AN: Happy New Year!

Episode 5: Shadows of the Past

Dark Forest (2014)

The area where Jake and Conner had stepped sent chills down their spines. It was a twisted contrast to the world of fire where they were trapped before. This world was dark and cold. The canopy didn't let them look up at the sky, but Jake believed there was a moon somewhere up there, giving the small lines of light that managed to get through. Yet, from where they were standing, it almost looked like permanent darkness.

The trees were imposing, like skeletons with their branches resembling fingers trying to grab them. Jake was under the impression that if they got close to one of those trees, their souls would get trapped somewhere full of nightmares and desperation. Jake made sure to push Conner away from them as they tried to walk through the forest, looking for a clear space so they could try and find the last guardian.

"This place is depressing and scary," commented Conner as he saw the cobwebs hanging from the trees. "Why would a guardian live here?"

"From what I saw with you, this may not be the guardian's home. Maybe another Ranger is trapped here," said Jake, hoping that was the case. It would be a miracle, but the forest was Mike's element, and seeing him again would calm Jake's nerves about this place. But he couldn't feel anything good coming from this place.

"You could be right," said Conner. "If I managed to get out, maybe someone else did. You didn't happen to make sure which Ranger was there and which wasn't, right?"

"No, I thought you were all trapped," said Jake, with a sigh. "But I know the forest, this is Mike's element. He is the Green Samurai Ranger."

Conner nodded, distracted by the sounds of the animals around them. There was something about it that made him wonder if this wasn't another unresolved problem they had to deal with.

"I can't see a thing," said Jake. He was going to take a step forward, but suddenly, he heard a sound at the same time Conner grabbed his arm to stop him. It was a scream, and it was close. "Someone is fighting."

"Yeah, let's hurry," said Conner. He and Jake followed the sounds of the fight in the middle of that oppressive darkness, hoping to find another ally and with some luck, help him before it was too late for him and for them.

-L-

Mike had bad days in the past, but this one? Mike considered this one the worst. He rolled on the ground right before the beast in front of him could put its paws again on his chest and winced when he got up, feeling the wounds its fangs left on his shoulder, chest, and arms.

This thing was going to kill him if he didn't defeat it quickly. And where the hell was his team!? Mike remembered the beach, remembered wanting to help Jake and his team. He remembered Emily fighting with Mia, and him teaming up with Antonio. Lauren and Mentor Ji were assisting, Jayden and Kevin were close to them, also fighting.

No one was here now. Why!?

The animal was fast in front of him. While Mike tried to make sense of his surroundings, the animal jumped back, growling, and tried to attack Mike again, this time managing to land on his back. Lucky for Mike, he grabbed the fur of the animal and, with all his strength, threw it away from him.

"What is your problem!?" screamed Mike.

"You! You are my problem, traitor!" said a deep strong voice.

Mike was stunned when the canopy around them finally revealed his attacker: a green wolf with brilliant piercing eyes that was looking at Mike as if he was the enemy here. But Mike had no idea who he was. He appeared here with no warning and no way to get out.

"Traitor? I don't even know who you are!?" said Mike, desperately trying to stop the animal from attacking him again. "I'm a Samurai Power Ranger, alright? Green, and I am with the good guys!"

Hearing he was a Samurai only served to anger the wolf more, and the green animal threw itself at Mike one more time, pushing him to the ground. Mike looked up, unable to move and scared at those piercing eyes showing him nothing but anger while the wolf growled, showing its teeth.

"You are not worthy to be called a Samurai," growled the wolf. "You smell like him. You are a traitor!"

Mike had no idea what he was talking about, but he could see the wolf preparing to attack again, and he knew that only a miracle could save him now. Mike closed his eyes, thinking about his team and Emily. He didn't want to leave.

Please… thought Mike.

"Mike!"

Suddenly, Mike felt the weight of the wolf lift off of him, and then he felt hands around him. He opened his eyes, confused, when he found Jake looking down at him with worried eyes and another man, older than Jake. He looked at his wrist, a Power Ranger… no, the Dino Red Ranger.

"Jake…" whispered Mike, looking at the other guy. "And you are?"

"Conner, Red Dino Ranger. What is going on?" asked Conner as he and Jake helped Mike to get up.

"I have no idea," said Mike, wincing in pain because of his injuries. "I was fighting, and I started to feel funny, then I appeared here, and that wolf has been attacking me as if I'm his mortal enemy, and I don't even know him."

"Liar!"

Jake looked between Mike and the wolf, noticing that all of Mike's injuries came from fangs, probably from that wolf. But he didn't understand why someone would attack Mike. He was a little hardheaded and sometimes spoke before thinking, but he had a good heart. Determined to help his friend, Jake made a gesture for both Conner and Mike to stay behind and took a tentative step towards the green wolf that seemed to take a step back, not wanting Jake to get closer.

"Jake!" said Mike, trying to stop him, but he was injured, and Conner stopped him gently. "Let him work, Mike… that kid is something else."

Mike watched, worried but surprised, when the wolf had its tail between its legs. It still looked angry and was growling. When Jake knelt in front of him, the wolf bared its teeth, watching every movement but allowed Jake to touch its fur.

"Hey there," said Jake, carefully. "I'm Jake, and I'm Mike's friend. I know you don't like him, but he really doesn't know who you are. Could you explain to us what happened to you so we can help?"

"There is nothing you can do, Bastro. You were gone, and I could recognize his smell everywhere. He has the same smell of that man. I want him dead!" screamed the green wolf.

Jake looked over his shoulder towards Mike and Conner and saw Mike trying to walk towards the wolf, but when he did, the wolf growled, showing again its anger, and Jake signaled for Mike to stop, looking at the wolf.

"I don't know what you are talking about, wolf," said Mike, showing his confusion. "What man? What are you talking about?"

"A Green Samurai! He betrayed everything for power and broke our bond! You smell like him and deserve his fate!"

Realization dawned on Mike's face with those words, and he felt his strength leave him, forcing Conner to help him sit down while he tried to understand how he and this wolf were connected by the person they both hated the most.

"Mike?" whispered Conner.

"My father…" said Mike, looking up at the wolf. "You are talking about my father."

And finally, the secret was out, and Mike had nowhere to hide. He would have to face that part of his past, whether he wanted to or not.

-L-

"Father? That man had descendants?" asked the wolf, also slightly intrigued by Mike's words. "Why would someone be with a man that desired nothing but power?"

"That is a good question. Unfortunately, there is no one to answer that," said Mike, looking as angry as the wolf felt. "What happened between you and my father?"

"You don't know? Did that monster erase all memory of my presence in his family!?" howled the wolf, angry. Mike had the feeling the only reason why the wolf was so calm was because Jake was there beside him, and somehow, it was giving him some sense to get a hold of himself, but his words did get Mike's attention.

"My family? You were part of it?" asked Mike.

The wolf almost rolled his eyes and looked at Jake, almost to ask for encouragement. Maybe it was Bastro's presence inside him, but Jake scratched the fierce wolf between his ears and nodded, allowing the animal to explain.

"In the early years of the Samurai alliance, in a secluded forest, a Green Samurai Ranger found an injured green wolf in the forest. The wolf, unable to move, didn't know if the man was a friend or a foe, but the Samurai showed his kindness to the wolf and helped nurse it back to health. Grateful, the wolf offered the Green Samurai his power, and together they formed a powerful bond. Empowered by the wolf, the Green Samurai and his fellow Samurai Rangers faced a dark warlord, who threatened their land with dark magic and an army of shadows. Through unity, courage, and the strength of their bond, the Green Samurai and his friends defeated the dark lord, restoring peace to the forest. The wolf remained a loyal guardian until the Green Samurai's last days and then followed his duty with the next generations," explained the wolf. "My fur has the color green because of the power of your ancestors and all the fights we fought together, until your father."

It was clear, looking at Mike's face, that he had no idea of this story, and that seemed to relax the wolf just enough to sit down and look less angry at him. He didn't trust him, and that was clear, but the fact that Mike knew nothing about his family's connection with this wolf was more than enough to calm the wolf for now.

"My family… I never knew," said Mike, looking down, confused. "Did someone but our ancestors and his friends know about this? Did Mentor Ji know about this!?"

"I'm not familiar with that name, but I remember a young man last time I helped a Green Ranger… your father," said the wolf, licking his paw. "I don't think many knew about my secret, maybe his mentor and the Red Samurai. The others were only amazed by his power, but that… that wasn't enough for him."

"I know," said Mike, looking away. "Nothing was enough for him."

The green wolf looked at Mike, curious about his reaction, while a look of understanding passed between Conner and Jake. Both men could recognize a tone of sadness hiding behind the apparent anger that Mike showed in his eyes.

"What did he do to you, pup?" said the wolf.

"What didn't he do?" asked Mike, looking up at the wolf with a fake smile. "He used to treat me like a disgrace, disappointed because instead of being a bloodlust warrior like he wanted and tried to make me, I was worried about my mother's health."

"His mate?" asked the wolf.

"She passed away months before I became a Power Ranger. She got very sick, and yet, she worked hard to give me a better life when my father abandoned us," said Mike, looking at the wolf. "You are mad at him? Get in line, buddy, because I go first. He ran away without an explanation, leaving my mother all alone, and yet she waited until her last breath for him to come back."

The wolf looked at Mike, feeling the pain of the loss of his mother, still heavy on his heart. There were tears in his eyes, and his body was tense by how hard he was trying to hold back his anger. But in his time as a Ranger, Mike had learned to control himself and his inner monsters, and he was not going to break down in front of everyone else.

It was not the moment. He always cried in silence, and that's how it was. The wolf seemed to sense that but remained silent, feeling Mike was not done talking.

"That's why I didn't want to become a Samurai Ranger. I wanted nothing to do with him. I believed the discipline and the rules of the Shiba House and the duties as a Ranger turned my father into the monster I knew he was, but the truth is that it was all a lie," said Mike, getting up with Conner's help and walking towards the wolf. "The Shiba House, Mentor Ji, and my friends, the Samurai Rangers, they taught me all about bravery, respect, discipline, and trust in each other."

The wolf got up, almost scared when Mike extended his hand towards him while Conner and Jake took a step back. They were close in case they were needed, but this time it was Mike's test, and he had to be strong enough to face his past and finally break free from his anger.

"I can't change who my father was or what he did, wolf, but I can tell you I'm not like that," said Mike with a soft, sad smile. "I learned of Jayden's leadership, of Lauren's advice, and Mentor Ji's guidance. I learned of Kevin's knowledge, of Antonio's sense to have fun and enjoy life. I learned from Mia's kindness, and most of all, I learned of Emily's innocence and love, and that made me a different man, a man that will never be like my father."

The wolf looked at him for a long moment, studying Mike. When Mike finally was able to put a hand on his fur, he felt the deep connection between them. Mike could feel their bond being restored when he sensed the wolf could see his soul. He could see how his team changed Mike and how that turned him into the man his ancestors were.

A man to follow and respect. Mike smiled at him, and for a moment, the wolf could see the same kind man that saved him all those years ago was right there, asking for a second chance.

"Wait here…"

Mike looked confused as the wolf disappeared into the forest and looked at Conner and Jake, who seemed as lost as he was, at least until they heard the wolf coming back. This time, between his teeth, he was holding a sword that he left in front of Mike before sitting down and looking at the Green Samurai Ranger with respect.

"This is Masamune, the legendary sword of the Green Wolf Samurai. If you accept me as your partner, I will provide you with the power to protect Bastro and defend everything Samurai stands for," said the wolf.

Mike looked at the wolf and then at the sword. It was a beautiful blade, covered in green decorations that represented the wolf's bond with him. But when Mike touched it, he saw, with a surprised look, how symbols of the other Rangers appeared around the handle and the decorations on the sword. There was Jayden's lion, Kevin's dragon, Mia's turtle, Emily's ape, his own bear, and even Antonio had a reference with a barracuda. Mike chuckled, touching the symbol with affection.

"Those who live inside you will be part of our power," said the wolf, and Mike nodded. Of course, they would always be part of him. "And to prove your bond with them, I give you the Green Wolf Samurai Morpher. Call my power, and together, we will be unstoppable."

Mike took a deep breath, finally grabbing the sword that had been his all this time. He felt a wave of energy course through him as his wounds healed, and he felt the knowledge of generations deep inside him, waking up from their slumber. He was the Green Wolf Samurai now, and he wasn't going to forget it.

"Thank you, wolf," said Mike. The wolf nodded and, closing his eyes, the animal disappeared into a morpher that flew to Mike's hands. It was a green morpher with the face of a wolf that Mike received and put on his wrist, sealing his new alliance with the wolf. He chuckled, happy that was solved and feeling lighter than he had felt in years. He turned around to face Conner and Jake when he noticed they were looking at him as if they didn't know how to tell him something.

"What's wrong?" asked Mike.

"We need to talk, Mike," said Jake, with a serious expression on his face. "There's something important you need to know."

Mike felt a knot form in his stomach. The tone in Jake's voice was foreboding, and he could sense that whatever was coming next wouldn't be easy to hear. Conner and Jake exchanged glances, clearly deciding how best to break the news.

-L-

"Energy drained… all of them?"

"Yes, when I got to the surface, they were all like that," said Jake. "It was Zordon who had the idea to get them into the Zeo Crystals to protect them until we can defeat the Dark Ranger and give them back their energy."

Mike nodded. He was clutching his new sword, trying to push away the thoughts of his friends and his beautiful Emily in that state, but at least, they had some sort of a plan, and he had this power now. He could help Jake and Conner.

"So… this is why we ended here, so we could use the power of your spirit?" asked Mike, looking at Jake. "You said it was Zordon? As in the first mentor?"

"The one and only, but we agreed he would stay in his animal form, Bastro. It would be easier for him and for me," said Jake with a smile. He looked at Conner, who seemed deep in thought. "Is something wrong, Conner?"

"No, I was just remembering… Mike, remember when Saba sent us to help Jake? He said we were the only ones who could help him because of my powers and something about you we didn't know yet," said Conner, pointing at the sword. "This had to be it. We were destined to receive Bennu and the Green Wolf's power"

"Saba knew then," said Mike, nodding to himself. "Probably your lion too, Jake. I would have appreciated the warning."

"Believe me, I would have appreciated it too," said Jake with a sigh. "The point is that we need to fight that Dark Ranger and return the energy to our friends. Only that way will they be free, and we will be able to return to our normal lives."

Mike nodded, looking down. It pained him to know that all his friends were gone, but he wasn't alone, and he had a duty now, a purpose to save them and protect Jake. He and Conner were Jake's line of defense, and it was their job, now more than ever, to make sure he got to the finish line to win this fight. Mike closed his eyes, hoping that the words he was thinking could somehow reach Emily, his team, and the other Rangers.

Wait for me, Em. I will get you and the others back. I promise.

"Alright. Then, what should we do now?" asked Mike, looking at his new teammates. "How do we get out of here?"

"That's a job for Lion man here," said Conner.

Jake gave him a look before extending his hand, just like he did when they left Conner's world of fire and created a new portal, this time, to go back to Eltar. The plan is to find a way to defeat the Dark Ranger as soon as possible and put an end to this to save their friends.

"Let's go," said Jake. "The sooner we get there, the sooner we can finish this."

The three Rangers nodded, and together, they walked into the portal to be transported to Eltar and hopefully end with the oppressive feeling of not seeing the people they loved before it consumed them completely.

-L-

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

"So that's Masamune's story…" whispered Lauren.

The Samurai Ranger could barely think after what they saw, but she, being who she was, knew bits of it, told by her father. She knew about the wolf and the betrayal, and while her father never gave names, she knew now why he looked so sad every time he mentioned it. Jayden knew some of it too, less than her but enough to connect the dots quickly.

"I remember father telling us stories, but I never thought it was related to Mike's family," said Jayden, looking at his hands. "I should have known. I could have understood him better."

"He didn't know," said Lauren, bringing some reason to her brother. "I know how you feel, Jayden. I feel the same, but Mike didn't know, and the wolf didn't know Mike's situation. They weren't connected."

"But his parents," said Kevin, looking away. "He didn't want to be a Samurai because of this, and it had to be hard for him at the beginning. It had to bring bad memories, and yet he never said something. He was angry, but he never explained why."

"He may have known what the power did to him, but he also knew how proud you all were of your powers. All of you except Emily and me were always talking about your lineage and how much you wanted to leave a legacy like your ancestors did," explained Antonio. "He probably felt left out at the beginning, and yet, he stood there."

Mia nodded, hugging Emily. She understood better now why Mike looked so different from them despite having the same knowledge of his lineage, and now, just when she understood him better, she could see all his anger was nothing but a facade of self-doubt and abandonment.

"I wish there was more we could have done or that my grandma warned me about it," said Mia with a sigh. "He didn't deserve to bear that pain alone."

"He didn't, not completely," whispered Emily from her seat, with the bear zord still in her hands. "Mike told me his side of the story the day we got together. I knew things before, but he wanted me to know everything he knew so there were no secrets between us, or in case I wanted to dump him."

"As if you wanted to," said Mia, trying to cheer her up, and she got the reaction she wanted when Emily chuckled. "That's what I told him."

The only one not talking was Mentor Ji, and Syd, feeling his internal struggle, approached him and took his hand, bringing him to the windows where he could see several cadets, all of them training their Samurai's techniques.

"Just like Conner was a teacher, Mike taught here the use of weapons. He worked with all of them, but mostly with his sword," explained Syd with tender eyes as she looked at the cadets. "Mike used everything you taught him, Mentor Ji. His friends and Emily were with him at all times, and here, inside this academy, you were too, and that's the evidence."

Mentor Ji felt tears in his eyes as he watched the cadets train. He was especially hard on Mike, not knowing more than pieces of the story that didn't make sense until now. And watching this now, his techniques used by the cadets because Mike taught them how to do it was too much. He felt Syd putting a hand on his shoulder and smiled down at her.

"Mike was always complicated, much like his father when he started, but different from him, Mike showed courage and bravery when it was needed. He wanted power to protect others," said Mentor Ji, looking down. "I wish I had known about his mother and his situation, but I am proud of the man and the Samurai he was."

Syd nodded as Mentor Ji looked one more time at the cadets and then went back to his Samurai Rangers, hugging them close while Syd took her place beside Sky, holding his hand as he left a kiss on the side of her head.

Jack smiled, watching them and then took a step forward. It was time to watch the final recording of this part, and then, the Rangers would have to rest. It was a day with too many emotions, and while he wanted them to see everything, they all needed a break.

"This will be the last part we show today, Rangers. I understand you want to see everything, but you just got back and need to rest," said Jack before someone could complain. "So please, allow us to show this recording and escort you to your rooms to rest. I promise we will continue tomorrow."

The Rangers didn't look happy, but they didn't complain, and Jack was sure that was the exhaustion being present. So he took advantage of that and started the recording, looking at Jake, Conner, and Mike go through the portal and…

-L-

Eltar (2014)

Jake was expecting to see the same beautiful environment that he left when he walked into the fire world and the dark forest, but instead, what he found when he, Conner, and Mike stepped out of the portal was a completely different view.

"What happened here?" asked Conner, confused.

Jake looked around, feeling Bastro roar in anger inside him. This was his home, and it had been devastated by an ongoing attack. There were buildings destroyed, smoke coming out from the fire, the beautiful green landscape now completely void of any green, burned and destroyed. The sky was darkened by the horrible view of the water mixed with dirt and ruins. Jake felt his heart break; it was such a beautiful place, and now… it was all gone.

"Look!" pointed Mike, taking their attention to the sky.

Dark giant ships were coming from the sky, giving Jake vibes of the armada coming back to haunt him but worse because these ships looked more terrifying. The ships had the form of broken Ranger helmets, and the smaller ships following them had the form of skeletons, landing on Eltar as if they were parasites ready to invade a body. When they landed, skeletons armed with swords, laser guns, batons, and other different weapons came out, and all of them seemed to have some kind of Ranger attire.

It was disgusting, but at the same time, it gave them an idea of who was behind this attack.

"We have to stop them," said Jake, taking a step forward, his face showing contained anger. "We need to save as much of this planet as we can."

"You're right," said Conner. "I'm ready."

"Me too. Let's do it," said Mike.

Jake nodded, and together, the three Rangers stood firm until the army arrived. The skeletons stopped when they saw them, studying the intruders while the Rangers prepared themselves, proudly showing their morphers. Jake took a step forward, taking the lead as he focused all his energy on his new power.

"Lion Ranger! Activate!" screamed Jake, activating his morpher. Jake's white lion's armor shone in the dark as a symbol of hope when he appeared in front of the new skeletons, powerful and relentless and ready to save the planet. "Bastro Ranger! Ready!"

Right behind him, Conner prepared himself, showing his new morpher. He could feel Bennu in his soul, guiding his movements, and deep down, he could sense his Tyranno and his Triassic spirits roaring for him to unleash the fire inside him. Conner nodded; he was ready.

"Firebird Ranger! Activate!" screamed Conner. Flames engulfed him as he morphed into his new armor. A visually stunning ensemble that embodies the fiery essence of the legendary Firebird. The armor is predominantly red with shimmering gold accents, symbolizing the unyielding spirit and blazing power of the Firebird. The helmet features a sleek, aerodynamic design with a fierce bird face motif. The visor is shaped like a bird's beak, with golden flames etched along the edges. The helmet includes a pair of fiery wing-like crests, adding a touch of regality and power. The chest armor is adorned with intricate flame patterns that glow with an ethereal light. At the center is an emblem of the Firebird, its wings spread wide, signifying strength and protection. The armor is designed to provide maximum mobility while maintaining a robust and formidable appearance.

The shoulder guards are shaped like flame-imbued feathers, providing both protection and a striking visual effect. Each movement causes the flames to shimmer, giving the illusion of living fire. The gauntlets and boots are reinforced with golden linings, decorated with flame motifs. These pieces are crafted for agility and strength, ensuring Conner can move swiftly and deliver powerful strikes. A pair of magnificent fiery wings sprouted from Conner's back. The wings are made of energy and flicker with intense flames, providing both a defensive shield and the ability to glide through the air. The wings can be folded back when not in use, allowing for seamless transitions between ground and aerial combat. Finally, Conner wields a sleek, ornate bow made of a mythical metal that gleams with a golden hue. The bowstring is a thin, glowing filament of fire. When drawn, the bow conjures flame arrows, each one igniting with a radiant light. The flame arrows are highly precise and can set targets ablaze on impact, making the weapon both beautiful and deadly. Conner's flames died as his Ranger form appeared, flying right above the ground near Jake, ready for the fight. "Firebird Ranger! Ready!"

Mike looked at his wolf morpher with a sense of pride and determination only seen on him when he was truly focused. This was their moment to come back stronger and show the Dark Ranger and whoever helped him that the Power Rangers were still here and would always be ready to fight despite the hardships.

Mike closed his eyes, focusing his power as he screamed, "Wolf Ranger! Activate!" Suddenly, he was surrounded by a green light and the howl of his powerful companion as he transformed. The new Wolf Samurai Ranger armor was a striking blend of traditional Samurai aesthetics and the primal power of the green wolf. The armor is predominantly green with silver and black accents, symbolizing strength, agility, and the unyielding spirit of the Samurai. The helmet features a fierce wolf face motif, with a visor shaped like a wolf's snout. The eyes of the helmet glow with an intense green light, conveying both power and vigilance. The helmet includes wolf-like ears that add to the imposing presence of the armor. The chest armor is adorned with intricate patterns that resemble wolf fur, giving it a textured and dynamic appearance. At the center is the emblem of the Green Wolf, representing loyalty and strength. The armor is designed to provide maximum protection while maintaining the flexibility needed for Samurai combat.

The shoulder guards are designed to resemble wolf paws, providing both protection and a fierce visual effect. Each movement causes the armor to shimmer with a metallic sheen, enhancing the Samurai aesthetic. The gauntlets and boots are reinforced with silver linings, decorated with wolf claw motifs. These pieces are crafted for agility and strength, ensuring Mike can move swiftly and deliver powerful strikes with precision. The armor incorporates traditional Samurai elements, such as the use of scale armor on the arms and legs for additional protection. The design also includes a ceremonial sash and a belt with intricate patterns that tell the story of the Samurai and the wolf's bond. Mike wields the legendary sword Masamune, a beautiful and ornate blade covered in green decorations. The sword's handle features symbols of the other Samurai Rangers, representing their unity and strength. Masamune is not only a formidable weapon but also a symbol of Mike's connection to his friends and his Samurai heritage.

Mike, with his hand resting on his sword and surrounded by the sense of his forest element, stood beside Conner, calm and focused as he whispered, "Wolf Ranger! Ready!"

The three Rangers stood there with Jake taking the center, positioning his body like a white lion about to attack, while Mike took the stance of a Samurai, ready to unleash his sword, and Conner stood flying behind them, spreading his wings. "Power Rangers! Unite!"

The army of skeletons screamed as they ran towards them, and soon enough, they clashed with the Rangers. Quickly dividing efforts into three parts, Conner took a large group, sending them flying with him and then throwing them to the ground. Before they hit the ground, Conner invoked his bow, and with precision, fire arrows appeared in his bow and around him. Conner took a deep breath as the skeletons fell, and then he shot his arrows, hitting all targets and turning them to dust. Conner nodded as he watched them disappear, and then he looked towards the rest of the small ships trying to land. He knew he couldn't let them do that and quickly flew towards them, using his wings like cutting razors to destroy as many as he could.

On the ground, Mike stood quietly in front of his group of enemies. Nothing moved as the skeletons surrounded him, and he had no intention of making the first move, so he waited, hand on his sword, ready to strike when the time was right. The skeletons roared like wounded animals before throwing themselves at him while Mike studied them, skeletons with swords and shields. He knew what to do.

He unsheathed his sword and took the stance of the stone, slashing the first group of enemies with powerful and precise movements that turned the skeletons into dust. Then, with a movement barely seen by the human eye, Mike positioned himself in the water stance as the skeletons with shields approached him. Just when they were about to hit him, Mike unleashed a rapid combo of movements with his sword to stun them, and then, one by one, he slashed them, defeating all his enemies in a matter of seconds. Mike stood alone, cleaning his sword of any dirt that it could have acquired from the fight and never looking back at the enemy; it wasn't necessary. They were all defeated.

Jake didn't have precision or calm as he ran towards the groups of enemies, but he had a tremendous amount of strength. He used a powerful jump and landed on the ground, creating an earthquake that defeated some of his enemies. He didn't have weapons like bows or swords, but his gloves could recreate sharp fangs that Jake used to pierce through the skeletons with brute force. It didn't take long for him to defeat his set of skeletons and look over his shoulder, seeing Mike move like a shadow through enemies and Conner flying through the sky and shooting fire arrows with precision.

Jake was sure they could win this, at least, until he felt a powerful wave of energy come towards him. He barely had time to move before something smashed him into the nearest wall. Jake groaned and looked down towards the presence pushing him down, and what he saw terrified him. The Dark Ranger stood tall, a terrifying figure clad in tattered, dark robes that whisper tales of forgotten realms. Its frame, a ghastly assembly of bleached bones, moved with an unnerving fluidity. Hollow eye sockets radiated an otherworldly glow, an eerie greenish hue that pierced the darkest nights. A crown of twisted metal rested upon its skull, marking it as a commander of the dead.

Around its waist hung a belt adorned with ancient, rusted keys and vials of sinister substances. In one bony hand, it clutched a longbow of obsidian black, etched with runes that shimmered faintly with dark magic. The arrows it nocked were no ordinary shafts; they were whispers of death, feathers of ravens, and tips dipped in the essence of shadows.

"You… you should be gone…" whispered the Dark Ranger.

Jake was unable to say anything when the Dark Ranger threw him to the other side of the building where Mike and Conner reunited with him. The presence was terrifying, and it made them wonder if this was the last thing their friends saw before their energy was drained. It should have been terrifying if that was the case.

"All of you must disappear… only I remain," whispered the Dark Ranger.

"I don't think so," said Jake, getting up with Mike and Conner's help. "You took our friends' energy. We want them back."

The Dark Ranger let out a chilling laugh as the Rangers took position again. He didn't seem worried about them, not at all, and despite their power, Jake wasn't sure they could take him right away, not right now.

"Insolents, that energy was mine, all of it," said the Dark Ranger. "You having Zordon's powers or his guardians mean nothing to me. You are just another stone that I need to kick."

"Yeah, well this stone plans to stop you," said Jake, looking at each side of him. "Ready?"

Mike and Conner nodded, both prepared as the Dark Ranger studied them. He raised his hand, creating a purple ball of energy that he threw at them, but the Rangers avoided it, jumping in different directions. Mike attacked first, using the stone stance. He struck the Dark Ranger with fast movements, but Mike noticed the Dark Ranger could block his attacks at the same speed, using his glowing hands to push Masamune away. Mike growled and moved his sword with precision to hit the Dark Ranger on the side of the armor in his hand, leaving a mark before the Dark Ranger was finally able to push him away with a wave of energy.

Right after, Conner came flying, blinding the Dark Ranger with his fiery wings. Conner kicked him a couple of times and then flew back, generating fire arrows around him before moving his hands with precision to direct them all to the Dark Ranger. The arrows hit the mark, sending the Dark Ranger towards the nearest wall. Conner took a deep breath until he saw something bright coming from the smoke of his attack, and surprised, Conner barely had time to fly back towards Jake and Mike, using his wings to protect them when the Dark Ranger answered Conner's attack with a replica made of skeletal purple swords.

"He's fast," whispered Mike, under the protection of Conner's wings. "He blocked all my attacks."

"And he replicated my arrows with swords," said Conner, groaning when another one hit his wings. "I believe it's your turn, Jake. Show him that lion power."

Jake nodded, and once the attack stopped, Conner opened his wings to allow Jake to move. He ran towards the Dark Ranger, creating small holes wherever he stepped, and a powerful wave of white and dark purple energy was released when Jake and the Dark Ranger clashed. Both Jake and the Dark Ranger were using the limit of their energy at the moment as their punches connected, creating continuous waves of energy and forcing Conner to lock his wings to avoid being thrown away, while Mike used Masamune for stability.

"You seem an opponent worthy after all… I know why Zordon may have chosen you, human," whispered the Dark Ranger. "But make no mistakes, your energy, like the others, is mine."

"I won't let you keep it," said Jake, feeling the pressure in his body. "I don't care how much or how long it takes, we will get it back, and you will be defeated!"

Jake screamed at the same time the Dark Ranger did, using one last wave of energy, sending both Rangers to opposite sides of the ground. But while Jake took a second to get up, the Dark Ranger did it in a moment, magically reconstructing the parts of his skeletal body. He looked at his hands and then looked at Jake.

"Very well, Ranger. We are not ready to face each other just yet, but we will, and then, I will make sure you never bother me again."

The Dark Ranger looked up, to his main ship, and before Jake could do anything to stop him, he teleported, leaving Jake, Conner, and Mike in those ruins while he retreated with the rest of his army for now. Jake got up and sighed, feeling defeated, until Conner and Mike reunited with him.

"I couldn't defeat him," said Jake, disappointed.

"And yet you managed to make him leave," said Conner, putting a hand on his shoulder. "He is a powerful enemy, Jake. It may take a moment before we can defeat him."

Jake looked down. He understood and yet, he wanted to keep fighting and get the energy back. He wanted to see his dad and his family, he wanted his friends. He wanted Gia. Jake closed his eyes, hidden behind his mask, and reminded himself he was not completely alone and there were many things they could do to improve their powers.

"The city has been destroyed…" said Mike, looking around. "We should think about what to do now that we are back."

"Right," said Jake, getting focused again on their next steps. "Let's go to the temple, that's where I got my morpher, and maybe the spirits can tell us more about what to do next."

Mike and Conner shared a look while Jake walked towards the temple, powering down as he did so, and then they followed him, not knowing very well where they were going but trusting the young White Ranger to lead them.

The three Rangers, now in civilian clothes, walked towards the temple without knowing what the future had in store for them but with the determination to overcome any obstacle until their friends and family were back safe at their homes and the Dark Ranger was defeated. Because now that they knew the power he had, they were aware of the danger he was for the galaxy, and that's something that, as Rangers, they could not avoid.

He had to be defeated, at any cost.

-L-

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

"So… let me get this right," said Will Aston, not really sure if what he saw was true. "Are you telling me the Dark Ranger was literally a Dark Ranger?"

"More or less," said Bridge, taking a step forward. "He was an ancient Ranger. His story is… complicated, but nothing justified what he did to Eltar or to you. And, well, you could see that at the time, he wasn't at his full force."

"I don't want to imagine what his full force was," said Xander, slightly worried. "The power he uses or even the fact that he is standing and commanding an army of skeletons says he had vast knowledge in dark magic."

"He did," said Cruger, standing beside Bridge. "But just like him, Jake, Conner, and Mike didn't have the full extent of their powers. What you saw there, it was just a taste of what they could do mixed with the new forces of their allies, the Green Wolf, Bennu, and Bastro."

"It's incredible," whispered Cam. "As a Samurai myself, watching Mike's technique was exquisite. His steps, his stance, it was made with the calm and speed worthy of the best Samurais."

"And Conner, dude. Not many are able to fly and create fire arrows like that, much less aim with that precision," said Chip, excited upon seeing that display of magic. "I seriously can't wait to see what else he could do."

"They both were fantastic in their areas thanks to their previous teachings," said Z with a soft smile. "Mike had the calm demeanor of a Samurai; all the wolf did was give him the tools to reach his full potential, and for many years, he has been considered a master in the Samurai world. He still is."

"Then there is Conner," said Jack, chuckling. "His passion has driven him all his life; it was only logical that it was deeply attached to his powers, and since fire normally represents his passion, he controls every bit of it. You may wonder if he hasn't been a master with fire magic all his life."

"Both of them are formidable guardians, but the one I'm impressed with is Jake," said Alyssa, looking at the Megaforce Rangers with sympathy. "I knew he was physically strong, we all knew that, but that display of brute force was something different. He wasn't a human or an animal; he blended with his spirits."

"He did," said Cruger with a smile. "Jake was a beast on the battlefield; nothing could stop him if he had a mission. His whole power was based on strength, pretty much in the same way he was when he was with you, Megaforce Rangers, but over the years, he learned more, and his powers changed with him."

"In the end, the three men you saw there turned into symbols of respect we know, and as you are aware of, they ended up doing what they promised," said Cruger, looking at the objects on the table. "But that will be a story for tomorrow. Now the SPD Rangers will show you the rooms where you will be staying."

"Commander Cruger," said Gia, looking up to him. He thought she was going to fight his choice, but she looked like she was going through a nightmare, and Cruger knew better than to try to dismiss her or any of them. "Yes, Gia?"

"Could I… stay in Jake's room?" asked Gia, and again, Cruger smiled. She was not fighting him, and he was relieved for that. Jake always told him that if Gia Moran wanted a fight, she would clean the ground with all of them with Emma's help, and Cruger had no desire to fight.

He nodded and then he looked at Kira and Emily, both of them with the same questions in their eyes. "Of course, Gia. We thought you, Emily, and Kira would want to stay in Jake, Mike, and Conner's room, so we left them the same way they were the last time they were there. It is only fair that you three, the women they loved so much, had that respect. And, of course, your teams or anyone else who wants to can explore the rooms and the academy before our meeting tomorrow."

Gia nodded, and it was at that time, when the Rangers, guided by the SPD Rangers, abandoned the meeting room one by one until only Cruger and Kat Manx stood in the room, feeling the weight of the silence and the events of what happened before they met Jake, Conner, and Mike.

"Are you sure they are ready for what's to come, Anubis?" whispered Kat Manx.

"They have to be, just like we need to be ready to see things and memories we don't want to remember, Kat," whispered Anubis with sadness heavy in his heart. "This is what they wanted, and we promised to see everything, no matter how hard or how sad it is."

Kat Manx nodded, and together, they looked outside at the cadets finishing the classes for the day. The path ahead is going to be harder, and maybe someday a new threat will come, but today they were free, and they have been like that for eleven years thanks to three men and their undying devotion to the people sleeping inside the crystals.

People that today had to start learning to live without them.