Where am I? The thought reverberated around his head. The truth was he didn't know where he was.
Every muscle felt like it was on fire. He screamed with the agony god please focus he had to focus. First of all name.
Tommy Oliver. Zeo Ranger V
Okay so he knew his name. Location?
A small room
It was about the size of a closet the walls were completely white. A small dim bulb lit the room. It barely gave enough light to see. Next thing, how did I get here?"
I've been kidnapped.
That thought made him cry again. Yet there had to be away out of this mess. He just had to think.
Tommy tested his bounds. They were tight but he figured that he could loosen them. He twisted his hands back and forth. Slowly he was able to slip his right hand out.
He kept a worried eye on the door. Not knowing when his captors would come back Tommy was nervous and scared. Zordon get me out of here
finally after what seemed like hours his left hand came free. Tommy pulled his arms around front, rubbing hem to restore some circulation. His communicator was gone.
"Time to blow this joint." Tommy muttered all he had to do was morph. "he summoned his Zeonizers with a flick of his wrists.”Zeo-"
That was as far as he got, Tommy had been so sure he was home free that he had stopped watching the door. Two guys grabbed his arms.
Tommy fought them trying to bring his zeonizers together desperately to morph. "Little shit!" One man yelled tearing at the zeonizer on Tommy's right wrist. "He’s a fucking power ranger."
"Doesn’t matter. Get these things off him and destroy them." The other commanded.
Tommy redoubled his efforts to no Avail. The zeonizers where torn off and he was retied, tighter this time.
I'm in trouble
Jason Lee Scott sat in the youth center staring at the soda in front of him. He wasn't doing anything just looking at it.
"Jason?" Adam Park sat down in the chair in front of him. HE was shocked at Jason's pale face. Dark circles ringed his eyes giving him a raccoon look. "Jase it isn’t your fault."
"I got so mad at him." Jason muttered. "I told him I never wanted to see him again."
Adam winced; he knew Jason and Tommy had a fight the night Tommy vanished. What he didn't know was what it was about. "Jase, what happened that day? I mean what really happened?"
Jason looked up at Adam and began to talk. His mind slowly turned back
Days earlier.
Jason hurried threw the crowed hallway of Angel Grove high towards Tommy who was pulling bocks out of his locker. "Hey bro."
"Jase Hey." Tommy shut his locker. "I’m actually on time today can you believe it."
Jason shook his head. The truth was he couldn't believe it. It was a joke among the rangers that Tommy would be late for his own funeral."
"So where's our history project?" Jason fell in step beside his friend as they headed for class.
Tommy stopped letting out an all too familiar groan. "Oh man."
"Let me guess you forgot it." Jason was exasperated. "Damn it Tommy that's half of our damn grade!"
"Relax Jase, I'll call Mom She'll bring it." Tommy headed for the office to do just that.
"A D, I've never gotten a d in anything in my life." Jason moaned.
"Well I'm not too happy about it either." Tommy snapped back.
They were heading across the parking lot to Jason's car. The two of them were both in bad moods. The history project had been a day late resulting in a D.
"I'm sorry Jase." Tommy tried to apologize yet again.
"Your always sorry Tommy! I think you like forgetting stuff and being late!" Jason yelled, whirling on him.
Tommy went white. "That's not true I just-"
"I don't care! I don't want to talk to you ever again!" Jason climbed into the car. "IN fact I never want to see you again."
Jason had driven way leaving Tommy Oliver watching him.
Later the same day. Scott residence.
Jason finished his chemistry homework with a sigh of relief. Now all he had to do was write a history essay for extra credit to salvage his GPA. He also needed to talk to Tommy, tell his best friend he hadn't meant what he had said.
Deciding to take a break, he headed downstairs for a glass of milk. Rachel Scott glanced up as he came in. She was on the phone. "Hold on I'll ask him." Rachel put one hand over the phone. "Jason did you drop Tommy anyplace today"
A frown crossed Jason’s features. "We had a fight; I um left him at the school."
Rachel repeated her son's information listened and held the phone out. "Its Tommy's father."
Jason had taken the phone, feeling almost as if his world had come undone. He learned Tommy never came home.
An hour later Zordon's scans had turned up nothing and Alexander Park had found Tommy's Jacket in the park. Tommy Oliver was simply gone.
Present day
Kyle Erikson carefully retied the teen in place Tommy, Flipping the sound system on, he left the room.
His brother Michael looked at him. "Will this really work?"
"Trust me it will, first we blast him with the disc, then drugs and torture his mind will eventually agree with what ever we say."
Tommy couldn’t move, couldn’t even cover his ears. The recording played over and over slicing through his brain.
"Your name is Seth Erickson. Your sixteen years old. Your father's name is Kyle Erickson. Your Mother’s Name was Martha. She died when you were six."
It went on and on more detailed None of that's true He had to hold on. Dimly he heard the recording stop. The gag was loosened.
"I'm your father, Seth." The man informed him.
"Tommy my name is Tommy Oliver you son of a bitch! Let me go I want to go home!" Tommy's voice nearly broke.
Erickson shook his head. Carefully he prepared an injection. Tommy watched with horror. "No please don't!"
Erickson slid the needle into Tommy's bicep, the liquid burned as it went in. "Let’s see if you’re more agreeable water."
He turned the CD back on leaving Tommy alone with the worse.
The drug regimen went on for three days. No food, very little water and the endless CD that played over and over.
When Erickson sat down in front of him Tommy's head was spinning. "So what is your name?"
"Thomas J-James Oliver." The teen croaked.
Erickson let out a sigh of exasperation. This kid was proving to be tougher than he thought. "Okay step three."
"Tommy watched as Erickson attached electrodes to his arms and legs. "What are you going to do?"
"Just talk." Erickson informed him coldly. "Now where were you born?"
Los Ang-" That was as far s Tommy got. Erickson hit a switch, a jolt of electricity made his body jerk.
Every time he answered a question the jolt increased. At some point Tommy lost complete control of his bodily functions. Erickson cleaned him up and left.
The days faded one into another. Tommy's life was marked with injections, the talking CD and torture. I can't take thisIt was as if Seth Erickson was becoming more and more real. Tommy Oliver was simply beginning to fade. HE had to hang on to something.
I am Zeo ranger V
I am Zeo ranger V
I am Zeo
Tommy Oliver closed his eyes and Seth Erickson opened them. "Dad? Did I have a seizure?"
"Yes son but your just fine now."
Angel grove.
The youth center, which had become the Tommy Oliver base, was crowded
Jason Lee Scott was gibing instructions to a group of teenagers who clutched flyers. "Above all stay together." He turned to the man standing behind the teens. "You’re new."
"Mac Taylor, from New York City." He flashed a badge. "Jason's eyebrows shot up "I was on vacation saw the sign thought I could help."
Jason ran a distracted hand through his hair. "Well, most of the searchers know the town, but you could take some flyers. I'll get some."
He took a step away from the table. The world turned grey and the ground rushed up to meet him.
When it cleared he was leaning against a counter. The New York cup Jason instinctively obeyed, sipping at the lukewarm water with a grimace. "I can't believe I just fainted.
"You and Tommy friends?" Mac wanted to know.
"Best friends." Jason closed his eyes.
"And you haven’t slept since he vanished." It was a statement not a question.
Jason fiddled with the cup in his hand. "I can't- I try but I can't" He sighed. "Thoughts keep running around inside my head. I was the last to see him, we had a fight and I just left him. I drove away and left him standing in the school parking lot."
"Jase." David Trueheart knelt down to look at him "Shit, you look terrible. C'mon I'm taking you home."
"There's too much to do" Jason began.
David shook his head. "Jason! Don't be an idiot. I think Jack can handle the search effort." He put a hand on his friends shoulder. "We'll find Tommy, I promise."
Mac had spent his entire week in California handing out flyers. He had only seen Jason once that week.
The teen had been sent to a Psychiatrist who had put him in a hospital for sleep deprivation. Mac had stopped by the day before he left. Mostly to assure Jason he would take a bunch of flyers back to New York with him.
Seth Erickson was late, not something he enjoyed Dad's going to be pissed He dodged through the crowded streets a dead run. His blond hair was cut in a spiked hair do. Brown eyes danced alertly.
Seth came around a corner and hit an unyielding substance. He let out a startled oaf and sat down hard. "Sorry." a hand pulled him to his feet. "You all right."
"Think I hurt my pride." Seth joked brushing dirt off of himself.
"I see. Well try walking you'll run into fewer people."
"I will thanks." since he didn't have far to go Seth did slow down to a walk.
Mac Taylor watched as the young man who had run into him entered a nearby building. Frowning, he pulled a paper out of his pocket looking at it. That could have been the boy on the missing poster.
His hair was shorter and lighter. Also he was thinner with a wide eyed look that made his eyes too big for his face. Mac frowned; he needed more than just a hunch.
Seth dry swallowed the two pills his father held out for him. His adam's apple working for a moment. At least Erickson wasn't mad anymore.
HE had lectured Seth on how it was dangerous for him to be late for his meds. Seth tried to remember why that could be, surely a few minutes couldn't be that bad. If I tell him I can't remember things it'll worry him
For some reason he didn't want to do that. He finished his math homework stopping to pat Mr. Mistofflese his new kitten on the head. He headed to the kitchen for a glass of milk.
Mr. Mistofflese followed him yawning. Seth stopped and put the tiny kitten in his pocket. He opened the fridge and drank straight from the carton. A loud bang made him jump dropping the milk. Men were suddenly in the apartment. "Shouts of don't move and "on the floor." rang out."
His uncle Michael was dragged out of his room and cuffed. "What the hell is this?"
Seth's father Kyle had been watching television. He too had been cuffed. Seth watched this wide eyed.
Clutching his kitten he backed up against a wall whimpering. "Son?" One of the cops stood in front of him. The man he had run into earlier. "It’s all right your safe."
"I don’t understand." Seth's voice broke."
"Your safe, Tommy. I'm Mac Taylor."
Seth frowned. "Who's Tommy?"
hours later.
Mac Taylor looked through the one way glass at the boy sitting at the table. Sitting quietly for now. Earlier had been a different story.
They had a court order to get his DNA, but he had fought them. In the end it took six men to subdue him and the cat. Mac touched the scratch on his face.
Stella Bonasera came up beside him. Mac glanced over at her. "Has he said anything?"
"Asked him if he was hungry and he said 'bite me.'" Stella reported. "The DNA test came back. He is Tommy Oliver."
Mac took the folder form her looked threw it and sighed. "I'll go call his parents."
Angel Grove Oliver residence.
Jack Oliver put the trophy slowly in a box. HE felt as if he was in a dream. A nightmare, god he hoped he could wake up. Wake up and Tommy would be there.
Running late as usual, with barely enough time for a glass of juice.
Everyone said there was still hope. Yet Jack had been a cop for twenty years.
He knew most kidnap victims were never found, and the majority who were found were dead.
Jack had to face reality. Tommy was dead. So he was packing up his son's room.
The house was empty. Jessie was shopping for Kelsey Anne. The three year old was with her.
Jack was glad Jessie was out. Lately Jessie looked shell shocked. And its better she not see this until it’s done
The phone rang; Jack snatched the receiver on Tommy's desk. It had been his son's private line. The one they were using for the search. The one printed on the missing posters.
"Jack Oliver speaking. I'm tired of prank calls on this line. So unless this is serious hang up or I will hunt you down and toss your ass in Jain."
"This is Mac Taylor. I helped look for your son when I was in Angel Grove."
Jack sat down on Tommy's bed. "Yes Detective Taylor from New York. I remember you, how could I help you?"
"I found Tommy."
Jack felt his heart leap to his throat. Bile rose, he hadn't expected that.
Taylor couldn't be joking. Jack had gotten to know the man and he didn't joke. "He's in New York? He's all right?"
There was a long pause. So long Jack thought he'd lost the connection. When Taylor spoke he sounded grim. "Depends on your version of All right. Physically he's fine mentally well-he's not so good. I think you should get here as quick as you can."
Delta transcontinental flight 713 that evening
Jessie Oliver stared out the window trying not to get her hopes up. How many times had she let that happen? She didn't want to think about it.
"Please return to your seats we’ll be landing at JFK Shortly.
Jessie checked her seatbelt.
A New York hospital several hours later.
Seth stared at the ceiling. After he'd fainted. They'd brought him here. Some doctor had admitted him. Something about drugs in his system.
They had also mad him eat. All he wanted was to go home Why are they doing this?
"Tommy?" A knock on the door let him know the doctor was there.
"My name's Seth." She scowled. "I want to go home."
"I'm sure you do. Your parents are here." HE left before Seth could protest.
Jack leapt to his feet as the Doctor Came into the small room. "I'm Clint Cassidy. I’ve been handling your son's case."
"How bad is it?" jack demanded.
He's been brainwashed, probably using Psychotropic drugs and torture."
Jack sat back down face Ashen. "T-torture. You’re telling me my child was drugged and tortured."
Clint took a deep breath and spoke softly, as Jack sat grimly and Jessie cried silently. "Tommy has no memory of you. He thinks is name is Seth Erickson. He is also under the impression he's only sixteen."
"What-" Jessie swallowed. "What should we do?"
"Take him home. Find a good psychiatrist. Surround him with familiar objects. His memory will most likely return."
The dream swirled around him. A dragon a tiger a falcon a star. They pulsed in green white and red.
For a minute he almost touched the star. The forms changed into a figure in reed. "Who are you?" The dreamer yelled.
Seth woke the dream still pounding in his mind. Actually it wasn't the dream. His head was killing him. "Oh god."
Slowly threw the pain memory came back. Being told he wasn't Seth Erickson meeting the Oliver’s, trying to sneak out of the hospital. That asshole Cassidy injecting him with something.
After that nothing until he woke up here in this strange room. A knock came and the door opened. "You’re awake. Head hurt? The woman asked. "The doctor said it would. I have the pain medicine he prescribed."
I want to go home." He moaned.
"You are home, Tommy." Jessie sat on the bed next to her son. "But that doesn't matter now. Take these."
HE dry swallowed the two pills automatically. She sat next to him stroking his hair. Vaguely h thought he should protest. He felt safe thought. "Where’s my cat?"
"The kitten? It's in a carrier downstairs asleep. WE had to sedate him for the flight and it hasn't worn off yet."
Seth let his eyes close and once again slept and dreamed.
"Tommy's coming home~!" Katherine Hilliard almost literally ran into the youth center bursting with the news.
"No he is home." Jason didn't look up from the dream journal he was writing in. Part of his treatment for insomnia. "His dad's going to hire my dad to treat him."
Kat looked confused. "Jason why didn't you say something we need to go see Tommy and go tell Zordon he's home.!"
"No." Jason finally looked up. "Tommy's been through hell. According to my dad he thinks he's someone else. Do you really want to confuse him by telling him about Zordon?"
"I guess not, but-" Kat stopped. "Jase, he's here."
Jason looked up. Tommy was indeed standing in the doorway of the youth center. He looked so different that Jason almost didn't recognize him.
His hair was so much shorter and the color was shocking. He was also thinner than Jason recalled. God, what did they do to him?
He stood up approaching his friend slowly. "Tommy? Hey bro it’s good to see you again."
"My name is Seth." The other snapped. "I-" HE trailed off staring hard at Jason. "I-know you don't I?"
"Yeah, you know me I’m Jason."
Jason-" Tommy tasted the word slowly. "I don’t understand. Who am I? Am I crazy?"
He looked so dejected. So lost, Jason nearly cried. Instead he led the other to a chair at the table where Kat was sitting. "I'll call his parents.” Kat whispered.
Tommy stared at the table. Jason sat next to him. "You’re not crazy. Someone hurt you that's all. No one believes you’re crazy."
Tommy let out a laugh. "I say I'm Seth Erickson You say I'm Tommy Oliver. No wait I get it! I'm having a seziure. I have vivid dreams when I have siziures."
Jason put a hand on his shouler. "Tommy-"
The hand was knocked violently away "MY NAME IS SETH!" he'd leapt to his feet. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Seth, his name wsa SEth! Why wouldnt anyone listen to him?
He ran not looking where he ws going. when he looked up he was lost. He sat down udner a tree and drew a star with his finger. What did it mean?
Thought you'd be here."
Seth glanced up eyes widening. Whoever this was he looked He looks like me
"You-" Something flashed in his mind. For a moment he couldn't get it, and then it was there. "You’re David Trueheart. You’re my brother. My twin."
"Yeah, Tommy or do you want me to call you Seth."
"No you call me you-" He trailed off. The rest of the memory was gone. "It’s all true isn't it?
David sat down next to him. HE pulled his brother into a hug. "Little brother. I call you little brother."
"Can you take me home?"
When he woke the next morning he sat slowly up. The memories of Seth were still strong, yet Tommy was making himself known. Seth swallowed the name. He would be Tommy. What else is there
One week later Kyle Scott’s office.
Jason Lee Scott stepped into his father's office. Kyle looked up. "Jason I have a patient in five minutes."
"Yeah, I know Tommy. I brought him. Dad he was Zeo Ranger V."
Kyle was slightly taken aback by that statement. "And you know that because-"
"I used to be the gold ranger and before that red. Look, I just want to make sue that his past as ranger isn't going to be on the six o'clock news."
"Jason Lee Scott! You know I don't have time for your games! Go wait in the other room. We will discuss this after Tommy's session." Kyle was on his feet.
"Dad-" Jason began.
"I mean it young man."
Jason Glared back at him. HE turned and slammed out. A minute later Tommy stood in the door. "Hey Tommy take a seat."
The young man looked as if he was going to bolt at any moment. He sat on the edge of the chair. His eyes continually darted back and forth.
"Tommy relax I won't bite. You’re perfectly safe." Kyle leaned forward. "Have you ever heard of regression therapy?"
Jack told-I mean Dad told me you'd hypnotize me and make me remember." Tommy looked at his hands. "But-"
"But your scared." Kyle finished. "How about we just talk?"
They talked about Tommy's fears, worries and dreams. They talked about New York and Erickson. They talked about Tommy's friends. "They try but you know I wish I remembered them better."
"While they talked Kyle twisted a silver pen in ibis hands. Tommy’s eyes were drawn to it. After several minutes Kyle set the pen down. "Tommy can you hear me?"
"I hear you." The voice was low soft. "But I’m not Tommy."
"Seth?" Kyle leaned slightly forward. "Are you Seth?"
"Yes," IT was said with a sigh. "Tommy's here though, he's hiding. We keep him safe."
Kyle frowned. "Who are we?"
"Me and Zeo Ranger V Tommy used to be Zeo ranger V, but now he guards him so the bad- so my father won't hurt him."
"I need to talk to Tommy." Kyle gently prodded. "Can I do that?"
Tommy's face went blank, for a minute. When it cleared his eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you want Mr. Scott. Seth told ya Tommy don't want to talk."
"I want to help him." Kyle leaned back in his chair. "He's very sick you’re a symptom of that."
"I don't even really exist Doc. Tommy held onto a memory to stay sane the fact he's a power ranger and he created Seth then too. I know I'm not real because some part of him knows it you know?"
"You’re his protector, but you can't protect him forever. Now LET ME SPEAK TO HIM!"
A shudder ran through Tommy's body. His breath came in slow cries. "Don’t hurt me!"
The cry of fear pierced Kyle's heart. Tommy seemed to have shrunk as if he was very young. "You’re safe Tommy. You’re in a safe place."
”The Power chamber?” Tommy whimpered.
"If you like." Kyle made a mental note to ask Jason what that was and apologize for calling him a liar "No there's a television-"
View screen, we call it the view screen." Tommy told the doctor.
"Okay now you can watch your life on this NOW I want you to go back to the last day in Angel Grove."
Tommy let out a moan of distress. "Don't want to."
"your just watching it. Your safe perfectly safe." Kyle soothed. "Tell me what happened.
Tommy began to speak.
Tommy had watched Jason drive away leaving him stranded. He wasn’t angry at Jason more at himself.
He glanced ruefully at the sky. Clouds were gathering. It had also turned chilly And I forgot my jacket
Tommy began to walk heading for the park and the shortcut he'd take home. The rain started soon after. A cold drenching rain.
"This is crazy." Tommy bought his communicator up to contact Zordon.
"Hey kid. Man you are soaked." A man Tommy would later know as Erickson stood under a black umbrella. "Your Tommy Oliver right, the chief of police's kid."
"Yes." Tommy said cautiously.
"Here share the umbrella." Erickson offered.
"Um no, I’m fine." Tommy hurried away suddenly nervous. Hearing footsteps his nerve broke and Tommy ran.
He could feel Erickson behind him Please the thought flashed through his mind as he slipped catching his balance he ran on.
The brief stumble was enough and Erickson was on top of him. Tommy saw the needle and redoubled his efforts. "No! NO! Let go!"
There was a small prick in his arm. Tommy tore free and fled again. He got a few feet before darkness clamed him.
Kyle sent Tommy home. HE tapped his fingers on the desk as he reviewed the session in hi mind. Tommy seemed to have put his memories behind a barricade . There had to be a key. If only he could find it.
Jack Oliver leafed through Tommy’s drawings. They were actually quite good. Better than anything else Tommy had ever done.
They were without exception, the same items: Stars, birds, a dragon and a cat. Jack though tit was a tiger. "Why's he drawing this?"
"Mew." Was the only answer. Jack looked down. He idly picked up Mr. Mistofflese. "Someone should tell your owner you’re a lady."
"Mew?" She began to purr in Jack's arms. He set her on his shoulder as Tommy often did. An idea was forming gin his mind.
Tommy's cold distant attitude upon their move to Angel grove. Later his sudden depression which vanished as suddenly as it came. His preoccupation with green, then white and red.
"Anyone home?" Jason came from down stairs. Jack leaned over the banister to see him and Tommy.
The kitten leapt for Tommy crying. "Hey Mr. Mistofflese up you go."
Snacks in the kitchen, Tommy. Oh and Jason a word please."
Tommy headed for the kitchen. Jason looking confused stayed where he was.
Jack handed him the drawings. "He’s I mean I think Tommy was a power ranger."
Jason looked a the pictures his frown increased. "I'll be right back." He vanished in a column of white light.
"Zordon, Tommy remembers being a ranger." Jason spoke the moment he appeared. "His dad figured it out by those." He held the drawings up.
Zordon considered this. "If he remembers that fact he could remember more. Tommy may need a push. Bring him here. Alpha contact David have him join us.
Jason returned with a very confused Tommy, he'd also brought his father. Jack however wasn't confused he was angry. "Don't do that again!"
Tommy was staring in fascination at Zordon when David teleported in. "I dreamed this place. When I was in New York I dreamed about it."
"Welcome back red ranger." Zordon boomed.
"These are yours." David handed Tommy the zeonizers. Tommy stared at them for a moment.
"I-" He trailed off.
"Tommy. It's Morphin time!" Jason's voice rang out.
Tommy's reaction was instinctive and immediate he morphed. "Zeo Ranger V Red!"
For several minutes he just stood there. Jack took a step forward uncertain. "Tommy-boy."
"Power down." It was said in a whisper. Tommy stood perfectly still. Jack took another step and Tommy vanished in a flash or red. Jason went right after in a flash of right.
"Hey what?"
"He teleported. So did Jason." David stated. "Didn't know Tommy had a communicator."
"Nor did I." Zordon boomed.
Tommy's memory had returned in a rush upon morphing. He remembered everything, including the fight with Jason.
Teleporting had been so he wouldn't have to face his best friend. "My former best friend."
"Tommy?" Jason sat down next to him.
"Leave me alone Jason." Tommy felt dead.
"No." Jason was firm. Not ever again."
"you told me you never wanted to see me again. You said you" Tommy's chest was heaving. He leapt to his feet and ran.
Jason caught up with him. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? You’re sorry? I got tortured, Jason. He tortured me until I didn't know what was true and what I-OH god wasn’t." Tommy crumpled. Jason caught him pulling him into a hug."
"I'm Sorry. It’s all I can say. I can't tell you I went insane from sleep deprivation be cause it wouldn't help. All I can say is I', sorry."
"Tommy barely heard, he was cling to his best friend ad crying. It was a release to let it go. "Don't leave me please."
"Never." Jason swore "Never."
The end
New York City nearly a month later