Disclaimer: They are not mine, they are Saban's. I don't get money for this, just a strange sense of satisfaction.

Notes and Timeline: Zeo period with Jason and Billy.

Inescapable Destiny

By Mele

Billy stood on the DeSantos front porch, listening to the babble of voices he could discern even with the doors and windows closed. Rocky had asked him to come over to look at the family's computer, something was wrong with the operating system and Rocky couldn't figure out how to fix it. Billy had agreed readily enough, always willing to help his friends with computer problems. However, visiting the DeSantos residence was always a bit of an adventure. One never knew what might happen in the large, energetic family.

Waiting until the volume inside decreased a bit, Billy finally knocked sharply on the front door. Seconds later the door opened to reveal Rocky's eight-year-old sister, Theresa.

"Hi Theresa. Is Rocky around?" Billy asked politely.

"Yeah, just a minute." To Billy's bemusement Theresa turned away, closing the door firmly in his face. He could hear her shouting for her brother on the other side.

Moments later Rocky opened the door, still speaking to his sister. "…let them in, then you come and find me. Don't just leave them standing on the porch. Come on in, Billy," he continued, turning his attention to his friend at last.

"Hi, Rocky," he grinned. "Is it just me or is there more excited activity around here than usual?"

"Oh, man, this place is a madhouse. The little ones just got back from Disneyland, they are all wound up about it. My cousin is getting married this weekend, and my mom is in charge of getting the clothes for the bridesmaids and ushers ready. Other than that, things are about normal," Rocky grinned. He especially enjoyed Billy's reactions to his family, as his blue predecessor probably had the quietest home life among his friends.

Rocky was leading the way to the family room where the computer was set up, when his youngest sister, six-year-old Maria, spied them.

"Billy! I have something for you. Wait right there!" the child demanded, darting off toward her bedroom. Billy obediently stayed where he was. Maria had a crush on the former Blue Ranger, which Billy was well aware of. He was always kind and gentle with the little girl, accepting her small gifts, usually pictures she had drawn, very solemnly and thanking her gravely.

She arrived back breathlessly and handed him a set of Mickey Mouse ears she had gotten on her trip. Billy looked at them with surprise.

"Maria, I can't take your mouse ears. They are really nice, but you should keep them," he told her gently.

"I have my own. I got those just for you. Put them on," she told him.

He turned helplessly to Rocky, only to find his friend struggling against laughter. Fixing the amused teen with a stern look Billy mouthed Not one word, and put on the ears. Maria squealed with delight, then hurried off ordering Billy to leave them on.

When Maria had disappeared into her room Rocky let out a soft snort of laughter. "Oh, man, you look so cute!" he chuckled, much to Billy's discomfort.

"Rocky, you wanted me to look at a computer?" he queried, hoping to distract him from further teasing.

"Right! In here," he started. They had only taken a couple of steps when they were stopped by Mrs. DeSantos' voice.

"Rockwell DeSantos! Did I, or did I not, tell you to remove your mess from the corner of the yard?" she demanded.

"I was just going to do it when Billy came over to…"

"I don't care what your excuse is! You get out there and move that stuff, now! We are having a wedding here this coming weekend and we do not have time to waste. You can play with your friend after you are done," she said sternly, her expression not allowing for any argument. Rosa DeSantos was not a large woman, indeed she stood just slightly over five feet tall, but she was nonetheless the boss in her family. Even Rocky's father, a burly contractor, deferred to his diminutive wife.

"Yes, ma'am. Billy, the computer is in there," he started, pointing down the hall. He didn't finish the thought as his mother flashed him a look that told him he had better leave right then.

Mrs. DeSantos turned her attention to the quiet teen standing there just slightly shell-shocked by events. She narrowed her eyes, then reached out and placed her hands firmly on either side of his waist.

"Excuse me? Is something wrong?" he asked hesitantly.

"You are just the right size! Come with me, you can help us," grabbing his hand as if he were at least ten years younger, she led him to the large den where several women were working busily among material, sewing machines, and tables covered with scissors, thread, and other items Billy could not have identified on a bet.

"I got our model," Mrs. DeSantos told the others. "Here, go in the bathroom there and put these on," she told him, handing him a pair of black pants.

Intimidated by the domineering little woman, Billy followed her orders without argument, emerging a few moments later in the skintight pants. He felt awkward wearing them, they were more revealing than anything he normally wore. Mrs. DeSantos paid no attention to his discomfort, and directed him to stand on a low table so a couple of the other women could hem the pants properly.

Standing there while the various women fussed about was not easy. When Billy impatiently shifted his position, Mrs. DeSantos whapped him on the back of his thigh with the ruler she had been using. "Stand still!" she ordered.

He stood still.

Finally, it appeared they were finished. The two who had been hemming the pants stepped back to check their work. One of them looked at Billy critically, obviously not happy with what she saw.

"Take off your shirt," she said suddenly.

"Pardon me?" Billy asked, surprised.

"I need to see how the pants look overall. Your shirt is too long. Take it off," she repeated.

Billy started to protest again, then saw Mrs. DeSantos was still holding the ruler.

He took off his shirt and stood there obediently, wondering how in the world a visit to Rocky's house to fix a computer ended up with him standing on a table wearing nothing but black pants. If his friends could see him now he would never hear the end of it.

He was startled out of his thoughts by a sudden flash of light. Surprised, he looked around but couldn't find the source.

"Stand still!" Rosa DeSantos told him again, brandishing the ruler.

He was beginning to think he was never going to escape when he heard Rocky's voice form the doorway.

"Mama! Is that any way to treat my friends?" he asked, outraged.

"He is helping me. He doesn't mind, do you?" she asked Billy.

"Uh, no, I don't mind. Are we done?" he asked.

"Are we done, ladies?" Mrs. DeSantos asked the others.

When they agreed they were finished, they allowed Billy to retreat to the bathroom and redress in his own clothing again.

"Thanks, man. I didn't know if they were ever going to let me go," Billy said quietly to Rocky as they headed toward the computer again.

"No problem. They really get into their sewing. I've been roped into being their model a time or two. Did Mama hit you with the ruler?"

"Yeah. I was fidgeting."

"Stings, don't it?" Rocky laughed.

"Yeah."

Finally reaching the computer, Billy made quick work of the repairs. Rocky offered to buy his friend a smoothie, so the two young men trooped out to Billy's car.

They were walking toward the entrance when Rocky turned to Billy.

"You know, you were insulted by one of my sisters, accosted by another, forced to work as a mannequin and walloped with a ruler by my mama, and fixed our computer. So I guess I kind of owe you one. So here it is: lose the ears!"

Billy looked at him with a startled expression as his hand went to the top of his head, finding the Mickey Mouse ears still in place. He quickly took them off, folding them and putting them in his pocket.

"You're right. I guess we're even," he said gratefully as they entered the building and headed toward the rest of the Rangers.

PR PR PR

Zordon had not been visited by one of his interdimensional 'brothers' in centuries. Such visits were by necessity rare, as it was never a good idea to have two such beings in the same dimension for an extended period of time.

"I need your help, if you can see free to give it," Bordon told the mentor of the Power Rangers. His identical visage looked pleadingly at Zordon.

"What is needed?" Zordon asked.

"My dimension is on the verge of destruction. We are defenseless. It started three years ago, when the Power Ranger team was assembled. I got the six teenagers I needed, but they weren't up to the task. Within the first two months they were all killed, their powers captured. Things went downhill from there."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I want to utilize the time option. I am allowed to do this only once, and this seems like the best time to do so. I want to go back to when the Power Ranger team was assembled, and get them better trained, more ready to meet the challenges. I was hoping to borrow one of your Rangers to assist me. I promise I will send them back before the proverbial shit hits the fan," Bordon promised. Zordon raised an eyebrow that choice of words, but made no comment.

"Do you think this will be enough to prevent history repeating itself?"

"It will have to be. I was unable to get my 'team' to be a team. They couldn't work together, they didn't care about each other. Your team is legendary for its solidarity. Even when absorbing 'evil' Rangers, their teamwork does not fail. If I had someone with experience on a team like that, maybe I could get my teenagers to create their own team. It is the only idea I have come up with. Will you help?"

Zordon thought for a few moments. "I will speak to one of my Rangers. If he is willing, I will send him with you. Please come with me to my private chamber to wait. I will advise you of his decision when he makes it."

PR PR PR

Shortly after seeing Bordon to his private chambers, Zordon called the Power Rangers to the Power Chamber. The six teens looked around a bit perplexed. They were accustomed to arriving to the blaring alarms and flashing lights that signified a monster attack. Instead Alpha, Billy, and Zordon appeared to have been conversing quietly.

"What's up, Zordon?" Tommy asked.

"We have an interdimensional visitor, with a very serious problem. And I have a favor to ask of one of you. But first, I need to tell you how our visitor came to be here, and why. As you may have figured, there are other dimensions, or parallel universes-this is not the only one. There are many such universes, each with its own unique history and future. However, there are some constants. The Power Rangers are one such constant. As are Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, Mondo, and numerous other malevolent forces you have yet to encounter. Today I was approached by one of my alternates, Bordon, who requested my assistance, or actually the assistance of one of my Rangers, to save his dimension from destruction. I am willing to agree to help him, but it is up to Jason to decide whether or not he wishes to undertake this task."

The others turned to look at the Gold Ranger.

"Me?" Jason asked, surprised.

"Yes. You would be the most logical choice. You were the original leader. You know the other original Rangers the best. It is, of course, your choice. You will be going back three years in time in the other dimension, you need to assist Bordon in locating your counterparts and bringing them together to form a team."

"We all have counterparts there? I'll meet my own?" Jason asked, a bit startled by the idea.

"Yes. You will assemble the first Power Ranger team consisting of yourself, Zack, Trini, Billy, Kimberly, and Tommy. In Bordon's universe the Green coin was never captured by evil. Your job is to train the new Rangers, assist them in any way you can so they become a team."

"If Jason is going into the past to assist in assembling the Power Ranger team, then one would have to conclude the original team was unsuccessful the first time. What happened to them? And why is so imperative the team be formed?" Billy asked with a curious look at their mentor.

Zordon sighed to himself. He had figured the teens would ask those questions, but that didn't change the fact he'd rather not answer them.

"The original team was assembled, but were unsuccessful against Rita. Their Powers were captured; Earth fell to evil. The universe teeters on the edge of destruction because of this," he reported reluctantly.

"Their original Rangers failed? That would mean they were…." Rocky started, an expression of horror on his face.

"They were killed within the first few weeks," Zordon concluded the Blue Ranger's thought.

"And you think I can keep this from happening somehow?" Jason asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

"I think you can assist him in training the first team. In helping them get to a point where they can work together toward the greater good. I think you can provide invaluable help to Bordon in working with their team."

Jason was honored-even a bit touched-by Zordon's faith in him. He made the only choice he felt he could.

"I will do everything in my power not to let you down."

PR PR PR

Working with Billy and Bordon, Jason was fitted with a special mask that would disguise him enough to make working with their counterparts easier.

"You just place your fingers here and you can pop the mask right off," Billy explained, demonstrating on himself.

"This is great. You know, you could make a fortune with these at Halloween," Jason joked, desperate to lighten the mood.

"I'll keep that in mind if I'm strapped for cash for college someday," Billy joked back, but it was clear the two friends' hearts were not in their bantering.

They had already arranged Jason's absence, setting it up so his parents thought he was back at the Peace Conference. Billy would occasionally call them as 'Jason' and keep them from becoming suspicious. Trini and Zack had been alerted as to what was going on, and they would cover for him as well. Billy and Alpha had come up with a way to ensure the Gold Powers would be safe in his absence. He would be gone a maximum of three weeks. Restricted as to the amount of time they would have due to the rules governing the use of time manipulation, they were anxious to be ensure Jason would not have to worry about anything except whipping the team into shape.

"Well, I guess that is everything, then. Better call the guys together, we need to get going," Jason said as he added the mask to the small stack of gear he was taking.

"Jase…" Billy started, but Jason stopped him with a gesture.

"I'll be back in three weeks, so don't worry about me. I expect you to keep an eye on the team, Tommy will need you more than ever, and things could get rough again with them short a Ranger," Jason kept his voice matter-of-fact.

"Will do. You just be sure you get back here. Or I will come looking for you, and you know darn good and well I could do it," Billy countered, fixing his friend with a stern look.

Jason laughed at his expression. "I'll come back, I promise. Jeez, wouldn't it be fun explaining why you had to come get me," he grinned. "You could do me one favor. Keep an eye on my folks. Dad hasn't been feeling all that good recently, and I'm a bit worried about him."

"I'll keep an eye on them, you can count on that," Billy replied firmly.

"Good. Well, I better say goodbye to the rest of them. I think Bordon's getting anxious to go."

Billy nodded and hit the button to summon the other Rangers. Within a few moments the chamber was filled with a rainbow of light as the five Zeo Rangers arrived.

"Ready to go, Bro?" Tommy asked, reading Jason's expression.

"Yeah. Before I start getting nervous about traveling through time and to different dimensions and all that. Not really my thing," Jason grinned.

"Our thoughts will be with you, Jason. Hurry back," Katherine said gently.

The others all chipped in with their well wishes and hopes for his success. Bordon appeared in his travel tube and indicated he was ready as soon as Jason was.

"Let's get going, then. No sense in waiting. I'll be back as soon as possible, guys. May the power protect you all," he said with a warm look at his friends.

"May the power protect you, too, Bro," Tommy returned with a strained smile.

With that Bordon made some adjustments on a device he had brought with him. He and Jason disappeared in a flash of purest white light.

PR PR PR

"The old Command Center," Jason murmured to himself as he looked around. The old familiar circular platform, the viewing globe on its stand, Zordon's (PRPRNo, Bordon'sPRPR Jason corrected himself) tube standing guard over all.

"Ay-yi-yi! Bordon, you were successful?" Alpha Five asked, startling Jason.

"Yes, Alpha. This is Jason Scott, from Zordon's dimension. He is here to help. Did you assemble the information I had requested?"

"Right here, Bordon. School records, dating all the way back. And medical records, at least those I could find. It should be enough to help," Alpha reported.

"What are you talking about?" Jason asked.

"I had Alpha assemble all the information he could regarding the six potential Rangers. I thought it might help you to have some idea of what you are dealing with, a little background information so you can feel more comfortable with who they are in this dimension."

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea. Am I going to be staying here in the Command Center?"

"We have arranged for a room for you at a local motel that rents rooms by the month. I thought it would be best if you had some time away from here. Is that okay with you?" Bordon asked.

"Great. Billy sent along a communicator, so I can come back here whenever I need to. If you don't mind, I'd like to get settled in, and start looking these over," Jason replied.

Alpha teleported Jason to a location near the motel. Once he was checked in, the helpful little 'droid teleported in his gear. Jason distributed his stuff, and settled down at the scarred table with the six files.

He opened the one labeled 'Jason Scott' and started to read. His alternate's school records were liberally sprinkled with disciplinary notations, all due to fighting. His grades were a low 'B' average, with several teachers noting he was capable of much better work. His medical records showed he had been treated several times for the after-effects of fights, as well as occasional illnesses. He noticed that in this dimension, as in the one he came from, he was hit by a car at age twelve. Other than the fighting and lower GPA, he found nothing extraordinary in the file.

The next file, labeled 'Trini Kwan', was so similar to Jason's he was startled. The same notations of disciplinary action due to fighting, the same low 'B' average. Notes from teachers commenting on poor attitude and lack of effort. One teacher, in the seventh grade, noted she was the most intimidating girl he had ever taught. Treatment at Angel Grove Memorial Hospital for the injuries suffered in a car accident was the only entry in the medical records outside of routine inoculations.

Jason found Trini's file mildly disturbing. Jason was surprised to see her grades, considering that among the Rangers she was the closest to Billy in terms of sheer intelligence and had maintained a 4.0 grade point average. He thought about the warm, caring, intelligent, compassionate young woman he knew, and found he could not reconcile that image with the one presented by the information in this file. What had happened to this world's Trini to make her that way?

Sighing, Jason grabbed the next file. Zackary Taylor. Zack. A smile flitted across his face as he considered fun-loving, good-natured Zack. The easy going exterior masking a loyal, steadfast soul, willing to give everything for his friends. He opened the file, wondering what this Zack would be like.

The first paper in the file disintegrated Jason's hopes that he would find a Zack like the one he was used to. That first page was a police report, showing Zack had been arrested for drunkenness and possession of marijuana.

"Oh, man, this can't be true. Zack doesn't do drugs," Jason muttered, lowering the file and closing his eyes. Zack, who had always been able to milk the most fun out of any situation with simply his enthusiastic spirit, was a drinker experimenting with drugs in this world? Jason's hopes began to dim somewhat with this revelation. How was he supposed to turn a teenage drunk into a Power Ranger? Could he get Zack to stop drinking and turn his life around in less than three weeks? He only glanced through the rest of the file, which outlined a student perpetually on the verge of failing. His grade point average was a very low 'c', at least partly due to numerous absences. His medical chart listed only his admittance to the hospital with pneumonia at age eleven.

Jason set down the file and looked with trepidation at the remaining three. He was trying to will himself to pick up the next one when his stomach growled. Maybe he'd be better able to face them once he had had his dinner. Locking the door behind him he headed out to find the nearest restaurant.

An hour later, fortified by a hamburger and fries, he again reached for the files, picking up the top one and opening it. The information inside indicated that Thomas Oliver was a very disturbed and dangerous youngster. In and out of foster care throughout his youth, Tommy's school records were heavily sprinkled with reports from social workers, school counselors, and principals, as well as teachers. Though it appeared in the last few months he had settled down, his grades remained low, and while there were no more negative comments from teachers, there were no positive ones either. There were two police reports indicating Tommy had been brought in for assault on other children, as well as several complaints by parents of his victims. His medical records showed he was treated several times for injuries consistent with fighting, as well as some that were fairly obviously the results of abuse when he was still quite young. It could be discerned that the teen had plenty of reasons for his anger.

"Oh, man, what have I gotten myself into?" Jason closed the file and leaned back again, lost in thought.

Eventually, he realized he was going to have to read the remaining two, and reached reluctantly for the top one. Kim. Sighing, he opened it to find very little surprising. Her grades were perhaps a bit low, same as his and Trini's, but not outrageously so. Her parents were apparently divorced in this dimension, as they were in his, as there was a notation to send copies of her grades to both parents. The only comments from teachers indicated she was not trying her best, but she was not a discipline problem. Her medical records showed only routine checkups and shots. Jason sighed in relief, hoping he would have one easy convert.

Well, maybe two, he hoped as he opened the last file. But as soon as he saw the school reports he knew something was seriously amiss with this world's Billy. He had a GPA of 2.1, just barely enough to pass, while his absence rate was nearly 25%, outrageously high.

"What the hell?" Jason muttered. "Alpha must have gotten the wrong records. No way is Billy pulling a low 'C'. Just no way. Even with the absences, he could do better than that."

There were virtually no notes from teachers, except for one ominous one when Billy was eleven. The teacher, Mrs. Shaw, noted that Billy was often bruised, and exhibited the classic signs of abuse. She notified the principal, but no action was taken. Going back further, Jason noticed that up until age nine, Billy's grades were excellent, then they dropped off alarmingly. About the same time there was a notation that his parents were both deceased, and his guardian was Marvin Dayton. His medical records read like a horror novel, including two broken arms, cracked ribs, and three concussions, plus bruises, scrapes, cuts, and gouges far too numerous to mention. Twice the police had been called in for suspected abuse, and twice no action was taken.

"Ah, man, what the heck am I supposed to with this? It took me years to build up Billy's confidence in our world, and this one has to be so much worse. And what am I supposed to do if brain damage, and not the repeated absences, caused the low grades? Who is this Marvin Dayton, and what happened to his dad? Uuuuggggghhhhhhhh." With a drawn out groan he flopped down on the bed to try to process all he had just learned, and to plan how to accomplish what he had been asked to do. At that moment, the task looked insurmountable.

He twisted the problem around in his mind until sleep overtook him, and he nodded off lying on top of the lumpy bed, surrounded by the contents of the files.

PR PR PR

"Did you find the information helpful?" Bordon asked him the next morning. Jason arrived at the Command Center quite early, gym bag in hand, with only the vaguest of ideas as to how he was going to proceed.

"Yeah, it was helpful. Disturbing, but helpful. No wonder your team failed, this group has some real major problems."

"Do you have a plan?" Bordon asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

"Sort of. I am going to approach 'me' first. I should be the easiest. Plus, as the leader it is best he have a hand in convincing the others to join up. However, I need to know something. How close are the different dimensions? I mean, I noticed some events from the dimension I came from happened here as well, such as that I was hit by a car when I was twelve. Is that normal or a coincidence? I need to know if I should attempt to get these guys to act like their counterparts, or if they are completely different in every way."

"There are some basic core similarities. For instance, a person in your dimension who is terrified of dogs will be afraid of dogs in this dimension. Perhaps not as badly, but they will not be comfortable around dogs. If that makes any sense. They will likely act very different, but deep inside them there will be similarities. I hope that will help."

"So, despite appearances, these kids are all basically good, decent kids?"

"Yes"

"Well then, at least there's that. I don't have anything else to go on. It's Saturday, I'm going to try to find my counterpart," Jason told Bordon, as he prepared to teleport.

"Good luck Jason."

PR PR PR

With his disguise firmly in place, Jason headed toward the Youth Center, hoping his alternate's habits were similar to his own in this respect. Inside, Jason got the first of what would be many shocks. The Youth Center was not the clean, bright, cheerful place he was accustomed to. It was dingy and dirty, the gym equipment looked battered and poorly maintained, and there were dirty dishes littering the tops of the round tables. Small knots of young people were scattered about, but there was none of the vivacity he was used to. Ernie was another shock, scowling darkly around as he worked, he looked more like a nightclub bouncer than the proprietor of a teen hangout.

Jason looked around for someone who looked familiar, but saw no one he recognized. He considered his options, and decided to order a smoothie and maybe see if Ernie knew Jason, or if he even frequented this place.

He approached the counter and looked up to meet the surly gaze of the large man behind it.

"Could I have a guava smoothie please?" Jason asked.

"What are you? Some kind of comedian? You want a smoothie there are your choices," he growled as he pointed toward the sign.

Jason sighed and ordered a strawberry smoothie. When Ernie returned with the drink and Jason was getting out his wallet, he decided to ask his question.

"Does a boy by the name of Jason Scott ever come around here?" he asked.

Ernie's expression grew darker. "Not any more. I kicked his sorry ass out of here a year ago. Little bugger was always getting into fights. You'd think a kid with a cop for a dad would have better sense. Why are you looking for him?"

"I used to know him years ago. Wanted to look him up and see how he's doing. Had some other friends, Kimberly Hart, Trini Kwan, Zack Taylor, Tommy Oliver, and Billy Cranston. Know any of them?"

"Trini comes around here to practice sometimes. She's a tough little gal, came close to booting her out once or twice as well. Kim hangs around here sometimes, too. Little bitch. If I see Zack enter this building, I will call the police in a flash. No one does drugs around here, no one! Tommy I haven't seen a month or so. Used to work out here sometimes. Have no idea who Billy Cranston is. Never heard of the guy. Any more questions, or can I go about my life now?" Ernie's attitude was abrupt and unfriendly again.

"Thanks, Ernie. You have been a big help." Jason finished his drink and headed toward the door, leaving the mildly startled man staring after him.

Jason knew of one other gym in the town, and that is where he headed. If Jason could not work out at the Youth Center, then he most likely would go there.

He was a couple of blocks from the gym when he spied his alternate heading the opposite direction on the other side of the street. His double was walking with a brisk, angry pace and carrying a worn looking gym bag. Jason cut across the street and fell in behind the young man, wondering how to approach him without sounding too strange. He had decided he would be as direct as possible with the future Rangers, he didn't have time enough for too much subtlety. Of course, he had to be careful. Too much, too fast, and he could find himself with the police sicced on him, and that would not help his cause in the least. He finally decided on an approach for this situation.

"Excuse me? Excuse me. Is a gym around here? The guy at the Youth Center said there was, but I can't find it," Jason said, managing not to flinch when his alternate turned cold eyes on him. He found his double to be oddly intimidating.

"Yeah, there's one back that way," the younger teen replied, pointing back the way he had come.

"Is it any good? I didn't want to work out at the other place since the equipment was so run down," Jason asked.

"It's okay. Better than the Youth Center, at any rate."

"Did you just finish a workout?" Jason asked, hoping to get the kid engaged in a longer conversation.

"Nah. Decided against it, they are copping an attitude this morning."

"Oh, darn, I was kind of hoping to find a workout buddy. I prefer that to working out alone, but if you aren't in the mood I'll find someone there."

As Jason had hoped, his double was intrigued enough to change his plans.

"Well, I could see clear to working out with you, but it will have to be your treat as far as the fee goes. My membership lapsed."

"No problem, lead the way. My name is Lee by the way. Who are you?" Jason asked before he slipped up and called the kid by name.

"Jason. Nice to meet you, Lee."

PR PR PR

After their workout the two teens wandered over to a nearby health food store where Jason treated them to juice and muffins. As he had hoped, he was able to establish a rapport with the other boy, and he listened closely to what the younger boy said, watching his expression carefully. Jason was desperately trying to get a grasp on his alternate's psyche. And all things considered, he was cautiously optimistic.

"Well, Lee, thanks for the workout and the food, but I better head on home. If you are going to be around for a while, maybe we can workout together again. I usually come in after school, about three-thirty or so."

"Wait, please. I need to talk to you about something. Maybe we can go to the park down the street and talk for a while. It is kind of important," Jason said, making his decision.

"Okay, but I really do need to be going soon," the younger teen replied, looking at his new acquaintance with some curiosity.

They went to the park, and found a table in a somewhat isolated part of the park. There, Jason began to talk, telling his alternate everything, from who he really was and where he came from, to what his alternate was destined to be.

"Whoa, are you telling me I am supposed to become a superhero and save the world? Are you in some sort of treatment or something? 'Cause I gotta tell you, Lee, you have some serious problems," with that the youth got up and started to back away from Jason.

"Wait! Let me show you something. Please, this is important. I know it is a lot to deal with all at once, but you have to try. Here, look at this." Jason had removed a picture from his wallet and handed it to the other boy.

The picture showed the first Ranger team, unmorphed, standing together in a friendly group. Jason pointed silently to himself in the picture. "Does this guy look familiar?"

"Shit! How'd you do that? Where did you get that picture?"

"That picture was taken three years ago, when I was the Red Ranger in our dimension. The others are my friends. The same teenagers I have to find here and turn into a team. You are going to be the leader of that team. Jason, I am you, three years from now. Or at least, your alternate in my dimension. Here, let me show you. I'm wearing a mask to disguise my identity. I'm going to remove it for a moment." Jason reached up and gently removed the mask. The teenager in front of him turned a ghostly shade as he saw his own face, only slightly altered by the passage of three years, staring back at him.

"Oh my God, it's true?" he asked weakly.

Jason felt a surge of sympathy for the younger teen. "Yeah, it's true. I'm sorry, man, to spring this on you so suddenly, but I need your help. I have to find the others and get you all together and trained. I only have three weeks to turn you guys into a team." As he spoke he replaced the mask.

"Oh, man, I can't believe this. I am supposed to help save the world? I don't think so, sorry. It's not my thing, you know? Sorry, I can't do this." Jason watched in shock as his alternate turned and walked away, not looking back.

"Wait! Wait!" Jason hurried after the retreating youth. His double turned and looked at him suspiciously. "I am staying at this motel. Room 38. If you need to talk, change your mind, whatever, please contact me there."

Without a word the other boy pocketed the motel business card Jason had handed him, then turned and walked briskly away.

"Well, that went really well," Jason muttered dryly to himself.

PR PR PR

Jason spent the rest of the day trying, without success, to locate any of the others. He did, however, encounter Bulk and Skull. In his universe the two had long since given up their bullying ways, and were now involved in the Jr. Police Program. In this universe they were still bullies, and much better ones at that, if appearances could be believed. They looked and acted much tougher, as well as more efficient. They gave the appearance of the type who would actually do physical damage to their victim, instead of just humiliating them, as he was accustomed to seeing in the past from those two. He wondered how this dimension's Billy did dealing with them. Something told Jason that he probably didn't do too well.

He was sitting in his motel room considering what to do the next day when he was startled by a knock on the door. He opened it to find his alternate standing restlessly outside.

"Jason, come on in. Are you okay?"

"I don't know," the younger teen replied. "I can't stop thinking about all the stuff you told me. I am really supposed to become some sort of 'super hero', and save the planet? You are not kidding?"

Jason chuckled at the expression he saw on the so familiar face. "No, I'm not kidding."

"Weird, man. And those others, they are also supposed to be heroes?"

"Yep. And, they're your friends. All of them. You trust them with your life, they trust you with theirs."

"I don't even know some of them. And, for instance, Kim? I know who she is, but I sure as heck don't like her. She's a miniature bitch. But we are supposed to do this?"

"Jason, you're destined to be the leader of the Power Rangers. In time you will give up that leadership, but you will always be the first leader. I don't know you yet, which I suppose sounds absurd since you are me, so to speak. But I suspect you will do fine as the leader. So, do I take this as a sign you have changed your mind?"

"I guess so," the voice was reluctant. "What do we need to do? Do I get sworn in, or something?"

Jason chuckled slightly again. "No, not yet at any rate. How would you like to see the Command Center? I'll introduce you to Bordon, he's the team mentor. Your boss, as it were. It should be enough to convince you that either I am on the up and up, or that you are completely insane."

That comment was greeted with a ghost of a smile. "I guess that sounds okay. Do we need to drive there? If so, we will have to use your wheels."

"We have a different way of getting there. Your first introduction to being a Power Ranger will be the same one we experienced. Teleporting. Put your hand firmly on my arm and hold on. You'll get used to this in time, so don't worry about it," Jason said reassuringly, then promptly teleported himself and the other teenager to the Command Center.

Jason looked up at Bordon with a slight smile. "Bordon, this is Jason Scott. Your Jason Scott. He has decided to join up. Jason, this is Bordon." He enjoyed the look of dazed amazement on the other boy's face. It was a lot more fun on this side of the first encounter.

"Are you real?" the dazed teenager asked Bordon, goggling at the Power Ranger mentor.

"Yes, I am. My name if Bordon, I am the mentor to the Power Ranger team. I am glad to see you, Jason Scott. It is your destiny to become one of my Rangers."

"Why?"

Both Jason and Bordon looked a bit surprised; it was a question none of the others had ever asked.

"It was foretold," Bordon intoned at last, in a tone of voice that did not encourage questions.

"Okay, I guess," the younger teen's voice betrayed his confusion. "So, uh, what do I do now?"

"Now we sit down and plan out our strategy. We need to find all the teens in the picture I showed you earlier. You indicated you know some of them. Who would you suggest contacting next? How should we contact them? When? I can really use your help," Jason said sincerely as he pulled out the picture they had looked at earlier.

His alternate studied it carefully. "We could contact Zack tomorrow. He'll be out late tonight, getting some 'action', but I think he's pretty mellow on Sunday. Also, we should look around for Tommy, simply because he's going to probably be the hardest to convince. Monday we could work on Trini after school; I think she usually goes to Ernie's to work out on Monday. Kimberly can probably wait until Tuesday, she isn't going to be easy, but perhaps not as hard as the others. Monday I will try to find out if anyone knows…Billy Cranston you said his name was? Maybe find out his schedule. Sorry, but I really don't recognize that one. Sound okay?"

To Jason it sounded more than okay. The kid was already committing himself to the job. That was far more than he had dared hope for.

"Sounds fine."

To be continued...