Teenagers with Attitude: An RJ AU

Chapter 10: How Could You

"EJ? Wh-what are you doing here?" Ricky asked the blue-eyed boy standing in front of him in his doorframe.

"I-uh wanted to talk to you?" EJ said, nervously.

Both boys wanted to talk to each other, but about completely different things... Ricky let EJ into his house, grabbing him some water, and taking a seat on the couch.

"So, uh. What did you wanna talk about?" Ricky asked in a nervous tone. He had just come down from his panic attack and didn't want to have another one in front of the person he liked. Maybe EJ was here to talk about how he felt about Ricky.

EJ was nervous, he didn't know how to navigate the conversation. Should he just come out and ask the question? Should he be patient and see how the conversation goes?

"Do you ever feel like you just don't belong anywhere?" EJ asked. Ricky was taken back, he was answering a question with a question.

"Uh-yeah, all the time. You?"

EJ just nodded.

"Do you ever feel like you have this big secret you just want to get off your chest and just tell the whole world?" EJ asked, looking right at Ricky.

Ricky nodded, but was scared to say. Maybe he can tell EJ that he is a power ranger, maybe he can trust him.

"But you know that if you tell someone, they might not treat you the same?" EJ asked more confidently now.

Ricky wasn't sure where this conversation was going anymore. Was EJ about to come out to him?

"Uh-yeah exactly!" Ricky said.

Both Ricky and EJ weren't budging with their answers or moving the conversation along. So they have to just ask straight forward.

"Ricky, can I ask you something?" " EJ, do you want to tell me something?" They both said at the same time.

Both of them taking a deep breath, then saying.

"Ricky, are you the green power ranger?" "EJ, are you gay?" Both said in unison.

Both boys were stunned, neither of them knew what to say to the other.

"Yes" they both said in unison again.

"OH MY GOD, SO IT IS TRUE! YOU ARE THE GREEN RANGER?!" EJ said pissed off, getting up from the couch.

"EJ, WAIT! I can explain!"

"Explain what?! That you almost tried to kill me. Multiple times."

"What?! What do you mean kill you?" Oh no, EJ just exposed himself as the red ranger.

"OH MY GOD, YOU'RE THE RED RANGER! That's why you always wear red and randomly disappear."

EJ was getting heated. His arch enemy is also the person he was falling for.

"No, this can't be true. You can't be the green ranger."

"Why not?!"

"Because I-"

"Because what?"

"Because I love you, Ricky!" EJ took a step forward to Ricky and kissed him.

He knew that this might be the last time he would see Ricky like this, normal. It could be the last time he would see Ricky at all, so he had to take a chance.

Ricky was shocked. He didn't know what was happening. So many secrets were being told at once. He told EJ he was a power ranger, he found out EJ was the red power ranger, and that EJ was gay, now EJ is kissing him?!

"EJ! I-"

"I'm sorry Ricky. I will always love you. Red Ranger Power." EJ said morphing into his red ranger suit.

"EJ, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! PUT THAT SWORD DOWN! LET'S TALK! I'm not what you think I am?!"

"What do you mean?! You just told me you are the green ranger! You are the one that has been hurting the city, those innocent people, me.. I can't let you hurt anymore people."

"EJ STOP! JUST LISTEN! I NEED YOUR HELP! I am not me, when I am the green ranger. Rita Repulsa is controlling me, when I am in the suit. I would never hurt those people. I would never hurt you." Ricky said, looking straight into EJ's eyes through his helmet.

"I love you too EJ. I would never hurt you. Please, I am begging you, help me. She is controlling me. I need to break from Rita's spell."

EJ could see the pain and fear in Ricky's eyes, he was telling the truth. But he needed to be sure, he needed Ashlynn's powers to confirm.

"Power down. Wait here."

"Where are you going?!"

"I am going to get my cousin, she can help us."

"Ashlynn?? What can she do."

"She has powers. Just wait here Ricky. I will be right back."

Ricky just nodded and watched EJ head out the door.

"Wait EJ!"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

EJ rushed over to Ashlynn's house, banging on her door as soon as he got there.

"EJ? What's up?" Ashlynn said.

"You need to come with me quick! I will explain on the way."

"EJ, What's going on?!"

"It's true...Ricky is the Green Power Ranger."

"Wait, wait, wait, what?! How do you know that?"

"I went over to his house to confront him about it and we -"

"You did what?!"

"I know, I know, I should have gone with backup, but just listen to me. Ricky is in danger. He said he is being controlled by Rita Repulsa when he is in the suit. He looked like he was telling the truth, but I need to confirm it. I need you to read his mind."

"EJ, I don't know."

"Please, Ash. I told him I loved him and I kissed him. Then he told me he loved me, I need to know for sure if he is telling the truth. I need to save him, Ash."

Ashlynn can see the hurt and worriedness in EJ's eyes. She grabbed his hand and read his mind, he was telling the truth.

"Okay, I will help you."

"Thank you, thank you Ash. You are the best! C'mon let's go. I left him at his house."

EJ and Ashlynn arrived at Ricky's house. They knocked on the door several times, but no answer. Finally, EJ used his super strength and broke down the door. They weren't expecting what they saw.

Ricky was being held captive by Rita and Goldar. Goldar had his hand over Ricky's mouth and they could see Ricky struggling to break free, but it was no use. Rita was just standing there laughing maniacally.

"If you want your little boyfriend back, you have to come and get him." Rita said, laughing.

"EJ! WAIT! DON'T!" Was all Ashlynn could save before EJ was running towards Ricky, but he was too late...

Rita, Goldar, and Ricky disappeared leaving EJ on his knees, crying.

"RICKKKKYYYY!!! NOOOOOOO!" EJ said crying.

He just lost the first person he truly loved. 

And as always, May The Power Protect You!