Alright so for those who have been fallowing this story from the before this chapter on the date of April 5, 2019 you are going to want to go back a reread. I have changed some important things about Zara for the better I hope but please let me know. Also I thank you for your patience as I had not been updating due to the changes I have made. For those who are reading this for the first time, you're good to go on.

-o0o-

Chapter 11

Mesogog was pacing in what was the equivalent to his throne room, anger rolling off him in waves. Elsa his only remaining minion was not present as she had once again failed to destroy the rangers and take their Dino Gems. She had tried a pen with a special potion in it that allowed a well-known comic book artist to trap them in a comic book. He had written an ending that would lead to all but the white ranger's destruction. Mesogog was cursing both Anton and his adopted son Trent, who is the white ranger and had used the same pen to free his teammates from the trap it had made.

Despite her latest failure, Elsa had been redeeming herself by trying to learn all she could about Zara Rodgers, her son Tobias and about the strange energy that constantly surrounded them. The boy's seemed very similar to the Dino Gems themselves but he couldn't possibly have one as he is a child and there was only 5 rangers. His mother was the biggest anomaly as her energy felt ancient is some way. It was clear she had no control over it as Mesogog could séance it even when Anton was in control of their still currently shared body. Mesogog was determined to bring Zara and her son to his base and learn their secrets. "Elsa?!" he growled as a plan began to form in his mind.

Elsa was quick to arrive, almost running into the lab, plastering a smile on her face as she approached him. "You called for me my lord." She asked.

"Elsa I want you to make a monster and send it to distract the rangers and well they are fighting I will bring Zara Rodgers here. It's time to learn what secrets she and her son are hiding and how I can best exploit them for my own purpose." Mesogog explained as he looked at his collection of specimens.

Elsa frowned as she was confused by a part of his plan. "Forgive me my lord but did you mean to say that I will be retrieving Mrs. Rodgers? Because I heard you say that you would be."

"You heard correctly. I have had enough of your failures, I will take care of this personally." he hissed at her.

Zara's Pov

Christmas holidays soon were over, so it was back to school and monster attacks every few day, as per the norm. The New Year brought new challenges as during a monster attack some Tryannodrones had attacked me and I was a bit beaten up. Tommy to say the least was not happy by this so he offered/ told me that he would be teaching me martial arts. Tobi of course wanted to learn too but both of us said he could wait till he was a bit older. It was going well most days and I found myself enjoying it, which was very different from my days in the military.

When we did find some free time Tommy, Tobi and I would go out and have some good old family fun, even though Tommy isn't really a part of our family. Don't get me wrong I had begun to wonder what it would be like if Tommy and I did get married. I know my mom and Janet would be all for it as they had hit it off really well with Tommy's mom but my dad was a different story. My dear old dad Gabe has more then pointed out that he feels that Tommy and I are rushing things. I have assured him that we are doing no such thing but he has always been protective of me, even though I'm not biologically his.

You see my mom had meet my biological father when she was studying abroad. They dated, fell in love and were married but after 3 years, not too long after I was born he suddenly just up and left. He left no explanation save that he was sorry he was leaving but he had to if my mom and I were to be safe. Safe from who or what he never said but by the time I was 2 mom had come to the conclusion that he had lied and had simply run off. By the time Gabe entered our lives I was so starved for a male affection that I latched on to him and didn't let him go. Now with a similar situation happening but this time with my son I couldn't exactly blame for him for worrying. I had tried to reassure him that Tommy wasn't like that even though he and Tommy's brother David and his father had gotten along swimmingly. In the end I figured if Tommy and I did get to the point where we would get married, Gabe would simply have to except it.

But back to the now, Tommy was helping me prepare for Tobi's 5th birthday. I already had the cake ordered and my gift for him. I knew Tommy was excited for Tobi's birthday, even though I did warn him that most if not all of Tobi's class was coming. "I teach and mentor teens on a daily bases and I have saved the world from power crazed villains more times then I dare count. I think I can handle a large group of little kids for a few hours." He seemed very confident as he said this well we picked up the last of the decorations. Oh he was in for a rude awakening in a few days.

As we took our purchases out to his jeep, as my car was in the shop for an oil change, when his communicator beeped. I looked around, checking the cost was clear before I nodded at Tommy to go ahead well taking his bags. "Go ahead Hayley."

("Tommy the other rangers have engaged a monster and Tryannodrones downtown, not far from your current location.") Hayley informed him.

"Alright, tell the others I'll be there soon. Tommy out." He said as he walked over and gave me a kiss well handing over his keys. "Meet you at your place after the situations been dealt with."

"Sounds good to me. Go give them hell." I said well giving him a grin, which he returned before he ran off to find a privet place to morph. I jumped into the driver's seat and headed towards home to hid the decorations before going to pick Tobi up from his friend's house. I hadn't gone very far down the road when there was a familiar flash from an invisaportal. A dinosaur man creature appeared right in the middle of the road and right in front of Tommy's jeep. I hit the brakes hard and veer wide, barely missing the creature who didn't even flinch as the jeep skidded by it.

I sat there in complete shock, gripping the steering wheel tightly and breathing hard as my mind tried to sort out what had just happened. I heard some stomping foot falls heading towards me and I turned to see the creature coming towards me. "Um you wouldn't happen to be a monster sent by Mesogog would you?" I asked it as I tried to make my hands release the wheel.

"I am Mesogog." He growled as he picked up the pace. I yelped as I pushed the gas pedal down, in attempt to drive away but he grabbed onto the back of the jeep and held it in place. So I gave up on that idea and franticly climbed out of the jeep, wanting to get as far away from him as possible. Let's say I didn't get very far as he grabbed me and before I could say anything he teleported us away. I felt sick as we landed in his lab right next to Elsa. "Hello Zara, welcome to my masters Island Fortress. I hope you enjoy your stay here."

"You know that last time I saw you I was a bit out of it due to the poison but now that I have a good look at you I have to say you look very familiar. Oh and as for my stay, I don't intended for it to be very long." I stomped on Mesogog's foot as hard as I could causing him to hiss in pain his grip on me coming lose. I pulled myself free and pushing past Elsa running as fast I could down a corridor in hope of finding an invisportal off the island. That was the plan at least but it seemed that the place was giant maze but I soon found myself outside. I kept running as I heard Mesogog's angry roar filled the air as did his order for a search party to find me. I just hoped that I would find a random invisaportal out here and get back to the outside world.

Tommy's Pov

By the time I retched the rest of the rangers to help them with the monster and Tryannodrones, they were just finishing up. Something seemed almost too easy about it as the monster wasn't even reenergised to for a big fight. We powered down and regrouped as I called Zara so she could come pick me up in my jeep before she went to go get Tobi. I then knew something was wrong as it went straight to her voice mail. "Hayley please tell me you can trace Zara's phone?" I asked through our comms.

After a moment of silence from our tech support Hayley answered. ("Um I hate to say this Tommy but I can't. Her phone has gone off the satellite foot print which means I can't trace her phone but I do have a lock on your jeep.") She informed me which immediately worried me as Zara had been driving my jeep. Getting the location from Hayley we headed to my which we found was deserted in the middle of the road a few blocks from Zara's house with the keys still in the ignition.

"It stands to reason that Mesogog has kidnapped Zara, but why?" Ethan asked as they all climbed into my jeep. Kira and Conner around Tobi's car seat, which remained me that Tobi was still at his friend's house and now I would have to go pick him up. "What is Mesogog and Zeltrax's obsession with our gym teacher?"

"With Zeltrax he simply wanted to hurt her to hurt me out of revenge." I explained as I drove to Conner's as I knew his car was parked there. "Why Mesogog wants her for I hate to imagine. I need you guys to call Trent and have him meet us all back at my place. I'll be there right after I pick up Tobi from his friends."

"Sure thing Dr. O. Um did you want us to take these with us too?" Kira asked as she held up the bags full of birthday decorations. I agreed with that as I dropped them off at Conner's and headed to get Tobi and head towards home. I have begun wonder if like his mother Tobi is an Empath as well as he seemed to not only notice the absence of his mother but that I was worried. "Is my mommy in danger again?"

"I can't say for sure buddy but I hope not." I told him as I buckled him into his car seat.

Tobi sighed as he looked down. "This is all my fault." He mumbled stopping me dead in my tracks well I gave him a confused look. He looked at me as he fished something out of his pocket. "Not too long after we moved here I found this in our back yard. I thought at first that it was a good luck charm as you made mommy happy and have been nice to me. Now I think it's cursed as mommy keeps being taken from me and I don't want to lose her like I did daddy." He said all this as he put a familiar rock in my hand but this one was green.

"You've been carrying a Dino Gem around for months and you didn't tell anyone?" I asked him stunned that this had gone unnoticed by not only Zara but the rangers and myself all this time. Tobi nodded as tears formed in his eyes and I knew then he felt that because he had kept it to himself that his mom was in trouble again. I made him look at me as I wiped away his tears. "Tobi, you are not in any way responsible for Mesogog taking your mom and you have my word as a ranger that I will bring her home to you. I promise."

-o0o-

Hayley and the other rangers couldn't help but stare at Tobi and the green Dino gem that I had just analysed and confirmed was indeed the real thing. This of course meant that Justin Stewart from my Turbo days was no longer the youngest power ranger ever. "Hold on a second Dr. O if the is indeed a Dino Gem how has its energy not been picked up by any of our or even Mesogog's scanners?" Trent asked confused.

"Yeah because if I remember correctly even before the white gem bonded to Trent you picked it up and even then it was just barely as Mesogog had messed with it." Ethan reminded us which I couldn't fault him for.

"In all honesty I have no idea how the green gem hasn't been detected by any of us and right now its not high on my priorities. Hayley have you had any luck at locating Zara?" I asked her well I put the green gem in a secured box that is designed to block out any scans that could pick it up.

"No I haven't but I have had some luck at locating an active invisaportal outside of town. Its not the same one that you guys used last time but it should lead to Mesogog's Island Fortress." Hayley explained as she brought up a map with the invisaportal's location on it. Before we could come up with a plan of action the alarm went off and checking what it was we saw that Mesogog had sent not only one but two monsters this time down town.

"Alright you 4 go deal with the monsters, I'm going to take the invisaportal and go after Zara." I ordered as I went to the wall where Zara's bows, quivers and arrows were kept. I opened the box of special arrows Max had made for her and began to put some in her pouch quiver, before picking up her collapsible bow.

"Dr. O you can't just go there on your own, who knows what you'll run into on that island." Kira said as she and the others joined me. "You should at least take Trent with you as he used to be evil and on their side, so he knows his way around. No offence Trent."

"None taken Kira as I agree with you." The white ranger said as he stepped forward. "I do know my way round Dr. O."

"I appreciate the offer Trent but your better off helping the others with those monsters downtown. I'm just going in after Zara and back out again with her in tow." I informed them as I took Zara's gear and loaded it on my black atv. No one argued with me after that we all morphed and headed out. I headed towards the surrounding forest where the portal would be located, hoping that Zara was ok. Though I guess I didn't have to worry to much as she is former marine and I have been training her the last few weeks.

Zara's Pov

After running through the thick forest for a while I had located a small cave which I was able to cover the entrance with some nearby shrubs. I took a few moments to catch my breath and wondering why I had listened to Tommy and left my collapsible bow at his house. Even without my bows or gun that didn't mean I was fare from defenceless as I once was. I did have the hand to hand training David taught me but some tricks if it came down to me needing to survive on this island. I had a feeling that Tommy and the other rangers would most likely come after me but I wasn't about to sit and wait for rescue.

Once I had caught my breath I started to come up with a plan of action. I knew the chances of finding an invisaportal out here in the forest would be slime. So my best chance to find a way back to the outside world was to go back to the fortress. Being a sniper I had the training to sneak in undetected if I had to but I needed to know where I was going. As I thought over my options a yawn suddenly hit me and I started to feel a bit sleepy. "Not the time for sleeping Zara." I told myself as I slapped my face well getting to my feet. "Your behind enemy lines and you need to find a way to get out." I went back to thinking over my options but the sleepy feeling grew and more yawn escaped me. Then without warning my legs gave out and my world went dark.

My eyes felt heavy as I struggled to open them as I heard someone approaching then kneel next to me. "Zara, you must wake as we have much to discuss." Said A female voice I knew but I couldn't really place. I struggled to open my eyes for a few more minutes but when I did I saw the last person I expected to see was leaning over me.

"Dulcea, what is going on?" I asked as she helped me to my feet and I finally looked at my surroundings. I was back in the ruins on what I was sure was another planet but I didn't understand how I had come back there. "What am I doing back here? I was in a cave on Mesogog's Island trying to come up with a plan to get back."

"I do ask for your forgiveness Zara as I have brought your consciousness here as I require your assistance and I believe I can be of help to you." Dulcea said as she indicated that I should take a seat on what looked to have once been a stone bench. "After your last unexpected visit I have spent much time in deep meditation and I have had a vison of the future. I have reason to believe that the universe will soon be in danger."

I stared at her. "You brought my mind here well my body lays in a cave, where Mesogog can just grab me and do whatever he wants to me, just so we could talk about what might soon happen?" the look Dulcea gave me was one of displeasure but I just glared at her well I crossed my arms over my chest. "I don't want to be rude Dulcea but I am in a jam back on earth that I need to get myself out of and I can't do that well I'm here."

"Then allow me to share with you what I need to and then I will return you but I assure you it will be worth the trouble." Dulcea assured me as she put her staff aside and sat across from me. "I am sorry about having to bring you here but as I do believe that you are a descendent of the Ninjetti and as such are more powerful than a simple Empath. Though I need you physically here to test my theory of your ancestry. If I am correct then you will be a needed along with all the Power Rangers when the coming darkness ascends on our universe."

Now I frowned at her. "What Darkness?"

"I know not who is behind the darkness save I saw Tommy and the other rangers facing off against a black dragon that wanted to devourer them. In all of my visons it succeeded when you were not there and trained to the full extent of your powers." Dulcea explained but I couldn't help stare at her.

"Powers, what powers? I'm a single mother, who is a stand in gym teacher till the end of the school year, with Empathic abilities. I don't even know what I'm going to do when the old gym teacher returns from her mat leave." As I said this I realised that I hadn't really thought about what I would do when the old gym teacher returned next school year. I shook my head and pushed those thoughts aside to go over later, when I wasn't talking to an immoral warrior and my life wasn't in danger. "Ok say your right what do you need me to do?"

"I need you and Tommy to come to Pheados but only after the current enemy that you are facing is defeated and your world is safe. For now I may be able to help you with your current predicament if you share with me details on this Mesogog and his Fortress." Dulcea smile as I told her what I knew of Mesogog, his invisaportal network, the Tryannodrones, Elsa and Zeltrax. "I believe that you can use your Empathy to séance the nearest invisaportal but you must focus. Meditate and let nothing distract you from finding the means to returning to your son and Tommy. That is if you trust me."

"Of course I trust you Dulcea." I said and I was bit surprised that I did, even though I have only meet her in mind and not physically.

Dulcea nodded as she got to her feet, picking up her staff and approaching me. "Then I expect to see you both when your world is safe. Until them take care of yourself, your son, Tommy and the young rangers you fight alongside." With this said she once again hit me with her staff and I suddenly found myself siting up in the cave. I sat there greatly confused as I rubbed my chest where she had hit me, half expecting it to hurt but found it didn't.

"Ok then that was wired but whatever." I muttered before I made myself comfortable and began to try and meditate. To try and reach out and see if I could us my so called power to séance any nearby inivsapprtals. I have in the past tried meditation to clear my mind as it allowed me to focus on missions where I had to be the team sniper. It has been a few years but my body and mind remembered the motions. My mind was so blank and I then began to reached out, focused my thoughts on locating any portals nearby. It almost seemed that in answer I felt a pulse of energy not 5 feet from where I was currently hiding. I quickly left the cave and fallowed the pulse to a small clearing that had a small creak running through it. Stepping into the clearing I nearly jumped for joy when the invisaportal opened in front of me but it was short lived. I heard growling behind me, turning I nearly deflated as I saw a group of Tryannodrones heading my way. I didn't hesitate to jump into the portal and not a moment later I landed hard on a forest floor, right in front of a black and gold atv that skidded to a stop. "I don't believe it, Zara?" Tommy asked in surprise.

"Hey Tommy how's it going?" I asked around a groan as I rolled over and looked at him. I couldn't read his face as he was morphed well he climbed off his atv and ran over to me but I could feel his relief. He pulled me to my feet and pilled me into his arms before I could warn him about the Tryannodrones that would most likely fallow me.

"You had me worried, and Tobi has been blaming himself." Tommy informed me which I found confusing. I was about to ask what he was talking about but just them the Tryannodrones arrived causing our moment to be ruined. Tommy pushed me towards his atv as he engaged the drones and I saw that he had brought my compact bow and its arrows. I didn't hesitate to grab it and start taking out as many drones as I could with it along with the new skills Tommy has been teaching me. At some point during the fight we ended up back to back which allowed me to be a bit more aggressive with my shots.

Soon the last of the drones were down for the count and we were left standing in the middle of a group of what was left. I took the time to double check that they really were dead as I slowly made my way back over to the atv. "Well this has certainly been an interesting day but right now I am ready to see my son. So what do say Tommy, let's head back to the lab." I said as I secured my bow to my belt, my back to him, and then hearing a strange thump, like something being drop to the ground. I turned to see what it had been found myself roughly pulled against my now helmetless boyfriend right before he claimed my mouth in a heated kiss.

I closed my eyes as I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling a deep protectiveness from Tommy but was mixed with a burning need. Tommy nipped at my lips as he lift the back of my shirt up and began to rub my lower back with his gloved hand. I moaned, opening my mouth slightly which was enough for him to shove his tough in and started to fight for dominance. When we did eventually come up for air we were quick to return as he reached up, pulling the back of my shirt up further and was playing with my bra strap. I was the first of us to remember our current surroundings and reluctantly pulled back. "Tommy, as much as I like where this is going and would love to continue, we are standing right in front of an invisaportal. I would hate to have more Tryannodrone show up and find us in a compromising position. Also you're still morphed, so you have me at disadvantage."

My words seemed to calm him somewhat as he stopped playing with my bra and leaned his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry it's just- *sigh* do you know how much you had me worried? I haven't been this concerned about anyone's well-being in a very long time." He told me as he looked deep into my eyes well gently rubbing my exposed skin, giving me goosebumps.

"I'm sorry I don't mean to worry you Tommy, not on purpose anyway but I think I may have some answers as to why Mesogog is after me." I told him as I ran my fingers through his hair, earning a deep throated groan from him well he retched up to stop my hands.

"Zara if you don't stop I will demorph and take you right here. I will not care that more Tryannodrones could show up or worse." He growled at me well looking down at me with eyes that were almost black with lust. I nodded in understanding as I let go of him and pulling my shirt back down and then picked up his helmet. Tommy took it from me and gave me another heated kiss before putting it back on. We left not too long after that, me wearing a simple motorcycle helmet as we headed back to the Dino lab.

Tommy's Pov

The others were waiting in the lab when Zara and I arrived and they were all relived to see Zara was ok as Tobi ran over and latched on to his mom. The little guy broke down crying and telling her in a hurry that he had found the green Dino Gem and had kept it a secret. She was quick to assure him that he was not in trouble or responsible but wished that he had told her about the gem. She then asked to see it, which I was happy to comply with and pulled it out of the box. Well Zara inspected it Trent asked. "You know Dr. O I have been wondering something, all of our Dino Gems have given us incredible powers. Conner has speed, Kira her Prytra scream, Ethan his shield, you can turn invisible and I have my chameleon ability. What does the green gem do?"

"You know what Trent I don't have a clue but I know someone who might." I sad as I walked over and knelt next to Tobi, placing a hand on his back and rubbing it gently. "What do you say buddy want to show us what you can do because of the gem?"

Tobi sniffed as he rubbed his nose before he looked up at Zara who smiled at him. "Go ahead and show us Tobi, you won't be in trouble, I promise." Tobi nodded as he looked around the lab, for what I don't know, until his eyes landed on Kira's raptor cycle. He walked over to it and all of our jaws dropped as he easily picked it up and lifted it above his head. "Ok that is pretty disconcerting to watch." Ethan said as Tobi carefully put Kira's cycle down.

"I will never have to struggle to open a jar ever again." Zara said still in awe of what her son had just done. She then smiled as she ran over, picked Tobi up and spun him around making him laugh. After that there was a discussion and it was decided that Tobi could keep the gem as he had already demonstrated that he would keep it safe. Taking his age into consideration Hayley offered to make a containment unit that would hid its energy. Hayley also assured Tobi that she would make him a morpher but he was not allowed to have it until he was much older. Tobi was a bit disappointed that he wouldn't be joining the team in the field but Conner was able to cheer him up. He convince the others to play a game of hide and seek around the house well Zara and I made an early dinner. It was only after the rangers and Hayley all left for the night and Zara was preparing to pack Tobi up to head home that my earlier protective feelings resurfaced. "Zara I want you and Tobi to stay here for a while."

She looked at me confused. "Now when you say stay here are you meaning for a few more hours then head home or are we talking days?"

I sighed as I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. "Zara after what happened with Zeltrax last month and Mesogog today I would feel much better if the both of you here. Where I can keep you and Tobi safe, at least till we find out why he wants you or till he's defeated."

"Um about that I think I may have some answers but I do have a question to ask you first. Do you know a women from another planet by the name of Dulcea?" of all the question she could have asked that was not the one I was expecting as my jaw dropped in surprise.