Disclaimer: No matter how hard we wish, we still do not own the power rangers. They belong to Saban/Disney. Please do not sue us, because we have no money so we will have to pay you in cheese, and that smells after a few weeks.
Authors' notes: A special thanks to everyone who has given us feedback, it is much appreciated. We do listen, and do our best to improve. Just a reminder, Italics indicate internal thought.
(Jason tugs at Ivy's sleeve) "Now? Now?" (Ivy rolls her eyes at Destiny and sighs) "A little impatient? Fine, go on." (Jason and Tommy stand up and smile angelically) "Thank you Kitty!!" (Destiny adds under her breath) "God only knows how you put up with these two!"
Timeline: This takes place during Zeo, shortly after Jason returns as the Gold Ranger.
The zeo rangers teleported into the Power Chamber and removed their helmets with sighs of relief. Mondo's Atari monster was taking a lot out of them. "Man, this guy is tough!" Tanya exclaimed.
"I can't believe that I actually begged my parents to buy me one of these!" Rocky cracked.
Tommy looked to Billy. "Jason?"
The blond genius nodded. "On his way."
"Good." Tommy surveyed his team, checking for any significant injuries that would hinder them in battle. "Everyone in one piece?" There was an affirmative chorus. Satisfied, Tommy joined Billy at the console. "Got anything?"
"I seem to have discovered a vulnerability here behind his head, at the base of the neck." As Tommy studied the schematic that Billy displayed, he caught a bright flash of gold out of the corner of his eye. Jason.
As the gold cleared from his vision, Jason looked around. Rocky, Adam, Tanya and Kat stood off to one side in a group, quietly conversing. Tommy and Billy stood over a console, studying something. Jason walked over to join the veteran rangers. "Bro," he said softly, placing his hand on Tommy's shoulder. "You okay?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle," Tommy replied flippantly, not even looking at him.
Jason couldn't help but tense at the tone in Tommy's voice. There he goes again, acting all superior and indestructible. "Well, do you need my help?" Tommy shrugged. "Yeah, it would be useful. This monster is a lot tougher than we expected."
Jason sighed. "No problem. Lead on, Bro."
Tommy looked at Billy once more. "Show him the footage from the fight up until this point? I want him up to speed." Billy nodded, and Tommy turned to his team. "According to Billy's calculations, this monster has a weak spot behind his head. So here's the plan. Rocky, Adam, you two come in from the front and draw his fire. Kat, Tanya, I want you guys to come in from the sides, but don't fire unless you have to. I want his full attention on Rocky and Adam. Jase and I will come in from the back and take him out. Got it?"
"Got it, Tommy," Adam confirmed.
"Ooo boy, decoy! My favorite position," Rocky joked.
"I'll take east, you take west?" Kat asked, and Tanya nodded.
"Hold it!" Jason turned away from the viewing globe. "I don't think this is going to work."
The rangers looked at him in disbelief. No one ever disagreed with Tommy! He made the strategy; they followed it, that was how their team worked. They looked to their leader to gauge his reaction. Jason, oblivious to their shock, continued. "Your strategy works in theory, but when I see the force of this monster it brings up a lot of doubts. I really think that splitting up is a risk that could lead to injury or worse. A more sound strategy would be to attack as a united front and direct our combined power towards his destruction." He looked around at the other rangers. "What do you guys think?"
Silence reigned as the rangers looked between the gold and red rangers. Billy finally broke the stillness. "Jason's strategy holds a lot of merit."
Tommy bit back a reply. Billy agrees with Jason. There's a shocker. He looked around at the rest of the team. "What do you guys think?"
They looked at each other, then Tanya spoke. "Well, we were trying to attack from all sides before."
Rocky snorted. "Yeah, and we were getting our asses handed to us."
"Maybe we should try Jason's plan," Kat said quietly.
Tommy held his tongue. Is this mutiny? Am I being overruled? He held his hands behind his back to hide his clenched fists. There was one more voice to be heard. He looked at his second-in-command. "Adam?"
The green ranger looked contemplatively at his leader, and Tommy smiled. Shy, quiet, amazingly strong Adam. He was one of the smartest people that Tommy knew, and also one of the most loyal. He could always count on Adam to stand behind him. At least, until today.
"Jason has a point. Maybe we should concentrate our attack more directly and simultaneously. It could help us get the upper hand." Adam's calmly spoken statement sealed the agreement among the group, and they all looked to Tommy for the final plan.
Tommy's face remained impassive. No one could tell he was seething inside. So Jason returns and my leadership is suddenly in question. How many times have I put my life on the line for these people? They barely know Jason! Yet suddenly his strategies are better than mine. Typical. But he made sure to keep all this emotion out of his voice. "Fine then. We follow Jason's plan. Let's go."
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In a flash the six rangers returned to the battlefield, where Jason's plan proved to be successful. This enraged the red ranger even more, but again he said nothing. As soon as they teleported back to the Power Chamber, the rangers gathered around their newest member. "That was awesome, Jase!" Tanya said.
"Yeah, we kicked that monster's ass!" Rocky exclaimed, high-fiving Adam.
"That was an incredibly astute stratagem, Jason," Billy added.
Unnoticed, Tommy backed away from the group. I need to get out of here before I explode. Silently, he slipped out of the door. The rangers, busy celebrating their victory, didn't become aware of his absence until some time later.
Looking around, Kat noticed their missing leader. "Does anyone know where Tommy went?"
"Wasn't he just here?" Rocky asked, looking around.
"I didn't hear him leave. Maybe I should go find him," Adam said.
"Finding him shouldn't be a problem." Billy pushed a button. "Tommy is right outside."
Adam started towards the door, but Jason put his hand on his shoulder. "Let me go." Adam nodded, and Jason walked outside.
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He found Tommy standing on the edge of the cliff, staring out at the desert. "Hey, we were wondering where you disappeared to."
Tommy didn't look at him. "Oh, yeah?" he replied quietly. "How long did it take your admirers to notice I was gone?"
Jason sighed. He could feel the tension between them, it was thick it was almost suffocating. "Bro, we really need to talk."
Tommy let out a derisive snort. "Oh, we're waaaay past talking, Jase. You totally demolished all chance of that happening."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jason began to walk towards him, but Tommy turned, and the gold ranger was stopped short by the rage in his eyes. Man, I had no idea it was this bad!
"What the hell was that?" the red ranger yelled.
Jason was thoroughly confused. "What? What did I do?"
"Oh, I don't know," Tommy's words were drenched in sarcasm. "How about completely undermining me in front of my team? Ring any bells?" His fists were clenched so hard that he could feel blood starting to leak out from where his fingernails dug into his skin.
Jason stared at him in disbelief. "Undermining you…Tommy, I had an idea! All I did was offer a strategy!"
"I already had a strategy!"
I can't believe this! He's being completely unreasonable! The anger slowly crept into the gold ranger's voice. "It was too risky. I was trying to protect the team!"
Tommy exploded. "THAT'S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! This is MY team, and I don't need your help! I was just fine without you. I am not the weakling you left behind!"
"Nobody can be leader by themselves!" Jason yelled back. Have I taught him nothing?
"I have to be! Have you looked at the people in there? Do you see how they treat me?" Tommy pointed to the Power Chamber. "I'm a god to them! They hang on my every word, my every move! I can't afford to make mistakes, so I don't! This is not your team, Jason. These are not people who have been friends their entire lives, who can predict each other's every move. These are people who were thrown into this, who have only been fighting together for a few months. But I know how this team works, I know what they can do. That's why I'm the leader."
"The Tommy I knew welcomed other people's opinions. That Tommy, my bro, knew the meaning of teamwork!"
Tommy glared at him. "The Tommy you knew was a pathetic weakling who relied on you and Kimberly to do everything. But you know what? We all made choices. You left, Jason. That was your choice. And I changed. I'm not that Tommy anymore. That was my choice."
"It was also your choice of who would hold the gold powers, and you chose me. And I'm beginning to wonder why."
"I chose you because I know that you're a great ranger, and that you wouldn't be afraid to take the risks that came with the powers. I was not looking for you to come home and things to go back to how they were." He took a step towards Jason, staring him straight in the eyes. "So let's get a few things straight. You don't know me, so don't assume you do. You are the rookie on this team. That means you step aside and let those of us who have been here the longest call the shots, mainly Adam, Billy, and Rocky. And finally…" he took another step forward. "I am the commander of this team, and I do not accept insubordination."
Jason gaped at him, then shook his head. "You're right about one thing, Tommy. I don't know you." He took a few steps back. "And right now, I'm not sure if I want to." In a streak of gold he disappeared.
Tommy stood there a few moments, fuming. He did NOT just get the last word. He could feel the rage boiling inside of him. "GOD!!" He screamed.
"Um…Tommy?" Adam said softly. Tommy whirled, and Adam stepped back at the wrath that was written on his face. The red ranger made a few unintelligible sounds, then teleported out. Adam stood there a few moments in shock, then sighed. This cannot be good.
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TBC~ Don't worry we'll get it done as soon as possible guys!!! Coming soon!!! The Next Chapter!!!
Ivy and Destiny were overjoyed at finally having their chapter uploaded.