Chapter Text
It felt like he should have seen it coming, somehow.
"You're ... what?"
He stared uncomprehendingly. This wasn't real. It was just some horrible nightmare.
His father sighed. "Justin ... it's not ... " He ran a hand through his hair in agitation. "This is a fantastic opportunity. It could mean a lot of great things in the future."
"I'm your son." The words were flat and emotionless. He wasn't sure where they came from; his brain had stopped functioning shortly after the conversation started.
"Of course you are," he said sharply. "And if there was any way I could just let you stay in this house while I'm gone, I would." He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I'm doing this for *you*, Justin."
"Don't lie." He found himself glaring at the man before him. "Taking off on some 'business opportunity' and dumping me is for you. Running off after Mom died to bury yourself in 'work' was for you. Trying to dump me off on Uncle Hal was - "
"That's *enough*!"
There was a long moment of silence as they stared at each other.
"You aren't the only one who's suffered. You *definitely* aren't the only one who's had to make sacrifices," Justin said quietly. He shook his head as a harsh, bitter laugh escaped. "You have no *idea* what I gave up for you. And now you're pulling this?"
His father was tense with anger now. "You're not even thirteen yet," he snapped. "You don't know anything about sacrifices."
-- "Hey Justin, we're missin' somebody!"
So many eyes, watching him. Wondering, guessing how *he* knew the Power Rangers. Wondering why the Rangers would trust a kid like him out of everyone in Angel Grove.
You must never reveal your identity to anyone.
" He ... he can't come with you." --
His fists tightened, the Turbo Power burning fiercely through his muscles as his temper rose. The look he gave in return was furious. "And *you* don't know anything about *me* to make that kind of assumption. I know more about sacrifice than you *ever* will!"
There was a moment of tense silence as they just glared at one another. "My god, Justin," his dad sighed at last, running another hand through his hair. "I just ... Sometimes I feel like I don't even know you anymore."
He froze.
-- “You do have friends, Justin. You have us.” --
-- "You must take your lead from the others - " --
-- "Justin, you can't - " --
Eventually he forced himself to take a slow, deep breath, ignoring the tears burning at his eyes. "It doesn't matter anymore whether you know me or not," he snarled bitterly. "You stopped being my father the day Mom died. I've just been trying to tell myself it wasn't true."
His father stared back, shock once again giving way to outrage as his expression turned furious. "Justin - !"
"Go to h - he ... ll." he choked out, his fury and pain fighting past the language censor of his Morpher. He shook his head, turned, and walked away.
It was all just a nightmare ...