"Put him in the chair."

Those were words Dustin had no desire to hear. He did try to break away from the Tyranodrones surrounding him, but he was totally outnumbered. He struggled against the bonds of the chair, but even as he did it, he knew it was no use. He tried not to give up hope, but it was hard.

As the machine powered up, and the pink rings of energy began to race down the arm reaching toward him, Dustin felt a strange calm wash over him in spite of his pounding heart. He looked over at Tommy and tried to make him understand that it wasn't his fault. If Sensei can do it… That made Dustin think of Shane and Tori and the hysteria in the hotel the night before. He almost cracked a smile, then Mesogog hit the switch.

Dustin screamed. He'd never felt anything like it before. It was as if all the cells in his body were being individually ripped apart – and he could feel the death of each one. Each individual burst of electricity that powered his body was being drawn away and leaving him empty. Dustin struggled to hold on to consciousness, instinctively knowing it was important to do so.

Then suddenly, through no effort of his own, the pain was not so close. It was more like being wrapped in warmth, and though he could feel the warmth being taken from him, he was drawing it to himself in the same measure. There was a balance to it, so the pain disappeared.

Dustin let out a deep breath, or at least he thought he did – he didn't seem quite as connected to his body as he had been mere moments before. It was strange to be so isolated from oneself yet be in your own company. Dustin didn't ponder too long the ramifications of being lost in his own mind and just decided to enjoy the ride.

What was foremost in this thinking, rather, who was foremost in his thinking were Shane and Tori. Not unusual considering they'd been who he'd been thinking of just before he got zapped. Dustin was tickled by how his brain worked. Connections and stories, things he hadn't thought of in ages floated past his awareness. He gravitated toward random thoughts, and all of them gave him comfort and hope.

Shane, Tori and me walking on the beach at Reefside

grape soda

Dino Rangers…cool

talking about my dad

introducing my dad to Shane and the guyspridelove

how weird when Shane said he loved us

happycomfortsecure

Tori and me sleeping over at her housewaking up super early to watch cartoons and eat Cap'n Crunch out of the box

pizza with Shane

fighting LothorPRIDEDETERMINATION

TEAMSOLID

Was that pain creeping back in? Dustin tried to ignore it and refocus on thoughts of his friends. It was harder this time to catch his nebulous thoughts.

riding and racing with Blake and Hunter

camping with all the guys

the look on Cam's face when…

The pain was getting harder to ignore, and Dustin had a strong feeling that was a very bad sign. Beginning to panic, Dustin desperately tried to latch onto any of his fleeting thoughts - to regain some balance. He reached…grabbed…missed. Instinctively Dustin drew himself as far into himself as he could before -

The pain returned explosively. All other awareness was gone. Then awareness was gone as well.

Tommy slid into a seated position, pulling Dustin's limp form with him and settling him on his lap. Tommy pulled the boy closer willing him to demonstrate some sign of life. They can't have killed him. This can't be happening.

Tommy ignored the general hubbub around him until one of the drones tried to take Dustin away. He snatched and twisted the hand that had tried to remove Dustin from his grasp. With a flip and a twist the hand snapped and Tommy flung the offensive creature away.

"You can't have him." he growled. And even in unmorphed human form, completely defenseless and in an indefensible position on the floor, the menace in his voice was clear and made the Tyranodrones hesitant to approach him.

"Oh please…oh please…" Fealdor approached Tommy with a scanner. "He can't be dead…all in vain…please let him not be dead…"

Tommy didn't know whether to feel disgusted or hopeful at the thing's whiny mantra. Since Fealdor didn't actually attempt to remove Dustin from his lap in order to do the scan, Tommy didn't interfere. He just silently prayed that the lizard would find some sign of life.

Fealdor gave out a gasp and went limp with relief. "He's not dead. He's not dead! Just dreadfully weak."

Tommy checked Dustin's pulse once more – this time he did find it, it was feathery and weak, but it was there.

"Put him back in the chair." Zeltrax demanded.

Fealdor jumped fully upright. He stood between Zeltrax and the two Rangers. "You listen to me you armor-clad lackey. I think the lack of oxygen is finally getting to your brain. You nearly destroyed all my work today, and if I manage to salvage anything from this fiasco it'll be to see you slow roasted in that suit of yours."

"What is going on here?"

Fealdor whirled aghast. He'd hoped he would've had some time for damage control before Mesogog returned. But the smirking form of Elsa in the doorway was a clear indicator of why he'd returned so soon.

"Fealdor?" Mesogog demanded.

Fealdor took a deep breath. "I can fix it, my lord. I can finish the energy transfer. As long as Zeltrax doesn't interfere." he glared. "Though… we may have to use the energy chamber instead of the chair. And…" he pointed down at Tommy and Dustin. "we'll need to give the boy some time to recover."

"See to it, Fealdor. You will give me a full report later." Mesogog made one of his trademark, whip-quick turns into Zeltrax's face. "You will report to me now."

"Yes, my lord." Zeltrax replied with trepidation. He didn't even bother to protest or defend himself. Tommy silently wished as he watched them leave that in a short while there'd be one less of Mesogog's minions to deal with.

A short time later, Tommy found himself locked in a dank cell in the bottom of Mesogog's fortress. He never relinquished his hold on Dustin, just grimly followed the Tyranodrones and Fealdor. He couldn't imagine how they thought Dustin could recover in a place like this, but maybe if they waited long enough, the other Rangers would develop a plan to bust them out. He believed with all his heart that they could. It was only a matter of time.