Streaks of Purple Saga Volume Four, Heather Ray [accelerated reader books txt] 📗

Zordon. We've learned so much from you... from our mission... that we understand just how critical world peace is."

He took a deep breath. "The three of us want to be a part of this. So... we all applied. But, we won't go without your permission."

A silence fell upon the Command Center, causing Jason's discomfort to grow exponentially with each passing moment.

Thankfully, Zordon's answer was not long in coming. "YOU, TRINI, AND ZACK HAVE MY PERMISSION. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, MY BLESSING."

Jason knew, deep down, that Zordon wouldn't refuse this request unless it was patently necessary that the three remain on active duty. Yet he couldn't hide his surprise at the ease with which Zordon dismissed half his team.

And... as absurd as it sounded... Jason felt a pang at the ease with which Zordon dismissed him

. If Dr. Kuiperi had presented the Peace Conference two weeks ago, as leader of the Power Rangers, Jason would never

have abandoned his team, no matter how attractive the opportunity.

How easily things change...

"Are you sure, Zordon? What about the team?"

Zordon smiled. "WHEN I SELECTED YOU ALL TO BECOME RANGERS, I SPECIFICALLY CHOSE TEENAGERS BECAUSE OF THE VIRTUAL LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY. YET I NEVER INTENDED THAT YOU WOULD ALL REMAIN RANGERS INDEFINITELY. A LIFETIME OF SERVICE IS A SACRIFICE TOO GREAT TO EXPECT OF YOU, ESPECIALLY AS THE THREAT AGAINST THE EARTH IS NOT AS SEVERE AS IN CENTURIES PASSED. THE POWER COINS YOU POSSESS CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO, LIKE YOURSELVES, ARE TRUSTWORTHY, COURAGEOUS, AND DEDICATED TO THIS PLANET AND ALL WHO DWELL HERE."

Jason blinked. "It's that easy?"

"PERHAPS THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE

, BUT IT IS NOT EASY," Zordon corrected. "WITH TIME THE POWER CONFORMS TO THE ONE WHO INVOKES IT, MEANING A RITUAL MUST BE PERFORMED TO SEPARATE THE POWER FROM YOU AND PASS IT ALONG TO ANOTHER. ALSO, WITH THE POWER LOSS WILL COME A PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT, AS YOUR BODIES RETURN TO THEIR NORMAL STATE BEFORE THE POWER INFUSED YOU WITH ITS ENERGY. AND FINALLY, WE MUST FIND THREE WORTHY OF THE POWER. THAT IN ITSELF IS A CONSIDERABLE TASK."

The Red Ranger frowned. "There's no hurry, Zordon. We probably won't even get picked

. I just thought I should mention it, so you can be prepared in case the impossible happens."

Alpha chuckled. "The humans organizing this conference would be crazy

not to pick you three. You're special... and that shines through everything you say or do."

Jason stared at the small robot, profoundly flattered by the offhand comment.

Zordon observed Jason's reaction, surprised that the accomplished Ranger could ever think differently. "JASON, YOU HAVE MADE ME UNSPEAKABLY PROUD."

Jason turned his wide gaze from Alpha back to Zordon.

"YOU HAVE RECOGNIZED A NEW MISSION... ONE JUST AS CRITICAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF MANKIND AS THE ONE YOU CURRENTLY SERVE. YOU HAVE ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT THE SKILLS AND PERSPECTIVE YOU'VE GAINED AS THE RED RANGER MAY BENEFIT THE PEACE CONFERENCE, AND INFLUENCE OTHER DELEGATES. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU MUST

PURSUE. AND IF YOU ARE CHOSEN, UPON YOUR RETURN YOU ARE WELCOME TO REJOIN THE POWER TEAM, AND LET YOUR NEW KNOWLEDGE AND MATURITY ENLIGHTEN US ALL."

Jason couldn't find his voice to express his gratitude.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Yeow... this guy's so quiet I almost forgot he was here!

Zack slowed his pace, allowing several children to pass him in their enthusiastic pursuit of candy. He soon found himself in step with his distracted partner, who carefully observed every corner on the quiet residential street, and on occasion stared suspiciously at the darkening sky.

"Is your Spider Sense tingling?"

The joke drew Adam's attention, urging a grin. "Big time."

Zack grew marginally concerned. "Did you see something?"

"No, I didn't." Adam shrugged, self-consciously breaking eye contact. "But this town puts me on edge. With all the monster sightings you hear about, plus all those teenagers that were attacked last night, you have to admit it's dangerous out here."

"You'll get used to it," Zack assured him, "Hey, I've lived in Angel Grove ever since the aliens started attacking. Sooner or later you realize, you just can't let some extraterrestrial whackos dictate your life. Angel Grove always rebounds after an attack, and the people just keep on living."

"I respect that," Adam conceded, "and I'm not afraid; not for myself, at least. But, we are responsible for eight kids tonight. We have to make sure they get home just fine."

Zack stared at Adam as if a sudden transformation had taken place. Earlier, he thought he had the new kid pegged: a shy guy who'd rather remain invisible than let himself be noticed. Yet, the protective gleam in his eye spoke volumes. Adam Park was much more than a wallflower.

The Black Ranger was duly impressed, and found himself reflecting back on their first meeting. "You take martial arts, right?" he prompted.

A smile lit Adam's face at the topic. "All my life. My style of preference has been Tae Kwon Do, but I've picked up bits and pieces of other styles. Actually, the first time I attended a karate class, I met Rocky and Aisha." His smile turned wry. "Things were a little competitive between Aisha and me at first, but Rocky's influence definitely mellowed us out. It didn't take us long to become friends."

Adam glanced at Zack, noting his keen interest. "You and your friends study martial arts, right?"

Zack nodded proudly. "I've picked up some moves along the way, and kinda cobbled together my own groove. Trini's been studying different forms of Kung Fu for as long as I've known her. Kim, Billy, and Alexis have all been taking pointers from Jason and Tommy for self-defense. Those two are really serious artists; they even hold weekly karate classes for some of the local kids. One of these days you should check out a class at the Youth Center. Jason and Tommy are always interested in a challenge."

"I think I'll take you up on that. Rocky, Aisha, and I were in the running for next week's Team Ninja competition-"

Zack's eyes widened. "Wow, you three must be really

good!"

Adam grinned. "We can hold our own... but now that Aisha's hurt, we need a third team member to be eligible. Rocky and I were planning to bow out, but Aisha wouldn't hear of it. When Rocky brought it up, she grabbed both of us by the earlobes and demanded that we 'forget any crazy ideas about quitting.'"

Unbidden, a small grin pulled Zack's lip. "She sure sounds like a sparkplug!"

Adam released a short laugh. "That's one way of putting it..."

The pair paused their amiable conversation as the group assembled before the first door of their assigned territory. Zack watched as six of the kids chatted excitedly, boasting about all the candy they would collect, and just how quickly they'd be able to consume it all. Only, two children remained absurdly silent, standing a few feet away from the rest.

"Hey, Power Rangers!" he called, jogging toward them, "This house is all yours."

He settled one hand on each Ranger's shoulder, and guided them towards the door. They offered a small measure of resistance, but finally walked the rest of the way to the doorstep of their own volition.

Zack lingered a few yards behind them, watching as the Black Ranger rang the doorbell.

After a lengthy silence, the Black Ranger pressed the button again.

Obviously frustrated, he began knocking... hard.

"It's okay," Zack assured him, "There's probably no one home. You can try the next house... there're lights on inside."

The two Rangers shared a glance. Then, the Yellow Ranger glanced over her shoulder. "No."

The deep voice of the small child struck an odd chord with Zack Taylor. His muscles tensed warily, and his eyes widened. There was something cruel in the tone... something very different from childish petulance.

"C'mon guys," Zack persisted, wincing as the Black Ranger angrily held the button down, forcing the chime to repeat. "There are plenty of other houses..."

"I want this

one,"

Black hissed. Then, he thrust his foot through the heavy wood door.

The children shrieked in surprise as Black reduced the ornate door into splinters. Zack took a step back, his mind racing as he scanned the area for some corner or shadow in which he could Morph.

Either these kids are on steroids... or Zedd's decided to do some Trick or Treating of his own!

Zack continued to slowly inch away from the children, casually making room. "What are you?"

In response, the Black and Yellow Rangers stood side by side. Each one extended his arms, and slowly, their small, slight bodies began to transform. Limbs lengthened and clothing darkened, and finally two completely different beings stood on the porch.

"Why can't anything ever

be easy?" he murmured.

Chapter Twenty-Five

"So, you said you've only been in Angel Grove for a few months," Rocky prompted, falling into step beside Alexis. "Where're you from?"

"Philadelphia."

He grinned. "The City of Brotherly Love, huh?"

"That's what they say, though I prefer to describe it as the City of Cheesesteaks and Cream Cheese."

She smiled, keeping a casual pace behind the children. Their animated smiles and eager chatter was particularly spirited, creating an air of overall enjoyment that was irresistible.

She turned to her partner. "Have you ever been to Philly?"

"I've been as far east as Mexico City," he related.

"The one in Mexico?"

He smirked. "Yes

, the one in Mexico. Lived the first three years of my life there, before my father was offered a promotion in Stone Canyon."

She nodded with interest. "What does your father do?"

Alexis watched with surprise as, for the first time in their acquaintance, Rocky's smile... faded a bit. "He was a construction superintendent for a company that did a lot of civil buildings. Best in the business."

Alexis observed his face, intrigued by the play of emotions. His eyes hinted at a great loss, yet by his tone of voice,