You see, Jason Lee Scott had a problem. On paper, his life was everything an 18-year-old could want. He was a popular high school senior, a respected karate coach at the Youth Center, and in peak physical condition. But the real, world-altering secret was the one he shared with five of his closest friends: he was the Red Power Ranger, the leader of a team of superheroes who secretly defended Angel Grove from alien invasions on a weekly basis. His life was a hectic, thrilling balancing act, and for over a year, he’d managed to keep all the plates spinning.

But now, a new opportunity had been thrown into the mix, threatening to shatter his delicate equilibrium. His school had selected him for a prestigious, all-expenses-paid educational exchange: the Peace Conference in Sweden. It was the kind of life-changing, resume-defining honor that made his parents beam with pride. It was everything he’d worked for as a student and a good person.

And it was the last thing he wanted.

To accept meant he would have to hang up his helmet for good. He’d have to leave his team, his duty, and the incredible power he’d been entrusted with. The unspoken part, the part that twisted in his gut, was that he’d be handing the team he built over to Tommy, the White Ranger, his best friend, and the guy who somehow made being a hero look effortless. It felt less like a promotion and more like a surrender.

For the first time, the fearless leader was indecisive. Everyone in his life had a strong opinion; his parents were thrilled, Trini, his ex-girlfriend, and Zack, his best friend, were both going. The other rangers... well, they didn't know yet. What he desperately needed was someone who didn't know about the multicolored spandex and giant robot dinosaurs. Someone who didn't look at him and see a leader or a symbol or their pride and joy, but just saw Jason.