Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. Only Brandon Chase and Danielle Collins

Alrighty friends, here is the next chapter. I hope you are ready for some answers because this chapter has a few. Like who killed Zhane and Karone and why Brandon couldn't stop it? And the future of the Brandon/Syd relationship? Anyway, this chapter has some angst and some action and a lot of dialogue…have fun, the action is coming next!

As a side note, I've been nominated at Pink-Green-White-4ever and BloomingViolets' The Syd and Sky Awards for a bunch of categories. If you have a minute, check out the site and vote for me! The link in on my profile. Good luck to everyone nominated!

Chapter 4

The Fight Not for Glory but for Revenge

Brandon's throat hitched as he stared into the deep brown eyes of the man who prompted more fear in him than any war ever could. But it was a different fear, a fear that was heavy with guilt. Forcing the knot in his throat down, Brandon found his voice.

"Hey, Uncle Andros."

The red Astro ranger, known as Andros Keller on Earth, reached out, drawing his nephew into a fierce hug. Brandon wrapped his arms around his uncle, his shoulders tense with emotion. Andros stepped back, ushering Brandon into the house.

"Ashley, look who came to visit!"

The former yellow Astro ranger poked her head into the living room. Emerging from the kitchen, her features still as radiant as ever, Ashley Keller smiled at the young man, her arms outstretched.

"Brandon! I didn't know you were back."

Brandon nodded, dipping his head shyly at his aunt, "Uh, yeah. Just got back a few days ago."

"Brandon! Brandon!"

Brandon laughed as the whirlwind of red that was his seven year-old cousin Wyatt burst into the room, wrapping his body around his older cousin's legs. Brandon disengaged the young boy, flipping him over to playfully tickle him. Setting him down, Brandon glanced at his aunt and uncle.

Andros looked Brandon up and down, shaking his head with obvious pride as he led his nephew and wife to the sitting area, "So, you seen Ryder yet?" Andros asked, referring to his sixteen year-old son in his third year at the academy.

Brandon sank down into cushions of the couch, "Uh, no, I haven't seen him. He's on C-Squad?"

Ashley shook her head, "Not yet. D-Squad, but Andros thinks he'll be promoted within the next year."

Andros leaned back, "Look at you, all official in that uniform. What do they have you as? Sergeant? Captain?"

Brandon glanced down at his hands, "Lieutenant, actually."

Andros grinned, "And the silver ranger to boot? Your father must be proud. How are Zhane and Karone, anyway?"

Brandon swallowed, leaning forward on the couch. He was silent for a moment, his features tensed, struggling to control his emotions. Brandon stared hard at the carpet for a moment before he raised his gaze to fix on his uncle's, "That's what I'm here to talk to you guys about…" Briefly, his eyes flashed to Wyatt, situated on Andros' lap. The red ranger studied the intense light to his nephew's eyes before exchanging a glance with his wife. Andros nudged his son on his lap.

"Uh, Wyatt, why don't you go upstairs and play while your mom and I have a grown-up talk with your cousin?"

Unaware, Wyatt nodded, giving Brandon a big hug before scurrying to his room. Andros turned a worried gaze to his nephew.

"Brandon, what is it?"

Brandon exhaled heavily, his head drooping down to stare at his boots. His hands clasped tightly together, the silver ranger shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Finally, he raised his eyes, the shine of deep agony veiled within the light depths.

"They're dead."

Andros recoiled as if struck, reaching out a hand. Ashley let out a strangled sob, clasping her husband as his face blanched. His face a mask of anguish, Andros closed his eyes, speaking through a clenched jaw.

"What happened?"

Unwillingly, the tears began to pool at the rims of Brandon's pale eyes, and his shoulders shook with the potent agony he kept buried beneath his composure. Forcing the tears down, Brandon allowed his eyes to drift up, meeting Andros' stare directly and unwaveringly.

"It was my fault, Uncle Andros." Brandon's features had taken on an appearance of helpless desperation.

"I couldn't save them. I should have saved them."

Andros' brow furrowed with concern, "Tell us what happened, Brandon."

Brandon allowed his eyes to drift shut as the horrid memories crashed into his conscious mind from the profound void he had forced himself to bury them down to.

Brandon whirled, firing off a rapid succession of shots. Backflipping onto a rock, he kicked out, knocking a Krybot to the ground. His boot at the robot's neck, Brandon aimed his blaster at the emotionless helmet, rendering the minion into a burnt mound of twisted wires.

With a flying cartwheel, avoiding a blaze of fire from the Troobians, Brandon landed on a knee beside his father, retaliating with a hail of his own discharge. The pair straightened as Karone flipped to their side, her blaster raised at the ready. Zhane glanced at his son through his grime-stained blonde hair.

"We're getting outnumbered here, Brandon. You might want to morph."

Brandon glanced back at his parents, "You guys gonna be okay?"

Karone triggered a volley of lasers, keeping the charging Troobians back, "Yeah, son. But hurry."

Brandon whipped his morpher from his belt, raising the device, "Ready."

Rotating his arms in a circle, Brandon crossed his hands at the wrists before thrusting the morpher out before him, pressing the buttons on either side of the rectangular gadget.

"SPD, EMERGENCY!"

Drawing his baton, Brandon rushed back into the action. A pair of cold, expressionless eyes stared at him from across the battlefield. In the center of the melee, Brandon met Domitrius with a flying kick. The alien ducked, allowing the silver ranger to whiz overhead. Rolling to his feet, Brandon caught Domitruis' slash on the blade of his baton. Raising his hands, he warded off another strike from his opposite side, and whipping his weapon around, Brandon thrashed out, slicing Domitrius around the midsection. Falstaff's second-in-command grunted, staggering back.

The battle continued around them as the two warriors matched each other blow for blow. Brandon whipped his baton forward, sending an energy orb whistling in Domitrius' direction. In the exact instant, Falstaff's commander released his own wave. The two discharged energies collided, sending their sources plunging backwards. Breathing heavily, Domitrius reared back, tossing a sphere into the air, and Brandon groaned as the legions of Krybots rained down on his head.

The silver ranger gasped for breath as he rolled backward from the blow of a Troobian. Hefting himself to his feet, Brandon slashed out wildly, each strike shrouded with desperation. Wave after wave of Krybots bore down onto him, and it took every single maneuver and all of his wits to keep them at bay. Brandon skidded backward as a familiar wicked and malevolent cackle permeated his hearing. His energy sapped, Brandon lifted a dazed head to find his parents in the vice grip of Domitrius. The commander sneered, taunting the silver ranger.

"Interesting, Lieutenant. We seem to have a conflict of interest, shall we say?"

Panic seizing his senses, Brandon scrambled up. Charging blindly through the mess of Krybots impeding his path, Brandon batted the robots away. Domitrius cackled his eyes sparking maliciously. With a sweep of his sword, the alien sent a wave of energy crashing into the silver ranger. Brandon plummeted backwards, slumping to the ground, forcibly demorphed. His vision cloudy and rapidly losing consciousness, Brandon attempted to haul his head up.

"No…"

His features twisted into a triumphant leer, Domitrius crowed with glee, "Well, silver ranger, how is a hero able to fight when those who are dearest are ripped from his life?"

Brandon fought to focus his eyes on his parents as they struggled against Domitrius' tight hold. The noise of the calamity surrounding him faded, his senses soley focused on his parents, fighting against the alien. Desperation crept into his heart, as he dragged himself forward with the last vestiges of energy. His breath coming in rought gasps, Brandon screamed a curse to Falstaff's commander. With a final feeble attempt to lug himself to his feet, Brandon slumped to the ground as the darkness enveloped his weary body.

Brandon's shoulders shook with the violent rush of guilt, torture, and sorrow that wracked his body. Reluctantly, his poised veneer crumbled as the tears streamed down his cheeks and his hands curled around the unkempt strands of his hair.

"When I woke up, I was in the infirmary. I asked an attendant about my parents. He shook his head and gave me Mom's locket."

Brandon sobbed uncontrollably, the emotion he had burrowed deep within the depths of his damaged psyche furrowing to the surface.

"It was all my fault. I failed them…"

Andros rose from his position across from his nephew to clutch at Brandon's shoulders.

"No, Brandon. There was nothing you could have done. You fought your hardest. Your father would have been proud of you."

Brandon shook his head stubbornly, "If I had gotten there…"

Ashley joined her husband at his side, "You would have gotten killed…"

Brandon drew in a deep and shuddering breath, "I wasn't able to save them, but I will avenge their deaths. Domitrius will pay."

Andros gazed up into the determined spheres of his nephew's eyes, "Brandon, you do what you believe is right, but I want you to remember something. You have every right to avenge your parents' deaths but do it in a way you know they would have."

Brandon nodded, "I understand, Uncle Andros, and I will." Rising, Brandon brushed away his tears, regaining his composure.

"I should get going. I have some things to take care of back at the academy."

Andros nodded, drawing Brandon into an embrace. Ashley followed, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Take care of yourself, Brandon."

The silver ranger nodded, absently rubbing his hair, "I will."

Andros clapped a hand on his shoulder, "You keep on fighting, Brandon. Keep us all safe."

A sad smile crossing his face, Brandon nodded, heading out the door, "I'm not going what happened to Narovia happen to Earth."

Andros and Ashley watched as Brandon sped off on his bike. Ashley leaned her head against her husband's shoulder, sighing heavily. The former Astro ranger rubbed his wife's back soothingly.

"He's going to be okay, Ash. Don't worry."

His wife smiled, "I know he will. He just needs time."

xxx

Brandon sat atop the dog's head on the SPD academy roof. Unzipping his jacket, he placed the garment beside him and unzipping the collar of the turtleneck so the ends flapped down, leaving his neck exposed. Idly, he played with the coil around his wrist as the recollections of the conversation he had with his uncle resonated in his mind.

The ever-so familiar scent of lilacs assaulted his sense of smell, and Brandon turned to find Sydney making her way to him. Tentatively, the pink ranger settled down beside him. Brandon smiled, glancing sideways at the girl who had stolen his heart so long ago.

"Hey, you."

Brandon grinned, shaking his head ruefully, "After all these years, I'm amazed at the effect you have on me, Syd."

Sydney blushed slightly, "Huh. I could say the same to you. Do you have any idea how I felt when Sky revealed it was you stealing from SPD?"

Brandon chuckled, "Yeah…I must have shocked you guys a bit."

"A bit?" Syd shrugged, "Something like that."

Brandon leaned in, gently brushing a kiss to Sydney's lips. Surprised at first, she responded, her lips tentatively seeking his. But something was missing. Sighing, he pulled away, knowing where their relationship stood.

Sydney closed her eyes, savoring the taste of his lips, but in her heart, she felt an overwhelming feeling of guilt. All those years, she had pined after him, wondering where he was. But now that he was here, she failed to feel the electricity that encompassed her entire body whenever they touched.

"Syd, I'm sorry."

The pink ranger cocked her head, shaken from her thoughts "You know three years have passed, Brandon. There's a lot you have to feel sorry for. Care to elaborate?"

Brandon scoffed softly, shaking his head, "For leaving you and Sky without an explanation, I guess."

Sydney nodded in reluctant acceptance, "As much as I hate that it happened, I really do get it. It's not that I was mad, just worried."

Brandon hefted a heavy sigh, "I know…and it sucks it had to happen that way." He rotated, facing Sydney.

"Look, Syd, all these years, I've never stopped loving you." Brandon let out a rueful laugh, "And I don't think I'll ever stop. But…"

Sydney placed a hand over his, squeezing gently, "Brandon, I know." She shook her head sadly, "We've changed."

Syd studied her one-time love as he sighed. She knew her assumption was correct: they had changed. Both of them had. She was no longer the naïve, innocent cadet she once was, and he was no longer the carefree teenager he once was. Being rangers and the war with Gruumm had hardened them both. As Syd leaned her head against the broad chest that had always brought her comfort, she spotted a tough, almost cynical sheen to his beautiful eyes that wasn't there three years ago. Brandon had seen such atrocities, and Syd knew their conception of normal and of love had changed with the times.

Brandon raised mournful eyes, "Syd, do you remember what I told you when I gave you that necklace? Love and friendship are endless." Scooting closer, he cupped her cheek.

"I will always be here for you as a friend, and I'll always love you as a friend. But you need someone who will love you as more."

Unwillingly, the tears spilled down her cheeks as the burden of a turmoiled heart pulled in two directions settled. Brandon wiped them away with the pad of his thumb.

"Do me a favor, Syd."

The pink ranger allowed her gaze to lift, "Of course."

Brandon winked, bringing his forehead to rest on hers, "Don't keep him waiting too long, huh?"

Syd's brow furrowed in confusion, "Brandon, what are you talking about?"

The silver ranger chuckled, "I swear, three years hasn't changed a thing between you two…Think about it, babe. Who has been there for you even more so than I have?"

Sydney frowned, contemplating the answer, "Well, that's easy. Sky, but he coul…" Syd trailed off as realization dawned on her.

"Oh…"

Brandon laughed, "Yeah, oh." Drawing her into a hug, Brandon pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, "No one can take of you better than Sky can, and he will. You two work, you've worked longer than you and I have. I can't think of anyone better than my best friend."

Syd buried her face in his chest, "I can't believe I haven't seen it before…"

Brandon grinned, "Well, you two are maybe the most emotionally perceptive people I know, except to each other…I'm not surprised. Besides, I left things between you and me unresolved. It's not like you were actively searching for Sky."

Syd glanced apprehensively up into his eyes, "So you'd be okay with us?"

A corner of Brandon's mouth quirked upward, "To be honest, I'm amazed you held onto me for so long. You deserve to be happy, Syd. And even if it's not with me, I just hope you find someone."

Syd nudged her companion, "And what about you?"

Brandon grinned, "I had the fortune to bump into you all those years ago. Maybe I'll have the same luck with someone else."

Syd giggled, "So we're okay?"

Brandon laughed, hugging her tightly, "Syd, you'll always be my best friend. Just because we're not dating won't change that."

The pink ranger shoved him playfully, "No, but a three-year respite might."

Brandon smirked, "Touché…"

Wiping away the last remnants of tears, Syd stood, "C'mon, we should be heading back. I have a class to teach in an hour."

Brandon nodded, slipping his arms into his uniform jacket. He frowned, watching Sydney head towards the roof exit, "Where are you going?"

A confused air to her attractive features, Sydney hitched a thumb to the door, "Uh, the stairs?"

Brandon smirked, shaking his head. Holding out his hand, he waggled his eyebrows, "Haven't you forgotten my total disregard for rules?"

Sydney laughed, taking his hand, "What are we doing?"

Brandon grinned, "Just don't blink…"

In a flash, the two disappeared from the rooftop to land in the lobby of headquarters. Syd steadied herself from the unexpected rush, and Brandon winked.

"Ah, the beauty of teleportation."

Sydney shook her head, "Yeah, that wasn't against regulations…"

xxx

Jack grunted, setting the bar back on the rack. Sitting up, he toweled himself off, noting the emptiness of the weight area. As he drank deeply from a bottle of water, Jack thought to the whereabouts of the rest of his team. Sydney was teaching a battle tactics and formation class while Sky was in the simulators with D-Squad.

Jack frowned as he pondered about the newest arrival to the ranger arsenal. Brandon had left early in the morning, claiming he had business in Angel Grove to take care of. The red ranger couldn't help but feel an edge of suspicion to the obviously revered lieutenant. Listening to academy gossip, Brandon was mentioned constantly, most of the time in a respected light. But Jack still couldn't shake his feeling of apprehension to the silver ranger. No one couldn't simply command admiration the way that Brandon did. The man already had Sydney, Sky and Bridge in deep reverence and even Z had taken a liking to their new addition. Speaking of Z…where was she?

Almost on cue, the yellow ranger burst into the training room, Bridge in tow, conversing loudly. Upon spotting their leader, Z rushed up to him, her face alight with excitement.

"Whoa, where's the fire?"

Z grinned, "Well, Bridge and I were at the shooting range getting some practice in. And you know that problem I was having shooting a laterally moving target?"

Jack nodded, "Yeah, We've been trying for weeks to figure out what you're doing wrong."

Z waved away the comment in her eagerness, "Anyway, so in walks Brandon, and Bridge calls him over to see if he can help us out."

Jack shook his head, waiting for her to continue, "And…"

Z hushed him with a reproving look, "So Brandon watches for like two seconds, and he figures it out! Turns out, I'm holding my blaster too high, so when I move it over as my target moves, I end up moving over my eye sight. By lowering my blaster but tilting the angle up, I can see my target better and aiming is easier." Z glancing at Bridge.

"I can't believe it took us that long to figure it out."

The green ranger shrugged, "Well, it makes sense, because it is kind of hard to fire when something is blocking your vision. Believe me, I've tried."

Jack stared at the psychic before shaking his head, "Oh, come on, Z, I could have told you that…"

Z cocked an eyebrow, "Jack, you and I have been working for the past three weeks trying to fix this problem. So basically, you've been holding back on me?"

Jack shook his head, "How do you know he even knows what he's talking about?"

"Are you kidding, you should see the records he holds! They're better than Dru's!"

Jack waved away her comment with a dismissive hand, "Whatever, Z. All I know is something is off about Brandon. He's way too good to be true."

Z crossed her arms, staring down her longtime friend, "Maybe he is true, Jack. Or maybe you're jealous that he has something you're still working for?"

Jack scoffed, "Really, and what is that?"

Z smirked, "Respect."

As they left, Jack stared at the entrance long after they had gone. Was that it? Was he jealous of Brandon? Jack pushed away the thought. No, that wasn't it. So what if Brandon was a ranked officer? So what if he was considered legendary at the academy? So what if he had Sky's unparalleled respect? He, Jack Landors, was the red ranger, not Brandon, and Brandon had to follow his orders when they were in battle. He wasn't jealous…

xxx

Sky glanced through the Plexiglas window, observing the two cadets in the simulator. Twisting a knob, he created another obstacle as the test of their teamwork continued. Standing side by side, the two young men whirled, firing with accuracy and precision that was yet to reach its full potential.

As the smoke cleared with the conclusion of the exercise, Sky nodded to the two cadets, "Good job. But can someone tell me what was Cadets Langdon and Davenport's biggest mistake?"

From the doorway, a deep voice cut through the class, "You can't shoot what you can't see."

Sky grinned as Brandon's lofty form appeared in the classroom, "Atten-hut!"

In unison, the D-Squad cadets snapped into salutes. Brandon shook his head, "That is going to take some getting used to…" Nodding to the young students in formation, Brandon smiled. His steady gaze swept over the eager, young faces, coming to rest on the familiar dark hair and serious eyes of his younger cousin. Ryder puffed up with pride as the revered lieutenant gave his cousin a conspiratorial smile.

"At ease."

Sky clapped a hand on his best friend's back, "D-Squad cadets, I'm sure you've heard about this man through the rampant gossip that runs through the academy. And even if you haven't, I'm positive you've seen his name splayed across many an award wall. This man right here is a living legend.

Brandon chuckled sheepishly, "I wouldn't say legend. The stuff I've done here has kind of been obscured into myth and fables."

Sky grinned, "Either way, they know who you are. D-Squad, Lieutenant Brandon Chase. Brandon, D-Squad." As the whispers crashed through the cadets, Sky chuckled inwardly before he snapped back to business.

"What Lieutenant Chase said is correct." Sky turned to the silver ranger, "Brandon, why don't you explain to them?"

Brandon shrugged, "Sure, why not?" Motioning with a wave of his hand, Brandon led the cadets over to a monitor. Fast forwarding the tape of the simulation, Brandon paused at the instant where the cadets were side by side. He glanced back at the gathered D-squad

"One thing you must always remember when fighting with a partner is that you must always know where you both are and make sure you cover the blind side of your partner." Brandon gestured to the pair on the monitor.

"Here, they are right next to each other. Sure, that's a good position with targets straight ahead, but that leaves a spot directly behind that if an attacker were to come from, neither would be able to see. One's peripheral vision extends from here to here, and his partner's from here to here." Brandon drew a diagram emphasizing his point.

"But you notice where the range overlaps?"

Brandon placed two cadets back to back, "Here is the best position when fighting with a partner. That way, one person compensates for the other's lack of vision. All areas are covered." Brandon glanced out at the cadets gathered.

"The most important thing you all must learn is to rely on each other. You are all placed together for a reason. Where one cadet is weak, another is strong. Each of you is able to balance and recompense for the lack of something another has." Brandon's eyes swept over each of the cadets in turn.

"Keep in mind that sometimes all you have is each other."

xxx

Sky shook his head as they walked out of the simulator, "Sometimes it's hard to believe we were like that once."

Brandon grinned, "What, young, naïve, innocent?"

Sky chuckled, "More like hopeless when it comes to aiming…"

Brandon rolled his eyes, "Oh, spare me, Sky. You're still hopeless."

Sky lashed out, playfully shoving the silver ranger. Stumbling slightly, Brandon brushed up against someone. Turning quickly, he steadied the tall girl, "Oh, sorry."

As she brushed a wave of brown hair from her eyes, Brandon halted as he gazed into a pair of startlingly familiar blue eyes. Sky grinned.

"Geez, munchkin, I thought you were the graceful one of the family."

The girl cocked an eyebrow, sending a smirk to the blue ranger, "Oh, shove it, Schuyler. You're the one whose been knocked on his ass countless times by yours truly."

Brandon's curious stare shifted between his best friend and the beautiful girl he had accidentally bumped. Something was familiar about this girl, and as the impish smirk splayed on the attractive visage registered in his mind, Brandon did a quick double-take.

"Wait, Dani?"

The girl glanced up, an expression of surprise tainting her delicate features, "Well, well, Brandon Chase. Looks like you've climbed out of obscurity to grace the academy with your hallowed presence again."

Brandon grinned at her teasing sarcasm, "Yeah, it's you alright." He shook his head, looking Sky's little sister up and down.

"Wow, you've grown up…"

Danielle Alexandria Collins, known as Danielle Tate to her fellow cadets, rolled her eyes in lighthearted exasperation, "Well, I wasn't going to stay fifteen for the rest of my life, Brand."

Brandon laughed, "Apparently that tongue of yours didn't agree. You still have that." Smiling, he took in the tall, leggy brunette, the insolent grin still plastered across her face. In the three years of his absence, Sky's little sister had transformed from the gangly, awkward fifteen year-old he last saw her as to the gorgeous eighteen year-old in front of him. Sky glanced between his best friend and his little sister, on eyebrow raised in amusement. Quickly, he nudged his best friend.

"Uh, Brandon, not to interrupt this moment or anything, but some of us actually do have limited time to eat…"

Brandon shook himself from his thoughts, turning to Sky, "Right, food is good." Returning his attention back to Danielle, Brandon gave her a friendly hug.

"I'll see you around, Dani."

The younger Collins sauntered off, throwing a friendly smile to the pair, "Bye, Brandon." Smacking Sky lightly on the arm, Danielle smirked.

"Try to stay on your feet the next time we spar, big bro."

Muttering to himself about insufferable siblings, Sky glared at the retreating torso of his younger sister. Walking down towards the academy mess, his eyes flicked over to the silver ranger. Brandon's gaze had rotated back over his shoulder, watching Danielle depart, a mysterious light to his contemplative expression.

Sky glanced sideways at the silver ranger, "Okay, can I just say you having the hots for my little sister is a little strange?"

Brandon frowned, whipping his stare to his blue counterpart, "I don't have the hots for Dani…"

Sky scoffed, inwardly laughing at Brandon's quick denial, "And I've never snuck out past curfew."

Brandon shook his head, refuting the claim with a firm objection, "I don't, Sky."

The blue ranger grinned, "Yeah, okay, buddy. You think what you want. But don't think I didn't see you checking her out. Three years and I can still read you like a book."

Brandon halted, a smirk tilting a corner of his mouth, "Really? Well, it goes both ways, friend. So when are you finally going to ask Syd out?"

Sky jerked, his attention yanked to his best friend, "What?"

"You heard me," Brandon accused, an adamant finger poking into the blue material encasing Sky's chest, "Sky, we didn't break up so some nameless sap would steal her away from you."

"Wait, you broke up?" Sky turned incredulous eyes to the silver ranger

Brandon groaned, cradling his head in one hand, "Figures, I basically shove you her way, and you focus in on the fact we broke up…"

Sky shifted impatiently as Brandon's rant concluded, "You and Syd broke up?" he demanded again.

Brandon nodded, "Yeah, we did." He shrugged, "She and I realized that we were holding onto something that had died a long time ago. Time changes things, Sky, and it changed our feelings. Syd likes you, and hell if I'm gonna deprive her of that just so I can maintain a nostalgic semblance of the past."

Sky shook his head, "You guys broke up. Just like that?"

Brandon chuckled, "Yeah, just like that. I mean, three years, Sky. Maybe if I hadn't gone, it would have been different. But I did, and now, she loves you. So do me a favor and get your butt in gear."

Sky sighed, "You'd honestly be okay with us dating?"

Brandon grinned slightly, "Well, barring a slight awkwardness in the beginning, not to mention the disturbing images of you two making out, yeah. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" Brandon wrapped an arm around Sky, socking the blue ranger's chest affectionately.

"No matter what, Sky, you and Syd will always be my best friends. Nothing will change that." Brandon paused, "Okay, yeah, if you break her heart, I will hurt you…but I have a feeling that won't ever happen."

Sky nodded, a serious air to his light eyes, "No, it won't."

Grinning he raised his wrist, "It's good to have you back, Brandon." With a smile, the pair knocked bracelets together, the metallic clang reminding them of a time long past and a future certain to be different.

xxx

Jack glanced up as Brandon and Sky plopped down at the table with the team, deep in conversation. Jack shook his head. He had never seen Sky so carefree and lighthearted. As Brandon cracked a joke, prompting a deep peal of laughter from the normally stern blue ranger, the rest of B-Squad greeted the lieutenant fondly. Brandon casually unzipped his uniform jacket, throwing it on the back of his seat, unzipping the high collar of the turtleneck underneath. Jack cocked an eyebrow at the stark contrast the black-clad lieutenant posed against his gray-clothed cohorts. Like a few days before, Jack felt a tinge of suspicion and jealousy at the easy air of the lieutenant.

"That's a snazzy uniform, Brandon. Do they do that for all higher-ranked officers?"

Frowning slightly at the red ranger's condescending tone, Brandon shook his head, "Ah, no. Not really. It's really the badge and shoulder ribbons. But, as fashion-ignorant as SPD may be, they do know enough to realize that the silver of my ranger color would clash horribly with the standard gray."

Laughter rang through the table, and Brandon turned his gaze to the rest of the team and caught the eye of the yellow ranger.

"How have my tips been working, Z? Have you been shooting better?"

Z nodded eagerly, "Yeah, I have. Your advice really worked wonders. Thanks a lot."

Jack cut in, "You know, it's great that you're back to help us all with these kind of things. You know, you being so experienced and all."

Brandon shrugged, "It's no problem. I don't mind helping."

Jack nodded, "You know, it's interesting, Brandon, you being back."

The silver ranger frowned, "Really?"

"Yeah…" Jack eased back into his seat, meeting the lieutenant's gaze evenly, "I mean, Cruger said that your mission on Narovia was over. But everyone would have known if a planet was liberated. So that only means one thing…"

"Jack!" Z protested, her head whipping to the red ranger, "You're being rude."

"No, Z." Jack retorted, "You all might worship Brandon, but there's something off about him. He's been hiding something from us from day one."

"He doesn't have to tell us anything." Sky snarled.

"Stop." Brandon's calm voice swept over the tension at the table. His steady eyes traveled to the red ranger.

"What is it that you really want to know, Jack? If I failed? If I'm human beneath all the SPD excellence? If I have flaws? What is it?"

Jack breathed heavily, staring at the man he felt was threatening his position as the leader of the team. It was a man who had commanded the respect of each one of his teammates within the span of two days. And for some strange reason, Jack resented him.

"I want the truth."

Brandon scoffed, glancing away with an irritated toss of his head, "The truth can be fickle when it's a matter of perspective. If you're asking truthfully if I failed in protecting Narovia, the answer is yes, Jack. I failed."

He stared heatedly into the red ranger's eyes, his own pale spheres hardening with the emotions lying deep within, "Do you want to know the reason why I'm not back at Narovia? Because it's gone."

The rangers fell silent at the admission, all eyes focused on the lieutenant. Brandon swallowed as the memories rushed back, threatening to crumble his cool composure.

"Narovia is gone because I failed. I allowed myself to be captured. My life dangled on a string in the hands of a being that had the power to tear away the last shred of hope binding a people." Brandon glanced away, closing his eyes.

"You have no idea what it's like to watch on your knees at the mercy of perhaps the most malicious creature alive while he pushes a button and in the span of two seconds destroys an entire planet along with the five thousand Narovians you have yet to save. You have idea what it feels like to watch your home evaporated and blown into billions upon billions of particles while he laughes, Jack. He laughed."

Brandon's gaze drifted upward, radiating with a passion shrouding his grief and remorse, "Every day, I have to live with the guilt of the five thousand-plus lives I had sworn to protect that I failed to save. You try to feel the pain in promising an eight-year old boy that he will grow up and be a ranger only to have his short life ripped away in a massacre."

Jack shied away at Brandon's intense eyes, "I can tell you have delusions about the war, thinking it's nothing; it's just another fistfight in the the schoolyard over something stupid. You think that every person that comes out alive from the battlefront is some kind of hero. News flash, Jack. This is nothing like what's going happening on Earth. If you live, it's nothing to be proud of because so many more have died; you only feel relief that you weren't one of those. Invansion in space doesn't take a break like Gruumm does. Narovia never had the luxury of an off-day. You have no right to sit there and scoff at the possibility of my failure tainting this perfect image of me that's exalted in the academy because my failure is on a scale you will never be able to relate to. You have no idea the pain, the agony, the guilt that I have to endure every day that General Falstaff lives. Because he managed to take away five thousand lives on that planet. I don't fight for glory, Jack. I fight for revenge. I fight to stay alive."

Jack glanced up at the lieutenant, shame coursing through his body. Glancing away, the red ranger felt his own guilt: the guilt of a massive misperception. Brandon eased back into his seat, weary from the disarray of his emotions. His attention diverted as a cadet approached the table. Saluting quickly, the young cadet extended a piece of paper to the lieutenant.

"Lieutenant Chase, Commander Cruger asked me to give this to you."

Brandon accepted the note, frowning in concern. As his eyes registered the words on the paper, his gaze hardened.

"Dammit!"

The rangers stared in surprise as the curse burst from the silver ranger's mouth. Standing quickly, Brandon zipped up his collar, shoving his arms through his jacket. Pointing back to his unfinished meal, he threw an order to the cadet before sprinting off to the command center. Grabbing the discarded note, Sky smoothed out the paper. As the rangers read over the words, they exchanged curious glances as they watched Brandon hurry off.

xxx

Brandon skidded to a stop in the command center. A harried expression on his face, Brandon gazed up into the eyes of the commander.

"Sir, is it true?"

Cruger gestured to the monitors, as a familiar figure tore through downtown Newtech, destroying everything in its path.

"I'm afraid so, Lieutenant."

Brandon slowly approached the monitor, an indiscernible emotion tainting his features.

"He's back…"

Coming Up:

Brandon faces his fears

The rangers find themselves in over their heads

Sky and Syd take a step to their relationship

As do Bridge and Z

Well, more suspense and angst. Coming up is more romance and action. Don't worry, Jack is not going to be a bitter SOB in this story, he will find common ground with Brandon soon enough. And the Sky/Sydness will commence soon. Brandon will also get some loving. I plan to bring in more former rangers, and the next chapter will follow some elements of the episode Stakeout. Also remember, some things might not be as they seem. Don't overlook anything. Stay tuned.

Don't forget to vote!

Roxie