I finally had the time and energy to continue this story. Hopefully more updates will be rolling out in the next few weeks. Sorry they took so long. Life has been very busy this past year. Thanks for sticking with me on this journey! Reviews are appreciated.
"AAH!" Jason practically yelled as he kicked the punching bag as hard as he could and in the process knocked Billy—who had up until that point been holding the bag steady—flat on his ass.
"Sorry, Billy" Jason said sheepishly as he offered a hand to help his smaller friend back to his feet.
"I will survive." Billy answered before dropping his voice and adding. "It's completely comprehensible given our current predicament."
Jason inhaled slowly and rubbed his hand up his face with a distraught look on his face. "I just can't do this anymore." He said. "Kim's been up there for nine days now—nine— and we're still sitting here with our thumbs up our asses."
"Maybe we should vacate the current premises to continue this conversation." Billy suggested.
Jason nodded and grabbed his gym bag, before following his friend out of the youth center.
Once outside, they slipped into the ally nearby and teleported to Jason's chambers within the command center.
After landing, Jason slumped down on his red comforter and put his head in his hands. Billy sat down in the desk chair and watched, not knowing what to say to his friend and leader. In times like this, they were all glad to have their own private quarters (basically a small dorm) on the lower levels of the command center. It allowed them space to strategize and deal with ranger issues, while avoiding the prying eyes of their families.
After a few silent minutes Jason finally spoke. "I just feel so worthless. I mean…I can't even get up there to save her."
"Indeed. That has been vexing to me as well." Billy responded. "Whatever machinations Tommy is employing to impede our teleportation is quite puzzling. However…"
"What?" Jason asked.
"Do you even think Zordon would permit us to attempt a rescue knowing full well that it would in all probability be a trap…or a suicide mission?"
Jason grumbled knowing that Billy was most likely right. Although Kimberly was an important member of the team, Zordon would probably not allow them to put all four of their lives in danger especially since…
"Look, I know this will not assuage your anxiety, but we know that she is alive and her vitals although odd are within normal ranges…mostly." Billy stated.
"You're right" Jason replied "That doesn't make me feel any better."
When Kimberly had first been taken, they had tried contacting her via her communicator and gotten nothing. Then they had tried teleporting her out…nothing. Then they had tried to lock in on her position to see if they could teleport to her. And to round out the trifecta of uselessness, they had also gotten a big, fat, steaming pile of…you guessed it…nothing. However after about 8 hours of hard work, Billy had been able to get a read on her vitals through a very weak, practically nonexistent, reading from her communicator. They had showed odd dips and spikes, but they were there.
"I just feel like the most useless piece of shit leader" Jason said quietly, feeling his throat tighten as he tried hard to blink back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Jason, I implore you to understand that none of us think of you in that manner and neither would Kimberly…" Billy started.
"But I'm not just her leader, I'm her boyfriend!" Jason practically yelled; as he felt the tears he was no longer able to hold back begin to fall. "I love her!" He said. "I'm supposed to protect her" he added quietly after.
Billy didn't know what to say to that. "We'll get her back." He said finally. No big words, only sincerity. "I'll work harder…I'll find a way…."
"Jason grabbed his friend in a one armed man-hug. "I know you're trying your best. I don't blame you."
Billy nodded as Jason let go.
"If you don't mind" He said. "I think I'd like to be alone right now?"
"No problem." Billy stated as he slowly turned and made his way out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Jason wiped at his face trying to clear the tear tracks that still remained there. He picked up a picture frame from his small bedside table. In the photo, he was holding Kim and they were laughing. He smiled stroking the likeness of Kim's face. Neither of them were looking at the camera, but intently, lovingly at one another. The camera was zoomed in so that there wasn't much of a background in the picture. Jason thought hard to remember where the picture had been taken; it wasn't exactly a new one. That's when he remembered. This had been at the carnival that had been held at the park. The whole gang had been there. Tommy had been there. It was before he had been put under the original spell. Before he had been evil. He had been the one to take the photo. Jason felt his grip on the frame tighten and a sharp pain as the glass broke from the strain and bit into his hand. He would get her back. Even if he had to break ranger rules and go after the bastard that had called himself his friend before turning his back on them and deciding instead to fight them. He would end him if that's what it took.