Chapter Ten

"Noooo!" Matt shouted sitting up in bed suddenly. He was soaked in sweat and his heart was racing. He slowly started to hold his head in his hands and said: "Not again." It had been five months since the attack on the village and on the city. But the death of Jara and the death of Leo and Karone's baby had started to take it's toll on him, the feelings of remorse at seen at that pain and suffered had cause his nightmares to intensify. He had one at least three nights a week.

"Matt, are you okay?" Kai asked from the bunk above him.

"Yeah Kai," he replied, "I just had a bad dream, go back to sleep.

As Kai began to drift off again. Matt got up and got dressed. He needed to get some fresh air.

As he was walking across town, he spotted Leo and Mike sitting at a table in a small cafe talking.

They looked up in surprise when he approached.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" Mike asked.

"I could ask you two the same thing," Matt replied joining them at the table.

"I couldn't sleep," Leo said, "I didn't want to disturb Karone so I decided to go for a walk. I ran into Mike as he was getting off his shift."

"How's she holding up," Matt asked.

"She's better," Leo replied, "The last two months she's been spend more time at the day care center taking care of the kids. I think it's helping."

"I hate to pry Leo," Matt said uneasily, "But have you and her been trying to get pregnant again?"

Leo shook his head. "We decided after what happened to play it safe for now. When Skokahn and Deviot are defeated once and for all, we may decide to try again." He changed the subject. "What about you, why are you up?"

Matt hesitated. "I was having one of those nightmares again."

Leo and Mike looked at him.

"That's the third time this week isn't it," Mike asked.

Matt nodded. "It's the same one I've always had," he replied. "I was facing Skokahn and you two tried to fight him for me on your own. You failed and you both died."

"It was only a nightmare Matt," Mike said, "It's not like it's going to really happen."

"I know," Matt said softly, "But I been having it more often for the last five months since that night. I think maybe it was subconscious warning me."

Leo and Mike nodded in agreement, "We're all staying on guard Matt, don't worry, nothing's going to happen."

Matt nodded and stood to leave. "You're right. I'll see you guys in the morning. I'm going back to bed."

The next morning, Matt stood on the beach looking out at the ocean. He looked down at the gold medal he held in his hand, he had forgotten to take it out of his gear bag, and found it when he was getting his uniform out of the bag this morning. He sighed and remembered what his instructor had told him that day.

Flash back

"You have the speed, discipline and skill to be a winner Matt. All that remains is the confidence of knowing your friends are their for you. One day when you're a Black Belt, you will fully understand."

End flashback

Matt sighed. Looking back out at the ocean he watched as the waves crashed against the shore. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when his communicator beeped. "Go ahead," he said.

"Matt, Deviots back, and this time he brought his whole army with him," came Karone's voice, in the background Matt could hear explosions and people screaming.

"I'm on my way," he replied, "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Hurry," Karone said before signing off.

"This is it," Matt thought as he prepared to teleport. "Time to face my destiny and my fears."

Meanwhile the Rangers and the Magna Defender were locked in combat with Deviot's forces.

Karone stood with the crowd of people that huddled with in fear as they watched the battle.

As Leo battled Deviot once more Karone whispered, "Be careful Leo."

"So Red Ranger, how's the wife, still mourning the loss of your child?" Deviot sneered.

"You've threatened my family and friends for the last time Deviot!" Leo growled. He rushed forward and slashed at him with his saber.

Deviot deflected the blow with his sword and pushed Leo back, then he fired a barrage of energy blasts that sent Leo flying back and rolling across the ground. Getting up he called out: "Lights of Orion activate!" In a flash his armor appeared.

As Deviot charged towards him, Leo ran forward and turned into a flaming red ball that shot through Deviot. Deviot stopped where he was. He dropped his sword and clutched at his chest. "Nooooo!" he gasped, as Leo rematerialized behind him and watched as Deviot fell to the ground and exploded.

"That was for Karone and the baby," Leo said. He turned and looked at Karone as she watched him. A look of relief appeared on her face.

"Leo," Mike said running up to him, "Are you okay?"

"I am now," Leo said, "Has Matt arrived yet?"

"I haven't seen him anywhere yet."

As Leo was about to reply, the other Rangers ran up to them after having defeated the Stingwingers. As they were about turn and head towards the crowd, the sky suddenly darkened and light began to flash. A green glow appeared and settled in front of them. As it faded, Skokahn stood before them smiling evilly.

Before the Rangers could react, he raised his hands and fired green blasts of energy that struck them and sent them flying backward. They demorphed and writhed on the ground in pain. "You may have destroyed my general, and defeated my army," Skokahn sneered, but you are no match for me. My accension is here and power's are at maximum, there's no one that can stop me now."

"Skokhan," said a voice behind the Rangers.

In a flash Matt appeared wearing his white v-neck uniform, with his red belt with a black stripe in the middle, tied around his waste, and a determined look on his face. "You've threatened this world for the last time."

"So 'The One' has arrived to challenge me after all," Skokahn, said laughing evilly, "No matter, I'll destroy easily."

"I doubt it," Matt said glaring at him, as Leo and the others moved off the street to give them room.

Karone was quickly at her husband's side and in his arms as the group watched from a safe distance.

As they watched, Skokahn removed the dark cloak he wore and tossed it aside. He laughed, "Very well then, we'll settle this by human standards. By mortal combat."

Matt kiaped and dropped into a fighting stance. "Let's get this over with," he said.

As he bounced slowly up and down, Skokahn charged forward firing off a side kick, Matt slid to the side blocked it with his arm and countered with a triple kick hitting him twice in the sides and once in the head before sliding backwards. He then delivered a jump backkick that sent Skokahn flying backwards and landing twenty feet away.

Skokahn jumped up enraged. He raised his hand and fired a green blast of energy towards him. Matt seeing it did a butterfly twist in the air, throwing himself to the side as the beam hit the ground where he'd been standing and left a small crater. Matt ran forward and somersaulted in the air. He landed in front of Skokahn and began delivering punching combinations, his hands moving at high speed.

Skokahn deflected the attacks and knocked Matt back with a blow to his stomach. Matt grunted and then cried out as Skokahn back kicked him in the gut sending him flying backwards. Matt landed ten feet away the wind knocked out of him. As he struggle to breath and sit up, he was painfully force back down by Skokahns boot. He stood over him and sneered, "You put up a good fight boy. But I'm afraid your time here has ended." A sword appeared in his hand and he raised it for the final blow.

Suddenly there was a flash of light and a glow appeared behind Skokahn. As it lessened, what looked like a Samurai Katana became visible. It glowed beautifully and the design on it had no equal.

Skokahn turned his head and looked at it in surprise. "The sword of the ancient ones," he gasped.

Matt took advantage of the momentary distraction to grab Skokahn's foot and twist it. Skokahn cried in pain a fell backwards. Matt did a kick up and then delivered a spin kick to Skokahn head. Skokahn fell to the ground stunned.

Matt looked up at the sword and began to walk towards it, the sword seemed to glow brighter as he approached it. He hesitate for a second, then reached out and took it in his hands. As he did, he was enveloped in a blinding flash of bright light. Everyone including Skokahn shielded their eyes until the light faded.

Skokahn grabbed his sword and star to run forward. Matt turned around with the sword still in his hands. Skokahn stopped in his tracks and stared in shock. Matt's outfit had changed. He now wore a white uniform with a black v-neck, and a black belt with gold lettering tied around his waste.

"This fight's not over yet Skokahn," Matt said as he dropped into a fighting stance and aimed the end of the sword at him.

Skokahn charged forward raising his sword and shouting: "You'll never win this day!"

The sword in Matt's hands began to glow again, and Matt leaped into the air fly towards Skokahn at high speed, slashed at Skokahn's sword, then landed in front of him. As they stood their, half of the blade to Skokahn's sword felt to the grown with a clang.

As Skokahn stare at his broken sword in shock, Matt back kicked him in the gut and sent him flying backwards. He stood twenty feet away stunned. Matt raised the sword over his head and taking careful aim launched it at the evil warlord.

Skokahn gasped and looked down at the sword sticking out of his chest. He looked at Matt and croaked: "This isn't possible." Then he fell backwards and exploded. The sword flew back and Matt caught it. Then he said, "Game over loser."

Before anyone could move though, an flash of light appeared, and a glowing figure stepped forward. He wore a white cloak and an empty sword sheath hung at his belt. As he walked forward Matt knew who he was and walked towards him.

"I am the guardian of the gateway," he said, his skin was a light blue color and his brown eyes looked softly at Matt as he stood in from of him, "You must be Matt. I had heard you were 'The One' foretold to come forth and defeat Skokahn."

Matt remained silent and stretched out his hands to offer the hooded figure the sword. The guardian took it and smiled down at the weapon. "Ah my trusty sword at last it has been returned to me. I thank you for freeing me and returning my weapon. And as fate holds it, I shall grant you one wish for what ever your heart desires."

Matt stood their for a second unsure, he turned and stared at Leo and the others as they stood watching behind him. Then Matt turned and looked back at the guardian still uncertain. "Anything?" he asked.

"Yes."

Suddenly Jara's words came back to him, and Matt smiled. Then he said: "Then grant me this wish, undo what has been done to this world. Undo the destruction, and give these people back their lives, give them back their loved ones and those that were to come."

The guardian smiled, "Your request is made without selfishness or greed. It proves your heart is good, and that you put others before yourself. Because of this, I grant your wish." With those words several things happened at once.

With a flash Jara appeared next to Maya and the others holding the Galaxy Book in his hands.

"Jara," Maya cried hugging him.

"Maya, it's good to see you again," he said smiling.

Suddenly Karone gasped.

Leo turned and looked at her, and his eyes widened in surprise as she stood there with her stomach swollen to twice it's normal size. "Leo ," she said with joy in her voice, "The baby."

Leo smiled and kissed her as he place his hand on her stomach. Then he turned and looked at Matt with a smile and nodded his thanks.

Matt grinned and nodded back.

Suddenly there was another flash and the street returned to normal, the craters were gone, and the guardian had vanished. The people e started walking around like everything was normal.

"Wow," Damon said, "That's a neat trick."

Matt walked up to the group and grinned. "Looks like every things been returned to normal," he said.

"Thank you Matt," Leo said giving him a hug, "For giving us back our baby."

"No problem cuz," Matt said.

Before he say anymore though, Karone suddenly cried out. "What's wrong Karone," Leo said taking her hand.

"I think it's time," Karone said in amazement.