A.N.: Don't let the simple title fool you. I took it from the BTS song, sung by members Jimin and V, which speaks about their friendship that's so strong, they consider each other soulmates. Let that be the context for this chapter.

Also, I hate myself for what I've written. Have fun!

Ugh. Today was not my day. First, I got an order wrong, which didn't end terribly, but all the same. Then, a customer claimed I'd gotten their order wrong, and that did end terribly. Not to mention, I was catcalled an unusual amount of times today, leading to my coworker, Lia, cursing them out. Leading to her getting in trouble with management… yeah. Not a great day. So as I step into the lobby of quarters, I'm ready to shower, eat, and sleep.

No such luck, because the second the doors to my room slide open, I see the rest of my team scattered about. Leo lifts a hand, but when he spots the frown on my face, he gets up. "Something wrong, K?" I lean into his embrace for a second, ignoring the gagging sounds from the others.

"Bad day at work."

Maya, who's already standing in the kitchen, reaches into the freezer, reemerging with my almost finished tub of ice cream. "This calls for ice cream."

"For lunch?" Kai shoots back, wrinkling his nose, "Even after I cooked?"

"Oh, be quiet," Karone retorts, "Don't get overconfident. Nothing you cook can beat ice cream." Mike nods his agreement, but has to hold his hands up in surrender when Kai glares at him.

"It depends what kind," Damon pitches in without even looking up from his blueprints. The blueprints that are spread across our kitchen counter.

"D, you'd better clean up your mess when you guys head back to your quarters." The mechanic glances up at me, a playful smirk on his face.

"And, she's back." His gaze jumps over to Maya as she puts down the tub of cookie dough ice cream, grabs seven spoons and seven bowls. "Case in point: Kai's cooking can beat cookie dough ice cream."

"Excuse me?" Karone and I echo in unison.

"Watch your mouth, mechanic," I threaten, and he makes a face at me.

"I'm being honest!"

"Choose your next words very carefully," Karone adds, and when he glances up at her, Damon's mouth shuts. The blonde is absolutely terrifying, even when she's not kicking ass.

"Okay, okay. To each their own." We burst into laughter, and I let my hair down from the bun it's been in all shift. "No coffee today?" I sigh, hanging my bag on the coat hanger by the door.

"My manager told me that you guys can't keep leeching off of us. I mean, I already give you guys discounts." To my relief, no one complains, and I wander over to the kitchen, grabbing a leftover sandwich. "Thanks for saving some for me this time." I take a bite of the sandwich. "This doesn't make up for when you guys ate my cake, though."

"It was Leo's idea!" Five voices echo in almost perfect unison, and I burst out laughing again, especially at my boyfriend's sullen expression.

"Way to throw me under the bus, guys."

Before any of my teammates can give a sarcastic retort (I'd hedge my bets on Damon), our morphers let out simultaneous beeps. Great. Why can't Trakeena let me have one chill day for once in my damn life-

"Alpha?"

"Sorry to interrupt, Rangers, but Trakeena herself has landed onto Terra Venture!"

It's odd that the monstrous woman would visit our colony on her own. Not sending one of her cronies, not appearing through some form of technology, but here. And something tells me it has to do with my Mage powers. I've had them for about two weeks now, and in that time, I've made slow, careful progress with them. Honestly, I'm scared to push them like how I'd pushed my telekinetic powers. Those powers had come naturally, through Zayne's teachings, and my own motivation to become stronger. But these keys… they fill me with power so overwhelming, that it scares me to activate them sometimes.

Because if these powers take over my consciousness, who the hell knows what can happen after that?

"Get out of Terra Venture, Trakeena," Leo warns when we come face to face with the villainess, but she doesn't budge an inch. Instead, she lifts her staff, and the tip of it points right at my chest.

Well. At least my guess was spot on.

"Not until I have the powers of the Mage at my command." Almost by pure instinct, the others form up around me, and I know that they have good intentions, but despite that… Putting themselves in harm's way for me?

"We won't let you hurt Kara," Damon shouts back, and I rest a hand on his shoulder.

"D, it's fine. We can take her down."

"Oh, if you're so confident, why don't you try it? Stingwingers!" Pfft. As if they'll be able to stop us.

"Let's take these things down in one hit, guys," Leo orders, "Ready, Kar?" I nod, despite the anxiety rising up in the pit of my stomach.

"Aqua Mage Power Ranger Mode!"

"Lights of Orion, activate!" His strategy is a good one: not only are we able to take down the huge herd of Stingers in one burst of energy, but thanks to the power boost from my upgrade, we're also able to aim for Trakeena. Unfortunately though, just as we're about to make contact, Villamax leaps in front of her. Let me tell you, falling out of Power-Up Mode is like getting into a car crash: the whiplash at the sudden decrease of speed and change in direction is pretty much the same as being hit by a car. No, a truck. Or maybe an airplane.

My thoughts of transportation soon stop, since before I can get up, Deviot kicks me down. That'll leave a bruise. Non-robotic footsteps sound then, and I manage to lift my head, spotting Trakeena there. I couldn't give less of a fuck about her, so I look away, checking on my friends…

Who are down, unmorphed, and unmoving.

Get up. Get up get up get up get up get up- Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Karone twitch, and I relax, flopping back onto the ground.

"Give me the Mage powers."

"Fuck you." I spit at Trakeena's feet, finding a sick sense of delight when it lands right on her shoe.

"Fine. Have it your way." I'm not too sure when Trakeena got so fast, since it only takes a moment for her to lift her staff and slam it into my hand. Something cracks, and a scream echoes out. It's my own, I realize after a moment of mind-numbing pain.

"Get the hell away from my sister!" The next blow lands inches away from my other wrist, and I wonder why Trakeena missed. Takes me a few more seconds to see that it's because Kai's somehow managed to get up, to wrap his hands around her staff. Giving me a chance to get up, which I take. Thanks to my Mage powers, or at least I figure it is, my hand already feels like it's healing, the whiplash effects fading. But Kai's not so much holding her back, though, as he is holding himself up. The gems around our wrists glow a light shade of red. Angry. Trakeena mutters something under her breath, then knocks my older brother back with an elbow to the face. He lets go of her weapon, and she uses it to slash at him again and again.

Blood matching the color of our gems blossoms where the attacks land, and for a second, all I see is that scarlet red.

Going after someone who has nothing to do with her mission. Not surprising, but still fucking evil. All this time, my Mage powers have been working to not only heal my wounds, but also to store up power. So now, I guess it's time to go on the offense. The energy within me beckons, a siren's call to me, a sailor lost at sea. Telling me to use it, to defeat my enemy. To finally exact justice for all her wrong-doings.

I think Villamax can tell what I'm about to do, since he rushes over from where he was battling Leo. He doesn't stand a chance against me, though.

Take him down, my Mage form whispers. Show no mercy.

Just as I'd done to Magnetox weeks ago, I throw out a hand. The monster flies through the air, smashes against the wall, and slumps down. Unconscious? I let my eyes flutter closed, and as I do, I can actually see his heartbeat still thumping in his chest. Yes.

Kill him. No mercy. The siren song is tempting, I admit. Especially since it comes from within myself, not from any outside influence. But I have to fight it.

Upon seeing her crony defeated, Trakeena lets out a yell, charging at me. She's wide open, though.

"Venom Psy Strike!" The attack sends her reeling, and despite it all, I smile. She deserves it for what she's done to us. For all the damage she's caused, and especially for the time when she kidnapped Leo. He almost didn't make it out of there. And his blood would have been on her hands. I don't even register the fact that I've stalked up to Trakeena, that I've lowered my hand, a blade of pure telekinetic power grasped in it. "You'll pay for what you've done, Trakeena."

End her! Do it, now! The voice I hear is my own. The decision rests on my shoulders. And so does the fate of Terra Venture, hell, the whole world. If I defeat her now… there'll be no more danger. No more threats.

"I don't think so," my opponent hisses out, "Turn around. Attack the Red Ranger."

Attack the Red Ranger. The voice of my Mage powers changes. Now, it's Trakeena's whisper, urging me on to… to… In another blink of an eye, I'm marching towards Leo, and no matter how hard I try to stop myself, I can't. (How did she get control of me like this? I've got to fight it… fight it…) When I look into Leo's eyes, I don't see fear. Instead, there's… determination?

… Kara. Snap out of it. Please, can you hear me? Leo. How long had he been throwing himself against the mental wall I'd put up? Finally, finally, I come to a halt.

L?

Oh, thank God. I'm here, okay? Please stop, please, you don't know what you're doing. It isn't you. My power fades, my suit stripping away from my body, and I collapse to my knees. Empty. Devoid of the Mage power, but also of the bloodlust that had been singing in my veins. For a second, nobody even moves. I'm surprised neither Trakeena nor her lackies have attempted to kill me while I'm down, but then time snaps back into order.

I think I feel Leo embrace me, I think I feel him shake as he sobs. I think I hear my teammates gather around me, I think I hear them reassuring me that it's alright. And that's the last thing I hear before I black out.

Usually, waking up with Leo by my side is a welcome sight. (Don't get the wrong idea, we haven't slept slept together. The furthest we've gone is cuddling. Please don't let your mind go into the gutter.) But now, when I open my eyes and see him gazing worriedly at me, the only thing I feel is guilty. I'd almost… no. Don't want to think about it. Deny deny deny.

"Hey, princess." God. How can he even use that nickname after what I'd almost done?

"How long were you trying to get through to me?" I don't realize that I'm crying until he leans forward, brushing a tear away from my cheek.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're okay." His hand falls from my face, and he instead chooses to place it in mine. "I know you have a shit memory-"

"Hey!" That beautiful childlike laugh escapes him, and the playful pout that'd been on my face dissolves into a grin.

"But do you remember that time we were up against the Magna Defender?" How could I forget? He'd made me his second-in-command the night before, also single handedly saving me from Chillyfish's spell.

"Of course."

"You promised you'd be with me until the end of the line. What I did out there today? That was me doing the same for you." Sticking by my side. Until the end. Strangely enough, this dredges up the memory of when we'd fought (or rather been at the mercy of) Sincerax. When I promised that I'd always be his best friend. Despite everything we've gone through, despite the fact that I could have killed him today… that promise still holds true.

"I love you." The words escape me before I can drag them back in. When we were friends, I'd told him I loved him, albeit begrudgingly. (Funnily enough, that was what had kicked off our relationship.) But I don't think any of us have said it while we were together, and that prospect kind of terrifies me. Being the first to open myself up in that way, to confess what I'm feeling, even though I'm sure he felt it already. Or, maybe not, at least judging by the way Leo's eyes widen.

"Whoa, princess."

"Surprised you didn't already know I was gonna-" He doesn't let me finish, because he leans forward, presses his lips to mine. When Leo pulls away, I lean forward, wishing the kiss had lasted a bit longer. He chuckles, and the butterflies in my stomach swarm even stronger than they were before.

"I love you too, and I'm with you."

"'Till the end?" He brings my hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it gently. Like a goddamn prince or something. (Leo might as well be one at this point.)

"'Till the end."

When I open my eyes, most of the lights are shut off, save for a lamp on a nearby table. Alpha's puttering around as softly as he can (which isn't that soft, humorously enough), since Leo's fallen asleep. His head rests on the cot next to me, soft snores leaving him, and I swear to God, my heart flutters. As much as he likes to pretend he's a tough guy, really, this is his natural state: soft and squishy as an overgrown teddy bear. My hand instinctively goes to play with his hair gently, and he shifts ever so slightly, but doesn't wake. For a moment, I simply enjoy his presence. Maybe this is something we can aspire to, dream about: a time when Trakeena isn't an issue. When we've retired from this whole Power Ranger shit. We'd live together, or maybe with the others. Rent an apartment together or something. Maybe have a few pets, too.

We'd just be two kids in love.

My dream is shattered in an instant. Because over the loudspeakers comes an all too familiar voice.

"This message is for the Aqua Ranger," Trakeena's voice echoes out. Alpha lets out an alarmed beep that sounds strikingly like my own alarm, and Leo jolts up, reaching for his morpher. "I have a proposition for you. As I speak, Villamax and Deviot have gained remote control of the command center."

Mike. Kai. They better be okay, or else- "You can still save Terra Venture, Aqua Ranger. All you have to do is let me destroy each of your friends. Then I'll spare the rest of the colony. If you choose to save your friends, well… bye bye Terra Venture!"

I could have sworn my heart stops beating for a second. "You have a day to decide, before I choose for myself. Time is ticking!"

TWENTY HOURS LATER.

I'm shocked that there isn't a hole in the floor already. I've spent the past… how long's it been? Oh, whatever. I've been pacing back and forth and back and forth and back and forth-

"Kara, for the hundredth time, this is a no-brainer." I hate it when Mike uses his second-in-command of Terra Venture voice. I'm sure the same applies when I use mine on him, but god, if it's not irritating when he knows he's right.

"No it fucking isn't, Mike!" Each member of my team flinches away at my scream. "Sorry. I…" I can't do this. I can't. "What if I just offer myself? That's what she wants, right? She wants me, my powers. That's why she's doing this." Kai shakes his head, and I want to smack him upside that head. Why can't they just agree with me? I've been making this point for the past day, and we've all been running on fumes and caffeine to brainstorm a way out of this. I should have known it would come to this, though.

"She knows that, Kara. We've been over this," my brother mumbles, voice shot from fatigue, "But what I still don't get is why she's taking such a roundabout way to get it." Damon pauses in his anxious pen clicking. He'd been the one taking notes of literally everything we've said, and at this point, he's just drawn an entire arrow around what he's written. Just like our argument: circular as shit. We haven't gotten anywhere.

"She's always been about conquering. Not destroying," he reminds. "So why's she threatening to destroy us all of a sudden?"

"Not sure," Maya takes up the conversation, handing me another glass of water. My hand shakes as I take a long sip of it, "but like I've been saying for however long, you can't turn yourself over. That wasn't a part of the deal. For all we know, she'll just destroy us all if she doesn't get her way."

"Holy shit." Considering that that's the first thing Leo says for a while (I'm not even sure if he's spoken in the past two hours,) we jump. His swearing is nothing new, the dude can curse like a sailor if the occasion calls for it. "Trakeena does want Kar's powers."

"Uh. That's what we kinda realized-" Damon shuts right up when Leo stands, starting to pace even faster than I'd been.

"But I think she figured out that she can't get them out of her physically. Hell, she beat her to a pulp!" I gesture to myself in a way that says 'I'm right here, thanks very much'. "But when she realized that, she must've deduced some other way to get them." Or rather, get me. I hate when Leo's right sometimes, mostly because he'll get all high and mighty about it. Like I said, the tough guy act is just that: an act.

"L's right. If she can't take the powers out of me, she'll just do whatever she can to bring me to her side." Silence follows my inference, but not because I'm wrong. But because I'm right, and we all hate it. Especially now that it means I'll have to actually make the fucking choice. Or… maybe I don't. My team just doesn't have to know, right? I check the telepathic bond between Leo and I, and he hasn't the slightest clue of my plan. So I tuck it deep in the recesses of my mental lockbox (one that I'd developed when I'd developed a crush on the Red Ranger), and throw away the key.

"You know you can't sacrifice Terra Venture for our sake, right?" Karone blurts out, breaking the silence, and despite knowing what I'm going to do, it still irritates me that they're so… so… selfless. This was the crux of their argument that they'd made to counter mine. I'd said I'd give myself up, surrender my powers if it means everyone on Terra Venture can live. They'd said they couldn't allow it. And back and forth and back and forth we go.

"'Rone's right," Maya agrees, stepping up to me and grabbing my shoulders, as if she can shake some sense into me, "Six people versus this entire colony? Like Mike said, it's a no-brainer, Kar." They're willing to die. Willing to lay down their lives to protect their home and the people on it. That's one of the only things that has become clear to me throughout this entire conversation.

But I can't agree with that. Hell, I can't make this choice, and no one can force me to. And most importantly, no one's going to die on my watch. For now, though, I have to make them believe they won this argument. It's not hard to fake my surrender, though, since I'm already exhausted. I flop to the ground and start to cry, and my team huddles around me, sitting on the floor together like we're kindergarteners or something.

"You're right. All of you are. I know what I have to do."

Not many people are out and about as I make my way to the city center. The sunset- while merely an inorganic image of a day-night cycle- is gorgeous. My team walks with me every step of the way, and when I glance at each of their faces, all aglow with the dying sunlight, all I see is acceptance. They're at peace, even though they each stare down death. I don't think they're going to like what I'm going to do very much. Leo takes my hand, rubs his thumb over my knuckles gently. A habit that, ironically, both he and Zayne share.

A soft laugh escapes me. Why is it that all my life changing choices happen at sunset, alongside the people I love? The thought sends my mind whirling: almost a year ago, I wouldn't even have known these people existed. Known of Maya's bravery, her courage to leap into battle despite any obstacles. Of Damon's ingenuity, his ability to solve any problem he's faced with, whether it's with brute force or merely a wrench. Of Kai's insane drive, his determination to finish whatever he starts. Of Mike's natural leadership skills, ones that rival Leo's, if not surpass them.

Of Leo's inner fire. Of his passion, the urgency that, hell, even compelled him to sneak onto Terra Venture in the first place.

And then there's Karone. Fearless, exuberant, joyful Karone. The Karone I'd only recently reunited with, the Karone who I'd watch turn from my sworn enemy to one of my best friends. She meets my gaze with a smile. (Acceptance.) A tear slips down my face. I'm going to miss them so much. But it'll all be worth it, won't it?

It will. Even though I won't be with them… at least they'll be okay. Maybe Damon will become head mechanic. Maybe Maya will finally start that zoo she'd been working on. Maybe everything will be okay. (No, not maybe. It will.) Trakeena stands in the middle of the forest clearing, the setting sun casting dapples of shadow over her. She is alone. But I'm not. I'll never be.

"So. You've made your choice, Aqua Ranger?"

"Yes. I have."

Leo should have known. He really should've. But ever since Kara'd gotten her Mage powers, she was able to hide her thoughts more easily. So when a "lockbox" appeared in her mind, he should have dug. Should have made her confide in him. But then, wouldn't that be his choice, not hers? And no matter what happens, doesn't he trust her more than he even trusts himself? So he's not surprised when she steps forward and says, "I've decided that I'm not going to trade lives, Trakeena." He flinches as his team gasps. The least he could have done is prepare them. "You thought you had us fooled, huh? That by forcing me to go insane with this choice, that you'd somehow get my powers for yourself. Well, you're wrong."

"Oh, whatever do you plan on doing now, then? I can give the word, and all of Terra Venture will be destroyed. Just because you refused to make a simple choice."

Trakeena would never understand the gravity of a decision like the one she'd tried to force Kara to make. Leo figures that she has no friends, has no one to turn to. Villamax and Deviot aren't her friends, they're her warriors, her army, her cronies. She would never understand the level of sacrifice Kara is making.

"I know that you want my powers." Leo's skin prickles with goosebumps, and it's not because he's afraid. No, it's because the atmosphere changed suddenly, and it's stemming from his girlfriend, his second-in-command, his Aqua Ranger. "But I'm going to defeat you with them." He knows what comes next, so he shields his eyes from the blinding flash that indicates that she's morphed. "Right here, right now. It's me and you, Trakeena."

Leo doesn't think he's ever been more in love than in this moment. He's so, so proud of Kara. So in awe of her willingness to fight for him, for her team, hell, for this entire colony. He loves her.

"Is it, though?"

He's so enamored that he almost doesn't feel it when the blade digs into his chest.

Leo lied to her.

"Until the end," he'd said in the medbay. He'd be by her side until the end.

(They would hang up their Ranger suits, leaving their morphers behind in the power vault next to the Space morphers. The girl has worked it out: they'd all buy rooms in an apartment right next to each other. They'd be neighbors with the other five. They'd adopt two pets: a cat for her and a dog for him. The cat would be named Boots. The dog would be called Charlie. Boots and Charlie. Charlie and Boots. And when Terra Venture finally lands on a new world, maybe their kids would be alive to see it. Hopefully, they would be too, but if not, that'd be fine. At least they'd have gotten to do life together.)

He lied.

A scream rips through the still air. Her scream. His name. All at once, the five dive for the one on the ground as he falls, grasping at the blade that'd been thrown by their foe. She had played dirty. None of them had even realized this was an option. The boy named Kai berates himself for not having considered this possibility. The mechanic named Damon flies into a panic unlike one he's ever experienced before. The animal lover named Maya cries harder than she ever has in her entire life as she drops to her knees. The reborn named Karone freezes where she stands, taking in the scene but unable to move.

And the second-in-command of Terra Venture named Mike knows what will happen. He knows that this was Trakeena's plan all along.

And he hates himself for not realizing it sooner.

A light, a big, blinding light.

The warrior, the Mage, the one who has lost everything, steps forward. Power burns the grass where she steps, approaching her foe slowly. Her control is slipping. Her mind warps as her abilities scream at her, in her, around her. The very air trembles as she draws her blade of energy. She knows she only has a very small window of time. She points her blade at her foe. Ready to exact vengeance.

But then.

"Oh, Kara. I'm so sorry." Kendrix. Kendrix. Kendrix. I rush to her, hands outstretched, dropping my blade to the ground. Her arms feel just as they always have: like home. Like a promise that she'd made to me to find my old team.

"I need you here right now. I can't do this alone." She wipes my tears just like she used to.

"Yes, you can." It's then I notice that time is frozen. Trakeena doesn't move from where I can see her through Kendrix- Vomit rises in my throat and I have to turn away, emptying the contents of my stomach onto the grass. "And I'm in a better place now. Right now, Leo needs you. The team needs you."

"I don't know what I have to do, 'Drix. What do I do?" Her hand comes up, stroking my hair, and I lean into her touch. Knowing this is the last time I'll be able to do so.

"Your keys. Their powers are… unspeakable. Uncontainable, uncontrollable. You can't handle them alone anymore." Oh. Why hadn't I thought of it sooner? "Do you understand now?"

Yes. Yes, I do. The smile Kendrix gives me is so bright, so beautiful. I miss her so, so much.

"Good. Now go save Terra Venture."

Time resumes its flow, and the first thing I do is trap Trakeena to the trunk of a tree with telekinetic restraints. Ignoring her curses, I rush to Leo and reach into our bond. It's faint, but it's there. So is his heartbeat. "Hi."

"Don't speak, Leo." In a single movement, I take the keys out of their holster and pull them apart. "I don't know how your body's gonna react to this, but Kendrix told me it was the only way to save you." Here goes nothing. I press one half of the key into Leo's hands, and for the most terrifying moment, nothing happens.

Then, my head starts to hurt.

The amount of times that the Blue Ranger has almost lost his younger sister is probably not good for his blood pressure. But this time might just do him in. His first-in-command, the Red Ranger heals before his eyes, the wound closing and the weapon falling out of where it'd been impaled. Kai thinks it was kind of gross.

But he'd read somewhere that the universe requires balance. If it isn't kept in check, then massive chaos would reign.

"Leo-" His sister, his baby sister, the one who'd helped him up when he'd fallen down the hill, the one who'd been a Power Ranger years before he had, who'd saved him, can't finish speaking. Aqua light envelops her, pulsing like it has a heartbeat of its own, and from where she'd pinned Trakeena comes an awful, earsplitting cackle.

"Come to me, my Mage."

His baby sister stands, the aqua light fading.

"Kara, no. This isn't you. Don't do it." For once in his goddamn life, he's thinking without speaking.

"Kar, stop." That's Karone speaking, then.

"Trakeena's in your head," Mike adds, "Push her out of it, Aqua Ranger." She steps towards Trakeena. Nothing.

"Kara, you're stronger than this," Maya pleads.

"You're better than this," Damon continues, "Fight it!" Another step, and Leo's running forward. She freezes, tilts her head to look back at them. And in that moment, just for a second, Kara's eyes clear.

"I love you so much. Please, just stay."

Please, just stay.

This man says words that have no meaning to me. (It's Leo. The man I'm in love with. My first-in-command.)

Behind him are five other civilians, each dressed in a different color. (Mike, Maya, Karone, Kai, and Damon. My best friends.)

I have nothing to say to them. (Yes. I do. Come on, just open your damn mouth-)

"When Leo and I were captured by Sincerax." No no no, why am I admitting this? (I needed to come clean. I know how long it's been since then, but it has never felt like the right time. Until now.) "I revealed some truths I'd kept hidden. I'd said that I wished my old team was here instead of you guys." None of them flinch. (But I'm sure they're hurt, as Leo had been.) "But those truths no longer stand as such. You guys are my family. Maya, you have such a big heart. Damon, as much as I make fun of you, you're one of the best people I know. Mike, you're the best second-in-command of a space colony I could ever have. Karone… I'm so proud of you. Kai…"

"What are you doing, Aqua Ranger? Come to me!" Trakeena, my leader. I must- (You must not do shit, Kara. Stay focused.)

"I love you, big brother. Always remember that." He's crying. Has he ever cried in front of me? Not sure. "And L…" Tears stream down my face as I take one last look at the Red Ranger. At the one who'd understood me, who'd been by my side through it all. Who I'd hurt, but who'd forgiven me, who'd given me a second chance. The one who'd loved me.

The one I promised I'd be with until the end.

"I promise."

Everything goes black.