The next thing I knew, I was back home. The smell of warm broth and machine oil wafted up from somewhere nearby. For a few euphoric moments, as I lay on the couch, I began to entertain the possibility that it was all a dream. I then heard the others murmuring in the kitchen. It seemed Dale was home and quite healthy. I was glad for that. I looked toward the steaming cup next to me only to feel my stomach twist. There on the table was the coin. I knew then it was all very real and that I had resign myself to complete one final job as a Ranger...

I entered the kitchen and waited. Eventually Monty, Gadget, Dale and Zipper stopped what they were doing and looked my way. They all began to talk at once. Dale put a hand on my shoulder, a wide smile on his face. Zipper landed on my hat and gave a cheer. Gadget gave me a quick hug and flashed a smile. Monty jokingly punched me in the arm. I didn't feel any of it. I was unable to share in their joy and it soon became clear to them. They all started to ask questions and I held up my hand to stop them.

I gave a long, tired sigh and looked them all in the eye.

"Guys, I have an announcement. Before I say it, I want you to promise me something. You always trusted me before... please grant me that privilege one more time." They nodded hesitantly and I continued. "Working on this case has lead me to the truth. Our work as Rangers has resulted in the loss of two lives."

Undaunted by their outburst of questions, I continued.

"The Rangers were founded on the idea of protecting the innocent and helping those in need. Cases large or small, victims human or animal we strived to make a difference. A group that goes against its founding ideals has no right to exist. Anything it 'does' is empty and meaningless. We have failed in our duty, and without purpose, its time for a change. For my last act as leader, I will now do what Fat Cat, Nimnul, and all the others never could. I hear by formally disband the Rescue Rangers."

I stared off into space as I said this, numb to the numerous outcries of disbelief and gasps of astonishment that simultaneously chorused from them all. Dale then got in my face. "You can't mean that Chip! Think of all the good times we had!"

My eyes shifted to his. "It's over Dale. Those days are in the past, never to be lived again." My reply was even, hardly a match for Dale's shouting.

"But Chip," pleaded Gadget "think of all the good we can still do. No one's perfect but we've done so much for people, isn't that worth anything?" Brimming with tears, her eyes bore into me. However, nothing stirred within me.

Monty put a fist in front of my nose. "You cant give up just like that. You're the last person I'd ever figure to be so weak! Didn't you always say 'There's always a chance, as long as one can think?' Use your head!" he paused, his tone becoming more solemn. "This isn't the right thing to do. Stop and think about what you're saying, mate." Monty then turned away.

Zipper merely stared at the ground from Monty's shoulder, unwilling or unable to say anything.

"Guys, as long as the Rangers exist, we present a danger to those around us. There will always be a vengeful nemesis waiting to exact his revenge however he can. How many innocents will get caught up in the next mad plot? I helped start the Rangers, now I'm ending it. The facts cant be ignored. The dream we strived for is over and its time to wake up."

Chip's old eyes came into focus. He suddenly found himself staring at the dusty remnants of HQ in the present. He stiffly shifted in his chair deciding to stare into the cup of strange smelling water he had cradled in his hands since he began speaking. Zapper waited a few moments then ventured a question. "What happened then?"

"For a long time I couldn't bring myself to do much of anything. I didn't care if I lived. Everything I knew had been shattered into innumerable fragments, impossible to piece together again."

"Even with my last act as leader, I managed to hurt people."

"Dale was my best friend. He placed a lot of his self worth into being a Ranger. After the group disbanded he was never the same. We lost touch quickly and drifted apart. I have no idea what's become of him."

"Monty and Zipper returned to globe trotting. I don't think there's a spot on Earth they haven't seen. They never found the time or will to come back here."

"As you know, Gadget became a doctor. She attempted to keep ties with me, visiting often. No matter what she tried, I was just too stubborn, blinded by my inner turmoil. She started coming less frequently and now I see her every few months at best."

"They say time heals all wounds. My sense of justice eventually outweighed even that immense guilt from our last case and I took up the fight again. I vowed never to endanger anyone else in my new vendetta against the criminal mind. I never considered interfered with Gadget's new life."

"By the time I decided to start fighting crime again, I found my physical abilities severely lacking due to neglect and the passage of time. I never did reach the peak I had before and I quickly found the need to modify the inventions Gadget had left here. I don't know if she's ever soldered a sprocket since that day."

"I may have left out a detail here or there but I think that covers most of the bases. Now you know everything. They say knowledge is power and now its yours. What will you do with it?" A smile appeared on Chip's paled face.

Zapper's eyes burned with resolution. "I won't let it end like this. I'll give this city the heroes it deserves. I'll honor the memory of the Rangers and bring together a new group to fight the good fight!"

Zapper then left to face the new day. His destiny was clear to him now. He would travel the path laid down by the Rangers who fought before him. Their ideals would flow from the past, defining the present, and shaping the future.