Jason lay so still under the thick gray blanket that he almost appeared lifeless. The other Rangers kept watch over him after bringing both the Red and Green Rangers back to the Command Center for treatment. It had been almost eight hours since the battle on the beach and their leader had slept so deeply that his friends were anxious with worry.
Kimberly peeked quietly into the medical bay to check on the Red Ranger. He was so pale, the scar on his cheek standing out vividly. It was difficult to tell if he was breathing; she would have been alarmed if he were not hooked up to various monitors. Jason had been through so much, his exhaustion finally overwhelming him.
When the Green Ranger had teleported away with Jason, they had been terrified for him. The last time the Red Ranger had been kidnapped, he had come back changed. He had refused to discuss what had happened to him. Most of it was obvious. His physical injuries were readily treated but he wasn't acting like himself.
His friends had tried to get Jason to open up but he would retreat every time. Seeing the Red Ranger afraid was not normal; despite his best efforts to appear collected and calm, it was apparent he was not. Sighing, Kimberly turned from the door and joined the other Rangers and Zordon.
Shortly after the Pink Ranger departed, Jason began stirring, his arms and legs slightly shaking and jerking. His heart rate and breathing were becoming more rapid as his nightmare engulfed him fully.
He had failed. He and everything he held dear were doomed. I lost; I can't believe it. The evil Green Ranger had plunged the hidden needle in his leg causing the Red Ranger to collapse in the icy water, paralyzed and helpless. He couldn't even beg Tommy to stop as his enemy pulled him from the water and teleported him to Rita's palace, to her torture chamber. Once there, the Green Ranger beat and kicked and mauled him until his powers gave out. Growling deep in his throat, Tommy removed his helmet. Underneath, instead of Tommy's face, Jason was greeted with the head of a demonic dog, its snarling muzzle lifted, exposing glistening, sharp deep and dripping foam. The eyes were completely black and cold. The monster Ranger jumped on the sedated Red Ranger, grinding his hips against him and sinking his teeth into the side of his neck.
No! NO! NOOO!
Jason jolted upright in the bed, the blanket flying off as his arms flailed wildly at his attacker.
"NO! STOP! TOMMY!"
He didn't know where he was for a moment; disoriented, he lunged off the bed and his eyes darted everywhere at once. Jason just knew Tommy was waiting for him, playing a cruel trick.
Hearing Jason's screams, the other Rangers ran into the medical bay.
"Jason! Jason! Its alright," Zack ran toward the Red Ranger, who by now had sunk down the floor, his whole body shaking with fear.
"Where is he? Where is he?" Jason practically bellowed. "Zack! WHERE IS HE?"
Kneeling next to his frightened friend, the Black Ranger pulled him close. He cupped Jason's face and made him look at his face.
"Jason," he started calmly. "You broke the spell. Tommy isn't evil anymore."
"Goddammit Zack, answer me! I need to know where he is!"
Trini moved to Jason's other side. "Jason. Listen to me. Tommy is in the Command Center."
Jason's eyes widened and he fought to collect himself.
Trini laid her hand on the Red Ranger's arm. "He's still in a force field while Alpha and Zordon monitor him."
Still fighting his shakes, Jason pulled himself to his feet and took deep shuddering breathes as memories of their battle came back to him.