[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.”

[Sentai]

The Fall of Yellow

Sparks fell like a heavy downpour with the sliding of metal against mythical metal. Jayden had hoped to raise his sword, and deflect Kyoko’s block sending her back. And putting himself between Emily and Kyoko. What happened instead stunned him. “Deker?!”
The untransformed Half-Nighlok Ronin smiled. Turning to watch Jayden from off his shoulder, as he blocked the attack with his back turned. And his sword along his outstretched right hand. “Hello, Red Ranger. My Sword Uramasa and I have been awaiting you.” Black fire erupted around Deker, forcing Jayden back, and revealing his bone-white armored form. “Let these two play, Red Ranger. You are mine. But if you defeat me, maybe you can still save your friend.”
“Black Box.” Jayden swiftly threw the box skyward, but watched as it landed on Emily’s blade. “That’s your problem Deker, no faith in your friends!” Jayden gave Emily an assured nod, and took after the now charging Deker.
Emily held her sword close, one hand pressed against the disc spinner, and gave it a quick push of her hand. “Yellow Ranger Super Mode!” Emily held her sword with both hands against her right shoulder. Holding her blade high as her body twirled beneath her, revealing the sparkled white and golden cloak of the Super Mode. And when finished, her sword lowered with her right hand, while her left hand moved swift across her visor. “I’m not helpless anymore, Kyoko! And we are going to save you!”

The ground below was coming quick, and Deker rolled as he impacted sending him clattering into the middle of an off-street café. Jayden soon followed. Ushering people away so they wouldn’t be hurt, but most were already running from the sudden downpour of costumed swordsmen. Deker rose himself up. Standing tall, slowly rounding Jayden, with both hands upon his sword. Jayden had seen this strategy before and mimicked his pose. Both men looking for an opening in the other, waiting on the other to make the first mistake. The first move.
The Spin Sword’s blade drew sparks, everything around them seeming to slow, both warrior’s taking towards one another. Deker with his sword held at his side, blade behind him. Jayden with his sword one-handed, blade tip dragging against the ground. Only to be brought to bear against one another, time finally returning to normal around them, as both men slashed their swords again and again.
Neither giving the other the chance to recover. But Deker rose his sword, looking to take advantage of an opening. But the opening was a feint. Jayden rolled towards his right, forcing Deker’s sword to clang against the cobbled walk. Sending chucks of the pavement splintering off. And allowing him to outright punch Deker in that masked skeletal cheek. Making Deker stumble back, in shock more than anything else. While Fire Red gripped his disc, spun the blade and created his massive Fire Smasher to rest against his right shoulder. “I’m finished having you over my shoulder, Deker. Tired of you interfering.. I am taking Kyoko back and taking you down!”

She could hear the ongoing sounds of battle coming from the street beneath her clear as though Jayden and Deker were fighting just feet away. But Emily wasn’t worried. She was right in saying she had faith in her friends, and she had faith that Jayden would beat Deker. And despite how her heart was thudding inside her chest, she had faith she would beat Kyoko here and now. “Why are you helping Deker, Kyoko? Why did you leave.. What happened?”
Her answer came at sword point. Kyoko had pulled the long sword free from her back and brought it down like she was trying to slice Emily straight down the middle. Emily tumbled forward, rolling so she’d end up behind Kyoko. And all she’d strike is the heavy plaster making the Medical Center’s roof. Sending chunks of plaster, and dust, splattering across the otherwise empty roof.
Emily fought. The Spin Sword brought down again, and again, not giving the Black Samurai a chance to recover. Only lose ground and block what she could. Knowing that if she didn’t push, if she didn’t continue fighting, they’d lose Kyoko. “I’m sorry, Kyoko..” Opening the Black Box Emily laid her yellow disc inside, and gave the weapon the hardest spin she could. “Super Yellow Strike!” Both hands gripped her weapon tight, holding the handle flush against her shoulder while the blade began to glow a brilliant yellow.
The sword swung down, the energy beginning to release hissed angrily, but something blurred in front of Emily’s vision. And next she knew she was hurtling across the rooftop. Sliding across the cement on her backside, and careening into the lip of the roof so hard the wind was stolen right out of her lungs. While her sword clung helplessly just feet from her. But so out of reach. “D… Daiyu…”
The musical Nighlok only giggled behind the back of her hand, the hand still holding the blade once hidden inside her Harmonium. “Silly Yellow Ranger, you should’ve known better.”

The explosion caught Jayden off-guard. Leaving Deker the opening he needed to thrust his sword into Jayden’s side. Not a killing blow by any means, but one that would leave the Red Ranger hurt. Withdrawing his blade, Deker gave the Ranger a swift push of his foot against his chest. Sending Jayden toppling backward. Holding his now bleeding wound. “What are the point of friends if they distract you so easily, Red Ranger. My sword Uramasa is disappointed..”
Jayden crawled. Ignoring the now retreating Deker, Daiyu, and Kyoko, fighting his way up the building. Working up the stairs, pushing himself through the pain. Through the blood trickling from his wound. Needing to know Emily was alright.. Every step felt like a mountain. His lungs were on fire, his vision had started going blurry.. No, he wouldn’t die. Almost though was a very real possibility.
Shoving his shoulder against the emergency door, Jayden collapsed on the rooftop. Coughing up crimson. But still he pushed himself forward.. Until his body fell against the rooftop, his eyes widened, and he saw Emily’s body limp inside the crater created from their fighting. She was breathing.. He could see her breathing, but her sword was broken. The black box was open and her disc was smashed. “Emily…?”

[Sentai]

Emily screamed. She shot straight up in her bed, hand clutching the blanket at her chest attempting to catch her breath. The window was open, it was barely fifty outside, and she had on her yellow flimsy tank top. And she could still feel the layer of sweat covering her. Holding her face in her hand she tried shaking the dream loose. The same dream she’s had now for three weeks.
A deep sigh and she threw her legs over the side of her bed, hands holding onto her mattress so tight her knuckles became stark white. Almost as if she wanted to make sure she was awake. Not that she wanted to be. According to the clock glaring beside her it was only three in the morning, an hour longer than she’s used to sleeping. That was something. Right?
Not if she couldn’t shake this feeling. It took her several minutes but she made it into the shower. The warm water helped, the scented shower gel helped more. And the smell of fresh coffee brewing a couple minutes after was exactly what she needed. Both hands held her cup as she leaned herself against the wall of her home. Standing on the balcony overlooking the mountains just outside the Shiba House. The cool breeze made her wish she had on something more than her bathrobe, but the view made up for that.
“You’re awake.” She wasn’t surprised Mike didn’t sound surprised, but couldn’t he have pretended to be surprised? Just once for her sake? “Was it the same dream?”
Emily could only nod. But she still kept her attention off towards the light fog rolling down from off the mountains. “You all are dead, the Shiba House is in flames, and Kyoko is laughing at me. Because I lost my powers…”
She should’ve been comforted by Mike standing there. Leaned against the rail, arms folded, watching her without leering. Which he could’ve. But all she felt was small. Exactly how she felt ever since she woke up from the attack.. And realized she lost all her power. “We’ll find out what they did and reverse it, Em.. Ji…”
“Doesn’t have a clue.” Emily interrupted. She’s heard this before. And she knew he was just trying to help, but it was starting to make her angry more than anything else. “Master Ji has been searching for three weeks. Meanwhile Kyoko’s been doing what she wants, Daiyu and Deker have been helping Serrator do Lord knows what, and I’m stuck here watching.”
And instantly she felt horrible. “Sorry, Mike..” Even offering him her best apologetic smile. “I know everyone’s trying, and I love you all for it.. But let’s be honest. She took my powers away, none of us know how, or if she can do it to someone else.”
Is it horrible she was almost happy the Gap Sensor had started blaring? But now both of them were running. Mike arrived first, Emily stopped back inside her room and slipped into something a little less revealing before joining everyone inside the main room. Just in time to watch everyone else rush from the room without so much a second look as they went off to fight the bad guys. Is this what Ji felt like whenever they rushed out on him?
Almost as if he knew what she was thinking Emily felt a strong, almost fatherly, hand grasp her shoulder. “They did not mean to hurt your feelings, Emily. They are all hoping this is Kyoko so they can reverse what she has done. In the meantime.. Please get dressed. I have someone I want you to meet, someone who might be able to help you.”

Least the morning sun felt nice. Warm. Emily was leaned against one of the trees on the property, hands cushioning her rear against the tree. And her bare feet crossed. Wearing her favorite pair of flared blue jeans and a loose tank, in her usual Yellow. She may not’ve been a Ranger anymore but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t still dress like one.
.. Someone who could help her. Those words kept rolling around her head like an old log caught on the riverbank. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Ji, it’s just.. She didn’t believe him. Why did that somehow feel worse? This whole thing just felt like Ji trying to give her hope. False hope, but hope none the less.
She was almost grateful when she heard the rumble of an engine. Her eyes narrowed, fighting off the sun and through the growing dust cloud lifting from the road, trying to see who was driving.
The Military styled Humvee was silver. With two broad dark blue stripes running down the length of the top, and a brilliant white symbol on the hood. With two more of the doors. Each of them reading Terra Venture.. The woman who stepped out the Jeep though certainly didn’t look military. She looked more Me Tarzan, You Jane!. “You must be Emily, my name’s Maya. I’m here to help.”