THE REASON ( PG-13 )
Author: Eclyptyk Neo

Summary: Years go by. Eight long years. Dr. Tommy Oliver, PhD. has grown accustomed to his new way of life in Reefside, CA – high school science teacher/paleontologist by day, and Black Dino Thunder (Brachio) Ranger by night. But things will begin to change when life isn't all that easy for a Power Ranger wanting to forget his past, and fighting for the future survival of mankind. A person from his past returns in hopes to re-create a new beginning with the man she once, and still, loves. How will he react with the unexpected visit, and how will his three pupils react to the surprise? And how will the outcome for the future of the Power Rangers both young and old be?

Disclaimer: Power Rangers belongs and will always belong to Saban Entertainment, BVS Entertainment Inc., Renaissance Atlantic Entertainment, Village Roadshow KP Producations Limited, ABC Kids, ABC Family and Disney. And to all other affiliates with the Power Rangers concept (ie. Sentai–the original Power Rangers). And of course, to all those fighting the good fight against evil/stories that just don't seem to fit well in the Power Rangers era. But the plot is definitely my own–my thoughts. And if I had my way, well, the rating wouldn't be in the status of a kids show. And, yes, before I forget, the main title of the story does tie in with Hoobastank's "The Reason". Gotta give you guys credit, so don't sue me, please!

Time Frame: Set a week before the "White Thunder" saga, but after "Ocean Alert"

A/N: First off, I must apologize for my slow typing hands in getting this thing posted. I started writing the story back in April, but had no chance to get on the computer and type it. So, sorry. Please, don't bash me too hard. I really gotta catch up with the show, and this is my first attempt at creating a PR fanfic. I mean, I started watching the show in the very beginning, but once the original teams were gone, so was my interest in the show. But I did watch "Ninja Storm", so I know the story behind that. So, yes, I did miss Tommy's big debut in "Forever Red", and I still feel guilty about it. Anyways, I'm back with it–for now. The main title, "The Reason", may not make sense now, but hopefully it will in the future. And of course, I was also debating on where to put this, but found it obvious that it will fit perfectly before the "White Thunder" saga. You'll all see why, when the story gets into way. But, I hope, though, that this is my own original work–with some ties into the series, of course. And the whole concept has been done to death (T/K relationship), but I guess I gotta join the crowd. I'm a writer, but can never find the time to hit the computer and get it on the net like I need to. But of course, had to write something, since I'm back into the show, again. Anyways, read and reply.

"Could bringing back the memories and people of the past welcome in a better and brighter future?" –Eclyptyk Neo

THE REASON – Part One: Tight Sleeping

Summary: Tommy talks to Jason about what's been going on in the past few week and his work ethics. Now, three weeks after their conversation, sleeping hasn't come easy for the Black Dino Ranger. What could the problem be?

"Sleep tight. Dreams and nightmares will give you more answers than you really want." –Eclyptyk Neo

Friday night. Finally.

I slowly walked into the living room, a cup of cappuccino in hand. Not that I really wanted a beer right now, I just needed something to relax me. Cappuccino always managed to do that.

I collapsed on the couch and pulled my cell phone out, flipping it open to see if I had missed any messages.

One missed text.

I shook my head in dismay. "Jason." I stated, knowing exactly who it was, and what he had to say. "What the hell do you want now?"

That was Jason. Checking in like he always did – Mr. Make-Sure-No-One- Jumps-Off-A-Cliff-Leader – when no one tended to inform him of what they were up to in the past few weeks. It didn't bother me, not really, except about my work ethics. I have been so busy with keeping the Rangers in line, and keeping up with grades at school, and making sure that Mesogog don't try to ruin a nice, relaxing day to even call my best friend. I didn't have time to keep in touch. Not that I didn't want to, but sometimes Jason likes to push my buttons way too much than he needs to.

I opened up the text. It read: "Hey, bro. U kno da deal. Jus cheken in. And snce u so buzi 2 check ur email, I kno how u like to rank up digits on ur mobile. Newaiz, hit me bak when u can. L8r. Peace. Jase." I shook my head again. "Fine, you nosy bastard. I'll call you."

I slipped on my headset and leaned forward, as I dialed my best buddy's cell.

The phone rang three times before the receiver clicked and an awkward, heavy breathing came over the phone. Jason's bad interpretation of Darth Vader.

"Hey, Vader," I said as means of greeting, "before you get a heart attack, what's with the diss on my cell?"

Jason gagged for a second, clearing his throat. "Sorry, bro. It got your attention, didn't it? Those ones always seemed to get your attention the best."

I shook my head. "So, Jason, what's up?"

"Only looking out for you, man." He quickly asked the question that started off all our chats. "So, still ain't got no major laid action yet?"

"That's not your biz, bro. But, no, to get you off my ass about it."

"Man, and you had someone like Nikki Valentina in town, too." Jason shook his head in disgrace.

"Please." I huffed. "Even if I wanted to kick it with her, she wouldn't have been all that good in bed. She is way too a prima donna in my status. And would have blown me off as some lame piece of shit trying to sell my image. She didn't seem to give much credit to the guy in the black spandex for saving her life, anyways. Just kinda walked off, as her term of 'Thank- You-For-Saving-My-Prima-Donna-Ass-But-Now-I-Need-To-Get-My-Nails-Fixed- Thanks-To-You' sorta bull."

"Sad, bro. And you always were a girl magnet."

"Still am, bro. Just haven't found The One, if you get my drift. But buzz off, Jase. Ya know, I hate talking about this subject." I changed subjects, hoping to get no more questions on the matter. "So, how's life in LA? Got the gig yet?"

Jason shrugged. "Same ol'. Same ol'. Too many kids speeding across the street like it's slabs of ice."

"You're just trying to look good for that "movie debut" you keep talking about. But, I can't help but break it to you, Jase, Fast and the Furious and Speed delivered the goods. You're stuck with the leftover scraps."

"Whatever, bro. I'll get that gig. This is the real deal I'm working with. Not no movie magic, so I'm a regular celebrity."

"Then where are the screaming mobs of fans I can't seem to hear in the background?"

Jason had his sights on the movie business, figuring he could be the next action star. I could only laughed at it, knowing that his job as a master martial artist would always come first, if not the police officer gig.

"You're just gonna be jealous when I make a mark for myself and become some international superstar," Jason laughed.

"Sorry. I already did." I shrugged, taking a quick sip of the cappuccino sitting beside the mess of papers I still had to grade. "In all those martial arts competitions I got involved in while you were running through the streets of LA with a gun like some 'ranger' hunting goose eggs in the woods."

"Funny. Real funny, Tommy." Jason grew annoyed at my status.

"Hey. You know I didn't mean that, Jason." I apologized, but knew he took it as a joke. "So, what's up? If this has to do with my work ethics, you can forget it, bro. I already told you what the deal was."

"That ranger reunion option is still open, ya know. And the others like the idea."

The ranger reunion. With the old crew. The four generations worth of us. Just for all of us to catch up. We had seen each other in parts, but never as the whole team. Not that I thought it was a bad idea, I just didn't want to think about that right now. There was far too much going on in my life, and I didn't need anymore unexpected surprise besides Mesogog's plots or schemes to overthrow me and the other Rangers.

"No way. You know I'm busy."

"There you go again about being too busy to hang with your best bud. C'mon, it'll be fun. Besides, they're all wanting to know how you'll manage to make a conclusion to what color you're gonna wear to this little get-together, Mr. World's Greatest Ranger." And here we go again. As the legacy continues, so did my goal to become every color of the rainbow. Green. White. Red. Black. "So, what's this I hear about you and Kat?" I changed the subject. "You guys now a thing?"

Jason scoffed. "Me and Kat? Yeah right. Has Adam and Rocky been telling you crap about my love life?"

"Talk is cheap, Jason." I shook my head, figuring he was lying. But I could never tell with him. He was always good about hiding the truth. "So, are you?" A long silence fell over the line, before he answered.

"We've talked. But I guess I can't really do much knowing the fact you might pop up and kick my ass."

"Me and Kat aren't a thing anymore, Jase. I thought I told you that. And we're both okay with it. We've moved on from it, and as much as loved her, I could never see it last forever. I couldn't get as close to her as I had with Kim."

"Dude, you slept with her. I think that's saying a lot." He blurted out.

"You had to remind me, didn't you?" a sense of anger in my voice. "We did, in fact, sleep together. Not that I could regret it when we figured it would end the block between us. Instead, we drifted farther apart. I mean, we still talk. We're on good grounds friendship-wise, but I think she's still upset to not have me sleeping at her side every night. But even she saw the distance that Kim and I had to fix. And so, she let me go. I let her go."

"Man, and I thought it was there." he shrugged, taking a swig from the beer in his hand. "So, have you patched things up with Kim?"

"Don't start with me, Jason." I said in a low voice. He always had to bring that up, and as far as I could tell, it was always the same answer. "No. Okay? I just don't think there is anything left to discuss in our relationship. She made it clear she no longer wanted to be with me, and that's that. I've accepted it. Now, why can't the rest of you guys do the same?"

"Because you're in denial, damn it. Didn't I tell you that once you found true love, you can't let it go. She'll come back to you. And you'll go back to her. It's what we call love. It's quite a great gift to have, especially now. But it's the games that tests your loyalty toward each other, and will prove how much you truly need and care for each other. Don't let her go, Tommy."

"Ya know, you're putting a whole lot of bullshit in my mouth about this. I thought I told you, I didn't want to talk about it."

Jason sighed, figuring he couldn't get anymore out of me. I had been rather barricaded about the whole deal about talking to Kim with anyone. "Fine. But I'm not giving up. I know you're in denial, man. As far as I could tell, you need a vacation." Jason stated over the phone.

I groaned, throwing my head back. I covered my eyes, trying to relay the images of the past in my mind. The images played like a motion picture in my mind. "You have gotta be kiddin' me, Jase."

"No way, man." Jason shook his head. "Look, it wouldn't hurt. All that dino-zord egg hunting has got you living in ancient times, bro. Take a break."

"Ya know, I didn't ask to become the Black Dino Ranger, Jase." I leaned forward, noting the tons of papers I had left to grade. And somehow I thought being a teacher was going to be easy. "I've been so busy with everything, I don't think it would make a difference even if I did take a vacation."

"'The World's Greatest Ranger' can't even take a break to hang with his best buddy?" Jason said with some shock and embarrassment. "Aw, c'mon, Tommy, don't leave me hangin'. We haven't seen each other in nearly six months. You're working way too much, bro. And I'm sure Adam and Rocky has been doggin' you about your work ethics, too."

"Don't bullshit me, Jason." I huffed. I was far too cranky to take up his crap today. It was late. 10:45pm. "You know, I gotta keep the new generation of Rangers in line. They need guidance."

"A regular Zordon, now, aren't we?" Jason stated sarcastically.

I shook my head, pushing the earpiece of the phone upward, hoping to avoid saying something I didn't want to say. I always held a little grudge against Jason's psychological perspective on life and always winning me over. Not that I could ever win against the original red ranger. I was tired of the confrontations of working too much, and of failing to find someone I could call my girl. Quite frankly, that is a rather touchy subject I just don't want to get into at all. I definitely needed someone to come home to to relay all the struggles of how my life was becoming. And that was always the basis of our chats over the phone.

"Take a break, Tommy." Jason directed with some seriousness and sincerity. "Just put that red pen down, step away from the computer, stop thinking about those dino-eggs, and just go out and live a little more. Ya know, isolation will only make things worse. Let alone, I don't want to see my best bro trippin' over something as stupid as paying off for a new black wardrobe."

I managed an acknowledging chuckle. "Aiight, bro. I'll try." "No." Jason huffed in a Yoda-like voice. "Do or do not. There is no try."

"My apologizes, Master." I joked. "I may be a knight, but I will always have something to learn."

"Damn right, bro." Jason agreed with no hesitation. "But, hey, I gotta go."

I nodded. "Yeah. I gotta get these papers done. So, I'll talk to you later."

"Aiight, man. Whenever you get the chance. Ya know, I'm always available." Jason stated. I was about to hang up, but was stopped by Jason's last comment. "Oh, before I forget. Keep an eye out, bro. I hear there's a storm coming in, and the "hart" is gonna be right over you."

"Aiight, man." I confirmed. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

"Later, bro."

"Later, man." I hung up the phone.

Three weeks later. Sunday morning.

I, now at 26 years old, still had problems sleeping well. I tossed and turned abruptly in the huge king-sized bed. I never liked sleeping much, but I hadn't gotten much sleep in the past three weeks. I sat up, forcing air back into my lungs. I ran my hands through my short-cropped hair with frustration. Damn, Oliver. Three weeks now, and still not gettin' enough sleep. Something is definitely up with you. But what?

The dreams. They progressively began to create a puzzle in my mind. A puzzle of my past. Each relayed some truth to what had happened in the elapse of 10 years–of each generation of Power Rangers in existence. In the beginning, I was the evil green ranger. In the end–to this date–I was a regular Zordon. The mentor/leader of the team. I was back in the suit–a black suit.

I let out a deep breath, and laid back down to look at the starry ceiling above me. These nights alone in such a huge bed have gotten much harder since I've been suited up again. Maybe Jase is right. Maybe it's time to call her.

I rolled over to my side and looked out to the window. Into the forest. Into the dark abyss. Reefside, California. I thought. Been here for as long as I can remember. Or was it since the explosion on the island? It's hard to tell.

I raised my head to look at the alarm clock on the night stand. 4:18am. I threw my head back on the pillow and threw another over my head, groaning. Only 4:00 in the damn morning. You have got to be kidding me. On a Sunday? I can't keep going on like this. What the hell is wrong with me?

I closed my eyes, falling into a dreamless sleep.

Hours passed.

HOOOOONNNNNNNK!

I woke up sharply, peeking my head out of the blanket with some confusion. I peered around the room through sleepy, squint eyes as I rolled over to my back. I rubbed my eyes, absently trying to rid myself of the sleepy- syndrome of the morning.

The horn of a passing semi-truck in the distance had woke me up. But it was always rare to hear a semi-truck, especially in this part of the town. The sun was already up. I skimmed the room, looking at the clock. "9:25am," I groaned. "You gotta be kidding me. I was suppose to be up an hour ago."

I slowly dragged myself out of the bed, and retreated to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

To be continued...