Holding True
by Melissa Morris

In the jungles below another group of black warriors moved methodically. The black pits that were their eyes stared out over the jungle searching for prey. They walked forward in a line occasionally chopping down offending vegetation or small animals not fast enough to get out of the way. The animals scattered and are deemed not worth the effort to deal with. Some animals ran, some crawled, some slithered, some scampered, and some hopped determinedly away.

'Where is he?'Billy whined slightly as he sniffed around the cliffs 'those things are disgusting. '

He took cover as another group moved near and watched them pass by. 'How many of these things are there? And who's . . . what's this?' He paused and started to sniff around 'Familiar . . . ' As he followed his nose, he came upon a wet spot on the stone ground. 'Blood' he growled slightly 'Dulcea?'

Vadyvov watched as a large wolf sniffed around the cliffs and dodged his patrols. 'There are no wolves on Phaedos. Ah, Dulcea's rescuer.' He carefully readied his weapon to attack and paused as the wolf seemed to find something. Vadyvov smiled to himself' 'I'll let him lead me to Dulcea and then I'll kill them both.'

Billy carefully followed the faint trail into a cave, he carefully skirted the rubble and started to look around as he cautiously searched for Dulcea. 'No!' He changed back to human form and moved through a doorway to Dulcea's still form. He breathed a sigh of relief as he listened to her heartbeat 'Steady.' He carefully examined the wound on her back 'energy blast. I wish I had some disinfectant and a regenerator, well I just make some bandages and use some of the water from my canteen. Darn, I liked this uniform.' He reached for his canteen and frowned as his hand grazed a small pouch 'where did that come from?' He reached in it and removed a small pile of clean bandages and a portable regenerator 'I did not have those a minute ago. I suppose this is the proverbial gift horse.' He paused in his thoughts as he opened his canteen, 'something odd' he sniffed it carefully. ' Peroxide?

How?' He shook his head as he heard a distant howl 'help Dulcea first wonder about how later.' He carefully began to clean Dulcea's injury and prepared to run the regenerator over it.

'"How is she?"'

Billy spun and looked around, "Adam?"

'"Down here."'

Billy looked around confusedly at the floor and stared at the tiny frog that began to hop up and down. Then in mid hop it seemed to explode upward into Adam's familiar form. "Miss me?" he asked lopsidedly as he looked over Dulcea, "Again, I ask 'How is she?'"

Billy blinked slightly 'where did all that mass go?' "She's taken a bad hit, but I've cleaned it and I was working on healing it when you 'hopped' in. I think she'll be okay, but I thought that if she was away from the temple she would age like Zordon did?" he asked absently as he began to heal her wounds again.

"Haven't you noticed?" asked Adam surprisedly, "We're in the temple," he pointed to the doorway right behind them. He looked around and noticed a scroll besides Dulcea, "What's this?" He paused and opened it, but it made no sense to him. "I feel it's important, but I can't read it." He suddenly turned to Billy, "You read it."

"If you can't, I probably can't either, unless it happens to be in Aquitian." He sighed as Adam held it out to him, "Oh, okay, here you start bandaging Dulcea. I'll look at it."

As Adam got to work, Billy opened the scroll and looked at it.'Well, it makes no sense . . . there is a pattern . . . ' He stared at it intently and began to get a 'feel' for it. He blinked in surprise as he suddenly understood it. He turned to Adam, "You knew?"

Adam shrugged, "It's important, read it."

Billy turned back to the scroll and it began to get easier to read, "It looks sort of like a prophecy."

"Prophecy?"

"Yes, I was able to peruse a few in my time as the blue ranger. It has that . . . pattern."

Adam frowns, "About us," he nodded inwardly, "it's almost come to pass hasn't it . . . well, almost." He shook his head confusedly and looked at Billy for confirmation.

Billy nodded and began to read out loud, "Those who were great shall fall, one shall hold true. Time shall wipe clean their transgress, one shall hold true. When all is forgot, one shall hold true. One shall seek what was once sought, the Dark Prince shall hold true." Billy smiled and looked over at Adam, "Why do I think I know where I can find a 'Dark Prince,' Kermit?"

Adam grumbled, "Keep reading."

"The Lone Warrior from water's grasp, the Dark Prince shall hold true. Wizard's apprentice, holder of secrets, the Dark Prince shall hold true. Guardian and teacher to be taught, the Dark Prince shall hold true. A new bond shall be wrought, the Dark Prince and the Lone Warrior shall hold true."

Adam looked thoughtfully at Billy, "Well, you're obviously the Lone Warrior, but what 'new bond to be wrought?'"

"I've found it's better to wait till you've actually lived through it, before you try to figure out what it means. I mean look at all the prophecies Tommy was supposed to fulfill. But if that verse was about me, then this one must be about Kim. The Courageous Hunter awakens from dream, the Dark Prince and the Lone Warrior shall hold true. Keeper of hearts, healer of souls, the Dark Prince and the Lone Warrior shall hold true. From above is brought, the Dark Prince and the Lone Warrior shall hold true. For without Love all is for naught, and the Dark Prince, the Lone Warrior, and the Courageous Hunter shall hold true."

They both looked at each other for a moment and shrugged, "And this last verse is about you. The Dark Prince from fairy tales to guide, the Dark Prince, the Lone Warrior, and the Courageous Hunter shall hold true. Warrior. Mystic. From deep inside, the Dark Prince, the Lone Warrior, and the Courageous Hunter shall hold true. Should the truest weapon be wrought, the Dark Prince, the Lone Warrior, and the Courageous Hunter must hold true. For darkness must again be fought, and the Dark Prince, the Lone Warrior, and the Courageous Hunter will hold true." He looked up at Adam, "They were a little blatant about whom this one was about, weren't they?"

Adam stuck his tongue out at Billy, "Well, we have a prophecy. But what does half of it mean?"

"I don't know, but we do have one more line. Truth, Wisdom, and Love Conqueror of All, the Dark Prince, the Lone Warrior, and the Courageous Hunter will hold true."

"Which is which? I guess Kim would be Love, you could easily be wisdom, and that would leave me as truth."

"Sounds reasonable," Billy's head shot up, "Company," he growled as he readied his weapon. "I'll deal with whoever it is. You get her out of here." He looked at Adam and Adam transformed into a small frog and hopped into a nearby shadow. Billy stood tall and held his weapon ready, "Who goes there?"

Billy waited a few moments before a figure dressed in what looks like black chain mail with a black surcoat moved into view. He looked at Billy intently and bowed, "I am Vadyvov." He studied Dulcea's still form, "I have no quarrel with you. Leave her and I will let you leave here alive."

'At least he's polite. And clean, clean is nice.' "Unfortunately, you have harmed Dulcea and that gives me quarrel with you. I am Billy."

Vadyvov bowed, "Then I would challenge you for her."

"She is no prize to be won."

"True, but you seem a civilized foe and I give you a due course. I will fight you regardless," shrugged Vadyvov.

Billy ignited his staff, "Then I accept." 'And I won't let you anywhere near Dulcea.'

Vadyvov smiled and drew his blade, "Prepare to die."

With that he suddenly crossed the room in one leap and slashed upwards at Billy. Billy quickly brought his staff down and blocked, he countered pushing Vadyvov away from Dulcea. He struck low only to have Vadyvov leap over his staff and attack from above. Billy quickly interposed his staff and knocked Vadyvov back once more. Vadyvov smiled ferally at him, "Well met. But it won't save her."

Vadyvov grinned wickedly and pulled a small dagger, but Billy quickly sensed his intent and knocked it from the air a bare instant after it left his hand. Billy growled at Vadyvov and started a furious counterattack that left Vadyvov frantically blocking blows as Billy forced him back through the doorway and into the rubble strewn cave.

As soon as they are out of sight Adam transformed back and carefully picked up Dulcea. He listened carefully to the sounds of battle 'Good luck, Billy.' Then he turned and headed deeper into the caverns.

'Where are they?' Kim glided easily through the air as she searched for Billy and Adam. She suddenly turned and began to skirt the tree line near the temple cliff.'Billy. And he's mad.' She followed her intuition and flew toward him, as she neared she began to notice more cold patches popping up beneath her 'more o those things!'and another darker presence tinged with a mix of panic and a feeling of victory. As she homed in on Billy, she saw a figure dressed in black suddenly back out of a cave followed closely by Billy. She looked around and felt the cold patches getting closer 'Ambush!'

Vadyvov found himself easily falling back under Billy's assault. 'He's making this too easy. Soon I'll finish what I started with Dulcea.' He blocked a few more lightning fast blows from Billy's glowing staff and grinned wickedly as he saw his opponent suddenly falter and back off.

Billy growled in irritation as he smelt the distinctive odor of the black warriors. 'Good one, let's walk right into the ambush. Stupid.' Billy held his weapon at ready 'I have to deal with this guy . . . shit!' Billy watched in horror as his opponent backed into a shadow and vanished not only from sight but from hearing as well. He didn't have much time to worry about it as the first few warriors broke through the clearing and headed toward the cave. 'They're after Dulcea, well they'll have to get by me first.' He stood resolutely near the cave entrance, "You will not pass."

He gave them a moment to reconsider, but as they started to draw their weapons he wasted no more effort and attacked. Billy cut two down before they managed to draw their weapons, but the third moved out of the way. He grimaced as another made its way from the brush. 'I suppose I'm going to find out how many of these things there are after all.'

'Where is he?' Kim frowned inwardly as she tried to find the dark figure that had ran from Billy. She felt the presence flicker and move, but she couldn't pinpoint it. She broke from her search as she watched Billy tear into the first of the black warriors. 'Wow.' She stared as Billy dropped the first two instantly and the next a moment later. He spun gracefully and staggered the next 'three down, no four down and how many to go?' She suddenly took to the air and flew down toward where Billy was fighting the next batch of warriors. 'That . . . oh . . . ' She gave a strident cry as she suddenly changed back and dropped gracefully behind Billy . . . on top of the black figure that appeared beneath her. 'Vadyvov?' They both went down and she could see the shock radiating off him, "I don't know who you are, but no one goes after my friends."

She glared at him as he backed frantically away, he moved suddenly and she dropped before she even noticed the black dagger that flew from his hand. Shock again radiated from him, "You are lucky, but that cannot help Dulcea forever." He roared, "Elites, your target is in this cave. Find her and kill her." He snarled at Kim as he disappeared into another shadow.

This time she was ready and she took off after his flickering presence as he teleported to the tree line. "You don't get away that easily this time," she said determinedly as she changed back into a crane and went after him.

Billy breathed a silent sigh of relief as he noticed Kim take care of Vadyvov. 'He almost got me! I didn't even know he was there. If it wasn't for Kim . . . 'he stopped worrying about it as more of the warriors swarmed him. He rolled away from Vadyvov and Kim and dropped a few more warriors. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kim change and take off once more. He turned his full attention back to his troubles and another growl escaped him as some of the warriors used Vadyvov's distraction to charge past him into the cave. He started to go after them, but the press of troops forced him to retake his original position 'Adam I hope you'll be okay.'

'How big is this place?'wondered Adam as he made his way through the rubble strewn corridors. He was worried about Billy, but Frog had been insistent—he had to get Dulcea deeper into the temple. 'Away from the battle, sure, but also so she will heal faster. But man, I am getting tired and she is heavy.' He chuckled slightly to himself as he carried her carefully along. He whined inwardly.'Are we there yet?'

He grinned slightly as he heard the Frog begin laughing in response, "About five feet closer than the last time you asked."

Adam laughed aloud at Frog's response but he stopped when he felt Dulcea move. "Dulcea?" She responded with some indecipherable mumbling and faded back into unconsciousness. He sighed and continued forward until the corridor opened up into a well-lit cavern. He carefully put Dulcea down and went to look around, but after a few minutes it became apparent that he had a problem. 'Great, just freaking great. I can't teleport in this room. How am I supposed to get past this now?' He growled inwardly as he stood at the base of a broken bridge 'a river of lavaand the bridge is out. Just what in the heck am I supposed to do now?'

"They are coming."

Adam nearly fell off the bridge as Frog gave him warning. 'Any ideas?' He frowned as no response was forthcoming. He sighed to himself.'No hiding places, any way across?' He walked from one end of the river and to the other. 'This sucks. If only I could teleport.' He stood back at the base of the bridge and looked down into the river. He gazed thoughtfully at the broken bridge.'This sucks. I could probably jump onto that support, but with Dulcea? Even if we make it there, if I can't get enough height on the final jump we'll fall. Not now!' He turned and ran to corridor entrance and listened to the clanking of armor and the running footfalls. 'They're almost here, it doesn't look like I have much of a choice.' He scooped up Dulcea and headed to the edge of the bridge to line up 'this sucks.'

'At least these things don't stink as bad when I destroy them' thought Billy as he took down another warrior. He moved to the next while he easily stepped around the remains of the black warriors. Night had finally fallen over Phaedos, but Billy was having no problem continuing his fight. He moved with confidence and power as he cut down more of them. He stood for a moment in the empty clearing and listened as more began to move toward him. He strained to hear them 'I'm in trouble. I'm in big trouble.' He backed closer to the cave entrance 'I have to hold off going in the cave as long as possible, their swords and lack of regard for personal safety will give them too much of an advantage when we enter . . . and I have no desire to turn my back to them.'

'At least he's tired too, and I don't think he knows I'm here.' Kimberly watched as Vadyvov slumped down against one of the temple's few standing columns. She had been furious when she had seen the temple 'that .. . oh . . . that . . . scum, he's almost destroyed the temple.' She found herself staring at the charred rubble and she was thankful that cranes can't cry 'I'd be a sobbing mess right now, so much beauty destroyed.' Carefully she landed on the top of one of buildings that still stand. She watched him for a few minutes more and nearly groaned aloud when she finally changed back 'that is definitely a workout, I hurt all over.' She smiled slightly to herself 'but it was definitely fun.'

Vadyvov suddenly rose and leaned over the cliff's edge to stare at the blue flare below. Kim heard him mumble and strained to hear him, "The wolf child must die, but the crane . . . ," he shook his head in anger. "No matter, I will deal with him first, but not as they expect. I'll have to get one sent down from the ship." He turned and stalked toward the beach.

Kim watched him go with a slight smile on her face.'Thank you master villain for telling me your plans for world domination.' She sighed.'I wonder what he's going to get though, it could be bad, no scratch that it probably is.' She changed back into the crane and started after Vadyvov, but suddenly she wheeled about and dropped over the cliff as she got this feeling of Billy in danger and a distant roar.

Billy spun about as he searched the jungle edge for the foes that should have been entering the clearing. 'Where are they? They should be here by now.' He focused on the sounds and tried to pinpoint them, but they seemed to be right up on him. In a panic, he slashed his staff through the space that one seemed to be occupying, but met no resistance. Then the stench of those things nearly caused him to drop his weapon as he started to gag. 'What . . . too much . . . ' The rustling and clanging noise of the warriors seemed to crowd him as he tried to stand upright and focus on his foes. Then a loud screech tore into his head, he screamed in pain and dropped his weapon. He covered his ears as he began to cower in confusion near the cave entrance.

As Kim flew down and her keen eyes easily oriented on the blue glow of Billy's staff. 'Is he still fighting those things?' Then she began to get worried as the staff began to flare about in an erratic pattern. 'He's flailing. Something's wrong.' She began her dive as she felt panic and pain wash over her. She wavered and let loose a pained cry, but her concern for Billy kept her on course. Her panic only increased as the comforting flare of Billy's staff went out. She carefully dropped to the ground near where Billy was. She blinked trying to find Billy by the pale moonlight. 'Where is he?' She thought worriedly as she felt another small bubble of panic float through her, then she heard him whimpering as she neared the cave entrance. 'Billy?' She almost tripped over him as she started to go into the cave, "Billy, are you all right?"

He whimpered and curled up tighter into a ball with his hands clamped over his ears. 'What's wrong with him?' She doesn't know what to do so she bent down and began to gently stroke his hair. She tried to talk to him, but that only made him whimper more. 'Billy, what's wrong?'

"Loud. Hurts."

'You heard me?'

Billy uncurled slightly and nodded. She continued to soothe him.'Okay, we need to get you up.'

He managed to uncurl and stand in a low crouch, but his hands stayed over his ears and his eyes were tightly closed. She pulled him deeper into the cave and just kept stroking his hair as she tried to calm him down. In a couple minutes he started to calm. "What happened?" she whispered almost inaudibly.

Billy tentatively lowered his hands from his ears, ready to cover them the instant the pain started again. Then he blinked and looked around as it didn't recur. "I....I don't know," he stammered. "I was doing okay, holding them off, when all of a sudden, my ears started ringing. It seemed like the warriors were right up on me, but I couldn't see them. It started out low like a rustling then it started to build into a roar. Then there was this . . . well, it sounded like a high-pitched whistle or something. Then everything went haywire. I could feel my hair standing on end, could smell . . . ugh . . . " He waved a hand in front of his face and grimaced. "Bad guys not only look bad, they smell too."

Kim smiled and giggled with relief.'Billy feels good enough to crack a joke, he's fine. But what happened?' "Where's Adam?"

"He took Dulcea and headed deeper into the cave. I was trying to keep the warriors from follow..." He looked deeper into the cave, "They're coming back."

Kim was about to ask who, but when Billy's staff appeared in his hands, she got the distinct impression that it wasn't Adam and Dulcea. She didn't have to wait long before a few of the dark warriors came tromping down the corridor. She readied her bow and took down one and then another before Billy moved forward and cut down the last one. "That was quick." Then she frowned and turned to Billy, "We need to get out of here, Vadyvov has something planned and I don't think that we want to be in here when it happens."

Billy nodded and they both headed out of the cave over the remains of the warriors that Billy had defeated earlier. "You've been busy, haven't you?" Kim said in an awe tinged voice "When'd you get so good?"

Billy shrugged, "When I returned from Aquitar I didn't have much to do and while I still had the knowledge of being a ranger, I was a teenager in body without the benefits of my years as a ranger. So I undertook study in the martial arts to give me something to do and to get myself back into shape."

"Well it's paid off," grinned Kim, but she stopped and looked up, "I'm going to check on Vadyvov, I don't like having left him alone this long. He was up to something when I . . . left. You're sure you're okay?"

Billy grinned at her, "Yes Mother," and took off before she could hit him, "I'll finish off the stragglers."

She waved at him as he ran off into the woods and then took crane form once more.

'I'm going to die. I'm going to die.'rambled through Adam's mind like a dark mantra as he kept slowly sliding down toward the lava. Sweat stung his eyes as he tried to search out a path to climb up. He dug his fingers into an edge of the small chasm, but he couldn't seem to get a good grip and he slid another inch. 'I carried Dulcea and now I have to somehow climb up this wall without foot holds. Oh, frabjulous day!' He puffed out an irritated breath 'Hey Frog! Any help here? I'm about to become frog flambee!'

He heard a chuckle, "You do seem to get into the worst messes."

'Oh, yeah, laugh . . . 'Adam's fingers slipped and he managed to catch himself with a groan, ". . . it up."

Frog began to croak in what had to be hysterical laughter 'Oh, just use your knife.'

"And what good is that going to do?" growled Adam irritably as he tried to figure out how to get his hand free to summon it.

'It will make a better hand hold. Hey it's not like I'm known for my rock climbing ability now is it? I mean you could be the goat right now, buddy!'

"Sorry," Adam dug his already sore fingers deeper into the crack and managed to get a temporary foot hold. "Wish me luck." And with that he pulled his right hand away and summoned his dagger as he brought it back to wall. He sighed with relief as it slid easily into the crack. "Thanks."

'Hey I wasn't sure it would work either.'

"Now you tell me," groaned Adam as he searched for a new crack to put the knife in. He climbed slowly up the wall 'how much farther?' He groaned in pain as he pulled himself up again and reset himself. He found the next crack and went to place the knife in it but fell a little short. He watched in shock as his knife slowly slid into the rock wall itself. He blinked tiredly and began to pull himself up once more. "You could have told me that sooner."

He sighed and continued to drag himself up the wall, but every inch was becoming a challenge as tired muscles cried out in protest. After what seemed like hours he managed to climb to the top. As he reached up to find a hold on the ground a strong hand reached down and pulled him up. He landed face first on the ground in an undignified heap. He rolled over and stared up at his rescuer, "Oh, now you're up."

Dulcea looked down at him with a bemused expression on her face, "And I am glad to see you as well, Adam."

She extended her hand to help him up, "Uh, no, why don't I just lie here for a few years," groaned Adam.

Dulcea couldn't help herself and laughed, "Then tell me what has happened and who is with you."

He made a movement that she took for a shrug and listened intently as he filled her in on what he knew, finishing with finding her in the cave. "How did you get in that predicament?"

Adam blushed, "Well, as you can see the bridge is out. The warriors were following us, so I decided that, well since I was out of any good ideas . . . , well I decided to jump across. I made it to the supports no problem, but I didn't get quite enough height on the last one and . . . " he sat up suddenly, "I didn't hurt you did I?"

Dulcea shook her head in bemusement and he continued, "I knew that I wasn't going to make it all the way up, so I kinda tossed you toward the top and prayed. And then I hit the wall."

He managed to stand shakily on his feet, "I started trying to climb back up the wall, but I was having trouble with footholds and the fact that the wall kept crumbling. Then I started to use my knife to make a better hand hold . . . " he paused as Frog interjected 'I told you to.' "Well, yeah, but this is my story and I was just summarizing, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything."

Dulcea listened as Adam apologized to someone. 'Frog?' She smiled at Adam, "Thank you for the story, but now we must return to the temple above."

Adam nodded and looked around as he began to shuffle forward, "What is this place?"

Dulcea leaned on him as she began to guide him, "This is the rest of the temple. Not all of it was built above ground." She answered his next question before he could ask, "Some things were deemed for the eyes of the Master's only and kept down here. No student or ninjetti knew of it until they were raised. This is a very special place and by bringing me so close to it, you have helped me recover from being away from the temple for so long. Though it will be a little while before I am fully recovered from my injuries."

She led him through the corridors and occasionally told him what one was or what it contained. He listened intently, but kept finding himself blushing at Dulcea's proximity. 'I'm missing something . . . '

"Adam, are you well?"

'Why can't the earth swallow you up when you need it?'

Billy growled as he struggled with the warrior on top of him. 'Now they have to use new tactics! Walking along minding my own business, well okay, hunting them, and one of the vile creatures has to jump out of a tree, and land on top of me. This is great . . . ' Billy's thoughts ran in irritated circles as he struggled not only to keep the warrior from choking him, but to keep him on top. 'Not the most advantageous position, but I would prefer not to be back stabbed by his associates.'

He grimaced as the stench of corruption that followed these creatures washed over him again. 'Fantastic. My calamity truly is compounded. Now there really are more.' Then he frowned as a new damp smell began to reach him. 'What now?' He heard rustling and clanking-cracking sounds followed by crashing thuds. The warrior above him jerked and dug in harder, but with twist Billy suddenly rolled them both and drove his elbow into the warrior's throat. He staggered up to his feet and looked around in shock at the remains of more of the warriors. 'Another fortuitous rescue?' He quickly summoned his staff and finished off the one he was fighting. He spun around trying to pinpoint the damp smell, but it started to fade as quickly as it appeared.

"Gro to the tremple," spoke a nearly baffling croaking voice.

Billy watched as something dropped from the trees and the damp smell finally vanished. 'What was that about? Our ewoks?' He shrugged and picked up the item 'A scroll? Well, I think I'll save it, but I'll take the advice and head back to the temple.' He placed the scroll in his pouch and grinned.'Well, alacrity would be preferable in this case . . . ' Billy changed into wolf form and loped off toward the temple.

'How long is it going to take? I mean we're almost to the 'beat up the bad guy and go home' part of this little trip.' Kim heaved an irritated sigh from her place on top of one of the outlying temple buildings. She had flown back up and searched for Vadyvov, but she wasn't able to find him. She decided to go back to her original perch and wait for him to return. That had been almost half an hour ago. 'Man, I want to sleep, after we kick his ass back to wherever, I'm going to sleep for a month.'

She sat there in a half doze for a while longer, but roused herself to alertness when she heard a voice. She lied down flat and carefully inched toward the sounds and began to distinguish two separate voices 'Adam and Dulcea? Oh, yes. Now she can kick his ass and I can go home.' She opened her mouth to call out when she saw Vadyvov appear behind them wit a dagger raised. 'ADAM!'

"Huh? Kim?," Adam let go of Dulcea and suddenly dropped into a sweep kick, but Vadyvov leaped over him and vanished back into the shadows.

Kim started to give a relieved sigh, but a sudden thought washed it away. 'He's been here. He's already set it up!' She shifted into crane form and flew off after Vadyvov. 'ADAM! Vadyvov has put a bomb in the temple! Find it, I'll try and stop Vadyvov.'

Adam spun around in confusion until he saw the crane take off from the temple top. 'Bomb? Just great.' "Dulcea, Vadyvov has planted a bomb. Do you have any idea where he could have put it?"

She shook her head, "Fortunately I suppose, he has destroyed a large section of the Temple Above. So his options are limited, let us begin our search." Adam nodded and Dulcea wearily leaned on him once more as she guided him to the nearest building. She looked at him curiously for a moment, "Adam, are you well?"

'Where now?' Kim glided gracefully through the sky as she tried to keep Vadyvov in sight. 'He knows I'm out here.' She managed to hold back an irritated cry as he vanished into the foliage once more. 'I know where he is, but I can't see him! Wait a minute . . . he's going back to the cave. He's looking for Billy.' She glided down to large branch 'I can't keep this up any more.' She perched on the branch and changed back to her normal shape. 'How am I . . . ?'

'Take the 'high road' fledgling. You will not fall.'

Kim felt a new strength flow through her tired body, 'Okay, can do.' She gracefully leaped from this branch to another and walked down it. 'Great, I can follow him, but he can hear me.' She leaped to another branch as a blaster bolt passed through the space she had just occupied. 'You wanna play tag?'

She summoned her bow and sent a shot toward Vadyvov. 'You can hear me, but I KNOW where you are too.'

A large grey wolf loped easily through the jungle, but it slowed to a walk as a new sound reached its ears. 'Blaster fire? Not now, I'm almost to the Temple, but this could be important.' He sniffed the air and caught the fading scent of the bolt's passage and another familiar scent. 'Vadyvov!' Billy frowned as much as a wolf is able and began to head toward the fight.

'So you wish to play? But first . . . You are not the only one who climbs trees, little girl!' Vadyvov growled silently to himself as he suddenly leapt up the side of one of the great trees. He easily perched himself on a branch, "You think to hide from me? I have been the leopard for millennia and you are but a young bird not long from the nest."

He didn't have to wait long before a streak of pink flew toward him and he jumped to another branch as he fired a return shot. "I can play this game as long as you like, but the temple will not be there when we finish. That I will guarantee you." Vadyvov grinned as two more streaks of light flew toward him, he changed into a panther and they sailed harmlessly over his head. He changed back an instant later.'You cannot stop me, little girl. And I will not rest until Dulcea is dead and the ninjetti are but ash upon the winds.'

Billy had carefully moved toward the sounds of fighting. He could smell Vadyvov and Kim, but soon he could hear Vadyvov talking from above. 'Shit!' Billy's mind quickly jumped to the logical conclusion as he changed direction. He'd rather have helped Kim fight Vadyvov, but he knew this is a bigger threat. He began to glow blue as he suddenly took off at dead run toward the temple. 'He's going to blow up the temple!'

'You know what? You are a loser, just like every other idiot that I've had to deal with as a ranger.'

Kim let loose another shaft of energy toward Vadyvov and leapt easily to another tree.

She saw him pop out of the foliage and smile at her for an instant as he fired a blast of black energy. She ran down the branch and hopped to another as she easily avoided the blast. She turned and sent another shot to illuminate the darkness.

This game of hide-and-seek went on for what seemed like hours to both involved. But Vadyvov tired of it and prepared to play his trump, "You have done well against the ninjetti, but how will you fare against the leopard?"

'Why don't you just give it up and go home?' She looked around suddenly.'Where did he go?'

'Give up? I think not.'seemed to originate from above her.

Kim screamed in pain and surprise as a large weight dropped on her. She registered the pain of claws as dug into her back as she fell from her perch. Her bow clattered down through the branches until it vanished in a flash of pink. Suddenly the weight pushed off of her and she frantically grabbed for a nearby branch to stop her descent.

"Is this supposed to be here?" asked Adam quietly as he looked at the nondescript box. "It gives me a bad feeling."

Dulcea leaned heavily against the wall as she made her way across the room. She leaned on Adam as she got a closer look. "No, it is not," she said grimly as she studied it. She watched small lights blink on and off in a rhythmic pattern. "It is on some sort of timer, I believe, but I have no idea how to disarm it." She stares at Adam intently, "Nor even how to open it, it is reasonable to assume that Vadyvov has some fail-safe or some such installed. It is beyond my expertise."

'Oh, not now!' Adam groaned inwardly as the Frog began to chuckle in the background. "Um, I have no idea either, if only Billy was here."

"Adam, are you sure you are well?"

Adam groaned inwardly 'Just great, I'm . . . ' Adam's thoughts grew silent as he heard Frog croaking hysterically once more. "I'm so glad you find me so amusing. If you don't have any thing constructive to say . . . "

Frog laughed some more. 'Speak of the wolf and he comes.'

'?' "Billy!" Adam eagerly dragged Dulcea toward the door, "Billy, we're in here! Hurry!"

Kim scrambled up to the top of the branch even though she was in pain from Vadyvov's attack, because she knew with total certainty that he would kill her if she didn't. A sense of smug satisfaction flitted on the edge of her pain. She didn't even think as she summoned her bow and fired a shot above her as once again a weight dropped upon her.

Surprise radiated through her, even overwhelming her pain for a moment. Vadyvov's momentum flipped her as they both fell from the tree. Then she felt Vadyvov's claws as they began to dig into her shoulders as she frantically tried to separate them. Kim gave a moan of relief as she felt the claws turn into fingers, but a wave of despair washed over her. Without the claws digging in she was able to break free from Vadyvov and she wrap herself around the next branch she hits. It slowed her fall, but it broke under her weight and she continued to fall. In desperation she changed into crane form and nearly passes out from the pain. She spread her wings to catch the air, but the effort cost her greatly. 'Gotta glide or I'm toast.' She slowed her descent, but changed back to human form a few seconds later and fell the rest of the way to the ground. She hit the ground hard and felt something give in her ankle as she rolled. 'I'm alive. This is good.'

She started to sit up as she heard a low growl near her. 'Uh oh.' She turned to it and saw a giant black leopard stalk toward her. "Nice kitty," she placated without much hope as it came closer. It moved beside her and placed one paw on her chest and pushed her back down. 'I'm screwed.' She resolutely looked toward it and stared into its eyes.

'Thank you' sadly rumbled a deep voice in her mind.

Then the leopard exploded upwards in a black flame toward the sky. Kim watched it disappear into the night sky. 'Well, wasn't that special' and with that particularly irreverent thought she passed out.

Billy studied the scanners readings thoughtfully 'We're screwed. The casing is rigged, it activated once the box was locked. Well at lease Kim's not here.' He turned and smiled at Dulcea and Adam, "Well, this shouldn't be a challenge," he said confidently. 'Liar.' "But there is another urgent matter: Kim was battling Vadyvov. If he escaped, he would be coming back to the temple to finish us off or Kim might need our assistance." 'Of course he'd come here after setting a bomb. As Kim would say, "Yeah, right!"'

He watched as Adam and Dulcea both stand, "Adam, I'll need you for a little while. I need an extra pair of hands for this." 'And hopefully I've guessed right . . . ' Dulcea nodded at them as she walked unsteadily out the door. 'At least she won't be at ground zero if this doesn't work.' He stared at his scanner intently for a few moments and pulled an indeterminate tool from his pouch.

"Well Adam, I'm going to need you to carefully open the box as I pick the lock. You'll need to do it very gently. Can you do it?"

"Well, if not, at least we won't know it," said Adam with a hint of gallows humor.

'And you have no idea how bad this idea is.' Billy carefully lined up the tool with the lock and began to carefully press a button on it. It lit up with a pale blue light as he began to point it at the lock. He held the scanner and studied it intently.'Well, it's all or nothing.' "Adam, carefully begin to lift the lid."

Billy held his breath and watched the scanner intently as Adam did so. He heard a clicking and hum that died as the lid slowly opened. He read the scanner 'I was right! One disarmed booby trap. Whew!' He turned to Adam and smiled, "Well done, now you should go find Kim, she and Vadyvov were not far from the temple."

Adam grinned and headed out at a tired jog. Billy watched him leave, then he smiled and put his penlight back into his pouch. 'A highly useful tool.' He thought mischievously as he returned to studying the device. 'Four more minutes.' He looked carefully at the wires and began to trace them.'Why in the hell does it need all of these wires?' He frowned and continued to trace as he stared at the mass of wires before him.

Adam had talked to Dulcea for a few moments and headed off into the jungle once more. 'How many times in one day am I going to have to do this?' He sighed inwardly as he tried to find Kim. "Frog, do you know where Kim is? Cause I cannot see in the dark, I could walk right past her and not know it."

'Turn a little to the right, . . . a little more, yes, that way.'

Adam continued forward for a few more steps and tripped over something. He landed face first on the ground and raised his head "Kim?!"

He climbed up to his knees and crawled over to her, "You could have warned me you know?"

'And what fun would that be?'

Adam groaned at Frog's reply as he carefully unwraped the blanket around her and looked Kim over. 'She's been hurt pretty bad, but someone has given her medical attention.' "Frog, do you know what's going on here?"

'Some old friends have been looking out for you and her. On a side note you should see the other guy.'

"Huh?"

'What you tripped over.'

Adam turned around and crawled back over to the black shape. 'Vadyvov.' He looked at him for a moment, "He's dead," Adam said quizzically.

'My, aren't we the king of brilliant observations.'

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."

'Okay, don't mind if I do . . . ' Frog began to chuckle at the absurdity of the situation and not long after Adam joined in. 'Oh, by the way, you should say 'Thanks.''

"To who?"

'The guy up in that tree, who played 'EMT' for Kim.'

Adam stood up and turned to the tree, "Um . . . thanks for helping," he continued in a low grumble, "there had better be someone there, Frog. Or I'll be annoyed at you for making me feel like an idiot."

"Accepted," replied a voice from the tree, "It is good to see you here. Your wolf-friend has our gift. Till next."

"Wait a minute, who are you?"

'He's gone home and good little ninjetti should do it as well.'

"Wait, this means I have to carry Kim back," groaned Adam. "If I have to carry Billy anywhere we're going to have words . . . ," Adam continued grumbling irritably as he picked up Kim and began to carry her toward the temple.

'Great, just great. All of these wires seem to be trapped! This makes no sense. I'm almost out of time here!' Billy started slightly as he heard a distant howl. 'Just what I needed, to be scared out of my wits, while I am working on ye olde weapon of doom.'

Billy felt a soothing presence. 'You know the answer, follow your instincts, cub.'

'My instincts?' Billy waited a moment for a response but recieved none. 'Oh, well. I know the answer?' Billy carefully reviewed the last few minutes in his mind. 'Brilliant, Cranston.' He thought sarcastically as he carefully moved wires aside. 'Oh, look here, the actual mechanism of the bomb, not a booby trap. Though, it did almost catch this 'booby.'' Billy snorted and studied the circuit board before him. 'Trap, timer, trap, lock, trap, trap, power, trap . . . hmm . . . timer connected to . . . ' Billy's hands moved steadily as he deciphered the workings of the bomb, he carefully tapped the board in a couple of places with a small device. 'Well, I'm still alive. That's a good sign. Now what happens when the timer runs . . . ' Billy paused as he stared at the one blinking light.'Cut that one a wee bit short.' Billy stared at the blinking light a bit longer and carefully stood up and headed outside.

He quickly went to Dulcea to see how she was doing. She sat alone on a fallen column as she watched the sky. As Billy neared, she smiled at his approach, "Vadyvov is no longer a threat."

"How do you know?"

"His spirit animal came to me to tell me of his passing," she sighed sadly. 'Hopefully it will be a long while before I must receive such news again. I am tired of it.'

"He was a ninjetti?"

"Yes, he . . . ," Dulcea went quiet at the sound of a communicator.

Billy shrugged and raised his wrist, "Yes?"

Cestro's voice issued forth, "The hostile vessels are destroyed. Do you wish to return?"

Billy looked questioningly to Dulcea, she nodded and smiled in response. Billy grinned back, "Actually, why don't you come down here. Everything is fine here now. You can go down to the beach and walk up to these coordinates. Then you can tell me what happened to you."

"That will be most acceptable . . . and most appreciated," said Cestro gravely.

Billy waited until Cestro signed off, "You know, this is almost like a dream come true for him. Have you ever seen an excited Aquitian? Oh, this'll be fun." Billy grinned at Dulcea as he took a seat near her, "All we have to do now is wait for Adam and Kim."

Cestro carefully guided the ship under the cover of a cliff. 'One should not be incautious, even when victory seems complete.' Once he was satisfied with his landing and location he took some supplies and stepped out onto the rocky Phaedosian ground. ''Phaedos, where only the worthy may walk. And evil fears to tread, under the light of the Ninjetti.' Truly this trip is a most excellent adventure. It is odd to ponder that the knowing and friendship of one person from such a minor planet would have so much effect on my life.' Cestro made the Aquitian hand gesture that is the equivalent to a smile 'and now I walk into the heart of myth itself.'

Cestro carefully made his way toward the coordinates specified by Billy. As he neared the jungle's edge, he heard a grumbling voice and the sound of someone moving through the vegetation, though his hearing was not good enough to make out what was being said. 'Billy did say that all was well.' Cestro stepped behind a rock as he heard the grumbling voice come closer and he began to make it out, " . . . oh, yeah this is funny for you . . . I'm the one doing all the carrying and walking . . . Well okay, no pits this time. That is a plus, but . . . once was more than enough for one day . . . this is not that funny!"

Cestro leaned out and watched as Adam emerged from the dense foliage carrying Kimberly. 'He is very odd. ' He watched Adam stalk forward and grumble some more, he hesitated a moment and called out to Adam, "Adam, do you require any assistance?"

Adam turned unsteadily and almost dropped Kim, he stared at Cestro wild eyed for a moment, "Sure, yeah, would you be willing to carry Kim. My arms are about to fall off."

Cestro studied him intently as he wondered about this new structural weakness of humans. "I will assist you." He moved forward and relieved a weary Adam of his burden, "How has she been harmed?" Cestro paused a moment as he caught a pleasant aroma.

Adam staggered along unsteadily beside him, "I think she might have a broken ankle, though I'm no expert, and her back and shoulders have been torn up pretty bad." He paused for a moment, "She has been given some first aid. And I there's some kind of salve on her cuts. It looks bad, but it smells good though."

"I concur, it reminds me of something," he pausesd for a moment deep in thought. "Ah, it is abayanth. A very potent medicinal plant, though it is remarkably rare in this day and age." 'I only know of it through my botanical studies. Perhaps it is indigenous to Phaedos and that is why it can no longer be found in great quantity. Perhaps something to discuss with Billy.'

Adam looked at the path ahead of them, "Well," he turned with a smile though he spoke gravely, "I am honored to welcome you to my . . . home," Adam frowned at this for a moment then bowed to Cestro formally. He looked at Cestro and smiled once more, "I have the honor of welcoming you to the ninjetti temple. It's just over that rise."

'A proper invitation and welcome? Billy has been teaching him of our customs. But that he would make such an effort for me is a great honor.' Cestro found himself slowing as he looked up toward the temple. 'I am acting like a youngling. I am nervous and it slows my step.' Cestro exhaled some air from his gills in the whistling Aquitian equivalent to a sigh and began to walk toward the temple once more. He returned his attention to Adam and replies gravely, "I thank you for your courtesy and your invitation. I am well met." With that he gave Adam as formal a bow as possible with Kimberly in his arms and began to walk forward once more.

Adam smiled and walked forward, but Cestro is sure he heard him mumble, "What do you mean 'my home?'"

'He is definitely very odd.' Thought Cestro right before he recieved his first look at the Temple of the

Ninjetti. For a moment the beauty of it overwhelmed him, before he noticed the blaster marks on some buildings and the rubble of others. He looked around in sadness and awe at a myth made real before him. Then he notices a female humanoid move toward them, she smiled at him and Adam and then she began to speak in a voice that had a different cadence that the familiar tones of Billy and Adam. "I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phaedos and I give you welcome to the temple," she paused for a moment and gave him a wry smile, "such as it is."

"I am Cestro of Aquitar, Aquitian Ranger of the Blue. I am honored at your welcome."

She gave him a tired smile, "Adam, perhaps you should join Billy in rest?"

Adam mumbled a reply and walked toward the fire to slump down in a heap and fall asleep instantly. She watched him walk away with a slight frown and it turned to a bemused smile as he collapsed by the fire. "Could you please take Kimberly to the fire, so that I tend to her wounds."

Cestro nodded and carried Kimberly there and laid her down beside the fire. "She has received some medical attention, though as I have not examined her injuries I do not the thoroughness of her treatment."

He watched as Dulcea carefully examined Kimberly and after a few moments she rewrapped Kimberly in her blanket and turned to him once more. She gave him a tired smile, "She is doing well, I'll have to change those bandages tomorrow, but for tonight it is good enough." She looked tiredly to Cestro for moment, "Now I suppose I should tell you what has happened."

She paused for a moment, but Cestro interrupted respectfully, "That can wait until the next cycle, you require rest."

Dulcea nodded gratefully, "You are correct, Cestro of Aquitar. Tomorrow then, for tonight I will sleep out here with them." Dulcea nodded once and readied herself for sleep, "Do not leave the temple grounds, but for now we are safe." She closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.

'This is an excellent site, though the damage has been extensive. A very serene place.' Cestro finished his search of the buildings and area of the temple and prepared to take a regenerative cycle near the others. 'Ah, Dulcea speaks. Perhaps the others are aware.' He walked toward the camp, but paused before he stepped fully out into the open. 'The others are still sleeping. With whom is she conversing?'

He listened carefully and began to make out her conversation, "You have made up your minds then?" "I am not averse to it, but I am surprised none the less. Have you told them? Him? Hmm . . . Oh, yes I will train them, there is no doubt of that, but it feels odd to have students after this long." Cestro strained for a minute as this odd conversation paused, "He will?" said Dulcea with evident surprise, "What was lost, you wish to rebuild with one sweeping stroke. I am glad that I have the opportunity to be a part of it," she paused and finished sheepishly, "but I still find it such a sudden change after 50,000 years." She laughed, "Yes, I do suppose I am a little set in my ways." Another longer pause, "Well, good night to you as well."

Cestro watched her return to her repose with the distinct impression that he had heard something important. 'But of what import is it to our current situation? Perhaps it shall be clearer with the new day.' With that he walked up to the camp and joined the others in rest.

Morning rose on Phaedos and Dulcea rose with it as she had since she became a Master Warrior of Phaedos. She stretched and looked toward her sleeping charges. 'So much to be done.' She smiled as she noted that the pain in her shoulder was almost gone and she felt almost like she did on any other morning. She shrugged and began to walk around the temple assessing the damage. 'How shall this be repaired? I would not worry for Adam, Kimberly, and Billy could stay in the Temple Below, but Cestro . . . a new, but pleasant complication I suppose. And I sincerely doubt they want to spend all of their nights sleeping on the ground.' She smiled to herself as she finished her rounds and went to her quarters to get cleaned up for the day. 'I should hurry so that I am there when they awake.'

Cestro was the first to awaken, as he'd been able to rest a little the day before and hadn't been engaged in intense activity or injured. He looked around for a moment and found Dulcea waiting for him. "Good morning to you Cestro."

He bowed slightly, "And to you as well."

She turned her gaze to the sleeping forms of the others, "Come away from here with me, I believe they need the rest after yesterday's excitement." She gestured to a fallen column, "I will tell you of how I first met them."

Cestro sat down and listened intently as she told the story of the Ranger's first visit to Phaedos. When she reached the part where the ranger's received their spirit animals and a voice interrupted, "The look on Adam's face was priceless, 'I'm a frog!,' he sounded so depressed," grinned Billy as he slumped down beside them. "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help myself. Dulcea was giving a very factual account, but she left that out. It was almost as memorable as gaining my ninjetti animal."

Dulcea smiled at him, "Up already?"

Billy shrugged, "I don't usually sleep that much anyway. Also, unlike my companions I am uninjured. It seems that fighting off Vadyvov's troops was less strenuous than their adventures. But I seem to have distracted you from your narrative."

"Perhaps you should continue it, as you were there and were able to actually quest for the Great Power."

Billy opened his mouth to speak and caught Cestro's expression. 'This is so strange, Cestro keeps looking at me like I'm some sort of great hero, even though he is no less a hero than I.' Billy shrugged to himself and continued the narrative from the quest for the great power. As he's talked, Dulcea begged his pardon for a moment and returned with some bowls filled with a nice smelling soup and they ate as Billy talked. The sun climbs high into the sky as he told the story of the ranger's battle with Ooze up until he left for Aquitar. He told Dulcea of his time on Aquitar and of his return to earth. "Well, except for meeting up with Adam and this little adventure, that is all there is to tell right now. I think we should wait until the others are awake before I talk of our journey here."

Dulcea nodded, "Well then, I shall check up on Kimberly. Her bandages should be changed and more healing salve should be applied."

Billy wrinkled his nose, "Do you have something less aromatic? That stuff reeks." He grinned sheepishly, "It's part of the reason that I woke up when I did, ick."

Dulcea shook her head in silent laughter as she checked on Kimberly.

"I do not understand, Billy. I found the mixture most pleasant," said Cestro seriously but with a hint of humor.

"I'm glad you find this funny," grumbled Billy.

Cestro frowned, "That does bring up another matter, last night as I came here I came upon Adam and he was saying something similar to no one that I could perceive . . . "

Billy leaned back and pondered Cestro's question, "Adam, as you know is a ninjetti. This affects each of us in different ways. I myself have the benefit of increased senses and my spirit animal has spoken with me once or twice. Adam's gifts seem to include an almost constant rapport with his animal. It must be disconcerting for him to have such a 'guest' in his thoughts. It is very odd."

"That it is. I admit that I was wondering if the stress of your adventure had gotten to him."

"Oh, thanks," grumbled a sleepy voice.

Both of them turned to see Adam stumble over and slump down beside them. He looked at them wearily, "Dulcea thought it was time for me to wake up."

Billy grinned at him, "Well, you have slept over half the day away."

"Yeah and I bet you didn't have to lug Kim or Dulcea halfway across Phaedos."

Cestro looked at Adam strangely and Billy laughed, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. Well, when Dulcea gets back, you can tell us how we ended up on Phaedos. You weren't that great a conversationalist when we started this trip." Billy picked up a still warm bowl of soup and handed it to Adam, "You'll feel better after you eat."

"Yes, Mother."

Billy stuck his tongue out at Adam as Adam sat down to eat. Cestro watched them both in quiet confusion they are both very strange.' Adam finished a couple bowls of soup and Dulcea sat beside him and told them all that Kim would be fine. They all breathed a shared sigh of relief, then Adam blushed slightly and began to tell the story of the rest of his time with the rangers.

Dulcea looked at him expectantly as he winded down his story with the retirement of the rangers. He found himself blushing once more as he told them of his rediscovery of the ninjetti powers and even though Billy had heard this story before he listened intently. He spoke guardedly of Frog and of his attempt to bring the rangers back to the ninjetti path. "But I am thinking Rocky and Jason will be joining us . . . ," he shrugged and continued his story up until the point where they were separated by the lightening. "Well, I don't know about what happened to Kim, but Billy, you should continue until we meet up at the cave."

Billy nodded and as he related to them his escapades as a wolf, Kim carefully limped over and rejoined them. He smiled at her as he related how he ended up stumbling onto Dulcea. He talked of rejoining with Adam and his battle with Vadyvov. Kim began to join in at this part by giving a brief tale of her trip there and how she stopped Vadyvov from injuring Billy. Billy looked at her for a moment, "How exactly did you know he was there?"

"I don't know, I just 'felt' something 'bad' behind you. I just knew what I had to do," she shrugged and told them of her chase after Vadyvov.

Billy then basically summed up his adventure as, "I fought an awful lot of those things."

Kim frowned at him and added her version of his misadventure, she finished with, "You still haven't explained what happened."

Billy pondered the question uncomfortably for a moment, "I believe my enhanced senses overwhelmed me, as this level of sensory information is new to me." He silently added 'or it may be a normal side effect.'

Adam gestured for them to continue, "My part isn't really connected to yours anyway."

The storytelling went on for a while longer and Billy embarrassedly told them of his near miss with the last of the dark warriors. "If whoever has been helping us hadn't jumped in . . . " he frowned and then reached into his pouch and then pulled out the scroll, "And they threw this to me and told me to hurry to the temple."

Dulcea perked up once again like she had at every other mention of these creatures. "It is good that they did, but now I will tell my story, because I sense that it is intertwined with the rest of Adam's and Kim's more than it is yours."

She told them of her battle with Vadyvov and her escape, and then of her mysterious helpers, "They have helped me as much as they have helped you, but I do not know them." 'I know of them, but that is another story.'

Adam grinned, "Well, they're in my part too. But first I think I'll get us back to Kim." He then went on to tell them of his escape with Dulcea and his bad luck with the river of lava.

Dulcea looked at him curiously for a minute, "Yes, you had seriously taxed yourself. Even now you are occasionally flushed, perhaps I was wrong to wake you when I did."

Adam gave Billy a glance that made Billy decide not to comment as he laughed internally. Kim just smiled at Adam and Cestro looked on in confusion at the silent exchange. Adam mumbled, "No, it's okay. Don't . . . um . . . worry about it. I'm fine."

Dulcea wasn't sure what to make of that answer as he flushed again, but decided to take him at his word as he continued the story. She looked at Cestro for a moment, but decided not to stop Adam as he told of his walk though the Temple Below. He spoke of Kim's warning and his close shave with Vadyvov and her subsequent flight.

Kim looked at them all for a moment and spoke to them quietly of her hunt and final battle with Vadyvov. "I was able to follow him for all of it, except that final part. I don't understand it either way," she shrugged and grew silent.

Billy decided this was a good place for him to restart his tale. He paused when he made it to defusing the bomb and looked at Adam for a minute. "Neither one of you could read the timer could you?"

Dulcea and Adam shook their heads.

"When I finally made it to the device, we were almost out of time. I quickly figured out that by the time I defused the casing that the bomb itself would be ready to detonate. So I took a gamble," Billy paused as everyone stared at him in shock, "I had theorized about a certain ability that one of us had exhibited, and, well, I carefully tested my hypothesis."

Everyone stared at him blankly for a moment, then Adam spoke up, "But I was the only one with you? So my abilities?"

Billy nodded, "Do you remember when you entered my home?" Adam nodded and Billy continued, "I never unlocked my door nor did I turn off my security system, yet when you wanted to come in the security system shut off and the locks unlocked so that you could enter. I...decided that it was our best chance and if not, well then I could try to disarm it." Billy shrugged as everyone stared at him once more, "Hey it worked, I disarmed the bomb and then I feel asleep."

"Now I believe it is my turn to tell my part in this adventure," started Cestro. "I will be brief in your manner. After I left Kimberly, Billy, and Adam on the planet's surface, I carefully evaded the hostile vessel and took shelter near the moon of this world. As I waited the vessel sent a transmission and received a reply, not long after a second smaller vessel appeared. As I waited, they sent down 'life forms' of some sort, and a while later they had docked the second vessel inside the first. Then I noted another transmission of forces to the surface and this left the ships almost totally unstaffed, a very tactically unadvisable move, perhaps one of desperation?" Cestro paused to ponder it for a moment and then continued, "There was a teleport of a true life sign to and from the vessel, not long after that the vessel attempted to leave orbit. As I had an excellent vessel and it was my duty to do so at this juncture, I hailed the vessel and asked that they stand down."

At this part of Cestro's story Billy broke out laughing, "And because there probably weren't enough people to run it . . . "

Cestro nodded to Billy and 'smiles, '"That was a large determining factor. They attempted to attack me, but they were very unimaginative. In fact I had the distinct feeling that they were not prepared to actually work their vessel with such low numbers. After a short battle I had disabled the engines and again I asked them to stand down. They responded by activating their self destruct. Once the vessel was destroyed, I contacted Billy and landed on Phaedos. Now I believe it is Adam's turn to continue."

Adam looked up startled, "Well there isn't much to tell, I went to find Kim. I tripped over Vadyvov, who was very deceased, and landed right in front of Kim. She was wrapped in a blanket and someone had obviously done first aid on her. I was looking her over when Frog told me to say thanks, so I did and I got a response. He said you're welcome and that it was good to see me." Adam paused and frowned, "He also said my wolf-friend had their gift. The scroll?" He shrugged and continued, "Well now I got to carry Kim back to the temple. Cestro, do you want to continue or do you want me too?"

"You may continue."

"Well I met up with Cestro, he offered to carry her and I welcomed him to the temple. Then I feel asleep like a good little ninjetti."

Dulcea stood up, "This story has been well told, it has been quite an adventure." She smiled, "Tomorrow I will help you with your abilities and answer a few questions." She looked to them and started to say something else, but turned and left.

Billy shrugged, "Well, what now? Cestro, I know you have lots of questions."

Cestro 'smiled' once more, "You know me well. I have many questions, but not all are directed at you," he looked at Kim and Adam, "May I have permission to ask you?"

Adam shrugged and Kim nodded. Cestro paused a minute and gathered his thoughts, "Billy as you have the most knowledge of ranger abilities, how do these differ?"

Billy pondered it for a moment, "Well first off, these are very person specific powers. Unlike ranger powers which were only differentiated by color, zord, and weaponry, these have vastly different abilities. I will have to ask Dulcea how color enters into it. In general, we are now in better general shape, with a slightly higher strength, though nothing above human norms. After this, the abilities vary widely based on our animal spirits, I have more endurance than either Kim or Adam, yet Kim is far more agile than either one of us. Adam can leap farther than I and probably farther than Kim."

Billy paused a moment and Cestro nodded for him to continue, "We have also picked up some more puzzling differences: Adam can change his outfit at will, we cannot. I can summon or create whatever tools I need, though I have found that I have to know how to make them initially, they cannot. At this time, Kim has not shown any unique ability in this area, but I believe we will find many things. I have found a few of my abilities, yet Adam has evinced many more. Well, I will start with my abilities, my spirit animal is the wolf and some of these relate to that. I have increased senses to an unbelievable level, though I have read something . . . I can transform into my spirit animal, a very odd experience.

I also seem to be able to read new languages without study. I should check the ship's database and experiment . . . " He grinned sheepishly, "And that's all I know of my abilities. I know more of Adam's it seems." Adam looked at Billy oddly as he continued, "Adam's animal is the frog. The first ability you've noticed is his rapport with the frog spirit. While Kim and I have each had contact with our animals, we lack his constant discourse with our spirit animals."

Adam giggled slightly and blushed, "Uh, go on."

"Adam has also shown greater tolerance to being underwater, I theorize that you might just be amphibious. You and Cestro should have fun testing that. You can be remarkably stealthy, even with my enhanced senses I cannot always find you. You of course have the 'lock-bypassing' ability. You are also better suited to Phaedos' jungle climate than either Kim or I. It might be a function of your rapport with the frog, but I believe you are mildly precognitive. Oh, yes and you can change into a frog."

"I have found few of Kim's abilities, but those that I have . . . Kim seems to have developed empathic and possibly telepathic abilities. She can of course change into the crane, but that is all I have been able to deduce so far. Cestro, perhaps you can work with her and help her figure out the extent and use of her new abilities?"

Cestro nodded at Billy and 'smiled' at Kim, "If you would like my assistance I would be glad to give it."

Kim smiled back, "Thanks, this is kinda freaky for me."

"For you! What about me!" groaned Adam.

Everyone except Cestro laughed out loud at that, though he did make the Aquitian gesture for it. Once it died down Cestro spoke once more, "Could you tell me more about these spirit animals?"

To everyone's surprise Adam began to talk before Billy, "They're like idealized representations of animals. Most animals exist in most places, but under different names, like wolf is also known as kaygar or alanthan on different planets. But they still are the same spirit, kinda like a color represents a series of personality traits in our morphing philosophy, the animals break it down even further. I mean you and Billy are both blue, the color of knowledge, but you're alike and not alike. Billy's the wolf, swift and cunning, and you're the whale, I don't know what you'd call it, the keeper of the waters." Adam continued oblivious to the shocked glances that the others gave him. "Another comparison would be Tommy and Dulcea, they're both greens, the color of duty, the balance between will and knowledge, but he's the falcon, a master of the skies, and she's the owl, a much more mystically inclined spirit. Did that help?"

Cestro nodded, "Perhaps you could tell me more of how the colors interact?"

Adam stared out over the temple and started once more, "Well, when I was going through the under-temple with Dulcea, she told me a bit about it. Ninjetti colors are quite similar to morphing, probably because morphing was based off of them . . . Okay, imagine a triangle. The three points are blue knowledge, red strength, and yellow willpower. The lines are a mix of the two colors they connect, green is duty, will and intellect focused on purpose. Orange is honor, strength and will, and purple is strategy or leadership, strength and intellect. Of course people can shift up and down the lines and be closer to one aspect of their parent colors, but they're still a little harder to find people who fit. I mean to get Tommy and Jason in the same group . . . and I wonder about Trini . . . "

He stared into space as he trailed off, then he suddenly started again, "Then that leaves the whites and black. Depending on how you look at mixing of colors, all of them together can make either black or white. But black can only make black if you mix another color with it, while if you mix another color with white you get a new color, like pink, which is courage or compassion. Basically, a white or black is strongly balanced toward all aspects of the spectrum, but in black or in a new color they tilt the strongest toward that main tone. Most teams have blacks and pinks because they're very flexible as to who can receive them. True white is very rare, and Tommy doesn't really count, as he's a green using white morphing energy that was made specifically for him. There are true blacks as well, and like a true white they would be equally drawn to all aspects of color range. Then it's a slight difference in ethics . . . But then again, it's kinda hard to tell a true black from a mixed black . . . " Adam trailed off once more and blinked, "Did that answer your questions?"

"Yes, thank you. Your discussion was most informative."

Adam smiled and then turned to Billy, "Can I have the scroll?" Billy handed it to him then Adam opened it and looked at it for a moment, "Thanks, I'm going to go for a walk." He frowned slightly to himself as he stood and left. Billy could hear him mumble to himself as he walked off, "Why does everyone call me that?"

Billy started to rise, but felt a hand on his shoulder holding him in place. He looked up to see Dulcea standing there watching Adam leave. "I do not know either, but he must go on his own." She watched Adam until he disappeared into a building, then she sat beside them, "He was correct in all that he said," she turned and looked at Cestro, "even about you. Tonight we will deal with that." She smiled at them all, "Are you hungry?" Dulcea nearly laughed at the emphatic responses she received, "I will return in a moment."

They talked quietly until she returned with more bowls of soup. "Now let us talk of other things," she looked at them all for a moment, "Though I can see that you all have questions, you have already sown the seeds of your answers. So I will talk of the ninjetti and perhaps of Adam," she smiled once more as they all waited expectantly for her to begin.

"You know, this is getting kinda ridiculous. I don't even know these people and they're calling me that," mumbled Adam irritably as he left the group. "What is up with that?"

Frog chuckled, 'I am sorry, it is a long story.' Adam felt Frog smile at him, 'I will tell you of

it, but you cannot tell the others all of what I say unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Okay," replied Adam without reservation.

Frog sighed for a moment, 'This story starts before there were ninjetti. We spirits still took care of those who came to us, but we were not organized. We watched, learned from, and guided our charges wherever they were. It was a good time and it still goes on in many places, even on your planet there are those who call to us. But as time moved on, more of our children moved from us in the name of progress and we grew sad. Yet more always came. We were not daunted until the evil powers began to appear. We were torn over this development, for yes, there had been evil people before, but this was something new to us.' Frog paused and Adam got a vague sense of great time and great sadness tinged with grief. 'We did not act together. This was our great error, we acted through our charges, but the wolf acted only with the wolf and the eagle with the eagle. We did not act together and these evil powers laid waste and thrived. This was a sad time, this was the time of the Great Loss.' Frog fell silent and Adam felt the grief more acutely now. He blinked to clear the tears from his eyes as he wandered deeper into the temple-below.

Adam hesitantly spoke, "You don't have to tell me, if . . . "

'No, I have said I would tell and we had decided that the story should be known.' Frog grew silent and when he spoke his mind-voice is filled with millenniums of grief and loss, 'The Great Loss . . . as I said we did not act together. So each dealt with it in their own way, myself and ones who thought like me tried to pull us together. Yes, I do have a part in this, but we could not hold the center. Some of our rasher brethren began battle and our more contemplative waited for all the facts. Our strongest and wisest strove to help their failing brethren. There were many battles, in the end we all fought in our own ways, but it was no longer a battle for victory . . . it was a battle to save those who had fallen.' Frog paused and then continued in a rush, 'No, the evil powers did not directly harm the spirits, but the powers destroyed many of their children . . . some in battle, some just to destroy. It was a great blow and many did not recover. Their children faded and they . . . they decided to leave as well.'

As Frog paused, Adam got the sense that Frog was looking at him intently, 'Very few know what I am about to say, after the battle we knew our folly and we debated what to do. Those who would leave listened to our plans, but their hearts were not with us. I did not know why, but Unicorn and Dragon came to me alone. They told me of their and the others leave-taking. I was shocked and horrified, I pleaded, I reasoned, and I ranted, but they were firm. They had a task for me, 'Why me,' I asked. 'There are others . . . ,' but they were firm and they chided me not to forget my own wisdom. So I accepted and they told me what they had decided in our council and theirs. They would leave, but they decided to leave a remnant of themselves behind, so that we would not be totally without them. In times of need they would be there. I was given the charge of its guarding. I chose a place where my children held sway of course, it was remote and I came to their seers and asked them if they would take a duty from me. I could not tell them its nature, only that they must protect it. They accepted and fulfilled this duty. And after a time they told me that they had been given a message from 'those who left.' I was amazed and asked them of it, but they said they were told not to tell me. I was even more amazed at that and visited the site for the first time since I had chosen it . . . after . . . Well, my charges began to complete their duty in a unique manner. They were not a strongly urban culture to begin with, but they carefully removed most of their cities from sight and sensing. Leaving only buildings that they felt could not be done without and one small city. They cared for the city, but they did not live in it. I was very puzzled, though in time it made sense to me.'

Adam cocked his head to the side as he answered thoughtfully, "We're in the city, aren't we?" Adam felt a positive response and he continued, "Whoever's been helping us are your children?" he asked rhetorically. "But that would mean that . . . the Great Power is . . . but where do the ninjetti fit?"

Adam felt Frog's smile, 'As I said we had a great council and after a little time, for us, we decided that if we had worked together all of our strengths unified and our weaknesses compensated for, that we would not have fared as badly. The loss of our brethren had shaken us and we vowed that it would not happen again. In the end we decided that we would guide a group of special champions, who would summon us as their spirit called. So we looked and . . . we felt it for the first time, the call.' Adam grinned slightly as he felt Frog's sentimental smile, 'And so those of us who heard the summons found our charges and guided them. Oh, we were an odd bunch, though at the time I did not know I was a part of it. Grasshopper was first and we watched in fascination as he taught his charge the gifts of spirit. Then came Tiger, whose child came with the skills of battle. Canary brought joy and healing with her songs. Finally, Dolphin came whistling with knowledge. We watched with joy as they learned from each other and from their spirits . . . 'Frog continued as Adam listened raptly.

"...The first ninjetti were Grasshopper, Tiger, Canary, and Dolphin. Tiger was red, Dolphin blue, Grasshopper yellow, and Canary the pink. None of our histories tell of how they became ninjetti, only that they were the first. They began to form the arts of the ninjetti and fought the minions of evil," related Dulcea as she sat with the others. "They decided to leave their homes and find a new one for they could not bear to put innocents in danger because of them. So they traveled and searched and in the end were guided here to Phaedos. It was here that we made our home and not long after the Frog ninjetti appeared." She drew silent as she heard a startled gasp from Kim, "Yes, the Frog ninjetti appeared on Phaedos and he was quickly accepted by the fledgling ninjetti. He was the, um, light green ninjetti, I don't know exactly what shade, very little has survived from that time. But they learned and battled evil, even though their numbers were small and eventually more came to be ninjetti and guardians of the Great Power."

Billy looked slightly uncomfortable as he interrupted, "Where did it come from?"

"I do not know, I only know that it was learned of and we guarded it. Still more ninjetti came, and some were lost. Though we did know that when the Frog ninjetti left and did not return to the temple, the Frog would not return for a very long time."

'Once they got together it was only a matter of time before they figured out that they attracted the bad guys like flies, so they split. And they came here to this city and it was theirs, so now I knew why it had been left. Not long after that I heard the call, from one who was already my child. He spoke to me once or twice about 'those who left' but I didn't get the full picture until the ninjetti took over guardianship of the Great Power. He was ecstatic and he told the folks back home, but not long after . . . ' Frog grew quiet, 'he fell in battle. And after that there's just a bunch of boring stories about the ninjetti, which I bet Dulcea will be happy to tell you.'

"Uh huh, and you still haven't answered my question?"

'Which one was that again? At my age . . . '

"What do you mean 'would not return for a very long time?,'" asked Billy.

Dulcea sighed, "The Frog would not return to Phaedos until," she paused. 'And I didn't think of this sooner . . . I have been alone too long.' "Not until you came."

Kim looked at Dulcea with disbelief on her face, "You mean that Adam is like the second Frog ninjetti?" Dulcea nodded and Kim shook her head, "This is just freaky." She perked up after a moment, "Y'know I have always wondered what Frog was." The others looked at her in confusion, "Y'know wolf-cunning and swift, ape-intelligent and mighty. What the heck is the Frog? Or the Falcon, winged lord of the skies."

Dulcea smiled warmly, "All animals have many traits, some are easier to see in their charges than others." She looked to the ground embarrasedly, "And after 50,000 years I was a little overwhelmed." She laughed at their looks, "Usually there is some preparation before you raise new ninjetti, I had to make do with what little time I had. Tommy was satisfied with his title, but . . . each person needs to be reminded of something, and I was occupied at the time." She stopped and stood up, "I must prepare for tonight, the time is almost here."

They watched her leave and all shared the same thought 'she never told us.'

'Okay, they call you that as a sign of respect. They are my kids and you're a big deal to them.'

"What about everyone else?"

'Blame it on Dulcea, you just looked so down. Musta been one of those old stories that got stuck in her head, y'know frog prince and princess. Tho' I've always been fond of the ones with good-hearted princesses and nice princes that live happily ever after . . . '

Adam groaned, "Well, do YOU have to keep calling me that?"

'What should I call you, my young prince?' giggled Frog.

"I have a name, it's Adam. You do know that, right?"

Frog laughed hard as he replied, 'Okay, young . . . Adam.' Adam groaned as Frog beamed at him, 'Well, here we are. Just in time too.'

Adam blinked and took note of his surroundings, he knew he'd been walking around for a little bit, but he was vague on the time. 'The sun's starting to set, it was mid-afternoon when I left the group. What's going on?'

'Oh, Dulcea's going to make Cestro a ninjetti. Just join the others and wing it.'

"Wing it, just wing it," groaned Adam and he joined the others as they waited for Dulcea.

Billy glanced at him curiously, but decided not to comment on it, "Glad to see you have made it back. I almost thought you would miss the festivities. Though you did miss Dulcea's storytelling."

"Oh, what did she talk about?"

As dusk fell over the ninjetti temple Dulcea stood before the fire as she had just a few years before. 'But this time my ninjetti is not one of the chosen ones. It seems so odd.' She took a final look at her preparations. She turned to the others and noted Adam presence. 'I had wondered if he would return in time.' She smiled at them all, "Cestro of Aquitar, do you wish to join the ranks of the ninjetti?"

Cestro stepped forward and bowed in aquitian fashion, "Yes, I would be honored."

Dulcea smiled, "Each person has deep within them an animal spirit. Close your eyes and look deep inside." Dulcea threw a handful of powder into the flames as she spoke and the fire flared up.

'Wow. I didn't get to see this last time. What is that stuff?' Billy stood hypnotized by the shower of sparkling colors and Kim put her hand on his shoulder pulling him out of his fugue as it disappeared from his sight. He watched as Cestro's clothing changed from his traditional aquitian to a blue ninjetti outfit. Dulcea smiled at Cestro and pronounced, "you are the whale, the mighty keeper of the waters. You are now ninjetti."

'Way to go, Cestro.' Kim watched in fascination as Dulcea started to speak, but when she threw the sparkling powder into the air, she found herself occupied by Billy. 'He's spaced again.' She put her hand on his shoulder and he snapped out of it. She turned back to see Cestro standing in his blue ninjetti outfit. She watched as Dulcea smiled at Cestro and pronounced, "you are the whale, the mighty keeper of the waters. You are now ninjetti."

Adam watched quietly as the powder illuminated a bright owl that spread its wings as Dulcea spoke. He watched as the owl flew through the fire leading a swirl of shining powder that glowed blue as it rushed toward Cestro and left him in the familiar ninjetti attire, but in a deeper blue than Billy's and with a golden whale in the medallion instead of the wolf. He had the impression of something immense, but he couldn't make it out. He watched in fascination as the owl circled over them all for a moment and landed back at Dulcea's feet where it began to slowly fade from sight. Adam turned his attention back to Dulcea and heard her say, "You are now ninjetti." 'Well that was quick.' He joined with the others as they congratulated Cestro and for the first time in many millennia the temple rand with celebration well through the night.

After Cestro's ceremony things quickly settled into a peaceful pattern. Cestro learned of all things ninjetti that he could get answers for, though Billy started to get the distinct impression that Dulcea was avoiding Cestro at times. Today, Billy sat on a fallen pillar watching Cestro and Kimberly. Billy laughed inwardly at his friend's antics. When Cestro wasn't bombarding Dulcea with questions, 'the aquitian energizer bunny' as Kim dubbed him, was helping Kim with her with her newly acquired telepathic powers. Billy experimented with his new senses some, but found himself drawn to the under-temple's library. 'Of course if someone believed in organizing the library...' But he'd also watched over Kim to make sure she didn't re injure her ankle, it seemed to be one of the few things that kept him from getting lost in the library. Billy hadn't spent all of his time in sedentary pursuits, he had sparred with Adam and even Dulcea a couple of times. 'Oh, man I still hurt! Adam's still a little annoyed about that amphibious experiment.' Billy sighed. 'But outside of that I barely see him, he's either wandering around on his own or hanging with Dulcea.'

'Whoa!' Adam dropped and rolled away from another attack and tried to get himself back on a more even footing as Dulcea kept coming. 'Yeah, I'd be good after a few thousand years too.' Adam groaned as he didn't quite evade a kick that sent him sprawling. 'I'll just lay here, it won't hurt as much.'

"Adam, are you well?"

Adam moaned as he slowly sat up, "Yeah, but I think I'm done for today. Maybe tomorrow?"

Dulcea smiled at Adam as she helped him up, "That would be acceptable."

As he felt that heat rush to his face, he just knew what she's going to say next and as he walked away he heard Dulcea behind him, "Adam, are you sure you are well?"

He groaned to himself in frustration as he headed toward his room as Frog laughed in his ear.

'Center . . . If I have to 'center' one more . . . ' Kim suddenly smiled at Cestro, "Y'know I'm kinda tired, how about we do this later?" 'Like next year!'

Cestro nodded and leaft 'he's already learned that a frustrated Kimberly can be very dangerous to his continued well-being.

Kimberly watched him go and looked over to her 'shadow.' 'Billy's gone all overprotective, sheesh what a mother-hen!' She laughed out loud and vented some of her frustrations and laughed harder when Billy sat bolt upright and looked at her. 'Oh, well.'

She had to admit that she didn't mind all that much 'there's just this 'vibe' I keep getting from Billy . . .' She shrugged as she watched him head back into the buildings 'probably needs more books.'

"Kimberly may I speak with you? It is hard to find you alone."

Kim turned and found Dulcea standing next to her, "Sure, what about?"

"It is a question I have regarding Adam."

'Oh, I can't wait to hear this . . . ' "What is it?"

"Since I have met up with him in the temple-below, he has exhibited an odd physical symptom . . . I thought it might be due to his overexertion, yet, both you and Billy did not find it alarming."

'Oh, my gosh!' With a herculean effort Kim managed not to laugh in Dulcea's face. 'I could be wrong . . . ' "You mean, when he blushed." She paused at Dulcea's look, "When his face got all red earlier. I don't know about you, but for us that's a normal response."

Dulcea looked at her thoughtfully, "To what? Neither you nor Billy have exhibited this behavior."

'Oh, um, how to explain this one and not ruin Adam's day . . . ' "Um, well, it's a response to being embarrassed usually."

Dulcea looked stricken, "Have I insulted him in some way?"

"No, NO, it's just that, well Adam's shy and for some reason he's a bit, uh, overwhelmed by your presence." 'Ooooh, good save.'

Dulcea pondered this, "Then perhaps I should not spend so much time with him. It has been nice to have someone to spar with or talk to, but . . . "

'Aargh!' "No, it's fine, in fact he needs it." 'Oops, smooth move there, Kim.'

"Needs it?"

Kim sighed, "Okay, everything I've said on this stays between us, and everything I'm going to say, okay?"

Dulcea nodded gravely and Kim continued, "Okay, I've gotten part of this story from Billy and part from Rocky and Jason. When Adam became a Zeo ranger he was a lot like he was when he came to Phaedos. But there was this new yellow ranger, her name was Tanya. He liked her a lot and started teaching her martial arts. He became a lot more confident and became Tommy's second in command. Well, they eventually started dating and except for the usual monster plots and such, it went quite well. When they both retired as rangers, they kept dating while they tried to figure out their chosen careers. Adam slowly began getting more training and doing some small stunt jobs for movies and Tanya worked on her music. Well, after a few years they got married and everything was great. While they both had jobs that took them away from each other, it worked great for them. Tanya was having some small success as a singer and she went on tour, Adam was going to go with her, but he'd landed a dream job and she wouldn't let him turn it down." Kim paused and sighed sadly, "I never met her, but Kat told me so much about her, in fact Kat called me when . .. " She gathered herself for a moment, "Tanya's tour bus was in an accident and she died. Adam was devastated when he got the call, he managed to call Kat and she ended up taking care of . . . everything. That's when I saw him last was at her funeral, I didn't know Tanya, but I knew that I'd be needed."

Dulcea put a comforting hand on Kim's shoulder as she waited for her to continue, "Well, it was scary to see Adam, he was devastated and I don't think he's ever recovered from it."

Kim gave Dulcea a sad smile, "Now, I bet you're wondering how this affects you. Well, Billy and I are pretty sure that . . . oh, gosh, um, that Adam's not really been taking much . . . um, notice . . . of, well, anyone in a sorta, maybe, romantic way."

Dulcea stared at her blankly and Kim couldn't hold back a giggle, "You did not hear this from me, but I think Adam blushes so much around you, because maybe he has a crush on you."

While the word was unfamiliar Dulcea managed to grasp the meaning and pondered the import of Kimberly's words. Dulcea rose gracefully to her fee, "Thank you Kimberly, but now Billy is returning. I will think on what you have said." With that Dulcea walked away and vanished into another building.

Kim watched her leave and laughed silently. 'Oh man, Adam's in trouble now.' Then her jaw dropped as she caught a faint whiff of Dulcea's internal response. She sat there laughing until Billy returned from the library.

Dulcea was thoughtful as she finished her final walkthrough of the temple for the night. Kimberly's conversation had left her in a new position and she hadn't really figured it out. As she walked to her favorite place for her nightly practice, she sat and watched Adam as he went through his practice. On the second night after the defeat of Vadyvov she had found him here and she had sat to watch. After he was done, they talked for a while and then she showed him her practice and they talked some more. It had already become a part of her nightly ritual and she did enjoy it.

Tonight she watched him and again wondered, his practice was different from hers. Hers was a routine of endless days and his was a joyous new experience. Yes, his 'kata' were 'happy,' if that term could apply. But then again, perhaps she was reading too much into it. She shook her head as she watched him a while longer, 'No, it is definitely exuberant.' They were becoming good friends in such short a time, it was true. She debated it for a bit longer and decided that after fifty thousand years it was nice to be considered 'romantic' material, even if it was only a mild infatuation. 'Might as well enjoy it.'

She gave him a large smile when he finished his practice, and smiled even more when he 'blushed' at her attention. 'Oh, yes I might as well enjoy it.' She toned down her smile and held back a slight laugh, "Well done. Now last night I promised you the story of how I met Zordon. It was about thirty or so thousand years ago . . . "

Billy watched from a distance as Dulcea examined Kim's ankle once more, he listened carefully, " . . . yes, it will be fine. As long as you are careful and do not overstress it, it will heal completely in a few days."

"Completely?" asked Kim hesitantly.

Dulcea put a gentle hand on Kim's shoulder, "Yes, completely."

Kim grinned in relief, "Well, now my shadow can quit hovering." She smiled and looked to where Billy was unobtrusively eavesdropping, "Go play in the library."

Dulcea smiled and looked toward Billy and laughed slightly as he glared at Kim. 'I have laughed more in these few days than I have in millennia. It is a good change.'

Billy stood and smiled as he headed toward the entrance to the underground temple. He walked over to his table in the great library. 'Books, books, and more books. Oh, yes.' Billy's grin turned a little predatory as he glided over to Cestro, "Cestro, Dulcea has told Kim that her ankle will be fine. They are by the clearing."

Cestro nodded in reply and left the library. Billy watched him leave and felt slightly bad for 'siccing' him on Kim, but that 'shadow' comment deserved a little revenge. He smiled to himself as he went back to reading, but paused after a moment and picked another book off the table. 'I should take this Adam. He's probably a little stir-crazy.' Billy sighed as he made his way to Adam's chambers. 'Nice of Dulcea to give us rooms, much more comfortable than the ground outside. Though I think Adam received the best one, though I'd rather not have to go through what he has to get it' he thought errantly as he came to Adam's door. He knocked and winced at the groan and entered, "Hey, I thought you could use a new book to read."

Adam looked at him blearily, "Thanks," he said hoarsely. His throat ached but one thought forced him to keep his weary voice steady. 'I will not croak. I will not croak.'

Billy sighed slightly as he sat by Adam's bed 'Not even the great ninjetti can escape the flu.' "I'd ask how are you, but you'd probably injure yourself . . . while you beat the stuffing out of me," Billy grinned lopsidedly as Adam glared at him.

"Not much danger of that."

"Are you hungry?"

"No, just a bit thirsty, but I can reach the water on my own," he finished hurriedly as Billy started to get up.

He sat back down and grinned sheepishly at Adam, "Sorry, my 'protect the pack' instincts are rather overwhelming aren't they?"

Adam laughed weakly, "You're telling me this? You should tell Kim, before she strangles you."

"Hey, Dulcea said she's fine. In fact I just saw Cestro going out to talk to her."

This time Adam did croak as he laughed, "I'll tell her you said that." 'Ack! My throat is shot . . . no comments from the peanut gallery.'

With an expression of confused innocence Billy looked at Adam, "What? What was that, Kermit?"

"Laugh it up," he sighed slightly as he reached for his glass of water. After a few sips he looked back at Billy, "You told him . . . she was out there. You know how . . . much she hates those . . . lessons." Adam blinked a few times as his eyes started to droop.

'The man needs sleep.' "Well, let's see what is this book about anyway? Cestro left it for you...hmm

. . . " Billy read softly until Adam dozed off once more. He left the book on Adam's dresser and quietly let himself out. 'Sleep well.'

"I must say this session has gone extremely well," commented Cestro as he sat with Kim.

"Well this time you weren't going on about center, center, center, read, center," Kim trailed off, "Sorry, Cestro. I know you mean well, but it just doesn't work for me."

"Understood. I apologize if you found any of our previous sessions unpleasant, but I am sure it was necessary to gauge your abilities. If it is pleasing to you I will tell you my observations at this point . . . in the brief that you prefer."

Kim grinned in relief as she remembered his last 'explanation.' 'Encyclopedia Britannica on tape, the letter T. ' "Yes, I'd like that."

Cestro made an odd hand gesture at her response and a weak imitation of a smile appeared on his face, "You are strongly empathic, even I cannot shield myself from you. In fact I have used today's session to work more on your control of this ability, but you seem to have a natural inclination to its use. You have evinced the strongest connection to Billy, he is the easiest for you to read. As for myself and the others, you have quickly proven able to gauge our emotional states, yet not be overwhelmed as is common in the untrained. If I might make an emotional observation . . . " He waited a moment as Kim rolled her eyes in a gesture he had come to take as an affirmative. "I am very impressed by how you are handling Adam's illness."

Kim looked at him quizzically and he explained, "I apologize if this causes you distress, but I have been treating your training somewhat like that of an Aquitian child. It was an error on my part, because you are not Aquitian, but it did give me the basis of where to start. Unfortunately, it has taken me some time take measure of you. Now, this should be much easier for both of us. I will return to my original subject, your handling of Adam. He is your friend and it is common for empathic abilities to be stronger around those you care for. Yet, you have naturally shielded yourself from his discomfort and still kept your ability to monitor others' emotional states. An excellent example of control and it bodes well that you will not require much training in that area." He paused for a moment, "Your telepathic abilities on the other hand are a puzzle to me. They are strong, but they are remarkably selective. I have tried multiple ways to remove any barriers to their use, but I cannot find them."

"Could you clarify that?" Kim winced inwardly 'now the floodgates burst. Oh, well.'

Cestro clarified, "You can easily send your thoughts even to non-telepaths without physical contact, which is impossible for a weak telepath. Of course, as all we have are ninjetti to test this, it could be a function of the ninjetti abilities, yet only you can choose such speech when not in animal form. From the power you have shown, I am as certain as I can be, without testing of course, that you should be able to telesend to anyone but the telepathically challenged."

"Um, hold up, telepathically challenged?"

"Some races and beings are totally unable to be read or contacted telepathically. On Aquitar, we are a race of telepaths, so to us this term is clear. Perhaps, telepathically void or null, would be better . . . as almost all beings have some spark of telepathic ability. Even in the weakest it allows a trained telepath to telesend and read their thoughts or emotions. Without this spark, there can be no telepathy, by them obviously, but a side effect is that telepathic powers do not work on them either. Is that explanation acceptable?"

'Whew. Thought I was going to regret that.' "Yeah," Kim beamed at him. 'Is he done? No, not more.'

"Your ability to receive thoughts on the other hand," he paused as Kim gave him a thumbs up, "is erratic. You have proven able to receive thoughts from people who are not projecting them, yet you cannot duplicate such a feat except in certain circumstances. I have been able to carefully guide you into reading my thoughts, but without my help I do not believe you have the ability. Yet you have proven able to do it to others, yet I cannot teach you. Your empathic abilities have responded excellently to training, but the telepathic ones are determined to work as they will. Perhaps I am taking the simple route, but mayhaps they are linked to your ninjetti powers in a way I cannot yet deduce and this is hindering you. Then again, it may the way your abilities are supposed to work."

"Kinda like Adam and his just knowing stuff?"

Cestro nodded, "That would be a good analogy." He looked past Kimberly, "It seems that Dulcea requires out presence." He stood and waited for Kim, "I would be merry to consider this session complete."

Kim laughed slightly as they walked towards Dulcea, "It's 'I would be happy' or maybe even 'glad,' but not merry." She patted his arm slightly, "Don't worry, as Billy would put it, even other humans cannot easily grasp American slang."

"That is most gratifying to hear."

She smiled at Cestro and then turned her attention to Dulcea, "What do you need?"

"We should head indoors, it looks like rain."