Disclaimer: I do not own POWER RANGERS
A/N: Sorry guys, I got caught up in the next chapter and forgot that I had yet to post this. I ask that you keep in mind that this is an Alternate Universe and each Ranger that you don't recongize is an OC. I've tried to keep from being too ooc on the guys, but I have this mental image of them that I'm trying to convey. As this story takes place a year after the first, please assume that Jason has spent time with the other Reds since his first trip. He likes the idea of visiting other planets, although he probably wouldn't live there.
Jason couldn't help it, he snickered and rubbed his hands together, he'd been waiting for the call from Aurico for weeks. He honestly couldn't wait to get Rocky initiated. It had been pretty strange to see Zack and Adam after their chat, and he knew that Trini had had words with Aisha. It wasn't right, but he didn't have a means to get off planet, and he needed the other Reds help for Rocky. When Trebon had finally shown up, apologizing for Aurico being held up, he had been quick to forgive, especially when Trebon helped him solve the final pieces of his puzzle. Now, all he had to do was "abduct" Rocky and they would be set. He was standing under a tree in one of the most secluded areas of the park, watching as Rocky and Adam jogged down the path. Suddenly, Adam tripped, courtesy of their newest partner in crime, Alia, who used telekinesis to hold the boy's foot down for a second longer than it should have. As Rocky slowed and turned to help Adam, Jason moved, lunging forward to grab his arm and triggering the teleportation.
As they arrived on the bridge of the Oracle, Trebon's ship, Jason released Rocky and backed up as the new Red went on the defensive. Jason leaned against a control panel while Trebon turned in the pilot's chair. Alia and Jennis, another new Red, teleported onto the ship as it began to move. "What's going on?" Rocky demanded, looking around, "Who are you?"
"Well, I'm Jason," Jason offered.
Rocky gave him a dirty look before looking back at the other Reds, "I know that," he said.
"These are some of the other Red Rangers in the Galaxy," Jason relented after Tallen arrived. "Trebon, former Red Eltarean Ranger, Tallen, Red Kerev Ranger, Alia, Red Aura Ranger and Jennis, the new Eltarean Ranger; everyone, Rocky of Earth, Red Earth Ranger."
"Hi," Rocky said, crossing his arms, "what's going on, Jason?"
"Oh, we're just going to induct you and Jennis into the brotherhood of Red Rangers," Trebon said. "You should be grateful, at least you got to meet us before hand. Tallen and I just kidnapped Jason without warning."
"And after your initiation, we're going to Desere," Alia said, "where you will get drunk, and then fight half the bar before I save your butt and drag you back to Earth."
Jason sighed, "I'm never going to live that down am I?" He asked.
"Nope," Tallen said, with a grin, "I've never seen any other Ranger that aggressive after drinking Kimichan Water."
"I still blame the tacos," Jason replied.
"Tacos?" Jennis asked.
"Earth food," Trebon replied, "it's a crunchy bread filled with meat, and Earth produce; not that bad, actually."
Rocky, realizing that he wasn't going to find out much, just watched, it was clear that Jason knew these people, and was comfortable with them. Besides, hearing stories that Jason clearly found embarrassing was helping him with his own hero worship. "I say it was both," Alia said, "after all I was the one who had to take you down, Jason."
"I'm steering clear of the water this time, so it shouldn't be a problem," Jason said, trying to redirect the conversation. "Well, Rocky, Jennis, when Trebon and I realized that we were going to retire at the same time, and that both of our successors have a reputation for being walking food machines, we decided to settle a question we had. That is, who would win in an eating contest where the participants had to provide their opponents with a dish or food from their culture."
"This is a question that was brought about by a great deal of alcohol and cultural exchange," Trebon added, "so, Jennis, I know, has already selected a dish for you, Rocky. I believe that Jason has some ideas as well."
Jason grinned, "Let me talk to him in private, Trebon, I'm sure he has questions."
"You bet I do," Rocky muttered.
"Fine, but we'll be at our destination in an hour," Trebon said.
Jason gestured, "Come on Rocky, let me explain." He led the other Red off the Bridge and down to the galley. "Have a seat," he said, opening the beverage rack and pulling out a bottle, "Thirsty?"
"Water, please," Rocky replied.
Jason nodded and handed his friend another bottle. "Well, as near as I can explain it, being a Red Ranger is like being part of a fraternity. We're brothers, and sisters, and our loyalty is to our teams and each other. While we're Rangers, we sometimes get together, usually for an initiation like this, and after we retire, or in our case, gain more freedom from our parents, well, Zordon taught me to pilot a shuttle, and Trebon and I have located a few landing sites, so I can go and hang out with the guys. Trebon was, sort of my sponsor in to being a Red Ranger. Since I didn't have a planetary Red, Trebon was the guy I could talk to. Technically, that should have fallen to Aurico, but Aquitar and Earth are as likely to have periods of blackouts as we can get through. Eltare, being higher on the plain of eclipse is easier to reach. What's going on now is that the guys want to welcome you to the frat. Frankly, you're getting off easily, I was teleported off earth and shoved into an air bubble and dragged around the system without an explanation. Then they utilized my awe of them to go drinking. I got drunk, got angry, and tore apart half a level of Desere before Alia got me with a nerve pinch. You're going to have to eat pie, and then go get drunk. No fighting this time."
"So, you want me to prove I can eat more than Jennis, right?" Rocky said.
"Yeah," Jason said, he grinned, "I know you can do it, Rocky. Adam told me all about your pie eating record."
Rocky grinned, "That I can do. What about my part?"
"Well, I was thinking about suggesting jalapenos, I mean, they're a part of American culture, and Eltareans don't go for many spicy foods, so they'll be something he isn't used to." Jason shrugged, "it's your choice, though."
Rocky considered, then nodded, "You're right. If they don't eat spicy, that'll wake Jennis up." There was a glint of challenge in his eyes that reassured Jason.
Desere was a rather large complex geared towards entertainment for Rangers, soldiers and other fighters. Many Red initiations had taken place there, and with the thriving trade, it looked as if it would be a tradition that continued. For the new Earth and Eltarean Reds, one of the outdoor performance platforms had been commandeered so that everyone could observe the two. Jason, who had made a few trips to the small moon, was in his element, greeting some, meeting others, but always close enough to keep Rocky from being overwhelmed by the number and variety of species present. Jason also noticed the lack of Sirians at the complex, and remembered hearing of some new government the planet had embraced. He hoped his friend Wolvene was all right.
Finally, it was time to start the contest, Jason took his place behind Jennis, to ensure that the Eltarean didn't cheat, while Trebon stood behind Rocky. Alia and a Red Ranger from the crowd, an insect-like Bulsode named Kacvetch, were the other judges. "The rules," Alia said, her voice amplified by a small microphone clipped to her lapel, "are very simple. These gentle beings will eat as much of the chosen dish as they can before the end of ten minutes. The winner will receive the glory and honor of having the larger appetite. Are you ready?" Alia received nods from the pair. "Kacvetch, ready to start the timer?" Kacvetch nodded.
"Go!" Alia said. Kacvetch hit the button and the two young men tackled their food.
Rocky had opted to provide Jennis with his mother's special quesadillas, the typical meat and cheese in a tortilla had an extra kick to it with jalapeƱos and habanera sauce. It was an old time favorite of Rocky's, and as he began to eat his way to the cobbler like dish that Jennis had provided, he watched Jennis take his first bite. The wide eyes and beads of sweat had been worth the time he'd spent making them. As it was, he found himself in trouble with the ultra-sugary mess he'd been given. As any good food eating contest winner would do, he ignored the utensils given and just dug in with his hands. It was the taste, sweet enough to make him gag, that was giving him trouble. He blocked out the crowds, the commentary, everything, until the final whistle blew.
Rocky sat back and glanced over at his opponent, and stared. Most of the quesadillas were gone, he couldn't tell, but it looked as if Jennis had not eaten two or three out of the hundred that had been made. He looked at his own table. There were two plates untouched, all the others were, if not licked clean, were certainly empty. Rocky shook his head and rested it on his arms while the judges conferred. He was going to be sick, he knew it. That was way too much sugar to ingest in ten minutes. Even pies didn't dump that much into system.
"Gentle beings," Alia called finally.
Rocky looked up, his stomach calmer, "We have a winner!" Jason added, and then flinched as Alia's hand connected with the back of his head loudly.
"The winner is Rocky DeSantos of Earth," Kacvetch announced, the harsh buzz of his native language translated into English by his translator. "Red Earth Ranger."
Rocky stood and raised his hands over his head, summoning a trademark grin. Casually, he strolled over to Jennis and offered his hand, "Good show, Jennis," he said. Jennis looked at his hand for a moment than at him, "On Earth, competitors shake hands afterwards to show that it doesn't matter who won, there are no hard feelings. Good sportsmanship and all," he said quietly.
Jennis stood and bowed, "Congratulations Rocky DeSantos. While some would be pleased to take your hand, my mental abilities make contact with others occasionally painful and are rarely comfortable."
"Sorry," Rocky said, tucking his hands into his jean pockets. Then his eyes strayed to the last three quesadillas, "Say, are you going to eat those?" He asked.
A/N: Yes, I know, I'm terrible, but hey, I made it longer. I've decided that Trebon and Alia are going to be reoccurring characters, and yes, this is AU
