Jason straightened himself up and ran his hand across his chest to assure himself his ranger armor was still holding. He had just looked up in time to his visor fill with red as Tommy's prone body came flying at his feet. He reached down to grab him to cushion the landing but did very little to do so.
"You okay?" Jason asked him.
"Yeah..." Tommy answered struggling to catch his breath. "I mean... I have been better."
"I hear you," Jason replied glancing up as he helped Tommy to his feet. There were still several opponents left for them despite the effort they were exerting.
Jason's glance went behind him to see they had actually landed at the doorstep of the palace. He turned to see Tommy looking at him and nodding.
"Go on... I will hold them off," Tommy stated. Jason shook his head.
"I can't leave you to fight all of them alone," Jason was vehement.
"I get it... but we don't have a lot of time..." Tommy placed a hand on his shoulder. "If we wait until this is all clear it may be too late."
Jason surveyed the scenes as the army of monsters grew closer to them. He cursed a few times under his breath and then handed Tommy his sword.
"Okay... but here," Jason said. "If you need me..."
"I will call for you..." Tommy finished for him. "But bro... we know that won't happen."
Jason studied the red-clad Ranger in front of him solemnly. It felt wrong to leave him, but it would no doubt be their only chance to save the others. He closed his eyes momentarily.
"It's okay... go..." Tommy's voice was reassuring.
Jason didn't respond, instead, he pulled out his blade blaster and blasted a hole in the large stone Palace door. He didn't look back as he ran and leaped inside quickly converting his blaster into the blade functionality.
Jason glanced around as the sounds of Tommy engaging in battle behind him filled the large expansive foyer of the Palace. The battle echoing off the walls and going down the halls.
Jason put some distance between him and the door and came to the bottom of a large flight of spiraling stairs. He took one last glance back out the door before speedily making his way up the steps. He passed several candleholders on the walls, the only source of light in the building.
The flames flickered from the speed of his movement as he reached the top and gazed down a large hallway, his eyes settling on an oversized door at the end of it. He stepped a foot into the hall which prompted a group of putties to materialize in front of him.
"No time for you," Jason remarked as he expertly and skillfully dispatched of one after the other. None posing much of a hindrance to him. He was no a few feet from the door and that was when he was hit by a large thump in the back that toppled him forward and to the ground. "What the..."
"I can't let you do that," Finsters's somewhat meek voice came from behind Jason. The Red Ranger got to his feet and turned to see Finster with Rita's wand in his hands.
"I'm going in there... so if you are going to make an effort to stop me, I warn you that I will go through you," Jason stated brandishing his blade.
"I..." Finster hesitated. "I am no fighter... but I am under strict orders to not allow anyone in her chambers."
"So you want her to die?" Jason asked.
"Well no..." Finster answered honestly.
"Then let me go in and stop this," Jason reasoned. Finster lowered the staff, confusion all over his face.
"I can't defy my queen," Finster reacted, lifting the staff once more.
"Please..." Jason shook his head.
"I... I..." Finster's hand shook as he spoke.
"At least give me a chance," Jason said lowering his own weapon. "I just want to end this for all of us."
Finster let out a small yelp as he dropped the staff to the floor and turned his back to Jason.
"Very well," Finster spoke. "I won't stop you."
Jason eyed the staff momentarily and then glanced back up at Finster who had his head buried in his hands. For a moment he felt sympathy for him but refocused on the task at hand turning to the door behind him and pushing it open.
Inside the room, there was a bed and a throne. The bed was empty but on the throne sat Rita. Her body seemed lifeless as a strange green glow surrounded her. Jason hesitantly approached her. He made it about halfway across the room when the sound of the door closing behind him prompted Rita's eyes to open. Jason's eyes locked with hers and despite his visor, he could feel her gaze piercing him.
"You," Rita spoke. Her voice was weak and low.
"You have to end this," Jason spoke. "Please."
An amused chuckle from Rita as she raised her hand and waved dismissively at him.
"Listen to me!" Jason's voice echoed throughout the chamber. The passion behind it prompting Rita's eyes to widen in surprise.
"I won't let you take that tone with me here," Rita responded attempting to stand but not having the strength to.
"You don't have long... they don't have long... please end this," Jason stated.
"End this?" Rita responded. "End what I have always wanted."
"Always wanted... this... this is what you always wanted, four dead Rangers and to die yourself?" Jason shook his head. "I don't believe that."
Rita didn't respond she just cocked her head slightly at him.
"If that were the case you would have cast this spell on day one and got your wish," Jason continued.
Jason reached up and removed his helmet, tossing both it and the blade blaster to the ground at his feet.
"Do you want me to beg you?" Jason asked. "Cause I will..."
"The great Red Ranger Jason begging at my feet..." Rita smiled. "The thought does please me."
Jason dropped to a knee much to the surprise of Rita. Envisioned it? Maybe. Thought she'd ever see it? No.
"Rita... end this..." Jason said. He hung his head. "They are dying... you are dying... this is not the way."
"This IS the way..." Rita replied. "You took everything from me... I cannot defeat you on my own... I can never rule... not without him."
Jason raised his head to look at her.
"What can I say... what can I give you to make this end?" Jason replied. There was silence for several moments before Rita leaned forward in her chair.
"You know Tommy is being beaten outside don't you?" Rita informed him. "He is losing."
Jason shook his head. He had never felt so helpless in his life.
"End this... save yourself... you have a chance to make this right," Jason continued trying not to think what was happening outside the Palace walls.
A groan from Rita as her eyes closed and she seemed to struggle to open them again. Jason got up and moved over to her.
"We are almost out of time..." Jason said. "If you don't end this now it will be too late, and you will have gained nothing."
Rita looked up at him as he stood over her. She studied his face for a moment. She reached out a hand to him. He glanced down at it for a moment furrowing his brow in confusion.
"Take it," Rita stated.
Jason hesitantly took her hand in his own.
"I will undo this," Rita stated. Jason's expression grew lighter.
"You will?" Jason asked.
"I will," Rita confirmed. Jason nodded. And watched as the green energy began to grow and fade around the edges. "However I cannot let you win."
Jason's expression changed to concern.
"I will undo this, I will even stay in this world and leave yours alone on one condition," Rita said. She smirked. "I want my Green Ranger to stay with me."
Jason shook his head.
"What?" Jason asked. "No... I can't let that happen."
"It is my condition... I want my Ranger to stay here and help me rebuild this world under my rule," Rita replied. Jason dropped her hand and stepped back. He glanced behind him and then back to Rita.
"I can't," Jason shook his head.
"Then leave me," Rita replied as the green energy encircled her again.
"No..." Jason shook his head. His tone was resolute. "I will stay... take me instead."
Rita's eyebrow raised. She stared at him for a few seconds for a wicked smirk came across her face.
"Yes... yes... that will do," Rita replied. She raised her hand and waved the green energy away from her, but it hovered over them, not completely gone. She stood up.
Jason glanced behind him to see Tommy being drug through the door by an army of Putty Patrollers. They threw him to the ground and he landed with a groan.
"Here is your chance to say goodbye," Rita said walking to stand next to Jason.
"What?" Tommy responded as he fought to his feet, holding his chest. He looked at Jason who lowered his eyes. "What is going on?"
"She has agreed to remove the spell," Jason said. He walked over to Tommy to help him straighten up. "The only condition was that one of us stayed."
"No," Tommy shook his head.
"I am staying... go home and take care of the others," Jason said.
"I can't let you do that," Tommy pleaded.
"It is the only way," Jason countered. "It will save their lives."
"But you... Jase," Tommy's eyes moved over to Rita and burned a hole through her. "You are evil."
"You think I don't know this?" Rita remarked with a grin. "So were you once... you were much more fun that way."
Rita moved to stand between the two Rangers.
"Now begone with you," Rita replied. "If you come back here, you... and he will regret it."
Tommy stepped back glancing behind Rita to make eye contact with Jason. The sadness was evident in them but he nodded for him to go. Rita turned to Jason.
"Give him your communicator," Rita said. Jason turned to her and then powered down so he could remove the communicator and place it in Tommy's hand.
"I will come for you... this is not over," Tommy said to Jason in a whisper. Jason didn't respond. He instead straightened up and swallowed a lump in his throat.
"Tell her..." Jason paused. "Tell her I love her... tell them all."
"I will," Tommy said. He pulled Jason into a hug.
"Enough of this, leave now before I change my mind," Rita stated, rolling her eyes.
"Go," Jason said as the two broke the hug. Jason stepped back to stand next to Rita. And Tommy reluctantly activated his communicator.
"Alpha?" Tommy spoke into it.
"I read you Tommy," was the reply.
"Is everyone okay there?" Tommy asked.
"Yes, everyone is recovering now," Alpha answered excitedly. Tommy glanced up at Jason.
"Then... bring us home," Tommy said. Jason glanced down at the communicator in Tommy's hand until it disappeared in a red flash of light along with his friend.
(****)
Tommy walked into the medical bay and peered inside. Inside sitting on their individual tables sitting up and looking around were the recovering Rangers. All of their faces lit up when they saw him and he tried to respond with the bravest face he could.
"How are you guys feeling?" Tommy asked.
"Tired but... good I think," Billy replied as he hopped off his bed and walked over to help Trini to the floor.
"Yeah... that was weird," Zack agreed. "Feels like I was having the deepest sleep of my life but yet I got no rest."
"Alpha explained to us what happened and that you and Jason were responsible for saving us," Trini said as she made her way over to Tommy and wrap him in a loose but affectionate hug.
The name of Jason had struck a chord in Tommy that didn't go unnoticed.
"Where is he?" Kimberly asked as she walked up to Tommy, who was desperately trying to avoid eye contact with her. "Tommy... look at me."
Tommy's eyes moved to Kim's and for the first time the emotion of what had happened hit Tommy and he closed his eyes.
"Tommy... where is Jason?" Zack made his way over to stand next to Tommy, suddenly very concerned about the turn everything was taken.
"He uh..." Tommy hesitated, glancing around at all four of the group gathered around him. "Rita would not break the spell unless..."
"Please just tell us," Kim was nearly pleading.
"Unless he stayed behind with her..." Tommy's voice was pained as he spoke. Kimberly was speechless, only Zack's hand on her back was keeping her upright.
"What... stayed with her?" Trini asked for clarification.
"I don't know... but it was the only way she would lift the spell," Tommy responded. "I promised him though we will find a way to get him away from there."
"Let's go," Kim finally spoke.
"We can't just rush in there," Tommy replied. Kim pressed both hands against his chest.
"Yes we can... yes we will," Kim replied.
"Kim... please..." Tommy shook his head.
"No... I won't just leave him there!" Kim's voice was above a yell now.
"She has threatened his life if we go back... if we just show up there it could kill him," Tommy stated. Kim was still shaking her head.
"So what... what do we do?" Kim's voice was lower as she glanced back at the other Rangers. Zack moved up and put his arm around her and pulled her into him.
"We will think of something but we got to have a plan," Tommy stated. "We can't risk his life."
Kim allowed herself to be enveloped in Zack's hug.
"Tommy's right..." Zack spoke softly to Kimberly. He then glanced around at the other three. "But you best believe I will be going for him no matter what..."