Summary: Hayden fills the Rangers in on the new threat; meanwhile, certain events force Trent Mercer to take action…

A/N: We all remember White Thunder? we nod our head Good, this is it's opposite…

XXXXXXX

Trent Mercer didn't know what to think. Sure, he was strong – he had nearly, single-handedly destroyed the Rangers only 4 separate occasions. He wasn't weak and neither was Hayden. In fact, Hayden was his opposite; doppelganger in power, if you will. So it came a surprise when Hayden said the foe had stood with him toe to toe. Even reversed one of his own attacks.

This frightened Trent.

He glanced over at Hayden who stood at the wall, staring up at the Dino Thunder logo. He looked oddly older; not 20, like he should. He had grown a golden-brown goatee and his eyes had lost the spark when they first met him. It looked like he became a war veteran within the time they were separated. At first, he was tempted to go ask him, but the posture he stood in signified power, grace, and meditation. It wasn't a stance he'd seen used a lot, mainly by Dr. O or his father, Anton, when he was Mesogog. Where had he learned it from?

Trent pushed off the wall and moved slowly towards Hayden. He saw his eyes flicker over to him for a split second and then back to the logo. He was alert like a hawk.

"Hey, Hayden, you mind if I ask you something?" Trent questioned, leaning against the wall again. Hayden said nothing, only nodded fractionally. "What happened to you during your travels? You don't look twenty."

He smiled broadly and shook his head. "I learned many things during my travels, Trent." He said, facing him now. "So what do you think of our new foe?" He was avoiding the question…

"He sounds dangerous, if you ask me; especially if he could stand up to you." He answered, looking away. "But he brings up many questions."

"Trent, I will not lie to you. I have changed." He admitted, causing the Dino Ranger to arch a brow. "But…during my travels, I have also grown weaker." He lifted his arm, looking down at the gem. "It's near constant use has drain his power considerably and I'm afraid I will not be able to fight for a while. I'm lucky I had the power to even match him. Any weaker…and he surely would have killed me."

Trent fought back the urge to scream. Just how powerful is this guy. "Another Vertox, huh?" He said, glancing at Hayden. His face would solid and serious. "Another mindless killer…"

"No…not mindless." Hayden corrected, shaking his head. His eyes narrowed to slits, as if he was staring into some distant realm. "When I looked into his eyes…I saw hate. But his hate was not against all living creatures…not yet, at least. His hate was directed towards me, my gem. It was directed to all the past Power Rangers and all the current."

"Ranger killer?" Trent said, shaking his head. "Great, this is just what we need; a psychopath who has something against Power Rangers."

Hayden frowned deeply. "It would explain why Jason died first. I think he's going in order." He glanced at Trent. "He's going after the first generation; Jason, Billy, Kimberly, Zack and Tommy. Trini has already passed on, so I presume she is in good hands."

"Presume? How can he harm a dead person?" Trent asked, looking at the floor. "Unless…"

"Yeah, you're right, unless he goes after her spirit. But we don't know the extent of his power, so we can't even make an accurate judgment." Hayden finished, shaking his head. "Either way, we need to warn those who are still alive from the first generation."

"Wait…two questions: one, what about you? Why did he attack you? You aren't a first generation ranger. Second, what about Rocky, Adam and Aisha? Are they first?" Trent said, pushing off the wall. He didn't like the direction this exchange was going.

"He attacked me because I happened to be out in the open." Hayden answered, taking a deep breath. "And alone. As far as Rocky and the others go? I don't know. They maybe considered First Generation Rangers or second. I really can't answer that question."

Trent sighed and furrowed his brows. Things were just getting better by the minute…

XXXXXX

Water splashed against the energy barrier that surrounded the long, marble tiled bridge. It's rails were solid gold – silver mix and it was supported by magic alone. The trio of water falls that surrounded the bridge, splashed against the energy barrier, trickled down its sides and to the surface below. At one end of the bridge was a steel door that connected to the bridge of the ship and at the other was two golden doors that were pushed open by several black clad figures. They were dressed in a black, body tight suit and golden-silver armor that forked out in three different directions near the bottom. At their sides where combat swords of the most intricate design. The blades itself was smooth and slender, however it looked to be made from an emerald sustenance; the energy burned visibly within it.

The Black Cloaked figure moved past the doors with two others hot on its tail. Suddenly, the leader stopped, jerked around to face the subordinates and sneered.

"Find the next set of rangers and kill them." It scowled and turned away. "Do not return until your task is completed. I will not accept failure."

The two figures bowed and turned away. The leader scowled and then sighed, turning to face its thrown. The blood red eyes deepened and the scowl returned.

"Even when their master failed at killing a single, lone Ranger?" The man said, arching a white brow.

"Darius." The Cloaked One hissed and withdrew a blade similar to the guards. Only this one was modified; its handle was that of a dragon and a snail coiled around it's body, squeezing. At the bottom, their heads were ready to snap at each other. "What do you want…be quick or die."

Suddenly, blue-white lightning snaked around the cloaked figure and tore into its body. Its painful screams echoed the room and quick flick of Darius' wrist, the figure was tossed through the air and thrown into the wall. "Omega…should know by now that you can't defeat me." He said with a hurt look. "It's pointless to even try."

Omega, the cloaked figure, slowly stood up and hissed. "One day Darius…" Omega sneered, clutching his sword tightly. "One day Darius, you will die…and I will be there to see it…"

Darius could only laugh at the hollow threat and shook his head. "Anyone who can defeat me blade-to-blade deserves to have my life." He glared at Omega and barred his teeth. "But you should hold your tongue, Darius, especially if you wish to keep your life.

Omega turned away, drawing the cloak closer to him and disappeared onto the bridge. Darius watched him leave with a satisfied smile and sank back into Omega's chair. He could get used to this rather quick. And he would to. When the Rangers die, the last defense will be gone… He thought, a wicked smile crossing his lips. Then, I shall conquer Earth…the last…point. He threw his back in inane laughter and laughed clutched the chair.

Soon…it would be all over.

XXXXXX

Trent sipped at his smoothie and sighed, leaning back in the chair. "I miss working here sometimes, Hayley." He said, glancing at her. She smiled sweetly and spun around to get another order ready. He sighed and took the last sip of his smoothie and walked around the counter. He grabbed the paper and pencil and ripped off a sheet of paper. Tossing it into the trash can, he turned to the customer. "What can I get you, sir?"

And turned right into Anton Mercer.

"Oh…Oh, hi dad." He said and waved. "What are you doing down here."

Anton smiled and shook his head. "Work was chaos so I figured I'd come down to see what my son was doing." He said and slipped into the seat. "You start working here again?"

Trent shook his head and slipped some money into the drawer. He pulled out a glass for a smoothie. "Nah. As you can see, Hayley's a bit bombarded and I thought she could use some help." He said and placed the Raspberry smoothie down in front of Anton. "Although, I have been thinking asking Hayley if she'd hire me again; miss this place, you know?"

"Trent, I'll hire you now if you're willing." Hayley said seriously.

Trent looked at Anton and smiled. "That's my cue." He said and moved off to work.

Anton chuckled and shook his head. "You know Hayley, between being the Art/Writing teacher, a job for DC Comics…his extracurricular job and now here…I think he's going to burn himself out." He took a long gulp of the smoothie.

"Well, it's his choice. If he has to go, he has to go. I don't mind. He's done enough anyway." Hayley said, shrugging. "I just haven't found anyone reliable to take his place."

Anton smiled, watching as his Son delivered several drinks. "He has that gift. So Hayley, what have you been up to lately?" He asked, glancing at her.

"Working and an occasional date with Billy, but we work most of the time." She answered and slid a smoothie to Trent as he passed by. "You?"

Anton smiled and took another drink. "Same as you, Hayley. Elsa and I have been thinking about getting married." He said with a proud twinkle in his eye.

"Congratulations! I knew you two would, someday. You were destined for each other." She grinned and finally had some time to sit. "So what is knew at that work of yours?"

Anton frowned and set his smoothie down. "It's strange really, we got a shipment in of some old Dino Bones…but they don't show up any of the charts. It's shaped similar to a Tyranno Bone…but…it's not. It's not dense enough. Then we got to the head…we…we have no clue what this is."

Hayley frowned. "A new Dinosaur discovered? Wait, it's not Mesogog's remains is it?" She joked.

He laughed and shook his head. "No, Hayley, it's not. I can tell you on first hand it isn't Mesogog." He frowned, rubbing his forehead. "I sense…trouble from it. I just prey it doesn't turn out to be like another Fossilador."

Hayley laughed and shook her head. "I doubt it." She turned away and took the costumers order.

But something still didn't feel right. He rubbed his forehead, sighing heavily. The bones were shaped like a T-Rex, but they were smaller and less dense. But…they radiated an unusual energy. And large amounts of it as well. But…how did Anton Mercer Industries get a hold of it? And a better question, where did they get a hold of it?

"Anton."

His head shot up to see Hayley staring at him. She looked annoyed. "If you're so worried about it, send Trent." She said, arching a brow. "I'm sure he'd be more then happy to go check it out."

"Check what out." Trent said, moving up beside them. "I heard my name."

Anton sighed, regaining his composure and looked up at the two. "Trent, can I ask a favor you?" He asked, looking at the counter sheepishly.

"Anything." He said, tilting his head slightly. He was a little confused by the way he was acting.

He cleared his throat. "Our company got a shipment of Dino Bones in earlier today and at first I thought they T-Rex bones…" Trent wiped up the counter in front of Anton, his eyes still glancing suspicious at him. "…upon closer inspection, I realized it wasn't. They were smaller bones, less dense. Well, I compared it to charts we have…and it doesn't match any of the currently known Dinosaurs."

Trent stopped now, gazing intently at his dad.

"I think…it might be another Fossilador." He said, returning the stare. Trent sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I was wondering if you'd check it out for me…"

Trent nodded and tossed the rag into the sink. "Ha-"

"Go." She said without even looking. She was moving to get things done.

"Thanks. And…sorry." He said, smiling as he jumped over the counter.

She waved him off and moved a little bit faster. Anton smiled and leaned forward, taking a sip of his Smoothie. But something…in the back of his mind told him something was horribly wrong.

XXXXXX

Trent Mercer moved through the doors of his father's company. At 5:30 in the afternoon, most of the employees had gone home, but when no security guard was at the gate nor front desk, he realized something was seriously wrong. He flicked his wrist, activating the Morpher and cautiously moved towards the security room. "You won't like what you find, Trent." Drago said softly. Trent sighed and nodded his head.

"I know."

He pushed open the door and frowned. It was a bloody mess. Most of the security guards were dead. He moved a bit further into the room and knelt down, checking the guard over. There was a deep slash mark across his chest. It was clean and precise; cutting off all vessels. He frowned and looked around the room.

"What the hell happened here?" Trent whispered, standing up.

"There is traces of energy in this room. These security guards were not killed by a now saber." Drago explained, it's red eyes flashing with each word.

"I was afraid you'd say that." Trent sighed and raised his arm. "Whi-"

"BEHIND!" Drago screamed

Trent suddenly flipped forward as the emerald green blade slammed against the floor. He whirled around with a roundhouse, striking the cloaked figure hard in the chest. Another suddenly moved out of its shadow and sprang towards him. Trent gasped and groaned, feeling it's shoulder slam against his forearms and his back strike the counter. Pain rushed up his spine as he winced and gasped feeling a chop strike against his the throat. The force lifted him up and onto the table then through. He cried out, clutching his back. His eyes flickered open to slits as he stared up at the cloaked figures.

"This isn't the one." The right figure said and raised the blade.

"But he will do for now. I'm sure Master Darius will be pleased with the death of any ranger." The Left One remarked and drew its blade back.

Trent gasped and suddenly kipped-up; thrusting a kick deep into their chest. He landed gracefully on his feet, clutching his wrist. "White Ranger, Dino Thunder." He slowly stood up as the black-white glow spread through his body. Squeezing his fists angrily, he ripped the Drago-Sword from it's holster and fell into stance.

And was surprised by the sudden blast of energy.

It had been the first time since they had received their updates and it appeared Hayley wasn't joking when she said a sizable update. His blood felt like it was liquid lava as it burned through his veins and skin, then morphing into raw energy. He looked down at his hands, seeing the energy waves radiating off his body. Looking up at the figures he could only grin.

"I shall return the pain you've caused them ten fol!" He hissed and dropped into stance. The two figure followed suit and a blinding flash they clashed together.

Trent blocked the first blow and cart-wheeled over the next. He pivoted hard as he landed and slashed one across the back and lashed out with a brutal snapping thrust kick into the other. Both figures slammed against the wall and clattered to the ground, howling in pain.

"Had enough?" Trent boasted, tapping the sword against his shoulder. "Oh come on, I haven't warmed up yet."

One staggered to it's feet, hissing and drew the blade into a samurai-esc pose. Trent just stood there, staring at it. Suddenly, the being charged forward and lashed out with a lightning-quick vertical slash. Trent merely side-step blocked and brought knee hard into its gut. The being crumpled over Trent's knee and slid off, crumbling into a heap of black cloak.

"Apparently you have." He said, arching a brow and looked at the other. He gasped and threw his blade out defense. The cloaked figure bashed it away and drove a roundhouse hard into his gut. He staggered, clutching his stomach and cried out as the blade cut across his chest.

He panted hard, clutching at his chest and marched forward, drawing his blade back. The Cloaked Figure moved forward, siding stepping the strike and cut at his leg. Trent rolled forward, letting the blade slide by and cut the air twice. A dozen golden arrows hovered in the air.

"Laser Arrows!" Trent hissed, swinging his blade forward.

The arrows twisted and rocketed through the airs, exploding against the being's chest. The explosion's tore across it's body and threw it hard into the wall. Trent whirled around, swinging his foot out against the second being's leg. It flipped through air, slammed against the ground with a sick thud. Trent completed the turn by driving his sword deep into it's stomach.

A painful, ear splitting scream echoed through the entire facility as Trent clutched his ears. The figure flashed a red-black light and then all that remained was a black cloak. Trent stood up and let out a breath before turning to face the second figure. It slowly stood, raising the blade into ready stance.

"You are strong, White One." The Black One hissed, panting hard. "You maybe of use to my Master, if you join us."

"Tell that to your friend." He said, yanking the blade out of the floor. He tapped it lightly against his shoulder and glared. "What makes you think I'd accept the offer anyway? After what you did to these Security Guards, you expect to show me mercy?"

The Black One hissed and charged forward. The met in a volley of slashes that would make any Samurai cry. Trent ducked under the first slash and spun, slicing the being across the ribs. It turned, slicing towards head, but Trent ducked under, slapped the blade away and buried his heel deep into it's stomach. Staggering back, it's head snapped up; two blood red eyes burned Trent to death. He only grinned, rested the blade on his shoulder and beckoned.

The being charged in with a horizon slash but the black-white blade of Trent. He clasped onto the being's hand, yanked him forward and drove a vicious elbow into its face. He felt blood splatter against his arm and he threw the being into the wall.

Blue Blood? Trent thought, wiping off the liquid. He looked up at the being, seeing blood trickle to the ground. With one simple sweep of his blade, a golden-black energy wave lashed across its chest and exploded. The water splintered and caved in on the empty cloak.

"Marvelous." Drago complimented. "Best fight I've seen sine you were evil."

Trent rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Thanks anyway, Drago. Time to get back…to…my…" He stopped and moved towards the hole in the wall. "What the hell is that?"

Drago roared as it too peered at the completed Dino. It looked like a T-Rex, but it was hunched over. It's arms were longer and thicker, almost as if it used them. Trent moved closer to the bones and reached out to touch it, but before he could, several more cloaked beings moved out of the shadow's. Trent fell back into stance, hissing angrily.

"The left-most center being has the same energy signature I picked up earlier." Drago said. Trent glanced at the being, seeing it was smaller then the others, but it's sword was different; white instead of emerald.

"Trent Fernandez-Mercer?" The being said, pulling back it's cloak. Trents eyes widened, seeing a Ranger helmet. It was different then anything he'd seen. The visor was red with a black trim that shimmered in the light. Black stripes formed a cross on the mask and near the top, two ruby eyes sparkled in the light. "I am Omega."

Trent glanced to his sides, seeing the figures draw closer. He clenched his fists tighter and hissed.

"These are my Royal Guards, Beta Rangers." Omega said, moving forward and passed the assembled bones. It stopped just pasted it and snapped his head to face Trent. "I am truly surprised you energy was sufficient enough to stand up against my Royal Guards."

"Beta Rangers?" He said, tightening his stance. He was greatly out number; 8:1. "As in Power Ranger Rangers?"

"You are correct." Omega said, turning to face him completely. "Master Darius wishes for your death. He found the only way that would work is to fight fire with fire."

"Smart move. Ranger energy against Ranger energy. Oh the irony of it." Trent sighed and eased his stance. "So what do you want with me."

The white blade snapped out, pointing at Trents face. "You dead…"

Trent slipped into stance again and raised his blade as the 7 Beta Rangers sprang forward at him…

XXXXXXXX

A/N: What? Their Power Rangers? But Darius hates Rangers…find out Trents fate in White Lightning Prt. 2!

May the Powers Protect You.