Onyx woke the next morning early. They were going to go outside and enjoy the peace before who knew what might happen next, but alas, there was a deadweight on top of them. Onyx chuckled slightly as they ran a hand through Tsurugi's messy hair. He didn't stir from the touch.

Onyx laid there and stared at the roof of the tent that they had set up. They knew it wouldn't be long before something was bound to happen and make them all have to rush to the scene of chaos again. Tecchu was going to get up to something. He had to. Don Armage wouldn't appreciate him taking his time with killing them.

Tsurugi woke with a start. Onyx eyed him up with a bit of concern.

"You good, kid?" They asked.

"It was... just a dream..." Tsurugi replied, sounding a little out of breath.

"Nightmare?"

Tsurugi hesitantly nodded. Onyx sighed and ruffled his hair, before placing a kiss on his head.

"Trouble!!" There was a call of alarm from outside the tent.

Onyx was the first outside, Tsurugi not far behind them. Spada and Raptor were rushing toward them.

"A vice-shogun has appeared!" Spada said.

"Lucky and the others are fighting him!" Raptor added. "We should go help!"

"I'll go." Tsurugi replied. "There is something I want you to find. I must know the truth behind that battle."

"Eh?"

"The Tokei kyutama. It will let us see what truly happened back then. Please find it." Tsurugi said.

"O-okay." Spada and Raptor hesitantly agreed.

"Stay safe." Onyx said. "Now, come on. We need to go help the others."

Tsurugi nodded. The two of them rushed off to go and meet up with everyone else. Unfortunately, they got there a bit late. Everyone was writhing on the ground in pain. Tsurugi stopped running and stared out at them all.

"My word..."

"We should-" Just as Onyx was about to prompt him to fight, another voice spoke up.

"Go, Gabura!"

"Gabura?" Onyx repeated. "Oh, that is not good..."

"I am Gabura. I'm Tecchu-sama's right-hand man as well as a bloodstained executioner." Gabura said. "Get in my belly and become one with my blood."

"No!" Onyx didn't know whether to rush out or not.

Lucky stood up and seemed as if he was about to transform again, but fell down the stairs behind him. Talk about lucky. The rest of the group ended up getting grabbed by Gabura and sucked into him.

Lucky climbed back up the stairs and stared around. "Guys?"

"Better hurry if you want to save them." Gabura taunted him. "Before they become my blood, that is."

"Bastard!" Lucky started getting back to his feet when Tsurugi ran forward and stood in front of him.

"I'll be your opponent." Tsurugi stated and transformed.

He attacked the two enemies. Lucky watched. Onyx also watched. They had their hand clenched tightly around one of the kyutamas. They would jump in if they needed to.

Tsurugi got knocked back and went tumbling. Gabura took the opportunity to try and get Tsurugi as well with his hair. Onyx ran forward, summoning their sword. They jumped in front of Tsurugi and deflected the attack. One piece managed to latch onto their wrist. Onyx growled and grabbed it with their hand. They squeezed down as hard as they could. Gabura yelled in pain and released them. Onyx rushed at him and began to attack him.

"You're no longer immortal, right?" Lucky was talking to Tsurugi.

"Pow!"

Onyx looked over just in time to see Tecchu send a giant fireball tumbling toward Tsurugi and Lucky. Tsurugi shoved Lucky out of the way and took the brunt of the blow.

"Tsurugi!" Onyx abandoned their attacking and rushed to his side.

He had a gash on his head and there was blood coming out of a cut on his arm as well. Lucky joined them as well, seemingly equally as concerned.

"You're finished." Tecchu stated.

Onyx quickly jumped to their feet and placed themself in front of the other two. No way in hell were they letting Tecchu kill either of them.

"That's far enough."

"That's..."

Onyx glared as Don Armage appeared before them.

"Don Armage."

"Tecchu, withdraw. He's no longer immortal so we can finish him off whenever we want."

"Gyoisa!" Tecchu and Gabaru both vanished.

"Stop!" Lucky rushed forward but it was too late.

"You seem surprised to find me alive, Ohtori Tsurugi." Don Armage said.

"Of course! I defeated you!" Tsurugi replied. "In other words, you should be dead."

"Don't be cocky! All you did was waste you immortality and your comrade's lives."

"Keep up that attitude and I'll tell them exactly what's going on." Onyx threatened. "If you want to keep your precious little secret safe, don't test me."

"What I said is the truth, Onyx. You can't deny it." Don Armage replied.

"Shut up!" Tsurugi yelled. He tried to attack Don Armage, but he vanished before the attack hit.

Onyx went back to Tsurugi's side. "Hey... deep breaths. Don't let him get to you."

"Onii-chan..."

"I know. Come on. Let's get those wounds taken care of."

...

They returned to the Orion-gou. Onyx treated Tsurugi's wounds. Tsurugi was silent the entire time. It was obvious that what Don Armage had said was getting to him.

"Tsurugi. What he said isn't true." Onyx said quietly. "You didn't waste their lives. They agreed to fight with you knowing it could happen. Because they believed in you. None of them would think their lives were wasted."

"But I..."

"You did defeat Don Armage. But only part of him. That's all I'll say. You aren't mentally ready to hear the entire truth yet." Onyx said. "Alright. I think I've gotten everything patched up. Let's go to the bridge with the others."

Tsurugi nodded. They took a slow walk to the bridge. Shou Ronpo and Lucky were waiting. Lucky had treated his wounds himself. Tsurugi sat down on a chair and silently stared. The commander and Lucky were discussing things. Onyx went down to join them.

After a little while, Tsurugi stood up, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

"Where are you going, kid?" Onyx questioned.

"To find Tecchu. I've got some payback for him." Tsurugi replied.

"Get it together!" Lucky stormed over to him. "Saving the others comes first!"

"Hey! This is no time to be fighting against comrades!" Shou yelled at the two of them.

"Comrade?" Lucky repeated. "This guy is no comrade of mine."

"That's right. I don't need anyone who won't be a shield for me." Tsurugi responded.

"Oh, for the love of god, you two!" Onyx yelled in frustration.

Tsurugi simply left. Onyx sighed. This was a disaster.

"What a bastard." Lucky grumbled.

"Maybe he's trying to save them alone?" The commander suggested.

"Him?" Lucky scoffed. "That guy'd never do that-"

"There're times when his words and actions do not align." Shou said. "For example, why weren't you badly hurt by that attack just now? He might be bearing some heavy burden."

Onyx sighed. "I see... so that's what he meant..."

"You know what he's doing?" Lucky questioned.

"I have a suspicion now." Onyx replied. "He... is trying to bear this burden all on his own. Because of what happened before..."

"What happened back then?"

"You're better off asking him that question. I didn't see much of what happened regarding him. I tried my best to avoid having to interact with him at all during that battle."

"Then let's go find him." Lucky stated.

Him and Onyx went off to search for where Tsurugi had ended up. He was on a rooftop, trying to call Tecchu to come fight him. Onyx sighed. Could he not do that? He should at least try and use the element of surprise in this fight. Not let the enemy get that instead.

At the sound of their footsteps on the roof, Tsurugi turned to look at them. His gaze traveled over the two of them before he spoke.

"What's wrong? Do you feel like becoming my shield?" Tsurugi directed his words to Lucky.

"I won't be a shield for anyone who is not my comrade." Lucky stated.

"What?" Tsurugi jumped down from where he had been standing.

"But just like you..." Lucky continued. "I want to save the galaxy. If you want me to be your shield, then you have to tell me about yourself."

Well, that certainly was one way to try and get Tsurugi to talk about his past. Onyx wasn't sure if it would work. Tsurugi did seem to like talking about himself and his accomplishments, but would he be as willing to discuss the darker parts of his past?

"So you want to save the galaxy?" Tsurugi said. "My word... that was his catchphrase."

It seemed that was enough to get Tsurugi to start talking. Onyx listened with a heavy heart as he recounted his time with Cuervo. Knowing what had become of him... it hurt to remember the way he used to be.

"You... don't want to sacrifice any more comrades, do you?" Lucky said. "That's why you fight alone-"

They were cut off from continuing the conversation as their blasters got a call from the commander.

"I know where they are. Head over there immediately." The commander ordered, sending them the location.

"That makes our job easier." Onyx stretched their arms.

"Let's go." Lucky held out his kyutama, only for Tsurugi to snatch it out of his hand.

"What are you doing?" Onyx demanded.

"You're right. I don't want to sacrifice any more comrades. Which is why I'm the only one who needs to go." Tsurugi stated.

He pulled out his kyutama and used it to vanish.

"That stubborn idiot!" Lucky yelled.

"He really is holding on to a lot of guilt from back then..." Onyx sighed. "I'll catch up with him. You go get the commander and tell him what's up."

"Okyuu." Lucky agreed.

Onyx teleported themself nearby where the location was supposed to be. Tsurugi had already challenged the two enemies to a fight by the time they arrived. He was fast.

"I smell blood." Gabura said. "You're in no condition to fight, are you?"

That was a very good question. Tsurugi had taken quite a beating earlier. Was he really able to hold his own?

"I will fight no matter what condition I'm in." Tsurugi replied. "It wouldn't be legendary otherwise."

It also would be pretty stupid to do so. But of course when was Tsurugi ever one to back down from a fight like this? Especially when he was trying to prove he could do this all on his own.

Onyx grabbed the death kyutama and quickly transformed. They rushed into the fray just as Tsurugi was hit hard by Tecchu and thrown back. Onyx jumped in to fight in his place.

"Coming to save him?" Tecchu taunted.

"So what? I'm not letting you kill him. You'll have to kill me first." Onyx growled in reply.

There was a loud shout from above. The commander had brought his voyager to deliver him to the fight. He shot at Tecchu and Gabura with his voyager, knocking them back. Him and Lucky came down.

Lucky grabbed Tsurugi and pulled him to his feet. "How long are you going to fight like you're immortal?! Cherish your life!"

Onyx kept an eye on Tecchu and Gabura, making sure they didn't try anything while this conversation was going on.

"If you die... everyone who died for you will have died in vain!" Lucky was still yelling at Tsurugi.

"But I can't run away." Tsurugi replied. "I am the legendary savior."

"I'm also a savior!" Lucky shot back. "If you tell me to be your shield, then I will."

"Eh?" Onyx glanced over their shoulder. What had happened in the short time?

"But remember this." Lucky finally let go of Tsurugi. "I'm going to be a shield who fights! I'll defeat all the enemies that stand before you!"

"My word." Tsurugi didn't seem to know how to react. "What kind of shield also fights?"

"Isn't our Lucky amazing?" Now Shou Ronpo joined the conversation as well. "He says things that others wouldn't even think of. Aren't you interested in fighting with him? Right?"

"Current saviors should work together with the previous saviors. We will create a new legend." Lucky said.

"Guess I'll call myself a savior too." Shou said.

"My word. A new legend?!" Tsurugi repeated. "Sound good. Let's fight together. Let's save the galaxy together."

"Alright, lucky!"

That was easier than expected. Onyx had not thought that Tsurugi would so suddenly change his mind. But then again, Lucky really was something himself. He was quite good at getting people to cooperate.

"Let's go."

The three of them lined up and transformed together. Onyx awkwardly watched from the sidelines. They were already transformed...

"Super Star! Shishi Red!"

"Dragon Mastar! Ryu Commander!"

"Deadly Star. Shi Black."

"Space Bustar! Houou Soldier!"

"The ultimate saviors! Uchu Sentai Kyuranger!"

Almost immediately, they were attacked. Lucky blocked the attack with a kyutama providing them a shield. Then somehow it dissolved into an argument between him and Tsurugi. Despite them arguing, they were still managing to block every attack that was thrown their way.

"Despite their griping, they're getting along well." Shou commented.

"Perhaps some friendly fighting will make their fighting stronger." Onyx replied.

The two reds were doing quite a number on Tecchu through their arguing. It just kept going on and on though. Onyx wanted them to shut up already.

"I'll be the shield!"

"No, me!"

Shou walked over to the two of them. Onyx waiting to see just what exactly he was planning to do. Did he have a way to stop them from fighting with each other in the middle of a battle?

"Then I..." The commander interrupted them.

"Go ahead." The two parted to let him through, only for him to immediately get shot by Tecchu.

"Fine." Shou said. "Akuma and I will take the vice-shogun. You two save the others."

"Yeah!"

Onyx rushed after the commander as he began to attack Tecchu. The two fell into sync and knocked him back. Tecchu was not pleased by this at all. Onyx could tell that much.

"Sad you don't get to fight with Tsurugi?" Onyx taunted as they hit him with their sword.

"I'll knock you down a notch in his place." Tecchu replied.

"Good luck with that." Onyx scoffed.

Them and the commander were doing quite a good job at beating Tecchu back. He was no match for the two of them together.

While they had been keeping Tecchu occupied, Tsurugi and Lucky had managed to kill Gabura and save everyone from an untimely demise inside of him. They were celebrating together while the rest watched in confusion.

"Gabura!" Tecchu said. "Don't think this is over yet!"

Gabura grew giant. How annoying. Tsurugi and Lucky went to deal with him. Onyx focused on Tecchu still. They were ready to kill him if they could here. Save them the trouble of having to keep dealing with him. But unfortunately, he had other ideas.

Tecchu knocked the commander away and shoved Onyx back as well. "In addition..."

He also grew giant. He was able to do that on command? That was not an ideal thing to learn about. That was just going to make getting rid of him even more annoying.

Onyx and Shou joined up with the rest of the group. Onyx undid their transformation for the time being.

"Look. They're losing." Garu commented.

"We should join them." Stinger said.

As everyone raised their kyutamas up to summon their voyagers, they all began to glow. The kyutamas all flew up and started attacking the enemy, before circling around the two mecha. Then Tsurugi and Lucky combined together with all the kyutamas. That was certainly something.

In the end, only Gabura ended up dying. Tecchu escaped to live another day. Onyx was irked by that.

...

Everyone gathered in the Orion-gou after the battle. Onyx leaned against the railing and watched as Lucky and Tsurugi talked some more. Then, Lucky handed him a card.

"This is proof that you're a Kyuranger." Lucky said. "That you're our comrade."

"My word! This is so cool!" Tsurugi was excited about it. "This is legendary!"

"And, one for you too, Onyx." Lucky walked over and held out a card for them as well.

"Thanks?" Onyx took it and looked it over.

"Now, you're members of the Kyurangers." Garu said.

"Let's get along~" Balance added.

"Let's do."

"If you have any questions about the ship, just ask." Shou said.

"Let's get along." Tsurugi replied, before looking around at everyone. "I may be much older than you, but don't let that intimidate you. Call me Tsurugi."

"Let's get along, Tsurugi."

Everyone was still greeting him as a new member of the group. Onyx smiled. At least Tsurugi finally found a place to belong again. They were certain he would get on well with everyone here.

"Oh... that reminds me." Kotaro pulled something out of his pocket. "I wanted to give Raptor her license. Where is she?"

"Planet Toki in the Horologium system. They're looking for the Tokei kyutama." Tsurugi replied.

"Tokei kyutama?" Naga repeated. "What's its power?"

"It controls the time in this galaxy." Onyx replied. "Pretty important thing."

"It even has the power to go into the past." Tsurugi added on.

"The past?!"

"I see." Stinger said. "So you're going to the past to defeat Don Armage?"

"No." Tsurugi glanced over at him. "I want to know the truth about that battle."

"Can't Onyx just tell you?" Hammie asked.

"No." Onyx replied. "I wasn't there to witness what really went down at the end of it. I simply saw the aftermath and just went with it."

They got a call interrupting their conversation. It was Spada and Raptor.

"Everyone, hurry to Planet Toki!"

"We can't handle it alone!"

"Alright. Let's go." Lucky said. "We're getting the Tokei kyutama."