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They lagged behind the six former Rangers as they all emerged from the portal to look out over a land of tall trees, craggy hills, and the distant sounds of animal cries. The air was fresh, sweet, and crisp up here, countered by the rays of a warm afternoon sun. Jindrax looked up to see the yellow of a giant metallic bird glide overhead and saw Taylor pause with a smile and a wave for the Eagle Zord she had commanded in battle, before she hurried eagerly after her teammates.

�Feels strange to be here again,� he said.

�Very strange.� Toxica sighed as she paused for a longer look around. �I was on the Animarium twice before, but I never even noticed how beautiful it is.�

�You were looking at it through Org eyes.� Eyes that had only looked for ways to destroy, Jindrax remembered. He hadn�t noticed the beauty then either, only the vulnerability of the Rangers caught by surprise as they slept. The same people who were trying to help them now.

Toxica glanced at him, brows creasing. �Come on, let�s catch up,� she said after a moment.

When they reached the clearing in front of the Princess�s temple and sacred pool, she was already greeting her friends with a happy round of smiles and hugs. Shayla seemed more subdued as she spoke to Merrick last of all, but her eyes were bright and lingered on his face. He ducked his head and mumbled but held her hands longer than necessary. Jindrax watched, and knew he would never have noticed the subtle interaction a couple of months ago.

�It�s so wonderful to see you all again!� Princess Shayla said warmly. �You spent so much time as Rangers; I�ve wondered what�s happened to you now that it�s over. I hope you�re all doing well.�

�I�ve applied to college,� Cole said. �The same school where Alyssa�s going.� He grinned and tapped himself on the chest. �I want to be a veterinarian, and help animals.�

�Oh, that�s perfect for you!� Shayla exclaimed.

�Yeah, he probably already knows more about animals than most vets,� Taylor said. �And being able to talk to them doesn�t hurt.�

Shayla smiled at that, along with the others, and asked, �And what about you, Taylor? Have you gone back to the Air Force?�

�I intend to, as soon as they process the paperwork. Meanwhile, I�m staying at Cole�s house.�

�And you know you�re welcome to stay after that, too,� Cole said with a glance at her.

�I hope it won�t be necessary, but thanks.� Taylor smiled at him.

�Danny? Max?� Shayla asked next.

�Well, I had been living here on the Animarium, but Max still had his apartment,� Danny said, ducking his head self-consciously. �So - I moved in with him.�

�Yeah, and it�s worked out great,� Max said. �In a week we�re leaving on a world tour together. Figure we�ll take a vacation, have some fun before we have to deal with jobs and stuff.� They exchanged a smile.

�I�m so happy for both of you,� Shayla murmured, as the others nodded. �Alyssa, how is school? And your father?�

�Good, both of them. I�ll get my degree at the end of the year and start looking for a job myself, as a teacher.�

�You�ll make a wonderful teacher.� Shayla smiled again, and clasped her hands before continuing, �And - and Merrick?�

�You know me; I go where the wind takes me,� Merrick said, and nothing more.

Finally, Shayla looked at Jindrax and Toxica - a long look that seemed to go beneath their altered surfaces, and filled with more acceptance and less surprise than he had expected. She crossed the space between them and took a deep breath before speaking. �Jindrax. Toxica. When the Org Heart was destroyed I suspected this might happen, but I wasn�t sure.�

�You know what�s happened to us?� Toxica exclaimed.

�I think so.�

�Well, what is it? Tell us!� Jindrax said.

�Let�s sit down first.� Shayla extended an arm towards the rocky seats scattered near her pool of sacred water.

They all followed and found places. Jindrax saw the former Rangers smile at each other as if remembering all the times they must have sat here and talked, and planned. So unlike the dark, cold cave of Master Org, where he and Toxica had struggled to become favored and more powerful, and had found only treachery from their own kind. Again, he felt something new and human - this time, envy of their friendship and trust, their obvious eagerness to help and support each other.

�Go on, Princess,� Alyssa said when they were all settled.

�Well... I�m not positive about any of this, of course.�

�Just say it,� Jindrax said impatiently.

�You must know the legend - that all higher living beings must have hearts, yet Orgs have none. In their place, the Org Heart was created. Orgs cannot survive without it, even though it is hidden from the world most of the time.�

�Yes, we know.� Toxica�s voice was subdued.

�I believe that it�s true. There have been no other Orgs since the Heart was destroyed. None remained alive - except you two.�

�How?� Jindrax asked. �We felt the Heart die, but we didn�t die with it. How could that be?�

Shayla looked directly at Toxica. �Do you remember when you fell in the sacred water?�

�Of course. It hurt, but I lived because I had let Onikage cut off my horn.�

�That wouldn�t have saved you.� Shayla looked at the pool of sparkling water at the side of the clearing, the innocent and beautiful water that was so deadly to Orgs, and went on in a softer tone. �Nothing without a heart can survive the touch of the sacred water, yet you touched it twice - and the first time was before you removed your horn. No, it was something deeper that kept you alive.� She returned her gaze to Toxica, and then Jindrax. �You both had already started to grow hearts. Real ones. Human ones.�

�Grow hearts? How could a heart just start growing in them?� Danny asked, looking faintly repulsed by the idea.

�She doesn�t mean it literally,� Taylor said with a disapproving frown.

�Taylor�s right,� Shayla said. �Orgs have the usual organ to pump blood through their bodies. What I mean is that part of the mind - the soul, perhaps - that can feel affection, joy, grief, gratitude. In humans, it�s the part that sees beauty in the world, and can forgive an enemy, or inspire loyalty and sacrifice. The part that makes life worthwhile; the part that - loves.� Her eyes strayed again to Merrick for an instant.

Cole snapped his fingers. �That�s right! When Jindrax and Toxica came to us wanting to help get you out of Master Org�s cave, I could read their hearts! I could tell we could trust them. I never sensed anything from any other Org, but I did with them.�

Toxica had put a hand over her chest, as if trying to feel a change. �What do you mean, we started to have hearts? When? How could that be possible?�

Shayla smiled. �I don�t know when. Possibly many years ago, maybe even centuries. And I don�t really know how either. But I can tell you why.�

�So - why?� Jindrax demanded as she paused, he was sure for dramatic effect.

�Very simple. You got them from each other.�

�Each other?� Jindrax and Toxica exchanged a confused glance.

�Yes.� Shayla rose and moved a step closer to them. �At some time during all those years you spent hiding among humans, waiting for Master Org to return, you became friends. You began to care about each other. When you were with other Orgs again, you found them to be - cold, unfeeling, treacherous. That is the way Orgs are and always have been; it was you who had changed, and you changed even more as you drew together and tried to help and protect each other. When Toxica was destroyed, Jindrax, you grieved. When he found a way to return you to this world, Toxica, you felt joy, and you were grateful. No true Org would have felt any of those emotions. Even then, you had become - well, partly human. The destruction of the Org Heart only completed the process, by destroying the Org that was left in you.�

It was crazy. Impossible. He had made Toxica human, and she had done the same to him? And yet, as Jindrax stared at his best friend, something inside him could feel the pieces of the puzzle of their transformation falling into place. It fit, all of it.

�It�s crazy, but - I think it�s true,� Toxica said, so faintly he almost couldn�t hear her. She seemed to collect herself, and turned back to Shayla. �But knowing why doesn�t tell us how to fix it.�

�Ah.� Shayla returned to her seat and clasped her hands together. �You want to return to being true Orgs again.�

�Yes.� Toxica looked anxious and almost apologetic. �We want our powers back. Our strength. We don�t like being human: getting hungry and tired, being sick. And some day we�d get old and die! I don�t know how all of you do it - it�s too - too hard.�

�Yeah,� Jindrax added. �We wanted to get away from Master Org and find ourselves, but we didn�t think we�d find a couple of humans. No offense, but we�re Orgs. That�s what we�ve always been, and what we want to go on being.�

�I understand.� Shayla gave them another long and considering look, long enough to make Jindrax wonder uncomfortably exactly what she was seeing. Did she think their request was selfish? Stupid? Or only impossible? When she spoke again her voice gave nothing away; it was low and firm with no sign of outward disapproval. �There may be a way. Soon I will return to my sleep, waiting for the next time the Wild Zords and I are needed. In time, in a few thousand years, Master Org will return, and the Orgs with him.�

�But - we destroyed him!� Max protested.

�You destroyed the body he was using, the body that once belonged to Viktor Adler, but Master Org will return. It�s inevitable and unchanging, part of the eternal cycle of good and evil. And - along with him, the Org Heart will be regenerated. Jindrax, Toxica, at that time - if you want it enough - if you reject your human side, accept the Heart and allow the seeds of Org still within you to take over, you may become the way you were again.�

�Just like that?� Taylor asked. �They can turn back into Orgs just because they want to?�

�Dr. Adler was human, and became Org. The process started when he swallowed the seeds of Master Org, but that was only the beginning. He gave up his human heart, and that�s what Jindrax and Toxica must do in order to get their wish.�

There was silence as they all tried to absorb that. Finally Alyssa spoke hesitantly, asking the question that was in Jindrax� own mind. �But - but Master Org won�t return for thousands of years. How are they going to live that long?�

�When I return to my sleep, anyone still on the Animarium will sleep with me. They can stay here, and awaken with me... when I am needed to form a new team of Rangers to battle the Orgs once again.�

Seven pairs of eyes focused on Jindrax and Toxica. Seven minds must be wondering the same thing he was, the question he had to ask even though his mouth went dry at the thought. �Would we go back to the way we were?� Jindrax asked. �I mean - back to serving Master Org? Back to trying to destroy you?� He turned from Shayla to Toxica. �Back to not being friends?� Toxica�s downcast eyes and tight mouth told him she had thought of the same possibility.

�I don�t know,� Shayla replied. �I hope you would remember enough of what has changed you to no longer want to fight me or destroy humanity. But - I don�t know.�

This time it was Toxica who asked the question. �You would do that for us? Help us even though it might mean we�d turn against you?�

�Each creature must find its own path, for good or evil. Yes, you are welcome to stay and share my sleep, if that�s what you want.�

Was it? For the first time, Jindrax wondered. Perhaps the Princess sensed that, because she smiled and stood again. �In fact, all of you are welcome to stay here tonight,� she said. �We can talk again in the morning. Right now, my friends... my Rangers... you�re here again, we have time to relax and talk, there�s plenty of food and plenty of places to sleep in your old rooms in the temple. What do you say?�

Looks were exchanged, and smiles. Finally Cole said with a grin, �Only if I can sleep in my tree again!�

Twilight in the Animarium was filled with the softness of fading daylight, a hint of coolness on the gentle breeze, and the faint and distant calls of the Wild Zords as they sought out favorite resting places. The flickering of the fire they sat around seemed to echo the deeper colors of sunset spread across a sky that felt closer than anywhere on the Earth below. The forest surrounded them with darkness, isolating the little circle of smiling faces, happy in their brief reunion.

A circle that did not include him and Toxica, Jindrax knew. The two of them sat at the edge of the forest, letting the shadows of the trees keep them as inconspicuous as possible, quietly watching. Jindrax felt comfortable in body after a simple but satisfying meal, but increasingly uncomfortable in mind. Every minute brought the night closer, and after the night would come the morning. Where would they be spending the next night? Back on the surface of the Earth, or here? And would it last a few hours - or a few millennia?

As the last colors in the sky faded to black studded with the sparkle of stars, he saw Danny and Max stand up. There was a brief round of goodnights before they turned towards the temple entrance, Danny�s arm circling Max�s shoulders as they disappeared inside. Shayla was next, standing and holding out her hand to Merrick, then leading him towards the forest not far from where Jindrax sat with Toxica. Faintly he heard her murmur something about forgetting that she was a princess, just for this one night, and Merrick�s even softer words of assent, before they vanished into the trees.

Only Cole, Taylor, and Alyssa remained, moving closer together around the fire at the other side of the clearing as it began to burn down, the companionable tones of their voices only a low and indistinct murmur. Jindrax turned to Toxica, seeing her face made even more beautiful as the silvery light of the newly risen moon caught it. He wondered bleakly whether he would still see that beauty after a sleep of thousands of years and waking to become an Org again.

�We need to talk,� Toxica said.

�Yeah, I know.�

�We came here to become Orgs again, and now we have the chance. But we don�t want to jump into anything - do we?�

�Good point! We should think about this first.�

Toxica hunched her shoulders, arms wrapping around herself. �We�ve changed so much. Started - feeling things we�re not used to feeling.� Her eyes came up to his face and slid away again. �We need to be rational about this. Sensible. Make a logical decision.�

Jindrax almost said that it wasn�t a logical situation, but stopped himself. �Yeah, logical, that�s me,� he said.

�If we stay here with the Princess, we could go back to the way we were. Be ourselves again. Have our powers back. We were created as Orgs; that�s what we know how to be; that�s what we were meant to be.�

Jindrax swallowed an unexpected pang of - disappointment? - and nodded.

�On the other hand, if we leave and live as humans - well, we won�t ever have to fear Master Org again.�

�I sure don�t want to have to serve him again.�

�Me either. But these human bodies...� Toxica looked down at herself. �They�re so weak. They get sick, and old, and die.�

�Well, yeah.�

�Of course, if we stay with the Princess, there�s no guarantee we�ll become Orgs again.�

�We�d be taking a big chance, I guess.�

�But it is a chance. Could we stand to live with humans? To do stupid human things? Have to go to the bathroom, and brush our teeth, and worry about how we smell, and how we look? Have to get jobs and think about things like money, and... and...�

She was right about that; he didn�t know if he could ever get used to the needs and peculiarities of this body. �Yeah, I dunno,� Jindrax agreed, shaking his head. �Stupid humans.�

�Jindrax...�

�Yeah?�

�What do you want to do? Stay, or go back to Earth and be human?�

�I...� His mind gone completely blank, Jindrax groped for an answer Toxica might think was sensible and logical, and came up with nothing. �Well, isn�t it obvious?� he bluffed.

For some reason her shoulders slumped as she went on slowly, �If one of us wants to stay human, and one of us wants to go back to being an Org...�

�Split up?� The idea had never occurred to him, and it sent a stab of fear through him now. Suddenly sure of one answer out of all the uncertainties, Jindrax reached for Toxica�s hand and lifted it between them, clasping it tightly, fingers intertwined. �No. This is what I want. The only thing that�s really important. Whether we�re Orgs or humans, we stay together. Forever.�

He blinked at her expression as her eyes widened and her lips trembled. �And if we go back to being Orgs and stop caring about each other?� she asked. �Orgs don�t care. Orgs don�t love. I don�t want that to happen to us again.�

�We can�t let it happen. We won�t, no matter what it takes. If we�re not friends - well, what�s the point of anything?�

�What�s the point?� she echoed, and gave him a smile as soft and silver as moonlight. �Jindrax?�

�Yeah?�

�Would you think it was stupid and human if I kiss you?�

�Um - well, let�s try it and find out.�

Slowly, cautiously, hesitantly, they leaned closer and fitted their mouths together. Her lips were warm, and exciting in a way he knew was uniquely human. But it didn�t feel stupid at all.

TBC...

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