A/N: I know I said this last time, but sorry I've been gone. I lost my love of writing for a long time. It's back now and I'm writing this story concurrently with "Once a Ranger, always a Ranger: The Beginning". Feel free to check out that story too.

I'm planning to round this story out at 20 chapters and then get to work on "Civil War". Thanks for sticking with this story and I hope you enjoy the rest of it! I'll be a little slower with updates for each story (maybe one a month for each) just because I want to get these stories right and make them as compelling as possible.

Also; a huge thanks to Sir Perfluos for his encouraging words and always being able to lend a hand when I need it or I have no clue what I'm doing!

Chapter 10: Change

The inside of the warehouse was bare, save for the thin wooden table and steel chair in the very centre. Sitting in the chair was Vorax, pondering his next move. The bright yellow lamp was the only source of light in the entire building, illuminating the desk at which he sat. The warehouse smelt of damp cardboard, probably due to said cardboard covering many of the broken windows of the structure.

In appearance, the alien was identical to his brother, save for the lack mirror plates on his chest; and his eyes which were pure black. Vorax was furious that his brother had been recaptured. He crushed the glass he was holding and jumped up, flipping the table over. He was manic. He would destroy S.P.D. and kill every last officer in New Tech City if he had to.

"The time will come where that stupid Red Ranger wished he had never crossed me," Vorax growled, his voice like gravel. "I will take away everything he cares about; I will kill everyone he loves and then, I will drive my sword through his chest."

Vorax's eyes flashed a menacing crimson, and he began laughing hysterically. He would destroy those who had harmed his brother and he would make them suffer whilst doing it.

Cruger walked into the Command Centre, not quite sure what to expect. He'd just received word that the Space Patrol Delta Galactic Council wished to speak with him. Cruger was worried to say the least. A summons by the Galactic Council was not usually a good thing.

"Everyone, out." Cruger ordered

As the Command Centre cleared, Kat approached Cruger, intending to question him as to what was going on.

"Kat, the Galactic Council has requested to speak with me." Cruger explained. "I don't know what it's about, but a conversation with them is never good."

Kat, bit her bottom lip and thought carefully about her response. "I wouldn't worry if I were you, Doggie. There's no reason for them to be upset with you."

"I know, but that doesn't mean they won't try to find a reason," Cruger sighed.

The screen at the front of the Command Centre started to flash with the S.P.D. symbol, indicating that the Galactic Council was calling. Doggie sat in his seat and took a deep breath, while Kat silently excused herself. Cruger hit the button to initiate the call.

"Council. I can't say it wasn't a surprise to hear you wanted to speak with me. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The Galactic Council sat at a slightly curved table in a room with very little light, its four members seated in a row. A shadow covered their faces, the only illumination being a dim white light off to either side, creating the shadowy figures of the Council.

"Cruger, we have called you to inform you of your immediate promotion." A woman with long, curly, brown hair informed him. It was Maya of the planet Mirinoi.

Cruger gripped his chair tightly. He had believed the Council had called to berate him, not promote him. He was puzzled to say the least.

"Promotion?"

"To the position of Supreme Commander," Dex of Edenoi clarified.

Cruger's head hurt. He had no clue what the hell the Council was on about.

"And what of Commander Birdie?" Cruger questioned, his steel eyes unmoving from the screen.

"The Council feels that in light of the recent theft of the Supreme Command Morpher and Supreme Commander Fowler's repeated failure to apprehend Vorax, the time has come for him to retire. He will be relocating to Miami, Florida a week from tomorrow; at which time you shall take his place as the Supreme Commander of Space Patrol Delta." It was Andros of KO-35 that confirmed Cruger's suspicions.

Cruger looked down at his console. He was unsure of what to do. He didn't want to leave his Rangers at such a dangerous time, but he also couldn't refuse the promotion.

"Thank you, Council. It would be an honour to accept the position."

The Council merely nodded at him and ended the transmission.

Cruger leaned forward in his seat, placing his right elbow on the console and cupping his forehead with his hand. He sighed deeply as he began preparations for his replacement, the dim blue light of the Command Centre perfectly reflecting how he felt about leaving his team behind.

Kat returned to the Command Centre half an hour later to find it back up and running with staff, buzzing with conversation and the sound of short, quick beeps; the electronic keypads being typed on. She couldn't see Doggie anywhere, so she went to look for him in his office.

Kat arrived at Doggie's office and opened the door, being one of the few who would dare do so without knocking. The office was completely dark. No lights, just a black room. However, her feline eyes allowed her to see better than most in the dark and as such she spotted Doggie, slumped over at his desk, with his head in his arms.

"Commander?" Kat asked hesitantly, moving slowly towards the desk. "Is everything okay?"

Cruger looked up at her, his eyes pained behind a tough exterior. After working with Cruger for so many years, she could tell when he was upset. Even if he were trying to hide it. However, to her surprise, Cruger just told her the truth.

"Kat, the Council has retired Birdie for his repeated failures to apprehend Vorax. I'm his replacement." Cruger's voice was monotone. Almost robotic.

"Doggie, they can't –"

"Yes, they can," Doggie informed her. "They promote whoever they like." He looked away from Kat, choosing to stare at the wall across from him

"Your issue isn't that you don't want to leave, is it?" Doggie shook his head sadly. "It's about who you're leaving behind."

Doggie nodded slowly. "I want to be here to make sure the Rangers defeat Vorax." He looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "I don't want to leave them alone."

Kat quickly moved to Doggie's side, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it gently. "Doggie, you need to trust that you've trained them well." He looked back at her, and she smiled gently back at him. "They're not the teenagers who first arrived here. They're adults now. They'll get through this."

Doggie knew she was right, but he still didn't like the idea of leaving them to face Vorax alone.

The mood in the Command Centre was sombre. Only the highest ranked of the New Tech S.P.D. branch were left in the room. The Rangers, Kat, Boom, Brad and Sam stood in various places around the room, unsure how to process the news.

Brad was slumped against the wall next to Bridge who was sitting on the floor; and closest to Doggie's desk. Syd and Charlie were not too far away, both with their arms folded, not wishing to believe the news they had heard.

The silence reminded Charlie of the times she had been camping; and the unnatural quiet of the woods at night.

Kat was rubbing Boom's shoulder in the far corner, close to the door; assuring him everything would turn out alright.

Sam was silently crying, with Z holding the little redhead in her arms as he sniffed back tears.

Sky stood alone, at the centre console. He was the only one to realise what this meant. The Rangers were all getting promoted. Their team was now going to be down a member, yet again.

Cruger's tired, steel coloured eyes met Sky's sympathetic ones; and Cruger nodded solemnly.

"Rangers," Cruger announced as he stood up. "With my promotion, it is only logical that you will be getting a promotion too. Fall in line"

The Rangers, bar Sky were all shocked. None of them had thought so far ahead. Nevertheless, they fell in line. Sky, Bridge, Charlie, Z and Syd.

"You two as well," Cruger ordered Brad and Sam. They were puzzled, but obeyed anyway, Brad standing next to Syd and Sam next to Brad.

"Rangers, I always knew this day would come. But I had hoped it would not be this soon. You are all tremendous warriors and police officers; and I am proud to have called myself your leader."

Despite the depressing circumstances, each Ranger allowed themselves a small smile at the compliment.

"Sky, please step forward."

Sky did as he was told. "Yes sir?"

"As the highest ranking member of S.P.D. on Earth, I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander."

The others clapped for Sky and he smiled slightly. He handed over the Red Ranger Morpher, disappointed he'd only been able to spend a short time as the Red Ranger. Sky fell back into line, saddened that his career as a Ranger was over.

Next up was Bridge. "Bridge. I am giving you the honour of becoming the B-Squad's next leader and Red Ranger. Do them proud."

"I will sir," Bridge smiled half-heartedly as the others all applauded his promotion.

Bridge was in a difficult position. His father had also once been the Red Ranger, but had spent only a year in that position. Carter had however, spent over 15 years as the Blue Ranger and that was who Bridge had aspired to be. On top of that, he couldn't help but feel like he was taking away Sky's lifelong dream.

Third, Charlie. She was promoted to Blue Ranger, up from Green. She didn't know how to feel. She'd been Red, Green and now Blue. She figured she might as well try and start her own Ranger team. She was beginning to realise that time was moving quickly and thought about all the missed opportunities she'd let pass her by. She looked over at Brad. Maybe it was time to stop letting these opportunities slip away.

"Syd and Z. You shall remain in your current positions, although Sydney will act as Bridge's second in Command."

Syd blushed as she felt her cheeks become warm, she had never thought of herself as a leader on the team, but Cruger seemed to have faith in her. She wouldn't let him down.

Sky caught Syd's eye; and despite his disappointment of no longer being a Ranger, he mouthed the words 'I'm proud of you.' Sydney grinned widely. She knew Sky would be feeling down about not being a Ranger anymore, but the fact that he was hiding that disappointment to show his pride in her made her feel extremely loved, as her heart swelled.

Cruger moved to Brad next. "Brad, it is now time for you to resume your duties as a Ranger," Cruger said, handing him the Green Morpher. "Make your father proud."

"Yes sir." Brad performed the S.P.D. salute. Brad couldn't believe it. He was ready to do his father and the colour green, proud.

Finally all eyes rested on Sam. "Sam," Cruger began. "The time for you has come to take on the mantle of the Omega Ranger." Cruger softly took the stunned 13 year-old's hand and placed the Omega Morpher in his palm.

The Rangers all clapped for Sam, and Sam had never felt so happy in his life. He loved being here at S.P.D. but he was only 13. Every other Cadet was at least 16. Cruger had initially worried Sam would be picked on due to the fact that he was younger than all the other Cadets. However, because of how close Sam was with the Rangers; that had never happened. Sky and Z were especially protective over the fiery little redhead, not that he needed the protection. But now Sam was a Ranger, he could finally become what he'd been dreaming of; and what he'd promised B-Squad he would be: just like them.

"Thank you, sir." Sam said to Cruger, with a beam that could rival the sun on his face.

"Don't thank me, Sam. You earned it." Cruger replied. Sam looked to the other Rangers, who all nodded in agreement.

Despite the less than ideal circumstances of their promotions, there were lots of "congratulations" offered and hugs exchanged. Although the battle was far from over, the Rangers knew they were still in this together and that they'd never be alone.

Sky sat on the roof of the S.P.D. headquarters, with his legs hanging off the side of the building, staring at the sunset. The light breeze of the wind was the new Commander of S.P.D.'s only companion. On the one hand, Sky was happy. He was happy for Bridge, Brad and most of all, Syd. But on the other hand, he was upset. He didn't want to be the Commander. He wanted to be the Red Ranger, just like his father. He hadn't even spent a year as the Red Ranger. He'd barely had a chance to lead, not to mention the fact that Vorax was still on the loose.

"Hey." Sky jumped. Bridge had come to see how he was doing. Bridge more than anyone (except maybe Syd,) understood Sky. Maybe it was his psychic abilities, maybe it was the fact that they were like brothers. Sky didn't know, but he was glad Bridge was there.

"Hey," Sky said, turning back to watch the sunset.

"Mind if I join you?" Bridge asked softly. Sky turned back to look at his friend, who wore guilt plastered on his face. Sky instantly felt bad. Bridge thought Sky was mad at him for taking over as Red Ranger. But that wasn't it. Sky was just upset that the one thing he'd trained all his life for, was now over; and what's worse was that for all his training, for all his practice, he spent a little over eight months in that position.

"Not at all," Sky replied warmly, sending a smile to Bridge and gesturing to his right.

"Sky, I didn't mean to take your spot… I really didn't…" Bridge was starting to ramble, but Sky cut him off.

"Bridge, I'm not mad at you. Not even a little. Sure, I'm disappointed that I didn't get to spend long as the Red Ranger, but that's life. Sometimes we don't get everything we want. But what I do have is the perfect family, an amazing girlfriend and a great job where I can really make a difference. That's more than most people get."

Bridge just stared at Sky. This was the old Sky. Sky's evolution over the last year was amazing. He'd always been headstrong and confident, but the previous year Sky had been arrogant, stubborn and unwilling to learn. The old Sky was back. The one who was willing to accept things that he couldn't change and look for a way to make the best out of the situation. Not the whiny little bitch that had spent months complaining about not being chosen as the Red Ranger.

"Uncle Wes would be proud of you Sky." Bridge told him seriously, putting an arm around his best friend's shoulders. "Everyone else is and I'm sure he would be too."

A/N: So I'm finally back! I know exactly where this story is headed and where it's ending, so don't worry, I have a plan. This chapter was originally going to have another short Sky / Syd moment at the end, but I felt the Bridge / Sky moment finished the chapter perfectly.