Protection in Blue
The Power Chamber was supposed to be indestructible, Justin thought, to keep them safe no matter what. In all of his twelve years of life, Justin had known plenty of caretakers, plenty of people who promised to stand by him until the end—so few had kept their promise. But, never did he think even his home would fall.
When he was younger he thought his parents were invincible, that they would protect him no matter what. His mother had protected him, until she died.
And his father. Justin loved his father, he would do anything for him, but a protector he was not. His father had been nothing but away since he "had to" close down the martial arts school—away on business, away for work, away, away, away for so long. How was he supposed to protect Justin if he was never home?
His mentor Zordon was supposed to protect him no matter what—nope, he had been kidnapped. Zordon wasn't here to bail Justin out anymore—He was the one who needed saving.
Dimitria—his latest "invincible" caretaker. She had left for Eltar, and she even took Blue Senturion with her. Justin couldn't bring himself to be angry at Dimitria for abandoning them, but taking Blue Senturion was just too much—he was the only one left with a functioning zord! How could Dimitria leave them defenseless like this? Wasn't she supposed to… to care for them? To stand by them?
Why, Justin wondered, why could no one stand by him? Why couldn't his mother stay alive? Why couldn't his father stay in town? Why couldn't Zordon stay safe? Why couldn't Dimitria stay and fight alongside them?
And why couldn't Justin blame any of them?
He felt himself wanting to be angry at all of them—really, he did—but every time he would try, there would be an excuse.
She couldn't help it, Justin, Mom doesn't want to be dead anymore than you do. What would happen if you had cancer?
He can't help it, Justin, Dad needs money to feed you and put a roof over your head. What would you do if you had to provide for a hungry kid?
He couldn't help it, Justin, Zordon didn't choose to get kidnapped. How would you feel if someone was angry at you for something you couldn't control?
She can't help it, Justin, Dimitria has to protect her own home, just like you. Think about it—maybe she's hurt you didn't go with her, after all she's done for you.
That was the thing—it always seemed to be Justin's fault that everyone else wouldn't protect him. But, as he and his friends were picking ash out of their hair and making sure everyone was still alive in the aftermath of the Power Chamber's destruction, something important occurred to him.
The Power Rangers aren't the ones who need protecting. They're the ones who protect.
And that was why Justin decided to stay on Earth. Zordon's rescue was in good hands with the other Turbo Rangers, and if Justin left for outer space, (as awesome as it would be) who would be there to protect his father? To remind him to eat breakfast, and to make sure he eventually got to sleep? Justin's father needed him.
Justin watched as the NASADA rocket took his friends, up, up, and out of sight. Nobody was invincible, no one could protect everybody from everything. But, that didn't mean Justin couldn't do his best to be that invincible golden protector he had always dreamed of.
Justin turned around and headed for home. He needed to get back in time to remind his father to make dinner. He cast one final glance at the sky, and smiled to himself. The Power Rangers had protecting to do, he thought to himself, and you know what? So did he. No morpher required.
The End.