9 years prior
"Ooooooh, look at the big, bad Trueheart," Jason taunted as Thomas walked into the Power Ranger Academy and shook his head. Thomas glanced down at his clothing and sighed- he had always been clean cut, but it was a tell tale sign that he was a Trueheart here. Most of the other cadets were given far more leeway, but he had to keep his uniform pristine. He had already had a lecture from his father about the disappointment he was because his shirt was wrinkled. "What makes you so special that you just get to walk in here at 16 and you didn't have to earn it?"
The Truehearts were the primary Power Ranger family and he was expected to become a ranger someday. He was starting his education at the Academy a bit later than most because his father had refused him the training opportunity the past two years. His brother, David, had just been placed on his first team and as the second oldest Trueheart- Thomas knew that his expectations were far less, even if it was just as important that he be here. Realistically- he was the spare. His brother would take on the mantle and he would do a bit of service here and there. He just had to survive the Academy and his father.
"Jase- leave it," Trini said as Thomas gave her a nod and then continued on his way. He was glad to see that she didn't seem to have hatred in her eyes, unlike many of the others. "You know he's going to likely be the leader of our team- I don't think it is smart to make him your enemy."
"He's just an entitled brat. He's no leader," Jason snarled, loud enough to make sure that Thomas could hear him. Thomas shook his head and kept on heading down the hall. If he was right- he would get more than enough of a chance to prove Jason wrong.
"No way," Jason whispered as he walked into summer intensive combatives and saw Thomas warming up on the far side of the gym. Why would he immediately be put into this class? It had taken him years to get to the advanced class and Thomas had been here for less than a day. "Hey Trueheart! You have a death wish?"
"Not my choice- it's where I tested," Thomas said, levelly, as Jason charged across the room at him. Thomas looked over at the instructor, silently asking for permission, and Theo nodded with a smirk on his face. Jason was skilled, but he was pretty sure he was about to be humbled by his nephew. The decision to keep Thomas out of the Academy until he was 16 had not been well received by any of the mentors, but it had been important to Mitchell for some reason.
Jason dove at him and Thomas grabbed him and slung him across the room. While Jason scrambled to his feet, Thomas calmly and methodically moved towards him. He had learned from a young age that fighting with emotions was much more likely to lead to him being hurt. Jason settled into a sparring stance before Thomas motioned for him to bring it. The rest of their year started slowly filing in and stood watching, in awe, as their best fighter was systematically dismantled by Thomas Trueheart. Thomas, calmly, pinned Jason to the ground and waited. Jason, in a panic, tapped out and Thomas quickly let him go and moved back to continue his warm up.
Jason gasped for air as he watched Thomas move to continue with his warm up. He glared at Thomas and let out a low growl. As he slowly caught his breath, he felt his energy return. He got to his feet before he football tackled Thomas into the ground. He expected Theo to break it up, but instead he found himself put in another submission hold. Thomas cranked back harder and he tapped out, again. As soon as Thomas let go, he elbowed him in the gut and Thomas threw him off of him as he glared at him. Jason had a moment where he realized how bad he had messed up, but that did not last long as he realized that Thomas had now switched to offense and was intent on making a point. Jason tried to parry the blows, but found that more were hitting him than he had ever experienced. He lost his footing and Thomas then slammed him into the wall, firmly pinning him there.
"I'd stay down this time," Thomas growled as he ground his arm into his neck and then quickly took a step back. "Anyone want next?"
"Thomas…" Theo cautioned and Thomas looked over at him and then nodded. He moved back over to his bag, grabbed his mandatory uniform top, and then moved to stand at the back of the class.
His classmates muttered, in astonishment, as he took his preferred place at the back of the class. He had known that there was a very good chance that something like this would happen. It was why he was furious with his father when he had held him out of the Academy. Now it looked like he was showboating, even if he had been worked harder than any of the potential future rangers here. They had no idea what it was like to be a Trueheart. And he prayed that they never figure it out.
"I'm glad someone finally shut him up," Rocky whispered towards Thomas and Thomas tried to force down a smile, but failed. Apparently, Jason was known for picking on any and everyone in this class. That was going to stop today.