After Darkness Falls

"Trapped"

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers, that is owned by Saban/Disney. Carri and all things related to Carri (including Jason's cougar ninjetti power) belong to KJ with many thanks. Everyone else belongs to me.

A/N: Many thanks to KJ for helping me get past where I was stuck, thank you! Kim's powers were inspired by KSuzie, but unlike KSuzie's she cannot travel between dimensions, only time and space and I am expanding on them.

As always, reviews are appreciated.

Jason stood up, shaking his head to wake himself. He looked around, trying to see where he was, but he couldn't. It was pitch black. He took a few steps forward and bumped into something. feeling around he came to the conclusion that it was a wall. "Who puts a wall in the middle of a room?" he asked as he went along the wall, searching for a door. "Where am I?" he asked as he continued to gollow the wall.

"Somewhere where no one can see you." a voice echoed from the darkness.

Jason paused, thinking. That voice sounded very familiar to him. Too familiar. "Who's there?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

In a bright white flash the darkness vanished, now everything very bright. Bright enough to hurt his eyes. He brought his hand up over his eyes to shield them and squinted, before him he could see a human shaped figure coming closer. The closer it came the more he recognized it, and the more he recognized it the more he began to realize what was happening. It was happening. Again.

As the figure came to a stop he growled "Let me out of here." It like staring in mirror, except for the permanent glowing red eyes. He remembered feeling trapped like this, within himself, back on Murathias while the demon that Maligore had buried within him took control. Thankfully Lerigot had been able to surpress the demon, cage it. His magic had been too weak from helping Kim to purge it. All these years Jason could feel the demon within him trying to claw it's way out but his training with Aulyus, and his training in the past with Hercules had allowed to keep it from escaping, from controlling him. But apparently the evil within this other pit had been too much. It had released the demon, and now he was trapped again.

"Now why would I want to do that, hm?" the demon Jason said. "I've waited all these years to be set free, and when I finally get my wish, you want to lock me up again?" The demon Jason smiled and continued "I thought we were partners, friends, amigos. After all, I know everything about you."

"We are not friends, by any means!" Jason seethed. He wanted out, if this demon was in control of him then he was in control of the silver Feral powers, and the black Terra powers, and no good could come from that.

"Oh now I'm hurt. But I think I'll get over it." The demon Jason said, turning to walk away. "Oh," he said as he stopped and turned back to face Jason, "and I'll be sure to treat your girlfriend real nice." He smiled and chuckled as he turned back and walked away, disappearing in a puff of black smoke.

Jason fell to his knees and punched the ground beneath him. "That scum better not lay a finger on Emily." He growled. He knew Emily wasn't his girlfriend, but he wished she was. And if that demons claims were, that he knew everything about Jason, then he knew how badly he wanted Emily. Sitting back and trying to calm himself he ran his fingers though his hair and said "Oh this is not good..."

Kim and the rest of rangers teleported to the Power Chamber from Volacia, and the the explanations began. She explained how they wound up on the planet, and what Sarahna's plan had been, to steal Dark Specter's energy for herself. They inturn explained about what happened just before she climbed out of the pit, about how Jason had become evil again.

"There's one thing I don't understand," TJ said after they explained about Jason, "how come he was affected and became evil, but you weren't?"

Kim thought about that, it was a good question. "I don't know how to explain it, it's a little complicated." At first she herself hadn't understood it, but once it had been explained to her and Jason in a private meeting it things had become clear. "But, I'll try. This is how it was explained to Jason and me by Zordon, when Divatox lowered us into the Murathian pit, Maligore did something. He planted a demon in each of us, it's what made us evil. The real me was trapped inside myself while the demon took control of my body. I imagine that's what's going on with Jason now. But thanks to Lerigot the demon was purged from me, cast back into the pit. But the side effects from having it within me remained, it's why I am able to teleport and travel though time." She paused, taking the glass of water that her old friend Trini offered her and saying thanks. "Anyway, it used up a lot of Lerigot's power to purge it from, so much that he was unable to do the same for Jason. Instead he built a wall around it, trapping it within Jason, keeping it from controlling him. But, apparently Dark Specter's pit set it free, put it in control."

The rangers stood there for a moment, letting her story sink in. "So," Tommy said, breaking the silence, "all these years Jason has had that demon inside of him, and he never told any of us?" Tommy felt like at least he should have been told, to have a plan to get rid of it, to re-trap it. Hell, he felt like he should have told him for no other reason than he was his best friend.

"He wasn't sure how to. Plus he was in space for most of that time. And it's not like he kept it a complete secret, he told Carri." Kim said, nodding in her friends direction.

Carri puffed up her face. She couldn't believe Kim had just done that. Now they were going to give her crap for not saying anything too. "Thanks Kim." She said dryly, watching the quick smile her friend gave her. "Yes, I knew. He told me after we finished our training and regrouped. He wasn't even that comfortable telling me, and he made me promise not to say anything, that he would tell you when he was ready."

"I'm surprised you could keep it a secret, with that mouth." Rocky teased, noticing the glares he got from almost everyone, inluding his girlfriend. "Okay, not a time for jokes. Sorry. Just thought I'd try and lighten the mood a little. I'll shut up now."

"This is serious, we need to come up with a plan to help Jason." Carri said, she remembered the way he had been on Muranthias, trying to kill Tommy. It was a side of him she never wanted to see again. "And Tommy," she turned to look at the Crimson ranger "be careful. Last time he wanted you dead. He'll probably try again."

Tommy nodded and said "I'll be on the look out."

"Alright, I know it may be difficult, but everyone go home and try to get some sleep. I'll try and contact Lergigot, see if he can help." Billy sighed. He hoped he could help, Jason was one of the strongest rangers on the planet, and to have him against them was not a good thing.

"And I'll go see if Dulcea can help in anyway." Kim said, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Jason was like her brother, and she just knew she wouldn't be able to sleep soundly with him in danger.

"Alright, we'll meet here tomorrow morning. After that those that can't miss work, can go." Tommy said, attempting to take charge.

"We'll meet here tomorrow afternoon, that way no ones late for work and no one has to miss it." Kim said, taking charge. She caught the glare she got from Tommy, but just shrugged it off.

Sarahna felt her smile grow ever wider as she watched Jason open the box that contained the Terra morphers. Three morphers lay within the box, the blue, green, and white morphers. "Magnificent." Sarahna whispered as she leaned over to get a look at them.

Jason grunted in agreement and said "You know this fool beat himself up because you stole these? It was pretty pathetic."

Sarahna laughed at what he had said. "Did he really?" Jason nodded and she laughed again. "That's funny."

"You know these morphers only allow a certain person to wield them, right?" Jason said, changing the subject.

"I know. And I also know how many rangers are on Earth. Jason,"

"Don't call me by that weaklings name. Call me Jaxora, I don't want his name." he interrupted.

"Okay, Jaxora, I have a plan. I have a spell to draw the chosen ones here, to us." She said calmly, the corners of her mouth slightly turning upwards. "Once they are here I will use this," she tapped the Z-staff on the ground "to corrupt them. Force them to join us, and they will then take the power that is destined for them."

Jaxora huffed, he had his doubts about this plan, but it was worth a shot. "Alright then. Sounds good to me, if it works that is."

"Oh it will. Trust me." Sarahna said as she left to go make the preparations.

The next day Rocky filled in for his employee and taught his class. He had to admit it hadn't been his best time as a teacher, his mind had stayed on his friend so far and the students had had to repear their questions at least once before he was able to answer. He hoped that someone would be able to bring Jason back, and hopefully drive the Muranthian demon out of him, rather than simply seal it back up again.

About two o'clock Jason's classes were finally over and he could take a break, maybe keep his mind focused on how to save his friend. He remembered when he first met Jason, it was when the power was transferred to him. During the time before that he had only met Tommy, Kim, and Billy. The others had been off doing their own thing, probably at Zordon's suggestion. He most likely knew they were going to be leaving soon, and so he wanted to get the others used to be away from them, as well as let them enjoy the things they loved about Angel Grove before they left.

But it was when he returned to take on the Gold Ranger power that he really got to know him. At first he was jealous, feeling like he was being replaced on the team, but he soon learned better. Then when he realized how close Jason had gotten to Carri he was a little worried, a little saddened that she would tell Jason things that she wouldn't share with him, her boyfriend. But he got over it eventually, moslty. It still bugged him a little to think of them that close, but they continued to reassure him that it was a brother and sister relationship.

Even though he had been jealous of him for a while, the two had still become pretty close friends and teammates. He had heard the stories of how Jason was on Muranthias, and he had hoped he never had to face him like that. He himself had been in the hospital, due to a back injury he sustained while slipping up during training. A short while after Muranthias though he took the power back from little Justin Stewart, eventually naming him as his permanent replacement when it came time for them to retire.

"Thinking about Jase?" He heard a girl ask. Startled, he sat up and looked at the woman before him. It was his girlfriend, Carri Hillard, the white Feral ranger. He had met her during their senior year, not long before she replaced Tanya on the Zeo team.

"Hey, yeah. Been on my mind all day to try and find a way to save him. Ever hear anything from Kim?" He asked, rubbing his temples with his palms.

"No, she didn't come in last night." Carri had sat up all night worrying about her pseudo brother. "Here, I brought you lunch." She handed him a sandwich wrapped in Subway paper. "You must be starving, teaching your classes and taking over for Jason. What did you tell the students when they asked?"

Rocky fiddled with his sandwich, trying to unwrap it. "Family emergency over in Stone Canyon. I know he has a cousin who lives there. Philly cheesesteak, my favorite. Thanks!" He said as he finally got his sandwich unwrapped.

"I know it is, it's why I brough it." Carri said, smiling as she sat next to her boyfriend on the bench outside his office. "That was smart. Lie, but not a lie. You're learning." She teased.

"From you?" Rocky asked after swallowing his bite. "Yeah I guess I am. You ever talk to Kat?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

Carri made a disgusted sound. He knew she didn't like talking about her cousin, not after the falling out they had after Muranthias. "No. She left a note in my door, I got it last night and slipped out this morning before she could come by."

"Any idea what she wants?"

"Nope. And I don't care." Carri said, crossing her arms. "Well, I have to be getting back to work. Well, get back to doing Josh's work. Lazy, no good brother of mine." She could call him and Kat every name in the book, but it wouldn'tchange the fact that they were her family and that she did love them. "I'll see you in the Power Chamber later?" She asked, giving him a kiss on the cheek. She waited until Rocky nodded before walking off.

Sarahna looked at the three morphers laying before her. The spell she had gone to prepare was ready, all she needed was to pour the potion over the morphers, and then they would summon the one that would wield them. Pretty soon she would have her own team of rangers, then it would be time to attack. "Here goes, hope we get some strong ones." She said, knowing full well that they would be. These morphers, like the Feral morphers and the Dino Gems didn't choose just anyone. She smiled as she poured the potion over them, each morpher glowed in it's respective color, green, blue, and white.

A few minutes passed and a blond female ranger appeared behind the blue morpher. "Where am I?" she asked, looking around. The last thing she remembered was teaching her students how to use their power.

"In the presence of greatness." Sarahna said as the blue ranger went into an offensive stance. "Now sleep." She hissed as she aimed the Z-staff at the blue ranger and rendered her unconscious.

A few more minutes passed and another ranger, a male this time, was summoned behind the green morpher. Followed by another male behind the white morpher. Sarahna quickly put them to sleep as well.

Sarahna looked on at the three sleeping former rangers, soon to be her evil Terra rangers. She lifted the Z staff up and concentrated on changing them, making them evil as the fuschia colored lightning shot out of the "Z" and surrounded the three of them, she could see their eyes open and flash red. With that she stopped. The deed was done, she had her team. She watched as they each stood and grabbed their new morpher, strapping it on. "How may we serve you, Empress?" the first male asked.

"Empress? Oooh, I like the sound of that, so much better than Queen." She smiled, shooting Xinas a look that said he had better start calling her "Empress" from now on. Gulping, Xinas nodded and bowed. "First off, I want you to just get the Feral rangers attention, draw them out. Show them that they're not the only rangers in town anymore."

"And what if civilians ge tour way?" the second male asked.

"Kill them." Sarahna said, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't care, killing was a pass time for her. It's why her soldiers were so afraid of her.

The female smiled and said "Now that sounds like a party to me."

Jaxora went and stood by the other three rangers and together the four of them morphed into the black, blue, green, and white Terra rangers before teleporting off to the city.

TJ pulled himself out from under the car in his garage. He hadn't made it into Baseball like he had hoped, an injury during one of his college games the week before scouting agents were to arrive saw to that. He had been depressed about it for a few months, but after reuniting with Lightning Cruiser a few weeks before the Serpentera mission he decided to go into fixing cars. Over time he began to realize that Baseball was just for fun to him, and he was afraid that going pro might take that away from him, that he would be consumed with winning.

After a few months of fixing cars it became second nature to him. He had become the best mechanic in Angel Grove, and because of that more people came to him. Sure it was a dirty job, but he didn't mind. As long as he had fun.

As he stood to go wash the oil off his hands from the oil change he heard blasts and people screaming. Quickly wiping the oil on his pants he brought his communicator up and said "Guys, there's trouble in the city. Lock onto my location and teleport there immediately."

"Right, hang on we'll be there soon TJ." Tommy's voice rang through.

TJ quickly morphed into the green lion Feral ranger and rushed to the scene. When he arrived he couldn't believe his eyes. Rangers were attacking the civilians. "Power Rangers?" he asked as he watched them catch sight of him. Evil rangers were not unheard of, he had just hoped that after the Astro and Galaxy rangers defeated the Psycho's that he wouldn't have to face any ever again.

"All alone Green Ranger?" the White Terra Ranger asked.

"What's wrong, your friends abandon you?" the Blue Terra Ranger asked.

"He probably thinks he can take care of us all by himself. How pathetic." the Green Terra Ranger laughed.

"I'll show you who's pathetic!" TJ shouted, summoning his lion lance as he ran towards them, dodging the blue, green, and white rangers attacks. He slid to a stop behind and them and began to double back for his own attack when the black ranger got in his way and stuck the ground with his sword, freezing the ground and TJ's feet. "Damn it!" TJ said as he began smacking the ice with his lance while also trying to block Jaxora's attacks.

Tommy, Rocky, Carri, and Ryan arrived on the scene, not too surprised to see that the other Terra rangers had been chosen and were fighting for Sarahna. "Must have been part of her plan all along." Carri said, her eyes focused on the black ranger, her friend. "Come on, let's show what real rangers can do!" Carri said as she ran to go confront the blue ranger.

"And so the calvary arrives!" the blue ranger said, waving her arms around and shooting a water blast at Carri.

Carri summoned her fox daggers and jumped over the water blast to attack the blue ranger, who blocked it with her lance. "Try again Carri." the Blue Ranger said.

"I know you," Carri said as she jumped back. She had met this ranger before, at the meetings. She and Kim had been shopping with her too, not long after they re-formed the Zeo rangers a few months ago. "Tori? Tori Hanson?" Carri asked.

"Good guess," Tori said as she thrust her lance at Carri, nailing her in the stomach, sending her flying back.

Tommy headed off to help break TJ free so that they could fight off Jason. "You alright?" Tommy asked as he broke the ice that held TJ in place.

"Been better. You didn't tell us these Terra powers were so tough." TJ said as he walked up next Tommy and help him fend off Jason.

"Didn't know. I've rarely seen them in action. Once, maybe twice." Tommy said, his friends hadn't been too open with their new powers when they first re-formed the team.

"Oh well then this should make for an interesting fight." TJ said sarcastically as he tried to catch Jason with his lance while avoiding the black rangers sword.

Rocky faced off against the Green Terra Ranger, trying to shock him with his ape knuckles so that maybe he could knock him out and they could help him. "Hold still!" Rocky grunted as tried to hit him and wound up getting hit himself.

"Now where's the fun in standing still?" the Green Terra Ranger said as he threw Rocky to the ground.

Ryan went after the White Terra Ranger. "Damn it, his shield is making it a little difficult to get in a good hit..." he said to himself as his coyote blade connected with the black shield that protected the White Rangers torso.

"Don't you just love it?" the White Ranger said, taking his ax and catching Ryan upside the head with the blunt end, knocking him to the ground.

"Enough!" Sarahna said as she communicated with her rangers. "I think you've shown them that you're more powerful than they are. Let's let them live with this defeat for now. Next time, they'll die." Sarahna laughed.

Jaxora gripped his sword tightly, fighting the urge to stab the crimson ranger right through his chest. He had been given his orders, and for now he would follow them. But not forever. "Come on, you heard the Empress!" He shouted before leaning down infront of a still morphed Tommy "You lucked out today, old friend." And just like that the four Terra rangers were gone.