Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Heather Ray [read ebook pdf TXT] 📗

we're capable of… heartbeat monitor, body heat, the works. When you run out of ideas, contact Zordon for more. And while you're doing that, the rest of the Rangers will join me at the volcano. We'll dig by hand.^

There was silence on the other end of the communicator, as the new Blue Ranger digested the hidden message behind Tommy's request.

It was Katherine who spoke. ^What… are we looking for?^

He didn't respond. Instead, he looked again at the volcano and broke into a supersonic run…vanishing in a blur of red motion.

Chapter Forty-Nine

The Rangers spent hours searching the rubble of the temple. Adam, Katherine, and Tanya combed the forest immediately surrounding the volcano, and searched along the perimeter of the temple. Only Tommy went inside, refusing company despite Kat's repeated offer. He cut through the smoke filled, overheated tunnels, often coming to a dead end as rivers of lava, debris from collapsed ceilings, or both blocked his way. Yet he managed to meander to the main room, which was completely flooded with the lava that spewed from the pit.

His heart in his throat, he scoured every nook and cranny in the labyrinth, until the smoke was so heavy even his headlights couldn't illuminate his way.

Completely crushed, he emerged from the volcano, blackened but uninjured.

The search went on well past sunset, all the Rangers beyond the point of exhaustion. Yet despite the frustration and hopelessness, none had the heart to voice even the smallest discontent to their leader.

Jason remained in the Megazord, the search area being far too hazardous for a normal human to sustain. He sat with Justin, suggesting further scans, and consulting with Zordon.

In the end, it was the sage himself who put into words what no one else dared. ^JUSTIN…PATCH ME IN TO TOMMY.^

The Blue Ranger gulped in a breath, trading anxious glances with Jason. Then, his fingers nervously toying with the helmet resting on his lap, he did as his mentor requested.

^Tommy here.^

^TOMMY, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE SEARCH?^

Silence. Then: ^We're trying to put the fire out so we can take a better look in the tunnels, but that's it.^

^JUSTIN AND JASON HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL THE SCANS AVAILABLE. I'M AFRAID NOTHING HAS TURNED UP.^

^Yet.^

Zordon sighed… a strange sound coming from a being locked in a time-warp. ^I WISH YOU ALL TO RETURN TO THE POWER CHAMBER IMMEDIATELY.^

^But we're not --!^

^TOMMY.^

There was infinite patience, as well as deep understanding, in that soothing-yet-stern voice. ^PLEASE… RETURN TO BASE. WE CAN BETTER ASSESS OUR OPTIONS WITH YOU ALL HERE.^

^Zordon,^

Tommy's voice was pleading, ^just getting back will take all night! What if Kim's trapped under debris, or blocked off by lava streams?^

^NOW THAT YOU HAVE LERIGOT, YOU WILL NOT NEED TO TAKE THE GHOST GALLION. HE CAN OPEN THE BARRIER WHILE ABOARD THE MEGAZORD, SO IF YOU TRAVEL AT THE FASTEST SPEED, YOU WILL REACH THE POWER CHAMBER IN APPROXIMATELY HALF AN HOUR. CONSIDERING HOW MANY HOURS YOU'VE SPENT SEARCHING, THE LIKELIHOOD OF YOU FINDING ANYTHING WITHIN THE THAT TIME FRAME IS SLIM AT BEST.^

Harsh reality; but spoken so gently, so patiently…it was nearly painless.

Nearly.

^I'll stay here --^

^THE POWER RANGERS NEED THEIR LEADER…NOW MORE THAN EVER.^

And with those ten words, Zordon miraculously induced reason in the stricken young man. For all of Tommy's distractions and concerns, he couldn't deny that, as Red Ranger, he had an obligation to his team. He had

to maintain good sense, if for no other reason than to assure them that their newest challenge could be met.

Finally, an answer. ^Okay. Justin?^

The boy blinked, suddenly guilty for eavesdropping on the conversation… though of course, all the Rangers below heard everything as well. "Yes, Tommy?"

^Bring the Megazord around and pick us up. We're going home.^

Chapter Fifty

Jason took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation. He couldn't deny his best friend's response to the term "Bro,"

the nickname they'd called each other for most of their acquaintance, hurt like a physical wound.

I can't take this…I need to apologize, make him understand that it was all the spell talking…we need to come to terms before we get back to the Power Chamber. Before the situation gets any worse. He took a deep breath. Unless a miracle happened, when the truth hits him, he's gonna need me if he's gonna cope. And…I'll need him.

It was hard enough facing the possibility of Kim's death…to do so while at odds with his best friend was beyond torture.

Finally resolved, Jason returned to the bridge…the first time since the Turbo Rangers returned from the volcano. "Tommy, we need to talk."

The Red Ranger, the only one still in full uniform, didn't turn around. "Later."

Jason stood his ground. "We need to talk now

," the former Red Ranger pressed. He kept his gaze on Tommy, but he could feel the stares of the other Rangers.

Then, Tommy stiffly rose to his feet. "Fine."

Wordlessly, Tommy strode passed Jason. Jason followed, and soon the two were in the on board barracks.

Tommy stepped inside first, and spread his arms apart. A red surge of energy flooded his body, then receded into his wrist-mounted Turbo Morpher. He pulled the key from the unit, and slid it into his pocket.

Then, he sat heavily upon the closest cot. "Talk."

Jason found himself speechless, as he stared at Tommy's face for the first time since the fight with Maligore. He'd hidden behind his crimson helmet throughout the search, working beyond physical limits to find her…while all the time, hiding his tears behind the wall of leadership.

Tommy didn't seem to care about his appearance now. In front of Jason, the façade of the indomitable leader was pointless. His tears were allowed. "I thought you had something to say."

That comment, muttered with a touch of animosity, pulled Jason out of his stupor. The larger man folded his arms, squeezing his muscles in a desperate attempt to release some of the tension. "Tommy, you have

to believe me…I didn't mean what I said back there. None of it was true."

Tommy's face hovered parallel to the floor, and he laced his fingers together. "You're talking to the expert in evil spells," he said. His voice lacked even a hint of humor. "You don't have to explain how they work. What you experienced wasn't like the spells I'd been under."

Jason frowned his confusion. "How do you figure?"

"This was personal."

Tommy stayed silent, letting his epiphany sink in. Jason looked thunderstruck. "What?"

"When I was Rita's pawn, I wanted to kill you because Rita

wanted me to kill you. I didn't have anything against you, so the feelings weren't mine. After the spell was over, I remembered wanting to kill you, but none of that anger lingered. When Gasket brainwashed me, he convinced me I was the Machine King. I wanted to kill you because you were a threat to my kingdom. But today, you wanted to kill me because you

were angry with me. You even told me why…because I 'stole your role.'

"

Jason grimaced as his own words were thrown back at him. He'd hoped against hope Tommy would've just dismissed everything he'd said; but he found himself unable to avoid a stomach-turning confession.

Midnight eyes turned away, as if suddenly intrigued by the drab gray paneling of the room. "You…you're right," he conceded, releasing a long breath. "There was a kernel of truth in that. But I wasn't angry at you… I was angry at the situation. I never understood why Zordon made you

the leader in my stead. It…hurt. And I guess a small part of me turned that frustration into resentment. A small

part."

He rubbed his temples. "The spell…Divatox said Maligore would steal my purity. And when we fell into the fire, it felt like the Flame of Destruction got under my skin, into my heart. It erased all positive feelings, muted my conscience, and made me see the world through a red lens. I looked at you… and was enraged that you'd ruined my career as a Ranger." He shook his head slowly. "I didn't even consider the fact I left two weeks later to Geneva, and therefore would've given up the leadership anyway. It was completely irrational…selective memory with the sole purpose of making me hurt people, and feed the Flame."

Jason waited for some response from Tommy, some kind of acknowledgement of his explanation. Words of forgiveness or understanding. When none was given, he continued. "I'm really, truly

sorry for everything I said. Please believe me… what I said was intended to hurt you. It didn't reflect what I really think of you."

Courageously, he lifted his gaze. Now, Tommy's eyes were staring right at him. Jason managed to meet the intense gaze. "There's something else," he realized.

Tommy got right to the point. "How exactly would you describe your relationship with Kim?"

The complete lack of inflection in his voice was nearly frightening. But all one had to do was look into Tommy's eyes…at the strain that caused his face to twitch, to see how difficult it was for him to voice this question.

Jason would have laughed at the utter ridiculousness of Tommy's fears had the situation been different. But he'd already been prepared for that question.

"She's my little sister," Jason answered, without any hesitation that could be misconstrued as dishonesty. "We've been friends for over half our lives, and throughout all that time, I've never thought of her as anything other than friend, sister, and teammate."

"Never." Tommy repeated. His disbelief was almost palpable.

Jason permitted the smallest of grins. "She's not my type. She's too…cutesy

."

The former Ranger had hoped his slight irreverence could have warmed the room just a few degrees… but Tommy was far too grave to find any humor in his comment.

"Tommy, I swear Kim and I aren't seeing each other. Man, you know I'm starting to get serious with Emily!"

Actually, in typical Tommy fashion, he'd forgotten all