Lithium Sunset
by Kittie

"You're mine, Ranger," the monster taunted, its tentacles tightening around Rocky's throat.

_Oh no,_ Adam thought fleetingly, getting only a brief glimpse of what was happening to his friend. He and Aisha were battling the Evil Eel, while Tommy and Kimberly had their hands full with Crazy Crayfish.

Rocky tried to scream again, but couldn't. Not only was the beast squeezing the life out of him, it was injecting him with tiny, poisoned darts that easily penetrated his armor.

"Tommy! Adam! Rocky needs help, fast! You've got to get that Jellyfish away from him!" came Billy's voice over their com-links.

"I can't!" Adam dodged another blow from the Evil Eel, wincing as he heard Aisha shriek in pain.

Tommy's reply was equally curt. "We're in real trouble here!"

Billy, who was pacing agitatedly in the Command Center, came to a momentous decision. "Adam, hurry! Call upon the powers of the Blue Ranger!"

"But—"

"Do it now!"

Adam knew he had no choice as he realized Rocky was hanging limp in the jellyfish's grasp. "Blue Ranger Power!" he shouted.

"What are you doing," Crazy Crayfish shrieked as Adam began glowing a dark, navy blue. Its distraction gave Tommy a chance to land a blow.

Jolly Jellyfish was, at first, oblivious to Adam, laughing uproariously as it shook Rocky forcefully, but it soon noticed as Adam quickly turned on him. "What, you want to join your friend?" Jolly Jellyfish taunted.

This enraged Adam. He thought fleetingly that he should be careful, that whatever he did to destroy the jellyfish might hurt Rocky. But there was such power coursing through him now. Such power....

Adam brought his hands together as if to clap. A ball of intense blue energy formed between his hands and flew out to engulf his nemesis. The jellyfish exploded into a million gooey pieces, but the force of the blast sent Rocky flying. He hit the ground hard and didn't move.

That infuriated Adam even more. As soon as he saw Rocky teleported to safety, he turned on the Evil Eel, running toward it with a wild yell. Aisha quickly realized he didn't need her help, and ran to help Tommy and Kimberly.

Adam, with the power of two Rangers aiding him, quickly dispatched of the Evil Eel, but just as he realized his friends were still having a rough time, a spectral blue wolf leapt out of his chest. The force of the ghostly being's escape slammed Adam backwards to the ground.

Adam slowly sat up, shaking his head, amazed to see the wolf leap at the monster, knocking it over. Enraged, it savagely tore at the monster's throat, rendering it completely helpless before it exploded in a fireball of crayfish parts. The wolf was unaffected; it simply stood there where the monster had been, growling and bristling.

Adam got up and slowly took a step toward the wolf. He knew it was a manifestation of the Blue Power, but he didn't quite know how to call it back. He was about to try simply calling to it (Here, wolfy, wolfy!), but his eyes widened in fear as the wolf turned and ran toward him. It seemed to take only a split second for the wolf to leap at him, hit him in the chest and knock him back to the ground.

Adam's eyes widened, staring into the ghostly eyes of the enraged spirit. The wolf growled at him, fangs bared in a savage snarl. It started for his throat and Adam flinched....

But the wolf stopped just short of tearing into him. It looked at him for a moment, canine eyes glowing with anger. It gave one last warning growl and disappeared, its essence once again melding with that of the Blue Power.

"Adam?" Aisha started toward him, but stopped, unsure of what had just happened. Tommy, however, had no such anxiety, and ran to him.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"I don't know," Adam said shakily, slowly sitting up. "Why did it turn on me like that?"

"Let's get back to the Command Center," Kimberly said. She and Aisha had walked up behind Tommy. "Maybe Zordon will know something."

"Right." Tommy helped Adam up and they teleported back to the Command Center.

~*~

"What happened? What's going on?" Aisha had to yell to be heard over the racket.

"Is Rocky—" All noise stopped. "Okay?!" Tommy blushed as his voice echoed needlessly through the room. Everyone looked around, amazed, as all operations returned to normal.

"Ai-yi—- yi?"

Billy glanced up at the Rangers, his face drawn. "I don't know what happened. Everything just... exploded."

"But... is Rocky...?"

"I think he'll be okay." Billy lifted one limp arm and injected a strange-looking fluid into Rocky's veins. "I was able to analyze the poison...." Rocky moaned and tried to pull away; Billy quickly gathered the boy into his arms and whispered into his ear. "Shhh.... Rocky, everything's fine. Just relax, we're all here."

Rocky immediately relaxed and sagged into Billy's chest, sighing slightly. The Rangers gathered around them, speaking in hushed voices.

"Billy, I... I'm sorry about that. You know I didn't want to...." Adam placed a hand on Billy's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.

"It's okay, Adam." Billy's face was suspiciously blank. "We all know you needed the extra power. Don't worry about it."

Adam looked down at Rocky, relieved to see the color rapidly returning to his cheeks. "How do you do it, Billy?"

Billy smiled slightly but didn't answer.

"You're amazing, Billy," agreed Kimberly, stroking Rocky's hair gently. "I don't know what we'd do without you."

"Yeah," Tommy smiled, clapping Billy lightly on the back. "Thanks a lot, man. For sticking around."

Billy turned his face abruptly to Alpha. "Did you figure out what happened here?" The other Rangers exchanged looks, but didn't speak. "What was that disturbance?"

BILLY, Zordon answered grimly, I AM AFRAID THE DISTURBANCE WAS BASED WITHIN THE MORPHIN GRID.

"Within the grid?" Aisha shot Kimberly a look that was quickly matched by Adam.

"Zordon, does that have anything to do with why the wolf attacked me?" Adam looked up to his mentor, his heart pounding. "I thought it was gonna... kill me, or something."

I AM NOT SURE. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS UNREST WITHIN THE BLUE REALM.

"Unrest?" Tommy looked at Billy, completely lost. "Blue... Realm?"

Billy looked away. "How should I know?"

Zordon looked solemn. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT REST WITHIN BILLY. IT IS SEPARATE FROM HIM. THE ONLY WAY TO DISCOVER THE CAUSE OF THIS UNREST WOULD BE TO ASK THE WOLF SPIRIT HIMSELF.

Adam blanched. "I don't know, Zordon. It seemed... pretty mad at me."

I ASSURE YOU, ADAM, THAT NO HARM WILL COME TO ANY OF YOU. ALPHA, PREPARE TO CONTACT THE GUARDIAN OF THE BLUE REALM.

"Wait, but... the wolf's the guardian?" Kimberly wrinkled her nose, trying to understand. "What happened to the Triceratops? And the Unicorn?"

"The realms are separate from the original power coins," Alpha explained. "Your coins were forged by the spirits of the great power, and it is those spirits who rule the realms."

ARE YOU READY, ALPHA?

"I am contacting the realm now, Zordon."

ADAM, PLEASE HOLD THE BLUE COIN AND MORPHER UP TO THE LIGHT.

Adam glanced at Billy for a second, hesitating slightly. "Billy? Do you—?"

"Go ahead." Billy didn't look up, and his voice was tight, as if he'd had to squeeze it out from somewhere deep inside.

Adam sighed before pulling out the objects, painfully aware of the way Billy winced as the light hit them and reflected off.

ALPHA?

Alpha flicked a switch and there was a burst of light from the console. The Blue Coin and Morpher immediately began to glow, their light enveloping Adam once again. The Rangers shaded their eyes, but Billy stared directly into the light, his eyes growing wider and filling with tears. The light suddenly exploded outward, sending everyone to the floor. The wolf leapt from the glow, spinning around in mid-air to face Adam, its large eyes expressionless. Adam flinched backward, his arm going up to protect his neck.

The wolf seemed to smile before it turned to face Billy. Pup....

Billy looked up slowly, unsure of where the voice had come from. "What...?"

Adam's arm slowly fell, but he kept a wary eye on the wolf. "Did... did it talk?"

I spoke, yes. The wolf turned to look at him, and Adam heard its voice clearly, though its... _lips?_... didn't move.

I WELCOME YOU TO OUR COMMAND CENTER, WOLF-LORD OF THE BLUE REALM.

Do you? The wolf turned a disdainful eye to Zordon for a moment before turning back to Billy. Get up, pup. Do not be afraid.

"I'd never be afraid of you," murmured Billy, getting slowly to his feet.

"I would," whispered Adam, stepping behind Tommy for protection.

The wolf heard him, however, and turned to him, its voice apologetic. My young frog-prince, I assure you I meant you no harm.

WOLF-LORD, I WISH TO REQUEST YOUR COUNCIL ON A MATTER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.

I know why you have summoned me.

"You... you do?" Tommy spoke haltingly and shifted his weight slightly, as if to better protect Adam.

Certainly. The wolf stepped closer to Billy, and the youth placed a trembling hand atop its head. You wish to inquire about the recent disturbances within the Blue Realm. Correct?

Tommy nodded. "Yes, sir."

The wolf turned slightly toward Zordon and seemed to nod. Rangers, perhaps you should leave us. There is much I must discuss with your mentor.

Tommy hesitated for a moment, then reached for his communicator. "You'll call us when... you're done?"

"Yes, Tommy." Alpha nodded, sounding slightly nervous. "We will contact you as soon as possible."

"C'mon, guys, let's go to the Juice Bar and wait. Billy? You coming?"

No, Little Falcon. The pup shall remain with me.

"Oh. Okay." Tommy glanced at the others, and they teleported away together.

There was a moment of silence after the Rangers' departure. Billy fell to his knees and buried his face in the wolf's soft fur, hugging it tightly. The wolf shifted slightly, allowing Billy to rest his weight on its hide. As soon as they looked comfortable, Zordon spoke.

WOLF-LORD, I SENSE GREAT STRIFE WITHIN YOUR REALM.

My dissatisfaction deals with your handling of the powers contained within the Blue Realm. This young pup is the guardian of that power, hand-chosen by me. Do you wish to contest that choice?

CERTAINLY NOT, WOLF-LORD. I WAS CONCERNED THAT IN BILLY'S CURRENT MENTAL STATE, HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO FULLY UTILIZE THE POWERS.

The guardian of the power of the wolf is said to be patient and wise. Billy certainly meets those qualifications, does he not? His less-than-ideal mental state is not an issue. Even the leader of the pack must howl at the moon every once and again, mustn't he?

Billy let out a giggle, muffled by the wolf's fur.

MY PRIMARY CONCERN IN THIS MATTER IS THE WELL-BEING OF THIS EARTH. THE TEAM MUST BE AT FULL STRENGTH IF IT IS TO PROTECT AGAINST THE EVIL OF LORD ZEDD AND RITA REPULSA.

I am aware of the stakes involved, Zordon, and I assure you that my pup will serve you well.

VERY WELL, THEN. I WILL INFORM ADAM THAT HE IS TO RETURN THE BLUE POWER COIN AND MORPHER TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER.

The wolf nodded again and pulled away from Billy sightly. Pup?

Billy looked up with tear-filled eyes. "Yes?"

I am entrusting you once again with the power of the Blue Realm. You must promise to use it wisely, and to look to me, as well as to your friends, when you require support.

"I will," Billy promised, "But how will I find you?"

When you need me most, I will appear. Fear not, my pup. All will be well.

The Rangers teleported back in, and Adam stepped forward, holding the Blue Coin and Morpher. "I think these belong to you," he smiled, dropping them into Billy's outstretched hands.

There was a flash of blue light, and the wolf began to glow brilliantly. Do not forget, pup, it intoned, you are my chosen one. And it was gone, its brilliance disappearing back into the power coin. Everything was still.

~*~

"You don't believe me." Billy's eyes narrowed and he tensed, gripping the arms of his chair.

"Ha! Lemme tell you something, kid. Once you've seen the giant head and the little robot, you'll believe just about anything."

"Oh."

"So what did Zordon have to say about all this?"

"Not much. I think he's still wary of me."

"Mmm-hmm. I think he wants a certificate or something."

"What?"

"This certifies that my patient, one William J. Cranston, is officially not insane. Signed by me."

"Wow.... That'd be... prodigious."

"You really want a certificate?"

"Could I?"

Saldanas shook his head, amused. "I suppose so. I'll have my secretary make one on the computer tomorrow."

"I want you to make it."

"You're kidding now, right?"

Billy shook his head solemnly. "It'll mean more... coming from you."

Saldanas hesitated for a moment, then grinned broadly. "You realize it'll look like crap?"

"I realize."

"I don't like computers."

"Make it by hand."

"Is there any way at all I can get out of this?"

"Not that I know of."

"Ah. Well... I guess I'll have it ready for you at our next session. All right?"

Billy smiled. For the first time in a long time, he really smiled. "All right."

One Week Later....
Billy bounded into the Juice Bar, holding a large brown paper bag. "Guys! Hey, guys!"

The other Rangers looked up from their various activities, amazed at Billy's exuberance. "What's up, man," asked Tommy, taking a seat at the table next to Kim.

Billy also took a seat, but he was too excited to sit still. "I have something to show you," he grinned, holding up the bag.

"What is it," wondered Adam, a light smile gracing his lips.

Billy reaching into the bag and pulled out his prize with a flourish. "Ta-da!" It was a beautiful cherry wood frame, in which rested a poorly decorated piece of paper.

"Um... that's... nice," hedged Aisha, trying her darndest to sound happy for him.

Billy chuckled slightly. "Read it, silly."

She did, though she had to squint to make out some of the words. "It says, 'Congratulations. This document certifies that one William James (Billy) Cranston is officially not insane. Authorized by Dr. Mario Saldanas, PhD.' Is this for real?"

"Of course it's for real," burst out Rocky, and he grabbed Billy in a bear hug. "Does this man look insane to you?!"

Billy blushed under all of the attention, but he couldn't get the grin off his face. "Saldanas made it himself."

"Well, it's... very... interesting," allowed Kim.

"It's horrible, isn't it? But it... it means a lot." Billy looked at the certificate fondly, almost reverently, before carefully slipping it back into the bag. "He even framed it for me. He said the guy at the frame shop kept giving him weird looks, so he pretended his daughter had made it."

Tommy snorted some cola out of his nose, and the group got a good laugh. "What are you laughing at, dweebs," asked Bulk loudly.

"Yeah," added Skull, leaning over Billy. "What are you laughing at?"

Billy shied away nervously, his grin fading. "Nothing, Bulk, it's nothing."

"What's in the bag?" Without waiting for an answer, Bulk wrenched the bag out of Billy's hands.

The Rangers leapt to their feet, and Tommy clenched his fists at his side. Billy merely stared, his face a pasty white. "Give that back to me, Bulk, give it back." His voice trembled, and Bulk took this in, an evil light glowing in his eyes.

"You want it back, geek?"

Adam made a desperate grab for the package, but Bulk merely held it above his reach and shoved him away. "Come on, Bulk," yelled Kimberly, slapping him ineffectually on the arm. "Cut it out!"

"I asked the geek a question. You want it back?"

"Yes, I want it back," Billy whispered, rooted to the spot.

Bulk held it out to him, then yanked it away just as Billy reached for it. Skull cackled loudly behind him. "Give it here, Bulky!" And Bulk lifted the package high into the air, throwing it to Skull.

Aisha watched it happen as if in slow motion. The package flew over all of their heads, and all of the Rangers made an attempt to grab it, only to fail. Skull reached out to grab it, and he caught... the bottom of the bag. The framed picture slid out of the opening and hit the floor, the glass shattering into a million pieces.

"No." Billy fell to his knees, shaking his head. "No...."

"Damn you, Bulk!" Tommy's anger got away from him and he shoved Bulk backward.

The bully looked genuinely surprised. "Hey, I didn't do it on purpose! Besides, it's just a silly picture anyway!" He looked over at Billy and realized the falsity of his words. The young man was still sitting there on the floor, uselessly trying to gather up all the glass. The picture was intact, but wrinkled, and the cherry wood frame had several cracks in it. Somehow, though, the picture looked a lot more together than Billy did. Bulk gulped and stepped toward Billy; Skull followed silently. The entire Juice Bar was watching them now, and he was painfully aware of that. "Uh... Billy?"

Billy didn't answer. He just kept picking up the slivers of glass and dropping them back into the bag. Skull reached down and grabbed Billy's hands, pulling them away from the glass, just as Ernie hurried over with a broom.

"Billy, I'm really sorry." Bulk tried again. "I didn't mean to break it." Still, no answer. He reached down and picked up the picture, seeing Billy flinch as he did so. He took hold of the corners and began to carefully straighten them out, as if readying a dollar for the soda machine. When he was satisfied with the job, he handed the picture back to Billy.

"Listen," Skull said, uncharacteristically quiet. "Listen, Billy, we'll get you a new frame, okay? Your picture...." He finally got a good look at it as he stared over Billy's shoulder. "Uh... your certificate... it's fine, see? Bulky fixed it. And we'll fix the frame, and it'll be as good as new, all right?"

Billy finally looked up then, his eyes teary. "You'll do that? For me?"

"We broke it," Bulk assured him with determination, "we'll fix it." He held his hand out for Billy to take, and he pulled the boy roughly to his feet.

The Rangers watched this exchange suspiciously. "It's not like Bulk and Skull to be this... nice," whispered Aisha. "What are they up to?"

"We're not up to anything," answered Skull, surprising her. He took the bag with the broken from from Billy and wrapped it up in his coat. "We just... we're sorry, okay?"

Bulk nodded. "We weren't going to break it. It was an accident."

"We were just fooling with him."

Billy was crying openly now. "Promise you'll give it back?"

"We promise. Good as new."

"Better than new," amended Skull.

There was a moment of awkward silence as the Rangers glared at the two, not speaking. Finally, Bulk cleared his throat and stepped back. "C'mon, Skull, we'd better go, if we want to get to the frame store before it closes." The two hurried out, and the Rangers formed a protective circle around Billy.

"You okay man?" asked Tommy, guiding Billy back to his seat.

"Yeah," he answered quietly. "I guess."

"Don't let it get you down. It means a lot that Saldanas made it for you," reminded Adam.

Billy shrugged and attempted a smile. "I know. I just... I was so excited when he gave it to me, and...." He broke off, his eyes filling with fresh tears. "I'm sorry. I'll be okay. I just... need a minute, okay?" And he stood, retreating to the relative safety of the men's bathroom.

Rocky sighed. "Oh crap."

~*~

He was jolted out of his thoughts by Adam's soft voice behind him. "Billy? You okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Fine." He looked up and saw Adam's reflection in the mirror.

The boy placed a hand on his shoulder, and after a moment's thought, hugged him gently. "I'm sorry about all that," he said. "But I think they really meant it."

"About getting it fixed? Yeah, I think they did. Listen, I—" he was interrupted as their communicators bleeped. "Oh."

Adam made a face and raised his wrist to his lips. "Yes, Zordon?"

ADAM, BILLY, PLEASE REPORT TO THE COMMAND CENTER. WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Adam sighed. "Right, Zordon." He turned to see that Billy was already drying his face with a paper towel.

"It had to happen sooner or later," Billy said, crumpling the paper into a ball. "It's been over a week, you know."

Adam nodded and they teleported away.

~*~

"How can sound be dangerous?" Rocky shrugged.

"Easy," answered Billy grimly. "Not only can it destroy your eardrums, the vibrations can level a whole city."

CORRECT, BILLY. YOU MUST DEFEAT THE STETHOSCOPE MONSTER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

"You got it, Zordon, we're on it. Ready guys?"

"It's Morphin' Time!" agreed Kim.

~*~

~*~

"It's not so late. Only ten."

NOT SO LATE FOR YOU, PERHAPS. YOU FORGET THAT I AM OVER TEN THOUSAND YEARS OLD.

"Oh yeah." Billy shrugged. "Sorry."

Zordon smiled faintly. DID YOU WISH TO SPEAK WITH ME?

"Yes. I wanted to show you something." Billy held up a framed picture. "I know you can't see it too well from up there. I'll put it on the scanner, okay?"

THANK YOU, BILLY.

Billy reverently placed his newly repaired, expertly framed certificate on the scanner and punched in some commands. After a few seconds, Zordon began to chuckle. CONGRATULATIONS, BILLY. BUT I ASSURE YOU, THIS WAS NOT NECESSARY.

"I know. It was kinda for me, too. And besides, you were right to worry. I'm working hard, though."

YES. I AM SURE YOU ARE.

"Thanks. Well...." Billy picked up the frame and carefully folded it up in his jacket. "That's it, I guess. Goodnight, Zordon."

"Goodnight, Billy."

End

See mercury falling....