Next thing I knew, we were in a corridor, opposite a sign bearing the words MEGADECK 2. I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me and turned to see Leo on his knees, clutching his side, his breathing fast and shallow.

"Leo!" I yelled, bending over him.

"Too late for me. Please…help…protect…Earth." And then he was gone.

I rocked back on my heels, and blinked back tears. Such a valiant fighter. He'd only been in our lives for a short while, but we all felt his passing. Then I heard footsteps and looked up to see a pale Captain Mitchell standing over me.

"Good, you're here. Now, this is what we're-"

I cut him off. "We haven't said yes yet. We're just here to find out more."

Captain Mitchell frowned then motioned for us to follow him. "Okay, well let me tell you what's going on. I assume Leo told you what Trakeena has become?" I nodded. "Good. We first got wind of this two weeks ago. I sent Andros and the Space Rangers to ascertain the extent of the problem. But we underestimated the numbers of her army and her own strength. She surprised the Rangers and wiped them out. So I thought to destroy her quickly and sent all but two teams of Rangers to battle. Five of them returned. As I'm also sure Leo told you, then the Lightspeed and Galaxy Rangers took her on and were defeated. And now we need you. You six have been chosen to carry on the battle."

"Why us?" Kaleb asked.

"Because each of you shows the determination, the leadership skills, the strength, the courage, the heart, and the power to save your Earth. Because that's really what it's all about. Saving the world. And no, I can't promise you'll come out alive, but if you don't fight, all of Earth will die."

My thoughts were in a turmoil but in my heart I knew what I had to do.

"I'll fight." I said.

"Me too."

"Yeah, let's save the world."

"I'm there."

"Count me in."

"Let's kick butt."

Everyone agreed to fight and Captain Mitchell smiled. "Well, then come in here and meet the other Rangers who will be fighting with you."

We entered a large room where eighteen people stood around the room. Some were nursing cuts and bruises and some were wearing uniforms.

"These are your fellow Rangers. The lone survivor of the Space Rangers, Zhane, who was on KO-35 during the battle," a platinum-haired guy sitting in the corner nodded, "The Time Force Rangers-Wes, Eric, Jen, Katie, Trip and Lucas-who came back from the future to help us," two guys in red and four people in white uniforms were standing in a corner, they nodded as well, "the survivors of the second battle. Alyssa of Wild Force," a brown-haired girl in a vest bearing the words Noble Tiger, "Blake and Hunter of Ninja Storm," two guys, one in crimson and one in navy, "Kira of Dino Thunder," a girl with dirty-blonde hair whose eyes were very red, "and Xander of Mystic Force, " a brown-haired guy in a black uniform, "And the team from S.P.D., Jack, Sky, Bridge, Z, and Syd," five humans in uniforms bearing their respective colors, "who've come from the future to help us as well. And these are the new Rangers, Michelle, Kaleb, Meagan, Matt, Julia and Daniel."

We waved and then Captain Mitchell brought our attention back to him. "We've discovered that Trakeena has entered a rejuvenating cycle for two days. So we have that long to prepare. Get to know your teammates. We'll meet back here at 1800 hours tomorrow."

And he turned and left, leaving us to mingle. My friends just kinda stood there but I made my way over to Wes and the other Time Force Rangers.

"Hi! I'm Michelle. I think you guys are amazing! The way you all chose your own destinies is so cool!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, well, too bad other people's destinies didn't turn out so well, huh?" Eric muttered, his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face.

"Don't mind Eric. He's very upset about the death of Taylor. They were very close." Jen whispered.

"Many of the Rangers here are saddened by personal deaths, besides just the death of their teammates. Zhane has lost his best friend and his girlfriend, Karone. Eric has lost Taylor. Blake has lost Tori, Kira's lost Trent. That's why we keep fighting. For those who died fighting." Hunter spoke, moving up to stand next to me. "Hi. I'm Hunter. Crimson Thunder Ranger."

I shook his hand and was embarrassed by the blush that spread across my cheeks.

Hunter and I started talking and talked for a good thirty minutes. During that time, I could see my friends slowly beginning to wander around. Couple Julia and Kaleb were together, talking to Katie and Lucas. Meagan was talking with Bridge; she was laughing at something he'd said. Daniel was sitting in a corner with Kira, talking with her. She was crying and he had his arm around her, comforting her as Daniel does best. Matt was talking with Zhane.

"You're a special girl. I'm gonna protect you during this fight." Hunter said.

"Thanks. Just don't get yourself killed. I think I'd be heartbroken.

"Did you meet everyone?" Syd asked as she walked up, hand-in-hand with Sky.

"No, I haven't met Xander, Alyssa or Kira." I replied.

"Well, I'm Xander. Nice to meet you." Xander greeted me as he ambled up, his Australian accent very interesting.

"And I'm Alyssa. Only ranger left of Wild Force." Alyssa's brown eyes were old beyond their years.

"Hey, guys. Daniel and I are going to go train. Back later." Kira spoke from behind me.

"Kira, you don't need to train. You need to rest and conserve your strength." Sky gripped her shoulder.

"No. If I had been better trained, more ready, I could have saved Trent. And I won't let anyone else die because of me."

As she turned and strode away, I stepped up to Daniel and whispered in his ear, "Make sure she doesn't hurt herself."

He nodded and disappeared after her.

"You have good friends, Michelle." Hunter commented softly.

"I know."