[Sentai]

(Timeline Help: After the Samurai Black StoryArch, and just before Xandredd Rises in the last Season Finale)

You thought she was forgotten. You thought she would never return, that Sentai had abandoned his most popular storyarc. But time was needed.. and She has risen again...

Power Rangers Samurai Black

Return of the Black

The moon hung above the Shiba household like a scythe preparing to rip through the countryside. Hiding now and again behind the whisping, thin clouds of Autumn. Despite the chilled crisp wind whistling in the courtyard Kyoko defiantly placed her hands on the opened sill. She could feel him. Deep into her bones, she could feel him out there watching. Maybe, though, she was meant to. Meant to look out past the still destroyed gate of the Shiba House and see him standing on the threshold. Hiding his mouth behind that damned fan, beckoning her without saying a single word.
He would be smart enough to avoid the Gap Sensors and get this close without being detected. To be honest, the fact he was able to almost impressed her. Xandredd would’ve just stormed the gate and started blowing everything in sight into Hell. But Serrator.. He wanted something. Something from her, she could feel it deep into her soul. One quick look over her shoulder told her the coast was clear. Everyone else was asleep. Dreaming of being self-righteous, no doubt.
Gripping hold of the sill, uncaring the only clothing she wore was an old nightgown, her body leapt from the window. Landing perfect and crouched, bent at the knees and silent, before she stood and began walking slow for the brave Nighlok standing on their doorstep. She might’ve seemed coy. Standing feet from him, one foot before the next, and her arms folded just beneath her chest. She was actually prepared. Her stance was loose enough she could block, and dodge, whatever trick he had up his sleeve. “You’re a brave one.. Aren’t you, Serrator. Don’t you know what I do to foolish Nighlok?”
The Nighlok just laughed quietly behind his fan, while his free hand made a flourish before those illuminated white eyes of his. “Do I seem foolish to you, Samurai Black? I come with an offer. One you may not be able to refuse.”
That made her laugh. Almost loud enough to draw attention from the house, but she stopped herself. Oh this silly monster had her attention now. “An Offer? Perhaps you haven’t heard but I used to beat Humans who made offers with things like you..”
“Ah, yes you did. But this offer you will enjoy. The return of your power, the undoing of the seal which affected your mind and brought you down. I’ve the power, Samurai Black. I’ve the power to restore you.”
Kyoko’s eyes narrowed. The seal saved her, it didn’t change her mind for her. .. Not that the thought hadn’t crossed her mind once or twice. Did she want to change her mind and the seals helped, or did the seals change her mind and she had no choice. “You’re bravery alone has earned you time before I call the Rangers to blow to back into Hell. So, Serrator, tell me. Why should I believe you, and what are you offering?”
Flourishing both hands, Serrator placed the one holding his fan across his stomach and bowed himself low. As though thanking her for the time. What he truly did was bend himself out of the way of Daiyu. Standing behind him and throwing a single glistening spine into the slender neck of Kyoko, before covering her mouth so innocently with the back of her right back. And giving such an unassuming giggle.
Kyoko was frozen. No matter how she struggled, the poison inside the spine had completely paralyzed her muscles making it hard to move. Hard to breath. Only helpless to watch as Serrator came, and stroked his hand along her cheek. “You shouldn’t.”

Jayden rushed towards the map room. The Gap Sensor Alarm blaring through the halls, warning something had passed through into this world and was causing havoc. “What is it?” Antonio was already rushing past, one hand typing numbers frantically into his Morpher. “Kyoko, Jayden. She’s missing!”
Jayden followed. Joining his friends outside where the gate of their house had once stood, and was currently being repaired. And all he saw was a new crater. New because it was still smoking, anyway. And what was left of Kyoko’s nightgown.
Ji was there already. Knelt beside the crater, hands on his walking stick for support, as he surveyed the damage done. “Aside from the crater, there are no signs of struggle. As though she stood there and let them attack her. Rangers: Find Kyoko, find out what happened here. Whatever Nighlok did this was strong enough to avoid the Gap Sensors, so be careful. Jayden, Emily. Begin searching the business district. Mia, Mike. Begin with the Docks. Antonio, Kevin. Search the neighborhoods. Keep in contact, work together… Bring her home.”

Emily folded her arms. Standing atop the roof of some medical building overlooking the business district, with Jayden beside her. Knelt on the edge, one hand holding it as the other stayed on the handle of his Spin Sword. It was a shame, she thought, that she only saw views like this one. Overlooking the Bay, and the suburbs lining the North Shore, with farms further to the west. When something had gone horribly wrong. She would’ve liked to see a view like this once when no one was about to die. To much to ask?
“Your mind’s wandering again, Emily.” And Ranger Samurai Yellow stiffened. Jayden noticed she was distracted, of course he noticed. She should’ve known better. “I’m sorry, Jayden. I’d just like to be here once when no one’s screaming, or when something’s not about to explode.. I’ll focus.”
Jayden agreed with her, to be honest. But she knew she had a job to do. That was when they heard the voice coming from behind them. “Looking for someone? Could I help you? I’m ever so good at finding things…“ Emily turned, entering her widened ready stance with her Spin Sword already unsheathed and held with both hands. While Jayden stood with a single spinning flourish. Unsheathing his sword as well, but his stayed low down at his side. Ready to block or attack. But what he saw surprised them more than anything.
Kyoko. Wearing a black one piece which covered her tight from head to toe, with only her head from the next up exposed. And a twisted Spin Sword strapped to her back. Longer than it should’ve been, a two-handed weapon. With a smaller version attached to her right hip. Standing there as she had the night before, before Serrator. One foot before the next, arms folded, and body twisted slightly to the right. “What’s wrong? You both look like you’ve seen a ghost…”
Jayden laid his hand upon Emily’s shoulder. Urging her out of her stance. And as though the words were unspoken she took up a more defense posture, as he wanted. Neither of them knew what happened. But from the look of those swords.. It was nothing good. “Kyoko? We saw the crater, we thought you were hurt. Where did you get those swords?”
Lifting the back of her hand, Kyoko giggled. “Oh Jayden. Ever the hero. You can’t save this damsel, I’m afraid. She made a deal with the Devil and sold her Soul already.” Kyoko suddenly reached for her left hip, pulling free her newly rebuilt morpher now completely silver and black. And folded it down, almost in half.. “Sadophone, Change!” Her hand gracefully moved the phone through the air, writing in large black strokes of light the Kanji for Death. And with a flick of her hand spun the magical seal forcing it against her.
Jayden and Emily both rose their hands. Blocking the sudden onslaught of purple light as Samurai Black reemerged into the world. The Ranger that appeared through the smoke rising from her change was so much different than she was before. Her Mask now held the Seal of Death, as Jayden’s held the Seal of Fire, and Emily’s held the Seal of Earth. Though her suit remaining the same black color they remembered. There was now a long coat covering her uniform, much like the Black Box’s Super Mode. Though hers was gray with glistening gold trim along each edge, and her Kanji symbol upon her back. Beneath that massive Spin Sword.
“The Age of Samurai Black has come, Jayden.” Her left hand reached across her body, pulling free her Spin Sword from off her hip, and drawing the weapon out to point the blade towards the still stunned pair. And specifically Emily standing beside him. “And the Fall of Yellow is Next.”