Episode 11: First Steps in the Universe

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

Cruger nodded when he saw Troy and Emma coming back to the room. Troy was holding his card as if it was a treasure, and knowing that Gia had Bridge there, Emma focused on him, sitting in Troy's lap and hugging him closely. She also had a hand over Troy's dragon sword card, as if being there helped her feel some of Jake's presence.

Not wanting to put more pain into them with that matter, Cruger activated the recorder again. It was a new day, and this time, Jake was dressed as he was when he met Wes's lawyers, which meant he had an important meeting.

"As time passed and the new year started, the news about Sirius spread around the universe along with the Dark Ranger's threat. Several leaders from other planets wanted to meet the powerful White Lion and his guardians. Thanks to Alpha-5, Rico, and the contacts I still had, we managed to set a meeting with all of them," said Cruger, showing a smile. "Which one of you showed him diplomacy?"

Kat, TJ, Dana, Eric, Jen, Cam, and Kevin raised their hands, and Cruger chuckled. "You did a very good job. I can't say I know how he got it, but Jake got all of them wrapped around his finger."

The Rangers shared a look as Cruger activated the recorder again, seeing Jake, Conner, and Mike dressed in formal attire as they walked into the same meeting room they were using now.

Eltar (2015) – Meeting Room

Jake took a deep breath and saluted all the leaders one by one, giving them the respect Eric always told him to have with people in high status. He taught Jake to remain calm even if the situation was dire, to think before speaking, and always keep in mind who was in front of him. Behind him, he could feel Conner and Mike's support. While any of them were better than Jake in dealing with formalities, Conner was taught by Jake's godparents, and Mike learned from Mentor Ji, Jayden, and Kevin.

He had the best with him, and he was about to show these leaders exactly how good he was at this game.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming here," said Jake, allowing the side he never showed to anyone else before. He was taught by Jen Collins that he must keep this attitude for these situations, learning with her that there were moments for fun and moments for work, and this was one of the latter moments. "I hope you find this room suitable for you."

The leaders, not showing any emotion, barely moved, and while Jake felt a lot of pressure, he tried to focus on the fact that this was important, not only for their fight but also for the good of his friends and family. He channeled the calm Cam taught him during his days at the Ninja Storm Academy and the cool head TJ taught him while teaching him the secrets of diplomacy, which was his main job as Andros's second in command.

"White Ranger, we have been told you and your guardians have been fighting this new threat for some time. How come you can't defeat him with the combined power of Bastro, Bennu, and the Green Wolf?" said a leader.

"That's because we have not only been fighting the Dark Ranger, but we also have his army to deal with. We assume he can reproduce it with magic," said Jake, looking at the leader. "And you can call me Jacob… Jacob Thomas Scott Kwan."

He knew the name would be familiar. After all, Tommy and Jason were both considered legends to some extent, and the Universe knew about them more than they knew about anyone else. Going a step ahead was something Dana taught him well since she was raised by Captain Mitchell. He knew he got them when he heard the murmurs around him, but he wasn't even finished yet. He also channeled Kevin's strong and serious demeanor, showing the leaders he was not a kid playing a game bigger than himself.

"As you can understand, we are three Rangers against the biggest threat to the Universe. When we first encountered him, we had gone through important losses and had to rebuild this planet, which is the main reason we didn't have this meeting sooner. But now, we are ready to offer help to any planet that needs us. All we want in exchange is a common front to fight the Dark Ranger. He is a threat we can't ignore, and we need to stay together to defeat him," said Jake.

"What about other Rangers? We heard they are all gone," said another leader, fearful for his planet.

"We are not all gone," said Delphine, the white Aquitar Ranger and representative of her planet. "We offer Jacob our help and commitment to fight while we protect our planet. I watched him grow up, and he and his guardians are the best chance we can get to end this threat."

"I don't believe so. They ran away from their planet like cowards," said another leader.

"We didn't run," said Jake, showing just enough pressure to get everyone's attention. "We were forced to leave. We still have several allies working with us right now on Earth, but I needed to come here, and my guardians were transported away with no choice."

"Why?" asked a female leader, curious.

"We needed to claim the power to defeat the Dark Ranger," said Jake. Then he took a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen, you must understand that we were not ready for this attack. Our only advantage is that he doesn't seem to have his full force back, but he has resources, and he plans to go after every planet unless we work together."

"We heard what happened to Sirius. Our condolences, Emperor Cruger," whispered another female leader, more in touch with the emotions in the room.

Jake looked over his shoulder, nodding for Anubis to take the stand. His presence, while Jake thought it could be avoided to not bring more pain to him and Kat, was necessary to really bring the impact to the leaders. They didn't care much about the Rangers, only the threat to their planets, and Jake needed more than words to convince them.

So he let Anubis control the room.

"Thank you, Tarak. My planet and my people suffered the consequences of the Dark Ranger and his army, and I lost many, including my wife, to him. But I would have lost everything, including my life, if it wasn't for Jacob, Conner, and Mike," said Anubis, looking at the people around him with the firm posture of an Emperor. "I'm not here to bring you more than the reality of our situation, and that is that the Dark Ranger has been operating before we were attacked, and he won't stop until he has decimated whoever he pleases. Now, if you want to protect your planets, Jacob and his guardians are your best choice, but not the only one."

The leaders looked at each other while Anubis took a step back, giving the room back to Jake. At this point, he knew what to do. Katherine was not a diplomat, but she knew the power of honesty and charm like no other. Being his stepmom, she made sure Jake understood the meaning of those words and how to use them when it was the right time.

And the right time was now.

"I'm going to be honest with you, leaders. I am just a Power Ranger; my guardians are also Power Rangers. We lost everything—our family, friends, the women we love. We have been forced to leave our planet, and we're not completely sure what we are facing, but there is something I can tell you with all the conviction I have: We are not giving up. We are going to fight with or without your aid, and we will do everything we can to win because generations before us taught us the importance of protecting this universe," said Jake. "I'm not going to beg for help—that is your choice to make. But as Commander, I must ask you to think of your people. The Academy can teach them how to defend themselves, how to bring honor and justice to respond to the Dark Ranger's attacks. We can offer a home for those families that wish to move here since we are expanding our force field and also offer your planets the technology used for it."

The leaders looked at Jake, impressed as a soft white glow covered his body. He let his heart speak, and for once at that table, no one looked down at him.

"The choice is yours to make, but I promise you, if you stand with us in this fight, we can win this, as there is no greater power than the strength to save the ones we love most."

The leaders shared a look, impressed with Jake's speech, and Delphine got up, nodding at him. She was deeply touched by the words of that young man and was convinced that whatever the challenge was, he and his guardians could face it. But that doesn't mean they had to do it alone.

She smiled when she received a mental message and nodded to herself.

"We, the Aquitar Rangers and our planet, stand with you and your guardians, Jacob. And there is also another representative who also wishes to offer his support," said Delphine, walking towards the door and opening it. "Welcome."

Jake was curious to see who else came late to the meeting when he heard robotic steps. Soon, he recognized the robot in front of him. He gasped, unable to believe what he was seeing. Even Conner and Mike looked surprised as the newcomer walked towards Jake.

"Jake, it's good to see you again."

"I… RoboKnight!?" said Jake, barely able to walk as he approached his friend. "You're… you're here!"

The two friends finally hugged, and for a moment, nothing else mattered. Jake did his best to keep his composure, but he had to admit that all this time he wondered where RoboKnight was or if he recovered, and now he was here with him, looking fine and…

Jake took a step back. "Wait, you are Earth's representative?" asked Jake, and RoboKnight nodded.

"I've been asked to be here for you. Earth stands with the Rangers, and so do I," said RoboKnight, putting an arm on Jake's shoulder. "I may not be able to fight like I used to, but I'm still here. Earth is my home, and the Rangers are my friends. We will fight and we will win."

His words, full of conviction that only RoboKnight could have, gave Jake all the strength he needed to turn towards the rest of the leaders. He was still unable to fully believe his friend was here, but he had to focus. There were other leaders to convince. Jake showed his best smirk, the same one he used when he was sure of something, as he looked at the leaders.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have Earth, KO-35, Terra Venture, Aquitar, Sirius, and Eltar with me, and we are working on getting in contact with every ally the Power Rangers have in the Universe," said Jake, looking at all of them. "But this battle is going to need everyone in the Universe, including you all. So I have one question for all of you. Will you join us in our fight?"

The leaders shared a look and then, one by one, got up and nodded, giving Jake their answer. Behind him, Conner and Mike shared a look and a smirk, proud of the young man in front of them. Anubis and Kat sighed in relief that everything turned out to be fine. Jake smiled, with RoboKnight and Delphine by his side and ready to take on the new threat.

They will win—there was no other way to end this.

-L-

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

Cruger looked towards the door. He had felt Kat Manx leaving the room some time ago, and since the Rangers were surprised by the events they saw, they didn't notice her leaving. He guessed where she had gone the moment they saw RoboKnight and smiled, but it would take a moment to get him, so he decided to comment on the latest developments.

"Jacob became that day a beacon of hope for many people, humans and aliens. Along with Conner and Mike, he coordinated with the rest of the Universe, and in response, the Universe knows them by different names," said Cruger. "Mike is known as the Green Wolf, The Samurai Master, or the Ghost of Eltar. Conner is known mostly as the King of the Sky, but he is also known as Burning Light, and some simply call him the Sun. Jake is known as the White Lion, the Commander, Light of Hope in some planets, and Light of Justice in others. Some called him Legend, but he declined the name, saying his Uncle Tommy had that side covered."

Tommy chuckled sadly, shaking his head. After everything he had seen, he was not sure those words applied to him anymore. He was a legend on Earth and maybe in other planets, but this was much bigger.

"Your experience as Rangers taught papa and my uncles a lot, Tommy, even Uncle Mike, who learned over time," said Bridge, seeing Tommy's reaction. "You may not be aware of the impact you had on others, but believe me when I say they were completely sure they would not be able to face all their challenges if it wasn't for everything you taught papa and Uncle Conner from your experience and that Uncle Mike learned later."

Tommy gave the young Ranger a smile when the door opened and Kat Manx appeared with RoboKnight by her side. He seemed to have been waiting for this chance and quickly approached the Rangers he knew, hugging all the Megaforce Rangers until he got to Orion.

"You must be the sixth Ranger, Silver," said RoboKnight, and Orion smiled at him, shaking the hand RoboKnight was offering. "No, RoboKnight, I'm Ranger number seven. You are and will always be number six."

RoboKnight nodded, pleased with the answer. He looked around the room, seeing all the Rangers, and then he looked down. "I'm sorry, Yellow Rangers. I couldn't keep them safe."

His message was clear and at the same time, heartbreaking. RoboKnight was all about honor and duty, and it had to have been painful not being able to help them. But the three Yellow Rangers he sent the message to were aware that if he could have helped, RoboKnight would have been there with them.

"RoboKnight, there is nothing to apologize for," said Emily, walking towards him to take his hand in hers. "You were there when they needed you. Maybe not fighting, but you were there."

"We are sure you did everything you could," said Kira, also taking his other hand. "Thank you for being there."

Gia was the last one, but she took a few determined steps towards him and put a hand on RoboKnight's chest, looking at him. "You never failed us, even when we didn't trust each other. I know you didn't fail them in all these years, so don't blame yourself, RoboKnight. You were there, and you are here now, and as long as you keep them in your memories, you would not fail them or us."

RoboKnight nodded slowly, understanding the meaning of these words. Then he sat down beside the Megaforce Rangers while Kira and Emily returned to their seats. Cruger, feeling better, nodded towards him and then continued reactivating the image.

-L-

Eltar (2015) – Crystals Room

It was later that day when Jake, Conner, and Mike reunited in the room where the crystals containing the other Rangers were. Jake was sitting on a small space right beside Gia's crystal. Conner stood beside Kira's crystal, touching it as if he could feel her presence through it. Mike was near Emily's, making sure it was clean and comfortable.

It was strange to be in this room, but when they wanted to plan or talk, coming here gave them a sense of being surrounded by their family, and that's exactly what they needed the most. RoboKnight was there too, standing protectively around little Bridge, who was explaining to his grandparents the events of the day as if they were right there. He took pictures that he was showing them, and despite the lack of answers, Bridge seemed happy to be telling his story.

Away from him, the three Rangers were deep in thought. Jake sighed, looking at Gia's sleeping form before he looked at his friends.

"What do you think about what happened in Sirius?" asked Jake, as Conner and Mike looked at him, leaving their previous tasks to focus on the question. "Have you ever seen something like that before?"

"Not that I remember," said Mike, looking at Conner. "Conner?"

"No, but I've been thinking about it since it happened," said Conner, catching Jake's attention. "That Dark Ranger took their energy and created those things, right? I was wondering… when we lost our Dino powers, I thought it was the end for us, but then Kira got them back, and then I got them back saving you, Jake…"

"You are wondering if somehow their energy went to those things?" asked Jake, and Conner nodded, making Jake think about the same issue. "That means they are acting as a container at best and are connected to them at worst, or we are completely mistaken."

"Then we must find a way to test that theory," said Mike, serious, looking towards the crystals. "Every energy is attached to a life, so if the energy is attached and not contained, then we have a problem. But if it's contained and not attached…"

"We can defeat them and free the energy," said Jake, nodding to himself. "If that's the case, since Zordon was the one using the crystals to contain the Rangers, we should be able to lead the energy back to them."

"Good, it looks like a plan, but we need to be careful. It won't be as easy as we expect," said Conner, looking at his wife's crystal with a longing look in his eyes. "He won't let go of that energy so easily."

"More reason to fight," said Mike, who went back to making sure Emily's crystal was all clean.

Meanwhile, Jake sighed. There was probably something else they weren't aware of, but for now, that was all they could think of, and they had to test that theory. He looked up to Gia and closed his eyes, resting his forehead on the crystal near her hand and imagining her fingers running up and down the back of his head, something she did when he was tense to relax him. It worked like a charm every time except now, when he could not feel her hands.

"I miss you so much," whispered Jake. He let out a sad sigh, hoping against all hope their theory was valid and they could get the energy back like that because he was sure that he would not live a life without his family and friends.

And more importantly, he would not live a life without her.

-L-

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

"Their theory was correct after all, and the Dark Ranger was using those creatures to test them," said Cruger, turning off the recorder. "He wanted them to grow stronger and fight while he recovered so once he was ready, he could steal their energy, and if he did, no one could have stopped him."

"He didn't get to those powers," said Justin, looking at the devices. "I've been wondering about something. Would you mind telling us exactly when they died? Because if it was some time ago, the fight must have been brutal."

"Three months before you woke up," whispered Syd, looking at the ground. "The final battle took place outside the city limits. It was brutal. We were there, fighting with them and…"

She closed her eyes as a tear fell down her cheek. She didn't want to remember those days—fighting, scared of everything around her but knowing this was her choice. If she had to fall, she would do it here. Syd felt Sky's arms around her, and she took a deep breath as he looked at the Rangers.

"Many others came to help, and thanks to our efforts, the city was safe. But due to us having to stay and defend, only Jake, Conner, and Mike faced the full attack outside the city," said Sky, his voice tight and deeper.

"How…?" said Tommy, grasping Kimberly's hand for support.

Sky looked at Cruger, and he nodded. They would see it later, but he could tell part of it now. It may soften the images they will see later. Sky took a deep breath, kissing Syd's head before looking at the Rangers, his eyes focused on the Samurai Rangers.

"Mike fell first. He was the first and only line of defense against a horde of monsters," explained Sky, looking down. "It didn't matter how much they attacked him; he fought with everything he got. He gave everything he had until his body finally gave out. By the time we arrived, his injuries were very serious, but he took them out. He was a real Samurai and a hero till the very end."

The Samurai Rangers could imagine the battle. After all, they had been there before together when they thought they would not survive, but they did. The thought of Mike experiencing that for a second time but this time alone was scary and horrible.

"Once we finish here," said Syd, looking at them. "He wanted… in his last breath, he asked us to make sure Jayden would receive a replica of Masamune, made by Mike himself, an honorable sword for an honorable Samurai. Your sword is exactly like's Mike in everything but power but he hoped you would do him the honor to use it and he wanted to ask Emily to please take care of Bear. He seems lost without Mike here, and Mike wanted you to take part of him with you."

Emily nodded and touched the head of the little bear Zord that rested in her hands. It was hard, but despite the pain, she felt proud of her boyfriend. He showed the world what she could see in him, and she couldn't help but smile despite her breaking heart. Meanwhile, Jayden couldn't believe Mike wanted him to have the sword made by him. Without realizing what he was doing, he got up, closing the gap between him and Mike's Masamune. He raised his trembling hand, and the sword responded by glowing green and levitating, allowing Jayden to touch it. When it did, Jayden had to use the table as support when flashes of Mike and the Samurai Rangers appeared in his mind. Jayden gasped—these were memories from Mike, his feelings. The sword floated back to the table, and Jayden looked at Sky and Syd.

"I saw us…" said Jayden. "I saw his feelings."

"That would be normal. All of them put everything in these three objects," explained Z with a sad smile. "A memory of his thoughts and feelings remains there. They carried your legacy for eleven years, and now you carry theirs."

Jayden looked down and nodded, making his choice right there to honor those memories with his life. Z continued, "Mike also wanted Mia and Kevin to teach in the dojo. Emily will receive everything Mike had as his significant other, but the dojo is yours. Antonio has a position with the explorers as the leader of the squad or one as an expert in the tech lab, same on Earth. Of course, you, Mentor Ji, and Lauren have places here as teachers if you want them."

"It was all planned out," said Lauren, sadly, and Z nodded, looking down. "We only learned this after they passed away. Before, only the three of them and Wes's lawyers knew."

Lauren nodded, looking down, and Mentor Ji also looked down at his hands. Such a good man behind all that lazy facade, and he barely saw it before he was taken. It seemed unfair. Not far from him, Antonio didn't know what to say. Mike knew what he wanted to do, and he made sure Antonio was covered in every direction, even after his death. Mia and Kevin were also speechless, unable to express what it meant to them to have that dojo.

Jack allowed them to take in the new information, and he put a hand on Sky's shoulder before he looked at the Dino Rangers. His own feelings about it were conflicted, but it was something he had to do because he knew Sky would not be able to do it.

"Conner's death was painful," said Jack, catching the attention of the Dino Rangers while he tried to forget the memories of his body and the state they found him. "He fought someone you will see soon—the Dark Ranger's second in command. Besides that, he took to the skies to stop the ships coming to the city."

Jack remembered the screams, the fire, the reasons why Conner was the King of the Sky. "He used every ounce of his powers, to defeat that creature and destroy the ships. Unfortunately, during the fight, his wings were broken, and he fell from the sky as a ball of fire. We couldn't… he was too broken…"

Jack remembered his soft hand, burned by the same flames he used. He remembered the screams and the tears and had to take a moment to step back. This time, Sky was the one feeling Syd's arms around him, mutual support in a mutual loss.

"He left this for you, Ethan," whispered Kat, putting a hand on Jack's shoulder to help him. "These are the keys to his Mustang. Hayley, as you have the café here and on Earth and Conner's investments beside that, you and Ethan have positions here if you wish to take them."

Ethan felt the keys to the Mustang in his hand and smiled with tears in his eyes. That idiot loved this car, and he gave it to Ethan, who could barely drive. What was he thinking? Meanwhile, Hayley hugged him, both trying their best to calm down while Kat looked at Tommy and Kimberly.

"Tommy, Kimberly, Conner wanted you to have his position as teacher. There was no one better than you to teach new generations, and he thought you would enjoy the peace. So he also gave you the house near the river so, as he said, you can finally enjoy a peaceful life," said Kat, giving them the documents and the keys. "If you choose to go back to Earth, Conner made sure your house and jobs were ready for you. It is up to you."

Tommy chuckled and nodded while Kimberly left a kiss on his shoulder, trying herself not to break down in a moment like that. Conner did think of everything, and when it came to them, he gave them a chance to restart—the chance he always wanted them all to have. He smiled softly. Conner never saw himself as a true leader, but in Tommy's eyes, he was grateful he got the red Dino Gem. He was grateful that he mentored Conner and that he could consider him a son.

He was grateful.

"We didn't know he was working on this until it was given to us for you, Trent," said Jack, showing Trent his new weapon. "This is a replica of his bow. It is not as powerful as the Firebird bow, but it was made for you. Completely white, with the head of a dragon and the tail at the end, it shoots white lightning arrows. It was powered with magic both Conner and Jake created, and the design was made by Mike, as the design is a traditional Japanese dragon. This is the symbol of their trust in you and your abilities to lead this team now."

Trent touched the bow as if he was touching a precious treasure. Light and elegant, the bow told Trent many things that he wasn't sure he knew, not until this moment. It talked about complete trust, about a weird friendship he treasured more than anything, about the many moments he wouldn't be able to share anymore, about a boy he saw grow up and be the legacy of his color, and about the man that would always remain his rival and his friend. It talked about a man he didn't know and yet was able to put his touch into this piece of weapon in his hands.

It talked about history and about Trent's new responsibility. Trent closed his eyes, feeling the power of the bow. He wouldn't fail this power. He wouldn't fail them. That was his silent promise.

Finally, Sky stepped away from Syd and went towards his bag. Inside, he had different objects, and with a determination he didn't feel, he walked towards the last member of the Dino team and sat in front of her. Kira was not looking at him; she was looking away from everything. But sooner or later, she knew she had to face it, whatever it was. What she did not expect was to see Conner's soft smirk reflected in Sky's as the young SPD Ranger put Conner's famous soccer ball in her hands.

"Everything he had, his house here, his status as second in command, his soccer camp on Earth, everything is yours, Kira," said Sky as softly as he could while pointing at the red soccer ball in her hands. "We couldn't retrieve his ring, but he would tell you that this soccer ball also represented a part of him and you… you were everything to him. The Red Dino Gem will be yours too when we finish, and there you will see everything he often didn't say."

Kira passed her fingertips over the small soccer ball and smiled sadly. She had seen this so many times in Conner's hands since the moment she met him that it almost felt as if she was touching his hand. She let that thought calm the pain she was suffering when she saw something from the corner of her eye and looked towards the Red Dino Gem, glowing in a soft red light.

"I love you. Look at the sky and sing for me sometime, please?"

A soft whisper left there for her. Kira chuckled and nodded, and then she looked at Sky, who also seemed to have gotten the message. She took his hand, and he looked at her, smiling in the same way Conner would, and for some reason, it felt as if he was right there.

For some reason, it made her feel a little better.

Finally, Bridge was the last one, and he didn't feel ready for this, but if Syd and Sky could, he had to find a way to do it. He took Gia's hand in his, and at the same time, he took Z's hand and took a deep breath, trying to find the same courage his father always showed.

"Papa fought and was the last man standing from the three of them," whispered Bridge, looking at the Rangers around him. "With their last amount of power, Uncle Mike and Uncle Conner transferred their power to papa, and it was with that power that papa managed to defeat the Dark Ranger. He used all his energy to defeat him, and he did… he… something happened after he fell."

"What do you mean?" asked Jason, worried as Bridge seemed to have trouble talking.

"Papa disappeared. It was almost as if all his energy was gone, and he disappeared, same with Conner and Mike's bodies. All that remained was the sword, the gem, and the recorder," whispered Bridge. Then he looked at the Megaforce Rangers. "We don't know what happened, but there is nothing of them but those objects and their memories."

Then, Bridge took a long moment to think before he spoke. "Emma, Troy, papa wanted you to take over the photography and his gym here. He wanted Emma to show the Universe the world in the way she does and for the future Rangers to train hard like you, Troy, and to think, to be leaders, and to have a strong sense of justice. On Earth, your parents have different courses to help you readapt, and all of you have houses here and on Earth, in case you want to move permanently or come and go like Jordan does."

Emma and Troy looked at each other and smiled. Their choice was made a long time ago, and they had no regrets about it. Jake gave them a home and a time, and they would take this opportunity to show the value of his trueness and loyalty to them.

"He also wanted you, Noah, to work with Kat Manx at the lab. Papa always said you were a hero in your own way, and the SPD could use your abilities in the future. Papa wanted you to become our contact in the alliance in science matters. Like Troy and Emma, you have a home and one on Earth where your parents are taking care of it for now. They are covered, Noah, and so will you be. Papa wants you to win the Nobel Prize, like you promised."

"He won't be here," said Noah, looking down, and then he looked up to Bridge and smiled sadly. "But you will?"

"Of course," said Bridge, smiling softly. Noah nodded, feeling his smile a little more true, while Bridge looked at Orion. "Orion, papa wanted you to become a teacher here, but he also wanted you to go back to Andresia. Your planet is one of our biggest allies, and it is nothing like you remember. Now it is a safe planet, full of people and life and… and it is amazing."

"It is?" whispered Orion, and RoboKnight put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. "It is, Orion. I've been there; we work together. Jake knew how important your planet is to you, so he made sure you could replace the horrors you saw last time with happier times."

Orion's lip trembled with tears as RoboKnight put a hand over his, and Orion saw a flash of his planet. Happiness, laughter, a planet full of life and nothing like what he left behind. RoboKnight stood there with him as Orion saw his planet and looked at Bridge, who nodded.

"To all the Rangers, papa made sure you had your jobs ready on Earth. But if you decide to make your lives here, at the Academy, you also have jobs here adapted to you," said Bridge. "Papa, Conner, and Mike were convinced you all had much more to give to the world, and the Academy could benefit from your words and experience to protect the Universe."

The Rangers nodded. Obviously, Jake, Conner, and Mike were sure they could win, as hard as it could seem now with what they have seen, but so they planned ahead. Places to live, Earth, and their responsibilities, all was taken care of, all ready for them as if time stopped and eleven years had not passed.

But they did, and eleven years was a long time. Bridge looked up to Gia, and then he looked at Anubis Cruger, who had approached them. He sat in front of Gia and looked at her with the same amount of respect he had seen Jake have a long time ago.

"Gia Moran, Jake has told me all about you, from your strategic mind to your well-organized methods and intelligence. His wish for you is also mine, but the ultimate choice will be yours," said Cruger as Jack came towards them, holding a long jacket similar to the one Cruger had and the one Jake had before him. The biggest difference was the yellow stripe on the side of the jacket. "Jake wanted you to become my second in command, just as I was Jake's when we started our adventure. He believed in your skills to watch over this academy with the same respect and love as he did."

Gia didn't know what to say. The surprise on her face was enough to make Cruger chuckle. She didn't think this was a choice or that Jake could think so highly of her, but taking a quick look around at her friends and the other Rangers, Cruger was sure Jake made his choice correctly.

"I… I don't know what to say," said Gia, and Bridge squeezed her hand softly. She looked at him, confused. "Bridge, I…"

"You don't have to choose now," assured Bridge. "Papa… he knew the risk, but he always dreamed about having you by his side, leading the academy. He knew your abilities and how much you can give this academy, but he also knew how hard it can be. So no pressure, Gia. Whatever you do, we are here with you, and papa would be proud."

"He would, wouldn't he?" whispered Gia sadly.

"Maybe I should take you to his home soon, with the team and grandpa and grandma?" asked Bridge, looking at Jason and Kat. "We can show you better what we meant, same with Conner and Mike."

Gia nodded, smiling at the young man and ruffling his hair softly, just like his papa used to do when he was a kid. Bridge chuckled while Cruger nodded, also pleased with the result. Then he got up and looked at the Rangers around them.

"It is late, Rangers. If my memory is correct, tomorrow we will have another intense day ahead," announced Cruger. "Get some rest and continue exploring the academy, as you may find many surprises awaiting you here."

The Rangers nodded, and one by one, they left the meeting room. Cruger looked at the objects on the table. Tomorrow, these Rangers will learn the true nature of Jake's power and the reason why it took them so long to come back.

He had to be ready… he would have a lot to explain.