I'd like to go off the record and say, I do not own any rights to Power Rangers. I only own some of the characters and the story itself. I would like to thank decode9, Charlotte 'Charlie' Hartley, LovingGinger30, and all the other author's who have been so supportive throughout the years to make me a better writer and even push myself.
EPISODE TWELVE - Follow Your Dream
Football practice ended, Brad and Jamie were leaving the boy's locker room. Jamie noticed his father hanging around his truck. Brad gave Jamie a look, but Jamie shakes his head in a way to tell him to go on without him. Jamie's dad just looked like an older version of Jamie. However, you can just see the age in his face.
"Dad," Jamie said as he held his football bag on his shoulders, "Thought you'd be at work."
His father, Allen, did not seem to be happy.
"What is this that I hear that your coach is no longer the coach? He was fired! And possibly facing jail time?" Allen yells.
Jamie sighs, "Yeah but the assistant coach is filling in for the time being."
"Jamie, if you want to be the best we can't allow things like this to suffer your future." Allen said.
Jamie held onto the bag's strap tightly, "I- I know."
Allen walked over and placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "Now time to go home."
"Dad," Jamie said, "I have work."
Allen shakes his head, "I told you to quit that job."
Jamie looks at his dad, "But this- it's fun. Hanging with my friends and it feels great earning money for myself."
Allen glares, "With that tone you sound just like Matt. Is that what you want? To become a failure like him? A disappointment?"
Jamie looks down, "No sir."
Allen then forcefully shoves his son forward, "Then you will go to that job and tell them you're quitting."
Jamie kept his head down, "Yes sir."
-JURASSICSURGE-
At the Youth Center the teens were working. RJ was instead of his the kitchen today, he was cleaning the tables in the dinning area of the Youth Center. Brad was also out of the kitchen cleaning the tables. In the kitchen was Barry, Jack and Melody. Jasmine was handling the cash register, but it wasn't crazy.
"Brad," RJ spoke up, "Where is Jamie? You guys finished practice about fifteen minutes ago."
Brad shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know. When we got out his dad was there."
RJ sighs, "Damn."
Brad nods, "Yeah."
The two boys have know Jamie for a long time so they knew the issue with their friend's dad. Jasmine had overheard this, as well as the others in the kitchen stepping out, since it was busy.
"What is going on with Jamie?" Melody asks.
"And what about his dad?" Jasmine asks.
RJ looks at his friends, "I don't know if we should be telling you guys about his personal life." He said.
Barry has a frown, "If it is going to mess with the team I think we should know." Barry said.
RJ and Brad exchanged looks before saying anything, in came Jamie. He had his head down and then saw his friends and opened up with a small smile on his face. The others didn't buy it though, instead they walked over with concern written all over their face.
"Jamie," Jack started, "What's going on?"
Jamie shakes his head, "Nothing- um I just need to speak to Jenny and Hunter."
RJ looks at his friend, "They're in the back."
Jamie smiles, "Thanks,"
The gang watched their friend walk off to the back room. RJ and Brad exchanged looks and shake their heads.
"What's going on?" Melody asks looking in the direction Jamie walked in.
"His dad probably made him do it," Brad said, "He is always controlling his life."
RJ nods, "It was a matter of time before he told Jamie to quit."
The others turned to RJ and Brad.
"What?" Jasmine asks.
"Jamie is quitting?" Barry asks.
Brad sighs, "His dad is pretty controlling and lives through his sons." Brad said.
RJ nods, "But something happened leading his dad to disown his eldest son and put so much pressure into Jamie to play football." RJ said.
Jack frowns, "Does he- even like football?"
The two shakes their heads.
The others stood in silence. Then the back door open, Jamie shakes hands with Jenny and Hunter and then he walked out without saying a single word to his friends. RJ and Brad look at Jamie and frown. As Jamie exit the Youth Center, Jenny and Hunter walked over.
"Wha- What happened?" Jack asks.
Hunter sighs and shakes his head, "Jamie quit."
"Quit? Like just the Youth Center?" Barry asks.
Jenny sighs and shakes her head, "And he quit being a Power Ranger."
-JURASSICSURGE-
Jamie was walking home. He had his hands in his pant pockets and his head down looking at the side walk. He was angry at himself, he quit. He hates quitting, but his dad told him to do so. As Jamie turned a corner to keep walking he bumped into someone.
Jamie looked up to notice he knocked down a fourteen year old girl. She had long curly brown hair, brown eyes, fair skin tone, average weight and height, and skinny. She was wearing a white tank top, black shorts, and white high top converses.
"Ops, sorry." Jamie said.
She sees he offered a hand to help her up, "Thanks. It's okay."
Jamie looks at her, "I'm so sorry."
She smiles and dusts off the dirt from her pants, "It looked like something was bothering you."
Jamie shakes his head, "It's nothing."
She made a face, "Alright."
Jamie looks at her, "Well again sorry about that uh-," He realized he didn't know her name.
She smiles at him, "It's Donna, Donna Scott." She said at him.
Jamie nods, "Oh and I'm Jamie Banks." He said.
Donna looks at him, "Not to sound rude but something seems to be bothering you. Is it a girlfriend or something?" She asks.
Jamie shakes his head, "No. Not a girlfriend."
Jamie began to walk, but was surprised to see Donna following him.
"Really? A cute guy like you doesn't have a girlfriend?" Donna asks.
Jamie looks at her, "Why haven't I seen you at school? You're what a freshmen?" He asks.
Donna smirks, "Private school." She said.
Jamie nods, "Ah. I see."
Donna grabs his arm, "Come on, Jamie. Let's go chat and maybe I can help your issue." She began to drag him away.
Jamie tries to protest, "Whoa- Whoa! Hold on-!"
But it was too late, Donna was dragging Jamie off. Jamie noticed that people looked over but didn't seem to say anything. To anyone, this looked like a young couple on a date or something. Jamie just allowed Donna to drag him down the sidewalk, completely forgetting to go home like he promised his dad.
-JURASSICSURGE-
At the Youth Center the gang stood in shocked hearing that.
"He quit all together?" RJ spoke.
Jenny nods.
"We told him to hold onto the morpher in case he changed his mind." Hunter said.
Jack turns to Brad and RJ, "What kind of dad makes someone quit something they love?"
Brad looks at Jack, "You clearly haven't met Mr Banks."
Barry looks at Brad, "You mentioned that his dad is controlling and lives through his life,"
"But there is more. Isn't there, RJ?" Jasmine asks.
The gang saw RJ and Brad exchange looks and then sigh.
"When Jamie was ten his mom passed away," RJ said, "Jamie was so close to his mom. I remember when we were kids that when I'd go over I'd find Jamie cooking with his mom. I never saw him so happy than in the kitchen cooking."
Brad nods, "But when his mom passed away his dad didn't know how to handle. So his dad pushed Jamie's older brother to become the best football player ever. Apparently Jamie's dad was a linebacker back in high school but suffered a bad injury that prevented him from ever playing again. So he wanted his boys to be better than him."
RJ then adds, "His big brother Matt made it to college with a football scholarship but- he got hurt really bad and decided to quit football to do something he always wanted to do. Which in return Mr Banks just disowned Matt as his son. So then all the pressure to do better went to Jamie."
Melody frowns, "That's awful."
"Jamie should do what he wants." Jack said.
RJ shakes his head, "Jamie doesn't step out of line with his father. He wants his father to accept him and if that means forgoing his dream he'll do it." RJ said.
The rangers frowned.
"I'm sorry," Jack said, "I can't believe it. Jamie is our friend and we need to let him know we will be there for him."
Jasmine nods agreeing, "We should go find him and tell him he doesn't need to give up on his dream."
Melody nods.
Barry nods as well, "Jamie would do the same if it were us."
RJ and Brad exchanged looks and nod.
Jenny spoke, "Go. We have the Youth Center covered."
And with that said, the rangers took off running out of the building.
-JURASSICSURGE-
Donna and Jamie were sitting on a bench. Jamie had told Donna everything, he was surprised he just revealed everything to her. Donna placed a hand on his knee when he stopped speaking, Jamie looked at her with shock in his eyes.
"If you want to quit football then you should," Donna said, "Your dad should understand."
Jamie stands up, "I can't! I can't do that!"
Donna looks at him, "Why not? Why can't you be happy?" She asks.
Jamie ran his hands through his hair, "Because I'm- I'm his son and I am suppose to do what he tells me."
Donna stands up, "Jamie he is taking advantage of you. What kind of father forces someone to do something they don't want to do? He's being a bully." Donna said.
"You don't know him!" Jamie yells.
There was a moment of silence between the two.
Donna sits down and sighs, "You're right. And I barely know you, but I still care because you shouldn't waste your talents on something that isn't what you want. Believe me, I know what it's like to pretend to be someone I'm not."
Jamie looks at her.
"I use to go to public school," Donna said, "I use to live in Norland for a while and went to Indian Creek High. Back then I had a lot of friends, but none of them were truly my friends because they only used me for my brains. They made me do their homework and talked down to me. It wasn't until I started going to the private school I felt like myself. I gained real friends and began to fit in. Hell, my own parents were happy to see I picked up on my old hobbies before those bullies brought me down." Donna said.
Jamie looks at her.
Donna stands back up, "You need to stand up for yourself." She said.
Jamie frowns, "But he'll hate me."
Donna held onto his hand, "He'll learn to forgive you."
Jamie looked at her and then there was an explosion. The two were startled. Standing in front of Jamie and Donna was Lotor, the evil villain simirked at the two and grabbed his sword. Jamie grabbed a hold of Donna and tackled her to the ground. There were sparks and small explosions from that.
Jamie glanced at Donna, "You okay?" He asks.
Donna glanced from Jamie to Lotor, "Ye- Yeah."
Jamie sees Lotor coming near them, "Well look what I stumbled on." Lotor said.
Jamie pushed Donna behind him, "Donna you need to get somewhere safe."
Donna looked at him confused, "What about you?"
Jamie turned to her, "I'll be fine." He said.
Donna sees Lotor about to slash at them, while Jamie wasn't paying attention. Donna pulled Jamie back to avoid the blade and then Jamie was a bit shocked by Donna, she did a high kick at Lotor. It didn't do much but send the dinosaur human hybrid back a bit.
Lotor went to charge at the two of them, but then there was the sound of a blade colliding with that blade that stopped it from hitting the two. Standing in front of the two was a person in a black suit. It was the Black Ranger protecting them.
Jamie turns to Donna, "Get out of here."
Donna nods slowly and takes off running.
Jamie watched as his friend, Brad, shoves the villain back. RJ and Jasmine came in next slashing their blade at the beast. Jack and Barry were running in next, then Jamie saw Melody knelt down next to him. He saw his friends all in their ranger suits fighting to protect him.
"You okay?" Melody asks.
Jamie stands up and nods, "Ye- Yeah."
Melody rolls up part of Jamie's sleeve, "You're not just a son. You're a Power Ranger."
Jamie looks at the pink helmet, "Mel?"
"You get to make your own legacy. You're parents cannot define you." She said.
Jamie looks at his yellow morpher and then a small smile escaped his mouth.
"Jurassic Surge! Power Rangers!" Jamie yelled.
-JURASSICSURGE-
After Jamie had morphed he held onto his sword and looked at his teammate in pink, then the two charged in to fight. Brad, RJ, and Jasmine were surrounding him on the left whereas Jack and Barry were on the right. Now Jamie and Melody were in front of Lotor.
"Time for you to fall, Lotor!" Jamie yells.
Lotor chuckles, "I'd like to see you try."
As Lotor swiftly charged at the rangers, he knocked Barry and Jack back, but then managed to get back up. Melody blocked Lotor's sword, but she was punched in the face by the villain. RJ and Jasmine ran in next, RJ swinging his blade at Lotor, Jasmine blocking Lotor's blade. However, Lotor managed to dodge it and tackle the two to the ground. Brad blocked Lotor's blow to destroy them.
Then Jamie ran in, "You leave them alone!"
As Jamie ran over, his sword began to glow yellow and as he slashed his sword at the arm Lotor held his sword, Jamie ended up cutting off Lotor's right arm. Lotor screamed in utter pain. The rangers stood in shock. Lotor cradled his arm.
"You win this time," Lotor said and then he vanished.
The rangers stood in their suits for a moment and then powered down. Jamie stood in shock of what just happened.
"Jamie," RJ said, "You can't walk away from this."
Jamie looks at his friend, "But my dad-,"
RJ shakes his head, "Your dad is an ass!"
Jasmine turns to RJ, "RJ,"
RJ turns from Jasmine to Jamie, "It's true. Your dad doesn't care about what you want but what he wants."
Jamie stood there in shock and then nods, "But- he's all I have left. My mom is gone and Matt doesn't talk to me anymore." He said.
Jack walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, "That isn't true. You have us."
Barry nods, "Of course. We're all here for you." He said.
Melody nods with a smile.
Then they hear, "I'd listen to your friends if I were you."
They all turn to see Donna, Jamie was partly happy to see she was okay. He had a smile on his face seeing her. Donna had a smile on her face then turned to see who one of his friends were and a smirk appeared on her face, which led her to walk in front of RJ.
"Uncle RJ," Donna smirks.
"Uncle?" The rangers were confused.
RJ sighs, "This is my niece. Her father is my brother-in-law's younger brother."
Jack looks at RJ, "Jeez I feel like you're related to everyone." She said.
Barry nods, "I couldn't agree more." He said.
Donna looks at each of the teen's watches on their wrist, each one color. A small smile appeared on her face, leaving an annoyed expression on RJ's face.
"So it looks like being a Power Ranger is in the family, huh." Donna said.
Everyone was again shocked.
"What-? How?" RJ asks.
Donna crossed her arms on her chest, "Uh- Uncle Jared's first book. It was basically saying, 'I'm a Power Ranger,' besides I found mom and dad's morphers when I was eleven." Donna said.
Jasmine looks at Donna, "And you're not-."
Donna turns to Jasmine, "I can keep a secret." She said.
The teens felt better, well all besides Jamie.
"Can you guys come with me to my house to tell my dad everything." Jamie said.
Everyone nods.
-JURASSICSURGE-
At the Banks household. Allen stepped outside to see a car pull up, and stepping out was his son and seven teens. Allen crossed his arms on his chest and looked a bit annoyed looking at this.
"Jamie, what did I tell you? To be home after you quit that stupid job." Allen said.
Jamie looks at his dad, "Dad, I'm not quitting."
"Excuse me," Allen said, "I told you to quit and you will quit."
Jamie shakes his head, "I'm quitting but not the job. I'm quitting football." He said.
Allen's eyes widen, "What! Are you wanting to become a failure like Matt! You want to ruin your future!"
Jamie shakes his head, "I'm not going to be a failure. I want my own future and not one run by you."
Allen opens the door, "Then get your shit and get out of my house! No son of mine will behave this way." Allen said.
Jamie turns to Brad and Barry, the two guys follow him inside the house to gather his things. RJ stood at the car with his arms crossed across his chest, he wanted to charge forward when he say Allen shove Jamie forward into the house. But he felt Donna grab him to hold him still.
"Don't make things worst," Donna spoke softly.
The remaining teens stood outside with Allen, as the three got Jamie's things. Once all of Jamie's stuff was removed from his bedroom and put in the car, Allen began to walk toward the house.
"Now get off my property before I call the cops," Allen said and shut the door.
Once the door shut, Jamie felt anxiety that he probably shouldn't have done that. The teens piled into the car and began to drive off. Brad driving the car, Jamie in the passenger seat, and everyone else was in the back seats. Jamie was looking out the window in fear.
"Where am I going to go now?" Jamie asks.
Jack frowns. She couldn't house him, her place only had enough space for her and her dad. Jasmine frowns as well. Jasmine only has two bedrooms, and she doubts her father would be okay with a boy moving in who wasn't family. Barry knew there might be enough room to squeeze Jamie in his house, but he knew his mom probably wouldn't be okay enough with it. Brad only has enough room for him and his brother, he never needed a lot of space so now he was feeling guilty he couldn't house his friend.
"You could always stay with me." RJ suggested.
Then Donna spoke up, "RJ, I don't think you have enough room for Jamie."
It's true, after RJ was born his parents moved out from the huge house and got a house that was smaller since they didn't need all that space. RJ mentally swore at himself that he couldn't help Jamie out.
Donna then said, "You can always come to my place. We have enough space."
"I don't want to be a burden." Jamie said.
Donna looks at Brad, "Drive to 4465 Narrow Ways."
Brad nods.
The drive to that address was in silence. Upon reaching the address, they were shocked besides RJ to see Donna lived in a gated community. When they reached the guard keeping people who shouldn't be there out, they were stopped by him. Donna unbelted her seat belt and leaned next to Brad.
"Hi Manny," She smiled, "These are some friends."
Manny the guard nods, "Alright Miss Scott."
Donna rolls her eyes, "I keep telling you to call me Donna,"
The gate opens the the car continues to drive. They drive around until they stop at a two story house. Brad parks the car and the teens all get out. Opening the door was Donna's mom, she was a bit confused on who was in the car but then seemed more confused on why all the teens were there.
"Donna," Her mom said, "What is going on?"
Donna walks over, "Is dad here?" She asks.
Her mom nods.
"We need to talk." Donna said and motioned for the teens to follow her inside.
Upon reaching inside, Donna finds her father watching TV. Donna noticed her siblings in the living room as well, she motioned for them to go upstairs, which gained her father's attention. That is when he saw RJ and his friends.
"RJ?" He spoke.
"Hey, Artie." RJ said.
"Gwen, what is going on?" Artie asks.
His wife Gwen shakes her head, "I don't know."
So Donna explained the entire situation to her parents. Explaining how Jamie's dad just kicked him out and didn't want him around. During this, Arite couldn't help but look at the sad boy. Arite stands up and walks over to the sadden boy.
"Our house is your house." He said.
Jamie looks at Artie, "Mr Scott, I don't want to put you out." Jamie said.
"Nonsense, and its Artie." Arite said, "Besides kid, I've been where you were. My own mom kicked me out and forced me to move in with my biological father's."
Jamie looks at Artie, "Really?"
Arite nods, "Really."
Brad motioned to the car, "Well all his stuff is in my car."
Artie nods, "Boys go get his stuff."
RJ and Brad groan and Barry followed behind them.
Gwen sighs, "I'll go help them."
Gwen followed after the boys. As did the girls.
Donna turns to her dad, "Want me to go check on the guest room?"
Artie nods, "Yeah. Make sure the younger ones haven't destroyed it."
Donna nods.
Artie placed a hand on Jamie's shoulder, "This isn't your fault. There is nothing wrong with you. Give it some time, and eventually your dad will realize what he did was stupid." Artie said.
Jamie nods and frowns, "But- he cut off all ties to my brother, he'll do the same for me."
Artie shakes his head, "Sh, it's not your fault, kiddo."
Then Artie was shocked to be hugged by Jamie. Artie held onto Jamie as Jamie began to cry. Donna walked down the stairs to tell him how the room was fine, but stopped to see Artie comforting Jamie. Donna slowly walked back up the stairs to give the two a moment.
"It's gonna be okay," Artie said, "I promise."
(A/N: This has to be one of my new favorite chapters I've written for this series. I wanted to do a Jamie centered one for a while given his background, but every draft I had I kind of hated it. Then this one came along and I loved it. I never had a character be removed from their house on screen in a sense and finding a new place to live. And I felt having Jamie move in with Artie would be great. Like Artie can be there and also Jamie can re-find himself again.
Also what do you guys think of Donna? I kind of like having her around, she seems to bring something different into the story. I'm not going to have her a main focus but I will have her around seeing as Jamie now lives with her.
I know I said the next chapter was going to deal with the two part Music Force chapter, but I wanted to write a chapter about a character who hasn't had nearly as much development as the others. So that one was taking halt and then the next one, I PROMISE, will pick up where that two parter would have ended. Having the characters talk about it and what not. Until next time. -ICrzy)
