Held Responsible
Summary- [Fourth in Powerless Series]. Jason held a lot of responsibility in being the team leader, in being the one everyone turned to, in being the one who could keep it all together; until he wasn't.
01
Jason Lee Scott knew nothing but being a team player in every aspect of his life. There were more than enough people that would say that about him. He cared about others. He worked hard to make other people feel better. Wanted to make sure things were other people were okay. He was selfless that way. Always had been and always would be.
When he started martial arts, he wouldn't immediately jump forward and volunteer to do what he could to prove he knew what was going on. He stayed out of the spotlight, learning everything he could. Quietly observed. Offered to help those that were having a hard time figuring out some of the more complicated things they were being taught.
Because, no one knew, Jason used to be a bully. It was a point of shame in his life that he tried his best not to think about. He'd been very young, threw his weight around. Didn't understand how much it was hurting other people. And it grew. He stooped to Bulk's and Skull's level and said some mean words back to them. When that didn't work, he fought back. And maybe that was why they feared him, despite still picking on him.
They never tried to beat him up. Bulk did throw his weight around, but they knew Jason could take them down. And Jason was horrified with what he'd done. So much he confessed to his parents, in tears, of his guilt. They apologized to him, saying they didn't know he was being bullied and worried why he was so sullen and quiet. So they enrolled him into martial arts; he was already interested from the movies he'd watched. And Jason was a natural.
After that, he made sure he didn't lost his temper. Fell into the meditation aspects of martial arts training, worked to keep everything under control. So he focused his energy on improving and helping others improve, quickly rising through the ranks of different belts until he became a black belt and started to teach others. Doing everything he could to continue to pass on the message 'never use martial arts to learn how to beat someone up'. It wasn't what it was about.
And Jason took that suggestion seriously.
Until he became a ranger. Then his martial arts training was used as a weapon to take on the putties, -putties, and monsters that came his way. To stop Rita Repulsa, Goldar, Squatt, Baboo, Finster, and Zedd from destroying the home he loved so much. He practiced martial arts every day, never missed, always taught anyone who was willing to learn. Loved his classes.
Ultimately, he loved the responsibility of being a ranger. He loved being the leader of the team, loved being the person the rest of his friends looked up to. Loved being able to be there for them. But he equally hated it. Hated that he had to worry about their well-being. Hated that he may, one day, have to explain to their parents why they wouldn't return him. Hated that if something did happen to them that he'd ultimately be the reason why.
That he was the one who led them into their own demise. That he was the one who made it so that they never came back home, never realized their dreams, gave everything to the intergalactic war that waged battle on their city every day.
The guilt ate at him as much as it drove him forward.
He was the one everyone looked up to.
He wanted to be that for them.
Jason Lee Scott was a team player.
Until he wasn't part of that team anymore.
A/N: I was going to update Headstrong first, I have most of that chapter written out. Then I was going to update Powerless II and Shattered Grid but this was pushing toward the forefront. I've been meaning to get to this one sooner and I hope you all enjoy it as much as you did Powerless, I'm Home, and The Wounded Hart.
~Av