Disclaimer: I don't own them, Saban does.
Summary: Justin makes the hardest decision of his life.
It was the hardest decision Justin had ever had to make. Deciding to become a ranger was easy. The other rangers had needed someone and the idea of becoming a ranger was every boy's dream, at least here in Angel Grove. Plus, the actual rangers were really cool. He knew Tommy and Kat and Tanya and Adam and Rocky and they were really awesome people. They'd helped him a lot, the past little while, as he'd tried to make it without his dad. The idea of being able to help them with something this important was thrilling and something Justin knew he couldn't turn down.
Deciding to stay a ranger hadn't been much harder, although it was a decision he would make over and over. Zordon had offered to take back the powers after the battle at Muranthias. Justin had hesitated only a short time before saying that the world needed a ranger until Rocky go better so he would stick around.
He'd assumed he would only be the blue ranger for a while, just until Rocky got better. He waited for the time he would have to give the powers back but it never came. Finally, he'd confronted Rocky about it. Rocky had been surprised and asked, "Don't you WANT to be the Blue ranger?" and Justin did. He hadn't realized it but the power and responsibility had become part of who he was and he couldn't imagine going back to life without it.
When the other rangers passed on their powers to T.J. and Carlos and Cassie and Ashley, he was given the chance once more. He could pass on his powers to another. He refused. He told Zordon it was because the new rangers would need someone to show them the ropes but really it was what he wanted. He wasn't ready to let the power go, although he could see that the others were. They had graduated from highschool and were trying to make something of their lives and the power was holding back. It was interfering with their work and their dreams. They were ready to move on, as Jason and Zack and Trini had moved on, as Kimberly had moved on, as Aisha had moved on. But for Justin, the power was still something he needed, something he loved. He loved being a ranger. He loved making a difference.
But now...now his father was back. They could be a family again. And the other rangers were leaving the solar system, in search of Zordon. The time had come to choose again and, this time, he knew he would choose differently. He wanted to go but there were important reasons to stay. He knew it was time for the others to move onto the bigger world of space but he also knew he was needed right here. So he made the hardest decision of his life. He stayed. He gave up being a Power ranger. There would be many times over his life he would regret the decision, would wonder what could have been. He wasn't finished with the power but, having to choose between it and his father, he'd chosen his father. He hoped it was the right decision because he knew he could never take it back.
As he watched the rocket climb up through the sky into space, he said a silent goodbye to a life he had once had, to a life he would never have again. He said goodbye to his friends who he might never see again. He wished them well in their quest to find Zordon, for it was truly THEIR quest now. And he turned his feet toward home and toward his father, trying to resist the urge to look back.