Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Caleb, Harlan, and Khyuss

Okay, ladies and gents, here it is: the final chapter. I just want to thank all of you wonderful people for tuning in and reviewing. For the sake of your sanity, I'll hold off on the shout outs until the end. So without further adieu, here is the conclusion to Fiery Passions, Sparks of Love

Chapter 18

From the Ashes

A bright glow caught the corner of his eye, and the replica rotated to the source. His eyes widened as he took in the spectacle, and two words spluttered from his mouth.

"Holy sh -"

xxx

CyberCam staggered back, his eyes not leaving the sight before him. Turning so quickly that he almost fell headlong into the computer behind him, CyberCam stumbled across the infirmary, sprinting up the stairs. Darting through Ninja Ops, the replica frantically rushed to the upper level, and skidding to a stop in the main dojo, CyberCam spotted the Ninja Storm rangers sitting despondently by the window.

"Guys, you've got to come with me! You're not gonna believe this!"

Sharing identical expressions of apprehension, the team followed CyberCam to the lower depths. Reaching the infirmary, they were greeted by a harsh light. Shielding their eyes from the radiance, the rangers peered into the depths, and as the brilliance retreated to its source, the team was left with a vision that stunned them all. Dustin summarized their thoughts with a simple phrase.

"Holy sh -"

xxx

The Dino Thunder half of the team gathered in the McKnight home den around the center table, a phone between them, pondering who should call the family to break the news of Conner's death.

"I should do it." Eric sighed, his face ashy and eyes shadowed from lack of sleep, "They should hear it from family."

Tommy shook his head, "No. It's my fault he's a ranger in the first place."

"Don't be like that, Dr. O." Ethan admonished, turning a sharp gaze to their mentor.

"Yeah," Trent reasoned. "Being a ranger was the best thing that ever happened to us."

Ethan nodded vigorously, "Definitely. I mean look at all the awesome memories we've got." Turning to Kira, the blue ranger gestured wildly for her agreement, "Like the time we got the Raptor Cycles?"

The stone garage opened slowly, revealing three gleaming machines lined up side by side. Guided by awe, the three rangers slowly made their way across the Dino Lab to stand before the cycles. Conner was the first one to speak, a goofy grin eating at his face.

"Awesome! Which one's mine?"

Seeing the collective glances from his teammates, Conner shifted his gaze between them, "Uh, I was kidding."

Shaking his head in disbelief, Ethan snorted, "You so weren't."

Despite herself, Kira cracked a small smile, but when she spoke, the words were soft and mournful, "Or when we all got the personality fix from that rock?"

The outer door to the Dino Lab slid open to reveal Conner standing behind it, his nose buried in a book, his normally unkempt hair combed neatly. Glancing up from the book, Conner adjusted the square glasses perched on his nose and straightened the coat jacket hanging across his broad shoulders. Striding smartly across the lab floor, the red ranger tossed an easy smile to his companions before returning to his book.

"Good afternoon, all. Lovely day, excessively low humidity."

Trent grinned and looked to his teammates, "Or how you all first got your Dino Gems?" Ethan and Kira smiled, reminiscing at their hilarious retelling of their first escapade down to Dr. Oliver's underground lab during their detention to their white-clad teammate with Conner's constant asides humorously twisting the story.

"This just screams Jurassic Park to me." Kira muttered, staring at the Tyrannosaurus skeleton deep in the underground tunnel.

In contrast to the dubious look adorning the musician's face, Conner regarded the bones with an excited grin. "This will get us out of detention for life."

Feeling along the jawbone, the jock pulled back in surprise as the joint moved. With an ominous groan, the wall before them slid up, revealing a room encompassed by various forms of technology. Stunned with their revelation, the three teens stepped over the threshold. Kira wandered through, her blonde head swiveling, taking in their location.

"I could do a killer video in here."

Surveying the ambiance of their surroundings, Conner clapped a hand on Ethan's shoulder, "This must be, like, the mother ship for you, dude."

The gamer contained his drool, the exuberant expression on his face absorbing it all, "Normally, I'd be offended, but when you're right, you're right."

Still inquisitively wandering the lab, Conner paused in the center of the room before a pedestal containing three gemstones, each dashed with a primary color. Curiosity caught ahold of the jock, and he slowly extended his hand. Just before his fingers were about the brush the crystal, a shout halted him.

"Yo, don't touch that!"

Conner's hand retracted from its position hovering over the gem as Ethan appeared at his side, Kira following His gaze turned from the stone to the boy beside him as Conner's head jerked in irritation, "Why not?"

A look of stunned incredulity crossed Ethan's face, "You're really taking this 'dumb jock' thing to a whole 'nother level, aren't you?"

Conner's mouth tightened in annoyance, "Look, I've sat through enough lame science classes to know that that thing looks fully pre-historic." He explained with forced patience, one hand gesturing to the set of gems, "And if I don't have to miss practice…"

Appearing at Conner's left, Kira nodded vigorously as the jock trailed off, "I hate to agree with him – really I do – but I've already missed one rehearsal."

Seeing Ethan shrug in consent, the three teens extended a hand to simultaneously grab the gem closest. As each hand came into contact with the crystal, each stone began to glow in its respective color.

Studying the gem in her grasp, Kira frowned skeptically, "What are they?"

Ethan turned his over, "I could go online later to find out."

Clutching his new find, Conner grinned with satisfaction, "You in front of a computer? Wait, let me put on my surprised face."

At Conner's words, Ethan swelled with indignation, "Hey, ten years from now when your hairline's receding, and you're playing pick-up soccer in the park because your dreams of becoming pro didn't quite work out, I'll be owning my own multi-billion dollar software company." Ethan grinned in approval of his fantasy, "Yeah…"

Shaking her head in annoyance, Kira pocketed her gem, striding towards the exit. Ethan frowned at her sudden departure, "Where are you going?"

Kira turned her attention back to the two boys, "I don't want to think about what kind of a freak lives in a place like this, and I don't wanna be around when he comes home.

Stuffing the gem into his own pocket, Conner followed, "Right behind you."

Smiling sadly to themselves, Ethan and Kira fell silent, remembering the past, and how they all had changed. From three headstrong, vastly different teenagers into a cohesive unit of five, the Dino Thunder team, now including Hayley, Billy, and Eric, could feel something was missing, something was absent. The space devoid of their leader hung empty in the room. Trent shook his head morosely.

"I can't believe he's gone."

"Who's gone?"

At the sound of the familiar voice, five pairs of eyes snapped to Eric, assuming he was the source of the outburst, but the red ranger's stare was focused elsewhere, gaping in stunned amazement. All but one followed his gaze to the door, rendered mute at the sight before them. Still struck in a daze, Eric rose from his seat, entranced and refusing to blink for fear that the image before his eyes would prove to be a mirage. Stumbling to the door, Eric stopped in front of the mirror image. Slowly reaching out, he touched the chest, drawing back in wonder as the heart beneath pulsed with warm blood, beating with human life.

"Oh my God." The image before Eric's eyes blurred as he flung himself into the strong arms, gripping tightly, holding on for dear life, refusing to let go. Chair legs scraped as the rest of the team joined Eric. A flurry of activity followed, the rapid-fire questions blending into one, but Kira stayed anchored to her seat, her back to the door, and her gaze fixated to the ground, declining to allow the blind hope to rise. Then all was silent. Kira heard the soft footsteps making their way to the back of her chair, and she stiffened, bracing herself for the disappointment that was sure to come. Closing her eyes, Kira felt a gentle touch slowly turn her face, and the familiar, blissful rush flowed through her reluctant, disbelieving body as the lips descended down, capturing her mouth, surrounding her senses with the recognizable taste.

All too soon, the kiss ended, and Kira's eyelids fluttered open to find a pair of honey orbs winking dashingly at her through wayward strands of chocolate hair while the lips that had caressed hers turned upward in that famous grin. Warm hands grasped hers, tenderly guiding her to her feet. Kira stayed silent, drinking in the tall figure before walking into the muscled arms, trembling as the strong embrace enveloped her.

"Conner…" The salty tears soaked into his shirt as Kira clutched him to her.

"You got it, love." The inferno ranger buried his face in her hair, stroking the wavy locks, clinging tightly to the petite body.

Suddenly, the yellow ranger pulled away, connecting with a solid punch to Conner's stomach. Taken aback, he glanced down at the musician, rubbing the abused body part as his breath left his mouth in a rush of air.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?" Conner demanded.

Kira's eyes burned hazel fire as she stared indignantly at the man before her, "You asshole! I thought I lost you!" Even as the furious expression graced her features, the tears threatened to spill.

Conner's face softened into a smile, and he closed the gap she had set between them, holding out his arms. As Kira willingly stepped into them, he raised a hand to gently cradle a cheek, "Hey, I told you I'd always be there for you." A grin made its way across his face, "You think I'd let a little thing like death stop me, would you?"

Kira shuddered, "Don't use that word around me. It was all too surreal." Shaking her head, her gaze met his, "I still keep thinking you can't be alive, that this is all a dream." But he seemed real, seemed fully alive. Kira felt the hard muscles beneath the thin material of the white cotton shirt, heard the steady beat of his heart as she laid her head on his chest. Conner looked real, standing before her, his skin shining as if he had just stepped from the shower, wearing a tight v-neck t-shirt, and a pair of black workout pants with a crimson stripe running up the side fell loosely on his chiseled frame, his bare feet poking out from beneath the hem, and the inferno morpher glowing at the base of his throat.

"How do I know you're real?"

Conner leaned in, waggling his eyes suggestively, "I have ways for you to find out."

The innuendo wasn't lost on the yellow ranger, and she rolled her eyes. Staring up at Conner, transfixed at the fact he was actually there, Kira allowed a small smile to flit across her face as she turned, gently leading him up the steps.

"Okay, Jockboy, let's see what you've got for a girl like me."

xxx

Conner and Kira lay curled together, facing each other. With a lazy grin, Conner reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Kira snuggled down further into the blankets, and raising her gaze to his, she indulged in a happy smile.

"What's on your mind?"

Kira shrugged, shifting to rest her head on her forearm, "Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but…" Conner grinned, sensing where she was heading.

"How am I alive?"

His yellow counterpart nodded sheepishly, and Conner chuckled appreciatively, "Well, it's kinda hard to believe."

"Jockboy, it's kinda hard to believe you're alive, lying in front of me after we've just had sex." Kira stated bluntly, cocking an eyebrow at Conner, "Try me."

Smirking broadly at her audacity, Conner relented, beginning his tale. As Conner spoke, Kira studied the inferno ranger, taking in his animated gestures and his handsome features. The fear that had seized her heart at the thought of life without him slowly melted away as his story continued. He was here right beside her, and he was alive.

"…and then, I fell through the dark mist."

Kira blinked in amazement, "So what happened after that?"

Conner's shoulders lifted in a half shrug, "According to the team, something like this."

"Holy sh -"

As the bright glow retreated back into the inferno morpher, the Ninja Storm half of the team stared at Conner's body that had floated down from its elevated state. Their breathing uneven from shock, a collective glance passed through each ninja.

"Is he…" Blake looked at his friends, all unsure of what just happened and what it meant following the dazzling display.

As if the fire ninja heard the inquiry, Conner jerked. At the movement, Tori let out a shout, alerting the team. With a groan, the Chosen Ranger hefted himself into a sitting position, rubbing the spot on his chest where Khyuss' energy orb struck him.

"Whoa, Caleb, can we have a better mode of transportation?" Still groaning, Conner winced as a wave of pain sledgehammered his head. Cradling the throbbing body part, the inferno ranger wavered slightly atop the infirmary bed.

"Okay, did someone get the license plate number of that truck?" Shaking the fog from his head, Conner raised bleary eyes to the Ninja Storm rangers, struck dumb at the fact their supposedly deceased leader addressed them.

"You guys got any aspirin?" As his stomach growled in protest, Conner's face split into a sheepish grin, "Or food?"

"So they fed me, I bathed, and then Cam ran some tests to make sure everything was okay."

"And…"

Conner grinned at the anxious glint in Kira's eyes, "I fine." He reassured the musician, "Slight scars, but other than that, I'm stronger physically and with my fire power, I've gotten quicker, I heal faster, and," Conner let out a half chuckle, "for some really odd reason, I've developed telekinesis." Raising his hand, he beckoned, and in the blink of an eye, his mini soccer ball flew to his grasp.

Kira shook her head, "I couldn't care less if you came out looking like Chad Michael Murray as long as you're here."

A tender expression crossed his face, "Hey, Rock Star, first of all, I'm way more of anything you can think of than the Chad can ever be. Secondly, forever means forever." With a reassuring kiss, ripe with unspoken promises, the couple settled into a relaxing sleep, curled in each other's arms, emotions about the future finally at rest.

xxx

Early the next morning, Conner woke up early. Gathering his things, the jock made his way down to the Wind Ninja Academy. Isolated in the outdoor training area, Conner worked, his arms and legs flowing flawlessly in the practiced motions, displaying the skills he had perfected over the summer.

"Need a partner?"

Conner's gaze flitted to the entrance to find Hunter situated in the doorway. Removing his outer jacket, the jock settled into a fighting stance, beckoning cheekily to the thunder ranger. Hunter acknowledged the challenge with a raised eyebrow before flipping down the stairs to join the inferno ranger below. Immediately, the two crimson ninjas engaged in a playful sparring match, dancing around each other, scoring light hits. For their own amusement, they involved the use of their respective elements, enjoying the hilarity that ensued. The pair halted when a particularly humorous attack left Hunter's face blackened with soot and Conner's hair standing on end.

Hunter and Conner sat down on the raised platform overlooking the training mat. Hunter poured the contents of his water bottle over his head in an attempt to remove the grime caking his face and hair. Rubbing vigorously with a towel, he snuck a glance at his companion beside him.

"Conner, I'm sorry."

His concentration fixed on forcing his brown locks to lie flat, Conner's eyes flicked briefly to his counterpart, "For what?"

Hunter shrugged, "For, y'know, leaving you like I did." The thunder ninja gestured wildly, punctuating his confession with the unknown statement, allowing his suppressed turmoil to pour out.

"I shouldn't have listened to you. Maybe if I had stayed, you would have lived. Then we all wouldn't have gone through all of this. God knows what -"

Conner lunged, clapping a hand over Hunter's mouth, effectively silencing the flustered rambling.

"Dude, shut up! Trust me, there wasn't anything you could have done."

Hunter smiled ruefully, "That's what Tori said. But I still can't help feeling guilty."

Conner grinned, "Well she is a smart one." Catching the distressed look on his friend's face, Conner sighed.

"You don't get it, do you? Hunter, even if you had stayed I still would have died. It was the only way to destroy Khyuss. It was the final line of the prophecy: 'A heavenly reward at a devastating price, relying on one to make the ultimate sacrifice."

"So you were the one?" Hunter questioned.

"Yeah," Conner stated, "A life for a life." Standing, Conner clapped a hand on Hunter's shoulder as the inferno ranger began to stride away."

"A life for a life," Hunter murmured in agreement, his apprehension slowly finding closure.

xxx

Striding across the grounds, Conner felt an unseen force calling to him, and following his intuition, he made his way to the bridge where Kira had first confessed her feelings. Peering across the wooden planks, Conner spotted Sensei standing peacefully against the railing, a package at his side. Approaching the mentor, Conner greeted Sensei with a bow, and Kanoi reciprocated.

"Good afternoon, Chosen One. It is nice to see you looking well. I daresay you gave your team quite a scare."

Blushing slightly, Conner shrugged, "Aw, c'mon, Sensei. You can't call me that anymore, all that's over."

A mysterious smile darted across Kanoi's face, "Our chosen destinies never truly end, Conner. They go one as our lives do, being only fulfilled when life comes full circle."

Unsure of what Sensei met, Conner plunged forward with another question, "Sensei, there's something I've been wanting to ask you. How is it possible that I -"

"Rose from the dead?" Kanoi finished. Seeing Conner nod sheepishly, the wind sensei merely smiled.

"Sometimes, Conner, we can offer no explanations for the way things occur, for they are beyond our limited comprehension. The best we can do is accept that a higher power is working in our favor." Kanoi glanced at the fire ninja, "As for why your resurrection occurred, I believe the Ninja Council felt that your potential for service was not justified by your time spent on Earth."

Conner's brow furrowed, "You know about the Ninja Council?"

Kanoi gave a sage nod, "But of course. My master is a member, and he periodically checks in to offer his guidance and information on pressing events, much like how Caleb does to you. Speaking of masters…" Kanoi picked up the package at his side, presenting it to Conner, gesturing for the fire ninja to open the wrapped object.

Conner parted the paper, holding up its contents, "A teaching uniform?"

"Indeed, Chosen One. In one summer you have progressed farther than many of the students that have been training for years. It is safe to say that you are fit to instruct others in the arts. It would be an honor for you to possibly come back to teach classes over the summer."

A smile split Conner's features, and unable to speak, he simply nodded. Sensei inclined his head.

"Excellent. Now, if I'm not mistaken, you have a lot to catch up with your team."

Conner nodded in agreement, bowing in respect, "Yes, Sensei." Conner paused, turning back to the aged mentor before departing across the wooden bridge, "And thanks…y'know, for everything."

Kanoi responded with a bow of his own, "The pleasure was all mine, not many sensei can say that they trained a Chosen Ranger."

Conner laughed, shifting to go, but before he left, something clicked in his head, and the inferno ranger whipped around, "You knew, didn't you, Sensei? You knew I was coming back."

Kanoi merely smiled his calm smile, "The small miracles are never explainable, Conner. What we do know from mere fact is that all phoenixes rise from their ashes." Sensei glanced up at the clear summer sky, "Spiritual or otherwise."

As the fire ninja followed the mentor's gaze, a familiar melody drifted through the clouds, and the corners of Conner's mouth turned up in amazement as his phoenix zord followed soon after, soaring across its sapphire backdrop. Kanoi turned, walking slowly across the worn planks of the bridge.

"Until next summer, Chosen One."

xxx

A Few Days Later

Blue Bay Harbor's Tsunami Beach, situated behind the McKnight home, was alive with activity as the residents of the coastal town savored in their last few days of the summer season. The team of rangers inhibiting the sprawling estate were not exempt from the festivities as they celebrated their final days together as a whole. For in a matter of days, they would all be departing for their individual universities. Dustin, Shane, and Tori would be staying in Blue Bay to complete their junior year at Blue Bay Harbor University, soon to be followed by Eric beginning his freshman year, and Hunter would be making the short commute to Blue Point University for his senior year. As for the Dino Thunder team, Trent and Ethan would be heading to the east coast, to New York and Massachusetts respectively, to begin art school and MIT. Conner and Kira would be soon to follow, taking the journey to Los Angeles. Blake and Max had scheduled to leave following the pair, traveling to Switzerland to rejoin Factory Blue in time for Nationals. This was the last time the entire team would be together, and the rangers were making full use of it.

With Cam manning the grill and the delectable aroma of steaks, burgers, and sausages wafting through the ocean mist, the rest of the boys tumbled through the sand in a rowdy game of Ultimate Frisbee, Conner, Eric, Ethan, and Trent against Hunter, Shane, Blake and Dustin. Kira, Tori, and Max lounged in chairs by the game, hollering out encouragement and the occasional insult. The elder members watched the mayhem with amusement as Tommy, Hayley, and Billy, who had his arm wrapped possessively around the redhead's waist, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by their companion or the teens nearby, discussed Billy's new job as Reefside High's AP Physics teacher. It was a day of peace, with no more worries about the latest impending evil.

At Cam's call to food, the men rushed to the grill, loading their plates until the plastic dishes bent under the weight. Settling around the large picnic table, the air was sharp with animated chatter, laughter, and merriment. Stories were exchanged, jokes were told, and secrets unveiled as the team relaxed, tension absent and the mood light. As the sun began to begin its descent into the Pacific Ocean, Hunter and Conner left the table, snatching up a pair of skim boards from the patio deck. Carving through the shallow waters near the shore, Hunter looked tense as he gazed out into the depths of the ocean abyss. Skidding to a stop next to the thunder ninja, Conner glanced into Hunter's nervous features.

"Are you ready?"

Hunter gave a weak nod, bending down to pick up his board, and the pair headed in. Drying themselves off, Hunter slipped something into his shorts' pocket. Walking up to his girlfriend still lounging at the table, he whispered into her ear, gently leading her from her seat. Exchanging the skim board for his crimson surfboard, Hunter joined Tori atop the board, slowly paddling them away from shore. As Conner tugged on a black long-sleeved shirt over his crimson board shorts, he approached Kira, grasping her hand, fervently pulling her from the table.

"Come with me."

Wordlessly, Kira followed, curious at the fire ranger's actions. As she walked along, her hand being lightly towed by her eager boyfriend, Kira looked up at his face, searching for a clue to his mysterious exploits, the golden sarong at her hips flowing softly behind her, covering the bikini underneath. As Conner settled down on an elevated rock perched on the edge of the cove, overlooking the ocean, he pulled Kira down to rest between his legs. The yellow ranger drew his enormous zip-up hoodie tighter around her petite frame, gazing with confused eyes to the man behind her.

"What's going on?"

Wrapping the small girl deeper into his embrace, Conner lightly shushed her, gesturing out into the ocean where Hunter and Tori drifted gently atop the calm waters, an enigmatic smile gracing his features.

"Just watch."

xxx

Drifting lazily in the clear waters, the couple straddled Hunter's board, bound in each other's arms. With her back to Hunter, Tori snuggled down closer to the warmth of his strong hold as they gazed out at the fiery sphere that was the sun, gradually seeping into the horizon. They floated gently for a few moments, comfortable in the loving silence. His heart pounding against his breast bone, Hunter let out a puff of breath and cleared his throat as he pulled something from his pocket.

"T-Tori?" The words came out forced and shaky.

The blond turned in his arms, her blue eyes shining with contentment, "Yeah?"

Hunter's breath hitched in his throat, the crimson ranger fighting to maintain his control, "I-If I asked you to do something, would you?"

Concern etched in her features, Tori rotated to face him fully, "Hunter, of course I would. Anything illegal or possibly fatal may need some bribery involved, but you know you don't have to ask."

He fell silent for awhile, building up his courage to take the final plunge. Opening his eyes, the crimson ranger met Tori's inquiring gaze, "In that case, how about spending forever with me?"

Tori's brow furrowed in confusion, and Hunter pressed on, "Tori, I love you. I could elaborate but it all comes down to those three words. When we first got together, I asked you how we got this far when we barely spoke before. Well, that was because I had this undeniable attraction to you and didn't want to screw things up between you and my brother. But that was then. Fate brought us together, and I don't think it has the guts to break us apart." Hunter drew in a deep breath, in serious need of oxygen.

"Our relationship has never been easy, and I don't want it that way. I want to wake up in the morning knowing that I have you to challenge me with the forever we have to spend together." Hunter paused, taking the last step, opening the velvet box to reveal the ring. Tori gasped, bringing her right hand to her mouth, her crystal eyes, pooling with unshed tears, snapping up to meet Hunter's hopeful gaze.

"Victoria Elizabeth Hanson, will you marry me?"

As the dams broke, Tori darted forward to smother Hunter's mouth with her own as the board beneath them struggled to stay aloft, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Releasing the breath he hadn't realized he held, Hunter grinned, slipping the ring on Tori's finger, his own eyes shining with tears. At the sight of dark and broody Hunter Bradley's eyes threatening torrential downpour, Tori smiled. Raising her left hand to his lips, Hunter brushed a kiss above the knuckle above where the brilliant diamond rested before pulling his fiancée in for a fierce kiss. Sighing in contentment, the engaged couple wrapped themselves back up in their embrace, to finish watching the setting sun.

xxx

From the cove, Kira let out an identical gasp as the dazzling flash of diamond permeated the dusky sky. Upon hearing Tori's excited squeal and exuberant acceptance, the musician turned in Conner's arms with an accusing glare.

"You knew about this!"

The jock could barely contain his self-satisfied grin, "Who do you think had the job of making sure he didn't pee his pants?"

Kira cocked an eyebrow at the tender look in Conner's eyes, "This isn't a prelude to something, is it?"

Pressing a kiss through Kira's bangs, Conner chuckled, "As appealing as that thought is, nope. Not yet. Give it a couple of years. I need to save enough money to get you a boulder. Can't let Tori have a bigger diamond than you now can we?" Flashing the yellow ranger a smirk, Conner leaned down to capture her lips in his, sealing the promise of the future.

"What a summer, eh?"

Kira rolled her eyes, "College is going to be such a breeze after this year."

Grinning mischievously, Conner nodded in agreement, "Oh yeah. Just think about it, parties, beer blasts, bikini-clad co-eds by the fistful crawling all over UCLA's next soccer sensation…"

With a growl, Kira whipped around, elbowing Conner hard in the stomach. A whoosh of breath abruptly left the soccer star's chest as he gazed down in indignation.

"Oomph! Babe, I was kidding!"

The look in Kira's eyes flashed dangerously, "Conner Nathaniel McKnight, I swear, you've got a head harder than that diamond on Tori's finger! How many times have I told you not to call me 'babe?' If you think you're gonna be scamming on some weak-willed cheerleader, you are sorely mistaken -"

Conner darted in, pressing his lips to Kira's, swallowing the tail end of her rant with a deep kiss. As her lips willingly parted to allow his tongue access, Conner gently stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. Pulling away gently, Conner quirked a roguish grin.

"C'mon, Rock Star, how can you even think I'd ever cheat on you? You know the only bikini-clad co-ed crawling all over this soccer sensation will be you."

Kira shook her head, leaning her head on Conner's chest, brushing a soft kiss on his collar bone, "I'd like to think this decrease in your ego is contributed to me and my unending love for you."

Conner smirked, "And I'd like to think your increase in ego is due to the fact that you snagged the person the Reefside High Raider Watch named 'Sexiest Man on Campus.'"

Sharing another kiss, Conner laid his head atop Kira's, and a slight breeze caused him to glance to his left. Standing in the distance, their arms crossed in satisfaction at the peaceful setting, were the silhouettes of Caleb and Harlan. Catching the inferno ranger's gaze, the two spirits each lifted a hand in a jaunty wave, saluting their successor. Returning his gaze to the horizon, a slight grin on his face, Conner watched the gentle waters of the Pacific Ocean envelop the sun in its depths, signifying the end of another day and, consequently, the end of summer and their latest adventure as rangers. This was a season that would forever be embedded in the minds of all those involved. In the three months they had spent in training and battle, the rangers had experienced emotions from all sides of the spectrum: rage, hate, envy, fear, joy, awe, and love. Love was the underlying emotion, uniting the team with the one thing evil could never destroy or corrupt. Love sparked the fiery passions within each ranger, uniting the individual with his powers, giving them the desire to prevail, and strengthening their will to rid the universe of the evil that plagued it. Even with all the hate, all the rage Khyuss possessed, with all the mystical abilities at his disposal, with all the destruction he caused, he was not able to vanquish love. Love had prevailed. They had prevailed. There would always be those who thirsted for power; there would always be those who strived for total supremacy; there would always be evil. The fight of good verses evil would always exist. But as long as there was love, like the phoenix, like Conner, those who were good, those who were pure of heart, would live to see another day, would live to continue the never-ending battle for peace and harmony.

xxx

Well, folks, that's it. The end. El fin. Thanks to all those who reviewed and stuck with this story even when my updates were erratic and sometimes non-existent for two months. If I feel the need to continue, I might post an epilogue containing Hunter and Tori's wedding that may contain a few surprises, but I like how I ended the chapter. If I don't decide to post the epilogue, I will be following with a preview of the sequel to Fiery Passions entitled Blaze of Glory. Following that will, of course, be the prologue that will basically be a "what's been going on" with the characters and a kind of teaser of their newest adventure. I leave you all with the summary that will hopefully entice you all to check out the sequel, and I remind all reviewers to along with their review, post a challenge to me for my challenge fics. Just a reminder, don't ask me to do slash unless you want suckage on paper. On with the teaser!

It's been two years since the rangers have defeated Khyuss and all is peaceful…on Earth, that is. But on the distant planet of Mirinoi, a revolution rages against the oppression of the emperor Maligore. With the help of a street orphan gifted with the power of fire, the rangers don their suits once more to fight for the freedom of a people and the mysterious past of their new teammate…

Oh, and as more fun for me. Look back at the story at the things that I have paid special detail to that are seemingly insignificant to the plot. Who knows, they may be a major part of the sequel…

Roxie