(Jason)
"Training is the foundation to making a successful Power Ranger," said Zordon, his voice booming and echoing off the walls of the Pit. Tommy looked up with a half-worried, half-confused look on his face. He spent the last three days training, taking on Putties and was a quick study. Not to mention that his first morph was on his second day of training and he could now do it at free will, like the rest of us.
We were all surprised at first, but Zordon gave an explanation as to how and why that was happening. Not only did Tommy have help from the four of us, but he was the Green Ranger. Even with Zordon's team, the Green Ranger was always the strongest and quickest learner, since the Green Coin was the most powerful amongst all the Coins. I'd be lying if I wasn't a little bit intimidated by the fact that Tommy was now naturally stronger than me due to his Coin, but I was just more happy that he was part of the team. He got along with everyone for the most part, except Zack, as the two were still a bit stiff and cold around each other. But, other than that, Tommy was an excellent fit.
However, there was one odd thing. Occasionally, like a few times yesterday and once earlier today, Tommy unintentionally morphed when fighting the training Putties despite us telling him to train without morphing, as it helped more in the long run. None of us thought anything of it, but Zordon seemed slightly troubled by the thought.
"I have been training," Tommy said, raising his arms in wonder.
"Against Putties which are simple simulations," Zordon said and I looked to my team, confused, as even I didn't know what Zordon was going to suggest next for Tommy. "Today, you learn what it is actually like to fight against a real opponent."
I felt my own brows raise and we all stood in silence for a few seconds before Kimberly spoke up. "He's going to fight one of us?"
"Precisely."
"Who?" Zack asked with a laugh.
"You all decide who will spar with the Green Ranger," Zordon said back and I looked to Zack.
"You were so quick to fight him that first day we found out he was the Green Ranger, you go," I suggested and Zack tilted his head at me.
"You're the best fighter out of all of us, buddy," Zack said and I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.
"C'mon Jason," Trini encouraged sarcastically and Kim raised her arms up.
"Woo!" she cheered and I rolled my eyes again, smiling and shaking my head, looking down sheepishly
"Ja-son, Ja-son," Billy started to chant and I stuck my hand out, stopping him.
"Alright, alright, alright," I said and peeled off my jacket, looking to Tommy. "No morphing, no weapons."
"Fisticuffs, I like it," Tommy smiled and I smiled back, laughing a little. I shook out my wrists and swung my arms back, stretching them out.
"I got $15 on Tommy," I heard Zack joke and I looked back to him, raising an eyebrow.
"What the hell?" I asked with a chuckle and Zack shrugged.
"He's good, dude," Zack laughed defensively, motioning to Tommy.
"I'll take that bet," I heard Kim say when I turned back to face Tommy and I smiled, knowing that she'd take my side. I put my hands up and balled them into loose fists as Tommy did the same thing.
"Remember what you have learned," Zordon told Tommy and I kept my eyes on him. I liked the guy, but during his training sometimes, he'd get just a little overzealous and cocky and I wanted to remind him of how he should be a bit more modest and humble. And I also wanted to remind him who was in charge "Jason Scott is no Putty and will prove to be a much harder foe."
"Got it," Tommy said, keeping his eyes on me.
I did little hops on my feet to remind myself to keep my feet moving as I motioned for Tommy to come at me first. Tommy hesitated and quickly ran up, throwing a side kick with his left leg. I easily blocked it and already knew a right punch was coming, simply grabbing his right fist and ducking the punch from his left. I sprung back up and connected my right fist to his jaw, releasing his right hand from my left. He stumbled back and I took the opportunity to be on the attack, kicking his stomach and then going to upper kick his jaw, but he blocked my kick and I used my left leg to kick his jaw. It connected and he groaned out. He got back in his stance but I could tell it was a bit sloppy due to his feet. He brought his right fist forward to jab and I blocked it, using my left leg to sweep under his right leg and knocking him flat on his back. I got over him and raised my fist, him wincing before I delivered the blow, and I stopped, knowing that I had already won. I heard cheers from behind me, as our team was clapping for the both of us, and stood up straight. I reached my arm out to Tommy and he grabbed it, but he swept his own leg just under my knee and knocked me onto my back as well. I let out a laugh and quickly got up to my feet, as did Tommy.
"Not giving up so easily, huh?" I asked with a laugh and Tommy didn't answer, his demeanor appearing...almost angry, in a way. I kept my focus, however, and threw a punch. He grabbed it and pushed that arm over my chest so strongly, completely turning my body to the side. He raised his other hand to punch my side and I braced for the blow, but just before he hit me, I saw him morph instantaneously and now prepared for a more painful blow.
It didn't feel just like any punch, however.
It felt as if a hole had just formed in my side and it burned greatly, stinging as well. I felt something leave the inside of my body and it felt like painful pins and needles all over my side.
"Ah!" I shouted and hobbled back when Tommy let go. "Oh shit, ow!"
The pain was a pain that I had never felt before and I stumbled to the wall, leaning against it, as I struggled to catch my breath. My team quickly ran over and I slumped against the wall, reaching for my side that was still burning and put my hand over it. My hand became wet and warm and I held my hand out in front of me, seeing it covered in blood.
"Oh my god!" Kimberly exclaimed, crouching down and putting a hand on the back of my neck. She looked dangerously to Tommy. "You guys said no morphing!"
"Tommy!" Zordon's voice boomed. I looked past my team and ignored their questions towards me and looked to Tommy. He demorphed and looked lost for a moment before seeing me against the wall.
"Jason!" he exclaimed and ran over to me. Zack got in front of Tommy and prevented him from reaching me.
"Are you crazy?" Zack asked Tommy and turned to Kim, Billy, and Trini. "You guys all saw what he did! He stabbed Jason! He used...whatever his weapon is on Jason, Zordon!"
I looked over to Tommy whose mouth was open in worry and shock, his eyes pleading at me. "I...I don't know what happened...I didn't even," Tommy said slowly and in a quiet voice. Kimberly quickly ran over to where we brought our own supplies and grabbed gauze. "I don't even remember morphing…"
I winced and looked back down to my wound as Kim and Billy carefully lifted up my shirt, peeling it off of the sticky, bloody wound. I groaned as they cleaned it and put the gauze around it, but looked back up to Tommy. He looked past Zack and straight at me. "Jason, man, I am so sorry." His voice started to choke up and I realized he was genuine. Whether he meant to morph or not, he certainly didn't mean to stab me with his Dagger. It was a mistake that he made. A painful, painful mistake, but still a mistake nevertheless. "I don't have any idea what even happened."
"Hey," I groaned out, slowly standing up.
"Jason, take it slow," Billy frantically warned and I patted Tommy's shoulder.
"It's ok, don't worry about it. It was an accident," I said and forced a smile, ignoring the pain in my stomach. I stumbled a bit, collapsing to the ground and Kim quickly caught me, as did Billy, and they both helped me back to my feet as I turned my head and spit out some blood.
"Jason," Kim warned and held onto me as I sighed and sat back down slowly.
"Training is done for today," Zordon said and Tommy looked down, his face turning even more red. "Everyone go home and come back tomorrow."
I gave Tommy another forced and reassured smile before he quickly exited the Command Center, wanting to be the first one to leave due to embarrassment.
"You sure you're good, dude?" Zack asked, pointing to me. I nodded and stifled another pained groan.
"I'll be fine. It won't heal as quick, but I'll be alright. I just need to sit for a bit," I answered and Zack nodded, heading for the exit.
"Zack," Zordon said and Zack turned back, walking back to the rest of us. As he came back, Kim looked to me and kneeled down, putting her hand back up to the back of my neck, caressing my cheek with her thumb.
"Are you sure you're ok?" she asked and I nodded, smiling at her.
"I'm fine," I groaned out, which was a total lie. Although the pain was somewhat manageable, it still hurt severely and I knew that it could've been fatal.
"This is the fifth time Tommy has unintentionally morphed in two days," Zordon said and we all nodded, remembering how he did yesterday against the Putties and earlier today.
"Yeah, but Zordon," I started. "You saw his face. He didn't mean to hurt me." I motioned to my bloody side and Zordon nodded. "And, besides, he's new. He doesn't know how to control his morphing yet."
"I know, he didn't mean to, but…"
"Wait, sir, you don't think-" Alpha began to say, stepping up towards Zordon.
"That's exactly what I think," Zordon answered and the five of us exchanged confused glances with each other.
"What do you think?" Trini asked and Zordon sighed.
"Even though Rita is no longer in possession of the Green Coin, she can still…"
"Still what?" Zack asked, pushing for an answer.
"She can still have control over it," Zordon answered and we all stood there, shocked. "She had it with her for millions of years. Even though she didn't utilize it until a few weeks ago, she is still somewhat part of the Coin. If she had a spell that she implemented on the Coin when she awoke, it is very possible that she can control the Coin and control the owner of the Coin."
"So…" Kim asked. "Rita is controlling Tommy?"
"Not yet," Alpha said. "But...it seems like she is just starting to."
Zack and Kim exchanged worried glances with each other and I quickly caught it. "What?" I asked, looking from Zack to Kim. They both looked down and I asked again, more intent on finding the answer. "What?!"
"I…" Kim started to say, looking back up to the rest of us. "I had a dream, well...nightmare...a few nights ago. It was the first night that we knew Tommy was our Green Ranger and in my nightmare…" she paused and briefly looked back up to Zack, clearing her throat and shaking her head, closing her eyes. "Tommy was with Rita. They were standing right by each other and he wasn't trying to get away from her." Kim paused again and looked back up to us, opening her eyes. "And when I woke up, Rita was in my room."
"She was in your room?!" Billy asked and Kim nodded. "Did she do anything?"
"No," Kim said and continued on. "But Tommy was with her in my dream and now she's controlling him. That's not a coincidence, right?"
"She was taunting you," Zordon said and looked to Kim and then to all of us. "Taunting all of you."
"So, what do we do about Tommy? We take his coin away, one of us trade with him or something?" Trini suggested and Alpha quickly shook his head.
"No, no, no, no one else can possess his Coin and utilize its power. It...doesn't work that way."
"All we can do," Zordon spoke up. "Is watch him. He doesn't train anymore. We don't need him getting stronger and more dangerous before we break Rita's spell."
"But...Zordon," I said, hobbling up to him with Kim helping me. I straightened myself out. "How is he gonna defend himself if Rita or Zedd come after him?"
"If he becomes too well trained," Alpha said, coming up to us. "Then it will be much harder to defeat Rita and Zedd with Tommy on their side." I looked down in sorrow, not wanting Tommy to be completely defenseless. Although he was a bit arrogant during the past few training days, he was a great guy with his heart in the right place.
He didn't deserve this.
"I'm sorry Jason," Zordon said and I looked back up to him. "But it's safer for everyone, including Tommy, if he no longer trains. Now...you all head home."
We all nodded and I slowly looked up, my team all looking to me and waiting. I caught their glances and scoffed.
"Just meet at my house," I said and held my wrist in front of me, looking at my Communicator. I typed in 001 and was quickly in front of my house. I stumbled a bit and clutched my side, bending over. I saw the rest of my team appear in front of my house and they all looked to me, Kim coming up and helping me sit down on the bench in the front of my house.
"Are you sure you're ok, Jason?" Billy asked and I smiled, nodding.
"I'll be fine. It doesn't hurt that much anymore. It'll be better in a day or two once I get some rest," I answered and Trini crossed her arms, looking down.
"What do we do about Tommy? Is he still gonna come down to the Pit with us?" She asked and I nodded.
"Remember when I said no one goes anywhere alone?" I asked and everyone nodded. "Well now I mean it. Including Tommy. Someone text him and tell him what I said."
"You want us...to be near Tommy? Even if we're alone with him?" Zack asked and I nodded again. "Jason, the guy is dangerous. He stabbed you!"
"He didn't mean to," I said back, raising my voice. Tommy was one of the best and nicest guys I knew, even if I didn't know him that well before he was the Green Ranger. No matter what happened, Tommy would always remember that he was a Ranger that was fighting for good. "He's strong-minded. No matter what Rita does, he'll be able to fight it."
"Jason, I don't think-" Kim started to say.
"You saw how quick he apologized today," I said, not wanting to believe that Tommy would ever fully turn on us. "He's a Ranger too, now, and that means he's a target for Rita. I don't care if one person is with him or two, he doesn't go anywhere in public alone. Just like the rest of us. Understood?"
"Yeah," Trini nodded.
"Got it," Billy said and I looked to Zack who reluctantly nodded.
"Ok," I said and sighed. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Be careful, please."
The three of them nodded and Zack looked back to Kim, pointing at her.
"You owe me $15," he joked and I laughed, wheezing a little after laughing pretty hard. Kim had an unamused expression on her face and shook her head, the three of them walking away and down the street. I looked back to Kim, who was crouched beside me.
"You never told me about that nightmare you had," I pointed out and she looked down, biting her lip. I scooched over and made room for her on the bench, ignoring the gnawing pain in my wound. She sat down next to me and nodded.
"I tried to call you that night, but you didn't answer. I didn't even think it was a big deal until now, now that Tommy is...changing."
"How long ago was it? Three nights?"
"Yeah, the same day we found out it was Tommy with the Green Coin," she answered and looked to me.
"And Rita was in your room?"
"Mhm," she nodded. "It was so unnerving and I didn't want to just sit there by myself so I called Zack. Him and I hung out for a little."
"That's good," I said and knitted my brows in a sympathetic slant. "I'm glad you took my advice and weren't alone. I'm sorry that I didn't pick up."
"Oh, it's...it's fine…but," she said. "Zordon was right. The nightmare and Rita in my room, it was a taunt. She was, in a weird way, warning me about Tommy. As if it was some kind of game." Kim looked back down and scoffed, shaking her head. "I just didn't realize it meant something until Zordon explained what might happen to Tommy."
"We should probably tell Tommy about what Rita might try," I said and Kim nodded.
"Right now?" She asked.
"Yeah," I said and slowly pulled out my phone from my jacket pocket. I called Tommy and he picked up on the first ring.
"Scott, I'm so sorry again, man. I've been trying to focus on morphing when I want and-"
"Tommy," I said with a little laugh. "It's ok, dude. Just come to my house, ok? We need to talk."
"Yeah, yeah, sure thing," he eagerly said and hung up. Thirty seconds or so later, a flash appeared for a brief moment and Tommy stood in front of Kimberly and I, his eyes soft and worried.
(Trini)
"Alright, detention is dismissed," the teacher announced and I quickly sprung out of my chair, heading up the steps of the detention room. I exited the school and turned back, seeing the rest of my team exit as well. Jason nodded over to the side and we followed him, slowing down to still let him be in front since he was still wounded from yesterday.
"Training, right now," he said and we all nodded. "I might have to sit out today, though."
"Wait," I said, and looked to Jason and Zack, since Zack drove me to detention. "Cool if I run home and grab a change of clothes?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah, no problem. We'll see you guys there."
Jason, Kimberly, Billy, and Tommy all went to Jason's car, as they all drove together, while Zack and I headed to his car.
Now that Jason told us no one goes anywhere alone and Tommy knew how he could possibly be dangerous, since Kim and Jason told him yesterday, he told us that at least two of us needed to be by him if he was still going to hang around us, since he didn't want one of us to be alone with him if he was being controlled by Rita. We all tried to get him not to worry, even Zack, but Tommy was very fearful that he would end up hurting one of us like he did to Jason yesterday. Jason's wound was healing nicely already, but it was still a scare for all of us.
I got into Zack's car and he did too, starting the engine and turning on the radio. "Ready for a rematch today?" Zack asked, putting on his sunglasses and smiling, pulling out of the parking lot.
"Yeah," I scoffed. "And you're going to lose…again."
"You keep telling yourself that, Crazy Girl."
I smiled again and shook my head, glancing over to Zack, who was focused on the road at the moment. He caught my look and looked over to me, and I quickly looked straight.
"What?" He asked and I just shook my head again.
"Nothing."
"Nothing...is ever nothing," he said in a deep voice and I chuckled, throwing a hand up in confusion.
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know, just sounds like something Zordon would say," he laughed and I laughed again. His laughing stopped and he cleared his throat. "But seriously, what's up?"
"What…" I started to ask slowly. "What do we do if and when Tommy turns again? I mean, it only happened yesterday, but it's bound to happen again."
I slightly glanced back over to Zack who pursed his lips in thought and silence. He made a left turn and shrugged. "Not sure." I rubbed my forehead in thought and sighed. "I really don't wanna think about that right now. The best we can do is watch Tommy."
I shrugged back, not necessarily agreeing with the simple plan, but also not having much of a better idea as to what we should do about Tommy. We couldn't just leave him, as he was a Ranger and part of the team, but I was also worried for when he would lose control again. And this time, maybe it would be even worse than what happened to Jason.
Zack pulled into my driveway and put the car into park. I looked back to Zack. "I'll just be a minute."
"Take your time," Zack said and I exited the car, heading up my driveway and entering the house. I took two steps up the stairs before hearing my mom.
"Who's that who's always driving you around?" she asked, looking out the window towards Zack's car. I stopped on the steps, rolling my eyes and turned around with reluctance.
"One of my friends," I answered vaguely and I saw her nod in the reflection of the window. She turned around and crossed her arms at me.
"When are you going to let your father and I meet your friends?" She questioned and I scoffed.
"Never? Unless they come over?" I said and started to walk back up the stairs.
"Why can't we meet them?" she asked again and I brought myself to a halt again, turning back around.
"Because I'm not some little kid, mom," I said back and quickly went into my room, grabbing a bag and stuffing in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt.
"He's kinda cute!" I heard him shout and I bit the inside of my cheek in frustration.
"He's just a friend," I said back, which wasn't entirely true. There were certain feelings I had for Zack and I didn't know what to do about them. Whether that be to act on them or to ignore them. However, I did not want my mom knowing that, as that would only bring on another entirely new series of questions, which I wanted to part of.
"Were you guys just at breakfast?"
"Sure," I yelled back and exited my room, hustling down the steps and opening the door. "Bye, mom."
She stopped me from opening the door all the way and looked to me with a firm look. "I want to come out and meet this young man since you never tell me anything about him or your other 'friends.'"
I rolled my eyes and just opened the door, not objecting since I knew she would never stop pestering. I heard her following quickly behind me and I got into Zack's car as my mom went to his window. He gave her a smile and rolled it down.
"Good morning, Mrs. Kwan," he said and I felt myself look over to him in pure shock at how polite and sophisticated his voice sounded.
"Good morning…" my mom started to say, but looked to me, waiting for me to give her Zack's name.
"Zack," I said and looked forward again.
"Zack," my mom said and I heard the smile in her voice.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Zack said again with immense charm.
"Thank you, it is so nice to meet you as well," my mom chirped. "Where did you kids go for breakfast this morning?"
"Mom, we really have somewhere to be," I interrupted, looking over to her.
"Oh? Where are you headed?"
"On a hike," Zack easily said and my mom smiled.
"Well, I won't keep the two of you waiting," my mom said and backed up a little.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Kwan," Zack said and waved, rolling up his window. My mom waved back and Zack shifted into reverse, pulling the car out.
"Thanks," I said in a quiet voice due to mild embarrassment and Zack nodded.
"Nooo problemo," he said in a casual voice and stayed silent until we reached a red light. "Does your mom, like, think we're a thing?" He asked and I looked to him, furrowing my brows in mild confusion. He looked back to me and tilted his head. "Because I can totally play along, y'know, if you need me to."
I chuckled a little and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." I answered and saw Zack smile a little out of the corner of my eye.
