SEQUEL TO: ORDINARY WORLD
SUMMARY: Weeks later, Trent continues to do some independent search to free his father. But is it enough to finally free his father from his imprisonment? And at what cost to the rest of the team?
DISCLAIMER: Power Rangers is not mine. There could be some other references to other such hits as Star Wars, the Matrix and other genres not my own, so to those, I give you your credit under this title. I do own the property of how this series ends and the characters of Mindshatter, Dinoshade, the Cybots and Serena Oliver. Other than that, I also want to credit the inspiration behind the main title of this part of the series, Eminem, a man with a lot to say and knows how to get his way.
A/N: So, I'm jumping the gun just a little. But I was in serious need of getting this done. I got other ideas locked in my mind, that this story has got to end. But don't worry, it won't be like three chapter down the line, at least ten more chapters has to be inserted before I can end this. But I wanna say, it has been an amazing trip all the way. Thanks for all you readers who decided to stay on until now. The fun is just around the corner, if not right now. See you when I do and enjoy your stay while it lasts.
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"I cannot help but feel like I have not done enough to change all that has happened. Too much has happened and I cannot sit here any longer when we are so close to the truth. So close to ending this. I have to do what I gotta do to end this for good. And if it requires sacrifice, then so be it. Anything for the team. That's the real definition of a hero." –Eclyptyk Neo
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Weeks later.
Life in Reefside was getting back to normal, like it really was for those that were not a ranger. It was just hard to grasp or understand. Especially for a certain four teens who struggled to keep up with school as well as maintain their status as protectors of Earth. It was a lot of work that they just weren't sure if they could handle anymore.
And that was the thing. Things were nearly back to normal. Their science teacher was more like his serious self than ever, but had drilled on and on about keeping them on track. He wanted to make it clear he didn't want to see any of his senior students in his class the following fall. And they would have to agree. The teens were just glad that he was back on his feet, and showing no real signs of extreme damage to his performance as a ranger.
After that last battle during their time in the past, it was hard to really get the gist of what was going on around them. Things had changed significantly in the ranks of rangers, and who was around to help and who wasn't. Yet, it was even harder keeping all of what they knew within the circle of rangers rather than out in the world of who they were protecting.
But that was the thing. It was a little too quiet around Reefside, CA. They weren't sure what Mindshatter was planning next, and as far as they knew, the invisi-portal network system was still down. But there was no sign or word of Dinoshade, the cybots or even Mesogog.
Trent had gotten the day off. Hayley had noticed his signs of fatigue and anxiety were getting worst. Like his friends, she had grew worried about it. She had told him to take a few days off, even with as stubborn as he was about it. She had insisted he stay clear of the work place. He had to admit though that he was in need of some time off. And it was nice to have someone to talk to to clear his mind.
Two people, if he could really say. He had Kira to talk to, which made no hesitation to listen to him about things that went on in his mind. It's not like she could hesitate when she was in fact his girlfriend now. And then there was little Serena, who had spent quite a bit of time with her "older brother" just to get a more calming feel to life in America. But she didn't seem to have that many problems anymore, which he was glad to find. She had made a number of friends at school, but even a few enemies, which she hadn't told her dad about. Only him, but it wasn't anything serious. Just jealousy among second grade kids. Elsa had kept tabs on his father's business even more while he kept his sights on his education.
As much as the other students at Reefside knew about the artist and independent singer dating, they didn't really seem to show it much in public. And it had their peers saying other things. Not that they were ever doing something wrong or bad, they just knew their priorities and limits. They had respected their relationship and stayed more in the confides of privacy about what they did together.
School had ended yet again for the day. March was finally beginning, which meant the day drew closer to their graduation day. Kira and Trent had walked casually into the senior parking lot, conversing quietly.
"I'm so glad we get a three day week-end," Kira breathed a sigh of relief as she re-positioned the strap on her shoulder. "My teachers have been rather stingy lately about homework."
"I hear you. There hasn't been any breaks in school since basically, winter break," Trent nodded as he moved a little closer to her.
Kira noticed the gesture as she smiled lightly, pulling one hand free from his pocket and locking it in hers. "So, what are your plans for the weekend?"
Trent sighed dropping his head. "I got a competition...Science Olympiad on Saturday. But according to the work we've done this year, I'm not sure we will be making it to state."
"Is it that bad? I would have thought that with a lot of help from the science department would boost up your stamina as a team," she asked remembering some of the stories he had told her about it. Not that he was a geek, he was just a smart guy with a taste in science, not just because of his dad, but that was his next best subject, besides art. He was apart of the Science Club, which competed in a regional competition consisting of several science related events. If the team does well, they would advance to State and then Nationals. Yet, this was the first time the school had issued two teams, which meant double the work. "And someone like Dr. O should be an advantage?"
"He is. Just not a coach, more of a helping hand. Too busy with everything else going on in his life. Plus, he said he would refuse to go against a coach who was pregnant when we already had to deal with one at home," Trent managed a chuckle. There was a thing about science teachers at Reefside, or any affiliated with them, about a pregnancy in the past few years. "I just hope we do better than our rival school, Mesa Ridge."
"We beat them in everything anyway. You'll do fine," she encouraged him as she thought for a moment about their science teacher. "Yeah, that's no fun. Having to deal with a pregnant teacher in your own department and having one as your wife. And no offense to Coach or whatever, but I am starting to see her bad side rising up. I just hope that months from now, it won't be worse."
"Just don't get on her bad side," Trent stated as a warning.
"Yeah, that's true."
The two continued down the lot as they finally found Trent's car near the back end. If it wasn't evident enough that they were going out, catching rides had said it. Unless they had to work, then they would use separate cars. It would avoid collision and difficulty getting out of the lot. Directly after school, people were much crankier about getting out rather than in the morning to find a spot, unless they were running late.
For awhile, others would stop to stare at the two. Not that they were causing a scene, they never do. Nor had anyone at the school ever saw the two really show signs of PDA except holding hands. But that didn't give enough proof to anything their peers were hoping to find.
"We got a crowd again," Kira whispered into Trent's ear as she looked behind them to see the eyes of several peers on them.
"Like that's ever anything new," Trent shook his head. "Why must you kiss to show you're going out with someone? I mean, not that it is a bad thing, no. We have kissed. Are we just weird because we haven't gone public with it?"
Kira giggled shaking her head. "No. I don't think so. It's our choice, not theirs. I remember when my parents first starting going out, they didn't share their first kiss until their fifth date. They would occasionally hug or hold hands at school, but never really got farther until that kiss. And they were going out for nearly two months before the kiss happened."
"That's cool. It doesn't bother me that they talk, I just don't like the fact they have to make a big deal about it," Trent had to clear up. He looked over his shoulder again, seeing the little conversations building between his peers. And he knew that the rumors were beginning or spreading like wildfire.
Kira looked back as the number of people grew smaller as they drove away or walked on home. A few would stare as they crossed paths with the two. A few would give them looks that seemed rather threatening or just down right pathetic as if they were two stupid people.
"Let them talk. If they can't say anything to our faces about it then they're the cowards," she said as she turned away, pulling Trent along.
Trent had to admit she did have a point about that. That's one thing he had admired about her, she had a way to speak her mind. And sometimes when she was angry, it never quite seemed that way in how she talked, or so it seemed. Yet, he knew there was still a lot he had to learn about her, but was willing to give up the time to do it. They had enough in common to keep their relationship in line.
"Busy?" he offered hoping he could get some alone time with her. She shook her head as another smile passed her lips. "You wanna hit the park for awhile?"
"Sure. I'd like that, baby," she had to smile again.
Being a gentleman, Trent had opened up Kira's door and escorted her in. And he had moved over to the driver's side. She had taken the key from him and started up the engine, just to even the score. At times, she never liked the pampering that came with dating, even if he was only trying to be respectful and a gentleman.
But she had been told time and time again by coach that such guys like that never come to often and it was best to cling to them as much as possible. And to never be afraid to jump in and surprise him, too.
And sharing a quick kiss under the tinted windows, they had left the parking lot and headed off to their new destination.
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At the park, the two sat against a tree enjoying the coverage from the blazing sun. Sitting close, Kira was writing another list of lyrics she would hope to make into a song. Trent had been looking out into the distance drawing a kid in a wheelchair and what appeared to be his sister enjoying a snack at one of the tables.
"You know, this year is going by rather fast," Trent began as he looked over at his girlfriend.
"It has," Kira nodded as she looked up. She looked into the distance noticing what he was drawing. "Hey, that looks really good."
"Thanks," he smiled sheepishly. He had grown accustomed to her comments about his art work, and from others. Yet, at times he was rather embarrassed about it. Many people still knew him for his super hero drawings, not the more realistic and reality-based drawings. "Yeah, it isn't too bad. It beats dealing with getting crap for not doing work in art class. Man, I can't stand that class sometimes. The people in there just ain't my type of people. They act like they own everything or they're better than everyone else. It annoys me. I'm not like that. I just do what I gotta do and keep my grades up."
"Yeah, how has that been going? The whole grade thing. Has Dr. O been a father with a serious problem towards getting good grades?" she asked.
Trent shook his head. "He doesn't do that whole father thing around me. He treats me more like a brother, but you know with Serena, he has be a father. But he ain't strict or anything. He finds that grounding someone doesn't do much for anyone. He just give the whole lecture thing."
"What about Elsa? How does she feel about the whole second guardian thing?"
"You know, when I finally told her she didn't seem at all too surprised about it. She had said she knew something about that. But ya know, she still sort acts kinda like a mom when she's around. Sometimes she stops by the house to fill in all that business slips or whatever. But for awhile now, she has been rather stressed out about the whole Mesogog/Anton thing. I told her what happened, and she had suggested to help, but I told her not to. I insisted she don't put herself in this mix either. She has enough to worry about."
"Yeah, that must be hard. But she has done more than enough for our school and just keeping your dad's business running." Kira smiled as she patted his shoulder. Trent wrapped an arm around her waist laying a head on her shoulder. Kira decided to change subjects, hoping to distract his mind on the previous manner. "Yeah, Coach was all telling me they went to the doctor yesterday to check on the status on the baby," She paused a second to see him look over at her with interest. "She told me that it's gonna be a boy."
Trent sat up and looked at her, slightly surprised. He had remembered that their science teacher had preferred not to know what the sex was. "That's not what Dr. O told me. He said they didn't want to know."
"He's just doing that to throw us off. Don't worry, I know my sources and I know the truth behind them."
They all knew that Adam was no longer keeping checks on Kim about her pregnancy. It wasn't his field of medicine, but he knew a lot of good people they could go to to monitor the progress of Kim's pregnancy. But that still didn't stop Adam from watching the others and their health both physically and mentally.
The conversation had gone on for some time. They had brought up the new theories and information they had inquired in the last few weeks. It included the use of their zords and being able to use them more sufficiently, if it ever came down to that. Then there was a theory around finding a certain gemstone to fuse into each of their dino gems to give them more power against their enemies. Then there was the information about Mindshatter and what he did to the Lost Galaxy Rangers and the Silver Space Ranger. They didn't want to believe it, but when they saw it for themselves, it had said enough. There was work around creating weaponry that Billy could only classify as 'Light Energy' toward their enemies. Hayley had been working closely with Cam on some sorta computer system that could finally run the controls for Mindshatter and Dinoshade. But many of the things were still in experimental stages.
For awhile, they had just sat there. Hand and hand intertwined, as Kira laid a head on his shoulder. He laid a few kisses on her head as they just loved the company of the other. It had relayed any other thoughts going in their minds. It was a time for just the two of them. In their own world, but still bent on looking at the world around them. They weren't that absorbed in each other to look around them once and awhile.
Time passed, and it was time to call it in. Kira had to get home for one of those family night things, and had insisted on Trent join her. He liked the offer, but said he still had things to do. He mentioned most of it revolved around his competition and she had to agree. He had to prepare for that.
He had dropped her off, but not before they had shared a warm, passionate kiss on her porch before she had left to go inside. He had quickly got back to his car an headed home.
After having a quick dinner, he had moved to Anton's office.
For the weeks following their last battle with Dinoshade, Trent had been working vigorously to find a way into the island fortress. He had grown worried about what could have possibly done to his father, or worse off. He had nightmares of watching his father die at the hands of Mindshatter, and he had hoped they were only images. That it was no reality. He was also worried about that has happened to his father. Did Mindshatter's use of mind control out weigh the control of Mesogog?
There was too many things goin on his mind and that's what bothered him. He knew his performance in school was staggering, but it was just too bent on trying to find a way to save his father. His friends all knew it. Dr. Oliver and Coach didn't have to deny it.
He could only hope that he could find a way into the island fortress. He was growing restless of waiting for the right time to attack. He was tired of being patient. He knew as well as the other teens that they couldn't stand the wait anymore. They knew if they didn't move, Mindshatter would get the upper hand in this battle.
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Island fortress.
The dino menace, Mesogog, sat against the cool metal wall of the small confided room he had been kept in from the moment his alter ego had been captured. His scaly skin had been running with sweat as he tried to keep his composure.
But there was something different about him. There has always been something different about him. He looked like Mesogog, but he felt like Anton Mercer. There was a bind of cuffs around his wrists that worked well to cloud his thoughts. Nothing seem to come into clear perspective since the day of his final battle.
Here he was trapped like an animal against his will. But for the sacrifice of the power rangers. And that was one thing they didn't know. Even Mindshatter as he hoped. That the dino menace before them wasn't quite who they thought he was, but he couldn't tell them that. He couldn't hint at it. He had to keep up the act, two minds, thinking as one. He and Mesogog. As they fought to find a way to overthrow the robotic menace and his minions.
But from there, it was hard to say what was going on. What would happen after that. Could Mesogog possibly win over and take him out and try to take the Earth in his own rule? Or did Mesogog really have a change of heart? It was too hard to tell.
The images of his last battle played through his head. He knew, or had seen through the eyes of Mesosog, what was going on around him. But he couldn't seem to find a way to control his actions. They weren't of his own. His thoughts didn't seem to be his own, but Anton knew he was still inside the body of Mesogog and saw everything happen before him.
The events that lead the dino menace and Dinoshade into the past to finish the rangers off. But it hadn't gone well for the evil beings. Mesogog was holding back. Dinoshade showed no mercy. And when Zeltrax had gotten ahold of the black DT ranger, he had stopped the cyborg from landing the final blow. He had used the power of his mind to stop Zeltrax because he knew he had no mind capable of blocking out his control.
And during the drain of Zeltrax's power, it was truly Mesogog who had done it and not Anton. And he knew that when it was over, Zeltrax was really gone.
And then when the battle had finally returned to Reefside, Mesogog had given up himself -- or moreso, Anton -- to get the rangers to safety. Dinoshade had him in his lock and they had disappeared into the shadows where he was taken back to the island fortress.
The dino menace had faced Mindshatter alone, but the evil being had done nothing to him but place the cuffs on his wrists. And from there had left it at nothing. He had been in the holding room since then, and had no clue at what was going on outside of it.
But he had been fighting for months now, and he wasn't sure how much more he could handle. Or his alter ego. They had both taken capital punishment, but it was really him in the end. His body had been taken too much torment.
The dino menace took a ragged breath as he tried to think of a way out of this mess. He had to get out of here and soon. He had far too much vital information that couldn't be held within him. It had to be known. He just didn't know how.
Meanwhile, in the main lab of the island fortress, Mindshatter had continued his work on the damaged equipment. He didn't seem to trust just anyone to do it. They had all failed him. Dinoshade failed to destroy the rangers in the past as well as Mesogog. The cybots failed to stop the rangers from keeping the older rangers from freeing their comrade and escape. Even Zeltrax, the cyborg responsible for secretly giving him information, was now gone. He had no way of trusting anyone else but himself.
He had worked for weeks now, but had not gotten the portal system up to working status as it should have been. He had known Mesogog had made it a difficult program to set up and master, but he was after all a robot with a mind capable of doing whatever he could think of. But he had not gotten anywhere.
He knew of the betrayal of Mesogog, but he would not destroy him until he knew the rangers were destroyed. He could taste victory, but it felt so far away.
He felt the presence of Dinoshade in the room as he turned to the shadows. The figure emerged with a bow as he approached the robotic leader.
"My lord, I have come to discover since our last battle, the white DT ranger has desperately been searching for a way to free his father every night and day," Dinoshade had reported.
Mindshatter paced the room slowly and nodded. "That he has. I have an idea that could lure him to us. If I cannot seem to destroy these rangers as easily as the others, than I shall divide them slowly but steadily."
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Hours passed.
Trent felt like he would have to call it off for the night. He did in fact, had other things to keep in check. And he knew how much he still had to maintain in order to keep himself in line. He could only hope that there would be a way to free his father.
He began to close down the computer, when he noticed something strange in the network. He ran another line of codes passed it as it revealed a limited access to the invisi-portal system. But he knew that Andros had taken it out and he figured it was still in need of repairs.
Then the familiar green lightning darkened the room as a portal opened up. For a moment, Trent thought he was dreaming, but the portal was standing right there only a few feet in front of him. And the certain aura around it was calling him toward it.
He slowly got to his feet and walked over to it. Drawn to in almost like he was mesmerized by its power. And in a short instant, he walked into the portal and zoomed out of there. When he had opened his eyes, he now stood in one of the corridors of the island fortress.
He melted quickly into the wall using his dino gem's power as he began to morph into the wall. It was apart of him as he moved through the fortress. Still sent in a sorta trance, but being able to think, he had moved toward the call.
He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he somehow knew it was leading him to his father. And that's what his main objective was in the first place. To find his father and free him.
He saw a door at the end of the hallway and knew his father was held behind it. Yet, it was strange. It was too quiet. Really quiet, and he knew something didn't seem right. He quickly morphed, hoping to provide some more protectoin as he got closer to the door.
Time and time again he would look around him to make sure no one would take him by surprise. But nothing. No one. He was alone in the hall.
He tapped quietly on the door as he listened in for any possible sign of life. A little rattle came from within, and he knew someone was inside. He patted the wall hoping to find a keypad or a trigger to open up one.
There was no way to really open the door without one. He finally found it behind a loose panel as he looked at it widely. He wasn't the best guy to ask about electronic equipment. He was only educated on the basics and this panel seemed slightly complicating.
He tried to enter in numerical codes significant to his father's business, but nothing seemed to access the door. He had another idea as he used his dagger to pop off the keypad. He scanned the wires underneath and snipped off the red and blue ones, knowing they were the main two components to any circuit.
And it was what he needed as the door swooshed open and he cautiously stepped inside. The room was slightly dimmed except for a light centered dimly in the middle of the ceiling.
He noticed the figure immediately sitting against the far wall. He raced over to the dino menace, who seemed to be in a trance, grabbing his shoulders, hoping to wake the menace out of it. "Dad. Dad. Wake up. Snap out of it. It's me. Trent."
No answer. The dino menace seemed to stare beyond the white DT ranger into somewhere else. Trent shook him again trying to get his attention, but it wasn't working. He continued to call out to his dad as the dino menace slowly showed some signs of life. His eyes fell shut.
Time passed slowly as Trent tried to pull the dino menace to his feet. He moved but his weight seemed to outweigh the white DT ranger as he tried to pull him toward the door. He knew they had to get out of there, even if he noticed the menace was in some trance. He didn't care. He had come this far, so close and refused to see his father go through anymore torment.
"Trent," the dino menace finally spoke. His voice sounded so distant, but sounded more like Anton than Mesogog. "Trent."
Trent felt his knees weaken as he slowly lowered himself back on the ground, setting the dino menace down. As he looked at him, he noticed the dino looked physically weak, if not also mentally. It looked as if he hadn't eaten anything or been drained of his energy. "I'm here, dad. It's me."
The dino menace opened his eyes to reveal the blue ocean's Trent only knew to belong to his father. The look he had given the ranger was that of any caring father would do for his son, and it shook Trent up. He could feel the agony in his father as he tried to pull the dino freak up on his feet, but Mesogog refused.
"Dad, please. I can get you out of here," Trent stated as he grabbed an arm again.
The dino pulled his arm away and looked away. As he looked back up to see his son, the man inside the menace began to become more clear. He shook his head. "You shouldn't have come, Trent."
"No. This could be your only hope out of here, dad," Trent protested as he tried to shield his fear away.
"I have made far too many mistakes in my past. I must suffer for the consequences..." he continued. And at that point, he hadn't quite been addressing it to his son, but saying it to get it off his chest. Yet, he almost sounded delusional, too. Trent grabbed his father, forcing the dino menace to look at him. He pulled off his helmet to have the dino freak look directly at him. "Dad. you have to listen to me. I can get you out of here. There won't be anymore torment. We can find a way to free you from this scaly prison."
"You have no idea what Mindshatter is capable of doing or has been doing. Trust is crucial..."
"Then trust me now, dad. Trust me to get you out of here."
The dino menace shook his head, pushing his son toward the door. "I do, son. I do. But you cannot be here. If Mindshatter discovers you're here, he won't show you much mercy."
Trent refused to leave. He had never hear such doubt come from his father, no matter what, and that's what bothered him. He knew Anton was strong. A guy who could never really give up, but now, he seemed to be doubting himself as well as a possible chance to freedom. "I won't leave you. Not like this, dad. Not like this."
The dino menace shook his head as he pushed the white DT ranger out of the room. "Get out of here, Trent. I will not let Mindshatter subject you to the same torment as me. It's a trap."
Trent turned back to the room as he saw fear run in the eyes of his father. Then he looked up the hall and heard the footsteps echo through it. He had been discovered.
"Cybots, seize him!" the dark booming voice of Mindshatter shook the hall.
And when Trent looked back, the dino menace he swore was his father, was Mindshatter. He quickly looked into the room again, and saw the figure of a dino-like figure sitting against the wall. The large and tall figure stepped out into the hall as Trent backpedalled. The whole thing was a set up. Mindshatter had tricked him. He was trapped. He looked up the hall to see the cybots raise their weapons. But with Mindshatter behind him, they dare not shoot. Or would they?
Time seemed to slow around him. Trent wasn't quite sure what to do. He saw the huge form approach him slowly, and he just thought of the best thing he could do. He raced toward the charging cybots, close to the wall. And as he passed, he used his chameleon powers to melt against the wall for protection.
And the cybots were slow to realize what he did as they fired in the very direction of Mindshatter. But with an upraised hand, he had created an invisible field around himself. None of the laser fire grazed him or past through it.
"After him!" he demanded as a few cybots realized the white DT ranger was nowhere in sight.
Trent came to a halt as he caught his breath looking back to hear the footsteps of the approaching soldiers. He had kicked himself for letting his guard down for even a second and wasn't quite sure what to do.
He knew for the moments he had gotten a chance to talk to his father it was him, but in the very end, Mindshatter had tricked him and revealed himself to be Mesogog. He wasn't sure if Mindshatter was also a shape-shifter or if he was merely manipulating Trent's mind to believe he was talking to his father or was also a master of illusion. It was too hard to tell, but he truly didn't want to find out.
He looked through the halls trying to figure out where he was at. The place wasn't as different as it was during his time in the fortress, but the coverage of the wall, all made of metal, same texture and design, was throwing him off. He had no idea which way to go. And he was beginning to grow worried about it.
He had to get out of there. This was one mission that had to be aborted before it got worse. And the last thing he really needed was to get captured by Mindshatter, Dinoshade or the cybots.
He wasn't quite sure what his father's motives were now. Or what had become of his condition. He only knew that his father was beginning to reach his match and may not make it any farther. He wanted to do something. Needed to do something, but had no way to do it. He had wished he could have brought someone with him.
Trent thought for a moment. Ethan might have been hesitant to come, but he wouldn't want to let me go alone. Conner would find it a suicide mission that would require more than two rangers to seize the day. Kira might go, but she would clearly not like the idea of doing something behind the others back. Dr. Oliver would clearly say no without us looking at the options we had presented before us. And who knows what the other rangers would think?
He was stuck. Even if he wanted to go on this little adventure, he didn't think there would be anyone strong enough to support him in his cause. No one that would be capable of taking enough risks to do whatever it took to end this.
Laser fire exploded behind him as he dropped to the ground to avoid any blows. He peered over his shoulder to see the cybots coming his way through the smoky abyss of fire. He pulled himself to his feet and bolted up the hall hoping to find some cover to regain his thoughts.
He had to re-think his options. He knew that Mindshatter would be waiting for him if he got anywhere near his father again or even to the main lab. He had to keep his eyes peeled for the shadows, Dinoshade's greatest advantage in a fight. The cybots were quick witted and learned quickly from their mistakes, but they were still made of wires and armor coverings that made them heavy and bulkier than him.
He looked around the hall trying to re-trace his steps. He closed his eyes trying to remember the fortress as it was before it went through a new interior design. He figured no one would have gone down into the lower regions of the fortress. It was never in use due to the new halls above. In the beginning, he had learned that the island had been the home to the experiments his father and Dr. Oliver were working on years ago. The lower corridors were rumored to be unstable for support, but were where the first of their experiments began. Hidden in shadows, but an easy place to hide. A maze full of many corridors and could take days for his aggressors to find him. And if he was lucky, he could find a way out of there down there in the earlier set-ups of the invisi-portal network system.
He bolted up the hall, using his memories to recall the passages as he heard the footsteps grow closer yet again. As he rounded the corner, he came to a abrupt stop as he saw Dinoshade, arm out and pointing in his direction.
"Not so fast, white ranger," Dinoshade hissed as he took several steps toward the teen.
Trent caught his breath as he slowly backed away. He didn't know how, but he knew he would have to run like hell, face the consequence or try to fight his way out of there. He was running out of ideas as he raced forward, letting out a karate yell and pushed the robotic-dinosaur back.
Dinoshade whirled away before he could feel the wall hit his back. Trent crashed right into it, slightly dazed from the impact. The robotic-dinosaur grabbed the white DT ranger and knew him down the hall. Trent came to a screeching stop as he winced under the pain running down his arm. He looked up to see the robot coming his way, he rolled away and launched a few kicks into the robot and grabbed him, throwing him to the ground. Trent pushed himself to his feet using his drago dagger to launch several laser arrows throughout the hall. The hall became a smoky abyss as he raced out of there.
He continued on down the hall, until he saw a line of cybots come to a halt before him. They stopped to register what was going on then drew their weapons and began to fire. Trent deflected several shots, but a few came through striking him. He stumbled back under the impact, wincing again. His knees locked as the pain raced through his body and his vision began to blur.
The lasers continued to rain down on him as he tried to deflect a few more. He did, rolled away from others, but he was growing weak. He was growing tired. His movements began to slow down. A few more lasers struck him making him falter even more.
And when he had heard the stomping footsteps of Dinoshade approaching him, he knew he couldn't stop him. Dinoshade only had to throw the white DT ranger into a wall to knock him out cold.
The cybots raced over to retrieve the fallen ranger. Dinoshade ordered them to take the ranger to their master. They complied as they carried the ranger out of there. Dinoshade had moved down another corridor and disappeared into the shadows.
The cybots marched along with their new prize feeling some anxiety for facing their master. A few of them feared him, let alone worried. Their numbers were going down with every battle with the rangers, and they wouldn't last. Though some were lost, the others would gain from it. They would become stronger, but it could only go so far. And they knew that Mindshatter didn't like failure.
They moved into the main lab where Mindshatter had been waiting, sitting in his throne as they tossed the white ranger to the ground. They left without saying a word leaving the spiky menace with his captive. He looked at the motionless body for some time before rising to his feet and kneeling before the fallen ranger.
"Fear is the biggest downfall of any human. It will drive them into anger and hate for those around them. If they cannot control it, it will control them." Mindshatter had spoke as he turned the ranger around to lay flat on his back. He ran a huge hand over the helmet of the ranger and began to work his sorcery.
But not without realizing the presence of others in the room. In quick attacks, almost unseen by untrained eyes, Mindshatter had engaged in a battle with the air around him. He growled under the disturbance, and the trained skills they seemed to have to avoid any attacks.
He couldn't pinpoint them by their quick moves, but he knew he could by their weak minds. As he tried to search out where they were, they continued to attack in blurs or invisibly.
"I know you're out there, rangers. Your pathetic attempt to save your friend will not work!"
But as he looked down, he realized that the white DT ranger was no longer laying there. He let out a growl as he looked around the room. He launched an invisible force through the room as he heard the impact of something hit the walls and crash to the ground in the dimmed room.
He trained his eyes into the shadows trying to make the read-out of the figures now laying on the ground. He walked over to one figure pulling it to his feet and out into the light to reveal the black frog ninja.
Adam struggled to pull himself out of the grip, but couldn't seem to get out of it. His entire body was covered by the protection of a ninja uniform, only his eyes visible.
Another figure managed to race toward the back of the evil being as he launched a flying kick toward him. But Mindshatter sensed it and held up a hand to stop the red ape ranger in mid-air. With the movement of his hand, he sent Rocky across the room into a distant wall.
That didn't stop the hidden figure of the black DT ranger from re-calculating an invisi-portal and dropping the white DT ranger in. He turned back to the evil being and sent his own invisible force toward the robot. He had mis-interpreted the attack and went flying into the distant wall, releasing Adam.
Rocky staggered over as the black DT ranger held him up for support. That was something new, he spoke mentally to his teammate.It's a new experiment Hayley has been working on. Go, before he decides to get up. Tommy pushed Rocky toward the small invisi-portal in the room. He raced over and pulled Adam to his feet.
I'm okay. I'm okay. Adam groaned slightly as he rubbed his neck.
Go. Check out Trent's condition. I'll keep Mindshatter busy. Tommy stated as he pushed his friend toward the invisi-portal.
Rocky and Adam took one last look at their leader, but said nothing more as the black DT ranger disappeared using his dino gem. They raced into the portal as Mindshatter recovered slowly from the impact.
"Do you think you can master me in your knowledge of mind control, invisible forces and illusion, Oliver?" Mindshatter growled as he began to overturn the room in frustration.
"So, you decide to throw this place into a pigsty just to find me? I thought you were trying to find a way to destroy us, Mindshatter?" Tommy challenged as he slowly moved away. "Trust me, you won't become the victor in this war, Mindshatter. We will find your weakness."
"If you are capable of doing it. I am after all a man who outwitted the computers of Eltar. Do you think any weapons on Earth could destroy me? I have even used your own satellites to create a shield around this planet. You cannot send for outside help. You will fall." Mindshatter began to scan the room looking around to see if he could find the hidden ranger, but could not.
"There will always be a weakness in every evil out there. You have flaws. You have weaknesses just as any of us here. Even if Zordon built you, you have become a threat. And you have to be detsroyed."
"The red space ranger had said the same thing, and he still hasn't destroyed me. What makes you think you can?"
"And what makes you think you can defeat us? You've been fighting us for nearly three months and have failed every time. We're still here."
Mindshatter growled as he let out another invisible force hoping to find the black DT ranger. The black DT ranger caught the impact fighting to push it back, just as Mindshatter realized where his force had stopped. In the corner by the invisi-portal console. He let out another force that had the black DT ranger struggle with twice the impact closing him against the corner.
He closed his eyes and focused all of his energy into the weight on his arms as he pushed it foward, but it had forced him and Mindshatter into a wall. Tommy let out an exhausted breath as he pushed himself to his feet. Mindshatter was on him before he had a chance to become invisible again. Tommy was thrown to the ground, the weight of the evil being crushing him.
Tommy concentrated the energy in the room again as he gathered it up and pushed his palms outward, throwing Mindshatter to the ground. Tommy grasped for breath as he felt air run through his lungs again. He slowly got to his feet, dazed by the impact. He kicked the leading robot to the ground just as he was getting up and used another invisible force to push Mindshatter away.
"I will not be defeated. And no one messes with my friends and gets away with it," Tommy replied coolly.
"So, you will let Anton die to save his son?" Mindshatter hissed.
"I will do what I must to save this planet from your destruction." Tommy turned and bolted out of the room. He used what knowledge he had learned about the fortress from Adam and the others to seek out what he was looking for.
He heard the approaching steps of cybots coming his way. He cloaked himself with his dino gem and continued down the hall undetected. He continued through the corridors when he came to a stop at an open door at the end of one hallway.
He saw the figure hidden inside as he raced over to it. He stopped a moment, to realize the trance the dino menace was in. He snapped his finger hoping to ger him out of it, but it didn't work. He placed a hand on the head of Mesogog and uses his ninja magic to awake him.
Mesogog, or Anton, he wasn't quite sure, stirred. The dino menace looked up to reveal the hint of blue in his eyes, and Tommy knew it was his friend. He blinked slowly to clear his vision and saw the black DT ranger looming over him.
"Tommy..." his voice sounded so weak and distant.
"I know Trent was in here earlier. I've come to get you out of here, Anton," Tommy said calmly as he pulled the dino menace to his feet.
Anton refused, just as he did with his own son, pushing the hand away and collapsing on the ground. "It's too late for me, Tommy. I've done all I can to protect you. To save you. I'm sorry I cannot do anymore."
Tommy couldn't believe what he was hearing. For a man he knew for years now, a guy who had influenced and inspired him in so many ways was giving up on him. It didn't make any sense. He knew Anton was still living with the scars of his past, but he didn't want him to think there couldn't be anything left to save him. "That's crazy talk, Anton. Don't let Mindshatter fool you. That's all he is trying to do. He is trying to build up fear, guilt, anger, whatever he can, to divide us. Are you forgetting what you've already done for me and the other rangers?"
The dino menace shook his head. He looked back up at his friend as the painful memories of his past played through his mind. If not him, but of his alter ego, which who Tommy was looking at right now, Mesogog. He may have felt like Anton, but he didn't look like himself. "What more can I do for you, Tommy? I've failed all of you."
"You're still here, Anton. You may look more like your alter ego, right now, but you're still here, Anton. You're still alive. You haven't failed anyone but yourself if you keep blaming yourself."
Anton held his breath as he pulled out a small disk hidden in the black apparel and held it out for the black DT ranger. "It may not be much, but I managed to obtain some information for you to use against Mindshatter." He indicated the bindings around his wrists. "I'm stuck here, Tommy. Until I can find a way out of them, I can't get out of here, or I will be destroyed. Look after Trent for me. I'll see what more I can do for you, but it may not be much."
Tommy took the disk and nodded firmly. "Thank you, my friend. We will be back for you. Stay strong and don't give up."
"May the powers always protect you, Tommy. Tell the other rangers as well. Now, go." Anton demanded.
Tommy was hesitant to leave the room as he slowly backed away. He had to trust his friend on this as he raced out of there and hoped to find another way out of there.
He pulled out a device from his belt and began to push a few keys on it, watching the code run through the small screen. He watched as the entered a line of code into it and an invisi-portal opened up in front of him and he disappeared through it.
He arrived just outside the Mercer homestead as he raced into the house to see the black and red ninja rangers looming over the unconscious white DT ranger. He dropped his suit as he raced over in his civilian form toward them.
"You made that seem easy," Rocky commented as he noticed the black DT ranger.
"Well, it seems some of this new equipment is actually liking us. So, how is he?" Tommy looked down at the white DT ranger laying on the couch.
"He'll be fine as far as I could tell. He just got knocked out. Yet, he is really stressed out about his father. It's been bothering him for weeks now." Adam reported as he dropped a few drops of an herbal medicine on Trent's forehead. "I think we got him out of there before Mindshatter could inflict any serious damage to him."
"Yeah, I can tell. His performance at school is starting to show it just a little," Tommy replied. He looked down at the teen, as the images of the day he heard he had second custody over the boy if anything would happen to Anton. He had to admit he wasn't acting like much of a father to Trent, but he knew what the teen was capable of. He trusted Trent to make some of his own decisions, but would always be there if he needed help.
"We should let him rest. That's all we can do for him," Rocky said.
"Sometimes you got to learn some things on your own," Adam added.
"We need to report back to Hayley, Billy and Cam anyway. I'm sure they're wondering how their experiments are going," Tommy stated as he directed the two toward the door.
The three older rangers left the house, and reported back to the underground lab in the late hour of the night.
Hours passed.
Trent groaned quietly as he opened his heavy eyes and looked around. He quickly sat up in a pani as he realized he was back in his house. He looked around the room to realize it was now early morning. He couldn't even remember what happened the night before, or how he came to be back in his house.
He heard the echoing clank of dishes in the kitchen and the aroma of breakfast filled the room. He rubbed his forehead as he slowly got to his feet and headed into the kitchen to see who was there. He slowly staggered over to a stool and sat down yawning.
"Oh, you're up," the voice of a woman filled his ears. He looked to see it was Elsa as a light smile covered her face. "I heard you've been really stressed out since that last battle weeks ago. I thought I would come by and surprise you with some breakfast. I heard from Tommy you haven't been eating much either."
Trent sighed as he rubbed his head again. He couldn't seem to figure out what had happened in the past night. He could only remember he was in his father's office and the next he was in the living room, sleeping. He had to admit, he hadn't really eaten much, but that's because he just didn't have the time.
Elsa walked over to him and placed a glass of orange juice and a plate full of breakfast before him. "You really need to eat something. I have also heard from some of your teachers you've been falling asleep in class, too."
Trent smiled lightly as he thanked his father's girlfriend for the meal. He took a few bites from the eggs as he let out a sigh. He looked at the figure in the kitchen wishing he could see his father right there beside her. He had gotten used to her frequent visits to the house, and even preferred to have her stay just to keep him company. But had not gotten the guts to tell her she should stay. "Yeah, well it's been really hard, you know. School. Being a ranger. Work."
Elsa turned to look at him. She walked over and placed a plate for herself in front of him. He placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder as another smile came to her lips. "I know, Trent. I know it's really hard not having your father here, especially now. And even being a senior is rough. You're lucky to have so many friends who can help you out."
"Or even have some company around this huge place," he managed to push open a smile for the woman before him. "Even you have been more than enough help to keep my father's business going. I really appreciated it."
"It's not a problem, Trent. Now, you can't forget, your father and I went back even before the whole Mesogog/Elsa thing. We met back when I was in college, and business was one of my specialities next to science. And it keeps me busy just so I don't have to worry too much about him."
Trent looked down for a moment. And Elsa caught her tongue, knowing she had hit a sensitive subject among the two of them. Both of them were worried about Anton, and it was clear they wanted to find a way to help him. But there was just no way, not yet.
She had reassured him, hoping to lift some burden off his shoulder. She had even suggested he should go out and hang with his friends for a few hours to clear his mind. She knew that it always helped him when he was stressed out. He had to agree.
They quietly finished their food as she offered to clean up.
"Thanks, mom," he replied as he left the room.
At that moment, Elsa thought she was hearing things, but when she let the words dwell in her mind, she knew that Trent had accepted her more than just his dad's girlfriend. She had remembered the nights she had hung out with Anton he was joking about marriage among the two of them. But never thought he was serious. Time and time again Trent had told her the same thing. That there were some times Anton would tell his son about her, but never had told her. One had included that.
She smiled under the thought of those words, again. And she could almost feel the reality that perhaps, she could call this her home among those she cared about the most.
to be continued...
A/N: Sorta a twist of crazy plots going on, huh? But, I' m trying to work around getting this done. I want to get cracking on some other story idea. Not necessarily Power Rangers, but perhaps, back to my Star Wars fiasco. I am hoping to get a few readers for those pieces on it I did nearly two or three years ago, but I guess we'll see. Other than that, I can't think of anymore to say. I'll see you when I do. Read on and find out what happens next for our heroes. May the Powers Always Protect You.