Tommy glanced at the monitor and shrugged.
"Well, here goes nothing." He said and pressed the small button.
The monitor hummed, flickered and went back. The Rangers gave a defeated sigh, but the Dino Thunder symbol appeared on the screen and brought up the archives. Ethan gave a rather loud, cheer (that startled both Conner and Kira, mind you) and Billy slipped into the chair.
"Inviso-portals, eh?" Billy smirked, glancing over his shoulder at Tommy. "What happened to the good old teleportation? That go out with the day and age?"
Tommy nodded, grinning. "What better way of freaking your friends out by popping out a spirally emerald portal, eh?" He answered sarcastically, covering his grin.
Billy rolled his eyes and looked back to the screen. "Ok, so after I rebuild the Megazord piece, I'll begin to work on a teleportation unit. Never go into battle without one."
Tommy looked at the perplexed Ethan and shrugged. "Hey, come on Billy, give me a break. I didn't create the Inviso-portals all by myself. In fact, a business partner of mine pretty much did most of the work. I just came up with the basis of the idea."
Billy smirked. "Tommy, you even remotely coming up with a technological idea stuns even more." He peered at the screen to see Tommy glaring at him. "If I remember correctly, Tommy, you're most technological illiterate person out there. Let me see, didn't it take you nearly an hour even figure out how to turn a computer on?"
Tommy blushed and walked away from the others. Sad, but true, Billy was right.
"Thought so." Billy smirked as he brought up a video screen. It revolved around a small rock quarry and in the middle was a green blip. "Found one, guys."
Ethan leaned over the chair, peering at the screen. "That's an Inviso-portal alright." He confirmed and frowned. "Same Inviso-portal we used to invade Mesogog's is-"
It dawned on all the rangers at that moment.
"Vertox found Mesogog's island fortress." Tommy said, dashing to Billy's side. "Is it active?"
Everyone groaned.
"Wait, yes, of course it is." Tommy blushed deeper. "That's not good if Vertox found Mesogog's technology. He'll have control over the Inviso-portals and the Geno-Randomizer."
"Can't say I like that idea." Conner sighed and glanced at his friends. They all gave a nod in return. "With the Geno-Randomizer in his hands, it'll be a whole new war."
Tommy shrugged and shook his head. "That's the worst that can happen. But I think with the power this guy has, we won't have too many monsters. If he's like all the other villian's, we need to worry more about his generals, then anything."
"With the power this guy possesses? He doesn't even need a monster. I'm surprise he didn't just wipe us out when he had the chance." Ethan countered slamming his fist into his hand. "Man, it burns me up just thinking about this guy! And now he has Haley?"
"Look, enough talk you guys…" Billy interjected, the blip on the screen slowly fading. "If you want to have any chance of saving Haley at all, you need to infiltrate the Island Fortress again and find her."
"Smart idea, brainiac. Apparently you forgot that by walking into an enemy strong hold is asking for a quick death." Conner huffed and folded his arms. "I want to save Haley as well, but it's suicide if we try to go into the Island Fortress again."
Tommy shrugged. "We have no other choice, Conner. Vertox isn't stupid and I doubt he'd bring her anywhere near the Earth with us still around." He glanced at the screen and turned away from the rangers. "Now come, we're out of time."
"You're closing in on the position, Tommy!"
"Thanks Billy! See you when we do!" Tommy shouted above the roaring wind and gripped the ATV handles again. He stared straight at the whirling, sparking portal. This was their one and only chance to get Haley out of there. If they failed, they died – there was no second chance.
Tommy looked at the other Rangers and could see the determination in their eyes, even through the masks. Everyone of them wanted to see Haley to safety and would have it no other way. Tommy looked at the portal again, smiling to himself. He was proud to work by the teens sides for they turned out much better then he expected.
"Alright guys, we're coming upon the portal!" Conner shouted, revving the engine a bit more. "We have one chance at this guys so let's not blow it."
"Right!" The Rangers said together and brought their vehicles to a screeching halt. Conner stood in front of the portal with the other rangers lining up beside him. The portal cackled in front of them, just waiting for them to enter. It taunted them, calling them almost by name to enter them. This was no mere portal – it was the portal of fate. This was the portal that would decide the rangers, and Haley's future. It would either end them or it would let them live.
"Haley's life is resting on our shoulders, Rangers." Conner informed, balling his fists. "So…no real pressure on your shoulders, guys."
Tommy glanced at Conner and then nodded. The Rangers followed and the air around them was silent. There was no air, nor crickets, nor birds or bees – it was complete silence.
"And so it begins…" Conner whispered and took a step towards the portal.
Suddenly, it widened and bolts of energy sparked out of the center. It wrapped around the Red Dino Thunder Ranger and pulled him back into its depths.
"Conner!" Kira cried, reaching for him.
Suddenly another energy beam reached out, wrapped around her wrist, and sucked her into the depths. Trent, Ethan and Tommy stood there, careful not to make any sudden moves at it.
"That's new." Ethan commented, the rubble shifting beneath his foot.
"I think its just effect." Trent said and dove into the portal. This time no energy swallowed him up. He hit the center and vanished with a flash.
"Ok…" Tommy said and jumped in after him.
The same happened again; Tommy hit the center and vanished with a flash.
Ethan sighed and did the only thing he could…follow.
Ethan fell into a roll and popped up to come face-to-face with an armour clad figure. Ethan looked around at his surroundings to see the other Rangers recovering from a battle. He sighed, slouching his shoulders in defeat.
"The last in IS always the rotten egg." He cried.
A suddenly, power back hand sent Ethan flying into the wall. His helmet smashed against the metal wall, denting it completely. The figure swung it's leg out and threw Ethan into the approaching yellow ranger. Cries echoed through the halls as the teens crashed painfully to the ground.
"You impudent fools can't beat me! Merios, the General of Vertox!" The figure roared, a sudden broadsword materializing in his palm.
A broadsword was an understatement. It was more like an elephant sword, more then anything. The blade had to be at least 6ft long and a foot thick in of itself. This blade was not meant to be wielded by any other except Merios.
"Yep and we've heard that a dozen times from your predecessor." Conner countered, raising himself up. "Tyranno-staff!"
A red-white light consumed his hands as he charged towards the general. He swung the new staff down upon the general, but even with a massive sword, he was still faster. The blade raised in a swift defense and powerful boot to the gut had Conner collapsing in pain.
Kira and Ethan took their fallen leaders place and swiped viciously at Merios. Two quick parries sent the weapons wide. A green-white laser erupted from the General's eyes and tore into the Rangers. A great fireball raced through the alleys, striking Tommy and sent him flying into wall at the halls end.
"Fools!" Merios laughed, raising his sword in victory. "You can't beat me! This will be your DOWNFALL!"
Conner staggered to his feet, panting and gasping hard. He clutched his chest, putting a few feet of space between them. "Dr. O! Go find Haley. We'll hold off Merios for the time being!"
Merios slashed Conner hard across the chest, throwing him to the floor again.
"Think again Oliver!" Merios hissed, throwing an energy blast at the teacher.
Tommy rolled into the hallway as the energy blast tore a chunk out of the wall. He glanced back and saw Kira slam against the wall and Merios step over her body. Uh oh, time for a quick getaway!
He drew his Brachio-staff out for support and sprinted down the hall. Behind him, he could heard the lumbering brutes massive feet shake the building with each step. Risking a glance over his shoulder, he regretted it on seeing how close the lumbering hulk was. Tommy gasped and sprang as far to the side as he could, dodging the oncoming wall. But even for the size and speed, Merios skid to a stop, mere millimeters from indenting the wall. Tommy gasped and ducked as the massive sword slashed overhead, taking a chunk out of the wall.
"Brachio-Staff!" Tommy hissed, slashing out with the staff. It struck Merios hard on the chest, staggering the beast slightly. "Energy Orb, Full power!"
Tommy waved the staff in a circle, leaving behind a trail of golden-black energy. He concentrated hard on Merios, putting forth as much energy as he dared. He watched as the general staggered to his feet and reach for his blade. Merios shook the cobwebs from his head and roared at the ranger before making a hasty move towards the ranger.
Tommy shot the staff out and sent the orb of energy hard into the general's chest. The explosion sent him flying again and skidding across the floor. Panting hard, the staff fell to Tommy's side as the other Rangers staggered into the hall.
"Go, Dr. O!" Conner bit at his teacher, holding the Tyranno-staff in front of him. "Get Haley out of here, NOW!"
Normally, taking advice from someone inexperienced as Conner wouldn't sit well with Tommy. But for once, he wasn't about to protest. Tommy staggered to his feet and disappeared into the darkness of the hall, leaving the Rangers to deal with Merios…
- - - -
What's up people? Sorry it took so long to get Chapter 9, but I had a bit of writers block, and chapter planning to do. But, here's Chapter 9 in all its glory. Please C&C, or R&R, whatever you want to call it. Just to let you know…we have a special series coming up after this next Chapter, so get ready…and btw, Chapter 10, Departure, will end the invasion of the Island Fortress.