A.N: This chapter is technically the episode that's originally titled To the Tenth Power. It didn't make sense all things considered (lol), so I renamed it to be more appropriate. Enjoy :) Also, here's the link to the playlist! /playlist?list=PLFzL5saVray-_nMsCEBNtJ8Gppwt-VrvJ
The leaves crunch under my feet as Leo and I pace around each other. The others are all out today, so he dragged me to the forest dome to train. Show me what you got, Red, I tease, tilting my head at him playfully. He narrows his eyes, lowers his stance, and I brace myself. He's scary when he's in the zone. Leo's right foot scuffs the ground, but there's not enough pressure there to break the fallen leaves under it. A feint.
He steps forward on his left foot, throwing out his right fist, and I duck. Sweeping past him, I slam the heel of my hand into his arm. He stumbles, manages to catch himself, and spins, launching into a kick that sends me reeling back. Be careful what you wish for, princess. Okay, wow. I could get used to that- I'm barely able to block his next punches, and since I'm unable to find an opening to throw any of my own… I press my hands together, pack as much power as I can into them, and then release it into a shield.
My poor partner slams into it headfirst, ending up on his back on the ground, and I can't help but laugh.
"You cheated!" He complains from where he lays, and I shrug.
"So did you. I'm not sure if the enemy's gonna flirt with us-" I can't even finish speaking, since the moment I let the shield fall, he kicks out. The wind's knocked out of me as my back hits the ground, and despite the shock, I can't help but laugh. Leo joins in, and I gather a handful of leaves, tossing them into his face.
"Hey!" While he's busy moving the leaves out of his face, I scramble up, hiding behind a trunk of a tree. "I'll get you back for that one, Aqua." Just as they had when we first started our training session, his footsteps crunch against the ground, alerting me to his presence. Then, when he spins around to face me, I dash away. Or at least try to, since he catches my hand and pulls me back, tossing another bunch of leaves into my face. One flies into my mouth, and while I splutter, Leo steps closer. "That was golden." Yeah, maybe to him it was, but to me, blech.
When I finally manage to rid my face of the leaves, I see that Leo hasn't moved from where he stands right in front of me. His eyes shine with joy, but also with other pent up emotions that I can't decipher. So, gently, carefully, I reach into our bond to decipher what those feelings are. As I'd expected, they're extremely complex; he's still hurt from the words I'd said to him thanks to Sincerax's truth lassos. But there's also warmth. A sense of overwhelming comfort, safety.
"The enemy might not flirt with you, but I will." His words are light, teasing. But there's an open invitation there as well. And I don't need to ask to know what that invitation is for. Just like I had a week ago, Leo reaches up, brushes a spot of dirt off of my cheek. "Stars above, you're fucking gorgeous."
"You say as I'm literally covered in dirt," I joke, and when he smiles, my heart flutters.
"Still." His hand falls, but he doesn't move away, instead, taking my hand in his. "When I was facing off against Trakeena," Leo takes a deep breath, lets it out, and I squeeze his hand gently, "For a second, I was so afraid that I wouldn't make it out. But I realized I had so much to fight for, including you. I was afraid I wouldn't get to say everything I wanted to, so the fact that I'm here with you now…" he shakes his head in amazement.
"You don't know how glad I am that you made it back," I murmur, "I wouldn't be able to lead the team without you."
"That would kinda be your job, if I didn't."
A shiver races down my spine, and Leo cringes. "All the same. Also, please don't put that thought in my mind."
"Yeah, sorry. But, uh. Um. I was wondering-" Before he can continue, a soft sniffling breaks through our conversation.
"Do you hear that?" Leo nods.
"Sounds like crying kids." We pace a few steps forward, and I nod towards the source of the sobs: a little boy and girl, sitting with their backs against the trunk of a nearby tree. "Are you okay?" The children look up, tears glistening in their eyes, and I can't help but feel terrible.
"I'm okay," the boy says.
"But you're not," the girl finishes his sentence, and then I'm tossed into the air. The children shed their disguises, and all the happiness I'd felt mere moments before shatters to nothing. Nothing except a chilling sense of fear that snakes through my veins. I'd never imagined I'd see these faces again, let alone on Terra Venture, but somehow, they're here. And that fact means we're more or less screwed.
"Leo, meet the Psycho Rangers."
"How nice of you to remember us, Kara," the Aqua Psycho Ranger snarls, "and I see you've got a new boyfriend."
Before I can even move to block, she sends a punch flying into my midsection. I stumble, barely able to push away the kick that follows with my telekinesis. "Huh? How did you learn that?" The Psycho Ranger hisses, and I manage to stand, staggering into a sort of fighting stance next to Leo.
"I just had the right motivation. Ready?"
"Ready! Go, Galactic!"
"A new suit won't save you, Aqua Ranger!" My enemy taunts, and I narrow my eyes. Of course it won't. I'm in no shape to beat this foe, especially since she has the element of surprise on her side. Not to mention, an overwhelming amount of strength.
"Well, I kinda don't care." For the first time in a long, long time, I leap into battle without a strategy. All I know is that I need to at least knock her out. That will give us time to get the fuck out of here, to devise a plan with the others- Slashes tear into my chest, and I stumble back, blindsided by more punches and kicks from the Aqua Psycho Ranger.
"You are weak, Aqua Ranger. I was always the stronger of us two!" Pain ripples through my body as I take attack after attack, and my tears mingle with the blood I cough up. Okay, new plan, I think as I demorph, my vision swaying: stay conscious. This plan is harder than I thought, though, since both Leo and I are now trapped against the trunk of a tree, the two Psycho Rangers advancing on us.
For a moment, my life flashes before my eyes. Or rather… short parts of the childhood I had with Kai. The memories I hadn't gotten back. When our parents first taught us how to cook. When we first started high school together. When I was forced to hide my Space Ranger identity from him.
And then when I joined the others in Space, having to leave him behind.
It's all starting to make sense now, why I hadn't retained memories from before being a Space Ranger: the Psycho Rangers took them. And now, maybe since I'm about to die, in a show of mercy, they're returning the memories.
It's just a shame I won't be able to make more.
"L," I whisper, and he glances at me, blood trickling down from a cut on his eye. "Thank you." He can't reply, because in the next moment, a hooded figure leaps down from the tree above us. They knock the Psycho Rangers back, firing off a few shots from their weapon. I can't see it from this angle, since the figure is turned away, guarding us, and I frown.
"Come on, this way," they urge, and my heart drops to my knees. Am I so injured that I've begun to hallucinate? Because that voice… that voice… No time to consider it, since we're already weaving through the forest, away from the Psychos. "I think we've lost them," the figure, the one who I think I think I think is someone so precious to me, whispers.
"Thanks," Leo murmurs. "Whoever you are-" I hold up a hand, and when I turn to glance at him, the look in my eyes tells him everything he needs to know. Realization dawns on him, and I step forward.
The Space Rangers had left me gifts for when I'd awoken from cryosleep. Cassie, a pair of headphones. Teej, his favorite oversized sweater. Carlos, his lucky hair tie, the one he'd wear to "always win soccer games". Ashley, a flannel she'd made me. And Andros… my original first-in-command, my mentor, my best friend…
"That postcard," I clear my throat to keep from choking up. I fail, "that postcard was tacky as hell." Wish you were here! It said, speaking the words I'd wished to say to him all these months. The figure laughs, turns to us, and removes their hood.
"Just as spunky as ever, Kara-" I barely let him finish his sentence, because I nearly knock Andros over with my hug.
He's here. Standing in front of me. Not a ghost, not a hallucination brought on by the intense pain I'd just been in. Andros is physically by my side. Sobs rack through my body as he strokes my head comfortingly, and all the words I've wanted to say to him, all the times I've cried because I missed him come back to me like a spike-tipped boomerang.
All I can, though, is "I've missed you so, so much."
"I missed you too. More than I can express." Stepping away from his embrace feels dangerous, almost. Like if I let him go, he'll up and disappear. But even when I move to stand next to Leo, Andros remains. I really hope this isn't a fever dream.
"It's so cool to meet you," Leo starts, reaching out a hand for Andros to shake, "I'm Leo. Kara's my second-in-command, and we share…" A horrified expression passes over his face, and Andros sighs, shakes his head.
"You don't need to worry about Zayne. We've lost contact with him. I assume you have as well?" His words are clipped, brusque. Andros is hurting, even though I know he won't show it. He never does.
"Yes. Leo and I share the bond now." Andros glances between us, a smile growing on his face.
"Oh. I just thought the connection I sensed was because you guys are a couple."
"I, ah, I mean-" Leo stutters, and I cross my arms at Andros, my frown a perfect opposite to his shit-eating grin.
"So, the Psycho Rangers?" Leo won't be giving a response anytime soon, and so I figure I should just move the conversation along. Andros nods, smile already fallen away.
"They're back with a vengeance, and still twice as strong as us," he explains, casting a wary glance in the direction we ran from, "Come on. They'll be back."
"Alpha's going to be so happy to see you." Andros' eyes widen in delight, and I can't help but laugh at his expression. "Yes, he's still around. He helps us on the Megaship sometimes. Oh, and I figured out how to use telekinesis." The door to said ship slides open, and I gesture to 'Dros to hide, ignoring the look of utter shock on his face.
"Ai-yai-yi, Kara, Leo, you two and Mike are the only ones left, and…" Andros rests a hand on my shoulder, giving a small wave to Alpha, and my smile only grows. "Andros! You're back, it's so good to see you again." Leo and I step over to Mike as the two reunite, and Mike pats my shoulder.
"I'm happy for you."
"Mmm… one more word and I'll start crying again. It won't be a nice sight."
"It's great to see you too," Andros replies, "but now we have to worry about the other Rangers."
"Absolutely." Mike steps forward, eyes wide like a kid in a candy store as he introduces himself to Andros. I've never seen him starstruck like this, so it's quite an enjoyable sight.
"I am detecting unusual frequencies. Locking on now," DECA informs, and Andros takes the lead as we step over to the main console. Just like old times.
"Do you suppose it's the Rangers?" Alpha asks, and I narrow my eyes at the screen.
"The industrial dome. Let's get going," Leo orders, but for a moment, acting on pure instinct, I stay put. Leo may be my current first-in-command, but my muscle memory is used to waiting on Andros to give the okay.
"Wait." There it is. "I-" Andros pauses, glancing at me, "we know how they think. Psycho Red and Psycho Aqua didn't capture either of you, but they know you'll try to rescue your friends."
"Got any bright ideas?" I ask, and Andros shrugs, a play at nonchalance.
"DECA, is the power vault still sealed?" Despite the terrible context this is all in, my heart picks up speed. I know exactly what he's talking about.
"Affirmative."
"Then it's time to break it open." Andros inputs the code that'll unlock the vault, the same one I did when I went in for my morpher all those months ago, and he pulls the door open. There on the table sits the five Space Morpheds. "Never thought I'd need this again. Kara, do you have yours?" I shake my head, gesturing to the new one I have strapped on my wrist.
"I tried to use it when I awoke from cryosleep to answer the distress signal, but it didn't work-"
"Ah, but that was then!" Alpha chirps, peeking his head around the door, and my heart goes from pounding to soaring. Because in his precious, amazing little robot hands is my old morpher good as new. "And this is now. Here, Kara. I managed to fix it up, but I'm not sure if it still-" I'm hugging people way too much for my liking today, but eh. Kinda makes sense.
"Thank you so much, Alpha. I owe you one." Andros loops his morpher around his wrist, and I attach it to my belt. Then, I hold out a fist for him to bump, our usual pre-combat ritual.
"Alright. Here's the plan."
Even though I know it's coming, the explosion we use to take down the wall of the warehouse still startles me. Both Andros and Leo laugh at this, and I shake my head, even as I accept the fact that I'm nervous as hell. Maybe it's because, for the first time in years, I have the possibility of using my old morpher. Maybe it's because this is the first time in a long time I'm fighting alongside one of my best friends again. Maybe… ah, I don't know. All I know is that this is both insanely amazing and insanely terrible at the exact same time.
"Leo!" The others cheer, and when he nods, Andros and I step out from behind him.
"I brought some company along. Hope you don't mind."
"Bet you didn't think you'd see me again," Andros taunts.
"Two Red Rangers, and one other Aqua Ranger?" Trakeena snarls, "I'll go down in history."
"You'll be sorry you ever returned when we get through with you," Andros shoots back, and for a second, I wonder if I should keep him from making so many taunts.
"Make me proud," Trakeena orders the Psycho Rangers.
"Let's do it!" Andros orders, and Leo and I nod. Then, we lead the Psychos out of the warehouse.
Taking down Stingwingers has honestly never felt so good, or been so easy as it is now. Leo, Andros and I move like a well-oiled machine, covering each other's weaknesses and striking together as one unit. It's like I'd never left my old team behind. But once the Stingers are done for, we still have the Psychos to worry about.
"Give up, Rangers. You're outnumbered."
"Leo!" Talk about a grand entrance. "Andros!" The others rush up to us, and I nod to Mike in acknowledgement of his success.
"We've been tricked," Trakeena snarls.
"Anyone wanna run for it? Now's the time," Damon shouts. What is with us and antagonizing our opponents who happen to be way stronger than us?
"In your dreams," Psycho Red replies. "There may be eight of you, but you still haven't got a chance against us."
"There may be eight of us, but we can still take care of you guys!" Andros shoots back.
Silence. Probably because we know we're fucked, and probably because the enemies know we know that
But then, that silence is broken by-
Oh my God.
"How about twelve of us?" I would know that voice anywhere because it belongs to my second-in-command. And it's not just him. On the staircase above us emerges TJ, Carlos, Ashley, and Cassie. My knees give out, and I would have hit the ground if not for Leo supporting me.
My friends. My team. The ones I'd saved the world with. The ones I'd spent countless hours with, the ones who not only taught me life lessons, but also the ones who taught me how to play guitar, how to "always win" at soccer, how to sew clothes. At this moment, words fail. There is nothing I can say that will encapsulate everything I feel, and I'm grateful for my helmet, since it hides the tears that flow down my cheeks. No words. Except for maybe a few.
"Since when did you guys get so flashy?" They chuckle at my remark, and as their gazes land on me, what I see reflected back is much more than words can ever express.
"Kara, you want in on this one?" TJ shouts down to me, and just hearing him say my name again makes me cry harder.
"Oh, you know it, Teej." I unclip my old morpher from around my belt, holding it up.
"Ready? Let's rocket!"
You're a badass, Kar. I glance over to where Leo stands, and I don't need to see his face to tell that he's proud of me.
I've learned from the best.
No matter how long it's been, my old suit still fits like a charm. Honestly, it kinda smells like a new car. I don't dwell on this fact for too long, though, since the others leap down to meet us.
"We thought you guys could use some help," Cassie replies, and I have to resist the urge to run to them, to start telling them everything that's happened since I'd left, to give them the hugs I hated giving back when we were together. But now's really not the time.
"You guys ready to join the party?" My new team nods, and an overwhelming sense of pride floods over me as I watch Maya, Damon, Kendrix, and Kai morph into their own suits. Ever since I met them, they've always been remarkable. But the growth I've seen them experience… insane.
"Take no prisoners!" Trakeena shrills, and at Leo's command, we rush to meet the Psycho Rangers in battle. Mike and I take on Deviot, Villamax, and Psycho Aqua, forming up back to back as the three launch their attacks at us. This was part of the plan we'd devised on the way here: because Psycho Aqua knows my moves, and Mike knows me, we have the upper hand. She won't be able to counteract someone who she's never fought, and Mike should be able to beat the Psycho, considering he's the literal Magna Defender (and that I've lost to him multiple times in sparring. The guy's a beast, with or without his suit.)
Now I just have to worry about Villamax. His attacks are quick, calculated, unlike the combat style of a lot of Trakeena's other monsters. But he's a physical fighter, unprepared for when I blast him away with my telekinesis. I send him flying into a stack of barrels, and Mike follows up with slashes from his blade.
"So, you and my brother, huh?" I flip him off, our traditional signal of appreciation for each other.
"Now's not the time, M." He mutters something like, "Stubborn", as we gather up with the others. TJ rests a hand on my shoulder, and I lean into him for a brief moment.
"It's so good to see you again," he whispers.
"I've missed you, Teej." Leo takes a step forward, and I brace myself again.
"Run while you still can!"
"We will never quit!" Psycho Red retorts, and the Lost Galaxy Ranger glances at me.
"Suit up, princess." He doesn't need to tell me twice. I switch out my Space morpher for my Galaxy one, reveling in my old team's awe as they watch.
"Go, Galactic!" My suit changes to match Leo, Kendrix, Kai, Damon, and Maya's, and I can't help but grin. "Ready?"
"Ready! Lights of Orion, activate!" My old team lets out their attacks from the Spiral Saber and the Quadra Blaster, and the energy blasts blindside the Psychos, giving us just enough time to prepare."Let's end this. Power-Up Mode!"
"Okay, let me get this straight," Carlos asks for the billionth time since we'd started walking, "Kai's your long lost brother? Like, Andros long lost brother status?" The blonde shoves him, and I grin at the familiar camaraderie.
"Yep. Speaking of 'Dros, where's Karone?"
"Busy with kicking ass, unfortunately. She sends her love, though," Andros replies, "Oh, and she told me to get your pasta recipe." Of course. I throw my hands into the air, putting on my best defeated pose.
"What am I, your guys' personal chef?" We laugh together, and Carlos gives me a quick side-hug.
"Trust me, you mean much more than that to all of us."
Leo steps over to me and the Black Ranger, and Carlos greets him with a nod and a smile. "Can I steal her for a sec?"
"Sure. No funny business, you two!" Ah. Nothing's changed. I throw a middle finger in Carlos' direction as Leo and I trail off to the back of the group, and to my delight, he links our hands together.
"I'm proud of you," Leo murmurs, and I squeeze his hand gently.
"And I'm proud of you. You're a total badass. Now, what were you gonna ask me earlier?" Maybe I shouldn't have said that, since I swear the Red Galaxy Ranger purposely sticks out his chest, trying to make himself look bigger.
"Uh. I was wondering," he inhales deeply, glances over at me sheepishly, "if you'd like to go out with me?" His words come out too quickly, jumbled up, and I can't help but laugh.
"I'd love to." All of the nervous energy he's been holding fades away, replaced by a smile instead, and I pull to a stop. "Was waiting for you to ask." Before Leo can question, I stand on my tiptoes and press a gentle kiss against his cheek. Thankfully, none of the others had seen, since they've already made their way into the Megaship, but I'm sure they can tell that something happened based off of Leo's stricken expression.
Ashley, who's greeting Alpha, glances up at us as we walk hand in hand, and her eyes light up.
"It's about damn time, you two." At that precise moment, the entire Megaship bursts into chaos, and Maya and Kendrix rush over to me. Seeing Cassie by their side is almost overwhelming, like this is all just a drug-induced dream, but when the Pink Space Ranger pats my shoulder, I know it's real.
"Finally," Maya groans.
"Did you realize how awkward you two were making it?" Kendrix adds, and for a moment, I stand in silence, unsure of what to say. This is everything I've wished for since the day I woke up from cryosleep, and now it's happening. But now… now there's something I know will be asked of me.
"So, can you stay?" Mike asks TJ, and my second-in-command shakes his head.
"Not too long. We're needed back on Earth." His gaze wanders over to me, and I meet it willingly. "You can still come back with us," he offers. "It'll be just like old times." I've had my answer prepared since I saw them on that staircase, standing tall and proud.
"As tempting as the offer is, and as much as I miss you guys…" I turn to look around at Maya, Kendrix, Kai, Damon, Leo, and Mike, "Trakeena is still out there, and so this new team needs me by their side. You guys will always be family, but my duty lies here now." Everyone is silent, and Alpha steps forward.
"I may have something to alleviate your sadness," he reports, chirping lightly as he steps over to the main console. Alpha taps a few buttons, and a staticy video feed pops up, "Video communication, so that way you can all remain in contact."
"Al, you're a genius," Andros remarks, looping an arm around Ashley, "Now, it's not every day we get to visit Terra Venture."
The brunette next to him grins, and I smile at the pair. No matter how cute and squishy Leo and I may get, I don't think we'll ever be cuter than those two. "How about a tour?"
"I volunteer to be the guide," Maya jumps in, and we burst into laughter. Then, we walk out of the Megaship together. As we go, I know that no matter what the future holds, I'll have the best teams by my side through it all.