2A/N: Now, this one is just one of them I didn't want to get rid of them. When I had first heard the song, I felt like I had to get it into one of my stories. And luckily I did. And I felt it right for Anton Mercer. Now, I don't know if ya'll could agree, but that's just me. Let's just hope you agree with me. I'm out for now. Too much drama in my life.

THE REASON - Part Thirty-Six: Behind Blue Eyes

Summary: Tommy pays a visit to Anton Mercer. But something goes wrong.

Disclaimer: Power Rangers, not mine. To Limp Bizkit's "Behind Blue Eyes". Sorry, I know there was an original singer to the song, but I can't recall it off the top of my head. I only know the current stuff. Facts will never be straight. So, get over it. That's why it's called a fanfic.

A/N: Again, this is in 1st POV and by the summary, things go wrong. But I don't want to give too much away. Just read. Answers will come later. Peace out. May the Powers Protect You Always.

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"The distance between friends begins to play games with trust and lies. Who is there to trust? Who can help you now?" –Eclyptyk Neo

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I didn't know how or why I found myself on the driveway of Anton Mercer's house. But since the day I had faced my biggest fear, of seeing Kim with a dino gem forged with the powers of evil, I felt I had to talk to an old colleague about what has happened in the last few months. Yet, I wasn't sure if it was right to go and talk to him about any of this. But he was the only other man I could go to about those experiments we were working on, and he still owed me that long needed talk about them.

But it was hard. These past few weeks were crazy. And I'm not just talking about the weeks caught up in the amber prison and my ranger suit, but since this all began. When Kim decided to show up out of the blue, and we had to deal with the threat of the White Ranger. It was crazy. Hard. And note to self: do not come up with anything, or find anything, that could trigger a power strong enough to make someone a power ranger. I highly doubt I'm up for another job as being the mentor. Being a teacher is bad enough, sometimes.

"Come on, Tommy." I told myself. "This is stupid. Just talk to him. See what he has to say about all this."

But what would he say? That was the problem. I was taking a huge risk. And did he even know what was going on? With this power ranger thing, and his son being a threat to me and my team? And if Trent was around, what would I do?

I jumped out of the jeep, and followed the path up to the front door. There was just no time for stalling. It had to be done. I had to know. With no hesitation, I began to bang on the door.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

After a few moments, the door opened, slowly. And the tall, stern man I had called my colleague stood there with a neutral look on his face.

Anton forced out a breath, surprised to see me on his doorstep. "Well, Tommy Oliver, what brings you over?"

"It's important, Anton." I said with no hesitation. "We need to talk."

Anton looked into the house, closing the door a little bit. "Well, I'm quite busy at the moment, Tommy. But I can clear up..."

Oh no, you don't, Anton. You said that last time, and it didn't happen. "No." I shook my head, pushing the door open and walked in. "Now."

Anton didn't oppose as he closed the door behind me. I took a second to look around the house. Not that I've ever been in some rich guy's homes, the place just seemed homely. Not something I would expect from him. But than again, he was always full of surprises.

Anton wrapped an arm around me, directing me down the hallway. "Well, then, why don't we step into my office?"

We made our way into the office. I took a moment to comment on the work done to the place. Several dinosaur artifacts and pictures were behind glass cases on one side of the room. On the other sat a little lounge to relax and catch a book. On the far end of the room, was a desk where Anton seemed to be doing some work regarding his business.

"Why don't you take a seat, Tommy? Make yourself comfortable." Anton offered, directing me to a seat by his desk. "Can I get you anything?"

I looked back at him, shaking my head. I could tell something was bothering him. His eyes were wondering throughout the room. Did he know about his son? Was he trying to hide it from me? "No, I'm fine. Thanks."

Anton shied his usual half-grin finding his place behind the desk, taking a seat. He leaned back into the chair, intertwining his hands in his lap. "So, Tommy, what can I do for you today?"

"Well, every time I try to talk to you, you're always busy, Anton. Could you explain to me why?"

Anton dropped his head for a moment, sighing. "It's not easy running your own business when not everyone in it plays fairly."

"Yeah, I got that." I nodded slowly. "But I need to talk to you regarding those dinosaur experiments we've been working on."

"That's all in the past, Tommy." Anton said, waving the subject absently away. "I don't see why we must.."

"You must be aware of the recent monster attacks on the town, Anton." I cut him off short. If he was trying to relay all talk about what we've done, I'd fight him to get the answers I needed. "There have been news reports."

Anton straightened his tie, nodding. "I might have heard a few stories on that."

"So, then you must be aware that these attacks are also connected to the experiments we were working on?"

Anton chuckled, making it clear he wasn't comprehending what I was telling him. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Tommy. But don't mind my asking, but last I heard you were too sick to get out of bed. You seem fine now."

Shit. I knew I was forgetting something. I was already out of teaching a class for a month now, and it was taking its toll on those at school. The curiosity for my long absence. I cleared my throat, looking down. "Um.. I'm still recovering, Anton. I don't think I'm quite ready to return just yet. But, I must also say thanks for taking over while I'm recovering." I shook my head, dismissing the subject, hoping to avoid questioning about my long absence in teaching. "But I am serious, Anton. You must realize that it is our experiments out there terrorizing the city."

"And how did you come up with this solution, Tommy?"

Was I saying too much? Or too little? "I have my resources, Anton. But don't you think we should do something about it?"

"Well, the power rangers seem to be doing their job by keeping them at bay." He said absently.

There was no way of getting through to him. He was good. Too good. Okay, next subject. "What about Trent? How has he been doing? I hear from Conner, Ethan and Kira, that he isn't acting like himself."

"Why are you asking me this, Tommy?"

I shrugged. "I'm just curious, Anton. And a little concerned. If something is wrong, shouldn't you be getting him some help?"

Anton sighed. He was cautious about answering that question. "Quite frankly, Tommy, I'm not really sure anyone can help him." He paused. "He has a condition. His grades have been slipping and his behavior have been less than pleasant, even for him. I've never seen him like this."

"Doesn't that bother you? I mean, do you have any idea what is wrong with him?"

Anton leaned forward, his eyes pierced through me. And I knew I might have said something wrong. "You know, Tommy, if you're accusing me of Trent's behavior, why not come out and say it? I am aware that I haven't been the best kind of parent to him, but I'm only doing what I feel is right for him. What I find fit for him."

"By letting this behavior get out of hand?" I was surprised. He seemed unaware of his son's actions, or he was hiding the guilt for not doing anything about it really well. "If that's how you see fit, what's going to happen when he'll no longer want to listen to you?"

Anton got to his feet, slamming his hands into the desk, causing me to jump. His eyes came crashing down on me. "Is there something you want to tell me, Tommy? Either about yourself, or my son, or anything else?"

"I can help him, Anton. Or at least, I might be able to." I caught my breath, being cautious about what I was going to say next. "I was in Trent's situation back in high school. He doesn't feel powerless. He feels he has all the power and more. And he'd do anything to get to the top."

Anton chuckled, getting to his feet, turning his back on me. "It's funny how you know so much about the situation, Tommy. I should be asking myself how you know all this, but I believe you don't want me to know some things for my own good."

I caught my breath, slowly getting to my feet. Uh-oh. I really didn't like where this is heading. And I'm starting to get that sinking feeling in my stomach, where it's best to drop what has happened, and run. "Don't think of it that way, Anton. I'm only looking out for you and your son."

"You know, Tommy," Anton began as his eyes landed on one of the pictures on the wall. The one of me and him making the agreement to that thesis. "Those experiments we were working on, they were gonna be a breakthrough. They were gonna change the way mankind looked at technology. They were gonna make a difference that people would enjoy. Kids especially, with their dreams of going to a place like Jurassic Park. But they were after all only experimental."

"Um..yeah." I nodded.

"And some of the things we did, just weren't meant to be seen by other eyes."

"Sure, Anton. I got that. We made a few mistakes..."

"And even some secrets that we must keep to ourselves." he said slowly, turning to look at me. "Between colleagues."

Then a strange roaring wind echoed through the hall, catching my attention.

Not good. I whirled around, bringing my hands into a defensive stance to see no one was there. Was I hearing things?

I turned back around, jumping back, nearly falling to the ground. "Whoa! Shit! What the...?"

There standing before me was the dino-faced menace who wanted to destroy me so badly.

"Dr. Oliver." Mesogog hissed a greeting. "So glad you could join me on such a wonderful day."

"What the hell? What happened to Anton?" I took a step back.

Tyrannodrones filled the room, surrounding me. Great, like I had nothing more to worry about.

"You're looking at him, Dr. Oliver." Mesogog bowed.

"Anton?" I breathed.

"The one and only."

"But how? And why didn't you tell me?"

"Anton is weak, Tommy. He has no real control over me." he said as he made his way around the desk toward me.

"What do you want with me?" I took another step back, looking around the room at my waiting aggressors.

"We have some unfinished business to attend to." Mesogog hissed, slowly finding a hand wrapped around my neck. "You took something from me, and I want it back."

I gasped, trying to break the grip, but his hands tightened with every squirm I made. "If this has to do with that dino gem, sorry. You can't have it."

He tightened it again, making my knees lock. "Always stubborn. But I also ask another favor of you."

"Forget..." I groaned, feeling my wind pipe grow smaller. "..it, Mesogog."

He threw me to the ground, growling. Then picked me up again, throwing my head toward the hallway. Two Tyrannodrones pulled a struggling Kim into the room.

"Kim!" I cried.

"Tommy!" she looked at me with fright.

"She is weak. Unable to handle the power of the dino gem." Mesogog directed slowly, breathing into my face. "Not like you. She needs another power source, a power source I have directed toward you, to awake the real power behind that dino gem."

"Forget it, Mesogog. I'm not helping you."

"Then she will be destroyed!" he turned toward the small petite woman.

I turned around, a tinge of anger flowing through my veins as I came charging. But Tyrannodrones crowded around me, forcing me back. "Stay away from her, Mesogog! It's me you want. Not her. She's no good to you dead."

Mesogog stoked Kim's face as she spat at him. He turned to look at me again. "I knew you'd see it my way."

He walked over to me, glaring at me with a hungry delight. And if that didn't bother me so, it was coming from an old colleague. It felt weird, but this man before me obviously wasn't the man I could call a friend.

"You want me? You can have me," I opened my arms, free to follow his request. "Just leave her alone."

"No." Kim protested, looking at me in shock. And for the first time, I wasn't sure what to believe. I still had a sinking feeling in my stomach. "Are you crazy, Tommy! Don't do this."

I looked at her, making it clear that if Mesogog were to ever lay another hand on her, he'd die. "I know what I'm doing."

"Of course you do." Mesogog said, as I turned to look at him.

I met his glare, stepping forward. "Lemme ask you this, Anton. Are you gonna destroy your son, too, when all this is over? When you decide to take over the planet? You hate that he has so more power over you."

Mesogog growled, punching me. I hit the gound, hard. Man, how I forgot what power he still had. Damn! That's gonna leave a mark in the morning.

"Enough!" he hissed. "This ends now." He motioned the Tyrannodrones to release Kim.

She came crashing to my side, pulling me into her lap. And man, that was such a relief off my shoulder. She caressed my face, making the pain go away quickly. "You okay?"

"I'll be fine." I groaned, "How about you?"

"I missed you."

I chuckled, sitting up to look at her. Look into her eyes, but what I saw there was a confused person. Uh-oh! I looked up at Mesogog, who had a wide smile on his face, if that was what it was. I looked at the woman who meant so much to me, and saw another person. A glistening pink flame escaped each eye as time slowed around me.

The next I knew, I hit the ground, Kim pinning me to the ground, pulling out the coin that haunted me so much. The dragon coin.

"No!" I cried, trying to break away, but the drain was already beginning.

My vision blurred and my thoughts were clouded. I could feel the drain of energy escape me. A growing evil from deep within my soul was awakening. My entire body felt like it was growing old and weak. That it was becoming jello before my eyes. When I opened my eyes, all I saw was a blur over me radiating with a pink light. The haze of gold and black escaping my dino gem intertwining with a green haze.

"No." I said weakly, as my eyes grew heavy. "Don't do this! Kim, please. Anton. Someone."

In my mind, I saw someone in a chair, laid unconscious. And I knew it was me, in Mesogog's fortress. A hint of green light escaped as I began to see the transformation. My dino ranger suit covered my body, minus the helmet. And as I opened my eyes, the person on that chair, it glowed with the same flickering green light of my evil days.

"No." I cried. "Don't do this. Kim, please. It's me. Tommy."

"Tommy?" a small confused voice filled my mind.

"Fight it." I heard myself say.

But my eyes grew heavy, everything around me was growing dark. All sound became muffled and I fell into an unconscious state.

To be continued...

A/N: Uh-oh! Definitely not good. What will happen to Tommy now? And Mesogog has yet to reveal what he plans to do with him. Stay tuned.