Disclaimer: We do not own anyone and we aren't making any money off of this…Wait a minute…Aren't we?? We did put Tommy and Jason up for ransom…Ivy and Destiny would like to say that they are pleased that all parties cooperated with them and forwarded the money and popcorn owed to them. Because of this level of cooperation they decided to be kind and finish the chapter.
Author's Notes: We would like to thank everyone for reviewing our chapters and offering suggestions. A special thanks to Dagmar and Kitty for threatening us to finish this. So without further ado here is the next chapter.
Timeline: This takes place during Zeo, shortly after Jason returns as the Gold Ranger.
Tommy teleported away from the intense scene to find himself in his safe, quiet bedroom. Falling onto the bed he let his body relax against the soft blankets. He inhaled deeply, letting the even strokes of breath relieve the tension produced by the argument between Jason and himself. How could it go so far? Why did I let my anger get the best of me? Rolling on his back he sighed. He did have a good idea. Maybe I shouldn't have overreacted…but this is MY team!! He closed his eyes. He's right though. I did choose him to be the gold ranger. I just wish I could remember why…With that thought repeating in his head, sleep overcame the exhausted ranger.
*****
He was in a cold dark room, sitting on a metal chair. He wasn't really aware of his surroundings, only that he was not alone. "Where am I?? Hello!!! Anyone there?" Moments ago he was lying in his bed thinking of Jason, he had no recollection of how he had gotten into this dangerous situation that he didn't understand. He tried to move his arms, but found himself tied to the chair. "What's going on here? Why are you doing this?" The primal urge of survival ran through his body, making his pulse race and his muscles tense. He might not know what was going on, but he had always trusted his instincts. They were telling him that he had to escape in order to stay alive. "Answer me, damn it!"
A dark sinister voice answered his cries. "I've been waiting for this for a long time, Thomas Kyle Oliver. A very long time." The evil drawl was slow and calm, and yet somehow…familiar?
The sound seemed to come from every angle, which made it impossible to pinpoint the exact source. "Who are you?" Tommy asked, craning his neck to look in all directions. What the hell is going on here?
"Who am I? Now that is an interesting question, Thomas. Who do you think I am? I could be many people, after all aren't there many who wish for your death?"
Tommy shuddered at the sickening evil tone of voice he heard. Could this be Mondo? Was I kidnapped again? God, can't I stay free for one second without some Universal Evil bent on destroying me taking me captive? "What's your point? I am aware that many wish for my death. That still doesn't explain who you are or what you want with me." Tommy used his leader voice to try to prove that he was still in control of the situation, although the confidence was only skin deep. He was painfully aware of the fact that he was the one tied up in a chair, while his captor was not.
"Well Tommy it's very simple. I want you. Just you. I want to have power over your entire being. You see, I've waited too long to get back in control. Too long to take back what was mine. For such a long time you were strong, your control was rock-solid. However, it seems that control has weakened. That weakness, that breach in your impenetrable wall, was just the entrance I needed." The malicious laugh resounded in the room, sending shivers down Tommy's spine. "No need to worry about your friends or family, and don't worry about Jason. I'll take good care of him. I have a score to settle with him."
Tommy seethed with rage. It's one thing to threaten me. It's another to threaten my friends. And what does he mean he has a score to settle with Jason? He answered the stranger through clenched teeth. "You will not take anyone that I love from me nor hurt them as long as I draw breath!" He struggled against the bonds that held him to the chair. Blood was seeping from the fresh wounds where the rope had bitten into his skin. I have to figure this out! He just couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt as though he knew whom his captor was.
A sinister laugh came from the shadows, and suddenly everything clicked. Tommy's face went white. He knew that laugh…he knew it all too well. No…No…It can't be him…Please God don't let it be him!!!! Tommy struggled harder, even more bent on gaining freedom from his bonds. I can't do this again…God give me strength. He knew that if he didn't set himself free there would be certain death for all that he loved. "How?" he whispered.
"Finally, recognition in your eyes. You wonder how I am able to be here? To talk to you in the real world? It's simple. I am you and you are me, therefore, we exist in the real world together. I have always been here, and I always will be here. Just stop fighting Tommy. Accept your fate. It will be much easier if you just stop fighting."
The voice was coming closer as utter panic enveloped Tommy. You have to get out of here! He'll destroy everything! And it will be all your fault… It grew harder to breathe as his captor drew closer. He could now fully make out the figure as it emerged from the shadows right in front of him. He felt his heart stop as he stared into the face of his worst nightmare. The green ranger.
It was his face. The figure in front of him was a carbon copy of himself, only dressed in green. A color that sickened him at times because of this very person in front of him. A green bandana covered his hair, which was shorter than Tommy's now. A calm and confident smirk was plastered on his face, and he held a toothpick between his teeth. He met Tommy's eyes without the slightest amount of fear. Tommy could completely understand the "chills" Kim said he had given her when he was evil. The same thing was happening to him as he stared into those eyes. They held no life; only darkness and death for all that would dare to look into them.
The Sword of Darkness was suddenly in the green ranger's hands. He was running his fingers over the edge, an evil smile playing on his lips. "Sharp. Do you remember how sharp it was, Tommy? You know, I often wonder how easily this would cut skin. Care to find out?" Without warning the Green Ranger was on him, the sharp edge of the sword pressing against Tommy's throat. He sat perfectly still, knowing that any movement could push that blade through his skin.
His nemesis sneered at him, those dead eyes filled with hatred. Tommy knew that he would have no problem slitting his throat. "Come on Tommy. Beg for me to let you live. Beg me to spare your friends. Beg and I might be merciful."
Tommy opened his mouth to answer that he would never beg, that he would rather die than lower himself to that, but that's not what came out. The answer that escaped his lips was one that surprised him. "Do whatever you want to me, just don't hurt Jason." What? Jason? What about my parents, my friends, my team? What about all the innocents on Earth? Why am I begging for Jason? But the fear of something hurting his best friend overcame his mind's excuses. "Leave Jason alone."
The green ranger snorted, a look of disgust on his face. "Pathetic as always. I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything different. I'll be sure to tell your friends how hard you fought for them." He raised the sword, and Tommy steeled himself. He knew the end was near. "I assure you, your pleas will bring Jason a painful death. Pity you won't be around to see it. Goodbye, Tommy." The sharp blade came slashing down at him, and with a cry Tommy jerked awake.
He was drenched in sweat, and his heart was racing. He gasped for air, but he couldn't seem to catch his breath. Feelings he thought he'd defeated long ago crashed over him – guilt, fear, loss of control and utter helplessness. Hoisting himself out of bed, he walked over to his bathroom. He stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the shower. Turning the water on as hot as he could bear, he let it beat the tension from his muscles. Leaning against the wall, he shut his eyes.
It had been years since he dreamed of the green ranger. He thought those nightmares were gone for good; that he had killed that demon long ago. Why now? Why after all this time would his fears return? He knew he was extremely unsettled after the fight with Jason. Maybe that had something to do with the dream attack of his evil persona. Could fighting with Jason throw me so off-balance that I am losing myself in the process? After the green ranger, I rebuilt myself on Jason's and my friendship. I remember a time when I was thinking he completed me; that I couldn't survive without him. Maybe there is something in that theory. We are for the first time at odds with each other. Perhaps in all the conflict I've allowed my old fears to overtake me.
He wrapped his arms around himself. The hot water was scalding his skin, but he was still shaking. Get a hold of yourself Tommy! You've been through this before. Just calm down, it was all a dream. He took a deep breath, letting the steam open up his lungs. Calling all of his knowledge of meditation forth, he forced himself to relax.
He didn't step out of the shower until the water turned cold. Grabbing a towel, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. His skin was red from the temperature assault of the hot water, but what bothered him most were his eyes. They were haunted, filled with pain. He hated being like this. It's over. There is no way the green ranger is ever going to come back. Rita's not even the threat anymore, and Mondo doesn't use spells. The green ranger is dead. It's over.
He sighed. He could tell himself that until he was blue in the face and it wouldn't make any difference. He just couldn't help the fear that stopped his blood cold. The one thing in the world that Tommy feared most was himself. The destruction and devastation he had accomplished as the green ranger would haunt him for the rest of his life. The names of those lost in his attacks were carved into his mind. No matter how much good he did, how many lives he saved, he never seemed to be able to get away from his roots as a ranger. He just had to accept that it would always weigh heavily on his mind. He looked once more into his haggard eyes before turning away from the mirror. One thing was certain; he wasn't going to get any more sleep this evening.
*****
Throwing on some sweatpants and a red tank top, he climbed out his window and slid down the old maple tree that stood next to his house. He just needed to take a long walk to allow the thoughts time to simmer down so that he could eventually sleep. He walked for a while, basking in the cool night air, but the thoughts wouldn't quiet. He kept hearing the green ranger's voice in his head. It's simple. "I am you and you are me, therefore we exist in the real world together. I have always been here, and I always will be here. Just stop fighting Tommy. Accept your fate. It will be much easier if you just stop fighting."
NO! He started to run. He didn't know where he was going; he just knew he had to get away from the demons that haunted him. At some point it began to rain, but he didn't notice. It wasn't until his stomach cramped up and he stopped, doubled over and trying to catch his breath, that he noticed where his feet had led him.
Across the street stood a house that for a long time had been his second home, a house that he knew as well as his own. His eyes immediately went to the windows over the garage, where he knew his best friend slept. He stood there, rooted to the spot, staring at the place where some of his happiest memories had taken place. God, Jase, what happened to us? What happened to me? Why am I trying to convince myself that I don't need you when I need you more than ever?
He would give anything to be in Jason's arms right now. He couldn't count the number of times the former red ranger had held him after a nightmare. For months Jason had slept on the floor of his room. Most nights he had ended up in Tommy's bed, holding him close, chasing the memories away. He barely even knew me. For God's sake, I tried to kill him! But he was always there for me. He's the only one that could make me feel safe. I bet if I went and knocked on his door…
He took a step towards the house, but stopped as his pride kicked in. To go running to Jason would be to admit he was weak. The leader of the power rangers couldn't be weak! He had to be strong! I'm not the same Tommy that I was. Those memories don't control me anymore. I'm fine. He started to turn away, but stopped again. Am I?
He had no idea how long he stood there. At some point the shower stopped, replaced by a cool breeze that cut through his damp clothes. By the time he snapped out of his stupor it was starting to get light out, and the horizon was tinted with streaks of red. I'd better get home. Mom's going to freak if I'm not there when she gets up. With a lingering glance at Jason's window, he turned and walked away.
*****
TBC~ Ivy and Destiny were hit with creativity, which is why this chapter came out so fast. Stay tuned to the next installment…Coming Soon!!!