On the moon…
Master Vile had summoned Rita and Zedd into the observatory of the moon base as he planned to unveil his next attack.
"Get in here you fools!" Vile commanded, "I haven't got all night."
Rita and Zedd came into the room as Master Vile began explaining his plan for the Power Rangers.
"I am going to send down a special monster I call Sandman," he explained, "Sandman will cast a spell on Tommy and Jason causing them not only to fight amongst themselves, but with their teammates as well. The Power Rangers will be so busy fighting with each other they won't be able to stop Sandman from destroying Angel Grove."
"Oh yes, excellence, that sounds like a great plan," Zedd muttered.
"Definitely, daddy! That will definitely show those Rangers," Rita interjected.
Zedd and Rita then turned to walk out of the room. When he was sure Master Vile was out of earshot, he muttered to Rita, "Doesn't he know they always break spells no matter how powerful it is?"
"Unlike you Zedd, failure is not an option for me!" Vile yelled, "I hear everything you dim-wit."
The Oliver residence…
Tommy and Kim were snuggled on the couch watching the 11 o'clock news which was currently showing a replay of the Power Rangers fighting off Goldar and Scorpina earlier. Tommy had just snuck in a quick kiss when Kim suggested they go lay down and get some sleep. Tommy obliged and, tickling Kim in the ribs, took off running down the hall.
Tommy quickly ran into the bathroom and locked the door, forcing Kim to wait outside until he let her in. He made her wait outside for about a minute while he brushed his teeth before he let her in. He was wearing black boxers with gold trim and a black wife beater.
"That's hot," Kim said with a wink. She laughed at Tommy as she went in the bathroom to brush her teeth as he climbed into bed. She came out wearing pink pajama bottoms and a white tank top. Tommy laughed at the color of her pants.
"What happened to white?" he asked.
"Well, Mr. Oliver, I wasn't exactly prepared for having to buy a completely new wardrobe. I thought pink was gonna be all I needed," she said with a smile.
"Well, Ms. Hart, no matter what color you wear, you'll always be my Beautiful," he replied.
The kissed each other good night and went to sleep. Three hours later Tommy woke up in a deep sweat and panting…
Three and a half hours earlier at the Scott-Hillard apartment…
Jason and Kat were laying in bed watching the news replay of the Power Rangers in Angel Grove earlier in the day, just as Tommy and Kim were. Jason was reading Karate for Dummies a joke of a birthday gift from Tommy. Kat was indulged in Sydney Weekly, a magazine from Australia.
Jason quietly set his book down so not to make any noise. When Kat was least expecting it, the Dragon pounced. He began tickling her and soon they were on the floor wrestling and laughing.
Zack and Aisha came running down the hall and without thinking, flung the door to Jason and Kat's room open. Jason and Kat immediately blushed as they looked up at their friends.
"Uh, sorry guys, this isn't a tag-team match," Jason said to the pair with a wink.
"Hey, bro you don't have to tell me twice," Zack replied as he turned around, "that's so gross," he whispered to Aisha as they started to exit the room.
"Hey man, I heard that," Jason said with a laugh. Zack shook his head, closed the door and went back to the guest bedroom with Aisha.
"Well, I guess we better go to bed and keep quiet," Kat said, "we wouldn't want to keep the kids awake now would we?'
"No, I guess not," Jason replied.
The two climbed back into bed. Jason and Kat leaned over and turned off their lights. Jason rolled over and gave Kat a kiss as the two went to sleep. Three hours later, Jason awoke in a stiff panic. He suddenly had the urge to call Tommy who, coincidentally, had just gotten out of bed to call Jason.
"What's up bro?" Jason asked as Tommy answered the phone.
"Not much man, just a real bad dream," he replied.
"You too?" Jason asked.
"I guess so," Tommy answered, "It was weird. Me, you, Kim and Kat were fighting Putties in the park. They knocked us both down and after Kat and Kim finished them off, Kim went running to check on you instead of me."
"Man that sounds just like mine, except in mine it was you, Adam and Kat and Kat went to you guys instead of me," Jason interjected as he suddenly felt a wave of anger and jealousy rush through his body, "I knew it."
"What are you talking about?" Tommy replied. He too was feeling exceptionally angry.
"You know exactly what I mean," Jason answered, "I see the way you look at Kat. You just can't get over the fact that she chose me."
"You're full of it," Tommy said, "I think you'rejust jealous because Kat still clearly has feelings for me."
"You know what man, you're lucky we're not in the same room right now or I'd make you beg for mercy," Jason replied.
"Haha, yeah right. You got about as good a chance against me as Kat has with me," Tommy said laughing and with that he hung up the phone and went back to bed.
The next day at the Youth Center…
Being back in town definitely had its perks. Ernie was more than happy to let the team use the facilities, plus he didn't charge them for drinks. Tommy was attacking a punching bag when Jason came strolling in.
"Hey Jason!" Ernie called, "didn't Tommy used to wear the green?"
"Yeah, but he's too good for green now," Jason replied, "our fearless leader has upgraded."
Ernie was shocked. Jason had never said an unkind word about Tommy around him before. In fact, he thought the two were close friends.
"Hey, champ, why don't you get out of the way and let a pro show you how to hit a bag," Jason muttered to Tommy.
"Go for it buddy," Tommy replied with a snicker, "Looks like your stuck with leftovers again."
Jason snapped at this and jumped on Tommy's back, taking him to the ground. At this point, he couldn't be bothered with the honor or self-discipline Zordon and his Sensei's had taught him. He was going to make Tommy pay for the insult.
Jason climbed on top of Tommy and pinned him to the ground.
"What's the matter pal? Can't take a joke?" Tommy laughed. Jason went to punch Tommy but he slid his head out of the way, causing Jason to punch the hard tile floor. "Haha, you never were as quick as me." And with that Tommy flipped Jason over as the two began struggling with each other.
Billy, Trini, Zack and Aisha had just walked in to the Youth Center as they saw their two friends fighting. They rushed over to them and pulled the two off each other.
"What the heck's the matter with you two?" Zack asked.
"Why don't you ask him. The guy that's green with envy," Tommy answered.
Before Jason could answer, their Communicators went off and the two briefly set aside their conflict as they ducked in the hall of the Youth Center.
"Zordon, this is Tommy. I read you," he answered. He also made sure to note that it was he that was talking to Zordon, not Jason.
"Rangers, teleport to the Command Center immediately, the others are on their way," Zordon replied.
The Rangers assumed the familiar position and, after taking a quick peek to see if anyone was looking, teleported out of the Youth Center.
In the Command Center…
Tommy, Billy, Trina, Zack, Aisha and Jason arrived in the Command Center and were soon joined by Kimberly, Kat, Rocky and Adam.
"Tommy, Jason, I am most disappointed in you two," Zordon began, "I thought you all put aside your differences after defeating Goldar and Scorpina."
"We did until ex-leader boy over here decided to get jealous," Tommy replied, nodding towards Jason.
"Save it, Tommy," Jason interjected as he went for the one thing he knew would hurt Tommy, "Does it still bother you that you were never even meant to be a Power Ranger?"
Tommy snapped and went to go after Jason again but this time he was met with Rocky.
"Get out of my way, Rocky. I don't need another wannabe leader in my way," Tommy said "The only reason you're even here is because Jason was too much of a wimp to stay and fight."
Rocky didn't know what to say. Tommy was right. But he was soon joined by Billy and Kimberly who refused to let Tommy go after Jason. However, Jason realized that, with no one blocking him, now was the perfect time to get Tommy. He took a step forward but was cut off by Adam.
"Knock it off, Jason. This isn't a battle you want to fight," Adam said.
"Is that right? I think I wanna show you how bad I wanna fight it," Jason replied, "you think you're hot stuff since Zordon made you second-in-command. That was just a formality. A polite way of saying 'you're just not quite good enough to be a leader.'"
Adam, too, was hurt by Jason's words. As a Ranger, Adam always looked up to Jason. Now it was like Jason was a different person.
"Rangers," Zordon interjected, "It appears Master Vile's newest creation, Sandman, has put spells on Tommy and Jason, causing them to fight with one another. Sandman is now attacking innocent civilians in Angel Grove Park. Tommy, you and Jason must co-exist to save Angel Grove."
"Don't worry about it, Zordon." Tommy began. "It's Morphin' Time!"
The Rangers called for their powers as they arrived in Angel Grove Park. Billy, Trini, Zack and Aisha provided a distraction for Sandman as Adam and Rocky yelled at the people to get away.
"Hey buddy, why don't you go take a nice long nap?" Tommy asked Sandman.
"Man, enough with the corny punch lines bro," Jason replied, "they haven't been cool since, um, never!"
"Haha, yessss Rangersss," Sandman interjected, "fight amongsssst yourselvesssss."
Tommy and Jason continued to banter back and forth as the other Rangers engaged Sandman in battle. They fought hard but soon discovered that Sandman was much stronger than any of Rita or Zedd's monsters. Sandman knocked the Rangers back and soon turned his attention to Tommy and Jason.
"Yessss, keep fighting," Sandman said, "Fight until you can fight no longer."
Jason and Tommy continued to argue and yell at each other. Soon they were in each other's faces and were pushing each other. Suddenly they felt very tired and could no longer find the energy to fight. They slumped to the ground in a deep slumber.
"Oh no!" Kim yelled, "We gotta do something!"
"Haha, with the Gold and Green Rangers out of commission, you stand no chance against me," Sandman replied, "I'll see you in a few winks."
With that Sandman disappeared as the eight Rangers rushed to Tommy and Jason. They were passed out on the grass. Kim and Kat tried shaking Tommy and Jason but it was no use. They weren't waking up anytime soon.
"Zordon, it's Kimberly, come in," Kim began "Sandman put Jason and Tommy to sleep and they won't wake up. What do we do?"
"Stay put," Zordon replied, "Alpha will teleport you back to the Command Center now."
The others, now demorphed, all looked at each other with great concern. Kat and Kim caught each other's eye as a tear escaped both of them. Moments later they were teleporting.
In the Command Center…
The Rangers were all sitting around as Alpha 5 continued to run tests on Tommy and Jason.
"Zordon, what's taking so long?" Kim asked.
"Patience, Kimberly, these things take time," Zordon replied.
A few minutes later Alpha came back from the new medical wing of the Command Center and told the Rangers and Zordon what he found.
"It appears Sandman's spell caused Tommy and Jason to fight until they could no longer function," Alpha began, "They wasted so much energy fighting with each other that they just collapsed."
"What does that mean Alpha?" Kat asked.
"It means, that until we can gather the supplies to cure them, they are going to remain in their deep sleep," Alpha replied.
"Well, what do we need?" Kim asked.
"Unfortunately, the supplies can not be found here on Earth. They are located in the Desert of Despair," Alpha explained.
"Along with that, Rangers, only two of you can go on the journey," Zordon began, "Six of you must stay behind in case Sandman chooses to attack again. I believe it's safe to say that Kim and Kat will be going on this journey?'
Kat and Kim looked at each other and nodded. They weren't willing to trust the life of their significant others in anyone's hands but their own.
"Then prepare to teleport to the Desert of Despair. You only have three hours to find five things. You must find water from the River of Truth, sand from the Beach of Strength, leaves from the Tree of Knowledge and grass from the Garden of Courage. You also must each find an item specific to Tommy and Jason in the Forest of Heart."
Kim looked at Kat and nodded, "We're ready Zordon."
"Good, then go now, and may the Power protect you." he replied.
Alpha 5 pushed a few buttons on a panel and Kim and Kat were gone in a flash of white and pink light…
