Kira, Trent, Conner, and Ethan were heading out to the school parking lot, when Wes came driving over to them on his motorcycle. He hopped off and took off his helmet. "Hey guys, how was class today?"
"Good. Except for Dr. O's test," said Conner.
"It wasn't that bad, if you'd study you know that," commented Ethan.
"Hey, I study!" Everyone just gave him the look. "Well, sometimes I study." Everyone was still looking at him. "Okay. Okay, I'll start studying more."
"So, Wes, what are you doing here?" asked Kira.
"Well actually, I came here to see you. I need your help with something."
"Really? What kind of help?" she asked.
Wes looked at the guys, wondering if he could trust them with this. "Well, okay, the rest of you guys can stay, but I need you to promise me you won't tell anyone."
"Your secret is safe with me, Wes," said Trent.
"Same here," said Conner.
"You can count on me, Wes," said Ethan.
"Good. I knew I could count on you guys." Wes turned to Kira. "Well, I need your advice in picking out a ring for Jen. I would ask Hayley, but I kind of wanted your input in this."
"Really?" asked Kira, feeling somewhat honored that Wes would actually be interested in her input.
"Woh. Woh, wait a minute, ring? You're going to pop the question to Jen?" asked Conner, getting a bright smile on his face. "Alright Wes!"
Kira's face suddenly changed to a look of shock and uncertainty. It wasn't that she didn't want them to get engaged, she would love for Wes and Jen to be able to get married, but… "An engagement ring?" asked Kira.
"Yeah. That's not a problem, is it?" asked Wes, getting a little worried. He really wanted Kira's help in this, not that Hayley would give bad advice, but he truly thought that Kira would be the better choice.
"Ah well-" Kira couldn't finish her sentence because Conner had jumped in and covered her mouth.
"I think what Kira is trying to say is she would love to help you pick out an engagement ring for Jen." He turned to Kira. "Right, Kira?" asked Conner as he released his hand from her mouth.
"Yeah, sure, no problem," she answered softly.
"Great! I'll pick you up later," said Wes joyfully as he got back on his bike and drove off, like a love struck school boy.
"Thanks a lot, Conner," yelled Kira as she shoved him.
"What! The dude is in love! And Jen's a babe, the two are perfect for each other."
"That's not the point. Jen's from the future, she'll have to go back," pointed out Kira, knowing that in this case things weren't that simple; there were complications.
"Come on Kira, the two deserve to be together and you know it," urged Conner, anyone would have to be blind not to see that Wes and Jen belonged together.
"It doesn't matter what I think or feel. The point is, it's not going to work." Kira sighed heavily. "And I don't want to be part of something that will only get both their hearts broken."
"I don't believe this." Conner turned to the guys. "Guys?"
"Sorry, Conner, but I have to side with Kira on this one. The chances of Jen actually being able to stay here are very low," said Ethan, as much as he hated it. He knew it to be true.
Conner couldn't believe this. Didn't they understand that Jen and Wes were madly in love? He looked to Trent. "Trent, don't tell me you agree with them?"
"Sorry man, but they both have a point." He patted Conner on the shoulder. "As much as I hate it, it's just not possible. And Alex has made that clear numerous times."
"I don't believe this. They belong together. You all can see that."
"That may be, but… sometimes it doesn't always work out that way," said Kira softly. "No matter how much we want them to end up together or how much they love each other."
Conner just shook his head and crossed his arms against his chest. "Yeah, we'll just see about that, you'll see," announced Conner. "Jen and Wes will be together."
They all knew Conner's heart was in the right place, and he meant well in what he said. But it was only wishful thinking, and in this kind of situation, it could only lead to disappointment and heartbreak.
Wes wrapped his arms around Jen. "Hey, don't make any plans for tomorrow, okay," said Wes as he gently kissed her on the cheek. Ever since his nightmares had stopped he felt like a new man; everything in his life was perfect. He was free of Hexasaur, had great friends, a loving father, and the girl of his dreams; life couldn't get better than this.
"And why is that?" She turned in his arms to return his kiss with one of her own.
"It's a surprise."
"A surprise? Wes, you know how I feel about surprises."
"Trust me, you'll like this surprise." He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
From a distance both Eric and Alex watched, Alex disapproving, and Eric silently watching, but both feared for the worst. Both knew that their happiness might not last for long. The end was drawing near, all that remained was Janixsaur, and as of lately he had been pretty quiet. Then there was Zeltrax, who hadn't showed his face in some time now.
Soon it would be time for Alex and Jen to return back home, leaving all this behind.
The next day Wes had taken Jen to the park. Unknown to both of them Alex had followed them, keeping his distance. He watched as the two lay on the blanket with a basket of food near them, enjoying the nice sunny day together, laughing and throwing flirty smiles to each other.
"Jen, what you doing?" he asked himself silently. It wasn't that he was jealous, he just knew the longer the two spent together the harder it would be. And he wasn't the only one that knew this. He knew the others knew what he feared, even those who would choose to believe there was a way.
Alex watched silently as Wes pulled something out of his pocket, a ring. He watched as Jen's eyes lit up and she threw her arms around him. Alex just shook his head; things had just gotten worse, although he knew it would only be a matter of time until Wes would ask her to marry him. They had loved each other for three years, why wouldn't he?
"There are ways, you know." Alex didn't have to turn around to know who it was. There was only one person he knew who would say such a thing, one who did know, knew the ways and loopholes.
"Illegal ways," Alex reminded him, turning around, not being able to watch Jen and Wes' glorious moments. "Don't get any ideas with them; she has to go back."
"They're in love. I know you can see it, and I know if it were up to you she'd stay."
"But it's not up to me. Even if I let her stay, Time Force would only come back for her. And it doesn't matter how much they love each other. It will never be enough," stated Alex, knowing very well it was going to take more than love for Jen and Wes to ever have a real life together.
'You are the Commanding Officer here, are you not?" questioned Landon.
"Yes I am, but that doesn't give me the power to let Jen remain here. Too much would be at risk, by pulling her out of her native time. I can't take that chance." And he couldn't, no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't. It was wrong, selfish and dangerous.
"So you're just going to pull her away from the man she loves more than anything?"
Alex got right into Landon's face. "I seem to remember you having no problems pulling away from your motherless children. You abandoned your family, and for what? A woman you could never have!"
"And you're asking me to do the same thing to another family."
He was caught off guard. He was asking, no basically telling, ordering Landon to do the same thing to his new family, his family. And for the life of him, he couldn't figure out something to say, or any kind of comeback. Was he right or wrong? He didn't know. Either way someone will be abandoned. Alex took a deep breath, trying to gain back some of his composure. "Well, you should have thought about that before getting some girl pregnant!"
"Perhaps you're right. I was wrong, and selfish, and only thinking of myself at the time. But I promise you, a day hasn't gone by that I haven't thought of them, wondered what they look like, how they turned out." Landon sighed. At that moment he carried the weight of the world on him; his wife and son had no idea about his past, his other life, the two children he had to leave behind. "I had to give them up, make a sacrifice and that was the hardest thing I ever had to do, to live without them." Landon looked deeply into Alex's eyes. "Perhaps one day, you'll understand what giving up your dream is all about."
Alex watched as Landon walked away, carrying his past regrets with him. He turned and looked back over in Jen and Wes's direction. So in love, blinded, and not a care in the world. They didn't know what they were getting into, Alex thought. Or perhaps they did, and were choosing a life with no regrets, even if in the end it all came crashing down, and they would once again have to face reality.
Zeltrax walked below the monstrous mountain rocks, where a year before he had fallen to his doom. Although now his memories were corrupted and changed; he was no longer the man he once was. He was no longer a man. He had become a freakish black monster, feared by all.
He was losing strength and power; he put all of his weight on his sword, keeping himself from falling. It wouldn't be long now. He could feel himself giving way, his life slipping right through his fingers. But how long did he have: a few hours, a few days? He didn't know.
He just wished he could remember her. Who was she? Why did she mean so much to him? All he saw were quick flashes of her, but not enough to remember anything by, nothing.
The sword gave way and Zeltrax collapsed to the ground. "No. I won't let it end like this." He slowly pushed himself up, leaning against the rock. "I will have my revenge, even if I go down with him. I will see to it that Tommy dies!"
Jen lay in Wes's arms under the covers of their bed. They had spent the whole day together, and were planning and hoping to spend much more.
Only a few hours ago Wes had called his father to tell him the good news. His father had been happy of course, but unknown to Wes, his father was very concerned, but hid it well. He had told Wes he was very happy for the two of them, and would make arrangements for them to be married as soon as this mission was over and Wes could bring Jen back home with him.
"I can't believe it, once this whole thing is over, we'll be married,' said Jen. It was everything she ever wanted. She wanted this more than anything in the world, to be with him, to be his for all time, to fall asleep in his arms every night.
"You better believe it." Wes brushed his lips against hers. He then looked into her eyes, smiling. "I love you, Jen."
"I love you, too." She kissed him back and then rested her head near his. Within moments the two were fast asleep, dreaming sweet dreams of when they would be married and starting a family together.
The battle was fierce and hard. Janixsaur was coming at them all with such power, it was as if something darker had possessed him, like his mind was no longer his own. He sent his army of Tyrannodrones at the rangers, throwing in fire blaster balls at the rangers, sending them all to their knees.
"Hold it together, rangers," announced Alex, jumping to his feet. He went charging at three Tyrannodrones, taking them out with the swinging of his sword. He wouldn't give up, he would never give up, he would fight till the end, until he had no more strength left to fight with.
"Easy for him to say," mumbled Conner, as he and his team pushed themselves to their feet. The four were now back to back, surrounded by several Tyranadrones snarling and slashing out at them.
Conner and his team quickly dropped to the ground, just barely missing being grazed by the blaster firepower. "DUCK!" yelled Eric, as he used his Quantum Defender, blasting at the Tyrannodrones, who were surrounding Conner and the others.
"Cutting it a little close, aren't you Eric," said Hayley through the communication device on the morpher.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Eric hurried over to Conner and the others, as they jumped to their feet. "Let's say we take things up a notch."
"Sounds good to me," said Trent, pulling his sword out from its harness. The others soon followed, getting their weapons locked and ready.
"Alright, on my command." Eric locked onto the charging Tyrannodrones, heading right towards them. "Now!" Their power blasters combined, they headed towards the charging army, taking them out in an explosive encounter.
Tommy, Wes and Jen were fighting against Janixsaur, all doing their best to dodge the fireballs and the every so often attack by Tyrannodrones.
Wes blocked one of Janixsaur's attacks with his sword, sparks flew and fireballs exploded everywhere, smoke was everywhere. It was starting to get difficult to see and at times even breathe.
"Give up rangers, you cannot defeat us," hissed Janixsaur.
"Us?" Wes turned to Jen and Tommy. "What's he talking about?"
Janixsaur then began to laugh darkly, eyes glowing brightly. "Here, maybe this will refresh your memory." There was a bright flash of light, blinding all of them. Once the light cleared, Janixsaur faced them, or was it Janixsaur? Something was different, something had changed.
Tommy took a few steps forward, he couldn't believe it. "I don't believe it, it's not possible!"
"Mesogog?" announced Wes, fearful for what was to come.
"Yes, it is I. Janixsaur proved to be an unworthy opponent, weak minded." Mesogog glared at all of them, it was as if he could see right through their visors, see their fear. "Now it is time for all of you to die." Messagog turned to Wes. "And you're the first to go!" Before anyone could react, say or do anything, Mesogog moved quicker then light, his power stronger now, thanks to the strength that Janixsaur had once held.
"WES!" cried Jen, frozen with fear.
Alex heard Jen's cries; he quickly turned around, but was powerless to stop the vicious attack. He watched as Mesogog slashed and bashed Wes like he was nothing. He heard Wes's pleading cries, it tore through his heart.
"No," Tommy shook his head. "I can't let this happen." Raging with anger, Tommy charged at Mesogog, shoving him away from Wes. "Leave him alone, you bastard, your fight is with me."
Wes dropped to the ground, force demorphing. Jen rushed to his aid. "Wes," She quickly powered down. "Wes," she called again.
"Ahh," Wes opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, seeing the deep concern. "And I thought Ransik could whack a punch," he laughed.
Mesogog's eyes burned with anger. He looked from Wes and then back to Tommy and smirked. "You're right, my fight is with you, always has been. Prepare to die, Thomas Oliver!"
From the corner of Tommy's eye he saw Conner and the others heading towards him. "Stop, this is my battle!"
"But Dr. O-" started Kira.
"Stay put, that's an order!" yelled Tommy.
Kira felt as Trent placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Conner and Ethan joined the two, unable to do anything, feeling helpless and powerless.
The final battle was nearing…….