OLD WOUNDS
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Takes place directly after "Copy That". All characters belong to Disney.
Sixteen-year old Trent Fernandez blew out a breath. Though he was grateful for the acceptance of the other Rangers, he didn't see how they could forgive him so fast.
"You look like you could use a smoothie," a voice said. Startled, Trent turned around to see his mentor and fellow Ranger, Dr. Tommy Oliver with two smoothies in his hands. The man handed him a glass filled with a concoction and motioned for the boy to follow him to a table.
"So, want to talk about it?" Tommy offered.
"I just don't get it, Dr. O. How can you guys just accept me after everything I've done?" Trent wondered.
"Oh, those old feelings. I know 'em well," Tommy recalled with a rueful grin.
"No you don't. You didn't do what I did," Trent objected.
"You're right. I did worse," Tommy responded.
"What?" Trent asked in confusion.
"Trent, I started out on the side of evil, just like you," Tommy told the boy. "See, I got kidnapped by a space witch named Rita Repulsa who put on a spell on me and made me her evil Green Ranger," he continued.
"But I wasn't under a spell!" Trent burst out.
"Well, in a way, you were. The White Dino Gem was originally supposed to be used for good, but Mesogog apparently made some alterations to it. And when it bonded with you, it invaded your personality," Tommy explained.
"But that doesn't excuse what I did! You guys should hate me!" Trent insisted. When he noticed people starting to stare, he gave the older man an apologetic shrug.
"Believe me, I know how you feel," Tommy assured. "After Jason, the original Red Ranger, destroyed the Sword of Darkness, I felt incredibly guilty for everything I had done. I couldn't believe it when he and the others just accepted me onto their team. They should've hated me. Especially Kim. I was so cold to her," he continued.
"Does...it ever go away?" Trent asked hesistantly.
"I won't lie to you, Trent. It doesn't go away. In fact, when we encountered you the first time, it brought back a whole string of bad memories for me," Tommy confessed. Trent sighed.
"Dr. O, could I...have some time alone?" he requested.
"Sure Trent," the man agreed. He stood up and placed some money on the table. "Just remember...I'm always here if you want to talk. So are the others." With that, he walked away, leaving Trent to stare into space.
THE END