ROCKY

Since they had another mouth to feed now, Rocky decided he needed to do some proper grocery shopping. Him and Zeke could survive on pizza and other take-out, but Kat probably needed something a bit healthier.

When he'd taken Kat to the supermarket, he hadn't expected to run into Kimberly. Before he could even greet her, Kat lashed out. "Oh, hello, Kimberly," she practically spat at her. "Are you enjoying playing house with my husband?"

"Katherine, there's nothing going on between me and Tommy," Kimberly said.

"You're a liar just like he is! I don't believe you! You've been waiting for the chance to steal my husband, you little slut!"

Kimberly stared at her in shock. "Kat! Walk away," Rocky said firmly.

"She's got you all fooled! She's a whore!" Kat raised her arm to hit Kimberly.

Rocky grabbed her arm gently and stopped her. "Katherine! Enough. You're out of line. Just go out to the car, alright? I'll be there in a minute." He handed her his car keys and the groceries they'd just purchased.

Kat took a deep breath before walking away. Rocky looked at Kimberly. "Are you okay, Kim?" He asked.

"Yeah," Kimberly said. He didn't believe her. "I never realized she hated me so much."

"She's just overly emotional because Tommy kicked her out. She'll get over it."

"I hope so... There's nothing going on with me and Tommy, Rocky. We're staying with him so Billy can be with Josh. Billy needs me, or I wouldn't be there."

"You don't have to convince me, Kim. I know you're not that person." He hugged her. "I should go."

Kimberly nodded. Rocky walked outside. Kat sat in the car waiting for him. She looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Rocky," she said. "That was positively horrible of me."

"You're upset. I get it," Rocky said. "But Kim didn't deserve that. Your issue is with Tommy."

"Of course... I'm sorry you had to see that." They drove to his house and put the groceries away. Everything was normal until she suddenly got very close to him.

"You know, Rocky... I'd love to repay you for your kindness," Kat said.

"No need," Rocky said, backing away slightly.

"Come on, Rocky... We both need to relax." She moved closer and pressed her body against his.

Rocky moved away again. "Kat... You're married. To my friend."

"You're taking such good care of me... I just want to return the favor."

"Kat, this isn't you... It's your pain talking."

"Don't you want me? Am I not pretty enough?"

"'It's not that... You're gorgeous... But that isn't why I brought you here."

"It could be a nice bonus for you." She kissed him.

Rocky couldn't deny that the kiss was really good... But she was his friend's wife and his son's friend's mother, and he wouldn't cross that line. He broke the kiss quickly.

"Kat... I can't do this. Zeke will be home any minute." That was a handy excuse, and one that wouldn't hurt her feelings.

Kat backed up. "Okay," she said. "You're right. I'm sorry." She sighed. "I think I need to go for a walk to clear my head."

"That's a good idea. Are you okay?"

"Of course I am." She smiled at him sweetly before walking away.

Rocky shook his head. What the hell was going on with Kat? She was behaving like a nutcase. He hoped she wasn't losing it.

KAT

She arrived at the woods and didn't hesitate. "Rita!" She called. "Rita, I need to speak with you!"

A moment later, Rita's image appeared before her. "Hello, Kitty Cat!" She said cheerfully.

"I'll do it," Kat said. "I'll serve you... Empress."

Rita smiled. "I knew you'd come back! That stunt you pulled with Rocky was wonderful... If you'd kept at it a bit longer, I'm sure he would have given in. If you're interested, I know an excellent potion to make him fall in love with you... Trust me, it works wonders!" She laughed as she added, "Just ask Zedd! Or you could always use it on Tommy. Trust me, he'd forget all about perfect little Kimmy."

Kat smiled. "My empress, I only desire to serve you."

"That's my evil little kitty! Just one other thing..." She paused. "I must test your loyalty."

"Of course, Empress. What would you like for me to do?"

"Kill a boy for me. If you do, I'll know you are loyal."

"What boy?"

"This one." Rita conjured up an image of a boy. He was a teenager, probably about Katie's age. He was handsome and clearly an innocent.

"I will do anything you wish, Empress. But why this boy?"

"His existence irks me. I want it to end."

"Of course, Empress... How do you want me to do it?"

"Unknown to the boy, he is severely allergic to the bite of an insect not found here in Angel Grove. You will need to inject him with its venom."

"How will I find it?"

"Give me a day. I have a loyal counselor who can acquire anything. Her name is Merkhet, and she will get you what you need. But first... You'll need the special gifts only I can give you... Step through the portal, Kitty."

A portal opened. Kat obediently stepped through and realized she was standing before a mirror. She could clearly see Rita and Zedd. "My Lord," Kat said with a bow.

"Yes, yes, welcome... Will you do it?" Zedd asked.

"I will."

"Good. There is no reversing it this time, Katherine. Step into the circle."

Kat did. Suddenly, fire surrounded her. Kat gasped, but it felt good. In fact, she hadn't felt this good in ages. She laughed and began dancing in the flames. She was free. She was finally who she had always been meant to be.

MADDIE

She was standing on the edge of a cliff with Zeke. "Are you ready?" Maddie asked.

"To jump off a cliff without a parachute? Sure," Zeke said.

She grinned. She took his hand and together, they jumped. They landed in the water below still holding hands and swam to the surface together.

"Whoo! What a rush!" Zeke declared. He finally let go of her hand.

"Cliff diving is awesome," Maddie agreed.

Zeke was looking at her in a way that seemed different than the way he usually did. She kind of liked it. Maybe he's into you, she thought. No way... Zeke's totally got me in the friend zone... Because we're just friends... I'm way over-thinking this.

"Maddie? Earth to Maddie..." Zeke called.

"Huh?" Maddie asked ever-so-eloquently.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She smiled at him. "Just distracted by all this beauty."

Zeke was still looking at her intensely as he said, "Yeah... Me, too."

Maddie squeaked internally. What did that mean? Did Zeke like her? Did she want him to? Sure, he could be a pain in her butt, but he was fun to hang out with, and he was funny, and she had to admit that he was pretty hot.

Stop it, Maddie! She scolded herself. You guys have a great thing going here. Don't screw it up by falling for him! Suddenly, Maddie desperately wished the team had more girls. She needed to talk to someone, but she was not going to drop this on either girl in the hospital. Her drama was so not important enough right now. She'd have talked to her mother, but she'd gone out of town for a couple of days. Maddie knew she had exactly one other option. Kimberly loves giving boy advice, she thought. She made a mental note to track her down later.

She focused on swimming and diving off the cliff for the rest of her time with Zeke. Girl talk could wait until later. For now, she wanted to have fun.

TANYA

She couldn't shake the feeling that something awful had happened. Tanya had asked Alpha to teleport her to the small village she'd been raised in citing a Ranger emergency. She saw a little girl she recognized sitting beside a lion cub.

"Imani?" She asked.

The girl looked up at her curiously. "Yes... Do I know you?" She asked.

"I'm a friend of your mother's. You look just like her."

"Mama? Do you know where she is? Tia! Tia, this woman knows Mama!"

The teenager who came over looked even more like Aisha than the little girl. "Tia... Hi. I'm-"

"Tanya. Mama showed me pictures of you," Tia said. "Do you know where she is?"

"No... She hasn't answered any of my calls." Aisha lived in a more urban city now and had a phone, but she returned to the village frequently.

"She disappeared. When more than two days had passed, I brought us here, thinking she may have come back... She didn't, but with her missing, our family insisted we stay." Tanya knew Aisha's husband had died eight years ago, right before she learned she was pregnant with Imani. The girls were alone. Thank goodness Tia was seventeen and knew how to get help.

"How long has your mom been missing?" Tanya asked in horror.

"A couple of weeks."

Tanya understood her bad feeling now. Aisha would never leave her children willingly. Something horrible must have happened to her. "We'll find her," Tanya promised the girls. She forced herself to remain outwardly calm, but panic was starting to hit. Aisha was like a sister to her. She was terrified Aisha was hurt or worse. One way or another, she was going to find her.

JAYDEN

He hated seeing Katie hurt, but he was glad to be able to be with her. "I love you," Jayden told her.

"I know. I love you, too," Katie replied. She hesitated. "Jayden, I need a favor."

"Anything."

"I need you to help my team. I'm out of commission until my leg heals, and Sage is down, too. They need a leader. I know it's asking a lot..."

"I'll do it. They need help. I can't believe Kenny, Maddie, Josh, and Zeke had no formal training growing up. As legacies, that's insane."

"Our parents learned on the job... I guess that's how Zordon rolls."

Jayden was concerned. These kids were in danger. Without better training, he worried they'd get themselves killed. He knew that would destroy Katie. "I'll get them in top shape in no time," he promised.

"One thing... If Josh says no, let him. His dad is still all messed up, so Josh never knows when he will have a chance to spend time with him. His reunion with Billy is more important right now."

Jayden nodded. "Okay, I'll go easy on Josh... But I expect everyone else to put in the effort."

"They will."

Three hours later, he had the team together. "Show me what you've got," he said. He played monster and took turns attacking them all. Thorn adapted the best. He was focused and fierce, and Jayden was impressed. Maddie stepped up well, too. She was quick and clever, and she clearly had a strong background in Martial Arts that helped make up for her lack of training as a Power Ranger. Best of all, every time Jayden kicked her down, Maddie got back up and learned from it. She never made the same mistake twice. Kenny was fast and agile, but it was clear he'd never been trained for battle. Jayden was going to need to work closely with him. Josh had also obviously never been trained to fight, but he was smart and managed to anticipate a lot of Jayden's attacks just by studying him. Jayden was mildly impressed because he was trying hard not to be predictable, yet he couldn't seem to catch Josh by surprise for more than a few seconds no matter how often he changed up his attacks. Then, there was Zeke.

Zeke was clearly resentful of the fact that there was another Red Ranger in town, especially one who was giving him orders. He fought back hard, trying to make it clear he was just as good as Jayden. While he might have a lot of raw talent, Zeke was too stubborn and too impulsive in battle, and Jayden repeatedly knocked him down.

"You're letting your pride get in the way," Jayden scolded him. "Stop trying to show off and focus, Zeke. This isn't a game. Showboating can get you killed."

Zeke mumbled a rude response under his breath. Jayden swept his legs out from under him. "Take five. Check your attitude before you come back," Jayden said before walking back to the others as Zeke struggled to his feet and stormed off.

"Crap! Is that the time?" Kenny asked. "I gotta go. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"You don't leave until I say you can," Jayden said sharply.

"I have gymnastics training. My coach will kill me if I'm late."

"Seriously? Kenny, you need to get your priorities straight. I expect one hundred percent commitment from you. Your lives are all at risk. You, especially, need to be here."

"My priorities are straight. I'll train, Jayden. I'll train harder than anyone if you think I need to... But I have to train for gymnastics, too. It's important."

"It's not life or death, Kenny. You can miss a day or two."

"It's my life, and I need to do this. If you have a problem with it, maybe you should talk to Katie. She gets it." Kenny walked away.

Jayden scowled. "Does anyone else want to leave?" He asked sarcastically. No one said anything, so he said, "Back to work!" He resumed his attacks, focusing on the kids who seemed to actually care about whether they lived or died in battle.

TWO DAYS LATER.

KAT

She met Merkhet in the woods. The evil woman radiated power. Kat was impressed. Merkhet was also beautiful, but highly intimidating to look at. Her features were dark, harsh, sharp, and commanded respect.

"Why do you work for Empress Rita and Lord Zedd?" Kat asked curiously. "You're clearly quite powerful on your own."

Merkhet laughed. "I do not work for them. I work with them. I answer to only one, and it is neither of those fools. However, I require their skill sets for my current mission, so we are partners. I help them and they will help me."

Kat understood now. Merkhet was in this for herself. She very much approved.

Merkhet handed her a syringe. "This is filled with the venom of the insect the boy is allergic to. One injection and his throat will close up. He'll die before anyone can save him," she said.

"I understand," Kat said. She ran a finger over the syringe. It was such a simple thing, yet so deadly. It was truly beautiful.

She'd already made sure her pest of a daughter wouldn't get in her way, re-opening the wound in her leg and keeping her in the hospital. She'd used magic and had gone into the hospital while invisible and broken Katie's knuckles, just in case the brat got any ideas. She wished she could have seen Katie's face when what was medically impossible had happened.

She walked into the park and waited for her opportunity. She spotted the boy, but was stunned to see who he was with.

Thorn laughed as the boy ran a hand through his hair. The intimacy between this boy and her nephew was clear... He was more than Thorn's friend.

Interesting, Kat thought, finally understanding the boy's significance. I wonder if Casey and Adam know their son is gay.

She shifted into cat form to watch them. It felt good to be able to do that again. It had been so long... She stretched and enjoyed seeing this new side of her nephew. The boys were clearly happy together. They smiled and laughed and were otherwise annoyingly cute together. Kat felt sick. She knew Rita was right. Something had to be done about him.

Turning invisible, Kat shifted back into human form. She walked closer to the boys. She clutched the syringe in her hand. She could do this. It would be easy. It was true that Thorn had never done anything to her, but she didn't care. Her Empress wanted this boy gone, and Kat had to deliver.

Kat stuck the syringe into the boy's chest and pulled it out as quickly as she could empty it. She didn't stick around to see what happened.

THORN

It happened so fast, he didn't understand at first. One minute, Caleb was fine. The next, he was clutching his chest and clawing at his throat.

"Caleb? What's wrong?" Thorn asked in terror.

Caleb tried to mouth a response that seemed to be can't breathe. Thorn had no idea what was happening. "Help!" He shouted. "Somebody, help!"

Caleb looked into his eyes as Thorn held him, willing him to live. "Don't leave me, Caleb," he said frantically. "Please... I love you!"

"What's he allergic to?" A woman with a cell phone asked.

"What? Nothing, as far as I know," Thorn said.

"He's in anaphylactic shock. He's been exposed to an allergen. I called 911. Help is coming."

Thorn held Caleb tighter. "You'll be okay," he promised. "Help is coming."

Caleb mouthed I love you before his eyes rolled up into his skull.

"No!" Thorn screamed. "No, you... You can't... You're okay. You have to be okay..." He was crying harder than he ever had in his life. It felt like a piece of his soul had just been ripped out of him. "I love you... I love you, Caleb... I love you..." He kept repeating the words, hoping they would somehow bring him back.

The paramedics found him still clinging to Caleb. They tried to revive him, but it was too late. "I'm so sorry," one of them said. "He's gone."

Thorn nodded numbly before walking away. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello, my little tadpole," his mother greeted him warmly.

"Mom... Can you come home?" He asked before he began crying again.

"What's wrong, Thorn? Honey, what happened?" She asked in alarm.

"Caleb's... He... He's gone."

"Oh Gods... Oh, my poor boy... What happened?"

"I don't know. They're saying it was anaphylaxis, but he didn't have any allergies he knew of. He... I was... He was in my arms, Mom..."

His mother sighed. "I'll come, Thorn... But I believe it was his time. I may not be able to save him, but I can try. I will try... For you."

He was stunned. "You don't interfere."

"Perhaps this time, I should."

Thorn was grateful. His mom was coming home, and maybe there was a small chance she could save Caleb. She doesn't think it will work, he reminded himself. She's just humoring you to make it hurt less.

He did the only thing he could. He headed to the hospital, still largely in shock.

ROCKY

He knew Kat had come home, but she'd disappeared again. She'd seemed really off when he saw her. Rocky was convinced she was hiding something. He hated to do it, but he went into her room. He hadn't intended to go through her things, but he noticed something sticking out from beneath her pillow. It was sharp.

Rocky picked up the pillow to reveal a syringe. "What the hell?" He wondered aloud. He knew Kat was having a hard time, but had she brought drugs into his house? Around his son?

"No way," Rocky decided aloud. "She's not on drugs... But something was in that syringe." He stared at the remnants of an unfamiliar fluid.

"Oh, Rocky..." Kat said, making him jump. "I really wish you hadn't found that."

"Kat, what the hell is going on?" Rocky asked.

"I didn't want to have to hurt you, Rocky. Not after you were so kind to me."

"What? So don't, Kat!"

"You left me no choice!" Before he could react, Kat pulled out a knife and slashed his throat.

Rocky grabbed his wound, shocked and desperate to stop the bleeding. He stared at his friend, not understanding, and stumbled back against the wall as he got dizzy. He slid to the floor, still clutching his throat.

"I'm sorry," Kat said. "It will be over quickly." With that, she grabbed her still mostly packed suitcases and ran from the house.

Zeke, Rocky thought. I'm all he has. I can't die. If he did, Adam and Casey were set to have custody, but what if his will vanished like Billy's had? He couldn't leave his son.

Help me, he thought desperately. He was surprised when he heard a response in his head.

Rocky? What happened? Casey's voice asked.

I'm dying, he thought. Bleeding out.

I'm coming.

What happened to not interfering?

Screw that! You're my friend, and you're all Zeke has, and I'm not letting you die. Consequences be damned.

That wasn't like Casey, but he was grateful. Maybe she could save him. Maybe he wouldn't die, alone on the floor, left for Zeke to come home and find.

Please, no, he prayed. Even if I die, don't let my son be the one to find me.

SAGE

She was set to be released from the hospital in a couple of hours. Sage was relieved until she saw her brother as he arrived at her room. "Sage..." He whimpered.

"Thorn? What's wrong?" She asked in alarm.

"Caleb's dead," he said numbly.

"What?! What happened?"

"Anaphylactic shock." He wept into her hair.

"Oh, Thorn... If I'd completed my Shaman journey, I could have saved him," Sage said, her guilt overwhelming her.

"No... No, you needed to come home... And even Mom says he can't be saved... But she's going to try anyway."

Sage was surprised. Apparently, this retreat had changed her mother. "I'm so sorry, Thorn. I hate to see you in pain." Her heart broke with his. Never had her twin been so crushed by grief and pain. She had to fix this.

"Go to Dad, okay?" Sage asked. "Take care of yourself." Thorn didn't argue. Troy came back in.

"Are you okay?" Troy asked.

"No... Ground me, Troy. I need to do something," Sage said. He didn't question her, but took her hand, keeping her focused.

Sage reached out, but instead of feeling Caleb, she felt someone else. Rocky was bleeding out at home. She knew Zeke was most likely on his way back to that house. I can't let Zeke find him, she thought. She tried to heal him, but felt him slip away. Rocky stopped breathing.

Don't you dare! Sage thought. She grabbed his soul, not even sure how she was doing it, and began to heal him. After several moments, he took a sharp, pained breath and opened his eyes.

"I did it!" Sage cried as she came out of her trance. "I saved Rocky! Now it's Caleb's turn."

"Sage, you're using up a lot of energy," Troy said cautiously. "Be careful. Some people are meant to stay dead."

"Thorn needs him. I can't leave my twin broken. I can do this, Troy... I'm meant to do this." She was sure of that much.

Troy nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'm here."

Sage began searching the realm of the spirits. Rocky had been easy to fix... Caleb was going to be significantly more complicated. Sage didn't care. She had to do this.

She found him looking frightened and confused. "Sage?" He asked.

"It's going to be okay, Caleb," Sage promised. she took his hand in hers and began to heal him, willing the toxin to leave his body. Finally, she kissed his forehead. "Go back to your body, Caleb."

"No! He belongs here. He may not leave," a powerful entity said. Sage was certain he was an Underworld God of some sort.

"Caleb, run!" She said.

"I don't understand," Caleb said.

"Just run! Tell Thorn I love him... And I'm sorry." She pushed Caleb out of the spirit realm and turned to face her fate.

"The price for a soul is a soul," the deity told her coldly. "You may never leave."

Sage was too weak from having resurrected two people to fight a deity. She knew she was in for a literal battle for her life as she felt her body slip into a coma.

CALEB

He inhaled sharply and sat up, confused. He felt cold. He was naked. Why was he naked? And why was his bed made of cold metal?

Caleb took a moment to look around. He realized with a start that he was surrounded by corpses. He understood where he was now. This was a morgue.

"What's happening to me?" He wondered aloud. He removed the tag attached to his toe and searched for his clothes, but they were nowhere to be seen. Desperate, he wrapped the sheet he'd been covered with around his body and stood up. Whatever was going on, he had to get out of there. He cautiously looked up and down the hallway before leaving the room. A quick search of the nearby rooms ultimately paid off when he found several pairs of clean scrubs. He quickly pulled on a set and took several deep breaths. He was still confused, but at least he wasn't naked anymore. Things were looking up.

AUTHOR NOTE: The next chapter contains some scenes which may be difficult to read because of potentially triggering themes. Please be prepared for that before you read it. I hope you're enjoying the fic so far.