Lightspeed Fury Odyssey

Part of the Power Rangers: Worlds, Times and Distances Apart Universe

A Power Rangers Fanfiction

Memories Of Light: Lightspeed, Rescue!

by Lauraac2110

Lightspeed Aquabase, Command Centre, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, late morning

"Sir?" Carter Grayson said respectfully as he and the other Lightspeed Rescue Rangers entered the Command Centre with the Titanium Ranger, Ryan Mitchell, not far behind them. A few minutes earlier, an alarm had gone off and, as soon as the six of them had heard it, they had made their way straight to the Command Centre because they knew that it could only mean one thing. Trouble.

"Rangers, I'm afraid that we've got trouble in Mariner Bay," Captain Mitchell said grimly as he turned to them. "Sensors scattered across the town suggest that a massive explosion went off there a few minutes ago. Since then, we've had several SOS signals from various people there."

"Have you got any ideas about what caused the explosion?" Kelsey asked.

"No, we don't," he replied simply. "Hence, I'm sending you to investigate. Find out about what caused that explosion."

"And carry out your usual search and rescue mission," Miss Rawlings added as she entered. "The Rescue Rover is waiting for you in the hangar."

"We will," Ryan promised. "And we'll report back if we find anything."

"Rangers!" Carter said grimly. "Let's go."

And, without another word, the six Rangers left the Command Centre.

"Sir, what do you think caused the explosion?" Miss Rawlings asked.

Captain William Mitchell grimaced. "I honestly don't know. I do know one thing, though."

"What's that, sir?" she asked.

"We're in trouble," he replied grimly. "The explosion that the sensors registered was massive. Whatever caused it isn't going to be a walk in the park for the Rangers. I only hope that they're ready for a challenge because they're about to face one."

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, late morning, several minutes later

When the Rescue Rover finally arrived in town, the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers and the Titanium Ranger were confronted by a scene of absolute devastation. All around them, buildings were in ruins and fires were spreading rapidly through the streets.

"It's chaos," Joel whispered in horror. "I wonder what could have caused all this destruction."

"I don't think that we need to wonder. Look!" Carter said as he pointed to a group of screaming citizens who were fleeing onto the street whilst being pursued by metallic monsters.

"What on earth are they?" Chad exclaimed.

"That doesn't matter right now, Chad," Kelsey said grimly. "Those people are going to need our help. We can figure out what they are later."

"Kelsey's right," Dana agreed.

"Ready?" Ryan asked as he reached down to the Titanium Morpher on his wrist. The others nodded.

"Ready," they agreed as they reached down to their Rescue Morphers. "Lightspeed, Rescue!"

"Titanium Power!" Ryan called.

They morphed.

"All right. Let's try to get rid of these metallic monsters as quickly as we possibly can," Carter said. "Mariner Bay is officially a disaster zone and, if we don't get rid of these metallic monsters quickly, it will be reduced to ruins."

The other Rangers nodded. Then, they charged at the approaching metallic monsters with their Rescue Blasters drawn.

As the Rangers fought the metallic monsters, it quickly became apparent to them that they were completely outnumbered. Every time they destroyed several of the metallic monsters, several more appeared from one of the nearby streets to join the battle. However, the Rangers weren't going to give up despite the fact that the odds were stacked against them as they knew that the people of Mariner Bay were depending on them to get rid of the metallic monsters so that they could then save as many people as they could from the ruins of buildings and from the fires.

"Wow, even the Batlings weren't this numerous," Joel exclaimed as he dodged several shots from the metallic monsters and took several of them out.

"I know," Chad agreed from where he fought nearby. "I don't know if we'll be able to beat them or not."

"We've got to try our best," Carter countered as he took out another metallic monster. "People are depending on us."

"Carter's right," Dana agreed as she took out several metallic monsters in the one go before she moved to help Carter out. "A lot of lives are at risk because of these things. We've got to do our best to take them out."

"Our best might not be enough!" Kelsey warned as she was thrown back against the Rescue Rover. "There are just too many of them!"

Seconds later, the other four Lightspeed Rescue Rangers were thrown against the Rescue Rover at her side as Ryan continued fighting away nearby. As he turned to them after he had taken out another metallic monster, several of the metallic monsters fired at the Rescue Rover from behind.

"Guys! Move!" Ryan exclaimed.

The five Lightspeed Rescue Rangers saw the shots coming and instantly dove away from the Rescue Rover as the shots collided with it. The Rescue Rover then burst into a raging fireball which soon scattered all sorts of debris everywhere as it exploded.

"Guys!" Ryan exclaimed as he fought his way through the metallic monsters to the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers who lay still on the ground near to the fireball. "Guys!"

Several groans escaped their lips as the five of them struggled to get back up. As soon as they were on their feet, though, they were forcibly powered down due to the injuries they had sustained.

"That was rough," Carter groaned as he clutched his chest.

"Yeah," the others agreed. Ryan grimaced.

"I guess it's just me now," he said as he turned and got ready to face the metallic monsters that were slowly advancing towards him.

At that moment, Carter's communicator in his morpher beeped and Captain Mitchell's voice could clearly be heard by all six Rangers as the communication link became active.

"You're hopelessly outnumbered out there," he said grimly. "Sensors are picking up hundreds of these metallic monsters in the city and, as far as we can tell, there are even more in the area around the town. I'm afraid that we've got no choice. You must retreat for now."

"But sir...!" Carter began in protest.

"No buts. Come back to the Aquabase immediately," he commanded as the communication link was shut down.

"I'm afraid that my father is right," Dana said grimly. "If we stay, we'll be destroyed by these metallic monsters. There are just too many of them."

"What about all of the people?" Chad demanded.

"We'll regroup and come back with a better strategy, Chad," Joel replied. "This isn't the end."

"Joel's right. We'll have a better chance of beating those things if we regroup," Kelsey added.

"All right, we're leaving," Carter declared grimly. "Ryan?"

At that moment, Ryan had spotted a young child who had just wandered onto the street crying for his parents. He stared.

What's that kid doing here... he thought.

"Ryan!" Dana exclaimed to snap him out of his thoughts. "Come on!"

"I'll be along in a minute," Ryan replied. "Go ahead without me."

"But Captain Mitchell said..." Carter began.

"I know what Captain Mitchell said. I'll be right behind you. I've just got to do something first," Ryan replied. "Go!"

The others didn't move.

"I said go!" he exclaimed. "Trust me!"

With reluctance, the five Lightspeed Rescue Rangers fled as Ryan quickly fought his way through the metallic monsters to the child.

"Ranger! What's..." the child began as Ryan reached the child.

"It's all right," Ryan soothed as he picked the child up. "I'm here to rescue you."

"But my mommy..." the child began as he struggled to get out of Ryan's grasp.

"She would want you to be safe," Ryan soothed. "Now, come on."

The child stopped struggling at that moment as Ryan carried him through the swarm of metallic monsters and fled to catch up with the others.

When he finally caught up with the others, they were surprised to see the child in his arms.

"Where did he..." Dana began.

"He showed up in the street we were in. I just couldn't leave him to the mercy of those metallic monsters," Ryan explained. "Dana, could you carry him?"

"But I want you to carry me, Ranger!" the child protested.

"Dana's a Ranger too," Ryan said gently. "Besides, I need my hands in case we run into trouble."

The child nodded and Dana took him from Ryan.

"All right, let's get out of here," Carter said grimly. "I don't want these metallic monsters to follow us to the Aquabase."

"Right," the other Rangers agreed as all of them fled back to the Aquabase.

Lightspeed Aquabase, Command Centre, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, early afternoon, some time later

As the six Rangers entered the Command Centre, Miss Rawlings gently took the child, who had somehow managed to fall asleep on the journey to the Aquabase, from Dana.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him," she promised as she carried him away. Ryan finally powered down at this point.

"If I may say so, sir, you're lucky that we decided to take a holiday on the rebuilt Aquabase this week," Kelsey said. "If we weren't, you would have been in a great deal of trouble right now."

Captain Mitchell laughed grimly at this. "Yes, I suppose I should be glad that fate brought you here," he said. "I don't know what I would do right now if you weren't here."

He fell silent for several minutes as he carefully considered their options. Then, he sighed.

"I'm afraid that the best thing that you can do right now is go back out to Mariner Bay and find as many fleeing people as you can. For their protection, it would be best that they were brought here to the Aquabase," Captain Mitchell declared grimly.

"If I may ask, sir, how are we going to protect them any better here?" Chad asked.

"By taking the Lightspeed Aquabase back under the water again," Captain Mitchell replied.

"But sir..." Chad began.

"Remember that we're completely self-sufficient here, Chad," Captain Mitchell reminded him. "We filter the sea water around us to get pure drinking water, we grow more than enough fruit and vegetables in our greenhouse and we get our oxygen from the air above us."

Chad fell silent.

"I guess we had better get going," Carter said grimly. "Duty calls."

The Lightspeed Rescue Rangers turned to leave at that moment but, before they left, they stopped when one of the crewmen rushed in.

"Sir, we're getting reports that these metallic monsters have attacked and captured cities all over the world," she exclaimed. This news demoralised the five Lightspeed Rescue Rangers.

"If the rest of the world couldn't beat them, how can we?" Joel exclaimed. "It's hopeless."

"Yeah," the other four Lightspeed Rescue Rangers agreed. The Titanium Ranger, however, wasn't so demoralised.

He clenched his fist. "It isn't hopeless. All right, it may be clear that we're not going to be able to defeat these metallic monsters but I'm not giving up."

"Why not? It's clearly hopeless," Kelsey said.

"No. It's not," Ryan exclaimed. "I'm more determined now than ever to help as many people as I can. I may not be able to save everyone but I am going to save as many people as I possibly can from a terrible fate."

He paused for a moment. "Are you guys going to be coming with me or am I going to have to do this on my own?" he asked.

Carter smiled. "I'm with you," he declared before he turned to the others.

"And so are we," they declared in agreement.

"Well, it seems like you've inherited my persuasiveness, son," Captain Mitchell chuckled as he smiled at Ryan. "Good luck, Rangers."

They nodded and left. As soon as they were gone, Captain Mitchell sighed.

They're going to need it. He thought simply.

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, early afternoon, several minutes later

As the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers and the Titanium Ranger returned to Mariner Bay, they crept into a deserted alleyway and gathered round.

"Listen up, here's how we're going to do this," Carter declared. "Ryan and I will keep these metallic monsters occupied whilst the rest of you gather up everyone you can find here."

"That sounds like a great plan to me," Ryan grinned as he flicked open the panel on his Titanium Morpher.

"Ready?" Carter asked.

"Ready," Ryan and the other Lightspeed Rescue Rangers agreed.

"Lightspeed, Rescue!" the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers called as they activated their morphers.

"Titanium Power!" Ryan called as he activated his morpher. They morphed.

"All right, Ryan, let's go," Carter said as he rushed off.

"Right behind you," Ryan said with a grin. "Try to use this distraction wisely, guys."

Then, he took off after Carter as the other Lightspeed Rescue Rangers sighed.

"I guess we had better get to work," Dana declared.

And, with that, the other Lightspeed Rescue Rangers set off to rescue as many people as they could.

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, mid-afternoon, some time later

"Carter, as much as I hate to admit it, I don't think that we'll be able to keep this up much longer," Ryan exclaimed as he took out several metallic monsters. "I'm starting to feel quite tired."

"So am I," Carter agreed. "However, we've got to keep going, Ryan. We've got give the others as long as possible to find and rescue as many people as possible."

At that moment, several explosions went off in the area around them which caused the ground to tremble quite badly.

"Those were the worst explosions yet," Carter exclaimed as he took out several more metallic monsters. For the second time that day, Carter's morpher beeped.

"Sir, we're quite busy right now. Can't this wait?" Carter exclaimed just as the communication link activated.

"No, it can't," Captain Mitchell replied. "Gather everyone you've found so far and get back to the Aquabase immediately. Those explosions were set off by aerial attack crafts and, if you don't get out of there soon, you'll be their next target. Sensors indicate that they're starting to converge on your location."

"All right," Ryan replied grimly. "We'll be back soon."

The communication link was shut down again and Carter sighed as he broke free of the metallic monsters attacking him.

"Let's go, Ryan," Carter said grimly. Ryan broke free as well and nodded.

Minutes later, they returned to the alleyway where a large group of people had gathered.

"All right, Dana, your father says it is time for us to go," Carter warned as Dana came over to them. "You take Kelsey and start taking these people to the Aquabase. Chad, Joel, Ryan, you're with me."

"Let me guess, we're going to hold off the metallic monsters until everyone is safely in the Aquabase?" Chad said with a grin.

"Pretty much," Carter replied grimly. "Let's go."

The four of them left and Dana watched them go with a sad smile.

Good luck, guys. She thought before she turned to call to Kelsey who was at the back of the group of people.

"Kelsey, gather everyone together. We're heading back to the Aquabase!" Dana called.

"Right!" Kelsey called in reply. "Everybody, follow me!"

And, with that, the two of them began to lead everyone to the Lightspeed Aquabase as the three Lightspeed Rescue Rangers, and the Titanium Ranger, held off the metallic monsters nearby.

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, mid-afternoon, several minutes later

"...Carter, Dana and Kelsey have arrived at the Aquabase with the people that they've rescued.It's time for you and the others to come back too," Captain Mitchell called through a communication link several minutes later.

"Right. We'll be back in a few minutes," Carter replied as he shut down the communication link. He turned to the others who were fighting with metallic monsters nearby as he took out the one he had been fighting with. "Guys, it's time for us to go."

"Agreed," the others said as they grimly broke free of the metallic monsters that they had been fighting with. Then, the four of them fled back to the Aquabase.

Lightspeed Aquabase, Command Centre, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, late afternoon, some time later

"Sir?" Carter asked as he saw the grim expression on Captain Mitchell's face when he, Chad, Joel and Ryan entered the Command Centre.

"Captain Mitchell forgot to tell us that he's still got one more job for us Rangers," Kelsey said simply as she and Dana entered behind the four Rangers.

"We're going back out there, sir?" Joel asked as he turned pale.

"Yes, I'm afraid you are," Captain Mitchell said grimly. "I need all of you to secure all of the Operation Lightspeed equipment and transport it back here to the Aquabase storage facilities."

"Sir, if the Aquabase stays above water for much longer..." Chad began.

"Don't worry. The emergency camouflage technology that the Lost Galaxy Rangers sent us a while back has been protecting us from detection. None of the metallic monsters have noticed that we're here yet," Miss Rawlings assured as she entered. "Our equipment, though, is another story entirely."

"We fear that these metallic monsters have found it and, if they have, we fear that they'll use it like the Batlings did to cause destruction," Captain Mitchell said simply. "I don't want that to happen."

"Besides, I fear that we're going to need the equipment anyway," Miss Rawlings continued.

"So do I," Carter said grimly. "All right, we'll do it. Guys?"

The other Lightspeed Rescue Rangers and the Titanium Ranger nodded. Then, they grimly left.

"Let's hope that it isn't already too late to salvage the equipment," Miss Rawlings said as she looked at the floor.

"We'll find out soon enough, Miss Rawlings. We'll find out soon enough," Captain Mitchell said with as sigh.

Mariner Bay, Warehouse District, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, late afternoon, several minutes later

As Carter grimly looked around the corner of the warehouse that the six of them were hiding behind to the nearby Operation Lightspeed Warehouse, he wasn't surprised to find the metallic monsters all over the place.

"It looks like they've found our equipment," he said grimly as he turned back to the others.

"Carter, we're going to distract them, aren't we?" Ryan guessed wearily.

Carter sighed. "I'm afraid so," he said simply in confirmation. "Whilst Ryan and I keep them occupied, you four start taking this stuff to the Aquabase. Understand?"

The others nodded.

"All right, Carter. Let's just get this over with," Ryan said simply. "As soon as we draw these metallic monsters away from this place, get all the equipment away from here as quickly as possible. Take the most dangerous stuff first."

And, without another word, Ryan and Carter stepped out so that the metallic monsters could see them.

"Hey, over here!" Carter exclaimed to attract their attention. The metallic monsters turned and instantly charged at both Ryan and Carter.

"Let's go," Ryan said grimly to Carter as he turned on his heels and fled with Carter at his side. The metallic monsters followed after them in pursuit.

As soon as all the metallic monsters were gone, Chad, Joel, Dana and Kelsey hesitantly crept out from where they were hiding and headed cautiously over to the Operation Lightspeed Warehouse.

"There doesn't seem to be any metallic monsters around here. Carter and Ryan seem to have drawn them all away," Chad noted. "It's safe for us to get the equipment."

As each of the four Lightspeed Rescue Rangers gathered up various pieces of equipment, Dana sighed as she looked at the mountain of dangerous equipment that they had to take to the Lightspeed Aquabase.

I just hope that you can keep those metallic monsters away for a while, Ryan, Carter... she thought. There's a lot of equipment to be taken back to the Aquabase here...

Mariner Bay, Warehouse District, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, early evening, some time later

"That's the last of it," Kelsey declared as the four of them picked up the remaining boxes between them.

"All right, let's get out of here before those metallic monsters show up," Joel said grimly as they left. "Someone had better call Ryan and Carter so that they know that they don't have to distract the metallic monsters any longer."

"I'll do it," Chad declared as he activated his communicator whilst they headed back to the Aquabase. "Let's just hope that they're able to pick up, guys..."

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, early evening, at that very moment

As Carter's communicator beeped, a welcome feeling of relief swept through the two exhausted Rangers who had been distracting the metallic monsters for several hours now.

"Ok, Carter. I think that it's time for us to get out of here," Ryan declared. "That has to be the others trying to tell us that they're finished over at the warehouse.

"I had better let the others..." Carter began wearily. Ryan shook his head.

"Don't bother. If we stop, those metallic monsters will catch us," he warned. "It's best if we just head back to the Aquabase."

"I suppose," Carter agreed. "Let's go."

And, with that, the two Rangers rushed back to the Lightspeed Aquabase.

Mariner Bay, Warehouse District, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, early evening, a minute later

"They're not picking up," Dana said in worry as they ran.

"Don't worry, they're both probably making their way straight back to the Aquabase right now," Kelsey reassured as she ran at his side.

"Yeah, Dana, Kelsey's right. Knowing those two, they'll probably be waiting on us when we get back," Joel added.

"Come on, we had better get out of here. It won't be long before the metallic monsters show up here again," Chad said with a grim smile.

Dana sighed but didn't say anything as they made their way back to the Lightspeed Aquabase.

Lightspeed Aquabase, Command Centre, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, early evening, some time later

"Father, I should..." Dana began just as Carter and Ryan entered the Command Centre. They both looked exhausted but they still managed a weary grin.

"Go look for us? Not necessary," Ryan grinned as he and Carter powered down.

"Told you so," Joel and Kelsey said simultaneously as they smiled at Dana and her father.

"Sir, your orders?" Miss Rawlings asked.

"Take us under," Captain Mitchell commanded. "And get the emergency teleportation system online."

"Right away, sir," she replied. Then, she started working away frantically at the nearest console.

"As for you, Rangers, you need to get some rest," he said quite firmly. "You've had a long day and you haven't eaten or drank anything since breakfast this morning."

"Yes, sir," they replied before they left.

Lightspeed Aquabase, Canteen, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, mid-evening, some time later

As soon as everyone had eaten a decent meal and drank something, the six Rangers began to talk as they sat around a table together.

"... Do you know, we're lucky that the Lost Galaxy Rangers gave us that camouflage technology otherwise we would have been destroyed by now," Dana said grimly.

"We're trapped in here, though. With the Aquabase underwater, we can't go anywhere," Chad said grimly.

"Not true," Carter replied grimly. "One of the Original Rangers was kind enough to provide us with the plans to build an emergency teleport system. Once Miss Rawlings has it ready, we'll be able to teleport out of here easily enough."

Silence fell over the six Rangers for several moments.

"Guys, I can't stay here," Kelsey declared as she stood up. "I'm going back out there."

"What?" Joel exclaimed. "Kelsey, you've..."

"Listen, there could still be people out there," she replied as a pained expression appeared on her face. "I just can't sit here whilst they are in trouble."

"I'm coming with you," Carter said as he stood.

"So am I," Dana agreed as she stood as well.

"If you're both going to go with her then so am I," Chad added firmly as he stood too.

Ryan looked at Joel.

"You're going to go too, aren't you?" Joel accused.

"Of course. Now, are you coming too or are you staying here by yourself?" Ryan demanded as he stood.

"I'm coming," Joel replied as he stood. "There's no way that I'm going to let the rest of you get all of the fun."

"All right, let's head to the Command Centre," Dana said grimly. "We'll need to persuade my father to let us go."

"Since you're the persuasive one, we'll let you do the persuading, Ryan," Carter declared.

Ryan turned pale as the others left him standing by the table at that moment.

"What? You can't be serious. Guys! Guys!" Ryan exclaimed as he rushed to catch up with them.

Lightspeed Aquabase, Command Centre, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, mid-evening, some time later

"Rangers, I thought that I said you were to get some rest," Captain Mitchell said firmly as the six of them entered the Command Centre.

"Sir, we can't rest whilst there are people out there in trouble," Carter said grimly. "We want to go back out and see if we can find anyone else out there."

"No," Captain Mitchell said quite firmly. "It's just too risky out there now."

"Father, as Power Rangers, taking risks to rescue people is a part of our job," Ryan countered. "Please, let us go."

Captain Mitchell shook his head. "No."

"Sir, if I may, we really need to send a party to scout the perimeter out there," Miss Rawlings said from where she was working at a nearby console. "Since everything went quiet on the sensors an hour ago, we've no idea about what is happening out there. You might want to consider allowing the Rangers to go. They can search for people and, at the same time, scout the perimeter."

Captain Mitchell sighed. "You make a fair point, Miss Rawlings," he admitted reluctantly. "All right, Rangers, I'll let you go. However, on the condition that you scout Mariner Bay and the surrounding area as you search for anyone escaping those metallic monsters."

"Thank you, sir," Carter said respectfully. "So, Miss Rawlings, is the emergency teleport system ready?"

She nodded. "Yes. I've never tested it before now, though, so I can't guarantee that it'll work."

"It'll work. He swore in Zordon's name that it would," Dana said quite firmly. "And the Original Rangers don't use that kind of oath lightly because of what Zordon means to them."

"Fair point," Miss Rawlings agreed. "All right, are you ready to go?"

"As ready as we'll ever be, Angela," Joel said with a sigh.

"I'm going to deposit you guys in Mariner Bay," she said as she activated the teleport controls. "When you need to come back to the Aquabase, just contact us here and we'll bring you back."

They waited for a few moments.

"Nothing is..." Ryan began just as the six Rangers vanished in flashes of light.

"Dana was right," Captain Mitchell noted. "It seems that the emergency teleport system works."

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, mid-evening, several minutes later

"...happening," Ryan finished as they reappeared in Mariner Bay.

"Apparently not, Ryan," Kelsey chuckled. "We're here."

At that moment, they heard the sound of metallic monsters approaching.

"Quickly, over there!" Dana exclaimed as she pointed to a nearby alleyway. The six Rangers rushed into it and, after waiting a minute or so, they saw patrols of metallic monsters pass by the alleyway.

"Just great," Carter cursed. "All right, everyone, we're going to split up. Dana, you and Ryan are going to take the southern part of the town. Joel, you and Chad are going to take the northern part of town. Kelsey, you and I are going to take the central part of town."

"Wouldn't it be better if we stayed together?" Chad asked.

"No, it wouldn't, Chad," Joel countered. "If we stay together, we'll be more easily noticed by these metallic monsters."

"All right, everyone, meet back here when you've searched your area," Carter said. "If you run into any problems, or find anyone, let everyone else know through the communicators. Kelsey?"

"Way ahead of you, Carter," she replied as they left. The others sighed.

"Dana, we had better go," Ryan said grimly. She nodded and left.

Chad and Joel looked at each other and sighed.

"We had better get going," Chad said grimly. "Stay close, Joel."

"I will," Joel promised as they left the alleyway as well.

Mariner Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, mid-evening, some time later

"Well?" Carter asked as soon as Dana and Ryan arrived back in the alleyway.

"Nothing. It was completely deserted and most buildings were in absolute ruins," Dana replied grimly.

"There were no signs of people anyway," Ryan continued. "Those metallic monsters were everywhere."

"We found the same," Chad and Joel reported grimly as they too arrived back in the alleyway.

"And so did we," Carter said with a sigh.

"I guess we had better go search the area around town then," Ryan said grimly.

"Yeah," Carter agreed. "This way."

And, without another word, the Rangers left Mariner Bay to search the surrounding area.

Somewhere in the Desert, USA, far from Corinth City, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, late evening, some time later

As soon as the Rangers entered the area surrounding Mariner Bay, they couldn't believe what they were seeing whilst they looked around.

"Wow, it's virtually like a desert out here," Chad said in horror.

"The explosions that those metallic monsters were setting off must have done this," Carter said sadly. "It's horrible."

"There's no sign of anyone anywhere," Joel noted as he looked around. "Perhaps we should head back to the Aquabase right now and report what we've found to Captain Mitchell."

"No, we're not going back yet. Not until we've searched everywhere we can," Kelsey said quite firmly.

"I'm with Kelsey on this, guys," Dana said quietly.

Carter nodded. "All right, we keep searching. For now."

"Keep your eyes peeled. It's only going to get more difficult to spot people because of how dark it is getting out here," Ryan warned as they started to search the surrounding area. "If there is still anyone out here that is..."

Somewhere in the Desert, USA, far from Corinth City, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, very late in the evening, some time later

They had been searching for hours and hadn't found anyone. Everyone, even Kelsey, had almost given up hope of finding anyone when Ryan spotted the unconscious form of a man lying on the beach.

"Guys, over here!" Ryan exclaimed. "There's a man over here."

The five Lightspeed Rescue Rangers turned at the Titanium Ranger's call and rushed over.

"Is he..." Kelsey began quietly as she turned pale. Ryan hesitantly turned the man over and removed the odd-pair of red sunglasses that he was wearing.

"I'm not sure," Ryan admitted as he dragged the unconscious man into his lap. "Dana?"

Dana nodded and hesitantly listened to the man's heartbeat.

"He's still alive," she noted as she looked him over. "Barely, though, if his horrific injuries are anything to go by."

The man was covered in cuts, scrapes, bruises and burns and it was only now that the other Rangers noticed this.

"And he appears to be severely dehydrated. Wherever he's from, it's not from around here," she said grimly. "He's been out in the sun for quite some time and it shows. We need to get him back to the Aquabase right away."

"I'll call Angela," Joel said grimly as he activated the communicator in his morpher. Seconds later, after the communication link had been established, he said simply, "Emergency transport to Medical Bay required, Angela. We've found somebody who is badly injured and in need of emergency care."

"Ok, I'm teleporting you back now," she replied. "Make sure that you're holding tightly to your injured person otherwise this might not work."

"All right," Ryan replied as he picked up the unconscious man and draped him over his shoulder. Seconds later, they vanished in flashes of coloured light.

Lightspeed Aquabase, Medical Bay, the fateful day of the Venjix invasion two years ago, very late in the evening, several minutes later

"Ryan, you stay here with me," Dana commanded as they reappeared in the Medical Bay. "The rest of you go to the Command Centre and brief Captain Mitchell on what we found."

Chad, Joel, Kelsey and Carter left at that moment as Ryan gently lowered the unconscious man onto the nearest bed. Dana instantly went over to the medicine cabinet and quickly took out painkillers and a drip.

"Ryan, fetch the monitors and hook him up to them," she commanded. Ryan nodded and instantly went into the cupboard. After a few minutes of searching, he pulled out the heart rate monitors and hooked the unconscious man up to them as Dana hooked him up to a drip to replace the fluids that he had lost.

Unsurprisingly, the unconscious man's heart rate was rapidly fluctuating from a very low level to a very high level because of the fact that he was so badly injured.

"Has he got any identification on him?" Dana asked. Ryan searched the unconscious man's pockets before shaking his head.

"Nothing," he said grimly as he put the red odd-looking sunglasses on the table beside the bed. "The only thing that he had on him were these sunglasses."

Dana sighed. "Father won't like this. If anything, he hates mysteries," she murmured.

"Shouldn't we put him on painkillers?" Ryan suggested. "He's so badly injured that he'll wake up in agony if we don't."

"Fair point," she noted. "For his own safety, he should be on a moderate dose of painkillers. I'll get them."

As she went back over to the medicine cabinet to fetch the painkillers, Captain Mitchell and Miss Rawlings entered.

"Is it all right if I see him?" Captain Mitchell asked. Dana nodded as she took the painkillers out of the cabinet and went over to administer them to the unconscious man.

Both Captain Mitchell and Miss Rawlings looked over the unconscious man.

"What a strange uniform he is wearing," Captain Mitchell remarked. "Did he have any identification on him?"

Ryan shook his head. "No, father. The only thing that he had on him was the odd-looking pair of sunglasses on the table."

"May I see them?" Miss Rawlings asked. Ryan nodded and passed them to her. She examined them for several moments but couldn't see anything to suggest that they were more than they seem. Then, she put them back at the unconscious man's bedside. "Hmm. I'll be interested to know this one's tale."

"So will I," Captain Mitchell agreed. "Come, Miss Rawlings, I think that it is time you joined your husband in getting a well deserved rest. Dana, a word?"

Miss Rawlings nodded and left as Dana sighed.

"Yes, father?" she replied.

"Outside," he said simply. They both left the Medical Bay at that moment which left Ryan alone with the unconscious man.

Ryan looked at him sadly. He felt sorry for the unconscious man because he wasn't from around here so he would be completely alone when he woke.

I'm going to do everything that I can to help you. Ryan vowed as he settled into the chair at the unconscious man's bedside. I woke alone when Diabolico took me away and I won't let you wake alone as well. Especially after all the difficult hardships you appear to have gone through...

At that moment, Dana returned.

"Shouldn't you be getting some rest too?" she suggested. Ryan smiled.

"I'm staying right here," he said quite firmly.

"Oh no you're not," Dana countered. "You need to get some rest, Ryan."

"I can get my rest here perfectly well," Ryan replied.

"You don't even know this man," Dana exclaimed. "Why do you wish to stay at his bedside?"

"He's not from around here," Ryan said. "So, when he wakes, he'll be alone if I don't stay. I know what it is like to wake alone after enduring a great hardship and I don't want another person to go through what I did."

"He won't be alone," Dana insisted. "I'll be around. You need rest, Ryan."

"You don't understand Dana," Ryan snapped. "And I doubt that you ever will. I'm staying and that's the end of this argument."

Dana cursed at him and stormed off. Ryan sighed.

Sometimes, I wonder if she really is my sister... he thought as he smiled sadly. Then, he yawned.

It has been a long day. Ryan thought as he looked at the unconscious man. For both of us, it seems...

He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.

Perhaps I'll just get a little rest... he thought as he fell into a deep sleep.