The door to the brig hissed open, a head topped with a rainbow mane poked in, glancing around to make sure Gai wasn't already visiting the brig's sole occupant.

Rainbow Dash stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind her and walking silently towards one of the five cells in the room.

"Oh? So that damn ape lets me get visitors?" Said a voice from the back of the cell.

"He's not an ape, and he doesn't know about this," Dash replied, her tone even.

"Oooh, a lapdog disobeying orders? so much for your 'loyalty'," Black Pot scoffed, "so, why is that ape's bitch down here to see me?"

Rainbow Dash bristled, but kept her voice calm, "when we arrived, you assumed Gai was an enemy without hearing him out. Even tried to have my sister kill him, why?"

Pot chuckled, a harsh, hollow sound, "why wouldn't I? After all, he's from Zangyack."

Dash stood there, stunned, "what the hell do you mean!?" She asked incredulously, lunging for the bars.

"Exactly that, you've been in prison for the past ten years, so you wouldn't know; Zangyack sent one of their lackeys to be the Planetary Overseer, and he looks just. Like. That. Ape."

Dash staggered back, her eyes wide, "no, that's..."

"Think about it Rainbow Dash," Pot continued, "all anypony has seen of Zangyack is their robotic, dispensable soldiers. And then all of a sudden, an ape creature shows up in a high-ranking position in the Zangyack army, why don't you connect the dots?"

"No! That's not possible! He can't be..."

"Can't be what? How much do you know about your precious Captain anyway, Rainbow Dash?"

It couldn't be true... could it? But Gai had said that he had history with the one in the Super Dreadnaught...

"What? At a loss for words, Zangyack bitch?" Pot cackled as Dash turned to leave, her ears pressed flat against her head, "he'll betray you! You know he will!" He crowed as the door to the brig hissed shut.

"Gai, we're almost there," Navi said, glancing at the scowling pirate reclining in his chair.

"How are the refugees?" Gai asked off handedly, as if distracted by something else.

"They're a little freaked out, but there weren't that many casualties or injuries. The evacuation was the best call that could've been made." Kettle replied, frowning slightly, "I'm just not sure what to do about Pot though."

"If this pans out, you won't have to worry about him," Gai said gruffly, getting up from his chair, "Navi, I'm going on ahead, we'll need to announce our arrival."

"Aye sir," Navi replied, swatting Gai's hand as he reached for his flask, "he doesn't like it when you drink, remember?"

"Right..." Gai mumbled, stowing the flask in the chest next to his chair, "I'll be in touch soon, hopefully with good news." With that, Gai opened the door to the deck of the Galleon, pulling out his Gokai Cellular and a silver and gold key before diving over the side of the ship, crossing his arms.

"Gokai Change!"

GOOOOOO-ONGER!!!

Gai was enveloped in a silver and gold light, when it faded, he was free falling in a gold and silver suit, two white daggers clutched in either hand, "Rocket Daggers: Dagger Acrobat!" Gai shouted, flicking all three switches on both daggers, causing a jet of flame to burst to life from their pommels.

"MISSION SIX: FULL POWER!" Cried the mechanized voice from the daggers as the flame went from yellow, to orange, to blue.

With a sonic boom, Gai rocketed forward towards the large cloud bank ahead.

Rainbow Dash entered the main living quarters of the Galleon, a worried look on her face. Glancing around, she spotted her target, "Navi," she said, beckoning to the mechanical parrot, "can I talk to you for a minute?"

Navi fluttered over, "what is it, Rainbow Dash?" She asked, landing on Dash's shoulder.

"Can we take this up to the crow's nest?"

"Why?" Navi asked inquisitively, her head cocking a bit.

"I have some... personal questions that I'd like you to answer." Dash replied, plastering a fake smile on her face.

If Navi suspected anything, she didn't show it, "alright, Kettle!"

"Yeah?" The old earth pony replied, looking up from the book he was reading.

"Can you take over the ship's controls for a bit? Dash wants to talk."

Kettle shot Dash a curious look before nodding his assent, taking his place at the Galleon's navigation terminal.

Dash headed for the stairs leading up to the top of the Galleon's mainmast, the pair were buffeted by strong winds as a large gust tore through the exit to the crow's nest, the ship's atmospheric field failing to keep up with the sudden gap in it's coverage.

Moving quickly, the pair exited the passage and stepped out into the crow's nest, the powered door closing behind them.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Navi asked, perching on the edge of the crow's nest.

"How long have you known Gai? Where did he come from?" Rainbow Dash asked

"Why the sudden interest in Gai's past? I know he's not the most easy to read person, but-"

"That's not the point, Navi," Dash snapped, "I want to know where he's from, and what his motive is."

Navi stayed silent, staring at the agitated blue pegasus in front of her. The only sound in the crow's nest for the next two minutes was the wind and the occasional whirring and clicking Navi's clockwork parts made as they adjusted themselves to make the mechanical bird stand upright.

"I don't know for sure." Navi said simply.

"What!?"

"The first thing I remember was being activated by Gai when he first got here, I have no memories before that," Navi looked out towards the horizon, "Gai was a lot less angry back then, back when they-" she shook her head, "sorry, but the rest isn't my story to tell. If you want to know more, you'll have to hear it from Gai."

Rainbow Dash scowled, "are you sure? If I'm going to serve as his first mate, I'd rather know what exactly what I'm getting into."

"I'll tell you one thing then," Navi began, looking straight into Dash's eyes, "that man has reason to despise Zangyack more than anyone, he won't stop until they're wiped out. He'll do nearly anything to see them burn."

Gai bowed before the large cave entrance in the forest clearing, a slow moving river filling the air with the sound of rushing water. Gai chanced a glance toward the yawning mouth of the colossal cave entrance, steeling himself with a breath. His Sensei was inside... and he would not be pleased to see him again.

"Sensei, I have returned," Gai said, returning his forehead to the forest floor, not daring to look up.

A pair of green eyes flashed in the cave's darkness, a rumbling growl drowned out the sound of the river as the cave's occupant stepped closer to the mouth of the cave.

"Regretfully, I haven't recovered your partner's stolen power yet, my visit is of another purpose," Gai replied, trying to keep the nerves out of his voice.

The creature in the cave growled again, louder this time. The displeasure clear in the rumbling sound.

"I'm sorry!" Gai exclaimed, pressing himself to be as low as he could, "I had no other options, this island was the only place I could come to!"

The creature growled again, less violently this time, before stepping out of the cave, the sunlight finally revealing a gigantic, mechanical red lion with a golden mane.

"Y-you mean right now? Sensei, not to be rude, but-" Gai said, pulling himself up to his knees.

Gao Lion growled again.

"Fine," Gai grumbled, climbing to his feet and making his way to the river, shedding his shirt, coat, and silver-rimmed goggles on the way there, revealing a twin pair of knotted scars on his back and stomach. Gao Lion sat on his haunches behind Gai, watching intently as his student approached the riverbank.

Gai took a deep breath, lowering his stance and closing his eyes as he began reaching for his internal magic reserves, channeling them to his will towards a specific task: move some water.

With another deep breath, Gai slowly bought his arms up, the river rising and swelling with the motion. A single tendril of liquid began to rise out of it, snaking towards the azure sky.

Suddenly, a bolt of intense pain exploded behind his eyes and around the scar on his stomach, causing Gai to lose his focus and the river to explode upwards, raining back down on the pirate, drenching him instantly.

"Gah! Fuck!" Gai spluttered as he spat water out of his mouth and slamming his palm against the ground and curling into a fetal position as he rode out the waves of pain that rocked through his body.

Gao Lion gave a disappointed rumble.

"Yeah, I know my magic's not flowing properly, stop rubbing it in!" Gai growled through clenched teeth as the pain finally melted away, "there, you happy!? Your idiot student hasn't improved at all!" Gai snarled, using earth magic to fling the grime off his clothes and skin.

Gao Lion remained silent, his large, green eyes staring through Gai.

"What, got nothing to say?" Gai grumbled, retrieving his shirt, goggles and silver long coat, "fine, that's not the reason I came back anyway."

Gao Lion growled in irritation.

"There are some ponies on my ship who formed some form of Resistance Militia against Zangyack, their base was discovered and they need a safe place to lie low."

Another growl.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to tell them to keep to themselves and not disturb the priestess," Gai said, slipping the goggles over his neck, "there is one that might not listen to me though. Earth pony, black coat and brown mane, answers to the name of 'Black Pot'. If he ever realizes where he is, he might come here in a stupid bid to revive the Gao Rangers."

Gao Lion rumbled his response.

"Trust me, he'd just start all over again on the surface. And judging by his policies with this Resistance, I don't think I want him anywhere near ponies who don't already know what an asshole he is. The guy was willing to sacrifice an innocent girl just to kill me."

Gao Lion snarled, almost erupting into a full roar.

"The girl is fine, just traumatized. She'll recover with time," Gai replied, turning to face the large red lion, "so, can they stay here? I'll be sure to drop them in the valley on the other side of the island."

Gao Lion just huffed and walked back into the cave, putting his head on his paws and yawning.

"I'll rake that as a 'yes' then," Gai muttered, "I'll see you later, Sensei."

Gai only got a rumbling snore in response.

The door to the brig opened, allowing entrance to Black Kettle as he stormed over to his brother's cell, "what did you say to Rainbow Dash?" He asked softly.

"I have no clue what you're talking about, dear brother." Pot spat the last part, "why don't you go back to your curry shop and forget Equestria's problems like last time?"

"Don't bullshit me Pot!" Kettle growled, slamming a fist against the bars, "I saw the security footage, now tell me, what did you tell Rainbow Dash!?"

"I simply told her the truth," Pot replied, "it's not every day you get deceived into becoming a Zangyack native's bitch."

"IDIOT!" Kettle roared, "you still say that after he went and saved all our sorry flanks!? That human is the only living Sentai member alive on Equus right now!"

"That's impossible, you must be going senile Kettle."

"I saw him transform right in front of me, even had a name: Gokai Silver."

"You're joking... The Silver Scourge!? The one rumored to be a remnant of the Sentai?" Pot breathed.

"The same, he showed us his wanted poster too," Kettle replied, glaring at his brother.

"Then why has he been kept himself from us!?" Pot shouted, "if he really is some hero of Equus, then why didn't he make himself known!? I would have gladly placed myself at is command!"

Kettle remained silent, taking a deep breath before continuing, "I don't know."

The crowd of resistance refugees milled about next to the scarlet Galleon's gangplank, the murmur of confused conversation filling the air. Some were relieved, others were terrified.

Suddenly, the ground in front of the crowd lifted up, forming an impromptu stage, a biped in a silver long coat standing on top of it with a megaphone clutched in one hand.

"Ah, ah, ah, testing testing," Gai intoned into the megaphone, resulting in an earsplitting screech that deafened half the audience, "whoops, sorry," Gai muttered as he adjusted some dials on the megaphone, "is this better?" He asked.

The crowd all glared at the human, some of them drawing blades in a threatening fashion.

"I'll take that as a yes," Gai said, grinning sardonically at the crowd, "I'd bet you're all wondering who I am and where you are."

A murmur of agreement echoed through the crowd of ponies.

"Well, to put it bluntly, I'm the one who saved your sorry asses and bought you to a new safe haven. No offense to any actual Asses out there."

Several members of the crowd glared at him.

"Regardless," Gai continued, pacing back and fourth across the stage, "the place we're at is sacred ground, so there are some ground rules to you staying here."

"First, you refugees are allowed anywhere within this valley, trespassing elsewhere will likely result in... unfortunate circumstances. Anyone who leaves forfeits their lives."

This drew several shocked stares from the crowd.

"Kidding, but seriously, don't leave the valley. I'll get in big trouble with Sensei if you do, and that's totally not cool."

The crowd erupted into a cacophony of relieved sighs.

"Second, only take what you need from the landscape. The beings that live here don't tale kindly to pollution, or destruction of the natural ecosystem. There are plenty of resources in this valley to make a self-sustaining society, provided you play your cards right."

"Third, Zangyack won't find you if you lay low. And try not to excite the island's owners too much? They can be a bit touchy."

"You never told us where we are!" A pegasus mare cried from the middle of the crowd.

"Ah, sorry," Gai replied, turning his attention to the mare that had spoken up, "We're currently on a floating island approximately sixteen kilometers above the ground, any pegasus that tries to fly back down to the surface will find that returning will be virtually impossible, this island is also shielded from prying eyes via ancient magic. Welcome, to the Animarium."

All eyes in the crowd widened and looked around, realizing the gravity of where they were located. Gai wasn't surprised, it wasn't every day a pony got to visit the home of the Gaoranger's Power Animal partners.

"Essentially, what I'm doing is dumping the lot of you here, where Zangyack won't find you and where you can't cause trouble."

A resounding "WHAT!?" erupted from the crowd, causing Gai to wince.

"What in Tartarus do you mean by that!?" A Griffon tercel asked from the front row, similar cries of disagreement and objections echoed up from the crowd.

"Damn herd mentality..." Gai growled under his breath, "let me ask you all something, how effective are you at fighting Zangyack now that you've engaged them once?"

Silence filled the air as all the assorted races of the Resistance suddenly clammed up.

"I saw too many of your dead in that forest, and too few Gormin turned to scrap, so tell me: were you peons effective at all with dealing with Zangyack!?" Gai all but roared at the crowd.

They all hung their heads like scolded children.

"That's what I thought," Gai huffed, "there's an old village further up the valley, use that place to set up your new HQ. I have to have some words with my crew," he glanced up at the sky, "it'll be dark soon, so I suggest you hoof it."

A portal snapped open next to Gai and he stepped through, ignoring the hateful glares of the Resistance members behind him.

Gai stepped through the portal, his eyes meeting the gaze of everypony in the room. An awkward silence filled the air.

Finally he spoke, "Princess, Pipsqueak, and Kettle. It's been fun, but I can't have you involved with this any more," he said softly.

"What!?" Pipsqueak exclaimed, "you're just going to leave us here, while you go off and fight Zangyack by yourself!?"

"I agree with mister Pipsqueak," Flurry Heart chimed in, "I cannot simply stand aside while others fight for my citizens!"

Kettle remained silent.

"What the hell would you two whelps know about fighting Zangyack, huh!?" Gai roared, "I can fight them myself, with or without help! I've done it time and time again for the past year, I'm not about to let some street urchin and a princess with no authority go off and get themselves killed!"

Gai sighed, "look, there really isn't anything you can do to help, except to ease my conscience about taking kids into battle. Just go with the rest of the Resistance, you'll be safe here, I promise."

"Be that as it may-" Flurry Heart began, only to be cut of by a single raised hand from Gai.

"Tell me, princess. What do you think happens when or even if Zangyack is defeated? What happens to Equestria then?" Gai asked.

Flurry's ears, drooped a bit, "I-I am not sure..." she murmured.

"If that happens, Equestria will need a princess to lead it. You want to help? Stay here where it's safe, then work to get Equestria back on it's feet when this is over."

Flurry Heart hung her head and remained silent, tears blurring her vision.

Gai turned to Rainbow Dash, "Dash, the offer to stay here applies to you as well. You can live out your days here with your sister in peace. But if you come with me, there'll be no turning back, once you become a member of my crew, Zangyack will put a price on your head."

Rainbow Dash chewed on the inside of her cheek hesitantly, on one hand, Gai was offering her an out. A way to be with Scootaloo again. But on the other... what if what Pot had said was true? While she knew Gai was from another world entirely, a dimension apart from their own, who was to say that the Zangyack army hadn't come from the same place? If she stayed, then she'd at least be able to try and stop Gai if he did turn traitor.

Dash smirked, "I told you before Gai, I'm in, even beyond that dream of yours." And if you are Zangyack, then I'll cut you down where you stand, she added to herself, silently.

Gai nodded slowly, his eyes searching hers. Finally he nodded, "right then, we'll depart in the morning." He snapped his fingers, opening a portal, "This will lead you to where the Resistance is setting up their new HQ, I'll be around to pick you up tomorrow, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow nodded as she led the others through the portal, the vortex snapping shut behind them. Leaving Gai alone in the Galleon's main living quarters.

The human sighed and slumped into his chair, "do you think I made the right choice, Navi? Dash doesn't seem to fully trust me yet."

"Who knows?" The mechanical parrot said, landing on top of the chest next to Gai's chair, "but you know you can't keep her in the dark about Basco, or what happened in the Dragon Lands."

"She doesn't need to know that," Gai muttered solemnly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of her finding out," Navi said.

"Maybe I am," Gai replied, "maybe I'm just being selfish by keeping her in the dark about the past year, but that doesn't change the fact that what I think she'll do with that information scares me even more."

With that, Gai used a portal to summon a bottle, and set about curing himself of unpleasant thoughts.

The next morning saw the Galleon lifting off, taking it's passengers with it.

And that did mean all of it's passengers.

"So," Gai began, deliberately fighting to keep the anger out of his voice, "you decide to try and stow away on my ship and thought that-due to my incapacitated nature at the time- you would be able to keep yourselves hidden until we were too far to turn back, is that right?" He finished, glaring at the young alicorn and earth pony sitting on their knees in front of his chair, Kettle was standing off to the side, standing to attention as if he were getting chewed out by a commanding officer.

"And Kettle, I expected this from the princess and Pipsqueak, but you? Really?" Gai questioned, turning his glare to the aged stallion.

"Where the Princess goes, I go," he said simply, "I might not wear the armor anymore, but as long as there are royals, I'll still do my job. Pot has his responsibilities with the Resistance, despite how badly he handles it. But it shouldn't be a problem anymore."

Gai merely grunted a half-hearted reply before turning back to the insubordinate ponies in front of him, "you do realize that I don't have to even turn this ship around to send you back, right? I can just finish the job with a snap of my fingers," he lifted the aforementioned appendages, arranged to snap open another portal.

"Please wait!" Flurry Heart blurted out, standing from her kneeling position.

"Oh?" Gai said, lowering his raised hand and cocking an eyebrow, "what is it now, princess?"

"Please let me join your crew!" she said forcefully, bowing at the waist, her eyes screwed shut.

"Princess, I already told you that-" Gai began.

"If being a Princess of Equestria means that I must sit around and wait for somepony else to save my citizens, then I will gladly throw away my title and become a pirate!"

"Princess, you cannot be serious about this! Please reconsider!" Kettle said, moving to grab for Flurry Heart's arm.

"Do not try to stop me, Lieutenant! This is my decision to make, not yours!" Flurry Heart snapped, her eyes locked with Kettle's, a fierce determination blazing behind them.

"Why do you want to be a pirate that badly? There are many easier ways to get yourself killed, Princess" Gai said.

Flurry Heart pulled out a piece of paper from the folds of her sundress, revealing Gai's wanted poster, "the Crystal Empire is nothing more than smoking ruins buried with snow, but there are those that still managed to flee. I want to live as a symbol of hope to them," she held out the wanted poster, "if my face is on one of these posters, then they will know that I'm alive, and fighting Zangyack."

"And besides," she continued, pulling out Gai's letter of marque and pointing to her signature, "I believe that you actually work for me, mister Gai. Or shall I say: Privateer Gai?"

Gai cringed, "w-where did you get that!?" He stammered, nearly falling out of his chair.

Flurry Heart smiled sweetly, "why, from your desk of course! When mister Pipsqueak and I were locked inside during the last battle 'for our protection'. You should never leave such important documents laying about, Captain."

Gai grumbled something about 'politicians' and 'legal piracy' before turning his attention back to Pipsqueak, "and I assume you feel the same way?" He groused.

"With all due respect, Captain," the street urchin said, standing from his kneeling position, "you can take those 'concerns' of yours and shove them up your arse. I'm never going to stop, not until my last breath!"

"So what will you do?" Gai asked, an neutral expression on his face, "once you join, the Zangyack... the whole universe will be your enemy."

"That's a bit wrong, Gai," Pipsqueak said, staring into the human's eyes, "I'm gonna be the one to smash Zangyack to pieces!"

Silence filled the Galleon's living quarters, Gai's expression unwavering. Suddenly, a wide, mad grin appeared on his face as he bellowed laugher, "not bad, kid! I like it!"

He turned to face Kettle, "I assume you're staying on too? Makes sense if the Princess is staying."

Kettle nodded silently.

Gai chuckled a bit more before turning so that he was facing all the ponies in the room, "Pipsqueak! Rainbow Dash! Flurry Heart!" He barked, causing the three ponies in question to stand to attention, "from this day forward, you are all Gokaigers-in-training, and members of my crew. Stick out your right hands please."

They obeyed.

Gai snapped his fingers as a set of three bronze bracers fell from a portal above each arm, effortlessly snapping onto each wrist, "as apprentice Gokaigers, I'm gonna be putting you through your paces. Anyone who complains can leave at any time, is that understood?"

All three ponies nodded.

"Good, because your training starts immediately," Gai began, reclining in his chair and propping his chin on his fist. A wide, evil grin slicing across his face as all three apprentice pirates suddenly collapsed onto their bellies, spread-eagled on the floor.

"Your first task is to stand up."

Author's Notes:

Sorry for no outrageous piracy shenanigans in this chapter guys.

This one's mostly for world and character building. Not all things linked to the Sentai are dead and buried.

And as for Dash... she'll need to learn to trust Gai. (You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?)

...Damn Flurry Heart, U scary!

As if nearly wiping out a kingdom on the day of her birth wasn't enough!

It's official, Flurry is secretly Cthulhu.

As always, please leave your thoughts/opinions/edits that I missed below and thank you for reading!