DISCLAIMER
Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban Fox Kids, and Disney. I only own the new direction and subplots. Reference to "A Pressing Engagement", "Gung Ho", "The Green Candle Part 2", and various other eps from here on out.
Meanwhile, in the Command Center, Alpha and Zordon had witnessed the new events.
"Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi! This is terrible!" the robot exclaimed.
"Contact the other Rangers at once. They must be made aware of these new developments," the sage stated.
"Right." Alpha pressed a button on the console. Hearing his communicator, Zack quickly tapped in.
"Zack here. What's going on, Alpha? Have you found them?" he queried.
"Yeah, is there any news on Jase and the others?" Kimberly broke in.
"No," Alpha replied.
"Then, what's going on?" Rocky wondered. Similar clamoring questions told the two at the Command Center that the other Rangers had answered their summons.
"The Wizard brought forth another Tommy," came the answer.
"Say what?" Zack asked.
"My thoughts exactly! Be careful!" Alpha told them.
"Alpha, what do you propose we do?" Billy interjected.
"Be on your guards, Rangers. Remember that although the second Tommy is an illusion brought forth to reality, the potential for danger is very real," Zordon responded.
"Will do," Kimberly promised. Alpha sighed.
"Ohhhh. Worry, worry, worry." Meanwhile, in the dimensional trap, Aisha, Justin, and Angela were watching Jason worriedly.
"Hey, what do you think Rita meant by facing your own secrets?" Justin asked. Jason shrugged.
"I don't-" Jason's answer trailed off as their environment began shifting. The boys grabbed the girls, steadying them.
"What's going on?" Angela wondered fearfully.
"I don't know. Just stay calm," Jason answered. Then, a transparent image of Goldar appeared above them.
"So, you still have them fooled into thinking that you're the perfect leader, hey, Jason? Well, remember when you tried to do everything yourself?" he asked. Immediately, they were shown a seen of Jason lifting weights, which then shifted into him battling King Sphinx alone. "Or how about when you wouldn't work with Tommy?" They watched as both boys sparred with each other, but using their own styles.
"Guys, this is supposed to be a team competition. Team," Zack reminded them. It continued.
"You're supposed to kick on the other side," Tommy snapped.
"You punched out of sequence, I had to reverse," Jason retorted. Jason's eyes darkened.
"You can't hurt me with old memories, Goldar," he spat out.
"Oh, no? What about the first time you failed as a leader by leaving the Green Candle?" Goldar taunted. Zack stepped through the portal.
"Man, what are you doing here?" Jason wondered.
"Tommy's in trouble."
"But if I don't get the candle, he'll lose his powers."
"If we don't get to him now, he'll lose his life." Jason closed his eyes briefly.
"It was a tough choice, but I made it," he insisted.
"Oh, but you know that's only the beginning of your failure, Red Ranger. Watch, see, and remember," Goldar sneered. He laughed, and then his image disappeared.
"Jason, what's he talking about?" Aisha wondered.
"It's Goldar. He's just blowing smoke…as usual," Jason answered, turning so that they couldn't see the pain in his eyes. Please don't do this. Don't make me remember, he silently pleaded. However, he wouldn't give Rita and Zedd the satisfaction of hearing him beg.
"Hey, something else is going on," Angela commented. They watched as Octophantom zapped Tommy, and then trapped him in a jar. Jason's fist clenched. However, it wasn't over. The scenes kept coming, the Stag Beetle stealing Tommy's powers and using them against the Rangers, Tommy being defeated by Robo Goat. Jason let out a small noise of distress as the history of his friend's waning power was repeated before their eyes. Then it came down to the final days. Jason watched as Tommy's battle with Turban Shell was recounted. Man, he never told us any of this, he frantically thought to himself. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked down. I could've stopped this! I should've gotten the candle, or found another way, or-the thought trailed off and his friends looked at him in alarm.
"Jason! Don't let this get to you! He's just trying to make you lose your confidence!" Aisha reminded, grabbing him and shaking him. We can't let him give up! He would never forgive himself if he allowed Rita and Zedd to win, she thought. They know now. They know that I'm not fit to lead this team, he thought to himself.
"One more image, Red Ranger. When the Green Ranger lost his powers for good," they suddenly heard Goldar again. Almost as if he was being compelled, Jason raised his eyes to the image that had appeared. He saw Tommy fight his final battle with them and then leave. With an anguished moan, he dropped to his knees. My fault. All my fault. I didn't do anything, he thought to himself.
"Jase?" the others asked. Justin knelt down in front of him. "Come on. Bro. Snap out of it," he encouraged, shaking his shoulder. When he raised his head, the others inhaled sharply. The Red Ranger wore a look of pain and defeat.