A/N: And, here we go. Only two more chapters, after this one, until the story is finished. Sorry for the spaced out updates, and I thank every reader who has bared with me.

Episode: Samurai Forever

Chapter 34- The Reds

Xxxxx

Main St.
Panorama City, CA

The rangers raced for what was to be their final battle with Master Xandred.

The crimson and cerulean colored villain already gave them all he had, and, with two new discs in their arsenal, the Samurai rangers were prepared to give Master Xandred one hell of a fight.

The need to defeat him streamed in their blood.

Yet, in order to do so, they had to seek him.

As of right now, it was a crazed goose chase. Each place they thought he would be, Government St. in downtown, random parks, near the waterfront, the block of shops, where Kim's was located, schools or neighborhoods, he evaded them. They alleged to head back to the quarry, but were positive he went due east towards civilization to wreak havoc and terrorize even more. Yet, this was a challenge. It was like he acquired a new power, teleporting.

"Argh," Kevin griped, out of breath, his body propped against what was left of a wall. In deep contemplation, he wondered where the Master's location. "He's been continuously throwing us off his trail!"

Emily gripped her burning knees, trying to calm her spiked breaths, while feeling the burly hands of her boyfriend on her back. She smiled small. Even in peril, he calmed her. "We can't give up," she reinforced, "He's bound to show up somewhere."

An epiphany struck Antonio, all of a sudden. His heart raced at the possibility. "Wait a minute," he held his hand up, gathering their attention, "Master Xandred mentioned both Mia and Sophia," he waited for them to catch on to what was on his mind.

"But, Mia's with us..." Mike pointed out, withdrawing his hand from his girlfriend's body. He snapped his fingers, his green eyes roved to make eye contact with each of his team members, specifically Jayden. He hoped to not arouse the look of death behind his leader's blue eyes and face, but it was too late.

"Then that means..." Mia stopped, right then and there, unable to finish the sentence. She remained calm, then twisted to meet her boyfriend, who's eyes flamed to the horrifying green.

His father's gift or curse.

Absolute wrath marred Jayden's face usually handsome face, upon the realization. Hadn't his little sister been through enough?! She just came back to the side of good barely 24 hours ago, and again, she was evil's intended target. If confronted, without an ambush, could her no fear persona, a trait inhibited from the Falcon and Crane, back down and wait for the necessary help to arrive, or would her need to protect those around her force her to fight?

He couldn't answer either.

His sister, though 13, was her own person. She was tough, no holds bar kind of chick, with impeccable skills. She's exhibited that, since they first crossed paths near the waterfront. She told him upfront, when she thought he was a creep, even displayed some moves when Robtish and the Moogers invaded. He couldn't stop her, even if he tried. She knew how to fight.

Still, as the Red ranger and, most importantly, an elder sibling, he possessed the obligation to protect the people around him.

Sophia included.

His eyes resumed their normal hue, but were still hard as rocks. "He's heading to the Shiba House, let's go," he ordered, his tone menacing. If anything were to happen to her, his little brother, his parents, mentor, anyone else in there, for that matter, he would never forgive himself.

The six zoomed at the speed of light.

Thirteen years ago Master Xandred trespassed on the Shiba grounds. Thirteen years ago, his former adversary, Mathew Shiba, sealed him away. Thirteen years ago, his hatred for the Samurai rangers sprouted even more.

Knowing damn well past rangers, their children and mentors permeated in and around, did Master Xandred have a death wish?

… Or...

He planned to exact a death wish on them.

Xxxxx

Shiba House
Panorama City, CA

The mentors sensed evil, in the form of Master Xandred and a football team of older men rose from their seats, slowly, steadily, hanging onto the belief the protective symbols surrounding the house would do their job. Still, the two had to make sure. They walked, sneaky in manner. Their shadows cascaded over the many occupants, engaged in a flurry of activities, ranging from sparring, playing peek-a-boo, snacking, talking, anything to keep themselves busy. Both stepped onto the training yard, leaving the front door barely jarred.

Not once, did they bat an eyelash, flinch, or turn back for help.

They whipped their Samuraizers out, their purpose to provide extra symbols to block the rage that billowed from the opposite side.

"On the count of three," Mentor Ji notified, supposing the calm before the storm was already reached.

"Three," Mentor Yaki concurred, his eyes, infuriated yet full of valor for what was right, stared straight ahead.

"ONE," they started the necessary strokes, "TWO," after directing their phones, thirteen times to be exact, golden embers emerged and connected to birth the symbol for shield. In front of them, the symbol bounced, charred pieces separating, invisibly disappearing. The crackles, popping noises, those sounds bit in their aged ears.

"THREE!"

They guided the newly born Kanji symbol forward and created more. They quickened their pace, more formed in succession. Bullets of sweat slipped and slid all over their body. Their breaths became shallow, their bodies weakening with each one made. Their limbs started to flounder; they were barely able to sustain them. They howled in pain, as they collapsed to the ground. On their asses, they faced each other, a genuine smile shared between the two, since their first time meeting more than a decade ago. A consensus took shape, a mutual respect given as a truce. Their efforts were honorable and worthy of a hero's welcome, but they were humble and only wished for a glass of ice, cold water.

Finished, they stood shakily, their arms extended over each other's back to assist one another, and headed for the inside.

But...

They might have been able to form Symbols, their power was not strong enough to withstand them.

A gush of wind emitted from Master Xandred's extended arm, his sword in his liberated hand. He growled, his newfound power circumventing behind this one move to break through the innumerable and prevailing Kanjis.

He needed to get in there, make them all suffer, take one of them hostage to lure the Red ranger to force him onto his knees. He yearned to hear him beg to be let them go of. Most importantly, he vied for Jayden to respect him as his king.

His minions swayed in anticipation for what was to come.

Master Xandred's power was too much. His power exceeded more than what a mentor's Samurai Symbol was supposed to maintain. One by one, a symbol became incinerated, becoming nothing, and as that happened, the Shiba House became more and more vulnerable to the impending onslaught.

Overhearing the Earth shattering jangles of the gates becoming undone, signals they were about to rip part and fly off the hinges, the limping mentors, only an inch from going inside, looked behind in horror. The two doors heaved back and forth, back and forth. They bared witness. Their efforts, from a minute earlier, fizzled into the air, as if they never tried.

There was one thing they could do.

Shout, scream their warnings.

"HE'S HERE, HE'S OUTSIDE, RIGHT NOW, THE HOUSE IS UNDER ATTACK, MASTER XANDRED IS HERE!"

Their alarming cries soared into the expanse house, startling every single person inside.

The Ninjetti stood immediately in defensive stances. With swoops of their hand, they gestured their family members to stand behind them. If they didn't have enough excitement, at the rock quarry, earlier, they were about to get a boat load now.

Mentor Ji and Yaki hobbled inside breathlessly. The questioning looks from the others fell upon them, but they ignored it.

"There's a lower layer to this house. It's like a bunker, and it was created for instances like these," Mentor Yaki revealed. For once, he didn't complain. He didn't say, if Lauren was here this would never happen. He accepted things for what they were. He just had to. As for their current situation, he never, in all of his years as a Mentor, thought Master Xandred's power would increase enough to break through the contrived barriers that were infused with the teachings of a Samurai.

Furthermore, he didn't expect for anyone to be housed in the bunker, which was beneath the residence and was also similar in structure and size. It was like Tommy's Command Center, and was stocked every six Kurokos would sneak in, no matter if it was used or not, to modernize the place to keep up with time. There was enough food and activities to last two weeks at a time.

Mathew created it long ago, for instances like these.

As for the Ninjetti, they intended to leave the Shiba House, but one thing after another prevented them from doing so. Now, they were in the line of danger.

"But I thought this house was untouchable," Aisha argued, her frightened children on either side of her. She watched her husband slick back his hair with frazzled hands, which was most likely similar to his current state of mind. Both were not taking kindly to their predicament.

Mentor Ji stuttered over his words. "We tried," he muttered, hoping intervention, in the form of the Samurai rangers, was on their way already. He realized his phone was on the outside training mat. Mentor Yaki left his in a hurry too. He turned to the others. "Have any of you tried reaching Jayden?"

A bang that would be off the Richter scale charts broke through, petrifying them.

The whole room was in an uproar.

Landon wailed inside of his mother's arms. Hayley panicked, and her husband attempted to calm her down.

"Dad, I'm scared," Kaylani sobbed into her father's side. She couldn't take the reign on her emotions because they were slipping at a rapid speed.

"MOM," Adrian needed Tanya.

More windows to the Shiba House shattered at once, jump starting them on their feet. Mentor Ji and Yaki were, for now, responsible, for their safety and had to bring them to the secret hideout. Each step they made, proved deadly, as more doors and parts of the house were blown to smithereens. Pieces laid tattered, in front of them, near them, by them.

Screams of terror erupted from the kids', albeit Sophia's, mouths. If they wanted to survive, which it was their will to do, they had to maneuver like their parents and the familiar adults. They scurried. At each big enough remnant, they took shelter. Their bodies hunched reflexively, as the blasts from Master Xandred's hands continued at every angle.

For everyone, former ranger or not, fear had them cornered.

"Rocky, Adam, Billy," Tommy appointed in an authoritative manner, not permitting to be a victim of fear, "take the youngest children down, then come back up."

"How much farther," Adam yelled over the screeches from his wife and their kids.

"Head to the last room on the right," Ji answered in a loud shot, "it leads to the entrance."

Adrenaline coursed through their veins, as they followed directions. Their bodies bent back, their arms came up to block the rubble that was coming down in clumps, while doing so. The trio formed a blockade around Hayley, Landon, Adrian, Kaylani, Rock, Tristan, and Tanya tailed behind them.

Sophia and Naddy stayed behind, but for different reasons.

Hayley and Landon entered, then Kaylani, followed by Rock and Tanya.

Adrian turned, when he noticed Naddy was where he left her. "Naddy, come on," he beckoned with wisps of his hand.

Naddy's tear streaked face roamed right, and then to the others closest to her. She shook her head. "I-I, I can't," she yelled, shaking her head this was crazy.

"You can; you have to," her mom encouraged, nodding it was going to be okay.

"Come on, Naddy," her dad too held the hope for his daughter, "You are the Cougar. You can do this!"

As the ground shook and fire raged, Naddy brave what was to come. She booked it on the pathway. A piece of burning wood dropped, the embers embedding into her skin. "Ow," she screeched.

"NADDY," everyone gasped.

Tommy, with his residual Dino Thunder power, guided his feet to come behind the frightened and hurt girl. "Stay with me." The two became invisible and were able to go through the burning fire. He ushered her over and left her with the mentors. "Take care of her." He watched Naddy escorted to the inside, and he looked behind to see his daughter, her eyes to the outside, was farther than everyone else.

Meanwhile, Master Xandred attempts to wean at least one person outside altered, when he saw this home. He was hellbent on destroying it and all the memories along with it. A flick of his hand here, then there accomplished more than he dreamed of.

Yet, it wasn't as gratifying as the Red ranger surrendering.

He needed to change his tactic.

He ordered his army to stand down.

"SOPHIA, MIA" Master Xandred roared not realizing it was only Sophia inside. "SHOW YOURSELVES."

With the Ninjetti and Sophia left in the charring house, they heard the demand, a chilling request from evil itself. Tommy and Kim's eyes altered to their threatening hue. Obviously, this didn't sit well with them, and they were ready to run out there and launch a full on attack to protect her.

Sophia disregarded them. "Mom, dad," she begged for them to stand down. As water came from her skin and not her eyes, she remained steady, serene, and brave. "Let me go." She figured this was what he wanted; she's already dealt with him before; she'd be fine.

"WHAT," her parents bellowed at the same time, reproaching her for even thinking of such a thing. They just got her back, and who knows what could happen, if she stepped outside to meet with him.

"Soph," Uncle Billy intervened, thinking like her uncle should. "think about this. Don't."

"What about Bren," Uncle Rocky mentioned in hopes she would forgo the idea to comply.

"You can't... it would be suicide," Aisha agreed with everyone else.

Sophia thought on her feet swiftly. "Somehow, he's here, the one place the Samurai rangers didn't think he could be. I should go out there to gain extra time for them," she formulated. "I'll be fine."

"It's not a bad idea," Adam defended her decision. He reminisced, and it was dire times like these that Tommy would do something absurd to save the day or Kim and wouldn't think twice. This wasn't surprising. Though she had physical traits of both her parents, she also had their personalities. This was not surprising she was being selfless and brave.

"If you're not back," Tommy warned, and it pained him to do so, but his daughter exhibited such courageousness, which was why he was agreeing to this plan, "in five minutes, we're coming after you."

"Tommy, no," Kim cried. "I can't, we can't..." She looked to see her daughter gone already.

Sophia traveled through the burning house, not hearing her mother's disagreement. Her dad granted her to go, and that's all she needed. If her dad held the confidence she could do this, then she knew she could. With the power of the Dove watching over her, she made her way. Frizzy hairs were sprawled in all directions, her skin and face covered with black soot, and she confronted him directly.

"What do you want," she hissed, not allowing her terrified state to show.

"You," Master Xandred's pitch was low, hoarse, and full of fury. His weapon rose towards her. With his free hand, one scaly finger gestured for her to come closer.

The Moogers parted to either side of her, forming a pseudo walk way. Their weapons laid dormant.

Sophia walked, her chin and chest held high, while doing so. Many thoughts entered, and she listened to her inner dove screech for the Phoenix to arrive in a more prompt manner.

Whatever was preventing them from doing so, they needed to get rid of it.

Master Xandred desired for her to be with him. He stared down, when she did. "You..."

"Me," she countered.

"I'll spare you, if you will join my ranks." In his opinion, he was set to take over the world, and he would cause even more destruction with her by his side. The best replacement for Dayu was more like it. "You show promise. I can turn you into my henchwoman."

"Your ranks," she repeated, her sarcasm heard. She quirked a brow, not willing to back down. "And why should I?!"

He grasped her hair, tangling her caramel strands more and more around his rugged fingers to the point her face strained and became pure white similar to a lamb's skin. Her eyes buckled, several tears threatened to descend at once. The circulation of blood to her head drained in pure torture, if there was ever such a thing. This was agony. However, for him he was pleased with this. The kind of pain that hurt so good, but for whom. She prevented her hands from reaching out, halting this from further continuing. She knew ahead of time that was exactly what he wanted.

"Do it, and I'll let you go," he bartered.

"I'll never do it," she didn't surrender. A few strands ripped from it's appropriate place, but she maintained her composure.

"Alright then, if you won't, then, bow to me human," he slithered the command, jangling her so easily she bounced within his grasp. When she didn't, he barked the command. "BOW!"

"I will never bow to the likes of you," she defied him and detested everything he stood for.

"What did you say?!"

The brazen teen she was. "I WILL NEVER BOW TO THE LIKES OF YOU," she repeated louder and more forcefully than before. She glared, her eyes that menacing hue of her heroic father. "FUCK YOU." To spite him even more, she spat in his face.

Sophia's DNA dribbled against his skin, some of the drool even settled in his crevices. Master Xandred had never been disrespected to this point, in his whole entire life.

At that moment, a dream from Jayden's past manifested itself into an unwanted reality.

Master Xandred's arm sloped upwards. He was going to make her pay, now. The height of his sword tinted her athletic body. It was coming down, barreling at a high rate of speed. It would be wielded in her gut, her life dissipating into nothing, her eyes without life, but he would allow her to keep the facial expression presented right now. It was a twisted beauty he thirsted for.

A far cry from his medicine.

Sophia's life flashed before her—the first time she laid eyes on her parents, how she looked when she promenaded down the aisle of Wesley Collins and Jennifer Scotts' wedding, the looks plastered on all people in attendance, Tristan welcomed into this world by her, her crush on Brennan blossomed over during their friendship, the truth an older brother was somewhere out there, their first encounter, her mission to find him, getting hurt, moving to a new city, recognition on his face they were, in fact, siblings, she was going to be an aunt, and... her final thought centered around him leaving to confront this very demon.

Se braced herself

But, it wasn't meant to be.

In the next second, she found her self left behind. Befuddled, she looked around.

They arrived.

"Hydro Bow," Kevin soared in the air, his blue arrows fired in succession towards Master Xandred.

"Sky Fan," Mia shouted, as she got her turn and twirled it against his body.

"Forest Spear," Mike summoned, forming a cross, leaves hurled.

"Earth Slicer," Emily tossed the weapon. The fuuma shuriken grinded on the ruler of the Netherworld.

"Barracuda Blade," Antonio finally got his turn, and he worked in a rapid speed.

The five continued to take turns.

Jayden front flipped to get his sister out of harm's way. With his Spinsword drawn, he fought off the Moogers that dared pounced on them. His sword caved, went sideways, then up and down. "Sorry, we're late."

She could say something snarky, but didn't. He rescued her. That was all that mattered. As she watched him fight with one arm behind her, his other arm with a sword in hand and in a whirl of unpredictable movement, she looked at her brother with admiration.

The Red ranger shielded his little sister, as he came to his feet. "Fire Smasher!" His weapon became consumed with fire, and he circled it around. When they were kaput, he ordered her inside. "Go, Sophia!"

Sophia nodded without a second thought, since her job was done. She watched around her, the multiple fires were dying down. She overheard the swishes from Kevin's Spin Sword laboring, and she supposed he was the factor for putting them out. She raced to the safety zone, her parents were waiting, and she lunged her lithe body. They caught her easily.

"Your brother is so lucky," Kim could choke her child, if he wasn't saving the world.

"Just a minute to spare," Tommy updated.

They hugged their daughter, and they escaped to the secluded bunker.

As for the Samurai Rangers, they regrouped. The Moogers perished, for good. It was just the six of them versus Master Xandred. He no longer had assistance. It was only going to be up to him.

There was no time to think about the damage done to the Shiba House.

They wanted to finish this—once and for all.

The Samurai rangers, already morphed, withdrew their Samuraizers. "Symbol Power, Teleport," they transferred themselves, Master Xandred too, to a different part of the city to compete what they started.

Xxxxx

Government St.
Panorama City, CA

As Master Xandred was coming to, Jayden called upon two Fire Smashers and placed the reserved disc from his adopted father on one of them. His duel Fire Smashers were pointed towards Master Xandred.

His team, right behind him, gripped their Spin Swords or Barracuda Blade, waiting for him to stand. Whenever it was, no matter what, they were ready.

Master Xandred jumped, a deafening holler unraveled from his mouth. Ribbons, fueled by the essence of the Sanzu River, enveloped his body. A new, improved, more demonic version of Master Xandred, like a Master Xandred 2.0, sprung through. Now, the singular color of the devil, as that was what he truly was, he needed the exttra power to combat the Samurai rangers. "Ahh," he screamed, exasperated they keep foiling his plans. "You aren't supposed to do this!"

The rangers were supposed to be deterred, but they weren't.

No matter how he looked, they were still going to accomplish what they intended to do.

"And you weren't supposed to mess with my sister ever again," Jayden debated with an icy pitch.

"No more arguing," Master Xandred emitted a wave current from his body.

The rangers used their weapons and bodies to block the attack. They repelled backwards, but were able to land on their feet. Unharmed and in the clear, they grabbed their Samuraizers and drew another symbol. They jailed Master Xandred. They watched his arms clamped to his body. That's when Jayden raced forward, he utilized his two Fire Smashers in sync, then apart, then together. Master Xandred plowed through the imaginary handcuffs. His arms flailed to create a gush of wind to blow them away.

"Now," Jayden ordered the Gold, Pink, Yellow and Green to bounce back and unleash one more attack.

The rangers followed, their swords glued to different creases of Master Xandred's body. With this newly given leeway, Kevin used one of Jayden's Samurai discs. He raced forth, his sword coming around, and he sliced into Master Xandred, who was trying to swerve away, but it was too late. He became imprisoned in the Blue ranger's lightning strike.

Master Xandred flew back, and he clenched his chest. "This is not over," he growled struggling to get on his feet. He still possessed the will to fight.

In a case like this, Jayden had a backup plan set in place. "Shogun Mode, power of the ancestors!" Nothing happened, not even a flicker of energy or stream of light. The rangers, their chests heaving manically because of the attack they just gave, gasped in shock, when he remained in just his power suit. "SHOGUN MODE, POWER OF THE ANCESTORS!" Once more, no result was rendered.

"Ha, ha, ha," Master Xandred mocked them. With Sanzu River tipped over, he gathered more of its power, culminating into his last and final form. Gaseous vapors and solidified red fragments converged, then showered on him. An oblong shaped tower was produced.

The rangers' heads ascended, their feet shuffled, carrying them several feet to get a better look. Inside their helmets, their mouths formed a large 'O'. This was unexpected. When the barrier shattered, all that was left was Master Xandred grown to double height of a skyscraper.

"TRY AND STOP ME NOW, RANGERS," Xandred cackled maniacally at them.

They thought he was powerful before; he was even more powerful now.

"Jayden, what now," Emily queried in a panic.

He looked at Master Xandred's overgrown body. He utilized the Black Box. "Time for one last mega battle."

"MEGA MODE BATTLE!"

They called upon the Samurai Gigazord. The dozen Zords rushed, gassed up and ready for the ultimate fight.

The rangers leaped off the ground and entered the cockpit, settling at their assigned positions. They jammed their Megablades into their control panel. Master Xandred fired the first shot, they moved forward. With all the Zords combined, they believed they could absorb the damage an keep going; they were wrong. The Megazord was pushed back a few feet. Once more, he struck, this one hit more powerful than before. The Megazord soared a hundred feet back. Their bodies hit every part of the cockpit.

Like the Megazord, they were taking a beating.

"Mia," Emily called, as she crawled to stand. "Are you okay?!"

"Mia, get out of here," Kevin ordered, for the sake of the growing baby inside of her. He erected battered body.

"NO," Jayden responded on her behalf. If she wanted to leave, she would have done so already. "They're going to finish this fight."

"Alright, amigo," Antonio agreed. "What's next?"

"Jayden, the disc your dad gave you," Mike remembered, from the quarry.

Jayden demorphed, this disc in question secured in his pocket. "We can't use Symbol Power in small amounts. We won't win that way. We have to demorph and combine every ounce of our Symbol Power into one grand strike. We can only beat him as a team." He heard them becoming attired in their civilian clothes. They weren't too fond, they trusted him. "No matter what happens, we can't retreat. We will get as close as possible, and then I will use the Ninjetti disc."

Combining Samurai power and Ninjetti power was unheard of, but never attempted. He was sure whatever power this disc packed, it would help immensely.

Before finishing this, unsure of the outcome, he was sure of one thing. "Thank you, rangers," Jayden acknowledged. "I may not have been the best leader, and sometimes I allowed my personal life to get in the way of leading you, but you stuck by my side. I've never been so proud, and it's been an honor."

"Man, of course," Kevin dismissed his words. "Not once, did I think you weren't my leader."

"Same with me," Mike concurred. "You're always gonna be my bro."

"And you're all my friends," Jayden confessed. When he started his journey to becoming a Samurai ranger, he didn't think he would have any.

"And think of the bright side," Emily beamed, despite the circumstances that encompassed them. "You found a family a you didn't know about."

"And are about to form one of your own," Antonio added, glancing between Mia and him.

"Jayden," Mia found herself teary eyed. "We, not just me and your daughter, but all of us will be there for you no matter what."

Master Xandred raced to take them out.

The Samurai rangers slammed their Spin Swords away forth.

Master Xandred's shoulders made contact first. He grounded his body, an his feet scooted at the reciprocating impact given from the Zord. The rangers held their own, but the Shark Zord, Bullzord, followed by the Beetle became detached, for a moment, they stopped, giving it all they had.

"Don't give up," Jayden shouted.

The Samurai rangers attempted again.

As they finally got in the vicinity, several more Zords lost in the process, the rangers retracted their Spin Swords. Jayden secured the Ninjetti disc around his sword. He took a second to pray. He spun it.

Their eyes widened.

Falcon, Crane, Ape, Bear, Frog and Wolf emerged in their respective colors and danced around the Samurai rangers, showering them with even more protection. As they shouted their final attack, and their swords chopped down, the animals expelled.

The White Falcon and Pink Crane pecked his pulse points, the Red Ape and Yellow Bear clawed his mid section, a Blue Wolf bit, on each leg, and a Black Frog slapped his face with his tongue. Master Xandred thrashed to get these animals off of him.

The impending slash powered up further, all of the symbols on the sword illuminated, and, when it came down, it penetrated through Master Xandred's body.

"Ahhh," Master Xandred was burning from the inside out. His body reached temperatures of over a thousand degrees.

The Ninjetti animals cloaked the Samurai rangers, as the Zord and Master Xandred became obliterated, and the Sanzu River returned to the Netherworld to never break through again.

As the rangers landed in a heap with a grunt, their eyes circled above and around. The threat was gone. It was no longer a factor in their life, which meant they were relieved of their duties as the saviors of the Earth. This moment was bittersweet. For the past several months, they were in each other lives, but, soon, they wouldn't be.

Currently, they wouldn't think about, but they would celebrate their victory.

Jayden got on his feet and walked, not caring about the injuries he had. To have the wind tickle against his skin without a care, he reveled. He came to a stop, a few feet away, and looked down at the Ninjetti disc. It was still intact. He examined it. This was the only disc left. As he held it against his chest, he smiled thankfully. "We should head back," he motioned for them. First, he wanted to take Mia to the hospital or see Dr. Grayson, second, he wanted to assess the damage to the Shiba House, and third, he wanted to rest.

They agreed.

While walking, two people's filmy images courting one another caught Mia's attention. "Guys, look," she pointed in the distance.

Two centuries in the making, a man and woman became reunited. She jumped into his arms, her legs wrapped around his back, her arms around his neck. He spun her gracefully, as they cried tears of happiness. Upon noticing their audience, they stopped. Dalia climbed off of Deker, and she bowed daintily, thanking them for all they had done. The more courteous thing to do was start a conversation to tell them personally, but this was enough. She's gotten the peace she's always wanted, and she believed they did too.

The rangers watched them leave, hand in hand, as they braved the other side to wander aimlessly.

Xxxxx

Tengan Gate
Undisclosed Location

Forty eight hours later, the former Samurai rangers were at the Tengan Gate. They were to here to pay their final respects to Lauren Analeigh Shiba.

The funeral was small and quaint, and it wasn't some big production to exploit her life.

Alson, in attendance, her surrogate father, Yaki, her friend, Ji, an elder, Daisuke, an the keepers of the temple.

With services finished an before heading back, Jayden crouched before Lauren's tombstone. He was still in shock over her passing, but he was thankful for her choice. She did this for him, Mia, their unborn daughter, and his little sister. In his eyes, that was admirable, and he would always love her. He rubbed the stone reverently, his fingers wallowed over each letter of her name. He was going to miss her.

Daisuke interrupted him. "It seems you have friends in higher places," he cryptically said in his unique voice.

Jayden cocked his head and followed the guardian's fingers. There were 16 men, all dressed in Lauren's favorite color, which was also a color they wore—Jason Lee Scott, Rockford 'Rocky' DeSantos, his father, Theodore 'TJ' Johnson, Andros, Leonard 'Leo' Corbett, Carter Grayson, Wesley 'Wes' Collins, Eric Meyers, Cole Evans, Shane Clarke, Conner McKnight, Nick 'Bowen' Russell, Mackenzie 'Mack' Hartford, Casey Rhodes and Scott Truman.

All of his friends joined him and wondered what was going on.

"Welcome to the temple," Daisuke greeted cordially. "I am Daisuke."

After introductions were said, his informed more, Red rangers, would have came. "There would have been more of us, but, some can't withstand the Earth's natural elements besides water," he referenced the Red Aquitar ranger, Aurico.

"And, for one, he's about to be a father. His wife's in labor, right now," Conner spoke of his son, Bridge Carson McKnight, Red SPD ranger. "But he, and his team and base commander, send their condolences.

Their arrival sparked more attention, especially from Yaki.

He approached them. "Hello," he greeted kindly and was pretty receptive to them. After a near death experience, he supposed it brought him closer to them. "Are you here for Lauren?"

"Who else," Jason said, and he shook his hand. "We're sorry for what happened to her."

"Besides Jason and Tommy, and the brief brush I had with her as someone else, no else one here has met her, but what she did, in her short time on Earth and as a Red ranger, resonated with all of us," Cole grieved. "She was an amazing woman."

"Thank you," Yaki accepted beneath his breath, the tears threatening to fall. He alleged Tommy put this together, and also was able to figure out the location of the Tengan Gate. From the bottom of his heart, he thanked him for doing so.

"And, if you don't mind, is it okay if we present her with a gift," Carter hoped they weren't stepping on any toes, "because she was a Red just like us."

Yaki could only nod. It was nice to know she was appreciated even after her demise.

One by one the men stepped up to give her something significant.

Jason placed his original Power Morpher before her gravestone. Rocky gave his red and white sleeveless shirt, the same one he wore during the power transfer. Tommy relinquished the Zeo helmet he's kept for so many years. TJ handed his bus ticket, stamped with a one way from Stone Canyon to Angel Grove, that he laminated; without it, he would never met Cassie or encountered the Piranhatrons. Andros used his telekinesis to give her his locket that previously housed the childhood pictures of him and Karone, who was his former arch nemesis, Astronema. Gifting the leather jacket he often sported on Terra Venture, Leo presented it to her. Carter gently placed his Lightspeed Rescue badge, while Wes and Eric put their Silver Guardian berets. For Shane, he honored her with his skateboard that was used before his final battle, Conner turned over the soccer ball he hit Principal Randall with. Nick surrendered his motorcycle helmet, Mack passed down his extracted microchip, in a container obviously, while Casey gave his first uniform from the Pai Zhaq academy and Scott handed down the bright red envelope that contained his late brother's recommendation.

Though this was unbeknownst to Jayden, he had something in mind to give her too. The others parted, and he placed a photograph down. It was of them, when they were younger. He blessed her, his eyes welling, and rejoined those around him.

Preview for the Next Chapter: Jayden's POV only and will be a more fluffy, light-hearted chapter.