Chapter Fifteen

Back at the park, the Rangers set their minds back on their important mission. They knew that time was running out and they wouldn't know how little time they had left, if they didn't get the molecular decoders going. So, they returned their attention to the decoders. Billy flicked a switch on his.

"The first decoder's been activated," he announced.

Trini flipped up the switch on her decoder.

"Second decoder activated," she said.

"Portal's opened," Zordon said through their communicators.

Jason lifted his wrist and spoke into his communicator. He wasn't expecting their mentor to contact them. He thought that Zordon would leave them be as he had down with their previous missions. Even though, the booming voice of the Eltarian was a surprise, the Red Ranger did not show his shock.

"Zordon, I'm going in," he told him.

"Good luck, Jason and may the power protect you," Zordon wished him well.

The Red Ranger broke the link to the Command Center and turned his attention to his friends.

"I'm ready," he said. "Close the portal after I'm in."

"Hey Jason," Zack said. "Good luck."

The Red Ranger gave him a small smile. He knew he was going to need all the luck he could get. He had a feeling Goldar would be on the other side of the portal waiting for him and he also knew that he would have to fight the flying primate.

"Thanks bro," he said . "I'll need it."

And he walked through the portal.

When Jason stepped on the other side, the portal closed, trapping him. He had a feeling that his decision to have his team close the portal once he was through could come back and bite him in the ass. But he didn't want his friends to come after him and get themselves or him killed. Plus, he didn't need any member of his team coming through the portal and distracting him from getting the candle. He didn't even think of how he would get back to earth once he had the candle.

"Well," came Goldar's grainy voice. "It seems I have a guest. Welcome back, old friend."

Just as he thought, wicked monkey alien was waiting. Jason disregarded the greeting. He knew he had to fight to survive and he was prepared to do so. He fell into a defensive stance without saying a word.

"What an unexpected pleasure," Goldar said.

He was happy to have someone to fight. He despised the Red Ranger just as much as he did the Green Ranger. He couldn't wait until he had chance to kill them both. Other than having the pleasure of killing the Red Ranger, he needed to take out his frustration of Tommy's escape.

The two began fighting. The alien had the upper hand; the Red Ranger had not morphed. Jason believed he could handle his golden armored enemy without being morphed. He also didn't think he could morph in the dimension.

It wasn't long before Goldar began his usually tactic of making his enemy doubt himself. He felt it gave him the upper hand. He would get his enemy either angry or doubting their ability to fight. Goldar knew an unsure human was a dead human.

"You think you're gonna save you're friend, don't you," he grunted. "You don't have a chance."

The primate swung his heavy sword at the Red Ranger.

Jason quickly ducked under the weapon and went straight for the candle, but Goldar grabbed him by his shirt collar and pulled him back.

"Come and get it, little Red Ranger," the alien laughed.

Jason takes Goldar up on his offer and attacks. He had to get the green candle and fast. Time was running out and soon Rita would have the Green Ranger's power in her possession once more. To absorbed in his fight, the Red Ranger didn't notice the portal reopening and the Black Ranger coming through it. His teammate's presence was only made noticed when the other teen approached him.

"Jason," Zack called trying to gain his leader's attention.

The Red Ranger and Goldar stopped fighting. They were a few feet apart, both breathing heavily. This battle was proving to be tough for both of them. Goldar had believed the unmorphed human would be an easy win. Jason believed that he could swiftly grab the green candle and escape the dimension. They both found themselves disappointed with the outcome of their encounter.

"You missed your chance," Goldar said instinctually knowing that the Black Ranger wasn't there to attack him but to retrieve the Red Ranger.

"What are you doing here," Jason asked his friend.

"Jason, you better come back," Zack told him. "Tommy's in trouble."

"You're all in trouble now," Goldar taunted.

Ignoring their enemy, most of Jason's attention was on his friend. He understood that things were really bad at home, if Zack had come to retrieve him, but he felt as if he didn't get the green candle now, it would be too late to come back for it later.

"But, if I don't get the candle in time, he'll lose his powers," the Red Ranger argued.

"If we don't get to him in time, he'll lose his life," Zack reasoned.

Jason turned his gaze to the green candle. He really wanted to grab it. He felt as if he was letting Tommy down. He hated letting his friends down.

"Which will you choose, Red Ranger," Goldar asked.

"Come on, Jason," Zack said firmly. "Come on."

He grabbed his leader's arm and began to walk toward the now opened portal, pulling the Red Ranger with him.

"You gave up too easily," Goldar sneered as the teens crossed through the portal.

When Jason and Zack exited the portal, the portal closed. Billy, Kimberly, and Trini rushed toward them.

"Jason, Zack," Trini said. "You guy's ok?"

The Yellow Ranger was obviously happy and relieved to see her friends return safely.

"The candle," Kimberly asked hopefully.

"I didn't get it," Jason told her.

"But," Kim said.

She was disappointed in Jason. She believed if anyone could retrieve the green candle, it would be Jason, but know she was hurt. She felt sorry for Tommy. She knew the Green Ranger would be disappointed as well.

"We'll have to go back," the Red Ranger said closing the subject. "It's morphin' time."

The team morphed and teleported to where Tommy was, so they could save his life.