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�Thanks for the workout, Dad,� said Jay, helping the older man to his feet.

�It was a pleasure,� said Tommy, then paused and added with a groan. �I think.�

�You okay?�

�I've been better,� Tommy admitted. �But I've been a lot worse. I'll be fine in an hour or two.�

�As long as you're sure...�

�I am,� Tommy said, �Same time next weekend?�

�Sounds good,� agreed Jay.

�Any plans for today?� Tommy asked.

�I've gotta do some chores for Mom this morning,� Jay told him. �Then I'm heading into town after lunch. Crys has a gig at Cyberspace this afternoon and the gang's gonna be there to show support.�

�Enjoy yourself and wish her luck for me, yeah?�

�Thanks, Dad.�

----

Several hours later, Jay was riding down the main road into town when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. �Something's wrong...�

At that moment, several crescents of energy flew from a clump of bushes at the side of the road and exploded around him.

�Sometimes, I hate being right!� said Jay, turning his bike into a sliding stop to avoid a second salvo. Once the bike had slowed to a stop, he hopped off it, removed his helmet and scanned the bushes. �Hey Skullface... I've heard of road rage, but this is ridiculous!�

�Are you ready to face me, Red Ranger?� asked Bossu, emerging from the bushes and pointing his sword at Jay.

�Actually, can I pass on that?� Jay asked. �I've already had a workout this morning.�

�Impudent wretch!� growled Bossu. �Prepare to die!�

�Didn't think so,� said Jay. He looked around briefly to check the coast was clear of civilians then shifted into position. The Drage Morpher materialised on his wrist, and he activated it. �Dino Thunder, Power Up!�

�Die!� Bossu bellowed, then charged his sword and sent another wave at Jay.

Jay summoned his shield and used it to block the attack. �I've learned a few new tricks since we first met!�

�That won't matter!� said Bossu, and charged at Jay, swinging his sword in a brutal arc straight for the young Ranger's head.

Jay was expecting the attack and managed to narrowly avoid it by ducking. �That is not nice!� he said, then jabbed at Bossu with the pointed tip of the shield.

The skeletal samurai staggered backwards, giving Jay a little maneuvering room. He quickly exchanged his shield for his sabers. �Thundermax Sabers... Laser Mode!� he declared. �Now it's your turn!�

�I don't think so!� Bossu retorted, blasting Jay again.

Jay dodged to one side, firing several salvoes at Bossu. Most either detonated around the samurai, or were blocked by his blade. But two beams eventually struck him in the shoulder and side. He groaned in pain, but appeared undaunted and launched two more attacks at Jay, demolishing the tree he had hid behind. �You can't defeat me, Red Ranger! I'm too strong for you!�

He's right, thought Jay as he ducked behind a large boulder. I can't take him alone, not yet anyway, and I don't have time to wait for the others. What can I do though? Maybe... He eyed his twin lasers. It's worth a shot.

He locked his two lasers together into their shotgun mode, then after peeking around his cover to figure out where his opponent had got to, he jumped out of cover, and yelled, �Thundermax Blaster... Fire!�

A crimson energy ball spat from the weapon's barrel and slammed into Bossu, causing him to fall backwards. He remained on the ground for a few seconds, but then got up still steaming. �I'll be back, Red Ranger! And when I return... I shall destroy you, once and for all!� A portal opened and the samurai disappeared into it. Once he was through, it closed again.

�Whoa, that was intense...� said Jay. �Power Down!�

At that command, his Ranger uniform dissolved in a crackle of electricity and his civilian clothes reappeared. After a moment's search, he located his motorcycle which appeared none the worse for its rough treatment. Then he started it up and continued on his way into town.

----

�Are you okay?� Kendrix asked Jay as he entered the Cyberspace ten minutes later. �You look a little frazzled.�

�I'm fine, Ken,� Jay assured her, slipping into the empty chair beside her. �Our 'skull-faced friend' caught up with me on the way over and we had a brief 'philosophical discussion'.�

�Did you come to any agreement?� asked Tony, who sat opposite them.

�I almost had him persuaded, but unfortunately, he had somewhere he had to be,� Jay admitted, �I've told Sammy, she's promised to let me know if he wants to continue our discussion.�

�Crys is starting!� Will told them, and the four teens fell silent and listened intently, pausing only to occasionally take a sip of their drinks.

Halfway through the third set, Jay's comlink beeped loudly, he stood up and headed for a secluded corner, followed by his four friends � Trini had joined them about twenty minutes before � once they were out of sight and hearing of the other customers he activated the device. �What's up Sammy? Is it Bossu?�

�No, it's worse,� Sammy told him. �Are you clear for a portal?�

�No. We're inside Cyberspace,� Jay told her. �Give us a minute to get outside.�

�You've got thirty seconds,� said Samantha. �There's no time to lose.�

�Let's go, guys,� said Jay, and lead the charge outside. As soon as they were clear of the building, an invisiportal appeared above them and teleported them away.

----

When the five teens arrived at the Hub a scant few seconds later, they spotted Samantha and Alpha Seven crouched over the main computer array. In Jay's opinion both looked rather worried. �What's wrong, Sammy?�

Samantha turned to face them, �Thank you for coming, Rangers.�

�You called, we answered,� said Tony. �That's how it goes.�

�Thank you nonetheless,� said Samantha. �Now observe the viewscreen.� The five teens moved so they were clustered around the indicated viewscreen. �Three hours ago, a severe forest fire broke out just outside Angel Grove. After ninety minutes, the FDAG realised that the fire was too much for them and called for reinforcements. Operation Lightspeed dispatched a mixed team of Rangers and support staff lead by Lieutenant Augustine to assist and they were able to bring the fire under control.�

�So what's the problem?� asked Tony.

�I think I know,� Jay told his friend. Then he turned to Samantha. �It wasn't a normal fire, was it?�

�No, it wasn't,� Samantha agreed. �Lieutenant Augustine and his team were making a final sweep of the area, when they found this...� Samantha tapped several keys and the image on the viewscreen shifted to a very familiar sight.

�I was right...� exclaimed Jay. �Another obelisk!�

�Indeed,� agreed Samantha. �Unfortunately, it did not stay dormant long. And as you know, the Avatars' magicks have a devastating effect on circuit-based Morphers.�

�Are the Lightspeed Rangers okay?� asked Kendrix, moving closer to Jay.

�Sadly no,� Samantha told her. �Messrs Davidson and Franklin were killed and Lieutenant Augustine is in a critical condition.�

Kendrix began to cry and turned towards Jay, who folded his arms around her and held her for a several minutes offering what comfort he could.

�What about Am�lie and Ashley?� asked Will, who was being supported by the other two Rangers. Thanks to his parents' connections to the organisation, he was friends with all five Lightspeed Rangers.

�Ms Daimler and Ms Jackson were on another mission with Jo Grayson,� replied Samantha. �Captain Grayson is recalling them now, but they will be of little help against Metatsu.�

�Then it's up to us,� said Jay, firmly, giving the still tearful Kendrix a last reassuring squeeze before releasing her. �We can't give up. We owe it to ourselves and the fallen Rangers.�

�I'm glad you feel that way,� Samantha told him. �The invisiportal exit point has been recalibrated for Angel Grove. We're ready when you are.�

�Then let's go,� said Jay. �Ready guys?�

�Ready!� agreed the other four, after moving in position around him.

�Dino Thunder, Power Up!�

�Be careful, Rangers,� Samantha told them. �And may the Power protect you.�

----

�Where is he?� asked Jay, after the five Rangers had recovered from their second teleport in five minutes.

�Over there!� replied Trini after scanning the area for a few moments.

�Let's get him!� exclaimed Kendrix, and let the charge towards the monster.

�More of you?� exclaimed Metatsu, who in Jay's opinion resembled a two and a half meter tall, man-shaped mass of charcoal.

�You'd better believe it,� said Jay. �You're going down!�

�Not likely, Ranger!� said Metatsu. �You'll burn like the others!� At that, he ignited and sent a double stream of white-hot flames directly at the Rangers.

Trini and Tony successfully dodged out of the way of one of them and Jay threw himself in front of Kendrix and summoned the Drage Shield to block the other. Kendrix quickly took advantage of the cover to draw her saber and leap into the air towards Metatsu. She caught him by surprise and was able to score two good strikes with her saber before she was knocked aside by one of the creature's massive arms. Jay rushed to her side to check she was okay.

Trini struck next from behind, slicing into the monster's armor several times with her Talons before he turned and knocked her down too. But before it could follow up the attack, Tony and Will attacked him with their personal weapons, knocking him backwards. But he recovered very fast, blasting Trini and Will with white-hot streams of fire. Both of them fell to the ground, but a third strike at Tony was foiled by the Blue Ranger's enhanced speed, and Tony was able to keep the Avatar off balance long enough for Kendrix to recover and score a hit from behind with her Thundermax Laser. It did little, but gave Jay the opening he needed to blast him with two salvos from the Thundermax Blaster and knocked him back into a clump of trees on the edge of the burnt-out area.

�We've got him on the run, Rangers!� declared Jay, as Trini and Will rejoined the trio. Both of them were a little scorched but otherwise intact. Jay glanced at the group and drew his shield again. �Let's finish him off!�

�You got it, Jay!� agreed Kendrix, and summoned her whip.

"Bring them together!" said Jay.

The lower half of the Lance merged with the shaft of the Axe, then the Shield locked down on top of that and the upper half of the Lance flipped over the Shield so that the blade was pointing forward. Then the Talons split off and attached to the underside of the Shield, blades again facing forwards. Finally, the Whip - lash retracted - locked onto the top of the Shield forming the Striker's 'sight'. "T-Max Striker!"

"Ready!" said Trini.

"Fire!" ordered Jay.

Five streams of varicolored energy burst from the Striker, and burst towards the monster, hitting him square in the chest. He fell backwards, steaming heavily, but before either he or the Rangers could react, a wave of dark energy erupted from the portal, and Metatsu began to grow, within seconds he towered giant-like over the Rangers.

�You know, just once, it would be nice if they went down the first time!� said Jay, then raised his Morpher to his mouth, "Sammy, it's Zord Time!"

"Skidbladnir is on his way."

Seconds later, a massive invisiportal opened up near them, and Skidbladnir slid out of it. When the Zord came to rest, its front split down the middle and opened, exposing the inside of the vessel. A ramp extended out from the base of the ship and Enhornzord and Harkazord charged down it. Seconds later, Dragezord, Griffzord and Fenixzord took off. Finally, a second ramp extended from the side of the ship and Oinazord joined the charge. As the six Zords passed the Rangers, the five teens leapt up into their Zords' cockpits.

"Thunderstrike Megazord Formation!" commanded Jay.

Harkazord's legs folded up into its body then its back split in two and extended out into a pair of sturdy legs, then the head and shoulders rotated downwards so that they are on the underside of the Zord. Dragezord lowered its head; the legs turned so they were parallel with the body and the tail shifted around to the left and then retracted into the body. Enhornzord�s legs retracted into its body and the Zord attached to the outside of Dragezord's right leg, while the Oinazord attached to the left side. The combined Zords flew towards the Harkazord and locked onto the front of it with Dragezord's head just above Harkazord's. Dragezord's wings folded forward into shoulder pads, locking down over the tops of the arms to frame the dragon's head in the Megazord's chest. Fenixzord's head and chest rotated around to expose a head, which locked down at the top of the Megazord. Finally, the Griffzord docked with the back of the Megazord adding a pair of wings.

"Thunderstrike Megazord Battle Mode, online!" declared the quintet.

�I'm sooo scared,� said Metatsu, and fired several streams of flame at the Megazord.

�We�ve been hit hard!� reported Trini. �Several neural relays are burned out. Attempting to compensate!�

�I'm not in the mood to play around with this guy!� said Jay. �Enhorn Striker!�

The Megazord pulled back its right arm, then punched Metatsu, driving the Enhornzord's horn into his chest. The monster groaned in pain and staggered backwards.

�He didn't like that!� said Kendrix.

�No kidding!� said Jay. �Let's see how he likes... Oina Slammer!�

The Megazord punched Metatsu with its left arm, as he sending him reeling again.

�Fists of Fury!� cried Jay.

The Megazord�s shoulders glowed reddish-orange for a moment, then sent a wave of power down the arms to the fists making them glow. The Megazord punched Metatsu several times in quick succession with first its right fist, then its left. He screamed, then fell backwards and exploded.

----

�Would you be able to cover my classes today, David?� Jay asked his brother over breakfast two days later. Both teens taught classes at the Reefside branch of Red Dragon Karate to supplement their allowance and develop their skills.

David shrugged, �I suppose so. I don't have anything particular planned.�

�Thanks, I've got somewhere else I have to be.�

�What's important enough to skip classes?�

Jay sighed, he'd been hoping to avoid telling anyone where he was going, but his brother did raise a valid point. �Will and Kendrix are attending the funeral of the two Lightspeed Rangers that died on Saturday. I want to go along for moral support.�

�Moral support, is that what you call it?� asked David with a grin.

Jay frowned, �What are you on about?�

�Jay and Kendrix kissing in a tree... K, I, S, S, I, N, G...� crowed David.

Jay's eyes narrowed, then flashed dangerously, �You really do not want to start that with me today, brother.�

With that he stood, and after rinsing his glass and bowl and putting them in the dish washer, he headed back downstairs to his room to change.

About ninety minutes later, he came back up again - wearing his black suit, a white dress-shirt and a maroon tie with his small goatee neatly trimmed and his shoulder-length black hair was tied back with a dark-red ribbon - and went outside.

The expected limousine, driven by a black-suited Silver Guardians driver, pulled up outside outside shortly after he got outside. A second Silver Guardian got out of the front passenger seat and opened the nearside door to the rear compartment.

Jay slipped inside and sat down next to Kendrix, who immediately gripped his hand. Jay smiled slightly and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Kendrix smiled back gratefully. Like Jay, she wore mainly black - a knee-length sheath and a bolero, though in a departure from her usual style she had pinned her hair back in a loose bun and secured it with a number of pink hair clips. She also wore her favorite necklace � a simple creation that blended gold beads and cerise Hououan Fire Gems that one of her aunts had given her for her birthday. Will sat on Kendrix's other side and wore a Western-style black suit over a white dress shirt and dark-green bola tie. Jay noted idly noted that the tie's bar had a bull engraved on it.

Kendrix warned Jay that the funeral would be well attended but Jay hadn't grasped quite how well attended. Many of them he had expected: The several dozen blue-shirted Lightspeed technicians and various members of current or former senior staff - including the entire Grayson-Mitchell clan, Kendrix's Uncle Justin, several middle-aged to elderly men and woman that Will identified as former Lightspeed Rangers, the two active Rangers - Am�lie Daimler and Ashley Jackson - and of course Will's parents. And given their escort the presence of Commander Myers, his wife and his son, Wesley - the current Quantum Ranger - wasn't that surprising either. Nor, on reflection, was the presence of a large group of mourners in various shades of SPD gray or black.

Rather, the surprise was the large number of civilians that gathered along the roads to pay their respects as the coffin moved from the entrance to Aquabase's access tunnel to the cemetery. Though Jay guessed that having a very public, long-term Ranger team in the city had given the Mariner Bay citizens a greater than normal emotional connection to them.

The ceremony itself was short. Captain Grayson and Am�lie Daimler had something to say about both Davidson and Franklin, and after they had spoken Justin Stewart spoke a few words about Davidson and the still-recovering Lieutenant Augustine limped up the front of the crowd to share a little about Franklin.

After the priest said his prayers and the coffins had been lowered into the ground by the black-suited Silver Guardians that had acted as pallbearers, several people � including Will and Kendrix � joined the queue to throw a handful of earth onto the coffin. Jay hung back and waited for his two friends to finish. They were delayed on their way back by the two female Lightspeed Rangers who obviously wanted to touch base with them. Jay watched them, smilingly slightly as he realised that their conversation was briefly taking their minds of the sadness of the day. Just as they were about to rejoin him, Jay was distracted by someone slipping something into his jacket pocket. He turned around quickly, trying to spot who it was, but they had vanished.

�Are you okay?� asked Kendrix, when she reached him.

�I'm fine, Ken,� Jay assured her. �How are you bearing up?�

�I'll manage,� Kendrix replied. �Three funerals in nine months has taken it out of me. I wasn't that close to Davidson and Franklin but they were kind to me at my dad's funeral.�

�Let's get you home, Ken,� Jay said soothingly, slipping his arm around her. �Are you coming, Will?�

Will shook his head, �I'm gonna stay here for a couple of days as long as it's quiet. Dr Stewart wants to consult with Mom about the Rescue Morphers and I think the girls could do with a friend right now.�

�Okay, you do what you have to,� Jay said as he helped Kendrix into the back seat and then joined her. �You've got your comlink?� he asked in an undertone, casking a cautious glance at their 'guard'.

�Of course.�

�We'll contact you if we need you.�

�I'll be back by next weekend,� Will told them.

�See you then,� said Jay, and waved to their friend as the limousine drove off.

----

Later, while he was changing out of his suit, Jay noticed a piece of paper in his jacket pocket. After a pause, he pulled it out and examined it.

It was a small, white business card. On one side was a stylised dragon's head in red ink on a black field with the words �The Red Room� written on it in bold type. When he turned it over, there was a second message which read: �If you ever need a friendly face, just open the door�.

Jay shrugged, and put the card in his desk drawer. Half-an-hour later, he forgotten about it.

It would be several months before he remembered it again. -----

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