THE REASON - PART 79: INFILTRATION
Summary: The Dino Thunder Rangers have gotten word from Trent about moving on to their next set of plans to infiltrate Mesogog's island fortress and destroy it for good. They call forth the help from their ninja mentors, Adam, Rocky, and Aisha for one last battle, and the entire team moves to destroy the fortress. However, a strange turn of events has friends fighting their own kind for survival.
Disclaimer: Power Rangers is not mine and will never be mine. However, I will like to take my credit of the concept of this story.
A/N: This does tie into "Thunder Struck (1) and (2)" but with a lot of modifications. The ending just didn't satisfy me, so I had to change it up to make it work with my story. So, I hope you like it. And the epic battle is about to begin. So, read on. You'll be surprised to see what happens at the end of the chapter. Just two more to go after this. So, hit me with a review if you can. Later daze.
"This is it. The moment of truth when things could spell victor or doom for planet Earth. Be ready for anything." -Eclyptyk Neo
Nearly one week later.
Mesogog's island fortress.
Trent had gotten the okay from Tommy to infiltrate the island fortress. But he had to be careful. He didn't want Trent to risk a whole lot more than he needed to. He couldn't afford to lose Trent to Mesogog one way or another. Trent slowly and swiftly moved through the corridors of the fortress as he ended up in the main lab. A new series of machines were located throughout the room. The room was slightly dimmed due to the amount of energy being used. He ducked behind a set of machines watching the two figures in the room closely. It was Mesogog and Elsa. And Mesogog didn't look too happy with Elsa at all.
"Must you continue to fail me, Elsa?!" Mesogog barked.
"My lord, if I may have another chance," she pleaded without warning or thought of anything else.
"I've given you more than enough chances to destroy the rangers and you continue to fail me!" Mesogog paced the room slowly, then turned and used his telekinesis on Elsa.
She hit the ground groaning in pain. "My lord..."
"How dare you betray me! Revealing my darkest secret to the rangers!" he hissed with sheer anger.
"My lord, I betrayed Mercer, not you." she said slowly. "I had hoped to divide the rangers by doing..."
"But you failed to do that! Now, I am left even more vulnerable with that incompetent fool still living inside me." he bellowed releasing the hold on Elsa.
He snapped his finger as a Tyrannodrone walked over to him with a test tube in hand. It glowed with a strange red haze as he swirled it around in his grasp.
"As long as he is around, he will leave me far too weak to continue on with my plans. Mercer must be destroyed." Mesogog barked as he snapped his finger again.
Two Tyrannodrones grabbed Elsa and strapped her down onto a chair that laid below the Energy Extractor.
"My lord! What are you doing?" Elsa cried as she tried to fight free from the chair.
Mesogog turned toward a monitor and pushed a few buttons on the console below it. The new set of his plans revolved around the transmutation beam he had created in the last few weeks.
With enough power he would be able to power it up and bring about the rule of the mighty reptiles.
"I need power to operate that beam." Mesogog turned to look at the helpless figure strapped to the chair. "And I will start with the power I have given you. But first, you will be the first to witness the destruction of Anton Mercer."
Mesogog pushed the tube to his mouth swallowing the contents within it. Elsa watched with fright as the evil being began to glow with his unsual green/yellow haze. The original man behind the mess of problems peaked out as the mutation began to take over the two beings. And then with an agonizing cry, Anton Mercer was ripped away from Mesogog and the two had officially become two beings.
Trent let out a shocked breath as he forced himself to stay behind the equipment. He had watched the mutation with fright thinking his father would not live it, and even as he saw him laying there, he wasn't sure what to think.
Mesogog had the upper hand as he hissed with satisfaction.
He knelt over the man and pulled the unconscious man to his feet. "You are weak, Anton. You will always be weak. How does it feel to see your dreams shatter to the ground?"
Mesogog ordered his Tyrannodrone army to take the man away and find a place for him until he had some time to think about what to do with his new prize. The army left with the man as Mesogog turned back to Elsa.
"And now it is time to meet your doom, Elsa."
"You're making a mistake, my lord. Please, reconsider your decision." Elsa pleaded.
"Try not to move. It will make it less painful." Mesogog turned back to the console. He began to fire up the Extractor and pushed a button to intiate the final power up. "Good-bye, Elsa. Truely I will miss you."
Elsa groaned in pain as the Extractor began to drain her of her energy. The glowing purple energy she had called her own was being converted to energy needed for the transmutation beam, but it was clear it needed a whole lot more power.
And in a flash of blinding white light, Elsa had disappeared from the chair.
Trent jumped out from his place behind one of the machines walking over to Mesogog, not feeling intimidated by the evil dinosaur. He glared at him with fiery eyes. "Where's my father, Mesogog? What'd you do to him?"
Mesogog turned to look at the teen, sneering. "Trent. So, you have returned."
"Where is my father?!" Trent demanded.
"That is not your concern right now. What matters is why you are here." the dino lord concluded dismissing the last comment.
"I'll get you what you want for exchange of my father." Trent said with no hesitation. "I'll get you the gems. Then you can do what you want with us."
"I don't even know why you'd risk your own life for that useless incompetent fool." Mesogog shook his head.
"Because that is what a ranger is supposed to do."
Mesogog thought about the offer, then looked back at the teen.
He nodded slowly. "All right. You have three hours."
"Would you trust a teen to do such a job as that?" a voice called from the shadows.
Mesogog turned to see the high school science teacher emerge from thin air walking toward him with a hint of red flames escaping his eyes. Mesogog hissed at him throwing up his hand as a threat.
"Is that supposed to scare me, Mesogog?" Tommy asked slowly but darkly.
"You're stalling, Oliver. I do not have patience for you anymore."
"And you do for Trent? I'll get you the gems."
"Those plans sound just like Trent's. Have you been telling him some things, Oliver?"
Tommy blinked slowly as the red flames were extinguished. He glared at the dinosaur with falcon sharp eyes. "You're done, Mesogog. Release your hold!"
"I like playing puppet master." Mesogog hissed. He forced out his hand letting the telekinetic power engulf the teacher's mind. "Lure the team to the fortress so I can watch you destroy each and everyone of them."
Tommy groaned, and it was clear his evil half won that battle. He looked up with the infamous red flaming eyes and bowed. "You have commanded it and it shall be done."
He turned and left the room. A line of five silhouettes walked up behind the dinosaur and watched the man leave with a line of predator eyes.
----
Hours ago.
Tommy had kept the visit in the shadows about calling Adam, Rocky, and Aisha back into the battle. He knew he needed as much help as he could get out of this battle, and they were ready to go out on his calling. He handed Rocky and Adam their Zeonizer morphers in case it came down to using them. He had kept them all locked away in the lab, and only three were out of the hold. The blue and green zeonizer morphers, and his own. Which did Kim safely guard.
He also instructed Adam and Rocky to move toward the fortress and get a map of all the invisi-portals located throughout the city. It was another suicide mission, but would cost them so much if they didn't get that information. They needed to get into the fortress with a great amount of mass and had to find the most reliable one to pass through. But the rest of that was all a real blur until he returned to the lab. He felt slightly dazed and confused as he walked through the room collapsing into the watchful arms of his fiancée.
"Hey, you okay?" Kim asked as she helped him over to a seat.
Tommy nodded slowly. "I'll be fine."
"Where did you go anyways?" Hayley turned to look at him from the computer console.
"I had to take care of a few things. What's the progress on the new project? Word is that Mesogog is catching on to us."
"I'm still worried about the mass of the truck. An invisi-portal may not be able to hold it, but the dino gems might act as a shield to protect it from receiving too much damage."
"That is a good thing." Tommy nodded. "We can't afford any mistakes. You girls ready to do this?"
Tommy clicked on his morpher calling in his team. They reported they were on their way and ready to go.
Then the forest entrance creaked open and the yellow, red and black ninjas were standing there. A light smile passed their faces as Kim ran over to greet them.
"What is up, home girl?" Aisha pulled her best friend into a tight hug.
"Aisha. What are you doing here?" Kim smiled widely.
"Yeah, well, Tommy called us up for one final epic battle." Rocky shrugged as he embraced the pink ninja ranger.
"And we couldn't say no. But Rocko and me got to fall out. We'll take to you later." Adam tapped Rocky's shoulder indicating their exit.
They flashed out a peace sign and left the room.
"Always full of surprises." the girls turned to their leader who could only shrug.
"We're gonna need all the help we can get." he embraced Aisha in a quick hug.
"And who better than the ninja trio?" Aisha laughed. "Oh, I'd hate you guys too damn much if I missed out on this battle."
"You would." Kim smiled.
Minutes passed.
And the teens raced into the lab awaiting orders from their mentor.
"So, what's up, Dr. O?" Conner was the first to ask.
"We're gonna move now." Tommy instructed with no hesitation.
"We just need to wait for the head's up from Adam and Rocky."
---
Mesogog's island fortress.
Relying on their skills of stealth, Adam and Rocky moved quickly through the corridors of the fortress. They couldn't screw this up and they had to move quickly. It was the only way they could ensure the plans would work perfectly.
And as much as they hated all these suicide missions, they were surprised to be included in this epic battle.
They moved into the main lab where Mesogog sat in his chair holding a grudge of the long wait. Five silhouettes stood about him as guards waiting for him to call out any commands to move. Adam and Rocky swiftly slide across the floor hiding behind a set of equipment.
With Adam's quick wits with computers, he retrieved he device Tommy had given him and began to download the invisi-portal into it. Rocky kept a close eye on the five figures, unsure what to make of them or who they really were. They all wore a cloak that covered their face.
Mesogog growled with frustration, but stopped and sniffed the air. He smlet the presence of others in the room. He growled with anger.
"Someone is here."
The five figures began to search the room like mindless zombies following the orders of Mesogog.
Rocky pushed Adam to the ground as they melted into the shadows.
But the download was disrupted and Adam failed to get all the information he needed. But obviously, he didn't care. And neither did Rocky. They had to get outta there and fast. They bolted out of the room just as one of figures saw them, launching a series of laser blasts toward them. Rocky was the first out of the room as he raced down the hall at top speed. Adam hot on his trail not looking back.
"Yo. Tommy, whenever you're ready will be fine." Rocky called into his communicator.
"The strongest portal is located in the rock quarry." Adam concluded form the data he collected.
"Thanks guys. Now, get the hell out of there." Tommy replied through the communicator.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Rocky nodded.
---
Tommy had just gotten the head's up from Rocky and Adam. He turned to the teens who were waiting for his head's up. They nodded in turn when they saw the determination in his eyes. The rest of the team was assembled in the newest weapon against Mesogog. It was known as the Dino Thunder semi. And inside housed a powerful laser that could take out the fortress and a whole lot more.
"Let's go." Tommy instructed. "And no matter what happenes, we'll always be a team. The powers will always protect you. And remember a ranger will do whatever they have to to stop evil."
The teens nodded again.
"We're ready." Conner said matching his teacher's determination.
An invisi-portal opened up at one end of the rock quarry and the team raced to the truck and srapped themselves up for battle. Hayley manned the controls saying they only had one chance to get hit right. Tommy sat beside her watching the invisi-portal coming closer, But it was clear they weren't at the speed they needed to be at. She looked at Tommy with a look of worry on her face.
"We're not gonna make it. We' haven't reach the speed yet." Hayley called out.
Tommy turned to his dino thunder teammates. And the look in his eyes gave it away as they all nodded in turn. They bowed their heads and closed their eyes concentrating on the powers of their gem. The energy surge awoke the cargo bay as the truck jerked forward at a higher speed.
And at the last second, the truck had reached speed as it zoomed through the invisi-portal. And when they all opened their eyes, they found themselves in the forest outside of the fortress. The team breathed a sigh of relief. They were in, now they just had to take out thefortress and get out of there.
Another invisi-portal opened up and the team saw Mesogog standing there with his Tyrannondrone army behind him. His prized prisoner in his grasp, Anton Mercer. His wrists and ankles were tied up together.
"Dad!" Tretn breathed as he raced out of the truck.
"Trent, wait." Tommy called out to him,b tu he was already gone.
The rangers exchanged a look and raced out of the truck toward the line of aggressors blocking their way. They came to a halt a few feet from the evil assembly line.
"I am loyal to my word. Now, as we promised..." Mesgog bellowed.
Tommy took the lead and shook his head in dismay. "It wasn't set."
"Don't fall back on your words, Oliver." Mesogog hissed as he pushed the weakened man to his knees.
Anton shook his head, a look of fright in his eyes. "Don't do it, Tommy."
"Don't do what?" Conner looked at his teacher.
Tommy turned to the teens holding a heavy heart. He pulled out a box where his dino gem was already sitting. "I need your dino gems."
"What?!" the teens breathed.
But Trent was already moving as he placed his gem into the box.
Conner smacked his hand away, but it was already in place. He looked back at his teacher for an explanation.
"Mesogog wants our gems. And if you expect to go any further, you'd better hand it over." Trent said quickly.
"I ain't giving up my gem." Ethan shook his head.
"Isn't that what we're supposed to be avoiding? Giving our gems freely to Mesogog?" Kira asked with confusion.
"I know what I am doing, guys." Tommy nodded firmly. Reluctantly, the other three dino rangers placed their gems into the box. Tommy sealed it shut and turned to look at the dinosaur with eyes alert. He walked over to him, holding it out. "You want them, Mesogog? You got your wish. Now, as we promised!"
"Give it to me!" Mesogog hissed.
Tommy walked passed Anton, pulling his friend to his feet. He escorted him into the waiting arms of Conner and Trent and walked right up to Mesogog. "We made a deal, Mesogog! Don't back down on it."
Mesogog pushed the science teacher to the ground and used his telekinesis to disrupt the man's thoughts. His grip loosened on the box. He waked over and snatched it out of the man's hands.
"Noo!" the teens called out in a panic racing forward.
Mesogog snapped his talon hand as the T-drones raced forward and attacked the rangers. Kim and Aisha plowed through and charged the dinosaur as two more figures of red and black emerge and helped. The mind control was released on Tommy as Kim raced to his aide.
"Are you okay, Handsome?" she pulled him to his knees.
He nodded slowly and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "I'll live. We need to get those gems back." As he took his hands away, he snagged something hidden in her pocket unnoticed.
Kim got to her feet, nodding. "You don't have to tell me twice."
Mesogog growled as the got to his feet, turning to look at the trio of ninjas that decided to challenge him. "I have your gems. You have nothing. Now, witness your destruction, rangers."
Mesogog snapped and the T-drones fell in line behind him. The ranger team assembled themselves in front of them. The ninjas on one side and the dino thunders on the other. Each of them held an intense look of wanting to end this now. And then an invisi-portal opened up and five figures jumped down facing the evil line. They bowed and turned to the ranger team as Mesogog barked out another insult and disappeared through the insisi-portal.
With great speed, the red and black ninja bolted for the invisi- portal as it disappeared. The team couldn't go after them, having to deal with the new assembly of threat laid out before them.
The five figures took a step forward and pulled back the hoods that covered their faces pulling the cloak off their body. The ranger team took a step back in fright.
"Whoa! Not good." Ethan shook his head.
"This has to be a dream." Conner said.
"I don't assume that's a friendly face on them, is it?" Kira asked.
"I don't think so." Trent shook his head.
"But how?" Aisha and Kim took another step back.
It was a line of red ranger predecessors--Jason, Wes, Eric, TJ and Andros. And the look on their faces were neutral. But the aura around them was dark and the look in their eyes read evil with red flaming fury.
The team fell back, all except Tommy who took several steps toward his old red ranger team.
"Don't do this." Tommy shook his head.
"It is your choice, Tommy." Jason replied darkly.
"Where does your trust lie?" TJ teased.
"With us? Or with them?" Eric announced.
"If it goes to anyone at all." Wes said.
"You must decide." Andros said.
"Or we will be forced to destroy you all." Jason said.
Tommy peered over his shoulder at the frightened and worried team. Then he looked back at the red ranger line, who was waiting for his answers. He walked over to them. The Dino Rangers raced forward, but halted in fear when Tommy nodded toward the evil red ranger team.
The evil red ranger team saw the hint of red escape from Tommy's eyes and sneered with satisfaction. One by one, each had pulled out their significant morpher and called out their morphing call.
"It's Morphin' Time!" Jason was the first to move.
"Let's Rocket!" Andros announced.
"Shift into Turbo!" TJ replied.
"Time for Time Force!" Wes said.
"Quantum Power!" Eric proclaimed.
Then a line of red light engulfed the five evil rangers and when it cleared, they stood there in their ranger forms ready for battle.
The teens yelped in panic taking a step back.
"Not good." Ethan shook his head, pulling Conner back.
"Definitely, not good." Trent nodded.
"Now, what?" Kira asked.
"Dr. Oliver, don't do this." Conner called out to their teacher.
Tommy bowed his head and looked back up to reveal the hint of red flames, forcing the teens back again. "Did you guys miss me?" he asked darkly.
"No!" Aisha called out as he saw him fix the Zenoizer on his wrist.
"Tommy! Stop!" Kim raced forward.
Then Tommy moved his arms into the morphing call of the Zeo Power and was engulfed by a red light. And when it cleared, Tommy stood there in his Zeo 5 Red Ranger suit.
The ranger team fell into a fighter stance just as the red ranger line threatened them with a step forward. Conner took the lead as his eyes met with visor of his darkened teacher.
"Let's do this." Tommy said darkly letting out an evil laugh.
"Bring it on." Conner matched his wit.
to be continued...
A/N: I know what you're thinking. What kind of sick and twisted plot is this? But I can assure you to just read on. I'll see you next chapter. I can't give everything away. May the Powers Protect You Always.