Authors' notes: Thanks to all who have been reviewing this story for keeping us motivated. We're almost at the end (unless inspiration hits – this was originally meant to be only 3 chapters). Keep the reviews coming, they really do help!
Timeline: This takes place during Zeo, shortly after Jason returns as the Gold Ranger.
The first thing he felt was the sun warming his face. Tommy's eyes fluttered open and he looked around. He was lying on the grass in Angel Grove Park. How did I get here? He tried to remember the last thing he did, but his mind was a blank. Why don't I just go find the guys.
He walked down the path, finally spotting his friends gathered in a tight knot by the lakeshore. "Hey guys!" he yelled, running up to join them. They didn't even look at him. "Guys?"
He finally looked at their faces. Kat and Tanya's were stained with tears. Adam's cheeks were tear-streaked as well. Even Billy and Rocky had red, puffy eyes. "What happened?" He felt his heart stop as he noticed the member of the group that was missing. "Where's Jason?"
"I can't believe he's gone," Tanya said, which drew a sob from Kat. Rocky put his arms around her and pulled her close. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"None of us can, Tanya," Billy said quietly. He took her hand, and she leaned against him.
"What's going on? What happened?" Tommy asked. He was starting to get frustrated at the group's ignorance of him, and Jason's absence made panic rise in his chest.
Adam was staring at his hands. "It just doesn't feel real," he said quietly. "I keep thinking it has to be a nightmare. I keep waiting to wake up."
"Did you see Jason at the funeral?" Kat whispered, huddling closer to Rocky.
"Funeral? What funeral? Who died? Why didn't anyone tell me?" Tommy's questions once again went unheeded, and with a cry of frustration the aggravated ranger finally gave up. He sat down on the ground with a sigh. I don't know why they're ignoring me, but I guess I'll have to wait until they want to tell me what's going on.
"He looked like someone killed him. It was horrible," Tanya responded, moving closer to Billy.
"Tommy was his best friend. I would feel the same way if I lost Adam," Rocky said. The Green Zeo Ranger gave him a small smile, reaching out to squeeze his hand.
Tommy sat up. He was now thoroughly confused. I was his best friend? I know we haven't been getting along, but… He was really starting to wonder why his friends were snubbing him. "For the last time guys, what the hell is going on here? Who died?"
"I'm just glad Zack, Trini and Kim could make it back from Switzerland in time for the funeral." Adam said. "Although Kim was taking it pretty hard as well."
Billy sighed, holding the yellow zeo ranger close. "I wouldn't expect any different in regards to Kimberly. She and Tommy may not have conversed in some time, but they always had a special connection between them. It's quite apparent that she would take his death hard, maybe even harder than any of us."
"My…what?" Tommy gaped at them. I'm dead? He tried to wrap his mind around that concept. "You went to my funeral? But…I'm not dead!"
He waved his hand in front of Rocky's face. "I'm right here!" The blue ranger gave no sign of recognition. I'm right here…aren't I?
Kat closed her eyes as the tears that she had been fighting back escaped her cheeks. "I don't want to compare our grief." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I know I'm supposed to let him go, but I can't. I see him when my eyes are closed, catching up to us because he was late again. I still can hear him laughing at some stupid stunt that Bulk and Skull pulled. I'll never hear that again…"
Her voice broke, and Rocky pulled her closer. "I can't do this…" She buried her face into Rocky's chest as she was overcome with sobs. He rubbed her back soothingly, making no effort to hide his own tears.
Tommy was at a complete loss. He was there sitting right there with them, so why weren't they able to acknowledge his presence? "Come on guys!! Look at me!! I'm not dead!!"
Getting to his feet he walked over to where Kat was wrapped in Rocky's arms. "Don't cry, Kat. You know how much I hate it when you cry." Tentatively he reached out his hand and laid it on her shoulder. He was surprised to find it solid, although it was quite obvious that she felt nothing. At least I know that I'm not a ghost. If I was a ghost I wouldn't be able to touch anything, would I? He returned his attention to the girl in front of him. "Please don't cry." He hated seeing her so upset. Hell, he hated seeing any of them upset, especially when he was the cause.
"Is this another game Green Ranger is playing? Tommy's eyes narrowed at the thought of his arch-nemesis. I thought I killed that bastard! "Guys, it's a trick!! Look at me!! I'm here and I'm very much alive!!" He found that he was near tears as well. "Please hear me, feel me, something!" He walked around the group trying to figure out some way to attract their attention.
Rocky continued to rub Kat's back gently. "We know how hard it is, Kat. We're all feeling the same thing." He kissed her forehead softly. "But at least we have each other."
Adam sighed. "That's why I'm worried about Jason."
The group turned their attention to him. Even Kat looked up, her eyes red and swollen from her tears. "What do you mean?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, what do you mean?" Tommy repeated.
"Look at us guys. We are going to get through this because we have each other. It's gonna be hell, but we'll get through it. However, Jason isn't opening up to anyone. He hasn't said a word since Tommy died." He looked at Billy. "I know that you two go way back, but you have to admit that you're not as close as you used to be." Billy grimaced, but nodded. "And having Zack, Trini and Kim here is great, but their lives aren't in Angel Grove anymore. At some point they're going to leave. Then what do we do?"
"You're afraid that he's not going to let us in," Tanya said.
"Not just us," Adam responded. "I'm afraid he's not going to let anyone in."
"That's precisely why Zack is over there right now. He's attempting to get Jason to talk to him. Hopefully it will be a worthwhile endeavor." Billy looked grimly at Adam. "If he doesn't…"
"He may never recover," Adam finished. "And we'll lose two friends."
God, I had no idea that Jason would take my death this hard. He hasn't said anything? Tommy shuddered at the thought of his vivacious friend closing off for good.I wish I could see him.
The next thing he knew he was standing on a flight of stairs. Looking around he realized that he had somehow transported to the Scott household, and was standing outside of Jason's room. "Did I do that?" A smile tugged at his lips. "Cool!!"
He heard someone walking up the stairs, and turned to see Zack approaching with a plate of brownies. At the sight of the chocolate snacks Tommy's stomach gave a loud growl, and he realized that he was starving. I wonder when was the last time that I actually ate something.
Remembering his newfound power he rubbed his hands together. "Let's see…I wish for a plate of Rocky's lasagna and a peach smoothie." Nothing happened. "OK…I wish for a turkey sandwich and a glass of milk." Still nothing. "Damn it!" he scowled. At least this proves that I'm not dead. Dead people don't get hungry!
Zack opened the door to the room, and Tommy quickly slipped in. He found himself in a completely dark room. "Geez Jase, it's two in the afternoon. Haven't you heard of sunlight?" he muttered. He watched Zack cross the room and pull open the blinds. The bright afternoon sun streamed in the window, and Tommy got his first look at his best friend.
Jason was curled up on his futon, clad in boxers and a green flannel shirt that Tommy recognized as his. He had pulled the pillow over his face to hide from the light. Pictures of the two of them were strewn all over the bed and floor.
Zack walked over and sat down on the edge of the futon, placing the plate of brownies next to him. "Jase, you have to eat something." The lump on the bed didn't move, and Zack sighed. "Please. Your parents are worried sick. So am I. You've got to talk about it, or it will eat you alive." With surprising strength he pulled the pillow out of Jason's hands and off his face.
Tommy caught his breath at the sight of the Gold Ranger. He had never seen Jason look like this before. His face was scruffy, result of a few days stubble. His face was pale and gaunt; large bags accentuating his eyes.
But his eyes were the worst of all. They stared up at Zack, glassy and lifeless. "God, Jase. I'm not worth this," he breathed. He wanted more than anything to reach out and hold the grieving boy close, but knew it would make no difference.
Zack sighed. "You've got to snap out of this! It is not worth killing yourself over!" Jason just looked at him, and Zack softened. "I'm sorry. I'm not upset with you, just worried. Jason, please talk to me. I'm begging you."
His whisper was barely audible. "Do you know what the last thing he heard me say was?"
"What?" Zack replied gently, saying a silent prayer of thanks that the depressed young man was actually saying something.
"That I didn't know him, and I wasn't sure I wanted to." He practically choked on the words.
Tommy leaned against the wall closing his eyes as the painful memory of those words resurfaced. "Jesus Jase, I know you didn't mean it. We were just so angry. I didn't mean the stuff I said either."
"Jase…" Moving the plate of brownies to the floor, Zack lay down next to his friend and wrapped his arms around him. "Is there anything I can do?"
Jason shook his head, letting out a strangled sob. "I can't breathe, Zack. I feel like I can't breathe."
"I know." Zack tightened his hold. "This has been hell for all of us, but you most of all. I can't even imagine what you're going through."
"I never knew anything could hurt this bad. I feel like somebody ripped everything inside me out. I can't…" His voice dissolved into another sob, and he took a shaky breath before he finished his thought. "I can't do this. I just want to die. God, why can't I have died with him?"
Tommy's heart broke at the pain expressed in Jason's voice. "God, I had no idea that my death would do this to you. I'll come back to you as fast as I can. It will be okay again, I promise. I just need to figure out what the hell is going on and how to stop it."
"Do you really think Tommy would want that? For you to give up your life as well? He loved you, Jase. He would want you to keep living, you know that."
"I know. I just…it…hurts…" Leaning against Zack, he let the sobs take over his body. Zack just held him close, rubbing his back.
Tommy felt each sob slice into him like a knife. He had never heard such raw pain before in his life. And to hear it coming from Jason…he felt a tear slide down his own cheek. He's right Jase. I wouldn't want you to give up on life because of me. I'd want you to find happiness. That's all I've ever wanted for you.
When Jason had finally quieted Zack pulled away. "Feel any better?"
"A little." Jason nodded. "Zack, why was I such an idiot? Why did I let my stupid feelings push me away from Tommy?"
"Hey, your feelings for Tommy are not stupid," Zack admonished. "Plus, this wasn't your choice. It's not like you tried to fall in love with him."
Tommy's head snapped up in shock. "What?" He moved closer to his two friends. "Hold on…what?!"
"But I let that scare me away. Why couldn't I just be happy with our friendship? I gave up so much time…"
"Whoa!! Hold on for a second! What?!!! Rewind please and slow down the conversation, because I'm having trouble following you here. You're in love with me?!" Tommy tried to move between Zack and Jason in order to get them to stop. However, just as it had been with his other friends, neither of them acknowledged his presence.
Zack cut in. "You couldn't have known that this would happen. We don't think about these kinds of things, Jase. We're still kids."
"Yeah, but we're also Power Rangers. We deal with death every day. Why should we be surprised when it happens to one of us?"
The former ranger gave his friend a piercing gaze. "How about you stop skirting around the issue and talk about how you're really feeling right now?"
Jason closed his eyes. "I don't know what to say. I loved him. More than I ever thought possible. So much, that sometimes it totally scared the hell out of me."
"Go on Jase. I'm listening now." Tommy found a seat on the futon with the two boys.
Zack nodded sympathetically. "You guys went through a lot together. It took a while for us to get used to him being part of the team. But you two had an instantaneous connection that was electric. We all knew that we couldn't compete with that." He smiled. "It made Billy and I really jealous at first."
"I knew it!!!! I knew that's part of the reason I didn't feel comfortable with you guys. You thought I took Jason away didn't you?" That gave Tommy pause. I guess I kind of did, didn't I?
"I know. In a way he was right when he said that he was never part of my team." Jason sighed. "It was just…he was really vulnerable after his experience as the Green Ranger, and for some reason he let me in. It meant so much to me that he confided in me, that he could be honest with his emotions, even that he could cry in front of me." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "I never asked him why he chose me. I mean, it's not like the rest of you didn't offer him a shoulder to lean on. Why me?"
"Did you ever really have to ask? I choose you for being Jason. Being with you always made me feel whole inside." Tommy sighed. It was thoroughly frustrating to just sit idly in the middle of this and not be able to talk to Jason.
Zack put his hand on Jason's shoulder. "Can I honestly say what I'm thinking?"
"Of course!"
"I think that Tommy and you were soul mates. I mean, I know you're not like me, Jase. You've never expressed an interest in any other male, and you still quite enjoy scoping out the females. I'm 100% converted to chasing down the hunks." He smiled at Jason's small chuckle. "But the love you have for Tommy – I've never seen anything like it. In real life, anyways."
"Soul mates? Soul mates." Tommy tried out the word, running all that had been said through his mind. "I guess we kind of are aren't we? Soul mates…"
"So where have you see it?" Jason asked.
"Romeo and Juliet."
Jason grinned. "So which one am I?"
Zack grinned back. "Romeo, of course. Tommy's got the perfect hair for Juliet!"
Tommy smiled at the laugh that got out of Jason. "You always could make him laugh, Zack. I'm really glad that you're here." Of course, I'd rather it be me…
"We are kind of star-crossed lovers, aren't we?" The smile remained on Jason's face, but there was a tinge of the grief he had exhibited earlier.
Zack once again wrapped his arms around his friend. "I know this is going to take a while, Jase. I'm not going anywhere."
"What about the Peace Conference?" Jason asked.
"I'm not going back. I went to AGH yesterday and registered for classes."
"Zack, you don't have to…"
Zack gave him a look that stopped him midsentence. "I want to. You're my best friend. That's what best friends do."
Tommy smiled, feeling relief set into his tense body. "Thank God you're staying, Zack. Jase seriously needs someone, and since I'm not going to be around anymore…I'm glad he'll have you."
"Sure," Jason scoffed. "That's what good best friends do. Unlike me."
"Stop it. You were a good best friend. Tommy knew that you loved him, I'm sure of that."
"Well he does now, doesn't he?" Tommy remarked with extreme irritation. Looking to the heavens he said sarcastically. "Thank you so much for finally letting me know how Jason feels when I can't do anything about it." Catching the morbidity of his train of thought he mentally scolded himself. Hold on!!! I'm not dead remember?! He looked at his best friend. "I promise, as soon as I get out of this we are going to have a long talk."
Jason was silent for a few moments. Then in a choked voice he said, "I just wish I could have told him."
Zack held his best friend tightly as the sobs once again broke through. He just rubbed the Gold Ranger's back, making no motion to attempt to stop the tears.
Tommy sat helplessly on the futon, wishing more than anything he could hold Jason in his arms. His face was wet with his own tears. "I'm sorry, Jase. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to leave you. Not like this."
Gradually Jason's sobs calmed, and his breathing grew even. Zack held him close, knowing that the grieving boy needed his comfort. "Why him?" he whispered to no one in particular. "Why did you have to take Tommy?"
Tommy sighed. "That's what I'd like to know."
The Olivers sat at the table in silence, mechanically lifting the food between the plates and their mouths. There was an ominous air in the room. Suddenly Jan dropped her fork and covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders began to shake with silent sobs.
Tom looked up at the sharp sound of the metal hitting the china plate, and saw his wife's anguish. "Jan…" Getting up, he walked around the table and pulled her into his arms.
Tommy materialized behind them. He didn't register his new location at first. He was still trying to grasp the drastic repercussions his death had had on Jason. The state of the Gold Ranger had shaken him to the core, and bearing witness to Jason's profession of his feelings left him feeling completely disorientated.
"Now what?" he whispered, looking around at his new environment. He noticed his parents after a few seconds and moved towards them. "Mom? Dad? Oh God, please hear me" There was no answer except for the sound of quiet sobs emitting from his mother.
He ran around the table and planted himself in front of them. His eyes fell on his heart broken mother. "Oh Mom…" he whispered, feeling a pain beyond words clench his heart.
Tom rubbed his wife's back. He knew that she blamed herself for the loss of their son, and so far he hadn't found any argument to convince her otherwise. But that didn't mean he would stop trying. "Come on Jan. It's not your fault."
"How can you say that?" she replied in a hoarse voice. "I should have taken him to the hospital regardless of his wishes. How could I be so egotistical as to think that I could handle this on my own? I should have known he was getting worse and that there was nothing I could do for him at home. It is my fault. God Tom, I'm a doctor. I'm supposed to know what to do." The tears poured down her face.
Tom held her closer, trying valiantly to hold back his own raging emotions. "You couldn't have known how fast this was going to progress. It wasn't supposed to be like this, it was just a simple case of pneumonia. Even with your vast medical knowledge, you couldn't have known the end result."
Jan didn't hear a word of his attempt at reassurance. "How can I let my patients entrust me with their lives when I can't even save my own son?"
"Jan, listen to me! This was completely unexpected! It wasn't your fault!"
Tommy gripped the chair until his knuckles were white. How can she blame herself? This wasn't her fault! The Green Ranger was behind this. And it was my choice to use the last of my strength to fight him!
"I can't help how I feel. Tom, I let my little boy. He needed me, and I let…I let…" Her voice broke. "I let him leave us…" Her body began to shake again as a fresh torrent of tears poured down her cheeks.
Tommy wanted more than anything to wrap his arms around his mother. He felt the anger rise in him. This is bullshit! I'm not dead!! "Mom, It's not your fault because I'm not dead!! Look at me! I'm standing right in front of you." Tommy slammed his fist on the table. "For God's sake, why can't she fucking hear me?!"
Tom held his wife tighter. He had never felt so helpless in his entire life. He spoke in a soft voice, hoping to calm her nerves. "Please, Jan. I don't blame you for what happened. Isn't that enough? I know Tommy wouldn't either. You tried your best."
Tommy nodded in agreement with his father's remarks. "Dad's right. I don't blame you. I'm not dead, so I can't blame you. But even if I was I still wouldn't blame you."
After several minutes, Jan was able to get herself under control. She pulled away from her husband, blowing her nose on a napkin. "I was so afraid that being in the hospital would make him worse. He hated those places and made me swear to never make him go to one. He claimed that everything he needed I could give him. But I couldn't. How can you not blame me Tom? Something inside me was screaming to take him there and I went against my instincts." Her voice was at a near whisper.
"Yes you did, but only because of Tommy's wishes. You honored his request until the end. There was no way we could have known that the end would come so soon. Everything went downhill so quickly, how could we have known?" Tom ran his hands soothingly through his wife's hair.
"I don't know. Something inside me tells me I should have known. I should have known what my little boy needed. Those motherly instincts he always teased me about should have been working then. I should have been able to save my son!"
The agony in her voice was tearing Tommy's insides to shreds. "I wish there was way that you could hear me mom. A way that I could show you that I don't blame you. God I can't leave her like this!" He didn't even realize that in the back of his mind he was starting to come to terms with his own death.
Tommy's father continued to comfort Jan. "We can't control the world, no matter how much we would like to be able to mold it into whatever we want. We don't have the power to change the tragedies in our lives, all we can do is cope with them. Now we must deal with the loss of Tommy. I miss him too, so much that it's tearing me apart to keep going. But that's what we have to do – just keep putting one foot in front of the other. He wouldn't want us to stop living, even if he isn't." Tom choked on the last words, and a tear ran down his face.
Tommy had never seen his father cry in all his life and standing in front of him witnessing the impossible gave him a surreal feeling. He couldn't get past the shock and pain that emanated from the couple. How could I do this to my parents? God, I wish I could tell them what happened. I had to do this, I didn't have a choice. The Green Ranger would have taken over otherwise. He felt the slow reality sinking in. Is this really the end? How can it be, when I still feel so much?
"I miss him so much. I don't want to let him go. Oh God, how am I supposed to just let my baby go?" Jan closed her eyes as tears once again cascaded down her cheeks.
"I know sweetheart. I know. But it's something that needs to be done. We need to let our son rest in peace and live our lives." Kissing her forehead, Tom picked up his wife in his arms. "Sleep is what you need right now, and I am not going to leave your side until you get it." Without a protest, Jan rested her head against her husband's chest and closed her eyes. He carried her up the stairs to their room.
Tommy watched them go. "What next? This is torture, to watch this." He never questioned how much he meant to his parents. He always knew that he was the center of their lives. It still didn't help alleviate the pain he was feeling due to what he just witnessed.
Adam lay curled up on his bed. He was staring at a group picture of his friends that had been taken about a month ago. Tommy was right in the center of the photo, his arm slung over Adam's shoulders. What are we going to do without you?
Tommy found himself sitting across from his stricken best friend. "How did I get here?" A moment ago he was watching his parents express their grief at the loss of their son. He wasn't sure how much more he could handle and he wanted to know what the hell was going on.
Sighing, the Red Zeo Ranger resigned himself to whatever games the higher power was playing with him. "Is this what you want me to watch? I'll watch, but this is killing me seeing my friends so torn up over this. I don't know if I can take much more."
Adam's thoughts were interrupted by the familiar six-toned call of his communicator. "What now?" he muttered, raising it to his lips. "Adam here."
"ADAM, PLEASE REPORT TO THE POWER CHAMBER," Zordon's booming voice commanded.
"On my way," the Green Zeo Ranger replied with a sigh. Sitting up, he pressed another button on his communicator and watched as the room dissolved in a shower of green sparks.
"Great… just great… I've been brought into a room to watch Adam and then he leaves. What am I supposed to do now?" Tommy stood up in frustration and was about to open the door when Adam's room disappeared.
A few moments later Adam appeared in the Power Chamber. He looked around, surprised to find himself alone. "Are the others on their way, Zordon?"
"Now this is getting ridiculous." Looking up at the ceiling, Tommy chided this power holding him there. "Make up your fucking mind already. I've had about all I can handle. How about someone telling me what is going on. Huh?" Silence followed Tommy's demand and with a resigned sigh, he turned his attention to his friend and mentor.
"THE OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU ALONE."
Adam felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach. He had a feeling he knew what this was about, and it was a conversation that he had been dreading. "About what?"
Zordon gazed down at the ranger. "I KNOW THAT THE LOSS OF TOMMY IS STILL FRESH, BUT UNFORTUNATELY YOU CANNOT ALLOW THAT TO DETER YOU FROM YOUR DUTIES AS A POWER RANGER. THE EARTH IS STILL IN DANGER, AND THIS TEAM CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT A LEADER."
Oh God Adam…I wouldn't want to be in your place, but I trust you. I wouldn't want anyone else leading my team. "Jesus. Listen to me, I've already begun to think of myself as dead." Tommy put his hand on Adam's shoulder in reassurance, even though he knew the green could not feel his touch.
Adam closed his eyes. "You want me to take Tommy's place."
"NO ADAM, I DO NOT WISH FOR YOU TO TAKE TOMMY'S PLACE. NO ONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT AS SECOND IN COMMAND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP NOW FALLS TO YOU."
"Will I have to take the red zeonizers? I don't think I could wear Tommy's color."
"Nor would I expect you to. Zordon, that's too much to ask of Adam." Tommy spoke in haste before remembering again that his voice could not be heard. I think it's gonna take a while to get used to this.
"I WOULD NOT ASK YOU TO DO SO. HOWEVER, YOU WILL NEED TO FIND A RED RANGER."
"I know. And I already have someone in mind. If Zack would be willing to give up the Peace Conference." Adam sighed. "And I don't know how much use Jason is going to be."
"I WOULDN'T RELY ON HIM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. TOMMY'S DEATH HAS BEEN A CRIPPLING BLOW FOR JASON. HE'S BEEN IN LOVE WITH HIM FOR YEARS NOW."
"I know." Adam admitted softly.
"Now wait a second here! You mean you knew?! You both knew that he loved me?! Well how do you like that? I had to fucking die just to finally find out! Oh great, thanks a lot." Tommy shoved his hands in his pockets, resisting the urge to hit something.
Realization suddenly lighting his face, Adam looked up at his mentor. "Zordon, how are you doing? I don't think any of us have asked you that!"
Zordon smiled slightly. He knew that sensitive Adam would be the first one to inquire about him. "YOU KNOW I THINK OF YOU ALL AS MY CHILDREN, ADAM, BUT TOMMY WAS MOST LIKE MY SON. LOSING HIM HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE BLOW, BUT I AM SURVIVING."
Tommy looked up at his mentor who had become like a second father to him. "I had no idea you felt that way. Now to only find out when it seems like it's too late."
Alpha tentatively broke into the somber exchange. "Zordon, there is a transmission from the moon."
Adam's hands clenched into fists. "What, is Mondo calling to gloat?"
"OPEN THE TRANSMISSION, ALPHA."
Adam stared in shock as the faces of Rita and Zedd appeared on the screen. He felt a rage he had never known before rise in him, and it was all he could do to keep his voice steady. "What the hell do you want, Zedd?"
"What the hell?!" Tommy whispered retreating into the shadows.
"News of your loss has reached the universe, Zordon," Zedd said. "We've called to offer our condolences."
"Condolences? Sure," Adam scoffed. "You've just been dreaming of this opportunity, haven't you?" He took a step forward, his body shaking with rage. "Why don't you take your condolences and shove them up..."
"ADAM, THAT'S ENOUGH. PLEASE CONTINUE, ZEDD." Zordon ignored the shocked and enraged look from his ranger.
"It is true we are on opposite sides, Adam," Zedd said. "However, that does not mean that we do not hold respect for the Power Rangers. Tommy was a great warrior and a formidable opponent. We have always held him in high regard."
"It is saddening that his demise came in such a passive fashion," Rita said. "He deserved a warrior's death. We request permission to teleport a token of our respect to you."
"OF COURSE. ALPHA, LOWER THE SHIELDS."
"Are you insane?" Tommy yelled. "They'll blow this place to smithereens!"
"Zordon, what..." Adam began, but his mentor silenced him with a stern look.
The usual shimmer of teleportation filled the room, coalescing into a simple wreath woven of vines. "We present you with a battle crown in honor of your warrior's death."
"A battle crown?" Adam reached out and picked it up. "What is that?"
"IT IS AN HONOR PRESENTED TO THE MOST IMPRESSIVE WARRIORS. ZEDD, RITA, I THANK YOU FOR THIS TOKEN."
"We will do our best to keep that dishonorable tin can occupied to allow you and your rangers time to mourn. Although they may not believe us, please extend our respects to your team," Zedd stated.
"I WILL DO SO."
"The legacy of Tommy Oliver will not soon be forgotten. His bravery and valor shall be spoken of for many generations. His legend will live forever in the heart of the universe." Zedd and Rita bowed their heads, and the image faded into darkness.
Adam stood there in absolute shock, his mouth hanging open. "What...just happened here?"
"Zedd and Rita may be evil, but they still have honor. They respect warriors, and that is what Tommy was."
"That just..." Adam shook his head. "That was the last thing I expected. Maybe Zedd and Rita aren't so bad after all."
In the shadows Tommy watched this in total astonishment. Did Zedd and Rita just pay respect...to me?? He looked around him, and then raised his eyes to heaven. "What kind of weird hell did you put me in?!!"
The reality of his situation started to set into Tommy's mind. He couldn't escape the truth of what had happened to him. But what next? How long was he going to have to watch his friends and family from the shadows?
His question was answered as the Power Chamber, Adam, and Zordon all faded into darkness. But this time it wasn't as comforting as before. This was the darkness that meant it was over, and that it was time to say goodbye to all that he loved and cherished.
Tommy glared up at the heavens. "I'm not ready!" He screamed with his hands balled into fists. "You can't take me! I'm not ready!" He could feel the void around him draining his conviction. He fell to his knees, feeling himself grow weaker. "You can't…I'm not ready…"
He lay down, feeling the tears streak his face. "Not ready….." He whispered the words repeatedly, over and over again, praying for whatever God was out there to hear him. But his speech grew slower and quieter with each repetition, until they died out completely. Finally closing his eyes, he surrendered to the silent darkness.