It had been nearly a week since Kane attacked Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Briarwood. It had been nearly a week since the Time Force Rangers returned from the future to help Wes and find Dave. Since that week, they had come into contact with some old friends, a few of the Wild Force Rangers. Wes came in contact with Thomas Oliver, Conner McKnight and a talented singer named Kira Ford. As well, he came in contact with the two Mystic Force Rangers who rescued Dave.

But one aspect of this small Ranger reunion was brought to perspective. Another villain from the future had returned, and was hell bent on destruction and death. Kane, Wes came to know was his name, would have stopped at nothing to kill him and Dave, if Time Force hadn’t came back and helped him. But the part of this that made him more uneasy was the fact that they had not heard anything on Jen.

“Master David!” Wes heard Phillips holler in laughter as the boy darted across the hallway and gave a heart warming laugh.

“Can’t catch me, Phillips!” Dave hollered back as he turned into the foyer and scrambled up the stairs. He came to a sudden stop as he ran straight into Alex, who was less than amused by the situation.

“Dave,” he said sternly and the boy’s smile was gone. “Stop running around, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

Dave bit his lip as his eyes dropped to the floor. “Yes, sir.” He muttered and turned. From the hallway, Phillips winked at the boy, who grinned back. “I’m going to go, read a book, or something.” Alex continued on down the stairs and into the study, where his computer was set up.

From his office, Wes grinned and smiled in thought the young boy. Four days after Kane attacked the hospital, the doctors had discovered that Dave’s condition had improved rapidly over the last thirty-six hours. They called it a miracle, but Wes found out the truth after he headed back home with Katie and Lucas. Alex had brought his own medications that Time Force gave to wounded officers, which were supposedly able to cure any injury, within a certain range.

Wes had offered up his home for his friends to stay in, which they greatly accepted. Even the maids around the mansion had smiled. It had been years since a child went careening around the house.

Nonchalantly Dave came into Wes’s office and collapsed onto the couch. He then stood up and walked over to a few pictures that caught his eye. Five young looking people stood in a line, smiles on their faces. On their wrists a small, silver object rested. Another picture held Lucas, Katie and Trip all posing around a robotic owl.

Wes had been watching the eight year old eagerly, trying to start conversation. “So,” he cleared this throat. “Dad keeps you on a pretty short leash, huh?”

Dave shrugged. “I guess.” He took a picture from the table and walked over to Wes’s desk. “Mom calls me a ‘military brat’ because her and Alex are always out and about on assignments Time Force sends them.” His eyes dropped at the mention of his mother. It had been nearly two weeks since he last saw her, and everyone could tell he missed her. Alex had been telling him she’d come back soon, but every day brought Dave closer to losing faith.

Wes saw the longing look in the boy’s eyes and looked at the picture. “That’s my favorite picture of her,” Wes pointed to Jen’s smiling face. “Gosh, we had so many good times when they were here.”

The sound of a chair rubbing against carpet filled the room as Dave dragged over a chair and sat next to Wes. “Like what?” he asked.

Wes bit his lip and thought back. He closed his eyes and chuckled lightly. “My best memory of Jen is probably back in the summer of 2001. It was a nice evening. Lucas was doing his hair; Katie was watching TV and Trip was doing something with Circuit. Jen had never had a chocolate chip cookie before. If you ask me, she was deprived. So I decided to show her how to bake cookies…”

--

The Rock Porium was quiet as Vida, Xander, Chip, and Toby lounged around the store. They were talking about the previous weeks past events- the boy in the woods; that madman nearly collapsing the hospital, and meeting other Power Rangers from all over the state. For Xander and Chip, their most exciting moment was seeing the boy, Dave, walk out of the hospital after a remarkable four day recovery. But the one thing that was weird for them was seeing a mirror image of the Ranger they helped rescue.

“I mean, this guy was an exact replica,” Chip stood up. “Minus the different hair styles, but you can’t imagine how similar they looked.”

“And we have started to think that the other guy,” Xander paused, “What was his name?”

“Something Drake, I don’t remember,” the Yellow Ranger added.

“Right, Drake, we think he is the boy’s father. But the strange thing was that right after this guy showed up, Dave started getting better. I mean, for the injuries we saw— for a kid to recover in only four days— it was weird. And when we saw the look on Drake’s face, he didn’t seem surprised at all, like he knew what to expect.” Xander stated.

Toby sipped his water. “So what of these other Rangers? You said there was a blue, yellow, and green Ranger?”

Vida cocked her head. “There was no Pink Ranger in all this jumble of Rangers? You’ve got to be kidding me!” Xander rolled his eyes as Chip continued.

“Collins was the Red Ranger, and Commander Myers said he was the Quantum Ranger. I guess he’s something like Daggeron was.”

But something in Chip’s last statement struck something in Vida’s mind. “Wait… did you say Collins as Wes Collins, Time Force Red Ranger?” Chip nodded. “And the other Rangers, the blue, yellow and green one, they were all from Time Force, right?”

“How did you know?” Xander eyed her. He watched as her face became ghostly white, and her eyes drifted off in both amazement and fear. Immediately after, she stood up quickly and darted out the door. “V where are you going?” Xander screamed but Vida did not respond. “Vida!” The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Chip, Xander and Toby in awe.

Outside the store Vida ran quickly across the street, tears cascaded down her cheeks, soaking her shirt. “No, it can’t be possible,” she whispered and stopped when she came to a tree. “This can’t be possible!” she hollered and looked up at the sky, mad with herself.

How could she have been so ignorant to not believe him? He told her this would happen. He warned her that their lives were in danger, but she didn’t listen to him. Why hadn’t she believed him? What he told her saved her life, but someone else was sitting where she was supposed to be. Not to mention, Xander and Chip would certainly be curious of her actions, but she couldn’t tell them. They’d lose all respect for her. If she had only sucked up her fear and been there instead of…

A loud thunder of a motorcycle cut off her thoughts as she turned and looked towards the Rock Porium. Outside a motorcycle rested gently on its kick-stand, and a helmet sat quietly on the seat. She heard Xander and Chip start cheering and jumping around wildly. Slowly, Vida wiped a tear way from her eye and walked into the shop.

“Vida!” Chip cheered, “Look what the wind blew in!” Chip then chuckled at his statement and shrugged. “No pun intended, V.”

Vida stood there in disbelief as a tall man stood in front of her, a smile on his face. “Vida, long time no see!” he said and hugged her tightly, while she responded, emotionlessly.

“Nick,” she muttered slightly. “Wh- what are you doing back?”

Nick Russell smiled at the Pink Ranger. “Well, I was on my back in town, and knew where I could find you all.” His eyes drifted off towards the door where Vida entered, half expecting someone else to walk in. Nick turned slowly, a smile still on his face. “Where’s Madison?” he asked and watched as the smiles on his friends’ faces disappeared, and he looked at Vida again. Tears shined in her eyes as she let out a quivering breathe.

“I’m sorry, Nick,” Toby put a hand on the Red Ranger’s shoulder, “But Madison was kidnapped from here about two weeks ago, and we don’t know where she is.”

Nick stared at Toby in disbelief, then looked back to Vida. “I’m sorry, Nick, I did all I could,” she swallowed hard as tears began to flow from her eyes. “Nick, it’s all my fault,” she whispered. Pushing past him and the others she made her way quickly towards the back room and shut the door.

--

The gray clouds above their heads cried cold drops of rain as a black hearse rolled slowly down the streets of Angel Grove. Rivers of water formed on the sidewalks and emptied out into the sewer drains. A parade of people dressed in black followed the hearse as it rounded a corner and headed past the cemetery gates. The steady rain beat against the black umbrellas as they stood neatly in a large circle surrounding the neatly dug hole in the earth.

Tommy glanced around slowly as more and more familiar faces came into view. Across from him stood a two men, both Red Rangers from the mission to the moon all those years ago. Slowly, more Rangers began to show their hidden faces. Some young, some old gathered around the coffin and bowed their heads. Beneath the black trench coats Tommy could see a familiar patch of colors, ranging from red to pink to yellow to green. In their eyes he saw the secrets they held.

“Tommy,” a voice called out. Tommy’s head raised quickly as he turned around and saw the all too familiar mop of black hair and brown eyes. Quickly, Tommy walked towards the man and hugged him tightly.

“Jason? What are you doing back here?” Tommy asked curiously.

Jason Scott smiled towards the Black Ranger, but it faded quickly and tears came to his eyes. “I just couldn’t believe it when I heard the news. I mean, Billy… god. I miss the kid so much already.”

“We all do, Jason,” Aisha stood behind him and put her hand on Jason’s shoulder. Tommy stood amazed as more faces came up behind Jason. Kat, Rocky, Adam and Zack all strolled up behind Jason and hugged Tommy. But there was one face that wasn’t there. Tommy slowly bowed his head. Walking back over to his spot besides Conner he let out a quivering sigh.

Conner watched as more people wearing different colors joined the precession. “Are all these people Power Rangers?” he asked and Tommy nodded slowly. Conner wasn’t sure if he was crying, or if there was a hole in Tommy’s umbrella. He turned his eyes back to the ground as more friends gathered around the empty hole as Kira and Ethan stood besides him. They came into town for the funeral as well.

The low murmur died away as the priest spoke about the blessings. He then looked to Tommy who walked over to where the priest stood. He blinked and swallowed hard. He’d never liked speeches.

“For fifteen years we have defended this planet from the evil forces that plagued us with threats of defeat, and of death. For fifteen years the state of California has seen us walk among its civilians and not given our existence a second of thought. For fifteen years, we gave our lives to protect the innocent, and bring justice to those who needed it most. But within the last two weeks we have lost a brother to our family. Many of you did not know Billy the way some of us did, but the sorrow that goes with losing a Ranger, it comes whether you knew them or not.”

The rain pattered against the coffin as Jason and Zack stepped forward with a pillow, and lifted up a black cloth to reveal a small item. Billy’s morpher.

“We miss you, Billy,” Zack said and closed his eyes. Jason took the morpher and placed it gently down on the coffin. He looked back to Tommy who continued his speech.

“Billy was one of the best Rangers I have had the pleasure to fight alongside of. His bravery and dedication to his color makes each and every one of us proud to fight in battle, and to call ourselves a Power Ranger. It doesn’t matter what color you wear or what powers you have, but how you use it. Billy was a perfect example of what each Ranger should strive to be. Dedicated, hard working, and not afraid to die.”

The faces of many Rangers were now tear streaked. Some held the hand of their loved one tightly, while some held onto their friends. Xander, Chip, Vida and Nick stood in the back. They didn’t know Billy, but as Power Rangers thought it would be best to come and pay their respects for the fallen Ranger.

Vida closed her eyes in thought of another Blue Ranger who wasn’t there with them today. Nick put his arm around her shoulders in response to seeing Vida’s gloom. Kane attacked a week and a half ago, and yet they still had no trace of Madison, and Vida had not yet explained herself to Nick. He was beginning to wonder if she ever would.

A few feet away from the Mystic Rangers, Abby put her arm around Wes’s shoulders while Taylor held Eric’s hand tightly. Katie, Trip, Lucas and Alex all stood together, huddled together under the two umbrellas. From beside him Katie saw the looks in Alex’s eyes, and could see Jen’s reflections in them. She knew what she was thinking, and put a hand on his shoulder. He glanced at her then turned his head back toward Billy’s coffin.

Blake and Tori stood side by side and bowed their heads for the fallen Blue Ranger. Alyssa placed her head on Cole’s wet shoulder and he kissed her forehead. Max and Danny lowered their heads as the rain dripped down their collars. Carter and Dana held each other while next to them Joel and Angela both gazed at the gold writing on the coffin. Kelsey’s head rested on Chad’s shoulders lightly. Leo and Kendrix stood together under an umbrella. Alongside them Kai, Damon, Maya and Mike had their heads low.

Karone and Zhane held hands alongside Andros and Ashley. T.J and Cassie stood behind them, and Carlos stood with his fiancé. Next to him, a young man stood in a blue Navy uniform, Justin and his girlfriend. Everyone’s eyes gazed up at Tommy as he said his final words.

“The color blue to many has a sorrowful meaning. To us, it’s the continuation of a legacy that will last forever. That legacy that began with a simple boy who led a simple life in a simple world. Billy led a wonderful life that many of us wish we could have,” he bit his lip. “Billy always wanted find a peace with this world. Now, he’s found it. We’ll miss you, Billy. You will always be one of us, a Ranger until the end.”

Silently, ten Rangers morphed and gathered around Billy’s coffin, their coats falling from their shoulders. Underneath the coats, their Blue Ranger uniforms clung to their bodies, and slowly began to be soaked by the rain. Each unclipped their helmet and placed it around the grave and saluted as Billy’s coffin was gently lowered into the ground.

After the burial the crowd slowly began to dissipate, leaving Tommy, Jason, and Zack alone standing by the tombstone. “It’s hard to believe he’s gone,” Zack said. “Another member of our team.”

Another person stepped besides Tommy. “But he died doing what he loved best,” she said.

“Kimberly?” Tommy asked and looked at the young woman. Through her tears, Kim smiled at him.

“I couldn’t let you boys go through this alone, now could I?” She chuckled, and bit her lip. “I loved him as much as you three did. I had to say a final good bye.”

Tommy grinned at her. With her make-up running and red eyes, she still looked beautiful to him. He put an arm around her shoulders and turned back to the grave. “Sleep tight, Billy, and rest in peace.”

A few seconds later and the four Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers stepped back slowly from the grave and headed towards their cars, hugging each other and saying good bye once more.

Jason stood by his car until the other left, then slowly exited it. He walked over towards where Billy’s grave was; only he went to the one on the left. He bent down and wiped the dirt away from where the name on the stone was. “I miss you, too. Take care of Billy for us, will you,” His fingers ran over the name once more. “I love you. I only wish you could have heard me say that.” He stood again and walked over to his car, then drove away.

The dirt on the stone began to clear with the pounding rain, the name slowly immerging from the dirt blanket: Trini Kwan.

--