Bleeding Crimson

Summary: One life can touch many. One death can alter the course of history. The death of Brandon Loksen, Crimson Phoenix Ranger does just that. The sequel toHeart of Crimson. AU for MMPR Season 2 and beyond.

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I intend/desire to make any money off the Power Rangers/Super Sentai concepts and characters presented in this story. They are fully the property of their respective owners and are used with loving respect. Furthermore, this story utilizes concepts borrowed/adapted from Chris Claremont's run on X-Men. Certain aspects of the story are also due to my current obsession: Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger.

Chapter 3: Cold as Gold

"I thought he was doing better," the shock in Kim's voice clear even over the long distance phone connection.

"So did I Beautiful, so did I," Tommy sighed into the phone. It had been a difficult year for Tommy and Kim, maintaining their relationship long distance. At various times both of them had almost called it quits, but then they would remember Jason and Brandon and realize that at least the other was still alive, and so they would try again. It was times like these, when Tommy desperately needed someone to talk to, that he was thankful they had not given up on their relationship.

"He seemed so much better when he came back from Europe," Tommy continued. "Still vaguely sad, but a lot more like the old Jason." He sighed again, "I never would have believed he would try and let something like that happen."

"Tell me everything," Kim asked.

The Rangers had been on the verge of calling Zordon in a panic. It was extremely unusual for Jason to be late, but to completely miss something like the martial arts class that he and the other male Rangers taught was totally unlike him. When he finally came in, Tommy let out a momentary sigh of relief . . . until Jason collapsed.

Back at the Command Center infirmary Billy completed his analysis and pronounced, "The powers attached to the Gold Power Staff have been used by generations of Triforian Gold Rangers. We knew going in that they were far too adapted to Triforian physiology for this to be more than temporary, but Zordon, Trey, and I never suspected this."

"What do you mean Billy?" Tommy asked from the opposite side of the med-table.

"The powers are not only failing, but they're leeching Jason's life force away in the process."

"How long does he have?" Tommy looked down at Jason, disconcerted when he realized that the Gold Ranger wasn't looking at him or Billy, or even the readout on the infirmary screen.

Billy's eyes went hard and there was an edge to his voice as he replied, "If Jason had come to me when this first started, weeks. But at this point, less than a day."

"What?!" Tommy shouted.

There was accusation in Billy's voice, but his eyes showed sorrow and fear as he turned to Jason, "When did you first notice it was getting harder to maintain your morph?"

"About a month ago," Jason nearly mumbled the reply.

Tommy looked at Jason again, "Bro?"

The return glare was so full of anger Tommy actually took a step back. Jason tried to get up, but found himself too weak to do so, flopping back down on the table, turning his head away from both Tommy and Billy.

The Red Ranger and the Ranger technician exchanged a glance and came to an unspoken agreement. Billy said, "I need to get to the Power Chamber and contact Trey and work on some way to fix this. The Triforians can't afford for the gold powers to be lost permanently."

Tommy waited until Billy was out of the room before saying, "Jase, come on Bro, talk to me."

When he got no response, Tommy continued, "Jason, please at least just tell me that I'm wrong. That you weren't just going to let the powers kill you."

When he again got no response, Tommy exploded, "What the hell Jason!? It's been two years!"

Now Jason shot up from the table, his anger finally enough to lend him strength, "So what!? If it had been Kim would you have magically gotten over it?! Wouldn't you still be mourning her two years later?!"

"Probably, but I wouldn't be trying to kill myself over it!" Tommy shouted back.

"I am not trying to kill myself!"

"Putting a blaster bolt through your head or letting your powers slowly do the job for you, same damn difference!" The two glared at each other for a moment before Tommy continued, knowing as he spoke it was a low blow, but at this point he didn't care, "Brandon would be so disappointed in you."

That comment got through and Jason's anger rushed out of him, and he started to collapse again, but Tommy was able to quickly catch him. As he eased Jason back to sitting on the med-table, the Gold Ranger sighed, "You're right and wrong."

Tommy pulled away and gave Jason a quizzical look. Jason continued, "When I first noticed the problem it was just me being stubborn." Tommy opened his mouth but Jason cut him off by commenting, "Which you of all people have no right to lecture me on." Tommy shut his mouth.

Jason sighed, "But, as it got worse and I realized what was happening, I started thinking that maybe it would be easier. Maybe, if I just let the powers fade away and take me with them I wouldn't have to miss him all the time anymore."

Now Tommy sighed and put a hand on Jason's shoulder, "Jase, that isn't you. It's the power loss; it screws with your head. Remember my solution to losing the green powers?"

Jason cracked half a smile, "Ah yes, the month of wallowing in self-pity at your uncle's cabin."

The two were quite for a moment, and then Jason picked up, "I had already changed my mind and was on my way to you guys when I got ambushed." Jason shook his head, "Never thought I'd be glad to see Rita and Zedd, but I would have never gotten away if the Tengas hadn't gotten into it with the Cogs."

"Not that I'm complaining, but what changed your mind?"

"I had this dream . . . about Brandon."

"And . . ." Tommy prompted.

"And . . . he was pissed." Jason sighed again, "It was so real Bro, like he was actually there with me. He totally tore into me, told me to pull my head out of my ass and that his Beloved wouldn't give up just because going on hurt."

"Good," the relief in Tommy's voice was evident. However, he then questioned Jason further, "Just one last thing . . . why didn't you mention any of this before Billy and I freaked out!?"

Jason blushed, "I was sorta embarrassed."

Tommy rolled his eyes, "Jason."

The Gold Ranger poked his best friend in the chest, "Again, you have no room to talk."

Tommy smirked, and then his communicator beeped. "Tommy here," he responded to the call.

Billy's voice issued from the device, "How is everything down there?"

Jason and Tommy exchanged a glance before Tommy replied, "Stable."

"Good," there was a tone of relief in Billy's voice, "then get up here, Trey's en route. We have a plan."

"On our way," Tommy closed the connection and looked at Jason.

Jason nodded and then said, "I'm gonna need a shoulder to lean on here, Bro."

As Tommy lowered his shoulder so Jason could throw his arm over and he wrapped his own arm around Jason's waist he responded, "Always."