Chapter 18 - Choices

"Yame." Jason Lee Scott ordered his class of students. The students relaxed and bowed to their sensei before sitting down on the floor with their legs crossed underneath them.

"Excellent class today guys." Jason faced his students and offered them a proud smile. "You were all brilliant and you mastered the choku-zuki punch and the perfect counter to it. In the next class, we will learn about the importance of the kiai and why it is essential when performing karate." Jason bowed at his class to signal the end of the lesson and each student stood up one by one, bowing before leaving the room.

"Luke, did you tell your mom to come by today?" Jason asked his new student, Luke Anderson, who was just about to bow and exit the room.

"Yes sensei, she's coming to pick me up today. Should I bring her inside?" Luke asked.

"Yes please. I'll wait for her here." Jason responded, watching as Luke bowed and exited the classroom to go get his mother.

Jason's eyes found Kimberly who was sat outside the room watching him with a proud smile on her face.

"I won't be long." Jason mouthed to which Kimberly replied with a thumbs up and a grin. After years of friendship, they basically read each others mind, so mouthing words was as good as audible words.

Jason put away his gear into his duffle bag and looked up when he heard a knock on the classroom door. The karate sensei put down his bag and looked through one of the large glass windows surrounding the classroom and saw Luke stood with a dark brown haired lady, so he walked over to the door and opened it.

"Hello, I'm guessing you're Luke's mom, Mrs. Anderson?" Jason asked the lady who looked no older than 35, stepping aside and allowing her to enter the room. Luke allowed them some privacy and moved to sit next to Kimberly outside the classroom.

"Hello Mr. Scott, it's great to finally meet you." Luke's mom replied, moving into the room at Jason's behest. "Yes, I am Luke's mom. Just call me Scarlett." The lady said, offering Jason a hand, which he shook.

"It's nice to meet you too Scarlett." Jason noted how the woman's clothes looked rather dishevelled and her hair in need of a bit of attention. "Your son has exceptional skills and knowledge in martial arts. Skills I have not seen in any kid around his age." Jason revealed, taking a glance at Luke who was engaged in a chat with Kimberly.

"Thank you. It was his father." Scarlett grimaced a little before good memories of her late husband flooded her mind and she smiled a bittersweet smile. "He had been involved in martial arts his entire life, and little Luke grew up around it all."

"Well, it certainly shows. I'm sorry to hear about your husband, Scarlett. I hope you are both coping with it as well as you can. If there's anything I can do-"

"No Mr. Scott. You have already done so much." Scarlett looked up at Jason, her eyes brimming with happiness, and what looked like a shimmer of hope. "You have allowed my son to take refuge in your dojo. Taking him off the streets and giving him something to focus on. I owe you so much already."

"You owe me nothing ma'am. We as humans, we should always try and help out others as much as we can. I'm glad I met Luke."

"That is a very nice sentiment. He is glad he has met you too. You are a hero to him."

Jason couldn't hide his blushes and Luke's mom smiled as she saw the sensei turn as red as her name.

"I don't know what to say to that, except that I am completely humbled." Jason smiled and bowed his head to Luke's mom before straightening back up. "Forgive me though. I do have a pressing matter to talk to you about."

"Go ahead sensei Scott."

"I am just wondering, why Luke does not go to school. He's 11, so he should be going to junior high right?"

Scarlett adjusted her purse along her shoulder before answering. "Yes sir, he should. We recently returned to Angel Grove after a couple of years in another city. I've been so busy with trying to find a new job and trying to put food on the table for us. It's just a matter of finding him a new school." Scarlett replied.

"That's understandable." Jason offered the lady a warm smile. "Good luck in finding a school. I recommend Angel Grove junior high. I'm sure he'll get a good education there."

"Thank you sir, or sensei Scott."

"Just call me Jason." Jason said with a laugh. "Luke has some amazing skills and I can assure you, I will do everything in my power to hone those skills, but also keep him away from danger and keep an eye on him." Jason said, walking over to the door to exit the classroom, Scarlett following him.

"Thank you Jason. That really helps me so much. Helps us so much. Thank you." Scarlett said, going through the door which Jason had opened.

"It's my pleasure ma'am." Jason walked through the door and glanced at his fiancé who was still sat next to Luke, who had a smile on his face. "It was lovely meeting you Scarlett. I won't keep you here any longer. I'm sure we all have things we need to get on with."

"Thank you, Jason sir. Come on Luke, we best get home." Scarlett replied.

Luke stood up, walked over to his mother and whispered something in her ear.

"Sorry sensei Scott?" Scarlett said, turning around. "Sorry for taking more of your time, but there's something we would like to give you."

Jason turned around as Mrs. Anderson withdrew something from her purse.

"This is one of my father trophies. He won it in a tournament in Stone Canyon before he retired and became a judge." Kyle explained.

"And we want you to have it." Scarlett added.

Jason's voice had left him. He glanced at Kimberly who shared his shocked response and then quickly back at Luke holding the trophy. "I can't accept that Luke."

"You know I will always do as you say sensei Scott, but please," The youngster took a few steps forward and lifted the trophy towards his sensei's hands. "We want you to have it."

"It was my idea Mr. Scott." Luke's mother offered Jason a thankful smile. "For what you have done for my son, I wish we could give you something more substantial."

"No, this is-." Jason hesitantly took the trophy from Luke's hands. He quickly bowed at both mother and son. "This is an absolute honour for me to accept this most amazing gift. I am humbled and lost for words."

Scarlett smiled at Jason and Kimberly before taking her son's hand in hers. "You do not need to say anything sir. It's not worth much money, but I hope it shows you how thankful we both are of you."

"It certainly does Scarlett. Thank you very much." Jason replied.

"It's an extraordinary gift ma'am. Thank you."

"You do not need to thank us." Scarlett smiled at the couple. "We'll get on our way now. I'm sure you both have plans."

"Thank you. Luke, this is amazing."

"It's my pleasure sensei Scott. I'll see you in a couple of days."

"Yes you shall." Jason replied. He watched on as Luke and his mother turned to leave the dojo. But he had to ask them one more thing. "Sorry ma'am, what was your husbands name?" He called after them.

They turned around and took a glance at each other before the mom answered. "His name was John."

"Thank you." Jason responded with a wave and a smile.

Luke waved goodbye to Kimberly and bowed at Jason before leaving the dojo with his mom.

"I'm guessing the meeting went well then?" Kimberly implored, standing up and taking the hand that Jason offered her.

"Yeah. His mom will be finding him a school." Jason said with a little smile, but as he watched the mother and son leave the dojo, his smile turned into a slight frown. "They're just so poor Kim. I mean, really poor."

"I know. You can tell from the way the mom dresses and the way her hair is."

Jason let out a little chuckle. "I knew you'd say that." Jason peered at the trophy he was holding in his spare hand. "I feel bad for taking this trophy."

"I know what you mean Jase, but it just shows how much you mean to them. Be happy."

"Yeah, you're right." Jason smiled at his fiancé.

"Doesn't she look familiar though?" Kimberly asked, walking hand in hand with Jason towards the exit.

"Umm, I guess. Her husband was a judge in martial arts tournaments, maybe she was there with him and we know her from them."

"Yeah maybe."

The couple were just about to exit the building when someone caught their attention.

"Jason. Kimberly."

They turned around and sensei Taylor walked towards them.

"Sorry guys. I just want to tell Jason what a wonderful job he's doing." Sensei Taylor looked at Jason like a proud father. "Membership numbers have never been higher than they are now, and this place was open when karate was most popular in the 80s." The sensei chuckled and clasped Jason's shoulder. "You know you're my favourite student. You know how close our families are."

"Yes sensei. Definitely."

"And you know that I'd give you the best advice that I could give, even if it didn't benefit me." Sensei Taylor walked Jason and Kimberly towards the seats at the reception area.

"You would?"

"Hell yes I would, son." Dustin Taylor took a seat and the couple did the same. "Now, I am more than happy that you're back at this dojo. I couldn't be happier. But, Jason. Have you ever thought about opening your own dojo?"

Jason was caught by surprise. He didn't exactly have the words to reply with. "Ummm not really sensei."

"You know you'll always be welcome here. You know you can work here until you're grey and balding like myself."

"Yes sensei. Thank you sir."

"Hey, we're talking off the records here. Just call me by my Christian name."

"Yes, of course Dustin."

"Right, well. You should think about it. More than half of the members of this dojo only signed up because you work here Jase. If you opened your own dojo, man, you'd be raking it in. All the profits would go to you and you would be thriving." Dustin looked like an excited kid as he spoke. "It is a great opportunity for you kid, and the businessman inside of me doesn't want you to go, but I can offer something that may help you both, since you're about to start a family." The sensei said in a hushed tone.

"Wait, how did you know sir. We haven't told anyone yet." Kimberly asked. Her eyes open with shock.

"I have four kids. I've seen what it looks like." He answered Kimberly with a bright smile. "So i think now is the perfect time to table you guys this offer."

"What offer sir?"

"To become partners Jason. You can share this dojo with me and have more control on everything that happens here."

Jason's jaw dropped. The Angel Grove Martial Arts Center was the biggest dojo in Angel Grove and Jason's sensei and family friend had just tabled them a monumental offer.

"You don't have to give me an answer any time soon. Go home talk about it, sleep on it, and let me know when you're ready." Dustin Taylor smiled and placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. "I would love to have you as my partner Jason. But I would be just as happy for you if you open your own dojo. I know you will find success and I would help you of course."

"No sir, you ca-"

"Yes I can. And if you decide to do that. You will have my one hundred percent support. My sons, Damon and Cody will continue on over here helping my old ass, so you have nothing to worry about. Make the decision that suits you best. Okay?"

"Yes sensei."

"Right. Now go on now, get home, both of ya. Enjoy the rest of your days off."

"Yes sir, I just want to ask you a question." Jason asked his sensei.

"Go ahead kid."

"Have you heard of a person called John Anderson?"

Dustin Taylor pondered the name for a moment. Tapping his chin and trying to remember. "It sounds familiar but no, I don't think I have. I could be wrong though. Why?"

Jason shook his head and smiled at his long time friend and teacher. "It's nothing sensei."

They all stood up and Jason bowed to his sensei before exiting the building with Kimberly.

"Man, that's huge." Kimberly said once they walked away from the dojo.

"I know right? What do I do." Jason responded.

"We'll think of something baby." Kimberly looked up at Jason and offered him a smile. "It's a good situation to be in. Stop looking so gloomy." She said.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks baby." Jason stopped when they arrived at their car and wrapped his fiancé in a gentle hug, a hug that was eagerly returned. "I seriously don't know what I'd do without you."

"I dunno, but I'm glad that's something we'll never have to think about." Kimberly replied, slowly being released from their embrace. She pushed Jason up against the car door and placed a kiss on his lips. To her surprise, Jason kissed her back.

He wasn't too keen on public displays of affection, but to hell with that right now. He didn't care, he was just grateful to have Kimberly by his side. Figuring out this difficult life together.

"You wanna drive us home?" Kimberly asked Jason, having released him and taken a step back.

"Yeah, why not." Jason smiled taking the keys from Kimberly as she moved over to the passengers side and got in.

"We have two hours before we need to be at Trini and Zack's." Kimberly pointed out, watching as Jason turned on the ignition.

"That's plenty of time." Jason replied.

"Maybe for you. I take half that time in the shower alone."

"Well, why don't you just join me then. Kill two birds with one stone."

"Great idea." Kimberly replied with a smile. "But don't kill any birds. Remember, I'm a Pterodactyl."

Jason chuckled at her cheesy joke as he drove them towards their apartment. "Well, according to Billy, Pterodactyls are technically reptiles."

"Okay, fair point. But what about a firebird?"

"Aaah okay. You got me there." Jason replied with a grin.

Moon Palace.

Knock knock

Scorpina was laid on an uncomfortable looking piece of furniture of sorts. She was twiddling a sharp blade in between her fingers but was interrupted by the knock. "Come in." She mumbled absent-mindedly.

The stone door to her living quarters opened and a humongous beast entered through it.

"Oh, It's you." Scorpina lamented, turning her face away from the monster.

"Surely, you cannot still be upset with me, Scorpina." Silverback growled in a controlled, low tone.

He didn't get a response and moved further into the room towards the humanoid alien clad in gold.

"That's far enough." Scorpina commanded.

"I must admit, I am rather surprised Scorpina." Silverback studied his ally to try and gauge her mood, he did not want to make increase her anger at him. "I did not perceive that my actions would impact you so much."

"What do you want?" Scorpina barked, trying to pay no attention to what the beast was saying.

"Master would like to see us in the throne room." Silverback replied.

Scorpina stood up and the two monsters walked out of Scorpina's room and down a couple of floors to the throne room. They walked in complete silence. Silverback no longer willing to grovel to his comrade. He wasn't really the grovelling type.

"Aaah my warriors. Nice to see you back Scorpina. Do come in." Prince Gasket bellowed happily once Scorpina and Silverback had arrived at the throne room entrance.

"How did your mission go?" Princess Archerina asked Scorpina.

"It went perfectly my princess." Scorpina replied.

"Excellent." Prince Gasket muttered. "As you are aware, Master has devised a most evil plan to torture and weaken those pesky power rangers. And he is in the process of setting it in motion a we speak." Gasket announced proudly.

"We are not required to do anything except sit and watch a flawless plan in action." Princess Archerina announced, sitting on the throne which her husband usually occupied.

Gasket was stood on the pedestal, looking out into space and down at the beautiful green, white and blue dominated planet, earth.

"He has the most wicked plan." Gasket turned around and walked over to his two soldiers. "It is where I have failed, where those before me failed. We tried to exterminate those rangers as quickly as possible. Instead, master is taking his time." The metallic prince laid his hands on the shoulders of Silverback and Scorpina. "Once this plan succeeds, you will no longer just be formidable soldiers, but you shall be the warriors of the most dominant empire in all of space. That planet" He pointed his finger back behind him and towards earth. "Will finally be ours."

Not the longest chapter, I know. But you need to have a steady hand and take your time sometimes.

There's plenty of good for though for our two superheroes. And what are the bad guys up to now?

More to come from this story..

Peace out RedDragon