The Power of Pink: Alternate Cut

1.2

Sad Goodbyes

Outside the Astro Megaship, the Space Rangers took a moment to confront the Galaxy Rangers as they prepare to announce their goodbyes.

"First of all, I want to thank you for helping us fend off the Psycho Rangers. I don't think we would have been able to destroy them if you guys hadn't shown up," said Leo.

"Not a problem. If you guys are in desperate need of assistance, feel free to contact us. After all that fiasco we went through, it's safe to say there won't be any threat close to this," Andros replied.

"It's going to take some time before we can get back on our feet. We never thought we would lose a teammate of ours let alone a best friend," said Kai. Having difficulty adjusting to Kendrix's loss, he swore to himself not to let grief get the better of him.

"You never know what to expect. I felt the same way when I thought I lost a best friend of mine," Andros mentioned alluding to the time when Zhane nearly sacrificed himself to protect their home planet of KO-35.

"I see what you mean. We're just a little disappointed you guys can't stick around longer. We've been in search of the New World for awhile now, so if it's not asking much we could use some extra backup," Damon said.

"Thanks but Planet Earth may need our protection. Even though the United Alliance of Evil is gone, you never know. There is always going to be someone out there willing to carry on that stigma. Like you mentioned about Trakeena, we have our own mission and that is to keep the Earth safe," Carlos clarified.

"He has a point. As much as we would like to stay, it's important we continue to fulfill our duty. There may be some obstacles ahead but I can assure you guys can get through this," Andros commented. In unison, the Galaxy Rangers nodded taking Andros's speech to heart. Since becoming Power Rangers, they have fought valiantly to guard Terra Venture on their quest in search of the new world. From retrieving the Lights of Orion to discovering the remains of the Lost Galactabeasts, the Galaxy Rangers have been through it all. With the circumstances surrounding Kendrix, this obstacle would prove to be one that they have to adapt.

"Are you sure you guys don't want to bring home your Astro Megaship?" Leo asked.

"As far as we're concerned, we have our Hang Gliders as our other transportation. You guys have done a pretty good job taking care of the ship, so I'm not too worried about it," replied Andros.

"Thanks Andros. It was an honor fighting alongside you guys," Leo complimented.

"No Leo, the honor was all ours. If there is anything you need, give us a call and we'll provide some backup the next time we meet," the Red Space Ranger assured.

Ashley and TJ turned their attention on Cassie holding onto the Quasar Saber received from the late Kendrix.

"Is she going to be okay without us? I've never seen her stressed out like this before," Ashley questioned leaving herself wondering in doubt regarding the mental state of her best friend.

"I'm sure she will eventually. It's not so easy witnessing someone go all out to protect an ally," TJ answered.

"I don't understand. We've barely knew much about Kendrix at the time," said Ashley. "I really want to support her but maybe its best if she could use some space."

Contrary to Ashley's remarks, TJ commented, "We're about to leave soon. If you consider her to be your best friend, you should comfort her. Right now is not the time to start arguing."

Ashley's face lit up with concern. For two years, she and Cassie developed a bond that would affect their ongoing chemistry. They had experienced a gap between life and death situations that they couldn't comprehend. While there had been occasions where a blur line would stir a rift among the two rangers, Ashley and Cassie did their damnedest by working cohesively to assess a situation.

"Maybe it's best if we talk to her. Remember when Zordon and Dimitria recruited us to serve and protect the universe? Had it been for them, not only we wouldn't be in this position but we would never have gone off into space," Ashley reminded him.

Inside the Astro Megaship's main headquarters, Cassie sat on a chair as she took a moment to gaze at the Quasar Saber. While going through emotions, TJ and Ashley entered aboard the ship while approaching his comrade.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" He asked.

"This is just hard for me to stomach. Ever since we became Power Rangers, it's like we can't stress enough but to think about the enemies that want to cause destruction. We've gone through hell chasing Divatox into space, rescuing Zordon, and keeping the universe safe at the same time. Until now, I never thought we would see a Power Ranger like us risk their life back there," Cassie confessed.

"I'm sure she had good intentions going into this. If we hadn't destroyed the barrier, we wouldn't be having this conversation," TJ said.

"No kidding," Cassie sighed placing the saber aside on top of the dashboard.

"Look, we came by to say goodbye. Let us know if you need anything, and we'll do our best to help," said Ashley as she took a seat next to Cassie's. "I know it's been a rough day for all of us. Don't blame yourself for the reason why Kendrix did what she did. Anyone of us would've done the same thing. You shouldn't drown yourself in a bathtub never to come out of it. I believe in you Cassie, I know you can get through this."

TJ nodded in agreement. "She's right. You've come too far to throw in the towel. Kendrix would encourage you to continue the path she left behind. Don't let her death be in vein," he added.

"I suppose you have a point," Cassie said sarcastically.

"Hey that's why we're here. Every day we risk our lives to protect the citizens who feel their lives are being endangered in some shape or form. Whenever there is a threat like Trakeena or the United Alliance, we will have the Calvary needed to stop them from achieving their needs," Ashley mentioned.

"What makes you so sure? When we defeated the United Alliance a year ago, I thought for sure we were done as Power Rangers. All of a sudden, somebody far off our coordinates wants to conquer a planet that may or may not be out there. I don't know what Trakeena plans to achieve if she even finds this new world, but somebody has got to stop them before they reach it," Cassie elaborated. As the Pink Galaxy Ranger, this wouldn't be any different compared to their past adventures.

"Don't let the stress get the better of you. The Galaxy Rangers will be there any time in case you need their support. Give them a chance and I'm sure they'll award you with open arms," TJ assured.

"He's right. This shouldn't be any different from the situations we've encountered. I have faith in you Cassie and I wish you the best," said Ashley hugging her in the process.

"I'll see what I can do. Thanks you guys," she concluded. Cassie threw her arms around the likes of Ashley and TJ hugging the Yellow and Blue Rangers respectively.

Elsewhere, Mike approached the rest of the Space and Galaxy Rangers preparing to address their goodbyes.

"Sorry if I'm late. I had to help Commissioner Stanton with the controls. What just happened back there?" Mike asked. The two teams tilted their heads down as they struggled to come up with words to describe the unfortunate event that transpired.

"It's...Kendrix. She sacrificed herself to destroy the Savage Sword responsible for creating the storm barrier," Kai explained.

"Wait you're not saying that..." Eventually, Mike started to understand what the rangers witnessed. Having learned the circumstance surrounding Kendrix's tragedy, Mike wrapped his forehead around. Leo hugged his brother in attempt to ease the pain.

"She fought with everything she had. That I can't complain," said Andros.

"Hey look on the bright side. We made a pretty great team back there. With them out of the equation, those Psychos aren't going to cause any more trouble," Damon assured. As the conversation drew silent, the rangers looked around to notice Maya's lack of presence.

"What happened with Maya? You think she would be here to say goodbye?" Carlos questioned.

"She just needs some time alone. It's not easy fighting grief," Kai provided with the update.

Meanwhile, TJ, Ashley, and Cassie exited the Megaship as they gathered around with the rest of the rangers.

"Hey guys we just got done with our little pep talk. We should morph if we plan on getting home with our hang gliders," Ashley reminded them. Excluding Cassie the Space Rangers activated their morphers suiting up under their respective ranger forms.

"It's been fun hanging out while it lasted. Send us an email when you arrive on the new world. Perhaps we can meet up again sometime," said Carlos.

"No problem," Leo replied. "Make sure Earth is safe if we ever plan on making a trip back."

The Space Rangers nodded in acknowledgement. As TJ prepared to follow suit, Cassie grabbed him by the arm before concluding with some final words of advice.

"TJ, there is one more favor I need to ask of you." Immediately following that line, she wrapped her arms around TJ's bestowing him with a passionate kiss. Throughout a majority of their tenure as Power Rangers, the two had gone through so much that words couldn't express the pain and struggle they've endured. The Blue Ranger would soon embrace the kiss there afterward reducing any trace of stress in his body.

"Cassie, I never thought I'd say this but I'm really going to miss you," TJ confessed.

"You guys will be fine without me. I needed a bit of pep talk after all," said Cassie as she squealed with a smile.

"Until we meet again..." Following Andros's sentence, the Space rangers hopped onto their respective colored hang gliders bidding their accomplices farewell. On the other hand, the Galaxy Rangers watched on distancing themselves from their radar.

As they stood outside the Megaship, Mike chimed in to ask, "Well...what happens now?"

Leo stepped forth to answer. "Continue to do what we've been doing for the past several months. That's what Kendrix would have wanted," he said.

"How are we supposed to tell Commissioner Stanton that Kendrix is dead? Is he going to believe the reason for her absence is to tell him she is the Pink Ranger?" Damon questioned.

"If neither of us informs him of the bad news, we would come off looking like a bunch of liars," Kai explained to them.

"Kai is right. Tomorrow we'll start making funeral arrangements for Kendrix. But we should also keep a close eye out on Trakeena and her goons if they plan on ruining the ceremony," Leo instructed encouraging his team to take whatever precaution necessary to prevent another loss within their ranks.

"This is going to be a long week is it?" Damon wondered.

"We just got to stay strong man. It won't be an easy task but it is our duty to protect Terra Venture and the people around here," said Kai as he and Damon approached the Megaship. "Damon and I are going to get some takeout food. You guys want anything?"

Leo and Mike turned to one another before coming to a decision. "No thanks; I think we've had enough for today," answered Leo. The Green, Blue and Pink Rangers exited the area leaving the Corbetts remaining aboard the base. Meanwhile, underneath his collar, Leo pulled out a set of dog tags his brother lent to him prior to leaving Earth.

"Are you thinking about something Leo?" Mike asked.

"Ever since I became a Power Ranger, I've seen people risk their lives to protect something or someone that meant everything to them. When you fell under that crevasse, I remember thinking you were a goner. I kept blaming myself thinking that had I not snuck into Terra Venture, you wouldn't be involved in this mess. Then I thought about the dog tags you lent to me as a going away gift. Even though you weren't technically around, I felt you were still watching over me. Granted it sounds cheesy. At the end of the day, when the Magna Defender gave his all to protect us and every living thing in Terra Venture, I learned a bit about what it means to be a hero. For every beef I had with him, he at least went out on a high note." The Red Ranger paused for a moment to reminisce on the trials and tribulations they've endured.

"Kendrix was an influence to all of us. We wouldn't have survived the storm if it hadn't been for her guts and fortitude," Mike said. "The important thing is we should remember her for what she brought to the team and everyone who helped her along the journey. That is one thing we can't deny her on."

Leo nodded taking a glimpse at the stars and constellations across space. Once more he continued to reflect the moments he and Kendrix shared not only as teammates but close companions who shared a mutual connection. It seemed as though he thought fate would bring them one step closer. However, the impact surrounding Kendrix's death prevented any chance of professing his love for the blonde. Feeling resentment, Leo's heart sunk like the titanic that crashed in large part due to an iceberg.

"I was going to ask Kendrix out on a date but I could never find the courage. Now that she is gone, she won't know how much I meant to her," he muttered sadly. The Red Ranger reached underneath his pocket revealing a photo he and Kendrix took some time ago.

"It's getting pretty late Leo. We have a big day coming tomorrow so let's get some good rest while we're at it," Mike instructed patting his brother by the shoulder.

"Thanks Mike but I'm just going to stick around here for a few minutes though," said Leo admiring his brother's support. Subsequently, Mike exited the area leaving the Red Ranger standing silently in solitaire.

"You may be gone Kendrix. No matter what happened back there I'll always remember you," he mumbled continuingly gazing at the photo in his grasp.