Last ten minutes of episode 40

"So then, I shouted really REALLY loud, "Protecting the World from the shadows that-" Oh you know the words! Hah! How many times did I practice that in front of you? Heh Had to be well over twenty, ahhhh... So anyway after that we all got caught in these spheres of darkness and... Well Hyde's probably already told you the rest." Jack chuckled to himself as he wipped a tear from his eye. A comfortable silence fell over the cemetery... Looks like Jack picked a nice day to come. The sun was shining, the weather was pleasant, not another living person in sight, and most importantly, a clear blue sky. Jack tore his gaze from tombstone and looked towards the clouds that gently rolled above. How long had it been sense the sky had been Blue?... It almost felt like years. Or had it always been blue, and Jack just couldn't notice...

"I miss you..." Jack said, not daring to let his eyes return to the tombstone. "So much has changed sense you left... I've become a completely different person. Heh... I wonder if you would even recognize me now." Jack sat for a moment before he let his gaze drop back to the words written on the stone before him,"Do you remember, the First Ranger Meeting?... You were the only one who showed up! Aha! God I felt like such a looser, like I was truly alone in the world, alone with my toys forced to pretend they were real. I damn near broke down right in front of you. Then, do you know what you said?... You said, and I quote,"Screw people. People suck, they're mean, judgmental, idiotic, stupid, rude, inconsiderate, and selfish monsters.  If they don't want to help, then we'll have to pick up their slack." Heh, you saved me that day. I was more then ready to give up on my dreams when I saw only one person had any faith in me. But... But you showed me that one person is more then enough. That I couldn't let what the world thought of me break me, that you would always be there for me... That you were my friend... My first friend."

Jack felt a tear roll down his cheek as he snorted with laughter  at what he just said."D-Don't get me wrong! I had pals growing up! I wasn't a total looser, heh. We would play Rangers and run around pretending to save the day, but... they grew up, and I didn't. They grew out of wanting to save the world and moved on to girls and trying to get laid. I didn't... So for a long, long time... I was alone. Then you come out of no where and fix literally everything! It's like... Remember how we first met? I was trapped in that stupid mascot costume, and you helped me get out. You both literally and figuratively pulled me out of the darkness that day. You let me accept that maybe... There were people out there who would like me... And now I have more friends then I honestly know what to do with! heh... And it's all because you put on that stupid Black Ranger suit..." Jack let a nice silence fall once more as he tightened his grip on his helmet.

"Ya know... at the end of most seasons... The rangers give up their powers to live normal lives. I don't think I have that luxury anymore. These powers we have will be needed again. I just know it... but, I'm not sure that the world... no, that I... need the Red Personanger anymore. He's done enough, I think...I think he needs to retire," With a somber smile Jack placed his helmet upside down next to Nilo's tombstone. He let one more tear escape him as he slowly filled the helmet with water from a pitcher he brought with him, and placed a bouquet of red and black roses in the makeshift vase, "There! I think I finaly found a good use for that bucket I call a helmet..." With a smile and nod Jack stood and began to walk away.

After only taking a step, Jack turned and took one last look at where his brother in arms lay,"Don't get me wrong... I'm still gunna put my idiot ass on the line every night trying to do some good in this world. Just... Might be doing it a little differently... I hear the police academy is taking applications. Maybe it's about time I made old Dad proud. Oh! And one more thing. You and Hyde better not forget about me. I'll be there soon guys... Just... Hold on for a bit alright?" With that Jack turned and began to walk away,"You guys could watch some Super Sentai to pass the time eh?" Jack smiled and wondered what color he would be next season...

Black... Definitely Black.