Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers!

With Great Help from Cyro and Purple Interlinea.

Power Rangers:

Darkest Days

Episode 1

Beginnings Again

Part One

Asmy last light slowly withers out of existence, and the lamp gradually goes dim, I remember times gone by. They will never return. I have rarely written in life, since there really was no need, with computer pads and the like, at least as far back as I can remember. Pen, pencil, paper, was never needed. Yet in the growing darkness, with my aching belly, my dry cracked bleeding lips, and my nearly empty energy tank, it is a comfort though small, to think back to the good times. A tear runs down my face as I remember my team; five of which made the ultimate sacrifice in a most long and painful way to save the world. They suffered horribly as I am suffering now. As for Commander Hope, Commander Cruger, Sam, and Nova, I do not know where they are, or if they are even alive. If they are, then at least they will be able to protect Earth until they can recruit or promote a new B-Squad...

VERNOX MAX SECURITY PRISON, 2040

"Maximum Security has been breached!" The intercom at Vernox Maximum Security Prison screamed loudly. "Grumm and Morgana are escaping!" It was Lieutenant Miros on the intercom. He was also watching the security camera feeds. "Lieutenant Miros, initiate lockdown! It's a Mass Breakout! And man those cameras! We might be able to identify the five that broke in to break them out!" yelled the Warden.

Miros replied, "Yes sir, already on it!" After a minute, he yelled, "Damn! I can't get a thing! Sorry sir, it looks like it's been encrypted, and the files are currently being corrupted!'' The Warden yelled in reply, "Well get the file out of there, damn it!" "Yes, Sir!" Miros saved the file on disk and ejected it. Then all systems went dead, and the lights went out.

GRUMM'S SHIP, 2040

"Ahhh! My ship! Good to be back!" Grumm growled. Morgana looked confused ''But I thought your ship was destroyed twenty years ago, when the B-Squad Rangers destroyed Omni.'' Grumm growled at the mention of the B-Squad. "That was the Terror, Morgana, this is the Horror, my secondary ship! Heh heh heh!" He cackled. Morgana whined, "You never told me about your second ship. '' "Heh heh heh. You never asked. Besides, it was still in construction. As were these, heh heh heh…" He gestured to the five beings in cloaks before him. "Oh wait, I forgot, they had just begun construction!"

Morgana looked at them in surprise because she didn't know about them. "Whoa, what are they?'' "They are cyborgs… my finest creations. These six cyborgs look, act and sound like real humans, and they will be my Revenge! Heh heh heh." Morgana was puzzled. "Wait you said six. I only see five." "Huh? What? Cyborg Leader Report! Where is Number Six?" Mora screeched! ''Don't tell me you've lost one!" "No, my Lady. My Lord, our creator found that we are lacking emotions. Without emotions we can not spy for you, for we would be obscure, and be caught. Our creator is experimenting with creating false emotions in Number Six. He wished to try with all of us; however there simply was not time to do so. To keep on schedule he sent us, Number six will remain behind until it is complete."

Morgana sneered "Excuses, excuses!" "Hmm... This might work out even better than we thought, Morgana. Heh heh heh!" Grumm laughed. ''How?'' asked Morgana. Grumm ignored her, and spoke to the Cyborgs. "You have your orders! Now go. Infiltrate and destroy from the inside out." Morgana smiled. "Attacking SPD from the inside out? Clever plan I like it!'' Grumm just laughed and laughed as the Cyborgs left.

SPD, 2040

Commander Cruger was a little sad to be leaving SPD. It was his last day, last of more than forty years. It had been his life. And now he was getting ready for the Transfer of Leadership Ceremony and to retire.

Dr. Manx was ready for the Transfer of Leadership ceremony, but it was not yet time for it to begin. Although she was glad to have been promoted, she had to admit she'd miss this place. She'd been through a lot with these people, and she wasn't sure how they'd take it when she told them about her choice to accept the position at headquarters. It would be quite a day, so she might as well start early.

Sky Tate too, was getting ready for the Ceremony. He turned away from the mirror, with a saddened look upon his face. On the bed was an opened letter, from SPD Headquarters addressed to him. It was an invitation to Command Training to become a Commander in the Helix Nebula Headquarters. He had decided to accept, though he had yet to tell the others.

Syd ran her brush through her hair one last time, and decided it looked well enough. She wanted to be at the ceremony early, no telling what the others would do without her. She sighed at that thought. They'd have to learn to get along without her soon enough. She'd decided that the SPD, while she loved working with them, was cutting way too much into her family time. A break was just what the doctor ordered, and so she would leave them, at least for awhile, soon.

Z watched the holo-recording from Supreme Commander Doesy Deary, newly installed after Birdy had retired. She sighed deeply. Doesy had appointed her SPD Ambassador. That would most like mean that they would send her to the far reaches of the Galaxy. Yeah, she'd miss the others, but perhaps it would be the perfect salve for her wreaked marriage. She snorted grimly. Wreaked, it was beyond wreaked. Jonk just couldn't handle the loss of their year old daughter, and, and ... She sobbed.

Boom slogged out of bed and looked at the alarm clock. His drowsed look gave way to one bordering terror when he glimpsed the time. "Aw man, I'm gonna be late!" He rushed to get cleaned and dressed. He wanted to be there early to help hand out the computerized programs. He was ready in just under five minutes, though he had almost as many new bruises from slipping up because he hadn't bothered to dry off very well. He only stopped when he reached his room once more. He saw his packed bags on the floor, which reminded him how soon he'd be leaving the SPD. He hadn't wanted to leave for awhile yet, but when the scholarship showed up, it was too good an opportunity to ignore. In addition to that, he'd been offered a promotion when he came back with his degree, so he wouldn't be working under Dr. Manx anymore. So it wasn't REALLY good bye, more like an extended vacation. Still...he'd miss those guys.

Commander Hope was very nervous. He was about to take his first Commander position, and the place of a most beloved Commander, who had once helped to save the world. How would he do? How would the Cadets react to him? He couldn't think about that now. Like his trainer had once said, "If you don't think you belong in the authority chair, then you don't." Calm, cool, collected, that is what he had to be. His teeth were chattering.

Dr. Carson, otherwise known to his friends as Bridge, straightened his uniform. He wondered if anyone else knew. Probably not, since he was told to tell no one. He knew that Dr. Manx and Boom were leaving, but only because he was the one replacing them. Hmm, replace? No one could ever replace them. Like the saying went, "No replacing, only succeeding."

SPD Main Hall, 2040

Commander Cruger stepped out on the stage, in full uniform for the last time. Isynia and their children sat in the front row, smiling, yet sad. Next to them were the MDS; Sky, Bridge, Z and Syd. He sighed; the five of them had been through a lot together. Yet all that was over now. Their families sat behind them. Next to the MDS, was Dr. Manx, and Boom. They all looked sad yet preoccupied. Across the stage was Commander Hope, seated, looking nervous. And in the center of the stage was Supreme Commander Doesy Deary to complete the ceremony. Commander Cruger took his seat next to her.

Supereme Commander Deary saw the room was fast filling and decided to start the ceremony. She stood and walked to the floating podium. "Greetings to all!" she began amid a flurry of clapping. When it died down she continued, "I'm sure you're all aware what a day this is. Many things are changing, not only leadership, but rangers as well." She winked at the rangers in the front row. "I would like to wish the new SPD commander the best of luck, and extend my heartfelt wishes to the former to have a restful and relaxed retirement after all the work he has done over the years. Now if there are no objections, the Transfer of Leadership Ceremony will begin."

Commander Cruger's eyes widened as he looked at the Rangers who looked uncomfortable, as if a secret had been released too early. They also looked surprised as well at each other. He looked towards Commander Hope, who was in shock. He had obviously thought he had his work cut out for him.

Then the Supreme Commander gestured to someone offstage and an attendant brought her a cup of water. It was in a goblet, which was a real rarity these days. She then also gestured to Commanders Cruger and Hope. They knelt side by side before her. She dipped a warm hand into the frigid water and sprinkled it on their upturned foreheads. Then she bid them to stand. She gave the cup first to Commander Cruger and he drank, and then passed the cup to Commander Hope, who would be taking his place. He drank long and deep, and then returned the bowl to Supreme Commander Deary. She placed a hand on both of their shoulders and turned them around to the crowd. The applause was deafening.

SPD, Celebration Hall 2040

After the ceremony, Commander Cruger came down to the Rangers. He had a look of disbelief on his face as he came to them. "YOU'RE LEAVING! All of you! But why! When!" It was a bit hypocritical of him, since he was leaving as well, but one could forgive him. Everyone had known he'd been leaving for sometime, but this was very sudden...to all of them.

Sky, as Red Ranger and Squad Leader, spoke first. "Commander…" He tried to speak, but closed his mouth. He started again. "Commander, I have been selected to start Commander training."

Commander Cruger's face displayed emotions ranging from shocked to sad to proud. He was disappointed Sky was leaving, but had suspected that'd he'd be recruited for Commander one day; he'd just hoped it wouldn't be so soon. Still, he had watched Sky grow from a boy to a man, and couldn't be more proud. He wished Sky luck in whatever he did.

Next, Z stepped up and just blurted out, "I've been appointed an SPD Ambassador. I leave with Sky this afternoon for training." "W-woww! Congratulations…, Great things for both you. Though I will miss you both greatly."

It was Syd's turn. "I, I am resigning SPD. I don't know when or if I'll be back. I want to spend more time with Kai, and the kids; Anubis, Kat, Jack, Sky, Bridge and Lizzie before they are grown and gone. Before we lose anymore…" A tear ran done her face. Commander Cruger placed his hand one her shoulder. "Syd., I understand," and he did.

Commander Cruger turned to Bridge. "What about you Bridge?" Bridge sighed. "I can't tell anyone yet." Before Cmdr. Cruger could react, Dr. Manx and Boom came up to them and Dr. Manx spoke, "It is time that you all knew as well. I am finally taking that job. Head of Technology at Headquarters, I mean." Commander Cruger's eyes widened once more. Dr. Manx was his closest friend after Isynia. He knew he should be happy for her, and he was, yet he would miss her greatly. He wished her luck.

Boom looked at her speechless for a moment, and turned to Cmdr. Cruger. "I will be leaving also. I have received a scholarship to Angel Grove University, to take several degrees, such as Ranger History, Computer Science, and everything that I will need to one day become Head of Technology of a Planetary Division." Commander Cruger stared at him for a minute. Fifteen years ago, he would never have expected this from Boom. Yet he had studied hard for the last eleven years. "Boom, I will miss you as well, but I am so proud of you. Good work."

Bridge spoke up. "Now I can tell you. I am not actually leaving Earth SPD, just moving departments. I will no longer be a Ranger. Dr. Manx has asked for me to Head the Technology Division." "Wow, that's great, Bridge. Best of luck to you." He looked around all of them. "Do you all realize what time, date and year it is? Sam and Nova will be returning soon, in just five weeks." "Commander, calm down," said Supreme Commander Deary, as she trotted over to them, as she had overheard part of the conversation. "I have made arrangements for Commander Training and Ambassador Training to have a break during that time. And I will make personally sure that Tate, Delgado-Miko, and Manx will be on that Ship!"

SPD, Entrance, 2040

The former team was finally on their way. They had all moved out. Dr. Carson had moved rooms. Sky, Z and Dr. Manx were on the ship with Supreme Commander Deary to the Helix Nebula. Syd had gone to her home. Boom was on the Train for Angel Grove; Dr. Carson was walking Commander Cruger and his family to the door. Just as they reached it, Commander Hope came running. "I am so sorry. Commander, I am going to have to take you up on that offer of advice sooner than I thought, and probably for longer too. There was a Mass Prison Breakout on Vernox. Grumm and Mora escaped as well…"

To be Continueed…