The sound of heels clicking stiffly on concrete echoed through the corridors of The Nest, the Air Force base on the outskirts of Aaronsdale. Taylor hated wearing her formal uniform, the stiff jacket whilst extremely smart, was uncomfortable to wear after a while. She hated wearing a skirt and heels, uniform guidelines had been updated but the one thing Taylor hated more than the skirt were Air Force requisition forms. A small amount of personal discomfort was preferable to filling out paperwork in her opinion.

She politely returned the salutes of the junior ranks until she arrived at the gym. Barely pausing, she pushed the doors open to find Mark pounding his way through the punching bags, "I'm getting serious déjà vu," she began, "remember after returning from space a couple of weeks ago?"

"Trying to forget," Mark grunted between blows, "that's why I'm here."

She pointed to the corner of the room, "I recall Jazz, wired on energy drinks, still there for hours going through the Project Jet Force files." The sound of a snapping chain followed by the thud of a heavy bag hitting the wall soon followed, "I also remember having to explain to General Harmon why I'm having to order a dozen new punching bags," she added dryly.

Mark didn't respond, crossing to a supply closet to retrieve a new bag. He hooked up the bag and was about to continue his workout when Taylor stopped him, "Look, I know today wasn't easy-"

"That's an understatement," the red ranger snorted, "it's not every day that you go to your fiancée's funeral." Taylor sighed and stepped back from the bag, she didn't know Mark that well but she recognised the look in his eyes, the need to vent frustration, "Not that it was called a funeral," he continued between the heavy strikes, "it had to be a service of celebration because there was no body to bury."

Taylor nodded but allowed Mark to continue his rant, "I always got on well with Mr Becton," he continued, referencing Adrienne's father, "had a better relationship with him than my own father." He hammered a few more blows against the bag, "So it's really frustrating that I can't tell him what happened to his daughter, that I can't tell him why I couldn't bring her home for a proper burial."

"I had a good chat with him after you left," Taylor replied, "I told him what I could but you know that every aspect is classified as top secret."

"Did you tell him that Adrienne was sucked into space where she suffered an agonising death?" Mark spat angrily as an ominous creak came from the ceiling.

"I told him that his daughter died saving our lives, that she died a hero," Taylor replied frankly, Mark though merely shook his head and continued his workout. "I had a call from General Harmon before the funeral," she continued, "the President is going to award Adrienne a posthumous Medal of Honor."

Mark grabbed the bag to stop it swaying, "It won't bring her back though," he said quietly.

Taylor gave the red ranger a small smile, "I can't begin to know what you're going through, Lord knows that I'm terrible with this kind of thing, just ask my ex-husband," Mark allowed himself a half smile, "is there someone you can talk about this with, like your family?"

"Don't get me started on my family," Mark snapped, drawing a gasp of shock from Taylor, "sorry but guess what my mother sent me last night," he paused slightly before adding, "details of a blind date."

"No," Taylor sounds horrified, "that's actually terrible, no offense to your mother," she added.

"Please, offend away," Mark sniffed, "I did down the phone. I know she wasn't a big fan of Adrienne but at least give it a couple of months."

"That's just cold," Taylor shook her head, "what about someone the team, everyone seems to be getting along better now."

"I'm not pouring my heart out to Harley if that's what you mean," Mark snorted with laughter, "we're working better together but I'd hardly call us best friends yet." Slowly, he began to unwrap his hand supports, "Maybe I should head back to quarters, its been a long day."

The Major nodded as Mark slowly left the gym, "My door's always open Mark, just so you know," Taylor said but Mark didn't respond or acknowledge that he'd heard.

The red ranger grabbed his bag from the locker room and meandered through the corridors. The junior officers quarters were on the other side of the base, you could reach them by following the corridors but Mark felt like some fresh air. There was a short cut which involved going outside and passing through a couple of obsolete walkways. After today, he wasn't feeling up to socialising or engaging in idle chatter.

He had squeezed down the first outdoor path, all that was left was to pass through a small, open area used for waste disposal and his quarters would be at the end of the path. When he entered the grassy area, he was in for a nasty surprise, "Princess Lena," he gasped and immediately went for his morpher.

"Ah, not so fast," quick as a flash the Princess snapped the weapon at her hip towards the red ranger. A whip cracked around his wrists before wrapping itself around a nearby drainpipe, "That's better," she purred with delight, "I prefer my men tied up securely."

Mark struggled against his bonds but it was no use, they were far too tight, "How did you find this place?" he asked.

"Please, it's the only air base near your precious city", Lena scoffed, "we might not be familiar with this dimension but we're not stupid."

"No I meant this pathway," Mark replied, "only a handful of people knew about."

Very briefly Lena's eyes glazed slightly before they snapped back to attention, "Breaking through your pathetic human security was nothing," she replied, "all I had to do then was follow your stench." Turning away from the red ranger, she began to look through the piled up rubbish and broken equipment that littered the area, "There has to be something useful here," she muttered.

"If you're going to torture me, it won't work," Mark said forcefully.

"Why get my hands dirty torturing you when you can do it to yourself," Lena replied cryptically. She gave up sorting through the debris carefully and began throwing boxes everywhere until she found something, "Ah ha, that will do nicely," she said with glee.

Lena opened her hand and a small golden object appeared with a flash. It had a small crystalline body, a deep purple in colour, with eight spindly legs and a vicious golden scorpion tail on the back. The tail twitched and writhed in her hand, like it was looking for something, "Mirror, mirror on the wall," Lena recited with a cackle whilst stroking an abandoned bathroom mirror, "who is the smartest Vyglass of them all."

"Whatever you're planning, the others will stop it," Mark called, more in desperation than hope.

Lena didn't reply for a few moments, focusing on attaching the bug like object to the mirror, "That red ranger, is exactly what I'm hoping for." The mirror flashed dangerously and Lena lifted it carefully off the ground. She pointed it towards Mark who was briefly enveloped in a golden beam of lights. Seconds later he disappeared without a trace, "Have fun in your own personal hell," Lena said briefly teleporting away with the mirror.

The following morning, Ricky and Stevie were at Rachel's new gym. Her team of builders had worked hard to clear out as much debris as they could. Now with a blank canvas, Rachel had asked the Rangers to help paint which they agreed to, with varying degrees of acceptance, "I still don't know why we have to start this early," grumbled Stevie.

"It's 9am," Ricky countered, absently flicking through pictures on his phone.

"Yeah but its 9am on a Saturday, working at this time should be illegal," Stevie pouted but she was soon distracted by the images on the yellow ranger's phone, "ooh, who's the hottie," she beamed whilst trying to snatch the device from his hand.

Ricky quickly moved the phone out of Stevie's reach, "No one," he replied defensively.

"Who's no one," Rachel snuck up on the pair and effortlessly took the phone from Ricky. She began swiping through pictures of a dark-haired woman with glasses around Stevie's age, "Little young for you isn't she?" Rachel frowned and handed the handset back to the yellow ranger.

"They're from a few years ago," Ricky defended himself, "it's my friend Sabrina, we were in the same year at High School but she went to college in New York." He quickly pocketed the phone before continuing, "I haven't seen her in a couple of years but she's coming to Aaronsdale in a couple of days for a visit."

"Be still my beating heart," Stevie grinned, "are you interested in her, if not would you mind if I took a swing at her?"

"She's just my friend, a really good friend," Ricky said quickly, "we were the only members of the D&D club at school, we used to go to conventions together all the time. She had the most amazing Rogue from X-Men cosplay-"

"I think I need to sit down," Stevie panted.

Moments later the door to the upstairs apartment banged open, "Do you know what time it is," a very grumpy and tired looking Harley shouted, "I barely had any sleep last night."

"Well that's your own fault for coming home at 4am," Rachel countered, "the building's alarm showed what time you turned it off."

Harley grumbled under his breath, "What are you shouting about anyway?" he said whilst slumping into a chair.

"Stevie's looking for permission to hit on Ricky's lady friend," Rachel replied.

Harley grinned whilst fishing out a packet of cigarettes, "My money's on blue girl," he said with a grin, "no offence to you Rickster but roadkill has more game than you do."

"How could I possibly not take offence to that?" Ricky huffed, "like I said she's just my old High School friend, that's all."

Rachel smiled, "I think you doth protest too much my friend," she stepped over and snatched the cigarette from Harley's mouth, "and this is a no smoking building, if you insist on that disgusting habit, take it outside."

Before Harley could protest, the door burst open and Jazz jogged through, "Hey is Mark here?" she asked.

"Nope, not seen him all day," Rachel replied, "should he be here?"

"No one's seen him since yesterday," Jazz began, "the Major saw him after the funeral but he's not on base." The other Rangers looked blankly at the Scot, "He didn't tell you about Adrienne's funeral did he?"

Stevie snorted, "He's hardly the sharing type, you don't think he's run off or something?"

"Doubt it," Harley retorted, "he's all about procedure and crap like that, no way would he leave town without tellin' us." Moments later their communicators went off and the black ranger answered, "Yeah we're all here."

"Harley would it kill you to be nice," Taylor snapped through the radio, "we have Vyglass activity a couple of blocks from your location."

"Do I have time for a coffee at least," Harley asked cheekily.

"Go, now," the Major ordered before shutting down the channel.

"Alright no need to shout," Harley grumbled, "come on let's mosey," he ordered the other Rangers. "Do something sciencey," he added to Jazz, "see if you can find our fearless leader."

"Who put you in charge?" Rachel snorted whilst jogging towards the door.

Harley turned and flashed his best smile, "You're followin' me ain't ya," with a roll of their eyes the others followed the black ranger out into the street where they quickly found Princess Lena together with a monster covered in mirrors and reflective surfaces. Across his upper body and back were two giant mirrors, his head was shaped into three horns covered with more tiny mirrors, "Geez did you rob the nineteen seventies or something," Harley snorted, "seriously what is that supposed to be?"

"I wouldn't be so glib if I were you," Lena sneered, "after all, Reflector is the one that defeated your red ranger."

There was a silent pause before Harley asked, "What did ya say?"

"It's true, the red ranger begged on bended knee for his life before Reflector struck him down," Lena gloated.

Harley let out a loud, exaggerated chuckle, "You almost had me for a moment, there's no way Lieutenant Tight-ass would beg."

"We might not know much about him but we know that he would rather die on his feet than beg on his knees," Rachel added.

Lena confident smile turned into a sneer, "Put your life on that?" she asked and summoned her blade, "I've been looking forward to round two, pinky,"

"Enough chat," Harley and the others called on their morphers, "Jet Force, Take Flight," they called in unison. Jet Swords in hand, they advanced on Lena, "You three take care of her, I'll go after the big boss," the black ranger said.

"Still not in charge," Stevie muttered under her breath, her initial attack was easily parried away by Lena.

"Then why did we obey," Ricky's clumsy overhead lunge was also deflected by Lena who added a firm boot to the midsection for good measure.

Rachel said nothing, jumping in battle against Lena, "You've been practicing," the masked woman purred whilst blocking the pink ranger's attack, "let's see how you handle this." Lena upped her intensity, adding a spin and flourish with each swing. Rachel was holding her own but was slowly being pushed back.

Eventually Lena managed to break through her defence, nicking the pink ranger on the arm, "Aww, did that hurt?" Lena teased but Rachel merely raised her blade in a defensive position. She was joined by Ricky and Stevie, "Three on one, that hardly seems fair, for you that is," Lena raised her blade and leapt into the middle of the group.

Meanwhile Harley faced off against Reflector, raking his Jet Sword down the arm of the monster, "Huh, you're not so tough," the black ranger spun his blade a couple of times, "aren't you goin' to fight back or somethin'." When the monster didn't advance, Harley merely shrugged, "Your loss big guy."

He was just about to land the killing blow when Jazz's voice interrupted him, "Harley don't do anything."

"Come on, quit blockin' me like that," Harley grumbled, "I thought you were lookin' for red, this better be important," he added hotly.

"That's the thing, I think I've found him," Jazz replied, "according to my tracking program, he's right in front of you."

"Then your program must be wrong," Harley replied firmly, "nothin' here except this Bed, Bath and Beyond reject." In response, Reflector swung its meaty fist towards the black ranger, "Ooh did I hit a nerve," Harley replied as he ducked out the way.

"I'm not wrong about this," Jazz said firmly, "I've been monitoring the battle, something doesn't seem right."

"I'm fighting a giant mirror," the black ranger huffed, his sword made impact with the monster's arm which dislodged a small mirror, "everything about this is wrong on many, many levels."

There was an audible groan through his helmet, "Put your ego aside and use your eyes for once Harley," Jazz grumbled.

Reluctantly the black ranger did as instructed and took a step back and to his surprise, the monster backed off as well. Frowning, he looked over to the other Rangers and their fight with Princess Lena. He wasn't an expert swordsman but he had seen a lot of movies, "She's playin' with them," he muttered, watching the lazy manner that Lena fought. Pointing his sword towards Reflector, the black ranger said, "Don't go anywhere," and dashed towards the others.

"Nice of you to join us," Stevie greeted the black ranger, "but why hasn't the monster gone boom yet?"

"Cause I've got some questions for you," Harley pointed towards Lena, "cause it almost looks like you want us to destroy your little creation."

There was a brief moment's hesitation before Lena replied defensively, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Really, cause your shiny beast is just standing there like an idiot rather than attackin' us," Harley countered, waiving an arm towards Reflector in the distance, "and a little birdy told me that he stinks of red ranger energy." He lazily folded his arms over his chest, "Somethin' about this stinks sweetheart, so start talkin'."

A look of rage flashed across Lena's eyes and her blade turned a dangerous shade of red. Before the Rangers could react, she slashed them with a broad stroke, knocked them to the ground, "Can't believe the hillbilly figured it out," she sneered. With the Rangers incapacitated, she strode towards Reflector, "Come on, maybe the heroic Power Rangers will be more willing to do what's necessary when you've captured more souls."

As the Princess and her pet monster stomped away, the Rangers suits failed and they were left lying in the street, "What the hell was that about?" Rachel asked Harley, "do the Vyglass have Mark?"

"Yeah but I have no idea where," Harley groaned and held his ribs, "and who was she callin' a hillbilly."

"Maybe we'll check in with Jazz and the Major," Ricky suggested, "maybe they have an idea,"

"Hopefully Mark's in better shape than us," Stevie grumbled as she struggled to her feet.

Unbeknownst to the others, Mark was slowly stirring. The last thing he remembered was fighting Princess Lena at the base then a bright flash of light. As he sat up, his heart skipped a beat, he recognised where he was immediately. It shouldn't be possible but he knew the dull metal walls and stale recycled air from his nightmare, somehow he was back on the NASADA space station.

There was an ominous low rumble followed by blaring alarms which filled Mark with dread. He wasn't just back on the space station, he was back on the day the Vyglass attacked. Moments later, heavy footsteps reached his ears before a familiar face appeared around the corner, "Mark, why are you sitting down on the job," Adrienne smiled and offered her hand.

Mark was struck silent as he looked over his dead fiancée, slowly reaching out to touch her long blonde hair, "Not here," she grinned, "what will the General say?"

Almost on cue, General Harkness dashed past closed followed by Major Eardhart who was practically pushing Jazz down the corridor, "We're not far away," Taylor began, "that case needs to get back to Earth, even if it's the only thing that successfully gets back to the shuttle."

"You don't even know what's in here," Jazz replied, "we never got around to showing you. They're useless though, without being bonded to the Avian Waves."

Mark was frozen to the spot, he remembered this exchange between Taylor and Jazz. If he remembered correct, the said something like "Less chatter, you'll draw their attention."

He didn't mean to say those words out loud but he did and seconds later the dreaded, explosive wielding Gouger jumped out from the side. He had replayed this moment in his head hundreds of times, the moment when Adrienne kicked the Gouger back into the tunnel, selflessly saving the lives of Jazz, Taylor, General Harkness and himself at the cost of her own.

The charge blew as expected, forcing Mark to relive the moment Adrienne was sucked into space. He held out a hand in vain, hoping things would be different this time. Maybe he was a bit closer and he could grab a piece of her flight uniform. It was all in vain though as she disappeared into the vacuum of space, leaving a despairing Mark grasping at thin air.

His nightmare didn't continue though, instead his vision went white and once again he was laying on the cold metal floor of the walkway, except it was in one piece. Once again he could hear the hurried footsteps approaching, "Not again," he cried, "what the hell is going on?"

Back at the gym Rachel was finishing handing out ice packs to the others, "So let me get this straight," she began whilst placing the cold bag to her head, "the Vyglass created a monster for us to deliberately destroy, a monster that has somehow sucked Mark into it's body."

"Sucked into its body is maybe too literal," Taylor said through a video link on Jazz's laptop, "it wouldn't be the first time a Ranger has been trapped inside an object. Other times they've been sent to another location on Earth, another dimension entirely, even a giant pizza once."

"Remind me to hide the next time a pizza delivery man drives past," Stevie muttered to herself.

"The point is," Taylor continued, "we need to figure out how the monster captured Mark."

Jazz tapped her laptop and the screen with Taylor's face minimized into the corner, "Traffic camera's captured this from the South Side," she said whilst starting video playback. It showed Reflector marching through the streets, confronting civilians before they literally disappeared into thin air.

Ricky frowned and approached the laptop, "Did you see that?" she said to Jazz and began to rewind the recording. He paused it just a bright flash of light reflected off the monsters body, "Are they any other recordings?" Jazz nodded in confirmation, "Does the same flash appear at the same point in every one?"

"Just analysing," the Scot replied and four smaller windows appeared, pausing just as the same flash appeared, "It happens too often to be a coincidence," she added.

"So it takes people using a beam," Taylor stated, "most likely its transporting them to an alternate dimension."

"That's swell and all," Harley spoke up, "but that doesn't tell us how to get them back. We can't just blow 'em up, who knows what that'll do."

"Careful Harley, you almost sounded like you cared," Taylor replied with a small smirk.

The black ranger snorted, "I hate sittin' around and waiting, that's all," he shifted his hair away from his eyes, "it doesn't need all of us chattin' around a computer, maybe we can go out and distract it, stop it from takin' anyone else."

Taylor leaned back in her chair thought for a moment, "Very well, I'm sure Jazz can come out with a solution and relay it to you in the field." As the Rangers began to filter out the gym, Taylor called, "Harley," the black ranger stopped, "good thinking," the dark-haired man nodded stiffly before leaving.

"Don't go giving him a big head," Jazz groaned, "he's insufferable enough as it is."

"I like the way he's stepped up recently," Taylor answered, "the original Project Jet Force plan designate the black ranger as the second in command you know."

"Yeah, really can't see how having Harley in charge will end badly," Jazz replied sarcastically.

"Maybe you should focus on a solution Jazz," Taylor cautioned sharply, to which the Scot said nothing in response.

Trapped in Reflector's dimension, Mark groaned as the bright light once again cleared from his vision. He lost count of how many times this loop had repeated, no matter what he tried nothing changed the outcome. He cautioned Adrienne, tried to pre-empt the Gouger attack, just sat on the floor and even jumped into space after his fiancée but nothing broke the loop. The red ranger thought this was his own personal hell, forced to relive his worst memory without anyway of altering the outcome.

Once again the hurried footsteps got closer and Mark wearily got to his feet just as Adrienne rounded the corner. Suddenly he realised something, he had spent so long trying to change history that he didn't realise this was giving him a chance to say the things he didn't get to say to Adrienne. With a small smile, he stepped up to the blonde, "Adrienne there's something I need to say,"

"Mark is this really the time," Adrienne hissed.

"Yes, because I know I'll never get the chance to say it to you in person," the red ranger replied and let out a deep breath, "Adrienne, I love you."

"Mark," Adrienne flushed with embarrassment, "General Harkness is here," she pointed with her head at the grumpy looking General.

"I know but I'm tired of keeping us a secret," he took her hands into his, "when I'm with you, I feel like a totally different person. You make me feel alive and happy in ways I didn't know were possible," he stumbled over his words, "damn it, I'm not good at this stuff."

He was interrupted by Adrienne's soft lips on his with a quick but searing kiss, "Shut up dummy," she teased, "I don't need words to know how much you love me," Out the corner of his eye, Mark could see the killer Gouger approaching, "Whatever happens, we'll face it together," she added.

"Oh I wish that could've been true," Mark sighed and gripped Adrienne's hand, "this will have to do though." The Gouger threw the explosive which detonated almost immediately. A white flash filled Mark's vision and moments later he was back on the floor at the start of the loop again. This time he sat up with a small smile, feeling a little lighter than before.

On the streets of Aaronsdale, the Rangers had caught up to Reflector and Princess Lena just as the monster absorbed another victim, "Back for more," the Vyglass Princess sighed, "you humans don't know when to quit."

"Got that right," Harley called on his Jet Sword, "then again I'm just a brainless hillbilly right? Now stand back, I'm gonna have words with your little pet."

"Please, be my guest," Lena responded with a smile. Harley flew into the air, aiming directly for Reflector. The monster merely stood still, waiting for the killing blow from the black ranger. The strike never came though, at the last second pulled up and overshot Reflector, "What!" the Princess cried in disbelief.

Harley banked sharply, aiming for Princess Lena this time only once again he flashed straight over her head, "You missed, human," she spat with fury.

"I know, I'm distracting ya," Harley shouted back.

Lena suddenly realised her mistake, she had been so focused on the black ranger that she forgot about the other three Rangers. She turned around just in time to see Stevie, Ricky and Rachel with their Jet Cannon's pointed in her direction. The trio opened fire and the powerful bolts struck Lena in the chest, throwing her into a nearby building, "That felt pretty good," Rachel grinned inside her helmet.

The black ranger landed amongst the rest of the team, "Something tells me we shouldn't celebrate just yet," he said grimly.

"But we hit her with our most powerful attack," Ricky countered. Unfortunately Harley was proven correct moments later when there was movement from the rubble, "I have a bad feeling about this," the yellow ranger muttered.

Bricks flew everywhere as Princess Lena staggered to her feet, her bodysuit was scorched and her headdress had broken, allowing her unnaturally vibrant orange hair flow freely, "Now I'm annoyed," she hissed, "Reflector, capture them all," she barked at the monster.

Reflector charged his body and the Rangers immediately scattered, finding shelter behind whatever object they could, "We can't hide forever," Rachel had hidden behind an abandoned car with Harley, "how can we defeat a monster we can't kill?" Just then the monster's beam hit the door mirror of the car, the angle of which deflected the light towards the road, "Can't be that simple, can it?" the pink ranger said to the black ranger.

"I dunno, I'll try anything right about now," Harley looked around the street, "where's a mirror shop when you need one?" Moments later he spotted something across the street, "Cover me, I'll be back in a moment," Rachel nodded and opened fire on Reflector with her Jet Blaster.

Harley sprinted across the street, barely dodging another beam as he leapt onto the bonnet of another car, sliding across and landed with a bump next to Stevie and Harley, "Was that really necessary?" the blue ranger asked.

"Nope but I've always wanted to do that," the black ranger grinned behind the helmet. He pointed to the hairdressers behind them, "I reckon we can deflect its attacks with mirrors, watch my back."

"Reflecting beams of light back with a mirror," Ricky frowned, "I like the theory but will it work with a Vyglass monster?"

"Got any better ideas?" the black ranger huffed, "just cover me," he added hotly. With no alternative suggestions, Harley barged into the hairdressers and prised a large mirror off the wall. Once outside he said to the others, "Get behind me, my turn to cover you."

"If I get sucked into another dimension, you won't hear the end of this," Stevie grumbled but did as instructed by the black ranger.

Slowly they began to shuffle towards Reflector, bracing themselves for the next attack. When it came, it surprised them greatly when the beam was deflect back towards the monster, "Watch it," Lena shouted towards her monster, still struggling to move after the Rangers attack.

The monster either didn't hear the Princess or was so enraged that he ignored her. Another beam was aimed towards the Rangers, this time Harley angled the mirror so the deflected light was aimed at Princess Lena. In her injured state, the Vyglass warrior couldn't avoid it and disappeared, "Ha, that'll show you," the black ranger cried in triumph.

"It's gotten rid of Princess Psycho but how will that get Mark back?" Stevie asked.

"Oh I reckon with his boss captured, the big guy over there will be willin' to negotiate," Harley jeered towards Reflector.

"A fine idea," the Rangers were suddenly on edge at the sound of Count Trivium's voice, "I suggest releasing the Princess, immediately," he added firmly. The monster garbled something that the Rangers couldn't understand but the look on Count Trivium's face suggested it wasn't good news, the Ranger could almost feel his anger, "Very well, do it," he seethed.

There was another flash as several bodies landed at the Ranger's feet, one of them instantly recognisable, "Hold it," Rachel whispered to the others, "if we dash to Mark we'll blow our cover."

The team was on guard for Trivium's next move, especially when a blade appeared in his hand. To their surprise, he turned and struck down Reflector, destroying the monster with a single swipe. He then reached down and hauled Lena roughly off the ground, "You win this time Rangers," he spat each word like it was causing him physical pain before he teleported away.

The formerly captured people got to their feet slowly, all of them looking unsteady, "Are you alright, Sir," Ricky offered Mark his hand.

"Physically, yes," Mark replied before added quietly, "looks like you didn't need my help."

"And don't you forget it," Harley replied, earning him a dig in the ribs from Rachel, "just be more careful next time citizen."

"You're enjoying this too much," Mark grumbled, "we'll debrief later, I think I need to lay down for a while."

Back at the Air Base later that day, Mark entered the simulator area where the other Rangers along with Taylor and Jazz were waiting, "Sleep well?" the Major asked.

Mark looked around the room, "Why does this feel like an intervention?" he asked.

"Why didn't you tell us it was Adrienne funeral yesterday?" Rachel countered.

A look of shame flashed across the red ranger's face, "I don't know," he answered honestly, "I don't think I'd really dealt with Adrienne death until recently, fortunately that monster helped me work out some of my issues."

"I wonder what my little hell loop would be," Stevie wondered, "it was good of the Vyglass to give you free therapy and blow up the monster for us."

"Yes that was unusual," Taylor interjected, "makes me wonder if the Vyglass are as united as we think."

"Like different factions competing to be the one to destroy us?" Ricky asked, "is that a good or bad thing?"

Taylor let out a sigh, "I'm not sure, a disjointed enemy can be easier to defeat but something tells me they keep trying to outdo each other."

"Sending a bigger, badder monster than the last one," Harley mused, "well I say bring it on, we beat that guy with just four of us thanks to my excellent leadership."

"Modest as always," Rachel slapped him on the arm, "maybe we should count ourselves lucky that Lena tried to be too clever." The others slowly nodded at the pink ranger's point, "So honestly Mark, how are you doing now?"

The red ranger paused and gave Rachel's comment some thought, "Honestly, better than I have done for a while, time to look forward and not back." He paused again briefly, "I will always love Adrienne but she's gone, everything I do now is for her memory."

"Stop, you're gonna make me well up," Harley teased the red ranger.

"And for that, you've just earned the team two hours of simulator training," the other Rangers groaned and reluctantly headed for their stations. Mark watched the interaction and allowed himself his first true smile in many weeks.

A/N - Slightly different version of episode 7, found it slightly strange that Ryu's grandmother would try to get him to marry someone else so soon after Rie was sucked into oblivion.