Chapter 14
Jason awoke a little earlier than normal. His dreams had not been pleasant, they depicted himself losing his new friends and his brother to the reborn Goldar. Jason then sat up in his bed and thought about it for a second. He had been having nightmares about Goldar coming back and then not too long after that it had actually happened. Could there be some connection? Only time would tell he told himself.
Jason then slowly threw his legs over the bed and pushed himself up and stood straight. Reaching for his shirt he made a mental note that he would probably need to buy some new ones today or tomorrow since he was clearly going to be here longer than he anticipated. Getting his muscles moving he made his way silently to the main part of the loft, once there he began to perform a Karate Kata on the mats. The motions relaxed him and had the same calming affects that meditating did. As he ran through the motions automatically he thought over the events of the past two days, much had changed in such a short space of time. Yet it felt a lot longer in his mind.
He also was unsure about what this did to the situation with Casey. Now the big secret that had been separating the two for years was revealed. All the things he could never say could now be told. The question is would Casey be willing to listen and accept? He knew his brother all too well and from the looks of it he hadn't changed much, on some level he wished Casey would just come out and the two could just let it all out. Though Jason knew in his heart that it wasn't going to be that easy. He also knew that he was going to have to answer a lot of questions, last night he had been the veteran telling war stories and he hadn't even finished his tale. Today though it would be more likely that he would be the outsider who seemed to have brought trouble with him.
Jason jumped and twirled his body around with his left leg outstretched, the move that Tommy loved to do so much when he was younger. Jason allowed himself to slip back into his memories for a moment and remembered all the timed he had sparred and fought with his old friend. Laughing to himself for a second he was interrupted as RJ joined him on the mats.
Jason finished up the Kata with a customary bow and looked back up at RJ, time to see how this would play out.
RJ nodded and instead of talking he bowed to Jason. RJ then began his own series of acrobatic maneuvers across the room and when he landed he began a Kata that Jason didn't recognise entirely.
"That looks a bit like Thai but it isn't is it?" Jason said out loud.
"Nope, it's the Wolf style. My style." RJ replied between motions.
RJ then came to a stop and tilted his head sideways.
"So you took on a Tiger, defeated the Cheetah and made a mockery out of the Jaguar. Care to try your luck with a Wolf?" RJ said, the playfulness attitude that usually oozed off him now seemingly dissipated and his tone of voice having become much deeper and darker.
Jason smirked slightly, RJ now looked the part of warrior. The quirkiness had gone and his eyes were set with a steely resolve. It was clear that underneath the fun loving exterior beated the heart of a proud martial master.
Jason narrowed his eyes and slowly assumed his own stance. The two eyed each other up and then in unison both went on the offensive.
RJ twirled around in mid air bringing his leg down on top of Jason sending Jason thudding heavily onto the mat. As Jason rolled backwards RJ continued his assault by again jumping and bringing his elbow down. This time Jason performed a half roundhouse kick and sent RJ hurtling back across the room. Jason and RJ then re met in the center of the room and began trading blows. Neither able to out due the other, RJ then performed a snap front kick and Jason performed a side kick. The two blows both connected half way and sent the two fighters down to the ground.
As the two got back up on to one knee RJ than began to speak.
"Your good my friend," he stated bluntly.
"You too," came the tired reply.
"So now that we a chance to talk care to explain what it is that happened that is affecting my Red Ranger?" RJ asked slowly getting back to his feet.
"Not really, maybe at some point but I would like to actually try and talk to Casey properly before I start go around telling everyone about our past," Jason also now on his feet.
The two charged at each again and as fists and feet began to fly the conversation also continued.
"Normally I would be fine with that," RJ said frantically dodging a back fist that he hadn't seen till the last minute.
"But since we need the team leader back, now, possibly more than ever I need to put him back in balance and you are what is throwing him out of it," RJ then proceeded with Wolf claw-like strikes that he had learned from his own master.
Jason snapped his arms up and down to block each oncoming blow and replied.
"I agree and can can see it from your point of view," Jason paused to roll away from the rising knee that was heading for his stomach.
"But I need to handle this my way RJ,"
RJ and Jason then both performed the same reverse elbow strike and as the two both tried to force there arms through the others they decided to call it a draw.
As the two withdrew from one another Jason held up his hand in his usual custom. RJ returned it and the men then bowed to each other. It had been a while since either of the two men had truly had to work hard in a sparring session.
Jason sighed slightly and moved over to the nearby green chair.
RJ moved like a bat out of hell and got there first stopping Jason, grinning as he did so.
"I don't have many rules in this place, but I do have one. Nobody sits in my chair," RJ said as he slowly say down in it himself and reclined.
Jason shook his head playfully and grabbed a nearby stool.
Jason planted himself opposite RJ, he hadn't finished yet.
"So do you trust me or not?" Jason asked plainly, taking the direct route.
RJ slowly nodded.
"Personally the answer is yes, I'll admit when I first met I knew you were hiding something but then most people do to begin with and obviously like us you had a pretty big secret to protect,"
Jason nodded in agreement and relaxed a little.
"However it is clear that until you and Casey resolve your past the team will be unable to function, they," RJ paused for a moment and then added
"No we all rely on Casey for his leadership in battle. He is a born leader and looking at you and the way you have acted I see your a lot alike. Maybe even in more ways than you both realise, after all you have both turned out to both be Power Ranger and both Red Rangers at that. Your both leaders but he certainly wasn't when I first met him. He was much more happy to follow and terrified to lead,"
RJ stopped as he saw a questioning look on Jason's face.
Jason took the opportunity to ask what was his on his mind.
"That wouldn't happen to be a year and a half ago did it?"
RJ sighed, he guessed if the problem was going to be resolved he might as well help it along.
"Not exactly when he stopped making contact with your family, that was probably when he joined the Pai Zhai Academy, it's where the tattoos come from and the animal spirits. Casey joined me after Dai Shi escaped and their Master was killed. Speaking of that, I guess it is time I tell our talk. After all you did kindly tell us yours," and with that RJ began with the three 'cubs' entering his Pizza Parlor a year and a half ago.
Once the tale was done Jason took a moment to take it in, there was something that had caught his attention.
"You saw the first beast war was 10,000 years ago?" Jason asked.
"Give or take a decade," RJ replied with a grin.
"After 10,000 years I'm FREE!"
The memory came flooding back to him as Rita nearly ripped Angel Grove in half when she first announced her presence to the Earth. It was the only thought that was racing through Jason's mind. His old adversaries had been around at the exact same time, was it possible that the two forced had been allies in the past?
"What is it?" RJ asked seeing a distressed look on Jason's face.
"Well Goldar and Scorch were clearly on the same side yesterday, they both existed 10,000 years ago. Is it possible that our respective enemies were allies in that war?"
RJ paused, that thought was a rather chilling one.
"Well it is possible and it would certainly make sense. Though I really hope we are wrong because otherwise we have a problem don't we?"
Jason nodded in agreement.
"I just wish I had some clue as to how Goldar was back," Jason replied, his voice full of frustration.
"Yeah there is a lot of that going around," RJ replied.
"You know thinking about it, there is someone we could ask?"
"Oh?" Jason replied.
"You know someone who was around 10,000 years ago?"
"Several," RJ said with a laugh and his usual smile.
"Though one of them is probably currently entangled with Jarrod,"
"Camille is 10,000 years old?" Jason said in surprise and shock.
"Yes I am," came the stern reply which made both men jump as she materialised in front of them.
"Wow, you most really have a good moisturizer," Jason said with a grin.
"You know by comparison your modern technology really hasn't achieved much by comparison to us has it?" she said with her own grin.
"No maybe not, but at least the fashion sense has changed. What on Earth are you wearing?" Jason replied with a stunned look on his face.
"Oh I forgot to change," Camille had been wearing her old battle uniform but as she looked down they changed into the green jacket and black trousers she had been favoring lately.
"I bet your a real killer at parties," Jason said with a laugh.
RJ grimaced a little and Camille just gave Jason an almost flattered look.
"Why thank you. However I used to be a real killer wherever I went. No party was needed," Camille said as she took a seat to the side of Jason.
"Yeah, maybe not the best of choice of words," RJ added with a slightly worried look on his face.
"Maybe," Jason replied.
"Former villain?" Jason asked Camille.
"Correct," Camille replied with a slightly content look on her face at that remark.
"Ah, explains a lot." Jason said bracing himself for a blow to the shoulder which came almost instantly.
"OOO I bet you gave the rangers quite some problems in the past with a hit like that," Jason said playfully.
"I like to think so," Camille replied with an evil grin on her face.
"Enough reminiscing, your creeping me out over here," RJ with a rather worried look on his face.
"Besides we need to get down to business, I assume your heard our conversation so do you have anything to add to it?" RJ asked.
"Unfortunately no, I don't remember Goldar at all from the past but on the other hand it is unlikely that Dai Shi would have trusted anyone with the information or of course he could have been an ally with the Phantom Beasts. Which is almost a more terrifying thought." Camille replied.
"Your right that would be just as bad. If not worse, however either way it doesn't solve the mystery oh how two monsters have seemingly rose from the dead." RJ said, hearing the faint sounds of movement from the other rooms.
"I guess we will have to simply wait and see," Jason added, slowly getting up and heading for the shower.
"Back in a bit," he called to the other two, passing Lily and Theo as they exited there room.
********
The sun had now been up for a couple hours. At this of day the sun would bounce off of the hills of the local areas in Reefside. The sun caught one particular area with exquisite beauty. It was on mornings like this that Dr. Tommy Oliver remembered why he bought the house in the first place. Besides the obvious reason of having a huge cave system underneath which was perfect for his own command center Tommy said to himself chuckling as he did so.
As Tommy moved around his home he moved some grading papers off of his table in the study and placed a plate down on the table in their place. Sitting down to eat his breakfast in peace he smiled slightly, the birds were singing and it looked like today would be a good day. The food was a simply fry up, nothing fancy but today he decided to treat himself. He picked up a fork and licked his lips.
At which point the phone rang. Tommy sighed, so much for the good day. For a few seconds he thought about just leaving it ring and letting the answer machine pick up but he decided against it and moved quickly to pick it up in the other room.
"Hello?" he said instinctively.
On the other end of the phone came Adam's voice. It was nice to hear Adam's voice after not hearing from him in so long.
"Tommy hi," Adam begun waiting to see if he knew yet or not.
"What's up old friend? How are you doing?" Tommy replied his thoughts suddenly turning to the food that awaited him in the other room and trying to figure out how to eat it while on the phone. He also realised that the fork was still in his hand. Placing it down on the coffee table he just smiled to himself.
"Ah ok then, so you haven't turned on a TV yet today then?" Adam asked trying not sound alarming.
Tommy was more curious than worried but he simply replied.
"No is something I need to see or just a really good show that I'm missing? Tommy said with a chuckle.
"Sadly it's the first one, just trust me you will want to see it for yourself." Adam replied, Tommy could practically hear the fake smile Adam had just pulled when he said that.
"Ok then, one sec." Tommy then fumbled around with the phone and used the other hand to try and find the remote.
"Got it, there we go." Tommy hit the power button and instantly the news story that hit him sent thudding down into his heat.
"You have got to be kidding?!" Tommy said out loud.
"Nope, sadly not. Still could be worse at least the press didn't catch him morphing," Adam replied.
"Since when did Goldar morph Adam?" Tommy replied.
Silence was his reply and then he understood as into view the top story came spiraling into view.
"Our top story today. The First Red Power Ranger was seen today in action for the first time in over a decade."
"How long do I have before every ranger on Earth starts showing up at my door?" Tommy said to Adam.
"No clue, but I wouldn't be worried about them," Adam said.
"Oh?" Tommy asked surprised.
"Yeah because I tried ringing him and I got his voice message. Which means so will Kim," Adam said trailing off at that notion.
As if on cue Tommy's mobile began to ring as well, sure enough on the screen it read Kim Hart.
"Adam I'm going to have to call you back, this could take a while," Tommy said.
The two said goodbye and then Tommy answered the phone.
"What the hell does Jason think he is doing?!?" Kim screamed down the phone into Tommy's ear.
"Midlife Crises?" Tommy replied innocently.
"Oh he better have a much better reason than that for exposing himself so openly like that," came the annoyed reply.
***********
Jason exited the shower and after drying himself off he put on his clothes and proceeded back to the main build of the loft.
As he walked he got out his phone and saw that he had two missed calls one from Adam and one from Kim. At that moment his phone rang again, Tommy.
As Jason sat down Lily and Camille were the only two around though Jarrod could be heard somewhere down the corridor to the left.
Jason sighed and pressed the receive button, Lily and Camille both saw him put the phone to his ear and they could also hear the collection of voices that blasted over the phone.
"Hello," Jason said.
"About time," came three replies in unison.
Jason swallowed.
"I'm afraid I'm unable to come to the phone right now......"
Lily giggled.
"I think someone is in trouble," she said quietly.