Chapter 22: Thunder Struck Part 1

Stryder's POV

"So let me get this straight," Conner said to Ethan as we walked into Hayley's Cyberspace, "You're going to the movies instead of the biggest social event of the year?"

"It's not just a movie," Ethan said, "It's the sequel to Asteroid Conquest, the greatest sci-fi film ever."

"Of all time," I finished.

(A/N: Couldn't help myself. Please get the reference. It's also a bit of a teaser if you get it... *maniacal laugh*)

"Dude! It's the prom!" Conner exclaimed, "It's tradition."

"Yeah, nice tradition. Smart kids spend the entire semester in agony, wondering if they'll get a date. Or if they'll be forced into a corner with the other smart kids. It's too painful bro."

"Woah," Conner said, as we sat down, "Never thought about it like that."

"Well," I put in, "You aren't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed."

"What does that mean?"

"Exactly. Who are you bringing anyway?"

"I got them divided into three categories," he said, actually pulling out a list, making me face palm, " The cute ones, ones with good personality, and ones whose dads can pay for a limo."

"And you wonder why I'm not going," Ethan chuckled.

Then Kira came over and sat at our table, "Hey guys!"

"Hey," I greeted.

"Who are you going to the prom with?" Conner asked.

"I don't have a date," she answered, "It's just a dance."

Then Ethan and Conner started staring at me.

"What?" I asked, though I knew perfectly clear what they were implying.

"Nothing!" They both said.

XXX

A few hours later, we received word that Zeltrax (who apparently went rogue at some point) had captured an innocent civilian. Why he did so, we don't know.

"Where's the woman, Zeltrax?" Tommy demanded when we got there.

"Safe and sound, Rangers," he answered, "Come and check if you'd like."

He charged and we all started fighting him. The fight wasn't going so well in civilian form. Every time one of us got close, he would toss us aside.

"You're time is up, Rangers," Zeltrax taunted as we regrouped.

"Guys," Dr. O said, "You know what time it is."

"Dino Thunder! Power up! Ha!"

"White Ranger! Dino power!"

We continued to fight. We did better, but in the end, he tossed us aside. Tommy went to search for the woman and Zeltrax transformed into his new form.

Conner went into Triassic Battlyzer Mode and fired a beam straight at him. And thus, Zeltrax exploded.

"Alright!" We cheered.

"Guys!" Dr. O shouted, running up with the woman, who kept stumbling.

We went to check it out and Trent recognized her. It was a depowered Elsa.

XXX

Kira's POV

When we got back, Trent explained that he snuck into Mesogog's layer and saw him take back Elsa's powers. He planned to use a cannon to turn people into mutant dinosaurs and Elsa's power helped kick start it.

"That can't be enough power to run that kind of equipment," Hayley pointed out.

"He's going to use the Dino Gems to get the rest of the power," Trent explained.

"What do you mean he's going to use the Dino Gems?" Conner asked.

"Yeah," Ethan agreed, "How's he gonna get them?"

"I'm gonna give them to him," Trent answered nonchalantly.

"Say what?" Stryder asked.

"I'm not giving anyone my gem," Conner said.

"Just hear me out," Trent said, "You want to get onto that island. Mesogog wants the gems. If I hand them to him, I can open a portal for you. Once you get inside, you can destroy the beam and Mesogog in the process. Now that Mesogog is separated, can rescue my father."

"No way," Dr. O said, "It's too risky."

"Do we really have another choice?" Hayley pointed out.

"She's right," I said, "I mean, he's going to get that thing going eventually. This could be our only shot."

After a few more minutes, we all put our gems in a box.

"This had better work," Stryder said as he put his gem in.

"I'll call when the portal's open," Trent said and walked out.

Then Elsa woke up. She now remembered everything she did and said that Mesogog had her completely under his control. Then the alarm signaled that the vehicle was ready to go. Elsa (or Randall, I don't know anymore) stayed behind and we ran off.

XXX

"We're ready to roll," Hayley said when we arrived, pressing a button on a device.

Suddenly, a large semi truck came rolling towards us. It had a red and yellow paint job and had our emblem on the side.

"That is sweet," Ethan said.

"Can I drive?" Stryder asked.

"Uhh, no," Hayley said, "We have to hit the portal at the exact right speed and we only get one chance at it. You better let me drive."

"Now it's up to Trent," Dr. O said.

XXX

It was a close call, but Trent managed to get the portal open and we drove into it. The island had very dull coloring even though it was a forest.

"Welcome to Reverse Oz," Stryder joked.

Soon, a group of Tyrranodrones appeared. We jumped out of the truck and started fighting them. Stryder knocked a few aside, but one got a lucky shot and nailed him back into the fender. He raised his arms in defense, but I used a Ptera Scream and knocked the rest out.

"Hayley!" Dr. O yelled, "Go!"

The truck drove off, leaving us to fight the rest. One of them, however, knocked me in the back. I looked up when I hit the ground, seeing the drone above me with its arm raised. But that was as far as it got. A green energy blade stabbed it through the stomach, and the foot soldier dissipated. Stryder stood there now offering a hand. I took it and he helped me up.

"Thanks," I said.

"Anytime," he smiled.

Soon, though, the beam was jammed by Tyrranodrones and Conner used his super speed to catch up. Soon enough, Conner succeeded and the beam fired, scoring a direct hit on Mesogog's fortress. The place began to crumble. We got in the truck as the island began to sink and erupt in flames.

"Hayley!" Dr. O said, "Let's go!"

"What about Trent?" I asked.

"He won't leave without his father," Hayley answered.

With no other choice left, we drove back through the portal as the island exploded.

XXX

When we got out, we looked around. No sign of Trent.

"Now what do we do?" Stryder asked.

"I knew we shouldn't have left them," I said, hugging him while on the verge of crying.

"It's not like their gonna fall out of the sky and land right in front of us," Ethan said a bit dramatically.

We looked at him with confused looks. He was looking at the sky expectantly.

"Were you knocked on the head or something?" I scolded.

"What?" He said innocently, "Last time I did that, it worked."

No sooner than he said those words, a portal opened out of the sky, and Trent and his father landed in front of us.

"See?" Ethan chuckled.

After celebrating a bit, Tommy asked, "What happened to Mesogog?"

"I don't think he made it," Trent answered, "I saw him collapse in front of his throne."

We all smiled and I thought, 'Finally... It's over...'

But little did we know, it was far from over.

XXX

Sooooo close! After the finale, I'll work on the SPD team up and an epilogue! Till next time guys!