim pressed, looking sharply at Skye who glanced away.

It was like a tag team conversation and Billy replied to this question, as if they were all to a certain extent interchangeable.

"He didn't have the strength to shield himself too - and don't give me that 'I forgot' look; we both know that's just a fake," Billy related, glancing across at the white-haired artist. "From all accounts, he was blown up by the explosion. He was badly injured."

Skye shrugged as if it was of no consequence.

"So that's why you collapsed!" Tommy turned to Kimberly in relief. He'd had horrible thoughts that the tumour might have come back; medical tests had proven that wrong, but left it unexplained. "It must have been that!"

Kim nodded, another mystery explained, but did not want to interrupt this crucial retelling.

"So... what happened to you, Billy?" Rocky pushed a little further.

Billy remained silent for a moment. "I was taken prisoner," he said in a clipped tone that practically screamed that he didn't want to discuss it.

There was an uncomfortable pause as the other Rangers waited for him to elaborate and he retreated into silence.

"Okay, little bro, what happened?" Jason asked softly, using his private nickname for his friend.

"Nothing." Billy said stubbornly. "It's over, I'm fine ... forget about it."

Adam reached over and put a hand gently on his shoulder. "No ... we can't do that -- we tried that way once before, didn't we?" he reminded softly. "And nearly lost you."

"And we don't want to get a reputation for carelessness, do we?" Zack quipped lightly, but there was seriousness in his dark eyes as he leaned forward. "C'mon, man, we're your friends!"

There was a lengthy stubborn silence from the Wolf Ninjetti. Everyone's attention was focussed on him, willing him to break open his uncommunicative shell.

"It is because you are his friends that he doesn't want you to know," a familiar voice murmured from outside the circle of attention.

"Skye!" Billy issued a warning with that single word.

"He believes you won't respect him if you know." The artist addressed the air, ignoring that warning and then fell silent.

The others looked at Billy again. "Why on earth would we think that?" Tommy stated, speaking for the group.

"Because ..." Billy's shoulders sagged in defeat. "Because Dark Spectre broke me, tortured me and broke me ..."

There, it was said, like vile damning curse hanging in the air. "If I had known what he wanted, I would have told him -- told him everything."

Ah. It began to make sense. "But you didn't, Billy," Adam replied quietly. "You didn't betray us or anyone."

Billy became agitated. "Don't you see? I could have -- I would have done it! I could have betrayed you all. Not because of a spell, or because someone else's life was at risk, but because when it came down to it ... I was not strong enough!" He challenged them to refute that statement.

There was no immediate answer from the Rangers. They had never seen Billy like this, emotional and lashing out and frankly, that in itself was upsetting enough to make things difficult to deal with for them.

Billy rested his head in his hands, a picture of despair. "I'm a liability ... who am I to be involved in saving the galaxy when I can't even trust myself to keep my mouth shut?" His muffled tone betrayed the aching hurt that lingered still inside of him. "I can't even DIE successfully to stop it from happening!"

There were a few audible gasps from the room and Trini stared outwards unmovingly, her face a mask of calm and forced serenity. Jason clenched his jaw, stifling an outburst to demand to know exactly what that meant, but someone else beat him to it.

"I think you better tell us exactly what happened," Kim demanded in an uncompromising but compassionate tone.

"I can't!" Billy protested, shaking his head. "I really can't," he started trembling a little, just barely perceptible. He didn't want to go there in his memories, not ever again - and they were making him go back into hell!

"Billy," Trini began, her low voice asking him to reconsider.

"No -- I can't! I can't take the risk!" Billy interrupted, cutting her off.

"Risk what?" Rocky asked, confused.

"Losing you all," Skye said softly from the corner.

"Skye, no, don't,"Billy pleaded in a defeated tone of voice, too weary to fight anymore when it seemed that his companions were also against him.

"Not this time, Billy," Skye replied. "You have to trust them so you can relearn that trust in yourself."

"Skye!" It was nearly a wail of protest. Billy looked ready to bolt and Jason solved that problem by putting his arms around him, holding him despite his half-hearted struggles.

Eventually the Wolf Ninjetti calmed down and turned his head away from the other Rangers, breathing in the familiar scent of Jason's house and home that clung to the Lion Ninjetti's clothes as Skye began to describe every detail of Billy's ordeal in a soft voice, as seen through the Star Crystal. He did not spare any details, he included what Billy had felt, the emotional agony he had suffered when Dark Spectre had shown him the 'deaths' of Trini and Skye, a description that had the Tiger Ninjetti staring unblinkingly into space with a trickle of a tear trekking a smooth path down her face. Skye's quiet voice stripped away all of the protection Billy had tried to build around the experience, leaving him open and vulnerable to his friends in a way he had never thought possible, but even as he heard their stifled reactions to his wanting to die, to his teetering on the lip of life and death held there by a Spider's thread, he still could not bear to look at any of them.

Jason's expression became horrified and then angry as he absorbed what had happened to his longtime friend and what he had been through. It was difficult for them as well, they had to undergo a shift of attitude. They were used to protecting Billy and there was guilt associated with the fact that they hadn't been able to do that, but there was also the dawning realisation that Billy had gone through more than they could imagine, experiences they couldn't easily conceive of ever happening. His arms became less of a restraint than a protective circle and he found himself absently stroking Billy's back soothingly like he had when Billy had lost his mother and stayed with his "big bro" and Jason had found him crying silently in the lonely night.

Billy instinctively responded to the memories this situation produced. Those times he had felt so alone, and then ... he miraculously discovered there was someone there for him after all. A friend to whom he could trust all his darkest secrets and fears. And the miracle was there, wasn't just one of them any more, the protective circle of trust was wider than Jason, it was all of them. It became then a matter of whether he had the courage to trust them and that was easier ... it was himself he didn't trust .

Skye's inexorable quiet murmur finally ceased and silence reigned. There were a few muffled sobs from around the room and Billy found himself standing at a threshold of uncertainty. He knew that when he finally unburied his head from Jason's shoulder that he would either see disappointment, or ... well, he couldn't even imagine the other. It took all his courage to turn his head and it was Adam's eyes he locked onto and held, looking for that answer he dreaded, and finding that he had been asking the wrong questions all along.

Far from drawing away, Adam was reaching forward, far from showing disgust at his weakness he seemed to be respecting his strength. He glanced around. Nowhere did he see any hint of rejection, only sorrow and gentle sympathy, or anger.

A great knot of tension dissolved within him and Billy let out a sigh of utter relief. A fundamental fear had not been realised. The Pack had not rejected him for weakness, had not driven him out or turned on him, instead it was sharing its strength ... he could feel that flowing into him and glanced briefly over at Skye, who was sitting a little outside the circle with the Star Crystal glimmering on his chest.

No-one knew exactly what to say, they just seemed to close together somehow as if physical proximity could reflect the emotional support they wished to give. As it turned out, that was more than enough to progress the healing of the emotional wounds, though maybe not to eradicate all the aftereffects of such an ordeal. One miracle at a time.

~*~

"You realise there is no way we can do this alone," Adam said to Billy eventually as they tried again to spread the workload so they were not all dead with fatigue before the battle actually began. "We have to get help here. There are refugees pouring in towards here and Phaedos from all over the galaxy."

Billy sat back, fiddling with his pen. "They are converting the Palace, yes?"

"It's taking a lot of work, but yes ... but the centre of operations is still here," Adam pointed out, gesturing to the complex around them that was growing every day to house everyone they needed. "And we go on our Quest soon. We need people here."

Billy looked around at the busy area. "Hmm ... we need people we can trust. Really trust." He seemed to be seeking inspiration and his gaze lighted on his father. A solution sprang to mind. "Our families," he announced suddenly.

"You're kidding!" Adam exclaimed and then paused, seeing his expression. "You are not kidding."

Billy shook his head. "We don't have anyone else we could trust as implicitly, and we need organisation here now."

"You've obviously met Rocky's mother, haven't you?" Adam commented in a quiet wry voice. "That woman could organise a country!"

"That's good, because she might well end up doing just that," Billy said, and the strangest thing was that there was no hint of a joke in his voice.

Adam shot him a look and nearly said something, but refrained. "Well, it will be a relief ... the excuses have worn a little thin over the years. I'm not creative enough to be terribly believable."

"Fortunately I didn't have that problem," Billy mused. "And my father wasn't overly surprised after the initial shock. Things, er ... kind of made sense to him then."

"It may well to some of our parents, too." Adam sighed, looking a little forlorn. "My father will be very shocked. He regarded the Power Rangers as dangerously unorthodox and promoting violence, though he was in favour of protecting everyone. But he can be counted on once he realises the stakes." It would be nice to think he was proud of me ... just once. Some things are not meant to be.

Billy smoothed his ruffled blond hair absently as he thought the idea through. "I cannot afford for the governments to get involved before we have set up everything. Too many variables, too much in-fighting. And frankly, if the Darkness Visible is defeated at Phaedos, then there is no reason for them to ever know. Only that one day they might make it to the moon and find a multi-environmental habitat up there."

Adam smiled. "Sort of like climbing to the top of Everest and finding a theme park or something."

Billy quirked a smile. "Yeah," he chuckled. "I'd like to be around to see it."

Adam gave him a sharp look. "Why on Earth wouldn't you be?" he asked, leaning forward in his concern. "Is there something, something else you are not telling us?" He was forceful in his questions, driven by a fear that haunted him that he might lose his friend again

The Wolf Ninjetti looked startled. "Adam ... look, no, it's not like that. Nothing specific, only that ..."

Adam touched his hand. "Only that ... what? Billy?" His dark eyes fixed upon his friend's face, worried at the weariness of spirit that seemed to radiate from his still youthful features.

"Adam ... the last Ninjetti War caused the collapse of a Galactic Empire. The Ninjetti were decimated, Phaedos nigh on destroyed." The Blue Wolf Ninjetti looked frankly at Adam. "A lot of us are going to die ... win or lose. I don't think anyone comprehends the scope of this, save perhaps the Council of the Wise, and Skye, Trini and myself. The Federations of the Council of the Wise and the United Alliance of Evil has made war only possible on a planetary scale ... conquerors want to have something left of what they conquer ..." He trailed off, a sudden thought entering his mind.

"Billy? Hey..." Adam shook him to get his attention back. "I said, that's no reason to expect the worst. We will have the Master Powers, they did not ... yes?"

Billy blinked. "Yes ... yes of course, the Master Powers will make the difference," he murmured, trying to sound convincing even to himself.

"And our parents," Adam finished optimistically.

"And our parents, of course."

~*~

In fact, as always, Billy soon got distracted into other things, but he sat down in a private room pouring over snippets of Prophecy, transcripts of the Histories and notes he had made from their journey and his torture at the hands of the Nid-hi and Dark Spectre.

"What is this goddamned Shahin Tara Zed?" he cursed to himself, chewing on the end of the pen anxiously. "The Ninjetti's secret Ultimate Weapon? Boy, that would be a laugh, wouldn't it, Dark Spectre knowing more about it than the people meant to be using it." He screwed up another ball of paper and threw it violently against the wall. Maybe, maybe when they went after the Master Ninjetti Powers that was a part of it. Maybe it would be all revealed then. He sighed, not able to take that as true comfort. 'Maybes' did not win wars.

"What is wrong with this picture?" he queried, his sharp mind starting to piece things together. "What was the Silver Nid-hi after when it questioned my Wolf Spirit?"

What do all who strive to conquer seek? his Wolf Spirit contributed, joining in the process.

"Power ... of some form or another." Billy rested his head briefly on the desk as he cast his mind desperately through any information. He thought right back to when they had first received the warning that the Darkness Visible was coming. What was it Zordon had said? It had tried to get the powers guarded by the Ancient Ninjetti. That suggested some type of ... object, or Power. Which fitted in with what Dark Spectre had said during his inquisition. He flinched inwardly and then steeled himself again. He couldn't break down any more. The other night had helped, but he still had a long way to go. He knew the others were there for him, but he couldn't let them see that weakness again.

So what was it? Couldn't have been the Master Powers. According to Dulcea, the legends said they had been created after the Ninjetti War by the same great master that had set up the Wardstones. How had they defeated the Darkness Visible the first time? The Histories were conspicuously silent on that front. Hmmmm ... Why couldn't he see it?!

To see the whole of the pattern, do you look at just one thread? his Wolf Spirit commented. Stand back from it and look objectively.

Billy groaned. "Only I don't have time. We are transporting to Phaedos in a couple of hours. I better see if everyone is ready." He got up stiffly and made his way to the Power Chamber and halted in the doorway, totally amazed.

The place was packed with people, friends and family of the various Rangers, all talking at once, in some cases loudly, and in others just standing wide-eyed with shock and awe. Billy froze, hoping to slip out; after all it was a little difficult to face people you had lied to on a daily basis, whatever the cause.

"There he is ... Billy ...!" Rocky called him over. "Mama, I TOLD you Billy was here."

"I still don't believe it." The short stocky Mexican-American woman shook her head. "All this time? And Adam, too? But his father never approved of the Power Rangers ... all that violence." She blanched, looking at her son again as that realisation impinged on her consciousness. "Rocky, you could have been killed!" she exclaimed, her voice a balance of anger and anxiety.

"Believe me, I've been through the same with Billy," Hank Cranston reassured the woman before she could get too deeply traumatised. "It took me a long time to actually accept that they were the ones responsible for saving us on a daily basis." His voice projected across the din and the other parents fell silent.

"Much as any parent hates to admit it, our kids grew up a LOT faster than we thought, much faster than any youngsters really should. They had the responsibility for life and death of us all - every day. Imagine that. Knowing that if you failed, your parents and brothers and sisters could die, not just once, but every day for years. I have heard some of the tales of what happened during those years and you will probably react the same as I did, with horror, with anger and then with utter pride that MY child could have achieved all this and never spoken a word. " Hank looked around at the silent room. "And now, they need us. I think you should listen to what they have to say."

Billy expected Dulcea to step forward, but she stayed where she was. He then expected one of the others to step forward, Tommy, Jason ... but they didn't. To his alarm he discovered that he was the focal point of the room's attention. Well then.

"Welcome to the Power Chamber," he said in an initially soft voice, and to his surprise they were all listening. "I don't know how much you have been told, but I will do a brief summary. As you know we all were ... and still are Power Rangers. As such we took on a responsibility to protect others and over the past two years or so we have become aware that there was more than Angel Grove and Earth that needed protecting. However strange this may seem, however distant and removed at this point in time, there is a galactic conflict brewing the likes of which is beyond our comprehension and the Ninjetti are the only ones who can fight it." Billy paused, looking around at his audience. "And we are Ninjetti. We find ourselves outnumbered and despite our desperate preparations, in need of a lot of help, particularly as we need people to be fighting, so we come to those we trust most. Our families."

There was a simple dignity in that statement and Billy was grateful he knew that his father had accepted his role wholeheartedly. "In an hour, a group of us will be questing for the fabled Ninjetti Master Powers that will hopefully give us a fighting chance against this ancient enemy that threatens all planets. I really hope that you will see your way to assisting us ... because now we really need all the help we can get."

Nice speech ... I thought you were the one for whom communication was a torture from hell? His Wolf Spirit spoke within him.

Well, guess I learnt a few things whilst were were away, Billy said. He still didn't like it, but he could do it now.

The murmuring rose around him and he studied them. They would help, he could feel it. If nothing else, it would be to make up for the years when they didn't know they were being helped by their own children. Parents tended to be funny that way and he grinned a little to himself at the thought.

He met his father's look and Hank smiled and nodded, beaming with pride. The Wolf Ninjetti waited for the information to be discussed for a few minutes and then asked one simple question during a natural lull. "Will you help us?"

Silence reigned for a moment before a few silent nods gave way to Lilian DeSantos stepping forward. "Of course we will, you need some experienced organisation. If the fate of the galaxy rests on the shoulders of people who once forgot to take any food on a three-day camping trip ..." and some of the Original Rangers blushed, "I think you need some looking after."

There were a few muffled giggles. "Either that or go really hungry through the whole thing," Kim said drily.

"You are our children," Diane Scott said firmly. "Adults or not, saving the universe or not, you are still our children ... and we will not turn away from you when you need our help." She smiled. "It is a little different from being casually asked to make a costume for the school pageant the night before."

Jason chuckled. "It was a very good costume, though."

"Naturally," his mother replied in a superior tone and laughed, breaking some of the tension.

Billy relaxed. Good, they had reliable support in the Power Chamber. Now to the Quest.

"Guys, we'll be teleporting out in half an hour," he advised. "My Dad will help orientate everyone to what they can help with, but in the meantime we have to get ready."

He smiled again and then backed out of the room, feeling a little sick at having had to face all of them like that.

"You did well." Skye walked up behind him quietly as the others talked excitedly to their parents. It was with a pang of conscience that Billy remembered that Skye did not have that option.

"I'm being graded?" Billy asked lightly.

"It's a pass or fail thing," Skye answered back with only a hint of humour in his voice. He looked oddly serious and withdrawn.

"You alright?" Billy asked concernedly. "You look a little ... down."

Skye flashed him a brief smile. "Just a little preoccupied, that's all."

"Skye ..." Billy said, worried. "Is there something you are not telling me?"

The Star Ninjetti hesitated, seemingly on the edge of telling him something."Yes, there is ... and I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what ... not yet." He smiled. "Don't worry. See you in a little while." Without waiting for a reply, he walked down the corridor to his room to get changed.

Billy stared after him, the hairs prickling on the back of his neck. If there was one feeling he had, it was that he would not like the answer whenever he found out what it was.

~*~

It took him very little time to change. Invoking his Spirit Warrior armour, even the semi-complete version was a matter of words. Resplendent in blue and grey, he strode purposefully down to the Power Chamber again. They HAD to do this, there was no other hope for them. If they got the Master Powers, then they had a faint chance; if they didn't, they could not stand against the Nid-hi, let alone their Master, the Darkness Visible.

The room was filled with an array of colours as the Spirit Warrior Ninjetti assembled and as he looked around, he saw a dawning realisation in the eyes of their parents of what was happening. Suddenly in front of them were not their sons and daughters, but a group of expert warriors, whose expertise showed in their casual movement within the fierce armour they had donned. Trini, in her dazzling Gold and White joined him, looking around for a moment before nudging him. "Time to go, Billy."

"Wait, where's Skye?" Billy reached out mentally and turned, sensing him. He was there, dressed in a soft form of the Ninjetti robes, in grey and white. He smiled back and the Star Crystal glittered like frost on his chest, and the Marai Sphere blazed like fire in his hand.

"He's here," Trini said. "Let's go."

They assembled the group and Billy nodded to his father. "Wish us luck," he said spontaneously, feeling that they would need it.

There was a chorus of well wishes as the interplanetary teleport began.

~*~

When they materialised on Phaedos, the barren landscape was packed with a large selection of alien races and strange Ninjetti Rangers. It was immediately apparent that the vast majority of those present were from Earth and that in itself pulled at a few threads in Billy's mind. But as he stood there, he was immediately mobbed by old friends from their quest.

"Billy," he was hailed by a familiar voice.

"Delphine, Cestro!" Billy grinned, pleased to see the Aquitians "I see you made it."

"It is an honour to be included," the new Aquitian Ninjetti Spirit Warrior replied.

"I see Cestro was correct," Billy observed, seeing her Animal Spirit Emblem on her armour in the stylised form of a graceful bird.

"Yes indeed. The Vasherel found me worthy," the White Ninjetti said, her hand signal exhibiting 'remembered joy'. "And Cestro was chosen by the Celepha, the wisest of the creatures of Aquitar."

"Like a whale," Billy mused, checking his memory for an earthlike comparison. "Congratulations, both of you; I just wish you and the others had more chance to explore your Powers before we have to do this." He sounded a little worried. What was he doing? Leading them all here? They had come because he had summoned them after all. What if something happened to them?

He had no time to think before he was approached by a group of other strange races. J'shaar of the Drakin, some of the Ayaho Rangers amongst others.

Kat stood beside Rocky and Justin, watching in amazement. "This brings it home a bit," she said in an aside. "I mean, Billy, Trini and Skye actually MET all these people." She brushed her blonde hair back in a nervous reaction. "I know I knew it before but I didn't actually know it."

"I know what you mean, Kat." Rocky said nervously. "I am seeing bugs over there taller than Tommy, aren't I?" he asked plaintively. Not sure if he wanted the answer to be yes.

"If it's a dream you've got the rest of us in here, too." Aisha prodded him. "And frankly I'd rather not be in one of your dreams, I'll leave that to Kat."

Tommy and Jason chortled behind the Yellow Bear Ninjetti and then tried to look innocent as Rocky gave them a pained look.

Justin bounced back to them excitedly. "Anyone see those guys? They are the Shri, and live close to the centre of the galaxy ... can you imagine that? Wow. They've got this sort of prosthetic pincer which can ..."

"Justin!" Tanya shushed the youngster.

"What? If you think that's incredible, the Ronani and the Chi'iten are something else ..."

"Dulcea is waiting to speak," Tommy pointed out to the youngest Ninjetti there.

"Oops." The Blue Dolphin Ninjetti fell quiet.

Silence swept over the ruins of the Temple as the assembled group of species from the far-flung reaches of the galaxy waited to hear the words of the First Warrior of the Ninjetti.

"And so the time has come." Dulcea spoke out into that expectant hush. "You have come once more, selected for your potential to quest for the Master Powers that are spoken of as legend even amongst the Ninjetti to whom they belong. As such we know little of them and some of us may not be suitable, but it is our hope that there will be enough that prove worthy to have those Powers bestowed on them and use them in the protection of all. This may come as a surprise to you, but I know little more than you about this. We stand here as equals now, on a Quest together."

That created a bit of a stir amongst the assembled Ninjettis. Dulcea smiled, conscious of Jason's constant gaze upon her. "From this point, everything is new and all we can do is follow the Quest and hope that the secret of the Temple that is passed to the First Warrior is not a myth."

"What secret, Dulcea?" Adam asked in the pause that followed as everyone watched the Owl Ninjetti stride over to Skye who looked up expectantly.

Dulcea smiled. "All in good time, my young Frog."

She held out her hands and Skye presented her again with the Marai Sphere into one hand and she very gently removed the Star Crystal from around his neck with her other. The artist looked somehow bare without the strange item and reached to that now empty place on his chest before giving a sigh. Trini watched him anxiously, as he looked surprisingly vulnerable and sorrowful when Dulcea walked away with the glittering crystal. That wasn't right; he shouldn't be parted from the Star Crystal, it was his only protection and it was powerful protection. But, Dulcea had taken it and gone to the raised secret area of the Temple, gesturing for them to follow, which they did, falling unconsciously into the stylised movement of ritual as if the Temple was speaking to their very bones. Dulcea was singing, a haunting refrain in a low sweet alto voice, repeating over and over ... and one by one, they joined her. It was a simple repetition of melodic syllables, but profoundly moving nonetheless as she carefully slotted the Orb reverentially on top of a dais and then took the Star Crystal and positioned it very carefully in line.

There was a flare of light that momentarily blinded them all and reminded Billy of the Triple Eclipse at Triforia. However, instead of the Pyramid that split apart to reveal answers, the Temple itself blazed with colour and a shimmering map, sculpted from light, sprang into existence around them.

Rocky reached out and touched the shapes of light around him in a kind of awe. "Wow."

"This was what you protected, Rocky of Earth," Dulcea said, smiling with delight, equally as excited as they were. "If this had fallen into the hands of the Nid-hi, then the Ninjetti and all the galaxy would be lost. For they would have known where the Master Powers were hidden and even if they could not take them as their own ... they could destroy them. "

She was smiling again and looked around at them all. "Until the Star Crystal came to Phaedos, this secret could never be tested, and now it proves to be true, as I believe will the Master Powers. Memorise the Map ... for we have a perilous journey to make, and on it we will be tested for our suitability to hold those powers."

The assembled Ninjetti Spirit Warriors did so and with eager discussion, they grouped together and set off into the dreamlike unknown on their Quest, leaving the map of Light blazing in a beacon of hope behind them.

~*~

It all seemed somehow unreal to Billy. That they were suddenly here, and everything was happening all at once. After literally years, it was coming down to moments in time and the feeling was disconcerting, to say the least. The large group was making good time through the dense foliage and with the image of their destination emblazoned in his mind he was sure that they could do this. He mentally looked around; Skye was straggling somewhat and looking a little vulnerable without the Star Crystal. Why hadn't they picked it up and...

A strange lassitude washed over him suddenly and he shook his head. What was he thinking about?

"I don't like this," Adam said uneasily, watching the undergrowth suspiciously. "This has been too easy, too much like a stroll in Angel Grove Park."

"And we all know what happened anytime anyone strolled in Angel Grove Park," Zack commented flippantly. "Screams, mayhem, ugly little monsters ... and that was just the kids!"

Kim and Aisha giggled slightly at his irreverent remark.

"This is creeping me out," Kim admitted after a while, glancing around nervously. "I remember the first quest. Somehow I don't imagine this to be easier than that ... and I thought THAT was tough."

"You get a fireswamp, too?" Tanya asked curiously.

"No ... bone dinosaurs, weird statues, that sort of thing," Aisha recalled.

"Do you remember when Rocky nearly lost his ... er ..."

"Please," Rocky interrupted. "I still wake up at nights thinking about that. Just as well being a Ninjetti means I can do the splits."

"Hmm. Thank God!" Kat said with more fervour than she intended, which started the others laughing.

And out of nowhere, the ground began to shake.

"Earthquake!" someone yelled. Cestro placed a hand on the ground, feeling the vibrations. "No, that is a ... sensation of something ... alive. And of considerable size," he announced.

Billy turned immediately to Skye. "Skye, can you sense - oh." Of course not; he didn't have the Star Crystal! Dammit, talk about stupid! Why hadn't they picked that up?

"Run!" Tommy yelled. "Get to cover!" He pointed to a small hill. "Up there! We need to see what we are up against."

That prompted a hasty retreat as the large group sprinted for higher ground. Tommy reached the top first, along with J'shaar of the Drakin and both Rangers turned and gasped. The shaking was caused by a stampede of dinosaurs fleeing from ... something. The creature that was pursuing them was hideously like a massive feline, lithe despite its mass and shape and moving at speed, only its muscles rippled under scales instead of fur and its tail was barbed. And it was equally the size of one of the dinosaurs whose bones littered the Neola forest.

A connection that Billy made suddenly. There had to be a dinosaur predator, something had to have killed those things in the first place. He looked down, seeing Skye struggling up the slope and mentally tallied the presence of all the Ninjetti.

Jason was counting them in, too. "Everyone here? Defensive ring now!" he ordered. "Dulcea, what are those things?" he asked urgently, automatically sizing up the danger.

"Aglaeca! They are meant to be extinct!" Dulcea replied, astonished, gripping her Singing Staff in readiness. "If it has our trail, then we have a big problem ... and they rarely hunt alone!"

Sure enough, flanking the stampeding herd another aglaeca shot out to head off the stampede, only it struck too soon and the herd bolted for a small canyon and scattered, leaving the aglaeca hungry and preyless. There was a harsh roar of disappointment and yet another, larger, if that was possible, aglaeca stalked out of concealment, its tail whipping from side to side with agitation.

"Oh man," Jason murmured, looking at the third monstrous form. They were not happy monster predators, angry and irritated and unfortunately hungry.

"I agree, this is a problem," Delphine said appraisingly. "It is the nature of a predator to seek easy prey after a hunt goes awry. Compared to those others we would fall into that category."

"No kidding," Rocky agreed, looking a little anxious. The aglaeca were the size of mammoths, or something!

"As long as we stick together, we won't be as easy as they think," Tanya added determinedly.

"Let's not lose sight of our goal," Tommy reminded firmly, looking in the direction of where the map of light had shown the Master Powers to be located.

"We have no time for discussion, we have to move!" Kat interrupted urgently. "Look!"

The aglaeca were heading their way. Unbelievably fast.

"Might I suggest we try and find some natural obstacles to place between them and us?" Cestro pointed out. "From memory I recall there, at the northern edge of the fire swamps, a chasm and a river..."

"If we swing north then," Tommy agreed, more hopeful now he had a direction. He turned to shout and then realised that would attract attention.

"Here, I'll do it." Rocky gripped his Spirit Crystal and with effort pushed the thought into the Spirit Crystals of the others. Heading North, to fire swamps...move out!

"Thanks," Jason nodded, appreciating the effort.

"Save your breath," Rocky replied, turning swiftly. "And let's go, I'd rather not be eaten by something that sounds like a cat coughing up a furball." And the Red Ape Ninjetti grinned as they altered directions and ran again.

The Ninjetti Spirit Warriors ran, but the aglaeca were fast and Tanya noted with concern that people were lagging a little. "We're drifting," she advised Jason and Tommy. "We're losing Skye at the back, and the Shri aren't built for this sort of chase."

They grimaced. Rocky was concentrating. "The Ronani Ninjetti just told me they have lost sight of one of the aglaeca. Could be trying to flank us."

"This is not a good thing," Cestro pointed out, rather stating the obvious.

"There is a scent from ahead too," J'shaar mentioned quietly.

"We'll just have to be wary as we go," Tommy replied, concerned. "Rocky, could you ...?"

"Already done," the Red Ape Ninjetti answered, having informed everyone.

And yet, when the attack came they were still unprepared for its ferocity. The largest aglaeca pounced in a pincer movement, scattering the group of Ninjetti as if a rainbow had shredded beneath its fearsome claws.

Zack agilely rolled away, bounced upwards and in a fluid movement leapt over the tree-trunk tail with its poisonous barbs to push one of the Shri out of danger. The aglaeca roared, its tail whipsnapped back at impossible speed, pinned Zack beneath its poison barbs and he cried out in pain.

Aisha took one look at what had happened and her response was instinctive and immediate. She attacked. With an unstoppable momentum, she leapt at the creature, hacking with such fierce determination that it seemed she would not stop until she had made it all of the way through and freed Zack.

Tanya, automatically keeping tabs on everyone, yelled to Tommy in alarm. "Zack's down!"

Billy was poised, ready to jump in and paused, his mind whirring, thinking of keeping them safe and of their ultimate goal - the Master Powers. "Based on their previous behaviour, they are surrounding us and will close in ... we need to separate them," he explained swiftly. "We need to divide their attack - fireswamp, bridge, and river," he said to the leaders of the group, gesturing in the different directions.

"Three groups. Jase, go!" Tommy ordered and Jason nodded, already moving. The Falcon Ninjetti whirled, seeking another he knew as a leader. "Delphine!"

"The strategy is sound." The Vasherell Ninjetti turned to implement the plan with alacrity.

Jason sprinted, yelling to various Ninjetti around him to fall in and deliberately cut across the path of the second reptilian predator, causing it to snap at the tempting morsel as he and a third of the group split and ran for the fireswamps.

Simultaneously, Delphine let out a shockingly loud battlecry and led her impromptu team across the path of the third aglaeca, heading towards the water with the implacable thunder of the distracted dinosaur-killer pounding along behind them.

The threat of their attack gone, Tommy and the remaining Ninjetti launched a rescue attempt to get Zack out from under the barbs of the remaining monstrous creature left behind in the clearing.

~*~

Jason ran, trying to formulate a plan while he did so. Aimless running was not going to help much. The creature was too close, they needed a breathing space. Dulcea was moving silently through the mixed terrain off to one side. J'shaar was bounding with incredible speed up ahead, and Kat and Rocky were helping the Shri, who were designed for desert conditions, not this sort of pursuit through rough terrain

Make use of the resources available, his Lion Spirit advised. Jason bit back an urge to retort 'No, really? Tell me something I don't know,' but concentrated instead.

"J'shaar, Adam, we need something to slow it down ... Dulcea? We might need a diversion at some point in the not-too-distant future," he suggested.

The Drakin Ninjetti and Adam darted off ahead and Dulcea slipped off into the undergrowth, becoming invisible almost immediately.

Adam and J'shaar moved swiftly, hunting desperately for a way out of this and found a deep gulley further up ahead. J'shaar leapt over it and scouted across the other side while Adam paused.

"Pitfall ... yes!" He began dragging scrub and foliage over the trench to give the illusion of solid ground and called back to Rocky through his Spirit Crystal.Rocky - I am disguising a natural trench ... up here! He imaged where he was to the Red Ape Ninjetti. Tell Jason.

Got it. Rocky responded as simultaneously another thought impinged on his consciousness.

Rocky of Earth! J'shaar's mental presence appeared in the Red Ape's mind. I have discovered the edge of the swamp. There is a massive buildup of the firegas under the surface - I can smell it. We cannot go across. We will have to fight here.

Got it, thanks. Rocky grimaced and ran to reveal this to Jason immediately. "Good news - Adam is disguising a trench as a pitfall. Bad news - there's so much fire gas buildup ahead that we can't cross the swamp."

"Damn." Jason looked thoughtful. His mind turned over how to use that to their advantage. "We need the time to set up to fight up there ... we need bait to lead it directly to the trap."

Kat immediately volunteered. "I'll do it. You get the Shri and prepare to fight.."

"Kat, I can't let ..." Rocky protested immediately.

"I'm faster than all of you," Kat pointed out, taking a stance. "Anyway, there's no time to argue. Go!"

Rocky looked anguished, but Jason ordered them to flee, picking up Adam as they circumvented the trap and began to find defensive positions on the swamp's edge. He had a glimmer of an idea about a way to fight this creature, but he had to wait ... he could already hear the thundering sprint of the predator and its frustrated scream.

Kat waited until the snarling visage swung out of the undergrowth; then she sprinted, her heart thumping, her instincts screaming with the most primal need to evade the predator behind her. Damn, but it was fast, and obstacles she leapt over it just ploughed through. All to the good ...

A snap of great teeth behind her, the stink of carrion breath hot against her back and she pushed herself faster ... faster, running as the cheetah runs, with its whole being, not just its legs. She burst out of the tree cover, seeing the glimmering colours of the others. Rocky, from up ahead, saw and projected into her mind, Kat felt the moment of instinctive warning and sprang into the air. The impetus of her escape stayed with her, she executed a dazzling diving twist mid-air as the aglaeca snapped its jaws forward to catch its prey and she evaded the jaws by contorting her body away. The aglaeca braked and slid on the slick swamp mud, half falling into the ooze-filled gulley, floundering unsteadily.

Kat bounced and gasped, winded from the impact; then Rocky was there, picking her up and running as the aglaeca flailed hopelessly and then eventually dragged itself out of the gulley trap, infuriated.

It stalked forward, ready to rend anything limb from limb and saw only ...

... a solitary prey dressed in Red, standing on what seemed to be an island, defenceless and seemingly open to its hunger.

Growling, it stalked forward suspiciously and the Lion Ninjetti roared back a challenge. It stopped snapping, wary of the unstable ground, but the morsel was so tempting! It stepped closer, closer and swiped at the prey-thing. It made another sound and more prey-things attacked from behind, causing it to whirl and whip its tail, trying to pounce forward.

"Now!" Jason yelled urgently.

"We lost the Shri!" Rocky bellowed back, ducking under the tail.

"Do it now, or we will all be lost!" Jason ordered. Minimise the losses ...

Adam, Rocky, J'shaar, Kat and Dulcea threw some crude sticks into the ground in a circle around the beast as hard as possible. There was a hiss and a stench of phosphine gas as they crudely needled the gas pocket J'shaar had sensed.

"Move!" Jason shouted as one of the jets flared ... and then another, and a ring of fire billowed upwards.

Light blue touchpaper and...retire. Jason was within the circle of flame, harassing the creature with a branch until the others were clear ... and the heat of the fire burned his skin, making it taut and shining with sweat. The aglaeca panicked, sweeping around, looking for a way out. The flames were too high and the prey-thing poked at it with something sharp. It bellowed and snapped downward at him, plunging its fangs down to crush the tormenting prey-thing. Jason threw himself sideways through the flames as the monstrous teeth pierced the top of the firegas bubble and it exploded upon contact with the air.

At first he thought it was the roar of the flame and the force of the reaction that was carrying him through the air, but eventually his dazed mind registered the fact that he had been snatched out of the fire by a familiar presence. A soft cool hand caressed his burnt cheek gently as he sat down, the screams of their adversary finally dying away in the furnace heat.

"Dulcea," Jason said, unaccountably relieved. He had not known where she was in the battle and was afraid he had lost her too -- as well as the Shri. Out of nowhere she had come and saved him ... but the others -- they had to go help them.

Just as soon as he could move.

~*~

Delphine and Cestro were not built to run across land either, but upon Tanya's suggestion, their group took it in turns to run across the path of the beast and distract it when one of them tired.

"Can these things swim?!" Kim asked, running flat out and starting to feel a little winded.

"They look like they're not adapted that way," Justin replied, some of his usual exuberance dampened by their mortal peril. "Too much muscle mass." He ducked, seeing a protruding branch ahead.

The aglaeca roared as Trini, who was acting as decoy, vanished from its view and then seemingly appeared almost instantly somewhere else, attracting its attention anew.

"Wish I knew how she did that," Kim gasped out, wincing as they headed into dense shrub that would slow them, but not the bulk of the aglaeca. Two of the Chi'iten skittered forward and in perfect unison began slicing through the obstructing mass with their forearm blades of sharp chitin.

"Good thinking," Delphine praised, glancing back at their pursuer. "Where is the river, I cannot see it?" She peered intently as Tanya shook her head.

"Can't see a thing ... or any sign of the others!" she called.

"I need to see!" Delphine demanded and Cestro divined her intention; without missing a step he turned as the Vasherell Ninjetti ran up, leapt up on his cupped hands and was flung into the air in a boosted somersault.

As she tumbled skywards, using the vantage point of the clear air, Delphine glimpsed the flash of water to their left and felt the brush of a breeze as the reptilian predator tried to knock her from midair with the whistling whipsnap sweep of its barbed tail.

"Left! Go ... go!" Delphine ordered as the aglaeca regained its balance and roared in frustration, seeing the prey-things scatter again.

They burst out of the undergrowth and onto a steep bank above a wild and swift river. Delphine paused. Too little time to try and cross it, the aglaeca was here!

The monstrous creature was upon the group and snapping with its great teeth at the prey- things. Justin yelped as a sharp taloned claw half the size as he was knocked him over in a tumbling heap.

"JUSTIN!" Kim somersaulted, grabbing a large flat stone and using it as a shield as that claw came down again to pierce and rend. It was an impossible sight, the petite Ranger slowly being pushed down by the immense power of the enormous dinosaur predator, but still she struggled and held.

Tanya yelled out, trying to attract attention. "Everyone ... together, attack it together, distract it!"

The group of them complied and the aglaeca, irritated by the distraction, roared and turned to swipe at the annoying prey-things.

Kim gasped and staggered to one side, when she was buffeted by the massive bulk against Tanya. Trini yanked Delphine clear, appearing from nowhere as the aglaeca tried to pounce. The earth shook, then the bank crumbled and slipped. There was a scream and some buzzing of alarm as Justin and some of the Chi'iten tumbled into the raging torrent.

"No!!" Trini cried out in horror. "Justin! "

The aglaeca drowned her cries with its own deafening scream of disappointment. Cestro however, had seen in their loss of their companions a potential for the removal of their enemy. He grabbed a large branch and with a careful gaze thumped the ground and placed his hand on the soil as the vibration flowed and the aglaeca wheeled to the new stimulus. He side-stepped slightly and roared a challenge to the creature, much to the astonishment of the others.

"Cestro! No!" Delphine called out, a far cry from the unemotional Aquitian they knew.

The aglaeca pounced and the softened edge of the bank cracked and slipped as it yowled, unsettled.

"Now!" Tanya yelled out again. "Everyone - push!"

Ridiculous though it seemed that such a small group could topple the monster, with it unbalanced and all of them straining, eventually the entirety of the ground dropped away, the aglaeca filling the air with its panicked roars and scream as it tumbled, its great claws gouging the soft earth but finding no purchase as it dropped into the water. Justin's assessment proved correct; it was not built to swim. It practically sank to the riverbed, thrashing uncontrollably in its drowning agony.

Shaking and weak with fatigue, the remaining Ninjetti looked at each other, too shocked to mourn their losses and in a trembling silence began to head back to find out how their companions and the ones they loved had fared.

~*~

Billy jumped again and then scrambled underneath the aglaeca as Tommy's familiar battle cries rang out in the clearing. Their adversary was too large and too powerful to beat by main force, but they had to get Zack clear. The barb had snapped off in his leg and Skye had yanked it out, then applied a tourniquet but had been somewhat hampered in his efforts by the ferocious attack.

"Billy ... what the hell are you doing?" Tommy shouted.

"Buying us time," Billy yelled back, barely avoiding the flashing claws. When you can't fight fair, you fight dirty!

He took his sharp splintered stick, the best he had been able to grab, rolled towards the ample evidence that this aglaeca was male and, wincing inwardly, jabbed the crude spear into that very sensitive area.

The aglaeca screamed and reared up rolling automatically, trying to rid himself of the agonising splinter. And swiping at Billy as he scrambled away. The Wolf Ninjetti felt the rip of cloth and a brief stinging pain as he escaped not quite unscathed.

"Let's get out of here!!" he ordered and Tommy grabbed Zack, who was conscious if dazed, and ran. They had lost the Ronani in the battle and they were down to just five of them. The Ninjetti sprinted in the direction of the bridge, on the other side of which was the structure that housed the Master Powers according to the map of Light. The thump on the ground bore testament to the fact that the aglaeca was in pursuit and more enraged than ever.

"Go, go! " Tommy yelled, sending Aisha and a semi-conscious Zack across. Billy was next to arrive. Tommy realised why he was lagging when he turned to called for Skye, and his back was soaked with blood.

"Shit ... Billy, get over there, we need to get the Master Powers to beat this thing!" Tommy ordered, totally sure that they needed the team genius to get access to the Master Powers.

"Skye isn't here," Billy replied with a gasp. His back was numb and he fought a growing cold lethargy seeping into his body.

"None of us will be if we don't get those Powers!" Tommy snapped. He glanced over, catching sight of other figures approaching from left and right.

"Jason! Delphine -- move! It's still coming ... MOVE!" he bellowed to the limping, exhausted groups, who obediently broke into shambling runs. The White Ninjetti noted their depleted numbers with concern, but relaxed imperceptibly as he saw Kim stumble across.

"Across the bridge! Everyone!" Tommy shouted again as the aglaeca thundered out of the jungle, only just preceded by Skye.

"Skye!" Trini gasped as Billy checked her and ran to the entrance to the Master Powers Monolith. A complex three-dimensional puzzle lock faced him and he began moving his hands rapidly; the lock slipped intricately like a mandala of stone and metal as he strove to make it fit into place.

The aglaeca was still coming ... and if it made it across the bridge, it would destroy them.

"Bil-leeeeee ..." Tommy called as the beast approached.

"Couple of minutes," Billy answered, feeling dizzy. He couldn't move any faster without making mistakes, and he couldn't afford that when dealing with a tri-logic spatial problem.

"We don't have that long; the Master Powers won't be any good without Ninjetti to hold them!" Tommy pointed out.

"Tell me something I don't know!" Billy replied tersely, his mind accelerating and trying to force his fingers to follow at the same speed.

Not going to be quick enough, Tommy thought. They were neatly trapped and cornered. The chasm he had thought would protect them now trapped them. He would have to do something ... but what, he didn't know.

He turned around. "Any bright ideas?" he asked the others a little desperately.

There was no response ... the aglaeca began a run towards them, death in its approach.

Billy frantically tried to open the lock, but he could only move so fast ... there was a yell of protest and a scream, and he glanced over his shoulder to see.

Skye walked out towards the charging beast and it snapped its ferocious jaws around his body in a shockingly swift movement. There was a strangled scream from the artist as he was lifted in the jaws of the predator.

"Skye!" Trini wailed and there was a shriek of pain from Kim as the resonance echo from Skye hit her.

"Why? There was no point!" Tommy groaned and then ... they saw Skye's arm move slowly and thrust at the tongue.

The final aglaeca flinched only a little and readjusted the prey in its mouth. Skye's body went totally limp as the teeth pierced him and his grey robes crimsoned with blood.

"No..." Billy felt the coldness of shock hit him with physical force, robbing him of breath.

The creature advanced and staggered slightly. Billy noted absently that the massive pupils were oddly dilated.

"He poisoned it! He used its own barb ... it's woozy!"

Tommy looked around, hope springing forth once more. "Right," he stated and watching carefully, he turned, ran, sprinted and soared through the air, angling to strike the aglaeca in its glazed eye. The devastating blow caused it to flinch back and stagger; in its mildly dazed state it slipped and with a despairing shriek toppled over the edge of the bridge into the swirling mists of the chasm - taking its prey with it.

And with tears rolling down his cheeks Billy completed the lock puzzle and the Master monolith cracked open and a bright, bright light consumed them all.

~*~

Skye stirred and shot up with a gasp. Tumbling into darkness, the feeling of teeth in his flesh, pushing deeper, the warmth of blood gushing over him with the pain and then ...

He was awake, still in the Temple of the Ninjetti, and all around him lay the still-tranced forms of the assembled Ninjetti, touched by the strange glimmer emanating from the Star Crystal. Some of them ... Justin, the Ronani, some of the Chi'iten and the Shri were touched by a different colour. He groaned and turned sharply, sensing a presence.

"So ... you waken into reality once more." A man's voice, unfamiliar to him, spoke from near the Star Crystal, still glittering potently where Dulcea had placed it.

"Who ... who are you?" Skye pushed himself up.

"The Guardian." The blue-armoured figure said. "In the Ninjetti tongue, the Nin-jor." He smiled. "I've held the Duty long enough for that to be my only name now."

"Ninjor..." Skye looked down at himself and then at the tranced unmoving figures still held by the influence of the Star Crystal. "We are still at the Temple? It wasn't real?"

"Why would Dulcea guard Temple ruins? She did not know, but the Master Powers have always been here." Ninjor laughed. "And the Quest is VERY real ... in the most important respect."

"But I died ... and we lost people," Skye pointed out. "I failed the test ... big time, I would have thought."

Ninjor waggled a guantleted finger at the Star Ninjetti. "No, no ... the Quest is so those eligible can show their inner Choice."

Skye frowned, not sure what was going on. "I ... don't understand."

"You all have Animal Spirits ... and Animal Spirits can lay claim to the Great Power, but their aspect is determined by the instinct of their Chosen," Ninjor explained. "The Master Powers have to draw from a primal instinct of the self, a natural reaction in times of danger. Understand?"

"Yes; I think I do ... what about them?" Skye pointed to the differently shrouded Ninjetti.

"There were not suitable. To hold a Master Power, you need the strength of True Love to give the strength to resist corruption and temptation, and the motivation to channel yourself selflessly." Ninjor smiled again. "Heroes fight not so much for ideals, but because they love - that was the great secret of the Ninjetti, why they could not be beaten. Because they were taught to fight for their loves, their friends, their family ... for that face that comes to you and sets fire to your heart. That makes a true Spirit Warrior. The Dolphin Ninjetti is too young for that to have touched his life ... and the others have not found it, either. I will send them back."

Skye sighed.

"But you have," Ninjor said in a soft voice.

The breeze flicked around the Temple and Skye met the eyes of the strange Guardian.

"I spoke of the Choice ... and in their Quest they have revealed theirs and they will be awarded appropriately, though there is one more test to go ... and so did you."

Skye looked at Ninjor, afraid to say anything, but feeling deep inside what it meant.

"I must ask you because of what this means if you are willing to do this? If you will stand by that instinct of yourself, that giving of yourself, making of yourself a weapon?" Ninjor asked eagerly.

Skye looked at the faces of his tranced friends. "Yes ... you say it was a choice - but, if you love ... it is not."

Ninjor nodded. "But it has to be done of your own free will ..."

"I was given back my life for this purpose ..." Skye said finally and sighed wistfully before nodding. "Yes ... I choose this."

"Yes!" Ninjor said triumphantly, taking up the Star Crystal. "Come now, we must do this ... they will rest until I wake them ... later ... much later."

Skye nodded and followed Ninjor, deep into the depths of the Temple.

~*~

Rocky groaned, pushing himself up. "Kat?" his words were instinctive and immediate. "Kat, are you alright?' he called. He sat up, looking around where he was, feeling stone beneath his hands. There were the faint sound of other bodies stirring around him and a sense of a glowing light. He glanced around to see a glowing figure approach them, watching them tolerantly. Startled, he drew back. "Er, hi," he said eventually.

"Welcome, Red Ape Ninjetti," the glowing apparition said. "You and your companions have succeeded in your Quest. I wait to bestow the Master Powers of the Ninjetti upon you all ... just as soon as everyone wakes up." He gestured with his hand and light began to emanate from the walls as the others stirred.

Trini pulled Billy up, looking at his bloodstained back in concern. "Will? You with me here?" she whispered in his ear.

Billy nodded, dismissing the injury. Truth be told, his back felt numb. "I wasn't quick enough ..." were his first words. "I couldn't save him ..."

Trini embraced him carefully. "Not your fault ..." but they had little time to grieve their losses.

"Spirit Warriors of the Ninjetti - I, Nin-jor the Guardian, welcome you. You have triumphed where none have before. Stand and receive that for which you have endured such hardship."

The group that stood before the Guardian was scarcely triumphant. Hurt in body and spirit by their ordeal, they looked at Ninjor as if trying to convince themselves it was worth it.

He smiled at them. "Worry not, for all will be well," Ninjor reassured them in a warm voice, and something made Billy alert to a subtle difference.

Something was different here. This felt more real than the Quest somehow. Like his back. He had the oddest sensation there, like in a dream where your mind knows that you are hurt and in terrible pain, but you are not actually feeling it. He frowned and started to mentally review what had happened on their Quest from an objective viewpoint, his doubts growing.

"How can you say everything is going to be all right when we lost so many of us?" Kim challenged fiercely. "The Powers aren't worth lives!"

"Yes, they are." Ninjor replied unperturbed. "Perhaps you do not realise what you will hold when you hold the Master Powers."

There were some disbelieving mutters from around him.

Ninjor held up his hand for silence. "But it is good that you feel this way. For it is those that believe there are more important things than Power that can be trusted with the Master Powers. There is a saying of the Ninjetti: 'The sword of Power has no hilt, yet few would go defenceless'."

"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely," Adam murmured, quoting an Earth equivalent.

Ninjor looked surprised and pleased as if he had somehow underestimated those standing before him. "Indeed! Exactly, Black Frog. I bow to the wisdom of the Spirit of the Frog." And much to Adam's embarrassment the blue-armoured figure bowed to him with respect. Tanya smiled a little as Adam flushed crimson at being the focus of attention.

Ninjor gestured and a column of light descended into the centre of the room, a stream of strange, fiery, glittering glyphs and images swirling within its heart, dancing in intricate helices of motion.

"The Master Powers. Devised by the first Ninjetti Master, Bar'ak, who survived the First War of the Darkness Visible; and though the Ninjetti faded, he set in place the provisions against its return," Ninjor said reverentially. "Since that time, galactic civilisations have risen and collapsed, new worlds were born and worlds died - and still the Powers have waited for those worthy to come." He looked around at them all solemnly.

"But Justin is DEAD! And the Shri, the Ronani and the others! And Skye." Kim nearly choked on the last.

"No -- they aren't," Billy said into the silence, suddenly sure.

Was that you? he asked his Wolf Spirit, wondering where that intuitive insight had come from.

Actually, no ... you managed that conclusion on your own. The Wolf Spirit sounded proud.

Again Ninjor sounded surprised. "You have sharp eyes in your mind, young Wolf," he stated, not quite admitting this as the truth.

"It is true though, isn't it?" Billy pressed.

Ninjor nodded slowly and there was an audible sigh of relief around the chamber. "They were found not to be suitable to control a Master Power. As such they were removed from the Quest. The Quest was designed to test your instinctive reactions in times of extreme peril, for therein the Powers find their root. Now ... it is time to receive the Master Powers. Know this, all of you: with the Master Powers you will have abilities that you can use any time, but concentrated in the glyph shape that will blend with the Spirit Warrior armour is the ability to concentrate the Master Power into a single powerful weapon to your desire - connected with the ability that you will be gifted. More will become clear as their nature is revealed." He paused, gestured and a glyph streamed out from the column of light and swept over the group before hovering over Rocky.

"Rocky, Chosen of the Red Ape - in the midst of danger, you instinctively strove to maintain communication and information between your fellow Ninjetti. As such the Glyph Ansur is your power, the ability of Communication." As Ninjor finished, the glyph shape dove at Rocky and a silent thunderclap of Power enveloped the Red Spirit Warrior, revealing him once more with a glittering ruby glyph on his chest.

Wow...that was something else... Rocky was thinking, and everyone around him looked as they heard the words in their own minds. He smiled and became quiet as Ninjor gestured again; this time his long-time friend Adam was singled out.

"Adam, Chosen of the Black Frog - when danger threatened, your instinct was to see safety through an illusion, one of the powerful aspects of the Frog Spirit." Behind them an image of Adam disguising the gully shimmered in the column of light. "As such the Glyph Shas is your power, the Master Power of Illusion." Once again the Ninjetti was wrapped in a cloak of light and Power as a gleaming jet-black symbol appeared on his armour.

Ninjor nodded and moved swiftly on to the fair-haired Australian.

"Katherine, Chosen of the Pink Cheetah - you sought to assist your fellow Ninjetti using the gift of the Cheetah, Spirit of Speed." The image of Katherine running for her life pursued by the aglaeca brought gasps from them all. "As such the Glyph Maraz is yours, the Power of Hopespeed." A shower of scintillating light burst over her, and a gleaming rose quartz symbol appeared on her armour.

"J'shaar, Chosen of the Red Ferass - when danger threatened, you saved your companions from more danger by finding that which was not visible, as the Ferass senses the desert sands for peril. Your power is that of the Glyph Kayve, the Power of the Seeker." It was the turn of the large Drakin to be illuminated with fiery light and his glyph glittered with a deep garnet fire. He touched it reverentially with a claw as Ninjor moved proceedings onwards.

"Dulcea, Chosen of the Green Owl - in danger you sought the silence of the Owl and its stealth to give you advantage and save others. The Glyph Mrath, Power of Silence, is yours."

The First Warrior of the Ninjetti looked exultant as the immense Power filled her, leaving her with a burning emerald glyph on her green and white armour. She bowed to Ninjor respectfully. Ninjor acknowledged her gesture and turned to face the proud figure of Jason. An image of him surrounded by the fire and fighting the aglaeca appeared in the column of light.

"Jason, Chosen of the Red Lion - you sought an answer to your peril from fire, a lion's fire of courage and the element. The Glyph Kano is yours, and you have the Master Power of Fire."

Jason braced himself as he was swirled in a tornado of fire but left untouched, on his chest the bright flash of a fire opal burning the Glyph's shape for all to see. He nodded to Ninjor as the Guardian of the Master Powers moved to bestow the next of the Glyphs. At his gesture a glyph soared from the column of light to hover over the White Ninjetti of Aquitar.

"Delphine, Chosen of the White Vasherel - when the way to safety was unclear, you sought the clarity of the Air. The Glyph Oless is your power, the Master Power of the Air." As the pale gleam of translucent mist swept around her, Delphine was revealed with the gleam of a pale white moonstone symbol on her graceful form. She gave a rare smile as she felt the depths of the Power within her and bowed, as had the others. Ninjor smiled and the next Glyph he summoned hovered over Trini, illuminating her serene features with golden light.

"Trini, Chosen of the Golden Tiger, to preserve the safety of your companions you used the ability of the Tiger Spirit to shift, seemingly without physically making a movement. The Glyph Radhaz is yours, the Power of Warp." That golden Glyph seemed to light her from within and when the light cleared, her symbol was a golden amber. Ninjor turned then to the other Aquitian.

"Cestro, Chosen of the Blue Celepha, with the wisdom of the Celepha and its instinct for its environment you used the earth itself as your weapon to save your companions. Your Glyph is Erda, the Master Power of Earth."

After the now familiar burst of power revealing a glittering dark sapphire symbol, Zack muttered aside to Aisha, "Now that's ironic. An Aquitian with the power of Earth."

Aisha grinned as the next power was bestowed - this time it was Kim who was treated to the glowing attention of a Master Glyph.

"Kimberly, Chosen of the Pink Crane - you sought to protect and shield as the Crane shields its wards from even the wrath of the Tiger." The astounding image of her using the rock as a shield appear above them and Tommy look awed as he took in her defiant, blazing eyes. "Yours is the Glyph Ehaz, the Master Power of Protection." The light poured into her, forming a shield momentarily, and then a sparkling kunzite pink crystal glyph appeared on her chest and she smiled triumphantly, thanking Ninjor as he moved on to her next friend.

"Tanya, Chosen of the Yellow Oryx. You battled the danger by bringing those with you together to fight, making a strength together that is lacked by the individual." The scene of her encouraging them all to push the aglaeca over the crumbling cliff replayed behind her. "Yours is the Glyph Mannu, the Master Power of Unity." The light was as dazzling as Tanya's exultant smile and she was left with the shimmering yellow of a sunstone as a glyph.

Ninjor turned to the two Chi'iten and addressed them as an individual. "Vy-Ru, Chosen of the Green Vathen, you instinctively used the vathen's ability to pierce through all obstacles. Therefore your Power is of the Glyph Neesha, the Master Power of Progress." The two Chi'iten warbled in harmony as they both absorbed the light and shared a cool green jade symbol between them. Ninjor nodded at their formal bow and moved on to Aisha with a wry smile.

"Aisha, Chosen of the Yellow Bear - you showed in your totally fearless attack of a foe much larger than yourself the instinct of the indestructibility of the berserk. Your Glyph is Thornaz, the Master Power of the Berserk Destroyer." The absorption of the Master Power this time was far from subtle and the floor of the chamber rocked as Aisha emerged with a sparkling citrine symbol.

"Wow," Zack commented after the thunderburst of light sealed Aisha with that Power. "I swear I'll do the washing up now! And anything else you want ... honest!" He mock-cowered away from her, until she slapped his arm lightly.

There were a few irreverent smiles as Ninjor continued, facing the joker of the group.

"Zachary, Chosen of the Black Mongoose, you risked poison to save another as does the Mongoose, and did not succumb." The terrifying images of his courage and bravery and mortal peril flashed up in the column of light once more. "In this your Glyph of Sigewa is identified, the Master Power of Immunity."

"Cool," Zack replied after he had been imbued with the Power, a gleaming onyx Glyph. "Very cool."

Of the group, only Billy and Tommy were left and Ninjor paused, looking into the column of light. Silence fell as everyone followed his gaze and a murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

A single Glyph spun and sparkled there.

Two Ninjetti. One Glyph.

"Oh no ... no, you can't DO this!" Trini protested, shaking her head in denial. "Neither of them deserve to have the Powers taken from them! Not again!"

Billy looked at Tommy and then at the Glyph with a cold growing dread, a hard painful feeling of hurt and rejection building in his heart. He looked into Tommy's dark eyes and saw the mirror of his own feelings in his friend's face, that internal suffering once more.

"Only one of you will control the most powerful weapon of the Ninjetti," Ninjor said implacably, not looking at the two before him.

After all I have done...after everything I have given and suffered - and now this? They take this from me? Billy grieved, and his Wolf Spirit grieved with him. What right did he have to take the Master Powers? They needed the strongest leader to wield the most powerful weapon, and that had to be Tommy, not him ... or did it?

"Tommy ..." he began, the words choking in a tightening throat.

"No, Billy ... it has to be yours. After all you have done, you deserve it." The Falcon Ninjetti showed the pain of loss in his own voice, and the pair of them locked gazes. Billy could not let Tommy be hurt again, he could not. But he WANTED the Powers, like before, but the craving was a thousand times stronger, threatening to consume him from within ... and he could see it doing the same to Tommy. Both of them were fighting that pull, that instinct. Billy could not bear those dark eyes of pain; he glanced around, looking at the Glyph, trying to will himself to have the strength to do the right thing. What he saw spoke to his instinct, destroying his hope of taking the Power. The last Glyph was in the fiery shape of an Arrowhead. And he knew ... he knew then it wasn't for him. He would have nothing and he would have to force Tommy to take the final Power ...

"You ask too much!" Trini called out, tears pouring down her face. She had read Billy's decision in the shift in his posture. "You can't make him give up another Power, it will destroy him!"

Ninjor remained silent and implacable.

"Take it," Billy said softly to his friend. The hardest thing he'd ever said.

Tommy shook his head. "Billy, I couldn't do that to you ..." but the longing in his eyes betrayed that sentiment.

"It's yours, Tommy," Billy refuted, his voice strained. "It's calling to you, isn't it? Deep inside." Like it is to me.

Tommy groaned. He couldn't deny it. It was speaking to his very bones with its presence, as vital and necessary as air to him , but he tried to resist its siren song. "Oh Billy ..."

"If you won't take it," Billy continued, trying not to hear Tommy's protests, as any moment of weakness would ruin his resolve. It wouldn't take much. The tiniest wavering moment, and he would be lost, "I will have to gift it to you. It's yours. You will use it better than I ever would. It's your Power, not mine." He held that gaze that one last time and Tommy sighed, giving in to the call in his blood.

"Oh Billy, I'm so sorry ..." and in a blaze of fire, the Glyph swept out to Tommy, glowing white.

"Thomas, Chosen of the White Falcon, you used the devastating single strike of the Falcon to destroy an enemy far more powerful than yourself. " Ninjor paused, glancing at the silently anguished form of Billy cast in shadows by the light glowing around Tommy. "Your Glyph is Tyraz, the Master Power of the Lightning Strike." The Falcon Ninjetti was wreathed in lightning as the Glyph was merged with his armour.

Billy turned away, unable to muster the strength to congratulate Tommy yet, hating himself for his distinctly un-noble thoughts.

He stood alone and apart, a tragic figure trying to hold himself together, having given away something he had always dreamed of.

The rejoicing that should have come at the end of their successful Quest was dampened by that solitary figure standing apart from the newly-anointed Master Ninjetti, and there were none who did not feel the tug of guilty emotion that one who so richly deserved the Powers had been forced to choose to give them to another. Trini reached for Billy's hand ... and only the painfully tight grip betrayed the crippling intensity of his emotions.

"How could they be so cruel," Trini whispered, looking at Ninjor angrily. "Why?! First Skye doesn't even make it and then you -- who has done so much ...!"

Billy couldn't even speak.

Tommy looked at them, helpless with guilt at his success - at the expense of his friend.

"Congratulations," Ninjor addressed them.

"Yeah? Well, save it," Tommy replied bitterly, his voice tight with remorse.

Ninjor looked at the Falcon Ninjetti. "I was not congratulating you," he said with a smile. "I am sorry, Thomas of Earth, but you will not wield the most powerful weapon of the Ninjetti. That honour will go to William of Earth, Chosen of the Blue Wolf."

He gestured again and this time there were no glowing lights, no fire or glory. Nothing save a movement in the dark shadows and the sudden glitter of light on crystal.

"William, Chosen of the Blue Wolf - you showed the self-sacrifice, intelligence and courage of the Wolf. To you is entrusted the Ninjetti's most powerful weapon - refered to in the Prophecies as the Shahin Tara Zed."

He beckoned with his hand and a figure stepped out of the darkness, a very familiar figure with long white hair and steel blue eyes ... and one major difference. The Star Crystal that had hung around his neck was now firmly embedded in the centre of his forehead, and there were shadows of pain in his eyes, though he greeted them with a smile.

It all made sense. Why Skye had never thought he would be a Ranger, or a proper Ninjetti ... because he was always going to be ... a Weapon. Billy's eyes widened. A Weapon he was going to be controlling.

"Your task, Chosen of the Wolf, begins here. Know this -- the reason you were tested so harshly was because of the potential that lies within the Shahin Tara Zed. This one has no form through which the Power can be channelled. That is your first task. Choose his Animal Spirit and define the shape and form of his Power."

Billy hesitated, staring at his altered friend who was looking at him with total trust.

Images of Skye sacrificing himself on the stone bridge leapt to mind, and if that was his instinct, then he would damn well choose an Animal Spirit that could come back! And then ... from a distant memory ... a cave on Aquitar ... a flash of recall, the Glyphs and the shapes! The cave where above pulsed a Bird of Starwhite fire.....surety descended.

"Phoenix ... he is the Phoenix!"

Ninjor laughed. Laughed with relief and happiness. "Oh, young Wolf ... I should have known the Powers knew what they were doing." He stepped away from Skye and from Billy, and a burning white light began deep in the heart of the Star Crystal, as if it had become translucent in a window to the artist's very soul. Unbearably bright, it seemed to swallow everything as a pair of starfire wings, fashioned of ghostflames, embraced the pair of them and Billy touched the edges of a Power that literally knew no limit.

As Billy reeled from the shock, a Glyph of a stylised Phoenix appeared as a brilliant blue diamond on his chest and a connection of trust unlike anything before was forged in unbreakable bonds between him and his friend.

He was gasping when the air cleared, reeling with shock; he looked at Skye and saw a measure of contentment there amongst the transformation of himself.

The Star-Phoenix Ninjetti stood clad in true Ninjetti robes like all the others, the light shining brightly from his forehead.

Ninjor stepped forward. "You must try not to use even the slightest power of the Phoenix unless absolutely necessary," he admonished. "It can be sensed by the Nid-hi and is most keenly looked for by the Darkness Visible. You, William of Earth, are the Will of the Phoenix. This is a great and terrible thing, and the reason why you were tested so harshly. You have immeasurable Power in your hands, and only one who was willing to give up that Power, though it called to him, could be entrusted to use it correctly."

Billy nodded and looked at Skye again, worried at the way he was not being described as a person.

"It is well done. The ancient Ninjetti would be proud," Ninjor concluded, bowing to them all. "The Animal spirits have chosen well - and now it is time to protect all we hold dear."

NOW they felt they could celebrate; an excited cheer went up and all the new holders of the first and only Master Powers embraced and congratulated each other. As they stepped outside, it was dark and the wilderness of Phaedos was lit by the alien light of her moons in unfettered natural beauty.

Rocky remembered how not so long ago he had lain in this circle as Skye had healed his back and how he had leapt around for the sheer joy of being able to move freely and without pain. He frowned and looked at Skye. He wasn't limping! He KNEW there was something different about him, aside from the obvious crystal in the head thing. He grinned ruefully to himself and suddenly knew that there was something that had to happen, right here and now.

Skye... do it, Rocky said, using his Power effortlessly. The Phoenix Ninjetti turned to look at him with a quizzical look.

Just for once do something for yourself ... you have a Spirit Animal now. Use it! He smiled gently. You had a lot taken away, and something's given back. Do it.

A blaze of comprehension flooded across Skye's face, and he smiled. Rocky ... you are a genius! and he ran, yes ran to the edge of the Temple and stood on the wall, looking into the night.

"Skye?" Billy called out. "Something wrong?"

Rocky smiled and walked over, joining him. "For once, something is right ... watch."

There was a flicker of ghostly light and Skye appeared to be enveloped in a translucent misty flame which rose into the darkness.

A flash of light, starbright, and a large, achingly beautiful bird of flame shot up into the night, its cry so full of hope it dried the mouth with an upsurge of emotion. Like a shooting star, it arced over the plateau, dancing in the freedom of the skies in direct contrast to how the partially-crippled Ninjetti had been able to move for years on the ground.

The entire group stood, their eyes fixed on the soaring firebird streaming glory from its wings, and as one felt a determination and unity of purpose settle over them. Kim's dark eyes reflected the speck of fire as she followed its dance that echoed so much her own routine from the Pan-Globals. Her body sang with the utter joy that Skye was experiencing, threaded through with a strange bittersweet sensation as the flight ended.

The light faded and ash-grey in the shadows he reappeared, back on the edge of the Temple, the moonlight silvering his white hair. The glimmer of the Star Crystal in his forehead was not nearly as bright as the wonder in his eyes as he ran back to Billy and Trini and hugged them both in a silent embrace. For once he had been able to experience that which he had always watched others do; it had far exceeded his expectations, and inspired awe and wonder in the others. Billy and Trini did not waste words on trying to describe what they had sensed or what he must have felt, they could feel it emanating from him, touching everyone with that unfathomable hope that maybe, despite the odds against them, they could actually do something against the Darkness Visible.

***

In the approaching space armada of an entire race that protectively cocooned its own god with unparalled might, the first stirrings of interest began at the birth of the Phoenix on that distant world.

Ilana the Silver Nid-hi entered the presence of the One and, barely managing to control her awe even after all this time, knelt in obeisance. "Preserver of Order, Protector of all that is Good ... the sensitives of your devoted worshippers have felt the awakening of a vile force against you."

"I know of this." The voice should have been powerful, reverberating with a dangerous quality, but it was not. It was gentle, rich with depth and compassion and from the heart of the darkness a familiar shape coalesced. Ilana's breath hitched. The One did not always manifest, but when he did he was of such beautiful purity that her heart was totally lost. The Nid-hi shape that appeared was a glorious gold, with liquid warm eyes in which she could swim forever. Her adoration of the One was both personal and spiritual; she would not hesitate to die for him the same as she would for a soulmate.

The Zha'kha-rhee'aa laughed. "It makes the effort worthwhile. Nothing worthwhile is easy."

"Order wrought from Chaos is the purest form of Purpose." quoted Ilana boldly.

"Indeed, my silver one," praised the One. "The greater the chaotic force, the more magnificent is Order's triumph. They have awoken the legendary Shahin Tara Zed. "

"I am sorry, my Master." The Silver Nid-hi bowed her head. "The mission to Phaedos failed to uncover and destroy this weapon and you would be spared this opposition."

The golden-furred hand touched her gently. "This is our strength, my young one ... to see every Path and always plan an answer to any question. Order sees the solutions to any problem. That is why we inevitably win."

Ilana bowed, not doubting that for a moment. She had been taught from birth that Order could not fail and it was part of her understanding of the Universe that this was so.

"Where was the presence sensed again?" The Golden Nid-hi form of the Darkness Visible asked curiously, sitting once again though it obviously knew the answer.

"Phaedos, Protector of Order," Ilana replied humbly. "It would seem that is the stronghold once more."

The Golden dragonface frowned. "It makes no sense. It would not be there ... not knowing I would return."

"These are creatures of Chaos, Lord." The Nidhi suggested a little hesitantly as if this would explain the bizarre behaviour.

"And all the more dangerous for the fact they can use the tools of Order against us. The Council of the Wise hides something from us - and one of them will know where what I seek is hidden." The Zha'Kha-ree'aa smiled. "You did well in your attempt to force the Blue Wolf Spirit to speak. These so-called 'Wise Council' have not even the trust in their Chosen Ones to reveal this Power that they protect." He sounded scornful. "One should follow Order, not blindly but because it is right - which places great responsibility on those higher in the scheme of things to behave correctly. The Guardians of Chaos will not speak, so they must be beguiled." The golden warmth of the liquid eyes blazed fiercely. "And they will ... they will. Have them brought unto the phased Satellite Fortress that was once the traitorous Astronema's. There will we find our answer and from there our Destiny of Light."

Bowing deeply, Ilana left the glorious presence of the Nid-hi deity and hurried to accomplish this fact, spurred on by renewed zeal. She had experienced an inner uncertainty after meeting the Blue Wolf Ninjetti. For a vile Creature of Chaos he seemed ... a gentle, bright soul. But that was blasphemy; and seeing the One again had melted away doubts with the strength of his presence. The Council of the Wise would be brought and questioned by the Zha'kha-rhee'aa himself, and the information would be theirs at last!

~*~

Back at the Power Chamber again, the group of Master Ninjetti sat around the conference table, wrangling backwards and forward about what to do now they had what they required, or at least the firepower to do something about it. This galaxy-affecting meeting took place amid home-cooked offerings from all the parents and resembled a food fight as much as a council of war. Even so the content of their discussion was deadly serious.

"Yes, but what can these abilities actually DO?" Aisha asked again, bringing them back to the crucial point. "I feel like someone has handed me a nuclear warhead without instruction, said 'use it wisely' and left me to it."

"Yeah ... I can feel the power there ... but that's not a lot of good if we don't know what to do with it," Zack pointed out. "Give someone a loaded gun, don't tell them how to use it and they'll shoot themselves in the foot!"

The others nodded as Dulcea spoke up. "It is the Council of the Wise that has this information. In fact we have all been entrusted with secrets."

"A lot of good they are worth when the Council of the Wise is captured," Tanya pointed out a little bluntly. "Which points to one conclusion, doesn't it?"

"We have to get them back," Jason said finally.

That produced immediate agreement, but Billy held up a hand. "I agree, but ... there is a lot going on. We have refugees pouring towards Phaedos and being shipped here, we have running skirmishes taking place by the Chi'iten armada as they advance, the Ninjetti are gathering to stand at Phaedos and our other allies who are not Ninjetti are pulling together in a fleet at Triforia." He smiled. "What I'm trying to say is that we need experienced co-ordinators HERE. We can't all rescue them, it would have to be a small mission. If worse comes to the worst, we'll have to win this war making it up as we go along."

"Well, that would be a change," Tommy commented. He looked a little disconcerted. "This is the first time we are without mentors, as it were." That was enough to make them all a little unsettled.

"We need to have some answers," Trini mused aloud.

"Something isn't right. We are missing part of the puzzle," Billy murmured in a barely audible voice. "Information wins wars, and they have targeted our main source of information. We lose any advantage right there. They have a hidden purpose and the Darkness Visible had some reason for taking them. That much is obvious."

"So what do we do ...?" Zack asked once again. They were going round and round in circles. It was so frustrating!

Billy waited for someone else to speak, but it seemed that people were not going to step into the breach. "First off ... we have to locate the Council of the Wise. Phantom ... Kerrin knew where they were, but whether they are still there is another matter."

The Phaedosian looked around. "I doubt it. Even with them thinking that I was neutralised, they would have moved them." He glowered a little. "And the fact remains that SOMEONE betrayed me. It is time to bring this to everyone's attention. They knew how to capture me, they knew my weaknesses. Are we really in a position to rescue a group that I can be sure contains at least one traitor? And if one of the Council of the Wise is a traitor, then are not the chances high they have subverted at least some of the Chosen? Hmmmm?" His green eyes flashed, daring anyone to refute his statement.

"We do not leave anyone behind," Jason stated forcefully, that still being a very sensitive subject for him.

"I beg your pardon, but you are naive." Kerrin looked down on the Red Lion Ninjetti with his millennia of experience, his tone cold. "This is WAR, maybe you do not comprehend this fact. Not even a minor planetary war that could lay waste to just one planet, but one where planets are being laid waste galaxy-wide. Have you looked at the latest reports? One hundred and twelve planets of our Alliance have already fallen whilst you were questing, and now you suggest bringing a traitor into our midst?"

"Kerrin," Dulcea warned, seeing the others' shocked reactions.

"No, Dulcea, they are political infants ... stay and coddle them and burp them if you wish, but this plan is foolhardy and dangerous," Kerrin replied harshly and critically. "You have lost perspective."

"I think that is more YOUR problem," Jason defended Dulcea automatically.

"Have you ever fought a galactic war?" Kerrin shot back. "No ... you have defended your home, and for that I respect your honour." The words were only cold formality, though. "But you know nothing about battling on this scale. The entirety of the United Alliance of Evil has fallen in with this fleet, and you are worrying about a group of individuals!"

Jason pushed up to his feet, starting to get angry. "If you lose sight of the value of individuals, then what the hell are we fighting this war for ANYWAY?"

Billy sat, astonished at how this had flared up. Nerves were on edge more than he realised. He was distracted by a stifled groan next to him and glanced over to see Skye with his hands clamped to his head, over the Star Crystal, his face an expression of pain. Of course, there was literally no barrier between him and receiving emotions with the crystal directly linked to his brain. That gave him the impetus to take control.

"That is enough." He spoke in a controlled voice that cut across the argument. The fact that it was Billy saying this startled everyone so much that they stopped and turned. "Firstly, you are causing pain to Skye which is unacceptable, and secondly your arguments are not diametrically opposed ..." he looked at some of the blank expressions. "You are both right," he amended.

He glanced around at them all, "We have not fought a war on this scale and we will have to listen to those who have." He inclined his head to Phantom. "But neither are we completely untested. Our race may be young, but we have lived in our experiences. We will rescue the mentors ... and our desire to see them safe will provide us with the motivation, but the reality of the situation is that they are crucial to our strategy. The Zha'Kha-rhee'aa is searching for something ... an object. The Nid-hi went to a great deal of trouble to abduct the mentors, and logically, as they have not tried any other tactics such as intimidation or ransom, it is because they want to deprive us of information and gain for themselves. This was their first move, and the first move in any battle is the most important. We would be foolish to ignore its implications. " Billy swallowed before he said the next bit.

"We need the mentors back - or we have to ensure they cannot be utilised by the enemy against us."

And that statement filled the room with a chilling silence.

Kerrin sat back down, the look in his eyes reassessing the Ninjetti Master Spirit Warriors around him, who seemed shocked, but each nodding a slow agreement. He was surprised; he had genuinely not thought them ... mature enough to make such hard decisions.

Billy looked around again. "We will also need to decide other important issues ... when we return," he said. "But we need to harry and skirmish and pick at their forces as they approach Phaedos. Only the Ninjetti can tackle the Nid-hi forces, but as Phantom has pointed out, there are more to our opposition than just them. Our non-Ninjetti Allies are massing in an intercept fleet and need someone to act as a liaison and commander." He glanced at Kerrin. "And I would suggest the person ideal for that task is Phantom, as he has had contact with many of the people involved already. They will trust him ... but first, we need him to help us seek the mentors."

The former Black Lion Ninjetti looked stunned at Billy's revelation, and nodded. "I will ask my contacts for news immediately," he agreed, got up and left the room swiftly.

"That was well done," Tanya whispered to Billy from across the table.

"We need him," Billy murmured. "We need everyone."

~*~

After the impromptu meeting broke for a recess whilst Phantom accessed his data, Billy excused himself to go and think about what had just happened. Where -- when -- had he become the one to step in? In his distraction, he managed to trip over the legs of someone trying very hard to mope in an out-of-the-way corner.

"Ooops ..." Justin scrambled up. "Sorry." He refused to meet the Wolf Ninjetti's gaze and made to bolt out of there. He had shot up in size again, but was still not even the age they had been when they took the Powers to start with. That thought suddenly worried Billy a great deal. Justin was kid ... and yet, he would be battling on the front line. What were the odds on his survival? Calculate that on to the last decimal place, Billy boy, he thought to himself.

"Hey, no problem," Billy replied. "What are you doing here?" he asked concernedly.

"Nothing," the teenager shot back a little bitterly. "Absolutely ... nothing."

And Billy sighed as he realised that was the problem. "You're upset about not getting a Master Power?" he queried.

"I wasn't good enough for one, was I?" Justin returned a little regretfully, pushing his hair back.

"It wasn't that," the older Blue Ranger replied. "There were certain preconditions that were required - one of them being that you had to have a True Love to be able to stand the force of the Master Power. Justin, very few people have found True Love at your age."

"Well yeah," Justin sighed. "But no-one wants me to do anything -- afraid I might get hurt or not be able to take care of myself."

Billy gave a quiet wry smile. "Oh man, that sounds familiar."

"You had this?" Justin asked incredulously.

"Oh yeah ... as if having brains somehow makes you incapable of dealing with the real world."

That raised a chuckle from the depressed Dolphin Ninjetti.

"You have no idea how protective Jason and Tommy ... oh hang on, you probably do, don't you?" Billy smiled. "Look Justin, it's not like we CAN leave anyone out. There are too few of us, and if you get posted here for example," he gestured to their rebuilt Power Chamber, "It will be because you are the best person for the job, not for any ulterior motive."

Justin nodded, looking slightly less crestfallen but still unconvinced and it was at this point that Billy remembered a task he really needed done, but did not want anyone to know about ... just in case there was a traitor in their ranks. Justin he was pretty sure of and he had the requisite knowledge to deal with it effectively.

"Actually, Justin, there is something that needs doing, and fast ... and without anyone else knowing, if possible," Billy said quietly, looking around.

That sparked some interest. "What is it? I'll do it!"

"You ought to find out what it is first," Billy smiled. "I've arranged with the Triforians for a shipment of refined FerianX."

"FerianX?" Justin's eyes widened as Billy shushed him.

"I see you know what it is. Trey was bringing it in Pyramidas, but has ended up bolstering the Allies' fleet." Billy looked at him seriously. "I need someone to go and get it ... someone who understands how dangerous it is and how to keep it safe in transit."

"I should say... that stuff is dangerous under virtually every environmental condition. How much? A kilo?"Justin asked warily.

"A ton," Billy stated flatly.

"A TON? The explosive power of that ... I ... what are you going to do with a TON of FerianX?" Justin exclaimed.

"Can't tell you ... and I don't want anyone else knowing it's coming. There's a special depot on the Moonbase to receive it, but ..." Billy looked at the Dolphin Ninjetti questioningly.

"S'okay, I'll get it." The younger genius was deep in thought. "I'll see to it, Billy - right away!"

"Thanks ... it is vitally important, that much I can tell you," Billy said truthfully. "Not a word to anyone, Justin."

"Got it!" and with a bright smile and an irrepressible glitter in his eyes, the Dolphin Ninjetti practically ran off with his new mission bright in his mind.

I made it seem like I was doing him a favour, Billy thought. I somehow got him wanting to do an inherently dangerous task, that was totally unfair of me.

Nonsense, young wolf. His Wolf Spirit spoke up. This is why a Spirit Warrior had to accept the responsibility and choose to take the Power. The Chosen of the Dolphin is no different; for all his youth he is of the Blue and as you know, the Blue makes you mature before the normal times of development.

It's just hard to accept. Justin's main worries should be going to class, homework and the eternal mystery of girls... not whether he will live or die and the fate of millions in his hands.

Billions, the Wolf Spirit corrected helpfully.

Thanks, Billy responded wryly. Forgive me for finding the thought of the safety of billions in the hands of a teenager who gets hyper on sugar more than a little scary.

Is it him you are worried about, the Wolf Spirit questioned astutely, ... or yourself?

Billy stopped. Good point.

Since when? the Wolf Spirit challenged. You have been making the decisions to save lives for most of your life, my cub. The Blue Wolf sounded proud and affectionate. This is a bigger scale, but no different from when you would tell the others of your Pack what action was required to save them and others.

I hadn't thought of that, Billy mused, feeling a little happier. You sure you couldn't have found someone better suited to do it?

We all have to work with the materials we are given, the Wolf Spirit said drolly, and there was the impression of an affectionate lick that caused Billy to smile despite his internal uncertainties.

"I know," he said aloud, smiling. "Do we get refunds after this is all over ... or are Animal Spirits non-returnable?"

And by this time Billy was chuckling to himself as wolfish laughter filled his mind

~*~

Reconvened, and the meeting was betraying a sense of urgency. Kerrin strode in once more, the ruby of the Phantom Ranger glittering ominously on his chest like fresh blood. "Not good news," the Phantom Ranger announced in a sombre voice. "My sources reveal they have been taken to the old fortress of Astronema, to be questioned by the Darkness Visible itself."

"Then we have very little time, we must get to this place immediately," Dulcea decided at once.

"Only," Kerrin amended, brushing back his long dark hair in an anxious gesture, "no-one knows where it is."

Tommy frowned. "How so?"

"It's phased. That was always the reason we could never make a tactical strike at Astronema." Phantom was referring to the forces of the Council of the Wise and their Alliance.

Billy winced. "Subspace phased ... that's a tricky one."

"The only way we ever got on was by patiently tracking down her forces and hijacking them back through the local phased entry point." Phantom responded to the Blue Wolf Ninjetti.

"This is going to make my head ache, isn't it? " Rocky groaned.

"It's like a creature burying under the sand," J'shaar tried to explain. "Whilst you dig where you last saw it, it could have burrowed anywhere."

"Now THAT I understand." Rocky turned to the others. "Why can't you explain things like that? Takes someone from another planet to put things in plain English."

They snorted a little at that, and the mood lightened.

"We don't have time to track down some convenient ... quantrons?" Jason said, frowning. "The fleet is closing on Phaedos, barely forty-eight hours away. "

"I don't know what else to suggest," Kerrin replied, somewhat disheartened.

Kat frowned, too, shaking her head in disbelief. "Surely there is something we can do ... you mean to say with all these new Powers we can't even find our goal?"

Trini nodded. "I agree." She seemed lost in thought and then narrowed her eyes. "J'shaar ... wasn't your Master Power to do with sensing hidden things?"

"This is correct," the Drakin Ninjetti confirmed. "I have found myself able to sense things close to me that are hidden, if I try."

"What if you invoked the full Power of your Master Glyph with the thought of locating the Council of the Wise in mind?" Cestro suggested. "Would it manage to locate them even in phased space?"

"I could try. I must admit, I was not sure of what use my Master Power would be," the Saurian Ranger confessed. "But now I see that there are many ways we have to fight. Is it the will of the Ninjetti that I try this?"

"If it's our only shot," Tommy said, "then yeah ... all those in favour?"

"Aye!"

"That settles it. J'shaar, it's over to you." Tommy nodded at him.

"Very well." The Drakin Ranger stood and closed his eyes, as if seeking guidance from within as to what he should do. His scaled fingers rose to touch the garnet glyph shape and he said in a thunderous voice, "Master Power Kayve!" The Glyph flared with lurid red colour and poured into his body.

And then there was silence.

"Well?" Zack asked, leaning forward, trying to see something different about the Master Ninjetti.

J'shaar opened his eyes and his eyescales glowed brightly. "I know exactly where they are ... I feel them ... I see them even as they move ... this will not fade."

There was an excited babble of optimism at this development.

"Right." Billy thought rapidly of the Powers that might assist. "Dulcea ... you have a stealth capability, I believe, as part of your Power; we'll take your Zord." He grimaced. He couldn't leave Jase behind. "Jason ... you, myself, Skye, Trini, J'shaar and ... Vy-Ru." His mind wondered if they could slice through space itself. If not, well, they were fearsome warriors. Billy sighed. "And Kerrin ... he has been in that place before, and we don't have enough time to get Karone or any of the Astro Rangers here to be a guide."

"You think you are taking enough?" Tommy asked, not really questioning who was going. He was tasked with drilling and training the Spirit Warrior force, which was not a small task, but old habits died hard. At least Jason would be there.

"We can't afford to take anyone else, really. Too much to do here," Billy explained. "We'll be teleporting to Phaedos in about a quarter of an hour and go stealth from that point in OwlZord ... and hopefully be back with the mentors before the forces reach Phaedos." He left unspoken the potential obstacles and dangers in their path, and their likelihood of success.

"Good luck, guys," Kim said, looking at them all. "Don't do anything too heroic," she admonished.

"I'll certainly try, Kim." Billy grinned and then in a flurry of activity, the meeting dispersed.

~*~

Talk about awkward.

Billy didn't have to have Skye's empathic abilities to realise the atmosphere between Jason, Dulcea and Kerrin was strained. Realistically, how could it not be? New love versus old love ... VERY old love. Dulcea and Kerrin as first loves, Jason as the interloper fighting against all that history. He sighed. They didn't need this sort of stress between them, not when they were going into battle. Kerrin still seemed very hostile towards Jason, his jealousy possibly aggravated by the way the two of them had faced off in the meeting. Skye had been sitting close to them on the journey and had surreptitiously moved as far away as he could, his face looking a little pinched despite the enforced civility. The teleport to Phaedos and their flurried preparations made this seem bizarre and unreal.

Dulcea had invoked her Master Power of Silence, making OwlZord a permanent complete stealth craft, totally undetectable and even invisible to the eye if she willed it. Billy was starting to comprehend a little of the scope of the Master Powers and became a little awed at what else he and his friends might have in their hands. Dulcea came back from the controls of Owlzord and surveyed the tension-filled scene.

"Billy? Could you and the others check the facilities in the weapons bay?" Dulcea requested, looking directly at Kerrin, capturing his gaze and holding it.

"Er ... yeah, sure," Billy replied uncomfortably. "Come on, guys." He and Trini dragged Jason from the cramped area into the depths of the flying Ninjetti Zord.

Dulcea sat down and studied Kerrin intensely until the other Ranger practically squirmed under that assessing gaze. "What?!" he snapped suddenly.

"Even after however many millennia you STILL haven't changed, have you?" Dulcea sighed. "You still think of me as your own personal possession, even after you thought I was dead?"

"No ... of course not," Kerrin protested vehemently.

"Then what is all this hostility towards Jason?" Dulcea challenged.

"Who said I was hostile towards him?" Kerrin retorted defensively.

"I have eyes ... remember the attributes of the Owl? The Watcher?" Dulcea sighed again. "And look at you ... tying yourself up in knots about it."

Kerrin looked away. "You place too much trust in him ... in these humans. They are young, and untried ... and ..." He struggled for words to express his doubts.

"Brak Shalar!" Dulcea swore, exasperated. "They are Ninjetti! They are Master Ninjetti ... they have been tried by definition! Your reasons for distrusting them are based solely on your jealousy. Do you think I have been unfaithful to you? Is that what it is?"

"Phaedosians marry for eternity!" Kerrin shot back, stung by her words.

"And we never actually married, did we?" Dulcea replied, suddenly realising how close she had come to making a terrible mistake - though she had loved Kerrin, and did still love him in a different way.

"No, we both 'died' before that could happen," Kerrin said bitterly. "I never stopped grieving you ..."

"Nor I you ... and I do love you ... but not in the same way I love Jason," Dulcea admitted softly.

"Is that meant to make me feel better?" Kerrin snapped, wounded by her words. "A lifetime of love spent on you, and you trade it in for someone you've known for a blink of an eye? Didn't I mean anything to you?"

"Kerrin, that's not fair. Jason is a good, kind person. He doesn't deserve your animosity," Dulcea objected, evading at least part of the question.

"And what if he were the traitor, hmm?" Kerrin pointed out

"He isn't," came the immediate interruption.

"Oh really? How can you be so sure? First of Zordon's Chosen ... what if he is the one?"

"Now you are just being ridiculous!" Dulcea raised her voice.

"Am I? It didn't take him long to get next to you, did it?" Kerrin made an expression of disgust. "All that time you spent alone at the Temple, just desperate for contact with another human ..."

Dulcea's green eyes glittered. "Now you are just being insulting," she said coldly. "He saved my life and even then I had to be forced to realise I was allowed to love again."

The stream of hurt and loss that both of them had held inside of them, believing each other dead, erupted into a shouting match of disastrous proportions so that when the others finally returned, the pair of original Ninjetti were coldly silent, busying themselves about their tasks.

Skye groaned. "Been here before," he muttered to Jason.

"What?" The Red Lion Ninjetti was looking at Dulcea's expression with concern.

"Billy and Trini," the Phoenix Ninjetti said with a sigh. "Only two people who care about each other can wound to that extent." He rubbed the cold of the crystal in his head painfully.

And that filled Jason with more doubts; Kerrin was trying to win her back, he was sure of it. He'd decided to stay clear, but if he was upsetting Dulcea ... dammit, what could he do? It was not in his nature to stand idly by, but neither did he relish the thought of attacking an ally.

His Lion Spirit rumbled an inaudible sound of discontent and turmoil.

~*~

The Darkness Visible would have paced - if it had lowered itself to corporeal form. The questioning of the Council of the Wise was not going well. They were proving resistant to torture, which was to be expected, but he had managed to break them one by one and extract from them their part of the secret by use of guile. Slower than he would have liked, but the results were there. Ironically the fact that he did not have the last of them there aided the process. As they thought there was no way the puzzle could be completed, they were not as ... inflexible as possible they could be to his demands. There was a pattern and a design in all things. Even so he had one last piece of information to extract ... from Zordon. Putting a transdimensional being to the question was ... somewhat difficult. A body that did not exist in the same reality could scarcely be affected. But the mind ... well ...

Nothing but a dream, Wyvern Ninjetti, the One pulsed with pleasure. Is there anything more powerful than the dreams we have?

And unseen he slipped to join with Zordon's mind, a dark parasite of long-lost dreams.

Zordon of Eltar walked in a memory through the shining streets of Valensia. The sounds and smells of his past were bright in his senses. The hot spicy scent of fresh baked jarrow-cakes made his mouth water as he paused, wondering whether to buy a couple. He opted for the exotic blooms instead from the stall next to the baker's, and was waived payment as the vendor saw his Tower insignia and Ninjetti emblem. He smiled. The day was glorious ... the sky had a beautiful tinge of purple and blue, and there were cloud castles building to the heavens, gilded by the sun. She would understand. Maybe she would even join him.

He reached their hill ... their tree and she was standing there, hair long and black to her waist, shimmering in the early morning light with that peculiar quality that made it seem alive. She was so beautiful in the mornings!

His observing mind shrank back, not wanting to see this history...

"Jenna!" his voice rang out and she turned towards him, her beauty marred by an expression of anxiety.

"Zordon!" She stepped forward. "Is it true what they are saying? That you are disgraced and will be exiled?" There was a hint of tears trembling in her dark eyes.

Zordon paused. "Well ... strictly speaking ... yes," he admitted.

Jenna looked horrified. "Then you ... you did destroy the Matrix crystal? Everyone at the Tower is talking about it ... and that the Master has taken to his bed, made ill by your actions ..."

"Master Trendon is ill, yes, but that is why this has happened." Zordon could feel this conversation slipping out of his control. "Jenna, love ..."

"Don't call me that if you hurt the Master ... he loves you like a son, and this is how you repay him?" Jenna turned away, more upset than he could have imagined. "I thought I knew you, Zordon. I guess my heart was mistaken."

"Jenna, just listen ... it's not what you think," the young man begged desperately. "Really, just listen!"

The dark-haired Bellan-bird Ninjetti paused and turned, giving him that chance ... which was drowned by the attack sirens screaming a warning across the planet's surface.

Zordon's observing mind recoiled. No ... not again ... not again ...

"No!" Zordon looked at the attacking force filling the bright Eltarean summer sky. "Run, Jenna ... to the Tower, we must fight!"

But they were too late ... the strafing fire exploded too close, they both flew through the air together and dazed, Zordon crawled to look at Jenna ...

Her still form lay there as he cradled her, weeping, and then ... something changed. A weak cough. "Zordon ...?"

"Jenna? You're alive! Oh Jenna ..." He held her close, stunned by the miracle.

There was a faint cough. "I'm ... dying ..." her voice fell.

"No ... no, you aren't, we'll be fine ... we'll be together ..."

Her dark eyes glittered and she attempted a smile, a trickle of dark blood escaping her mouth. "Can't ... exile ..." The effort seemed to drain the life from her, growing weaker by the moment.

"No ... no ... it's not really ... it's a secret, love ..." his dreamself said. "Master Trendon is ill and he's putting me there to guard something very important."

The dying woman looked confused. "Important?"

And Zordon's observing self clamoured a warning, unheeded by a subconscious mind desperate for absolution.

"Too important to know about ... just that it is there somewhere ... tucked in the backwaters of the galaxy ... it is an honour, not a disgrace," Zordon babbled, tears streaming down his face. "Please understand, please!"

A blinding smile filled her expression and she touched his cheek with trembling fingers.

"Understand ... I love you, Zordon ..." and she quivered as the glowing form of her Bellan-bird Animal Spirit became visible to his eyes and came to take her home.

And Zordon, injured and alone, wept as his True Love's life passed away in his arms.

Wrong, no, that was wrong.. She never spoke again, she was dead when I found her, I never got to tell her that it was a charade, the punishment actually being a sacred trust. She never forgave me ... in all my dreams she never forgave me, never understood and I lived with that all the time I went on ... and never once even in my dreams have I spoken the secret!

The observing mind of Zordon was shocked fully conscious.

"No!" he protested in horror.

There was gentle laughter in their prison and a shimmering collection of energy coalesced into the dreamform of Jenna before his transdimensional tube.

"I love you, Zordon," the sweet voice mocked. "I'm not sure if I need the last piece of the puzzle after all ... No exile for the star pupil Zordon; no ... a guardianship of the greatest secret instead!"

"You still don't know where it is," he said weakly.

"I know where it isn't. Not on Phaedos." The Darkness Visible laughed. "And once I have disassembled your pathetic allies, Zordon of Eltar, if necessary I shall take the place apart piece by piece until I find it." The Jenna facsimile smiled sweetly. "I have time ... and patience. Thank you, Zordon of Eltar. You've made my dreams come true." And with an echoing laugh she spun away into black mist, leaving Zordon stunned and horrified at how he had been betrayed by his internal longings for forgiveness.

~*~

"You're sure they are here?" Jason asked skeptically, looking out at the stars and space.

"Yes," J'shaar replied with absolute certainty. "I can feel them there."

"I'll take your word for it. Um ... now what?" the Lion Ninjetti inquired, looking around.

Billy grinned. "Well, I am hoping that Vy-Ru can use their ability to cut through space itself."

Trini blinked. "Now there's an idea. You think you can do that?" she addressed the Chi'iten.

"We will endeavour to do so," the unified pair said in response. They adopted a similar stance to that which J'shaar had used and invoked their Power. "Master Power Neesha!"

The jade glyphs pulsed cool green energy and dissolved into the pair's bodies, joining with their thought to create an ability to slice through space so no-one might impede their progress. The pair instinctively unsheathed their forearm blades and in a sharp movement sliced downwards, causing a pulse of green to be flung forth and pierce space itself.

"That is ... incredible," Billy said in awe as the swirling colours of subspace appeared ahead of the cloaked Zord.

"Speed is essential," the insectoid Ninjetti said in a strained buzz. "The pressure is great."

Dulcea steered the disguised Zord though the gap and into the swirling chaos of phased space, and as predicted the fortress was there ahead of them.

"Good call, J'shaar," Dulcea complimented, nodding and steered towards an opening.

"You sure they can't see us?" Billy asked a little nervously. He looked across at Trini and Skye for support and saw the white-haired Ninjetti looking pale and shaky.

"Skye," he said, concerned. "What's wrong?"

"It's there ..." The white-haired artist was trembling a little.

"It?" Trini questioned, feeling a hint of dread.

"The One, the Darkness Visible." Skye actually shuddered. "I can feel its presence there."

Kerrin stood, his eyes flashing dangerously. "This is an unparalleled opportunity!" he announced.

"Our purpose is to rescue the mentors," J'shaar reminded him.

Surprisingly, Jason stood up also. "I'm with Kerrin on this one," he said to the others. "A chance to strike at the head of our Enemy without ploughing through a space armada of destroyers to get to it? We can't pass up that opportunity."

Billy grimaced. "Look, we go for our primary objective and then see if we can take a shot at the Darkness Visible. Skye ... you'd best keep yourself under wraps unless absolutely necessary." If he can sense It ... then more than likely It can sense him.

"Got it." The Phoenix Ninjetti seemed MORE than willing to oblige.

Owlzord docked invisibly and cautiously they all disembarked, senses on battle alert.

"This way," J'shaar whispered and silently shot forward, followed by the rest of the rescue group.

The team was well balanced in skill. Skye would warn of the presence of guards before they were seen, Phantom supplied roundabout routes to their eventual destination as J'shaar kept them going inexorably towards the Mentors.

They reached the sealed room and Billy stepped to the fore, decoding and unlocking the door mechanism as they entered into the presence of the captive Council of the Wise.

Billy could hardly accept how shaken he was at the sight of their mentors reduced to such dire straits. It undermined his confidence in what they were doing in ways he couldn't define. Always the Mentors had been their constant in all their struggles and guided them inexorably to victory, until they had been taken from them. He shook off the disturbing, insecure sensation and looked around at the others.

"Go - quickly," he gestured, and the group scattered to put the local teleportation devices on the assortment of cages and confinements that held all of the Mentors captive. The inhabitants of the cages stirred, disbelieving of what was happening, and as murmured phrases of explanation rang out so did almost immediately the sirens.

"Shit! Just once it would be nice to do a rescue uninterrupted!" Billy swore. "Buy us time," he shot across to Jason and Phantom who armoured up immediately and took a stance at the door as the first troops turned up ... and proceeded to wipe the floor with them with cool efficiency.

"Go - go - go!" Billy yelled as they ran from mentor to mentor. "Zordon, are you okay?" he asked as his fingers practically blurred with the speed he was working at.

"Billy? I was not expecting a rescue ..." the ancient Eltarian sounded dazed.

"Well, you're getting one." The Wolf Ninjetti looked up. "Soon you'll be home. Triggered and ready to charge. Trini, I'm going to help Jason and the others..." and he leapt into action.

Around the chamber charging powerpacks flickered as more assailants leapt into the room.

A light blinked green and Trini threw off a quantron and slapped the activate button on the device with grim satisfaction. A roar of light and Alesto, cage and all, teleported to the waiting cloaked Owlzord. The metallic foes were not stupid and targeted the devices despite spirited attempts from the Ninjetti to foil them. There was a flash of silver as the Nid-hi Ilana joined the conflict and the tide of battle turned distinctly against the Ninjetti. The silver dragon-featured alien was dazzling in her fighting skills and occupied at least four of them by herself.

"Get them out of here!" Jason called out over his shoulder and Skye, who was lurking out of the mainstream of the fighting, concentrated on evading the distractions and sent the Mentors one by one to the OwlZord as Trini and Dulcea took on the task of covering his back. In the midst of the chaos Billy became aware of something. A horrible sensation. The sort of sensation that could wake a sleeper in the middle of the night, with the certain knowledge that within the darkness that envelops you, an even darker shape lurks, watching ... ready to touch you at your most vulnerable moment. An icy fear gripped him and he shivered while that sensation grew until it burned, every instinct screaming at him to run as an endless mist began to coalesce. The Power in this being was beyond measurement.

"Oh ... my God!" Trini choked, backing away, filled with a gut-wrenching fear.

A rumbling laugh filled the room. "I could be that ... yes ... or the Adversary!" It stole images from their subconscious to manifest in physical form a creature designed from their most primal terrors.

"This is it?" the Face of Hell spoke forth in great amusement, its image wrought of despair and terror. "This is my challenge?" and he roared with laughter. They backed away in fear ... but did not flee in panic as had been his design.

"Trini, Dulcea ... C'Haal and Zordon ... and you ... go! Go!" Billy said urgently, trying to bury his fright. That was one thing they had all been taught; confront the fear and not let it rule them and he couldn't let the Darkness Visible get Dulcea, the last piece of the puzzle.

"Oh, I don't think that will be happening, cubling." The Darkness Visible shifted to a loathsome fish-demon shape. Billy felt his irrational phobia rise up and a strange out-of-place image of a swirling orb, but shook it off and signalled Trini and Dulcea again. They went reluctantly in a flash of teleportation, praying the others would follow.

"Now that was very stupid, " the Darkness Visible sighed. "Well, I shall just kill you all, then. What a waste."

Kerrin had slipped back to Skye and whispered, "Distract him! Otherwise you'll lose your friends ... all your friends!"

Skye hesitated, his fear nearly overwhelming him, and then nodded. As the creature lifted a hand, he released the restraints on his form and the ghostflame of the Phoenix surrounded him like a beacon. Immediately the Darkness Visible's head whipped around and a cruel smile appeared. "Well, well ... it's you, is it?"

Phantom phased out of view and tried to get close enough to kill the creature as it stalked across to pounce on the vulnerable Phoenix Ninjetti, who was ineffectively trying to run backwards. The Phantom Ranger blurred out of invisibility and drawing an assassin's blade plunged it deep into the side of the solid monster.

The Darkness Visible looked down and shook its head, reaching inside the mind of his assailant. There was an abrupt shift and an image of Cassie with Kerrin's blade embedded in her side, rivulets of dark blood gushing artistically forth and a tragic look on her familiar face ... Phantom recoiled, horrified.

"Don't ... don't you love me?" the perfect replica asked piteously. "Why?... I ..." there was a weak cough and a blossom of bright, bright blood from her mouth.

"Cassie!" Kerrin stepped forward as the image of the Pink Astro Ranger raised a trembling hand towards him, and in a moment where his instincts were confused he reached out to her ...

and was bowled over by the Red Lion Ninjetti as a blast of deadly Power crackled forth from that hand.

"Well ... this is fun." The image pulled out the ebony blade and looked at it curiously. "Interesting. Can you pierce a cloud, can you stab a shaft of light?" it asked rhetorically. "Creatures of Chaos ... always seeking death as an answer." There was a sigh and the figure before them dissolved into a black mist which swirled towards the Phoenix Ninjetti and coiled around him.

"Billy ... Trini ...!" Skye's voice was panicked and terrified; he was seemingly unable to move, though he was lifted up.

"Oh dear, oh dear ..." The image of a man holding him appeared and Skye was paralysed with fear, eyes wild.

"Oh God ... Michael." Billy recognised the image that had been adopted and looked at his friend, who was practically hyperventilating with fright.

The Darkness Visible seemed fully aware of what effect it was having. "Pathetic ... to think I was even mildly worried about you. Do you know what Power lies within you? You don't even understand, do you? And what have you done? You've given that to another. The Power of the Universe inside of you, and I can do ... this ..." and he pushed Phantom's knife slowly into the paralysed Ninjetti's leg, exactly where the initial wounding had taken place all those years ago, undoing the miracle that had occurred on Phaedos.

Skye cried out in pain and fear and the image of the man smiled. "And you can do -- nothing ... I'll keep you, I think. Yes. There will be a way of unlocking that Power for my purposes, I'm sure."

Billy ran forward.

As he had before, he drew the Spirit Fire up, through him and hurled it at the cloud of black mist and the fire clung and ripped, eliciting a sharp exclamation of pain from the Darkness Visible. It caused very little in the way of damage, but was enough to get it to release its grip on the Phoenix Ninjetti who dropped to the floor.

It was angry, very angry. "You! You shall ... ow!" Jason had clipped him from the other side with another Spirit Energy blast. Gnats attacking a giant, but enough to cause a distraction to one who had not experienced hurt in an aeon. Billy darted forward and grabbed Skye from the heart of darkness as J'shaar, Jason, Kerrin and the Chi'iten harassed the Zha Kha-rhee'aa.

"We've gotta get out of here!" Billy instinctively dropped back next to Jason.

The immensely powerful Entity had now lost patience and the mist grabbed at the nearest Ninjetti, the Chi'iten Vy and lifted the valiant insectoid to be torn to pieces in front of its comrades as an object lesson. The Master Ninjetti responded with a vibrant jade slice of its Master Power that ripped harmlessly through the creature, but proceeded to travel blade-like through the entire fortress, wreaking havoc and destruction. The satellite structure shook as its power source spilled out of containment, subspace mixing with realspace in a terrible reaction. The Darkness Visible roared and crushed its captive absently, casting the mortally wounded Chi'iten Ninjetti to the floor as it whirled, seeking to leave itself.

Ru turned to the others, its wings unfurled, shimmering with rainbows. "Go ..." he gave a short powerful slice and the inside of Owlzord could be seen, through the tear in space.

"Come with us," Billy urged, hefting Skye to be supported by his shoulder, assisted by Jason.

"I am already dead," Ru said with dignity. "My Spirit's heart has stopped beating and we are one. It is but a husk that waits to breathe its last that stand here before you, and soon I will be gone. I hear the Song ... it calls me to join with my other self. Do not fail us." And the mantid warrior turned and set about shredding space in a blazing death fury. The sorrowful Ninjetti tumbled back into the waiting Zord and under the cover of Silence sped away as the Fortress exploded outwards into real space and then was sucked into the turbulent fluid of subspace without a trace of its existence remaining.

~*~

Trini found Billy and wordlessly embraced him before turning to more serious business.

"Vy-Ru?" she asked.

Jason shook his head. "Dead," he announced regretfully. "Do you think he managed to take the Darkness Visible with him?" he asked, wanting the sacrifice to have been as meaningful as possible and hopefully the last necessary.

A strained voice sounded from Skye. "No ... It's still alive. " He still looked preternaturally pale.

Trini grieved inwardly. She respected the great Chi'iten; their loss was a severe blow and brought home the reality of the deadly situation. "What happened?" she asked as they helped

Skye to lie down, the ebony hilt still protruding from his leg, his pale grey trousers saturated with a blackness of blood.

"The Darkness Visible happened." Billy frowned, starting to piece together what had been happening and reaching some inescapable conclusions. "It was taking images from our minds, deep images, effortlessly, and ... playing with us."

"I agree," J'shaar replied. "I get the impression that it could have destroyed us at any time if not for the distraction caused by Skye of Earth."

"He appeared as the person who nearly killed him." Billy confided in Trini, knowing she at least would understand. "And Phantom tried to stab its solid form, and it turned into Cassie and tormented him ..." He looked sharply at Kerrin. Now that was interesting.

"Speaking of which," Skye said, more settled now. "Would Phantom like his blade back? I'm more than willing to get rid of it." The last was a weak attempt at humour.

Jason approached from his quiet reunion with Dulcea and crouched next to the injured Ninjetti. "You realise you are making this into a habit?" he said seriously. "Ask Billy and Trini, I tend to get a little annoyed and loud if one of my friends manages to get hurt too often."

Billy grinned. "Unbelievably loud," he said wryly. "Spare your ears and try not to get hurt again?" he requested.

"I'll work on it." Skye promised, taking sharp inhalations to control the pain.

"In that case ..." The group gathered around him, taking his hands and holding him as, by common assent, Kerrin took a grip on the knife hilt and in a sharp movement pulled it clear. Dulcea immediately bound the wound as Skye relaxed his pain-tensed body, and Jason asked immediately, "You okay?"

Skye nodded mutely, not trusting his voice to be steady.

"You rest then; we'll soon have you home." The Red Lion Ninjetti promised with that total assurance that showed up with all Red Rangers anywhere.

Skye managed a smile. By the time they got home, he would have the wound half-healed. He knew at least there would be no time for convalescence. The Zha'kha-rhee'aa's words of "Ah well, I will just have to destroy you all" meant something more than the obvious threat. It thought it had enough information to accomplish its end and no longer needed them or the Mentors. Which meant nothing was going to hold it back now.

~*~

Halfway home and Kerrin was ostensibly watching over an apparently sleeping Skye as the others tended to the Mentors. In reality he was thinking deeply. He had had some preconceptions disturbed in the course of their recent conflict and hadn't yet worked out where they fell in his worldview. Jason. He had sided with him - why? They were rivals. He could accept that support, but under reversed circumstances would he have been able to offer it? And the human had saved him. More to the point, he had saved him and not said a word about it afterwards, as if it was a totally natural thing to do. If he was trying to win him over, then he was missing a big opportunity. Come to think of it, the Red Lion Ninjetti had missed a very big opportunity to resolve his situation; he could have just been a fraction of a second ... slower. Kerrin grimaced to himself. It couldn't have been an elaborate plan, could it?

Maybe it was, maybe they got away with comparatively few casualties and the Mentors because they were meant to. No ... that didn't quite fit. No. Besides, if Jason was a traitor, then he could have done himself a service in letting the one who was most suspicious of him die. But something didn't fit ... something disturbing had occurred and he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Can you think a little more quietly?" Skye said, lying just across from him with his eyes closed but the Star Crystal glowing slightly as he concentrated on healing himself.

The Phantom Ranger startled. "You ... you heard that?"

"Well, some of it; it was a little loud," Skye admitted, opening his blue eyes and turning to the Phaedosian. "I can't honestly see what your problem is," he remarked in a tone designed to provoke a response.

"My problem? My problem is the Red Lion Ninjetti!" the Phantom Ranger exclaimed vehemently.

"Jason is no problem to you," Skye replied quietly. "You two are too much alike."

"Yes, we both want Dulcea," Kerrin said bitterly. "And he has no right!"

Skye winced slightly. "I think you are somewhat ... wrong."

"I know what I am talking about," Kerrin insisted and this elicited a snort of derision from the Phoenix Ninjetti. "Okay, so you apparently know better, do you?" he challenged.

Skye took a deep breath. "Sometimes observers have more perspective. You feel you SHOULD still love Dulcea because you have invested so much energy in grieving for her. It is not the nature of emotional beings to turn their back on anything they feel connected to ... and you are no exception. But the fact remains, Kerrin - you can only take a Master Power of the Ninjetti if you experience True Love ... and Jason and Dulcea both could claim a Master Power of the Ninjetti. That is fact."

The Phantom Ranger was astonished. "But ... no ..."

"I'm sorry to do that to you, but a fact is a fact." Skye's expression softened. "But there is something else."

"I don't think I want to hear." Kerrin got up suddenly, a millennia-old mindset crumbling in the wake of those words. He felt vulnerable and open.

"Oh, I think you will." Skye paused. "When the Darkness Visible reached into our deepest minds and took the images that would terrify us most ... whose death did it find for you? It could have been, should have been Dulcea's ... but it wasn't, was it?"

Kerrin's face looked shocked, and then his expression softened. "But ... I've barely known Cassie."

"How long does it take to fall in love?" Skye responded. "Ironically the Darkness Visible had no reason to fool you - it sought the deepest Truth to wound you with."

"Cassie?" Kerrin asked again, of himself more than of Skye. "But I couldn't love her because I was pledged to the memory of ..."

"A no-longer-dead Dulcea who is in love with Jason," Skye summarised. "And believe me, they are in love. You might want to think about that." He lay back, somewhat tired out by the discussion, and closed his eyes again.

Kerrin looked across at the Phoenix Ninjetti and said softly, almost to himself, "Yes ... yes, I will."

~*~

The sleek form of the DolphinZord swam through the dark seas of space at great speed. Triforia had been in chaos as refugees flocked towards it and Aquitar for sanctuary. The entire planet was mobilised for war and it was then that Justin realised this most definitely had not been a pity mission; this was deadly serious. Earth had escaped much of this, being a remote stronghold, but Triforia was out on the front lines.

Trey had been a little surprised by his appearance and had personally helped Justin store the FerianX in the containers the young genius had designed.

"The less people who know about this, the better," the Gold Ranger said as he guided the antigrav transports in. "Billy said this was a secret weapon of sorts. I do not know his intention, for most methods of deploying it result in immediate explosion, but I'm sure he knows that."

"Yep," the youngster agreed. "Gonna have to watch it on the trip back. Any likely trouble spots?" he asked as they worked rapidly.

Trey frowned. "I assume you came the shortest way, through the double star system of Sirius? You will have to avoid that gravitational stress, so I suggest going back along this gradient." He flashed up the star map and sketched a basic route.

"The Allies' fleet is massing here ... in Triforian space. The Ninjetti fleet is at Phaedos and the Chi'iten space fleet is here. With the armada of the Nid-hi and the UAE massing here ..." and Trey gestured to a point not far from where Justin's proposed route arced across the heaven, "but heading this way, away from Earth ... towards Phaedos ... you should be fine."

"Got it," Justin nodded. "I better get going back. I'll have to go slow with this cargo." He looked at the FerianX. Dubiously.

"Fly safely, Dolphin Ninjetti ... and we shall meet again." The Prince of Triforia inclined his head and bid him farewell.

Despite his somewhat enthusiastic nature, Justin had learnt how to be cautious when it was necessary. Playing around was important to him, but the serious business of staying alive took precedence. He followed Trey's advice carefully, by necessity travelling at a far-reduced speed than his initial trip out to Triforia. He had 'cheated' on that road trip by using an inertialess pod so he could travel at great speeds, more than a normal human could survive . He made a note to pass his design on to Billy when he got back.

He was sketching some simple unit designs as his Zord was skimming through the Lerian system when suddenly a proximity alert flashed up.

"What? There shouldn't be anything out here," Justin said to himself, frowning as he ran some more scans with some of the DolphinZord's more detailed scanners. He scowled as a three-dimensional tracking system came up, ablaze with tiny marker lights. "But our fleet is at Triforia ..." hesitating a moment, he turned DolphinZord to sweep around the edges of this mass of strange force.

As the swift blue DolphinZord swam across the fringes of that armada, Justin's eyes widened. Sleek needlelike craft unlike those of any of their allies glinted in the light of the distant stars, thicker than the shoals of fish in all the oceans of Earth.

"Oh shit ..." Justin stared, frozen for a bit. "Time to run." He kicked up the speed and hightailed it, barely avoiding a returning black fighter. "Whoa!"

"Warning ... containment integrity in jeopardy," the computer warned.

He evaded carefully, smoothing out the containment balance whilst looking at the fighter's course, a chill of fear settling in his stomach. He managed to avoid detection, or at least the fighter did not turn and pursue.

Shaking a little at nearly having run into the monster's mouth, Justin took a moment to breathe in the isolation of the DolphinZord and then his sharp mind began to put bits of information together.

"Computer - based on scan information, extrapolate the deviation from the expected trajectory of the unknown enemy fleet and its eventual destination."

"Cease calculation ... Dammit!" Justin paled, just KNOWING which of those systems was the Enemy Armada's ultimate destination. "They're going to Earth. Going to my home! I've gotta warn them ..." and he upped his speed as high as it would go, praying he would beat the fleet back in time.

~*~

Trini had been mildly surprised that Skye could even bear weight on his leg as they disembarked OwlZord, still essentially invisible as it returned home. But then it appeared her friend had not been stripped of his healing ability, for which she was very grateful.

The Mentors were led or transported into the newly-constructed Council Complex, a central chamber complete with warp transdimensional systems and twelve individual habitats and personal chambers, tailored to each Mentor's needs. They seemed to be recovering from their ordeal with startling rapidity, which was just as well.

Billy was frowning as he joined the returning group. "I have a horrible feeling that something is going very wrong right about now," he grumbled.

"More so than usual?" Tommy asked, coming up. He looked tired. "Way to go, guys." He slapped Billy on the shoulder in congratulation.

"We lost Vy-Ru," Billy said, feeling that loss all the more now that they were in comparative safety.

"We heard," Tommy replied solemnly.

"Something is very wrong," Billy repeated. "I keep running over what happened and I can't help but think there might be something to what Phantom was saying," he confided in the White Falcon Ninjetti.

"What are you talking about? The guy's paranoid. He's spent so much time running around with the UAE on his tail, he sees traitors everywhere," Tommy said reassuringly.

"We got out too easily." Billy shook his head.

"Didn't sound easy to me," Tommy commented, looking at his genius friend with concern.

"Tommy, we have met the enemy and no word of a lie, if it wanted to swat us, it could have done so without breaking into a sweat," Billy replied, sounding a little despondent. "And we have a problem ... one thing we did learn is that it is not going to be heading to Phaedos anymore."

"What?!" Tommy froze. "The fleet is at Phaedos! Where the hell are we meant to be?"

Billy shook his head, unsure. "That is what we have to find out."

Zack popped his head around the corner. "Justin's phoning home ... sounds important!" he called out down the corridor.

"Right." Billy and the others walked swiftly to the operations centre.

"BlueDolphin calling Earth ... come on, guys!" Justin's voice contained more than a hint of desperation.

"We're here, Justin!" Tommy said aloud.

"Great." Justin's voice seemed deeper, more adult than normal. "We've got a problem. Big problem."

"We're listening," Kim said from beside Tommy.

"I'm just on my way back from Triforia - and nearly ran straight into the Enemy fleet on a trajectory heading that has a termination point at Earth," Justin reported clinically.

There was a pause.

"You sure?" Billy queried, his voice holding the slightest trace of a quaver.

"Checked and double checked," Justin's voice replied. "They are putting their foot down, too, for such large ships. Three days and they'll be on the doorstep, about to kick the door in."

"Three days ... oh man." Jason looked around at the others. "But our fleet is at Phaedos ... and Triforia. They won't get here in time ..."

"They will if they have my inertia pods. You can't do much once you are in them, but they allow the Zords to travel full throttle," Justin said helpfully.

"For all the hundreds of thousands of Zords?" Tanya shook her head. "It can't be done."

Billy, however, was moving rapidly to a console. "Justin, I want that inertia pod design now. Send it across."

"Right ... sending ..." There was a long delay, but eventually the information turned up.

Billy looked it over, nodded and then keyed in a rapid series of commands and broadcast that information. "There ... I've sent it to the Zebeedees. It'll probably take six hours to make the pods or thereabouts, and a full day at high speed to get back here. We need some emergency measures ... and I need to speak to the Mentors straight away. Let's get everyone together for a meeting. I think it is time that this secrecy ended. If we'd known before, then maybe we wouldn't be in this situation. Let's do this now." And the tone of his voice made it not so much an order as an irrevocable statement of how things were going to be.

~*~

The Council Chamber was used this time and for once it wasn't littered with food, out of deference to the Council of the Wise who were in attendance.

Jason stood up, taking control in a seamless fashion. "I call this meeting to order and welcome all participants to this most critical of discussions," he announced in a surprisingly authoritative voice.

Billy looked at him in surprise and Trini leaned across to him. "Jason always was the best Chairperson at the Summit," she whispered to him. "Never stood for too much rhetoric and gave a good hearing to everyone."

Billy raised his eyebrows. "I shouldn't be surprised, but I am," he said quietly.

Trini smiled and Billy noted that Zack didn't appear shocked either, though some of Jason's friends were rapidly reassessing their conceptions of him as purely a man of physical action.

"As is evident," Jason gestured to the Mentors around them all, "the initial rescue mission was a success, though I regret to inform you that the Chi'iten Masters Vy-Ru were lost in the process, enabling others to escape. We will honour them for their sacrifice when our peril is not so immediate, but their heroism was necessary to bring us the information vital to this endeavour. With this in mind, I would appeal to the Council of the Wise to make full disclosure of all information so we can devise a full and informed battle strategy." Jason sat down again and Dulcea looked on proudly. How deftly he had manoeuvred them, making full disclosure a method of honouring the dead!

"Fellow Council Members ..." she rose to her feet, "our pupils have surpassed us in Power and wisdom, it appears. In your unfortunate absence, this group here assembled has quested for and achieved the Master Powers of the Ninjetti, and Blue Wolf Ninjetti has become the Will of the Phoenix, as the Prophecies foretold. There has been another additional manifestation of the Prophecy on Triforia since your incarceration - the transcripts you have been able to peruse. Now it is time to reveal your knowledge, as I will reveal mine."

"Very well," Zordon boomed. "You are correct, it is beyond time for the information to be shared."

"Better late than never," Tanya muttered aside to Adam.

Some of the information that was brought into the open was somewhat redundant; they had figured out about the Master Powers themselves, though it turned out that several of the Mentors shared information about the capabilities of the potential Powers that set many of them to thinking.

"So you are saying we have minor capabilities ... like Adam can disguise himself in illusion any time he wills it," Billy summarised. "But when he invokes the full force of his Glyph in a one-off shot ... that is limited only by his imagination and force of need."

"... and the limitations of the Glyph Power he holds. He would not, for example, be able to raise a massive fireball ... but he could raise the illusion of one," Alesto responded.

"I get it." Billy chewed his lip thoughtfully. "Maybe we were premature invoking your Master Power, J'shaar."

The Drakin looked unconcerned. "It served its purpose. There is no saving and never using - and it works even now."

C'haal rumbled. "Yes; relatively minor manifestations are made permanent abilities ... but a major alteration of the universe is time-limited."

"Okay ... weak and longlasting, or strong and fast," Jason nodded. He looked over at Billy, having picked up that he wanted to ask something.

The Blue Wolf Ninjetti stood, feeling more nervous than he had in the other meeting when it had just been them.

"Your other information that the Darkness Visible is not attacking Phaedos is already known to us. We know now they are coming to Earth."

Zordon looked startled even through the distortion of the transdimensional warp.

"And it makes sense. Why else would Zordon, one of the foremost members of the Council of the Wise and members of the Alliance of Light be posted on a backwater planet far out on the galactic arm?" he asked rhetorically. "Why would space villain after villain seek out this planet to conquer? When there are many more valuable and prosperous and frankly less troublesome worlds to subjugate? Because there is something here that they want. When I was questioned by Dark Spectre and the Nid-hi ..." Billy's face went grim, but he did not falter, "the answer they sought the most was where 'it' was. They are looking for an object. And I wish to know what this object is and why it is the cause of an impending Galactic War."

There was utter silence for a moment as many of the Council of the Wise were obviously ignorant of this fact. In the end it was Takope who spoke.

"That was the Wisdom entrusted to my line," he said in his quiet voice. "But we never knew where it was or if it still existed in our plane of reality."

"It does," Zordon interjected. "Billy is correct. It is somewhere in this system, but even I know not where it is, because that secret is too close."

"But what IS it?" Billy pressed impatiently.

"It is ... the sum of many realities, a physical form of the structures that define natural Law across time and space. It contains the possibilities, the probabilities of ... everything."

Takope spread his hands in an all-encompassing gesture.

"That's nice," Rocky said into the ensuing uncomprehending silence. "But I think what we need to know is WHAT it can do?"

"Once it is active, it would respond to the mind of the observers and literally make their thoughts a reality. It is the Ultimate Power, your thoughts made manifest. The Ninjetti wrested it from the Darkness Visible in the last conflict by guile."

"Hang on ... hang on, how did they beat someone with that sort of Power?" Tommy interrupted. At last they were going to find out how the Darkness Visible was defeated last time!

"The Orb of Order, as the Darkness Visible called it, was not active. It would not respond to Its thought," Takope said and looked at Zordon who continued the tale.

"The first Master Ninjetti, Bar'ak, managed to unlock his inner Master Power by accident and wakened the Orb to his thought to banish the Darkness Visible while they struggled as the Ninjetti were shattered and broken in the conflict. His first thought was not of destruction, but just to get the monster as far away from him as possible, a natural instinct ... and It was gone - just like that. Bar'ak however, was wounded by his contact with the Orb, although it was only fleeting. Nevertheless, knowing he had merely postponed the War, rather than finished it totally, he used its Power to create the WardStones, craft the Star Crystal, the Master Powers and perceive enough of the future to set in place the Prophecies. Each time, the Orb drained more of his life and his final act was to hide the Orb ... and then die. His hope was that the Orb would never be discovered by anyone, let alone the Darkness Visible. Truly it does not belong in this reality."

Well then ... it all begins to fall into place. Billy tapped the table with his pen as he thought. "We can't use it ourselves?"

Takope shook his head. "It is too powerful to use directly, which is why the Master Powers were created, and they in themselves hold so much Power that the testing had to be most rigorous, on every level."

"You're not kidding," Rocky muttered, thinking of his back and all his anguish.

"Right; now we know the stakes, the strategy is different," Billy summarized heavily. "Our primary goal is to stop the Darkness Visible, our secondary to protect Earth." He didn't like it, but that was the way it was. That had a grim reaction around the table, but again they all nodded agreement.

The discussion moved then onto the actual battle strategies, and a lot of wrangling went on between the various parties, as there were unconscious attempts to put certain people out of danger, with the Mentors being surprisingly vehement about the way the battle should go.

"The aim of the battle is to get the Darkness Visible to invoke its full Power into a chosen vessel, and then the Shahin Tara Zed shall be deployed. It is written!" Rhahamadha said forcefully, reiterating the words of the other Mentors.

"The aim is to stay alive," Billy refuted, bristling a little. "And his name is Skye, alright? He is a person still." That attitude was starting to annoy him.

"Nevertheless, Billy," Zordon interupted placatingly, "It is the way things are. At the height of the battle, the Shahin Tara Zed, the Starbird-Striking, is Prophesised to battle the form of the beast. Born of Darkness Visible." He intoned the well-worn words of Prophecy once more.

"Yeah, well ... that doesn't mean we can't improvise," Billy replied as they wrangled some more. Eventually he tired of the ceaseless talk, drafted a list and passed it on to Jason.

"Quiet!" Jason bellowed, having looked the list over. "Billy has made a few suggestions which I believe we should adopt or vote on swiftly. Time is running out here, and talking in circles is not getting us anywhere."

As silence descended, Jason looked around and said in a crisp tone, "Good. First appointment, as discussed earlier - Phantom will meet and co-ordinate the Allies' Fleet and try and get them here as soon as possible. Second major appointment - Rocky will be responsible for logistics and strategy."

"Wha ... what?" the Red Ape Ninjetti looked up, startled.

"As Billy points out, your Master Power is Communication ... and that is the key to successful logistics and strategy. Without good communication, we lose before we start." Jason said with a smile. "Those in favour?"

"Aye!"

"Consider yourself appointed." Jason looked at the piece of paper. "The suggestion follows that we establish two fronts. Frontline and HomeGuard. Command of the Frontline operations will go to ... Tommy." He paused only momentarily as he said that. "He will organise tactics and command the majority of the fleet.

"The HomeGuard will consist of relatively few individuals, but mainly holders of the Master Powers - principally those whose Powers are potentially more use on a planetary basis. Jason ... I will head up that team. Delphine will also be allocated to Earth defence, Cestro to Power Chamber control. Adam, Zack, Kat and Aisha will be on this team, with additional responsibility to protect Rocky and maintain the supply lines. Billy and Skye will try to stay out of frontline action until they are required. All other Ninjetti Masters will be spread evenly through the fleet and will be reassigned on a flexible basis. All those in favour?"

"Aye!"

"Refinements will undoubtedly occur, but at least we vaguely know what we are doing," Jason concluded. "And on this note ... this meeting is adjourned."

In an excited babble, the assembled Ninjetti rose and set off to adjust to their assigned roles.

Billy collected his papers; waving Trini and Skye on, he turned to leave, but the Mentors called him back for a private word.

"Just a moment, William of Earth." The cold tones of Alesto sounded in the emptied room. "We must speak with you alone." The Wolf Ninjetti halted, feeling an indefinable chill.

"Yes, Alesto?" he responded, standing obediently before them.

"We speak of the nature of the greatest Power of the Ninjetti and what it entails," Zordon said gently.

Uh-oh ... there's a tone that spells bad news, Billy thought and faced them, steeling himself inwardly. "What is it, Zordon?"

"The greatest Weapon of the Ninjetti can only be used once, so it is imperative that it is used at the correct time if we are to prevail,"Alesto cut in.

"It ... as you put it ... is a human being. Skye, remember?" Billy corrected, his hackles raised.

"It would be best that you did not think of him so," Alesto counselled. "He has been altered into a Weapon and you must have no qualm in using him. It is your Purpose and Duty, William of Earth."

"There's something you are trying to tell me here," Billy challenged him. "I suggest that you actually tell me."

There was silence and somewhere in that quietness, Zordon seemed to pull the short straw to break the harsh news. "Billy, this will be hard to accept, but the force of the Great Power, the Universal Great Power focused in one time and place, is too much for any one person or thing to contain and remain in existence."

Billy stepped back from that uncomfortable truth. "No ... you are telling me that if I invoke the Star Phoenix Power, Skye will die?"

"When you do so," Alesto corrected.

"There is no way I am going to do anything that will make me a murderer," Billy stated flatly and automatically, as his mind tried to deal with the horrific implications of what he had just been told.

"The one called Skye was made aware of this at Aquitar and then was given free choice by the Ninjor of Phaedos as to whether he would accept this certainty," Alesto said again. "He is now the Weapon of the Ninjetti and that is his Destiny. Yours is to choose the manner of his usage."

"Then I will not choose to use him at all. He is my friend - I cannot deliberately kill a friend!" Billy said again, his innermost instinct rebellling against what would be the death of a Packmate.

"Billy, you must." Zordon's familiar voice held a hint of command. "Blue Wolf Spirit Warrior of the Ninjetti, it is your Destiny to command the Shahin Tara Zed. It is your Duty ... it is this one life against the population of the Galaxy, and after the Galaxy perhaps more and more ..."

Billy shook his head, unable to think of rational explanations why this was so wrong.

"I ... can't ..."

"And if you don't," Alesto stated implacably, "then we will all die, including him. Including your family, your other friends ... and your love. This is the nature of your Choice, Blue Wolf."

"No!" Billy cried out, agonised. "You can't make me do this! "

"That is true, but the consequences if you do not act is the certain death of the entire Ninjetti Alliance, the destruction of your home planet and multitudes of other worlds besides," Alesto said harshly. "We are outnumbered, and many will fall even if we do prevail. We shall say no more, for you now understand the nature of your Duty. Skye is the Phoenix, you are his Will, and he will obey you, even though it may mean his death."

Billy was almost in shock. He'd suspected Skye did not expect to live, that much had been obvious, but for him to die by his hand? No ... shock and outrage warred within him, his emotions completely out of control as he stood while the Council of the Wise withdrew in silence, one by one leaving him alone with his tumultuous thoughts.

~*~

Billy emerged from his private audience with the Council of the Wise, his horror now turned to anger fed from a deep hurt. His eyes flashed fire with a rage few had ever even considered him capable of, let alone seen.

"Billy?" Adam looked at him, startled, as he stormed through the Power Chamber. "What's wrong?" Obviously the meeting with the Mentors had not gone well.

"Where is Skye?" Billy asked in a tense voice.

"In his quarters," Adam answered, perplexed. His sensitivity to his environment was flagging up some very strong warning signals. "Billy ... come on, just wait a moment. Let's talk about this." He'd never seen his friend like this. Billy didn't lose his cool, not really, and yet here he was on the verge of exploding.

"No! This has nothing to do with you, it's between us." He brushed Adam's hand off of his shoulder and stalked out of the room, much to the Frog Ninjetti's consternation.

Skye turned, feeling Billy's approach like a crackling electric thunderstorm of anger. He looked at the Wolf Ninjetti, remaining silent. The Star Crystal glimmered under the white hair, reacting to the burning emotions as Billy surged into the room.

Billy was gritting his teeth. "So - you knew, didn't you?" he said in a dangerously soft voice. "You DAMN WELL KNEW! All along!"

He was angry because he was being forced into a situation that he could not bear to face and the only one he could be angry at was the other uniquely involved.

"I ... suspected," Skye admitted quietly, still standing his ground.

"Suspected? You've known all along, haven't you?" Billy demanded. "With all your abilities, don't tell me that you didn't know!"

"Feeling isn't always the same as knowing!" Skye responded a little more forcefully. "And you knew more than I did, or as much ... you heard the Prophecies, you've studied the texts."

"Of course I knew you thought you would die, I would've had to have been blind to miss that!" Billy replied angrily. "I'm not an idiot!"

Skye was starting to crack a little. For a long time he had walked alone with this secret. "Then stop behaving like one!" he snapped back.

"Fine ... I'll be the responsible Ranger then, shall I? Do my Duty without a word as Zordon and Alesto suggest?" Billy was enraged. "No-one said anything about this, no-one said that I would have to KILL you! Tell me if that isn't true? Hmm? No, I thought not."

Skye hung his head, aching inside. "I am sorry ... but if you don't invoke the Star Phoenix Powers, then everyone dies ... including me."

"And if I do ... you die from the totality of the Great Power rushing through you - oh yeah, and that's much better, isn't it? If I do nothing, you die; if I do anything, you die ... great choices you've given me there," Billy said sarcastically. "Why don't you give me a gun and ask me to put a bullet through your head - that would be simpler, wouldn't it?"

Skye lost it. He whirled on Billy, the Star Crystal blazing red with anger in his forehead.

"What the hell do you want me to do? Get down on my knees and beg you to kill me? To make it easier? Huh? You think I want to die? When I was given back a life that contained friends that I love so much it hurts, when I discovered that life was not just pain and darkness, but even in the shadow of danger contained joy and love? Do you really think I want to leave that?" Once he had begun, the usually placid artist could not stop. "No! I don't - and yet for those same reasons, I accepted the reasons life was leased back to me again ... I care about them all, I care about life and living so much I am willing to protect it ... I want to live so much I am willing to die!"

"But it's NOT your decision, is it?" Billy interrupted. "You've made it mine. Well, I make the decision ... I'm not going to be a party to ANY of this!"

Skye inhaled sharply, shocked. "You cannot! That would destroy everything," he began.

"It isn't right! You should never have USED me like this!" Billy accused.

Skye stepped forward, furious. "What type of Ninjetti are you!? What type of friend?" Skye shot back, his blue eyes matching Billy's in azure fire. "Turn your back on your Duty and your friends, will you?"

There was a momentary silence as Billy was choked speechless by an incandescent rage. "How DARE you! You say that to me? Who has put his duty and his friends first all his life! Get OUT! Get out of here! I don't want to see you or speak to you - I'll find another way without YOU!" he yelled in a fury beyond thought.

Skye's expression filled with anguish as he halted mid-retort and in a smothered silence half- ran from the room.

Billy sank to the floor and pressed his hands to his eyes, to try and force the piercing needles of bitter tears back whilst his body heaved with soundless sobs alone in the darkness.

~*~

Trini stumbled, suddenly overwhelmed by the backwash of pain and sorrow from both Skye and Billy, and as Tommy reached for her, he realised with great consternation that tears were flowing down her face.

"Trini? Trini, what's wrong? Kim, Aisha - help me here!"

The three of them assisted her up in concern. "Trini?" Kim asked. "What's wrong?"

"Billy ... Skye ... terrible argument," she gulped out between sobs.

"I don't believe it," Aisha said, alarmed. "Those two are the best of friends!"

Trini felt dizzy, the mentally overwhelming riotous anger-explosion fading to an aching quietness and profound sense of despair and loss in her head. "I don't know how or why ... but ... yes ... it's happened. We have to stop this ..." She stood shakily. "Stop it before time runs out."

Tension spilled like a taint through the Power Chamber as the repercussions of the argument began to spread. That Billy and Skye had argued had at first been a matter of utter disbelief, replaced now with incontrovertible fact. Billy had initially refused to see anyone for the best part of the rest of the day, and Skye ... no-one had a clue where Skye had gone. Time passed, filled with the urgent tasks of preparing for the coming conflict and on an issued suggestion from Billy, locked away in his room, Jason, Zack and Delphine were sent to various governments around the world to inform them they were going to have a percentage of their nuclear arsenals appropriated and that they should prepare for action in the next 48 hours. Trini eventually managed to get Billy to tell her what had happened, and to her alone he poured out the terrible secret that burdened him to her dawning horror and understanding of why he had reacted so badly, and why he now felt that Skye would never forgive him.

Rocky in the meantime had taken it upon himself to track down the missing Phoenix Ninjetti and enlisted some of the others in the moments they were not busy elsewhere. In the end it was Kim he turned to after Kat reminded him of that strange resonance bond that appeared to exist between them. With her enhanced abilities as a Master Ninjetti, she was able to actively attune that sensitivity to locate him ... tucked away in the very depths of the enormous Power Chamber Complex.

The small room they tracked him to was in utter darkness as the group, consisting of Rocky, Kat, Kim and Tommy, entered cautiously. The vestiges of faint light glinted on the Star Crystal embedded in the Phoenix Ninjetti's forehead, not quite concealed by his white hair as he sat staring into space.

"Lights on," Tommy commanded.

Kat stifled a gasp as she saw Skye revealed by the light, his face haggard, dark tear-born circles stamping misery onto his features. He actually appeared to be shaking, and she remembered abruptly he had been wounded barely a day or so previously.

"Skye?" Rocky stepped forward. "You ... you okay?"

Kim rolled her eyes. That was such a ... Rocky thing to ask, but at least it got things started.

"Not really," Skye replied in a dead voice, not looking up.

Kim sat next to him. "It's going to be okay," she said quietly. "We all know you and Billy argued," she began, "and that you and he said things you both probably regret ... but can't you forgive him?" she pleaded.

Tommy sat down also. "Yeah ... it's not worth hating - let it go, man."

Skye looked up at them with such raw emotion in his eyes that Kim felt a lump in her throat.

"I want to."

Rocky smiled, pleased it was going to be that easy. "Well, let's go and sort this out right now!" he said, but Skye shook his head. "I can't," he stated simply.

"Come on," Tommy cajoled. "You can't let wounded pride stand in the way of friendship."

"You don't understand," Skye refused quietly.

"I do - I've nearly ruined my life through wounded pride," Tommy said, glancing across at Kim.

"No! I mean you don't understand! I am not ABLE to speak to or see Billy!" Skye raised his voice.

The others fell silent in confusion, and Skye looked at them. "Yes, we argued; Billy will have resolved that issue now in his own mind ... but at the end ..." his voice wavered a little. "He ordered me to go away and that he did not want to see or hear from me and because of what I am now ... that is what I must do." They caught a glimpse of his expression as he looked away and flinched back from the look in his eyes.

It was Kim who realised what he meant. "You mean - you literally have to do anything he says? If he orders you not to be in sight or sound of him, you have to do so? That is what is meant by him being the Will of the Phoenix?" she asked, horrified.

Skye nodded miserably.

"That's ... that's TERRIBLE!" Tommy burst out. Anything that involved loss of volition was a very painful subject for him. It had happened so often and nearly cost him so much, he hated to see it ever happen to anyone else.

"I have no control over orders from him. He could order me to kill ... and I would without hesitation, though I would know it was not something I wanted ... or to stop breathing ... and I would. It is the way the Power works," Skye explained.

"My God," Kat whispered, shocked, not wanting to even think about such a possibility.

Tommy shook his head. "How can you stand it? What the hell was Billy thinking, doing this to you!" He got up, thunder in his expression.

"I ... I don't think he is really aware of exactly how ..." Skye began.

"Rocky, come on," Tommy said, standing up suddenly, not waiting for further explanations. Rocky nodded, perceiving his intent, and the two Ninjetti walked purposefully out of the room.

"Oh boy," Kim sighed and put her arm around Skye comfortingly.

~*~

Billy was sitting grim-faced at his computer. If there was one thing this schism had done, it was to make him more determined than ever to find ways of defeating the Enemy without resorting to the Ninjettis' 'primary weapon'. He had accomplished an immense amount in a short space of time, and as the Ninjetti forces began to filter in around Moonbase, he was frantically setting things into motion for the upcoming battle.

Rocky and Tommy entered and were immediately intercepted by Trini. "This isn't a good time," she whispered.

"Good time or not, there are a few things that have to be said," Tommy replied and then called out. "Billy!"

"You don't know what this is about, Tommy," Trini warned in a hiss.

"Maybe not, but it is clear that genius or not, there are some things that Billy doesn't yet know himself." Tommy met her gaze steadily. "You want this sorted?"

Rocky had taken advantage of the discussion between the two to slip around to Billy

"Guess you know why were are here," he began.

"I don't want to talk about it. He doesn't, so neither do I," Billy replied, still tapping away absently.

"Billy, will you look at me a moment?" Rocky said in exasperation. "I have something important to tell you."

Billy looked at him, his eyes a mirror of Skye's in their hurt. "It's too late ... he won't forgive me. That much is obvious. He would have come back if he did - or something; we've known each other long enough for him to do that."

"Jesus ... you really don't know, do you?" Rocky searched his face carefully. "The reason he hasn't been back to apologise is because he can't!"

"What?" Billy frowned, not understanding.

Tommy looked around. "You heard him," he said a little more harshly than he had intended. "Dammit, you ..."

Rocky placed a restraining hand on Tommy's shoulder and interrupted. "Billy, I'm guessing here, but I suspect the argument had something to do with the Phoenix Powers, right?"

The Wolf Ninjetti nodded slowly.

"And something to do with you giving orders, right?"Rocky said astutely.

Startled, Billy shot a glance at Trini who looked as surprised as he did. "Er, yes ... there were certain decisions that I ... don't want to have responsibility for."

Tommy stepped forward. "Both of us held the Red, Billy, we understand what that means - but you have something we never had. You are the Will of the Phoenix."

"Which means that your slightest word commands Skye in an absolute fashion," Rocky finished. "The reason that Skye hasn't made contact with you since you argued is because he can't."

Billy's face paled as he remembered how he had told his friend to get out of his sight, that he never wanted to see him again and how in mid-sentence the artist had turned and fled.

"Oh ... God ..."

"So now you know - what are you going to do about it?" Tommy asked pointedly. "He wants to talk with you, but he can't."

"I'll go to him ... I didn't realise ... not that every word ..." Billy got up slowly. "Excuse me," he said, smoothing back his blond hair and half-running from the room.

"Think that'll do it?" Rocky asked Trini and Tommy hopefully.

"Well, it's a step in the right direction," Trini replied. "I feel really bad now. I should have sought Skye out ..."

"Frankly, Trini, sorting out Billy is your job," Tommy said, smiling. "But let's hope those two sort this out themselves."

~*~

Billy ran down to the room, having met Kim and Kat on their way back up to find him. He had misused a Power out of ignorance, he had hurt a friend for something that was not entirely his fault. He had lashed out at the one person most vulnerable to his words and now he had to find a way to heal that breach.

He opened the door to utter silence and darkness, and said hurriedly, "Skye, I order you to disregard my previous orders now ... I would like to see you if you wish to see me."

There was a sigh from high up in the beams where the Phoenix Ninjetti had been hiding, and he dropped down from the heights, stumbling slightly, raising his eyes to meet his friend's; wordlessly asking for understanding.

The Wolf Ninjetti stepped forward, reaching out tentatively. "I'm ... I'm sorry," he said simply, not knowing how to apologise for such a grievous crime against inner freedom, and the worst being that he knew it might have to happen again.

"So am I," Skye replied, stepping closer himself. "I knew you would not react well to this, but I was too afraid to say something before." At that moment, he looked very lost and alone.

Billy very carefully did something uncharacteristic and actually was the one who initiated the embrace of mutual forgiveness, his heart aching for the fact that it might be the last opportunity he might have to do this. He swallowed as he felt Skye cling to him for a long, long moment and then silently and regretfully let him go.

"Promise me something," Skye requested, so softly he wondered if he had heard it.

"Anything," Billy replied immediately.

"That you won't hold back from invoking the Power ... if my death means that our friends could live," Skye asked in a muted voice.

"Oh Skye ..."

"If you would give your life to save them, so would I. I trust you - I trust you completely to do what needs to be done," Skye said, giving him the absolution he needed in advance.

"I know," Billy sighed. "But I will try not to cause your death ... not if there is another way ... and I will FIND another way."

Skye gave a genuine smile. "I won't argue hard against that ambition. Come on - we don't have much longer."

And Billy nodded, reluctant now to let him out of his sight ... just in case, but they had so much to do ... and so little time as they went beyond the edge of night and the ancient Ninjetti warning stood ready to be fulfilled. The Sun Goes Down, Beware the Darkness Visible.

~*~

Ilana bowed again. "Do you desire us to go after the Council of the Wise?" she asked, wondering at the Darkness Visible's seeming good humour after what appeared to be a serious setback with their loss of the Mentors. "I could lead an élite force inside their stronghold and take them again, or destroy them if it suits the Protector of Order."

The golden Nidhi shape appeared once more from the swirling dark mist. "No, my faithful one. It is not necessary."

"But will we not suffer that they know the information of the Mentors?" Ilana questioned.

"No, dearest," the Being laughed. "By letting them have the so-called Council of the Wise back, we have given them a script that they will be forced to follow. I have read their every move in the minds of their esteemed leaders, and of course ... when the time is right, I will destroy them from within. For every move a counter-move, for every plan a tactic, so that we will regain what was stolen from us."

"Your wisdom as ever leaves me in awe." The silver Nidhi bowed, still aglow at having been called 'dearest'.

The Darkness Visible allowed itself a measure of relaxation. "And we will reach our destiny when, my Chosen?"

Ilana's eyes shone with amethyst fire of eagerness as she reported the good news. "Within the day, Lord. We will take to the final battle and our victory on the morrow."

End