Disclaimer: I don't own PR, I just wish I did.

AN: This is the last chapter. After this, there's only the epilogue left. You've been warned.

Mesogog attacked once over the weekend, and though they'd won, a freaked out Jason shipped Emily back home, refusing to subject her to anything unnecessary. He also underwent more rigorous training with the three Rangers, whom were getting impressively good. Kira, more or less back to normal, took especial joy out of sparring with Conner, the fire raging between them in civilian life making their training battles furious and fast-paced. Ethan was spurred by his friends and while he wasn't as good on the field as either of them, he wanted to contribute to the growing strength of the team. He went back to his computer and made various fighting sims in the hopes of helping Jason design some training regimens. The information he had obtained from video footage of battles helped them create a database and a routine to deal with Tyrannodrone attacks in the most efficient way possible. Jason was proud, the kids were unstoppable.

The real surprise was Conner. His proficiency in the martial arts, his eagerness to learn and his ability to retain and build upon what he had learned were an asset to the team, and made Conner a very formidable fighter. Jason wished he were younger so that he could match his skills (which he believed were in top form when he was Conner's age). Tommy would have been proud. A young Tommy might even have gotten his butt kicked by the current Red Ranger.

Kira was on the guitar again. Three weeks later, she had gotten in sufficient practices with her band and deemed herself stage-ready once more, so she hit the Cyberspace. "I'd like to call this song, 'My Forgotten,'" she said into the mic, her voice low and sad. "It goes out to a special friend that I didn't get as much time with as I would've liked."

She launched into a slow, mournful ballad about losing a person and finding herself in the meantime. While the whole crowd seemed upset by the melancholy song, it hit the team the hardest. Conner stared unblinkingly at the stage, while Ethan focused on a spot on the floor. Hayley was sniffling, and Jason reached out to grab her hand. She gave him a watery smile. The two had a unique connection, and she considered him a good friend, and a great comfort.

When Kira reached the end of the song, the four of them stood up, clapping and cheering. Kira gave them a watery smile before launching into her next song, which was a little more upbeat.

But as the audience grooved to Kira's tune, three bracelets flashed in unison. Red and blue on the floor of the Cyberspace, yellow on its stage. Worried glances were exchanged between five people, and Jason, Conner, and Ethan rushed out, not before giving Kira a 'stay and finish your set' look. She watched them go with a regretful expression, because it was her duty to go with them, but it was her duty to her audience and her band to at least finish the show she'd promised them after so long.

She didn't grace them with a second set, as she'd originally planned. How could she concentrate on her music while her friends were battling? She ducked out of the Cyberspace and contacted them. "Where are you guys at?" she asked.

"Kira, get to the base now," Jason barked. "It's not safe out there. I want you where I can see you. Get Hayley, too."

Kira frowned, puzzled, but she didn't question Jason's judgment, and went back inside to get their tech whiz.

In the base, Jason surveyed his three teenage charges --and Hayley-- with sad, worried eyes. "Mesogog is no longer keeping to his fortress," he said, though the two boys in the room already knew of this development. "He's deliberately attacking the populace, some of them with intent to kill. I've..." Jason almost choked on the words and had to get some air before continuing. "I was a Ranger for a long time, I've been in the uniform twice, and I've seen a lot of things. But nothing ever like this." He sighed deeply. "I don't want to send you out there."

"But we have to go," Conner said evenly. His voice was laden with trepidation and resignation, knowing what he had to do. "We're the Earth's best bet."

"I'm aware. But I'm responsible for you guys, and I don't want to send you out into something so uncertain."

Over the screen, a terrified scream rang out, followed by one of pain. Jason winced, though he was facing away from the console, and none of the Rangers could focus on the screen over his shoulder. It was slaughter, it was horrific and unprecedented, and none of them was quite sure what to do.

"We're well trained for this," Conner said, acting as the voice of the team. If Ethan or Kira disagreed with anything he said, they would nonetheless respect his decision and follow his lead. "If something...if something happens to us, all you have to worry about is getting the gems and giving them to someone else so that the fight keeps going. There are plenty of candidates, I'm sure. You could probably do it yourself, if you wanted. Or got some other ex-Rangers. That's your backup plan. For now, though, I'm going out there and I'm not going to give up until Mesogog and his little friends are stopped."

"I'm with him," Kira said immediately.

"Me too," said Ethan.

There was no smile in Jason's eyes to accompany the sad one on his lips. "If you insist. For the record, I have never doubted your abilities. Not once. Tommy chose well." He didn't know how to send them out. Not with wishes for luck.

They were all okay now. As happy as they could have been, considering the circumstances. Finding their places in the world once more. Jason was glad Tommy had chosen him to continue his legacy. Jason had given the leadership duties to Tommy, and now he was getting them back. Everything had come full circle, and Jason would finally be able to leave the Power Rangers, satisfied with what he had accomplished, and with an ending that was complete and final. Tommy had brought them all into this fight, and it was for him that they were finishing it once and for all.

"Make..." Jason said, "make him proud."

The Rangers nodded, and got into position. "Ready?" Conner asked.

"Ready," they agreed, their morphers already out.

"Dino Thunder, power up!"