LABY

He'd been more than a little surprised when Jaybert had called for the Rebels to retreat and leave Divatox to her own devices. Now, the Rebels stood gathered at the Base.

"It is over," Amareese said, shaking her head. "Divatox has perished. I no longer feel her on Earth, and only feel the piece of her that belonged in this time line to begin with. Her destiny is set. After the battle in the future, she will cease to exist. The Power Rangers have succeeded in preserving the time line."

"We abandoned her," Laby said. "She stood no chance alone. That's why Zell came to us to begin with."

"She would have dragged us down with her. I knew once the Rangers escaped from your labyrinth that it was over," Jaybert said. "I had to do what was best for this team. I agreed to do what we could, within reason, to help her complete her assignment, but the Great Wizard knew I was not agreeing to a suicide mission. It was time to jump ship."

"She was our ally, Jay," Draze said softly. "We could have at least warned her we were leaving."

"It was over, Draze. We had to escape with our lives," Jaybert insisted.

"How could you be sure it was over?" B'Danna asked. "We were ready to continue fighting. I don't disagree with the call you made... Things were getting bad in the house when we finally left with the rest of you... But why were you so sure she'd fail?"

"I weighed every scenario possible," Flekt said. "The odds of her survival were slim. Once the Rangers escaped, they had faced their deepest fears and won. Nothing we did at that point could have stopped them. Jaybert and I discussed it and agreed we would be damning ourselves to perish along with Divatox if we remained at that point."

Laby sighed. "Guys, Divatox was in over her head. She didn't have much of a chance of succeeding to begin with. I think we helped her survive a little longer than she would have on her own, but Jay and Flekt made the right call. We did as much as we could." He opened up a can of soda and raised it in tribute. "To Deevs... May she be at peace. At least we saved her from Zell killing her himself. That would have been a lot worse for her. This was kinder."

Amareese manifested a candle out of thin air and echoed, "For Divatox."

Tiffani bowed her head respectfully, but remained quiet. Laby was worried about her. "Come on, Tiff," he said. "Let's raid the fridge. Battles give me munchies." He led her to the kitchen. When they were alone, he asked, "Are you okay?"

"I just... I know no one really liked Divatox except for, maybe, Amareese and Draze, but shouldn't we have done more? Draze is right... We could have tried to give her a fighting chance."

"We did everything we could, Tiff. In the end, Deevs made her own choices, and this is where they led. Staying by her side would have knocked all of us off of our destined paths and changed too much in terms of the future... I know it's hard, but sometimes, you just can't save everyone."

"What about Ronnie?"

"What do you mean?"

"What happens to her now? Divatox dying should have freed her, but she was practically catatonic when we got back here. My father sent her to rest as soon as we were all together."

"First of all, I'm glad Jay thought to bring her with us. If he left her with Divatox, she'd have gotten killed, and since Ronnie's from this time, I'm guessing that's not her destiny. Second, Amareese gave Divatox that charm, so while Ronnie was primarily loyal to Divatox, she was also loyal to the Rebellion. With Deevs gone, Ronnie's probably under Jay's control."

"I don't trust him with her, Laby..." Tiffani looked terrified.

"Look, as soon as she's recovered enough from the shock of Divatox dying, I'll slip into her mind and free her. I agree that Jay shouldn't have control over her long-term, especially since that was probably never her destiny. I'll make her forget about us and convince Jay it's for the best. She'll be okay, Tiff. I promise."

Tiffani looked genuinely relieved. "Thanks, Laby... Ronnie doesn't deserve any of this. She's a sweetheart."

"Thank you, Tiff."

"For what?" She asked in confusion.

"For showing me what's important... And for reminding me that it's okay to go against orders if it means doing the right thing." He pulled her into his arms. "You brought me back to the light."

"You've always been full of light, Laby... You always stood up to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. You just forgot how much of a difference you could make when you wanted to." She kissed him.

"I love you, Sunshine," he told her when she finally broke the kiss. "Thank you for existing. You have no idea how much you've changed me for the better."

"I didn't change you. I just helped you find yourself again... And I love you, too." She kissed him again. "So, when do we get to go to Angel Grove?"

He laughed. "Soon, Beautiful. I promise."

"Good. I want to see where the angels live."

"I'm looking at one right now," he said with a grin.

Tiffani smiled. "You're so sweet to me."

"You deserve that and more." He kissed her again. "Go get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you, too, Tiff." He watched her walk away and smiled. A trip sounded great. Once he'd freed Ronnie and everything calmed down, he'd make sure they went. After all, Laby always kept his promises.

THE NEXT DAY.

TIFFANI

She'd slept in. The events of the night before had left Tiffani more exhausted than she realized. She felt better after she'd showered and gotten dressed for the day. When she stepped into the hallway, she heard her father talking to someone and realized he was in one of the extra rooms at the Base.

Ronnie, she thought. Without knocking, she threw open the door. She found her father pinning Ronnie to the bed. He had been reaching to remove her shirt when Tiffani burst in, but jumped away from Ronnie when he realized they'd been interrupted.

"Get out of here, Tiffani," he said harshly.

"Don't you touch her!" Tiffani said. She might be terrified of her father, but that didn't mean she'd let him hurt Ronnie.

"This is none of your concern!"

"She's my friend, Dad!"

"I told you not to call me that."

"Fine, Father. Either way, get the hell away from her."

"She consented, not that you have a right to question me."

"Of course she consented! She's under a spell that makes her completely obedient! She can't say no to you."

"This is not your concern," he insisted again.

"I'll call Raffitty."

Her father froze. "Did you just threaten me, Tiffani?"

"You know how Raff feels about rapists. I swear, I'll call him right now if you don't let Ronnie go."

"You will do nothing of the sort. Go to your room, Tiffani."

"No. I'm not leaving you alone with her. I'll call Captain Smith, too! He'd kill you before he let you force yourself on an innocent girl."

Her father was on her before she even saw him move. He flung her hard against the wall and grabbed her by her throat. "How dare you threaten me?!" He demanded.

"How dare you try to turn one of my friends into your own personal sex toy?" Tiffani choked out. She might be about to get killed, but she'd go down fighting. She couldn't let him hurt Ronnie. She was her friend... Her sister. She had to protect her.

He slammed her head against the wall. She was dizzy as he hit her several times before grabbing her by the throat again. "I swear on all of Eltar, if you cross me again, I will end you. You're nothing more than a pest. You are useless and I only allow you to continue to draw breath because I am generous."

Tiffani was near tears, but she didn't give him the satisfaction of letting him see her cry. She stared at him defiantly. He looked away in disgust, loosening his grip and finally releasing her. "Ronnie... Run," she said. "Get to Laby. Tell him I sent you."

Ronnie didn't move. "Veronica! Do as I say!" Tiffani shouted. This time, it registered as a command. As she ran, Tiffani kicked her father hard in the groin, catching him off-guard. He doubled over for a minute, which allowed Ronnie to escape.

Furious, her father recovered and attacked her. Tiffani still refused to cry or even react, thinking of Laby and the sanctuary they shared. He'll take me away, she told herself. This will be over soon. Laby will save me.

At some point, her father tired of her not reacting. He stared into her eyes and growled out, "You live only as long as I permit it. Do not forget your place ever again." He left her on the ground, and only when she was finally alone did Tiffani allowed herself to cry.

B'DANNA

She heard the sound of crying coming from one of the rooms. Concerned, she opened the door and found Tiffani. She had been beaten up. "Tiffani, what the hell happened?" B'Danna demanded.

"N-nothing," Tiffani stuttered.

B'Danna frowned. Gentler, she asked, "Who did this to you?" She suspected she already knew the answer.

"M... My father..." Tiffani admitted.

"That bastard!" B'Danna said, furious. She knew entirely too well what it was like to have a father who attacked his daughter with such brutality. "Come on. I'll bring you to Amareese. She can help."

"I... I stopped him..."

"What do you mean?"

"He tried... He tried to... To rape her... Ronnie..."

Even more rage ran through her. "Did she escape?"

"Yes... But he was pissed..."

B'Danna looked at Tiffani with a new level of respect. "That was brave, Tiffani. You did well. It's over now, okay? Let Amareese heal you. I'll handle Jaybert."

Tiffani nodded. B'Danna practically carried her to Amareese. "What happened?" Amareese asked. She hurried to take Tiffani from B'Danna's arms.

"Jay tried to go too far with Ronnie. Tiffani stopped him," B'Danna explained.

"Oh, my poor, dear girl... Don't you worry one bit. I'll have you fixed up in no time," Amareese said. She looked at B'Danna and asked, "Ronnie?"

"She got away. Take care of her, Ama. I'm going to handle Jay."

"Of course... But please be careful, B'Danna. If he could do this to his own daughter..."

"I have faced far bigger monsters than Jaybert," B'Danna replied. "I'll be fine." She gave Amareese the Rebellion salute before heading back to her room. Once there, B'Danna gathered her sword, a set of daggers, and several guns. After ensuring her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and out of her face and that her weapons were mostly tucked out of sight beneath her clothes, B'Danna headed straight to Jaybert's office. She didn't knock before entering.

"B'Danna? I didn't say you could enter," Jaybert said hastily. He was trying to hide something.

"You are a real son of a bitch, Jaybert," B'Danna told him. She drew her sword from the holster along her spine. "And you'll never touch your daughter or her friend again."

Jaybert raised an eyebrow at that. "You would fight me, B'Danna?" He asked.

"I'd do more than fight you, Jaybert. No one does that on my watch."

He sighed and drew his own sword. "If we must," he said, sounding almost bored. They began to fight with their swords. Jaybert was skilled, but B'Danna was exceptionally good with a sword. He couldn't get an attack in and was forced to defend instead. She was ready to destroy him when something moved quickly in front of her, scurrying out from under his desk and running into the shadows. It was fuzzy.

"You brought it back?!" She asked in horror, knowing it was the vizu. Immediately, B'Danna closed her eyes, knowing if she caught even a glimpse of the creature's face she'd suffer the effects again. She was well-trained enough that she could battle blindfolded, so closing her eyes wouldn't stop her from fighting back.

Jaybert got the upper hand for a moment. He stabbed B'Danna in her side. She bit back a scream of pain and let it fuel her adrenaline, fighting harder. She threw one of her daggers into his leg and heard him scream. Satisfied by that, B'Danna went for the gun. She shot at him, but the vizu jumped in front of him and took the bullet. B'Danna could hear its cries of protest. She continued shooting, emptying the clip. She hoped it would at least slow the creature down and make it flee, but she knew it wouldn't kill it. Nothing killed a vizu. They simply got banished back to their realm on Eltar.

Pulling out another gun, she aimed for the vicinity of where its head should be and blew its fuzzy little face off. Taking a calculated risk, she opened her eyes a crack. Sure enough, she'd hit its face, and its eyes were destroyed. Relief surged through her as she refocused on Jaybert while the vile creature slowly tried to heal itself.

"You'll pay for that!" Jaybert shouted, cradling the vizu protectively in his arms. He began speaking to it soothingly in Eltarian.

"You've lost your mind," B'Danna said. She prepared to shoot him. She'd try a non-lethal shot first. If it was insanity causing this, maybe Laby could still save Jaybert from himself, but B'Danna wouldn't hesitate to kill him if she had to.

"I am doing what I must, B'Danna... A necessary sacrifice for the sake of unimaginable power. You would do the same."

"No, Jaybert. I wouldn't," she said firmly. She fired off a shot. It hit him in the shoulder. It didn't slow him down as he approached her looking homicidal. She aimed for his chest, but Jaybert waved his hand and the gun flew out of her hand.

"What the fuck?" B'Danna asked in confusion.

"I told you, B'Danna... I have more power than I ever have, and I'll keep growing stronger." He raised his sword.

Suddenly, a shot was fired. Jaybert hit the floor. B'Danna looked up in shock. "Draze?" She asked.

Draze held the gun steady on Jaybert as he looked at B'Danna. "Are you okay, B'Danna?" He asked.

"You shot him..."

"He would have killed you. It wasn't a fatal shot, B'Danna. We need to leave this room. We must take Amareese, Flekt, and Tiffani and find Laby. He can help." He offered her his hand. B'Danna let him help her stand, but was able to walk on her own despite losing a decent amount of blood. They hurried from the room, but didn't make it far before Jaybert manifested out of thin air in front of them.

Draze was impaled before B'Danna could even register what had happened. "Draze!" She cried. She ran Jaybert through with her sword immediately, not even stopping to think as her battle instincts kicked in. The wound healed almost instantly and he waved his hand, flinging her against a wall. B'Danna cracked her head on the wall and everything went black.

LABY

He was stunned when Ronnie appeared in front of him after he finished his unexpected morning errand. He knew he'd done the right thing, but he also knew Jaybert wouldn't have approved. Still, after he'd gone to check in with Gavin in private, he'd learned of his wife's condition. Gavin had told him Jaybert had worked with the vizu for a lot longer than Laby had thought, and given his wife's symptoms, Laby understood... She must have seen the vizu somehow and lost her mind. He'd shifted into the form of a doctor and gone to see her. He had just finished curing her when he spotted Ronnie.

"Ronnie? Are you okay?" He asked.

"Tiffani told me to run and to find you, " Ronnie said.

Laby noticed her shirt was torn. He cursed, then looked deep into her eyes. "Listen to me, Veronica. You are no longer under the control of the Rebellion. I release you... You're going to hide somewhere safe. Don't go home yet. Find your boyfriend. He will protect you... Remember us, Ronnie, but don't ever fall under our control again." He decided the only way to protect Ronnie was to let her remember who they were and to have her steer clear of them.

Ronnie seemed to focus suddenly as he broke eye contact. "Where am I?" She asked. Then, she noticed Laby and said, "Laby?" Her fear was clear as she began to tremble.

"I won't hurt you, Ronnie. I've been trying to protect you this whole time. You're safe now. They can't take control of you anymore. I cleared your mind."

"But... The things I did... I hurt Lee... And my sister!" She looked horrified. "I kidnapped Principal Drew! Oh my God..."

"Ronnie, listen to me. None of that was your fault. You were under Divatox's spell. You're going to be okay now, but you have to get to Lee. I think something's wrong and I need to get home."

"Tiffani... Oh my God! Laby, you have to hurry! Tiffani protected me... Her father tried to... To..." She stared at her feet.

"Oh, that son of a bitch..." Laby mumbled. "Are you hurt, Ronnie?"

"No... Tiffani interfered. He attacked her, Laby. She told me to run... Commanded me to. I couldn't resist the order... Oh God, I left her there!"

Laby tried to stay calm on the outside, but he was terrified and furious internally. "Tiffani loves you, Ronnie. She wanted to save you more than anything. I know what we all put you through, but she tried to protect you."

"You both did," Ronnie said. "Go, Laby. I'll be okay. Just help her."

"I will." With that, Laby hurried off, terrified of what he'd find when he returned to the Base.

AMAREESE

She had healed most of Tiffani's injuries. Currently, she sat holding the girl and rocking her soothingly. "It's okay, my dear, sweet girl... You are safe with me, " Amareese told Tiffani as she sobbed softly.

"I was so scared..." Tiffani admitted softly. "But I had to protect her. I couldn't just let him do that to her..."

"You were very brave, my girl."

"I was terrified. How is that brave?"

"It is brave because you were terrified. Courage comes in facing our fears and standing up for what we believe despite them. I am proud of you, Tiffani."

"He threatened me... Said I only get to live so long as he allows it. I'm scared, Ama... I'm not safe here."

Amareese frowned. "I will hide you," she decided after a moment. She couldn't bear to think of Jaybert killing the girl she had raised and loved as her own.

"He'll kill you."

"I am not afraid to die, sweet Tiffani. I am also not afraid to fight for you."

"That is a fight you cannot win, Amareese," Jaybert said as he flung open the door.

"Stay behind me," Amareese said to Tiffani as she began casting a protective circle around them.

To Amareese's shock, Jaybert attacked with magic of his own. He flung her away from Tiffani without touching her. He had never had that sort of power before.

"How?" Amareese gasped out as she tried to recover.

"I made a deal, Amareese. And now, I shall fulfill my end." He pulled a gun on her.

A shot was fired, but not from Jaybert. Amareese sighed in relief as Flekt calmly began firing off weapons in Jaybert's direction.

"Tiffani, flee the room. Seek out Labyrinth," Flekt instructed. "Amareese, my beloved, go with her. I shall hold Jaybert off."

"I will not leave you, Love," Amareese said firmly.

"The child needs you. Go. I have this handled." He helped her to her feet before kissing her. "Go, Love. We shall meet again."

Amareese nodded and helped Tiffani flee from the room. They nearly made it to the front door when Amareese was overwhelmed with a the sensation of her heart being ripped from her chest. The shock of it knocked her to her knees.

"Amareese?" Tiffani asked.

"Flekt..." Amareese whispered in horror. She knew her beloved husband had perished. This was confirmed as Jaybert appeared with something in his hands.

"I thought you might like to have this, Amareese," he said wickedly. He shoved Flekt's heart into her hands. "It was yours anyway, after all."

Tiffani realized what was happening and let out a scream of horror. Amareese stared at Jaybert, refusing to so much as flinch at his cruelty.

"Tiffani, find B'Danna and Draze. The three of you must get to Laby," Amareese instructed her calmly.

Tiffani shook her head. "He'll kill you, too," she said between sobs.

"He will surely try, but that does not mean he will succeed. Go, my sweet child. Do not look back no matter what happens... And know only that I love you deeply."

Tiffani clearly didn't want to leave, but Amareese cast a minor spell to compel her to flee. She could feel B'Danna and Draze. They were wounded, but alive, and they'd keep Tiffani safe until they found Laby if they were functional enough. It was everyone's best chance.

"He didn't scream," Jaybert informed Amareese. "He died with honor."

"Of course he did," Amareese replied, refusing to let her grief get the better of her. She needed to keep Jaybert busy and give the children a chance to survive. "As will I, should it come to that."

"We shall see." Jaybert began using magic. He might be extremely powerful, but he lacked Amareese's centuries of experience. She'd been at this far longer than he had, and while Amareese usually preferred a peaceful solution to things, he had just murdered her husband. If she didn't stop him, he'd kill the children, too. She would not allow that to happen. If she had to die to protect them with her own blood, she wouldn't hesitate. That was what mothers did.

Jaybert smiled at her wickedly. "You view them as your children... But did you know you already have a child, Amareese?" He taunted her, apparently having somehow read her mind.

"I most certainly do not," she said sharply. "My womb was destroyed in battle. You know this, Jaybert."

"Your womb was destroyed in childbirth, actually. The vizu showed me the truth. The boy is safe, Amareese. He is in the future, carefully hidden. His father will summon him soon."

"Flekt is dead thanks to you."

"Flekt is not the boy's father."

"Now I know this is a lie. Flekt was the only man I was ever with."

"Not quite. You see, he took Flekt's form, but you saw through his rouse. He took you by force and ensured you became pregnant. He advanced the pregnancy with magic, took the child, and took your memories."

"My magic is too strong. No one could have done that."

"The Great Wizard is stronger than even you, Amareese."

"The Gre... Zell? You are claiming Zell did this?"

"Indeed. When he came back, he searched the time line for someone strong enough to give him an heir to rival Zordon. This boy has the potential. He found you during the Renaissance and did this, then took the child sometime a bit further in the future than we are currently. The boy has no idea who he is. He was raised by mortals... Good people. Do not fret for your son, Amareese. Lachlan is happy."

"Lachlan..." She repeated softly. Amareese didn't want to believe him, but she could feel the truth. All this time, she'd had a child... A son... He'd come from her, but he'd also come from Zell. He could potentially be extremely good or extremely evil. She had to find him before it was too late.

With a sickening sense of pain, Amareese realized Jaybert had succeeded in distracting her. Jaybert had driven a dagger into her heart, but he didn't cut hers out like he'd done to Flekt. Instead, he left her to bleed out slowly while she clutched Flekt's heart in her hands. She was too weak to stop him from walking away, and she prayed with all she had that the children were somehow safe.

LABY

He arrived at the Base and immediately knew something was very wrong. He raced inside and found Amareese quickly. She lay in a pool of blood in the living room.

"Amareese!" He cried. He ran to her side.

"Laby... " She whispered.

He sighed with relief. "You're alive... I thought..." He noticed the thing in her hands. "Ama... Where's Flekt?" He asked.

She closed her eyes and shook her head, allowing a single tear to fall down her cheek. "No..." Laby whispered. "He can't be..."

"Jaybert has been working with a vizu again," Amareese said. "Laby, you must protect the children..."

"Where are they? Ronnie told me Jay attacked Tiffani."

"I healed her and told her to run... I am hoping she found B'Danna and Draze... They are hurt, Laby. They cannot fight him alone."

"That's my Mama Ama, always thinking of everyone else... We need to get you to a healer, Mama... Let me call Captain Smith... Tedius can heal you, or maybe Kizzie or Felina could work a spell..."

"There's no time, Laby. Find the children. Protect them."

"But-"

"One more thing. I just found out I have a son... With the Great Wizard. I can't explain, but he's in the future. Find him, Laby... He is called Lachlan... And if you can, give the boy a fighting chance."

Laby couldn't begin to process that. "We'll find him together. You're going to be fine, Mama..."

"Laby... I am not walking away from this."

"Amareese-"

"I can use my blood to slow Jaybert down. The wound is fatal anyway, Laby. You know it as well as I do. Let my death mean something."

"Amareese, no. There's still time-"

"I love you, Labyrinth. Protect them. Go. Please."

He knew he had to find B'Danna, Draze, and Tiffani. They were running out of time, and Amareese was right. "I'll come back for you," he promised. "I love you." He hugged her and raced out of the room and down the hall. He stopped for a split second as he felt all of her energy surrounding him. He knew she'd used the last of her energy to pull the dagger out and cast a protection spell. Amareese was gone, and so was Flekt. He couldn't grieve, however. He had to save the others.

He pulled out a communication stone and contacted the Stone Hollow and New York chapters. "Raff, Captain Smith, I need you guys... Bring everyone," he said. "Jay's gone off the deep end. We need healers... And I need back-up, fast."

"We will portal to you immediately," Captain Smith said.

"We're on our way," Raffitty promised. "Stay strong and try to protect the others."

He ran deeper into the house. He sensed something in one of the rooms and opened the door. A dagger flew by his head, narrowly missing him.

"Bee Dee," he said with relief. Sure enough, B'Danna was in the room. Judging from the trail of blood, she'd dragged herself and someone else into the room. She sat protectively in front of Draze, looking ready to kill. Then, she realized who had entered the room.

"Laby!" She cried with relief. "Jay's lost his fucking shit!"

"I know. Ama..." He shook his head and took a deep breath, trying again. "Amareese told me. Are you two okay?"

"Draze was impaled. He needs a healer... I don't think the sword hit anything vital, but I can't take it out without him bleeding out... I'm fine."

"You're bleeding, Bee Dee... A lot." He looked at the two of them and knew they'd both die if they didn't get help soon. "Help is coming, but I have to find Tiffani. She's still unaccounted for."

"Where's Amareese? I left Tiffani in her care."

Laby bit his bottom lip hard to stop himself from breaking down. "Flekt and Amareese are gone," he said softly.

Draze let out a cry of grief. B'Danna's face turned unreadable, the look of a proper soldier. He knew she would fight to the end. "Stay with Draze," Laby said. "Raff and Captain Smith are bringing reinforcements. Tedius can heal you guys. Kizzie and Felina can help if needed."

"I can still fight, Laby," B'Danna said. "Let me help you."

"I need you to keep Draze safe. He can't defend himself right now. Besides... I'm not losing you guys," he said.

"He brought the vizu back, Laby. I shot its ugly little face off, but it's still here. I think Jaybert was trying to heal it. You need my help. I am a warrior. I do not sit battles out."

"You're too hurt."

"I will fight to the death if it means protecting the innocent and stopping that bastard!"

"B'Danna of Eltar! You will stay in this room, which I will turn into a labyrinth to keep you safe until help arrives, and you will protect Draze until it is safe. That is an order from a superior officer. Do you understand me?"

B'Danna stared at him in surprise. Finally, she softened. "Just be safe, Laby," she said.

"I'll do my best." He quickly created a protective labyrinth to hide his friends until help could get to them, then left.

He made it to Tiffani's room. He took a deep breath and threw open the door, praying she was safe. "Tiff?" He called out, not seeing her. There was blood everywhere and Laby had to struggle not to completely panic.

"Laby..." Tiffani answered softly.

Relief flowed through him as he rushed toward a corner cloaked in shadows. Then he saw her, and it felt like someone knocked the wind out of him.

"Tiff... Oh my God..." He whispered in horror. Tiffani was covered in blood. She'd been stabbed more times than Laby could count. He could barely find her beneath all of the blood and her shredded clothes.

"You came," Tiffani said with relief in her eyes. "I knew you would."

"Tiffani..." He tried to find a way to stop the bleeding, but she had too many wounds. No, he thought. I can't lose her... There has to be a way...

He shifted her gently. "I'm sorry... I know it hurts," he said softly.

"It doesn't hurt," she said. "Not anymore... I just... Feel you..." She looked at him as she added, "I'm glad you're here... I... I didn't want to... Be... Alone..."

"You'll be okay," he said stubbornly. "You're not going anywhere."

"Laby... It's okay..." She told him. She touched his cheek weakly, wiping away tears he hadn't realized he was shedding. "You made it to me... It's okay..."

"Tiff... I... I love you," he said, desperately trying to find a way to save her. He realized there was no chance... Tiffani only had moments left. "I love you, Beautiful. Look into my eyes."

She did, and he knew she was scared, but not of him. "We're together, Tiff... We're traveling the world, and we're happy... We're happy, and at peace, and I love you so much." He showed her a lifetime of beautiful places in seconds, soothing her mind and ensuring she felt no pain or fear.

"I love you, too, Laby," she told him. She smiled at him peacefully, closing her eyes as the last of her blood left her body. She exhaled softly before going limp in his arms.

Cradling her body in his arms, Laby began to cry harder. "Tiff..." He whimpered. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." He clung to her, not wanting to release her. She was still warm...

Suddenly, he remembered that Jaybert was still out there. He had to stop him. He wasn't finished yet. "I love you, Tiffani," he whispered softly. "I'll be back." He wrapped a small labyrinth around her to keep her safe. Then, he went back to work.

It did not take him long to find Jaybert. He stood in his office, covered in blood. Flekt's blood... Ama's blood... Tiffani's blood... Laby registered.

"Hello, Labyrinth," Jaybert said pleasantly, as though nothing had happened.

"It's over, Jaybert," Laby said firmly.

"On the contrary... It has just begun," Jaybert replied. "My full powers are only just starting to unlock."

"They're dead, Jay! You killed them! You killed Tiffani!"

"They were unfortunate but necessary casualties, Laby."

"Necessary casualties? She was your daughter, you son of a bitch!" Laby lunged at him, but Jaybert glided out of his path with no real effort.

"Their blood had to be spilled. You need to understand, Laby... It was the only way."

The vizu appeared in front of them. "I cured you," Laby said, desperate to understand. "I removed that little bastard's influence from your mind... And you still summoned it back! How could you?"

"I needed him, Laby. He is the only one who can help me unlock my full power. He has been a loyal guide."

"He drove you insane, Jaybert!"

"He showed me the truth! All I had to do to secure the future I saw was sacrifice them."

"I should have realized... When Draze and B'Danna called you on knowing the Rangers were about to succeed, you lied and said it was an old vision, but it wasn't... They were right. Waiting to tell us made no sense... It was a new vision, and a new vision also told you to pull us out of there or we'd die... I should have realized it. I should have known you'd brought the vizu back." Laby's heart broke. He'd missed the signs that Jaybert was too far gone, and now, everyone was dead or critically wounded. It was his fault, and there was nothing he could do about it.

The vizu was in bad shape. B'Danna had done an incredible number on it. It was clearly in agony, but it couldn't die. Just like Laby, it was immortal. There was no way to destroy it, and mirrors simply banished it back to its realm. Laby needed a more permanent solution. As Jaybert took a moment to comfort the creature, Laby created the smallest labyrinth he'd ever made and trapped it inside before banishing the entire labyrinth to Eltar. No one would be able to free it, even by trying to summon it, because mirrors reflecting each other lined the walls. The vizu would be trapped for eternity. It would never hurt anyone again.

"Oh, Labyrinth... Why would you do that? We were meant to work together," Jaybert said.

"That's not happening," Laby said firmly.

"He showed me the future, Laby... He showed me all of this, and more. I saw you standing before me, raising your sword in battle."

"Well, it looks like the little fucker got his signals crossed, because there is no way in hell I'm helping you take over the universe or whatever you're planning to do. I'm handing you off to Garron. He will decide your fate."

"Garron will understand my actions. He knows sacrifices must be made for our greater mission."

"The Rebels don't kill each other, Jay! This went too far, and you're too out of your mind to see it."

"Labyrinth, if you are not with me, then you are against me," Jaybert said. "I fear I misunderstood what I saw... I assumed you were raising your sword in solidarity with me..."

"Jay... I don't want to have to kill you... But I will if it means stopping you from hurting anyone else," Laby said firmly. "Let me get you help. We could rehabilitate you-"

"I do not want to be rehabilitated, Labyrinth. This is the correct path, and I have chosen it freely."

"I shouldn't have left them this morning... If Divatox hadn't screwed everything up by coming back here, maybe I would have seen the truth before it was too late."

"Divatox had nothing to do with this. It was always the way, long before she came to us. The only difference is that Gavin was among the dead in my original visions. The Rangers changed his destiny, but the rest of this remained the same. I always did this while you were out, Labyrinth."

"But..." Laby paused as realization dawned on him. "He knew... That son of a bitch knew what was going to happen to us before he sent Divatox back and he didn't warn us! He let this happen!"

"The Great Wizard knows all, Labyrinth... And he clearly agreed this is the correct path."

"They were your friends, Jay... Your family... How could you do this to them?"

"Love is a weakness we cannot afford, Laby. I had hoped to spare you, my old friend... However..." Jaybert raised his weapon.

Laby pulled out his sword, and the two began to battle. Both were remarkably good with swords. Every move one tried, the other blocked. Finally, Jaybert laughed darkly. "Oh, and help won't be arriving, Laby. The portal is sealed. It will not open without my permission until I draw my final breath."

Laby knew he was telling the truth. The others should have arrived by now. He thought of B'Danna, half-dead but still ready to fight to the end, and Draze, so gentle and now completely helpless. He had been the one to convince them to join the Rebellion. He was the reason they were dying. If help didn't arrive soon, he'd lose them, too. He couldn't save Amareese or Flekt... He couldn't save Tiffani... And it was now clear that he couldn't save Jaybert.

"I'm sorry, Jay," he said softly. With one swift motion, Laby brought the sword down on Jaybert's head, severing it. Jaybert barely had time to register shock on his face before he was decapitated. Had the situation been drastically different, Laby might have laughed. Instead, he fell to his knees as grief overwhelmed him.

B'DANNA

The barrier of the labyrinth fell. B'Danna protectively stayed in front of Draze. "My God... What has happened here?" Raffitty asked in horror.

"Tedius! They need healing urgently," Captain Smith said. "Kizzie, please assist him. There is no time to waste."

"Straight away, Sir," Kizzie said. She led Tedius closer to B'Danna and Draze.

"Draze first," B'Danna said.

"This will hurt, Luv," Kizzie told Draze apologetically. She pulled the sword out. Tedius immediately began healing him, keeping him from bleeding to death.

"Let me see your wounds, Luv," Kizzie said to B'Danna.

"Not until Draze is-" B'Danna protested.

"Draze will survive, B'Danna," Kizzie promised her. "Please allow me to ensure the same is true for you."

B'Danna sighed, but Draze looked significantly better already, so she finally allowed Kizzie to help her.

"B'Danna, my dear... Where is Laby?" Captain Smith asked.

"He went to find Tiffani, and to stop Jaybert," B'Danna said as she began feeling better.

"Hurry, my friends. We must find them."

Suddenly, Laby walked into the room. His face was blank and his eyes were dazed. "Laby? Luv, you're bleeding!" Kizzie said in horror.

"It's not my blood," Laby said numbly.

"He's in shock," Captain Smith said.

"Laby... What happened?" Raffitty asked gently.

"It's over," Laby said. "It's all over now." He sat beside B'Danna and Draze.

"Laby... Where's Tiffani?" B'Danna asked.

Laby began crying, to her shock. "No..." Draze whispered in horror. He leaned closer to them both.

"I... I was too late," Laby said softly. "She was too far gone... I could only hold her as she..." He shook his head.

"Laby..." Raffitty said. Then, he sighed.

"We are so very sorry for your loss," Captain Smith added.

"I lost them all... Tiff... Flekt... Amareese..." Laby said.

"Amareese?" Felina asked in horror. Kizzie bowed her head and subtly wiped away a tear. Captain Smith put a comforting hand on Kizzie's shoulder.

"Laby..." Lido knelt beside him, unexpectedly gentle as if talking to a frightened bird. "Where is Jaybert?"

"Dead," Laby responded. "It was the only way."

Lido nodded, then stood again. Raffitty and Captain Smith moved beside Laby. "Take care of B'Danna and Draze for me, Captain Smith," Laby said.

"Of course," Captain Smith replied. "With all that I possess."

"Laby-" B'Danna began.

"You'll be safe with him, Bee Dee. He's a good man." Laby hugged her. Then, he hugged Draze. "I love you both. Stay safe."

"You are welcome to join us, Laby," Captain Smith said.

"My chapter would also welcome you with open arms," Raffitty added.

"Thank you both... But there is something I have to do... And then, I think I need to be alone," Laby replied.

"You do not need to do this on your own, Laby. We are here for you," Captain Smith said.

"I know... And I appreciate that... But I need time." He held his fist over his heart and bowed to them both before walking away. B'Danna suspected it was the last time she'd see him for a very long time.

LEE

The Wildcats, Cassie, Lucas, and Roxy had gathered to try to figure out a plan to save Ronnie from the Rebels. Just as they were ready to head off and launch an attack on the Base, whose location Gavin had helpfully provided, Ronnie appeared before them.

"Ronnie!" Roxy cried in relief. She ran to her sister and hugged her, refusing to let go.

"Roxy, be careful," Lucas cautioned. "She's a ticking time bomb because of the spell."

"I... I'm me," Ronnie said softly.

Lee pulled her and Roxy closer to him and wrapped his arms around them both. "Did they hurt you?" He demanded.

"Jaybert tried to," Ronnie replied. "He... He almost... I couldn't say no, Lee... I'm so sorry!" She began sobbing.

"Did that bastard touch you?" Lee demanded. He noticed Kaylen automatically reach for her baseball bat.

"No... No, Tiffani saved me."

"Tiffani?" Lee asked in surprise.

"Wait, the cheerleader?" Kaylen asked.

"My adopted little sister, yes... She's Jaybert's daughter." Ronnie explained.

"So she's in on all of this?" Austin asked.

"That makes sense. Tiffani fainted on the field trip, providing Ronnie and Beatrice Donna with an excuse to move away from everyone else," Serena said.

"Tiffani didn't want to do those things... Her father forced her to. She's not a bad person... She... She saved me from him. She ordered me to run and to find Laby, and I just left her there! I couldn't fight the orders." Ronnie looked at Lee with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry... I attacked you guys... I attacked my twin. I kidnapped Principal Drew... I couldn't control myself. I was just a puppet..." She began sobbing harder. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, Ronnie," Lee said soothingly. "No one blames you."

"But I hurt you guys..."

"It wasn't your fault," Cassie said. "You couldn't stop yourself while under their control."

"No one blames you, Ronnie," Hannah said soothingly.

"I blame myself," Ronnie said.

"How do you remember everything? Gavin said the spell would prevent that," Lucas said.

"Laby freed me. He broke the spell and cleared my mind. He said I'd only be safe if I knew there was a threat, so he let me remember..."

"He broke my dad out of his fear hallucination, too," Kaylen said. "I'm starting to think he's on our side."

"Laby has a good heart. He tried to protect me the entire time... If Jaybert tried to push things with me, Laby distracted him, and when I dislocated my shoulder, he made sure I didn't feel Jaybert pop it back in. He was kind to me... I know they're bad guys, but he's not... Most of them aren't, really... Beatrice and Dave... I mean B'Danna and Draze... They're pretty good people. I'm sorry I doubted them, Roxy... They really do like you. In fact, you might be the only person outside of the Rebels that Bea actually likes. They just follow orders, but I don't think they wanted to hurt any of you... Not really. And Amareese is really kind. Flekt is scary, but I think even he was just following orders... Jaybert and Divatox were the ones who really wanted to hurt everyone." She sighed. "I'm so worried about Tiffani... I have this horrible feeling... She held her dad off so I could escape. If he hurt her..."

"We'll help her," Cassie said firmly.

"Cassie..." Lucas began.

"She's just a kid, Lucas. Don't tell me we should abandon her-"

He sighed and shook his head. "I just checked in with Jen," he said, looking at one of his devices. "On record, Tiffani vanished today... Even before we came back in time... The chapter of Rebels from here no longer exists in the future."

"As in they broke up?"

Lucas shook his head again. "As in Jaybert slaughtered them. Trip hacked Rebellion records... According to witness statements from some guys named Captain Smith and Raffitty, Jaybert went insane and murdered his chapter."

"But Bea and Dave..." Roxy began. She looked visibly upset.

"B'Danna and Draze survived the slaughter. They joined another chapter of Rebels... The New York chapter, apparently. I can't tell you more than that... But Amareese, Flekt, and..."

"Tiffani..." Ronnie whispered In horror.

"I'm sorry, Ronnie. Their records say that she was killed."

Ronnie let out a sob. "I left her there... She saved me, and I abandoned her!"

"It's not your fault, Ronnie," Lee said. He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so sorry. I know she meant a lot to you."

"Where's Jaybert?" Ronnie asked, pulling herself together.

"Labyrinth killed him. It was the only way to get help in for B'Danna and Draze," Lucas said. "And that's all I know, except that we changed one outcome... Gavin."

"My dad?" Kaylen asked.

"When I asked Trip if your dad ever turned up a while back, he didn't. There was no record of what happened to him... But it turns out that he was in the Rebellion records... And originally, he died in the slaughter."

Kaylen paled. "And we changed his fate by saving him... So what happens now? Does the future implode?"

"No. I've learned that there are some things you should change," Lucas said, looking at Hannah. They exchanged a small smile before he added, "I'm not allowed to tell you everything, Kaylen, but I promise your family is going to be okay now. You aren't going to lose him again."

"So, like, does this mean you guys are leaving now?" Lee asked.

"Soon," Lucas confirmed. "We have one thing we need to do first."

"What's that?" Austin asked.

"We need to find someone to take legal custody of Hannah. You're never going back to foster care again," Lucas promised.

"Damn right she's not," Cassie chimed in. "Don't worry, Hannah. We're not leaving until we know you're in safe hands."

Hannah nodded. "Thank you both... For everything," she said.

"No kid should ever have to live in fear," Cassie said firmly.

"Especially not of their parental figures," Ronnie said softly.

"Are you okay, Ronnie?" Lee asked.

"Not really," she admitted. "But I will be. Tiffani risked everything to protect me... I'm not going to let that be for nothing."

Cassie looked at Ronnie sympathetically. She put a hand on her shoulder. "I know what it's like when someone you love sacrifices their life to protect you. You're right, Ronnie. The best way to repay that is to live your life and do something amazing with it."

"I will," Ronnie vowed. Lee had never seen her look so determined in her life.

"I love you, Ronnie," he told her softly while everyone else began to prepare to go home.

"Even after I attacked you and your team?"

"I dislocated your shoulder. We're even... I feel horrible about that, by the way."

"Don't. It kept me from doing even worse to you guys. You're a great leader, Lee... But I knew that way before you were a Power Ranger." She kissed him. "And I love you, too."

"Come on. I'll drive you and Rox home."

"Lee... Do you ever wonder about how the future turns out? I mean, do you think Lucas can tell us anything?"

"There's only one thing I know, Ron. Whatever the future holds, I'll be by your side, and as long as that's true, everything else will be fine."

"I love you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her, knowing everything was finally back on track.

THE NEXT DAY.

LABY

He'd cleaned Tiffani up and dressed her in one of her favorite outfits. Carefully, Laby had laid her down in the back of his car. In silence, he'd driven to their destination. A simple illusion had moved things along and now, Laby sat at her freshly dug grave.

"We're here, Tiff," he said softly. "We made it to Angel Grove, like I promised we would." A little magic created a large marble statue of an angel. She was smiling and she looked a bit like Tiffani. The headstone Laby created read, Beloved Angel, finally at peace.

"I love you, Tiffani," he said. "I always will... And one day, I'll be someone you and Sera would be proud of."

Laby was going away. He would not be part of the Rebellion or anything else. He'd wander the Earth, a dead man whose body could never be laid to rest, until it was time to face that bastard Zell. One day, he would return, and Laby would make the son of a bitch pay for what he had done, but this was not that day.

"Goodbye, my Angel," he whispered. He kissed her tombstone before standing up and walking away. No matter what, Laby could not let himself look back.

SERENA

She wasn't good at goodbyes. Serena had never gotten attached to people the way she had with the Power Rangers, but now, it was over. Would they all go back to being near strangers? Would she be alone again?

"Penny for your thoughts, Darlin'," Austin said.

Serena looked up at him in surprise. "You're talking to me," she said.

"Of course... Should I not be?" He flashed her that Southern Boy Smile of his.

"We are giving our morphers back today. We won't be Power Rangers anymore, so you don't have to talk to me anymore."

"Serena... Darlin', Rangers or not, you're my friend."

"I am?"

"Of course you are! You're a great girl. I've never met anyone as smart as you are, and you're always honest."

"Often too honest, right?"

"Nah, Darlin'. I find your honesty refreshing. It's one of my favorite things about you." He smiled at her again. "Besides, we saved the world together. That tends to bond people."

"Austin..."

"Yeah, Darlin'?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being my friend... My first one ever, to be honest. And for trying so hard to help me."

"You don't have to thank me for that, Serena. I didn't really have any friends when I got here, and y'all were like this light in the dark that I didn't even know I needed until I had it." He smiled, and while Serena suspected this was one of those moments where other people would hug, Austin didn't try to hug her. He always respected her personal boundaries, a fact she deeply appreciated.

They reached the front door of Oakhaven. "Hello Rangers!" Alpha greeted them. "Come on inside. The others should be arriving shortly." She led them inside for what Serena assumed would be the final time.

KAYLEN

She was running late to Oakhaven. Kaylen was about to rush out of the front door when her uncle stopped her. "Kaylen, wait... There is someone here who needs to see you," he said. He moved aside and revealed her mother.

"Mom? You're home?" Kaylen asked.

"For good this time, Kaylen," her mother replied. She pulled Kaylen into a hug.

"For good?" Kaylen repeated skeptically.

"Kaylen... The manic depression was a misdiagnosis," her uncle explained. "It seems your mother encountered a creature called a vizu. It granted her visions, but also caused madness. Your father apparently asked an acquaintance to help her."

"But..." Kaylen shook her head. "What happened?"

"He cured me, Kaylen... Laby cured me. He went into my mind and removed all traces of insanity. I'm finally free," her mother replied. "I'm so sorry for what I put you girls through... And my poor brother, too."

"It was not your fault, Nancy," her uncle said. "There's no need to apologize."

"Is this legit? Or will it be undone down the line?" Kaylen asked.

"When Laby cures madness, it's permanent, Kay," her father said from the stairs. His eyes fell on her mother and a smile lit up both of their faces at once. He rushed to his wife, pulling her into his arms. "Nancy..." He sighed.

"I've missed you so much, Gavin," she replied.

"What are we supposed to tell Claire?" Kaylen asked.

"About what?" Claire asked as she walked into the house. She had been due home from Lee's any minute since their uncle was back and could take care of them again, so Kaylen wasn't surprised she showed up at that moment. "Mom! You're home!" She flung her arms around their mother. She looked at their father in confusion. "Who's this?" She asked.

Their father was visibly upset, but he recovered quickly as he said, "Claire... I can't believe how much you've grown up..."

"It's a long story, Nerd, but the short version is that Mom's been cured. The doctors were treating her for the wrong condition, but she's better now. And, um... This is our father," Kaylen said.

Claire's jaw dropped. "Daddy?" She asked in disbelief. "But... How? Where have you been?"

"All you need to know is that some very bad people took me, but I never wanted to be away from you guys," their father replied gently. "I love you girls and your mother with all of my heart, and I'm back now..."

"Bad people? Who were they? Will they come after you again? Did they hurt you?"

"It's over now, sweet pea. They were stopped, and they're not a threat to anyone anymore... I promise I'll never leave you again."

Claire began crying. Kaylen sighed. "I have to go," she said. "Don't cry, Dork. It's going to be okay now." She gave her sister a quick hug.

"I'm going with you," her uncle said. "We'll leave your parents and your sister to get reacquainted with each other."

He led Kaylen away. "You're coming with me?" Kaylen repeated when they were alone.

"I'm driving you to Oakhaven because..." He sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"I have to send her away..."

The baby suddenly appeared. She cooed at Kaylen as Bradley picked her up and snuggled her. "What do you mean by sending her away?" Kaylen asked.

"Zell knows she's been born, and he wants her dead... The only way to protect my daughter is to send her into another time to grow up."

"You mean... You're sending her into the future with Cassie and Lucas?" Kaylen asked in surprise.

"Sort of. They're bringing her into the future, but not as far as they are. They're going to leave her where she can grow up."

"But she'll be all alone! She'll end up in foster care like Hannah, and that nearly killed her!"

"The Phantom Ranger is going to look out for her. He's leaving her with his past self. He'll find a good home for her..." Bradley looked devastated.

"We can protect her, Uncle Bradley."

"Not from Zell, unfortunately. Dimitria says this is the only way she'll be safe... I just hope to be reunited with her one day..." He looked like he might cry, but he composed himself as he strapped her into a car seat.

Kaylen got into the car and tried not to be too upset about where things were headed. She had her family back. Thanks to an Eltarian Rebel's unexpected change of heart, her parents were both going to be okay. Her uncle was safe. It sucked that he had to send her cousin away, but if it kept the kid safe, that was the most important thing. She even seemed to have a boyfriend, and that wasn't turning out to be nearly as awful as she'd expected it to be. And sure, she might be handing over her morpher, but she was still a badass warrior and she'd helped save the world. Things might be going back to normal now, but maybe "normal" wouldn't suck so bad anymore.

HANNAH

She was nervous. It was strange to know she was about to hand over her morpher. At first, Hannah hadn't believed she could be a Power Ranger. Now, she couldn't imagine her life any other way.

She arrived at Oakhaven at the same time as Kaylen and Principal Drew. They walked inside together as the baby cooed.

"What did you name her?" Hannah asked as she played with the baby.

"Krista," he answered sadly. "Her name is Krista Marie Drew... For now."

"For now?" Hannah repeated.

"We have to hide her in the future. It's the only way she'll be safe."

Hannah's heart broke for him as his grief was clear. "I'm so sorry... Isn't there any other way?"

"Dimitria was quite clear... This is Krista's destiny."

"Well, it's a beautiful name."

"She comes from the crystal as much as she comes from Dimitria and I. It seemed fitting for her name to reflect that purity." He sighed. "Come along, Girls. I believe we are already late."

They headed inside. Sure enough, everyone else was already there. "So, we're all here now," Cassie said. "You guys have done an amazing job. I am so proud of you! Lucas and I came here and turned your worlds upside-down, but you embraced the challenge and proved you were the heroes I knew you would be."

"And you won me over... Because I was highly skeptical of Cassie's choice of Rangers," Lucas admitted with a smile. "You've all done the impossible, and I'm proud of you, too... But now, to protect the time line, it's time to send you back to your lives as regular high school students. Every Ranger team retires eventually. Know that you've earned this."

"I can't believe you're leaving," Hannah said softly.

"We're really going to miss you guys," Cassie said.

"But we did what we promised, Hannah," Lucas added. "We found you a home."

"Where am I going?" Hannah asked nervously.

"With me," Principal Drew said, stunning her.

"What?" Hannah asked in confusion.

"I have always liked you, Hannah. You're a wonderful girl with a big heart... And now, I have also seen how courageous you are. Between what you survived in foster care and being a Power Ranger, you have proven how strong you are, and that you're willing to fight to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I would be honored to bring you into my home. Besides... I have to send my daughter away, which is the hardest thing I've ever done. Perhaps in adopting you, I can ease some of that pain."

"Adopting?" Hannah repeated. "You mean instead of just being my foster parent?"

"If you would be alright with that, yes. I would like for you to have a real home."

Hannah felt tears in her eyes. She nodded slowly before wrapping her arms around him. "I would like that very much, Principal Drew. Thank you," she said softly.

"Bradley... If you like," he said just as softly. "Or, if you'd prefer, you could call me Dad... Whatever you're comfortable with." He seemed as awkward and embarrassed as Hannah usually felt.

"Honestly, you've been more of a father to me since I started high school than anyone else ever has," Hannah told him. "You showed me kindness every time we interacted... Even when I snuck a cat into school." She grinned at him, and he smiled back fondly. "I don't mind calling you Dad."

"Speaking of that..." Cassie said. She ducked into another room and came back a minute later with the kitten in her arms. "Unlike us, this kitty belongs here... So, Hannah, would you be okay with taking care of her for us?"

Hannah's face lit up, but then she remembered it wasn't her call. "Would that be okay... Dad?" She asked nervously.

He smiled at her. "Of course it would," he replied. "You saved her life, after all."

Cassie kissed the kitten's head. "I'm going to miss you, you cute little fluffball..." She said. "And so is Lucas, even if he won't admit it."

Lucas scratched the cat behind her ears before saying, "At least we know she'll be in safe hands."

Cassie nodded. "The safest," she agreed. She handed the cat to Hannah, who snuggled her with a peaceful smile on her face.

"So, Hannah, I guess this makes us cousins," Kaylen said with a grin.

"I've never had a cousin before," Hannah said.

"Welcome to the family... You'll get used to us." In an uncharacteristically sweet gesture, Kaylen wrapped Hannah in a tight hug. For the first time since she'd lost her mother, Hannah had a family again. Finally, she felt safe. She knew in her heart that this new path she was on would be a happy one.

AUSTIN

He smiled as he watched Kaylen hug Hannah. He stayed close to Serena, knowing she needed the reassurance that he really would stand by her after they were no longer Power Rangers.

"Y'all... I just... Can I say something?" Austin asked after a minute of no one speaking.

"Of course, Austin," Lucas replied.

"What's up?" Cassie added.

"When I first moved in with Aunt Suzy, I didn't plan on doing much. I was gonna keep my head down, maybe write some great songs, and graduate high school to make her feel better. I didn't really care about anything... As far as I was concerned, I'd lost everything and there was no point to still being alive... See, I really don't talk about it, but my dad's in jail... He killed my mom, and I couldn't save her, so I was pretty sure I didn't deserve to still be here. My life didn't have a purpose anymore, because my whole childhood was about protecting her from him, and I'd failed... But then, I got detention, and I met y'all... And it changed my life... It gave me a reason to fight. It gave me friends. It gave me a family... So I just wanted to thank y'all... Especially you, Miss Cassie... For choosing me, and taking a chance on a bunch of misfit kids who no one else would have believed in."

"I couldn't have asked for a better team," Cassie said. She wrapped him in a tight hug. "I'm really going to miss you guys..."

"We're going to miss y'all, too," Austin said. He let her go. "Okay, enough with that. We came here for a reason." He didn't know how he was going to find the strength to hand over his morpher, but just like he'd told Serena, they'd all still be there for each other. Rangers or not, they were a family. That bond was strong and he knew it would never break.

LUCAS

He sighed. "He's right, Guys... It's time," he said.

"Rangers... Please bring me your morphers," Alpha said. She held the box they had originally been stored in.

Slowly, the team stepped forward. Austin went first, placing his morpher in the case. Hannah followed suit. Kaylen went next, looking a little bit lost as she let her morpher go. Serena looked devastated but determined as she placed her morpher in its slot. Lee finally placed his morpher inside as well.

"So, that's it I guess?" Serena asked. "We're not Power Rangers anymore."

Lucas shook his head. "You're retired, but you're still Power Rangers," he said firmly.

"That's right," Cassie said. "Once a Ranger, always a Ranger."

"And you are welcome to visit me," Alpha added. "I get so lonely... I have plenty of tech you can play with, Serena."

Serena brightened. "I'd like that, Alpha," she said.

"When the world needs saving, you guys might find yourselves answering the call again, " Lucas said.

"We'll see you in about three decades. We can't call you in to any battles you wouldn't have been in originally, like the Megaforce battle, or the battle to save Tommy... But I have a feeling the future holds one more fight for you guys, " Cassie added.

Lucas wrote down a date followed by the words Angel Grove. "This is where we're headed," he told Lee, handing the paper to him. "We'll see you then."

Lee nodded solemnly. "We'll be there," he vowed.

Cassie took a breath. "So, this is the part where the mentor bestows one last piece of wisdom upon the team, right? Okay..." She sighed. "Austin... You are an incredibly good kid and an awesome musician. Never stop writing songs. You'll be famous one day, I know it." She hugged him again.

"Thank you, Miss Cassie," he replied softly. He turned to Lucas. "Lucas." He tipped his hat to him and shook his hand firmly.

Lucas surprised Austin by hugging him. "I'm very proud to have known you, Austin," he said honestly. "You're an amazing young man."

"Thanks, Lucas," Austin said before stepping away from him.

"Serena..." Cassie said. "Don't ever stop believing in yourself. You are brilliant and incredibly gifted, and we would not have gotten through this fight without you. Stay exactly as you are, because you're incredible."

Serena nodded. "Thank you," she said. Then, rather awkwardly, she gave both Cassie and Lucas very quick hugs.

"You proved me wrong, Serena," Lucas said. "I really thought Cassie made a mistake with you because you're different, but it turns out that those differences are your greatest strengths. Your mind is unique, and it allowed you to see things we missed. Cassie is right. We never could have done this without you."

Serena smiled at him, but said nothing. Cassie smirked at him and put a hand to her ear. "Could you say that again? I don't think I heard you correctly," she teased him.

"You were right," Lucas said, rolling his eyes. Then, he smiled. "About Serena, and about all of them."

"Damn right I was," Cassie said with a grin. "Kaylen... Come here."

Kaylen approached them. "I don't do sappy," she said.

"That's because you're the toughest person in town," Cassie said. "You never fail to keep fighting, and you're one of the fiercest Power Rangers I've ever met. I'm really glad that we found your father and were able to help you get him back."

"The alien shapeshifter gave me back my mom, too. She wasn't manic depressive after all... He cured her from insanity caused by an evil gremlin-type creature. And none of this... None of it... Would have turned out this way if you guys hadn't changed history. So thanks," Kaylen said. She gave Cassie a quick hug. "Take care of my baby cousin."

"She'll be left in good hands, I promise," Cassie said. "You just keep kicking ass."

"Like stopping was even a possibility, I'm so sure," Kaylen said, rolling her eyes. She turned to Lucas. "Make sure Cassie stays out of trouble."

"It's my full-time job," Lucas joked.

Kaylen hugged him. Then, she turned back to Cassie. "Make sure Lucas gets into trouble every once in a while. It's good for him."

"Totally agreed," Cassie said with a laugh. Then, she looked at Hannah. "Come here, Kiddo," she said gently.

Hannah approached her after setting the cat down. "I don't want to say goodbye to you," she admitted. "You two have done so much for me."

"It's not goodbye," Cassie promised. "It's see you in a bit." She hugged her. "You've come a long way, Hannah. I am so proud of you. Never stop following your heart."

Hannah nodded. Then, she turned to Lucas as tears formed in her eyes. "You literally saved my life, and you went against everything you stood for to do it... I don't know how to thank you," Hannah said sadly.

"Live, Hannah. Your future is a blank slate. You get to choose a new destiny. Just don't waste it, and that will be thanks enough," Lucas said. He hugged her tightly. "You are so much stronger than you know." He felt tears in his own eyes. "You are everything I hoped my own little girl would have been... I'm incredibly proud of you, Hannah."

"Your little girl?" Hannah repeated.

"A very bad man took her away from me... I couldn't help her, Hannah... But helping you healed a little piece of my heart. You did more for me than you will ever know."

"I love you, Lucas. I love both of you." She hugged him tighter. "Thank you guys so much for everything."

"And, finally... Lee," Cassie said.

Lee stepped toward them. "I can't believe this is it..." He said.

"Lee, you're a natural leader. You are every bit a Scott. You rose to the occasion and completely surpassed my expectations," Cassie said. "I'm so proud of you. Oh, and... I convinced a certain principal that you and Austin have both done more than enough community service to deserve to be released from permanent detention."

"Wait, really?" Lee asked in excitement.

"Saving the world, as well as saving me, certainly qualifies," Bradley replied with a smile.

"Rad..." Lee said with a grin. "And football?"

"You're back on the team... Just, please, no more Grand Theft Mascot."

Lee grinned. "It's a deal," he said. He turned back to Cassie. "It wouldn't have been the same without you, anyway, Cassie."

"I'm going to miss spending every afternoon with you... My social life's taking a hit," Cassie said with a grin.

Lucas extended his hand to Lee. "You're one hell of a leader, Lee Scott," he told him as Lee shook his hand. "Don't ever lose that."

Lee nodded. "It's been an honor working with you, Lucas," he said.

Lucas looked at Cassie. "It's time," he said.

She sighed. "Phantom Ranger! We're ready," Cassie called.

The Phantom Ranger joined them. Bradley looked like he was going to cry as he kissed Krista's head. "Take care of her please," he said to them.

"We will," Cassie promised. She hugged him tightly. "Thanks for putting up with me as a teacher, Bradley."

"Thanks for everything, Cassie," he replied.

"I know this is impossibly hard," Lucas said soothingly, "but she'll be safe... And one day, you will see her again."

Bradley nodded. "Thank you, Lucas."

The Phantom Ranger took Krista into his arms. "I love you, my sweet Krista," Bradley said as he released her.

"You're doing the right thing," the Phantom Ranger said. He began talking to Krista in a comforting, animated tone that made her coo in excitement.

Lucas pressed the button on his communication device. "Okay, Jen. We're ready."

"See you guys soon," Cassie promised the Wildcats as Lucas opened the front door. "Take care of each other!" A spaceship appeared.

"That's our ride," the Phantom Ranger said with a grin. Together, the Phantom Ranger, Cassie, and Lucas stepped into the ship and got ready to travel through the portal to head back to the future.

CASSIE

They'd done it. They had stopped Divatox, saved the day, and not destroyed the future. Cassie should have been thrilled, but she already missed the kids. "I have to know, Lucas," she said as the Phantom Ranger focused on driving the ship. "What happens to them?" It had only been a little while, but she was already losing it wondering.

He smiled at her. "Trip sent me the details, and I knew you'd want them, so I decided to wait to read them until we were together," Lucas replied.

"How considerate!" She laughed. "Now hurry up and pull up the information."

He did. "Let's see... Lee Scott... He marries Ronnie and opens up his own Dojo. He's a community leader, constantly trying to improve things and help people. He does a lot of work for the local kids. He and Ronnie have five kids."

"Five? Damn, those Scott men are fertile!" Cassie joked. "What about Ronnie? Is she okay?"

"Veronica Savers becomes Veronica Scott, founder of a charity that helps provide resources for abused children to get help. She gets them lawyers, doctors, therapy, whatever they need, and helps place them in safe homes."

"That's amazing!" Cassie was blown away. Ronnie might have been flakey as a teenager, but apparently her experiences had changed her.

"She cites 'a high school friend' as her inspiration, and considering she named her oldest daughter Tiffani, it's clear who she means. There's also Lee Junior... LJ for short. At Lee's insistence, they named him Lee, not Leonidas. Then it's Tiffani, Rebecca, and the twins, Nikolas and Dimitri... Nik and Dimi for short. They also have two cats, a dog, and four goldfish... Okay, Trip was a little overly thorough," Lucas said with a laugh.

"Hey, goldfish are important, too," Cassie said with a laugh.

"Moving on... Hannah Ramos Drew... She married Roxy when same-sex marriage was fully legalized in 2015. Prior to that, they considered themselves married and had a public ceremony back in 1997. Hannah got a degree in psychology. She specializes in working with traumatized kids, and she helps Ronnie with the kids her charity works with. She's the charity's lead psychologist. She and Roxy adopted a little girl in 1998 named Lia. It was important to both of them to adopt a kid who might otherwise not have anyone. They also frequently foster kids until they can find safe and permanent homes for them. Roxy Savers grew up to be a music teacher."

"Right on. A girl after my own heart!" Cassie said.

"Next is Serena Wolf... It says here that even after we left, Serena continued working with Alpha on technology. She never married or had kids, but she's extremely happy. She's one of the top scientists in the world and she has invented an impressively large amount of the technology used in the future. She also created a scholarship that helps brilliant kids struggling with autism attend their dream colleges. She got herself officially diagnosed in 1996 and now she speaks at schools to reach out and inspire kids who are 'different.'"

"I'm so proud of her," Cassie said.

"So am I," Lucas agreed. "Okay, next... Kaylen Carter runs a program called Tough Girls that teaches girls to 'embrace their inner warriors' through sports and Martial Arts. She teaches the baseball classes herself. She's won several awards for youth outreach. She married Austin."

Cassie grinned. "They're really cute together," she said.

"They have two kids... A daughter named Connie and a son named Cameron. Connie's the tougher one. She takes after her mother."

"What about her family?"

"Gavin and Nancy Carter are currently growing old together. They're happy, and Nancy never had a relapse of the Manic Depression or psychosis... Laby really did cure her. Bradley Drew has been a community advocate for years. He's retired, but still actively involved in community affairs. He never married... He remains an active part of Hannah's life and walked her down the aisle both times she married Roxy. Claire grew up to be a brilliant surgeon. She's also a bit of a politician. She never married, but she has a daughter."

"And Austin?"

"Austin Carter-"

"Austin Carter?" Cassie repeated.

"When he married Kaylen, he took her name. He wanted a fresh start to prove to himself that he'd never turn into his father. Anyway, he's a chart-topping country music star. He makes tons of money and gives the bulk of it away to domestic violence charities."

"Badass... Who else's files do you have?"

"The Rebels... Labyrinth's off the grid. He hasn't been seen since the slaughter. B'Danna's alive and well and living in New York. Draze was killed this year, while we were in 1989. He and B'Danna participated in an attack on the Eltarian Counsel... Draze took a bullet for B'Danna."

Cassie was surprisingly sad. "He wasn't a bad kid," she said. "And with how close they were, I understand why he saved her." She shook her head. "And that last file?"

"I didn't even notice that," Lucas admitted. He clicked on it. "Nina Brooks..." He said softly.

"Hannah's foster sister?"

"Yeah... She's alive. She got back in touch with Hannah when she was eighteen. They're close... And she's..." He smiled.

"She's what?" Cassie asked.

"She's a police officer... She stated that she became one because she wanted to save people like a policeman saved her big sister..."

"Is she happy?"

"Yes... And she's married with kids. She's okay... They all are."

They arrived in 2002. "This is your stop, Little One," the Phantom Ranger said. "I'm going to leave her where my past self is. He'll get her where she needs to be, in the correct time line." He excused himself to drop Krista off.

"And... What does the future hold for us, Lucas?" Cassie asked when they were alone.

Lucas pulled her closer to him and kissed her. "Hopefully, more of that," he said softly.

Cassie grinned at him. "I'd like that," she said. She kissed him again. They barely broke apart before the Phantom Ranger returned.

"Krista is safe," he promised. "Zell won't find her until she is destined to face him."

"Great... Now, let's go home," Lucas said.

Cassie smiled. "Since when is my time home to you?" She asked.

"Since it's where you are," Lucas replied.

The Phantom Ranger laughed affectionately. "You two are good for each other," he said.

"Who would have ever guessed, right?" Cassie asked with a laugh. "Come on. I am so ready to go back."

"Present Day Angel Grove, coming up!" The Phantom Ranger said cheerfully.

It didn't seem to take long for them to arrive. As they exited the ship, they were greeted by a familiar voice. "It's about time," Kira said. "Points for the flashy entrance, by the way. I like the ship."

"Kira!" Cassie cried with delight. She flung her arms around her.

"Welcome back, guys... There's a lot you need to catch up on... Especially you, Cassie..." Kira seemed to be holding something back.

"But first," a new voice said, "food." Kira's boyfriend Dustin, of Ninja Storm, stood before them. He offered up several boxes of pizza. "Jen sent a message that you guys would arrive around now, and we figured you might be hungry."

"Goddamn, I missed you, Dustin," Cassie said with a laugh. She was starving.

"So did I," Lucas agreed. He hugged both Kira and Dustin.

"Who's your friend?" Kira asked.

"That's the Phantom Ranger," Cassie explained.

"Dude, where were you? I tried to call you in for the big battle," Kira said.

"I was stuck in 1989, being held against my will by a group of Eltarian Rebels," the Phantom Ranger said casually. "My apologies, Kira. I'm here now, though."

"Good," Kira said. "We could use the help. Make yourselves at home, guys. I'll let everyone know you made it back safely." She walked away.

"Is she okay?" Cassie asked. "She seems really stressed out."

"A lot happened while you were gone, guys... But it can wait," Dustin said. "For now, just adjust to being back and know we're really glad to have you all here."

Cassie knew something big was coming, but it could be any number of things. She chose to focus on what she knew. They'd accomplished their mission. The kids all turned out okay. The Phantom Ranger and Dimitria were safe. Most of all, they'd made it back safely, and the future still lay ahead of them. Cassie looked at Lucas and smiled. Sure, she'd lost TJ and thought she was completely alone in the world, but as it turned out, she wasn't. Lucas might be a pain in her ass, but he was also her rock. Together, they'd accomplished something she'd thought was impossible, and she knew that as long as he was with her, they could do anything. Whatever was coming, they'd face it together, and they'd win.

She raised her can of soda to Lucas and clinked it against his. The Phantom Ranger joined in. She smiled as she proclaimed, "Onto the next adventure!"

THE END.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks for reading! I hope you guys enjoyed this story. If you want to see more of the Wildcats and find out what happens back in the present, check out Chosen Legacy. I promise you'll get to see the Wildcats all grown up, as well as baby Krista and Amareese's son Lachlan... You'll also get to see B'Danna and some of the other Eltarians... Finally, if you want to find out what happens to Laby, you're in luck... He'll be playing a pretty big role in that story. I'm really excited to see where things are headed.

Thanks again to everyone who has taken this journey with me. I look forward to completing the final story from this universe soon. It's all coming together! See you soon, my radical readers.