It was morning when the Combo Rangers and Yabusaki Army troops arrived at the pier, waiting for a boat to take them back to the Unified Resistance Army base in Cubatão. With the bridge into Guarujá destroyed, this was the best way they could go. The rest of Fabio's troops were still yet to arrive along with Sara, who took different routes out to hopefully avoid being captured together.

Ken and Kiko kept watch over Wagan while Lisa stood lookout. Fox, Tati and Fabio went through the items in the bag. Aside from the map, which contained the positions of the Salacian army units around Santos, the bag also contained a code book, strategy documents for the Salacians' campaign in Santos and another map of the Salacians' fuel store in Cubatão.

"Looks like you hit the jackpot, guys," complimented Fabio. "With this, the Salacians' plans to eliminate us will fall apart in no time."

"Does that mean I'm forgiven for accidentally revealing ourselves earlier?" asked Fox.

Everyone laughed at that. "What are you talking about? Of course you are!" said Fabio. "What the Mighty Combo and I wanted was for you to remember how to be a soldier, a team player and most importantly, a leader. I bet Combo would be proud of you all once I tell him what you guys did today."

"Thanks, Lord Fabio, but I couldn't have done it without you guys; Tati, Lisa, Kiko, Ken and most importantly, Sara. Thank you all for your help."

"Anytime, man!" said Kiko.

"Same," added Ken.

"You're very welcome," replied Lisa.

"Hah, of course it's always about her," Tati muttered to herself.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" responded Fox.

"S-Shut up! It's not like I like you or anything!" timidly muttered Tati. The other Rangers made an "oooh" sound before laughing once again. "Wait! I think I hear something."

Everyone looked at the direction where Tati was looking. When she saw who it was, Lisa gasped, "It's Sara! And she's with the rest of Lord Fabio's men!"

"Fox!" Sara called as she saw him and the others. The two of them ran to each other. "I'm so glad to see you're alright!"

Fox replied, "Those sea monsters couldn't get rid of me that easily. I'm so glad to see you too, Sara."

Fox approached Sara soon after they arrived in Cubatão and asked her to take a walk with him, leaving the rest of the Rangers to help Fabio Yabusaki and his men. The two of them walked along the river bank as Fox talked to Sara about what she said to him before they left on their mission.

"Sara, I'm flattered that you care about me, possibly more than the Combo Rangers do. I understand how you feel about me and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings by saying this, but I don't think it's the right time for me to act on my feelings, at least not right now. You and I both know how important our missions are to the resistance and how I'm responsible for each of the Rangers, including you. We're reaching a tipping point and that means I can't afford to let my feelings get in the way of my mission as the leader of the Combo Rangers. This isn't about you or Tati. If she were in your position right now I'd be saying the same things to her. Do you understand?"

Sara stood silent for a moment before she asked, "Answer me this. Are you afraid to admit your feelings, or you can't bring yourself to do it?"

"I can't. Not yet, anyway."

"Okay. Maybe we'll talk again like this after the war is over and when we're ready. Until then, let's just focus on winning this war." Sara was trying hard to hold back her tears.

"Agreed." Fox let Sara hug him before she turned around and went back to the others. Fox stood there for a moment before heading back as well.

Prince Wagan was handed over to the custody of the Unified Resistance Army as Parker Zhou took him to be held at their main base in Santos. Fabio called the Mighty Combo and told them about the mission's success. The Mighty Combo was happy for them and told them to come visit him at his house so they could tell him the whole story. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

King Marcos' division and the Nokizaru task force raided and burnt down a string of houses in the district of Jardim Nova Republica, where the Mighty Combo lived. He and his friends from the Association of Superheroes (ASH) were listed by the Salacians as targets for harbouring the Combo Rangers and enabling their resistance. The Mighty Combo's friends had been dealt with and he was the only one who remained.

As the Salacian soldiers were searching for survivors in the area, Nico questioned Isa, "Wasn't this mission just to capture the Mighty Combo? Why did we have to kill all these Drylanders?"

Isa replied, "None of these Drylanders are innocent. A single spark can start a massive fire. They would want our lives just as much as the Combo Rangers would."

"It doesn't look like the Combo Rangers came back here."

"We must nip all rebellions at the root. Let's go."

King Marcos found and arrested the Mighty Combo at his house. As two of Marcos' soldiers held him, Marcos began accosting him as to the whereabouts of the Combo Rangers. "Where are the Combo Rangers?" he interrogated him. "Tell me!"

"I swear to you, if I knew where they went, I would tell you, Your Highness."

"We know the Combo Rangers lived with you, so tell me where they are. My patience is wearing thin by the minute. If you can provide us with that information, I can guarantee your life and safety."

"Your Highness, the Combo Rangers have lived with me, that much is true, but I really don't know where they went."

Hearing this, Marcos decided to let the Mighty Combo go. However, as Marcos and his men started to leave, the Mighty Combo remained defiant. "Goddamn sea monsters! My friends' blood is on your hands and now you want to go after my Combo Rangers? I won't give them up without a fight!"

The Mighty Combo picked up a stick and charged at Marcos, who took out his sword and turned around to stab him, causing him to fall where he stood. As Marcos wiped the blood off his sword before resheathing it and leaving, Nico questioned, "Your Highness, did you forget that we were conducting an operation? Don't you think you're causing us enough trouble?"

Marcos just moved him away as he left. "Princess Isa, that general is under your command. You have a duty to control him. His opinions are irrelevant."

Nico said to Isa, "His actions are only serving to rile up the Drylanders' anger and resistance."

Isa coldly responded, "No matter what we do, it won't change the hatred the Drylanders have for us."

Later, when the Combo Rangers and Sara were on their way to see the Mighty Combo, Tati smelt something strange. "Guys, wait! Something's wrong."

"What is it, Tati?" Fox asked.

Tati smelt again. "I smell petrol and ash. It's coming from Uncle Combo's village!"

Fox immediately rushed off despite his friends telling him to wait. Lisa said to the others, "Guys, let's split up and head to the village!"

Soon, the Rangers and Sara were gathered in front of the Mighty Combo's home, where Fox was kneeling over his mentor's body. "Uncle Combo? Uncle Combo! Guys, call Lord Fabio! We need to help him!"

Ken went over to Fox and knelt beside him. "It's too late, Fox. He's already gone."

The Salacians were long gone when the Rangers arrived. Although they were horrified to discover that the Mighty Combo had been killed, nothing could toughen their hatred for the Salacians more than what it already was.

Now more than ever, Fox had to step up and take charge of the Combo Rangers. The others would happily follow him as well. They had to win the war in honour of the Mighty Combo and his superhero friends who gave them their powers to fight the Salacians.

Their next showdown with the Salacians would take place at the Cubatão fuel store in Jardim Casqueiro. They would not be alone however, for Fabio Yabusaki and Parker Zhou would be fighting alongside them to ensure their victory, no matter the cost…

THE END

TO BE CONTINUED IN

Sea Princesses: The Conquerors of the Lost and Forgotten