"I can't believe it," Kelsey whispered as she, Ryan and Chad sat in silence in the mess hall of the aqua base. "She's really gone. What's worse..."

Ryan nodded, knowing well what the yellow Ranger was about to say. "They'll help him. Even if he is an ass sometimes, Joel's one of us. Angela's already called in the best medical doctor in the city." He glanced at Chad. "He'll pull through, he has to."

"What about Kendrix?" Chad asked somberly. "She's completely vanished, not even that jerk MacKnight's people can find her. It's almost as if she's disappeared from the face of the planet." He sighed again, shaking his head as his own doubts began to surface. "Without her, we're nothing. Kendrix was the core of this team."

Deep in Skull Castle, Bansheera's ghostly imaged glared at Vypra and Loki. "You failed again, both of you! Not only that, the power given to Thundax from Impus was wasted, Vypra!"

Vypra's eyes went wide, while Loki, Diabolico, and Dara stared at her in horror. "My Lady, I-"

"Silence!" Bansheera's voice echoed through the chamber, and as silence fell, she continued. "Since Impus still lives and is even now recovering, I will let your exploiting of his gifts slide. However, the loss of such an empowered demon, I cannot excuse! Explain how this happened!"

Vypra winced in memory at the battle, then shook her head. "Loki and I were not with Thundax, so I cannot offer explanation as to how he was lost."

"Well," Diabolico spat as he finally spoke up. "I can." He turned to Bansheera and bowed slightly. "What happened has confirmed beyond any doubt what I said about their leader. The Pink Ranger indeed was the Ranger of Heart, and she still carries the powers of the Sabers in her." With a slight turn as he began to pace, the demon general continued. "Her powers seem to respond to her rage, as a sort of primal instinct. She is completely turned into a wild animal when those powers are active, which suggests that she has very little control over her...primal form."

"And your plan to corrupt her to our side?"

With a sigh, Diabolico shook his head in dismay. "She has vanished from Earth, I'm afraid. She seems to have taken the wounding of her companion very personal, thus, she has abandoned the human project. Where she has gone, I do not know."

"Find her," the spectral form ordered. "If she can be turned, then your failures will be ignored. If she cannot be turned, then destroy her, for someone like that is too powerful to be our enemy."

Exodus

"Shuttle flight 2257, inbound from Earth, now arriving."

The space port on Miradon was packed with people both arriving and leaving. Ever since Terra Venture's residents had contacted the planet's neighbors and gotten help in constructing their own home, they had also discovered how to open subspace gates that allowed near instantaneous travel to and from Earth. The trade and touristing had become a boon to the colony, resulting in transgalactic flights becoming a daily thing.

The most recent arrival from Earth finally let off its passengers, one of them sighing deeply as she walked into the port. Kendrix was tired, from the flight, and from everything she had endured; coming here was the only thing she could think of to get away from her pain. It was the only place left to go.

"Kendrix?"

Blinking, she looked to see the young brunette form of Ma'aya walking over to greet her. "Ma'aya, didn't know you guys were going to show up so early."

The girl sighed and took hold of the single bag Kendrix was carrying. "Come on, Mike's waiting outside the crowd." It didn't take telepathics for Ma'aya to know that Kendrix was extremely upset. She had too much respect for the woman to probe about though.

As they walked out of the port, Kendrix smiled a bit to see Michael Corbett waiting beside a sleek car. The man nodded and helped pack her bag in the back before getting into the driver's seat when they all got in. "Thanks for picking me up."

"You sounded horrible when you sent us that vid-mail," Mike replied softly. He started up the car and carefully maneuvered his way out of the spaceport. "When Stanton heard you were going to come back here, he got the trip covered as soon as he could."

Kendrix managed a soft laugh. Robert Stanton was always one to help out his friends whenever needed. Having her ticket covered by him was quite a save on her own resources. "Remind me to thank him for it."

Mike nodded as he drove towards the large city not far from the port. "So, how go things back on Earth? Lightspeed break through with your help?" He soon saw the pained look in Kendrix's eyes and decided not to press anymore. "Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have-"

"It's alright, you didn't know," she stated, fighting back the tears. "We got the project working, Earth has its own homegrown Ranger powers now. I...was part of the team." With a sigh, she shook her head and attempted to put a smile back on. "It's good to be home though with you guys. By the way, where's Matt? I thought he would have been with you two to pick me up."

Mike glanced at Ma'aya with a worried look in his eyes, then back at Kendrix. "Matt...wasn't able to make it. Things have happened, he couldn't join us."

"Is he alright?"

Mike sighed as he looked at Ma'aya again. "I think you better tell her."

Kendrix looked back and forth between the two, confused on what was going on. "Is Matt okay? Why wasn't he at the port with you guys?"

"Matt's vanished," Ma'aya stated. Her voice said that she didn't know what had happened herself. "No note, no message, nothing. He and Alpha have been working on a new Megaship since you left, but about two weeks ago, they vanished without a trace." She looked down and held her hands across her stomach before sighing again. "I haven't been able to sense him since then. There's been no engine trails found leaving Miradon either except the ones from the shuttles. No one can find any sign of him."

"What about-"

"Andros and Ashely haven't seen him either," Mike stated, knowing exactly what Kendrix was about to ask. "Triforia, Aquitar, no one's seen any trace of him or Alpha. If he's out in space, he does not want to be found. It's got us all worried sick."

"Very much." Ma'aya rubbed her stomach again, giving Kendrix the impression something else was going on.

"Ma'aya? Did something..." She paused. It wasn't really her business to pry, but Matt and Ma'aya were like siblings to her. "Something happen before he left? Something that's gonn'a be a bit obvious soon?"

One look, and Kendrix knew all she needed to. Ma'aya turned forward as no one said anything more. The rest of the drive was quiet, the only sound coming from Mike's CD player. Kai and Damon were waiting as Mike pulled up to a rather high-tech house, the looks on their faces indicating that they too were just as worried about Matt's where-abouts as Mike and Ma'aya.

"Welcome back, Kendrix."

"Thanks." Kendrix managed a smile as she got her bag from the car trunk and followed everyone inside. She sighed and set her bag down, then looked at her fellow former Rangers. "I think I do owe you guys an explanation of why I came back."

"Kendrix, it's your own reasons," Kai stated with concern. "If you don't want to talk about it-"

Kendrix shook her head. "No, you deserve to know what happened." She sat down and took a deep breath. "We managed to get Lightspeed's morphing technology working, none too soon. Earth is under assault by demons, and Lightspeed is the only agency on the planet with a Ranger task force. I'm the team commander."

"So why'd you come back here?"

With a sigh, Kendrix continued. "I'll skip all the long details...I screwed up." Her blunt statement definitely got utter silence from her friends. Kendrix rubbed her head before going on. "I gave an order, and it has probably cost our Green Ranger his life. Joel was being taken to intensive care when I left, he's probably dead by now, and it's my fault."

"Kendrix..." Kai shook his head. None of this was good for Kendrix at all. "You can't blame yourself for everything. God knows if Matt blamed himself for every time one of us got hurt, he'd have gone off the deep end long ago."

"Then why did he vanish?"

For over a minute, no one said anything. The truth was, no one knew where Matt had gone, why he had disappeared, or if he was even still alive now. Ma'aya most of all hardly even let out a sound breath before she got up and left. Kendrix knew that she had gone past a rather thin line with that remark.

I'm sorry," she whispered softly. "I shouldn't have said that...but I've just been a screw up lately. I'm not so sure I'm even going to go back to Earth."

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Captain Mitchell was reading a stack of papers intently when Angela Fairweather tapped on the door to his office. He looked up, then nodded for her to enter. "Been reading your report on how things are doing with testing. You sure it's almost ready?"

A nod. "We just need to do final testing with a human subject to work out any bugs," Angela stated with a smile. "Also, Joel's been stabilized, and we've brought him out of critical condition. We've got him moved to a bacta tank to deal with the more major injuries, but it is going to be touch and go for a few more days."

Mitchell nodded with approval. It was then that he looked out the viewport and into the depths of the ocean. "Do you think she'll come back?"

"Major Morgan?" Fairweather bit her lip when Mitchell nodded. "To be honest, I'm not sure anymore. There's a lot we didn't know about her until just now. Hell, there's still a lot we don't know about her time on Terra Venture."

"A Power Ranger, right under our very noses." Mitchell chuckled slightly before glancing back at Angela. "It explains quite a bit. Whatever she decides, I don't hold it against her. Most people would have gone mad after all she's been through. Invasion, massacres...hell, she's even been through death if what she told Ryan is true." He sighed with resign. "I know I would have snapped after most of that."

"I'm not so sure she didn't snap," Angela remarked. She took a seat and shook her head before continuing. "Sir, all due respect to Kendrix, she's been acting extremely aggressive lately, the incident was Joel was probably the last end of it. Have you seen what she's like in that, rage state of hers?"

Mitchell nodded, then pointed to the screen on the wall that was displaying the last battle, recorded by Ryan's helmet cam. "She's like a vicious animal, completely without limits or anything to hold her back." Again, he sighed. "We may need the new changer in action sooner than planned. Find a test subject, but make sure there are safeguards. I don't want a repeat of what happened to Daniel Onei."

Angela finally cracked a smile as she got up and nodded. "I'll get right on it."

His companion gone, Mitchell looked down at a photo of him, Ryan, Carter and Kendrix standing in front of a prototype Pyro-1. That had been taken just before the incident that had cost a young boy his life, all because Mitchell had indeed made a bad judgement call. Back when Ryan still acknowledge his father with respect.

"I'm not sure we have enough force without you, Major."

Late in the night, a flash appeared in the darkened halls of the aqua base. Vypra and Dara looked about in caution as they formed, the latter readying her sword. "You know the plan," she stated. "Find information on all projects the Rangers are doing, then get out."

"I know what to do, whelp," Vypra snapped, wandering off into the corridors of the base. Despite her stonic expression, she was feeling quite weakened by the mere presence of so much water around the base. "I say this is a waste of time, we could easily be..."

Sensing a familiar energy, Vypra turned towards a sealed lab. With a flick of her wrist, the locks unlatched and the door slid open, allowing her access into the room. She smiled as she saw some kind of box like device sitting in a glass case. "Well well," she muttered. "What do we have-"

"Freeze!"

She swore in her demonic language, turning to find herself blocked off by several heavily armed troops. There was no way to keep up this little "mission", not now. "Out of my way!" the demoness bellowed as she flung out a blast from her hand. The distraction was enough to let her vanish in a burst of flames, leaving the soldiers to stare at where she had been in confusion.

Dara, hiding in the shadows, also cursed at the situation before following Vypra back to Skull Castle. "What happened?" she asked of Vypra, trying to keep her tone controlled.

"They had a warning, something that let them know I was there!" The older demoness growled as she walked into the throne room. "Lady Bansheera, I apologize for our failure, but-"

"Your excuses are not needed, I don't hold you at fault," the disembodied essence stated, then glanced towards Diabolico. "This was the result of failure in foreplanning."

"I get the message," he replied as he bowed. Diabolico glared over at Vypra, then walked to Dara and took her aside. "Something doesn't smell right," he whispered to his daughter. "There should have been nothing to compromise the mission."

"It does seem odd that they found Vypra, yet not me," Dara agreed as she looked to the older demoness. "Something warned them that we were coming, but why did they only detect her?"

With a frown, Diabolico looked back to Vypra. "I'm not sure yet." He turned to face his daughter. "We will worry about it later, right now, we have a job to do." Diabolico walked out of the throne room, Dara behind him. He had to make up for the failure of this mission, and he had to do it fast.

Early the next morning, Mitchell had expected to be checking up on the remaining Rangers as they kept up their training. Instead, he found himself being faced with three very demoralized soldiers, and he knew the reason. However, he also knew that he couldn't let it deprive Mariner Bay of its protectors.

"Why, may I ask, are you all just sulking about?"

Ryan's eyes went narrow and cold at those words. "You know damn well that we can't go on, not at only three able to do anything and with one of us in recovery."

"And I suppose you've decided to forget that Major Morgan has not returned," Mitchell added. Even he hated to make such a harsh comment, but it was a truth that had to be pressed. "Or is that fact such that, while you remember it, it's not of much importance."

"How can you-"

Mitchell raised his hand to silence Ryan. "Look, I'm sorry, but it has to be said. With or without Kendrix, you still have a duty to this city to be ready. I know, Joel is still recovering, but he is going to live, and in time, will be able to resume his duty as Lightspeed Green. However, you three must keep in preparation."

Ryan snarled. He had been having a severe dislike for his father, but being lectured once again by the man was too much. "Do you even care about us?!" he shouted. It was loud enough that everyone in the mess hall stopped and stared in shock. "Do you even care that we're also just human?! We're not Power Rangers, Captain, we don't have the same power they did! We don't have enhanced healing, we don't have superhuman abilities, and we don't have mystic powers to imbue us! When is it going to sink in to your messed up brain that we're just normal humans?!"

The captain narrowed his eyes. "Ryan," he began, then took a seat and let out a breath. "Look, I know you've all been under a lot since Kendrix left. But you have to accept that she may not come back. However, Joel is going to recover. I know that you're only human, but you're not like normal humans. You have the gift to use these powers beyond what the people trained to use them could." He finally smiled. "If that isn't extraordinary ability, I don't know what is."

"Luck is more like it," Kelsey remarked dejectedly. "Captain, Ryan's right. We're only human, and as much as you try to think otherwise, it's all we are. That doesn't mean we're quitting, just...see it from our end."

Mitchell nodded, signaling that all too well did he understand. "I know, which is why I am going to ease up on the training. The same will go for Joel when he recovers, we'll ease him back into things, I promise. However, you three do have your own work to do."

"Hate to admit," Ryan quipped, "but the old man is right, we need to be ready. Might as well get our minds off our problems."

Kelsey could not help but break a smile. "Yeah, Kendrix would be really pissed if we weren't up to par when she comes back," she said, not admitting to the fact that Kendrix might not be coming back.

"My shinobi techniques could use some more work as well," Chad added, trying to keep in lightening the mood.

Mitchell, as he smiled, stood up and nodded. "That's the spirit. Get to deck five, you'll get your new training schedule there."

"We'll talk later Captain," Ryan added before walking out, indicating that he did still have some things to say to Mitchell.

"I look forward to it," the captain replied sarcastically.

Back on Miradon, the former Delta Rangers were very worried about Kendrix. She had become very quite reclusive since their initial conversation. She choose to go to bed and get some rest. The others wanted to follow her and continue to try to comfort her, but they knew they had to let her be alone for a while. It what she wanted right now. When she was ready to talk, then she would, but not before then.

Ma'aya looked at the door. She agreed with the others, but she was afraid she was going to lose her best friend like she had lost her soul mate. No, Matt wasn't gone, he was just missing. He would be back. Wherever he was, he had his reasons for what he did. Even after Ma'aya had gotten so close to him, Matt always remained his own odd man out, even as leader of the Delta Rangers. He always did things on his own when the reason was good enough, and despite how well he had bonded with his team, he was still just as mysterious as when they had all first met. Part of him would always be alone in his burden, to be the Chosen One until the day he died.

"Are you are alright, girl?" Damon asked, walking over to make his own check on Kendrix. "You haven't moved in like an hour."

She turned slightly, the look on her face one of sadness. "I'm worried," she replied softly. "About Kendrix...and about Matt."

Damon smiled. "Hey, don't you worry about that lone wolf, Matt will come back. And Kendrix will get through her own trouble. She's been through death, she can get through this."

"I know Matt can take care of himself," Ma'aya stated, but the look on her face told that she could not help but worry. "So can Kendrix. I still can't help it though."

"Do all Miradon females get like this when carrying a package?" he cracked. Ma'aya glanced at him in confusion, then groaned with a smile and lightly swatted him in the side of his head. "What, I'm just asking."

"I'll make sure Matt talks to you when he gets back," she muttered. "In the meantime, I need to get started on dinner." She brushed past her friend and headed towards the kitchen area of the house.

In truth, it really wasn't the best time to think about a party or such, but she knew that they all needed to cheer up, especially herself. Ever since Matt had vanished without a trace, her friends, both Terran and Miradonian, had actively been trying to keep her spirits up. Mike was usually there, trying to stay cheerful, but he had left earlier to start his shift in the ECD main bunker. If he had been there, he would be the one handling dinner and trying to liven things up.

Mike had become like a big brother to Ma'aya ever since she became involved with Matt. He was probably the one keeping them all together after Matt's disappearance. Without her friends, Ma'aya knew she would not have been able to handle the boy's departure so well. But right now, even Mike's usual antics could not help lift the mood. Kendrix was severely down and being alone in a room would not cheer her up. Ma'aya just wished Matt was there to find some way to cheer Kendrix. He always had a way with the woman.

In her bed, Kendrix had fallen asleep in her shame. Wondering why she had been given a second chance at life only to fail the people that needed her the most. If it weren't for her, Joel would not have been so badly injured, and would probably be still making those escapes to flower shops. She had to admit, she was starting to miss Joel's excuses to leave a mission more than ever. Now, he might not even be alive anymore, unable to make lame pick-up lines at Angela again. Despite his antics, Joel was a good man deep down, and did in fact care about what he was doing.

Who had she been to question his dedication to the project? Joel proved how dedicated he was time and time over by not quitting, but because she had pushed him, he was probably dead now. How could she live with herself, knowing she let so many people die. First the original Lightspeed Rangers, now Joel.

As her mind drifted in sleep, memories began to flash. She could remember being dragged out of that ditch by Matt only moments before the proximity mine went off, going to Miradon and, chosen by Matt, pulling the Saber of Heart from the Stone of Ages and transforming into the Pink Ranger for the first time.

But it didn't stop there. All the battles against Scorpius and his forces, fighting at her friends' sides. All the good time they had together made her remember that even with the threat, they had things to believe in. How Matt was able to keep them together and follow his fated destiny at the same time was still beyond Kendrix's understanding. The poor boy had been through so much pain in his life, pain that no one should have been forced to carry at that young age.

And then, she could remember what started it all for both of them. The attack on NASADA so many years ago, led by Darkonda that resulted in the tragic death of Matt's own father, Nathan Corbett. She had planned back then to tell Matt herself, but he had been nowhere to be found, just like now. So many moments of deja vu these days.

And then, the most horrifying memory she had. When Psycho Pink had found the Sword of Damock and used it to drain power from Cassie, the Pink Astro Ranger, Kendrix had been forced to give up her own life in exchange for stopping the Sword's violent energy storm. It had been over in a short moment of pain once the Sword was destroyed, but remembering the horror on her fellow Rangers' faces, especially Matt's...

Flashes of Zodon burst through her mind, images of Karone, who she chose, even in death, to carry on, allowing the Delta Rangers to continue their fight. Watching from the afterlife as Matt fought Trakeena, and in the end, brought Karak to his redemption. She had met the noble warrior's soul after he gave his life in the battle with Trakeena. It was because of him that Kendrix realized Matt's gift to reach the good in anyone. And then, the Sabers, returned to the Stone of Ages on Miradon, had brought her back in repayment of her selflessness. It was on Miradon that she had been reunited with her friends, a reunion that they thought could not end.

But it wasn't to be. Kendrix, as the one person other than Matt who had the knowledge of morphing technology, had been sent back to Earth to aid the Lightspeed project. When she had first arrived, it had been a mess, with the project years, possibly decades away from its goal. Her arrival to the project had been, in Mitchell's own words, "help from God". With the help of Fairweather and Mitchell she was able to get them back on track and, using Matt's Digimorpher, created a way to harness the powers for human use and put together a ranger team. But what good was it when that team died on their first mission, only to be replaced by civilians, one of whom was possibly dead now? Kendrix couldn't bear it anymore. She couldn't bear to see anymore of people get hurt because of her.

"It's not your fault," call a soft familiar voice in her mind.

Back at the aqua base, Kendrix wasn't the only one having nightmares. Chad tossed and turned fitfully. Images and faces continued to flash in his mind, images of people he knew, and the face of Diabolico laughing at him. And then, the memories of long ago, when he lived far in the east, before he had come to Mariner Bay.

"You must come with me..."

"I wish I could, brother," Chad replied. "But I need to stay here. Grandfather told us to remain and study until the ancient warrior returns."

The figure in his memories turned. Dressed in garb similar to that Chad had worn as the Blue Shogun, the face was that of Chao, the original Blue Lightspeed Ranger. "The ancient warrior!" he spat angrily. "Chad, by the time the ancient warrior returns, we could all be dead! You sensed it, brother. I sensed it. Even Grandfather can sense it! Evil is coming and unless we get ready to fight it, we're all dead!"

"We are preparing," Chad replied with a steady face. "You know that all our lives, we've been training for his return, just as our forefathers have."

Chao snorted in disgust and turned to face out towards the sea. "Our preparations are outdated and a waste of time. You know this is true, Chad, why can't you see that?!"

"Because Grandfather has been right thus far," the younger brother stated with confidence. "And our grandfather is wise."

"Yet our father died because he followed grandfather's ways!" Chao snapped back. He saw that Chad had no way to counter the fact there. "This is pointless," the young man muttered. "It is your decision alone. I know where my path lies, and it lies with Lightspeed."

Chad narrowed his eyes at the mention of Lightspeed. "Chao, how can you be sure that this American project can fight the evil?" he asked. "I know that their commander means well, but..."

"I told you Chad," Chao replied with a smile. "I sense they are close to taping into the power of the ancient hero himself. They're creating Rangers, Chad, Rangers! Surely, even grandfather can not deny the might of Power Rangers!"

"Yes," Chad agreed. "He cannot deny the power they have...but the Rangers Lightspeed would create are not true Power Rangers, and neither are we, we both know this!"

Chao again gave a groan of disappointment. "What I know," he stated harshly, "is that a great evil is awakening, and that it won't wait for the ancient warrior's return. Lightspeed has to stand in his place, they're the only ones who can, and I intend to help them as one of their Rangers."

"I am sorry you feel this way, anaki," Chad stated, breathing deeply and letting out a sigh. "I will miss you"

"As I you," Chao replied. He turned to walk away, then tilted his head back towards his brother. "Tell Grandfather that even though we disagree, I still love him. Hopefully I'll be back with reinforcements when the final battle comes."

For months after that, Chad had felt nothing wrong. He receive letters from his brother that Lightspeed was making leaps and bounds with the aid of another new arrival, a scientist from the colony deep in space. But then, he had felt a sharp and massive tearing of pain, but then nothing. No word came from his brother, until a letter arrived. Not one from Chao, but from the commanding officer of Lightspeed, informing Chao's family that he was dead.

Chad refused to believe it. His brother couldn't be dead, Chao was much stronger than that. He had gone, with his grandfather's blessing to make his way into Mariner Bay and find out what happened. What he learned was that Chao was indeed dead, and that he had been right; the great evil had awakened, and the ancient warrior had not returned. Lightspeed indeed was all that stopped between the demons and their goal of destroying Earth. Now, he had taken up the mantle of the Blue Ranger, and he had to attain his revenge...

Loki stood guard outside the door to his brother's chambers. Diabolico was inside, meditating, and to make sure no one disturbed him, Loki had taken it upon himself to stand watch. After their last defeat, he knew Vypra would try something undermine Diabolico and himself to reassert herself in the Grand Dame's eyes.

Dara had been wandering about looking for her father. She had finally recovered in full from the battle days before and was eager to see what her father had planned to gain favor with Bansheera. She was becoming very worried now that the queen would banish them all for their failures if they didn't produce enough results. When she came to her private chambers, she saw Loki guarding the door she sensed that Diabolico was behind.

"I can't let you go any farther, my niece."

Dara frowned. "Uncle Loki, I have to talk to him, it's urgent."

"I am sorry," Loki replied with a regretful look on his face. "Your father is mediating, and it is very important he focuses on our mission, you know that. Besides, you should be resting and recovering from your wounds."

She smiled and rubbed her still bruised arm. "I'm fine, uncle. Except for a few bruises, I'm fully recovered. But that's not why I need to speak with father. Bansheera is losing faith in us, we have to do something before that witch Vypra tries to use this to her advantage."

At mention of the demoness' name, Loki growled low in contempt. "I share your worries, niece...but we must trust Diabolico. He knows of our Dame's lack of faith, that is why he is meditating so hard; he must find that pink Ranger. Her heart is full of vengeful emotion, I have seen it my self."

"He seeks to bring her over," Dara noted, knowing her father's plans. "I do have faith in my father and I know he will regain favor with the queen soon enough. I still worry about Vypra though."

"As do I," Loki agreed. "As do I..."

Their conversation ended when Diabolico came out of the room. Dara gasped to see his face after so much work; it seemed to be taking a more human form, something which should not have been. The three demons had long ago shed their mortal shells to reveal their true selves, only Vypra had not conquered her body. "Father, are you-"

"I'm fine," he stated calmly. "Just a side effect of using so much power, it will pass. However, we have other matters to worry about. Namely, the Pink Ranger."

"Did you find her?" Loki asked with anticipation.

Diabolico gave no definite answer. "Perhaps," he finally said, then gestured for his brother and daughter to follow him. "Come, we have work to do."

Even as the three walked down the halls, Vypra looked from behind a corner. Her eyes narrowed at what she had heard, not at all liking Diabolico's progress. "Damn him," she hissed. "If he captures that Ranger, he'll redeem himself in Bansheera's eyes. I can't let him do it."

The next morning started somewhat as normal in the aqua base. The remaining Rangers gathered in the mess hall for breakfast as they always did. It was usually a time spent talking and relieving stress before the day's long trials and potential grueling battles set in. But this day was, as the last few days preceding it, very somber. Despite Mitchell's own attempts to raise morale, they couldn't bring themselves out of the massive depression they all had fallen into. And it all was connected to Kendrix's disappearance. How could they now get along without her, especially now that they knew she was once a Power Ranger?

"Any word on Joel?" Kelsey asked, breaking the tense silence.

"Not much," Ryan replied. "Doctor Fairweather said he's out of the bacta tanks, but still no word on when he's going to regain consciousness." The man sighed. "Hopefully, he can pull out of it."

Kelsey looked around, noticing that someone in their reduced group was missing, In fact, he had never arrived. "Hey, where's Chad? He should be here by now."

Ryan gave a puzzled look, then saw that Kelsey was right, Chad wasn't there, nor had he shown up earlier. He tapped the com switch on his Changer while keying up Chad's frequency. "Chad, this is Ryan, you read?"

Nothing. No reply came from the tiny speaker on the device. Ryan again tapped the com switch. "Chad, you read me?" he repeated, but when no answer came, he glanced to Kelsey with dread. "Something's not right about this."

Both bolted from the mess hall and to the main bridge where Mitchell was staring at the screen. "Captain!" Ryan called as they arrived. "Something's wrong, Chad's gone."

"Tell me something I don't know," Mitchell replied sharply, then looked to one of the crew. "Any sign of the Changer's signal in the tunnels?"

"None sir," the corporal replied. "Internal scanners don't show it anywhere in the complex or within a five mile radius."

Mitchell cursed softly, then turned to Ryan and Kelsey. "Did either of you see him earlier this morning before he vanished?"

"No sir," Kelsey replied. "I didn't even realize he was missing until we noticed he never showed up for breakfast."

"Captain!" came a cry. Mitchell and the Rangers turned towards the main screen while one of the crew stood up from his station. "We've got hostiles in the city!"

"Picking up the Blue Changer's signal sir!" another crewman added. he tapped on his station's console and brought up a holographic map detailing the exact location. "He's already out there, sir."

Mitchell turned to Ryan. "What the hell is going on," he muttered, walking past his son while pacing. It was then that it hit him, realizing why, when they had met, Chad looked so familiar. "Oh my god, that's who he wants revenge for."

Turning to Ryan and Kelsey, Mitchell had an expression of panic in his eyes. "You have to get out there, Chad is possibly on a suicide mission!"

Kelsey nodded and ran, but Ryan held back. "What's this about?" he asked. "Who is Chad trying to avenge?"

Mitchell was silent for a moment before finally deciding to tell Ryan. "His brother," the captain stated. "Chad is the brother of Chao Lee, the original Blue Ranger. He's gone AWOL so he can get revenge on the demons for killing Chao."

Ryan didn't wait any longer before bolting down the corridor after Kelsey. His father was right, Chad had gone on a suicide mission of vengeance now. And if they didn't hurry, he would only be joining his brother in death.