Me: Here's Chapter 7 and it's a whopper! I hope you people are liking this story so far. The climax is around the corner and… yeah. Enjoy!


Chapter 7: The Final Showdown

(Week Later…) July 4th, Sunday Morning…

(Scene: Maya's Home Village/Maya's POV)

It's been a week now, since Leo told us who Shadow Pink was. It's been all too quiet, I'm guessing they're buying their time, waiting for the right moment to strike, when we're least expecting, but we'll be ready. I still haven't got over the shock, that after all this time, the Shadow Rangers had Kendrix and turned her into one of them! God I'll make them pay! No one messes with my friend!

On top of that, it was Karone was facing her! I hated the thought of physically fighting your own friend and it pained me. Plus, no wonder her Wildcat couldn't connect with her, she's now connected with the Shadow Wildcat Galactabeast. I hope we can free her, I absolutely hate the second option, having to kill her. Suddenly, my Transmorpher went off,

"Maya here.",

«Maya! It's Karone! The Shadow Rangers… plus Kendrix is obviously with them, are attacking the Terra Venture City Construction Site!» I shook upon hearing Kendrix is with them. I can't believe she's being destructive! But it's no fault of her actions, the powers are making her! It corrupted her mind!

"OK, I'm coming!" And we cut off.

(Scene switch: Terra Venture City Construction Site/Leo's POV)

Myself, Kai and Damon were trying to fend off the other Shadow Rangers until Maya and Karone arrived. Mike was with his Squadron helping civilians and trying to giving us a "helping hand", but their GTS LARS (Laser Assault Rifles) barely scratch our opponents. Maya and Karone finally came, morphed and ready for battle. I was then quickly thrown off my feet as a laser hit me, no other from Kendrix and her Beta Bow.

Now we're in trouble, they have the exact same arsenal that we have! The Quasar Launchers and Transdaggers. This will be tough. Karone looked ready to face Kendrix, but she doesn't know that I could possibly get through to her. She unsheathed her Quasar Sabre, preparing to charge, but I intervened.

"Karone no!" She looked at me,

"What's wrong Leo?",

"Let me face Kendrix. I could possibly get through to her! It worked once!" I persuaded,

"OK. I'll deal with Shadow Red." She growled,

"You mean Draco?" Karone looked at me weirdly,

"Long story. The first four Shadow Rangers are the original team. Now come on!" We all charged towards our opponents and Mike aided Karone against Draco, Kai faced Shadow Blue, guess it's Ulfiric, Damon fought Shadow Green, named Aero and Maya was going head-to-head with Shadow Yellow, Omega. I think that's their names.

Now back to the main subject, for some reason, I feel Kendrix is the toughest of them all. Kendrix and I began to circle, she had her Shadow Quasar Sabre drawn and she was using the same typical Reverse Style Grip. It kind of gives her an advantage since her left arm is free to swing the odd sneaky punch or hook. I got to keep my guard up and watch her moves.

Kendrix ran and performed a Hacking slash. I raised my Sabre to block it but she applied so much force, it broke my block and I staggered. Man! She must've been training. She swung her Sabre, I blocked again and this time, I tried to hold it for as long as I could, so I can speak to her.

"Kendrix! Listen to me! Listen to my voice! It's me, Leo!",

"There's point in talking because it's too late to save me!" She gritted through her teeth,

"That's not true! Kendrix I know you're in there! Fight the darkness inside you!" But Kendrix managed to break free and whacked the hilt of her Sabre off my visor, cracking it, revealing my eyes. Screw the helmet! If I let her see my face, maybe then it will give her the strength to fight. I took off helmet and threw it to the ground.

"Leaving your head unguarded isn't wise Galaxy Red.",

"You know Keni, Galaxy Red has a name!" I charged at her, moving like lightening and I was able to force off her helmet. I grabbed her by shoulders and forced her to look at me, into my eyes. I have to make her remember. Kendrix was giving me vicious stares, her soft Sapphire-blue eyes have been replaced with hard, stone cold Dark-pink. I spoke to her again,

"Come on Keni! Remember me! Remember when we kissed in the loch!" For some unknown reason, this memory seems to be the strongest, somehow breaking through the darkness inside her. Like before, back at the lake when I discovered it was her, Kendrix staggered back, clutching her head.

"Kendrix! Let the memory in! Our special memory!" I begged.

(Kendrix' POV)

I was having a major headache, why is this memory, somehow managing to break through the shadows inside me? What was so special about it? The image flooded back in, it was the same one, but this time, it was clearer than it was before and I saw myself, with Leo. Walking, he had me blindfolded.

(Memory: The Loch, Terra Venture/Kendrix' POV)

Leo had me blindfolded, as he led me down somewhere. I feel stupid wearing this, I was much in tune with surprises.

"Leo, where are you taking me?" I groaned,

"You'll see." I figured he was grinning. He then told me to stop, so I did. I felt him walk behind me and his hands began to unravel the blindfold. Finally! When it was removed, I opened my eyes, to see the most beautiful landscape!

He brought me to the loch, the water was slightly orange, as the artificial sun was setting, but it still made it nice. The "sun's" rays danced on the water. It's a shame not to see something like this, back on Earth. I was taken in, a bit too much.

"Oh wow! It's beautiful! I've never seen anything like it!" I exclaimed. I noticed Leo was smiling happily. We walked as far as the loch's water edge. We sat down.

"Nice loch, under the sunset. Guess I pulled it off?" He grinned. I scoffed and slagged,

"Ha ha. You've gone too far Lion Boy.",

"Oh now you asked for it!" All of a sudden, Leo playfully pushed me into the water, of course without warning. I fell in, soaking my hair and my uniform. I wiped my eyes, but shoot! I lost my glasses! Guess I'll have to buy a new pair. I yelled angrily,

"Leo Neil Corbett! You'll pay for that!" Leo was in stitches, he laughed until his stomach was hurting him and his face was bright red, on top of that, there were tears in his eyes.

"Ha ha ha ha! Oh I wish I had a camera! What's the matter? Cat doesn't like to get wet?" Feeling angered, it triggered my Nature Abilities, summoning a strong wind and caused Leo to lose his balance and he fell into the loch.

So far, I'm the only Galaxy Ranger who can use my powers, when not morphed and Maya finds it odd and unfortunately, can't explain it, despite her decent knowledge on the Quasar Sabres.

"Even now?" I smirked,

"Grr… even Keni. How could I forget you control Nature?" I laughed myself,

"The advantages of being able to summon a strong wind.",

"Ha ha." He laughed sarcastically. We were still floating around in the loch, gazing into each others eyes. I don't know what… feeling I had inside, but both myself and Leo leaned in and we kissed. It was about a minute but I suddenly pulled away.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.",

"No, no. It was me." There was awkward silence between. I swam myself out of the loch. I felt a bit awkward of my actions.

"I'm sorry Leo, but lets just pretend this never happened." And I hastily left."

(Memory Ends)

Because of that, I kept my true feelings hidden from Leo. Now, it's the biggest mistake of my life and it's the evil of these powers trying to bury them! I have to fight! Why did I give into these Shadow Galaxy Powers!?

(Leo's POV)

Kendrix stopped struggling, fighting within herself. As before, I've gotten through to her! I watched as her eyes change from Dark-pink, back to Sapphire-blue. I sighed in relief, not remembering that she could only gain control of herself for certain length of time. Kendrix was looking at me, confused and unsure of where she is know.

"Leo, wha- what am I doing here? What's going on?" She asked me quickly,

"Keni, it's OK. I promise, nothing is gonna happen to you." I reassured,

"Leo, please help me, I- I'm so confused!",

"Don't worry Kendrix, you're safe now, in my arms." I said softly,

"Hey, I wanted to say that I-" Then she stopped mid-sentence, Kendrix began to lose control of herself again. Pink electricity surrounded her, shocking her painfully and I helplessly watched as her eyes changed back to that evil Dark-pink colour. She reached out for her helmet and put it back on. I reached out for my shattered helmet, but it'll still protect me.

I regrouped with the others, so did Kendrix. I almost had her! Damn it! I guess we really have to destroy the source of these dark powers, eliminate them world, forever.

"Time to bring out the big guns." Draco growled. I noticed the other three Shadow Rangers were limping or supporting their shoulders. I'm guessing Karone, Kai, Maya and Damon, along with Mike, managed to weaken the team.

«Great. They deserved it.» I harshly thought.

The team stood in a line and commanded,

"Shadows of Orion! Activate!" And they gained an armband, a belt, a claw and the guard on their Sabre's hilt extended. Fine, they want to play dirty, we can play dirty!

"Lights of Orion! Activate!" Mike stepped back, leaving us to do the work. We charged towards each other, like a herd of opposing bulls, yelling at the same time,

"Power Up Mode!" We merged together to form a large, gold Fireball and the Shadow Rangers merged to form a large, black Fireball. We collided, both pushing each to gain the upper hand and my team did. My team broke through, we reverted back to our normal forms and turned.

The Shadow Rangers were on the ground. My stomach churned, seeing Kendrix like this, I would never hurt her, none of us would. But the Shadow Galaxy Rangers weren't finished. They painfully stood up. Shadow Red growled,

"We're not done yet. You may have over-powered us, but let's see which of our Galactabeast is most powerful!",

"Shadow Galactabeasts arise!"