Chapter 23: Farewell

After making sure the city was safe, the rangers followed Sky to the woods to say goodbye. The Chief shook each of their hands, proud to have met them.

"Good luck, rangers. I can tell the planet is in good hands."

"Thanks, Sky. Keep the future safe."

Sky looked down at the containment card, where Cybax was still trying to escape.

"You're going away for a long time, Cybax."

"Let me out! If I ever get out of here, you'll be sorry! I'll..."

Sky rolled his eyes and placed the criminal in his pocket, his muffled voice still touting his revenge.

"I need to get going before I miss my window of opportunity. See ya!"

"Bye Sky!"

Later that night, the five teens stood in the command center, discussing everything that had happened recently. Emma had drawn up a board displaying the past ranger teams, represented by their red rangers. As they talked, she crossed out SPD and Mystic Force, the two whose powers they had received already.

"Two down, 15 to go!"

"Not to mention a big blow to The Armada."

"I wonder what powers we'll unlock next?"

But while his companions celebrated, Troy stood near the far wall, looking at the collected Powers. Gosei appeared next to him.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Just...thinking."

"You know, it is okay to relax sometimes. Even my mentor, stern and serious as he was, could take the time to appreciate humor."

"I know. I guess I was just raised to never let my guard down. I just can't help thinking that when The Armada returns..."

"Troy, as your mentor I hereby order you to have fun."

Troy couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, sir."

Gosei smiled as he watched Troy walk back to join the others. The team had a lot to learn, but he was confident that they had what it takes.

"The universe is in good hands, Zordon. If only you had lived to see it..."

Far above, just outside Earth's atmosphere, sat the battered remains of The Armada invasion. While only a quarter of the fleet was outright destroyed, none of the ships escaped without significant damage. Some were even outright unsalvagable.

Within the flagship, Vekar wearily stumbled to his feet, eyeing the damage.

"Levira...damage report."

Groaning, the scientist made her way over to the barely functioning console and did a systems check. Sadly, the results were not good.

"The engines took heavy fire, two of which are completely blown. Honestly, it appears the only thing completely functioning would be the..."

Just then, the lights short circuited, throwing the room into darkness momentarily before the backup generators turned on.

"...lights."

"Never mind that. What about the rest of the fleet?"

"Essentially the same, or worse."

Vekar sighed. This was just not his week.

"Communications are still up. I'll send a message to the Emperor asking for..."

"NO! Father entrusted me with this mission, and I won't fail him!"

"But sire, we barely have a functioning fleet!"

"Doesn't matter, even a fraction of our power will wear these power pests down in time. Until then, scrap the most severely damaged ships and use their parts to fix ours. There's a nearby fleet, send a request for aid to them. But whatever you do, DON'T CALL MY FATHER UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE THROWN OUT OF THE AIRLOCK, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!"

"Of course, sire!"

"Wouldn't dream of it!"

"Yes, boss."

Satisfied that he had instilled fear into his subordinates, Vekar retreated to his chambers, weary from the stress.

"Those Power Rangers have interfered with my plans for the last time. I'll make them pay if it's the last thing I do!"