Long Journey Home
folder
M through R › Power Rangers
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
33
Views:
6,838
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
M through R › Power Rangers
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
33
Views:
6,838
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own The Power Rangers, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
4
Billy was waiting for them as the group gathered around. Checking his printouts once more, he looked at Jason earnestly.
"There were indeed some slight alterations in your brainwave patterns which corroborate your story. Taken with the particle traces I picked up in the park, it looks as if you’ve been caught in a random reality warp, causing a personality transfer. What it amounts to is that your .... mind, for lack of a better word, was somehow transported from your own body into the equivalent one here -- into your alter ego, so to speak."
"A personality transfer, you mean? Transported from where?"
"Most likely from another timeline, or a parallel universe. One where almost everything is the same ... with slight variations, as you can attest to." Billy glanced meaningly at Tammy. "Your body seems to be the same in both realities; at least I could find no significant changes from the data in the archives."
Jason drew a deep breath. Knowing that he wasn’t losing his mind, that this was real, was a relief. However, he didn’t belong here. Deliberately not looking into Tammy’s direction (and steadfastly refusing to admit even to himself why), he glanced up at their ancient mentor.
"How do I get back, Zordon?"
The Eltarian took his time answering.
"I do not know, Jason. As Billy told you, it was a random occurrence, not created by any outside force. We will study this further, but for now I am afraid I have no other answer to give you."
Jason swallowed, hard. He was stuck here? For how long? What about his home, his friends? Another thought struck him. What about the other Jason, the one whose body he was inhabiting?
"Most probably he is in your own reality; the likelihood that a simple switch has occurred is 84.3%."
"Then that Jason will have to cope with a sudden Power loss ... oh, man." Suddenly glad that it hadn’t happened to him, Jason began to imagine the adjustments his alter ego would have to make.
"Quite. However, I have every confidence in our Gold Ranger. He is strong and courageous, and will not easily give up hope."
"You mustn’t either, Jason," Tammy’s voice came from behind him. She’d taken a step closer, as if to reassure him by her proximity that he wasn’t alone in this.
Jason smiled ruefully. "I can’t afford to. I’m just glad you guys are here, too, and that you’re also my friends."
Billy laid a firm hand on the broad shoulder.
"We are here for you, all of us."
Nods and affirmatives ran around the chamber. Jason felt better at the support his friends were giving him. Well, strictly speaking, they weren’t his friends, but those of the other Jason, but he knew that 'back home' his counterpart would get the same kind of help and acceptance he was receiving. First, though, he had to find out if there was a way he could return that support.
"Zordon ... as long as I’m here, is it possible for me to help out the team? I mean, you’re short a Ranger, otherwise."
"Indeed, it would be very welcome if you would assume the role of Gold Ranger for the duration of your stay. The Power is bonded to your body, not your mind; even so, you have held it in your own reality, and I am certain the other Rangers will assist you."
Adam and Billy exchanged long glances, then turned towards the rest of the team. "What do you say, guys?"
"I say we need Jason," Tanya ventured, smiling at the dark-haired boy.*Looks as if that might be the kick in the pants Tammy and Jason need ...*
Kat and Rocky nodded in agreement. They did NOT relish the thought of ng tng the strongest fighter, and had no problem accepting the proposal.
"Well, we won’t have a problem with it, either," Adam confirmed after exchanging a look with Billy. "Besides, we’ll all be able to help him out with discrepancies, if there are any." All turned to the only Ranger who hadn’t said a word yet. "Tammy? Make it six of six?"
The girl ran a hand through her long brown locks. The gesture was so much like one Tommy might havee the that Jason felt a sharp pang of loss, coupled with a desire to bury his own hands in the curly wealth. Jason shook his head once.*Now where did THAT come from?*
He looked into the serious chocolate-coloured eyes, waiting for her answer.
"Well .... he’s still Jason, isn’t he? I mean ... I can’t find a difference to our own, you know? He .... he seems just like him ...." her voice trailed off. Kat and Tanya exchanged glances, then the Australian put a gentle arm around her friend’s shoulders. "We understand, Tammy. And you’re right." She looked at the other Rangers, a slight challenge in her blue eyes. "I’d say this is unanimous."
"All right, then. Welcome to the team." Billy held out his hand to the young man who was his oldest friend, and yet wasn’t.
"Thanks, guys." Deeply grateful, Jason knew that at least here, he’d have a home away from home, no matter what.
"But what are we gonna call you?" Rocky wanted to know as the seven teens prepared to teleport out again. "I mean, you're Jason, and our Jason is Jason ..." Confusedly, he broke off.
The others grinned, but Jason didn't have to think long. "As I told Tammy, I'm Jase to my friends."
The others digested that for a minute. Their own Jason was too serious to encourage the use of a nickname for himself, but somehow it seemed to fit their 'visitor'.
"That'll work."
Seven flashes of multicolored light disappeared into the summer sky.
"There were indeed some slight alterations in your brainwave patterns which corroborate your story. Taken with the particle traces I picked up in the park, it looks as if you’ve been caught in a random reality warp, causing a personality transfer. What it amounts to is that your .... mind, for lack of a better word, was somehow transported from your own body into the equivalent one here -- into your alter ego, so to speak."
"A personality transfer, you mean? Transported from where?"
"Most likely from another timeline, or a parallel universe. One where almost everything is the same ... with slight variations, as you can attest to." Billy glanced meaningly at Tammy. "Your body seems to be the same in both realities; at least I could find no significant changes from the data in the archives."
Jason drew a deep breath. Knowing that he wasn’t losing his mind, that this was real, was a relief. However, he didn’t belong here. Deliberately not looking into Tammy’s direction (and steadfastly refusing to admit even to himself why), he glanced up at their ancient mentor.
"How do I get back, Zordon?"
The Eltarian took his time answering.
"I do not know, Jason. As Billy told you, it was a random occurrence, not created by any outside force. We will study this further, but for now I am afraid I have no other answer to give you."
Jason swallowed, hard. He was stuck here? For how long? What about his home, his friends? Another thought struck him. What about the other Jason, the one whose body he was inhabiting?
"Most probably he is in your own reality; the likelihood that a simple switch has occurred is 84.3%."
"Then that Jason will have to cope with a sudden Power loss ... oh, man." Suddenly glad that it hadn’t happened to him, Jason began to imagine the adjustments his alter ego would have to make.
"Quite. However, I have every confidence in our Gold Ranger. He is strong and courageous, and will not easily give up hope."
"You mustn’t either, Jason," Tammy’s voice came from behind him. She’d taken a step closer, as if to reassure him by her proximity that he wasn’t alone in this.
Jason smiled ruefully. "I can’t afford to. I’m just glad you guys are here, too, and that you’re also my friends."
Billy laid a firm hand on the broad shoulder.
"We are here for you, all of us."
Nods and affirmatives ran around the chamber. Jason felt better at the support his friends were giving him. Well, strictly speaking, they weren’t his friends, but those of the other Jason, but he knew that 'back home' his counterpart would get the same kind of help and acceptance he was receiving. First, though, he had to find out if there was a way he could return that support.
"Zordon ... as long as I’m here, is it possible for me to help out the team? I mean, you’re short a Ranger, otherwise."
"Indeed, it would be very welcome if you would assume the role of Gold Ranger for the duration of your stay. The Power is bonded to your body, not your mind; even so, you have held it in your own reality, and I am certain the other Rangers will assist you."
Adam and Billy exchanged long glances, then turned towards the rest of the team. "What do you say, guys?"
"I say we need Jason," Tanya ventured, smiling at the dark-haired boy.*Looks as if that might be the kick in the pants Tammy and Jason need ...*
Kat and Rocky nodded in agreement. They did NOT relish the thought of ng tng the strongest fighter, and had no problem accepting the proposal.
"Well, we won’t have a problem with it, either," Adam confirmed after exchanging a look with Billy. "Besides, we’ll all be able to help him out with discrepancies, if there are any." All turned to the only Ranger who hadn’t said a word yet. "Tammy? Make it six of six?"
The girl ran a hand through her long brown locks. The gesture was so much like one Tommy might havee the that Jason felt a sharp pang of loss, coupled with a desire to bury his own hands in the curly wealth. Jason shook his head once.*Now where did THAT come from?*
He looked into the serious chocolate-coloured eyes, waiting for her answer.
"Well .... he’s still Jason, isn’t he? I mean ... I can’t find a difference to our own, you know? He .... he seems just like him ...." her voice trailed off. Kat and Tanya exchanged glances, then the Australian put a gentle arm around her friend’s shoulders. "We understand, Tammy. And you’re right." She looked at the other Rangers, a slight challenge in her blue eyes. "I’d say this is unanimous."
"All right, then. Welcome to the team." Billy held out his hand to the young man who was his oldest friend, and yet wasn’t.
"Thanks, guys." Deeply grateful, Jason knew that at least here, he’d have a home away from home, no matter what.
"But what are we gonna call you?" Rocky wanted to know as the seven teens prepared to teleport out again. "I mean, you're Jason, and our Jason is Jason ..." Confusedly, he broke off.
The others grinned, but Jason didn't have to think long. "As I told Tammy, I'm Jase to my friends."
The others digested that for a minute. Their own Jason was too serious to encourage the use of a nickname for himself, but somehow it seemed to fit their 'visitor'.
"That'll work."
Seven flashes of multicolored light disappeared into the summer sky.