Episode 26: Lightspeed Chaos, Part 2

Earth's Moon (2017) – Settlement

As soon as Jake, Conner, and Mike appeared, they realized the disaster the monster had caused. Bodies everywhere, everything destroyed… there was no place safe here and yet, they could see the injured trying to move away from another possible attack.

Jake's visor shone bright gold as he located the monsters responsible for this attack and felt almost the uncontrollable violence inside him, trying to overtake his senses, but there were people still alive here and he had to make sure they were alive.

"Mike, we must secure the survivors," ordered Jake with a deep voice, almost as if he was holding back a growl. "Conner, fly up and tell me what you see."

"Right…" said Conner, sharing a worried look with Mike. The samurai nodded and Conner spread his wings, levitating in the air while Mike and Jake walked in opposite directions from each other.

With each step, Jake was creating a small hole in the ground, evidence of how hard he was trying to control his anger. This destruction was inexcusable and partially, he felt responsible for this and for every time a planet is attacked. In all his time fighting the Dark Ranger, he has learned about the destruction of Bridge's home planet. He had seen Anubis and Kat's people being decimated and Sky's people led to fall in the hands of the Machine Empire. He had to rescue Ninjor and the Phantom Ranger but at least they were alive and now this…

A faint growl escaped his lips when he looked up. "Conner, report," growled Jake. In this moment, he was not the young man with gentle eyes that tried to do the best for others, this time he was a beast trying to control his power and in this stage, as much as Conner wanted to go down there, it was better to follow him and not poke the lion, literally.

"I can see the main base is barely standing…" said Conner, pointing towards the building and then looked in the other direction. "Mike, there's another building. I can see food and other supplies over there, you are close, just follow the path of supplies."

"Got it," said Mike.

"I'll go to…"

Suddenly, another explosion alerted the Rangers and Conner looked towards the main base. Jake didn't think about it and ran towards it to find out if the monsters were there when suddenly, thanks to his lion sense, he heard faint sounds coming from the main base as the building was coming down.

Jake didn't think about it. He used his strength to jump all the distance towards the main base and ran into the building at the same time the only pillar holding the building was coming down. He didn't have a choice, he briefly saw injured people there and bodies… they didn't deserve to rest under this building. They deserved a proper goodbye.

Jake let the whole building fall on his shoulders as he screamed, creating the smoke that covered Conner's eyes as he flew down, trying to get to his friend but by the time he got there, Jake was already holding the building on his shoulders and using all his strength to keep it from falling on the injured survivors.

"Jake!"

"Help the injured!" screamed the White Ranger, breathing heavily. "This is heavy!"

Conner was now even more confused, Jake was physically stronger than any of them, he was literally a beast and yet, he was having trouble holding the pillar so the building didn't collapse but he didn't have time to think about it when he felt a presence and he had to use his wings to cover Jake before looking at the area in front of the building.

"Finally, I was getting bored."

Jake groaned as he tried to hold the building while he and Conner saw Queen Bansheera and Diabolico walking towards them, ready to finish what no other monster from the Dark Ranger had finished before. Jake took a deep breath, noticing Queen Bansheera was moving her hand, putting more pressure on the building, trying to bring him down with the building.

"Conner, it's her," said Jake, his armor glowing white as he used his power to keep the ceiling from falling. "You are going to have to fight them, give them an opening while I keep this up."

"But Jake, she can crush you if I can't…" said Conner.

"I know!" said Jake. "There is no other choice."

Conner looked at him as Jake was forced to kneel when Queen Bansheera used her powers again to put more pressure on Jake and Conner looked at them, getting angry as he called for his fire power to cover his armor.

"Hold on, kid," said Conner.

Jake nodded as Conner prepared himself. This time, he was going to have to fight alone until Mike came back or the Rangers appeared like always. He was Jake's last line of defense and Conner was going to make sure he didn't fall here.

He won't allow Queen Bansheera to win. Never.

-L-

Meanwhile, not knowing the trouble their friends were in, Mike walked into the supply depot, wondering if someone could be alive inside. All he could see was destruction and he couldn't sense a sound or even movement.

Mike wondered what was going on, why did all this. Was it just a way to bring them out? Or did the Dark Ranger just wish for destruction? Mike was disgusted, as a samurai, his fights were always face to face, never hiding behind others to fulfill his plans.

Mike closed his eyes, a moment of respect for the fallen and a way of focusing, trying to find anyone in the middle of this disaster. It was then when he heard it, a soft sob from a child. Mike tilted his head, the visor of his helmet glowing green as he located a small figure through her energy. Mike opened his eyes, walking towards her without making a sound not to scare her.

He wondered if this would be a case like Bridge and Sky but in any case, Mike couldn't leave her here so he prepared to assure the child she would be fine when suddenly, he felt another energy, dark and strong, standing not far from the child.

"A Ranger…" whispered the presence.

The presence, who was none other than Prince Olympus, smiled and sent a ball of energy towards Mike but the Samurai used his sword to cut the energy in half and jumped towards the child, covering her with his body. Mike could feel his wolf howling inside him, pushing him to protect this girl but Olympus didn't seem impressed and he chuckled, turning around and walking away.

Mike was confused… why?

"You should pay more attention," said Olympus.

As Olympus disappeared, Mike heard a noise for the first time and then he looked up, seeing the ceiling coming over their heads. He didn't have time to think, so the only thing he could do was to cover the child with his body as the supply depot's ceiling came down on them, covering the whole area in dust and debris.

-L-

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

Syd took a deep breath as she tried and failed to contain her tears. These memories were among the worst moments of her life, the moment when she realized that life was not a fairy tale. She rested her head on Sky's chest as he held her tenderly, his body creating a soft blue glow that enveloped Syd, as if his power could protect her from the pain. He couldn't save her, but his presence alone made her feel slightly better.

"When I was born, my parents thought I was a treasure," explained Syd, as Emily took her hand, providing the support she desperately needed. "They couldn't have many kids in the settlement; it was something to control the population. So when I was born, I was like a princess. Everything I wanted, I had, and up until that moment, I never realized how terrifying the outside world really was."

"It was horrible what they did," said Joel, looking down. "We faced them and we know how strong they are, but that attack was different."

"Cruel," said Kelsey, unable to look away from the images. "They wanted to destroy your settlement, either because it was a target or to draw out Jake, Conner, and Mike."

"The Dark Ranger knew an attack like that would bring Papa and my uncles to the settlement. The reason was simpler than you thought. The Dark Ranger attacked a settlement with humans," explained Bridge. "He knew Papa would double his efforts for them. He never realized Papa and my uncles would risk anything for anyone who needed help, because that's what Power Rangers do."

"We were a pawn in a plan that never worked," said Syd. "We meant nothing to them, so the only thing they had to do was try to break Jake, make him feel useless to the point where it would be easy to defeat him. But as you will see, that never worked."

The SPD Rangers shared a look; there was something else, but they didn't say it and nobody asked. Their attention was taken by the corruption, opening a portal for them to go back and help the Rangers. Carter was up in a second, his face showing the determination of his Ranger years, ready to face his enemies again to save the Rangers and whatever was left of the settlement.

He looked over his shoulder to see the rest of his team, as ready as he was to face this new challenge, and then Carter looked at Jack, nodding at the SPD Red Ranger.

"We are ready, Jack," said Carter.

"Very well," said Jack, looking at Syd. "Will you be fine?"

Syd nodded, getting up with Sky, while Bridge smiled at Gia before joining his team with Z and Cruger. Syd looked at Emily and the Samurai Rangers, taking a deep breath and sensing their trust and support. This was what her dad meant by trusting your family. She had lost the one she was born into in that settlement, and later, she lost the dad who protected her and the uncles who made her have faith in the world again.

Now she had the family her dad always talked about. The family she learned to love over the years and now had her back in the same way her dad did. They believed in her, like Mike did, and she had her team, Sky, and the help of many Rangers before them.

She could do this.

"Let's go," said Syd.

Jack nodded, and with a small gesture, both the SPD Rangers and Lightspeed Rescue jumped into the corruption to end this nightmare of Syd's past and put an end to this part of the corruption and to another part of the story.

-L-

Earth's Moon (2017) – Settlement – Supply Depot

When Mike opened his eyes, he noticed two things. First, there was the pain in his back and the smell of blood, a clear indication that something had fallen on him. The second thing he felt was a trembling figure in his arms, and when he looked down, he saw blonde curls that reminded him of Emily.

Mike hid his expression of pain when the girl looked up at him. She was holding a radio, and Mike guessed she was the one who sent the distress signal.

"Hey…" whispered Mike. "Are you alright?"

The girl nodded and looked down at the radio while Mike tried to move away from her. He felt the pain in his back as he sat down in front of the girl, trying not to touch anything with his back, and smiled at her. He knew she must have been terrified, and the last thing Mike wanted was to scare her more.

"Are you injured?" asked Mike, and the girl shook her head. "Good. I'm Mike, the Wolf Samurai Ranger. Do you know what a Power Ranger is?"

"You… are from Eltar?" asked the girl, and Mike nodded. "Well, I'm from Earth, but right now I live in Eltar. You know about us?"

The girl nodded again. "My mom and dad work at the main base. They were supposed to take me and my nana to your planet when we were warned the Dark Ranger might attack our settlement, but… but…"

The girl looked at him with tears in her eyes, and Mike felt his heart breaking. They were so close to safety, and yet they suffered the most, all because the Dark Ranger had set a path of destruction they needed to stop as soon as possible. He made an effort to take off his helmet, allowing the girl to see his face as he wanted her to feel safe with him.

He would protect her until her family was found if… if they were still alive.

"I see. Don't worry, we are here now, and I'll make sure nothing happens to you," promised Mike, extending his hand to the girl. "What's your name?"

"Sydney," said the girl. "I was here with my nana, but she's… she's…"

To Mike's surprise, the girl threw herself at him, and he had to bite his arm to silence the scream of pain as his back touched a ruined wall behind them. He looked down, softly patting the girl's head as he thought about their current situation.

"I understand. I'm sorry, Sydney," whispered Mike. "You have been very brave, and thanks to you, we are here now."

"I was so scared…" sobbed Syd. "My nana pushed me to the storage room, and when I saw her again, she wasn't moving. I think… I think she is gone."

Mike thought the same. It was improbable that anyone was still alive here, and he wondered if anyone apart from Sydney survived the attack. But he hoped her parents were alive somewhere.

"Sydney, hear me out… we need to get out of here and find my friends," whispered Mike, trying to distract her from the thoughts of death. "We can defeat the enemies and make sure you are safe, alright?"

Sydney nodded, still scared, and Mike looked around. He was in too much pain to move, but there had to be a way to get out of here and let Jake and Conner know what happened. Mike moved his arm to try and contact them through his morpher, but before he could, he felt another wave of dark energy.

"Foot soldiers are coming," whispered Mike, looking down at Sydney. "Probably to find us or our bodies. I'm going to need you to stay here, alright? I will take care of them."

"No," said Syd. "If you leave, you won't come back."

Mike sighed. She was scared because of what happened to her nana, but he had to go out there and fight. He had to protect her, and he couldn't do that if he was worried about her being hurt by the monsters. Yet, he didn't have the heart to leave her here.

Mike looked towards the sound of the footsteps and closed his eyes to take a deep breath. He needed to find a way to get to Jake and Conner, the sooner the better.

-L-

Earth's Moon (2017) – Main Base

Carter already had a plan when they stepped out of the portal. His experience told him that, unfortunately, there was not much to save, and yet he and his team would do everything to save as many survivors as were there.

"Dana, you and Syd go find Mike and young Sydney. Mike may need medical attention," said Carter. Dana nodded, squeezing his hand gently before leaving with Sydney towards the supply depot, while Carter turned to the rest of his team.

"Z, Jack, coordinate with Chad to get the survivors out and bring them somewhere safe until we can transport them," said Carter. When they nodded, Carter turned towards the other team. "Joel, Kelsey, you, Sky, and Cruger help Conner fight Queen Bansheera, Diabolico, and possibly Prince Olympus."

"Got it, Carter."

Finally, Carter turned to Bridge and Ryan. "We will help Jake. He won't hold on much longer without help, alright?"

"Of course," said Ryan.

Carter nodded, and once ready, the Rangers raised their morphers, determination on their faces as they called for their powers. "Lightspeed Rescue!"

"SPD Emergency!"

"Titanium Power!"

Now morphed, the Rangers ran in different directions within the same area, their missions clear and the anger of seeing this settlement turned into ashes pushing them to defeat these monsters and bring whatever peace they could to the injured.

-L-

Conner took a deep breath, as if Diabolico was not enough with his combination of shield and dark magic, Queen Bansheera's constant pressure on Jake, who was using all his power to prevent the building from falling over them and the injured they were trying to protect. Now he had to deal with Prince Olympus too, and his close-contact attacks. Thankfully, his fire didn't affect Conner, but his physical attacks were enough to cause some damage.

Conner was not stupid; they were trying to prevent him from helping Jake. Apparently, Queen Bansheera wanted to play with them as much as she could. Conner took a deep breath, using his wings to protect himself when he heard someone running towards them and smiled.

A moment later, a team of Rangers, a mix between SPD and Lightspeed Rescue, appeared. Joel and Kelsey used their blasters to fire at Diabolico and Prince Olympus, forcing them to protect themselves, giving Conner time to breathe. Meanwhile, Sky and Cruger used their blasters to fire at Queen Bansheera.

They landed right in front of Conner.

"Father, are you alright?" asked Sky.

"I've been better. Quickly, we need to help Jake," explained Conner.

"We've got people on it already, Firebird Ranger," said Kelsey, pointing at Jake.

Conner looked over his shoulder, where he saw Carter, Ryan, and Bridge running towards Jake, while Z, Jack, and Chad were moving the injured. Conner chuckled and stood behind the Rangers, spreading his wings to give them a powerful aura as he looked at their enemies.

"Well then, it seems we have a job to do," said Conner.

-L-

Jake was too focused to pay attention to his surroundings until he felt the weight lifted from his shoulders and saw familiar silver armor, green SPD armor, and another Red Ranger armor. He looked up to see Carter, Ryan, and Bridge helping him lift the pillar.

"Everything is going to be fine, Jake. Chad, Z, and Jack are evacuating the injured," said Carter, looking down. "You did a good job."

"It seems like father, like son, huh? Where did you get so strong, Bridge?" asked Ryan as he and the team pushed up the pillar.

"Training… I'm the son of the White Lion and the Megaforce Yellow Tiger. You bet I'm strong," said Bridge, looking around. "…and smart. Wait here."

Bridge made sure they were able to hold the pillar before letting go and running around the area, moving big equipment and parts of the building to be able to hold the pillar and the building so his father and the Lightspeed Rangers could get out and help in the fight and evacuation. He went as fast as he could, and soon Carter was able to help Jake while Ryan put an arm around the Green SPD Ranger.

"Very nice, kid."

"Thanks… Dad, are you alright?"

There was a moment of silence as Jake finally took a moment to breathe, but for Carter, there was no need for words. This event was familiar to him as he was one of the few Rangers in the area when the Ninja Storm Red Ranger fell. The difference was that Shane managed to save everyone while Jake had to watch the settlement be destroyed. He put a hand on Jake's shoulder, and the White Ranger looked up at him as if this was the first time he saw him.

"Jake, this is not your fault," whispered Carter. "You may not have been here to save everyone, but you were here to save many of them. Just like you did in Sirius, they will heal and recover, so someday they can come back here and rebuild their home."

"But it was my fault…" said Jake.

"It wasn't," said Ryan, following the conversation as he and Bridge walked towards Jake. Ryan hugged him and then made sure Jake could look at him. "After I joined the team, I blamed myself for the injuries I inflicted on my sister and my new friends. It took me a long time to realize that it wasn't my fault. They were trying to break me just like they are trying to break you."

"That happens because you are the hope of the Universe, Dad," said Bridge. "You, Uncle Conner, and Uncle Mike are the only ones here able to face the Dark Ranger and ready to risk everything. The Dark Ranger doesn't like that because while you three are here, he will never be able to win."

Jake looked at them in silence and sighed. They were right. He had to focus on the task and defeat his current enemies. But as he watched Chad, Z, and Jack finish the evacuation and run to help the other Rangers, he noticed someone missing.

"Where are Dana and Syd?" asked Jake.

Ryan and Carter shared a look while Bridge put a hand on his father's shoulder. "Don't worry. They will be fine."

At least, he hoped that was the case.

-L-

Earth's Moon (2017) – Supply Depot

Dana had seen Syd in action before through the memories but never with this amount of anger. Her blaster was shooting lasers covered in silver, probably coming from her powers. While Dana was impressed that Syd was able to combine her blaster and her powers, she knew Syd was on edge. Before they walked into the supply depot, Dana stopped her.

"Take a deep breath," said Dana.

"I need to find my dad and… myself."

Dana didn't let her go. She forced Syd to stay where she was and looked at her with a gentle expression that hid the firm grasp of her hand on Syd's shoulder. Dana was not playing, and Syd knew better than to go against her.

Besides, some part of her could understand Dana was right. She was too tense, too angry, and too worried. She barely remembered her dad getting hurt; he did a good job hiding it from her.

"Syd, I get it, but you need to take a deep breath and calm down," said Dana, always gentle. "We may need to fight in there, and for that, I need you ready. Mike and your younger self depend on it, Syd. I depend on it. Do you understand?"

Syd nodded, taking a deep breath as Dana stroked her cheek and gave her a smile. She understood the situation and felt for the girl who was forced to watch her world burn for a second time. But they had a mission, and she was taught since she was little that they had to prioritize. There would be time later to cry.

The two Pink Rangers prepared, blasters ready, as they walked into the supply depot, looking everywhere for enemies or Mike. They found enemies first, and looking at each other, both women knew what they needed to do.

"Ready?" asked Dana, and Syd nodded as both Pink Rangers got ready.

"Lightspeed Rescue!"

"SPD! Emergency!"

Both Rangers nodded at each other, running towards the enemies. Dana used her blaster to fire at them while Syd jumped over the ruins and followed Dana's lead by firing her blasters from above. When she landed on the ground, Dana kicked one of the monsters, sending it towards Syd. Syd used her powers to punch the monster, throwing it against the wall.

"Do you remember where the storage was?" asked Dana.

"Yes, follow me."

Dana and Syd ran through the supply depot, defeating more enemies. Dana was not a fighter, but her training allowed her to synchronize with Syd, allowing the SPD Pink Ranger the space to defeat the monsters quickly. It didn't take long for them to clear the area, and then they heard a small movement.

Syd knew what it was, so she put away her blaster and looked at Dana to do the same before walking towards the storage room, where they saw an injured Mike protecting a small child behind him. Mike was holding Masamune with one hand while the other was used to cover Syd as best he could. It was clear that they had arrived just in time.

"Hey…" said Mike, smiling as he recognized the Rangers. "… I think I've never been happier to see someone in my life."

Dana walked towards him and offered her shoulder so he could rest against her. The first thing she noticed was his back, and while his armor had taken the biggest impact, she could smell blood. She looked over at Syd, who was looking at her scared younger self, attached to Mike and unable to let him go. She remembered that feeling—he was the first Power Ranger she met after losing everything, and she hadn't even realized yet that her parents were gone. But this man helped her, protected her despite his injuries.

"Here, let's sit down so I can take a look at your back," said Dana. When she looked down, she noticed Sydney and carefully knelt beside Mike to look at her.

"Hey there, I'm Dana, and I'm a doctor. Would you let me take care of Mike's injury?"

Younger Syd nodded and took a step back while Syd stood beside her. Dana helped Mike to sit down, and then, carefully, she took off the top of his armor to see that it was a superficial injury. Fortunately, as she touched his back and Mike winced in pain, Dana was relieved to feel that nothing seemed broken.

"You'll be fine. Make sure to let your doctor at the Academy check your back when you get back," said Dana, looking at Mike. "The others must be fighting outside. You need to rest."

"But…" started Mike.

Dana pressed her hand on his back just enough to get a reaction, and then, when he looked at her, she took off her helmet, looking at him with such a serious look in her eyes that he didn't doubt why she could make stubborn guys like Jake follow her orders without question.

"I say, rest."

"Alright…" said Mike, looking at the SPD Pink Ranger and Sydney. "She lost her nana here and her parents…"

"They are gone," whispered Syd, looking up to Mike. The girl, as scared as she was, had fallen asleep in Syd's arms, feeling the peace of being safe for once. Mike sighed, looking down. She was alone now, and he had failed to protect her from that pain.

"She'll be fine," said Syd. "You and my uncles were there for me."

Mike looked confused and then looked at Dana, trying to make sense of what Syd said, but Dana simply smiled at her and pointed at both Syds.

"They are the same girl, Mike. Both are Sydney."

And suddenly, it all made sense—the connection he felt between him and Syd, the way she always looked out for him. She was the same girl he was protecting and by the looks of it, someone important in his life… maybe…

"I'm your daughter, Dad," said Syd, as she took her helmet off with tears in her eyes. "You adopted me just a few days later after this incident. That's how I became friends with Bridge and Sky, and that's how I became a Power Ranger."

"My daughter?" whispered Mike, feeling his heart beating faster. He, too, felt his eyes watering as he looked at her. Sydney was in many ways what he thought a daughter of him and Emily would look like—soft, almost innocent look in her eyes, blonde curls, and a smirk that was close enough to his.

Not realizing what he was doing, Mike extended his hand towards her while Dana took a step back, walking towards little Syd and making sure she was fine. Pink Ranger Syd walked to Mike and finally, they were able to hug each other. Dana sighed, looking down at the girl in her arms as tears ran down her face, but this time they were happy tears because finally, after all this time, Syd and her dad were together again.

-L-

Earth's Moon (2017) – Main Base

"Kelsey, with me!"

Kelsey ran with Jake as they combined their speed to get past Diabolico. Kelsey nodded while Jake used his strength to grab a piece of the wall and throw it into the sky. Kelsey chuckled and, with Jake's help, she was pushed towards the piece of wall, holding onto it in the air when Diabolico sent her a ball of energy.

Kelsey used the wall for cover as she came down and got her blaster ready, firing at Diabolico. A moment later, Jake appeared, and together, they kicked the monster towards the center of the area.

Not far from them, the SPD Rangers, except for Bridge and Syd, were defeating the many soldiers and demons Queen Bansheera had brought with her, keeping them busy while Chad and Joel helped Conner fight Prince Olympus. Conner flew in the sky, distracting the Prince while Joel jumped over him as Conner flew down and punched the Prince, making him take a step back. But Olympus was fast and quickly sent a ball of fire at Joel, which was stopped by Chad using his blaster to extinguish the fire.

"Conner! Now!" screamed both Chad and Joel.

Conner flew down, grabbing Prince Olympus, and then flew up again, both demon and Ranger fighting until Conner dove, flying with the Prince and letting him go at the last second, making Prince Olympus hit the ground hard. He was trying to get up when Conner stood behind the Lightspeed Rangers and covered them with his wings as Olympus tried to attack them.

To Olympus' surprise, when Conner revealed Chad and Joel again, they were ready with their Thermo Blaster Booster Mode. Both Rangers fired at Prince Olympus, sending him flying with Diabolico towards the central area.

Finally, Bridge, Carter, and Ryan were fighting Queen Bansheera, who was proving to be a force to be reckoned with. She managed to hit both Carter and Ryan, sending them against the wall, then grabbed Bridge by the throat and lifted him up.

"You will be the first to fall."

"Don't touch my son!"

It was a roar loud enough to make everyone look at Jake as his Bastro morpher started to shine with white light. He was tense, but the energy he was showing was enough for the Rangers to see what kind of power Jake really had. He roared like a lion, forcing Queen Bansheera to let Bridge go as she focused on a more powerful enemy. Jake raised his morpher, ready to fight.

All his anger about what had happened here—all his power—were fusing into one desire: to protect his people and whatever was left of this settlement. That power gave him the means to morph into a new form.

"Lightspeed Rescue!" screamed Jake.

Jake morphed into his own Lightspeed Rescue Ranger. His helmet had the shape of a lion's face. His visor had the form of a kite shield, similar to the Lightspeed Rescue. His armor, completely white, had the same lines as the Lightspeed Rescue armor, with the singularity that the lines of Jake's armor represented the colors of all the Lightspeed Rangers. His gloves and boots had lines of silver, and he bore the symbol of the Lightspeed Rescue Ranger.

On one side of his belt, a variation of the Rescue Blaster shone in the soft light of the moon, along with a variation of the Titanium Blaster. The Rescue Blaster was slightly bigger than a normal Rescue Blaster due to the unique abilities of the blaster. On the other side of the belt, the Thermo Blaster and the Rescue Baton had a mix of colors, with red taking over the head of the lion at the end of the baton. Finally, on his back, Jake had the V-Lancer.

For a moment, they were silent as the light covered Jake, revealing his new power. Then Queen Bansheera roared, creating several dark orbs of energy. Jake used his Rescue Blaster, and with a move of his hand, the blaster transformed into a shield like the one on his helmet, covering the Rangers and protecting them from the attack. Then he looked over his shoulder.

"Let's go!"

Understanding his words, Chad ran first with him, both Rangers jumping at the same time and landing in front of the Queen. In complete synchronization, both Chad and Jake used their martial arts knowledge to kick Queen Bansheera. When she tried to hit them, they both jumped back. The two Rangers shared a look and nodded. Chad ran to the Queen, hitting her on the legs, while Jake jumped over him and kicked her in the chest.

The Queen took a step back but quickly recovered, pushing both Rangers away. At that moment, Chad jumped back, and Joel appeared, shielding Jake. Both Rangers took a step back and looked at each other.

"Joel, you ready for some flying?"

"Always, kid."

Jake nodded and, using his blaster in shield mode, threw it as far as he could like a boomerang. Joel seemed to understand his plan and ran after the shield, distracting Queen Bansheera and allowing Jake to get his Thermo Blaster to fire at her. This gave Joel time to jump over the ruins towards the shield, managing it as if it were an aircraft and directing it towards Queen Bansheera. Right before the shield hit her, Joel jumped off, landing beside Jake while the shield struck the Queen.

Joel high-fived Jake when they saw the Queen fall to her knees. When they saw the Queen running towards them, angry and determined to destroy them, Kelsey appeared, using her Rescue Baton to stop the attack. Joel jumped back towards his team as Jake used his own Rescue Baton to help her. Together, they managed to push the Queen away.

"Ready for some exercise, kid?"

"Right behind you, Kelsey."

Together, both Yellow and White Rangers attacked Queen Bansheera in a combination of kicks and punches that didn't leave room for the monster to attack. Kelsey was fast, too fast for the Queen, and Jake matched her every move. Until Kelsey saw from the corner of her eye Olympus and Diabolico throwing fireballs and dark orbs of energy at them, she grabbed Jake and jumped back far enough to avoid being hit.

"Alright, time for some fire!" said Kelsey. "Thermo Blaster! Booster Mode!"

Jake followed her, and together, they fired at the three monsters, throwing Queen Bansheera to the same location where the other two were. Kelsey nodded, hugging Jake, but the monsters were still standing. This time, Olympus and Diabolico tried to fly towards Jake, but they were stopped by none other than the Mitchell family.

Using her V-Lancer, both Ryan and Dana managed to stop the attack and respond with a combination that forced the monsters to take a step back, just in time for Jake to appear, using the shield when Queen Bansheera tried to surprise them. Landing between brother and sister, both Dana and Ryan looked up at him.

"Ready for this, Jake?" asked Ryan.

"Yeah, you?"

"We will finish this together," said Dana.

Jake nodded, and together, they unleashed a powerful attack with the V-Lancer, hitting the three monsters. The combination of attacks defeated Diabolico, who disappeared completely, while Prince Olympus and Queen Bansheera were still standing.

Jake looked over his shoulder and nodded as Carter called for his Trans-Armor Cycle and joined him. The Red Ranger nodded at the White Ranger as Jake turned his shield into Rescue Blaster mode and also prepared his Thermo Blaster.

Prince Olympus screamed, unleashing his fury to attack them, but Carter and Jake were ready. Both fired at the same time, hitting the Prince with a powerful laser that defeated him, leaving only Queen Bansheera standing.

"Uncle Carter, let's finish this, all of us," said Jake.

"You read my mind," said Carter, chuckling. "Rangers! Together!"

At his orders, the Lightspeed Rescue, SPD Rangers, Conner, and Mike stood together, blasters ready, except for Conner and Mike. Conner created his arrows, flying slightly over the ground, and Mike's sword glowed with a faint green light, preparing his slash.

"Now!" screamed Jake.

At the same time, all the Rangers fired their attack and hit Queen Bansheera, putting an end to the terror she and her monsters had inflicted on this settlement.

-L-

It took a moment for the Rangers to finally take a breath before they noticed they were disappearing. They knew this would happen and yet, as they saw themselves disappear, they couldn't help but feel disappointed. They wanted to stay here so badly.

Joel stepped towards Jake first. Now all of them were demorphed, so it was easy to see the emotions on their faces. Joel took off his cowboy hat and put it on Jake's head before hugging him. "Keep it. There is nothing else I can teach you, and this is the reward you get for being the hero."

"Thanks, it is an honor," said Jake.

Joel looked at him for a long moment, wanting to tell him so much more but unable to. He looked at Conner and Mike with a smile. "The skies are safe with you, Conner. And you, Mike… watch over them. There is no one more worthy of that job."

"Thank you," whispered Conner. Mike nodded, a silent promise as he held young Syd, who was sleeping, safe in Mike's arms.

Joel stepped back as Chad hugged Jake, looking at him. "You are doing an amazing job, Jake. Just remember everything we taught you, and you'll be fine, alright? You are strong, and we could not be prouder of you."

"Thanks, Chad. I will. I promise," said Jake as Chad hugged him one more time before looking over at Conner and Mike. He nodded at them, and the two Rangers smiled at him.

Kelsey was next, hugging Jake tight. "Your power is amazing, Jake, and I know you three can do this mission. We are all here with you."

Kelsey put a hand on Jake's chest, over his heart, and Jake nodded before hugging her again. When Kelsey stepped back, she gave Jake one more gentle look before walking back to her team. From there, she waved at Conner and Mike. They waved back as Ryan walked towards Jake, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Remember what we talked about, Jake. This is not your fault. The Dark Ranger is trying to manipulate you, but you are stronger. I know you are," said Ryan, smiling.

"I know, Ryan. I lost my way, but I did learn from the best," said Jake, smiling, hugging the Titanium Ranger. "Thank you for helping me."

Ryan nodded and stepped back. "You three are the hope in this battle. Whatever he throws at you, remember that. And if you feel lost, remember we are here, and there is a future with us there. Draw your strength from that knowledge."

The three Rangers nodded as Ryan walked to his team. Dana was next, hugging Jake tight as he took a deep breath, relishing her gentle touch. Dana was, after Kat and Gia, the only woman who could bring down Jake's defenses without trying, and her hug felt safe.

When was the last time he felt safe?

"Don't lose hope," whispered Dana, and Jake took a deep breath, mostly to keep himself from breaking down.

"I always need you, Aunt Dana. I don't know if I…" whispered Jake, but Dana stopped him, smiling at him as always. "You have me, Jake. I may not be active, but you have me, always, alright? You have all of us, and we are all with you."

Jake nodded, a tear running down his cheek. Dana, too, was making an effort not to cry, so she gave Jake one last hug and then did the same for Conner and Mike, whispering soft words to them before going back to her team, trying and failing to keep her tears at bay as Carter finally approached Jake.

"The Academy is amazing, Jake," said Carter, smiling as Jake looked surprised. "You put everything we taught you to do exactly what Lightspeed Rescue was created for: serve and protect. I could not be more proud, as the Red Ranger and as your uncle."

"Carter…" whispered Jake.

"Even in the darkest times, a hero is always ready to rise and fight for good. I know there will be hard times, and I'm sorry I can't be there to fight with you, but you carry our teachings and our spirits with you. Until we come back, I want you to rely on that strength to fight," said Carter, hugging Jake. "You are a worthy successor of the Lightspeed Rescue, Jake, and a good leader. Never doubt that."

Jake took a deep breath. Those words, coming from Carter, like the ones Captain Mitchell gave him, were one of the biggest honors Jake could receive. He found himself unable to speak as he nodded while Carter stepped back, standing in front of the three Rangers.

With one last look, the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers saluted the three Rangers formally, showing their respect and trust before they disappeared. Right after them, the SPD Rangers did the same, a slightly different salute as they disappeared. Jake smiled, looking down at Conner and Mike. It was then that he realized Mike was holding Syd and smiled.

"Syd?"

Mike nodded, looking down at the girl in his arms. He smiled softly as he felt Syd breathing. She was sleeping in peace, and he could feel his heart melting for the young girl. She was his daughter, and the more he looked at her, the more he could see them as family.

"Yeah…" said Mike, looking around. "She and the other survivors can't stay here."

"You are right. I'll contact Kat and Anubis and let them know we need transport," said Conner, looking at the injured gathering around them.

Jake nodded and saw Conner stepping away to make the call while Mike focused on Syd. He sighed and walked towards the survivors, kneeling in front of them. "We are going to evacuate you to Eltar and make sure you are alright. I promise you, after the Dark Ranger is defeated, you will be able to come back and rebuild the settlement with the help of the Space Patrol Delta Academy."

The injured nodded, scared but trusting the Power Rangers who managed to save them. They lost their homes and their people today, but despite the pain, they were willing to survive, just like the people from Sirius. Jake found himself wondering if that was exactly the strength he needed to face this challenge.

These people were suffering, and yet, they trusted them and their words. Jake promised himself that he would not betray that trust, and with a smile, he pointed towards the area where Mike was. "Come on," whispered Jake.

They will overcome this challenge together.

-L-

SPD Academy (2025) – Meeting Room

"Uncle Jake was true to his promise," whispered Syd as she saw the images disappear. "Silver Guardians and some cadets are currently helping to rebuild the settlement and make it bigger and better."

Syd took a deep breath. Her homeland was growing every day, and she was overseeing the process like her dad did before her. But sometimes, when a new construction was starting, she could see her dad and her uncles' influence, and her heart bled a little more.

She looked to the side, feeling Emily's hand on her and smiled when her mom hugged her. Her warmth was similar to her dad's, and in a way, it felt as if they never left. She looked around and saw the other teams of Rangers surrounding them.

"Lightspeed Rescue is heavily represented and respected on the moon, and there are several courses based on your skills here," explained Syd. "Even your base at Mariner Bay has cadets now who are in charge of protecting the city. That's the reason why Angela and Captain Mitchell can't be here, but we keep regular contact with them, and they plan to come as soon as they finish preparations."

"Thank you," whispered Carter.

"No, Carter. Thank you," said Jack, smiling. "You may not believe it, but the influence of your legacy will always be the core of this Academy. While it was possible thanks to Jake, Conner, and Mike, it was all you and your team's work. So please, allow the SPD Academy to thank you and your team for your service."

The Lightspeed Rescue team looked at each other, surprised, when the SPD Rangers, with Bass and Kat joining them, gave Carter and his friends a formal salute, honoring their story, their sacrifice, and their loyalty.

"In the name of the SPD Rangers and the Academy, we thank you for your service," said Jack.

Carter chuckled, and following the SPD Rangers, Carter and his team saluted them with trembling hands and overwhelming emotions as they realized all their work was worth it for this moment. The mission of protecting the Universe was still as strong as it was when they were Rangers.