Angel Grove Youth Center
April 16th, 2022

The Angel Grove youth center was unusually quiet for a Saturday morning. While the Juice Bar in the lobby buzzed with its usual weekend crowd, filling the air with the comforting aroma of warm pastries and freshly blended smoothies, the main atrium felt almost serene. All the typical weekend activities -karate, gymnastics, music, even the impromptu basketball games- had been put on hold in preparation for the big event that night: the very first Youth Showcase.

In just a few hours, the atrium would be filled with friends, family, and local supporters, eager to see what the kids had prepared. For now, though, the only sounds filling the huge space were the faint rustling of banners being hung, the scraping of chairs being set up, and the occasional peal of laughter from the volunteers preparing for the night's festivities.

Tommy let out a dramatic sigh as he unfolded yet another chair, casting an exaggerated, mock-desperate look at Kim. "Remind me again why we're doing this?" he asked, placing the chair down with a little too much care.

Kim shot him an amused glance as she adjusted a banner. "Because, dear husband, you were all about 'empowering the youth' and letting them 'take charge'. This is what leadership looks like."

He raised an eyebrow. "Leadership looks like me doing manual labor?"

She snorted, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "No, leadership is knowing when to delegate all the boring, exhausting stuff to clueless parents who volunteered to help."

"So," Tommy said, leaning back against the pile of folded chairs still waiting to be set up, "I take it I'm the clueless parent in this scenario?"

Kim's laugh was warm and knowing. "Now you're catching on. And hey, you're not the only clueless volunteer here. Just look at Rocky over there, wrestling with the balloons, and Adam still trying to make sense of the prop pile."

She stepped down from the ladder and joined Tommy by the row of half-set-up chairs. "We knew what we signed up for when we let the kids pitch their own ideas for fundraising. Honestly, I'd rather be here setting up than peddling baked goods door-to-door. Let's face it, nobody really wants those stale brownies that come from a box."

Tommy grinned, crossing his arms. "Fair point. But hey, Rocky's cooking club does have a bake sale at the entrance."

Kim rolled her eyes, the playful smile never leaving her face. "You did not just compare Rocky's chewy-gooey double chocolate fudge brownies with those from a box, did you?"

Tommy chuckled. "You're right, they're not even in the same league. Rocky's brownies are next-level. They'll definitely sell out fast tonight... I just hope there's still some left for me after our karate showcase."

"I'll save you a piece." Kim said, picking up another chair to place. "Seriously though, I'm just happy the kids found a way to incorporate all the clubs into the fundraiser. The cooking club gets to show off their talents, even if it's not on stage. And I heard Billy mention the tech club is handling all the lighting, sounds, and video setups for the performances.

"Yeah," Tommy nodded thoughtfully as he moved on to the next row of chairs. "Not everyone needs the spotlight to shine. Some people prefer to stay behind the scenes." He glanced over at the tech club kids, hard at work, rolling out cables and adjusting projectors. "I've got to hand it to Billy. His kids really know what they're doing. This show's gonna be ultra-high-def." he shook his head with a grin. "Let's just hope the performances themselves are up to par."

Kim laughed as she finished another row of seats. "If not, at least the audience will be well-fed." She surveyed the room, considering. "Though, considering how hard our kids rehearsed for this, on top of their schoolwork and… " She lowered her voice, "... and Rangering, I think tonight is going to be a smash hit." She gave him a side glance. "At least if we get these chairs set up in time."

Before Tommy could respond, Jason walked in, balancing two boxes of freshly printed programs. "Alright, where do you want these?" he asked, eyeing the half-finished setup.

Tommy eyed the boxes with a raised brow. "Weren't the kids going to bring those? You know, like…"he checked his watch, "fifteen minutes ago when they were supposed to be here helping?"

Jason shrugged, flashing a grin. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger, man. Olli asked me to drop these off since he had to pick up Leah and grab some stuff from PRISM." He glanced around, then asked, "So, where should I put these?"

Kim smirked and nodded toward the chairs. "How about one on each seat? You did sign up to help today, remember?"

Placing the boxes on a random chair, Jason raised his hands in mock surrender. "Yeah, about that… I've got a meeting with a potential client in half an hour. But I'll be back in time for the show. Save me a seat?" He gave Tommy a friendly slap on the back before heading out with a quick wave.

Tommy shook his head with a chuckle as he watched Jason saunter out. "Is it just me, or does he have a sixth sense for finding an exit whenever there's work to be done?"

Suppressing a laugh, Kim rolled her eyes. "I swear, he should change his name to Houdini. Gone in a flash." She glanced at the boxes of programs and then back at Tommy. "I'll put one on each seat if you keep putting them out?"

"Whatever you say, Beautiful." Tommy grinned. "Just, hand me one real quick, would you? I'm dying to know what Leah's got planned for tonight. She was so secretive about their musical acts, and now it's driving me crazy."

"Tell me about it." Kim laughed, shaking her head. "I tried to sneak into the shed last week. Figured I'd bribe them with cookies and catch a glimpse of what they were working on." She paused for dramatic effect. "I barely made it past the door before Leah unceremoniously kicked me out -and she still kept the cookies! Used her raptor speed to snatch them right out of my hands before shoving me out."

Tommy let out a hearty laugh, placing the last of the chairs in the rows. "Kicked out of our own shed and robbed of the cookies? By our own daughter?"

Kim grinned sheepishly. "Yup. Apparently, they have a strict 'no parents allowed' rule during rehearsals. And she was serious about enforcing it -she had that door shut so fast, I didn't even have time to negotiate."

Shaking his head, Tommy chuckled. "That's our Leah -strong-willed and knows exactly what she wants." He put a hand to his chin in mock contemplation, "Wonder where she got that."

Kim shot him a playful glare and lightly slapped his chest. "Oh, so I'm the stubborn one?

Tommy shrugged with a smirk. "Well, Do I really need to remind you of the time you wouldn't rest until we found 'the perfect pink' paint for Leah's room? Four paint stores, Kim. Four." He paused, adding with a grin, "And then she didn't even like pink."

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Okay, fine. But how is that different from the 'karate mat fiasco'? Remember how many times you re-ordered those mats because none of them felt 'right for foot stability'? You drove the supplier crazy."

"Alright, you got me there. Maybe I got a little… specific. But let's face it, when it comes to stubbornness, we're a pretty even match." Tommy said, pulling her into a hug. She nestled her head under his chin, her voice soft. "I'd say we're a pretty even match all around, Handsome. "

Tommy held her for a moment longer before reluctantly letting go. "You got that right." He leaned in for a quick kiss before continuing. "But I think Leah's giving us both a run for our money on the stubborn front. Honestly, I don't think even I was ever that intense."

Kim laughed, stepping back to look up at him with a teasing grin. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, buddy." She picked up a program from the box and handed it to him. "Your intensity and my flair for the dramatic? That's either a recipe for disaster, or it's going to result in one spectacular show tonight."

He flashed a grin, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he looked over the program. "Guess we'll find out soon enough." He scanned the lineup, nodding with approval. "They've really got this evening organized—sports showcases mixed with the musical acts." He searched for the songs Leah and the rest would perform, chuckling when he found them. "They're not exactly being subtle with their song choices."

Kim raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Tommy tapped the page, pointing at the first few acts. "'Another One Bites the Dust' for the boys? A little on the nose, don't you think?" He shook his head, amused. "Then 'brave' for the girls? And I Ain't Worried for Will and Marley. It's a good thing most people only see what they want to see."

She laughed. "True. Nobody but us is going to connect the dots. For those of us in the know - well, It'll be the best inside joke of the night. I do wonder what these 'surprise songs' are though…" With a grin she shrugged, "One thing's for sure, tonight will be full of surprises". Tommy laughed in agreement as she handed him one of the boxes, taking the other one for herself. They moved along the rows, each placing one on every seat. As they finished, she looked around the room, taking in the setup. "Looks like we're almost done. Just a few more little things to take care of before the show."

Tommy glanced around. The stage was set, the chairs were lined up and the decorations were almost done. "Yep, just a few tweaks. But, um, where are the kids? Shouldn't they be here by now?"

Kim frowned slightly. "I was just wondering the same thing. Only a few more hours until the show starts, they really should be here to prepare."

He shrugged, a knowing look crossing his face. "I'm sure they'll be here any second. They probably just got distracted." He took Kim's hand, pulling her close. "You remember how we were back in the day, right? We'd get just a little distracted…" He brushed his nose against hers, swaying gently as memories surfaced of the little escapes they'd made whenever they had a quiet moment.

Then, as if struck by lightning, Tommy's face went from fond nostalgia to absolute horror in a heartbeat. His grip on Kim's hand tightened, and his eyes widened in alarm. "Wait… No. No. They are not doing what we used to do back in the day! With the… quiet spots, and the…distractions." He shook his head fervently, as if trying to erase the thought. "She's just a baby."

Kim burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by the look of horror on his face. "Honey, they're sixteen. I know this might be a tough pill to swallow, but she's not a baby anymore."

Tommy groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "How are you not freaked out by this? That's our little girl, out with… with some delinquent… probably pawing at her."

She barely contained her laughter as she doubled over, pointing a teasing finger at his face. "Oh, Handsome. This-" she gestured to his horrified expression- "is exactly why they say when they say daughters are a father's punishment for his own youth." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. It's Olli. We've known him his whole life - we're his godparents. He's not some guy she met in a shady bar by the interstate. Trust me, we raised smart kids."

He sighed, shoulders slumping a little as he tried to let the thought go. "Yeah, yeah… You're right." He paused, a steely glint of determination lighting up his eyes as straightened. "But still, I think it's about time young Oliver and I had a little chat."

Kim shook her head, laughing as she turned to go help Rocky with the balloons. "Sure thing, Handsome. Just… leave the Morpher at home when you do."

Tommy chuckled despite himself, letting her words ease him. He threw one last look at the door, muttering under his breath, "No promises."

—-

Angel Grove Park
April 16th, 2022

April in SoCal was always stunning, and Angel Grove Park was the perfect example. The weather was mild, with the sun hanging high enough to warm the air, while a crisp breeze offered a gentle reminder that spring was on its way. The trees were vibrant new greens, creating a landscape that felt both lively and serene.

The park's winding paths were lined with tall sycamores and oaks, their branches stretching out overhead to form a soft, natural canopy that filtered the sunlight into warm patches on the trails. Deeper into the park, the trees grew denser, weaving together into secluded clearings and cozy little hideaways, perfect for anyone seeking a quiet spot to relax. Wildflowers and clusters of clover popped up near the trails, adding a touch of color to the earthy tones and fallen leaves scattered along the forest floor.

Leah and Olli made their way down the shaded path in the denser part of the park, sunlight flickering between the branches overhead. Olli had Leah's guitar case slung over his shoulder, while a bag of spare supplies -backup strings, Gia's microphone, and Marley's lucky drumsticks- swung from his other hand.

"I can't believe we spent half the morning searching the shed, only to find out that they left the bag at PRISM yesterday after training." Leah huffed, exasperated. "I swear, when I see them I'm going to kill them."

Olli snickered, glancing at her with a raised eyebrow. "Where are they, anyway? Couldn't they run to PRISM and pick up their own stuff?"

Rolling her eyes, Leah said, "Gia's helping her mom wrangle all the little kids, trying to get them dressed and ready for the show. She couldn't 'get away'. And Marley's with her because… well, Marley." She shrugged, as if that explained everything."

"Just Marls being Marls," Olli laughed knowingly. "Hey, did you hear about what happened in your dad's earth science class yesterday?"

Leah groaned, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing her face. "Oh, don't get me started. I heard all about it at dinner last night. Why Marley thought setting off the sprinklers in dad's class would be a good idea, I'll never understand. Everyone was soaked, and Dad had to dismiss the class early. He was furious. Marley's lucky he only got a month's worth of detention"

Olli shook his head, chuckling. "He never knows when to quit, does he? But hey, at least he's keeping life interesting for Uncle Tommy, right?"

"Interesting is one word for it." Leah smirked. "Dad's probably going to make him pay for it in every practice session for the next year."

His grin widened, his eyes glinting with playful intent. "Well, if your dad's busy with Marley, I could step in and keep you… occupied. Maybe help you with your form? Technique's everything, you know. I'm excellent at that." He raised an eyebrow, the suggestion clear.

Leah's lips quirked, barely hiding a smile. "Excellent technique, huh?" She murmured, her voice dropping to a teasing tone. "Alright then—prove it."

Setting the guitar and the bag on the ground, Olli took a step closer, his grin deepening as his fingers slipped into the belt loops of her jeans, gently pulling her. "I'd be happy to. Hands-on demonstrations's kind of my thing."

Her breath hitched, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she leaned in. "By all means," she whispered, their eyes locked. His hand drifted up, brushing a strand of hair from her face and cupping her cheek, his thumb grazing her skin as he leaned in closer. Their breaths mingled, just an inch between them–

A sudden rustling from the trees startled them apart,. the air turning icy as an unnatural darkness crept through the branches. Shadows pooled, twisting into forms with hollow eyes that glowed a menacing purple.

"Molds!" Leah shouted, instantly dropping into a defensive stance, any trace of their moment together disappearing. Olli mirrored her stance, fists clenched, his jaw tight.

"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, side-eyeing the advancing figures. "Can't even get one freaking minute of privacy."

"How sweet," came a mocking voice from the shadows. Korrak stepped out from behind the Molds, this scythe resting on his shoulder, a disdainful sneer twisting his face. "The young ones think they have time for romance. How foolish."

Leah scoffed, her stance unwavering. "Maybe not for romance right now, but I'm sure we could spare a minute to kick your ass, Korrak!" She tapped the bracelets around her wrist, sending a surge of bright, crackling energy through it. The light flared, scattering the shadows around them..

The Molds faltered, their hollow eyes narrowing, but Korrak didn't pay it any mind. "Molds, attack!" he commanded, gesturing towards the Rangers with a flick of his wrist.

Olli activated his own bracelets, the energy pulsing through them in waves of light. "Guess that technique demonstration is gonna have to wait."

Leah threw him a quick, mischievous grin. "Why wait? I think this is an excellent time to show off." Her tone was light, but her gaze was steely, every inch ready for action.

With a yell, Leah launched herself forward, her bracelet flaring as she aimed a powerful punch at the nearest Mold. The creature solidified under the energy, and her fist slammed into the glowing sigil on its chest. "Zi-kiya!" she shouted as the Mold dissolved into wisping shadows. She ducked as another lunged, spinning low to sweep its legs out from under it. "A-zi-kiya!"

Beside her, Olli was holding his own, starting with a powerful high kick that sent one Mold stumbling back into another. "Ha-ya!" he shouted, following it up with a flurry of quick, sharp punches. "Oh, man, these upgrades are next level! No more morphing just to take down a few Molds!"

Leah dodged an incoming Mold and spun around, driving her elbow into its glowing sigil with a triumphant "A-ya!" She laughed, catching Olli's eye as she delivered another solid punch. "As if we needed more proof that Uncle Billy's a genius."

Olli sidestepped a swing from one Mold and shot her a quick glance as two more closed in. "Maybe we should ask him to invent us some privacy while he's at it? Just one minute without fighting off our entire fan club!" He ducked under another wild punch.

Leah swept a side-kick into a Mold's chest, grinning. "Tell me about it! Between our friends, our parents and these things, we haven't had a quiet moment in forever." She backflipped out of the way of another attack, her feet connecting with Mold and sending it crashing into a tree before it dissolved.

Korrak watched from the shadows, his scowl deepening as he saw his Molds falling one after another. But his frustration quickly turned to a malicious grin. Raising one clawed hand, he conjured a swirling orb of dark energy, pulsing with an eerie purple glow. "Yes, I would love to be spared of your constant yapping. Let's make that happen!" he sneered, hurling the orb toward the bag Olli had dropped.

The orb struck Gia's microphone, unleashing a crackling surge of dark energy that warped and expanded the device. Metal twisted and groaned as it grew, forming into a towering, monstrous figure. Its sleek body glittered in the dim light, thanks to Gia's over-the-top bedazzling, while a giant, spherical head stared down at them with a menacing grin. Long, cord-like tendrils snapped around where arms should be, crackling with power.

Olli's eyes narrowed as he took in the massive, twisted figure looming before them. "Oh, that's just perfect," he muttered. "Definitely not the upgrade Gia was hoping for."

The creature let out a grating laugh, dipping into a mocking bow. "I am Sonic Silence," it sang in a bone-rattling, amplified voice that made the ground vibrate. "And I'm here to bring down the house–starting with you!"

Leah and Olli exchanged determined glances, falling into their morphing stances. "Dino Legacy–" But before Leah could complete the call, one of Sonic Silence's whip-like tendrils lashed out, wrapping tightly around her throat and stifling her voice as it snaked into her mouth.

Olli leapt back just in time to avoid the same fate. "Leah!" He shouted, then clenched his fists, completing his morph. "Dino Legacy, morphing time! Yellow Ranger, Pachycephalo Power!" In a burst of energy, he transformed, summoning his weapon. "Pachy Bolo Mace!"

He swung the heavy mace in a wide arc, building momentum before launching it toward Sonic Silence. The mace connected with the creature's gleaming chest, and with a burst of sparks, it released Leah, who fell to the ground, gasping.

Olli spun his mace again, ducking and sidestepping away from Sonic Silence's lashing cords. "Leah! You okay?" He called out. Leah nodded weakly, her hand clutching her throat as she tried to speak, but no sound came out— her voice completely gone.

Sonic Silence's mocking cackle filled the air, echoing with a grating reverb. "What's the matter, Ranger? A little lost for words? It taunted. " Allow me to fill the silence—" with a triumphant snarl, the creature released a wave of deafening sound, powerful enough to send Olli stumbling back, his hands instinctively covering his ears.

He staggered, fighting to regain his footing as he looked over at Leah. "Listen, rock-concert reject," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I'm not in the mood for a duet." He rushed to Leah's side, wrapping an arm around her to steady her. "How about we bow out for now and come back the whole band for the encore?"

Leah managed a fierce nod despite her frustration. As Sonic Silence's tendrils lashed toward them again, Olli activated his teleporter. In a flash of light, they vanished, reappearing in the familiar safety of PRISM's command center.

As the teleportation light faded, Olli helped Leah to her feet, steadying her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Catch your breath," he said softly. "Time to call in the cavalry. Let's make sure Sonic Silence gets booed off the stage. For good."

PRISM Command Center
April 16th, 2022

As Olli powered down and headed to the center console, Alpha 10 rolled in from the next room, his servos whirring as he spotted the two Rangers. "Oh, Rangers! What a nice surprise. Are you here to play more of your rock-and-roll?"

Before Olli could reply, Ethan James, the Blue Dino Thunder Ranger, strode in, tablet in hand. It was his shift at the command center, and he was absorbed in the live feed from Angel Grove Park, which he cast onto the large screens. "Alpha, better call the team. We've got one of Nyx' nasties causing a scene downtown."

He glanced over at Alpha, finally noticing Olli and Leah standing nearby. He paused, frowning in confusion. "Oh… You're already here. Where's the rest of the team?"

Olli's gaze flicked to the screens, where Sonic Silence's tendrils whipped across the park, scattering terrified civilians. His stance stiffened with purpose. "No time to explain. Alpha, get the others on comms and tell them to meet me there." He shot Leah a determined look. "Better call in Uncle Tommy too."

Leah gave him a silent, encouraging nod. With a quick, reassuring look Olli morphed and, in a burst of energy, teleported back to the park, leaving Leah, Ethan and a bewildered Alpha behind.

Ethan turned to Leah, thoroughly puzzled. "Uh, what just happened?"

She opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came out. She felt the stillness, a cold reminder of Sonic Silence's attack. Gritting her teeth, she gestured wildly, attempting to explain the situation with her hands, but Ethan scratched his head, squinting. "I gotta be honest, Lee… I've always been terrible at charades."

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Leah gave up, turning her attention back to the live feed. Her teammates were already on the field, morphed and clashing with Sonic Silence. Judging by their careful maneuvers, Olli must have warned them about what happened to her. They were careful to keep their distance from the monster's writhing tendrils.

But even with their caution, Sonic Silence managed to land some punishing blows. The sounds of battle—the explosive sparks, the crash of metal against metal—filled the command center, a painful reminder of the fight she was missing. Frustration swelled in her chest, and she felt powerless. Balling her fists, Leah sank to the floor, hugging her knees tightly as she watched her team struggle.

She was so absorbed in the scene that she didn't notice the flash of white light as her father arrived at the command center.

Tommy's gaze found Leah almost immediately. Seeing her sitting alone, her face etched with anxiety, he crossed to her quickly. "Lee?" He asked, his voice calm but laced with concern. "What's going on? Are you hurt?"

Leah shook her head, mouthing, "not hurt". She mimicked the monster's grasping tendrils, then motioned to her throat, letting her fingers drift away, as if releasing her own stolen voice. Frustration and sorrow clouded her expression as she watched her dad's expression go from confusion to understanding.

His expression softened as realization dawned on him. "The monster took your voice?" He asked gently, and Leah nodded, her relief visible despite the tears pooling in her eyes. "No voice… no morph."

Tommy smiled, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Oh, Lee," he said softly, his voice like a balm. "That's not how morphing works."

Her eyes widened, a glimmer of hope flickering through her frustration as she met his gaze.

He continued, "The morphing call, even the gemstones—they're just tools to help you focus. Saying the call, holding the stone, sure, it gets you all on the same page, channels your energy together. But the power itself? It's already inside you." He placed his hand over her heart. "Here, Lee. You don't need to say a word. Just focus on that power. No call required."

Leah's eyes brightened with understanding. She raised her hand mimicking the familiar command to summon her Zord, then looked at her dad, brows lifted in silend question. "What about my Raptor?" Her gaze asked.

Tommy's smile widened, pride sparkling in his eyes. "Your Raptor is more than a machine. It's part of you, Lee. Call or no call, when you need him, he'll be there."

Gratitude washed over her, and she threw her arms around her dad in silent thanks. Pulling back, Leah took a deep breath, her gaze hardening with renewed resolve. She closed her eyes, drawing from within, summoning the power that lived in her core. Moments later, her green armor materialized around her, gleaming and solid.

She gave her dad a quick hug, before she teleported in a burst of emerald light, rejoining her team on the battlefield, ready to face Sonic Silence again.

Tommy rose to his feet, watching his daughter's determined exit before moving to the console. Opening a comm line to the rest of the Rangers, his voice rang out, calm but steely with pride. "Rangers, Leah's on her way. Now, let's take down that off-key disco-ball"

Angel Grove Youth Center
April 16th, 2022

The teens barely made it back to the Youth Center in time, still breathless and exhilarated—still riding the adrenaline from the fight they'd just won. They tried to calm themselves, but the stage lights flared to life, flooding the stage with vibrant colors. Peering through the curtains, they saw the packed auditorium. Parents, friends, and supporters filled the room, their murmurs buzzing with anticipation.

Will elbowed Marley and Olli, nodding toward the front row where their parents, along with several other former Rangers, had staked their claim. Pride and amusement danced on their faces. "Ready to rock this?" Will asked, a grin spreading across his face.

Marley rubbed his hands together, glancing at the crowd. "They won't know what hit them," he joked, before mock-frowning. "Let's just hope the mic doesn't go rogue again."

Will and Ollie laughed. "We don't need any monsters to bring down the roof tonight!"

The trio fist-bumped as the girls took their places behind the instruments. Olli grabbed his bass, and with a nod, he kicked into the unmistakable bassline of Another One Bites the Dust. The crowd erupted in cheers as Will and Marley rushed the stage, diving headfirst into the performance, lost in the music. The energy was electric.

In the front row, Rocky leaned over to Tommy, a grin stretching across his face, "A little on the nose, don't you think?"

Tommy smirked, shaking his head. "Exactly what I said. But look at them," he nodded toward the stage, where the teens were putting everything they had into the song, moving with ease and confidence. "They've been through a lot these past months. I think they've earned some fun."

Rocky nodded and turned his attention back to the stage, clapping along as the rhyth, thoroughly enjoying the show.

When the song ended, the crowd went wild with applause, and the teens dashed offstage to make way for the next act. They swapped instruments and outfits quickly before returning to the stage.

The guys stayed by the sidelines, Olli giving Leah a quick peck on the cheek for luck. Gia took her place behind the piano while Leah and Anne grabbed their guitars. With a nod to each other, they launched into Brave by Sara Bareilles. Their voices rang clear and strong, urging the crowd to speak their truth and embrace their courage.

"Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out. Honestly I wanna see you be brave… " The girl's harmonies soared, filling the room with a powerful message of self-empowerment.

Kim leaned, nudging Aisha as they watched the girls on stage. "They make it look so easy, don't they? I don't think we ever had that kind of confidence."

Aisha kept her eyes on the performance, a proud smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe not… but I like to think we instilled that fearlessness in them." Kim nodded, her gaze returning to the stage as the song wrapped up.

The crowd cheered, and the teens shared a quick hug before heading offstage. A few more acts followed, and then Olli and Anne returned for a more intimate performance. Just two mics, two stools, and two guitars. The lights dimmed, and Anne's voice wavered slightly as she began.

"I wish that heaven had visiting hours…" Her voice cracked, but Olli's steady presence beside her gave her strength, and together their voices blended in perfect harmony. The crowd fell into a hushed silence as the twins poured their hearts into the song.

Jason's face softened, his emotions breaking through the calm façade he usually wore. A tear slipped down his cheek, and Kim reached over to squeeze his hand. "Tri would be so proud of them," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You've done good, big brother."

Jason nodded, unable to speak, and wrapped his arm around Kim in silent gratitude as Anne and Olli played the final chords. The crowd responded with a thunderous applause as the twins exited the stage. Backstage, Leah pulled Anne into a tight hug, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "You're everything she'd want you to be," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet assurance.

Anne smiled, giving Leah a grateful nod.

The stage lights brightened again, and Gia pulled Leah into the spotlight. Gia's infectious energy radiated through the crowd as they launched into Valerie. Leah's guitar kept the steady, upbeat rhythm as the crowd clapped along, Gia swaying and dancing with a contagious enthusiasm.

"Now, that's a song!" Tanya laughed, clapping in rhythm.

Adam shook his head, laughing along with his wife. "That's our Gia, a natural performer. I don't know where she got that from." Tanya ignored his playful look and kept her focus on the stage, swaying along to to music in her seat.

As the last notes rang out, Gia high-fived Leah before dashing offstage. Olli brought Leah's acoustic guitar forward, and she took her place center stage. She paused, taking a steadying breath as she adjusted the strings. This next song was special to her—it was a love letter to both of her parents.

She began The Best Day, her fingers moving softly over the strings, her voice filled with tender emotion.

"I have an excellent father," she sang, her gaze finding Tommy in the crowd. "His strength is making me stronger. The sun smiles on my little brother; inside and out, he's better than I am."

Tommy's hand instinctively found Kim's, his eyes misting over as Leah's words resonated. Kim squeezed his hand, her own eyes glistening as she whispered, "You've always been her hero, Handsome. She's just letting the world know it too."

Leah continued, her voice steady and full of love. "I grew up in a pretty house, and I had space to run, and I… had… the best day with you."

The crowd was quiet as Leah played the final notes. Tommy's heart swelled with pride, a deep sense of gratitude washing over him.

After the emotional pull of Leah's solo, Marley and Will bounded onto the stage, ready to lift the energy. The rest of the team grabbed their instruments, and the opening chords of I Ain't Worried filled the room. Marley grinned as he moved to the beat, radiating confidence, and Will matched him, effortlessly switching the lyrics from "1999 heroes" to "2022 heroes".

Rocky and Zach exchanged a glance, bursting into laughter. "Alright, we get it!" Rocky laughed, shaking his head with a grin.

The teens finished the song to roaring applause, and the night rolled on with a lively mix of more music, impressive karate demonstrations and intricate dance routines—each met with cheers and excitement from the crowd.

Finally, the six Rangers took the stage one last time, side by side. Will positioned himself at the keyboard, his fingers moving over the keys as he began an extended intro for their final song of the night.

Leah stepped up to the mic, taking a deep breath and letting her gaze wander over the audience before speaking.

"This is our last song of the night," she said, and the crowd groaned in mock disappointment, making her smile. "Thank you all for being here and for supporting us. This one's for everyone who tries to make the world a better place, in ways big or small. You all deserve your spot in the Hall of Fame." Her gaze locked with Tommy's as she spoke the next words. "This is for you."

A swell of applause erupted, the crowd's cheers echoing through the room. The lights dimmed, creating an intimate atmosphere as Will began the first verse.

"Yeah you can be the greatest, you can be the best, you can be the King Kong banging on your chest..."

Gia's voice took the next lines, her tone full of passion as she sang, her eyes sweeping over the audience.

"you can be a master, don't wait for luck, dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself…

As the chorus hit, lights around the audience flared to life, bracelets worn by the other club kids flashing in sync with the beat. Without a sound, the kids had quietly moved to line the aisles of the auditorium. The effect was breathtaking, as the voices of the teens on stage mingled with those of the other clubs, creating a powerful unity that filled the room.

"Standing in the Hall of Fame, And the world's gonna know your name, 'cause you burn with the brightest flame…"

The teens moved in perfect sync with the lights and rhythm, their expressions filled with pride and joy. Leah stepped forward again, her voice clear and strong.

"Yeah, you can go the distance, you can run a mile, you can walk straight through hell with a smile."

Ollie followed, his voice steady and sure. "You can be a hero, you can get the gold, breaking all the records they thought never could be broke."

Anne added her voice, rising with a quiet strength. "Do it for your people, do it for your pride, you're never gonna know if you never even try."

Marley's voice came next, rich and determined. "Do it for your country, do it for your name, 'cause there's gonna be a day…"

The final chorus hit with a surge of energy, louder than ever, as the lights pulsed with the music. Everyone on stage, and the entire room joined in a powerful crescendo.

The six teens locked eyes with their parents, gratitude and love shining in their gazes. As the final notes rang out, Leah took the mic one last time, her voice soft and filled with emotion.

"Standing in the Hall of Fame."

The auditorium was still for a heartbeat before it exploded in applause. The crowd's cheers filled the air, rising into a standing ovation. The teens beamed, soaking in the appreciation.

As the applause roared, they huddled together for a tight group hug on stage, their faces beaming with pure joy. Laughter bubbled up from every one of them, their energy high from their performance. Will pulled back just enough to shoot a cheeky grin at the others, his voice dripping with mock-dramatic flair.

"From taking down monsters to taking the spotlight—just your average day in the life of a Ranger. No biggie," he said, sighing as though the weight of the world had finally been lifted.

Olli chuckled and shot a knowing look at Leah, then gave Will a playful shove. "Guess I was right after all. We really did need the full band for the encore."

At the looks of confusion on their friends' faces, Leah and Olli burst out laughing, the sound so infectious that it quickly spread to the rest of the group.