Epilogue: Winds of Change

A month after Rita's defeat

Command Center, Earth

The other six Morphin rangers and Alpha 5 looked at Billy anxiously.

"Are you sure whatever it is, you can't do it from here, Billy?" Nancy asked gently. "Between Grid Battleforce, the Command Center and SPD HQ, I am certain we can accommodate the latest technology in the galaxy."

Billy shook his head.

"It is not that, Nancy. After what happened last time, I'd rather not take any chances." He said firmly. "What Trini told Minh confirmed my initial hypothesis that Zordon is somehow still out here. I need to find him, but any experiment I conduct will attract attention and last time, it drew Rita back to Earth. I fear if I repeat, someone more dangerous than her will attack the planet and that is the last thing we need right now."

"Billy, even so, last time, we all were here to help you. If you are alone somewhere in space…" Tommy trailed off.

"I won't be alone and I wont just be anywhere." Billy gave a small smile. "I am heading to Eltar."

"Zordon's home planet." Zack realized.

"Affirmative." The blue ranger nodded.

"And who else will be with you?" Jason asked.

"A team of eltarian scientists and mages plus a few old friends. Last year, I accounted for all scientific and metaphysical errors and set up barriers, but Rita was magic. So, this time, I will have a team to help me, not just in science but also in magic." Billy informed.

"Ay, ay, ay… I wish I could come with, Billy!" Alpha 5 exclaimed. "But I need to be here on Earth, in case I am needed."

"It's okay, Alpha." Billy reassured.

"Are you sure you need to go so soon?" Kim asked.

"Trini said some great evil is coming and we need Zordon to stop him. Besides, wherever Zordon is, he has been stuck there for twenty-five years. It is high time we bring him back." Billy said.

"How long will you be gone, Uncle Billy?" Minh pursed her lips. "Mom always said she missed you when you were in space and I will miss you too."

"I can't say Minh." Billy gave a patient smile, ruffling her head. "An endeavor like this, it takes time but I will visit time to time."

"Cool." Minh smiled.

"Tell you what, I will get you something while I am away. A souvenir from Mirinoi, maybe?"

"Sure! That would be AWESOME!" Minh's eyes widened in awe as she nodded fervently.

"Yeah, don't go spoiling our kid with alien stuff, Billy." Zack reprimanded in jest.

The viewing globe made a static noise as an image appeared. The rangers turned to see Cestro of the Aquitar rangers look at them.

"Greetings, rangers of Earth." He said and the rangers waved at him. "Billy, preparations have been made for the long-distance teleportation and I have sent the data to the Command Centre."

"I guess this is it, guys." Billy said as the transmission ended.

Minh hugged him, followed by Zack and the others.

"Take care, Main Brain." Zack said.

"Don't get yourself in trouble and make us come looking for you in space." Kim smiled.

"Look after yourself, man." Jason nodded.

"Ay, ay, ay, remember to take breaks, Billy." Alpha added.

"Anytime you need anything from us, don't you dare hesitate to call." Nancy said sternly.

"And if you are not here for Christmas, we will go and drag you back here." Tommy warned.

"Right." Billy smiled at his friends as he nodded at Alpha, who pressed a red button. "May the Power protect you."

"And you." The rangers and Alpha said in unison before he was whisked away by a jet of blue light.

Eltar

Billy composed himself as he rematerialized in the middle of a wide hall. He took in the empty energy tube in the far end and the rows of tables, each containing some instrument or the other. The walls were lined with holographic screens, depicting both advanced formulae and ancient symbols. The place had not changed since the last time he was here.

"Billy Cranston of Earth, we have been expecting you." He turned to see a small group approach him, most of them blue skinned and bald like most eltarians were, and others humanoid but aside from him, none were from Earth.

"It is a pleasure to meet you again, Ninjor." He smiled at the leader of the group – the ninja master who was still clad in ancient blue armour. After the Great War, he had rejoined the galactic affairs and taken up the mantle of the Arch Alchemist of the Eltarian Academy.

Beside her, he could spot a few other old acquaintances and allies. Cestro was there with the Sentinel Knight and Mick Kanic.

"It is time we bring our old friend back." Billy smiled, feeling more determined than ever before.

This is the end, guys. Hope you enjoyed reading this story, which became far bigger than I had ever expected it to be. A huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed and followed/favorited this story.

When I started writing it, I did not expect so much of my own personal experiences to flow into this story. Minh was a character with whom I related to, on so many levels. I lost my dad last year to a rare malignancy that suddenly sprung out of nowhere and quickly devoured him without any warning. He was a selfless and good person, who always looked out for everyone and had so much more to give to the world. The entire thing still feels like a horrible nightmare, something so unfair and unreal that makes me question the point of everything every day.

This story became a way for me to process my grief. I never got to say a proper goodbye and in the actual special, Minh never got to either, because that is the way life works. Nothing is wrapped up in a neat bow. I did not plan on Minh meeting Trini in the afterlife, because in real life, that is impossible but I eventually relented, because this is a fantasy story and everyone who has lost a loved one wants to say goodbye to them one last time.

Anyway, enough of my morbid rambling… This story was initially supposed to be a standalone but I decided to make it part of a larger continuity. In my ao3 page, I have made it a series titled "Once and Always", where I will be adding the connected stories. So, it is easier to keep track of stuff there.

As of now, the chronologically next story set in the OAA universe is "Power Rangers: Forever Red 2 – Red Resilience", which will be followed up by a rewrite/adaptation of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury and then, "Power Rangers Hexagon", my take on the Hexagon concept and massive crossovers between the various ranger teams.

I am also planning several prequels and side stories, focusing on my OC ranger teams like "Prism Patrol" as well as my versions of "Countdown to Destruction" and "Legendary Battle," team ups between different ranger teams and stories focusing on individual rangers/teams amongst other stuff.