fic: ain't nothing but a heartache (mighty morphin power rangers)

Title: Ain't Nothing But A Heartache
Fandom: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Characters: Tommy Oliver, Kimberly Hart
Pairing: Minor Kimberly Hart/Tommy Oliver
Rating: Gen
AO3 Tags: Character Study, Mid-Canon, Missing Scene, Minor Kimberly Hart/Tommy Oliver, Mentions of Injuries, Canon Compliant, Light Angst
Summary: Tommy and the struggle of losing the Green Ranger powers.

Notes: Set between The Green Candle and Return of an Old Friend.

I rewatched MMPR with my kids a while ago, and it struck me how obvious it is that, once Tommy hands over the Green Ranger powers, he just straight up disappears for a bunch of episodes, and then shows back up for Return of an Old Friend. It's one of my favorite two part episodes when I was a kid, and this is my take on what happens.

The first time Tommy fights a squad of Putties on his own, without powers, it’s a swift awakening.

Yes, he is a black belt, and a damn good one at that. But in willingly giving his powers to Jason, the strength he’d come to rely on as a Ranger abandons him. Every blow is a struggle and he hates himself more and more for it. Anyone else would have run for shelter or call the Power Rangers for help.

In his mind, Tommy is still a Ranger. So he still fights like one.

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