Author's Notes – It's rather short. I'm sorry. The next chapter is already done because I didn't plan to put this one in, but realized after the fact I can't just have him wake up grown I need to explain the candle and find a cure for it and all that jazz, thus I quickly typed this up. There's only two more parts after this then it's done.
Summary – A cure is found.
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Science vs. Sorcery
Jason
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(Day 12, DinoLair)
Coming down the stairs, Tommy on his back, Conner gives me a weary look, apparently tired of keeping the boy busy with rides around the house and action adventure games. "So any idea how it works yet?"
Shaking my head and turning back to watch Hayley continue to study the candle, I don't know how Tommy understands a word she says. She's tried to explain the thing to me five times now and even after being friends with Billy it still went over my head. "She does, but the rest of us don't have a clue."
"Maybe he has to make another wish." I think that would be too simple, Conner.
"It doesn't work like that." Turning around in her chair, Hayley has hopefully thought up a simpler explanation. "It's laced with a chemical residue that's been injected into the wax. It's really very simple. Mesagog must have mixed the chemical into the melted wax before forming the candle so that the fumes of it are released when it's heated. Once heated the intended target, aka Tommy would breathe in the vapored chemical components which would then take affect restructuring his molecular makeup." Now why couldn't you have explained it like that an hour ago instead of going off on a tangent about quantum physics and the genetic theory of multiple cell structure reconstruction and mutation?
Shaking her head, Kira doesn't seem convinced. "But he didn't blow it out, so he couldn't have breathed in anymore fumes then we did." Good point. So why was he affected and not them?
"No, but you said he licked his fingers before extinguishing the flame. There's a good chance that enough of the chemical rubbed off onto his fingers that when he licked them he ingested a sufficient amount to spark the transformation." Showing us her latex covered hands, it seems Hayley's taking no chances of ending up with the same fate. Good thing I cleaned both myself and Tommy up when we got back.
Catching a rather dishearted look on Ethan's face, I let my curiosity get the better of me. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing just…sorta takes the aw factor out of it when you have it scientifically explained like that."
Raising an eyebrow, Kira beats both me and Conner to it. "You thought it was magic?"
"No…maybe."
Thinking this over, despite his chuckling, Conner much to my surprise brings up a rather interesting point. "Zedd used magic didn't he?"
"Sort of, but you have to remember Mesagog isn't Zedd, Mesagog is, well was a scientist. So it's most likely his plans will be scientifically based, not done with sorcery and raw power like Zedd's." Which I'm actually rather grateful for. I've had my fill of spells and magic from my own time in the uniform.
Not seeming very interested in our Zedd conversation, Kira turns back to Hayley. "So since it is as simple as chemicals and such can you make an antidote and change him back?"
I guess not with how she's shaking her head. "Just because it's based on principles I know doesn't mean it's simple. His entire molecular structure has been altered. It could take me months even years to come up with a solution." Years? But we don't have years. The fate of man kind doesn't have years. We need him back now.
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(6 hours later…)
Giving the scientist a look as she hands me the cup, I barely keep the amusement out of my voice. "Years huh?"
Removing her gloves and locking the candle safely in the led box, she offers a rather satisfied if not slightly tired smile. "Be thankful I'm a genius." Trust me I am. "Still though it'll take a few hours to most likely take full effect, just like with the candle. He might not be back to normal until sometime tomorrow." So long as it doesn't take much longer then that I think we'll manage.
Going over to the computers where Tommy is currently playing video games, I offer him the cup which contains the bright green liquid that Hayley insists will bring him back to his fully matured self. "Here you go buddy."
Pausing his game and glancing at it with distaste, I can't say I blame him, it really doesn't look to appealing, not to mention it has a rather pungent smell that she couldn't cover up even after adding the fruit juice. "What is it?"
"Juice."
Looking doubtful, he takes a quick sniff before turning his head. "I don't want it. It smells funny." Right then.
"I know it looks and smells a little strange, but it's very good for you. It's special juice that'll help you grow up to be big and strong." We hope. When he shakes his head again, clearly not interested, I heave a sigh. I really don't need this right now. "Tommy you need to drink this, okay."
"No. Don't want to." Arms crossed over his chest now, he's not budging on the matter. Of course neither am I.
"Well you have to."
"But I don't want to." Yes we've established that.
"I understand that, but you have to despite the fact that you don't want to."
"No." That's it.
Before I can try and coax him further the cup is taken from my hand as Conner joins us, giving me a scolding look at apparently not being able to handle the child. "Tommy you have to drink this, it's good for you. And if you drink it all right now I'll give you icecream before you go to bed. Deal?" I know he's eight, but come on do you really think he's going to fall for th-
"Okay." Quickly taking the drink for the Red Ranger he gulps it down without so much as protest.
Taking the empty cup and handing it to me, Conner ruffles his hair affectionately. "Good boy." I'm never having children. Ever.
To be continued…………