Chapter 1

The Angel Grove Youth Center was a bright, warm, inviting place. It had plenty of room for all sorts of activities, from karate classes and competitions to food drives and costume parties. Naturally, it was a big draw for teens from all over the city. And the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were no exception. When they weren’t busy trying to save the planet Earth from the evil sorceress Rita Repulsa or attending school, they often gathered there.

Right now, for instance, Tommy Oliver, secretly the Green Ranger, was standing on a practice mat and asking the Blue Ranger, Billy Cranston, to hit him.

“Come on, hit me,” Tommy said. “You won’t hurt me. That’s why we’re dressed this way.”

It was true. Aside from the traditional karate uniforms, they both wore safety pads to prevent injuries. Remembering the stance Tommy had taught him, Billy positioned his feet and let loose with a palm-fist strike. It landed squarely on Tommy’s padded arm. Tommy just waved Billy forward to try again.

“Again, harder!” Tommy said.

Billy, confused, looked at him. “I believe that was hard,” he said.

Tommy shook his head. “I know you can do better,” he whispered. “Pretend I’m Goldar. I’m about to destroy an orphanage, and you have to stop me!”

Billy frowned and said, “Goldar is Rita’s second-in-command, winged, clearly simian, wears golden armor, and has crimson eyes. There really isn’t any similarity.”

The other rangers, all in their civilian clothes, watched from the sidelines.

Kimberly Ann Hart, the Pink Ranger, called out, “Billy, just pretend. We’ve been in hundreds of practice sessions.”

“I realize that,” Billy said. “It’s just different from the simpler moves, and I like to think about things. It’s not as if I’ve been doing it long enough to develop a body memory.”

“Body memory?” Tommy asked.

When the others also seemed confused, Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger, explained, “It’s when you practice something for so long, you can do it without thinking, as if your body remembers what to do.” She eyed Billy. “But we’re not here to talk, are we?”

With a shrug, Billy closed his eyes and let loose with another punch. As he did, Trini and the Black Ranger, Zack Taylor, martial artists in their own rights, imitated his move. The fun-loving Zack was dressed in a dark T-shirt and jeans, while the popular Trini wore the latest bright outfit. They couldn’t be more different but when they moved, they did so in sync, with the same focus and accuracy. The hardworking Jason Lee Scott, the Red Ranger, was a karate instructor himself. With a backpack slung over one shoulder, Jason kept his eyes on Tommy.

As Billy’s second blow was about to hit, Tommy put out his leg. Grabbing Billy’s arm, he used the momentum to pull Billy over his leg and onto the mat, where he landed with a thud.

“Good!” Tommy said. He put out his hand, both to congratulate Billy and to help him up.

Billy grabbed the hand and rose to his feet, half-smiling. “I wasn’t aware that winding up on the floor was considered a positive thing,” he said. “I just don’t know if I have the knack for this. You guys are the real martial artists, and Kimberly’s a gymnast.”

Tommy shook his head and said, “No knack? Are you kidding? I’ve been practicing for years, and you’re already pushing me to my limits.” He patted Billy on the back. “Trust me, this was just as much a workout for me as it was for you. Besides, as Trini told me once, it’s not about winning, it’s about the dignity and spirit with which you compete.”

“You remembered!” Trini said cheerfully.

Tommy nodded and said, “I always try to remember good advice.”

Jason stepped closer to the practice ring. As the leader of the Rangers, he was always quick to be supportive. “I couldn’t agree more. Billy’s not only doing great, but Tommy’s an excellent teacher,” he said.

“Yeah,” Zack said. “I’m going to try to remember those moves you taught him.” He delivered a few quick chops to the air, but then spun into a cool dance move that made the others laugh.

Kimberly raised an eyebrow. “For fighting monsters or for the dance floor?” she asked.

“Both,” Zack said with a smile.

“So what do you think the hardest move is?” Jason asked Tommy.

Tommy thought about it. “For me? The double flying kick,” he said. “The timing has to be perfect.”

“Same for me,” Jason said. “But it is a powerful strike.”

Billy turned to Tommy. “I truly appreciate the assistance,” he said. “I only wish I had some way to return the favor.” His face brightened. “I know! I could instruct you in chess!”

Tommy wanted to be polite, but it was clear he didn’t like the idea. “Uh . . . I don’t know if I’m a chess-playing kind of guy,” he said. “Besides, you already do plenty for me as a fellow Ranger.”

“I used to feel the same way about any kind of fisticuffs, but being a Ranger made me realize that the mind and the body are equally important,” Billy said. “Maybe you should give chess a try. After all, it can be useful to see things from another perspective.”

“I’ll . . . think about it,” Tommy said.

As Tommy climbed out of the ring, Kimberly gave the white sleeve of his karate uniform a friendly tug.

“Uh . . . so . . . ,” she said.

“Yes?” Tommy answered, a befuddled look on his face.

She’d been attracted to Tommy from the moment she saw him, not realizing at the time that he was fighting against them as the Green Ranger. When Kimberly found out Tommy was secretly their enemy, it had broken her heart. But he wasn’t evil, really. Rita Repulsa’s spells were forcing him to battle against the Rangers and his true nature. Since then, the Power Rangers had freed Tommy from Rita’s magic, and now they all fought together on the side of good.

Still, between monster battles and schoolwork, there’d been little time for the two teens to socialize.

But maybe now was the time to make up for that?

A little flustered, Kimberly cleared her throat and said, “How about we get together later at the Juice Bar? All of us?”

Tommy smiled. “Sounds like a great idea,” he answered. “I just want to head home first to shower and change.”

Once he turned to leave, Kimberly leaned over to Trini and whispered in her ear, “That didn’t sound awkward or anything, did it?”

Trini shook her head quickly. “No, no, not at all,” she said. Seeing two familiar figures enter the gym, she added, “But speaking of awkward . . .”