It wasn’t how Shane liked to end a fight. He’d read Dustin’s comics enough to know that the Rangers were supposed to turn around dramatically while the monster exploded. There was nothing there that said, “the heroes suddenly demorph without warning”.

But that’s what had happened this time. Every time he had demorphed unintentionally it had been a bad thing. And somehow he wasn’t expecting it to be a good thing this time either.

He felt weird. The sudden rush he’d felt when his Ranger Power had returned was gone again. He couldn’t feel it at all. Which sent him into a quiet panic over Skyla’s powers.

She’d told him repeatedly that he couldn’t lose her powers. They were his forever. He’d even managed to call the Battlizer armor during the battle. That was the first time he’d used the armor since the last battle at the Abyss.

So he really should just know that Skyla’s powers were still there. And he did. But with the sudden loss of the Ranger Powers – again – he couldn’t help checking.

Everyone else was gather around Cam, badgering him with questions about the Ranger Powers. He was behind them, but close enough to hear. Shane slowly raised his hand, turning it over, and thinking of Skyla’s power as he did. As he watched, his hand was surrounded by flames. Which was different.

He’d expected there to be a ball of flame hovering over his palm like usual. But he realized he hadn’t been envisioning the ball of flame. He’d just been thinking about the power, about fire, and seeing it over his hand. And now here he was with his hand on fire. Only it wasn’t, because it did not burn. Not him at least.

Shane began to realize how odd this must look, and raised his head to make sure no one could see. He saw Ethan watching him, with a look of comic book geek glee on his face at Shane’s Human Torch impression. Quietly Shane turned his hand back over, extinguishing the fire in the process.

He tuned his attention back to the problem at hand, the disappearance of their Powers and Lothor's location. The ninja students had already streaked back to the Academy. Marah and Kapri had appeared with the student-sucking jug and let them out. The sisters also informed everyone that they last place they'd seen Lothor was in Mesagog's lab.

Everyone had waited as long as they could for an explanation on the Power situation though, and Cam was trying to answer. He was explaining that he expected something like this to happen. About how Lothor’s messing with the Amulet had screwed up the Powers. Tommy offered his lab as a place to check things out, to see if there was anything that could be done to salvage things.

Cam nodded, and they started back to the lab. But Shane could tell from the look on Cam’s face. The Samurai knew things were bad. Their Powers were gone, again. The Amulet was dead.

Cy strolled up to Mei Lien, smiling. She was cooling her hands in the stream by the waterfall.

“You know we have running water inside.”

“It’s prettier out here.” She smiled at him. “Is Sensei Hiro still talking to Cam?”

“No. He’s retiring early for the day. He said motors are not his thing. He said something about deep meditation. I thought all meditation was deep.” Cy smiled bigger at his own humor. “The rest are all going to meet up with the Dinos to watch Blake’s race. Flesh-bro said I could come.”

“Are you going?

“Are you?”

“No one invited me.”

“I can invite you.”

“I’d rather you invited me somewhere else?”

Cy blinked. “Uh… Like?” Then he forced himself to exhale. Was this? Was she?

“I’m too worked to stand in the hot sun. I was thinking of sitting in the shade and sipping some ice cold lemonade. Or, maybe some coding in an air conditioned dark room.”

It didn’t sound like a date. What was he to say? “I know of a cyber café in Reefside that Cam’s told me about where you can code and drink lemonade. Wanna go?” Certainly if his bro would let him go to a race, he’d let him go to a café, right?

“Perfect.” She smiled warmly. And suddenly, Cy knew, he’d deal with anything Cam had to say, AFTER he took Mei Lien to the café.

Blake leaned against the counter at the Cyberspace, listening as Kira performed on stage. After claiming victory at the race, the Dino Rangers insisted that they all go back to Hayley’s for a victory celebration. After everything they had been through, they eagerly agreed.

As much as he was enjoying himself though, Blake couldn’t help but notice Kira glancing at him repeatedly from the stage. He still couldn’t believe that Jesse might be right about her. But if he was, this could turn really awkward, really fast. Especially with Tori waiting for him on the couch.

“What’s wrong?” Hunter asked, as he and Cam joined Blake at the bar.

“Nothing.” Blake told his brother, who was clearly not buying it. “What could be wrong?”

“How about losing our Powers completely.” Cam replied, with a twinge of guilt in his voice. “Not to mention the fact that Lothor is still out there somewhere.”

“We knew the risks going in.” Hunter explained, looking Cam straight in the eye. “There was nothing you could have done.”

“Exactly.” Blake agreed.

“As far as the Lothor situation goes,” Hayley interrupted from behind the counter. “We’ll do what we can to help track him down. Anything we find, we’ll forward on to you.”

“Thanks.” Hunter smiled.

“No need for thanks.” Trent explained, placing Blake’s order on the counter. “It’s what Rangers do for each other.”

Just then, the roar of applause signaled the end of Kira’s song. Turning back towards the stage, Blake saw that she was headed his way with that same look on her face that she had onstage. Deciding to meet her halfway, Blake moved forward, determined to let her down easy.

“So, what did you think?” Kira asked, with a smile on her face. “Since you showed me what you do, I thought it was only fair that I do the same.”

“You were amazing.” Blake replied. “Listen, Kira, I noticed the looks you were giving me on stage. I’m flattered, really. It’s just that…”

“Hold on. “ Kira interrupted. “Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, but I was actually looking at him. “She nodded over Blake‘s shoulder. Blake turned and saw Trent smiling at her from behind the counter.

“You and Trent?” Blake asked as he reminded himself to kill Jesse the next time he saw him.

“No offense,” Kira explained. “You’re cute and all, but Trent and I kind of have something going and I really want to see what it might lead to. Besides,” she looked over towards the couch, where Tori sat. “I take it you have someone of your own waiting for you.”

Blake just smiled as he looked back at the woman he loved. She was definitely right about that. Kira just smiled at him, then made her way towards the counter.

Walking back to the couch, Blake couldn’t help but feel relieved to have that beautiful face waiting for him. He had come so close to losing her that he was determined to never let that happen again. As he sat, he could feel her warmth as she snuggled against his chest. At that moment, it didn’t matter to Blake what was out there, or what challenge they would face next. He had Tori, and that was all that mattered.

At that moment, all was right with the world.

He stood over the Abyss of Evil, peering down into its depths. It was not long ago that he was trapped within the never-ending darkness, sealed for all eternity. Now, he was free, ready to unleash pure hell upon the plague of humanity, and no one would stand in his way.

The time has come for people to fear his name once more.

Catch an ALL NEW Power Rangers Ninja Storm, NEXT WEEK!!