Disclaimer: Tommy Oliver does not belong to us (none of the rangers do); we just like to borrow him to torment for a while. Green Ranger is also a borrowed toy. "Sad But True" comes from the ingenious minds of Metallica.
Authors' notes: We bow to Kitty, Jacks, Dagmar, Chris, and all who have encouraged and threatened us. We're sorry this took so long, but unfortunately we don't get paid for this and must earn money in other ways. Please note that italics=internal thoughts.
Time: The Zeo era, shortly after Jason became the Gold Ranger. (Continuing the time line, this takes place on Sat., a week after Jason and Tommy's fight.)
It was pitch black. Tommy couldn't see anything around him; he could barely see his own hand when he held it in front of his face. He was outside, he knew that. A cool breeze swept across the plain where he was standing, causing goose bumps to rise on his bare chest. "Where am I?" he yelled into the darkness. No answer was forthcoming, proving to him that he was alone.
Suddenly lightning flashed, making the scene in front of him bright as day. He was in a graveyard. A huge crack of thunder followed, making him jump. He shuffled his feet until he hit a gravestone, then knelt in front of it, waiting for the next flash of lightning. When it came he read the carved name. Robin Carter. He paused at the familiarity of it. How do I know that name? He moved down the row of graves, reading each name in the flashes of light. Paul Thomson. Maria Velasquez. Jeremy Clark. Jesse Tyler.
Suddenly he realized why these names were so familiar to him. They were graves he had seen in real life, graves that he had visited time and time again. These were names that haunted him, both in waking hours and in his dreams. These were the victims of the Green Ranger. He couldn't count how many times he had sat in front of those stones, begging for forgiveness, for peace.
Something else caught his eye. A green glow, coming from the very back of the graveyard. He could feel his heart in his throat as he walked towards it. What the hell is going on here? He stopped a few feet away, afraid to read the names engraved in the stones. "Who are you? What are you trying to tell me?"
There was no answer, just another flash of lightning. He felt a drop of rain fall on his hand, one on his arm, and another on his cheek. Then with the crack of thunder the skies opened up. The rain was freezing, painful on his bare skin. The green glow pulsed steadily, beckoning him forward.
With great trepidation he closed the last few feet, leaning down to read the names marked on the graves. He felt bile rising in his throat as the identities of the victims sank in. Zachary Taylor. Trini Kwan. Kimberly Anne Hart. William Cranston. Then the name that drove a knife through his heart. Jason Lee Scott.
Tommy dropped to his knees, gasping for air. "NO!!!" And with the next thunderclap came an echo of evil laughter. It bounced off the stones, filling his ears with its poison. He clapped his hands over his ears, trying to block out the mocking sound. "NO!" he screamed again, tears streaming down his face. He collapsed on the ground, reaching out to touch the cold marble. "I'm sorry," he sobbed. "I'm so sorry." The laughter continued around him, impervious to his pleas.
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Jan Oliver dabbed Tommy's face with a cool cloth. "Tommy?" The adolescent stirred in his sleep but did not reply. Jan brushed his limp hair off his face. "Baby, can you hear me?" She looked up at her husband worriedly.
Tom put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He was worried as well. It had been two days since Adam's visit, and Tommy had only gotten worse. His fever was at 104*, and he had been unconscious for the last 32 hours. The Olivers had requested that his friends stay away until his fever dropped again, although they fielded calls almost hourly from the concerned group. Tom and Jan had both taken off of work to stay home with their ailing son. They had the luck of having very understanding superiors who accepted that Tommy was their center of their lives.
Tommy stirred again, murmuring something incomprehensible. Jan dipped the washcloth in the basin of water again and washed his forehead. She knew that a fever this high was bound to cause hallucinations, but it didn't make it any easier to watch. Every now and then he would cry out, almost as if he was in pain. She felt so helpless, and she hated it.
Tom leaned over and took the cloth from his wife's hands. "Jan, sweetheart, it's late. Why don't you go get some sleep? He'll be fine."
Jan sighed. "I know. It's just…" she placed her hand on her son's burning skin, "he's never been this sick before, Tom. He usually bounces back so quickly. But today…it's as if his will to fight has been drained. I know that may sound ridiculous, but I can't help how I feel." She leaned into her husband's embrace. "I know I promised him that I wouldn't check him into the hospital, but I'm very close to breaking that promise." She picked up a glass of juice from the bedside table. "Help me sit him up."
Tom took the glass from her hand. "Sleep. You won't be any good to Tommy if you make yourself sick. I'll sit with him."
"He needs his liquids, Tom. I don't want to have to bring home an IV for him!!"
He gave her a warning look. "Jan, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of my son. Don't make me carry you out of this room."
She looked down at the sick boy reluctantly. "You'll wake me if anything changes?"
"Of course I will. Now go."
Jan leaned down and brushed a kiss on Tommy's forehead. "Please fight this baby." The boy stirred slightly, but gave no indication that he had heard her heartfelt plea. With a sigh she left the room.
Tom sat down on the bed next to his son. He gently lifted him to a sitting position, marveling at how light he was. Holding the glass to his lips, he filled the boy's mouth with juice. Miraculously, Tommy swallowed, and Tom breathed a sigh of relief. "That's it, Tommy." He laid his hand on his son's burning hot cheek and sighed. "You've got to fight this, son. Your mother and I are worried sick about you, and so are your friends. We just want you to open your eyes and tell us you're okay." Retreating to the chair that stood next to the bed, he sat in silence, willing his son's recovery.
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He was standing in the middle of the youth center in his boxers. He had no idea how he had gotten there, but when he looked down, he was only wearing boxers. What is going on here?
Tommy looked around. Kat, Tanya, Jason, Adam and Billy were sitting at their usual table. He and Rocky were sparring…he did a double take. Sure enough, he was down on the mats, sparring with Rocky. He pinched himself. "Ow!" That's it, now I know I've gone insane.
Suddenly a sinister voice spoke from behind him. "What's wrong, Tommy? I thought you'd be used to seeing your double by now…"
He closed his eyes. Not him again. He turned to his green-clad clone. "Why don't you just leave me the hell alone?"
Green Ranger laughed. "Oh, come on, have a sense of humor. 'I am the ghost of Christmas past…'" Tommy glared at him. "Hey, it could be worse. We could always be here…"
Rain started to pelt Tommy's bare skin, and he looked around in surprise. He was standing in the middle of a graveyard… "You!! You're the only who's doing this to me!"
Another demeaning laugh. "Actually, it's your own fault you're in this state. You went and stood in the rain all night."
"The only reason I was out there is because of you!! You wanted this to happen! You wanted me to get sick!"
"Now why would I do a thing like that? To make your mind weaker? Seems to be working, doesn't it?" A sadistic grin was on his face. "What's wrong, can't fight me? Too tired to put up that wall?" Tommy closed his eyes and tried to will his alter ego away, but when he opened them he was still staring into hate-filled eyes. "Why don't you just make it easier on yourself and give in to me?"
"I will never give in to you," Tommy growled.
Green Ranger shrugged. "Suit yourself. Then sit back and enjoy the ride." The Youth Center formed around them once more. "Look familiar?"
"What are we doing here?"
The laugh that escaped from his enemy's lips was filled with such malice that it made Tommy want to run in the other direction. "Let's play a game, shall we? I am going to show you the parts of your life that you don't see. The little things that your friend's say when you're not listening."
Tommy looked at him askance, almost in amusement. "Wait, let me get this straight. You're going to show me my friends, and you expect me to believe you? Dream on."
Green Ranger smirked. "What reason would I have to lie?"
"Well, let's see…you're a psychotic, homicidal, power hungry maniac. There are three good reasons, and I can think of a hundred more. So the real question here is, what reason do I have to believe you?"
"Why don't you just listen and decide for yourself? You may be surprised at what you hear."
"Whatever." Knowing he had no other option, Tommy moved closer to the table where his friends sat.
"Did you see him in the battle today? Totally taking everything on his shoulders, like we weren't even there." Kat sighed. "Jason, can't you talk to him?"
Jason was watching the match, misery etched on his face. "I don't think I'm the best person to be talking to Tommy right now. We're not on the best of terms."
Well, that's true. We haven't spoken since that fight. Tommy watched his best friend. Still doesn't prove this is real…
"Are you ever going to tell us what happened between the two of you?" Tanya asked.
Adam quickly glanced at the flash of pain that crossed the Gold Ranger's face. "Tanya, I think that's their business. We don't need to…"
Jason tore his eyes from the mat. "No, that's okay Adam. We're a team, and as Tommy always says, there shouldn't be secrets on a team." He sighed. "I'm not exactly sure what happened. He thought I was trying to undermine his leadership, which was not at all what I meant to do. It's just…" his eyes trailed back to the mat, "we've both changed a lot in the time that I was gone. I guess we have to get used working together again."
Tanya put her hand over his and squeezed supportively. "I'm sure you'll work it out." I feel so bad for Jason. He's trying so hard, and Tommy's treating him like crap. I just don't get what Tommy's problem is!!
Tommy jumped as Tanya's voice sounded in his head. Green Ranger laughed at his startled expression. "This may be reality, but it's still a dream. It wouldn't do to observe this and not hear what your friends really thought, would it?"
"But…" he stared in disbelief at the dark-skinned girl, "Tanya barely knows Jason. Why is she taking his side?"
"She's not the only one. Listen."
Billy shook his head. "I just don't get Tommy. After all that you've done for him, he could at least show you a little respect." If it wasn't for Jason, Tommy would either still be the Green Ranger or he'd be locked up in a psych hospital somewhere. But with all of his insecurities, it's no wonder he feels threatened by Jason's return. He was, after all, the better leader.
"Billy thinks that Jason was a better leader than me?"
The Green Ranger snorted derisively. "Are you really surprised that one of your teammates echoes your own sentiments?"
"Well, no…"
He stopped talking as Adam's soft voice permeated the group. "Guys, give Tommy a break. He's had a hard time." He looked at Jason. "He's felt guilty about pushing you out ever since Zordon gave him the White Ranger powers." He has been acting arrogant lately, which has had a definite toll on the team.
"I'm not arrogant," Tommy said half-heartedly. He was trying not to put stock in what they were saying, but it was proving to be a very unsuccessful endeavor.
"And then there was that whole mess with Kim. Not like he actually talked about it," Kat added. He tries to handle everything on his own. Why won't he trust us? We're supposed to be his best friends!
They are my best friends! They should know that! I do talk to them about my problems!
"Do you? Do you really talk to them about your problems, or do you just jump on your leader pedestal to hid your own insecurities?"
Tommy glared at him. "So what, you can hear my thoughts too? Do I have any privacy here?"
Green Ranger shrugged nonchalantly. "I am you and you are me, remember? I'm already in your mind, Tommy. It should come as no surprise to you that I know what you are thinking." He gestured to the scene in front of them with a smirk. "Now watch. You wouldn't want to miss anything. One of these losers might actually like you."
"Ok, I'll agree with the Kim situation. That was fairly recent. But he needs to get over Zordon making him the White Ranger. It was ages ago, and there's nothing that can be done about it now," Billy said.
"Hey, whatever his insecurities are Tommy is still our leader. We need to stand by him no matter what." Adam looked around the group with finality. Tommy had a smile on his face at the support of his best friend, until Adam's voice resounded in his head. I just wish he didn't have so much insecurities. How are we supposed to follow someone who doubts his every move? Someday he's going to get one of us killed.
Tommy felt like he had been punched. Adam thought he was putting the team in danger? Why would he ever do that to the people he cared about the most? He turned to the Green Ranger. "I've seen enough."
His evil twin looked at him in glee. "What's wrong, Tommy? Hear something you didn't like?"
Tommy spoke through clenched teeth. "Look, asshole. I've played your little game. Now I want out."
The Youth Center faded into darkness, leaving Tommy alone with his adversary. Green Ranger circled him, a sneer twisting his lips. "You know, you really shouldn't insult me like that. After all, I am you, so all you've done is insult yourself."
"You…will NEVER…be me," Tommy said slowly. "I am nothing like you."
"Wouldn't it be better if you were? Think of all that I could give you. Strength, confidence, authority…you would be the ultimate ranger!"
"I'm not willing to accept the side effects of adopting your winning personality. I would rather die a thousand deaths."
Green Ranger's eyes blazed with anger. "And what makes it so great to be you? What? The high you get from the power? The reverence of your rangers? I can see how well that's working out."
Tommy's glare was murderous. "Shut the fuck up."
His enemy leaned towards him tauntingly, contempt dripping from his every word. "Do you honestly think you will ever be good enough on your own? Do you think you can ever live up to the image that Zordon has painted of you? That you will ever be able to fill the shoes of your heroic predecessor?"
"I'm not in competition with Jason. We're totally different people with totally different leadership styles, and both have their own merits."
"Keep telling yourself that, Tommy-boy." Green Ranger leaned closer, his tone growing more dangerous. "I made you. Without me, you wouldn't even be a ranger. You would be nothing."
"You have no part in who I am. You're not even real. You are nothing more than a mediocre spell that couldn't even defeat the Power Rangers."
"A mediocre spell? Is that right? Then why is it that you long for the power that I give you? Why do you still dream of the days when I was in control?"
Tommy scoffed at him. "You're insane."
"Am I?" He started moving again, making a slow, predatory circle around Tommy. "Tell me you don't miss the power that runs through your blood when you give in to me. The feeling of invincibility you get. The complete lack of fear." Tommy didn't reply, and his adversary gave him a look of total disdain. "Without me you are a sniveling weakling."
"If I'm such a weakling how is it that I have protected the Earth from Rita, Zedd, Ivan Ooze, King Mondo and various minions? I didn't need you for that, did I?"
Green Ranger drew back his fist and punched Tommy hard in the gut. Tommy doubled over, gasping for air. "You're pathetic! You have the power to make the world yours, and you waste all of it groveling before a giant head! You make me absolutely sick! I am giving you the chance to show everyone the real Tommy Oliver!"
"They already know the real…" Tommy was cut short by a knee to his groin. He fell to his knees, willing his eyes to focus.
"Don't bother getting up. You're already weak." Grabbing Tommy's hair, Green Ranger pulled his head up, forcing him to meet the hate-filled eyes. "I'll give you some time alone to consider my proposal and realize that I'm right."
"I'll never…" Tommy stopped when he realized that he was alone in the darkness. He sank down to the floor, curling into a ball as the thoughts of his friends washed over him again. No, I won't believe it. I have to keep fighting. If I give in to my self-doubt, he wins. Vaguely it registered that he was hearing music. It grew louder, resounding around him until he could no longer block out the pounding words.
Hey, I'm your life, I'm the one who takes you there.
Hey, I'm your life, I'm the one who cares.
They, they betray, I'm your only true friend now.
They, they'll betray, I'm forever there.
~
I'm your dream, make you real
I'm your eyes when you must steal
I'm your pain when you can't feel
Sad but true.
I'm your dream, mind astray
I'm your eyes while you're away
I'm your pain while you repay
You know it's sad but true.
~
You, you're my mask, you're my cover, my shelter.
You, you're my mask, you're the one who's blamed.
Do, do my work, do my dirty work, scapegoat.
Do, do my deeds for you're the one who's shamed.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal
I'm your pain when you can't feel
Sad but true.
I'm your dream, mind astray
I'm your eyes while you're away
I'm your pain while you repay
You know it's sad but true.
~
Tommy pressed his hands to his ears, trying to block out the message his enemy was sending. "I will never let you have my life!" he yelled into the darkness. The music around him grew louder, echoing inside his head.
~
Hate, I'm your hate, I'm your hate when you want love.
Pay, pay the price, pay, for nothing's fair.
Hey, I'm your life, I'm the one who took you here.
Hey, I'm your life and I no longer care.
I'm your dream, make you real
I'm your eyes when you must steal
I'm your pain when you can't feel
Sad but true.
I'm your truth, telling lies
I'm your reasoned alibis
I'm inside open your eyes
I'm you.
Sad but true.
~
"You're not me!" he screamed, his throat raw. "You're not me!" The air around him seemed to grow thicker. Sweat poured down his body. His lungs burned as he struggled to breathe. His last coherent thought was a plea he sent to the one person he knew could beat his deadly clone. "Jase…please help me…" Then he mercifully blacked out.
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TBC….