A Pressing Engagement

Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers, they belog to Saban Entertainment. All other properties belong to their respective copyright owners. This is a piece of fanfiction and I would thank Cynthia for allowing me to post it here.
Author's Note: This story was originally posted at the Command Center Archives back in 1998. It has been changed slightly to reflect the current version of Conquest of Evil.

The golden rays of the sun filtered through the wide windows of Ernie's Juice Bar, casting a warm glow over the room. The lively hum of activity filled the air, mingling with the rhythmic sound of clinking glasses and the upbeat pop music playing over the speakers. It was a place full of energy, camaraderie, and the kind of youthful optimism that could make the world seem endlessly bright.

Jason Scott was at the centre of it all, lying flat on the bench press with every ounce of his focus directed at the barbell above him. His red tank top clung to his frame, darkened with sweat, and his jaw was set with determination. He had been pushing himself harder than usual today, his mind locked on one goal: beating Bulk's bench-pressing record.

Ernie, ever the supportive owner and gym enthusiast, stood above Jason as his spotter, his jovial smile replaced with a look of concentration. "You're almost there, Jason," he encouraged, his voice steady. "Push through it!"

Nearby, Zack Taylor leaned casually against a pillar, his trademark grin spreading across his face. He had just finished a quick ride on his skateboard and had stopped to watch Jason's attempt. "C'mon, man!" Zack shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth for emphasis. "This is your moment! Bulk's gonna lose his mind when you crush his record."

On a bench a few feet away, Kimberly Hart sat cross-legged, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. She had been idly watching Jason's progress, occasionally glancing at her phone, but now her attention was fixed on him. "You've got this, Jason!" she chimed in, blowing a bright pink bubble. "No pressure, but I did bet Zack a smoothie that you'd pull this off."

Jason managed a tight grin despite the strain. "No pressure at all," he said through gritted teeth. "Just…my pride…and a smoothie on the line."

The weight seemed to grow heavier with every passing second. Jason's arms shook as he lowered the barbell for another rep. Sweat dripped down his temple, stinging his eyes, but he powered through. Kimberly, meanwhile, continued blowing her bubble, letting it expand until it was almost comically oversized—nearly the size of her head.

Zack's mischievous streak kicked in at the worst possible time. As Jason strained to complete another rep, Zack glided over on his skateboard and reached out, popping Kimberly's bubble with a dramatic snap. The gum splattered everywhere, landing in Kimberly's hair and across her face.

"Zack!" Kimberly shrieked, jumping to her feet. "You're dead!"

Her sudden outburst startled Ernie, who momentarily lost track of Jason's count. Distracted by the chaos, Jason's focus slipped, and the barbell wobbled precariously in his hands. Ernie lunged forward just in time to help him rack the weight safely.

Jason sat up, his breath coming in heavy gasps. "I…I blew it," he muttered, shaking his head. His hands dropped into his lap as he stared down at them, frustration etched into every line of his face.

Kimberly, still picking gum out of her hair, paused when she saw Jason's expression. "Hey, don't beat yourself up," she said, her tone softening. "You were so close! Seriously, like, this close." She held her fingers barely an inch apart.

"Yeah," Zack added, flipping his skateboard into his hand. "Bulk's record isn't even that impressive. You're the strongest guy I know, Jase. You'll nail it next time."

But Jason wasn't convinced. He gave them a tight smile, mumbled something under his breath, and walked off to a quieter corner of the gym. Kimberly and Zack exchanged worried glances but decided to give him space. For Jason, the sting of failure wasn't just about the record—it was about the fear of not being good enough.

Far above Angel Grove, in the jagged halls of her Moon Palace, Rita Repulsa cackled as she watched Jason through her telescope. The Red Ranger's frustration and self-doubt were clear as day, and Rita's sharp eyes missed nothing.

"Look at him!" she sneered, turning to her henchmen. "The great Jason Scott, leader of the Power Rangers, doubting himself over a silly little weightlifting challenge. He's weak—so weak!"

Goldar, her loyal general, stepped forward, his golden armour gleaming under the dim light. "Do you wish to attack him now, my queen?"

Rita smirked, her long nails tapping rhythmically against her staff. "Not yet. First, we'll break him. He's nothing without his precious friends backing him up. If we separate him from the others, he'll fall apart. And then…we'll destroy him!"

Finster, her mild-mannered monster maker, shuffled into the room, carrying a tray of freshly sculpted clay figures. "Did you call for me, my queen?"

"Yes, Finster," Rita said, her grin widening. "I want a monster—something big, something powerful. It needs to scatter the Rangers and leave Jason all alone."

Finster's eyes sparkled. "Ah, yes, I have just the thing. The King Sphinx! His mighty wings can blow the other Rangers away, leaving Jason isolated and defenceless."

"Perfect!" Rita exclaimed, throwing her head back in laughter. "Let's see how strong the Red Ranger is without his little friends to save him."

The calm of Angel Grove's park shattered in an instant as King Sphinx appeared in a flash of light. The monster towered over the park, his lion-like body rippling with muscle, his golden wings spread wide. Around him, Rita's Putty Patrollers swarmed, wreaking havoc on everything in sight.

Jason, Kimberly, and Zack were the first to arrive on the scene. They morphed without hesitation, their bright suits flashing into place as they prepared to face the chaos.

"Let's take him down!" Jason shouted, leading the charge.

The three Rangers fought with precision, each movement honed by months of training. Jason's Power Sword cut through the Putties like butter, while Kimberly's Power Bow sent arrows flying with pinpoint accuracy. Zack, always quick on his feet, used his Power Axe to knock Putties out of the fight.

But as they approached King Sphinx, the monster spread his massive wings. With one powerful flap, a gust of wind slammed into the Rangers, sending Zack and Kimberly hurtling through the air. They crashed into a row of bushes far from the battlefield, their suits flickering before demorphing entirely.

Jason turned, his heart sinking as he realized he was alone. He gripped his Power Sword tightly and faced King Sphinx head-on. "If it's just you and me, then let's do this."

"Exactly as planned," King Sphinx growled, his voice low and menacing.

Jason squared his shoulders, his Power Sword raised as he faced King Sphinx. The heat of the sun bore down on him, but he couldn't let it distract him. This wasn't just about him—it was about protecting the city and proving to himself that he was strong enough to lead his team. King Sphinx loomed over him, his wings unfurling with an audible whoosh.

"You think you can take me alone?" King Sphinx mocked, his deep voice reverberating like thunder. "Without your team, you're nothing!"

"We'll see about that," Jason shot back, his voice steady despite the growing doubt in his mind. He charged forward, slashing at the monster with his Power Sword. Sparks flew as the blade connected with King Sphinx's staff, the force of the collision causing Jason to stumble back.

Jason tried to recover, but King Sphinx was relentless. The monster's wings flapped again, creating another gale-force wind that nearly knocked Jason off his feet. Before Jason could regain his balance, the ground beneath him shimmered, and in an instant, he was no longer in the park.

The world around him had transformed into an endless expanse of sand. The desert stretched out in every direction, the heat shimmering on the horizon. Jason spun around, trying to make sense of what had happened. King Sphinx appeared a moment later, his laughter echoing across the dunes.

"You can't win here," King Sphinx said, landing heavily on the sand. "This is my domain, and you're all alone."

Before Jason could respond, another figure materialized in the distance. Goldar stepped into view, his golden armour gleaming under the harsh sunlight. He drew his sword, pointing it at Jason. "Your friends can't save you now, Red Ranger. You're finished!"

Jason gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword. He wouldn't let them see his fear. "You don't know what I'm capable of," he said, planting his feet firmly in the sand.

The fight began with a ferocity that tested every ounce of Jason's skill. Goldar's attacks were brutal, his sword swinging in wide, devastating arcs. Jason dodged and countered as best he could, but the relentless onslaught left him winded. King Sphinx joined the fray, his staff glowing with energy as he launched powerful blasts at Jason. The Red Ranger did his best to hold his ground, but he was outnumbered and outmatched.

Back at the Command Center, the other Rangers watched the battle unfold on the viewing globe. Jason's struggles were clear, and the tension in the room was palpable.

"We have to help him!" Kimberly said, her voice urgent. "He can't fight them both on his own."

"But how do we get to him?" Zack asked, pacing back and forth. "That desert isn't anywhere on Earth. It's like Rita's locked it away or something."

"There is a way," Zordon said, his voice calm but firm. "Your Power Crystals. They are tied to the Morphing Grid and to Jason. If you send them to him, he can summon you to his location."

The Rangers nodded in unison. Each of them held up their crystal, the shards glowing brightly in their respective colours. The energy from the crystals pulsed in the air, and with a flash of light, they disappeared, streaking across the sky toward Jason.

Jason, now kneeling in the sand and breathing heavily, heard the familiar beep of his communicator. He tapped it, his heart lifting at the sound of Zordon's voice.

"Jason, the other Rangers have sent their Power Crystals to you. Use them to bring your team to the desert."

Jason's hands closed around the red crystal as the others appeared before him in flashes of light. Each one hummed with energy, their glow like a beacon of hope. Holding the crystals, Jason focused, channelling their power. The desert around him shimmered, and moments later, his team appeared.

Zack grinned, his axe already in hand. "Looks like we got here just in time."

"Miss us?" Kimberly added, drawing her Power Bow.

Jason's exhaustion faded as he saw his team at his side. "You guys are a sight for sore eyes."

"Let's take these guys down!" Zack said, and the team charged forward.

The fight was evenly matched now, with the five Rangers working together to push back Goldar and King Sphinx. Their coordinated attacks forced the two villains to retreat momentarily, but the battle wasn't over yet. High above them, Rita watched with growing frustration.

"This isn't over!" she screeched, raising her staff. "Make my monsters grow!"

Her staff crackled with dark energy as it hurtled toward the Earth, striking the ground near Goldar and King Sphinx. In an instant, the two monsters began to grow, their bodies towering over the desert like skyscrapers.

The Rangers didn't hesitate. "We need Dinozord power, now!" Jason shouted.

The ground trembled as the Dinozords emerged, their massive forms thundering across the desert. Jason leapt into the Tyrannosaurus Zord's cockpit, gripping the controls with renewed determination. "Let's bring them together!" he called, and the team combined their Zords into the mighty Megazord.

The Megazord faced the colossal monsters, its sword drawn and ready. Sparks flew as the titans clashed, each blow shaking the desert. Goldar and King Sphinx fought viciously, but the Rangers worked as one, their teamwork allowing them to anticipate and counter every move.

Even with the Megazord's power, the fight was gruelling. King Sphinx's wings generated massive gusts that forced the Megazord back, while Goldar's sword strikes tested its defences. Inside the cockpit, Jason could feel the strain, but he refused to back down.

"We need the Power Sword!" he called out.

In response, the heavens opened, and the Power Sword descended, embedding itself in the ground before the Megazord. The Rangers grasped the hilt, their combined strength flowing through the weapon. With one powerful swing, the Megazord struck King Sphinx, the blade glowing with energy. The monster let out a final roar before exploding in a burst of light.

Goldar, seeing his ally destroyed, snarled in frustration. "This isn't over, Rangers!" he growled before teleporting back to the Moon Palace.

Inside the Megazord, the Rangers let out a collective sigh of relief. They had won.

At the Juice Bar, the mood was celebratory. Jason was once again at the bench press, his teammates gathered around him. This time though, there were no distractions, no doubts. As Jason gripped the barbell, the memory of his team standing by his side gave him strength.

With a deep breath, he pushed the bar upward. His muscles burned, but he didn't waver. Finally, with one last burst of effort, he completed the final rep and racked the bar.

Ernie's voice boomed across the gym. "New record!"

The room erupted into cheers. Kimberly hugged Jason, Zack slapped him on the back, and even Billy and Trini joined in the applause.

Bulk and Skull arrived just in time to witness the celebration. Bulk puffed out his chest and marched toward the bench press. "Don't get too comfortable, Jason. I'm taking my record back."

But as he strutted forward, he tripped over a stray weight and stumbled face-first into a celebratory cake that Ernie had brought out. The room exploded with laughter, even Jason joining in.

For the first time in days, Jason felt truly at ease. He wasn't just strong—he was supported. And that made all the difference.

End