A/N: Really sorry about the tardiness. Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers Samurai or Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. I just own most of the plot and the characters and things you don't recognize from the original versions.

~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~

"Don't ever give up on your comrades, and they'll never give up on you. That's what being on a team is all about."

Better Together

Power Rangers: Samurai REDO

Season 1, Episode 20, Season Finale: Semper Fidelis

Outskirts, Panorama City, California

June 3, 1614

A bright flash of red light shone throughout the area, and when it faded, General Gut was nowhere to be found.

Shogun Yellow ran over to Red, worried, when he suddenly fell over, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Red replied. "That seal took the last bit of my strength. I just need to rest." Yellow let Red rest against her shoulder, as the five Samurai allowed themselves to relax.

"How long do you suspect the seal will hold?" Blue asked.

"I'm not sure," Red replied. "About four centuries. It won't hold forever."

"Let's hope our Zords will have found suitable replacements by then," Green said.

"Yeah..."

The group was quiet as they digested that. They were only human. Mortal. They wouldn't live forever. But that's why they preserved their powers within their Zords. So the legacy of the Samurai Rangers would always live on.

Pink decided to change the subject, "Have we found someone to bond with the Clawzord yet?"

"Not yet," Blue replied.

"I have someone in mind," Red spoke up. "A friend of mine."

Blue groaned, "You mean the sushi seller?"

"What's wrong with him?" Yellow asked, taking Red's side. "He's dealt with crooks before and he always wins because he's too fast for them. He's perfect."

Pink placed a gentle hand on Blue's shoulder, "Just give him a chance."

"Yeah, we need another fighter on the team," Green pointed out.

Blue sighed, "Fine."

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California

November 12, 2014

Ji and Antonio stood in the doorway of the hospital room as they watched Kevin, Mia, and Mike were trapped in restlessness, trying to sleep but unable to because they were writhing in pain.

"Man, they're really banged up, aren't they?" Antonio quietly asked Ji.

"Yes," Ji softly replied. "Now that the Sanzu River is seeping into our world, the Nighlock are getting stronger. Soon, they will be too powerful for even our team to stop."

"I should've stayed," Antonio said, remembering when Kevin told him to help Jayden first. "They needed help against Arachnitor."

"It's not your fault. Kevin made a choice, and you respected that," Ji said, before turning to walk down the hallway to the indoor dojo, where everything was set up for Antonio to work on the Black Box.

Antonio hung up after receiving no answer from the one he was trying to call. "Emily's still not responding," he sighed. "I think something happened to her." He groaned. "I never should have left her!"

Ji immediately turned around and placed two sturdy hands on the boy's shoulders. "Antonio, relax. Don't beat yourself up for this. Because maybe, just maybe, that was the Nighlock's plan. To split you all up because you're all stronger together." Antonio was quiet as he digested that. "Jayden is strong. He can handle whatever Deker throws his way. Emily is strong. It's possible that she already has the Dino Bite Disk as we speak. And Kevin, Mia, and Mike are strong. All three of them are currently awake and ready to fight any Nighlock who dares to show their face. Have faith in your teammates."

Antonio nodded, trying not to cry.

"Good," Ji replied, before reaching over and grabbing a box, opening it to reveal the Black Box that Lord Daisuke had sent over. "Now, this is your top priority, Antonio."

"The Black Box," Antonio breathed.

"Correct," Ji said. "It's crucial that you fill this with all of your guys' Symbol Power. However, your lack of Symbol Power training will make this very difficult and very dangerous."

Antonio gave a short laugh, "But the Grand Shogun couldn't finish this. None of their successors could. What makes you think I can?"

"You built the Morphers, Antonio," Ji replied, "including your own. You've developed Megazord Combinations that the archives said were only a figment of one's imagination. You've fixed the Clawzord without any delays. But most of all, you complete the other Rangers. You belong with them. You've surpassed any expectations I've ever had of you. I know you can complete the Black Box."

Antonio let slip a small smile, before shaking his head, trying to focus. Antonio took the Back Box and placed it on the table in the middle of the floor. "Alright, before I do anything, I have to hack in. It's gonna be a challenge, though."

"I have faith in you, Antonio," Ji replied, watching as Antonio opened his Morpher and pressed a few buttons before a stream of golden kanji streamed from the Morpher to the Black Box. "But be careful. If that Gap Sensor goes off, you're the only Ranger healthy enough to respond."

Kevin rubbed his injured shoulder as he thought about what Ji just said. It was selfish of him to place all duties on Antonio.

But Jayden needed more help than they did...

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Crystal River, Spring Valley, Panorama City, California

Deker continued wading through the river, with Jayden still slung over his shoulders.

"Rescuing you has become a bit of a bad habit, one I need to break," Deker muttered, before dumping Jayden into the river.

Jayden woke up the second he hit the water, and he sputtered as he broke the surface. He saw Deker transform into his human form. He tried to stand up, but couldn't (he was too weak from the poison still).

"Stay under," Deker said. "The water will purge the poison from your system."

But Jayden refused to listen to him and tried to stand up again. But he couldn't.

"Just do as I say," Deker said. "Trust me. There's nothing more than I want than for you to be in top form. The sooner you recover, the sooner I'll be able to duel you and finally bring you down."

Jayden was quiet. He had no choice but to listen to Deker. So he dunked himself back into the water.

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Junk Ship, Sanzu River, Netherworld

"It's all a big misunderstanding," Octoroo said, concerned that Master Xandred sincerely thought he was a traitor. "I was just trying to get rid of the Rangers."

"Stop worrying so much," Xandred shot back. "I don't care about that. I'm more upset by the fact that we lost a chance to crush the Rangers. General Gut better succeed or my vengeance will be swift." He stabbed a barrel to emphasis his point. "There's another one we need to rid ourselves of." He turned to his other General. "Right, Dayu?"

Dayu was startled. Xandred walked over to her.

"I'm talking about Deker," he told her. "Take him down."

Octoroo protested, "But, Master! Deker is too tough."

But Dayu stood up, her Harmonium in hand. "Fine."

Octoroo watched as Dayu walked off the ship, before turning to Xandred. "You're cruelty knows no bounds."

"I don't care," Xandred replied, before walking over to the windows to check on Arachnitor's punishment.

Octoroo quickly joined him. "Arachnitor is about to mutate. Soon, he'll be under your full control."

"He wanted power," Xandred commented, "and now, he will have so much, it will destroy him. Keep an eye on him Octoroo. Once he mutates, make sure he stays put."

"Yes, Master," Octoroo replied, as Xandred walked away.

On the rocky shores on the Sanzu River, Arachnitor cried out in pain as more and more power was put into his body.

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California

"Alright," Antonio said after a few minutes of silence, sounding exhausted, "I've hacked in. Now I just have to format it to absorb our Symbol Powers."

"Good," Ji replied, standing close by and watching Antonio work. "You're doing well, Antonio."

"Thanks," Antonio muttered, before collapsing, grabbing a hold onto a nearby chair to prop himself up.

Ji was immediately at his side, holding onto Antonio's arms, "Antonio!"

"I'm okay," Antonio replied, despite still feeling lightheaded.

"Pace yourself, Antonio," Ji warned. "Using Symbol Power is incredibly draining. Don't overdo it."

"And who told me the whole world was at stake here?" Antonio lightly shot back, before getting back on his feet. "I have to do everything I can, plus a little extra."

"Just be careful," Ji urged. "Remember, you're the only Ranger who can fight the Nighlock right now."

"I know," Antonio replied, as Kevin listened on from the hospital room.

Mia and Mike both looked up as Kevin flung his covers off his bed and sat up with his feet on the floor.

"Kevin?" Mike asked. "What are you doing?"

"There's no time to rest," Kevin solemnly replied. "It's our sworn duty to keep the world safe." He struggled but managed to stand up. "We're Power Rangers. Nothing can stop us."

He took a step forward, but immediately fell to his knees.

"Kevin!" Mia called out, also standing up and falling to her knees next to him.

"I'm okay," Kevin immediately said.

"No, you're not," Mia replied, as Mike knelt on Kevin's other side. "You need to rest."

"Jayden was kidnapped by Deker, Emily is missing, and Antonio is shouldering every burden by himself," Kevin explained, breathing deeply. "I have to find some way to help."

"We get that," Mike said. "But why are doing this by yourself?"

"What?" Kevin looked at him, confused at his question.

"He's right," Mia agreed with Mike. "Jayden and Emily are both tough, and finishing the Black Box is Antonio's kind of challenge. You don't have to do this. Not alone. Let's help each other. That's the best way we can help the others."

Mia stood up and held out her hand to Kevin, who took her hand with a smile on his face. Mia pulled Kevin to his feet while Mike pushed Kevin to his feet by placing a hand on his back.

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Crystal River, Spring Valley, Panorama City, California

Inside a nearby cave, Deker had a fire going and he sat and watched Jayden sleep. Pretty soon, though, Jayden stirred and woke up.

"The purity of the water as healed you," Deker told him. "But you will still be weak for awhile."

Jayden ignored him. His team needed him. The last time he saw them, Emily was doing some recon, Kevin, Mike, and Mia had gone off to fight Arachnitor, and Antonio...Antonio was the last person he saw before Deker kidnapped him.

But he fell right back to the ground.

'I'm sorry, guys,' he mentally apologized. 'I can't gather up enough strength to even stand.'

Frustrated, Jayden turned his attention to Deker, "Why are you doing this?"

"I'm searching for the ultimate duel," Deker replied "The duel you and I will have."

"I don't fight just to fight," Jayden told him. "I fight to protect people."

"I don't care," Deker shot back. "We're patient, Uramasa and I, but eventually, we will battle. I have quite the incentive to convince you. After all, I was once fully human. All I know now is this constant craving for battle. The Nighlock in me gives me no choice about it."

Neither of them noticed Dayu hiding in the background and listening to them.

"You always have a choice," Jayden shook his head, not believing what he was hearing. "You don't have to give in to the Nighlock's cravings."

"Easy for you to say, isn't it?" Deker retorted.

But Jayden didn't buy it, "Doing the right thing is always worth the effort, no matter how hard it is. That's why I won't fight just to fight."

"Your sister said the same thing," Deker muttered, before becoming angry. "You will give the ultimate battle! Whether you like it or not! It's the only way I will be free from this terrible curse!"

Jayden was quiet.

Dayu felt guilty. "Oh, Deker...if only you knew the truth..."

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California

Antonio sat down, exhausted, when he was done, "There. Formatting's done."

"Now comes the really dangerous part," Ji said. "Infusing the Black Box when everyone's Symbol Powers."

Antonio shook his head, "No. I can't. I'm too tired."

"Antonio..." Ji paused when he saw just how heavy Antonio's eyelids seemed to be.

Both heads turned to the alarm when the Gap Sensor sounded.

"Not now..." Ji muttered, before tapping the table and seeing the location. "Ridge Mountains, and it's a strong signal."

"We'll go," Kevin announced his, Mike's, and Mia's arrival.

"Kevin!" Ji exclaimed. "Mike! Mia! You three shouldn't be out of bed!"

"Antonio can't take this all on his own," Kevin replied. "We need to help each other, especially since we're missing two of us."

"I'm sorry, guys," Antonio sadly spoke up. "I can't finish the Black Box right now."

"That's okay," Mike smiled at him. "But you can go out and find Jayden and Emily."

"O-Of course," Antonio said, surprised at the others' kindness. "That would make me feel loads better."

Because he felt guilty, Mia realized.

"Good," Mia said. "Because we're stronger together."

"Do you guys know what 'semper fidelis' means?" Kevin asked.

"Isn't that the Marines' motto?" Antonio asked.

"Yeah," Kevin replied. "My mom's a Marine, and she told me what it means to a Marine. It's Latin for 'always faithful', and it symbolizes the lifelong commitment held by every Marine for the Corps and for America, and it guides their actions and intensifies the fight so that every battle they face, they're able to face down."

They would get through this, Antonio realized. They always did. They just had to stick together, like they always did.

He smiled and nodded, agreeing with Kevin's sentiment. "Yeah. We're a team for a reason."

"We are," Kevin said. "Good luck on finding Jayden and Emily. Mike, Mia, let's go rough up some Nighlock."

Mike and Mia both nodded and followed Kevin out the door.

But Antonio remained put. "Right. Find Jayden and Emily. Great. How do I do that?"

"I don't know," Ji said. "But keep in mind, the whole planet is counting on you guys."

"Wait!" Antonio stopped him. "The whole planet! That's it!" he pulled out his Morpher. "I'll piggy back on a global satellite system and use the Fire Power to triangulate Jayden's Samuraizer." And he could do the same with Emily's, only with the Earth Power. "There!" He exclaimed after a few seconds. "I found him."

"Go," Ji urged. "Hurry!"

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Crystal River, Spring Valley, Panorama City, California

Jayden watched as Deker picked up his sword Uramasa and stood up. "You are fully recovered."

Jayden got to his feet, a little disoriented for not being on his feet in a while, and faced Deker (who was right; Jayden did feel a lot better).

"Why do you want to fight me?" Jayden asked. "There are plenty of good warriors in the world."

"Yes," Deker explained, "but like me, you have a deep anger festering inside you." Jayden was surprised by his answer. Deker was referring to Lauren, wasn't he? "We're both warped, twisted."

Jayden felt that anger rise up and stepped closer to Deker. "What do you mean?"

Deker walked towards Jayden and then past him. "You would have sacrificed everything before giving Octoroo the Sealing Power, before selling out your teammates. There's a spirit inside you I've never come across before in any other person, which includes your sister."

Deker had mentioned Lauren before. How did he know Lauren so personally?

Deker continued, "That's called a warrior spirit. That's why you're the perfect opponent." Deker unsheathed Uramasa and transformed into his Nighlock form.

Jayden immediately had his Spin Sword at the ready, and the two faced each other, both swords pointing at the other.

"Go ahead, the first move is yours," Deker said.

"Hold on!" Jayden lowered his Sword when Antonio (fully morphed) leapt into view, but didn't ease up on his glare. "This isn't going to happen on my watch!" Antonio stood protectively in front of his friend. "How can you want to duel him when he's like this, Nighlock?!"

Deker turned his head away and considered what the Gold Ranger just said.

Antonio continued, "Me and my friend are walking out of here, and you're going to let us."

Deker paused, before reverting back to his human form and disdainfully telling them, "Then go. But know this, Red Ranger. The next time we meet, we will battle."

Antonio turned to Jayden, "Hey, the nice creepy guy is letting us go, Jayden! And good thing too! The others are currently facing General Gut in the Ridge Mountains. They need us."

Deker turned to face them, fully alert, when he heard the Gold Ranger say the name. General Gut was still alive?

But the Gold Ranger threw a smoke screen and the two Rangers vanished from his sight.

General Gut was currently in the Ridge Mountains. Gut couldn't kill Jayden before that duel. Deker wouldn't allow it.

Dayu watched Deker walked away before slipping out of her hiding place. "I'm sorry for what I've done to you, Deker."

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Ridge Mountains, Outskirts, Panorama City, California

"That's a lot of Marauders," Mike breathed, as he, Mia, and Kevin faced the army that now stood before them.

"We'll be okay," Kevin reassured him. "As long as we stick together."

"Yeah," Mia replied. "And remember, our top priority is protecting the innocent. So stop all Marauders who try to go into the city."

"Right!" The other two replied.

The three didn't morph, but pulled out their Spin Swords and charged into the fray.

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Ridge Mountains, Spring Valley, Panorama City, California

Emily awoke to two pairs of strong arms pulling her onto the shore from the water.

"Emily?" She heard Antonio ask her (she wondered who the other person was). "Are you okay?"

She groaned, "Yeah, I'm fine." Even though she ached all over. She opened her eyes to see Antonio (who was morphed) and Jayden (unmorphed).

"What happened?" Jayden asked her, as he helped her sit up.

"General Gut," she said, "he's a lot stronger than you think he is. He caught me off-guard." She pulled out a dark red Disk. "But I got it. The Dino Bite Disk."

Jayden took it from her and hooked it up to the hilt of his Sword. "Good job, Em."

"There's a catch," Emily warned him.

Jayden spun the Disk and was about to ask what Emily meant, but he didn't have to.

"I can only be unlocked by seeing where my true power lies."

Jayden raised an eyebrow in confusion as Antonio just went, "Huh?"

Emily shrugged. "I don't know. I got the same message."

"We'll worry about it later," Jayden said. "Right now, according to Antonio, there's a strong presence in the Ridge Mountains."

"Most likely General Gut," Antonio commented. "The Grand Shogun had to seal him away because they couldn't defeat him."

"His defeat isn't our priority," Jayden replied.

"It's protecting the people," Emily finished.

"Yeah," Antonio agreed.

"Let's go," Jayden ordered. He and Emily stood up right away, but Antonio stood up slowly, raising his Barracuda Blade on the way. "Antonio? What's wrong?"

He didn't have to ask. As soon as he spotted the problem, he tensed up (and he felt Emily beside him do the same).

Deker was here.

"You let us go, Deker," Antonio reminded him, his hand hovering over the hilt, ready to unsheathe the Blade. "Jayden and I both heard you."

"Gut is ruthless," Deker warned.

"How thoughtful," Emily sassed. "You really do care about us."

Jayden felt a little better knowing that he wasn't the only one who didn't buy what Deker was selling.

"I am the only one allowed to defeat you, Red Ranger," Deker replied, unsheathing Uramasa and transforming into his Nighlock form.

Antonio turned to Jayden and Emily, "You guys go. Gut is top priority. Leave Deker to me."

"You sure?" Jayden asked as Antonio turned back to face Deker.

"Yeah. Go."

"I'm tired of you getting in my way, Gold Ranger," Deker growled as Jayden and Emily managed to get away.

"Too bad," was all Antonio said before the two charged at each other at the same time.

Their swords clashing (more than once) caused explosions all around them.

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Ridge Mountains, Outskirts, Panorama City, California

After striking down the two Marauders in front of him, Kevin glanced to see how Mike and Mia were doing.

Mia jumped up and gave a hard kick to a Marauder's jaw and struck down another, then caught three more by surprise.

Mike was relentless. Catching a Marauder's wrist, he struck it down with his Sword and swung it back around to get another one. He gave a strong kick to another's chest, sending it flying and crashing into a wall.

The trio regrouped, their backs to each other, as more Marauders surrounded them.

"There's just no end to them!" Mia said, raising her Spin Sword.

"We just need to hang on a little while longer," Kevin replied.

"It'd be easier with the others here," Mike said.

It was as if Mike was psychic.

Because just then, Jayden gracefully leapt off of a nearby rock and struck a Marauder on the way down. He reached around, striking another, and another on his opposite side. After giving another Marauder a swift kick in the face, he turned to his three teammates.

Meanwhile, Emily struck a Marauder from behind, before performing a one-handed cartwheel, taking out two more with just her feet. She blocked two swords before pushing down on them and took out the rest of the group with a circular motion with her Sword.

"Jayden! Emily!" Mia greeted them, all three with relieved smiles on their faces.

"You guys are okay!" Mike said.

"Of course we are!" Emily smiled back. "It takes more than an ambush to take us down."

Jayden held up the sealed Dino Bite Disk, "And we have a trump card. It just needs something else to unleash its full power."

"I have a feeling we'll find that 'something else' during this fight," Mia said.

"Me too," Jayden replied. "Which is why I'm not worried. Antonio's currently holding off Deker, so it's just us five. Let's go!"

"Right!"

A ways off, General Gut glanced up from his seat. "Oh, look at that. The Grand Shogun have returned to finish me. No matter. I will finish them before any of them can lay a hand on me. Marauders, attack!"

The five Rangers stood on a ledge overlooking the entire battlefield. "Samuraizers! Go, Go, Samurai!" Once morphed, all five drew another kanji (the same one) before leaping up and activating them on the way. "Symbol Power: War Horses!"

All five Rangers landed perfectly on their horses and motioned them to charge and drew their Spin Swords.

"Samurai Fire, Power Ranger Red!"

"Samurai Water, Power Ranger Blue!"

"Samurai Wind, Power Ranger Pink!"

"Samurai Forest, Power Ranger Green!"

"Samurai Earth, Power Ranger Yellow!"

"Rangers Together, Samurai Forever!"

Almost immediately, a barrage of arrows flew past their heads, though some were easily blocked with their Spin Swords.

Then, the army in front of them broke out into a sprint. The five Rangers (from their horses) swung their swords below them, striking down every Marauder that dared to attack them.

Kevin summoned his Hydro Bow as Mia ignored the ropes being tied to her. Mike summoned his Forest Spear as Jayden stopped his horse and got a glance of a couple of Spitfangs.

The two Spitfangs breathed a couple of fireballs at him, both of which were fortunately blocked by Kevin's arrows.

"Leave these guys to us, Jayden!" Kevin said as he and the other three gathered behind Jayden. "You go after Gut!"

Jayden watched his team dismount and charge at the enemy army on foot, allowing Jayden to ride his horse all the way to General Gut.

Mia use her Sky Fan to twirl herself into the air, surrounded by a pink tornado. Meanwhile, Emily flew through the air, her Earth Slicer in hand, ignoring the explosions that followed her. Emily threw her Earth Slicer the moment Mia came down, both attacks landing on the same Spitfang, destroying it.

Mike swung his Forest Spear around, taking out multiple Marauders at once and blocking several swords at the same time, before shoving all Marauders off of him. Meanwhile, Kevin leapt above him and fired his Hydro Bow, multiple blue arrows hitting multiple targets at once, including the second Spitfang.

Jayden galloped through the woods, striking down all Marauders that got in his way. General Gut's encampment was in sight.

"You're going down, Gut!"

"We'll see about that, Red Ranger," Gut replied, not moving from his seat, as he watched Jayden's horse leap over a wooden fence and land right in front of him.

Jayden swung his Sword, but was blocked by Gut's staff. The force was enough to knock him off his horse (which ran away), but Jayden was able to quickly get back on his feet.

The two circled each other, the air tense. "The Grand Shogun could not defeat me. What makes you think that you will succeed where they have failed?"

"Don't underestimate team spirit," Jayden replied, raising his Sword.

The two clashed.

"You're not strong enough, Red Ranger," Gut taunted, before pushing back and jabbing at Jayden's chest with his spear, which sent Jayden flying back.

Jayden was able to catch himself before transforming his Sword into his Fire Smasher and jabbing at Gut.

The Fire Smasher made it easier to block attacks, but Gut still had the upper hand, as he was able to block all attacks.

Jayden stuck the Fire Smasher into the ground, before leaping up and over, using Gut's staff as a jumping pad to leap into the air. But Gut saw right through the attack and sent Jayden flying backward once again.

Gut blocked Jayden's next attack before giving him a solid kick in the stomach, sending Jayden to the ground. The Nighlock General stabbed his staff into the ground to send shocks right to Jayden, which caused smoke.

Gut didn't give Jayden a chance to recover. Gut charged through the smoke and struck at the Red Ranger, sending him to the ground, his Fire Smasher reverting back to his Spin Sword on the way.

"When the leader falls," Gut said as Jayden tried hard to get up, but failed, "the rest of the team will follow."

The Dino Bite Disk. That was their trump card. But it didn't work. He was going to die here, wasn't he?

Jayden glanced up to see Gut standing over him.

Gut pointed his staff (the spearhead) at Jayden's neck. "Give up. You puny Rangers will never defeat me."

But Jayden couldn't take his eyes off of a weird marking in Gut's shoulder.

"'Where my true power lies'..." Jayden muttered.

Emily blocked a Marauder's sword before looking over at Jayden, and she panicked. "JAYDEN!"

Kevin saw where she was looking and immediately understood why she sounded so afraid. "Jayden! Hold on!"

"We have to help him!" Mia tried to move forward, but she was blocked by two Marauders.

Mike charged forward but was also stopped by Marauders, "Get lost!"

Jayden heard his team call out to him.

"Face it, Red," Gut said. "You will never defeat me. I am the strongest Nighlock there is!"

Gut raised his staff, but Jayden grabbed his Spin Sword, the Dino Bite Disk in hand.

He threw the Disk in the air, and when it landed, it latched onto his Sword's hilt.

"All you are, Gut, is just another Nighlock with delusions of grandeur!" Jayden said, before stabbing Gut's shoulder.

And immediately Gut was unable to move. The other four Rangers noticed the Dino Bite Disk glowing red and receiving power from Gut's shoulder wound.

Jayden explained, not moving his Sword, "The Grand Shogun may not have been strong enough to beat you, Nighlock, but they were much cleverer than you thought. They hid the Dino Bite Disk's true power in you."

"W-What?!"

Jayden motioned to the shoulder wound. "The kanji on your shoulder is the one for 'power'."

And then it clicked for the other four.

"Of course," Emily realized. "'I can only be unlocked by seeing where my true power lies'. They sealed you, Gut, by infusing you with Symbol Power they knew you couldn't handle."

"Exactly," Jayden confirmed, as fire seeped from the kanji on Gut's shoulder straight to the Disk. "That's the reason you found the Dino Bite Disk before we did, Gut. Because the Symbol Power within you was guiding you to it."

With that, Jayden spun the Disk, and he was immediately surrounded in a flash of red. When it disappeared, Jayden still stood, but was now wearing a red jacket and his Sword had turned into...a dinosaur head?

"Dino Rage Red! Full Fury!"

Jayden swung the new Dino Sword at Gut before launching it at the remaining Marauders, its stretchy abilities allowing it to take them all out with one swing.

Though surprised at the new mode, the other four stood next to Jayden in usual formation.

"No! I won't see it end this way!" Gut cried out, refusing to accept defeat, as the other four Rangers hooked up colored Disks to their hilts.

"There's a simple fix to that, you know," Jayden replied calmly, all their all charged up their Swords with their respective Disks. "Just close your eyes and don't look!"

"Swordfish Slash!" Kevin swung his Sword.

"Octo Slash!" Mia swung her Sword.

"Beetle Slash!" Mike swung his Sword.

"Tiger Slash!" Emily swung her Sword.

"Dino Slash!" Jayden swung his Sword.

In those five slashes, General Gut's first life was finally defeated.

But then came the second life. "You Rangers will be crushed!"

"Not if we crush you first!" Jayden said, all five bringing out their Zords. "Lion Folding Zord!"

"Dragon Folding Zord!"

"Turtle Folding Zord!"

"Bear Folding Zord!"

"Ape Folding Zord!"

"Zords Combine! Battlewing Megazord, We Are United!"

Deker and Antonio both paused in their fight and looked at the Mega battle that was currently taking place.

"The second life already?" Antonio asked.

"Impressive," Deker commented.

The Megazord raised its katana in the air. "Katana Power: Super Aerial Strike!"

The attack hit dead on, but Gut did not fall.

Instead, he transformed, turning into a blue color with a snake head (that was sentient) where his stomach used to be.

"Behold, Rangers!" Gut said. "This is my true form!"

He sent the snake head out, which hit the Megazord dead on, the hit making them lose the Battlewing portion of the Megazord, which fell to the ground.

"I told you that you Rangers were no match for me!" Gut taunted, as the Megazord got to its feet.

Inside the cockpit, the Rangers (Jayden in Dino Rage Mode and the other four in Havoc Mode) were on their knees.

"We're losing again," Mike said, as the snake head hit the Megazord once more, three times, before falling back.

Gut shot beams from his chest eyes for good measure, beaming with pride as the Megazord fell back to the ground.

Inside the cockpit, the Dino Bite Disk began shining again.

"What's happening?" All five noticed this.

"The Dino Bite Disk..." Jayden muttered. "Of course...we can't just inherit the Disk's powers. We have to earn them. Let's use our powers together."

"Right!"

The Rangers all stood up, the Megazord too. They spun their Disks and their combined power allowed the katana to transform into the Dino Zord.

The Megazord motioned the Zord to attack, and the Zord charged, roaring on the way.

"Destroy it!" Gut sent out the snake head again.

The two seemed to be locked in combat, but the Dino Zord asserted its dominance by biting off the snake head, causing Gut to stumble back.

"No!" Gut cried out. "I refuse to be sealed a second time!"

"It won't be a seal," Jayden said. "You will be defeated, Nighlock. That's a promise."

"Samurai Artillery!" The Dino Zord reformed its parts to fit the Megazord. "Dino Rage Megazord, Armed For Battle!"

With every last bit of their strength, all five Rangers swung their swords down.

"Katana Power: Dino Zord Slash!"

The slice cut Gut in half, ending his second life.

"Samurai Rangers, Victory is Ours!"

Deker and Antonio both noticed that Gut's second life had been destroyed, and Deker retracted his sword.

As Antonio sheathed his Blade, he heard Deker tell him, "Very well, Gold Ranger. You win this time. But next time we meet, I won't be as merciful."

Deker sheathed his sword and walked away.

~B~E~T~T~E~R~~T~O~G~E~T~H~E~R~~P~O~W~E~R~~R~A~N~G~E~R~S~~S~A~M~U~R~A~I~~R~E~D~O~

Shiba House, Gianni Forest, Panorama City, California

Jayden sat alone in the courtyard, remembering what Deker told him and remembering how upset it made him.

"That's why I won't fight just to fight."

"Your sister said the same thing."

How did Deker know Lauren so personally?

"There's a spirit inside you I've never come across before in any other person, which includes you sister."

Deker definitely knew more than he let on. There was something off about him, and Jayden didn't mean what the Rangers already knew about him.

No, there was something else going on.

Jayden hadn't realized he was practically fuming until he heard Emily's soft voice behind him ask, "Is this a bad time?"

He quickly turned around and saw his team. He tried his best not to look or sound angry (the last time he let his anger control him, his entire team paid for it; never again). "No, what's up?"

"Well, we wanted to make sure you were okay," Mia told him, "after all that you've been through."

"And we're going to chow down on some pizza," Mike added, "and figure out a strategy for taking down these new, more powerful Nighlock."

"Wanna join us?" Emily asked.

"Thanks, guys," Jayden gently smiled at them. "I'm doing fine, but why don't you go ahead without me?"

"You sure?" Mia asked, sounded disappointed.

"Yeah, thanks."

Emily shrugged, "Okay, no problem. It's your choice."

Emily (confident that her words would change his mind) led the disappointed other four inside the house. Kevin hung back a little, concerned for his friend, but eventually joined the rest.

"My choice?" Jayden asked, Emily's words indeed ringing in his ears.

"All I know now is this constant craving for battle. The Nighlock in me gives me no choice about it."

No, Deker was wrong. They are all free to choose who they wanted to be.

Jayden smiled as he realized, before quickly standing up and called out to his friends. "You guys!" The other five turned around to face him, as he jogged over to them. "I changed my mind. I will join you."

Because he chose not to let Deker's words make him angry.

And it was worth it, as the others immediately let smiles grace their faces, all of them happy to have Jayden join them.

~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~PRS~REDO~

Original Shinkenger Episode: Act 24, The Decisive War

Original PRS Episode: Boxed In, Clash of the Red Rangers

Note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I still have one more chapter to write before I start on Season 2. Also, I hope you guys keep in mind that Deker knows more than he initially let on.

A/N: Do review, please. If you guys have any ideas you want me to consider adding, please PM me. A preview for the next chapter:

Season 1, Episode 20.5, Christmas Special: "The Holiday Spirit"

"When the Nighlock steals one of Santa's bags of presents, the Rangers must put their personal plans and feelings on hold for the sake of others."