Episode 4
"The Black Market"
The Black Market or what was formally called the Angel Grove Youth Center, was one of the main centers of illegal activity in the city of Angel Grove. As much of the city was adjusting to normal life again considering the fact that it was now always night in the world, the Black Market was actively up and running. It was as if the Invasion never occurred here. Much like the real Back Market, the Black Market had practically anything a no good criminal would desire; gambling, prostitution, drug sale, and perhaps most important Cage Fighting. In fact that was the only reason Jason had come to this black corner of the city. Trini who was still trying to convince Jason to leave this place, but always staying by his side, couldn't figure out why Jason wanted to fight. Her guess however, would probably be anger.
"I still can't believe you are doing this Jason. Why do you want to be associated with these people? They're the scum of society." Trini said clutching onto Jason's side.
The line around the building stretched well around the side of the Black Market. It seemed half the city was trying to get into the place. Across into the nearby corners of the street, hookers could be seen selling their 'product' to Jons as their Pimps watched on. Drug dealers were up and about selling their drugs to any nearby customers making a profit and dealing to anyone in site. Yet all this didn't seem to affect Jason who seemed calm by it all. Jason had grown up around such people, and though he would never do anything illegal, he did not judge them. He was here for however, to fight. It had occurred to him he needed money, and Jason wasn't the type to get any old job. He wanted a lot of money with little effort in getting it, and Cage Fighting seemed to be the place for him.
"Scum huh?" Jason questioned Trini "Whatever happened to defending the innocent?"
"These people Jason, are not innocent."
"And who are we to judge them Trini? Let their society judge them for their crimes. We are above their laws; we defend all people regardless of their crimes."
"I suppose if you put it that way, but some of these people are murderers and rapists, just as evil as those we fight against." Trini responded
"And in that sense you are right. But none of these people fall into that category. So we should be bias to them."
Jason and Trini walked toward the opening of the Black Market, as a stray prostitute approached Jason to his right side completely ignoring Trini's presence and asking "Hey babe, wanna fuck?" Jason turned to her and Trini gave the hooker a mean look. The prostitute didn't seem to even bother with Trini drawing Jason's attention from her.
"Get off me you fucking whore." Jason said pushing the hooker away and continued his way. The hooker didn't stop there, see only responded more so.
"Hey now lover, I'll do things to you your little girlfriend there wouldn't dream of trying. Leave the girl and get with a woman."
"Listen bitch, he said fuck off!" with anger Trini pushed the hooker much harder than Jason and the prostitute finally got the message.
"I'm sorry about that Trini." Jason said with a bit of sadness
"It's okay" she responded "It was her fault not yours."
The two came up to the front of the line as the local bouncer stopped them in their tracks. "Hey, no one cuts the line. You two get to the back like everybody else." The bouncer called as Trini and Jason stood before him.
"I'm not her to party. I have pressing business. My name is Jason Lee Scott and this is my friend Trini Kai." Jason address the bouncer
"I ain't got any Scott on my list. Or a Kai. You two get to the back like everyone else now."
"Like I said, I have business here so let me in now, or something bad is gonna happen." Jason threatened
"What's the problem here Joey?" a shady looking man appeared as he patted the bouncer's shoulder.
"Nothing Mr. Skull, just got two punks that think they can cut the line."
"What are their names?" Skull asked
"A Jason Lee Scott, and a Trini Kai." The bouncer answered
"Ah, Scott. Now I remember. You're the guy I spoke to on the phone the other day. You wanted a job right?" Skull asked staring more at Trini than Jason
Jason gave a quick look at the bouncer and turned to Skull. "That's right." He stated
"What kinda job are you looking for kid? How about you missy? I think I could use another 'entertainer' and you look prefect for the job." Skull stated grabbing Trini's hand trying to kiss it, Trini of course yanked it away.
"The girl's spoken for. I'm the one who needs a job remember." Jason said with a hint of frustration
"By who, you? She your girl. You know I can pay you for her services." Skull added
"I speak for myself." Trini finally stated "And I don't need any job from someone like you!"
"So you don't." Skull replied "So Mr. Scott, what can I do for you? What kind of job do you need? You know I could always use a good runner."
"With respect Mr. Skull, I'm not here for your drug dealing jobs, or your bouncer jobs, and I'm defiantly don't want to be one of your Aaron-boys. I want to be my own man and answer only to myself. I need a quick paying job that requires little effort on my part. My other job doesn't pay to well you might say." Jason stated
"What other job do you have?" Mr. Skull asked
"Superhero, but that's neither here nor there. So what do you got for me?"
"Let me guess. You wanna cage fight don't you? It's the women isn't it? Ever sense I added that free hooker rule to all fighters everyone wants a piece of the action. Well I could use another fighter, seeing as how Bulk massacred his last opponent the other night. But I don't know, you don't look like a fighter."
"He's not" Trini quickly interrupted "Jason please don't do this. You haven't trained for half as long as we have."
"Don't give me that Trini. I was the only one of us who could face Golddar down. I'm a better fighter than any of you."
"Yeah, when you're morphed! Don't be crazy."
"I don't need to be Morphed to beat these guys. I'll be fine Trini."
"Jason if Master Osaka finds out you're doing this he'll-"
"He'll what?" Jason cut Trini's sentence short "Kick me out of that Temple I hate to live in? Not a lot of incentive to stay is it?"
"What are trying to prove Jason? Is this about me? Why are you so angry all the time?" Trini questioned
"I don't have anything to prove. And this isn't about you or anyone else for that matter. I need money, and I can get some cheap sideshow job to earn it."
"Then there's nothing I can do you to convince you otherwise is there?"
"Nothing" Jason answered
"Excuse me for butting in but this seems like a very interesting conversation. What are you guys like the Power Rangers or something?" Skull asked
Trini and Jason both gave skull a dumb look "Do I have the job or not?"
"You're too small for a fighter." Skull answered
"I can whip the shit out of any of your guys and make it look easy. In a week's time I'll be your new champion. You wanna make a lot of money than I suggest you put your money on me and let me in that cage." Jason said sternly
"I don't know man."
"Listen, I'm not leaving without two things, a job and money from my first fight. You can either let me fight in that cage or let me fight out here. But either way I'm gonna get what I want."
"Rocco beat this motherfucker." Skull said to the bouncer
"Bad move sparky." Trini said as she quickly got out of Jason's way.
The bouncer charged at Jason put a quick head butt to the face knocked him back. Jason quickly pressed the advantage and kicked the bouncer in the groin sending him to his knees. With that Jason grabbed the bouncers face "I'm wanna remember this face, cause you're not going to be able to." With that Jason repeatedly punched the face of the bouncer over and over again sending blood flying toward the crowd and line. The people gasped in pure shock as Jason continued to pummel the man's face in until finally he allowed the bouncer to drop into a pool of his own blood.
As Jason looked up at Skull a smile came over the club owner's face. "You're hired!"
Moments later inside the Black Market
The sound of the crowd was like a load mix of roars as people cheered for the two fighters who entered the ring. The two men were like faceless animals battering each other for the crowd's approval. Viscously they fought blood splattered as they made contact with one another. As Jason and Trini were being escorted by Skull Jason looked at the fight and meet Trini's eyes.
"This is the main cage room. The two idiots in the ring are Slash and Chaos. Their pretty good, but they ain't no Bulk. Now Bulk, his about 300 pounds of pure muscle. If you ever go against him prey to god he takes mercy on you. In his five years of cage fighting he's never lost a bout." Skull complemented "Over there's the Gambling area, that's where people place their bets on matches, the other side of this place is the Casino and above the dance club. You guys go any questions?"
Jason and Trini looked at each other and shook their heads. And again Skull continued to lead them to the back rooms of the Black Market. The hallway of the fighters area was damp and lit by hanging light bulbs ever teen feet, the ceiling dripped with water in some areas and as Jason passed he could hear the water droplets hit the ground. Trini stood close to Jason as they continued to walk and Skull spoke on. "This is the locker room hallway, all challenger fighter rooms are found here. Bulk on the other hand, has his own room, above in the dance club, but below is everyone else. This is your room Jason, it's not much, but then again neither are you. If you need me I'll be in my office. You're first fight tonight will be against Thrasher. He's not the best, but he's not at all the worst. Thrasher has a pretty good record. You face him down, and I'll keep you around." With those last words Skull left Jason and Trini in their room alone.
The room assigned to Jason was much like the hallway. It was dimly lit and the floor and walls were all concrete. Jason stood at the center of the room and looked around. He turned to Trini and sat on the bench in the back of the room. Trini walked to Jason and grabbed both his hand, to her surprise he didn't let go and actually held them tight. They looked at each other a short while before Jason let go stood up and began to leave the room. "Where are you going?" Trini asked
"To the car. I have to get my bag so I can change into my fighting clothes." Jason answered
Trini quickly jumped up to address him. "I'll do it. I'll get your stuff."
"Are you sure?" Jason asked
"Yeah. You stay here and relax, I'll be fine on my own, and I want to do this for you. Please." Trini hugged Jason and began to walk out into the hallway. As she left Jason stood silent and finally closed the door behind her. He sat down and began to think of Min Mei.
It was not long before Trini arrived with Jason's clothes. She handed him the bag and Jason began to remove his gear. Trini crossed her arms and stood there staring at him, she was still very much concerned for his well being. As she gazed on she felt herself want to speak, but was both worried about his reactions and if he would even bother to listen. The fact was Trini was still very much in love with Jason, but it had been a difficult time since his return. Jason found himself caught in between Min Mei and Trini, and although he loved Min Mei, he could not deny his re-growing love for Trini. As he finished dressing Jason looked into Trini's eyes and knew she was still worried for him, but his confidence made up for her fears. He touched her cheek and smiled. "Don't worry I'll be fine."
"Why Jason?" She asked "Why do you feel you have to do this?"
"Trini we've been through all this before." Jason said with some frustration
"No we haven't Jason." She shook her head and grabbed his wrist "I don't understand why you have to do this. If it's about money I can give you all the money you need. Please Jason let's just get out of here and leave these people."
"No." Jason said with determination "We don't have to go anywhere. I don't want to go damn it. Trini, this is who I am. I am a fighter, I can't stop that now. Just please try to understand that what I'm trying to do is what I want. I want this."
"I can't even begin to understand you Jason. You hate the fact that you're a Ranger, yet you lead the team. You say you were forced into the role of combat, yet here you are choosing to do it on the side. Jason why are you so God Damn hypocritical?" The tone that Trini had now taken up was one of pure anger. Her position with Jason had reached a point of no success and she was now feed up with his attitude.
"I don't expect you to understand Trini. I have a lot on my mind right now and this whole situation is really difficult to deal with. Trini, I don't truly hate being a Ranger, but I do hate what I'm becoming. I hate who I am. No one out there really knows me anymore… the only one who even cares to listen is… Min Mei. Not even you Trini, try to listen to what I have to say."
"I would if you jus tell me." Trini said with a hint of sadness. "I care about you Jason. We use to be so close, I just want that again."
"There's no going back Trini." Jason turned away from her; he held in a heart pounding tear and swallowed hard. "You couldn't hold any of this in till after my fight." It was silent for a moment. "I think were alone now."
"What?" she asked
"Nothing."
"Don't shut yourself away from the world Jason. Just please talk to me." Trini slowly approached Jason slowly and placed her hand on his chest. She looked at him softly, her eyes began to long for his lips to touch hers, but no kiss would come from Jason, instead Jason slowly pushed her away and walked passed her toward the cage.
Passing through the hall Trini followed still confused about the whole situation. As they came into the fighting area the crowd could be heard cheering in all directions. Trini stayed close to Jason as he walked, his thoughts were mixed in his head, the one thing that kept playing was the song 'I Think Were Alone Now' by Tiffany. It was odd that despite such an awkward moment had arisen that he would think of such a classic song, but that was the mind of Jason; and his mind at that moment was wandering. He now stepped into the ring and entered its patted floor. The stains of blood could still be seen as the ring clearers could help but be unable to clean it. Jason stood center and the crowd cheered, not so much for him, but for the brutal display that was about to commence.
The Thrasher, Jason saw, stood at the other end of the ring. He was cut cold and his body seemed to reflect that of a harden warrior. A giant gash crossed the chest of the Thrasher and his eyes were lit up green. Jason stared at him unafraid of the display in front of him. Even though the thrasher had short spiked hair, and a look of pure evil to him Jason seemed unaffected. "I'm gonna make you bleed boy." The Thrasher spoke with vengeance in is voice.
Jason smirked and paid no mind to him. Trini now stood at the outside of the caged ring at Jason's corner looking into his eyes as if she was trying to say it's not to late to just leave. But as Jason looked on at her he knew there was no turning back now. He smiled at her signifying all would be okay and that he had the situation under control. Skull now entered the ring and took a microphone with him. He patted Jason on his back and whispered into his ear. "Listen pal, nice job outside, but if you want my opinion, it's been nice knowing ya. Thrasher doesn't like new comers in the ring and I have firmly place my money on him kicking your goodie, goodie ass."
Jason's response was one for the memories. "That's money lost. Your boy won't lat a minute with me."
"We'll see now won't we?" Skull replied. He now turned his attention to the audience and began to address the crowd who eagerly awaited the fight to begin.
"Alright, alright. Tonight my friends and regulars I have a special bout for you. I'd like you all to welcome a newcomer to the Black Market, Los Angeles' very own Jason… Lee… Scott."
The crowd's roared in both disapproval with boos and some with the hint that Jason maybe more than he appears to be. Skull continued to speak and like a great leader the crowd silenced into a low hum for him. "Yes my friends Jason Lee Scott. But now I introduce the one man who welcomes newcomers with the weight of his fists into their faces, the one, the only Thrasher!" immediately the crowd cheered, Thrasher did have his reputation. "Place your bet and place them high cause tonight someone leaves this ring standing and the other gets dragged out. Let the fight begin. Fighters to your corners at the sound of the bell and lighting of the green light above you start the match. And don't stop until one of you is beaten. Alive or dead it doesn't matter." With those last words Skull left the ring and Jason began to stare at Trini again.
"Jason, I hope you know what you're doing."
"I'm on it Trini. This won't take but 60 seconds or less." Jason reached for Trini's hand through the cage and Trini grabbed it and kissed it. For a small moment she thought he may die, but to her, he seemed so confident.
"Hey Pretty Boy, I'm gonna fuck you up. If you beg now maybe I won't kill ya." Thrasher threatened as he grinned his teeth to Jason.
"First I'm going to charge you, grab your arm so quickly that you won't even see it be pulled to your back." Jason spokefast as he looked strait into Thrasher's eyes, his voice lit up like a man on fire.
"W-what?" Thrasher said confused
"Then while I have your arm, I'm going to break it in three different areas in three seconds. I'll then kick your knees from behind with such forcethat they too will shatter as you fall on them."
"What are you talking about?" Thrasher asked now showing a little fear.
"Finally I'll move in front of your face in which point you'll be too much pain to defend yourself, and I'll proceed to beat your face in for 30 seconds strait, breaking your chin, nose and jaw. After those long excruciating secondsI'll allow you to fall and let you soak in your own blood."
"Fuck you man!"
"And I'll do all of that before you even have the chance to throw a full punch!" Jason looked at the red light waiting for it to turn green, "Ready?"
The bell sounded, the green light lit and Jason began to charge. Thrasher couldn't believe his eyes at the foolish thing Jason was about to attempt, no one ever charges in the beginning of a fight. Generally you size up your opponent, but as Jason said he charged strait for him. Thrasher remembered what Jason said about him being beaten before he would be able to throw a punch and realized that it couldn't be true; his nerves sent a single to his brain to throw a punch at Jason, but before his brain fully receive the message to strike another message had beaten it to it. Something was seriously wrong Thrasher thought, because his arm couldn't move, by the time he realized what was truly going on Jason had already grabbed and twisted his arm into his back. Suddenly he heard a snap ring through his ears, then two more snap, snap, before he could fully grasp the pain emitting from his brain his arm had been broken in three places in three seconds.
No, Thrasher thought, it was already over. He knew Jason was making good on his word, his arm had been already broken in three spots, and before he could speak he felt his knees being crushed into the floor of the ring. The pain that was now registering in his body was proof of Jason's fighting ability. He didn't even throw a punch; he didn't even throw a punch. The same thought ran over and over in his head. He now realized that his defeat was inevitable, there was only one thing he could do now, so far Jason had made good on his word, so it was very much to be expected that his face would be the next target. Not wanting to risk more pain, humiliation and broken bones, Thrasher now began to speak.
"No, no please stop! Please stop! I surrender, I surrender. You win, you win. Jason please don't hurt me anymore." Thrasher begged as he was barely able to lift his one good arm to cover his face. Tears began to pore from is eyes as the full effect of the pain began to register in him. "I heard the cracks of my bones breaking, please just s-stop. You win! I-I give up!"
It was at this point Jason stood before his fallen victim that he realized the utter silence that now filled the room. No one ad seen anyone do anything like what Jason had just did. Jason looked at the time clock of the fight and saw 20 seconds had just gone bye, he turned to Trini who gave him a blank stare. Then she spoke.
"Jason, that's enough. He's beaten. He surrendered." Trini spoke
Jason looked into the defeated opponent and was reminded of the Putty he had slaughter a week back. He stood raising his fist and Thrasher began to squeal. Trini now yelled at Jason to stop.
"For God sakes Jason, he's not a God Damn Putty. You leave him alone right now!" Trini now entered the ring and grabbed Jason's fist, the crowd was still in complete shock. Trini pulled at Jason and suddenly Jason dropped his fist and looked into Trini's eyes. He hugged her and she began to cry in his arms. He slowly left the ring and Thrasher collapsed to the ground. Skull followed Jason back into his locker room dumbfounded by what he had just saw.
"My god man. I heard you, I heard you talk to him before the fight even started. You did exactly what you said you were gonna do! I've never seen that in my life. You're gonna be a star here Jason. You could probably even take on Bulk." Skull said as he patted Jason's back as he walked into the fighter hall.
Trini was still grasping on Jason's arm as they walked but she didn't say a word. She just looked at the black expression on Jason's face. He stared into nothingness, and the only thought registering in his head was 'I think were alone now.'