Summary: An old enemy returns and Dr. Oliver fights it alone. Can he survive?

Author's Notes; Action packed. These are the keywords for this story. Cliffhanger'd again? Yeah, most likely. More twists? Kind of. After chapter 30, the story is going to take a drastic change of mood for a bit. It'll get a bit lighter. Love you all, and I'm EXTREMELY sorry about the slow update TT

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"Adam, let me ask you a question; a man-to-man kind of question." Rocky said, leaning in the doorway. "Do you ever think about women?"

Adam swiveled in his chair, looking amused by his friends question. "Why?" He answered back, holding his chin.

"Every time we see each other, Adam, you always have your nose buried in a damn book! If it's not a book, it's over a test tube, man." Rocky frowned, staring at his friend. "Have you ever thought about pursuing a family?"

"Honestly, Rocky, no I haven't." Adam grinned, seeing the stunned look on his friends face. "My work means more to me right now then chasing some skirt."

Rocky held out his hands, preparing to say something but stopped himself. He looked at the window, moved to say something again and paused. Adam grinned, seeing him flustered and shrugged.

"What's wrong, Rocky?" He teased, rubbing his chin. "Loss for words?"

"Why are women not as important as your work?" He asked finally, blinking several times. "Give me three good reasons, man."

Suddenly, they heard the door shoot open and slam against the wall; followed by an angry, womanly growl echo through the halls. "I'm going to kill those little twerps!"

"Reason 1: Women complain…a lot."

They heard several pair of foot steps stumble into the room followed by another familiar voice.

"Things will get better, Kira." A short pause. "Right, honey?"

"Reason 2: They back us men in the corner of doom. If you be honest, you die. You lie, you die."

There was silence for a moment. "Of course Kim, why wouldn't they?"

"Yeah, okay, Dr. O; You try running a band that is full of arrogant, jockey pricks and at the same time manage to keep composure." The female answered with a growl.

"Reason 3: Women are the masters of twisting words and phrases to get us in trouble."

"I already have." Tommy replied. Adam winced.

"And what's that suppose to me, Dr. O?" Rocky winced.

"I'll even go as far as giving you a fourth reason: no matter what we say or do, we can never win." Adam explained and waved his hand. "Sorry man, but I have work to do, Rocky. Would you please shut my door on the way out?"

Rocky nodded and shook his head as he pulled the door shut. Satisfied, Adam swiveled in his chair again and picked up the pen. Back to work…

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"Dr. O, please tell me I wasn't that bad in school?" Kira growled, rubbing her throbbing head. "If this is what it's like being a teacher, how in God's name can you deal with it?"

"Patience. You should have insurmountable levels of patience." He glanced at Conner, grinning. "Especially if you have that Jock as your boyfriend."

Conner glared and huffed as everyone broke into laughter. It was a quiet evening that night as laughter filled the house. Everything seemed perfect Tommy; almost to perfect. Surprisingly, there had been no bickering, fussing or disagreements; instead, it was a time to share old stories between past and present rangers. It was a night one many wished for.

But it also set Tommy thinking. He stared into the fire, lost in thought and oblivious to the conversations around him. Was this what you felt when you were about to die? Unexplainable bliss? He looked away from the fire and turned to the window, peering up at the nighttime sky. There was only a few hours left until Zordon's prediction would come true. But who would be his enemy? Where would he come from?

None of these questions could be answered and Tommy sighed against his hand, facing the fire again. He couldn't stand just sitting here, doing nothing, knowing he was about to die. His eyes flickered over to Kimberly's, seeing her smile as Rocky told a story. Forever he wanted to wake up to that smile and only that smile. After being apart for eight years and finally getting back together, he wasn't about to let it end so soon.

"I'll be back later." Tommy said abruptly, cutting Rocky off mid-sentence. "I have some things to take care of." He stood up and reached from his jacket but stopped as he saw the dino gem glow. He swallowed hard and threw on his jacket, glancing back at the stunned and confused faces. "In case I don't ever see you again…goodbye."

Without a moment to object or even question him, Tommy vanished within the comfort of his invisibility and made a quick leave. If his enemy was indeed close, the Dino Gem would lead him right to him…

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Reefside High; December 3rd, 2005

Tommy looked up at the bold, white letters and scanned the darkness around him. The dino gem was glowing even brighter, and it had even become painfully hot. Who, or whatever, was after him was here, inside the school. He looked away from the bushes and too the doors. All teachers had access to the school at nights incase of an emergency, but not many used this privilege.

Taking a deep breath, he scanned the darkness once more and when he was satisfied, he approached the school doors and pulled out his keycard.

The dino gem went berserk.

"I thought I'd find you here, Dr. Thomas Oliver." The menacing voice growled.

Tommy winced as he felt a wave of fear rush up his spine. That voice belonged to one person and one person only…

"Mesogog…" Tommy muttered and turned to face his enemy. The dino-boned face demon stood before him, dawning that all to familiar black leather. Tommy winced, unable to read the demon's expression and he felt a sudden cold terror rush down his spine. "How are you still alive?"

Mesogog gave an innocent shrug and began to pace, tapping a clawed finger against his chin. "I suppose I have the Source of All Evil to thank for that, Tommy." He hissed with blood red eyes. "Without him…I'd never be able to finish my dreams…"

Tommy sighed and looked down at his dino gem. Memories flooded his mind; memories he thought long dead. That fateful day with Mesogog was thought to be the last. They had nearly used all the Dino Gem's power to defeat Mesogog, but it seems even that wasn't enough. With a flick of his wrist, the brachio morpher appeared and he looked up at the dino-menace.

"Alright Mesogog…lets finish this once and for all…" Tommy stated coldly, raising his arm. A quick tap of the button and a black-gold light enveloped his being. When it dispersed, only a black-gold suited ranger stood before Mesogog.

Mesogog half-smiled, half-sneered and stretched his arms outward. For a moment, there was silence between the warriors and suddenly, in a brilliant flash of light, the monsters collided…

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Many of you are probably going will the twists ever end? Yes, soon, but let me explain something first. I'm the type of person who throws big twists in every where. Too me, twists are what keep readers coming back; always expect the unexpected, they say.

Well, here's a twist for you.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, seeing as the next one is about to be rather long and rather good…

May the Powers Protect you…