Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers
Note: I'd like to thank Guardian of Hope for the inspiration behind this chapter thanks to her story 'Who Heals the Healers'
Cost of a Friendship
At Angel Grove Airport Mark Stevens walked out he was wearing a Dark Red open sleeved shirt over a Black Singlet, Stonewash Jeans and Black Boots. He was also wearing a pair of sunglasses. Mark then looked at the sky.
"Well Joey you wanted me back in Angel Grove. You got your wish but was it worth it?" Mark asked in thought
Mark then walked off. Later at the Youth Centre Mark walked in and saw Justin sitting with Ashley, TJ and Cassie. Mark walked up to the four.
"Hey guys." Mark said
"Hey Mark what are you doing back?" Ashley asked
"Figure since the letter wasn't enough for Joey and Laura I'd come back and tell them to their faces why I left Angel Grove." Mark said lying through his teeth
"Ah." Ashley said
"Why can't they leave you alone?" Cassie asked
"They don't like change nor do they accept it." Mark said
"Oh." Cassie said
"Justin are you ok?" TJ asked noticing Justin looked a little sick
"Yeah I'm fine." Justin said
"He'll be fine. Anyway since your both here I have a dare for both of you." Mark said
"What is it?" Cassie asked
"I dare you two to kiss." Mark said
Ashley and Justin both laughed at the looks on TJ and Cassie's faces. TJ then turned to Cassie and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Justin suddenly felt better as Cassie returned the kiss. The two broke the kiss and blushed
"Wow." Cassie said
"I've been waiting a long time to do that." TJ said
"Same here." Cassie said
"Well why don't you two go talk about it." Mark said
TJ and Cassie packed up their stuff and left. Ashley then left to join up with the cheerleaders. Justin watched as Mark sat down.
"What's up?" Justin asked
"Joey and Laura threatened to have Alpha teleport me back if I didn't show up." Mark said
"Oh come on." Justin said
"I know. So how are you feeling?" Mark asked
"Huh?" Justin asked clearly confused
"You were feeling sick before right?" Mark asked
"Yeah I was now I feel fine." Justin said
"Come on I'll explain." Mark said
Justin nodded and packed up his stuff then he and Mark left the Youth Centre. Later in the park Mark and Justin were walking along.
"So how come I felt fine while TJ and Cassie were kissing?" Justin asked
"It's because you have empathy. All Blue Rangers gain it. We pick up on other people's feelings and if the feelings are too strong we start to feel sick." Mark said
"So we can tell if a person is hurting or happy." Justin said
"Basically but we can also tell if a person is lying it's very hard to lie to a person who has empathy." Mark said
"Oh." Justin said
"Just think about it ok?" Mark asked
"Ok." Justin said
"Well I better go find Kimberly and Jason." Mark said
"You know their engaged now." Justin said
"Kimberly called me the night Jason proposed." Mark said
"Ah." Justin said
Mark and Justin walked off in two separate directions. Meanwhile inside Divatox's sub.
"Why is the Black Ranger back?" Divatox asked
"I have no idea your evilness but if I had to guess I'd say that The Red and Pink Rangers have angered him." Porto said
"Figures." Divatox said
"So now what?" Elgar asked
"Nothing for now. I want to see the confrontation." Divatox said
Meanwhile back in the park by the lake Mark was walking along when he spotted Kimberly sitting near the water. Mark then walked up to Kimberly.
"Mind if I join you?" Mark asked
"Hey what are you doing back?" Kimberly asked as Mark sat down
"Joey and Laura sent me a letter stating that if I didn't return they'd teleport me back." Mark said
"Ouch." Kimberly said
"Yeah. Oh Congrats on your engagement again." Mark said
"Thanks." Kimberly said
"So waiting until after the monsters have left Angel Grove?" Mark asked
"Of course." Kimberly said
"You ok?" Mark asked
"I don't understand the meaning of the Yellow Ranger." Kimberly said
"Who heals the healer?" Mark asked
"Huh?" Kimberly asked
"It was a question Trini asked me once." Mark said
"What's the answer?" Kimberly asked
"There is no answer Kim. It's a question with no right or wrong answer. But who do you think my healer was?" Mark asked
"Trini?" Kimberly asked
"Right." Mark said
"Why?" Kimberly asked
"You see I had problems but I couldn't ask Laura for help she never understood that being the Yellow Ranger wasn't just being the spirit of the team it was also being the Healer the one who heals their teammates soul, mind and body." Mark said
"Oh." Kimberly said
"Now think who did you go to about your problems after Trini left?" Mark asked
"You." Kimberly said
"Exactly." Mark said
"No wonder you couldn't figure out who you are. You were doing Joey and Laura's jobs as Rangers just as much as your own." Kimberly said
"Exactly. It was hard trying to be the Blue Ranger but to find out that I was also doing the jobs of the Black and Yellow Rangers hurt." Mark said
"I'll bet. I guess I need to start listening more." Kimberly said
"No Kim. You're a body healer not a mind or spirit healer like me and Trini. You being there and letting us cry on your shoulder is what you do. You're the Yellow Gymnast with a Pink Heart." Mark said
"Thanks." Kimberly said
"Now I better find you're soon to be other half." Mark said
"Ok thanks for that Mark." Kimberly said
"Hey if you ever need to talk, just call ok or talk to Trini we're both here to listen." Mark said
"Ok." Kimberly said
Mark smiled and walked off. Kimberly went back to looking at the lake. Later at the picnic tables Mark found Jason sitting at one of the tables studying.
"Tests hate them." Mark said as he walked up
"True. It's great to see you. Never would have pictured you in Red but it works." Jason said
"Thanks." Mark said
"So what brings you back?" Jason asked
"Joey and Laura." Mark said
"Ah." Jason said
"You ok?" Mark asked
"It's just I feel confused I mean I know what's expected of the Green Ranger I asked Tommy. "But I feel like I'm a Red in Green clothing." Jason said
"How do you think I felt? I was a Black in Blue clothing, a Blue in Black clothing and a Yellow in Black and Blue clothing." Mark said
"What do you mean?" Jason asked
"What I mean is that I had to do Laura's job as well as Joey's job and my own job as Ranger." Mark said
"Oh." Jason said
"Look Jase don't ever lose the quality of what it means to be the Red Ranger because the team needs it Joey doesn't understand that the Red Ranger doesn't mean leadership it means courage and inspiring others." Mark said
"Yeah it does." Jason said
"While you can't lose your white aspect of being a Ranger and that's to be the one people can rely on. A Male White Ranger is about giving the team a light in the dark. While a female White Ranger is more of the Pink Ranger of the team." Mark said
"I guess you're right." Jason said
"I can't say that I understand what it means to be a Red Ranger or a Green Ranger or even a White Ranger. But what I can say is this Red, Blue or any other color if you understand the power and the responsibility with the power you can unleash a powerful force. But until you understand it you'll never be able to become the Ranger you're meant to be." Mark said
"I get it." Jason said
"But most of all Jase don't ever forget what being the Red and White Rangers have taught you or even what the Green Ranger has taught you about yourself." Mark said
"Thanks." Jason said
"No problem now I need to find Joey and Laura and get this confrontation over with." Mark said
"I think they're at the beach." Jason said
"Thanks." Mark said
Mark stood up and was about to walk off but stopped and pulled out a little box and placed it next to Jason.
"What's this?" Jason asked
"When the time is right open it." Mark said
"How will I know the time is right?" Jason asked
"Oh you'll know." Mark said as he walked off
Jason watched Mark leave and then looked at the box. Later at the beach Mark walked along and spotted Joey and Laura.
"Hey!" Mark yelled
Joey and Laura looked at who was yelling and saw Mark walking up to them. The two stood up and smiled.
"Mark?" Joey asked
"Who else?" Mark asked
"So you got our letter." Laura said
"Yeah I did I'm not exactly happy about it." Mark said
"What?" Joey asked
"You threatened to have Alpha teleport me back." Mark said
"We need you here." Joey said
"What so I can learn how to be a Red Ranger and a Pink Ranger?" Mark asked
"What?" Joey and Laura asked
"Tell me what does being the Red Ranger mean Joey? And to you Laura what does the Pink Ranger mean?" Mark asked
"The Red Ranger means leadership." Joey said
"The Pink Ranger means being the heart of the team." Laura said
"Man you two are pathetic." Mark said
"What?" Joey asked angrily
"You just don't get it. Tell me Joey what does it mean to be The Black Ranger or the Green Ranger?" Mark asked
"The Black means power the Green means the same thing." Joey said
"Laura what does it mean to be Yellow?" Mark asked
"It means the same as Pink." Laura said
"You two are pathetic." Mark said
"We are not." Laura said angrily
"Being Red doesn't mean being leader. The leader can be any color like when we first joined Tommy was the White Ranger and he was leader." Mark said
Joey growled.
"The Pink Ranger does mean heart of the team but the Pink Ranger also has to keep the Rangers grounded and focused and picks them up when there down." Mark said
Laura growled
"The Black Ranger is meant to be the Assassin of the team Joey. But you kept rushing into the battle you were supposed to be the one who was underestimated in battle so the enemy thinks you only win on pure luck. I'd say the only color that you understand is the Green Ranger. You joke around you lift others spirits but you never understood what it meant to be the Black or Red Rangers you just don't get it." Mark said
"I do understand I understand what I need too." Joey said
"Laura you on the other hand failed as a Yellow Ranger. You never once realized that as the Yellow Ranger you were supposed to be the healer of the group. Either in mind body or soul. But you never once did that I had to do your job as well as my own job as the Blue Ranger as well as Confused Green's job here when he was the Black Ranger." Mark said
"Confused Green?" Joey asked
"It's a nickname Zack and I gave you." Mark said absently
"What are you and Zack then?" Joey asked
"Well Zack is the Dancing Clown and I'm the Black Wolf." Mark said
"But…" Joey started
"Think about it Joey when I fought Lanterra. I was underestimated because he thought I was weaker then you." Mark said
"Oh." Joey said
"You never did my job." Laura said
"Really then who did you tell your problems too and who helped you with your problems?" Mark asked
"You." Laura said
The two Rangers looked at each other and realized that Mark had indeed done their jobs when they were that color Ranger and if he stayed he would have been doing the job of the Red and Pink Rangers.
"Hang on what does it mean to be the Gold Ranger?" Joey asked thinking he stumped Mark
"Joey I can't answer that because the Gold Ranger Powers I have might differ from a new Gold Ranger powers that might show up later. But my powers I'm meant to be the defender to protect my friends at all costs." Mark said
Joey walked up to Mark.
"Well at least you did one thing right and came back." Joey said
"No! The only thing I did right was leave. I only stayed as long as I did is because I wanted to make sure that Justin knew his place on the team and that you didn't treat him like a little kid." Mark said
Joey went to punch Mark but Mark caught the punch and then pulled off his sunglasses and Joey was shocked to see pure white eyes as Mark threw him backwards.
"Hello Joey." Mark said with a deep dark tone to his voice
"I knew it after Jason and Tommy told us the story that the Phantom Ranger told them you are under someone's control." Joey said
"I'm not under anyone's control. This is just my powers the powers I have since I'm Neo Eltarian." Mark said
"It's Morphin Time." Joey said
Joey and Laura made their Turbo Morphers appear and then moved their arms like a steering wheel then placed their keys into their Turbo Morpher and turned the keys.
"Wind Chaser Turbo Power." Laura called
"Red Lightning Turbo Power." Joey called
The two Rangers morphed and looked at Mark who had his arms folded in front of his chest.
"So what do you think? That you can defeat me and destroy whatever it is you think is controlling me?" Mark asked evilly
"Got that right." Joey said
Mark just laughed and disappeared when Joey went to punch him. Just then both Laura and Joey got hit with a powerful blast and sent flying onto the ground. Mark then reappeared hold the Storm Axe Blaster mode. Mark then made it disappear as both Joey and Laura stood up and powered down
"We will save our friend." Joey said
"Friend? Is that what you think I am?" Mark asked
"What?" Joey asked
"Joey we stopped being friends the minute I read that letter." Mark said
"It was the only way to bring you back. We need you here. Billy doesn't understand the Zords the way you do." Joey said
"Oh he understands them more then you know you just compare him to me. So is that all I am to you two now is the tech support who is only kept around to fix the Zords?" Mark asked
"Of..." Joey started but Mark held up his hand and stopped him
"Don't lie to a person with empathy Joey." Mark said
"You don't understand Mark." Laura said
"No I understand completely you two don't like change. You two are only seeing things the way you want to see them. But answer me this how is it fair that you two get to live your lives while I'm the one stuck in the Power Chamber fixing your Zords, how is it fair that you get to go out on dates while I'm the one making weapons and how is it fair that you get to enjoy life while I'm slowly starting to forget who I truly am? Tell me how is that fair?" Mark asked angrily as he cried
"It's not." A voice said
All three rangers looked and saw Tommy and Trini standing there. Trini then walked up to Mark and hugged him as he cried while Tommy stood in between Mark and Joey.
"But out Tommy." Joey said
"No you two just don't get it. Mark's been in pain he's been feeling sick and tired after every battle he's slowly starting to forget who he is." Tommy said
"Do you know how hard it was to just listen to Mark talk and not being able to hug him? Even before you guys got your ninja powers Mark was already starting to feel drained. That's when Zack and I realized that Mark's been doing yours and Laura's job Joey. You can't force him to continue fighting." Trini said
"I'm the Red Ranger and what I say goes." Joey said
"The Red Ranger wow. Where's my autograph book? Ha." Mark said in a perfect impersonation of Ivan Ooze.
"I think Jason needs to go back to being leader." Tommy said
"Tell Dimitria." Mark said
Tommy nodded and teleported off. Laura and Joey looked on angry. Mark just sighed and pulled away from Trini.
"What's more important you being Rangers or our friendship?" Mark asked
"If these two can answer this with the truth then Mark will know where he stands." Trini thought
"Our Friendship." Laura said with Joey nodding in agreement
Trini and Mark both looked on and they both knew that Laura lied her world revolved around being a Ranger and Joey.
"Remember how I said never lie to a person with Empathy well you just did." Mark said
"I didn't lie." Laura said
"Oh yes you did. You lied your whole world revolves around Joey and being a Ranger. Mark doesn't fit. Joey's world revolves around being a Ranger and Laura. Mark doesn't fit in anywhere for you two. You set out to try and make him stay ever since you found out he wanted to go to Texas." Trini said
"You were never once happy for me. I'm sorry but I can't keep my hopes up that you two will see the man I've become. No more it's over. You two value your lives as Rangers then you do our friendship. I now see it that the power has gone to your heads. I gave you both one more chance after you didn't tell me that you two were dating I realized then and I still see it now that you two only care for each other." Mark said as his eyes returned to normal.
Just then Tommy teleported back down.
"Joey, Laura. Dimitria wants you two in the Power Chamber." Tommy said
"Hang on." Laura said
"You can't be serious Mark." Joey said
"I get it that you two are dating but unlike Jason, Kimberly and Tommy you two just pushed me out of your lives. I never once fought to protect you two I fought to protect Kimberly a woman I now see as my sister. I fought to protect Jason and Tommy two men I've come to see as my two brothers. I've come to see Justin as my little brother and I'll protect him in any way I can if he needs help. Billy, Trini and Zack are all important to me they will always be close to my heart. But you two I can't forgive anymore. You lit the candle at both ends and you got burned badly. I'm sorry but I'm not cutting the ties that bind I'm burning the ties completely." Mark said sadly
Mark then walked off with tears in his eyes. For the first time Joey and Laura heard the sincerity in his words and saw his emotions they realized that they had both were so caught up in each other and being Rangers they never noticed that Mark was broken and in no way ready to stay a Ranger or be a Ranger again. Joey and Laura teleported off while Trini and Tommy ran up to Mark and Trini pulled the Black Turbo Ranger into a hug as he broke down and cried and let his emotions that he had been holding for years finally be released.
"Come on let's get you back to the airport so you can go back to Texas." Tommy said
"Ok." Mark said
The three walked off. Meanwhile in the Power Chamber Joey, Laura, Jason and Kimberly were there.
"Joey you know why you're here?" Dimitria asked
"Yes." Joey said
"Jason you will stay as the Green Ranger but from now on you are the leader of the team." Dimitria said
"I understand." Jason said
"Do you Joey?" Dimitria asked
"Yes. I need to take a long hard look at myself but I can't do that if I'm supposed to be leader. I let it go to my head and lost the best friend I ever had. I need to realize what it means to be a Ranger." Joey said
"Good. Do you understand Laura?" Dimitria asked
"Yes." Laura lied
"Good." Dimitria said
The four Rangers teleported off. Later at the Airport Jason, Kimberly, Justin, Zack, Billy, Tommy and Trini all saw Mark off as he got on his plane and headed back to Texas.
End of Cost of a Friendship
Note: Please Review and let me know what you think and no flames