the wings that you burn turn to ashes, my dear

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.

Read more at AO3!

Title: What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Who We Are
Fandom: Power Rangers Dino Thunder, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Characters: Tommy Oliver, Jason Lee Scott
Pairing: n/a
Rating: Gen
AO3 Tags: Old Friends, Mentors, Yuletide Treat
Summary: They needed a Zordon. All they had was Tommy.

Notes: For ~TheSecondBatgirl, as a Yuletide treat. I really loved all of your prompts for Dino Thunder-era Tommy, and the idea of him dealing with angst at being the mentor was too good to pass up.

Set before Tommy becomes the Black Ranger.

“I’m back in the old business again.” He ran his hands over his hair, missing the length of his youth. Tommy wasn’t that kid anymore.

Jason whistled under his breath. “Really? What color do you have this time?”

Even his nightwear - worn gym shorts and a faded tee - were in shades of brown and black. “It’s my students, actually,” he said, and he explained the whole situation. Starting with the teens’ detention and finding the gems to taming their Zords.

“Holy shit.” Jason was quiet on the other end, and the seconds stretched between them. “You’re their Zordon.”

Read more at AO3!