DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Haim Saban, Fox Kids, and Disney. I only own the plot.

As night fell, Jason ran his fingers through his hair. Man, how can I get outta here? he wondered. He sighed and sank to the ground.

"Come on, Rangers. You gotta find me," he moaned. He wasn't sure how much longer he could take these stupid fights. He moved an arm and then groaned in pain. Man, that thing gave me a beating, he thought to himself. Suddenly, he heard thundering footsteps. His breathing quickened and he tried to shrink into the wall. The bars disappeared and Jason gulped. Lord Magnus stepped into cave.

"Well done today, human," he sneered.

"Back off, Fang Face," he spat out. Magnus grabbed him and hauled him to his feet.

"You'd do well to remember your place," he cautioned.

"I'm not afraid of you," came the response. Magnus threw Jason across the cave and he groaned as he hit his injured shoulder.

"I gave you these generous accommodations because of your fighting prowess. Don't make me regret it," he told him, stepping closer. Jason tried to get up, but was kicked in the side.

"You're not gonna get away with this," he told him.

"What? Are you still expecting the Power to protect you?" Magnus jeered. "Every day Zordon grows weaker as Dark Specter drains more of his energy, which means you're relying on a lost cause," he added with a scornful laugh. Jason just glared. "What? No comeback?" he mocked.

"Just you wait. Your time is coming Magnus," the ex-Ranger spat out. This earned him another kick. Then, Magnus knelt down and used a hand to put pressure on Jason's injured shoulder, making him cry out in pain. Magnus smirked.

"Hurts…doesn't it?" Jason gritted his teeth. He wasn't going to give this guy the satisfaction of seeing him cry out again. "Face it, Jason. Now that you're no longer a Ranger, you're doomed. No one will come for you. You're finished."

"No." Jason tried to wriggle out of Magnus' grasp, to no avail. With his other hand, Magnus pushed Jason against the wall and pinned him there. Then, electricity pulsed from the creature's body and latched onto Jason.

"No!" Jason let out a groan, which turned into an agonized scream. Back on the Astro Megaship, Ashley had convinced TJ to help her in her search.

"Come on, Jase! You've gotta be somewhere!" she finally exclaimed, slamming her hands down on the console.

"I think we need a break. Let's get some dinner," TJ suggested.

"You go. I'm not hungry," Ashley responded.

"Ashley, come on. We've been at it for practically all day," TJ reminded her.

"I can't just stop! If the situations were reversed, Jason wouldn't give up on me!" Ashley shouted.

"I'm not saying give up. Just---replenish your energy," TJ responded.

"Teej---" Ashley's voice trailed off as the others walked up.

"Have you been on the computers all day?" Andros asked in surprise.

"Yeah, she has. And she refuses to take a break," TJ answered.

"He wouldn't give up on me, and I won't give up on him," Ashley insisted.

"Who are you talking about?" Carlos wondered.

"My cousin---he's out there. Someone or something took him," Ashley said.

"You've spent all day looking for a civilian?" Andros questioned.

"He's not a civilian! He's one of us! At least---he used to be," Ashley shot back.

"Wait. We've got a Ranger missing?" Andros asked.

"An ex-Ranger. Jason Lee Scott," Ashley responded.

"Wait a minute. Wasn't that the guy who was standing next to Tommy when we first became Rangers?" TJ asked.

"Yeah," Ashley nodded. "Andros, I'm really worried. He's been missing ever since Zordon disappeared. And the only thing I found was his communicator." The others shared a concerned look.

"No Ranger would willingly give up their communicator," Zhane stated.

"Exactly." They all stared at each other with worried concern. So, where was he?