Disclaimer – You all know the drill.

Author's Notes – Sequel to 'A Green Nightmare'. In case anyone is wondering there is a slight deviation in the PR timeline. Rita did not come back for a second time and thus did not marry Zedd as that would really fuck up the story I've got going on here. Sorry Rita I honestly have nothing against you, but you gotta stay in the garbage can for the greater good.

Also since this is a sequel you really do need to read 'A Green Nightmare' first to understand why Zedd and Tommy are going to be acting like they are in this and why Zedd looks human and will remain looking human throughout all three sequels. No more skinless look.

Summary – Now the White Ranger Tommy suddenly finds himself placed in a rather difficult situation in which he must choose between his team and his honor.

-o-

A White Dream

Tommy

-o-

(Lookout Point, Angel Grove)

Looking up at the moon and feeling my attention slip as Kimberly continues to inform me of her latest gymnastic competition, I barely remember to nod my head at correctly spaced intervals or else face her wrath.

I shouldn't have agreed to go out with her tonight. Really and truly my heart just isn't in it, hasn't been for several months actually, but she seemed so sad when she asked if we could do something. So lonely. How could I not agree to keep her company?

Not to mention I was rather starved for some companionship myself. Though it's not really her company I was wanting if I'm totally honest. Which is why I'm currently sitting here in my jeep, her chatting sweetly to me as my attention is focused on the pale moon shining above us, wondering what exactly he's doing right now.

"Tommy? Tommy are you even listening?"

Shaken from my thoughts by the small, but annoyed voice, I give my pink wearing companion a smile. "Sorry I was just thinking about something."

"You're always doing that these days. Ever since you became the White Ranger." Hand resting gently on my arm, she frowns in concern. "You worry too much. I know that it's important that you stay on top of things as our leader, but really you need to relax once in a while. Wondering and worrying yourself over Zedd's next move will only wear you down."

Smiling tightly and unable to tell her that while she's correct about the subject of my thoughts, she's not however getting the details right. "I know. I just…I just need to keep on top of things. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you and the others."

"Tommy nothing will happen. You're a good leader, we all know you are. Besides if things really do get too bad you know Zordon is there. He's never let us down yet right?" Biting my tongue to keep myself from dashing her hopes, I know I should tell her, tell all of them what I know about Zordon, about all of this, but I can't. I can't do that to them, make them sick with worry and doubt. I can't give them the knowledge that Zedd gave me.

-ooooooo-

(5 months ago…)

Walking into the main chamber of the Command Center and glad I'd gotten the others to agree to go home and let me have a private talk with Zordon, I know I have to do this. Despite how much I don't want to, I know for the sake of my friends, myself, I have to.

"YOU WISHED TO SEE ME TOMMY."

Nodding, still clad in my uniform, I place my helmet down wanting nothing to obstruct my view of him and vice versa.

"I know why you did it." Looking up a Zordon and torn between exhaustion and appreciation, I know my tone falls somewhere in between. "I know why you made me the White Ranger. Gave me these powers and this position as their leader."

"YOU ARE A GOOD RANGER TOMMY. YOU'VE SHOWN TREMENDOUS BRAVERY AND SELFLESSNESS DURING YOUR TIME AS THE GREEN RANGER. IT WAS ONLY REASONABLE THAT I CHOOSE YOU TO HARNESS THESE NEW POWERS."

"Jason is a good Ranger. He's shown just as much bravery and selflessness as me if not more. No, that's not why you did this. At least not the full reason. I know what I am to you, what we all are where yourself and the council are concerned."

Looking less then confident now, his response is hesitant and highly uncertain. "TOMMY WHATEVER ZEDD HAS TOLD YOU, YOU MUST REALIZE THAT IT HAS NO TRUTH."

Sighing as he's now assured me I'm right in my assumptions, I shake my head sadly. "I never said Zedd told me anything."

Apparently realizing this mistake as well, he's quick to continue. "THE CONCIL THINKS VERY HIGHLY OF YOU AND THE OTHER RANGERS AS DO I."

"So highly that you left me there to die." Raising my eyes to stare at his directly, I let my certainty show. "You left me there in that gorge suffocating on my own blood. Left me there to die, which I would have had Zedd not saved me and we both know it. I can only imagine what you thought when I came back. When he let me come back. We both know why he saved me, at least part of the reason why."

"HE WANTED YOU TO FIGHT WITH HIM."

"And I considered it. I truly and honestly considered it, almost even agreed. However I remembered that this-" Making a gesture around the now empty Command Center I know he understands me. "-this was not what mattered. Nor how horribly I felt or how badly I was used. It's about the lives I saved and could save. It's about what I believe in. And I still believe in what I do, even if I don't believe in your intentions anymore. So I came back and I accepted these new powers and this new position, despite us both knowing why you gave them to me." To keep me here.

"I'M GLAD YOU DID. DESPITE WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW TOMMY, I DO HOLD YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS IN HIGH REGARD. PERHAPS I'VE FAILED TO SHOW THAT WITH MY ACTIONS, BUT YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES CERTAIN SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE FOR THE GREATER GOOD." Yeah well from now on I'm not going to be the one on the sacrificial table, you can count on that.

"Trust me, I know all about what you consider sacrifices." Picking up my helmet from where I'd laid in on the control panel, I give him a parting look. "As I said I accepted these powers with the full intention to do the right thing, to fight for what I believe in and I will do just that. Regardless of my personal feelings towards you and Zedd. I just thought I should let you know that I'm aware of what the game is and to tell you that from now on I am not your pawn or your sacrifice."

-ooooooo-

"Please don't worry so much."

Leaning over and giving her a gentle and chaste kiss on the head, I force my thoughts away for the moment. There's no sense dashing the hope in her eyes, or causing my friends any further distress. "I'll try."

Sitting back and letting my gaze wander once more as she seems appeased for the moment, I feel my attention return to the bright beckon in the midnight sky wondering what might have happened had I taken him up on his offer.

To be continued……..

-o-

I really am bad about short first chapters aren't I? Sorry, next is MUCH longer.