DISCLAIMER: Anything familiar in this story belonged to Saban and co. Oh, Megan Carson belongs to me and me alone! I’m not making any profit from doing this. It’s entirely for pleasure and for my sanity.J

TIMELINE: Takes place after the Silver Legacy series and Final Farewells. You have to read the series to know what happen to some people.

THE MEDALLION OF POWER I – THE QUEST.
By RAYE

"Boy, it's really good to be back home," said Billy, arranging his stuff in his locker. The schools’s just over for the day but Billy felt as if he’s ready for tomorrow. "But it feels even better going back to school again."

Rocky leaned nearer. "Why? I thought you enjoyed your life as a graduate," he teased.

Billy considered. Then he smiled. "Well, it has its ups and downs. But I've always liked school life better." He added to himself. ‘It’s the only place I feel at home, well, next to home at least.’

Speaking of home, he was really glad to see his father again who had just returned from Tokyo after three months. They’d spent the entire weekend exchanging stories. And of course, Billy didn’t tell him that he was on another planet while he was gone . As far as David Cranston was concerned, Billy was in Switzerland, visiting his old friends.

"Well, you better thank the school computer for not screwing up," Adam said, breaking his thoughts. Then Tommy shut his locker and joined them too. "Then again, it was the computer that started this whole mess," Tommy added.

"Yeah," said Billy, agreeing with him. "But I still can't believe that I'm a Power Ranger again," he added, spotting his silver morpher in his backpack. He had spent the whole weekend inventing the state-of-the-art morpher which looked a lot like the zeonizers. It was only until that morning that it was fully finished. "It’s like a dream come true."

" Nah, you deserve it. You’ve been sticking around with us for so many years that you deserve something like it. And we got the Aquitar Rangers to thank for. That is one awesome power," said Rocky.

Tommy nudged him. "Hey, we need that kind of power to defeat King Mondo since he’s using the Crystal of Power to power up his monsters. And not to mention the return of Zedd and Rita. I say we need all the help we could get."

The other two agreed.

"So, what’s next for our class genius?" asked Tommy. Billy shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe go back to my usual routined life ."

Rocky punched his shoulder gently. "You better stick with the rest of us if you want to be the class valedictorian. I heard Mr. Caplan has been rooting for you."

Billy blushed. The thought of being the class valedictorian was flattering but to him it’s just another dream to come true. "Nah, I think you heard wrong. I’m not cut out for it. There are too many competition this year."

Rocky acted shock. "What! You’re saying that you’re not cut out for it! You’re the smartest kid in school plus you were the president of the chess club and science club and math’s club. Not only that, you’re in the basketball team and the football team and …"

"Rocky…" Billy began but Rocky waved him off.

"I’m not finish, Billy. Wait, where was I? Oh, yes, you’re Miss Appleby’s pet, no, you’re the teacher’s pet to the entire Angel Grove High School faculty. Not to mention that you did in fact graduate early." He stopped and took a deep breath. "Well, save the fact that the computer did gone haywire into telling Mr. Caplan that you’ve earn enough credits to graduate…" he trailed off at that.

Adam looked at him. "Are you finish?"

"Oh, sorry," said Rocky, wincing. "I kinda forgot that part."

Billy shrugged. "Don’t worry about it, Rocky." He sighed. "The truth is, I ran a check on my grades last Saturday with the school’s councellor. I’ve missed a lot of classes and now I have a lot to catch up on." He raised the books in his hand. "That means I have to work harder to earn enough credits to graduate with you guys."

"And that means, extra credit projects, huh?" asked Rocky, sympathetically. Billy nodded but the prospect thrilled him even more. He always loved a good project. Especially if it involved challenging science projects.

"Well, if anyone can do it, I’m sure you can, Billy," said Adam, confidently.

"Thanks, Adam."

Tommy changed the subject. "Hey, let’s find Kat and have lunch."

"Good idea," said Rocky. "Where is she, anyway? I didn’t see her in class the whole day."

Tommy explained. "She’s involved with that art exhibition thing. You know, the one that is held in the school art gallery."

"Now, I remember," said Adam. "She’s been telling me about it the whole week."

"Yeah, and this morning she asked me to wait for her before we go to Ernie’s."

Rocky shrugged. "Well, what are we waiting for? I’m starving." The four guys left, heading towards the art gallery.

**@**@**

Bulk and Skull looked around the art gallery for their boss, Det. Stone. He had called them up earlier and asked them to meet him at the gallery after school. Bulk and Skull had been there for almost half an hour now, but there was still no sign of Stone.

‘Great, yesterday he had us bore to death with his punctuality lectures and now…’ His thought was interrupted by Skull.

"Bulky, look at that," he pointed at a painting.

The painting itself was filled with colors. "What kind of painting is this? I could do better than that," said Bulk.

"Bulk, that is no way to see a painting." A familiar accented voice said behind them. They turned and saw Kat, carrying what it seemed to them, decorations for the art gallery.

Bulk folded his arms, challenging her. "Oh, yeah. Well, enlighten me." Kat just shook her head and turned to look at the painting.

"Sometimes, a painting potrays the painter’s personalities or what he sees. In this painting, you can see the colors blue, green, yellow, red and pink. Maybe he was trying to tell us about the different colors of life. And he uses dark background to tell us that life is not usually as colorful. That at times we find hardship in life," Kat speculated. Bulk and Skull listened in wonder.

"But what’s with the silver color? Does it represent the color of life too?" asked Skull, pointing at a silver streak that almost look like a white spot. Kat frowned and bent forward, trying to get a better view.

"Hmm… I don’t know. I thought that was white." She frowned even deeper. "I never see anyone use silver color in his or her paintings. But I could be wrong, though. I mean, I was only speculating. The painter could’ve had other motive."

"Then, how can we know for sure what it means?" asked Bulk, getting curious. Kat just shrugged. "Find the painter. I heard he’s a student of Angel Grove High," she suggested.

Skull bent, looking at the bottom of the painting. "Hey, I found his initials here."

"Let me see."

Bulk bent, he saw three words in white, almost invisible in the dark background. "MCC. Hmm… I wonder who’s it?"

Kat shrugged. "I got to go. We got to get everything ready before the opening ceremony."

"When is the opening ceremony?" asked Skull. Kat answered, "Tomorrow afternoon."

"Bulkmeier and Skullovitch." A voice behind them said. They turned and saw Stone. "Hello, Det. Stone," said Kat.

Stone smiled. "Hello, Kat." he said. Sensing Det. Stone’s need to be alone with the other two, Kat excused herself.

When she was out of hearing distance, Detective Stone put his arms around each boy’s shoulder. "Now, boys. We have a mission here. Someone called me today and warned me that the paintings in this art exhibition are in danger."

Both boys’ exchanged glances. "What kind of danger?" asked Skull.

"It appears that we have an international art thief in our town. And he or she might be interested in our art exhibition"

Skull frowned. "But I don’t think these paintings are worth stealing."

"Yeah, they’re all painted by the students of Angel Grove, not someone famous. I think they’re worthless." Bulk said, agreeing with Skull. Det. Stone sighed.

"They are worth stealing. These paintings are the best ones Angel Grove High ever had and they could worth a thousand over," he said, trying to convince them. "Look at this one." He pointed to the painting they looked on earlier. "This one could go for ten thousand dollars."

"Ten thousand dollars?" Bulk and Skull quoted. Stone nodded. "Yes, now listen. The thief is known as Flash because he could snatch a painting even with our eyes open. He’s very good and he’s wanted by five states. Your mission is to find him before he acts."

Skull looked around. "How are we going to find him? There are over two thousand people in Angel Grove." Again, the detective sighed. "Just keep a look out for new faces coming in here. One of them could be the thief."

"Oh, right. I know that," said Skull. Stone shook his head and exhaled. "And since no one has ever seen this theif, they couldn’t even determine whether he’s a man or a woman."

Bulk saluted him. "You can count on us, sir. We’ll get the thief for you."

"I hope so."

**@**@**

"Hey, Kat," Tommy whispered in her left ear. "Ready for lunch?" he asked. Kat turned and saw Billy, Adam and Rocky.

"Just a minute, guys. I need to give these to Mr. Philips," she said and with that, she picked up a box full of decorations and walked towards the art teacher.

"Wow, the art gallery sure is a lot livelier than usual," Rocky commented, drinking his surroundings. Adam shrugged. "The art exhibition is very important to the art students. I heard that Mr. Philips is trying to raise money to buy new art equipment. The ones they have are like three decades old."

Tommy nodded. "You’re right. And I think it gonna be a success."

Billy looked around the busy gallery. He had to admit that Tommy was right. The paintings that were being exhibited were all good. Suddenly, his eyes landed on a sight he had never seen before. That sight made his heart pounded twice faster.

Across the room, a girl in black was arranging decorations for the exhibition. She’s a few inches shorter than he was and she wore her long, reddish brown hair into a ponytail. But it was not her physical appearence that attracted him. It was something he couldn’t place. Maybe it was how the air rediated at her pressence. The way she was lost in her own world, oblivious to everything around her, as if she could care less if the world was to be destroyed. But whatever it was, Billy vowed to himself to get to know her.

Suddenly, as if sensing his presence, she looked up and their eyes locked on each other. What Billy saw in them makes him backed a step. Her dark brown eyes were deep and alert. It was then, obvious to Billy that she hadn’t lost in her own world after all. Her eyes were so deep that Billy felt that he had been sucked into a black hole. Then, she looked down again and continued with her work. But before that, Billy captured something on her cold statement. A tiny smile.

"Earth to Billy. Please return to Earth for a minute." Suddenly, a voice broke the spell. Billy jumped and saw Rocky, smiling mischievously.

"Welcome back to Earth. We thought we lost you back there," Rocky teased, while Tommy and Adam laughed.

Billy apologized, but Rocky was not ready to let him go. "Hmm… I wonder what make you lost, Space Boy?" he said, turning to look at what make Billy paralyzed.

What he saw make his jaw dropped open. "Whoa, who is that?" he asked Billy. His friend just shrugged.

"Don’t know. Never seen her before."

Tommy nudged Billy, playfully. "So, when are you going to ask her out?" Billy blushed.

"You know, the school is having a dance this end of month," Adam helpfully put in.

Before Billy could say anything, Kat returned. "Well, let’s go. I’m starving," she said, picking her things up. Before he joined his friends, Billy’s eyes strayed back to the girl. To his disappointment, she’s already gone.

**@**@**

"Ahhh…. Everything’s fine. Thanks to the eagle eyes of Farkus Bulkemier and Eugene Skullovitch, ace private detectives."

"The best in the world," Skull put in as they finished their patrol around the art gallery.

Bulk turned to his friend. "How about lunch, Dr. Watson?"

"Lunch?" Skull hesitated. " Bulk, we can’t go for lunch and leave the art gallery unprotected. Stone will…"

"Can it, Skull. Nobody will ever get their hands on the paintings as long as we’re on the job. I think Mr. Stone was just exaggerating about this Flash person. I mean, who could steal a painting right under a guard’s nose, especially ours?"

Suddenly, Skull shrieked and pointed at behind Bulk. His friend turned and had the same reaction. The painting they had looked on earlier was gone!

"Skull! Skull! Where did it go?" Bulk asked, shaking his friend’s shoulder. "Oh, man. Stone is gonna kill us. We let the Flash stole the painting right under our noses."

Skull shook his head. "We’re finished! Mr. Stone is gonna kill us!"

Bulk shook his friends shoulder once more. "No, Skull, no. We’re not finished yet. We simply have to find the painting before anyone notice anything." Then he looked past his friend’s shoulder. "Skull, look."

Skull turned and saw a girl in black, checking out a painting a few feet away. He was very sure that he had never seen her before. "Looks like we found ourselves a suspect," Bulk said. "Come on, buddy. Let’s have a talk with her."

Bulk and Skull were about to approach her when their English teacher, Miss Appleby walked in and called the girl. They talked for a minute and walked out of the art gallery. Bulk and Skull were going to follow them but they were stopped by an interesting conversation between a group of girls.

"…You know, I don’t really trust that girl."

"You’re not the only one, Carla. Did you see her outfits?"

"Ugh… black is definitely not her color."

Carla, Angel Grove’s head cheerleader, wrinkled her nose. "And look at her hairdo. You’ll never find me put my hair like that."

"She badly need a haircut right, Marcy?"

Marcy snorted. "It’s no wonder they called her a freak in her old school."

Carla glanced at her. Out of sight, Bulk and Skull took a step nearer. There’s definitely something Marcy was hiding. "What is it, Marc?"

Marcy gestured her friends’ closer. "Do you remember my cousin, Kerry?" The others nodded. "She’s in the same school as our girl in black here."

"Really? What she told you?"

"That girl is a freak. Not the usual kind of freak. Everybody from her old school always stayed out of her way." Marcy stopped. "Well, except a loser named Diana or something."

"Is that all?" Carla asked. Marcy just smiled, wickedly.

"Kerry told me that this girl used to go to a school in Salem, before her family moved to New York. And you know what?"

"What?" her friends echoed.

Marcy’s statement turned into horror. "This girl was forced to move because she nearly killed a student!"

"My god!" Her friends began to talk at once. But Carla shushed them. "There’s more, right?" she asked Marcy.

Marcy nodded. Then she looked around her. "You know that witch Zelda who lives a few block from you, Carla?" Carla nodded. "Well, I heard that this girl is related to her."

Everybody gasped in horror. "That means she’s a witch, too?"

"Angel Grove is doom!"

"We better stay away from her."

"No wonder she looked so arrogant…"

Bulk and Skull stepped out of the girls’ earshot. "Do you hear that?" Bulk asked Skull. His friend nodded. "If she is a witch, she could stole the painting easily without anyone seeing it."

"What do you think we should do now?" asked Skull.

Bulk looked around them. "First we have to find her. Let’s go."

But Bulk and Skull weren’t the only one who overheard the conversation. Rocky, who came back to find Tanya, overheard it as well. Now, he had a different perspective of the girl. A very different one than he had earlier. And it’s not good at all.

‘What if she’s one of Mondo’s evil plan. Or Rita’s new spy like Kat?’ he thought, as he walked out of the art gallery. ‘Whatever she is, I must warn the others.’

**@**@**

Tanya sighed for a thousandth time. For half an hour, she still can’t figure out how to solve the new equation her math teacher had given her for homework. "I’ll never be able to get this done." Earlier, Tanya had thought that the silence of the library could help her figure her homework out. Now, nothing was certain. Her stomach growled but she still refused to move until she got it done.

Tanya’s sigh attracted the attention of a girl who sat a few rows from her. She stood up and walked towards Tanya. "Excuse me, maybe I can help you."

Tanya looked up and saw a girl no older than she was. She wore her hair into a ponytail and dressed in a black dress. Tanya thought that the girl looked terrible in the black dress. Her stare must have discouraged the girl because she shrunk back. "I’m sorry if I bothered you," she backed. "I thought you could use a helping hand." And she began to leave.

"Wait!" Tanya called out. The girl stopped. "I’m sorry for staring at you. I’ve never seen you around before. You’re new, right?" The girl nodded but still maintained her distance.

"Great! Welcome to Angel Grove High," she said, smiling. Then she turned to her homework. "And yes, I do need help. But I don’t think you can help me unless you’re a math genius."

The girl approached Tanya once more and took a seat beside her. "Well, it won’t hurt any of us if I try, right?"

Tanya immediately liked the girl’s spirit. "Yeah, it won’t hurt," she said, showing the girl her homework. The girl looked at it in silence and then turned to Tanya.

"Not bad," she said. "You nearly got the answer but I think you’re doing it in a lot longer way, which is why you’re confuse. But if you do it this way…"

Half an hour later, Tanya managed to finish her homework with the girl’s help. Tanya looked over her homework, happily. "I don’t think you know this but you’ve definitely helped me big time. How did you know the way to solve the equations? Are you really a math whiz?"

The girl shook her head. "I …uh… practice a lot."

In her triumph Tanya failed to detect the hesitance in the girl’s voice. She turned and extended her hand. "By the way, I’m Tanya Sloan." The girl smiled and took her hand.

"My name’s Megan Carson."

Tanya packed her things. "Listen, if you’re free now, maybe we could have lunch together?" she asked. Megan looked at her books where she had left on another table. She was thinking of catching up on her homework that she had put aside ever since getting herself involved with the art exhibition.

‘Looks like I won’t be free tonight,’ she thought.

"Megan?" Tanya called her, interrupting her thoughts.

Megan turned and shrugged. "I’ll meet you at the Juice Bar. I have to take care of something," she said, glancing at a portfolio that was lying on the table. Tanya nodded in agreement.

"Great. I’ll see you later then."

**@**@**

Tanya was stepping out of the library when Mrs. Appleby stopped her. "Tanya, I would like to ask you a favor."

"Sure, Mrs. Appleby."

The English teacher grinned, very pleased. "I have this new student just transferred from New York. She’s a student of my friend."

"Wait a minute. Is her name Megan Carson?" Tanya interrupted. Mrs. Appleby looked at her, surprised.

"Why, do you know her?"

Tanya shook her head. "I just met her at the library. She helped me with my homework. She’s one smart girl, Mrs. Appleby."

Mrs. Appleby smiled, sadly. "Yes, she was the smartest kid in her old school but too bad she’s not so good at making friends. That’s where you and your friends came in."

"You want us to make friends with her, right?"

The teacher nodded. "Yes, if that’s fine with you and your friends."

Tanya hesitated. "Well, I can’t say on behalf of my friends. But what I can say is that I would love to get to know her better."

"Thank you, Tanya. If only you realize what this means to me and my friend."

Tanya scratched her head. "I don’t get it, Mrs. Appleby. Why was she transferred here? Did her family just moved in to Angel Grove?"

"That’s one thing, Tanya. And the other one is about an accident happened to Megan a few months ago. Poor girl. That accident had changed her life forever." With that, Mrs. Appleby walked away, shaking her head.

**@**@**

Rocky had told his friends what he just heard. He had wanted to wait for Tanya but she was late. And he feared that the new girl had done something to her. Now, he just looked at his friends’ faces, to see their reaction.

Tommy wore a serious look. It was obvious to Rocky that he had taken all this very seriously. But what he didn’t know was that Tommy felt that it was his responsibility to save the girl from Rita’s spell. He knew that he couldn’t let what happened to him and Kat, happen to the girl. Meanwhile, Adam just shrunk back and didn’t show much reaction. He was lost in his own world, oblivious to everyone except Rocky.

But Kat and Billy wore a look of total disbelief. Billy can’t believe that the girl could be evil. To him, her tiny smile was genuine enough to tell him that she was not evil but merely strange. And Kat…

"I don’t believe it!" Kat said, shattering the wall of silence. The others looked at her. "I mean, sure, I don’t know her that well but I know her enough to know that she’s not evil. And what you just heard could be rumors. I know Carla and her friends well enough to tell that they’d say anything to make people look bad. Especially newcomers like Megan. And Megan didn’t do anything suspicious when she’s working at the art gallery."

"Kat’s right, Rocky," Billy said. "We should give this girl the benefit of a doubt."

Rocky waved them off. "You just say that because you got a thing for her, Billy. But you barely know her."

"Exactly," Kat cut in. "We must get to know her first before we come to a conclusion. And I don’t think I believe in that witch crap. Besides, I think Zelda Powells is a nice lady."

Tommy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you’re right. We must give ourselves a chance to know her. Besides, if she’s really related to Zelda Powells, she can’t be that bad. I know Miss Powells. She’s pretty cool."

As soon as he said that, they spotted Tanya, walking towards them. She looked excited.

"Tanya, where have you been?" asked Rocky, relieved to see her. Tanya took a seat next to him.

"I was in the library," she answered, barely hiding her excitement. "Guys, I just met someone really incredible. She’s new here and really smart. She helped me with my homework."

Adam leaned forward. "Who is she, Tanya?" But instead of answering, Tanya looked around her as if she was searching for someone. Then, her eyes brightened.

"There she is," she said and with that, she leapt out from her seat and walked over to the entrance. When the other Rangers saw whom she meant, they stiffened.

**@**@**

When Megan walked into the Juice Bar, she expected to see Tanya, waiting at an empty table. But when she saw Tanya with a group of people, Megan froze in the middle of her track. She turned to leave but Tanya caught her first.

"Hey, Megan. I’m so happy you’re here," said Tanya, pulling her towards the group. "I want you to meet my friends."

"Uh… Tanya, I’m not really good at meeting people," she said, pulling away. But Tanya wouldn’t let her go.

"It’s okay, you’ll like them. They’re really friendly."

When they reached the group’s table, Tanya quickly introduced them.

"Guys, this is Megan Carson. And this is Tommy, Kat, Rocky, Adam and…"

"Billy," Megan finished for her. Then realizing what she had done, she blushed.

Billy was transfixed. He was amazed that a girl like Megan would know his name. "How did you know my name?"

"Uh… your name is on the book," she answered, pointing at a chemistry book on the table. The others looked and saw Billy’s name on it.

"Uh… you’re right," said Billy, shaking her hand.

The other Rangers looked on. All they had heard a moment ago was forgotten. They were intrigued by Megan’s deep brown eyes and her quiet feature. She looked so innocent that it was hard for them to believe that she could be evil.

Megan looked around her, uneasily. Sure, she had received a lot of that kind of look since she was little but now she felt that she was in verge of losing another friend. But still, when she shook their hands, she felt that she couldn’t let go. She felt very drawn to them and … comfortable?

Suddenly, Ernie came over and broke the silence. "What would you like, Tanya?" Then he spotted Megan. "Hey, Meg. How are you doing today?"

Megan smiled. "Fine, Ernie."

The Rangers looked at them. "You two know each other?" asked Rocky.

"Sure," said Ernie. "Megan here helped me find my missing car keys yesterday. And guys, if you ever lost something, ask for her help. She’s very good at finding things."

Megan blushed, while the others looked on. "Uh… anything, Tanya? Megan?" Ernie asked for the second time.

"Pineapple juice for me, Ernie," Tanya answered while Megan muttered. "Strawberry shakes."

"So, what do you think of Angel Grove?" asked Tommy, breaking the silence. Megan looked around her. "It’s pretty quiet here compared to New York. I love it."

Adam leaned forward. "When did you moved in?"

"About three days ago. My place is near the park."

"Is it the house with the cherry tree?" asked Rocky, interestedly. Megan looked at him, surprised. "Yes, are you…"

"My house is a few blocks away from yours," Rocky told her. "We’re neighbors!"

For the first time, Megan grinned. "Great! Now I know my first neighbor." Just then, Ernie brought their orders.

"Have you been in the park?" asked Kat.

Megan shook her head. "When I came here, I was pretty busy with the art exhibition thing. I never get a chance to go anywhere including my classes."

"No wonder we never see you in class."

"Yeah, Mr. Philips is a friend of my mom. And he asked me to help out."

Billy, who was quiet the whole time, spoke up. "Would you like us to show you around? Well, if you’re free that is."

Megan looked at him, a little surprised. "Yeah, sure. I love to, " she found herself said that as she gaze into his blue eyes.

"So, Megan. What made you move here?" asked Rocky.

Megan frowned as if trying to remember something. "Well, my father was transferred here. And…" she stopped as a painful memory came into focus.

Before anyone could say anything, a familiar beep interrupted them. Tommy glanced at Megan. "Uh… Megan, there’s something we must do. And we might not be able to make it for the park trip."

Megan waved off his apology. "It’s okay, I understand. I have to get back home to help my mother unpack anyway." With a wave at the group, she left.

When Megan was out of eyesight, Tommy raised his communicator to his lips. "Yes, Zordon?"

"Rangers, please teleport to the Power Chamber now."

"We’ll be right there." Then, after finding a secluded place, the Rangers teleported in six rays of colors.

**@**@**

"What’s wrong, Zordon?" asked Tommy as soon as they reached the Power Chamber. As usual, Billy rushed over the control panels to help Alpha.

But to their surprise, Zordon smiled. "You can be at ease, Tommy, Billy. This does not concern our enemy’s evil plan."

"Zordon has a good news for you," Alpha told the kids, excitedly. "In fact it’s the greatest news ever."

The Rangers glanced at each other. "What is it, Zordon?" asked Kat.

"Rangers, the time has come for you to learn about the existence of the Great Power of Earth," Zordon began.

"The Great Power of Earth?" Adam quoted as his friends exchanged glances. "What is that, Zordon?"

"Let me begin, Rangers. A long time ago, the Command Center was visited by a special guest. Gaia, the spirit of Earth herself."

"The Spirit of Earth?" Billy asked, disbelief.

"Yes, and she is thankful for the excellent work of the Rangers of the past and have promised us that in the future, the Great Power will emerge to help us in time of need. And that time is now."

Tommy stopped him. "What is the Great Power of Earth, Zordon?"

Zordon smiled. "The Great Power of Earth is a combination of power created by Earth itself. It is a combination of Earth elements such as earth, wind, spirit of animals and humans, everything that make Earth a living planet."

"So, what you’re saying is that we can use this power to defend Earth from creatures like King Mondo and Lord Zedd?" asked Kat.

"Exactly."

Rocky voiced out his question. "Where is the Great Power, Zordon?"

"That’s remain to be found. We must find it to prove that we’re in need of it. But I must warn you, Rangers. This power is so powerful that it could destroy Earth itself if it ever falls into evil hands," Zordon warned.

"Yes, and the story of the Great Power of Earth are so well known throughout the universe that Zordon and I feared that King Mondo or other evil creatures might be looking for it this very minute," Alpha put in.

Zordon continued. "Rangers, you must find it fast. The fate of Earth lies in your hands."

"But what exactly are we looking for? I mean Earth is such a big place to start with," asked Tanya.

"Good question, Tanya." Zordon continued. "Yes, Gaia had told me to find the Medallion of Power."

"The Medallion of Power?" the Rangers chorused.

"Yes," said Zordon, suddenly he projected a hologram of a gold medallion with little gemstones on it. The stones featured colors like blue, green, white, pink, and others.

"Each stones represent each Rangers. From the past, present, and future," Zordon explained.

"Wow! We’re gonna have an Orange Ranger after all!" Rocky exclaimed. "And Purple too!"

Zordon looked at the Rangers and saw Billy and Tommy looked at him. He knew that the two Rangers found that the information was not enough. He sighed. "Rangers, the Great Power is also made to have a reaction with your powers."

" I don’t understand, Zordon," said Adam, looking at his friends who were wearing the same puzzled statement as he was.

"Every time you are close to the Great Power, you will feel drawn to it."

"Does that mean if we feel attracted to something, say like a rock, it means that it might contained the Great Power?" asked Rocky, trying to explain it to himself. Zordon nodded.

Tommy looked at Zordon. He would like to have more information than that but realized that Gaia must have not told everything to Zordon for the safety of the power. He also realized that for the first time, Zordon don’t have the answers to everything at all. "Alright, you can count on us, Zordon."

"Yeah, we will find the Great Power,’ said Billy. Tommy looked at him and saw that his friend had thought of the same thing. Then Billy continued. "You guys go. Alpha and I will devise something that could help us track any unusual power reading."

"Great. Adam, you and Tanya go to the museum and every antique shop in Angel Grove. Those are the likeliest place where we would find a medallion. Kat, Rocky and I would check other places, in case the medallion is hidden somewhere in the woods or the desert."

"That’s a big ground for us to cover," said Kat, dubiously.

Tommy shrugged. "We have no choice. Until we have more information on how to find it, and I don’t mean just a hologram," he said pointedly at Zordon. "We’ve got to guess our way around."

"Let’s get a move on it," said Rocky, teleporting out. The others teleported out as well. Billy turned to start working when he sensed Zordon’s deep concern. "Don’t worry, Zordon. If anyone can find the Great Power, it would be us."

**@**@**

Alpha had been right. King Mondo had ordered his army of cogs to go to Earth and find the Medallion of Power. Now, he was waiting anxiously.

"Dear, I’m afraid that we have a problem," said Queen Machina, interrupting the king’s thought on how to destroy the Power Rangers when he have the Medallion of Power.

"Problem? What kind of problem?" he asked. Queen Machina fanned herself.

"It’s the Power Rangers. They’re searching for the medallion too."

King Mondo slammed his staff to the floor. "What! And I thought Zordon has completely forgotten about the Great Power. We must stop them. They can’t have the power."

"Don’t worry, father. I have a plan to distract the Rangers," said Prince Sprocket.

King Mondo nodded, giving his permission. "Go, Sprocket. Make me proud of you."

**@**@**

Bulk and Skull jumped into the bush as the suspect stopped and glanced back at the way she came from. Seeing no one was there, she continued her way back home. As soon as the coast was clear, the two ‘junior detectives’ jumped out of the bushes, wincing at the thorns that were sticking on their skin. But still they followed the suspect.

Bulk and Skull had been tailing Megan aka. Flash from the moment she left school. They were very sure that she will lead them to the missing painting.

"Look at her. She look so calm as if she thought that she could get away with it."

Skull stole a glance at her. "I don’t know, Bulkie. She looked kinda cute."

"Can it, Skull." Bulk was about to continue when they heard a cry. Both of them jumped out of the bushes to deal with the trouble. But what they saw was definitely out of their league.

Half a dozen cogs had appeared and they were standing right in Megan’s path. Terrified, the two boys’ run, screaming for help, leaving Megan who was frozen in her track.

**@**@**

Suddenly, the alarms went crazy; interrupting Billy’s thoughts. He looked up.

"Ai yi yi! There are cogs appeared in the park. And they aren’t there for a picnic," Alpha said, contacting the other Rangers. A moment later, they teleported in.

"What is it, Billy?" asked Tommy, as his friend punched a few buttons.

"Hold on, guys," said Billy. Then the viewing globe flickered, showing a scene of cogs surrounding a girl.

"Cogs!" Rocky said, disgusted.

"That’s Megan!" said Billy, recognizing the girl. He clenched his fists.

Tommy put his hand on his friend’s shoulder to calm him down. "I’m afraid King Mondo is trying to capture your friend to distract you from your quest," said Zordon.

"Well, I don’t care what he’s planning. This is between King Mondo and us. And Megan is definitely not involve in this," Tommy said, valiantly. "We must rescue her, right guys?"

"Right!"

Zordon continued. "I know that’ll be your decision and I respected that. But be careful, Rangers."

"We will, Zordon," Tommy promised. "It’s Morphin Time!"

"Zeo Ranger One, Pink!"

"Zeo Ranger Two, Yellow!"

"Zeo Ranger Three, Blue!"

"Zeo Ranger Four, Green!"

"Zeo Ranger Five, Red!"

"Silver Ranger Power!"

**@**@**

When the strange creature appeared before her, Megan couldn’t help herself from letting out a surprise cry. In her life, she had never encountered this kind of thing before. Now, she stood there, thinking how to escape from them.

"Cogs, get her!" a short and fat robot-like creature, said to his tall companions. To Megan he sounded like a little boy and definitely dangerous.

"No way, fat boy!" she snapped, began tossing her books. They hit squarely on the cogs’ head. But more to come. Megan was about to search for another weapon to protect herself, when something appeared before her. No, it was somebody! The Power Rangers!

"Are you alright?" asked the Silver Ranger, standing between her and a cog. She nodded as the Silver Ranger swung a fist at the cog.

The Red Ranger turned. "Silver Ranger, get Megan out of here!" he shouted, dodging another blow from a cog. The Silver Ranger nodded and grabbed Megan’s hand. She shrieked as another cog attacked them. Fortunately, the Silver Ranger was faster. His high kick sent the cog flying in the air to a treetop.

"Don’t worry, I’ll protect you," he said, summoning his Silver sword. He swung his sword, hitting the cogs as he made a path for him to bring Megan out to safety.

King Mondo looked as his cogs were being defeated one by one. He wondered why he listened to his son’s idea at all. He had tried to kidnap the Ranger’s friends many times before but the Rangers always ended up saving them at the end. As he watched the Red Ranger coming into his son’s way, he called off the fight.

"Wha…" the Blue Ranger began, staring at an empty spot in front of him. He was about to finish the cogs off when all of them disappeared. "Man, I hate it when they disappeared like that."

The Red Ranger looked around to check if his friends were all right. Then, he turned his attention to the Silver Ranger and Megan, who were approaching him. He saw that the Silver Ranger was still holding Megan’s hand.

"Are you all alright?" Megan asked, before the Red Ranger could ask her the same question.

"Yeah, what about you?" the Pink Ranger asked, barely hide a hint of amusement in her voice.

Megan checked herself then her books, sprawling on the grass. "Well, I’m in a better condition than my books." Then she turned to the Silver Ranger. "Besides, your Ranger friend here is a good bodyguard. Thank you."

In his helmet, the Silver Ranger blushed. "My pleasure," he muttered. Megan then walked over to her books and examined them. Some of them were torn.

"Remind me never to throw books at those thing again. They don’t know how to use it well," she said, picking them up. The Silver Ranger bent down to help her. Then, he handed her the books. For a moment, his eyes locked on hers. He could almost feel her eyes penetrated his helmet.

"Thanks," she said, slowly. "Again." The Silver Ranger, then, helped her up.

"I’m… Megan," she introduced herself.

"I’m… uh… the Silver Ranger," he said, wincing. For a while their hands held. Unable to do anything, the other Rangers watched both of them, in silence.

Seconds later, it was the Red Ranger who broke the spell. "If everything is okay, we should be going." The Silver Ranger quickly dropped her hand. "Yes, we got to go," he told her.

Megan shrugged. "I’m fine. You all can go now."

With that, the six Rangers disappeared in six streaks of light. Megan sighed and began to leave the area. ‘What a day.’

**@**@**

When the Rangers returned to the Power Chamber, Billy quickly demorphed and walked over to the consoles. "What are you doing, Billy?" asked Rocky, watching his friends’ fingers danced on the controls.

"I’m monitoring Megan. If she is Mondo’s new target to get to us, I don’t want that to happen again," he explained.

"Billy, I think Mondo get the message. He knows that if he touch Megan again, we’re going to hit him harder," Rocky protested.

Billy turned to face him but it was Zordon who spoke first. "Rocky, under these circumstances, Mondo would try anything to get the Great Power. Even killing your friends. Billy is doing the right thing by checking on her. She’s the likely target. But now, I think it is best we check on every former Rangers and your friends."

Remembering Aisha, Rocky backed out. "You’re right," he said, patted Billy’s shoulder. "Let’s check on that girlfriend of yours."

Billy began to protest but then, he blushed. He knows it’s no use to deny it. He liked her, a lot. Though he was not sure if it was romance, he was sure that he wanted to get to know her better. Billy punched a few buttons on the console and then, the viewing globe flickered, showing Megan who was just entering her front lawn. Suddenly they saw a spot of white, running towards her. A cat.

"It’s so adorable," Tanya cried out. Kat looked at the cat, blinking.

Then they saw a raven landed on Megan’s shoulder.

"You saw the whole thing, right?" they heard her said to the silky black raven. "Don’t worry, you two, I’m fine."

The raven cried out, hoarsely. "Sure I’m fine. That Silver Ranger and his friends protected me well." She sighed. "Isn’t the Silver Ranger great?" The raven cried in response.

Then they heard she told the raven. "Now Midnight, you better go back before Aunt Zelda got worried about you. It’s almost nightfall."

To the Ranger amazement, the raven left. Megan turned to the cat. "Come on, Snowball. Let’s get ready for dinner," she said, disappearing into her house.

Rocky slapped Billy’s shoulder. "Hey, Billy, now you know she likes you too." Billy blushed while the others were smiling at him. But he’s not glad at all and Kat noticed it.

"Guys, you better go home and call it a day," Billy said. "Alpha and I will continue with our invention."

**@**@**

Kat put her things in her locker. Then she dashed towards the art gallery. The opening ceremony was a few hours away and they need to make a few last minute preparations. Unfortunately, a few students who were involved called in sick. Now, they were short-handed. And running out of time.

When she reached the art gallery, she nearly collided with Rocky.

"Rocky!" she cried out, then spotted Tommy and others. "What are you guys doing here? Aren’t you suppose to be in class?"

Rocky gave her a mischievous smile. "We heard you’re short-handed."

"So, we went to see Mr. Philips and ask if we could help," Tanya continued.

"And he jumped right into it," Tommy finished for them. Kat shook her head in amusement. "Thanks, guys. Come on, let’s see what we have to do."

With that, they approached Mr. Philips who was briefing other students. Among the students they saw Megan, listening intently. When Rocky caught her attention, she just nodded in acknowledgement. When Mr. Philips finished assigning everyone, Megan quickly began her work. Rocky nudged his friends and gestured at her. The others nodded in understanding and approached her.

"Hey, Megan," Tommy greeted. Megan looked up and smiled. "Hi, guys. Didn’t expect to see you here."

Adam shrugged. "We just thought you guys need help. So, here we are." Megan smiled, appreciatively. "Thanks for the thought," she said. The Rangers noticed that she was still wearing black but this time in a different dress.

Rocky scratched his head. ‘Boy, she sure is a fine conversationalist.’ He then tried to think of another subject to talk about. "Hey, Megan. We heard you were attacked by some cogs yesterday. Were you hurt?"

That definitely caught her attention. She turned her head to Rocky, sharply. Her deep eyes narrowed. Rocky sucked his breath. ‘Great! I guess that is not a perfect subject to talk about after all.’

"How did you know about that, Rocky?" she asked, surprised. "I didn’t tell anyone, not even my parents."

That caught Rocky off balance. The others looked at each other, thinking how to help him without revealing their secret. "Uh…um…"

"Someone saw what happened," Kat quickly interrupted Rocky.

Tanya nodded. "Yeah, we heard about it from them."

"And we were quite worried when we heard about it," Tommy finished for them.

"Oh…" said Megan but still looking at them, suspiciously. Then she shrugged. "Well, as you can see, I’m still standing."

The Rangers blow a sigh of relief. ‘Maybe she believed our little story,’ Adam thought. Then, he checked his watch. "Um… guys. We better get started. The opening is just around the corner."

The Rangers dispersed. Kat and Rocky walked together. "Thanks for saving my butt there, Kat. She really caught me there."

"That’s okay. If I were in your shoe, I’d be caught too. She’s very sharp," said Kat, glancing at Megan who was working with Tanya.

"I just hope she’s really on our side," Rocky replied.

"Why do you say that?"

Rocky looked at her. "Haven’t you wondered why Zedd and Rita aren’t searching for the Great Power?"

"The thought crossed my mind. What do you think?"

"I think they might already have their own spy to watch us. Maybe steal the medallion once we found it."

"And?"

He chose his words carefully. "It could be Megan, you know."

Kat sighed. She thought that they’re done with the whole Megan-the-evil-spy thing. But when she thought about the girl’s mysterious appearance in Angel Grove, her secretive manner… maybe Rocky had a point. Megan appearance in Angel Grove when the Great Power was about to surface was a little more than just a coincidence. But Kat liked Megan and hoped it was nothing but coincidence.

**@**@**

Billy massaged his sore neck. He had been working in the Power Chamber all-night and missed his classes. Now all he need was sleep. And breakfast. As he stepped in the Juice Bar, he looked for his friends but found none of them.

‘Well, they must be busy with the art exhibition,’ he assumed and ordered his food. Then he saw Megan, sitting across the room alone. As his eyes wandered on her, he began to wonder why she, of all girls, attracted him so much. She was not beautiful. And certainly not the prettiest girl he ever met. Cute? Not even close. And she didn’t exactly have the greatest figure. There was nothing special about her except her cold personality. And her deep eyes.

Suddenly he found himself staring down at her. He blushed.

"Hi," she said, softly. "You looked like you could use some sleep."

Billy ran his fingers through his dark blond hair. "I’ve been working late. And missed my classes."

Megan pointed at his plate, which he was carrying. "Is that breakfast?"

He winced. "Yeah. It’s not the healthiest breakfast in the world, is it?"

"I’ve seen worst," she shrugged as Billy sat on an empty seat. "What were you up to that make you missed your sleep and classes?"

"Something extremely important," he answered. Then, changed the subject. "How’s the exhibition going?"

"Fine. The opening ceremony was great. Your friends are there right now. Will you be there too?"

Billy swallowed his food. "Yeah, I’ve promised Kat." Suddenly a white cat leapt on Megan’s lap. Both of them were startled.

"Snowball! What are you doing here?" she asked, stroking the white cat. The cat purred in response.

"She’s beautiful," Billy remarked. "How did she get here?"

Megan shrugged. "She must’ve followed me here." As she glanced at him, Billy saw her turned into a different person. Her cold statement changed into a look of concern. And her eyes had a flash of tend