A/N: Here is the next chapter. It's dealing with the final battle. Please remember, this is AU, so it's my interpretation of Power Rangers Samurai and Super Samurai.

A/N 2: Picks up directly after the last chapter.

Episodes Covered- End of 'The Sealing Symbol' & Beginning of 'Samurai Forever'.

Chapter 33- The Unity

Xxxxx

Living Room
Shiba House
Panorama City, CA

The haunting sounds of distraught cries loomed in the living room and rained on the occupiers. They exchanged stares with incredulity. Was it true—the Ninjetti powers failed? Did someone cross over? Who was it?

Lauren Shiba or Mia Watanabe?

All Kurokos scrambled to the back, at once. Like other times, rain or shine, happy or sulky, they never once uttered a word.

For the spouses of the Frog and Wolf—Tanya Sloan-Park and Hayley Ziktor-Cranston, and a long time comrade to the Ninjetti, Jason Scott, they were dumbfounded. These powers surpassed all previous and existent energy sources. They were elusive, yearned for. Evil entities across the universe hunted, killed for 'The Great Power', even died, while trying to attain it. It sounded preposterous, unheard of, unlikely. Yet, tonight, it was proved possible.

The Samurai rangers- Kevin, Mike, Emily and Antonio, didn't know what to say. It was like their speech evaporated, along with the person who left this Earth. Emily's eyes teared, her fingers to her mouth. She faced Mike, searching for answers in his eyes. He didn't possess an explanation either. All he could do was bring her in, hold her tightly to console her. Kevin and Antonio heaved, their sentiments in sync with the others.

Terry, being a little selfish, prayed his sister and unborn niece were resurrected. He apologized for wishing so; Lauren was sweet. He directed his eyes to peer at the one person, who opposed his selfishness. Anger radiated; it was encompassing his stature. He attempted to touch, relieving him of whatever he was consumed with, but it was impossible.

Before the young Asian inched closer, Yaki came on his feet, his rage building to skyscraper heights. He knew, just like any father would know in this kind of situation. He couldn't believe the stupidity his fellow persons displayed. "Don't think any harder, or you'll cause an aneurysm," he sneered, no longer giving a damn about anything in life. All eyes tossed his way, and they were full of surprise. He shook his head.

"Who in the hell do you think you're talking to," Tanya fired back. "How do you think the rest of us feel?!"

"Tanya," Hayley became the voice of reason and stopped her, dead in her tracks. "He's just upset; he doesn't know what he's saying."

"Damn right I'm upset," Lauren's surrogate father agreed with the Mensa level red head. "The Great Power this, 'oh let's gather all the Ninjetti'," he mocked with malicious intent, his arms flailed about. "You really think they had her in mind?! Do you all really think they had her, the most precious woman I've ever known, in mind?!"

"Yaki," Ji reproached, attempting to calm the storm. He walked to his counterpart, tugged on his silky, robe's sleeve. "Stop this, right now."

With force, Yaki shoved him. "You shut up," he screamed.

Jason lunged to prevent Ji from falling down. "Hey, you okay," he whispered to his elder. Ji nodded he was. He assisted him to stand. The first Red ranger of Earth couldn't take the verbal tirade any longer. He approached Yaki, coming face to face with the man. All his life, he's been taught to respect his elders, elders were wise, they knew what they were talking about. However, this person, in front of him, distorted all of that. "What the fuck is your problem!?".

"How dare you talk to me like that," Yaki responded in a pompous manner like he was better than everyone in the room.

"I should punch the shit out of you," Jason snared, but he held back and softened. 'Never escalate a fight, unless forced to do so', those were the wise words of his own mentor, Zordon. He would have been ejected to the side of the wrong, and that's a place he never wanted to be. He tried to reason instead. "If she is gone, and I may not know her personally, but, maybe, Lauren thought of the bigger picture." He believed she possessed the spirit of a true Red ranger.

"What's the bigger picture, huh," Yaki begged for an answer. He needed it, at this particular moment.

"A baby," Jason replied honestly. He looked around. Emotions ran high, and the tension in the room was so thick he could barely breathe himself. "I'm just sorry. Please, don't act like this. It won't solve anything; it won't bring her back."

"She needs to be brought back," Yaki cried. His frigid demeanor, dissolving.

From the depths of one of the Shiba House's halls, fifteen people showed themselves, their steps jagged. Tommy and Kim led, their youngest child in their arms, their only daughter right behind. The DeSantos family, Rocky, Aisha, Rock and Nadia, followed. The Park family, Adam, Adrian and Kaylan,i tailed. Billy Cranston cradled his young son. Then, Jayden and Mia rounded off the back. They lined up reverently. All of their eyes bloodshot and swollen. The excess water still dribbling, while new ones formed.

On the opposite side, everyone else stood, positioning alike.

Four Kurkos entered finally. On their shoulders laid the cot with Lauren's body, a red sheet covering her. They halted in the center of the lines, bent to their knees and allowed the people to pay their respects.

The whole room erupted, completely heartbroken.

Lauren Shiba was gone.

Yaki's chest tightened. It was unreal, very surreal to be honest. He was in disbelief. His emotions ate him up, and he collapsed to her level. "Lauren... it's me," he pleaded for her to wake. She just laid there, no response, her life demolished, when hours ago, the starting of the day, to be exact, she was exhibiting her proficient skills. With shaky fingers, he unveiled just her face. Her beauty still laid evident, but gone was her effervescent spirit and mentality, he was accustomed to. She looked peaceful, unlike his insides. He closed his eyes, while placing the sheet back and sobbing. "Why, lord why," escaped his lips huskily.

Through his sorrow, Mentor Ji bared witness. Although the two often bickered, it hurt too see Yaki so tormented. He leveled with him and made a decent effort to rip him away from the sight. It was a weak try, on his part. The culprit, his own stance on this matter. He, too, was a mess. Lauren was an additional surrogate daughter like Mia and Emily. ''Yaki, I'm so sorry," he whispered. He mourned with him.

"Oh man," Kevin finally murmured in shock. It was Lauren who met a sudden demise. He struggled to make sense of it.

"What the..." Antonio was blown away. "She was so young..."

"Oh my God," Emily shrieked, as she deepened her body into her boyfriend's side.

Mike exhaled. Though he didn't know Lauren for long, he witnessed her dedication. It was an honor to be under her. He shed some tears. "Rest in peace, Lauren," he bid adieu.

Unable to handle her death, Yaki parted from Mentor Ji. "We're leaving," he announced with conviction. "The rest of the Kurokos will pack the belongings, and we will be leaving back to the countryside, where she will be buried."

Everyone gasped.

"Yaki, think about this," Ji requested of the man. "Please; you know she would want to be at the Tengan Gate with her parents." He watched, as Jayden made his way to Mentor Yaki.

Plenty went through Jayden's mind after returning to reality. While grieving, with the people that mattered the most to him, he could not comprehend Lauren's willingness to part. She talked, he heard, he complied for her sake. She may not be there, physically, to witness the impact of her actions unravel before her eyes, but he carried on for her. He was her voice. She bestowed that upon him. So, he wished for her passing not to go in vain. It was up to him to lead her surrogate father to an understanding. "Yaki," he stopped the older man with a hand to his chest. "Please, listen to what I'm about to say."

"Why should I," Yaki shouted, at the top of his lungs, startling the people closest to him. His mouth trembled, he balled his hands into a fist out of rage. He even thought about giving him a punch to Jayden's handsome face, disfiguring it, but the look engulfing Jayden's face forced him not to. He listened to what he had to say.

"She was given a choice, either her or Mia and my child. She decided to move on," he revealed, with the most sincerity even a rough edged criminal would cry. He continued, "Every single person who ventured as their animal spirit appealed to reverse what was going to happen. But, this was... was what happened."

Yaki heard. She wanted this. She decreed she would die. She chose to move on. However, it didn't make the situation easier. He didn't want to accept, nor did he wish to embrace it, but it was the truth of the matter. And, it was one of the hardest things he had to stomach. "Why..."

"She figured she was done. She completed what she was meant to do on Earth, so she left with her parents," Jayden answered to the best of his ability. "I know it hurts, but, inside her room with her possessions, there is a note addressed to you. She wants you to read it..."

Yaki departed the room immediately and rushed to Lauren's quarters. This house had more rooms than said. He really didn't understand Ji's instruction to bunk two rangers together, when there was enough to give them a separate room. He arrived at the sliding door, the one from her childhood. With a heavy heart, a crest fallen face and trepidation, he entered, the inside swallowing him whole. He sadly strolled; she prepared for this. Everything was tucked, tidied, in order, and there was the note on her desk. He grabbed the rectangular object, unfolding it to its full size. He read.

'To my dearest 'daddy','

She started in her perfect swirls of cursive.

'If you've received this, then, you know I'm already gone.
It was the easiest decision to make; she didn't know what she was doing; I was the only person capable enough to bring her back; I had the power to do so. Please, I beg of you, because I know you, don't fly off the handle. Especially, at the people who tried to bring me back.

At least, they tried.

And, I'll be internally grateful to them.

Besides, do you really think I would get in the way of my little brother having a child? A family of his own? He still needs to get reacquainted with his biological family. I'll never take that away from him, and you know it.

There's so much I can say about you. You became my father figure. You gave up your life, normalcy, to take care of me. You trained me, and, not once, did you complain. You were stern, strict, often showed your hard side, but underneath, I knew it was for my well being. It was okay you weren't always nice. That wasn't your job really, but when you were, you were. You helped me, when I was homesick, cried for daddy, wished to be with Jayden, and mourned after mommy's suicide. I have thought, but never said thank you. You've done an amazing job raising me, and I was forever in your debt.

I love you, always have and always will. Now, I want you to give you an order. It's my turn. You have given enough of them to me. Please live your life for yourself, from here, on out. It would mean the world to me, if you did.'

He furrowed his brows. He was an 'old fart'. Who would want him at his age? He chuckled at Lauren's optimism. It was comforting. He continued reading.

'And I know, you're probably thinking 'I'm an old fart', but, trust, it's never too late to start dating. Your soulmate is somewhere out there.

With my love,
Lauren

PS- Embrace the people around you... allow your cold shell to melt... allow them to help you heal your wounds, you're never alone.
I'll be watching!'

Yaki stopped, his emotions overtaking him. He finally grieved for Lauren's passing with an understanding she did this to make everything right. She was right. Sophia was under the influence of a spell; she was possessed. Jayden and Mia's unborn child deserved to be born. In addition, he never welcomed anyone else, albeit Lauren and the Kurokos—only because they never spoke. It wasn't going to be easy, and with the amount of shit he talked through his ass, the others would be apprhensive, but he wanted to abide by her wishes. He held the letter deeply against his chest. He cherished these words and would keep them until his sun set.

Xxxxx

Master's Quarters
The Ship
Sanzu River

Master Xandred growled aboard his ship. He thought returning to where he was the king would suppress the choler within, but if anything he was aggravated even more.

His first duty, upon returning was to restore Octoroo to his prior self. Whatever that weakling, named Sophia, did surely spooked his longest companion. Second, he rid the ship of anything pertaining to Dayu, starting with her wedding dress. Touching the article of clothing left burn marks on his fingers alone, but was forever ingrained in his memories. She only wore the gown once. Once! Yet, she couldn't let go. She even attempted to make a replica with kidnapped brides' tears. That was a failure like her. Moving on, the dress didn't stand a chance in the toxic waters of the Sanzu River. Within a second, it perished. Finally, he granted himself to drink the rice wine by the bowlfuls.

Still, there was an issue, something, someone was missing. That explained his sleeplessness. His calloused feet scraped the boards, as he stomped, then skirted the corners. He headed to the deck. Standing tall, but not proud, he welcomed the pungency, breathing breaths two at a time, and pondered. Up to this time, they still hadn't acquired Earth like he's always planned for. Those goody, goody Power Rangers have, time and time again, succeeded in beating him.

When would he be the winner?!

At least, now, he had the one up. It was no secret Lauren Shiba, the true Red Samurai ranger, was dead. Capital, D,E,A,D. She was gone, deceased, finished, met her demise, the list of synonyms and sayings went on and on. He needed to enact on this now, but when would be the right time exactly?

Then, at that moment, he saw the tear. The purest of lights he's ever laid his icy eyes on shone through. He gasped, an epiphany, an omen of sorts alerted him, now. He deducted Lauren's passing must have sparked heartache among the rangers. "Octoroo," he barked his command. There was no time to waste. He met with the creature, who's face had tentacles. "It's time," he laughed in a menacing tone.

With a flick of his arm, Moogers, barging through the ground, several miles back, rose, ready to fight.

The rangers wouldn't know what hit them.

This was his massive attack.

Master Xandred slapped his newly acquired white patch twice. With this on him, he would surely survive the goodness of Earth!

Xxxxx

The Next Morning
Shiba House
Panorama City, CA

The Kurokos departed the Shiba grounds several hours ago. They were to deliver Lauren's body to the residents of the Tengen Gate, so they could prepare her body for a funeral. Jason Scott and Terry, Mia's brother, also left last night. Everyone else stayed over.

Jayden exited his bedroom, leaving his sleepy girlfriend in bed. He bypassed his own friends, sparring with the youths, his dad, and his dad's friends to release some steam. Going by the living room, he saw the Mentors writing an itemized list. Then, he came down a hall and saw his mom and her friends fixing breakfast together. This was still the fullest he's seen the house, in awhile. It was good, but the circumstance was not.

He stepped onto the platform of the backyard to search for his sister. She wasn't in either of the three mentioned places. He took step, seeing she was on the phone. He suspected she was talking to her boyfriend.

"Bren, I wish you were here," Sophia admitted, walking aimlessly. "It would have helped a lot... it was emotionally draining."

"I asked to come," he swore, "but dad said not to. Something about I would get in the way. He should have been a Ninjetti, then we could have had animal spirits, then we could have helped too.."

She rolled her eyes. "And, what you be, a pot bell pig," she queried with giggle.

"That should have been Rock's," he joked, but got serious. "I was so worried about you, when I found out. I couldn't believe you were evil. You're like the kindest person I've ever met. Well, that's if nobody pissed you off, but you get what I'm saying."

"I do."

"And you should have seen Tris. I thought he was going to pass out because he was so hyped, scared, throwing tantrums. It was crazy. Thanks to my mom, he calmed down..."

"That's Aunt Trini, for ya." Sophia looked behind and saw her brother. She gave him a weak smile and waved him over.

Her brother arrived at her side. He looked down at her expectantly, mouthing 'Brennan, the boyfriend'. She blushed and nodded. He motioned for her to give him the phone.

"Hold, Bren," the reluctant sister handed off the phone.

"Uh, hello? Is this Brennan," Jayden wondered, stifling laughter. It was kind of hard.

"Yeah, and who's this," Brennan shot back with no fear, but mentally kicked himself. "Oh, you're my girlfriend's brother?!" It donned on him.

"Yup... so, how long have you been dating my sister?"

"Around six months or so."

"Are you treating her well?"

"Yes, of course," Jason and Trini's son yelped, nervous, but it was the most ludicrous question he heard. "You have her parents. Aunt Kim and Uncle Tommy would never allow me to treat her anything less."

"True," Jayden concurred. "Well, I plan on making a trip to Reefside-Angel Grove soon. We should meet, get to know each other, box, spar... are you down?"

Sophia rolled her eyes. That's the last thing she needed was her boyfriend to fight her brother, but the protectiveness made her grin. She felt complete with her brother around.

"Uh, yeah, I'm down," Brennan sounded tough, but his knees were quivering.

"Perfect, until then..." Jayden smirked. He enjoyed being the big brother. Making little boys pee in their pants, on the other hand, wasn't his cup of tea, but it was a little fun. He returned the phone to his sister and waited for her to be done.

"Soph, why didn't you warn me," Brennan questioned, irate and frightened.

"Oh, don't be a big baby," she teased, as she stuck her tongue out towards Jayden. She smiled. "I'll talk to you later... can't wait to see you."

"See you soon, Soph, bye."

"Bye," she ended the phone call. Still flushed with pink, she twisted to see Jayden. He laughed at her, and she pushed him. "Yeah, yeah."

"Is my little sister in love," he crooned, childish.

"Um, no, but do I like him, like, like him, like him," she thought. "Well, then yes, most definitely. I like him, like him," she rambled in girl talk.

Jayden cocked his head in confusion, but accepted it. As long as she knew what she was talking about, he accepted. "So, why aren't you inside with everyone else, besides the obvious," he asked. "I still think there's a lot on your mind."

Sophia sat at the gray stone bench that rested nearby. "I dunno, I guess I just wanted some fresh air," she responded.

He accompanied her. "Is that all? Or, are you still thinking about... How was it being in the Sanzu River?"

"It's a little foggy, or maybe, I'm just trying to block everything out, I guess. It was dark, scary, smelly," she shrugged her shoulders, her feet roving, back and forth, on the crisp grass. "Being that evil and in a place like that, it surely does bring out a different side of you... a side I want to forget, forever."

"At least, you're back home and with everybody..."

"Do you miss her," she blurted, all of a sudden. She noticed that look in his eyes; it was obvious he wanted to tack on 'unlike Lauren' to the end of that sentence. She didn't blame him.

"Of course," he answered,"but, she knew what she was doing."

"Yeah," Sophia agreed. "She had a great head on her shoulders..." She aimlessly stared off into the distance. Not even a moment later, the sky, blue in color, transformed to an orangey, brick color. Her nose scrunched, a sense of familiarity rushing towards her. It was the scent of a decomposing body would be. Soon, the clouds disappeared, blackness tinted the sun. Crackling sounds of lightning and thunder crashing, boomed. Launched into a state of panic, she slapped her brother's side several times. "Jayden, Jayden."

Jayden's eyes narrowed. This was a telling indication of who came to Earth. He was here. "Sophia, get in the house now," he demanded, his voice stern. Right then, at that moment, he was ready to morph and confront the ruler of the Netherworld, himself.

"Come on," she insisted, pulling roughly on his arm. "Let's get in there!"

"The house is protected by symbols! I can do this," he disagreed with her.

"Sophia, JAYDEN," Kim called them inside with urgency.

Sophia was the first to take off, then Jayden's steps traced hers. The daughter to Tommy and Kim arrived inside of the living room. She was met by her best friends, who were coupled off, Rock and Kaylani; Adrian and Naddy. She wished Bren was here.

Jayden met with his team, who were already at the pivotal table. They waited for him to reclaim his title as leader. He did so, when he touched the water map. His eyes grew wide. It wasn't one blip of red, nor was it two. The red damn near colored the whole entire map!

"It's glowing red everywhere," Emily said in disbelief.

"What," Mike queried. "How is this possible?!"

"It's an invasion," Mentor Ji observed.

"All of our sorrow must have caused the Sanzu River tip over," Mentor Yaki figured.

"Master Xandred must have crossed into our world," Kevin concluded. "He's strong enough to be on Earth's soil, now."

"Well, then, there's only one thing to do," Antonio looked to his leader. "Jay, amigo, this is all you."

Eyes from every person in the living room landed on Jayden. His teammates, his parents, his brother and sister, his parents' best friends, their kids, and the Mentors knew the fate of the world was in his hands. His guidance was desperately needed.

In the little time Jayden slept, he formulated a plan. "It's going to take everything we have to defeat Master Xandred. We're going to take him out using brute force," he revealed to their shock.

"That's your plan," his dad queried. His wife elbowed him in the stomach. "Ow."

"Let him speak," she ordered, silencing him. She was confident her son could so this.

"Lauren's attempt to seal Master Xandred didn't work, but it definitely weakened him. Dayu's human essence may have saved him, but it also created a weak spot that we can exploit," he referenced the white patch on the Master's scaly skin. "Forget sealing him, if we can hit that spot with a strong enough blow, we may be able to destroy him... for good."

"Okay," Kevin was on board, however, there was issue, "but, we'll need more power."

Mentor Yaki spoke up. "You'll have it," he promised. He walked to a container and revealed a Red disc. It contained some of Lauren's powers. He presented it to Jayden, in front of everyone. "This is the Shiba Fire disc. Lauren prepared yesterday morning, before going into her final battle. It's for you to use." He relinquished it. He patted the younger man on the back. "It seems, Lauren wasn't the one that was meant to defeat him. It is you; you are. Get him."

Everyone in the room watched the interaction between the two. It was a momentous occasion, and something Lauren would have loved to seen for herself.

Jayden examined the shiny disc. He nodded his thanks to Mentor Yaki. "Even in her after life, she's watching over us," he whispered to himself. "Thanks to Lauren it's possible. Now, no doubt it's going to be a tough battle, but we're a team, a very strong team. Together, we can accomplish anything."

The current team of rangers nodded and praised their leader.

"What about Mia," Sophia questioned in a soft voice. The Pink ranger was nowhere in sight. "Is someone going to wake her? She's going to want to fight."

Before the team could address the matter, the leader interjected. "There's not that much time to waste, we're going now," he decided. "Rangers out!"

The Samurai rangers ran to the rock quarry, while everyone else was left to ponder the Red ranger's abrupt decision.

Xxxxx

Rock Quarry
Panorama City, CA

Arriving at the predetermined destination, for what they thought to be their final fight, the five Samurai rangers, attired in their training uniforms adorned with the Shiba crest in their respective colors, recollected themselves. With every single emotion glinted in their eyes and affixed in their fit bodies, they scanned the innumerable foot soldiers brimming the stony floor.

"There's so many," Emily noted, her feet digging into the ground, anticipation building within her willowy body. "It doesn't matter; we can take 'em—together."

"Hey, Antonio," Mike called, "you still glad you became a Samurai?"

"Are you kidding me?! Being a Samurai is the best thing to ever happen to me," Antonio vouched. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"Jay, are you sure you wanna do this without Mia," Kevin asked, thinking his best friend made a bad decision. Other times, even while pregnant, she jumped at the chance to fight, to rid the world of monsters and evil. It was not fair he made a critical decision, on her behalf.

"Yes," Jayden answered with no hesitation. Though he wasn't admitting to the truth, the truth was clear as day. He was deathly afraid for her's and the baby's sake. He could not take seeing her lifeless. He could not take another death. To prevent that from happening, he ordered she stay. At least, they had Lauren's disc, which added more fire. "Let's do this!"

"GO, GO SAMURAI," they yelled, morphing into their colorful, protective suits.

Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Gold drew their swords. As they made the trek to confront the hundreds of Moogers, their pulse accelerated, their determination was through the roof, and, though, they were one person down, that did not matter. They knew their own strength, and they knew the Moogers's weakness. They were the remedy to demolish them, once and for all. Picking up momentum, they charged forward. They slashed and sliced, taking down several in that matter of seconds. The quintet commenced, exhibiting their advanced weaponry. Left and right, they plowed, Moogers perished. Breaking off, individually, the rangers rotated to different parts of the expanse area to take on their own group. The intensity, the length, the amount of destroying buzzed in the arms, inflaming their limbs. They could and would not stopped.

Just then, on the tallest crest, the Sanzu River's prized ship landed. Master Xandred leaped, his arms were spread like wings and he dismounted. Growling, he noticed one color was missing. Where was the Pink ranger? That didn't matter. "Rangers, your destruction is in my hands, prepare to meet your doom," he greeted them. Several of the remaining Moogers beckoned they were at his disposal. They shielded him.

Breathless, the Samurai rangers reconvened. They faced their biggest enemy, the ruler of the Netherworld, the villain responsible for their heartache.

Combing the sea of Moogers, the Red ranger pinpointed the weak spot. The pure, white patch stood out against the Master's dark, monochromatic colors. Unveiling the Black Box, he morphed. Cloaked in the Super Samurai robe, he gave his orders. "Get me in close. When I'm close enough, I'm going to use Lauren's disc."

"Flanking positions," Kevin formulated, still believing this battle needed a touch a pink. Yet, they must make due with Master Xandred's arrival. "Antonio, Emily in the front, Mike and I in the rear." Once positioned, the Blue ranger angled his weapon. "We'll protect you."

Jayden glared inside of his helmet, while clutching the handle of his Samurai blade. Not only did Master Xandred's defeat preserve humanity, but it gave him a peace of mind. Xandred has wreaked enough havoc. If it wasn't for him, then Serrator would have never existed. Serrator would have never conjured a spell that caused immeasurable pain, damage and suffering. Cole would have never been Deker, Deker would have never killed him, his little sister would have never been corrupted nor turned evil, Lauren would not have died, and his girlfriend and child would have never been hurt. Linked to such misery was Master Xandred, and he had to pay. "For Lauren," Jayden dedicated this fight was for her.

"FOR LAUREN," the rangers shouted.

"ATTACK!"

The Samurai rangers raced with their sabers dissevering the army and defending their leader. As more confronted them, Antonio and Emily broke off, leaving Mike and Kevin to protect him. Gold and Yellow deflected right; Antonio utilized LZ to destroy several at once, including the Spitfangs that arrived spontaneously. Blue and Green maintained their positions, and even outsmarted the team of foot soldiers that dared to hurt them. The teammates were unstoppable. When their goal was a few feet away, they turned towards Jayden, accomplishing what they intended to do.

Jayden placed Lauren's disc around his Samurai Sword, as he walked forward. Finally, he was face to face with Master Xandred.

"So, Red ranger, we meet again," Master Xandred snarled. "I heard about your sister, or should I say, adopted sister."

"It doesn't matter... she was still my sister," the Red ranger remained unfazed.

"Sister," Master Xandred taunted, "like that brat Sophia!" He feigned pondering. "She was pretty decent on this side."

"LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE, XANDRED!"

"Where's the Pink ranger?"

"SHUT UP," Jayden barked. "Super Spin Sword." He spun the disc, his sword powered with flames. As for him, he felt Lauren's essence. It was like a her soul's life, the blueprint that made her essentially, invigorate him. He ran towards his target.

Master Xandred saw him coming. He swung his sword, Jayden slid beneath to avoid it. Master Xandred attempted to strike at him again, but Jayden countered. As the red ranger came around, he barreled his weapon into the white patch and twisted it to add further pressure. Flames and lightning emitted.

"I'm going to kill you," Jayden threatened, giving it all he had.

It wasn't enough though.

With his brute hands, Master Xandred clamped down on the blade and resisted. The remnants of Lauren's power ceased to exit, sizzling into nothing. He heard the Red ranger gasp in shock. He dislodged the sword from his chest, and tossed Jayden's weakened body over him. He had to commend the Red ranger for not surrendering so easily, but it was a futile to continue. "You really thought had me destroyed," Master Xandred exchanged a laugh, as the Red ranger tumbled.

The horrified Samurai rangers ran and caught Jayden. They gathered around him.

"This isn't over, Xandred," Jayden vowed. He held his sword, but Lauren's brittle disc cracked. Pieces rained from the Black Box's holder.

"The Shiba Fire Disc," Em cried.

"Ha, your one chance at victory is now lying on the ground," Master Xandred pointed out, reveling in his victory. He, then, pushed his hand forward. An energy wave was unleashed. It was not once, but twice, the latter flames of the Netherworld. He wanted to torture them into surrendering, so he could control Earth freely.

They dove, but it was too late. They were hit. Light and fire went through them, burning them from the inside out. "Ahh," they shrieked at the stabbing feeling. They all demorphed instantly, no longer able to sustain their power suit. They grunted but tried to stand. They weren't ready to give up just yet.

"Bow to me," Master Xandred demanded.

"No matter what you, do..." Jayden breathed deeply, overhearing his best friends struggling, "... we'll never bow to you."

Xandred took note. The Samurai rangers were unwilling to die. Exasperated, he left them with the ultimate threat. "Since, you lack the proper incentive to bow to me and make me your ruler... then, I'll make Sophia, or, how about the Pink ranger... I heard she's expecting," Master Xandred abandoned the rangers.

"NO," Jayden screamed. His rage boiled inside of him. He needed to reclaim his strength in a quick manner. If not, it would be too late. He struggled to get on his two feet, but flopped onto his stomach again. His eyes stretched, but it was not of his doing. They toggled like crazy. He prayed for help, as he met darkness.

Xxxxx

Shiba House
Panorama City, CA

The strong screech from a Phoenix rung in Mia's ears, waking her from what seemed like a nightmare. She rose and looked around in a panic. She was alone. She ripped the covers off of her, exited the bedroom, and she peeked into every bedroom she passed. All were vacant. Then, she overheard the alarmed screams, the cries of pain. Her head whipped towards the living room. She ran, only to arrive and see the Oliver family in fetal position and under distress

"It must be Jayden," Tanya assumed, while speaking to Mentor Ji.

"What do we do," Ji asked, worried. He'd never seen anything like this before.

Mentor Yaki, Adam and Rocky emerged from the kitchen, basins and wash cloths in hand. They handed them off to the nearest females. Tanya got on her knees, as did Hayley and Aisha.

"There's nothing to do," Adrian replied, his arms wrapped around Naddy.

Kaylani stood off to the side with Rock. She looked scared.

"Does this often occur," Yaki questioned, as he watched the two women wipe the Oliver family's foreheads.

"The Ninjetti spirits are really connected," Rocky explained.

"But," Hayley interjected, while wringing dish cloth. She dipped for more, cool water. "when it comes to family, the spirits are linked infinitely, it's unbounded. They feel what each other feels, when it comes to trauma."

"Mia," Billy noticed she was awake. "Did you, too, feel what they felt?"

Mia could only nod. "What's going on," she queried."Where's everyone else?" She didn't see the Samurai rangers. Surely, they wouldn't leave her behind.

"While you were asleep, that map thing went off," Adam revealed. "They went to fight Master Xandred."

"They went without me," she was surprised. "Why?"

Billy, who began to monitor the Oliver family, replied to Mia's query. "He, as in Jayden, volunteered to leave without giving an answer to that same inquiry. It seems he didn't want you to go."

One by one, the Falcon, Crane, Dove and Hawk came to. Residual pangs erupted in their head, traveling throughout their anatomy. They groaned.

"What happened," Tommy questioned. His last memory was walking to the bathroom. Now, he was back where he started and surrounded by all of his friends, who appeared concerned about him.

"Oh, no, Tommy, Jayden," Kimberly concluded, as she pulled herself to sit on a free chair. She minded Landon's sleeping form. "Sophia, Tristan."

"It could be Mia," Sophia added. When she saw Mia, who was standing a few feet away, was perfectly fine, she knew she was wrong. "Okay, Jayden. It's Jayden... are you okay?" She reached out to the Pink ranger.

"Yeah, I am, are you guys," a concerned Mia, her heart plastered on her sleeve like usual, wanted to make sure. Tristan, his strength already restored, waddled over to her and held his arms up. Smiling, she scooped the tot and hitched him onto the right side of her body. He was a little heavy, but this was practice, she supposed. "Wait, did Master Xandred invade Earth?" She looked at every single person in the room.

"He must be too strong then," a bemused Mentor Ji alerted, walking around. He pondered, on Jayden's behalf, about their next course of action. If Lauren's final disc failed, then it was time to unveil Mathew's final disc. He bestowed the disc to him, for an occasion like this.

Tommy bounced back immediately, reverting to his past leader days, he, too, planned. "There's no way we can help them," he asked.

The Bear tossed her rag into one of the basins. She overheard Tommy. "What, are you thinking about? That we morph and assist them," she wondered.

"No," Kim replied, her thinking aligned with her husband's. "Those discs, he wants to infuse the Ninjetti power with a disc. Am I right?" Her husband nodded she was.

"Is that possible," Naddy chirped, from her spot with Adrian.

"Come on, Nads... they're Ninjetti, anything is possible," Rock vouched, looking at the two most intelligent people in the room. "Uncle Billy, Auntie Hayley."

The duo made eye contact. They weren't positive.

Mentor Yaki understood their willingness to help, but he had to think about the bigger picture. "We can't undo centuries of tradition," he voiced his opinion. "The discs have been prepared with a lot of training and dedication. To make a new one, it would take years... It just can't happen like that."

"But, Antonio was able to program his own Zord with technology," Mia countered, while releasing Tris to his parents. "It is possible. I believe they can do it. If we could channel their Ninjetti spirits via a Samuraizer, mine, Mentor's, Yaki I know you have, then a new disc can be formed. I don't why it couldn't happen."

"If we're going to try, it needs to happen now," Yaki relented, walking a hidden compartment in one of the bookshelves. He retrieved his Samuraizer, much to everyone's surprise in the room. "We don't have much time to waste."

"Uncle Tommy, do you need us too," Kaylani gestured herself and her friends.

"No," Tommy shook his head. "It will be up to the original Ninjetti; our powers are the most advanced. It's the only way."

"Come on," Mentor Ji led Tommy, Kim, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, Billy, Mia and Yaki to the indoor training room, leaving the kids with Tanya and Hayley, and grabbed a blank disc. He positioned the circular item at the wooden podium, the same one from when Antonio was able to transfer the Samurai rangers' symbols into the Black Box, in the center of the room.

The Ninjetti surrounded the podium with Yaki, Ji, and Mia uniformly behind them.

Mia held hers up, as well. She searched deep inside herself. "We can do this," she believed.

"Concentrate, take deep breaths and get to a place that makes you the most content," Yaki ordered, holding his Samuraizer. A sense of relief washed over him, afterwards. He knew this was the right thing to do, to accept help from outsiders. Jayden's parents, along with their friends, weren't so bad after all. "Now, look deep within yourselves, gather as much energy as you can..."

"...Let it flow around you," Ji added on, his Samuraizer extended too.

Each element of the Great Power purged from the Ninjetti with Mia, Yaki and Ji swirling their phones, directing the animals to the disc. Their first try was unsuccessful. Though, they were drained, they didn't give up. Once more, they tried.

Adjacent to Yaki's body, Lauren's filmy image appeared. No one noticed her, but that was okay. She already knew what they were up to, so she gifted her residual powers to aid them. She still owned some. This was her thanks, her ability to still help, even while dead. She wished she could stay longer to see the outcome of the final fight, but it wasn't possible. Besides, they had this under control. "Good luck, to all," she whispered; as quickly as she came, she left that quickly.

A couple of seconds later, the first ever Ninjetti Samurai disc was born.

Xxxxx

Rock Quarry
Panorama City, CA

Soiled with the dirt of the Earth and marred with burns from a the vicious, energy shot and flame attack of Master Xandred, the Samurai rangers were conscious. Their morale was maintained. As the fire around them flickered, the remnants of the defeated Moogers littered, they made the move to continue the fight.

The remaining Moogers swayed against the wind, preying on them.

"You guys can stand right," Jayden was the first to question, his body roving towards the foot soldiers. "We have to find a way to defeat Master Xandred and get back to Mia and unborn child."

"I was just taking a little siesta," Antonio grunted, forcing his body to withstand all injuries incurred.

"Me too," the Yellow ranger stood on her two feet.

"It's not over," Kevin agreed with his teammates. "For generations, our parents have waited for this moment. We need to seize it."

"We can do this," Mike hurled his shoulder for leverage. He looked around. "Never give up."

"What we do today, will be remembered forever," the Red ranger said with determination in his blue eyes.

With Master Xandred gone, that left the stranded rangers with the dozens of Moogers, who refused to die. Instead of wallowing or surrendering, the tenacious rangers unveiled their swords and were ready for another round. Unmorphed, they pursued the villains that often consumed the better half of their fights and launched an all out attack. The spun, twirled, stabbed, hacked, chopped. Their efforts murdered half, but with the injuries they've sustained, their bodies becoming deprived of oxygen, the task became harder than they realized.

The Moogers utilized this to their advantage, managing to out power them. Their swords came into contact with the rangers' midsections, arms, backs.

Like leaves in the fall, the rangers came down. They didn't speak of the severity of their injuries, nor did they allow themselves to succumb to them. However, their breaths became labored, their whole bodies grew even more tired. They were not sure how much more they could take. Then, in the distance, they saw it. The signature Black SUV stamped with the Shiba Crest and Mentor Ji on his motorcycle. Help arrived. The large Escalade crept to a stop. The doors swung open, and six adults stepped out.

"NINJA RANGER POWER, NOW," they bellowed. Tommy, Kim, Rocky, Aisha, Adam and Billy donned their ninja robes from their teenage years. They broke off to combat their own clumps.

From where he was, Jayden smiled. His parents bailed him out definitely. He was proud to be their son. He watched.

"Ew, what are these things," Kim griped, doing a cartwheel. Her hands extended to defend herself, as she shuffled her feet. When two came at her, she ducked to block their attack, then she kicked the back of them.

"I don't know which is worse," Aisha teleported from one place to another, dodging their swords, "the Putties, Tengas, or these freakazoids!" She socked a few.

"You didn't fight the bucket of bolts, Mama Bear," Rocky spoke about the Cogs during his Zeo reign, as he did a one, two punch, when it came to two Moogers. He, then, replicated himself. His two selves butterfly kicked. "Those were like rocks!"

Adam front flipped, his leg coming down on the back of an occupied Mooger. "Don't forget the Pirahanatrons," he remembered the fish that looked to have been experimentally gone wrong.

"You know, this brings us back. A little taste of nostalgia," Billy mused, missing the days of the putties. "Hi-yah," he roundhouse kicked several in a row.

"Well I've fought them all, and then some," Tommy enziguri kicked a Mooger near him. "Those Tyrannodrones though."

"WE KNOW," all responded, bored.

On his motorcycle, Ji held Mia back, asking her if this was what she wanted to do. "Are you sure?"

Mia retrieved her sword and unleashed her attack against the Moogers without an answered. She maneuvered deeper in, approaching her fallen friends. She fended off the ones that followed her. "I started this fight with you guys," she gutted a foot soldier," and I'm going to finish this fight with you guys."

Regaining their strength, the Samurai rangers hopped to their feet. They joined and were able to obliterate them in not time.

The Samurai ranger and Ninjetti all came together. Though they were out of breath, they gave high fives and congratulated one another on a job well done. They, then, laughed when Mia smacked Jayden's head.

"What were you thinking when you left me behind," the Pink ranger chided her boyfriend.

Jayden shrugged. "I don't know..."

"Dude, what was he thinking," Rocky shook his head. "Never mess with a Pink." His wife glared. "Or a yellow!"

"I'll take your advice," Mike agreed. Emily nudged him. He hissed. "Ah..."

"Mom, dad, what you guys did was amazing," Jayden returned, Mia by his side, and was in awe and humbled to have them as his parents.

"It's no problem," his mom embraced him. "Now, your dad and mentor have something to give you."

Jayden's brows scrunched, while pitching his sword on his shoulder. The two men presented him with two discs-the one infused the animal spirits of the Ninjetti and a white Samurai disc. "What is this," he examined the first one and noticed the Falcon, Crane, Ape, Bear, Frog and Wolf printed. They weren't Samurai; they were Ninjetti. "How is this possible?"

"We combined the Ninjetti powers to form this disc. It's called the Ninjetti Samurai disc. It's only good for one use," Tommy informed. "This should get you one step closer to a victory."

"I'll promise to use it at the right time. You can count on me," Jayden accepted. He hugged his dad. "I'll make you proud."

"You already have," Tommy assured.

"And I have to give you this," Mentor Ji handed him the second disc. "It was your other dad's. He gave this to me, before he passed. With your Symbol Power, the Great Power, and of course, the Phoenix inside of you, you can power it up enough to defeat Master Xandred."

"Well, this is it," Jayden affirmed for the second time. "With the help of these, Master Xandred won't know what hit him. Rangers out..." Before leaving, he grabbed for Mia's hand. "You protected?"

"Yup," she nodded, her hands rubbing her stomach.

"We can't do this without you," he told her.

"Hurry up, amigo, fight now, love later," Antonio badgered.

The six rangers left for downtown. The fight to protect the world on their minds.