• 1-Metamorphosis

"Morph?" "Yes – metamorphosis!" "That means 'to change’."

Kim, Billy and Trini in "Day of the Dumpster"


 


 

Prologue

Lord Zedd was bored out of his bone-structurally-challenged

skull. He had no idea what to do on this weekend, what monster to send

to Earth that hadn't been overused a hundred times on different planets,

what havoc to create for his hated foes ... in short, what to do about

the Rangers. He'd figuratively cudgelled his exposed brain for days, just

keeping up appearances by a Putty attack or two, but nothing, absolutely

nothing

came to mind that would help him defeat Zordon's brats. What spell hadn't

he used, what means could he employ to destroy the Rangers in whichever

way possible and win for once?

He didn't know. The Evil Being snorted. "A fine state

of affairs," he muttered to himself. "Defeated by a bunch of children!

Just what I accused that hag Rita of doing!"

Quickly, he looked around for his sidekicks. Thankfully,

his personal Chamber was empty – it wouldn't do for Goldar or any of the

others to learn how much this was bothering him. Zedd glowered, lighting

up the immediate vicinity of his throne with a malevolent red shimmer.

"Something needs to be done!" Exasperated, the moon's

ruler jumped up and strode towards his balcony overlooking the blue planet

only one astronomical unit away. "I wonder what those High School Have-Beens

are up to now? And if I can't use their activities against them?" He turned

on his distant-vision, training his visor on Angel Grove. "Bah! Bo-o-rrr-ring!"

Jason and Zack were practising their karate at the Youth Center, Billy

and Trini were at the Cranstons' house, noses buried in the Blue Ranger's

notes on his latest experiment, and Kimberly and Tommy ...

"Aah ... now that might prove interesting!" Grinning

maliciously, Lord Zedd settled down to watch the tallest and the tiniest

members of Zordon's Ranger team. The sight was maybe not suitable to show

him the way to their destruction, but nevertheless, it should be a nice

diversion. "I just hope you're going to put on a good show for me, Tommy-boy,"

he muttered. "I hadn't even realized you knew what to do with what you've

got! And practically in public, too!" Zedd smirked lecherously behind his

metal face grille as he perched comfortably on the balcony's railing, his

hidden eyes never wavering from what he'd found. He was so absorbed, he

didn't notice his four henchmen file into his throne room one after the

other.

It was a warm summer evening; the sun had already set

behind the mountains and the first stars were coming out, casting their

mellow light on the Pink and White Ranger as they sat on a somewhat secluded

bench in the park, kissing with gentle passion.

Tommy was leaning against the backrest, one arm supporting

his petite girlfriend as she snuggled into his chest. Kim had swung her

shapely legs up on the seat and was sitting almost at right angles to him,

draped across his lap. Her hands were buried in his long hair and he sighed

with pleasure as her lips caressed him, dusting tiny little kisses all

over his face before she returned to his mouth. They felt so incredibly

soft!

"Mmmmh, Kim," Tommy moaned as Kimberly explored his mouth

with her own, twining her tongue gently with his. He couldn't resist the

temptation and slipped deeper between her lips, thrusting softly into the

wet warmth and calling forth an answering sound that sent his senses reeling.

The White Ranger lost himself in the heat of the moment, feeling Kim do

the same as her nicely-toned body became pliant in his arms. He pulled

her even closer.

For her part, Kim was content to follow where Tommy led;

she had missed him so while he'd been away at his uncle's cabin, recovering

from the final loss of the Green Ranger Powers. Now that he was back, she

was more in love with him than ever before, and she thoroughly enjoyed

the fact that Tommy had seemed to miss her just as much. His kisses certainly

were telling their own story! A part of her thrilled to his gentle possessiveness,

but deep down, a feeling of uncertainty remained, fueled by her own insecurities

and fears – and her mother's admonitions and warnings. Kim silenced that

nagging little voice as she gave herself up to the sensations Tommy produced

in her.

The two teenagers parted for breath after long minutes,

and Kim smiled lovingly into Tommy's brown eyes as he traced her features

with a calloused fingertip. She playfully nipped at the questing digit

as it passed over her kiss-swollen lips, and Tommy's soft chuckle echoed

in her ear as he bent once more to capture her mouth with his. She sighed

in contentment, twining her arms around his neck and settling more comfortably

against his strong chest. Tommy kissed her a bit more demandingly, and

Kim gave in, all her attention focused on the taste and feel of his lips

and tongue as they explored her mouth.

Tommy felt his senses spinning out of control as Kim arched

against him, her soft breasts pressing into his chest. Almost without conscious

thought, his right hand which was still cupping her cheek began to wander

down the slender column of Kim's throat, caressing the soft skin with featherlight

touches, circling a fingertip in the hollow of her throat just as his tongue

was circling softly around its counterpart. When the only response was

a deeper sigh, the young man became more daring, venturing further and

further down until he reached the scoop neck of Kim's blouse, tracing the

swell of her breasts with his hand.

The Pink Ranger drew in deep lungfuls of air as her mouth

was released from the drugging kiss; it was almost too much what Tommy

was doing to her! Finally she was able to drag her eyes open. She looked

up; against the gathering darkness, she couldn't see much, but the affection

and desire in Tommy's brown eyes were unmistakeable. Kim became aware of

where exactly Tommy's hand was, and her breath hitched in her throat. The

slight brushing of his fingertips against her sensitive skin sent pleasant

chills down her spine, and Kim felt her nipples contract and her womanly

core getting moist.

"Kim?"

Tommy's voice was slightly raspy, but Kim thought she

knew where that came from; she suspected her own would resemble

a squeak more than anything else, were she to try and speak.

"Kimberly?"

She knew what Tommy was asking, and gave her permission

with a slight nod. Both teens sighed in a mixture of relief and arousal

as Tommy very carefully closed his hand over one soft mound, testing the

warm weight through the fabric of her blouse and bra. Still, there was

no way he could miss the throbbing little knot of hardened tissue that

pressed against his palm.

"Oh Tommy," the girl sighed as he gently pinched her nipple

while those wonderfully warm lips wandered down her neck, leaving a trail

of moisture in their wake. She relaxed under Tommy's relatively unskilled

caresses; Kim knew that he'd never been with a girl before, and a part

of her thrilled at the thought that it was she who tempted this

strong, controlled young man to lower his barriers to such an extent that

he would let her feel his own excitement. Kim had never let another boy

take as many liberties with her person as she had Tommy, and hazily she

wondered why it should feel so right, but all thought fled as Tommy

licked gently across her cleavage, delving briefly into the valley between

her breasts before he closed his lips gently over the aching peak.

Kim felt him wet the thin material of her blouse with

his tongue, and the lace she wore underneath suddenly became scratchy and

uncomfortable. Moaning softly, Kim pressed her boyfriend's head deeper

into her bosom, squirming as she felt herself get hotter ... and wetter.

Just as Tommy bit very carefully into the throbbing kernel of flesh and

slipped his hand up her thigh towards her hiked-up skirt, Kim became aware

that the ridge pulsating against her hip had to be Tommy's erection ...

and reality came crashing in. Suddenly afraid of her own feelings, every

reason against doing what had felt so incredibly good only moments

before raised their heads, and reluctantly Kimberly touched Tommy's cheek.

"Don't."

The softly-spoken word didn't really register at first,

but the stiffening of the sexy body he held in his arms did; unwilling

and unbelieving, Tommy raised his head from his delectable feast to look

into his girlfriend's eyes.

"What's wrong, Kim? Am I hurting you?"

"N-no. Tommy, please ...."

The White Ranger closed his mouth over Kim's, once more

hefting the soft swell he'd caressed before while his thumb flicked repeatedly

over the hardened tip. He felt more than heard her moan and smiled to himself,

proud that he could make Kim feel so good. However, when he released the

sweet lips, her next words wiped the smile completely off his face.

"Tommy, stop. Please."

Bewildered, he let his hand glide off the tempting mound,

straightening in his seat and pulling Kim closer.

"Why, Beautiful? Was something wrong?"

"No; oh, Tommy, that felt sooo wonderful," Kim

gushed somewhat embarrassedly, but determined to reassure her boyfriend.

"Then ... why? You know I wouldn't hurt you for the world!"

"I know that. It .... it's just ... I’m not ready for

that yet, I guess," Kim confessed, blushing slightly. "I ... it's not that

I don't want to, or that I don't like what you're doing to me, it's

more like I can’t. At least not yet."

Sighing, Tommy drew Kim's head against his shoulder. He

was achingly hard; although he knew that probably nothing serious would

have happened, he'd hoped that he might explore Kim's body, and that she

would have touched him in return. He was excited enough that even a few

fleeting strokes through his pants and underwear would've been sufficient

to bring him off. Apparently, it wasn't going to come to that, though.

However, there was no question at all of not honoring Kim's feelings.

If she wasn't ready to go beyond heavy petting, that was simply that. Loosening

his embrace somewhat, Tommy mentally ran through a couple of mantras and

a basic breathing exercise to calm himself down.

Sensing what he was doing, Kim sat up, reluctantly disentangling

herself from Tommy's arms.

"I'm sorry," she whispered in a small voice, her own frustrated

desires making her a little bit weepy.

"Hey, there's nothing you have to apologize for," Tommy

soothed. "If you're not ready, that's that. I'm not going to lie to you

– I want nothing more right now than to peel that top off of you and take

your breast in my mouth or have you touch me, but you know I'd never force

you, don't you?"

Kimberly blushed fiercely at Tommy's bold words, but she

knew she could trust her boyfriend.

"I know. Maybe .... maybe next time?" she ventured hesitantly.

"Maybe," Tommy agreed, his voice husky with lingering

arousal and emotion. He kissed Kim leisurely, but held back; if he let

himself go too far, he wasn't sure he could stop himself again. When their

mouths parted, he kissed her temple, then smiled into the doe eyes.

"Why don't I take you home? It's almost your curfew anyway,

isn't it?"

"Yeah," Kim admitted, a little bit angry at her temerity

now that the immediate situation was past and her own arousal had subsided

somewhat. She was relieved to see, however, that Tommy looked just as warmly

at her as usual. Apparently he really wasn't angry; a little bit disappointed

perhaps, but well, so was she. Hand in hand, the two teens made their leisurely

way through the darkened park to Tommy's car and to the Hart residence,

where they used the remaining time until Kim had to be inside for a very

long, involved good night ritual.


 


 

One

Disgustedly, Lord Zedd turned away from the balcony of

his lunar palace. He had just watched the accursed White Ranger masturbate

in the shower, seeking solitary relief from his own hand since his girlfriend

wouldn't give him what he so obviously craved.

"That nauseatingly noble fool! He has the Pink Ranger

alone, aroused and ripe for plucking, and just because the little girl

thinks she's 'not ready', he lets her go! Stupid! He should've just taken

her when he had the chance -- any real man would have! But that's

Zordon's brats for you – always honoring others' desires, never just reaching

for what should be theirs by right of strength and might. Bah!"

The Master of Evil stomped through his throne room, muttering

angrily to himself. He remembered well the time when he had wanted to make

the Pink Ranger his Queen – and that hadn't just been because she

was a strong and courageous fighter, or because her disappearance from

the ranks of the Rangers would have weakened the team of young heroes.

No, if truth be told, Zedd had entertained some very detailed fantasies

about beautiful Kimberly, all involving her willing or not-so-willing submission

to his lust. Her consent wouldn't have mattered, anyway – the evil monarch

had ways and means to ensure compliance in his partners, until they craved

his attentions of their own accord. And the Pink Ranger's passionate nature

would have made taking and destroying her innocence that much sweeter.

Zedd scowled behind his visor, glowering at his henchmen

who skulked in the background. His skin was glowing faintly red, a sure

sign that he was agitated, and all four of them knew better than to approach

their master now.

*If that bumbling fool Goldar hadn’t screwed up the

spell, luscious Kimberly could by now be warming my bed instead of stringing

the White Ranger along!*

Which brought him back to what he had just watched so

avidly, only to be disappointed. Due to Tommy's ethics, he was even deprived

of vicariously enjoying Kimberly's taking. Glowering, Zedd flung himself

into his chair, drumming his metal-tipped fingers on an armrest.

"That bloody idiot should have joined me when he had the

chance! I'd have made a true Man, a mighty Warrior of him, someone who

takes

what is his!" Zedd reiterated, still angry and frustrated at being thwarted.

"He's no man! And I wish there was a way I could prove that to him

and the rest of the Power Pipsqueaks! Maybe that would be enough

to bring them down at last!"

"Maybe there is a way, my Master," an unctuous

voice could be heard from the door.

"What?" Lord Zedd whirled around to glare at whoever had

dared to speak uninvited. To his surprise, it was Baboo, who cowered before

him, but for once with a crafty leer on his usually rather vapid face."What

did you say?" Zedd demanded, curtly beckoning the stubby-winged henchbeast

forward. He'd inherited the fawning bootlicker from Rita and only kept

him around for mostly menial tasks, but in his present mood he didn't really

care. Baboo hesitantly approached the granite-carved throne and looked

somewhat anxiously at the malevolent ruler.

"I ... I might know of a way to show the Rangers that

Tommy is not a 'real man', my Lord," he fawned. "In fact, I may be able

to change him so he isn't a man at all anymore ..."

Zedd sat up, suddenly more than interested. He generally

didn't put too much store in Baboo's abilities, but this was at least worth

listening to. Mentally reviewing what he knew about the blue-furred alien,

he remembered that in his heyday, before he had come to serve Rita, Baboo

had been a gifted alchemist, brewing up the most delightfully evil potions

for the various masters he'd served over the centuries. Even under Rita's

inept leadership, he had succeeded once in turning two of the Rangers into

nicely nasty punks, alienating them from their friends. If only Zordon

hadn't known about the deandra flowers ....! Well, that was water

under the bridge, as the Humans would say. Maybe there was something to

Baboo's claim, maybe there wasn't, but it certainly couldn't hurt to let

the fool talk. Besides, any plan to hurt, maim or cripple the accursed

Power Rangers had to be better than no plan, right?

"What did you have in mind, cretin?" Zedd growled, unwilling

to give away too much interest. "This had better be good!" he added warningly,

for good measure.

"Yes, Master," Baboo simpered, casting a cautiously triumphant

look at Goldar, who just scowled back. "Humans are a race with a double

set of 23 chromosomes, making a total of 46. Each half comes from one parent

– with both the mother and father supplying one set each. They combine

randomly at the moment of conception, to form a new being, which therefore

is a conglomeration, a mixture of genes from two differing backgrounds,"

Baboo explained.

"I'm not interested in a biology lesson, idiot!" Zedd

bellowed impatiently. Really, why did he have to be saddled with these

bumbling fools? "What has that got to do with destroying the damned White

Ranger?"

Baboo swallowed hard.

"Master, only two of these 46 chromosomes determine gender.

A female has a double X chromosome, a male a combination of one X and one

Y chromosome each. So, only the Y chromosome makes a male ...."

"And?" The Ruler of the Moon Palace asked, equally bored

and impatient.

"I have a supply of sha’nach herbs from the planet

Muralis in my possession. If we could somehow make the White Ranger swallow

a potion distilled of them – and some very interesting additives – it would

leech the Y chromosome out of his very cells. Left with only one X chromosome,

he would either die ... or, if you were to blast him with a slightly modified

energy beam during battle, it would reduplicate the remaining gender-determining

chromosome ...."

"...and turn Tommy into a girl!" Zedd cackled gleefully,

catching on. "Excellent! I like it! Let's see the Power Puffs deal

with having a girl as their almighty leader! I bet that arrogant

Red Ranger, Jason, would just love that!"

Rubbing his hands in anticipation, Zedd leaned back on

his throne, when a thought occurred to him.

"What about an antidote? And what if Zordon can detect

the potion?"

"To my knowledge, there is only one way to reverse the

effect of sha’nach," Baboo declared, an unholy gleam in his eyes.

There was in fact another way instead of what he was going to suggest,

but it was so highly unlikely and unusual, forbidden even on the plants'

planet of origin, and given the peculiar sensibilities of most Humans ...

no, Baboo decided, his Master wouldn't need to know about such a solution.

"If we were to wait a short period for the potion to take effect – no more

than an hour or two at most – before blasting Tommy with the modified energy

beam, it will make the herbs undetectable to standard scans until it's

quite too late. And it takes a large amount of Y chromosomes extracted

from another male of the same species to reverse the process, once it's

complete. The only way, determined by the masters who taught me, of getting

to those chromosomes is by taking them from a living specimen –

stimulating the appropriate gonads and then cutting them off, to be boiled

down and distilled into a solution that then will have to be injected in

the tissue surrounding the reproductive organs of the altered male."

"Are you sure it has to be off a live male?" Zedd

grinned behind his visor, seeing how this might actually work.

"Yes, Your Evil Lordship; the chromosome-bearing cells

have to be viable to work at all."

"Brilliant! Those stupid fools will never mutilate

another just to serve their own needs! Their precious 'honor' forbids it.

And that means, goodbye Tommy, welcome Thomasina!" Zedd laughed, the sinister

sound echoing around the vast chamber. "Get to it, Baboo! Make me that

potion, and we'll finally have found a way to destroy the oh-so-pure White

Ranger!"

Zedd walked to the balcony once more, looking down to

Earth and seeking out Kimberly, asleep in her solitary, virginal bed.

"There will be no 'next time' for you and your precious

Tommy, my pet," he all but purred. "You should have taken your chance for

getting laid by him when it was within your grasp. Soon, it will be too

late – for both of you!"

Chuckling to himself, the skinless Lord of Evil ordered

Finster to adjust Goldar's sword into the energy weapon needed to complete

his scheme and retired to his rooms, to contemplate the downfall of the

White Ranger.


 


 

Two

It was ridiculously easy for the denizens of the moon

to divert the Rangers' attention the next Friday afternoon while they were

hanging out at the Youth Center; a brief Putty attack, perfectly timed,

called the team outside, and while the six teens took care of business

with their usual efficiency, a disguised clay figure poured Baboo's nearly

tasteless potion into Tommy's soda. The White Ranger didn't notice a thing

as he thirstily downed his drink after their return; he only grimaced a

bit as he emptied his glass.

"Something wrong?" Billy queried, noticing the slightly

distasteful expression on the new team leader's face.

"Nah, it's nothing," Tommy dismissed his friend's concern.

"I just hadn't realized this had gone so flat. Tastes a bit weird, is all.

Guess I'd better stick to smoothies from now on."

"I hear you, man," Zack sighed overly dramatically. The

others laughingly concurred, having had to cope with exactly the same problem

more times than they cared to remember.

"You all packed for our camping trip tomorrow, Bro?" Jason

idly asked his best friend as the Rangers relaxed once more into animated

chatter.

"Sure," Tommy replied. "Since my folks are going out of

town tonight, my mom insisted I get everything ready, except for the foodstuffs.

But I can have those stowed within half an hour."

"Man, I wish we could all go," Zack said a bit enviously.

"This would be such a great opportunity ... what with school closing down

for three days next week, we'd have those and the whole weekend!

But since my parents are taking this chance to visit my uncle in St. Louis

...." he shrugged. Truth to tell, the Black Ranger would've had a hard

time deciding what he preferred, but since the choice wasn't his to make,

he could grouse without feeling too bad about it. Besides, he liked

his musician relative, and since Curtis would come with them, Zack was

sure he was going to have a blast!

"What about the rest of you?" Jason offered generously

after a brief exchange of looks with Tommy. "You're quite welcome to join

us."

"I'm sorry to have to decline also," Billy demurred. "The

Young Scientists of America Association are expecting members' contributions

for the quarterly newsletter, and recent events have prevented me from

typing up my article. This time off is exactly what I need to put the finishing

touches on it."

"After all the hard work you put into getting into the

club, I can understand why you wouldn't want to let them down," Jason readily

agreed. The six friends all remembered how devastated Billy had been after

almost failing to qualify.

"What about you, ladies?" he turned to the Pink and Yellow

Rangers. Kim made a funny face at the suggestion.

"I'd love to, but my mom's been getting a bit freaky ever

since Tommy and I started dating seriously." The petite girl blushed as

her eyes met her boyfriend's. They clearly showed a mixture of affection,

anxiety and apology, which Tommy understood all too well, mirroring his

own jumble of feeling as they did. He wanted a closer, more intimate

relationship with Kim and knew she felt the same, but they were both very

much aware of how big a step they were contemplating – and neither was

quite

sure if now was the right time for them.

"She won't let me go away overnight on things like that

with you guys anymore. As if Tommy and I would have a chance to do anything

with anybody else there!" Kim's frustration and exasperation were all-too-audible

in her slightly petulant tone. Tommy thought her pouty expression adorable,

and soothingly grasped a slender hand, to lift it against his cheek and

caress the back with his thumb.

A slightly embarrassed silence fell briefly around the

table; while Kim and Tommy usually were openly affectionate with each other

around their friends, they had been rather reticent about more intimate

exchanges except in privately shared confidences ... with Trini and Jason

respectively.

To break the suddenly sexually charged mood, Trini adopted

a comically regretful tone.

"And since Kim isn't allowed to go, I'm not, either. I

think my folks are afraid you guys couldn't resist if I tried my womanly

wiles on you!" She exaggeratedly batted her eyelashes at the boys.

The resultant snickers were exactly what Trini had hoped

for. She was not normally so suggestive, but ever since Kim and Tommy had

become a couple, there had been some kind of ... awareness ... among

the Rangers that pulled them even closer ... and at the same time drove

them slightly apart. It was as if the teens had suddenly collectively discovered

that some members of their tightly-knit little group were of the opposite

gender – and quite attractive, to boot. No-one wanted their closeness and

friendship marred by acting on these sudden attractions, however, so they

sought outlets for their bubbling hormones elsewhere. Richie and Angela

were the primary beneficiaries of this circumstance, and even the Blue

Ranger had been known to comment on one or the other attractive female

schoolmate to his friends. The only one seemingly unaffected was Jason,

who turned sparkling dark eyes on his best friend and grinned mischievously.

"Yeah, right," the Red Ranger laughed. "As Kim said, even

if we wanted suddenly to jump each others' bones, I'd rather do

that without an audience!" He waggled his eyebrows in an exaggerated leer

at both his male and female teammates, cracking them all up.

The six friends turned their attention towards other things

then, discussing everything and nothing as usual, until their lively conversation

was suddenly interrupted by a familiar six-tone chime. Retiring to a quiet

corner in the hallway, Jason checked in with their ancient mentor, beating

Tommy to it by a fraction of a second. Smiling his apologies at the new

team leader, he lifted his communicator to his mouth.

"We read you, Zordon. What's up?"

"Rangers, Goldar and a band of Putties have appeared in

the park, near the playground. You must make sure they will not harm any

innocent citizens."

"Got it. We're on our way!" Tommy grinned as Jason assumed

command out of habit. He didn't mind too much; he wasn't quite comfortable

with the way Zordon had handed the Rangers' leadership to him, although

Jason had assured him it was no big deal. They were friends, he'd said

with his customary warm smile and a firm handclasp. Friends followed each

other, neither one only leading or following. Tommy was grateful for Jason's

acceptance and understanding, feeling that their already-tight friendship

became closer still. For the time being, the Red and White Rangers unofficially

shared their duties, working together efficiently and well.

A glance was enough, and as one the Rangers teleported

out in a rainbow of colored lights. Once in the park, they quickly spotted

the golden-armored henchmonster, and started to fight the clay hordes.

It soon became obvious that this attack was much more serious than the

previous one, and on a shouted order from Tommy, the Rangers morphed into

their uniforms, battling on with greater strength and ability.

"Is it just me, or does anyone else get the feeling there's

no real point to this?" Zack asked the air in general as he dispatched

of three Putties in succession with perfectly-executed snap kicks.

"This is indeed almost too easy," Billy agreed, neatly

backflipping over another of Zedd's footsoldiers. "It seems as if they

were just trying to draw us out."

"Yeah, but why?" Kim huffed as a well-placed elbow to

the Z spot shattered one more Putty. "Couldn't they just leave us alone

for once? We already had our daily dose of claybrains earlier today!"

"I'm sure Jason and Tommy don't agree," the Yellow Ranger

commented, slamming a grey chittering creature into a tree and drawing

her friends' attention to a furious display of excellent swordsmanship

between the two remaining Rangers and the winged monster. Even so, the

fight had an aura of unreality to it, as if Goldar was waiting for ....

something.

Nevertheless, he was dodging and parrying both Jason's Power Sword and

Tommy's Saba with amazing skill. Neither of the three fighters could gain

the upper hand, until Jason stumbled over a patch of torn-up turf. He regained

his footing almost immediately, but it gave Goldar the opening he needed.

He sprang back, out of Saba's reach, and leveled the tip of his sword against

Tommy's white-uniformed figure.

"Take this, White Ranger! With compliments from Lord Zedd!"

Before Tommy could react, a beam of virulent green energy

hit him full force, and he was thrown back several yards. Kim’s shriek

of "TOMMY!!" mingled with Jason's bellow of rage, Tommy's moan of pain

and Goldar's raucous laughter as he teleported away with the remaining

Putties. Almost as soon as it had begun, the fight was over, leaving five

worried Rangers gathered around their fallen leader.

"Let's get to the Command Center, guys," Jason ordered

curtly, slipping an arm under Tommy's shoulders.

As soon as the teens reformed in their hidden command

post, Jason powered down and quickly removed Tommy's helmet. He felt a

rush of relief as the brown eyes opened and looked at him somewhat dazedly.

"I'm okay, guys," the White Ranger assured his anxious

friends, demorphed and scrambled to his feet. He smiled as Kimberly wormed

her way under his arm, gazing worriedly into her boyfriend's face.

"Are you sure, Tommy? That energy beam hit you full force."

"I'm fine, Beautiful," Tommy stated once more, but he

didn't object when Alpha and Billy insisted on doing a full body scan,

just to be on the safe side. It turned up nothing more serious than slight

exhaustion and somewhat elevated synapse activity – a phenomenon that the

Rangers had dubbed 'MBS' a long time ago as an acronym for 'morph-and-battle-syndrome'.

It was something they were all subject to after summoning their Powers,

and it usually cleared up within a couple of hours.

"Well, looks like you're really okay," the Blue Ranger

summarized their findings as he stowed the portable scanner back into its

holding place. "Zordon, you're positive there was no spell energy

in Goldar's blast? The color was quite unusual."

"Yeah; I've never seen such a sick shade of green in my

life," Kimberly shuddered. She hugged Tommy once more, who gladly returned

her embrace.

"Maybe old Monkey-Face wasn't feeling too well and his

color was a bit off," he joked lamely, eliciting groans from all of his

friends.

"You have to be okay, or you wouldn't be making

such sick jokes," Jason decided, to louder groans mingled with reluctant

laughter. "C'mon, guys – if there's nothing else going on, we might as

well go back." The former team leader looked a question at their mentor,

but Zordon just smiled a bit wistfully at his young charges and sent them

on their way with admonitions to Tommy to report in immediately if he felt

any aftereffects of the energy blast. The Eltarian had a suspicion that

all wasn't as fine as it appeared, but since the routine scans had showed

nothing .....

"Alpha, maybe we'd better schedule a more in-depth examination

of Tommy's condition for tomorrow. It never hurts to be careful."

"I'll prepare the scanners right away, Zordon," the little

android replied. "Ai-yi-yi, I hope Lord Zedd is not trying to put Tommy

under a spell again," he sighed as he started to bustle away.

"Are you sure you're okay, Bro?" Jason worriedly

asked Tommy as he noticed his friend's slightly pained expression for the

third or fourth time. Tommy wasn't moving with his customary fluid grace,

but seemed unusually distracted, as if he was listening inside himself

for .... what?

"Yeah, worrywart." Tommy grinned as he dabbed at his sweat-streaked

face, neck and shoulders with a towel. He nevertheless couldn't suppress

a sigh as he sat down next to the Red Ranger to finish his smoothie and

sandwich. The two boys had worked out some and wanted to cool down before

hitting the showers.

"I'm just a bit achy all over. It's as if I'm getting

the flu, or something – you know the feeling?"

"Do I ever," Jason admitted. "Man, when that bug hit me

last spring, I cheerfully wanted to die for a couple of days. That's how

you feel?"

"Sorta. Maybe Goldilocks was sick after all, and

passed whatever bug bit him on to me!"

The Red Ranger groaned.

"I'm not gonna sit here and listen to your sick

humor all night," he said with a slight smirk. "Come on, if we want to

get an early start into the mountains tomorrow, we'd better call it a night."

In a gesture that had become almost second nature to both of them, he firmly

squeezed Tommy's shoulder and let his concern for his best friend show

briefly in his night-dark eyes. Tommy touched the back of the warm hand

fleetingly and smiled his thanks, grateful as always to have found a friendship

like this with his one-time rival.

"Right. I just hope Zedd is gonna leave us alone for once."

"If not, we're only a communicator call away," Jason commented

dismissively as they gathered their belongings. "Even if it's going to

be hard to reach us in the mountains because of this stupid interference

problem Billy couldn't lick yet, I'm still going to take mine along."

"I thought we wanted to have a true off-duty trip?"

The former team leader shrugged. "I'm not going to wear

it, just ..."

"Just in case, you mean?"

"Uh huh."

"Right. Good thinking."

The two young men joked and bantered with each other through

their showers and made their way to their respective homes, awash with

anticipation for their five-day camping trip the next morning. They had

planned to take Tommy's car to a campground/parking lot in the State Forest

and hike from there to a more secluded location, for once really 'roughing

it' with only a small tent, sleeping bags and a camp stove; water would

come from a nearby stream Jason had fished in with his uncle a few weeks

before. Both readied their backpacks and as much food as they thought they'd

need, Jason leaving his right next to the front door and Tommy stowing

his already into the trunk of his car. Then, both went to bed, storing

energy for their trip.

Tommy spent a restless night tossing and turning in his

bed, but never quite waking up. The persistent ache in his body seemed

to crest, then subside during the wee hours of the night, and the White

Ranger finally sank into a deep sleep, only to be yanked rudely awake by

the insistent shrill of his alarm clock. Silencing the blaring sound, Tommy

briefly buried his head under his pillows, terribly tempted to just roll

over and go back to sleep. However, he knew that Jason was not above teleporting

over and throwing a glass of ice water into his face if he didn't get his

butt into gear, so ....

Muttering sleepily to himself about the idiocy of getting

up at the crack of dawn (at seven o'clock, it was hardly that, but Tommy

didn't much care; he was tired, and wanted nothing more than to

crawl back into bed and dream about Kim some more) and the stubbornness

of best friends with the ability to talk a person into actually agreeing

to getting up at said ungodly hour, the long-haired teen pulled his tee

over his head and flung it haphazardly back into his room as he padded

out into the hallway, leaving him clad only in a pair of old green boxers

that had long been relegated to sleepwear.

Only marginally awake, Tommy passed the open door of the

master bedroom on his way to the bathroom. Out of the corner of his still

half-shut eyes, he noted with appreciation the reflection of a half-naked

girl in the full-length dresser mirror.

*She certainly looks good enough, even fresh

out of bed,* he thought, feeling both a twinge

of purely masculine appreciation at the sight of sleep-mussed, long brown

hair and full, swaying breasts and of slight guilt towards his petite girlfriend,

who looked nothing like the tall girl he'd just seen in his parents' bedroom.

Suddenly, Tommy jerked to a full stop, all senses alert and quite awake

now.

*Waitaminute... there’s no-one in the house but me

... I don’t even know someone who looks like that, much less someone

who would walk around here naked ... dressed only in ... green ... shorts

...*

Filled with a terrible sense of dread, Tommy retraced

his last couple of steps, pausing at the open door. He dared not glance

down his own body, desperately wanted not to look inside and face

the mirror, but knew that he had to. His heart was racing and his mouth

was dry as the White Ranger drew a deep, fortifying breath, closed his

eyes and stepped around the corner into the sunlit room. Tommy could feel

the warming rays of the morning sun on his naked chest as he just stood

there for a few moments, gathering his courage. Opening his eyes again

was the hardest thing he'd ever done, even harder than facing the Rangers

after Jason had broken Rita's original spell over him, or screwing up his

courage to kiss Kimberly for the first time, but he made himself do it.

Staring at his reflection in the polished silver surface for a long, long

time, only one thought beat in Tommy's mind ...

"Oh. My. God."


 


 

Three

The Rangers teleported in to the Command Center one by

one, mostly still in various stages of sleepwear. Only Jason and Zack were

fully dressed, since both were ready to leave on their respective trips

within the next couple of hours.

They looked around curiously, not knowing what to think

since for once the monster alarms weren’t blaring, nor was the Viewing

Globe activated. Tommy stood with his back to them, dressed not for hiking

like Jason, but in soft grey sweats and a loose white t-shirt. He was gripping

the edge of a console with both hands and his head was bowed – a posture

that made Kim and Jason exchange worried glances.

"What's up, Zordon? Is it Zedd again?" Jason tried not

to let his sudden sense of unease show in his voice.

"Not this time, Rangers," the Interdimensional Being intoned

solemnly. "Or more precisely, he has already done his damage."

"What has Radiator Face done now?" Kim asked exasperatedly,

slightly miffed that Tommy hadn't come to her to greet her yet, nor even

acknowledged her presence.

"This," a soft contralto voice said, at the same time

strange and eerily familiar. Drawing a deep breath into his suddenly starved

lungs, Tommy turned around and faced his fellow Rangers.

"Oh. My. God."

Later, nobody could have said who had uttered the exclamation,

precisely mirroring Tommy's earlier reaction. The Rangers stared slack-jawed

at the altered appearance of the White Ranger. While still tall and slim,

with shoulder-length mahogany locks and chocolate eyes, there were a lot

of subtle changes that signalled quite clearly that the person standing

before them definitely was not the Tommy they knew – and yet he

was. Gone were the smooth muscles and angular features, the hard, defined

chest and deeply-bronzed skin. In their stead, the five teens saw a tall

girl with a knockout figure, slender but with generous curves in all the

right places; a face that was striking rather than pretty and skin that

was tanned a lighter shade than they were used to and looked incredibly

soft. There was still a sense of easy strength about the changed Ranger,

but it was more subdued, Yin to its former Yang, exuding soft femininity

where before Tommy had been all male.

Kim was the first to react. Wide-eyed with shock, she

stepped up to her boyfriend and stared helplessly into his eyes. The expression

she read there was all-too familiar, and convinced her as nothing else

could have done that this girl was indeed Tommy. Tears flooded her eyes

as she hesitantly placed a hand on the White Ranger's chest, jerking back

as if stung when her palm met not hard muscles, but the soft swell of unbound

breasts.

"Oh God, Tommy – what has Zedd done to you?" she choked,

torn between wanting to throw herself into his arms and between distancing

herself from this new person. She stayed where she was, close, but not

touching. Her hesitancy didn't go unnoticed, and the flash of hurt in Tommy's

eyes finally let her tears overflow.

"I ... I'm sorry, Tommy," Kim sobbed. "I ... I want

to hug you, I really do, but ... but this is just too weird!"

"I understand, Beautiful," Tommy murmured, reaching out

in a familiar gesture to caress Kim's cheek and wipe her tears away. He

could never stand to see her cry. At his touch, Kimberly's tears came faster;

while she recognized the move, it felt all wrong, with Tommy's hand

now being so much smaller and more smooth-skinned than she was used to.

She tried to smile through her tears, but couldn't pull it off; pain in

every line of her body, she blushed fiercely with embarrassment and stepped

back, out of Tommy's reach.

"I'm sorry," she whispered brokenly, then collapsed weeping

in Trini's arms.

The three boys had watched the small scene with a growing

sense of dismay and outrage. This thing that Zedd had done to the White

Ranger disturbed something fundamental within each of them, a sense of

self and identity that nothing and nobody had been able to touch so far.

It was far more complex than adjusting to the fact that Tommy now apparently

was a girl; every one of them still got the familiar feel of Tommy's personality,

but to find that his very masculinity had been taken away made them very

uncomfortable.

Finally, Jason recovered his wits enough to speak.

"Was it that energy blast from Goldar?"

Zordon sighed; he should have expected that the Red Ranger

would cut right through to the heart of the matter. Knowing Jason as he

did, the Eltarian was aware that he had to curb his tendency to assume

responsibility right now.

"Yes and no, Jason. This latest plan of Lord Zedd to defeat

or at least weaken the Rangers apparently was two-fold. Tommy has been

given a distillation of Muralisan sha’nach herbs and a variety of

other ingredients – a concoction that attacks the very DNA of most humanoid

species, specifically the gender-determining parts. Since Earth Humans

have diploid chromosomes, it has literally drawn the Y chromosomes out

of Tommy's genetic makeup."

Tommy grimaced. "I'd bet anything he put something into

my soda," he surmised with sudden insight. "That Putty attack earlier yesterday

must have been a diversion to give Zedd the chance to doctor my drink.

That's probably also why it tasted so funny."

"If it tasted funny, why did you finish it?" Zack asked

reasonably.

"I thought it had just gone flat, and besides, I was thirsty,"

Tommy shrugged, a slightly sheepish expression on his face.

The Rangers digested this information, trying to recall

their Human Biology lessons from last term. Nobody was surprised when Billy

spoke up first.

"But Zordon, Tommy would not be able to survive with only

45 chromosomes; there have been documented instances of tripled chromosomes

– like Down's Syndrome, which is sometimes also called Trisomy 21 – but

I know of no case where someone with missing chromosomes was not

showing

dramatic genetic defects."

"Getting turned into a girl overnight isn't dramatic?"

Zack murmured flippantly to Trini, but only got a chiding look in return.

He had the grace to blush slightly.

"That's why Lord Zedd also blasted Tommy with a modified

energy beam, Rangers," Alpha piped up. "He waited just long enough for

the sha’nach to start working, and altered the effect by changing

Tommy's Y chromosomes to X ..."

"... and thereby turning him into a genetically correct

female," Billy concluded with a sigh, understanding.

"That is correct, Rangers," Zordon's voice boomed through

the Command Center.

"But why didn't it show up on the scans, Zordon?" Kim’s

voice was still watery with her tears, but just knowing there was an explanation

for Tommy's transformation made the situation seem not quite so hopeless.

"I would speculate that he has foreseen the possibility

and made his potion undetectable to standard examination. We only found

out about it when Tommy came here in his altered state and Alpha ran scans

on the deepest molecular level."

"Zedd's getting more devious," Tommy remarked somewhat

clinically to Jason.

"Yeah; it's way beyond his standard 'Make a monster/blow

it up' tactics," the Red Ranger agreed, both leaders starting to think

in terms of strategy again now that the first shock was past. On the heels

of that came the next question.

"Okay, Zordon – what do we have to do to turn Tommy back?"

"Right; no offense, girls, but I really would like to

be me again," Tommy added, smiling at Kim.

"I am afraid it is not that easy, Tommy," Zordon said,

his voice laced with regret. "According to our databanks, there is only

one known remedy to counteract sha’nach, and that is extraction

of a vast amount of viable Y chromosomes off a living member of the same

species – in your case another Human male – and saturating your body with

them from the inside out, starting with your reproductive organs. There

is strong evidence that the same method would effect a reverse metamorphosis

in you, changing the artificially-created X chromosome back to Y."

"So we all contribute," Zack shrugged. "That way, no one

has to give up too much, and I'm sure Billy can find a way to get 'em into

you."

Zordon hated to wipe out the expression of hope that spread

across his Chosens' faces, but he had no choice.

"I am sorry, Zack, but it is better – and safer – if it

all came from the same person .... and the amount necessary would result

either in what is essentially castration, or death for the individual."

"C-castration?" Trini gulped. Out of the corner of her

eyes she could see the sudden pallor spreading over the face of every male

Ranger, including Tommy. Not that she could blame them.

"Yes," Zordon confirmed grimly. Before the ancient sage

could go on, Tommy burst forth.

"No way!"

He took a few steps and turned so that he could face both

Zordon and his friends.

"I ... I don't want to stay like this, and Heaven

knows how we're gonna be able to explain this, but I will not do

anything to endanger anyone's life, or do that to any one of you!"

Tommy's voice was hoarse, and there was a somewhat wild

look in his brown eyes, but the Rangers heard and accepted the steely determination

in his tone. They knew they all shared Tommy's feelings in this.

"Is there no other way, Zordon?" Kimberly asked, desperately

fighting to choke back more tears. Crying would help no-one now.

"I know of no other, Rangers. I am sorry." Zordon's voice

sounded very final, and for long minutes, the six teens stared wordlessly

at each other, while both Kim and Jason touched Tommy reassuringly. The

White Ranger smiled at his best friend and girlfriend, grateful for their

support, but trying very hard not to give in to his growing desperation.

How was he going to explain his metamorphosis to his parents – at school?

The secret identities of the team would be placed in jeopardy if his involvement

with the Rangers became known, as he was sure it would. And what about

his relationship with the Pink Ranger? Despite his being changed into a

girl, Tommy had only to look at Kim to know he still was in love with her

as much as ever – and he still wanted her. However, he could not, dared

not hope that Kim might want him in his altered state. Tommy sighed

silently. *Damn Zedd, anyway!*

With a sudden, explosive movement, Billy jumped up from

his perch against a console and started to pace, startling everyone.

"This is impossible!" the normally quiet, reserved Blue

Ranger exclaimed, exasperated over his own inability to find a solution

to Tommy's dilemma. "Rita and Zedd have thrown monsters and spells of every

description at us over the last year, and we have always been able

to defeat them – not only by using our Powers, or the Zords, but also most

importantly by using our brains. There has to be way to help

Tommy – we can't just let Zedd win!"

"You're right, Billy," Jason agreed, somewhat surprised

that this argument came from the team genius – normally it was he who rallied

the others not to give up. "But where do we start?"

The others gathered closer as they looked with renewed

hope at their bespectacled friend; it was obvious from his frown and restless

movements that his brilliant mind was already hard at work.

"First, we recall everything we've ever learned

about Human biology – especially genetics," Billy declared. "Zordon, is

there some way we can access the university library for information? I'm

afraid our textbooks from school won't go deeply enough into the matter."

"I'll set up a link to their computer system right away,

Billy," Alpha piped up, eager to help.

Within a few minutes Billy, Trini and the others were

rooting through the information provided, downloading any and all facts

that might be helpful into the databanks, where Alpha correlated them into

one large file, sorted and cross-referenced. Then, he handed Billy the

printout, knowing that the Human would be able to assimilate the really

pertinent data much more quickly than an android brain could.

"What's the verdict, Billy?" Tommy asked the Blue Ranger

as he watched his friend frown over the sheaf of papers.

"I'm not sure," Billy murmured, still engrossed in checking

the results of their efforts. "Biology is not exactly my forte, as you

know, but there are certain facts I needed to review to get everything

clear in my mind. However, I believe I have found at least some answers."

The teen drew a deep breath and waited for the gang to gather around him.

Once he had everybody's attention, he summarized the findings.

"Well, we know from what Zordon has told us that Tommy

will need a vast amount of Y chromosomes which will have to be extracted

from another Human male. That automatically excludes the two of you," he

said with an apologetic smile to Trini and Kimberly. The Pink Ranger's

eyes filled with tears again and she reached for Tommy's hand, looking

up into the still-familiar brown eyes.

"Tommy, I ..." she stammered, too upset to continue.

"Hey, Beautiful, it's okay," the White Ranger soothed.

"It's not your fault. I know you'd help me any way you could, if it were

possible."

Kim gave Tommy a wobbly smile, but didn't speak; she couldn't

trust her voice that far. It was not okay, not by a long shot, although

it was sweet of Tommy to say so. The whole bizarreness of the situation

was getting to her more than to anybody else, excluding Tommy, of course.

Billy cleared his throat to recall the Rangers' attention

to the analysis.

"As I was going to say, since we can't very well involve

anyone from the outside, there's only Jason, Zack and myself who are in

a position to help Tommy. It shouldn't really matter which one of us actually

will donate cells, since no other genetic information except gender-determination

will be assimilated. However, the problem remains that we simply cannot

extract enough haploid chromosome-bearing cells without destroying the

gonads where they are produced."

"I thought Humans had diploid cells?" Zack asked, confused.

"Since all our cells carry a double strand of chromosomes ..."

"Not all cells, Zack," Trini answered. "The reproductive

cells are haploid, since they combine during conception."

"Reproductive cells?" Kim reiterated. "That would be ...

which?" Kim's interest had always been in Botany, not the other aspects

of Biology.

"For us, it's the ova," Trini explained. "For men, it's

... sperm." She blushed slightly; despite their close friendship, their

carefree banter and the clinical term, it wasn't exactly easy for the Yellow

Ranger to discuss this in front of the guys.

The young men blushed as well; it was quite different

to study these facts for a test than to talk about them in relation to

themselves. Or at least to one of them.

"Sperm is produced within the testicles; while we do have

the wherewithal to temporarily increase the production of Y-chromosome-bearing

spermata, in the process we would destroy the gonads themselves. The tissue

is just too sensitive to withstand the kind of stimulation needed; besides,

the process would increase body temperature, and to be viable at all, sperm

needs a temperature slightly below normal body heat. Which is why

the testicles are situated outside the body cavity, despite being more

vulnerable."

Only by adopting his most dry, clinical tone was Billy

able to deliver this information without stammering. He still sported a

deep flush, though, indicating his embarrassment.

The teens looked at each other helplessly. The situation

seemed hopeless .... they had a problem, they even knew what to do to solve

it, but they also knew that the solution was one they couldn't implement

in good conscience. Tommy's shoulders slumped and he was about to turn

away, not to let his friends see the despair in his eyes, but something

in Jason's face caught his attention. The Red Ranger's forehead was crunched

up in concentration, and he was staring intently at nothing.

"Jase?"

Tommy's voice recalled Jason to his surroundings. Crossing

his arms, he began to pace around the Command Center.

"We're overlooking something here," he murmured. "No offense,

Billy, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something very simple

and obvious we're just not seeing."

"None taken, Jason," the team genius said, intrigued almost

against his will. He knew his facts, but he also trusted Jason's instincts.

Besides, while Jason was certainly nowhere in his own league intellectually,

it was no accident that he was among the six best students in class. He

just wasn't that interested in learning for learning's sake, as Billy was,

and preferred athletic pursuits to more mentally stimulating activities.

If Jason thought they should investigate further, they'd better do so.

"But what?" Zack asked. The Black Ranger was getting slightly

nervous; he knew he had to get back to his home soon or he would have to

field a lot of uncomfortable questions about his whereabouts from his family

if he were not present at departure time. On the other hand, he was unwilling

to leave Tommy and his friends hanging if there was something he could

do to help.

"What exactly have we got?" Jason asked rhetorically.

"Billy, can we just have the bare facts one more time?"

"Sure." Billy thought for a moment. Then, he summarized

their conundrum to the barest minimum.

"Tommy needs Y chromosomes, which have to be extracted

from the testicles of another living man. We can't extract them by artificial

means because we would destroy the organs in the process."

Jason's eyes lit up. "That's it," he exclaimed.

"Huh?" The exclamation came simultaneously from several

of the Rangers.

"That's what, Jason?" Billy asked cautiously. He

knew that Jason and Tommy were very close and that Jason would do anything

to help Tommy ... had his best friend's predicament clouded his judgement?

"You said we can't get to the whatchamacallits ... the

sperm ... artificially, right?"

"Right," Billy agreed, still not seeing where Jason was

going.

"Well, what about naturally?" The dark-haired teen looked

at the Blue Ranger expectantly.

"Naturally? How would you ... oh!" Billy’s mouth snapped

abruptly shut and he blushed beet-red.

"How's that possible?" Kim wondered, renewed hope in her

eyes and voice. Trini shrugged, mystified. The girls looked at the male

Rangers and noticed to their astonishment that all of them sported various

shades of red on their countenances.

"Billy? Jason?" Trini asked, bewildered. There was no

reason she could see, but she would have bet her Zord the guys were ...

embarrassed?

"Tommy? What's wrong?" Kim asked her changed boyfriend,

as confused as the Yellow Ranger.

Tommy awkwardly cleared his throat. For the life of him,

he couldn't meet Kimberly's eyes as he mumbled an explanation the girls

had to strain their ears to understand.

"I ... I think he means ... masturbating."

"Wha --- oh!" Kim and Trini colored up as well. The silence

among the teens grew to near unbearable proportions until Zordon chose

to break it.

"While in theory Jason's solution seems workable, we just

don't have the technology to make it happen," he unhappily informed the

Rangers. "The genetic material involved is just too susceptible to outward

influences, such as even minute changes in temperature. Besides, it is

specifically the Y chromosomes which are the most sensitive. If we had

more time, we could possibly adapt some of the technology we have

at our disposal, but even if we diverted all of the Command Center's resources

to this, it would still take several weeks. After that long an interval,

Tommy's condition would have become irreversible."

"Well, what if we did it naturally all the way?" Jason

asked doggedly. "You said that the genetic material would have to be administered

from the inside out anyway ..."

"What exactly are you suggesting, Jason?" Billy queried.

He thought he was beginning to get the picture, and while the scientist

in him was already thinking the problem through, the teenaged boy within

the Blue Ranger was totally incredulous.

The former leader couldn't help the blush that seemed

to rise up from his toes, almost matching his face to his shirt, but he

wouldn't let something inconsequential like total mortification stand in

the way of helping his best friend and teammate. He drew a deep breath.

Squarely meeting Tommy's eyes, Jason dropped his bombshell.

"I'm suggesting that it might just be possible to change

you back if ... if you would sleep with one of us."

The stunned silence that followed Jason's proposal was

deafening in its intensity.


 


 

Four

"You've got to be kidding!"

Zack was the first to recover his wits. Over the course

of his friendship with Jason, the broad-shouldered teen had come up with

some pretty outrageous things for them to do, not the least of which had

brought them all to accept their Ranger Powers, but this absolutely had

to take the cake.

"Please tell me you're not seriously suggesting that you,

me or Billy have sex with Tommy!"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Jason retorted, still

fighting his blush, but with a determined look on his face. "If it's the

only way to change him back ..."

"Yeah, but man, Tommy's a guy!"

"Right now, I'm not," Tommy interjected quietly. While

all of his friends' cheeks were still flaming, he had paled considerably.

The very idea about becoming intimate with another man was appaling; not

out of prejudice, just for him, Tommy ... but something deep inside

himself told him that Jason had indeed hit on the one, the only possible

solution to his predicament. He glanced up at Zordon. Their ancient mentor

seemed deep in thought as he pondered the situation.

"Zordon?"

Tommy hated the sound of his own voice; it was nice enough,

he supposed, warm and slightly husky, but it just wasn't his. The

White Ranger found himself unable to look at any of his teammates, even

though he could feel Kimberly's eyes on him. Most notably, though, he avoided

the dark eyes of his best friend.

Billy looked up briefly from a computer console where

he was already deftly feeding data into various programs. The sophisticated

machines started to beep, blink and whir.

"Zordon, if you would check the osmotic feedback parameters

... I think there is something ... if we could come up with a way to increase

the permeability of the membranes and simultaneously stimulate the production

of ..." his voice was lost in increasingly technical mutterings as Human

genius, android and extraterrestrial sage conferred.

The remaining five Rangers used the respite to compose

themselves. Blushes gradually subsided, and Kimberly sidled up to Tommy.

She slipped a small hand into his.

"Do you think you could do it?" she queried anxiously,

torn between hope and dismay.

Tommy forced a smile for her benefit and gave her fingers

a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll do what I have to, to get back to normal," he admitted,

making his decision. "It's not just me personally and my situation; there's

also the Rangers to consider, my folks ... and you." He drew Kim to the

side, out of earshot of the other Rangers. Placing his hands on the slender

shoulders, he gazed earnestly into her soft brown orbs.

"Kim ... I don't want to lose you. You mean too much to

me, and even if you were willing to accept me as I'm now, there's just

no way we could be together if I stayed like this."

The petite girl grinned wryly.

"Yeah. My mom is freaky enough about us getting together

with you being a guy; if I told her suddenly I was going to go out with

another girl ... she'd have me shipped off to my aunt in Illinois faster

than I could say 'morphinominal'. Besides ... no offense, Tommy, but ..."

she blushed again, glancing furtively at his chest, where the outline of

generous mounds was clearly visible. In the cool, air-conditioned Command

Center, Tommy's nipples had contracted and pressed against the thin white

fabric of his t-shirt in small hard peaks. Her own were often in a similar

state, but usually hidden by her bra – a garment she'd bet her Power Coin

Tommy had never even thought about when he got dressed.

"I understand, Beautiful," he murmured, oblivious to the

direction her thoughts were taking. "I ... it's almost the same when I

think of doing it with one of the guys. But I know I must, if it's the

only way. And somehow, don't ask me how, I just know this is going

to work." Tommy drew a deep breath. He wanted very much to kiss Kim, to

reassure her and himself that their feelings were still the same as yesterday,

but didn't quite dare. He did pull her into a gentle, undemanding embrace,

however. After a momentary hesitation, he felt Kim's arms snake around

his waist, and he was marginally able to relax.

"It's just ..." he let his voice trail off, unsure if

he should tell the Pink Ranger what was on his mind.

"What, Tommy?" Kimberly asked, her face hidden in his

shoulder. Tommy was still taller; if she ignored the softness she was leaning

against, she could pretend there was almost no difference to this embrace

and previous ones. Almost.

"You know you can tell me anything," she prompted softly

when he wouldn't speak. To her surprise, he blushed slightly. Then, the

velvety brown eyes met hers.

"It's just, I always thought my first time would be with

you," Tommy admitted at last. "I wanted it to be with you. If Jase

is right, and I'll have to ... to be with one of the guys, that's not gonna

happen."

Kimberly was surprised by the rush of disappointment flooding

her as the truth of Tommy's statement sank in. Determinedly, she fought

it down, especially since she could hear the echo of her own feelings in

Tommy's apologetic voice.

"That's okay, Tommy," she whispered at last, touching

his cheek – *it's so soft now!* -- reassuringly. "If ... if you

want, you can still have your first time as a guy with me afterwards,"

she offered shyly.

"I'd like that," the White Ranger murmured back, touched

and secretly elated. He hadn't expected this after Kim's reluctance recently.

"If you're sure."

"As sure as I can be. I love you, Tommy."

"I love you, too, Beautiful," he whispered. "But, only

if and when you're ready. I promise."

"Thank you."

The two kissed then, after all, but it didn't last long;

they knew they weren't alone, even though their friends gave them what

privacy they could, and there was a slight element of strangeness

both were very much aware of. But their eyes shone as they separated, and

their hands were firmly intertwined as they rejoined the rest of the team.

They were oblivious to the indulgent smiles the others didn't bother to

hide.

Billy was still conferring with Zordon and Alpha, but

it was obvious that the three of them had come to a conclusion when the

team genius rolled up his printouts and turned back to meet his friends'

expectant faces.

"Jase, you've found the solution," Billy declared without

preamble. He had to smile as he could almost see the stones dropping

from the team's shoulders, and the relieved sighs nearly caused a miniature

tornado among his papers. However, the Blue Ranger's mien got serious almost

right away again.

"We shouldn't wait too long to implement it, though,"

he cautioned. "Tommy's been under the influence of the drug and Zedd's

energy blast for over twelve hours by now, and there is a definite chance

that it will become irreversible regardless, if countermeasures aren't

started within 24 hours after the effect was set in motion. From yesterday's

battle records, that sets the time at 5.15 pm today. You may have

an hour or two of leeway, Tommy, but .... "

"Better safe than sorry. I understand," Tommy gulped.

While he'd tried his best to come to terms with Jason's suggestion in the

short time he'd had, and accepted the necessity intellectually,

he'd hoped to have at least some more time to get really used to the idea

of having to sleep with one of his friends. Billy's words quite neatly

removed that option. Which brought him to the next, suddenly very immediate

problem: who of his friends to choose. He blushed hotly as he snuck a glance

at the Red, Black and Blue Rangers from under his lashes. It was impossible

for him to look at Kimberly, or even Trini.

"Tommy, I know this is not going to be easy for you; engaging

in sexual intercourse for the first time with anyone is a very big step,

no matter when or how. Under the present circumstances ... " Zordon rumbled

from his warp tube. He wished it hadn't come to this; a Ranger team with

romantic involvements was difficult enough to manage and he tried to subtly

discourage any developments of the sexual sort. It was one of the reasons

why he'd chosen such young Humans to wield the Power, hoping to stave off

problems in that area. True, Tommy and Kimberly's relationship seemed to

be an asset rather than an impediment so far, and once the attachment had

been formed, the Eltarian wouldn't have dreamed of splitting his Rangers

up, but the fact remained, it was going to be difficult for all of them

to set aside personal wants, desires and considerations to do what had

to be done. The White Powers had been specifically designed to match Tommy's

physiology, and there was no telling how they would react to his altered

body chemistry. The team could not afford to wait and find out,

however.

*Damn Zedd and his meddling, anyway!* the Morphin'

Master cursed inwardly. *It's bad enough my Rangers have to have their

lives interrupted like this and fight against near-overwhelming odds on

a near-daily basis, but do they have to grow up in this area that fast,

too?*

There was nothing else to be done, however. Out loud,

Zordon just allowed himself a resigned sigh and addressed his recently-appointed

team leader.

"I do not wish to rush you, Tommy, but time is of the

essence. You, and whichever partner you choose, will need to be prepared

for Jason's solution to work at all. Even now, Alpha is readying certain

chemicals which will ensure the feasibility of this plan. You need to make

your selection now."

Tommy blanched as Jason, Zack and Billy blushed. With

an enormous effort of will, he met his friends' eyes. All three boys straightened

instinctively as they felt their teammate's eyes on themselves. Slowly,

Tommy made himself walk towards the three.

Trini and Kimberly were clinging to each other's hands,

trying hard not to hold their breaths as the lithe figure approached the

male Rangers. Somehow, it was this precise instant where Tommy's altered

state seemed most pronounced; it was no longer just their friend asking

his teammates for help, it was a female of the species choosing her mate

instead.

Zack grinned uncertainly as he was the first to meet Tommy's

so-serious brown eyes. He usually had to look up slightly and it was disconcerting

to find them on a level with his own for once. While he was willing to

do anything to help his friends, nevertheless he had to swallow hard. The

instinctive reaction did little to calm down the horde of butterflies swirling

in his stomach. *I never dreamed it would come to this, though!*

he thought wildly. *What if he picks me and I can't even get it up?*

The notion brought another flood of color to his cheeks, and he was very

thankful

his dark skin hid most of it.

Tommy looked closely at the Black Ranger, his thoughts

suddenly taking quite unaccustomed turns. *I like Zack ... he's been

a great bud when I was trying to ask Kim out ... he's got a great sense

of humor, too ...* He thought fleetingly about the rubber spider he'd

placed on Zack's shoulder once, and his panicked antics until he realized

it was just a curio. He'd laughed, and while Tommy had come in for some

good-natured mauling during their next sparring session, Zack had taken

the harmless prank the way it was meant ... and retaliated with sewing

his gi pants legs together at the next opportunity. The girls had laughed

themselves silly when Tommy had been forced to hastily pick at the neat

stitches right before a match, heartlessly letting him do all the work

himself.

*I guess he's also not bad-looking,* Tommy ruminated

further, letting his eyes sweep surreptitiously over Zack's well-built

physique. But he felt a curious reluctance as he tried to imagine touching

his teammate in anything but a friendly, casual fashion, sparring or helping

each other out. *I'd trust him with my life, have done so often, even

shared the Dragon Shield with him once, but ...* The White Ranger inwardly

shook his head. *Our relationship isn't like that. We're friends, yes,

but ... It's gonna be strange enough getting together with one of the guys

anyway, but with Zack ... no. It's not him, it's just ... no.*

The Black Ranger heaved a silent sigh of relief as Tommy

turned away from him with a shaky grin and looked at Billy instead. He

knew that this didn't mean he was off the hook yet, just that Tommy hadn't

rejected him outright, but he couldn't help himself. Out of the corner

of his eye, Zack watched the silent exchange between a clearly flustered,

but steadfast Billy and the tall boy-turned-girl. He didn't really believe

Tommy would choose the Blue Ranger, but one never knew ...

Tommy smiled slightly as he read the panic barely hidden

in Billy's eyes. He knew his teammate would oblige him without hesitation

should he choose him, but even though they had found their own way to connect

to each other over time, there were just too many differences between them

to make Tommy comfortable about the thought of physical intimacy with Billy.

Even more so than with Zack ... and it was clearly a sentiment the blond

shared, but wouldn't admit to.

"Don't worry, Bill," he murmured, trying not to laugh

hysterically as he noticed the almost imperceptible sagging of shoulders

and lessening of tension at his words. "No offense to you, but ..."

"I understand, Tommy," Billy answered just as softly,

trying not to let his relief be too obvious. "Our friendship just isn't

like that."

"No, it isn't, is it?"

"No. If there was nobody else ..." The implications were

clear to both teens. They'd do what they had to, but since there was

an

alternative ... both smiled, and Tommy gave the Blue Ranger's shoulder

a quick squeeze. Then, drawing a deep breath, he took another step or two

sideways and found himself face-to-face with Jason.

The dark eyes met his own unflinchingly, open and offering

unstinting support, no matter what his decision would be. Equally obvious

were the affection and trust Tommy had always found in his best friend's

look, and without thinking, he made the choice he suddenly knew was the

only one he could make.

"Jase?" It was a million questions packed into just one

word.

"Yes, Bro," came the quiet reply. Tommy knew, without

knowing how, that Jason understood and accepted every single one of his

questions, and had answered them in the only way possible between them.

There was a certain feeling of inevitability in the air that was nearly

palpable to all. Both young men continued to gaze at each other for long

moments, then Tommy made himself turn away again. Fighting a sudden queasiness

in his stomach, and doing his best to ignore the frisson of excitement

skittering along his nerves despite everything, he directed his next remark

at Zordon.

"I choose Jason."


 


 

Five

Noon found the two teens locking Tommy's car at the Forest

Ranger Station's parking lot and shouldering their backpacks as they made

their way deeper into the forest, to the campsite Jason had in mind. They

had hardly spoken a word with each other on the two-hour trip, each lost

in his thoughts as they tried valiantly not to dwell too much on what was

going to happen between them once they'd set up camp.

Absently, Tommy rubbed his left buttock as he fumbled

to stow his car keys; it still smarted from the injections Billy had given

him before they'd left. He heard a sound that seemed suspiciously like

a barely-suppressed snicker. Looking up, he met Jason's amused eyes and

snatched his hand away from his stinging anatomy as he felt the blood rise

to his cheeks. Jason grinned at him.

"You too, huh?"

"Wh-what?" Tommy stammered, suddenly ridiculously aware

that he was wearing jean shorts borrowed from Kimberly's mother. They molded

tightly to his backside and were much shorter than anything he'd

ever worn outside a pool or gym, but the weather was just too hot to be

wearing sweats while hiking. He hadn't wanted to waste time to shop for

pants, being understandably reluctant to be seen in public, so the girls

had raided five mothers' closets to cobble together a suitable wardrobe

for him to wear on the hiking trip. Tommy groaned as he thought of the

lacy panties he was wearing, but none of his jockeys fit anymore, and his

boxers were longer than the shorts' inseam, so ... he just hoped Mrs. Scott

or Mrs. Taylor would never know where their lingerie had been. Tommy shuddered

as he remembered going through his own Mom's underwear drawer. Margaret

Oliver was pretty cool as mothers went, but ... black satin?!? His

thoughts were wrenched back to the present when Jason spoke again.

"The injections. I dunno what Alpha put in there, but

I've never been so glad to get off my ass as I was when we reached that

parking lot," the Red Ranger admitted with his own rueful grimace as he,

too, rubbed a sore backside. The familiar, bantering tone lifted Tommy's

spirits immeasurably; it was exactly what Jason would've said to

him had his condition been ... normal.

"Yeah," Tommy chuckled, relieved that despite the awkwardness

of the situation they could still talk like they'd always done. "I just

wish Alpha had used a smaller needle. Man, that thing was huge!"

"Tell me about it, Bro," Jason agreed. "What was in yours,

anyway?" he then asked curiously. "Mine contained stuff to increase sperm

production and viability ..."

Jason did his best to ignore Tommy's renewed blush.

"Something to help with the 'osmotic properties of the

membranes and tissues forming my reproductive organs'," was the reply.

It was obvious whom Tommy was quoting, and both teens grinned. "I think

I even know what that means, for once," Tommy boasted.

"Uh-huh. Right. If you say so," Jason smirked, winking

at his best friend who blew a raspberry at him in reply. The Red Ranger

just laughed.

He adjusted his backpack and looked for the correct markings

for the trail they needed to take. If he stood here jabbering with Tommy

much longer, he wasn't sure he wouldn't embarrass himself. Tommy's legs

surely hadn't been this long and shapely before? Or his rear so

nicely-rounded? Jason swallowed hard, gazing quickly aside. Billy had warned

him while administering the mixture of drugs that would speed up the production

of spermata in his body that an increase in hormonal reactions was likely,

but Jason honestly hadn't expeced to be affected by his best friend's looks

so much.

Finding the markings he'd been looking for, Jason directed

Tommy to the right path, and the two set off in companionable silence.

As they walked deeper into the forest, Jason pondered his reactions as

he surreptitiously watched the White Ranger trek ahead of him.

*I guess it's a good thing I'm beginning to be attracted

to Tommy, the way he looks now,* he mused. *The worst thing would

be to have built up his hopes like that and if I couldn't perform. But,

I don't think I'll have to worry about that!* Jason suppressed a moan

and the all-too-interested twinge in his own anatomy as Tommy paused and

stretched, the full breasts – still unbound – pressing against the fabric

of his shirt as he pulled the tails out of the waistband of his shorts

and knotted them as high up as he could, baring a smooth tanned midriff.

It was nothing Kimberly or Trini hadn't done countless times on other hikes

with the boys, but suddenly, everything was different. Very much so.

Fighting down his blush, Jason tried to act nonchalantly

as he unscrewed his canteen and drank deeply of the getting-tepid water,

suddenly wishing for a cold shower. Or some privacy, to take matters into

his own hand – literally. He put the stopper back and cleared his throat.

"Let's go on; the place I have in mind is much cooler

than out here." They were still a few hundred yards short of the treeline.

"Sure," Tommy agreed readily, and the two Rangers hiked

on, soon disappearing in the cool shade of the State Forest.

Lord Zedd grunted as he shut off his eyebeam. There was

too much interference in the mountains for him to watch the two Rangers;

he could still see them, but the visual he got was too hazy and indistinct

to be worth the effort involved. Instead, he determined to check in on

the two boys – no, the boy and the girl, he reminded himself gleefully,

grinning evilly behind his visor – periodically.

Meanwhile, it would be quite interesting to watch the

rest of the team, to see how they were dealing with his fiendish plot.

Dismissing Zack almost instantly – the Black Ranger was sitting quietly

in the back of the family car, driving away from Angel Grove and trying

to be as cheerful as his cousin Curtis – and Billy because he was out of

his reach at the Command Center anyway, he concentrated instead on the

two girls, who were going through the motions of browsing at the Mall.

Kimberly's expression was heartbroken, and Zedd settled in to spy on their

conversation.

Kim hung the pink-flowered summer dress back onto the

rack with a disconsolate sigh. Usually, going shopping could distract her

from virtually anything, but for once the Mall failed to work its magic

on her troubled mind. She just couldn't forget Tommy's soulful eyes, the

pain in them, quickly masked, when she hadn't been able to bring herself

to touch him at first and the hope as he looked at her when he kissed her

at last. She sighed again. That kiss had been so strange ... it had been

just the same as the good-night kiss she'd received last night, and yet

it had been totally different. Kimberly struggled to identify the discrepancies,

but could only come up with very superficial things ... there had been

a slight change in height, the arms holding her hadn't been as muscular,

Tommy's lips had been softer than she'd been used to, the taste had been

subtly altered ... she shied from the memory of feeling soft breasts pressing

against her own where there used to be hard, sculpted muscles.

Trini observed her best friend's hangdog expression for

a while, the listless browsing where she was used to boundless enthusiasm,

and came to a decision. She took the t-shirt Kim was fingering out of her

hand, tossed it back onto the table and grabbing the Pink Ranger by her

arm, drew her startled friend towards a small café a few doorways

down.

"Sit!" she ordered Kimberly, who was just stunned enough

to obey. Trini quickly ordered two milkshakes, and brought the pastel-colored

beverages to the wrought-iron table where she'd plonked her friend. Sinking

into a chair opposite her, she then put a reassuring hand on Kim's forearm.

"Kim, it'll be alright. You'll see," the lithe Asian said

comfortingly.

"You don't know that, Trini," Kim gulped, tears beginning

to gather in her eyes. "What if Jason can't help him, after all? What if

it doesn't work? Wh-what if Tommy has t-to stay that w-way?"

"Billy and Zordon seemed pretty confident that it would,

though. And you know Zordon wouldn't raise our hopes like that if

the chances weren't high enough."

"I ... I guess," Kim sighed, wiping at her brimming eyes

and sniffling slightly. "It's just ... what if it doesn't? What

if Zedd does something else to him while he's all alone with Jason up in

the mountains?"

Up on the moon, the Overlord of Evil quickly searched

for an idea to do just that. The idea hadn't occurred to him before, and

Zedd was more than a little chagrined that it had to be Kimberly to

remind him. Finding none – or at least none that was feasible and didn't

require an extraordinary amount of energy – he cursed fluently in four

different languages, using epithets that made Squatt and Baboo shake in

fear at their spy-hole to the throne room, and resumed his 'girl-watching'.

"Tommy may be a girl now, but he's still a Black Belt.

And Jason would never let Zedd get his clutches on Tommy," the Yellow Ranger

reassured her friend. "You know those two can take care of themselves –

and each other."

"Yes, but what if ..."

"KIM!" Trini's exasperated exclamation made Kimberly

blush. She hung her head in embarrassment.

"S-sorry," she whispered, looking down on her tightly-clasped

hands. After a couple of minutes, the petite girl gave a shaky smile as

she hesitantly met Trini's eyes. "I'll try not to think about it anymore,"

she promised half-heartedly.

"Good. Now blow you nose, drink your shake and we can

go on," Trini grinned, purposely adopting her aunt's tone of voice when

she was dealing with her cousin Sylvia. Kim had to giggle at that, and

obediently sipped her drink, taking the time to compose herself. When both

had finished, they got up, and Kimberly slipped Trini a quick, grateful

hug.

"Thanks, Trini. For being there, and everything."

"You're very welcome," Trini smiled, returning the embrace.

"Now, shall we go shopping?"

"Let's," Kim agreed, dredging up at least some

of her usual enthusiasm. However, at the back of her mind something still

lingered, something she couldn't bring herself to share even with her best

friend.

The thought that Tommy would do things with Jason that

she hardly had dared fantasize about, that she had wanted to share with

Tommy one day.

The fact that she found this thought more than slightly

stimulating.

And the fear that after being with Jason, Tommy wouldn't

want to come back to her.


 


 

Six

It was nearing three o'clock when the Red and White Rangers

reached their campsite, a small clearing at the top of a medium-sized rise.

Tommy let his backpack slip from his shoulders with a grateful sigh, deposited

it right next to the coolers and tent, and while he worked the kinks out

of his back muscles, he looked around appreciatively. One edge of the clearing

looked out over the area they'd just climbed, giving them a fantastic panorama

over the foothills through to the sparkling blue band of the ocean on the

horizon, where it blended nearly seamlessly into the sky. The path they'd

used disappeared in the grassy carpet covering the whole clearing, right

up to the bank of a small, trickling brook that widened into a small pool

right before the treeline on the other side. It wasn't really big enough

for swimming, but would do for a quick dip to refresh themselves. There

were bright, sunlit patches for warming up after being in the mountain-cool

water, shady areas to rest in when the warmth of the day got to be too

much, smooth rocks at the pond's edge to sit and fish, or simply watch

the quick silver torpedoes dart around ... all in all, it was as close

to perfect as either teen could have wished for.

Still slightly winded from their hike, Jason and Tommy

didn't lose too many words as they chose a likely spot to put up their

tent, a red-and-dark-green dome that blended in surprisingly well against

the background of mottled-green foliage. Tommy hadn't seen Jason's tent

before, and the colors earned Jason a small grin and a raised eyebrow,

but the dark-haired young man just shrugged. They worked in companionable

silence for a while, hoisting their supplies up into a tree to keep them

safe from wandering wildlife, pumping up a kingsize air mattress that barely

fit the bottom of the tent and generally making themselves at home.

When they were done, they washed up in the brook, and

broke out some food; they'd only munched on fruit and sandwiches on the

way, but while Jason gnawed hungrily on a chicken leg, Tommy only bit half-heartedly

into his. Finally, he wrapped up the remains of his meal, packed it, took

a can of soda and wandered over to the edge, leaning against a tree and

staring out across the valley. Jason watched his best friend concernedly,

but gave him his space; he quietly finished his own food, cleaned up for

them both, and drank his fill from the clear pond. At last, he thought

it was time to break the silence. True, they had planned this trip for

some time anyway, but due to Zedd's interference, they had acquired another

agenda ... and time was running out on them.

Butterflies dive-bombing in his stomach, Jason walked

quietly up to the lonely figure silhouetted against the sky. He tried

not to notice the still-bared smooth belly, the long legs, gently-rounded

butt or the softened profile, but couldn't help himself; it had been at

the back of his mind ever since they'd started their trek.

"Tommy?" he called softly, not wanting to startle his

friend. He didn't get an answer, but a slight inclination of his head showed

Jason that Tommy had heard him.

"Tommy, I ..." Jason had to clear his suddenly-constricted

throat. "Bro, I don't want to rush you or anything, but it's a quarter

to five ... you know what Billy said ..."

The Blue Ranger had given them a deadline that would be

reached in about thirty minutes.

"Yeah."

Jason sighed. He knew, or thought he did, that the situation

was very hard on his friend, but it wasn't exactly a picnic for him, either.

While he'd dreamed of having sex for the first time like any other normal

teenaged boy, he'd always thought it'd be with a girl he'd fallen in love

with. If anything, he'd pictured it'd be slow, gentle, a bit more romantic,

a natural progression of growing intimacy with someone, not like this –

being out here in the forest, in the middle of nowhere and doing it as

a calculated move to reverse a fiendish spell. It would be having sex instead

of making love, and that seemed ... wrong, somehow. And although Jason

certainly felt deep affection for Tommy, his best friend who was now a

girl – a startlingly attractive girl – he couldn't help but be nervous.

Which was only normal, he supposed, but still ...

"We have to start sometime," Jason said quietly, trying

not to sound pushy.

"I know," Tommy admitted. He didn't turn around, though.

"I just wish I knew where ... or how."

For an instant, Jason was at a complete loss. On the drive

up to the mountains and during their hike, he'd sort of obsessed about

the actual act of having sex for the first time with anyone – the

images in his brain had involved two naked bodies writhing together in

their tent, humping and moaning like he'd seen it at the movies, but he'd

never given a moment's thought about how they'd actually get into

that state.

"Well, uh ... " the Red Ranger frantically cast about

for a solution to this conundrum. Finally, something presented itself.

"Why don't we start the usual way?"

"What's usual about this?" Tommy asked, gesturing

at himself. "And what is the 'usual way', anyway?"

Jason grinned fleetingly, acknowledging the slight barb,

but feeling slightly more secure the longer he thought about it.

"I mean, maybe I ... we just ought to kiss first. That

is

how most people start, isn't it?"

"How would I know? I've never done this before!"

"Neither have I, actually."

"Oh." Jason's calm admission took the wind out of Tommy's

sails quite neatly. Instead, his anxiety increased. What if he couldn't

go through with this? So far, he'd only thought to find a friend willing

to help him, and he was truly grateful that his Bro had agreed to be there

for him. But now that the situation was on hand, it was about the hardest

thing he'd ever done to meet Jason's dark, compassionate eyes and take

the next step – something he had to do if he ever wanted to get

his own body back. Swallowing hard, hoping his best friend couldn't see

how plain scared he suddenly was, he nodded.

"Okay."

Jason tried to smile reassuringly, but a strange mixture

of bashfulness and excitement robbed him of speech. Instead, he crossed

the last couple of feet separating him from Tommy and lifted a tentative

hand to a cheek gone pale under its tan, trailing his fingertips down the

soft skin. Absently, he noted that his hand was shaking slightly. When

Tommy didn't draw back, just looked at him wide-eyed and just a little

warily, Jason grew bolder. He touched the dark hair and on an impulse,

removed the rubber band confining the shoulder-length strands in Tommy's

trademark ponytail, loosening them until they gently framed the anxious

face. They felt oh-so-smooth and silky, and that made it very easy for

Jason to cup Tommy's face between both palms and lower his lips to the

closed mouth. Their eyes held each other steadily. Just as the first whisper-gentle

contact occurred, though, Tommy finally couldn't hold back anymore. All

the shock and strain he'd been under since he'd discovered what Zedd had

done to him at last reached the saturation point and boiled over. Before

Tommy could stop himself, he burst into laughter that was more than slightly

hysterical.

Startled, Jason jumped back.

"I ... I'm sorry, Bro," Tommy wheezed between gasps of

laughter. He was nearly doubled over with unreasonable mirth. "This ...

this is ... heehee ... just too ... f-funny ... hee ...."

"At least one of us thinks so, then," Jason replied, turning

away so that Tommy wouldn't see just how much his outburst stung.

"Oh man, you should've seen your face ...!" The White

Ranger was still snickering, and Jason stiffened. He had no doubt he'd

looked about as ridiculous as he felt right now, but did Tommy have

to rub it in? The heat burning in his cheeks didn't help matters, either.

"I thought you wanted to get your own body back," he said

as calmly as he was able, but try as he might, he couldn't keep the hurt

out of his deep voice. "If all you can do is laugh, this won't work."

Tommy tried to stifle his giggles, but it took him a while.

Still panting slightly, he slowly straightened, holding his aching stomach

muscles with one arm pressed across his middle. Once he felt he could speak

again without breaking into a new fit of laughter, he tried for a casual

tone. It wouldn't come.

"I'm okay now," he ventured. Jason wouldn't look at him.

Sighing, and by now beginning to regret his attack of the sillies, Tommy

reached out and touched his best friend's shoulder in a gesture that had

become natural for the two of them almost from the start. To his surprise,

he felt tension in the broad back, and started to realize that this wasn't

as easy for Jason as he'd made it look by his ready acceptance when he'd

asked for his help.

"Jase, I'm sorry," Tommy apologized softly. "I wasn't

laughing at you, really I wasn't."

That brought the Red Ranger around again, and Tommy was

slightly shocked to see how hurt the midnight-dark eyes looked. There was

a wariness in them that he'd never noticed before, and it made him feel

quite ashamed. He blushed.

"I'm sorry," he said again, wishing he knew of another

way to express his genuine regret. "It's just ... the whole thing just

crashed in on me, I guess. I really like you, you know that, you're

the absolute best, but I never thought ..." Tommy was groping for words

and couldn't find any, but as always, his friend seemed to understand –

even without hearing it expressed verbally. Jason gradually relaxed again

and summoned a small smile.

"I know. It's like that for me, too. But, we don't have

another choice. You don't."

"Right," Tommy sighed, feeling better now that the tension

between them had eased again. "You ... you think we could maybe try again?"

Before Jason could answer, he added with a tiny grin, "I promise not to

laugh again."

Jason opened his mouth for an indignant reply, thought

better of it and released his pent-up breath in a slow hiss. "You'd better

not," he growled half-seriously, and without thinking threaded his arms

around Tommy's waist and pulled him close. Surprised, Tommy rested his

hands on the broad shoulders and looked up into the suddenly-glittering

eyes.

Both teens realized in the same instant that they were

actually embracing each other and froze. The moment spun out for a seeming

eternity, then it was Jason who broke the impasse with a small joke.

"Once more, with feeling," he murmured, startling a grin

out of Tommy, and before either could have second thoughts, laid his lips

with gentle pressure against Tommy's.

The bespelled young man stood stock-still as he felt Jason's

mouth cover his own, but when nothing more happened, he slowly relaxed.

After several seconds, Jason drew back slightly, searching the brown eyes,

and when he found only surprise, gradual acceptance and slight curiosity

in the chocolate depths, lowered his head once more. This time, he began

to nibble at the soft lips, teasing them open with ghost-like little licks

and stabs of his tongue. Jason watched Tommy's eyelids flutter closed and

followed suit, concentrating instead on the taste and feel of the person

he held in his arms. Soon, everything else became irrelevant but to explore

the smooth contours, wanting to delve deep into the warm moisture he knew

lay hidden behind the velvety entrance. When Tommy finally relented and

opened to his gentle demand, Jason moaned softly in his chest as he started

to lose himself in pure sensation.

Tommy felt more than heard Jason's moan, and it reverberated

through his mouth, sending slight electrical chills deep into his own body.

For a while, all he could do was accept the gentle claiming, feeling Jason's

tongue swirl leisurely inside his mouth. Tentatively, he reached out with

his own oral organ, and as soon as he twined himself around Jason, all

else fled. There was nothing else as the two drank of each other, tasting,

seeking, learning what made the other sigh and shiver. Without noticing

it, they moved closer, until their bodies were pressed tightly against

each other and their blood began to heat up, stirred by the dance of their

tongues.

When finally Jason withdrew from the delights Tommy's

mouth offered him – only because his lungs were screaming for oxygen, not

because he wanted to – he opened his eyes again and smiled lazily

when he saw the flush staining the smooth cheeks. Tommy fluttered his own

lashes open and caught that smile; inexplicably, it made his breath hitch

in his throat. A soft moan escaped him as Jason kissed him again, briefly

but thoroughly, and the pleased chuckle that generated made his

insides coil with excitement. Breathless, he hid his face in the crook

of Jason's neck, hiding his flustered expression. The two Rangers stood

like that for a long while, just holding each other in a tight but undemanding

embrace.

Gradually, Tommy became aware of his surroundings again;

somehow, during their kiss, Jason had managed to bring him up against the

tree behind him, and the rough bark at his back was a welcome contrast

to the smoothness of Jason's chest he could feel through the thin t-shirt.

It felt incredible to nestle against the hard, sculpted plane, and Tommy

experienced a sudden desire to remove the twin barriers of cloth separating

his flesh from the warm skin of his soon-to-be lover. Briefly, he wondered

if it felt like this for Kimberly when he hugged her, and shivered at the

thought. Jason's strong arms tightened instinctively around him, and Tommy

shifted his position minutely. The slight movement brought his lower body

into contact with Jason's jeans-clad hips, and Tommy's head snapped up,

startled, when he could feel the hard ridge behind the stone-washed denim.

"I think we won't have to worry anymore whether we can

do this, do we?" Jason asked huskily, thrusting his pelvis suggestively

against Tommy's softness. The low, sensual tone, accompanied by another

slow, deep kiss made Tommy moan again, and he didn't protest as one large

hand crept up from his bared waist to stroke very gently around the outside

of his breast. He felt a pleasant ache as his nipple contracted almost

immediately into a hard knot of desire.

"I ... I think I need to lie down," Tommy sighed when

Jason placed his palm over one heaving mound, simultaneously moving his

mouth down his neck. The teasing nip at his earlobe made him giggle again,

but this time it was because of mounting excitement, not hysteria. His

knees did feel decidely wobbly when Jason released him at last.

Thankfully, his hand steadied him as the dark eyes sparkled into his own.

"No problem, Bro," Jason rumbled, his own breath not quite

steady. "Do we stay here, or do we get into the tent?"

"Um ... inside, I think." Tommy blushed. For some reason,

he wanted – needed – the privacy their small dome offered. "I know

it doesn't really matter, but ..."

"It's okay, Tommy," Jason soothed, drawing the other close

once more. "We'll be more comfortable there than on the ground, anyway."

It wasn't the only reason, but it sufficed, and Tommy was grateful for

his best friend's understanding. Together, the two Rangers crossed the

clearing and, after taking off their hiking boots and socks, crawled into

the waterproof structure.

Once inside, Jason and Tommy stretched out on their sleeping

bags, protected from the hard ground by the large air mattress covering

most of the floor. Suddenly shy, they were facing each other without touching,

but Tommy snuck a glance at Jason's lap and noticed with a small thrill

that the erection he'd felt minutes ago was apparently undiminished. He

knew his own nipples were as hard as Kimberly's had ever been when they'd

been necking, and the thought of his petite girlfriend brought a dejected

sigh to his lips.

"What?" As always, Jason was picking up on his mood.

"Nothing," Tommy tried to dismiss his friend's concern,

but a look into the dark eyes told him he wouldn't get away with it.

"It ... it's Kim," he finally admitted. "I can't help

wondering how she's taking this. I mean, it's weird and ..."

"Don't, Tommy," Jason interrupted him. At his questioning

glance, the Red Ranger continued. "Don't think of her now. I know how much

she means to you, but we'll never pull this off if you let yourself be

distracted by Kim."

Jason was right, Tommy knew. Reluctantly, he nodded and

averted his eyes, trying to compose himself. To his surprise, Jason rolled

over and pulled him against his chest. Wrapping his arms around the slender

but still-strong back, he started to stroke and pet the tensed muscles.

"It's okay, Bro. We'll be okay. We have to. I'm

not letting Zedd win, and I'm willing to do everything I can to help you

through this." He lifted the head with its long brown locks up and gazed

earnestly into the chocolate eyes. "I'm with you all the way, Tommy. Always.

Whatever it takes."

"I know. Thanks, Bro," Tommy murmured, deeply touched.

Without thinking, he reached up around the strong neck and drew Jason into

a grateful kiss. For some reason, the action, so inconceivable only this

morning, didn't seem unnatural at all.

It was the right thing to do. As Jason instinctively took

control, Tommy gradually yielded, and soon both teens relaxed into each

other's arms, letting increasingly pleasurable sensations sweep them away

into desire.

Within minutes, they'd reached the state of excitement

they'd been in when they'd decided to relocate into their tent. With their

bodies pressed full-length against each other, there was no way they could

miss the signs of arousal both displayed, and when they parted for air,

both were breathing hard.

"Shall we continue where we left off, then?" Jason asked

his friend as he freed a hand from the slender waist and trailed a fingertip

over a soft, flushed cheek, circling the moist lips and wandering further

down the smooth column of Tommy's throat to the buttons holding his off-white

shirt closed. He started to toy with the top one, not yet slipping it through

the buttonhole while his look held Tommy's, asking silently for permission

to proceed. He received it through a tiny nod, and sensed that Tommy was

holding his breath expectantly as he slowly opened first one, then another

and yet another button, until he reached the knot Tommy had tied in his

shirttails earlier. The edges of the shirt gaped slightly but didn't reveal

more than a gentle slope of roundness; nevertheless Jason felt his heartbeat

soar as he picked the knot open somewhat clumsily.

At last, it was done. Raising his eyes once more towards

Tommy's, Jason saw his friend was biting his lower lip almost hard enough

to draw blood. He leaned over and teased the white teeth back with a very

gentle, undemanding kiss. Soothing the bruised mouth with his own, he gave

what reassurance he could.

"Relax; I'm not going to hurt you."

The husky whisper sent tingles all through Tommy.

"I know; I'm just a little nervous, is all."

"Me too," Jason admitted with a slight smile. "I told

you, I've never done this before either. But, we'll take this as slow as

you want."

"What if I want it fast?" Tommy couldn't stop saying.

He regretted the facetiousness as soon as he'd said it, but a quick glance

showed that Jason didn't take offense.

"If that's what you want, it's fine by me as well."

"Nnnooo ... slow is okay," Tommy decided after a moment's

deliberation. While a part of him was jabbering 'get it over with, get

your body back, get out of here', another part savored the languorous

pace Jason had set, and that part won. Applying his martial arts training

and relaxing his tense muscles, Tommy smiled at Jason, unconsciously seductive.

"I think I like slow."

"Then slow it is," Jason acquiesced readily and bent once

more to kiss the invitingly parted lips. As his tongue enticed Tommy's

into a sensuous duel, he slipped his hand underneath the shirt's fabric.

He encountered an incredible softness that was everything he'd ever dreamed

of, and he let his fingers wander, learning by touch alone the shape of

the rounded swell that fit his hand so perfectly. At long last, Jason released

Tommy's mouth, smiling reassuringly, and let his eyes stray towards the

treasure he'd uncovered.

"Oh, wow," he breathed.

It was the first time he'd ever looked at a naked female

breast, outside of the occasional glimpse of a girlie magazine or a movie,

and the sight took his breath away. Almost reverently, Jason hefted the

smooth globe, marvelling at the experience which sent a fresh surge of

blood into his already-hard cock. He squirmed slightly, trying to release

the pressure against his strained zipper, and gingerly touched the small

brown peak at the tip of that heaving mound. Distantly, he heard Tommy

suck in a surprised breath, but he was too mesmerized by the tightening

of sensitive tissue under his questing fingers as that little kernel of

flesh visibly hardened and rose, tempting him beyond his ability to control.

Following ancient instinct, he lowered his head toward the enticing point.

Pressing his lips carefully against the satiny skin, he started to nibble,

dimly aware that Tommy had started to tremble, then drew the throbbing

tip into his mouth.

The White Ranger closed his eyes and moaned blissfully

as the wonderful moist heat surrounded him. When Jason started to lick,

then suckle at his nipple, he arched up as if to offer himself, aware of

nothing but that exciting tugging that spread from his breast down into

his belly, causing an insistent ache between his legs. Tommy's head began

to swim as Jason moved to his other side, and he felt himself grow wet

as his desire rose.

For a minute or two, Tommy tried to analyse the differences

he was experiencing; he was used to feel his own arousal as an insistent

pressure in his groin that thrust outward, wanting to be stroked and called

forth. Now, possessing a girl's body, he felt himself opening inwardly,

an empty chasm forming between his legs that itched-yet-didn't and wanted

– no, needed – to be filled. Fortunately, he knew exactly what,

and who, could fill that aching yearning. Burying both hands in Jason's

short, spiky hair, he lifted his friend's head from its hungry feasting.

The dark eyes glittered with desire in the dim light inside the tent, and

Tommy heard the short, gasping breaths with delight. Smiling sensually,

he arched upwards again, rubbing his exposed breasts against Jason's shirt.

"Take my clothes off," he panted.

"Are you sure?" Jason asked, but at the same time was

already pushing the white shirt down the slim shoulders.

"Yes. I need to feel you against me," Tommy confessed,

impatiently tugging the red tee out of Jason's jeans. Within seconds, the

two teens had stripped each other. Clothes were flung haphazardly into

corners, and only when there was not a stitch left between them did they

pause to really look at each other.

Jason saw a tall, slender girl lying before him, gorgeous

breasts that were neither too big nor too small heaving even as the hard

tips made his mouth water to taste them again. With an effort, he moved

his eyes further south, sweeping over the dip of a slender waist towards

the slight flare of hips, and from there towards that mysterious triangular

patch of brown curls that already glistened with moisture. Irresistibly

drawn to it, the muscular teen reached out with a not-quite-steady hand

and cupped the mound with his whole hand. His cock twitched as the heat

rising from the hidden folds seared his palm.

Tommy, for his part, drank in the sight of his best friend

kneeling next to his prone body. It wasn't the first time he'd seen Jason

naked, by no means; they'd showered together often enough, after all, and

had undressed in each other's presence on sleepovers, but this was the

first time he noticed his incredible physique with anything but near-clinical

detachment. Tommy had known right from the start of their acquaintance

that Jason was built, and he'd heard girls at school moon over his

best friend's sculpted body often enough, but he'd never contemplated him

like now, when his coiled muscles were covered with a light sheen of sweat

that was not from working out together, and his tanned skin looked

so very smooth and inviting to touch. Before he did so, Tommy let his eyes

roam downwards to the narrow hips. There, resting on the powerful thighs

as he'd known it would be, was Jason's cock – a long, thick, smooth rod

of flesh, hard and full and reddened with desire, the tiny slit at the

very tip oozing a drop of clear liquid. He swallowed hard.

The thought of letting that fleshy sword pierce his body

suddenly terrified him, but at the same time he wanted nothing more, the

emptiness deep within him expanding, calling out for something – anything

–

to fill it.

Drawing a shuddering breath, Tommy broke through his momentary

paralysis and reached out, to lay a trembling hand on that smooth, hairless

chest. The tiny brown disk of a nipple hardened against the center of his

palm, and he saw the straining prick lift up slightly, as if seeking for

touch, then settle back onto Jason's thigh once more. Both blushed, but

somehow, it didn't matter; they were beyond embarrassment now. As he flattened

his hand against the hard pectoral, Tommy could feel the fast triphammer

beat of his friend's heart, matching his own, and suddenly everything was

alright. Moaning Jason's name in entreaty, he twined his arms around the

broad shoulders and drew him down, to lie next to him on the sleeping bags.

The skin-on-skin contact from head to foot was electric,

and Jason let himself go with the flow. He captured Tommy's lips with his

own again, and while he plundered the willing mouth more aggressively than

before, he sought to touch every inch of the silky skin sliding against

his own. Tommy's hands weren't idle, either, and despite their earlier

intention to take it slow, soon both Rangers were panting with arousal.

Maneuvering himself between the willingly-spread legs of his best friend,

Jason teased the moist folds apart with increasingly sure fingers. Tommy

sucked in a sharp breath as Jason found his clitoris and flicked repeatedly

over the hidden pleasure button, causing the flow of Tommy's juices to

speed up.

"Oh God, Jase ...!" Tommy moaned, nearly delirious with

desire. "Fill me, please!"

"Yeah," the muscular young man rasped, and adjusted his

position. Bracing himself on one elbow, he guided the pre-come-leaking

tip of his penis to the damp curls, moving it up and down to seek for the

hidden entrance. The sensation nearly drove him wild. Just as he'd found

it, a last shred of sanity reasserted itself.

"P-protection?" he stammered. "What if ...."

"Taken care of," Tommy panted, spreading his thighs wider

in invitation. "Alpha's injections ... and besides, you couldn't, remember?"

"Oh yeah," came the groaned reply, and Jason bent forward

to capture and suck on a straining nipple one last time. Then, he positioned

himself just right and with an ecstatic moan sank his aching length into

the incredible heat and tightness that was Tommy's body.

For a second, every instinct demanded that he clamp up

and eject the invading rod, but Tommy resisted the impulse and was rewarded

with a tingling sensation that spread outward into his belly and up to

his breasts ... and inward into his most hidden recesses, demanding more

... more ... until a sharp pain caused him to gasp in surprise.

Jason thought he'd died and gone to heaven as he inched

himself ever deeper into the wet opening. He was trembling from head to

foot with the experience when he suddenly hit an unexpected barrier and

the oh-so-willing body beneath him tensed.

"T-tommy?" he gasped. "Wh-what ...."

Tommy swallowed.

"Told you I've never done this before," the White Ranger

grimaced, realizing what the problem was. Now that Jason had stopped his

progress, the pain lessened, and he was able to relax marginally. "I'm

a virgin," he muttered, blushing.

It took a moment for Jason to realize what his best buddy

was getting at. Some of the tension left his body.

"You mean I'm about to pop your cherry?" he sniggered,

and as he met the scowling, chagrined expression on Tommy's face, he couldn't

help the laughter bubbling up in his chest. For a second, it looked as

if Tommy was about to belt him, but suddenly the absurdity of the situation

overwhelmed both teens, and they broke into helpless laughter. Jason near-collapsed

on Tommy, and as he playfully kissed the laughing mouth, the shift in angle,

combined with the relaxation their laughter had caused, made something

give.

He unexpectedly felt the invisible barrier against his almost-completely-buried

cockhead burst, and he slid nearly all the way inside.

Tommy hissed, surprised by the sudden tearing sensation,

but it was over almost as soon as it had begun, and it had hurt far less

than the pressure he'd experienced before. Instead, he found himself suddenly

filled with a good six–plus inches of hard, throbbing flesh, and he stilled

all movement, trying to catalogue every single sensation. It was a futile

endeavour; there was too much, too soon, and he raised startled eyes to

Jason's, who was waiting poised above him, powerful biceps straining to

hold himself up, his look one of desire with just a smidgen of anxiety.

"I'm okay," he reassured his friend breathlessly, cautiously

adjusting his position. The minute change sent an arrow of arousal into

every nook of his lower body, and Tommy moaned in surprised delight. Experimenting,

he lifted his hips slightly, causing Jason to tense and glide another half-inch

into him. The broad chest heaved, and suddenly all remaining tension left

Tommy. Lifting his legs high around Jason's torso in an instinctive move,

he chuckled delightedly and licked his lips.

"Come into me, Jase," he invited. "All the way. I want

to feel you hit as deep as you can."

"Are you sure?" Jason asked again, already gathering himself

for that final thrust.

"I'm sure," came the breathy reply, and with a loud groan,

Jason snapped his hips forward once and sank into the tight folds until

he was buried inside his best friend to the root of his considerable length.

Taking a moment to savor the experience, Jason waited until he thought

he would explode, then slowly and carefully withdrew. The next stroke,

improbable as it seemed, took him even deeper, and both teens moaned at

the exquisite feeling. Soon, they established a smooth, slow rhythm that

had them panting with excitement, their hips moving in unison as Jason

pumped himself faster and faster into Tommy.

The sound of his flesh surging into the wet heat that

was Tommy's sex, the sensation of his balls slapping against the upturned

cheeks of Tommy's firm ass, combined with the constant moans of his name

as his best friend met him thrust for thrust, threatened to overwhelm Jason,

and he gasped out his need even as he continued to fuck the tight, clinging

channel.

"T-tommy, I c-can't ... hold back ... m-much longer,"

he groaned hoarsely, pistoning ever deeper. He felt as if Tommy's body

was swallowing him whole, and he didn't mind; this was a rush more intense

than everything he'd ever experienced, even his first morph, and while

he realized it couldn't last, had to be over soon, he wanted it to go on

and on until he was consumed by the fire burning in his loins, threatening

to rage out of control.

"Come in me then," Tommy answered, his own voice hardly

recognizable in the throes of their mutual lust. "Give me everything you

got!" He clamped his legs tighter around Jason's chest, angling his hips

for deepest penetration and drew the dark head down to his own. Thrusting

his tongue hungrily into the panting mouth, Tommy matched the fast, furious

rhythm Jason set, and it was the spark that they needed. Jason tore his

lips away from Tommy's and gave a primal shout as he stiffened inside his

best friend, feeling his seed spurt forth in a seemingly endless stream.

His climax triggered Tommy's, and he nearly screamed as he convulsed around

the hot shaft exploding deep within, and he writhed in an earth-shattering

orgasm until both collapsed bonelessly in each other's arms.

It took a long time until Jason recovered enough to lift

his spinning head from Tommy's neck, their sweat-streaked bodies clinging

to each other as if their very skin was loathe to let go of the other.

Still breathing hard, he sought out the brown eyes, and slumped with relief

as they met his anxious look woozily but with a satisfied expression and

a smile that was almost enough to bring new life to his spent anatomy.

"Whoa," he whispered, overwhelmed with what they'd just

shared.

"Yeah," Tommy answered just as softly, touching the firm

lips with a questing fingertip.

Understanding the unspoken question, Jason shifted, feeling

a delicious thrill as his softening cock brushed minutely against the yet-spasming

walls of his friend's pussy, then bent his mouth to Tommy's. They kissed

gently, leisurely, in pleasurable contrast to their intense coupling of

only minutes ago, relishing the chance to taste and explore in the same

fashion they'd started. When they separated at last, they smiled at each

other, and with a sigh of mingled relief and regret, Tommy lowered his

legs. The movement caused Jason's prick to slip out of its wet sheath,

and the two rearranged themselves to cuddle in the afterglow.

Jason kissed the top of Tommy's head, the long brown curls

spread over his chest.

"I didn't know it would be like this," he mused. "I mean,

I'd heard other guys talk in the locker room, but ... "

"Mm-hmm," the White Ranger agreed, squeezing the trim

waist and twining one long leg with a more muscular one. "I can see why

some of them can't seem to get enough once they've started."

"Yeah. In any case, I'm just glad this is going to work."

Jason grinned into the questioning brown eyes Tommy lifted to him. His

own had an almost devilish sparkle to them that sent a small thrill skittering

down Tommy's spine. "This camping trip promises to be a lot more

fun than I'd thought it would."

"You...!" Tommy mock-growled, suddenly pouncing on his

friend who started to laugh outright. "What a typically male thing to say!"

"Like you don't agree – or would, if Zedd hadn't changed

you?" Jason shot back, pinching a swaying breast that was within easy reach.

Tommy instinctively thrust himself into the teasing caress, but it didn't

stop him from pinning Jason down.

"Weeeell ..." he pretended to think, but the twinkle in

the midnight eyes was too much to resist. He started to laugh. "You win,

smartass. For now. But I'll get you for this!"

"You and what army?" the burly teen smirked. "For once,

I outweigh you."

"You always do," Tommy bantered back. "And I still hold

a higher grade belt."

"Won't help you," Jason replied, grasping Tommy's sensitive

sides with the intention of tickling him into submission. Before he could

go through with his intention, though, a loud growl from Tommy's stomach

– and the look of startled surprise that engendered – sent both

teens into paroxysms of mirth.

"Man, I could eat a horse," Tommy groaned once their laughter

had subsided and they were lying side by side again, gasping for breath.

"It's your own fault. Why didn't you eat before?"

"Too nervous. Is there some of that chicken left?"

"I think so. Come to think of it, I'd better have a sandwich

or two myself," Jason commented as he scrambled into his underwear and

crawled outside. Holding the tent flap up for his friend, he let his eyes

sweep lingeringly down Tommy's barely-dressed form, lingering longest on

the full breasts outlined by his red shirt which Tommy had appropriated.

The swell of his tight little butt peeking from under the hem wasn't bad

to look at, either, and without thinking he whistled in purely male appreciation.

Tommy blushed and froze momentarily, but made no move to cover himself;

it seemed hypocritical after what they'd just shared. Instead, he scooted

over to the cooler they'd left just inside the tent and started rummaging

for something to eat.

"You can't possibly be hungry – you've eaten almost a

full meal," he remarked idly as he threw a sandwich to his friend who caught

it deftly. For himself, Tommy unwrapped the remaining half chicken his

mother had fried the day before. "Why the sudden appetite?"

"I need to keep my strength up for tonight; you wore me

out, babe," Jason quipped with an exaggerated leer and got a ball

of aluminum foil bouncing off his head for the barb. Laughing with the

sheer giddiness of relief that they'd successfully taken the first hurdle

on the road to Tommy's recovery, the two Rangers then dug in, both entertaining

increasingly lustful thoughts about the night to come.


 


 


 

Seven

Zedd grumbled to himself as he switched his attention

from the Red and White Rangers back to Angel Grove. He hadn't bothered

to check on the two teens for several hours, since he couldn't get a clear

view of what was going on anyway, but he had not expected the apparent

good cheer Jason and Tommy exhibited.

"What is it with those two, anyway?" he muttered.

"Nothing Rita or I have done seems able to break their friendship up –

at least not for long. Damn them!"

By his very nature, the Evil Lord was incapable of understanding

the bond of friendship, mutual interests and selfless devotion that existed

between the two teens. It was why all efforts to destroy them had ultimately

failed ... and would continue to do so. Realizing the futility of further

observation for the moment, Lord Zedd searched the quiet streets for the

rest of the Rangers. Billy was ensconced in his garage lab by now, Trini

had gone out to dinner with her family, and Kimberly ...

"Aah!"

Finally, something worth watching!

The skinless Ruler of the Moon Fortress permitted himself

a leering smile behind his visor. The luscious Pink Ranger was in her bedroom,

stripping off her clothes, and padding towards the bathroom, where a tub

was already filled with warm water. Just as Kimberly let fall her robe

and stepped into her bath, Zedd settled back on his throne to enjoy the

view.

It really was too hot for a warm bath, Kim mused as she

poured some scented bath salts into the water. Absently she churned the

steaming liquid with her hand, creating a light coating of frothy foam

on the surface. But, she was too anxious about what was happening with

Tommy up in the mountains, too worried if Jason would be able to help return

her boyfriend into his normal form, to be able to read, work or stay downstairs

watching TV with her mother. Hence, the bath; the petite girl hoped that

it would relax her and maybe even make her sleepy enough to get through

the night.

Kimberly sighed as she hung up her robe and sank into

the warm water. The smell of wildflowers from the salts surrounded her,

but instead of soothing her as it usually did, it brought her even more

vivid images of Tommy ... of how he'd looked at her so longingly just before

he'd teleported out with Jason, of how hurt his eyes had been when she'd

been unable to touch him at first ... and it kept her wondering what he

might be doing now.

*Has he done it with Jason yet?*

The young woman didn't want to think about Tommy

having sex with Jason, but once conceived, the thought would not go away.

She'd shied from contemplating the necessary actions all day, finding it

disturbing to imagine that Tommy would be experiencing the same kinds of

feelings he'd engendered in her during their last date. Especially since

she'd been too timid to give in to their mutual desires.

*Why did I stop him?* she

asked herself. *We were out in the open; it's not as if anything serious

could've happened. And Mom needn't have known ...* But it had been

more than that; while she was very familiar with the needs of her own body

and sophisticated enough, despite her youth, to accept them as natural,

Kimberly had been afraid of disappointing Tommy, of not being beautiful

enough, experienced enough, daring enough to succumb to his gentle

seduction. Now, it looked as if someone else, someone undeniably gorgeous

and daring, would explore the possibilities with her boyfriend, teaching

and learning together with Tommy what should have been her prerogative.

Jason may be the wrong gender, but Kim had known from the start that his

and Tommy's relationship was as close and tight as her own with the White

Ranger – even if usually on a different level.

Grudgingly, the gymnast admitted to herself that she wished

she

could've helped Tommy ... that she was actually jealous!

Kim shifted in the tub, sloshing the water slightly. The

movement teased her half-covered breasts and tickled the hidden folds between

her legs. Her breath hitched in her throat at the sensation, and instinctively,

her left hand sank beneath the bubbles and came to rest on the nest of

brown

curls.

*Has Jason touched Tommy like this? Or ... has Tommy

touched Jason ... there?*

The image accompanying that thought sent a shiver down

Kimberly's spine that she reluctantly identified as excitement.

"I ... I can't possibly be turned on by thinking

of Tommy and Jason together!" she said aloud, more than slightly shocked

by the fact that she was. "Oh my God ..." Kim moaned, sinking deeper

into the scented tub, feeling her blush spread from her cheeks down her

throat to her breasts. The downward rush of blood made her rosy-brown nipples

tingle and harden. "Jason ... and Tommy ..." she breathed, as the flood

of images overwhelmed her lively imagination, mingling with the sensations

imprinted on her memory of how Tommy had caressed her in the park,

of what she'd felt as his hands and lips coaxed her into arousal,

and without being consciously aware of what she was doing, the Pink Ranger

began to caress herself, nimble fingers following familiar paths as she

abandoned herself to her favorite fantasy of making love to Tommy. Only

this time, there were two hard bodies holding her, two hot mouths

dusting kisses over her face and neck, two pairs of hands gliding across

her aching breasts ...

If he were given to flights of fancy, Zedd would have

thought his visor was steaming up as he avidly watched Kimberly writhe

in her bathwater as she brought herself to a climax that left the petite

girl limp and gasping for air. The clear tubes transporting life-giving

fluids to his extremities were yea-close to bubbling over with excitement,

and the Evil Overlord slumped back on his basalt throne, wishing for the

hundredth time Goldar hadn't bungled the opportunity to make Kimberly his

Queen. What a consort she would have made!

"I'd have exchanged your puny Power Coin for the jewels

of half a galaxy, Pink Ranger," Zedd growled. "I could show you more fleshly

delights in a month than that accursed White Ranger can ever hope to experience

in his lifetime!"

He continued to observe Kimberly as she languidly washed

herself once she'd recovered from her orgasm, climbed out of the cooling

tub, put on a skimpy pink nightie and slipped into bed, curling up with

a stuffed green dragon Tommy had once given her and lastly fell asleep,

a dreamy smile on her lips.

"Yes, go to sleep, little Kimberly. Dream of your precious,

foolish Tommy, but know this: there will come a day when I'll take

a wife, and unless something cataclysmic happens, that will be you!"

With an impatient huff, Zedd shut off his eye ray and

stomped off, his metal codpiece uncomfortably tight, to ponder ways and

means of how he could lure the Pink Ranger to his side.


 


 


 

Eight

On the morning of the third day, Tommy awoke to find Jason

already gone from their shared tent. He strained his ears for a second;

some faint splashing noises informed him that his friend was taking a bracing

bath in the shallow pond.

*My lover,* the White Ranger thought with an incredulous

smile. Even after two nights of increasingly hot sex, he found the concept

rather strange. But, the tingling between his legs told him otherwise –

that it was indeed a reality. Tommy stretched in his sleeping bag, enjoying

the soft glide of the smooth lining against his naked skin. It brought

back memories of the night before, and Tommy couldn't suppress a sensual

sigh as he remembered.

They'd taken a long hike up a nearby mountain, and when

they'd returned during late afternoon and rested some, both had decided

to spar a little, pitting Jason's greater strength against Tommy's agility.

It had taken a little while to adjust to his dimished strength, different

angles and the like, but the long-haired Martial Artist soon had been able

to compensate for his now-female form and given Jason quite a workout.

Both had been exhilarated and exhausted when they called it a day, and

had made a quick but satisfying meal out of provisions they'd brought along.

They'd built a fire then, talking about everything and nothing; however,

when Tommy reached over to the cooler for another can of juice at one point,

he suddenly winced.

"What's up?" Jason asked idly, noting with some concern

the grimace of pain on his friend's face.

"Nothing," Tommy claimed at first, but a cautious testing

showed him that he might be mistaken. "I think I just pulled a muscle in

my back," he grumbled. "I knew I should have gotten up to get a

drink; guess I overstretched a little."

"Man," Jason sympathized. "That sucks. Want me to try

and work it out?" They had both learned some massaging techniques in the

course of their karate training, and often helped each other relieve minor

aches and pains after especially vigorous workouts.

"Would you?" Tommy requested when moving his right shoulder

proved to be increasingly painful. "I don't think it's anything serious,

I just moved wrong, but I don't want to be all stiff tomorrow, either."

"Sure." The dark-haired young man got up and carefully

probed at his companion's back. A second wince told him when he'd found

the cramped spot, as did the hardened knot of tissue under the smooth skin.

"You'd better lie down; I can't work there when you're sitting up."

It was a quick decision to douse their campfire, stow

and secure their provisions and retire to their tent. Intent only on getting

out of his shirt with as little discomfort as possible, Tommy didn't notice

Jason's appreciative look and soft intake of breath as he stripped to his

waist, baring his generous breasts. With a sigh, he then stretched out

on his belly, waiting for Jason to begin the massage.

The Red Ranger dug out a tube of muscle relaxant cream

from his backpack and squeezed some between Tommy's shoulder blades, grinning

devilishly as his friend yelped when the mentholated ointment hit his skin.

"Argh!"

"What?" he asked innocently.

Tommy craned his head backwards and glared at his friend.

"That was mean!"

"Yeah, so?"

"I'll get you for this; see if I don't," the prone teen

grumbled, but lay back down when Jason placed his hands on his shoulders.

However, his dire mutterings soon changed to contented sighs as Jason started

to massage the cream all over his back. They bantered back and forth while

Jason worked, diligently prodding at the cramped muscle until he had loosened

it. However, he didn't stop there; using some more of the thick, slippery

substance, he proceeded to give Tommy a very thorough all-over backrub.

Tommy was enjoying the relaxing effect too much to notice that his friend

was getting visibly aroused, his skin flushed and the midnight eyes started

to gleam purposefully.

The White Ranger's sighs had long changed into a low purring

sound as he practically oozed into the mattress; he was getting drowsy

with the steady flow of Jason's hands up and down his back and hardly noticed

when those warm hands unfastened the waistband of his shorts and slipped

them down his legs, along with his underwear. He did notice, though,

when his ass got the same attention as his back and arms, and a deep-throated

moan rose from his chest as the warmth spread lower, flowing from his sensitized

backside to between his thighs and caused a by-now familiar wetness there.

Jason watched delightedly as his ministrations made Tommy

first squirm, then start to hump slightly against his hands; he wasn't

unaffected by giving his friends such a thorough massage, and felt an insistent

throbbing in his cock. Jason didn't fight his growing arousal. *What

a perfect way to get things started!* Tonight, he was going to take

Tommy hard, had longed to do so all day, but first there was something

else he planned to do.

"Turn over," he commanded his friend huskily.

That deep voice wasn't to be denied, and Tommy obeyed

without hesitation; stretching out on his back, he looked at his best friend

with smoky eyes.

"What are you going to do to me?" he murmured, thrilled

as he recognized the glitter in Jason's eyes.

"Anything I want. Do you mind?" The large hands were already

smoothing down the slender arms and shoulders, and Tommy relaxed into the

caress, sighing yet again when Jason skimmed over his belly up to his breasts.

The brown tips were already hard with arousal, and practically begged to

be touched.

"Yes ... no," Tommy moaned blissfully as he arched into

the teasing touch. His lover smiled ferally and squirted some more cream

into his palms, warming it slightly before placing them again on the silky

abdomen. The scent of herbs rose from the heated skin as he rubbed the

substance all over the smooth plane, and the cooling menthol contained

in it made Tommy shiver with delight. Jason took his time, roaming up and

down the writhing body, making sure he used up all of the ointment before

he let his fingertips wander to the pebbled nubs, circling around and around

until the dark areolas were crinkled and erect, straining upwards from

the heaving mounds. The Red Ranger took both nipples between his thumbs

and forefingers and pinched lightly, chuckling at the sharp hiss of breath

he evoked.

"You like that?" he rumbled, his own breathing not quite

steady anymore.

"Ooohh yeah," Tommy sighed, throwing his head back as

he abandoned himself to the sensations coursing through him from his aching

tits. "Suck my tits, Jase," he entreated, when the playful caresses threatened

to drive him wild.

"In a minute. First, I'm going to kiss you."

Before the long-haired teen could answer, Jason leaned

over him and closed his lips over the panting mouth, delving deep into

the moist cavern. Tommy gave in willingly, twining his arms around the

broad shoulders while their tongues duelled, and let his arousal be fanned

to heights he'd only dreamed about scant days before. Both were out of

breath when Jason finally withdrew and began to nibble and lick his way

down the slender throat.

"Mmmm."

The throaty sound went directly into Jason's prick, and

he shuddered once, finding his briefs and jeans suddenly very tight. However,

much as he wanted to, he couldn't quite bring himself to abandon

the tempting swells so close to his mouth. So instead of undressing, he

started to nip-kiss the soft flesh until he reached one straining nipple.

The throbbing kernel of flesh felt hot against his tongue as Jason twirled

it around and over the sensitive tissue, then switched to the other side.

Tommy was pressing his face into his chest, and Jason obliged the mute

plea, capturing first one, then the other small peak between his teeth

and biting gently, careful to cause only pleasure, not pain.

"Jason!"

Tommy's voice was hardly recognizable as he begged for

more of the exquisite torture, and Jason gathered the trembling nude form

close while he suckled, driving his friend ever deeper into lust. At last,

he released the hard points and lifted his head. He blew softly across

the dampened flesh and laughed soundlessly as Tommy whimpered in mixed

delight and disappointment; when the chocolate eyes sought out his own,

he let his own arousal blaze forth and released the quivering form. Stripping

quickly while Tommy watched, he then parted the smooth thighs and knelt

between them. Tommy started to lift his legs over his shoulders, ready

to receive his jutting phallus, but there was something else he'd been

meaning to do. Shooting his lover a wicked grin, Jason just shook his head

and spread him wide open. Not giving Tommy a chance to protest or even

think, he lowered his head over the damp nest of brown curls and licked

once along the slit.

Tommy shivered violently, his eyes snapping wide open

in shock and disbelief.

"J-Jase?" he stammered, hardly able to speak. His best

friend couldn't plan to ...

He could.

Tommy sobbed as Jason's tongue probed between his netherlips,

drinking the wetness gathering there and slithering closer and closer to

the point where all his pleasure seemed to be centered. When the agile

organ at last touched the hidden pearl, Tommy's hands clenched in the sleeping

bag he was resting on, and he found himself incapable of anything but accede

to the demands his partner's mouth made on him as Jason ate him out, alternating

rough, demanding licks with careful flicks of his tongue tip into his spasming

channel. It was scary yet tremendously exciting what Jason was doing to

him; every delicate swipe between his moist folds was oh-so-gentle, but

sent him deeper into arousal than any other, more intense stimulation ever

had. The spell-changed Ranger's head was starting to spin as his senses

went into overload, lashed along by that wonderful, merciless organ until

the waves of arousal swapped over and drowned him in mindless delight when

he climaxed, screaming his lover's name.

Only slowly did Tommy's awareness of his surroundings

return; Jason had his face still buried in his sex, lapping gently until

he could feel the slender body relax under his hands. He was breathing

hard when he finally placed a kiss at the top of the glistening slit in

goodbye. Wiping his cheeks and chin dry on Tommy's inner thigh, Jason reared

up as Tommy watched him breathlessly out of slumberous eyes. Giving himself

a couple of hard strokes to prime his weeping shaft into optimum hardness,

the broad-shouldered young man loomed over his lover. Both were incapable

of speech, but moaned loudly as he placed the smooth tip of his cock at

the entrance of Tommy's body and thrust once, hard. The smooth walls of

the tight passage molded themselves around the throbbing invader and Tommy

didn't resist having his legs thrown up high and Jason sank as deep as

he could go in one long, drawn-out stroke until he was buried to the hilt.

There was an endless moment as the lovers savored the

sensation of being joined as deeply as possible, then Tommy took Jason's

face between both hands and kissed him.

"Fuck me, Jason," he whispered, tasting himself on the

firm lips.

"Yesssssss......" Jason hissed, nearly insensate with

desire. Returning the kiss hotly, he then braced himself as best he could

and started to piston his hips, thrusting harder and harder until all he

knew was the incredible tightness gripping his aching cock and the heat

demanding to be quenched by his seed. Tommy met him thrust for thrust,

spurring him on to deeper penetration by writhing underneath him. Both

were sweat-soaked and their skin clung as they drove each other higher

until the pinnacle of their mutual lust was scaled and they crashed over

the precipice together, falling into the afterglow of a cataclysmic orgasm.

Tommy smiled lazily as he recalled the experience; he'd

read and heard enough about oral sex, but who would've thought it would

feel anything like this? He couldn't wait to feel Jason's

mouth on himself again ... sucking, licking, biting, driving him into a

frenzy of wanting.

*I wonder,* he thought to himself, *will it

be the same for Kim?* These past few days, images of his girlfriend

had constantly hovered at the edge of his consciousness; every time Jason

tried something new, experimented with a different technique or position,

Tommy kept asking himself if he was ever going to try these same things,

which felt so incredibly good, on the Pink Ranger. *I hope so; however,

first I need to be myself again.* Deliberately, he turned his thoughts

away from his predicament, concentrating instead of the things he and his

best friend had done each morning and night. *And boy, have we done

a lot! Who'd've thought Jase could get this kinky?* Even in the privacy

of his own mind, the White Ranger blushed as he remembered the ... innovative

... way Jason had found to put ketchup on hot dogs.

Tommy shivered pleasurably. "Mmmm," he couldn't help the

sigh as his hands curled automatically as if he were once more stroking

Jason to renewed hardness, teasing and tickling the heavy balls until the

tanned body had trembled with need and his friend had reached for him with

barely-controlled desire. Tommy sighed again as he recalled clinging to

that broad chest, meeting every thrust of the hot prick into his steaming

sex with equal fervor until they both climaxed, to lie sweaty and limp

in each other's arms. Washing each other afterwards had been almost as

much fun; the night air had cooled their skin, even though Jason had joked

he could see the droplets of water sizzle on Tommy's breasts, he was so

hot. Idly, Tommy wondered if, after his morning bath, his Bro's skin would

still feel as silky as when it was warm. Which brought him back to the

here and now.

Outside, the splashing had stopped, and with a reluctant

groan, Tommy slipped out from under his sleeping bag and opened the tent

flap. It was high time for his own morning ablutions; they'd planned another

hike, and he'd better get his butt in gear. Grabbing some fresh clothes,

he crawled outside.

Straightening in the morning sun, Tommy relished the gentle

breeze on his naked skin. Both Rangers had soon lost their initial shyness

around each other, something that had maybe been inevitable now that they

were opposite genders, and moved in each other's company as if nothing

at all had changed. It was yet another sign of their rapport that nothing,

not even Zedd's most personally upsetting spell, could undermine. Jason

was standing on the other side of the shallow pool, waist-deep in the clear

water, and shaking the cool liquid out of his dark hair.

"Good morning!"

Jason turned at the cheerful greeting and grinned at his

best friend.

"Mornin'," he called back and sloshed around, making his

way back to shore. The sunlight glistened on his wet body, rivulets of

water running down the broad chest, trickling over his hips towards the

thatch of dark hair pooling between the powerful thighs ... Tommy's mouth

went dry as more and more of that incredibly built body was revealed, the

thick phallus nesting among almost-black curls slightly shrivelled from

the cold, but still impressive enough. With an inward shudder of delight,

Tommy remembered how it felt like to touch the smooth shaft, to feel it

lengthen and swell in his hand ... exactly like his own used to, and yet

inexplicably, strangely, excitingly different.

Jason waded out of the water and perfunctorily stripped

the moisture from his arms and chest. He then did a few stretching exercises

to work some kinks out of his shoulders, when he suddenly became aware

of Tommy's eyes. He looked up and caught his breath as he read the smoldering

fire in the chocolate orbs. The Red Ranger let his arms fall to his sides,

straightened slowly and held that gaze, aware that those brown eyes were

raking up and down his body, fastening at last upon his groin. He had to

fight the impulse to gulp audibly.

"Tommy? Are you okay?" Both teens were surprised how husky

the murmured question sounded.

"I'm fine," the girl/man breathed, moving forward as if

in a daze, still staring at the thickening shaft.

Jason did swallow hard, then, feeling his skin

warm not only from the morning sun beating on his back, but more so from

that increasingly lust-filled look. He stood stock-still, held captive

by nothing more than Tommy's eyes, incapable of any movement but the heaving

of his chest as his breath started to come in short, shuddering gasps.

Tommy finally came to a halt less than a foot or so away

from his best friend; far away enough to be not touching, but close enough

to sense the peculiar mixture of warm skin/watery chill radiate outwards

from Jason to his own naked flesh. Slowly, he raised both hands to frame

the tanned face and drew the dark head down to his own, fastening his mouth

to the firm lips which opened readily at the first thrust of his tongue.

Tommy kissed Jason deeply, their bodies undulating against each other until

both were gasping for air. Next, Tommy let his fingers glide from the short

hair to the broad shoulders, skimming down across sculpted pectorals, briefly

teasing the small brown nipples so that Jason hissed with pleasure and

surprise. The White Ranger smiled sexily into his best friend's eyes, then

his hands dropped lower still, briefly teasing the muscular ass before

inching towards the minutely-twitching rod. Both teens' eyes held the other's,

never wavering, not even when Tommy sank slowly to his knees so that the

purplish cockhead was only inches away from his lips. He flicked his tongue

to moisten them, a quick swipe over soft surfaces, leaving the inviting

mouth glistening pink.

Jason held his breath in anticipation.

Instead of opening up, though, or licking at the yearning

organ, Tommy stroked his cheek against the satiny length, letting it glide

all over his face as he learned the musky scent of his best friend's manhood.

He nuzzled into the tightly-curled hair at the base, smiling once more

as he ran his opened lips over the sensitive balls which shifted in their

crinkly sac, and he echoed Jason's sharp intake of air very softly himself

when he pressed a kiss to the root of the pulsing organ. Closing his eyes,

concentrating only on feeling, Tommy then mouthed his way in fractions

of inches up the hard shaft, holding his lover enthralled and motionless

simply by the utter sensuality of his caresses.

At long last, Tommy reached the hot cockhead. He pressed

tiny little kisses along the ridge, felt Jason sway and blindly reached

up to grasp the narrow hips in his hands, steadying him. He was not

letting him get away! A first drop of clear fluid oozed from the tiny slit

and Tommy kissed it away, tasting it curiously with his tongue, and Jason

moaned.

"Tooooom-meeeeeee......!"

The needy sound reverberated through Tommy, causing a

responding shiver; wanting to hear the deep voice plead with him thus once

more, he closed his lips cautiously around the satin-smooth knob. It took

everything he had to remain like this for endless seconds, and every ounce

of control Jason possessed not just to take hold of the brown locks and

thrust forward, burying himself in the heat of that tempting orifice. He

started to tremble with expectation and need, moaning his lover's name

again. At last, Tommy relented and touched his wet tongue to the sensitive

skin, letting it slide and swirl around as far as he could while slowly

lowering his head towards the bush of near-black hair. It was an exhilarating

experience, feeling that thick rod glide deep, silk over steel, until the

round tip hit the back of his throat. More than half of Jason's length

had disappeared in his lover's mouth.

Tommy held Jason there as long as he could without choking,

then gradually withdrew, letting his lips and tongue caress the smooth

length until he once more reached the ridge. Sucking softly, he then raised

his eyes to Jason's. Dark fire blazed down on him, and he smiled sensually

around his mouthful of male flesh before sinking back down again towards

the rippling abdomen, this time taking even more of the velvety shaft inside.

At the edge of his consciousness, he heard Jason sigh and groan, then two

large hands twined possessively in his long hair, and everything ceased

to exist but the insistent rhythm of licking and sucking, thrusting and

withdrawing that was as old as time, but still so very new to the young

lovers.

Thrills chased each other up and down Tommy's spine as

he continued to play his tongue along the throbbing flesh, drilling gently

into the slit to taste more of his friend's pre-come, flicking the tip

against the vee of the ridge to make Jason shiver and moan, until finally

he felt a strong pulse course through the dick he was suckling so hungrily.

An instant later, a spurt of salty seed hit the roof of his mouth, then

another and another until he held all of Jason's essence within.

Tommy raised his head once more, to look into Jason's

flushed, sweaty, pleasure-filled face. Still holding his barely-softened

cock deep in his throat, he then swallowed everything Jason had given him,

letting his lover feel the contractions as he drank his seed like a rare

wine. Only when there was nothing more to consume did Tommy let the wilting

prick slip from between his lips, licking the tip a last time in farewell.

Lithely, he rose from his kneeling position to move into Jason's arms and

the two kissed deeply, sharing the taste of the Red Ranger's orgasm until

they were quite out of breath.

"Oh man, that was ..." Jason sighed exhaustedly as they

separated, unable to find words adequate to describing what he'd just felt.

Tommy grinned triumphantly at the tone; for days now he'd been the

one to find himself reduced to speechless wonder by the sensations his

friend's lovemaking produced in his willing body; to be able to turn the

tables for once was ... heady. Besides, Jason had looked simply too irresistible

all wet and glistening as he'd emerged from the water; although Tommy had

never in a million years thought he'd want to take another man's cock in

his mouth or drink his come, he'd been unable to stop himself. Come to

think of it, he wouldn't mind doing it again if it meant he could bring

that thick shaft to full erection again faster ... to assuage his own insistent

need. Tommy squirmed slightly as he became aware of the wetness and ache

between his legs; giving Jason this first blowjob had aroused him far more

than he'd imagined.

"Let's lie down," he suggested throatily, bestowing another

deep, thoroughly intoxicating kiss on his best friend. Together, the two

Rangers moved away from the pond's edge to a mossy spot underneath a large

tree and sank down, to lie cuddled together as they enjoyed the skin-on-skin

contact. "Mmmm," Tommy purred as Jason's hands skimmed down his back to

cup his ass. "I like when you do that!"

"Seems you like a lot of things we've been doing lately,"

Jason jibed, stealing one more kiss before settling Tommy's head on his

shoulder, the better to relish the afterglow. His senses were still reeling

from what had just happened; for days he'd wished Tommy might suck him

off, but hadn't wanted to ask. Having his wish come true, and in this way,

instigated by Tommy himself, was overwhelming.

While Tommy certainly hadn't been passive in their lovemaking,

responding eagerly, even enthusiastically to everything Jason could think

of doing, he'd never taken the initiative before. Jason didn't know if

that was due to Tommy being a girl now or if it was part of his nature

... no, somehow that didn't seem right. The White Ranger was many things,

but 'passive' wasn't exactly one of them. The young man grinned, nuzzling

into the long brown locks spread over his chest. *I wonder what brought

that on,* he thought; *just that I ate him out last night, or something

else?* The young man had no ready answer.

*Does it really matter? Guess not,* he mused, remembering

the many instances since they'd come up here when Tommy had made his preferences

known in no uncertain terms, telling him by word and deed how he could

bring him the most pleasure. Aloud, he only said, "Speaking of like ...

is there anything I can do for you?"

He teasingly plucked at a pebbled nipple; despite his

own post-orgasmic lassitude, it hadn't escaped the Red Ranger's notice

that his partner was moving restlessly against him, not quite rubbing

his moist crotch against his thigh. And besides, it seemed only fair to

return the favor in whichever way Tommy wished.

"Uh huh," Tommy nodded, kissing the smooth chest before

lifting smoldering brown eyes to his friend's. "You could fuck me." The

bold statement hung between them for a long instant. "I really need

you in me, Jase."

"It'll be my pleasure, believe me." Jason sent a friendly

leer at his partner, hands already glossing over a full breast and delightfully

smooth buttcheeks. He hadn't quite gotten his second wind yet and was just

about to suggest Tommy give him a little 'assistance', when something in

his lover's expression registered. An unexpected thought rose, took hold

and while Jason shifted somewhat to gain better access to the so-soft mounds

with their peaked tips, he gave it voice before he got cold feet. *It's

what I'd want ...* If Tommy went for it, this was not going

to be easy.

"On second thought ... why don't you fuck me?"

Tommy froze.

"W-what?" he gaped, not sure he'd heard right. "What do

you mean?"

"I mean, for once you should be the one to set

the pace, to decide what we're doing," Jason elaborated. Lying in each

other's arms as they were, he didn't miss the accelerated heartbeat and

excited flush his suggestion elicited. It showed him that he was onto something.

"That is what you want, isn't it?" he asked softly, looking deeply

into the chocolate eyes. The expression in them hovered between fright

and arousal.

Arousal won.

"Are you sure?" Tommy enquired, already freeing himself

from the strong arms. He hadn't known it before, but now that Jason had

raised the issue, he became aware that this was indeed his desire ... and

that it went beyond simple wanting to take the lead, already had

become a need.

"Quite sure," Jason assured his best friend. "Go for it,

Tommy; take what you need from me." As always, he'd guessed Tommy's mood

correctly. He released the last hold he had on the slender body and lay

back on the soft moss, relaxed and waiting. "I'm all yours."

Tommy sat up, rather dazed. For a few moments, his mind

went completely blank, and he had no idea whatsoever what to do, or even

where to start. Instead, he just looked at the sculpted body stretched

out completely open right next to him, tanned skin warm over hard muscles,

waiting only for his touch. He reached out a slightly unsteady hand to

a cheek rough and shadowed with morning stubble. "You need to shave," he

murmured inconsequentially.

"You want me to do it now?" Jason replied oh-so-agreeably,

making as if to get up there and then and hunt for his shaving kit. He

was only barely suppressing an incredulous snicker. Tommy couldn't possibly

be serious, could he?

"No – no! I just ... I ..." Tommy stammered, flustered,

as

he instinctively pressed Jason back onto the moss. Before he could form

a more coherent reply, Jason reared up and gave him a quick, gentle kiss.

"'S okay, Tommy, I was only teasing you a little. Don't

worry so much. Take whatever time you need, do whatever feels right ...

this is your show. I'll be okay with whatever you decide to do.

I promise." The dark eyes looked sincerely at him, albeit with a hint of

gentle laughter in their depths.

Chagrined yet oddly reassured, Tommy felt his cheeks flame,

but he managed a sheepish grin. "I ... I don't even know where to start,"

he confessed.

Jason grinned back at him, midnight eyes going soft with

affection.

"Why don't you start the way we did right at the beginning

– with a kiss?" he suggested, licking his lips exaggeratedly and waggling

his eyebrows in a comical leer. Tommy had to laugh at the sheer outrageousness

of the gesture.

"You ...!" he growled, pinning the broad shoulders to

the ground as he moved to hover over his best friend. To his delight, Jason

offered no resistance whatsoever to the gently aggressive move, continuing

to lie pliant beneath him. He found further comfort and reassurance in

the familiar banter.

"One day, I'll make you eat every word you said these

last few days, smartass," Tommy threatened more than half-seriously, only

to find he needed to take stronger measures to shut the irrepressible Red

Ranger up.

"Actually, I'd prefer to eat youmnmfffph!"

Exasperated, Tommy pounced on his lover, insecurities

forgotten, and closed the laughing mouth the only way he could think of

– with his own. The two teens kissed until they were both out of breath.

"I swear, sometimes you're worse than Zack," Tommy grumbled,

reluctant laughter in his voice, nip-kissing his way along the prickly

jawline.

"Shall I take that as a compliment, or an insult?" The

deep voice shook with amusement, but Jason very obligingly angled his head

so Tommy could nosh at his ear.

"Whichever way you like. Later, though." An insistent

tongue slipped once more between willingly offered lips. "Right now, the

only one who's going to do any taking is me." Short fingernails raked teasingly

down the broad chest.

"Promises, promises," Jason couldn't resist a last shot

before he lost his breath under the fiery assault his lover launched at

him.

"You bet your ass that's a promise, Bro," Tommy confirmed,

tweaking the tiny nipples none-too-gently. "Now shut the hell up and pay

attention to what I'm doing!"

"Yessiiiiiiirrrrrrr ......" Jason's cheeky reply changed

to a low moan as Tommy began to attack his most sensitive spots in earnest.

The slender hands teased, stroked, tickled and pinched, sometimes skirting

the edge between pleasure and pain, but for every little hurt the nimble

fingers caused, there was a hot, wet mouth to suck and lick it away or

turn it into an exquisitely arousing caress.

It had been Jason's intention to curb his instincts for

Tommy's sake, unsure if he could relinquish control to such an extent,

but he soon found that his earlier fear of being unable to go through with

it had been unfounded. His lover never even gave him a chance. It seemed

as if Tommy was everywhere – biting down on his nipples, kissing

his throat, pumping his once-more straining cock or licking at his contracting

balls. All the burly young man could do was lie back, stare sightlessly

into the leaves fluttering overhead and accept what his lover chose to

do to him, driving him deeper and deeper into desire. There was a freedom

in being so passive Jason hadn't expected, and he thrilled to this new

experience.

For his part, Tommy reveled in taking the leading role

this once. He knew, in some corner of his mind, that their present respective

anatomies made the reverse somehow more natural, but it wasn't in his nature

to accept another's dominance easily; only the deep trust he had for Jason

had made it possible for him at all to submit so far. Now, when Jason was

returning this trust measure for measure, were they equals again – the

way it should be. Apart from that, it was highly arousing to reduce the

strong body of his friend to such a quivering mass of desire that he trembled

under every single touch.

"You like that, hmm?" he questioned huskily when his fingers

strayed underneath the furry sac, skimming the sweaty cleft just around

the hidden opening and Jason tossed his head from side to side with delight,

responding eagerly to his friend's advances. Not that he would, but he

couldn't hold back his ecstatic sighs if his life depended on it!

"C-can't you t-telll .... oooohhhh," he rasped.

"Just making sure," the long-haired teen murmured, taking

the weeping prick into his mouth. He smiled, unseen by his lover as he

started to suck leisurely. *This is FUN! No wonder Jase likes

to drive me up the walls during foreplay! Well, let's see what else I can

do ...* Mouth and hands once more started to wander.

Jason's skin was damp with sweat before Tommy let up.

Deciding that it was enough for the moment, the White Ranger became aware

once more of his own needs, denied for far too long. Gliding along the

smooth chest, he bent over the flushed face again. A deep, hard kiss, eagerly

returned, then Tommy let his aching breasts brush the gasping mouth.

"Suck my nipples, Jase," he commanded throatily. "I want

you to lick them until they're as hard as your cock!" He sighed with pleasure

as his lover complied promptly, capturing the hard peaks between his teeth

and flicking his tongue fast around the sweet, throbbing nubs until Tommy

was yea-close to sobbing with need. Only the persistent itch centered at

the apex of his thighs enabled him to lift the dark head from its feast.

Rolling onto his back and spreading his legs wide in shameless invitation,

Tommy gave the next order.

"Eat me ..."

Wordlessly, breathing hard with excitement, Jason scrambled

into position. With his first lick, he parted the slick, drenched folds;

his second unerringly found the hidden kernel and fastened onto it, lashing

back and forth as slow or as fast as Tommy demanded of him with his sighs,

jerking of hips and hands in his hair. The tangy nectar flowed freely,

filling his mouth and he hastened to drink it all, drowning in the ecstatic

sounds his lover made. He was losing himself in the sheer carnality of

the situation, all set to drive Tommy over the edge into oblivion with

his mouth, when he found to his surprise that the slim thighs were clamping

together, denying him further access to this little piece of paradise.

"Enough," Tommy moaned, torn between wanting the sweet

torture to never end and wanting something more – the hot, hard shaft penetrating

him as deeply as possible, filling him to capacity until his whole being

was consumed with the fire raging in his veins. "Fuck me, Jase – NOW!!!"

"How?" Jason gasped, more than ready himself for release.

His cock felt hard enough to drill holes, and the only hole he wanted to

drill into was located in the wet heat of his best friend's sex.

Hesitating for only a second, Tommy took hold of the broad

shoulders. Looking deeply into the glittering near-black eyes, he voiced

his own hidden fantasy. "I want to be on top ..."

"Go for it, then," Jason smiled wolfishly, understanding

perfectly. He rolled onto his back and helped his friend straddle his hips,

to perch right on top of his aching length. "I told you, anything you want."

"Mmm," Tommy sighed contendedly as he swayed back and

forth, teasing his drenched folds with Jason's heat. Every now and then,

if he moved just right, the velvety cap would rub against his clit,

sending electric bolts into every part of his body. However, he was too

revved to hold back much longer. Bracing himself on hands and knees, he

raised his hips, groaning as he lost contact with the thick cock. "Help

me!" he demanded breathlessly.

The prone teen grasped his own sex, lifting it upright

and steadying the hard shaft. An instant of seeking, of slow fumbling,

then the wide tip slipped into the wet entrance. Both froze, their eyes

locking, then Tommy slowly straightened into a kneeling position. For just

a second, he held himself poised above the long, thick cock, until their

mutual need became too much and he sank down, down, filling his spasming

channel with throbbing heat. Jason and Tommy groaned their delight. As

soon as his senses stopped spinning, Tommy fixed his friend with a sensuous

stare.

"Don't move."

Incapable of anything but a mute nod, Jason just took

hold of the smooth ass and let his lover take over. He echoed every ecstatic

sigh as Tommy started to ride him, rising up and down, sometimes twisting

his hips, watching avidly as the silky skin flushed all over and took on

a light glow when the exertion caused Tommy to perspire. Most of his attention,

though, was fixed on the full, bouncing breasts, swaying so temptingly

just out of his reach, however. He would only need to glide one hand up

from the slim hips to catch a soft mound, but Tommy hadn't asked for it,

so ...

Just when the compulsion became nigh irresistible, Tommy

slammed down onto his pelvis once more. His fingers were busily delving

between his netherlips, seeking out the pleasure pearl hidden there, and

he gasped for help when he couldn't seem to find relief on his own.

"Touch my tits, Jase – please!"

Only too glad to obey the desperate plea, Jason placed

his own strong fingers on the hardened tips, tweaking them gently at first,

then harder when Tommy moaned. He was kneading the firm globes thoroughly

when his lover started to go wild above him. Slender hips gyrated in a

frenzy of desire, fingers flew over the tiny love button and finally Tommy

uttered a stifled scream, froze in mid-motion and clamped every interior

muscle around the hard shaft. Endless spasms enveloping his dick were nearly

enough to send Jason over the edge, too, but he clenched his teeth and

waited Tommy's orgasm out, catching him in a soothing embrace when he collapsed

bonelessly on top of him at last.

"Oh wow ..." was all the long-haired teen was able to

gasp when he became aware of his surroundings again at last. "That ...

that was incredible!" He tried to roll off the broad chest, but the muscular

arms held him fast; large warm hands were moving slowly up and down his

back, coaxing the last tremors from him. Tommy felt deliciously weary and

weak as a kitten, but as he took stock of his situation, he noticed that

he was still filled with pulsating heat. Puzzled, and feeling a new, tiny

thrill skitter down his spine, he lifted his head and sought out midnight

eyes that were sparkling with lust. "You ... you didn't come ..."

"No," Jason admitted huskily. "I want to take you hard,

and fast. The other way," he grinned, pumping once upwards to inch

a little further into the tight passage. "If you don't mind, that is."

"Not at all," Tommy smiled, then yelped in surprise when

his lover clasped him tight and rolled both of them over. "Smooth move,

Bro," he approved, and moaned sensually as Jason lifted his legs over his

shoulders, drawing back for that first, deep thrust until only the very

tip of his penis was still held inside the clinging folds.

"Yeah. Now, hold on ..." He sought out the panting mouth

with his own, then snapped his hips forward sharply, hitting Tommy's deepest

recesses. They groaned their delight into each other's mouths, tongues

dueling in sync with the rhythm the thick shaft set. Tommy soon found himself

poised on the brink of another orgasm as he abandoned himself to the lustful

possession by his teammate. Jason pistoned his friend's wet pussy in a

demanding cadence, snapping his loins back and forth furiously until his

balls contracted and gave up his boiling seed, letting it flow out of his

throbbing cock into the narrow hole. He bellowed his release in a primal

shout that triggered his partner's climax as well, and both teens soon

lay gasping for breath in each other's arms, weary but sated, kissing gently

while the last spasms faded and their heartbeats returned to normal.


 


 

Nine

"Well, well, well, Red Ranger – I didn't think you had

it in you," Lord Zedd commented. He'd tried once more to spy on Jason and

Tommy, and a minute-long clearing up in the planetary disturbances had

allowed him to watch the former leader of Earth's Rangers take his successor

fast and furiously.

"Or rather, that Tommy gets to have you in him,"

the Evil Monarch gloated. "I knew he would not cut off his friends' balls

to save himself, but I never imagined he'd take to his new role in life

this

fast! I wonder how the two Power Punks will explain their new relationship

to the Pink Ranger? How heartbroken poor little Kimberly will be," Zedd

mock-mourned.

He shut off his visor again; planetary rotation or whatever

– Finster had repeatedly tried to explain, but Zedd wasn't really interested

in the why or how as long as the end result was the same:

he could no longer watch the Red and White Rangers fuck. Which was a pity,

really; seemed as if Goody-two-shoes Jason had a nice little naughty trick

or two up his sleeve to wear Tommy out so thoroughly, and apparently not

for the first time, either – made further observation impossible, and it

was time to think about how to use what he'd seen to his advantage. Muttering

to himself under his breath, Zedd sat on his throne, drumming his steel-tipped

fingers on an armrest. The past few days had been boring as all get-out;

sure, he'd sent a few platoons of Putties to Earth, just to keep the remaining

three Rangers on their toes, but there was no real challenge in taking

on half a team; why waste a perfectly good monster on them?

However, reviewing the scene he'd watched up in the mountains

once more, the skinless being slowly began to formulate a plan.

"Hmmm ... with good old Tommy being boinked by Jason,

what will Kimberly do now? I wonder ... maybe she'll be more ... receptive

... to an offer by a real man now!" Losing himself in fiendish plans,

Zedd never noticed that Baboo was slowly backing away, out of the throne

room and his Master's sphere. The alien alchemist was shivering with dread

under his blue-tinged fur. It had seemed so unlikely, given Tommy's relationship

with the Pink Ranger, Human prejudices concerning sexual relations, and

it had never worked on Muralis, the planet of origin of the sha'nach

plant, because of a strong cultural taboo, which was why he hadn't mentioned

the possibility to Lord Zedd ... but castration was not the only

way to restore a changed Human male back to his original form; prolonged

and intense sexual intercourse just might work as well. If Zordon

and that cursed genius, the Blue Ranger, had figured that out ... Baboo

had no desire to be anywhere near his Master if that was true. He would

have preferred the other side of the Galaxy, really, but since that was

out of the question, the deepest level of the moon's castle would just

have to do. Stealthily, Baboo scurried away.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kimberly was a nervous wreck. Every

night, she'd continued to be plagued by visions of her boyfriend and the

team leader, locked in a heated embrace; while she had no real concept

of what it would look like exactly, she had a very vivid imagination.

After all, everybody on the team had been able to see that Tommy was just

as attractive as a girl as in his male form, and Jason ... if they hadn't

known each other practically since Kindergarten and considered each other

almost like brother and sister, Kim was honest enough to admit that her

friend was precisely the type of guy she used to fall for before Tommy

entered her life. Strong, intelligent, absolutely gorgeous ... and a really

nice guy to boot. It had only served to inflame her senses, so recently

awakened by her deepening feelings for the White Ranger, all the more.

Kimberly was torn between chagrin and embarrassment, but thinking of her

two teammates together made her seek relief at her own hands every night,

and sometimes even during the day when she could snatch a moment's privacy

– something she'd never done before, not even in the early days

of falling in love with the then-Green Ranger.

"I can't stand this anymore!" she moaned into her diet

soda as she relaxed with Trini, Billy and a recently-returned Zack at Ernie's

after the latest pointless Putty attack. "This is killing me!"

"What is, Kimberly?" Billy asked, momentarily puzzled.

"I have to admit, Zedd's activity seems to have no particular purpose these

days, but ..." he shut up abruptly as he noticed the petite girl's tear-filled

glare. Belatedly, the young genius realized Kim was referring to personal

problems rather than Ranger business. He lowered his gaze in embarrassment.

Trini shook her head reprovingly at him and draped a comforting arm around

her best friend's shoulders.

"Relax, Kim; Billy didn't mean it like that. – I'm sure

Tommy will be okay; please don't fret so much. How are you holding up?"

she asked, noticing the dark circles under the brown eyes with some concern.

Kim sighed disconsolately, dabbing the threatening tears away.

"I ... I'm not sleeping very well," she admitted, turning

weary eyes on her friends. "I'm worried about Tommy, about how this 'cure'

will affect our relationship ... if it'll work at all ..."

"It ought to," Billy interjected softly when the Pink

Ranger paused for breath. "I went over the data with Zordon and Alpha four

times in all since last Saturday, and there is no reason why the, um, treatment

shouldn't be completely effective. The only thing we couldn't determine

was how often or how intensely Jason and Tommy need to, ah, apply the,

er, remedy." The Blue Ranger blushed furiously; even using the most neutral

euphemisms didn't help his overactive imagination. He'd been repeatedly

forced to resort to self-gratification when he'd tried to calculate frequency

and necessary intensity of his teammates engaging in sexual intercourse.

All out of the desire to help his friends, naturally.

"Yeah, you told us," Kimberly sighed. "It still doesn't

help much. Besides ..." she hesitated, unsure whether she should tell her

friends about what else made her uneasy these days. Receiving only encouraging

looks, she continued. "I know it sounds totally silly, guys, but ... I

feel as if I'm being watched. At home. I know there's no-one; I

checked, and I even contacted Alpha by communicator to scan my house and

make sure, and yet I can't help this itchy feeling at the back of my neck.

You know?" She rubbed her hand underneath her caramel locks to illustrate,

in a gesture oddly reminiscent of Tommy.

To her relief, all three Rangers nodded understandingly.

"Sort of like in the early days, when Rita would attack

us at every turn? And we just knew she was sitting up there on the

Moon, spying on us?" Trini ventured.

"Exactly!" Kim exclaimed, her eyes lighting up momentarily.

Then, they clouded again. "But I ... well, we got used to it, I

thought," she muttered.

"It's probably just because Zedd hasn't sent down a monster

all weekend," Zack shrugged. "I know I'm getting edgy when things

have been too quiet too long. That, and your worry about Tommy ..." his

voice trailed off.

"Very likely that is the reason for your current unease,

Kimberly," Billy concurred. "The cumulative effect is playing havoc with

your sensibilities to an uncommon degree."

"I guess you're right. But still ..." Kim frowned, not

entirely convinced.

"You know what? You need a diversion from all this brooding,"

the Black Ranger offered. "And lucky for you, the Zack-man knows just the

thing!"

"Oh? What did you have in mind?" Trini asked, sending

an encouraging smile towards her Pink teammate. Zack grinned, bouncing

in his chair like a first-grader.

"I was passing the library on my way here, and saw a few

official-looking types putting up a poster," the dark-skinned young man

explained eagerly. "Seems there's this international organization which

is looking for candidates to take part in a Peace Conference made up entirely

out of teenagers."

The three teens shared interested looks.

"I read about this in the paper the other day," Billy

remembered. "A most worthy cause, and an excellent concept – to bring the

future generation together early, before prejudices and habit can form

barriers to free communication and interaction. If it should prove workable,

it may be a true chance at world peace, maybe even within our lifetimes."

"Right. And you know what's the best part? The chosen

delegates get to live in Europe to finish school and maybe even go to university

there! Man, just think – London, Paris, Rome!" Zack enthused, jumping up

from his chair and doing a few exuberant dance steps.

"As far as I know, the Conference is to be held in Geneva,

Switzerland," Billy commented, an amused smile playing around his mouth

when his friend's expression fell somewhat disappointedly. "But I agree,

it would be quite an experience despite the less glamorous locale."

"Well, let's check it out then!"

Kim observed the eager gleam in her companions' eyes.

Sighing once more, she deliberately shook off her funk. *Only one more

night until Tommy comes back – and I hope NOT the way he left!* Searching

for and finding at least a portion of her usual optimism, shored up by

her friends' support, she put on a bright smile that was only slightly

forced.

"Oh okay, why not? I doubt they'll pick someone from a

small town like Angel Grove, but what can it hurt to take a look?"

"That's the spirit, Kim! Let's go, guys," Zack cheered,

and led the way out of the Youth Center.


 


 


 

Ten

The sunset was spectacular as always in the mountains

this time of year, but Jason doubted that Tommy was watching the lightshow

Mother Nature put on. His best friend was standing at the edge of 'their'

clearing again, looking out over the valley towards Angel Grove – just

like he'd done when they'd arrived up here. The slumped shoulders told

him where Tommy's thoughts were, and with a sigh the burly teen abandoned

his packing. Instead, he made his way over to the slender figure – still

female, despite their best efforts.

Jason couldn't hold back a lusty grin. His initiation

into the world of sex had certainly been far less inhibited and much

more

intense than he'd ever dreamed. He sympathized fully with Tommy, would

probably feel exactly like him if their situations were reversed, but that

didn't alter the fact that he'd enjoyed himself immensely. And he'd personally

hand his Power Coin to Zedd if Tommy hadn't, as well. *Nobody's THAT

good an actor – and I'd swear on all I hold dear that Tommy's not been

faking anything. No way!*

Ever since their tryst yesterday morning, the two had

achieved a freedom with each other that surpassed everything they'd shared

before. Their nightly lovemaking had been intense and satisfying from the

outset, both physically and emotionally, but Jason still felt slightly

stunned at what had happened in the aftermath of Tommy taking the lead

for once.

*Man, we've been going at each other like rabbits!*

he

thought with a wry chuckle, careful his Bro couldn't hear him and think

he was making light of his mood. *I actually lost count how often we

did it yesterday. Let's see ... we each came twice here at the pond;

the third time was when we hiked to the summit and Tommy bent over to tie

his shoe and practically shoved that tight little ass in my face ... also,

he took off his shirt when I did during lunch and he's still not wearing

a bra or anything; how could I resist?* The Red Ranger felt his shorts

tighten as he pictured his teammate's full mounds, their brown tips hard

and rubbing sensually against his slick skin when Tommy had pressed himself

against his back, nibbling at his neck from behind.

*Then, when we came

back and swam together, I fucked him in the water, with Tommy sitting on

that rock over there ... there was the sixty-nine in front of the fire,

and once more when he woke me at night because he had to go outside for

a minute ... that's ... SEVEN times?!? Whoa! No wonder we didn't do much

since getting up!* Jason whistled mentally as he came to stand behind

his friend and lover.

Tommy sensed Jason as he approached; he didn't turn around,

but when a large, warm hand came to rest on his shoulder, he covered it

with his own, accepting the silent comfort gratefully. Neither spoke for

a while, letting their physical closeness express what words couldn't.

At last, Tommy sighed deeply. Still looking out over the lush mountain

landscape, he searched for the right way to say what was on his mind.

"What if it doesn't work?"

There was no need to elaborate; both were all-too-aware

of why they'd become intimate in the first place.

"It will, Bro," Jason soothed. "You know Zordon and Billy

were pretty confident about that."

"Then why am I still like this?" the spell-changed young

man asked plaintively, turning despondent brown eyes on his companion.

"Ever since we came here, we've been practically fucking our brains out,

and nothing has happened! Nothing!!"

His lover squeezed the slim shoulders reassuringly.

"Relax, Tommy – maybe it'll just take a little more time.

Trust us, will you?"

"I do, but ... how much exactly is a little time?

A week? A month?" To that, Jason had no ready answer. "It's not that I'm

not grateful for what you're doing for me; I am, but ..."

"Hey, it's not as if it's exactly a chore," Jason grinned,

trying to lighten the mood. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm having a ball."

"Two, to be exact," Tommy pouted, unsuccessfully attempting

to hide his own reluctant grin. "Like I used to have. I want mine back,

Jase!" he added, serious once more.

"You'll get them, I'm sure. Meanwhile, I'll do everything

I can to help you."

"You already have, more than I thought you could," the

White Ranger retorted. In a move that was completely instinctive, he slipped

both arms around the broad back and rested his forehead in the crook of

Jason's neck. It seemed only right that the strong arms closed around himself

and Jason rested his cheek on the long brown locks, hugging his friend

warmly.

"Would you prefer a more painful cure?"

"No, of course not," Tommy sighed, relaxing into the embrace.

A tiny part of his mind wondered why this was so easy, but he paid no attention.

"I just wish I knew how long it's going to take. – Have I ever said

thankyou?" he wondered, lifting serious eyes to the tanned face so close

to his own.

"I don't remember, but it doesn't matter if you haven't,"

the Red Ranger soothed. "You know I'll be there for you, Tommy – always.

Whatever you need and if it's in my power to give, you'll have it. I promise."

"I know. Still, let me say this just once – thank you,

Jase. I don't think I could have gone through this with anyone else."

"You're welcome," Jason replied gently. Both teens smiled

at each other, and then it was the most natural thing in the universe that

their lips should meet and fuse together in a kiss that was very long and

very, very sweet ... just two people expressing their feelings for

each other. They separated just when they reached the edge of burgeoning

desire; neither teenager wanted this moment of pure affection to change

into something else. Slightly out of breath, they took a step backwards,

both literally and figuratively.

"Later?" Jason asked huskily, loathe to let go just yet.

He bent forward and brushed his mouth once more across the kiss-swollen

lips in a teasing caress that suggested more to come.

"Later," Tommy acquiesced, touching his friend's cheek

gently. His smile and the sparkle in his eyes made their own promises.

"Then let's finish packing up," the burly teen sighed

comically. Reluctantly releasing his friend, he surveyed their strewn-about

belongings. "I thought we're supposed to have less stuff now that

most of the food is gone; where the hell does all that come from?"

"And where is it supposed to go?" the other added. "I

know we had it all in our backpacks, but it completely beats me how we're

going to fit everything and the tent and mattress ..."

"Well, Mom was rather careful how and where she packed

my things," Jason admitted sheepishly. Tommy snickered. "Come on – you're

not gonna tell me it was you who rolled and folded all your clothes?"

"Um, no," Tommy blushed slightly. "I mean, I did pack

my own clothes myself before, but this ..." he indicated the feminine garments

he'd been compelled to wear these past days. "Trini and Kim helped, since

they were the ones getting 'em for me," came the embarrassed confession.

"I knew it!" the Red Ranger crowed, elbowing his best

friend. Tommy shoved him away playfully. Soon, the two were roughhousing

like always for a few, spirited minutes, until Jason ended the bout by

tickling Tommy into laughing submission. "But, come on; let's get at this

methodically. Everything was in our backpacks on the way up here; there

has

to

be a way to get it back in, too. We just have to find it."

"Right. Can't let it be said we can't even pack by ourselves."

Together, they started to sort through their belongings,

separating utensils and laundry and other sundry items. Idly Jason tossed

a chartreuse pair of panties at Tommy, who caught it with a scowl; the

lace edging the legs had irritated him mightily when he'd worn them and

he remembered wondering how on Earth Mrs Taylor could stand the scratching

near so sensitive a part of her anatomy. Not bothering to hide his smirk,

Jason scooped up two of his balled-up red t-shirts, trying to fold them

into as small a bundle as possible.

"Tommy?"

"Hmm?"

"You think folding and rolling things, like my Mom and

the girls did, might help?"

"It's worth a try."

Night fell, and Jason and Tommy had indeed succeeded in

putting everything away but what they needed for the night and the next

morning. They'd earlier caught a couple of fish in 'their' pond to augment

their depleted food supplies and were watching the flames of their small

cooking fire die down one by one. When only softly-glowing embers remained,

their eyes met and held under the starlight.

"Shall we give it one more try?" Jason asked quietly,

holding out his hand towards his best friend.

Tommy placed his slender fingers into the warm palm without

hesitation. "Maybe even two or three," he smiled, mellowed by the camaraderie

he had shared with his teammate.

"Three?" the dark-haired young man laughed gently. "You

have a lot of faith in my stamina!"

"In you and in Alpha's injections, yes," Tommy said softly,

gazing deeply into the midnight eyes. "Besides, we haven't done anything

today."

"Not since we got up, in any case," Jason agreed, dousing

the last glowing log with a cupful of water. "But, I think I could be persuaded

..." The deep voice rumbled sensually, barely audible over the nightly

sounds of the forest.

"Oh? How?" Tommy's lighter voice was a seductive whisper.

"Can't you think of anything?"

"Hmmm ... how about this?" the White Ranger pretended

to think, then sidled up to his larger friend, slipping both arms around

the strong neck and dusting several feather-light kisses over the tanned

face, ending with a playful lick across the firm lips.

"You're definitely on the right way," Jason murmured,

pulling Tommy close. They kissed deeply, letting their tongues duel until

they were both out of breath and moaning with anticipation. Since they

had a lot more room outside than in their tent, they undressed each other

languidly, caressing each newly-bared inch of warm skin with hands and

lips until they were shivering with more than just the nighttime chill

in the air. It was a mutual decision to slip inside the red-and-green tent,

where they stretched out next to each other on their sleeping bags. Jason

reached over into the far corner and switched on a lamp they'd brought

but seldom used. The batteries were already low, and the small dome filled

with muted yellowish light, just enough so Jason could see the stiff peaks

crowning Tommy's breasts, begging to be fondled, and Tommy was able to

admire the silky steel of Jason's erection, lying hard and ready against

his washboard stomach. He touched the pulsing length with a questing finger.

"You're bigger than I am," he murmured.

"Yeah?" Jason traced teasing circles around the quivering

mounds, coming closer to the oh-so-kissable nipples, but not yet touching

them. He hissed and shuddered pleasurably as Tommy used his thumb and forefinger

to form a ring around his glans. The fingertips were barely touching when

Tommy twisted his hand carefully. "In what way?"

"Mmm hmm. I'd say I'm just as long but not quite as thick

as you."

"We'll have to compare once you're back to normal," Jason

muttered, only half-serious. He didn't notice Tommy's wide-eyed surprise

at the suggestion since the temptation of those brown kernels of flesh

was becoming irresistible, and he lowered his head to draw first one, then

the other into his mouth, suckling them until Tommy arched into him in

mute supplication. Words became superfluous and everything else was forgotten

as the two Rangers lost themselves in increasingly heated exploration,

until the only sounds were their ecstatic sighs and whispered encouragements.

Jason

slid into Tommy easily, rocking gently inside the warm sheath, leading

both to a shared explosion into bliss.

Afterwards, they held each other close until the last

tremors faded from their limbs, exchanging more kisses and bolder caresses

until their bodies were straining for fulfillment once more. Tommy spread

his slender thighs eagerly when the warm, wet mouth of his lover moved

from his heaving breasts down his belly to his aching sex. The first teasing

lick along the moist slit made him throw back his head in ecstasy, and

he pressed the dark head deep into his pussy once Jason found the hidden

kernel and latched onto it with gentle lips, a demanding tongue and careful

teeth. Feeling the tide of lust rise higher, Tommy thought hazily that

nothing could ever feel better like this, when his best friend proved

him wrong by inserting first one, then two blunt fingers into the spasming

channel.

"Ooooohhhhh," he moaned loudly, only to nearly scream

in frustration when Jason lifted his head. "Don't stop now," he pleaded

desperately.

"Don't worry, I won't," came the panted reply. "I just

need to catch my breath a little." The dark eyes were sparkling brilliantly,

hot gusts of air teasing Tommy's exposed clit. A playful lick down towards

the finger-filled opening caused another needy moan.

"Jaaase ...!"

"Right here," Jason whispered, bending once again to his

delicious feast. He drank of the free-flowing juices until the tangy taste

seemed to flood his whole being, pumping his fingers in and out of the

tight canal. Tommy went wild under his demanding mouth, writhing sensuously

to prolong the exquisite torture. As was probably inevitable, a particularly

intense gyration caused Jason's fingers to slip free of the wet hole, and

Tommy whimpered with need. Grinning wickedly into the soft folds he was

tonguing so avidly, Jason didn't re-insert his digits right away; instead,

he started to dance up and down the hot cleft, tickling and teasing and

driving his partner nearly mad with lust. He lifted his eyes up, letting

them sweep across the smooth, quivering belly and saw that Tommy had already

started to knead his own breasts, plucking at the stiff knoblets in rhythm

with his own fluttering tongue. It was time to bring his lover off, and

he knew just the way to do it.

The Red Ranger sought out the throbbing pleasure pearl

once more, clamping his lips around the sensitive tissue and started to

suck in a steady cadence. Simultaneously, his left hand lifted the smooth

ass just a little, parting the rounded cheeks, and the fingers of his right

hand dived deeply into the needy pussy. Before Tommy could react, he withdrew

again, trailing moisture down the slick crack until he met that other entrance

to the trembling body. There was no time to think; the strong muscle guarding

this last mystery was clenching spasmodically, and as soon as it relaxed

momentarily, Jason thrust a finger inside.

Time seemed to stand still as Tommy felt the intruder

open his ass. It was strange, being penetrated there, but there

was no pain, just a sense of stretching, of wanting to expel the digit

and yet ... deep down, in his innermost recesses, there was that which

desired to draw more and more of Jason inside. Torn with indecision, Tommy

groaned. He was still trying to decide what to think, what to do, when

the pleasure from his lover's mouth on his clit sent a fresh rush of desire

throughout his body. The resultant quiver allowed Jason to delve even deeper,

and the sensation was overwhelming. When he started to pump his finger

in and out of the so-tight hole, shockwaves radiated outwards, meeting

and merging with the electrical currents flowing from Jason's tongue to

Tommy's clitoris. It was too much.

Abandoning himself to his body's demands, Tommy relaxed

and let Jason have his way. Senses spinning, he felt a second, then a third

finger enter his ass, fucking him as deeply as the thick cock had fucked

his snatch before, and all else fled before the frantic run towards orgasm.

Jason was getting lightheaded with the need to breathe,

but he knew it would be cruel to stop now, even for the few seconds it

would take. Closing his eyes, concentrating only on his partner, he licked

harder, faster, thrust his hand more deeply into the tight ass and joined

inwardly in Tommy's cry of release as the slender body stiffened in the

throes of a devastating climax. Only when the quivering limbs were still

at last did he lift his mouth from the silken folds, licking up the last

of his lover's nectar when he moved to lie beside his friend. He withdrew

gently from the hot channel, wiping hand and face on a handy tee, and gathered

his exhausted teammate against his broad, sweat-slick chest. Jason was

rock-hard himself, but he could wait a little until Tommy had recovered;

he wanted that talented mouth on his prick again!

"Uuummm," Tommy purred when he had breath enough to speak.

Reaching up and kissing Jason deeply, he looked at his best friend with

slumberous brown eyes. "That was ... wow."

"Glad you enjoyed it," Jason murmured back, glossing his

hands over the smooth back, down to the firm butt and up and over to the

soft globes. The brown nipples were still hard, although not quite as much

as before, showing the young man that his Bro might not be completely

sated.

"How could I not? You were driving me up the wall! Whatever

made you do that?"

"What? This?" Teasingly, Jason slid a finger into the

cleft and tickled Tommy's hind opening.

"Uh huh .... oohhhh!" Tommy moaned and wiggled under the

caress. "That's ... aaahh!" An impudent fingertip once more thrust inside

the hot muscle, which gave way eagerly. "Will you do me like that again?

Please?" he asked coyly, brushing his own hand across a sculpted pectoral

muscle, twisting the hardening nipple in a way he knew Jason liked.

"If you want me to," Jason promised, stretching sinuously

under the sexy assault. "First, though ... how about I get some little

bit of action in return?"

A cocky grin lit the chocolate eyes. Placing both hands

on the broad shoulders, Tommy pushed Jason over onto his back and scooted

to lie over him. His long hair fell over his shoulders, brushing the smooth

skin as he nibbled along the beard-roughened jawline.

"Did you have anything specific in mind?" Tommy asked,

letting his left hand wander down the washboard abs to the dark patch of

curls surrounding the straining cock. He avoided the steel-hard shaft and

instead scooped up the twin globes shifting in their crinkly sac, rolling

them between his fingers. Jason sighed ecstatically and spread his thighs

to give better access.

"Mmm ... I've wanted to feel that awesome mouth of yours

on my dick all day," he confessed over another heartfelt moan when Tommy

bit gently into his earlobe. "If you don't mind, that is."

"Not at all. Lie back, and enjoy." Tommy sat up and prepared

to kiss his way down the muscular body.

"Wasn't that 'lie back, close your eyes and think of

England'?" Jason quipped, dark eyes sparkling with mirth and arousal.

He thoroughly enjoyed baiting his friend, knowing Tommy would retaliate

by an even more intense onslaught – if only to shut him up. It worked like

a charm.

"Whatever. You can think of fucking Rita, for all I care."

Tommy covered the smirking lips with his own, forestalling further comments.

When he let up from the intense tongue duel, Jason was panting hard. He

grasped Tommy's head between his hands and tried to push him down towards

his hips, which were already humping against the so-soft belly. Jason felt

he was about ready to explode.

"Suck me, Tommy. Take my cock into your mouth and make

me come," he begged.

"You sure? You really want me to give you a blowjob? Or

should I wait until you've got all the smartass remarks out of your system?"

Tommy wasn't above some baiting of his own – never mind that his mouth

was nearly watering at the thought of swallowing that impressive length

as deeply as he could.

"Now who's being a smartass?" Jason grumbled, but he was

smiling when he drew his friend into another hot, intense kiss. "I want

your mouth on me. Bad," he whispered.

Tommy flashed him another grin, then, straddling the strong

thighs, bent over the tanned flesh without a word. Paying loving attention

to the sensitive nipples, he worked his way down the rippling abs to the

throbbing shaft excruciatingly slowly, alternating brief, teasing licks

with broad swipes of his tongue. Jason was moaning almost continually by

the time he reached his goal, and the needy sounds mingled with the soft

sucking and slurping as Tommy went down on his lover. It didn't take much;

although he tried to make it last, Jason had been too excited to hold back

his climax overly long. Still, this time Tommy managed to ease down nearly

all of the considerable length into his throat, playing his tongue over

whatever else he could reach, when the thick cock swelled even more. It

pulsed once, twice, then a hot gush of salty cream spurted into the willing

mouth. Tommy swallowed what he could, licked up what spilled over and only

when the frantic heartbeat he could feel under his fingertips slowed down

did he release the softening flesh from between his lips. Scrambling upwards,

he settled himself comfortably on a smooth, muscular shoulder.

"How was that?" he asked cheekily when the midnight eyes

turned towards him.

"Awesome. Even better than yesterday," Jason told him,

kissing his friend. The salty taste of his ejaculation lingering in the

sensuous mouth was an exciting novelty, and it made his pulse quicken.

Again.

"Well, I do have more practice now," Tommy said

demurely, but he felt a pleased glow at the praise spread through him.

"You can put in some more later," Jason replied with an

innocent expression. "You, ah, mentioned wanting a third time earlier?"

"What makes you think I'm going to blow you again?" his

lover demanded to know. Jason grinned, pinched the firm butt playfully

and laughed outright at the outraged yelp that evoked.

"I'm not Superman. Alpha's injection or not, I may need

a little help to get it up once again. And I can't imagine a better way

...."

"Oh, okay." Tommy agreed somewhat off-handedly. "I'll

do it ... if you'll eat me, too?" He looked sideways at his best friend,

eyes half-shielded by long lashes, trying not to show his eagerness. He

couldn't fool Jason, however.

"It's a deal," the Red Ranger leered teasingly. "Nothing

like a late-night snack ..." chuckling, he dodged the pillow Tommy threw

at him.

"TOMMY!!!"

With a cry she barely managed to muffle, Kimberly convulsed

around her own furiously-working fingers. Riding out the waves of her climax,

she finally relaxed on her pink-sheeted bed. It took her several minutes

to regain enough strength to pad over to her bathroom and wipe down her

sweat-slick body with a cool washcloth.

"This has got to stop," she muttered to herself

as she slipped into a fresh nightie. "I've been fantasizing about Tommy

before, but never this much, or to this extent. Does that mean I

want to sleep with him?

"Yes," she answered her own question as the covers settled

over her. *As soon as he's back – and back to normal – I'll take the

first real opportunity and we're going to make love! I know he wants it,

too ... and that's the best way to make him forget he's ever been with

Jason,* was her last thought before she succumbed to only partially-sated

slumber, to dream of her tall, long-haired boyfriend locked alternately

in an embrace with her or with his smooth-chested best friend.

Kimberly never knew that she was squirming in her sleep

in an unconscious imitation of making love, nor that there was someone

far above the Earth, watching her every move with greedy eyes hidden behind

a silver visor.

"I don't think so, Pink Ranger," Lord Zedd hissed. "Even

now, Finster is working on a monster that will not attack the Rangers,

as usual, but capture you and bring you to me."

The Evil Ruler turned away from his balcony and sat on

his basalt throne. He detested having to use the dog-like creature, preferring

to animate appropriate objects himself, but for the life of him, he couldn't

find anything suitable this time. Hence, Finster was in charge of making

a new menace to fit the double purpose.

"Once I have you in my power tomorrow, you will either

consent to become my Queen, or I will make you into my pleasure slave.

Either way, you will soon be begging for my touch – and what a sweet

victory that is going to be!"

A sinister laugh filled the echoing throne chamber of

the Moon Citadel.

"Let Jason enjoy his mercy fuck with Tommy as long as

he can; it won't do them any good, anyway – once you are mine, Kimberly,

the Rangers will go down!"

"Oh, you're good at this," Tommy sighed as Jason lapped

his way from one straining, throbbing nipple to the other. The two had

rested in each other's arms, enjoying the quiet afterglow until their young,

healthy bodies had recuperated. Right now, they were both simmering on

the edge of arousal once more, coaxing forth reactions with playful caresses

of lips and hands, moving freely and uninhibitedly to dive one last time

into desire.

"I know," Jason boasted, pausing a moment in his attentions

to the succulent mounds. Teasing grin met outraged stare, then the two

teens snickered simultaneously. Jason nuzzled a soft/firm globe, licking

playfully around the underside. "I hope you're taking notes for Kim."

"You think she'll like this, too?" The slim body arched

up, to entice the warm mouth back onto the pebbled tips. Jason obliged

happily.

"No reason why she shouldn't. Haven't you been doing to

me what you like to feel on yourself?" the young man commented once his

moth was free again, parting the slender thighs with sure hands while delicate

fingertips danced along his aching cock. "Ooohhh, yeah, do that some more!"

Tommy repeated the gentle pumping motion up and down the

thick shaft he held loosely as he thought his lover's remark over. "I guess

so," he finally admitted. "Kim and I never went quite this far,

though." Sharing confidences and intimate details of what little love life

they'd had 'before' had become natural. "Are you saying it's just a question

of anatomy?"

"Mostly; with individual preferences, I'd say," Jason

confirmed. "I dunno how Kim would react, but I do know that you

like this!" Without warning, he bit into a throbbing nipple and

thrust two fingers into the sopping-wet channel. Tommy cried out with pleasure

and writhed in his friend's arms, vacillating back and forth between the

two pleasure points. He was out of breath when the merciless stimulation

let off a little after several minutes.

"You devil," he panted. "Just you wait!"

Quick as lightning, he extricated himself from Jason's

arms, turned around and swallowed the pre-come-oozing shaft as deeply as

he could in one continuous motion. Bobbing his head up and down frantically,

he was practically fucking his mouth with Jason's cock, moaning around

his mouthful of hot male flesh as his lover lifted his hips into position

for a sixty-nine. Jason's agile tongue on his clit was sending arrows of

arousal all through the undulating body above him, and Tommy nearly climaxed

there and then when strong fingers entered both of his openings, gliding

in and out in perfect sync with his own sucking. However, he needed something

bigger to fill him.

"Not like this," Tommy gasped, tearing himself reluctantly

away from the weeping cock. "I need you in me!"

"Yes," Jason growled, desperately aroused once more despite

his two earlier orgasms. He, too, wanted to sink his prick into a tighter,

wetter orifice than even Tommy's glorious mouth. Rolling out from under

the slim body, he scrambled onto his knees behind his friend. Tommy was

still on all fours from their mutual blowjob, and in a perfect position

to be taken hard and fast – just the way Jason wanted to. He grasped the

round hips firmly, scooted as close as he could and by touch alone guided

his throbbing pole to the eager hole.

Both caught their breaths as the purplish cockhead entered

the hot channel, then sighed ecstatically when Jason slid home in one long,

smooth stroke. At first, Tommy had been surprised and a little shocked

that his friend would mount him from behind; he liked seeing the myriad

expressions of lust and affection on Jason's face when they were joined.

However, whatever misgivings he might have had soon melted under the onslaught

of sensation. Jason had never delved so deep, or hit the walls of his vagina

at exactly this angle, bringing Tommy to unexpected new heights. Even though

it seemed hardly possible, his pleasure increased when the large hands

glided up his body to heft his swaying globes, kneading them, then capturing

his aching nipples between thumb and forefinger, pinching them in counterpoint

to the hard thrusts.

Jason had swiftly changed his mind about the way he was

taking Tommy. Riding him like this was too delicious, too exhilarating

to rush it, and so he took the opportunity presenting itself to thoroughly

fuck Tommy like this, relishing the freedom the position brought to caress

other parts of that sexy body. He abandoned the bouncing breasts after

a while, instead letting one hand dip between the wet folds clinging so

tightly to his pistoning rod. He sought and found the clit, pinching it

in time with his thrusts, until he felt the walls surrounding his dick

contract in preparation for orgasm.

He stopped all movement. Buried to the root of his seven-inch

length inside his best friend's pussy, Jason gasped for air. He wasn't

ready to come quite yet; his balls were not ready to give up their load

of semen, and if at all possible, he wanted them to reach the pinnacle

together. Jason ran his hands comfortingly up and down the smooth back,

feeling the slick skin quiver under his fingertips.

"Don't stop now," Tommy moaned, waiting for the deep,

delicious thrusts to resume. He bucked backwards, but Jason wouldn't cooperate,

holding himself in check ... albeit it took all of his control.

Jason tried to get his fevered mind to think, even as

he murmured soothingly to his friend, trying to calm both of them down

to a less-intense level of arousal. There was something Tommy had said

before, something he'd hardly dared fantasize about, something they hadn't

tried ... Absently, his hands came to rest on the pale asscheeks, glossing

over the perfect roundness, tickling along the crack. Tommy inhaled sharply,

and he clenched his inner muscles around the cock filling him. Curious

about the reaction, Jason parted the firm cheeks and looked closer. Further

down, he could see a quarter-inch of glistening skin where his cock disappeared

inside Tommy's sex. The view nearly drove him over the edge, and he inhaled

deeply in order to quiet his boiling blood. But, directly above that, there

was another opening, a rosy-brown puckered hole he'd breached earlier with

his fingers.

*Is that it? Does Tommy want me to touch him there?*

He didn't dare ask out loud, but let his forefinger circle

once around the tight muscle.

"Aaaahhhhh!!!"

Tommy's excited exclamation was all the answer Jason needed.

His heartbeat sped up as he moistened his finger between the juicing folds,

then placed it once more against the clenched orifice. Using very gentle

pressure, he cautiously eased his fingertip inside, to Tommy's needy moans

and his own delight as he could feel his own hard length throb behind a

thin membrane of skin. Jason had to exert all of his willpower not to just

ram his fingers into Tommy's ass; as it was, every little shiver or the

most minimal shift in position made both teens nearly sob with the excruciating

pleasure they caused.

"I need to move!" Jason wasn't sure if he'd groaned out

loud, but Tommy heard him.

"Yessssss," he hissed sharply. "Fuck me!"

"Right." Clenching his teeth, Jason withdrew his finger

from Tommy's anus and stroked once into the wet snatch. It was heaven ...

and it wasn't enough. He thrust once more. Again. And again. Tommy rocked

against him, meeting him so that he penetrated as deeply as possible, but

for some reason, it did nothing to soothe the fire raging in his veins.

Staring down at their joining, watching his cock glide in and out of the

pink flesh, Jason became aware once more of the darker, tighter orifice

directly above. Suddenly, he knew what he wanted. Pausing on the backstroke,

leaving only the tip of his penis inside his lover's sex, he bent forward

and placed his mouth next to a shell-shaped ear.

"I want your ass."

The hot whisper sent chills up and down Tommy's spine.

He was desperate for release; his body screamed at him to have Jason continue,

but his mind balked at giving up that last bit of himself that hadn't

been possessed by Jason.

"Let me fuck your ass, Tommy," Jason cajoled. He didn't

want to push his friend into something he didn't want to give, but neither

was he above a little wheedling. "It'll be good for you – as good as for

me. Your hole is so tight; I can feel it when I have my fingers inside

you. You know you enjoyed it when I had my hand up your ass before. Remember?"

The sexy murmur and the graphic words made Tommy shiver

and relent slightly. He relaxed marginally, not quite as reluctant as his

mind indeed played back images and sensations of their earlier lovemaking.

Could he let Jason do this?

"I'm going to fill you so completely, you'll forget everything

but my cock in your ass, riding you long and slow," the deep voice promised,

coming from behind out of the semi-darkness. Somehow, even though they

were plastered together chest to back, it had a disembodied quality, almost

like a phantom lover, and it was an incredibly exciting sensation. Tommy

moaned, caught on the brink as he was. The cockhead he was still holding

between his pussy lips twisted slightly as Jason moved behind him. It did

nothing more than open a great big emptiness in his lower body. The White

Ranger knew, if he said 'no' Jason would just start fucking him until they

both came, but suddenly, a part of him that he hadn't known he'd had spoke

up in the depths of his mind.

*Say yes. You know you want it – want him. This

is maybe your one, your only chance to be with Jason as TOMMY; your

ass is the same, whether male or female. It's the one thing you can share,

besides your mouth, where it doesn't matter if you're changed or not.*

Tommy knew the voice was right; he didn't know where it

came from, but he was suddenly convinced that it was the thing to do. His

hungry-for-release body agreed enthusiastically. The matter was clinched

when Jason once more teased his anus with his fingers and whispered "Please,

Tommy!" into his ear.

"Yes."

Jason drew a deep, shuddering breath as he heard the soft

surrender. The silky body under him began to tremble, though, and he gathered

his friend close, drawing him upright on his lap, but still impaled on

his hard organ. Running soothing hands up and down the perspiration-moist,

silky skin, he pressed a line of kisses across one smooth, slender shoulder.

"You won't regret this," he vowed huskily. "I'm going

to make it good for both of us."

His only answer was a faint sigh, but Tommy didn't resist

when Jason sought out his pleasure points, bringing him slowly but surely

back to that fever pitch of desire. Only when Tommy started to squirm impatiently

on his throbbing perch, rocking his hips up and down, did Jason ease him

back into his former position. Enough of Tommy's natural lubrication coated

his penis and had run into the sensitive cleft, easing his way, so that

Jason saw no need for artificial help if he was careful. He withdrew reluctantly

from the clinging folds, both teens moaning with the sudden feeling of

bereftment.

"I'll be right back, you'll see," Jason whispered. "I'll

just have to prepare you a little first."

So saying, he placed a teasing kiss on the smooth cheeks

on both sides of Tommy's sphincter. There was a brief impulse to lick at

the clenching hole, but this was where Jason's adventurousness ended. For

now. Instead, he dipped once more between the wet folds below, briefly

diddling the pulsing little pearl, before inserting first one, then two

fingers into the tight muscle. As before, there was a second or two when

it seemed Tommy's body would expel him, but soon the hot channel relaxed.

Jason started to move his hand back and forth, finger-fucking the quivering

ass, loosening Tommy up as much as he was able and finding it curiously

exciting to see his digits disappear almost completely in the darkness

of his friend's body.

All too soon, his own momentarily neglected anatomy began

to clamor for attention, and the young man brought himself up to the upturned

cheeks. He scratched lightly across the round glutes, leaving faint pink

trails on the white flesh and calling forth another delicious shiver that

travelled outward to engulf Tommy's whole body.

"Ready?" Jason asked, alerting his lover to his intention

as he brushed his leaking cockhead down Tommy's crack.

"I ... I think so," Tommy groaned, barely capable of coherent

thought. "Do it, Jase – now!"

"Okay ..." Carefully, slowly, Jason pressed himself against

the puckered opening. There was a moment's resistance, then something

gave, and with a surprised "OH!!!" Jason felt and saw his cockhead disappear

in his lover's ass. He never heard the slight hiss of pain Tommy couldn't

suppress at finding himself suddenly stretched and filled to the limit;

instead, every instinct screamed at him to sink himself lower into the

incredible heat and tightness. Oblivious to the tensed muscles, he pushed

his pelvis inexorably forward in small jerks, sinking deeper and deeper

into Tommy's bowels until his thighs met the backs of Tommy's trembling

legs and his balls rested against the underside of the upturned ass. The

deathgrip around the base of his cock felt like a vise.

"I'm in, Tommy," Jason whispered hoarsely, incredulously.

"My cock is all the way in your ass!"

The thought alone was mind-blowing; reality was almost

more than both could handle.

"I know," the long-haired teen moaned back, caught between

unexpected pain and pleasure. His sphincter muscle hurt from being forced

open by Jason's girth; it was so different from having two, or even three

fingers inside! However, the pulsing, throbbing length filling him seemed

to send concentric waves of pure pleasure into all parts of his body, radiating

heat and shafts of indescribable sensation all through him. Tommy felt

his nipples contract to stone hardness, his breasts ached and his mouth

went dry. Then, unable to stand it any longer, Jason withdrew almost all

the way, and Tommy sobbed once. The first thrust back in nearly overwhelmed

him with a fresh surge of pain/delight ... and suddenly, all pain was gone

and only pleasure remained.

Jason was nearly delirious with lust, forcing himself

to go slow with everything he had to avoid injuring his best friend, when

all of a sudden the tightly-coiled muscles under his hands relaxed, became

fluid, smooth, pliant, and the back-and-forth glide of his aching dick

inside the hottest, tightest place he'd ever imagined turned into sheer

bliss. There was no more resistance, no more effort ... just this melting-together

of their bodies that drowned out everything but their mutual delight.

The two teens rocked together in a rhythm as old as time

itself; giving and taking freely until it didn't matter who was inside

whom, who was submitting or conquering. They were unaware of their moans

and sighs crescendoing to animalistic cries, didn't hear the wet slap-slap

of flesh on flesh or noticed that they nearly managed to tear down their

tent when they came close to dislodging one of the poles. Jason and Tommy

only knew that their shared passion was taking them places they'd never

been before, sent them to unimaginable heights that were scary and yet

safe, because they were scaling them together ... and together they

fell off the highest summit, locked into an embrace of friendship, trust

and love that was their safety net and caught them both just before they

crashed down, burning and cooling simultaneously when both climaxed one

after the other, extinguishing the flames of their lust when gushes of

Jason's seed mixed with a new flood of Tommy's juices.

Tommy opened sated, exhausted eyes to find himself held

securely against Jason's broad chest. He had no recollection of when or

how his lover had withdrawn from his body, but it didn't matter; what counted

was the awed look in the midnight pools. Jason kissed the swollen lips

lovingly.

"Thank you," he whispered, still overcome by what they'd

shared.

"You're welcome," Tommy mumbled back, yawning. He felt

the chuckle Jason couldn't suppress reverberate in the sleek muscles under

his cheek.

"Go to sleep," the deep voice rumbled amusedly, and Tommy

did just that, too drained and comfortable to argue; he closed his eyes

and snuggled contentedly into the warm embrace. Within seconds, he was

breathing deeply and evenly, lying loosely relaxed in the strong arms.

Jason smiled to himself. His own eyelids were growing heavy, and he didn't

fight the pleasant lassitude stealing over him in the wake of the most

intense orgasm he'd ever experienced. His lips brushed the smooth forehead

a last time, then he, too, entered the land of dreams.

Hours later, just before dawn was stealing over the mountaintops,

Jason was awakened from his slumber by a sharp kick against his shin.

"Wha-what?" he muttered sleepily, unwilling to rouse just

yet. He'd been having an awesome dream of himself and a lithe redhead,

involving a hot tub and a bowl of chilled strawberries-and-cream, and was

understandably reluctant to let go. However, an elbow jarring his ribs

painfully tore the fantasy apart in an instant. Jerking up into a sitting

position, the Red Ranger forced his eyes open.

"Tommy, are you mad? What do you think you're doing?"

he growled angrily, feeling his bedmate thrash around wildly on their shared

mattress. Still only half-awake, he reached for a naked shoulder, to shake

some sense into his oblivious, softly moaning friend. "Stop hitting me;

it hurts!"

His hand made contact with the sweat-soaked skin. To his

horror, Jason felt the bones in his grip give and shift.

"Tommy?!? What's the matter?"

Fully alert now, Jason registered that the muted groaning

grew louder. Anxiously, the young man scrambled for his backpack and a

strong flashlight; the batteries of their camping lamp had given out at

some point during their heated lovemaking. His guts were clenching into

hard knots as he found the torch; flicking it on, he then directed the

bright beam onto Tommy.

"Oh shit!"

The exclamation was both horrified and awed. Because it

was truly a strange sight that was right before the Ranger's eyes – Tommy

was twisting and whimpering in his sleep, his naked, sweat-slick limbs

tangled in the sleeping bag as he unconsciously fought the changes happening

in his body. Jason watched, fascinated, as Tommy's form seemed to blur,

stretch, deform and realign itself in some kind of bizarre metamorphosis.

*I think this is how it'd look if we could morph in

slow motion,* Jason thought. *Sometimes it does feel as if

my body transforms itself from Red Dragon into Warrior Mode ...*

A louder moan, almost a shout, distracted the young man

from his musings. He let the circle of light wander over his best friend,

whose writhing seemed to diminish gradually. The face and hair didn't change

much, but then Tommy hadn't looked all that different as a girl.

But the rest of him ... the pain obviously seemed to be related to his

bones, judging from the way he stretched and moved; Jason thought it made

sense, since the White Ranger had been both taller and broader in his original

form. That particular phase of his change seemed almost over. Sighing in

his sleep, Tommy rolled onto his back, to lie somewhat restlessly, but

much more quietly than before.

Jason guided his flashlight lower. With a pang

of acute regret, he saw that the luscious mounds were flattening out, disappearing

gradually until only the familiar, smooth-muscled chest remained. *Damn!

I'm gonna miss those tits!* He grinned ruefully to himself. *Better

not tell Tommy, though; he'll kill me for sure!*

Still further south the torch went. Smirking, Jason watched

as Tommy's hand fumbled blindly between his thighs, searching for something

that was v-e-r-y slow in re-emerging.

"It never took me that long to get it up, Bro,"

he whispered cheekily, but he still observed, with a delighted grin for

his best friend's sake, as the moist slit parted to let out a little round

head which gradually increased in size, lengthening and smoothing out,

forming a perfect erect penis on Tommy's rippled abdomen that was indeed

a close match to Jason's own in length, if not quite in width. As soon

as the full length was reached, the labia seemed to fuse together; there

was an instant where Tommy's sex seemed to pulse with a life of its own,

then all the blood gathered in the hardened cock left the veins throbbing

under the reddened skin and flowed into the hairy mound.

The young man bucked his hips sharply upward, still fast

asleep. A muffled cry burst from his throat, and Jason could almost see

how

the testicles rose from whichever bodily cavity they'd been hidden in to

fill the thinning skin. He held his breath, waiting for further changes,

but none came anymore. Tommy's transformation was complete.

The whole process had taken maybe an hour, from the moment

a stray kick had woken Jason up to now – but who knew when it had begun?

Saturday, with their first kiss? Or tonight, when Jason had taken his best

friend in all possible ways? Nobody could tell, least of all the Red Ranger.

*Who

cares, anyway? Tommy's back!*

"Whoa," Jason breathed, awestruck, as he watched Tommy

sigh deeply once more, curl up on his side and fall into exhausted sleep.

*We

did it! YES!!!*

Tommy's chest rose evenly with every inhalation, and almost

in a daze, Jason switched off his torch and lay down next to his friend,

looking over the relaxed form. It was Tommy as he'd always known him, tall,

leanly muscled, handsome ... as if nothing at all had happened to him –

and

them – over the past five days. However, deep inside, a nagging little

voice raised itself, telling Jason things he didn't want to hear, wasn't

prepared to deal with at all; he only knew that the whole experience had

changed something indefinable between him and Tommy.

Too tired still to solve that particular puzzle, Jason

stretched out, close but not touching, momentarily saddened that now he

no longer could lie spoon-fashion with his teammate, the way he'd gotten

used to lately. While he was trying to figure out exactly why that

made him sad, Jason fell asleep again, to dream once more of limbs intertwined

... though this time not of some sexy nameless, faceless stranger, but

of himself and his best friend.


 


 

Eleven

Tommy woke to bright sunlight streaming into their tent,

an errant ray tickling his nose. He sneezed.

"Bless you," Jason's voice, deep and laced with suppressed

laughter, came from his right. Tommy opened his eyes to see his best friend

lying next to him, dark head propped on a hand, naked chest gleaming gently

in the morning light as if oiled. Memories of their passionate, sex-filled

night swamped Tommy's sleep-befuddled mind, and without thinking further

he looped an arm around the strong neck and drew Jason down into a heated

good-morning kiss that was intended to be full of promise.

For a brief moment, the full firm lips caressed Tommy's

own as enthusiastically as usual, but then, instead of running large hands

over erogenous zones eager to be stimulated anew, Jason stiffened against

his best friend – all over, not just in the place Tommy's also-awakening

libido was most interested in. Their kiss had a rather abrupt ending.

"If I were you, I'd think twice before doing that; it

might give people ideas about us, Bro," Jason said with forced lightness.

The dark eyes wouldn't meet Tommy's fully.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" The White Ranger was

confused.

"Have you looked at yourself recently? Kimberly may think

you're the hottest thing ever to don a gi, but you're not

exactly my type."

The flippancy hurt, in ways Tommy was not prepared to

acknowledge, but he did take Jason's suggestion and looked down

his chest. What he saw – or rather, didn't see any longer – drove

every other consideration out of his mind.

"It worked!!!"

Running curious hands all over his own body, Tommy took

stock of the changes in his form with mounting delight. Checking out one

particular part of his anatomy under cover of his sleeping bag, he did

his best to ignore Jason's wicked snigger, but couldn't help the hot blush

creeping over his skin.

"Don't worry, everything's present and accounted for,

Bro," Jason told him, eyes dancing devilishly.

"How would you know?" Tommy challenged, refusing to back

down. For some reason, he felt strangely reluctant to shove back the sleeping

bag corner draped over his hips. *This is ridiculous! I've never

been shy around Jase before – well, except when I got first changed! But

that was different ... I've never minded him seeing me naked like this

...*

"Because I saw how it happened."

"Y-you did?" Tommy gulped, unaccountably embarrassed.

"Uh huh. After you'd woken me up by kicking and hitting

me," Jason informed his teammate drily, feeling some of his own uneasiness

recede in the face of their usual banter.

"Oh ..."

"It's okay, Bro," the Red Ranger soothed his teammate.

"You were asleep, and didn't know what was going on. You didn't hurt me."

Gratefully, Tommy sent a smile towards his best friend.

However, he still felt the need to get away from Jason – if only for a

little.

"Well, um, good. Hey, let's get dressed and outta here!"

Scrambling to his feet, Tommy managed to dart out of the tent without giving

Jason more than a glimpse of his still-nude body. When the other followed

more slowly, Tommy was already waist-deep in the shallow pool, wishing

the cold water would subdue his unexpected reaction to the sight of his

naked friend standing in the clearing, stretching the kinks out of his

back. Failing that, Tommy was willing to settle for obscurement.

Jason was fighting his own reactions to seeing the water

beading on the smooth, tanned skin as Tommy splashed his face with a double

handful of the clear liquid. Before his body could betray him, he, too

waded out into the small stream, cursing under his breath as the glacier-fed

brook chilled him down from the outside in.

"Before we freeze our balls off, let's break camp and

go back home," Jason suggested with chattering teeth after a few minutes

of vigorous washing. He might have hated the procedure, but it had certainly

been effective – his cock was shrunk to its smallest size, and not even

the erotic view of Tommy's wetly-gleaming ass as he climbed out of the

rock-lined basin was enough to make him react, he was that cold.

"Great idea," Tommy agreed, deliberately not looking at

Jason, lest he be tempted to warm the chilled flesh with his hands and

mouth like the other day. "The others must be going out of their mind with

worry by now." *Especially Kimberly,* a small portion of his mind

reminded him of his girlfriend. Tommy blushed; ever since he'd discovered

he had his own body back, he'd been more concerned about keeping his hands

off his best friend rather than how the petite girl's doe eyes would light

up with joy at his return – in more than one sense.

Wolfing down a couple of trail bars for breakfast while

taking down their tent and stowing the last of their equipment, Jason and

Tommy confined their conversation to the bare minimum. Finished at last,

they surveyed the small clearing a last time before heading down the mountain

once more. Nothing remained to remind of their presence except for the

charred ring of stones where they'd had their campfire and the flattened

area of grass where their tent had stood. There was no indication at all

of the changes having taken place here, both inwardly and outwardly in

the two visitors.

"Let's go," Tommy finally decided, not knowing what else

to say. He wished he could talk to his best friend about what had transpired

between them, especially since his ass smarted lightly with every movement;

a delicious, slightly guilty reminder of last night. But, Jason was strangely

uncommunicative, and part of Tommy was glad for the reprieve; both knew

they would have to address the issue eventually if they wanted to

remain friends. However, it could wait. A little while, at least.

Shouldering their bulging backpacks, the two Rangers turned

and took the path away from their isolated hideout, back towards their

homes and friends.

Humming to herself, Kimberly entered Angel Grove Park

and made her way to the Rangers' favorite spot, near the lake. It was the

last day of their unexpected school break, and Tommy was coming home! She

skipped a few steps. After a near-sleepless night, she'd finally convinced

herself to believe in Billy and Zordon's reassurances. Concocting a long,

involved, dreadfully romantic fantasy about herself making love to Tommy

on an exotic tropical island, surrounded by orchids and sweet birdsong,

had helped her fall asleep at last, and she felt ready once more to take

on the world. Smiling at her own whimsy, the Pink Ranger sang the first

few lines from an old Broadway musical.

"Oh what a beautiful morning – never mind that

it's afternoon already – oh what a beautiful day; oh what a beautiful

mo-orning – everything's going my way!"

"That's what you think, Pink Ranger! Goldar, send down

the Putties! Finster, is the monster ready?"

Lord Zedd stood at the balcony, his hidden eyes fixed

hungrily on the pretty girl.

"In a second, Your Evilness," the little monster-maker

called from his lab. "Just a final adjustment, a last refining touch, and

... there he is! I give you Tentacrawl, my Lord!"

Zedd nodded approvingly as he surveyed his henchman's

creation.

"He should do." A red beam from his staff gave temporary

life to the monstrosity – a seven-foot-tall creature with no head, but

a band of eyes spaced around the top of the writhing mass of tentacles

that comprised most of its body. The leathery skin had an unhealthy yellowish-gray

cast and was covered in rough scales. Some of the bigger tentacles served

as legs of sorts; all the others waved in a dizzying array up and down

and around its upper portion.

"Go down to Earth, Tentacrawl; your mission is to capture

the Pink Ranger and bring her back to my Palace. Do not harm her, or you

will face my wrath!"

The monster made a semblance of a bow, and disappeared

in a puff of red-tinged smoke. Zedd took up monitoring the park again.

"Soon you'll be mine, little Kimberly," he growled, evil

pouring off him in waves. "I wonder which fate you will choose – to become

my Queen, or to serve my body? No matter; I'll have you in my bed, no matter

what, come the night!"

"Oh, what now?!?" Abruptly torn out of her daydream, Kimberly

cried exasperatedly as the first half-dozen Putties materialized directly

in her path. "Doesn't Zedd ever get enough of this? Keep your hands off

me, claybrain!" A well-placed jab with the heel of her hand to its Z-spot

destroyed the first creature. The five remaining Putties meanwhile had

formed a circle around the petite Human; not that numbers meant anything.

Even unmorphed, the trained gymnast was more than a match for the mentally-challenged

footsoldiers. The girl balanced on her left foot, right leg bent backwards

at a right angle towards her body.

"I'm ... So ... Sick ... Of ... This!"

Every angry word was accompanied by a precise kick at

the center of each Putty's chest, hitting directly at the big "Z". Kimberly

had always admired the near-balletic quality of a series of snap-kicks,

which is why she'd had Jason and Tommy coach her until she was almost as

good at them as the two champion Martial Artists. She watched her opponents

shatter with a satisfied look. Only slightly winded, she dusted her hands.

"I wonder if Zedd'll ever learn those mudheads are useless

against us?"

Turning around to continue on her way, the pretty Ranger

stopped in her tracks at the unwelcome sight greeting her.

"Ew, gross!"

Beep-beep beep-beep beep-beep!

Three communicators in Angel Grove went off simultaneously.

"Rangers, Kimberly is alone in the park and being attacked

by one of Zedd's monsters! You must go and help her immediately!"

"We're on our way, Zordon!"

From various places in the city – the Library, the Youth

Center and a back yard in a residential disctrict – beams of bright yellow,

sparkling blue and deep black formed, shot up high to jet over the rooftops

and descended into the park.

Up in the mountains, Jason and Tommy meanwhile had reached

the parking lot and were driving out of the State Forest, sitting silently

in Tommy's car, when suddenly the Red Ranger heard an all-too-familiar

sound over the running engine. It came from the back seat.

"Pull over," he instructed Tommy tersely. Accustomed to

Jason's command voice, Tommy killed the engine at the closest appropriate

place without argument. He watched, mystified, as his best friend bent

over to the bench in back, fumbling at one of the outer compartments of

his backpack. Comprehension dawned when he plopped back into his seat,

red-banded communicator in his hand. It was crackling faintly, emitting

an occasional beep-beep! in a familiar sequence.

"I can't get clear reception," Jason groused after a few

seconds of vainly trying to adjust frequencies. "But I have this sudden

feeling ...."

"... that there's trouble back home," Tommy agreed, his

own leader's instincts, as yet less honed but equally strong as Jason's,

kicking in. He turned on the ignition. "Good thing you brought your communicator."

"Yeah; I'm always the boy scout," Jason grinned fleetingly.

"You better step on it, Bro. As long as communication's out, so's teleportation.

We may have to leave the car and come back for it later as soon as we're

in range."

"No prob. Keep trying to find out what's going on!"

Adrenaline rushed, two pairs of brown eyes locked and

started to sparkle. Each in his own way was spoiling for a fight, anything

really to dispel the tension between them; an attack by Zedd was the perfect

excuse.

"You got it. Go, Tommy!"

With a loud roar, the white jeep's engine roared to life

again. Tires squealed, but with a sure hand the Ranger leader guided his

vehicle down the mountain road as fast as possible, to aid their friends

in defending the world.

"Let go of me, you ... you ...!" Kimberly yelled, still

more angry at having her perfect day disrupted than frightened. So far,

she'd been able to evade most of the writhing tentacles trying to wrap

themselves around her. It was difficult, given that the monster's eyeband

gave it near 360° vision. She knew she ought to morph, to gain more

speed and greater strength, but had been too distracted by the weaving

mass of tentacles which were wont to lash out unexpectedly to block her

path as soon as she thought she found an opening to escape to a safe distance.

The arrival of three rainbow flashes a few yards off were a welcome distraction

for the mute monster, giving Kim a moment to catch her breath.

"Hang on, Kim, we're coming!" Trini shouted at her best

friend.

"Right .... ick!"

Sadly, Kim had let herself be distracted by the Rangers'

entrance as well, and Tentacrawl managed to snag her around the waist with

a thick ropy limb, pinning her left arm against her body. The monster started

to draw closer, or drew Kim in; it was hard to tell the difference.

"Aaargh! Help, guys!"

"Of course, Kimberly," the Blue Ranger stated confidently,

summoning his Power Lance. He stabbed at the tall monster holding his friend

captive. A couple of tentacles veered off, towards this new threat.

"Don't worry, we'll have you out of there in a jiffy,"

Black Ranger added, twirling his Power Axe jauntily. "Chopped squid, anyone?"

"Oh no, you don't, Power Pipsqueaks! Goldar, get yourself

down there and keep the others away from my monster! I will NOT be deprived

of this second chance to capture the Pink Ranger!"

"I hear and obey you, Lord Zedd!" In a flash of malevolent

red light, the golden-armored simian teleported towards Angel Grove.

"Take this, you disgusting ..." Before Zack could complete

his taunt, his Axe clanged noisily against a bit of serrated steel that

hadn't been there a millisecond earlier. To his dismay, he found that Goldar

had inserted himself between him and the monster still trying to ensnare

Kimberly.

"Uh-oh."

"That's right, Black Ranger," the winged ape gloated,

brandishing his sword menacingly. "You will have to go through me to stop

Tentacrawl from doing his job!"

"And what exactly might that job be?" Trini asked cautiously,

sending her daggers back into their subspace pockets. She could slash with

them at the monster's limbs a little, but dared not get too close; she

loved her Power Weapons and the deadly accuracy they had if thrown just

right,

but they were totally ineffective against a sword. And Tentacrawl's hide

was too tough to sustain much damage from her thrusts.

"Why, to bring your Pink teammate to our Master, of course,"

Goldar crowed. He deflected Billy's and Zack's attempts to disarm him easily;

while both Axe and Lance had the necessary reach to be a challenge to his

weapon, their wielders weren't. Unfortunately, both boys knew it, too.

"Tonight, the Pink Ranger will warm Lord Zedd's bed. In the meantime, you're

welcome to try and stop me!"

"Um, guys, I think we have a problem," Trini muttered.

Her attempt to tear a clinging tentacle off of Kim had almost resulted

in getting herself captured, too. Through her visor, she could see Kim

blanch and her frightened brown eyes widen at Goldar's pronouncement. Not

that she blamed her friend. The thought of being completely in Zedd's clutches,

to know he had designs on more than their Powers went beyond being scary.

*"Problem" is the understatement of the decade,*

Kimberly decided, struggling to free at least one of her hands. Tentacrawl

was wrapping more and more of his limbs around her, coming dangerously

close to immobilizing her completely. *I can't even reach my morpher!*

Suddenly, an early conversation among the Rangers floated

back into her consciousness. Striving to catch the elusive memory, the

Pink Ranger slacked in her fight. Another, stronger tentacle started to

creep stealthily up her back towards her throat. Ignoring it for the moment,

Kim recalled what might just be the chance she'd been waiting for.

"I don't believe that we really need to stance

and hold up our morphers," Billy had theorized, after an extended conversation

with Zordon about the nature of their Powers of which the other newly-made

Rangers had barely understood a third. "It is merely a means to focus our

energies and help us to tap into the Morphin' Grid, a psychological crutch

if you will, just like calling out loud for our energy animals. As long

as the morphers are kept somewhere on our persons, we should be

able to morph without the ritual."

It had sounded very plausible, and Zordon had certainly

never contradicted Billy's hypothesis. However, events had interfered before

the discussion was concluded; hence they'd never put it to the test, finding

a comforting security in the stylized words and gestures.

"Well, I guess there's no time like the present to find

out if you're right, Billy," Kim muttered through gritted teeth. The darned

tentacles were tightening all around her, and she felt herself being dragged

across the turf towards the monster; it was only a matter of mere moments

until it'd be too late to do anything. Focussing her thoughts exclusively

onto the image of a soaring bird trailing pink fire, praying this would

work, the young Ranger called for her Power.

*Pterodactyl!*

In a surge of flashing Pink Energy, her helmet and uniform

coalesced around the struggling girl's petite form.

"Yes!" Kim exulted. The infusion of Morphin' Power had

singed a few tentacles, causing them to relent a little and she was able

to wiggle one arm free. She wasted no time on calling forth her Power Bow;

with one arm, there was no way she could wield it, and it was useless as

a weapon in close quarters, anyway. However, she could reach her

Blade Blaster. Deed followed thought, and the Pink Ranger started to slash

and hack at the restraining tentacles with all her enhanced strength, thinking

that using an energy blast this close to herself might be a BAD

idea.

"Way to go, Kim!" Trini encouraged her from the sidelines.

The Yellow Ranger was furious at being unable to help, but maybe now ...

she summoned her Power Daggers again and cautiously approached Tentacrawl

from behind, trying to gauge which of the multiple eyes were trained on

her – or not. Zack and Billy were still doing their best to fend off Goldar,

who seemed almost bored with the Blue and Black Rangers' efforts, he was

batting away at their weapons so casually. Starting her own series of slash-and-run

tactics, Trini struck where and when she could, unfortunately causing only

minimal damage to the monster's scaly hide. A strangled cry from

her best friend made her look up. Horrified, the Yellow Ranger jumped back.

Kim had stopped fighting; instead, both her hands were clamped around a

tentacle that had managed to coil around her neck, slowly but surely cutting

off her air supply. Already, her legs were hanging limply, ensnared in

several tangles.

"KIM! NOOO!!!"

"Static's gone; that should mean we're within range. Barely,"

Jason reported to Tommy. "I still can't get anything beyond the general

alert, though."

"Doesn't matter; I'm going in," Tommy declared grimly.

All their personal problems had been forgotten as the two drove as fast

as they dared back towards their hometown. Silently, Jason agreed; the

prickling at the back of his neck had increased the longer it took. He

knew, without having to ask, that Tommy felt the same.

"There's a spot you can leave the car!" the Red Ranger

exclaimed suddenly, pointing towards a small opening among the trees. Tommy

hit he brakes, and his jeep skidded to a screeching halt. Quickly maneuvering

the vehicle towards the side of the narrow mountain road – it wouldn't

do to endanger unsuspecting civilians who might run into it if left in

danger's path – the two young men jumped out. Off duty or not, they had

both taken their morphers along.

"Ready, Bro?" Tommy glanced at his best friend. Receiving

a confirming nod, the new team leader called for their Powers. "It's Morphin'

Time! Tigerzord!"

"Tyrannosaurus!"

Two flashes of light, one gleaming white, the other a

brilliant scarlet, descended on the two Rangers, forming their uniforms

around them.

"Let's go!"

"Right with you!"

Twin streams of energy rose from the mountain side and

flashed towards Angel Grove.

"Say good-bye to your teammate, Rangers!" Goldar gloated

as he fended off yet another ineffectual attack by the Blue Ranger. The

boy was truly pathetic; yes, he had a few good moves, certainly potential,

but as he was, he was no match for the master swordsman. And the Black

Ranger ... Goldar grinned evilly, disconcerting Billy. Zack was struggling

back to his feet, wheezing hard; he'd opened his defense too far in a sweeping

attack, and had been unceremoniously thrown against a tree for his efforts.

It had taken him a good two minutes to catch his breath. "I told you, come

the morning you will bow to Zedd's new Queen – or admire his newest pleasure

slave. Whatever," the gold-armoured alien dismissed Kim's intended fate

with a negligent shrug. Tentacrawl was slowly, inexorably cutting off the

Pink Ranger's air supply; he could afford to bait the Rangers a little.

Kimberly felt her senses starting to swim. She knew with

cold certainty that if a miracle didn't happen in the last minute, this

time there'd be no escape for her. This time, there was no failed spell

to let her bluff her way out of her predicament. Icy terror threatened

to overwhelm her as she fought for yet another breath.

*NO! I won't let that slimy monster touch me! Zedd

can't ... he won't have me! Or my Power Coin,*

she thought defiantly even as the tentacle's grip around her neck tightened

another notch. Her gloved fingers scrabbled weakly, ineffectually at the

literal stranglehold. *To be with ZEDD ... ewww! Not in this lifetime!

I only want to be with Tommy!* The thought of her boyfriend gave her

a last spurt of energy, but she spent it in vain. Tentacrawl's limbs were

too numerous, too strong ... Trini's attacks from the outside too weak.

At last, Kimberly froze, paralyzed by fear.

*Goodbye, Tommy,* were her last conscious thoughts.

*I

wanted to be with you so much ... why did I tell you 'no' ... Tommy ...

love you ... Tom ... meee ...*

Everything went dark for the Pink Ranger.

An invisible signal from the mute monster told Zedd's

master warrior that their mission was almost accomplished. He flicked his

sword arm, and the Blue Power Lance was jerked out of Billy's hands, to

be flung aside.

"Our work here is done, Rangers; say farewell to little

Kimmie!"

Before Goldar could utter another word, he was hit in

the back by a powerful flying kick.

"Ooof!"

"I don't think so, Monkeyface," Jason said, his voice

icy calm and menacing. He'd regained his balance quickly and was standing

between the winged alien and the monster, brandishing his Power Sword.

He cast a quick glance at the White Ranger.

"Can you handle Ugly, there?"

"Sure. Just keep Goldilocks off my back," Tommy snarled,

fear and rage for Kim's sake warring within him. A quick-as-thought motion,

and he had unbuckled Saba to hold the saber in his outstretched hand. The

sentient weapon took in the situation with a look and the jewel-like eyes

began to glow from within. "You ready, Saba?"

"Always, Tommy."

With a feral gleam in his eyes that transmitted itself

even through his visor, Tommy began a flurry of swordstrokes at the creature

ensnaring the Pink Ranger.

"Let go of Kimberly!"

"Rangers?"

The Black, Yellow and Blue teammembers gathered behind

their first leader, weapons at the ready.

"Let's give Goldar here a taste of true teamwork, shall

we?" Jason suggested almost casually, watching with barely-hidden disdain

as yet another bunch of grey creatures materialized behind the golden-armored

warrior. "Seven to four ... pretty good odds, I'd say."

"About the usual," Zack agreed, clearly out for some retaliation.

He'd hated being slammed into a tree! "Piece of cake!" He dove head-first

into a couple of Putties, bringing them to the ground. The ensuing fight

was very much one-sided, with Black trouncing grey quite thoroughly.

"That is not quite what I'd call the situation,

but I agree with your assessment that we should have no undue problems

in subduing Lord Zedd's minions," Billy observed, entering the melée

with only slightly less enthusiasm. To be handled so casually by Goldar

had been very bad for the Blue Ranger's ego, and he needed to regain at

least some of his self-esteem.

"Boys!" Trini sighed, but had to grin inside her helmet.

Knowing that Jason was a far better match for Goldar than any of them except

Tommy, she followed her teammates into the fray with Zedd's Putties, but

keeping an eye out for both the Red and White Rangers, ready to come to

their aid in an instant if necessary.

Jason held his Power Weapon in capable hands.

"Well, Goldar?" he jibed. "Ready to take on someone your

own size?"

"Don't overestimate yourself, Red Ranger," the tall creature

growled. "I nearly killed you once already! You are no match for me!"

"'Nearly killed' isn't dead, Monkeybreath. I'm still here,

as you can see. Besides, if I remember correctly, both Tommy and I managed

to defeat you in Human form. What does that tell you about our fighting

abilities, huh? Maybe you should ask yourself if you're a match

for either of us!"

Jason was well aware that he was looking at a vicious

fight if he drove Goldar too far, but he needed to do something

to keep his old nemesis from helping the monster. Tommy was busily hacking

away at the tentacles holding Kim captive, but he needed time. Well, that

was something he could give him, even if it meant needling Goldar a little

more.

"What is it, Goldar? Squatt got your tongue?" he jeered.

"Or are you ready to admit I'm right – that Tommy and I are better fighters

even unmorphed than you'll ever be?"

It was enough. With an inarticulate growl of rage, the

winged ape snatched up his sword and engaged the Red Ranger into a violent

display of swordsmanship, forgetting everything around him but his desire

to finally pay back this Human youth who had done so much damage

to his reputation as the greatest swordfighter the Alliance of Evil had

ever seen.

"I will see you grovel at my feet, defeated, Jason," Goldar

hissed menacingly. "Prepare to die!"

Jason just laughed, knowing he had Goldar. A furious enemy

was less controlled. Besides, he had his own frustrations to work off –

only he managed to keep his head, since they did not personally concern

this confrontation with Goldar. Just the same, he focussed on his Karate

training and mentally tuned out the venom Goldar was spouting, about the

things Zedd would do to Kim first and then what he himself would do to

the Pink Ranger once his master tired of her. Jason parried the first attack

elegantly.

"Is that the best you can do, Goldie? You're getting

worse instead of better!"

With a bellow of pure rage, Goldar ran at the Red Ranger.

"Kimberly!"

Out of the corner of his eye, the White Ranger saw his

girlfriend fall to the ground. He would have loved to hurry to her side,

but all of his attention was taken up in keeping the dozens of tentacles

from snaring Kim again, besides evading those which tried to trip himself

up.

"Don't worry, Tommy, I have her!"

Trini's voice reached him clearly through their helmets'

comm system. She'd watched her team leader's fight and been ready to dash

in and drag the motionless Pink Ranger out of harm's way as soon as possible.

""How is she?" Tommy slashed off another writhing appendage,

only to see it replaced by a new one almost faster than the eye could follow.

"Damn!" he shouted, frustrated. Would nothing cut this beast down to size?!?

"Just unconscious and recovering nicely," Trini reported

after two endless minutes. "She's going to be good as new."

"Great," Tommy sent back, then turned his full concentration

on his opponent. A sweeping arc with his saber cut off half of a tentacle,

but that, too, didn't seem to faze the monster.

"Any bright ideas, Saba?" he panted, lithely somersaulting

over a sneak attack by several more of Tentacrawl's limbs.

"Hmmm ... yes, I believe so," the tiger's head replied.

"Try cutting a tentacle off, then turn me so I'm facing the wound."

"You got it, little buddy."

As soon as the chance presented itself, Tommy did as suggested,

and watched Saba cauterize the cut with energy beams from his eyes, thereby

preventing new growth.

"Yeah! Way to go, Saba!"

"I thought so," the sentient saber said smugly, emitting

another bright twin ray of energy when Tommy repeated the successful procedure.

"It's always the Hydra principle with these multi-limbed creations. And

they never think to redesign the solution! Why, I remember a time

when ...."

"That's all very nice, Saba, but could we please

get rid of this misbegotten squid first?" Tommy asked his 'assistant' somewhat

acerbically. Saba was great, much more versatile than his Dragon Dagger

had been, but he did have a tendency to get sidetracked at times.

*They

should never have taught him to talk,* Tommy thought to himself

with a secret grin as his Power Weapon huffily agreed to do as asked. He'd

heard Kim come to over his helmet comm; she was disoriented, but fine,

according to Trini. Jason was busy trouncing Goldar, Billy and Zack were

mopping up the last Putties; time to do his own job.