SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

MysticMelody101: Thank you. Thanks, I will.

Jeremy Shane: Thanks, here's more.

Gothic-Romantic99: Thank you. Yeah, I couldn't resist torturing him a little, but I'm glad you liked what Jason did. Here's more.

DISCLAIMER

Inspired by "The Coins" written by KSuzie, who has given me permission to run with the plot. Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. I only own the characters you don't recognize.

Trying to swallow the lump in his throat, Jason smiled at the others through the viewing globe.

"Jason, are you okay?" his reality's Kimberly questioned.

"Yeah, I'm all right," he assured. Then, "How'd you get the portal open?"

"A power surge culminated by the combination of our Power Coins," his reality's Billy explained.

"Huh?" everyone asked.

"We combined our Power Coins," his reality's Trini explained.

"Oh," they all said.

"Just hang tight, buddy. We're gonna get you home," his reality's Tommy stated. Jason's throat muscles constricted even more. They had been searching for him. And now they were offering him a way back. Oh, he wanted to go so bad. But he couldn't. Not when all this stuff was going on.

"Bro, I can't. Not just yet," he told him.

"What? Why?" his friends asked.

"Billy and Trini-their Billy and Trini-have just been captured. I can't leave until we get them back…and they get a new Red Ranger," came the response. His friends looked at each other and then him in confusion.

"Jase, what are you talking about, man?" his reality's Zack wondered.

"Yeah, where's their Jason?" his reality's Trini added.

"He's gone," Jason answered in a tone that told his friends not to press it. "Guys, I want to come home, I do. But I can't leave them like this." His friends nodded.

"We understand, man," Tommy said.

"How are Mom and Dad?" Jason wondered.

"We haven't been in contact with them. We weren't sure what to say," Trini answered.

"Right," Jason nodded. That made sense. They couldn't exactly tell them that he was a Power Ranger and had been sucked into an alternate reality. "Listen, I wanna come back, I do. But you'd be making the same decision if you were in my shoes. It's why Zordon chose us." They nodded.

"Okay, you just be safe," Kimberly told him.

"Thanks, girl. I will," Jason promised. They shut off the transmission.

"You didn't have to do that. You could've gone back. I mean, this isn't your world," Tommy told him.

"I know, but what kind of a person would I be if I did that? No. I'll stay until you guys are a full team again," Jason declared.

"Your dedication to the Rangers is noted and appreciated, Red Ranger. You are truly a Ranger at heart and were worthy of the leadership when you had it," Zordon told him.

"Can I ask a question?" Jason requested.

"Of course," Zordon agreed.

"I realize that the answer might be different in my world, but why did you replace your Jason as leader?" Jason wondered.

"It is the Eltarian tradition to replace Ranger leaders after a certain period of time to prevent burn out," Zordon answered.

"So it wasn't the failure to get the Green Candle?" Jason asked.

"Absolutely not," Zordon replied. Jason inhaled. It was good to know that at least one version of Zordon didn't consider him a failure. Hopefully, his version didn't either.

"Now all we gotta do is figure out how to get Billy and Trini back," Kimberly stated.

"One of us would have to go to Zedd's palace and bust them out," Zack said.

"I'll do it. I'm the leader. It's my responsibility," Tommy determined.

"No, it's too dangerous. Zedd and your Jason would be expecting that. And if they destroy you…there's no telling what could happen," Jason objected.

"He's right, Tommy. We're short as it is," Kimberly agreed.

"Then who will go?" Tommy wondered.

"I will," Jason volunteered.

"No!" the others cried.

"Look, I'm not from this world, which is why it makes sense," Jason said.

"But you have your own world to get back to, and they can't afford to lose you," Kimberly reminded him.

"The other Rangers are right Jason, though I commend your sense of duty," Zordon agreed. Then, Tommy was struck with an idea.

"Wait, guys. I think I got something," he said. They all huddled around as he outlined his plan. Meanwhile, Billy and Trini were still in Zedd's dungeon, and trying to find a way out.

"Billy, I think it's hopeless. I mean, we can't morph, teleport, or even contact the Command Center…we're stuck," Trini stated.

"Don't be discouraged, Trini. Tommy and the others are still out there. They'll figure out a way to save us," Billy comforted, placing his hands on her shoulders. She smiled at him. He was right. She just had to have faith that they'd find a way to free them.


In Jason's reality, Kimberly sighed as the transmission was cut off.

"I don't believe this. He had a chance to come home," she moaned.

"But you heard him, he has to help rescue their Billy and Trini as well as get a new Red Ranger," Zack reminded her. Tommy put a comforting hand on Kimberly's shoulder.

"He'll be back. We all saw the look on his face. He wants to come home…but he also wants to make sure things are secure there before he leaves. I'd do the same thing if I was in his shoes," he told them. They nodded. Oh, Jason. Please be careful, Kimberly thought. If anything happened to her big brother, she didn't know what she'd do.

"Zordon, what do we do in the meantime?" Tommy asked.

"For the time being, I would recommend that you go about your day as normally as possible," Zordon told them.

"Okay," they all agreed and teleported out. Meanwhile, just as he promised, Vic was out looking for Jason. He had changed into civilian clothing and had taken his regular car instead of a patrol car. If Jason had run, he didn't want him thinking that he had come to find him as a cop. He drove until he reached the seedier side of Angel Grove. Then, he parked and walked into towards a run-down warehouse and was stopped at the door.

"Yeah, whatta ya want?" a boy about ten-years old barked. He was Caucasian, and his blue eyes shone fiercely and his brown hair hung over his eyes. He was wearing a thin white t-shirt with dirty blue jeans.

"I'm looking for someone," Vic replied.

"No one's here," the boy shot back. Before Vic could say anymore, a Caucasian boy a couple of years older than Jason came out. He had long chestnut hair that was unkempt, dark eyes, and wearing an ill-fitting, torn gray shirt and black jeans that had large tears in them from the knees down.

"Long time, Vic. Whatcha need?" he queried.

"Too long, Jess. You seen Jason around?" came the answer. Jess looked at the kid.

"PJ, get inside," he ordered.

"But-" PJ protested.

"Now," Jess insisted.

"Aw, man. I never get to hear the good stuff," PJ complained, but did as he was told. Jess shut the door behind him.

"You're telling me Jason ran?" he questioned.

"That's what it looks like," the officer responded. "Thought maybe he had come here. After all, he does trust you."

"Well, he hasn't been here, but if we see him, we'll tell him you're lookin' for him."

"Thanks." Guess I have a little more searching to do, he thought to himself. Jess' place had been the first on his list. The officer turned to go. "Oh, and 'PJ'?"

"We found him in his pajamas." Vic nodded. That made sense. Then, he got into his car, and drove away. Jess frowned. It didn't make sense. The Scotts were good people. He had checked up on them after they took Jason in to make sure of that. They had never hurt him and they loved him unconditionally. So, what could've cause Jason to run?

"Guys, I'm going out!" he called. "Michael's in charge." He then left the establishment and started off.


Jason stepped out into the clearing and looked around, the Power Coin hanging like a weight in his pocket. Tommy, I've heard some hair-brained schemes in the past, but this one takes the cake. I hope it works, he thought to himself.

"Jason?" Startled at the dark voice, Jason whirled around. Jaytron stood in front of him. "What do you want?" he demanded, striding up to him. I can't believe they sent the clone here. What are they thinking? he wondered.

"It's what you and the other Rangers want," Jason corrected.

"What are you talking about?"

"Tommy's out. They don't want him. They want you back."

"Lies!" Jason made no move to stop Jaytron's strike.

"Jason, wait!" Kimberly called. They both turned to see her with Zack. "He's telling the truth. Why do you think we made a clone of you?"

"You-you-still want me?" Jaytron queried.

"Yeah, man. You're our leader-not Tommy," Zack replied.

"But you were all so happy to have him back," Jaytron reminded.

"We were stupid. We had forgotten what a great team it was-just the five of us," Zack stated.

"Yeah, man. You always made us feel like we could fight on our own-Tommy always just makes it looks like we need to be rescued," Kimberly added. She placed a hand on his arm.

"Jason, please come back to us," she pleaded. He hesitated. Just then, there was a whooshing sound and they all turned to see Tommy.

"What are you guys doing here?" he demanded.

"Getting our true leader back," Zack responded.

"Yeah! You're just an egotistical poser," Kimberly added.

"Guys?" Tommy's jaw dropped in shock. Jaytron allowed himself a smirk. Let's see how you like it, he thought to himself. His team was coming back. His family was coming back. Then, he frowned. What if it was all a lie? They all had accepted Tommy as the leader so easily.

"How do I know this isn't some sort of trick?" he demanded. Jason took out the Tiger Power Coin.

"Would we be giving you this?" he queried, holding his hand out to Jaytron. Tommy ran towards them, only to be intercepted by Zack and Kimberly.

"Back off!" Zack snarled. "It's time for our true leader to regain his place."

"Wha-why have you turned on me?" Tommy wondered.

"Because you're second best. And I'm getting so sick of always having to cry out 'TO-O-O-OMY' just to stroke your ego," Kimberly responded. Jaytron grinned.

"So…it appears that the tide has turned," he sneered. They were all unaware that the scene was being watched by Zedd.

"NO, YOU FOOL! THEY'RE TRICKING YOU! DESTROY THEM!" He attempted to contact the boy telepathically, but found himself blocked. Jaytron turned to Jason.

"I'll take that…if you don't mind," he said in a voice that was almost gentle.

"Of course not," Jason responded. Jaytron reached out to take the coin. As soon as his fingers were around the coin, Jason grabbed them and twisted them in a way that brought him down. Instantly, Zack, Kimberly, and Tommy were on top of him.

"Where are they!" Kimberly demanded.

"YOU TRICKED ME! YOU TRICKED ME!" Jaytron shouted. He clenched his other fist and began to summon his powers, but Jason put his other hand around the boy's throat, cutting off his oxygen.

"We'll have none of that. The only thing we want out of you is Billy and Trini's location," he snarled. "Blink once if you understand me." Jaytron had no choice but to obey. He blinked once. "Good. Now then…where…are…they?" Jason loosened his grasp only enough so that the ex-Ranger could speak.

"Zedd's palace. Dungeon," he rasped.

"Good boy," Jason approved. Then, he pushed the other boy away, making sure to reclaim the Tiger Power Coin and give it back to Tommy. Then, they all teleported back to the Command Center.

"Yes! It worked," Kimberly cheered.

"Now to save Billy and Trini, and then get our new Red Ranger," Jason determined.

"It's morphing time!" Tommy shouted. "Tigerzord!"

"Mastodon!"

"Pterodactyl!"

"Tyrannosaurus!" Once they were morphed, Alpha teleported them all to the moon.

"Okay, now go slow. And stick together," the White Ranger whispered. They all started on their way.