A/N: Hint: Make new friends but keep the old.

…

Chapter Ten: A golden friend

Billy barely acknowledged the beam of pink light that announced the arrival of Kim into the Power Chamber until she asked, "What's going on, Tommy seems worried?"

Billy snorted, "He should be, we have two possible monster sightings on opposite sides of town."

Kim frowned as she rolled herself over to be next to Billy, "Is it wise to split the Rangers up like that? I mean we are a 'United we Stand, Divided We Fall,' kind of organization."

Zordon spoke up then, "We don't have much choice, there is a chance that there are two monsters, we can't risk leaving one free to terrorize the town."

Kim frowned, thinking for a moment, "Why don't we have some of the others helping them out? They might not have their powers but sometimes numbers can be more important than strength."

…

Tommy did not like this one bit. He didn't like splitting up at all; add in the fact that his hair was standing up on the back of his neck and he knew something wasn't right. He closed his eyes focusing on the falcon inside him, Sahen, he called out, check up ahead, tell me if you see anything.

No sooner had he sent Sahen up ahead did he heard a noise behind them. He whirled around; dropping into a fighting stance at the same time Adam did beside him. Tommy lowered his stance as Zack waltzed into view.

"Kim thought you could use some help." He explained, "We have two full teams in Angel Grove at the moment, so we might as well use both of them."

Tommy nodded his thanks as Cogs started to attack, causing them to have to fight. Tommy felt his power fluctuate steadily. He frowned it was a good thing Zack and Aisha had showed up when they did. Fighting without powers was safer than fighting with unstable powers.

…

Jason watched as Tanya, Kat, and Rocky's powers fluctuated before him, making it hard for them to considerate on fighting the cogs. Maybe Kim had foresight; they were in no current state to be effective fighters.

Just then he noticed a ranger dressed in black and gold appear, fighting off the monster. Jason watched the strange power ranger, noting the fact that he seemed to be favoring his left leg. Whoever the person was he was hurt.

As the ranger hurried away Jason followed, keeping the strange man in sight as he went deeper into the woods.

As the ranger suit started to flicker, Jason ducked behind a tree, not wanting whoever was behind the helmet to see him and think he was working for the Machine Empire. Jason must have blinked, he had to have; there was no way one person could have turned into three so quickly. Had the others been waiting for the ranger to be along to ambush him? Then again why weren't they attacking, and why did they all look so much alike.

Jason shifted his weight to see if he couldn't get a better look and winced as he stepped on a twig, causing it to snap. He shook his head in disbelief as he quickly made himself known, there wasn't much more he could do, and rangers don't run.

"I'm Jason; I am a leader of the power rangers here in Angel Grove." Jason explained as he stepped out from behind the tree, "I wanted to find out who the ranger was that helped us back there. Which one of you was it?"

"We are Trey of Trifolia, we helped the Rangers." One of the Treys explained. Another one asked, "If you are a Power Ranger, why didn't you morph with the others?"

Jason shrugged, "I don't have powers at the moment, at least I don't have active powers, from the way Zordon was talking the Power Couple could possibly restore them, but we're saving that as a last resort."

Trey snorted, "The Power Couple is just a fairy tale that teaches kids to believe in happily ever after."

"But I know the power couple, I've seen them at work, heck, it's my sister and her fiancé," Jason protested, "Zordon said they were the power couple."

The three Treys eyes went round; they knew of Zordon, anyone who was a power ranger in the entire universe knew of Zordon. Zordon didn't lie or make mistakes. If Zordon said that the power couple is real and that it is this man's sister and her fiancé, then it must be true.

The Treys shook their heads, "You are a Power Ranger?"

"Original Red," Jason stated, holding his hand out for a handshake.

Trey looked at him with a curious look, "Do you think you can help me with something."

Jason nodded his head, "A Power Ranger is always ready to help in any way they can. What can I help you with?"

"I need to get home to my planet, yet I am being hunted and can't maintain my morph."

"How can I help?" Jason asked.

Trey leaned forward, "I need you to take my place as the gold ranger. At least until I am able to merge into a single person."

"Sure, no problem, what do I need to do. Do we need to go to the Power Chamber? Do we need Zordon's help?"

"No, I do not believe so, I believe that we can accomplish this task here, all you have to do is grab my golden staff."

Jason reached out and grabbed the staff, feeling the strength and power rushed through him. He had to admit at least to himself that he had missed this feeling of incredible strength. He smiled as he looked down at his new suit, "I'm going to need a new wardrobe." He announced.

…

Kim was sitting at the table helping Jake with his homework when Jason returned home, "I told Mom and Dad you were helping Tommy with something." She announced before correcting on of Jake's math problems.

"Thanks, sorry it took so long; I got caught in a monster attack," Jason explained, trying to hide the bags of clothes he had bought.

"The monster attack was two hours ago, and was nowhere near the mall." Kim pointed out as Pocco demanded loving, "You went shopping without me, didn't you?"

Jason nodded and was about to move past her when Kim grabbed one of the bags, yanked it out of his arm and opened it.

"Why did you buy a bunch of black clothes?" Kim asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Just changing up my wardrobe, getting rid of the old and bringing in the new," Jason announced, before yanking the bag out of Kim's arm and hurrying upstairs.

Kim looked at Jake, "Your brother is hiding something, and I'm going to figure out what."

Upstairs in his room Jason started putting his new clothes away, he hadn't wanted to lie to Kim, but Trey had been insistent that nobody knew his identity, not even Zordon. He shook his head, he hoped that Trey was right about this and it wasn't going to blow up in his face.

…

A/N: Jason is the Gold Ranger, yeah, and he isn't telling anybody, hmm… that isn't going to end up well. Please make my day and review.