ALTERNATE ENDING

CH 13. DEPARTURE

The rangers stopped in an abandoned building and de-morphed.

"Guys, Jessica's father sacrificed himself to save me. After this is over, I'm getting out of it. I don't think I'm cut out to be a ranger anymore." Kyle said.

"You've come this far and NOW you want to quit? You sound just like my predecessor." Sky said, grabbing Kyle by the collar.

"Fine, if going up against Blackland means dying, win or lose, I'll have a heck of a time." He said, pushing Sky's hand away.

The S.P.D rangers looked at the horde of citizens, Mafbots, and lizard foot soldiers in front of them.

"See you guys on the other side." Kyle said, holding up wristband.

Sky and the others held up their Morphers. "It's been real guys." He said to the others.

"Let's go down fighting." Bridge said. The girls nodded.

"Ready???" Sky shouted.

"Ready!!!" The others shouted.

"S.P.D Emergency!!"

"Quantum Power!!!"

The five rangers dove into the air and morphed. They came back down guns blazing.

"No casualties! Just bring them down!!" Sky shouted, firing his blasters at the Geckoids.

"Easier said than done!!" Z said, dodging the melee attacks of the alien militia. She and Syd blasted the weapons out of their hands.

"Time for the secret weapons." Sky said, holding up his Morpher. "SWAT Mode!"

The four rangers donned their tactical vests and Delta enforcers. They blasted a the alien citizens, rendering them unconscious. Kyle slashed at the Geckoids with his Quantum Defender sword. The lizard men fell to the ground and crumbled.

"So, they are just hollow clones." Kyle said. He looked up and at the end of the street he saw Saurian standing there with two swords drawn.

"Payback time." Kyle said, slashing his way through the horde.

"Come and get me ranger, if you can!" He said, summoning more Geckoids who dog-piled Kyle. Suddenly a blue blade cut through them. It was Sky in his Battlizer cyber mode.

"Get going Kyle! We got this! Go settle the score with Saurian!" Sky said. Kyle hesitated. "I can't just leave you guys here!" He protested.

Sky slashed away the Geckoids and Mafbots.

"I said go. That's an order!" he shouted. Kyle gritted his teeth through his helmet and cut a path through to Saurian.

Kyle ran open to an empty street, with no sign of enemies.

Suddenly a green blur zipped by, slashing him in the chest. Kyle flew into the pile of trash bags nearby.

"Too slow ranger." Saurian said, holding his arm cannon out. He fired at Kyle who dodged in the nick of time.

"Hold still you red moth!" He shouted, shooting at Kyle.

"Quantum Defender!" Kyle grabbed his sidearm and fired at Saurian, who deflected it with his sword.

"Blackland told me you were strong. I was expecting better from you." He said, advancing on Kyle, who glanced to see the rangers were being swamped by Blackland's cronies. Saurian grinned.

"You better stop worrying about them and fend for yourself boy. The cavalry is not coming." He said, pointing his sword at Kyle's chest.

The S.P.D rangers were down and on the defensive. "How bout using the Canine Cannon?" Z suggested. "Too risky, we may take down some innocents with that blast." Sky shouted.

Suddenly laser blasts were fired from behind.

"What?" Bridge said, looking up.

Wes in his Silver Guardian uniform and red beret led a team of Silver Guardians down the alley.

"Dad!!" Sky shouted.

"Charge!" Wes ordered as the Guardians joined the battle, blasting Gekkoids and Mafbots with lasers and hitting alien militia with tranquilizer darts.

Kyle looked back at Saurian. "You were saying?" He grinned. Saurian hissed and attacked.

"Mega Battle, activate!!!" Kyle shouted into his wristband just in time to block the attacks with his Mega Battle armor.

"Let's make this a fair fight." He said, clipping gun swords to his arms. Saurian scowled. "I don't fight fair!" He said, attacking Kyle with his sword. The ranger dodged and defended himself with his gun swords.

"Lasers, fire!!" He shot both lasers at Saurian, knocking him away.

Saurian got up, angry and seeing red.

"Curse you, ranger!!!" Kyle flew in on his wings and grabbed Saurian, lifting into the air.

"Put me down you pathetic human." He shouted.

"You got it." Kyle said, smashing Saurian through a few buildings and dropping him through the top of a skyscraper. Saurian fell through 20 floors before finally hitting the bottom.

Kyle landed outside. "Time to end this." He said, putting his gun swords together, making a big red light blade.

Saurian stood up slowly, staggering.

"I won't go down fighting ranger!" He said. Kyle stabbed him with the hot red blade, right down the middle.

Saurian spit out green blood.

"You've gotten strong fire ranger. I'm glad to fall by your blade. But your world will fall by Blackland's hand." He said, laughing before falling over and exploding.

"I hate bounty hunters." Kyle said, powering down from his Mega Battle.

The Guardians managed to help the rangers get back in the fight but more alien soldiers came out of the woodwork and attacked.

"We can't shoot them!" Sky said. Wes fought them off best he could. "Any more bright ideas?" He asked. Suddenly a huge flying machine shot over them.

"Wait, that's…" Bridge said, looking up. It was the Delta Runner 2 flying above the city.

"Who the heck is flying that?" Syd shouted. A voice came over the communicators. "I got a solution to the weather we're having."

It was Jack.

Sky grabbed his Morpher and replied. "Jack, what are you doing?"

"You scratch that and I'll come after you." Bridge added. Jack laughed and began to fly in circles, slowly at first, but soon picking up momentum. The Mirage left the air and began to suck up in a vortex.

Wes looked up. "Why does that look so familiar?" he said to himself.

The alien citizens soon came top their senses, dropping their random weapons and looked around, with no memory of what happened.

"He saved our lives, again." Sky said.

Bridge smirked. "He's quite the guy."

The girls both sighed in relief.

"Thank god that's over!" Syd exclaimed. Suddenly the sky went black and the Reptilia ship descended.

"You had to say it." Z muttered to Syd. Kyle rejoined the others to make sure they were okay.

"Uncle Wes, I knew you-" Wes cut him off/

"I don't think now is the time for gratitude." He said, pointing. A beam shot down and Blackland descended.

"Ssss.P.D!!! You have sssstood in my way long enough! Now I will do what my minions could never do and finish you."

Kyle looked at the others and then back at Blackland. "You guys hang back. This one is mine." He said. Suddenly someone put a hand on his shoulder. It was Eric.

"Dad….what are you doing here?" Kyle said. Eric looked at them and then Kyle.

"Don't do this on your own son. If you turn down your friends, you are doomed to be alone." He said.

Kyle nodded. "Your call leader boy." He said to Sky.

"Rangers, lets move out." Sky said. The five rangers walked toward Blackland ready to fight.

Blackland twirled his cane. "Letsss go!" He beckoned.

The rangers attacked with their Delta enforcers and circled around him. Blackland swatted Bridge with his cane and sent him crashing into a sheet metal door. He grabbed Syd and blasted Z into a window.

"Let go you gecko." Syd shouted, squirming. Blackland threw her into a lamp post.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Sky said to Kyle, who nodded.

"Battlizer, sonic mode!"

"Mega Battle!"

The two rangers donned their battle armor and attack Blackland, who dodged.

Sky slashed fiery waves at Blackland, who jumped in the air and stabbed him in the chest with the pointy end.

Sky yelped in pain and fell down to the ground and out of morphed and battlized form.

"Sky! That's it. You're mine!" Kyle said, spinning and slashing at Blackland, who blocked with his cane. When he saw his opening he dug his claws into Kyle's body, who froze and screamed out of pain.

"You are weak and pathetic!" Blackland said, blasting Kyle away. He too fell out of both forms.

All the rangers were scattered around Blackland, de-morphed and defeated.

"Now for your preciousssss city." Blackland said, removing his mutant patch, showing his DNA. He began to grow.

"Oh no!" Kyle said, getting up slowly. He went to talk into his wristband until someone came running up.

"Q-Rex, arise!" Kyle shouted.

The dino mecha rose out of the ground and screamed.

"Convert to warrior mode!" Kyle ordered, the shoulder cannons folded back and the Q-Rex stood in Megazord mode.

"Rangers, I'm sending the fliers." Kat said over the intercom. The others stood up.

"Let's give Kyle some backup." Sky said. The others nodded and re-morphed, getting to the Zords.

Both the SWAT Megazord and Q-Rex Megazord began to take Blackland on.

"Surrender Blackland, you are outnumbered." Sky shouted. The evil lizard smirked. "You think sssso?" He cackled.

Suddenly he split into two.

"We can handle this." Kyle said. After saying that, two more clones of Blackland appeared.

"Famous last words?" Syd muttered.

The two Megazords charged into battle. The Q-Rex fired its missiles, which the lizards dodged easily. Two electro shocked him with their canes. The Megazord fell to the ground like a ton of bricks.

Kyle held on for dear life. "This is not happening." He mused.

The SWAT Megazord fired at the other two, hitting buildings instead.

"Watch where you're aiming Bridge." Z shouted. He put a hand on his helmet nervously.

"Sorry." He said.

Blackland reformed back into one.

"Ssssilly rangers, you cannot defeat me even in one form." He said. Suddenly blasters threw him back.

It was the Delta Command Megazord.

"Thought you could use some help." Cruger said as Shadow Ranger.

The others cheered. "Glad you came boss." Sky said. Kyle got the Q-Rex back up just in time because Blackland was not happy.

"I'll crush you!!" He said, lashing his tongue out and shorting out one of the arms off the Q-Rex.

"No!!" Kyle said. He clenched his fist.

"Now it's personal! Q-Rex, fire rocket fist!" He ordered, the robot held up its good arm and fired its fist at Blackland, who spun his cane to block it.

"Issss that the best you can do?" He shouted.

"Let's finish this the old fashion way." Sky said, the others nodded. The SWAT Megazord grabbed Blackland, flying him up into the burning atmosphere.

Blackland screamed in pain.

"It burnsss!!!"

"Hot enough for you?" Bridge joked. Kyle looked up. "Hey!! No fair you guys!! This scalehead is mine!!!" He shouted. Blackland stabbed the pointy end of his cane into the Megazord thrusters.

The SWAT robot fell to the earth with Blackland riding it like a snowboard.

"Brace for impact!" Sky said, griping the controls. "Guys!!" Kyle shouted, pushing buttons on the wristband. "Come on old friend. I need your help now more than ever." Kyle said, trying to get the broken arm to lift up.

The Q-Rex moved its missile arm up slowly.

"Gotta cut this just right." Kyle said, waiting until Blackland and the Megazord were close enough.

"Fire!!!" He shouted into the wristband. The arm fired its six missiles, all of them hitting Blackland in the chest.

The crime lord flew from the damaged Megazord and crashed hard into the city streets.

"I got one of the thrusters back online." Bridge said. Sky bit his lip.

"Close enough!" He said, grabbing the levers and guiding the Megazord away from hitting the city like a meteorite and flew sideways.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Syd yelled.

"Hang on!!" Sky said, steering the Megazord to hit the mountain to stop. The SWAT Megazord hit the mountain like a brick wall. The mecha was sprawled out like a tired lineman.

"Well, at least we stopped." Bridge said. Sky sighed in relief.

Blackland got up, angrier than ever.

"Now you're mine!!!" Blackland said, running at the Q-Rex with its cane in a stabbing manner.

"Let's hit him together." Cruger said. Kyle nodded.

Both Megazords aimed their panels at the lizard.

"Max Blizzard, fire!!!"

"Solar Panels, fire!!!!" The rangers said in unison. Both hot and cold blasts hitting Blackland dead center, he flew back and exploded.

Kyle jumped down.

Blackland had been reduced to normal size. His DNA patch empty.

"Why won't you die?" He shouted. Kyle walked to him, aiming his Quantum Defender.

"Fine, boy. Kill me. I know you want to." He slithered.

Kyle eased his finger on the trigger. He hesitated. That moment of hesitation was all Blackland needed.

"Fool!" He shouted, lashing his tongue out at the wristband, cutting it open. It crackled with energy.

Kyle switched from morphed to de-morphed form and back again. Blackland laughed with delight. "You are finished."

Kyle gripped his gun. "So are you!" He shouted, turning the Quantum Defender into sword mode. He ran and slashed Blackland, who fought back with his cane. Kyle screamed with anger and brought down his sword on the cane, breaking it in two.

A black mist seeped from the cane and it melted.

"Noooo!!!!" He shouted. He glared at the young ranger. "I'll sssssee you in the next world ranger." He said, scowling.

"Not before I see you in jail!!" He said, holding up his wristband and confining Blackland to a card.

The card fell to the ground, Blackland pounding on it.

"I will make you pay for this!!!" He shouted. The Quantum Morpher began to heat up and spit fire.

"System error." The computer said, fading into a deep voice. The ranger form fell away for good. The Quantum Ranger was no more.

The others ran up to Kyle, who held the destroyed wristband in his hand.

"Are you okay?" Sky asked, Kyle nodded slowly, picking up the card. "Case closed eh chief?" He asked Cruger, who put a hand on his shoulder. "Nice work Cadet Myers. You are a prime example of a ranger." He said.

Eric and Taylor stood there. Kyle walked up to them. "Sorry I destroyed your wristband dad." He said, handing it to him. Eric shook his head and handed it back.

"I'm proud of you Kyle. You finished a battle that was long overdue." He said, Taylor nodded alongside him.

Wes walked up to Sky.

"Don't you have something you want to say son?" He said, smirking. Sky went to slug Wes again but was faking it and shook his hand.

"Thanks for coming dad." He said. Wes blinked. "You called me "dad"." He said, surprised.

"I guess I did." Sky said.

The S.P.D crew went back to base.

A month passed and once all the Mirage was rounded up and returned back to humans, there was a ceremony at S.P.D.

"Commander Fowler Birdie, in honor of your many years of service to Space Patrol Delta, it is a true honor to take over as Head Commander of S.P.D." Cruger said, taking the helm of leader of Space Patrol Delta.

Birdie looked at him. "Yes I supposed I am overdue for a vacation. Just don't screw things up too bad Doggie." He said. The cadets applauded as Cruger took the position.

Once they were back in New Tech City the rangers and Cruger had one final meeting.

"This raises a problem at S.P.D Earth base. Who do I leave in charge?" Cruger said, looking at his five rangers.

Sky stepped forward. "Sir, I nominate Kyle Myers to take control. His dedication and battle record are credentials in my own opinion sir since he can no longer be a ranger." Sky said, stepping back in line.

Eric and Taylor patted a surprised Kyle on the shoulders. He was speechless.

"Cadet Myers, do you think you have what it takes to lead?" Cruger asked.

Kyle could not get the words out. Cruger knew he was not ready. "Very well. I appoint Sky Tate to be the new leader of S.P.D Earth base." He said. Sky could not believe what he was hearing. He shook Cruger's hand in delight.

"You won't regret this Commander." He said. Sky turned around to address the others.

"As my first order of business, I must choose a new red ranger." He said, holding his badge up.

"What do you say Kyle? You always said your dream was to lead the Power Rangers one day." He said, offering it to him. Kyle looked at them and back to his parents.

He took the Morpher and walked over to Bridge.

"Here, you earned it." He said. Bridge blinked at this gesture. "What?? Me?? Red?? Ranger??" He stammered.

"That's about it." Kyle said. Sky looked at him. "Why are you giving all this up?" He asked.

Kyle looked back at him. "Bridge was here first, and I wouldn't feel right stepping in and taking over when he's been here before me."

Bridge nodded. "Thanks Kyle, I know this meant a lot to you." He said. Kyle patted him on the shoulder.

"Just make sure you don't get shot down, or we may have a female red ranger next." He said, the guys laughed. The girls scowled at them.

"Well, anything can happen." Sky said.

"I feel like celebrating. Who's up for buttery toast?" Bridge asked, a happy look on his face. The girls just sighed.

"I want Jack back." Z said.

"Ditto." Syd added.

Kyle looked at Sky. "I think I can serve S.P.D better as a trainer." He said. Sky raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Wes came in with his team of Silver Guardians.

"I've gotten the okay from Commander Cruger. The Silver Guardians will merge with S.P.D from this day forward." Wes said.

Sky looked at Kyle. "You got yourself a job." He said, shaking Kyle's hand.

Eric and Taylor rejoined Kyle. "We're proud of you." Taylor said. Eric shook his hand. "You have more will power than I did at your age son. I would've jumped at the chance to lead." He said.

Kyle nodded. "I had fun as a ranger, but deep down, I'm a Silver Guardian to the core." He said. Jessica came out with a lab coat on, accompanying Kat.

"What do you think Kyle?" She asked, modeling it for him. Kyle smiled. "I think you and I have a date to finish." He said, taking her by the arm.

"Wait, Jessica, what about the new plasma reactor we were working on?" Kat asked. Jessica looked at Kyle then back at her. "I'm on lunch break." She said, leaving with him.

"And so, Jessica and I got married, Bridge became the new Red Ranger, and my folks went on a second honeymoon somewhere not so secluded." Kyle said to his team of D-squad cadets.

Kyle was a few years older, a wedding ring on his hand and wearing a red commander's beret.

"What happened to the Q-Rex?" a cadet asked. Kyle laughed. "We sold it to the natural history museum as a display." He said. One skeptical cadet snorted.

"Something tells me you made all this up." He said. Kyle looked at him. "Well you can think about it as the whole squad does five laps around the base."

The whole squad groaned and stood up and began to run off two by two and around the base. Kyle watched them run and just laughed a little to himself.

Inside his office there was a framed box with the Quantum Morpher pinned up like a war medal. The inscription read "Think about the future, it is just a button push away".