I don't own Power Rangers
Tommy Oliver – Citizen Soldier
Chapter I – See You Around Jason
"Heros come in all colours." Jack Landors First Red SPD B Squad Ranger
Coldness. That was the best way to describe how he felt right now. Sore another great feeling to admit too even in a sarcastic sense.
Blasts. Explosions, various slashings and did Tommy forget to mention the Megazords? It was impossible to ignore the mechanized titans roaming about taking down the unending gigantic monstrous army.
Clutching snipingly his bloodied arm while still dawned in his Black Dino Thunder Ranger attire. Tommy Oliver tiresomely mauled around the chaotic battle field on the grimly ruins of Eltar.
Even now throughout the bloody haze of his new destined plight. The school teacher could not help but morn the destroyed planet. Not for himself but rather what this once spectacularized home world meant for his former mentor. Back in Tommy's Mighty Morphin days. Those precious emerald days when he was just staring out as a power ranger. Back when the days were filled with warmth and adventure of his youth. Remembering fondly the stories Zordon told him and the other Rangers of the his treasured home world. The Elterarains a lost culture priding itself on an lifestyle filled with art, music, combat, faith, science and magic.
A marvelled metropolis now sadly reduced to miserable wretched rubbles of her former glorious days of old. The planet was now noting more than a giant bog. Impossible to prevent your footing being ensnared by the miserable mud; rain splattering daily and the prized sky graspers declined into pieced debris scattered throughout the lands.
No wonder Zordon's stories turned sorrowful.
Taking a moment to stop and rest upon a random rock. Tommy laid down uncomfortably. His breaths becoming more haggard with each draw and the squelching sounds by the bubbled mud. Tommy squirmed thanks to the stinging wounds he received in the last battle.
Getting up his dino morpher. Tommy activated the planets layout program thanks to the Time force tech installed before the war on Billy's behalf. The veteran simmered to see what so far had happened and what he feared had transgressed.
The planets east sector had been thankfully reclaimed to the joint efforts of the Turbo, Wild Force, Jungle Fury, RPM and Dino Charge rangers. The Space, Lost Galaxy, Time Force, Hyper Force, SPD, Operation Overdrive and Beast Morphers Rangers were using their megazords to keep the enemies outer space forces at bay. The Lightspeed Rescue, Ninja Storm, Mystic Force, Samurai, Rangers were still battling it out for the southern sector while the Aquaitar, Ninja Steel, Megaforce and Cosmic Fury teams were delegating the megazord battles in the Northern and Eastern sectors.
The Mighty Morphin, Zeo and Dino Thunder Rangers though. Tommy sadly had no word on them. Growling the school teacher gripped his arm feeling the blood harshly spike his flesh. Damming fate for this stupid war. He hoped no even prayed the last two fully scaled Power Ranger wars ended with Dark Spectre's villain alliance and the Zanyack Empire. A third one of greater magnitude and cost could never possibly happen.
But Tommy's naivety proved him wrong
Psycho Green. In another lifetime way before Tommy's own Ranger Days. The villain once bore the former identity as the infamous Green Super Sonic Ranger Trek. The first Power Ranger ever to truly go to the depths of the dark side and never return or even attempt to break out from its vile insecure clutches. Weak and low spirited the EX Green Ranger allowed Dark Spectre to meld the traitor into his own personal cyborged image as the galactic demon's first wingman.
Killing spitefully and gleefully his former teammates. Psycho Green forever earned the enmity of all his green ranger successors. When he was finally presumed dead by the kamikazed battle with the 1969 Mighty Morphin branch. Despite the great loss of losing three rangers. One compensation for their sacrifice was that the cosmos would no longer need to suffer the traitor's insane fist again.
Until the machine empire found his remains back on the moon. Tommy crackled his teeth feeling the heart robe pain both by his injuries and his ignorance back on that day. The whole bases of the Forever Red mission was to destroy the machine empire for good. To make sure its tyranny remained in Mondo's grave.
Cursing once more his foolishness. Tommy didn't realize before their destruction . The five beetled generals had secretly found Psycho Green's comprised remains on the moon. No doubt thinking they could revive the murderer for their own evil vices like they were originally planning with Sepenterra. Sending out a small branch of Clogs to space before their demises and in turns the Clogs managing to steal a lot of hight level tech from Mirinoy and KO-35.
The Cogs revied the monster. Only this time the first Psycho Ranger had no interest in being a wingman or a general.
He wanted to be a conqueror.
Hacking into the foot soldier's data stream. Psyscho Green emersed himself into the core of the Machine Empire. Rebuilding the former dynasty from the ground up in his own twisted image. The villain had plans; big plans. Dark Spectre, Rita, Zedd, Astronema, Scorpius, Grumm, Sledge even that fool King Mondo who founded the Machine Empire in the first place. None of them would match the horror he would bestow onto the universe.
This is how Tommy ended up here. The venerated ranger tried to promise himself his team up with the Ninja Steel rangers would be the last time he would raise the morpher. Unfortunately life doesn't allow you to quit your duties. In fact for a Power Ranger it was every teams motto.
Now came the part Tommy dreaded. The part which unfortunately and effortlessly this war and every war before a true nightmare.
The Dead list.
The Final Countdown and the Zanyack invasion had caused a great deal of loss for the rangers. Zordon…. Orion's home world…..Trini.
Tommy clenched his eyes painfully. Wishing nothing more to cast his helmet away to release the anger swelling up inside him by the riled memories. The haunted images recasting their scenes perfectly regardless if he had been present or not to whiteness those events.
Tommy was about to touch the icon on the holoscreen before the lanking and coughing noises of three cogs arched his way.
The mindless drones cooled and bellowed. Whacking their heads like the animals they were.
"You guys really don't change do ya?" Tommy mocked. Pushing his body up from the rock knowing another round was inevitable. Taking out his bracio staff ready and willing seeing the hungry eyes in the minions emotionless eyes.
Tommy pulled his sword ahead of his figure. "Thirty years of this job. Thirty years of dealing with you guys. Putties, Cogs, Piranhatrons, Tyrannodrones. The henchmen look keeps changing….but the STORY ALWAYS END THE SAME!"
Like his Falconzord Tommy jumped sky-high into the air. Pointing down his staff down like arrow picking out the targets for his attack. Coming to the ground and doing a barrel role. Tommy thrusted himself into the fight. The Cogs tried their best but to no avail. They stood no chance against the White Dragon.
Tommy ripped and slashed through the three minions with a beastly ease. Hearing their machinal insides rip open as gears and screws left their entrails. Kicking off the last drone's head stomping it into the dirt.
Tommy sighed heavily. Even in war time the veteran couldn't help but get an ad reline whenever he took down a grunt. Just having a self-montage to be so action packed and homing out the skills he trained for. Gave the ranger such a taste back in his youth.
Until a blast came at him from the behind. Whatever nostalgic feelings Tommy felt within that précised moment fell about. Now a cold foreboding feeling skurried across his senses. The fiery pain intensified to its final stages and a numbness doling out his composure.
The metal and leather of suit evaporating right before his eyes. Reduced to his casual human mortal form. Tommy breathed one final gasp before falling Bentley onto his two ankles. Then finally his upper body craved into its weight fell forwards to the rainy mud.
Tommy growled seeing the red liquors of blood falling down his back. Turning his eyes to his left side five cogs who were secretly hiding allowing the previous fallen three to distract him in order to pull off this ambush.
Even then Tommy couldn't help but jibe "Shot in the back really?" He smiled mockingly "At least Goldar would make some digs from a comic book before kidnapping an entire high school of parents. You guys really lost your imagination as the years went by didn't you?"
If the Cogs understood what Tommy had just proclaimed. They didn't show it. Instead they moved forward and circled Tommy's demorphed fallen form. The lead cog readying his blaster for the final shot aiming it squarely at Tommy's head. Shoving the gun tip onto the skin.
Tommy sighed. Hearing the weapon's electric noise the build and feeling the cold steeled tip. The school teacher won enough battles to know when the last episode was coming. "Well….I guess….. we never get to call it the way we want it." Tommy muttered disheartened. No tears no sorrow. He would not give the enemy that pleasure.
But it didn't mean he was ready to go yet. He never wanted to go.
"OMEGA KANATNA!" So did another believe it was not Tommy's time. The Red Omega Ranger jumped out the shadows and drew out his fiery sword slashing the firearm held hand of the lead cog. Taken back by this surprised ally the red ranger came to Tommy's defence.
The newcomer peered down. Sidley viewing Tommy's injured form "How is it that I always got a safe your hide in the end?"
Tommy smirked "Like you really mind Jase." Tommy quipped back to his best friend. "Life ending candles or lava pits. I know you always got my back in the end."
"Sometimes I think you got too much faith bro." Jason tonged finally heading into battle. Having his swords blade encased with pure flame. Jason beheaded the lead Cog and ensnared its head into his grip. Before the remaining four had a chance Jason channelled his fire elemental powers into the disembowelled head melting the metal away and finalising the object leaving only a ball made from dark and rubied molten lava.
Chucking the sphere into the air and giving the new weapon a mighty kick by his red boot. The molten bowling ball blitzed straightforwardly at the ambushers. Upon impact with the humanoid pins the remaining cogs exploded in a holy essence blue lighted flash reflecting off Jason's visor. Creating even though temporary a genuine ray of sunlight in the muck ended battlefield.
Soon after the godly explosion simmered out. Jason immediately threw off his helmet and rushed to his friend's side.
Jason growled seeing not just the blast injury but the other severe wounds Tommy had gained. Each one desperately crying out for medical attention. It was amazing Tommy himself had not been crying out from the pain then again Tommy was a armament in general.
"You shouldn't have pushed yourself like this." Jason scolded using his fire magic to at least lightly scotch the nippers of bacteria out from the wounds.
Tommy sighed. Tired by the often safety lecture he usually had with his fellow peers. "Jase this isn't the first time I got it this bad."
"Don't be dumb Tommy." Jason reprimanded. "Bad is one thing getting it worse is another."
"When did you start to sound like Billy?" Tommy inquired trying to balance out his pain.
"I don't know when did you start to act like Rocky?" Jason weakly laughed back. "One thing I know for sure. They would have made better Red Rangers than us. We got the brawn but they always had the brains to do it better."
"Yeah." Tommy mused. Mulling over the various what ifs for the 998th time in life. What If Billy had become a red ranger? What if five other teens had been chosen by the coins? What if he never became a ranger himself.
How would his life be never dawning the suit? A question Tommy never found a true solution nor wished too.
The red omega ranger frowned. Concerned eyes reviewing the latest injuries. "This is going to hurt bro." Jason warned.
"Do it man." Tommy stoically pleaded "I got no time to lay around. Not when the others are giving their all non-stop."
"But."
"JUST DO IT!" Tommy ordered. Jason grimaced but accepted his friends decision. Utilizing a ball of fire Jason jabbed the cursing flames throughout his best friends body. Tommy howled monstrously from the pain feeling the alarming heat scour his battered flesh consuming his wounds. Transferring exposed inner flesh into moulded scabs.
Sighing a relived breath that his beneficently torment was over. Tommy slipped his shirt back onto his body but his calm composure didn't last long. The ongoings of the war retook his mind "What's our next line of attack Jase?"
Jason frowned crossing his arms eying the silent onset around the battlefield. "The Good news. DR.K and Alpha have found a way to get into Psycho Green's fortress."
"They have!" Tommy breathlessly exclaimed surprised. "They found a crack in that creeps forcefield "
"Me to Tom's." Jason admitted closing his eyes trying his best not further the topic.
Which gained Tommy's attention more so "Jase; what isn't it that your telling me."
Jason sighed not wanting to go into this conversation. "The only morpher able to get through the barrier is…..is…..your morpher Tommy." Jason omitted.
"That's not a problem." Tommy replied determinedly. While the teacher was usually calm and collective. In this rare instance Tommy found himself desiring to end this horrible war as soon as possible. Anything to make sure his fellow rangers could come home safely with little casualty.
"I've been seriously ready to give to give that Mondo wannabe a few rounds for the pain he caused. Let me check the list to see who is available for my strike force…"
"No Tommy." Jason stopped his friend before the original green ranger could say word into his morpher "You don't understand only your dragon powers will let you into the castle. None of the others can join you. You can't even use your master morpher powers for your other suits. Green on Green dude. No other rangers. It would be just you and him."
The calm and collectiveness Tommy almost forget came rushing down into his mindset quicker than he would have liked to admit. No other rangers and no way to change his suits amid the final duel. The requirements to finally stop the new emperor did not for go well in Tommy's mind.
Tommy and every Power Ranger for that matter had seen the respected Psycho Green viva by threatening televised messages. The former green ranger had gained some upgrades since his last bout in 1969. No longer he bore the traditional Psycho ranger suit design but having every resource of the machine empire in his back pocket the cyborg gained a vast array of upgrades. Outdoing ten battlizer rangers and even a few Megazords.
Trek had remanufactured his body to a ungodly powerhouse. Tommy wasn't stupid while he always had faith in his green ranger powers. Dealing with an enemy with such a unbelievable power level while he himself was limited to himself and one ranger power.
The realistic in him unfortunately could draw a contentious conclusion.
"What? What do I need to do?" Tommy asked. No emotion or sentiment in his tone. Just a cold understanding scouring his cords.
Jason empathetic with his friend. Knowing his friend well enough he would do the right thing even if he got the worst deal out of it. "Dr.K's simulations have told us what needs doing." Jason showed a holographical screen materialising out his morpher "Sky Tate is already putting together a backup squad outside the permitter. All you got to do is sneak in and blast the dam thing before Green spots ya and Sky's squad can home in and we can end this screwed up war in a flash." Jason finalized.
"How?" Tommy inquired stretching himself up "I still don't get it Jase. Where the hell did Psycho Green find to give him such a edge. Why is it limited to my Green Ranger powers?"
Jason powered down the screen and reinserted his helmet "I don't know Tommy. The brains on top still haven't figured out exactly what the forcefield battery is yet. Whatever the hell this power source is Tommy Green found a way to manipulate it to keep your green ranger in and everyone else out."
Tommy growled tiredly. Beaming upwards to the floating Fortress in the thunderous rainy sky. The veteran couldn't exactly explain but looking onwards at the enemy base. Tommy felt a clutter embrace his ears. A ticking tock bellowed its imaginative tolling ever so clearly by the mere presence. Chaining his eye sight unwilling to release him from its fortified viewed grip.
A pound. Just one small pound whizzingly escaping his chest. A started rhythm continuing and hardening with every passed beat.
Something was going to happen to him
Something would happen to him if he boarded the rampart.
Something he would never be able to undo a moment before.
This feeling was nothing new to Tommy. He had danced to this imperilment tune continuingly in his lifetime but now the destructive beat metamorphosed strayed into a wild riotous stage the dragon guardian never felt before. Despite his verity of powers; Tommy was no seer but his gut was warning him about the forthcoming events if he chose the fore path.
The future of his life as a Power Ranger would finally be decided.
No retirement, no power transfers, no positive choice whatsoever. Even now he could hear his five suits grab hold of his being. Enshrining their owner protectively. Unwillingly to release him to the mercy of destiny. Begging Tommy not to go down the route.
Regrettably they had little say in Tommy's choice.
"Okay!" Tommy resolutely decided "I will go for it Jase."
"You sure bro?" Jason surveyed remotely. Jason was the last one to doubt his friends capabilities. Hell he was a eye whitens to the majority of them. Yet despite his faith and confidence the edging feeling Tommy himself felt had bordered pieces of Jason inside its concerning hole. "I know you ain't no stranger to stealth missions…"
"Who did we loose Jase?"
"What?" Jason asked. Becoming startingly incoherent by the question.
"How many did we loose so far bro?" Tommy asked turning to face his best friend. Regardless of the screen hiding Jason's eyes. Tommy could see his friends pupils perfectly. Perceiving the sad reality the two were in now. A reality were their comrades no longer could enjoy.
Jason decided to answer. No point in biting the bush. He owed his best friend that much at least. Once more creating a halo screen Jason got a good eye view on the unwanted deathly records. "We lost five…"
Tommy painfully shut his eyes.
"Danny the Black Wild Force Ranger." Tommy could hear The Iron Bison's yearning from hear for the sweet brave soul. "Shelby the Pink Dino Charge Ranger" A bright good young lady of her time. Creating a zord even. "Chip the Yellow Mystic Force Ranger." A young man who believed in magic and folk tales. Ended up being one and outdoing many proudly.
Tommy's heart wrenched hearing each name. Three good people who served their galaxy and universe proudly beyond measure to the very end. Each one a truer legend he ever could hope to be. This was not the first obituary Tommy received. The day before the Thunder Rangers Hunter and Blake fell during the battle of the camps. Then the bloody yesterday before their deaths Ashley, Leo, Z and Ziggy lost their lives in a space siege.
Tommy shamefully covered his eyes. You see he thought about it you know. How they died. How each of his fellow rangers met their end. Each death a dagger nailed into his heart.
Tommy removing his hand had a chance to catch a slighted view of Jason's reading. The day's list wasn't over just yet. Tommy was able to caught two more names "Who else Jason?"
The red ranger didn't read out the last two. Keeping firm like a statue unbending to the whims. "Who else!" Tommy demanded a second time more frustratingly then he wished to be.
"Tom….I'm so sorry."
"Who Jason!"
"Kira Ford and Justin were found." Jason inclined backing his head away in shame.
The sudden whispery slip gravitated Tommy's being. The veteran felt bittered piles consume his stomach. Shakingly trekking through the muck taking hold of a chanced debris in fear he would lose his standing doing his best to prevent the pain huddling all around him.
He couldn't breathe.
He couldn't understand
"Tommy." Jason pleaded trying to come to his best friend's side but Tommy raised his hand to indicate for his friend to stop.
"The first time I saw them. I had no idea what to do with them. Justin was the little dude to replace Rocky. Kira she was the singing school outcast. I had no idea our lives would ever be tied. I didn't know them and they didn't know me. We were strangers Jase. All you guys were strangers to me."
After a long bought Tommy opened his eyes. Perring and evaluating the world around him. "I was lonely Jase. I didn't know why my parents died. I didn't know were my brother was. Growing up, I never had stability. Being sent to foster home one after the other. New school's new cities. Nothing ever allowed me to have a home….to have a family"
Tommy briefly smiled rubbing the small snot from his nose. "You know. As kid throughout all that shit. I still thought I could anything. If I wanted to fly I would fly. I wanted to be strong I would be strong. If I didn't want to be me I wasn't me. Finding you guys. All you guys you. You all helped me with those things. Not just the flying and strength" Tommy chuckled sadly "But because you helped me gain one of the biggest families in the world.
"Justin and Kira." Tommy gritted out from his fangs tearfully. "Justin….Justin knew how to be a real hero. Yeah he was the youngest. Younger than any of us to take the suit but he had the biggest heart in our team. He loved fishing. He loved his comics…..he loved his dad…last time he called me his old man had a stroke. Spent the next three years in care…..Justin didn't miss one visit. Everyday he would spend with his farther. No matter tired he was after a hard day he would still make the time."
"Kira. Kira became a star. She was always a star Jase." Tommy mused remembering the concerts his portage performed back in her high school days. The wisdom, humility, care and absolute joy in her songs. Even Zordon would admire such a songstress "For being the school loner, she could easily bring every one of those kids together. When she went pro she could bring the world together with her voice."
"And I brough them into this MESS!" Tommy bellowed smashing the debris with his bare fist. Feeling the ruby red blood leave his fingers englutting his hand.
"Tommy!" Jason warned no longer caring for his friend's personal space. He would stop him if he proved a danger to himself.
"Why did you guys save me Jason?" Tommy quizzed pessimistically.
A sound of silence reaved between the two old friends. Windly sewing the now tensed situation "I almost killed Zordon, I was Rita's lap dog I even tried to kill in Goldar's animal cage! Why the hell did you guys still save me?"
Jason glowed over Tommy. The same menacingly flameing demeanour resurging. Not since the time he had been brainwashed by Divatox had Tommy seen Jason so domineering. Bulking up and staring down Tommy.
As much as Tommy didn't wish to think so. He none the less was forced to wonder if Jason was going to strangle him again.
In a flash Jason latched his plans onto Tommy's burdensome shoulders. Entrapping Tommy where he stood un allowing him to move. Gazing into the black screen which were shielding Jason's eyes from Tommy's perception uneased the veteran. Tommy couldn't figure out his comrades expression. He didn't know if he was happy, sad or even furious. Nothing could be revealed to Tommy.
A tactic Tommy ironically had often used himself.
"The first time we went up against you. You were a monster. I know it's a shitty thing to say but it's the truth. The destruction you committed. That fucking laugh you made knowing you did bad. We hated you for it. I hate we hated you for all of it."
"People wanted your head. The people didn't care if you were brainwashed as far they were concerned you were the next proper big bad of the galaxy. The people already made up their minds about you." Jason finished his bashing on Tommy less than spectacular origins as a ranger "But you changed. You got up from the dirt and proved all of those guys wrong. You made something of yourself. You told those pricks you weren't going down. Green, White, Red, Black whatever colour you wore you proved yourself you were never going to be the biggest threat the cosmos ever so. You showed us all we were witnessing the beginnings of a miracle."
Jason grabbed Master Morpher from his friends belt and shoved the coin roughly onto Tommy's chest "We saved you because you were worth saving."
Releasing the morpher into Tommy's hands. Jason left his friend seeking out any battle which could do with his aid. Turning his back one last time to gaze at his brother in arms "Whatever happens next doesn't matter. What matters is that there is a next time after this crap. Make sure there is a next time bro."
Nothing mare to say or perhaps needed to say. Jason beamed away. The fresh warmed energy scenting the area for Tommy's nostrils to inhale.
Facing his looming destiny. Melancholy fanged his soul one final time. The plausible coffin wailing out. Making it hopeless for Tommy to recognize the fortress as anything else. The last issue in his life.
"Well there is only one thing I would ever say to old skull and bones." Like a champion Tommy raised his power coin. Ignoring the flashy pouring rain and the mud encasing his feet. Nothing deterring him out from the boldness and bravery surging within his heart. The dragon's tune reaching the final encore.
"ITS MORPHIN TIME! DRAGONZORD!"
The green emerald wave washed around Tommy's body and sheathed him in his legendary Green Ranger suit. The recanted champion took a few seconds to feel the nostalgic grip brought forth due to his first suit.
Taking out his dragon dagger. Reviewing the blade's appearance. Even now thirty years since the first time he morphed the weapon never ceased to amaze him. Such a small item yet such a outstanding gravitas. Tommy valued and respected all his weaponry but the Dragon dagger. It always had a special place for him.
Now it very well would be the last thing he ever would hold.
"And I wouldn't have it any other way." Tommy smirked wearily before teleporting onwards for his final clash.