Long Journey Home

At noon the next day, all six Rangers met at the lake, ready for the trip to Phaedos. The teleport was longer and more arduous than the three neophytes had expected, although Jason knew what to expect from his trip to the Deserted Planet over a year ago. They landed on the rocky shore as before -- only this time, they were not attacked by Tengas. Instead, a cheerful, familiar voice hailed them.
 
"Guys!"
 
"Billy! Man, it’s good to see you!"
 
The former Blue Ranger greeted his friends enthusiastically. He looked more relaxed and fitter than Jason could remember, and he found himself hoping that his own old friend could achieve the same state, if he made a successful return to his own reality. The group of seven teenagers cheerfully made their way to the Sacred Grounds, filling the young genius in on the newest developments. He looked curiously at Jason.
 
"I’m very eager to learn more about your experiences, Jay -- Jason. In my studies, I have heard about reality warps, but there are very few people who have actually experienced this. Most simply get stranded; you are lucky that your connection to the Morphin’ Grid will enable you to return home."
 
"Then you think it’ll work?" Jason could hardly restrain his eagerness.
 
"I see no reason why it shouldn’t. Especially not if we can determine a catalyst for your previous shifts. I’ll want to know more about the circumstances in each universe before we can go about recreating them."
 
 
***
 
They reached the rocky plateau just before sunset. Tommy, Adam and Rocky shifted into their Ninjetti uniforms as soon as they set foot on the Grounds; to Jason’s surprise, they wore their old colours of White, Black and Red. Billy explained that, as they waited for Dulcea. "It has to do with their Spirit Animals. The Zeo colours are influenced by the Crystal’s perceptions of its wielders, and the things they do with the Power. The Ninjetti may differ, and are more dependent on the actual animal."
 
Jason grinned at Adam. "There are green frogs about, though ..."
 
Adam scowled at him, though not seriously.
 
"Thank you, but I’ve heard my share of Kermit jokes without that, too." He’d come to terms with his amphibian Spirit quite some time ago.
 
"Hey, if the flipper fits ...." Rocky snickered. Before the teasing got out of hand, though, they were recalled to the present by the arrival of the Master Warrior. Dulcea listened to them earnestly, then scrutinized all three new applicants for the Great Power deeply. She took an extra long time with Jason, who met her penetrating gaze as openly as he could. Finally, she nodded.
 
"It can be done. If you can find your animal Spirit, you can help stabilize the Zeo Crystal and use it to reestablish the connection between your mind and your own body. You just have to be careful to gauge the degree; if you tighten the connection too much, you will be forced to remain where you are now."
 
"We’ll be careful," Tommy promised. "But Dulcea, what about Jay?"
 
"Your Companion, White Falcon, will be welcome here as soon as he is returned to you."
 
Jason and Tommy shared relieved glances. As the others prepared for the evening meal and the ceremony, Billy took Jason aside and questioned him in depth about the three switchovers he had experienced so far. When he was finally released, he made his way over to Tommy, a strange expression on his face. Sitting down next to him, he stared into the flickering flames of the fire pit. The White Ninjetti waited for a while, then looked at his friend.
 
"Well? Did you find a catalyst?"
 
Jason looked at him out of the corner of his eye. "Sort of."
 
"What do you mean, sort of? Either you have, or you haven’t."
 
"Well .... Billy has a theory ..." Tommy saw with astonishment that Jason blushed. Extremely curious, he probed further.
 
"What theory?"
 
Jason swallowed. Why was it so hard to tell Tommy? If Billy was correct, he would need his help if he wanted to go home; besides, even though this was not his Tommy, he sensed almost the same kind of connection as with his best friend at home -- and he would want Jay back as soon as possible. Drawing a deep breath, he launched into the explanation Billy had given him.
 
"I told you that in that first alternate reality, you were a girl, right? And last time, that I was in a female body?" Seeing the affirmative nod Tommy gave, Jason went on. His cheeks hot, he gave further details.
 
"What I didn’t tell you is ... I made love to your counterparts in both realities. To Tammy, and as Jess."
 
He waited for a commentary, but all Tommy would say was a noncommittal "So?"
 
"So .... I was transported onwards within a short time of having climaxed with either one. Apparently, or so Billy believes, the physiological changes in the body during sex somehow ease the way for the reality warp to hit me again. If I got it correctly, it has to do with higher hormone levels and a shutdown of higher brain functions. As soon as body and brain return to normal, I’m anchored within a body that resonates to my mind, or whatever. Billy got a bit too technical in the end."
 
"Yeah, he does that sometimes, doesn’t he?" Both Rangers chuckled, recalling times past when Billy had needed Trini to translate for him. Then, Tommy sobered. He made no pretense to being as intelligent as their genius friend, but the implications of his theory were all too clear. It also explained why Jason wouldn’t quite look at him. However, there was no sense in beating around the bush.
 
"What you’re saying then is, you have to have sex with me after we do whatever we have to do with the Zeo Crystal, and you and Jay get switched back?"
 
Jason just nodded. For the life of him, he couldn’t look Tommy in the eyes right now. In a way, it would show him what he had wished for so long, but on the other hand it was clear from the outset that it would be a one-time thing. He wasn’t sure he could cope with touching his dream only to have to give it up almost as soon as it was within his grasp. Then, he thought about his counterpart, and knew he had no choice. He couldn’t just consider his own needs. Jay had to have a way home to his own reality, and Tommy.
 
"Okay."
 
The softly-spoken word took some time to register in Jason’s mind. He turned to look at Tommy, meeting the brown eyes with his own. He lifted a questioning eyebrow; considering their banter from last night and this morning, he hadn’t expected the hesitancy Tommy displayed.
 
"I hadn’t thought about it before, until now, but in a way I feel as if I’m going to cheat on Jay if we get together."
 
For a moment, Jason had no answer. Then, he grinned slightly.
 
"If it’s any consolation, technically you won’t be cheating. After all, this is Jay’s body. It’s just my mind which is in it right now."
 
"But I love Jay not just because of his body -- it’s his personality, his spirit which has always drawn me."
 
"I’m sorry." Jason looked away, not knowing what to say to that. It mirrored too closely the misgivings he’d had when he fell in love with Tammy; only she had convinced him to disregard them.
 
Tommy shook himself, mentally and physically. He put a hand on Jason’s forearm.
 
"Look, I know it’s the only way for you to go home. By extension, it’s also the only way I’ll get Jay back. I’d do anything for that. Making love to you won’t be that hard." He attempted a friendly leer. He couldn’t quite pull it off, but Jason understood what he was trying to say. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, then made himself meet those warm orbs. A last moment of indecision, then he committed himself.
 
"All right. If you’re sure...."
 
"Yes."
 
Their hands found each other in a firm grip.
 
 
***
 
Darkness blanketed the view of the Neola jungle as Dulcea gathered the seven teens around the blazing firepit. She was flanked by Tommy, Billy, Adam and Rocky in their Ninjetti uniforms as she faced Jason and the two girls. Speaking the ritual words and telling them to look deeply within themselves, she blew a handful of sparkling powder into the flames which flared up and obscured the three from sight. When the fire died down again, Kat and Tanya wore Pink and Yellow uniforms like the rest of the team; only Jason was left in his shorts and tank top. Tommy exchanged worried glances with the others as Dulcea approached Kat. Looking deep into the sparkling blue eyes, she Named her Spirit Animal.
 
"Katherine, you are the Flamingo, stately and cautious; your spirit strengthens the team." Taking a few steps, she stood in front of Tanya. "Tanya, fleet and lighthearted; follow the Gazelle on your path." The Yellow Ninjetti exchanged a delighted smile with her friend, while the Master Warrior made her way to the last applicant. Her green eyes bored deeply into the dark ones of the only person who had not transformed.
 
"Jason .... which Spirit spoke to you?" She was certain of that much, at least; this applicant was worthy of the Great Power, or she wasn't the Guardian.
 
The young man inhaled a shaky breath. Meeting that probing gaze was not easy.
 
"I ... I saw ... something big. It had an eagle’s head, and wings. But the body was furred, like a giant cat."
 
Billy stepped forward. "You saw a Gryphon?" To Dulcea, he explained. "It’s one of Earth’s mythological beasts, like the unicorn. It is a mixture of an eagle and a lion." Jason nodded his confirmation.
 
Da tha thought for a moment. Then, she fixed Jason with her brilliant eyes once more.
 
"It is rare that two Spirit Animals fight over an individual. Neither has the upper hand at the moment -- a sign that there is not sufficient harmony within you between your body and spirit." She lifted a hand to forestall any comments. "It is through no fault of yours. However, it means that you must go and search for the one which will guide you. At one point, you will have to choose between the Eagle and the Lion. Only one will bring you to the true path of your destiny. Choose wisely, Jason, or you will be lost."
 
The former Ranger returned Dulcea’s serious look.
 
"I will do my best."
 
"Good. That is all anyone can ask of you."
 
The Master Warrior was about to turn away, when Tommy spoke up. "Dulcea?"
 
She turned. "Yes, Tommy?"
 
"Does Jason have to go alone?"
 
A small smile played around her lips as Dulcea regarded the two. She waited long minutes before she answered.
 
"No, Tommy; you may go with your Companion. However, I must warn you: Do not interfere with the path he chooses... even if it is not the one you would take. All choice must come from Jason, and him alone. Can you accept that?"
 
Tommy didn’t even hesitate.
 
"Yes."
 
"Very well. You leave at first light."
 
With that, she stepped past the group of teens into the darkness. Moments later, a white owl ghosted down the mountainside, her plaintive hoot echoing softly through the night.